MASTER NEGA TIVE NO. 92-81072 MICROFILMED 1993 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/NEW YORK as part of the "Foundations of Western Civilization Preservation Project" Funded by the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia University Library COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright law of the United States - Title 17, United States Code - concerns the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or other reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes In excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. AUTHOR: GARY, HENRY TITLE: MEMORIALS OF THE GREAT CIVIL WAR IN PLACE: LONDON DA TE : 1842 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT BIBLIOGRAPHIC MTCROFORM TARCFT Master Negative # Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record ' ?"f!"!tW ■" ■■^ ■^" 1942. C25 I .M I ■p i. J Ki.i 11,^ I ,||| 111,1 ,,. I 063 Cary, Henry, 1804-1870, ed. t^^V^T'^}^ ?^ *'^^ "■y'^pt ^i^'il ^ar in England from 1646 of CMrlos LT TT.^''^^^^"^^-^ ^"^ tl^^ Bodleian iTbrary persons, b3 Ho rv Carr m ."""^''^r "ther eminent 1842. - •' '^'- -''• London, H. Colburn, 2 V. 22'". Re 1. Gt Brit.— Hist.— Civil war, 1642-1649. Library of Congress ^J 2-28070 DA410.C33 TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: ^1Jl^^-:=l.__,__ REDUCTION RATIO: IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA ^p IB IIB DATE FILMED: X^_^lli INITIALS nC-u. 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EDITED FROM ORIGINAL LETTERS IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY »1F CHARLES THE FIRST CHARLES THE SECOND QUEEN HENRIETTA PRINCE RUPERT PRINCE MAURICE PRINCE CHARLES LODOVIC nUKE OF YORK HYDE EARL OF CLARENDON ARCHRISHOP SANCROIT MARQUIS OF WORCESTER EARL OF DERBY OLIVER CROMWELL SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX SIR WALTER STRICKLAND SIR ARTHUR HASLERIG MAJOR-GENERAL MONK MAJOR-GENERAL POYNTZ MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON COLONEL IRETON COLONEL HAMMOND ADMIRAL DEANE ADMIRAL RLAKE AND OF NUMEROT^S OTHER EMINENT PERSONS BY HENHY CARY, M.A. VOL. I. \ / LONDON: HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, ( JREAT MA I{ LBORO I T; II -STREET. 1842. f t ' « 10 Tin: iJKiiir iiONon^AiiLr. LORD .10 FIN RUSSELL, IN TESTIMONY TO HIS ZEAL AND AlilLlTY IN rNiromu.Y .sir porting THE 1U:ST PRINfTPLES OF THE RRTTTSTl rONSTITTTION, THESE MEMOIUALS, TENOINC; TO ILMTSTRATE THE MOST EVENTFUr, l-ERIOD OF ENGLISH HISTORY. V; \RF rXSCRlRED m' HIS LOHDSHIPS MOST OHEDIENT HlTMnLE SERVANT, THE EDI TO It. 1 ■■ ■ * I 1 M ^ ,,„ ■■:i \J *-J PREFACE. The Tanner collection of MSS., from which these volumes are taken, is too well known to require that any account should be here given of them. It is rather matter of surprise that they should have so long remained unpublished. In preparing this work for the press, the editor has had two principal points to attend to ; the selec- tion of the most interesting, from a large mass of unpublished materials ; and the illustration of what has been selected, with notes. In executinir the former part of his task, he trusts that nothing of higher interest has been omitted : in the latter, opi- nions will vary according to the extent of information, or the means of access to it, possessed by different readers. Scarcely any part of Sancroft's correspondence, that could be deciphered, has been omitted. With some few exceptions, the letters to and from him have but little bearing on the general history of the vm PRE FACE. times : but it is to be hoped that the reader will find in them an agreeable rehef irom the turmoils of party strife and civil dissension ; at the same time that they throw light on the character and history of one of the best amongst men in any age. The letters are all arranged chronologically. The two brief narratives of the escape of Charles the Se- cond, after the battle of Worcester, are placed a little out of date, that they may not interrupt the order of the letters. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Introduction Colonel Ireton to Oliver Cromwell. April 23, 1646. Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. April 24, 1646. R. Augier to the Speaker. April 24, 1646. - Colonels Rainsborough and Fleetwood to the Speaker. April 26, 1646 Colonel Payne to Major-Gen. Brown. April 27, 1646. . Robert Russell to Lord Warwick. April 28, 1646. Colonel Payne to Major-Gen. Brown. April 29, 1649. . Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. April 30, 1646. Mr. Sancroft to his Father. May 4, 1646. . Lieutenant-General Poyntz to the Speaker. May 5, 1646. From the Leaguer at Newark to the Speaker. May 5, 1646. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. May 5, 1646. Lord Savile to the Speaker. May 5, 1646. . The Same to Colonel Martin. May 5, 1646. . Mr. Rushworth to the Speaker. May 9, 1646. Colonel Whaley to the Speaker. May 9, 1646. Mr. Sancroft to his Father. May 11, 1646. . The Agent to the Committee of both kingdoms, in Paris, to the Speaker. May 15, 1646. R. Augier to the Speaker. May 15, 1646. . Edward Hyde to Richard Arundel. May 15, 1646. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. May 18, 1646. Lord Lauderdale to the Speaker. May 20, 1646. Sir Thomas Littleton to Mr. Sancroft. May 21, 1646. . The Agent at Paris to the Committee of both Kingdoms. May 22, 1646 Sir Trevor Williams to Sir John Trevor. May 23, 1646. VOL. I. ^ Page xix 1 4 5 8 9 11 12 14 15 19 20 21 21 25 26 28 28 32 41 45 50 51 54 56 \ CONTENTS. COiNTENTS. XI W. J. to Mr. Chaloncr. May 24, 1640. ... 64 Thomas Smallwood to Luke Robinson. May 2-5, 1G46. . 60 Emanuel Issachar to the Burij-esses in Parliament for Yorkshire. May 28, 1640 68 The Agent at Paris to the Committee of both Kingdoms. May 29, 1646 72 Sir Thomas Fairfax to tlie Speaker. May 29, 1646. . 77 Major-General Poyntz to the Speaker. May 29, 1646. . 78 The Same to the Same. May 29, 1()46 79 The Scots' Commissioners to the Speaker. May 30, 1646. 80 Colonel Fovvlis to Mr. Thomas Chaloner. June 2, 1646. 82 Col. Morgan to the Manjuis of Worcester. June 3, 1646, 84 The Marquis of Worcester to Col. Morgan. June 3, 1646. 85 Col. Morgan to the Marquis of Worcester. June 3, 1646. 86 The Marquis of Worcester to Col. Morgan. June 4, 1646. 87 Colonel Morgan to the S[)eaker. June 4, 1646. . . 87 Major-General Poyntz to the Committee of Estates for Scotland. June 4, 1646. ...... 88 Major-Gen. Massey to Sir Thomas Fairfax. June 4, 1646. 90 Mr. Weller to Mr. Sancroft. June 6, 1646. . . ,92 Mich. Hudson to Mr. Cross and Mr. Stevens. June 7, 1646. 93 Sir Thomas Hanmer to the Speaker. June 7, 1646. Lady Dalkeith to the Speaker. June 8, 1646. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. June 13, 1646. Colonel Birch to the Governor of Goodrich Castle. June 13, 1646 Sir Henry Linijen to Colonel Birch. June 14, 1646. Colonel Birch to Sir Henry Lingen, June 14, 1646. Mr. Weller to Mr. Sancroft. June 16, 1646. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. June 16, 1646. Colonel Birch to the Speaker. June 18, 1646. Major-General Poyniz to the Speaker. June 21, 1646. Michael Hudson to Mr. Brown. June 24, 1646. . Princes Rupert and Maurice to the Speaker. June 28, 1646 95 99 101 102 104 105 105 106 107 108 lOi) 114 i The Earl of Bristol to the Speaker. June 29, 1646. Prince Rupert to the Speaker. June 29, 1646. Prince Charles Lodovic to the Speaker. June 30, 1646. Prince Rupert to the Speaker. July 1, 1646. The Earl of Bristol to the Speaker. July 3, 1646. The Duke of York to . July 16, 1646. . Colonel Thomas Bulstrode to the Speaker. July 22, 1646 Colonel Morgan to the Speaker. July 23, 1()46. . Colonel Langhorne to the Speaker. July 24, 1646. Mr. Rush worth to the Speaker. July 27, 1646. The Committee at Chester to Colonel Booth and others Aug. 1, 1646. ....... Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Aug. 1, 1646. Sir Simonds Dewes to Sir John Potts. Aug. 4, 164(5. Major-General Mvtton totheCommitteeof both Kin<^donis Aug. 5, 1646. ....... Colonel Birch to the Speaker. Aug. 7, 1646. Sir Thomas Glemham to the Speaker. Aug. 16, 1646. Colonel Richard Townsend to Colonel Thomas Ceelv Aug. 16, 1646. ....... Lord Jermyn to Sir Henry Killigrew. Aug. 16, 1646. Colonel Morgan to the Speaker. Aug. 17, 1646. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Aug. 24, 1646. Denzel Hollis to the Speaker. Aug. 27, 1646. Francis Gardiner to Mr. Sancroft. Aug. 1646. Mr. Ilolbech to Mr. Sancroft. Sept. 30, 1646. R. Augier to the Speaker. ^^"-^ :j^ 1646. Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker. «^t- \' 1646 * Sept. 21, The Same to the Same. Octob. V' 1646. The Bishops of London and Salisbury to the Oct. 4, 1646 Mr. Gardiner to Mr. Sancroft. Nov. 2*3, 1646. Major-General Poyntz to the Speaker. Nov. 27, 1646. The Same to the Same. Dec. 5, 1646. . KiuiT 118 119 120 121 122 125 126 131 132 133 135 137 139 140 142 143 144 145 147 148 149 151 153 155 165 167 169 172 174 175 / * 1 > il N • XII CONTENTS. Major-Geiieral Myilon to the Speaker. Dec. 19, 1040. , 177 Earl of Leven to the Commissioners at Northallerton. Jan. 23, 1647 179 The Same to the Same. Jan. 26, 1647 180 The Same to the Same. Jan. 26, 1647. . . .181 From to Colonel Harley. March 27, 1647. . 183 J. C. to Colonel Rossiter. March 28, 1647. . . .184 The Speaker to Sir T. Fairfax. March 29, 1647. . . 185 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. March 30, 1647. . 187 The Commissioners with the King to the Speaker. April 6, 1647 188 Examination of Humphrey Bosvile 189 Major-General Skippon to the Speaker. April 8, 1617. . 190 Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. April 14, 1647. . 192 The Same to the Same. April 16, 1647. . . . 193 The Parliamentary Commissioners with the Army to the Houses of Parliament. April 19, 1647. . . .194 The Earl of Stamford to the Earl of Manchester. April 20, 1647 199 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. April 26, 1647. • 200 Edward Sexby and others. Agitators, to Major-General Skippon. April 28, 1647 201 Skippon, Cromwell, and Ireton to the Speaker. May 3, 1647 205 The Scottish Commissioners to the Speaker. May 6, 1647. 206 Skippon, Cromwell, Ireton, and Fleetwood to the Speaker. May 8, 1647 207 Richard Norwood to Mr. Prynne. May 15, 1647. . 209 Skippon, Cromwell, Ireton, and Fleetwood, to the Speaker. May 17, 1647 214 Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. May 20, 1647. . . 216 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. May 30, 1647. . 217 The Committee at Chelmsford to the Committee at Derby House. May 31, 1647 219 ( CONTENTS. Xlll Colonel Rainsborough to the Speaker. June 1, 1647. . 221 From the Soldiery to the Commissioners at Holmby. June 3, 1647 223 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. June 4, 1647. . 224 The Same to the Same. June 8, 1647 225 Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker. June 10, 1647. . 226 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. June 11, 1647. . 228 Major-Gcneral Skippon to the Speaker. June 14, 1647. 2*29 The Same to Lieutenant-Colonel Ashfield. June 14, 1647. 230 The Scotch Commissioners to the Speaker. June 16, 1647 232 Major-General Poyntz to the Speaker. June 17, 1647. . 233 From the Agitators to the Masters of the Trinity House. June 18, 1647 237 The Commissioners attending the King to the Speaker. June 18, 1647 241 The Same to the Same. June 20, 1647. . . .242 Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Council of War, to the Mayor, Aldermen, &c. of London. June 22, 1647. . . 245 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. June 22, 1647. . 250 Colonel Birch to the Speaker. June 22, 1647. . . 251 The Commissioners attending the King to the Speaker. June 23, 1647 254 Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Council of War to the Speaker. June 24, 1647 255 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. June 25, 1647. . 256 The Commissioners attending the King at Royston to the Speaker. June 25, 1647 257 The Commissioners with the Army to the Speaker. June 25, 1647 258 Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Council of War to the Com- missioners with the Army. June 25, 1647. . . 260 The Commissioners with the Army to the Speaker. June 26, 1647 260 / f^ XIV CONTENTS. I Major-Geiieral Poynfz to the Speaker. June 2G 1G47 ^l^?r^''''"''' '''^^ '^'' ^'''^^^ ^" '^'' ^l^'^^' Juno 27, 1G4/ The Same to the Same. June 27, 1047 ^^1^";^^^ -'^h the King to the Speaker. '.June Sir Tliomas Fairfax and the Council of \7ar to the Com- ^ missioners with tlie Army. Juiie 29, 1G47. The Same to tlie Same. June 30, 1047, The Commissioners with the King to the Speaker. J une 30,' 1C47. .... Dr. Hoklsworth to [Mr. Sancroft.] June 30, 1047 8.r Thon,as Fairfax to the Commissioners with the Army" Jul.v 1, 1047 •'■ The Commissioners with the Army to the Speaker. Julv 1,' J()47. . . ' ' The Co„,ini,sioners with the King to the Speaker. Jnly o" 1647. . ^ J -J Prince Charles Lodovie to the Speaker. July 2 1(J47 The Deputy-Lieutenant at Chester to the Speaker. July 3 1647. . , ^ "^ ' The Committee at Chester to the Speaker July 3 IC47' Major-General Poyntz to the Speaker. July 3, 1647 The Commissioners with the King to the Speaker. July 4 ^f'*' •Sir Thomas Iloogan to the Speaker. July 5, 1047 The Commissioners with the Army to the Speaker. July 5 1647. . . • ' • • . , ^ The Same to the Same. July 0, 1047. The Mayor of Lynn fiegis to the Speaker. July 0, 1047 ihe Army Comiuissioners to the Parliamentary Commis sioners. July 7, 1047. Sir H. Chuhncley to the Speaker. July 8, 1047. •>(,•} Sn- Thon,as Fairfax to the Sj-oakcr. July 8, 1(U7 ' Zu 264 265 267 268 269 270 271 273 274 27-5 275 276 277 281 282 284 285 286 287 288 290 I CONTENTS. Mr.Coker, Sheriff of Dorsetsliire, to the Speaker. July 8 1647. . . ' ' The Commissioners with the King to the Speaker. J uly 9,' 1047. Major-General Poyntz to the Speaker. July 9, 1647 Elizabeth Poyntz to the Speaker. July 9, 1647 Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Council of AVar to t'he Scotch Commissioners. July 10, 1647. Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker. July f^' 1047* The^Commissioners with the Army to the Speaker. Julyl.5,' • • , The Same to the Same. July 18, 1647. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. July 20* 1647. Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker Au^. i, ^'^^^ M^ijor-General Skippon to the Speaker'" July 21, "i;j47 ' Ihe Commissioners with the King to the Speaker. July 21, * • • . . , Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. July 23, 104/' The Commissioners with the Army to the Speaker. July 23^ 1047. The Same to the Same. July 25, 1647. Mr. Arthur Annesley to the Speaker. July 28, 1649 The Commissioners of Dublin to the Speaker. July ^8 1647. . . . ^ The Commissioners with the Army tc the Speaker. J Jly 29^ 1647. , , , Colonel Kal,,h Weldon to the Speaker. July 30, 1647. Sir Samuel Luke to the Speaker. Aug. 1, 1047 Colonel Kalph Weldon to the Speaker. Aug. 2,' 1647 The Same to the Same. Aug. 6, 1647. The Bishop of Oxford to Dr.^Sheldon. Aucr 7 1647 Sir Robert Meredith to the Committee at Derby House' Aug. 11, 1647. • • • , Dr. J. Barwick to Dr. Sheldon. . XV 295 297 298 300 301 303 , 305 . 307 308 309 312 314 315 315 317 317 320 322 324 325 326 327 329 330 332 X XVI CONTENTS. 334 335 336 The Archbishop of Armagh to Dr. Sheldon. Auo- IG 1G47 : ' The Bishop of Durham to Dr. Sheldon The Same to the Same. • • • • . The Commissioners of Scotland to the Speaker. Aug. 17, ^^^"^ 337 Mr. Anthony Nicoll to the Speaker. Aug. 17, 1647. . 339 Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker. Aug. 19; 1647. . 340 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Aug. 20, 1647. . 341 Colonel Ralph Weldon to the Speaker. Aug. 23, 1647. . 343 The Same to the Same. Aug. 27, 1647. . . .344 The Bishop ofRochester to Dr. Sheldon. Aug. 28, 1647. . 346 Robert Sterling to . Aug. 30, 1647. . . .347 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Aug. 31, 1647. . 349 Lord Inchiquin to the Speaker. Sept. 12, 1647. . . a50 N. Hobart to J. Hobart. Oct. 15, 1647. . . .354 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Nov. 8, 1647. . 356 The Same to the Same. Nov. 12, 1647. . . . 356 Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. Nov. 15, 1647. . a59 Lord Inchiquin to Lord Taffe. Nov. 13, 1647. . . 300 The Same to the Speaker. Nov. 18, 1647. . . .300 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Jan. 1648. . . 367 William Prynne to the Standing Committee for the County of Somerset. Jan. 15, 1648 3(53 Thomas Knyvett to John Hubbert. Feb. 11, 1648. . 376 Lord Inchiquin to the Speaker. Feb. 17, 1648. . . 378 The Prince Elector to the Speaker of the House of Peers. April 4, 1648 3^3 Francis Gardiner to Mr. Sancroft. April 11, 1648. . 384 Colonel Hammond to the Speaker. April 22, 1648. . 386 Sir Jacob Astley to Sir Thomas Potter. April 28, 1648. 390 Colonel Rainsborough to the Speaker. April 28, 1648. . 392 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. May 1, 1648. . . 393 Capt. Andrew Ball to Sir Arthur Haslerig. May 2, 1648. 395 A CONTENTS. xvii Sir Arthur Haslerig to the Speaker. May 4, 1648. . 397 Christopher Barrett to the Speaker. May 4, 1648. . 309 Colonel Hammond to the Speaker. May 5, 1648. . . 403 Colonel Rigby to the Speaker. May 6, 1648. . . 407 Sir Arthur Haslerig to the Speaker. May 0, 1648. . 410 Captain Batten to the Speaker. May 6, 1648. . .411 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. May 7, 1648. . 413 Sir Arthur Haslerig to the Speaker. May 9, 1648. . 413 Mr. Sancroft to Dr. Holdsworth. May 11, 1648. . . 415 Major-General Poyntz to the Speaker. May 14, 1648. . 418 Sir Arthur Haslerig to the Speaker. May 18, 1648. . 419 Vice- Adm. Rainsborough to the Speaker. May 20, 1648. . 421 The Mayor ofRochester to the Parliament. May 21, 1648. 422 Job Weale to the Earl of Dover. May 21, 1648. . .425 Colonel Hammond to the Committee at Derby House. May 22, 1648 426 C. Paman to Mr. Sancroft. May 23, 1648. . . . 4.30 Sir John Finch to his AYife. May 25, 1648. . . .431 Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Committee at Derby House. May 26, 1648 435 Mr. Rushworth to the Speaker. May 30, 1648. . . 437 The Same to the Same. May 30, 1648. . . . 438 Mr. Weller [to Mr. Sancroft]. June 7, 1648. . . 439 The King to the Committee of the Scotch Parliament. July 31, 1648 441 The Earl of Warwick to the Committee at Derby House. Aug. 1, 1648 443 VOL. I. C rJ*r / I v i u INTRODUCTION. In a contest between a king who refuses any limitation of his prerogative, and a people who require it, there can be no equitable agreement." Lord John RusvSeli,. The remote causes of the Revolution, some portion of which the following Letters tend to illustrate, are to be traced to a period long anterior to the time in which the Revolution itself occurred. The invention of printing, and consequent spread of knowledge and love of inquiry; the reformation in reli- gion, as well the result of these causes, as itself in turn a cause, amongst others, of what followed ; the vast increase of commerce, tending to reduce rank to the level of riches ; these, all naturally requiring further degrees of space and room for expansion, may justly be regarded as having con- curred principally, though secretly, in the production of those momentous events, which had their beginning in the reign of the first Charles, and their completion in the abdication of the second James. But while these powerful motives were influencing the minds of men to the assertion of constitutional liberty, Charles, who followed, or rather outran the example of his father, was disposed to extend to the utmost the now practically exploded theory of the divine right of kings. XX INTRODUCTION. He forgot, or did not consider, that Henry the Seventh had virtually ceded the question of divine right, by pro- curing his possession of the crown to be confirmed by act of parliament. He forgot, that queen Elizabeth had procured an act of parliament to declare it high treason to say, that she had not power to dispose of the succession to the crown. From the first day of his reign to that of his death, he seems to have been impressed with the convic- tion that he was, or ought to be, an absolute monarch. However unjustifiable many of the acts into which the professed advocates of national liberty were hurried during the progress of the war, it cannot be denied that Charles, from the commencement of his reign to the meeting of the Long Parliament and afterwards, was guilty of a series of grave offences against the rights and liberties of the people whom he had to govern, which no circumstances did or could warrant. It is urged, indeed, that, accord- ing to the theory and practice of the English constitution, " the king can do no wrong ;^^ in other words, that he is not responsible for acts of misgovernment; but that his ad- visers, and they only, are so. Not to insist on the safer and better construction of the adage, '' that the king has not the power to do wrong," it may be answered, that it is no less the theory and practice, that his advisers are re- sponsible, and that they shall be amenable to the nation for wrongs committed by them in the king^s name, or by the king, through their counsel. What, then, if he shall close up, by his prerogative, the avenues of justice, and screen the offenders from punishment, so ])erpetuating abuses, and giving wider scope for their arbitrary prot INTRODUCTION. XXI ceedings?'' What remains for redress, but " the great and final reason of nations, the right of resistance ?" It is to be presumed, that a king will not knowingly violate the laws ; (should his ministers do so, there is a prescribed remedy ;) for the same law that makes him a king, and that gives him the prerogative of a king, confers also on the people the privileges of subjects, to which his prerogative is merely the exception. But, however notorious the facts, we must not rest on vague generalities. The most obvious violations of national liberty are those which affect the person and property of the subject ; a further violation is the denial of a remedy for the wrongs committed against them. In all these in- stances, Charles was guilty of palpable and aggravated breaches of our constitution, as then existing. First, he made violent inroads on personal liberty, by ar- bitrary imprisonments and judgments of the Star-Chamber ; but these I barely touch upon, since, however illegal, they had some colour from precedent, and were principally in- tended to uphold the following excesses. Secondly, he infringed the rights of property, by imposing and levying illegal taxes, especially those of tonnage and poundage, and of ship-money ; and by influencing tlie judges, who were removable at his pleasure, to give the sanction of law to these illegal impositions. Thirdly, he violated two laws of Edward III., which " When the parliament, in 1628-9, questioned the officers of the customs for illegally levying the goods of members of parliament, the king sent a message, *' that what the customers did, was by his order ; and that he would not have his particular interest severed from that of his servants, who acted by his com- mand." Whitlockc, 1628, p. 12. xxu TNTRODU( TrON. enacted that parliaments .should be held at least once in every year; and if these laws were sometimes broken through by succeeding monarchs, yet it was not, as in the case of Charles, with the view of withholding redress for grievances, and of perpetuating abuses. Notorious as are all these evidences of the exertion of an unconstitutional power, yet there are very many who to this day either will not credit, or will excuse, or palliate, nay, almost justify them. Let, then, Charles's own histo- rian*^ be our guide and rule, so as to obviate any suspicion of exaggeration. And first for the Star-Chamber. " For the better sup- port of these extraordinary ways,'' (the levying of ship- money, and enforcing other illegal impositions,) " and to protect the agents and instruments, who must be employed m them, and to discountenance and suppress all bold en- quiries and opposers, the council-table and star-chamber enlarge their jurisdiction to a vast extent, ' holding (as Thucydides said of the Athenians) for honourable that which pleased, and for just that which profited;' and being the same persons in several rooms, grew both courts of law to determine right, and courts of revenue to bring money into the treasury : the council-table by proclama- tiouo enjoining to the people what was not enjoined by the law, and prohibiting that which was not prohibited ; and the star-chamber censuring the breach and disobedience to those proclamations, by very great fines and imprison- ment ; so that any disrespect to any acts of state, or to ^ The edition of Clarendon's History referred to throughout is that contaim'ng the suppressed passajjjes. Dxford, 1820. INTRODUCTION. XXlll f the persons of statesmen, was in no time more penal, and those foundations of right, by which men valued their se- curity, to the apprehension and understanding of wise men, never more in danger to be destroyed." ^ Secondly, as to the imposition of illegal taxes. The duty of tonnage and poundage, " which is the duty and subsidy paid by the merchant upon trade," had been granted by act uf parliament to king Henry the Eighth, though for several years before levied by him without any such authority. This act established the principle, that the duty of tonnage and poundage was not a source of revenue of right vested in the crown, but accruing to it from grant of the parliament. In the first year of each of the four succeeding reigns, an act was passed, granting these duties to the reigning j)rince for life."* It is stated by Clarendon, and by Hume also with a partial concealment of the truth, that these duties were levied by Charles's predecessors, from the period of their accession until an act was passed to confer them. For though it may be allowed that such was the case, yet on each occasion the confirma- tion or grant of the parliament was sought for and ob- tained. And indeed it is obvious that, in whatever way the proceeds might be employed, a temporary suspension of the payment of duties on merchandize must have greatly deranged the whole commerce of the country, so that to levy them until parliament should determine on their ap- [nopriation, was an act of absolute necessity. Charles, however, not only did not ask his parliament to *■ Clarendon, vol. i. p. I'Jl. ' 1 Edw. VI. c. 13 ; 1 Mary, bt. ii. c. 18 ; 1 Eliz. c. '20 , 1 James, c. '63. XXIV INTRODUCTION. continue these duties to him; but after having illegally con- tinued to levy them during three years, when the com- mons had drawn up and were reading a remonstrance " of the undue taking of tonnage and poundage, without the granting of it by parliament," "" he interrupted their pro- ceedings, and shortly prorogued their meeting. And when, before their re-assembling, some mercluxnts refused to pay these duties, in obedience to the king s declaration, they were committed to prison ; and this, too, expressly against the Petition of Right, to which the king had but lately given his assent. But beside and beyond this illegal levying of tonnage and poundage, and that which presently followed of ship- money, ''' In the second parliament there was a mention, and intentiott declared, of granting five subsidies, a proposi- tion (how contemptible soever in respect of the pressures now every day imposed) scarce ever before heard of in par- liament. And that meeting being, upon very unpopular and unplausible reasons, immediately dissolved, these iiye subsidies were exacted throu- the constitutional course of callinir his ministers to account for illegal acts done in his name : ' but " he would not have his particular interest severed from that of his servants.'' And here again we may have recourse to the testimony of Clarendon ;'' who says, '' I do not know any formed act of either house, that was not agreeable to the wisdom and justice of great courts, upon those extra- ordinary occasions. And whoever considers the acts of power and injustice of some of the ministers, in these in- ^ Clarendon, vol. i. p. 7. * Ibid. p. 10. '' Ibid. p. i). INTRODUCTION. XX Ml tervals of parliament, will not be much scandalized at the warmth and vivacity of those meetings.'' For an interval of twelve years Charles adhered to his resolution of dispensing with parliaments. At the end of that time, the troubles, w^hich his own misgovernment of Scotland had provoked, compelled him once more to have recourse to the people, not with any intention to amend the laws and reform the abuses of the past years of misrule ; but solely in order to the obtaining supplies, that he might be enabled to eifectually subdue that spirit of liberty which was growing to some degree of ripeness in Scotland. This parliament met on the 5th of April, 1640, and was abruptly dissolved on the 5th of May following. The only matter of importance that was debated during this brief space, was the joint question of sui)ply and ship- money. The whole nation, almost as one man, had given its voice against the legality of the latter. But Charles would have its legality expressly admitted, and proposed to cede his right to levy it on his own terms. His proposal was, " that if the jiarliament would grant him twelve sub- sidies, to be paid in three years, he would then release all his title and pretence to ship-money for the future, in such a manner as his parliament should advise."' Hampden, after a debate of some length, proposed, that the whole question should be put to the house as one, well knowing that it would be rejected. Hyde proposed that the question might be put only " upon giving the king a supply;" but sir Henry Vane, secretary of state, assured the house, that the king would not accept a supply, unless it were such 1 Clarendon, vol. i. p. 239. pi XXVIU INTUODUCTIOX. as he demanded. So the house was adjourned till the next day ; and on the following morning ahruptly dissolved. On his Scottish suhjects, Charles had made an attack of a different character from anv to which those in England had been exposed. An arbitrary king had need of the support of an intolerant church. So, with the assistance of Laud, Juxon, and AVren, he endeavoured to enforce upon the Scotch a body of canons and a liturgy, totally at va- riance with the habits, the religious feelings, and faith of that people ; and this in violation of the established religion of the country, and without the sanction of the only au- thority which had a right to propose any such alteration. It commonly hap[)ens, that those who are themselves the most intolerant, can least of all men brook any encroachment on their own privileges. And accordingly the Presbyterians, (who at the outset professed themselves the stoutest advo- cates for civil and religious liberty, but who afterwards proved as intolerant as Charles and his faction of prelates,) at once, with the utmost clamour and violence, resisted the attempt to introduce the new liturgy into their church. It was, as before observed, to procure supplies for sub- duing the Scotch that the parliament last mentioned was assembled. The nearer approach of peril from the same quarter rendered the calHng another parliament necessary, towards the end of the same year. On the third of November 1640, met the Long Parliament. If at this juncture we pause awhile, and look back upon the conduct of Charles on the one hand, and of liis English subjects on the other, during the former years of his reign, we can hardly be surprised at the calamitous results that ) INTRODUCTION. XXIX followed. For a period of fifteen years he had conducted his government without any regard to the rights of his people. He had levied what taxes he chose, he had im- prisoned whom he would, he had closed the doors of justice against those whom he or his ministers wronged ; he had suspended the use of one branch of the legislature, whose existence was as necessary as his own ; in short, he had, m almost every conceivable way, (though not perhaps m the utmost degree,) broken through the conditions on which he held his own sovereignty. And for the same period, his subjects in England had submitted to these manifold wrongs, with a patience which, if not regarded as the eflect i/^ of deeply-rooted prepossessions, or mistaken piety, might seem almost contemptible. Their resistance throughout was limited to unheeded petitions and complaints, or to appeals to the protection of the law, equally unheeded and inefiec- tual. During the progress of the war that ensued, many great enormities were doubtless committed by the popular party. The last sad act of Charles's execution can be justified on no plea of imagined necessity. But should we pass thci same sentence of condemnation on the excesses committed by a once oppressed, but now triumphant populace, that is merited by a systematic and long continued system of tyranny? tyranny, too, for which there was no pretence or excuse i The people shewed no unwillingness to do their duty to him, but only desired that he should do his duty to them. He had the choice of the best, the wisest, and most able men, that the nation produced, for his servants and advisers. Unhappily, however, his choice was little XXX INTRODUCTION. guided by the worth, or wisdom, or ability of the persons chosen, but rather by private partiality and affection. It was either his fault or his misfortune that he usually made a bad choice. If his fault, we may lament, but cannot wonder at, the fatal consequences to which it led. if Ills misfortune, though our regret is increased, yet the result was equally inevitable. Perhaps there was a com- bination of both. But liowever this may be, it would have been hard, indeed, that a whole nation should therefore have suffered the loss of every right and privilege wliich bound them and him together. When the Long Parliament met, '' there was observed a marvellous elated countenance in many of the members before they met together in the house : the same men who six months before were observed to be of very moderate tempers, and to wish that gentle remedies might be ap- plied, without opening the wound too wide, and exposing it to the air, and rather to cure what was amiss than too strictly to make iuipiisition into the causes and original of the malady, talked now in another dialect, both of things and persons ; and said, ' that they must now be of another temper than they were the last parliament; tliat they must nut only sweep the honse clean below, but must pull down all the cobwebs which hung in the top and corners, that tliey might not breed dust, and so make a foul house here- after; that they had now an opportunity to make their country happy, by removing all grievances, and pnlling np the causes of them by the roots, if all men would do Their duties.^ '' '" This is by no means an exaggerated description "• Clarendon, vol.i. p. 2.08, J). 1 } INTRODUCTION. XXXI of the resolves of the popular party, as in the sequel mani- fested by their conduct. The question is, was it justifiable! Surely, concession and submission had been tried long enough. And moreover, if we examine with strict impar- tiality into the conduct of the houses of parliament at their first meeting, and before the king set up his standard at Nottingham, we shall find no act of theirs which the forms and principles of the British constitution did not warrant, or which the emergency did not justify. They did, what the king would never before give them the opportunity to do ; they impeached those of his advisers whom they re- garded as the authors of their grievances. They passed resolutions, condemning as illegal all those infringements of the national rights," which were, without any doubt, against the law ; and, above all, they brought in and carried through an act for a triennial parliament, "giving the people authority to assemble together, if the king failed to call them.^'^ They passed acts for taking away the high commission court, and the star-chamber court ; for prevent- ing vexatious proceedings touching the order of knighthood ; an^d against ship money ; with others of less public interest. "These acts of parliament,^^ observes Clarendon, "fi- nished and enacted in the time we speak of, besides the quitting the long used right of laying impositions upon foreign trade, in the preamble of the bill for tonnage and poun'dage, and besides that tatal bill for the continuance of this parliament, will be acknowledged, by an incorrupted posterity, to be everlasting monuments of the king s i)rincely and fatherly affection to his people ; and such an obligation , . »p>j " Ibid. p. 504. » Clarendon, vol. i. p- .>o7. xxxu INTIIODUCTION. of repose and trust tVom his majesty iii the hearts of his subjects, that no expressions of piety, duty, and confidence from them, could have been more than a sufficient return on their parts." Had these concessions, if they may be called such, been voluntarily made by Charles at the beginning of his reign, the noble historian's conclusion would have been good, and Charles had been an eminent example of princely li- berality. But as he had, for a series of years, unlawfully done the very acts whicli these laws were intended to prevent for the future, we come very near the conclusion, that little or no repose or trust could be placed in him by his subjects, and that but small expressions of duty, none of confidence, could be expected from them. And doubtless so they felt. " Hence, when the popular party had provided sufficient checks for the people against the king, they were obliged to devise fresh ones against king Charles.'' P This was most clearly shewn in their endeavour to secure to themselves the control of the militia of the kingdom ; and this, be it remembered, not by force, but by an act to be passed with the concurrence of the whole legislature. Had he been content to uphold his prerogative, and refused his assent to such a bill, whatever violent mea- sures the parliament might have had recourse to, he would have been excused in the judgment of all thinking men. But while they were endeavouiiiig by legal and consti- tutional methods to narrow the limits of his prerogative, and to extend and secure their own privileges, it was his misfortune ever to lead the way in [)ositive acts of wrong. I' Lord John Russell, on the English Constitution, p. f{4. f / INTIIODUCTION. XXXlll It is almost universally admitted, that his attempt to seize the five members of the commons in the house itself was the commencement of the war : it was certainly the very act which immediately led to it. His boasted con- cessions were notliing worth, if such a power were to be assumed. From that moment, compromise was impos- sible, resistance was indispensable. It is probable, indeed, that the period had now arrived, at which an equitable agreement between the claims of prerogative on the one hand, and privilege on the other, was no longer practicable. But this last act of Charles's, not excused by his friends, but palliated as only indiscreet and ill-judged, impressed the party that opposed him with the belief that all his concessions were insincere ; and that whenever he should have the power to resume his lost authority, he would not hesitate or fail to do so. And this behef is warranted by his subsequent conduct. When his arms were, during the first years of the war, successful, his concessions were few and scanty: when defeated, his promises were large ; but his mental reservations, brought to light by the capture and publication of ais confidential correspondence, were as large as his promises. And his duplicity practised towards, and at length detected by, Cromwell, immediately led to that death which the nation did not wish for, nor its wrongs require. VOL. I. LETTERS, ETC. if. F COLONEL IRETON TO OLIVER CROMWELL. Sir, — Having a business of importance, which 1 hold myself bound to impart to those that command me, and (amongst them) to yourself, and hearing from the army you were gone to London, I take the opportunity of presenting it to you there, that by you the same may be represented to the members of both Houses, that are of the committee of both kingdoms, and by them to the Houses, as shall appear seasonable. It is this: Last night late there came from Oxford to my quarter some officers, late of the king's party, with passes from the General' to go beyond sea, (most of them being of the forty allowed, upon the treaty at Truro, first to go to the king.) Two of them did severally declare to me, (as by direction from the king and divers English about him,) to this effect ; That the king had several offers '"" Fairfax. B i . • ••••••••• • • ' • • " •••• ••.*• • • • * • • : ••• '.■ • • • ^» , • ' • •• • • •• ••,•• »•••• • • • • , • •#»••» ••••• • • • • • •• • • •»,"•• • 5^ OVERTURES FROM THE KINCi. made to him of considerable assistance ^ to declare for him, upon some conditions, (not mentioning nor acknowledging to know the conditions, nor positively the parties;) that there were divers solicitors now pressing him to a present resolution, and his con- dition required the same; but that the king, and most of the English about him, were averse to such offers, (as ruinous or dangerous to the kingdom,) and inclined (before any other way) to cast himself upon the parliament and people of England, and (for that purpose) was desirous (without further capitulation) to come in to the General, or whither else the parliament would have him, and at once to deliver up all his garrisons and disband his forces, if only he might be assured to live and continue king still, without being deposed for aught past; that (to avoid all jealousy or opportunity of his making a further party or factions) he would either come to London or not, (as the parliament pleased,) or go to any place in the kingdom, whither the parliament would have him, stay where they would, have no officers about him, nor resort to him, but whom they would assign ; save only the duke of Richmond, my lords of Hertford, Southampton, Lindsay, Mr. Ashburnham, and some few others, (whose names I ^ The assistance alluded to is probably that proposed by the French minister, cardinal Mazarine, of which some account is to be found in Clarendon, b. \. vol. v. [>. :57G, &c. OVERTURES FROM THE KING. O remember not,) whom he desired for society only, and not to be in power or place about him. They pretended necessity for a speedy resolution herein, (otherwise the king would be precipitate upon desperate resolutions, to try for safety other- ways ;) that for prevention thereof, they were ex- pected to return to Oxford this morning, with but my opinion, whether the king might rationally ex- pect to be thus received ; else (should they go on without any return) it would be conceived hopeless. I would not suffer either of them to go back or make return, nor admit the least further intercourse or communication about it ; neither would I assume to give my sense of the thing, but instead thereof, gave them a copy of the parliament's declaration,'' (as the clearest assurance of their intentions,) and told one of them, I would (according to my duty) acquaint my General and superior officers with what was proposed, and leave them to impart it to those we serve. Wherein (wishing only a tenderness of the king's honour in the carriage of it, and fearing some dano-er in hng; suspension and their utter silence) they did acquiesce. I have already sent an express " Votes had passed the two Houses, March 31 preceding, providing for the safe custody of the king, in case he should come to London, or within the city lines. It is not improbable, as intimated in a letter, subsequently inserted, from Sancroft to his father, that the ruling party were ai)prehensive that the presence of the king in London might occasion a re-action in his favour. See CJnrmdon, vol. v. ]>. '-WK ^c- i DR. IIOLDSWOliTIJ. THE nilNt E OF WALES. 5 to impart it to the General, and now this to you for the purpose above; wherein having faithfully de- clared the naked truth, and to the best of my un- derstanding discharged ray duty, I leave the issues to the good pleasure of the Lord, and rest Your most humble servant, H. Ireton. April 23, 1640. DR. HOLDSVVORTH ' TO MR. BANCROFT. Loving Sir,— The bearer hereof, Mr. Venn, needs no recommendation, yet my obligations to his love are such as bind me even to superfluities. He comes with this only to bring him as an oblation, and not without his mother's consent, who is also a partner in the journey. You will find him a friendly acquaint- ance, square to perform his promises, and noble also •^ Hoklsworth was master of Emanuel college, Cambridge, and at the commencement of the war vice-chancellor of that university ; hut having caused some of the king's declarations, which had been printed at York, to be reprinted at Cambridge' and also having preached a sermon that was offensive to the parliament, he was compelled to quit Cambridge, and after some time was committed to the Tower. How long Iiis im- I)risonmcnt continued is unknown. His correspondence with Bancroft shews that his interest in the welfare of his college was unabated. He died in 1G49. li f to exceed them. I am sure, by God's blessing, the pupil will be happy in you, and I doubt not but yourself also will be as well pleased with your pupil, so that neither shall have cause to repent. I wish I could have come along with them; but that being denied, 1 must send my best wishes after them, and not only my wishes but my prayers. To God's o-race I betake you, and, in the fulness of affection, 1 rest Your assured friend, III. HOLDSWOIITH. April 24, 1G46. FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY AGENT IN FRANCE, R. AUGIER, TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — The ship, the Nicholas of Southampton, that you were pleased to recommend unto me formerly, having been confiscated with all her dependences by an arrest given in the presence of the chancellor, I have so highly represented that the parliament would grant letters of reprisal to the interested, as soon as it should come to their knowledge, that I hindered the delivering thereof, all Mr. Jermyn and others' instances, who pretended to get benefit by, notwith- standing. At last the Prince of Wales is at Jersey.^ The " The prince left Scilly for Jersey April lOili, and on the i \ G FRANCE. queen his mother doth send Mr. Jermyn's brother, captani Cooke, and some others, to fetch him hither, where he will expect what will be the king his father's success. Monday last, the said queen received in- telligence he would go out of Oxford, in spite of his enemies, to join the Scots, as being agreed with them ; many do flatter themselves, as if the said prince would be sent into Scotland to raise again Montrose's party, in case the king could not do it himself. In a word, there are here too many bigots and others who desire it, and do contribute thereunto. The good intelligence between the parliaments of both kingdoms, and a speedy resolution and vigour, are the only means to overthrow their plots. The offers made lately by the emperor to this crown for a general peace, (pressed by Bavaria, that is, by Rome and all the Jesuits,) are full of so many restrictions, that they are answered here only with general terms to get time to the end of this campaign, for which all is making ready for the action. This court goes for a fortnight to Chantilly, ten leagues off upon the way following day reached the latter ]>lace. Tlie cjiiecn was most anxious for his removal to Paris ; but the prince's council, un- willing to put the heir apparent into the power of the French, and fully relying on the strength of Jersey, so strongly opposed this plan, that at length, when the [)rince resolved on leaving Jersey for France, his whole council, with the exception of lord Colepcpper, refused to accompany him thither. See Clarend. vol. V. }>. -JjO, ki^. I'llANCK. 7 of Picardy, thereby to encourage the nobility to march thither. Cardinal Mazarine will follow, but not the council. By the treaty of league of this crown, renewed for two years with the States of Holland, they are agreed of twelve hundred thousand livres for the ordinary yearly, but not yet for the extraordinary, nor conse- quently for the design of the campaign. They arc offered four hundred thousand livres, but it is believed they will have a million before they agree to the de- sign, by means whereof they make sure to get Dun- kirk in a short time. The great number of royalists fled to Jersey, which amounts to about three thousand, put in fear those of Guernsey of some attempt upon their island. The king of Spain is come to Pampelona, fearing some design of the French upon Navarre. The Spaniards have taken terms in Catalonia, over-against Balagnieri. Genoa gives passages upon their land to the French troops under prince Thomas, and free access into their harbours (Genoa itself excepted) to the fleet gone from Toulon under the duke of Breza. Their pretence is to go against the open enemies of the crown of France. These ministers do make as yet no kind of justice unto us upon our grievances. I write particularly thereupon unto Mr. Giles Green. Mr. Buchanan, to whom I left a letter of attorney, when I passed from Ldndon, for to receive my pay- 8 IMlOrOSED SrUUHNDEU OF THE KING. ments, having put himself into some troubles, as I hear, I send a new letter of attorney to my wife for another, who will trouble you hereafter for my interest, upon the liberty your (^ood will hath given, Sir, to your most humble and obedient servant, R. AUGIER. Paris, May 4, } April -24, i ^^''*^- THE KING LEAVES OXFORD. 9 COLONELS RAINSBOROUGH AND FLEETWOOD TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Yesterday morning, secretary Nicholas (as by the king's command) desired colonel Rains- borough's pass for the earls of Lindsay and South- ampton, sir William Fleetwood, and Mr. John Ash- burnham, to come and treat with him, and any else, for surrender of Woodstock manor. Whereupon colonel Rainsborough sent for colonel Fleetwood, major Disborough, and major Harrison, to be present. After much debate, the earl of Southampton desired to propose what (he thought) might not only give usi the possession of this, but other garrisons. We said, if what he had to offer was within our capacity, we should willingly hear. And he conceived it was; namely, that, forasmuch as the parliament had de- clared a saving to the king's person and his honour, if therefore we (accordingly) would engage ourselves for performance thereof, to-wit, that his person may 1 \ \ be defended from violence, and continue king ; then the king would come into our quarters, (there to re- main, or where else you please to direct,) and do what you should require of him. We replied, we could only (and that was our duty) signify to you their offer. In fine, we agreed for surrender of the manor, upon conditions this bearer can fully acquaint you, who was present at the whole. We beseech you give us your commands touching the premises; wherein, and in all things to our power, none shall more faithfully en- deavour your service than. Sir, your most humble and faithful servants, Thomas Rainsborough, Charles Fleetwood. April 2G,ir)4{). COLONEL PAYNE TO MAJOR-GENERAL BROWN.^ Hon. Sir, — I have intelligence from others, that the king went this morning by two o'clock towards London;" that the gates were kept close ; and having f Commander of the garrison at Abingdon. s Early in the morning of the 27th April, the king left Oxford, attended only by Mr. Ashbuniham and one Hndson ; his council not knowing whether he would go to the Scottish army, or get privately into London, and lie there concealed, till he could dotcrniine on what was his best course. Nine days c ijis i jigiiww i iffwB Mi.. . i immiiiiM 10 THE KING LEAVES OXFORD. demanded the reason of the extraordinary step they took, it was answered, It concerned a kingdon], and that there would be stormy doings at London ; for if the lord mayor proved an honest man, it would be very well for their side, and that we should see one half of the parliament sitting at Northampton, and the other half in London ; and that if any did refuse to yield to the king, the rest would force them to it. These thinfjs beino- of so hig-h concernment, I held it my duty speedily to acquaint your honour therewith, well knowing your wisdom can discern how to make a true use hereof, I shall not at present be further tedious, only take leave, and rest. Sir, your honour's faithful servant, Geo. Payne. Abingdon, April 27, 1646. eleven at niolit. The party that told me the intelligence above written, thinks he went disguised to London, and that he made use of sir Tho. Fairfax's seal, which they have gotten cut in Oxford. I sent by a former, wherein I acquainted your honour, that on Saturday last I commanded forth a party toward Hincksey, and another to Kennington; elapsed before even his friends knew where he was. Clarend. vol. V. p. 394. But in a letter, dated April 13, from the king to the marquis of Ormond, he says, " We have resolved to put ourselves to the hazard of passing into the Scots' army, now Ivinir before Newark." Rushworth. Hist. Coll. PRINCE OF WALES AT Jb^RSEY 11 we took seventy-eight prisoners, a hundred belts of bandoleers, and on Sunday I took Shepherd the parson of Sutton. ROBERT RUSSELL TO LORD WARWICK, GOVERNOR OF GUERNSEY, &c. Right IIonoukable,— I beseech your lordship's pardon of my presumption, and to give me leave to inform your lordship, that since the sealing of my two former, I have been this morning credibly informed that the prince of Wales arrived at Jersey the 26th April instant, and with him six hundred men, (to- gether with those there before,) being considerable for a design against us. I beseech your lordship to take this into your honourable consideration ; as also the particulars of my two former inclosed, (which cross wind and weather hath prevented from already kissing your lordship's hands,) and to endeavour that assistance of shipping be sent with all speed. 1 I now send the Dove express to admiral Batten, in the west, to request his assistance ; which (if he cannot give assistance himself) I beseech your lordship's procurement of an order to him for that purpose. And for my part, nothing shall be wanting, either of care or resolution, which may conduce to the preservation of my trust. I shall not further presume, but only, congratu- 12 THE KING S ESCAPE FROM OXFORD. THE KING S ESCAPE FROM OXFORD. 13 lating your lordship's happy and honourable marriage, humbly rest Your lordship's most humble and faithful servant, Rob. Russell. Guernsey, April 28, 1G4G. COL. PAYNE TO MAJOR-GEN. BROWN. Hox. Sir, — The news of the king's going to London is constantly confirmed by all that come from Oxford ; that he went out disguised in a montero and a hat upon it ; that sir Thomas Glemham ^ at his parting bid him '' Farewell Harry," by which name it seems he goes. There went with him only the earl of Southampton, Dr. King, and Mr. Ashburnham;" that presently after his going out there was a great meeting in Oxford. Sir Thomas got some blows amongst the rout, and escaped narrowly with his life two or three times ; Rupert and Maurice have both disbanded ; the governor is fain to keep a strong guard about •» Governor of Oxford. ' Clarendon says, the king left Oxford attended only by Mr. Ashburnham jind one Hudson. Riishnorth also says, that the king went out of Oxford '' in company only of Dr. Hudson, a divine, and Mr. John Ashburnham, and rode as servant to the latter, uith a cloak-bag behind him." From a subsequent lettei', however, it appears that he reached Newark attended by three others, (post, p. 20,) of whom Hudson was certainly one, as appears from a letter written by Hudson himself, and inserted hereafter. him : their hopes are, he will be entertained in the city ; and talk much of the lord mayor, (but I hope it is only their surmises,) that he is to keep the king private at his house, and that he hath made a party in the city for the king. I believe they would fain have something work to set the city together by the ears, by casting aspersions upon my lord mayor, who, I doubt not, hath better and more durable reputation and honour in London than to be blasted by their slander. I thought it my duty to acquaint your honour with these particulars, reserving it to your wisdom to make use of it as you see occasion, it being the common report at Oxford, what I have now written. The treasurer came in safe the last night. Sir Thomas Fairfax continues still at Newbury: the plague increases much in Abingdon ; and I have writ two or three times to colonel llainsborouo-h, to take those soldiers which were appointed him, but yet he sends not for them ; for if he would block up the south side of Oxford, I should spare them well enough. Thus giving your honour my humble thanks for those many kind expressions I have been afforded from your honour, desiring still to make it my aim to appear myself faithful, I humbly take leave ; and rest your honour's most humble and grateful ser- vant, Geo. Payne. Abingdon, April 20, 1040. f 14 SIR THOMAS LITTLETON. CAMBUIDUE. 15 ip i| DR. HOLDSWORTH [TO MR. SANCROFT.] Loving Sir,— I am now at Cassalton in Surry, having removed hither on Tuesday, when Mr. Venn returned. Not fully an hour before 1 took my journey, sir Thomas Littleton, who is now a prisoner in the Tower,'' by the permission of the lieutenant came to me, entreating me to provide a tutor for his son. He lives in Worcestershire, one of the greatest men of those parts ; himself an Oxford man, but by reason of these distractions desirous to settle his son at Cam- bridge. His son is sixteen years old ; yet, though so young, he hath been in some service. He is his eldest ; and his hope is, not that he will be a perfect scholar, but only to get his Latin tongue, and some skill in the accomplishments of a gentleman, as in the globes, &c. : of these, I am secure he will be well supplied from you ; my only care is for a lodging for him, which I desire may be good, and that you would signify so much to me by the first. With my best wishes, I commend you to God's grace, and remain Your affectionate friend, RiC. HoLDSWORTH. Cassalton, April 30, 1G4G. " Sir Tho. Littleton had been taken prisoner as early as Mav, 1(344. See Whithche. WILLIAM SANCROFT' TO HIS FATHER, FRAN. SANCROFT. J Sir, — I received your letter and the five pounds • you sent me, for which I return due thanks. I am glad to hear of my mother's recovery in part, God I perfect it in his own time. It rejoiceth me too to hear that my loving friend Mr. Horrett is so suc- cessful in his practice ; for he is one whose good is by me equally desired with mine own. The carrier tells me you have lately had an unkind visit of the gout ; my prayer shall be that it carry itself like a visitor, or stranger, and stay but a little while with you. It hath pleased God again to send the plague of pestilence amongst us. Will. Rogers will be able to inform you of the history of it. Only thus much I shall say, there are five dead in the town in two houses, other houses shut up for pre- vention, and they say one dead at the Green since their remove thither. ' William Sancroft was at this time fellow of Emanuel col- lege, Cambridge ; but was ejected in 1649, for having refused to take the engagement. Shortly after the Restoration, he was elected master of his college ; and in 1677, was raised to the dignity of archbishop of Canterbury. In 1688, he united with six other prelates in the petition to king James against having the declaration for liberty of conscience read in churches. But in the following year, refusing to take the oath of allegiance to William and Mary, he was deposed from his archiepiscoj)ate, and succeeded bv Tillotson. 16 CAIVIIJRIDGE. We have very good hopes that it will please God to stay it here. The university is not dissolved ; no college stirs, but Christ's, in whose vicinage the in- fection is. We are the next to them, but yet our lads budge not, being more courageous than ever I knew them in the like danger. I hope God will preserve us, and keep us together ; we promise ourselves the prayers of all our friends. I think I shall not stir unless we all break in pieces, and then, if I come not immediately to Fresinfield, I shall carefully acquaint you with my motions. My lord of Exeter parted hence yesterday. He had been here some ten days in a course of physic, rather preventive and anniversary, than from any present necessity. I was with him to take ray leave of him, and he sent me away, as he used to do, fuller of hopes of a good issue of these troubles than I went thither, I had two letters from the good doctor'" last week ; the last from Cassalton in Surry, whither he is retired to refresh himself. We cannot yet with leave enjoy him here, though I dare still hope the time will be when he shall not come to us as a strangrer to lodofe for a nitrht, but as the soul and life of this body, which hath been in a fainting and swooning condition ever since he was by violent hands snatched from us. The news was strong upon the exchange on Friday, that the king, having escaped out of Oxford Holdswor'tli. THE KING. 17 in a disguise, was surprised, but within two hours it was cried down again. On Saturday, a post came hither with his mouth full of it ; but upon search, he was found to have a blister on his tongue. Upon discourse with those that I think understand much in the present state of affairs, I think it probable that the king is still in Oxford; that his resolution is, upon Fairfax's approach, without much disputing to give up himself into his hands and to go for London. The faction that hath the vogue at Westminster fear nothing more than that ; they know not what to do with him if he comes to London ; his presence will attract hearts, and animate many of the members to appear for him with open face, who now mask under a vizor, and sigh to see a party, they like not, carry all before them. To say nothing in the mean- time, that the late breaches with the synod, Scots, ^ and city, have much disposed men's minds to look back from whence they are departed; and informs them sufficiently that the men are not impeccable and infallible, whom they have looked upon as such all this while. The truth is, men begin to grow weary, and it is time; and I hope the fatal giddiness that hath possessed us all this while, will have at least this good in it, that it will bring us back at last to the pomt where we began, otherwise the round would not be perfected. Thus much is certain, ever since ^ the voting down of the synod's and city's petition, D I 18 PIIESBYTEUIAN PUEACHEKS the assembly-men have pmyeJ very zealously for his majesty, and began to fumble and botch in their mention of the parliament, that God would shew them what a horrible sin it is to break covenant with him, &c.; this was Mr. Calamy's phrase : and last Sunday, Mr. Vines, new master of Pembroke hall, preaching at St. Mary's, could afford them no more but " that God would direct them in the right way, and take them off from self ends." And now I have mentioned him, PU give you a touch or two of his sermon. The first shall be a glance at the com.- missioners. *' Certainly," saith he, " the church had a power of jurisdiction in it before the supreme ma- gistrate was Christian ; and why it should lose that under Constantine which it had under Nero, I know not. Yet there is a generation who tell you, you must only meddle with the pot of manna, but the rod of Aaron doth not become your hands." His next was concerning sects ; (his text was 2 Cor. xi. 3.) '' The Apostle," saith he, ''is for simplicity; but here is a multiplicity among us ; the swarm is up, 'tis risen, and falls in so many parts, that I fear it will never be brought again within the compass of one hive, within the pale of one church." But I shall make my repetition too long for the sermon : I am sure it was three quarters of an hour, and yet he read it all, two great faults in others, but in an assembly- man no more but peccadilloes. So much for him. Sir, I had not been so impertinently tedious, but \(\ THE king's arrival IN THE SCOTCH QUARTERS. 19 that I fear the accession of your gout gives you too much leisure to listen to this chatter. My humble duty to yourself, and yourself,"^ my hearty love to my brothers and sisters, my humble service to Mr. Goodgefield, Mr. Tate, and the rest of my friends. I hope the next messenger brings me news of a son at Mendham ; God grant it. I am. Sir, your dutiful son. May 4, 1G46. W. S. LIEUT.-GENERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — The most eminent and weighty relation I have to communicate, and that which almost blots out all other proceedings here, is, that the king came this morning to Southwell, and is since conveyed by a troop of the Scots, but which way we cannot as yet find out. I have sent out parties for the purpose ; and as occasion happens I shall be further trouble- some. If this business proves not a hinderance, I shall send you the news of this town surrendered within few days. In the meantime, I conceive it of high consequence to give you this relation; and remain. Sir, your most true servant, Sedenham Poyntz. The Leaguer [at Newark,] Haste, Haste. May 5, lCy4C^. "' It IS thus in the orioinal. He probably iiuari?- his mother. '^ THE king's ARllIVAL IN THE SCOTCH QUARTERS. FROM THE LEAGUER AT NEWARK TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_Wc were this morning about ten of the clock credibly informed, that the king with three others came in great speed this morning about seven of the clock to Southwell, and went to the house of Mons. Montrevil," the French agent : about twelve this day, two of the Scottish commissioners brought us a letter, a copy whereof is here inclosed ; the two commissioners presently returned : and in this surprise we could not for the present think further than to desire of them ho might not remove, which they ap- . proved of; and that we might speedily meet the rest of them at Farnton, which was consented unto ; and we are now going thither accordingly, and shall imme- diately advertise you of our further proceedings ; and do beseech to know your pleasure, with all possible speed, how we shall direct and guide ourselves herein. Your humble servants, W.PlERREPONT.W. ArMYNE. Edw. Avscoghf.. I'lomCol.llo-setci'stciit ^j^.^jk,. Irby. at the Lciigiicr betorc Newark. 1 HO. HaTCHEN. May 5, 1040. Haste, Haste. ■ Montrevil had been t^cntby the court of France to negotiate a peace between tlu' king and the Scots. On the Krst of A|,rd he had wrillen to Ibc king, assuring him of the friendly dis- ,„.Miions of the Scots towards him, and of personal safety / PIIINCK RUPERT. '21 SIR THO. FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— Since your order of the last day of April, for the restraint of any persons coming out of Oxford, prince Rupert hath sent to me, desiring my pass to come out into any of our quarters, and there to stay till the pleasure of the parliament be known concerning him. Here are also sir John Cansfield and sir George Strode, who had passes to come out of Oxford for four or five days before the date of that order, and do desire leave and passes to go beyond seas, being willing to engage themselves according to the negative oath, and not to come into England again without the parliament's leave. I have not granted their desires, nor given any certain resolution in any of these particulars ; but thought it my duty to represent them to the consideration of the parliament, to which I leave them, and remain Your most humble servant, u ,. T. Fairfax. Jieadington, May 5, 1646. LORD SAVILE TO THE SPEAKER. After a long imprisonment at Oxford, I came to and kingly respect, if he would put himself into their army. In a few days he had occasion to retract this pressing invitation ; but liis messenger was taken prisoner on his journey, and was unable to reacli Oxford before the king had left for Newark. \m'\^mr\¥ OlI LOUD S.WILi:. London by a pass from the earl of Essex, and was made a prisoner at my coming hither ; at which time I did impart mito the lord viscount Say° some things which I had to declare unto him, for the advantage of the parliament. It was thereupon ordered by the committee of both kingdoms, that a sub-committee should be named, to take the information of what shall be propounded ; which sub-committee gave me power and authority to treat at Oxford about the same, I engaging myself (for the more clear dealing) to communicate unto them the substance of such letters and returns as I received from thence; but that the knowledge of the particular names, who writ the same, should not be pressed to their prejudice who frave the intellio'ence. Durinir that time I received a letter from an honourable person, who, in great se- crecy and caution to myself, writ unto me to take notice that Mr. Hollis was a correspondent with my lord Digby, which was the same letter that the two honourable houses of parliament enjoined me to declare who writ it, and which was both delivered " Lord Savile, created earl of Sussex by Chark^s I., proved liiinself a traitor to both parties. He first sided with the par- liament, then with the king, and again went over to tlie par- liament. This letter refers to an accusation brought by him a'niinst VVhitlocke and Hollis, wliich he attempted to sup- port by a letter from an unknown correspondent at Oxford. He was for a long time imprisoned in the tower, but allowed to compound in October of this year. Sec Whitlovhe, Juh/ 1045, ami Orf. ^i, 1(>4(>. LOUD SAVILE. '^3 I \ and deciphered in the presence of the lady Temple, in whose house I was then a prisoner. I considered the great honour of the person who writ it ; how far from levity, and rash censure in matters of least con- sequence ; how great means they had at the time, more than others, to know such secrets ; what pro- babilities I had in my own secret thoughts, to induce me to look upon it as a thing that might possibly be so ; especially knowing that the said honourable person, who writ the same, had a great desire to be admitted to come to London, and to do something that might deserve the parliament's favour to them ; and lastly, I considered that I was engaged in honour to reveal the substance of all intelligence which I received from Oxford, being confident, on the other part, that I should not be pressed to name the person, as I was assured ; upon all which considerations, the lord Say and Mr. Solicitor were made acquainted with the substance of the said letter ; and the lord Say (as I remember) came unto me in person the same night, unto whom I declared, that by reason of that tie of honour which was upon me, I could not avoid the imparting of such an intelligence to him, which 1 re- ceived from Oxford; but, withal, that I knew his lordship understood very well that such a letter, without further proof, was not sufficient to call in question the reputation of a meaner person than a member of the parliament, unless it could be driven liome by further proofs, which I assured him I would J' I 24 LOUD SAVILK. 1 tt;^ Inrtlsliiu was of the same endeavour to do. His* loiasiiip wa o^l, saying, "God f.rbiU, ,h« . U« ,eUC» ou ;„e .be ,«.e, .0 ™i„ any ^,»n - -^- -> Droof; for then who could be sate, cii S ;ne. that unless further proof could be .a e of. it should ..o no further. I did thereupon wnte unto If lors of the letter, and did use the be. ar- guments I eould to persuade them to -- up bt^^^^^^^^^ and that if the said intelligence aforesaid were well ;:i!ded. I could assure them that it wo^d be Reckoned here as a real and great service, and the best means I knew to procure the favour which presumed they desired ; who thereupon, as 1 hav e heard, hath used all possible means to proeur le ^e to come, but could not obtain It And my m prisonment for this letter afterwards happening, shut up all further hope. ^^ The person who writ this lettei \\ as ti Buckingham; and I am confident that when th. honourable house shall consider, that being a lad , and of great honour and prudence, (setting aside tli. unfortuLe change of her religion lately made,) person so near allied to me in blood, and more n the Lds and obligations of ancient f-ndship an tha this secret was sent unto me as ^ -"tion .i Y Jo J • ^ .^rT.i.nrtmpnt vou wdl not, i hope, tninii own orivate coraportmtut, yuu t Ttrange that I have hitherto suffered so much even your displeasure,) rather than to ruin or prejudice Lc" a trust. And truly but that I have some hope LORD S.WILi:. OK that the condition of the present times may be less prejudicial to her, than if formerly revealed, and that there can be nothing worse to me, in this desperate condition of health that I am in, than to die in your displeasure, and in disobedience to that court that I have in all my life so much honoured, I do not know any thing I would not have further suffered, rather than to have brought upon me an infamy of that nature that I most abhorred. For these reasons, I hope you will be pleased to pardon my former tem- poral disobedience ; and chiefly that because this delay was at first made to do you greater service, and to the end to make a clearer proof, and not out. of any wilful obstinacy to disobey your commands ; and that you will esteem the irrecoverable ruin of my health, con- tracted by this imprisonment, as a sufficient amends for my unfortunate fault. Savilk. [May 5, K)4r>.] LOUD SAMLE TO COLONEL MAIITIN. Sir, — Though I have not the honour to have so much particular acquaintance with you as I desire, yet I have such a general belief of you, as of a gentle- man that will not in any way decline the doing of a just thing in relief of the horro.r and misery of an innocent person. In which confidence I am bold io desire your fh- i: 1 26 LORD SAVILE. vour, as to present these two inclosed papers to the honourable house of commons ; the one containing an humble petition of mine, for the vindication of my wounded honour, in a business only concerning their service ; and the other a faithful declaration, in obe- dience to their own commands, of a matter which hath hitherto made me unfortunate in their displeasures ; in doing of which, as you shall do nothing but what (as I humbly conceive) is but common justice, so you shall in particular much oblige Your most humble servant, Jo. Savile. Tower, May 5, 1640. MR. RUSHWORTH TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — This day, the General received a letter from the house of peers, desiring him to send the duke of llichmond and earl of Lindsay to Windsor castle, in the custody of the gentleman usher of the house of peers ; who had, before he came to the General, served the order on the two lords, requiring their obedience, and afterwards came to the General for a convoy for them. This being the first order the General re- ceived from either house of parliament concerning these lords, he cannot well avoid obedience ; and yet is very tender in a thing of this nature, lest it be ill taken by the house of commons. If their order had come first, (if any was made to be sent to the General,) DUKE OF RICHMOND AND EARL OF LINDSAY. 9^ it had readily been put in execution. A general re- port there was, the house of commons had ordered them to Warwick castle,'' but never any order came; and we since understand it was sent to the lords, and for want of their concurrence rests there. In a case of this nature, where each house en- deavours a contrary course, the General desires to be advised what to do ; and particularly from yourself, (for which end this messenger is sent in all haste to you,) and desires your opinion by him ; he will be here on Monday again. You understand the state of the business : he would not wiUingly neglect the house of peers' order, coming first to him ; and, on the other side, would not be wanting in his duty to the house of commons. As you see cause, you may please to acquaint the house, and excuse the General. We go on very well in the siege : *^ spade and shovel are come to Reading ; we shall now quickly finish the leaguer, and fall to approaches. About Tuesday, a summons will go in : we hope of a com- pliance. If once the leaguer be finished, and they refuse, we can draw off eight thousand horse and foot, and besicfT^e Oxford besides. Your humble servant, Jo. RUSIIWORTII. May 9, twelve at niglit. " See Whitlocke, April 30, 1(346. '' OrWalliiiL^ford. ■impii w ii n i I I I II ■ 28 BANBURY CASTLE. COLONEL WHALEY TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I can now tell you, blessed be God, we are possessed of Banbury Castle ; we exceedingly rejoice at it, for I dare confidently affirm there are not many stronger holds in England. Sir Wm. Compton' yesterday marched out with about four hundred and sixty officers and soldiers, disbanded his regiment some two miles from Banbury ; they had passes to their several homes. We had in the castle, with rausquet barrels, six hundred arms, eleven pieces of ordnance, ten barrels of powder, eight foot and one horse colours : there is great store of all manner of provision ; we only fell short in our expectation for money, we had but £49, besides £40 worth of plate. Sir, I am vour most humble and faithful servant, El)W. WlIALEV. Banbury, Mav 0, 1G40. MR. SANCROFT TO HIS FATHER. SiR,_Hearing of Mr. Borrett's being in town, I could not but desire to see him, in regard of the good understanding betwixt you and his father, Mr. I. Borrett of Studhaugh. After I saw him, I pre- vailed with him to trouble himself with this packet to you. 1 know you will be desirous to hear how we do here in regard of the sickness. God be praised, there is none dead either here or at the Green since ' Governor of Banbury. h THE KING IN THE SCOTCH ARMY. '2V I wrote last. On Saturday there was some fear of Dr. Bainbrigg's family : a servant of his was taken with a great swelling under her ear, and much was talked, and they kept from church on Sunday, but all is well there : the occasion was a plaster applied for the tooth-ache, which drew thither that extraordinary flux of humours. Our fear is rather of another place. In that same yard where the nurse lived, (who hath had two children died,) there is a poor woman, who with her child hath been shut up ever since these three days ; she hath been sick, (as she pretends only of the head-ache,) but we fear the worst. If this proves well, though I w^ould not be secure, yet I hope we are safe. The university continues as it was ; no dissolution. God preserve us safe together. For the public news, I will tell you what is talked upon the exchange. I knew you were amazed as well as we to hear of the king's last action. We had some fellows at the Leaguer at Newark about the time, others that came from London last Saturday. What I hear amongst them is thus much : His majesty, upon his coming in and reception by the Scots, proffered them Newark if they would protect him ; for, saith he, there is an Independent party that sways all above, w^ho will cut your throat and mine too if they can prevail. The Scots replied, that of late they had lain under many misapprehensions ; and they were loth to give any farther ground of jealousy, and therefore refused to accept the town„ ^ 30 THE KING IN THE SCOTCH AlliMY. Hereupon, say some, it was delivered to the English; say others, to neither ; but the works slighted by the garrison itself, the king signing the warrant for the doing of it. On Wednesday last came the news to London that the king was come in. The vigilant, active, and Independent party, who stand always watching their advantage, were at the house, and presently fell a voting that the king should be carried as a prisoner of war to Warwick castle. The next morning this vote is carried up to the lords for con- currence : they storm ; send down for a conference ; have it; Essex raanageth it, and makes a laro-e harangue : that they were bound by their covenant to defend the king's just rights; that they had hitherto fought for that end to remove his evil coun- sellors ; he had now deserted them, and freely of- fered himself; and therefore nothing now to be done but to disband the armies and conclude a peace ; and that rather than they would consent (he spoke in the name of the lords) to make the king a prisoner, they would all die in the place. Sir Philip Stapleton seconded him with another as resolute. And now the commons were a full house too, and vote counter to the last night's resolve, and confess themselves ashamed of the action. They are the words of a par- liament-man to him that told me. All the expectation now is, what the Scots will do. Some say they are removed northward with the kincr as far as Doncaster. Not so far, say others, but onlv PRESDYTEIUANS AND INDEPENDENTS. 31 to get fresh quarters. All men's eyes are upon them, to see what course they will take ; for that is the hinge upon which all turns : if they stand firm with the parliament, as is not doubted they will, we shall have peace and presbytery. The Independent is exceed- ingly crest-fallen, and, if the Scots continue their fair correspondence, is like to lose all ; for then the par- liament will concur with the presbyters; and though the other part desire much to fight the Scots, yet they will want the name of the parliament to give countenance to the action. If any thing make the Scots and parliament break, it will be the business of the commissioners. The London ministers preach broadly against them. Mr. Calamy tells the story of the seven sons of Sceva the Jew, and applies it thus: ^^ Pastors we know, and elders we know; but commissioners, who are ye?" Jenkins of Christ Church (he that told the parliament, when he preached before them, that they had brought us out of Babylon, and left us in Babel) tells the passage of the emperor H. VII., that was poisoned in the sacramental bread. *'So," saith he, '* these men poison Christ's own disciples, the presbytery, that is good and holy ; but, commissioners, here is the poison, take hold of it." A third saith publicly, he hopes rather to see the streets run with blood, than the commissioners continue. The city, too, being set on by some of the house, are putting forth a remonstrance in defence of the synod, against some i f PRESBYTERIANS AND INDEPENDENTS. particular persons in the lower house, and some of their proceedings. There will be such passages as these: '^Mr. H. Martin, a man expelled the house for speaking treason, and shuffled in again we know not how ; one that never speaks in the house but when he is drunk, and yet speaks every day ; yet being an Independent, is thought the only fit man to present the queries about Jus divinum to the synod. Mr. K. Fiennes, one that forfeited his life to justice, at a council of war, for basely betraying Bristol," &c.-, and so of the rest. I have filled my paper, and I fear tried your pa- tience. My humble duty to yourself and my mother. My love and respects to all. I am, sir, your obedient son, W. S. May 11, IGia Immanuel Coll. Tin: AGENT' TO THE COMMITTEE OF BOTH KINGDOMS, IN PARIS, TO THE SPEAKEll. [written in cipher.] Sir, — The news of the king's coming in to the Scots army before Newark, which came in this • Augier was the accredited agent of the parliament in France ; the writer of this and other letters in ciplier seems to have been a secret agent em])loycd by the committee of both kingdoms, that is, England and Scotland. Tlie letters arc for the most part deciphered. Where that is the case, the cipher Is omitted, and the woids put in l)rackets. NEWS FROM FIJANCE. 33 i,.? week's letters, was brought to [the queen] three days before the arrival of them, viz. on Monday last, by an express messenger sent from thence to her by [the king;] the which messenger, that he might pass freely through and out of England, had a pass of General Leven. The Friday before, she had also re- ceived news of Ireland, to her great contentment, by letters of [Uigby,] out of the isle of Jersey, the which were followed presently by himself in person; and he arrived on Monday last in the morning at St. Ger- mains, from whence yesterday he came up to Paris. He relateth, that the peace being now absolutely concluded between the king and the Irish, they have in the field an army of thirty thousand men, to be disposed of according to [the king's] own desire, and as they shall be directed by the marquis of Ormond, whom they have chosen generalissimo, and the earl of Clanrickard, his lieutenant-general ; and that it was resolved, that twelve thousand of them should with Glamorgan be sent into Scotland, there to join with Montrose, and so jointly with him to pass into England. He addeth further, that the Scotch forces in Ulster were about to conform themselves to this peace; and having compounded with the Irish, to quit the country and to return into Scotland, the marquis of Argyle being himself come over for that purpose, and for to fetch them away into Scot- land, to be employed from thence, together with Montrose, for the king's service against England. I idfaa^H 34 NEWS FROM FRANCE. NEWS FROM FRANCE. 35 [The French] court being still in Picardy, [Jermyn] went down to them from St. Germalns, on Wednesday last, in a coach with six horses, to carry them this news, knowing it would be most welcome to them, especially that of the rupture between the [English] and the [Scots,] as being not only a thing they have extremely desired, but in a manner their own work ; they having mainly endeavoured it, and sent express ministers for that purpose; who partly by nego- tiating and kindling the distempers, which from time to time have been produced upon several occasions, but much more by corrupting the great ones, for which end great store of gold went with them, (of all which things I have in former letters given you timely notice,) might induce the [Scots] nation to break with the [English,] thereby to continue the [wars in England,] the end whereof they extremely apprehended as that which would make the power of that monarchy too redoubtable. And because they had promised to [the queen,] that whensoever the [Scots,] breaking with [the parliament of Eng. land,] should declare for the [king,] they would then embrace his cause, and give him some notable as- sistance, (whereof also I have giyen you notice here- tofore.) The main subject of [Jermyn's] going to [the French court,] is to solicit them for the per- formance of this their promise, and especially to urge them for a succour of two or three thousand horse ; wherein as he is not likely to speed, nor to obtain any part of their [forces] during this summer, (they being absolutely bent to prosecute their own advan- tages in Flanders with their utmost power ;) so if [the Scots] keep any footing [in England] until the [forces] return out of [the field,] they will then, without all doubt, afford them very considerable aids both of men and of provisions, not for the good will they bear to that nation, (although their ancient allies,) or to [the king,] but to serve their own turn out of them, and by their means to keep [England] still in combustion. The [Irish] are very desirous to have the [prince] with them, and it was for that cause that [Digby] came out of Ireland to the Scillies, thinking to have found him there still, and from thence to Jersey; the [Irish] having furnished him for that voyage with two lusty frigates, manned with a hundred musqueteers, and good store of ordnance, and be- stowed on him six hundred pounds sterling, besides a present of one thousand eight hundred pounds sterling, which by him they sent to [the prince.] But whether that [Digby] could not prevail with [the prince] and those about him, or that himself also contenting himself to have in appearance gone about what he had promised to the [Irish,] was of the same opinion that it was not best for the [prince] to go into [Ireland,] that business hath taken no effect; as on the other side [the queen,] extreme desirous to have him in France, and having sent to I ■^ahrf^»* j^" ■wii i iwa^i ii ii.i 36 NKWS rUOM IHANCE. NEWS FROM rUANCE. 37 him expressly for that purpose, both other iiies- sencrers heretofore, and within this week one sir Dudley Yates, cannot yet obtain her will; those about the [prince] not thinking it fit yet to bring him into [France,] but to keep him in Jersey awhile longer, and until they see further which way matters will go in [England.] With Digby there are come (besides sir Mar- maduke Langdale and other Knglish) several Irish gentlemen of Ormond's party, one by name Ni- cholas White, eldest son to sir Nicholas White, sir Daniel O'Neale, and captain Michael Power, (Ormond's greatest favourite next to colonel Barry;) with some of whom having conferred, I find by their discourses, as also by the letters from the Irish quarters, especially from Waterford and Kil- kenny, (very many whereof are come to Paris this week, brought in several vessels that arrived at Nantz and St. Malo,) matters in Ireland not al- too-ether to stand so, nor the forces designed for England to be so ready for transportation as Digby maketh [the queen] believe. They say, indeed, that the peace is both made and published, and the king in virtue thereof re- stored to the receiving of the customs and his own revenues ; but that for the rest, it is not to be fully effected, nor the king's officers and ministers, es- pecially Ormond in his qualities of viceroy and generalissimo, to have any other than titular power / over them, (their supreme council still continuing afoot, and administering all things in the same manner as before,) until all their transactions be solemnly confircned by parliament, one being to be held in Dublin out of hand for that purpose, and every one of the things promised to them punctually performed. They reposing no great trust in the king's faith or promises ; and fearing that as heretofore he dis- allowed the agreement made with them by Cila- morgan's means,* when he thought the disclaiming of it might stand him in some stead, so he would easily be moved to do the same again upon the like occasion. Wherefore they are resolved to make all ' From iirt-t to last, Charles never let go the liope of bein<^ able to rc-establisli liis power in England, by means of assist- ance from Ireland. While the hjrd-lieutenant, the marquis of Ormond, was openly and avowedly negotiating for aid from that quarter, the earl of Glamorgan, a Roman Catholic, and personal friend of the king's, was aiming, and with better hopes of success, at the same object, under a secret but ample com- mission given by Charles himself, unknown to his English council. Glamorgan's negotiations with the supreme council of the Catholics at Kilkenny were accidentally discovered ; whereupon Glamorgan was accused by lord Digby of high treason, and committed to prison. And what was the conduct of the martyr? lie publicly disavowed the proceedings of Glamorgan; commended the lord-lieutenant and lord Digby for vindicating his honour by proceeding against the earl ; and then wrote several private and confidential letters to this friend, whom he had publicly discarded; in whicli, with the most solemn oaths, he expresses his great obligations to him, and wliose merits he says ** exceed all expression." See Godicln^ Hist, of the CofNnionirralfh, vol. ii. c. 25. .JM. MhiPi " P| 38 NEWS FROM FRANCE. things as sure as ever they can, before they put themselves into his hands. And for the army, they say, that of the ten thousand men which with Glamorgan were to go to England, one half with himself, as being, pro-temporc. General of Munster, (the earl of Castlehaven being put out of his place, and turned friar,) is gone against Dunrattie ; the other half with Preston, together with two thousand of the Nuncio forces, (which Nuncio for all this summer doth entertain a body of four thousand men out of the monies he brought with him,) against the British garrisons in Connaught ; and Owen Roe O'Neal, with five thousand against Ulster ; the remainder of their forces, which they make to amount to the number of eight or ten thousand, being to be em- ployed against the cities and forces commanded by my lord Inchiquin in Munster, and the reinforce- ments further to be sent into those parts. I forgot to tell you last week, that young Goring was gone into Holland ; in the beginning of which journey, having been greatly affronted by a French- man that travelled with him, and through that quarrel being brought into some trouble, [the queen] pre- sently dispatched sir John Winter, her secretary, and Mr. Crofts, the captain of her guard, that he might not be detained at all, as being sent by her about important affairs, although it had been given out that he returned into Holland only for to take again the possession of his regiment there. -I NEWS FROM FRANCE. 39 Killigrew is returned hither out of Spain the be- ginning of this week, where he hath not effected any thing worth the speaking of, for aught that I can learn. Here hath been a great talk, that the Papist inhabitants of St. Germains should have pulled down the chapel of the English Protestants of the queen's household there ; but having inquired into the matter, I find it to be no other, than that having hired three several houses one after another, for the exercise of their devotions, (it being not allowed them within the purprise of the palace itself,) the owners, being Papists, turned them out, as soon as they saw the use they made of them, not having been acquainted with it beforehand : but now last week havinsf hired a fourth house of one who knew for what purpose, and was content with it, they do in it what they will without any disturbance ; although it were no matter indeed if they were altogether disturbed, their chap- lain, Cosins," being a bitter enemy of the true re- formed religion, and openly professing a far greater hatred to the French Protestants, and all others con- formable unto them, than unto the Papists. The Swedes have taken Hoxter, and now besiege Paderborn. The French armada have taken Orbitello, S. Stephano, and Porto Hercoli, three port towns in the further part of Tuscany, belonging to the king of " Afterwards bishop of Durham. In 1650, Cosins was for- bidden by the queen regent to officiate to the English Pro- testants in Paris. Clarend. H 40 NEWS FROM FRANCE. NEWS FROM FRANCE. M I A' Spain, and not above one day's journey from the city of Rome. In Flanders, Gassion hath beaten up one of the enemy's quarters, betwixt Bruges and Dunkirk, consisting of an Irish regiment of eight hundred men and two troops of horse, of which whole number there escaped not above one hundred men, all the rest having been put to the sword. Your humble servant, N N Paris, May 15, 1G40. I have seen some late letters out of Scotland, from gentlemen of Montrose's faction come by lono- sea, wherein the number of Montrose and Seaford's forces being much exaggerated, to the number of eleven or twelve thousand men, and those of the parliament side made to be very weak, not above four thousand ; there is not any the least hint as if they meant all to join into one party, for the king and against the par- liament of England, (a thing very currently believed here by those of the king's side,) but that their quarrel being as great as ever it hath been, they meant to do the worst they could the one against the other; and that Argyle was gone into Ireland to bring over the Scotch forces there, for to assist the parliament of Scotland ; as on the other side, the earl of Antrim, his brother, with two thousand Irish, was expected every day in Cantire for to join with Montrose. They have lately got two frigates, to go constantly between [the queen] and Montrose, to carry letters to and fro f constantly, and to carry to him such ammunitions and provisions as [the queen] is able to procure for him from time to time, he having scarce any other but w^hat cometh to him from her; he being so deeply in her favour, that lately she wrote unto him, among many other aftectionate expressions, that rather than let him want for any necessary supplies, she would pawn the smock from her back. R. AUGIER TO [THE SPEAKER.] Sir, — This will be delivered unto you by Mens. Raphael, to whom I have sent a letter of attorney to pursue and receive my payments, and to give an acquittance thereof; he is a very good Protestant, married in London, and a very honest man. I do send him an accompt of what is due to me for my ordinary allowance by the parliament, and a bill of the extraordinaries due also to me since a year and a half. Be pleased, sir, to use your credit to make me have satisfaction of both, according to your favourable testimonies of love, expressed in the last you did honour me withal, of the 2^nd of March last; and to accept the said Mens. Raphael might from time to tune supply from me the respects which Mens. De Rozemont, by reason of his sicknesses, shall not be able to perform. G ••'mmmmimmm HI 4^ NEWS FROM FRANCE. The king could not have more stained his reputa- tion, than by his manner of flying from Oxford, and in going to Southwell, to the French resident in the Scottish quarters. Only those of his party fled here, in their ordinary blind passion, do rejoice at it, thereby concluding an infallible junction of that army, yea, and of France, to his majesty ; persuading every one that the protesta- tions to the contrary, made by the Scottish commis- sioners, are supposed and made purposely, the better to play their game. They made great feastings, and some of the chiefest among them were drunk, after the news of that flight came Tuesday last to the queen of England by an express. My lord Digby came hither time enough to be partaker of their joy, and build new castles in the air. Since his coming, M. Jermyn made several voyages from St. Germains hither, from whence he parted Wednesday last to go to the court at Compiegne, and there resolve, no question, what to do in consequence of that flight. Some of the chiefest of these. ministers have told me, the king could choose no sweeter way than that retreat, in the extremity he was in, to make his agree- ment with some credit with his parliaments ; thinking also the Scots might And therein a greater satisfaction. Whence I do conclude, they were glad to have the said resident play that person, to divide, if possible, ■^ NEWS FROM FRANCE. 43 and, in case of extreme necessity, to endeavour to engage France to that reconciliation ; propounding to the king that, accepting the present conditions his parliament will grant him, he may hereafter be re- dressed with more power than now. So the said par- liaments cannot be too well united tocrether, and stand upon their guards. The duke of Orleans went Tuesday last for Flanders : their great attempt will be in those parts and in Luxemburg, at this side of the Rhine. The court made account to be here to-morrow. Now the report is, they will go to Fontainebleau, for the duke of Anjou is fallen sick of the measles in the palace royal : two days since he was let blood, the measles came out, and he is now without fever. Tuesday last it was confirmed the French navy was landed in Italy, and had taken Santo Stephano, Orbitello, and Porto Ilercoli. Prince Thomazo will not admit the duke of Florence to a neutrality, unless he suffers the French to take Final, Piombino, and other places possessed by the Spaniards upon those coasts. The admirante of Castillo made the vow of obedience to the pope, the 28th of the last, in the Spaniards' behalf. The distractions do con- tinue there between the said admirante and cardinal d'Este, insomuch that they came to blows, already given betwixt the admirante's men and those of the cardinal Grimaldi, who is of the French party. The pope doth endeavour to reconcile that difference to ™,.iiW-J3S3«i^''.,..-, ,...»», Mim"ai»mm' ■""«i"«pfw« 44 NEWS FUOiM FRANCE. t'l the advantage of France ; meanwhile, the Spanish party gets strength in Rome ; and it is the more hkely that quarrel will grow hotter, because we are informed from Venice the Turk can do but little by sea this summer. The treaty of peace at Munster is off till October next ; that is to say, until the end of this campania, as 1 had the honour to tell you afore. I rest, sir, your most humble and obedient servant, R. AUGIEII. Paris, May «, 1040. P. 8. The queen of England received some weeks ago, three hundred thousand livres, whereof she sent one hundred thousand to the prince of Wales, who, I am credibly informed, will not go from Jersey until it be first known what shall become of the king his father. Just now I am told that an express came yester- night to the queen of England, that her husband was go°ne from Southwell into Scotland, was to be shortly at the head of thirty thousand men, and that she will make an inciuiry of those who say he is taken, to have them punished. I hope this will prove but a lie. Fourteen hundred and fifty Irish are landed in three companies about Brest : they sent to this court to know how they ought to be disposed of. I PRINCE OF WALES. 45 EDWARD HYDE^ TO RICHARD ARUNDEL/ [written with general digby's cipher.] My dear Richard, — Sir Thomas Hooker ar- rived here on Saturday the second of May, with your many letters from Pendennis, most of them dated the eleventh of April, though he said that he came away from you about a fortnight after the time. I assure you the prince was wonderfully pleased to hear from you, having never before heard one word since the disbanding of the army, though, whilst he stayed at Scilly, we sent very many letters to you ; and the same night the prince resolved to come for Jersey, I dispatched an express to you of the reason of his highness's remove from thence, which was this. On Saturday the eleventh of April, my lord Hopton and my lord Capel came to Scilly, the wind having been contrary so long, that the prince had not heard from the main in above a month, and so having never received provision for one meal since his coming to Scilly : and yet I assure you he had no more thought of leaving that island than of going to Virginia. But with my lords there comes a trumpet from Fairfax, with an invitation (as he called it) from the parliament to the prince ; which was, that he would Afterwiirds earl of Clarendon. " Afterwards lord Arundel of Trerice : his lather was at this time governor of Pendennis castle. ^^\ 46 PRINCE OF WALES. PRINCE OF WALES. ' 1 47 forthwith come into their quarters, and reside in such a place, and with such council and attendance as they should appoint. This unexpected summons made us apprehend that we were not like to be so secure there as we expected, of which we were thoroughly confirmed the next morning, when a fleet of twenty sail encompassed the island, but was that afternoon by a blessed storm dispersed ; and then the prince thought it high time to remove from that unsecure place, where his greatest confidence was that they would not disturb him ; and so on the Thursday following (for the storm held two days) he set sail for Jersey, and in little more than twenty- four hours arrived safe here, in the most pleasant island, and (truly I think) the strongest in the world ; from whence he hath not the least thought of removing, it being in his power to go into Ireland always in four days, whither nothing but an unde- niable danger of falling into the enemy's hands can drive him. I forgot to tell you, that his answer to the par- liament°was, that if they would send him a safe conduct for my lord Capel to come first to them, and receive their propositions, and then to go to the king, and receive his approbation, he would endeavour to concur with their advice, as far forth as with his piety he might ; and that he would expect an answer from them "at Jersey: and this message ho sent by sn- Joseph Seymour, who went with their trumpet, but as yet he hath received no answer. This is the account of ourselves. A word now of what we hear concerning the king, which is uncertain : some say he is still at Oxford, others that he is gone to the Scotch army ; but this you may depend upon, that the parliament and the Scots are at mortal defiance, so that, by the grace of God, the parliament may have yet cause to come to a sober treaty with the king. Now to yourselves. I assure you there is not a man amongst you more solicitous for the safety of the place than the prince is for the safety of the man, it being understood to be not only a place of the greatest importance, towards the recovering of what is lost, but that the loss of it would reflect upon [the prince] himself, in point of honour, beyond a degree of reparation ; and therefore was the prince's first care, when he came to Scilly, and one of the greatest reasons for the sending my lord [lOS] ' into [France,] but the winds were so contrary, that we heard not from thence till we came to this island. Ihat hour that sir Thomas Hooker arrived here, we were dispatching a boat to the mount, with some provisions, and direction to remove the prisoner hither. But the assurance he gave us of the loss of that place, put an end to that resolution. The next day after his coming, the prince sent an express to the [queen,] with a list of the provisions Lord Colopcpper is i)robably meant by this cipher. I 4S PRINCE OF WALES. you writ for, desiring a speedy supply of [money] proportionable to it, of which we doubt not ; and re- solved for the present to send this boat to you, with this little quantity which he takes out of the stores here, only as an earnest of his care ; having sent two agents, the one to Morleux and the other to Roscoe, to freiofht out several barques from thence, being not willing to venture too much in one bottom. But, be assured, there is no more care taken to preserve the prince's own person, than there is and shall be to relieve that place diligently and seasonably ; which shall be done not only with provisions and clothes for the soldiers, but with money for the [officers,] though for the present the prince is able to send only two hundred pistoles for the continuance of the work, and therefore keeps [1«31] here to go away with the rest. This inclosed note contains the particulars which are now sent ; a supply of [ammunition] you shall like- wise speedily receive. I pray tell Henry Killigrew that I expected a larger account from him than the post- script of a letter, and to have been informed somewhat of his garrison at Ince, and of his neighbours Corriton and Edgecomb ; but especially a word or two of John Ackland' and Trelawney, of whom I am not willing "* By the treaty made on the surrender of the city of Exeter to Fairfax, provision was made fov the security of those royalists who would submit to the parliament, and compound for their estates. Sir John Ackland and Mr. Trelawney were amonor the number of those who were willing to submit; and there is a letter in the Tanner Collection, bearing date April 14, 1G4G, PRINCE OV WALES. 1!) to believe what I hear reported. Remember my service to my lady and to your father. I do not yet doubt of a good meeting, and of seeing an honest peace after all these troubles. I am, dear Dick, Your most affectionate humble servant, Edw. Hyde. Jersey, May 15, 1G46. [There are two lines not deciphered in the postscript, shewing in what part of the ship the money is to be found.] [A)iother jiostscript on the back-side of the letter, viz.] You may find by the former date of my letter that I expected these things should have been with you much sooner, but several accidents have befallen the boat. I hope she will now come safe unto you, and then you will not be sorry for her stay, because she requites you with the good news of the king's safe arrival in the Scotch array, and of his honourable re- ception there ; which truly I hope will quickly beget a true, and produce a happy peace. I can tell you that the prince hath sent two thousand pistoles to one Mr. Hitchcock, a merchant at Morleux, for the making provision for [159] for the present : more money shall be sent to him shortly. We have di- rected him to send such kinds of provision as we from Fairfax to the speaker, in which he claims for sir J. Ackland the benefit of the above treaty; and in which he says, " He (Ackland) seems to be very real in continuing for the future obedient to the parliaments' commands." H i 50 MR. CHAMDERLAYNE. suppose you „,ay most want. I believe you did not mke any estimate of the list sent to the prince b' e eou i,j of war, which, without doubt, rannot provided for six thousand pistoles. May 23. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER SiR,-_Having received a proposition from the oh dren of Mr. Chamberlayne, on the behalf of the father, now out of the kingdom, concerning the su I hind ; 'T ''''-''^'^^ '" o^"^'- i"o fit to 'u' "" '' '^' P^^"^"-^' I thought fi to present the same unto the house, desiring to k^^ow t e.r p easure in it. their desire being to be admitted on the behalf of their father to a composition for his estate : which I humbly recommend to the consideration of the house, the rather for that since 2 --""y came into these parts, as also formerly hose in the house never offered any violence to a^y of my soldiers, that I could hear 'of. but a! mitted them to quarter in the town, and paid duly their proportion of provisions to the army. It I ■kowise the report of the country, that they never evied a„y contribution from them since he Jt stood others in the house, as they affirm and assure me to prevent a further inconvenience both to himself and the country, to which it would have proved a ve y SCOTCH ARUY. 51 great annoyance, if it had been fortified and 1 because withal he brought them the certainty of the final conclusion between [the king] and [the Irish,] and of the design of sending an [army] of [ten] or [twelve thousand] men into [Scotland,] or into the [north] of [England,] for to join with the [Scots,] and with them to invade [England :] which second point that they might to their greater satisfaction understand more amply from the mouth of [Digby,] (the principal instrument of effecting the same,) they sent an express courier for him ; who being come to him on Friday last here in Paris, (where then he was,) just as he was set down to his dinner, he went immediately away with him for Amiens, where [the French court] then abode, and having stayed there but until Sun- day morning, he came back with [Jermyn] to St. (lermains on Monday, they having by the way lodo-ed and been most splendidly entertained, by express directions from [the French court,] at Chantilly, a kingly palace of the prince of Conde. I do further understand, that the adverse [party,] promising themselves wonders of the conjunction of the [Irish] and [Scots,] and that thereby they shall make up such powerful [armies,] as they shall in no wise need any other auxiliar forces, had no com- mission to solicit [the queen and cardinal] for any thing else at this time but for [money] and [am- munition,] in which particular they gave him great satisfaction, and sent him back laden with great pro- mises of large [assistance] in that kind for the future: 1 58 NEWS FROM FRANCE. wherein also I do not doubt but they will in some measure be as good as their word, they knowing full well that [the king] mainly wanteth these things, and that he will be very ill able to maintain the [Scots] at his devotion, if he have not [money] wherewithal to feed them from time to time. But as for the present they think him well enough supplied by the [contributions] of [the clergy;] who having heretofore promised great sums to [the queen] towards the [levies] here in France, but drawn back their hands when they saw them come to nothing, have now revived their willingness to help [the king] and [the queen] that way, in expectation of some great success to that [party,] (and consequently to the es- tablishing of their [religion] in those islands as they take it,) upon these new plots ; and therefore not by the permission only, but by the secret cooperating of [the French court,] have given unto [the queen] the sum of four hundred thousand francs; which thing is kept wonderful secret, but came to my knowledge by the means of a person who knows it wonderful well. This [money] will be conveyed to the [king] by Ireland, and carried thither (to be from thence trans- mitted to Carlisle, or some other convenient place) by [Digby,] who is to return thither speedily, and the [prince] with him : which last point not having been able to obtain at Jersey, it was the chief cause (as lately I have learned) of his coming into France, to persuade the [queen] to it, and by her means and NEWS FROM FRANCE. 59 authority to effect that which of himself he could not. And although her desires have been very vehement to have him here in France, in hopes of bringing to pass the marriage of him and Madamc^iselle, (not- withstanding all former unkindnesses betwixt her and [Monsieur,]) yet having understood by [Digby] the reasons that had moved him and Ormond to de- sire the [prince's] presence in [Ireland,] and how they were persuaded that by that means they would draw all the British in [Ireland,] [English] as well as [Scots,] especially those in the north, (for of them in Munster they have less hopes,) to conform to the [peace] now concluded between [the king] and the [Irish,] and absolutely to quit the [parliament party,] she hath consented to [Digby's] desires ; and the grand council having been kept at Saint Germains after the return of [Jerrayn] and [Digby] from the [French court,] on Tuesday last, (consisting of them two, the lord Capel, Colepepper, and some few others, the [queen] herself being the president,) the matter was there solemnly resolved on, and the day appointed for the departure of [Digby] and those with him to Jersey, to go from thence with the prince for [Ireland,] with the first good opportunity of wind and weather. They do not apprehend any danger in that their passage, although they know the sea to be full of [parliament] ships, because their frigate, called the Francis of Dunkirk, the same wherein they came out of Ireland, is one of the best sailing vessels in the world, and doth even outsail the Warwick, the swiftest \ 60 NEWS I'llOM rilANCi:. of all the frigates that are in the [parliaments'] service; as those gentlemen, who with [Digby] are come over in it, do tell me ; otherwise the vessel is of no great defence, carrying only ten or twelve pieces of ord- nance, and one hundred soldiers : the other vessel that came with them, and wherein there was two hundred men, having been sent back to Scilly by [Digby,] after that he had tried in vain to persuade the [governor] to take those two hundred men into the tort, for the reinforcing of the garrison, for which end he had brought them expressly with him : to which desire of [Digby,] the [governor] was so far from condescending, as he would not suffer those soldiers, or any part of them, so much as to land ; pretending that the island was very bare of provisions, and had been altogether beggared by [the prince] and his troops. Ormond and Digby held themselves so assured that the [prince] would come into Ireland, as they had already raised him a regiment of guards, whereof one Michael Power, an Irish Papist, (one of them that are come into France with [Digby, J) is colonel ; and the three hundred men, who came in the two frigates, are of the same regiment. Here is a report in Paris amongst the English, that there are forces raising in Normandy for [the king's] service ; and it is true indeed that there is great levying of soldiers through all that province ; and so there is here in Paris itself, and in all the countries round about; but all these levies, as well of those of Normandy as all the rest, are most certainly for the king of France's NEWS FROM FRANCE. ()I \ , ^ own service, and for the army to be employed in the low countries ; the which they seek to make ex- traordinary strong, being so desirous to get as many soldiers as ever they can ; as to every common soldier they give two and three pistoles in hand, a thinof the like whereof w^as never heard before. [The duke d'Anjou] is also preparing to take the field very speedily, there having been much thwarting and opposition before it could be brought to that ; all which, by the dexterity of Monsr. de la Tuillerie hath been removed : and yet the marquis of Castel Ilodrigo hath not lost all hopes of bringing the States to a peace or long truce ; for which purpose he continueth to negotiate most earnestly with them. The general treaty at Munster doth continue still ; but the partisans of the house of Austria do complain in all their letters, that what Trantmansdorf and his adjuncts in dealing with the Protestants do further the matter one day, that is undone again the next by the French ministers there. The earl of Antrim hath obtained leave to carry over fifteen hundred Irish, and as many Scotch Highlanders, to the king of Spain's service, with whom he is expected in Flanders every day, some part thereof being arrived there already. The Swedes in Westphalia, since the taking of Hoxter, have also taken Paderborn, and in the Stist of Bremen they have besieged Vecht, but in Austria they have lost Crema, after a long siege. We have letters from Narbonne, that count Harcourt should have de- feated a Spanish party of six or seven hundred foot ^ 6i2 NEWS FROM FRANCE. and three hundred liorse, and after that besieged the city of Lerida, the confirmation whereof we expect by letters out of Catalonia itself. The news we had last week, that the French had taken Orbitello and Porto Hercoli in Tuscana, proved not to be true ; only they were landed hard by at Monte iVrgentaro, and possessed themselves of that, and of the little island of Santo Stephano next to it. [The French court] doth still continue at Amiens, from whence they are to go to Dourlens, to see the general muster of their army, and after that to come back to Amiens again. There is some discontent betwixt [Monsieur] and the [due d'Anjou,] each of which being to command a great [army] apart, the greatest part of [the nobi- lity] chooseth to go rather with the second than with [Monsieur;] which maketh him very insolent, and to use [Monsieur] as is not fitting. From whence it is feared dangerous consequences might flow, to the great prejudice of the public affairs ; but that there is hopes that the wisdom of the [queen and cardinal] will overcome all these difficulties, and prevail with [Monsieur,] gentle enough in his nature, to pass over these matters, and to prefer the public good before his private quarrels. The !/j of May was appointed for Anjou for to fall into the enemies' countries, his army being a very complete one, and consisting of between sixteen and seventeen thousand men. Your humblest servant. r, • ♦ f June 1, } ,^,,, P""*' 1 May 22, \ ^'^''• N. N. \ RAGLAND CASTJ.E. 63 SIR TREVOR WILLIAMS TO SIR JOHN TREVOR. Sill, — It hath pleased God to give me another fair opportunity to express my sincere resolution in advancing the public service. For being called upon to Monmouthshire, (where I have been till now, settling things in a good posture for colonel Morgan's coming amongst us,) I drew out of my own castle of Langibby as many horse and foot as could be well spared, and, assisted with some of major-general Langhorne's, marched (on Wednesday night last) si- lently into the very town of llagland before I was dis- covered by the castle ; and after the alarm given, and a skirmish had with them, wherein we killed about five or six, and took about twelve more prisoners, we had intelligence of most of their officers' and reformade soldiers' best horse grazing in the meads between the town and castle, and were so bold as to borrow three- score and ten of them, most of them belonging to Goodrich castle, whence they came but the night before, intending (we suppose) some notable design upon me or Langhorne. But, blessed be God, we prevented them, notwithstanding the terror of their great guns, and at least three hundred shot with musquets amongst us, whereby we lost not above three men, besides one of my reformades, who en- gaging himself too far, was taken, and since, I hear, unjustly shot to death by three Irish rebels ; all» both « ^1' „./'"' 64 RAGLAND CASTLE. English and Welsh soldiers, refusing to execute so horrid an action ; which was of so small an operation with the rest, that divers of them come in daily to our quarters. Sir, I hope this my farewell will make the way for Morgan's expected acquaintance with them, and doubt not you will do me the favour and right to communicate these particulars to Mr. Speaker, and as many of the members as are your and my friends ; that not only they may apprehend my zeal to their service, but that you may esteem of me, as. Sir, your faithful nephew and servant, The. Williams. Bristol, May 23, 1G4(). FROM W. J. TO MR. CHALONER.' Dear Friend, — I received yours, dated the SOth of May, but not yet got a sight of George Marwood's letter, who yesterday adventured a journey, (believe me) not a little hazardous, into Cleveland, amongst the exorbitant Scots; which he did not undertake upon any public occasion, but rather to drive some cattle which he has there to- w^ards the East Riding, where perhaps he may for some short time ensafe them : but I am confident, if from the south we be not supplied with better M '^ Member of parliament for Richmond. OPPRESSIONS OF THE SCOTCH ARMY. 65 \ i force than now we have, that Riding will very suddenly be as much infested by the insolent Scot, as already is the rest of the greatest part of our poor country. Cleveland has long lain a bleeding, you know ; but, alas, it has now even received its death wound : there are no less than five regiments of horse in it, and I dare say altogether as unruly and merciless as have lately been the Mahometan Ty- mareots in Candie : there is no safety for any man that has been in parliamentary employment, either military or civil, to come amongst them ; for they unhorse all such, and rob them too, and that with so much scorn, that thev tell them that it is not fit that a base roundhead should either ride or have money in his purse. They begin already to drive the cattle towards Newcastle ; and truly I am confident, if timely care be not taken to prevent it, when they hear of a southern army marching this way, that they will spoil and burn all such places in the northern counties as they conceive will not be tenable for them. Our condition of fortune is very miserable. I long most passionately to see you. Poor Hevan and Busbie are even now giving up the ghost, and king Clavas and father Woller quite undone. Robin Gardner's dulcinea is one of sir Thomas Gower's daughters, with whom he is like to have as much money as sir Walter Raleigh brought over from his voyage, but no more. He is very un- fortunate to himself- wards here : for about a week K wMBMll 11 GG OPPRESSIONS OF THE SCOTCH ARMY. ago, he did give your wife's brother, Mr. Sothabie, so great a quantity of sack at Mrs. Corney's, that he did instantly die in the room, and we buried him the next day. Dear Tom, adieu. Thy faithful, W. J. York, May 24, 1G46. THOMAS SMALLWOOD TO LUKE ROBINSOxV.^ SiR,_After long silence I am constrained to sa- lute you with uncomfortable news from the distressed country of Cleveland ; though my neighbours have felt the smart of Newcastle's army, and twice of the Scots', yet these times were times of peace and pros- parity, in comparison of this present time ; never were poor people so oppressed as we are. The commander- m-chief in these parts is one general-major Van- druske, a civil gentleman : his regiment consists of many Papists, French, Dutch, Irish, Scotch, and those that are Englishmen are (as their own chap- lam confessed to me) four parts of them the king's reduced, or rather subdued officers, who, now our conquerors and tyrants, came from Newark, Oxford and other of his garrisons. They are most of theni very rude in their carriage, for they every day ride abroad and rob all men and women they meet with ; ' Member of parliament for the North Riding of Yorkshire! OPPRESSIONS OF THE SCOTCH ARMY. G7 none can with safety pass to or from a fair, or town, or market : they have left us no horses that are able to carry a man ; and profess, whensoever they go away, to leave us no other goods. In their quarters they demean themselves most barbarously, l^hey beat their men and women cause- lessly. They will not eat either salt beef, or milk, or butter, nor drink any small beer, but force the poor men to buy them mutton, lamb, and chickens, and ale in abundance ; and though they put their horses in the mowing grass, yet they force all their landlords to find them every day a peck of oats for each horse. Our honest men are many of them forced to leave their houses; some are fled into Whitby Strand, some into the English army near York, and others into the East Riding. I was forced to fly from my house, and leave all I had to their mercy: as for those towns where no soldiers are quartered, they compel them to pay monies to them, some towns £8, some £10, some £16, some £20 per diem ; so that if some speedy course be not taken, the whole county will be destroyed. I cannot see how they can possibly subsist twenty days in all likelihood ; and though these burdens lie upon them, they dare not complain; no justice was yet done, except upon one man, who was shot to death for killing his landlord (in cool blood) : they change their quarters every other day, which proves a very heavy burden to the poor people. Honest men dare not shew a Bible amongst them, except it have both \ X 68 OPPRESSIONS OF THE SCOTCH AllMY. OPPRESSIONS OF THE SCOTCH ARMY. 69 Common Prayers and Apocrypha in it; and it were treason for the poor godly men to pray in their families. Sir, I want words to express the misery the county is in; I question not but you have much from other hands; I have not written a word but I can avouch it to be true. Sir, I am confident you will believe me, and 1 hope plead for some redress for us, which will be very acceptable service for the never more to be lamented north. If you please to acquaint sir Matt. Boynton and Mr. Thos. Chaloner with this in particular, they may know that they can expect no more rents from us. The lord incline the hearts of the parliament to study some relief for us. Ever yours, Thomas Smallwood. From captain Lavvson's Jiousein Scarborough, May 25, 1G46. EMANUEL ISSACHAR TO THE BURGESSES IN PARLIAMENT FOR YORKSHIRE.^ Gentlemen, — Your languishing country expects comfort from you: ride they cannot to inform, for ** Letters of the siifTerings of the northern parts by the the Scots army, who, instead of £8000 per men. have charged £^)000 a montli, and tlie refusers, or persons not able to pay, are phmdered and cruelly used, referred to a committee to state tlie matter to the liouse." Whitlockc, June 1, 1646. / their horses are taken from them ; run they cannot, their hearts are too heavy, their burdens too great ; they have too much cause to complain, but dare not : cry aloud they would, if their spirits were not too far spent; and they have had so little encouragement to ride, run, complain, or cry, less success in it, greater oppression by it, that they give all for lost without your present assistance. And assure your- selves, gentlemen, that if it be not done with speed, you must work to miracle, if you preserve those (if once sent) who are already wrestling and tugging for their last breath and livelihood. First, all the horses in the country are in a manner all taken away; quartering towns in a manner totally wasted, in their pastures, meadows, and corn ; assistant towns cessed after £7000 per men. some after £10000 per men. and for want of moneys they take what they like at their own rates, and sell at their own pleasure, and yet they neither pay for their quarters, nor furnish their landlords with any provisions; nay, many an honest man is forced to trudge night and day, to fetch them wine, ale, or beer, or what extraordinary fare as they desire, at his great charge ; and this he does to buy a little peace; and thus he prostrates himself and estate, to purchase his own quiet, to the lust and rage of such as have been our open enemies, such as are lately come out of Newark, and such who, though they have pretended to be our friends, now declare themselves for the king, threaten the par- A '1 ,\ \ •> 70 OPPRESSIONS OF THE SCOTCH ARMY. liament for burning their papers, &c.. threaten all public officers, and all the parliaments' friends, calling them English dogs, &c. ; countenancing and enter- taining daily Papists and delinquents, and, in one word, live as if it were their design to destroy our country. Gentlemen, if these be our friends, why do they deal so unkindly with us ? If they be our servants, why are they not so commanded as that they may discover their obedience ? If too many of them (which is without doubt) be our enemies, why do we harbour, feed, and enrich them? Believe it, such are the villanies, outrages, plunderings, strippings, beatings, woundings, besides some rapes and murders, as flesh and blood till now did never endure the like, nor free-born English ever pass by without satisfaction. Yet, gentlemen, all these does your country put up, for your sakes, being loath to do any thing without your consents, no, not the least against your minds. Gentlemen, the country yet breathes, and that is all, yet hopes and expects daily from you help ; help before it be too late ; your country is bleeding, faint- ing, gasping; administer some cordials, and some balsam to recover the feeble condition and close up the too too often exasperated wounds of its bruised and broken members. If an open enemy only had done this wrong, the loss might have been great enough, the grief not comparable ; but since some doubtful friends have proved our bosom enemies, and do still make a prey of us, is it not time to guard them to I OPPRESSIONS OF THE SOCTCH ARMY. 7I their own homes ? where it may be disputed better ; choose whether they be our friends or no, and then! without doubt, an easy moderator may quickly de- termine all, and end all difficulties and dangers in a kindly conclusion. Believe it, gentlemen, there is no grief like ours, no task-master ever so severe, requiring so much more than either they have or can procure. The priest and Levite that passed by the wounded that had fallen among thieves, (oh ! that these had passed by so,) were not so unneighbourly as these. It were to be wished that some of these had been like those thieves, then we should once have been quit of them : but these not only fleece us at spring, and reap our fruits m autumn, but also take fleece and flock, store and stock, at their pleasure; and not only squeeze out, now a little, then more of the fruits of the field, but also thrash out the gleanings, and press out the wearied oil of the poor labouring man. Gentlemen, by these generals you may understand the particular sufferings of your country ; I doubt not but you will be sensible enough of it; give me leave only to tell you, it can admit of no delay : if therefore you intend to have any share in the preservation of it, up, and be timely doing, and the Lord without doubt will bless your endeavours ; for which you shall have the prayers of Your humble servant, T I , ,, Emanuel Issachar Langbarough, May 28, [164C.] »^achak. l\ 7^ NEWS FROM FRANCE. NEWS FROM FRANCE. 73 THE AGENT AT PARIS TO THE COMMITTEE OF BOTH KINGDOMS." Sir, — The day appointed for the departure of [Digby,] and those with him, from St. Germains to St. Malo and Jersey, was Tuesday last, and therefore he had given order to all the gentlemen of his train here in Paris, both those come with him out of Ire- land, and those that he hath found here, (being a great many, most of them Irish, of which number my lord of Evagh and Barron the agent are,) to be at St. Germains by Monday last at night, at the very furthest, where he intended to be himself without fail by the same time from Paris, whither he was come back the next day, after keeping the great council at St. Germains, mentioned in my last, viz. on Wednesday ^ May, accompanied with [Jermyn,] who returned to St. Germains within two days after, having effected that for which he was come up with [Digby,] and taken order (by the authority which to that purpose he had received from [the two queens]) that the [money] allotted to the [queen,] extraordi- narily upon this last occasion, should be paid into the hands of [Digby,] as hath been done since. But •^ Letters from an agent, employed into France by the com- mittee of both kingdoms, subscribed N. N. and directed S. G. from Paris; the one .V?." Maii KUC) ; another of i^ii^"" 1G46- tniia oj 29'>Man ^^*^^' ^^ere all this day read. Journals of the Commons, June G, 1()4G, Monday being come, and [Digby] now beginning to dispose himself towards his departure to St. Germains, news came to him that seventeen [par- liament] ships were come to Jersey ; and although he would seem to make no account of that, and to be able, notwithstanding those ships, both to get into Jersey to the prince, and to get out from thence with him, being confident, that if with his frigate, the St. Francis of Dunkirk, he can get but one ship's length before them, they shall never overtake him again; nevertheless it altered the resolution about his journey, he being gone down indeed to St. Germains the day after, viz. on Tuesday last, but not with a resolution to set out from thence for St. Malo presently, as before it was appointed ; for he both left all the gentlemen, that are to accompany him on his journey, here in Paris, and is yet to return hither once more himself, viz. on Saturday next; when also [the queen] doth come up, I do not well know yet for what occasion, for that which is given out, that it should be for to salute [the queen regent] at her return from the frontiers, is very improbable ; for if that were the cause that brought her up, she would stay till [the queen regent] were here first, and not come up two days before her ; [the French court] not being expected here till Monday next, and it being very uncertain whether it will be there itself. Now although [Digby's] journey have been thus long delayed beyond the appointed time, because of L A, \ 74 NKWS FIIOM lUANCi:, iho occasion aforesaid, yet it seemeth it must not retard .t much longer, he being resolved to venture and to begni his journey on Monday next, as ail those gentlemen and commanders of his company (Mho for their pleasure do stay constantly in Paris as long as they can) are made to believe by him At the being of [Jermyn] and [Digby] at fthe Irench court,] it was resolved that an [ambassador] should be sent into [England] out of hand, and [Monsieur Eellievre] (one that hath been there in the same quality heretofore, not many years since) was appomted for that purpose, who stayed, only to fit himself for that journey, a. cording as the dignity of that charge doth require, and will be ready to set out, as I understand, about a fortnight hence. His commission is published to be, that he shall endeavour to procure a good and firm peace between the kino- and the two nations, and a strict alliance between the iiritish monarchy and the French against the house ot Austria; but those here that have never so little insight in the course of affairs, and of the affections of [the French court] towards the [war] in Great liritain, and know how fain thev would have that perpetuated, the pains they have taken, and the bribes they have distributed to divide the [Scots] from the [English] to that purpose, the satisfaction they received to see that brought to pass, (as at least they imagine it is,) and the [assist]ance which m sequel thereof they have already given to [the NEWS FROM FRANCE. queen,] and further promised to her, (merely in hopes to set afoot an everlasting war between the two [kingdoms,] and by that means also to foment still some intestine broils in [England,] together mth the time lost, and the persons at whose instigation the resolution of sending the [ambassador] was taken,) know well that this is a mere delusion, and that under that plausible pretext he goeth to effect, as far as in him shall He, the quite contrary ; and not only to keep the [two nations] asunder, yea, and to make the breach wider and wider betwixt them, but even to sow the seed of discord amoncr the [English] themselves, and to make use of all means and occasions whereby divisions and factions may be sown and augmented betwixt them. The city of Lerida in Catalonia is for certain besieged by count Harcourt, and some of the out- works taken already : le count de Chabot, a brave soldier, and one that hath done many gallant services to that kingdom, having been slain before it, and shot with a musquet into his head. The forces of the French armada in Italy go on prosperously, they having, besides Orbitello and Porto Ilercoli, besieged also Piombino, a sea town in Tuscany, as the former two, belonging to the pope's nephew, but garrisoned by the king of Spain, and reduced it already to great straits ; there being come to them five hundred horse from the cardinal d'Este, and six hundred foot from his brother, the duke of Modena. 7C NEWS FilOJI FRANCE. