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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]

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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 (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

6 January, 1659.

Right Honorable,

xxxii. f. 219b.I received both yours of the 27th of December, and doe blesse the Lord that hee hath restored you to your just and lawfull authority, and these Nations to their rights and freedomes; and I knowe that all the officers and souldiers heere doe looke upon itt as a rich mercy, and doubt nott but yow will improve itt to the glory of God and the good and happines of these three Nations. Before your expresse came to my hands I was advanced into the heart of Northumberland, in pursuance of my duty and trust, to reduce such as would nott obey your comands. And in this I was the more earnest because of intelligence which was certaine that Lambert was marching backe to London to oppose your sitting in freedome and honour, and [I] shall assure Newcastle for your service,1 and prosecute the Lord Lambert till his party hath laine downe armes. This I have judged necessary because I was assured from them this day that five hundred of Lambert’s foote were retorning to garrison itt. Some horse that were raised, and raising in these parts I have suspended till I shall receive your orders therin. I desire to lett yow knowe that in the exigence of your affaires I wrote to the Lord Fairfax to secure Yorke to your service, and hee was very forward to runne any hazards for the freedome of his Country and the priviledges of Parliament, and am informed that severall honest Gentlemen have joined with him who are zealous to venture all that is deare to them for your service, as Captain Lilburne, Major Smythson, Capt. Strangwayes, Coll. Bethell, with many other true Patriotts, and you neede not doubt but they will receive and obey such orders as yow shall direct to them.2 I shall not trouble yow in representing our necessityes by reason of the stopping our supplyes of money out of England, and therfore humbly desire you to furnish us with a monthes pay speedily, if you can spare us noe more, for the prevention of free quarter, which will bee a disparagement to the Parliament’s army, we having nott declined our duty, but cheerfully putt our lives and estates in hazard for the asserting of your cause and interest. I knowe your wisedome is such that yow will nott discourage such an army as have borne witnes to the justice of your proceedings, and are ready to dye in your cause and disband att your command. I have noe farther but to desire the Lord to helpe you in this your worke, that yow may througly heale the wounds of these distracted Nations, and incourage all that are sober and faithfull in the land. Soe I remaine

Your faithfull and humble servant,

G. M.

Wooller, 2 January, 1659.1

[1 ]Monck entered Newcastle on January 5 (Kennet, p. 18), and wrote from thence a letter to the Speaker, dated January 6, and sent by Gumble, which was read in the House on January 12 (Commons’ Journals, vii. 808; cf. Gumble, 204, 207, pp. 209-220). There is no copy of the letter amongst the Clarke MSS., and it does not appear to have been printed anywhere. But he also sent by Gumble a reply to the letter sent from the Lord Mayor on December 29, which is in print (Old Parliamentary History, xxii. 50; Toland, No. xvii.).

[2 ]On the doings of Fairfax and his occupation of York, see Kennet’s Register, pp. 6, 13; Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1659-60, p. 295; Mercurius Politicus, Jan. 5-12, p. 1011; letter of Fairfax, Cholmley, and Arthington, January 1.

[1 ]There is perhaps a mistake in the date of the above letter. In Commons’ Journals, vii. 805, a letter from General Monck at Wooller is mentioned as read in the House on January 9, and said to be dated January 3.