CHAP, ii.] WEST INDIES. 151 



The celebrated female republican* terms it " disho- 

 nourable and piratical," and the courtly and elegant 

 apologist of the Stewart family,! pronounces it a most 

 unwarrantable violation of treaty. 



The publication of the state papers of Thurloe (the 

 secretary) ought, however, to have mitigated this 

 weight of censure. In truth, it will be found, that 

 nothing but a most disingenuous concealment of the 



o o 



hostile proceedings of the Spaniards, too gross to be 

 palliated, towards the subjects of England, can give 

 even the colour of plausibility to the charge \vhich has 

 been brought against Cromwell, of having commen- 

 ced an unjust and ruinous war against a friend and 

 ally, contrary to the interest of the nation, and in vi- 

 olation of the faith of treaties. If the power which is 

 vested in the executive magistrate, by whatever name 

 he be distinguished, be held for the protection and se- 

 curity of the religion, liberties, and properties of the 

 people under his government, the measures adopted 

 by the protector on that occasion were not merely 

 justifiable; they W 7 ere highly necessary, and even 

 meritorious; for the conduct of Spain, especially in 

 America, was the declaration and exercise of war 

 against the whole human race. I shall adduce a feu- 

 remarkable facts to support this assertion. The sub- 

 ject is curious in itself, and, in some respects, will be 

 new to the reader. 



* Mrs. Macauley Hist, of England. 

 j- David Hume Hist, of Great Britain, 



