His dissolution of the late Parliament, and his easy suppression of the subsequent tumult, had but increased the respect for him abroad.
Whether he would finally declare himself for Spain or for France was still the momentous question.

The Marquis of Leyda, Spanish Governor of Dunkirk, had come to London to assist Cardenas in the negotiations for Spain; but Mazarin was indefatigable in his offers, through M.de Bordeaux and otherwise.[1] [Footnote 1: Council Order Books _passim_; Guizot, II.

203.] While the Parliament was still sitting, Cromwell had sent out two fleets, one under the command of Blake (Oct.

1654), the other under that of Penn (Dec.

1654).