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Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

APPENDICES - 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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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

Certificates extracted from General Monck’s Order-Book, Clarke MS. Vol. XLIX.

[During his command in Scotland, and still more frequently after the restoration of Charles II., Monck was asked to certify the loyalty of particular persons who, for political reasons, needed such testimonials. The following are a few specimens selected from the many such entries which his order-books contain.]

March 11, 165.—

Certificate, that the bearer, Mr. Robert Pittilloch, Advocate, hath for severall yeares past expressed much affection to the interest of the English in Scotland, and was in the beginning of November 1654 appointed Sollicitor for his Highnesse the Lord Protector and the Commonwealth: In which office hee continued till the 11th of February 1656, att which time hee was appointed by his Highnesse’ Councill in Scotland to serve as Advocate to the State, in which hee served till June 1659. And during the said imployments (as well as before) hee behaved himself faithfully, honestlie, and diligentlie, and exercised the same with much ability and advantage to his Highnesse’ interest.

October 20, 1660.—

Certificate, that wheras there is a rumour that Captain [Walter] Dundasse, who was Governor of Edinburgh Castle in the yeare 1650, did deliver uppe the said Castle to the English forces then before itt for a certaine summe of monie. To certifie that the said report is untrue, and that there was noe monie given to the said Captain Dundasse uppon the delivery of the said Castle, which his Excellency can the rather testifie, being then one of the commissioners who treated for the rendition of the Castle, and when they had concluded of the termes, Oliver Cromwell, then Generall, was nott satisfied with them, butt would have had the officers that came from Captain Dundasse to have returned; yett uppon further consideration agreed to the said articles.

Dec. 7, 1660.—

These are to certifie all whom these may concerne that the occasion of Archibald, Lord Marquesse of Argyll, his being present att the Crosse at Edinburgh, for the proclayming of Richard Cromwell in the yeare 1657 (sic) was uppon a desire of the Councill of Scotland that all noblemen of that kingdome then in Edinburgh should appeare there.

Jan. 3, 166.—

Certificate that Dougall McFerson of Powry was nott imployed by his Grace as a guide in the Highlands in the yeare 1654, butt came to his Lordshippe at Sterling, and from thence went to Aberfoyle about some affaires of Badgenoth, which was after the Engagement at Lough Gary.

May 2, 1661.—

Certificate that William Lenthall, Esq., formerly Speaker to the House of Commons, was instrumentall to his Grace when hee was in Scotland, sent severall officers to him (which hee stood in neede of) to Berwick, assisted in the bringing in the secluded Members, and was very active for the restoring of his Majesty, and performed many other services which tended much to the good of the Kinge and Kingdome, which could nott have bin soe well effected without his helpe.

May 28, 1661.—

Certificate that in October 1659 there being divers souldiers of Capt. Ashby’s troope in Col. Twisleton’s regiment, afterwards Sir John Cloberies, who refused to joyne with his Grace, his Lordshippe gave order to Captain John Hill, uppon his taking the command of the said troope, to dispose of 10 weekes pay which belonged to them for buying of horses for the mounting of divers foote souldiers and others in their roome, and for supplying the officers with horses instead of those they had lost or spoyled in the service.

Oct. 10, 1661.—

Certificate that Col. John Hills was very faithfull to his Grace in all the late transactions in Scotland, and singularly active and instrumentall in his Majestie’s happy Restauration.

Nov. 13, 1662.—

Certificate that John Pradman, Fellow of King’s Colledge in Cambridge, from his Grace’s first declaring in Scotland in October 1659 till his march into England, was very usefull and serviceable to his Grace in conveying of letters from his friends and correspondents in London by the way of Cambridge for Scotland, and was very active in order to his Majesty’s most happy Restauration.

Dec. 26, 1662.—

Certificate that Mr. William Carre was in the yeare 1659 examined at the Councill of State, uppon the discoverie of a plott intended against the army then under his Grace’s command immediately after their coming to London, and then produced a blanke commission sealed with the pretended state armes, signed Tho. Scott, President to the Councill, for raising forces under severall Anabaptists to oppose the army, and alsoe informed mee that Francis Scott, sonne of the said Thomas Scott, had vowed to kill mee, att which time the said Mr. Carre did behave himself very active and loyall to his Majesty, and afterwards, in the beginning of May 1660, went over with his brother Clarges to his Majesty, then at Bredah.

APPENDIX B

Dr. Barrow’s Notes on the Proceedings of General Monck

[Elenchi Motuum Nuperorum in Anglia Pars III. Autore T. Skynner, M.D. 1676 The copy of this book now in Worcester College Library was sent by the author to Dr. Sam Barrow, ‘with a letter desireing him to looke it over, and take notice of any mistakes he should find in it.’ This note is signed G. C.—i.e. George Clarke. It is now Worcester MS. 135. Barrow wrote the following notes on the fly-leaves.]

Page 27.

There are letters to Fleetwood and Lambert dated at Berwick the 14th and 16th of December, and to the commissioners at Portsmouth from Coldstream the 19th of that month.

Page 27, in margin, ‘Monchius Coldstremium consedit Oct. 8.’

This must be the 8th of December, if it was precisely the 8th of any month, for I am certain he came not thither till the beginning of that month.

Page 33. Quamprimum Monchio compertum fuit ad senatum defecisse classem, &c.

He broke off the treaty before he knew of the defection of the fleet to the Rump. I remember well the first news he had of that was brought by Major Banister, whom he had sent to Newcastle with the letters that broke it off.

Page 50. Sed unde tam adversa sui fama senatoribus adeo morem gesserat.

The true reason why he pulled down the Citty gates was because he had no choice but either to do it or quitt his command. The order for pulling them down was not directed singly to him, but jointly to the Commissioners. Hazelrig and Morley and Walton were then upon the place, and acted jointly with him, so that if he had refused they were able to over-vote him, and would have done it without him, and by consequence have taken the command of the army from him. The next night he got such officers as he thought convenient about him, which were none but those that came with him from Scotland, except Col. Sanders and Major Barton; and of himself alone, without the knowledge of the other Commissioners, ordered the march into London in the morning, and had two copies of the letter he sent to the Rump ready signed by break of day, one to send to them and another to the press. So that they received the letter from the hands of such officers as he sent with it, and had a printed copy of it much about the same time. It is true he found the officers as willing to obey him that night as he found them unwilling to pull down the Citty gates the night before, which gave him an opportunity of doing that so suddenly which otherwise must have cost him longer time and some other pretence.

Page 54. Ut primum inaudisset Monchius quintenum se factum imperatorem, &c.

His being made but the fifth part of a General was not the cause of the restoring the Secluded Members. For he was indeed but the fifth part of one before, or perhaps but the seventh; for the command of the army was by the Rump put into the hands of those seven mentioned by you, page 16. And if it might be said to be altered, it was only in the manner following. Whilst the Committee of Safety reigned the Rump Councill of State, sitting privately, had signed a commission and sent it to him in Scotland, whereby he was empowered to command the armies of England and Scotland; but it was so penned that he might apprehend that if the rest of the commissioners should be upon the place with him, or could conveniently be advised with, he should take their consent along with him. Only Fleetwood and Ludlow were left out.

This commission, upon the return of the Rump, was confirmed by them in terminis; and according to this he often advised with them by letters whilst he was upon his march, and after he came to London he acted jointly with them, and they had one common table allowed for them all. So that by the alteration you speak of he received neither damage nor affront, all the change that was made being only of Alured for Overton, the former of which had hitherto been upon the same foot with him, and the latter, tho’ several times sent to, had refused to have any correspondance with him till after Lambert’s army had left him. Wherefore this was but a vulgar error caused by the mistake or the forgetfulnesse of those that were the authors of it. But the one reason of his bringing in the Secluded Members was, because it was the only possible step he could make forward at that time, and it is easy to be imagined that he did not leave the Rump with an intention to go back again to them. With much difficulty the army was brought to admit of their sitting, and with no less to endure their continuance till they dissolved themselves, they having several times during that time attempted to demonstrate for a Commonwealth, and were not without much ado hindred from it.

