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

Secretary Thurloe to General Monck - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3 [1899]

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 (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1899). 4 vols.

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

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Secretary Thurloe to General Monck

February 12, 165⅞.—f. 20.

Honourable Sir,

His Highnesse hath bin imployed this weeke in the setling of some of his Regiments heere, and particularly of his owne Regiment commanded by Major Packer, who having had some discourse with his Highnesse the last weeke expressed much dissatisfaction as to the present affaires, and said all his Captaines were of the same minde, and that they had rather gone before him theirin then that he had led them into it; wherupon his Highness sent for the Major and five Captaines, and discoursed with them at large, who all decalred their dislike of the present Government, and made severall obiections to it, and semed to speake of the goodness of a Comonwealth. His Highnesse tooke much paines with them to satisfie their scruples, and gave them tyme to thinke upon what he had said to them; and after three or four dayes consideration, he sent for them againe, and spake with them in the presence of above twenty officers, and wished them to propound the grounds and reasons of their dissatisfaction in the presence of their fellow officers, but Major Packer said that they had already propounded them, and had considered of what his Highness had said to them, but that their dissatisfactions did still remaine with them; which is all the answer they would give at that tyme, and at two other tymes after wherin his Highness laboured to satisfie them, save that they all said that they were willing still to continue in the army, and follow his Highness upon the grounds of the old cause, but would not expresse what they meant by the old cause. After four or five tymes discourse in this manner, his Highness being utterly unsatisfied with their answers, dismist them all from their commands, vizt. Major Packer, Captain Gladman, Captain Malyn, Captain Barrington, Captain Spinage, and Captain Leut. Hunter; these are all Anabaptists.

J. Thurloe.

February 13, 165⅞.—

Commissarie Generall Whalley hath bin for some time made Lt-Generall of the Horse.1 Sir Gilbert Pickering hath his staff and key delivered to him to be Lord Chamberlaine. . . . Its expected that all the chiefe officers should declare them selves, and in pursuance thereof Col. Cobbett, Col. Mitchell, and Col. Talbot have declared to continue their faithfull service to his Highness, being satisfyed with what hath beene done.2 . . . Here’s a general report of calling another Parliament in six months, but no order is yet passed for the purpose. A month’s pay is now issuing for the army, and 6 weekes more within this forthnight. His Highnesse great care of the army doth much indulge both officers and soldiers.

G. M.

February 18, 165⅞.—

f. 25.The tenn phesitians present at the opening the corps of Mr. Rich unanimously agree that he died of the disease commonly called the King’s evill, his lungs being all knotted therewith; his body is removed to Warwick House, his grandfather the Earle of Warwick taking order for the solemnity of his funerall. One of his Highness neeces dyed also the same night, viz. Mrs. Levina Whetstone, Major Beakes lady.3 Wee heare of noe new officers yet settled in the roome of those who are displaced.

W. R.

February 23, 165⅞.—

f. 30b.His Highnesse hath att sea of all sorts of shippes in service about 146. The Kinge of France intends to march with an army of 50,000 to the election of the Emperour. His Highness consults dayly about raising of money, but I cannot heare of a word mooved for another Parliament, and when a Parliament shall be called, I conceive their will not be any representative of Ireland or Scotland. All things both in cittie and country are quiet, and I hope the Lord will finde a way to his Highness for raysing of money without giving offence to those that love not to live in troubled waters. A Gentleman who had served in forraigne warrs, presented his service to his Highnesse to serve him in Flaunders, and of his owne accord told his Highness, that for killing a man in a quarrell three yeares agoe he fled out of England, for which he is sent to prison to be tryed, and now cryes out of his folly for betraying himselfe.

H. W.

March 2, 165⅞.—

f. 40.The Lord Rich his corps (since there removall from Whitehall) are set up in great state at Warwick House. His Highness mourned three daies in purple (as is used by persons of his quality). The rest of the family is in close mourning for his Lordship. The Members of the late House of Lords are put in Commissions of the Peace under the title of Barrons, and this done by the consultacion and advice of the Judges. Colonel Beaumont hath a patent under Seal for making him a Barron. The Members of the next Parliament are to be called according to the antient lawes of the nation and the Peticion and Advice, in that the Instrument of government is laid aside; its said that the writts for their call will be issued the next week, but no order is yet past the Councell for that purpose, though much debate hath been had thereupon.1 . . .

G. M.

Westminster, March 20, 165⅞.—

f. 57.. . . Since the Lord Maior and Common Councill’s addresse and declaracion to his Highnesse (to oppose all his enemies and the nations, and faithfully to obey his governement in the preservation of religion, the lawes, liberties, and peace of the people1 ), they have proceeded in the forming of their Militia, adding another regiment thereunto. Itt is intrusted in the former commissioners hands onely some few added therunto.2 The Hamletts of the Tower are doing the like with their regiments, and each regiment of the armie heere are recruiting to 1200 each, butt the supernumeraries conceiv’d for the service of Sweden. A considerable fleete is likewise preparing, and will bee out suddenly, soe that wee shall bee in a good condition of defence. . . .