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FORCES. There is likelihood still of a peace between France and the emperor, the imperial ministers at Munster having abated several of the conditions heretofore annexed by them to the cession of Alsace ; but of any agreement between France and Spain, or between the emperor with the princes leagued with him, and the Swedes with the Protestants, their associates, there is as little likelihood as ever. The imperial and Bavarian armies have not yet stirred out of their quarters, whilst the Swedish army in Westphalia doth take one place after the other, it being lately much increased by the addition of the forces of Koninsgmark ; who having quitted the siege of Vecht, unknown for what reasons, hath conjoined himself with the chief army under Wrano-el. The business betwixt the king of Denmark and the Hollanders hath been taken up, and a fleet of three hundred Holland ships hath passed the Sound, having paid the customs that were agreed on by the treaty of last summer; and yet he doth still con- tinue to arm very strongly by sea, and besides those seven ships which he hath promised to the Venetians, to prepare many others; as also his son of the second bed, prince Waldemar, maketh strong levies in the duchy of Holstein of some thousands of foot; the which to be intended for another service than what ho pretendoth, appeareth by the inconstancy of his words, he publishing one while that he intends them for the Venetians, and 77 J i another that he is to serve the emperor with them. [The queen,] to shew herself very sensible of the great service done by [Digby] in [Ireland,] hath not only used him with all possible demonstrations of af- fection and honour, but allowed him, out of the moneys that he carries with him for the king's use, a laro-e sum for himself, wherewithal to maintain a very stately train, and to keep constantly an open table for above an hundred gentlemen and commanders. Your humblest servant, N. N. Le compte de la Garde will be here very shortly, ambassador extraordinary of the queen of Sweden, sent for the confirmation of the alliance between those two crowns, and for a nearer union between the same. V SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The committee of Northampton have applied to me for the reducement of the forces of that garrison, consisting of a regiment of foot, another of horse : they desire their horse may be reduced to two hundred, (according to an order of the committee of both kingdoms,) to which I subaiit ; and have appointed (if you approve) colonel Lid- 78 SCOTCH AllMY. eott's and major Redman's, as permanent troops, to stand and be recruited to that number. The gentle -en have formerly done some good serviee, and (as' I am informed) willing to deny themselves for an opportunity to serve the country They desire all their foot, save three companies which were left in Northampton, (each a hundred ) -y be disbanded, which I humbly conceive ve y P aTeT^^^^^^ your affairs, till Worcester and thil place be within your command ; most of their foot being now in actual service, one company in Banbury to you consideration, and desire that provision may be made by the house for so much of their force as -ay make their charge in the common work "r portionable to other counties. ' Your most humble servant. May 29, 1646. ^' ^'^^HFAX. CITY OF YORK. 79 at the Leaguer at Newark, and ill paid horse of this county, might receive some reasonable subsistence and refreshment, the most part of the rest of the county being exhausted by the continual quarters of the Scots' horse, they returned me (amongst others) this inclosed, which I thought fit to make the house acquainted with ; craving that they would be pleased to despatch their commands and directions therein to the committees of war or me, for having used our ut- most endeavours in order to a fair correspondence between the armies. We are very much troubled and put to a stand by the said inclosed, being the un- expected and contrary effect of all the said messages and letters. I rem.ain, sir, Your most faithful and most humble servant, Sedenham Poyntz. York, May 29, 1646. MAJOR-GEXERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. SrR,_After many addresses by messages and etters sent to the general and lieutenant-general of the Scots, and likewise to their eomo^issioners from myself, the committee of war. and the committees of th,s county, for the removal of their horse (in number as -3 reported, at least three thousand) forth of the North R,d,ng of this county, to the end the wear cd THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — I have one thing more particular to ac- quaint you with, the bad fortifications of this city, which, in respect of my absence, are altogether de- cayed and ruined, insomuch that (if occasion required it) there is not one sconce or platform fit to plant a piece of ordnance ; besides, the wall in most places may, by the strength of a man's arm, be thrown to 'fi 80 SCOTCH ARMY. SCOTCH ARMY. 81 the ground. I conceive it of some consequence to make this known ; that receiving the pleasure of the houses therein, both the way and means of repairing the old, and making of such new works as shall be necessary, may be forthwith taken in hand. This is humbly offered from, Sir, Your most humble servant, SedeiVham Poyntz. York, May 29, 1G4G. There is not so much as a court of guard in all the city, nor any piece of fortification, neither is any provision in the town for a day ; so that if it be thought fit to be continued a garrison, these things must immediately be supplied. ^ FROM THE SCOTS' COMMISSIONERS TO THE SPEAKER. Sir,— If the sending of supplies to the Scottish army, and the giving order for their quarters, were a matter of small consequence, or could, without very great prejudice, suffer a delay, we would be very loath so frequently to trouble the honourable houses about that particular. But when we consider the exceeding great wants of that army, and the insupportable burden that lies upon the counties where they do now reside, by reason no moneys are paid to the army, wherewith they may discharge their quarters, from whence many dangerous inconveniencies and sad evils must needs follow, as may appear by the letters from the com- mittee at York, if not very speedily prevented. We do find a necessity laid upon us still to importune the honourable houses for sending a considerable supply of money to that army. And in the mean time to give order for their quarters, that all differences which may arise between them and the county, or the parliaments' forces, may be avoided, and all fair correspondence may be mutually cherished and en- tertained. These things we have earnestly pressed at the committee of both kingdoms, and do now again renew to both houses, for our further exoneration ; wherein, as we have used our best endeavours to prevent the evils that are like to ensue, so we cannot but promise to ourselves that the honourable houses will take the same into their wise consideration, and speedily re- turn a satisfactory answer to Your affectionate friends and servants, Lauderdale. F. Johnston. H. Kennedy. Ho. Barclay. Worcester House, May 30, 1640. M ; i^tjS^'- 82 CONDUCT OF THE SCOTCH A RMY. COLONEL FOWLIS TO MR. THOS. CHALONER. Dear Cousin._As many tell ,ne there are four regiments and a half quartered in Cleveland : major general V-ondruske's regiment lieth at Gisborouih" colonel Ramsey's regiment at and about Kirkby-under! brough. Broughton, &c.; colonel Weldon's regiment quarters at Stockley; they have Danby. Westldal and all the rest of the dales about Blakemoor. fo he.r assistant quarters; eessments in most plaeel fly h'gher than when the lord Balcarris and eoloncl Mont- gomery s regiments quartered in Cleveland. I know Mueh misehief is done by Vondruske and Weldon's men; they glory in stealing horses, and think it a snjall fault to kill both men and women ; nor is hourly praetiee : and there are so many Newarkers and others of the king's party entertained amon. e. a they take a pride in abusing all that evt erved the parhament ; threatening death, and driving hem from the.r own homes. They broke open lieu enant Marshall's house in Stoekley at m dnij- he was formerly lieutenant to eaptain Wildon-^and threatened his present ,^n^^^. i , , ' served M,» i ' ''''^"''' ^"^ ^^'^ ^"'•"lerly served the parhament; so as he was foreed to leap iZ of^r °' '"^ '°"^' ^"' 'y '''^ ™-- fled some of the quarters of major-general Poyntz, about CONDUCT OF THE SCOTCH ARMY. 83 Thurske or Rovvnton. This happened last Saturday night. There are many amongst them most wonderful enemies to the parliament, if one may judge of their heart by their daily talk, which is soundly seconded with notable oaths. Many Yorkshiremen which were coming to our fairs here, returned back when they heard of their robberies ; and divers that sold goods durst not carry away their money for fear of these soldiers. General Poyntz told me, he would send you colonel Boynton's letter to him of their carriage about Rokeby : he intends to desire it may be read in the house ; that made me last week forbear writino- to you, because his letters might perhaps be more satisfactory to you. let, lest I might seem to forget my promise to you, I have given you a touch of the state of Cleve- land, made unhappy by these roaring soldiers (most of them) formerly belonging to Newark and other gar- risons of the king's. We hope that these regiments will shortly leave us. I spoke to Mr. Tireman about the letter that was left him for you, about your de- parture from York j he saith he did send it by Mr. Lysle at Gisborough. I pray present my service to my cousin Barnefield, and to my cousin Fleet- wood, w^hen you see them. Your aifectionate cousin and servant, R F Cleveland, June 2, 1040. ~1i!| 84 SIEGE OF KAGLAND CASTLE. SIEGE OF HAGLAND CASTLE. 85 COLONEL MORGAN TO THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER, GOVERNOR OF RAGLAND CASTLE. SiK,— I am commanded by his excellency sir Thomas Fairfiix to summon you to surrender unto me, for the use of the parliament, the castle of llagland,' with all the arms, artillery, ammunition, and all manner of military provisions therein, which I conceive you have no reason to hold, being out of all hopes of relief, and that all or most of the king's garrisons are surrendered into the hands of such as the parliament hath appointed to keep them for their service ; and Ragland castle being one of the last, if you refuse to surrender it upon this summons, the country will witness against you to be the disturber of the peace of this kingdom, and deprive yourself and those with you from those honourable conditions which you may now receive from Your servant. From my qua iters near Ragland, June 3, 1046. Tho. Mougan. 'The remainder of ll.e corre^jiondence between tlie marnuis oflVorcester and colonel Morgan, and between the former , s.r Thomas l-an-fax, together with the ar.ieles for the surrender of Rag and east e, may be found h, Rushworth's Hist. Collect Ragland castle was not surrendered until Au.^ust 20, after a' very spirited ddence of the mar,uis of Wo:^a.ter, who at ntiti;.iorLr '" "-- °^ - -'-- THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER TO THE COM- MANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE PARLIAMENTARY FORCES BEFORE RAGLAND. Sir, — I have received this third of June your letter, by which you manifest that you have received command from sir Thomas Fairfax to summon this place to be delivered up unto you with all, 8:c. In the first place, I know not the reason, having not, to the best of my knowledge, given just cause of offence to the parliament, nor by any law of the land forfeited my inheritance, which is none of the king's to give or dispose of; but the forces I have here are the king's, which he may dispose of at his pleasure : and therefore if you please to afford me the civil courtesy that I may have reasonable time to send to his majesty to have leave to give you contentment, I shall be very ready to give you any reasonable satisfaction ; for loath would I be to live the hour that it might justly be said that I have falsified the trust reposed in me : if otherwise, I am of belief that Ciod is of more strength than all human force, and therefore must rely upon him for aid and assistance. What honourable conditions you mean, I am ignorant of; and when I shall receive his majesty's answer, vou shall find him not obstinate that desires to be esteemed Your friend and servant, II. Worcester. Ragland, June 3, 104(). 86 SlKGli OF U.IGLANU CASTLE. ||i COLONEL MORGAN TO THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. real' f„"'?r^' '^ "° ^'^''^'y ''' y°" '« find a bcs.de, the present resistance, it hath ever since thi war been maintained a garrison . ■ I T Jiament- anri t, a ^'""^o" against the par- ■anent and whether your lordship hath forfe ted } our inheritance bv Iaw r^r.k i . ■ '""eitea elsewhere- ^K . ''"''' '' '° ^*^ ''ispu'ed -;-; Hoi,. J;. --,:!-:- position s sake, I cannot undersf^nrJ v of sendino" to the Icino. T n i , , ^t^quest a lu me King, 1 acknowledge to be civil- . ^ ''^'"= I ™«y "ot assent toj for his maiestv be.ng now with our friends the Scots, hey ha e already proc aimpd .V fk ^ ^ "^^*^ formel ; ' '' "° P*^""^"" whatsoever torme.ly m arms against the parliament sh«Il T a -tted to any conference wi^h hir Vh ' the' d.fFerence is betwixt the falsifying that trust e o ed 'n you, and not admitting entranno ^ ,\'^P°^e'' "''° ^ave taken a •'-'des gratuities, and all eha^sof" '""""' conveniences there defrayed tI •'""''""^ ""^ ^f to the gentlemant 1 ;,;':;r th"-ty pieees of ordnanee if L ^^ '''' ' ''^'P °^ Jf you take not this place Ut>^ , ' '' ^' P'^^^^" I ^J^all put on it : iZ'e I' ""'^ " *'^ "•^"^^ '^^^^ the contrary as be. ' '" P"^-^"«^^ J'ou to -y^.«Xvti::rtu:Lrr''i'^^^^^ gerous. in regard of hUTeJker 1 '' '^"■ your friend Mr. B. is next „ 7 """'"^ ' the gentlemen you .o tot T"' '" ^'''''' ^^'^"^ ? your fellowship' s f c talTv " ''"' ^^^°'""°- F certainty; your friend I{. AV. i SANCROFT. 93 shall forward you ; for you this ; the gentlemen in- genuous. Your travel advantageous. You may go this week, or the next, third, fourth, fifth, but the sooner the better. Let me hear from you the next week, and direct yours to Mr. Stephens, at Vine Alley court, without Bishopsgate; and send a duplicate to Mrs. Heron, the day after, at the Anchor in Cheapside, by Foster lane. The truth is, that I came to London on purpose, for the next week, to accommodate a friend in this business ; and upon your answer I shall resolve. The news you will have in books. The Lord keep you. London, June 6, 1640. Your Rd. Weller. MICH. HUDSON TO MR. CROSS AND MR. STEVENS. Mr. Cross and Mr. Stevens,— I was known by a gentleman, one colonel Pitman, whom I met ac- cidentally at Sandwich, and by his means was dis- covered to the mayor of the town,' and by him stayed ' Hudson attended tlie king from Oxford to Newark, and thence proceeded with the Scottish army to Newcastle. May ^, the serjeant-at-arms was sent to fetch him from Newcastle, but he withdrew from thence June 2, and was at lenr^th dis- bee Wlatlocke, May 23, June 2 and 8 of this year. ■"Iff ¥1 iH A nil EST OF HUDSON. t.ll the mayor could send up notice to the parliament • whereupon I was necessitated to discover unto theni ™y mtentions of serving the parliament, by bringing the k.„g to the parliament, and therein desired and that the business might be imparted to none bu; uch as you should recommend, whom I told them i had acquainted with my design, and by you it th:t„rT"i"^'*°™°^'^^^°-'- that n the mtenm I would go to the queen to pro- Th.s gentleman, the bearer, will be directed by a you shall direct h„„. with as much secrecy as you can cles,re. I pray you despatch this gentleman back with an answer to t!aH=A, fj,„ /. hnn.o ^ '°^y°''' ^^"^ ^ome of the house, as pnvately and speedily as is possible; for my s ay .„ th.s town will be dangerous both in re pe Lo'f t e delay and of the discovery of the business. \ pi sume ti,e des,gn is. (be honest.) that you can receTv^ - pr^udice by letting them understand the tru of 7 '"tenfons ; you know I acquainted you with this when I was at liberty, and in no necessity in respe neitt had I e^eTanTdT' ^'' ^'- ''''''' ^°'^'^ = to tho S . T ^ ^^"' '" ^'"'"g "P the king .the Scots, ether to serve the Scottish nation, of d..serve my own ; as my letters, under my hand \'V I \ ' TREATY BETWEEN THE KING AND SCOTS. 95 which secretary Nicholas can produce, will testify fully. With my desire to you both to despatch the bearer back with speed, I rest Yours, ^ , . , ^ Mich. Hudson. bandwich, June 7, 1646. SIR THOMAS HANMER TO [THE SPEAKER.] Having some reason to believe, in the latter end of March last, that there was a private treaty be- twixt the king and the Scots, and that the king was upon a resolution to go into Scotland or to the Scottish army, and that this treaty was managed by the intervention of Montrevil, the French agent, and designed in France; I conceive this counsel and intention of the king's not only infinitely prejudicial to himself and this kingdom, but dishonourable to the English nation in deserting them, and thereby rendering their fidelity more suspected than the Scots' ; and thought it my duty, both as an English- man and as his majesty's servant, to discover my knowledge thereof in time, to such as might possibly prevent the mischiefs which I feared would attend this design ; I therefore acquainted some of the committee of both kingdoms with what follows, according to the times hereafter mentioned. [April 4.] That April 4th, one of the Scotch com- Ji' / ■•^irfi'tlf^l'i / , f J 96 TURATY BETWEEN THE KINO AND SCOTS. i missioners told me that he believed, and would lay a wager, that the king would be in London or in the Scots' army very suddenly, perhaps before Wednesday night next, if he could pass ; and that if he came to the Scots, they would receive him and use him civilly, and stand to him in his rights. Another Scotch gentleman, being a brother-in-law of the said commissioner's, told me the same evening, that the said commissioner had in great secrecy assured him, that the king would be suddenly with the Scots ; and that a messenger was sent to the king the nicrht before from a party here, to advise him what to do ; and that Newark would be speedily surrendered. [April 10.] The said commissioner told me, that the king would endeavour to get to their army before Newark, and, if he came safe thither, would send to the parliament to offer to pass the propositions of Uxbridge; and thereupon, if the parliament refused a peace, he doubted not but two parts of three of England would be for the king, and he was sure that the whole kingdom of Scotland would be as one man for him, for then there would be no Montroses. [April 29.] Being the fast day, the said commis- sioner and his brother-in-law called at my lodging; and the commissioner, with great joy, told me the n'^ews of the kuig's going safely out of Oxford, and that some of the Scotch horse before Newark would advance to meet him, to bring him to the parliament here, which he said smiling. I then asked whether Lesley would TREATY BEtWEEl^ THE KING AND SCOTS. 97 receive him ? and his brother answered, that my lord Lauderdale had gone down to take order for that. [May 4.] The said commissioner's brother told me, that they did not yet hear where the king was, but perhaps he would go to Scotland first, and not to the army, that he might first disband Montrose, and settle that kingdom : that the Scots would keep all fair correspondence with the parliament, till they had satisfied the people with their papers and declarations : that they expected five thousand more out of Scotland ; and that if they came to a breach with the parliament, they could (with the forces they would draw out of Ireland and Scotland) make an army of six thousand horse and twenty-six thousand foot; and should be assisted out of France with three thousand horse and ten thousand foot ; and horse were expected out of Denmark ; and the Swedes would certainly aid them ; and they doubted not of a great party in England. [May 70 He confirmed the assurance of foreign succours ; and said that Newark would be offered to the Scots, but it should be delivered to the parliament, to carry all shew of fairness, and then the Scotch army would immediately retreat to Newcastle ; and that the king would suddenly send letters to the par* liament here, and to the city of London, to offer peace upon the propositions of Uxbridge. This same night the said commissioner told me that the city of London would be for them, and that the king would send letters to the parliament and city, to the effect aforesaid. o i ■ 1 . i : 98 TREATY BETWEEN THE KING AND SCOTS. The Saturday morning before the king's last letters were delivered to the parliament, the commissioner's said brother informed me of the tenor thereof, and that my lord Balcarris had brought copies of them to shew beforehand to their friends here ; and that the messenger stayed by the way with the letters, and should not come with them to the house till they had consulted here, and agreed upon the fittest time for the delivery of them. I understood likewise out of France, before the king's going from Oxford, that they expected daily to hear of the king's safe arrival in the north ; and was informed that Montrevil, the French agent, had treated the business betwixt the king and the Scots ; and when he had concluded on all things with the king, went before to Lesley's army, to take care for his reception there ; and that the king had the honour and faith of the Scots engaged to him, to stick to him in the business of the miHtia, and to be used well in all things, if he would comply with them in the church government, which they must in honour stand for ; and that the queen regent of France and the queen of England had agreed to the design of the king's going to the Scots, who labour now mainly to have the prince there also ; I mean the Scots labour for his highness coming to Scotland. June 7, 1046. At the committee for the army. Tho. Hanmer. PRIiNCESS HENRIETTA. LADY DALKEITH TO THE SPEAKER. \)9 Sir, — Whilst the princess Henrietta Mas on her way towards these parts, as far as Wilton, (being about six weeks since,) I presented you my humble desires to the parliament concerning the settlement of her highness under my care, with such allowance as to the parliament should seem expedient; since which time, there having been nothing determined, I am necessitated to renew those desires; and am very hopeful they will seem just, when it shall be considered that I received this trust from his majesty; that I have had his late injunction not to leave the princess; that I have preserved her highness, not without many cares and fears, from a very weak to an hopeful condition of health ; that I am best ac- quainted with her condition and constitution ; that ray coming into these parts was voluntary. Yet, be- cause time is precious with me, (in the condition I am in,) I shall endeavour to anticipate all possible ob- jections, which (I humbly conceive) must either arise from the charge or inconveniency of dividin^r the king's children ; or that the parliament have not full assurance and confidence in me ; or, lastly, that there was no mention of any allowance in the articles of Exeter."" *" The princess Henrietta, Charles's youngest child, was born at Exeter, not long before the cjueen went to France. She continued there under the charge of lady Dalkeith until 100 PRINCESS HENRIETTA. MASSEY S BRIGADE. 101 * To all which, I humbly, for these considerations, shall cheerfully consent to remain with her highness (as her governess) at St. James's, or elsewhere, and to be subordinate to the lord of Northumberland, and from time to time receive and follow his direc- tions concerning the princess and her family ; and so to continue no longer than (on the severest re- flection upon my deportment) I shall appear without the least just exception. To the last, it is well known to all that were of the treaty, it was in my power to have had a clause for a certain allowance, had it been thought decent in respect of his majesty or for the parliament, it being supposed that where the princess and her few attendants were to be, there they should be maintained. If this be not satis- factory, I have only two requests more. The first, that I may be reimbursed the money I have laid out during my attendance and expecta- tion of the parliament's pleasure ; and lastly, (which 1 am well assured will not be denied,) a favourable interpretation of my transportation of the princess to his majesty, according to the articles of Exeter. the surrender of that city to Fairfax ; on which occasion a special provision was made in the articles, that the princess and her quarrel in both kingdoms was but one, soon drew him to quit his command and forego his arrears in Ireland, and repair home ; where, from the first standing up of a weak inconsiderable party for the parliament, he ap- proved his valour and fidelity. His actions have not been so obscure that they need my publication ; nor his reward hitherto of such consideration, that may hold any proportion with his desert. I must confess, in the lowest ebb of our fortunes I have been much confirmed by him in my resolutions, when there were but four persons that had not deserted me. I humbly crave his good service may be so far taken into consideration, that himself and others may receive encouragement to truth and gallantry, where- soever the state shall employ them ; and the addition of this favour shall engage me yet much more, Sir, Your very thankful and humble servant, Rowland Langhorne. Haverfordwest, July 24, 1646. MR. RUSHWORTII TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — There being a great mutiny in Wallingford among the soldiers, the governor^ sent to me to be at Wallingford betimes on Monday morning with passes, for he was resolved then to march forth, (though ^ Colonel Blagge. 134 SURRENDER OF WALLINGFORD. DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. 135 Wednesday was the time appointed/ Accordingly, I went thither; being no sooner let in at the draw- bridge, but the mutineers got notice of it, and presently beat drums, and drew their men together before the castle. The governor drew his men on the line, and planted a piece of ordnance against them. They would have capitulated : the governor refused it, and desired lieutenant-colonel Jackson to draw the General's regiment of foot between the castle and the mutineers, that as colonel Blagge marched forth, he might march in ; which accordingly he did. The mutineers perceiving it, and hearing they should have no passes, or benefit of the articles, in- stantly laid down arms and submitted : so this after- noon, towards evening, they marched forth according to their articles, and adjutant-general Evelyn^ took possession of the garrison, with all the ordnance, arms, and ammunition therein, for the service of the parliament. It may be truly said, it is the strongest hold in the " ** Letters informed the surrender of Wallingford. That colonel Blagge sold the corn and provisions there, and put the money in his own purse, without giving one penny of it to the soldiers, though much pay was in arrear to them ; and they were 80 much discontented at the greediness of their governor, that they fell into a mutiny, which caused Blagge to surrender the castle two days sooner that it was agreed to be." Whitlochc, Juhj 28, 1646. ' Evelyn was nominated by Fairfax to be governor of Wal- lingford, and approved by the house. Id. ibid. > \4 ^ three kingdoms, it is so naturally and artificially for- tified : three moats about the castle, one of them sixty feet in breadth, and a pike's length in depth. About nine hundred oflScers and soldiers marched forth. The least plunder and baggage that ever I yet see in any garrison. Wheat, oats, wood, and hay being the only things of value in the garrison. If you please to move the house to give some speedy order concerning the disposing of the Berk- shire and Oxfordshire forces, that were before Wal- lingford ; till then they lie upon quarter in the country. This is all I have at present to trouble you with. I am your faithful and humble servant, Jo. RUSHWORTH. July 27, 1646. THE COMMITTEE AT CHESTER TO COLONEL BOOTH AND OTHERS. Gentlemen, — We still stand much engaged to you for your care and pains in the business of the county, and we have every week new occasion to write unto you concerning it. We have had several mutinies ; which are not yet punished, nor absolutely appeased. The soldiery take great dislike at the excise ; ^ the city and county almost generally distaste it. « It is remarked by Clarendon, that the imposition of excise i1 / ■P 136 DISTURBANCES IS CHESHIRE. The gentlemen that are employed have carried themselves very well in it, and endeavour, by all fair means, to effect the same ; but our fear is, that they will not perfect the business ; but some constraint must be used, otherwise little will be made of it. To prevent present evil, we have told the soldiers that they are to be paid forth of it ; and if that take not, there is no way left to satisfy them ; and that we hope there will speedily be an order for that purpose. We do assure you, if the parliament resolve not upon some speedy way to send moneys for disbanding of them, this county is in a sadder condition, in its own particular, than it was when the enemy prevailed : we must earnestly entreat you to use your endeavours for an order to that purpose. The markets have been extreme small upon the rumour of the excise ; the people say they shall have a second siege. The gentlemen that are employed must not be pressed to use any extremity, until such time as there be a civil magistrate of the city, and the soldiers either satisfied or appeased. was a burden which the people of England had hitherto re- proached other nations with, as a mark of slavery, and never feared by themselves. An attempt was made to impose such a tax in 1G43, but was successfully resisted by the lords : in the following year, however, an excise was imposed on wine, beer, ale, and other commodities, for the purpose of carrying on the war ; but with this express promise, that it should be continued no longer than to the end of the war, and then laid down and utterly abolished. See Clarendon, vol. iv. p. 52 and 418. DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. 137 We extremely fear, if the soldiery join not in the tumult, yet all or most of them will stand apart, and will not assist their officers : and what greater evil may come thereof, more than the damage in the ex- cise in this city, which hath cost much blood, we know not, but leave to your more serious considera- tion ; and shall earnestly desire you to go to the chief commissioners of excise, and acquaint them with these things, and desire them not to press the sub- commissioners here to do any thing till city and county be in a better condition ; and so, with our best respects to you, we remain Your faithful friends to serve you. Will. Massey. Jo. W^ETTENHALL. Henry Birkened. William Davies. Chester, Aug. 1, 1646. We have sent to the deputy-lieutenants to take what speedy course they can for the pacifying of the soldiery, which we conceive impossible to be done without a speedy supply of some considerable sum of money from above, for which we doubt not of your uttermost endeavours. SIR THO. FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — At the earnest desire of the com- mittee and gentlemen of Worcestershire, that colonel 138 CITY OF WORCESTER. Rainsborough might be governor of Worcester,^ and their recommendation of his discreet carriage in the taking in of that city ; I thought good, both for the country's satisfaction and his encouragement, to give him the charge of it, and I do desire your approba- tion. I need not give you any arguments, to move you to it, seeing you have found him very faithful, valiant, and successful in many undertakings since you put him under my command. I shall take leave to put you again in mind of the reducement of major-general Massey's horse ;' which I do the rather, because they have made a most dis- honourable breach upon the articles of Worcester, by plundering and violating those that marched out of that city, and yet the regiment appointed to that service I did always take (and still do) to be the best of the whole ; but besides, I am advertised that those who are quartered west do commit great rob- beries and insolencies in those parts. The money assigned for the reducement of them, according to ^ The city of Worcester was agreed to be surrendered to colonel Rainsborough, for the parliament, on the 22nd of July. ' In consequence of the many complaints made of the ill conduct of Massey's forces, it was referred to the committee of the west to send them into Ireland, or disband them : the latter course was resolved on ; but it was thought prudent that Fair- fax and Ireton should draw near Massey's quarters with two regiments of horse, while the order for their disbanding was being carried into effect. The disbanding was effected without disturbance, and with Fairfax's usual decision and promptitude. See Godwin ^ Hist, of the Commotiu'ealth, b. ii. c. 5. MASSEY S HORSE. 139 ( former order, I desire may be sent down with all speed, or that I may have liberty to pursue the said order of reducement without it : for truly, sir, I do judge the work so necessary to be done, and so much a relief to the people and counties where they come, that I shall cheerfully undertake it, when I receive your commands for it. I remain your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Bath, Aug. 1, 1G46. SIR SIMONDS DEWES" TO SIR JOHN POTTS.' Sir, — Your lines were very welcome to me, but I should have been gladder to have seen you here ; for but on Friday last, the safety of these three king- doms was, I think, much endangered for want of your single vote. The king, I hear, (being I fear misled by evil counsel,) denies to grant as yet the whole propositions, or any part of them."" High ^ Member of parliament for Sudbury. ^ Member of parliament for the county of Norfolk ™ "The king refused to sign the propositions, though the com- missioners of both kingdoms, on their knees, begged of him to do it." Whitlocke, Aug. 10, 1646. The propositions now of- fered by the parliament to the king, with his answers, are to be found in Rushworth, part iv. vol. i. p. 309, &c. The king's answer was evasive ; as usual, he demanded a personal treaty in London. 140 ruorosiTioNs to the king. BEAUMARIS CASTLE. 141 counsels must thereupon follow. I hope therefore that, all private affairs set aside, you will hasten up. My wife, I bless God, is very well, and like to prove an exemplary nurse. We both tender our due respects to yourself, your lady, and all yours. I am your faithful nephew and servant, SiMONDs Dewes. Westminster, Aug. 4, 164G. MAJOR-GENERAL MYTTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF BOTH KINGDOMS. Right Honourable, — I make bold to represent unto your honours the good service which hath been done by the late governor of the castle of Beaumaris and sir Robert Eyton ; I having received former letters from your honours, to employ and reward such as should procure the surrender of that castle, as by another letter of the 15th of April last from your honours may appear. According to which directions, I did entrust sir Robert Eyton, the bearer; who did so far engage the late governor, (being his cousin-german,) that he pro- cured it under his hands unto me, to deliver the said castle" to me to the parliament's use; and to that The castle of Beaumaris was siirrenderal to major-general Myttori; June 26, 1646. See Whithcke. purpose 1 came into the island to receive the same : which I am very confident the late governor really in- tended, for that he removed his goods out of the castle, and was ready to deliver it the next day, it being sur- prised contrary to his intent; and while the castle was in their hands, was cordially willing to raise forces to help me to besiege it ; but was afterwards regained, upon treaty and articles, and the same redelivered to the said late governor, who surrendered it to my com- missioners, as I lately acquainted your honours. Therefore I humbly desire your honours will be pleased to afford the favours, expressed in your honours' said letter of the 15th of April, unto the several persons therein expressed ; and in particular unto sir Robert Eyton, who hath faithfully per- formed the trust reposed in him, and done other good service for the parliament when the siege was before Caernarvon ; "" and that your honours will be pleased to reward him in what proportionable means you shall think fitting, according to the power your honours gave me, he being the agent that did deal for me, before your letter to the committee of Salop, of the 15th April last. I have no more to add for the pre- sent, but that I am Your most humble and faithful servant, Tho. Mytton. Chirke Castle, Aug. 5, 1646. ° Caernarvon castle was surrendered to major-general Mytton, June 9, 1646. Whithcke, il«n ■ .mmtnit ^^ 142 SIEGE O*^ RAGLAND CASTLE. COLONEL BIRCH TO THE SPEAKER. Truly Honourable, — According to his excel- lency sir Thomas Fairfax's order, I have drawn all the force I could possibly spare, (securing of Goodrich and Hereford,) with the guns, mortar pieces, and their equipage, to Ragland ; where his excellency is at this time prescribing ways, and giving orders for the speedy reducing of this obstinate strong garrison, which I doubt not but will soon be eifected. In the mean time, I desire to know the pleasure of the house concerning the demolishing or keeping the castle of Goodrich, which I humbly conceive is useless, and a great burden to the country. How- ever, I shall submit to what the house shall please to order, and expect it by major Blakemore, whom I have appointed to attend, and bring it down to me ; that so I may draw the residue of my men to join with those before Ragland, and that work thereby may be speedied. Therefore I shall humbly desire your wonted favourable assistance in his speedy despatch, that the public service in these parts may be expedited, and a happy period put to our distrac- tions ; for which none more studies and prays, than Your honour's most faithful servant, John Birch. Ragland, Aug. 7, 1646. I humbly request you would be pleased to be mindful of my petition to the honourable house ; SIR THOMAS GLEMHAM. 143 ^» I' which, as I understand, now remains in your honour's custody. SIR THOMAS GLEMHAM TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Upon what terms I delivered Oxford to the honourable General, sir Thomas Fairfax, the whole house of commons knows ; they having by vote approved both the articles, and the General's pro- ceedings therein. Yet have I, contrary to these ar- tides, been since detained three weeks in a close prison ; for redress whereof, I have ever since been a suitor to the honourable house of commons, but not yet obtained their resolution.'' Believe me, sir, I neither want will nor means to satisfy my debts : yet since others, for whom I made the articles, are concerned in the performance of them, I thought myself no less fixed in honour to endea- vour the observance of them, than I was to gain the concession of them ; for the despatch of a suitor " "• Order to discharge sir Thomas Glemham from an arrest, according to the articles of Oxford." Whitloche, Amj. 21, 1646.' It should be observed, however, that sir T. Glemham was not merely a state prisoner, he was also confined for debt: for when the above order was made for his discharge, the sheriffs of London petitioned the house, on the ground that thev should be liable to pay the debt for which he w^as a prisoner;* where- upon the house ordered that they and all others should le saved harmless. Ibid. A luj. 27. 144. PENDENNIS CASTLE. PENDENNIS CASTLE. 145 is a part of justice, which might I speedily obtain by your favour, whatever the result be, I shall always rest Your most humble servant, Tno. Glemham. Aug. 16, 1G4G. COLONEL RICHARD TOWNSEND TO COLONEL THOMAS CEELY. Sir, — I am just now going to meet the commis- sioners appointed to treat about the surrender of Pen- dennis i"^ the articles are agreed upon by both parties, and to be signed this morning ; they are to march out to-morrow, or Tuesday at furthest ; the soldier hath very honourable conditions — colours flying, trumpets sounding, drums beating, bag and baggage : and at the rendezvous, which is within two miles, to lay down their arms, their goods to be viewed ; and if any man of the country can upon due proof make any of those goods appear to be his, then and there to receive it, and the soldier, in whose custody it is found, shall lose all that he hath. The sum of the •» *' Letters informed the particulars of the surrender of Pendennis castle : that there was taken great store of arms and ammunition, ninety-live pieces of cannon, two murderers, [probably inortarSy] but little provision." Whitlocke, Aug. 31, 1646. Pendennis castle was defended by the governor, John Arundel, of Trerice : the interest taken in its defence appears from some former letters. rest is according to the account I gave you the last week. Sir, You have always expressed a great deal of care and love towards your regiment ; now it hath pleased God to finish the western work, and to bring us into a condition, no soldier in this kingdom in the like. I have often writ you, that the most part have not wherewith to cover their nakedness, yet never re- ceived from you the least engagement to supply us, to incite those to it that should relieve us. I need not urge our service nor the faithfulness of it, well known to the most part, though not well considered by any. I desire to receive directions how to dispose of the regiment, and positively what employment and future maintenance we may expect : the committee of this county hath expressed a great respect towards us, and some of them desire to continue us here till the great affairs of the kingdom are better settled. Be pleased to afford a line or two concernino- the Irish proceedings. I remain, Sir, Your faithful servant, ^"g^^tl^' Rich. Townsend. at Truro. LORD JERMYN TO SIR H. KILLIGREW. My dear Cousin Harry, — I have received yours, and truly do, with all the grief and respect that you can imagine to be in any body, look upon u ' ^, [mmx 14G PENDENNIS CASTLE. your sufferings and bravery in them ; and do further assure you, that the relief of so many excellent men, and preservation of so important a place,^ is taken into all the considerations that the utmost possibility, that can be in the queen to contribute to either, can extend to. The same care is in the prince, from whose own hand you will particularly understand it. I have now only time to tell you, that I am con- fident those little stores that will give us and you time to stay and provide for more, will be arrived with you ; and I do not so encourage you vainly, but to let you know a truth that cannot fail, that if you, as I do no way doubt, have rightly represented the state of the place, and of the minds that are in it, you shall be enabled to give the account of it you wish beyond your expectations ; and already some money is at the sea side for this purpose, and more shall daily be sent. I entreat most earnestly of you that the governor, sir John Digby, and those other gentle- men that did me the honour to write to me, may find here that I shall not fail to give them answer by the next. In the mean space, God of heaven keep you all, and give us, if he please, a meeting with you in England. I have no more to add. I am, most truly. Your most humble and most faithful servant, Aug. IG, 1646. He. Jermyn. ' This letter relates to Peiidennis Castle. Sir H. Killiirrew remained there to the last. See Clarend. vol. v. p. 425. ^ SIEGE OF RAGLAND CASTLE. 147 COLONEL MORGAN TO THE SPEAKER. • Truly Honourable, — May it please you, give me leave to give you a short account of our proceed- ings here. After a long and hard duty performed, it hath pleased God that commissioners on both sides have agreed upon articles for the surrender of the castle and garrison of Ragland/ which are now ready to be signed. You will be pleased to excuse me that I do not send you a particular of the conditions, because I hope his excellency's letter, with the par- ticulars, will be come to your hand before this can come to you ; only give me leave to acquaint you, that the enemy are to march out forty-eight hours after the signing of the articles, with their bag and baggage, and with their arms, to any place which their governor shall nominate, ten miles distant from the castle, and there lay down their arms and disband. And truly, had not this happy conclusion been made, our mortar-pieces would have played very suddenly, and we were come very near with our approaches. ' '* Letters from the Leaguer before Ragland, certifying that the marquis of Worcester wrote with much respect to sir Tho. Fairfax ; that he honoured his family, and was more willing to agree to his proposals, than if they came from any other. That he was intimately acquainted with sir Tho. Fairfax's grand- father, and other compliments ; and concluded to agree to a treaty." Whitlocke, Aikj. 17, 1G4(>. 148 ARMY SUPPLIES. DENZEL HOLLIS. 149 I have no more at present, but to subscribe my- self Your honour's most humble servant, Tho. Morgan. From the Leaguer, be- fore Ragland Castle, Aug. 17, 10465 six at night. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — After the battle at Marston moor in the north, myself and some other of the com- missioners of the parHament being at Leeds, it was desired by the commissioners of the kingdom of Scotland, that some means might be used for the ob- taining cloth to the value of ten thousand pounds for the clothing of the soldiers of the Scottish service, who were then in great want ; whereupon myself, sir William Constable, and Mr. Robert Goodwin, en- gaged ourselves unto certain inhabitants of the town of Leeds, that the parliament should in a short space of time repay the same ; and accordingly money and clothes to a great value was delivered over to their use ; which appears more particularly in a petition now depending in the honourable house of commons, which I am informed by the petitioners is not yet delivered, and they are yet unpaid that which was so long since promised. I therefore do earnestly desire you to take the first seasonable opportunity to present the petition to the house, that some speedy course may be taken for the satisfaction of the said debt, out of the moneys raised at Goldsmith's hall, or what other ways the house in their wisdoms shall think most fit, that the engagement given by myself and other gentlemen may be taken off* from us : the doing of which I shall acknowledge as a favour from you ; and remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Bath, Aug. 24, 1646. DENZEL HOLLIS [TO THE SPEAKER.] In obedience of the order of the house, I give you this account of what I have received by their gift, and the occasion of it. First, the house granted me a thousand marks, which I had formerly paid into the exchequer for a fine imposed upon me in the king's bench, for my actions (which were, I hope, for the service of the public) in the parliament of Sd Car.,' for which I suf- fered close imprisonment in the tower three quarters * In the following year, the parliament voted .£5000 each to Hollis, Selden, Hambden's children, and others, **for the suf- ferings of them or their parents 3 Car., for opposing the ille- galities of that time." Whitlochcy Ja7i. 18, 1646. ^^%,^ \ s' V 150 DENZEL HOLLIS. of a year ; was from thence removed to the king's bench prison ; prosecuted by the attorney-general, first in the star-chamber, then in the king's bench, where I was fined as aforesaid, adjudged to make an acknowledgment of my offience, and to be imprisoned during the king's pleasure : which to avoid, I made an escape, and lived a banished man from this city, from my friends, and from my business, (in which I suffered exceedingly,) for the space of seven or eight years, and then at last was glad to pay my fine. I can with confidence say, my imprisonment and my suits cost me three thousand pounds ; and that I am ten thousand pounds the worse in my estate upon that occasion. Then I took the allowance of four pounds a week for half a year ; received the sum of one hundred and four pounds, when I was no longer able to buy bread for my family, having for three years lost my whole estate in the west, (where I should have had two thousand pounds a year coming in ;) was plundered of some five hundred pounds stock, having lost besides three hundred pounds out of my wagon at Kenton" battle ; sent three hundred pounds into Guildhall for the use of the parliament ; spent a thousand pounds in the service of the parliament, before I laid down my commission of colonel, (for which likewise there is still owing me by the state, near upon three hundred " Tlie celebrated battle of Edge-llill, or Keinton. SANCROFT. 151 pounds, laid out of my purse for the use of my regi- ment, besides my other expenses.) As soon as the west was reduced, that a way was open for me to get something out of my own estate, I relinquished the four pounds a week, and would receive no more of it. This I set down, under my hand, the 27th Au- gust, 164<6. Denzel Hollis. FRANCIS GARDINER* TO [W. SANCROFT.] Sir, — When I left my son to your care, I ac- quainted you with my desires, and received a promise from you that nothing should be wanting on your part which might render him perfect in the several arts and languages he had newly made entrance into. I am not ignorant of the usual course of the uni- versity : most tutors I have known, if they read twice a day, and took account of that, held themselves suf- ficiently discharged of their trust; few did so much. If my judgment fail not, my son can soon digest " The Indexes to Cole's MS. Collections in the British Museum have been searched for some account of the writer of this letter, but in vain. However, this and other letters by the same hand are worth preserving, not only as throwing light on the history and character of Sancroft, but as introducing to tlie reader an estimable person. \ k 111* 1/ 15^2 SANCllOFT. what shall be read to him in half an hour, either in logic or philosophy. I hope therefore you have, beside the common task, appointed him some select Greek author to con- verse with, and that he hath your assistance to make some progress in the Hebrew Bible. For his geo- metry and arithmetic, his fancy tending that way, may happily cause him to spend some hours in those studies, (I would not have any trifled away.) For a recreation, I could wish, if the place affbrd any, he had the help of a master in the French language, that the little he hath be not lost ; and if the choice be good, his understanding may be thereby also informed. If set times be allotted for all, and kept constantly, all this will pass with delight. I know I expect no impossibihties, though perhaps somewhat more than ordinary, as I confess (on your encouragement) I do from you. But withal I as- sure you, and you shall find it true, as I highly prize learning and learned men, so I shall not un- dervalue his pains who is a means of my son's pro- ficiency, yourself being judge. Above all, my desire is, that Sundays, fast days, and the like, may have their particular employment in divine studies, besides his constant reading the scriptures each morning and evening, which how he follows and understands, if you please sometime to question him, will be soon discerned. You cannot but know by this time his abilities and \ V SANCUOFT. 153 inclination, I beseech you, deal freely with me in both : my love may make me too apt to flatter my- self. If I have looked on him in a false glass, be you a true mirror, and therein a mirror of tutors, to represent him truly. The plate will be sent very shortly. I have not yet heard from my brother Bokenhart concernino- his alliance to your founder, but himself enjoyed the privilege of the founder's chamber ; my son is one step only further removed. If you have not already moved it, I pray do it at the next meeting of the fellows ; for I desire he may enjoy his right. You shall receive per this bearer four barrels of the best oysters our coast doth yet affbrd. In the like, or any thing my power extends to, I hope you may have good cause to command him who desires to be Affectionately yours, Fran. Gardiner. [August, 1646.] Mr. Jeff'rey commends his best wishes to you and Mr. Cradock, (to whom I have sent two barrels of oysters,) and we both thank you for your bounteous entertainment. MR. HOLBECH TO MR. SANCROFT. Dear Mr. Sancroft, — The inclosed answers so much of your letter as you would impose a return X ^•n^R I IF 154< SANCIIOFT. unto ; but assure yourself I have a hearty affection to communicate, and a saUite of love, both from myself and my second self, that shall not, nor may not, be hazarded to the delivery alone of another's tongue. And withal, too, I have thanks for this day's help and ease, which as much as is in me I would fain make legible. It is true, the friend you designed came not, but indeed Mr. Aldus, who did come, performed the office very well, and free from all offence, as I could desire ; which I the rather signify to satisfy you, and take you off from those doubts and scruples which I know your love, and tenderness of my pleasure, would be assaulted with. Many thanks, therefore, now unto vou all three : for if I should have occasion, I shall make bold with Mr. Holden another time, whose readiness I do very sufficiently understand and thankfully accept ; and I pray you let him know so much. Good sir. Though I can scarcely see yet where I am, yet I readily perceive what is like to be ray greatest infelicity in my remove hither, namely, the want of your good company ; but I trust, as oppor- tunity serves, I shall enjoy it for bodily presence, and I will not want it in contemplation, nor shall not, I believe, in devotion ; for notwithstanding our furthest distance, I will meet you every day at heaven in my prayers ; and I speak unfeignedly. I shall do with- out a great part of my soul in prayer, (and that is the NEWS FROM FRANCE. 155 way to miss both of the gift and grace too of that exercise,) if you be not in it. I now rest, Sir, Yours, cordially and most affectionately, Tho. Holbech. Trumpington, Sept. 30, 1646. R. AUGIER, PARLIAMENTARY AGENT AT PARIS, TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Since the receipt of your letter of the 13th August, by order of the house of commons, backed by your despatch to the earl of Brienne, and by the examinations of captain Phineas Pett and others, concerning the passages of Monsieur de Montrevil and his portmantle, with the three letters disavowed by him, I acquainted weekly (during my abode of three weeks at Fontainebleau) Mr. Giles Green with all my conferences upon that subject with the said earl ; not having thought fit to trouble you, nor the said house, until I should see the end of that same affair. I do at this present make bold to tell you, that as I was preparing myself to go to the said Fontaine- bleau, for to execute what I was commanded by the said despatch, I received a letter from the said earl, whereby he gave me to understand, that having been I 156 NEWS FROM FRANCE. commanded to advise me to come to this court, he by an express entreated me to come speedily, for the affairs concerning the interest of those whom I do serve, referring to give me more light therein by word of mouth, with this superscription : " A Monsieur. " Monsieur Augier, agent des aifaires de messieurs du parliment d'Angleterre. A Paris." As soon as I came to the said Fontainebleau, which was on the fA' A^t, he entertained me with the care this state, and the cardinal Mazarine in par- ticular, had to keep this great neutrality with the state of England during its civil divisions, and to endeavour by all means to procure its rest. That even of late they had sent, for that end, Monsieur Bellievre to London, to the parliament, to induce them, if possible, to accept this king's media- tion, whereunto the parliament would not hearken ; and that this their desire having been frustrate, (every one being free, said he, in the mana^ino- of his own affairs,) the said Monsieur de Bellievre was gone to Newcastle to the king of Great Britain, to try what he could negotiate with him therein.^ ^ Clarendon reflects very severely on tlie conduct of Bellievre towards Charles : lie represents him as liaving been instructed to denounce war against the parliament, if they refused to yield what was reasonable ; and then adds, that he spent his time ** in all the low application to the parliament that can be imagined/' Clarendon, vol. v. p. 409, &c. But it is evident that he was y NEWS FROM FRANCE. lo7 I I That at the same time, the said parliament sent very hard propositions to his majesty ; who being not desirous to subscribe thereunto, desiring rather to come to London, or to some of his houses hard by, to propound more easily his reasons, the said parlia- ment would by no means hearken thereunto ; which was thought very strange. But that the thing which forced him to put me to that pain to come to him by his aforesaid letter, was, to complain hugely from the king his master, of the violation of the law of nations in Monsieur de Mon- trevil's person ; who, upon his way from Newcastle into France, with very good passes, which he shewed, was nevertheless arrested by a captain of the parlia- ment's ships, his portmantle seized on, and, which is worst, his letters opened by the said parliament: which injury his majesty was very sensible of, and resolved to have satisfaction for it. I asked him, whether he had said all ? And after some replies to his speech, representing it was not his letter that made me come, but the express order I had from the parliament, to represent unto him at sent to mediate, not to threaten ; neither party however would yield, and so his mediation was ineffectual. Indeed, Clarendon himself adds, that Bellievre complained '' that the king was too reserved in giving the parliament satisfaction ; and therefore wished that somebody might be sent over, who was like to have so much credit with his majesty as to i)ersuade him to what was necessary for his service." Ibid, p. 411. ■I* 158 NEWS FROM FRANCE. large, and to the rest of these ministers, the truth of that affair. I shewed him clearly all the fault was in Monsr. de Montrevil, who carried himself very ill at the first, in the middle, and at the end of that proceeding ; and worse still, because he believed to cover his fault here by accusing the house of commons, for whose more particular justification I delivered him a copy of the letter the said Montrevil had written to the said house, and the aforesaid examination upon oath, which do manifestly oppose the said letter. I presented him then your letter unto him, which he prayed me to keep until he should have leave to take it. I told him I found very strange he should refuse to accept it at first, since this king hath sent directly the said M. de Bellievre to the said par- liament. He prayed me to come to him thereupon the next morning : which having done, he told me at first he had been chidden in a manner by the said cardinal, for having been too much persuaded by my reasons in that affair; that he had not as yet spoken to the queen regent concerning your letter, but bade me have a little patience, and he would accept it and answer it. The two next days he gave me the same answer ; and having told him, that that coldness would be ex- tremely ill taken, that they would oblige the parliament to do the like, and that I would send back your letter ; he told me he used not to receive any from strangers without leave ; and prayed mc not to send it back ; if i NEWS FROM FRANCE. 159 assuring me he would accept it, and return an answer jointly with me, and by my advice. Meanwhile the said Montrevil was at St. Germains, and the said earl told me he was expected daily at Fontainebleau ; whereby I did infer they would hear him upon what I said, afore the acceptance of the said letter and the answer thereunto, and examine together what M. de Grignon, brother to the said M. de Bellievre, had written, who (said the said earl) did much complain from London of the said parliament's hard proceedings therein. Some days afler, the said Montrevil being come to Fontainebleau, (and at the same time Mr. Jermyn,) I had by chance a hot dispute wdth the same Montrevil upon that matter. For his justification he said, that at first he beheved captain Pett's ship to be a Dun- kirk, which obliged him to leave his three letters with his man, who never did hide them, (saith he,) but were taken from him by force, by the said cap- tain's men. That the parliament had no reason to mistrust his proceedings, whose servant he is ; and that he had much ado to appease the said cardinal for that violating the law of nations in his person ; yet insisting the parliament ought to give some satis- faction here upon that particular. I told him only, the parliament was more to be believed than he, whose reasons and examinations I had delivered to the earl de Brienne ; and that he was extremely deceived to imagine the parliament (to whom he gave a just cause ^:^--^.^±±k IGO NEWS FROM FRANCE. Ih of jealousy) would give any satisfaction. He parted from me not much content, and went from Fontaine- bleau the '^2 instant, with his despatch for Newcastle ; which he said to a friend of mine he would carry throuorh London. Afore he parted, I went again to the earl of Brienne, to know his resolution concerning your letter and the answer thereunto. The said earl did put me off to the next day, which was Friday last was sen'night, at eight of the clock, two hours afore the post's going for England, saying we should then make the answer jointly, and that he would take care to have my despatch go with his own. I was with him at the appointed time : and seeing he did put me off again to the afternoon, only to make me lose the occasion to write by that post, (by whom I knew he would not write, having written already by the said Montrevil,) I told him I would send your letter back to the parliament, for otherwise I would be blamed to have so long bore that delay, which could not be construed but a contempt or want of credit they give here to the examinations I delivered them from the parliament. He answered, the house of commons could have sent me the said three letters without opening the same, to know whether they were approved here or no ; and that the said examina- tions did give so much the less satisfaction, that Monsieur de Montrevil, their minister, was to be more credited than mariners. I replied, it was not NEWS FROM FRANCE. iGi •!• necessary to send me the said letters; since being disavowed, they could not be accounted to belong to this state, and that the parliament of England gives more credit to their mariners' oath than to the said Montrevil's discourse. I was then so pressed by the shortness of the time, that all I could do was to give advice thereof in a word to the said Mr. Giles Green ; and to tell him, that since the little satisfaction I had, I was resolved not to present nor mention any more the said letter to the said earl or others, but upon new orders from the said parliament. In that resolution I left Fontainebleau : which having been reported to the said cardinal, and that I was gone from hence discontented, M. du Bosc, his confident for the Enghsh affairs, wrote to me these words following, the ?S after : — *' It is by order from M. le compte de Brienne, that I do write you this present. As I went yesterday to speak to him about other things, he asked me, at first, where you were ? saying, you were not to be seen. That indeed he had a little deferred to re- ceive Mr. Speaker's letter, but that he told you still he would receive it, and that, de facto, he is ready to receive it at your hands, and to return an answer thereunto ; commanding me to write unto you the same, and to send you compliments from him," &c. I did not answer that letter. And beinor agfain to 162 NEWS FROM FRANCE. the said Fontainebleau only on Tuesday night, and having seen yesterday morning the said earl, I gave him to understand I was come again, by the par- liament's order, to complain of the grievances in the commerce, whereof I gave him a memorial, not men- tioning your said letter unto him, nor he to me. The said du Bosc being come to visit me that night, was much displeased, that in consequence of his letter I had not delivered yours to the said earl : I replied, I had not done it, nor would do it, unless the said earl should require it first, and would assure me himself that he would return such answer thereunto that would please the parliament, and excuse that long delay. That I had occasion to see him again this day, for the affairs of the commerce ; and that if he would carry himself accordingly, I would deliver it to him, and not else. The said du Bosc being gone thereupon to the said earl, about the hour I was to be there this morning, he did put him in remem- brance of what he had written to me by his order ; and the said earl, excusing that delay by the abun- dance of affairs, and because he could not have before leave to receive it, he prayed me to deliver it to him, and promised me to return an answer there- unto, full of friendship and pleasing to the said par- liament. I did then deliver him your letter : but I doubt he cannot answer it before the next post, by reason of the shortness of the time, and of this court's sudden I NEWS FROM FRANCE. 163 going from hence to Paris. This is the story of what is happened upon this particular. As for the public, the event of the siege of Dun- kirk is here expected daily, where the duke d'Enghien hoped to make his entry this day, if the storm happened since his despatch, and other accidents, do not retard the execution thereof. Don Thadeo, bro- ther to the Barberins, came hither on Monday last, with his wife, his three sons, and one daughter : they had yesterday audience from their majesties, of Ma- damoiselle, and the rest of this court. The same day, an express came from Rome, who gives advice that the affair of the Barberins is wholly reconciled with the pope. The cardinal Mazarine hath shewed much joy for it ; pretending that the sole arriving of the marshal de la Milleraye hath made the pope stoop to that accommodation, whereby the said Barberins are re- stored to their offices and lands. We have as yet no news from the said marshal since his embarkment at Toulon, the Jti?' of September last, nor of the siege of Lerida. The Swedish extraordinary ambassador took yester- day leave of all this court, and goes to-day to Paris, where he will stay some eight or ten days before he goes to Swedeland. This court is much satisfied with him and his pro- ceedings. He hath spoken and delivered very urgent memorials for the redressing of the palatine house 1(34 NEWS FROM FRANCE. into their lands and dignities ; declaring that the Swedish crown will never give consent to any peace, without the said redressing of the said house, of that of Hesse, and of the marquis of Baden. They have given him some general answers thereupon. Yet cardinal Mazarine did declare unto him, with very great oaths, that notwithstanding all reports and offers the emperor can do to accept the pretensions of France, yet they will never agree with the house of Austria, but with the knowledge and consent of the Swedish crown : but that in making of war, they ought to keep some inclination to the peace ; repre- senting thereupon, that Francis is only sure of the Hollanders for six months ; that the affairs of this state are subject to the vicissitudes ; that the peace in England was near to be concluded j in which case the English may join with the Spaniards, and cause much stirring, and that consequently they cannot use too much precaution. Whereas the duke of Orleans visited the prince of Wales abed at St. Germains ; so, when the said prince came to visit him at Paris, at the hotel of Luxemburg, the said duke kept his bed, excusing himself upon his gout. The prince of Conde is still at Cluny, in Burgundy, and his wife in this court ; where I rest ever. Sir, Your most humble and most obedient servant, R. AUGIER. \ NEWS FROM FRANCE. 165 The said Montrevil made a shew as if he had burnt at London the three letters the house of commons did open ; and yet the earl of Brienne told me he received by him that which was in cipher, which (saith he) was the said Monsr. de Bellievre's despatch unto him. The aforesaid ambassador of Swedeland hath de- livered here the ratification of the peace made be- tween that crown and that of Denmark, by the in- terposition of M. de la Tuillerie. This king's am- bassador, who is returned to this court, hath con- firmed the treaties between France and Swedeland, and obtained a general order, directed to marshal de Turenne, to act jointly with the Swedish army, be- siege places, to pitch battles, &c. against the duke of Bavaria, of whose adversity thereby they seem here not to care much, though he hath referred here all his interests in the pope's nuncio's hands. It is to be noted, that by an article of the said treaty, France and Swedeland have mutually the li- berty to make their peace apart, when they will, if it be for the advantage of their affairs. Fontainebleau, 2e^u2A, 1646. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND' TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I am informed from so good hands, that the general peace at Munster is in such a forwardness, ' Ambassador at the Hague from the parliament. mw \ / / \ 166 NEWS FROM THt: HAGUE. and so likely to be shortly concluded, as I conceive it to be necessary the house should know it ; such a change as that will make, cannot but have considerable effects upon our own interests. How near Spain and the States have been a long time to make peace, is evident by the articles reci- procally signed by ambassadors on both sides. The news was last week, that the emperor and France were fully agreed, which is believed here : and now this week I am certified, that France and Spain and the Swedes and the emperor are also upon near terms of concluding a peace ; and though I dare not offer it as a thing certain, yet the wisest men here, and those who are most concerned in it, believe it most ; and all the best informations from thence run all, that all difficulties are mastered, and that a month may effect it. I hope the wisdom of the parliament will so pro- vide for our own interests, as none of those alterations it may make shall disadvantage the cause for which it hath suffered so much. The States' army is yet in the field : some say it may yet undertake some actions, though it seem very late. Sir, No man wisheth better to the public, nor is more a servant to your person, than Your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. "ague, t^tX 164G. NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. I67 SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I thought it my duty to acquaint you, and by you the house, with a particular favour and respect the provincial states of Holland have done me, con- sidering the honour I have to serve the parliament here as the parliament's minister; which is, to give me an order to be exempt from all impositions and excises : a respect much more valuable in regard of the affection to the parliament, than the advantage to me ; and so I consider it : the king's resident hath ever enjoyed the same. I was told, no one vote was against it ; which yet improves in me the sense of it, and makes me glad to see the good inclination of the states of Holland to the parliament. I am confident the parliament will cherish these respects, by expressing the same inclinations for those they employ in Eng- land ; which is the hearty desire of him who hath made it all his work to maintain a good understanding betwixt the parliament and the States. The general peace is in a great forwardness, and the States' ambassadors at Munster have had the honour to mediate the differences betwixt France and Spain, and have overcome the greatest. Some think the taking of Dunkirk may occasion new con- siderations, both to make the French make higher demands, and the Spaniards less affect it ; the saving / / \ 108 NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. USE OF THE DIRECTORY. iGl) Dunkirk having been one of the greatest motives to induce them to hasten the conclusion of it, which by the loss of it ceaseth ; for it is thought here this day, it is to be surrendered to the French. Sir John Knightley, an English papist, hath de- sired to have a commission the king hath given him to be allowed, by which he is made collector of all the tenths and fifteenths of all the prizes brought into the Low Countries : a strange demand in a neutral state, who will not judge any prizes on either side ; so as he demands, as I told him, the tenth and fif- teenth part of nothing, so as this commission will do us no great hurt. The prince's army is yet in the field : some think it may come towards Ruremonde and Venlawe, two places in the Spaniards' possession in Guelderland, which are thought not to be very strong, and which may be easily taken. The States are yet most employed about the busi- ness at Munster, about the peace. Zealand hath considerations of its own in respect of trade, not to desire so much a peace with Spain. When the last truce was made, much was done before Zealand could be persuaded to embrace it ; and now at this time that province is more than any unwilling to embrace it, so as the other provinces are thinking to send deputies to dispose them to it. Sir, I wish any service I could do you might per- suade you of a truth, which is, that you can command no man more absolutely than, Sir, Your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hague, Octob. V 1040. THE BISHOPS OF LONDON AND SALISBURY TO THE KING. May it please your Majesty, — In obedience to your majesty's commands, we have advised upon that proposition, and your majesty's doubt arising thereon ; and, according to our duty, and your ma- jesty's strict charge laid upon us, we shall deliver our opinions, and the sense we have of it, plainly and freely,' to the best of our understandings j nor shall we fail in point of fidelity, however we may in judg- ment. The doubt is touching the lawfulness of a tempo- rary compliance in matters of religion, in the state they now here stand ; that is, (as we apprehend it,) whether your majesty may, without breach of your oath, and with a safe conscience, permit for some time the exercise of the directory, for worship and practice of discipline, as they are now used, and stand enjoined by ordinance. For resolution whereof, we shall take the boldness z / X / / 170 USE OF THE DIRECTORY. USE OF THE DIRECTORY. l/l to make use of those orrounds which we find laid to our hands in your majesty's directions. For your majesty's constancy, and fixedness of resolution not to recede from what you have by oath undertaken in that matter, as it gives us a great latitude to walk in, with safety of conscience, in your endeavours to that end, (the rectitude of intention abating much of the obliquity in all actions,) so the full expression you have been now pleased to make of it, and that what your purpose at present is in order thereunto, doth much facilitate the work, and fit us for a resolution. Taking therefore your majesty's settled determina- tion touchinjx the church for a foundation iramove- able, and this proposition (in your majesty's design) as a means subservient thereunto ; considering also the condition your majesty's affairs now stand in, being destitute of all means compulsory, or of re- gaining what is lost by force ; we cannot conceive in this your majesty's condescension any violation of that oath, whereof your majesty is so justly tender, but that your majesty doth thereby still continue to preserve and protect the church by the best ways and means you have left you, (which is all the oath can be supposed to require ;) and that the permission in- tended, (whereby, in some men's apprehension, your majesty may seem to throw down what you desire to build up,) is not only by your majesty allowed to that end, but, as your majesty stands persuaded, probably fitted for the effecting it in some measure. ♦. And as your majesty will stand clear (in our judg- ments, at least) in respect of your oath, which is principally to be regarded, so neither do we think your majesty will herein trespass in point of con- science ; because your majesty, finding them already settled, and (as it were) in possession, do only (what in other cases is usual) not disturb that possession while the differences are in bearing ; or (which is more justifiable) permit that which you cannot hinder if you would : not commanding it, (for that may vary the case,) but, which possibly may be better liked, leaving it upon that footing it now stands, enjoined by authority of the houses, which is found strong enough to enforce obedience: which intendment of your majesty would stand more clear, if this point of a temporary toleration were not laid as the principal of the proposition, (as now it may seem to be stand- ing in the front,) but as an accessory and necessary concession for the more peaceable proceeding in the business. The first part therefore in the proposition might be for the accommodation of differences by a debate be- tween parties, (as it lies in the proposition ;) and then that during the debate all things remain statu quo nunc, without any interruption or disturbance from your majesty, provided that the debate determine, and a settlement be made within such a time, &c. ; and that your majesty and your household in the interim be not hindered, &c.; which notwithstanding r/2 SANCUOFT. SANCUOFT. 173 '/ we humbly submit to your majesty's better judgment to alter or not. We cannot but have a lively sense of the great troubles your majesty undergoes ; and doubt not but that God, who hath hitherto given you patience in them, will bless you with a deliverance out of them in due time, and make the event of your constant en- deavours answerable to the Integrity of your majesty's heart ; which is the prayer of Your majesty's most obedient humble servants, GuiL. London.* Br. Sarum.** Fill ham, Oct. 4, 1G46. FR. GARDINER TO [MR. SANCROFT.] Sir, — I have read more than once yours of Nov. 10, wherein you have given me so full a relation of my son's endeavours to improve his time, and to answer my care and your pains, that I shall hence- forth banish all jealous thoughts of his miscarriage. The method you have proposed and the authors ap- pointed, I cannot but approve ; and I have it under his hand, that my son will fulfil his task. The winter I account a time most proper for studies, and therefore have not any thoughts to divert him. When the spring makes travel pleasant, I shall, if God will, either visit Cambridge, or send for him to me : * William Juxon. " Brian Duppa. i\ 1 I 1 » if to Tollsbury, I shall be very glad to make choice of such a time that you may accompany him. According to your order, I have appointed £10 to be paid to Mr. Daniels, and his acquittance shall be taken and himself entreated to write to Mr. Ni- cholson of the receipt ; for if his other discharge should be sent, it might happily, or rather unhappily, miscarry. On all occasions of supply, if you please to give me timely notice, I shall make answerable returns ; for I would not that my son should want for aught becoming him. I love not too profuse expense, nor approve a par- simonious hand where a liberal is required : what God hath given, is given to make use of; and no em- ployment like what is expended to better the inner man. I hope my son is of the same mind, and hath discretion to judge where and when to spend or spare. This enlargement the murmurs you mention have begotten. At your pleasure, let my son convey your bill ; except you shall think good, which I much rather wish, to accompany It with a few lines, than whose none more welcome. Thus have I hastily scribbled an answer : pardon the failings of a bad scribe, and rest assured that I am, and shall embrace any oc- casion to witness myself, Your most affectionate friend, Fran. Gardiner, Nov. 23, 1646. 174 PONTEFKACT CASTLE. MAJOR-GENERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — My last letter informed you of the great insolency and mutiny within the walls of York ; now give me leave to inform you of what intelligence I have out of the north, and what plots are a working against this kingdom. The copies of what is come to my hands is here inclosed ; there is also a brief re- lation from captain Byard, under the regiment of colonel Copley, concerning the betraying of Pon- tefract castle:'' the chief actor thereof should be lieutenant-colonel Morris ; the names of the others which have a hand in this plot, I send also here in- closed. Upon the receipt of this information, I commanded several parties to apprehend all those which I am in- formed hath a hand in the betraying of Pontefract castle, to examine them ; and what the effect hereof will be, you shall hear by the next post. I also have sent orders to all the castles in this county to have a care of themselves : to Pontefract 1 have sent a troop of horse, to join with the troop belonging to that gar- rison ; and an order to the commander of the castle to double his guard : to Skipton I have sent twelve hundred foot and eighty horse, which had their quarters formerly thereabouts : I have also, upon the " *' Letters from major-general Poyntz, informed of a design to surprise Pomfrct for the king, but discovered and prevented." Whitloche, Nov. 30, ICMG. YORK. 17^ desires of my horse officers, drawn them a little closer than they lay formerly ; not with any intent to give the least distaste to any of our brothers, but for to secure my forces from disaffected cavaliers and papists, that otherwise might in one night have destroyed most of our horse. Sir, What the issue of this alarm will be, a little time will produce : there shall be no want of my care and duty in doing that as shall become an honest man, and a faithful servant to the state. Having no more, I rest. Sir, Your most humble servant, Sedenham Poyntz. York, Nov. 27, 1646. MAJOR-GENERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — My straits do so grow upon me, that T am much to seek which way to turn me. Upon the last meeting, I heard of promises of some moneys, but see none yet ; the soldier, while he is continued, must necessarily eat, as you very well know. I have had of late such strong advertisements of designs upon the garrison of York, the particulars whereof I cannot think fit to communicate in writing, that I am enforced to draw two thousand foot into and ■I— i — — — — ^w^ I ■' ■ ' ■■|PIP I | P IIIPI I '8B'- ■ 176 YORK. near the town, and to keep a constant guard of one troop of horse every night there/ I am afraid to tell you how weak we are in am- munition; insomuch that having, with some other gentlemen, sent to the town of Hull for some arrears of assessment there, to be laid out in ammunition ; and denied, under a pretence that now the ordinance is out, and we can give them no discharge ; I am enforced, with some others, to give personal engage- ment to some merchants in Hull, for some supply that way. Sir, T have no other refuge but to apply myself to the honourable house ; and to beseech you, so long as the soldiers shall be thought fit to be continued, there may be some speedy means for their subsist- ence ; without which, I fear they will be shortly brought into a narrow room at the best, many of them being fled into the north since the last mutiny : and I shall be utterly disabled to render that account to your honourable houses of the trust they are pleased to repose in me, which would be the greatest matter of grief that could befall. Sir, Your affectionate friend and servant, Sedenham Poyntz. York, Dec. 5, 1G4G. d U Upon suspicion of a plot to surprise York, major-general Poyntz drew in liis forces into the city." Whitloche, Dec. 8, 1646. CAERNARVON CONWAY. 177 MAJOR-GENERAL MYTTON TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — Upon the rendering of Caer- narvon, I took the boldness to acquaint the honour- able house with the great service the gentlemen of that county had done the parliament, which I humbly desire you will be pleased to give me leave to re- iterate, being informed that there is an intent at this time by some to bring them into the same condition themselves be in, who have stood out acjainst the power of parliament to the last. I shall be very brief. 1. I was invited by them, before I was well able to undertake so great a design, to besiege the lord Byron in Caernarvon ; and upon confidence of their integrity and assistance, I adventured upon it with a very small force ; and finding their performance in both, by God's blessing, in a short time it was gained. 2. They have been very active ever since, by employing the forces they then raised me against Conway ; and one company of them are now before the castle of Harleigh : by all which it may appear how well they were affected before I w^as able to defend them, (and then shewed it,) as also how con- stant they have been ever since. Therefore, as I became an humble suitor unto the honourable house in their behalf at that time, by in- terceding for them, to have their delinquencies par- doned ; having had so long a trial of them since, (and being confident that if the worst of times should 2 A 178 THE KING. THE KING. 179 come again,) they are so well grounded in a good opinion of the proceedings of the parliament, that I dare adventure against any of your enemies with them in your service, as soon as with any in the kingdom. I can do no less than second my media- tion in their behalf, humbly submitting unto the plea- sure of the honourable house. And lest I should be mistaken, that I should inform the honourable house that all in the county were well affected and assisted me, divers being ^n arms against the parliament in Conway, I humbly refer myself unto the petition of that county, to express the reality for whom I pro- mised to intercede. And so craving pardon for my boldness, I cease ; remaining Your honour's faithful and most humble servant, Tho. Mytton. Harleigh, Dec. 19, 1646. EARL OF LEVEN TO [THE COMMISSIONERS AT NORTHALLERTON.] May it please your Lordships, — I received your letter by the express, (but none by the last post,) wherein your lordships seriously recommended to me such things as do very highly concern the peace and safety of the kingdoms, which I shall ever regard with so much fidelity and zeal, as nothing in my power shall be wanting, with all care and exact dili- gence, to prevent new disturbances and further evils that might ensue, if there were any miscarriage at this time. The bearer has also brought me a letter from the parliament, desiring me to take especial care of his majesty's person ; that he remain in, and go not from this army unto Scotland during our abode here ; and that my former orders and proclamations be put to execution, for debarring from access to his majesty's person, and coming to Newcastle, all such English and Scottish malignants as served against the parlia- ment, and have no permission to be here, which I shall likewise faithfully perform. And what further may be propounded to me for the good of this cause, the advancement of the service, and discouragement of disaffected persons, flattering themselves in the hopes of our division, shall be followed and observed with that same constancy of affection wherewith I have always endeavoured to prove myself faithful to the public, and to your lordships A most humble servant, Leven. Newcastle, Dec. 28, 1646. I know not what answer to return to these inclosed papers from Ireland, now presently come to my hands, without your lordships' special advice and di- rections, which I expect by the very first occasion. 180 SCOTCH AUiMY. SCOTCH ARMY. 181 EARL OF LEVEN TO THE COMMISSIONERS AT NORTHALLERTON. Right Honourable, — Yours of the 21st did corae to my hands this afternoon. I have given strict orders to all those under my command, that they shall take no money by advance after their removal from their quarters, the copy whereof was sent to you. The complaints mentioned to be inclosed in your letter did not come to my hands, and when any shall come worthy of censure, it shall be examined, and the persons punished according to their fault. I have already given orders to the governors of Stockton and Hartlepool, to quit those garrisons on Monday or Tuesday next, the '25th of January in- stant ; so that these governors will be either ready to deliver the garrisons, or you will find them empty of our soldiers.'' I gave order to the lieutenant- general of horse to march to this side of Tees, con- form to the treaty : this garrison of Newcastle and " On the 8th of December, an agreement had been made be- tween the parliament and the Scotch, that tlie former should pay the latter ^400,000 ; half before the Scottish army had passed the border, the remainder to be secured by the public faith. On the part of the Scotch it was agreed that their army should withdraw into their own country, and that the king should be left with the commissioners sent by the parliament to receive him. On the 13th of January, the Scotch forces evacuated Newcastle, leaving the king in the hands of the English. Sec Godwin, b. ii. c. G. (\ the garrison of Tynemouth castle will remove on Saturday next, the penult of this month, and all the forces under my command will be on the north side of Tyne that day. And howbeit there be six days allowed after the rendering the garrisons, for delivery of the last £200,000, yet the committee here and I conceive it will be a great burden to the county of Northum- berland, that our whole army should be in these part's until the six days be past, and therefore w^e are content you make all the haste you can to deliver the last £100,000; and, if you please, we shall receive it upon the first, second, and third day of February, at the place appointed. This is all I can say for the present ; and remain Your lordships' humble servant, Leven. Newcastle, Jan. 23, 164G [7.] THE SAME TO THE SAME. Right Honourable, — I received your lordships* letter, desiring our quarters to be removed, that you may march with your forces near Newcastle on Friday, wherein I shall be most ready and willing to give your lordships all that satisfaction which can be ex- pected of one who wisheth an happy and speedy close 182 SCOTCH ARMY. of business ; having accordingly given orders to the forces on south side Tyne so to order and hasten their march, that these parts being cleared of them, your forces may repair to Durham and Gateside against the time desired. And that the garrisons of Newcastle and Tyne- raouth castle may be delivered against the time li- mited by the articles of agreement, there shall be no loss of time on our part ; but all care and diligence used to prevent the time (if it could be possible) in the rendition of your garrisons, and marching of our forces, which shall be all, both horse and foot, on this side Tyne, upon Friday next the 29th instant. And whereas your lordships renew your desires, that the army may pay whatsoever they take in the county ; as I did by former orders strictly prohibit the levying any cesses after the removal of the army from the several quarters, and the demanding of mo- neys by way of advance, so shall especial care Ije had, that nothing be taken, but necessary entertainment for subsistence upon the march, until the moneys be distributed, and no cause of offence be given, but a fair and friendly parting, to the maintaining and strengthening of the happy union between the king- doms ; which is the constant desire of Your humble servant, Leven. Newcastle, Jan. 26, 1646 [7.1 DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. 183 I FROM ^ TO COLONEL HARLEY. Sir, — This day I understand that your lieu- tenant-colonel drew your regiment to a rendezvous, and the petition was read at the head of them, and signed by above eleven hundred of them ; and I un- derstand that he sayeth, that all those officers and soldiers that refuse shall be cashiered the army.*^ The other regiments are coming all up, except the major- general's. I confess I do much doubt the event, ex- cept the parliament take some high resolutions. They do intend to enslave the kingdom, for all that I can hear by them j if the parliament would please to pro- *■ At this period, the strength of the parliamentary army con- sisted of Independents, whereas the Presbyterians had the ma- jority in parliament. An attempt was made therefore by the parliament to disband the army, except so much of it as was required for the service in Ireland, and as was sufficient to occupy the different garrisons that were to be maintained in England. Commissioners, accordingly, were sent down to the head-quarters at Saffron Walden, to effect this object ; but the officers, with whom they conferred, required to be satisfied in four particulars : 1. Under whose command in chief they were to go; 2. What particular regiments, troops, or companies were to be continued in England ; 3. What assurance for pay and subsistence for those that go to Ireland ; 4. Satisfaction in point of arrears, and indemnity for past services. At the same time, a petition was presented to these officers from the army, to be by them presented to the General, and by him, if he thought fit, to the parliament, upon the several heads ap- pended to the next letter. See Godwin, b. ii. c. 7; and Whit- focke, March 22, 1G46. f I m\\ li II 184 ARMY PETITION. vide money, and send for major-general Skippon, yet I am confident they might do what they please with the army : without that course, I fear they will prove troublesome. My humble service to sir Robert, and my especial friend major Robert Harley. Sir, I hope I need not tell you that I am your most Humble servant. Walden, March 27, 1G47. J. C. TO COLONEL ROSSITER.« Sir, — The petition is now come to the regiment, directed from lieutenant Griff. Loyd to lieutenant Byfield and lieutenant Scot. I have sent this mes- senger on purpose to know your further pleasure : for my part, I and the rest of my officers are resolved not to act without you, and therefore we desire speedily to hear from you by this messenger ; and that we do not approve of the clause of craving the * This and the preceding are alluded to in Wliitlocke, March 29 : *' Letters to colonel Harley and colonel Rossiter, menihers of the house, from some of their soldiers, informed that the petition of the army was carried on, and was subscribed by many, and those who refused it threatened to be cashiered ; and that the subscriptions were to be sent to lieutenant-general Hammond, colonel Hammond, colonel Ireton, colonel Rich." It should be observed, that the army had some weeks before set on foot the petition, but had been persuaded to drop it. See Whitloche, March 19. I » ARMY PETITION. 185 royal assent. The hands of the regiment, as well officers as soldiers, are desired, and this desired from the army, and the names to be sent to colonel Ham- mond, lieutenant-general Hammond, commissary-ge- neral Ireton, colonel Lilburne, or lieutenant-colonel Grimes, or any three of them. Yours faithfully, J. C. March 28, [1647.] The heads of a petition endeavoured to be obtruded as the sense of the army. 1st. That there be an act of indemnity passed by the houses for any acts done by them in the prosecution of this war, and that the royal assent be procured thereunto. 2nd. That none that have voluntarily served in this war may be impressed. Srd. That no horseman be forced to serve as foot soldier. 4tli. That till they be disbanded, they may receive con- stant j)ay, that they may not be beholden to their enemies, and burdens to their friends. 5th. That the arrears be satisfied before they be dis- banded, and that a committee be sent from the ])arliamont to audit their accompts both in this and other armies. THE SPEAKER TO SIR T. FAIRFAX. Sir, — I am commanded to acquaint you, that this day the house has received information in a letter to this purpose : (viz.) that lieutenant-colonel Pride, 2 B :i-*t ■i^uio^,,-^ ^ 186 ARMY PETITION. lieutenant-colonel and colonel Harley, drew his regi- ment to a rendezvous, and that the petition was read at the head of them, signed by above eleven hundred of them ; and that he sayeth, that all those officers and soldiers that refuse shall be cashiered the army ; that the other regiments are coming all up, except the major-general's. I am further to acquaint you, that you are by the house desired to give order, that lieutenant-colonel Pride, colonel Hammond, lieute- nant-general Hammond, colonel Lilburne, and lieu- tenant-colonel Grimes, do attend the house. Not having more commands,^ I remain, Sir, Yours, &c. [March 29, 1647.] P.S. Sir, I am further commanded to send unto you this inclosed copy of a letter, directed to colonel Rossi ter from his regiment, and the paper inclosed. SIR THO. FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — I received your letter, dated the 27th of this instant, with an order inclosed therein h *^ Hammond, Pride, and other officers sent up by the General, were called into the house, and Pride was charged to have read the petition at the head of a regiment, where was threats to those that should not subscribe it ; which Pride de- nied : and they were all required to return to their charges, and to suppress the petition/' Whithche, April 1, 1647. ( ARMY PETITION. 187 from the house of commons, for the making stop of the further proceedings in a petition, which the house was informed was carrying on in the army. In obe- dience to which I sent out orders to the officers of the regiments quartering in these parts of the king- dom to meet at my quarters, that I might inquire into the whole matter, and take such course as might most effectually conduce unto the accomplishing of your commands : where, having communicated your letter and orders to them, they did generally express a very deep sense of their unhappiness in being mis- understood in their clear intentions, which were no other than by way of petition to represent unto me those inconveniencies which w^ould necessarily befall most of the army after disbanding ; desiring that as much as I should judge fit and seasonable might be submissively made kno>vn to the house of commons, which otherwise (your multiplicity of business inter- vening) might not be remembered ; assuring me, that they would wholly acquiesce in whatsoever I should judge reasonable to offer, or you to grant, on their behalf. I have also, according to your commands^ sent up lieutenant-general Hammond, colonel Hammond, colonel Lilburne, lieutenant-colonel Pride, and lieu- tenant-colonel Grimes, to attend the house's plea- sure ; who I hope will give you (as far as they are ac- quainted therewith) a full and candid account of the whole proceedings in this petition. 188 THE KING. THE KING. 189 Sir, There is one clause in your letter concerning all the regiments marching this way, which I do not understand, except it be meant by sir Hardresse Waller's regiment, which I have commanded away at the instance of major-general Skippon, upon the grounds in his inclosed letter; and colonel Ham- mond's and colonel Herbert's, now upon then- march from Chester, being dismissed from that service. Sir, I trust the army will ever manifest their affec- tions to the public by their constant perseverance in their accustomed obedience unto all your commands; which shall be ever really endeavoured by Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. Walden, March 30, 1647. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — This afternoon, as the king was riding from Holdenby to Boughton, to bowl, he alighted (as usually he hath done) at a narrow bridge in the way, at the end of which bridge there stood one Humphrey Boswell,' (who had formerly been a major in his ma- jesty's army,) disguised in a countryman's habit, with an angle in his hands, as if he had been fishing ; and * ** Order that major Bosvil be sent up as a delinquent." Whitlocke, April 8. privately conveyed into the king's hand letters from the queen and prince, as more particularly appears in the examination, w^hich we send you here inclosed. We have committed him to the sheriff of the county, where he is to remain until your pleasure be known. In discharge of our duty, we thought fit to do this, and to give you a speedy account thereof. Remaining, Sir, Your most humble servants, J. Holland. John Coke. Jo. Crewe. Richard Brow^ne. Holdenbv, April G, 1G47. Holdenby, April 6, 1647. The examination of Humphrey Bosvile, sometime of Ens- ford in Kent, and late major to colonel Colepepper's regiment in the lord Cleveland's brigade : Who saith, that this present day he did deliver to his majesty (as he was going to bowls) a packet of letters which he lately brought out of France from the queen, with some inclosed from the prince, as the king was walking on a narrow bridge near a mill. That he heard it discoursed before he came over, that the prince, having a desire to accompany the duke of Orleans in his wars, hath (from a sense of his honour) wrote to the king so to do ; the queen regent of France being otherwise unwilling to give her consent. That the lord Colepepjier did assure him, the said major Bosvile, before he came out of France, that the letters he 190 THE KING. SKIPPON. 191 brought tended much to peace ; and which he is confident is true. That he was at Newcastle the same day the king was delivered into the English commissioners' hands ; and that he went thence into France, and carried with him a letter from the king to the queen ; which letter he received from his majesty in the morning of the said day. That it is about a fortnio-ht since he, the said Bosvile, came into England ; and that he hath lodged two nights in a furze bush, and three nights at a countryman's house near this place, waiting for an opportunity to deliver the said letters ; that he borrowed the said countryman's clothes for his disguise, (but liis name or dwelling he refuseth to tell,) in which he delivered the said letters, with an angle also in his hands, as if he were fishing. That he was commanded to deliver the said letters to the king's own hands, which he undertook to do; and saith, if he could not have found an opportunity otherwise, he was resolved to deliver them to the king before the com- missioners, although he had died for it, conceiving the letters conduced to peace, as is aforesaid. This examination being read unto him, the said IT. Bosvile, he acknowledgeth the same to be true, but refuseth to set his hand unto it. J. BURROUGHES, (in absence of the secretary,) by order of the commissioners. MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON TO THE SPEAKER. Right worthily honoured Sir, — I have been very much troubled since I had some intimation of. i and yet (hitherto) not to have received the order from the right honourable houses of parliament, re- quiring me to repair to the army," and to depute one to command here in my absence ; so that although I have expected it daily, and have been hourly ready for my journey, yet not knowing what may have ob- structed the sending of it, nor what to do without it, I am in a great strait, not knowing how it might be taken if I should remove hence, and appoint a deputy without it. I most humbly pray to know^ the par- liament's pleasure therein, and I shall (God assisting) readily obey it. And now, honoured sir, if ever it shall seem good to this honourable house to vouchsafe me (unworthy) any more favours, (whose former favours are more than I can mention,) my most humble and earnest suit is, (yea, with as much unfeignedness as I can beg any thing at the hand of men,) that I may be excused from the service of Ireland ; for the cordial furtherance of which (although any other way I can possible) I shall not be wanting ; yet I am so sensible of my own exceeding indisposedness of mind, inability of body, distractedness of estate and family, that I ingenuously confess myself most unfit and unable to ^ Major-general Skippon was, on the second of April, ap- pointed to be commander-in-chief of the forces in Ireland, with the title of field-marshal : at the same time, colonel Massey was appointed to be his lieutenant-general of horse. Whiilocke, April 2, 1646. *i 192 SANCROFT. undertake and undergo such an employment. I am, with all most humble thankfulness, willingly ready to lay down all I have and am in this world at the par- liament's feet, yea, my very life and all, wherein my heart told me I were fit to serve the public, but in this it doth not : and therefore again I most subaiis- sively beseech this honourable house, to be entreated to spare me in this business ; and I beseech your best furtherance herein ; whereby I assure you, sir, you shall (more than I can express) oblige Sir, Your most humble-hearted faithful servant, Ch. Skippon. Newcastle, April 8, 1047. DR. HOLDSWORTH [TO MR. SANCROFT.] Loving Sir, — It is now high time to salute you, and to ask how you do. There is nothing can come to me from Cambridge of more acceptance than the report of your welfare ; it is the only recompense of the loss of my books. I would fain forget them, but I cannot ; every book I look on revives the re- membrance. I should have writ to Mr. Whichcott and Mr. Cud worth' about them, but I have sus- » Whichcott and Cudworth, the two eminent divines, whose names it is pleasing to find associated with those of Holdsworth and Sancroft. f 'I SANCROFT. 193 pected they were not in the University this fortnight. I heard they were both in town, but they came not at me. Mr. Cudworth hath gained well by his sermon ; it comes up to the great prices which have been given for poetry. The honour of it is, that it came without solicitation ; just as they take away, they give. Of Mr. Williams's catalogue I have heard nothing, yet I hope I may see Cambridge once again this summer, and save him a caveat. In the interim, I leave T. Holdsworth to himself, seeing he is resolved : if his own means fail him, I will see him supplied till he be master of arts. I have heard nothing of my lady Lawley's son, but another knight sent to me this week on the same occasion : I would not willingly have any pupils with you, but such as are good ; howsoever, make sure to yourself what chambers you can. So I betake you to God's grace; and, with all well wishes, rest Your endeared friend, Ri. Holdsworth. April 14, 1G47. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Loving Sir, — Since my last, I received a renewed entreaty from that knight, whom then I named not : he desires to send his son three weeks after Easter : he is tall, and one to whom I am related. I doubt of 2 c 194 SANCROFT. nothing but his chamber, of which I pray you send me word. I would be loath to be put to speak to Mr. Tuckney ; but if there be no remedy, I must. The books which are supernumerary, if you send me the names and the number, I will provide you as many, and as good, to be put in their rooms. So, in haste, I commend you to the comforts of this day's memorial ;™ and remain Your affectionate friend, Rl. HOLDSWORTH. April 16, 1647. THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. My Lords and Gentlemen, — We had hopes by this time to have been enabled to a more particular and satisfying account of our proceedings than we can yet render ; finding that since our last some evil impressions have been made upon the soldiery, with- out whose concurrence the work in hand will remain imperfect. The list inclosed may communicate to your lord- ships, &c. what officers are engaged in the service : at our first treaty with whom, grounds of belief were held forth to us, of an almost general inchnation in "" Good-Friday. ' DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. 195 the soldiers also, of their respective troops and com- panies, for some of whose march to the several quar- ters, by us assigned, we have issued instructions ; in order to the execution whereof, some of their officers are repaired towards their regiments, and within a few days we expect a return of their proceedings, and of the soldiers' resolution. The quickening whereof depending much (as we conceive) upon a public declaration in writing from the General, his excellency was pleased (upon re- ceipt of your letter) last night to send us the in- closed copy, directed to sir Hardresse Waller, or his subordinate officer, containing in it a desire that, to- gether with the votes of both houses, it might be published to his regiment : but finding it not to en- force the matter with strength enough, as we sup- posed, we offered a fuller draught this day to his consideration ; a copy whereof, and of our letter ac- companying it, we send here inclosed ; upon which, his excellency returned the inclosed answer: the reason that moved us thereunto, being a strong dis- taste (as represented to us by some officers) wrought in the soldiers against the Irish service, which we had hopes such a declaration would in some measure have prevented. And now being upon the point, we shall make bold to offer, that if the parliament should, in their wisdom, think fit to give order for disbanding such of the army, as are neither reserved by their special command "'■ ^ '^'' 85^'-'^^^" - ■ ■■■^JP'""■■ ■■■■■«'■ ■ | ''?'™.19"' :■ iiitiiStaaiTiiii'Jiiiiiiiii iiirt»iiii.iiir;iti.iia.ii I itATTg 'SSu^ibmmmiiilmmm l[)C) DISAFFFXTION OF THE ARMY. for the service of this kingdom, nor do engage them- selves for Ireland, we conceive that would be the most effectual means of promoting this affair. The soldiers not easily believing but they shall be con- tinued in service here, which, affording an equal pay with that of Ireland, and suggesting fewer difficulties and hazards, cannot but have a greater prevalency with those whose principles of affection to the public are not strong enough to overbalance their private interests: besides, the operation that may proceed from officers, if they be disaffected to the present business, who, though but few in number, will not want opportunities, and such as are not easily to be objected against, or discovered, to discountenance such (having dependance upon them) as are well in- clined to the work, and to make misrepresentations, which it will be out of the power of many to rectify or remove : whereas, when the relation to the army is at an end, there will be a greater incapacity, both in ill-affected officers and soldiers, to do mischief, (there appearing in some of the soldiers, by the several petitions and other practices which we hear to be amongst them, too great a promptitude in that behalf,) as also a liberty and necessity of accepting other employment when they shall stand discharged as to this. But that we must refer to the parliament's prudence, which, if it should induce such a resolu- tion, it will be very considerable ; that money should be seasonably provided, that so the expectation of a DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. 197 I] disbanding, before it be ready for execution, may not becret an inconvenience. We shall, in the next place, offer to the considera- tion of your lordships, &c., that whereas three weeks' pay is lately sent down to the army, (which, amount- in or to fourteen shillincrs for each foot soldier, is by the settled rules of the army to be paid half to the soldier and the other half to discharge his quarters,) we conceive the allowance of that moiety to the soldier which is designed to his quarters, would be a great encouragement and not unnecessary, consi- dering they are presently upon their drawing out to march to remote quarters, and there to attend the coming of their two months' arrears, till which time, the whole proportion now to be received may other- wise be not sufficient for their subsistence. They will also take notice of a distinguishing respect to them above the rest that engage not with them, and the sum (if allowed) will not be great ; the whole, for the eicrht thousand four hundred foot, arising not to £3,000 ; which, if afterwards employed to pay the quarters upon tickets left by the officers, will be also discounted upon their arrears : and this the com- mittee of the army may easily perform, if directed by the parliament ; the proposing of it to which, or the suspending of it, we refer to your lordships', &c. wisdom. And also those other particulars mentioned in our former, concerning the distribution of the £60,000 per month, between the service of England 198 DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. and Ireland, and the making known what shall be given to those of the army that are to disband, which may be now the more seasonable, it being given forth that they should have an equal proportion with those that undertake for Ireland ; and though the general vote of the houses have determined that the pay of the commanders and officers that go for Ireland shall be higher than of such as are employed in England, yet nothing appearing in order thereunto, by any dif- ferencing consideration had of them at first, the fa- vour intended them will not be easily understood. We find the argument of major-general Skippon's resolution not to go for Ireland, (as given out,) is an abiding objection which we cannot at present resolve. It will be very pertinent, therefore, that that scruple be removed in such sort as the parliament shall think best, having (it may be) before this time either heard from him, or otherwise determined of that charge. We desire your lordships. Sec. to consider the ne- cessity of preparing money with convenient speed for the two months' arrears to such as shall go for Ireland, that their long resting in their quarters, in expectation of it, may neither discourage them, nor invite their withdrawment from the service. The captain and captain-lieutenant of the General's life guards have voluntarily offered their service for Ireland ; and if the parliament shall ))lease to continue five shillings per diem for each of their troop, we con- ceive that the reputation of it, together with the EARL OF STAMFORD 199 quality and experience of those who may join with them, will more than compensate the charge. We shall only add, that if through the want of an efiectual declaration, or otherwise, we shall not find a better compliance, we shall leave this place about Wednesday next, and so return towards London," if your lordships shall not in the mean time give us other order. And so, desiring God to direct and prosper your councils, we rest. My Lords and Gentlemen, Your lordships', &c. very affectionate friends and servants, Warwick. William Waller. John Clotworthy. Saffron Waklen, April 19, 1647. Edward Massey. THE EARL OF STAMFORD" TO THE EARL OF MANCHESTER. My Lord, — We are here in a very sad condition : all the nobility and gentry are retired to their own " The commissioners returned, and made their report to the house on the 2Gth April. Whitloche. The proceedings of the army at this period are succinctly told by Godwin, b. ii. C.8. " At this time one of the commissioners from the parliament to Scotland. ^200 SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX. houses : the marquis of Argyle is gone to the army, which, (Jod be praised, doth prosper well ; yet I have had no particulars since the last week. The sickness increaseth very much in Edinburgh and the adjacent villages, which hath occasioned the premises. And truly, ray lord, my own indisposition of health maketh me once more beseech your lordship to crave my re- turn southward. It is not that I can be tired out in their lordships' service or commands, but that I apprehend my longer stay here may occasion much the prejudice of my health, and make me the more incapable of my future service. And so I shall most humbly beseech your lordship to make it my suit, that I may have liberty for a speedy return ; and I shall remain, My Lord, Your lordship's most humble servant, Stamford. Briinston, April 20, 1(547. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — I formerly wrote unto you in the behalf of several gunners, who, having been employed in the army under my command since its first ad- vance, have most of them received maims in the service : they have drawn a petition to the house, de- siring that they may be admitted to such gunners' I ] agitators in the army. i201 places in the tower of London, which are now void. I have received so full a testimony of their faithful services, that I cannot but recommend them unto you for a furtherance in their said desires. I remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Queen Street, April 26, 1047. EDWARD SEXBY AND OTHERS, AGITATORS,' TO MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON. May it please your Honour, — We, who have (for these two years past and more) been by your honour conducted through many dangers, and by Providence have been hitherto protected, who have often seen the devouring sword of a raging enemy drawn forth against us, threatening destruction to us, p Skippon produced this letter in the house of commons on the 30th of April. It was delivered to him hy three troopers, Sexby, Allen, and Shepherd, who were on the same day called into the house, and examined. Thev were charo;ed with boin": cavaliers : but Skippon bore witness to their having constantly served the parliament. In the end, Skippon, Cromwell, Ireton, and Fleetwood were ordered to go down to the army, and ac- quaint them, " that the house would provide a considerable sum of money for them, before their disbanding, and their arrears should be audited, and an ordinance to be brought up for in- demnity for acts done tempore et loco belli.'" Whitloche, April 30, 1()47. '2 D ^20^2 AGITATORS IN Till-: ARMY. and now see them vanquished, and ourselves seemingly settled in peace and safety, arc yet sensible of a more dangerous storm hano^incj: over our heads than ever the malice of our open enemies could have contrived, or their fury caused to fall upon us ; which, unless diverted, strikes not only at our liberty, but also at our lives. To whom (next to our Maker) shall we fly for shelter, but to your honour, our patron and protector ? from what secondary means shall we expect our de- liverance, but from that hand that hath so often been eno-ao-ed with us, and from that heart that hath as often been so tender over us, and careful for our se- curities ? Can we suffer, and you not sympathize ? can we be proclaimed traitors, and your honour remain secure? Ah! dear sir, let your wonted care for us be further demonstrated : cease not to speak for us, who, (together with yourself,) in obedience to your com- mands, have adventured all that is dear to us for the kingdom's safety. Hath any thing been desired by us that hath not been promised us, or than we have just cause to ex- pect? if there hath, then let it, and the authors thereof, perish. But can the parliament, upon mis- information, pass us for enemies, and Ave not therein perceive the designs of our enemies ? Can we be satis- fied with a compliment, when our fellow-soldiers suffer at every assize for acts merely relating to the war ? Is it not our lives we seek for? Where shall we be AGITATORS IN THE ARMY. '203 secure, when the mere envy of a malicious person is sufficient to destroy us ? Were our enemies in the fields with their swords in their hands, we should expect no more than a bare command and a divine protection in our endeavours to free ourselves. But it is another and a far worse enemy we have to deal with ; who, like foxes, lurk in their dens, and cannot be dealt with, though dis- covered ; being protected by those who are intrusted with the government of the kingdom. It is the grief of our hearts that we cannot desire our own securities without the hazard of your honour, if but in speaking in our behalf. When shall we see justice dispensed without partiality ? or when shall the weal public be singly sought after and endeavoured ? Can this Irish expedition be any thing else but a design to ruin, and break this army in pieces ? Certainly, reason tells us, it can be nothing else ; otherwise, why are not those who have been made instruments in our country's deliverance again thought worthy to be employed? or why are such (who for their miscarriages have been cast out of the army) thought fit to be intrusted, and those members of the army encouraged and preferred to that service, when they are, for the most part, such as (had they considered their just demerits) might rather have expected an ejection than employ- ment? We are sensible, yea, far more sensible of the bleeding condition of Ireland, crying aloud for a ^204 AGITATORS IN THE ARMY. AGITATORS IN THE ARMY. 205 brotherly assistance, than those forward undertakers in this present design manifest themselves to be ; and shall willingly contribute the utmost of our abilities towards their relief, when we shall see this to be the only thing sought after and endeavoured. But we are confident that your honour cannot but perceive that this plot is but a mere cloak for some who have lately tasted of sovereignty, and, being lifted beyond the ordinary sphere of servants, seek to be- come masters, and degenerate into tyrants. We are earnest therefore with your honour to use your utmost endeavours, that before any other or further proposal be sent to us, our expectations may be satisfied ; and if they are not, we conceive ourselves and our friends as bad as destroyed, being exposed to the merciless- ness of our malicious enemies : and shall your honour, or any other faithful servant to the state, be appointed for the service of Ireland, and accept of that em- ployment, we must of necessity (contrary to our de- sires) shew ourselves averse to that service, until our just desires be granted, the rights and liberties of the subjects of England vindicated and maintained, and then, as God and our own consciences bear us wit- ness, shall we testify to the kingdom the integrity of our hearts to the service of Ireland, and our forward actions shall demonstrate the sincerity of our expres- sions in reference to that employment. Once more, we are earnest with your honour for your assistance ; without it we are like to be wholly II ruined ; and having obtained it, may be enabled, as in duty we are bound, to express ourselves Your honour's and the kingdom's most faithful and obedient servants, whose names are hereunto annexed as agitating in behalf of their several regiments : Edward Sexby, Tho. Moore, Sam. Whiting, AVm. Allin, I Agents for the General's j regiment. I Agents for the Lieutenant- j general's regiment. Anthony Nickson, ) Agents for the Commissary- Tho. Sheppard, I geueraPs regiment. Wm. Jones, | Agents for Colonel Fleet- JoHN CusBY, j wood's regiment. Nicholas Lockyer, ) Agents for Colonel Rich's Joseph Forster, | regiment. Hen. Gethinges, ^ Agents for Colonel Shef- Edw. Starre, I field's regiment. ) Agents for Colonel Whal- j ley's regiment. I Agents for Colonel Butler's J regiment. With the rest of the army. Tho. Lindall, Jo. Thomas, Tobias Box, Jo. WlLLOUGIIBY, SKIPPON, CROMWELL, AND IRETON TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — We have sent out orders to summon the officers of the several regiments to appear before us on Thursday next, to the end we may understand from them the true condition and temper of the soldiers in relation to the discontents lately repre- jl ^06 THE KING. sented, and the better to prepare and enable them (by speaking with them, and acquainting them with your votes) to allay any discontents that may be amongst the soldiers. We judged this way most likely to be effectual to your service, though it ask some time by reason of the distance of the quarters. When we shall have any thing worthy of your knowledge, we shall repre- sent it ; and in the mean time study to approve our- selves Your most humble servants, Ch. Skippon. Oliver Cromwell. H. Ireton. May 3, 1G47. THE SCOTTISH COMMISSIONERS TO THE SPExVKER. Sir, — In pursuance of the desires of the parliament of Scotland, that such of the Scottish nation as have warrant from them, or their committee thereunto au- thorized, shall have access to his majesty, whereunto the houses of parliament did agree in their letter of the 27th January last ; We are commanded to re- present to the honourable houses, that the earl of Uumferline,*^ by his faithful carriage and forwardness "* " The carl of Denbi«»li had leave from the lords to be ab- ' t AGITATORS IN THE ARMY. 207 in the actions of peace and war, having upon all oc- casions manifested a consistent affection to religion, and to the union betwixt the kingdoms, and with his best abilities endeavoured to promote the ends of the solemn league and covenant ; the estates of the par- liament of that kingdom have given warrant to his lordship to repair to Holmeby, and attend on his majesty. Wherein we do, in their name, desire the concurrence of the honourable houses ; and remain Your very affectionate friends and servants, Lauderdale. Charles Erskine. Hugh Kennedy. llo. Barclay. Worcester House, May G, 1G47. SKIPPON, CROMWELL, IRETON, AND FLEET- WOOD TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — According to our orders, sent out to the officers of the army ; many of them appeared at the time appointed : the greatest failing was of horse officers, who (by reason of the great distance of their quarters from this place, being some of them above threescore miles off) could not be here ; yet there sent for ten days from Holmeby; and the earl of Dumferline to have access to the king.'* Whithche, May 12, 1G47. 208 AGITATORS IN THE ARMY. were accidentally some of every regiment (except colonel Whalley's) present at our meeting, which was upon Friday morning, about ten of the clock. After some discourse offered unto them about the occasion of the meeting, together with the deep sense the parliament had of some discontents which were in the army, and of our great trouble, also, that it should be so, w^e told them we were sent down to communicate the house of commons' votes unto them, whereby their care of giving the army satisfaction might appear ; desiring them to use their utmost diligence, with all good conscience and effect, by im- proving their interests in the soldiers for their satis- faction ; and that they would communicate to their soldiers the votes, together with such informations, as they received them from us, to the end their dis- temper might be allayed. After this had been said, and a copy of the votes delivered to the chief officer of every respective regiment, to be communicated as aforesaid, we desired them to give us a speedy accompt of the success of their endeavours ; and if in any thing they needed our advice or assistance, for furthering the work, we should be ready here, at Saffron Walden, to give it them, upon notice from them. We cannot give you a full and punctual account of the particular distempers, with the grounds of them, because the officers were desirous to be spared therein by us, until they might make a further inquiry PRESBYTERIANS AND INDEPENDENTS. :209 amongst the soldiers, and see what effect your votes and their endeavours mio^ht have with them.*^ We desire as speedy an accompt of this business as might well be ; but, upon the desire of the officers, thought it necessary for the service, to give them until Satur- day next to bring us an accompt of their business, by reason the regiments were so far distant. As any thing falls out worthy of your knowledge, we shall represent it ; and in the mean time study to approve ourselves Your most humble servants, Ch. Skippon. Oliver Cromwell. H. Ireton. Charles Fleetw ood. Safiron Walden. May 8, 1G47. ' RICHARD NORWOOD TO MR. PRYNNE. Ever honoured Sir, — Although things continue here, for the most part, much at the same state as formerly you have understood, yet having this oppor- "■ ^' Some of the officer?* desired to know what was meant by 'distempers in the army;' if it were meant * of grievances, (which the soldiers had just cause to complain of,) they had something to offer, but were unwilling to declare the sense of the respective troops, regiments, and companies, without first acfpiainting them therewith.'" Wkitloche, May 8. 2 E I "TilHiiiii iiiiiii ^210 PRESBYTERIANS AND INDEPENDENTS. tunity, I make bold to trouble you with these few lines. I sent over certain Considerations ' the last year, which were printed : it was a .-ingular ease and comfort to my mind and conscience, when I saw they were published, conceiving I had long been too negligent and backwards in it ; and therefore as I am bound to give thanks to God, so to them also by whose favour and furtherance they were published. I have returned one of the copies to Mr. Sparkes, with some little addition by this gentleman, the bearer hereof, captain Foster, sometime governor here. I thought it would have had many adversaries, (as truth commonly hath,) but I hear of none as yet. When they first came hither by this ship, our Inde- pendent ministers were much enraged against it, threatening: grievous thino^s, and that was a week or DO O ' more before I had a sight of it ; but since, they have been more frequent in many, many hands. Both our Independent and Presbyterian ministers do well ap- prove of them, and so do the people on either side ; no man opening his mouth against any thing in it, only some Independents, of my femiliar acquaintance, have told me, I was too bitter against them in one passage, ' ** Considerations tending to remove the present dilVerences, and to settle unit}', peace, and piety, for the present and future. 4to. London, 1(340." Watts, who probably copied the error from the Bodleian catalogue, calls the author ** Robert ;" in the titlo-})age the signature is " R." il i PRESBYTERIANS AND INDEPENDENTS. 211 where I have taxed them with pride and uncharitable- ness ; but I would they did not give too much and just occasion, and I should soon change that note. I was about to have written a treatise, dialogue- wise, against the Independents, especially touching Mr. White's book. I had provided many of the materials, and thought at ray next vacancy, then at hand, to have digested them into some order ; but it pleased the Lord, by very urgent occasions nearly concerning me, and too long here to relate, to take me off, and since then I have never had any mind to return to it again ; (also we have heard here that you have answered that book of Mr. White's;) the rather, as I think, because it seems to me, that the Independent side are like to be crushed and roughly handled by those which are no better than they : for, so near as I am able to judge, the most part of those which do indeed fear God, do rather adhere to the Independent side than to the Presbyterian ; though I doubt, in the retired parts of it, more dangerous. We have here only two Independent ministers and two Presbyterian, or that stand eagerly to set up the Presbyterian, and then the reins of government being very slack, or negligently handed, I doubt much what the issue will be ; for the ministers on either side do much instigate the people on either side one against another, which is like to produce much bitterness in the end. It is come to that pass al- ready this year, that neither the Independents come 212 PRESBYTERIANS AND INDEPENDENTS. PRYNNE. 213 to our church assemblies, nor we to theirs. I was but twice at the Independent church this twelve- month, and then the governor and council and country (chiefly, I suppose, by the instigation of our Presby- terian ministers) were very much offended, instantly warning me against it with much importunity, as it tended to the subversion of peace here ^ whereupon I have forborne. But yet if our two Presbyterian ministers prevail to set themselves in place of government in that way, (which they earnestly desire and endeavour to do,) and the governor seems to be for them, (saying, he hath taken an oath or covenant to that purpose,) I see not that we shall be in any better case ; for they are not such in whom a man may discern any true work of regeneration, nor lovers of such. Besides, the one hath been suspected of incontinency ; but nothing being evident, I let that pass : the other is a man unreasonably addicted to drinking, and a great com- panion and favourer of such ; and, the governor ex- cepted, there is scarce any other but such that stand for the Presbyterian government here, and it is thought their elders will be made of such men. But 1 am shortened of time, the ship being, I think, under sail, having shot off her ordnance, so that I must conclude. But if I were worthy to shew my mind and advice to you, it would be to this purpose: (to omit other things,) you have had sundry conflicts with the Independents, wherein the Lord hath sus- \ 1 If i ■ tained you with an unwearied and undaunted spirit, with singular zeal, constancy, and courage for his truth. They, (I mean some amongst them,) not able to resist that spirit wherewith you are led, have en- deavoured to give you more secret wounds, especially to work you out of the good opinions and affections of those that fear God. Now, sir, to frustrate this wicked and malicious practice, I conceive that now, after all, you should do very well, (because it seems that the most, or many of those that truly fear God, do rather adhere to the Independent way than to the Presbyterian, being necessitated to choose one;) you should do very well to use some Christian insinuation (by way of apology, or otherwise, as you shall think fit) into their favours and good opinions, without flattering them in their errors in any sort. This the apostles often do to prevent prejudicacy, and the practice of false apostles, and even Peter preaching to the Jews that crucified Christ, sayeth, " and now, bre- thren, I know that thrcugh ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers j" though no doubt some of them did it of malice. I know you do this frequently in your writing; but yet, because the adversary doth most batter against this fortress, to wound you, and to make your labours less profitable to the church and people of God, you may be pleased to do it more abundantly ; I know your large heart, and tender affection towards the members of Christ among them, will easily pass by 2U PRYNNE. the injuries you have received, and will minister ex- pressions of your love and compassion abundantly. And who knows but that the gentle sunshine of your love and tender affection expressed towards them may, through the blessing of (jod, more prevail to win them, than all the forcible and convincing' ar- guments you have used. Thus in haste having rudely uttered my thoughts, I crave pardon for my boldness towards you ; and commending you to the gracious direction of Al- mighty God, I rest Yours, in all due observance, Rich. Norwood. Summer Islands, May 15, 1647. SKIPPON, CROMWELL, IRETON, AND FLEET- WOOD TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — We having made some progress in the business you commanded us upon, we are bold to give you this account ; which, although it come not with that expedition you may expect, and your other affairs require, yet we hope you will be pleased to excuse us with the weight of the affair, in compa- rison whereof nothing that ever yet we undertook was (at least to our apprehensions) equal, and wherein (whatever the issue prove) our greatest comfort is, that our consciences bear us witness we have, ac- agitators in the army. ^15 cording to our abilities, endeavoured faithfully to serve you and the kingdom. The officers repaired to us at Saffron Walden upon Saturday last, according to appointment, to give us a return of what they had in charge from us at our last meeting ; which was, to read your votes to the soldiers under their respective commands for their satisfaction, and to improve their interest faithfully and honestly with them to that end, and to give us a perfect account of the effect of their endeavours, and a true representation of the temper of the army. At this meeting, we received what they had to offer to us, which were delivered to us in writing by the hands of some chosen by the rest of the officers then present, and in the name of the rest of the officers and of the soldiers under their commands, which was not done till Sunday in the evening : at which time, and likewise before, upon Saturday, we acquainted them all with a letter from the earl of Manchester, expressing that an act of indemnity, large and full, had passed the house of commons ; and that two weeks' pay more was voted to those that were disbanded ; as also, to them that undertook the service of Ireland : and thinkinof fit to dismiss the officers to their several commands, (all but some that were to stay here about further business,) we gave them in charge to communicate their last votes to their soldiers, and to improve their utmost diligence and interest for their best satisfaction. €16 AGITATORS IN THE ARMY. We must acknowledfje, we found the army under a deep sense of some sufferings, and the common sol- diers much unsettled;* whereof, that which we have to represent to you will give you a more perfect view; which, because it consists of many papers, and needs some more method in the representation of them to you than can be done by letter, and forasmuch as we were sent down by you to our several charges to do our best to keep the soldiers in order, we are not well satisfied, any of us, to leave the place, nor duty you sent us to, until we have the signification of your pleasure to us, to which we shall most readily conform ; and rest Your most humble servants, Cii. Skippon. Olivee Cromwell. H. Ireton. Chaeles Fleetwood. WaMen, May 17, 1G47. DR. HOLDSWORTII TO [MR. BANCROFT.] Loving vSir, — You will see by this, that I verify the proverb, in making this day the scholar of the ' The soldiers had chosen committees out of every troop and company, to confer about the matters communicated to them from the parliament. They returned, " that there was no dis- temper in the army, but many grievances whereof they com- plained." Whitlochcj Maif 10. SANCROFT. 