THE GRAND REMONSTRANCE	119
debate ensued than on the main question. Edward Hyde and
Sir John Culpepper contended that to publish it would sow
divisions among the people and hence be dangerous, and another
speaker on the same side urged that to remonstrate to the people
was without precedent.^1 By this time the excitement had reached
boiling-point, and when a member rose to demand that a pro-
test should be entered ^ein the name of himself and all the
rest^5, there were wild shouts of ^CA11! All!^5 Many drew their
swords, and one present stated, *I thought we had all sat in
the valley of the shadow of death^5; but Hampden^5s calmness
averted a fight on the floor of the house and further discussion
was adjourned.^2
The remonstrance, together with a petition, was presented
to the king on i December. By chance he was afforded an in-
direct opportunity, the next day, of answering the remonstrance
at Westminster, and declared that he meant not only to main-
tain the laws already passed but to 'grant what else can be justly
desired for satisfaction in point of liberties, or in maintenance
of the true religion that is here established^5.^3 Charles was on
firm ground and, had he been content to stand still, it is likely
that he could have defeated the parliamentary leaders. Already
a position of stalemate had been reached, for the house of lords
was now definitely on the king's side. Charles need only have
watched, without interfering, the increasing differences be-
tween the two houses. How acute these differences were, may
be seen from the commons^5 assertion
^cthat this house being the representative body of the whole kingdom,
and their lordships being but as particular persons, and coming to
parliament in a particular capacity, that if they should not be pleased
to consent to the passing of those acts, and others, necessary to the
preservation and safety of the kingdom, that then this house, together
with such of the lords that are more sensible of the safety of the king-
dom, may join together, and represent the same unto his Majesty.^54
Charles, however, was unwilling to wait. Probably the provo-
cations from the house of commons had exhausted his patience.
Among them were the resolution to print the Grand Remon-
strance^5 and the introduction of a bill to nominate a lord general
^T \Villson H. Coates, *Some Observations on "The Grand Remonstrance'",
Journal of Modern History, March 1932, p. 7, n. 19.
^2 Gardiner, x. 77; Warwick, pp. 221-a.	^3 Lords' Journals _y iv, 459-60.
^4 Commons^9 Journals^ n\ 330.	^s On 15 December.  (Ibid., p. 344.)