Royalist at heart, and continued in friendship with the Cavaliers
up to the period of his proclamation as Protector. It has been
stated that, falling on his knees, he entreated his father to
spare the life of Charles I.; it is certain he remained inactive
whilst the civil wars devastated the land; and there is evidence
to show that, during the seven months and twenty-eight days of
his Protectorship, he shrank from the perpetration of cruelty and
crime. Accordingly, when those who had at first supported his
authority eventually conspired against him, he refrained from
using his power to crush them. At this his friends were wrath.
"It is time to look about you," said Lord Howard, speaking with
the bluntness of a friend. "Empire and command are not now the
question. Your person, your life are in peril. You are the son
of Cromwell; show yourself worthy to be his son. This business
requires a bold stroke, and must be supported by a good head. Do
not suffer yourself to be daunted. I will rid you of your
enemies: do you stand by me, and only back my zeal for your
honour with your name; my head shall answer for the
consequences."

Colonel Ingoldsby seconded the advice Lord Howard gave, but
Richard Cromwell hearkened to neither. "I have never done
anybody any harm, and never will," said he. "will not have a
drop of blood spilt for the preservation of my greatness, which
is a burden to me." At this Lord Howard was indignant. "Do you
think," he asked, "this moderation of yours will repair the wrong
your family has committed by its elevation? Everybody knows that
by violence your father procured the death of the late king, and
kept his sons in banishment: mercy in the present state of
affairs is unreasonable. Lay aside this pussillanimity; every