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

The Officers in Ireland 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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The Officers in Ireland to the Speaker

Right Honourable,

lii. f. 64.In a former of the seaventh instant was intimated Generall Monck’s desire in his letter of the 28th past, for sending him six hundered horse from hence (horse being his cheifest want and the enimies strength). In pursuance whereof (and notwithstanding the obstruction given at present to the Parliaments affaires heere by Lievtennant Generall Ludlowe, for restraineing whome therein a considerable party must bee necessarily attending), yet were those horse accordingly prepared, and that in fowre dayes, soe as they were on theire march towards Scotland under the conduct of Colonell Theophilus Jones (a person of whose good affeccion to the Parliament’s service wee have cause to bee well assured of, the same haveing been alsoe [shown] in his eminent actings for yow in the late revolutions heere). But haveing on the tenth instant received other letters from Generall Monck (whereof the inclosed is a copie, it beeing for publicque satisfaction conceived fitt to bee published), and therein findeing that there would bee noe neede of sending any horse to him, considereing the prosperouse successe of your affaires since his former [letter], wherein wee have cause to owne and blesse Him who hath soe eminently owned and blessed yow, there is a stopp now given to that parties further march that way; and wee doe heerein give yow assurance of our readines to advance the Parliament’s service elsewhere, or otherwise, with that or greater force as there shalbee occasion, and as wee shall receive the Parliament’s commands concerneing itt.

As for Lievtenant Generall Ludlowe, observeing his actings against the Parliament by a power derived from that the Parliament, and that wee have just cause to beleeve his wayes to bee leadeing to other ends then for the Parliament, for undeceiveing those invited by him to a conjunction with him and others who have declared themselves enimies to the Parliament, with whome hee associates, and by whome and for whome (wee have cause to say itt) hee acts principally, wee have therefore written and published the inclosed letter sent to him from hence on the occasion therein mentioned.1 And for preventing groweing evills, and that his, the said Lievt. Generall Ludlowe’s, proceedings bee not further dangerouse to the Parliament’s interest, to the undoeing of what is already done in the defence thereof, it is againe humbly desired that the saide Lievt. Generall Ludlowe bee speedily recalled, and required to answer the charge already sent against him;2 and as wee have formerly done, soe wee doe and ever shall professe our ready submission to whatsoever the Parliament shall declare concerneing him and us, onely wee humbly offer, whether it may bee for your interests in like occasions for the future, that a person soe obnoxiouse, and on just grounds soe distastefull to this army, and by your servants heere for your cause soe incensed and provoked against themselves, should bee returned (should itt bee indeavoured) to the goverment of this army.3

Wee have onely to add the necessity at present of some frigotts on these coasts, the Oxford frigott being ingaged with Lievtennant Generall Ludlowe, and obstructing your service heere. All which wee thought it our dutyes to signifie unto yow, and remain

Your very faithfull and most humble servants,

RICH. STEPHENS.DAN. LYSLE.
HAR. WALLER.ELIAH. GREENE.
1? Sol. Cambie. See Ludlow’s Memoirs, ii. 455.
RICH. LEHUNT.CHAS. COOTE.
THO. CAULFEILD.CHIDLEY COOTE.
JA. CAMBE.1MA. FENTON.
BROGHILL.EDM. TEMPLE.

Dublin,
11th January, 1659.

Postcript:

This letter is sent by Colonel Temple, a gentleman who hath eminently and faithfully served yow heere, and bin very instrumentall in reduceing this army to the Parliament’s obedience, as alsoe very forward in the intended service for Scotland.

[1 ]Ludlow’s Memoirs, ed. 1894, ii. 451.

[2 ]Ib. ii. 464-471.

[3 ]Monck’s opinion of Ludlow was in agreement with that expressed by the officers. See his letter to the Speaker from Ferrybridge on January 16 (ib. ii. 471).