Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 4.djvu/80

66 But though disappointed here, the lords immediately fastened on the king's request of advice. They moved that a committee of both houses should be appointed for preparing this advice. The motion, however, was rejected by a majority of twelve. Nevertheless, they determined to give the king advice themselves. They agreed to an address praying his majesty to appoint an Englishman commander of the forces, and that English officers should take precedence of all in the confederate army, except the officers of crowned heads. This was meant to affect the Dutch, who were only the subjects of a stadtholder; and they desired that the forces left in England should be all English, commanded by an English general. That such officers as pressed men for the fleet should be cashiered, and that no foreigner should sit at the board of ordnance. All those matters aimed at the king's favoured countrymen, William received coldly, returning only short and dry answers.

The Rock of St. Malo.

The lords next fell upon Russell for his neglect to make the descent intended on the coast of France. They ordered books and papers concerning that matter to be laid before them. Nottingham plainly charged Russell with being the cause of that gross neglect of the public business. A committee was appointed, and the substance of the charge was communicated to the commons as concerning a member of that house.

The commons on their part took up the charge against Russell as a charge against themselves. They informed the lords that they found that Russell had conducted himself at the head of the fleet with fidelity, courage, and ability. Russell made his defence, and in his turn charged Nottingham with being the cause of the non-descent. He declared that above twenty days had elapsed betwixt his writing to Nottingham and receiving an answer; that therefore the expedition had become abortive