The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
_A._ The following: “His Majesty having well considered of this
petition, and being desirous to express how willing he is to apply a
remedy, not only to your _dangers_, but even to your _doubts_ and
_fears_, he therefore returns this answer, That when he shall know the
extent of power which is intended to be established in those persons,
whom you desire to be the commanders of the militia in the several
counties, and likewise to what time it shall be limited, that no power
shall be executed by his Majesty alone without the advice of Parliament,
then he will declare, that (for the securing you from all dangers or
jealousies of any) his Majesty will be content to put in all the places,
both of forts and militia in the several counties, such persons as both
the Houses of Parliament shall either approve, or recommend unto him; so
that you declare before unto his Majesty the names of the persons whom
you approve or recommend, unless such persons shall be named, against
whom he shall have just and unquestionable exception.”
_B._ What power, for what time, and to whom, did the Parliament grant,
concerning the militia?
_A._ The same power which the King had before planted in his lieutenants
and deputy-lieutenants, in the several counties, and without other
limitation of time but their own pleasure.
_B._ Who were the men that had this power?
_A._ There is a catalogue of them printed. They are very many, and most
of them lords; nor is it necessary to have them named; for to name them
is, in my opinion, to brand them with the mark of disloyalty or of
folly. When they had made a catalogue of them, they sent it to the King,
with a new petition for the militia. Also presently after, they sent a
message to his Majesty, praying him to leave the Prince at Hampton
Court; but the King granted neither.
_B._ Howsoever, it was well done of them to get hostages, if they could,
of the King, before he went from them.
_A._ In the meantime, to raise money for the reducing of Ireland, the
Parliament invited men to bring in money by way of adventure, according
to these propositions. 1. That two millions and five hundred thousand
acres of land in Ireland, should be assigned to the adventurers, in this
proportion:
For an adventure of 200_l._ 1,000 acres Ulster.
in
300_l._ 1,000 acres in Connaught.
450_l._ 1,000 acres in Munster.
600_l._ 1,000 acres in Leinster.