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WLET  AND  PUTNAM'S 

LIBRARY  OF 

CHOICE     READING. 


CROMWELL'S 

LETTEES  AID  SPEECHES.. 

BY  THOMAS  CARLYLE. 

VOL.  I.— PART  I. 


o 


OLIVER  CROMWELUS 


LETTERS. AID  SPEECHES: 


WITH   ELUCIDATIONS. 


BY  THOMAS  CARLYLE. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 


VOL.  I. — ^PABT  I. 


NEW. YORK: 
WILEY  h   PUTNAM,  161    BROADWAY. 

1846. 


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CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I 


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it 


INTRODUCTION. 

PAQm 

I.  Anti-Dryasdust 8 

«       II.  Of  the  Biographies  of  Oliver     ...  18 

"      III.  Of  the  Cromwell  Kindred     .         .         .  *      .  20 

"       IV.  Events  in  Oliver^s  Biography            .         .  34 

V.  Of  Oliver's  Letters  and  Speeches           .         .  72 


CROMWELL'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES. 

PART  I. 

TO  THE  BE6INNINO  OF  THE  CTVrL  WAE.    163&-43. 

Letteb  I.  To  Mr.  Storie  :  St.  Ives,  11  Jan.,  1635-6  .     88 

Lectureship  in  Huntingdonshire. 

"       II.  To  Mrs.  St.  John :  Ely,  13  Oct.,  1638     .         .     91 

Personal  Affairs. 

Two  Years 101 

Letter  III.  To  Mr.  Willingham  :  London,  Feh.   1640-1   .  106 

The  Scots  Demands. 

!:i  THE  Long  Parliament 108 

PART  II. 

TO  THE  END  OF  THE  FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.    IS^MS. 

Prelixinart 115 

LirncE  IV.  To  R.  Barnard,  Esq. :  Huntingdon,  28d  Jan., 

1642-3      lyy 

A  Domiciliary  Visit 


Ti  CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I. 

PAOB 

Lbtter  v.  To  T.  Knyvett,  Esq. :  Norfolk,  Jati.,  1642-3   .  129 

Pariihionera  of  Haptft. 

LOWBSTOFF 131 

Lbttbr  VI.  Unknown  :  Grantham,  13  May,  1643      .        .  135 

Skirmish  at  Grantham. 

<'       VII.  To  Cambridge  Committee:   Huntingdon,  31 

July,  1643 137 

Action  at  Gainsborough. 
WufCEBY  Fight 142 

Letter  VIII.  To  Col.  Walton:  York,  5  July,  1644  .         .  149 

Marston  Moor. 

Three  -Fragments    of    Speeches.      Self-denying    Ordi- 

nance 153 

Letter  IX.  To  Sir  T.  Fairfax :  Salisbury,  9  April,  1645     .  159 
Proceedings  in  the  West :  Goring,  Greenvil,  Rupert 

"      X.  To  Governor  R.  Burgess :  Farijpgdon,  29  April, 

1645 161 

Attack  on  Farringdon  Garrison. 

'*      XI.  To  the  same :  sanie  date        ....  162 

Same  subject 

«       XII.  To  Sir  T.  Fairfax :  Huntingdon,  4  June,  1645    163 

A&irs  at  Ely. 

<<      XIII.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Harborough,  14  June, 

1645 165 

Battle  of  Naseby. 

"      XIV.  To  Sir  T.  Fairfax :  Shaftesbury,  4  Aug., 

1645 171 

The  Clubmen. 

«      XV.  To  Hon.   W.   Lenthall  :  Bristol,   14  Sept., 

1645 176 

Storm  of  BristoL 

«       XVI.  To  the  same :  Winchester,  6  Oct.,  1645       .  182 

Taking  of  Winchester. 

'<      XVII.  To  the  same  :  Basingstoke,  14  Oct.,  1645   .  184 

Basing  House  Stormed.  ^ 

"      XVIII.  To  Sir  T.  Fairfax :  Wallop,  16  Oct.,  1645  .  189 

MarchiDg  to  the  West 


CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I.  Hi 

PART  III. 

BrrWEEN  THE  TWO  CIVIL  WABS.    1648-18. 

PAOB 

Lettcr  XIX.  To  Sir  T.  Fairfax :  London,  31  July,  1646    .  Id6 

Adjutant  Flemmiog. 
''       XX.  To  the  same:  London,  10th  Aug.,  1646         .  197 
News :  Commiationera  to  the  King  and  Scotch  Army 
have  returned. 

**       XXI.  To  J.  Rushworth,  Esq. :  London,  26th  Aug., 

1646 199 

On  behalf  of  Major  Henry  Lilbum. 

«       XXII.  To  Sir  T.  Fairfax  :  London,  6  Oct.,  1646     .  200 

Staffordshire  Committee-men. 
"       XXIII.  To  Mrs.  Ireton :  London,  25  Oct.,  1646    .  201 

Fatherly  Advice. 

"       XXIV.  To    Sir   T.   Fairfax :  London,  21   Dec., 

1646 208 

News,  by  Skippon :  Agreement  with  the  Scots  con- 
cluded ;  City  disaffected  to  Army. 

**       XXV.  To  the  same:  London,  11  March,  1646-7  .  207 

Army  matters ;  City  still  more  disaffected. 

'«       XXVI.  To  the  same :  London,  19  March,  1646-7  .  209 
Encloses  an  Order  to  the  Army,  Not  to  come  within 
Twenty-five  miles  of  London. 

AsMT  Manifesto 211 

Letter  XXVII.  To  Col.  Jones  :  Putney,  14  Sept.,  1647     .  229 
Congratulates  on  the  Victory  at  Dungan  Hill. 

"       XXVIII.  To  Sir  T.   Fairfax :  Putney,  13  Oct., 

1647 .        .280 

Capt  Middleton,  Court-Martial. 
"       XXIX.  To  the  same :  Putney,  22  October,  1647  .  232 

Col.  Overton  for  Hull  Garrison. 

«      XXX.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Hampton  Court,  11 

Nov.,  1647 285 

King's  Escape  from  Hampton  Court 
«       XXXI.  To  Col.  Whalley :  Putney,  Nov.,  1647      .  230 

The  same. 
*      XXXII.  To  Col.   Hammond ;    London,    3  Jan., 

1647-8  .         .         .         .287 

Concerning  the  King  in  the  Isle  of  Wight. 


wm  CONTENTS  OP  VOLUEE  I. 

PAOS 

Letter  XXXIII.  To    Col.    Norton :    London,    25    Feb., 

1647-^  "^ 240 

On  Richard  Cromwell's  Marriage. 

«      XXXIV.  To  Sir  T.  Fair&x :  London,  7  March, 

1647-8 244 

Haa  been  dangerously  ill. 

Feee  Offer 244 

Letter  XXX^..4*o  Col.  Norton:  Famham,  28th  March, 

i«8 245 

Richard  Cromwell's  Marriage. 

'<       XXXVI.  To  the  same :  London,  dd  April,  1648    .  247 

The  same. 

"      XXXVII.  To  Col.  Hammond :  London,  6|a  April, 

1648 .  249 

Isle-of- Wight  Business ;  King  intends  Escape. 

Prater-Meeting 251 

PART  IV. 

SECOND  CnnL  WAR.    1618. 

Letter   XXXVIII.  To   Major  Saunders :    Pembroke,    17 

June,  1648 263 

To  Seize  Sheriff  Morgan  and  Sir  Trevor  Williams,  two 
.    Rebel  Welshmen. 

«      XXXIX.  To  Lord  (late  Sir  Thomas)  Fairfax :  Pem- 
broke, 28  June,  1648 264 

Siege  of  Pembroke. 

Preston  Battle 271 

Letter  XL.  To  Lancashire  Committee :  Preston,  17  Aug., 

1648 274 

Battle  of  Preston. 

*<      XLI.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Warrington,  20  Aug., 

1648 276 

The  same. 

*<      XLII.  To  Lord  Wharton  :  near  Knaresborough,  2 

Sept.,  1648 290 

Religious  Reflections ;  Congratulationf  on  public  eyents 
and  private. 


« 


.  CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I.  ix 

PAOX 

Dbcul&ation 298 

Lktter  XLIII.  To  Lord  Fairfax :  Berwick,  11  Sept.,  1648     294 

Col.  Cowell'B  Widow 

«       XLIV.  To  Manjuis  Argyle,  and  the  WelUaffected 
Lords  now  in  arms  in  Scotland  :  near  Berwick, 

16  Sept.,  1648 296 

Announces  Messengers  coming  to  them. 

"       XLY.  To  Scots  Committee  of  Estates :  near  Ber- 
wick, 16  Sept.,  1648       .         .         .         .         .297 

His  Reasons  for  entering  Scotland. 

«       XL VI.  To    Earl  Loudon  :  Cheswick,   18  Sept., 

1648 299 

Intentions  and  Proceedings  as  to  Scotland. 
Pkoclamation 302 

Letter  XLVIL  To  Scots  Committee  of  Estates :  Norham, 

21  Sept.,  1648 303 

In  excuse  for  some  disorder  by  the  Durham  horse  in 
Scotland. 

«       XL VIII.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Berwick,  2  Oct., 

1648 .305 

Surrender  of  Berwick  and  Carlisle. 

«       XLIX.  To  Lord  Fairfax :  Berwick,  2  Oct.,  1648     .  306 
To  have  Sir  Axthur  Haselrig  take  care  of  Berwick. 

"       L.  To  Scots  Committee  of  Estates :  Edinburgh,  5 

Oct.,  1648 309 

Hia  Demands  concerning  Scotland. 

«       LI.  To  Hon.   W.    Lenthall  :   Dalhousie,  9  Oct., 

1648 311 

Account  of  his  Proceedings  in  Scotland. 

"       LII.  To   Governor   Morris :   Pontefract,   9   Nov., 

1648 314 

Summons  to  Pontefract  Castle. 

"       LIII.  To  Jenner  and  Ashe :  Knottingley,  near  Pon- 
tefract, 20  Nov.,  1648 316 

Rebuke  for  their  Order  concerning  Col.  Owen. 

«      LIV.  To  Lord  Fairfax  :    Knottingley,   20  Nov., 

1648 319 

With  certain  Petitions  from  the  Army. 


X  CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I. 

PAOX 

Lettbr  LV.  To  Col.  Hammond :  Knottingley,  25  Nov., 

1648 820 

Exhortation  and  AdFice  concerning  the  Bosiness  of  the 
King. 

Death- Wj^REANT 828 

PART  V. 

CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.    1640. 

Letter  LVI.  To  Rev.   Mr.   Robinson :  London,  1   Feb., 

1648-9  .         .  .         .  .387 

This  Letter  and  the  three  following  relate  to  Richard 
Cromwell's  Marriage. 

Pass 888 

Letter  LVIL  To  R.   Mayor,  Esq.:  London,   12  Feb., 

1648-9 889 

Order 840 

Letter  LVIIL  To  R.   Mayor,  Esq. :  London,   26  Feb., 

1648-9 842 

<<      LIX.  To  the  same :  London,  8  March,  1648-9        .  348 

<'      LX.  To  Dr.  Love :  London,  14  March,  1648-9      .  345 

Recommends  a  Suitor  to  him. 

**      LXL  To    R.  Mayor,  Esq. :  London,   14   March, 

1648-9 847 

This  and  the  four  following  relate  to  Richard  Crom- 
well's Marriage. 

«  LXII.  To  the  same :  London,  25  March,  1649  .  349 
<<  LXin.  To  the  same  :  London,  30  March,  1649  .  351 
"  LXIY.  To  the  same  :  London,  6  April,  1649  .  352 
"      LXV.  To  the  same :  London,  15  April,  1649        .  358 

The  Levellers 356 

Letter  LXVL  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  London,  10  July, 

1649 866 

Recommends  Mr.  Lowry,  his  fellow  Member. 

«      LXVn.  To  R.   Mayor,  Esq.:  Bristol,  19  July, 

1649 868 

In  answer  to  a  Recommendation. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I.  zi 

PAQm 
LsTTBR  LXVIII.  To  the  same :  Milford  Haven,  13  Aug., 

1649 870 

News  received  from  IreUod :  Jones's  Defeat  of  Onnond 
at  Baf^atrath. 

"       LXIX.  To  Mrs.  Richard  Cromwell :  Milford  Ha- 

ven,  13  Aug.,  1649 372 

Religioiis  Advices. 

Irish  War 374 

Lfttsr  LXX.  To  President  Bradshaw,  Dublin,  16  Sept., 

1649 380 

Storm  of  Drogheda. 

"       LXXI.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Dublin,  17  Sept., 

1649 381 

The  same. 

«       LXXII.  To  the  same  :  Wexford,  14  Oct.,  1649    .  887 
March  to  Wexford  ;  Capture  of  Wexford. 

"       LXXIII.  To  Governor  Taaf;  Ross,  17  Oct.,  1649  .  892 

Ross  summoned. 

«       LXXIV.  To  the  same  :  Ross,  19  Oct.,  1649  .  394 

Terms  for  Ross. 

^       LXXV.  To  the  same  :  same  date         •        •         .  395 

Same  subject 

"       LXXVI.  To  Governor  Taaff:  Ross,  19  Oct.,  1649    396 

Terms  for  Ross. 

"       LXXVII.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Ross,  25  Oct., 

1649 396 

Account  of  the  Gaining  of  Ross. 

«       LXXVIII.  To  R.  Mayor,  Esq. :   Ross,  13  Nov., 

1649 399 

Irish  News,  and  Family  Affairs. 

"       LXXIX.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Ross,   14  Nov., 

1649 400 

Proceedings  in  Munster :  Cork,  Youghal,  Baltimore, 
Castlehaven ;  other  Mercies. 

«       LXXX.  To  the  same :  Waterford,  Nov.,  1649       .  404 
Reynolds  takes  Carrick-on-Suir ;  defends  it  gallantly : 
Reflections. 


Mi  CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I. 

PAOB 

Letter  LXXXI.  To  the  same :  Cork,  19  Dec.,  1649  .  409 

Waterford  not  taken ;  Peath  of  Lieut. -Gen.  Michael 
Jones ;  Repulse  of  the  £nein>  tt  P&ssage. 

"      LXXXII.  To  the    same  :    Castletown,   15   Feb., 

1649-50  .         .         .         .         .413 

New  Campaign :  Reduction  of  many  places  in  Tippe- 
rary  and  the  Southwest 

'<      LXXXIII.   To   President   Bradshaw :    Cashel,   5 

March,  1649-50 417 

Progress  of  the  Campaign ;  Cahir  Castle. 

«      LXXXIV.  To  Hon.   W.   LenthaU:    Carrick,    2 

April,  1650 418 

The  same :  Kilkenny  taken  ;  Col.  Hewson. 

«      LXXXV.  To  R.  Mayor,  Esq. :  Carrick,  2  April, 

1650 423 

Reflections  on  the  Mercies  in  Ireland. 

PART  VL 

war  with  scotland.  1850^51. 

War  with  Scotland 433 

Letter  LXXXVL  To  R.  Mayor,  Esq. :  Alnwick,  17  July, 

1650 440 

Concerning  his  Son  and  Daughter-in-law. 

«      LXXXVII.  To  President  Bradshaw :  Musselburgh, 

30  July,  1650 443 

Appearance  before  Edinburgh  ;  Lesley  within  his  Lines. 

<<      LXXXVIII.  To  Scots  Committee  of  Estates :  Mus- 

^Iburgh,  3  Aug.,  1650 446 

Remonstrates  on  their  dangerous  courses,  on  their  un- 
christian conduct  towards  him. 

**      LXXXIX.  To  Gen.  Lesley:  Camp  at  Pentland 

Hills,  14  Aug.,  1650 451 

Answer  to  Lesley's  Message  and  Declaration. 

<<      XC.  To  the  Council  of  State :   Musselburgh,  30 

Aug.,  1650 454 

Progress  of  the  Scotch  Campaign :  Skirmish  on  the  Stir- 
ling Road,  no  Battle ;  retreat  to  the  eastward  again. 

Battle  of  Dunbab 457 


CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I.  xiii 

PAGE 

CR  XCI.  To  Sir  A.  Haselrig :  Dunbar,  2  Sept.,  1650   .  458 

Day  before  Dunbar  Battle. 

«       XCII.  To  Hon.  W.   Lenthall :  Dunbar,  4  Sept., 

1650     . 467 

Of  Dunbar  Battle : — This  Letter  and  the  next  three. 

^       XCIII.  To  President  Bradshaw  :  Dunbar,  4  Sept., 

1650 473 

"       XCIV.  To  Mrs.  Cromwell :  Dunbar,  4  Sept.,  1650    474 
"       XCV.  To  R.  Mayor,  Esq. :  Dunbar,  4  Sept.,  1650  .  475 

Letteh  XCVI.  To  (jovemor  Dundas :  Edinburgh,  9  Sept., 

1650 479 

Has  offered  to  let  the  Ministers  in  Edinburgh  Castle 
preach  in  the  City :  Rebuke  for  their  refusal. 

"       XCVII.  To  the  same:  Edinburgh,  12  Sept.,  1650  .  482 
Second  more  deliberate  Rebuke,  with  Queries. 

QlTEKIES 486 

Letter  XCVIIL  To  President  Bradshaw  :  Edinburgh,  25 

Sept.,  1650 489 

Has  marched  towards  Stirling,  but  been  obliged  to  re- 
turn. 

"       XCIX.  To  Scots  Committee  of  Estates:   Linlith- 

gow,  9  Oct.,  1650 494 

Remonstrates  again  with  them  concerning  the  folly  and 
impiety  of  thb  War. 

Proclamation 497 

Letter  C.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Edinburgh,  4  Dec,  1650  499 
Progress  of  Scotch  affairs :  Ker  and  Strahan. 

**       CL  To   Grovernor  Dundas :   Edinburgh,  12  Dec, 

1650 502 

This  and  the  six  following,  with  the  Pass  and  Proclama- 
tion, relate  to  the  Siege  of  Edinburgh  Castle. 

"  Cn.  To  the  same :  same  date       ....  503 

"  CIIL  To  the  same:  Edinburgh,  13  Dec,  1650      .  505 

«  CIV.  To  the  same :  Edinburgh,  14  Dec,  1650      .  506 

«  CV.  To  the  same  :  same  date       ....  607 

«  CVL  To  the  same  :  Edinburgh,  18  Dec,  1650       .  508 

«  CVII.  To  the  same :  same  date    .        .        .         .509 


xiv  CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I. 

PAOB 

Pass 609 

Proclamation 510 

Letter  CVIII.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  Edinburgh,  24  Dec, 

1650 511 

Edinburgh  Castle  surrendered. 

«      CIX.  To  Col.  Hacker:  Edinburgh,  25  Dec,  1650     514 
Capt.  Empson*8  Commission  cannot  be  revoked.    Cen- 
sures a  phrase  of  Hacker's. 

"       ex.  To  Gen.  Lesley :  Edinburgh,  17  Jan.,  1650-1    616 

ProTost  Jaffray,  Rev.  Messrs.  Waugh  and  Carstairs. 

"      CXI.  To  Scots  Committee  of  Estates  :  Edinburgh, 

17  Jan.,  1650-1     .         .         .         .         .         .620 

Augustin  the  German  Mosstrooper. 
•«      CXII.  To  Committee  of  Army :  Edinburgh,  4  Feb., 

1650-1 622 

Symonds,  and  the  Medal  for  Dunbar  Battle. 
"      CXllL  To  President  Bradshaw  :   Edinburgh,   24 

March,  1650-1 526 

Has  been  dangerously  unwell :  thanks  for  their  inquir- 
ing after  him. 

**      CXIV.  To  Mrs.  Cromwell :  Edinburgh,  12  April, 

1651     . 527 

Domestic.    The  Lord  Herbert.    Richard  and  the  other 
Children. 

«      CXV.  To  Hon.  A.  Johnston :  Edinburgh,  12  April, 

1651 529 

Public  Registers  of  Scotland. 

Second  Visit  to  Glasgow 531 

Letter  CXVl.  To  Mrs.   Cromwell :   Edinburgh,  3   May, 

1651 536 

Domestic.    Regards  to  his  Mother. 

"      CXVn.  To  Hon.  W.   Lenthall  :   Linlithgow,   21 

July,  1651 538 

Inverkeithing  Fight 
"      CXVIIL  To  President  Bradshaw :  Dundas,  24  July, 

1651 540 

Gone  over  to  Fife. 

^      CXIX.  To  the  same  :  Linlithgow,  26  July,  1651     .  541 

Inchgarvie  surrendered. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I. 

PAOB 

CXX.  To  R.  Mayor,  Esq. :  Burntisland,  28  July, 
1651 541 

Rebukes  his  son  Richard  for  excess  in  expenditure. 

**      CXXI.  To  Hon.   W.   Lenthall :   Burntisland,   29 

July,  1651 548 

Burntisland.    Army  mostly  in  Fife. 

""       CXXII.  To  the  same  :  Leith,  4  Aug.,  1651  .         .  544 
St  Johnston  taken:  the  enemy  suddenly  gone  south- 
ward. 

Battle  of  Worcester 549 

Letter  CXXIII.  To  Hon.  W.  Lenthall :  near  Worcester, 

3  Sept.,  1651  J 552 

Battle  of  Worcester. 

"       CXXIV.  To  the  same :  Worcester,  4  Sept.,  1651    .  558 

The  same. 


OLIVER  CROMWELL'S 


LETTERS   AND   SPEECHES. 


YOL.  I. 


INTRODUCTION. 

CHAPTER  I. 

AHTI-DRTAIOUIT. 

What  and  how  great  are  the  interests  which  connect  themselves 
with  the  hope  that  England  may  yet  attain  to  some  practical 
belief  and  understanding  of  its  History  during  the  Seventeenth 
Century,  need  not  be  insisted  on  at  present ;  such  hope  being  still 
very  distant,  very  uncertain.  We  have  wandered  far  away  from 
the  ideas  which  guided  us  in  that  Century,  and  indeed  which  had 
guided  us  in  all  preceding  Centuries,  but  of  which  that  Century 
was  the  ultimate  manifestation :  we  have  wandered  very  far ; 
and  must  endeavor  to  return,  and  connect  ourselves  therewith 
again  !  It  is  with  other  feelings  than  those  of  poor  peddling 
Dilettantism,  other  aims  than  the  writing  of  successful  or  unsuc- 
cessful Publications,  that  an  earnest  man  occupies  himself  in 
those  dreary  provinces  of  the  dead  and  buried.  The  last  glimpse 
of  the  Grodlike  vanishing  from  this  England  ;  conviction  and 
veracity  giving  place  to  hollow  cant  and  formulism, — antique 
*  Reign  of  God,'  which  all  true  men  in  their  several  dialects  and 
modes  have  always  striven  for,  giving  place  to  modern  Reign  of 
the  No-God,  whom  men  name  Devil :  this,  in  its  multitudinous 
meanings  and  results,  is  a  sight  to  create  reflections  in  the  earnest 
man  !  One  wishes  there  were  a  History  of  English  Puritanism, 
the  last  of  all  our  Heroisms  ;  but  sees  small  prospect  of  such  a 
thing  at  present. 

*  Few  nobler  Heroisms,*  says  a  well-known  Writer  long  occu- 
pied OD  this  subject, '  at  bottom  perhaps  no  nobler  Heroism  ever 
transacted  itself  on  this  Earth  ;  and  it  lies  as  good  as  lost  to  us; 


INTRODUCTION. 


overwhelmed  under  such  an  avalanche  of  Human  Stupidities  as 
no  Heroism  before  ever  did.  Intrinsically  and  extrinsically  it 
may  be  considered  inaccessible  to  these  generations.  Intrinsically, 
the  spiritual  purport  of  it  has  become  inconceivable,  incredible  to 
the  modem  mind.  Extrinsically,  the  documents  and  records  of  it, 
scattered  waste  as  a  shoreless  chaos,  are  not  legible.  They  lie 
there,  printed,  written,  to  the  extent  of  tons  and  square  miles,  as 
shot.ru bbish  ;  unedited,  unsorted,  not  so  much  as  indexed ;  full 
of  every  conceivable  confusion  ; — yielding  light  to  very  few ; 
yielding  darkness,  in  several  sorts,  to  very  many.  Dull  Pedantry, 
conceited  idle  Dilettantism, — prurient  Stupidity  in  what  shape 
soever, — is  darkness  and  not  light !  There  are  from  Thirty  to 
Fifly  Thousand  unread  Pamphlets  of  the  Civil  War  in  the  British 
Museum  alone  :  huge  piles  of  mouldering  wreck,  wherein,  at  the 
rate  of  perhaps  one  pennyweight  per  ton,  lie  things  memorable. 
They  lie  preserved  there,  waiting  happier  days ;  under  present 
conditions  they  cannot,  except  for  idle  purposes,  for  dilettante 
excerpts  and  such  like,  be  got  examined.  The  Rushworths, 
Whitlockes,  Nalsons,  Thurloes ;  enormous  folios,  these  and  many 
others,  they  have  been  printed,  and  some  of  them  again  printed,  but 
never  yet  edited,—- edited  as  you  edit  wagonloads  of  broken  bricks 
and  dry  nrK)rtar,  simply  by  tumbling  up  the  wagon  !  Not  one  of 
these  monstrous  old  volumes  has  so  much  as  an  available  Index. 
It  is  the  general  rule  of  editing  on  this  matter.  If  your  editor 
correct  the  press,  it  is  an  honorable  distinction  to  him.  Those 
dreary  old  records  were  compiled  at  first  by  Human  Insight,  in 
part ;  and  in  great  part,  by  Human  Stupidity  withal ; — but  then 
it  was  by  Stupidity  in  a  laudable  diligent  state,  and  doing  its 
best ;  which  was  something  : — and,  alas,  they  have  been  succes- 
sively elaborated  by  Human  Stupidity  in  the  idle  state,  falling 
idler  and  idler,  and  only  pretending  to  be  diligent;  whereby  now, 
for  us,  in  these  late  days,  they  have  grown  very  dim  indeed  !  To 
Dryasdust  Printing-Societies,  and  such  like,  they  afford  a  sorrow, 
ful  kind  of  pabulum ;  but  for  all  serious  purposes,  they  are  as  if 
non-extant  ;  might  as  well,  if  matters  are  to  rest  as  they  are,  not 
have  been  written  or  printed  at  all.  The  sound  of  them  is  not  a 
voice y  conveying  knowledge  or  memorial  of  any  earthly  or  hea- 
venly thing ;  ii  is  a  wide^spread  inarticulate  slumberous  muinble-> 


ANn-DRYASDUST. 


roenty  issuing  as  if  from  the  lake  of  Eternal  Sleep.  Craving  for 
oblivion,  for  abolition  and  honest  silence,  as  a  blessing  in  com- 
parison! 

