Establishment of a new government. Selection of members. Meeting of Parliament. Its character. Prosecution of Lilburne. His acquittal. Parties in parliament. Registration of births. Taxes. Reform of law. Zeal for religion. Anabaptist preachers. Dissolution of parliament. Cromwell assumes the office of protector. Instrument of government. He publishes ordinances. Arrests his opponents. Executes several royalists. Executes Don Pantaleon Sa. Executes a Catholic clergyman. Conciliates the army in Ireland. Subdues the Scottish royalists. Incorporates Scotland. Is courted by foreign powers. War with the United Provinces. Victory of the English. The Dutch offer to negotiate. Second victory. Progress of the negotiation. Articles of peace. Secret treaty with Holland. Negotiation with Spain. Negotiation with France. Negotiation respecting Dunkirk. Cromwell comes to no decision. The new parliament meets. Is not favourable to his views. Debates respecting the Instrument. The protector's speech. Subscription required from the members. Cromwell falls from his carriage. The parliament opposes his projects. Reviews the instrument. Is addressed by Cromwell. And dissolved. Conspiracy of the republicans. Conspiracy of the royalists. Executions. Decimation. Military government. Cromwell breaks with Spain. Secret expedition to the Mediterranean. Another to the West Indies. Its failure. Troubles in Piedmont. Insurrection of the Vaudois. Cromwell seeks to protect them. Sends an envoy to Turin. Refuses to conclude the treaty with France. The Vaudois submit and Cromwell signs the treaty. CHAPTER VII. Poverty And Character Of Charles Stuart--War With Spain--Parliament--Exclusion Of Members--Punishment Of Naylor--Proposal To Make Cromwell King--His Hesitation And Refusal--New Constitution--Sindercomb--Sexby--Alliance With France--Parliament Of Two Houses--Opposition In The Commons--Dissolution--Reduction Of Dunkirk--Sickness Of The Protector--His Death And Character.