THE THIRD DUTCH WAR 50 



an article that preserved the right of the fishing, but gave 

 the Dutch permission, as tenants, under a small rent, to enjoy 

 and continue that gainful trade upon his coasts." But the 

 Dutch, he said, would not agree to any article on the flag 

 that was clear or plain, and they refused any article about 

 the fishery except such a one as might convey to them the 

 right of inheritance for an inconsiderable sum of money, 

 " though it be a Royalty so inherent in the crown of England, 

 that I may say (with his Majesty's pardon for the expres- 

 sion) he cannot sell it." " There is not," continued the Chan- 

 cellor, "so lawful or commendable a jealousy in the world, 

 as an Englishman's of the growing greatness of any Prince 

 at sea. If you permit the sea, our British wife, to be ravished, 

 an eternal mark of infamy will stick upon us." It was 

 therefore the duty of Parliament to provide the king with 

 more money. 1 



Parliament was not to be cozened by fair words or beguiled 

 by the oratorical tropes of Shaftesbury. The Commons 

 boldly affirmed they would vote no more money unless it 

 appeared that the Dutch were so obstinate as to refuse all 

 reasonable conditions of peace; and with regard to other 

 matters they showed a bellicose spirit. The king resolved 

 to prorogue them suddenly, and went unexpectedly to the 

 House of Peers and sent for the Commons. When Black 

 Rod approached to summon them the door was hastily closed, 

 the Speaker was hurried into the chair, and the following 

 motions were instantly put : that the alliance with France 

 was a grievance; that the evil counsellors about the king 

 were a grievance; that the Duke of Lauderdale was a griev- 

 ance and not fit to be trusted or employed. Before the motions 

 could be passed, Black Rod, knocking loudly in the king's 

 name, was admitted, and the House rose in confusion. A 

 scene so reminiscent of the days of his father could hardly 

 be lost on Charles. It was clear that it would be impossible 

 to continue the Dutch war if its continuance depended on 

 Parliament voting money for it. 



Shortly afterwards the king found it necessary to summon 

 Parliament again, and, changing his attitude, he condescended 

 to submit to them, for their opinion, certain propositions for 



1 Commons' Journals, ix. 282. Lords' Journals, xii. 588. 