Page 57. Atque hic primo initium ferendi ad Carolum imperii coeptum fuit.

Concerning this point you seem yourself to be satisfied (page 154), and I suppose have since received further satisfaction from my Lord of Bath and Dr. Price. I shall only give you the reason of his great reservedness, which was the occasion of that opinion. He understood very well that it was impossible for him to have any assistance, or any other advantage, by communicating with the King’s party, but, on the contrary, apparent hazard of the ruine of his designe, if not of himself. For this evidently appeared to him when the Scots offered to assist him with 6,000 foot and 1,500 horse. He was then in a condition low enough to accept of them, and did not refuse them so much for the reason by you mentioned as for this reason only, that the army would not admit of them. And this I speak upon my certain knowledge, being at that time present at a secret Councill appointed to consider of that business, wherein it was the sense of the whole board that if there should be any commissions granted for the Scots to raise men, all the horse would run away to Lambert that night. Neither was there any other reason of the refusall insisted on, or so much as mentioned. Nor was he free from this fear till Lambert was taken by Coll. Ingoldsby.

APPENDIX C

Letters selected from the Tanner and Carte MSS.

[The Tanner and Carte MSS. in the Bodleian Library contain a certain number of letters relating to the events of 1659-60. A selection from these letters is added here, in order to complete the account of the events of that period contained in the portion of the ‘Clarke Papers’ printed in the previous pages.]

Mr Richard Tolson to Speaker Lenthall

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 48.Resyding now in my native county of Cumberland, and veiwing a Declaracion of the Parliament assembled at Westminster by the providence of the Almighty, dated Saturday, the 7th of May, 1659, and proclaimed this 6th day of May instant at Cockermouth, I owne you in all fidellity and obedience; and at present haveing weighty affairis, and this county being one of the most remote from London, I humbly implore your Honour’s faveour to communicate my innocency, integrity, and willingness that as a Member I may attend the Parliament, and there discharge my trust in all feythfullness to the utmost of my weake abillityes. And alsoe I crave your Honour to assure the Parliament that I shall devote myselfe for a blessing on theire proceedings, and in my spheare in a civill or marshall way be ready ever to demonstrate a cordiall and reall activeness for the good-old-cause and peace of this commonwealth as a free state, and consequently oblidges to verifie myselfe,

Sir,
Your most humble Servant,

Ri. Tolson.

Cockermouth,
this sixth day of May, 1659.

Sir Michael Livesey to Speaker Lenthall

Honorable Sir,

Tanner MS. li. f. 50.Yours came to my hands to-day, sent by the sluop, though I had one yesterday from you by the post, of the same language and date, they being both to command my personall attendance in Parliament, which through the goodnes of God is in a condicion to make some further progress in compleating such a settlement which may be glorifying of the Most High and a refyrshment to the nearts of all his. This day is the first day that I came out of my chamber of a fever, soe that it will be the beginning of the next weeke befour I can safely come to doe my service. What hast can be possibly made I wille expedite, for there is noe joy under the sun more welcome to me then to doe service for the Parliament, called by what names or titles soever. The Lord, to make us comfortable restorers of this nation[’s] freedome, I hope will seale his grace upon our hearts, and guide us with his spirritt of meekenes and unity, that we may goe on like his children in doing our hevenly Father’s work. I doubt I transgress, therefore begg pardon, and conclude,

Sir, Your most affectionate friend to serve you,

Livesey.

Sheppey,
13th May, 1659.

I hope to be excused for this scribbly paper, for I am much to doe to write through distemper.

Mr. John Gurdon to Speaker Lenthall

Honorable Sir,

Tanner MS. li. f. 55.I received your letter of summons from the Parlament of England, dated the seventh day of May, and should have bine very dilligent in observinge the commands of that Honorable House in the disscharge of my duty in my attendance and service of the House; but soe it hath pleased Divine Providence to lay many infermities upon my body by reason of some greate sicknesses that I have of late yeares had, soe that my eye sight is allmost totally perished; but and if it shall please Allmighty Providence to give me any helpe or furderance to my recovery, I shall hartily give up my selfe to spend and be spent in laying out my selfe in attending the service of the House, which, Sir, I hartilly desire you would be pleased to acquaint the House with, which is the humble request of me, who am,

Sir,
Your most humble Servant,

John Gurdon.

Asinton,
May the 13th,
1659.

Mr. John Weaver to Speaker Lenthall

Honourable Sir,

Tanner MS. li. f. 63.I received this day your lettre of May 7th, which, it seemes, was through some mistake carryed into Scotland, and from thence came to my hands; according to the commands whereof I shall (through God’s leave) waite upon you the middle of the next weeke, not being at present in a fitting condicion for travaile, by reason of a flux of rhume in one of myne eyes, which is very troublesome to me. In the meane tyme my poore prayers dayly are for the Lord’s guidance of that assembly wherein you sitt, to act those thinges which may advance his honour and the setlement of the nacion upon firme bases for its future peace and tranquillitye. I am,

Sir,
The humblest of your Servants,

John Weaver.

Northluffenham,
May 18th.

Admiral Montagu to Speaker Lenthall

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 69.Your letter of the 14th instant came to my hands yesterday at noone, whereby I have received your commands to demeane my selfe with this fleete accordinge to the treatye made in Holland, which I shall with all carefullnesse observe. On the last Lord’s day I had a coppie of the same treatye sent mee out of Holland by Mr. Downinge, concerninge my reception whereoff and proceedings afterward I entreate you would please to accept of the account sent in my pacquett to Mr. Secretary Thurloe, which was sealed up and delivered to the messenger and the vessell just goinge to sayle for England as the Hind catch came in sight. In that dispatch, also, you will be enformed of all the matters of fact within my cognisance in these parts scince my former letters. I could be very glad to receive commands with all possible speed how the fleete might be managed to be somewhat usefull, which I feare it is not much in the posture and according to the instructions I am now tied up unto. After the 3 weekes’ tyme for the treatye is expired, the Dutch fleete will certainly joyne, De Ruyter already havinge posted himselfe in the mouth of the Belt to the northwards, and Opdam to the southwards about Langeland; and I lie here and have noe order to prevent their conjunction, or manadge my selfe any way untill further order.

Scince I heard of the affaires in England (which [I] acknowledge filled my spirit with feares and sorrow) I take the more especiall care for the good governement and management of this fleete for the service of the nat[ion], and through God’s goodnesse wee have beene blessed [therein], and all with us are in an orderly way of discipline, and I may (I doubt not) with confidence affirme [they] will soe continue; and upon the acquaintance I have had with them I hold my selfe oblidged in justice to give them this caracter, that they are as faith[full]y obedient, able, and industrious servants to theire owne nation as are in the world, and deserve your countenance and encouragement.

For my owne part I am he[artily] glad that God hath graciously prevented distur[bances] and combustions in England in the midst of these . . . wonderfull dispensations, and continued peace and tran[quillity] therein. That he may proceede to continue the s[ame] blessinge upon it, with an encrease of all prosp[erity], is the praer and shall be the endeavor most faith[fully] of,

Right Honourable,
Your most humble Servant,

E. Mountag[u].

Nasebye, about 3 leagues
thwart of the Koll, it
bearinge N. N. East,
May 27th, 1659.

Mr. John Bradshawe to Speaker Lenthall

[Honourable] Sir,

Tanner MS. li. f. 89.I have by Mr. Love, a Member of this happie Parliament, receyved the Howse’s pleasure touching my self in relation to the Great Seale, wherein as I desire with all humble thankfulnes to acknowledge the respect and favour done me in honouring me with such a trust, so I should reckon it a great happines if I were able immediatlie to answer the call and personallie attend the service, which at present I am not, labouring under an aguish dystemper of above 8 months’ continuance, for removing whereof (after much physicke in vayne), according to advyce on all hands, I have betaken my self to the fresh ayre, and hope (though my fitts have not yet left me) to receive benefit and advantage thereby; and for this I humbly begge the Parliament’s leave and permission if upon this just occasion they shall not in their wysdomes thinke fit otherwise to dyspense with me.

