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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow Lettre intercepted going to Sir M. L [ angdale ] from the Lo: Capell. - The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 2

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

Lettre intercepted going to Sir M. L [ angdale ] from the Lo: Capell. - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 2 [1894]

Edition used:

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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Lettre intercepted going to Sir M. L[angdale] from the Lo: Capell.

Sir,

Wee are advertised from soe many severall parts of your being att Lincolne, that wee cannot refuse the beleefe of it, and in consideration that itt may advance his maiestyes service, I thought itt fitt to advertise you some what [of] our condition att Colchester. Fairfax hath beene for this month engaged heere att Colchester; I presume with the considerablest force that party can make, which I beleave exceeds not 3500 foote and 1200 horse. Hee had soe ill successe in his first adventure to storme us, and [in] the last, hee hath had 5, [and] of our ffoote by divers sallies hee relishes soe ill, that his endeavour is to surround us with a line and works att some distance, in which hee haith proceded not unsouldyerly. It is to bee doubted wee may soone want fodder for our horse. Neither the Enimy nor wee are idle, yet wee heere coñceive that our tying and obliging Fairfax to us is the best way of proceding for his Majesties service; for the rest of the Kingdome have the more scope to act their parts by it, and a disaster here would lett him loose, which is the reason wee hazard not more then needs must stande with our duty and honour, considering the advantage the enimy hath of us in numbers. If this findes you according to our expectation neere Cambridge, I conceive that if you march to Walden on the border of Essex, and Fairfax his army will not neerer attend your comming, and you are att your election to march directly to us, or to goe to London, [that you should act] as shall bee most requisite for the Kinge’s service; though wee should bee glad to have that advantage by your comming to us to bee releived, and more liberty to encrease our numbers; and itt is to bee doubted when wee are driven to strayt[en] the provisions our men will nott bee kept well satisfied. By this much I doubt not but you will judge of our condition. Sir, I rest your most humble servant,

Arthur Capel.