220 PABLIAMENTAKT HISTOEY OF TETJKO. 



represented Truro in three successive parliaments, 1656, 1658-9, 

 and 1660. His loyalty to Charles nearly cost him his seat in the 

 first of these parliaments. In common with about one hundred 

 other members, he had not received his writ, when the house met ; 

 they were excluded by order of Cromwell and his council, " on 

 account of their political or moral disqualifications." Their case 

 being considered, it was decided on 22nd September, by 125 votes 

 to 29, that they might apply "to the Council for an approbation," 

 and that in the meantime the sitting members would proceed 

 " with the great affairs of the nation." 



In Eichard Cromwell's only parliament (met 27th January, 

 1658-9) Charles Boscawen, of Nansavallon, shared the represen- 

 tation of Truro with Vincent. He supported Cromwell's policy, 

 so that now the capital burgesses sent a member of each of the two 

 great national parties to represent them. Like Vincent, Boscawen 

 was a barrister-at-law, but he "made noe further use thereof in 

 his elder years than to councill and assist his friends in all their 

 lawe concerns, gratis." (Hals). This is the first instance of a 

 member of the Tregothnan family representing Truro. The 

 parliamentary influence of the Boscawens in Truro was remarkable ; 

 until the passing of the Heform Bill, in 1832, they ruled the 

 the borough with absolute sway, and by far the larger number of 

 its representatives fi'om 1659 until 1832 were. either members or 

 nominees of the family. 