In the meane tyme it hath bene, and is, no small addition to my other affictions that for want of health it hath not bene in my power, according to my heart’s earnest desire, to be serviceable in my poore measure to the publique; but by the helpe of God, when through his goodnes my strength shalbe restored (of which I despayre not), I shalbe most free and willing to serve the Parliament and commonwealth in anie capacitie, and that, through dyvine assistance, with all diligence, constancie, and faithfulnes, and to the utmost of my power.

I judged it my dutie to give this account of myself to the Howse, and humbly desyre by your hand it may be tendred to them, for whom I daylie pray that God would blesse all their counsels and consultacions and succeede all their unwearyed endevours for the happie setling and establishing of this latelie languyshing and now revived Commonwealth upon sure and lasting foundacions.

Sir, I rest and am
Your humble Servant,

Jo: Bradshawe.

[Founthi]ll, in
Wyltshire,
1659.

[Anno rena]scentis Republicæ Primo.1

Colonel Lillingston and Colonel Alsop to the Council of State

Tanner MS. li. f. 86.The Lord Generall Lockhart at his departure hence on Saturday last, haveing committed the care of this garrison and the forts thereof unto us, did by his instructions order us on all occasions to give your Honours an account of the state of the affaires here, the which wee shall dewly observe to doe; wherefore your Honours may please to understand that the works here and at Fort Ollyver goe on very well, and that fort will bee finished within 6 or 8 dayes. This day wee have sett foorth two halfe moones on the east syde of the towne without the counterskarfe, very considerable to hinder the approach of the enemy on that side.

Our carriages lately received prove rotten and bad, soe that the charge of repayring them is allmost as much as for new, and wee shall want more. We judge the sandhills on the west syde will bee levelled within these 20 dayes, soe far as wee intend this yeare, and the works there will bee compleated within these 10 or 12 dayes. Much of our mony goes away to the workemen, who have now put it into a good posture against an enemy, though at our comeing the fortification was allmost demolished and brought to nothinge. Upon his Lordship’s arryvall here without the mony which the soldiers expected for their pay (besides the weekely loane) from the tyme they came hether, on the Lord’s day last appeared a distemper, or rather a combination amongst them to have seised all their officers and to have payd themselves by plundering the towne; but God was pleased to give us some light of it about one hower and halfe before it shold have beene effected, and all the officers declared themselves readily to quel the designe, by whose prudence and dilligence the Lord hath beene pleased to prevent it, soe that at presente things are well setled, upon our assuring the soldiers to write to your Honours for mony to satisfye them their arreares, as wee doe, hopeing your Honours will bee pleased to consider all things here are extreame deare, and the poore soldiers cannot bee trusted for what they want, and haveing beene as faithfull hetherto as any that have served the Commonwealth, they are put to such hardships as others who receave pay are not; and wee trust your Honours may by this tyme bee enabled toe send them their pay, or some part at least, to prevent the hazard and inconveniencies which may bee endeavored to bee brought upon us by evill instruments crept in amongst us, which doubtles dryve on the designe of Charles Stuart, and whome as yett wee cannot fynd out, though the officers have used all diligence, day and night, in searching the towne, for which purpose allso wee searched the post-lettres going into the enemye’s quarters and read them; and amongst some inhabitants here who gave intelligence to their freinds there of our distemper was one of the fryers’ Minions, whose covent doe consist but of fower, whome wee shall to morrow turne out of towne till your Honours’ pleasure bee further knowne; otherwise there hath beene noe disturbance done to the inhabitants, nor a man of them lost a penny. Wee request your Honours for 200 men to recruite Collonel Lillingstone’s regiment for the 2½ companyes which were lost at sea; wee have much hinderance for want of them and the 2 companyes of Collonel Salmon; and 2 of Collonel Gibbon’s regiment, who have soe long beene kept here for them, desire to go home. The said companyes behaved themselves very faithfully in the late disturbance. Here arryved this day Monsieur Tallon, the French King’s Intendant for Picardy, who assureth us that the cessasion of armes is continued till further order, and that hee was sent downe hether to give us notice of it, and offereth us (by orders, as hee saith, from his master the King of France) the assistance of all the French forces in Flaunders, if wee desire them; but wee shall bee very cautious of such assistance.

Wee have thought it to bee convenient and necessary to send Lieutenant Collonell Haines to give your Honours an account further of all proceedings here, who will waite upon you dayly to receave your commaunds for this place; and wee entreate you to dispatch him as soon as possible may bee, or otherwise to honour us with something from you by way of command, or what els you shall judge convenient for the well managing your busines in this place. All things att presente are, blessed bee God, in a peaceable and setled condition; and wee question not but by the Allmighty, who hath ever owned us, that it will soe continew. The officers are very vigilent and faithfull, and in this our late commotion have beene exceedingly active. They desire all to have their humble duty and service presented to you. Soe craveing your pardon for our boldnes herein, wee humbly take leave and remayne,

Right Honorable,
Your Honours’ ever-obedient Servants,

Hen. Lillingston.

Rog. Allsopp.

Because Lieut.-Collonel Haines may peradventure have busines in England, wee have therefore sent Captain Guy with him to receave your imediate commands, who will bee very carefull to returne hether with speed.

[Endorsed] Lettre from Dunkirke.
Read 27 June, 1659.
Date, June 23.

The Commissioners of the Great Seal to Speaker Lenthall

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 80.In obedience to the resolves of Parliament wee caused pattents to be renewed for the severall Judges of the Courts of Westminster to continue till the twentieth of November next, and caused them to be put under the seal; and meeteing with Mr. Justice Atkins and Mr. Justice Arc[her], with intention to deliver their pattents for Judges of the Common Pleas, wee let them knowe their pattents were ready, and produced them, and withall acquainted them with the acte of Parliament for takeing the oath to be true, faithfull, and constant to this Commonwealth, &c., and also with the order of Parliament impowering and requireing us to administer the same; all which they did scruple to take; and thereupon we thought it our duty to knowe the further pleasure of the Parliament before wee deliver their pattents. We also sent to Mr. Justice Newdigate, Judge of the Upper Bench, who sent his excuse for attending us for the present in regard of some other urgent occasions, but withall signified to us that hee will attend us on Munday next and receave his pattent, and execute the place according to the resolves of Parliament; and Mr. Baron Parker is out of towne and not to retorne till Munday next. Wee also hold it our duty to acquaint the Parliament that Mr. Baron Thorpe, who is one of the Judges of the Northerne Circuite, came voluntarily to us and tooke the oath. And the Lord Chiefe Baron Wyld, one of the Judges of Oxfordshire Circuit, did the like; but none other of the Judges for the Circuits which are members of Parliament have been with us, except Mr. Serjeant Earle, who declines takeing the said oath. Judge Wyndam is at the waters for his health, and retornes not till the next weeke, and then wee presume he will attend us and receave his comission and take the oath. And because we find by the acte that all Judges are prohibited to execute their offices before they take the oath, and there is noe Judge for the Lincolnshire Circuite but Serjeant Earle, and the Judges appointed for the Norffolke Circuite are Justice Atkins and Justice Archer, and there is noe Judge for the Common Pleas, wee held it our duty to acquaint the Parliament h[erewith], least there should be a fayler of justice to the people of this Commonwealth for want of Judges in the Common Pleas and for this present Circuite, which wee apprehend may be of evill consequence, and make it our humble suite to you to acquaint the Parliament speedily herewith, and to excuse this present addresse from

Your most humble Servants,

Tho: Tyrrill, C.S.

Jo: Fountayne, C.S.