217 former : by writing then, I have learned to w rite again, if this be to write, or not rather to scribble. You may justly retort upon me, that there are many lines, few' letters. My failings do partly call for it to supply with number what is wanting in weight. Next this, my respects to this gentleman is motive enough, on whom I cannot bestow too many recom- mendations, lie is a weak scholar, which will be the greater honour to your pains upon him. The nearer the matter is to nothinf^:, the further from nothintr is the work ; the less he brincjs, the more he will carry. Just as the state is of the times, things were never more desperate, nor more hopeful. With my renewed respects, I betake you to God's grace; and remain Your endeared friend. Hi. Holdswortii. May 20, 1047. SIR TIIO. FxilRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Having called the officers of the army to St. Edmondsbury,'' I communicated unto them yesterday the votes of both houses, and a letter of the house of peers sent therewith, concerning the disbanding of the army. After long consultation had V mi The quarters of the army had a few days before been re- moved from Saifron Waldcn to St. Edniondsbury. 2 F ns DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. thereon, this inclosed was delivered unto me, as the result of the council of war," (where the officers were very many and unanimous, except four officers of eighty-seven;) which being of importance, I held it my duty to hasten the same unto you, being much perplexed in my thoughts, that dissatisfactions be- twixt the parliament and the army should rather in- crease than lessen. I entreat you, that there may be ways of love and composure thought upon. I shall do my endeavours (though I am forced to yield to som.e things out of order) to keep the army from disorders, or worse inconveniencies to the kingdom. I desire you to take some speedy resolution for the composing of things, whereby the kingdom may be happy in a timely deliverance from further distractions ; for the effecting whereof I could be content to be a sacrifice, as the last service vou can have from Your most faithful and humble servant, T. Fairfax. Bury, May 30, 1647. Since the writing hereof, I received a letter, sub- " " The council of war resolved, that the votes would not be satisfactory, * because eight weeks' pay voted was not a consi- derable part of their arrears : and that no visible security was given for what should not now be paid, and that nothing was done for their vindication ; they being declared enemies, they might be dealt with as enemies when they came home, unless that declaration were recalled.*" Whitlocke, May 31. DISAFFECTION OF THE AKINIY. ^n\) scribed by yourself and the speaker of the house of peers, with the votes of both houses there inclosed. THE COMMITTEE AT CHELMSFORD" TO THE COMMITTEE AT DERBY HOUSE. Right honourable, &c. — We came to Chelms- ford this evening about six of the clock, where we met with major Desborow, with three troops of horse, by order from the General to guard the money. Field- marshal Skippon met us, and gave us this informa- tion : that the General went from Saffron Walden on Tuesday last to St. Edmondsbury, where he yet remains. Yesterday, the General writ to the field-marshal, lying at Walden, advertising him this much : That at a council of war, matters of concernment were voted by them ; and as to the drawing out of his own regiment to Chelmsford, on Tuesday, he conceived there was little hopes of doing any thing in that business of disbanding, till the further pleasure of the parliament were known ; whereof he hath given notice to both houses of parliament and the committee at Derby house, expecting their further pleasure. A committee of the lords and commons had been sent down to the army, to give them the thanks of the house, at the head of each regiment, for their faithful services, and to assist the General in disbanding the army. See Whitlocke, May 28. Oi m) DISAFFKCTION OF THE AUMY. When we came hither, after a little inquiry, we found that, two hours before we came to town, major Goodge's company (who is the major of the Ge- neraFs regiment, and was then with the General at his head quarters) had violently broken open the lieu- tenant's chamber, and set a musquet at his breast ; and after they had possessed themselves of the co- lours, they marched towards Paine, which is the way to Newmarket, where (we heard) they say will be suddenly a rendezvous of all the foot. The horse likewise have order with expedition to contract their quarters. We desire your further and speedy instructions, and in particular what order you will give concerning the money. As we were closing our letter, lieutenant-colonel Jackson, major Goodge, and captain Ilighficld are come hither: and the major meeting with his company upon the way, and de- manding of them by what order they removed their quarters ; they answered, the horse caused them to remove ; further expressing that they received orders from the agitators : all which we leave to your lord- ships' consideration, and rest Your lordships' most humble servants, Warwick. La. Ware. Gilbert Gerard. J. Potts. Har. Grimston. Chelmsford, ^^^- KnIGHTLEY. Monday, May 31, 1647. r DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. F / P. S. After the council of war had concluded, lieutenant-colonel Jackson received the orders in- closed from quarter-master-general Gravenor, to quarter his regiment ; a copy whereof we have here- with sent. We conceive our being here at this time useless, but shall stay till called off by the authority that commanded us hither. The judge-advocate of the army is now come to us, and is able to give you a full and particular account of all the late proceedings of the council of war, very necessary, as we conceive, to be known, and will be with vou to-morrow. COLONEL RAINSBOROUGH TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — According to the order of the house, I came down to my regiment on sabbath day mornino*. I found them quartered at Long Wlttenham, Sutton, and the towns thereabouts, being within two or three miles of Abingdon. When I came, I found most of my officers come up to the general quarters of the reo-i- ment, who all the time till then had not dared so much as to appear amongst them : but they had not been lono- in their quarters, ere the major-serjeant was almost killed by his own soldiers ; and his ensign, if he had not exceedingly well defended himself against another company, he had been cut all to pieces ; but in defend- ing himself he hath wounded divers of them, two whereof, I am confident, cannot possibly scape with life. They were quartered so thick, that the people were not able to provide them foodj which caused l\ for ^'•^ DISAFFECTION OF THE ARMY. J the soldiers to exact money from them, at the rate of half a crown a day a man : for the amending of which several complaints, I found no other way than to draw them to a rendezvous ; where having acquainted them with your order to me, and used all the arguments I could to persuade them yield obedience thereunto, there was not any man returned the least word of answ^er : whereupon I peremptorily commanded them to repair together no more, unless by special order; but to keep their several quarters, and not to offer to draw out or march any way without the said order, on pain of the highest and most severe punishment. They are returned to most of the same quarters I found them in, only with a little enlargement ; the main being one company, which is my lieutenant- colonel's, w^hich I caused to quarter in the town of Abingdon, to keep guards, and not to suffer any of our soldiers to go to Oxford, which otherwise I am confident they would have done in great numbers, pretending to see their fellows-soldiers. I hope that course I have taken, and shall upon all occasions take by myself and officers, will prevent all future miscarriage in them; and although I cannot engage for them, yet there shall nothing of care and duty be wanting in him, who is, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servant, Tho. Rainsborough. Cullum, June 1, 1047. i I THE KING seized BY THE ARMY. 223 FROM THE SOLDIERY TO THE COMMIS- SIONERS AT HOLMBY. May it please the honourable commissioners of parliament, we, the soldiery now under his excellency sir Thomas Fairfax's command, have this day, by the general consent of the soldiery, manifested our true love to the parliament and kingdom, by endeavourino- to prevent a second war, discovered by them of some men privately to take away the king,^ to the end he might side with that intended army to be raised, which, if effected, would be to the utter undoino- of the whole kingdom. We shall be able and willing to bring our testi- mony, when called for, who are the plotters and con- trivers therein, this being the only way and means to prevent all those foremen tioned, that might unhappily come upon us and this whole kingdom, whose weal we have always endeavoured, with the hazard of our lives, and the blood of many of our fellow-soldiers and commanders ; this being the only thing presented to us, which put us on our late action for the preserva- tion of the king's person, and furthering the parlia- ment's proceedings, together with the commissioners' ' Tliis, of course, is only pretence : the writers of this letter were the very persons who removed the king. When the com- missioners demanded of them, what warrant they had for what they did, they only answered, that *' it was the pleasure of the army." See Whithcke, June 5. Mtid THE KING SEI5JED BY THE ARMY. great care to effect the same, and to discharge the trust reposed in them. Holmby, June 3, 1G47. FAIRFAX S BIRTHPLACE. \'25 29'^ SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— This day I received advertise- ment from Iloldenby, that the soldiers of that party formerly assigned to attend the commissioners there, too-ether with some others belonging to the army, (of whose number or quality I have had no account, nor how thev came thither,) have of themselves under- taken, by placing other and stronger guards about the king than formerly, to secure his majesty from being secretly conveyed away. The grounds they allege for the attempt, you may gather from the inclosed paper,' which is the very same copy sent to me in a letter from thence ; being, as it seemeth, a kind of declaration presented to your commissioners there by the said soldiers, to set forth their grounds and intentions in the said undertaking. I understand, that colonel Graves is thereupon secretly slipt away, and therefore I have immediately ordered colonel Whalley's regiment to march up thither, and himself (in the room of colonel Graves) to attend the commissioners, and take the charge of the guard necessary to be kept there, for the pre- " The foregoing paper from the soldiery. I vention of any dangers or inconveniencies that might ensue. This I thought it my duty to signify unto you, that I might understand the further pleasure of both houses thereupon. I remain Your humble servant, St. Ednioiulsbury, T. Fairfax. June 4, 1647. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir — I desire you will please to promote the humble petition of the inhabitants of Otley unto the honourable house of commons, for obtainino- some certain allowance for maintenance of a minister there, it being a large parish, eleven towns belonging unto it, and the concourse of people great, the means being at present so small as is no ways considerable to support a minister. I am informed, out of the lands of the dean and chapter of Ripon,^ there may be a competency to maintain a minister there. It is the parish where myself was born, and therefore I do the more pe- culiarly recommend it unto you for your favour and assistance, in what may be done herein for the benefit of the said parish ; which I shall acknowledo-e as a great obligation put upon Your very affectionate friend, Cambridge, rj^ -p Junes, 1047. ^' a^AIRFAX. " Fairfax anticipated a plan for extending the effective in- fluence of the churcli, which has, of late years only, been fully carried out. ^ g 2^26 NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO TKE SPEAKER. Sir, — I have thought it my duty to advertise you of all the considerable steps the States and king of Spain make in the carriage of the peace. The king of Spain's ambassadors at Munster acquainted the States' ambassadors at Munster, that the king of Spain had sent to them an instrument, by which he forbids all his subjects to use any hostility by sea against the subjects of the States, but commands that they be well used, and received in all his ports and havens, and hopes the States will do the like to his. This the States' ambassadors have sent to the States from Munster; and the king of Spain's am- bassadors at Munster have sent to the archduke Leopold, to command him to see this command of the king's obeyed in Flanders, as at Ostend, Newport, and the rest within his command, so as a cessation of war by sea is declared by the king of Spain as to the States. But what the States will do in it is not yet known ; but I am informed, the States of Holland incline to a cessation on their part, but their resolution is not yet taken in it for the present. The French ambassador demands of the States what they intend : who say, they have not yet re- solved any thing in it ; they have resolved to make a peace, but, for the point of a present cessation, to make it without France are things not yet resolved. I I ^i NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. 2'27 The Swedes and French keep close together in their treaties at Munster; for I saw from a good hand, that the Swedes require of the emperor not to assist the king of Spain against the French, or they cannot treat with him. The emperor's ambassador thinks this very hard, in respect that the king of Spain is of the house of Austria ; and, as he is duke of Burgundy and Milan, is within the circles of the empire, and some ways a prince of the empire. Those English here who affect not the parliament, have caused this king's letter* to the parliament to be put into Dutch. The substance of that letter was foretold here by Mr. Ashburnham and sir John Barclay ; who said to many, that the king would grant the Presbyterian government for three years, and the militia for ten, long before that letter came to the parliament ; but those that were his friends he would not forsake. But, sir, it is not strange these men know the king's purposes, but I find it strange they are so punctually advertised of the parliament's ; for they know all that passeth there, much more ex- actly than myself, and do often particularize what this and that member said, in such and such things which have been spoken the same day the post comes from London : which seems strange, that those that would represent all you do to your dishonour should have such timely advices, when your servants, * For moro full particulars of the concessions proposed by the king in this letter, see Whitlocko, May 18, 1647. ■iEMMi MHi ^^8 ADVANCE OF tME ARMY TOWARDS LONDON. whose duty it is to keep you right in the eyes of your friends here, can scarce, by any endeavour, get so speedy advertisements. I wish your counsels might be confined within your walls, till yourselves thought it fit to allow them to go abroad. No man is more your servant than. Sir, Your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hagh, June JJ; 1G47. NEWCASTLE. '229 SIR THO. FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — It is not many days since I wrote unto you about money for the army, to which, as yet, I have received no answer. It is very well known how long now the soldiers have been without pay: and how can it be expected that either I or my ofl[icers should have that influence upon them that is meet, considering the straits they are put into for want of pay ? The private soldier is not ignorant that you have money by you : and certainly the knowledge of that, and the sense of their own wants, doth not a little heighten them in their discontents. I desire, therefore, in order to the settling of busi- ness, the good of the country, and the avoiding all other inconveniencies, that you would order the send- ing of a month's pay for the army ; and that you will be pleased to give order that it may be sent with all possible speed to St. Alban's, where my head quarters will be this night. ^ I earnestly desire the money may be there by Monday night. 1 remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Royston, June 11, 1647. MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON TO THE SPEAKER. Truly honoured Sir, — By colonel White I re- ceived the copy of a letter, sent to alderman Adams from Newcastle, signed J. C, and the votes of this house that the same should be sent unto me.*" By this inclosed copy of my letter to my lieutenant- colonel, (who commands there,) you may see what I '' The march of the army towards London greatly alarmed the parliament. An order had passed both houses on this same day, the 11th of June, ''that the army might not come within fifteen miles of the city." On the following day, Fairfax wrote word, that *' he doubted not to give a good account of the reasons of their advance," though at tlic time he had not re- ceived the above order. See Whiiloche, June 11, 12. "" " Information from alderman Adams, of a design to secure Newcastle for the king, referred to field-marshal Skij)pon." Whit locket Jinie 12. 230 NEWCASTLE. have done thereupon, and do conceive my presence there will no way further the business. And so, sir, not having further to trouble you with at this time, being loath to be more troublesome to you in your manifold and exceeding great employ- ments than Deeds must, I humbly take my leave j and remain, Honourable Sir, Your very faithful-hearted servant, Ch. Skippon. St. Alban's, June 14, 1(>47. MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON TO LIEUTENANT- COLONEL ASHFIELD. SiR,_Had I not been continually employed upon extraordinary businesses, you had ere now received letters from me; but I did oftentimes desire my major, that he would remember me, and communicate those things that fell out unto you. The urgent cause of my present writing is, upon the receipt of the copy of a letter which the house of commons commanded should be communicated to me ; which intimated some unquietness to be in my regi- ment, in relation to the present proceedings of the army. I therefore held it my duty to God, the par- liament, and the kingdom of England, to send you inclosed the votes, orders, and ordinances of parlia- t I I, f NEWCASTLE ^31 ment, whereby you may evidently see the care and respect the parliament hath manifested to the army ; which may make them justly expect a willing and ready obedience unto their commands : to which end, I very earnestly desire you will cause the said votes, orders, and ordinances to be impartially made known to the officers and soldiers of my regiment ; the like I desire by your means may be done to my troop. It being a business of so high concernment, let us, as we will answer to God, as we tender the public peace of this kingdom and our duty to the parliament of England, consult seriously, with con- science, honour, and fidelity, in this case. The head quarter at present is here, and the army lies near hereabouts ; and here are already two lords and six of the house of commons, and within this hour is expected four aldermen and eight of the common council of the city of London to come hither, to use all lawful and fitting means that may be, and to endeavour what we can with the General and the army; that, if the Lord will, further bloodshed may be prevented, and a good peace settled in this kingdom, and the relief of Ireland furthered. What will be the success, the Lord knows, it belonging only unto him. We are not hopeless of a fair accommodation : let us not frustrate the same by any immoderate or irregular proceedings. I shall put you to no further trouble now: but desire very heartily to be remembered to yourself. 23-^ REMOVAL OF THE KING. your good wife, all the officers, and the rest of my regiment ; praying God so to govern you and them, that you may so carry yourselves in the present con- juncture of things, as you may with the most comfort answer to God, and testify your real affection to the public good; which is and shall be, by God's assistance, the unfeigned and constant desire and endeavour of Your very real friend to serve you, Ch. Skippon. St. Alban's, June 14, 1G47, 9 in the morning. To his very worthy friend, lieutenunt-colonel Richard Ashfield, deputy governor of Newcastle and Tineniouth Castle, these with all possible speed and trust. THE SCOTCH COMMISSIONERS TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_Understanding his majesty was carried away from Iloldenby, without the authority of the houses, or his own consent, we delivered in a paper upon the 5th of this instant ; wherein we expressed our sense of that violent act, and desired he might be brought to some of his houses nearer London. And now having seen the votes of both houses for bringing his majesty to Richmond, whereby it appears they gave no warrant to remove him from Holdenby; to the end we may be able to give a clear account of his present condition to the kingdom of Scotland, we have re- DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. QS3 solved, that some of our number shall for this purpose repair to his majesty at Newmarket, or where he shall be. And, in this time of jealousy and distrac- tion, have thought fit to acquaint the honourable houses therewith, that such as are to go may have their pass.'^ And so we rest Your affectionate friends and servants, Lauderdale. Chaules Erskine. H. Kennedy. Ro. Barclay. AVorcestor House, June IG, 1(347. MAJOR-GENERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. Honoured Sir, — The 15th of this instant, a surgeon of colonel Copley's regiment marched with the aforesaid colonel's own troop through Iwceds to a rendezvous, where some few of other troops met them, upon the moor near Leeds, where they made a halt : the chirurgeon drew some papers out, and read to the soldiers, and told them, that the army in the south desired they should join with them, and that they desired nothing of the parliament but their arrears, and an act of indemnity; and if they had not an act of indemnity, they should be most of them hanged when they were reduced : and, for an ex- '' Order for a pass for tlie lord Lauderdale, and other Scots, to go to the king. Whlthrhe, Jane 17. ^ ir 234 DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. ample, told them, the judges have hanged fourteen soldiers already, which took horses by order from their officers. This being done, they saw that they could get but a matter of one hundred and fifty together : they appointed another rendezvous the next day, being the sixteenth, and gave out that all they which did not march with them, they would take their horses and arms from them. Major Lilburne, who lately came out of Ireland, colonel Lilburne's brother, was also at the head of the rendezvous, talking with the soldiers ; and told them, he must ride post to Denton, to sir William Constable's, but he would be with them at the next meeting or rendezvous. Yet none of any other regi- ments are engaged, that I hear of. Sir, There are some here that dispute my com- mission : I humbly desire, if the honourable house think me worthy of the command I hitherto have had, I may have a letter from the house to that effect, and I will venture my life, goods, and blood in the service of the parliament, as I have hitherto done. I do also desire that the parliament will let me understand their intention, what they will have me do with such men as do come in this like manner, to make a mutiny amongst your forces, who have been thus long civil. These inclosed orders ' I have sent to all the See below, p. 230. !: \l I DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. Q35 officers throughout your army here in the north, to prevent all inconveniencies that might happen. I humbly desire that this my letter may be read to the honourable house ; and that my messenger may be honoured with an answer, and some directions how I may carry myself for the best advantage of your service. While I am writing of this, I am informed of a se- cond rendezvous yesterday, according to their former appointment, where they met a double number, and some of them returned to their quarters with blue and white ribbons in their hats, as tokens of their engagements ; and further say, that their names were taken in writing ; and that Lilburne was there, and went that night to Pontefract, which, they say, is to be the head quarters for this design : and I do be- lieve that, under the covert of that castle, they do in- tend to raise a body of horse and foot, if not prevented. The fair pretence of these men for their arrears and irademnity does so much take with the soldier, that I have cause to fear, that if they have not some present encouragement, a great part of the army will be drawn away ; all which I offer to the considera- tions of the honourable house, and do earnestly desire your speedy orders ;'^ and remain, Sir, Your humble and faithful servant, Sedenham Poyntz. •' " Order for a raonth's pay for the northern association; and tmum 236 DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. I am credibly informed, that Lilburne does report that the act of indemnity is called in again by order of parliament, which makes a great disturbance amongst the soldiers ; therefore I desire that several copies of the act of indemnity may be sent down to me, to the end that they may be read upon the head of every regiment ; and that the honourable house will be pleased, for the further encouragement of this army, that those which do continue faithful to the par- liament shall have as good conditions as the army in the south. [ Orders referred to in theforetjoing letter. '\ York, June 17, 1G47. It is ordered, that all captains, both of horse and foot, under my command, shall call together their respective troops and companies, and let them under- stand that the parliament of England have ordered, that all soldiers, that have served in their service since the beginning of this war, shall forthwith have all their arrears paid them, and an act of indemnity be passed for all what they have done in time of hostility. It is therefore ordered, that no trooper or foot soldier shall meet at any rendezvous whatsoever, without order from me. But if any soldier have any grievances to be made known, whereby to have for major-general Po\ ntz to secure such as disturb liis forces, and to quiet liis reoiments." Whithcke, June 22. DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. 237 redress, that he repair to me, and I will give him satisfaction. Sedenham Poyntz. FROM THE AGITATORS TO THE MASTERS OF TRINITY HOUSE. Honoured Friends, — We have been lono* silent, but must now speak, because silence may prejudice both you and us. We suppose you have heard (whether rightly or no, we know not) of those thino-s which have fallen out amongst us, at and since our intended petition to the parliament, and their de- claring against us for it ; which, that you may know more fully, is as followeth. We were oppressed, and had a way prepared by the parliament in such cases for our ease, unto which w^e did address ourselves (to wit) by way of petition, not imagining that we should be blamed for, much less declared against as enemies, for doing that which we were allowed and directed to, in case of grievances. But thus it was : while our petition was but only in intention, we are declared enemies to the state, disturbers of the peace, and obstructors of the relief of Ireland, (if persisting,) all very heavy charges to be laid upon innocent persons ; and this necessitates us (being not, as we conceived, miiltv of the crimes aforesaid) to draw up something by way of vindication j which proved but little useful to us, 238 DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. we lying still under the aforesaid charges ; and in this condition, as persons marked out for destruction. Then we addressed ourselves, by way of letter, to our three chief officers then in London, viz. the General, lieutenant-general Cromwell, major-general Skippon, hoping that they might be heard to speak for us, when we might not be permitted to speak for ourselves ; but this letter was judged to be of a high nature and dangerous consequence by major-general Skippon, and by him was presented to the house, and divers debates about it-, the result of which was, to send down commissioners to the army, to inquire after the distempers reported to be in it, and to take a view of the grievance of it, and present them to the house, (as we thought,) to the end they might be redressed. But they (who had begun to lay the de- struction, by getting us declared enemies) now as much hasten the end and execution of it, by getting us disbanded piece-meal, and apart from one another, so as never any faithful army was, being still in that declared condition of enemies ; and by this means the hearts of the people endeavoured to be stirred up against us, to execute the intended malice of these our enemies upon us. We, to preserve ourselves, (thus designed to ruin,) drew a petition to our General for a rendezvous, which was granted accordingly ; at which we entered into a contract, a copy of which we have sent you. Since that, there have been commissioners sent down with other votes, for an answer to which we refer you DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. ^239 V^ It to our declaration, dated June 14, lG47, which ex- presses the cause of our dissatisfaction ; and we the rather do it, because we know it is noised abroad that great things are done for us, especially the calling in of the declaration against us. But we desire such to consider, that if the effects be but removed, and the cause still remaining, that cause will beget the like or worse effects for the future ; and we desire you to judge also, what safety we (or any of the free people of England) can be in for the future, whilst these persons, that were the cause of this declaration, are still remaining as our judges, who can presently undo all they have or shall do for us, or else do as much against us as they have in their foresaid de- claration. So that the cry of the army and kingdom^ also is for justice against them, and the removing of them, as the petitions of several counties, brought in to the General, have and do daily testify. So this is the work that we are about, and hope that we shall have the concurrent assistance of all rational men, who love justice and freedom, and hate tyranny ; which is the thing both you by sea and we by land, for these five years last past, have given sufficient testimony, of our love to the one and our hatred to the other, by letting out our blood, and hazarding our lives in many a desperate encounter ; and all to oppose tyranny, and to endeavour to set up and establish the just rights and freedoms of all estates and persons in this kingdom, which are yet the ends we seek after. li ^40 DISCONTENTS IN THE ARMY. Thus you have our case before you : we beseech you seriously weigh and consider things ; and God direct you to take heed of all those false suggestions of men, given in by any to you against us. And be assured, that as we were, so we are, the kingdom's and your real friends, though unjustly declared to be the state's enemies ; and we shall never desire any to own us, or to adhere to us, any longer or further than we shall be acting to these ends, viz. equal right and freedom, and common safety to all. So, hoping we shall stand right in your apprehen- sions against all the false suggestions of any tending to divide between you and us, the better to raise themselves on the ruins of both, we leave you to that God whom we hope will never leave you, while you are prosecuting of that (which is pleasing to him) which is justice, and opposing that which is contrary to him, (namely,) tyranny and injustice ; which is the desires, and shall be the endeavours of those who are yours and your kingdom's innocent and faithful servants, whose names are here subscribed, chosen to ao-itate in the behalf of the army. Lewis Audeley, Captain. Hen. Cannon. Daniel Ahhott. Francis Ward. Alex. Bra field. James Berry. St. Alban's, June 18, 1G47. Ual. Knight. Tiio. Treton. John Clerke. John Carter. Edmund Rolpiie. ( REMOVAL OF FHE KING. ^41 THE COMMISSIONERS ATTENDINCx THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_We received yesterday the votes of both houses concerning his majesty's^ removal from hence to Richmond. We immediately acquainted the General therewith, by a letter from ourselves ; and there is a messenger from us now attending for his answer, which is not yet come to us. We also acquainted colonel Whalley, who commands the parliament guards here, with the said votes, desiring to know of him, whether he had received any order therein from the General, how far he would assist us, or whether we were to expect any interruption from him. He told us that, it concerning the king, it was civil to acquaint him therewith, and after gave us this answer : that the king (the votes not being directed to him) would say nothing until the address were made to his majesty ; and the Ge- neral's pleasure being no way made known to hmi, he could not, for the present, give us any further satisfaction. This is all the account we can give you of our proceedings in this business, but shall not be wanting in our endeavours to discharge the trust reposed in us ; being, besides the duty that therein lies upon us, much encouraged by the acceptance of our service, and the care you have pleased to express of us, in your letter of the V/ih instant, which came to our 2 I T J f ^l £4^ REMOVAL OF THE KING. hands this morning ; and whereby we are obliged to remain Your most humble servants, John Coke. Jo. Cuew^e. Rich Alio Browne. Ilo. Barclay. Newmarket, June 18, 1647. TPIE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — This morning we received the inclosed from the General ; colonel Hammond and colonel Lambert being arrived here last night. That which they gave us in answer to the letters we had written to his excellency concerning his majesty's remove to Richmond, according to the votes of both houses, is contained in the paper in- closed, which was, by our secretary, taken from them- selves, and after assented to in our presence ; which because it seemed not to express any thing concern- ing the king's person, in such a manner as your votes require, we desired they would give us a more par- ticular answer thereunto. But they replied only, that we might have any such mistake rectified by a new letter to the General. For themselves, they had nothing else in commission to say unto us, unless perhaps colonel Whalley had some order therein. removal of the king. i2i3 ( \ Hereupon we spake with colonel Whalley, who told us that he could not answer further until he knew the king's pleasure and the General's, having received no new orders as yet. And we pressing for further satisfaction, he im- mediately went in to speak with the king about it, and his majesty was pleased to send for us also ; where, it being recited what had already passed betwixt us and the colonel, his majesty asked him, whether, if he declared his willingness to go to Richmond, he should not be by him hindered therein. Colonel Whalley replied, that when he knew his majesty's pleasure, he should forthwith acquaint the General ; and believed that he might march thither, or to any other place he pleased. Then the king told us, that there was not as yet any address made to him on this behalf by the houses, and it concerned his honour not to be in such manner posted from place to place. We replied, that indeed we had no particular ad- dress at this time to his majesty from the parlia- ment, but the letter, which we received with the late votes from the houses, did require us to take care to see them fully observed, as far as in us lies ; and since the answer which we expected did de- pend upon his majesty's consent, by virtue and in pursuance of that general power given us by both houses, we humbly took the liberty to make our address to him therein, his majesty having often de- 244 REMOVAL OF THE KING. clared bis desire of being at some of bis bouses nearer tbe parliament. Tbe king repbed, tbat indeed be bad often desired it of tbe bouses, and would always keep bis word ; tbat be was very sensible of tbe present distractions, and, in bopes to furtber tbe composing of tbem, and to settle a bappier peace in tbe kingdom, be would accept of tbe address we made to bim by autbority from tbe bouses, and dispense witb tbat point of civility wbicb was due in a more express and par- ticular way, and wbicb otberwise be would bave stood upon; and tben declared to colonel W bailey, tbat be would willingly go along witb us to Ricbmond. Tbe colonel desired bis majesty to name tbe day, wbicb tbe king appointed to be on Tbursday next ; and colonel Wballey undertook to give tbe General a speedy account of bis majesty's pleasure tberein. We tbougbt it also our duty to give you present notice bereof, and to desire tbat tbe bouse at Ricbmond may be fitted for bis majesty's accommodation ; and furtber to acquaint you, tbat we bave sent into Lincoln- sbire, to command colonel Rossiter's regiment to at- tend upon tbis service, baving some information tbat tbey are in tbose parts. But because we are told, tbat it is not known at tbe army wbere tbat regiment is, we bold it necessary to advertise you tbereof, believing tbey will not be ready bere by tbe time prefixed for bis majesty to remove. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. S45 i( / Tbus boping you will allow of wbat we bave done in tbe premises for your service ; we remain Your most bumble servants, John Coke. Jo. Crewe. Richard Browne. Newmarket, June 20, 1647. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX AND THE COUNCIL OF WAR, TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN, &c. OF LONDON. Right Honourable, — We received yours of tbe IStb of tbis instant, wbereof, tbougb all passages were not so answerable to our expectations as we boped, yet we apprebend tbe same good affections in you towards tbis army as was expressed in your former letter ; and tbat not only from tbe assurance of tbe wortby gentlemen (your commissioners) again sent to us, but also from tbat information we bave received of your extraordinary endeavours to procure money for tbe army, to prevent furtber raising or listing of soldiers, and to procure tbose already listed to be disbanded, (some persons of your militia only baving been active for tbe raising of tbem, witbout your privity ;) as likewise from tbat letter (filled with respect) wbicb you prepared and intended to us, and, being sent to tbe parliament,^ was obstructed by ' " The letter from the common council of London to the Ill—If mmmtm mmm^ ^ 246 niOCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. some persons, who (labouring to embroil the kingdom in a new war) would not have the forces already raised to be disbanded ; who excepted against your discovery to the house, that some persons only of the militia had joined in the raising of the new forces, who also would prevent a right understanding be- tween your city and this army, knowing a firm cor- respondence between them would make the designs of all such men hopeless ; and though our taking notice of those thinfys seems not regular, vet beino- so publicly done, we thought fit to mind you of them. Now although we have confidence of the real and clear intentions of your lordship, the aldermen, and the commons of your city, to promote the peace of this kingdom, and the just desires of this army; also to prevent all tendencies to a new war, or any further blood, and therefore hold ourselves obliged to yield all possible compliance to what you desire of us : yet adding to the former grounds the many informa- tions which daily come to us, of the continued under- hand workings of some persons still to list men ; that divers agents are sent into several parts of the kingdom to levy forces, and Worcester the place appointed for a general rendezvous; whither the forces designed for Ireland (that were part of this army) are, by some of the committee at Derby house, army, now brought to the house, was not approved of." Whit- lovhCf June 18. ,i r 1 1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AUMY. 247 ordered to march ; and several of those companies, who went out from us for the service of Ireland, having it intimated to them, and by divers carriages perceiving they were intended a foundation for a new aruiy and a new war; they so much abhorred the thoughts of it, as both the ofl5cers and soldiers of divers companies are of late entirely returned to us ; likewise that no means is left unattempted to bring in forces from Ireland, France, and Scotland, against the peace of this poor kingdom. We (upon the whole matter) offer to yours and all men's considerations, w^hether, with yours, ours, or to the public's safety, we can remove further backward, until, upon yours and our joint endeavours with the parliament, those things of immediate and pressing necessity be provided for, which we desired in our paper last given in to the parliament's commissioners, in order to the better proceeding upon the heads of the representation and charge with more hopes of safety, and a timely and happy issue to ourselves and the kingdom ; (viz.) that the persons impeached ^ by f On the IGth of June, a charge had been sent to the houses by sir Thomas Fairflix, and the officers and soldiers of the army, against eleven members of the house of commons, whereby they were charged " with obstructing the business of Ireland ; to have been actors against the army, and against the laws and liberties of the subject ; and obstructers of justice." The members charged, were Denzil Hollis, sir Philip Staple- ton, sir William Lewis, sir John Clotworthy, sir William Waller, sir John Maynard, major-general Massey, Mr. Re- corder Glyn, colonel Walter Long, colonel Edward Harley, 7 248 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. US may not continue in power and capacity to ob- struct due proceedings against themselves, and, for their own escape from justice, to threaten ruin to the whole nation. That all forces lately raised or listed in or about the city, be forthwith discharged, except the usual number of train-bands and auxiliaries ; and that all endeavours, publicly or privately, to raise any further forces may cease, and be suppressed. And that the same measure may be allowed to this army, in paying them up to the same foot of accompt, as is already given to those who have deserted the same. And for the things expressed in our representa- tion, though of weighty importance, yet because they will require time, they shall be no occasion to impede our remove ; and in the mean time, both by procla- mation from his excellency, and all other ways, we shall endeavour that the accustomed supplies to your city may be freely sent up. To conclude, we say from our hearts, that as our especial ends are the glory of God and the good of this whole land, so our endeavours shall be to prosecute the same without prejudice to the being or well-being of parliaments in general, (the main- and Anthony Nicliols. See Whitlocke, June 16. The house resolved, " that what shall be particularly charged against their members, with testimony and witnesses, shall be received, and the house proceed in a legal way therein." Ibid. June 23. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. QM) tenance whereof we value above our own lives,) or (as we have formerly said) of this parliament in par- ticular; but altogether, in order to the good and peace of this nation, and with a most tender regard to your city, to which we profess we shall, by all actions, make good all engagements tending to the security thereof, in what way yourselves shall desire, consist- ing with the good of the whole kingdom ; you making good your mutual correspondence with us, not doing any thing to our prejudice in the prosecution of our just desires and endeavours. St. Alban's, June 21, 1G47. We hear, (even now,) since the writing of this letter, that (yesterday) divers of the reformadoes came again (in a threatening manner) to West- minster, the house of commons then sitting, to the great aifrightment and terror of divers faithful mem- bers then present, and to discouragement of others from their attendance there ; so that we cannot but perceive that the freedom of this parliament is no better than that those members (who shall, according to their consciences, endeavour to prevent a second war, and not contrary to their ways, who for their own preservation intend it, they) must do it with the hazard of their lives ; which, indeed, is a thing so destructive to parliaments and freedom, that we con- ceive ourselves in duty bound to endeavour to the utmost to procure redress therein. aManr 250 GLAMORGANSHIRE. By the appointment of his excellency sir Thomas Fairfax, and the council of war. Jo. RusHwoRTii, Secretary. June 22, 1647. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — There came lately unto me a gentleman out of Glamorganshire, who informs me, that certain of the gentry and inhabitants of that county are lately risen in arms/ and stand upon their guard, pretending it to be against the illegal proceedings of the committee of that county, contrary to ordinance of parliament, as by the inclosed paper will at large appear. But, lest their intentions might be otherwise than what is pretended, I immediately, upon notice thereof, wrote unto the committee of that county, and to major-general Langhorne, desiring them to require the said parties to repair to their several homes. I wrote also myself unto the gentlemen so met together, that if they would imaiediately separate themselves and lay down their arms, without occasioning further trouble, that their persons should not be seized on as to that business. « '* Letters from major-general Langhorne, of an insurrection in Wales, who declared themselves for the king; and sir Thomas Fairfax and the major-general wont to suppress them." Whit- locke, June 21. f ' f COLONEL BIRCH. 251 I was the rather induced to make this offer unto them, because of some assurance I received by the gentleman that came unto me from those parts, that they would immediately, upon my letter, disperse themselves. However, I have desired the committee of the county to return a speedy account unto the parliament of their proceedings herein, that such fur- ther course may be taken for preserving the peace of those parts,, as shall be requisite. I remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. St. Alban's, June 22, 1647. Since the writing hereof, I received your letter, and papers inclosed, concerning this business ; but I hope, what I have already written \n\l give the house satisfaction. I have also this evening received a letter from you concerning colonel Birch, but before the receipt thereof he was returned back from hence unto the house ; who, I hope, will give such a candid account of that business concerning himself, as you will find all tenderness and regard had unto him as a member of the house. COLONEL BIRCH TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — In obedience to your com- mands, and so soon as I received my despatch, which 7 25^ COLONEL BIRCH. was yesterday, the 21st instant, about three of the clock, I set forward on my journey towards Hereford, by the way of Bristol, where I was to receive part of the money for my regiment by exchange ; and, in order thereunto, came the last night to Bagshot, where I took up my lodging, having with me only two of my servants : to which place, in the night, came a party of horse, to the number of nineteen ; two or three of them came up to my chamber, the rest stood ready in the court : those that came up, civilly knocked at my chamber door ; who, after they came in, told me they were part of the horse guards sent to desire me to come back to their guard : to whom I replied, I would not go back, neither did 1 know any of that guard that had power to require any such thing from me ; further assuring them, that had they required such a thing of me when 1 had been in a ca- pacity, I would have endeavoured to have made them sensible of my displeasure. When they perceived persuasion prevailed not, they told me plainly, that they had orders to bring me, and bring me they must. Whereupon, there being no other way, 1 was by them forced to go back to Egham, and thence brought this day, at eleven o'clock, to Windsor, and there brought to speak with colonel Rainsborough ; who told me, that it was a general order, given out for the stay of persons who had that relation to arms that myself had. Where- upon I shewed him your pass, which requires obe- COLONEL BIRCH. Q5S dience, and ratifies my present employment for the service of the kingdom of Ireland ; notwithstanding which, colonel Rainsborough was pleased to tell me, that he could not discharge his trust, unless I should go to the General at St. Alban's ; to which my answer was, that if the guard now upon me, or that should be appointed, were too strong for me, as hi- therto they had been, I must be forced to give such obedience as hitherunto I had done since I have been in their power. Whereupon a guard or convoy is ready to attend me to the head quarters,'^ whither I am instantly going in a capacity wherein I never was before. However, I must needs acknowledge I have received civil usage from the private troops that seized upon me, there being no officer with them, and I doubt not to find the like in this my strange journey to St. Alban's. However, as no difficulty hath hitherto deterred me from the observance of your commands, so when discharged of my present attendance, which I suppose will be this night, I shall hastily prosecute your former commands towards the relief of the dis- tressed kingdom of Ireland, and from time to time shall endeavour to give you such an account as be- cometh Your honour's most faithful servant, John Birch. Windsor, June 22, [1047.] ^ Colonel Birch, stopped by tlie guards, was discharged by the General." Whitloche, June 23. 1^, » C ^- as&ri 254 THi: KING. THE COMMISSIONERS ATTENDING THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — We received your letters yesterday, by sir Peter Killigrew, who arrived here at twelve of the clock. We forthwith delivered the letter from both houses to his majesty ; who, having read it in our presence, told us, that it was a very fair and civil invitation ; that he was glad of it, and confirmed thereby in his resolution of coming to Richmond, since he found the address we had made to him was according to the intention of the houses. We have this day sent part of his majesty's stuff from hence to Royston, the king having appointed to lodge there on Thursday night, and at Theobald's upon Friday, with resolution to march thence, upon Saturday, to Richmond. Upon the orders we despatched to the commander, upon the place of colonel Rossiter's regiment, which were received by major Twisleton, near Grantham, upon Monday last, we had the inclosed in answer from himself. Whereupon we have written to him to attend the king at Royston, upon Thursday night, without fail, as you may see by these our second orders, and a copy whereof we have here sent you. And being much encouraged by your approbation of our service to be diligent therein, we remain Your most humble servants, John Coke. ^T , , Jo. Crewe. Newmarket, June 23, 1()47. .RiCHAUD BllOWNE. !!» ELEVEN MEMBERS IMPEACHED. ^55 SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX AND THE COUNCIL OF WAR TO THE COMMISSIONERS AT ST. ALBAN'S. My Lords and Gentlemen, — In answer to the letters of the house of commons which we received from you this day, expressing their readiness to re- ceive any particulars, and to hear any witnesses against the gentlemen impeached by the army,' we shall be bold to mind you, that our remonstrance sent to you the last night, to be presented to the two houses, doth express the desires and reasons of the army to have the members charged to be suspended from sitting in the house, which (if not granted to us) we know their interest and prevalency is such, that we can expect but small fruit in further proceeding ; nor can we hope for good to the kingdom or settle- ment of an happy peace, as long as men of their in- terests and prevalency have power to justify them- selves and practices in parliament ; which that they may the better effect, do still endeavour, by all means possible, to inflame this kingdom in a war, and to that end do countenance divers reformadoes and others to awe all men in the house of commons, who stand for public interest ; and inviting others from all parts of the kingdom to the cities of London and Westminster, under pretence of satisfaction for their arrears; but indeed, to raise an army, to which we ' See before, p. 247, note/. ^56 CUSTODY OF THE KING. shall be forced, to the uttermost of our powers, to apply a timely remedy, as being the only way and means we know of to prevent the embroiling this nation in a second and most miserable war, than which nothintr is more odious unto us. By appointment of his excellency and the council of war. Jo. IlusnwoRTii. St. Albaii's, June 24, 1647. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. SpEAKEii, — By yours of the 17th June in- stant, I am commanded to render the charge of his majesty to the commissioners now attending his majesty at Newmarket. To which I humbly answer, that your commission have attended the person of the king ever since his coming from Holdenby, and have been by me desired to continue the discharge of their trust, which was committed to them by the parliament. Which that it might be the better per- formed, I gave them a guard of two regiments of horse, who do at this time attend the king and com- missioners at Newmarket. I humbly conceive I have nothing else to answer to, as touchinor this matter. As to our removal to further distance from London, we entreat we may receive an answer to the desires of the army in the THE KING. i) 2o7 1 I papers last we sent you, conceiving we shall neither give satisfaction to the kingdom nor to the army, who are in expectation of some effect thereupon. There is also information of daily underhand pre- parations of forces, and the keeping up of those that are raised publicly avowed ; together with other grounds of jealousy, occasioned by the endeavours of some to bring in foreign forces, and by sending divers officers into several parts of the kingdom, to possess places of strength, and to raise men, which, to our apprehensions, tend to the raising of a new war ; whereof I thought fit to give you this account. I remain Your most humble servant, June 25, 1047. T. FAIRFAX. THE COMMISSIONERS ATTENDING THE KING AT ROYSTON TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — We received yours this morning at six of the clock, and have delivered the letter from both houses to the king accordingly." His majesty, though much pressed to the contrary, was fully resolved upon his journey to Richmond, and had given orders for his dining at Ware, whither the provision of his house ^ ** Tlie lords desired tlie commons' consent to a letter to tlic king, that by reason of some late accidents, they Iiumbly en- treated his majesty either to stay at Royston or Theobald's, or to return to Newmarket ; to which the commons agreed." Whit- loc/{/'j June 24. 2 L 2.58 ADVANCE OF THE ARMY. was gone before. But he hath now pleased to let us know that he will stay here this day, and that we shall understand his further pleasure hereafter. Colonel Rossiter's regiment is upon their march to the army, by the General's orders; and colonel Whalley commands the same guards here which at- tended at Newmarket. This is all we have to return to you at present ; remaining Your most humble servants, John Coke. Jo. Crewe. RoTston, Richard Browne. June 2t), 1647. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sni, — Last night we came to this town, being the head quarters of the army. The General this morning hath acquainted us, that he intends to march this day to Uxbridge, and that part of his forces were then on their march thither. We understand that the General's intentions are, that no part of the army shall be nearer the city than fifteen miles ; and that the van of the army is drawn on already so near the city. Colnbrooke, Staines, Uxbridge, and Watford are designed for the foot quarters. There came hither last night a committee from the common council of the city of London to reside advance of the army. Q50 4 here ; who inform us, that they have received the like intimations from the General, with this further as- surance ; that if, in order to the ends mentioned in their late remonstrance, the army be enforced to draw nearer the city, the city shall have timely notice thereof, and have no prejudice by their advance : and to this purpose they expect this morning to receive a letter from the General, to be sent to the lord mayor and common council. We have and do take all opportunities to repre- sent to the General our objections against the march of the army towards London, but find little effect thereof; all men's expectations being set on the resolutions which are hourly expected by the army : and we shall not be wanting, according to the present instructions that we have, to serve you with all faith- fulness. The General was pleased to acquaint us, likewise, that he had received an order of both houses for the king's person to remain at Royston, or to go back to Newmarket, under such guards as he shall appoint, of which he would take care ; and so rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. J. Graves. Rob. Scawen. Berkliamstead, June 25, • Wn t WtiT-n^ )47 ; ciboiit two ui tlie clock y afternoon. i £C0 FmOClBDINGS OF THE AUMY. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX AND THE COUNCIL OF WAR TO THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY. My Lords and Gentlemen, — In answer to your desire of a reason of the army's motion this day, we thought fit to let you know that our quarters are more contracted, but not nearer London than before, viz. at Watford, Uxbridge, and the towns about it ; where we wait for an answer to our just demands, presented to the parliament. We have often said, we cannot stand as lookers on to see the kingdom ruined by the obstruction and denial of justice ; and therefore we desire you to move the parliament we may not be held still in doubt, and put upon the disputes of their commands, to which we shall yield ready obedience, when we see the kingdom in a possibility of settlement, which we conceive cannot be, unless that the fountain of justice be delivered from those that corrupt it. By the appointment of his excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his council of war. John Rushworth. Berkhamstcad, June 26, IG47. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — We *came hither last night, where we found the General with three regiments of proceedings of the army. ^261 4' foot, the train of artillery, and some horse, four regi- ments of foot more being quartered at Watford, and three at Colnbrooke ; and most part of the horse be- hind, and on the sides of the foot ; and that, by order, the soldiers came provided with four days' victuals. This morning, sir Thomas Widdrington and Mr. Povey came to us very early, and brought us the votes of the house that passed yesterday concerning the members charged by the army.^ We, having some intimations that the army was to march this morning, went instantly to the General, and commu- nicated those votes, and such other proceedings of the house as came to our knowledge in relation to the army, the better to let them see the inclinations of the house towards the army's satisfaction ; and did desire that nothing might arise from them that might either disturb the house in their counsels, or minister further occasion of jealousy, which, we told them, we very much feared a report, which had lately come to us of the array's moving nearer London, would do : the certainty whereof we desired to know, and what their intentions were therein, and of their moving. ^ " Debate on the charge of the eleven members, and voted, 'That by the law, no judgment can be given to suspend those members from sitting in the house upon the papers presented hy the army, before the particulars be produced, and proofs made ; and that it doth not appear, that any thing has been said or done in the house by any of those members, touching any matters in the papers sent fi'ora the army, for which the house can in justice suspend them.' " Whitloche, Jiuw 25. 262 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. 2G3 f I j 'I We then understood from the General and his officers, that, at twelve last night, orders were given, upon consideration that the whole body of foot were so closely contracted, that the quarters should be enlarged every way, as well towards London as other- wise, for the mutual ease of the country and soldiery. Against this resolution we immediately declared our objections, and very earnestly expostulated the business with the General and officers, as that w^hich, according to our apprehensions, would minister jealousy and discontent to the houses, and obstruct the com- posure of things, which we found your inclinations and actions leading unto : to which the General and officers replied, (and prayed us so to represent their proceedings in this business,) that they might be necessitated to some actions of this nature, that might carry in the face of them occasion of jealousy ; whereas, in truth, they are done for the ease of the country and soldiery, and did desire that this action might be so looked on by the parliament. But withal, in this con- ference, we so far prevailed with the General and officers, that though the quarter-masters were gone before and some regiments were on their march towards Harrow on the Hill, and other places there- abouts, the orders were immediately countermanded, and new quarters are assigned them ; with this decla- ration, that none of them are appointed to be nearer London than fifteen miles. In this debate, we labouring to possess them with * your good intentions for their satisfaction, and to draw them to a certainty, that their removal from hence may be at a further distance from London, they made us this answer; that there were some things unresolved by the houses, contained in their late remonstrance, that were of immediate and ab- solute necessity to the being of the army : (viz.) the first article, concerning the recalling of the declara- tion, inviting men to desert the army ; the second, for equal pay for this army with those that have deserted it; and the fifth, for the discharging and dispersing of such as have deserted this army. In which, if they may receive the houses' pleasure speedily, they give us hope of a certain answer touching the motions of the army at a further distance from London. These things we thought fit to acquaint you by sir Thomas Widdrington, finding the array's expec- tation to be very great upon the resolutions of parlia- ment this day to be taken. The General told us, that the king was unwilling to go back to Newmarket, and that he would be this night at Hatfield. Thus we rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. J. Graves. Thomas Widdrington. William White. Uxbridge, RoB. ScAWEN. June 26, 1G47, rr^ -n nbout .3 of the clock. Thomas Povey. ^64> PONTElKACr. MAJOR-GENERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_I cannot let any opportunity pass, but must of necessity give you an account of what happens m these parts ; it being resolved by most of the field- officers under ray command here, that I should write a letter to his excellency sir Thomas Fairfax,'" (the copy thereof I send you here inclosed, and also a copy of an order which I gave to colonel Copley, to use' his best endeavours by fair means to persuade the soldiers which are already at Pontefract ;) and un- dertaken to send out orders to appoint rendezvous, to the great disturbance of your forces in the northern parts. In Pontefract is the consulting place, where major Lilburne and the rest of these discontented men do endeavour to make these disturbances ; all which I thought my duty to impart unto the honourable house, in testimony that I am. Sir, Your most humble and faithful servant, Sedenham Poyntz. York, June 20, 1647. Sir, My messenger, which you returned with the ordinances of both houses, was stayed by the guards of his excellency's army, and carried to commissary- - Poyntz himself was a rigid Presbyterian, and anxious that liis sokliers should continue faithful to the parliament; but they, very shortly after the date of this letter, avowed their adherence to the army under Fairfax. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. 265 general Ireton and colonel Whalley, notwithstanding he shewed your pass. He had some three letters to me, and one to the lord Valentia, which were opened : the one letter to roe was from a Dutch merchant, which they still detain from me ; the other from a worthy member of the honourable house. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — We received yours, dated yesterday, last night, past eleven of the clock, with the votes and resolutions of both houses, touching a further power for us to treat and debate with the General and army, and the votes for disbanding of any forces listed, and for leave for the eleven mem- bers to be absent : " all which we have communicated this morning to the General, and desired him to put the business of the treaty into a speedy way ; which he promised to consider of with his council of war. This afternoon the General sent us, by commissary- general Ireton and some others of his officers, this in- closed, in answer to our desires yesterday, to know what things they desired to have granted before the " The eleven members, finding resistance unavailing, en- deavoured to withdraw with a good grace, and applied to the house for leave of absence for six months, and permission to go beyond sea ; which the house, as Whitlocke expresses it, *' at last agreed to." Journals of the Commom, June 2(i. 2 M S60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARiMY. army drew back: upon perusal of which, we told them that there were some things expressed in the paper that the house had already granted ; to which they gave us this return : that the heads of this were resolved at a council of war before your last resolu- tions came to their knowledge, and had not since met, and therefore the paper may contain some things that the houses have already answered: and, upon conference, they did discover thus far of their in- tentions touching their remove ; that they intended to make Reading their head quarter, and that the body of their army should lie behind and on the sides of Reading ; but that to be their nearest quarter to- wards London. We conceive that the treaty is likely little to ad- vance while the army remains here; and therefore your speedy resolution to the things contained in the inclosed paper, will speed both the remove of the army from hence, and draw on the treaty : in which, when things are ready for it, we shall serve you with all diligence and fidelity, to the utmost of our power and interest, as befits. Sir, Your very faithful and humble servants, Ch. Skippon. Rob. Scawen. Tho. Povey. H. Vane. Uxbridge, .Tune 27, 1647. W ILL. White. ) THE KING S CHAPLAINS. THE SAME TO THE SAME. '267 Honourable Sir, — We had very late this after- noon an information given us, that Ur. Sheldon and Dr. Hammond,° (two of the king's chaplains,) Mr. Kirke, Mr. Leveston, and Mr. Henry Murray, (all of the bedchamber to the king,) were gone to the king at Hatfield, and had access to his person, which we thought ourselves in duty obliged immediately to know of the General, (especially in regard that the two chaplains were desired formerly, and the houses forbore to give any resolution therein,) which we have done, since our despatch this day, by colonel White and Mr. Povey; and the General tells us, that it is very true the king wrote to him for those two chaplains, about a fortnight since, but he never oave him answer ; whereat the king was angry ; and that he hears they are at Hatfield, but by no order of his ; and that the commissioners there, who have power to restrain their coming, will not direct colonel W^halley so to do : and colonel Whalley, on the other hand, conceives he hath not power to debar their access without the commissioners' order ; and thus, between both, they have freedom, whereof w^e thought fit to ° The commons ordered that Drs. Hammond and Sheldon should be removed from attendance on the king, {Whitlocke June 28,) but it was Cromvveirs policy to indulge the king with the society of his personal friends. See Godwin, b. ii. c. 10. i ^68 THE KING. acquaint you ; as also, that the General then told us, that a resolution was taken to draw back some of the quarters of the army as far as Wycombe, Beacons- field, Oakinghara, Marlow, and Henley, but the head quarters will remain here, in expectation of your further answer to their desires, sent up this day by colonel White and Mr. Povey ; so rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. H. Vane. Rob. Scawen. Uxbrid»ije, June 27, KM? ; 12 at night. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. SiK, — Immediately after we received the votes concerning his majesty's remove to Holdenby, we ac- quainted him therewith. He answered, that he had already resolved to remove to Windsor, and sent part of his stuff thither, and on Thursday intends to set forwards towards that place ; which he would have done to-morrow, had it not been the fast. After his coming thither, if he were moved, he said, we should have his further answer. Colonel Whalley hath not yet received any di- < proceedings of the army. 2G9 rections from the General, so as we cannot give you any other account of the commands you have laid upon us, either in this of his majesty's removal, or by your former votes j but remain Your most humble servants, John Coke. Jo. Crewe. Richard Browne. Hatfield, June29, 1G47. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX AND THE COUNCIL OF WAR TO THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY. My Lords and Gentlemen, — By the votes'' you were pleased to communicate to me this morning, I find the parliament hath taken into their consideration those propositions of the army, which necessarily craved some satisfaction before the withdrawing of it ; and that their progress already made (though but in part) meets with such a compliance in my council of war, that it begets in them a general confidence of p In addition to important concessions made by the parlia- ment respecting the eleven members, the following votes were passed : ** That no officer or soldier of the army shall leave the army without licence or discharge from the general ; That they do own this army as their army, and will make provision for their maintenance and for their pay ecpially with those that have deserted the army." Journals, June 28. !270 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ARMY. the house's speedy and full answer to the remaining propositions ; and therefore, to testify the readiness of this army to observe the commands of parliament, they have resolved to move the army to a further distance, and the head quarters to be this night at Wycombe ; believing that this forwardness on their part, to satisfy both parliament and city, will not re- tard, but hasten rather the resolutions of the houses, with a full satisfaction to the particulars not yet an- swered ; and also acquit this army of many jealousies and unjust aspersions cast upon it. By the appointment of his excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the council of war. John Rushworth. Uxbridge, June 29, 1G47. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My Lords and GentleiMen, — I am very sensible of the great inconveniencies which delay in the speedy settlement of the affairs of the kingdom may produce, and therefore I am ready, according to the parliament's desires, to appoint oflScers to treat and attend your lordships for that purpose, with all pos- sible speed, that delay may not rest on my part. But I must needs tell you, that the army is un- satisfied, and do conceive themselves and the king- dom unsafe, until their last propositions, delivered in the king. 271 unto the house, be fully answered, which they hope will be the parliament's next care; and therefore desire to know their pleasure concerning them, before they come to a conclusion in any thing : which being done, I am confident they will proceed, with unani- mous intention, to observe their commands in all things which may tend to the good of this kingdom. By the appointment of his excellency sir Thomas Fairfax and his council of war. ,,,. , , John Rushworth. VVickham, June 30, 1647. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — This afternoon, about four of the clock, sup- posing by that time an answer might be received from the General, we again desired to speak with colonel Whalley; who assured us, that he had not as yet received any orders from, his excellency con- cerning the removal of persons that, contrary to our instructions, resorted to the king. We replied, that it lay upon us to require the performance of the commands laid upon us by your votes, which we desired might be done in that course which we had taken at Holdenby, in this manner: to wit ; that when any person suspected to have been in arms against the parliament, or otherwise within If 27^i THE KINO. HOLDSWORTH. Q73 the five articles of our instructions, was discovered to be in the court, he was instantly, by our directions, given to the chief commander of the guards present, brought before us, and, upon examination, if the in- formation proved to be true, he was appointed by us to be removed, or committed, as the case required ; which was accordingly put in execution by the chief commander of the guards present, in pursuance of the orders we gave him. Conformable whereunto, we named unto him Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Hammond, to be proceeded against in like manner. Colonel Whalley answered, that he was to obey the orders of the General, and by express authority of the houses, questionable at a council of war for his life, if he did otherwise. That he was to expect particular commands from the General, even by the votes which at present we insisted upon ; and that our orders were not satis- factory to him, until he had received his; wherein he supposed the sense of the two houses could not be otherwise taken: for that they would not impose upon him an obedience which might involve him in a contradiction to the General's orders ; which if he observes not, his life was at stake. But it was clear they intended not to ensnare him therein, having positively referred him to orders which he was to receive first from his excellency, to whom he should make a second speedy address to that purpose. Hereby, sir, you may well understand that we are in no capacity of serving you, either in this, or what concerns his majesty's remove ; presuming you will not expect we should take this employment upon our own hands, without the ministry of those you have appointed to obey us. We have now, sir, most constantly attended upon this service, and do earnestly desire to be discharged ; which shall be taken as a special favour to Your most humble servants, John Coke. Jo. Crewe. Richard Browne. Hatfiekl, June 30, 1647. DR. HOLDSWORTH TO [MR. BANCROFT.] Loving Sir, — I have now no business at Cam- bridge, save only to salute you, being very desirous to hear, at your best leisure, how Mr. Parkhurst pro- ceeds, as also your other pupils in whom I have an interest. The affairs here are so pendulous, that many are cast into frights what the issue will prove ; yet, for myself I confess, to me they appear very hopeful ; the finger of God being very discernible, and bidding us to lift up our heads a little, because the salvation draws nigh. Therefore, as I be prepared for the 2 N I 274^ THE ELEVEN MEMBERS. worst, SO I will hope the best ; and in all conditions delight to subscribe myself Your affectionate friend, RlC. HOLDSWORTH. June 30, 1G47. SIR THO. FAIRFAX TO THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY. My Lords and Gentlemen, — Having, with my council of war, considered the votes of the house of commons, of the 29th June, 1647, which you sent me, for the bringing in the particular charge against the members, charged by the army, by Friday next at furthest; as I find a great willingness in them to answer the expectation of the house in all things, so in this particular ; but the thing being of that im- portance to the kingdom, and the persons charged so many in number, hath taken up more time than was expected. We desire, therefore, it may be respited until Tuesday next, at which time we shall not fail to bring it in ; and that the kingdom shall see we have not impeached the gentlemen out of private respects, but in affection and duty to the public. I remain Your very affectionate friend and servant. '■f'^ r. Fairfax. Wycombe, July 1, 1G47. THE KING. '2^5 THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — We have this night made a despatch to you by an express, touching the putting of the treaty into a way. Since that, we have re- ceived from the General the letter inclosed, con- cerning the charge against the eleven members, which we conceive ourselves in duty obliged imme- diately to send unto you by another express. In the morning we enter upon the treaty, an ac- count of which day's proceedings we intend to transmit unto you by some of our number, to be with you on Saturday. We rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. Th. Widdrington. H. Vane. Will. White. Wickham, July I, IG47, Rob. Scawen. at 12 at night. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — The king removed yesterday from Hatfield to Windsor, where colonel Whichcoat being governor, he hath the command of the present guards; and we have given him our orders to remove Dr. Sheldon T 27 <> THE PRINCE ELECTOR. and Dr. Hammond from about the person of the king, with all others that by your late votes, and the fifth article of our instructions, are not to be permitted access to his majesty. These orders he hath willingly received from us, and undertaken to obey them ac- cordingly. The duke of Richmond went away from Hatfield. This is all we have at present to acquaint you with, being very desirous, as far as in us lies, to observe your commands ; remaining Your most humble servants, John Coke. Jo. Crewe. Windsor, RiCIIARD BroWNE. July 2, 1647. The king intends to remove from hence to Ca- versham, near Reading, to-morrow. PRINCE CHARLES LODOVIC TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The unhappy differences between the king and parliament being in a hopeful way of composure, and his majesty, for the present, near these parts, it is looked upon as what may well become my duty, in the near relation I have to him, to make a journey to kiss his hands. Yet out of my respects (which are unalterable) to this house, I thought fit to forbear it, until I know whether they DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. 277 will approve of it."^ I do therefore desire you to ac- quaint them herewith, that in case it stand with their liking, I may send also to know his majesty's plea- sure therein. Thus I rest Your most affectionate friend, Charles Lodovic. July 2, 1647. THE DEPUTY-LIEUTENANTS AT CHESTER TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — Having formerly passed through many imminent dangers in this county, in the faithful discharge of our services to the state and par- liament, whereby we hoped we had wrought ourselves into a settled and peaceable condition at least, free from any violence of the soldiery on our parts ; we find by acts of woful experience, exercised upon ourselves within this county, notwinhstanding all our enemies therein, that it is a matter of great difficulty to per- form the same, and therefore it must needs be of infinite more difficulty to settle the great and weighty differences of the whole kingdom ; and we cannot but be sensible of the unwearied pains of the worthies of parliament, therein to be had in remembrance to all succeeding ages. "^ " Upon the prince elector's desire, it was left to his l)leasure to visit the king, if he thought fit." Wkitlocke, July 3. 278 DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. 279 Mr. Speaker, It pleased the parliament long since to settle a garrison in Chester of six hundred men, and a troop of horse in the county, which have been paid by this impoverished county till near about March last ; that by ordinance of parliament, this garrison was to be paid (amongst others then voted to con- tinue) out of the moneys of the state ; but since then no moneys have come hither, so that the soldiers, both horse and foot, being four months unpaid, have taken upon them the boldness and impudence to seize and enthral our persons, some of us from our houses, and others of us at our meetings for the parliament's service, and to draw and enforce us to Chester, like rogues and thieves, in base and disgraceful manner, and to bring us openly through all the streets, (there being no street free from the infection of the plague, it being spread through the whole city,) and at their wills and pleasures to remove us, sometimes throwing us all, being in number tifteen persons, into one Httle room, part of the common gaol, where there was neither bread nor provision of meat or drink, nor any accommodation for nature, but publicly, like beasts, amongst ourselves ; our friends denied to come to us ; and being in this sad condition and durance, we were threatened by some of them shouting to hang us, and others to cut our throats or destroy us, and cast us into infected houses ; and yet it pleased God to work upon the hearts of some of them to relent at the miserable danger our lives were then in, and, at 1 the persuasions of the governor and other officers, (whose commands they slighted,) to remove us again into a house, where we have two or three rooms, and necessary accommodation to preserve our lives ; ana yet, by reason of the spreading infection of the plague, we know not which of ourselves are safe or free from it, by reason the tumultuous rout were always throng- ing upon us, some of them being since thought to be infected. Mr. Speaker, The desperate and barbarous acts of these soldiers are without precedent, and of dan- gerous consequence, as we humbly conceive, who sought utterly to destroy and hinder us by lingering torments ; and truly the condition and quality of some of the men being now imparted and discovered to us, and being considered, we could expect no less, for that, as we are informed, many of them have served against the parliament, and some of them under the rebels in Ireland. Mr. Speaker, To redeem our persons and save our lives, (nothing satisfying them but present money,) we have been enforced to take upon us the payment of all those four months' pay, both of horse and foot, which, together with another month's pay, w^hich will be due before they can be disbanded with safety to the country, will amount to five thousand pounds; and have made extreme hard shift to get them pay for themselves, and speedily to satisfy their quarters ; which to do, we are neither able of ourselves, nor by 280 DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. f all the power of our friends ; nor can this impoverished county help us. Therefore we do most humbly beseech the honourable house of commons to take speedy course to disband these forces, that they may never be trusted or employed again in the parliament's service ; and that timely course may be taken for their moneys, otherwise we are liable to the like danger, they mainly insisting upon it to have their quarters paid, and they secured of their pay for the future. For your further satisfaction herein, we have sent and employed the bearer, Mr. AVilliam Davies, one of the committee, and fellow-prisoner with us, to give you a more particular account thereof. And believe us, Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding all these unprecedented and inhuman sufferings and oppressions, we are no ways discouraged in our hearty affections to serve the parliament, to the shedding of the last drop of our blood 5 and do humbly remain Your most humble servants, Tiio. Stanley. Ph. MainwarixNG. John Legh. Thomas Croxton. Henry Birkened. Jo. Wettenhall. R. Leicester. William Davies. James Gartsyde. Chester, J ulv 3, 1047. We make bold further to represent to your ho- nours, that though there be a general imputation laid upon deputy-lieutenants and committees throughout DISTURBANCES IN CHESHIRE. 281 the kingdom, yet wt can clear ourselves, that as yet we never received to ourselves the least satisfaction towards any of our charges we have been put unto in the state's service, nor ever received or inter- meddled with any of the public moneys of the king- dom. THE COMMITTEE AT CHESTER TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — We hope the members that serve for our county of Chester have before this time pre- sented to the house the condition thereof, in respect of the soldiers' arrears belonging to Chester garrison, and the distempers and outrages committed and me- naced upon this poor county, if present satisfaction were not provided for them ; which, joined with the incapacity of the county to supply their demands, made us suspect that, which now the soldiers have accomplished, being at this instant in a general mutiny, and having (at a meeting of some of the deputy-lieutenants to consult thereupon) seized upon them, and taken them violently away to Chester, (where the infection is spread and broke out in about thirty houses,) and put them into prison near to the common prison of the town, called the Northgate, together with colonel Massey, the governor of the city, and a captain, with some of the committee and sequestrators and commissioners of excise, and still 2 o \ '^S'i NORTHERN ARMY. are attempting the imprisonment of the rest of the gentlemen of the county, if there be not present payment made to them of four thousand pounds ; for unto so much amounteth their arrears and present demands. Sir, We know not how far this evil may proceed, nor how deeply the poor county may suffer, and therefore conceived it our duties (who are yet at liberty) to present this short account to your con- sideration ; with our humble desire, that the house may be speedily acquainted therewith, and the advice thereof solicited, and with expedition sent us, what course it shall please them to prescribe us in this occasion ; which shall be readily obeyed, Sir, By your most humble servants, G. Booth. E. Hyde. ROBT. DUCKEN FIELD. July 3, 1047. MAJOR-GENERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER. HoNouRARLE SiR, — I havc commuuicatcd your letter, the ordinances, and votes you sent me, to my officers, and they have made them known to most of their respective troops and companies ; but there is such a distemper in several of the regiments, that we find no authority or power we have will recall them . NORTHERN ARMY. QS3 into their former obedience. Their main desire is to associate their forces with his excellency's army, resolving to stand or fall with them in their just request, as they say ; and to this purpose they have selected two out of every assenting troop or company, who now reside at Pontefract, advising and acting (with some come from the southern army) what they think fit in pursuance of their aforesaid end. This day, five of their number, upon my engatre- ment for their safe return, (which I was willing to do, both the better to know their intentions, and because the council of war did conceive it of dangerous consequence to apprehend them now,) did present unto the council of war a declaration, which they demanded to be immediately subscribed by some of the colonels present, or to receive their negative answer: upon which it was then resolved by the council of war, (whose advice therein was requested by the said colonels,) that they should suspend their answer till the return of the gentleman I lately sent to his excellency, to inform him of the men come hither from his army, (pretending by his authority,) and of your vote directing me to ap- prehend such as come hither to disturb this army. What the issue of these things may be, I know not : I shall humbly desire the directions of the house herein. Sir, Our forces here have observed that they have ever waited very long for whatsoever moneys the 284 THE KING. |l house hath ordered them, and perhaps fear the hke now, his excellency's army having received theirs. If the £ 10,000, lately ordered, could be presently procured, it might be a probable expedient to satisfy your soldiers in this distraction. Therefore my humble request is, you will be pleased to contribute your assistance for that purpose, and it shall add to my former engagements; and in all things, to my utmost power, shall be ready to manifest my fidelity to the parliament, and approve myself Your most humble servant, Sedenham Poyntz. York, July 3, 1047. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Yesterday, the king removed from Windsor to Caversham, where now he is. Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Hammond, and others in like condition, have the same liberty of access as they had before his majesty came to Windsor. This is all the account we can give you ; remaining Your most humble servants, Holland. John Coke. Jo. Crewe. Caversham, Julv 4, 1647. Richard Browne. LYNN REGIS. 2H5 SIR THOMAS HOOGAN TO THE SPEAKER. Honoured Sir, — It is not long since I was at London, for the procuring of money for the gar- rison of Lynn Regis ; and there being at that time many great affairs in agitation concerning the state, there could not meet together a committee of the eastern association : but at length, their leisure per- mitting them, they gave me an order to receive at Norwich, of Mr. John Cory, high collector for the county, £500; which, immediately at my coming home, I sent for, but could not receive, it being disbursed by him, and much more upon former orders. The soldiers in the garrison having intimation of it, ran into a mutiny on Friday last ; saying, they would have all their pay to a day, declaring they would go to the army. I told them, I would procure them their whole pay to the last day, for those that would be gone. Then they cried, all "would have it: so Mr. Mayor, together with myself, immediately pro- cured them their money due since you gave me charge over them ; and I told them that were the chief incendiaries, I would put no command on them for future, nor expect any duty from them that fall into such a posture : but on Monday following, they acknowledged their error, and humbled themselves ; but I intend to rid the town of the chief of them, and question not but to find out in time the authors of this stir. ^ii S86 THE ELEVEN MEMBEUS. I This I thought my duty to represent unto you ; and shall ever rest, oir, Your humble and faithful servant, TlIO. HoOGAN. Lynn Regis, Jiilv 5, 1047. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — We acquainted you by our last, that this morning, at seven of the clock, we were again to meet the commissioners of the army,"" to make further proceedings on the treaty ; in expecta- tion whereof, we continued until past twelve of the clock this day, when we had notice given us by com- missary-general Ireton, sir Mardresse Waller, and some other of the commission, that the business of the charge concernino: the eleven members, and some Other intervening occasions, had taken up so much of their time, that they could not possibly come to us sooner. But they assured us, that this afternoon, at two of the clock, they w ould give us a meeting ; about which time they came accordingly : and, in the ' Fairfax had appointed Cronnvell, Ireton, Fleetwood, colo- nels Rainsboroiigh and Harrison, sir II. Waller, Rich, Lambert, Hammond, and major Rainsborough, or any five of them, to treat with the parliament's commissioners, upon the papers sent from the army to the parliament, and their votes. Whitlocke, July 2. ij ^ THE ELEVEN MEMBERS. 2S7 first place, propounded for our debate some things which they affirmed to be wanting in the late votes of the houses, in relation to the desires of the army sent from Uxbridge, 27 June, 1647; the result of which debate we send you here inclosed : whereby intimation is given unto us, that they have several things of weight to offer, very much conducing (as they say) to the preserving of the peace and safety of this kingdom : sir, unto which we replied, that if the things they had to offer were contained within the papers and desires of the army, to which our com- mission refers, w^e should then be ready to debate upon them, when they were communicated to us. We are in continual expectation to hear what they have to offer to us thereupon, but it is so late at nio^ht that we cannot hope to come to any debate thereof until to-morrow morning, and therefore hold it our duty to give you this account for present ; and so rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. TlIO. POVEY. Reading, H; ^ ^^^' July 5, 1()47, Will. White. at eleven at night. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Honourable Sir, — We have this day been in continual expectation to hear from the commissioners lii ii iM 288 THE ELEVEN MEMBERS. LYNN REGIS. 289 of the army, what it is they have to offer unto us of weight, intimated by their paper sent up unto you last night. They have been in consultation amongst themsdves all this day, and now they inform us by sir Hardresse Waller, that they find the matter now under their consideration of that difficulty, that they hold it necessary to consult the General and council of war before they present it to be debated on, and do intend to come to us again this night ; but fearing it may be very late, we thought fit at present to give you this account ; and rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, H. Vane. Ch. Skippon. Will White. Reading, ^ -p* July (5, lft47; Tho. Povey. seven at night. THE MAYOR OF LYNN REGIS TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir,— The misery of our town is grown unto such a height, and our soldiers for want of pay are grown so mutinous, as here will be no living for us, if a timely care be not presently had, eithe^r in settling of the establishment of the garrison, or a present disbanding of them ; and to that end, I am much importuned by the inhabitants of our town, and necessitated by our mutinous soldiers, to send Mr. Edward Robinson and Mr. Bartholomew Wor- mall, two of the alderaien of our town, to wait upon the honourable house with a petition of our grievances ; which I humbly desire may be speedily read, and they heard on the behalf of our poor, sinking, dying town. Sir, Our miseries come so fast upon us, as they will admit of no delay : therefore be pleased to move the house, that the soldiers henceforth may be constantly paid, or disbanded ; for without the one, 1 cannot con- ceive but some sudden danger will befall us, which may endanger the whole association. Sir, I am confident if the house would be pleased to order the disbanding, the town will be kept closer to the parliament by the townsmen themselves than by the soldiers ; for the townsmen have heretofore engaged themselves, and their whole estates, by a former petition, to keep that town for king and par- liament against all opposers. Sir, There is no pay for our garrison, in the least ; and our engagements and pressures are so great and many, as we cannot longer lie under them, without our utter undoing. Therefore I beseech you to take the sad condition of our poor town into your deep con- sideration, and to find out some help for our redress, either by constant paying, or sudden disbanding. This is the humble request and desire of Your humble servant, Tho. Toll, Mayor. Lynn Regis, July 0, 1047. 2 P 290 ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. THE AKMY COMMISSIONERS TO THE PAR- LIAMENTARY COMMISSIONERS. By the last paper delivered unto us from your lordships at Reading, the 7th of July, we perceive you find that the expectation of the parliament and kingdom is great, upon the speedy progress and happy issue of this treaty. We answer, that we do really apprehend the same things with you ; neither can we but witness that you have constantly attended the appointed times of meeting, and pressed despatch therein. Nevertheless, we cannot but be very sen- sible that you seem to reflect upon us further than there is just cause, in your taking notice that the proceedings should be slow on our parts ; as if we should not seem to desire and labour the quick and speedy settlement of the affairs of the kingdom in a safe and well-grounded peace, as cordially as any persons whatsoever. We shall therefore desire you to remember, with what forwardness we have, in the first place, presented to you those things which we did in our hearts con- ceive necessary in order to a treaty, and without which were granted, we could not, with safety to the kingdom and satisfaction to ourselves, proceed in treaty ; and further pressed you to present them to the parliament with speed, that a quick despatch might be had therein ; as being, in our thoughts, the chiefest and surest way to prevent the engaging this kingdom / . Ham:,ond from the kmg. together with such others as have access to h.s majesty contrary to the fifth article of our in structions. His answer is, that he hath not as yet received any d.rect.ons from his excellency, whose commands he must expect before he can yield obedience to us tor the reasons formerly given us at Hatfield.^ which we related to you at large in a letter from thenee a copy whereof we have inclosed; for that colonel' VVhalley refers himself to what he then said, and the state of our condition having been thereby truly • See before, p. 241, 2q sys POYNTZ IMPRISONED. represented unto you, it will appear that we are not in capacity of giving you other account ; but remain, Sir, Your most humble servants, Holland. John Coke. Jo. Crewe. July 9, 1047. KlCHARD BllOWNE. MAJOR-GEXERAL POYNTZ TO THE SPEAKER.' Sir,— On Thursday last I was apprehended by a party of the agitators which are in these parts, in my own house, and brought by force and set on horseback, without boots or shoes on my legs, and so my horse was led through the city of ¥0^!^, with a party before and behind with drawn swords and pistols; and when they came a mile out of York they stayed with me in a house until I received a pair of boots, and then they marched away with me to Pontefract town : and, upon my entreating to the agitators, colonel OfFerton was sent for, to desire him to come to speak with me ; and being come, upon his engagement and mine to them, that I ' The liouse ordered copies of this and the followino- letter to be sent to Fairfax, with directions for the discharge of Povntz or sending him up to London ; and a letter ordered to the lord ZIZ i r'^' ,V° ''''"'""■°' ^""^ '"''^'^ '"« goods to him. Whttlocke, June 15. PoyNTz imprisoned. 299 should appear before them when they demanded me, I had leave to walk into the castle with colonel Offerton, who is pleased to use me with all civility, as also the agitators. Now I hope the honourable house will not see me suffer for what I have done by your honour's orders : and if I have done any thing contrary to order, which I am certain cannot be made appear, I desire a fair trial before such justices as the honourable house shall think fit. My goods are all arrested in York by the agitators. I desire your honours will be pleased to give order that they be forced to come up to London, where I shall be ready to give an account of what can be demanded from me. Sir, I sent a letter to you, dated the third of this instant, and I desired colonel Lionel Copley to pre- sent it to you. The contents of my letter was, that I desired to lay down my commission. If that letter be not presented, I desire that it may be called for, and notice taken of the date thereof. I also humbly desire, that the honourable house will be pleased to write to his excellency, that I may have leave to come to London, upon my engagement to appear where and when the honourable house shall please. Leaving all these premises to the consideration of the honourable house, I remain Your lordship's most humble and faithful servant ATk^T. SEDENH..M Povntz. ' 500 POYNTZ IMPRISONED. ELIZABETH POYxXTZ TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable SiR,_May it please you to receive and peruse a few lines from a disconsolate woman, a pilgrim and stranger in your kingdom, whose husband hath been a servant and soldier for the state, and always (so far as he knows) obedient to the command, and affected to the cause of the parliament ; but now, by what authority or for what offence she knows not,' he is become prisoner to his soldiers, and carried to Pontefract castle. He was fetched out of the city of York, out of his own house, by a party of horse ; used somewhat contrary to the quality of a gen- tleman ; but, I am sure, contrary to his fidelity to the parliament, and to the power and authority they had trusted him with ; carried away in his slippers, not suffered to express any conjugal comfort or courtesy to me, his wife, at his departing : and what will be the doom they will pass on him, I cannot tell. Besides, as his person, so his estate is under their command ; his goods stopped by them, and seized upon in the carrier's hands, with command not to be removed till further order. Sir, Hath my husband hazarded his life in winter sieges, in hot service, in desperate and dangerous battles, to be thus blasted and trampled upon.? And must I, that came a wife and a gentlewoman into this kingdom, go a widow and a beggar? I hope the equity and mercy of the parliament, and of others i I \ i POYNTZ IMPRISONED. 301 \ also, and the care of their honours in foreign king- doms, will be such, as not to let my husband perish in the hand of them that hate him, for nothing but his reality and stability to the parliament in waiting their commands. I beseech you, therefore, commiserate me, and com- municate these to them that may relieve me ; for here I live, mourning under the want of my husband, and the scorn and reproach of them towards whom my husband thought he carried himself with civility. Sir, This is the petition of a poor sojourner, who shall wait, with prayers, what answer the honourable house shall return ; for whom my husband now suffers bonds and imprisonment. Desiring you would not only pardon my boldness, but pity the sadness of her who relies upon your answer ; and who is, Sir, Your most humble servant, Elizabeth Poyntz. July 0, 1G47. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX AND THE COUNCIL OF WAR TO THE SCOTCH COMMISSIONERS. My Lords and Gentlemen,— I assure you that I never gave a warrant, since my coming last to the army, under ray hand, for the stopping or appro- bending all or any person carrying letters or intel- ligence j neither was there any command issued forth S02 SCOTCH COMMISSIONERS. by any, that I know of, to that purpose : and as for that particular of the packet going for Scotland, and seized of betwixt Huntingdon and Stilton, I knew nothing of it until I received the notice from the lords ; neither were any such letters brought to my quarters, that I could hear of. I should not have let such an offence pass by with- out making the actor in so foul a business an ex- ample. I shall be very careful, as much as in me lies, that none of the army shall offer any interruption to that intercourse between the kingdom of Scotland and their commissioners at London ; and should be very loath to be an occasion of a breach of that good correspondency between the two nations. In my letter to the house of peers, of the 29th of June last, I gave the same account that I do now ; and withal did further acquaint them of a bundle of papers, sealed up, without any superscription, which were stopped by the guard at Ware, and brought to the head quarter ; but the messenger (though he was found in several stories) was notwithstanding per- mitted to go with the same papers to Royston or Newmarket, according to a pass which he had from major-general Webb. By the appointment of his excellency and the council of war. Jo. RUSHWORTH. Readinf^, July 10, 1(U7. NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. 303 Since the writing hereof, I understand, by one of the army, that he had heard of such a thing as the seizing letters about Huntingdon, when he was in those parts ; but by whom, and the particulars of that business, he can give no account. I shall put it into a speedy way of further inquiry. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir,— The French ambassadors have now accepted the league guarantee, so long in debate betwixt the States and the French ambassadors; by which, it seems, both the French and the States will make peace with Spain ; for this guarantee is nothing but a treaty betwixt France and the States, that if the king of Spain shall invade either France or the States, for any thing they are to possess by the peace, they are both to declare war against Spain. The particulars are more clearly set down in this Dutch printed paper here inclosed : for though it be not printed by public au- thority, yet it is a true draft of the guarantee, which hath been the most considerable thing the States and the French ambassador have been about these six months ; and therefore I thought it worthy of the knowledge of the house, and that so much the rather, as it doth in effect comprehend the general peace, for all else is virtually in this. 804 NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. I I 'I: If The emperor and the Swedes are in the same readiness at Munster, as I am informed, so as no- thing but formalities remain to be transacted there ; which may take up some few months, and then I believe the general peace will be proclaimed. We hear that propositions of peace are sending by the parliament to the king : if that be so, I shall humbly offer it to the house's consideration, whether it will not be necessary that one proposition be, that no treaty of peace or war be made with any foreign state but by consent of parliament: for the subject is so nearly concerned in this, that it concerns the property of his goods, which are, in a good measure, in foreign parts in respect of trade, which are subject to be confiscated by that state, when they are upon declaring war against it by the king, without the subjects' fault or privity ; as likewise, to have their ships taken by letters of reprisal ; and, which is most of all, the whole kingdom to be invaded by such declarations, that it hath been usually exercised with- out the subjects' consent. It is very requisite that all ministers employed in foreign parts should give account to the parlia- ment, and, in the interval of parliaments, to those authorized by them, of what they transact abroad ; that so the honour of the parliament, as well as the safety of the people, might be maintained abroad : whereas the contrary is now practised by all that have been sent abroad; who traduce the state, and 305 those that sit at the helm, by publishing declarations by which they are criminalized and made traitors; copies of which I have formerly sent to the house. Sir, I think now that this negotiation betwixt the States and French is in a manner ended, and the summer near spent, so as the season will not be likely to allow them to do much. I should humbly entreat the house to give me leave to come over, being ready to return again whenever they please to com- mand me, having nothing in my thoughts but their service, which I shall be ready to express by all the duty and obedience which the most perfect and faithful lover of his country can perform. If you please to m.ake this my humble suit known to the house, and let me know their resolution, whatever it be my submission shall witness. I own no desires of my own longer than they please to allow me, who am only happier in being theirs ; and in that right, more than any else, hope to be reputed by you, ►Sir, Your most humble servant, „ , Walter Strickland. Hagli, July *f^ 1047. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir,— We have forborne these two or three days to write unto you, in expectation to o n ^' 300 ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. have received from the commissioners of the army their resolutions concerning the proceeding on in the treaty, which we have not been wanting daily to press; and have had word sent unto us late this evening, that we shall have their answer sometime to-morrow. We find, by what hath passed between them and us, they conceive that very little of their desires sent from Oxbridge, as preparatory to the treaty, have been as yet effectually granted. The true state of the proceeding of the houses, in reference thereunto, we have endeavoured to clear ; and intend, upon what we shall receive to-morrow, to give you a further ac- count. We are informed, that major-general Poyntz is come with a guard to the head quarter ; the certainty whereof we shall inquire to-morrow. This being all at present, we rest. Sir, Your very humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. ThO. WiDDRlNGTON. H. Vane. Tho. Povey. Will. White. Reading, July 15, 1G47; 12' at Might. ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. 307 THE SAME TO THE SAME. Honourable Sir,— By our last, of the 15th instant, we made bold to acquaint you, that having daily pressed the proceeding on in the treaty, we had word sent unto us late that evenino:, that we should receive their answer some time the next day; and now late this evening, commissary-general Ireton, and several other officers of the army, came and ac- quainted us, that the General and officers took notice of a vote passed in the house yesterday, concernino* the putting of all the land forces, now in the par- liament's pay, under the immediate command of sir Thomas Fairfax," which is looked upon by them as an expression of great trust which the house is pleased to repose in the army ; and hoped it would lay the foundation of further confidence, and of that which will tend to the security and peace of the kingdom : and that, for the present, it had occasioned some al- teration in a paper they intended for us this night ; and withal told us, that the proposals which they were preparing for the settlement of the peace of the kingdom had been much interrupted by their long sittings in the council of war for these two days last past, upon the consideration of several things thought necessary for present security, some particulars thereof not being yet cleared; but further acquainted us, that most of the heads of those proposals were written, " See Jouniultf of the Coiiimoiis^, July 17. I i 30S rOYNTZ. but neither agreed on nor amplified, as was necessary, and as they intended. They read these heads unto us, to let us see what progress they had made, and that their thoughts had been intent upon the general settlement of the peace of the kingdom, and said they hoped within five or six days to have them in readiness to be delivered unto us. In the mean time, we thought it our duty to give you this account. We rest. Sir, Your very humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. THO. WiDDllINGTON. Will. White. ,, ,. H. Vane. Keadinjr, July 18, KUl ; TllO. POVEY. past 12 at night. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Before I received your letter, I had set colonel-general Poyntz at liberty, and also granted him a pass, and an order for the restoring unto him his goods that were seized upon, to be brought up to London. Since the receipt of your letter, his own soldiers have brought in a charge against him, notwith- w i; NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. 309 standing I have told him, if he pleased, he was at liberty to go to London or elsewhere. If it be desired by him any prosecution should be made upon that charge, (which, in regard it hath some relation to my own particular, I am willing to pass by,) the persons who have preferred the same are ready to bring in their proofs concerning the matter alleo:ed against him. I remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Reading, July 20, 1647. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I shall now give you and the parliament the last account of the league guarantee betwixt the French and the States. It was this week subscribed by both the French ambassadors, monsieurs Servient and la Tuillerie, and by the States, so as monsieur Servient hath taken his leave of the States, and is re- turning to Munster, there to join with the States' ambassadors, who are to follow to conclude the ge- neral peace, which is in a manner done already ; for the States' ambassadors and the Spanish have long since signed the most of the articles with Spain, which France had no way to hinder from being com- pleted, but by entertaining the States these six 3W NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. 311 months, as he hath done with this new treaty of mutual securing each other to enjoy what should be granted them by Spain by the intended peace : and this was in a manner a supersedeas to the treaty at Munster for that time ; for, in effect, all was stayed there, till this was negotiated here. The ministers of France hoped to have drawn the States from their resolution to make peace with Spain, both by alleging an engagement of the States, by former treaties, not to do it without France, and other reasons of state ; but the prevailing opinion here hath been carried to the contrary. What this league guarantee is, the paper I in- closed in my last letter did fully inform you, for it is the substance, and, I think, the words of the agree- ment ; so as now, in all probability, the general peace will proceed in as short a time as the ceremonies of things of that nature will allow, which men think may be two months. It is said, the king of Spain will never consent to the Portugal king being comprised in the treaty : and the French ambassadors say, the king of France will assist the king of Portugal, so as it is like the French, though they make peace with Spain, will yet reserve that back door to keep the Spaniard in trouble, by supplying that king against Spain. The States would not be persuaded by France to include the interest of the king of Portugal in their treaty, though France endeavoured it, for Portugal hath done i them much hurt in Brazil ; though the French am- bassador offers to procure them satisfaction, if they will accept it by his mediation : but this making peace, will make the States abler to send such a powerful army, as they may gain their own with in- terest. Sir, Men well affected to the parliament have ad- vertised me, from several places, that they observe that great numbers of malio^nants, who were retired into these countries, have of late embarked them- selves in Holland and Zealand for England, so as we are much afraid they have some design in London, or other parts, to begin new troubles. For they are as full as ever of malice, and desperate resolutions against the parliament, and hope, by troubling the waters, to recover from their disease. But I hope in God the same providence, which hath so clearly ap- peared in blessing and owning the endeavours of those who are faithful, will put it into the mind of the city, by the advice of the parliament, to cast out of the way all these birds who would destroy the nest. Sir, I am persuaded no great matter that concerns the public will be negotiated at the Hague for some months, this being ended of the guarantee ; so as, in my judgment, I could do better service to the public to come home and receive the commands of the house, and then return when they were fitter than now they arc for businesses abroad. This was my 31^ SKIPPON. SKIPPON. 313 If humble suit in my last, and is seconded by this ; which if you please, in ray behalf, to offer to the house, you will oblige me, and do it for one who is a real servant to the parliament and yourself; being, Sir, Your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hague, A^^;.]'ir>47. We hear the Lutherans and Calvinists are agreed to hold together, and to be both equally compre- hended in the peace of Munster, of which men arc very glad here. MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON TO THE SPEAKER. Worthily honoured Sir, — It is not unknown to you, by the letter I presumed to send to you from Newcastle, how unwilling I was from the be- ginning to engage myself personally for the service of Ireland, and what reasons I gave therefore, as also what single consideration moved me to accept there- of; (viz.) that it was alleged that my going would carry a great part of the army with me; and my not going would withhold them from going thither ; and so I must have been reputed the alone obstructor and prejudicer of that service : which then pre- vailing consideration being since removed, I humbly crave leave hereby to let you know, that although I most thankfully acknowledge the favour of this honourable house therein towards me, yet my former purposes and desires to decline that service, upon my forementioned reasons, (and divers others,) which, if required, I shall declare, are more earnest than ever, it being a service every way so unfit for me, and for w hich I am so unfit : therefore my most humble suit to this honourable house is, that I may be freed from that employment ; being not only willing, but desirous to lay down the same, and content rather submissively to suffer what it shall please the parliament to impose upon me for my humble re- fusing thereof, than to go on therein. And that it may plainly appear I aim at no self- advantage any other way, I shall most readily lay down all my other employments at the parliament's feet, (if they so command ;) and either betake myself to a private life, upon my own poor means in England, or, with the parliament's leave, seek an abiding place in some other country beyond the seas. Thus much I hold myself bound to acquaint you with, w^hich I beseech you seasonably to make known to the honourable house, as also my most humble and earnest suit herein ; which I desire as unfeignedly as I can do any thing at the hand of man. And, good sir, be pleased so far to stand my friend, as to help what you can to take me off from that service, it being the greatest favour I have to 2s 3U THE KING. WINDSOR CASTLE. 315 i importune you for, and whereby you will (more than I can express) engage, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servant, Ch. Skippon, Reading, July 21, 1647. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE KING TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — His majesty's remove from hence was in discourse yesterday, but this morning he hath fully resolved to go towards Wooburn, a house of the earl of Bedford's, to-morrow, where he will be upon Friday, intending to take up his quarters at Lati- mer's for that night which he must lodge by the way. Hereof we thought it our duty to give you this account ; and of ourselves, that we are in the same condition which our former letters expressed ; and remain Your most humble servants, Holland. John Coke. Jo. Crew^e. Caversham, RiCHARD BrOWNE. July 21, 1047. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Understanding the small force is left in Windsor castle, and considering the conse- quence of that place, and the hazarding may be by the army's removal so far remote, I have thought fit to send a hundred commanded men for the more se- curity of that place, which I thought it my duty to acquaint you withal ; and further, to desire you that you will please to move the house for some pay for that garrison, which, as I understand, is above a twelvemonth in arrear, and since March last hath not received one penny. Desiring your effectual recommendation herein, I remain Your very affectionate friend and servant, T. Fairfax. Aylesbury, July 23, 1047. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — Yesterday the head quarters were removed unto this place, and are to-morrow to be at Bedford. Since our last despatch unto you, we have observed that the army hath been in very frequent consultations about the expediting the par- ticulars which they have to propound in reference to li fi 316 ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. 317 a general settlement, and therein (as we hear) have made some progress. But since their coming to this town, they have received information (which they give good credit unto) of some dangerous contrivance set on foot in the city of London, under pretence of a petition, and solemn engagements "" of the citizens, commanders, officers, and soldiers of the trained bands and auxiliaries, young men and apprentices of London and Westminster, sea commanders, sea- men, and watermen, together with divers other com- manders, officers, and soldiers, within the line of communication, tending very much, as is conceived by the army, to the kindling of a new war ; and there- upon they have thought fit to deliver in one paper unto us, and another to the committee of the common council residing here ; the copies of both which, to- gether with the petition and engagement itself, and the information they have received in the same, we held our duty immediately to send unto you, being * ** A petition and engagement of dangerous consequence of divers officers, citizens, watermen, and seamen, was brought to the house; and they referred it to a committee, to find out the autliors ; and a declaration to be drawn up against it." Whit- locJie, Juli/ 22. The purport of the engagement was, that the parties to it would, to their utmost, endeavour that the kimr should come to his parliament in honour, safety, and freedom, without the nearer approacli of the army, there to confirm sucli things as he had granted by liis message of the 12th of May ; and, by a [)ersonal treaty, settle such things as were yet in dif- ference. See Godwin^ b. ii. c. x. Journals of Commotis, Juhj 22, 23. very apprehensive of the ill effects that things of this nature may produce in the minds of the army, if not timely prevented and remedied by the wisdom of par- liament. Of this, the committee of the common council residing here are so sensible, that they are gone up with all speed to London, to give the city a clear representation of these affairs, and what opera- tion it is like to have here. We have this morning received the votes that passed the house yesterday, in answer to the desires of the army sent up by Sir Thomas Widdrington, which we have communicated unto the General and officers of the army, who thereby have received great satisfaction ; at the same time we propounded to them, to take into their speedy considerations the relief of Ireland, which they have promised to do ; and are in expectation of the concurrence of the lords to the votes yesterday passed the house. We are. Sir, Your very humble and faithful servants, Cn. Skippon. Will White. Aylesbury, ^' Vane. July23, 1G47; ThO. PoVEY. nine at night. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Honourable Sir, — We came last night to Bed- ford, where sir John Temple met us with your com- i 318 ARMY AND PAULIAiMENT. raands; which we, with him, immediately communicated to the General, and desired that we might have a meetinfT on Monday morning, to consider of the speedy relief of Ireland. Unto this the General and officers expressed much forwardness, and promised to debate it with us to-morrow morning, of which we shall give you a speedy account. This day we received the declaration of both houses against the late petition and engagement, as also the ordinance for change of the militia ^ in the city of London ; with an additional power from both houses to ourselves, concernincr the garrison and forces of England and relief of Ireland : with all which we acquainted the General; and late this morning have had notice given us by lieutenant-general Crom- well, sir Hardresse Waller, colonel Hammond, and colonel Rich, in the name of his excellency, of the good resentment which the General and officers had of what the houses have been pleased to do in satisfac- tion of their last desires, and in particular of the sense which the parliament hath expressed against the late petition and engagement, together with the owning of the army ; in all which they declare them- selves to have received much satisfaction. And be- cause they observe the expectation of the parliament ^ An ordinance had just passed the houses, for putting the militia of London into the hands of the old commissioners : this gave great offence to the citizens, who petitioned for the repeal of the ordinance. See Whitlockey July 23, 2(3. ARMY AND PARLIAMENT. 319 is very great, upon a speedy relief to be sent for Ireland, and the sudden despatch of their remaining desires, in order to a general settlement, they did further acquaint us from the General, that, as to the first of these, they will be ready to-morrow to con- sider with us about it, and endeavour to promote that service to the utmost of their power ; and to the latter, that they do believe they shall be ready to deliver them unto us by Wednesday or Thursday next, or sooner if they can, and to treat upon the same with us. In the commands which we have received from you concerning the forces and garrisons of this king- dom, we conceive the assistance of Mr. Scawen (if his attendance in the house may be dispensed withal) will be very necessary ; and so we rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. Will. White. Bedford, H. VanE. July 25, 1047 ; 12 at night. Trio. PovEY. MR. ARTHUR ANNESLEY' TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — This afternoon, the lord of Ormond hath delivered to us the sword and other * One of the parliamentary commissioners in Ireland. 3i20 AFFAIRS IN IRELAND. ensigns of royalty, and is now going aboard captain Wood's ship ; by whom, for want of time, we cannot give you a full account of the state of these parts. But he, being a man that hath been very faithful in your service, will give you information of what of the present condition of affairs here comes under common observation, if you admit him to it. We intend (as esteeming it of necessity) that the army march within two or three days for relief of Trim,"* which the rebels' army came before on Mon- day last. Your honour's most humble servant, Arthur Annesley. Dublin, July 28, KU7. THE COMMISSIONERS OF DUBLIN TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — We understand the house hath been pleased to order our stay here till the first of September, contrary to the licence we brought with us, when we engaged in this service ; and there- fore we think fit to represent to you, that our own affairs necessarily requiring our being there, we made " Colonel Jones almost immediately marched his forces to the relief of Trim, and totally defeated Preston, who was be- sieging it. See Whitloche, August 13. AFFAIRS IN IRELAND. 321 known to the committee at Derby house, in writing, that we could not make any longer stay here, than till the transactions with the lord of Ormond were finished, and therefore desired that some others might be employed in this service. The committee, not- withstanding, thinking it requisite that we should for the present come, gave us full power (by instruction under their hands) to return when we pleased, after the agreement with the lord of Ormond was finished, which hath been protracted beyond our expectation ; so that we conceive ourselves to be at full liberty to return, unless we have by our willingness, at your command, to serve the public, lost the liberty of free- born subjects. We must, therefore, humbly desire you, if you think it necessary to have the commissioners here, to name some others, since we cannot make any longer stay ; or that you make the quorum to consist of three, there being so many here upon the place besides us ; or that you hasten colonel Birch or colonel Sydney, who are in commission, if you think not fit to use a lesser quorum than four ; though, to deal clearly with you, we think good commanders much more necessary to be sent, than commissioners to be continued, the name whereof is odious to the soldiers : and colonel Jones, on whom lies the care of these parts, is so often in danger himself, by freely engaging for ad- vancement of the service, that even by the loss of him, (which (lod forbid,) ruin may be apprehended, if 2 T 3^^ RELIEF OF IRELAND. RELIEF OF IRELAND. 323 some able coramanders arrive not for his assistance, and to succeed him, if need be. And, therefore, we shall humbly crave pardon, if we make use of the liberty of returning, which we brought with us, and without which we had not entered upon this service. Your most humble servants, Arthur Annesley. ^ Dublin, lioB. King. July 28, 1647. The lord of Ormond left the sword this day, and went to sea towards Bristol. Trim beinir besieged by Preston's army, it will be necessary all the force we can make march speedily to their relief; though we must say, the whole kingdom lies at stake in the success thereof. THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE ARMY TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — We acquainted you by our last, that we were to meet with the commissioners of the army about the relief of Ireland, in pursuance of your commands received by sir John Temple. We met accordingly, on Monday last ; and after a serious debate thereupon, we thought fit to deliver in to the commissioners of the army a paper containing the result of our desires upon that debate had with them, the copy of which paper we send you here inclosed. At this meeting, the commissioners of the army shewed very great affection for the expediting relief to Ireland, as we desired, and promised to give us their particular answer in writing very speedily. But the unexpected news of Monday's^ work at the houses, and the several rumours that hourly follow thereupon, have so altered the frame of things here, that as yet we cannot receive their answer as we expected. We find them now upon new counsels, having ordered the contracting of their quarters in relation to their march toward London : this day the head quarter removes to Leighton Buzzard, and (as we hear) some of the army are to be to-morrow night at Uxbridge or Colnbrook. Sir John Temple going by coach, we thought fit to send this express for the more speed. And so we rest, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servants, Ch. Skippon. T. Widdrington. Rob. Scawen. H. Vane. „ ,^ , Tho. Povey. Bediord, July 29, 1G47. Will. White. ** On the preceding Monday, July 26, a great number of young men and apprentices of London had gone in a tumultuous way to tlie bouse, and demanded, that the ordinance for change of the militia be repealed ; that the city be vindicated against the declaration that had passed both houses condemnatory of the afore-mentioned petition and engagement ; and that the ''' I. 324 GARRISON OF PLYMOUTH. SIR SAMUEL LUKE. 3'25 COLONEL RALPH WELDON TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — I have twice formerly wrote unto you concerning the necessities of this garrison ; I have likewise wrote unto the honourable committee of lords and commons of the west; and the officers of the garrison have, in most humble manner, one month since, sent up the major of the regiment to represent their great necessities, which are now grown intolerable, and cannot be longer borne. And, sir, I cannot tell whether the honourable houses have been made acquainted with my letters ; because the major gives intelligence, that the honour- able houses have not heard the petition read as yet. So, sir, that I have now no way left, but in most humble manner to lay down the command of this garrison of Plymouth to the honourable houses of parliament, who were pleased to bestow it on me without my knowl^ge ; which I must ever, with all humble thankfulness, acknowledge. And, sir, I hum- bly desire the honourable houses will be pleased to take knowledge, that whosoever they shall send to take charge of this command, if he bring money, will be very welcome to the poor people and soldiery ; but if otherwise, I am confident it will be very dangerous for any one to undertake the command ; and likewise for myself, that am to leave it, who I eleve>i members might be called into the house. See Whitlacke July '20. \ I '( ii am verily persuaded, shall neither get off with a whole skin, nor a rag to my back. Mr. Speaker, I humbly desire this my resignation by letter to you may be speedily read in the house : and, for fear it should not, I have given the city, the lord mayor, aldermen, and common council, notice of this my humble resignation, as likewise to the honour- able committee of lords and commons for the west ; that all may be satisfied, that whatever happens it is by no default of mine. And truly, sir, the necessi- ties are so great, that I every hour look for some sad accident ; and pray the Lord it may not be before the return of the post. Sir, Necessity hath enforced me to do this, which I do with all humble reverence to the honourable houses ; and present myself. Sir, Your very humble servant, l^ALPii Weluon. Flvmoutli, J II 1/30, 1G47. SIR SAMUEL LUKE'^ TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Having leave from the house to be absent upon my occasions, the army being here, I shewed no countenance to their actions; and had not my wife been so frighted by them, that I could not in conscience leave her, I should have returned to my Member of pailiuincnt for Bedford. 326 MUTINY AT PLYMOUTH. duty: but her illness keeping „,e here. I was this t'r ^ .^"'-'^ -''^'-. -d carried awa^fr': Z 7\ r"° """^^ '''"^ ^"°-d - to write .s. and to let you know „o force shall „.ake To to IT "^'"'V° '^'^^P-'--^^ nor .y affe til to my country ; but I shall ever remain Your most humble servant, August], 1047. Sam. Luke. COLONEL RALPH WELDON TO THE SPEAKER Posf ';h!;"rT'7'"" '"^ '''' '^ y- ^y t'.e Pos. that which I then doubted hath since been I^Tn L :"T ' '?' *° ^"^^ J^^^^^^ - Saturday "^orn,„g last, but absolutely refused to go upon d ty, and would also forcibly have carried away bei^ colours ; among whom I resolved to make some exan^ples. but we., viewing them, famine seeZ vmultrrT'^'''^"'"'^^- '^'^<^y -e backed of hi Ti ''" ""■^'^ ''"^y *° ^'-^-. for want of that which the soldiers was indebted unto them ak five hundred pounds out of the custom house for their present supply with bread Mv t\ ■ sir tlw. , tr 1 "'t-du. liy this means, '''r, ttjo soldiers have so I, wf ,ii.i i- uavL so lobt all obedience ; and there- MUTINY AT PLYMOUTH. 3^7 fore I see an utter impossibility in me to do the state that service here which I am engaged unto ; and shall, for that cause, humbly desire you to com- municate this business unto the honourable houses of parliament, and also to promote unto them the resignation of this my command, as I last made bold to write to you of. There is such a necessity, as enforces the soldiers and poor, to whom they are indebted, to steal or starve ; and, if a proportionable sum for their satisfac- tion be not speedily sent, I am afraid there will be such mutinies as I shall not be able to keep any com- mand ; which will be to the great hazard of this garri- son, my life, honour, and all I have here. And, not having further to trouble you with at present, sub- scribe myself, Sir, Your most humble servant, Plymouth, RaLPH WeLDON. August 2, 1G47. Sir, 1 humbly desire that the two houses of par- liament may be forthwith acquainted with our ne- cessities. COLONEL RALPH WELDON TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I have often made the honourable house of commons acquainted with the sad condition this gar- 3QS MUTINY AT PLVMOI Til. RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. 320 rison is in, but could never get any answer. By the last, I sent up my hurable surrender of the command, knowing myself utterly unable to do them any ser- vice here. Since, by a mutiny, I have been twice endangered ; whereupon I sent an express to the houses of parliament, to give them notice in what danger the town is in. And, sir, I am in a most sad condition. I desire humbly to be taken off from the command : but unless the garrison be paid, I shall never be permitted to come away ; and staying here without pay, I run the hazard of every day being mischiefed. I have a long time given the parliament notice of what is now come to pass, by letters to the committee of lords and commons for the safety of Plymouth, and likewise to the speaker; and now, sir, the mayor, whom I have employed, gives me notice, that he hath an order to receive £4000 out of the excise and customs of Plymouth, wherein there is not one penny left, I being forced to take out of the custom house five hundred pounds, and out of the excise office one hundred and twenty-seven pounds, to ap- pease the mutiny ; and I am confident there is not one penny to be procured on the security, £G000 per mensem. So that, sir, you see the extreme hard condition I am left in. Sir, It is my humble suit, that the honourable houses of parliament will, with their best conveniency, take me off with honour, as shall seem best to their 1 I J' 1 i wisdoms, that I may not perish in this unhappy con- dition ; and I shall be engaged, as I have ever been, for ever to remain Their most faithful and humble servant, Ralph Weldon. Plymouth, August G, 1(547. THE BISHOP OF OXFORD'' TO DR. SHELDON Rev. Sir, — Your letter of the 4th of this present August came to my hand this very day ; and to the questions propounded, I have subscribed my opinion in simplicity of heart, and plena fide, to the best of my understanding : and ''by extreme necessity," &c., I understand, that necessity or exigence which I conceive our gracious sovereign now stands under, for the safety of his crown and dignity, and for the settling of peace, and preserving of the true religion established by law. For these ends, in such a strait, such a toleration is, in my judgment, not only lawful but expedient.