'  This,  then,'  continues  our  impatient  friend,  '  is  the  Elysium 
we  English  have  provided  for  our  Heroes  !  The  Rushworthian 
Elysium.  Dreariest  continent  of  shot-rubbish  the  eye  ever  saw. 
Confusion  piled  on  confusion  to  your  utmost  horizon's  edge  :  ob- 
scure,  in  lurid  twilight  as  of  the  Shadow  of  Death  ;  trackless, 
without  index,  without  finger-post,  or  mark  of  any  human  fore- 
goer  ; — ^where  your  human  footstep,  if  you  are  still  human,  echoes 
bodeful  through  the  gaunt  solitude,  peopled  only  by  somnambulant 
Pedants,  Dilettants,  and  doleful  creatures,  by  phantasms,  errors, 
inconceivabilities,  by  Nightmares,  pasteboard  Norroys,  grifHns, 
wivems,  and  chimeras  dire !  There,  all  vanquished,  overwhelmed 
under  such  waste  lumber-mountains,  the  wreck  and  dead  ashes 
of  some  six  unbelieving  generations,  does  the  A^e  of  Cromwell 
and  his  Puritans  lie  hidden  from  us.  This  is  what  we,  for  our 
share,  have  been  able  to  accomplish  towards  keeping  our  Heroic 
Ones  in  memory.  By  way  of  sacred  poet  they  have  found 
voluminous  Dryasdust,  and  his  Collections  and  Philosophical 
Histories. 

*  To  Dryasdust,  who  wishes  merely  to  compile  torpedo  Histo- 
ries of  the  philosophical  or  other  sorts,  and  gain  immortal  laurels 
ibr  himself  by  writing  about  it  and  about  it,  all  this  is  sport ;  but 
to  us  who  struggle  piously,  passionately,  to  behold,  if  but  in 
glimpses,  the  faces  of  our  vanished  Fathers,  it  is  death  ! — O  Dry- 
asdust, my  voluminous  friend,  had  Human  Stupidity  continued  in 
the  diligent  state,  think  you  it  had  ever  come  to  this  ?  Surely  at 
least  you  might  have  made  an  Index  for  these  huge  books !  Even 
your  genius,  had  you  been  faithful,  was  adequate  to  that.  Those 
thirty  thousand  or  fiAy  thousand  old  Newspapers  and  Pamphlets 
of  the  King's  Library,  it  is  you,  my  voluminous  friend,  that 
should  have  sifted  them,  many  long  years  ago.  Instead  of 
droning  out  these  melancholy  scepticisms,  constitutional  philoso- 
phies, torpedo  narratives,  you  should  have  siAed  those  old  stacks 
of  pamphlet  matter  for  us,  and  have  had  the  metal  grains  lying 
here  accessible,  and  the  dross-heaps  lying  there  avoidable ;  you 


6  INTRODUCTION. 


had  done  the  human  memory  a  service  thereby ;  some  humaa 
remembrance  of  this  matter  had  been  more  possible !' 

Certainly  this  description  does  not  want  for  emphasis :  but  all 
ingenuous  inquirers  into  the  Past  will  say  there  is  too  much  truth 
in  it.  Nay,  in  addition  to  the  sad  state  of  our  Historical  Books, 
and  what  indeed  is  fundamentally  the  cause  and  origin  of  that, 
our  common  spiritual  notions,  if  any  notion  of  ours  may  still 
deserve  to  be  called  spiritual,  are  fatal  to  a  right  understanding 
of  that  Seventeenth  Century.  The  Christian  Doctrines  which 
then  dwelt  alive  in  every  heart,  have  now  in  a  manner  died  out 
of  all  hearts, — very  mournful  to  behold ;  and  are  not  the  guid- 
ance of  this  world  any  more.  Nay,  worse  still,  the  Cant  of  them 
does  yet  dwell  alive  with  us,  little  doubting  that  it  is  Cant ; — in 
which  fatal  intermediate  state  the  Eternal  Sacredness  of  this 
Universe  itself,  of  this  Human  Life  itself,  has  fallen  dark  to  the 
most  of  us,  and  we  think  that  too  a  Cant  and  a  Creed.  Thus  the 
old  names  suggest  new  things  to  us, — not  august  and  divine,  but 
hypocritical,  pitiable,  detestable.  The  old  names  and  similitudes 
of  belief  still  circulate  from  tongue  to  tongue,  though  now  in  such 
a  ghastly  condition :  not  as  commandments  of  the  Living  God, 
which  we  must  do,  or  perish  eternally ;  alas,  no,  as  something 
very  different  from  that !  Here  properly  lies  the  grand  unintel- 
ligibility  of  the  Seventeenth  Century  for  us.  From  this  source 
has  proceeded  our  maltreatment  of  it,  our  miseditings,  miswritings, 
and  all  the  other  '  avalanche  of  Human  Stupidity,'  wherewith,  as 
our  impatient  friend  complains,  we  have  allowed  it  to  be  over- 
whelmed.  We  have  allowed  some  other  things  to  be  overwhelmed ! 
Would  to  Heaven  that  were  the  worst  fruit  we  had  gathered  from 
our  Unbelief  and  our  Cant  of  Belief! — Our  impatient  friend 
continues : 

'  I  have  known  Nations  altogether  destitute  of  printer's-types 
and  learned  appliances,  with  nothing  better  than  old  songs,  monu- 
mental stone- heaps  and  Quipo-thrums  to  keep  record  by,  who  had 
truer  memory  of  their  memorable  things  than  this!  Truer 
memory,  I  say :  for  at  least  the  voice  of  their  Past  Heroisms,  if 
indistinct,  and  all  awry  as  to  dates  and  statistics,  was  still  melo- 
dious to  those  Nations.  The  body  of  it  might  be  dead  enough ; 
but  the  soul  of  it,  partly  harmonized,  put  in  real  accordance  with 


ANTI-DRYASDUST. 


the  "  Eternal  Melodies/'  was  alive  to  all  hearts,  and  could  not 
die.  The  memory  of  their  ancient  Brave  Ones  did  not  rise  like 
a  hideous  huge  leaden  vapor,  an  anDorphous  emanation  of  Chaos, 
like  a  petrifying  Medusa  Spectre,  on  those  poor  Nations :  no,  but 
like  a  Heaven's  Apparition,  which  it  toaSy  it  still  stood  radiant 
beneficent  before  all  hearts,  calling  all  hearts  to  emulate  it,  and 
the  reoognition  of  it  was  a  Psalm  and  Song.  These  things  will 
require  to  be  practically  meditated  by  and  by.  Is  human 
Writing,  then,  the'  art  of  burying  Heroisms,  and  highest  Facts, 
in  Chaos ;  so  that  no  man  shall  henceforth  contemplate  them 
without  horror  and  aversion,  and  danger  of  locked-jaw  ?  What 
does  Dryasdust  consider  that  he  was  bom  Tot  ;  that  paper  and 
ink  were  made  for  ? 

'  It  is  very  notable,  and  leads  to  endless  reflections,  how  the 
Greeks  had  their  living  liiad  where  we  have  such  a  deadly  inde- 
scribable Cromwelliad.  The  old  Pantheon,  home  of  all  the  gods, 
has  become  a  Peerage-Book^ — with  black  and  white  surplice- 
oootroversies  superadded,  not  unsuitably.  The  Greeks  had  their 
Homers,  Hesiods,  where  we  have  our  Rymers,  Rushworths,  our 
Norroys,  Grarter-Kings,  and  Bishops  Cobweb.  Very  notable,  I 
say.  By  the  genius,  wants  and  instincts  and  opportunities  of  the 
one  People,  striving  to  keep  themselves  in  mind  of  what  was 
memorable,  there  had  fashioned  itself,  in  the  ef&rt  of  successive 
centuries,  a  Homer*s  lUad  :  by  those  of  the  other  People,  in  sue- 
cessive  centuries,  a  Collinses  Peerage  improved  by  Sir  Egerton 
Brydges.  By  their  Pantheons  ye  shall  know  them  !  Have  not 
we  English  a  talent  for  Silence  ?  Our  very  Speech  and  Printed- 
Speech,  such  a  force  of  torpor  dwelling  in  it,  is  properly  a  higher 
power  of  silence.  There  is  no  Silence  like  the  Speech  you  can- 
not listen  to  without  danger  of  locked-jaw !  Given  a  divine 
Heroism,  to  smother  it  well  in  human  Dulness,  to  touch  it  with 
the  mace  of  Death,  so  that  no  human  soul  shall  henceforth  recc^- 
nize  it  lor  a  Heroism,  but  all  souls  shall  fly  from  it  as  from  a 
chaotic  Torpor,  an  Insanity  and  Horror, — 1  will  back  our  English 
genius  against  the  world  in  such  a  problem !  Truly  we  have 
done  great  things  in  that  sort ;  down  from  Norman  William  all 
the  way,  and  earlier :  and  to  the  English  mind  at  this  hour,  the 
past  History  of  England  is  little  other  than  a  dull  dismal  labyrinth. 


INTRODUCTION. 


in  which  the  English  mind,  if  candid,  will  confess  that  it  has 
found  of  knowable  (meaning  even  conceivable),  of  loveable,  or 
memorable — next  to  nothing.  As  if  we  had  done  no  brave  thing 
ut  all  in  this  Earth  ; — as  if  not  Men  but  Nightmares  had  written 
of  our  History  !  The  English,  one  can  discern  withal,  have  been 
perhaps  as  brave  a  People  as  their  neighbors ;  perhaps,  for  Valor 
of  Action  and  true  hard  labor  in  this  Earth,  since  brave  Peoples 
were  first  made  in  it,  there  has  been  none  braver  anywhere  or 
any  when :  but  also,  it  must  be  owned,  in  Stupidity  of  Speech  they 
have  no  fellow  !  What  can  poor  English  Heroisms  do  in  such 
case,  but  fall  torpid  into  the  domain  of  the  Nightmares  ?  For  of 
a  truth,  Stupidity  is  strong,  most  strong :  as  the  poet  Schiller 
sings,  "  Against  Stupidity  the  very  gods  fight  unvictorious :"  there 
is  in  it  a  placid  inexhaustibility,  a  calm  viscous  infinitude,  which 
will  baffle  even  the  gods, — which  will  say  calmly,  "  Try  all  your 
lightnings  here ;  see  whether  I  cannot  quench  them  !" 

**  Mit  der  Dammheit  kampfen  Gotter  selbst  vergebens."* 

Has  our  friend  forgotten  that  it  is  Destiny  withal  as  well  as 
*'  Stupidity ;"  that  such  is  the  case  more  or  less  with  Humaa 
History  always!  By  very  nature  it  is  a  labyrinth  and  chaos, 
this  that  we  call  Human  History  ;  an  abatis  of  trees  and  brush- 
wood, a  world-wide  jungle,  at  once  growing  and  dying.  Under 
the  green  foliage  and  blossoming  fruit-trees  of  Today,  there  lie, 
rotting  slower  or  faster,  the  forests  of  «all  other  Years  and  Days. 
Some  have  rotted  fast,  plants  of  annual  growth,  and  are  long 
since  quite  gone  to  inorganic  mould ;  others  are  like  the  aloe, 
growths  that  last  a  thousand  or  three  thousand  years.  You  will 
find  them  in  all  stages  of  decay  and  preservation ;  down  deep  to 
the  beginnings  of  the  History  of  Man.  Think  where  our  Alpha, 
bctic  Letters  came  from,  where  our  Speech  itself  came  from ; 
the  Cookeries  we  live  by,  the  Masonries  we  lodge  under !  You 
will  find  fibrous  roots  of  this  day's  Occurrences  among  the  dust 
of  Cadmus  and  Trismegistus,  of  Tubalcain  and  Triptolemus ; 
the  tap-roots  of  them  are  with  Father  Adam  himself  and  the 
cinders  of  Eve's  first  fire !  At  bottom,  there  is  no  perfect  His- 
tory ;  there  is  none  such  conceivable. 


ANTI-DRYASDUST.  9 


All  past  Centaries  have  rotted  down,  and  gone  confusedly 
dumb  and  quiet,  even  as  that  Seventeenth  is  now  threatening  to 
do.^  Histories  are  as  perfect  as  the  Historian  is  wise,  and  is 
giAed  with  an  eye  and  a  soul !  For  the  leafy  blossoming  Present 
Time  ^rings  from  the  whole  Past,  remembered  and  unremem- 
berable,  so  confusedly  as  we  say : — and  truly  the  Art  of  History, 
the  grand  diflference  between  a  Dryasdust  and  a  sacred  Poet,  is 
very  much  even  this :  To  distinguish  well  what  does  still  reach 
to  the  surface,  and  is  alive  and  frondent  for  us  ;  and  what 
reaches  no  longer  to  the  surface,  but  moulders  safe  underground, 
never  to  send  forth  leaves  or  fruit  for  mankind  any  more  :  of  the 
ferroer  we  shall  rejoice  to  hear ;  to  hear  of  the  latter  will  be  an 
affliction  to  us;  of  the  latter  only  Pedants  and  Dullards,  and 
disastrous  ma/if  factors  to  the  world,  will  find  good  to  speak.  By 
wiae  memory  and  by  wise  oblivion  :  it  lies  all  there  !  Without 
oblivion,  there  is  no  remembrance  possible.  When  both  oblivion 
and  memory  are  wise,  when  the  general  soul  of  man  is  clear, 
melodious,  true,  there  may  come  a  modern  lUad  as  memorial  of 
the  Past :  when  both  are  foolish,  and  the  general  soul  is  over- 
clouded  with  confusions,  with  unveracities  and  discords,  there  is 
a  *  Rushworthian  chaos.' «  Let  Dryasdust  be  blamed,  beaten  with 
stripes  if  you  will ;  but  let  it  be  with  pity,  with  blame  to  Fate 
chiefly.  Alas,  when  sacred  Priests  are  arguing  about  '  black 
and  white  surplices  ;'  and  sacred  Poets  have  long  professedly  de- 
serted Truth,  and  gone  a  wool-gathering  after  *  Ideals '  and  such 
like,  what  can  you  expect  of  poor  secular  Pedants  ?  The  laby- 
rinth of  History  must  grow  ever  darker,  more  intricate  and  dis- 
mal ;  vacant  cargoes  of  *  Ideals '  will  arrive  yearly,  to  be  cast 
into  the  oven ;  and  noble  Heroisms  of  Fact,  given  up  to  Dryas- 
dust, will  be  buried  in  a  very  disastrous  manner ! — 

But  the  thing  we  had  to  say  and  repeat  was  this,  That  Puri- 
tanism is  not  of  the  Nineteenth  Century,  but  of  the  Seventeenth ; 
that  the  grand  unintelligibility  for  us  lies  there.  The  Fast-day 
Sernoons  of  St.  Margaret's  Church,  Westminster,  in  spite  of 
printers,  are  all  grown  dumb!  In  long  rows  of  little  dumpy 
quartos,  gathered  from  the  bookstalls,  they  indeed  stand  here 
bodily  before  us :  by  human  volition  they  can  be  read,  but  not 

by  any  human  memory  remembered.     We  forget  them  as  soon 

2* 


10  INTRODUCTION. 


as  read ;  they  have  become  a  weariness  to  the  sbul  of  man* 
They  are  dead  and  gone,  they  and  what  they  shadowed ;  the 
human  soul,  got  into  other  latitudes,  cannot  now  give  harbor  to 
them.  Alas,  and  did  not  the  honorable  Houses  of  Parliament 
listen  to  them  with  rapt  earnestness,  as  to  an  indisputable  mes- 
sage from  Heaven  itself?  Learned  and  painful  Dr.  Owen, 
learned  and  painful  Dr.  Burgess ;  Stephen  Marshall,  Mr.  Spur- 
stow,  Adoniram  Byfield,  Hugh  Peters,  Philip  Nye :  the  Printer 
has  done  for  them  what  he  could,  and  Mr.  Speaker  gave  them 
the  thanks  of  the  House ; — and  no  most  astonishing  Review. 
Article  of  our  day  can  have  half  such  <  brilliancy,'  such  potency, 
half  such  virtue  for  producing  heUef  as  these  their  poor  little 
dumpy  quartos  once  had.  And  behold,  they  are  become  inar- 
ticulate men  ;  spectral ;  and  instead  of  speaking,  do  not  screech 
and  gibber !  All  Puritanism  has  grown  inarticulate  ;  its  fervent 
preachings,  prayings,  pamphleteerings  are  sunk  into  one  indis- 
criminate moaning  hum,  mournful  as  the  voice  of  subterranean 
winds.  So  much  falls  silent :  human  Speech,  unless  by  rare 
chance  it  touch  on  the  '  Eternal  Melodies,'  and  harmonize  with 
them ;  human  Action,  Interest,  if  divorced  from  the  Eternal 
Melodies,  sinks  all  silent.  The  fashion  of  this  world  passeth 
away. 

The  Age  of  the  Puritans  is  not  extinct  only  and  gone  away 
from  us,  but  it  is  as  if  fallen  beyond  the  capabilities  of  Memory 
herself;  it  is  grown  unintelligible,  what  we  may  call  incredible. 
Its  earnest  Purport  awakens  now  no  resonance  in  our  frivolous 
hearts.  We  understand  not  even  in  imagination,  one  of  a  thou- 
sand of  us,  what  it  ever  could  have  meant.  It  seems  delirious, 
delusive ;  the  sound  of  it  has  become  tedious  as  a  tale  of  past 
stupidities.  Not  the  body  of  heroic  Puritanism  only,  which  was 
bound  to  die,  but  the  soul  of  it  also,  which  was  and  should  have 
been,  and  yet  shall  be  immortal,  has  for  the  present  passed  away. 
As  Harrison  said  of  his  Banner  and  Lion  of  the  Tribe  of  Judah : 
"  Who  shall  rouse  him  up  ?" — 

<  For  indisputably,'  exclaims  the  above-cited  Author  in  his 
vehement  way,  '  this  too  was  a  Heroism ;  and  the  soul  of  it  re- 
mains part  of  the  eternal  soul  of  things !  Here,  of  our  own  land 
and  lineage,  in  practical  English  shape,  were  Heroes  on  the  Earth 


ANTI-DRYASDUST.  a 


oQoe  more.  Who  knew  in  ewery  fibre,  and  with  heroic  daring 
laid  to  heart,  That  an  Almighty  Justice  does  verily  rule  this 
world  ;  that  it  is  good  to  fight  ol^God's  side,  and  bad  to  fight  on 
the  Devil's  side  !  The  essence  of  all  Heroisms  and  Veracities 
that  have  been,  or  that  will  be. — Perhaps  it  was  among  the  nobler 
and  noblest  Human  Heroisms,  this  Puritanism  of  ours :  but  Eng- 
lish  Dryasdust  could  not  discern  it  for  a  Heroism  at  all ; — as  the 
Heaven's  lightning,  born  of  its  black  tempest,  and  destructive  to 
pestil^itial  Mudgiants,  is  mere  horror  and  terror  to  the  Pedaot 
species  everywhere ;  which,  like  the  owl  in  any  sudden  bright- 
nessy  has  to  shut  its  eyes,— or  hastily  procure  smoked-spectacles 
GO  an  improved  principle.  Heaven's  brightness  would  be  intoler- 
Me  otherwise.  Only  your  eagle  dares  look  direct  into  the  fire- 
radiance  ;  only  your  Schiller  climbs  aloft  ''  to  discover  whence 
the  lightning  is  coming."  "  Godlike  men  love  lightning,"  says 
one.  Our  old  Norse  fathers  called  it  a  God ;  the  sunny  blue- 
eyed  Thor,  with  his  all-conquering  thunder-hammer, — who 
again,  in  calmer  season,  is  beneficent  Summer-heat.  Godless 
men  love  it  not ;  shriek  murder  when  they  see  it ;  shutting  their 
eyes,  and  hastily  procuring  smoked-spectacles.     O  Dryasdust, 

thou  art  great  and  thrice  great !'' 

*  But  alas,'  exclaims  he  elsewhere,  getting  his  eye  on  the  real 
nodus  of  the  matter,  <  what  is  it,  all  this  Rushworthian  inarticu- 
late rubbish-continent,  in  its  ghastly  dim  twilight,  with  its  hag- 
gard wrecks  and  pale  shadows ;  what  is  it,  but  the  common 
Kingdom  of  Death  ?  This  is  what  we  call  Death,  this  moulder- 
ing dumb  wilderness  of  things  once  alive.  Behold  here  the  final 
evanescence  of  Formed  human  things ;  they  had  form,  but  they 
are  changing  into  sheer  formlessness ; — ancient  human  speech 
itself  has  sunk  into  unintelligible  maundering.  This  is  the  col- 
lapse,— the  etiolation  of  human  features  into  mouldy  blank ;  (disso- 
lution ;  progress  towards  utter  silence  and  disappearance ;  dis- 
astrous ever-deepening  Dusk  of  Grods  and  Men  ! Why  has  the 

living  ventured  thither,  down  from  the  cheerful  light,  across  the 
Lethe-swamps  and  tartarean  Phlegethons,  onwards  to  these  bale- 
fol  halls  of  Dis  and  the  three-headed  Dog  ?  Some  Destiny  drives 
him.     It  is  his  sins,  I  suppose  : — perhaps  it  is  his  love,  strong  as 


12  INTRODUCTION. 


that  of  Orpheus  for  the  lost  Eurydice,  and  likely  to  have  no  bet- 
ter issue !' — 

Well,  it  would  seem  the  resuscitation  of  a  Heroism  from  the 
Past  Time  is  no  easy  enterprise.  Our  impatient  friend  seems 
really  getting  sad  !  We  can  well  believe  him,  there  needs  pious 
love  in  any  '  Orpheus'  that  will  risk  descending  to  the  Gloomy 
Halls  ;^-descending,  it  may  be,  and  fronting  Cerberus  and  Dis, 
to  no  purpose  f  For  it  oflenest  proves  so  ;  nay,  as  the  Mytholo- 
gists  would  teach  us,  always.  Here  is  another  Mythus.  Balder 
the  white  Sungod,  say  our  Norse  Skalds,  Balder,  beautiful  as  the 
summer.dawn,  loved  of  gods  and  men,  was  dead.  His  Brother 
Hermoder,  urged  by  his  Mother's  tears  and  the  tears  of  the  Uni- 
verse,  went  forth  to  seek  him.  He  rode  through  gloomy  winding 
valleys,  of  a  dismal  leaden  color,  full  of  howling  winds  and  sub- 
terranean torrents ;  nine  days ;  ever  deeper,  down  towards  Hela's 
Deathrealm :  at  Lonesome  Bridge,  which,  with  its  gold  gate,  spans 
the  River  of  Moaning,  he  found  the  Portress,  an  ancient  woman, 
called  Modgudr,  <  the  Vexer  of  Minds,'  keeping  M'atch  as  usual : 
Modgudr  answered  him,  '*  Yes,  Balder  passed  this  way  ;  but  he 
is  not  here  ;  he  is  down  yonder, — far,  still  far  to  the  North,  within 
Hela's  Gates  yonder."  Hermoder  rode  on,  still  dauntless,  on  hui 
horse,  named  '  Swiftness'  or  '  Mane  of  Gold ;'  reached  Hela's 
Gates ;  leapt  sheer  over  them,  moimted  as  he  was  ;  sato  Balder, 
the  very  Balder,  with  his  eyes: — but  could  not  bring  him 
back  !  The  Nomas  were  inexorable ;  Balder  was  never  to  come 
back.  Balder  beckoned  him  mournfully  a  still  adieu  ;  Nanna, 
Haider's  Wife,  sent  <  a  thimble'  to  her  mother  as  a  memorial : 

Balder  never  could  return ! Is  not  this  an  emblem  ?    Old 

Portress  Modgudr,  I  take  it,  is  Dryasdust  in  Norse  petticoat  and 
hood  ;  a  most  unlovely  beldame,  the  '  Vexer  of  Minds !' 

We  will  here  take  final  leave  of  our  impatient  friend,  occupied 
in  this  almost  desperate  enterprise  of  his;  we  will  wish  him, 
which  is  very  easy  to  do,  more  patience,  and  better  success  than 
he  seems  to  hope.  And  now  to  our  own  small  enterprise,  and 
solid  despatch  of  business  in  plain  prose ! 


BIOGRAPHIES  OF  OLIVER.  18 


CHAPTER  II. 


or  THK   BIOGRAPHIES  Or  OUVEB. 


Ouns  IS  a  very  small  enterprise,  but  seemingly  a  useful  one ; 
preparatory  perhaps  to  greater  and  more  useful,  on  this  same 
matter :  The  collecting  of  the  Letters  and  Speeclies  of  Oliver 
Cromwell^  and  presenting  them  in  natural  sequence,  with  the 
still  possible  elucidation,  to  ingenuous  readers.  This  is  a  thing 
that  can  be  done  ;  and  after  some  reflection,  it  has  appeared  worth 
doing.  No  great  thing  :  one  other  dull  Book  added  to  the  thou- 
sand,  dull  every  one  of  them,  which  have  been  issued  on  this 
subject!  But  situated  as  we  are,  new  Dulness  is  unhappily  in- 
evitable ;  readers  do  not  reascend  out  of  deep  confusions  without 
some  trouble  as  they  climb. 