The 1st of July,
1659.

Captain Jenkins to Speaker Lenthall

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 102.I receaved certen intilligence yesterday about seaven aclock in the afternoone that there was an insurrection already begun within this county, att Pembridge, within ten myles of this garrison, upon notice whereof (with all possible speede) I sent a party of horse, consisting of about forty men, to discover the trueth therof, whoe retorned intilligence about three aclock this morneing that the enemy were gathering together from severall parts to randivow att Bushope, with in fower myles of this citty, and tooke prissoners three persons goeing towards that place, horsed and armed, being all old Cavileers. Wee are setting our selves in the best posture wee cann, haveing only the county troope besides the garison souldiers. I shall nott bee wanting in my endeavours to attend and frustrate theyr designe, being first to surprize this garrison. If they should grow numerouse a speedy supply of forces will bee needfull, for which I referr my selfe to your Honours. I hope upon the retorne of the whole party I shall bee able to give you a further accompt. Thus desireing your Honour’s further instructions and advice in this busines that soe greatly concernes the peace of the nation in the secureing this garison, I remayne and am

Your Honour’s most humble and faythfull Servant,

Hu: Jenkins.

Castle of Hereford,
July 28th, 59.

Mr. Thomas Pury and his Son to Speaker Lenthall

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 97.Upon our coming to Gloucester, and conference there with Captayne Deale and Captayne Crofts, we found that there were very great dangers threatned to this place by the Cavaliers and others, enemyes to this Commonwealth, whereof we doubt not but that you have from tyme to tyme received from the sayd Captaynes full advertisements. But now, upon fresh intelligence, understanding that the enemyes are numerous and have resolved to fall upon us as this night, the sayd Captaynes, conceiving themselves not sufficient with their forces (being all horse) to secure this place without the addicion of some foote, have desired our advice and assistance therein, whereupon we have adventured to rayse about 300 foote, compleately armed with musketts (there being noe pikes in this citty), and have putt them the last night upon duty, resolving soe to continue them for about weeke [sic] ensuing. We have thought itt our duty to give your Honours this account, and to pray your further orders and direccions therein. The souldyers have shewed themselves very ready and resolute, leaving their trades and occupacions to serve upon this occasion; but they are all poore men, and live only by their hands, and if some provision of pay be not speedily made for their encourage[ment] and subsistance itt will dishearten them from soe free and hearty [an] appearance upon the like dangers for the tyme to come. We have bin enforced already to engage to the enferiour officers and souldiers that they shall forthwith receive a weeke’s pay, and we are n[ow] making itt our care to provide the money accordingly, and therefore we earnestly begge that your Honours wilbe pleased to give o[rder] that soe much money may be payd for the uses abovesaid as to your wisedomes shall seeme meete and necessary, the extreame exigency of the busines (according to our best intelligence) enforcing what hath bin done herein for the service of the Commonwealth by

Your most humble and faythfull servants,

Tho: Pury.

Tho: Pury, junior

Gloucester, 27 July,
1659.

Major Audley to Speaker Lenthall

May it please your Excellencye,

Tanner MS. li. f. 107.The partye from the Life Guard, the partye commanded by Cornett Clements, together with our countye troope, have binne upon hard dutie all the Lord’s day, and att night drew into barnes and shedds adjoyneing to Redd-hill, and kept frequent and diligent scouts all night, and towards day drew out upon the hill, wheare wee continnued untill about 10 of the clocke, but have not found the enemye answeareable to his boastings, and indeede our expectation raysed in us by the former presages, for, notwithstanding all our diligence, neither all night nor hitherto this day did wee meete with any thing like an enemye. It is supposed the enemye was ripe and readye, but our Saturdaye’s night surprisall, and the disappointing the enemye all the Lord’s day, prevented their meeteing us then and growing to a randesvouz as upon this day.

Wee intend after one of the clocke to draw into quarters att Ryegate, wheare wee shall continue, unless some extreemites arise elswheare or wee bee commanded otherwise by your Excellencie.

Wee have received noe notice from Major Hubbard, and therefore kepe his Redd hill as quiett our owne. Humbley craveing your Excellencie’s further commands, I rest

Your Excellencie’s most humble servant,

L. Awdeley.

August 1, about 10
of the clocke.

I am in some hopes that Captain Elsmoore may bee found either att the Portcullis or White Lyon in Lambeth; but if otherwise, I am not much in default, for, besides accepting of his engagement to offer himselfe to the Councell of State or your Excellencye, I importuned the officer who commanded the partye to have an especiall care of him. I went both wayes to worke, that in case hee should appeare innocent there . . .1 him and if guiltye . . .

Colonel Thomas Birch to Speaker Lenthall

[Mr.] Speaker,

Tanner MS. li. f. 108.I could not safely nor sooner give you an account hereof, but being escaped hither with wearied horses, I hope this may waite on you before I can reach London. Sir, I came into the next confines of Lancashire upon Thursday night last, where by a Quaker that followed and called after me I was informed obscurely of greate preparacion of armes, and that Sir George Booth and some other gentlemen of Lancashire and Cheshire, who live next borderinge upon the confines of both counties, were indeavouring an insurreccion. Att home my wife tould me that the same man and some others had beene the day before at my house with the same relacion, expecting to have found me at home. Upon the Fryday I went to Manchester, where I was much more confirmed in the truth of it; and that night I heard of some cart loades of armes carried frowards Manchester to Sir George Boothe’s house in Cheshire; whereupon forthwith I sent my man to our countie troope and another troope of the army, that were about 20 miles of, to give them notice, and the better to avoide a surprise, that they would keepe moving and quarter together for theire safetie. Understanding, also, that very many Cheshire gentlemen were in the plott, I sent to Collonel Bradshaw, my Lord Bradshaw’s brother, to give notice of it to the sheriffe of that countie and to Collonel Croxton, the Governour of Chester Castle, to looke after the safetie of that citie, and to desire them immediately to give the Parliament and Councell of State to know, for where I was at home, surrounded with them all about me, it was not possible for me to send to you either by lettre or messenger. I sent, further, to our Sheriffe of Lancaster, and to such gentlemen as I best trusted in other parts of the countie, to lett them know it; but all this while it was but intended. Upon the Saturday Sir George Boothe came to Manchester, where mett him Collonel Ireland, Collonel Ashton, Collonel Holland, and diverse other Lancaster men; and then upon the Lord’s day all broake out by publicke direccions in parishe churches to call the country into armes, and where Sir George Booth had tenents in either countrie they were the first sent unto to come to his house at Dunham; and then followed the . . . from severall parts, but especially from . . . of Manchester; and upon the Munday they . . . up at a rendezvous, and so marched away. . . . I heard they were putt upon the subscription [of an] engagement, and that declaracions were readie . . . to be read unto them of the grounds of ther [taking] up armes, and themselves give it out they will have a Kinge, a House of Lords and of Commons (meaning Charles Stuart, who some that I discoursed with said expressely was undoubtedly theire lawfull Soveraigne). Sir, I stayed at home the longer, and to the greater hazard then discretion allowed me, that so I might give you the more certaintie of theire proceedings. When I came from home yesterday at two of the clocke I heard they were like to be about . . . or 1,500, but within this weeke they . . . I believe, 3,000 or thereabouts, which will . . . number both of horse and foote when . . . most. They take in all Cavaliers. . . . Some of them give out that Charles [Stuart and] Generall King, but I rather believe Major Generall Massie, that is amongst [them]. They tell much of the expectacion they [have] of other forces out of Wales and neighbour[ing] counties, but I heare of no stirring anywhere else. I hope you will pardon this sudden, distracted relacion, having scarse time to write it, and so ever remaine,

Sir,
Your most reall and humble Servant,

Tho: Birche.

Darbie, this
Twesday night,
Aug. 2, 1659.

