The King,—­not the head of the state, mark you, expressing the people’s will in one authority,—­but this man Charles Rex, may use all these as he will.  I aim not to overthrow the monarchy.  I know its use and fitness in the realm, as well as any.  But this can endure no longer.  The King is part of the state, but we have a King who has sought to put the state to his private use.  The King should have his authority, but it is an authority subject to the laws of the people.  This King denies it, and his judges flatter the heresy.  You have but one question before you—­there is in truth but one raised by this Remonstrance.  Is England to be governed by the King or by elected representatives of the people?  That is what we have now to decide, not for ourselves alone, but for our children in the generations to come.  If the King will profit by a lesson, I with any man will be his loyal and loving subject.  But at this moment a lesson must be given.  Why else have you appointed my Lord of Essex from Parliament to take command of the armed forces of this country?  Did you not fear that the King would use these also against you?  You know you did.  I say it again, this that is now to be put to you is a vote of want of confidence in the King.  I would it were so more expressly.

(He sits to an angry tumult.  HAMPDEN rises, and after a time secures order.)

Hampden: Sir, this question could not be argued to an end if we sat here for a week.  Already we have considered it more closely and longer, I think, than any that has ever been before this House.  It is morning.  Each man has spoken freely from his mind.  I move that the question now be put.

The Speaker: The question is, whether this question now be put.

(There are cries of “Yea,” and “No.”)

The Speaker: I think the “Yeas” have it.

(This is followed by silence in the House.)

The Speaker: Then the question now before the House is whether this Declaration shall pass.

(Again there are cries of “Yea” and “No” strongly emphatic on both sides.)

The Speaker: I think the “Yeas” have it.

(There are loud and repeated cries of “No.”)

The Speaker: The House will divide.  Tellers for the Yeas, Sir John Clotworthy, Mr. Arthur Goodwyn.  Tellers for the Noes, Sir Frederick Cornwallis and Mr. Strangwayes.  The Yeas to go forth.

(The House divides, the Yeas, including CROMWELL, HAMPDEN, and IRETON, leaving the House, the Noes remaining seated.  The tellers for the Noes, with their staffs, count their numbers in the House, while the tellers for the Yeas at the door count theirs as they reenter.  The pent-up excitement grows as the Yeas resume their seats and the telling draws to a close.  The tellers move up to the Speaker and give in their figures.)

The Speaker: The Noes, 148.  The Yeas, 159.  The Yeas have it by eleven.