*' ■* Robert Skinner. ^ The Independent party, who now prevailed, drew u[> certain proposals for peace, which were first privately, and afterwards publicly submitted to the king for his approval. Amongst other things, toleration in religion was insisted on ; and that all coercive power in bishops and other ecclesiastical officers, extending to civil penalties, was to be taken away. The above letter alludes to this point, as appears from the ques- ^ U 330 llELIGIOUS TOLERATION. VICTORY NEAR TRIM IN IRELAND. 331 This is the clear opinion of your obliged friend and servant, August 7, 1647. I^O. OxoN. (Launton.) I wrote lately to you about the headship of Glou- cester hall, and signified (which is most evident) that it was originally part of the endowment of the bishopric of Oxford, and that the dean of the chapel, having perused my writings, did assure me, he would endeavour his best with his majesty that I might have it for ray accommodation, in case the principal died -, and this was before my house was burnt, fac quod expedit. SIR ROBERT MEREDITIP [TO THE COMMITTEE AT DERBY HOUSE.] May IT PLEASE YOUR Lordships, — I make no doubt but you have fully and particularly understood of the instant necessities and sad condition of this place, by Mr. Annesley and sir Robert King, and have already thereupon taken some fitting course for the speedy supplies and relief thereof. I shall hereby humbly acquaint you, that in these greatest straits, our want of money to pay the soldier, and the daily increasing of the numbers and outrages of the rebels, tion propounded at lerigtli in a subsequent letter, p. 334. Sec Godwin, b. ii. c. 11. One of the commissioners in Ireland. / . having burnt and pillaged round about this city even to the very works thereof, it hath pleased God, of his infinite mercy, upon colonel Jones's being abroad, with all the forces could be drawn out from hence, the other garrisons, and the north of this kingdom, for the relief of Trim, to give us the greatest signal victory against the rebels that hath been obtained in this kingdom : wherein were slain of the rebels, as I understand, five thousand upon the place ; the earl of Westmeath, and some scores of their chiefest com- manders, taken prisoners ; with the total loss of their artillery and baggage : the particulars your lordships will speedily receive by a person of credit, employed expressly in that behalf. Only I most humbly be- seech your lordships, as becomes me, having adven- tured my life in your service by my stay here, not- withstanding the power of the cruel rebel, and the discontent of the unpaid soldier; I say, I most humbly beseech your lordships, that the fruits of this so great a victory be not disadvantaged, or lost, through want of having suflBcient moneys, in reasonable time, to pay the soldiers, and keep them abroad in pursuance thereof, and in prevention of the rebels' recruiting, which I shall not need further to press upon your lordships : hereupon depending the preservation of this place, the prosecution of the victory, and the life of Your lordships' most faithful and humble servant, T^ , ,. * lloij. Meredith. iJublin, August 11, 1647. 332 BISHOP WREN. DR. J. BARWICK TO DR. SPIELDOJN. Sir, — Having so convenient an opportunity of sending the inclosed, I could not but (under so good a shelter) take the boldness of presenting my most humble thanks for your favours to me at court. I was with my lord of Ely ^ on Saturday last, and left in his hand a copy of the question, that he might have the more time to consider of it ; but I told him, withal, of your intention to write to him, which (I suppose) he expects before he returns any resolution. I took occasion likewise to acquaint his lordship with that friendly proffer which you were pleased to make: he pressed me very hard to know who that friend was ; which I told him I had promised not to discover without leave, but that the likeliest way to know it, was to make use of his proffered favour. He returns you most hearty thanks ; and hath commanded me to beg leave to inform him, who such a rare friend may be ; and that if he may know it, you should be the first that he would make use of: which now he knows not how soon he shall be compelled to do ; for I perceive by him that his purse is almost at the low ebb ; the tower fees ^ and eight children (most of ^ Matthew Wren. 8oe note e, p. 329. •* The bishop of Ely had, as early as 1G40, been voted by the commons ** unworthy and unfit to liold or exercise any office or dij^^iiity in churcli or commonwealth." He was at that time "committed to the tower, and by few pitied." See }V hit lac he, July -3, 1G40. 'k RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. 333 them young) are a sufficient argument to evince such a conclusion. My own lord and master is busy about the question : but his ordinary style in controversies will not yet give him leave to descend to the brevity of a casuist. I have used my best endeavours to bring him to a brief and positive resolution. I know not what my lord of Exon ' did write, but I cannot persuade him to the contrary, but that he will be giving reasons, which (as far as I understood when I was with you) was not required. Sir, If my lord of Exon comes to my lord primate, 1 could very much wish it that he would come hither also y if not, then that he would write two words to supply what he omitted in the former letter con- cerning the brevity and positiveness of the resolu- tion ; and if his lordship please to explain the terms that by ** any exigence," &c., is meant the greatest, and by *' other religion,"' &c., is meant any branch of Christian religion that maintains the foundation of faith, and is not destructive of good manners. I conceive my lord's resolution will not be much different from what [ suppose yours was, and the sooner this can be done the better, unless his majesty draws nearer to us : which, I am confident, would be a motive to my lord to come and present his duty ; and the rather, that he might be fully informed by you and the rest who have discussed the question. ' Ralph Brownrigg. SSh RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. Sir, You see how bold I make with you : I beseech you, keep it to yourself j and if my lord of Exon writes again, let him not know or take notice of any thing that I now (thus freely) write to you. My lord commends his most hearty respects to you and the rest of your brethren there : pardon, I be- seech you, this my freedom and boldness ; and when you shall have occasion to make use of my service in any thing, you cannot do me a greater favour than freely to command. Sir, Your most devoted and humble servant, J. Barwick.'' TJIE ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH TO DR. SHELDON. Question. — Wliether, upon any necessity or exi- gence of state, it be lawful for a Christian prince, besides the religion established, so to tolerate the exercise of other religions in his kingdom, as to oblige himself not to punish any subject for the exercise of any of them ? Answer. — That, although every Christian prince be obliged, by all just and Christian ways, to maintain and promote, to his power, the Christian religion in ^ Chaplain to the bishop of Durham, ai'tervvards dean of St. PauFs. RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. 335 the truth and purity of it ; yet in case of such exi- gence and concernment of church and state, as that they cannot, in human reason, probably be preserved otherwise, we cannot say that in conscience it is un- lawful, but that a Christian prince hath, in such exigents, a latitude allowed him, the bounding whereof is by God left to him. Ja. Armachanus.* Oatlands, August 10, 1G47. THE BISHOP OF DURHAM TO DR. SHELDON. Question, — Whether, upon any necessity or exi- gence of state, it be lawful for a Christian prince, be- sides the religion established, so to tolerate the ex- ercise of other religions in his dominions, as to oblige himself not to punish any subject for the exercise of any of them ? In a soul's case, especially concerning my most gracious sovereign, I dare not so far precipitate as not to ponder the ambiguity of the terms propounded, viz. "other religions," "oblige," and ''necessity;" because there are some other religions which consist of principles destructive to the state politic, and which patronise the freedom and toleration of all other religions, albeit they ruinate the fundamental ' James Usher. 336 RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. doctrines of faith, to the confusion of all. There is also an obligation, or paction, which implieth a per- petuity thereof, notwithstanding there be just cause to the contrary. And, lastly, there is a kind of ne- cessity which is not absolute. Resolution, — Wherefore an obligatory toleration of any such destructive religion, without an absolute ne- cessity, (as when the professors of that religion can and will authorize themselves, without any toleration of state,) cannot in conscience be held tolerable. Tho. Duresme."" THE SAME TO THE SAME. Reverend Sir and truly beloved,— I do heartily congratulate your happiness, that you are so much in the eye of his most sacred majesty ; for whose happiness and prosperity we, above all mortals, are bound to pray, and to bless God for his religious heart. Sir, If I have not used the very same form and tenor of resolution with some others, I hope his majesty will interpret the cause to be by reason of my absence, and (thereby) want of the influence of his majesty's wisdom concerning all circumstances, which of myself I could not be capable of. I desire, which I shall ever most desire, the re- *" Thomas Moreton. COMPLAINTS OF THE SCOTCH. 337 membrance of my most humble devotion to my most gracious sovereign. And so commending yourself to the protection of the Almighty, and to the glory of his saving grace in Christ Jesus, I rest Your very loving friend and fellow-chaplain, Tho. Duresme. The bearer hereof will shew that it was not neg- ligence, (God forbid,) but duty that made ire forbear my answer till now, that I might send it by a safe hand. THE COMMISSIONERS OF SCOTLAND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — We cannot but with great sense of these many injuries we suffer daily, acquaint you there- with as they fall out. Not long ago we made known to the honourable houses, that the earl of Lauderdale, one of our number, was violently stopped, and denied access to his majesty, (by some of sir Thomas Fairfax's soldiers,) contrary to the agreement betwixt the king- doms, whereof as yet we have had no reparation. And now our secretary, Mr. Cheisly, being sent by us into the kingdom of Scotland, is stopped, and detained at Newcastle by the governor thereof, Mr. Lilburne, alleging such to be the condition of affairs now betwixt the kingdoms, that without the General's ^2 X 33S COMPLAINTS OF TIIK SCOTCH. order, he was not to permit any to pass. Mr. Cheisly told him, that the kinijdom of Scotland had done nothing that might give cause to interrupt their former correspondence and mutual amity ; desiring that he should not give ground of a breach of that happy union betwixt the nations, shewing unto him our pass, (which ever heretofore has been reputed to our own servants sufficient,) and telling that he was our secretary, sent by us to Scotland ; and if that could not procure him liberty of passage, he hoped he would acknowledge the speaker of the house of commons' pass, as a sufficient warrant : " but he answered, he was to obey the General's orders ; and if he could not produce that, he would not let him pass. If this be not an hig^h infrinsfement of the law of nations, and of the public faith betwixt the kingdoms, yea, and of your own authority, we leave it to your- selves to judge ; hoping you will cause make repara- tion to the kingdom of Scotland of those multiplied in- juries, the intercepting of our letters and violent stop- ping of their commissioners from their king, and now denying their servants free passage to that kingdom ; which we conceive the honourable houses would not " Colonel Lilburnc, in a letter given at length in Rusliworth, vol. ii. p. 797, explains his reasons for stopping the Scottish secretary ; viz. because of the disturbances in London ; and because, as he avers, Mr. Cheisly produced no pass but that of the speaker, which was unsealed. NICOLL. 33[) have taken well, if the like acts of violence had been done to their commissioners and servants while they were in the kingdom of Scotland. If effectual remedies against such injustice and violence be not seasonably provided by the wisdom of the honourable houses, we cannot see how we can be here in the capacity of commissioners, to discharge the trust committed to us. Wc rest Your very affectionate friends and humble servants, Charles Euskine. Hugh Kennedy. Worcester House, August 17, 1047. lio. Barclay. MR. ANTHONY NICOLL" TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Having received your pass, (in pursuance of an order of the house of commons,) either for my going to my own house in Cornwall or beyond the seas, I took my journey Friday last from London : and in my way for Cornwall, within four miles of Salisbury, on Sunday morning, I was seized on by one lieutenant Mosse and five other troopers, by order from the General j and am brought hither, to the head quarters, where the General has com- ° One of the eleven members. Nicoll was sent prisoner to London, with a further accusation of high treason against him : lie was continued in custody, but shortly escaped. See W/u't- loche, AiKjust 24. 340 NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. manded me to stay until the pleasure of the house be known. I therefore humbly desire that you would be pleased to acquaint the house therewith, that I may have the liberty of their order and your pass, and not continue here in the nature of a prisoner, (though truly very civilly used.) I am infinitely troubled that any thing which con- cerns me should give you any disturbance to your greater business; which, that you may bring to a happy and good issue, is the daily prayer of. Sir, Your most humble and faithful servant, AnTH. NlCOLL. August 17, 1C)47. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — The ambassadors of the States are now re- turned to Munster, to conclude the peace with Spain. Men that think they most see into the intentions of the French, are of opinion they will likewise conclude with Spain, to enjoy the treaty lately made with the States, which is of no effect if they make not peace with Spain as well as the States : of that I have sent you two printed copies. The prince of Orange hath been at Spa and at Liege, a journey of pleasure ; is now returned to advise with the States about sending six thousand NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. ^41 men to Brazil : count Maurice of Nassau is named to be general, but it is not yet fully resolved on. I hear some ten ships are arrived out of the East Indies, very richly laden, at Amsterdam. Major-ge- neral Massey hath been at the Hague with the queen of Bohemia : I have not seen him myself, but men say here, he speaks much for the king. I hear also, that Massey is gone to Amsterdam to Poyntz, who is arrived there. It is said sir William Waller is at Rotterdam, but I know no certamty of it. If your greater occasions put not things of lesser moment out of your mind, you will remember I was a suitor to the house for leave to come over for some short time ; by which I was in hope not to be preju- dicial to their service here, to which all my desires must be submitted, being willing to return again, if the house think fit to command my service here ; being resolved, by my faithfulness to the public, to maintain my right of being, Sir, Your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hague, August ^1; 1(347. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Being much importuned by the petitioners, who have been faithful servants to the state, having 342 WOUNDED SOLDIERS. PLYMOUTH. 34^3 lost their limbs for them, and are now disabled from following their professions ; and having laid long under cure, I could not but make it my humble request unto the house, that these officers and soldiers, who are in this condition, may be taken into con- sideration, for some part of their arrears to be paid to them ; ^ whereby they may go about, and undertake such callings as (considering their weakness and maimedness) they may be capable of, for the getting of somethincr towards their livelihood. This will be a great encouragement to such poor souls who have thus long languished in pain and misery. I hope they will be looked upon with as much favour, in point of their arrears, as those who have lately received some from the house, whose actions after the receipt thereof tended to embroil the king- dom in a new and bloody war. I shall trouble you no further at present ; but remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Kingston, August 20, 1()47. p " Upon a letter from sir Thomas Fairfax, order for j£30 a week for sick and wounded soldiers, 46*. Sd. a week for each of them." Whitloc/tey August 21. i COLONEL RALPH WELDON TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — I have received yours by an ex- press, and am very much engaged to the honour- able house of commons for their care : "^ but I fear, sir, this money neither can nor will suddenly be pro- cured, according to the great necessity of this gar- rison. Sir, I can call God to witness that I have used all my endeavours to keep this garrison peaceable in the parliament's service ; and have done it beyond the expectation of many, that have wondered at it, and much feared the contrary. Sir, I had engaged myself to the soldier, that if there came no supply before Friday, to free quarter them on the town, which had been a great tyranny, considering their deep poverty, what they are out already ; and yet, sir, I fear I must be forced to do it, with what effect it will produce the Lord only knows. Sir, I must tell you plainly, that if the parliament do not suddenly and speedily do somewhat, there may, in despite of me, happen such a mischief as they and the whole kingdom may have cause to repent of. Sir, I humbly desire the honourable house may be •^ £8000 had been voted for tiic relief of Plymouth; but it was to be levied in the town, and so the remedv was as bad as the disease. See the next letter. 344 PLYMOUTH. made "acquainted with what I write. I have written my mind more plainly to Mr. Prideaux, with which I have desired him to acquaint the house. Sir, I have kept copies of these letters, and taken witness I have sent them ; so that, sir, if the honour- able house be not acquainted with the state of this garrison, my conscience will yet bear me witness I have done my duty to my country. I shall commend myself to God's protection : and whatever becomes of me, whether live or die, none shall accuse me but that I have been faithful to the parliament. The Lord's will be done. I am. Sir, Your very humble servant, ^, . Ralppi Weldon. Plymouth, August 23, 1G47. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Mr. Speaker, — I do most really repeat my deep engagements to the honourable house of commons for their late order of £8000, concerning the pay- ment of part of the arrears due to this garrison ; but truly, sir, what I had partly then in suspicion, of the not endeavouring to levy it, or seasonable levying of the same, is now too, too probable : and, indeec^ the pressing necessities of the poor soldiery are at PLYxMOUTII. 34,5 present so intolerable, that they are no way able to hold out till an indifferent part thereof can be col- lected 5 and moreover, before the whole can be raised, the soldiers will have as much more due to them ; and, indeed, the non-probability of receiving any thing in time makes the soldiers very outrao-eous. This pressing necessity of theirs (and to avoid mutinies) hath forced me now to quarter them on the better sort of the townsmen ; who having formerly in a liberal manner disbursed themselves, both in lending moneys, free quarter, billeting, and otherwise, grow now also very much discontented, allccrincr 'tot? their burden to be intolerable ; and truly, sir, when I consider on their payments and losses, I cannot but commiserate their sad conditions. But to deal plainly, their discontents are on all sides risen to such an height, (if not speedily salved,) that I daily fear some extraordinary tumultuous outrage not im- aginable, even to the assured plunder and ruin of most of the better sort of the townsmen, if not to the loss of the lives to many of us, their officers, who shall endeavour to keep them in quiet. Sir, I beseech you give me leave to say, I want words to express our calamitous condition, but shall humbly refer the consideration thereof to the honour- able house of commons, and also the humble tender of my resignation of this command at their feet ; to which, as hitherto, I have not had one word in an- swer, though humbly desired. ^ Y 34^6 RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. I have not further at present, but to subscribe myself. Sir, Plymoiitli, August 27, 1647. Your very humble servant, Ralph Weldon. THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER TO DR. SHELDON. Worthy Dr. — I fear I was too sudden and too brief in my written affirmation ; and therefore, to prevent misconstructions, I desire that this may be inserted before my handwriting be produced ; viz. I affirm the necessity and exigence of state may be such, that he may, &c.' so as the religions so tolerated be not destructive to the catholic faith, or the real settled peace of the kingdom ; or so that he oblige not himself to such a toleration for ever, but until he may regain the power given him by God, whereby to reduce them, by a Christian and meek way, to one right and well grounded religion. And this, indeed, is the same answer which in effect I gave ore tenus, (you know to whom;) and in this sense, I now affirm what then I wrote, though I expressed it not as now I do; and yet if I be deemed herein more scrupulous than I need, I pray See before, p. 334. i THE ARMY IN IRELAND. 347 inform me, whom you shall find willing and ready to retract and conform to better reason and judgment ;' and so command Your affectionate friend to serve you, Jo. ROFFENS.' August 28, 1047. ROBERT STERLING TO May IT TLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, — Having had intelligence of the late proceedings of the Independ- ent party, and the sectaries their adherents, with the parliament of England, over whom of former servants they are become present masters, and do prescribe the rule and law ; the officers here, considering the manifold obligations they have to the parliament, and more especially that of the covenant, did resolve, in pursuance thereof, to declare against all power and ' This prelate seems to liave been willing to frame his opinion in whatever way would best please his royal master. ' John Warner. " It does not appear to whom this letter was addressed ; but, from the concluding paragraph, it seems probable that it was wTitten to one of the Scottish commissioners. The disaffection of the army in Ireland to the English parliament was soon known in England ; and on the 27th of September, an order was despatched to lord Inchiquin, commanding him to send over in safe custody some of his officers, who were charged with treachery towards the parliament. See Whitlockc, Sep- tember G, 27; and Rushworth, vol. ii. p. 802, 814. 34,6 RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. I have not further at present, but to subscribe myself. Sir, Your very humble servant, Ralph Weldon. Plymouth, August 27, 1G47. THE ARMY IN IRELAND. 347 inform me, whom you shall find willing and ready to retract and conform to better reason and judgment;^ and so command Your affectionate friend to serve you, Jo. ROFFENS.^ August 28, 1G47. THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER TO DR. SHELDON. Worthy Dr. — I fear I was too sudden and too brief in my written affirmation ; and therefore, to prevent misconstructions, I desire that this may be inserted before my handwriting be produced ; viz. I affirm the necessity and exigence of state may be such, that he may, &c.'^ so as the religions so tolerated be not destructive to the catholic faith, or the real settled peace of the kingdom ; or so that he oblige not himself to such a toleration for ever, but until he may regain the powder given him by God, whereby to reduce them, by a Christian and meek way, to one right and well grounded religion. And this, indeed, is the same answer which in effect I gave ore tenusy (you know to whom;) and in this sense, I now affirm what then I wrote, though I expressed it not as now I do; and yet if I be deemed herein more scrupulous than 1 need, I pray See before, p. 334. ROBERT STERLING TO (.1 \ I 1 May it please your Excellency, — Having had intelligence of the late proceedings of the Independ- ent party, and the sectaries their adherents, with the parliament of England, over whom of former servants they are become present masters, and do prescribe the rule and law ; the officers here, considering the manifold obligations they have to the parliament, and more especially that of the covenant, did resolve, in pursuance thereof, to declare against all power and " This prelate seems to have been willing to frame his opinion in whatever way would best please his royal master. ' John Warner. It does not appear to whom this letter was addressed ; but, from the concluding paragraph, it seems probable that it was written to one of the Scottish commissioners. The disaffection of the army in Ireland to the English parliament was soon known in England ; and on the 27th of September, an order was despatched to lord Inchiquin, commanding him to send over in safe custody some of his officers, who were charged with treachery towards the parliament. See Whitlocke, Sep- tember 6, 27; and Rmhworth, vol. ii. p. 802, 814. IHS ARMY IN IRELAND. authority to be exercised over them by any but by authority of a free and unconstrained parliament; and in manifestation thereof, did draw up a declaration and protestation, containing the grounds and reasons of that their resolution, to be deduced from the said proceedings of the army and practices of the said sec- taries, tending to a violation of the privileges of par- liament, and several other inconveniencies; against all which they have protested to adhere, in preservation of the parliament's interest, according to the national covenant ; but have thought fit only to publish this inclosed remonstrance, wherein they waive the insert- ing of any particular mention or expressions against the said faction, until they may be assured what course would be taken for their future support or satisfaction in their desires, specified in the said remonstrance. Having this also firmly in their determination, that in case this party shall prove absolute predominant, that they will never be subservient unto them ; but will all of them (an inconsiderable few excepted) withdraw themselves hence on the best terms they may compass, and to spend their lives, and what is dearest to them, in the maintenance of the covenant : whereof I have thought it fit, by this express mesi senger, to give your lordship intimation ; and who is not only employed to give your lordship notice and assurance of the firm devotion of the General and officers here to the service of the parliament, in ob- servance of the covenant, but to desire they may re- COLONEL HAMMOND. 34lj ceive the favour of your lordship's advice and in- formation, whether (as the state of affairs now stand) there be any hopes of a subsistence to be obtained thence for this army, or any other way, in case they shall be able to support themselves for six weeks space, or thereabouts ; the greatest danger we are in being only those of our wants : for we are very en- tire among ourselves, though not able to resist our necessities above six weeks. I humbly desire your excellency to despatch the gentleman back again with all speed, and to enable your servant to communicate the state of affairs in that kingdom to the lord president,^ who is a great well wisher to that kingdom and nation, as I am, Your excellency's most humble servant, Robert Sterling. Cork, August 30, 1647. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — To satisfy the trust reposed in me by both houses of parliament, and for which you hold me responsible, I have appointed colonel Ham- mond,y a member of this army, to the government of * Lord Inchiquin, lord president of Munster, who at this time was in correspondence with the marquis of Ormond. See Clarendon, b. x. vol. v. ]). 524. An ordinance passed the commons, for making colonel y it 350 MILITARY AFFAIRS IN IRELAND. MILITARY AFFAIRS IN IRELAND. 3,51 the Isle of Wight ; being persuaded to it by the importunate addresses the well affected of the Isle made on that behalf, and that assurance I have of the gentleman's integrity and valour, through very much experience. I thought it my duty to acquaint you with it, and to desire your approbation to it ; as also to pass such an establishment as shall be for the security of a place of that moment. I remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. August 31, 1()47. LORD INCHIQUIN TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Being constrained, by divers necessities of the soldiers, to retire about five weeks since out of the field, where I had been in the rebels' quarters in the county of Limerick, before I could look into the county of Tipperary, I did, after some short refresh- ment, and the best (though but m.ean) provision which I could make for the soldier, apply myself and this army forthwith again into the field ; and being, for want of oxen and other carriages, unable to draw forth any artillery, or to carry any larger proportion of bread than what the soldiers' knapsacks would Hammond governor of the Isle of Wight." Whitlocke, Sep- tember 6. 'I contain, I marched with the army into this county, which I entered upon on Saturday the 3rd of this instant ; and having taken several castles therein, to the number of ten or twelve, putting to the sword the warders of such places as stood in opposition to the army, I passed over the river Shewer, not far from the castle of Cahir, an ancient and eminent hold of the rebels, environed with two branches of that river, which was observed to be in all appearance of that strength, as it was, both by them and by the officers of this army, esteemed impregnable ; notwith- standing which, the importance of the place being seriously considered by u§, we were occasioned to make an attempt upon it by this accident. One of our horsemen being plundering near the town, was by some of the rebels wounded, and carried a prisoner into the castle, from whence he was ad- mitted to send for a surgeon into our quarters, to dress his wounds ; of which we made this use : one colonel James Hippesley, who had formerly served the king, and was (upon some assurance given me by a friend of his doing service) admitted to come into our quarters, being an ingenious person, skilled in chirurgery and in fortifications, took upon him to go under a disguise into the castle, and to dress the wounded trooper ; which accordingly he did with so good caution and circumspection, as that he dis- covered perfectly the condition of the castle in each respect, the weakness of the ward, and especially 3r/2 CAIIIR CASTLK TAKEN. some defects in the wall of the outward bawne, which rendered it assaultable by our men, the taking whereof would probably induce the surrender of the castle, which he collected from the observed timorousness of the warders; which sorted to so good purpose, as that, falling on the place defective, with a party led on by colonel Hippesley himself, we carried that out- ward bawne, and some out-turrets, by storm, and in a few hours after had the castle surrendered unto us on quarter only for life ; though, upon entry of it, we found that the same was by no force of ours to be re- duced, if the defendants had not been, by divine pro- vidence, deprived of any courage to oppose us. The place is justly looked upon by this army as the most important in the whole province, being of that streno-th, as not to be taken from us so long as we have victual to support a garrison therein ; whereby a pass is kept open for us to make daily incursions into this country, which hath been a principal con- tributary to the rebels' army. To the performance of which service, the soldier was enabled, with no other food than the roots under and corn above the ground, (all their cattle being driven away before us out of our reach;) of the latter whereof we had great and abundant store, so as we have burned in this county above £20,000 worth, whereof there could be no use made through want of hand-mills, (for which I have often and earnestly written,) the water-mills being for the most part either burned or deserted. CAHIR CASTLE TAKEN. 853 From Cahir we marched this instant to the city of Cashel, formerly the metropolitan see of this pro- vince, where the citizens and inhabitants, amazed at the reducing of Cahir, left open the gates, and fled to the cathedral ; a large and spacious pile, seated upon a rock, near the walls of the town, and of late very much fortified, and at present fully manned with divers companies of the rebels, which will render any attempts we shall make upon it very difficult ; not- withstanding which, we determine, by God's assist- ance, to leave no means unessayed for the reducing thereof: after which, we design to fall upon the town of Fethard, an eminent walled town : and from thence to march unto Clonmell ; to reduce which, we have yet no great hopes, in regard we understand that place to be very regularly fortified, and strongly manned; so as without artillery there can be no feasible attempt made upon it. But if it shall please God to bless us with success on the place, we may then with confidence assert the parliament's interest in this province to be high, and the rebels' mean and inconsiderable. Sir, The gentry of this county, by the reducing of these places and the burning of their corn, begin to make suit that they may be admitted to a contribu- tion, which shall be embraced so far as may con- duce to the better carrying on of the war and sup- porting of this army, and advancing (as my zeal and duty obliges me) of the parliament's service; for 2 z 35h STATE OF PARTIES. which I have no other means than this of keeping the field : from whence if I shall be driven to our garrisons, by the violence of the weather or by an over-powerful army, I am utterly ignorant how the army may be preserved from starving, without sea- sonable supplies from the honourable houses, to whose service I have faithfully devoted myself; remaining, Sir, Your humble servant, Inchiquin. Cashel, Sept. 12, 1647. THE KING AT HAMPTON COUllT. o5k) N. HOBART TO J. HOBART. Sir, — Credulous natures are apt to hope, and oftentimes embrace shadows for substances. I con- fess this is a great error, yet so incident to honest natures, that I think it more than pardonable. When I wrote last to you, I had been with sir John Berkeley, one of his majesty's agitators, (for that is now the word,) who told me, he had a con- fidence (almost equal to an assurance) that the chief officers were firm to the king ; and that the agitators, notwithstanding a prevalent party in the parliament, were not able to oppose them, so that they were upon a design to make sub-agitators. This was the sum of what I then intended. Cromwell, Ireton, and Huntington, are still the same ; insomuch that Henry Martin, t\\Q.i flagellum principumy said publicly that Cromwell was king-ridden. Truly there are such di- visions and sub-divisions, both in the parliament and army, that I want art to make a table of them. The duke of Richmond, Hertford, Southampton, and Ormond, were at Hampton court,^ on Friday last, sent for by the king, with the allowance both of the parliament and army, but commanded away on Saturday by the houses : * this caused a great con- sternation at court, and has raised in all men sad and ominous thoughts. The Scots are very busy, have a great influence upon the parliament, and no small interest (by that means) in the army. His majesty's answer to the propositions will never be forgiven by that nation. But, alas, this is but a pretence ; for how can they forgive him whom they have betrayed and sold ? Sir, I must give you many thanks for the notice you are pleased to give. I shall desire a further favour, and that is, that you will be pleased to let me have a copy of the will, for it will be a great charge to take it out of the court. I pray, cousin, if it may be without prejudice to your trust, do me the favour to let me know who has the keeping of ■ Tlie king had removed to Hampton court on tlie 24th of August. Whitloche, ■ Whitlocke says, that the army declared against tlie conti- Jiuanoe of these partisans of the king at Hampton. Sept. \), % I S56 DEMANDS OF THE ARiMY. my brother's writings, especially that which concerns Bardal fen. Upon the parliament and the army's agreement or disagreement depends the welfare or ruin of this na- tion : but let what will befall, I shall ever be, Sir, Your faithful kinsman to serve you, Na. Ho BART. [Oct. 15, 1647.] SIR TIIO. FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Sill, — Being very much troubled at the sad dis- tractions of the kingdom for want of settlement, the distempers of the army for want of pay, and such other necessary satisfaction as we have long waited upon you for; not taking so much pleasure to say, whence the cause of all this trouble comes, as to use my endeavour to give a timely and effectual remedy to so much thereof as is of nearest concernment to me y I thought fit to let you know, that, by advice of the general council of the army, I have appointed a rendezvous very speedily ; and they have very unani- mously offered to repair to their several charges, and improve their utmost endeavours with the several regiments for the quieting of them, and recovering of the ancient discipline of the army, thereby to render it more serviceable to the parliament and the kingdom. f I "I DEMANDS OF THE ARMY. 357 And to the end your expectations, and the desires of all good men, may be answered by a good issue in this work of so much concernment to the kingdom, I think fit, by the same advice, to offer unto you these particulars inclosed ; ^ beseeching you, that, if more weighty businesses of the kingdom do not let, you would bring them to a speedy determination j that so your care of the army may appear, and myself and the officers thereby enabled to let the soldiers see me take such consideration of them as becomes us, and we have engaged ourselves unto. And I doubt not but thereby we shall be enabled to let you see, that this army will appear, as it hath ever professed to be, really seeking the good of this kingdom, and ap- proving itself faithful in your service ; which hath been, and ever shall be, the desire of Your very humble servant, T. Fairfax, Putney, Nov. 8, 1647. " The particulars desired were — " 1. Six weeks' pay, (if pos- sible ;) if not, a month's pay to be presently sent to the army ; 2. The arrears to be paid out of the remainder of bishops' lands, deans', &c. ; 3. Provision for constant pay of the army ; 4. That there be £100,000 a month for the forces in England and Ireland, and those of the supernumeraries to be disbanded; 5. That free quarter, or taking any thing from any man, be punished with death." Whitlocke, Nov. 9. 358 THE KING S ESCAPE. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — This morning, colonel Whalley hath been with me, and given me an account (as far as yet he understandetli) of the circumstances appearing about the king's going away/ All which, the commissioners of both houses (as he saith) do know as fully as he ; and therefore, they being (as he tells me) gone to acquaint the houses therewith, I forbear for this day to command his attendance of the houses, especially in regard that there is yet some need of the con- tinuance of his guard and care at Hampton court, for the safe keeping of those whom he bath secured, to be examined concerning the king's escape; about whom I desire the house would take some order what shall be done with them, for the examination of them, or otherwise. I shall to-morrow go to Ware, according to former resolutions, to rendezvous the army; and shall be there until Monday, towards night, to receive your commands. Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Putney, Nov. 12, 1647. -" The king escaped privately from Hampton court, on the 11th of November. See Clarendon, book x. vol. v. p. 488, &c. THE KING S ESCAPE. 359 DR. HOLDSWORTH [TO MR. SANCROFT.] Loving Sir, — The little spark of hope that seemed to appear, is in some danger of being extinguished by the king's withdrawing of himself on Thursday night, by reason he had advice that his person was not safe where he was. It hath put all into amazement, not knowing what to think, and being ignorant whither he is gone, very unaccommodated, but that he walks still under the shade of the Almighty. I was come to London about some occasions, three days before, and was upon my return on Friday, when the news came hither. The Lord protect him, and bless his designs. My lady Lawley intends to send her son secretly j and sent me this inclosed, to be conveyed to you. I perceive you are acquainted with other particulars, only you may please to take notice he is a baronet. I am glad of any refreshment you have in the university, if it be not a short gale. I fear this order they have procured will undo the small rem- nant that is left. For T. Holdsworth's travel, I know not what to think : were there hopes of times being better, I would be loath he should accept it ; and as they are, not before he were master of arts, and a good assur- ance of keeping conditions : and yet I think £20 a short allowance. There are other clouds gathering, 360 DEFEAT OF THE IRISH REBELS. DEFEAT OF THE IRISH REBELS. SGI but our good God can dissipate all. To his grace I betake you ; and remain Your affectionate friend, II. HOLDSWORTH. Nov. 13, 1G47. LORD INCHIQUIN TO LORD TAFFE. My Lord, — Here Is a very fair piece of ground betwixt your lordship's army and ours, on this side the brook, whither if you please to advance, we will do the like. We do not so much doubt the gallantry of your resolution as to think you will not come ; but do give you this notice, to the end you may see we do stand upon no advantage of ground, and are willing to dispute our quarrel upon indifferent terms ; being confident that the justness of our cause will be this day made manifest by the Lord, and that your lordship's judgment will be rectified concerning Your lordship's humble servant, Nov. 13, 1647. Inchiquin. LORD INCHIQUIN TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Upon the twelfth of this instant, I marched from Moyalls to meet the rebels' army, who that morning marched from Kintuirk'' towards me, with twelve hundred horse and seven thousand " Meaning Kanturk, in the county of Cork. foot, but they gave themselves out to be two thousand horse and nine thousand foot, and both armies came in view one of another about one in the afternoon ; ours being twelve hundred horse and near four thou- sand foot : whereupon they instantly took a hill of strength and advantage, and drew up ; which being two miles distant from us, we had not daylight enough to attempt any thing upon them, and there- fore lodged our men in a convenient place, about a mile from them, from whence we might observe that we could not charge them where they were, but upon disadvantage ; and being doubtful that they might stand awhile the next morning upon that ground, in expectation that we would come up to them, I writ the inclosed letter to the lord Taffe, to meet him to fight upon a fair plain, that lay be- tween both armies, and would be indifferent to both sides ; to which he gave me no other answer, but by word of mouth to my trumpeter, that he was not so little a soldier as to forego any advantage of ground he could gain : and I do now find that there is a pro- phecy, that M'Donogh should spill much English blood upon Knocknanass, which heretofore hath been the name of that hill ; and my lord Taffe conceiving himself to be that M'^Donogh, in regard the estate of M^Donogh in Connaught was made the reward of his grandfather's service against the rebels the last war, (which is now his,) he would not be drawn from the hill : to which therefore we did advance ; and 3 A 362 DEFEAT OF THE IRISH RECEt.S. DEFEAT OF THE IRISH REBELS. 36S w 1, m i finding (that as they were drawn up) we should not only have lost the advantage of the wind and sun, but have been also forced to charge upon much dis- advantage to our horse, (if we had gone on directly on their front,) we drew to the right hand of them, and found a piece of ground, within a convenient distance, to play with ordnance upon their right wing, where I caused two pieces to play, to the intent that I might discompose the form they w^ere in. And, in the mean time, I directed the drawing of our men to the ditch at the foot of their hill, that they might be ready to fall on, whilst they should be re- moving from their ground ; but after two shots was made, (one whereof slew a trumpet of theirs,) they, perceiving that the ordnance would force them from that ground, presently came on down the hill to meet our men ; and at the same instant that we broke their main body and left wing, they broke part of our left wing of horse, being the middle division of three that were on that side, the other two routed those that charged them ; and following the execution, discerned not the advantage gained by the rebels upon those close by them, where colonel Purcell, with his horse, and sir Alexander M'^Donnell, whom they call Colla Killagh, with his red-shanks, slew sir William Bridges ; and colonel Gray then had the execution of our forlorn hope of foot, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Crisp, who was taken prisoner, and major Browne, w ho was slain, with about forty of their men that were drawn thither to secure the ordnance, which sir Alexander M'^Donnell possessed awhile, (as also our baggage,) until I happened to look back that way, (and perceiving them chasing our men,) I commanded two divisions of horse, who were the reserve of the right wing, to charge them, which was exceedingly well performed, and sir Alexander and his lieutenant-colonel slain, with most of all his red- shanks, of whom I believe there was not above a fourth part that escaped. This fight began a little before two in the after- noon : the dispute lasted not above half a quarter of an hour, but the execution ended not that day ; for, though we were killing till night as fast as we could, we found two or three hundred the next day in the woods, as we were reviewing the bodies, but could not get any exact account of the number slain : for after I had an account of more than two thousand, that the pursuing parties slew in their several walks, I was informed of many hundreds that were slain in divers other places ; so, as our men believe, there were not less than five thousand slain. But I do not think it possible there should be above three thousand, be- cause the dispute lasted not at all ; and that except the three regiments of foot, that came on with sir Alex. M'^Donnell, the rest made the best use they could of their heels to the woods and bogs, towards Kintuirk, Newmarket, and Liscarroll ; yet we cut off two hundred of their horse, and killed many of their 364 DEFEAT OF THE IRISH REBELS. DEFEAT OF THE IRISH REBELS. 3i)5 horsemen afterwards. We took four wagons full of ammunition, but have not yet taken up their arms, whereof I am most confident that they have left us near six thousand in the field ; which is so much the raore considerable a loss, because scarcity of arms amongst them is very great, as appears by some of their letters, '^ which doth discover all the secrecy of that party, and their designs. Wherefore I thought it my duty to present them to your lordships. I am told, by a gentlemen we have taken, that if my lord Taffe do not make an escape, that their supreme council will undoubtedly take away his life, having knowledge of his design against them ; which they were first occasioned to grow jealous of, by the information he gave them of my offering, and his re- jecting, a cessation, which he laboured to possess them with, whilst he sought to get one from me, to the end he might destroy them, and bring the sole power into his own hands : which when they began to apprehend, they employed Healing, one of their council, to discourse with my lord about the reason of his rejecting a cessation, who discovered that there was no such thing ; whereupon the supreme council (seeming not to take notice of Taffe's designs) pre- tended a necessity to have Owen Roe engage with colonel Monk and colonel Jones, and that all would be at stake; and that therefore four hundred of '^ Two of these letters arc from lord Digby to lord Taffe, and are printed in Ituslivvortli, vol. ii. p. 917^ 921. Taffe's horse must instantly march to his assistance, which they sent him orders for, but were not obeyed : on the other side, instead of enjoining Owen Roe to fight, they expressly forbade it him ; and then re- solved to let colonel Monk and colonel Jones take any place, or destroy any country, rather than they would engage his army, until they had established their power in the assembly by the countenance of it. Again they sent for my brother, to whom, by the advice of the council of war, I gave liberty unto to go, upon his word to get off" that estate he had in their quarters, being next to be released ; and they earnestly pressed him to labour with me to treat with them about a cessation, making demonstration of great advantage I should have by it, but with no other purpose than to discern whether I were at all inclinable to it, being afraid of nothing more, because Taffe's army would then be at liberty to countenance their faction in the assembly. Wherefore they send letter upon letter to him, to do some considerable service upon us ; upbraiding him with the vast ex- pense and idleness of his army ; which they use means to have written unto him by divers private hands, inso- much that my lord Taffe was fain, for the vindication of his honour, to decline his oracle and my lord Digby's advice, who forbade him to engage upon any terms against us, lest it should overthrow all his other designs. Sir, Thus it hath pleased the Lord to make our 'i 366 DEFEAT OF THE IRISH REBELS. I I I enemies grind themselves to powder, whilst both aim at the power to destroy us. And now, whereas we were the other day ready to perish by our wants, we have now liberty to disperse ourselves in the rebels' quarters, and take what they afford ; whither we have marched with hungry bellies, the common soldier having spent all his provision before we fought, and neither officer or soldier having one bit of bread or any other victual, but what oatmeal and flesh we got in our marches. I am now forced to invite the country to come in under contribution, that we may prosecute this vic- tory, and at least keep the rebels from recruiting their army ; if I do not reduce some of their chief garrisons, which I design, in case I can get this country to bring me in provisions whilst I lie before it. And though this design may be too difficult to effect, this unseasonable time of the year, yet if I did not invite the inhabitants to stay at their habitations and make provision for us, I could not possibly get one day's victual ; so as I should be forced to return home, and leave the country, neither made useless to them by destruction, nor useful to us by present supportation or future contribution ; which we hope to force from them by this means, in some consider- able measure ; and yet protect them no longer than the season of the year would of itself prove a suffi- cient fortification against us. If I could discern any other that might better CAPTAIN JONES. 367 conduce to the advantage of your service, I should thereunto apply the endeavours of, Sir, Your humble servant. Gurtnectuberid, Nov. 18, 1G47. Inchiquin. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I have often troubled you on the behalf of men whose necessities have pleaded for commisera- tion : and indeed I know not any whose wants call for pity and help more than this bearer, Mr. Jones ; who in the beginning of this war did you very good service, as a captain in Glamorganshire, where he was instrumental to the reducing the town of Cardiff, and of that county, to the obedience of the parlia- ment, as by this certificate inclosed, from gentlemen of very good quality in South Wales, will appear. He also disbursed out of his own purse above two hundred pounds for arms and ammunition, the par- ticulars whereof are set down in the said inclosed paper. He hath a wife and four small children, and hath been glad a long time to serve as a common foot soldier in this army, where his carriage has not been (as far as I can hear) other than humble and honest. Indeed, sir, the man is very poor, and much to be pitied : besides, I conceive it just, at the least, that he •'m 3C)S PRYNNE. PRYNNE. 369 should be speedily reimbursed his debt, without being delayed and undone by long attendance. And the man having adventured his life, and all that is dear to him, for years, it will be very honourable to give him something in consideration thereof. If this case that I now represent were not very clear to be as I here express, I should not trouble you with these many words about it. The house of peers did, about a month ago, recom- mend the petition of this poor man, and sent it down to the house of commons. I thought fit to acquaint you herewith ; and rest Your faithful friend and servant, T. Fairfax. Windsor, January, 1047 [8]. WILLIAM PRYNNE TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET. Gentlemen, — I am very sorry that your carriage towards me at Bridgnorth, and since, hath been such as to give me just occasion of complaint. I was in good hope, that my not questioning you for that in- jury to myself and the country all this while, would have so availed with you, as not to get a second affront upon me, who never offered you the least, and could have, in a way of justice, done you some displeasure ere this, had I been vindictive. But it seems my patience hath produced contrary effects, and animated some of you to wreak your malice on ray friends, because you are unable to do any mis- chief to myself; for which I must crave both justice and reparations in theirs and my own behalf at your hands, or else you must pardon me if I use the last means and friends I can to right them and myself, in some other place, though with some of your trouble and disreputation. I am certainly informed, upon good grounds, that not out of zeal to justice, or the public good, but particular spleen and malice against me, some of you have most injuriously caused the sheep and cattle of Mr. Laurence Walrond, without any notice or demand, to be driven away by the sequestrator's troopers, upon pretence for his fifth and twentieth part, which you discharged a year since ; and no se- curity would be taken, though offered, nor discharge allowed, and the sheep must be sold at undervalues, and he forced to redeem them, as well being almost spoiled with the drift. And all this, because he was my family's friend. I hope you have righted him (as your solicitor promised) ere this. Had you rested here, it had been wrong enough upon him and me ; but you have proceeded further, to discontent and injure three whole parishes, in depriving them of their faithful, painful pastor, and undo a poor minister as much as in you lieth, out of particular malice 3 B 370 PRYNNE. towards me, and not out of zeal to justice ; because he is the minister of the parish where I live, and I have shewed him some favour to encourao^e him in his studies : the man I mean is Mr. Tanner, minister of Swains wick, whom you, with your officers and troopers, styled and prosecuted as my chaplain ; the true state of whose case (as I am credibly informed) was this : Before the country was under the king's power, he was for the parliament ; but the king prevailing, and he being unable to remove and subsist elsewhere, by reason of his family and charge of children, his son was induced to serve under the lord Hopton against the parliament ; whom having not seen a long time, hearing he was about Witham or Woodhouse, he took an indiscreet journey thither to see him j and in his return homewards, meeting with some soldiers of Bath garrison, who came from Woodhouse, with green boughs in their hats, they forced him, after many refusals, and some others besides, to put a bough they brought him into his hat, he not daring to refuse them longer. After which, he, being summoned with others by warrant to appear before Mr. Nevill, (when the whole country and we were under the king's power,) did, at Mr. Nevill's request, and command to despatch the country, list some of their names under him, whilst he rose upon some occasion, till he returned. For these two oversights, whilst in the enemies' PRYNNE. 371 power, he was, upon the recovery of the country, and the committee's first sitting, committed, by sir John Horner, Mr. Paradine, and Mr. Hippesley, at Frome, and sent prisoner to Ban well, where he remained half a year; and then, upon petition of four whole parishes on his behalf, he was fully heard be- fore these three gentlemen who committed him, and others of the committee, who, upon full debate, con- cluded to restore him. And after, the standing com- mittee at Ilchester, upon another debate and hearing of what could be objected, about two years since, enlarged and restored him to his ministry and living, upon these terms, that he should take the league and covenant, the oath of non-adherence, and give security for his good bearing to the parliament : all which he did, and thereupon he was fully restored ; no matter of scandal, false doctrine, or preaching, or praying against the parliament, being objected against him. Since this enlargement and restitution, he hath con- stantly preached thrice every Lord's day, and twice each fast day ; used the directory, conformed to all ordinances of parliament, lived without the least scandal or offence, and with the general love and approbation of his neighbours. Whereupon, considering the greatness of his charge, having six children to provide for, the smallness of his two adjoining livings, (not worth above £G0 or £70 per annum,) and the pains he took in preaching, about a year since I procured an addition of £^0, ■^!^ 372 PRYNNE. PIIYNNE. 373 by way of union, to his maintenance, and those who should succeed him, from the committee of plundered ministers: since which, he hath been put to about £30 cost in repairing the chancel and his parsonage house, which fell down suddenly, being ruinous; which, with his former losses, taxes, and free quarter to the parliament forces, ha\3 brought him much in debt; and yet, notwithstanding his former release and restitution, after two full hearings, his constant con- formity to the parliament, and consistent preaching for two years' space, his blameless life and orthodox doctrine, some of you have lately sequestered him, only upon the old articles, for which he was com- mitted, and, upon hearing, discharged and restored, without any new matter or complaint, and com- manded him not to preach any more, only because he is Prynne's chaplain. This I can prove by some of your own confessions, by Barker's and his troopers' speeches, (his only pro- secutors, and your agents,) and by others. And the whole country takes notice, and reports that some of your malice and spleen against me, for Bridgwater quarrel, is the only cause of his new sequestration and silencing. And the case itself speaks it, since you discharged him before, and never questioned him in two years' space, until now, after my return to London, and upon no new m.atter, but the old alone, for which he was discharged. Gentlemen, I beseech you consider, in cold blood, the maHce and injustice of this proceeding, thus to oppress a poor minister, and leave three parishes to- gether, like sheep without a shepherd, quite destitute of all spiritual food for their souls ; in such a barren place where there are ten parishes more adjoining without any settled minister to instruct them, some whereof (besides the other three) were edified and refreshed by his ministry ; and all to revenge your- selves on me, who never did you injury, and have been wronged by you. Yea, consider how you will answer this impiety before Christ's tribunal, thus to shut up his painful ministers' mouths, and starve peo- ples' souls. Or how you will answer the discontent- ing of so many people, out of pure malice to me, in these discontented times, to the parliament, that entrust you to ease and relieve, not grieve and op- press the country with such malicious proceedings. All you can say is, he was a malignant in those particulars you charged against him. I grant it true. Yet, first, you punished him sufficiently for it by his imprisonment. Secondly, you released and restored him yourselves, upon full hearing, and permitted him without any exceptions till now. Thirdly, yourselves have entertained in your service some malignants in arms, as I can prove, who were worse than he. Fourthly, he hath submitted, complied, and conformed in all things to the parliament for two years' space, and expressed no malignancy since, that you can charge him with. Fifthly, his malignancy — -^ -y^--^-^— ^ - ..•.-.. « 374 PRYNNE. against the parliament was no ground of his late prosecution, but fruits of your and your officers' malignancy against me j who, when their accounts and actions come to be examined, will some of them prove malignants, and knaves to boot. Sixthly, many ministers, more malignant than ever he shewed him- self, are still suffered, if orthodox and not scandalous. And to give you one instance : Dr. Usher, archbishop of Armagh, who was with the king, and adhered to him all these wars, is, by the votes and orders of both houses, permitted to preach at Lincoln's Inn,*' and to come to the assembly too, though he never took the covenant nor negative oath, as Mr. Tanner hath done, upon these grounds, that his doctrine is or- thodox and pious, and his life blameless. And in time of scarcity of ministers there is a necessity of admitting such, though they have been against us, rather than people should want ministers to instruct them, and so fall into atheism, profane- ness, schisms, or heresies, for want of preachers to instruct them. Upon which grounds you ought much more to have permitted Mr. Tanner to preach and enjoy his living, according to your own former orders j • **A great debate was this day [Dec. 20, 1G47,] in the house, whether Dr. Usher should continue preacliing at Lin- coln's Inn, he having formerly adhered to the enemy against the parliament ; and the house was divided, and it was carried in the affirmative, he taking the negative oath." Rushworth, vol. ii. p. 937, 8. \t % PRYNNE. 375 and are bound now, in justice and conscience, to re- store him, to satisfy the discontented people, and to do right to me, for whose sake alone he unjustly suffers. Having thus truly stated his cause, my request to you is, to do him and me that right, as becomes just and honest men, without delay : which if you refuse to do, I am resolved, by God's assistance, to improve all the interests and friends that I have, but I will have right and reparations from you, for all the past and present injuries, in the highest judicatory in the kingdom ; and will publish your malicious actions and proceedings to the world, that others may blush at them, if you will not : which I write, not by way of menace, but to forewarn you of my peremptory re- solution ; from which, God willing, I shall not recede : and if you suffer by it, you must blame yourselves, not me ; who, if you make not your enemy by de- nying my just request for those you have injured for ray sake, (whose wrongs I cannot pocket up, as I would and can do my own,) should desire rather to be, and continue. Your affectionate friend, In the service of ray country, Lincoln's Inn, Wm. PryNNE. January 15, 1647 [8.] > 37G PRESBYTERIANS AND INDEPENDENTS. SIR THOMAS KNYVETT' T© SIR JOHN HOBART.« Worthy Sir, — The scene of our sad distracted coinraonwealth's affairs alters almost every day, and has put on divers shapes since I saw you. Those castles in the air, that were ere while flitting up and down, sure are vanished in fumes, for I never heard the least tittle of them since our last parley ; nor, in- deed, was there any sound or probable ground-work for a wise man to engage upon. You answer all those imaginary propositions so fully, as might satisfy any men that were not swelled more with passion than reason. For my own part, Fll never pretend to more wit than God have given me ; nor shall I ever rely upon any principle, but what my conscience dictates to me is warranted by the word of God. Sir, I confess I never fancied a conjunction with the Scots, either in their laws civil, or their spiritual discipline, much less to join in a covenant and arms with so treacherous a nation against my own prince and countrymen, as at first ; nor can I humour a thought yet of assisting them against these : for though I know our English rulers now stink in the nostrils of ' I take the writer of this letter to be the person of the same name, who was one of the representatives in parliament for the city of Westminster during part of James the First's reign. See Brown Willis's Notitia. ' Member of parliament for Norfolk. THE KING S DECLARATION. 377 all loyal true-hearted subjects, yet sure I am, I shall join with the cunninger traitors of the two ; and there- fore let Presbyterians and Independents fight till I part them. But it is so far from coming to that, as it is now noised up and dov*^n, that a reconciliation and compliance is a working between the two factions ; which, if once composed, the next effect sure must be a marriage between a Presbyterian Incubus and an Independent Succubus, to beget a new generation of devils for the next parliament ; or rather for the continuation of this, so well grounded in diabolical principles. This week brought to my view a declaration in the king's name, which doth yet amuse me how it got hither in print : indeed, in my judgment, it can be no other pen but his own, by the phrase and spirit ; and sure I think a counterfeit would never have had that power of my passion that this had. I wish forty thousand stout well-armed men had but the same sense of it. But to divert this passion, up starts a babe of grace, of this week's production, " Mr. Mar- tin's Defence of the Parliament's late Votes against the King and the Scots' Commissioners." I have read it^ and can say no more, but that I look upon it not only as the spurious issue of his brain, but as the sense of the saint-like houses : yet brave Harry hath the better on't, to beget the bastard, and make the ho- nourable state to father it ; else, sure, it durst never have peeped abroad. 3 c I \ 378 CAMPAIGN IN IRELAND. CAMPAIGN IN IRI':LAND. 379 h There is another rumour now on foot, of the king's resigning of his crown of Scotland to prince Charles. I do not believe this at all, neither (if so) at pre- sent do I apprehend where the advantage lie, either to father or son. I could frame some reasons against them. Sir, I have sent you a book to peruse : if you have seen it, I pray send me whose writing you conceive it ; sure he was both able and honest. I found it thrown in a corner, where it hath lain ever since I was carried out of the country. Sir, I have troubled you too far with nothing to the purpose. In these dangerous times, I think my- self extreme happy in the acquaintance of so able a judgment as yourself to converse with sometimes ; which if you please to afford me, you will extremely engage, Sir, Your faithful friend to serve you, Tho. Knyvett. Feb. 11, 1647 [8.] LORD INCHIQUIN TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— On Wednesday, the second of this instant, I marched from Cork to Tallogh, ap- pointed for the rendezvous of that part of the army which was then to be drawn forth into the field ; and (having seen the men drawn up) the day ensuing, I went (by Cappoquin, over the mountain) with the horse unto Newcastle, in the county of Tipperary, (the only county in this province which was not totally disabled, by our and the rebel forces, to yield this army any support for such a time as might be considerable;) from whence I marched, with a part of the horse, on Friday, to the garrison of Cahir, as if resolved to spend some time in the settlement of that place : but, about two hours before midnight, I drew thence to a rendezvous, pre-appointed for four hundred choice horse to meet, and hastened that night directly to Carrick, about fourteen Irish miles distant, and by break of day fell into the town ; where we found so slender a garrison of the rebels, as that whilst we forced the gates, the most part of the sol- diers stole away over the river Shewer. Here we met some boats, laden with goods and commodities of value, passing from Clonmell to Water- ford, which the soldiers made sudden plunder of; and about fifteen horse of the lord Taffe's life-guard, the lieutenant whereof we also surprised the same night. This place, upon view and consideration had of it, we found to be more important and commodious for us than Clonmell, (the point of plunder only ex- cepted,) being tenable by a much smaller number of men, and lying more upon the frontiers of the pro- vince, convenient to annoy both Waterford and Clon- mell, and hinder the intercourse of the rebels ; so as we have resolved of settling a garrison in it, and to * 380 CAMPAIGN IN lUELANO. repair the ruinous bridge over it ; whereby the re- treat of this army will be on all occasions secured, and we in a much better capacity of prejudicing the rebels, and making incursions into their quarters. As the town, so the country adjacent was gene- rally surprised in such sort, as that those of better quality only fled to save their lives, leaving much of their cattle, and goods not portable, with the poorer sort of people, to our mercy ; whereby the soldier is at present well accommodated with provisions in their quarter, which I enlarged into the province of Leinster, for four or five miles along the river Shewer : and now, finding the country in general, and the su- preme council of the rebels, in a very great distrac- tion, I thought good to use all the means I could to increase their dissemination ; and to that end marched into the county of Kilkenny, as far as Callan, an old ruinous corporation, walled in part, and lying on a river, wherein were several strong old piles, which induced the garrison in it to refuse the surrender upon my summons ; so that being enforced to storm, the soldiers, beaten from the walls, retired to those old castles in the town, whence we fetched them by assault, and put most of them to the sword. We found only one castle so defensible, as that to pre- serve our own men, now far from their quarters. We have taken the surrender upon quarter. From hence I intend to march towards Kilkenny, being but five miles distant, and, as my intelligence CAMPAIGN IN IRELAND. 381 (which I find hitherto very perfectly good, though purchased at a dear rate) assures me, in no very de- fensible posture, if a considerable attempt be made upon it on all sides ; to which purpose I have hired a messenger to carry me a brief to colonel Jones, who now lies before Ballyshannon, not above thirty miles hence, to advance against one side of the town, as 1 resolve to do against the other j wherein, if it please God to bless us with his concurrency and suc- cess, we may, with due submission to the Divine Dis- poser of all things, conclude the work in the two provinces of Leinster and Munster to be well-nigh finished ; my intelligence asserting unto me, that in all probability, if we proceed with our intended at- tempt upon Kilkenny, they design to fly for Galway, (as they did from Clonraell, upon my advance, in ex- pectation of a siege, which I was not able to lay unto them, without disabling my party for the field,) and there to set up their rest. For Kilkenny, if it fall into our hands, I shall leave it in possession of colonel Jones, being not in a con- dition to garrison any place of importance, without prejudice to the service, and disappointing me in my main design ; which is to prosecute Taffe from place to place, wheresoever I shall understand him to be drawing towards a head ; for which, having given him some little time in my absence, I shall be in the greater possibility to disperse them upon my return : by which course, I shall not only prevent the rebels - *\- -•\- 380 CAMPAIGN IN IRELAND. repair the ruinous bridge over it ; whereby the re- treat of this army will be on all occasions secured, and we in a much better capacity of prejudicing the rebels, and making incursions into their quarters. As the town, so the country adjacent was gene- rally surprised in such sort, as that those of better quality only fled to save their lives, leaving much of their cattle, and goods not portable, with the poorer sort of people, to our mercy ; whereby the soldier is at present well accommodated with provisions in their quarter, which I enlarged into the province of Leinster, for four or five miles along the river Shewer : and now, finding the country in general, and the su- preme council of the rebels, in a very great distrac- tion, I thouofht irood to use all the means I could to increase their dissemination ; and to that end marched into the county of Kilkenny, as far as Callan, an old ruinous corporation, walled in part, and lying on a river, wherein were several strong old piles, which induced the garrison in it to refuse the surrender upon my summons ; so that being enforced to storm, the soldiers, beaten from the walls, retired to those old castles in the town, whence we fetched them by assault, and put most of them to the sword. We found only one castle so defensible, as that to pre- serve our own men, now far from their quarters. We have taken the surrender upon quarter. From hence 1 intend to march towards Kilkenny, being but five miles distant, and, as my intelligence CAMPAIGN IN IRELAND. 381 (which I find hitherto very perfectly good, though purchased at a dear rate) assures me, in no very de- fensible posture, if a considerable attempt be made upon it on all sides ; to which purpose I have hired a messenger to carry me a brief to colonel Jones, who now lies before Ballyshannon, not above thirty miles hence, to advance against one side of the town, as I resolve to do against the other ; wherein, if it please God to bless us with his concurrency and suc- cess, we may, with due submission to the Divine Dis- poser of all things, conclude the work in the two provinces of Leinster and Munster to be well-nigh finished j my intelligence asserting unto me, that in all probability, if we proceed with our intended at- tempt upon Kilkenny, they design to fly for Galway, (as they did from Clonmell, upon my advance, in ex- pectation of a siege, which I was not able to lay unto them, without disabling my party for the field,) and there to set up their rest. For Kilkenny, if it fall into our hands, I shall leave it in possession of colonel Jones, being not in a con- dition to garrison any place of importance, without prejudice to the service, and disappointing me in my main design ; which is to prosecute Taffe from place to place, wheresoever I shall understand him to be drawing towards a head ; for w^hich, having given him some little time in my absence, I shall be in the greater possibility to disperse them upon my return : by which course, I shall not only prevent the rebels 3S2 CAMPAIGN IN IRELAND. raising an army, but deprive them of the means to support me, by disenabling the country to contribute thereto, and making all the use that may be possible thereof for our subsistence ; the only means of ad- vancing and preserving your interest in this kingdom, which is not now in so high a probability of being absolute and entire, if seasonable supply overtake us, as it will be in evident danger to be impaired, and annihilated, if some comfort and encouragement do not speedily arrive unto us : most of the late miseries and hardships which the soldiers have so vigorously and strangely undergone, being upon the score of my earnest persuasions and asseverations of supplies, especially of clothing, ready to be transmitted to them with the first conveniency ; by the confident expectation whereof, their courages have been hitherto upheld ; the longer disappointment whereof will be of most dangerous and destructive consequence to your service. I have already given an accompt unto the honour- able committee at Derby house, of our general wants and necessities, and of the several defects whereby this army will unavoidably become unserviceable against the spring. This necessitated winter action being a great disimprovement thereof. And I shall now only offer to the consideration of the honourable houses, that in one month's time, with the assistance of the divine co-operation, and of competent supplies from thence, I could make your forces master of this THE PRINCE ELECTOR. 383 province entirely, and of a great part of the province of Leinster ; the present opportunity of doing whereof being lost, and the rebels, by our want of means, suf- fered to grow again to a considerableness, and your forces to become either contemptible, or a prey to their teeth, how disadvantageous (if not dishonour- able ^) it will be to your service, I humbly submit to better judgments ; and remain Your humble servant, Inchiquin. Callak, Feb. 17, 1647 [8.] THE PRINCE ELECTOR TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF PEERS. My Lord, — I desire you to acquaint the house, that I am very sensible of their constant affection and care for my maintenance ;^ and to assure them, that my endeavours and actions shall always be suitable unto those obligations under which I stand to them and this kingdom. ^ Very shortly after this, lord Inchiquin revolted; and en- deavoured, but in vain, to corrupt his officers. See Whithcke, April 14, 1648 ; and Rushmorth, vol ii. 1063. ^ The prince, for his good affection to the popular cause, had been long since voted the considerable allowance of .£8000 a year. Whitloche, May 6, 1645. 384 THE PRINCE ELECTOR. SANCROFT. 38,5 I must further entreat your lordship to represent to them, how that the two houses did, in October last, upon my request, give leave for the levying and transporting of four hundred men, to two captains having commission from my brother, prince Philip, for the state of Venice : but the said captains not being able to perform those conditions, upon which they had engaged, there hath as yet been nothing at all done in that business. There is, for the present, one captain Wilkins, who hath undertaken the same employment ; unto him the General hath given a warrant for the raising of the aforesaid number of men. Therefore my de- sire is to the house, that they would be pleased, in pursuance of their favourable intentions to my said brother, to renew their former leave for their trans- port ; the said captair; giving good assurance, that it shall not be to the prejudice of the affairs of this kinordom. Herewith I rest o Your lordship's Most affectionate friend to serve you, Charles Lodovic. Somerset House, April 4, 1G48. FRANCIS GARDINER [TO MR. SANCROFT.] Sni, — When my son's desires inclined me to settle him at Cambridge, my endeavour was to have him forewarned against the many allurements the place affords to seduce unexperienced youth from the end their friends aim at, improvement in knowledge. By those cautions, and your friendly care, I hope he hath scaped those rocks, at which full many a bark hath perished ; but knowing his many hinderances by sick- ness and long absence, I must content myself, though he return not so richly fraught, as from so plentiful a clime and in so long a voyage, with industry, he might. He is now for a coast no less dangerous, which some call a third university, the Inns of court. Be pleased, for his farewell, to premonish and advise what haven he must tend to, what rocks and shelves avoid, by what stars direct his course ; and let your well wishing prayers, as a prosperous gale, fill his sails. I confess my judgment is against so frequent change. I think it not enough only to salute an university ; yet blame not my assent : his mother's friends have a powerful influence ; I cannot gainsay what he desires, if seconded by them. I hope the danger of miscarriage is over; and I trust he will follow those principles he hath learned, both by precept and example, from so good tutors, in the number of whom yourself may deservedly challenge the first place. And to you I profess myself m-uch obliged ; wishing heartily that some good occasion might present itself, whereby really to witness your care not undervalued. 3 D n'\ r 386 CARISBROOKE CASTLE. CAllISBROOKE CASTLE. 387 I have long been a stranger to any line from you : let it not be troublesome, as at first you gave his then character, so, for a vale^ truly and plainly to decipher your pupil and his disposition, whom you cannot in this time of trial but thoroughly know ; and, in account of all your high deservings, I shall ever be Your most affectionate friend, Fran. Gardiner. April 11, 1648. COLONEL HAMMOND^ TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The settling of the affairs of this place in a better posture than now they stand, is of that concernment, that it puts me in some straits, whether I might not more contribute to your service by my coming up to London, to possess you with the true sense of our condition here, than by abiding here, and by that means continuing the affairs of this place in the ill order, I wish I might not too truly say, the little security, they yet stand in. But I dare not do the former without your leave, until I see the inconveniencies of the latter may not be removed another way, which causeth me to give you this account. * The Tanner collection contains several more letters from colonel Ilamniond during this period, but such as are omitted niav be found in Rushvvorth. First, that of the £1000 ordered by the house for the reparations and further fortifications of this castle, I have received but £500 ; which being now nigh spent, and that work most necessary to be carried through, causeth me to desire you, that the other £500 may be immediately sent down, otherwise the works must suddenly cease, that goes on very fast : and that you will please to employ hither an able engineer, who may provide what further security, with reasonable charge, may be given to this so con- siderable place. Also, if you shall think it fit, that a granary or store-house may be built, and provisions of corn, levies in for victuals, and moneys, speedily supplied to that purpose. Next, I shall be bold to acquaint you, that not- withstanding you were pleased to vote the making up the two companies of the army here to five hundred men, which is the least proportion to be thought on with any security, yet through the want of the pro- vision of money, which you were then pleased also to vote, more than three hundred I could not raise. My humble suit to you therefore in this is, that you will please to see your former order put in execution, that the number of five hundred men may be imme- diately made up; and to that end, that the £1000 per mensemy for their pay that shall exceed the three hundred, and the provision of the king's fi\raily, may be constantly advanced : for, as yet, we are so far from being in a capacity of raising and paying the 388 CARISBROOKE CASTLE, CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 389 men appointed by your order, or having advance money, without which soldiers cannot be raised and maintained, or indeed the family well ordered, that I am engaged for at least £500, for the making ne- cessary provisions for the family. For since Mr. Cressett, the late treasurer, went hence, which is more now than five weeks, at which time he left, as appears by his accompts, £G00 debts, I have received but £1000; so that all that hath been since spent more than £400 is now owing, and the greatest part of it upon my score. I beseech you, sir, that this may be remedied. Sir, I make bold to acquaint you further with the difference of an account, which, as I understand, can only be set right by you, which is this. Upon the first coming over of the two companies of the army hither, I was necessitated to add the soldiers formerly in the forts and castles to my company, there to muster, and pay them for their subsistence, by no means thinking it safe to disband them ; which other- wise must have been done, they having been above a year before without pay, and never having received one day's free quarter, almost to the starving of them- selves, their wives, and children ; most of them so related being all islanders. And here give me leave to tell you, by the way, that the allowance you were pleased to make them out of the delinquents' fines, in the late tumult and rebellion about captain Burley,' > Captain Burley had headed a mutiny in the Isle of Wight, I & is not a penny of it paid, nor like to be suddenly, so that these poor men continue still in sad want ; which, I beseech you, may be considered some other way. Now they having been thus mustered and paid from that time until this, and of absolute necessity to be continued, my humble suit to you is, that my ac- compt may be so taken by the committee of the army for what is past ; and if you shall judge that not fit, then what exceeds two private companies, consisting of two hundred men, (which is all the said committee is pleased to say they can pay upon their order,) may be paid some other way, the money being so neces- sarily expended already : what this will amount to, I have lately sent unto Mr. Scaw^en a particular. I shall only add to the long trouble I have already given you, that, according to your former order, also you will please to settle considerable pensions upon those gentlemen appointed to attend the king, proportionable to their trust and care required. And considering the strange reports which have been, with- out the least ground, raised, and, as I understand, still continued, concerning my barbarous usage of the king, it may not be unnecessary for me to say to you, in my own behalf, and I hope among all modest men, the commonness of this so confident report will in this plead my excuse, that I have, to the height of my power, given the king, upon all occasions, all possible attempted to seize Carisbrooke castle, and take away the king. See Whitloclw, Jan, 1, 1647 [8.] 11 t k 390 CAKISBROOKE CASTLE. SIR JACOB ASTLEY — DUKE OF YORK. 391 respects, answerable to the duty I owe to his person, and the great trust you have pleased to repose in rae ; and, truly, if otherwise, I should be more un- worthy than those wicked men who raised the re- port would make me. Sir, I beseech you be pleased to determine these particulars, so as they may become effectual to your service, there being little or nothing more in them than you have already ordered ; and this I beg, not so much for mine own ease of the great burden upon my shoulders, (indeed exceedingly too weighty for me,) as for the greater security of your so consider- able affairs. Sir, The duty I owe you is the cause of this trouble ; which I hope will intercede pardon for, Sir, Your most faithful and humble servant, llo. Hammond. Carisbrooke Castle, April 22, lt)48. SIR JACOB ASTLEY" TO SIR THOMAS POTTS. Much honoured good Cousin, — We were all hopeful to have seen you here this day, and are heartily sorry that an ague hath troubled you, and dis- "' Sir Jacob Astley had served as a major-general in the king's army, but liad lately been admitted by the parliament to compound. See Whitloche March 1, 1G47 [8.] i appointed us; but, I hope and wish it may not last, but, as taken in the sunrise, turn to better health. Cousin, I shall heartily wish you a good jour- ney, and an author to a happy peace. I thank you kindly. As for London, I and my businesses there, I well hope, hath bidden it farewell for a long time ; only my dutiful respects to my lord of Northumber- land, I pray present. Concerning £400 that I owe in London against August next, I have already taken order for the payment of it, and shall not make use of any moneys out of Holland, being my wife's, which I am very loath to diminish. It was very strange to us to hear the sad news of Norwich," of the loss of so many men. As sir Edward Astley is gone thither this day, this night we shall better understand the circumstances thereof by his return. But it is a orreater wonder to hear that the duke of York is escaped." I pray God it may not redound " See post, p. 400, and note. " The duke of York was placed by the parliament under the charo-e of the earl of Northumberland : he was, before his escape, at St. James's ; and while at play after supper with the duke of Gloucester and princess Elizabeth, in a room by them- selves, ^'he privately slipped from them down the back stairs, without cloak or coat, in his shoes and stockings ; and by the way of the privy-garden, having got a key of the doors, he escaped away through the park." Whitlocke, April 22. Colonel Bamfield aided his escape, havino^ dressed him in woman's clothes, and prepared a vessel to carry him to Holland. See Clarendon^ vol. vi. p. 18, 19. The parliament acquitted the earl of Northumberland of all blame. Whitloche, April 29. 1 392 DUKK OF YORK. any ways to my lord of Northumberland's prejudices. The discourse spread by some, at my last being at Wells, your servant will shew you a letter from the innkeeper there what it was, as that trooper I never saw or spoke withal, to my knowledge. My wife, self, sister, and daughter, right affection- ately salute you, all of us wishing you a good journey and a happy instrument of peace making : all our respects to my cousin, your son and his lady, and all yours. And so I rest, Sir, Your most humble servant, Jacob Astley. Hilderton, April 28, 1G48. COLONEL RAINSBOROUGH TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— This is only to let you under- stand that the duke of York did certainly land at Flushing, on sabbath day morning last, about eight o'clock in the morning. He went over in a small junk off that place, which lay fourteen days in the river purposely for him : he had with him when he landed about fourteen persons, three or four of them being women. I have also very late news from Paris, that the prince is suddenly to depart France ; but which way, or whither, is not known. We want the captains of r DISTURBANCES IN SOUTH WALES. 393 I the Antelope, Swallow, and John exceedingly, as also the lieutenants, there being none of those former wanting that came down. What I hear further, you shall speedily receive from, Sir, Your very humble and faithful servant, Tho. Hainsborough. From on board the Reefer, in the Downs, April 28, 1648; past eleven at night. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— The growing strength of your enemies in South Wales, and the difficulties of bring- ing them to a present engagement in that moun- tainous country, (as by the late experience of colonel Horton's proceedings may appear,) do require (for the bringing of that business to a speedy issue) such an accession of forces (to what is there already) as may be divided into several parties, and each one able to engage the enemy. Upon consideration whereof, I have (with the advice of a council of war) resolved to send a considerable part of the army into those parts, and heutenant-gencral Cromwell to com- mand them ; and hold it requisite that, until that business be ended, the rest of the array should lie something nearer that way than as yet it doth. I find also, by tho strong endeavours of cavaliers IJ I 3 K 39^ DUKE OF YORK. any ways to my lord of Northumberland's prejudices. The discourse spread by some, at my last being at Wells, your servant will shew you a letter from the innkeeper there what it was, as that trooper I never saw or spoke withal, to my knowledge. My wife, self, sister, and daughter, right affection- ately salute you, all of us wishing you a good journey and a happy instrument of peace making : all our respects to my cousin, your son and his lady, and all yours. And so I rest. Sir, Your most humble servant, Jacob Astley. Hilderton, April 28, 1G48. COLONEL RAINSBOROUGH TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — This is only to let you under- stand that the duke of York did certainly land at Flushing, on sabbath day morning last, about eight o*clock in the morning. He went over in a small junk off that place, which lay fourteen days in the river purposely for him : he had with him when he landed about fourteen persons, three or four of them being women. I have also very late news from Paris, that the prince is suddenly to depart France ; but which w^ay, or whither, is not known. We want the captains of DISTURBANCES IN SOUTH WALES. 393 the Antelope, Swallow, and John exceedingly, as also the lieutenants, there being none of those former wanting that came down. What I hear further, you shall speedily receive from, Sir, Your very humble and faithful servant, Tho. Rainsborough. From on board the Reefer, in the Downs, April 28, 1648; past eleven at night. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— The growing strength of your enemies in South Wales, and the difficulties of bring- ing them to a present engagement in that moun- tainous country, (as by the late experience of colonel Horton's proceedings may appear,) do require (for the bringing of that business to a speedy issue) such an accession of forces (to what is there already) as may be divided into several parties, and each one able to engage the enemy. Upon consideration whereof, I have (with the advice of a council of war) resolved to send a considerable part of the army into those parts, and lieutenant-general Cromwell to com- mand them; and hold it requisite that, until that business be ended, the rest of the army should lie something nearer that way than as yet it doth. I find also, by the strong endeavours of cavaliers 3 E 3.94 DISTURBANCES IN SOUTH WALES. TOWN OF BERWICK. 395 and disaffected persons to raise the like disturbances in other parts, that there is use for all the forces you have, to be employed several ways for the suppressing of insurrections. Upon these considerations, together with the jea- lousy which (through ill reports) hath been lately conceived in the city against the forces of this army, and against their lying nearer the city, (which hath occasioned your order that their removal should be considered,) and conceiving very good hopes (through the choice of such a person as major-general Skippon to command all the forces within the late lines of communication) that those forces may henceforth be so ordered as to afford a sufficient guard to the par- liament, I have thought it best (by the same advice) to send orders to those two regiments lying at Whitehall and the Mews,° for their marchino- from thence on Wednesday next, unless you shall think fit in the mean time to give other order for their further stay. Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. P Windsor, May 1, 1648. * '*The house ordered a letter to the General to stay the removal of those regiments till further order; and a committee to treat with the city, what guard they will provide for the houses, if these regiments be removed/' Whitlocke, May 2. P Sir T. Fairfax had now succeeded to the title of lord Fairfax, his father having died Marcli 13 in this year ; hut as CAPTAIN ANDREW BALL" TO SIR ARTHUR HASLERIG. Right Honourable, — After my humble service presented unto you, these few lines are to certify you of my coming before the town of Berwick," being the 2nd of this instant May, betwixt the hours of eight and nine in the forenoon : and I stood so near the shore, that I fired ninety-four pieces of ordnance into the town ; that is to say, fourteen whole culverines, sixty-five demi-culverines, and fourteen sakers : and we saw many horse along the hills, riding to the town. And the last night, I, being in Holy Island Road, having sent my boat ashore to captain Batten," to the castle, to know how all things stood with him, he writ me a letter to this effect. That the cavaliers in the country go into the town hourly, and that they make the townsmen take up arms, and those that refuse they turn out of the gates ; and on Sa- turday, they had from Leith thirty barrels of powder and three load of match. he did not assume that title, he may still pass under his more common designation. ** Captain of the ** Adventure " frigate, off Berwick. ' Sir Marmaduke Langdale had, on the 28th of April, taken Berwick hy surprise, and now held it for the king. Governor of Holy Island. Langdale had endeavoured, by large promises, to seduce him from his allegiance to the parliament ; but he refused, and received the thanks of the house in consequence. Whitlocke, May 9. 396 TOWN OF BEIiWICK. TOWN' OF BERWICK. 007 Sir, As yet, I believe there are no great ^uns come hither, for I have not heard the action of any ; and, with God's assistance, I shall do ray best endeavour, to the uttermost of my power, to prevent any from coming by water, or any other provision whatsoever. The last night, captain Batten sent me a prisoner aboard, whose name is Mr. Peter Jones, one of that island ; and he certified me, that my lord of Newcastle is there, with sir Marmaduke Langdale, sir William Fleming, sir Charles Lucas, and my lord Wither- ington ; and he reports that these are all at present in Berwick. I desire that your honour may be pleased to let me hear from you by the first opportunity, whether any forces are determined hither or no; for I am confident, if they come in any short time, that this route will fly. Thus, waiting your honour's pleasure, I take my leave for the present; and rest, as I am, your honour's true and faithful servant, to the utter- most of my power, for the good of the public, Andrew Ball. From Berwick Road, May 2, at the hour of twelve, 1G48. I desire your honour to certify the parliament of these passages, and my being here ; and to send away this packet with all the speed that may be. ( SIR ARTHUR HASLERIG, GOVERNOR OF NEWCASTLE, TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. SrEAKER,_Immediately after I heard that Berwick was taken, I writ to captain Batten, and sent him men, ammunition, and provision, that Holy Island might be secured. I have sent you a copy of his last letter, and sir Marmaduke's letter' to him. I hope you have sent unto the committees of the six northern counties, to command them to join in association; for you see the necessity of it; the gentlemen at the meeting at Richmond being very tender, your particular commands being not received. I can hear nothing out of Scotland, only great noises of raising of men. The strongest castle in Northumberland is Warkvvorth : and I, understanding the enemy intended to have taken it, sent men thither with ammunition, and it is kept for the parliament till I know your pleasure. The Papists, and such as have been delinquents, and some that have made their compositions, with what strength they can make, do daily resort to them at Berwick : they do appoint their rendezvous daily, and several gentlemen have their parts assigned them to raise men in : there is an absolute necessity that forces be sent out of the south, many of the disbanded supernumeraries being gone in unto them. I believe that the presence of * This letter is to be found in Rush worth, vol. ii. p. HOG. ^MK- 398 TOWN OF BERWICK. the lord General " in these parts would conduce much to your service. In matters of war. expedition is the life. I should not be satisfied in my own thoughts that the forces should be so far off from these parts, knowing that so long smce, which is now come to pass ; but only that all may bear you witness, there is not the least oc- casion or colour given by your army for these pro- ceeciings. ^ It is certain the lord Mansfield is gone into Scot- land ; It IS said, to meet his father, the earl of New castle. It IS reported also. Sir William Witherinc^ton 18 there. Doubtless all your northern enemies °will come out of foreign parts, and I know no way more hkely to prevent them than by guarding the seas well. J his coast being at present in the command of two or three Irish frigates, they take ships daily, and chased a ship that brought ammunition to this gar- rison, about two days since, at least seven hours I hear, that there are divers horse-loads of am- munition brought into Berwick from Leith, but vet they want great guns. Sir, I entreat you to grant a commission of over and terminer to Mr. Westell, Mr. Shaftoe, or whom you please, to clear the gaol at Newcastle, or else to g.ve me leave to set the prisoners at liberty ; for the "Fairfax was ordered by the parliament to n.arcl. to tl.e north ; hut the distnrbances in Kent fo„,„l !„„ nearer home. '' ''"" «nj'lo.v'nent TUMULTS AT NOUWICH. 399 magazine and the prison is all under one roof. I have acquainted both the gentlemen of the county, and also the town, of the absolute necessity that it be altered : but they not taking order with it, if you please to send down a commission speedily, I shall take the more care for the present ; but if it come not quickly, I resolve that, for the preservation of the garrison and safety of the town, they shall not re- main there, unless you command the contrary. I am. Sir, Your faithful servant, 1., , Arth. Haslerig. JN ewcastle. May 8, ](i48. CHRISTOPHER BARRETT TO THE SPEAKER. KiGHT HoNOURABLE,_It hath plcascd the par- liament to call me to their service. I have ever had a willing heart ; but my great age, and many other unfitnesses, render me less useful and less active than the urgency and height of occasions require : but being their pleasure, I humbly submit to God, and his good providence, in what they have ordered. And, sir, having received two letters from your honour,' and several orders, I, as in duty bound, present, al I am able, this my account of the same ; beseeching you to represent the same to the houses, from thei" HX) Tl MILTS AT NOinVK II. (and your) servant, as occasion and opportunity offeri. iiif, i'be business of the ^4th ot Ajuil" was in the beginning ver)- unruly and obstinate ; so that, indeed, fearing the life of tiM iiieaiengt;t m hazard, and my- wlfand his friewlii ctpecially those that waited upon the parliament, being no way able to keej) either him or themselves, I entreated him to go away, hoping by hit going the tumult would have been ,,««.= b.,i,g„„.l,i,.hc,.„ ,W, and ,l,.,c vas no end of miaehief, until it pleated God to •trile so great a stroke among them, to their just confuaaon, which, seemded with the coming of some ©f colmtl Fleetwood's regiment, sent for by some ** Lulim mam Ikis 'iMl iky fr&m Norwich to colootl Wm^mmmf Imt wm iMijmr of Norwicli, being siiit for lo attend lit ptlhiMip tit' HiigMali. '0|i|M»Mfl liit going, mnd tb« par- liMMMIiMft WWW f^^^ <> iImI kotli fMirtiw got into arms, and fliiMltffiil HMijr i„«ii,ti*iili of llw dtj I liM CBfUain Tliomas lMiii% wilk bit troofi, aiicl tooM otlwr IwrM of colonel Fleet- ilii taSM into the city. Hef M «|Miii tlw « in mmml partlisi drove them into ammm^ aai. 'wmndei: mmmf of them ; and captain Lloyd and iltvtft of tie Iroofwri vtro wovndeii That the rtotera got «f *ht HMgaiiw I and lieiag to got o«t powder, tW wae ifMl, and about forty of tbem blown up und Tho blow ilMMlt Ibo wbole city, threw down part of chnr*'hi% WMBiad ami killed many of the town, and one of the lrw|ier» hurt by il: Itp and arm« ftmrui in the streets Inn liniiii thf^ hiirfii.», and about a fcrifiWr. u ana issvuty of the oitiatnt iniwiHj^. ill tbt evening, all i|iiittad/' H'hifiwf/f, Aprii Wk TUMULTS AT NORWICH. 401 well affected, after a short resistance that work was ended, and we have made some progress in the ex- amination of the business : and, as far as we can find, the ground of the business was, a petition, as was pretended, to the honourable house of commons for the mayor's stay; but it seems the end was, by raising a force thereby to make him stay; so the petition prayed, the multitude enforced. The peti- tion was carried about by some in the very time of the height of the tumult, so that we conceive they were both birds of the same feather. But, sir, the depth of all is not yet clearly made out ; but, I doubt not, time will evince there was a greater plot in it, and a design further off than we are yet aware of. But to leave that to time, sir, May.day being come, to prevent objection, the troops of horse, who came in for our safety, the Lord be praised, being drawn into the castle yard, on pre- tence that a free concourse of electors might be, we proceeded to our accustomed choice of mayor; which, although the place of choice was, upon inquiry, avowed to be as full as usual, yet the work was done with that quietness and peaceableness as was wonderful • not such a choice these forty years. But let me also inform your honour, that, to preserve the right of our charter unquestioned, and to take away all occasions of enlarging or continuing the cause of this present controversy and disturbance, the day before was called a common council ; where, by one common consent, 3 F •ilMI XiTiiffff Toile«l. The blow shook the whole city, threw down part of 8om« churehet, wounded and killed many of the town, and one of the troopers hurt by it : legs and arms found in the streets lorn from the bodies, and about a hundred and twenty of the ciliitiw mitiing. In the evening, all quieted.*' Wkitlwhey April 2(1 1/ 401 well affected, after a short resistance that work was ended, and w^e have made some progress in the ex- amination of the business : and, as far as we can find, the ground of the business was, a petition, as was pretended, to the honourable house of commons for the mayor's stay; but it seems the end was, by raising a force thereby to make him stay; so the petition prayed, the multitude enforced. The peti- tion was carried about by some in the very time of the height of the tumult, so that we conceive they were both birds of the same feather. But, sir, the depth of all is not yet clearly made out; but, I doubt not, time will evince there was a greater plot in it, and a design further off than we are yet aware of But to leave that to time, sir. May-day being come, to prevent objection, the troops of horse, who came in for our safety, the Lord be praised, being drawn into the castle yard, on pre- tence that a free concourse of electors might be, we proceeded to our accustomed choice of mayor; which, although the place of choice was, upon inquiry, avowed to be as full as usual, yet the work was done with that quietness and peaceableness as was wonderful ; not such a choice these forty years. But let me also inform your honour, that, to preserve the right of our charter unquestioned, and to take away all occasions of enlarging or continuing the cause of this present controversy and disturbance, the day before was called a common council ; where, by one common consent, 3 F 40f Tf'MULTS AT NORWICH. few, if any, opposing, we established that, so good and just a by-law, which therefore from licentious and refractory persons finds so much and great opposi- tion ; and according to that law declared the election of Mr. Mingay to be void, and the election of Mr. Wennian legal, according to our charter and by-law, made especially for the peace and quiet of the city, restraining popular elections, mostly, if not conti- nually, disquiet, factious, and perilous : in which we assure ourselves we have done only what conduces to the peace of this city, and thereby of the kingdom, and therefore we hope of your approbation. Ciive me leave further to inform the house, that there is one Blomfield, an officer of the city, now with the mayor at London, who, it is likely, can give information of much of the carriage of this business, being an officer in the mayor's house 5 and, I should think, he will deal truly. I have four petitions brought in, wherein, as far as I can gain information, all the agitators for hand, and those that handed it, are all or most disaffected per- sons, not one that I can hear of otherwise. We have (in the great sense of the Almighty's goodness to this poor city, and his infinite deliverance of us ; for in a word, sir, give leave abruptly to say, not an honest man slain in the blowing up of the house : there were three families in it, consisting of, as I am informed, twenty-four persons, divers neighbours next of many persons, all overwhelmed in the same ruins. CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 403 some lying above four hours buried up alive, all mi- raculously preserved, not one slain, all the other dead, we hear not of one in the house escaped alive ; above forty persons already taken up, and how many more shall we know not, besides broken shattered pieces blown far and nigh, abundance,) for this we have appointed a day of thanksgiving to Almighty. Sir, I am as unworthy of, as unfit for, the service 1 am by their honours put upon : but I shall hope you will give assistance, and there shall not want the utmost endeavour of your humble servant, [Norwich,] CHRISTOPHER BaRRETT. May 4, 1648. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— I took the boldness lately to trouble you with a long letter, touching the affairs of this place; but since understanding that your bu- sinesses have been such as have prevented your com- municating to the house that my advice, my sense of my duty presses me to importune you to present this, which may acquaint you, that, as I wrote to you in my last, it is of absolute concernment to the se- curity of this so considerable a place, that the re- parations and further fortifications of this castle and Sandham fort, already begun, be carried through to perfection. You were pleased so well to resent this, when I I 404 CARISBROOKE CASTLE. first endeavoured to possess you of it, that you or- dered £1000 towards the carrying on of this work, £500 of which I have only received. Now that being so nigh spent, that it will not last beyond fourteen days further, as by an exact account I shall make appear, the necessity of the work, and the season of the year requiring it, causeth me humbly to desire you, that the other £500 may be immediately speeded hither, and that you will please to appoint £1500 more for the finishing the work, and the providing of a granary, and laying in of corn and other provision of victuals, most necessary appurte- nances to so considerable a place. Sir, Give me leave to inform you also, that not- withstanding the various rumours, which I under- stand have been spread abroad, this island is in a very quiet and good temper ; and I am sure I may say truly, and that without prejudice to the best affected part of the kingdom, that it is as conform- able to your commands as any place in England ; and 1 hope, through the blessing of God, will ever so continue. For their encouragement, I humbly am bold to mind you, that care be taken of the execution of that good order you were pleased to make, that there may be constantly a month's pay advanced in hand for the pay of the soldiers; and that the £1000 joer mensem formerly ordered (as I understand) for the expense of the king's family, and the maintaining of CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 40J two hundred men more, for the further guards of this place, may be accordingly constantly and duly paid ; which will not only secure the country from burden, but will, I doubt not, fully defray the charge of the family, and sufficiently satisfy the said two hundred men : which addition of men it is neither convenient nor safe to be without, during such time as you shall judge it fit to continue the person of the king here, which makes me the more earnestly press, that this ad- vance of money may not be wanting during such time. Sir, I must be bold to trouble you with a difference upon an account which can only be set right by you, which is this. Upon the first coming over hither of the two companies of the army, appointed by the General for the necessary defence and security of the king's person and this place, I was necessitated to add the soldiers formerly in the forts and castles to my company, there to muster, and pay them for their subsistence, having no other provision for them ; by no means thinking it safe to disband them, which otherwise must have been done, they having been above a year before that without pay, and never having received one day's free quarter, almost to the starving of themselves, their wives, and families; most of them being so related, being islanders. And here, by the way, give me leave to acquaint you, that the moneys for their supplies you were pleased to order them out of the deHnquent fines, about the late tumult and rebellion of captain Burley, is 406 CARISBROOKE CASTLE. not a penny of it paid, nor like to be suddenly, so that these poor men continue still in sad want, which I beseech you may be considered some other way Now they having been thus mustered and paid and upon duty every man from that time to this and of absolute necessity so to be continued, my humble suit to you is, that my accompt (which is exact to a man) may be so taken by the committee of the army for what is past ; and if you shall judc^e that not fit, then what exceeds the pay of two priva'Ie companies, consisting of two hundred men, (which is all the said committee is pleased to say they can allow payment to, upon their order,) may be paid some other way, the money being so justly and necessarily expended already. What this will amount unto, I have lately sent unto Mr. Scawen a particular; since which only I have paid them a month's pay more. Sir, However you shall please to determine these particulars, it will be some satisfaction to me, that in this my second importunity I do but my duty: which through the grace of God, I shall never be wanting in, while you think me worthy of any the least trust^ but shall most cordially endeavour to give all due obedience to your commands, with such an affection and duty as best becomes. Sir, Your most faithful and humble servant, Carisbrooke Castle, Uo. HamMOND. May 5, 1C48. CARLISLE SURPRISED BV ROYALISTS. 407 COLONEL RIGBY TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_The report of the surprising of Berwick by the English cavaliers, come out of Scotland, with the great acclamations and resort of the people of Nor thumberland unto them, is come to us with an as- surance of their taking of Carlisle,^ and many strono-. holds in Westmoreland and Cumberland, and their absolute command of those two counties ; at their entrance into which, their numbers are, by our most credible intelligence, given unto us to exceed seven thousand. ' This day, as was discovered unto me, was a day pnvily appointed for a general rising at once of all the papists and delinquents in this county of Lanca shire, to have cut the throats of all your friends here My uttermost endeavours for the public have nor shall .,e wanting ; but the obstructions are these • that upon the orders for disbanding, and against free quarter, neither committee or deputy-lieutenant, that they can meet with, is (say what I can) confident to believe they have any power to list, arm, or array men, or to make provision for quarter or other ne- cessaries ; and therein many are afraid of a misex- position, that they shall be taken for beginners or fomenters of a new war, though it be to provide against the Cumberland rebels. I have, where I " Carlisle was surprised by sir Philip Musgrare at the <^mo t.me tbat sir M. Langdale had got posLsio, 'orB;n;.ick. \ 408 ROYALISTS IN LANCASHIRE. could not satisfy their scruples, held forth the laws of necessity. About five hundred horse and foot of nay old soldiers, some whereof did, without orders, and contrary to command, lie upon free quarter, are, upon a false alarm that the enemy had entered this county, and upon their own accord, within these two last days, drawn into a body near Preston, to the discouragement of the raalignants in those parts. I have encouraged them by approving of their as- sembling for their own defence ; and I hope their numbers will increase by the well affected to you. I procured yesterday a small meeting of some few gentlemen, in all but five, colonel Holland, colonel Bradshawe, colonel Birch, myself, and my son, though many more were desired. We that assembled have unanimously summoned a general meeting of the hicrh sheriff, and all the deputy-lieutenants, committee men, and other well affected gentlemen, upon Monday next, at Bolton j that, in these apprehensions of want of authority, we may have the consents and eno-ao'e- ments of many : and we have sent general warning, to be published in all churches and towns in this county, that all between sixteen and sixty, well af- fected to the parliament, shall be, for their own de- fence, ready, upon any alarm, with their best horses and arms. Sir, We want command and instructions from you to take arms, to make commanders, captains, and officers, and to take free quarter when we see it un- ROYALISTS IN LANCASHIRE. 409 avoidable; to seize victuals and horses, and other things, where we see a necessity ; and for them or other things, that shall be voluntarily advanced, give the public faith. We want match, powder, and arms : we want some ready money, there is a necessity that you send us presently some money. I wish not this money to come into my hands : I never yet suffered any penny of Lancashire money to come through them. Sir, We writ to you the last week, but have not yet received any thing from you. I heard from one, that you have signed a letter to me ; but I have not received it. Sir, Pardon me, I pray you, (I conceive it my duty, I am sure it is out of good affection,) to tell you that a final settlement of the government is generally expected ; and that I (by all I hear out of the walls) conceive it unsafe to continue the king a prisoner, in the opinion of the people ; and that it is not safe to rely upon no other strength than what is in your army, how formidable soever you account it. And now, that God may protect you, and it, and us, and direct you with his Holy Spirit in all things, is the unfeigned prayer of Your faithful and most humble servant, Alex. Rigby. Manchester, May 6, 1648. Sir, It will be most needful that colonel Lambert, 3 o i I m 410 BERWICK. and what forces can be sent unto him, be commanded forthwith to look upon Westmoreland and Cumber- land, because I cannot yet assure you what aid we can contribute to him. SIR ARTHUR HASLERIG TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The cavaliers do suffer the Scotch mail to pass through Berwick without meddling with it. I think it may be of ill consequence to the parlia- ment: for by that means your enemies in Berwick may have full intelligence of your affairs out of all parts of the kingdom, and also drive on their own design. But I shall not hinder it, till I know your pleasure. I have here inclosed a letter sent to me from captain Ball : he doth very good service. It is certain he hath taken an Irish frigate : he gave the chase to two, and took the bigger of them. It is of absolute necessity that ships be sent speedily to these coasts. They expect at Berwick two ships, one from Scot- land and another from Holland, with arms and am- munition. And upon the coming of captain Ball to Berwick, they sent some cobles, to give notice to all Scottish ships coming that way, that there was a parliament ship ; and to wish them to put in at Hey- mouth, which is about seven miles from Berwick, in Scotland. BERWICK. 411 I have sent up a packet that came from your com- missioners, brought me by the express I sent your letters by ; but I doubt there will be no more con- veyance that way. The papists and cavaliers do flock together to Berwick, and tax and assess the country; and are likely to rise to a great number, if not speedily pre- vented. Sir, Your faithful servant, Arth. Hasj.erig. Newcastle, May G, 1648. CAPTAIN BATTEN TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— In my last, I acquainted you with the cavaliers' possession of Berwick ; and ever since they have been very active to draw on their design. All the gentlemen in these parts, which have been formerly for the king, are gone in unto them, and have commanded their servants and tenants also. They summon the country to rendezvous, for to settle the commission of array. They went about to repair the breaches of the walls ; but on Tuesday last, captain Andrew Ball, in the Adventure frigate, was so bold to toss in ninety-four balls into Berwick, which put them from their works, shot away one arm I ! I 412 HOLY ISLAND. THE ARMY. 113 of the windmill, and divers others took place in houses. Sir, I believe they are not so strong as it is supposed, and therefore they go about to work by treachery, as you may see by this inclosed from sir Marraaduke Langdale^ unto me; the which when I received, I read before all the soldiers at the parade. Sir, I do utterly abhor and detest them and their treacherous designs ; and, as long as life shall last, shall endeavour, to the utmost of my power, to keep it for you.* The country is so overawed by them, that they will not suffer any provision or coals to be brought into this island : therefore I humbly beseech you, that there may be some speedy supply sent of money and provision, for the better encouragement of the soldiers ; and I doubt not but (with God's as- sistance) I shall be able to give you a good accompt of this place. Thus, craving pardon for my boldness herein, I remain, who am, Sir, Your honour*s most humble servant. May 6, 1648. See before, p. 395, note s. * Batten, not long after this, revolted; was knighted and made rear-admiral by the prince of Wales. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Since my last concerning the two regiments at Whitehall and the Mews,^ I understand that the city of London have offered to supply a suf- ficient guard for the parliament, so soon as the forces of the army should withdraw; and that they have chosen major-general Skippon for the command of their militia : and finding some inconvenience in the further stay of those two regiments there, and that, as your affairs now stand, they may be more service- able elsewhere, I thought it very necessary to remind you of -.lat business ; and desire to know the pleasure of the house, whether I may not yet order those two regiments to withdraw from the Mews and Whitehall, and appoint them to other service, whereof there is need. I remain Your humble servant, Windsor Castle, ^' ^AIRFAX. May 7, 1648. SIR ARTHUR HASLERIG TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The enemy increaseth, especially in Westmoreland and Cumberland, and those parts. Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and those at Berwick, have sent letters to all that have been heretofore in the king's service, commanding them, in the king's name, " See before, p. 394. l\: ll 414 WESTMORELAND AND CUMUKKLAND. and upon their allegiance, to repair to them ; and they have their daily musters in the further parts of Nor^ thumberland. I find the great want amongst us, to raise men here, is, none can give commissions; and the men in these parts have tasted so much of the misery of war, that there are very few but will take up arms ; and we not having commissions to take them in to us, they will be compelled to go in to the enemy. I humbly entreat, if you think it fit, that either my lord general, or the committee at Derby house, may forthwith send down blank commissions, both for colonels, captains, and other officers of horse and foot, which will prevent your enemy from many men in these parts. I writ you word of captain Ball's taking the bigger Irish frigate : two seamen told me that they sawTim take her ; but as yet I hear it not from himself, which makes me doubt it : but he took three small barks from them, that are now in Holy Isle ; two loaden with corn, and one with coal ; and the owners have since been with me, and are to receive them, paying their usual duties. Captain Ball doth very great service at Berwick : they are not yet armed. It is necessary to send him, with all speed, some ships to assist him; for the enemy threatens to bring six ships against him : and a great part of the wall of Berwick being fallen down towards the sea, ships will be of great use to prevent the sudden making of it up. DU. IIOLDSWORTII. 41.5 I Sir, If the house please to have a magazine of arms and ammunition here at this place, all your forces that shall come out of the north, or shall be raised in all the northern countries, may have a supply from hence. I am, oir, Your faithful servant, Arth. Haslerig, Newcastle, May 9, 1(J48. MR. SANCROFT TO DR. HOLDSWORTH. Reverend and most honoured Sir, — I could not send away this gentleman, Mr. Henry Proby, to London, without an express injunction to wait upon you. You were first pleased to commend him to me : give me leave now to recommend him to you again, and to thank you for the content I take in him. He is in his principles so right and square, in his performances as a scholar so exact and elegant, and in all his carriage so much a gentleman, that he challengeth my love and esteem, ex congruo et con- digno, above all the pupils that ever came under my care, and hath rendered himself remarkable, and gained the fairest garlands by common vote ; and that in a place where (to say no more) nothing useth to be the more highly esteemed for being mine. I the rather oblige him to tender himself to you. t ■ It I Lirtii.il— m -KD. y/ / / fffS^BiJ^m^^^Eillltf'iSiijSsfjL i*'i COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 0032216394 r I Thio ' '* date or \j - I; S'VZ.OQ^ CZ'B t I I 5« 1^ it :i-l I ■^'ir^'mivm^, J.-v .'* 'm3-. '-. ^ /1^'*-'^1\'?^ .>j ,-f t *i'. H \ m !^ _ *: 1-r ■*^' "^ v!'?^ , ifi*'^ .^ .-i-i- ♦■# ' ^ oi' J! 4^ ^ JW r>!*'5 ?*(^-- iri:*'^- f)- s ^■*^ .'H?; f. .1^-; Ml i?v -,#1 ^-m^- mM^ . -iV»ja'- • "i £,^ VOLUME 2 ■»s- -■>. : jfi /^ <^i ><»»fj ■r--'- % ^ /•- >^-.^^f*-^ ■^^^^V/fc^'^ ^^- - •*,.<>■ <,'?tf,. ■■;.- <. ti' i^iiilir^T'^ 1' ;.t^;i. »«k.v>' i!ffm»vi, • ■ •- ymmmim iPPm'^ Columbia ^niUc rsitp ^ in tl!t (Citi' of iicuj gorb V mi lyi • LIBRARY ..'—7' ■i ir>- '^^.<^f^.^•^ MP]M()1UALS OF THE GREAT CIVIL WAR IN ENGLAND FEOM ]fi4(> TO 16.-, 2. ^x M E M H I A L S 01' J' UK GREAT CIVIL WAR IN EAGLANl) FROM ](j4(i TO ICji'. EDITED FBOir ORIGINAL LETTERS IN THE BODLEIAN LIliliARV CHARLES THE FIRST CHARLES THE SECOND QUEEN HENRIETTA I'RINCE RUPERT PRINCE MAURICE I'RINCE CHARLES LODOVlr DUKE OF YORK- HYDE EARL OF CLARENDON ARCHRISHOP SANCROIT :\IARQUIS OF WORCESTER EARL OF DERRY OF OLIVER CROM^^KLL 1 SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX SIR WALTER STRICKLAND SIR ARTHUR HASLERK; ' MAJOR-(iENERAL MONK M AJOR-GENER a I. POYNTZ , MAJOR-GENERAL SKIPPON H COLONEL IRETON I COLONEL HAMMOND I ADMIRAL DEANE ' ADMIRAL RLAJvE AND OF NUMEROUS OTIIE.? EMINENT PERSONS BY HENRY CARY, MA. VOL. II. LONDON: HK\T?Y ( ()LP,TiRN, PURLISHER, fiHKAT MAULBOROCfili.STREET. 1842. • t • • • • • I 1 It • ■ ■ ■ I I ( • «1» •-.• C: I t t t ^ (' t t t C ■ If C t t < (o2> /^/: I CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. Col. Hammond to the Earl of Middlesex. Aug. 11, 1648. The Same to the Speaker. Aug. 19, 1G48. Colonel Rich to the Speaker. Aug. 25, 1648. Colonel Hammond to the Speaker. Aug. 27, 1648 Mr. Rushworth to the Speaker. Aug. 27, 1648. Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. Sept. 4, 1648. The Same to the Same. Sept. 16, 1648. Cai)tain Alexander Bence to the Speaker. Sept. 25, 1648.' Sir Kenelm Digby to the Speaker. Sept. f • 1648.' Major-General Mytton to the Speaker. Sept. 28, 1648. [ Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Oct. 2, 1648. ' . ' [ Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Oct. 2, 1648. The Earl of Warwick to the Committee at Derby Hou.e Oct. 2, 1648. . . * • ' ' * * Lord Goring to the Speaker. Oct. 3, 1648. Mr. Thomas Scott to the Speaker. Oct. 3, 1648. Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Oct. 8, 1648. Arthur Evelyn to the Speaker. Oct. 11, 1648. Sir William Lewis to Sir John Potts. Oct. 12^ 1648. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Committee at Derbv House' Oct. 14, 1648 ' Sir John Evelyn to Sir J. Potts. Oct. 18, 1648.' Mr. J. Francis to Sir J. Potts. Oct. 19, 1648. Mr. Sancroft to Mr. T. Holdsworth. Oct. 21, 1648. The Same to Mr. Widdrington. Oct. 21, 1648. Sir Walter Strickland to the Sneaker, ^^t- 2(;, 1^4^ ^ir Ihomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Oct. 27, 1648. Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Oct. 28, 1648 Sir Dudley North to Sir J. Potts. Oct. 30, 1648. ' VOL. II. , b Page 1 . 2 . 3 . 5 10 11 13 13 16 17 18 22 23 26 28 32 33 34 35 3(1 37 38 40 43 45 4(J 48 '0 ?l CONTENTS. The University of Oxford to the Speaker. Nov. 1, 1G48. Mr. Sancroft to Mr. Thomas Holdsworth. Nov. 4, 1648. Thomas Harman to Nov. 7, 1648. . Colonel Hammond to the Committee at Derby House. Nov. 7, 1648 • • Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Nov. 13, 1648. . Dr. Holdsworth to Mr. Sancroft. Nov. 18, 1648. Sir T. Fairfax to Colonel Hammond. Nov. 21, 1648. . Captain Alex. Bence to the Speaker. Nov. 23, 1648. . Colonel Hammond to the Sj)eaker. Nov. 26, 1648. The Speaker to Lord Fairfax. Nov. 27, 1648. Mr. Sancroft to his Father. Nov. 27, 1648. . Colonel Hammond to the Speaker. Nov. 28, 1648. The Same to the Same. Nov. 28, 1648. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Nov. 29, 1648. The Same to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Council of London. Nov. 30, 1648 The Same to the Speaker. Dec. 3, 1648. Sir Thomas Dacres and Mr. Doddridge to the Speaker. Dec. 7, 1648 Jeremy Taylor to Dr. Richard Bayley Dec. 24, 1648. Mr. Weller to Mr. Sancroft. Jan. 3, 1(548 [9.] Queen Henrietta Maria to Thomas Lord Fairfax. Jan. 6,1649 . . The Same to the Speaker. Jan. 6, 1649. Mr. Sancroft to his Father. Jan. 11, 1648 [9.] . Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker. Jan. .^^ 1649. . The Same to the Same. Jan. ^J. 1(349. . . . • Mr. Thomas Saunders to Sir H. Waller. Feb. 3, 1(549. Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Feb. 3, 1649. Mr. IL Henley to the Speaker. Feb. 3, 1648 [9.] Francis Tylney, Sheriff of Hampshire, to the Speaker. Feb. 6, 1648 [9.] Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Feb. 8, 1648 [9.] . 49 51 53 54 57 58 59 60 61 63 66 69 70 71 73 74 75 100 101 102 103 104 108 109 111 113 114 116 CONTENTS. Mr. Sancroft to his Father. Feb. 10, 1648 [9.1 Prince Charles Lodovic to the Speaker. Feb 14* 164-^' Mr. Sancroft to Mr. Holdsworth. Feb. 20, 1648 [9 1 '* Sii- Peter Wentworth to tlie Speaker. Feb.' 24, 1649 Mr. Sancroft to Mr. Holdswortii. Feb. 1648 [9 ] Mr. T. Holdsworth to W. Sancroft. Feb. 27,*1648 [9 1 The Earl of Northumberland to the Council of State at Derby House. April 6, 1619. Admirals Deane and Blake to the Speaker. ' April 14* 1(349. • . . • Sir Walter Strickland to the Council of State. May "^ Lord Digby to the Marquis of Ormon,]'. May 5 '1G49' Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. May 14 ioj!) ^'iw?'' "*" ^"'"'""'''^'•'^"'1 '" Sir H. Vane! May 21, Admirals Blake and Deane to the Speaker. ' June 13 1(349. , ^ ' Captain Wilh-nm Bray to the' Speaker. ' Jun^ 20;i049: Srr AV,mam Strickland to Mr. Harrington. J„lv 1049. Ohver Cromwe 1 to Sir James Harrington. J„Iy 9, 1649. Charles II. to the Marquis of Ormond. . Colonel Jones to the Speaker. July 1(J, 1040 Sir Walter Strickland to the Speaker. Au-.'-'^. 1C49 ' Colonel Jones to the Speaker. Au-.. 1648 '' Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Aug. 22, 1619. .' ' i he Queen of Bohemia to the Duchess of Richmond. Sir T^mas Fairfax to the Council of State. Sept. 24,' Oliver Croniwell t^ the Commande'r-in-chief Jt We'xford! * • • , Colonel Sinnott to Oliver Cromwell. Oct 3 1649 " ' Olner Cromwell to the Co.„inander-i„-chief'at Wexford.' '-'ct. 4, 1049. Ml 117 119 121 122 124 125 127 128 131 133 136 138 139 141 148 151 151 152 155 159 163 164 165 168 168 169 I Vlll CONTENTS. CONTENTS. IX Dec. Colonel Sinnott to Oliver Cromwell. Oc^t. 4, 11)49. The Same to tlic Same. Oct. 4, 1649. . The Same to the Same. Oct. 5, 1649. . The Same to the Same. Oct. 5, 1649. . Oliver Cromwell to Colonel Sinnott. Oct. 6, 1649. Colonel Sinnott to Oliver Cromwell. Oct. 11, 1649. Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Oct. 14, 1649. . Colonel Sinnott's Propositions for the Surrender Wexford Colonel Deane to the Speaker. Nov. 8, 1649. Oliver Cromwell to Mr. Scott. Nov. 14, 1649. . The Same to the Speaker. Nov. 14, 1649. . K The Same to the Same Sir Walter Strickland to the Council of State. 1649. Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Feb. 15, 1(J49 ['A).] Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker. Feb. 19, 1649 [50. The Same to the Same. March 16, 1649 [-jO.] S. Dilliiigham to Mr. Sancroft. May 1659. ^ . Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. June 20, 1650. . Mr. Sancroft to his Brother. July 10, 16.30. S. I)illinoO. . Henry Paman to Mr. Sancroft. Jan. 14, Ki-jO [1.] The Same to the Same. Feb. 1, KwO [1.]^ • C. Paman to Mr. Sancroft. March 18, 16-30 [1. . 170 . 171 . 172 . 172 . 173 . 174 . 174 of . 181 . 185 . 188 . 189 . 197 13, ] Ni- 203 210 216 217 217 222 223 225 228 229 232 234 239 241 243 244 249 250 251 Henry Paman to Mr. Sancroft. March 23, 1650. . 252 The Commissioners of the Parliament in Ireland to the ^poak^r 2e53 Lord Arundel of Trerice to Oliver Cromwell. April 2, ^^^ 258 Sir Walter Strickland and Mr. St. John to the Council. April J^',^ 1651 2.J3 Hugh Morrell to the Speaker. April 10, 1(351. . . 264 Mr. Sancroft to his Brother. April 22, 1651. . . 268 Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. April 25, 1651, . . 270 The Queen of Bohemia to Sir Abraham Williams May ^s 16.31 •; ,^7j Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. May 10, 1651. . . 272 Colonel Hewson to the Speaker. June 9, 16^51. . . 273 Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. June 13, 1651. . .276 Francis Rouse to Sir Henry Vane. June 16, 1651. . 277 Colonel Philip Jones to Lieutenant-General Fleetwood. June 19, 1651 '279 The Irish Commissioners to the Speaker. July 1, 1G51. 280 8. Dillingham to Mr. Sancroft. July 17, 1651. '. .' 282 The Duke of Buckingham to the Earl of Derby. July 24 [1651.] : 283 The Earl of Derby to his Secretary, G. Browne. July ^ •^^ 1^51 ^284 Oliver Cromwell to the President of the Council of State July 26, 1651 \,^^ Hugh Smith to the Earl of Derby. July 29, [1651.] * 290 Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Aug. 4, 1651. . 291 Major-General Lambert to Major-General Harrison! ^''S' 5, 1651 ^y. Major-General Harrison to the Committee for the County of York. Aug.O, U]5] ^y^ The Earl of Lauderdale to Lord Balcarris. Aul^ 7 ^ 1(351. . ^' ' 299 i'% X COiNTENTS. Major-General Harrison to the Lord President of the Council of State. Aug. 7, [1G51.] .... 300 Lord Wentworth to Mr. William Crofts. Aug. 8, 1051. 303 The Duke of Hamilton to Mr. Crofts. Aug. 8, Kvjl. . 305 The Earl of Lauderdale to the Sheriff of Tweedale. Aug. 8, 1G51 30G The Same to Lady Lauderdale. Aug. 8, 1651. . . 300 The Same to Lord Balcarris. Aug. 8, [1051.] . . 309 Lord Willougliby to Lady Willoughby. . . . 312 Lady Henriette Marie Stanley to Sir Thomas Tilsley. Aug. 11, 1651 3*20 Colonel Roger Whitley to Sir P. Musgrave. Aug. 12, 1651 321 The Earl of Derby to Sir T. Tildsley. Aug. 12, 1651 . . 322 The Same to the Same. Aug. 12, 1651. . . . 323 Major-General Massey to the Earl of Derby. Aug. 11), [1651.] 324 Colonel Robert Stapylton to Captain Bishop. Aug. 20, 1651 326 Mr. Clarke to the Speaker. Aug. 19, 1651. . . . 327 Mr. Browne to Lieutenant-Colonel Ashurst. Aug. 22, 1651 333 Tlie Earl of Derby to the Gentlemen of Lancashire. . 333 A Letter from Glocester to the Lord President of the Council of State. Aug. 2^3, 1651 335 Colonel Robert Lilburne to Oliver Cromwell. Aug. 25, 1651 338 The same to the Speaker. Aug. 25, 1651. . . . 341 Lieutenant-Genoral Monk to Oliver Cromwell. Aug. 28, 1651 345 Colonel R. Stapylton to Captain George Bishop. Aug. 29, [liyTA.] 