An intercepted Letter from Lord Brereton and Others to Sir George Booth

Gentlemen,

Tanner MS. li. f. 138.Wee have reseaved your letter, but are much amazed to thinke of youre drawing of soe far as Northwitche, leaveing us heare. What the reall cause maye be wee cannot immagen, but in the meane tyme it still dishartens youre frends, and hath ocationed alredie manie teers in this cittie; and wee heare have soe far considered the business that wee cannot immagen youre returne before you have ingaged, neather can theare anie intelligence pass betwixt you and us, nor can you thinke other but that the enemie will immediatlie clap betwixt you and us, and soe obstruct all passages; and in case you showld reseave anie foyle, your retreating place is lost, and wee are lefte to stand by our sealves. I have by this bearer given you an accompte of the castle; it maye prove well worth youre consideration not to be lefte; and for anie recrutes you expect, they maye as well cum to you to Tarvin, wheare you had binn neare us, as to Northwitche, wheare wee shall not know what becumes of you. Wee cowld have wishte wee had binn made knowne to your intentions sooner, but this suden resulte and motion relisheth not well, and lookes with a verie bad face to all, and to

Brereton.

J. Booth.

H. Brooke.

Peter Brooke.

[Addressed] For Sir George Booth, Sir Thomas Midleton, and the rest of the Gentlemen att Ta[rvin], Northwitche, or ealse whear, these. Hast, hast.

[The original is undated.]

Lieutenant Noel Boteler to Colonel Berry

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 133.It’s not unknowne to you that I was commanded to this place with your Honour’s troope, and with it to use my indeavour for the preventinge any insurrection in the countie. I was the last night informed of an intended rising; and my intelligence proved true. Severall gentlemen of this countie had appointed a randevouz att or near the hous of Sir Thom. Lenthorpe, to which place I marched the troop, and was their about the time they intended to have mett; but it seems some kinde of alarme made Sir Thom. Lenthorpe leave his house, with the gentlemen that were with him—viz. Sir William Compton, or one of the Comptons, and Esquire Fanshaw. I made a search of the hous, and found in it about forty case of new pistolls, eight kirbines ready laden, with many saddles and bridles for about a troope of hors, all new and such good ones that the like, I beleive, is not to bee found in any troop in the army. I have about 6 prisoners that were staid behinde them, about 12 horse, and all their baggage. I thought it necessary to acquaint your Honor with thus much as soon as I possibly could. If you pleas to signify thus much to the Councell of State and lett mee have the further orders they shal bee readily obeyed by,

Sir,
Your Honor’s humble servant,

No: Boteler.

Hartford,
August 19,
’59.

I hope the poor troop shal have all due incouragment by way of priz. I’le assure you they have had a sore march.

Mr. Larke to the Council of State

May it please your Honours,

Tanner MS. li. f. 125.The proclamation declaring M. Gen. Egerton, &c., rebells and traytours came from the High Sheriff of this county by the constable of this hundred to a petty constable of this towne, who shifted it over to another well-affected constable, who, according to the usuall manner, applyed himself therwith to the Mayor, craving his countenance and assistance in the publication therof, who utterly refused to take any cognisance of it. From thence the said constable addressed himself to Mr. Georg Heughes and Mr. Porter, to the end that it might be read, according to the resolve of Parliament, in theire respective churches in this towne; but they also utterly refused. Wherupon the said constable applying himself to me, I thought it my concernment to goe with him, together with some others, to the Mayor again, where we prest him with divers arguments to putt countenance upon it, but to no effect, he abiding in his resolutions to have no hand in it; nor could so much as a town sarjant be obtained to read it. However, the said constable, being accompanied by divers well-affected people, in the market time by sound of trumpett proclaimed it, not without being scoffed at by divers merchants and others and raged against by the gentility in generall, the said proclamation fixed up torn down again, and a blank paper sett up in the place therof.

Upon these and other considerations too larg to incert I judg it my duty to offer humbly not only mine, but the sence and desire also of the well-affected, that in order to the preservation of the Lord’s and his people’s interest in these parts your Honours take speedy and effectuall order to send away or som other where to secure or dispose of the inferiour Spanish prisoners, to the end that the castle where they are kept (it commanding the towne) may be garisoned with such well-affected persons as may be judged compitent to defend themselves, and suppress any attempts of such spirits as waite to take any oppertunity to imbroile this part of the nation in blood and misery, which might be effected with very little charg and great advantage to the publike good if a proposition made last weeke might take effect. This, submitted to your Honours’ wisedom as the Lord shall guide you, is all from

Your Honours’ humble Servant,

Sam. Larke.

Plymouth Fortt,
August 23, 1659.

The good tydings of the routinge Sir Geo. Boothe glads many heer, but most great ones trobled att it.

Admiral Montagu to the Council of State

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 127.The provisions of the fleete being expended unto one moenth’s remainder at whole allowance, by the advise of the Commissioners and the Councell of Warr I am intended to sayle for England, with the next opportunitye of wind and weather, with the whole fleete, except the Langport and Maydston, [which] attend the Commissioners. The account I thought my dutye to give you speedy advertisement of, that if God send us a prosperous passage I might receive your further commands touchinge the disposition of the fleete. The provisions are soe farr expended that I humbly conceive your directions were very necessary as soone as ever wee arrive upon the coast about Southwolds or Alborough Bay, and that some care should be taken for victualls at Harwich in case the fleete should have a longe passage.

For the matter of the treatye in these parts I shall say little, but leave that to the representation of the other Commissioners; only thus much, that I came from Coppenhagen the last night on board this shipp, and ther was noe treatye begunn between the 2 Kinges. The Kinge of Sweden had granted a safe conduct for the Danish Commissioners, and stayed himselfe at the camp to give a speedye dispatch to the affaire, the safe conduct beinge exepted against by the Dane, because therin the Kinge of Sweden stiled himselfe Duke of Schonen. Wee went to the camp, desiringe the Kinge of Sweden to facilitate the treatye by wavinge such ceremonious thinges, and content himselfe to write Kinge of Sweden and Gothland, &c., and that wee would endeavour the Kinge of Denmarke should write King of Denmarke and Norway, &c., not mentioninge any further titles on either side; the which the Kinge of Sweden granted readily, and gave us such a safe conduct to carry to Coppenhagen. Whereupon wee went presently to the Rixhoffmaster, and desired him to presse the Kinge of Denmarke to grant his safe conduct speedily in conformitie to that; but he utterly refused to doe any thinge towards it, and would not thinke of a treatye with the Kinge of Sweden, but said the Kinge of Denmarke should, after the 15 dayes were out, signe the contents of the Hague agrement.

Thus the case stands: the 15 dayes’ tyme expires this very eveninge, and the matter in the posture I have told you.

I shall only add that I pray God your Commissioners ther may have a happy guidance in the future stepps they are to take, and that for my selfe I have dischardged my judgement and conscience freely and fully unto them, and serve you therin with as much integrity as ever any person in the world dischardged a trust. And thus I humbly crave leave to subscribe,

Right Honorable,
Your most humble Servant,

E. Mountagu.

August 23, 1659.
Board of Nasebye,
in the Sound.

Read September 1o, 1659.

Colonel Ashfield to Speaker Lenthall

Manchester, August 23o, 1659.

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 117.The state of thinges in this countrie at our first comeing yow have allready received from Colonell Lilborne, whom I met here on Saterday night last; but he not being now here, I thought it my duty to acquainte your Honours with the present posture of affaires here. Since our comeing wee have taken many prisoners, some of quallity. Colonell Holland hath voluntarily submitted himselfe; soe hath Peter Brooke, of Chesshire. Severall other gentlemen of this county I dayly expect, either by their comeing in frely or gathered up by the horse that are quartered at severall places. The countrie likewise begins to take them and bring them in, soe that in a shorte tyme I shall be able to give you a good accountt of all the considerable persons that have bene in this late rebellion. The Ministers are not free, but are now in a quakeing condision. Here is noe conveniences of prisons, which putts us to a greate straite how to secure them; but I think there is noe greate feare of their makeing any escape, they knowing not whither to goe. For any party of them, small or greate together, I heare of none. God, I hope, hath scattered them, that he might establish rightuousness in these nations.

