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

General Monck to the Speaker - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 4 [1901]

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., 1901). 4 vols.

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

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General Monck to the Speaker

Right Honourable,

li. f. 71.I thought itt my duty to lett your Honour know of my receipt of yours of the 10th instant, and to acknowledge my thankes to the Parliament for that greate esteeme they are pleased to putt upon and trust they repose in mee, which I looke uppon as the greatest reward for my poore services, soe the best incurragement, and I assure you that I shall not think my life too deere to hazard for theire service. I hope I was not misunderstood in my desire, as if I should endeavoure to protect persons that were either scandalouse or disaffected, the discipline of the army haveing been soe seeverely exercised in this country since my resideing heere, and my conscience is a witnes to and of my integrity (whatsoever men may judge) that I am none of those that seeke great things, haveing had my education in a Comonwealth where souldiours received and observed comands, but gave none.2 Obedience is my greate principle, and I have alwaise, and ever shall, reverence the Parliament’s resolutions in civill things as infallible and sacred; but knowing you proceed by information I tooke my selfe concerned to represent what was most for your service, as being best acquainted with men’s courrage and affeccions, which I did, and doe beleeve may bee as credible as from private hands, who may act their owne passions under pretence of publicque safety; and I beseech you to beleeve in whatsoever station God shall place mee, all my endeavours shall center in the Comonwealth’s peace, which I have been alwaies tender off, and that I have noe greater ambition under heaven then to see England truly free, religion gloriouse, and all complaints in our streets silenced. God bless and direct your councills to these ends. I have noe further, but to intreate your assistance to those desires you formerly received from

Your Lordshippe’s most humble and faithfull servant,

George Monck.1

[2 ]Holland.

[1 ]This letter is also amongst the Tanner MSS. (li. 88).