347 Henry North to Mr. Sancroft. Aug. 29, 16^51. . . 349 Colonel Lidcott to the Speaker. Aug. 30, [1651.] . . 350 CONTENTS. Xt Lieutcnant-General Monk to Oliver Cromwell. Sept. 1 ^"*^^* • . . . 351 Tliomas Scott and R. Salway to the Speaker. Sept 3 1^51 .'353 Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Sept. 3, 1651. . S66 Mr. G. Downing to Lord . Sept. 3, 1651.* * a57 Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Sept. 4, 1651. . . 359 T. Scott and R. Salway to the President of the Council of otate. • • . *^co Lieutenant-General Monk to the Speaker. Sept. 4/1G5I.' 3ft5 W. Clarke to the Speaker. Sejjt. 5, 1631. . -jp^j Mr. Sancroft to Mr. Holds«orth. Sept. G, 1&51 ' ' 3(57 George Davenport to Mi-. Sancroft. Sept. (5 1651 ' " -j-j Major General Harrison to the Speaker. Sept. 7,' mi. 373 Lord Grey to the Speaker. Sept. 7, 1651. . 37^ Oliver Cromwell to the Speaker. Sept. 8, 1651. ' ' 373 The Same to the Same. Sept. 8, 1051. ' L^ Colonel Birch to the Speaker. Sept. 9, 1651.' " '380 Major-General Massey .0 the Countess of Stamford. Se,,t.' The Earl of Leicester to the Council of State.' Sept. 27^ ^"^^ 382 388 300 391 391 394 The Earl of Derby to the Speaker. Get. ll/lf^i". The Lishop of Exeter to Mr Sancroft. Oct. 19, 1651 1 lie bame to the Same. Oct. 25, [1651.] Thomas Herbert to the Speaker. Dec. 6. 1651 ;^oas de Guimaraes to the Speaker. Dec. 25, [1651.] 394 The Bishop of Exeter to Mr. Sancroft. Jan im HI i W , amue, Dillingham to Mr. Sancroft. Jan. 15^' iS .' 3^ i .0 Same to the Same. Jan. 25, 16-51 [2.] . / 400 The B„, p „f Exeter to Mr. Sancrolt. Jan. 30, 1651 [2.]' 4^ The Bisho,, of Exeter to^Mr. Sancroft. Feb. 20, 1651 [2.]' «4 m * t • • • > • • • • !t •• • • • - 3 *••• •§!») • • • I • t 1 I Xll CONTENTS. Thomas Plillpott to tlie Speaker. Feb. 24, 1051 [2.] ^ . 410 The Duke of Buckingham to Mr. Cooke. Feb. 25, 1G51 [2.] ;, ; '''' Colonel Cooke to the Commissioners of Parliament. March 17, 1(>31 [2.] . . ..•••• ^19 Captain Alford's Narrative. .••••• ^-'*^ Colonel Gunter's Narrative. .••••• ^^^ Index of Writers. . ^'"^ Index of Matter ^^ LETTEKS, ETC. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE EARL OF MIDDLESEX. iMy LoRD,_This morning, the king acquainted me that he had forgotten to speak to your lordship, and the other commissioners^ with you, concerning his chaplains, and commanded me to let your lordship know his majesty's desires therein ; which is, that some of his chaplains may be, with all convenient speed, sent down to him, whereof Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Hammond to be two. This I humbly desire your lordship to communicate to the other commis- ■sioners. My lord, could I tell you how sensible I am of the honour and favour your lordship hath done me, B,!lJ!" 7\°i ^^''^'•'^^^^' '" J°'"' Hippesley, and major HHlkeley, had been appointed commissioners to treat with the '^"ig. See Whillucke, Aiit/i/st 2. VOL. n. B t-\ f C) CARlSBROOKE CASTLE. your lordship would then know I am not altogether unworthy to be called, My Lord, Your lordship's most humble servant, Ro. Hammond. Carisbrooke Castle, August 11, 1048. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_Give me leave to acquaint you, that not- withstanding your care to provide for the accommoda- tion of his majesty and this place, by ordering £1000 monthly to be advanced out of the revenue for that end -, yet so it is, that I am so far from receiving that'pro^'ision according to order, that at this present there is yet unpaid £131 due upon the last month of July, so that there is at least £500 in arrear. I sent the treasurer of the family, above a month since, to London, to solicit and receive the money; who yesterday returned to me with this answer, that there is not any money in the revenue, nor doth he know when it will be had. Sir, Our extremities at this present are exceeding greatVor want of money, I having yet received none out of Hampshire for the payment of the soldiers: and if this £1000 monthly be not constantly ad- vanced, the two hundred soldiers, gunners, and other officers, (which are also paid out of it,) must not only DEAL CASTLE TAKEN. $ be dismissed, to the great hazard of this place, but I shall not be able to make provision for his majesty and his family, the debt for necessary supplies in this intermission begins to be now so great. Sir, My humble suit to you therefore is, that you will please to make some other present provision for supplies ; or that you will give order that no moneys may be issued out of the revenue until the £1000 last ordered by you for the urgent necessities of this place, and the £1000 due for this present August, and another £1000 advanced for the month of Sep- tember, now nigh at hand, be paid. Sir, I beseech you to take some speedy and ef- fectual course herein, for the necessities of this place are such that they can very ill bear delay. I am, Sir, Your most faithful and humble servant, Ro. Hammond. Carisbrooke Castle, August 19, 1648. COLONEL RICH TO THE SPEAKER. Mil. Speaker,— Since the surrender of Walmer castle, there hath been no time lost to use all means possible to reduce Deal castle, which was thought fit to be attempted first, because the strongest ; the de- fendants of which were more numerous and active 4 DEAL CASTLE TAKEN. than those in Sandown, of which I hope now to give you also a good account in few days. After many dangerous and difficult approaches, upon a stony beach, where no less than six or seven pieces of ordnance, within pistol-shot of our work, till it was perfected, annoyed us, all hopes of relief being cut oif from the besieged, though in view of the whole fleet, it hath pleased God to give this place in our hands, though very little necessitated to sur- render, we finding in the castle a good proportion of powder, match, corn, meal, butter, cheese, beef, pork, peas, &c.; they wanting nothing but beer, instead of which they had enough of wine and water. The conditions which are given them, I here send by the bearer, lieutenant-colonel Axtell, which are no lim.itation but to the soldiery. The castle is much torn and spoiled with the gra- nadoes, as Walmer was, or rather more ; the repair of which, as well as that of Walmer, I submit it to you, whether necessary before the winter come on. In this and the other leaguer at Walmer, the bearer, lieutenant-colonel Axtell, hath been extra- ordinary active and diligent, and will, if your leisure permits, give you account of the several provisions we find here ; and that this castle wanted not men to defend it, there being no less than two hundred and upwards that marched out. I have formerly written to the committee at Derby house, to take course for repairing-money for Walmer THE KING AT CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 5 castle, not thinking fit to trouble your more weighty affairs upon so slender a thing, I being something more than ordinary concerned in its accommodation, since the General hath pleased to commit it to my care at present. £300 will complete it. 1 fear £500 will scarce render this in so good a condition as it was before it was besiesred. The remaining castle (though I suppose upon some grounds will not hold out long yet) can be of little use now to the fleet here, we being able to prohibit their coming ashore for fresh water, without which these ships cannot be many days together. What service is as yet to be done here, there is no assist- ance of mine shall be wanting, which is but weak, and at best scarce w^orthy your acceptance ; and for what hath been done of late here, that God may have all the glory, which is the desire of Your most faithful and most humble servant, -^ , Nath. Rich. Deal, August 25, 1G48. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE SPEAKER. NiR,_I yesterday received a letter and instruc- tions from both houses of parliament, by the hands of sir Peter Killigrew, (who also then presented another to his majesty,) in answer to which I shall give you this account. That although I apprehended a great 6 THE KING AT CARISBROOKE CASTLE. deal of ambiguity in the said instructions, comparing the first of them with the last, which caused me to en- deavour, as much as in me lay, to defer the taking his majesty's engagement, until I might receive from the parliament an explanation of my said instructions, wherein I was very importunate with his majesty ; yet his majesty pressing me to receive his engagement, accordingly as it was signified to him in his letter and votes from the parliament, and lest any obstruction of the treaty should seem to lie upon me, which his majesty told me that, in case of any such delay, he must charge me with ; upon most serious considera- tion, though in much doubtfulness, I resolved my duty to accept thereof; and, accordingly, his majesty hath given the engagement of his royal word ^ to me, (before sir Peter Killigrew and other gentlemen,) as is expressed in my last instructions ; and this I now acquaint you with, in order to your commands. And, withal, I must let you know, that, according to my best understanding of my said instructions, I am in as great, or greater straits than before, what is in- tended by the parUament in his majesty's being in the same state and freedom as he was in when he was last at Hampton court,' I having not been there • K By the seventh article of the instructions to Hammond, the kin lathcke, October 2. .- > i . oee vol.. II. 18 SURRENDER OF BERWICK. SURRENDER OF BERWICK. If) nourable house, that colonel Lowthian commanded the party that first entered the island, and led on the foot in the battle yesterday, which did the greatest part of the service ; it being a place of such strong hedges and ditches, that the horse could do little ser- vice j and unto whom, as a great means, under God, must be ascribed the greatest part of this victory. Besides, it is manifest unto all these parts of the kingdom what service he hath done for the parlia- ment, with all faithful respect, from the beginning: which if it will not be thought presumption in me, I humbly entreat that the honourable house would be pleased to confer some badge of their favour upon him, in that measure their wisdoms shall think fit his merits deserve ; and that they will pardon the bold- ness of Your honour's faithful and most humble servant, Tiio. Mytton. Beaumaris, Sept. 28, 1648. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I have formerly represented to the com- mittee at Derby house, how far I have prosecuted your business in relation to the commands I did re- ceive from them. To wit, that I having sent a party of horse with a summons to Berwick, and a letter to the committee of estates, which I supposed did con- sist of the earl of Lanerick and his participates, and a letter of kindness and affection to the marquis of Argyle, and the well affected party in arms at Edinburgh, with credence to colonel Bright and Mr. William Rowe, scout-master of the array, to let them know upon what grounds and with what in- tentions we came into their kingdom ; and how that, in the mean time, the marquis of Argyle and the rest at Edinburgh had sent sir Andrew Carn, laird of Gramhead, and major Strangham to me, with a letter and papers of instructions, expressing their good af- fection to the kingdom of England, and disclaiming the late engagement; together with my answer to the said letters and papers ; duplicates of all which I sent to the committee at Derby house, and therefore forbear to trouble you with the things themselves. I think now fit to give you an account, what further progress has been made in your business. The two armies being drawn up, the one under Lane- rick and Monro at Sterling, and the other under the earl of Leven and lieutenant-general Leslie betwixt that and Edinburgh, the heads of the two armies being upon treaties concerning their own affairs ; and I having given (as I hoped) sufficient satisfaction concerning the justice of your cause, and the clear- ness of my intentions in entering that kingdom, did, upon Thursday, the one and twentieth of September, and two days before, (the Tweed being fordable,) march over Tweed st Norham into Scotland, with 'il 20 SURRENDEIl OF BERWICK. SURRENDER OF BERWICK. 21 four regiments of horse and some dragoons, and six regiments of foot, and there quartered, my head quarters being at the lord Mordington's house ; where hearing of the marquis of Argyle, the lord Elcoe, and some others, were coming to me from the committee of estates assembled at Edinburgh, I went on Friday, the two and twentieth of September, some part of the way to wait upon his lordship ; who, when he was come to his quarters, delivered me a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, signed by the lord chancellor, by warrant of the committee of estates ; and after some time spent in giving and receiving mutual satisfaction concerning each other's integrity and clearness, (wherein I must be bold to testify for that noble lord the marquis, the lord Elcoe, and the other gentlemen with him, that I have found nothing in them than what becomes Christians, and men of honour,) the next day it was resolved, that the command of the committee of estates to the governor of Berwick, for rendering the town, should be sent to him by the lord Elcoe and colonel Scott, which ac- cordingly was done : but he, pretending that he had not received the command of that place from those hands that now demanded it of him, desired liberty to send to the earl of Lanerick, engaging himself then to give his positive answer, and intimating it should be satisfactory. Whilst these things were in transacting, I ordered major-general Lambert to mar^h towards Edinburgh with six regiments of horse and a regiment of dragoons ; who accordingly did so, and quartered in East Lothian, within six miles of Edinburgh, the foot lying in his rear at Coperspeth and thereabouts. Upon Friday, the ^9th of September, came an order from the earl of Lanerick, and divers other lords of his party, requiring the governor of Berwick to march out of the town ; which accordingly he did on Saturday, the last of September ; at which time I entered it, having placed a garrison there for your use. The governor would fain have capitulated for the English, but we, having the advantage upon him, would not hear of it ; so that they are submitted to your mercy, and are under the consideration of sir Arthur Ilaslerig, who (I believe) will give you a good account of them ; and who has already turned out the malignant major, and put an honest man in his room. I have also received an order for Carlisle, and have sent colonel Bright, with horse and foot, to receive it : sir Andrew Carn and colonel Scott being gone with him, to require an observance of the order ; there having been a treaty and an agreement betwixt the two parties in arms in Scotland to disband all forces, except fifteen hundred horse and foot under the command of the earl of Leven, which are to be kept to see all remaining forces disbanded. And having some other things to desire, from the committee of estates at Edinburgh, for your service, 1 am myself \ \ 22 COMrLAINTS OF THE ARMY. going thitherward this day ; and so soon as 1 shall be able to give you a further account thereof, I shall do it. In the mean time I make it ray desire, that the garrison of Berwick (into which I have placed a regiment of foot, and shall be attended also by a regiment of horse) may be provided for ; and that sir Arthur Haslerig may receive commands to supply it with guns and ammunition from Newcastle, and be otherwise enabled by you to furnish this garrison with all other necessaries, according as a place of that importance will require. Desiring that these mercies may beget trust and thankfulness to God, the only author of them, and an improvement of them to his glory, and the good of this poor kingdom, I rest Your most humble servant, Berwick, O. CllOMWELL. October 2, 1648. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Having received several com- plaints from the country about the soldiers taking free quarter, notwithstanding their constant paying of their assessments for the army ; and finding the soldiers much troubled to hear the many sad com- plaints of those with whom they quarter, and their THE parliament's FLEET. 23 own inability to answer the expectations of the country in that particular; some regiments having not re- ceived any pay these eighteen weeks last past, and none above a month's pay in that time, (except those two regiments lately in Kent;) upon the considera- tion of which, I could not but, in discharge of my trust to the parliament and kingdom, humbly repre- sent these things unto you ; which, if not speedily remedied, and the country eased of free quarter, by enabling the soldiers to pay their quarters, I fear it may be a rise of disturbances in the country, and dis- tractions amongst the soldiery : which I thought it my duty to represent unto you ; and remain Your humble servant, St.Alban's, T. FAIRFAX. October 2, 1648. THE EARL OF WARWICK TO THE COMMITTEE AT DERBY HOUSE. My Lords and Gentlemen, — About the be- ginning of the last week, I despatched a ketch to England, with some letters to your lordships, com- inunicatinor the then condition of the fleet, and of aftairs here. I represented to your lordships the state of our victualling, and that some of the ships were near out of provisions : to those letters I have not yet received any answer. I have since considered 24 THE PARLIAMENT S FLEET. and consulted, (with as much seriousness as I was able,) whether the fleet going from hence or stayino- here some time may most conduce to the public service ; and find it most safe and serviceable to continue here, both for the further exhausting and distracting of the enemy, the keeping him from getting forth without proportionable strength ready to pursue him, and for attending such other oppor- tunities as shall be presented ; and am accordingly resolved, if your lordships shall not otherwise direct. For the enabling hereof, I have taken as good course as I can for getting a supply of victuals in these parts, which, I suppose, may reach to seven days for the whole fleet. And because the ascertaininof of a further supply, and the keeping of the fleet in a capacity of action, are so extreme necessary, I shall beseech your lordships (in case this resolution be ap- proved of) that the committee and commissioners of the navy may be consulted with, about sending speedily one or more vessels hither with about six weeks' pro- vision for the fleet here, containing in all about two thousand two hundred men. The reason I pitch upon that proportion Is, not only in reference to our stay, but that, in case any of the revolters should get out, I may be in a condition to appoint fit vessels to attend their motions ; and those vessels may not be out of a posture to pursue such commands, in order to their reduction, and the preserving of trade. I sent, in my last letter, the state of the several THE parliament's FLEET. 'Z5 ships' victualling, (and I do herewith send a duplicate,) wherein likewise consideration is to be had of the ill quality of some of the beer and provisions aboard some of the ships. I shall further offer to your lordships' considera- tion, whether it may not be convenient and necessary (which I think it is) to have bills of exchange ready for receiving money in Holland, to content such of the seamen as shall earnestly press for some money, before more victuals taken in; I fearing the want thereof may otherwise hazard a distemper in some of them, though I shall endeavour to satisfy them, till their coming to England. Here is no alteration of things here, other than that admiral Van Trump, with his own and about fifteen other Dutch men of war, do lie in the midway betwixt this fleet and the revolters. I desire your lordships, &c. will please to signify your pleasure in answer hereof, with the first op- portunity. And so taking leave, I rest Your lordships' Very affectionate and humble servant, Warwick. Aboard the St. George, riding betore Goree, Oct. 2, 1048. VOL 11. B Q6 LOIIU GORING. LORD GORING TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — On Sunday last, after dinner, I received from your Serjeant's man the order of your honourable house of commons of the 28th of the last, sio-nifvintr the ordinance for attainting me of high treason, which hath been once read in that house, and is to be proceeded in on Thursday next ; and that, if I desire to be heard, the house will be willing to hear me. To which, in all humility, I return this sudden answer, (being destitute of such helps as this place cannot afford me in any hand:) that as, on the one side, I would not fail of the due respects I bear to that honourable house ; so, on the other, being a peer of the realm, and having ever understood that no peer ought to be tried but by his peers, according to Magna Charta and other good laws of this land, I most humbly desire the like liberty, being my just right, and the privilege of every peer. Besides, sir, I humbly conceive, that what I have acted as a soldier under the prince's commission, de- rived from his majesty to him, hath been so clearly remitted to me for matter of life, by the lord general Fairfax,^ first assured us by his prime officers, and the ^ The house of commons had ** much debate about this bu- siness;" {Bushworthj Oct. 6.) and in the end it was referred to Fairfax, to explain his letter to the house with respect to the terms p^rantod by him to lord Goring. Fairfax answered, that the quarter given by him to lord Goring " did not extend to anv other but the military power; and that he was notwitli- LORD GORING. O 27 day following again confirmed by his own mouth, (he then doing us the honour to bestow, though his own prisoners, a visit upon us, which, as I am credibly assured, hath been by his letters signified to the house,) as I hope I shall not be otherwise proceeded atrainst for the same in any other court whatsoever. And more than this, sir, being, as I have said, destitute of all counsel, or other helps necessary in such a case, where my life, honour, and posterity is so nearly concerned, I shall not at present importune you withal ; but conclude with my humble suit, that, for the reasons aforesaid, I may have redress in the two points above mentioned; which being granted me, with some competent liberty, (being now a pri- soner of war in this place, and far from all means and advice for so weighty a work,) I shall be most ready to answer for myself in such sort as shall be agreeable to the laws of this land, and right of the peerage of the realm ; ever paying that due and entire respect to the honourable house as shall become theirs and yours Most faithful humble servant. Goring and Norwich. P.S. Sir, I must humbly beg your pardon for this standing liable to trial and judgment by the civil power." Whitlocke, Oct. 23. Goring was afterwards tried, and found ^Miilty ; but on the d bate, whether he should be beheaded or not, the votes were equal, and the speaker gave the casting vote in his favour. See Clarendon, vol. vi. p, 2^8. 28 HOLDER, PRINCE CHARLES S AGENT. ill hand ; but I thought it far more respect to send it so, than by another fairer. All else I can say is, that I will not despair yet, ere I die, how near whatsoever, to gain a better opinion of that ho- nourable house, to which I have ever been so devote a servant. Windsor Castle, Oct. 3, 1G48. MR. THOMAS SCOTT TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I am not ignorant what cold acceptance un- successful services may expect, and though I have cause enough to presume mine may prove no other, yet it shall never repent me to have set myself to serve any commands of yours, (which I shall endea- vour with a faithful heart,) whatever the returns may be, owning no power on earth which I more truly honour, or more willingly obey. Sir, I was commissionated by your order to be as- sistant to the committee formerly appointed to ex- amine the duke,*" and such others as were taken in ^ The duke of Hamilton ; who, in consequence of the treaty between the king and Scots, while the former was in the Isle ot Wight, had marclied with an army into England, but was beaten and taken prisoner by Cromwell's forces, under the com- mand of colonel Lambert, at Uttoxeter. See Clarendon, vol. vi. p. 71, &c. HOLDER, PRINCE CHARLES S AGENT. 29 the late defeat of the Scottish and northern forces ; which when I considered, and compared the power with the papers in my hand, I thought it insufficient to the end propounded ; most of those letters which we had being intercourses between sir Marmaduke Langdale and one Holder,"' (which goes by the name of the prince's agent, was taken near the exchange by some of major-general Skippon's volunteers, and) now a prisoner in Windsor castle ; by which I found him the greatest wheel in all that northern engine, if not of the whole design that lately broke out against you in so many parts and counties of the kingdom ; and had done in more, and more fatally, if the same good hand of providence (which hath carried on your undertakings in his and his people's cause, with such marvellous workings as no story can parallel) had not graciously disappointed and confounded it. I find him, by these papers, the channel through which most of those streams of wickedness ran : a kind of ocean that received all the rivers into its bosom, and transmitted them, by secret and under- ground conveyances, to rise again where they might most fitly serve their great end, your end and de- struction, communicating the commands he had from France and the Isle of Wight, supplies of men, ' Holder was agent to prince Charles. He is only once mentioned by Whitlocke, on occasion of his escape from im- prisonment after the death of the king. See Whitlocke, Jan. 31, 1G48 [9.] so HOLDER, PRINCE CHARLEs's AGENT. HOLDER, PRINCE CHARLEs's AGENT. 31 money, and ammunition from the city, and intel- ligence from your houses to the north, west, and where not, of which I shall say no more at present ; but this observation made me judge his examination (being previous) might be of great use : yet, findino- your commands of my service made diurnal news, by which I fear it may somewhat suffer, I did not move you to enlarge my commission, but applied myself to Derby house, where I understood they had desicrned the same thing ; and, upon some intimation, they added to their own agent another " member of yours and myself, giving us, or either of us, power to ex- amine this Holder. Thus instructed, on Saturday last I advanced to Windsor, and that night expected my fellow -com- missioner : but other occasions directing him another way, on Sabbath in the evening we applied to the work; where we found the man, accordino- to the nature of the greatest wheels and principles of motion, shy and silent, reserving himself under the wary guard of not answering any thing that might tend to his own accusation ; and that if any thing criminal were laid to his charge, he would submit only to law, and a legal proceeding concerning it ; inferring, by implication, that parliamentary disquisitions were not so legal as he wished. We replied as occasion served, ^ Scott was member of parliament for Aylesbury, and at the formation of the commonwealth was appointed a member of the council of state. See Whithchc, Feb. 14, 1G48 [V).] but let it rest upon that night; and the next day charged him with some interrogatories, which I ex- tracted from the contents of his own letters ; which though he w^ould not answer positively, but under that guard and reservation, yet we found it astonished him. And lastly, not to trouble you further with this first expedition, after some velitations and skir- mishes on our parts, and wheelings and tergiver- sations on his, putting forth the best industry and artifice that we had, we got an acknowledgment that all these letters were (if not vitiated and cor- rupted since he wrote them) of his own hand-writing ; by which I presume there is enough to hang twenty honester men by those know^n laws of the land, and the birthright to claim so much. Sir, The particulars thereby discovered I shall forbear, lest I be guilty of my own diurnal, till, having improved them to the uttermost, you com- mand a report of them. I got not hither yesterday till near midnight : I shall not reach past Northampton this day, but hope to-morrow to wait upon the committee at Leicester, or where else I shall find them, with my best en- deavours to serve you, and receive your further commands, as becomes him that is Your unworthiest member and humblest servant, Tho. Scott. Avlesbury, Oct. 3, 1G48. 9 COLONEL MONTGOMERY. 1 understood at Windsor, that you will be moved for a supply of maintenance for that garrison, by enabling the committee of the county to fell a pro- portion of the duke of Bucks's timber. I hope it will seem reasonable to allow such additions as may enable and encourage this county to continue their wonted affections, and pay their troop raised in the service upon the late insurrections, in the whole not exceeding £5000, in pollards and perishing trees, de- signed by himself to be felled, and no ways of pre- judice to the public. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Upon the desire of divers noblemen and others of the kingdom of Scotland, I am bold to become a suitor to you on the behalf of this gentle- man, the bearer, colonel Robert Montgomery, son- in-law to the earl of Eglinton, whose faithfulness to you in the late troubles may render him worthy of a far greater favour than I shall at this time desire for him : for I can assure you, that there is not a gentleman of that kingdom that appeared more active against the late invaders of England than himself. Sir, It is desired that you would please to grant him an order for two thousand of the common prisoners that were of duke Hamilton's army. You oo WALLINGFOHD. will have very good security that they shall not for the future trouble you : he will ease you of the charge of keeping them, as speedily as any other way you can dispose of them ; besides their being in a friend's hands, so as there need be no fear of their being ever employed against you. Sir, What favour you shall please to afford the gentleman, will very much oblige many of your friends of the Scottish nation, and particularly Your most humble servant, O. Cromwell. Dalhousie, near Edinburgh, Oct. 8, 1048. ARTHUR EVELYN TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — This day, by order under your hand, bear- ing date the ^ord August, l6l8, there was brought unto the castle of Wallingford, Jlr. Daniel Jenkins, a prisoner, whom I shall endeavour to keep strict and safe, according to your commands : but I be- seech you be pleased to take notice, that there is never a prison, nor strong place fit to make a prison of, within this castle ; and were it not that the prisoner is a very aged man, unable to make an es- cape, I could not in reason undertake his security. Sir, I am forced to displace one of the officers of this garrison, to let the prisoner have a room to lodge in : and I humbly offer it to the consideration of the VOL. II. F 34 TREATY WITH THE KIN(;. SIEGE OF PONTEFRACT CASTLE. 35 |ll|j honourable house of commons ; whether it can be sate for the garrison to admit of any more prisoners until such time as there be a strong prison built, whereby I shall be in a capacity to serve the house according to their commands : which is the only aim of him who is, Sir, Your most humble servant, Au. Evelyn.' Wallingford Castle, Oct. 11,1G48. SIR WILLIAM LEWIS TO SIR JOHN POTTS. Sir, — I received your favour of the 9th ; and you will understand, by the votes of our house, that we do not hke of your church work."" I must confess, that his majesty having so far justified us by his assent to our first proposition, and secured us by the militia, that there is a great judgment upon these kingdoms, if we should difter upon the rest, so as to become ' Governor of WallinjTford. Whitloche, Jnlf/ 28, KUfi. " The king had consented to the settling: of the militia, as proposed by the parliament; and to confirm, for three years, the form of church <^overnment and directory for worship pre- sented to him. But he would not consent to abolish episcopacy. On debate in the house, whether the king's paper, **as con- cerning matter of religion, was satisfactory or not? it was voted in the negative ; and that till the proposition for re. ligion were signed, they should not proceed further in the de- bate." See Whitlochc, October 11, 1648. liable to the miseries of a future war, though I find you far from any accord in the business of the church ; through the sides whereof men will, by so divers ways, drive at their divers ends. God of his mercy direct a good issue therein. All letters will bring you our vote for the large call of Serjeants," the filling up of the benches, and thereby the preferment of some of our worthy mem- bers. If 1 hear of Mr. Dresset, I shall not fail him of the little I can do to further his despatch, as you de- sire ; without which, your attendance cannot but be less pleasing. Sir, I wish your return with the olive branch ; re- maining yours to serve you. Will. Lew^s.^ October 12, 1048. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE COMMITTEE AT DERBY HOUSE. My Lords and Gentlemen, — I have received a letter from the committee of York, whereby I per- ceive they seem to be very much troubled at the coming down of colonel Rainsborough's regiment to their assistance, without having moneys to pay their quarters. I conceive that service for the reducing " See Whitlocke, October 12. ° Member of parliament for Petersfield. 80 SIEGE OF PaNTEFllACT CASTLE. TREATY WITH THE KING. 37 of Pontefract castle is so needful, that not only that regiment, but what else the lieutenant-general can spare, will be very convenient to be sent thither to expedite that work, the enemy hitherto daily sallying out, and doing much inconveniency and prejudice to the country. I do therefore offer to your lordships' considera- tion, whether those county forces shall continue there still ; or rather that the army, now the greatest work, being done northward, may attend that service, and the county forces disposed of, or disbanded, for the ease of the country. I moved the committee of the army for the pay of colonel Rainsborough's regiment, but moneys coming in so slowly it could not be : and it would be very convenient that constant pay were thought of; for that part of the army shall solely attend that ser\ ice, if your lordships approve of the undertaking of it, which I leave to your considera- tion ; and remain Your lordships' humble servant, T. Fairfax. St. Albaii's, Oct. 14, 1(>48. and so we are very like to agree in that point. Let them appear for kirk or king, it is all one to me : they are still Scots. I am very glad of our justification, and shall be as olad of our security : hoping you find cause there to believe all is freely and cordially granted, and re- solved to be kept ; such an assurance from you will much encourage me. But promise not yourself too much from the house upon that score : for though I never laid weight in the second proposition,'' you will find your old brother Price do ; and that you shall hear on both ears, if you work not his majesty to a better understanding. I hear of things abroad, but truly know nothing and hope better, else we shall be left a pretty thing, that neither will nor can keep promise with any sort of men. Let things fall how they will, I am sure I am, and will be, hir, Your affectionate humble servant, J, Evelyn. Oct. 18, 1648. mm SIR JOHN EVELYN TO SIR J. POTTS. Sir, — If you have worse thoughts of the Scots than you had, I will assure you I have no better; MR. J. FRANCIS TO SIR J. POTTS. Sir, — I came to parliament on Monday last, and was glad to understand, by your public transactions, ^ For the abolition of episcopacy. 38 TREATY WITH THE KING. SANCROFT. 39 the treaty to be in so hopeful a way : your private letters gave me fuller satisfaction therein, and of the success thereof. For the supply of your moneys, Mr. Siderfield moved ; but I know not what success he had, I hope well : when I hear it spoken of, I shall serve you the best I can. It is expected here, that the treaty, at the rate his majesty and the commissioners go, should be finished by Saturday sevennight : at least, his majesty should declare how far he would go, if he stick at any of the propositions, it being conceived he will pass all. I do much apprehend the business of the church, but the propositions touching it will yet entertain much de- bate before agreed : but this is my private opinion, and therefore I hope I may be deceived. I have presented your service to sir Thomas Pelham, whom God hath given a lusty boy ; and my daughter as well as a woman in her case can be. Sir, I am your most humble servant, J. Francis. From my house in tlie Strand, Oct. 19, 1648. SANCROFT TO MR. T. HOLDSWORTH. Dear Tom, — With a salvo to thy first period, the bad weather hath cozened me : for whereas I thought to have despatched and been with you by this time. I am a prisoner to storms and tempests, and must either return without seeing all my friends, or stay from you longer: which how unwillingly I do, thou mayest the better guess, if thou rememberest that, besides thy old dearnesses, thou hast lately laid new obligations upon me. I thank thee, good friend, for the chapel and the chamber, &c. I had almost gone on with Pliny and the rest, from time to time, &c. but I forbear till I see thee, and then thanks shall be my common-place : a poor requital for two such as thine were. But hark you, no northern journeys this winter, unless you be mad. But if you be desperately of the mind to undo yourself, I prythee leave behind thee thy two compl. sealed up, and directed to me : with those I will solari abseritiam fiiam. But I hope the doctor will stop your flight, and not suffer you to leave R. D. K. and R. S. T. to get cold without you. I hope my pupils are all well, and do well, because I hear nothing from you to the contrary, My love to S' Davenport and Proby in special. But why no news of Mr. Tuckney? Did he come? is he gone? was there an election?"^ These things I am not satisfied in, and yet intend to be with you the week after next, when I shall have seen Norwich, and answered '• To the office of vice-cluincellor of Cambridge, to which Tuckney was? afterwards appointed. 40 SANCROFT. for a nephew of mine, who is lately come into the world, and would have me be a witness that he is a Christian. Dear Tom, Deliver the inclosed, with my respects and service too, to worthy Mr. Tasker, and the rest of our Friday friends, when thou seest them : and, however, go on purpose to my dear cousin Barker, and tell him I am his servant. I am sorry I missed him at St. Mary's, but promise myself in your memory a supply of my absence. No more, Tom, but that I am thine most atfec- tionately, W. S. Oct. 21, 1G48. MR. SANCROFT TO MR. WIDDRINGTON. Worthy Sir, — I am here in Sloughland, in the midst of quicks and quagmires, but know not how to get out of them, without the help of Pacolet's horse, or a team of Ganzas of Dominn^o (lonzales's breed. Here are so many bogs and rebels, that were the women but a little more generally sluts, and the cloaks turned into rugs, I should pronounce myself in Ireland, and venture to date this from Knock- fergus, instead of Freshingfield. Otherwise, (but that the houses stand at too much distance,) I am tempted to dream myself in the city of Venice. I am sure we are every way five miles at least to the BANCROFT. 41 terra Jirma ; so that when we go forth, I am ready to call aloud for a gondola ; and when we return, we are sure to land at puddle wharf. 1 came hither to see my friends : but how should I come at them ? We walk not, but wade forth indeed sometimes to take the air, and go over sea to our next neighbour ; and though the house be w ithin ken, yet we may say, as Martial of Novius, Nemo tarn prope tarn proculque nobis, ^Eirel fidXa iroWa /Jbera^v Alfivat re, Trora/jbOL re, OaXaaad re rj'^-qeaaa. Hogs here return no more to their wallowing, for they, and all creatures else, are continually in the mire. Briefly, the place I live in is like those twenty cities Solomon gave Hiram — the land of Cabul, the land of dirt. And yet would you think it, a Saniack, with his Timariots, w^ere got hither before me, through all these discouragements, to enslave the poor Chris- tians that are left? some few gentlemen who are scattered here and there, but broken and shattered, like so many half-demolished crosses, to preserve the memory of our former Christendom. And yet, sir, I would have you know it, we have preaching still amongst us. In our parish, the wain- scot groans under a beardless elder, as very a lay presbyter as ever Geneva dreamt of; one that had, I think, served out half his apprenticeship, and is now set up in another trade, the undoing of the Apoca- lypse. Ever since the defeat of that Scottish anti- VOL. II. 42 SANCROFT. NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. 43 christ, in Lancashire, he cries aloud from the pulpit, " Babylon is fallen ;" and having transmuted his quon- dam brethren into Gog and Magog, he is now puzzling his geography to find Artageddon about Preston and Warrington bridge. I know you must needs expect suitable disputes to so precious a Rabbi ; take a taste of them. One, a carpenter, as if he had hewn out Moses's tables with his own chip-axe, knows the utmost extent of the law ; and can keep it, and do whatsoever else is re- quired, to perfection : and is very sorry there are but ten commandments ; for if there were as many more he could keep them all. Another, his own fellow, and of the same presumption, yet, I know not how, the other day, unhappily forgot the sixth commandment, and offered a hatchet at his wife so furiously, that, had she not fled to the next justice for refuge, he might have proved a perfect Boccold, and have acted the same tragedy upon her as John of Leyden did upon the queen of Israel. And now, since it is so lewd a place I sojourn in, a place, both in the literal and metaphorical sense, of the worst ways imaginable, you might justly wonder what detains me here so long, &c. Oct. 21, 1648. Lest you might wonder such a country as this should be called High Suffolk, but that the critics tell us altum et profundum make no real difference. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — The prince of Wales hath the smallpox, but, as we hear, is very well, and out of all danger. Prince Rupert will leave no element unattempted in which he may hope to work the parliament mischief: he is now made commander-in-chief of the revolted ships, and intends, with all speed, to go to sea, if he can get out ; for he must pass by my lord of Warwick, whom I have given timely and full notice of his design, by a servant of my own who is returned to me again with my lord's resolution to keep him in. Mr. Bence writes to me, they fear not his strength. My man tells me, the mariners told him they would take both the prince and his dog, if he came out ; and, sir, I found the common mariners very honest when I was aboard. Mr. Crofts'" came lately out of France, from the queen of England, to the Hague ; presently after whose coming, this reso- lution was taken, of sending prince Rupert to sea, general and admiral, as I hear, so as it is most pro- bable the design is laid in France : what it is, is un- certain ; but what may be collected by conjectures, is something to be done at the Isle of Wight : others say, his rendezvous is Ireland. Great and irrecon- cileable enmity is betwixt him and my lord Cole- ' Crofts was employed to endeavour to wean the earl of Warwick from his allegiance to the parliament. See Cla- rendon, vol. vi. p. 09. m m 44 NEWS FROM THE HAGUE, pepper, as they here style him; insomuch, as one of the prince's great creatures, sir Robert Welsh, a papist, struck my lord Colepepper ; which men think was by prince Rupert's instigation. Divers of the merchants, whose ships were taken in the Downs, have compounded for them : which money doth in a great measure make to the getting out of this fleet of prince Rupert's ; though those goods were for- bidden to be sold here, by an order of the States : but power and favour made the order not so well observed. I shall not fail to inform my lord of Warwick of what concerns him in respect of their proceedings here. Were it not that letters tell us of a treaty of peace, I could not think of any such thing by what I hear and see from the cavaliers here : their thoughts I know not, but their words and actions are as much as ever for war, and speak of nothing but revenge ; and certainly their minds are not for peace : it may be their hands are weak, not their hearts. It is said, that Batten and Jordan go not with prince Rupert : but Allen, an old pirate, and many others of that kind, are entertained to ruin our merchants ; many of which seem to love them more that rob them, than those that endeavour to serve them. The friends of the revolted ships endeavour to get the States' ships to favour their going out : but the States' ships have order to be neutral, as they say. How they will keep it, I know not. I hear NEWS FROM THE HAGUE. 45 the prince shall go out with eight ships, and no more. The duke of York is gone to Mr. Henflet's house at Tyluring, in respect of the nature of the prince's sickness. A peace is concluded in Germany, very prejudicial to the prince elector. Poyntz, who had the honour to serve the parliament in a very great command, was so unworthy as to be in the Downs with the revolted ships ; and yet, as I hear, is now as little esteemed by them as by us : which 1 am glad to hear, that those whose consciences make their swords cut both ways, may know their wages in the scorn of both. I hope time will discover all that walk one way and look another. Sir, I am your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hagh, Nov/s; 1648. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Having, ever since the beginning of the first distractions, had constant experience of colonel Morgan's fidelity in your service, I could not but do him that right, as humbly to present his pe- tition to the consideration of the house. And as to that particular of his desire concerning Ireland, I conceive his motion to be very seasonable, now that 4C COLONEL MORGAN. COLONEL CHOLMELEY. 47 1 1 the army is to be reduced to a lesser number: it being much for your service, that such disbanded men may be rather employed into Ireland, than to be sent discontented home ; we having had experience, at the last reducement, that most of those who were then dismissed went to the enemy, and engaged, this last summer, both in Kent and Essex, against the par- liament. Colonel Jones hath writ unto me from Dublin, of the great want he hath of men now ; that he hath en- larged his quarters, by taking in some of the enemy's strong holds : and I cannot recommend unto you a fitter or more able man, for that service in Ireland, than this bearer, colonel Morgan ; which I desire you to present to the consideration of the house. And if they think fit to give way thereunto, I shall be very willing and ready to further his raising of his regi- ment for the said service. Your humble servant, St. Alban's, T. FAIRFAX. October 27, 1648. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I do not often trouble you in particular businesses ; but I shall be bold now, upon the desire of a worthy gentleman, lieutenant-colonel Cholmeley, to entreat your favour in his behalf. The case stands thus. His son, major Cholmeley, who was bold in the fight against the Scots at Ber- wick, was custom-master at Carlisle : the gentleman merited well from you. Since his death, his aged father, having lost this his eldest son in your service, did resolve to use his endeavours to procure the place for a younger son, who had likewise been in your service ; and resolving to obtain my letter to some friends about it, did acquaint an under-tenant of the place to his son with this his purpose, to come to me to the borders of Scotland, to obtain the said letter, which the said servant did say was very well. And when the said lieutenant-colonel was come for my letter, this tenant immediately hastens away to London ; where he, in a very circumventing and deceitful way, prefers a petition to the house of commons, gets a reference to the committee of the navy, who approve of the said man, by the mediation of some gentlemen : but I hear there is a stop of it in the house. My humble suit to you is, that if colonel Morgan do wait upon you about this business, (I having given you this true information of the state of it, as I have received it,) you would be pleased to further his desire concerning lieutenant-colonel Cholmeley's youngest son, that he may have the place conferred upon him ; and that you would acquaint some of my friends herewith. By which you will very much oblige Your most humble servant, ,.,,., O. Cromwell. Uurroughbridge, Oct. 28, 1G48. 48 TREATY WITH THE KING. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. 49 SIR DUDLEY NORTH- TO SIR J. POTTS. Sir, — I received your letter of the 21st of this month on Saturday last, which was the 28th day, beincr then come out of the country, and so yours (which was intended as a cordial) proved a repre- hension to me for my absence. If my private oc- casions were faulty in withdrawing me for that time, I shall hereafter punish them, with paying damages by my future diligence in relation to the public. Most of my business this day hath been to bring myself into the light again, by conference with friends concerning what hath past in my absence : and when I sum up what hath passed at the Isle of Wight, I cannot but say, that you, the commis- sioners, (and something else,) have wrought wonders in brino-ins: the matter of the treaty to the condi- tion which it is now in.' Yet I find, by those that pretend to have observed the temper of the house, that unless there be a yielding in terminis, there is no great hope of a happy winding up within doors, besides what a standing out might produce abroad : whence we may perhaps have some interruptions, howsoever, as some will have it. • Member of parliament for Cambridgeshire. *■ The kin^ had consented to abolish archbishops, deans, and chapters, and the whole hierarchy, save bishops ; and that the episcopal government should be suspended for three years: the parliament however voted, that his concessions were unsatis- factoiy. See Whitloche, Oct. 23, 27. You see that the favour of your remembrance makes me give me you an accompt of the discourses which I have met withal. I assure myself that you will have much more particular and certain intel- ligence from others to supply my defect ; and I hope you will neither want diligence, nor success in your future proceedings, so as to put to the blush all those that shall endeavour to continue the miseries of this kingdom, by an absolute frustrating of this treaty, which hath given so great an expectation to the people. Sir, I am not able to serve you in any thing men- tioned in your letter, but in the making known your remembrance of the friends of both houses which you have named : some of them I have spoken with already, and I shall seek opportunity to do it with the rest : and sorry I am to have no other occasion to express how readily you shall be served on all oc- casions, by your affectionate friend and servant, D. North. Westminster, Oct. 30, 1648, FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — We humbly crave leave, amidst your many and weighty affairs, to acknowledge our deep ob- ligations to that honourable house for your great I If vol.. 11. H 50 UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. ,51 I favours to this seminary of piety and arts ; by whose goodness and bounty they begin now to live and move again. We must ever mention, with all thank- fulness, the care you have had for purging these fountains ; and that, notwithstanding all the burdens that lay upon you, and public pressures, you have devised liberal things for the encouragement of learning. So that, were there no other argument, this place alone were enough to confute that unjust calumny of perverse men, that you intend to bring in darkness and barbarism on this knowing nation. Sir, Your actions of so much honour and justice will endure the day; they need not dark times to cover them : and we trust that now, when God hath given you rest from your enemies round about, and from the oppressing sword, you shall see some fruit of your travail here ; a pious and learned generation standing up in this place to bless you, and continu- ally to pray for you, and the peace of the nation. Sir, We, having had such plentiful experience of your honourable favours, are emboldened further to beseech you humbly, in the behalf of piety and learn- ing, that, out of your special affection to both, you will be pleased to countenance and promote our humble desires, which we are now presenting in a petition to your honourable house ; that so this uni- versity may continue to enjoy a comfortable support for those public ends. We shall no further presume at present ; but only pray that God would protect you, and prosper the councils of your honourable house for the settling of truth and peace and learning in the nation. Sir, These are the humble desires of your most obliged servant, The University of Oxford. From the Convocation House in Oxford, Nov. 1, 1648. MR.SANCROFT TO MR. THOMAS HOLDS WORTH. Dear Tom, — I thought to have seen you before this time, but it will not be. My loving friends here throw so many charms about me, that I cannot break through them ; they have so many devices to detain me, that it is as hard to get away hence as out of a parliament prison. Yet I shall not be long away; this week {idvirep eVtrpeTr?; 6 Seo^) shall put an end to my journeyings, and restore you to your liberty. Interim, I send my thanks before, to tell you that even at this distance I feel the warmth of your affection, and am refreshed with it. I and all mine, Tom, fare the better for thee ; and renounce me, when I forget it. I had a letter from the good doctor "" this week, and in comphance with it am hastening to Cambridge as fast as may be ; yet ^ Dr. Holdsworth. 52 SANCROFT. cannot design the very day, because I have company to come with me, whose resolutions I am not master of, if of mine own. Let this serve for an excuse to my worthy and most honoured friend Mr. Wid- drington, why I appoint not a meeting with him at Bury, as he desired in his last. If you see him, or my dear cousin Barker, or any of our friends, before I come, present my love and respects to them : however, on Friday night, I hope to tell them all I am their servant. My sizer, Manne, brings along with him a bundle directed to you, in which there is linen and money. I pray lay it by safe till I come, which shall be with all possible speed. In the mean time, with my loving respects to Mr. Dillingham, Mr. Adams, and my brother Vernon, and my hearty affection to thee, Tom, I subscribe myself, what thou hast by a thousand oblio-ations made me, Thy most cordial and real friend, W. S. Nov. 4, 1648. » I If Mr. Carleton (a Londoner) comes to admit his son before I return, I pray desire one of the three fellows I mentioned to do me the favour ; and do you assist, and direct him in providing necessaries, &c. and put him into sizer Ilawlett's study. The income is about fifty shillings. I write at this time, too, to Dr. Holdsworth, when I intend to be at Cambridge ; IRELAND. 53 and so I think Mr. Carleton's journey will be stayed till then : however, I have now provided in omnem eveutum. — Adieu. ¥ THOMAS HARMAN TO u Sir, — Yours of the 24th of October I received : and as for the correspondences you write of, I had continued ; but, by reason of the great distance, durst not venture any matter of consequence, till I were sure of a safe conveniency, which now I shall not doubt to meet withal. My lord lieutenant, and all your friends, having advanced so near as Kilkenny on Saturday last, mat- ters being in a manner agreed on between his lord- ship and the confederates ; the test is somewhat con- cerning the churches and religion, which is thought now to be removed, referring themselves wholly to his majesty's breast, both for that, a free parliament, and all other matters ; so that, now the whole govern- ment being in my lord lieutenant, it is not doubted but Owen O'Neile will submit unto. And as for that party you are of, (unto whom I protest I wish all happiness,) especially if you hold to your former principles and protestations of duty, service, and loyalty to his majesty's commands and authority, which is in the power of my lord marquis " Iiidorsed " Harman Ignoto." 54 IRELAND. of Ormond, for the settlement and government of this kingdom, and the bringing them to their former obe- diency; to the effecting of which, your assistance would not only give a speedy period in this king- dom, but also a main help of settling his majesty in his just rights and prerogatives in England ; with as- surance we have, that the lord of Warwick, with his fleet, hath submitted to the prince : this being so, be pleased to consider what condition you are like to be in. Sir, You are very sparing of your news, for we have far more here than you write to me ; as the sending your agent over, &c. I earnestly desire to be informed what course you conceive is to be taken with our fellow-officers that are prisoners. Mr. Lane presents his respects and service to you, and sends this declaration of my lord lieutenant's ; which he is confident will give you, and all true Pro- testants, ample satisfaction. Sir, Your faithful friend and servant, Thomas Hauman. Kilkenny, November 7,' 1648. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE COMMITTEE AT DERBY HOUSE. My Lords and Gentlemen, — Give me leave to acquaint your lordships, that the day before the THE KING at CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 55 time formerly limited for treaty ended, and before it was known here to be renewed, I thought it my duty, in regard to the great trust the parliament had placed upon me in receiving (on their behalf) the king's parole, and because there was not any could positively witness to the circumstances of the engagement, ex- cept sir Peter Killigrew, to move the king to confirm his said parole, in acquainting the commissioners of parliament that he had so passed his word, as desired and ordered by both houses ; which accordingly he did, as the said honourable commissioners will better inform your lordships. The next day, and at the commissioners' taking their leaves of the king, I having had intimation of a doubt, whether guards (as was pretended arguing a distrust) being kept upon the king, his said parole were not thereby made void, I pressed the king, before them, to declare whether he made any such question ; if so, that he would please to utter it. He, seeming somewhat surprised, desired time to consider it, professing not to have thought on it before. But I, perceiving the danger of such a reserve, pressed him with greater earnestness to a clear declaration of himself in the point ; telling him, that otherwise his parole signified nothing ; and desired his positive an- swer, as the case now stood with him. His majesty avoided it long. I then told him, that if the cen- tinels at his door (I having kept no other since the eno-acrement of his word) were offensive to him, and .50 THE KING AT CARISBKOOKK CASTLE. COLONEL UAINSBOIIOUGH, 57 1 would absolutely clear him in that question he seemed to make scruple, they should be taken off, (they being only set to keep off people from pressing into his lodgings,) and placed at a further distance, with the guard which is kept to preserve his majesty's person from violence ; assuring him, I only depended upon his word, which the parliament had pleased to accept, for his not removing out of the island. He told me, il would be then more clear, and that four or five several times : at length, upon my importunity, not being to be satisfied with a doubtful answer, he con- cluded himself to be obliged by his parole, if the said centinels were taken away ; which I then promised him should be done, before the commissioners, and accordingly it was immediately observed. My lords, I thought it my duty to give your lord- ships an account of these passages, especially hearing that there is likely to be a renewal of his majesty's parole for some longer time ; that if your lordships see cause, it may be so put to him, upon such re- newal of his said parole, as may take off all such re- servations ; which possibly may otherwise tend to the disadvantage of the parliament. I am, My Lords, Your lordships' most humble servant, Ro. Hammond. Carisbrooke Castle, Nov. 7, 1648. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Siii,_I understand, upon your information of co- lonel Rainsborough's death,^ you were pleased to express some respect to him, in consideration of his wife and children ; for which myself, the army, and all honest men have cause to thank you. But finding, by this inclosed, that his many losses and considerable expenses in your service were not fully laid before you, I have thought myself engaged, at the instance of Mrs. Rainsborough, to tender her petition unto you ; and desire it may receive your favourable answer, with all convenient speed. If the gallantry and faithfulness of that gentleman in his service to this kingdom were not fully known to every one, I should speak more particularly of him to you ; which I omit, only because I apprehend needless, in that I doubt not you retain a due sense of his merits, and will improve the present op- portunity to witness your acceptance of them : which is the earnest request of Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. St. Alban's, Nov. 13, 1648. ' Rainsborough had been taken from his bed, and savagely murdered, by a small party of the royalists' army from Ponte- fract castle. Tbe professed purpose of the murderers was to take him prisoner by surprise. Clarendon calls this a " noble attempt." See Clarendon, vol. vi. p. HO. VOT. 11. ^ 58 SANCIIOFT. CAKIS15R00KE CASTLE. 59 DR. HOLDSWORTH TO MR. SANCROFT. Loving Sir, — The joy of your safe return did abundantly recompense the perplexity of your stay, only it had like to have bred some alterations in Mr. Carleton's purpose : for business coming upon him, he was half resolved to have put off his journey till after Christmas, but hath now fixed upon Monday seven- night, which is the 21st of this month, the Monday before the fast; which will be as well as sooner, seeing Mr. Tuckney^ comes not till after. Mr. Tuckney was with me this week, to desire the use of ray household goods, and to look somewhat into ray study ; which I granted him on this condition, that he would use things well, and carry none with him, not so much as to look in, but only himself, and leave no books abroad. We had some speech of yourself. He bemoaned himself, that you were so strange to him. I argued the case with him, upon the ground of conscience, which I conceived he ought freely to allow you. He very modestly assented, and promised to leave you to your liberty ; and would take it very kindly if you would not come to him as a master ; yet if but as a friend, he would take it for a special favour, and bid you very y Mr. Tuckney was just now appointed by the parliament to be vice-chancellor of Cambridge. See post, p. 04. His anxiety to be on good terms with Sancroft, speaks most highly in fa- vour of both. welcome. He promised also to admit any I sent under your name, although you were absent, and came not to ask it. What end will be of the treaty is uncertain, for just now the army begins to interpose : we wait only upon God. Being in some haste, I must defer all further accounts of it, only to tell you that the second letter you speak of I never received. God keep you. Farewell. Your affectionate friend, Rl. HoLDSWORTH. Nov. 18, 1648. SIR T. FAIRFAX TO COLONEL HAMMOND. Sir, I have received your letter of the 19th of this instant, whereby I apprehend your great dis- satisfaction, trouble, and burden, both in relation to your present employment, and some other things, which has occasioned your address to the house. Therefore I desire you, (before you resolve quit- ting your trust,) even with all possible speed to repair to me, because I have somewhat to com- municate to you^ of a very public concernment ; and doubt not likewise but, upon a true understanding of things, you may receive that satisfaction which will encourage you to continue your charge. I have herewith sent colonel Ewer, (the fittest person I could think of,) to take care of the island 60 REVOLTBI) SHIPS. till you return ; and therefore say the less, because I expect so soon to see you/ Your very affectionate friend, Fairfax. St. Alban's, Nov. 21, 1048. CAPTAIN ALEX. BENCE TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — In ray letter of the 11th of this present November, I gave you a narrative of the several pro- crresses the lord admiral had made with his fleet, in order to the reduction of the revolted ships, now under the command of prince Rupert, with an ac- count of those that were reduced;^ intimating how much hopes we had of accomplishing the work we were employed to effect. But because the lord admiral conceived frosty weather near approaching, apprehending danger would ensue if ice should come down the river, and some complaints made to him of our victuals, concluded it could not be safe for the ' It was designed by Fairfax and his party to remove the kins: from the Isle of Wight; but Hammond was unwilling to betray his trust. Fairfax therefore made a pretence to get Hammond away, and sent colonel Ewer to take his place. Hammond left the island on the 28th November. See God- wiyi, b. ii. c. 23. ■ The greater part of the revolted ships had submitted to lord Warwick. Prince Rupert took the command of the re- mainder, and lost or sold them all in the following year. Sec Godwin, b. ii. c. 10. CARISBROOKE CASTLE. Gl ships to ride any longer before Helvoetsluys ; for these reasons, and some others best known to himself, did resolve, with these ships undisposed of, to go into the Downs, (where we are safely arrived,) there to attend the parliament's commands. In order to this his lordship's resolution, upon the 21st of this present November he commanded the fleet to weigh anchor, and set sail, which was done accordingly ; leaving the enemy close haled up in the Sluys ; who have taken some of their sails from their yards, and put their guns ashore, fortifying upon the land, and depriving any appertaining to this fleet the benefit of that shore. I have no more to you at this time, but the service of Your humble servant, From aboard the St. George, AleX. Bence. at anchor in the Downs, Nov. 23, 1648. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, Having lately received this inclosed letter^ from his excellency the lord Fairfax, I thought it ray duty to acquaint you with it ; and to let you know, the General having the authority of parliament for the commanding of all the forces of this kingdom, and I having no positive instructions from parliament for my constant abode here, nor other of force at this See before, p. 59. b C 62 CARISBHOOKE CASTLE. present, save only to take care tliat there be a sufficient guard for the safety of this island, and to hinder the taking away of the king's person from hence ; upon most serious consideration, finding no way to avoid it, I resolved it my duty to give as speedy obedience to it, as the duty I owe to your commands and services would permit. I expected before this time to have seen colonel Ewer, by whose hands this inclosed should have been conveyed unto me ; but he failing, and the letter being positive for my speedy repair to the General, I resolve, so soon as I can settle, the best I may, the soldiers and inhabitants of this isle, for the best ad- vantages of your services, to take my journey to the head quarters, where I shall be ready to receive your commands, if they come to me before my return, which I purpose, God willing, shall be the next hour after his excellency shall please to dismiss me. If I do not before that time receive your discharge of my unhappy employment, (which I again most humbly and heartily beg of you,) if you please to certify your pleasure to me by this bearer, it shall, to the utmost of my ability, be observed, as becomes him who must ever subscribe himself, Sir, Your most humble and faithful servant, Ro. Hammond. Carisbrooke Castle, Nov. 20, 1648. CARISBHOOKE CASTLE. 63 THE SPEAKER TO LORD FAIRFAX. My Lord, — The houses being acquainted by a letter from colonel Hammond, dated the 26th of this present, of your excellency's desire that he should speedily repair unto you, have commanded us to let you know that they cannot possibly dispense with his absence from his charge in the island, in regard of the instructions he hath received from both houses concerning the safety of the king's person, and the security of that place. And therefore they desire you not to expect his sudden repair to you, nor to appoint colonel Ewer, or any other, to take charge of the island, until the pleasure of both houses shall be further signified unto you. And so we remain Your lordship's affectionate friend. Nov. 27, 1648. MR. BANCROFT TO HIS FATHER. Sir, — With my humble duty, this is to give you the account of my journey you were pleased to enjoin me. I came safe to Bury, by four of the clock ; and going to Mr. North with my letter, found there some forty strangers in a room, listening to good voices, well managed, and a lute well strung. I took my share in the sweets ; and when all was done, delivered 6i SANCROFT. SANCROFT. 65 my message, but could not be licenced till supper was past. Here, too, I found an acquaintance that meant Cambridge next day ; so we two made a match, and got hither by Friday at five. Where I found all well, only that Mr. Tuckney was vice-chancellor, as I di- vined, which will necessitate him this year to be my continuing inconvenience. Yet how candid and ingenuous I am like to find him, besides his former carriage, which you have heard, you may read in part in this inclosed from the noble doctor.'' I was yesterday to have preached the afternoon lecture at the Protestant church, and had accordingly provided for it ; and though 1 found not myself well the day before, hoped, with God's assistance, to have performed it : but just when the bell was ringing, and when I was now come to Mrs. Bainbrigg's house, just by the church door, I was there surprised (besides my former feverish distemper and a dizziness in my head) with such a fulness of stomach and vomiting, that I was forced to lay down all thoughts of preaching, it being now grown im- possible ; and my cousin Barker, upon notice, stepped up at that short warning, and supplied the vacuity. I came home sick, but have vomited and sweat and fasted, yet know not how to pronounce of my condition till to-morrow be past. Though I would fain hope the best, yet am I not out of all appre- See before, p. 5S. I hension of an ague : God's will be done. All this disturbance came from so small an occasion (if I guess aright) as the eating somewhat too freely, on Friday night, of the fat of a rabbit, which being a delicate kind of fat, is quickly corrupted in the stomach. I have sent you here, sir, my lord primate's'^ Body of Divinity, and three new stitched books, well worth your perusal. Though you lend them, I desire you would not finally part with them, because I would gladly read them myself when I come into the country ; till when I defer it. You shall also receive two Spanish-leather caps, and two rings for my sisters with you, inclosed in a letter to them. The news from above is worse than ever : the re- solutions of the army high, and their acting like to be accordingly. The king hath given his final answer to the commissioners,'' that he cannot quit the government by bishops, which is, in his judgment, apostolical ; nor alienate their lands, which he counts sacrilege ; and therefore, if the parliament will not at all recede from the rigour and severity of their «> Arclibisliop Usher. •^ The king's ultimate answer was, " tliat he cannot, with a o-oocl conscience, consent to the total abolition of the function and power of bishops, nor to the entire and absolute alienation of their lands, as is desired; ])ecause he is yet persuaded in his judgment, that the former is apostolical in the institution, and tliat to take awav the latter is sacrilege." Whitlorhc, No- vemher 23. VOL. II. K \ 60 CARISBROOKE CASTLE. CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 67 demands, he must trust God with his condition, for he can go no further. And thus, sir, with my humble duty to my mother, and my love to all, craving your blessing and the prayers of my friends, I subscribe myself Your obedient son, W. S. Nov. 27, 1648. COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Since my last to you, colonel Ewer is come into this island. At his coming, I demanded of him to know what instructions he had, and from whom; because, though I held myself obliged to obey the General's commands in going to him, yet I had a trust upon me from the parlia- ment, no way, as I conceived, relating to the General or army, which I must be faithful unto, to the utmost of my power, and careful (as much as in me lay) that the parliament's and kingdom's services might not be prejudiced in my absence. Upon which, he produced a letter, signed John Ilushworth, and in the name and behalf of the general council of the army, ordering him to come hither ; and if in case I should, according to the commands of the General's letter, repair to the head quarters, then he to secure the person of the king in Carisbrookc castle, or otherwise, as he should think fit ; and in case I should refuse, then to do as God should direct him ; giving him power to call over other forces : and if he should so secure him, then if he found any hazard in being here, to give them notice, and to bring the king over the water. This was the substance, to my best remembrance, of his said instructions. To which I gave him an answer to this effect: that I knew none who even had authority over me as a soldier but the General, (except the parliament,) neither did I hold myself obliged, or would I give obedience, to any other authority or person whatever ; but that to the matter of his directions, as 1 conceived, I ought not to give obedience to any save to the parliament alone, who had entrusted me, and only had power so to do : but further plainly told him, that if he, or any other, should so proceed to violate my instructions from, the parliament, whilst I continued so in trust, I held myself bound, in conscience, honour, and duty, to oppose them to my utmost : and accordingly, God assisting me, I resolved to do. This was the sub- stance of my answer ; upon which he is resolved forth- with to go along with me to the head quarters. This I hold my duty to acquaint you with, and also what order I have taken in my absence for the preventing such practices, as you will perceive by the inclosed directions and instructions, (which I as- sure you is the all in my power to do,) that, upon the consideration of it, you may take such further order. \ 68 CARISBROOKE CASTLE. in an affair of so high concernment, as to your wis- dom shall seem best/ Whatever the event be, I can say, with the testi- mony of a good conscience, that in this whole weighty business, which hath now more than twelve months been upon me, I have, as in the presence of God, faithfully and honestly discharged my trust to the best advantages of your services, and not more in any thing than ii this ; and if for a reward of it, and all other hazard, labour, and blood I have undero-one and spent in your services, I may now receive a dis- charge from you of this burden, so much too heavy for me, I shall rest fully satisfied, bless my God, and thank you ; and be further obliged to be, what I must be ever, Your most faithful and humble servant, Ro. Hammond. Carisbrooke Castle, Nov. 28,1648. P. S. Since the writing hereof, I received the originals of these two copies inclosed. ' **The house ordered a letter to tlie General, to acquaint him, that the orders and instructions from him to colonel Ewer, for securing his majesty's person in the Isle of Wiglit, were contrary to their resolutions and instructions given to colonel iraniniond ; and that it was the pleasure of the house, that his excellency recall the said orders, and that colonel Hammond he set at liberty to attend Ids charge in the Isle of Wiglit." '' The town was full of fears of the army." Whit- lockcy Nov. 21). CARISBROOKE CASTLE, C9 COLONEL HAMMOND TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— Being at Farnham, on my journey to the head quarters, in obedience to the General's commands, I there met with yours, brought to me by major Cromwell, enjoining me to reside in the Isle of Wight; to which I shall yield immediate obedience by making my present return thither, though, I must needs say, with great sadness of heart : because I had hoped and expected that, according to my most earnest desires, you would have been pleased to have freed me of my grievous burden I have so long been pressed under ; my unfitness for which is such, for many reasons, that I yet hope, upon your further consideration of me, you will please to set me at li- berty, it being so much for the advantage of your affairs. This, therefore, I must still leave with you, as the most hearty desire of. Sir, Your most faithful and humble servant, Ro. Hammond. Farnham, Nov. 28, 1G48. P.S. Sir, This, being written before my restraint, should the last night have gone forwards to you ; but those under whose custody I now am did not (it seems) think it fit to let it go until now. I have '1^1 70 REMONSTRANCE OF THE ARMY. given you an account of my imprisonment in a letter by another hand, which, I hope, is before this come to you. Bagsliot, November 29, 1G48. ADVANCE OF THE ARMY TO LONDON. 71 conjunction of such helps, as any among your friends to the public interest can conscientiously afford us. I remain Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. Windsor, November 29, 1648, SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — It is not unknown to you, how and how Jong we have waited for some things from you, respecting our Remonstrance,^ and the present condition of the kingdom : but receiving nothing in answer to the one, nor remedy to the other, we do hereby again let you know, that we are so apprehen- sive of the present juncture of affairs, that, through fault of such helps as we might have had from you, we are attending and improving the providence of God, for the gaining of such ends as we have pro- posed in our aforesaid Remonstrance. We desire you to judge of us as men acted in this by extremity, in which we would yet hope for the * *'TIie question, whether the Remonstrance of the army should be taken into speedy consideration, was, by ninety voices, resolved in the negative." Whitlocke, Nov. 30. By the Remonstrance, the army demanded, among other things, that the king be brought to justice ; that a period be set-to the parliament, and provision made for a new one; and that no king be hereafter admitted, but upon election of, and in trust lor the people. Ibkl. Noc. 2(). SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE LORD MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND COUNCIL OF LONDON. My Lord and Gentlemen,— Being upon an immediate advance with the army towards London, we thought good hereby to give you notice thereof. For the ground and necessity leading us thereunto, we refer you to our late Remonstrance, and to our late declaration^^ concerning the same. We have only this further to add, that as we are far from the least thought of plunder, or other wrong to your city, or ^ The army, displeased at the rejection of their Remon- strance by the parliament, on the same day issued a declara- tion, repeating their complaints ; and, as the present parliament had been, by an act of the legislature, rendered perpetual, they determined on its dissolution, and an appeal " unto the extra- ordinary judgment of God and good people." " For these ends," the declaration concluded, " we are now drawmg up with the armv to London, there to follow Providence, as God shall clear our way." See Rushworth, vol. n. p. 1341 ; and Mliitloche, Nov. 30. 1 n ADVANCE OF THE ARMY TO LONDONl any the places adjoining, (which we hope your former experience of us will give you cause enough to credit us in,) so, for the better prevention of any disorder in the soldiery, or of any abuse or inconvenience to the inhabitants in the quartering of the soldiery at private houses, we earnestly desire that you would take a present course for the supply of money to pay those forces, while w^e shall be necessitated to stay there ; upon which, we assure you, we shall so dispose of them into great and void houses about the city, as much as may be possible, as that few or none of the inhabitants shall be troubled with quartering of any soldiers at all. And for this purpose, we desire that £40,000' may be forthwith provided, upon the secu- rity of your arrears, to be paid out to the forces to- morrow night, if possible. And we shall be ready to receive from you any intimations for the further prevention of hurt or inconvenience to the city in this business. I remain Your lordship's most assured friend and servant, T. Fairfax. Windsor, Nov. 30, 1G48. ' After a long debate, till eijrlit o'clock at nij^ht, the house voted that the city do forthwith provide £40,000 for the arrears ofthearmv. Whitloche, Dec, 1. DEMANDS OF THE ARMY. 73 SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — When I received your letter of Friday last, concerning the not advancing of the army nearer to London, (which came not to my hands till Saturday morning,) orders had overnight been given out for the rendezvous of the army in Hyde park, so early as they could not be recalled time enough to prevent the same: thereupon I sent sir Hardresse Waller from the rendezvous, to let you know so much, and that the approach of the army hither was in necessary pursuance of what the house had resolved, concerning the drawing the army into garrisons, towns, and cities ; there being no other such places whereunto the army could well be drawn by the time limited, of like con- veniency for the disposing of it, (without quartering upon private men's houses,) as this place did afford ; nor any places where there was so great arrears due, or so much of the assessments like to come in, in time for the supply of the soldiers with money, to put them into a present condition of maintaining themselves without free quarter. And for further satisfaction concerning the desire of myself and the council of war, in the advancing hither, he was directed to refer you to a late Remon- strance and declaration: but the house being then intent upon other matters, (as I understand,) he found not the opportunity or admittance to dehver the message to the house. Wherefore I thought VOL. 11. ^ 74 DEMANDS OF THE ARMY. good hereby to give you the same account: and further, in the behalf of myself and the officers, to desire that you would believe, that we do not insist upon the things we have declared or propounded, as for our own wills or judgments, but for the reason and righteousness that is in them ; and as they are for the public interest, a sound peace, and the safety of the nation. I remain Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. Westminster, December 3, KMB. SIR THOMAS DACRES AND MR. DODDRIDGE TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — When we were this morninof comino* to o^ive our attendance to the house, we were both turned back upon the stairs ; and the Serjeant's man stood by, and informed an officer, that our names were both in a list,*' which he held in his hand ; and he had order from the General not to suffer us to enter into the house to do our duties there, till the Remonstrance have received the sense of the house. We still * The approaches to the house were occupied by military. Colonel Pride was stationed at tlie door, with a list of the persons to be arrested, and secured them as they came up. See Whitlocke, Dec.Q-, Godwin, b. ii. c. 24. ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. /O pressed to do our duties, but were kept back by force. This we thought good to certify you, desiring you to acquaint the house thereof ; subscribing ourselves Your humble servants, Thomas Dacres.' John Doddridge."^ Thursday, Dec. 7, 1648 ; half an hour past nine in the morning. JEREMY TAYLOR TO DR. RICHARD BAYLY. Sir, I received yours, dated November 27th ; and although I read it with much pleasure, as bearing all alono- so visible characters of your affections towards me, yet I also observed it with much caution and reverence, as carrying along the severities as well as the compliances of a just and religious kindness. What I delivered in tramita, when I had the happi- ness last to meet you, I knew I poured into a breast locked up as religiously as the priests of Cybele ; and, but that I was certain you permit all your friends and servants to speak to you with a freedom great as that of the sun or the air, I should not have delivered to you so displeasing a truth, lest by an unnecessary discourse I should have discomposed the state of that friendship, from which I have received so many effluxes and profitable emanations. 1 m Member of parliament for Hertfordshire. Member of parliament for Barnstaple. 76 AUENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. However, sir, I shall most religiously observe your caution, (and had done so by my own proper pur- poses,) not to dispute in triviis that point which is of so great consideration, and is too apt to be mistaken or misconstrued by avaricious and preju- dicate spirits. I know it is easy to encourage a crime by a neighbouring truth, but nothing is suf- ficient to secure the church's just interests, if any colour may be pretended for an injury. But now, sir, to the particulars of your letter. I have something else to say ; and then some other things to the question in its own precise consideration. I. Concerning the person of a king, to be pre- served by all reasonable and just means, you accord, but add this consideration ; that it is to be pondered, what it is which makes for the bodily, and what for the ghostly preservation of a king? and that this latter is not to be destroyed by the former: which, although it be very true, yet is not of any distinct consideration from the main question ; for if I make it appear lawful that the king may consent to the alienation of bishops' lands, in the present conjunc- tion of circumstances, then the same act that is in- strumental to the bodily preservation, will not be an enemy, or impede the spiritual. II. You are pleased to propound the question, and state it with prudent and wary circumstances: the sum of which is this. 1st, Church lands stand dedi- cated to God, by the free donation of princes and ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 77 princely.minded men. ^ind. They are by the donors for his use so separated for ever. 3rd. They are con- firmed by the legislative power of the kingdom, and accepted for the same usage for many centuries of years. Q. Whether lands so given may, for an end formerly suggested or supposed, (meaning the king's present case,) be wholly alienated? III. The first is the great article of offence and question, '' The lands were dedicated to God." I suppose, first, that lands can no more be dedicated to God, or in no other sense, than some persons are, that 'is, to be employed in the offices of religion; which, for the present, we will suppose as immediately to be a service of God, as charity, but no more. Now it would be considered, whether a person designed to be a priest, may not, upon great reason, recede from the exercise of his holy orders for ever? Instance, in the cardinal of Portugal, when his brother the king died without issue, dispensed with all, and re- returned ad scpculum, and was supposed as capable of doing service to God in the capacity of a king as of a priest. And, (under favour,) I conceive, the distinction of things and persons will not alter the consideration. For we have an express place of the New Testament for the person, but nothing clear and dogmatical for the unalterable sanctification of things In specie. - He that puts his hand to the plough and looks back, is not worthy." And yet the wisdom of the most eminent persons, and most \ ''X^jK ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. zealous for the temporal rights of the church, did think that the particular case was not forbidden by the general rule. The same also I say concerning time, separate for God's service, which in many cases may be era- ployed otherwise than in the precise virtue of re- ligion ; even in a great act of charity or convenience. And I desire it may be considered, whether any thing (abating the discourses and considerations of interest) can be pretended, that may substantially distinguish the case, persons and time, for goods and lands, since by all of them God is served, and without the two former he cannot be served, without the last he may ; and it is notorious, that the most solemn separations for the service of God were made of persons and tirney these by God's com- mand ; that of lands UQwer, excepting only cities and suburbs for the Levites. IV. But when it is said, lands are given to God ; since it cannot be true in a natural and proper sense, for we cannot give what is his already, nor that which he needs not and uses not, to any purposes but our own ; it can signify nothing really, but that they are separated for the use of religious persons, and they to be maintained by them, that, without care and diversions, they may attend the offices of religion and public advocation, (for that is Magmc mentis opus, nee de lodicc paranda Attonit(£,) ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 7!) and so, for their relation sake, are entitled to God; just as those lands which were given for the main- tenance of certain knights and military orders against the Saracens, were esteemed holy in order to the use to which they were designed, which was esteemed holy by the age. But I consider, that since God is not a person capable of any new, proper, acquisite, and inherent right, it is in church lands, as in lands given to a body politic or corporation. It is impossible lands should be given, and the right passed really from the former owner, unless there be some person, real or imaginary, who is, or who is made capable of being the possessor. Now the communities of clergy, and lay bodies politic, are not a person; for in these there is a succession, but no inheritance : and it is the whole succession which is intended to be main- tained by the donative, who cannot be a person in estimation of law, nor in natural consideration. And it is also intended that the present persons should only be usufructuaries ; that is, the rights of dominion are not permitted to them, that the possession may be indeterminable ; and that it is necessary there be a person substituted by fiction of law, who is supposed the lord. In corporations, not the mayor and alder- men, but the corporation is the persona ficta. In church lands, God is the person named ; because of the relation and employment of the persons to be maintained in his service. But then the donors are 80 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. said therefore to have given it to him, by permission, I mean, and declaration of law, that they might be legally enabled to pass the dominion from themselves, and yet invest no real person with a dominion, who might, according to the right of lord, pass it from his successor. But this fiction of law is but a solemnity and a circumstance, producing no other effect, or real mutation, but that the forms of law are kept in the transmission of the right to such purposes of religion; God being in no other manner capable of a transmitted right, but when, by his own express act, or by ours, he is so put in substitution. V. To this I add, that the lands themselves so dedicated are not altered : there is no holiness passed upon them, so much as relative and imaginary, but durintr the use ; and that holiness which is attributed to them is but ens rationis, which appears most unanswerably in this ; that by the canon law, and the voice of all Christendom and common sense, church lands may be changed ; and when the next field, which the donor gave not, but the bishop for con veniency of it obtained by contract, belongs to the use of the church, that becomes invested with all the holiness of the other, and yet the other loses nothing of what it had, (for no act passed upon it :) and when a change is made, and yet nothing is lost by this, then nothing is got by that ; and then all that was, is like the right and left hand of a pillow, which you may alter by your own posture or discourse : which 1 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 81 the rather note, that I might redargue the fondness of some persons, who fancy strange contingencies and accidents happening to men using in common employments the stones of a monastery, when the society hath been dissolved, I fear, in such cases, the piety of the man wants the ballast of a severe and prudent consideration. VI. And yet I doubt not but these things shall relate to God ; that is, as he accepts the piety of the donor, as he accepted the nard pistic of Mary Mag- dalen, and the charity of hospitable persons ; so he will also, by his care and providence, and the pa- tronage of judgments, secure the support of the de- fenceless clergy, as he does of all his poor, his widows, and orphans ; that is, more especially than any other things and persons. But I desire it may be considered, that, among the masters of spiritual life, there are some sins called '* crying sins ;" that is, such which God will more certainly and apparently revenge ; and oppression of widows and orphans is one : but, as I remember, they account not sacrilege in this number : from whence I can collect nothing, but that God hath more appa- rently undertaken the protection of widows' dowries and orphans' portions, than of church lands. And then, if we will suppose these widows placed in an hospital to pray and spin, I would fain know what holiness of lands or dedication signifies, that is not more eminently in the lands given for an hospital for VOL. II. M 8^ ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. widows, than to a college for priests ? and yet, if an hospital be spoiled, or widows injured, we used to call it oppression, not sacrilege. And, by the way, sir, be pleased to put the case as it was in some instances in the days of that cor- morant of church lands, Henry the Eighth, and in Edward the Sixth, that lands given to the clergy should be converted to the maintenance of orphans and widows, or sick persons. I desire to be resolved, whether that be sacrilege? and if so, upon what grounds it is said to be so ? If not, then, whether the lands be God's portion, any more if they maintain the clergy, than if they maintain the indigent and necessitous laity ? and whether or no, if the condition of the king's restitution were to alien the lands of Bethlehem, or St. Thomas's hospital, the clergy of Eno-land would not affirm it lawful ? and then, why not, if the condition were to alien one manor of the bishop of St. David's, or one close ? If one, then more, and then all as well as any ; for one is as much dedicated to God as all, and the alienation is as direct a sacrilege. But this were a hard case, should it be denied to the king's necessities, and the clamorous importuni- ties of the people, and necessities for peace. How- ever, that which I intended by this consideration is this : that by this proportion and similitude of hos- pital and church land, we may possibly understand what dedicating lands to God shall signify in the na- ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. SS ture of the thing ; even this only, (in the substance of affairs,) that excellent persons, charitable and re- ligious, have set apart certain lands to be spent in religion and charity, for the glory of God, as all good actions are, and this among the chiefest ; and God is pleased with such intentions of the donor, and em- ployment of the donative. VH. For to say, that in such donations God is the lord, and the bishops and priests but usufructuaries, is to speak, indeed, secuiidum stylum curice, accord- ing to forms of law ; God being the person by fiction of law, invested with the possession : but what that does mean in the nature and event of things, that is, W'hat real mutation is made, either towards God or to the lands, more than what I have now explicated, I shall much desire to understand from you upon sure foundation. VIII. 2nd. But you add, these lands w^ere intended to be separate for ever. True ; and I w^ould to (lod they might so abide. But whether that be indis- pensably and unalterably necessary, or whether that intention of the donor, or the nature of the thing re- quired it, I shall further consider. For since it appears, by the instance of permuta- tion, that nothing passes upon the lands that makes a real, either natural or moral, change ; that which you say, that the donors did intend they should be separate for ever, does well explicate this part of the question : for in the truth of the thing, not the lands, I 84 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. AT .lENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 85 but tlie persons are obliged for ever ; the lands are alienable, but men's hands are tied, and they bound not to alien them ; that is, they who gave them, and they who can be obliged by them, or by any authority that confirms them. And this is not a distinction to no purpose, or real use in this question. For, upon supposition of the tenth of its parts, it will follow, in order to practice, that when the lands are aliened by a competent authority, I mean the supreme, whether that did religiously or irreligiously ; yet, if the thing be done ad omnem effectum juriSy the lands may be possessed justly by them that acted not in the aliena- tion. For certain persons only being obliged, the lands carry no curse along with them, but to those persons who, being obliged, prevaricated their personal obligation. Now no power but the greatest, and a disobliged power, can meddle with them. For these being mta Deo, according to the nature of vows, pass an obligation upon the votary directly ; and all other persons (I speak of equals or subjects) are therefore obliged, because they have no right to them, nor power over them ; and therefore, if they meddle with them, are robbers ; and that, in materia devota or religiosa, is direct sacrilege. IX. But then it is to be considered, that the donors gave them but with all that right and powers appendant which they had; no man can transfer more than himself hath : since therefore the donors of lands had them but in basso dominio, and they were subject to forfeitures, to praemunires to poli- li buriens. and did owe allegiance to the publ c test;In,;an.theyweretoputoffthen^opr.y and serve the great ends of the c--nwe 1th as ^ particular natures do the unity of the -^Id, jd a e continuity of its parts. And therefore, as the donor rXvcLd with the., so is God, (for I choose to express myself in the word of art and law.) So th it s wholly a mistake to say, that m this case God ,s I supreme lord of the land, and the clergy h,s tufltuaries : for it was but a. a..n—^ which the donor had, and therefore ^e could tr^ no other. And if a private person makes the pnnce h s he^ and gives him lands that hold of an m enor t d ISO must be the prince's tenure, and the don^t ve must pass w.th all its burdens. Now .„ It cases the s'upre- power of a ^^^-^^ private lands, or moneys and personal goods rnoUo , ■ t1.P same he may use the church lands, it domino, in the same nc w^y , . , ,. .. „ . ^f_. he might have done so before their ded.ca ,on (fo else the private donor had given to God nghts that hCselfhadnot.) I ^^d also, if there be an e.uaUr proportionable necessity, as the one .s not aga n •ustice, so the other is not agamst -l.g- ; o Y^ s to be supposed, that church lands are last to be ^ u Z thPV are of greatest interest for the X;»amc of the ,op.Uic. Ana . the cWch 1,„J be Me to l«ie., then, «hen the „ec»s,ly 86 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. increases, the levy shall be greater ; for he that may take little upon a smaller reason, upon a greater may take more ; and if you can suppose a reason strong enough, or a necessity big enough, he may take it all, for the nature of the thing hinders not : for if he may take any of the profit, it is certain the land is liable to a superior lord, who may, pro rata, divert it from the use of its first intention. And I desire it may be considered, that if the re- venue may be spent in alienated uses, (pardon the word,) the land without the revenue will signify no- thing ; and therefore, if it be lawful to take the re- venue, it is lawful to take the land. For the land is so wholly for its fruits and emolument, that it is lawful to sell and change the land, so the church be not injured. And if it be objected, that as long as the land is not sold, it will return to its former use in time : to this I answer, that, pro tempore, all the real efliects of alienation being produced, obligation for a time, with defalcation of the profits, is in that degree an alienation. (I speak of real events, not no- tions, or fantastic formalities.) For because the land is wholly for the profit, he that takes that, and in the same degree that he takes it, does contrary, or be- sides the intention of the donor; that is, he employs it to uses not proper, not ecclesiastical : and the taking the profit pro tempore and for ever, are but several decrees of the same action, and therefore make no specifical difference; but they arc for the same ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 87 causes, in several proportions, alike lawful or un- lawful. X 3rd. But how if the prince gives lands, or, ^vhich is as much at least, he, by his legislative power, confirms the donation ? then, since all the right of man is given up, God shall have the altum and the lassum dominium too ; for he hath the direct right of the donor, and the collateral circumstant and accidental right of the legislative. To this I answer, that when the legislative confirms the donation of a subject, it is only supposed he confirms what the other bestowed, and made it valid in form of law, and therefore his confirmation alters not the manner of the tenure ; but if it were so before, it is still in subordination and minority. But if himself gives lands, and passes the donation into a law, it is true he cannot, without sacrilege, in any ordinary case, revoke his act, or alien the land. But then, whether the supreme power in another age cannot do it, is of another consideration. For no act of parliament can be made perpetual : and if an act be made that a parliament shall not abrogate such a law, it is ridiculous ; for it is in the power of the succeeding to disannul that law, which pretended to disable its successor from disannulling it. And it is certain, the supreme power hath a per- petual equal efflux of authority. And though so many single persons in whom the supreme power is m. herent, may be obliged, viz. by their own act, yet / ss ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 89 the power itself cannot ; and when the first persons are extinct, and the power descend upon others, they therefore are not oWiged, because they are the su- preme, and can be obliged by none but themselves : but the act of the former princes or parliament is subjected to the power of the succeeding, the su- preme power being in persons whom no act doth, nor any human power can oblige. XI. Upon this ground, I consider, that since all distinction of dominion consists in the sentence and limits of the law, and it is theft to take pigeons, or deer, or fish, when the law hath housed pigeons, or emparked deer, and divided shores, and it is not theft to take these when the law hath not made them of private possession ; and since sacrilege is a theft, the same power which determines what shall be theft, determines also what shall be sacrilege. I give a more clear instance. By the law it is made sacrilege to steal sacrum de non sacro, as a chalice from the clerk's house. Another law makes it sacrilege to steal non sacrum de sacro. And so we find that children's portions were deposited in some of the Greek temples, the same law having obtained there also. But I conceive, that when two sins are the same in their matter and natural com- plexion, as theft and sacrilege are esteemed to be in law, and are certainly so in the nature of the thing, (sacrilege being defined by theft, as by its genus, and therefore, without all peradventure, forbidden di- rectly in the prohibition of theft,) when the law distinguishes their formality, it means nothing, but that either they are to be punished distinctly, or the guilty persons to be proceeded against in their charges by distinct solemnities. Now the law making any particular instance to be sacrilege, does apportion to it the punishment or (which is a part of the other) the reproach of sa- crilege. I would therefore fain know, whether, by the laws of God, all the species enumerated by the canon doctors be sacrilege ? Is it sacrilege to steal a sword or a horse out of St. Paul's church, (for I have lived to see that case possible; God, in his good time, will string his whip and scourge them thence ;) but if yea, by what law of God? if no ; then, since it is punished with the punishment and infamy of sacrilege by human constitution, in what does it differ from other instances which by the law of God we suppose declared to be so? The result is this. That the laws of God forbid sacrilege, but in most instances the law of man de- clares what is sacrilege, and indeed makes it such ; as in the foregoing instances. When therefore the supreme power shall dissolve the cancels of the dominion, and lay that in common which before was appropriated to a certain use ; the dominion and propriety being taken away, there can be no theft, and, by consequence, no sacrilege. Just as it is no theft in me to put my sheep into a pasture which VOL. 11. N Hi m W 90 ALIENATION OF CHUUCH LANDS. ALIENATION OF CHUUCH LANDS. 91 by the law of the land is disparked, and made to be of common possession ; and yet before such a law, or act of a competent power, it was. Indeed, if the supreme power takes my goods and makes them common, or takes the forfeiture and gives them away without just reason, it is injuste, but it h jure factinn. He that receives the goods after the prince's seizure is honcp fidei possessor, but I am a person injured. So if the supreme power takes away church lands without evident necessity, or just reasons of religion, he is an irreligious person ; but I say it is not sacrilege : because the thing ceases to be of appropriate dominion by the act of the legislator, since it is his only power that makes the distinction and propriety. And it is certain the same power that makes an act to be sacrilege which before was not so, may also make that to be no sacrilege, which, supposing the former constitution of laws, was sacrilege. To steal what is sacred is sacrilege : but (by the way) sacred signifies nothing but what is separate by the cancels of laws, and declared honourable for a religious relation. So are the archives and records of courts, the seats of judicature, the presence chamber, the chair of state, the gates of the city among the Romans; so are temples and holy places: the law hath made all these sacred, and the same power can unhallow all its own consecrations. In all which, as religion is to be taken care of, and the public, to which the several sacreds do relate ; so if they be se- cured, and by other instruments be provided for, or if it be impossible they should, the crime lies not at his door where the impossibility dwells, or where re- ligion is preserved in equivalent instances. XII. And therefore the legislative power, although it can be irreligious, yet it cannot commit sacrilege : but the persons in whom such power is inherent, may, by accident ; I mean, when they become persons di- rectly or collaterally obliged. As the same king and the same persons of parliament cannot take away what they have given to holy uses, because they in their persons are obliged by their own act ; but the supreme power, in its emanation and effluxes, being returned to an abstraction and precision from those persons, is totally disobliged, and therefore, in all senses, has power to alter the possession. For to deny this, were to overthrow the very being and definition of legislative power, and to make private dominion superior to public interests, and the particular rights of persons more secure than the re- public and communities of kingdoms. This is not to be done in common accidents, indeed ; but when there is a sufficient cause, there is a sufficient power. XIII. But besides these general grounds, which disclose the nature of the thing, if I shall descend to more minute considerations, I shall propound this: that if the church hath power to sell the lands and spend the money, it will be hard to say that such lands are unalienable. Now that the lands which 92 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. were dedicated at first by the apostles' command or disposition, were sold, and the money spent, is evi- dent in St. Luke's story. Now put case, that the commonwealth of Venice, at their apprehension of the Turks' invading Candy, should have permitted their clergy to have sold their lands, and given the money to the poor, and to their own necessities, lest it should fall into the hands of misbelievers, were this sacrilege ? Put case, they should for as great a reason have given them away ; Is it not as lawful to give them as to sell them ? And if either, might not they with the money buy out the enemies of Chris- tian religion ? Might not they, or we, or any Chris- tian society, have spent them in any holy use, any use that nobly secures a religious interest, or the glory of God? If it be said they may, then I doubt not but the clergy of England would be excused, if they consented that the lands that feed them were parted with, to restore peace, and the king ; though in this, I say, as our blessed Saviour said concern- ino" offences, althoucrh it be necessary (viz. in the event of things) that offences come, yet woe to them by whom the offence, or that necessity, does come. But if it be said, they may not ; I would know why we do use the lands to uses not designed or per- mitted by the donors ? Wc know most of them were appointed to purposes which our practice to devotion owns not. If we say, that because they were given to the service of Ciod, so the general end be pre- served we are not tied to the particular instance; ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 93 then I desire it may be considered, whether this will bear us, even to a license of spending or using the lands to any use in which God's glory and the public interest may be concerned ? To which, if we add this appendix, that God is then glorified when any great charity is done, or peace restored ; if any com- pany of evil persons, for bad ends, makes this pe- remptorily to be the condition of peace, we may not unseasonably believe God to be glorified : and there- fore the lands not lost, if they buy a peace. Though concerning the special case I shall speak nothing dogmatical, but only of the general, and in a certain supposed instance. XIV. But, sir, I pray consider, are not tithes de- dicated to God, and are God's portion, as much as lands ? If there be any degrees of devotion, it is on the behalf of tithes ; and yet our colleges are main- tained by impropriations for a great part of their pro- vision. And if that alienation of tithes from church be unlawful, why do w^e live upon forbidden fruit? If lawful, let us suppose the king a person as capable of being reheved by God's portion as poor scholars are. To which I add this case. That since the canon law allows that patrons, falling to want, may live upon that which we call God's portion and the dowries of the churches, which themselves founded and endowed ; since the kings of England are the greatest patrons of the church, and this king is the church's martyr. It will be hard to say, his or their ,g— 94 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 95 greatest necessities respectively may not be served by the issues of their own charity and religion. XV. And hither will certainly refer the case of Acacius, bishop of Aniida, who, for redemption and feedincT seven thousand Persian prisoners, sold the vesseir of the church, adding this discourse in venfica- tion of his charity; that God needed not vessels of gold or silver for his service in religion, but rather in charity : for it was indecent that dead temples should be rich and pompous in less necessary appendage, and God's living temples starve in the destitution of necessaries. He did accordingly ; and his charity and religion too were approved and admired by all Christendom. Now in the degrees of relative holiness, the canon law is express, that the utensils of the altar are more sacred and separate than lands ; and it is certam, because vessels cannot be aUened without alteration of the property : when they are changed, they must be melted ; and things not permutable are to be burnt ; but land may pass in kind, and others ac- cepted in their rooms, so the church lose nothing by it. Which though it be well and fitting that the case of the church, in permutations, shall be provided for and secured in her interest, just as all minors are by the care of law and princes ; yet it shews, that it there were not more interest in it than real change, the land might pass, like water at the sluice, without observation and complaint. For concerning the difference in the case, as you state it, that God may be served without rich vessels, and others in their room were easily passable, but lands once lost cannot : I consider that God is not always best served by the richest clergy ; that our blessed Lord commends poverty, and entailed it upon his church by his doctrine and example ; that he speaks so harshly of riches, that himself was once put to it to expound the meaning of his words ; and yet, after that, his apostles, when they received the Spirit of Christ, still prosecuted the words of Christ against riches. I add, that although lands are not easy to be had, yet the apostles parted with them, and put the sequel to God's providence ; and after all, this consideration is wholly extrinsical to the question. For although, upon supposition of the truth of the discourse, it might be of great prudence and caution to keep the lands as long as we can ; yet it concludes it not a sin, in all cases, to part with them, nor that they have so many degrees of sacredness, or sepa- ration, as vessels and utensils. For since all their sacredness depends upon the sanction of the law, and their relative use ; for the first, vessels are with more solemnities dedicated ; and for the second, they are more immediate in the offices of religion. So that the argument will be firm, that if the church approved the act of Acacius in alienating things more sacred for a less necessity ; it will be too great an adhesion to a temporal interest, upon a pretence V 96 ALIENATION OP CHUUCH LANDS. of relio-ion, W persuade the king to ruin himself, and his posterity, and the church and her lands too, by not suffering them to be aliened. XVI For in the present constitution ot attairs, thJ church lands are like the fruits of our orchards, standing upon church ground <,ua' sermndo servan non possunt ; if you keep them, you lose them : and the kin-, by holding the lands fast, will have his own arm puUod off, and the lands go along with his ruin. And (under favour) I suppose that consideration wjll serve to oppose against that other of yours ; which, indeed, is matter of prudence, though not of consi- deration in the question of lawful or unlawful. For whether the king be captive or no in the sense of the civil law, it matters not ; I am sure he is so, to all real and natural effects. And whether the re- demption will be real upon his consigning the bill, is to be provided for in his capitulation as well as it can. If it be lawful to consign the bill upon supposition he should really be delivered, it is as lawful to do it upon their undertaking, or his own belief. It may be a default in providence or wisdom, if he be not. but none in the matter of his own justice and reli- crion. But the reason you add, "lest the kmg and his council should sin gratis," I suppose, with your favour, is extra okas. For ,f it be a sin when done gratis, it is also a sin when done pretio ; and it it be a sin, it is not to be done, though all the king- doms and lives of the world were the purchase. But ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 97 whether it were a sin or no, was the question, and is not to be presupposed or granted. XVII. I have now considered the proper grounds of the question, and all that you were pleased to propose to me as considerable, excepting your se- cond and fourth considerations ; but they, being the same inquiry concerning the punishment and sad consequents of sacrilege, are already answered, if the former grounds be reasonable, and that all alienation of sacred things be not sacrilege. For certainly the evil accidents and cursed appendices of this great sin will concern them, who, because they have not the supreme power to act it, nor just reason to desire it, are highly guilty of sacrilege in destitution of the first, of irreligion in destitution of the latter. But to say that this shall concern the king, who hath power of translating dominions in some cases, and great necessity of doing it in this, is a zealous detention of our interest, and a neglecting the king's. The clergy are bound to pay for the king their lives, when his just needs shall require : and yet our lives are as much given to God, and for his service, as immediately as lands ; our persons are as sacred as our fields ; and possibly it were no sacrilege to give our lands to redeem the clergy from the sword ; and therefore they are not to be denied to those needs which may call for our lives, for which we would wiUingly give our lands in redemption. XVIII. But who knows but that this alienation VOL 11. 98 ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. of cliurch lands may be a great security of the in- terest ? and that the king might say of the lands, as St. Paul of himself, " therefore I departed for a time that I might abide with you for ever?" But that is a reserve in the counsel of God's predestination. However, unless king Richard I. were sacrilegious in beincT redeemed with the moveables of God's house, o"r Edward III. in taking great revenues of the church for support of his armies in France, or archbishop Chichele in giving vast sums of money to maintain the French wars, all which was God's portion as much as lands, (with your pardon,) I sup- pose it is a safe case, that the best prince, incom- parably the best in Christendom, be very much va- lued more than our lands. For that this is the pre- sent case is therefore evident to me, because, although God can preserve the king in his denial, so also he can the lands, when they are consigned to others. But as in such consignation the lands are visibly lost, so also is the king in his denial. It may be other- wise in either, but the case is alike in both. Sir, I know not whether my long letter may be presumed an amends for my delay of some few days in returning you an answer, or shall be interpreted a new offencr. However, you may by it see my con- fidence of your goodness, that with such openness I discourse this point of danger. Sir, I expect to be fairly chid for what you shall perceive amiss: but I am the less apprehensive of it, ALIENATION OF CHURCH LANDS. 99 because I know your wisdom will master the pre- judice of a long persuasion to the contradictory of this discourse. But whether so or no, I may, by your animadversions, gain a truth, and not lose a friend ; whom I desire to preserve with all the ser- vices and fairest correspondencies of my life, that I may any way express how great obligations you have passed, Dear Sir, Upon your very affectionate friend and servant, J. Taylor. The Vigils of Christmas, 1G48. P. S. "Ad. numb. 10 et 1^. The supreme power cannot be obliged ; but the person in whom the supreme power is inherent, by accident may be obliged," viz. by his own act. Query : Whether the king's coronation oath have not personally obliged him, so that without sacrilege he cannot alien them ? I answer, that the king's oath binds him to maintain the rights of the church, as it ties him to defend the laws ; which he is to defend so long as they are in being, but not bound against all changes, popular petitions, necessities, and emergencies, to preserve their being. So that, as he may consent to the an- nulling of a law, so also to the alienation of a present right, unless the nature of the thing hinders. But that church lands are in their nature and condition alienable, upon great and notorious necessities, was I 100 SAN CROFT. QUEEN HENRIETTA. 101 intended to be proved by this discourse. So that the king not being personally obliged, and the supreme power of itself not obligable, the former considerations may be effectual. R. WELLER [TO MR. SANCROFT.J Snt,_I perceive Mr. Barker's absence, and my inability, have compelled you to a double perform- ance. I repent not for the congregation's sake, but for mine own, whose unhappiness it is to trouble my friends, without partaking of the benefit of their la- bours. To this extraordinary task (which you have undergone) nothing could persuade you but charity : and now that you have performed, nothing can reward you but the same, with henefactorum conscientia. And, for me, I must be so impudent and ungrateful as to confess, that I am in no capacity to discharge so great a debt : thus much you will bear from all men who know me ; and your own experience must inform you of his unworthiness, epulis accumbere divum, who hath for some years together conversed with Mr. Harrison, &c. I have searched every shop in London almost for Cassander : non est inventus; the like return is made for Amirald. I shall direct Mr. Bee where to find Calvin and Luther. Your cousin (I hope) is safely with you before this time. He grew at length very weary of London : much pains he took to find out Paul's, but could not. His story (1 know) and wonders will entertain you till I come to relieve him, which I purpose on Saturday next. Meanwhile, I heartily tender my due respects to yourself, the traveller, Mr. Wickham, &c.j resting Yours ever, London, R. W. Jan. 3, 1(>48[9.] QUEEN HENRIETTA MARIA" TO THOMAS LORD FAIRFAX. Right trusty and right w^ell-beloved, — We greet you well. After having attended, with much impatiency, the issue of several negociations for the composure of the unhappy troubles of the kingdom of England, without the contentment at last of the fruits we had cause to hope, we can be no longer satisfied, (as we were whilst those reasons of our expectation of returning as became us were in being,) if we should not do all that remains in our " There is an indorsement on this and the next letter, as fol- lows : " This letter was never opened, but found sealed among the waste papers in the desk of the parliament's office, till it was opened by William Goldsborough, esq., clerk of the par- liament, U'dvvh 20, IG8?." !' ||it 10^ QUEEN HENRIETTA. power to give unto ourself, and our dearest lord the king, the consolation of going to hun. For which end, we desire of you, as we have done of the two houses of parliament, your safe con- duct : touching which, the ambassador of our dearest nephew, the most Christian king, will speak to you more particularly. Remitting you unto him, we bid you heartily farewell. From the Louvre this sixth day of Jan. 1049. QUEEN HENRIETTA MARIA TO THE SPEAKER. Trusty and well-beloved,— We greet you well. Having this long time expected such an happy conclusion of peace, as might have given us means to return unto our dearest lord the king, as became us, and being at length disappointed of our hopes thereof, our affections and duty will not allow us to defer any farther that satisfaction of both, and the consolation he may receive by it. We do therefore entreat of you a safe conduct for that end : touching which, the ambassador of our dearest nephew, the most Christian king, will speak to you more parti- cularly. We remit you to him, and bid you heartdy farewell. From the Louvre this sixth clay of Jan. 1G49. sancroft. 103 MR. SANCROFT TO HIS FATHER. Sir, — I wrote a word or two in haste on Monday, by Rogers, but must not let this occasion (of my countryman Godwin's coming towards you) pass without presenting my humble duty. He is an honest man, and my very good friend ; and did I not know that you esteem him as such, I should make it my humble request', that you would bid him welcome, if he comes towards you. Things grow worse and worse every day, and there is nothing left for the king and his party in this world, but the glory of suffering well, and in a good cause ; which I hope nor devils nor men shall be able to de- prive them of. For my part, if once I see the fatal blow struck, I shall think of nothing but trussing up all, and packing away : and nothing but your command shall stay me long in a nation which, I am persuaded, will sink to the centre, if it suffers so horrid a wickedness without chastisement. In the mean time, we must observe and adore the mysteries and wonders of Providence in all these traverses. You see the army could never ruin the king till they nulled the lords, and enslaved the commons, and so ruined the parliament, that lent the first hand to the setting of them up and pulling down the kinof. And what shall we say, if Wm. Prynne, (utter li 104 EMBASSY FROM HOLLAND. EMBASSY FROM HOLLAND. 105 barrister of Lincoln's Inn,) who was the first in- cendiary, and sowed the first seeds of sedition, sufter at last in the king's quarrel ? You will see, by the papers I send you, he is engaged : and you neither know him and his pertinacy, if you think he will re- treat ; nor his adversaries and their fury, if you think they will spare. , • i t I have sent my sister Grenling's ring, which 1 forgot before : it is of the price she desired, and six- pence more, and so were each of the other. My humble duty to yourself and my mother, my hearty love to all. I am, Sir, Your obedient son, W. Sancroft. Jan. 11, 1048 [9.] SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_A sudden resolution was taken on Saturday lasl by the States General, to send ambassadors into England, to mediate with the parliament about their proceedings with the king ; and because it may be the house will not be unwilling to have an account of the carriage of it, I shall make a short relation of it. The prince of Wales demanded audience ot the States General, who, in a few words in English, in- tiraated to the States the danger the king was in, how much it concerned all states to be sensible of it; but said, in respect he spoke nothing but English, he left it to sir Wm. Boswell to relate these things more at large. Sir William inveighed very much against the late proceedings of the house of commons, calling them a few members carrying on businesses against the rest and against the house of peers, so as now it was no parliament, and much more to that purpose, ended with a desire the States would send their ambassadors to intercede. This was assented to by the States of Holland, so as the ambassadors used only persuasions, not threats, and so to carry themselves as to observe the neutrality. The ambassadors should have begun their journey on Tuesday last, being the l6th, but after desired to see this week's letters, so go not till to-morrow. I writ a despatch of this to Derby house, on Tuesday, by sea ; but I hear the wind was contrary, and so the ship cannot get out. Sir, If you please to take notice that the States have neither directly nor indirectly given me the least notice of their resolution to send ambassadors,** though it be something strange a member of parlia- ment, being employed by the parliament to negotiate with them the affairs of parliament, that they should send ambassadors to them from whom he is sent, ° The Dutch had an audience in the house, Jan. 29. See Journals. No otlier country interceded for the king. VOL. II. p I, 106 EMBASSY FROM HOLLAND. REVOLTED SHIPS. 107 without communicating any thing of it to hun. I offer not this in any private respect of my own, but rather that the house may consider how far it concerns themselves to have such a thing wholly transacted by the prince's party, without any overture made to me by the States, who profess neutrality ; and it is the ordinary method, when they transact any thing with any who have one authorized by the other they treat with, to consult with him about it ; but the businesses of the prince, followed by sir William Boswell, will not vouchsafe me the notice: for which I am no way sorry ; for 1 have no way to be more acceptable to them, but to be less honest and faithful to the par- liament. The lord Jochimy you know : he is the ordinary ambassador, the other 'is called my lord Hempstead, alias Paw ; he was once ambassador in England, and also in France, and was now one of the plenipo- tentiaries at Munster, and is one of as much credit and power in Holland, as any one I know; and therefore 1 humbly conceive it for the service of the house, as things now stand, to give him all personal respects, (for as for his embassage I have nothing to say to it,) that he may, if it be possible, return well satisfied as to himself; for he may do you much good, if he will ; and the contrary, if he be so minded : for he is an able, wise man, and much esteemed here. I wish some less considerable had come at this time. Sir, I am sorry to tell you what I must, that the revolted ships come in daily with great prizes. A Hamburgh merchant sending a ship to London, some say worth forty thousand pounds, is taken : a Hull man or tw^o, in one of which was fifteen hundred pounds : thus prince's men bring in our merchants like slaves and captives; a few ships staying here had in a little time undone them for ever. I know not what fate hath accompanied our resolutions at sea, but certainly the worst have ever been followed, or else a company of fellows, destitute of all things, could not have undone us, by wanting all things when w^e wanted nothing. I hope things will be better carried ; and their consciences ought to check them, whose doing nothing hath brought so many to beggary. It is no great joy to me to see our mer- chants beggared ; and Batten, that arch-traitor, in a way of reconciliation. He made a fleet revolt, and must be saved for a part of a ship. Truly, sir, we are too wiUing to save enemies and lose our friends: this I have observed, and shall not forget, but have the comfort to have no hand in it. Sir, I hope you, and those who are true to the public, shall have the fruits of your fidelity, when those who are false shall have shame. I thank God I live, though every day threatens the contrary. I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, Hague, Walter Strickland. «^an. ^, lG4y. 108 EMBASSY FROM HOLLAND. The prince of Orange was present in the council of the States when the prince of Wales had audience : some say he will send his secretary, sir Constantine Hagers, to intercede with the parliament for the king. THE SAME TO THE SAME. SrR,_This day, being the l\ of January, the two ambassadors, my lord Hempstead and Jochimy, sent a gentleman to me, to know at what hour I would be at home, and they would come to see me : we agreed on five at clock. They came at the time appointed, and told me, they were appointed by the lords, the States General, to go into England, to endeavour to maintain a good correspondence and amity be- twixt this country and England, and to do the best offices they could betwixt the king and parliament ; and that the wind was fair, and they were to be gone in the morning. I told them, the parliament did much desire to keep a good correspondence with the States, and would be ready to embrace all occa- sions to express it. For the business of the king, the parliament was proceeded in it very far, that I hoped they would be satisfied with what the parliament could do, according to the state things were now in ; and that since they went away so suddenly, it was impossible for me to serve them, which I might have done had I had time to write to the parliament to CHARLES II. PROCLAIMED AT ETON. 109 know their mind : however, I was glad the States had made choice of two men so wise and well affected as their excellencies were. Sir, If you please to allow me to desire the house to afford these two ambassadors all the honour they can in their reception and usage, for really they are of great esteem here. I will not meddle w ith the matter of their embassage, which I submit to the wisdom of the house, but rather to what concerns the value of their persons ; and so remain, Sir, Your most humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hague, Jan. t\, 1649. MR. THO. SAUNDERS TO SIR H. WALLER. Honourable Sir, — I should not discharge my duty, and that trust which is imposed in me, if I should not acquaint you with what is here done, and what I hear. Yesterday, there was a proclamation ^ read in this city from the parliament, that no one, on pain of death, should proclaim any one king, without order of parliament, with some other particulars j and afterwards it was posted up at the Guildhall. ** " An act forbidding the proclaiming of any king, was ordered to be sent down to all the sheriffs, to be proclaimed in all counties." Whitlockcy Jan, 30. 110 CHARLES II. PROCLAIMED AT ETON. This, as I hear, was done by orders of Mr. Mayor. But within two or three hours after, it was taken down, but by whom I cannot as yet learn ih.s night, this inclosed paper^ was put up at the same pbce where the other was taken down but by whom 1 cannot learn ; but I shall inquire diligently after it, and if I can learn, then shall secure him. People's hearts are very sad (I mean mal.gnants) for the loss of their king. I am informed (by honest a,en) that divers malignants have many arms in their custody, both of this city and the county, which makes the honest party fear that they have some de- sign in hand, for they begin already to speak great words. It is by the honest party desired, that some speedy course may be taken for the seizing on and securing of all arms and ammunition that shall be found out of the public stores, that so, if occasion serve, they may be in a readiness. Some justices of the peace (as I hear) do now refuse to execute their place ; pretending that now they have no power. I shall not enlarge, knowing . " T«tt all truly loyall Englishmen know, that on Tuesday, .,: ^^l1:ZIry L past:Cha..,es, our ^^^f^Z kinge, was most trayterously and unjustly "'"'^'^Jj J'y ^^^ command of this present bloodye parhment. A"*! J''^ only acknowledge that Charles his sonne ^^^'^^'^^^fXtZ , , 11- *^ iha prowne of Endand, and ouglit ov undoubted heire unto the cro\Nne ui x^ b law and descent to enjoy the same. ...,„fonnd '^ God save kinge Charles the Second ; convert or confound his enemyes. Lett all true loyall hearts say Amen. KENTISH FORCES. Ill that your great affairs will not permit you to spend much time, but in those things that are of greatest concernment : so, desiring the Lord to guard and direct you in those great affairs, and carry you on in such a way as may be most for his glory, and then it shall be for our good ; and this shall be the prayer of Your honour's most faithful servant, Tno. Saunders. Eton Castle, February 3, 1G49. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Since the order of the house, of the 24th of October last, for the disbandinof of all the horse and foot in Kent, except four companies, two whereof to lie in Sandwich, one at Dover, and one at Rochester, upon some suggestions of danger to those eastern parts of Kent, I signified my desire to the committee of this county, and in particular to sir Miles Livesey, to respite the disbanding any ; where- upon, the committee of that county certifying they were concluded by the aforesaid order, sir Miles Livesey, according to my advice, kept them up ; which I doubt not but will be approved of as a good and seasonable service, as the affairs of the kingdom then stood. And whereas durino- that time he was necessitated lie KENTISH FOllCES. OFFICE OF SHERIFF. 