and of the Parliament. A committee of the Privy Council was
sitting when the tidings of the mutiny arrived in London. William
Harbord, who represented the borough of Launceston, was at the
board. His colleagues entreated him to go down instantly to the
House of Commons, and to relate what had happened. He went, rose
in his place, and told his story. The spirit of the assembly rose
to the occasion. Howe was the first to call for vigorous action.
"Address the King," he said, "to send his Dutch troops after
these men. I know not who else can be trusted." "This is no
jesting matter," said old Birch, who had been a colonel in the
service of the Parliament, and had seen the most powerful and
renowned House of Commons that ever sate twice purged and twice
expelled by its own soldiers; "if you let this evil spread, you
will have an army upon you in a few days. Address the King to
send horse and foot instantly, his own men, men whom he can
trust, and to put these people down at once." The men of the long
robe caught the flame. "It is not the learning of my profession
that is needed here," said Treby. "What is now to be done is to
meet force with force, and to maintain in the field what we have
done in the senate." "Write to the Sheriffs," said Colonel
Mildmay, member for Essex. "Raise the militia. There are a
hundred and fifty thousand of them: they are good Englishmen:
they will not fail you." It was resolved that all members of the
House who held commissions in the army should be dispensed from
parliamentary attendance, in order that they might repair
instantly to their military posts. An address was unanimously
voted requesting the King to take effectual steps for the
suppression of the rebellion, and to put forth a proclamation
denouncing public vengeance on the rebels. One gentleman hinted
that it might be well to advise his Majesty to offer a pardon to