On November 4 the Exclusion bill was introduced, heralded by denunciations of James. The violence of the debates beggars description. If swords were not drawn, their use was not forgotten. The prospect of civil war was freely mooted. “The case, in short, is this,” exclaimed Mr. Henry Booth, “in plain English, whether we would fight for or against the law.” Sir William Jones pursued, “The art of man cannot find out any remedy as long as there is a popish successor and the fears of a popish king.” He was answered by Colonel Legge, a personal friend of the Duke of York: “There has been talk in the world of another successor than the duke, in a Black Box; but if Pandora’s box must be opened, I would have it in my time, not in my children’s, that I may draw my sword to defend the right heir.” On November 11 the bill was passed, and four days later with a mighty shout was carried to the Lords by Russell, followed by a great body of the Commons. To signify the attitude of the city, he was accompanied by the Lord Mayor and aldermen. At the debate which followed Charles was present. He heard the passionate attacks of Shaftesbury, the grave force of Essex’s oratory. He witnessed the treachery of Sunderland, who joined his enemies. He heard Monmouth urge Exclusion as the only safety for the king’s life, and broke in with a loud whisper, “the kiss of Judas.” He saw Halifax rise to champion the right, and heard him speak fifteen or sixteen times and carry the day by his inexhaustible powers of wit, sarcasm, and eloquence. At nine o’clock in the evening, after a debate of six hours, the bill was thrown out by sixty-three votes to thirty.[442] It was a memorable victory. The fury of the Commons exceeded all bounds. Supplies were refused. Votes and addresses were passed against Halifax, against Jeffreys, Recorder of London, against Lord Chief Justice North, against placemen and pensioners, against the judges, against James. “No sooner does a man stand by the king but he is attacked,” wrote the duke to William of Orange. To the attack against Halifax Charles answered suavely that “he doth not find the grounds in the address of this House to be sufficient to induce him to remove the Earl of Halifax.” He told Reresby: “Let them do what they will, I will never part with any officer at the request of either House. My father lost his head by such compliance; but as for me, I intend to die another way.” And Halifax took occasion to say to Sir John: “Well, if it comes to a war, you and I must go together.” A bill for a Protestant association for the government of the country with Monmouth at its head was being prepared, when on January 10, 1681 the king suddenly prorogued and then dissolved Parliament, leaving twenty-two bills depending and eight more already ordered. The next parliament was summoned for March 21, and according to the old advice of Danby not in the capital, but at Oxford.[443]