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Page 8
_Bradshaw_. "If you had attended to what was addressed to you by
the court upon your arrival, you would know in what this authority
consisted. It calls upon you, in the name of the people of England, of
whom you were elected king, to make a reply."
_The King_. "No sir, I deny this."
_Bradshaw_. "If you refuse to acknowledge the authority of the
court, it will proceed against you."
_The King_. "I maintain that England never was an elective kingdom;
for nearly the space of a thousand years it has been altogether an
hereditary one. Let me know, then, by what authority I am summoned here.
Inquire from Colonel Cobbett, who is here at hand, if I were not brought
by force from the Isle of Wight. I will yield to none in maintaining the
just privileges of the House of Commons in this place. But where are the
Lords? I see no Lords here necessary to constitute a parliament. A king,
moreover, is essential to it. Now is this what is meant by bringing the
king to meet his parliament?"
_Bradshaw._ "Sir, the court awaits a definitive answer from you. If
what we have stated respecting our authority does not satisfy you, it is
sufficient for us, we know that it is founded upon the authority of God
and of the country."
_The King._ "It is neither my opinion nor yours which should decide."
_Bradshaw._ "The court has heard you; you will be disposed of
according to its orders. Let the prisoner be removed. The court adjourns
until Monday."
The court then withdrew; and the king retired under the same escort that
had accompanied him. Upon rising he perceived the sword placed upon the
table, "I have no fear of that," he observed, pointing towards it with
his cane. As he descended the staircase, several voices called out
"Justice! justice!" but far the greater number were heard to exclaim,
"God save the king! God save your majesty."
On the morrow at the opening of the sitting, sixty-two members being
present, the court ordered strict silence to be observed under pain of
imprisonment. On his arrival, however, the king was not the less
received with marked applause. The same sort of discussion commenced,
and with equal obstinacy on both sides. "Sir," at length, exclaimed
Bradshaw, "neither you, nor any other person shall be permitted to
question the jurisdiction of this court. It sits by authority of the
Commons of England--an authority to which both you and your predecessors
are to be held responsible."
_The King._ "I deny that. Show me a single precedent." Bradshaw
rose up in a passion: "Sir, we do not sit here to reply to your
questions. Plead to the accusation, _guilty_ or not _guilty_."
_The King._ "You have not yet heard my reasons."
_Bradshaw._ "Sir, no reason can be advanced against the highest of
all jurisdictions."
_The King._ "Point out to me this jurisdiction; or you refuse to
hear reason."
_Bradshaw._ "Sir, we show it to you here. Here are the Commons of
England. Sergeant, remove the prisoner."
The king on this turned suddenly round towards the people. "Bear in
mind," he said, "that the king of England has been condemned without
being permitted to state his reasons in support of the people's
liberty." These words were followed by an almost general cry of God save
the king. * * *
On the 27th at noon, after two hours conference in the painted chamber,
the court opened, as usual, by calling a list of the names. At the name
of Fairfax, a woman's voice from the bottom of the gallery was heard to
exclaim: "He has too much sense to be here." After some moments'
surprise and hesitation, the names were called over, and sixty-seven
members were present. When the king entered the hall, there was a
violent outcry: "Execution! justice! execution!" The soldiers became
very insolent; some officers, in particular Axtell, commander of the
guards, excited them to this uproar; and groups spread about through the
hall, as busily seconded them. The people, struck with consternation,
were silent. "Sir!" said the king, addressing Bradshaw before he sat
down, "I demand to speak a word; I hope that I shall give you no cause
to interrupt me."
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