Having broken the seal, but not opened the letter, he hands it to the President, intimating from whom it has come.

The superscription itself leaves no doubt on that point.

The letter is one of the six, dated "_At our Court at Breda this 4/14th of April 1660, in the twelfth year of Our Reign_," which Sir John Greenville had brought over to be used by Monk at his discretion, and which Monk had given back into Greenville's custody till the proper moment for using them should arrive.

It was that particular one of the six which was addressed to Monk himself, to be communicated by him to the Council of State and the Officers of the Army.

There was much surprise in the Council, real or affected, Colonel Birch protesting that he knew nothing of the business, but had merely found a gentleman at the door inquiring for General Monk and had brought in his message to the General.