113 i it to raise money by tax upon that eastern part of the county to avoid free quarter ; I offer it to you, that h cLmittee may be ordered to repay the sain unto the county by a general levy upon e who^ , he first giving aceount what moneys he levied, and how disbursed to the forces, that so neither he nor the country may suffer damage. Since that time, I referred it to the gentlemen of that county to disband all but six companies, two Ihereof to lie at Sandwich, two in Dover castle, and le in the three castles in the Downs, and the other in Rochester and Leeds castle ; upon f "=1> rf ^"^ ' the committee found those moneys allotted for tho e forces almost exhausted, as also not enipowered to disburse any more to them since your order for their disbanding. . I thought it therefore fit to recommend it to your consideration, to allot them the old as well as new se- questrations ; or if that be not sufficient, then to raise Iney, either by levy or otherwise for the pay ng what is in arrear to those forces, (free quarter and what moneys they have received of the;o-ty by sir Miles Livesey, or otherwise, being deducted ; t bein. my desire, that since those forces have laid upo;them so long, they may now be disburdened of them, and discharged of their pay, (that company which lies in the three castles being excepted,) which, because settled in subordination to the three respective governors of those castles. I desire may be as yet paid by them, until it can be received into the general establishment. The county at present lying under the extreme pressure of those forces undisbanded, I hope will be a sufficient argument to lead you to resolution in this business. I remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Queen -streot, February 3, 1G49. MR. H. HENLEY^ TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir,— Yours, dated the SOth Janu- ary, with the inclosed, I have this morning received : and having before had notice of the king's death, do, under favour, conceive that I being made sheriff under the king's writ, upon the death of him my office of being sheriff expireth,' and I do therefore forbear acting any thing as sheriff until further orders of the house of commons in parliament assembled enabling me thereunto ; there being none in these parts, for the present, making any stir or motion to declare ' Sheriff of Dorsetshire ; after the Restoration, member of parliament for the same county. " Divers sheriffs made scruple of acting in their office, because of the death of the king : order for instructions to be drawn up therein." Whitlochc, Feb. 0, 1G48. VOL. H. .1 til: 114 OFFICE OF SHERIFF. OFFICE OF SHERIFF. 115 any thing against the intent of the commons in parliament. If hereafter there shall be any, it shall be ray endeavour to give timely notice thereof. Thus, with my prayers to God to direct you in the best way for his glory and the common good, do humbly submit yours, Sir, To serve you, H. Henley. Cole way, Feb. 3, 1048 [0.] FRANCIS TYLNEY, SHERIFF OF HAMPSHIRE, TO THE SPEAKER. Honoured Sir,— These are to certify you that I received from you, the last of January past, in the evening, a letter, with two acts inclosed, for the pro- hibiting the proclaiming any person king. In order and obedience to your commands, I did forthwith send one of them to Winton, and from thence di- rected to Portsmouth, Southampton, and other towns, to be proclaimed, according unto the directions of your said letter. But in regard my under-sheriff, as well as myself, were obliged, under a penalty, to make a personal appearance in the exchequer, I have not as yet had any other account of that service, than by an inhabitant, that said he heard it proclaimed in Southampton ; so that I doubt not, sir, but it hath been pursued according unto the instructions. The other act I sent by a servant of mine own ; who had the same, the next day after the receipt thereof, pro- claimed in these ensuing towns, viz. Basingstoke, Odihara, and Alton, it being market day in two of the towns. The copies being so few, and your com- mands for a speedy account of the service, it was not, sir, possible that they could be proclaimed within all towns of my county ; in which respect I gave especial order for Winton and the port towns. Sir, I have always been very faithful to observe all your commands ; and now hope, that as your house hath of late been pleased to appoint John Hooke, esq. to be sheriff for this ensuing year, that you would be pleased to enjoin him to undertake the same office : I having of late been at the cost to take out the order of the house, and send it to him to his house, being near forty miles from this city, he refused to be seen ; but his wife was acquainted therewith, and yet would not receive the said order. My humble desire is, sir, that I may now be dis- charged, there being, I think, scarce any county besides wherein the sheriff for the year past is con- tinued in. Sir, Your favour herein shall ever oblige me to subscribe myself Your obliged humble servant. Feb. (), 1G48 [0.] Fra. Tylney m 116 NORTHERN FORCES DISBANDED. THE KING S DEATH. 117 i rl! SIR THOMAS FAIRFxVX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — I received a letter from major- general Lambert, wherein he gives me a very good account of the disbandinof of those forces in the north, viz. three regiments of horse, consisting of twenty- two troops ; whereof he hath reserved, by directions from hence, one troop for Scarborough, and a re- giment of horse for other service in the north. In the performing of which, he hath raised in the county £1500 more than the £3500 the committee of the militia of that county had raised for that use before the expiration of their commission : which money he raised by proclamation, that all that would bring in fourteen days' pay for the horse and twenty-one days' pay for the foot, should be, within forty-eight hours, freed from quarter ; which accordingly was performed on both parts, with much cheerfulness. And now he doth desire me to move this honourable house, that seeing he did it for their service, and the great ad- vantage of that county, he may have the approbation of this house for it ; and also that there may be some course taken for the statin or of the accounts of the soldiers of those parts, who for so mean a consi- deration are willing to disband, having undergone such hard service this summer ; and seeing this re- giment of horse is a very good regiment, and you may want forces both for England and Ireland, that there might be present care taken, that provision may be made for them, as for the rest of the forces that shall be necessary for the service of either nation. I remain Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. Queen-street, Feb. 8, 1G48 [9.] Sir, I make bold to recommend unto the house, a petition in the behalf of the rest of the forces in Yorkshire, whose services have been eminently known in those parts, and their petition most rea- sonable. MR. BANCROFT TO HIS FATHER. Sir, — What all men sadly presaged when I wrote my last, all good men now inconsolably lament. The black act is done, which all the world wonders at, and which an age cannot expiate. The waters of the ocean we swim in cannot wash out the spots of that blood, than which never any was shed with greater guilt since the Son of God poured out his. And now we have nothing left, but to importune the God to whom vengeance belongs, that he would shew forth himself, and speedily account with these prodigious monsters, or else hasten his coming to judgment ; and so put an end to these enormous crimes, which no 118 THE KING S DEATH. words yet in use can read, or thought conceive, with- out horror and amazement. I send you no papers, nor can I delight to take in any, since I read the saddest that ever England saw : those, I mean, that related the martyrdom of the best Protestant in these kingdoms, and incomparably the best king upon earth, Charles, the pious and the glorious ; with whom fell the church and the kingdom, religion and learning, and the rewards of both, and all that the piety and honesty of the nation could hope for in this world. And now, the breath of our nostrils being taken away, we only draw in so much as we render again in sighs, and wish apace for the time when God shall call for it all. When we meet, it is but to consult to what foreign plantation we shall fly, where we may enjoy any liberty of our conscience, or lay down a weary head with the least repose ; for the church here will never rise again, though the kingdom should. The universities we give up for lost ; and the story you have in the country, of Cromwell's coming amongst us, will not long be a fable. And now it is grown treason (which in St. Paul's time was duty) to pray for kings, and all that are in authority : the doors of that church we frequented will be shut up, and conscientious men will refuse to preach, where they cannot (without danger of a pistol) do what is more necessary, pray according to their duty. For my part, I have given over all thoughts of that THE PRINCE ELECTOR, 119 exercise in public, till I may with safety pour out my vows for Charles the Second, the heir, I hope, of his father's virtues, as well as kingdoms. In the mean time, there are caves and dens of the earth, and upper rooms and secret chambers, for a church in persecution to flee to ; and there is all our refuge. I long exceedingly, sir, to wait upon you, that I may more safely communicate my thoughts to you ; nor shall I adventure any more of this nature till I see you. In the mean time, with my humble duty to yourself and my good mother, with my hearty love to all my brothers, sisters, and friends, beseech- ing God to comfort you all, in all your public and private sorrows, I humbly take leave ; and subscribe myself, Sir, Your obedient son, W S Feb. 10, 1048 [0.] PRINCE CHARLES LODOVIC TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — In pursuance of what I lately communicated to this honourable house, I am advised and pressed, by my friends in Germany, to appear there personally, as soon as possible, to be re-pos- sessed of that part of my rights and dominions, which, 1^0 THE PRINCE ELECTOR. by the treaty of peace lately signed, and now upon the point to be ratified, is assigned to me ; and which (as affairs now stand) I am necessitated to accept, how disadvantageous soever; expecting, with all sub- mission, what God's providence may hereafter pro- duce. Out of the respect I bear to this honourable house, I have thought fit to make you acquainted herewith, and to desire their pass,' and other fitting accommodation, for my safe transport, with my re- tinue, goods, and horses, (according to the note here annexed,) into Holland or Zealand. And as I am bound most thankfully to acknow- ledge the favour and protection I have received of the parliament during my abode here, so I hope they will still be mindful, that the chief cause of my family's oppression hath been the standing for the public interest of liberty and religion ; and, in regard thereoti as also of the uncertainty of the peace of Germany, (how probable soever,) and the present misery of my country in particular, that they will please to continue their former suppHes of subsist- ence to me, till the settled estate of this kingdom en- able them (according to their manifold professions) to take my cause into a more effectual and public consideration : which (together with my repeated ac- * " The house ordered the arrears to be paid him, and the speaker to give him a pass for himself and his attendants, forty horse, but none other to go over with him." Wkitloche, Feb, 19. SANCROFT. 121 knowledgments of their former favours) shall be the constant wishes of, Mr. Speaker, Your most affectionate friend, Charles Lodovic. Somerset House, Feb. 14,]G4«. His highness the prince elector palatine desires a pass and convenient shipping, for the safe transport into Holland or Zealand, of himself, his retinue, (con- sisting of forty-two persons,) goods, and baggage; and thirty horses, geldings, or mares, custom free. MR. SANCROFT TO MR. HOLDS WORTH. Dear Mr. Holdsworth, — What I feared is come to pass; it hath pleased God to take away from us my dear father, the sole prop of this now ruined family. His tender sense and apprehension of the public calamities, together with the burden of sixty-eight years, and a violent fever with which it pleased (Jod to visit him, have ended the life in which all ours were bound up. On Sunday night, about ten of the clock, he went hence. Yesternight, at eight, I made hard shift to get hither, where I fuund a sad family, and mingled my tears with theirs. VOL. n. II 122 SANCUOFT. Good friend, let me have thy prayers, to assist iiic in this saddest loss that ever I sustained for this world. When I see thee, I shall give thee the par- ticular ao-gravations of my sorrow. I shall haste out of this sad place as soon as the duty I owe to the comfort of the widow and orphans, and some care I must share in for gathering up the broken pieces of this shattered family, shall be over : happily, both may yet exact a fortnight. In the mean time, I pray thee, dear Tom, re- double thy care for my pupils, especially for the sick ; and let me, if the carrier comes in the interim, hear how my cousin doth. I pray excuse me to my friends of Christi C. and Caius ; and present my love and service to them, and to all the fellows you shall have occasion to speak with. 1 pray be vi- gilant at Mr. Ireland's, to watch when the king's Devotions come down : he hath promised me six. I pray pay for them, and preserve them for me, toge- ther with that loving affection of thine, which is very dear and precious to thy most affectionate friend, W. S. Feb. 20, 1G48 [9.] SIR PETER WENTWORTH TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir,— I must make my excuse to my master when I have played the truant : truly, SIR PETER WENTWORTH. 1^23 sir, provision for my health was the occasion of my retiring into the country, I not being able to endure a whole winter siege in London, without a retreat to prevent many distempers which grow upon me for want of air and exercise : yet I intended but a short abode here, from whence I have not stirred at all ; for it hath pleased God that sprains and bruises, by falls and other mischances, (one succeeding another,) have disabled me from pulling on a boot near these six weeks. Sir, My humble request therefore to you is, (as to my very honourable friend,) that if Mr. George Warner's composition for delinquency be reported to the house in my absence, (part of whose land I bought of the parliament, and am now engaged in two suits at law about it,) you will be pleased (as you formerly promised) to acquaint the house with my humble desire to be heard in that which concerns their honour and justice before the composition pass. Sir, herein you will do me a great favour ; and a greater, if it please you freely to command him who is, and who holds it his honour that he is, Sir, Your most humbly devoted servant, Peter Wentworth.'' Lillingston Lovell, [Feb. 24, 1649.] Member of parliament for Taunvorth. IM EIKHN BA21AIKH. MR. SANCROFT TO MR. HOLDSWORTH. Loving Sir, — I cannot willingly omit any oppor- tunity of repeating my thanks to you. It was just now that I heard of my cousin Bradshawe's intention to send her man to Cambridge to-morrow, and I would not let him come empty towards you. Yet words are all he brings ; and, as far as they can reach, I would thank you for your care and love to me and mine. I hope my cousin is recovered, and I shall, at the return of this bearer, read in your letter his en- hon-point, I wrote by the carrier to desire your importunity with Dick Ireland for six of the king's books for me ; which request I again renew, and that you will call on him for Dr. Hammond's Plea against the Army, and reserve it for me. If any of the king's books (EtVwv BaacXiKi) I mean) be to be procured, or already in your hands, send me one of them by this messenger, who I suppose returns suddenly. My heartiest love and respects to my honoured friends of Christ's collesre and Caius and the rest, and to all our fellow^s. Either with my journey hither, or with following my father's hearse and sitting long in the church, I have gotten such a cold and cough as is for the present very troublesome, and may, without God's mercy, prove dangerous. He fits us for all the events and issues of his pro- vidence. A word or two of news, I pray, university or SANCROFT. 125 other, to thy friend that sits here in the dark ; and yet pleaseth himself with this, that, notwithstanding all distances, he may write himself Thy most aiFectionate friend, W. S. Tuesday night, after supper, Feb. 1G48 [9.] MR. THOMAS HOLDSWORTH TO W. SANCROFT. Dearest Sir, — I cannot look upon your sad letter without a deep resentment of your heavy loss. I could heartily write after your copy, and bewail it with you, did I not think it better to sympathize with you in prayers and tears than in gall. This would be an unpleasant addition to your w^ormwood : you have too many incentives of sorrow at home with you, I dare not add any further fuel to your affection. Let me rather entreat you to cheer up, and to comfort yourself and others. Cast out your distrustful apprehensions of a ruined family : God has but removed the chief prop of it, that he himself might succeed and bear it up. Your pupils here are almost all well, your cousin finely recovered. Only Seaman, by venturing out too soon, hath catched a relapse, or rather another disease, a kind of an ague, but he hopes it is leaving of him. 126 EIKHN BASIAIKH. UUKE OF GLOCESTER. 127 / The kinjj^'s books are so excessive dear, that I be- lieve you would not have so many of them at their prices. Mordon sells the worst impression for five shillincTS. Mr. Ireland had none come the last Sa- turday. I spoke to Mr. Widdrington to take one of those six which he has promised to your company for you. The last week, I received a letter from the good doctor, who desires to be certified of your health and return. Immediately before I received your letter by your cousin's man, I was with Rich. Ireland, about the books : he has none, but betwixt this and Monday he looks for good store. If they be Royston's, they will be above six shillings ; they are sold for six shillings and sixpence in London ; the other sort are dully printed on dull paper. I shall get one of the best print for you, if there any come. I shall look after your second book you speak of. Mr. Lynford remembers him kindly to you. I have no more, but that I am Yours, Tho. Holdsworth. Feb. 27, 1648. No news but that of visitors, who, as it was last week reported, would shortly be here. And the first college was to be Trinity, which they would meddle with. THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE AT DERBY HOUSE. My Lords and Gentlemen, — I have for some months past been put to maintain the duke of Glo- cester and his sister out of my own purse ; and, for want of those allowances which I should have re- ceived by appointment of the parliament, have run myself so far out of money, that I am altogether destitute of means to provide longer for them, or indeed for my own poor family, unless I may have what is owing to me upon those assignments. My apprehension likewise of practices upon the duke of Glocester, (which probably may not be in my power to prevent,) makes me think it necessary for me to acquaint your lordships, that I cannot, upon any terms, undertake to be answerable for him. The maintaining and safe keeping of these children being matters of state, I knew not where so properly to apply myself for directions as unto this council; humbly desiring, that you would be pleased to con- sider how they may be otherwise disposed off;'' and that my looking upon this as a business of public " Order for the duke of Glocester and tlie lady Elizabetli, tlie late kinix's children, to be under the tuition of the countess of Carlisle, and iJ3000 per annum allowed for their main- tenance." Whithche, May 24, 1G49.' NAVAL SERVICE. NAVAL SERVICE. 120 ill concernment, may excuse the interruption that is here given to your great affiiirs, by Your lordships' humble servant, Northumberland. Sion, April 0, 1649. ADMIRALS DEANE AND BLAKE TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The ship Triumph, appointed for us to go to sea in, being almost ready, we intend to repair aboard her Monday or Tuesday next, en- deavouring, as much as in us lies, to lose no time whereby your service may suffer. But we find one or two very great obstructions, wherein the mariners seem to be much unsatisfied. This honourable house was pleased to pass an act for the better encouragement of mariners to the service ; where, in one clause, it is expressed, that all ships that are going to the rebels in Ireland with corn, ammunition, or contraband goods, shall be taken and made prize ; which seemeth to imply, that all ships that carry not corn, ammunition, or contraband goods, are free to trade with the rebels in Ireland. And yet in our instructions we are commanded not to suffer any to trade with them, but to take all vessels, either ffoincr thither or returnincr back. And there hath been some other acts or ordinances passed to this purpose formerly. But by reason of this last act, and that there hath been no prohibition for trading into the province of Munster, since the lord Inchiquin's revolt, openly published, but that mer- chants and others have avowedly entered goods for those parts in the custom houses of Bristol and other places in the western parts of England ; by all which means, the judges of the admiralty are not clear how to proceed in matter of judgment concerning such vessels, there being now, of foreigners and natives, twelve vessels under this capacity, which are not adjudged : many of the mariners, being now to o-o out with us, that have taken these vessels, are very much discontented; and tell us, that we promised them encouragement, and that without delays, but that they are afraid their delays will be worse than formerly, if there be not a sudden declaration how the judges may proceed, and what we may lawfully take.^ There is an act drawn up, and in sir Henry Vane's hands, we think, that was presented to the council of state yesterday, which we humbly desire may be taken into consideration ; and what this honourable house shall think fit, may be speedily done therein. There is another great obstruction in our way, arismg from want of commissioners authorized for the sale of prize goods, reported by colonel Wanton, The difficulties here complained of were removed by an act passed April 17. See Journals, VOL. II. w 130 NAVAL SERVICE. MURDER OF DORISLAUS. 131 which we earnestly desire may be passed ; because that there are many perishable prize goods to be sold, which cannot be done for want of commissioners to sell them : the former commissioners neglecting wholly the business, and the collectors of prize goods telling us, that they cannot get so many of them together as to make any sale. These two obstructions are a very great discourage- ment to the mariners, who daily complain to us about them : and, indeed, whereas there was a promise of encouragement in the last act, entitled " An Act for Encouragement of Seamen and Impressing of Ma- riners," if both these inconveniencics be not provided for, we fear their encouragement will be very small ; and they, seeing such obstructions in the way be- lore our going out, will hardly be persuaded here- after that they shall have any such benefit by prizes as is pretended. All which we leave to your honour's consideration : being persuaded, that if the above- mentioned inconveniencics be not remedied before our being on board, we shall hardly keep that good opinion among the mariners which we hope we have in some measure obtained ; nor be so well abled to do you that service as we heartily desire. Thus, in hope of your honour's favour, and the speedy removal of these obstructions, we remain Your honour's humble servants, III. Deane. Westminster, ^^ ,^ April 14, 1649. l^OBT. Blake. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE COUNCIL or STATE. Right Honourable, — I foresaw, but could not prevent, the barbarous murder of doctor Dorislaus,* which was done last night in the Hague, as he was at supper in his inn, by six bravoes, who brake in upon him, six more keeping the door, till they gave him several deadly wounds in the head and heart and other places, of which he instantly died. He had four servants, three of which are very much hurt. I signified how dangerous it was for him to come hither in my last to your honours, and my fears were not panic. He came to the Hague on the Lord's day at noon, but he sent not to me to let me know of it till night. A little before he sent to me, an old acquaintance of his, who heard of his being in town, came to me to tell me he was come, but withal to desire me that he would forbear cominsr to him, as he had done when he was here before ; he apprehending it to be dangerous to speak with him, in respect of the threats given out against him, so violent the enemies be. As soon as I heard where he was, I went to him ; entreated him to come to my house, telling him of the danger he was in, which I had from good hands. He told me, he would not be securer than in that inn, Dorislaus had been sent as special envoy to the Hague, to eultivate friendly relations between England and the States. } :' • 13^ MURDER OF DORISLAUS. MURDER OF DORISLAUS. 133 the people of the house being his old friends, and so trusty, as his own house could not be more secure, and would not believe me that the danger was so great. On Monday night, a rogue came to him, pretend- ino- he was sent from me, that I must needs speak with him ; but he discovered him, and did not come, for divers other rogues were ready to have killed him had he come out. I wished him to come to me, but he would not. Last night, I was with him till eight al clock at night ; about nine or ten he was murdered. It is reported, they said they were sorry I was gone ; for hearing I w^as there, they did hope to have us both together, but I must be next. T was desirous the doctor would have delivered his credential letters, by which he had been declared a public minister: but he told mc, an old lord, his friend, persuaded him to temporize two or three days, and before that was expired he was murdered. His friends desire he may not be buried till his bro- ther come, who is a minister at Enchuson. The court of Holland hath proclaimed a certain sum of money to any who can bring in the murderers, and have omitted nothing that is usual to shew their displeasure. Yet it is like the murderers are not far off. Some say they were Scots, who did it in revenge of Hamilton's death ; but they were Scots and English both.^ " Clarendon says, the murderers were all Scottish men; vol. vi. p. 298. Whitlocke says, they were En^jjlish cavaliers; Mav V). The States will write to the parliament by an ex- press, and it may be I shall write likewise. It is said, the Scots commissioners get no consent, nor will not. Prince Charles asks how he may be as- sured, if he grant these requests, they will ask no more ; and what they will do for him tow^ards con- quering England ? Most think he will stay here, or in France. This day was a great funeral of one of the States General. I had several friends advertised me not to go out, for one party undertook to kill Dorislaus, another me : but, if it please the Lord, I will go out to-morrow% and by my next I shall give you a further account. The death of Dr. Dorislaus hath made me so melancholy, as this day I can do nothing, nor write but in this broken manner. Right Honourable, Your humble servant, Walter Strickland. Hague, Mav '^ 1049. LORD DIGBY [TO THE MARQUIS OF ORMOND.] [written in cipher.] My Lord, — I have nothing to add to Slingsby's^ despatch, although made divers wrecks since, but the Captain Slingsbv, as we learn from Clarendon, was a ■ I i> f^. 134 CHARLES II. STATE OF IRELAND. 135 II confirmation of what I told you by him of the queen's thoroughness in employing all her power with the king, towards complying with your desires by my lord Byron, for his majesty's hastening into that king- dom, the reasons of which have been so thoroughly pressed from hence, that those about the king who are averse to the journey have not a word to reply ; but omit not, notwithstanding, to put all the delays they can to his departure from Holland, upon pre- tence of want of moneys : for the removing of which difficulty, [the queen of England is engaging the last gem she hath to buy bread with, and] for the clearing of all other rubs, [is despatching lord Jermyn himself,] with all the concernments of reason, autho- rity, or tenderness, that a mother can apply to a son, to bring his majesty presently into France, where she will meet him upon the way, where he is to embark for Ireland. And I am most confident, that her majesty's strongest passion to see him proceeds from a desire to fix him in the resolution of putting himself and his affairs entirely into your hands and conduct ; and for that end, to place about him [in authority and trust, such only as may be of a piece with you;] having some reason to [suspect that some, far otherwise inclined, do set up their rest to creature of lord Digby's, and one ^^ who went heartily about bis business, having a perfect detestation of the parliament, for having deprived him of his master, the earl of Strafford, whose secretary he was." Clarendon, vol. iii. append, c. p. 595. gain the interest with his majesty] during his absence [from the queen, and are vain enough to believe that they are] far advanced in it. But I make no question, if any such thing be, that [the first hour's conference betwixt their majesties will rectify all.] I must not omit to tell your excellency, that you have made [a great omission, and somewhat tenderly taken here, in that,] having made a despatch to [the king] by captain Urton, who arrived here yesterday from prince Rupert, [you did not so much as give her any] knowledge of what [you writ to the king, or of the state of affairs in the kingdom ;] from whence we have heard nothing, till now by discourse with him, since my lord Byron's coming. One thing the said captain Urton sayeth, which perplexes us much ) which is, that O'Neile is fifteen thousand strong, and in all kinds infinitely consider- able ; but withal, that he will come in, upon the king's arrival there, resolving to submit, [but not to that authority that others have done.] What to make of this, I know not : but I know Ireland too well to believe it possible for O'Neile to be in any such condition ; [and I am not clear myself of some jealousy that the relation of his being in a posture, which I imagine impossible, raises in me.] But of this, and all other things that concerns either the public or your own interest, I shall freely discourse with my lady marquess before her setting to sea : I intending, for that purpose, to make a journey 136 DEFEAT OF THE LEVELLERS. to Caen, the next week, to wait upon her, and take ray leave of her. I rest Your excellency's most faithful humble servant, 111. Paris, May 5, 1049. Having warning of this bearer's going only time enough to write this letter, I beseech your excellence to let my lady Taffe and Mr. O'Neile know, that there is no hopes of getting [any money from this state at present, for men so desperately indigent is their] condition, and not possible to [be mended before the general peace.] SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I thought it ray duty, having received ano- ther pledge and token of the mercy and goodness of God to this poor nation, to give you a speedy account thereof. When I came to Andover, after some tedious marches, ten troops of the mutineers*" ' The mutineers here spoken of are better known by the name of Levellers : a faction in tlie army that was anxious to remodel the government, to suppress the council of state, call a new parliament, a committee of whom should govern the nation. Clarendon erroneously confounds them with the old agitators of the army, vol. vi. p. 43*2. See Godwiuj b. iii. c. 4. DEFEAT OF THE LEVELLERS. 137 marched from Salisbury to Marlborough, from thence to Wantage ; and to the end they might get a con- junction with colonel Harrison's regiment, they lay all this day between Abingdon and Oxford, at a place called Blagrave, expecting there to have the troops come ; but there came only to them captain Parke's and captain Wintropp's. I marched all the same day towards Abingdon, (some of my quarters being twenty two-miles from thence ;) and when I came near Abingdon they were marched away, being in all twelve colours, towards Newbridge, where colonel Reynolds, major Shilburne, and others, kept the bridge, which they would have forced ; but when they saw they could not do it, they marched up the river, and got over at a ford near a mile from the bridge towards Faringdon : and I, being corae up to the bridge some three hours after they were gone, marched towards Bampton in the Bush, and frora thence to Burford ; where, and in the adjacent villages, w^e took, I think, almost the whole party. Particulars I shall give you an account of, God willing, hereafter more exactly. Those troops at Salisbury, of colonel Scroope's regiment, did wholly reject their ofScers, except one lieutenant and two or three inferior ones. Sir, I hope this is none of the least mercies ; and I pray God, you and me may make a good use of it. It will be your glory and your honour to settle this VOL II. 138 DUKE OF GLOCESTER. poor kingdom upon foundations of justice and righte- ousness. And I hope this mercy will the more en- courage you to do so, that the poor people, (however deluded by some cunning and turbulent spirits,) yet they may see you will improve your power for their good, and then your enemies shall be found liars; which I am confident you will. So I cease your further trouble, and remain Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. Burford, May 14, 1649; midnight. Wlj THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND TO SIR H. VANE. Sir, — By certain orders lately made, I see the resolution of the house for removing from hence the duke of Glocester and the princess. I do very heartily wish they may be so disposed of, as the change may prrve to their advantage. Sir Edward Harrington (as I am informed) hath declined that service : and not hearing of any other yet named, I take the liberty to tell you what I found upon some discourse I had the other day with my sister of Leicester ;'^ which was, that if the house should think fit to commit the care of these children unto her, she would not refuse to serve them in that '^ See before, p. 127, note. NAVAL AFFAIRS. 139 condition. You know her so well, that I am con- fident you believe she will as much intend the good education of the children, as any person that can be employed about them ; and for her good affections to the parliament, I think none that know any thing of her will doubt of them. The children's being in this uncertain condition, is neither handsome for them, or convenient for me ; if, therefore, you can procure a resolution from the house, for me to deliver them into so good hands as I have here proposed unto you, it will be a happiness for the children, and a very great satisfaction to Your most affectionate friend and servant, Northumberland. Sion, May 21, 1G49. ADMIRALS BLAKE AND DEANE TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — The high value which the ho- nourable house hath been pleased to put upon our honest endeavours, signified unto us by yours of the ^th instant,*" we receive with all humble acknowledg- " Prince Rupert had sailed, in December, 1G48, with what remained of Charles's fleet, from the coast of Holland to Ire- land, where he had caused great inconvenience to the inter- national commerce. On the 5th of J une, news had reached 110 NAVAL AFFAIRS. CAPTAIN BRAY. 141 ment ; desiring from ourselves, that the fruit of all may be to render us more able and prosperous in their service, by making us more lowly in the sight of God. And as we have learned from our great Master, when we have done all we can to confess ourselves unprofitable servants unto God ; so, for all the good he hath, or shall be pleased to do by us, his unvvorthiest instruments, it shall be sufficient unto us to be accounted but faithful servants of men for the Lord's sake. Of this honour we shall ever be ambitious; but shall desire, next unto God, to owe it rather unto the prayers than thanks of men ; as having more need of one, than any right to the other. Being thus resolved, however it hath or shall please God to exercise us with varieties of providences, we shall not doubt, through his blessing, of good success, and a happy conclusion in the end. We have now been thirteen days absent from Kin- sale, from whence we were forced by extremity of weather and driven hither, where we now are with eight ships, viz. Triumph, Charles, Leopard, Lion, Garland, Hercules, John, and Elizabeth. We shall, God willing, with the first opportunity, endeavour to get Kinsale bay again, and pursue our former re- the house, that the fleet under Bkike and Deane had relieved Dublin, and blocked up Rupert's fleet in Kinsale. The house ordered thanks to be sent to them, and that these successes at sea should be remembered in the day of thanksgiving. Whit- loche, June 5. solutions, if we shall find them there, or otherwise to follow them whithersoever they shall go. In the mean time, we have despatched away direc- tions to vice-admiral Moulton and others, advising them to put themselves into the strongest posture they may, to defend themselves and oppose the enemy, in case he should be gone out and recover the channel. We shall neglect no opportunity of doing our duty and discharging that great trust which the par- liament hath been pleased to repose in us, which may make it appear how much we are Your most faithful and humble servants, RoBT. Blake. llic. Deane. From aboard the Triumph, in Milford Haven, June 13, 1G49. CAPTAIN WILLIAM BRAY TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — I did long since make my appeal in parliament, as the fundamental loyal birthright of the people, for righteousness and justice, and might have expected that (after such glorious and un- paralleled declarations, covenants, imprecations, en- gagements, and actions) I should have had a legal, righteous. Christian, parliamentary, and impartial hearing, between the General and me, according to I 142 CAPTAIN BRAY. CAPTAIN BRAY. 143 n m nil i^' the ancient and just constitution of authority, in its first institution, in scripture, Deut. i. IG, 1? ; and according to the many obligations that lie upon you, from the commands thereof, Deut. xvi. 19, 20. Is not judgment wrested hitherunto, when, instead of a hearing, I have a prison ?^ and an illegal one too, contrary to the undoubted, infallible, and funda- mental right of the people, and of government, " Thou shalt not wrest judgment ; thou shalt not re- spect persons: that which is altogether just, shalt thou follow.** gChron. xix. 6, 7. The contrary is abhorred, and judgment denounced against it : Esai. i. QS, ^4 ; Jer. v. 28, 29 ; xxii. iG, 1?, 18 ; Amos v. 12; vi. 12, 14; Micah iii. 9, H ; Job xx. 6, 7, to the 19th. " Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds, yet he shall perish for ever, like his own dung ; they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? — because he hath op- pressed." Acts X. 34 ; James ii. 9- You have cut off the late king, for arbitrarily and ' Bray had been a captain in colonel Lilburne's regiment, and was one of the leaders of the mutiny at Ware, in No- vember 1G47. In March of this year, 164f), he had presented to tlie members of the house a book, entitk^d " An Appeal airainst the Lord Fairfax, General," which was voted *' to be scandalous as to the General and council of war, and tending to stir up sedition in the people, and mutiny in the army." for this he was committed prisoner to Windsor castle. Whitlochej March 19, 1048 [9.] forcibly violating the laws and liberties of the people ; and you have solemnly sworn and covenanted ^ to fio-ht for and maintain the laws and liberties of the people ; and wished the wrath and vengeance of heaven and earth to fall upon you, if you did not maintain the laws and liberties, as I have declared in my third Appeal for Commonwealth Justice, which remains dead in your hands, (as I hear;) and he that delivered it unto you (viz. cornet Cheeseman) was imprisoned by lieutenant-general Cromwell. By arbitrariness, lawlessness, power, force, strength, or the severe sword, (for it will amount to no other as to men,) the Lord Jesus, the precious Son of the Most High, and head of saints, was crucified, butchered, and massacred in the liberties, freedom, and rights of his humanity, as appears by the whole scriptures of his life, the confessions of his judge, and his sufferings. God, the people, law% and conscience, are to be accounted unto for the loss of any person or persons unjustly ; for the Lord and a just law tenders innocent blood, and the liberties of his people. Christ, the glorious Son of God, perfectly declared the laws of nature and justice. You profess your- selves Christians ; and yet in this you live beneath the common principles of nature, and in the path of ^ " A just, substantial, and irrevocable covenant or oath, cannot be acted contrary unto, without the guilt of perjury, as well as unspeakable damage to the people." 1 144 CAPTAIN BRAY. CAPTAIN BRAY. former tyrants, whose blood, as water, you have spilt upon the ground ; and if you walk contrary to the law of nature, you justify in it the crucifying, butchering, and massacring of the Lord Jesus, &c. and so fill up more and more the measure of bloody abominations. I have not only been stifled in the rights of nature, the rights of nature according to the creation of God, and been dealt with contrary unto the scriptures, and been committed unto an unlawful prison, and to the jurisdiction^ of him that hath dealt cruelly, barbarously, unnaturally, unchristianlike, and tyrannically with me, to my insupportable damage, loss, and prejudice, (as to human considerations,) but the warrant by which I am committed is contrary unto law ; generals being no crimes in law. Second part of Inst. fol. 52, 53, 315, 511, 615, 6l6; first part of Declaration of Parliament, p. 38, 77, 20, 845; and the votes upon the impeachment of the eleven members; and the petition of right, 3 C. 11.; and the act that abolisheth the Star Chamber. And I am also committed (by the words of the warrant) ** during pleasure;" whereas, if the warrant »> "If a man should complain unto a justice of peace, that such a man robbed him, or souli"» O. Cromwell. Aug. 22, 1649. 104 iUUNCK KUPERT's FLEET. iMUTINY AT OXFORD. 165 '^i[ \ THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA TO THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND. Dear Cousin, — I will not lose this sure coin- inodity to write to you, not daring to do it by the post, because most letters are opened at London that come from hence, which is the cause you have been this long from hearing from me. This bearer can tell you how all your friends are here. Dan. O'Neal and Thom. Weston brought us news from the king, who was then in very good health. I dare write no more of him, because I doubt not but you hear all that passeth there as well as I. The duke of York will be hero very speedily : he is now at Paris. My niece is very big, she looks towards the end of November : she has her health very well. Rupert has been out to have fought with the rebels' fleet, but they would not stay him, and sailed from him. He followed tliem three days ; but not being able to overtake them, he returned to Lisbon ; which they did, within two after, to the same place they were before ; and Rupert was to go out again, with more ships, to fight with them, if they will stay him. The kinff of Portuofal crives him all kind of assistance, and is extreme kind and civil to him and Maurice. I pray tell your lord this ; and be both assured that you have not a friend in the world loves you both better than do I, your most affectionate cousin and constant friend. Elizabeth.'' I pray, if you can, let me know how my poor nephew and niece, the duke of Glocester and princess Elizabeth, are used ; for I hear they are in the Isle of Wight. I fear they are but in an ill case, which makes me very sad. The countess is yet in Ger- many, at the duke of Wirtemberg's court at Stut- gard, where she is very well used. It is he that must get her jointure : he is sovereign of the count of Lewenstein's land, where she must have it. He pro- mises much, and sent for the count Lewenstein about it, who was come thither ; so as shortly she will see an end of her business, and return hither. SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE. My Lords, — The late mutiny in colonel In- goldsby's'' regiment in Oxford beino-, throuo^h the '' Daughter of James I. and married to Frederic elector palatine. •^ Ingoldsby was at this time governor of Oxford. Tlie mutiny here spoken of was cliiefly brought about by Liiburnc. See Godmuy b. iii. c. 10. :1||h / I I- 1 106 MUTINY AT OXFORD. courage of the colonel and some other officers of that regiment, suppressed and quieted, I commanded major-general Lambert and other officers of the array to repair thither, as a court martial, to inquire after the chief promoters and abettors thereof, together with the cause and grounds ; and to inflict due punishment upon the most guilty, which were members of the army, according to the articles of war. In pursuance of which their instructions they inform, that, upon examination, they found that one Serjeant Porringer and one Radman, gentlemen of the army, and some other the most active soldiers of the regiment, held correspondency with certain persons in and about London, (whose names they could not find out,) by whom they were seduced to disobey their officers, and from whom they lately received divers books, en- titled *' The Outcry of the Apprentices in London," which did invite and encourage them to mutiny. And upon the breaking out of that late distemper, the said persons did send certain agents to them, who did very much heighten the mutiny, and pre- vailed with them to imprison their officers : five of which agents were apprehended, upon the suppres- sion of the mutiny, and committed to the mayor of the city of Oxford, where they now continue prisoners. Moreover, they did discover that the chief cause and ground thereof did proceed from disaffection to the present government, and was driven on by that MUTINY AT OXFORD. IG7 dangerous principle commonly known by the name of Levelling ; though most of the common soldiers were indeed deluded and drawn in under the fair pretences of freedom, ease of the people from taxation, and the payment of the arrears of the soldiery with- out defalcation for free quarter. Lastly, they did inform me, that most of the chief leaders of that regiment were, upon the quieting of the distemper, escaped by flight ; and that, upon due examination and serious debates, they only found three whom they did judge worthy of death ; four others, which were less guilty, to run the gauntlet and cashiered the army ; who were, according to judgments, executed. And the rest of the regiment, being ge' nerally through these reasons seduced thereun'to, were, according to instructions from me, pardoned, and received into favour; they engaging themselvei to be obedient to their officers, and not to act in the Hke kind again. This account I thought fit to give your lordships, that thereby you might understand truly from whom and from whence this late disturbance did proceed, and what was chiefly the aim and intention thereby; that you, in your wisdom, may provide such remedies thereto as you shall judge most fit : and shall only add, that I conceive it will be very difficult to keep your army in discipline and order, so long as persons of such dangerous principles take liberty to pervert the soldiers, and escape without due punish- "§' 168 REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. 169 ment ; which I submit likewise to your prudence, and remain Your lordships' humble servant, T. Fairfax. Kensington, Sept. 24, UUO. OLIVEK CROMWELL TO THE COMMANDER-IN- CHIEF AT WEXFORD. Sir, — Having brought the army belonging to the parliament of England before this place, to reduce it to its due obedience ; to the end effusion of blood may be prevented, and the town and country about it preserved from ruin, I thought fit to summon you to deliver the same to me, to the use of the state of England. By this offer, I hope it will clearly appear where the guilt will lie, if innocent persons should come to suffer with the nocent. I expect your speedy answer ; and rest, CI* oir. Your servant, O. Cromwell. October 3, IG49. COLONEL SINNOTT TO OLIVER CROMWELL. I have received your letters of summons for the delivery up of this town into your hands, which standeth not with my honour to do of myself; neither will I take it upon me, without the advice of the rest of the officers and mayor of this corporation, (this town being of so great consequence to all Ireland,) whom I will call together and confer with, and return my resolution unto you to-morrow by twelve of the clock. In the mean time, if you be so pleased, I am content to forbear all acts of hostility, so you permit no approach to be made: expecting your answer in that particular, I remain, My Lord, Your lordship's servant, Da. Sinnott. Wexford, Oct. 3, 1G49. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE COMMANDER-IN- CHIEF AT WEXFORD. Sir, — Having summoned you to dehver the town of Wexford into my hands, I might well expect the delivery thereof, and not a formal treaty, which is seldom granted, but where the things stand upon a more equal foot. If therefore yourself or the town have any desires to offer, upon which you will sur- render the place to me, I shall be able to judge of the reasonableness of them, when they are made known to me. To which end, if you shall think fit VOL. II. Z 170 REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. 171 to send the persons named in your last, entrusted by yourself and the town, by whom I may understand your desires, I shall give you a speedy and fitting answer. And I do hereby engage myself, that they shall return in safety to you. I expect your answer hereunto within an hour ; and rest Your servant, O. C. October 4, 1(J49. COLONEL SINNOTT TO OLIVER CROMWELL. Sir, — I have returned you a civil answer, to the best of my judgment ; and thereby I find you un- dervalue me and this place so much, as you think to have it surrendered without capitulation or honour- able terms, as appears by the hour's limitation in your last. Sir, Had I never a man in this town but the townsmen and artillery here planted, I should con- ceive myself in a very befitting condition to make honourable conditions; and having a considerable party with them in the place, I am resolved to die honourably, or make such conditions as may secure my honour and life in the eyes of my own party. To which reasonable terms if you hearken not, or give me time to send ray agents till eight of the clock in the forenoon to-morrow, with my propositions, with a further safe conduct, I leave you to your better judgment, and myself to the assistance of the Al- mighty ; and so conclude. Your servant, ,^^ ^ Da. Sinnott. Wexford, Oct. 4, 1G49. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — I have advised with the mayor and officers, as I promised, and thereupon am content that four, whom I shall employ, may have a conference and treaty with four of yours, to see if any agreement and understanding may be begot between us. To this purpose I desire you to send mine a safe conduct, as I do hereby promise to send unto yours when you send me their names. And I pray that the meeting may be had to-morrow at eight of the clock in the forenoon, that they may have sufficient time to confer and debate together, and determine and compose the matter; and that the meeting and place may be agreed upon, and the safe conduct mutually sent for the said meeting this afternoon. Expecting your answer hereto, I rest, My Lord, Your servant, Wexford, • Da. SiNNOTT. Oct. 4, 1(349. I ^^^iw«w^''^ m ii a i . ■ 17^ REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. Send me the names of your agents, their qualities and degrees. Those I fix upon are, major James Byrne, major Theobald Dillon, alderman Nicholas Chevers, Mr. William Stafford. 173 THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — My propositions being now prepared, I am ready to send my agents with them unto you ; and for their safe return, I pray you to send a safe con- duct by the bearer unto me ; in hope an honourable agreement may thereupon arise between your lord- ship and, My Lord, Your lordship's servant, Da. Sinnott. Wexford, Oct. 5, 1G49. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My Lord, — Even as I was ready to send out my agents unto you, the lord General of the horse came hither with a relief, unto whom I communicated the proceedings between your lordship and me, and de- livered him the propositions I intended to despatch unto your lordship ; who hath desired a small time to consider of them and to speed them unto me : which. ray lord, I could not deny, he having a commanding power over me. Pray, my lord, believe that I do not do this to trifle out time, but for his present consent j and if I find any long delay in his lordship's re- turnmg them back unto me, I will proceed of myself, according to my first intention : to which I beseech your lordship give credit, at the request, My Lord, Of your lordship's ready servant, Da. Sinnott. Wexford, Oct. 5, 1649. OLIVER CROMWELL TO COLONEL SINNOTT. SiR,_You might have spared your trouble in the account you give me of your transaction with the lord-general of your horse, and of your resolution in case he answer not your expectation in point of time. These are your own concernments, and it behoves you to improve the relief you mention to your best advantage. All that I have to say is, to desire you to take notice, that I do hereby revoke my safe conduct from the persons mentioned therein. When you shall see cause to treat, you may send for another. I rest. Sir, Your servant, O C Oct. 6, 1G49. 'i 174 REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. 175 COLONEL SINNOTT TO OLIVER CROMWELL. Sir, — In performance of my last, I desire your lordship to send me a safe conduct for major Theo- bald Dillon, major James Byrne, alderman Nicholas Chevers, and captain James Stafford, whom I will send to your lordship instructed with my desires; and so I rest, My Lord, Your servant, Wexford, Da. SiNNOTT. Oct. 11, 1649. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER/ Sir, — The army marched from Dublin, about the 23rd of September, into the county of Wicklow, where the enemy have a garrison, about fourteen miles from Dublin, called Killingkerick ; which they quitting, a company of the army was put therein. From thence the army marched through almost a de- •■ This letter is to be found in "Cromwelliana," but reprinted from a cotcmporary pami)hlet, and not from the original. The parliament, under whose direction despatches to the Speaker were frequently published, allowed alterations to be made and passages omitted in them, so as, in their view, to adapt them better for public reading. solated country, until it came to a passage over the river Doro, about a mile above the castle of Arcklow, which was the first seat and honour of the marquis of Ormond's family ; which he had strongly fortified, but was, upon the approach of the army, quitted : wherein we left another company of foot. From thence the army marched towards Wexford, where, in the way, was a strong and large castle, at a town called Limerick, the ancient seat of the Es- monds', where the enemy had a strong garrison, which they burnt and quitted the day before our coming thither. From thence we marched towards Femes, an episcopal seat, where was a castle, to which I sent colonel Reynolds with a party to summon it ; which accordingly he did, and it was surrendered to him : where we, having put a company, advanced the army to a passage over the river Slane, which runs down to Wexford, and that night marched into the field of a village called Enniscorfy, belonging to Mr. Ro- bert Wallop ; where was a strong castle, very well manned and provided for by the enemy, and close under it, in a very fair house, belonging to the same worthy person, a monastery of Franciscan friars, the considerablest in all Ireland. They run away the night before we came. We summoned the castle, and they refused to yield at the first, but upon better consideration they were willing to deliver the place to us : which accordingly they did, leaving their great ji-= 176 REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. i guns, arms and ammunition, and provisions behind them. Upon Monday the first of October we came before Wexford, into which the enemy had put a garrison, consisting of their army ; this town having until then been so confident of their own strength, as that they would not at any time suffer a garrison to be imposed upon them. The commander that brouo^ht in those forces was colonel David Sinnott, who took upon him the com- mand of the place, to whom I sent a summons, a copy whereof is this inclosed ; between whom and me there passed answers and replies, copies whereof these also are. Whilst these papers were passing between us, I sent the lieutenant-general, with a party of dragoons, horse, and foot, to endeavour to reduce their fort, which lay at the mouth of their harbour, about ten miles distant from us, to which he sent a troop of dragoons : but the enemy quitted their fort, leaving behind them about seven great guns, betook themselves, by the help of their boats, to a frigate of twelve guns, lying in the harbour within cannon-shot of the fort. The dragoons possessed the fort ; and some seamen belonging to your fleet coming happily in at the same time, they bent their guns at the frigate, and she im- mediately yielded to mercy, both herself, and the soldiers that had been in the fort, and the seamen that manned her. And whilst our men were in her. liEDUCTlON OF WllXFOliD. 177 the townsmen, knowing what had happened, sent ano- ther small vessel to her, which our men also took. The governor of the town having obtained from me a safe conduct for the four persons, mentioned in one of the papers, to come and treat with me about the surrender of the town, I expected they should have done so ; but instead thereof, the earl of Castle- haven brought to their relief, on the north side of the river, about five hundred foot, which occasioned their refiisal to send out any to treat, and caused me to revoke my safe conduct, not thinking it tit to leave it for them to make use of it when they pleased. Our cannon being landed, and we having removed all our quarters to the south-east end of the town, near the castle, it was generally agreed that we should bend the whole strength of our artillery upon the castle ; being persuaded, that if we got the castle, the town would easily follow. Upon Thursday, the 11th instant, (our batteries being finished the night before,) we began to play betimes in the morning; and having spent near a hundred shot, the governor's stomach came down, and he sent to me to give leave for four persons, en- trusted by him, to come unto me, and offer terms of surrender; which I condescending to, two field-of- ficers, with an alderman of the town and the captain of the castle, brought out the propositions inclosed ; which, for their abominableness, manifesting also the impudency of the men, I thought fit to present to VOL. II. 2 A 178 REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. your view, together with my answer, which indeed had no effect : for whilst I was preparing of it, study- ing to preserve the town from plunder, that it might be of the more use to you and your army, the cap- tain, who was one of the commissioners, being fairly treated, yielded up the castle to us ; upon the top of which our men no sooner appeared, but the enemy quitted the walls of the town : which our men per- ceiving, ran violently upon the town with their lad- ders, and stormed it. And when they were come into the market-place, the enemy making a stiff re- sistance, our forces brake them, and then put all to the sword that came in their way. Two boat- fuls of the enemy attempting to escape, being over- pressed with numbers, sunk ; whereby were drowned near three hundred of them. I believe, in all, there was lost of the enemy not many less than two thou- sand ', and I believe not twenty of yours killed, from first to last of the siege. And indeed it hath not without cause been deeply set upon our hearts, that we intending better to this place than so great a ruin, hoping the town might be of more use to you and your army, yet God would not have it so ; but by an unexpected providence, in his righteous justice, brought a just judgment upon them, causing them to become a prey to the soldier ; who, in their piracies, had made preys of so many families, and made with their blood to answer the cruelties which they had exercised upon the lives of REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. 179 divers poor Protestants, two of which I have been lately acquainted with. About seven or eight score poor Protestants were put by them into an old vessel, which being, as some say, bulged by them, the ves- sel sunk, and they were all presently drowned in the harbour. The other was thus. They put divers poor Protestants into a chapel, which since they have used for a mass house, and in which one or more of their priests was found, where they were famished to death. The soldier got a very good booty in this place : and had they not had opportunity to carry their goods over the river whilst we besieged it, it would have been much more. I could have wished, for their own good and the good of the garrison, they had been more moderate : some things, which were not easily portable, we hope we shall make use of to your behoof. There are great quantities of iron, hides, tallow, salt, pipe and barrel staves ; which are under commissioners' hands, to be secured. We believe there are near a hundred cannon in the fort, and elsewhere in and about the town. Here is likewise some very good shipping. Here are three vessels ; one of them of thirty-four guns, which a week's time would fit to sea. There is another, of about twenty guns, very near ready likewise ; and one other frigate, of twenty guns, upon the stocks, made for sailing, which is built up to the uppermost deck : for her handsome- ness sake, I have appointed the workmen to finish her, 180 REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. 181 . Jit here being materials to do it, if you or the council of state shall approve thereof. The frigate also taken by the fort is a most excel- lent vessel for sailing ; besides divers other ships and vessels in the harbour. This town is now^ so in your power, that the former inhabitants, I believe, scarce one in twenty can challenge any property in their houses : most of them are run away, and many of them killed in the service. And it were to be wished, that an honest people would come and plant here, where are very good houses, and other accommodations fitted to their hands, and may, by your favour, be made of encouragement to them ; as also a seat of good trade, both inward and outward, and of marvellous great advantage in the point of the herring and other fishing. The town is pleasantly seated, and strong, having a rampart of earth within the wall near fifteen feet thick. Thus it hath pleased God to give into your hands this other mercy ; for which, as for all, we pray God may have all the glory : indeed, your instruments are poor and weak, and can do nothing but through be- lieving, and that is the gift of God also. I humbly take leave ; and rest Your most humble servant, Wexford, O. Cromwell. Oct. 14, 1G49. A day or Iwo before our battery was planted, ( )rmond, the earl of Castlehaven, the lord of Ardes and Clanneboys, were on the other side of the water, with about eighteen hundred horse, fifteen hundred foot, and offered to put in four or five hundred foot more into the town ; which the town refusing, he marched away in all haste. I sent the lieutenant- general after him, with about fourteen hundred horse, but the enemy made haste from him. COLONEL SINNOTT'S PROPOSITIONS FOR THE SURRENDER OF WEXFORD. The propositions of colonel David Sinnott, go- vernor of the town and castle of Wexford, for and on the behalf of the officers, and soldiers, and inhabitants in the said town and castle, unto general Cromwell. I. In primis. That all and every the inhabitants of the said town, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, shall have free and uninterrupted liberty publicly to use, exercise, and profess the Roman Catholic religion, without restriction, mulct, or pe- nalty, any law or statute to the contrary notwith- standing, II. That the regular and secular Roman Catholic clergy now possessed of the churches, church livings, monasteries, religious houses and chapels in the said town, and in the suburbs and franchises thereof, and their successors, shall have, hold, and enjoy, to 18^2 lltlDUCTION OF WEXFORD. REDUCTION OF WEXFORD. 183 PI them and their successors for ever, the said churches, church livings, monasteries, rehgious houses and chapels, and shall teach and preach in them publicly, without any molestation, any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding. J J I. That Nicholas, now lord bishop of Femes, and his successors, shall use and exercise such jurisdiction over the Catholics of his diocese, as since his con- secration hitherto he used. IV. That all the officers and soldiers, of what quality or degree soever, in the said town and castle, and such of the inhabitants as are so pleased, shall march with flying colours, and be conveyed safe, with their lives, artillery, ordnance, ammunition, arms, goods of all sorts, horses, moneys, and what else belongs to them, to the town of Ross, and there to be left safe with their own party ; allowing each mus- queteer, towards their march, a pound of powder, four yards of match, and twelve brace of bullets ; and a strong convoy to be sent with the said soldiers, within four and twenty hours after the yielding up of the said town. V. That such of the inhabitants of the said town as will desire to leave the same at any time here- after, shall have free liberty to carry away out of the said town, all their frigates, artillery, arms, powder, bullets, match, corn, malt, and other provision which they have for their defence and sustenance, and all their goods and chattels, of what (juality or condition soever, without any manner of disturbance whatsoever, and have passes, and safe conducts and convoys for their lives and said goods to Ross, or where else they shall think fit. VI. That the mayor, bailiffs, free burgesses, and commons of the said town, may have, hold, and enjoy the said town and suburbs, their commons, their fran- chises, their liberties and immunities, which hitherto they enjoyed ; and that the mayor, bailiff's, and free burgesses may have the government of the said town, as hitherto they enjoyed the same from the realm of England, and that they may have no other govern- ment, they adhering to the state of England, and ob- serving their orders, and the orders of their o-overnors in this realm for the time beinff. VII. That all and every the burgesses and inha- bitants, either native or strangers, of the said town, who shall continue their abode therein, or come to live there within three months, and their heirs, shall have, hold, and enjoy all and singular their several castles, messuages, houses, lands, tenements, and hereditaments within the land of Ireland, and all their goods and chattels, of what nature, quality, or condition soever, to them and their heirs, to their own several uses for ever without molestation. VIII. That such burgess or burgesses, or other in- habitant of the said town, as shall at any time here- after be desirous to leave the said town, shall have free leave to dispose of their real and personal estates 184 REDUCTION OF WEXFOllD. SURRENDER OF CORK. 185 respectively, to their best advantage ; and further have full liberty and a safe conduct respectively to go into England, or elsewhere, according to their several pleasures who shall desire to depart the same. IX. That all and singular the inhabitants of the said town, either native or strangers, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, shall have, reap, and enjoy the full liberty of free-born English subjects, without the least incapacity or restriction therein ; and that all the freemen of the said town, from time to time, shall be as free in all the seaports, cities, and towns in England, as the freemen of all and every the said cities and towns ; and all and every the freemen of the said cities and towns to be as free in the said town of Wexford as the freemen thereof, for their greater encouragement to trade and commerce to- gether of all hands. X. That no memory remain of any hostility or distance w^iich was hitherto between the said town and castle on the one part, and the parliament or state of England of the other part ; but that all act and acts, transgressions, offences, depredations, and other crimes, of what nature or quality soever, be they ever so transcendent, attempted or done, or supposed to be attempted or done, by the inhabitants of the said town or any other, heretofore or at present adhering to the said town, either native or stranger, and every of them, shall pass in oblivion without chastisement, challenge, recompense, demand, or questioning for them, or any of them, now or at any time here- after. COLONEL DEANE TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Having this day received certain intelligence from my lord lieutenant of Ireland, and colonel Blake, of Cork, declaring for the parliament of England, and turning out major-general Starling and the Irish, (of which I believe my partner, colonel lilake, has given the council of state an account,) and now having had a clear narrative of it by one that was an actor in the whole business, I thought myself obliged to give you this account of it. The iGth of October, at night, colonel Tow^nsend, colonel Warden, and colonel (lifford, (being there prisoners for the business of Youghall,) were ordered to be disposed into three several castles. Next day, some of the officers in the town came to these gen- tlemen that night, and told them they were undone, unless they would stand by them, for they would else be slaves to the Irish. Upon which, the three colonels replied, that if they would fetch for each of them a sword and pistols, they would live and die with them ; which w^as done : and the guards, per- ceiving them coming down stairs armed, cried, *' We are for you too :" and from thence they marched to the main guard, and they immediately declared with VOL. II. 1 1S6 SURllENDEIl OF CORK. them, upon this general consent, crying out with all the Irish ; in which all the townsmen that were English, and the soldiers unanimously agreed, and put it presently in execution. They put out the next morning their major-general Starling, and those few that dissented : and since that, Youghall hath done the same, as this gentleman informs me, who came from Cork but two days since. And those of Youghall had writ to colonel Gilford, (the present governor of Cork,) to send colonel Warden, with a hundred horse, to their assistance : for they had seized on sir Percy Smith, their governor, and Johnson, which betrayed them formerly, and some others, and had secured them in the castle. Thus it hath pleased God, of his infinite goodness, to help, when men were most weak: for truly, after the taking of Ross, and the besieging of Duncannon, (a place of great strength and concernment,) what with sickness and garrisons and that siege, my lord lieutenant was very unable to attempt any thing further upon the enemies ; and still is, except you hasten over the recruits of horse and foot, with those provision of clothes and necessaries, so long promised and so earnestly expected. Truly, sir, methinks every English heart should act more than an ordinary pace, when we see such a series of divine providences going along with us, and miraculously assisting beyond a human apprehension ; which I hone all honest hearts will be sensible of, A SURRENDER OF CORK. 187 lest having such an opportunity given them, and they, neglecting it, wander in the wilderness many years. Ormond and O'Neile are joined, and lie within fourteen miles of Ross. They give themselves out to be twenty-two thousand ; but it is credibly reported (from a very sure hand) to be seven thousand foot and three thousand horse, at least : which how much it exceeds the number you are able to make to encounter them, I will not say ; but this I am sure, that expedition in all supplies is the life of your business. Rupert, three days after Cork declaring for the parliament, in great haste sailed from Kinsale with seven sail of ships. V,liich way he is gone we know not ; but it concerns you to hasten out as many of the winter guard as are come in to be victualled and fitted. I think it would be a service to the common- wealth, if you could persuade Mr. Prideaux to settle the stages of the posts so in Wales, that our letters might pass more certainly and speedily ; it being the only way for my lord lieutenant to hold corre- spondence with the parliament during his abode in those parts of Ireland he now is, and also a thing he much desires. I have, ever since my coming out of Ireland, been troubled with the distemper of that country disease, that brought me into a fever ; and after I had, with keeping my bed, pretty well recovered myself, I w^ent abroad somewhat too soon, and relapsed into a violent 188 COLONEL JONES LORD BIIOGHIL. fit of burning, which hath made me a prisoner to my bed ever since ; and I am afraid I shall make you the like to this paper : but lest you should be as weary of this letter as 1 am of my bed, give leave to subscribe myself, Sir, Your honour's humble servant, Rt. Ueane. Milford Haven, No¥, 8, 1649. Sir, Be pleased to take this as a private letter to yourself. OLIVER CROMWELL TO MR. SCOTT.^ Sill, — I hope you will excuse this trouble. I un- derstand the house did vote lieutenant-general Jones £500 per annum, of lands of inheritance of Irish lands, upon the news of the defeat given to the enemy before Dublin, immediately before my coming over. I think it will be a very acceptable work, and very well taken at your hands, to move the house for an immediate settlement thereof: it will be very con- venient at this time. Another thing is this : the lord Broghil is now in Munster, w^here he, I hope, will do very good offices : all his suit is for £200 to bring A member of ihc council of state. Cromwell's successes in Ireland. 189 his wife over : such a sum would not be cast away. He hath a great interest in the men that come from Inchiquin. I have made him and sir William Fenton, colonel Blake, and colonel Deane, (who I believe one of them, will be frequently in Cork harbour, making that a victualling place for the Irish fleet instead of Milford Haven,) and colonel Phaire, com- missioners for a temporary management of affairs there. This business of Munster will empty your treasury; therefore you have need to hasten our money allotted us, lest you put us to stand with our fingers in our mouths. 1 rest, Sir, Your servant, O. Cromwell. Ross, Nov. 14, 1(J49. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER.* Sir, — About a fortnight since, I had some good assurances that Cork was returned to its obedience, and had refused Inchiquin, who did strongly en- t This letter also, with some omissions, is to be found in " Cromwelliana." It may be here mentioned, once for all, that where Cromwell's letters are in that work, they are collated with his own original, and inserted in the j)resent work onlv whcn some material variations or additions are discovered. 190 Cromwell's successes in Ireland. CROMWELL S SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. IQl deavour to redinteofrate himself there, but without success. I did hear also, that colonel Tovvnsend was coming to me with their submission and desires, but was in- terrupted by a fort at the mouth of Cork harbour. But having sufficient grounds upon the former in- formation, and other confirmations (out of the enemy's camp) that it was true, I desired general Blake (who was here with me) that he would repair thither in captain Mildmay's frigate, called the Nonsuch ; who, when they came thither, received such enter- tainment as these inclosed will let you see. In the mean time, the Garland, one of your third- rate ships, coming happily into Waterford bay, I or- dered her and a great prize, lately taken in that bay, to transport colonel Phaire to Cork ; whitherward he went, having along with him near five hundred foot, which I spared him out of this poor army, and fifteen hundred pounds in money ; giving him such in- structions as were proper for the promoting of your interest there. As they went with an intention for Cork, it pleased God, the wind coming cross, they were forced to ride off" from Dungarvon, where they met captain Mild- may, returning with the Nonsuch frigate, with colonel Townsend aboard, coming to me; who advertised them that Youghall had also declared for the parliament of England. Whereupon they steered their course thither, and sent for colonel Giffbrd, colonel Warden, major Purden, (who, with colonel Townsend, hath been very active instruuients for the return both of Cork and Youghall to their obedience, having some of them ventured their lives twice or thrice to effect it,) and the mayor of Youghall, aboard them ; who accordingly immediately came, and made tender of some propo- sitions to be offered to me. But my lord Broghil, being on board the ship, assuring them it would be more for their honour and advantage to desire no conditions, they said they would submit. Whereupon my lord Broghil, sir William Fenton, and colonel Phaire went to the town, and were received (I shall give you my lord Broghil's own words) ''with all the real demonstrations of gladness an overjoyed people were capable of." Not long after, colonel Phaire landed his foot ; and, by the endeavours of the noble person afore men- tioned and the rest of the gentlemen, the garrison is put in good order, and the Munster officers and soldiers in that garrison in a way of settlement. Colonel Phaire, as I hear, intends to leave two hun- dred men there, and to march with the rest overland to Cork. I hear by colonel Townsend, and the rest of the gentlemen that were employed to me, that Baltimore, Castlehaven, Caperquin, and some other places of hard names, are come in, (I wish foot come over sea- sonably to man them,) as also that there are hopes of other places. I9S CROMWELl/s SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. Cromwell's successes in Ireland. 193 II From sir Charles Coote, lord president of Con- naught, I had a letter about three or four days since, that he is come over the Band, and hath taken Cole- raine by storm ; and that he, being in communication with colonel Venables, who I hear hath besieged Carrickfergus ; which if, through the mercy of God, it be taken, I know nothing considerable in the north of Ireland but Charlemount which is not in your hands. We lie with the army at Ross, where we have been making the bridge over the Barrow, and hardly yet accomplished as we could wish. The enemy lies upon the Noer, on the land between the Barrow and it, havinor jrathered together all the force they can get, Owen Roe's men, as they report them, six thousand foot and about four hundred horse, besides their own army. And they give out they will have a day for it ; which we hope the Lord of his mercy will enable us to give them, in his own good time : in whom we desire our only trust and confidence may be. Whilst we have lain here, we have not been with- out some sweet taste of the goodness of God. Your ships have taken some good prizes. The last was thus. There came in a Dunkirk man of war, with thirty-two guns, who brought in a Turkish man of war, whom she had taken, and another ship of ten guns, loaden with poor-john and oil : these two your ships took. But the man of war, whose prizes these two were, put herself under the fort of Duncannon, so that your ships could not come near her. It pleased God, we had two demi-cannon with the foot on the shore, which being planted raked her through, killing and wounding her men ; that after ten shot she weighed anchor, and run into your fleet with a flag of submis- sion, surrendering herself. She was well manned, the prisoners taken being two hundred and thirty. I doubt the taking prisoners of this sort will cause the wicked trade of piracy to be endless. They were landed here before I was aware ; and a hundred of them, as I hear, are gotten into Duncannon, and have taken up arms there : and I doubt the rest, that are gone to Waterford, will do us no good ; the sea- men, being so full of prizes, and unprovided of victual, know not how best to dispose of them. Another was this : we having left divers sick men, both horse and foot, at Dublin, hearing many of them were recovered, sent them orders to march up to us ; which accordingly they did, coming to Arcklow on Monday, the 1st of this instant, being about three hundred and fifty horse, and about eight hundred foot. The enemy hearing of them, (through the great ad- vantage they have in point of intelligence,) drew to- gether a body of horse and foot, near three thousand, which Inchiquin commanded. There went also with this party, sir Thomas Armstrong, colonel Trevor, and most of their great ranters. We sent fifteen or six- teen troops to their rescue, near eight hours too late. VOL. II. 2c Il li)4f Cromwell's successes in Ireland. It pleased God we sent them word, by a nearer way, to march close, and be circumspect, and make what haste they could to Wexford by the sea side. They had marched near eighteen miles, and were come within seven miles of Wexford, (the foot being mi- serably wearied,) when the enemy gave the scouts of the near-guard an alarum : whereupon they im- mediately drew up, in the best order they could, upon the sands, the sea on the one hand and the rocks on the other ; where the enemy made a very furious charge, overbearing our horse with their numbers, which, as some of their prisoners confess, was fifteen hundred of their best horse, forced them in some disorder back to the foot : our foot stood forbearing their firing, till the enemy was come almost within pistol shot, and then let fly very full in the faces of them ; whereby some of them began to tumble, the rest running otf in very great disorder, and faced not about until they got about muskei shot off". Upon this our horse took encouragement, drawing up again, bringing up some foot to flank them : and a gentle- man of ours, that had charged through before, being amongst them undiscerned, having put his signal into his hat as they did, took his opportunity, and came off*; letting our men know, that the enemy was in great confusion and disorder ; and that if they could attempt another charge, he was confident good might be done on them. It pleased God to give our men courage ; they ad- CROMWELL S SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. 195 vanced, and falling upon the enemy, totally routed them, took two colours, divers prisoners, and killed divers upon the place and in the pursuit. I do not hear that we had two men killed, and but one mor- tally wounded, and not five that are prisoners. The quick march of our party made Inchiquin he could not reach them with nothing but his horse, hoping to put them to a stand until his foot came up ; which, if he had done, there had probably been no saving of a man of this party. Without doubt, Inchiquin, Trevor, and the rest of those people, who are very good at this work, had swallowed up this party, and, indeed, it was in human probability lost ; but God, that defeated Trevor in his attempt upon Venables, (who, as I hear this night from the enemy's camp, was shot through the belly in this service, and is carried to Kilkenny, sir Thomas Armstrong is also wounded,) hath disappointed them, and poured shame upon them in this defeat ; giving us the lives of a company of our dear friends, which I hope will be improved to his glory and yours, and their country's good. Sir, Having given you this account, I shall not trouble you much with particular desires; those I shall humbly present to the council of state : only in the general, give me leave humbly to offer whatever in my judgment I conceive to be for your service, with a full submission to you. We desire recruits may be speeded to us. It is not 196 CROMWELL S SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. ,11 fit to tell you how your garrisons will be unsupplied, or no field marching army considerable, if three gar- risons more were in our hands. It is not well not to follow Providence. Your re- cruits and the forces desired will not raise your charge. If your assignments already for the forces here did come to our hands in time, I should not doubt, by the addition of assessments here, to have your charge in some reasonable measure borne and the soldier upheld, without much neglect or discouragement ; which, sick- ness in this country, so ill agreeing with their bodies, puts upon them ; and this winter's action, I believe not heretofore known by English in this country, subjects them to. To the praise of God I speak it, I scarce know an ofiicer of ^brty amongst us that hath not been sick ; and how many considerable ones we have lost, is no little thought of heart to us : wherefore, I humbly beg that the moneys desired may be seasonably sent over, and those other necessaries, clothes, shoes, and stockings, formerly desired, that so poor creatures may be encouraged ; and, through the same blessed presence that hath gone along with us, I hope before it be long to see Ireland no burden to Eng- land, but a profitable part of its commonwealth. And certainly the extending your help in this way at this time is the most profitable means speedily to eftect it. And if I did not think it your best thrift, 1 would not trouble you at all with it. CROMWELL S SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. 197 I have sent sir Arthur Loftus with these letters. He hath gone along with us, testifying a great deal of love to your service. I know his sufferings are very great, for he hath lost near all : his regiment was reduced to save your charge, not out of any exceptions to his person. I humbly therefore present him to your consideration. Craving pardon for this trouble, I rest Your most humble and faithful servant, Oliver Cromwell. Ross, Nov. 14, 1G40. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Mr. Speakeu, — The enemy being quartered be- tween the two rivers of Noer and the Barrow, and masters of all the passages thereupon, and giving out their resolution to fight us, thereby, as we conceived, labouring to get reputation in the countries, and ac- cession of more strength, it was thouirht fit our army should march towards them ; which accordingly, upon Thursday the I5th instant, was done. The major-general and lieutenant-general, (leaving me very sick at Ross behind them,) with two bat- tering guns advanced towards Enisteoge, a little walled town about five miles from Ross, upon the Noer, on the south side thereof, which was possessed by the enemy ; but a party of our men, under the 198 CKOMWELl/s SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. command of colonel Abbott, the night before ap- proaching the gates, and attempting to fire the same, the enemy run away through the river, leaving good store of provisions behind them. Our commanders hoped, by gaining this town, to have gained a pass : but indeed there fell so much sudden wet, as made the river impassable by the time the army was come up. Whereupon, hearing that the enemy lay about two miles off, upon the river, near Thomas-town, a pretty large walled town upon the Noer, on the north side thereof, having a bridge over the river, our army marched thither ; but the enemy had broke the bridge and garrisoned the town, and in the view of our army marched away to Kil- kenny, seeming to decline an engagement, although I believe they w^ere double our numbers ; which they had power to have necessitated us unto, but was no ways in our power (if they would stand upon the ad- vantage of the passes) to engage them unto, nor indeed to continue out two days longer, having almost spent all the bread they carried with them. Whereupon, (seeking God for direction,) they re- solved to send a good party of horse and dragoons, under colonel Reynolds, to Carrick, and to march the residue of the army back towards Ross, to gain more bread for the prosecution of that design, if, by the blessing of God, it should take. Colonel Reynolds, marching with twelve troops of horse and three troops of dragoons, came betimes in the >_ CROMWELL S SUCCESSES IN IRELAND. 199 morning to Carrick ; where dividing himself into two parties, whilst they were amazed with the one, he entered one of the gates with the other : which the soldiers perceiving, divers of them and their officers escaped over the river in boats. About a hundred officers and soldiers taken prisoners, without the loss of one man on our part. In this place is a very good castle, and one of the ancientest seats, belonging to the lord of Ormond, in Ireland. The same was rendered without any loss also : where was good store of provisions for the refreshing of our men. The colonel giving us speedy intelligence, (of God's mercy in this,) we agreed to march, with all convenient speed, the residue of the army up thither ; which accordingly was done upon Wednesday and Thursday, the 2ist and '2'2nd of this instant ; and, through God's mercy, I was enabled to bear them company. Being come thither, we did look at it as an especial good hand of Providence to give us this place, inas- much as it gives us a passage over the river Shower to the city of Waterford ; and indeed into Munster, to our shipping and provisions, which before were beaten from us out of Waterford bay by the enemy's guns. It hath given us also the opportunity to besiege or block up Waterford, and we hope our gracious God will therein direct us also. It hath given us also the opportunity of our guns, ammuni- tion, and victual, and indeed quarter for our horse, Ml 200 CROMWKLL's successes in IRELAND. which could not have subsisted much longer : so sweet a mercy was the gaining of this little place unto us. Having rested there a night, and by noon the next day gotten our army over the river, leaving colonel Reynolds, with about one hundred and fifty foot, his own six troops of horse, and one troop of dragoons, with a very little ammunition, according to the smallness of our marching store, we marched away towards Waterford upon Friday the 23rd, and on Saturday, about noon, came before the city. The enemy not being a little troubled at this unsuspected business, (which indeed was the mere guidance of God,) marches down with great fury towards Carrick, with their whole army, resolving to swallow it up, and upon Saturday, the 24th, assaults the place round, thinking to take it by storm : but God had otherwise determined ; for the troopers and the rest of the soldiers with stones did so pelt them, they con- tinning very near four hours under the walls, having barnt the gates, which our men barricadocd up with stones, and likewise digged under the walls and sprung a small mine, which flew in their own faces ; but they left about forty or fifty men dead under the walls, and have drawn oft; as some say, near four hun- dred more, which they buried up and down the fields, besides what are wounded; and, as Inchiquin himself confessed, in the hearing of some of their soldiers lately come to us, hath lost him above one thousand men. The enemy was drawing off' his dead a good CROMWELL S SUCCESSES FN IRELAND. 201 part of the night. They were in such haste upon the assault, that they killed their own trumpet, as he was returning with an answer to the summons sent by them. Both in the taking and defending of this place, colonel Reynolds's carriage was such as de- serves much honour. Upon our coming before Waterford, I sent the lieutenant-general, with a regiment of horse and three troops of dragoons, to endeavour the reducing of Passage Fort, a very large fort, with a castle in'' the midst of it, having five guns planted in it, and com- manding the river better than Duncannon ; it not being much above musket-shot over where this fort stands, and we can bring up hither ships of three hundred tons, without any danger from Duncannon. Upon the attempt, though our materials were not very apt for the business, yet the enemy called for quarter, and had it, and we the place. We also pos- sessed the guns which the enemy had planted to beat our ships out of the bay two miles below. By the taking of this fort, we shall much straiten Duncannon from provisions by water, as we hope they are not in a condition to get much by land, besides the advantage it is of to us to have provisions to come up the river. It hath pleased the Lord, whilst these things hath been thus transacting here, to add to your interest in Munster, Bandon Bridge : the town, as we hear upon the matter, thrusting out young Jepson, who was their VOL. II. 2 T) \ 202 Cromwell's slcces^es in ikelanu. governor, or else he deserting it upon that jealousy. As also Kinsalc, and the fort there -, out of which fort four hundred men marched upon articles when it was surrendered. So that now, by the good hand of the Lord, your interest in Munster is near as good al- ready as ever it was since this war began. I sent a party, about two days ago, to my lord of Broo-hil, from whom I expect to have an account of all. r Sir, What can be said to these things ? Is it an arm of flesh that doth these things ? Is it the wisdom and counsel or strength of men ? It is the Lord only. God will curse that man and his house that dares to think otherwise. Sir, you see the work is done by a divine leading : God gets into the hearts of men, and persuades thein to come under you. I tell you, a con- siderable part of your army is fitter for an hospital than the field. If the enemy did not know it, I should liavc held it impolitic to have writ it. They know it, yet they know not what to do. I humbly beg leave to offer a word or two. I beg of those that arl faithful, that they give glory to God. I wish it may have influence upon the hearts and spirits of all those that are now in place of government in the greatest trust, that they may all in heart draw near to (Jod, giving him glory by holiness of life and conversation, that these unspeakable mercies may teach dissenting brethren on all sides to agree, at least in praising God. And if the Father of the ENGAGEMENT SUBSCUllSED IN HOLLAND. 203 family be so kind, why should there be such jarrings and heart-burnings amongst the children ? And if it will not be received, that these are seals of God's approbation of your great change of government, which indeed was no more yours than these victories and successes are ours ; yet let them, with us, say, even the most dissatisfied heart amongst them, that botli are the righteous judgments and mighty works of God ; that he hath pulled down the mighty from his seat ; that calls to an accompt innocent blood, that he thus breaks the enemies of his church in pieces. And let them not be sullen, but praise the Lord, and think of us as they please, and we shall be satisfied, and pray for them, and wait upon our God, and we hope we shall seek the welfare and peace of our native country : and the Lord give them hearts to do so too. Indeed, sir, I was constrained in my bowels to write thus much. I ask your pardon ; and rest Your most humble servant, O. Cromwell. SIR WALTER STRICKLAND TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE. Right Honourable, — I was induced, for many reasons, to choose the English house, where the English company resides, rather than my own in the '20i} ENGAGEMENT SUBSCRIBED IN HOLLAND. Hague, for the subscribing the Engagement," as con- ceiving that company to be more immediately subject to parliamentary authority than any other place in Holland ; they enjoying many privileges by the con- tract betwixt the two States, and therefore more ho- nourable to do it there. I having written to the deputy, that I had no power to treat or dispute, but expected submission, or else I was to return the refusers ; major-general Massey, it seems, thought to make himself head of the opposite party, looked back upon his former qualifi- cation of being of the company, and yet in that he was not over fortunate, and came up into the room where I was ; and was, in his own opinion, full of rea- son as well as zeal to oppose my proceedings, espe- cially that the company had rights by contract be- twixt the States General and the king. 1 told him, my instructions were short : if he were a merchant, to expect his subscribing ; if not, I would certify his re- fusal ; and for any other matter, how easy soever it was for me to answer him as a principal man, in the capacity I was now in, 1 would not : for my authority was limited by my instructions ; and I was not to dispute, but to see done what I had in charge. " Tlic l^iio-ngeineiit was framed and adopted in parliament shortly after the execution of the king. It purported to ex- i)ress the a}>[)rohation of the suhscriber of all that had been done in the king's trial, in the abolishing of kingship, and the takintr awav the house of lords, 'ork, as the labourer doth to be at his rest. This makes us bold to be earnest with you for necessary supplies : that of money is one ; and there be some other things, which indeed I do not think for your service to speak of publicly, which I shall humbly represent to the council of state, wherewith I desire we may be accommodated. Sir, The Lord, who doth all these things, gives hopes of a speedy issue to this business, and, I am persuaded, will graciously appear in it. And truly there is no fear of the strength and combination of enemies round about, nor of slanderous tongues at home ; God hath hitherto fenced you against all those, to wonder and amazement : they are tokens of your •WHIIII ^16 THE ENGAGEMENT. prosperity and success ; only it will be good for you, and us that serve you, to fear the Lord, to fear un- belief, self-seeking confidence in an arm of flesh, and opinion of any instruments, that they are other than as dry bones. That God be merciful in these things, and bless you, is the humble prayer of, Sir, Your most humble servant, O. Cromwell. Castle Town, Feb. 15, 1()49 [50.] SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— According to the commands of parliament, the orders to the army for signing the Eno-ao-ement were sent forth, and arc returned, which 1 have appointed to be delivered to the clerk of the parliament. And whilst I shall have any charge or trust under you, as the Lord shall assist me, I shall endeavour faithfully to discharge it ; and remain Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. Feb. 19, 1040 [50.] hi THE ENGAGEMENT. THE SAME TO THE SAME. 217 Mr. Steak er, — Divers lords, gentlemen, and others, who have had articles, and conceive that thereby they ought to enjoy the freedom of their persons and estates equally with the other subjects of this nation, and being restrained thereof by the late act for removing and confining persons, &c. have made their application to me and my council of officers, desiring that a due regard may be had to those articles ; upon serious consideration whereof, they have thought fit humbly to make an address to you, which is to be offered unto the parliament by the hands of colonel Disbrowe and colonel Cox, which I desire may be considered, (being a thing wherein the honour of the parliament and army is so much concerned,) and that such course may be taken for the preservation thereof, as you, in your wisdom, shall think fit. I remain Your most humble servant, T. Fairfax. Queen-street, March 16, 1641) [50.] [S. DILLINGHAM TO MR. SANCROFT.] Sir, — I wish myself as well able to furnish you with good news as you deserve to hear it. The in- VOL. 11. 2 F .....JitlSlJB. 218 IRELAND. closed is of my usual friend's, though not his own hand : I saw him too late, else I had had more. But upon discourse with him and another intelligent gen- tleman, I augment it thus. In the taking of Clonmel, you may think they paid dear. Having lain long before it, and in the mean time taken Kilkenny, much loss by sallies being sustained, an onslaught was resolved : it was done with great loss, and the town carried ; but the inner trenchments, devised by the governor, a kinsman of O'Neile's, cost far dearer gaining. After all which, they were by main force cast out of all ; and, with much entreaty of Cromwell, persuaded to lodge that night under the walls, that their siege might be be- lieved not absolutely to be quitted. In the night, little powder left to defend, all was drawn away, persons and things, worth any thing. Cromwell himself says, he doubted of getting on the soldiers next day to a fresh assault. Towards morning, a parley beat, and was gladly received ; so that conditions were granted to their desires, not being above eighty defendants in all of two thousand five hundred. They were mad when they came in, and sending to pursue, cut off two hundred women and children. Since a review of their force, which consisted of all the strength they could make, their troopers dismounted to boot, near all the officers of Ireton's regiment are wanting, and you may guess shrewdly at Hercules by his foot ; and the business is IRELAND PRINCE RUPERT. 219 at this pass, that he that undertook to have Irt^land at his command so by last Michaelmas, as a child should keep it under with a rod, can't now assure his soldiers two miles from home, and promise them safe return. The English under Ormond, upon articles, are with- drawn : he and Inchiquin, ready to be gone, (which was Cromwell's voluntary grant to them, being left out in the treaty managed by three for Ulster, Munster, and Leinster,) are staid by ray lord Taffe, upon intelligence by him brought of the agreement at Breda, and enjoined to wait the doing his majesty service there. This by the best letters. Colonel Blake writes from Portugal, that the king rather favours prince Rupert than him, and that he stands in fear of violence to his navy. Others say, upon how true grounds I know not, we have made stay of six ships of theirs, coming into harbour; and sent to the house, whether to keep them as enemies. This seems a little forward ; and if we be in case to make those princes enemies, whom we suspect, it is well. The Dutch ambassadors' address is to the Mes- sieurs in Parliament, not to the Parliament of Eng- land. This is stuck at with offence ; and the more because his business here is smelt out to be little else than a complaint of, and requiring satisfaction for, some maritime injuries sustained, and looks rather towards picking a quarrel. 220 SCOTLAND. CROMWELL. 221 Calender's "" prohibition to continue in Scotland, argues that as yet, though their estates be granted, yet it must not be at home. The reason given of the hastiness to Montrose, is from a severity of his, upon occasion, towards those that had been of the co- venant army in England, and of his own sect. Argyle misses, upon casting account, five hundred. The English merchants in Portugal are said to dis- relish the Engagement, so Blake is in worse trouble. Great complaint upon the Exchange of the loss of merchant ships : two lately miscarried ; one of thirty- six guns. Case is sequestered ; Jagger, they say, set free, upon the same account. He may do them a courtesy at the state council that can resolve them, whether they had best venture upon Scotland this summer, or expect the Scots in winter : both which they are loth to, yet know not which to choose ; though, in policy, to get Cromwell northward, (upon whose coming they are a little mended of the staggers.) Just at his coming to the house, a letter was read from Mr. Strickland, of the king of Scotland's intentions for that kingdom. One of themselves say, it has been carried in the nega- tive for a march thither; yet, he thinks, intended among fewer for the affirmative ; so little dare they trust themselves in public vote. It is just with us as with the English quarter-staff-man against the three '^ Lord Calender, with others, was forbidden to go to Scotkiiid with Charles. II. Spaniards ; we know not which rapier will make first at us : there are enemies enough ready. No way to reduce the present power, but either by division, (which is very unlikely,) or by a foreign in-fall. Yesterday, I saw the great excrement of the king- dom, that unnatural nose which is grown beyond the head, the epitome of the East Indies, one contrary to that in Erasmus ; instead of casting a shadow, it illuminates the air so far about, and is the oricrinal of all new lights: a truth clearer than the sun, the shame of the moon, and the router of all the stars ; yet that which somewhat abates the edfye of its splendour, is the vicinity of gold and spangles where- with he has bedaubed himself, unless happily the riches of his nose have propagated themselves thither. We may say of that, as the Jews of Og's shank bone, a man may course a game in it a whole day ere he come to the end. Some lawyers have declared that there is no such thing yet as Custodes Uhertatis AngUce ; you shall therefore see Cromwell lord protector thereof. Fair- fax, it is thought, may still be employed, if he will do any thing. This is all, which you may communi- cate to ]\Ir. Holdsworth, Mr. Davenport, and Mr. Evington, with my service. Sir, I am theirs, and upon all occasions your, S. D. Fri(Uiv afternoon, [May 10.30.] At the Golden Ball, in Gutter-lane. 7 HOOKE, ALDERMAN OF BRISTOL. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker,— When we lay before Bristol in the year 1G45, we considered the season of the year, the strength of the place, and of what importance the reducement thereof would be to the good of the commonwealth, and accordingly applied ourselves to all possible means for the accomplishment of the same; which received its answerable effect. At which time, for something considerable done in order to that end, by Humphrey Hooke, alderman of that place, (which for many reasons is desired to be con- cealed,) his excellency the lord general Fairfax and myself gave him an engagement, under our hands and seals, that he should be secured and protected, by the authority of the parliament, in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and estate, as freely as in former times, and as any other person under the obedience of the parliament, notwithstanding any past acts of hostility, or other thing done by him, in opposition to the par- liament or assistance of the enemy ; which engage- ment, with a certificate of divers godly persons of that city, concerning the performance of his part thereof, is ready to be produced. I understand, that lately an order is issued out to sequester him, whereby he is called to composition : I thought it meet therefore to give the honourable parliament this account, that he may be preserved from any thing of that nature ; for the performance SANCROFT. 223 \ of which, in order to the good of the commonwealth, we stand engaged in our faith and honour. I leave it to you ; and remain, Sir, Your most humble servant, O. Ckomwell. June 20, 1C50. MR. SANCROFT TO HIS BROTHER. Dearest BuoTnER,_James Goodwin was with me on Saturday night, and was full of the story of Fres- ingfield : but that it was late, and he had not time to tell it, yet he forgot not how kindly you invited, and my sister inhorsed her great belly to accompany them ; how liberal an entertainment ; the marvels of your dairy, with the wooden looking-glasses on the shelfj and the wonders of your courtesy and my three sisters', in carrying them part of their way homeward, and the rest. But that which pleased me most of all, was to hear of all your healths and wel- fare, which I beg of Heaven to continue and increase. I thank God I am in health too, as I use to be here, not as with you. The new nothing, or Presbyterian Commencement, is over : expect no part of the history of it from me ; I will never be historiographer to that faction. As I look upon that cursed Puritan faction as the ruin of 224. SANCROFT. SANCROFT. 225 7 the most glorious church upon earth, (in whose faith I still live and hope to die,) so I cannot but esteem this late solemnity as a piece of their triumph over us ; and ray just resentment will not give me leave so diligently to attend it, as to be able to give an account of it to you or any man, any otherwise than by my grief and silence. There is no time, brother, in which I should not rejoice to see you, yet I am not sorry that you were not here to increase the crowd of their auditors. For the time of our meeting at Bury, (which Mr. Widdrington still desires, and sends you his kind re- membrance in earnest of it,) let it be when you shall appoint at the carrier's return ; it is vacation with us, and all weeks, and days of the week, are indifferent to us: only do you, who have business, appoint a pe- remptory day, when your hay-making will give you leave, and you shall infallibly find us at the Bull at Bury, by eleven of the clock. Then I shall tell you all my condition. In the mean time, the commissioners sit this week ; and what they will do, I know not. Some assure me, that Mr. Cromwell, when he was here on Saturday was sevennight, (in his passage towards the north,) told the vice-chancellor and doctors, who sneaked to the Bear to wait upon his mightiness, that there should be no further proceedings against non-subscribers ; that he had desired the committee of regulation above to petition the house, in his name, that we mio-ht be no further urfjed. But we know his method well enough, namely, by courteous over- tures to cajole and charm all parties when he goes upon a doubtful service ; and as soon as it is over to his mind, then to crush them : and that, I am con- fident, will be our destiny, when the Scottish affair is done to his desires and hopes. However, I like him worse when he is stealing of hearts with Absalom, than when he is lopping of heads like John of Leyden ; accounting the devil far more dangerous in the serpent than in the lion. Whatever becomes of me, I am, brother, to you, and all the rest of my brothers and sisters with you and elsewhere, Most affectionately loving, W S July 10, 1650. I think I have at home two pair of plain gloves, not yet worn. I pray desire my sisters to send them, and two or three bands with cuffs to them, and my sister Margaret's letter, if it be finished. My humble service to Mr. Goodgefield, and my love to Mr. Conoid and all my friends. S. DILLINGHAM TO [MR. SANCROFT.] Sir,— I deserve no grief of yours, nor have I so much command of my own as to retract it when I please. You know there is a double shakino- of VOL., I. 2o 2^G CROMWELL. hands : I wish it might be with us in the more fa- vourable sense. Construe what folly you meet in my lines as pro- ceeding from a scurvy melancholy upon the parting with so much worth. I had wrote in Latin, but that I think the times neither deserve it nor understand it. Wheresoever I am or shall be, I will be no stranger to you : you may do as you find occasion with me. I will lay such a track for intercourse, that the slime of a snail's progress, or a highway's beating an hundred years together, shall never be more vi- sible. Woods and caves and wildernesses are Edens to me ; and had you a cell at the far side of the same forest, I should care for no more of the world. Might I sleep out the names of Presbytery and In- dependency, I could not choose but wake into good times. I hear such things of Cromwell, as my Modern Intelligencer gives me little reason to believe : (if my desires were observed, you had the sight of him last week, happily not the reading.) One, in discourse about the Lord's anointed, stuck not to say, he thought Cromwell the very same. And shall that oily nose at last go for the Lord's anointed ? No, we have better terms to express so much desert by. It is the saints' minimum quoddam naturale ; a Nol with the wisp, the least spark of light that ever man saw : or take him in a more thundering way, it is error carbonadoed, the red dragon, the third great CROMWELL. 2«^7 luminary, the commonwealth's Noli me tangere, the original sin of all new lights. If some lusty fly durst venture upon it, and blow it to purpose, you would soon see it spawn the maggots of a thousand young heresies yet. The new commonwealth is a mere excrement blown from it : it is the golden calf which the people were about setting up when Essex was upon Edgehill ; Pandora's box with a cover ; that which people rather gaze at than delight in, and wherewith they are mastered, like a company of jackdaws in the night at sight of a torch ; were that quenched, they would be at their nest again. It is Samson's foxes' firebrands, and all beaten together into an intolerable nose ; the state's hot house, since the new act \ the elephant of reformation, that can easily catch all plots against the state in his snout ; the devil's breeches turned wrong side upwards, and clapped by a mischance to the General's face. But flies must not be too bold with the candle for scalding their wings : it is God knows what ; and, do what I can, I must leave it the same I found it. And, sir, wherever you meet me, you shall find me the same you left me, your S. Dillingham My service to Mr. Iloldsworth, Mr. Davenport, and Mr. Duke. Tlie Wald, July 30, 1G50. 2^28 SIR HENRY BLOUNT. THE DUKE OF YORK. 229 7 SIR HENRY BLOUNT TO J. HOBART. Worthy Cousin, — I give you many thanks for your kind letter, which, besides ray great joy to hear of ray friends' health, gives rae occasion to present you and your lady with ray most affectionate service ; and likewise to let you know, that the number of your kindred and servants is a little increased in the birth of a little son of mine upon Thursday last : if he live to express his service to you as effectually as I desire he may, then you shall be very well requited for the trouble which this relation gives you. I pray you, cousin, with this news, present my love to ray cousin Bagnall and her daughters. Our public affairs here are prosperous. The par- liaraent has had a considerable victory at sea against a French fleet before Lisbon ; and general CrorawelP is marched beyond Edinburgh, to join with four thousand foot and two thousand horse of his own, landed in Fife, out of Ireland. Here at London, the high court of justice proceeds against such as held secret correspondence with the Scots : they begin with one Andrews, who it is thought will suffer upon Monday. Here is no other news to present you with : wherefore I will only add a request, that you ' Fairfax was unwilling to make war on the Scots, and there- fore resigned the command of the army. Cromwell was made commander-in-chief in his room. Whitlocke, June 26. will let rae know wherein I raay serve you ; which is the extreme desire of Your raost affectionate kinsman and servant, Henry Blount. Hollo way, Aug. 19, 1G50. THE DUKE OF YORK. Extracts of letters sent by Dr. Stuart, dean of St. Paul's, to Mr. Secretary Nicholas, touchino- his royal highness the duke of York, as to the point of religion.^ Louvre, Sept. 11 1650 — The duke of York is very right set, and you will see a change in his servants shortly. The queen of England will do little with him. Bmxelles, Oct, 22, S,N. 1650.— You may, per- haps, hear his highness censured for leaving Paris as he did, but I doubt not you will think the best ; and if I know the bottom of the business, it is not only defensible, but commendable, what he hath done: and he is upon excellent principles, both in point of religion and in point of service to the kincr, his • '* The originals arc in the State Paper Office." ST.-JI ■Mlllll £30 THE DUKE OF YORK. THE DUKE OF YORK. 231 l» i brother and sovereign, when occasion shall justly offer itself, with such commission as is requisite. Bruxelles, Oct. Z, I60O. — But as things now are, I shall only repeat to you, what I wrote in ray last, that the duke's principles, both in matter of religion and in point of duty and service to the king, are so commendable, that I doubt not you would have been glad to have been an ear- witness of them both. Nov. ,^5, 1(J30. — All that I can say is this: that the duke, in this remove, hath not only done what is justifiable, but that indeed which, when all grounds are known, he deserves to be commended for. Only there is so much a secret in it, that it is better for his highness to undergo some men's censures, than to put himself to the disadvantage of undermining them. Truth will out at last, and, by the grace of God, time enough. I beseech you, believe me to be neither of their opinion, who taught the last king of France to dis- honour and despise his mother, nor yet of theirs neither, who think the fifth commandment makes a queen mother a queen regent. Bruaelles, Dec. 8, 1650. — And, sir, for yours of November 30, wherein you write how much his high- ness is censured for going so often to popish service, I can only reply, that if the authors of that censure had indeed found any thing material to object to the duke, it seems they had not spared his hitrhness whereas they seem to please themselves with so very a bable. The truth is, in eight weeks' space he hath been there five or six times ; but he always sat incognito, where very few saw him, and where scarce any were about him but his own servants. One of those times, he went to see three knights of the Golden Fleece, erected by the king of Spain's letters patent, which was done in mass time; and believe, the most holy of their sincerities, that most censure the duke, would not have lost such a sight. Other time he went merely to hear music ; which oft-times was very good, and so was a kind of enter- tainment to him, having so little else in this place. Pray God, those holy persons, who censure this so much, allow not themselves far worse kinds of recreations : but I believe you will hear of that no more. Bruxelles, Dec. 12, lG50._We are now, as I conceive, upon a remove towards you, so that though I might, without prejudice, be silent till I waited on you, yet since in yours of December 7th you again mention the duke's frequent going to mass, &c. and how heinous a crime it is made by those of the presbytery, I shall add thus much to what I wrote in my last. First, that I never moved his highness to go at any time. 2ndly, That I did not like his so 'I ^ *" ' '" ' ■ •■^ ■■ ■ ■■■ ■■■■I II M I I III W ^^^^ Il l lll ll I IW -'>1- Ol. St. John. 2f)l. nrSl'UTES WITH FRANCE. HUGH MORRELL TO THE SPEAKER. Right Honourable, — I conceive it my duty to give your honours account of the conference I had this day with duke De Vendome, in presenting him a placet concerning their favourable taking of our seamen of captain Hutchins's ship (lately taken by them) to serve in their king's ship, (the Sun,) on their piratical actions, as by the inclosed, which I put into French, for Mr. Solomon to communicate unto their state, which he is now about. The duke, high admiral of France, could not believe it, but in-' stantly commanded his secretary to write for Toulon for a full information, and to release them. I shall desire a copy of said letter, to send my correspondent there. The duke then fell to my main business, our ships lately taken, how that perforce we must come to know how we shall live each by other. I told him, they were beforehand, by taking on us that were their friends. He replied, ** You take our bank vessels, not in a piratical way, but on account of your injustice, or denying of justice ;" and, said he, ** we have a law by which we go, the covering of the enemy con- demns the friend; that is, if in a ship of four hundred tons, there be three hundred and ninety-nine tons goods of friends, one ton laden for an enemy must condemn the three hundred and ninety-nine tons." To which I made him this supposition. At Leghorn, thirty merchants load for England a ship of five DISPll'RS WITH FUANCi: . O ()0 hundred tons ; twenty-nine have all the bales, save five or six : these are, by a man unknown to the twenty-nine, and by opening of letters, found to be for the account of a Spaniard : — Must the twenty-nine English lose all their estates? It were a most unjust and unsufferablc law by any sovereign state, who are their equals, not their vassals, or subject to any such law of theirs out of their dominions. The good man could not reply, but closed, that since he came to the admiralty I had no cause of grievance. I replied, that would appear in the three late ships, unjustly condemned because they fought justly ; and two more now of late, not yet brought to judgment : I opposing condemnation, until my just and legal defences to preserve my proprietors' rights be heard. This will discover their injustice formerly done, and their intentions for time to come, peace (or war, if they could or dare.) There is a large petition, framed by the dcjjuties of the out-ports of France, not yet presented : it declares the great injustice done our nation, to the value of sixteen millions of livres ; they beg to do us justice. When it is presented, I am promised a copy, w^hieh 1 shall present your honour, and, if my thoughts change not, cause a hundred to be printed and sold, if I see it conducinof to the sufferino- of our nation by their injustice ; and to ask of their statesmen to send one in a letter, to shew the compassion the people have in our merchants' sutferintrs. Their fear, their VOL. II. 2 M QGG DISPUTES WITH FKANCK. DISPUTES WITH FRANCE. Qi)7 losses, their stop of navigation, (not lo\e unto us,) makes them clamour to do us justice ; stopping their fishing and salt will force justice from them : if soli- citing, importuning, will quicken them, they have it daily, but they are fondled with plots and strange chimeras, and so infractions, that here are no meetings of council : the royal family clash ; all is confusion. I am now at the 11th, and come from the council of the admiralty, which I attended for their result about the two last ships by them taken, having fore- prepared all their ministers of state with placets, and to the queen regent also, of the injustice our mer- chants and nation receive by them : which I desired might receive a public debate before the kino- and all his council, both knowing in the laws and matters of state. After two hours sitting, the council rose. The secretary, addressing himself from the rest to me, began thus : '* Sir, I am commanded by the duke, the admiral of France, to know if you have not power from the state of England to treat about the accom- modating of differences?" I made him reply, that my employment was only to procure justice for those merchants interested in the seven ships and o-oods taken by them in the Levant seas, and in no kind to intermeddle with matters of state, being expressly forbidden by our council -of state. '' How shall we then compose things? The wisdom of their council know the way: the great king of Spain had directed them." *'But, sir, for my two ships and goods last taken, what result ?" He replied, '* It is put off to the next council." I hope my written applications do beget in them more seriousness before they resolve than formerly ; though it puts me to great pains and thoughts of heart for my proprietors, how to reason them or fear them into justice by the sad posture they are in with the Spaniard and the Hollander and us, by mere injustice and denying of justice. If I am able to read any thino^ in their coun- tenances or gestures, as they rose from council, was as so many stunned, sad, and thoughtful men, sick of my plain home truths. Fain would they treat with any one empowered from our state. What seven days may produce, time will shew. In all humility, I beg pardon for my swelling lines : my weakness cannot do it better, my breeding being but a mere merchant. I must beg pardon for one line more, and therewith a favour, but not name for whom, fearing the parliament will deny it. Leave for ten or fifteen horses. The duke must do us some act of justice, then I'll name him, if I may pre- sume and speed. My promise is performed with the best skill I have, which I am enforced to, to ofain favour, next justice ; which God, in his good time, may in mercy send us from them. As in duty, I remain Your honour's most humble servant, ,, . Huc;h Mouuell. April 10, 10.51. l| I 1 .%'UO SANCKOFT. SANCUOFT. m O 11 If 11 MR. SANCKOFT TO HIS BROTHER. Dear Buotiiku, — I fear my last brought you too much trouble, since I perceive the carrier delivered it not so soon as he promised me, and as was neces- sary for the despatch of what I desired. I shall now renew my request, that if he come not soon enough for the time I then fixed, yet that that business with my brother Jacob and J. Coly may be despatched as soon as you can conveniently, and the bills of ex- change sent to me. Rogers promised me to have been here before this time, that I might have had an account of this affair; but he fails, as he useth to do. It was just now that Crosby informed me of this opportunity of sending to you by Hob. Aldon's son, of Ilunlingfurd, and I could not let it pass without giving you this account of myself. I was troubled with a cough, the effect of a cold I got while I was with you, till the end of last week ; but then renewing it, it found another resort, and became the tooth-ache ; which, after some trouble, and an apostume in my gum, and a swollen face fur some days, is now, I hope, upon leaving me, doing me the courtesy to carry my cough along with it. This for my health. For the rest, I received, this day sovennight, an order, of which I send you a copy in the next page : by which you will perceive, tliat Thursday come fortnight is like to put an end to my hopes, yet happily not to my fears, since some of my friends would persuade me that I may outlive that date. I thank God, 1 am not much solicitous in that behalf, having long since set up my rest ; and so much the less, having this day received an overture of a subsistence full up to that of my fellowship, in which the employment required shall leave me too as much at liberty as I am at present. I long impatiently, brother, to hear of you and your affairs, and of the health and welfare of all your and my friends : to all whom, I pray, present me in particular, and be assured that 1 am unchangeably, unfeignedly. Your loving brother, April 22, 1G51. \\\ J^. *' At the Committee for Reformation of the Univer- sities. *' Upon reading the humble petition of Thomas Brainford, of Emanuel college in Cambridge^ it is ordered by this committee. That the senior fellow^ in the said college resident, do cause notice to be left at the chamber of Mr. Sancrofi, fellow of the said college, that in case he does not make it appear to this committee, on this day month peremptorily, that he has subscribed the Engagement, according to an act of parliament, this committee will, without further notice, nominate another to succeed the said Mr. Bancroft \ and that such senior fellow do give an i i270 LOUD aiilndi:l or tuekicl:. QUEEN OK BOHEMIA. 2/1 account to this committee, on or before the time aforesaid, of the execution hereof. M. Oldiswoiith." April 10, 1651. *' For the Senior Fellow in Emanuel College." OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir,— Receiving this inclosed,' and finding the contents of it to expostulate for justice and faith keeping, and the direction not iujproper to myself from the party interested, forasmuch as it is the word and the faith of the army engaged unto a per- formance ; and understanding by what steps it hath proceeded, which this inclosed letter of the gen- tleman's will make manifest unto you ; I make bold humbly to present the business to the parliament. If he desires that which is not just and honourable for you to grant, I shall willingly bear blame for this trouble, and be glad to be denied ; but if it be just and honourable, and tends to make good the faith of your servants, I take the boldness then to pray he may stand or fall according to that : and this desire, I hope, is in faithfulness to you, and will be so judged. I take leave ; and rest, Sir, Your most humble servant, O. Cromwell. GlasiLxow, April -25, 1651. See before, p. 258. THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA TO SIR ABRAHAM WILLIAMS. Williams,— This day fortnight, I renewed what I writ to you a month ago, which now I do again ; and that you will send out, with all speed possible, a copy of the act or warrant, I know not which to term them, that the kings, my father and my brother, gave under the great seal for those moneys they as- signed to be paid me out of the customs ; I mean the £1.^00 a month. As for that of my pension, I have the original by me, as also those acts that were made since by the parliament for £10,000 a year besides my pension, which also they did then allow ; as also what I have had paid me, and what is yet due in arrears in virtue of all those acts. I pray, send them speedily, while that St. John and Strickland are here ; for though they threaten to be gone, I do not believe they will.^ Howsoever, I pray send them speedily; and shew this letter to Honywood, from Your assured friend, E. The Hague, May 8, 1651. * St. John could not bring the States to the terms he wished, therefore procured his recall from the Hague. The Dutch were hereupon alarmed, and pressed him and Strickland to stay: they despatched Thurloe, St. John's secretary, to England, to know the pleasure of the parliament, who sent letters al- lowing the ambassadors to stay some time longer. Whitloche April W, 3Lu/A^, Km. 070 COLONEL CLAYTON. 1 I OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Mil. Speaker, — I am very desirous to make an humble motion unto you on the behalf of colonel Randall Clayton, who being taken prisoner when I was ia Irelanil, wat with some other officers judged to die, as those that had formerly served the par- liament, but were tfien partakers with the lord In- chiquin in his revolt ; and although the rest suffered, according to the sentence passed upon them, yet, with the ad\ ice of the chief officers, I thouo-ht meet to give him, the said colonel Randall Clayton, '' his life, as one that is furnished with large abilities for the service of his country : and, indeed, there was the appearance of such remorse, and of a work of grace upon his spirit, that I am apt to believe he will here- after prove an useful member unto the state, upon the best account. ILavino- thus o^iven him his release, and observino- his Christian candour, I then promised him to nego- tiate with the parliament for the taking off the se- questration that is upon his estate, which indeed is but very small. I do therefore humbly entreat you to pass such a special act of favour towards him, whereby he will be engaged and enabled to improve ^ Colonel Clayton liad been tried by court martial, and sen- tenced to die, but was afterwards pardoned. WlfitJochc, April 1, wm. IRELAND. 273 his interest the more vigorously in his place for the advantage of the public. I would not address such an overture to you, did I not suppose that the placing of this favour upon this person will be of very good use, and an act of much charity and tenderness. I rest, Sir, Your most humble servant, O. Cromwell. Edinburgh, May 10, 1G51. COLONEL HEWSON TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Being commanded by your commissioners to give you an account of your affairs in Connaught, which the Lord hath disposed of in so successful a posture as giveth cause unto your servants here to re- joice in his goodness, and great confidence of speedy despatching of the Irish wars. Ry command of my lord deputy, I was in the field fortifying Athy and Munster, when understanding my lord president of Connaught and commissary-general Reynolds was about Sligo, and my lord deputy drawing towards the Shannon, I did (according to my promise to the lord president) march towards Athlone, with eleven hundred foot and four hundred horse, to divert the enemy from him, (who was advanced very strong that way,) or prosecute any other opportunity Pro- VOL. II. 2n ^74< IRELAND. It vidence should offer. When I came to MulHnjrar, I had intelligence that my lord president moved to- wards sir Robert Ring's house, which the enemy had garrisoned, and that Clanrickard advanced towards him : the governor fired the garrison, and left it. My lord president did not march forward, as they expected, but marched by them, towards the county of Galloway, before they knew of it, endeavouring to get to the Shannon to join with my lord deputy ; but before he came, my lord deputy was got over the Shannon near Killaloe. When I came to Baltimore, one troop of our horse marched unto Athlone, and brought away eighty cows : and then the alarum was hot in Athlone, that their army was routed, and the lord Dillon wounded, and his son taken prisoner ; but the next morning came one from Athlone, that assured me, that one father John, priest, chaplain to Dillon, came the night before from their army, and assured the lady Dillon that her husband was well, and their army was not routed : but after the priest had pacified the lady Dillon, he spake, in the hearing of the party, (that was with me,) unto sir Robert Talbot, the governor, and with a great lamentation complained they were all lost ; Ireton was come over the Shannon, and joined with sir Charles Coote ; and, full of grief, the priest took his beads. The next day, my intelligencer brought me certain word, that one Kelly delivered a garrison, upon a pass about Killaloe, to my lord deputy, where his lordship IRELAND. Ti5 brought over his army, and engaged with a consi- derable party under the command of Castlehaven, and took, killed, and routed them all ; and took Pur- tumnie, a garrison upon the Shannon. I receiving let- ters from your commissioners, inviting me to Dublin, marched the forces with me back to Terroghan : upon my march, I received the inclosed copy of a letter out of Connaught, agreeing with my former several intel- ligences. When I came to Kinegal, I received pro- positions from my lord Dillon concerning the surren- dering of Athlone ; but not approving of his proposals, I returned answers to the particulars, with tenders of some conditions hi order to the delivering up that garrison for your service. Before my lord deputy was over the Shannon, the Irish was exceedingly lifted up with expectations : but now their confusions are great, every one laying the fiiult of others. They cry out mightily against Castlehaven for losing his party, and engaging (as they say) without orders. The enemy doth keep a pass with their army between Purtumnie and Athlone. And I hear my lord presi- dent is at Purtumnie, and my lord deputy marched to Galloway ; but that is only reports : I have it not certain, though probable. Sir, The Lord hath, doth, yea will work, and none shall let, until he perfect what he hath begun, even the establishing the mountain of holiness and habita- tion of justice in the earth : and that it may be found m your society, whereby you and your servants will t 9 Hr 276 COLONEL BORLACE. be in security, shall be the prayers, and is the expec- tation of Your humble servant, J. Hewson. Dublin, June 9, 1651. