But, indeed, it was on the question of the validity of this power generally, all-essential as it was, that they encountered their greatest difficulties.

A merchant named Cony did more to wreck the Protectorate by a suit at law than did the Cavaliers by their armed insurrection.

Having refused to pay custom duty because it was levied only by an ordinance of the Lord Protector and Council of March, 1654, and not by authority of Parliament, he had been fined L500 by the Commissioners of Customs, and had been committed to prison for non-payment.

On a motion for a writ of _habeas corpus_ his case came on for trial in May 1655.
Maynard and two other eminent lawyers who were his counsel pleaded so effectively that they were committed to the Tower for what was called language destructive to the Government.

Cony himself then went on with the pleading, and so sturdily that Chief Justice Rolle was non-plussed, and had to confess as much to Cromwell.