their reasons for
dissenting from their colleagues. By this time, however, they were
considered as hirelings of the court, and no regard was paid to their
representations. The others delivered their report, declaring that
a million and a half of money might be raised from the sale of the
confiscated estates; and a bill was brought in for applying them to the
use of the public. A motion being made to reserve a third part for
the king's disposal, it was overruled: then the commons passed an
extraordinary vote, importing that they would not receive any petition
from any person whatsoever concerning the grants, and that they would
consider the great services performed by the commissioners appointed
to inquire into the forfeited estates. They resolved, That the four
commissioners who had signed the report had acquitted themselves with
understanding, courage, and integrity; and, That sir Richard Leving,
as author of groundless and scandalous aspersions cast upon his four
colleagues, should be committed prisoner to the Tower. They afterwards
came to the following resolution, which was presented to the king in
form of an address,--That the procuring and passing those grants had
occasioned great debts upon the nation, and heavy taxes upon the people,
and highly reflected upon the king's honour; and, That the officers and
instruments concerned in the same had highly failed in the performance
of their trust and duty. The king answered, That he was not only led by
inclination, but thought himself obliged in justice to reward those
who had served well in the reduction of Ireland, out of the estates
forfeited to him by the rebellion in that kingdom. He observed, that
as the long war had left the nation much in debt, their taking just and
effectual ways for lessening that debt and supporting public credit was
what, in his opinion, would best contribute to the honour, interest, and
safety of the kingdom. This answer kindled a flame of indignation in
the house. They forthwith resolved, That the adviser of it had used his
utmost endeavours to create a misunderstanding and jealousy between the
king and his people.

THE COMMONS PASS A BILL OF RESUMPTION.

They prepared, finished, and passed a bill of resumption. They ordered
the report of the commissioners, together with the king's promise and
speeches, and the former resolutions of the house touching the forfeited
estates in Ireland, to be printed and published for their justifica