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Having received the inclosed petition and letter from the officers of a court of war at White- hall, representing unto me that the faith of the army concerning the articles of Truro, in the particular case of colonel Nicholas Borlace, is violated ; and the petitioner himself having come hither into Scot- land, desiring me to be instrumental that the said articles be performed, and that the faith of the army thereupon given might be made good ; I do therefore humbly desire that the parliament will please to take his case into consideration, and that his business may receive a speedy hearing, (he being already almost quite exhausted in the prosecution thereof,) that so justice may be done unto him, and that the faith of the army may be preserved. I crave pardon for this trouble ; and rest. Sir, Your most humble servant, „,. O. Cromwell. Edinhurph, June 13, 1651 .1 pym's debts. ^77 FRANCIS ROUSE' TO SIR HENRY VANE. Sir, — I know you want not work, yet I hope a labour of love will not be unwelcome to you, for God's faithfulness is engaged to remember such labours. This work of love is for a saint, and I hope a saint in glory, (Mr. Pym,) who himself died a la- bourer in the same work. You may please to take the case briefly thus. The parliament granted to trustees a forfeited estate, of good value, for the payment of debts and providing portions. The trustees would have sold it for these ends, and yielded the overplus to the par- liament, according to the ordinance. This they could not effect, by reason that no considerable price was to be had. Thus have they spent some years to small advantage, as to the satisfaction of the debts ; the interest, suits in law, and other charges, eating up a great part of the revenue : and now of late, the com- missioners of Haberdashers' hall have laid their hands upon the estate, and so the rents lie dead in the hands of tenants ; and yet interest goes on, and the estate is not profitable to the commonwealth, nor to any other. But one of the trustees going about this business to Haberdashers' hall, in his return was ar- rested for Mr, Pym's debts ; and so, I think, con- tinues. ' Rouse was chosen speaker of Crom well's first parliament, July 5, 1G;53. See Whithcke. ' 1 ti;i| iplBII' fii fi i^ 278 PYJVl's DEBTS. That which I desire is this : that this estate may be added to those that are now put to sale ; and that some four or five of the house be named as a com- mittee, to consider what is fit to allow further toward the forementioned debts and portions, according to the true intent of the ordinance, and to reserve the rest for the commonwealth, which may be a consi- derable sum. This, or any other motion which yourself shall choose, I humbly and earnestly desire you to advance ; and so much the rather, that there may be some speedy end of this business, there being little hope of despatch at Haberdashers' hall, they having before them, as a lawyer of the counsel of the trustees told me, fourscore causes, when a motion was to be made for this business. Besides, as I understand, when all is done, they mean to bring it at last to the parlia- ment ; which, by the former way, may far more speedily be done. When you have performed this, I hope it will be no grief of heart to you that you have done so good a work for the servant of a good God, in and for whose service I believe the debts were chiefly contracted. But you shall herein resemble the prophet who sup- plied oil for the payment of the debts of a prophet de- ceased ; and for me, you shall bind me still to be. Sir, Your faithful and thankful servant, Acton, -1.1 I) June It), 1G51. ^- ^^^^^^' TB I i DISTURBANCES AT CARDIGAN. O 279 COLONEL PHILIP JONES TO LIEUTENANT- GENERAL FLEETWOOD. Dear Sir,— I hope you have received mine of the 17th, giving an account of the Cardigan rebellion, and, through mercy, the suppressing of it upon the 15th before ; since when I have received the gen- tlemen in the inclosed list prisoners,' against whom there will a charge of treason be made good. There are found among the common prisoners, considerable freeholders, who paid £10 a month as- sessment ; and these hint the design was general, and to have been ripe this week : it is the great mercy of the Lord it is thus prevented. As Providence brings out any thing of it considerable, you shall have it. Indeed, sir, I conceive it exceeding necessary to put these men upon a very speedy trial, and that in the Norfolk ' manner; for a jury will do no good in that county, where little of the gospel hath yet been. I pray, sir, will you get it expedited, if the parliament intends that way. I have likewise inclosed sent you the names of commissioners to be tendered, if it be thought con- venient. Because you are a stranger to us, I have de- ^Thomas Lloyd, esq., captain Richard Jones, Mr. Reynold Jenkins, cornet Morgan Jenkins. By court martial. I It I 1} I i 280 IRELAND. I'j Hi. m i. I sired Mr. Henry Herbert to confer with you further. This is all your trouble for the present from, Sir, Your very affectionate servant, Phi. Jones. Swansea, June 19, 1G51. THE IRISH COMMISSIONERS TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — Our last gave you an account of the reducing of Athlone ; since that, we have received no intelligence from Connaught, nor any other of your forces, of any concernment worth your know- ledge. Last Monday, colonel Hew^son, with a con- siderable body from hence, marched into Wicklow, the most mountainous part of Ireland, the old nest and harbour of rebels and tories in all times, and such as have proved so to us in these late wars. The forces from Carlow and Wexford, under co- lonel Pretty's and colonel Cooke's command, are to march up that way also, so as there may be a commu- nication as occasion serves ; or to meet with the enemy in several parts, as they shall be dispersed. Colonel Hewson doth now intend to make use of the scythes and sickles that were sent over in 1649, but have been laid up in the stores till now : with which IRELAND. Q81 they do intend to cut down the corn growino- in those parts, on which the enemy is to live in winder time • and thereby, for want of bread and cattle, the tories may be left destitute of provisions, and so forced to submit, and quit those places. The recruits and supplies you sent over this sum- mer have been a great refreshing to your servants here : and truly the press-men that came over hither are very good men, and we hope will be of good use • only many of them were naked, and all of them wan[ arms, which puts us to some straits in some parts of this nation. We are now going to Ulster, to settle your affairs rtiere, and do expect to return about the end of this month to this place. We have not heard from you or the council of state since our coming over : wc men- tion this, not knowing but your letters may have mis- carried, through the loss of several packets cast over- board, which happened of late in these seas ; and to assure you, that the commands of the parliament, whensoever or howsoever conveyed to us, shall be always duly observed by Your most humble servants. Miles Corbbtt. Jo. Jones. •filly 1, 1051. John Weaver. VOL. II. io 28€ SANCROFT. S. DILLINGHAM TO MR. SANCROFT. Sir, — If I must not be happy in the fruition of yourself, let me not be miserable in the famine of your letters. What boots the whole troop of corns rallying into an ear, and sustained this year by as vigorous a blade, (which yet I cannot believe God has intended any other way than for a more intoler- able punishment,) unless you imitate, and shock your letters into words, running upon their several lines? It was my misfortune not to find you so healthful as that we might part at a cup of wine : I wish we may meet again, though it be but in a glass of beer. You must excuse my not taking leave of you and your chamber, for after I discovered my name out, I was as scrupulous to give offence in the college, as other whiles I have been in the town, whatever may have been discoursed by those who, it may be, per- suaded me out into the world, abortive enough for any service, and in the mean time maintain their own names amongst you with less right than I might do. But I may no more speak against a Presby- terian in the college, than an Independent in the state. Something may be thought, but nothing said : perhaps others will tell you more, it is enough to me to have outlived all desire to the university; and I part as willingly with it, as I at first cheerfully em- braced it. I had no desire to see the burial of that school, /. ADVANCE OF THE SCOTCH ROYALISTS. 283 though it be already up to the neck in rubbish, (and what's Oxford then ?) to which I owe what I am able to read or write. I say, God bless it : let others curse it when it needs. Sir, My service to Mr. Holdsworth, and that gen- tleman in Suffolk who so often took notice of me. I am your July 17, 1651. jj. D. THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE EARL OF DERBY. My Lord,— This bearer is so well able to give your lordship an account of the condition of our affairs at the present, that I shall not at all trouble you with it in this letter; only I shall say thus much concerning our late misfortune in Fife,'" that it is not so considerable as to hinder our march many days towards England. But I hope very shortly to have the good fortune to see your lordship there, and to give you thanks myself for the obligation I shall ever own to you, for having been pleased to express so much kindness to, My Lord, Your lordship's most humble servant and cousin, ^r^'f'l^,^ Buckingham. July 24. •" Lambert, on the 21st of this month of July, had totally routed the royalist forces in File, killing two thousand, and .. 'r 284 THE EARL OF DERBY. WK^ i THE EARL OF DERBY TO HIS SECRETARY, G. BROWNE. My George, — I am put out of pain by Donald's coming, for we had beard sad stories, and I was doubtful of the worst. I pray God the business go well forward, for it concerns heaven and earth. My lord Galloway had written that the enemies' forces were between him and the army, and could therefore inform me little j and the boatmen reported bad things, for which I purpose some good unto them in way of correction. I understand that Mr. Digby is at the water side near (Jalloway ; by him I hope of some more com- fortable relations. If please God that thou mavest come thyself with glad tidings, our hopes will be then completed : if you do not come yourself, be sure to write (which I hope is truth) that his majesty expects the gentlemen that are with me to accompany me till I receive his majesty's summons; at which time we may march together, in pursuance of the former re- solutions. This I desire, in regard that some of them here are very impatient and doubtful concerning my commands, since Mr. Ilsley writ to sir T. Tiddesly that his best were to come to court, and that it is his friends' advice to him : indeed, I do easily believe that the good man is deceived by some that wish me taking one thouscind four IiinKlrca prisoners. See Whillocke, JnlU 28. tW THE EAllL OF DERBY. 2S.5 no good ; for if those persons, who I have fixed upon as such that may assist me in ray intended services' be talien from me, I may have a melancholy timj on't. I understand that Jack Ashurst and Mr. Usley have both of them commands in the army and I therefore wonder less at their persuasions of their tnends to come unto them ; and I am not so dull as not to know, that the party which hath engaged them would engross also all the rest. Write to me there- tore very ]«rticularly, I pray, such a letter as I may shew unto the gentlemen now with me. to take oir any jealousy that may possess them in this matter. I have made my preparations to come with all «peed when I am called. I thank God 1 shall have five hundred good fellows with me. I hope in o-ood equipage. This you may be sure of; but your re'port hereof may be more or less, according to your dis- cretion, for I see noise carries much in these days. The common people of Scotland say (as Donald tells me) that the duke of Derby is coming with five thousand; you may also, if you will, say so in jest, till the often repeating make it so in earnest. I have sent notice into Lancashire of my coming 'n with the king : now if they be deceived of that expectation, as when duke Hamilton came there without me, it may endanger some ill, as it did then. f 28(> SIEGE OF LIiMEllICK. SIEGE OF LIMERICK. 287 God be thanked, all is well with us in this country," though the bishop of Down bid us be sure of an enemy ere now : and I hope that such order is taken here, both in furnishing my forts and settling the militia, that an enemy will have no encourage- ment to come, though they know me out of the land. I would willingly that it were made known unto the gentlemen here, that such orders as they or any of them shall receive from me, either to go with me or to stay here, as I shall appoint, will equally be re- sented by his majesty ; and that his majesty will well receive from me such motions as I shall make to him on their behalf, when please God he be enabled to do for them : and all this the rather, because the se- curity of this place will be a service as acceptable to him as if it were done in Enorland. I have sent a boat for Ireland, and a man to seek out sir Thomas Armstrong. The diurnals that have been taken by our frigates tell strange things : that my lord Clanrickard is retired to a religious house ; that all is their own in that kingdom, &c. But this is very true, that Ireton had besieged Limerick, and had put over a water, near the town, at least two thousand foot and six hundred horse : they battered the walls of the town with three great guns, but their bridge brake ; and my lord Castlehaven came into the " The earl of Derby was at tliis time endeavouriiijj: to raise forces for the king in Wales. town with a good strength of horse and foot : so they of Limerick had a good opportunity to fall on the enemy, (in a place called the Little Island,) which they did to some purpose, for they cut off the afore- said horse and foot, and put all to the sword but what they drowned in the river." The report goes further, but that I dare not aver for a truth, though it be believed by very many, that upon this defeat, Ireton drew all his forces together, and in a rage assaulted the old town, (so is called a village by the great town,) but was beaten off, and the townsmen had execution of them for three miles, and killed four thousand more. I pity your condition at the sight of every good pye, and on many more occasions. God will send a time, I trust, when we shall have rest ; not only in the world to come, but here a while, for a matter of forty or fifty years. Donald comes, according to your desire, both for the time, as soon as the weather could permit, and for the dequoy, the sum of £20, of which you will know more particularly by other letters from Bag- gerly, &c. I have the greatest satisfaction of my cousin Musgrave that I can wish. He was much pleased at your letter, and I shall be no less at any thing more which you can write unto him that may ° This account is much exafrgerated. Limerick, though bravely defended for several months, was surrendered to the parhan.ent at the end of October of this year. 288 CROMWELL S ARMY IN SCOTLAND. be in order to his desires, which you are already enough acquainted with. My wife and daughter love their little George ; so they have told Your constant friend, Derby. July 25, lajl. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE. My Lord, — I am able to give you no more account than what you have by my last ; only we have now in Fife about thirteen or fourteen thousand horse and foot. The enemy is at his old lock, and lieth in and near Stirling, where we cannot come to fight him, except he please, or we go upon too, too manifest hazards : he having very strongly laid himself, and having a very great advantage there, whither we hear he hath lately gotten great provisions of meal, and reinforcement of his strength out of the north under marquis Huntley. It is our business still to wait upon God, to shew us our way how to deal with this subtle enemy, which I hope he will. Our forces on this side the river are not very many, wherefore I have sent for colonel Rich's ; and shall appoint them, with the forces under colonel Sanders, to embody close upon the borders, and to be in readiness to join with Cromwell's army in Scotland. ogq those left on this side the Frith, or to be for the se- curity of England, as occasion shall offer, there being little use of them where they lie, as we know. Your soldiers begin to fall sick, through the wet weather which has lately been : it is desired there- fore that the recruits of foot determined, may rather come sooner in time than usually, and may be sure to be full in numbers, according to your appointment, whereof great failing have lately been. For the way of raising them, it is wholly submitted to your plea- sure; and we hearing you rather choose to send us volunteers than pressed men, shall be very glad you go that way. Our spades are spent to a very small number- we desire, therefore, that of the five thousand tools we lately sent for, at the least three thousand of them may be spades, they wearing most away in our works and being most useful. Our horse arms, especially our pots, are come to a very small number : it is de'- sired we may have a thousand backs and breast, and fifteen hundred pots. We have left us in store but four hundred pair of pistols, two hundred saddles, six hundred pikes, two thousand and thirty muskets whereof thirty snaphancies. These are our present stores : and not knowing what you have sent us by this fleet that is coming, we desire we may be con- sidered therein. Our cheese and butter is our lowest store of victual. We were necessitated to pay the soldiery moneys now at their going over into Fife • vnr 11 _ ' VOL. II. 2l' mo ROYALIST ARMY. Cromwell's ahjmy. '2[)l whereby the treasury is much exhausted, although we desire to husband it what we can. This being the principal time of action, we desire your lordship to take a principal care that money may be supplied us with all possible speed, and these other things herewith mentioned, your affairs so ne- cessarily requiring the same. The castle of Ennisgarwey, which lieth in the river, almost in the midway between the north and south ferry, commonly called Queen's Ferry, was delivered to us on Thursday last : they marched away with their swords and baggage only, leaving us sixteen cannon, and all their other arms and ammunition. I remain, My Lord, Your lordship's most humble servant, O. Cromwell. iuh 26. 1651. # w h ceive, or ill conduct, as none can deny. Our next undertaking will be to recover the honour and ground the enemy hath gained of us, and in order to it we shall have a speedy march into Fife : and though for the present we look backward, we shall advanc^ with greater strength, and join with our friends in Eng- land ; where, when your lordship appears, all good subjects will follow, and be so well instructed by your example, as it will not only be a means to restore the king to his rights, but likewise carry with it so great credit and reputation to your own fame, who have ever supported the crown, as, without other ob- ligations, I were bound to acknowledoe myself My Lord, Your lordship's most obedient humble servant, T , on Hugh Smith. July 29; at Stirliiitr. 1 HUGH S^VriTH TO THE EARL OF DERBY. My Lord, — I could with much more cheerfulness have given your lordship an account of our army, had Mr. Browne^ left us a week sooner; and now I desire it may be his task, rather than mine, to make information of what loss we have sustained '' (since we drew into the field) by treachery, as some con- ■^ Secretary to the earl of Derby. See before, p. 284. ^ In Fife.' See before, p. 283. Iq OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. SiR,_In pursuance of the providence of God, and that blessing lately given to your forces in Fife, and finding that the enemy, being masters of the pass at Stirling, could not be gotten out there without hin- dering his provisions at St. Johnston's ; we, by ge- neral advice, thought fit to attempt St. Johnston's, knowing that that would necessitate him to quit his pass : wherefore leaving with major-general Harrison 29^ CROMWELL S ARMY. Cromwell's army. ^93 about three thousand horse and dragoons, besides those which are with* colonel Rich, colonel Sanders, and colonel Barton, upon the borders, we marched to St. Johnston's, and lying one day before it, we had it surrendered to us. During which time, we had some intelligence of the enemy's marching southward, though with some contradictions, as if it had not been so : but doubting it might be true, we leaving a gar- rison in St. Johnston's, and sending lieutenant-general Monk, with about five or six thousand, to Stirling, to reduce that place, and by it to put your affairs into a good posture in Scotland, we marched with all possible expedition back again, and had passed our foot and many of our horse over the Forth this day, resolving to make what speed we can up to the enemy ; who, in this desperation and fear, and out of inevitable ne- cessity, is run to try what he can do this way. I do apprehend, that if he goes for England, being some few days march before us, it will trouble some men's thoughts, and may occasion some inconveniencies, of which I hope we are as deeply sensible, and have and I trust shall be as diligent to prevent as any. And, indeed, this is our comfort, that in simplicity of heart, as to God, we have done to the best of our judgments, knowing that if some issue were not put to this business it would occasion another winter's war, to the ruin of your soldiery, for whom the Scots are too hard, in respect of enduring the winter diffi- culties of this country, and been under the endless expense of the treasury of England in prosecutintr this war. It may be supposed we might have kept the enemy from this, by interposing between him and England: which truly I believe we might ; but how to remove him out of this place, without doing what we have done, unless we had had a commanding army on both sides of the river Forth, is not clear to us ; or how to answer the inconveniencies aforementioned we un- derstand not. We pray, therefore, that seeing there is a possibility for the enemy to put you to some trouble, you would, with the same courage, (grounded upon a confidence in God, wherein you have been supported to the great things God hath used you in hitherto,) you would improve the best you can such forces as you have in readiness, or may on the sudden be gathered together, to give the enemy some check until we shall be able to reach up to him ; which we trust in the Lord we shall do our utmost endeavour in. And indeed we have this comfortable experiment from the Lord, that this enemy is heart-smitten by God ; and whenever the Lord shall bring us up to them, we be- lieve the Lord will make the desperateness of this counsel of theirs to appear, and the folly of it also. When England was much more unsteady than now, and when a much more considerable army of theirs, unfoiled, invaded you, and we had but a weak force to make resistance at Preston, upon dehberate advice ' I 1 \ I- II 294 CROMWELL S ARMY. Cromwell's army. '295 lis we chose rather to put ourselves between their army and Scotland ; and how God succeeded, that is not well to be forgotten. This is not out of choice on our part, but by some kind of necessity, and it is to be hoped will have the like issue, together with a hopeful end of your work: in which it is good to wait upon the Lord, upon the earnest of former experiencies, and hope of his pre- sence, which only is the life of your cause. Major-general Harrison, with the horse and dra- goons under him, and colonel Rich, and the rest in those parts, shall attend the motions of the enemy, and endeavour the keeping of them together, as also to impede his march ; and will be ready to be in conjunc- tion with what forces shall gather together for this service : to whom orders have been speeded to that purpose, as this inclosed to major-general Harrison will shew. Major-general Lambert this day marched with a very considerable body of horse up towards the enemy's rear, with the rest of the horse and nine regiments of foot, (most of them of your old foot and horse.) I am hastening up, and shall, by the Lord's help, use utmost diligence. I hope I have left a commanding force under lieutenant-general Monk in Scotland. This account I thought my duty to speed to you ; and rest ^ . , Your most humble servant, Lcith, All*;. 4, 1(>51. O. Cromwell. MAJOR-GEiVERAL LAMBERT TO MAJOR- GENERAL HARRISON. SiR,_We are come to Leith with our foot and most of our horse, only part of our train and baggage horse are behind. We hope to march- this day, with the foot and part of the train, four or five miles, and so to be jogging on as fast as we can towards England, by the way of Jedborough or Kelso. My lord" hath commanded me to march away before with the horse, to trouble the enemy in the rear; and I am now ready to begin my march, and shall, I trust in the Lord, lose no time. My lord general hath commanded me to signify so much unto you, and to desire you, with all convenient speed, to march with the horse and dragoons with you towards the enemy, where you may best flank them, straiten their provisions, and do service as you see opportunities upon them. His excellency likewise desires that colonel Rich, with the seven troops, may march into your van, and he as close, as safely as you can, for the same ends before mentioned, for stopping of any coming in unto them, and to encourage the country that the army is coming on. I intend to keep as close in the rear as I can, yet something to the left hand, so as I may be in a capacity to correspond, or join with you, as oc- casion requires. If it please God that we can stop victual from them, and delay their expected recruits, they are (we conceive) in a most low condition : we 29G FORCES UNDER HARRISON. FORCES UNDER HARRISON. 297 11! 0' 8't verily believe the want of victual hath forced them to this course, which 1 hope will break them root and branch. My lord having taken St. Johnston's, a very con- siderable town, has left there a very good garrison ; and besides that, a force sufficient, with lieutenant- general Monk, for the taking of Stirling castle, (the town of Stirling is quitted, and I hope Monk is in it,) and keeping that hold in Scotland which the Lord hath given us. I should enlarge further, but that this bearer, the scout-master-general, will be able to inform you more particularly. Sir, The Lord bless your and our endeavours ; which is the hope of Your most affectionate faithful servant, H. Lambert. Leith, Aug. 5, 1651. MAJOR-GEN. HARRISON TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THE COUNTY OF YORK. Gentlemen, — The Lord having so ordered it that our army are masters of Fife, by which the enemy gives up their expectation of Scotland for lost, they are necessitated, for w^ant of provisions, (as to their last refuge,) to run for England, taking the op- portunity of our armies being on the other side the great river; and although there be a mighty spirit of terror froai God upon them, so that they are ready to fly Avhen none follows them, yet their large pro- mises to their soldiers of plunder in England bears up the spirits of divers to make another adventure for it, forgetting the large testimony the Lord for- merly gave against them. It now remains, that you and every good man give all diligence to improve your interests, and all possible means God may put into your hands, to give a check to this vile genera- tion, until our army may come up, who will follow hard after them, that the good of the land may not be devoured by such caterpillars. I have with me about three thousand horse, which I shall endeavour to dispose of as God in his love and wisdom shall please to instruct me ; and where- with I hope to give the enemy some trouble, if some foot could be speedily raised to break down bridges, or stop some passes upon them. However, consi- dering the battle is the Lord's, and not ours, and it is alike to him to save by few or many, I hope we may be useful in this juncture, though we be few, mean, and none more unworthy. The Lord quicken you, me, and all that pro- fess to fear him, to give all diligence in our stations to quit ourselves as the friends of Christ against the men that will not have him to reign, though God hath sworn he will set his Son upon his holy hill, and they that oppose him shall be broke in pieces as VOL. n. 2q ' ^fP^ la W h p i ■*■!■■«■ HrtUiwOa. 298 FOIICES UHDEIi HARRISO;!*?. a potter's vessel. The enemies' hope is, that En- glishmen will be so mad as to join with them, (seeing they have lost their credit with their own country- men ;) which we hope God will prevent in a good measure by your hands, and also lift up a standard against them : wherein not doubting your best as- sistance, and (much more) the loving kindness of God, I remain Yours. P, S. It will be very necessary that, before the approach of the enemy, all kind of horses, cattle, and provision be driven out of the way, for the better preservation of them to their owners, and disappoint- ment of the enemy. They mount their foot upon all the horses they can get ; wherefore it will be neces- sary the foot you raise should be also mounted to answer them, they being a flying party. I desire to hear from you with all convenient speed, being upon my march towards Richmond, and so to lie upon the skirts of Yorkshire, if possible to get before the enemy, if they should intend by the way of Cheshire. T. Harrison Newcastir, Aug. 6, UJ51. CHARLES II. PROCLAIMED KING. ^290 [TPIE EAIIL OF LAUDERDALE] TO LORD BALCARRIS. My dear Lord, — Yesterday morning I wrote to you by the treasurer, , and sent you the king's declaration. I told you that his majesty wrote and invited the governor of Carlisle to his duty, but he vouchsafed no answ^er to the kinof • only he wrote to Leighton, (who, by a letter, thought to have reasoned him into obedience,) reproached him with leaving the parliament, and concluded with his own professions of loyalty to the commonwealth of England. We passed the river yesterday, and drew up the army on this side Rokeby, where the king was pro- claimed king of England by Mr. Jackson, wliom the king created king-at-arms for that day and occasion, and, after the ceremony, knighted him. The army was drawn up, and Jackson, attended by the nobility of both kingdoms, after prayer, did, in nrme of the kingdom of England, proclaim King Charles the Second : all the trumpets sounded, drums beat, and cannon shot. The people expresses great good affec- tions. This morning, warrants are going out towards Penrith, where we hope to be to-night. His majesty went close to Carlisle with eighty' horse. A guard of the enemy was advanced on this side the bridge ; but sir W. Blackett, with twenty horse, seconded by Ross, beat in their party and sl » 300 THB EARL OF LAUDERDALE. FORCES UNDER HARRISON. 301 II m reserve, killed one, hurt some, and colonel Ogan had his horse killed. They gave us some cannon shot, but we got no hurt. This is all I can say of public. We long to hear from you, and what is become of Oliver. In my own business, my old commission must rule ; and I must entreat you to send for Mr. Alexander Home. I hear he hath some money, and I have commanded him to bring it to you : for I would fain have one hundred or two hundred pounds sent over to my wife. If I find another occasion, I shall neglect none. For God's sake, send to us ; and, above all things, haste the levies in all Scotland, and make an army to follow us. Send for powder, and let it come to the Isle of Man, which must be our magazine. God be with you. I am yours, Y. Y. [Lauderdale.1 Darton, Aug. 7, early, [1651.] MAJOR-GENERAL HARRISON TO THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE. My Lord, — Having lately given your lordship an account from Berwick of the several intelligences we had, confirming the king of Scots intendment for England, I forbore to give you any further trouble therein, till (coming nearer) I might receive a more certain understanding of them. On the ,0th instant, I reached this place ; where, receiving from divers hands expresses of their being near the borders, I stayed all yesterday, to get up the troops with colonel Rich, colonel Warton from about Hexham, and the ten troops following me from Scotland. I judged it also my duty, and ac- cordingly despatched letters (whereof I have inclosed a copy) to the commissioners of parliament in the se- veral counties of Lancaster, York, Chester, Stafford, Salop, Nottingham, Derby, and the six counties of North Wales, to give them timely notice hereof, that (if it might be) some foot may be suddenly got toge- ther, in the van of the enemy, to assist the horse with me to check them, till our army might overtake them. The last night, I received divers letters from the governor of Carlisle, signifying that yesterday the enemies' army got upon English ground, and seem to intend for Lancashire. I shall not mention par- ticulars, but have inclosed the two last letters, whereto I refer you. I have with me about three thousand horse, whereof but four troops are dragoons : the foot, being but the two Nottingham companies, we judged (if useful to us) must be mounted as dragoons, (the enemy mounting theirs as fast as they can get horses,) otherwise they would more retard our marches than their service, when brought to it, could rationally ■M* mn FORCES UNDER HARKISON. FORCES UNDER HARRISON. 303 |, v 11 answer. But sir Arthur Haslerig was also of opinion, that a hasty and irregular taking up horses for them (our business giving time for no other) would more provoke the country than their service would be con- siderable, therefore I have left the foot behind to assist the guard at Durham ; whereby having but few dragoons, and none of the foot or horse of the army ^^^"S ^^^^ "P» and the enemy having in reputation some five or six thousand foot, and marching with a train, we shall be rationally the less able to deal with them. However, I shall make it my business to hasten up to flank them, hoping to put some trouble upon them in their march. Just now I received an express from his excellency, signifying, that having taken in St. Johnston's, left a party of the army to make good Fife, and possess the town of Stirling, which the enemy hath quitted, he hath despatched major-general Lambert, with about three or four thousand horse, to pursue the enemy in the rear, who is already far on his march from Leith ; and his excellency follows with the foot and train, with all possible expedition : so that the Lord hath now tempted out the enemy from his trenches, fastnesses, and advantages, and we doubt not but he will very speedily discomfit them, and cut this work short in righteousness. I shall humbly offer it to you, if in this juncture I might get together four or five thousand godly men, well mounted, that you would be pleased to make some provision for them, for a month or two : and surely this is a time wherein God doth, and I rest confident you will, own all such. Being in very great haste, I commend you to the Lord j and remain Your humble and faithful servant, Newcastle, '^- HaRHISON. ^ Aug. 7; cloven of the clock, forenoon. What horse and foot you can possibly spare out of the west, would be well disposed towards Gloces- tershire, because I apprehend Massey will endeavour all he can thitherward, though but with a party ; and what you have in the midland parts, to be speed- ing towards Staffordshire, whereabouts I hope (at farthest) to be in with the enemy, if our Almighty Lord give not opportunity sooner, which yet I do expect. I have inclosed the Scotch king's declaration, which is just now brought by colopel Fortescue, who came last night from them, and said, they give out they will march immediately towards London: but they see not the snare that God hath laid for them. LORD WENTWORTH TO MR. WILLIAM CROFTS. My dear Cousin, — I writ to you a long letter by master Sandes, by whom I also sent you an order 304 THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE. CONDITION OF THE KING 305 i: if from the king for the payment of £500 sterling to me out of the money you got for him in Poland/ I did desire you, in that letter, in the first place to pay yourself out of it, and then to send me the rest, with the best speed and conveniency you could. I shall now, by this, desire you to send to my L^'dy Lauder- dale £100 sterling of that money into Holland, or to any other place she shall desire it in : I have borrowed the money here of her lord, and this is one way he hath chosen to supply his wife with such a sum of money. Mon cher cousin, I am confident you will be careful in this matter, as I shall be in any thing concerns you. Concerning your own business, I writ to you at large in my last, and so have no more to say for the present. For the public news, this is all. By God's grace we are come as far as Penrith in Cumberland, with a good army of fourteen or fifteen thousand foot and about six thousand horse, all absolutely at the king's com- mand, as much as any army I ever saw under the com- mand of his father. We are marching forw ard ; and this morning Mr. Howard, whom the king knighted, is come over to him, with his whole troop. We have very good hopes that many others will follow. I am now in an army where our friends are together, and ' Mr. Crofts, afterward lord Crofts, was at this time Charles's ambassador in Poland, as appears from a subsequent letter from lord Lauderdale to his wife. where you are many times remembered : (the times are well changed since this time twelve month.) Mon cher cousin, I am yours, Tho. Wentw^orth. From tlic Leaguer, by Penrith, Aug. 8, 1051. My humble service to Mr. Sandcs, and my old friend Mr. Wm. Denham. THE DUKE OF HAMILTON TO Mil. CROFTS. Dear Will,— The last thing I did was to drink your health, with lord Thomas, Dan. O'Neile, and Lauderdale, who are now all laughing at the ridicu- lousness of our condition. We have quit Scotland, being scarce able to maintain it ; and yet we grasp at all, and nothing but all will satisfy us, or to lose all. I confess I cannot tell you whether our hopes or fears are greatest : but we have one stout argument, despair ; for we must now either stoutly fight it, or die. All the rogues have left us, I shall not say whether for fear or disloyalty ; but all now with his majesty are such as will not dispute his commands. Lord Thomas tells me, he will explain all this to you ; so I shall tell you nothing but, what you knew before, that I am Yours, Penrith, 10 miles besouth ^1 ,,r» n^xxr /~x r 1 A o M'r^^ riAMILlON. Carlisle, Aug. S, Kwl. VOL. II. *- '^ m^ '""" ' ' H i i i 306 THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE. THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE. 307 s w, THE EAllL OF LAUDERDALE TO THE SHERIFF OF TWEEDALE. Much honoured Sni, — Finding the occasion of this bearer going to your country, I have taken this opportunity to acquaint you that the king, his army, and all your friends, are very well ; and withal to put you to the trouble to send this inclosed as speedily as you can, provided it be safe. It is only private business, for no occasion hath occurred, so I can write no news. Pardon this trouble ; and believe me I am, upon the old score of kindness. Sir, Your most affectionate servant, Carlton, LauderdaLE. Aug. 8, Kwl. THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE TO LADY LAUDERDALE. My dear Heart, — I wrote unto you at length by sir William Bellenden, and gave you notice of a hundred pounds sterling, which is sent over to you by bill. I was ashamed it was so little, but I could not help it. I have now made a bargain with a noble friend of mine, my lord Wentworth, for another hundred pounds sterling to be paid to you by Mr. William Crofts, who was his majesty's ambassador in Poland. 1 am sure Mr. Crofts hath all the king's money, (that he received there,) at least the far greatest part of it, in his own hand ; and I am certain the king hath given a warrant to pay more money to my lord Wentworth; therefore, if this letter come safe, I do not at all doubt of the payment of the money to you. My greatest doubt is, the safe conveying this letter to you ; but I am resolved to adventure it, and some others to this purpose many ways, ere it come not. Your cousin Shonberg will inform you for certain where Mr. Crofts is, and then you are to advertise him where you will have the money paid, and he will pay the money as soon as my lord Wentworth's letter comes to his hand; this inclosed writ, directed to Mr. Crofts, which you are to be careful that it come to his hand. I have written to my lord Balcarris, to pay punc- tually, to my lord Inchiquin, the hundred pounds sterling, upon sight of your order that you have re- ceived ; as also, if his credit can reach so far, to send you another hundred pounds. This is all that a ruined plundered man, without an estate, can do : if I were able to provide you better, truly 1 should do it ; and, as 1 wrote often, it is my greatest private trouble you should have been so ill provided. As for news, I can tell you little. His majesty is thus far advanced into England with a very good army, able, by the blessing of God, to do his business. They are, I dare say, near double the number of f ;&!♦ SOS THE king's AIIMY. THE KING S AllMY. 30[) i jjl I those that the king of Sweden entered Germany with If they be not more. As soon as we came into En..- land. h,s majesty was by an Englishman (whom he made k.ng-at-arms for that day) proclaimed king of i-ngland on the head of the army, with great acclama- ion of the army, and shooting off all the cannon of he army Then, yesterday, he was proclaimed here in I enn h. and will be in all the market towns where we march. Never was an army so regular as we have been smce we came into England j I dare say we have not taken the worth of a sixpence : and whaLver you hear of our misfortunes in File, or whatever our enemies print or write, trust me this is the best Scots army that ever I saw, and I hope shall prove best. All those that were unwilling to hazard all in this cause wuh their king, have on specious pretence (most of the.„) left us. This is a natural purge, and will do us much good Nothing of action yet, except the dnving of some small parlies, with which I will not trouble you One thing I cannot forget : this morn- ing, my lord Howard of Escrick's son came in to us from the enemy, with his whole troop : his majesty received h.m graciously, and immediately knighted hio.. He ,s the first, but I am confident few days will shew us more that will return to their duty. lh.s letter is to go to-night, and a great way through the enemies' cjuarters : it is odds of lay if ever It come to you. I shall therefore say no more, itemember my service to your noble cousin Shonberg. I am now ashamed to write to him, till I can tell him some extraordinary good news, which I hope shall, by the grace of God, be shortly : he may be assured none alive is more his servant than your own kindest Lauderdale. Carlton, near Penrith, Aug. 8, 1651. My blessing to Mary, and my service to all other friends. I have no time to write ; neither is it pleasant, when it is likely others may see my letters before my friends. I am ashamed to write to Mr. Crofts my- self, seeing it is when money is desired at the same time to be paid to you. Of Cromwell's motions you will hear better from Scotland. I have also written to my lord Balcarris, to send you a copy of the king's declaration to the kingdom of England. I cannot get it sent herewith^ Superscribed " For youisellV^ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE TO LORD BALCARRIS. Mr dear Lord, — I cannot neglect any occasion to let you know his majesty and his army are well, (God be praised;) never men were more hearty for all their toil ; and, seriously, you would not know this army. A natural purge is wholesome, and I hope ours is such, when all the ill humours are gone. Trust ii m » SIO THE king's army. THE KING S ARMY. 311 me, we have not taken the worth of a sixpence, and the country are kind to us. We might have men enough, if we could get arms : some we get. This poor place hath given in a day's bread and cheese, which is our first supply in England. We have a strong party advanced to Kendal, for more provisions ; whither we are to march to-morrow, God willing More I would write, but it is very probable my friends shall not be the first that shall see this, for it goes a way I am not sure of, and through an enemy's quarters a long way. I shall entreat you to haste the inclosed to Holland by the first safe occasion. And if my lord Inchiquin come, and bring any bill from my wife for a hundred pounds, payable on sight, let him not want it. This is twice I have said this : more I would say of ray private business, but I have no time to write; and, as I said, the conveyance is dangerous. I shall only acquaint you, that this morning the lord Howard of Escrick's son is come in to his majesty, and with him his whole troop. His majesty received him graciously, and immediately did knight him. He is the first, but I have reason to believe he shall not be the last, ere long, that shall return to his duty. Yesterday, we had a small party, commanded by captain Inglis, of the regiment that was Riccarton's, who discovered about twenty of the enemy. He sent a corporal and six horse, who drove them before them. Then he advanced himself, alone, and only two with him : they overtook them at a gate, which the enemy were making fast ; so the enemy made haste off: but Inglis received a shot in his leg, which I hope is nothing. Upon this, rnd the intelligence that two thousand horse of the enemy were near, the right wing of our horse advanced very fast half w^ay to Appleby : but finding it impossible to overtake them, seeing they were then the length of Brough, we re- turned ; having only the advantage to get hot coats, and mine was as hot as ever in my life. This day, to refresh our men, we rest : to-morrow we march, God willing, towards Kendal. When I know of a good occasion, I shall write again. I shall entreat you to send to Holland, with this inclosed, a copy of the king's declaration, which I sent you : I cannot send it herewith, for taking too much room. My service to all friends, especially my dear cousin, and her that is your wife, and mine, and make my excuse that I write not to any of them : it is impossible, for the king is a-bed, and I lie this night in his chamber ; so I have time to say no more but farewell. God send us a good meeting. Yours. Carlton, near Penrith, Aug. 8, late. Let the jUstice-clerk direct this, and all that go to my wife into Holland, to sir Alexander Home, master householder to the princess royal, at her highness' 3V2 LORD WILLOUGIIBY AT BARBADOES. LORD WILLOUGHBY AT BARBADOES. 313 court in the Hague. We have not got a man of the Galloway or Nithsdale foot, so your committee must be careful of levying them. His majesty hath commanded them not to follow him. You are slow in writing: we have not heard from you since we parted. LORD WILLOUGHBY TO LADY WILLOUGHBY. My dearest Friend,— I did, not above a fort- night ago, write at large to thee by the way of Hol- land, by my governess Cateline, the carpenter's wife, whom, upon her earnest importunity, I gave leave to go home. She performed her trust very carefully and honestly in keeping all things under her charge, but for any thing else she was loth to trouble herself Honest Mary is all my stay now, and I hope will do as well as she can. I have entertained another coarse wench to be under her, allowing her help enough of negroes, which are the best servants in these countries, if well tutored, and cost little, only a canvas petticoat once a year, and there is no more trouble with them. Mrs. Chavye, this bearer, who hath promised me to deliver this with her own hand, is one who chal- lenged acquaintance of me upon your score, which caused me to give her pass for her sugar, custom free : she tells me, she waited upon you when you lay in of little Dosey. I do not remember her, nor would not have believed her, but that she o-ave me such a token by naming the child. If I be deceived, if this letter come safe to you I shall not be much troubled at the cheat ; for it is frequent here to have tricks put upon one of such kind. My lord Charles Paulet's daughter, I writ to you of, proves no such thing, for she is run quite away, and, I think, out of the island, for I cannot hear of her, which makes her appear a cheat : she knowing that I had writ into England about her, made her not dare to stay a return of my letter. I did by Cateline write so large, giving thee an account of myself, and the state of the island, by some papers, acquainting thee what we had done in order to our self-preservation against that storm which was threat- ened us from England, by their printed declaration calling us all rebels, so as I shall touch no more upon any thing of that, only what we have further added since ; which is, to make ourselves strong in men, as well as in words ; and to that end have raised forces, both of horse and foot, which the country pays, and are constantly to be kept in a body to resist any forces that shall come against us. It was occasioned by Mr. Arnold, who came at the time of the as- sembly's meeting: he is a very honest man. By him I received two letters, and three from my children ; one more which was superscribed to Mr. Rich. We had a fine passage, being but five weeks upon the way. I could wish to my heart thou hadst been with him j but VOL. II. 2 H 3U LOUD WILLOUGIIBY AT BAUIJADOES. LORD VVILLOUGHBY AT BAllBADOES. 315 I know not how I should be so happy, though thy goodness to me, in saying thou wilt come, puts rae in some comfort : for which kind resolution of thine, God in heaven reward thee. He came in a very opportune time, for the terror of his news, that so many ships were coming with men to reduce the Island, stirred up the spirits of the assembly, caused them to desire me to put the island in a posture of war, occasioned the raising of horse and foot, so as we shall be very able to resist them, and send them home again, shewing them the island is not so easily to be won as they are made to imagine it. And I hope they will reward those runaway bankrupt rogues, who durst stay no longer here, for fear of a gaol, whereof learned Mr. Bayes is one ; having, by their villany, done what in them lies to ruin one of the best and sweetest islands in the English possession, or in any others, except the Spaniards, with whom we hear they have made a league, offensive and defensive ; and if that be their planting the gospel, I hope God will never prosper it.^ I thank God, we are all in good health and good heart, wanting nothing but those things I so long agone writ for : of which I have now so much want, as I would give double what they w ere worth for to have them. I might have been as much beholding to my friends as to have done me that courtesy to have fur- ' Barhadoes submitted to sir Georcje Avsciie in the follow iiij:^ year. See Whhloche, April 24, 1652. nished those things: I writing that it was not to be upon my particular account, any merchant would have done it ; if not out of England, yet out of Hol- land, from whence ships come daily in to us. I sent a list to you by two conveyances, which I hope failed not ; but, however, thy letters put me out of hopes of having any return of my desires in that particular. I thank thee for having a care of my credit in Mr. Read's business, in which thou didst me a very great kindness. I am very sorry it was forced to fall upon thy particular: it was none of my meaning it should have done so ; for, poor soul, to hear of the sadness of thy condition, to be brought to so low a stipend, cuts my heart : but I hope God, who hath hitherto kept us up, will still preserve us, and though cruel men may rob, oppress, and steal away what I have, yet I shall find a way to live : and since they began so deeply with me, as to take away all at one clap, and without any cause given on my part, I am resolved not to sit down a loser, and be content to see thee, my children, and self ruined.' There was wont reparation to be allowed to those that were injured by the contrary party : and being it is in my own power to help myself, shall I not do it, but sit still, like an ass, seeing the meat torn out of * Lord Willougliby of Parliam had been a zealous supporter of the parliament at the beginning of the war, but afterwards, going over to the king, was impeached, and suffered confisca- tion of all his property. if 31(i LORD VV1LLOUGI1I5Y AT BARBADOES. LORD WILLOUGHBY AT BARBADOES. 317 |ll| thine and my children's mouths ? No ! I will not do it ; and therefore, dear heart, let me entreat thee to leave off thy persuasions to submit to them, who, so unjustly, so wickedly, have ruined thee and me and mine. If ever they get the island, it shall cost them more than it is worth before they have it. And be not frighted with their power and success: God is above all. There is an inclosed note, directed ** the Gentle- man," which I am confident, if you will, you may make use of, praying you not to omit the opportu- nity. I shall send him as much in sugar, when I hear from you that you have made use of this. Be not frightened nor perplexed for me ; I am confident yet God will bring us together into these parts, ac- cording to my former petitions to him, that we may end our days together in happiness : for I have had a return of my discovery of Guiana, which I writ to you formerly of; and the gentleman which I sent hath brought with him to me, two of the Indian kings, having spoke with divers of them, who are all willing to receive our nation, and that we shall settle amongst them : for which end I am sending hence a hundred men to take possession, and doubt not but in a few years to have many thousands there. It is commended, by all that went, for the sweetest place that ever was seen : delicate rivers, brave land, fine timber. They were out almost ^vc months j and, amongst forty persons, not one of them had so much as their head ache. They commend the air to be so pure, and the water so good, as they had never such stomachs in their lives, eating five times a day plenty of fish and fowl, partridges and pheasants in- numerable : brave savanas, where you may, in coach or on horseback, ride thirty or forty miles. God bless me into life. And if England will be a friend, or that we make them so by tiring them out, cither their seamen by the tedious voyages, or the state by the great expense they must be at, which I am very confident we shall, being all so well resolved to stand by one another to the last man, then I shall make thee a brave being there : for since all is gone at home, it is time to provide elsewhere for a being. I am very much troubled for honest Jo. Ward, that he should suffer so much for his honesty and kindness to me. Pray you send for him, and com- mend my kind love to him ; and tell him, that if he will come to me, he shall never want as long as I have it. Though God is at present pleased to afflict us, and that justly for my sins, yet so long as he gives us health, let us not despair, but do our best ; for who knows what a day may bring forth ? Do thy best where thou art, playing thy game as well as thou canst, and I will do the like here ; and when the fleet shall return, and the gentlemen see how they are abused, ^18 LORD WILLOUGIIBY AT BARBADOES. LORD WILLOUGHBY AT BARBADOES. 311) you may perchance find them more charitable, at least in a more calm humour to be spoke with. One comfort we have, they can neither starve us with cold, nor famish us for hunger ; and why should they think so easily to put us to it then ? If a qualm should come, I thank God I have some of thy cordial water left still ; but I thank my God, I never was more healthy nor better in my life. I want nothing but thy sweet company : that would make time short, and all things easy to me. When once this expected storm is over, and this place settled, so as no more trouble may disquiet it, then shall I with all violence pursue thee with my humble suit and desire for thy company. God keep thee in health. Pull up a good heart, and yet all may be well. I have no tokens to send my poor children for their kind letters. Mr. Arnold commends Will much ; and relates a great deal of discourse he had with him one day, when you were from home. My best of blessino-s to them all. For Mrs. Betty, if there be such an inclination in the young lord you mention, let not the present want of portion discourage. I have known unhandsomer than she married as well for nothing ; but I shall hope, however, in a few years, to be able to give a portion, though as yet it goes out apace. As for Frank, I hope you will be careful for her health, in preventing what you fear. What I men- tioned to you concerning my lord Callender, be not so averse, out of an opinion of our too much good fellowship ; for he is a noble lord, and an honest man. I had a letter lately from him, and he is resolved to come and plant in these parts of the world. This inclosed engagement I sent by another con- veyance, and renew it again, because I would have it with you, to satisfy your fear of my being delivered up. God but preserve thee, and I cannot do amiss. Farewell, my dearest joy. The account Mr. Knowles gives me, by his letter, concerning the improvement of Will in his learning, is a great comfort to me ; but the consideration of the loss of it again by his leaving of him is as great a cross. He expresseth to me, that because you could not continue his allowance to him, is the cause of his leaving him : if that be all, I should not doubt but, by God's blessing, I may be able to procure that, and shall spare it out of my own belly, if you can procure him to come to you again upon any rea- sonable terms ; for I fear change of masters may do by him as it did by me. Prythee, dear heart, let me hear from thee. If there be any hopes of getting him to thee again, I will strain hard to procure means for the good of my boy. When you have read this letter, pray you seal it, and convey it to my lo — by my brother ; to whom I forbear to write, because I will not endanger him more than I have. [From Barbadoos.] 3€0 THE EARL OF DERBY. THE EARL OF DERBY. 3^1 \\ f LADY HENRIETTE MARIE STANIJ^Y (THE EARL OF DERBY'S DAUGHTER) TO SIR THOMAS TILSLEY. Sir, — Not a minute since, as I was passing the bridge, I met with your letter, and do not a little admire your goodness, when I consider so great an indisposition was not capable to divert you from so troublesome an employment. Nothing can please me better than to hear from you my lord's gallant resolutions : they are so well seconded by you, and the rest of the noble persons with him, that I do not doubt of a happy success in all your enterprises, though the wind is so unmercifully cruel. I am just now told it begins to be fair, which makes me believe this will not reach you, and that I have in some part acquitted myself of what I owe you, without exposing to your view the absurdities of Sir, Your affectionate servant, Henriette Marie Stanley. Aiio^. 11, 1651. My lady commands me to assure you of her service. Mine, I beseech you, sir, to colonel lloscarrock and Mr. Tilsley Sandes. Let the first know that I am sorry that any of my concernments should give him the least trouble ; wherefore I desire him to forget the book, and only remember how much I am his servant. COL. ROGER WHITLEY TO SIR P. MUSGRAVE. SiR,_My lord Wilmot entreated me to present you with his service, and to acquaint you, how that the resolution of sending this despatch to my lord Derby was taken so late this evening at the ren- dezvous, that his lordship had neither time, place, paper, or ink to write to you, otherwise you should have heard from him. But he earnestly entreats you, (if my lord Derby come not instantly over,) that you and sir Thomas Tildsley would come over with all possible speed : it is also the king's desire, and the suit of all our friends. God be praised, our condition is good and hopeful. The countries seem very ready to rise, and bring in provisions willingly : they are hugely satisfied with the good and severe discipline of our army. I assure you, no complaints of rapine, spoil, or disorder : a flock of geese may feed all night in our camp, and not one missed in the morning. And this is a most serious happy truth, which gives a most comfortable taste of his majesty's good government. Sir, I am overwatched and weary, so that I shall only make the protestation of being. Sir, Your most humble faithful servant, Ro. Whitley. Sir, Your lady is well. Lodge, Aug. 12, 1651 ; twelve at night. if VOL. II. 2 T i sm THE EARL OF DERBY. i i THE EARL OF DERBY TO SIR T. TILDSLEY. Thom — I have received several letters from you this day; to them all, I have had the best intent that could be to give satisfaction to those desires, which were so reasonable, and fitting for the present service. I knew but at seven of the clock this evening that there was need of a boat hence for our horses. I sent you word, nevertheless, that you might expect one to-morrow morning, but I reckoned too fast; nevertheless it shall come, God willing, at the noon tide, and the new galliot with it. All this evening we have been casting forth coal, and still they are at work ; and because of the great haste of her coming, so much shall be left thereof as may serve for ballast ; the rigging of the sails, and many other lets, make that she cannot possibly be ready this night. In my opinion, Cottrell's vessel might have some of my horses, and some other in- vention for the transport of the men : but of that you will consider. Baggerley did desire our Dutchman, or one Dop- son, to set a plank into the John : but the first must go in the galHot, else it must stay ; and I assure you it will be, God willing, of better use than our Manx boats for landing men. The other is sick in bed ; so of him I need not say more. George Joyner is, I hope, as capable as either of them, and him I send j THE EARL OF DERBY. 3'23 and will want of no care or pains that may advance the present service. I have looked into my store, and find a mistake of your opinion concerning the arms, for we have not so many fired as you think, and divers of them we have must go into St. Bryde and St. Andrew's parish, in the stead of others which were lately taken from them. And I would not have any excuse among this people, as that they could not defend their country by reason I had disarmed them to fit myself else- where. Nevertheless, I will send twenty musquets, twenty-four pikes, and two barrels of powder, which, when I have told you all, may be thought as much as could well be spared. I shall expect to hear from you to-morrow morning. If please God that all be ready, we may make use of this wind. My hearty service to yourself, and the gentlemen. Believe me very faithfully Your assured servant, Derby. Aug. 12, 1651. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Thom. — So I call you, lest I offend you. Since my wife and I commanded our dear daughter to be our secretary, I have observed the wind to turn fair, k 324 THE EARL OF DERBY. I at least as I think ; however, I desire that all things may be in readiness, that in case so great a blessing come to us, that we make good use thereof. If my horses be come up to Douglas, and the vessel, it will be necessary to ship all again imme- diately. If you do this, let me hear from you pre- sently ; and nothing shall hinder me, God willing, to haste unto you, and ever be Your faithful friend and servant, Derby. Castle Ruthin, Aug. 12, 1651. My little vessel will be ready this tide. The great prize vessel, which I was in hope to have taken for my horses, is not in case. ^ III MAJOR-GENERAL MASSEY TO THE EARL OF DERBY. May it please your Lordship, — My journey towards Manchester this day, by reason of the enemy's horse, a regiment of colonel Lilburne's, last night quartered about Middleton, and those parts near Manchester, hath not yet been so satisfactory as I hoped, by reason of that danger I might run, by pursuing my intention, in observancy to your lord- m THE EARL OF DERBY. 3'25 ship's commands, that I could not speak with those gentlemen ; but have sent unto them to give colonel Ashurst and me a meeting this evening. Some of my horse met with some of the enemy's horse, weary and tired : some of those horses my troop have got ; and by one prisoner, a lieutenant, we took letters from him, wrote by one captain Nicholas Rigby, whose place and person I understand is known to sir Thomas Tildsley, who writeth he in- tended to be at his house this night. His letter is dated from Newborne, four miles from Newcastle, the 13th present ; and saith, the next day they were to march nine regiments of foot and three of horse, with ammunition and artillery. He complains much that their foot are much lessened by each day's march ; and their horse, I may add, are like to fare little better. And truly, my lord, had I not in consideration the long march my horse are to march after, or to over- take his majesty's army, that I durst not further harass my horses, I should not leave the wearied ones to pass Manchester so quietly ; and therefore, if your lordship think meet, I would beg a good strong party of your lordship's horse may be sent out towards Manchester this night, and doubtless they may take many horses and prisoners from the enemy ; and might be assistant to me, that with more freedom 1 may converse with such as may render my service of advantage and use to your lordship, and fit me to « i 3^26 SKIRMISHES NEAR WORCESTER. answer your lordship's commands ; which will ever find me, my very good lord, Your lordship's most faithful and humble servant, Edw. Massey. I am with my troop, that they may have some rest now, at Catished Green, five miles distant from Warrington, tliis 19th of August, at four of the clock in the afternoon/ COLONEL ROBERT STAPYLTON TO CAPTAIN BISHOP. • I received yesterday two of yours : the one by Mr. Cadwell, the other by Robin. I hinted to you in my last, that we had taken the pass over Severn at Upton bridge. Lieutenant-general Fleetwood, with his brigade of horse and foot, lies there, and is ready to enterprise any design upon the enemy on that side, as opportunity shall be offered. We know not as yet which way the enemy will draw : our intelli- gence tells us that he is yet at Worcester, and in the parts adjacent on the other side Severn. We are this morning advancing towards Worcester, and I suppose we shall draw very close to it. If they will come forth, and engage with us, then we shall leave the issue to the providence of God, and doubt not but to parley of glorious mercies. If they will avoid fighting, and lead us a jaunt, we shall " Secretary to the close committee of the council of state. STIKLING CASTLE SURRENDERED. 3^7 do as God shall direct. Let us live under the ex- ercises of faith and prayer. In disputing the bridge, yesterday, at Upton, we killed some six or seven of their men, and killed his horse that led the party, and wounded him in his hand. Some say, it was Massey. "" The news from Leicester is excellently glorious : the relation whereof you have heard fully from lieu- tenant Turner. I have no more to say, but salutes to all friends. I am. Most assuredly yours to serve you, Ro. Stapylton. Spetchley, within two miles of Worcester, Aug. 20, 1651. MR. CLARKE TO THE SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — On this day sennight, we per- fected our platforms for batteries and for two mortar- pieces, brought up from Leith for the reducing Stir- ling castle. The enemy shot through and through our bat- teries, but did not hurt any of our men : they played * " A servant of Massey's came into Cromwell's quarters, and reported, that the wants of the king's army were very great ; that his master was shot in the hand, and the earl of Worcester wounded in the mouth." Whltlocke, Sept. 3. ^MiHiiii ai. 32S STIRLING CASTLE SURRENDERED. STIRLING CASTLE SURRENDERED. 329 hard against our men that were in the steeple of the town kirk, (which did much annoy them :) they shot through the steeple ; but in all their shots hurt but one man. Two mortar-pieces were drawn to the plat- forms this evening. All things being in readiness to go roundly to work with the castle, the lieutenant-general sent a summons to the castle, requiring him to deliver the same for the use of the parliament of England. To which the governor returned a verbal answer, that he would keep the castle as long as he could. The lieu- tenant-general also sent about exchange of prisoners for some of ours he had in the castle ; but, it seems, he would exchange none, in hopes to make terms by them. Colonel Pinchbanke, an Englishman, and one of the colonels that colonel Blake gave passes to, to come from Scilly into Scotland, kissed the king's hand ; went as far as Glasgow with him towards England, but is come back hither, declaring much disaffection and dissatisfaction to the enemy's design, and says he will not join any more with them. Wednesday, the two mortar-pieces were planted ; and Mr. Fane, the en- gineer, (who was sent for from St. Johnston's for that purpose,) made two shot with each of them for trial; two of which fell and brake in the middle of the castle. Thursday the 14th, both guns and mortar-pieces played hard against the castle. We made two of their guns unserviceable : they hurt us two gunners with small shot. In the afternoon, while our mortar-pieces were playing hard, they in the castle beat a parley : which being hearkened unto, they sent out a drum- mer, with a letter intimating desire of a treaty. The lieutenant-general sent in a letter, wherein he took notice of the governor's slighting his first summons, but proposed three articles to him, which he would grant, if he would render forthwith, otherwise he would not accept of any treaty. Hereupon, about half an hour after, the governor sent out captain James Cunninghairf and one Mr. Wriirht, as commissioners to treat : but the records of Scotland (which the governor desired might be re- moved to some other garrison of theirs) being denied them, Mr. Wright said his commission was blown up, and could not treat ; so that by night the articles in- closed were agreed on, and hostages sent forth. The occasion of their more hasty surrender w^as from a mutiny of the soldiers in the castle : who being a commanded party of their army, and most High- landers, (not accustomed to granadoes,) were much affrighted, and beat the drum without order, threat- ening to throw over their officers if they should dis- turb them ; saying, they would fight for their king and kingdom, and not for the country's gear. The next day, the governor, with about three hun- dred officers and soldiers, marched forth, according to agreement. The soldiers had, the night before, broken open many of the trunks in the castle, and went away vor.. II. 2 i: m 330 STIRLING CASTLE SUUilENUERED. laden with as much gear as they could carry. There was in the castle forty pieces of ordnance ; viz. twenty- seven very fair brass pieces, two great iron guns, and eleven leather guns ; provision of meat to serve five hundred men above twelve months ; forty or fifty barrels of beef, about five thousand arms, (new mus- quets and pikes,) twenty-six barrels of powder, twenty or thirty vessels of claret wine and strong waters ; great store of match, with other ammunition, lances, swans' feathers, darts, and other instruments of war of that nature ; all the records of Scotland, the chair and cloth of state, the sword, and other rich fur- niture of the king's ; the earl of Marr's coronet and stirrups of gold, with his parliament robes. There was also store of goods of the country and towns people in the castle, which they had liberty to carry away, according to articles, and came in great numbers for three or four days together, little or nothing being embezzled, but what had been taken away by their own men. We had released, awhile before our en- trance, thirty-two prisoners ; amongst which, Mr. Cornelius Van Behmen, engineer, lieutenant Jones, and others taken at Newark. Thus hath God, in less than a week's space, nay, less than a day's space, (for we did not play so long with our guns and mortar-pieces,) given into your hands one of the strongest and most magnificent castles in Scotland, and the most (if not only) con- siderable pass into the country beyond it. When we STIRLING CASTLE SURRENDERED. 331 came before it, a query was made, Who shall lead us into this strong castle? It was answered, The righteous shall possess the gates of their enemies : and certainly the mercy is not the less for being gained with so Httle loss, but the greater, and is a pledge of what he will do for those that are now likely to be engaged in England. Since my coming into the castle, (which is one of the fairest and stateliest buildinors I have seen in Scotland,) I observed this motto over the chapel door: "I. R. nobis ha^c invicta raiserunt centum sex proavi, I6I7." It seems, it past the 107th unconquered, but not the lOSth. Sir, This was the substance of what I wrote to your honour in a former letter, which, as I now hear, was interrupted going from Leith with the packet near Trenant by one captain Hume, a moss troop. I have adventured to trouble you with these particulars a second time, not knowing whether you may have them from other hands or no. Since the former, colonel Okey is returned with his party who went into the west. He took the laird Os- bastan, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Henderson, and others, who were sitting at Paisley for the raising of a re- giment, to be under the command of colonel Cockram, whom the king had sent out of England for that purpose, though he had before promised it to major- general Vanrosse : they were both in that town the day before, but got away, with the lord Blanda's troop, into the Highlands. ipi ^32 THE EARL. OF DERBY. He fined the town of Glasgow £500 for aiding them ; and apprehended sixteen ministers, which he let go, upon promise not to act against us. We are now providing for a march, with our little handful of two regiments of horse and two of foot, towards Dundee. We shall lodge all our field-pieces in this garrison, (where colonel Rede with his regi- ment is left,) and march with three battering-pieces and one mortar-piece, not doubting of the continu- ance of the good hand of God with us. Sir, I crave your pardon for this boldness ; and rest Your most humble servant, Wm. Clarke. Stirlin51. i THE EARL OF DERBY TO THE GENTLEMEN OF LANCASHIRE. Gentlemen, — By reason of the king's speedy march through this county, there could not pass those 334 THE EARL OF DERBY. CITY OF GLOCESTEll. 335 mutual assurances of grace and friendship betwixt you, which I am most confident a short stay in these parts would have happily produced. It was my good fortune to attend his majesty in Cheshire: and there having the honour to receive his commands, in order to the service of this county, he was pleased to direct that I should invite you to join with me in the present work ; wherein the glory of God, his majesty's personal safety and rights, the laws of our nation, our own liberties and estates, are also nearly concerned. To this end, his majesty was pleased to employ major-general Massey as a proper instrument to beget a fair understanding betwixt us ; who, being acquainted with the intentions and interests of both parties, hath endeavoured it, I hope with some measure of success: though, by reason of his majesty's speedy advance, and a necessity of his own march, he did not bring it to that complete issue which he desired. I have now, therefore, thought good to desire you to come unto me as soon as possibly you can : and be assured that you shall find me resolved to give such a reasonable measure of satisfaction to your moderate and just desires, as shall leave you altogether without excuse, in case you engage not w^ith me in the pre- sent service. For my own part, I will endeavour to follow the example of my master, and be far from reflecting upon any differences which heretofore have passed betwixt us, but really desire the memory of them may be for ever buried. I do heartily forgive all that have injured me, and desire the like from such who suppose themselves injured by me; to the end that all impediments may be removed, which might in any kind hinder our unanimous and cheerful con- junction in his majesty's service. If it please God to put the like thoughts into you, as I hope he will, I doubt not but he will make us considerable instru- ments in this glorious work : in which you will have daily experience of my real intentions to manifest myself Your very affectionate friend, Derby. A LETTER FROM GLOCESTER TO THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE. Right Honourable, — Upon Thursday last, in the space of twelve hours, we had three several letters from major-general Harrison, advising and encou- raging us to resist the enemy, in case they should advance to us at Worcester. Whereupon we came to resolution, to hazard our lives in the keeping of the city, and did what we could to strengthen the walls : and the well affected in the city and county came in to us, willingly engaging themselves ; and are in expectation of assistance from the major-general, ac- 33G CITY OF GLOCESTER. cording to his promises. But upon Thursday, late at night, there came a message from the mayor and sheriff of Worcester, and some others, signifying to us that they had a desire to confer with colonel James and the commissioners concerning the peace- able entry of the enemy into the city ; and, accord- ingly, a meeting was had. At which meeting, the mayor, sheriff, and others of the chamber, made a hio-h declaration of their dislike of our proceedings in order to the keeping of the town, and of their resolu- tion of delivering the town to the king : which was opposed only by aldernian Ellins, major Estoph, and captain Alies of the chamber ; and that they would not be undone by making resistance in satisfying the wills of three or four men. Whereupon there arose a great discouragement amongst the citizens that had listed themselves volunteers ; and, as we are informed, they were taken off, some by throats, and some by promise of rewards. The officers met, and consulted what was best to be done : and considering the falling off of the city, and that assistance came not in, nor yet the troops from the major-general, it was thoucrht best to do what we could to secure what persons and goods of the well affected we might in that short time, as also to prevent the enemy of the magazine ; which was endeavoured, as such a scantling of time w ould permit. Upon Friday morning early, which was yesterday, four troops came in from the major-general, and al- CITV OF GLOCESTER. 3S[ though our listed soldiers and horse were much scat- tered, yet colonel James did what possibly he could to rally them : and so we fell to our works again, with a full resolution to stand it out ; but yesterday, there coming no assistance of foot from Hereford, or else- where, whither the major-general had writ for supply of foot, which was only necessary and extremely wanting for this service, it was concluded by the general officers that we should quit the town. Where- upon order was given to captain Boyleston and his company to secure the magazine, consisting of seven small firkins, or thereabouts. And whilst he w^as in the execution of this order, and we horsed, the alarum came that the enemy was entering the city upon the rear of our horse ; and we marched away, after some repulse given to the enemy. But the night before, upon Thursday night, we sent forth a party to beat up their quarters at Bewdley, where we killed two quartermasters, and took four prisoners; who, upon examination, confessed that they were not resolved to stay at Worcester, but to hasten to London. Thus much w^e thought good to represent to your honour ; and humbly take leave to be Your lordship's humble servants, Geo. Milward. Andrew Yarranton. Rich. Inett. Simon Moore. Wm. Collins. Gervasse Bucke. Glocester, Aug. 23, 16.>1. 2x VOL. II. 338 THE EARL OF DERBY DEFEATED. COLONEL ROBERT LILBURNE TO OLIVER CROMWELL. May it please your Excellency, — Upon the receipt of your orders to stay here with my regiment, I marched that day from Stockport to this town, which was twenty-two miles, before I rested, hearing the enemy was here, and thinking I might have a little surprised them, but they wx^e gone to Chorley. The next day, I marched after them, towards Preston, and lay within two miles of them, only with my own re- giment and about sixty horse and dragoons, which is all the country could assist us with all this while, (saving only one company from Manchester of foot, and two from Chester, which have been with me two days.) That night, I sent forty horse to alarm them, (who then w^ounded colonel Veare,) hearing they were to have had a rendezvous at Preston that next day. I did that to give notice to the town and country I was there to oppose the earl, and to stay the people from rising with him, who reported it, that none of our forces was in the country ; and indeed the country believe all was their own, which the people generally took for granted, and was coming in apace, as by these inclosed you may perceive. The next day, in the afternoon, I having" no foot with me, a party of the enemy's horse fell smartly amongst us, where our horse was grazing, and for some space put us pretty hard to it : but at last it THE earl of derby DEFEATED, S39 pleased the Lord to strengthen us, that we put them to the flight, and pursued them to Ribble bridge, (this was something like our business at Mussle- burg,) and killed and took about thirty prisoners, most oflScers and gentlemen, with the loss of two men that died next morning. Hearing of your excel- lency's regiment coming towards Manchester, I only removed two miles to a more convenient ground, thinking to have stayed there till your regiment could come, which I expected this day, but their weariness frustrated that expectation j and this morning, I had intelligence that the enemy was upon their march, which I thought was a running away from us, being they began at eleven in the night, and marched so fast and privately : but their confidence was much otherwise raised, having increased their number at Preston, and that engagement of the priests and Manchesterians (who are very malignant) to assist them with five hundred men and arms, and the hopes they had of surprising your excellency's regiment, put them into great heart, that when we appeared here, (thinking we had been, as it were, pursuing a flying enemy,) they shewed a great deal of courage by a mighty shout they gave beyond the town in sight of us, in the way towards Manchester ; which we observing, together with the advantage they had of us in these grounds, and hearing their numbers of foot was much increased, and the dano^er vour re- giment was in, put us upon new thoughts, when they W i 340 THE EARL OF DERBY DEFEATED. THE EARL OF DERBY DEFEATED. Si- 1 i were at one end of the town and we at the other, and resolved rather to decline engaging with them here, than hazard the loss of your regiment, and put our- selves upon an engagement upon too much disad- vantage. They exceeding us much in foot, and we having no grounds to fight our horse upon, we were drawing off, (thinking to have marched in the flanks of them towards Manchester, to have gained a con- junction with our friends there ; but they seeing it, presently drew through the town to fall upon us: which we observing, and being so near to them, re- solved to trust God with the issue, and he was gra- ciously pleased to give us a comfortable success, to the praise of his great name, in a total rout of our enemies, who were increased to about fourteen or fifteen hundred, and I had only my own regiment, and those three companies of foot and the sixty horse and dragoons. The dispute lasted almost an hour, and very difficult to us, they overlaying us so with foot, (having no ground but the lane to fight in,) the same place where your regiment beat up Hambleton's rear, but at last God gave us the day; and I desire that he alone may have the praise for that great salvation he shewed to us, a company of poor crea- tures. As for the particulars, I cannot yet give a very exact account to your excellency, but only that the lord Derby is sore hurt, but escaped, though nar- rowly ; the lord Witherington and colonel sir Wil- liam Throgmorton dying, and Tildesley and Bay n ton slain ; and several other very considerable persons of great quality, and about sixty soldiers : and we have taken most of their colours, and about four hundred prisoners. I thank God, I lost not one oflScer, nor above ten soldiers, that I can hear of, but many horses killed and spoiled with their pikes, which I hoj)e your ex- cellency will be pleased to consider and repair. The country begins now to bring in prisoners, and shew themselves to me ; but before, but a few appeared. The enemy's word was Jesus, and their sio-nal a white about their arm. Our word was Providence, and signal, the green. I am, My Lord, Your excellency's most humble and faithful servant, Rt. Lieburne. Wiii^aii, Aug. 25, 1651 ; late in the evening. COLONEL ROBERT LILBURNE TO TIM: SPEAKER. Mr. Speaker, — My lord general being pleased to command me to stay here, to assist the well af- fected against the earl of Derby, who was then at Warrington in this county, with some considerable force, both from the Isle of Man, and which he had THE EARL OF DERBY DEFEATED. THE EARL OF DERBY DEFEATED. 313 11 from the Scots' army ; wherewith he did not only much encouratre the enemies, but also discourage all the well affected in these counties of Lancashire and Cheshire, and whereof he thought himself wholly master, as indeed he was, and none in those counties were able or durst appear against him ; and began to beat drums and raise men in all places where he came, and would have been very strong in a short time, not only through the access of many malig- nants, papists and disaffected persons, but that as- sistance the ministers and those who are called Pres- byterians afforded, and would have more abundantly appeared : for they are the men who are grown here more bitter and envious against you, than others of the old cavaliers' stamp. The power of the Almighty was very much seen in the total overthrow (I hope) of that wicked design, which was laid and hatched not only here, but through the whole north of England, who was getting into the like posture, as you may further understand by those papers I have here sent you. But that God, who hath all along appeared with us and for us, hath shewed himself very good and powerful in the dis- sipating of this enemy, who was about fourteen or fifteen hundred strong. I had only three companies of foot, about fifty or sixty dragoons, and about thirty horse from Liverpool, with my own wearied and somewhat shattered regiment, through our tedious march from Scotland, and hard dutv we had here. Yesterday morning, about eleven or twelve o'clock in the night, the enemy marched from Preston, we lying within two or three miles of them, where we expected those supplies of forces which came not. Some of our intelligence informing us the enemy were running away towards their army with what they had gotten, we pursued them hither, with some confi- dence that that intelligence was true ; and the rather we believed it, because of some discouragement we put upon them the day before : but upon our ap- proach hither, we found it otherwise, for they were bending their course towards Manchester; where they had not only very great hopes of surprising my lord general's regiment of foot, but also great as- surance of the assistance of five hundred men in and about that town. But upon the sight of our near approach, they unexpectedly put themselves into a posture of fighting with us, which then we endea- voured to decline, in regard of the great advantage they had by their many foot and hedges, and the danger we apprehended my lord general's regiment of foot at Manchester to be in. We were drawing off, thinking to have marched in the left flank of them, thither to have gained a conjunction with our friends, who had order to march to nie that day towards Preston. We had thought to have met them in the way, having sent several messengers to let them know both the enemies' and our motion : but the enemy, perceiving us to draw off, quickly advanced upon us f \'" r 344 THJB EARL OF |)£RBY DEFEATED. with their horse and foot : which we perceiving, and that we could not go off* safely enough, we fell to dispute with them, which lasted almost one hour. Our horse being not able to do any service but in lanes, and they overpowering us so much in foot, made the business very difficult, that we hardly knew whose the day would be for so long ; but therein was the sahation of God the more seen, and the great op- portunity we had to destroy them. I desire that he may have the praise and glory of that happy success he was pleased to give unto us, his poor creatures. Having given you this narrative in general, which I thought it my duty to do, this inclosed list will inform you further of the particulars. I desire the Lord would teach us to walk in some way answerable to those manifold and gracious dispensations he daily gives us experience of, and manifests his love unto us in, that his name may be m.agnified in all we do in our several places and stations. This nrreat mercv to us here, I hope is the earnest of his further ten- derness to the great concernments of all good people in this nation ; which is the hearty desire of Your faithful and most humble servant to my power, Rt. Lilburne. Aug. 25, 1651. This bearer was all the while in the enffaofement, and is able to give you a fuller relation. I have not lost an officer in this engfaofement, but DUNDEE BESIEGED BY MONK. 34.1 one corporal, and not above ten soldiers slain, but very many wounded. LIEUT.-GEN. MONK TO OLIVER CROMWELL. May it please your Excellency, — On Sunday last, we got over the river Tay, close by St. John- ston's, with our horse and foot, but with very much difficulty, our horses being forced to swim over the river ; and on Tuesday last we came before Dundee, and laid siege at it. I sent in a summons to the governor, for to surrender us the town, together with all the appurtenances that belong to war ; and withal |)romising him good conditions for his officers and soldiers, and likewise for the inhabitants : but the governor returned a very uncivil answer,^ a copy of which I have inclosed sent your excellency. Yesterday, we got intelligence that general Lesley, with the committee of estates, together with some lords and gentlemen of quality, were to meet with some forces within twelve miles of us : and within • They sent in answer the king's proclamation: " That wlio- soever would lav down arms, and come in to them, should liave mercy." ^* This impudence of theirs was occasioned by the promise of old Lesley, carl of Levcn, with divers other lords and ministers commissioned from the king to raise forces, whereby he would relieve the town." Whitlocke, Sept. 4. It is worthy of remark, that Whitlocke's words are taken from a letter from colonel Lidcott to the speaker, inserted hereafter, VOJ.. II. • 2 Y t Jilig«iig|ttipi|i;waii;.w.,,.. I gag , aiaa 34f6 DUNDEE BESIEGED BY MONK. one day's time longer they would have gotten to- gether a very considerable party. They did intend to have raised the siege. Whereupon I ordered colonel Alured, with six hundred horse and four troops of dragoons, to march last night to Ellitt in Perth, where I crot intelliofence thev were. And it pleased God so to bless and prosper our designs, that they got to the place where those lords were, without any discovery : they killed some upon the place, and took prisoners those whose names 1 have inclosed sent your excellency. Truly, it is a very great mercy which the Lord of Hosts hath been pleased to bestow upon us, observing the time and season. This is the Lord's work, and therefore he alone ought to have all the praise : he hath not been wanting to follow us with mercies continually, had we the hearts to give him the praise that is due unto him. I have this night sent out another party, to meet with those levies which those lords were going to meet. I hope the Lord will bless their enterprises with success. And after this party is routed, I believe I shall not be troubled with any more levies, while I am about the reducing of this tow^n, which I hope will be within these two days. I humbly desire your excellency would be pleased to send down some more horse and foot ; for what the garrisons will take up, and what of sickness, which is very brief amongst us, we have at this time thirty of a troop sick : whereby we are very weak, and I DUNDEE BESIEGED HY MONK. 347 shall have no considerable strength to keep down the country people, who are very apt to rise, upon any occasion, almost in every place. I have sent your excellency some papers inclosed, which I met with upon my march. I shall likewise desire your excellency, if it stands with your excel- lency's liking, to send down a commission for colonel Morgan to be colonel of the dragoons ; likewise a commission for captain Boone, who was formerly captain-lieutenant to my own company, to be captain of the foot company in my regiment, where captain Rose, deceased, was captain; and a commission for Wm. Powell, formerly ensign to my company, to be captain-lieutenant; and also a commission for one Mr. Francis Kelly to be ensign to my company. Having nothing else at present to trouble your excellency with, only desiring the Lord of Hosts still to guide and direct your excellency in the carrying on of that great work which he is pleased to honour you with, I most humbly take leave; and remain Your excellency's most humble servant, From the Leaguer before Dinulee, Aug. 28, IGol. George Monk COL. H. 8TAPYLTON TO CAPT. GEO. BISHOP. According to your desires, and frequent iterations, I had ordered the despatch of the messenger this 348 SKIUiMlSHKS NKAK WOKCKSTEK. uiorning j but, by the riiistake of the secretary, it was prevented. I shall hereafter be punctual to observe your desires. This day, we drew down with our army in the face of Worcester, but they did not vouchsafe to meet us with their army. Some small pickerings there was, and poppings of musqueteers behind the hedges, but nothing considerable was attempted. They have raised a very fair and large fort on this side the town, which they possess and man very strongly^. They have burnt many outhouses. And I spoke with the scout's assistant just now ; who tells me, that his in- telligence assures him, that their whole army is in the town, and in the parts about on the other side the river : all which gives me to believe, that they are resolved to adventure their all in this place. It concerns us to be careful and advised in our at- tempts ^ and I trust God will lead us for the best. It is said that colonel John Birch, formerly of the horse, is with them : some say he was taken ; but others think it is only a colour to palliate his inten- tions : but I cannot give you any certainty of this. Salutes to all. I am Yours, Ho. Stapylton. ??petelilev, Aufr. 21) ; nine at ni^^Iit. SANCROFT. il!) HENRY NORTH [TO MR. BANCROFT.] Sju,— If I were ever guilty of any thing like ambition, it hath been to be in some value and esteem with good and discreet men ; and upon that score it is that, ever since I had the honour to know vou I have designed to do something that might merit your good opinion : but I now perceive you are a person of too great worth for mo to gain upon by any weak endeavours of mine own ; for you have been pleased freely, of your own accord, to place me in the rank of your favourites, when nothing that I have ever done could invite you to reflect upon me. Sir, I have received the two books you sent me : and for the Septuagint, and the binding of the other, have desired Mr. Paman to repay you what you have disbursed ; for it is sufficient that I have taken a thing so precious out of your library as is the Casino Bible, which I hope I shall as much value, as I am sure you must needs want it. I shall ere long get the Septuagint new bound also, for it very well de- serves it ; being, I think, one of the best impressions that ever I saw. I should now, if I had time, though I know it is a thing would not much please you, be satirical, and inveigh against those malignant spirits that have de- prived the university of so excellent a member ; but all I will say to you is, to let you know that I hope to be so good a chemist a.- to extract out of their o50 DUNDEE BESIEGED BY MONK. venom some cordial to myself; and that your de- lightful company, being denied your best associates, may be the oftener afforded to. Sir, Your most real friend and servant, Baiisfiekl, Henry NoiUH Aug. 29, 1(>j1. COLONEL LTDCOTT TO THE SPEAKER. Sir,— I could not choose but acquaint you with the blessing of God upon our proceedings herein Scot- land. Since Stirling castle was taken in, lieutenant- general Monk marched to Dundee, for the reducing of that place; who, when he had planted himself con- veniently before the town, summoned it. The enemy, in answer to his summons, sent him a proclamation from their king to this effect ; that whosoever amongst them would lay down arras, and come in to them, should be received to mercy. This impudence of theirs was occasioned by the promise of old Lesley, or Leven, with divers other lords and ministers com- missioned from their king to raise forces, whereby he would relieve the town. Private intelligence being given of their place of rendezvous, about seven miles from Dundee, colonel Alured, with his regiment (and two troops) of dragoons, surprised old Lesley, earl Leven. lord (Vayford, lord Oglehy, six or seven of their principal unnisters, with three hundred more, DUN DEE TAKEN BY STOR]M. Qr. 551 whereof divers were of quality and eminence ; by which means you will, I am confident, have a good account of Dundee speedily : which is a rich town, and hath in the harbour forty or fifty sail of ships. These and other late successes will, I hope, ex- tort thankfulness from us to the God of our mercies and consolations ; which is all at present from Your obliged nephew, ^ . , C. LlDCOTT. Lei til, August 30. These lords and prisoners were tak(>n on Thursday about noon. LIEUT.-GEN. MONK TO OLIVER CROMWELL. May it please youh ExcELLENCY,~Since it hath pleased the Lord to bestow upon us the mercy of the taking of the lords, a copy of their names 1 sent you in my last, we have by storm taken the town of Dundee : there was in it about eight hundred soldiers, besides the townsmen. We lost in the storming about six officers and about twenty private soldiers. It was a very great mercy that there was no more killed, in respect of the disadvantage we met withal, and of the numbers which we were to deal with, they being as many in foot as we were. There was killed of the enemy about five hundred ; and two hundred, or thereabouts, taken prisoners : the go- if52 nuNDEr: taken nv storm. vernor was killed. Sixty sail of ships in the harbour, and about forty iron guns in and about the town. The stubbornness of the people enforced the soldiers to plunder the town. I hurably desire to know, whether it be your ex- cellency's pleasure that this place be fortified other- wise than it is : it will not be tenable unless, with- out a great deal of charges. St. Andrews is come in, whom I ordered to pay £500 for refusing the first summons j and, I believe, a town called Montrose will likewise come in upon summons, which place I intend to make it our winter quarters. Truly, my lord, I know not what I shall be able to do, only for want of more forces, being so weakened, by reason of sickness, that I march "not above twelve hundred foot, and in case it be your excellency's pleasure that this place be made a gar- risen, I conceive, I must almost leave all the foo't in It. I humbly refer this to your excellency's consi- deration : and withal I humbly beg your lordship not to be unmindful in the sending of some more forces ; and that likewise there be care taken in the sending down of more biscuit and cheese to Leith. So, de- siring the Lord to protect you in all your proceedings, I humbly take leave ; and remain, My Lord, Your excellency's most humble servant, BATTLE OF WORCESTER. 353 J Dundee, bi j)t. 1, l(5ol Geohge Monk. THOMAS SCOTT AND II. SALWAY' TO THE SPEAKER. Sir,— We cannot refrain to let you know that God hath this day most eminently appeared for you, upon the very spot of ground where the first engagement was in England, in Wyck field, near Powick,' where colonel Sandys, and many others that appeared so early for England's liberty, was slain ; the voice of whose blood cried, and had audience in heaven this day, as your enemies have felt : nor was it forgotten that on the 3rd September last was Dunbar fight. Our difiiculties were exceeding great, being con- strained to patch up two bridges over the two rivers, for the two armies respectively to scramble over, that they might come at them who were prepossessed of the passes and the ground; and when the enemy saw we pressed so hard upon him, having drawn out no more than needs on the north side the river to engage us there, drew out his main body at same mstant, in the heat of that engagement, and marched up to what remained of ours on this side, where was not above the third part of our forces, and many foot of your new, who had their share in battle and in victory; specially the Cheshire, who did most gal- lantlv. The lord general, when, after a very hot dispute oil the east side the river, betwixt horse and foot, Members of tlie council of state. VOL. u, I) 354 BATTLE OF WORCESTER. had routed all they had, though upon very ill inclosed grounds, threw a summons, by a soldier, to their royal foot to surrender to him ; which they denying, and shooting at the messenger, our foot most resolutely ran into it, and possessed it in a moment, and de- spatched the enemy there : and his excellency com- manded some of the Essex colours to be presently set up in that fort, and the enemies' guns turned upon them. Lieutenant-general Fleetwood marched up, with four regiments of horse, and pursued as far as Co- therydge : but the greatest number, in the dusk of the evening, ran away at the north gate, towards Bewdleyj whither Providence led us to send one thousand horse and dragoons, under the command of Barton and Mercer, yesterday ; and unto whom, in the midst of the battle, we endeavoured to give in- telligence, and trust it came to them. Major-general Harrison is gone, with a considerable party, in the pursuit, and we believe will reach them ; and the Lord will, we hope, guide colonel Lilburne to meet them. We trust, from Dundee to this place, every creature will rise up against them, and doubt not that you will omit any time to give notice and avdilraent thereto. God is with you, and will be, whilst you are with him. Your servants here, from the General to the poorest soldier, expressed that courage and cheerful- ness that rs unspeakable, rejoicing to spend spirits r BATTLE OF WORCESTER. 3:jo K* and blood in your service, for the interest of the state and prosperity of this commonwealth. It is impossible, in this moment, to give the particulars : the bearer will add what he knows. We are Your most humble servants, Tho. Scott. 11. Sal WAY. At his Excellency's quarters, near Worcester, ten at night, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 16f51. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Being so weary, and scarce able to write, yet I thought it my duty to let you know thus much. That upon this day, being the 3rd of September, (remarkable for a mercy vouchsafed to your forces on this day twelvemonth in Scotland,) we built a bridge of boats over Severn, between it and Tame, about half a mile from Worcester ; and another over Tame, within pistol shot of our other bridge. Lieu- tenant-general Fleetwood and major-general Deane marched from Upton, on the south-west side of Severn, up to Powick town, which was a pass the enemy kept. We passed over some horse and foot, and were in conjunction with the lieutenant-general's forces : we beat the enemy from hedge to hedge, till we beat him into Worcester. The enemy then drew all his forces on the other side the tow^n, all but what y 3,56 BATTLE OF WORCESTER. he lost, and made a very considerable fielit with us for three hours' space ; but, in the end, we beat him totally, and pursued him up to his royal fort, which we took, and indeed have beaten his whole army. When we took the fort, we turned his own guns upon him. The enemy hath had great loss, and certainly is scattered and run several ways : we are in pursuit of him, and have laid forces in several places, that we hope will gather him up. Indeed, this hath been a very glorious mercy, and as stiff a contest, for four or five hours, as ever I have seen. Both your old forces and those new raised have behaved themselves with very great courage; and he that made them come out, made them willing to fight for you. The Lord God Almighty frame our hearts to real thankfulness for this, which is alone his doino-. to I hope I shall within a day or two give you a more perfect account : in the mean time I hope you will pardon. Sir, Your most humble servant, O. Cromwell. Near Worcester Sept. 3, 1G51 ; ten at night. BATTLE OF WORCESTER. 357 Mil. G. DOWNING*^ TO LORD .- May it please your L()RDsiiir,_The Lord is still triumphing. This day last year was the great appearance at Dunbar, and this day again the Lord hath disposed for such a work. This morning, lieutenant-general Fleetwood ad- vanced with his horse and foot, to which were added captain Goffe's and major-general Deane's regiments of foot, (major-general Deane being himself with him,) and lieutenant-general Fleetwood and colonel Twisleton's regiment of horse. Between one and two this afternoon, he got to Powick bridge, upon Tame, which was kept by them, with horse and foot : the dispute began very hot presently ; they brought up the river with them twenty great boats, with planks. My lord general fell presently to work ; and in half an hour, one bridge was made over Severn, and another over Tame, just where both rivers run into one, and forthwith a party of foot ran down over the bridge over Severn ; who began on the side of Tame towards Vv^orcester to skirmish. While lieu- tenant-general Fleetwood was hot still in dispute with the enemy at Powick bridge, then captain Ingoldsby's and captain Fairfax's regiment were drawn over Severn also ; then twenty horse ; then the life-guard ; then my lord general's regiment of horse ; and To, one ^ Afterwards sent agent to Holland. I find no other account of him. See Whithcke, June 28, 1(>59. 35 H BATTLE OF WORCESTER. BATTLE OF WORCESTER. S5\) party after another. The dispute was from hedge to hedge, and very hot ; sometimes more with foot than with horse and foot. The Hfe-guard made a gallant charge, so did my lord general's regiment of horse ; and, indeed, all who came to it did their parts gal- lantly, through the Lord's power in and upon them. The dispute continued to the evening, all along with very great heat ; and about sun-set, we had beaten into Worcester, and our men possessed of St. John's, at the bridge end. While we were thus hot in debate, the enemy drew forth horse and foot on the other side the town towards our men, who were left there ; and after a while there was a very desperate charge on that side also, between them and ours, both horse and foot, where was colonel Pride. In conclusion, our men there also put them to the rout, and j)ursued them to the very town, possessed the great fort, and also that part of the city of Wor- cester. Truly our work is all wonders. I can inform your lordship but little what is done, only that, so far as ray eyes could on the hurry take up, there are more slain than were at Dunbar : as for prisoners, I cannot tell what number, (they being not yet brought together,) nor who are taken ; only major-general Petscotty and captain Ardrosse and captain Cron- lockes are taken, with many others : it is thought Massey is killed. Of our side, I know none of note killed but ciuartermaster-general Moseley ; and, as far as yet 1 can judge, not an hundred of our private sol- diery. Our word was "the Lord of Hosts." In the evening, we could see them fly out of the further side of AVorcester, horse and foot. Night cuts off our pur- suit, but major-general Harrison is sent after them, and notice given to colonel Lilburnc and others. Captain Howard is wounded ; major-general Lam- bert's horse shot. Your lordship will I hope pardon my hasty scribbling. We long for the ap|)earance of the day ; when we also look for the Lord's further approvance. I am. My Lord, Your lordship's most humble servant, Near Worcester, G. Downing. Sept. 3, ir).51 ; nine at iii^ht. OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I am not able yet to give you an exact ac- count of the great things the Lord hath wrought for this commonwealth and for his people, and yet I am unwilling to be silent ; but, according to my duty, shall represent it to you as it comes to hand. This battle was fought with various successes for some hours, but still hopeful on your part, and in the end became an absolute victory ; and so full an one, as proved a total defeat and ruin of the enemy's army, a possession of the town, (our men entering at the enemies' heels, and fighting with them in the streets 300 BATTLE OF WORCCSTEU. BATTLE OF WORCESTER. 361 with very great courage,) and of all their baggage and artillerv. ^Vhat the slain arc I can give you no account, be- cause we have not taken an exact view ; but they are very many, and must needs be so, because the dispute was long and very near at hand, and often at push of pike, and from one defence to another. There are about six or seven thousand prisoners taken here, and many officers and noblemen of very great qua- lity : duke Hamilton, the earl of Rothes, and divers other noblemen ; I hear, the earl of Lauderdale, many officers of great quality, and some that will be fit subjects of your justice. We have sent very consi- derable parties after the flying enemy. I hear they have taken considerable number^ of prisoners, and are very close in the pursuit ; indeed, I hear the country riseth upon them every where, and I believe the forces that lay, through Providence, at 13ewdley, and in Shropshire and Staffordshire, and those with colonel Lilburne, were in a condition, as if this had been foreseen, to intercept what should return. A more particular account than this will be pre- pared for you, as we are able. I hear, they had not many more than one thousand horse in their body that fled, and I believe you have near four thousand forces following, and interposing between them and home. What fish they will catch, time will declare.^ b 'IM This letter is printed in Wiiitloeke, witli the exception uf this last expression : in the margin is written, " Omit this." Their army was about sixteen thousand stroncr, and fought ours on the Worcester side of Severn, almost with their whole ; whilst we had engaged about half our army on the other side, but with parties of theirs. Indeed it was a stiff business, yet I do not think we lost two hundred men. Your new raised forces did perform singular good service; for which they deserve a very high estimation and acknowledgment, as also for their willingness thereunto, forasmuch as the same hath added so much to the reputation of your affairs. They are all despatched home again : which, I hope, will be much for the ease and satisfac- tion of the country ; which is a great fruit of the successes. The dimensions of this mercy are above my thoughts : it is, for aught I know, a crowning mercy ; surely, if it be not, such a one we shall have, if this provoke those that are concerned in it to thankful- ness, and the parliament to do the will of him who hath done his will for it and for the nation ; whose good pleasure it is to establish the nation and the change of the government, by making the people so willing to the defence thereof, and so signally to bless the endeavours of your servants in this late great work. I am bold humbly to beg, that all thoughts may tend to the promoting of his honour, who hath wrought so great salvation ; and that the fatness of these continued mercies may not occasion pride and VOL. II. S A sm BATTLE OF WORCKSTER. wantonness, as formerly the like hath done to a chosen nation : but that the fear of the Lord, even for his mercies, may keep an authority, and all people, so prospered and blessed and witnessed unto, humble and faithful ; and that justice and righteousness, mercy and truth, may flow from you, as a thankful return to our gracious God. This shall be the prayer of. Sir, Your most humble and obedient servant, O. Cromwell. Worcester, Sept. 4, 1651. Your oflScers behaved themselves with much honour in this service; and the person who is the bearer hereof was equal, in the performance of his duty, to most that served you that day. ^ T. SCOTT AND R. SALWAY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE. My Lords, — This day, about two o'clock, lieu- tenant-general Fleetwood and major-general Deane brought up the army with them from Upton ; and boats, with materials for making bridges, to bring that army over the Tame, and for a communication of the General's army with that, at a point where both rivers meet. There was a very hot dispute on that side of Severn where the lieutenant-generars force came, BATTLE OF WORCESTER. 3G3 from hedge to hedge, and lane to lane; but the greatest stress was about Powick bridge, where they had not only lined the hedges with musqueteers, but were possessed also of a house. Although the enemy maintained their ground very resolutely, yet it pleased the Lord to give our men that courage as to draw them from hedo-e to hedo-e, &e., till they were beaten up to their main body, that stood in Wickfield ; where the first blood was shed in this cause by the late king, and where Sandys was slain ; and upon that same day twelve- month, (viz. 3rd of September,) in which God gave us that memorable success, against the same enemy, at Dunbar; that in the morning, this in the evening of that day : wherein, truly, the new regiments per- formed very gallant service ; the Essex regiment (that, but the day before, were so amazed at the shot from the cannon, that some of them fell flat on their faces) being the first that gained, and set up their colours in the royal fort. We cannot yet give you any certain particulars of the enemies' loss, though we were spec- tators from beginning to end ; which yet, as to the slam, in most men's judgment, much exceeded as to horse, if not to foot, that at Dunbar; nor ours, which certainly, through the rich grace and mercy of God, was not much. AVe hear of no persons of quality slain, but quarter- master-general Moseley, a captain in colonel Cob- bett's regiment ; captain Howard of Naward, captain \i\ 3G4. BATTLE OF WORCESTER. of the life guards to his excellency, has received divers sore wounds, and major Pocher, but both with hope of life ; and some few others. Captain Howard did interpose very happily at a place of much danger, where he gave the enemy (though with his personal smarts) a very seasonable check, when our foot, for want of horse, were hard put to it. The major-general Lambert had his horse shot under him. Colonel Piscotty, that was reported slain at Fife, is taken, and some others ; but their quality or numbers we can say nothing of as yet. Our word was *' the Lord of Hosts ;" but the army was so suddenly engaged, that it is believed not a third part of it had it. Many of the enemies' hosts, after the defeat, both horse and foot, were observed to run out of the north gate towards Bewdley, pur- sued by commissary-general Whaley, where we have a strong party of horse and foot in their way at Bewdley, and Lilburne in their way, we hope. My lord general was the first that set foot on the enemies' ground, and went up on foot to the hedges, while they were lined by the enemy. The Cheshire rejximents did sino^ular fjood service. That the Lord of Hosts, the author of our mercies, may be exalted above all praise, (whose arm was made bare,) and the mercy improved, is the earnest desire of Your humble servants, Tho. Scott. K. Salway. monk's ARiMY. 365 We desire this may not be printed ; or, if it be judged necessary to be made public, that it may be digested into a better frame. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL MONK TO THE SPEAKER. Honourable Sir, — Your letter of thanks, which you were pleased to honour me with and the rest of the officers here, for that great mercy which the Lord was pleased to bestow upon us in the taking of Stirling castle with our weak forces, which we ac- knowledge to be a very great honour, I desire that all the glory may be returned to him who hath been pleased so eminently to appear for us. There hath something of action been done since the reducing of that castle, wherein the Lord hath been very good and gracious to us ; the news (I conceive) will come to your hands before this letter. The Lord is pleased still to follow us with mercies and great deliverances. I thought it likewise convenient to acquaint you with our present condition. We are very weak, both in horse and foot, in respect of the sickness which hath been very brief amongst us ; and unless there be care taken in the sending down of some more forces, I shall be necessitated to lie still and do nothing, whereas otherwise there might have been something very considerable done before the end of this sum- .M t 366 L-'o MONK S ARMY. mer. I shall humbly desire you not to be unmindful of the present condition we are in. I shall likewise desire you that there may be care taken in the send- ing down of some provisions of biscuit and cheese for the forces here. They have not had any money since my lord general went out of Scotland, neither dare I to give them, there being so little in the treasury, as that all will but only serve to pay sick soldiers,' making of works, and other contingent charges. I most humbly take leave; and remain Your most humble servant, 1. , Geougl: Monk. Sept. 4, urn. Hi It I W. CLARKE TO THE SPEAKER. Sir,— The success of the English forces at Dundee appears yet, every day, more considerable. I have sent inclosed a list of such prisoners of quality as are yet discovered, many of them being concealed as private soldiers. There were fifteen hundred upon the line when we stormed ;^ and now we come to bury the dead, (which is not yet fully done,) we find that there was near eight hundred killed. The spoil is like to prove very great ; were you here, you would not • Monk had taken Dundee by storm on the first of Sen- teuiber. ^ SANCROFT. SG^ know a private soldier from an officer, divers of them having got gallant apparel Though we are not yet settled here, yet this little wee bit of an army will not be idle. If you send us more men, (and some money, too, for encouragement,) we doubt not but.(through God's assistance) we shall do much before winter, and get footing six score miles further into the Highlands. This day, a strong party of horse is sent to Montrose, a port town about twenty-four miles hence; by whom the lieutenant- general hath sent a summons, having intelligence that the enemy were preparing to garrison the town. Some gentlemen of quality hereabouts have sent their submissions to the powerof the parliament of England, and seem to be free, both as to contribution and assistance ; yet we shall not trust them further than we see them. And I am Your most humble servant, ^ , Wm. Clarke. Dundee, Sept. 5, 1651. MR. SANCROFT TO MR. HOLDSWORTH. PapsG ! what a 'pistle have we here ! from a very friend too, so long absent, so far distant ! A letter I may call it, with a safe conscience, and never be be- holden to the English idiom : nor could I write Latin, and tell true ; accepi literas would be in my way. 1?" ^'i 368 SANCROFT. SAN CROFT. 369 \4 ii First, I dare boldly say, an entire third of the nig- gardly quarter of a sheet runs out in margin and waste, like an unconscionable broad list that almost eats up a narrow Kendal cloth ; arrant desert and wil- derness, like Craven, on the other side of Yorkshire ; only there you enter Mr. Hebblethwaite, like one of the old hermits (in his rags, if not in his sanctity) to make legs for handsome entertainment, just upon the same design as our modern geographers paint some uncouth sea monster, or savage of the land, to fill up the vacancy of their maps ; or as carpenters and freemasons still furnish out the prize with gro- tesques and antick faces. But then, to come to the body of the letter, what a high forehead ! 'tis thus far in your paper to the first line. I began to con- jecture that you left space for your picture and a paper of verses before your discourse ; or meant again to erect Friar Bacon's head there, that should speak two words, " Dear Sir," and never speak more. But courage ! You have hitherto bit your pen and bethought you; now it begins to walk, but such short turns as I have seen you take in my bed chamber when you had newly made a jest. The first of your three periods sits thus : '* But that I desire to be a man of my word, I had never put pen to paper." Say you so? I may hap to commend you then, as just and punctual to your promise, but never thank you as kind or pitiful to your desolate friend. In your next, you take upon you to be persuaded, ** that your Yorkshire heaven stands still ;" and why, I pray ? The argument is mighty and convincing, "because you are so sluggish." It seems there is such a sympathy and correspondence between the heavens and your heavenly self, that they stir not, when you, the great intelligence, are dull, but keep holiday in a vigorous rest. Your next, is a " wonder that the stars produce so much motion below, (they are your words,) as your pen makes." True! the productions of that pen are the miraculous effects of the stars, and you Sol et homo, homini Stellcp, and Holdsworth's Epistolium ; and they had need to be dispensed with for other em- ployments, when you are about to stellify half a side of 4°, especially considering the opposition of the unlucky remora, your new discovered or (as your own phrase is) new canonized star, which Tycho and Kepler never dreamt of; only you had the hap to find it by its malign influence, which not only slugg'd your pen, but stopped your letter, too, under sail at Doncaster, and gave Cromwell the opportunity of seeing you jeer at these days of reformation behind your paper curtain, where you thought yourself safe, and so sent me your packet forced and deflowered, of which I suppose you meant me the maidenhead. There is nothing remaining in yours, but *' that you cannot write a word more ;" and, to be quit with you, I shall add but one, and that is, that I have been turned out of my fellowship these six weeks, and yet VOL. II. 3b I'li Tin 370 SANCROFT. DR. ARROWSMiril. f I have enough left to please myself in, if you disavow me not as Your very affectionate friend, W. S. . Sept. 0, IGol. I understand by your larger letter, to Esq. Prob. (written, I suppose when the Primum Mobile was new-oiled, and began to roll again,) that you intended to be with us by this time, but still the Remora, the Remora, that unhappy new light, is in our way ; so that now I begin to fear I shall not see you. On Monday, I truss up my baggage, and send it before, and am ready to march myself as soon as I hear that my successor (Mr. Br. who hath been twice sent for) approacheth to beat up my quarters. Yet if you still mean any testimonies of your friendship towards me, take aim through my neighbours' hands, and you shall not miss the line ; only when you do write, tell me no more news of your Yorkshire heavens, but of your own health and condition, which I shall resent both ways as mine own. For me, I have had very little health since I saw you, scarce two well days. I find myself in a manifest decadence, and fear a hectic distemper. The will of the Lord be done. I see nothing in life to be doted on, nothing in death to be feared ; and to en- deavour the preservation of the one, (as far as my duty obliges.) and ray promotion for the other, will be all the employment I shall have in the country. 571 I .r; I i GEORGE DAVENPORT TO [MR. SANCROFT.] Worthy Sir, — Upon Friday last. Dr. Arrow- smith, the new regius professor, read his probation lecture : his text was Genes, iii. 1.5. After a long preface, (wherein he shewed the dignity of that i)Iace being like David's Michlam or St. Paul's faithful saying, and, as Luther said, containing in it the doc- trine of the whole Bible,) he came to the exposition. % the serpent was understood the Devil ; by the woman. Eve, the mother of the faithful, (wherein he blamed the Jesuits for expounding it of the blessed Virgin, and others for making that history but an allegory, and consequently turning the Scriptures into a fable.) By the seed of the serpent was under- stood, first, the cohors diaholorum ; secondly, such men who are of their father the Devil, and the tares sown by the Devil. I cannot remember that he spake any thing of the enmity, (I suppose that was to be explained in the latter part of the text.) At length he set down these conclusions : first, that Eve did absolutely believe ; secondly, that she was the mother of the believers; and, thirdly, that the Scriptures doth hold out so much to us. This he proved out of place, I think in Isaiah about Jerusalem, but I cannot call the place to mind. When he had done this, he thought it time to give over, leaving the latter part of the text to be dis- cussed, aut hie, aut alibi : some say, that he intends fl 37'2 DR. AHllOWSMITH. '1 to preach ad cleru?n on the latter part of the verse. He complained much that so short a time should be allotted to him to explicate so large a text of scrip- ture : this is all at present I can remember of it. He is much commended by those with whom I converse J what abler heads say of him, I am ignorant. I never thought it impossible for a pro- fessor to equal the lectures. I think he is admitted ; I am not sure. We have little news. There is a report that one Dell, in a sermon, or at least a conference, was blasted by the General's not approving of his doctrine, being the same which he last taught in St. Mary's. I had a letter from your Mr. Gayers on Saturday : they are in health. Since your departure hence, I have scarce gone out of the college, only to church and the new professor's, having been extraordinarily troubled with a cold. Your friends are all in health. My brother and the rest (too many to reckon, and more than I can remember) present their service to you. I presume you will pardon my rude and abrupt style. Thus, with the tenders of our service to you, I leave ; and remain Your devoted servitor, Geo. Davenport. Imman. Coll. Sept. G, 1G51. PURSUIT OF THE DEFEATED ROYALISTS. SJS MAJOR-GENERAL HARRISON TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — I make no question but you have had a large account from my lord general of the mercy at Worcester, which was very eminent, and as a crown to all the Lord vouchsafed us formerly. The battle being turned by our God, it pleased his excellency to appoint me to the pursuit; and, having a httle breathing time, I judge it my duty to give you the best account I can of the Lord's good- ness to us therein, which I have daily despatched to his excellency, by letter, or some officer, as I could for time : and I conceive he hath transmitted to you all that is yet come to him considerable, and there- fore I shall not trouble you much with the passages of the evening and night of the 3rd instant, and the day folio-wing, wherein were taken and slain in the pursuit (and so dispersed that the country might bring them in) at least two thousand horse and foot, ac- cording to our best guess, and amongst them the earl of Derby, Cleveland, Lauderdale, and other consi- derable officers. On the fifth day of the month we had intelligence that the enemy divided, and took three roads, and ac- cordingly I divided the force with me; appointing colonel Sanders, with his regiment, to the pursuit of those that might take through Derby and Yorkshire ; colonel Blundon and colonel Barton, with eicrht hun- 374 PURSUIT OF THE DEFEATED UOYALISTS. dred horse and four or live troops of dragoons, to the Manchester road ; and fourteen troops of horse to Warrington, and so onward on that hand, with whom I kept ; giving the colonels directions (taking the same course also myself) to keep out commanded parties of their ablest horse close after the enemy, while our troops follow as they can. A party of the enemy of about five hundred passed over into Lancashire, at llollingferry, near Warring- ton, (the bridge being kept against them,) of whom we had the pursuit yesterday ; and, between that and Lancaster, took about three hundred horse, and amongst them the earl of Kenmore and his brother, and colonel Hume, with many considerable officers : those that escaped of this party are so scattered, that the country people will bring them in, I having be- fore sent to the commissioners, that the country people inifjht set too^ether in their several divisions-and hun- dreds, with what arms they had for that purpose. Just now, I am informed that one hundred were taken near Bolton, yesterday ; and sixty rendered themselves prisoners to captain Carter and captain El- latson, (of my lord general's regiment of foot.) The greatest body that is left of the enemy, being about one thousand, 1 find is turned off some way towards Yorkshire, but I hope some of the aforementioned parties will light on them. The work being (through the Lord's goodness to us) so w^ell over this way, 1 am crossing the country to Skipton, to fall in with PURSUIT OF THE DEFEATED ROYALISTS. 375 them also, to do further upon the remainder of the enemy, as the Lord shall give strength to our horses, and minister opportunity. The commanded parties that pursued on this road (drawn out of colonel Rich's, colonel Lilburne's, co- lonel Barton's, and my own regiments) having most of them reached Lancaster the last night, I hasten what may be towards Appleby, that they may join with what fresh horse the governor of Carlisle can raise, and attend what Providence may oflFer, not knowing (though none of the enemy are on this road in their van) but that some may dribble down that way, giving them also directions to get up to Hex- ham with what speed may be, where possibly they may get the van of the enemy, and be very useful to encourage the country to rise before them. They are undoubtedly at a great loss, and we have great reason to hope few or none of them will escape out of England ; and if any do, I hope our friends in Scotland (having had timely notice of this mercy) will be in a good readiness to receive them. The Lord grant the parliament (whom he hath thus further honoured and owned in the eyes of all the world) may improve this mercy, (entrusted to their management,) according to the will of God, in establishing the ways of righteousness and justice, yet more relieving the oppressed, and opening a wider door to the publishing the everlasting Gospel of our only Lord and Saviour, who is worthy to be 37 fi MASSEY TAKEN PRISONER. iil, loved, honoured, exalted, and admired by all his people, and will be so through the Spirit that he will give them, and all his enemies shall be made his footstool. I commend you to his free grace, which is exceed- ingly abundant towards his poor people ; remaining, Sir, Your most humble servant, Preston, T. HaRRISON. Sept. 7, 1651. LORD GREY TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — My lord general being pleased to dismiss those troops under my command, I came hither last night ; and this morning, a servant of my father's, and one that hath been constantly faithful to your in- terest, did acquaint me that major-general Massey came to his house upon Friday night; and, upon that assurance which the inclosed paper doth give an account of, and the grounds therein mentioned, he did receive him, with one major Wood, who had for- merly served you under sir William Waller. Upon this first notice given, I sent for a party of horse to take charge of him ; and, after evening sermon, went to him, took the inclosed examination : and although much of it may be held to be unimportant, yet, the words being his own, I thought it my duty to present the whole to you : which discovers his temper, and I MASSEY TAKEN PRISONER. 377 4 that he is not inclined to make any ingenuous con- fession as to that which is most considerable, although J examined him as strictly as my weak abilities would give leave : and finding his condition to be such as he represents it, occasioned by his hard riding, and want of a chirurgeon to dress his wounds, I did forthwith send for the ablest man we have in these parts to take care of him ; that by the means used, if God did see it good, he might be restored to his former health, and thereby made more fit for a public trial, and your justice thereupon. I hope, within two days, to remove him to Leicester, where I intend he shall remain, until I have commands otherwise to dispose of him. Sir, The relation of our proceedings at Worcester coming to you from better hands, I shall not trouble you with any ; but cannot omit the acknowledgment of God's goodness to us, which indeed was so signal that I never was witness to the like. That the Lord would give us hearts filled with admiration and praise for his great deliverance, for never any nation had the like, and that we may improve it to his glorv, for it was he alone that did the work, and that his presence in all your counsels and actings may be continued to you, is the prayer of, Sir, Your most humble and obedient servant, Tho. Grey. Broad gate, Sept. 7, 1(>51 . VOL. II. 3 c 378 BATTLE OF WORCESTER. RATTLE OF WORCESTER. «•' The inclosed letter was no sooner delivered to my mother, but she sent it to me. 37D OLIVER CROMWELL TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — The late most remarkable, seasonable, and signal victory, which our good God (to whom alone be ascribed all the glory) was pleased to vouchsafe your servants against the Scottish army at Worcester, doth, as I conceive, justly engage me humbly to present in reference thereunto this consideration: that as the Lord appeared so wonderfully in his mercies towards you, so it will be very just to extend mercy to his people, our friends that suffered in these parts upon this occasion ; and that some reparation may be made them out of the sequestration or estates of such as abetted this engagement against you. The town being entered by storm, some honest men, promiscuously and without distinction, suf- fered by your soldier ; which could not at that time possibly be prevented, in the fury and heat of the battle. I also humbly present to your charity the poor distressed wife and children of one William Guise, of the city of Worcester, who was barbarously put to death by the enemy for his faithfulness to the par- liament : the man (as I am credibly informed) feared the Lord, and upon that account likewise deserveth more commiseration. Really, sir, I am abundantly satisfied, that divers honest men, both in city and country, suffered exceedingly, (even to the ruin of their families,) by these parts being the seat of the war; and it will be an encouragement to honest men, when they are not given over to be swallowed up in the same destruction with enemies. I hope the commissioners of the militia will be very careful and discerning in the distribution of your charity. I cannot but double my desires, that some speedy course may be taken herein. I have sent the mayor and sheriff of Worcester to Warwick castle, there to attend the pleasure of par- liament concerning their trial : I having not oppor- tunity to try them by court-martial. I have also taken security of the other aldermen who remained m the city, to be forthcoming when I shall require them. It may be well worthy your consideration, that some severity be shewn to some of those of this county, as well of quality as meaner ones, who, having been engaged in the former war, did novv again appear in arms against you. I rest. Sir, Your most humble servant. Evesham, Sept. 8, \mi. O. Cromwell. 380 PURSUIT OF THE DEFEATED ROYALISTS. MASSEY PRISONER. 3Si THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — I have sent this bearer, captain Orpyn, with the colours taken in the late fight, at least as many of them as came to my hands, for I think very many of them have miscarried. I believe the number of these sent will be about an hundred ; the remain also being forty or fifty, which were taken at the en- gagement in Fife. I ask pardon for troubling you herewith ; and rest, ISir, Your most humble servant, Chippin^-Norton, Q. CrOMWELL. Sept. 8, 1(>51. COLONEL BIRCH TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Several parties of the enemy's horse flying this way upon their defeat at Worcester, the country generally rose against them, and brought them pri- soners to the next towns ; and having notice of many considerable persons taken hereabouts, I came hither yesternight, and to those brought into Liverpool have added in the inclosed list such as I found here. There are several other towns, as Warrincrton, Pros- ton, and Wigan, where prisoners are, and the ac- count of the commander there I yet have not : and besides them, in these several places, there is not less than ten or twelve hundred common soldiers. I think the Scots' king came this w^ay with lieu- tenant-general Lesley and lieutenant-general Mid- dleton, who were taken on Blackston edge, in the moors, betwixt Karsdale and Halifax, and we believe that he escaped towards Yorkshire in some disguise.