These  authentic  utterances  of  the  man  Oliver  himself — I  have 
gathered  them  from  far  and  near  ;  fished  them  up  from  the  foul 
Lethean  quagmires  where  they  lay  buried ;  I  have  washed,  or 
endeavored  to  wash  them  clean  from  foreign  stupidities  (such  a 
job  of  buck-washing  as  I  do  not  long  to  repeat) ;  and  the  world 
shall  now  see  them  in  their  own  shape.     Working  for  long  years 
in  those  unspeakable  Historic  Provinces,  of  which  the  reader  has 
already  had  account,  it  becomes  more  and  more  apparent  to  one, 
That  this  man  Oliver  Cromwell  was,  as  the  popular  fancy  repre- 
sents him,  the  soul  of  the  Puritan  Revolt,  without  whom  it  had 
never  been  a  revolt  transcendenlly  memorable,  and  an  Epoch  in 
the  World's  History  ;  that  in  fact  he,  more  than  is  common  in 
rach  cases,  does  deserve  to  give  his  name  to  the  Period  in  ques- 
tion, and  have  the  Puritan  Revolt  considered  as  a  Cromwelliady 
which  issue  is  already  very  visible  for  it.     And  then  farther, 
altogether  contrary  to  the  popular  fancy,  it  becomes  apparent  that 
this  Oliver  was  not  a  man  of  falsehoods,  but  a  man  of  truths ; 
vbose  words  do  carry  a  meaning  with  them,  and  above  all  others 
of  that  time,  are  worth  considering.     His  words, — and  still  more 


14  INTRODUCTION. 


his  silences,  and  unconscious  instincts,  when  you  have  spelt  and 
lovingly  deciphered  these  also  out  of  his  words, — will  in  several 
ways  reward  the  study  of  an  earnest  man.  An  earnest  man,  I 
apprehend,  may  gather  from  these  words  of  Oliver's,  were  there 
even  no  other  evidence,  that  the  character  of  Oliver  and  of  the 
Affairs  he  worked  in  is  much  the  reverse  of  that  mad  jumble 
of  *  hypocrisies,'  dec.  &c.,  which  at  present  passes  current  as 
such. 

But  certainly,  on  any  hypothesis  as  to  that,  such  a  set  of  Docu- 
ments may  hope  to  be  elucidative  in  various  respects.  Oliver's 
Character,  and  that  of  Oliver's  Performance  in  this  world :  here 
best  of  all  may  we  expect  to  read  it,  whatsoever  it  was.  Even 
if  false,  these  words,  authentically  spoken  and  written  by  the 
chief  actor  in  the  business,  must  be  of  prime  moment  for  under- 
standing of  it.  These  are  the  words  this  man  found  suitablest  to 
represent  the  Things  themselves,  around  him,  and  in  him,  of 
which  we  seek  a  History.  The  newborn  Things  and  Events,  as 
they  bodied  themselves  forth  to  Oliver  Cromwell  from  the  Whirl- 
wind of  the  passing  Time, — this  is  the  name  and  definition  he 
saw  good  to  give  of  them.  To  get  at  these  direct  utterances  of  his, 
is  to  get  at  the  very  heart  of  the  business ;  were  there  once  light 
for  us  in  these,  the  business  had  begun  again  at  the  heart  of  it  to 
be  luminous  ! — On  the  whole,  we  will  start  with  this  small  ser- 
vice, the  Letters  and  Speeches  of  Oliver  Cromwell  washed  into 
something  of  legibility  again,  as  the  preliminary  of  all.  May  it 
prosper  with  a  few  serious  readers.  The  heart  of  that  Grand 
Puritan  Business  once  again  becoming  visible,  even  in  faint  twi- 
light  to  mankind,  what  masses  of  brutish  darkness  will  gradually 
vanish  from  all  fibres  of  it,  from  the  whole  body  and  environment 
of  it,  and  trouble  no  man  any  more !  Masses  of  foul  darkness, 
sordid  confusions  not  a  few,  as  I  calculate,  which  now  bury  this 
matter  very  deep,  may  vanish  :  the  heart  of  this  matter  and  the 
heart  of  serious  men  once  again  brought  into  approximation,  to 
write  some  *  History  '  of  it  may  be  a  little  easier, — for  my  impa- 
tient friend  or  another. 

To  dwell  on  or  criticise  the  particular  Biographies  of  Ciom- 
well,  afler  what  was  so  emphatically  said  above  on  the  general 
subject,  would  profit  us  but  little.    Criticism  of  these  poor  Booki 


BIOGRAPHIES  OP  OUVER.  15 


cannot  express  itself  except  in  language  that  is  painful.  They 
hr  miTpmas  in  '  stupidity '  all  the  celebrations  any  Hero  ever  had 
in  this  world  before.  They  are  in  fact  worthy  of  oblivion,— of 
charitable  Christian  hvriaL 

Mark  Noble  reckons  up  some  half  dozen  '  Original  Biogra- 
phies of  Cromwell  ;'*  all  of  which  and  some  vaore  I  have  ex- 
amined ;  but  cannot  advise  any  other  man  to  examine.     There 
are  several  laudatory,  worth  nothing ;  which  ceased  to  be  read 
when  Charles  II.  came  back,  and  the  tables  were  turned.     The 
vituperative  are  many :  but  the  origin  of  them  all,  the  chief 
fountain  indeed  of  all  the  foolish  lies  that  have  circulated  about 
Oliver  mnce,  is  the  mournful  brown  little  Book  called  Flagellum^ 
m  Ae  Life  and  Death  of  O,  CramweUj  ike  late  Usurper j  by  James 
Heath  ;  which  was  got  ready  so  soon  as  possible  on  the  back  of 
the  Anmu  MirabiUs  or  Glorious  Restorationjf  and  is  written  in 
such  spirit  as  we  may  fancy.     When  restored  potentates  and  high 
dignitaries  had  dug  up  *  above  a  hundred  buried  corpses,  and 
flung  them  in  a  heap  in  St.  Margaret's  Churchyard,'  the  corpse 
of  Admiral  Blake  among  them,  and  Oliver's  old  Mother's  corpse ; 
and  were  hanging  on  Tyburn  gallows,  as  some  small  satisfaction 
to  themselves,  the  dead  clay  of  Oliver,  of  Ireton,  and  Bradshaw  ; 
— when  high  dignitaries  and  potentates  were  in  such  a  humor, 
what  could  be  expected  of  poor  pamphleteers  and  garreteers  ? 
Heath's  poor  little  brown  lying  Flagellum  is  described  by  one  of 
the  modems  as  a   ^  Flagitium ;'  and    Heath   himself  is  Called 
'  Carrion  Heath,' — as  being  *  an  unfortunate  blasphemous  dull- 
trd,  and  scandal  to  Humanity  ; — blasphemous  ;  who  when  the 
image  of  God  is  shining  through  a  man,  reckons  it  in  his  sordid 
KKil  to  be  the  image  of  the  Devil,  and  acts  accordingly ;  who  in 
kd  has  no  soul  except  what  saves  him  the  expense  of  salt ;  who 
iatrittsically  is  Carrion  and  not  Humanity :'  which  seems  hard 
tneasure  to  poor  James  Heath.     ^  He  was  the  son  of  the  King's 
Cuder,'  says  Wood,  <  and  wrote  pamphlets,'  the  best  he  was  able, 
poor  man.     He  has  become  a  dreadfully  dull  individual,  in  addi- 
tion to  all  ! — Another  wretched  old  Book  of  his,  called  Chronicle 

•  Noble's  Cromwell,  i.,  294-300.    His  list  is  very  inaccurate  and  incom- 
|lc(e,  bat  not  worth  completing  or  rectifying, 
t  Tbe  First  Edition  seems  to  be  of  1663.  .  , 


16  INTRODUCTION. 


cf  ihe  Civil  Wars,  bears  a  high  price  in  the  Dilettante  Sale- 
catalogues  ;  and  has,  as  that  Flagellum  too  has,  here  and  there  a 
credible  trait  not  met  with  elsewhere :  but  in  fact,  to  the  ingenu- 
ous inquirer,  this  too  is  little  other  than  a  tenebrific  Book  ;  cannot 
be  read  except  with  sorrow,  with  torpor  and  disgust,' — and  in  fine, 
if  you  be  of  healthy  memory,  with  oblivion.  The  latter  end  of 
Heath  has  been  worse  than  the  beginning  was !  From  him,  and 
his  Flagellums  and  scandalous  Human  Platitudes,  let  no  rational 
soul  seek  knowledge. 

Among  modem  Biographies,  the  great  original  is  that  of  Mark 
Noble  above  cited  ;*  such  '  original'  as  there  is :  a  Book,  if 
we  must  call  it  a  Book,  abounding  in  facts  and  pretend ed-ftu)ts 
more  than  any  other  on  this  subject.  Poor  Noble  has  gone  into 
much  research  of  old  leases,  marriage-contracts,  deeds  of  sale 
and  such  like  :  he  is  learned  in  parish-registers  and  genealogies, 
has  consulted  pedigrees  '  measuring  eight  feet  by  two  feet  fbur ;' 
goes  much  upon  heraldry  ; — in  fact,  has  amassed  a  large  heap  of 
evidences  and  assertions,  worthless  and  of  worth,  respecting 
Cromwell  and  his  connexions ;  from  which  the  reader,  by  his  own 
judgment,  is  to  extract  what  he  can.  For  Noble  himself  is  a 
man  of  extreme  imbecility  ;  his  judgment,  for  most  part,  seeming 
to  lie  dead  asleep ;  and  indeed  it  is  worth  little  when  broadest 
awake.  He  falls  into  manifold  mistakes,  commits  and  omits  in 
all  ways ;  plods  along  contented,  in  an  element  of  perennial  dim- 
ness, purblindness ;  has  occasionally  a  helpless  broad  innocence 
of  platitude  which  is  almost  interesting.  A  man  indeed  of  ex- 
treme imbecility  ;  to  whom  nevertheless  let  due  gratitude  be 
borne. 

His  Book,  in  fact,  is  not  properly  a  Book,  but  rather  an  Aggre- 
gate of  bewildered  jottings  ;  a  kind  of  Cromwellian  Biographical 
Dictionary,  wanting  the  alphabetical,  or  any  other  arrangement  or 
index  :  which  latter  want,  much  more  remediable  than  the  want  of 
judgment,  is  itself  a  great  sorrow  to  the  reader.  Such  as  it  is,  this 
same  Dictionary  without  judgment  and  without  arrangement, '  bad 
Dictionary  gone  to  pi,'  as  we  may  call  it,  is  the  storehouse  from  which 
subsequent  Biographies  have  all  furnished  themselves.  The  reader, 

*  Memoirs  of  the  Proteetoral  Hotue  of  Cromwell,  by  the  Rer.  Mark 

Noble.    2  vols.,  London,  1787. 


BIOGRAPHIES  OF  OLIVER  17 


vith  cootinual  vigilance  of  suspicion,  once  knowing  what  man  he 
has  to  do  with,  digs  through  it,  and  again  through  it ;  covers  the 
margins  of  it  with  notes  and  contradictions,  with  references, 
deductions,  rectifications,  execrations, — ^in  a  sorrowful,  hut 
not  entirely  unprofitable  manner.  Another  Book  of  Noble's, 
called  Lwe^  of  the  Regicides,  written  some  years  afterwards, 
during  the  French  Jacobin  time,  is  of  much  more  stupid  chfeiracter ; 
nearly  meaningless  indeed ;  mere  water  bewitched  ;  which  no 
roan  need  buy  or  read :  and  it  is  said  he  has  a  third  Book,  on 
some  other  subject,  stupider  still,  which  latter  point,  however, 
may  be  considered  questionable. 

For  the  rest,  this  poor  Noble  is  of  very  impartial  mind  respect- 
ia|^  Cromwell ;  open  to  receive  good  of  him,  and  to  receive  evil, 
€veo  Inconsistent  evil :  the  helpless,  incoherent,  but  placid  and 
frvorable  notion  he  has  of  Cromwell  in  1787,  contrasts  notably 
with  that  which  Carrion  Heath  had  gathered  of  him  in  1663. 
For,  in  spite  of  the  stupor  of  Histories,  it  is  beautiful,  once  more, 
to  see  bow  the  Memory  of  Cromwell,  in  its  huge  inarticulate  sig- 
nificance, not  able  to  spetik  a  wise  word  for  itself  to  any  one,  has 
nevertheless  been  steadily  growing  clearer  and  clearer  in  the  popu. 
bur  English  mind ;  how  from  the  day  when  high  dignitaries  and 
pamphleteers  of  the  Carrion  species  did  their  ever- memorable  feat 
It  Tyburn,  onwards  to  this  day,  the  progress  does  not  stop.  In 
1696,*  one  of  the  earliest  works  expressly  in  favor  of  Cromwell 
was  written  by  a  Critic  of  Ludloto^s  Memoirs.  The  anonymous 
Critic  explains  to  solid  Ludlow  that  he,  in  that  solid  but  some- 
what wooden  head  of  his,  had  not  perhaps  seen  entirely  into  the 
centre  of  the  Universe,  and  workshop  of  the  Destinies  ;  that,  in 
&ct,  Oliver  was  a  questionable  uncommon  man,  and  he  Ludlow  a 
oomroon  handfast,  honest,  dull  and  indeed  partly  wooden  man, — 
in  whom  it  might  be  wise  to  form  no  theory  at  all  of  Cromwell. 
By  and  by,  a  certain  '  Mr.  Banks,'  a  kind  of  Lawyer  and  Play- 
wright, if  1  mistake  not,  produced  a  still  more  favorable  view  of 
Cromwell,  but  in  a  work  otherwise  of  no  moment ;  the  exact 

•  So  dated  in  Somen*  Tracts  (London,  1811),  vi.,  416,— but  liable  to 
correction  if  needful.  Poor  Noble  (i.  297)  gives  the  same  date,  and  then 
FiaekUy,  in  the  next  line,  subjoins  a  fact  inconsistent  with  it.    As  his  man- 


18  INTRODUCTION. 


date,  and  indeed  the  whole  substance  of  which  is  hardly  worth 
remembering.*  The  IjcUer  of  *  John  Maidston  to  Governor  Win- 
throp,' — Winthrop  Grovemor  of  Connecticut,  a  Suflfolk  man,  of 
much  American  celebrity, — ^is  dated  1659  ;  but  did  not  come  inU> 
print  till  1742,  along  with  Thurloe's  other  Papers.f  Maidston 
had  been  an  officer  in  Oliver's  Household,  a  Member  of  his  Par- 
liamentsj  and  knew  him  well.  An  Essex  man  he  ;  probably  an 
old  acquaintance  of  Winthrop's;  visibly  a  man  of  honest  auctions, 
of  piety,  decorum,  and  good  sense.  Whose  loyalty  to  Oliver  is 
of  a  genuine  and  altogether  manful  nature, — mostly  silent,  as  we 
can  discern.  He  had  already  published  a  credible  and  still 
interesting  little  Pamphlet,  Passages  concerning  his  late  Highnesses 
last  Sickness  ;  to  which,  if  space  permit,  we  shall  elsewhere  refer. 
In  these  two  little  off-hand  bits  of  writing  there  is  a  clear  credi- 
bility for  the  reader ;  and  more  insight  obtainable  as  to  Oliver 
and  his  ways  than  in  any  of  his  express  Biographies. 

That  anonymous  Ufe  of  CromweUf  which  Noble  very  igno* 
rantly  ascribes  to  Bishop  Gibson,  which  is  written  in  a  neutral 
spirit,  as  an  impartial  statement  of  facts,  but  not  without  a  secret 
decided  leaning  to  Cromwell,  came  out  in  1724.  It  b  the  Life 
of  Cromwell  found  commonly  in  Libraries  :j:  it  went  through 
several  editions  in  a  pure  state  ;  and  I  have  seen  a '  fifth  edition  ' 
with  foreign  intermixtures, '  printed  at  Birmingham  in  1778,'  oa 
grey  paper,  seemingly  as  a  Book  for  Hawkers.  The  Author  of 
it  was  by  no  means  <  Bishop  Gibson,'  but  one  Kimber,  a  Dissent* 
ing  Minister  of  London,  known  otherwise  as  a  compiler  of  books. 
He  has  diligently  gathered  from  old  Newspapers  and  other  such 
sources  ;  narrates  in  a  dull,  steady,  concise,  but  altogether  unin- 
telligent manner ;  can  be  read  without  oflTence,  but  hardly  with 
any  real  instruction.  Image  of  Cromwell's  self  there  is  none, 
express  or  implied,  in  this  Book  ;  for  the  man  himself  had  none, 
and  did  not  feel  the  want  of  any :  nay  in  regard  to  external  facts 

*  Short  Critical  Review  of  the  Life  of  Oliver  Cromwell :  By  a  Grentleman 
of  the  Middle  Temple.    London,  1739. 

t  Thurloe,  i.,  763-8. 

i  The  Life  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  Lord  Protector  of  the  Commonwealth. 
Impartially  collected,  &c.  London,  1724.  Distinguished  also  by  a  not 
intolerable  Portrait 


BIOGRAPHIES  OF  OUVER.  19 

iboy  there  are  inaoouracies  eDough, — here  too,  what  is  the  gene- 
nl  ru]^  in  these  books,  you  can  find  as  many  inaccuracies  as  you 
like :  dig  where  you  please,  water  will  come !  As  a  crown  to 
all  the  modem  Biographies  of  Cromwell,  let  us  note  Mr.  Forster*s 
late  one  :*  full  of  interesting  original  excerpts,  and  indications  of 
vbat  is  notablest-in  the  old  books;  gathered  and  set  forthwith 
real  merit,  with  energy  in  abundance  and  superabundance ; 
tmoontiiig  in  result,  we  may  say,  to  a  vigorous  decisive  tearing 
up  i^all  the  old  hypotheses  on  the  subject,  and  an  opening  of  the 
geoend  mind  for  new. 

Of  Cromwell's  actual  biography,  from  these  and  from  all  Books 
and  aources,  there  is  extremely  little  to  be  known.  It  is  from 
his  own  words,  as  I  have  ventured  to  believe,  from  his  own  Let- 
ters and  Speeches  well  read,  that  the  world  may  first  obtain  some 
<fim  g^mpee  of  the  actual  Cromwell,  and  see  him  darkly  face  to 
&ce.  What  little  is  otherwise  ascertainable,  cleared  from  the 
cutnimambieDt  inanity  and  insanity,  may  be  stated  in  brief  com- 
ptai.  So  much  as  precedes  the  earliest  still  extant  Letters,  I 
sobioin  here  in  the  form  most  convenient. 

•  SCateamen  of  the  Commonwealth,  by  John  Forater  (London,  1840),  vols 
tw.  aadT. 


ao  INTRODUCTION. 


CHAPTER  III. 

or  THE  CROMWEIX  KUfDRED. 

Oliver  CaoanvELL,  afterwards  Protector  of  the  ComrooDwealth  d 
England,  was  born  at  Huntingdon,  in  St.  John's  Parish  there, on  Um 
25th  of  April,  1599.  Christened  on  the  29th  of  the  same  mooth 
as  the  old  Parish-registers  of  that  Church  still  legibly  testify.^ 
His  Father  was  Robert  Cromwell,  younger  son  of  Sir  .Henq 
Cromwell,  and  younger  brother  of  Sir  Oliver  Cromwell,  Knight 
both ;  who  dwelt  successively,  in  rather  sumptuous  &shion,  a 
the  Mansion  of  Hinchinbrook  hard  by.  His  Mother  was  Eliza 
beth  Steward,  daughter  of  William  Steward,  Esquire,  in  Ely  ;  ai 
opulent  man,  a  kind  of  hereditary  Farmer  of  the  Cathedral  Titha 
and  Church  lands  round  that  city  ;  in  which  capacity  his  son 
Sir  Thomas  Steward,  Knight,  in  due  time  succeeded  him,  rest 
dent  also  at  Ely.  Elizabeth  was  a  young  widow  when  Roberi 
Cromwell  married  her :  the  first  marriage,  to  one  '  Williaa 
Lynne,  Esquire,  of  Bassingbourne  in  Cambridgeshire,'  had  laslec 
but  a  year  ;  husband  and  only  child  are  buried  in  Ely  Cathedral 
where  their  monument  still  stands ;  the  date  of  their  deaths,  whict 
followed  near  on  one  another,  is  1589.f  The  exact  date  of  the 
young  widow's  marriage  to  Robert  Cromwell  is  nowhere  given ; 
but  seems  to  have  been  in  1591.  j:  Our  Oliver  was  their  fifU 
child  ;  their  second  boy  ;  but  the  first  soon  died.  They  had  tei 
children  in  all ;  of  whom  seven  came  to  maturity,  and  Olivei 
was  their  only  son.  I  may  as  well  print  the  little  Note,  smeltec 
long  ago  out  of  huge  dross- heaps  in  Noble's  Book,  that  the  readei 
too  may  have  his  small  benefit  of  it.§ 

•Noble,  i.,  92. 

t  Noble,  ii.,  198,  and  ms.  penes  me.  t  Noble,  i.,  S8. 

§  Oliver  Cromwell's  Brothers  and  Sisters. 
Oliver's  mother  had  been  a  widow  (Mrs.  Lynne  of  Bassingboome)  bgfcti 
marrying  Robert  Cromwell ;  neither  her  age  nor  his  is  discovertbls  hete. 


THE  CROMWELL  KINDRED.  SI 

This  Elizabeth  Steward,  who  had  now  become  Mrs.  Robert 
Cromwelly  was,  say  the  genealogists,  'indubitably  descended 
from  the  Royal  Stewart  Family  of  Scotland ;'  and  could  still 
count  kindred  with  them.  <  From  one  Walter  Steward,  who  had 
aooompanied  Prince  James  of  Scotland,'  when  our  inhospitable 
politic  Henry  IV.  detained  the  poor  Prince,  driven  in  by  stress  of 
wetther  to  him  here.  Walter  did  not  return  with  the  Prince  to 
Soodand ;  having  '  fought  tournaments,' — having  made  an  ad- 
Tutageous  marriage-settlement  here.  One  of  his  descendants, 
Robert  Steward,  happened  to  be  Prior  of  iBly  when  Henry  VIII. 
diaolyed  the  monasteries ;  and,  proving  pliant  on  that  occasion, 
Robert  Steward,  last  Popish  Prior,  became  the  first  Protestant 
Dtean  of  Ely,  and — '  was  remarkably  attentive  to  his  family,' 
ttjB  Noble.  The  profitable  Farming  of  the  Tithes  at  Ely,  above 
■Hotioiied ;  this,  and  other  settlements,  and  good  dotations  of 
Church  lands  among  his  Nephews,  were  the  fruits  of  Robert 
Steward's  pliancy  on  that  occasion.  The  genealogists  say,  there 
k  no  doubt  of  this  pedigree  ; — and  explain  in  intricate  tables, 
bow  Elizabeth  Steward,  Mother  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  was  indubi- 
tibly  either  the  ninth,  or  the  tenth,  or  some  other  fractional  part 
of  half  a  cousin  to  Charles  Stuart  King  of  England. 

1.  Firtt  child  (seemingly),  Joan,  baptized  24th  September,  1592 ;  she 
died  in  1600  (Noble,  i.,  88). 

2.  Elizabeth,  14th   October,  1593;  died   unmarried,  thinks  Noble,  in 
1672,  »t  Ely. 

3.  Henry^  3l8t  August,  1595 ;  died  young,  *  before  1617.' 

4.  Catherine,  7lh  February,  1596-7;   married  to  Whitstone,  a  Parlia- 
mmtiTj  Ofllcer ;  then  to  Colonel  Jones. 

5.  Outer,  born  25th  April,  1599. 

6.  Main^et,  22d  February,  1600-1  ;  she  became  Mrs.  Wanton,  or  Wal- 
ton, Huntingdonshire;  her  son  was  killed  at  Marston  Moor, — as  we  shall 


7.  Anna,  2d  January,  1602-3 ;  Mrs.  Sewster,  Huntingdonshire  ;  died  1st 
Narember,  1646  : — her  Brother  Oliver  had  just  ended  the  *  first  Civil  War' 
then. 

S.  Jane,  19th  January,  1605-6 ;  Mrs.  Disbrowe,  Cambridgeshire ;  died, 
tingly,  in  1656. 

9.  Robert,  ISth  January,  1608-9  ;  died  same  April. 

10.  Robina,  so  named  for  the  above  Robert :  uncertain  date :  became 
Dr.  French  :  then  Mrs.  Bishop  Wilkins :  her  daughter  by  French,  her 

child,  WM  married  to  Archbishop  Tillotson. 


22  INTRODUCTION. 


Howsoever  related  to  Charles  Stuart  or  to  other  parties,  Ro- 
bert Cromwell,  younger  son  of  the  Knight  of  Hinchinbrook, 
brought  her  home,  we  see,  as  his  Wife,  to  Huntingdon,  about 
1501 ;  and  settled  with  her  there,  on  such  portion,  with  such 
prospects  as  a  cadet  of  the  House  of  Hinchinbrook  might  have. 
Portion  consisting  of  certain  lands  and  messuages  round  and  in 
that  Town  of  Huntingdon, — where,  in  the  current  name  *  Crom- 
well's  Acre,'  if  not  in  other  names  applied  to  lands  and  roes, 
suages  there,  some  feeble  echo  of  him  and  his  possessions  still 
survives,  or  seems  to  survive.  These  lands  he  himself  farmed  ; 
the  income  in  all  is  guessed  or  computed  to  have  been  about  S002. 
a  year ;  a  tolerable  fortune  in  those  times ;  perhaps  something 
like  1000/.  now.  Robert  Cromwell's  Father,  as  we  said,  and 
then  his  elder  Brother,  dwelt  successively  in  good  style  at  Hincli- 
inbrook  near  by.  It  was  the  Father  Sir  Henry  Cromwell,  who 
from  his  sumptuosity  was  called  the  '  Grolden  Knight,'  that  built, 
or  that  enlarged,  remodelled  and  as  good  as  built,  the  Mansion  of 
Hinchinbrook,  which  had  been  a  Nunnery,  while  Nunneries  still 
were :  it  was  the  son,  Sir  Oliver,  likewise  an  expensive  man,  that 
sold  it  to  the  Montagues,  since  Earls  of  Sandwich,  whose  seat  it 
still  is.  A  stately  pleasant  House,  anKmg  its  shady  lawns  and 
expanses,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Ouse  river,  a  short  half  mile 
west  of  Huntingdon  ; — still  stands  pretty  much  as  Oliver  Cronu 
well's  Grandfather  left  it ;  rather  kept  good  and  defended  from 
the  inroads  of  Time  and  Accident,  than  substantially  altered. 
Several  Portraits  of  the  Cromwells,  and  other  interesting  por- 
traits and  memorials  of  the  seventeenth  and  subsequent  centu« 
ries,  are  still  there.  The  Cromwell  blazonry  *  on  the  great  bay 
window,'  which  Noble  makes  so  much  of,  is  now  gone ;  has 
given  place  to  Montague  blazonry ;  and  no  dull  man  can  bore  us 
with  that  any  more. 