Dureing my stay in this countrey I shall not be wanting to give your Honours an accountt of thinges here; and if yow have any further commandes for me they shall be faithfullie and readily observed. In the meane tyme give me leave to subscribe my selfe

Your Honour’s faithfull and ready servant,

Ri. Ashfeild.

The Mayor of Chester to the President of the Council of State

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 123.Your Lordship’s lettre of the 11th instant I received the 22th instant, but the proclamacion therin mencioned was proclaymed before upon the same day by the appointment of the Lord Lambert. The other proclamacions sent by your Lordship were sent to bee read in the churches according to the Parliament’s command, the persones in the proclamacion mencioned having made this citty parte of their scene to act their designe upon; and thereupon wee of this citty, having formed two foot companyes, have just cause to feare lest wee should bee lookt upon as ingaged in the designe; and therefore it is very needfull, having this opportunity, to declare the state of our case to your Honour. The truth is, and will soe appeare, that wee were altogether ignorant of the designe in the proclamacion mencioned—were strangers to it—knew not of their approach till upon us. Wee were altogether without defence to oppose them. Our walles, in a great parte downe, had noe force within; and the least resistance would have made us a prey to them. When they were got in they acted the military part as to the carrying on their designe wholly themselves, appointed a Governour of the citty without our consent. Wee were strangers to their councells and resolucions, had noe hand with them. ’Tis true, they being within us, and wee being under their power and naked, and the Castle takeing us to bee one power and opposeing as enemyes, wee thought it very needfull to provide some kind of force for our defence against that violence which wee were in danger in from them both, and therefore formed the two companyes, which wee onely made use of for our owne defence, and never used the same out of the citty, but refus’d to doe soe though required; and that wee never intended the same against the Parliament forces, in ayd of the other forces or otherwise, appeares in that after the rout, when these were earnest with us to have the use of them and to have them augmented for the keeping the citty against the Parliament forces, wee refus’d both, and were resolv’d rather to open the gates to the Parliament forces and submitt to mercy then oppose them, which caused the other forces to leave the citty; and wee knew noe other meanes under God that wee were preserv’d from hurt by them when they left us, and that the citty was open to the Parliament forces when they came, but by the benefit of these two companyes soe raysed by us; which being fully understood to bee our case, wee doubt not but wee shall bee look’t upon by the Parliament as persons that ought rather bee indemnifyed for what wee did then blamed. It is our humble desire that by your Lordship’s meanes our condicion may bee favourably represented to the Parliament and Councell; and thereby your Lordship will exceedingly ingage this poore, distressed citty to honour and pray for your everlasting welfare, and more especially,

My Lord,
Your Honour’s very humble Servant,

Gerard Jones, Maior.

Chester, August 24,
1659.

Major Blackmore to the Speaker

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 115.Upon the seven and twentyth instant I received your Honour’s of the 23th, and their-enclosed the letter directed to the Justices of Peace and Clerke of the Peace for the countye, touching an account of all innes, tavernes, and alehouses, &c., within this county; and I have prepared letters, with copyes of that to the Justices, to be sent unto the respective devisions of this county, and to morrow morning (the Lord assisting) they shalbe all dispatch’d, that soe, if the Lord give them hearts to sett close unto the worke, there may be that satisfaction given to the Parlyment as is thereby expected; and I shall not fayle punctually to make returne of all such lists as are delivered or sent unto me, or give your Honour an account of those that refuse. Blessed be the Lord, our peace is yett continued; and now the fyre is quenched in the north, there will be noe flame in the west, which otherwise, I feare, all your friends would not have bin able to have prevented. But God hath done it; and now I hope noe more interruptions will hinder that long-expected settlement which God will yett crowne this Parlyment to be the instruments off to these poore nations, towards which you have the prayers and teares, the heart and hands of,

Right Honorable,
Yours and the Comonwealth’s much
devoted, faithfull servant,

J. Blackmore.

Mount Radford,
neer Exon.
August 27, 1659.

Admiral Montagu to the Council of State

Right Honorable,

Tanner MS. li. f. 162.I have little more to write now then I sent by the Adventure fregate, save that I am now under sayle with the whole fleete (the Langport and Maydstone and Hind catch excepted), and am thwart of the Koll, the wind at east-south-east, a gentle gale, bound for Hoselye Bay. I humbly begg your further orders and directions as soone as possibly may be, which shall be faithfully obeyed by mee. This messenger [came]1 to mee yesterday with the Commissioners’ pacquett from Coppenha[gen], wherby (I presume) you will understand how the mediation . . .1 proceedes. Thus I take leave to remain,

Right Honourable,
Your most humble Servant,

E. Mountagu.

Board the Nasebye,
August 27, 1659

Admiral Montagu to the late Protector

For his Highnesse the Lord Richard Cromwell, most humbly, these.

May it please your Highnesse,

Carte MS. lxxiii. f. 312.It hath much troubled mee to thinke that I should not my selfe be the first messenger unto your Highnesse to acquaint you of my arrivall and the affairs passed in my employment; but the same fate that hath overruled other thinges this yeare governes this also. My attendance here is required, and without leave I may not depart; in which condition, that I may acquitt my selfe soe farr as is possible, I send this to present unto your Highnesse my most humble acknowledgement and thankes for all the noble favors, and to give your Highnesse some account of matters passed with mee.2 The accomodation betweene the 2 kinges was not in probabilitye of beinge affected this winter (when I came away), and the way of management now is changed from what I had in command at first by certaine late agreements at the Hague with the Dutch. When the victualls of the fleete was spent to a moenth’s proportion at whole allowance the consideration of sendinge the whole or a part of it hence became necessarye; and after much discourse amongst the plenipotentiaries at last wee resolved to send it all hence, 3 of us beinge for it and onely Col: Sydney against it. The Councell have commanded an account of mee of the reasons, and I have given it them. It is large, and not worth the troublinge your Highnesse with here. Two very principall reasons were: the Dutch would send away none of their fleete, wherby, if wee had left 15 shipps behind, it would have beene unsafe and at their mercye; and the other, the absolute necessitye for want of victualls, which could not have beene supplied any way we could devise. My reception here since my arrivall hath beene with respect; but this is a subject more convenient for your Highnesse to receive informacion in from other hands. I shall only add to this boldnesse the most reall assurance possible for me, that whilest I live I shall be found to be,

Sir,
Your Highnesse’ most obedient
and most humble servant,

E. M.

Lincoln’s Inn Feild,
Sept. 20, 1659.

The late Protector to Admiral Montagu

My Lord,

Carte MS. xxiii. f. 314.You have expressed a very greate respect to me in your letter, which I received by this your servant; and I should be glad to returne the like to you, being in noe capacitye to doe any thing else. Besides, the times are such now that it is prudence to be cautious even in them. It hath pleased God to change the face of things straingely to what they were when you left England, and it is my feare that many honourable and innocent persons suffers in it. How some particuler persons can answer their consciences I know not. God is a righteous judge, and hath a plaine transcript of things, and will in his due time deale righteously with all men according to the works of their hands and the intentions of their hearts. I can assure your Lordship that I rejoyce at your safe and healthfull arrivall, and shall be moste glad to heare that you are gott over the thresholde of your present troublesome stay in London, the country being the moste proper place for persons that are out of imployment. We [that] are sick desire to change our trads. Oh, that it would please God that poore tossed Ingland might at laste finde a quiet harbour! It is a time for Christians to exercise faith and prayer; and certainly we have much of extremity to mend God’s opportunity. My Lord, you will know past passadges more conveniently then I can give them to you (we are in an adge of mirackles), and therefore I shall only let you know that I am wrapt up in the mantle of deeper affections for the kindenesse of your hearte to me, as you have alwayes sheawed it. Assuring youre Lordship that I desire to be in your kindnesse as in any person’s in the world, and that withoute plottings against the powers over us I shall be ready to manifest my selfe

Your Lordship’s
most affectionate freind and servant,

R. Cromwell.

Hursley,
Sept. 25, [16]59.

