Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow [ The Earl of Warwick to the Derby House Committee. ] - The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 2

Return to Title Page for The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 2

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

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

[ The Earl of Warwick to the Derby House Committee. ] - 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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


[The Earl of Warwick to the Derby House Committee.]

My Lord and Gentlemen,

On Sabbath day last in the evening the fleete weighed from the Downes, and yesterday morning wee came to anchor off Goree, where calling a Councill of Warre, and finding the winde faire and the weather calme, wee resolved to goe into the harbour, and about 3 in the afternoone anchored off Gor[ee] towne. The revolted shippes about 13 in number being att anchor within 2 leagues of us off Helvoyett sluice, shortly after our coming to anchor wee resolved on a summons, to the revolters, requiring amonge other thinges the taking downe of their standard, and contayning an offer of indempnity uppon the rendring of their shippes,a which I sent to the Admirall by a servant of my owne, who found aboard her Capt. Batten, Sir Henry Palmer, Capt. Jordan, Mr. Hamond, Capt. Bargrave, Capt. Fogge, and some others; to whome reading my message they declar’d, they bore the Standard by command, and in right of the Prince his Highnesse; without command from whence, or from his Majesty, they would nott take itt downe; butt gave noe reply to that of indempnity. My servant desiring their answer in writing they determined of Mr. Hamond to draw itt, who intimating unto them, that itt would bee fitt first to have some conference together, they did after a little retirement resolve of this answer: that the matter concern’d the Prince, that without communicating the paper to his Highnesse they could give noe positive answer, that they would send itt him early this morning (supposing itt would meete him uppon the way). They expected him to day aboard, and that this day I expect an answer with which my servant returnes. As yett I have nott heard further from the fleete, which when I doe I shall give your Lordshippes a further account of my message, and of the answer I shall theruppon receive. Last night and this day the weather hath bin very stormy, soe that our shippes could hardly correspond one with another, nor can wee as yett have any certaine intelligence of the revolters condition; what opportunities may bee taken for the publique service shall be faithfully improved, which is all I shall now trouble you with.

Your Lordshippes &c.

Warwick.

[a ]For a copy of Warwick’s summons to the revolted ships and their answer see Old Parliamentary History, xvii., 496.