Cooper was one of Monk’s confidential advisers; but his admirers have gone much farther, attributing to him the whole merit of the restoration, and representing the lord-general as a mere puppet in the hands of their hero.  In proof they refer to the story told by Locke (iii. 471),—­a story which cannot easily be reconciled with the more credible and unpretending narrative of Clarges, in Baker’s Chronicle, p. 602, edit. 1730.  But that the reader may form his own judgment, I shall subjoin the chief heads of each in parallel columns.

CLARGES

1.  Scot, Hazlerig, and others sought and obtained a private interview with Monk at Whitehall; and Clarges, from their previous conversation with himself, had no doubt that their object was to offer the government of the kingdom to the general.

2.  The council of state was sitting in another room; and Clarges, sending for Sir A.A.  Cooper, communicated his suspicion to him.

3.  After some consultation it was agreed that, as soon as Monk, having dismissed Scot and Hazlerig, should enter the council-room, Cooper should move that the clerks be ordered to withdraw.

4.  When this was done, Cooper said that he had received notice of a dangerous design; that some seditious persons had made “indecent proposals” to the general; and of such proposals he desired that the council might have a full discovery.

5.  Monk, unwilling to expose them, replied that there was very little danger in the case; that some persons had, indeed, been with him to be resolved in scruples respecting the present transactions in parliament; but that he had sent them away well satisfied (p. 602).

6.  Bordeaux offered to Monk through Clarges the aid of Mazarin, whether it were his object to restore the king, or to assume the government himself.  Monk refused; but consented to receive a visit of civility from the ambassador, on condition that politics should not be introduced (p. 604).

LOCKE

1.  Bordeaux, the French ambassador, visited Monk one evening, and Mrs. Monk, who had secreted herself behind the hangings, heard him offer the aid of Mazarin to her husband, if he was willing to take the government on himself, which offer the general accepted.

2.  Mrs. Monk sent her brother Clarges to communicate the discovery of her husband’s ambitious design to Sir A.A.  Cooper.

3.  Cooper caused a council to be called, and, when they were met, moved that the clerks should withdraw, because he had matter of consequence to communicate.

4.  He then charged Monk, “not openly, but by insinuation, that he was playing false with them, so that the rest of the council perceived there was something in it, though they knew not what was meant.”

5.  Monk replied that he was willing to satisfy them that he was true to his principles.  Then, said Ashley, replace certain officers of suspicious character by others of known fidelity.  This was done on the spot; the command of the army by the change was virtually taken from Monk; and he was compelled to declare for Charles Stuart