[Addressed] For my honour’d freind, my
Lord Mountagu, att his Lodgings
in Lincolnes Inn Feild,
These.

Captain Lloyd to Admiral Montagu

My Lord,

Carte MS. lxxiii. f. 319.Since last I saw you their hath been a very great change in this place. On Wensday last the Parliament took away my Lord Fleetwood’s commande, and voted Generall Disbrow [and] my Lord Lambert’s commission from them, and som seven more officers’ commissiones, and appointed som others for their commands (who would not except of them); and about 6 or 7 aclocke at night the new generalls, vizt. Sir Arthur, Coll. Walton, [and Coll. Morley], issued forth their orders for the Army to drawe to a randivouze about Westminster, and gott powder and ball and match ready in order to an engagement. My Lord Fleetwood, Lambert, Disbrow, heareinge that they had issued forth ther orders, thought time to looke about them, that the Parlement intended not only their commissions, but their very lives, by their drawinge their forces together in that nature. My Lord Fleetwood and the rest issued out their orders and trie what force they could get, and had all the forces except Morleye’s and part of Mosse’s regiment of foot and 4 troopes of Okey’s regiment of horse; and at very high words Morley was with my Lord Lambert and Disbrow, and very nigh unto blowes; but att last the new Generalls submitted unto the ould ones on thursday at night. This day the Councell of Officers meet hear, and chose my Ld. Fleetwood Lieut.-Generall Commander in Cheife, Lambert Major-Generall, Disbrow Commissary-Generall, and agreed on 7 to be Nominators of Officers, vizt. my Ld. Fleetwood, Lambert, Disbrow, Berry, Ludlow, and Vayne, and 4 to make a corrume and 3 to certifie under their handes to my Ld. Fleetwood such as are approved of for commissiones, which hee is to grant to such; and on the death of any officer the sayd nominators, 3 with 14 feild officers, is to nominate an other, likewise agreed on; and none to be put out of the Army but by a Court Marshall, excepting disbandinge and reducement. . . .

The Parlement would willingly bee admitted to sitt, but I heare not of any inclination in the Army to it. Some of the ould Counsell sittes, but your father, Sir Aurther, hath taken his leave of Whit Hall and removed his lodginges; and very angry they are. Their is very close consultations by some of the Councell. I suppose it is in order to the civell government; but what will be brought forth I knowe not. The old courters beginne to pepe abroade, who hope to finde more favour at the hands of the Army then the Parlement. Wee live in a very unsettled, distracted ayre. The Lord in mercy looke on us, and healpe us to such a settlement as may bee well pleasinge unto the Lord, is the desire of him who am,

My Lord,
Your most affectionate and humble servant,

Griff: Lloyde.

Oct. 1659.

My humble service to my Lady.

[Endorsed] Capt. Lloyd, Oct. 18.

Mr. Josiah Berners to Mr. John Hobart

Sir,

Tanner MS. li. f. 161.Allthough I take no delight to wryte newes when I can neither wryte safely nor any but badd—and indeed the worst of badd, ingratitude, and perfideousenes, and that cloaked with pretence of holines—yet, holding myselfe obliged by civility, &c., to answere your lettre as soone as I could, though not by your honest gentleman post, I send these to acquaint you that Generall Monke is the same as at first. He hath sent upp 3 Commissioners, who were watched like hawkes by Wallingford Howse party till they had agreed to that I suppose you have heard. Collonel Wilkes, one of the 3, who was a taylor in Blackfryers, and of Mr. Feake’s church, betrayed them and their secrett instruccions. But the maine thing, I perceave, aymed att was a cessacion till Monke had setled Scotland and drawne his army on this syde Sterling Bridge, which he hath now done. One article is that Monke shall have his proporcion and arreres of the publique money, which, I beleeve, they cannot spare. The conduct of the army and leavying money for the future are not agreed on. The treaty about the cashiered and suspended officers on both sydes is to be at Newcastle the 6 of December by 10 of each army, and all the officers concerned may be present.

Wallingford Howse say that the Councle of State have mett severall tymes to rayse forces and plott to destroy the godly, forsooth. Fleetwood sent Deane, one of the Clerkes of the Councle, to Sir Art. Haslewrigg to pumpe him, and at last to lett him know if he stayed in London he must secure him; whereuppon he is departed. They cannot make upp an old Councle at Whytehall, and their Comittee of Unsafety is not much regarded nor very active, for Sir H. Vane, Sallawey, &c., have been very busye about a new refyned governement, and I heare they cannot agree, and so Sir Henry Vane is going to Raby to be neerer his frend Lambert, of whome and whose party Wallingford Howse is mistrustfull. I heare some of both armies, though farr asunder, run to each other, and that the scowtes of both sydes lately mett, and, instead of fighting, shott their pistolls on the grownd and frendly discoursed and parted. Indeed, the soldyers generally say they will not fight, but will make a ring for their officers to fight in. I heare Wallingford Howse begins to be weary, and desyres to treat with some Parliament Members. Sir Arthur Haselwrigg sayes he wilbe trepanned no more. Those of the Comittee of Unsafety that sett are Fleetwood, Desborough, Bury, Huson, Holland, Tichborne, Whitlock, Warreston, Sidenham, and sometymes Ireton. The Judges on the 20th of November adjorned to xva Hillary. Whitlock setts now and then in Chancery, and decimating Butler is imposed on him for a secretary or spye. It’s sayd Lechmere is to be attorney. St. John lyes close and meddles not. Collonel Bennett, though I heare he sate but once at the Comittee of Unsafety, yet he went of their errand, and mett the 3 Commissioners at Waltham Crosse, and feasted and brought them to Wallingford Howse in a coach. Monke writt a lettre to the Comon Councle of London, which is printed and true, and was delivered them by honest Collonel Markham and Mr. Atkin, a merchant that trades hence to Leith, both imprysoned, therefore, by the Comittee of Unsafety. The citty thereuppon hath appoynted a fast on Fryday next in London. Collonel Lidcott is gott safe to Monke, and I hope ere long you will heare more. Last weeke two soldyers, one in Lumberstreete, the other in Chancery Lane, were allmost killed for assisting to leavy taxes, though layd by Parliament. I heare many in severall counties associate against taxes if not appoynted by Parliament. I heare Mr. Nevle, Mr. Scott, Berners, Harrington, Samuell, &c., are left out of the new Comittee of the Militia for Westminster, &c., because they utterly disowned the Comittee of Unsafetie’s lettre and order, and voted that they, being appoynted by Parliament, according to their trust they ought not nor would obey any orders from or give accompt unto any but the Parliament or their Councle of State, &c.

It’s strange to see these seraphiclists can act without law, against Parliaments and against morality, as if God had not as much comanded the duties of the second table to be kept as the first. Surely they hope for another John of Leyden to be sett upp againe, though not so good as their late Oliver, and, like Knipperdolen, to be lifted uppe by and under him. But the people’s eyes are opened, and I am perswaded when new taxes come to be leavyed they will fynde the dagger and one and all to strong and to many for the sword and army.

Yours.1

November 29, 1659.

APPENDIX D

The Case of Sir Arthur Hesilrige

[The following letter from Monck to the Speaker of the House of Commons supplements the two letters printed on pp. 260, 268, and explains how it was that Hesilrige succeeded in saving his life and estates when so many of his political friends were less fortunate. The original of this letter is in the possession of R. Bankes, Esq., of Kingston Lacy, Dorset. It is briefly calendared in the eighth report of the Historical MSS. Commission (pt. i., p. 212). The letter was copied some years ago by Mr. S. R. Gardiner, and is now printed from his copy.]

