1659 PRESBYTERIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS. Accused of Trying to Keep Power of the Military to Control Royalist Members.

Fascinating piece of English Civil War history. Oliver Cromwell was succeeded briefly as Lord Protector [and also General of the Army] of England for part of 1658 and part of 1659. Under Oliver, the Parliamentary Army had become the sort of personal enforcement agency of Cromwell and had actually been used to, at least according to some, force Parliament to comply with Cromwell . . . thus making England a Military State with a defacto King who had imposed religion [via the Solemn League and Covenant] and rule [via the military] over the entire country. 

When this pamphlet was issued, Richard [the Lame, as he was called by his detractors] had just stepped down. There was however suspicion that it was just to give Presbyterians time to appoint a new, like-minded person to enforce their policies and will and force Parliament their direction with military threat. 

The present is a series 22 challenges questioning whether there should be a person in charge of the military who is not directly responsible to the Parliament, since the role of the military is to serve the will of said Parliament. It implies problems of structure, motives, etc., Very scarce.

The author is suspicious that even though the Presbyterians were putting forward Charles Fleetwood, they actually then, once the position was approved, intended to place John Lambert as Cromwell's successor. It seems Fleetwood was perceived as more moderate. In the end, Fleetwood and Lambert had actually working together all along.

A General or, No General Over the Present Army of the Common-wealth: In Twenty Two Queries Briefly Handled. Printed in the Year 1659. 8pp

Handled, dog-eared, closed tears, etc,. But complete and very rare.