Life and Administration of Edward, First Earl of Clarendon; The Life of Clarendon, 1838 Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ...t During these negotiations, the convention at Oxford had been directing their attention to the raising of money for the prosecution of the war. Much had been raised by means vexatious and unlawful, and under the plea of warlike licence. This brought unpopularity on the royal cause: Whitelocke says, the Lords proposed "that a letter may be sent "from both Houses to his Majesty, to represent this to be a free Parlia"ment, and to entreat his Majesty to return to it, according to his oath, "to maintain the laws, liberties, and privileges of Parliament; and that "if he return not by a day, then they will take care to manage affairs as "shall seem most meet; to all which the Commons unanimously as, "sented." Whitelocke's Memorials, 8.3. Nothing similar to the latter part of this proposition is to be found in the letter which was actually sent. t Rushworth, v. 565. and it became desirable to substitute methods Chap. which should, ostensibly at least, be legal. The, Commons at Oxford did not, however, venture to 1644. impose a general tax. They substituted a contribution, to be levied on the wealthy, according to their means; and sent round letters, signed by the Speakers of the two Houses at Oxford. By these means, nearly 100,000/. was soon raised in money and plate; and some of the crown lands were pledged for the repayment. They also availed themselves of a tax, imposed in January, by an ordinance of the two Houses at Westminster, on wine, beer, and many articles of food. This was the first tax of this kind ever imposed by Parliament, and was the origin of our excise. "This "was thought, by the members at Oxford, a good "expedient to be followed by the King; and "thereupon it was settled, ...