The Duke of Albemarle to Sir Edward Turner

Most honored Sr,

After I had admitted the secluded members of the longe Parliament to sitt wth the others, in order to the callinge of the last Parliament, I found my selfe involved in many and great difficultyes, because they that satt before them had modelled the Army in England to their owne principles of a Commonwealthe’s Governmt. And although I had devided the quarters of the troopes into very distinct stations, yet their correspondence was such that I was very much distracted in my endeavours for the peace and settlement of the nation, and putt to severall and distraict postures in the managinge of them. I was forced to youse the force of power to some, and freindshipp and faire promises of security to others, till att last I had reduced matters to such a consistancy that all were removed from commaund and trust in armes that would not ingage to acquiesce in whatsoever the then succeedinge Parliament should act. Att this conjuncture of tyme noe man was soe capable to obstruct my designes as Sr Arthur Hesilrige, whoe had in his immediate commaund the government of Berwicke, Carlisle, Newcastle, and Tynmouth, wth a regiment of foote and one of the best regiments of horse in the Army, and had an influence upon all the rest of the regiments in England, hee haveinge had the cheife hand in modellinge the regiments before my comeinge into England. Hee was very jealous of the intended revolucion of governmt to his Maties advantage, and came to me to discover his apprehensions, urginge that hee perceived all tended to the restitucion of the Kinge, and that there would thereby ensue a ruine to his person, family, and fortune; to wch I tould him that if hee would engage to me to goe home to his owne house and lyve quietly there, I would undertake to secure his life and estate; whereupon hee did soe engage; and shortly after, upon Collonel Lambert’s defeccion, when there was soe great a disposicion to mutiny in the army, and his conjunction wth him might have hazarded the hope of all, hee declyned all manner of action, and adheared to his engagement made to mee, and upon my letter to him freely delivered up his garrisons to my Lord of Carlisle and his regiment of horse to my Lord Faulconbridge. I confesse the commaund I had that tyme of the army and strength of the kingdome was but a possessory and noe legall power, and what I did must bee submitted to his Maties gracious clemency and favour to me. My unwillingnesse to hazard his Maties restitution by engaginge in blood induced me to venter further in my use of itt then perhaps some may thinke well of. But I knew in matters of soe great importance second councell would bee too late, and therefore I chose to leave as little as I could to the uncertainty of event. Att the request of Sr Arthur Hesilrige’s friends I am desired to give you the diversion of this narrative, wch I thinke not meet to send to you in your publique capacity to bee communicated to the House, but as a private person, that from hence you may bee informed of what passed betwixt my selfe and that unfortunate man, which I leave to you to make use of as you in yor judgmt shall thinke fitt, and am

Your most affectionate friend and servant,

Albemarle.

Cockpitt, 4o Julii,
16

APPENDIX E

Letter from Mr. G. Paul to King Charles II.

[This letter, which is amongst the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian Library (MS. A. 477, f. 34), throws some light on the secret history of Sir George Booth’s rising and on the nature of the services performed by Sir Samuel Morland to the King’s cause during 1659. It also supplies some new information as to the treachery of Sir Richard Willis, and the manner in which it was discovered.]

To the King

Sir,

Your Majestie this day hath raised mee from death to life, a miracle none but your selfe could have done, in pleaseing soe gratiously to lett mee know with what weapons my enemyes have soe long fought against mee, assureing my selfe I shall with as great ease as telling truth overcome them. These heads, Sir, I shall when ever commanded prove to Sir Samuell’s face, and then doubt not but that your Majestie will doe mee justice, protesting before God Almighty neither hopes of recompence nor (the greatest pleasure in the world) revenge hath caused my penn to be partiall in any one thing I here give under my hand.

First I shall shew I had designe for your Majestie’s service in my first desireing to be acquaynted with Sir Samuell Morland.

2ly. How, haveing his acquaintance, I spared nothing that might bring it to an intimacy with the Gentleman, thereby to facilitat the gayneing of him to your Majestie’s service, which I att last did.

3ly. What expence, both of tyme and money, ere I could get him about, and what trickes and strattagemes I used ere I could fix him, and how I did fix him, and what offers I was forced att last gaspe to make him in your Majestie’s name.

4ly. What dainger I runn before and after I gayned him; how I, rather like the master then the man, turned away all his servants, put in new ones of my owne, ere I could rifle his study as I did.

5thly. How it was I discovered Barrett to be Sir Richard Willis; how it was I ran the dainger of poasting him, which I did with my owne hands, unknowne to him till it was done.

6thly. I gayned Sir Thomas Whetston (Cromwell’s nephew) unknowne to him, and sent him to you att Bruxells, designing him for to goe to the Sound to tempt Mountague, for which I have a letter under your owne hands of thankes, telling mee your Majestie had performed all I promised Whetstones in your name, and had followed my advice in sending him to Mountague; all this unknowne to Morland.

7ly. How Morland had moneys of mee, not I of him ever in my life a farthing token, which my servants that payd him money I lent him are ready to witnes.

8thly. I shall shew that his noble Lady aided and assisted to gayne him to your Majestie’s partie, about which I shall tell your Majestie what passed in a garden by the neats’ howse betwixt him, his Lady, and my selfe, and how shee often hindred him from backsliding, for which I presented her with a cabinett of 50li.—sheweth I wanted not moneys—which I bought att Antwerpe att my returne from the King.

9ly. Hee was soe farr from being my master and sending mee to your Majestie with what my owne industry made mee master of, that after I had gayned him—I say, three dayes after hee had promised to send you all hee had—hee repented, and tould mee hee runne a great dainger, and would not act for you, nor send your Majestie any thing untill you should send him tenn thousand pounds in moneye. His Lady with her witt beate him off of that gimcrack, or all had been marred.

Lastly. To shew your Majestie, further, I not only gayned, but governed him, his worship, on Dick’s goeing downe and Bradshawe’s commeing up in play, resolved to quitt all, packed upp all his goods, sent them to be shipped by Dorislawes for feare. There I used my last witt, threatned him I would render him suspect if hee resolved not to stay, advised him to quitt Thurlo and goe to the Dog Bradshaw and offer him his service, which, nolens volens, hee did, became his secretary for examinacions att Wallingford Howse; there hee rendred your Majestie the greatest service in shufling papers of examinacions and advertising mee of their names which was discovered; desired mee to goe on all daingerous messages as advertisly, and so save them by it. My Lord and Lady Mordent, alive to witnesse it, Sir Edward Massy, Lady Mary Howard, had shee made good use of my advertisment, cum multis alijs.

All this, Sir, being made out, I hope I shall no more be accused of pretending to greater services then I have done. I tooke no money of Morland, but furnished both him and Henshaw and Whetstones. I never begged any thing from your Majestie till your arrivall in England. I have waited 3 yeares for somewhat, what you please. I, leiw [sic] of all your Royall promises, only begge one design’d for government of Garnesey in tyme past may not att present be commanded to put off cloake, lay by sword and hatt, to keepe a doore. This is all hee beggeth who is,

Sir,
Your Majestie’s loyall subject and most faithfull servant,1

Sir, permitt me to add nothing was Sir Samuell’s owne; but the inventing the carecter I gave your Majestie att Bruxells to write to mee by the invisible inke was myne, and every thing else of my laying, conducting, and carrying on from the first to the last.

Monday night, 13th, 1663.

[Endorsed] Lambeth, ’63. Mr. G. Paul.
That he gain’d Sir S. Morland to
the service of his Majesty.

Spottiswoode & Co. Ltd., Printers, New-street Square, London.

[1 ]The date is partly torn away, but this letter was read in the House on June 9.

[1 ]Three-quarters of a line torn off.

[1 ]MS. torn.

[2 ]The passage which follows is full of erasures and corrections.

[1 ]The letter is addressed:

  • ‘For John Hobart, Esq., att
  • his howse in Norwich,’

but is unsigned.

[1 ]There is no signature.