Huntingdon  itself  lies  pleasantly  along  the  left  bank  of  the 
Ouse  ;  sloping  pleasantly  upwards  from  Ouse  Bridge,  which  oon* 
nects  it  with  the  old  village  of  Godmanchester ;  the  Town  itself 
consisting  mainly  of  one  fair  street,  which  towards  the  north  end 
of  it  opens  into  a  kind  of  irregular  market-place,  and  then  con- 
tracting again  soon  terminates.  The  two  churches  of  All-Sainta^ 
and  St.  John's,  as  you  walk  up  northward  from  the  Bridge,  ap- 


THE  CROMWELL  KINDRED.  33 

pear  sucoeniYely  oo  your  left;  the  churchyards  flanked  with 
•hops  or  other  houses.  The  Ouse,  which  is  of  very  circular 
comae  in  this  quarter,  *  winding  as  if  reluctant  to  enter  the  Fen- 
oountry/  says  one  Topographer,  has  still  a  respectable  drab- 
eolory  gathered  from  the  clays  of  Bedfordshire ;  has  not  yet  the 
Stygian  black  which  in  a  few  miles  &rther  it  assumes  for  good. 
Huntingdon,  as  it  were,  looks  over  into  the  Fens ;  Godmabches- 
ler,  juat  across  the  rirer,  already  stands  on  black  bog.  The 
eountry  to  the  East  is  all  Fen  (mostly  unreclaimed  in  Oliver's 
timSy  and  still  of  a  very  dropsical  character) ;  to  the  West  it  is 
lard  green  ground,  agreeably  broken  into  little  heights,  duly 
fiinged  with  wood,  and  beariog  marks  of  comfortable  long.^x>n- 
tinned  coltivaticm.  Here  on  the  edge  of  the  firm  green  land,  and 
kxiking  over  into  the  black  marshes  with  their  alder-trees  and 
willofw-trees,  did  Oliver  Cromwell  pass  his  young  years.  Drunk- 
CO  Bamabee,  who  travelled,  and  drank,  and  made  Latin  rhymes, 
in  that  country  about  1635,  through  whose  glistening  satyr-eyes 
can  still  discern  this  and  the  other  feature  of  the  Past,  repre- 
to  Ufl^  on  the  height  behind  Godmanchester,  as  you  ap- 
proach the  scene  from  Cambridge  and  the  south,  a  big  Oak  Tree, 
which  has  now  disappeared,  leaving  no  notable  successor. 

Veni  GodmaneheMter,  ubi 
Ut  bum  eapttu  nubct 
Sic,  ice. 

And  be  adds  in  a  Note, 

Queretu  anilii  erat,  tamen  eminua  oppida  apeetat ; 
Stirpe  9iam  monstrat,  pltanea  fronde  tegitf— 

Or  in  his  own  English  version. 

An  aged  Oak  takes  of  this  Town  survey. 

Finds  birds  their  nests,  tells  passengers  their  way.* 

If  Oliver  Cromwell  climbed  that  Oak-tree,  in  quest  of  bird-nests 
or  hoy*adventures,  the  Tree,  or  this  poor  ghost  of  it,  may  still 
have  a  kind  of  claim  to  menK)ry. 

*  Bamibs  Itinenrinm  (London,  1818),  p.  96. 


24  INTRODUCTION. 


The  House  where  Robert  Cromwell  dwelt,  where  his  son 
Oliver  and  all  his  family  were  bom,  is  still  familiar  to  every 
inhabitant  of  Huntingdon :  but  it  has  been  twice  rebuilt  since 
that  date,  and  now  bears  no  memorial  whatever  which  even  tradi- 
tion can  connect  with  him.  It  stands  at  the  upper  or  northern 
extremity  of  the  town, — beyond  the  Market-place  we  spoke  of; 
on  the  led  or  riverward  side  of  the  street.  It  is  at  present  a  solid 
yellow  brick  house,  with  a  walled  court-yard ;  occupied  by  some 
townsman  of  the  wealthier  sort.  The  little  Brook  of  Hinchin, 
making  its  way  to  the  Ouse  which  is  not  far  off,  still  flows 
through  the  courtyard  of  the  place,— offering  a  convenience  for 
malting  or  brewing,  among  other  things.  Some  vague  but  coofi- 
dent  tradition  as  to  Brewing  attaches  itself  to  this  locality  ;  and 
traces  of  evidence,  I  understand,  exist  that  before  Robert  Crom- 
well's time,  it  had  been  employed  as  a  Brewery :  but  of  this  or 
even  of  Robert  Cromwell's  own  brewing,  there  is,  at  such  a  dis- 
tance, in  such  an  element  of  di.^tracted  calumny,  exaggeration 
and  confusion,  little  or  no  certainty  to  be  had.  Tradition,  <  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Lort's  Manuscripts,'  Carrion  Heath,  and  such  testinoo- 
nies,  are  extremely  insecure  as  guides  !  Thomas  Harrison,  Jbr 
example,  is  always  called  *  the  son  of  a  Butcher ;'  which  means 
only  that  his  Father,  as  farmer  or  owner,  had  grazing-lands, 
down  in  Staffordshire,  wherefrom  naturally  enough  proceeded 
cattle,  fat  cattle  as  the  case  might  be, — well  fatted,  I  hope. 
Thomas  Cromwell,  Earl  of  Essex  in  Henry  Eighth's  time,  is  in 
like  manner  called  always  '  the  son  of  a  Blacksmith  at  Putney  ;' 
and  whoever  figures  to  himself  a  man  in  black  apron  and  ham- 
mer in  hand,  and  tries  to  rhyme  this  with  the  rest  of  Thomas 
Cromwell's  history,  will  find  that  here  too  he  has  got  into  an  inso- 
lubility. <  The  splenetic  credulity  and  incredulity,  the  calumni- 
ous opacity,  the  exaggerative  ill-nature,  and  general  flunkeyism 
and  stupidity  of  mankind,'  says  my  author,  'are  ever  to  be 
largely  allowed  for  in  such  circumstances.'  We  will  leave  Ro- 
bert Cromwell's  brewing  in  a  very  unilluminated  state.  Unooo* 
tradicted  Tradition  and  old  printed  Royalist  Lampoons  do  call 
him  a  Brewer ;  the  Brook  of  Hinchin,  running  through  his  pre> 
miscs,  offered  clear  convenience  for  malting  or  brewing; — in 
regard  to  which,  and  also  to  his  Wife's  assiduous  management  of 


THE  CROMWELL  KINDRED.  25 


the  same,  one  is  very  willing  to  believe  Tradition.  The  essen- 
tial trade  of  Robert  Cromwell  was  that  of  managing  those  lands 
(^  his  in  the  vicinity  of  Huntingdon  :  the  grain  of  them  would 
have  to  be  duly  harvested,  thrashed,  brought  to  market ;  whether 
rt  was  as  com  or  as  malt  it  came  to  market,  can  remain  indifferent 

to  OS. 

For  the  rest,  as  documents  still  testify,  this  Robert  Cromwell 
did  Burgh  and  Quarter-Session  duties ;  was  not  slack  but  moder- 
ately active  as  a  country -gentleman ;  sat  once  in  Parliament  in 
his  younger  years  ;*  is  found  with  his  elder  or  other  Brothers  on 
Tarious  Public  Commissions  for  Draining  the  Fens  of  that  region, 
or  more  properly  for  inquiring  into  the  possibility  of  such  an 
operation ;  a  thing  much  noised  of  then ;  which  Robert  Cromwell, 
among  others,  reported  to  be  very  feasible,  very  promising,  but 
did  not  live  to  see  accomplished,  or  even  attempted.  His  social 
rank  is  sufficiently  indicated ; — and  much  flunkeyism,  falsity, 
and  other  carrion  ought  to  be  buried !  Better  tiian  all  social 
rank,  he  is  understood  to  have  been  a  wise,  devout,  steadfast  and 
worthy  man,  and  to  have  lived  a  modest  and  manful  life  in  his 
atatioo  there. 

Besides  the  Ejiight  of  Hinchinbrook,  he  had  other  Brothers  set- 
tled prosperously  in  the  Fen  regions,  where  this  Cromwell  Family 
bad  extensive  possessions.  One  Brother  Henry  was  ^  seated  at 
Upwood,'  a  fenny  district  near  Ramsey  Mere  ;  one  of  his  daugh- 
ters  came  to  be  the  wife,  second  wife,  of  Oliver  St.  John,  the 
Shipmoney  Lawyer,  the  political  *  dark-lantern,'  as  men  used  to 
name  him ;  of  whom  we  shall  hear  farther.  Another  Brother 
*  was  seated'  at  Biggin  House  between  Ramsey  and  Upwood ;  a 
moated  mansion,  with  ditch  and  painted  paling  round  it.  A  third 
Brother  was  seated  at — my  informant  knows  not  where  !  In  fact 
I  had  better,  as  before,  subjoin  the  little  smelted  Note  which  has 
already  done  its  duty,  and  let  the  reader  make  of  that  what  he 
can.f    Of  our  Oliver's  Aunts  one  was  Mrs.  Hampden  of  Great 

•  •  35to  Eliz,  :•  Feb.— April,  1593  (Noble,  i.,  83  ;  from  WiUis). 

f  Oliver's  Uncles. 

1.  Sir  Oliver  of  Hinchinbrook:  his  eldest  son  John,  born  in  15S9  (ten 
J9an  older  than  our  Oliver),  went  into  the  army,  *  Colonel  of  an  English 
Kgiment  in  the  Dutch  service  :'  this  is  the  Colonel  Cromwell  who  is  said 

TOL.    I.  3 


20  INTRODUCTION. 


Hampden,  Bucks :  an  opulent,  zealous  person,  not  without  ambi- 
tions ;  already  a  widow  and  mother  of  two  Boys,  one  of  whom 
proved  very  celebrated  as  John  Hampden  ; — she  was  Robert 

or  fabled  to  have  sought  a  midnight  interview  with  Oliver,  in  the  end  of 
1648,  for  the  purpose  of  buying  off  Charles  I. ;  to  have  *  laid  his  hand  on 
his  sword/  &c.,  &c.  The  story  is  in  Noble,  i ,  51 ;  with  no  authority  but 
that  of  Carrion  Heath.  Other  sons  of  his  were  soldiers,  royalists  these  : 
there  are  various  Cousin  Cromwells  that  confusedly  turn  up  on  t>oth  sides 
of  the  quarrel. — Robert  Cromwell,  our  Oliver's  Father,  was  the  next  Brother 
of  the  Hinchinbrook  Knight.     The  Third  Brother,  second  uncle,*was 

2.  Henry  Cromwell,  of  Upwood  near  Ramsey  Mere :  adventurer  in  the 
Virginia  Company ;  sat  in  Parliament  1603-1  Gil ;  one  of  his  daughters  Mrs. 
St.  John.     Died  1630  (Noble,  i.,  2S). 

3.  Richard:  *  buys  in  1607'  a  bit  of  ground  in  Huntingdon;  died  'at 
Ramsey,'  1028  ;  was  Member  for  Huntingdon  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  time:— 
Lived  in  Ramsey  ?    Is  buried  at  Upwood. 

4.  Sir  Philip:  Biggin  House;  knighted  at  Whitehall,  1604  (Noble,  i., 
31).  His  second  son,  Philip,  was  in  Colonel  Ingoldsby's  regiment; — 
wounded  at  the  storm  of  Bristol,  in  1645.  Third  son,  Thomas,  was  in  Ire- 
land with  Strafford  (signs  Montnorris's  death-warrant  there,  in  1630) ;  lived 
afterwards  in  London;  became  Major,  and  then  Colonel,  in  the  Kmg9 
Army.  Fourth  son,  Oliver,  was  in  the  Parliamentary  Army  ;  had  witched 
the  King  in  the  Isle  of  Wight, — went  with  his  cousin,  our  Oliver,  to  Ireland 
in  1649,  and  died  or  was  killed  there.  Fifth  son,  Robert,  '  poisoned  his 
Master,  an  Attorney,  and  was  hanged  at  Londofi,* — if  there  be  truth  in 
'-Heath's  Flagellum*  (Noble,  i.,  35)  •  and  some  Pedigrees ;' — year  not  given ; 
say  about  1635,  when  the  lad,  *  bom  1617,'  was  in  his  18th  year .'  I  have 
found  no  hint  of  this  affair  in  any  other  quarter,  not  in  the  wildest  Royaliat* 
Birkenhead  or  Walker's-Independency  lampoon ;  and  consider  it  very  poeai- 
ble  that  a  Robert  Cromwell  having  suffered  *  for  poisoning  an  Attorney,'  he 
may  have  been  called  the  cousin  of  Cromwell  by  *  Heath  and  some  Pedi- 
grees.' But  of  course  anybody  can  *  poison  an  Attorney,*  and  be  hanged 
for  it ! 


Oliver's  Aunt  Elizabeth  was  marued  to  William  Hampden  of  Great 
Hampden,  Bucks  (year  not  given.  Noble,  i.,  36,  nor  at  p.  68  of  vol.  ii. ;  nor 
in  Lord  Nugent's  Memorials  of  Hampden)  :  he  died  in  1597 ;  she  survived 
him  67  years,  continuing  a  widow  (Noble,  ii.,  69).  Buried  in  Great  Hamp- 
den Church,  1664,  aged  90.  She  had  two  sons,  John  and  Richard :  John, 
born  1594,— Richard,  an  Oliverian  too,  died  in  1659  (Noble,  ii.,  70). 

Aunt  Joan  (elder  than  Elizabeth)  was  *  Lady  Barrington;'  Aunt  Frances 
(younger)  was  Mrs.  Whalley  Richard  Whalley  of  Kerton,  Notts;  a  man 
of  mark ;  sheriff,  &c. ;  three  wives,  children  only  by  this  second,  *  Aunt 


THE  CROMWELL  KINDRED.  27 

Cromwell^s  Sister.  Another  Cromwell  Aunt  of  Oliver's  was  mar- 
lied  to  *  Whalley,  heir  of  the  Whalley  family  in  Notts  ;*  another 
to  the  ^  heir  of  the  Dunches  of  Pusey,  in  Berkshire ;'  another  to 
— In  short  the  stories  of  Oliver's  *  poverty,'  if  they  were  otherwise 
of  any  moment,  are  all  false ;  and  should  be  mentioned  here,  if 
sill  here,  fi>r  the  last  time.  The  family  was  of  the  rank  of  sub- 
ittntial  gentry,  and  duly  connected  with  such  in  the  counties 
nmnd,  for  three  generations  back.  Of  the  numerous  and  now 
mostly  forgetable  cousinry  we  specify  farther  only  the  Mashams 
of  Otes  in  Essex,  as  like  to  be  of  some  cursory  interest  to  us  by 
and  by. 

There  is  no  doubt  at  all  but  Oliver  the  Protector's  family  was 
related  to  that  of  Thomas  Cromwell,  Earl  of  Essex,  the  Putney 
'Blacksmith's'  or  Iron-master's  son,  transiently  mentioned  above ; 
the  Malleus  Monachorum,  or  as  old  Fuller  renders  it,  '  Mauler  of 
Monasteries,'  in  Henry  Eight's  time.  The  same  old  Fuller,  a 
perfectly  veracious  and  most  intelligent  person,  does  indeed  report 
as  (^  '  his  own  knowledge,'  that  Oliver  Protector,  once  upon  a 
time  when  Bishop  Groodman  came  dedicating  to  him  some  unread- 
able semi- popish  jargon  about  the  *  mystery  of  the  Holy  Trinity,' 
and  some  adulation  about  *  his  Lordship's  relationship  to  the  for- 
mer great  purifier  of  the  Church,'  and  Mauler  of  Monasteries, — 
answered  impatiently,  "  My  family  has  no  relation  to  his !"  This 
old  Fuller  reports,  as  of  his  own  knowledge.  I  have  consulted 
the  unreadable  semi-popish  jargon,  for  the  sake  of  that  Dedica- 
tioa  ;  I  find  that  Oliver's  relationship  to  Thomas  Cromwell  is  in 
any  case  stated  wrong  there,  not  right :  I  reflect  farther  that  Bishop 
Goodman,  oftener  called  *  Bishop  Badman'  in  those  times,  went 
over  to  Popery  ;  had  become  a  miserable  impoverished  old  piece 
of  confusion,  and  at  this  time  could  appear  only  in  the  character 

Faiuij.*  Thomas  Whalley  (no  years  given.  Noble,  ii.,  141)  died  in  his 
fotheT*!  lifetime ;  left  a  son  who  was  a  kind  of  royalist,  but  yet  had  a  cer- 
tain acceptance  with  Oliver  too.  fMward  Whalley,  the  famed  *  Colonel,' 
tnd  Henry  Whalley,  *  the  Judge-Advocate'  (wretched  biographies  of  these 
two.  Noble,  pp.  141,  143-56).  Colonel  Whalley  and  Colonel  Goff,  after 
Ike  Restoration,  fled  to  New  England,  lived  in  *  caves '  there,  and  had  had 
a  tore  time  of  it 
Enough  of  the  Coutinry ! — 


28  INTRODUCTION. 


of  begging  horCf — when,  at  any  rate,  for  it  was  in  the  year  1653, 
Oliver  himself,  having  just  turned  out  the  Long  Parliament,*  was 
busy  enough  !  I  infer  therefore  that  Oliver  said  to  him  impa- 
tiently, without  untruth,  "  You  are  quite  wrong  as  to  all  that : 
good  morning  !" — and  that  old  Fuller,  likewise  without  untruth, 
reports  it  as  above. 

But  at  any  rate  there  is  other  very  simple  evidence  entirely  con- 
clusive. Richard  or  Sir  Richard  Cromwell,  great-grand&ther  of 
Oliver  Protector,  was  a  man  well  known  in  his  day ;  had  been 
very  active  in  the  work  of  suppressing  monasteries ;  a  right-hand 
man  to  Thomas  the  Mauler :  and  indeed  it  was  on  Monastic  Pro- 
perty, chiefly  or  wholly,  that  he  had  made  for  himself  a  sump- 
tuous estate  in  those  Fen  regions.  Now,  of  this  Richard  Crom- 
well there  are  two  Letters  to  Thomas  Cromwell,  *  Vicar-General,* 
Earl  of  Essex,  which  remain  yet  visible  among  the  Manuscripts 
of  the  British  Museum  ;  in  both  of  which  he  signs  himself  with 
his  own  hand,  *  your  most  bounden  Nephew,' — an  evidence  suffi- 
cient to  set  the  point  at  rest.  Copies  of  the  Letters  are  in  my 
possession  ;  but  I  grudge  to  inflict  them  on  the  reader.  One  of 
them,  the  longer  of  the  two,  stands  printed,  with  all  or  more  than 
all  its  original  mis-spelling  and  confused  obscurity,  in  Noble  rf 
it  is  dated  *  Stamford,'  without  day  or  year ;  but  the  context  &r- 
ther  dates  it  as  contemporary  with  the  Lincolnshire  Rebellion,  or 
Anti-Reformation  riot,  which  was  directly  followed  by  the  more 

*  The  date  of  Goodman's  Book  is  25th  June,  1653 ;  here  is  the  correct 
title  of  it  (King's  Pamphlets,  small  4to.,  no.  73,  §1) :  '  The  two  great  Myite- 
ries  of  Christian  Religion ;  the  Ineffable  Trinity  and  Wonderful  Incarna- 
tion :  by  G.  G.  G.*  (meaning  Godfrey  Goodman;  Glocestrensis).  Unfor- 
tunate persons  who  have  read  Laud*s  writings  are  acquainted  with  this 
Bishop  Goodman,  or  Badman ;  ho  died  a  declared  Papist.  Poor  man,  his 
speculations,  now  become  jargon  to  us,  were  once  very  serious  and  eloquent 
to  him  !  Such  is  the  fate  that  soon  overtakes  all  men  who,  quitting  the 
*  Eternal  Melodies,'  take  up  their  abode  in  the  outer  Temporary  Discords, 
and  seek  their  subsistence  there  !  This  is  the  part  of  the  Dedication  that 
concerns  us : 

*  To  his  Excellency  my  Lord  Oliver  Cromwell,  Lord  General.  My  Lord, — 
Fifty  years  since  the  name  of  Socinus,  &c.— '  Knowing  that  the  Lord  Crom- 
well (your  Lordship's  great  uncle)  was  then  in  great  favor,'  &c-— *  God- 
free  GooDMAir.' 

t  i.,  242. 


THE  CROMWELL  KINDRED.  29 

fcrmidable  '  Pilgrimage  of  Grace'  in  Yorkshire  to  the  like  effect, 
in  the  autumn  of  1536.*  Richard,  in  company  with  other  higher 
official  persons,  represents  himself  as  straining  every  nerve  to 
beat  down  and  extinguish  this  traitorous  fanatic  flame,  kindled 
against  the  King's  Majesty  and  his  Reform  of  the  Church ;  has 
in  eye  in  particular  to  a  certain  Sir  John  Thymbleby  in  Lincoln- 
shire, whom  he  would  fain  capture  as  a  ringleader ;  suggests  that 
the  oae  of  arms  should  be  prohibited  to  these  treasonous  popula- 
tioii8»  except  under  conditions; — and  seems  hastening  on,  with 
timost  furious  speed ;  towards  Yorkshire  and  the  Pilgrimage  of 
Grace,  we  may  conjecture.  The  second  Letter,  also  without 
date  except '  Saturday,'  shadows  to  us  an  official  man,  again  on 
huaioess  of  hot  haste ;  journeying  from  Monastery  to  Monastery  ; 
finding  this  Superior  disposed  to  comply  with  the  King's  Majesty, 
and  that  other  not  disposed,  but  capable  of  being  made  so  ;  inti- 
mates farther  that  he  will  be  at  his  own  House  (presumably  Hin- 
chinbrook),  and  then  straightway  '  home,'  and  will  report  pro- 
greas  to  my  Lord  in  person.  On  the  whole,  as  this  is  the  earliest 
articulate  utterance  of  the  Oliver  Family  ;  and  casts  a  faint 
glimmer  of  light,  as  from  a  single  flint-spark,  into  the  dead  dark- 
ness of  the  foregone  century ;  and  touches  withal  on  an  acquaint- 
ance of  ours  the  *  Prior  of  Ely,' — Robert  Steward,  last  Popish 
Prior,  first  Protestant  Dean  of  Ely,  and  brother  of  Mrs.  Robert 
Cromwell's  ancestor,  which  is  curious  to  think  of, — we  will  give 
the  Letter,  more  especially  as  it  is  very  short : 

"  To  my  Lord  Cromwell. 

**  I  have  me  most  humbly  commended  unto  your  Lordship.  I 
rode  on  Sunday  to  Cambridge  to  my  bed  ;'\  and  the  next  morn- 
ing, was  up  betimes,  purposing  to  have  found  at  Ely  Mr.  Pollard 
and  Mr.  Williams.  But  they  were  departed  before  my  coming  : 
and  80,  '  they '  being  at  dinner  at  Somersham,  with  the  Bishop  of 
Ely,  I  overtook  them  *  there. '^    At  which  time,  I  opened  your 

*  Herbert  (in  Kennet,  ii.  204-5). 

t  From  London,  we  suppose. 

X  The  words  within  tingle  commas,  '  they '  and  *  there,'  are  added,  for 
Winging  oat  the  sense ;  a  plan  we  shall  follow  in  all  the  Original  Letters  of 
this  CoUeetioii. 


30  INTRODUCTION. 


pleasure  unto  them  in  everything.  Your  Lordship,  I  think,  shall 
shortly  perceive  the  Prior  of  Ely  to  be  of  a  froward  sort,  by  evident 
tokens  ;*  as,  at  our  coming  home,  shall  be  at  large  related  unto  you. 

"  At  the  writing  hereof  we  have  done  nothing  at  Ramsey ; 
saving  that  one  night  I  communed  with  the  Abbot ;  whom  I  found 
conformable  to  everything,  as  shall  be  at  this  time  put  in  act.f 
And  then,  as  your  Lordship's  will  is,  as  soon  as  we  have  done  at 
Ramsey,  we  go  to  Peterborough.  And  from  thence  to  my  House ; 
and  so  home,  j:  The  which,  I  trust,  shall  be  at  the  farthest  on  this 
day  come  seven  days. 

"  That  the  blessed  Trinity  preserve  your  Lordship's  health ! 
"  Your  Lordship's  most  bounden  Nephew, 

"  RicHAED.  Cromwell. 

'*  From  Ramsey,  on  Tuesday  in  the  morning. "§ 

The  other  Letter  is  still  more  express  as  to  the  consanguinity ; 
it  says,  among  other  things,  '  And  longer  than  I  may  have  heart 
so,  as  my  most  bounden  duty  is,  to  serve  the  King's  Grace  with 
body,  goods,  and  all  that  ever  I  am  able  to  make ;  and  your 
Lordship,  as  Nature  and  also  your  manifold  kindness  bindeth, — ^I 
beseech  God  I  no  longer  live.'  '  As  Nature  bindelh.'  Richard 
Cromwell  then,  thanks  him,  with  a  bow  to  the  very  ground,  for 
'  my  poore  wyef,'  who  has  had  some  kind  remembrance  from  his 
Lordship  ;  thinks  all  <  his  travail  but  a  pastime  ;'  and  remains, 
*  at  Stamford  this  Saturday  at  eleven  of  the  clock, — ^your  humble 
Nephew  most  bounden,'  as  in  the  other  case.  A  vehement,  swift. 
riding  man  ! — Nephew,  it  has  been  suggested,  did  not  mean  in 
Henry  the  Eighth's  time  so  strictly  as  it  now  does,  brother's  or  sis- 
ter's son  ;  it  meant  neposj  or  rather  kinsman  of  younger  generation  : 
but  on  all  hypotheses  of  its  meaning,  the  consanguinity  of  Oliver 

*  He  proved  tameable.  Sir  Richard,— and  made  your  Great-grandson  rich, 
for  one  consequence  of  that ! 

t  Brought  to  legal  black-on- white.  X  To  London. 

§  MSS.  Cotton.  Cleopatra  E.  IV.,  p.  2046.  The  envelope  tod  ad- 
dress are  not  here ;  but  this  label  of  address,  given  in  a  tixteenth-centorj 
hand,  and  otherwise  indicated  by  the  text,  is  not  doubtful.  The  sigtntore 
alone,  and  line  preceding  that,  are  in  Richard's  hand.  In  the  Letlflr 
printed  by  Noble  the  address  remairu,  in  the  hand  of  Richard's  cleric 


THE  CROMWELL  KINDRED.  31 

Protector  of  England  and  Thomas  Mauler  of  Monasteries  is  not 
henceforth  to  be  doubted. 

