The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11) — Thomas Hobbes — John Shaqi
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
From York the King went to Hull, where was his magazine of arms for the
northern parts of England, to try if they would admit him. The
Parliament had made Sir John Hotham governor of the town, who caused the
gates to be shut, and presenting himself upon the walls flatly denied
him entrance: for which the King caused him to be proclaimed traitor,
and sent a message to the Parliament to know if they owned the action.
_B._ Upon what grounds?
_A._ Their pretence was this; that neither this nor any other town in
England was otherwise the King’s, than in trust for the people of
England.
_B._ But what was that to the Parliament?
_A._ Yes, say they; for we are the representatives of the people of
England.
_B._ I cannot see the force of this argument: we represent the people,
_ergo_, all that the people has is ours. The mayor of Hull did represent
the King. Is therefore all that the King had in Hull, the mayor’s? The
people of England may be represented with limitations, as to deliver a
petition or the like. Does it follow that they, who deliver the
petition, have right to all the towns in England? When began this
Parliament to be a representative of England? Was it not November 3,
1640? Who was it the day before, that is November 2, that had the right
to keep the King out of Hull and possess it for themselves? For there
was then no Parliament. Whose was Hull then?
_A._ I think it was the King’s, not only because it was called the
King’s town upon Hull, but because the King himself did then and ever
represent the person of the people of England. If he did not, who then
did, the Parliament having no being?
_B._ They might perhaps say, the people had then no representative.
_A._ Then there was no commonwealth; and consequently, all the towns of
England being the people’s, you, and I, and any man else, might have put
in for his share. You may see by this what weak people they were, that
were carried into the rebellion by such reasoning as the Parliament
used, and how impudent they were that did put such fallacies upon them.
_B._ Surely they were such as were esteemed the wisest men in England,
being upon that account chosen to be of the Parliament.
_A._ And were they also esteemed the wisest men of England, that chose
them?
_B._ I cannot tell that. For I know it is usual with the freeholders in
the counties, and the tradesmen in the cities and boroughs, to choose,
as near as they can, such as are most repugnant to the giving of
subsidies.