[CROMWELL AND THE RUMP (1653).]
Source.—Carlyle, Cromwell's Letters and Speeches, September 12, 1654.
I pressed the Parliament, as a member, to period themselves—once, and again, and again, and ten, nay twenty times over. I told them—for I knew it better than any one man in the Parliament could know it, because of my manner of life which led me everywhere up and down the nation, thereby giving me to see and know the temper and spirits of all men, and of the best of men,—that the nation loathed their sitting. I knew it. And, so far as I could discern, when they were dissolved, there was not so much as the barking of a dog, or any general or visible repining at it! You are not a few here present that can assert this as well as myself.
And that there was high cause for their dissolution, is most evident; not only in regard there was a just fear of that Parliament perpetuating themselves, but because it was their design. Had not their heels been trod upon by importunities from abroad, even to threats, I believe there never would have been thoughts of rising or of going out of that room, to the world's end. I myself was sounded, and by no mean persons tempted; and proposals were made to me to that very end: that the Parliament might be thus perpetuated; that the vacant places might be supplied by new elections;—and so continue from generation to generation.
[THE INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT (1653).]
Source.—Old Parliamentary History. Vol. xx., p. 248.
The Government of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging.
I. That the supreme legislative authority of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, shall be and reside in one person, and the people assembled in Parliament: the style of which person shall be the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.