CHAP, in.] WEST INDIES. 175 



rninent danger, he sent to D'Oyley, and formally 

 transferred his authority to that officer. D'Oyley 

 happily possessed all those qualifications in which 

 Brayne was deficient; yet he entered on his charge 

 with reluctance; for having already been roughly su- 

 perseded by the protector, he expected perhaps such 

 another dismission. In the letters which he address- 

 ed to Cromwell and Fleet wood, on the event of 

 Brayne's decease, he expresses himself with proprie- 

 ty and dignity. "Your highness," he observes to 

 Cromwell, " is not to be told how difficult it is to com- 

 mand an army without-pay, and I tremble to think 

 of the discontents I am to straggle withal, until the 

 return of your commands; though I bless God I have 

 the affection of the people here, beyond any that ever 

 yet commanded them ; and a spirit of my own not to 

 sink under the weight of unreasonable discontents." 



o 



To Fleetwood he writes, " I would have refused to 

 accept of this command, if I could have quitted with 

 honour and faithfulness to my country; but I am now 

 resolved to go through, until I receive further orders 



O O J 



from his highness, or a discharge from him, which I 

 humbly desire your lordship to effect for me. Ho- 

 nours and riches are not the things I aim at. I bless 

 God I have a soul much above them. Pray, my lord, 

 decline your greatness, and command your secretary 

 to give me an answer; for if I were disrobed of all 

 my titles of honour and great command, yet you know 

 that I am a gentleman, and a faithful friend to my 

 country." 



It was fortunate for his country that his resignation 

 was not accepted, and that the protector, sensible at 