** All search is made for him here that may be amongst the prisoners ; but he cannot be heard of. Sir, I was desirous to give you this account ; which is all to the present trouble from, Sir, Your most obliged and most humble servant, Tho. Birch. Manchester, Sept. 9, 1651. MAJOR-GENERAL MASSEY TO THE COUNTESS OF STAMFORD. Thrice noble and thrice virtuous Lady, — These are the humble requests of your poor servant, whom it hath pleased the Lord at present deeply to afflict; and, by his providence, being cast into these parts, and full of anguish and pain, by reason of my wounds and weakness got before the defeat at Wor- cester,^ 1 resolved to cast myself upon the favour of '' This is only one of the many erroneous rumours of the course taken by " the king of the Scots'' after his defeat at Worcester. Massey had been lieutenant-colonel, under the earl of Stamford, at the beginning of the war. Clarendon, who can 382 PERSONAL KSTATE OF CHARLES L if my lord Grey, which, by your ladyship's intercession, and of which I dare presume, knowing your charity to all men, I hope will find his nobleness, that I may have leave, as his prisoner, to stay and repose my sick body, and refresh my wound, either here, or where his lordship shall please to command, being unable to ride or travel further at present ; but shaH be a faithful prisoner, either under or without guard, as his lordship shall please. Thrice virtuous madam, this is the most humble request of Your ladyship's Most humble and devoted servant, r , Edw. Massey. Leeds, Sept. 10, 1G51. PERSONAL ESTATE OF CHARLES I. 3S3 THE EARL OF LEICESTER TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE. Gentlemen, — As it is necessary for every man to know the laws under which he liveth, that he may render the obedience which is due to his superiors, so many times it happeneth, by several accidents,' that a man doth ignorantly fall into danger, especially ad.nire fidelity to one^s cause in a friend, but not in an enemy remarks, *Uhe lady Jiad only cliarity to cure his wounds, not courage to conceal liis person." Massey was coninutted to (he tower, but shortly escaped. Clunmdon, vol. vi. p. 576, 577. n when the law prescribeth a time, wherein notice is to be taken of it, and obedience paid unto it. This might have Jbeen my case : for although I had seen an act of parliament, of 26th June 1649, entitled, ** An Act for Sale of the Goods and personal Estate of the late King, Queen, and Prince," wherein I thought myself very free from being concerned, having, to my knowledge, no part or parcel of the said goods or personal estate in my custody ; yet I have lately seen another act, of 17th July 1651, en- titled, '* An additional Act for Sale of the Goods be- longing to the late King, Queen, and Prince," the persons only which are mentioned in the former act, and enjoining (upon greater penalties than those of the former, as I conceive) all persons that knowingly have in their custody, or have fraudulently conveyed away any of the goods belonging to the late king, queen, or prince, to make known the same to you, the trustees, or to some of you, before the first day of October 1651; in the end of which act also is added a clause, that « the goods or personal estate of or belonging to any child or children of the late king and queen be, and are hereby declared and adjudged to be, within the intent and meaning of this and the said recited act, to all intents and purposes, as if the same had been particularly named therein." This is an addition, indeed, which (seeming to conclude the goods of the innocent together with those of the delinquent) might surprise one that hath 384 PRINCESS ELIZABRTH. PRINCESS ELIZABETH. 38 J ill 'ti more and better centinels than I have ; therefore 1 confess that I was tempted to think that there might possibly have been some error in the printer, or some other mistaking, because the ground of the former act aforesaid seems (by the beginning thereof) to be, that the goods and personal estate belonging to the late king, and to his wife and eldest son, have been and are justly forfeited by them for their several de- linquencies ; which seems to imply a difference from them who have never been judged delinquents, nor to have forfeited their goods. But howsoever, without leaning to my poor judgment, I thought myself obliged to give you notice, in obedience and ac- cording to the said late act, as followeth. In June 1G49, it pleased the parliament to com- mand my wife to take the charge of the late lady Elizabeth and the duke of Glocester ; wherewith (be- cause r thought it an argument of the parliament's trust and confidence in my wife and me) I was very well contented, though I expected no other advantage, but rather trouble and inconvenience by it. I also conceived it to be the parliament's pleasure, that care should be taken of them, and that to do so would be an acceptable service to the parliament ; which there- fore, on my part, accordingly I endeavoured to per- form for the time that they were in my house : with which, I think, they were not unsatisfied. And in August 1()50, when the said lady Elizabeth knew that (by order of the council of state) she and her said brother were to be removed from my house, she sent me two jewels, the one of pearl and the other of diamonds, with a letter in these very civil words : '* I desire your lordship will be pleased to take into your care and custody my necklace of pearl and my diamond jewel, until such time as I shall, by a letter or some other sure token, desire your lordship to return them to me :" which letter, all written with her own hand, I am able to shew. I could not refuse so harmless a request to an innocent person of her sex and quality, and so I took the said jewels into my custody; and soon after, the said lady gave me direc- tions, signifying her pleasure how she would have the said jewels disposed of. This was whilst she was in my house : and afterwards, upon her death-bed, she de- clared her will to be, that her brother, the duke of Glocester, should have the said pearls, or the value of them ; and that the said diamond jewel should remain (as she had formerly directed) to my wife and to me, as (I think) 1 shall be able to prove. And I hope the parliament will not deny a young innocent lady the liberty, which every subject hath, to dispose of her goods, especially such goods as never belonged to the late king, queen, or prince, (nor to the crown, which is considered in the former act,) but were given to her by a stranger : and if they were so given to her, it is likely that they might be given by her, unless she had forfeited her right and property in them. But I know that if the parliament, or you. VOL. II. 3 D 386 PRINCESS ELIZABETH. PRINCESS ELIZABETH. 387 ti f I flit by authority thereof, will command the said jewels from me, it is not for me to keep them : yet I humbly desire that this may be remembered, that all sovereign states, monarchical or other, allow to subjects and private persons the liberty to shew and defend, by ordinary and legal ways, their rights and claims to private possessions and inheritances, though in op- position to the titles and interest of the state itself. Thus 1 have made known unto you what hath been or is in my custody, and how it came to be so. And I conceive that I cannot be thought to conceal the same, for the duke of Glocester knoweth, and I have acknowledged it to him, that his said sister com- mitted to my custody the said pearls, and had given them to him : neither have I embezzled or fraudu- lently conveyed away any thing ; for whatsoever of that kind was in my custody, is still in my power to produce, which very readily I shall do when it is required of me ; but I thought it an impertinent officiousness for me to give an account (which I could not imagine you expected of me, till lately that I saw the additional act aforesaid) of those things which were in my custody, whereof the parliament had never taken notice, nor comprehended them (for aught that I ever heard) in any former act, but be- longed to the said lady Elizabeth, who (as I think) was never convicted of any delinquency, nor charged with any crime. And now I humbly desire leave to make claim unto the said two jewels ; to the pearls, by interest of trust for the duke of Glocester, to whom (I conceive) his sister deceased, by her last will, hath bequeathed the same : and to the other of diamonds, in behalf of my wife and myself, to whom she gave it, as I doubt not but your justice will give me leave to prove legally, if I can. And I hope the parliament will not deny my wife and me the honour of that testimony of the said lady Elizabeth's satis- faction with our care of her in the time that, as the parliament's servants, she was received and entertained by us in our house. But now that I have made my claim, I humbly submit it to the judgment of the parliament, and of those that are or shall be appointed by the parliament to judge of it, as they shall think most agreeable to law, justice, and honour. This only at the present I humbly desire of you, in respect of my indisposition of health at this time, and of some occasions here in the country, that you will dispense with me, and not require mine attend- ance, nor further account of the things aforesaid, until the first week of November, which is now near at hand; and then (God willing) I intend to be in London, and to attend you with all readiness, to give you satisfaction, and with due submission to your authority. In the mean time, I engage myself to you, that the jewels aforesaid shall be secure and forthcoming, unless they be taken away by authority or violence. And this request I am the more hopeful to obtain. II 388 THE EARL OF DERBY. THE EARL OF DERBY. 389 I because, whatsoever may have been through ignorance or malice reported of me, I can, with a true heart and good conscience, say, that my affections have ever adhered constantly to the parliament ; and that I have never knowingly and willingly done or advised any thing to the disservice or dishonour of the parliament; no, not though I were unfortunately or forcibly in the power of the adverse party : into which, by the way, I never put myself fugitively nor voluntarily ; but even there I was known to be, and suffered greatly for being that which I was and am, an affectionate and faithful servant to the parliament and commonwealth of Enjrland. So, humbly entreating your favourable construction of what I have written, and that no rigour be used towards me, I rest Your humble servant, Penshurst, LEICESTER. Sept. 27, 1651. THE EARL OF DERBY TO THE SPEAKER. Sir, — Being now, by the will of God, for aught I know, brought to the last minutes of my life, I once more most humbly pray the parliament w ill be pleased to hear me before my death. I plead nothing in vindication of my offences, but humbly cast myself down at the parliament's feet, begging their mercy. I have several times addressed my humble petitions for life, and now again crave leave to submit myself to their mercy, with assur- ances that the Isle of Man^ shall be given up to such hands as the parliament entrust to receive it ; with this further engagement, (which I shall confirm by sureties,) that I shall never act or endeavour any thing against the established power of this nation, but end ray days in prison or banishment, as the house shall think fit. Sir, It is a greater affliction to me than death it- self, that I am sentenced to die at Bolton ; so that the nation will look upon me as a sacrifice for that blood which some have unjustly cast upon me, and from which I hope I am acquitted in your opinions, and the judgment of good men, having cleared my- self by undeniable evidence. Indeed, at my trial it was never mentioned against me, and yet they adjudge me to suffer at Bolton, as if indeed I had been guilty. I beg a respite for my life upon that issue, that if I do not acquit myself from that imputation, let me die without mercy. But, sir, if the parliament have not this mercy for me, I humbly pray the place appointed for my death may be altered j and that if the parliament think it not ' The earl of Derby was taken prisoner at the battle of Worcester. His countess, notwithstanding the peril in which her husband's life then stood, refused to deliver up the Isle of Man to the parliament : but he advised her to do so, just before his execution. In his death, he carried liimself '' with stout- ness and Christian-like temper." Whitlocke, Oct. 20. 390 SANCllOFT. fit to give me time to live, they will be pleased to give me time to die, in respiting my life for some time, whilst I may fit myself for death ; since thus long i have been persuaded by colonel Duckenfield the parliament would give me ray life. Sir, I submit myself, my family, wife, and children to the mercy of parliament ; and shall live or die, Sir, Your contented and humble servant, Oct. 11, 1051. Derby. Sir, I humbly beg the favour that the petition of a dying man, here inclosed, may by your favour be read in the house. THE BISHOP OF EXETER TO MR. BANCROFT. Good Sir,— You will say, Fie on such a friend, that is thus troublesome to us. I am sent for to Cambridge, to meet with Mr. Crane's executors. I wish you would send your horse so soon this day, that I may come to Triplow to-night, because the stay of the executors is short. Pardon my importunity, and rest assured I am yours, in all love, Ra. Exon. Andv, Oct. 19/11)51. DEATH OF IRETON. 391 THE SAME TO THE SAME. Good Mr. Sancroft, — I return my thanks to you and Mr. Gaine for helping me home. I have sent you this letter to peruse ; you may see what good is abroad, what mischief is intended to us at home, and meant to the breath of our nostrils : but God hath discovered it. Read this letter submissa voce, and return it by Richard. Remember Crosby for Mr. Smith, and accept my true love ; in which I rest Yours, Ra. Exon. Oct. 25. THOMAS HERBERT TO THE SPEAKER. Right Honourable, — The opportunity of pre- senting this trouble being taken from a sad occasion, makes me begin with that ejaculation of Esay, '* The righteous cease, and who layeth it to heart? and merciful men are taken away," which the prophet comforts himself with, by what is added, " that they shall enter into rest : " which eternal peace our en- deared General ^ is now entered into, to his highest advantage, though to our loss and unexpressible sor- row, save that religion binds us to submit to Divine * Ireton, lord deputy of Ireland. 39^ DEATH OF IRETON. DEATH OF IRETON. 393 N Providence ; whose wisdom being inscrutable, his will is to be received with humility, through all his dis- pensations ; and, by removing such buttresses, admo- nishes us to depend wholly upon his power and good- ness, which in all difficulties is evident towards the preservation of his servants. And indeed the precept and example of our honoured lord is not only recent to our memories, but so well sown in our hearts, as I hope will produce precious fruit, both towards the exaltation of the kingdom of Christ in the souls of his people, and of perfect* faith and diligence in every military and civil officer and soldier, for the eager carrying on the state's interest in this nation, and for the perfecting that great work, which the Almighty hath so graciously, and indeed so gloriously owned, by abasing the proud and inveterate enemy, and by exalting the humble, whose confidence hath been placed in him ; and through whose blessing we have prospered, not only to the admiration, but astonish- ment of the rebels. And albeit our ingeminations proceed from participating our late lord deputy's piety, justice, and industry, I am assured the state will equally resent the want of so excellent a servant, of whose virtues I could never speak enough, had we not smarted for idolizing man ; being taught to look up, and to depend upon the Lord of Hosts, who is only omnipotent and unalterable. Nevertheless experience teaches us, that oft-times alterations flow from such changes. This country ,K I somewhat proves it : for upon the surrender of the strong garrison of Limerick, (the seasonable delivery whereof has powerfully engaged our praises to our good God ; the extremity of weather, scarcity of pro- vision for our leaguer, and scarce paralleled strength of the place, duly considered,) persuading ourselves that Galloway (hopeless of relief, and admonished by the justice executed at Limerick) would forthwith yield ; they are now upon such pragmatic terms, as may assure us the advantage they receive by the in- temperate rains, (which have lately and for long time fallen,) and my lord deputy's death, has animated them to an obstinate holding out for longer time than lately we either hoped or expected. For, indeed, the extraordinary duty our army endured afore Lime- rick, in a most deep soil, and much hardship, disables us to straiten them so much as otherwise would be. The tories also, (whom the least things delude and heighten,) by this great breach, (which we trust your lordship will speedily close up,) multiply both in number and hope, and are more than ordinarily active to annoy our quarters, and to plunder and waste an already miserably wasted country ; so that, from the havoc this long war and the rebels' late spoils have made, corn in many baronies burnt, cattle driven into bogs and destroyed, also the little or no trade hither, partly occasioned by having no returns hence, but prmcq)ally from the frequent piracies upon our coast here, (no indefensive vessels crossing this narrow sea VOL. [I. :i E 11 394 OVERTURES FROM TORTUGAL. OVERTl'RES FROM PORTUGAL. 3[)5 ill ! lii f|:ljl If^* without being chased or taken, as wo have formerly represented to his excellency;) the revenue of this nation is exceedingly lessened, albeit our quarters are enlarged, and so incompetent for the necessitous provision of our army, that without doubt, unless your bowels be charitably enlarged towards us, and supplies of money continued out of England, (at least until the work, which is so near a happy period, be completed,) our forces will be discourajred throuo-h want, (scarcity and hazard rendering all things dear here as yet,) whereby the work may be retarded. My duty encourages me in this plainness : if I have been too free, I humbly crave pardon. The sickness is hot in Limerick ; most places else- where (blessed be (iod) healthy. The commissioners of parliament are at Dublin ; at Kilkenny speedily expected. Desiring the only wise God to be your counsellor in all your affairs, I humbly subscribe, Right Honourable, Your most humble and faithful servant, „ ^ Tiio. Herbert. W aterforu, Dec. G, 1G51. JOAS DE GUIMARAES TO [THE SPEAKER.] Noble and genehous Sir,— I give you most great thanks, and as great as I am able, by these presents, for the answer given me by your honour's letters written the l^th stilo veteri. That I may sin- cerely reply, noble and generous sir, to those things which are contained in your honour's letters, I say to it, that by the letters already sent to your honour it might sufficiently be understood, in what name and office I came into England; to wit, of a nobleman of the royal house and chamber of John the Fourth king of Portugal, my most gracious lord : I do there clearly testify that I came with his mission. And it is fre- quently usual among Christian kings, princes, and states, to send mutually noble and honourable persons in the stead of ambassadors ; of which use I could bring many examples, if I had not thought your honour had them ready. For princes, from whom and unto whom such noble and honourable persons are sent, do take care especially that they be sent instructed and furnished with most ample credit and full power ; which is abundantly given to me from my king, concerning the substance only of the matters to be handled. J^ut as to that which your honour demands of me, unto whom, and with what title notified, I am sent hither, and of what business 1 am to treat with them ; 1 answer, that I am sent from my king to the par- liament of the commonwealth of England,'' using the ^ Portugal had conducted itself liostilely to the parlianieiit : but now that the English government dis})laycd evident marks of stability, Guiniaraes was sent over to negotiate a peace. Considerable opposition was made by Vane and others to his I 396 SANCllOFT. SANCKOFT. 31)7 m ii titles due and acceptable to it ; which 1 had ah-eady used if I had known them, and whereof I areatlv desire to be inforraed from vour honour, for conservino- and confirming the peace which hitherto hath been between England and Portugal, forasmuch as the same ought to be accounted rather interrupted than broken; and such remedies may easily be found, whereby for the future all offences on both sides may be eschewed, and the ancient peace preserved in- violate and sound. For which happy effect, leaning to your honour's advice, 1 stay in this city, until the licence of the parliament and the commonwealth of England (which 1 humbly crave) be sent unto me, I may betake myself to my journey towards London ; when 1 shall, by word and person, render most ample thanks tor your honour's courtesies and favours, com- mending you in the mean time to God. Your honour's ,,.. ^^fr ^^^^^ ''^ GuiiMARAES. I 'ec. Zfj, stilo novo. THE BISHOP OF EXETEH TO MR. SANCllOFT. Loving and uklovkd Sir,— I am much beholden both to Mrs. Prime and her secretary for the lo vino- letter which even now I have received, and for which being received at all; and at last the ambassador, having first been compelled to make many hnmiliating concession^, was ordered to quit the country, without having eHbcted his |.ur- l)ose. See JournaU, Jan 1, April 10, 22, Matf 10. I I return you my hearty thanks. The tidings of your health and welfare is as welcome to me, as that of mine, I see, is acceptable to you: God continue it to us all, as he sees best for us. I spake with Mr. Abdie since his return home, and by him do under- stand what Mr. Carter demands for your abode with him. I must needs say, he exceeds my expectation, and that proportion which I thought Mrs. Prime proposed to me, not without his notice : it was fifteen shillings by the week for either of your boarding, without any set sum named for their servant. This 1 acquainted Mr. Abdie withal : and when I shall return to you, this offer I intend to make to Mr. Carter; what is more, I think it too much. Since my being here, I received from Mr. Abdie a very costly courtesy of wine and sugar, as the gift of your two gentlemen, for which I pray you impart to them my very hearty thanks. I told you what the occasion of my journey to London was, which hath also caused my stay here so long beyond my nitendment : but, for aught I yet find, no great mat- ter, if any thing at all, is like to come of it; but yet i expect some more particular expressions than yet I have met withal. My being here is much talked of, as if much were to be done ; and I hear our hypercri- tical censurers make very scornful constructions of It, both here and at Cambridge : but whatever the success may prove, the employment hath the appro- bation of wiser and honester men than anv of those 3ij8 MR. DILLINGHAM. ;:.. which disdain at it! Sed Itcec tibi et in aiireui. The time is not yet come when we may play at the wasps' nest. If you think fit that I should write to Mr. Carter before my return home, upon a word from you I shall do it. I pray commend my love to all our friends of both houses. With the best assurances of my true affection to vourself, I rest Yours in all love, Jan. 0, 16.51 [2.] Ka. Exon. SAMUEL DILLINGHAM TO MR. SANCROFT. Sir, — Be of a good confidence still ; as yet there's ground enough to think God can work without mi- racles. Till the Scots be thrice more totally routed, and three more Edinburgh castles entailed there- upon, I cannot despond so far, in reference to thino-s there, as he who has already taken that text in the ivth Lauient. *' We have looked to a nation," &c. Xay, but at })resent, and not before, I begin to reckon them somethinof. Let Portugal,' that inconsiderable prince, aposta- tize into embassages, (which yet may be only of com- plaint,) I'll not give him sixpence tor his neutrality. France is a little better resolved: let Spain stroke us upon the head for his own advantage: Holland ' See boibiv, p. 390. MR. DfLLINGFIAM. 399 will have more wit, and be honester, though against their wills. Let all means disappear, I'll then hang upon that Providence (which permitted the Ben- jamites, and does still the Turks) for an alteration more immediately; and till the book of Judo-es be rased out for Apocrypha, or the Ottoman history burnt, I shall neither think much of some men's success, nor the better of their cause. The inclosed was of the last w^eek : it comes late only so far as you saw before. You see, sir, how God has taken the kirk off* that foolish humour : they would be saved, but Providence must do it either by their arm, or not at all ; which was to tie God almost to impossibilities, at least to debar him the use of his most likely means. And what have they got by it ? but a kingdom united may stand. But for us, we are so far in engagements against the best of govern- ments, that (for all the simple plea of our own senses, I think he was out of his senses who durst first ven- ture his conscience upon so weak a plank) we deserve never to see king again : which yet I am confident we shall, all old blind bardisms and witchcrafts to the contrary notwithstanding. Sir, I am your S. Dillingham. l^Voni the ruins of Fotlieringay Castle, the sad monuincrit of God's wrath upon a place where we first practised the doctrine of cutting oft' princes, Jan. 15, 1G;31 [2.] fli i s- SPOLIATION OF CHURCHES. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sir, — From the ruins of Fothcringay castle, to the massacres of Petersburg minster, are the terms of my motion. In two hours' riding I see the de- struction of church and state. Till now, I thoucrlit it safest living amongst the dead : and because I hated the sight of the present world, I had of late turned myself back two or three leaves of ages, endeavoured to live with our forefathers, lived like an echo amono-st rotten tombs, taking the confessions of monuments and grave-stones, which sometimes I found epitomised in a coat of arms. And while I mitrht do this, I imagined myself with their happy souls, because out of sight of the unhappy times. Hut I find, upon a fort- night's search, a fate of graves too, a second and third edition of the same death, whilst the title of eihtx rerum is emulously snatched from good old time, by a set of sacrilegious and inhuman fino^ers. I would have wished Pharaoh, for the eleventh plague, the plague of sectaries. If the times go ten steps further, we shall have a brass nail upon a flat stone as a rare piece of an- tiquity ; and the sight of a bit of red glass go for pence a-piece : and, indeed, it concerns our new go- vernment to get the world into a belief that it was made but in 1640, at furthest. Some bits of brass that I had lately seen, with inscriptions, are, before a man could well say the eighth commandment, pil- SPOLTATION OF CHURCHES. 401 fered away ; which when I come with a full resolution to find and preserve, they are gone to mend some old kettle or other, and I like a fool sent home again. Thus have I spent some days ; and, for all this, should have done more, had not the strict order every where for voiding the crown arms frighted me out of churches, as one that misdoubted whether the fear of God were there, when I found not Honour the, he, follow. I tell them, they only white them over to the next and fairer edition. We must now keep them close in a book, if we'll have them at all. 1 pray God bleed our kingdom a little at the nose, that the distemper may be cured. Hesides the present means against some men, it is easy to draw an argument against them from every thing they dc ; but it is as dangerous too, if a piece of paper mis- carry, and so I will spare myself. The inclosed is a taste of Emanuel Thesaurus, and the twentieth part of him ; which I pray read over, and keep till I send for it. Mr. Sarson has certainly a grace for the next master, the next rot that falls either in Cambridge or Oxford ; and has promised his mistress, upon that confidence, her coach and four horses. He has the repute of a very independent, and had been with you last bout, had he not come two or three days too late. Sir, I take my leave and kiss your hands. Your amicus male dignus, Jan. 2.5, ICv^l [2.] S. DiLLINGHAM, 3 F VOL. H. i\ 40€ THE BISHOP OF EXETER. THE BISHOP OF EXETER. 403 THE BISHOP OF EXETER TO MR. SANCROFT. Worthy Sir, — It is your love that makes you undertake so readily Mrs. Prime's employment in writing to mc, and making inquiry after my welfare. I owe it to you both that you are so mindful of me, as, in truth, my thoughts of you both are always wakeful, every week looking and longing for the good tidings of your health. I bless God, mine hath not suffered any impairing since I came to London ; yet still I wish to suck in Triplow air, and shall hasten home, when I shall meet with that dismission, which Mrs. Prime questions what it meant in my former letter. The overtures that were made to me are laid aside (as I am told) till some greater affairs may be trans- acted, and some differences composed ; so that partly irood manners makes me continue here, not beino^ willing to turn my back upon those that so friendly invited me hither ; and partly, I am requested still to stay by those that conceive some hope that good may be done, which in truth I do not see makes any ap- proach towards us ; but I will not desert any oppor- tunity, so long as it offers itself. Mr. Carter's anniversary is an invitation which I desire to lay hold on ; but if I shall be disappointed of it, the sad anniversary which this day recurs upon us, may well quench the thoughts of any festivities, and turn all our rejoicings into mourning. " Son of man. write the name of this day, even of this same day," as Eccles. hath it; but write it with juice of wormwood mingled with tears; or rather blot it out of the calendar, and let it not be reckoned amoncrst the days of the year. I am glad to hear that all with you are in good health. I pray remember your own thin body, and cherish it with warmth. Salute my loving friends, your young gentlemen ; and my best respects must never be forgot to Mr. Carter and his wife. • The nearer to London, the further from news. I see none of their books, nor hear much of their affairs ; only I. hear, yesterday there was an ordination of five young striplings at Mr. Carter's parish in the Poultry, by the incumbent of that church and the other pres- bytery. These super-seminations are still practised, though it be in secret. With my very affectionate love assured to you, I betake you to the good hand of our gracious God, in whom I am Yours, Jan. 30, 1G51 [2.] Ra. Exon. N. LEMPRIERE, BAILY OF JERSEY, TO THE SPEAKER. I know that in duty I was bound to give the par- liament an account of the civil irovernment in this '< ii fl 40 i CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. CONSTITUTION OF JEUSEY. 403 island, but I presumed to defer it until this fittest opportunity by colonel Stocall. I am confident it may dissipate those aspersions which some beyond the seas, not understanding our laws here, have already (as we are informed) en- deavoured to cast upon this government, intending thereby to obtain the setting up of their own conceits. This little spot of ground (lately made happy by your islanders' submission unto the parliament's forces, who have delivered them out of bondage) is divided in twelve parishes ; and every one of those subdivided in several divisions, called vintaines : in each parish a constable ; a centurion, which is as the constable's deputy ; as may vinteniers as there are vintaines, who are subordinate officers to the con- stables, to execute those warrants which arc sent them by him, who receives them first, either from the governor or baily. There are besides other officers, called sermentez, or jurors, to make up the number of twelve with the vinteniers in each parish : these twelve, with the constable, makes up a petty jury, to indict or free criminals, when they first present them in court. The constable and these officers have power to search out and seize all male- factors whatsoever, every one in his parish, and present them to the baily and justices, to receive condign punishment. Besides, there is a provost in every parish : as the name signifies ** warncr," so their office is to summon or warn any parties, who have suits in law, together, to appear before the baily and justices, who decide those differences. Those summonses are in very short and pithy form, either written by the parties them- selves, or any body else, provided that be that writes them must subscribe them : and the provost warneth the parties in many causes for nothing, in others for a penny. All these parochial officers are elected and chosen by the votes of all the parishioners, great and small, poor and rich ; then presented to the baily, who giveth them oath to exercise their several functions. The whole island is generally ruled by the great court, (so called in relation of inferior courts, of which hereafter mention shall be made,) held in a fair cohne, or court house, erected for that purpose. The as- sembly there consists of the baily, twelve jurats or justices, the king's procurator or attorney, (so called heretofore,) the king's advocate or solicitor heretofore, the viscount or sheriff, the greffier or clerk of the court, the denunciator or under sheriff, five or six advocates at the baily 's discretion, and a huissier or door-keeper. The baily heretofore was nominated by the king, and had his patent under the great seal of England : he is the head and president of the court, collects the voices of the jurats, and pro- nounces the sentences, according to their plurality ; but if equality, then he hath the casting voice. Ihe twelve jurats or justices arc chosen by the •n 40G CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. 407 suffrages generally of all the islanders, without ex- ception, and sworn in the court by the baily. The procurator and advocate were named by the king : their office was to plead for the king's rights, and to see all manner of crimes punished ; they might also plead 'twixt party and party. The viscount was also nominated by the king : his office was to arrest and imprison debtors, after judgment of execution given, and never before ; to seize goods, when he is so ap- pointed to do by the court, and to sell them in the market-place at public days to those who gave most, to be applied for the payment of creditors, who may redeem them fourteen days after. He takes inven- tories of orphans' goods, and sometimes sells them at outcries for their use and behoof. He is clerk of the market, hath the care of all sorts of measures for dry and liquid wares ; he looks to the water-courses of rivulets or brooks, with some officer with him, that all mio-ht be in good order for the benefit of the in- habitants ; he is also coroner, and crier of the court. The denunciator hath the like power in the viscount's absence, with many other cares conducing to the ac- commodation of the islanders. The orreffier, or clerk of the court, doth enrol all the sentences pronounced by the baily, and that, sedente curia, in very fair register books, of which he hath the keeping, as of all the ancient records, archives, privileges, franchises, liberties, and immuni- ties, heretofore granted to the inhabitants by the late kings and queens of England, under the baily, who hath the care from superior authority. The advocates' offices are to plead for parties, which they do for very small fees, at easy rates, (viz.) six- pence ; by reason that the people of all sorts and sexes, and upon all manner of pleas, may and do plead their own causes, and have as much audience as the advocates themselves. There is also another officer of high concernment in the island, called I'enregistreur, or registrar, who doth register all and all manner of deeds which pass under the common seal of the isle ; as partitions of lands between coheirs, sales of lands or wheat rents, either in fee farm or for ready money, letters of at- torney, mortgages, bonds, &c. for three pence each : all which are written in a compendious manner, with- out equivocations or law's quiddities ; and pass all by oath, administered unto the parties by the baily in the presence of one or more of the jurats, neither to do or cause to be done any thing against their de- mises upon pain of perjury ; all written in our natural tongue. Neither are those deeds authentic, unless the baily and two jurats at least are signed in them, besides the seal. Of this seal, the baily is keeper ; but it is sealed in a bag by some of the justices, under their seals, and not opened but in their pre- sences : the impress of it is, three lions rampant, with an inscription bearing " Sigillum Insula3 de Jersey." 408 CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. i. I Upon this discourse of the seal, I beseech your honour to permit me to digress something from my present narrative ; which is, that I am now in posses- sion of the said seal, sent from Brittany by captain Carteret, alias sir George Carteret, who was keeper thereof by usurpation before our coming hither : what were his pretensions to carry it beyond the seas, I leave to the parliament to censure. He hath likewise sent some of the court records; but I find more wanting-, which he was to render, by the articles agreed on upon the surrender of Castle Elizabeth ; and therefore it is conceived he hath forfeited the benefit which was granted unto him by them. The nomination of the greffier, denunciator, re- (ristrar, inferior advocates, and huissier, belongs to the baily. The great court is kept very solemn at their as- sizes, or opening of their courts in the beginning of their terms, the governor being present to answer for those lordships that owe their comperance or ap- pearing at the said assizes, whereof there is a good number. Likewise all the justices and officers of the court, with the provosts and other lords of manors, which hold in capite, and other frank-tenants, which are duly called according to their ranks, and fines set upon those which do not appear ; and if they failed four times together, their lands were put in the king's possession. They keep three sorts of courts, though with the same judges; (viz.) the court of heritage, CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. 401} the court of cattel, and the court of remedies, or the court extraordinary. In the first court is treated of inheritance ; as par- titions of lands between coheirs, and, in fine, of all differences which do arise for lands, or any rents that are for ever. The benefit of retrieving of inheritance sold, is granted to the first of the kindred that doth claim it within a year. In the second, called the court of cattel, first, of all criminal causes, which are determined definitively without appeal, (except those of high treason, the cognizance of which the king re- served to himself,) but are judged with the greatest discretion and favour that can be imagined ; for, first, a malefactor being brought before the judges by the constable and his sermentez, which make the petty jury, (before mentioned,) if they have found the male- factor seized of any goods, or vehement suspicions (after examination of witnesses in their presence, they having the freedom to recuse any of them upon evi- dences of hatred or malice) either of theft, murder, or witchcraft, then their verdict is, that they think, in their consciences, they are guilty of the fact, (which is called indictment;) whereupon the parties so in- dicted are demanded, whether they will be tried by the bench or the country ? by this bench is meant, the baily and twelve justices, whereof there must be seven of them, at least, of one opinion, to condemn a man ; by the country is understood, an assembly of twenty.four of the accused's own parish and neigh- VOL. II. :3g 410 CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. 411 bouring parishes, of sufficient able men, full of inte- grity ; of those there must be twenty of an unanimous voice to make the party guilty: and this is the great inquest. In the second place, in the same court called cattel, is treated of duress for the most part ; (which is,) that in case a man be overburdened with debts, and that his estate is not able to pay them, as soon as he is imprisoned for any of them, he is freed of all his creditors, if he comes to court and affirms upon oath that he hath not wherewithal to satisfy them, and leaves them what inheritance he hath to struggle amongst them who shall enjoy it : which is done very regularly ; those which have purchased or lent their money the last are the losers ; every man enjoys according to the priority of his purchase, &c. In the last court, called extraordinary, is treated of causes more trivial, which concern only move- ables, &c. Of the court of heritage, the last part of the court of cattel and extraordinary, appeals might be made to the king and council for moveables, not for under the value of £'20 sterling ; but for matter of inheritance there is no limitation. Appeals might be made imme- diately after sentence given, yet sedente curia, and two sufficient sureties given within a sennight for the prosecution of them within the time limited: which is, the said appeals must be entered in the book of council causes within three months, and pre- sented within one year ; and in case the appellant do not reverse the sentence, and proves an order from the council of mal juge bien appelle, then he forfeits twenty crowns to the baily. There are likewise many inferior courts held in the island by seneschals or stewards, called basse courts ; which is to say, low courts, in respect of the great and superior courts. Many of these lordships do now belong to the commonwealth of England, others to some gentlemen of the island. Of these stewards' courts, appeals may be made to the baily*s court. Upon some extraordinary and important occasions, which might conduce for the good of the inhabitants, an assembly of the states was called by the governor or baily. This assembly consisted of the said governor or his Heutenant, the baily or his lieutenant, the twelve jurats, the twelve constables, (who represented the commons of the country,) and sometimes the twelve ministers, w^ho, by their turbulency and brouil- leries, have made themselves unworthy of that as- sembly ; and therefore may be very fitly desired they might be left out with the bishops, I intending never to call them at that assembly unless I am com- manded. Amongst the many good and wholesome local customs, municipal laws and others, whereof many are agreeing with the Mosaical, one is very remark- able, (in the behalf of the oppressed,) viz. Le clam de haro : which is, that if any man, of what degree or *'i 41'^ CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. CONSTITUTION OF JERSEY. 413 quality soever, pretends to be injured or oppressed, either by the greatest or lowest of this isle, at the acclamation three times of liaro, with a loud voice, (be it right or wrong,) the other party must surcease, though he were upon never such urgent occasions, whether he were at cart or plough, felling or lopping trees, in a word, upon any occasion ; and he that is in fault, of the accuser or accused, is fined in ten livres tournois ; and if the accuser persists notwithstanding in his work or violence, he is also fined in the like sum for his persisting : and likewise, if any man is within the hearing of this call, and doth not come to the assistance of the oppressed, he is put to an arbi- trary fine ; and this is tried at the court of cattel (before mentioned) amongst crimes. This being but a short epitome of our civil govern- ment, I refer the enlarging of this summary to this gentleman, colonel Stocall ; who voluntarily ventured himself with the first at the landing in this isle, and hath been very serviceable in assisting with us to the parliament's forces. I cannot also but recom- mend to your honour his abilities and good endow- ments ; and most particularly for the twelve learned speeches he made to the twelve parishes, when the inhabitants of them took and subscribed the engage- ment, where he shewed most ingeniously the great difference of the late and present government, to the great applause of the islanders, with acclamations of joy and alacrity ; and therefore do most humbly I i beseech your honour, that he may have some good encouragements for his return in this place. He is also able, with Dr. Lempriere, (who hath been very painful, and is still as careful for the good of this poor island, and is perfectly well acquainted with the government of the country and integrity of the people,) to describe and recommend unto the par- liament some able persons, who are fit in this island to serve really and truly the commonwealth: the number of them is not great, but it is very requisite to have such. They may likewise inform your honour, how I have caused to be elected in each parish a constable, cen- turion, vinteniers, and sermentez, (before described,) who, for the most part, have sufl'ered for the common- wealth, either by exile, fines, imprisonment, or other- wise, and sworn them in their offices. I w^ould have proceeded to the election of jurats in the places of those who have, by their foul and enormous oflPences of extortions, pillages, and adhcrances to captain Carteret, alias sir George Carteret, in all his tyran- nies and plunders upon the poor inhabitants of this isle, disabled themselves ever to bear any office in this place, had not the honourable colonel Heane shewed me a letter from the council of state desirinof a supersedeas till further order. The said colonel Heane, at our first coming in the isle, did put the militia thereof at the disposing of colonel Stocall, captain Norman, and myself; where II Ml 414 THE BISHOP OF EXETEK. THE BISHOP OF EXETER. 41,J we laboured to place able captains and other officers, not malignants, and who have suffered for the state. Thus much I presume to particularize unto your honour, most humbly begging that you will be gra- ciously pleased to favour this poor plot of earth so far, that they may re-enjoy their ancient liberties and privileges in their jurisdictions, and all tyranny and oppression taken away, (all which my small endeavours I nevertheless refer wholly to the par- liament's great wisdom and censure,) and they shall ever pray for the augmentation and exaltation of the commonwealth of England. It shall be most particularly the prayer of Your honour's most humble, most faithful, and most obliged servant, N. Lempriere, Baily de Jersey. Jersey, Feb. 2, 1651 [2.] THE BISHOP OF EXETER TO MR. SANCROFT. Loving Sir, — I do thankfully acknowledge all your love in being so mindful of me, and so desirous of my return to you, which cannot be sooner than myself longs for. London streets are tedious pas- sages ; and were not my visit with Mr. Rich so re- freshinor to me, I could not have endured the irk- somencss of my stay in this place : but now I do fi begin to make up my fardel, and do long to be with you. The kindness which Mr. Prime threatens, to fetch me home, makes me again to acknowledge his love in bringing me hither. I hope to prevent him ; and as soon as Dr. Young is set down at Heydon, which will be next week, then I shall expect my man Stephen's return to me, to bring up horses for my journey : only let Mr. Prime know, that Mrs. Ham- mond's sickness, not without danger, is a cause why I desire this week over, ere I think of home. 1 am glad Mr. Carter is so well acquainted with the embolimus of this year, though so long a transla- tion of the celebrity exceeds the usual account : but a long time is but as one day to love and friendship. Mr. Gaine and his brother, I think, are upon their return to you. I dined at Mr. Abdie's house last Tuesday : he speaks of you with much affection. And I hope we shall either reduce the demand for your abode at Triplow to more moderation, or else give you content in another way, which will not be unac- ceptable to you. When I return to you, I shall give you an account of the business which I have waited upon ; which hath been retarded, if not disappointed, contra molifiones presb^terorum. I assure you, the Independents are of a more moderate disposition. I pray, sir, let my affectionate love be recommended to Mr. and Mrs. Prime, and to my friends of the upper house. To i J I 416 POPULAR GRIEVANCES. yourself I am, and desire to be esteemed, and shall be glad to be found, your cordial, I wish I could say your real friend, Ka. Exon. Feb. 20, 1G51 [2.] THOMAS PHILPOTT TO THE SPEAKER. Master Speaker, — It will be a sad thing when a people shall be weary of their rulers ; and doubtless a people will have just cause to be weary of their rulers, when the rulers shall either refuse to hear the grievances of the people, or, having received their grievances presented to them, will neither return no answer in writing to the people's written declaration, nor apply any real remedy to their just complaints, which they might with ease do. Far be it from me to say that the people of this nation are weary, or have just cause to be weary, of their present rulers ; but this I may safely deliver to you in writing, which I shall now write. Behold, the king is not ; behold, the house of lords is not ; yea, behold, a great part of the house of com- mons either is not, or at least for some time was not, permitted to be and to vote in parliament ; which to me is a strong demonstrative argument, that a great part, or at least a considerable part, of the people were not well pleased with those members of parliament who were excluded, and who yet remain excluded. p o p u [. a r g r I E \ A N c I : s . 417 As for me, my conscience bcareth me witness that, during these civil distractions, I have still been jealous of the parliament's honour and dignity, as a son in his father's cause ; and next unto the general welfare and safety of the people, (for whom ye are en- trusted,) I have ever been tender of your privileges and credit ; yen, my hearty desire for all the remaining members of parliament still is, that ye all may be justified and saved, not only in the world to come, but in this world also ; yea, and that ye may be more precious in the eyes of the people at your voluntary dissolution, than ye were at your first sitting in par- liament. And to that end, and for the performance of my former solemn vows and protestations, I have thought fit, with my own hand, here to commend to your especial care, before some chosen witnesses, this annexed petition of right in behalf of the whole nation ; to be by you, as you hate to be unfaithful, in due time presented unto the parliament, before I be rendered uncapable of writing any more to the supreme au- thority of the nation, or you, Mr. Speaker, either be rendered uncapable of voting and resolving this peti- tion of right into an act of parliament : the passing whereof (I am confident) will produce this effect, that all generations to come shall call the parliament that shall pass it into an act, blessed. In expectation whereof, I rest Your Solicitor-general in behalf of the people, Feb. 24, 10.51 [2.] Thomas Phtlpott. VOL. ir. 3 H I 418 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. IRELAND. 419 THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO MR. COOKE. [deciphered.] Sir, —Since I sent to you last, we have received assurances out of Lancashire, from all the considerable men in that county, that they are ready to rise for us, and do only expect a party of fifteen hundred horse from thence to countenance their rising ; being confident, within ten days after they are up, to be able to fight with Oomwell, without any other assistance. Upon this, the marquis of Argyle, David Lesley, and some other lords of great interest in this king- dom, have sent them back word, that, upon the first drawing together of our army, two thousand of our best horse, and as many good Highland foot, shall be sent under the command of Massey and the duke of Buckingham. In the mean time, they have given the duke of Buckingham leave to raise a troop of English horse ; which, within ten days, will be near two hundred good men. I have chosen to go this way into England, believing I shall be able to do the king more service so, than if I went in disguise any where to stay about London. This bearer, captain Berkenhead, will give you a particular account of the whole business, and I shall desire you to give entire credit to what he shall say, for he hath been the main negotiator of the Lan- cashire business. I am, &c. Buckingham. From the court, Scotland, Feb. 25, 1651 [2.] 4 COLONEL COOKE TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF PARLIAMENT. Right Honourable, — This is the first oppor- tnnity I have had to give you an account what suc- cess we have had in these parts against the enemy since my coming from Dublin here. Upon this day sennight in the evening, our forces all rendezvoused at Eniscorthy, some having marched ten miles that day, and some twenty : about ten of the clock thb same night, we began our march towards the enemies' quarters, having twelve miles to march before we could come to do service. In the morning, before day, we were in the midst of them ; but they lay so dispersed, that we could not then do much upon them : some we killed, and some we took. In searchinjr the woods and bogs, we found great store of corn, which we burnt, also all the houses and cabins we could find: in all which we found great plenty of corn. We continued burning and destroying for four days : in which time we wanted no provision for horse or man, finding also housing enough to lie in ; though we burnt our quarters every morning, and continued burning all day after. He was an idle soldier that had not * either a fat lamb, veal, pig, poultry, or all of them, every night to his supper. This country, the enemy of these parts chiefly depended upon for provisions. I believe we destroyed as much as would have served some thousands of 1 '! ^ !^ .-tt 4^0 IRELAND. IRELAND. 4^21 them until next harvest. The place is called Mac- demore's country ; it lieth bordering on the county of Wicklow, and to the seaside. It hath always been in protection until the late line : it never paid any contribution that was considerable. The inhabitants' chiefest subsistence lay in corn, it being a very good corn country. I took this opportunity to march into that country, being not able to march in time so far as the county of Wicklow to do service ; under- standing also, by intelligence from the country, that these people were risen in rebellion, (instead of coming within the line;) to which purpose they had taken up all the horse and arms they could find, or any ways procure. Sir Thomas Esmond's troop, and his son's, and some others, lay there : we took many of their horses, and killed and took many horsemen which we found on foot ; we killed also divers foot soldiers : it is hard to say how many ; but some soldiers that were with colonel Sankey and colonel Axtell, when they fell into the enemies' quarters this winter, say we killed many more soldiers than they. We could have killed many hundreds of country people, that we found up and down the country, not knowing what to do, but forbore at present, they being newly put out of protection, and some of them probably being about to go within the line ; as also because we judged them people that would rather do us service, by eating u[) that little provision which possibly ujight escape the fire, than hurt us, they being all of them either old men, women, or children. We took about two hundred trarroons, three hundred cows and calves, and four hundred sheep and goats, besides some few swine. I believe we took, at least, half a hundred of those horses that the enemy served upon against us ; some better, some worse. I am confident we left the enemy in such a condition as they must needs most of them starve. If the same course be taken in the other parts that border upon them, doubtless this is the only way to make a speedy end of these wars. My humble desire is, that care may be taken that we starve not ourselves also with the enemy. I see nothing visible for my soldiers here but starving: the English baronies have not a quarter corn enough to keep themselves that live there. For my foot, I think they are as good as ever marched, either for fighting, searching woods and bogs, or for long and speedy marching. I dare say they marched, last Wednesday and Thursday, before they rested, at least thirty miles, and much of it throuoh woods and boofs, almost never in a road, continuing marching night and day. All this march, I never heard any of them complain he was weary or lame : it was hard to keep them from straggling before, but very easy to keep them up in the rear. Our horsemen did all confess, their horses were not able to continue a march with them ; almost one half of our horse beinof lame and tired, thouoh they hail every night good lodging, and as good pro- Nl 4^0 IRELAND. them until next harvest. The place is called Mac- demore's country ; it lieth bordering on the county of Wicklow, and to the seaside. It hath always been in protection until the late line : it never paid any contribution that was considerable. The inhabitants' chiefest subsistence lay in corn, it being a very good corn country. I took this opportunity to inarch into that country, 1)eing not able to march in time so far li til© county of Wicklow to do service ; under- itanding also, by intelligence from the country, thjit these people were risen in rebellion, (instead of coming within the line;) to which purpose they had taken up all the horse and arms they could find, or any ways procure. Sir Thomas Esmond's troo[), and his son*s, and some olliefSk lay there : we took many of their horses, nnd killed and took many horsemen which we found on fcot ; we killed also iVwvvs foot soldiers : it is hard to say how many ; but some soldiers that were with colonel Sankey and colonel Axtell, when they fell into the enemies' « quarters this winter, say we killed many more soldiers than they. We could have killed many hundreds of country people, that we found u[) and down tin* country, not knowing what to do, but forbore at present, they being newly put out of protection, and some of them probably being about to go within the line ; as also because we judged them people that would rather ilo us service, by eating u[i that little provision whieli po>»ibly might escape the IRELAND. 4m fl fire, than hurt us, they being all of them either old men, women, or children. We took about two hundred garroons, three hundred cows and calves, and four hundred sheep and goats, besides some few swine. I believe we took, at least, half a hundred of those horses that the enemy served upon against us ; some better, some worse. 1 am confident we left the enemy in such a condition as they must needs most of them starve. If the same course be taken in the other parts that border upon them, doubtless this is the only way to make a speedy end of these wars. My humble desire is, that care may be taken that we starve not ourselves also with the enemy. I see nothing visible for my soldiers here but starving: the English baronies have not a quarter corn enough to keep themselves that live there. For my foot, I think they are as good as ever marched, either for fighting, searching woods and bogs, or for long and speedy marching. I dare say they marched, last AVednesday and Thursday, before they rested, at least thirty miles, and much of it through woods and bogs, almost never in a road, continuing marching night and day. AH this march, I never heard any of them complain he was weary or lame : it was hard to keep them from straggling before, but very easy to keep them up in the rear. Our horsemen did all confess, their horses were not able to continue a march with them ; almost one half of our horse beinof lame and tired, thouoh they had every night good lodging, and as good pro- :< 1 1 |i 4fS IRELAND. ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. iQ3 vision of oats and hay as they could desire. My foot were many times beating the woods and bogs, when the horse stood still and looked on : wherefore I am necessitated humbly to pray that they may someways be supplied, there being neither moneys nor pro- visions. This march hath a little relieved them for the present, otherwise they must have starved. If you please to order some store to be laid here for the forces employed in the service against the enemy in Wicklow woods, I dare undertake, with my foot and three or four good troops of horse, to spoil the enemy there this summery especially if again in April you fall upon them with parties from all parts, as you have now done. Colonel Pretty and I have agreed to fall upon Clanmalline woods, he on the one side and I on the other, next Tuesday morning. I have desired colonel Axtell also at the same time to tall upon them on that side next him : this is the season to spoil them. I believe the last design has done them more mischief than probably would have been done all the summer, if you had stayed while grass were grown. 1 hope your forces in all other parts will also be active in this season : if so, I am confident we shall have very little to do in the summer. I humbly crave pardon for my tediousness, of which I am much ashamed ; my zeal for your service being accompanied with much weakness hath occasioned it. I shall now conclude with that which is most true, viz. that there is none in the world shall more industriously and faithfully serve you than he who is. Right Honourable, Your most humble and faithful servant, George Cooke. Wexford, March 17, 1G51 [2.] CAPTAIN ALFORD'S NARRATIVE. The right honourable the lord keeper of the great seal of England, having desired me to give him an account of what I knew of his majesty's most mi- raculous escape, and the great danger he passed through, after he came from Worcester, do here do it as followcth : Ills majesty came to that loyal gentleman's house, sir Francis Windham, at Trent, in the county of So- merset, within three miles of Shirburn ; and being there, his majesty, well knowing the trust he might repose in colonel Giles Strangways, sent sir Francis Windham to consult with him as to his preservation and escape, and to desire him to send him what money he could. The said colonel's father being then living, he had no great command of money ; and, for reasons then best known to himself, would not communicate such a secret to his father, but readily fetched £100 in gold, (protesting it was all he had,) and delivered it to sir Francis Windham. a 4«4 NARRATIVE OF THE ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 425 They then consulted of the safest way for his ma- jesty's embarkation ; and thought that about Lyme there might be some convenient place, if they could find a fit man that might be trusted. Then the colonel advised that one captain Alford, whom his majesty well knew, might be a fit person to be en- trusted ; or if he were not to be found, then he knew of no other but one Mr. Wm. Ellisdon, that lived in Lyme. So one Peters, a servant of sir Francis Wind- ham, was sent to find out captain Alford, who was then in Portugal, forced to be abroad by reason of his loyalty : but Ellisdon was at home, being newly married to a very rich but rigid Presbyterian. Therefore sir Francis Windham went and conferred with Ellisdon, for the transporting (as he said) beyond the sea of two gentlemen ; and desired him to freight some bark for that purpose. Mr. Ellisdon addressed himself to one Stephen Limbry,'' who was master of a small vessel, of about thirty tons : to whom he declared, that there were two gentlemen that desired passage into any part of France; the one whereof, having married a great fortune, was troubled by her father and friends, and so they would go into France for some time. They treated on the conditions, which were, that whereas Limbry was then bound for St. Maloes, he should put ' " Tliere was in Lyme a master of a bark, of whose honesty this captain (Ellison) was very confident." Clarendon, vol. vi. p. 534. out those goods which he had on board, and should ballast his ship at Mr. Ellisdon's cost ; who promised the said master to give him 125 in hand, and an obligation to pay him £25 more when he should bring him a note or letter that he had safely landed them in any part of France. This agreement being made, the master fitted out his ship, of which notice was given to sir Francis Windham, who, with the king, came to a small house belonging to Mr. ElHsdon's brother, who was a violent Oliverian, about two miles from Lyme, where he gave an account of what was done as to the freighting the ship. So Ellisdon went for Lyme, and told the master that the gentlemen were come, and that they would be at Charmouth at five of the clock that day, and that he should not fail to be there at that time to meet him ; and that he would there pay him the £25, and give him his security for his other £25 : but the master demanding his charges in ballasting his ship, which was but nine shillings, Ellisdon refused to pay It, for which the master was discontented; yet his dwelling being at Charmouth, he failed not*^ to be there, and came several times to the house where the gentlemen were, (with the lady, Mrs. Coningsby, who is now Mr. Hixt's wife,) and demanded of the people of the house if Mr. Ellisdon were come. The king spoke with the master, who assured him his ship was ready, but still he lingered to see when Mr. El- lisdon would come to fulfil his agreement: and it V' ... M I VOL. II. 3 I MM MMP -l i aMU' i 'P* 42G NARRATIVE OF THE being very late at night, and the master finding that Mr. Ellisdon came not, nor had he paid, nor ever did, nor any other for him, one penny of the money, the master retired to his own house, after he had been there three times, and never came again to the king. So his majesty finding himself to be deluded, was now to consult his further preservation. Command was given, that their horses should be made ready, but it was found that the king's horse, which carried double, had a shoe loose : so a smith was sent for, who came ; and looking over the shoes of all the horses, said, he knew that all those horses had been shod about Worcester : ' yet he fastened the shoes, and presently went to consult with one Westley, the parson of Charmouth, a rigid foolish Presbyterian, who was then in a long-winded prayer ; and before he had done, the king was gone towards Bridport : in- telligence being carried into Lyme, (which is a mile and a half from Charmouth,) but by what means it is not known, hereupon ten or twelve troopers were despatched away to pursue them. The king stopped at the Red Lion inn in Bridport. My lord Wilmot and sir Francis Windham went up » Clarendon's account is, tliat the smith said, *' he was sure that the horse's four shoes had been made in four different coun- ties." Alford's account is equally natural : in either way, it ex- presses but a shrewd guess that the smith knew where the rider had come from. ESCAPE OF CHAHLES II. 427 into a room, wdth the lady, as masters. The groom (who was the king) they had left to see the horses well rubbed : they commanded a shoulder of mutton to be made ready. The ostler took great notice of the pretended groom, and told him he was formerly a soldier for the king in Exeter, and cursed the parlia- ment soldiers that were then in the house ; still urging on the king that he had seen him in Exeter, insomuch that the king was forced to call to mind where he lodged in Exeter, and told him that he had lived in Exeter with one Mr. George Potter, and had been his groom. The ostler replied, that he knew well Mr. Potter, and captain Alford, that married Mr. Potter's daughter : so, on this acquaint- ance, the cans were called for, and they drank lovingly together. In a short time, the mutton being ready, the king was called up ; who made haste to eat, (the door being shut,) and so went again to fit the horses whilst they did eat. They took care, the house being full of soldiers, to be served by an old woman, to whom they gave the rest of the mutton, who took out the pan of the close stool to hide it under. They made haste to take horse, and ride away on London road a little way ; but at the first turning on the left hand they left that road, and went by-ways to Broadwindsor, which was clear back again. In the evening they came to the George inn there, which was well known to sir Francis Windham : but it hap- pened that the house was full of soldiers, so that there 4'-28 NARRATIVE OF THE was but a little top chamber that could be had for the king and his company, and but one bed. It fell out that night, that a woman in the house fell in travail, so that the troopers were forced to go to other houses ; so his majesty took horse in the morning, with the gentlewoman behind him, and ar- rived safe at sir Francis Windham's, at Trent. His majesty had not been gone out of Bridport a quarter of an hour, before the twelve troopers from Lyme were come to pursue those gentlemen that had lain at Charmouth. They made inquiry at the inn, where thev were informed that the said gentlemen were gone down the town on London road : so they made great speed after them, and never stopped till they came to Dorchester, not thinking they had made such a turning back. Mr. Ellisdon, finding that the king was gone, and that the Lyme troopers were returned, took horse himself; and being half a mile from the town of Lyme, met with one Mr. Thomas Taylor, whom he desired to o-o with him, telling^ him that there was a £1000 to be got for whoever should take the king, and he knew where he was : but the said Mr. Taylor refused to go with him, saying he would not do it if it were to gain the world. So Mr. Ellisdon went forward, and came to sir Hugh Windham's house at Pilsdon, five miles from Lyme and two from Broadwindsor, thinking the king had been there. He went in boldly, and asked sir Hugh Windham for the king. Sir ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 4^29 Hugh replied to him, that he was a base fellow to come to his house to ask for the king, and com- manded him out of his house. The said Ellisdon was gone but a little time before the Lyme troopers, which had pursued the king before from Bridport, were come into the house of sir Hugh Windham, and made diligent search. They did not spare the young ladies, as sir Francis Windham hath said ; and the gentleman that since married Mrs. Coningsby, both living, hath affirmed, that he hath often heard his wife say, what is above inserted, of what past at sir Hugh Windham's ; for she was told it, after the king's escape, by sir Hugh and the ladies that were soused by the troopers. Limbry, the master, hath deposed before a master in chancery, (since his majesty's happy return,) in the presence of several persons now living, that, di- rectly nor indirectly, he never received one penny of money of Mr. Ellisdon, nor of any other, on the aforesaid contract ; but that he had carried away the gentlemen, (so called,) had he had the money agreed for, which he was to have received at Charmouth; and that whatever hath been set forth to the con- trary was notoriously false ; and laid the blame wholly upon Mr. Ellisdon, for not coming to Charmouth to perform the agreement made with him. IJ i! 430 NARRATIVE OF THE ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 431 COLONEL GUNTER'S NARRATIVE. The last acfc in the miraculous story of his majesty's escape, being a true and perfect relation of his conveyance, through many obstacles and after many dangers, to a safe harbour, out of the reach of his tyrannical enemies ; by colonel Gunter, of Rackton, in Sussex, who had the happiness to be instrumental in the business. The king was now at Heale, within three miles of Salisbury, where we begin our story. My lord Wilmot, his faithful and watchful attendant, at Salisbury, There, Dr. Hinchman, now right reverend bishop of Salisbury, (inspired by God himself, as may well be thought by the success,) gave him counsel, first to try at Lawrence Hyde's, esq., living at Hinton Daubney in Hampshire, near the sea side, what could be done for a passage : then, if that did not succeed, to repair to colonel George Gunter, at Rackton, four miles from Chichester in Sussex ; being very confident of his fidelity, and that he would contribute, to the utmost of his power, to bring this great and weighty business, as for the difficulties they must encounter, so for the consequences of the issue, to a good end. Here, before I proceed in the story, the reader will give me leave to put him in mind, that we write not an ordinary story, where the reader, engaged by no other interest than curiosity, may soon be cloyed with circumstances which signify no more unto him but that the author was at good leisure, and was very confident of his reader's patience. In the relation of miracles, every petty circumstance is material, and may afford to the judicious reader matter of good speculation ; of such a miracle, especially, where the restoration of no less than three kinordoms, and his own particular safety and liberty, (if a good and faithful subject,) was at the stake. I may not there- fore omit to let him know how things stood with the colonel at that time, when this resolution (which proved happy in the success) was taken. Not above fourteen days before, the said colonel Gunter was confined, upon pain of imprisonment, not to stir five miles from home. In the very nick of time when he was first thought upon for so great a work, comes a messenger, with a warrant from the commissioners of Haberdasher's hall, London, to sum- mon him to appear before them within ten days, to pay £'200 for his fifth and twentieth part which they had set upon him, upon pain of sequestration on default. He first refused, and told the messenger that he was confined, and could not go five miles from home : but he left with him the order, and told him it should be at his peril if he did not obey it. The colonel, the next day, repaired to Chichester, four miles from him, to the commissioners there, to shew them his order. They peremptorily replied, he must go, and his order would bear him out. He went accordingly. 43^2 NARRATIVE OF THE ESCAPE OF CIIMILES 11. 4S3 and compounded with them, and got ofF £100 of the £200 he was set at : but his credit being shaken, the current running then so hard against the king, the royal party, and all good men, that he could not borrow the money in all London ; he was forced with all speed to repair into the country, and went pri- vately to his usurer, who had the security of his whole estate. He shewed him his danger, and requested to borrow £100 upon his bond and his former se- curity ; who readily condescended, and told him out the money. The next day he was to call for it, and seal the bond. He had no sooner ended this business, being stayed somewhat longer by some friends than he intended, but that very night he came home, (being October 7, 16.51,) he found some at his house who were come about this design. I think it will easily be granted by any that reads and considers, that this was not without a Providence, since that it is apparent that if his friends had come before he had been li- censed to go abroad, he must needs have been ex- cused ; and if they had come much after, it was pos- sible a new restraint might have come between, or his liberty, in going so freely up and down after his business ended, more suspected. But now to the story, and entertainment of his guests. Betwixt eight and nine of the clock at night, the colonel came home. Entering in at his door, the colonel's lady met him, and told him, there was in the parlour a Devonshire gentleman, sent by Mr. Hyde, aforesaid, about a reference which none beside yourself can decide. At the colonel's coming in, he found his Devonshire gentleman sitting at one end of the chimney, captain Thomas Gunter at the other, and his lady (which was gone in before) in the middle. The gentleman rose, and saluted him. The colonel presently knew him to be the Lord Wilmot: which the noble Lord perceiving, took the colonel aside to the window ; " I see you know me, (said he,) do not own me." Captain Thomas Gunter, the colonel's kinsman, for all he had a long time been in the army, knew him not ; which was strange, the noble lord being but meanly disguised. After a bottle of sack, which afforded some matter of dis- course, by reason of two wasps, or rather hornets, which came out at the opening; a short collation being made ready as soon as could, (his lady having given leave to her servants to be from home that day,) my lord's man, one Swan, coming in to wait, whispered his master in the ear, and told him my lord Wentworth's boy Pony was without; and wished him to be careful, for fear the bov should know him ; being taken by captain Thomas Gunter in distress at Chelsea, and clothed by him, to wait upon him. Supper ended, there was whispering betwixt the colonel's kinsman and his lady ; and she told him she was confident of a disguise, and that it was the master by his hand. He beat her off of it as much as he il VOL. 11. S K !i 434 NAliKATIVE OF Till:: ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 135 could, suspecting no sucli matter himself. Within half an hour after supper, the colonel offered the noble lord, then by name Mr. Barlow, it being late, and as the greatest courtesy he could then shew him, to wait upon him to his chamber, and to bed, which he readily accepted. The colonel took up the candle, the noble lord following him, his lady and kinsman attending. When he came into the chamber, it being late, the colonel desired his lady and kinsman to go to bed, and to leave him, for he was bound to wait upon this gentleman awhile. They took leave, and bid him good night. The noble lord and colonel being alone, he broke the business unto the colonel in these words, sighing : " The king of England, my master, your master, and the master of all good Englishmen, is near you, and in great distress : can you help us to a boat ? " The colonel, looking very sadly, after some pause said, " Is he well? Is he safe?" He said, '* Yes." The colonel replied, "God be blessed:" and gave him a reason for his question, if he should not be secure, he doubted not but he could secure him till a boat could be gotten. The noble lord, not knowing what had been done, and what course had been taken for securing of his majesty at Heale since he came away, answered the colonel, he hoped he was out of danger at present, but intended to be at his house with him on the Wednesday. So he said, and so it seems it was resolved ; but second thoughts, and un- expected accommodations elsewhere, had altered the design. However, upon the hearing of this, the colonel's thoughts were much raised, in expectation of such a guest, until he was better informed, as he was soon after, to his good content and satisfaction ; knowing the house well, and the conveniencies thereof, and the worth and fidelity of the persons. Now to the main business of procuring a boat. The colonel told the lord seriously, and nothing but the truth, that for all he lived so near the sea, yet there was no man living so little acquainted with those kind of men. However, as he thought himself bound by all obligations, sacred and civil, to do his utmost to preserve his king, so he would faithfully promise, with all possible care and alacrity, yea, ex- pedition, (which he accounted to be the life of such a business,) to acquit himself of his duty. The noble lord, my honoured friend, (Oh, that God had been pleased to have spared him life,) was abundantly satisfied with this answer, hugging him in his arms, and kissed his cheek again and again. For that time the colonel bid him good night, desiring him to rest secure, for that he would watch whilst he slept, and that he doubted not but in good time all would be well. Coming into his chamber, he found his wife had stayed up for him, and was very earnest to know who this was, and what was his business. The colonel desired her to excuse him ; assuring her, it was nothing concerning her, or that would any ways 436 NAUilATlVE OF THE damnify her. She was confident there was more in it than so ; and enough, she doubted, to ruin him and all his family ; and in that, said she, I am concerned ; breaking out into a very great passion of weeping. Which the colonel seeing, took a candle, pretending to go into the next room, but privately to my lord Wilmot, and acquainted him how it was : asking his advice, whether, as the case stood, it were any way amiss to acquaint her with it ; that he durst pass his word for the loyalty and integrity of his wife : how- ever, without his allowance, she should know nothing. The noble lord replied, " No, no, by all means ac- quaint her with it." I humbly thanked him, and bade him good night again. The colonel coming into his chamber, unfolded the business, wiped the tears off his lady's eyes ; who smiling said, '* Go on and prosper ; yet I fear you will hardly do it." How- ever, said the colonel, I must endeavour, and will do my best, leaving the success to God Almighty. His lady deporting herself during the whole carriage of the business with so much discretion, courage, and fidelity, that (without vanity be it spoken) she seemed (her danger considered) to outgo her sex. Neither will the reader think this an impertinent circumstance, since the success of the business did not a little depend on her concurrence. The colonel, contenting himself with very little sleep that night, rose very early the next morning, bcino' Wcdnesdav, the 8th of October, as he had pro- i ESCAPE OF CHARLES H. 137 mised the lord Wilmot, and rode to Emsworth, a place two miles from him, and by the sea side, passing through Boorne. He took an old servant of his for- merly, John Day, a trusty man, and very loyal sub- ject, who was related to seamen of very good account, who with their barks used to lie there : but they being out of the way, could do no good there ; al- though, four years after, the colonel did, at the same place, at his own charges, hire a bark for the lord Wilmot, who came over at his majesty's command, and losing his design, was forced to come from almost the farthest north to the south before he could get a passage. So few friends then had his sacred majesty in his distresses, now so numerous in expectation of rewards. The colonel hasted all he could home, to give my lord account, who had promised not to stir till the colonel came, but, being impatient of any delay, had left the colonel's house; so that the colonel met him within half a mile of it, and gave him an ac- count of his morning's w^ork, that nothing could be done where he had been. The noble lord and the colonel rid on, and went to Langstone, a place by the sea, and where boats use. As he was riding along, he put his hand in his pocket and missed his money ; for coming away in haste from the colonel's house, he had left it behind him in his bed ; immediately, he sent his man Swan for it. The colonel's lady hearing my lord was gone, which she much wondered at, had been in his chamber, and found the bed#pen, and in )ii I '1 4J8 NAllUATIVE OF THE ESCAPE OF CTIARLKS IT. 430 the middle a black purse full of gold, which she had secured, and gave it the man when he came for it. When we came to Langstone, we attempted all we could, but in vain. The noble lord and the colonel eat oysters there, and then they parted : the noble lord to Mr. Hyde's house aforesaid, there to expect the account of the colonel's proceedings; the colonel home : and immediately employed his kinsman, captain Thomas Gunter, (who by this was made acquainted,) to inquire of several other places, and to meet the colonel next day at Chichester, to give him an ac count. All which the colonel imparted that night to my lord Wilmot, at Mr. Hyde's house, at Hinton Daubney aforesaid. After supper, the colonel took his leave of the lord, it being a very dismal night for wind and rain, which made the lord very much to importune the colonel to stay ; but he refused, re- plying that delays were dangerous, and let the wea- ther be what it would he had a sure guide. The colonel touched at his own house by the way, betwixt one and two of the clock that night, and laid down upon his bed; and after two hours' rest rose from bed, and went immediately to Chichester to meet his kinsman, captain Thomas Ciunter, (Oct. 8,) according to appointment, from whom he received this account : that both he and his kinsman, Mr." Wm. Rishton, a loyal gentleman, and one engaged all aloncT in the war under the colonel's command, had endeavoured all they could, but without success. Then the colonel bethought himself, and conceived the next and best expedient would be to treat with a French merchant, one that usually traded into France; and went to one Mr. Francis Mansell, a stranger then to the colonel, and only known unto him by name, as casually he had met him with several other companies, pretending to give him a visit, and be better acquainted with him. He received him courteously, and entertained him with a bottle or two of his French wine and Spanish tobacco. After awhile, the colonel broke the business to him ; saying, I do not only come to visit you, but I must request one favour of you. He replied, any thing in his power. Then the colonel asked him if he could freight a bark ; for, said he, I have two special friends of mine who have been engaged in a duel, and there is mis- chief done ; and I am obliged to get them off, if I can. He doubted not but he could, at such a place at Brighton, in Sussex. The colonel pressed him then to go with him immediately -^ and if he could effect the business, he would give him £50 for his pains : but it being Slow fair day there, and his partner out of the way, he could not possibly until the next day ; and then he promised him faithfully he would go with him, and do his best : so accordingly w^e agreed. Then the colonel, who had promised the noble lord Wilmot an account, at Mr. Hyde's house aforesaid, once in twelve or twenty-four hours at the furthest, repaired thither accordingly, and told him all was i 440 NARKATn^E OF THE ESCAPE OF CHARLES 11. 441 done. The noble lord approved and liked the way wondrous well. It being very late, and very dark and boisterous weather, the colonel took his leave. His horse being almost spent, borrowed a horse of his kinsman, Mr. Hyde, who lent him his falconer's horse, being, as it seems, the best he then had ; which served to carry him home, and the next morning to Chichester. The colonel took his own house in the way, and rested upon a bed for awhile, and went into Chi- chester the 10th October, being Friday, according to former appointment. The merchant being des- titute of a horse, the colonel hoisted him upon the horse borrowed of Mr. Hyde, and borrowed one for himself of his kinsman, captain Thomas Gunter, and went away accordingly; desiring his kinsman to repair to my lord Wilmot, and to give him the account of his departure from Chichester in further prosecution of the business, and to remain with him, in order to his commands during his absence. We arrived to Brighthelmstone by two of the clock that day. The merchant went immediately to inquire: but the seaman he chiefly depended upon was crone for Chichester, who had bargained for a freio-ht there ; but, as Providence would have it, he touched at Shoreham, four miles from Brighton. I persuaded the merchant to send to him, immediately to come to him upon earnest business, and I doubted not but he would come : which took effect accordingly. The colonel had agreed with the merchant to treat with the boatman, being his affair and trade, he to sit by as neuter ; promising the merchant to make good, and to pay him, whatever he should agree for, but withal desired to get it as low as he could. We stayed there that night, and by Saturday, the 11th of October, by two of the clock, made a perfect agreement; which was, that he was to have £G0 paid him in hand before he took them into the boat ; for he would know what he should carry, or he would not treat : so that the merchant was forced to tell him, himself knowing no more than what the colonel had said to him, of two friends. Sec, He was to be in readiness upon an hour's warning ; and the mer- chant to stay there, under pretence of freightino- his bark, to see all things in readiness against the colonel and his two friends' arrival. For the colonel knew not when he should come, but privately promised the merchant to defray all his charges, and to give him £50 as aforesaid, for his pains, which was afterwards accordingly done ; but this £50, and the £G0 paid to the boatman, the king himself, before he went away, took order for, and his order was executed. All things agreed upon, the colonel took leave of the merchant, about three of the clock, with all expe- dition, to give my lord Wilmot this account, and came to Mr. Hyde's house aforesaid, between eight and nine in the night ; but my lord and the colonel's kinsman, captain Gunter, were removed to a tenant's VOL. 11. :i L NAIUIATIVE or THE of my cousin Hyde's, one Mr. Brown, and one that had married my cousin Gunter's sister. But the colonel coming in at ray cousin Hyde's house, as aforesaid, found there his cousin Hyde and colonel Robert Philips in his chamber going to bed, who was very inqui- sitive to know how things stood. He gave in short, that all things were well and in a readiness ; upon which the noble colonel Philips replied. Thou shalt be a saint in my almanack for ever. Mr. Hyde was very earnest to have had the colonel stay all night, and to go and give an account the morrow morning ; but he desired to be excused, for that he knew he was expected, and could not in honour but give his account without delay. Whereupon colonel Philips would go with me, and we took leave of my cousin Hyde for that night, and came where my lord Wil- mot was, and had earnestly expected me. After I had saluted him, and given him a full account of all proceedings, the noble lord was infinitely pleased and satisfied, and presently had in consultation who should go for the king ; and it was agreed, that colonel Philips should, by reason that colonel Gunter was much tired, and would need rest for further employ- ment. So colonel Philips, upon Sunday the I2th of Oc tober, went to give the king an account, and to conduct him to the lord Wilmot and to the said colonel Gunter. In the interim, whilst they expected, upon Monday the I3th of October, the lord Wilmot, colonel Gunter, and captain Thomas Gunter, being all together at ESCAPE OF CHARLES H. U3 dinner, agreed to ride out upon the Dow^ns. The colonel, for a blind, w^ent to Hambledon, hard by, to give his sister a visit, and there borrowed a brace of greyhounds, for that his cousin Gunter and other gen- tlemen were upon the Downs, and had a mind to have a course at a hare ; and it was possible, if they did not beat too far, and should stay out late, they might all come and be merry with her that night, however she should be sure of her dogs : *' If you do, you shall be heartily welcome," was her answer. The colonel brought the greyhounds, and beat with my lord and his cousin until his time served, and then left them, resolving to ride on till he met the king. And just as he came to Warneford town's end from old Win- chester, he met colonel Philips conducting the king. Being near the houses, the colonel rid by them, and took no notice ; went to an inn in the town, called for some beer and took a pipe, and stayed so long, that they were atop old Winchester before he overtook them. When he had overtaken them, and done his duty to his majesty, he directed them the safest way, and he would ride before to find out my lord Wilmot ; which being done, we all came together. The king and my lord had some private discourse together. W^hen w^e came to Broadhalfpenny, a little above Hambledon, there the king spake to the colonel, "Cans't thou get me a lodging hereabouts?" The colonel told him, that his cousin Hyde's house afore- said w^as taken up for him, and was very convenient, ii 444 NARRATIVE OF THE being near and in the way ; but whether his majesty thought it too public a place, or for what other reason, I know not, he said, '^ Know you no other?" '* Yes, may it please your majesty, I know divers yeomanly men, where for a night we may be welcome ; and here is one who married my sister, whose house stands privately and out of the way." " Let us go thither," saith the king. Whilst we were consulting this affair, captain Thomas ( I unter, the colonel's kinsman, and Swan, my lord Wilmot's man, rid scouring about Broadhalfpenny aforesaid, the colonel conducting the king, my lord Wilmot, and colonel Robert Philips to his sister's house a private way, and the back side of Ilambledon, it being but half a mile from the place aforesaid. Ali"htinof at the door, the colonel led them in, the lord Wilmot following, the king putting colonel Robert Philips before him, saying, " Thou lookest the most like a gentleman now." Coming in, the colonel's sister met him : we all saluted her ; she brought us into a little parlour, where was a good fire : this was about candle lighting. Wine, ale, and biscuits were pre- sently set before us, with a very cheerful countenance, as though the king's presence had had some secret influence upon her, who suspected nothing less than that a king was present. In an hour's space we went to supper, being all set promiscuously at a round table ; and having half supped, in comes the colonel's sister's husband, Mr. Thomas Simons, who, as it ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 445 plainly appeared, had been in company that day. " This is brave," said he ; "a man can no sooner be out of the way, but his house must be taken up with I know not whom :" and looking in the colonel's face, ** Is it you, (said he ;) you are welcome ; and, as your friends, so they are all." Passing round the table, and viewing all the company, he said, ** These are all Hyde's now ;" but peeping in the king's face, said of him, ** Here is a roundhead :" and addressing his speech to the colonel, said, " I never knew you keep roundheads' company before." To which the colonel replied, ** It is no matter, he is my friend ; and I will assure you no dangerous man." At which words, he clap't himself down in a chair next the king, and took him by the hand, shaking him and saying, " Brother roundhead, for his sake thou art welcome ;" all the while believing the king to be so indeed, and making himself (whether for fear or in courtesy) to be one too, as well as he could act it ; the king all the while complying with him, to all our admirations. Now and then he would swear before he was aware : for which the king reproved him, " O dear brother, that is a scape ; swear not, I beseech you." Nevertheless, in that humour he was, he plied us hard with strong waters and beer, the king not knowing well how to avoid it, but as somebody or other, when he looked aside, would take it out of his hand. Supper being ended, it being ten of the clock, the colonel began to bethink himself that the king had 4iG NARKATlVt: OF THE ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 447 I!' rid near forty miles that day, and was to undergo a very hard journey the next ; and how to get the king out of his company, and to bed, he could hardly devise. Yet the colonel whispered his kinsman in the ear, saying, " I wonder how thou should'st judge so rio-ht : he is a roundhead indeed, and if we could ffet him to bed the house were our own, and we could be merry." He readily submitted ; and the colonel presently, leaving the lord Wilmot behind, conducted the king and colonel Robert Philips (who lay in the king's chamber) to bed. The king slept well all night ; and by break of day, the colonel putting up two neats' tongues in his pockets, which he thought they might need by the way, they set out, and began their journey. They were no sooner come to Arundel hill, as they rode close by the castle, but the governor, captain Morly, met them full butt, hunting. The colonel, the better to avoid them, it being a steep hill they were to go down, presently alighted, and his company (as was agreed before) did as he did ; and so happily they escaped them. The king being told who it was, replied merrily, ** I did not like his starched mouchates." So we came to Howton, where on horse- back we made a stop at an alehouse for some bread and drink ; and there our neats' tongues stood us in very good stead, and were heartily eaten. From thence being come to Bramber, we found the streets full of soldiers, on both sides the houses, who, un- luckily, and uiiknovrn to me, were come thither the night before to guard ; but luckily (or rather by a special providence) were just then come from their guard at Bramber bridge into the town for refresh- ment. We came upon them unawares, and were seen before we suspected any thing. My lord Wilmot was ready to turn back, when I stepped in and said, ** If we do, we are undone : let us go on boldly, and we shall not be suspected." '' He saith well," said the king. I went before, he followed; and so passed through without any hinderance. It was then between three and four of the clock in the afternoon. We went on, but had not gone far but a new terror pursued us, the same soldiers riding after us as fast as they could ; whereupon the king gave me a hem. I slacked my pace till they were come up to me; and by that time the soldiers w^ere come, who rudely passed by us, (being in a narrow lane,) so that we could hardly keep our saddles for them, but passed by without any further hurt, being some thirty or forty in number. When we were come to Beeding, a little village, where I had provided a retreatment for the king, (one Mr. Bagshal's house,) I was earnest that his majesty should stay there awhile, till I had viewed the coast ; but my lord Wilmot would by no means, for fear of those soldiers, but carried the king out of the road I know not whither. So we parted : they where they thought safest ; I to Brighton ; being agreed they should send to me when fixed any where Eii If ,lu 448 NARRATIVE OF THE and ready. Being come to the said Brighton, I found all clear there, and the inn (the George) free from all strantjers at that time. Ilavino^ taken the best room in the house, and bespoke my supper, as I was en- tertaining myself with a glass of wine, the king, not finding accommodation elsewhere to his mind, was come to the inn ; ard up comes mine host, (one Smith by name.) " More guests," saith he to me. He brought them up into another room, I taking no notice. It was not long, but drawing towards the king's room I heard the king's voice, saying aloud to ray lord Wilmot, ** Here, Mr. Barlow, I drink to you." " I know that name," said I to mine host, now by me, " I pray inquire, aad whether he was not a major in the king's army : " which done, he was found to be the man whom I expected, and presently in- vited (as was likely) to the fellowship of a glass of wine. From that I proceeded, and made a motion to join company, and because my chamber w^as largest, that they would make use of it : which was accepted, and so we became one company again. At supper, the king was cheerful, not shewing the least sign of fear or apprehension of any danger, neither then, nor at any time during the whole course of this business ^^ which is no small wonder, considering that the very thought of his enemies, so great and so many, so diligent and so much interested in his ruin, was cnousfh, as lont; as he was within their reach, and as it were in the very midst of them, to ESCAPE OF CHA.RLES 11. 449 have daunted the stoutest courao^e in the world : as if God had opened his eyes, as he did Elisha's servant at his master's request, and he had seen an heavenly host round about him, to guard him, which to us was invisible ; who therefore, though much encouraged by his undauntedness, and the assurance of so good and glorious a cause, yet were not without secret terrors within ourselves, and thought every minute a day, a month, till we should see his sacred person out of their reach. Supper ended, the king stood his back against the fire, leaning over a chair ; up comes mine host, (upon some jealousy, I guess, not any certain knowledge ;) but up comes he, who called himself Gains, runs to the king, catchech his hand, and kissing it, said, it shall not be said but I have kissed the best man's hand in Eno-land. He had waited at the table at supper, where the boatman also sat with us, and were then present : whether he had seen or heard any thing that could give him any oc- casion of suspicion, I know not ; in very deed, the king had a hard task so to carry himself in all things that he might be in nothing like himself, majesty being so natural unto him, that even when he said nothing, did nothing, his very looks (if a man ob- served) were enough to betray him. It was admirable to see how the king (as though he had not been concerned in these words, which might have sounded in the ears of another man as the sentence of death) turned about in silence, without VOL. II. S M M 450 NAllllATlVK OF TIIK ESCAPE OF CHARLES II. 151 ?■! any alteration of countenance, or taking notice of what had been said. About a quarter of an hour after, the king went to his chamber, where I followed him, craved his pardon, with earnest protestation that I was as innocent, so altotrether isfnorant of the cause how this had hap-, pened. " Peace, peace, colonel," said the king, " the fellow knows me and I him : he was one (whether so or not I know not, but so the king thought at that time) that belonged to the back stairs to my fether ; I hope he is an honest fellow." After this, I began to treat with the boatman, (Feversfield by name,) askino- him in what readiness he was ? He answered, he could not off that night, because, for more security, he had broucrht his vessel into a creek, and the tide had forsaken it, so that it was on ground. It is observable, that all tlie while the business had been in agitation to this very time, the wind had been contrary. The king then opening the window, took notice that the wind was turned, and told the master of the ship : whereupon, because of the wind and a clear night, I offered £10 more to the man to get ofl* that night, but that could not be ; however, we agreed he should take in his company that night. But it was a great business that we had in hand, and God would have us to know so, both by the dif- ficulties that offered themselves, and by his help he afforded to remove them. When we thought we had agreed, the boatman starts back, and saith, No, unless I would insure the bark. Argue it we did with him, how unreasonable it was, being so well paid, &c. but to no purpose, so that I yielded at last; and £200 vvas his valuation, which was agreed upon. But then, as thoufjh he had been resolved to frustrate all by unreasonable demands, he required my bond : at which, moved with much indignation, I began to be as resolute as he ; saying, among other things, there were more boats to be had besides his ; if he would not, another should ; and made as though I would go to another. In this contest the king happily inter- posed, he saith right, (saith his majesty,) a gentle- man's word, especially before witnesses, is as good as his bond. At last, the man's stomach came down, and carry them he would, whatsoever came of it ; and before he would be taken, he would run his boat under the water : so it was agreed, that about two in the night they should be aboard. The boatman, in the mean time, went to provide for necessaries, and I persuaded the king to take some rest : he did, in his clothes, and my lord Wilmot with him, till towards two of the night. Then I called them up, shewing them how the time went by my v;atch. Horses being led by the back w^ay towards the beach, w^e came to the boat, and found all ready. So I took my leave, craving his majesty's pardon if any thing had happened through error, not want of will or loyalty ; how willingly I w^ould have w^aited further, but for my family, (being many,) which would 4^52 ESCAPE OF CHARLES If. want me ; and I hoped his majesty would not, not doubting but in a very little time he should be where he would. My only request to his majesty was, that he would conceal his instruments, wherein their preservation was so much concerned. His majesty promised nobody should know. I abided there, keeping the horses in a readiness in case any thing unexpected had happened. At eight of the clock, I saw them on sail, and it was the afternoon before they went out of sight. The wind (O Providence) held very good till next morning to ten of the clock, brought them to a place of Nor- mandy, called Fackham, some three miles off Havre de Grace, Wednesday, October 15th. They were no sooner landed, but the wind turned, and a violent storm did arise, insomuch that the boatman was forced to cut his cable, lost his anchor to save his boat ; for which he required of me £8, and had it. The boat was back again at Chichester by Friday, to take his freight. I was not gone out of the town two hours, but soldiers came thither to search for a tall black man, six feet and two inches high. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks, for that thy name is near, thy wondrous works declare, (jreat deliverance giveth he to his king, and sheweth mercy to his anointed. THE END. INDEX OF WRITERS. Agitators, tlic, to the masters of Tri- nity house, i. '237. Alfoid, capt., liis luirrative, ii. 423. Annesley, Arthur, to the Speaker, i. 31 .0. Arinaiih, the archbishop of, to Dr. Shel- don, i. 334. Army commissioners to the parliament- ary commissioners, i. 291. Aruiulel, lord, of Trcrice, to 0. Crom- well, ii. 2.58. Astley, sir Jacob, to sir Thomas Potts, i. 390. Au^ier, R., tothe Speaker, i. .5, 41, 155. Ball, captain Andrew, to sir Arthur liaslerig, i. 395. Barrett, Christopher, to the Speaker, i. 3f)9. Barwick, Dr. J., to Dr. Sheldon, i. 332. Batten, capt., to tlie Speaker, i. 411. Bence, capt. Alex., to the Speaker, ii. 13, GO. Birch, col., to sir II. Lingen, governor of Goodrich castle, i. 102, 105. to the Speaker, i. 107, 142, 251 ; ii. 380. Blake, admiral, to the Speaker, ii. 128, 139. Boheuiia, queen of, to the duchess of Richmond, ii. lb'4, 271. Bra3% capt. William, to the Speaker, ii. 141. Bristol, earl of, to the Speaker, i. 118, 12'^ Browne, jVIr., to lieut.-col. Ashurst, ii. 333. Bucki:ighani, duke of, to the carl of Derby, ii. 283. • to Mr. Cooke, ii. 418. Bulstrode, sir Thomas, to the Speaker, i. 126. C, J., to col. Uossiter, i. 184. Charles I. to the coiumittees of tho Scotch parliament, i. 441. Charles II. to the marquis of Onnond, ii. 151. Charles Lodovic, prince, to the Speaker, i. 120, 27(i; ii. 119. to the Speaker of the house of peers, i. 383. Chelmsford, committee at, to the com- mittee at Derby house, i. 21 fl, Chester, committee at, to col. Booth, i. 135. to the Speaker, i. 281. , the deputy -lieutenants at, to the Speaker, i. 277. Cholmeley, sir II., to the Speaker, i. 293. Clarke, Mr., to the Speaker, ii. 327, 3GG. Coker, Mr,, sheriif of Dorsetshire, to the Speaker, i. 295. Conmiissioners with the army to the houses of parliament, i. 1 94. to the Speaker, i. 258, 2G0, 2G5, 267, 275, 28G, 287, 305, 307,315,317,322. with the king, to the Speaker, i. 188, 241, 242, 254, 257, 268,271,275,284,297,314. Cooke, col., to tlie commissioners of par- liament, ii. 419. Cromwell, Oliver, to the Speaker, i. 205, 214 ; ii. 18, 32, 46, 163, 174, 189, 197, 210, 222, 243, 270, 272, 276, 291, 355, 359, 378, 380. to sir James Harring- ton, ii. 150. to the commandcr-in- cliief at Wexford, ii. 168, 169, 173. to Mr. Scott, ii. 188. to the president of the council of state, ii. 288. Dacres, sir Thomas, to the Speaker, n. i 4. Dalkeith, lady, to tho Speakor, i. 99. 4?54 INDEX OF WRITEliti. INDEX OF W HIT I : US. 455 Davenport, George, to Mr. Sancroft, ii. 371. Dcane, admiral (and colonel), to the Speaker, ii. 128, 139,185. Derby, earl of, to G. Browne, ii. 284. ". to sir Tho. Tildsley, ii. 322, 323. to the gentlemen of Lan- cashire, ii. 333. to the Speaker, ii .><»o. Dcwcs, sir Simonds, to sir John Potts, i. 139. Digby, lord, to the marquis of Onnond, ii. 133. Digby, sirKenclm,to the Speaker, ii. 16. Dillingham, S., to Mr. Sancroft, ii. 217, 225, 239, 241, 244, 282, 398, 400. Doddridge, iMr., to the Speaker, ii. 74. Downing, Mr. Cr., to lord , ii. 357. Dublin, the commissioners of, to the Speaker, i. 320. Durham, the bishop of, to Dr. Slieldon, i. 335, 33f). Evelyn, Arthur, to the Speaker, ii. 3.". Evelyn, sir John, to sir J. Potts, ii. 36. Exeter, tho bisliop of, to Mr. Sancroft, ii. 390,301,390,414. Fairfax, sir Tliomas, to the Speaker, i.21,.-)0, 77,101, 10(1, 137, 148,18fi, 217, 224, 225, 228, 250, 25(), 294, 308, 315, 341, 349, 35f), 358, 3(>7, 393, 413 ; ii. 22,45, 57,70,73, 111, IK), 13(), 21(), 217. to the committee at Derby house, i. 435 :, ii. 35, 217. te the council of Glocester, a letter from, to the president of the council of state, ii. 335. Goring, lord, to the Speaker, ii. 2(). ' Grey, lord, to the Speaker, ii. 37(). Guimaracs, Joas de, to the Speaker, ii. I Gunter, col., his narrative, ii. 430. Hamilton, duke of, to Mr. Crofts, ii. 305. Ilannnond, col., to the committee at Derby house, i. 42G ; ii. 54. — — — to the Speaker, i. 3oG, 403; ii. 2, 5, Gl, 66, G9. to the carl of ^liddle- sex, ii. 1. Hanmer, sir Tliomas, to the Speaker, i. 9o. Ilarman, Thomas, to , ii. 53. Harrison, major-gen., to the committee I for the county of York, ii. 296. to the lord presi- dent of the council of state, ii. 300. to the Speaker, ii. state, ii. 1<)5. and the council of war, to the mayor, kc. of London, i. 245 ; ii. 71. «« to colonel Ham- to the commis- sioners at St. Alban's, i. 255. . to the commis- mond, ii. 59. sioners with the anny, i. 260, 26!). 270, 274. t.i the Scotch commissioners, i. 301. Finch, sir John, to his wife, i. 431. Fleetwood, col, to the Speaker, i. 8. 214. Fowlis, col, to :Mr.Tlio. Chalonej, i. 82. Francis, J., to sir J. Potts, ii. 37- Gakdinku, Francis, to Mr. Sancroft, i. 151,172,384. Oleraliam, sir Thomas to t}i.> Speaker, i. 143. 373. Haslerig, sir Arthur, to the Speaker, i. 397,410,413,419. Ilerdey, H., to the Speaker, ii. 1 13. Henrietta ]Maria, queen, to lord Fairfax, j ii. 101. I to the Speaker, ii. 102. Herbert, Thos., to the Speaker, ii. 3!)1. J Hevvson, col., to the Speaker, ii. 273. Holiart, X., to J. Hobart, i. 354. Holbech, IVIr., to Mr. Sancroft, i. 153. ' Holdsworth, Dr., to Mr. Sancroft, i. J, 14, 192, 193, 216,273, 359 : ii. 11, 13,58,125. Hollis, Deny.el, to the Speaker, i. 149. Hoogan, sir Thomas, to the Speaker, i. 285. Hudson, Mich., to Mr. Cross and ^Mr. Stevens, i. 93. to Mr. Brov.n, i. 109. 1 1 arley, colonel, letter to, by Anon. i. 183. Hyde, earl of Clarendon, to U.Arundel, i. 4. J., W., to ]Mr. Chaloner, i. 64. Jenny n, lord, to Sir H.Killigrew, i. 145. Inehiquin, lord, to the Speaker, i. 350, 360, 378. to lord TalTe, i. 360. ' Ireton, col, to (). Cromwell, i. 1, 205, Ij 214. i| Jones, col, to the Spcr.kc-r, ii. 152, 15J). I Jones, col Philip, to lieut.-gen. Fleet- wood, ii. 279. Ireland, commissioners of the parlia- ment in, to the Speaker, ii. 253, 2('!0. Issachar, Ijnanuel, to the burgesses in parliament for Yorkshire, i. 68. Knvvett, sir Thomas, to sir John Hobart, i. 376. Lamueht, major-gen., to major-gen. Harrison, ii. 295. Langhonie, col, to the Speaker, i. 132. Lauderdale, lord, to the Speaker, i. 51. to lord Balcarris, ii. 299, 309. dale, ii. 306. to the sherilf of Twce- to lady Lauderdale, ii. 306. Leicester, earl of, to the council of state, ii. 382. Lempriere, N., to the Speaker, ii. 403. Leven, earl of, to the commissioners at Northallerton, i. 178, 180, 181. Lewis, sir William, to sir John Potts, ii. 34. Lidcott, col, to the Speaker, il 3.5^. Lilburne, col. Robert, to O. Cromwell, ii. 338. ■ to the Speaker, ii. 341. Lingen, sir Hemy, to col Birch, i. 1 04. Littleton, sir Thomas, to Mr. Sancroft, i. 54. London, bishop of, to Charles I., i. 169. Luke, sir Sanmel, to the Speaker, i. 325. Lvnii liegis, mayor of, to the Speaker, 'i. 288. Massev, major-gen., to sir Thomas Fairfax, i. .90. to the carl of Derby, ii. 324. to the countess of Stamford, ii. 381. Maurice, prince, to the Speaker, i. 114. Meredith, sir Robert, to the committee at Derbv house, i. 330. Monk, lieut.-gen,, to O. Cromwell, ii. 345, 351. to the Speaker, il 365. Morgan, col, to the marquis of Wor- cester, i. 84, 86. to the Speaker, i. 87, 131, 147. Morrell, Hugh, to the Speakt-r, ii. 264. Mytton, major-gen., to the committee of both kingdoms, i. 140. to the Speaker, i. 177; ii. 17. Newauk, from the leaguer at, to the Speaker, i. 20. Nicoll, Anthony, to the Speaker, i. 339. i North, sir Dudley, to sir J. Pctts, ii. 48, North, Henry, to Mr. Sancroft, ii. 349. Northumberland, earl of, to the council of state at Derby house, ii. 127. to sir H. Vane, ii. 138. Norwood, Richard, to Mr. Prynne, i. 209. Oxford, the bishop of, to Dr. Sheldon, Oxford, university of, to the Speaker, ii. 49. Pa MAN, C, to Mr. Sancroft, i. 430 ; ii. 251. Paman, Henrv, to ;Mr. Sancroft, ii. 249, 250, 252. ' Paris, the agent to the committee of both kingdoms in, to the Speaker, i. to the committee, i. o6, 72. Payne, col, to major-gen. Brown, i. 9, 12. Pliilpott, Thomas, to the Speaker, ii. 406. Poyntz, major-gon., to the Speaker, i. 19, 78, 7.9, 108, 174, 175, 233, 264, 282,298,418. to the committee of estates for Scotland, i. 88. Povntz, Elizabeth, to the Speaker, i. 300. Prynne, ^\Hliam, to the standing com- mittee for the county of Somerset, i. 368. RAiNsi50K!ir(ifi, col, (afterwards vice- admiral,) to the Speaker, i. 8, 221, 392,421. Rich, col, to the Speaker, il 3. Rigby, col, to the Speaker, i. 407. Rochester, the bishop of, to Dr. Slieldon, i. 346. • the mayor of, to the parlia- ment, i. 422. Rouse, Francis, to sir H.Vane, ii, 277. Rnjjert, prince, to the Speaker, i. 114, 119, 121. Rushworth, Mr., to the Speaker, I 26, 133, 437, 438; il 10. Russell, Rob., to lord Warwick, I 11. Sallsburv, bishop of, to Charles I., I 16.9. Salway, R., to tlie Speaker, ii. 353. to the president of the council of state, ii. 362. Sancroft, Mr,, to Dr. Holdsworth, i. 415. to T. Holdsworth, ii. 38, 51, 121, 124, 367. to his father, Fr. San- croft, I 15,28; il 63, 103, 117. I 456 INDEX OF writers;. Sancroft, Mr., to his brother, ii 223, 232, 234, 208. to Mr. Widdrington, ii. 40. Savile, lord, to the Speaker, i. 21. to col. Martin, i. 25. Saunders, Tho., to sir H. Waller, ii. 10.0. Scots' commissioners to the Speaker, i. 80, 200, 232, 337. Scott, Thomas, to the Speaker, ii. 28, 353. ' to the president of the council of state, ii. 3ti2. Sexby, E., and others, agitators, to major-general Skippon, i. 201. Sinnott, col, to Oliver Cromwell, ii. 1G8, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 181. Skippon, major-gen., to the Speaker, i. 190, 205,214,229,312. to lieutenant-col. Ashfield, i. 230. Small wood, Thomas, to Luke Robinson, i. GO". Smith, Hugh, to the earl of Derby, ii. 290. Soldiery, the, to the commissioners at Holmby, i. 223. Speaker, the, to sir T. Fairfax, i. 185 ; ii. 02. Stamford, earl of, to the earl of Man- chester, i. 1 99. Stanley, lady H.M., to sir Tho. Tilsley, ii. 320. Stapylton, col. Robert, to capt. Bishop, ii. 326, 347. Sterling, Robert, to , i. 347. St. John, Mr., to the council, ii. 259. Strickland, sir Walter, to the Speaker, i. 105, 167, 226, 303, 309, 340; ii. 43, 104, 108, 155. Strickland, sir Walter, to the council of state, ii. 131,203,259. Strickland, sir William, to Mr. Har- rington, ii. 148. Stuart, Dr., extracts of letters from, to secretary Nicholas, ii. 229. Taylor, Jeremy, to Dr. Richard Bayly, 11. /5. Toll, Thomas, mayor of Lynn Regis, to the Speaker, i. 28}5. Townsend, col. Richard, to col. Thomas Ceely, i. 114. Tylney, Francis, sheriff of Hampshire, to the Speaker, ii. 114. Ward, Phil., mayor of Rochester, to the parliament, i. 422. Warwick, earl of, to the committee at Derby house, i. 443 ; ii. 23. Weale, Job, to the earl of Dover, i. 425. Weldon, col. Ralph, to tlie Speaker, i. 324, 320, 327, 343, 344. Weller, Mr., to Mr. Sancroft, i. 92, 105, 439 ; ii. 100. Wentworth, lord, to Mr. W. Crofts, ii. 303. Wentworth, sir Peter, to the Speaker, ii. 122. Whaley, col., to the Speaker, i. 28. Whitley, colonel Roger, to sir P. Mus- grave, ii. 321. Williams, sir Trevor, to sir John Trevor, i. 03. Willoughby, lord, to lady Willougliby, ii. 312. Worcester, marquis of, to col. Morgan, i. 85, 87. York, duke of, to , i. 125 ; extracts of letters, touching his reli- gion, ii. 229. INDEX OF xMATTER. Abingdon, plague at, i. 13. Agitators in the ami}-, represent their grievances to Skippon, i. 201 — 205; proceedings of Skippon, Cromwell, kc. thereon, 20.>, 200, 207—209, 214 — 210; design to make sub-agi- tators, 354. Anglesea, Isle oi, taken by major-gen. Mvtton, ii. 17, 18. Armagh, archbishop of. See «/. Usher. Army, disaftection in that of the par- liament, i. 183; their petition, 184, 185; report of the commissioners ap- pointed by parliament, on the causes of their disaffection, 194 — 199; agi- tators in, (see A(}Uators,) votes of the house communicated to them, 217 ; council of war held thereon, 218; continued disaftection, 219 — 222 ; their excuse for seizing the king, 223, 224 ; demand money from the parliament, 228 ; Skippon en- deavours to heal the differences be- tween the army .and parliament, 230 — 232; armv under Povntz in the north wish to join the main army, 233 — 235; urge the masters of the Trinity house to support them, 237 — 240; address the maj^or and alder- men of London, 245 — 249 ; impeach eleven members of the house of com- mons, 247, 255 ; complain of under- hand dealings on the part of the par- liament, 250, 257 ; advance towards London, 258—203; treat witli the parliament, 205, 200 ; their propo- sitions in part jicceded to, 209, 270 ; insist on the consideration of their other propositions, 270, 271 ; delay their ciiarges against the impeached members of the connnons, 274, 275, 280 — 28H ; disaftection in the north- ern array under Poyntz, 282 — 284, vol.. 11. 293 ; complaints against the par- liament, 290—292; delays in for- warding the treaty, 305. 308 ; com- plain of tiie conduct of tiic city of London, 315 — 317; remove to Bed- ford, ibid, their demands sent to the ])arliament, 350. 357; regiments with- drawn from Whitehall, 413, 435, 430; complain for want of pay, ii. 22,23; their Remonstrance, 70; ad- vance to London, 71 ; urged on the parliament the consideration of the Remonstrance, 73, 74 ; northern forces disbanded, 110. Arrowsmith, Dr., regius professor of di- vinity at Cambridge, ii. 371, 372. Arundel, lord, of Ti-erice, applies to Cromwell to be relieved from paying composition, ii. 258; Cromwell writes to the Speaker thereon, 270. Ashburnham, Mr., i. 2, 8 ; attends the king in his escape from Oxford, 12, Aylesbury, garrison of, ordered to be dismantled, i. 127. A\ scue, sir George, Cromwell intercedes for him, ii. 1()3. Bamjiky castle, surrendered to the parliament, i. 28. Barbadoes, island of, under the govern- ment of lord Willoufrhbv, ii. 312 — 319. Beaumaris, castle, surrendered to major- gen. Mytton, i. 140, 141. Berwick, seized by the royalists, i. 395—399, 4 1 0—4 1 2 ; surrendered to Cromwell, ii. 1 8—22. Birch, col., seized by the soldiery, and released by Fairfax, i. 251 — 253. Bohemiju, queen of, ii. 271. Borlace, col., Cromwell intercedes fur, ii. 270. Bray, capt., his complaint of his treat- ment bv the parliament ii. 141 — 148, 2 N 458 INDEX Ol MATTEK. IXDEX OF MATrKll. 459 fill Bristol, earl of, obtains a safe conduct from Fairfax to go to the parliaineiit, i. ]()(), 107; petitions to be allowed to conipouud, but obtains only a pass to go beyond seas, IIH, 110, 123 — 12(). Bro-hil, lord, in Ireland, ii. 1IU5, \i\'X Brownrigg, Ralph, bishop of Kxeter, with Sancroft at Cambridge, i. U!. Buckingham, duchess of, mention of her letter to lord Savlle, i. 22 — 2.5. Buckinghamshire forces, ordered to be disbanded, i. 1 27. reasons for delaying the disbanding, 12JJ— 130. C'akrxahvon, taken by col. !Mytton, i. 177. Cahir castle, in Ireland, taken by lord Inchi([uin, i. 852, 353. Cambridge, pestilence at, i, 15; conduct of tlie university on that occasion, 1 (» ; progress of the pestilence, 25}, '29 ; engagement subscril)ed bv members of the university, ii. 235,'239— 243, 245—24}$. Carlisle, surprised by royalists, i. 407 ; surrendered to Cromwell, ii. 21. Cansfield, sir J., wishes to go beyond Cardigan, disturbances at, ii. 270. Carisbrooke castle, state of, represented by col, Hannnond, i. 3a(;— 390, 403 — 40(J, 42}) — 430; Hammond com- plains of want of supi)lies there, ii. 2, 3 ; asks for ships as a guard, }5 ; Fairfax writes to remove Hammond from Carisbrooke, 59 ; the parliament object, (>1 ; col. Ewer sent there by Fairfax, 06. Chamberlayne, Mr., recommended by Fairfax to be admitted to composition, i. 50. Charles I. proposes to give himself up to Fairfax, and to sin-render his gar- risons, i. 2 ; purposes leaving ( )xford, 6 ; offers to go to col. Kainsborough's quarters, }?, 9 ; escapes from Oxford in disguise, 9, 10, 12 ; by whom at- tended, 12 ; rumours respecting his plans, 13, 17 ; arrives at Southwell, and gives himself up to the Scots, 19 ; offers to surrender Newark to them, 29; Independents pro[>ose to send him prisoner to ^Varwick castle, but Presbyterians defeat their purpose, 30^ account of the treaty between him and the Scots at Newark, 95 — 98 ; refuses to grant the propositions of the parliament, 139, 140; consult'* several of the bishops as to a tem- porary compliance in matters of reli- gion, their advice thereon, 1(J9— 172, 329, 332, 334, 335, 34(5; order of tlie parliament that all persons Ije debarred access to him, while in the Scots' army, 179, 20(), 207 ; letters from the (jueen and prince privately conveyed to him, IHH^ 189 ; seized by the army, 223 ; conduct of the Scotch commissioners thereon, 232 ; {parliament desire his removal to llidnnond, 241 ; to which he assents, 242 — 245 ; steps taken for his re- moval, 254, 257 ; attended by com- missioners from the parliament and a guard from the army, 251), 257; his chaplains allowed access to him, 2(i7, 2C}\) ; the parliament in vain object to this, 271—273, 297; removal to Windsor, 275 ; thence to Caversham, 284 ; resolves to move to Wooburn, 314; escapes from Hampton court, 358, 359 ; his declaration noticed, 377 ; makes overtures to the Scotch parliament, 441 — 443; wishes to have his chaplains at Carisbrooke, ii. 1 ; gives his parole not to leave the Isle of Wight, () ; concessions made by him, in the treaty with the par- liament, 34, 35, 37, 38 ; hopeless- ness of effecting the treaty, unless the parliament make some conces- sions, 48, 49 ; equivocates about the meaning of the parole given by him, 54 — 5(j ; his death lamented by San- croft, 117, 118; EiKup BaaiXiK^ attributed to hhn, 124 ; act of parlia- ment respecting property belonging to him and liis family, 3}{3. Charles II. (when prince of Wales) at Jersey, i. 5 ; the (lueen wishes him to go to Paris, () ; his council object, ibid. n. 35, 3G ; lands at Jersey with six huiulred men, 1 1 ; reasons for his leaving Scilly, 45 ; sails with a Heet into the Thames, 421 , 422; parliament forbid his being proclaimed king, ii. 109; prodaiuKMl at Eton notwith- standing, 110; his plan of going to Ireland, 133, 151 ; marches with his army from Scotland into England, 299, 304; proclaimed king,"39}); despair induced him to march into England, 305; condition of his army, aOfJ— 311; beaten by Cromwell lit Worcester, 353— 3G5; pursuit of liis scattered army, 373, 37(>, 3}!0 ; par- ticulars of his escape from Enghind, 423—452. Charles Lodovic, prince, asks and ob- tiu'ns permission to see his brothers Kupert and ^Maurice, before they leave England, i. 120, 121 ; asks pennission to visit the king, 27<> ; applies to the parliament for pennis- sion to raise troops for the State of Venice, 383, 384 ; asks leave of the parliament to return to his own coun- try, ii. 11.0, 120. Cheshire, disturbances in, on account of the imposition of excise, i. 135 — 137 ; occasioned by the soldiery there, 277 —282. Cholmely, col, his services commended by Cromwell, ii. 40", 47. Church lands, question, wliether Charles might alienate them to secular uses, considered and argued, ii. 75 — 100. Churches, spoliation of, ii. 400, 401. Clanrickard, earl of, liL-utcjiant-gen. in Ireland, i. 33. Clayton, c(»l., Cromwell intercedes for him, ii. 272. Colchester, besieged by Fairfax, ii. 10. Conq)ton, sir \V'., surrenders Banbury castle to col. Whaley, i. 2}{. Conway, besieged by col. IMytton, i. 1//. Cork, city of, surrendered to the par- liament, ii. 1}{5 — 188. Cosins, bishop, his go(!d alfection to Pajji^ts, i. .3.0. Crofts, ^Ir., cai)t. of the guard to queen Henrietta, i. 3}5. Cromwell, ( )liver, takes Berwick and Carlisle, ii. \l) — 22; reduces Wex- ford, 1()}? — 1}?5; his rapid successes in Ireland, 189—203, 210—210; humoroiis description of his nose, 221 , 227 ; marches to Scotland, 228 ; stiite of the armv under him there, 2}»]— 290, 291— 29(;. Cundu'rland, rising of royalists in, i. 413—41.5,420. Dacres, sir Tho., prevented by the army from attending in his place in the house of connnons, ii. 74. Dalkeith, lady, has charge of the princess Henrietta,!. 99 — 101, Deal castle, taken by the parliament's forces, ii. 3 — 5. Derby, earl of, raises troops for Chaiies II., ii. 284, 285, 320, 322—327 ; endeavours to rouse the peoj)le of Lancashire, 333 — 335 ; defeated by Lilburne, 338 — 344 ; taken prisoner, tried, and condemned to death, 388 —390. Digby, lord, i. 22 ; arrives at St. Ger- mains, and reports to (jueen Henrietta the state of the king's affairs, 33 ; en- deavours to persuade prince Charles to go to Ireland, 35, 42. Digby, sir Kcnelm, asks pennission of the [)arliament to return to England, ii. 10\ Directory, use of the, wh(>ther to be allowed by the king, i. 1(19 — 171. Doddridge, Mr., prevented by the army from attending in his place in the house of commons, ii. 74. Dorislaus, Dr., nnirdered at the Hague, II. 131 — 133 Dorsetshire, disturbances in, i. 29.5, 29(1. Dublin, besieged by the marquis of ( M'uiond, ii. 159, 1(10. Dundee, besieged by I^Ionk, ii. 34.5 — 347, 350; taken by storm, 351, 352. Duriiam, bishop of. See T. Man tun. EiKu-u BacriAiK/;, attributed to Charles I., ii. 124 ; price of, 12(). Elizabeth, princess, jov.'cls given by her to th(> countess of Leicester, ii. 3}!1— 38J5. Faver, col., sent by Fairfax to displace col, Hannnond at Carisbrooke, ii. G(). Excise, disturbances in Cheshire in con- sequence of tlie imposition of, i. 135 — 137. Exeter, bishop of. See Ralph. lirou^nring. iMigngement, the, subscribed l)v the English in Holland, ii. 203— 20G ; signed by the army, 21 (J, 217. Eyton, sir Robert, recommended by Mytton, for his services to the parlia- ment before Beaumaris and Caernar- von, i. 140, 141. Faiufax, sir Tho., at Newbury, i. 13 ; in doubt whether to obey the order of the lords, without the concurrence of the commons, 2G, 27 ; Bagland castle surrendered to him, 147; en- gages, with others, to pay for supplies, and urges the parliament to indemnify him, 148; reconnnends rlisabled gun- ners to the favour of parliament, 200, 201 ; desires the parliament to main- 4(>0 INDEX OF MATTEU. INDEX OF MATTER. 4()1 tain a minister in the parish of Otley, his birth-place, '2'25 ; ap[)lies for, and obtains pensions for wounded soldiers, 341, ;U2. Fife, defeat of the royalist forces in, ii. t2};3. ,'f Finch, lord keeper, letter to his wife, i. 431—435. Fountayne, Mr., a prisoner, i. 126. France, news from the Kn, 203—209, 259—263. Hammond, col., appointed governor of the Isle of Wight, i. 349, 350 ; Fair- fax's wishes to remove him, ii. 59 ; he writes to tlie Speaker thereon, 61 ; the parliament object to his re- moval, 63 ; col. Ewer sent to dis- place him, 66 ; is put under restraint, 69. Harrington, Mr., a royalist, letter for- ged by him, ii. 148; account of his practices, 1 55 — 1 57. iirribon, major, (afterwards niajor-gen.) i. 8 ; forces under him, ii. 296 — 298 ; pursues Charles the Second's army, 301—303. Henrietta, princess, under the charge of lady Dalkeith, i. 99, 100. Henrietta Maria, (|ueen, wishes to have prince Charles in France, i. 35 ; re- ceives supplies of money, 44 ; writes to Fairfax and the Speaker for per- mission to see her husband before his execution, ii. lOl, 102. Holder, agent to prince Charles, foments disturbances in the north, ii. 29 — 31. Holdsworth, Dr , master of Emanuel college, imprisoned in the tower, i, 4 ; anxiety of his friends to have him at Cambridge, 16, 54 ; imprisoned a second time, 415 — 417 ; letter to him from Sancroft on that occasion, ihkl. not allowed to go to the king at Ca- risbrooke, ii. 11, 12. HoMsworth, T., letter from Sancroft to liim, ii. 38, 51. IloUand, treaty with France, i. 7; em- bassy to England to mediate between the king and parliament, ii. 104, 105, 108, 109. Hollis, 1)., charged with corresponding witli lord Digby, i. 22; claims com- pensation for his losses in the service of the parliament, 149 — 151. Hooke, 1 1 mnphrey, alderman of Bristol, 11. 222. 1 1 Hudson, Micliael, attends the king in his escape from Oxford, i. 12; ar- rested, 93 ; attempts to explain his conduct in giving up the king to the Scots, 93 — 95 ; charges the Scots with befriending the king, and excul- pates himself, 109—114. Jknkin>, Mr., some account of a ser- mon preached by liini, i. 31, 32. .lermyn, lord, i. 5, 6 ; seeks aid to the king from the Frencii, 34, 42. Jersey, the prince of Wales there, i. 5; number of royalists Hed thither, 7 ; suspected design on Ciuernso}', 11 ; account of the constitution of, ii. 403—414. Inchiquin. lord, general of the ])arlia- raent's forces in Ireland, sends an ac- count of military proceedings there, i. 350 — 354 ; challenges lord Tatte to fight, 360 ; dett-ats him, 360 — 367 ; account of his campaign, 378 — 383. Independents, designs of that party, i. 29, 30 ; their strength in the anny and weakness in parliament, 183, n. Jones, capt., reconnnended by Fairfax for his services to the parliament, i. 367, 368. Ireland, i. 35 ; Charles's hopes of as- sistance from, 36, 37 ; plans for the service in, 318 — 323; the army there, declare their devotion to the parlia- ( ment, 347 — 349; Irish rebels, under lord Tatie, defeated by lord Inchi(iuin, 360 — 367 ; accounts of the king's party there, ii. 53; Charles II. pur- poses going there, 134; state of his party there, 135; progress of the war in Ireland, 152 — 154; Crom- well's rapid successes, 189 — 203, 210 — 216; supplies for the army in, 254 — 256; proceedings of the par- liament's forces in, 273 — 275, 280, 281 ; oppression and extirpation of the inhabitants, 419—422. Ireton, col., afterwards major-gen., pro- posals to him from the king, i. 1, 2; his conduct thereon, 3 ; his death, ii, 391—394. Kent, disturbances in, i. 437 — 439 ; provision for the forces stationed in, ii. 111,112. King, Dr., said to attend the king in his escape from Oxford, i. 12. Lancashire, rising of royalists in, i. 408, 409; ii. 418. Langdale, sir Mannaduke, i. 36. Lauderdale, earl of, letter to his wife, ii. 306—309. Levellers, defeated by Fairfax, ii. 1 36, 137. Lcven, earl of, his proclamation at Dur- ham, i. 53. Limerick, besieged by Ireton, ii. 286, 287. Lindsay, earl of, i. 2, 8 ; ordered to be imprisoned in Windsor castle, 26. Littleton, sir Tho., a prisoner in the tower, i. 14; sends his son pupil to Sancroft, iOid. his letter to Sancroft thereon, 54. Luke, sir Samuel, seized by the soldiery, i. 325, 32(). Lynn Regis, mutiny at, i. 285 ; dis- tressed state of, for want of pay for the soldiers, 288, 289. Maleveker, col., pi-aise of, by Crom- well, ii. 243, 244. Martin, II., described by Mr. Jenkins in a sermon, i. 32. Massey, major-gen., proposals to disband the brigade under his command, i. 90 — 92 ; complaints against that brigade, 101, 102 ; Fairfax recom- mends, and effects their disbanding, 138, 139; heads the royalLst party at the Hague, ii. 204 ; serves in the army of Charles II., 224, 225 ; taken prisoner after the battle of Worcester, 376, 377, 381. Maurice, prince, disbands his forces, i. 12 ; charged witli having broken the articles on the surrender of Oxford, 114, 115; excuses his own conduct, 115—118. Monk, lieutenant-gen., besieges Dundee, ii. 345 — 347, 350 ; takes it by storm, 351, 352; condition of his army,' 365, 366. Montgomery, col., recommended by Cromwell to the favour of the parlia- ment, ii. 32, 33. Montrevil, ambassador from France, i. 20, 56. Montrose, lord, account of his forces, i. 40. Moreton, Thomas, ])ishop of Durham, his opinion on religious toleration, i. 335—337. Morgan, col., recommended by Fairfax for the service in Ireland, ii. .45, 46. Navv, disaffection in the, i. 444 — 446 ; notice of the revolted ships, iUd. pursued by the parliament's fleet under lord Warwick, ii. 14, 15 ; stjite of the parliament's fleet off the coast of Holland, 23—25, 43—45 ; some of the revolted ships reduced, 60 ; ill management of the parlia- ment's navy, 107 ; compkiints of tlie little encouragement to the navy in respect of prizes, 128 — 130 ; fleet under Blake and Deane, 139 — 141; victory over the Fniuh fleet, 228. Newark, town of, Charles offers to sur- render it to the Scots, i. 29. Newcastle, attenijjt to secure it for the king, i. 229, 230. Nicholas, secretary, sent from the king to col. Kaiiisborough, i. 7. Nicoll, Anthony, one of the impeached members, seized by the army, i. 339, 340. Northampton, the committee in that county propose to disband the forces there, i. 77, 78. 462 INDEX OF AIATTER. INDEX OF MATTER. 4G.:i Northumberland, royalists in, i. 4*20. Northumberland, earl of, desires to be relieved of the charge of the duke of Glocester and princess Elizabeth, ii, 127, 13}{, i;ji>. Norwich, tumults at, i. 39f)— 403. OiiMOM), mar(]uis of, surrenders the eiisij^ns of royalty at Didjlin, i. 3l!>, 320, 321 ; besieges Dublin, ii. 1.59, KJO; routed by colonel Jones, IGl, 162. Otley, the birth-place of Fairfax, i. 22.5. Oxford, bishop of. See R. Skinner. Oxford, Charles I. escapes from, i. 12; besieged, 13; .iddress of the univer- sity to the parliament, ii. 49 — .51 ; mutiny among the parliament's forces • there, 165 — 1 07. Parliament, its declaration for the safe custody of the king, i. 3 ; differ- ences with the Scotch, 47 ; vote tliat Ihey have no further use of the Scots' army, .51 ; eleven members of the commons impeached by the army, 247, 25.5 ; treaty between the army and parliament, 2().5; require jnirti- tular charges to be made against th(! impeached members, 274, 275 ; after the execution of Charles 1., prohiliit any person to be proclaimed king, ii. 114. Pendennis castle, anxiety of prince Charles to preserve it, i. 4!'; sur- rendered to colonel Townsend, 144, UG. Petition of the anny, i. in4, 1il, i. 4 ; and a son of sir Tho. Littleton, 14 ; receives the olVer of a chaplaincy abroad, ,92, 93 ; which he declines, 105; Mr. (Jardiner his ])U])il, 151 — 153; letter from Mr. Holder to him, 153, 154; and from Dr. Holdsworth, 192— 1 94,21 G, 273, 359; ii. 13, 58; and from Mr. (lanliner, i. 384 ; and from C. Paman, i, 430 ; and from R. Weller, i. V,\\) ; ii. 100 ; account of himself in a letter to his father, ii. G3 — G5 ; remarks on the intended execution of the king, 103 ; laments that event, 117, 1 18 ; hi8 own father's death, 121, 122; T. Holdsworth condoles with him, 125 ; likelihood of his being deprived of his fellowship, 224, 232— 23G, 252, 2G8, 2G9 ; his Clerum, 251. Savile, lord, a prisoner in the tower, i. 21; his ov/n account of his con- duct, 22 ; petitions for his release, 25. Say, lord, conference with lord Savile. i. 23. Scots, Charles I. gives himself up to them, i. 19 ; offers them the town of Newark, which they refuse, 29 : their claims on the English jiarlia- ' ment, 51 — 53 ; their army opj)resse3 the English in tlie iu)rth, G4 — 71, 78, 79, 82, 83 ; require supplies froui the parliament, 80, 81 ; Poyntz urges their removal from the nortliern ctmnties, 88 — 90 ; account of their practices Avith Charles I. at Newark, f)5 — 98 ; removal of their forces northwards, 180 — 182; complain of their letters being intercepted, 301, 302 ; and of their being denied access to the king, 337—339 ; doubts whether the parliament should attack the Scots, ii. 220. Sherifl', some refuse to execute the office of, after the death of Charles 1., ii. 113—11.5. Skinner, Rob., bishop of Oxford, his opinion on religious toleration, i. 329. Skippon, major-gen., appointed com- mander-in-chief in Ireland, i. 190, 191 ; wishes to decline that service, ihid. 312 — 314; endeavours to heal the differences between the parliament and army, 230 — 232. Southampton, state of the garrison of, i. 294. Southampton, earl of, i. 2 ; proposes to surrender Woodstock to col. Rains- borough, 8 ; attends Charles 1. in his escape from Oxford, 12. Southwell, Charles I. arrives at, from Oxford, i. 19,20. Stamford, earl of, one of the commis- sioners from the parliament to Scot- land, desires to be recalled, i. 199, 200. Stirling castle, surrendered to the par- liament, ii. 327 — 332. Strode, sir G., wishes to go beyond seas, i. 21. Summer Islands, state of religious par- tics there, i. 209—214. Thomas, prince, commander of the French troops, i. 7, 43. Thomond, earl of, Cromwell intercedes for him, ii. 150. Toleration, religioiis, opinion of the bi- shops of London and Salisbury, con- cerning, i. 1G9 — 172; of the bishop of Oxford, 329 ; of the archbishop of Armagh, 334 ; of the bishop of Dur- ham 335 ; of the bishop of Roches- ter, 34 G. Trim, in Ireland, relieved by col. Jones, i. 320 ; victory obtained by col. Jones there, 330, 331. Tuckney, Mr., vice-chancellor of Cam- bridge, his esteem for Sancroft, ii. 58. Venn, Mr., sent as pupil to Sancroft, i. 4; his character, ibid. Vines, Mr., master of Pembroke hall. Cinnbridge, some account of sermons preached by him, i. Hk Usher, James, archbishop of Armagh, his opinion on religious toleration, i. 334, 335. Wales, South, disturbances in, i. 393, 394. Wallingford, besieged, i. 27 ; surren- dered to the parliament, 133 — 135; condition of, ii. 33. Warner, John, bishop of Ivochcstcr, his Opinion on religious toleration, i. 34G. Weale, Job, his attempt to get col. Hammond away from the Isle of Wight, i. 425— 428. Wentwortli, sir Peter, excuses his al)- sence from parliament, ii. 122, 123. Westmori'land, rising of royalists in, i. 413,415. Wexford, reduced by Cromwell, ii. WW ; propositions for the surrender of. If. 1—18.5. Widdrington, Mr., letter from Sancroft to him, ii. 40. Willoughby, lord, governor of Bar- badoes, his condition there, ii. 312 — 319. Windsor castle, provision for its secu- rity, i. 315. Winter, sir John, secretary to queen Henrietta, i. 38. Woodstock, manor of, surrendered to the parliament, i. 8, 9. 4(Jl- INDEX OF MATTER. Worcester, Uainsborough appointed go- vernor of, i. 137, 138; skirmishea between the forces of Cronnvell and Charles II. in the noighbourliood of, ii. 326, 34H; battle of, 353—365, 378, 379. York, city of, state of it3 fortifications. i. 7i), 80, IU8, 109 ; plot to surprise it for the king, 175, 17(». York, duke of, escapes to Holland, i. 391, 39*2; account of his religion, ii. V)-)Q OQ9 mm md kJ ad t J M • Zealand, States of, ii. 207. VINCENT. 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