G. M.

March 25, 1658.—

f. 64.Wednesday all the generall and feild officers about the head quarters met together in Whitehall, where amongst others there were present the Lord Fleetwood, Lord Disbrow, Lieutenant Generall Whalley, Major Generall Goffe, Collonel Cowper, Colonel Bridge, Colonel Kelsey, Colonel Cobbet, Colonel Sadler, and many others. My Lord Fleetwood made a short speech to us, shewing how necessary a thing it was for the army to unite themselves, and much to the purpose of the inclosed addresse, and then produced the originall of which the inclosed is a copy, and haveing read it twice left it to every one to speake his thoughts to it, and as many as pleased to signe it. There was not a man made the least objection against it, but all as one man signed it. Colonel Sadler for the officers in Ireland declared that he knew they would be most willing to signe it, and Collonel Cobbett for Scotland declared what some regiments had already done, and that the rest would doe the like. All haveing signed, Major Swallow and myselfe were appointed to attend in the same place this day, to receive the subscriptions of al such officers as should come, and be willing to signe the same. Wee were no sooner dismissed but within one hower orders went forth for all the Collonells to attend his Highnesse this morneing, who accordingly did, besides many other inferiour officers. What the issue of that was, I shall this night I hope be informed, and give your Lordship an accompt thereof. This day forenoon Major Swallow and I gave our attendance, and there repaired to us so many officers who cheerefully signed the same as made up the number of officers who signed the same (together with those who signed yesterday) 224. I am by the officers informed that scarce an officer neare the head quarters were absent. Tomorrow in the forenoon the Captains and all other officers, none under the degree of Captain, are again to meet, and the addresse is to be delivered to his Highnesse, and all the officers to attend it. There has bin a generall search in all parts about this towne, which began at 12 howers in the night, as well in private as in other houses, for all such persons as staid in towne contrary to his Highnesse’ proclamation, many were taken prisoners, but I heare not of any considerable person. Our forces at Mardike are in a good condicion, and about 4000 in number; its beleived his Highnesse intends this Spring to send about 3000 more. Sir William Waller [and] Colonel Russell, brother to the Earle of Bedford, are sent to the Tower, and just now I heare that the Earle of Cleaveland also is sent thither. I have such grounds that I beleive a Parliament is approaching.

H. W.1

March 27, 1658.—

f. 69.Munday last Sir William Waller [and] Majour Harlow (late Majour to Majour Generall Massie) were sent for to attend his Highnes, the former is discharged, the latter comitted to the Tower upon suspition of treason. The now Lord Maior and Alderman Ireton that day received the honour of Knighthood. Wedensday night the cittie and suburbs and 4 miles round were searcht for the Royall party; such as were found stand yet comitted, and none are discharged without order of the Councell. Thursday last pattents were granted for making the Attorney Generall and Soliciter Generall Barronetts. A declaration to be signed by all the officers of the army in England (to stand by and opose all the enimies of his Highnesse in the preservation of religion, rights and liberties, and peace of the nations) is agreed upon, and signed by most of the officers here present. The regiment of the Lord Richard Cromwell being to march are to be provided with back, brest, and pott, out of the stores. Two companies raised by Majour Jenkins and Captaine Harrison, for the defence of the garrison of Hartlepoole, are ordered to be putt into the Establishment.

Monday at 9 of the clocke the Councell are summond to attend about a businesse of high concernment which is not yet knowne to any.

G. M.

April 3, 1658.—

f. 75.The Privie Councill of his Highnesse, and another Councell of the army have been this weeke in debate of great business of calling a Parliament (which it’s thought will sitt in May next), and likewise of a more future and more absolute settlement, then the Petition and Advice doth hold forth.2 His Highness, upon the receiving some late intelligence from Ostend, hath spent much tyme in a private debate with the Majour Generalls to the further security of the nations. 20s per diem is added to the pay of Lieutenant Generall Whalley, and as much to the pay of Majour Generall Goffe. Mr. Can and Cornet Day, continueing to preach scandalously against his Highness, are comitted to the Counter.1 Mr. Feake stands comitted to the Tower for the like offence. Munday next the Councell of officers meets againe upon the great business; it’s thought it will be perfected the next weeke. 200li a peece is order’d to the 3 daughters of late Colonel White, and provision made for the wives and children of all those officers cast away with him.

G. M.

April 6, 1658.—

The first instant about 10 att night Major Generall Morgan drew out 400 souldiers, and 50 horse, and 2 brasse guns, and marcht towards Gravelin, where they joined with 400 of Bourburgh forces, and fell uppon two forts of the enemies; all the souldiers yeelding themselves prisoners hee blew uppe the forts with powder: itt was considerable by reason that these fortifications were raised to secure the sluices, which are now most of them demolished.

