The protector's administration was extremely vigilant.

Thurloe, his secretary, had spies every where.

Manning, who had access to the king's family, kept a regular correspondence with him; and it was not difficult to obtain intelligence of a confederacy so generally diffused, among a party who valued themselves more on zeal and courage, than on secrecy and sobriety Many of the royalists were thrown into prison.

Others, on the approach of the day, were terrified with the danger of the undertaking, and remained at home.

In one place alone the conspiracy broke into action.