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

General Monck to Mr. Rolle - 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 Mr. Rolle

Sir,

lii. f. 62b.Finding my selfe in some measure obliged in respect to my relations and friends to take cognizance of a paper subscribed by them at Exon the 18th instant, and addressed to the Speaker by Mr. Bamfeild, to signifie to them my apprehensions thereof I have made bould to trouble you with the inclosed; the copie whereof I here alsoe send you,2 earnestly beseeching yow to consider it seriously, and the evill consequences that may flow therefrom, in case there bee any persistance, and to use your utmost endeavoures and interest to beget a right understanding and compliance in them touching the proceedings of this Parliament, from whome, through the Lords blessing, wee are in hopefull expectation of a speedy and good setlement in a Commonwealth, not uppon any phanaticall parties or principalls, but uppon the true basis of interest and righteousnesse; and therefore, though in that paper I seeme to provide for all, even the giddy interests alsoe, yet I would not bee therein mistaken as intending to bring them againe into martiall and civill trust and power, but to secure them onelie in theire just rights as men and christians, free from tyranny and oppression. Wherefore, Sir, I intreate yow to procure a meeting of the Gentry of your County that subscribed that paper, and to present to them the inclosed with my hearty and most affectionate service, and to procure from them some declaration of theire acquiescence in this Parliament’s proceedings, whereby theire hands may bee strengthened, the Common Enimy disappointed, and these Nations now at length bee setled upon such a foundation of Government as may comprehend and protect all interests, and preserve it selfe in peace against the designes of the worst of men; and such a Government wee are in expectation of from this Parliament at this time, if our sinns and passions provoke not the Lord to disappoint us. Soe, praying the Lord to crowne our hopes with his mercyes, and to blesse yow in your proceedings heerein, with the tender of my affectionate respects to your selfe,

I remaine,
Yours,

[George Monck].

Harborrow, 23 Jan., 1659.

Sir,—

I have written to my Cozen Morris alsoe to bee assisting to you in this businesse.

[2 ]Monck’s answer to the Devonshire declaration, which is dated Leicester, January 21, is printed in the Old Parliamentary History (xxii. 68), and is No. xviii. in Toland’s collection of his letters. For criticisms on Monck’s answer see Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1659-60, pp. 330, 345; Ludlow, Memoirs, ii. 208. The Devonshire declaration is reprinted in Kennet’s Register, p. 20. Its publication and presentation by Sir Copleston Bampfield led to Bampfield’s arrest, but other counties promptly followed the example of Devon (Clarendon State Papers, iii. 674, 679, 682; Commons’ Journals, vii. 836, 847); cf. the Berkshire declaration, Mercurius Politicus, Jan. 26-Feb. 2, and those of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Bucks in the same number. All demanded the readmission of the secluded members.