But on the 26th of October, after much consultation, the Council of State gave place to a new Supreme Executive, chosen by the Wallingford--House officers, and called _The Committee of Safety._ It consisted of twenty-three persons, as follows:-- Whitlocke (made also_ Lord Keeper of the Great Seal_, Nov.

1).
Colonel Robert Bennett Colonel James Berry Henry Brandreth Colonel John Clerk Desborough Fleetwood Sir James Harrington Colonel Hewson Cornelius Holland Alderman Ireton Sir Archibald Johnstone of Wariston Lambert Henry Lawrence Colonel Robert Lilburne Ludlow Major Salway William Steele (Chancellor of Ireland) Walter Strickland Colonel William Sydenham Robert Thompson Alderman Tichbourne Sir Henry Vane.
The combination of persons is curious.

Some were mere inserted ciphers, and others would not act.

Whitlocke, who was earnestly pressed by the officers to give to the body the weight and reputation of his presence, had very considerable hesitations, but did consent, chiefly on the ground, as he tells us, that he might be able to counteract the extravagant communistic tendencies of Vane and Salway, and so prevent mischief.

It is perhaps stranger to find Vane and Salway themselves on the list.