and calling to minde how gallantly their Ancestors had in like
manner banished Kings, began at last to know their owne
strength, and stomacht in exceedingly, That themselves, on
whose shoulders the frame of State was supported (and for
whose sakes all States are founded) should be so much vassalized
at the will of others: That they who were Lords abroad
should be Slaves at home; so that they resolved to be riden
no longer under fair shews of Liberty, they raised a Tumult
under the conduct of their Tribune Canuleius; nor could
they by any perswasions be induced to lay down Armes, till
they were put in possession of their Rights and Priviledges:
They were made capable of all Offices of Government, even
to the Dictatorship; had officers of their own called Tribunes
who were held sacred and inviolable, as Protectors of the
Commons; and retained a power of meeting and Acting with
all Freedom in their great Assemblies. Now, and never till
now, could they be said to be a free State and Commonwealth,
though long before declared so: For, the way being open to
all without exception, Vertue, Learning and good Parts made
as speedy a Ladder to climb unto Honors, as Nobility of birth;
and a good man as much respected as a great; which was a
rare felicity of the Times, not to be expected again, but upon
the dawning of another golden Age.
The main Observation then arising out of the Discourse, is
this: That not onely the name King, but the thing King
(whether in the hands of one, or of many) was pluckt up
root and branch, before ever the Romans could attain to a ful
establishment in their Rights and Freedoms.
From Dundee, October 8:
WEE are fortifying of Elbroth, and have put in a Governor.
There is an ancient Abbey in the Towue,
which (tis said) will be made very strong, where Col. Overton
hath been divers dayes, to give Instructions for carrying on
the Works.
The Ministers (Remonstrators) have had severall Meetings
undisturbed at Edenburgh: They pretend humiliation still