Another  indubitable  thing  is,  That  this  Richard,  your  Nephew 
most  bounden,  has  signed  himself  in  various  Law.deeds  and  No- 
tarial papers  still  extant,  '  Richard  Cromwell  alias  Williams ;' 
also  that  his  sons  and  grandsons  continued  to  sign  Cromwell  alias 
Williams ;  and  even  that  our  Oliver  himself  in  his  youth  has 
been  known  to  sign  so.  And  then  a  third  indubitable  thing  on 
this  nuitter  is,  That  Leland,  an  exact  man,  sent  out  by  Authority 
in  those  years  to  take  cognizance  &n&  make  report  of  the  Church 
Establishments  in  England,  and  whose  well-known  Itinerary  is 
the  fruit  of  that  survey,  has  written  in  that  work  these  words ; 
under  the  head,  '  Commotes*  in  Glamorganshire  :' 

*  Kibworth  liethf  from  the  mouth  of  Remny  up  to  an  Hill  in 
the  same  Commote,  called  Kevenon,  a  six  miles  from  the  mouth 
of  Remny.  This  Hill  goelh  as  a  Wall  overthwart  betwixt  the 
Rivers  of  ThaveJ  and  Remny.  A  two  miles  from  this  Hill  by  the 
soatfa,  and  a  two  miles  from  Cardifi*,  be  vestigia  of  a  Pile  or  Ma- 
nor Place  decayed,  at  Egglis  Newith§  in  the  Parish  of  Landaff. 
On  the  south  side  of  this  Hill  was  born  Richard  William  alias 
Ciomwell,  in  the  Parish  of  Llanilsen."|| 

That  Richard  Cromwell,  then,  was  of  kindred  to  Thomas 
Croinwell ;  that  he  and  his  family  afler  him  signed  '  alias  Wil- 
liams ;'  and  that  Leland,  an  accurate  man,  said  and  printed,  in 
the  official  scene  where  Richard  himself  was  living  and  conspi- 
cuous, he  was  born  in  Glamorganshire :  these  three  facts  are 
indubitable  ; — but  to  these  three  we  must  limit  ourselves.     For, 

*  Commote  la  the  Welsh  word  Ciomwdy  now  obsolete  as  an  official  divi- 
sion, equivalent  to  eantred,  hundred,  Kibworth  Commote  is  now  Kibbor 
Handred. 

t  Extendeth. 

X  Thave  means  Taff;  the  description  of  the  wall-like  Hill  between  these 
two  streams  is  recognizably  correct;  Kevenon,  spelt  Cevn-on,  'ash-tree 
ridge,'  is  still  the  name  of  the  Hill. 

§  Eghtyg  ^ewydd.  New  Church,  abolished  now. 

]|  Noble,  i.,  238,  collated  with  Leland  (Oxford,  1769),  iv.,  fol.  56, pp.  37, 
8.  Leland  gathered  his  records  '  in  six  years*  between  1533  and  1540;  he 
died,  endeavoring  to  assort  them,  in  1552.  They  were  long  afterwards  pub- 
lished by  Heame. 


32  INTRODUCTION. 


as  to  the  origin  of  this  same  *  alias  Williams,'  whether  it  came 
from  the  general  *  Williamses  of  Berkshire,**  or  from  *  Morgan 
Williams,  a  Glamorganshire  gentleman  married  to  the  sister  of 
Thomas  Cromwell,'  or  from  whom  or  what  it  came,  we  have  to 
profess  ourselves  little  able,  and  indeed  not  much  concerned  to 
decide.  Williamses  are  many  :  there  is  Richard  Cromwell,  in 
that  old  Letter,  hoping  to  breakfast  with  a  Williams  at  Ely, — but 
fmds  both  him  and  Pollard  gone  !  Facts,  even  trifling  facts,  when 
indisputable  may  have  significance ;  but  Welsh  Pedigrees, 
*  with  seventy  shields  of  arqfis,'  *  Glothian  Lord  of  Powys*  (prior 
or  posterior  to  the  Deluge),  though  *  written  on  a  parchment  8 
feet  by  2  feet  4,  bearing  date  1602,  and  belonging  to  the  Miss 
Crom wells  of  Hampstead,'f  are  highly  unsatisfactory  to  the  inge- 
nuous mind!  We  have  to  remark  two  things:  First,  that  the 
Welsh  Pedigree,  with  its  seventy  shields  and  ample  extent  of 
sheepskin,  bears  date  London,  1602  ;  was  not  put  together,  there- 
fore, till  about  a  hundred  years  after  the  birth  of  Richard,  and  at 
a  great  distance  from  the  scene  of  that  event :  circumstances 
which  affect  the  unheraldic  mind  with  some  misgivings.  Second- 
ly, that  *  learned  Dugdale,'  upon  whom  mainly,  apart  from  these 
uncertain  Welsh  sheepskins,  the  story  of  this  Welsh  descent  of 
the  Crom  wells  seems  to  rest,  has  unfortunately  stated  the  matter 
in  two  different  ways, — as  being,  and  then  also  as  not  being, — ^in 
two  places  of  his  "learned  Lumber-Book.^  Which  circumstanee 
affects  the  unheraldic  mind  with  still  fataller  misgivings, — and  in 
fact  raises  irrepressibly  the  question  and  admonition,  "  What 
boots  it  ?  Leave  the  vain  region  of  blazonry,  of  rusty  broken 
shields,  and  genealogical  marine-stores ;  let  it  remain  for  ever 
doubtful !  The  Fates  themselves  have  appointed  it  even  so.  Let 
the  uncertain  Simulacrum  of  a  Glothian,  prior  or  posterior  to 
Noah's  Deluge,  hover  between  us  and  the  utter  Void  ;  basing 
himself  on  a  dust-chaos  of  ruined  heraldries,  lying  genealogies, 
and  saltires  cheeky,  the  best  he  can  !" 

The  small  Hamlet  and  Parish  Church  of  Cromwell,  or  Crum- 
well  (the  Well  of  Crum,  whatever  that  may  be),  still  stands  on 

*  Biographia  Britannica  (London,  17S9),  iv.,  474.  f  Noble,  i.,  1. 

X  Dugdale* s  Baronage,  ii.,  374,  and  ii.,  393. 


THE  CROMWELL  KINnRED.  33 

the  Eastern  edge  of  Nottinghamshire,  not  far  from  the  left  bank 
of  the  Trent ;  simple  worshippers  still  doing  in  it  some  kind  of 
diyine  service  every  Sunday.  From  this,  without  any  ghost  to 
teach  us,  we  can  understand  that  the  Cromwell  kindred  all  got 
their  name, — in  very  old  times  indeed.  From  torpedo  rubbish- 
records  we  learn  also,  without  great  difficulty,  that  the  Barons 
Cromwell  were  summoned  to  Parliament  from  Edward  Second's 
time  and  downward ;  that  they  had  their  chief  seat  at  Tatter- 
shall  in  Lincolnshire ;  that  there  were  Cromwells  of  distinction, 
md  of  no  distinction,  scattered  in  reasonable  abundance  over 
thai  PeiMX>untry, — Cromwells  Sheriffs  of  their  Counties  there  in 
Richard's  own  time.*  The  Putney  Blacksmith,  Father  of  the 
MaUeuM,  or  Hammer  that  smote  Monasteries  on  the  head, — a 
Figure  worthy  to  take  his  place  beside  Hephaistos,  or  Smith 
Mimer,  if  we  ever  get  a  Pantheon  in  this  Nation, — was  probably 
eooQgfa  himself  a  Fen-country  man  ;  one  of  the  junior  branches, 
who  came  to  live  by  metallurgy  in  London  here.  Richard,  also 
spnmg  of  the  Fens,  might  have  been  his  kinsman  in  many 
ways,  hare  got  the  name  of  Williams  in  many  ways,  and 
even  been  bom  on  the  Hill  behind  Cardiff,  independently  of 
dochian.  Enough:  Richard  Cromwell,  on  a  background  of 
heraldic  darkness,  rises  clearly  visible  to  us  ;  a  man  vehemently 
galloping  (p  and  fro,  in  that  sixteenth  century ;  tourneying  suc- 
cessfully before  King  Harry jf  who  loved  a  man ;  quickening  the 
death-agonies  of  Monasteries ;  growing  great  on  their  spoil ; — 
and  fitted,  he  also,  to  produce  another  Malleus  Cromwell  that 
anote  a  thing  or  two.  And  so  we  will  leave  this  matter  of  the 
Birth  and  Grenealogy. 

*  roller's  Worthies,  §  Cambridgeshire,  &c. 

t  Stowe's  Chronicle  (London,  1631),  p.  580;   Stowe's  Survey,  Holin- 

8* 


34  INTRODUCTION. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
EVCNTB  iir  Oliver's  biography. 

The  few  ascertained,  or  clearly  imagiDable,  Events  in  Oliver's 
Biography  may  as  well  be  arranged,  for  our  present  purpose,  ia 
the  form  of  annals. 

1603. 

Early  in  January  of  this  year,  the  old  Grandfather,  Sir  Henry, 
*  the  Grolden  Knight,'  at  Hinchinbrook,  died  :*  our  Oliver,  not 
quite  four  years  old,  saw  funeralia  and  crapes,  saw  Father  and 
Uncles  with  grave  faces,  and  understood  not  well  what  it  meant, 
— understood  only,  or  tried  to  understand,  that  the  good  old  Grand- 
father was  gone  away,  and  would  never  pat  his  head  any  more. 
The  maternal  Grandfather,  at  Ely,  was  yet,  and  for  above  a 
dozen  years  more,  living. 

The  same  year,  four  months  afterwards.  King  James,  coming 
from  the  North  to  take  possession  of  the  English  crown,  lodged 
two  nights  at  Hinchinbrook ;  with  royal  retinue,  with  immense 
sumptuosities,  addressings,  knight-makings,  ceremonial  exbibi- 
tions ;  which  must  have  been  a  grand  treat  for  little  Oliver.  His 
Majesty  came  from  the  Belvoir-Castle  region,  *  hunting  all  the 
way,'  on  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  27th  April,  1608 ;  and 
set  off,  through  Huntingdon  and  Grodmanchester,  towards  Roys- 
ton,  on  Friday  forenoon.f  The  Cambridge  Doctors  brought  him 
an  Address  while  here ;  Uncle  Oliver,  besides  the  niinoosly 
splendid  entertainments,  gave  him  hounds,  horses  and  astonishing 
gifts  at  his  departure.     In  return  there  were  Knights  created, 

*  Poor  Noble,  unequal  sometimes  to  the  copying  of  %  Parish-registeft 
with  his  judgment  asleep,  dates  this  event  1603-4  (at  p.  20,  voL  1), 
then  placidly  (at  p.  40)  states  a  fact  inconsifltent  therewith. 

t  Stowe*8  Chronicle,  812,  &c. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  35 

. .  —  I  ■  I  - —       -    — 

Sir  OllTer  first  of  the  batch,  we  may  suppose  ;  King  James  had 
decided  that  there  should  be  no  reflection  for  the  want  of  Knights 
at  least.  Among  the  large  batches  manufactured  next  year  was 
Thomas  Steward  of  Ely,  henceforth  Sir  Thomas,  Mrs.  Robert 
Cromwell's  Brother,  our  Oliver's  Uncle.  Hlnchinbrook  got  great 
honor  by  this  and  other  royal  visits ;  but  found  it,  by  and  by,  a 
dear-bought  honor. 

Oliver's  Biographers,  or  rather  Carrion  Heath  his  first  Biogra- 
pher  whom  the  others  have  copied,  introduce  various  tales  into 
these  early  years  of  Oliver  :  of  his  being  run  away  with  by  an 
ape,  along  the  leads  of  Hinchinbrook,  and  England  being  all  but 
deliyered   from  him,  had  the  Pates  so  ordered  it ;  of  his  seeing 
prophetic  spectres ;  of  his  robbing  orchards,  and  fighting  tyran- 
Doialy  with  boys ;  of  his  acting  in  School  Plays  ;  of  his  dec,  &c. 
The  whole  of  which,  grounded  on  *  Human  Stupidity'  and  Carrion 
Heath  alone,  begs  us  to  give  it  Christian  burial  once  for  all. 
Oliver  attended  the  Public  School  of  Huntingdon,  which  was  then 
conducted  by  a  Dr.  Beard,  of  whom  we  shall  hear  again ;  he 
learned  to  appearance  moderately  well,  what  the  sons  of  othei 
gentlemen  were  taught  in  such  places  ;  went  through  the  univer- 
sal destinies  which  conduct  all  men  from  childhood  to  youth,  in  a 
way  not  particularized  in  any  one  point  by  an  authentic  record. 
Readers  of  lively  imagination  can  follow  him  on  his  bird-nesting 
expeditions,  to  the  top  of '  Barnabee's  big  Tree,'  and  elsewhither, 
if  they  choose ;  on  his  fen-fowling  expeditions,  social  sports  and 
labors  manifold  ;  vacation-visits  to  his  Uncles,  to  Aunt  Hampden 
and  Cousin  John  among  others  :  all  these  things  must  have  been ; 
but  how  they  specially  were  is  for  ever  hidden  from  all  men. 
He  had  kindred  of  the  sort  above  specified:  parents  of  the  sort 
above  specified,  rigorous  yet  afiectionate  persons,  and  very  reli- 
gious, as  all  rational  persons  then  were.     He  had  two  sisters 
elder,  and  gradually  ^ve  younger ;  the  only  boy  among  seven. 
Readers  must  fancy  his  growth  there,  in  the  North  end  of  Hunt- 
ingdon, in  the  beginning  of  the  Seventeenth  Century,  as  they  can- 
In  January,  IGOd-^,*  was  held,  at  Hampton  Court,  a  kind  of 

*  Here,  more  fitly  perhaps  than  afterwards,  it  may  be  brought  to  mind. 
Hat  the  Eni^ish  year  in  those  times  did  not  begin  till  March ;  that  New 


36  INTRODUCTION. 


Theological  Convention,  of  intense  interest  all  over  England^ 
and  doubtless  at  Huntingdon  too ;  now  very  dimly  known  if 
at  all  known,  as  the  '  Hampton-Court  Conference.'  It  was  a 
meeting  for  the  settlement  of  some  dissentient  humors  in  religion. 
The  Millennary  Petition, — what  we  should  now  call  the  *  Monster 
Petition,'  for  the  like  in  number  of  signatures  was  never  seen 
before, — signed  by  near  a  thousand  Clergymen,  of  pious  strait- 
ened consciences  :  this  and  various  other  Petitions  to  his  Majesty, 
by  persons  of  pious  straitened  consciences,  had  been  presented ; 
craving  relief  in  some  ceremonial  points,  which,  as  they  found 
no  warrant  for  them  in  the  Bible,  they  suspected  (with  a  very 
natural  shudder  in  that  case)  to  savor  of  Idol-worship  and  Mimetic 
Dramaturgy,  instead  of  Grod-worship,  and  to  be  very  dangerous 
indeed  for  a  man  to  have  concern  with  !  Hampton-Court  Con- 
ference was  accordingly  summoned.  Four  world-famous  Doctors, 
from  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  represented  the  pious  straitened 

Year*8  Day  was  the  25th  of  March.  So  in  England,  at  that  time,  in  all 
records,  writings  and  books ;  as  indeed  in  official  records  it  continued  so  till 
1 752.  In  Scotland  it  was  already  not  so ;  the  year  began  with  January  there 
ever  since  1600;<>as  in  all  Catholic  countries  it  had  done  ever  since  the 
Papal  alteration  of  the  Siyle  in  1582;  and  as  in  the  most  Protestant 
countries,  excepting  England,  it  soon  after  that  began  to  do.  Scotland  in 
respect  of  the  day  of  the  month  still  followed  the  Old  Style. 

*  New  Year's  Day,  the  25th  March  :*  this  is  the  whole  compass  of  the 
fact ;  with  which  a  reader  in  those  old  books  has,  not  without  more  diffi- 
culty than  he  expects,  to  familiarize  himself.  It  has  occasioned  more  mis- 
dating and  consequent  confusions  to  modern  editorial  persons,  than  ai^ 
other  as  simple  circumstance.  So  learned  a  man  as  Whi taker,  Historian  of 
Whalley^  editing  Sir  George  Radeliffe*a  Correspondence  (London, 
1810),  with  the  lofty  air  which  sits  well  on  him  on  other  occasions,  has 
altogether  forgotten  the  above  small  circumstance :  in  consequence  of  which 
we  have  Oxford  Carriers  dying  in  January,  or  the  first  half  of  March,  and  in 
our  great  amazement  going  on  to  forward  butter-boxes  in  the  May  follow- 
ing ;— and  similar  miracles  not  a  few  occurring :  and  in  short  the  whole 
Correspondence  is  jumbled  to  pieces  ;  a  due  bit  of  topsy-turvy  being  intro- 
duced into  the  Spring  of  every  year  ;  and  the  learned  Editor  sits,  with  his 
lofty  air,  presiding  over  mere  Chaos  come  again  ! — In  the  text  here,  we 
of  course  translate  into  the  modern  year,  but  leaving  the  day  of  the  month 
as  we  find  it ;  and  if  for  greater  assurance  both  forms  be  written  down,  as 
for  instance  1G03-4,  the  loit  figure  is  always  the  modern  one ;  1603-4 
means  1604  for  our  calendar. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  37 


clasSy  now  begimiiDg  to  be  generally  nicknamed  Puritans.  The 
Archbishop,  the  Bishop  of  Loudon,  also  world-famous  men,  with 
a  considerable  reserve  of  other  bishops,  deans,  and  dignitaries, 
appeared  for  the  Church  by  itself  Church.  Lord  Chancellor,  the 
renowned  Egerton,  and  the  highest  official  persons,  many  lords 
and  courtiers  with  a  tincture  of  sacred  science,  in  fact  the  flower 
of  England,  appeared  as  witnesses  ;  with  breathless  interest.  The 
King  himself  presided ;  having  real  gifU  of  speech,  and  being 
very  learned  in  Theolc^y, — which  it  was  not  then  ridiculous  but 
glorious  for  him  to  be.  More  glorious  than  the  monarchy  of  what 
we  now  call  Literature  would  be ;  glorious  as  the  faculty  of  a 
Goethe  holding  visibly  of  Heaven  :  supreme  skill  in  Theology 
then  meant  that.  To  know  Grod^,  SeoSt  the  Maker, — to  know  the 
divine  Laws  and  inner  Harmonies  of  this  Universe,  must  always 
be  the  highest  glory  for  a  man  !  And  not  to  know  them,  always 
the  highest  disgrace  for  a  man,  however  cdtnmon  it  be ! — 

Awful  devout  Puritanism,  decent  dignified  Ceremonialism  (both 
always  of  high  moment  in  this  world,  but  not  of  equally  high) 
appeared  here  facing  one  another  for  the  first  time.    The  demands 
of  the  Puritans  seem  to  nKxlern  minds  very  limited  indeed :  That 
there  should^be  a  new  correct  Translation  of  the  Bible  (granted), 
and  increased  zeal  in  teaching  (omitt-ed) ;  That  '  lay  impropri- 
atbns'  (tithes  snatched  from  the  old  Church  by  laymen)  might 
be  made  to  yield  a  '  seventh  part '  of  their  amount,  towards  main- 
taining  ministers  in  dark  regions  which  had  none  (refused) ;  That 
the  Clergy  in  districts  might  be  allowed  to  meet  together,  and 
strengthen   one   another's   hands  as  in  old  times   (passionately 
refused)  ;^-on  the  whole  (if  such  a  thing  durst  be  hinted  at,  for 
the  tone  is  almost  inaudibly  low  and  humble).  That  pious  strait- 
ened Preachers  in  terror  of  offending  Grod  by  Idolatry,  and  useful 
to  human  souls,  might  not  be  cast  out  of  their  parishes  for  genu- 
flexions, white  surplices  and  such  like,  but  allowed  some  Christian 
liberty  in  mere  external  things :  these  were  the  claims  of  the 
Puritans ;  but  his  Majesty  eloquently  scouted  them  to  the  winds, 
applauded  by  all  bishops  and  dignitaries  lay  and  clerical ;  said. 
If  the  Puritans  would  not  conform,  he  would  *  hurry  them  out  of 
the  country  ;'  and  so  sent  Puritanism  and  the  Four  Doctors  home 
again,  oowed  into  silence,  for  the  present.     This  was  in  January^ 


38  INTRODUCTION. 


1604.*  News  of  this,  speech  enough  about  it,  could  not  fail  in 
Robert  Cromwell's  house,  among  others.  Oliver  is  in  his  fifth 
year, — always  a  year  older  than  the  Century. 

In  November,  1605,  there  likewise  came  to  Robert  Cromwell's 
house,  no  question  of  it,  news  of  the  thrice  unutterable  Gunpowder 
Plot.  Whereby  King,  Parliament,  and  God's  Gospel  in  England, 
were  to  have  been,  in  one  infernal  moment,  blown  aloft ;  and  the 
Devil's  Grospel,  and  accursed  incredibilities,  idolatries,  and  poison- 
ous confusions  of  the  Romish  Babylon,  substituted  in  their  room  ! 
The  eternal  Truth  of  the  Living  Grod  to  bec6me  an  empty  for- 
mula, a  shamming  grimace  of  the  Three-hatted  Chimera !  These 
things  did  fill  Huntingdon  and  Robert  Cromwell's  house  with  talk 
enough  in  the  winter  of  Oliver's  sixth  year.  And  again,  in  the 
summer  of  his  eleventh  year,  in  May,  1610,  there  doubtless  failed 
not  news  and  talk,  How  the  Great  Henry  was  stabbed  in  Paris 
streets :  assassinated  by  the  Jesuits ; — black  sons  of  the  scarlet 
woman,  murderous  to  soul  and  to  body. 

Other  things,  in  other  years,  the  diligent  Historical  Student  will 
supply  according  to  faculty.  The  History  of  Europe,  at  that 
epoch,  meant  essentially  the  struggle  of  Protestantism  against 
Catholicism, — a  broader  form  of  that  same  struggle,  of  devout 
Puritanism  against  dignified  Ceremonialism,  which  forms  the 
History  of  England  then.  Henry  the  Fourth  of  France,  so  long 
as  he  lived,  was  still  to  be  regarded  as  the  head  of  Protestantism ; 
Spain,  bound  up  with  the  Austrian  Empire,  as  that  of  Catholicism. 
Henry's  *  Grand  Scheme '  naturally  strove  to  carry  Protestant 
England  along  with  it ;  James,  till  Henry's  death,  held  on,  in  a 
loose  way,  by  Henry  ;  and  his  Political  History,  so  far  as  he  has 
any,  may  be  considered  to  lie  there.  After  Henry's  death,  he 
fell  off  to  *  Spanish  Infantas,'  to  Spanish  interests;  and,  as  it 
were,  ceased  to  have  any  History,  nay  began  to  have  a  negative 
one. 

Among  the  events  which  Historical  Students  will  supply  for 
Robert  Cromwell's  house,  and  the  spiritual  pabulum  of  3roung 
Oliver,  the  Death  of  Prince  Henry  in  1612,f  and  the  prospective 

•  Ncal's  History  of  the  PuritanB  (London,  1754),  i.,  411. 
1 6  Nov.  (Camden*!  Annals). 


^4 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  39 

of  Prince  Charles,  fitter  for  a  ceremonial  Archbishop 
than  a  governing  King,  as  some  thought,  will  not  be  forgotten. 
Tbea  how  the  Elector  Palatine  was  married ;  and  troubles  began 
to  brew  in  Germany ;  and  little  Dr.  Laud  was  made  Archdeacon 
of  Huntingdon : — such  news  fhe  Historical  Student  can  supply. 
And  on  the  whole,  all  students  and  persons  can  know  always  that 
Oliver's  mind  was  keptjidl  of  news,  and  never  wanted  for  pabu- 
lum !  But  from  the  day  of  his  Birth,  which  is  jotted  down,  as 
above,  in  the  Parish-register  of  St.  John's,  Huntingdon,  there  is 
DO  olher  authentic  jotting  or  direct  record  concerning  Oliver  him- 
self to  be  met  with  anywhere,  till  in  Sidney-Sussex  College,  Cam- 
bridge, we  come  to  this,* 

1616. 

*A  Festo  ArmwiciaUonis,  1616.     OUverius  Cromwell  Hunting , 
dcmiensis  admissu8  ad  commecUum  Sociorum,  ApriUs  vicesimo  tertio  ; 
Tmtjre  Magistro  Ricardo  Howlet :'   Oliver  Cromwell  from  Hunt- 
ingdon admitted   here,  23d  April,   1616;    Tutor  Mr.   Richard 
Howlet. — Between  which  and  the  next  Entry  some  zealous  indi- 
vidual of  later  date  has  crowded-in  these  lines  :  *  Hicfuii  grandis 
ilk  ImpostOTy  Camrfex  perditissimus,  qui  pientissimo  Rege  Carolo 
Primo  nrfarid  cade  sublato,  ipsum  usurpavU  Thronum,  el  Tria 
Regna  per  qumqueferme  annorum  spatium,  sub  ProtecUnis  nomine^ 
miomUd  tyrannide  vexavit,'     Pientissimo,  which  might  as  well  be 
pandsnmo  if  conjugation  and  declension  were  observed,  is  ac- 
credited barbarous-latin  for  most  pious,  but  means  properly  most 
expiatice ;   by  which  title  the  zealous  individual  of  later  date 
indicates  his  martyred  Majesty  ;   a  most  '  expiative '  Majesty 
indeed. 

Curious  enough,  of  all  days  on  this  same  day,  Shakspeare, 
as  his  stone  monument  still  testifies,  at  Stratford-on-Avon,  died : 

Obiit  Anno  Domini  1616. 
JEtatis53,  Die2^Apr* 

While  Oliver  Cromwell  was  entering  himself  of  Sidney-Sussex 
College,  William  Shakspeare  was  taking  his  farewell  of  this 

*  Noble,  L,  254.     f  Collier's  Life  of  Shakspeare  (London,  1845),  p.  253. 


