The King proposed to add to the regular army, already the greatest regular army that England had ever supported, four regiments of dragoons, eight of horse, and twenty-five of infantry.

The whole number of men, officers included, would thus be increased to about ninety-four thousand.

[506] Cromwell, while holding down three reluctant kingdoms, and making vigorous war on Spain in Europe and America, had never had two thirds of the military force which William now thought necessary.

The great body of the Tories, headed by three Whig chiefs, Harley, Foley and Howe, opposed any augmentation.

The great body of the Whigs, headed by Montague and Wharton, would have granted all that was asked.