“A hundred to one you are right. When does the performance begin?”
“ Now! We’ll proclaim the Republic.”
“Well, that will precipitate things, sure enough!”
“It will make them buzz, I tell you! England will be a hornets’ nest before noon tomorrow, if the Church’s hand hasn’t lost its cunning—and we know it hasn’t. Now you write and I’ll dictate thus:
“ Be It Known Unto All . Whereas the king having died and left no heir, it becomes my duty to continue the executive authority vested in me, until a government shall have been created and set in motion. The monarchy has lapsed, it no longer exists. By consequence, all political power has reverted to its original source, the people of the nation. With the monarchy, its several adjuncts died also; wherefore there is no longer a nobility, no longer a privileged class, no longer an Established Church; all men are become exactly equal; they are upon one common level, and religion is free. A Republic is hereby proclaimed , as being the natural estate of a nation when other authority has ceased. It is the duty of the British people to meet together immediately, and by their votes elect representatives and deliver into their hands the government.”
I signed it “The Boss,” and dated it from Merlin’s Cave. Clarence said—
“Why, that tells where we are, and invites them to call right away.”
“That is the idea. We strike —by the Proclamation—then it’s their innings. Now have the thing set up and printed and posted, right off;