40  INTBODUCTION. 

world.  Oliver's  Father  h&d,  moot  likely,  come  with  him ;  it  ia  but 
twelve  miles  from  Huntiogdoa ;  you  cu  go  and  conte  in  a  day. 
Oliver's  Father  saw  Oliver  write  in  tba  Album  at  Cambridge :  at 
Straiford,  Shakspeare's  Ann  Hathaway  waa  weeping  over  his  bed. 
The  first  world-great  thing  that  remaiiM  of  English  History,  the 
Literature  of  Shakspeare,  was  eoding;  tbe  second  world-great 
thing  that  remains  of  English  History,  the  armed  Appeal  of  Puri- 
tanism to  the  Invisible  God  of  Heaven  against  many  very  Visible 
Devils,  on  Earth  and  Elsewhere,  was,  so  to  speak,  beginning. 
They  have  their  exits  and  their  entranoes.  And  oae  People  in  . 
its  lime  plays  many  parts. 

Chevalier  Florian,  in  his  L^e  of  CematUa,  has  remarked  that 
Shakspeare's  death-day,  23d  April,  1616,  was  likewise  that  of 
Cervantes  at  Madrid.  '  Twenty-third  of  April '  is,  sure  enough, 
the  authentic  Spanish  date  :  but  Chevalier  Florian  has  omitted  lo 
notice  that  the  English  twenty-third  is  of  Old  Style.  The  brave 
Miguel  died  ten  days  before  Shakspeare  ;  and  already  lay  buried, 
smoothed  right  nobly  into  his  long  resL  The  Historical  Student 
can  meditate  on  these  things. — 

In  the  foregoing  winter,  here  in  England,  there  was  much  try. 
ing  of  Ker  Earl  of  Somerset,  and  my  Lady  once  of  Essex,  and 
the  poisoners  of  Overbury ;  and  before  Chritimaa  the  inferior 
murderers  and  infamous  persons  were  rooetly  got  hanged;  and  in 
these  very  days,  while  Oliver  began  his  studies,  my  Lord  of 
Somerset  and  my  Lady  were  tried,  and  not  hanged.  And  Chief 
Justice  Coke,  Coke  upon  Lyttleton,  had  got  into  difficulties  by  tba 
business.  And  England  generally  was  overspread  with  a  very 
fetid  atmosphere  of  Court-news,  murders,  and  divorce-cases,  in 
those  months :  which  still  a  liltle  efiects  even  the  History  of  Eng- 
land. Poor  Somerset  Ker,  King's  favorite,  '  son  of  the  Laird  of 
Femiehirst,'  he  and  his  extremely  unedifying  afiairs, — except 
as  they  might  transiently  affect  tbe  nostrils  of  some  Cromwell  of 
importance, — do  not  much  belong  to  tbe  History  of  England ! 
Carrion  ought  at  length  to  be  huritd.  Alas,  if  '  wise  memory' 
ia  ever  to  prevail,  there  is  need  of  much  '  wise  oblivion'  first.^ 

Oliver's  Tutor  in  Cambridge,  of  whom  legible  History  and  I 
know  nothing,  was  '  Magister  Richard  Howlet :'  whom  reader* 
must  fancy  a  grave  ancient  Puritan  and  Scholar,  in  dark  antique. 


EVENTS  IN  OUVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  41 

riao  clothes  and  dark  antiquarian  ideas,  according  to  their  faculty. 
The  iDdubitable  fact  is,  that  he,  Richard  Howlet,  did,  in  Sidney- 
Sussex  College,  with  his  best  ability,  endeavor  to  infiltrate  some- 
thing that  he  called  instruction  into  the  soul  of  Oliver  Cromwell 
and  of  other  youths  submitted  to  him :  but  how,  of  what  quality, 
with  what  method,  with  what  result,  will  remain  extremely 
obscure  to  every  one.  In  spite  of  mountains  of  books,  so  are 
books  written,  all  grows  very  obscure.  About  this  same  date, 
George  Ratclifie,  Wentworth  Strafford's  Greorge,  at  Oxford,  finds 
bis  green-baize  table-cover,  which  his  mother  had  sent  him,  too 
small,  has  it  cut  into  *  stockings,'  and  goes  alx)ut  with  the  same.* 
So  un&shionable  were  young  Gentlemen  Commoners.  Queen 
Elizabeth  was  the  first  person  in  this  country  who  ever  wore  knit 
stockings. 

1617. 

In  March  of  this  year,  1617,  there  was  another  royal  visit  at 
Hincbinbrook.f  But  thb  time,  I  conceive,  the  royal  entertain- 
ment would  be  much  more  moderate ;  Sir  Oliver's  purse  growing 
lank.  Over  in  Huntingdon,  Robert  Cromwell  was  lying  sick, 
somewhat  iudifferent  to  royal  progresses. 

King  James,  this  time,  was  returning  northward  to  visit  poor 
old  Scotland  again,  to  get  his  Pretended-Bishops  set  into  activity, 
if  he  could.  It  is  well  known  that  he  could  not,  to  any  satisfactory 
extent,  neither  now  nor  aflerwards :  his  Pretended-Bishops,  whom 
by  cunning  means  he  did  get  instituted,  had  the  name  of  Bishops, 
bat  next  to  none  of  the  authority,  of  the  respect,  or  alas,  even  of 
the  cash,  suitable  to  the  reality  of  that  office.  They  were  by  the 
Scotch  People  derisively  called  Tulchan  Bishops. — Did  the  reader 

*  "  University  College,  Oxford.  4  Dec.,  1610. 
"  Lovinf  Mother,—*  •  Send  also,  I  pray  you,  by  Briggs"  (this  is  Briggs 
die  Carrier,  who  dies  in  January,  and  continues  forwarding  butter  in  May) 
**  a  green  table-cloth  of  a  yard  and  half  a  quarter,  and  two  linen  table- 
datht.  *  *  If  the  green  table-cloth  be  too  little,  I  will  make  a  pair  of 
warm  stockiiiss  of  it  •  •  —Thus  remembering  my  humble  duty,  I  take  my 
leave.— Yoor  loving  Son,  "  Gkorok  RxDCurrE." 

RadcHffe*8  Letters  (by  Whitaker),  p.  64-5. 
f  Camdfln't  Annals ;  Nichols's  Progresses. 


42  INTRODUCTION. 


ever  see,  or  fancy  in  his  mind,  a  Tulchan?  Tulchan  is,  or 
rather  was,  for  the  thing  is  long  since  obsolete,  a  Calf-skin  stuffed 
into  the  rude  similitude  of  a  Calf, — similar  enough  to  deceive  the 
imperfect  perceptive  organs  of  a  Cow.  At  milking-time  the 
Tulchan,  with  head  duly  bent,  was  set  as  if  to  suck ;  the  fond 
cow  looking  round  fancied  that  her  calf  was  busy,  and  that  all 
was  right,  and  so  gave  her  milk  freely,  which  the  cunning  maid 
was  straining  in  white  abundance  into  her  pail  all  the  while ! 
The  Scotch  milkmaids  in  those  days  cried,  *  Where  is  the  Tul- 
chan ;  is  the  Tulchan  ready  V  So  of  the  Bishops.  Scotch 
Lairds  were  eager  enough  to  milk  the  Church  Lands  and  Tithes, 
to  get  the  rents  out  of  them  freely,  which  was  not  always  easy. 
They  were  glad  to  construct  a  Form  of  Bishops  to  please  the  King 
and  Church,  and  make  the  <  milk '  come  without  disturbance. 
The  reader  now  knows  what  a  Tulchan  Bishop  was.  A  piece  of 
mechanism  constructed  not  without  difficulty,  in  Parliament  and 
King's  Council,  anK)ng  the  Scots ;  and  torn  asunder  afterwards 
with  dreadful  claDnor,  and  scattered  to  the  four  winds,  so  soon  as* 
the  Cow  became  awake  to  it ! — 

Villiers  Buckingham,  the  new  favorite,  of  whom  we  say  little, 
was  of  the  royal  party  here.  Dr.  Laud,  too,  King's  Chaplain, 
Archdeacon  of  Huntingdon,  attended  the  King  on  this  occasion  ; 
had  once  more  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Huntingdon,  the  cradle  of 
his  promotions,  and  the  birth-place  of  Oliver.  In  Scotland,  Dr. 
Laud,  much  to  his  regret,  found  "  no  religion  at  all,"  no  surpli. 
ces,  no  altars  in  the  east  or  anywhere  ;  no  bowing,  no  respond- 
ing ;  not  the  smallest  regularity  of  fuglemanship  or  devotional 
drill-exercise  ;  in  short  '^  no  religion  at  all  that  I  could  see," — 
which  grieved  me  much.* 

What  to  us  is  greatly  more  momentous :  while  these  ro3ral 
things  went  on  in  Scotland,  in  the  end  of  this  same  June  at  Hunt- 
ingdon, Robert  Cromwell  died.  Hb  will  is  dated  6th  June.f 
His  buriaUday  is  marked  in  the  Church  of  AU-Saints,  24th  June, 
1617.  For  Oliver,  the  chief  mourner,  one  of  the  most  pregnant 
epochs.  The  same  year,  died  his  old  Grandfather  Steward  at 
Ely.     Mrs.  Robert  Cromwell  saw  herself  at  once  fatherless  and 

^  Wharton's  Laud  (London,  1605),  pp.  07, 109, 138.         f  Noble,  i.,  84. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  43 

a  secood  time  widowed,  in  this  year  of  bereavement.     Left  with 
daughters  and  an  only  son ;  of  whom  three  were  come  to 


OliTcr  was  now,  therefore,  a  young  heir ;  his  age  eighteen, 
April.  How  many  of  his  Sisters,  or  whether  any  of  them, 
were  yet  settled,  we  do  not  learn  from  Noble's  confused  search- 
ii^  of  records  or  otherwise.  Of  this  Huntingdon  household, 
and  its  new  head,  we  learn  next  to  nothing  by  direct  evidence ; ' 
b«it  can  decbively  enough,  by  inference,  discern  several  things. 
'  Oliver  returned  no  more  to  Cambridge.'  It  was  now  fit  that 
be  should  take  his  Father's  place  here  at  Huntingdon  ;  that  he 
ahonld,  by  the  swiftest  method,  qualify  himself  in  some  degree 
fcrthal. 

The  universal  very  credible  tradition  is  that  he,  *  soon  after,' 
proceeded  to  London,  to  gain  some  knowledge  of  Law.  '  Soon 
after '  will  mean  certain  months,  we  know  not  how  many,  after 
July,  1617.  Noble  says,  he  was  entered  *of  Lincoln's  Inn." 
The  Books  of  Lincoln's  Inn,  of  Gray's  Inn,  of  all  the  Inns  of 
Court  have  been  searched ;  and  there  is  no  Oliver  Cromwell 
ibund  in  them.  The  Books  of  Gray's  Inn  contain  these  Crom- 
weli  names,  which  are  perhaps  worth  transcribing  : 

Thomas  Cromwell,  1524  ;  Francis  Cromwell,  1561 ; 
Gilbert  Cromwell,  1609  ;  Henry  Cromwell,  1620 ; 
Henry  Cromwell,  22d  February,  1653. 

The  first  of  which  seems  to  me  probably  or  possibly  to  mean 
Thomas  Cromwell  Malleus  Monachorunij  at  that  time  returned 
fttxn  his  Italian  adventures,  and  in  the  service  of  Cardinal  Wol- 
'  sey ; — taking  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the  *  readers,'  old 
Benchers  who  then  actually  read,  and  of  learning  Law.  The 
Henry  Cromwell  of  February,  1653,  is  expressly  entered  as 
*  Second  sonne  to  his  Highness  Oliver,  Lord  Protector :'  an  inte- 
resting little  fact,  since  it  is  an  indisputable  one.  For  the  rest, 
Henry  Cromwell  was  already  a  Colonel  in  the  Army  in  1651  :* 
in  1654,  during  the  spring  months  he  was  in  Ireland ;  in  the 

*  Old  Newspaper,  in  Cromwelliana,  p.  91. 


44  INTRODUCTION. 


month  of  June  he  was  at  Chippenham  in  Cambridgeshire  with  bis 
father-in-law,  being  already  married ;  and  next  year  be  went 
again  on  political  business  to  Ireland,  where  he  before  long  be- 
came Lord  Deputy  :*  if  for  a  while,  in  the  end  of  ^654,  he  did 
attend  in  Gray's  Inn,  it  can  only  have  been,  like  his  predecessor 
the  MalleuSf  to  gain  some  inkling  of  Liaw  for  general  purposes ; 
and  not  with  any  view  towards  Advocateship,  which  did  not  lie 
*i)  his  course  at  all,  and  was  never  very  lovely  either  to  his 
Father  or  himself.  Oliver  Cromwell's,  as  we  said,  is  not  a  name 
found  in  any  of  the  Books  in  that  period. 

Whence  is  to  be  inferred  that  Oliver  was  never  of  any  Inn  ; 
that  he  never  meant  to  be  a  professional  Lawyer ;  that  he  had 
entered  himself  merely  in  the  chambers  of  some  learned  gentle- 
man, with  an  eye  to  obtain  some  tincture  of  Law,  for  doing 
County  Magistracy,  and  the  other  duties  of  a  gentleman  citizen, 
in  a  reputable  manner.  The  stories  of  his  wild  living  while  in 
Town,  of  his  gambling  and  so  forth,  rest  likewise  exclusively  oo 
Carrion  Heath;  and  solicit  oblivion  and  Christian  burial  from 
all  men.  We  cannot  but  believe  he  did  go  to  Town  to  gain 
some  knowledge  of  Law.  But  when  he  went,  how  long  he  stayed^ 
cannot  be  known  except  approximately  by  years ;  under  whom 
he  studied,  with  what  fruit,  how  he  conducted  himself  as  a  yomig 
man  and  law-student,  cannot  be  known  at  all.  Of  evidence  that 
he  ever  lived  a  wild  life  about  Town  or  elsewhere,  there  eziito 
no  particle.  To  assert  the  afHrmative  was  then  a  great  reproach 
to  him ;  fit  for  Carrion  Heath  and  others  ;  it  would  be  now,  in  our 
present  strange  condition  of  the  Moral  Law,  one  knows  not  what* 
With  a  Moral  Law  gone  all  to  such  a  state  of  moonshine ;  with 
the  hard  Stone-tables,  the  God-given  Precepts  and  eternal  Penal- 
ties, dissolved  all  in  cant  and  mealy-mouthed  official  flourishings, 
— it  might  perhaps,  with  certam  parties,  be  a  credit !  The  ad- 
mirers and  censurers  of  Cromwell  have  no  word  to  record  on  the 
subject. 

*  Here  are  the  successive  dates :  4th  March,  1653--4,  be  arrives  at  Dub- 
lin (Thurloe*s  State  Papers,  ii.,  149) ;  is  at  Chippenham,  18th  Jniie,  1654 
{ib.  ii.,  381) ;  arrives  at  Chester  on  his  way  to  Ireland  again,  22d  Jnne,  1655 
{ib.  iii.,  581) ; — produces  his  commission  as  Lord  Deputy,  24th  or  25th  N<^ 
vember,  1657  (Noble,  i.,  202). 


EVENTS  IN  OUVESfS  BIOGRAPHY.  45 


1618. 

Thursday,  29th  October,  1618.     This  morning,  if  Oliver,  as  is 
probable,  were  now  in  Town  studying  Law,  he  might  be  eye-wit- 
ness of  a  great  and  very  strange  scene :  the  Last  Scene  in  the 
Life  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.*  Raleigh  was  beheaded  in  Old  Palace 
Yard ;  he  appeared  on  the  scafibld  there  <  about  8  o'clock'  that 
moniiiig ;  '  an  immense  crowd,'  all  London,  and  in  a  sense  all 
England,  looking  on.     A  cold   hoarfrosty   morning.     Earl   of 
AruiMiel,  now  known  to  us  by  his  Greek  Marbles ;  Barl  of  Don- 
caster  ('  Sardanapalus'  Hay,  ultimately  Earl  of  Carlisle) :  these 
with  other  earls  and  dignitaries  sat  looking  through  windows  near 
by ;  to  whom  Raleigh  in  his  last  brief  manful  speech  appealed, 
with  response  from  them.     He  had  failed  of  finding  Eldorados  in 
the  Indies  lately ;  he  had  failed,  and  also  succeeded,  in  many 
things  in  his  time :  he  returned  home  with  his  brain  and  his 
heart  *  broken,'  as  he  said ; — and  the  Spaniards,  who  found  King 
willing,  now  wished  that  he  should  die.     A  very  tragic 
Such  a  man,  with  his  head  grown  grey ;  with  his  strong 
heart  *  breaking,' — still  strength  enough  in  it  to  break  with  dig- 
nity.    Somewhat  proudly  he  laid  his  old  grey  head  on  the  block ; 
as  if  saying,  in  better  than  words,  "  There  then !"     The  Sheriff 
ofiered  to  let  him  warm  himself  again,  within  doors  again  at  a  fire. 
"  Nay,  let  us  be  swifl,"  said  Raleigh  ;  "  in  few  minutes  my  ague 
will  return  upon  me,  and  if  I  be  not  dead  before  that,  they  will 
«ay  I  tremble  for  fear." — If  Oliver,  among  *  the  immense  crowd,' 
aaw  this  scene,  as  is  conceivable  enough,  he  would  not  want  for 
reflections  on  it. 

What  is  more  apparent  to  us,  Oliver  in  these  days  is  a  visitor 
m  Sir  James  Bourchier's  Town  residence.  Sir  James  Bourchier, 
Knigbt,  a  civic  gentleman  ;  not  connected  at  all  with  the  old 
Bourchiers  Earls  of  Essex,  says  my  heraldic  friend ;  but  seem- 
ingly come  of  City  Merchants  rather,  who  by  some  of  their  quar- 
terings  and  cognizances  appear  to  have  been  *  Furriers,'  says  he : — 
Like  enough.  Not  less  but  more  important,  it  appears  this  Sir 
James  Bourchier  was  a  man  of  some  opulence,  and  had  daugh- 

*  Camden ;  Biog.  Britan. 


46  INTRODUCTION. 


ters;  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth,  not  without  charms  for  the 
youthful  heart.  Moreover  he  had  landed  property  near  Felsted 
in  Essex,  where  his  usual  residence  was.  Felsted,  where  there 
is  still  a  kind  of  School  or  Free-School,  which  was  of  more  note 
in  those  days  than  now.  That  Oliver  visited  in  Sir  James's  in 
Town  or  elsewhere,  we  discover  with  great  certainty  by  the  next 
written  record  of  him. 

1620. 

The  Registers  of  St.  Giles's  Church,  Cripplegate,  London,  are 
written  by  a  third  party  as  usual,  and  have  no  autograph  signa- 
tures ;  but  in  the  List  of  Marriages  for  <  August,  1620,'  stand 
these  words,  still  to  be  read  sic : 

*  Oliver  Cromwell  to  Elizabeth  Bourcher.    22.' 

Milton's  burial-entry  is  in  another  Book  of  the  same  memorable 
Church,  *  12'  Nov.,  1674;'  where  Oliver  on  the  22d  of  August, 
1620,  was  married. 

Oliver  is  twenty-one  years  and  fouv  months  old  on  this  hit 
wedding-day.  He  repaired,  speedily  or  straightway  we  believe, 
to  Huntingdon,  to  his  Mother's  house,  which  indeed  was  now  his. 
His  Law.studies,  such  as  they  were,  had  already  ended,  we  infer : 
he  had  already  set  up  house  with  his  Mother;  and  was  now 
bringing  a  Wife  home ;  the  due  arrangements  for  that  end  having 
been  completed.  Mother  and  Wife  were  to  live  together:  the  . 
Sisters  had  got  or  were  getting  married,  Noble's  researches  and 
confused  jottings  do  not  say  specially  when:  the  Son,  as  new 
head  of  the  house,  an  inexperienced  head,  but  a  teachable,  ever- 
learning  one,  was  to  take  his  Father's  place ;  and  with  a  wise 
Mother  and  a  good  Wife,  harmonising  tolerably  well  we  shall 
hope,  was  to  manage  as  he  best  might.  Here  he  continued,  un- 
noticeable  but  easily  imaginable  by  History,  for  almost  ten  years : 
farming  lands ;  most  probably  attending  quarter-sessions ;  doing 
the  civic,  industrial,  and  social  duties,  in  the  common  way ; — ^liv- 
ing as  his  Father  before  him  had  done.  His  first  child  was  boro 
here,  in  October,  1621 ;  a  son,  Robert,  baptized  at  St.  John's 
'Church  on  the  13th  of  the  month,  of  whom  nothing  &rther  is 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  47 

known.  A  second  child,  also  a  son,  Oliver,  followed,  whose 
baptiBmal  date  is  6th  February,  1623,  of  whom  also  we  have 
almost  no  farther  account, — except  one  that  can  be  proved  to  be 
erroDeoutf.*  The  List  of  hb  other  children  shall  be  given  by 
and  by. 

1623. 

In  October,  1623,  there  was  an  illumination  of  tallow  lights,  a 
ringing  of  bells,  and  gratulation  of  human  hearts  in  all  Towns  in 
England,  and  doubtless  in  Huntingdon  too ;  on  the  safe  return  of 
Prince  Charles  from  Spain  without  the  Infanta.f  A  matter  of 
endless  joy  to  all  true  Englishmen  of  that  day,  though  no  English- 
nmn  of  this  day  feels  any  interest  in  it  one  way  or  the  other.  But 
Spain,  even  more  than  Rome,  was  the  chosen  throne  of  Popery  ; 
which  in  that  time  meant  temporal  and  eternal  Damnability, 
Falsity  to  God's  Gospel,  love  of  prosperous  Darkness  rather  than 
of  sufiering  Light, — infinite  baseness  rushing  short-sighted  upon 
infinite  p^ril  for  this  world  ^and  for  all  worlds.  King  James,  with 
his  worldly-wise  endeavorings  to  marry  his  son  into  some  first- 
rate  family,  never  made  a  falser  calculation  than  in  this  grand 
business  of  the  Spanish  Match.  The  soul  of  England  abhorred 
to  have  any  concern  with  Spain  or  things  Spanish.  Spain  was 
as  a  black  Domdaniel,  which,  had  the  floors  of  it  been  paved  with 
diamonds,  had  the  Infanta  of  it  come  riding  in  such  a  Gig  of 
Respectability  as  was  never  driven  since  Phaeton's  Sun-chariot 
took  the  road,  no  honest  English  soul  could  wish  to  have  concern 
with.  Hence  England  illuminated  itself.  The  articulate  ten- 
dency of  this  Solomon  King  had  unfortunately  parted  company 
altogether  with  the  inarticulate  but  ineradicable  tendency  of  the 
Country  he  presided  over.  The  Solomon  King  struggled  ono 
way ;  and  the  English  Nation  with  its  very  life-fibres  was  com- 
pelled to  struggle  another  way.  The  rent  by  degrees  became 
wide  enough ! 

For  the  present,  England  is  all  illuminated,  a  new  Parliament 

•Noble,  i.,  134. 

t  H.  L.  (Hamond  TEstrange) :  Reign  of  King  Charles  (London,  1656), 
p.  3.    *  October  5th,'  the  Prince  arrived. 


48  INTRODUCTION. 


is  summoned ;  which  welcomes  the  breaking  of  the  Spanish 
Match,  as  one  might  welcome  the  breaking  of  a  Dr.  Faustus's 
Bargain,  and  a  deliverance  from  the  power  of  sorcerers.  Uncle 
Oliver  served  in  this  parliament,  as  was  his  wont,  for  Hunting- 
donshire. They  and  the  Nation  with  one  voice  impelled  the  poor 
old  King  to  draw  out  his  fighting  tools  at  last,  and  beard  this 
Spanish  Apollyon,  instead  of  making  marriages  with  it.  No 
Pitt's  crusade  against  French  Sansculottism  in  the  end  of  the 
Eighteenth  Century  could  be  so  welcomed  by  English  Preservers 
of  the  Game,  as  this  defiance  of  the  Spanish  Apollyon  was  by 
Englishmen  in  general  in  the  end  of  the  Seventeenth.  The  Pala- 
tinate was  to  be  recovered,  afler  all ;  Protestantism,  the  sacred 
cause  of  God's  Light  and  Truth  against  the  Devil's  Falsity  and 
Darkness,  was  to  be  fought  for  and  secured.  Supplies  were 
voted  ;  *  drums  beat  in  the  City'  and  elsewhere,  as  they  had  done 
three  years  ago,*  to  the  joy  of  all  men,  when  the  Palatinate  waa 
first  to  be  *  defended :'  but  now  it  was  to  be  *  recovered  ;'  now  a 
decisive  effort  was  to  be  made.  The  issue,  as  is  well  known, 
corresponded  ill  with  these  beginnings.  Count  Mansfeldt  mus- 
tered his  levies  here,  and  set  sail ;  but  neither  France  nor  any 
other  power  would  so  much  as  let  him  land.  Count  Mansfeldt's 
levies  died  of  pestilence  in  their  ships ;  *  their  bodies,  thrown 
ashore  on  the  Dutch  coast,  were  eaten  by  hogs,'  till  half  the 
armament  was  dead  on  ship-board  :  nothing  came  of  it,  nothing 
could  come.  With  a  James  Stewart  for  Generalissimo  there  is 
no  good  fighting  possible.  The  poor  King  himself  soon  after 
died  ;*!*  lcf\  the  matter  to  develope  itself  in  other  still  fataller 
ways. 

In  those  years  it  must  be  that  Dr.  Simcott,  Physician  in  Hunt- 
ingdon, had  to  do  with  Oliver's  hypochondriac  maladies.  He  told 
Sir  Philip  Warwick,  unluckily  specifying  no  date,  or  none  that 
has  survived,  "  he  had  oflen  been  sent  for  at  midnight ;"  Mr. 
Cromwell  for  many  years  was  very  "  splenetic"  (spleen  struck), 
oflen  thought  he  was  just  about  to  die,  and  also  "  had  fancies 
about  the  Town  Cross.":]:     Brief  intimation ;  of  which  the  re- 

*  nth  June,  1620  (Camden's  Annals). 

t  Sunday,  27th  March,  1625  (Wilson,  in  Kennet,  ii.,  790). 

t  Sir  Philip  Warwick's  Memoirs  (London,  1701),  p.  240. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  49 

flective  reader  may  make  a  great  deal.  Samuel  Johnson  too  had 
hypochondrias ;  all  great  souls  are  apt  to  have, — and  to  be  in 
thick  darkness  generally,  till  the  eternal  ways  and  the  celestial 
goiding-stars  disclose  themselves,  and  the  vague  Abyss  of  Life 
knit  hself  up  into  Firmaments  for  them.  Temptations  in  the 
wOdemess,  Choices  of  Hercules,  and  the  like,  in  succinct  or 
kxxe  form,  are  appointed  for  every  man  that  will  assert  a  soul  in 
himaelf  and  be  a  man.  Let  Oliver  take  comfort  in  his  dark  sor- 
rows  and  melancholies.  The  quantity  of  sorrow  he  has,  does  it 
not  mean  withal  the  quantity  of  sympathy  he  has,  the  quantity  of 
&culty  and  victory  he  shall  yet  have  ?  '  Our  sorrow  is  the  in- 
verted image  of  our  nobleness.'  The  depth  of  our  despair  mea- 
sures what  capability,  and  height  of  claim  we  have,  to  hope. 
Black  smoke  as  of  Tophet  filling  all  your  universe,  it  can  yet 
by  true  heart-energy  become  fiame^  and  brilliancy  of  Heaven. 
Courage ! 

