The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

From the Continental Journal

If you will be so kind as to give the following a place in your paper, you will oblige one of your constant customers and readers. The true republican sentiments contained in it are, I think, highly pertinent to the circumstances of this country: And the amiable character of the author, his great abilities and his final martyrdom for his attachment to liberty, must enshrine his memory in the heart of every wise and good man.

Your's,
CASSIUS.

SPEECH of Sir Henry Vane, in a Parliament convened A. D. 1659. on a question, Whether they should recognize Richard Cromwell Protector.

Mr. Speaker,

"Among all the people in the universe, I know of none who have shewn so much zeal for the liberty of their country as the English at this time have done: They have, by the help of divine Providence, overcome all obstacles, and have made themselves free. We have driven away the hereditary tyranny of the house of Stuart, at the expence of much blood and treasure, in hopes of enjoying hereditary liberty, after having shaken off the yoke of Kingships. and there is not a man among us who could have imagined that any person would be so bold as to dare to attempt the re-establishing from us freedom, which cost us so much blood, and so much liberty:

"But so it happens. I know not by what misfortune, we are fallen into the hands of those who poisoned the Emperor Titus to make room for Domitian — who made away Augustus, that they might have Tiberius, and changed Claudius for Nero. I am sensible these examples are foreign from my subject, since the Romans in those days were buried in lewdness; and luxury; whereas the people of England are now renowned all over the world for their great virtue and discipline; and yet suffer an idiot, without sense, without courage, nay without ambition, to have dominion in a country of liberty. One could a little bear with Oliver Cromwell, though contrary to his oath of fidelity to the Parliament, contrary to his duty to the public, contrary to the respect he owed to that venerable body from whom he received his authority, he usurped the government. His merit was so extraordinary, that our judgement, our passions might be blinded by it. He made his way to empire by the most illustrious actions; he had under his command an army that made him a conqueror, and a people that made him their general.

But as for Richard Cromwell, his son, who is he? What are his titles? We have seen that he had a sword by his side, but did he ever draw it? And what is of more importance in this case, is he fit to receive obedience from a mighty nation, who could never make a footman obey him? Yet we must recognize this man as our king under the title of Protector! A man without birth, without courage and without conduct

For my part, it shall never be said I made such a man my master."