In giving the lives of the Commonwealth chief justices, Lord Campbell
observes (_Lives of Chief Justices_, vol. i. p. 447.), "in completing the
list with the name of Oliver St. John, I am well pleased with an
opportunity of tracing his career and pourtraying his character." Then
follows a biography of thirty pages. The subject seems to be a favourite
one with his lordship, and he accordingly produces a striking picture,
laying on his colours in the approved historical style of the day, so as to
make the painting an effective one, whether the resemblance be faithful or
not. But how is it that the noble biographer appears to be quite unaware of
what really is the only document we have relating to Oliver St. John of his
own composition, which does give us much light as to his career or
character? I refer to _The Case of Oliver St. John, Esq, concerning his
Actions during the late Troubles_, pp. 14., 4to., n.d. It is a privately
printed tract, emanating from St. John himself, and was no doubt circulated
amongst persons in power at the Restoration, with a view to obtaining
indemnity and pardon. My copy is signed by himself, and has some
corrections in his autograph. His Defence is full of interesting
particulars, some of which are very inconsistent with Lord Campbell's
speculations and statements. It would, however, occupy too much of your
space were I to go through the various articles objected to by him, and to
which he gives his replies and explanations. My object in noticing this
tract at present, is to prevent any future biographer of this Commonwealth
worthy, whose life may well be an historical study, from neglecting an
important source of information. I observe Lord Campbell (p. 473.) doubts
whether he favoured the measure of making Cromwell king. But if we are to
believe the title-page of _Monarchy asserted_, 1660, 12mo., he was one of
the speakers at the conference with Cromwell on the 11th April, 1657, in
favour of his assuming the title of king. On the list of the committee
which follows, the "Lord Chief Justice" only is mentioned, but in the
speeches a difference seems to be made between "Lord Chief Justice" (pp. 6.
7. 15.) and "Lord Chief Justice Glynne" (p. 44.), and they would seem to be
two different speakers. The title-page states distinctly, "the arguments of
Oliver St. John, Lord Chief Justice, Lord Chief Justice Glyn, &c., members
of that committee."