It  is  therefore  in  these  years,  undated  by  History,  that  we  must 
place  Oliver's  clear  recognition  of  Calvinistic  Christianity  ;  what 
he,  with  unspeakable  joy,  would  name  his  Conversion  ;  his  deliver- 
ance from  the  jaws  of  Eternal  Death.  Certainly  a  grand  epoch 
ibr  a  man :  properly  the  one  epoch ;  the  turning-point  which 
guides  upwards,  or  guides  downwards,  him  and  his  activity  for- 
evermore.  Wilt  thou  join  with  the  Dragons ;  wilt  thou  join  with 
the  Gods  ?  Of  thee  too  the  question  is  asked  ; — whether  by  a 
man  in  Greneva  gown,  by  a  man  in  '  Four  surplices  at  Allhallow- 
tide,'  with  words  very  imperfect ;  or  by  no  man  and  no  words, 
but  only  by  the  Silences,  by  the  Eternities,  by  the  Life  everlast- 
ing and  the  Death  everlasting.  That  the  '  Sense  of  difference 
between  Right  and  Wrong'  had  filled  all  Time  and  all  Space  for 
man,  and  bodied  itself  forth  into  a  Heaven  and  Hell  for  him  : 
this  constitutes  the  grand  feature  of  those  Puritan,  Old-Christian 
Ages  ;  this  is  the  element  which  stamps  them  as  Heroic,  and  has 
rendered  their  works  great,  manlike,  fruitful  to  all  generations. 
It  is  by  far  the  memorablest  achievement  of  our  Species  ;  with- 
out that  element,  in  some  form  or  other,  nothing  of  Heroic  had 
erer  been  among  us. 

For  many  centuries,  Catholic  Christianity,  a  fit  embodiment  of 
that  divine  Sense,  had  been  current  more  or  less,  making  the 
VOL.   I.  4 


50  INTRODUCTION. 


generations  noble :  and  here  in  England,  in  the  Century  called 
the  Seventeenth,  we  see  the  last  aspect  of  it  hitherto, — ^not  the  last 
of  all,  it  is  to  be  hoped.  Oliver  was  henceforth  a  Christian  man ; 
believed  in  God,  not  on  Sundays  only,  but  on  all  days,  in  all 
places,  and  in  all  cases. 

1624. 

The  grievance  of  Lay  Impropriations,  complained  of  in  the 
Hampton-Court  Conference  twenty  years  ago,  havmg  never  been 
abated,  and  many  parts  of  the  country  being  still  thought  insuf- 
ficiently supplied  with  Preachers,  a  plan  was  this  year  fallen  upon 
to  raise  by  subscription,  among  persons  grieved  at  that  state  of 
matters,  a  Fund  for  huyrng-in  such  Impropriations  as  might  ofier 
themselves  ;  for  supporting  good  ministers  therewith,  in  destitute 
places;  and  for  otherwise  encouraging  the  ministerial  work. 
The  originator  of  this  scheme  was  *  the  famous  Dr.  Preston,'  *  a 
Puritan  College  Doctor  of  immense  *  fame '  in  those  and  in  prior 
years ;  courted  even  by  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  and  tempted 
with  the  gleam  of  bishopricks ;  but  mouldering  now  in  great 
oblivion,  not  famous  to  any  man.  His  scheme,  however,  was 
found  good.  The  wealthy  London  Merchants,  almost  all  of  them 
Puritans,  took  it  up ;  and  by  degrees  the  wealthier  Puritans  over 
England  at  large.  Considerable  ever-increasing  funds  were 
subscribed  for  this  pious  object ;  were  vested  in  *  Feoffees,' — 
who  afterwards  made  some  noise  in  the  world  under  that  name. 
They  gradually  purchased  some  Advowsons  or  IropropriationSy 
such  as  came  to  market ;  and  hired,  or  assisted  in  hiring,  a  great 
many  *  Lecturers,'  persons  not  generally  in  full  *  Priest's-orders ' 
(having  scruples  about  the  ceremonies),  but  in  '  Deacon's '  or 
some  other  orders,  with  permission  to  preach,  to  *  lecture,'  as  it 
was  called :  whom  accordingly  we  find  *  lecturing '  in  various 
places,  under  various  conditions,  in  the  subsequent  years  ;^ 
often  in  some  market-town,  *on  market-day  ;'  on  *  Sunday-after- 
noon,' as  supplemental  to  the  regular  Priest  when  he  might  hap- 
|)en  to  be  idle,  or  given  to  black  and  white  surplices ;  or  as 
*  running  Lecturers,'  new  here,  now  there,  over  a  certain  dis- 

*  Heylin's  Life  of  Laud. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  51 

trid.  They  were  greatly  followed  by  the  serious  part  of  the 
eommimity ;  and  gave  proportional  offence  in  other  quarters. 
In  some  years  hence,  they  had  risen  to  such  a  height,  these  Lec- 
tarers,  that  Dr.  Laud,  now  come  into  authority,  took  them 
seriously  in  hand,  and  with  patient  detail  hunted  them  mostly 
out ;  nay,  brought  the  Feoffees  themselves  and  their  whole  En« 
terprise  into  the  Starchamber,  and  there,  with  emphasis  enough, 
and  heavy  damages,  amid  huge  rumor  from  the  public,  sup- 
pressed them.  This  was  in  1683 ;  a  somewhat  ^rong  measure. 
How  would  the  Public  take  it  now,  if, — we  say  not  the  gate  of 
Heaven,  but  the  gate  of  the  Opposition  Hustings  were  suddenly 
sbut  against  mankind, — if  our  Opposition  Newspapers,  and  their 
morning  Prophesy ings,  were  suppressed ! — That  Cromwell  was 
a  ooDtributor  to  this  Feoffee  Fund,  and  a  zealous  forwarder  of 
it  acoording  to  his  opportunities,  we  might  already  guess ;  and 
by  and  by  there  will  occur  some  vestige  of  direct  evidence  to 
that  effect. 

Oliver  naturally  consorted  henceforth  with  the  Puritan  Clergy 
in  preference  to  the  other  kind ;  zealously  attended  their 
ministry,  when  possible  ;^-consorted  with  Puritans  in  general, 
many  of  whom  were  Gentry  of  his  own  rank,  some  of  them 
Nobility  of  much  higher  rank.  A  modest  devout  man, 
solemnly  intent  *  to  make  his  calling  and  his  election  sure,' — to 
whom,  in  credible  dialect,  the  Voice  of  the  Highest  had  spoken. 
Whose  earnestness,  sagacity  and  manful  worth  gradually  made 
him  conspicuous  in  his  circle  among  such. — The  Puritans  were 
already  numerous.  John  Hampden,  Oliver's  Cousin,  was  a  de- 
vout Puritan,  John  Pym  the  like  ;  Lord  Brook,  Lord  Say,  Lord 
Montague, — Puritans  in  the  better  ranks,  and  in  every  rank, 
abounded.  Already  either  in  conscious  act,  or  in  clear  tendency, 
the  far  greater  part  of  the  serious  Thought  and  Manhood  of  Eng- 
land had  declared  itself  Puritan. 

1625. 
Mark  Noble  citing  Willis's  Notitia,  reports  that  Oliver  ap- 
peared this  year  as  Member  <  for  Huntingdon  '  in  King  Charles's 
first  Parliament."*     It  b  a  mistake ;  grounded  on  mere  blunders 

♦  Noble,  i.,  100. 


52  INTRODUCTION. 


and  clerical  errors.  Browne  Willis,  in  his  NotiUa  ParUamerUaria^ 
does  indeed  specify  as  Member  for  Huntingdon^^'re  an  '  Oliver 
Cromwell,  Esq.,'  who  might  be  our  Oliver.  But  the  usual  mem. 
ber  in  former  Parliaments  is  Sir  Oliver,  our  Oliver's  Uncle. 
Browne  Willis  must  have  made,  or  have  copied,  some  slip  of  the 
pen.  Suppose  him  to  have  found  in  some  of  his  multitudinous 
parchments,  an  *  Oliver  Cromwell,  Knight  of  the  Shire,'  and  in 
place  of  putting  in  the  <  Sir,'  to  have  put  in  *  Esq. ;'  it  will  solve 
the  whole  difficulty.  Our  Oliver,  when  he  indisputably  did 
afterwards  enter  Parliament,  came  in  for  Huntingdon  Toum  ;  so 
that,  on  this  hypothesis,  he  must  have  first  been  Knight  of  the 
Shire,  and  then  have  sunk  (an  immense  fall  in  those  days)  to  be 
a  Burgh  Member  ;  which  cannot  without  other  ground  be  cre- 
dited. What  the  original  Chancery  Parchments  say  of  the  busi- 
ness, whether  the  error  is  theirs  or  Browne  Willis's,  I  cannot 
decide ;  on  inquiry  at  the  Rolls'  Office,  it  turns  out  that  the 
Records,  for  some  fifly  years  about  this  period,  have  vanished 
"  a  good  while  ago."  Whose  error  it  may  be,  we  know  not ; 
but  an  error  we  may  safely  conclude  it  is.  Sir  Oliver  was  then 
still  living  at  Hinchinbrook,  in  the  vigor  of  his  years,  no  reason 
whatever  why  he  should  not  serve  as  formerly ;  nay,  if  he  had 
withdrawn,  his  young  Nephew,  of  no  fortune  for  a  Knight  of  the 
Shire,  was  not  the  man  to  replace  him.  The  Members  for  Hunt- 
ingdon Town  in  this  Parliament,  as  in  the  preceding  one,  are  a 
Mr.  Main  waring,  and  a  Mr.  St.  John.  The  County  Members  in 
the  preceding  Parliament,  and  in  this  too  with  the  correction  of 
the  concluding  syllable  in  this,  are  <  Edward  Montague,  Esquire/ 
and  *  Oliver  Cromwell,  Knight,' 

1626. 

In  the  Ashmole  Museum  at  Oxford  stands  catalogued  a  ^  Let- 
ter from  Oliver  Cromwell  to  Mr.  Henry  Downhall,  at  St.  John's 
College,  Cambridge ;  dated  Huntingdon,  14  October,  1626  :** 
which  might  perhaps,  in  some  very  faint  way,  have  elucidated 
Dr.  Simcott  and  the  hypochondrias  for  us.  On  applying  to  kind 
friends  at  Oxford  for  a  copy  of  this  Letter,  I  learn  that  there  is 

*  Bodleian  Library :  Codieea  MS  8,  Athmoleani,  No.  8398. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  53 

DOW  no  Letter,  only  a  mere  selvage  of  paper,  and  a  leaf  wanting 
between  two  leaves.  It  was  stolen,  none  knows  when;  but 
stol«i  it  is  ; — which  forces  me  to  continue  my  Introduction  some 
nine  years  &rther,  instead  of  ending  it  at  this  point.  Did  some 
zealous  Oxford  Doctor  cut  the  Letter  out,  as  one  weeds  a  hem. 
lock  from  a  parsley-bed ;  that  so  the  Ashmole  Museum  might  be 
cleansed,  and  yield  only  pure  nutriment  to  mankind  ?  Or  was 
it  some  collector  of  autographs  zealous  beyond  law  ?  "Whoever 
the  thief  may  be,  he  is  probably  dead  long  since  ;  and  has  an- 
swered  for  this, — and  also,  we  may  fancy  for  heavier  thefts, 
which  were  likely  to  be  charged  upon  him.  If  any  humane  in- 
dividual ever  henceforth  get  his  eye  upon  the  Letter,  let  him  be  so 
kind  as  to  send  a  copy  of  it  to  the  Publishers  of  this  Book,  and  no 
questions  will  be  asked. 

1627. 

fl 

A  Deed  of  Sale,  dated  20  June,  1627,  still  testifies  that  Hinch. 
inbrook  this  year  passed  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Cromwells  into 
those  of  the  Montagues.*  The  price  was  3000/. ;  curiously  di- 
vided into  two  parcels,  down  to  shillings  and  pence,— one  of  the 
parcels  being  already  a  creditor's.  The  Purchaser  is  '  Sir  Sid- 
ney Montague,  Knight  of  Barnwell,  one  of  his  Majesty's  Masters 
of  the  Requests.'  Sir  Oliver  Cromwell,  son  of  the  Golden 
Knight,  having  now  burnt  out  his  splendor,  disappeared  in  this 
way  from  Hinchinbrook ;  retired  deeper  into  the  Fens,  to  a  place 
of  his  near  Ramsey  Mere,  where  he  continued  still  thirty  years 
longer  to  reside,  in  an  eclipsed  manner.  It  was  to  this  house  at 
Ramsey,  that  Oliver,  our  Oliver,  then  Captain  Cromwell  in  the 
Parliament's  service,  paid  the  domiciliary  visit  much  talked  of  in 
the  old  Books.  The  reduced  Knight,  his  Uncle,  was  a  Royalist 
or  Malignant ;  and  his  house  had  to  be  searched  for  arms,  for 
munitions,  for  furnishings  of  any  sort,  which  he  might  be  minded 
to  send  off  to  the  King,  now  at  York,  and  evidently  intending  war. 
Oliver's  dragoons  searched  with  due  rigor  for  the  arms ;  while 
the  Captain  respectfully  conversed  with  his  Uncle ;  and  even 
<  insisted'  through  the  interview,  say  the  old  Books,  *  on  standing 

•  Noble,  i.,  43. 


54  INTRODUCTION. 


uncovered ;'  which  latter  circumstance  may  be  taken  as  an  as- 
tonishing hypocrisy  in  him,  say  the  old  blockhead  Books.  The 
arms,  munitions,  furnishings  were  with  all  rigor  of  law,  not  with 
more  rigor  and  not  with  less,  carried  away  ;  and  Oliver  parted 
with  his  Uncle,  for  that  time,  not  *  craving  his  blessing,'  I  think, 
as  the  old  blockhead  Books  say  ;  but  hoping  he  might,  one  day, 
either  get  it  or  a  better  than  it,  for  what  he  had  now  done.  Oli- 
ver, while  in  military  charge  of  that  country,  had  probably  re« 
peated  visits  to  pay  to  his  Uncle ;  and  they  know  little  of  the 
man  or  of  the  circumstances,  who  suppose  there  was  any  likeli- 
hood or  need  of  either  insolence  or  hypocrisy  in  the  course  of 
these. 

As  for  the  old  Knight,  he  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  easy 
temper  ;  given  to  sumptuosity  or  hospitality ;  and  averse  to  se- 
verer duties.*  When  his  eldest  son,  who  also  showed  a  turn  for 
expense,  presented  him  a  schedule  of  debts,  craving  aid  towards 
the  payment  of  them.  Sir  Oliver  answered  with  a  bland  sigh,  '<  I 
wish  they  were  paid."  Various  Cromwells,  sons  of  his,  nephews 
of  his,  besides  the  great  Oliver,  took  part  in  the  civil  war,  some 
on  this  side,  some  on  that,  whose  indistinct  designations  in  the  old 
Books  are  apt  to  occasion  mistakes  with  modem  readers.  Sir 
Oliver  vanishes  now  from  Hinchinbrook,  and  all  the  public  busi^ 
ness  records,  into  the  darker  places  of  the  Fens.  His  name  dis- 
appears from  Willis : — in  the  next  Parliament  the  Knight  of  the 
Shire  for  Huntingdon  becomes,  instead  of  him,  '  Sir  Capell  Bedall, 
Baronet.'  The  purchaser  of  Hinchinbrook,  Sir  Sidney  Monta- 
gue, was  brother  of  the  first  Earl  of  Manchester,  brother  of  the 
third  Lord  Montague  of  Boughton ;  and  father  of  *  the  valiant 
Colonel  Montague,'  valiant  General  Montague,  Admiral  Montague, 
who,  in  an  altered  state  of  circumstances,  became  first  Earl  of 
Sandwich,  and  perished,  with  a  valor  worthy  of  a  better  general- 
issimo than  poor  James  Duke  of  York,  in  the  Seafight  of  Sdebay 
(Southwold  Bay,  on  the  coast  of  Sufiblk)  in  1672.f 

In  these  same  years,  for  the  dates  and  all  other  circumstances 
of  the  matter  hang  dubious  in  the  vague,  there  is  record  given  by 

•  Fuller's  Worthies,  §  Huntingdonshire. 

t  Collins's  Peerage  (London,  1741),  ii.,  286-^. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  65 


Dugdale,  a  man  of  very  small  authority  on  these  Cromwell  mat- 
teiBy  of  a  certain  suit  instituted,  in  the  King's  Council,  King's 
Court  of  Requests,  or  wherever  it  might  be,  by  our  Oliver  and 
other  relations  interested,  concerning  the  lunacy  of  his  Uncle, 
Sir  Thomas  Steward  of  Ely.  It  seems  they  alleged,  This  Uncle 
Steward  was  incapable  of  managing  his  affairs,  and  ought  to  be 
restrained  under  guardians.  Which  allegation  of  theirs,  and  pe- 
tition grounded  on  it,  the  King's  Council  saw  good  to  deny : 
whereupon — Sir  Thomas  Steward  continued  to  manage  his  affairs, 
in  an  incapable  or  semi-capable  manner ;  and  nothing  followed 
opoo  it  whatever.  Which  proceeding  of  Oliver's,  if  there  ever 
was  such  a  proceeding,  we  are,  according  to  Dugdale,  to  consider 
an  act  of  villany, — ^if  we  incline  to  take  that  trouble.  What  we 
know  is,  That  poor  Sir  Thomas  himself  did  not  so  consider  it ; 
ibr,  by  express  testament  some  years  aflerwards,  he  declared  Oli- 
ver his  heir  in  chief,  and  lefl  him  considerable  property,  as  if 
nothing  had  happened.  So  that  there  is  this  dilemma :  If  Sii 
Thomas  was  imbecile,  theu  Oliver  was  right ;  and  unless  Sii 
Thomas  was  imbecile,  Oliver  was  not  wrong !  Alas,  all  calumny 
and  carrion,  does  it  not  incessantly  cry,  *<  Earth,  O,  for  pity's 
ake,  a  little  earth !" 

1628. 

Sir  Oliver  Cromwell  has  faded  from  the  Parliamentary  scene 
into  the  deep  Fen-country,  but  Oliver  Cromwell,  Esq.,  appears 
there  as  Member  for  Huntingdon,  at  Westminster  on  *  Monday 
the  17th  of  March,'  1627-8.  This  was  the  Third  Parliament  of 
Charles :  by  much  the  most  notable  of  all  Parliaments  till 
Charles's  Liong  Parliament  met,  which  proved  his  last. 

Having  sharply,  with  swifl  impetuosity  and  in  indignation,  dis- 
missed two  Parliaments,  because  they  would  not  'supply'  him 
without  taking  *  grievances'  along  with  them ;  and,  meanwhile 
and  afterwards,  having  failed  in  every  operation  foreign  and  do- 
mestic, at  Cadiz,  at  Rh^,  at  Rochelle  ;  and  having  failed,  too,  in 
getting  supplies  by  unparliamentary  methods,  Charles  '  consulted 
with  Sir  Robert  Cotton  what  was  to  be  done  ;'  who  answered, 
summon  a  Parliament  again.  So  this  celebrated  Parliament  was 
•mmnooed.     It  met,  as  we  said,  in  March,  1628,  and  continued 


56  INTRODUCTION. 


with  one  prorogation  till  March,  1629.  The  two  former  Parlia- 
ments had  sat  but  a  few  weeks  each,  till  they  were  indignantly 
hurled  asunder  again  ;  this  one  continued  nearly  a  year.  Went- 
worth  (Straflford)  was  of  this  Parliament ;  Hampden  too,  Selden, 
Pym,  Holies,  and  others  known  to  us :  all  these  had  been  of  for- 
mer Parliaments  as  well ;  Oliver  Cromwell,  Member  for  Hunting- 
don, sat  there  for  the  first  time. 

It  is  very  evident.  King  Charles,  baffled  in  all  his  enterprises^ 
and  reduced  really  to  a  kind  of  crisis,  wished  much  this  Parlia- 
ment should  succeed ;  and  took  what  he  must  have  thought  incre- 
dible pains  for  that  end.  The  poor  King  strives  visibly  throughout 
to  control  himself,  to  be  soil  and  patient ;  inwardly  writhing  and 
rustling  with  royal  rage.  Unfortunate  King,  we  see  him  chafing, 
stamping, — a  very  fiery  steed,  but  bridled,  check-bitted,  by  innumer- 
able straps  and  considerations ;  struggling  much  to  be  composed. 
Alas,  it  would  not  do.  This  Parliament  was  more  Puritanic, 
more  intent  on  rigorous  Law  and  divine  Gospel,  than  any  other 
had  ever  been.  As  indeed  all  these  Parliaments  grow  strangely 
in  Puritanism ;  more  and  ever  more  earnest  rises  fh)m  the  hearts 
of  them  all,  "  O  Sacred  Majesty,  lead  us  not  to  Antichrist,  to 
Illegality,  to  temporal  and  eternal  Perdition  !"  The  Nobility  and 
Gentry  of  England  were  then  a  very  strange  body  of  men.  The 
English  Squire  of  the  Seventeenth  Century  clearly  appears  to 
have  believed  in  God,  not  as  a  figure  of  speech,  but  as  a  very 
fact,  very  awful  to  the  heart  of  the  English  Squire.  *  He  wore  his 
Bible-doctrine  round  him,'  says  one,  <  as  our  Squire  wears  his  shot* 
belt ;  went  abroad  with  it,  nothing  doubting.'  King  Charles  was 
going  on  his  father's  course,  only  with  frightful  acceleration :  he  and 
his  respectable  Traditions  and  Notions,  clothed  in  old  sheepskin 
and  respectable  Church-tippets,  were  all  pulling  one  way  ;  Eng- 
land and  the  Eternal  Laws  pulling  another ; — ^the  rent  fiist 
widening  till  no  man  could  heal  it. 

This  was  the  celebrated  Parliament  which  framed  the  Petition 
of  Right,  and  set  London  all  astir  with  '  bells  and  Jbonfires'  at  the 
passing  thereof;  and  did  other  feats  not  to  be  particularised  here. 
Across  the  murkiest  element  in  which  any  great  Entity  was  ever 
shown  to  human  creatures,  it  still  rises,  af\er  much  consideration 
to  the  modern  man,  in  a  dim  but  undeniable  manner,  as  a  most 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  57 

brave  aod  noble  Parliament.     The  like  of  which  were  worth  its 
w^ht  in  diamonds  even  now ; — but  has  grown  very  unattainable 
DOW,  next  door  to  incredible  now. — We  have  to  say  that  this 
IVurliament  chastised  sycophant  Priests^  Mainwaring,  Sibthorp, 
and  other  Arminian  sycophants,  a  disgrace  to  God's  Church ; 
dtttt  it  had  an  eye  to  other  still  more  elevated  Church-Sycophants, 
as  the  mainspring  of  all ;  but  was  cautious  to  give  ofience  by 
naming  them.     That  it  carefully  '  abstained  from  naming  the 
Duke  of  Buckingham.'    That  it  decided  on  giving  ample  sub- 
adies,  but  not  till  there  were  reasonable  discussion  of  grievances. 
That  in  manner  it  was  most  gentle,  sofl-spoken,  cautious,  reve- 
rential ;  and  in  substance  most  resolute  and  valiant.     Truly  with 
valiant  patient  energy,  in  a  slows  teadfast  English  manner,  it 
carried,  across  infinite  confused  opposition  and  discouragement,  its 
Petition  of  Right,  and  what  else  it  had  to  carry.     Four  hundred 
brave  men, — brave  men  and  true,  after  their  sort !     One  laments 
to  find  such  a  Parliament  smothered  under  Dryasdust's  shot-rub- 
bish.    The  memory  of  it,  could  any  real  memory  of  it  rise  upon 
honorable  gentlemen  and  us,  might  be  admonitory, — would  be 
astonishing  at  least.     We  must  clip  one  extract  from  Rushworth's 
huge  Rag-fair  of  a  Book ;  the  moumfullest  torpedo  rubbish-heap, 
of  jewels  buried  under  sordid  wreck  and  dust  and  dead  ashes,  one 
jewel  lo  the  wagon-load ; — and  let  the  reader   try  to  make  a 
visual  scene  of  it  as  he  can.     Here,  we  say,  is  an  old  Letter, 
which  *  old  Mr.  Chamberlain  of  the  Court  of  Wards,'  a  gentleman 
entirely  unknown  to  us,  received  fresh  and  new,  before  breakfast, 
on  a  June  morning  of  the  year  1628  ;  of  which  old  Letter  we,  by  a 
good  chance,*  have  obtained  a  copy  for  the  reader.     It  is  by  Mr. 
Thomas  Alured,  a  good  Yorkshire  friend.  Member  for  Malton  in 
that  county ; — ^written  in  a  hand  which,  if  it  were  not  naturally 
rtout,  would  tremble  with  emotion.     Worthy  Mr.  Alured,  called 
also  *  Al'red'  or  *  Aldred ;'  uncle  or   father,  we  suppose,  to  a 
*  Colonel  Alured,'  well  known  afterwards  to  Oliver  and  us  :  he 
writes ;  we  abridge  and  present,  as  follows  : 

•  Rnshwortlf  8  Hiitorical  Collectiona  (London,  1682),  i,  609-10. 

4* 


58  INTRODUCTION. 


Friday,  6th  June,  1638. 

