THE CONFERENCE BETWEEN MANASSEH BEN-ISRAEL AND OLIVER CROMWELL.
Solomon Alexander Hart, R.A.
Oil painting [copyright] 60½ × 91.)[¹]
p. 15.
[¹] On Wednesday, the 12th of December, 1655, a conference was held in the Long Gallery at Whitehall, to which were invited the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Chief Baron, the most eminent divines and lawyers, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs and citizens of London, to consider, after many previous parliaments had in vain been petitioned, the proposal of Manasseh of admitting Jews to settle in England, from whence they had been banished in the reign of Edward the First.
The scene represents Dr. Thos. Goodwin debating on the proposal. On Goodwin’s left is Dr. John Owen together with other divines; among these Dr. Samuel Cradock meditates on Manasseh’s appeal. At Cromwell’s left hand is the Lord Chief Justice, Sir John Glynn; on his right is seen part of the head of the Chief Baron. At the feet of the Protector, Mr. Secretary Thurloe takes notes of the proceedings.
The Lord Mayor Draper, or rather Dethick, is present, together with the Sheriffs, sword and mace bearer.
Second on the right of Manasseh, among other sympathisers with his appeal, is Hugh Peters: on the right of this picture some Puritan divines and Roundhead troopers listen; a musketeer completes the group. An attendant is searching for information among objects, the authorities for which are preserved in the Rolls Court. Two merchants’ wives, one with her son, and some citizens, form the group on the left.
Although the result of the conference was unfavourable, a few Jews came back on sufferance, but ultimately were allowed to return at the restoration of the Monarchy.
The Exhibition of Royal Academy of Arts, MDCCCLXXIII. The one hundred and fifth ... London ... p. 17, Gallery No. 111, 322.