He was called in accordingly, and, being at the bar, after obeisance made, said: 'Mr.Speaker, I am commanded by the King, my master, to deliver this Letter to You, and he desires that You will communicate it to the House.' The Letter was directed 'To Our trusty and well-beloved the Speaker of the House of Commons'; which, after the messenger was withdrawn, was read to the House by the Speaker." The bold Sir John had now got rid of three of his six documents.

Nay, he had got rid of four; for in each of the three there had been enclosed a copy of his Majesty's general _Declaration_, or Letter to "all Our Loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever." It was for the Parliament to determine what should be done with this Declaration, as well as with the other two remaining Letters, one of them addressed to Generals Monk and Montague for communication to the Fleet, and the other to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London.

The train had been sufficiently fired already by the delivery of four of the Breda documents.[1] [Footnote 1: Lords and Commons Journals of dates; Parl.Hist.

IV.
10-25; Phillips (continuation of Baker), 701-705; Skinner's Life of Monk, 297-302; Whitlocke, IV.

409-411.] The explosion was over and the air cleared, and all pretence was at an end at last.