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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

[ Col. Barkstead to Lord Fairfax. ] - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 2 [1894]

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The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, Secretary to the Council of the Army, 1647-1649, and to General Monck and the Commanders of the Army in Scotland, 1651-1660, ed. C.H. Firth (Camden Society, 1894). 4 vols.

Part of: The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, 4 vols.

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[Col. Barkstead to Lord Fairfax.]

May itt please your Excellency,

This day was a petition presented to the Commons from the County of Surreya by neere 3000 Horse and Foote. They came to the House about 12 of the clock, and after they had staid about 3 houres they began to expresse much discontent that they had nott an answer, some of them saying, that they would have an answer, others that they would have such an answer as should please them. Att last they cried out with a loude acclamation, “For God, and Kinge Charles,” and soe crowding towards the doore disarm’d and knock’t downe some of the sentinells, indeavouring to have surprized the whole [guard], saying, “wee will pull them out by the eares.” Butt I having a very watchfull eye over them, and being very unwilling to give them any just occasion, yett seeing their outrage went thus farre, I sent downe a partie of about 500, which came in very seasonably, for as they came, the petitioners had began to force the guard, att which began a present engagement with them, in which two of our men were kill’d, and 4 or 5 of the Enemy. The businesse was soone over. My Lord, I am informed by some that is amongst them this night that they resolve to fall on those of Col. Harrison’s regiment which quarter with them, by way of revenge. No more butt that I am and ever shall bee,

Your Excellencies most humble and faithfull servant,

Jo: Barkestead.

[a ]On the Surrey petition see Rushworth, vii., 1116, and Walker, History of Independency, part i., Epistle. Mr. Gardiner enumerates the pamphlets written on the side of the petitioners and the side of the soldiers, and concludes in favour of the account given by the soldiers. Great Civil War, iii., 376.