W. C.

April 10, 1658.—

f. 79.This weeke itt was expected that the Councill of officers would have mett to consider of the great businesse, butt did nott. Itt’s conceived that the late information of the enemies intentions to make an attempt to land forces here (whereupon the active persons of the Royall party are in most parts secured) hath been the maine obstruccion, and the rather for that his Highnesse hath spent much time in private debate with the Major Generalls concerning the safety of the people against such intended invasions. In pursuance whereof his Highnesse hath published a proclamacion against horse races for 8 moneths from the 9th instant. The enemie nere Gravelin intended by a sluice to drowne the partes about Bourburgh, but Generall Morgan drew out 1200 men, and tooke the 2 workes upon quarter for defence thereof. The Councell have ordered the arreares of Lieutenant Generall Brayne to be paid to his father. 200li for the repaires of Carlisle. The Lord Howard’s regiment to be made up 1000. The officers of Colonel Gibbon’s foote regiment to receive equall pay with those of the standing army.

. . . . . . .

April 20, 1658.—

f. 82.I suppose you have had a better account of the late plott, whereupon so many prisoners have been and are still secured, than I can give you, but I shall informe as I understand. Charles Stuart intending to land forces in England, plotted with his old and new sprung up Cavaliers, such as young Gentlemen lately come to their lands and estates, to procure what guarrisons they could to be betrayed into his handes at a fit opportunity. Hull and Portsmouth were tampered withall. Sir Henry Slingesby tampered for Hull to be betrayed, promising large summes of money; who for Portsmouth I cannot learne; when C[harles] Stuart should land his forces London was to be put into an uproare, and then in all parts in England the Cavaliers were to rise. In order to this severall commissions were sent by Charles Stuart to severall persons, and they intrusted with many blanck commissions, some of which commissions his Highnesse hath. One Dr. Hewet, Minister of Gregories by Paules, (at whose house as is said the Lord Ormond, when he was lately in London, did obscure himselfe), was a principall agent, and is in safe custody. Young Stapley, sonne to Colonel Stapley of [Sussex], had severall comissions, which his Highnesse hath. The High Court of Justice is speedily to sit, who doubtlesse will make example of some of these. The Lord of Warwick is lately dead, and so also Sir Thomas Vyner Alderman of London, a very honest Gentleman, and good freind to his Highnesse and government. The talke of a Parliament is not so much as formerly, but I am apt to beleive it is by reason of these new discovered plots. In all these thinges the Lord appeares mightily for us and to owne his Highnesse.

H. W.

[1 ]It had been reported that Disbrowe was to have this post: Thurloe, vi. 790.

[2 ]See Thurloe, vi. 806.

[3 ]Richard Beke of Haddenham, Bucks, married February 7, 1655, Levina Whetstone (or Whitstone) daughter of Roger Whetstone, of Whittlesea in the Isle of Ely, by Catherine daughter of Robert Cromwell. Vide Some particulars relative to Col. Richard Beke, by C. T. Beke, 1852.

[1 ]Compare the newsletter of May 29. This shows that the plan adopted in calling the Parliament of January 1659 had been long under discussion. The calling of a new Parliament was proposed almost at once after the dissolution of February 1658. See Thurloe, vi. 820, 840. A letter of advice as to the calling of a new Parliament, addressed to the Protector by some unknown person about this time, is amongst Thurloe’s papers, Rawlinson MS., A. lix. 77:

‘It is conceived to be the opinion of most of the good people of the nation of all judgments, as to the Legislative power. That there being soe much worke for it to doe as there is, and the body of a Parlaiment (after the old way) moveth soe slowlie (though unanimous), that now when it wilbe much divided (which canot but be expected upon a promiscuous election) it wilbe impossible to be done by it.

‘They seeme therfore much to desire a lesser body, or Councell somewhat lyke to it, of moderate and peaceable men as neere of one mynd as may be.

‘But if it be by Parlaiment in the former way. It is conceived to be much to advantage to call it out of course, and speedilie. And not to stay till the 3d yere. 1. For then if not liked it may be disolved at the end of 3 moneths. 2. It is conceived soe, it may be called to speciall purposes, and that then they are not to medle with any thinge els. 3. The elections now by the care of the Sheriffes and helpe of the Maiors generall wilbe looked to. 4. If any get in unfit, the councell may put him out by the words of the Government.

‘[Endorsed.]—Some considerations about a Parliament deliverd to the Lord Prot.’

[1 ]See Mercurius Politicus, March 11-18, for Cromwell’s speech to the City (on March 12); it is reprinted in Cromwelliana, p. 171. See also Thurloe, vii. 3.

[2 ]Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1657-58, p. 330.

[1 ]This letter was probably written by Henry Whalley. In Mercurius Politicus, under March 27, there is an address from the officers of the army to Cromwell. Whalley is the only one of the signatories whose initials are H. W.

[2 ]See Thurloe, vii. 38, 99, 153.

[1 ]See A Narrative wherein is faithfully set forth the sufferings of John Canne Wentworth Day, etc., London, 1658. They were arrested April 1, 1658. Day had once been a cornet in Harrison’s regiment of horse.