ning petitions from different counties and corporations
that should induce the commons to alter their conduct, on the
supposition that it was contrary to the sense of the nation. In
execution of this scheme, a petition signed by the deputy-lieutenants,
above twenty justices of the peace, the grand jury and freeholders of
the county of Kent, had been presented to the house of commons on the
eighteenth of May, by five gentlemen of fortune and distinction. The
purport of this remonstrance was to recommend union among themselves,
and confidence in his majesty, whose great actions for the nation could
never be forgotten without the blackest ingratitude; to beg they would
have regard to the voice of the people; that their religion and safety
might be effectually provided for; that their loyal addresses might be
turned into bills of supply; and that his most sacred majesty might be
enabled powerfully to assist his allies before it should be too late.
The house was so incensed at the petulance of the petition, that they
voted it scandalous, insolent, and seditious; and ordered the gentlemen
who had presented it to be taken into custody. They were afterwards
committed to the Gate-house, where they remained till the prorogation
of parliament; but they had no reason to repine at their imprisonment,
which recommended them to the notice and esteem of the public. They were
visited and caressed by the chiefs of the whig interest, and considered
as martyrs to the liberties of the people. Their confinement gave
rise to a very extraordinary paper, entitled, "A memorial from the
gentlemen, freeholders, and inhabitants of the counties of------, in
behalf of themselves and many thousands of the good people of England."
It was signed _Legion_, and sent to the speaker in a letter, commanding
him, in the name of two hundred thousand Englishmen, to deliver it
to the house of commons. In this strange expostulation, the house was
charged with illegal and unwarrantable practices in fifteen particulars;
a new claim of right was ranged under seven heads; and the commons
were admonished to act according to their duty, as specified in this
memorial, on pain of incurring the resentment of an injured nation. It
was concluded in these words--"For Englishmen are no more to be slaves
to parliaments than to kings-our name is Legion, and we are many." The
commons were equally provoked and intimidated by this libel, which was
the production of one Daniel de Foe