"  Sir, — ^Yesterday  was  a  day  of  desolation  among  us  in  Parlia- 
ment ;  and  this  day,  we  fear,  will  be  the  day  of  our  dissolution. 

"  Upon  Tuesday  Sir  John  Eliot  moved  that  as  we  intended  U> 
furnish  his  Majesty  with  Money,  we  should  also  supply  him  with 
Counsel."  Representing  the  doleful  state  of  afiairs,  **  he  desired 
there  might  be  a  Declaration  made  to  the  King,  of  the  danger 
wherein  the  Kingdom  stood  by  the  deciay  and  contempt  of  reli- 
gion, by  the  insufficiency  of  his  Ministers,  by  the "  &c.,  &c. 
Sir  Humphrey  May,  ^^  Chancellor  of  the  Duchy,  said,  *  It  was  a 
strange  language  ;'  yet  the  House  commanded  Sir  John  Eliot  to 
go  on.  Whereupon  the  Chancellor  desired,  <  If  he  went  on;  he 
the  Chancellor  might  go  out.'  They  all  bade  him  *  begone  :'  yet 
he  stayed,  and  heard  Sir  John  out.  The  House  generally  in- 
clined to  such  a  Declaration,^'  which  was  accordingly  resolved  to 
be  set  about. 

"  But  next  day,  Wednesday,  we  had  a  Message  from  his  Ma- 
jesty by  the  Speaker,  That  as  the  Session  was  positively  to  end 
in  a  week,  we  should  husband  the  time,  and  despatch  our  old 
businesses  without  entertaining  new.  Intending "  nevertheless 
"  to  pursue  our  Declarationy  we  had,  yesterday,  Thursday  monu 
ing,  a  new  Message  brought  us,  which  I  have  here  enclosed. 
Which  requiring  us  not  to  cast  or  lay  any  aspersion  upon  anp 
Minister  of  his  Majesty,  the  House  was  much  affected  thereby.'' 
Did  they  not  in  former  times  proceed  by  fining  and  committing 
John  of  Gaunt,  the  King's  own  son  ;  had  they  not,  in  very  late 
times,  meddled  with  and  sentenced  the  Lord  Chancellor  Bacon 
and  others  ?    What  are  we  arriving  at ! — 

Sir  Robert  Philips  of  Somersetshire  spake,  and  '*  mingled  his 
words  with  weeping.  Mr.  Pym  did  the  like.  Sir  Edward  Cook  " 
(old  Coke  upon  Lyttleton),  **  overcome  with  passion,  seeing  the 
desolation  likely  to  ensue,  was  forced  to  sit  down  when  he  began 
to  speak,  by  the  abundance  of  tears."  O,  Mr.  Chamberlain  of 
the  Court  of  Wards,  was  the  like  ever  witnessed  ?  "  Yea,  the 
Speaker  in  his  speech  could  not  refrain  from  weeping  and  shed- 
ding of  tears.  Besides  a  great  many  whose  grief  made  them 
dumb.  But  others  bore  up  in  that  storm,  and  encouraged  the 
rest."    We  resolved  ourselves  into  a  Committee,  to  have  freer 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  5d 

seope  fi»  speech ;  and  called  Mr.  Whitby  to  the  chair.  The 
Speaker,  always  in  close  communication  with  his  Majesty,  craves 
leave  from  us,  with  much  humility,  to  withdraw  "  for  half  an 
hour  ;"  which,  though  we  knew  well  whither  he  was  going,  was 
readily  granted  him.  It  is  ordered,  "No  other  man  leave  the 
House  upon  pain  of  going  to  the  Tower."  And  now  the  speak- 
in^  commences, ''  freer  and  frequenter  "  being  in  Committee,  and 
M  Sir  Edward  Coke  tries  it  again. 

^  Sir  Edward  Cook  told  us,  '  He  now  saw  God  had  not  accepted 
of  our  humble  and  moderate  carriages  and  fair  proceedings ;  and 
be  feared  the  reason  was,  We  had  not  dealt  sincerely  with  the 
King  and  Country,  and  made  a  true  representation  of  the  causes 
(^  all  those  miseries.  Which  he,  for  his  part,  repented  that  he 
had  not  done  sooner.  And  therefore,  not  knowing  whether  he 
should  ever  again  speak  in  this  House,  he  would  now  do  it  freely  ; 
and  so  did  here  protest.  That  the  author  and  cause  of  all  those 
miseries  was — the  Duke  of  Buckingham.'  Which  was  enter- 
tained  and  answered  with  a  cheerful  acclamation  of  the  House." 
(Yea,  yea  !  Well  moved,  well  spoken  !  Yea,  yea !)  "  As, 
when  one  good  hound  recovers  the  scent,  the  rest  come  in  with 
full  cry  :  so  they  (toe)  pursued  it,  and  every  one  came  home,  and 
laid  the  blame  where  he  thought  the  fault  was,"— on  the  Duke 
of  Buckingham,  to  wit.  "  And  as  we  were  putting  it  to  the 
question,  Whether  he  should  be  named  in  our  intended  Remon- 
strance as  the  chief  cause  of  all  our  miseries  at  home  and 
abroad, — ^the  Speaker,  having  been,  not  half  an  hour,  but  three 
hours  absent,  and  with  the  King,  returned  ;  bringing  this  Message, 
That  the  House  should  then  rise  (being  about  eleven  o'clock), 
adjourn  till  the  morrow  morning,  and  no  Committees  to  sit,  or 
other  business  to  go  on,  in  the  interim."  They  have  been  me- 
ditating it  all  night ! 

"  What  we  shall  expect  this  morning  therefore,  Grod  of  Heaven 
knows.  We  shall  meet  betimes  this  morning;  partly  for  the 
business's  sake ;  and  partly  because,  two  days  ago,  we  made  an 
order ;  That  whoever  comes  in  afler  Prayers  shall  pay  twelve- 
pence  to  the  poor. 

"Sir,  excuse  my  haste: — and  let  us  have  your  prayers; 


60  INTRODUCTION. 


whereof  both  you  and  we  have  need.     I  rest, — afiectionately  at 
your  service,  "  Thomas  Alxteed/* 

This  scene  Oliver  saw,  and  formed  part  of;  one  of  the  me- 
morablest  he  was  ever  in.  Why  did  those  old  honorable  gentle- 
men *  weep  V  How  came  tough  old  Coke  upon  Lyttleton,  one 
of  the  toughest  men  ever  made,  to  melt  into  tears  like  a  girl,  and 
sit  down  unable  to  speak  ?  The  modem  honorable  gentleman 
cannot  tell.  Let  him  consider  it,  and  try  if  he  can  tell !  And 
then,  putting  off  his  Shot-belt,  and  striving  to  put  on  some  Bible- 
doctrine,  some  earnest  God's  Truth  or  other, — ^try  if  he  can  dis- 
cover why  he  cannot  tell ! — 

The  Remonstrance  against  Buckingham  was  perfected ;  the 
hounds  having  got  all  upon  the  scent.  Buckingham  was  expressly 
'  named,'  a  daring  feat :  and  so  loud  were  the  hounds,  and  such 
a  tune  in  their  baying,  his  Majesty  saw  good  to  confirm,  and 
ratify  beyond  shadow  of  cavil,  the  invaluable  Petition  of  Right, 
and  thereby  produce  '  bonfires,'  and  bob-majors  upon  all  bells. 
Old  London  was  sonorous ;  in  a  blaze  with  joy.fires.  Soon  after 
which,  this  Parliament,  as  London,  and  England,  and  it,  all  still 
continued  somewhat  too  sonorous,  was  hastily,  with  visible  royal 
anger,  prorogued  till  October  next, — till  January  as  it  proved. 
Oliver,  of  course,  went  home  to  Huntingdon  to  his  harvest- work  ; 
England  continued  simmering  and  sounding  as  it  might. 

The  day  of  prorogation  was  the  26th  of  June.*  One  day  in 
the  latter  end  of  August,  John  Felton,  a  short  swart  Suffolk  gen- 
tleman  of  military  air,  in  fact  a  retired  lieutenant  of  grim  serious 
disposition,  went  out  to  walk  in  the  eastern  parts  of  London. 
Walking  on  Tower  Hill,  full  of  black  reflections  on  his  own  con- 
dition, and  on  the  condition  of  England,  and  a  Duke  of  Bucking- 
ham holding  all  England  down  into  the  jaws  of  ruin  and  disgrace, 
— ^John  Felton  saw,  in  evil  hour,  on  some  cutler's  stall  there,  a 
broad  sharp  hunting  knife,  price  one  shilling.  John  Felton,  with 
a  wild  flash  in  the  dark  heart  of  him,  bought  the  said  knife ;  rdde 
down  to  Portsmouth  with  it,  where  the  great  Duke  then  was ; 
struck  the  said  knife,  with  one  fell  plunge,  into  the  great  Duke's 

*  Commonfl  Journals,  i.,  920. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  61 

lieart«     This  was  oq  Saturday  the  23d  of  August  of  thb  same 
year.* 

Feltoa  was  tried ;  saw  that  his  wild  flashing  inspiration  had 
been  not  of  God,  but  of  Satan.  It  is  known  he  repented :  when 
the  death-sentence  was  passed  on  him,  he  stretched  out  his  right 
hand ;  craved  that  this  too,  as  some  small  expiation,  might  first 
be  stricken  off ;  which  was  denied  him,  as  against  law.  He  died 
at  Tyburn ;  his  body  was  swinging  in  chains  at  Portsmouth  ; — 
and  much  else  had  gone  awry,  when  the  Parliament  reassembled, 
in  January  following,  and  Oliver  came  up  to  Town  again. 

1629. 

The  Parliament  Session  proved  very  brief;  but  very  energetic, 
very  extraordinary.  <  Tonnage  and  Poundage,'  what  we  now 
call  Customhouse  Duties,  a  constant  subject  of  quarrel  between 
Charles  and  his  Parliaments  hitherto,  had  again  been  levied  mtfi- 
Mtf  Parliamentary  consent ;  in  the  teeth  of  old  Tallagio  nan  con- 
cedendOf  nay  even  of  the  late  solemnly  confirmed  Petition  of  Right ; 
and  naturally  gave  rise  to  Parliamentary  consideration.  Mer- 
chants  had  been  imprisoned  for  refusing  to  pay  it ;  Members  of 
Pariiaroent  themselves  had  been  '  supcBna'd :'  there  was  a  very 
ravelled  coil  to  deal  with  in  regard  to  Tonnage  and  Poundage. 
Nay  the  Petition  of  Right  itself  had  been  altered  in  the  Printing ; 
a  very  ugly  business  too. 

In  regard  to  Religion  also,  matters  looked  equally  ill.  Syco- 
phant Mainwaring,  just  censured  in  Parliament,  had  been  pro- 
moted to  a  fatter  living.  Sycophant  Montague,  in  the  like  cir- 
cumstances, to  a  Bishopric :  Laud  was  in  the  act  of  consecrating 
him  at  Croydon,  when  the  news  of  Buckingham's  death  came 
thither.  There  needed  to  be  a  Committee  of  Religion.  The 
House  resolved  itself  into  a  Grand  Committee  of  Religion  ;  and 
did  not  want  for  matter.  Bishop  Neile  of  Winchester,  Bishop 
Laud  now  of  London,  were  a  frightfully  ceremonial  pair  of 
^ahopa ;  the  fountain  they  of  innumerable  tendencies  to  Papistry 
and  the  old  clothes  of  Babylon  !    It  was  in  this  Conunittee  of  Re- 

*  Clarendon  (i.,  68) ;  Hamond  L'Estrange  (p.  90) ;  I^Ewes  (ms.  Auto- 
biofpnphy)  &c. ;  all  of  whom  report  the  miDUte  circumstances  of  the  aasaa- 
I,  not  one  of  them  agreeing  completely  with  another. 


62  INTRODUCTION. 


ligion,  on  the  11th  day  of  February,  1628-9,  that  Mr.  Crom- 
well, Member  for  Huntingdon,  stood  up  and  made  his  first  Speech, 
a  fragment  of  which  has  found  its  way  into  History,  and  is  now 
known  to  all  mankind.  He  said,  "  He  had  heard  by  relation  firom 
one  Dr.  Beard"  (his  old  Schoolmaster  at  Huntingdon),  "that 
Dr.  Alablaster  had  preached  flat  Popery  at  Paul's  Crose ;  and 
that  the  Bishop  of  Winchester"  (Dr.  Neile)  "  had  commanded 
liim  as  his  Diocesan,  He  should  preach  nothing  to  the  contrary.* 
Main  waring,  so  justly  censured  in  this  House  for  his  sermoDs, 
was  by  the  same  Bishop's  means  preferred  to  a  rich  living.  If 
these  are  the  steps  to  Church-preferment,"  added  he,  "  what  are 
we  to  expect  !"* 

Dr.  Beard,  as  the  reader  knows,  is  Oliver's  old  Schodmaater 
at  Huntingdon ;  a  grave,  speculative  theological  old  gentleman, 
seemingly, — and  on  a  level  with  the  latest  news  from  Town.  Of 
poor  Dr.  Alablaster  there  may  be  found  some  indistinct,  and 
instantly  forgettable,  particulars  in  Wood's  Athena.  Paul's 
Cross,  of  which  I  have  seen  old  Prints,  was  a  kind  of  Stone  Tent, 
'  with  leaden  roof,'  at  the  north-east  comer  of  Paul's  Cathedral, 
where  Sermons  were  still,  and  had  long  been,  preached  in  the 
open  air ;  crowded  devout  congregations  gathering  there ;  with 
forms  to  sit  on,  if  you  came  early.  Queen  Elizabeth  used  to 
<  tune  her  pulpits,'  she  said,  when  there  was  any  great  thing  on 
hand ;  as  Groverning  Persons  now  strive  to  tune  their  Morning 
Newspapers.  Paul's  Cross,  a  kind  of  Times  Newspaper,  but 
edited  partly  by  Heaven  itself,  was  then  a  most  important  entity ! 
Alablaster,  to  the  horror  of  mankind,  was  heard  preaching  '  flat 
Popery'  there, — '  Prostituting  our  columns'  in  that  scandalous  man- 
ner !  And  Neile  had  forbidden  him  to  preach  against  it :  *  what 
are  we  to  expect  V 

The  record  of  this  world-famous  utterance  of  Oliver  still  lies 
in  manuscript  in  the  British  Museum,  in  Mr.  Crewe's  Notebook, 
or  another's ;  it  was  first  printed  in  a  wretched  old  Book  called 
the  Ephemeris  ParliamerUaria,  professing  to  be  compiled  by 
Thomas  Puller ;  and  actually  containing  a  Pre&ce  recognizable 
as  his,  but  nothing  else  that  we  can  so  recognize :  lor  *  quaint 

*  Parliamentary  History  (London,  1763),  viii.,  289. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  6a 

old  Fuller '  is  a  man  of  talent ;  and  this  Book  looks  as  if  com* 
piled  by  some  spiritual  Nightmare,  rather  than  a  rational  Man. 
Probably  some  greedy  Printer's  compilation ;  to  whom  Thomas, 
in  ill  hour,  had  sold  his  name.  In  the  Commons  Journals,  of 
that  same  day,  we  are  farther  to  remark,  there  stands,  in  peren- 
nial preservation,  this  notice:  'Upon  question.  Ordered,  Dr. 
Beaid  of  Huntingdon  to  be  written  to  by  Mr.  Speaker,  to  come 
up  and  testify  against  the  Bishop ;  the  order  for  Dr.  Beard  to  be 
deliTeied  to  Mr.  Cromwell.'  The  first  mention  of  Mr.  Crom- 
well's  name  in  the  Books  of  any  Parliament. — 

A  new  Remonstrance  behoves  to  be  resolved  upon;  Bishops 
Neile  and  Laud  are  even  to  be  named  there.  Whereupon,  before 
they  oould  get  well '  named,'  perhaps  before  Dr.  Beard  had  well 
got  up  from  Huntingdon  lo  testify  against  them,  the  King  hastily 
interfered.  This  Parliament,  in  a  fortnight  more,  was  dissolved ; 
and  that  under  circumstances  of  the  most  unparalleled  sort.  For 
Speaker  Finch,  as  we  have  seen,  was  a  Courtier,  in  constant 
communication  with  the  King :  one  day  while  these  high  matters 
were  astir,  Speaker  Finch  refused  to  *  put  the  question '  when 
ordered  by  the  House !  He  said  he  had  orders  to  the  contrary  ; 
pernsted  in  that ; — and  at  last  took  to  weeping.  What  was  the 
House  to  do  ?  Adjourn  for  two  days,  and  consider  what  to  do ! 
On  the  second  day,  which  was  Wednesday,  Speaker  Finch  signi- 
fied  that  by  his  Majesty's  command  they  were  again  adjourned 
till  Monday  next.  On  Monday  next,  Speaker  Finch,  still 
recusant,  would  not  put  the  former  nor  indeed  any  question, 
having  the  King's  order  to  adjourn  again  instantly.  He  refused ; 
was  reprimanded,  menaced ;  once  more  took  to  weeping ;  then 
started  up  to  go  his  ways.  But  young  Mr.  Holies,  Denzil 
HoUes,  the  Earl  of  Clare's  second  son,  he  and  certain  other 
honorable  members  were  prepared  for  that  movement :  they 
seized  Speaker  Finch,  set  him  down  in  his  chair,  and  by  main 
force  held  him  there  !  A  scene  of  such  agitation  as  was  never 
seen  in  Parliament  before.  <The  House  was  much  troubled.' 
**  Let  him  go,"  cried  certam  Privy  Councillors,  Majesty's 
Ministers  as  we  should  now  call  them,  who  in  those  days  sat  in 
front  irf  die  Speaker,  "  Let  Mr.  Speaker  go!"  cried  they  im- 
ploringly.   "  No !"  answered  Holies ;  <<  God's  wounds,  he  shall 


64  INTRODUCTION. 


sit  there,  till  it  please  the  House  to  rise !"  The  House  in  a 
decisive  though  almost  distracted  manner,  with  their  Speaker 
thus  held  down  for  them,  locked  their  doors ;  redacted  Three 
emphatic  Resolutions,  their  Protest  against  Arminianism,  Papistry, 
and  illegal  Tonnage  and  Poundage;  and  passed  the  same  by 
acclamation  ;  letting  no  man  out,  refusing  to  let  even  the  King's 
Usher  in ;  then  swiftly  vanishing  so  soon  as  the  resolutions  were 
passed,  for  they  understood  the  Soldiery  was  coming.*  For 
which  surprising  procedure,  vindicated  by  Necessity  the  mother 
of  Invention,  and  supreme  of  Lawgivers,  certain  honorable  gentle- 
men, Denzil  Holies,  Sir  John  Eliot,  William  Strode,  John  Selden, 
and  others  less  known  to  us,  suflfered  fine,  imprisonment,  and 
much  legal  tribulation :  nay  Sir  John  Eliot,  refusing  to  submit, 
was  kept  in  the  Tower  till  he  died. 

This  scene  fell  out  on  Monday,  2d  of  March,  1629.  Directly 
on  the  back  of  which,  we  conclude,  Mr.  Cromwell  quitted  Town 
for  Huntingdon  again ; — ^told  Dr.  Beard  also  that  he  was  not 
wanted  now.  His  Majesty  dissolved  the  Parliament  by  Proclama- 
tion ;  saying  something  about '  vipers '  that  had  been  there.  It 
was  the  last  Parliament  in  England  for  above  eleven  years.  The 
King  had  taken  his  course.  The  King  went  on  raising  supplies 
without  Parliamentary  law,  by  all  conceivable  devices,— of  which 
Ship-money  may  be  considered  the  most  original,  and  sale  of 
Monopolies  the  most  universal.  The  monopoly  of  <  soap '  itself 
was  very  grievous  to  men.f  Your  soap  was  dear,  and  it  would 
not  wash,  but  only  blister.  The  ceremonial  Bishops,  Bishop  or 
Archbishop  Laud  now  chief  of  them, — ^they,  on  their  side^  went 
on  diligently  hunting  out  *  Lecturers,'  erecting  '  altars  in  the  east 
end  of  churches;'  charging  all  clergymen  to  have,  in  good 
repair  and  order,  <  Four  surplices  at  All-hallo wtide.':^  Vexations 
spiritual  and  fiscal,  beyond  what  we  can  well  fancy  now,  afflicted 
the  souls  of  men.  The  English  Nation  was  patient ;  it  endured 
in  silence,  with  prayer  that  God  in  justice  and  mercy  would  look 
upon  it.  The  King  of  England  with  his  chief-priests  was  going 
one  way ;  the  Nation  of  England  by  eternal  laws  was  going 

*  Rush  worth,  i.,  667-9.  t  See  many  old  Pamphleli. 

t  Laud's  Diary,  in  Wharton's  Laud. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  65 


another:  the  split  became  too  wide  for  healing.  Oliver  and 
others  seemed  now  to  have  done  with  Parliaments  ^  a  royal  Pro- 
clamatioD  forbade  them  so  much  as  to  speak  of  such  a  thing. 

1630. 

In  the  '  new  charter '  granted  to  the  Corporation  of  Huntingdon, 
and  dated  8th  July,  1630,  Oliver  Cromwell,  Esquire,  Thomas 
Beard,  D.D.,  his  old  schoolmaster,  and  Robert  Barnard,  Esquire, 
of  whom  also  we  may  hear  again,  are  named  Justices  of  the 
Peace  for  that  Borough.*  J  suppose  there  was  nothing  new  in 
this  nomination ;  a  mere  confirming  and  continuing  of  what  had 
already  been.  But  the  smallest  authentic  fact,  any  undoubted 
date  or  circumstance  regarding  Oliver  and  his  afiairs,  is  to  be 
eagerly  laid  hold  of. 

1631. 

In  or  soon  after  1631,  as  we  laboriously  infer  from  the  imbro- 
glio  records  of  poor  Noble,  Oliver  decided  on  an  enlarged  sphere 
of  action  as  a  Farmer ;  sold  his  properties  in  Huntingdon,  all  or 
some  of  them  ;  rented  certain  grazing-lands  at  St.  Ives,  five  miles 
down  the  River,  eastward  of  his  native  place,  and  removed  thither. 
The  Deed  of  Sale  is  dated  7th  May,  1631  ;t  the  properties  are 
specified  as  in  the  possession  of  himself  or  his  Mother ;  the  sum 
they  yielded  was  1,800/.  With  this  sum  Oliver  stocked  his 
Grazing-Farm  at  St.  Ives.  The  Mother,  we  infer,  continued  to 
reside  at  Huntingdon,  but  withdrawn  now  from  active  occupation, 
into  the  retirement  befitting  a  widow  up  in  years.  There  is  even 
some  gleam  of  evidence  to  that  effect :  her  properties  are  sold ; 
but  Oliver's  children  bom  to  him  at  St.  Ives  are  still  christened 
at  Huntingdon,  in  the  church  he  was  used  to ;  which  may  mean 
also  that  their  good  Grandmother  was  still  there. 

Properly  this  was  no  change  in  Oliver's  old  activities ;  it  was 
an  enlargement  of  the  sphere  of  them.  His  Mother  still  at  Hunt- 
ii^don,  within  few  miles  of  him,  he  could  still  superintend  and 
protect  her  existence  there,  while  managing  his  new  operations 
at  St.  Ives.     He  continued  here  till  the'  summer  or  spring  of 

•  Noble,  i.,  103.  t  Ibid,  i.,  103-4. 


66  INTRODUCTION. 


1636.'*'  A  studious  imagination  may  sufficiently  construct  the 
figure  of  his  qguable  life  in  those  years.  Diligent  gras8-&rming ; 
mowing,  milking,  cattle- marketing :  add  '  hypochondria,'  fits  of 
the  blackness  of  darkness,  with  glances  of  the  brightness  of  very 
Heaven;  prayer,  religious  reading  and  meditation;  household 
epochs,  joys  and  cares : — we  have  a  solid,  substantial,  inofiensive 
Farmer  of  St.  Ives,  hoping  to  walk  with  integrity,  and  humble, 
devout  diligence  through  this  world ;  and,  by  his  Maker's  infinite 
mercy,  to  escape  destruction,  and  find  eternal  salvation,  in  wider 
Divine  Worlds.  This  latter,  this  is  the  grand  clause  in  his  Life, 
which  dwarfs  all  other  clauses.  Much  wider  destinies  than  he 
anticipated  were  appointed  him  on  E^rth ;  but  that,  in  compari- 
son  to  the  alternative  of  Heaven  or  Hell  to  all  Eternity,  was  a 
mighty  small  matter. 

The  lands  he  rented  are  still  there,  recognizable  to  the  tourist ; 
gross  boggy  lands,  fringed  with  willow-trees,  at  the  east  end  of 
the  small  Town  of  St.  Ives,  which  is  still  noted  as  a  cattle-market 
in  those  parts.  The  '  Cromwell  Bam,'  the  pretended  '  House  of 
Cromwell,'  the  dec,  dec,  are,  as  is  usual  in  these  cases,  when  you 
come  to  try  them  by  the  documents,  a  mere  jumble  of  incredibili- 
ties, and  oblivious  human  platitudes,  distressing  to  the  mind. 

But  a  Letter,  one  Letter  signed  Oliver  Cromwell  and  dated  St. 
Ives,  does  remain,  still  legible  and  indubitable  to  us.  What  more 
is  to  be  said  on  St.  Ives  and  the  adjacent  matters,  will  best  ar- 
range  itself  round  that  Document.  One  or  two  entries  here,  and 
we  arrive  at  that,  and  bring  these  imperfect  Introductory  Chroni- 
cles to  a  close. 

1632. 

In  January  of  this  year  Oliver's  seventh  child  was  bom  to 
him ;  a  boy,  James ;  who  died  the  day  after  baptism.  There  re- 
mained six  children,  of  whom  one  other  died  young ;  it  is  not 
known  at  what  date.  Here  subjoined  is  the  List  of  them,  and  of 
those  subsequently  bora ;  in  a  Note,  elaborated,  as  befi>re,  from 
the  imbroglios  of  Noble.f 

•  Noble,  i..  106. 

t  Oliver  Cromweix's  Children. 

(Married  to  Elizabeth  Bourchier,  29d  August,  1830.) 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  67 

Tias  same  year,  William  Prynne  first  began  to  make  a  noise 
in  England.  A  learned  young  gentleman  *  from  Painswick  near 
Bath/  graduate  of  Oxford,  now  *  an  Outer  Barrister  of  Lincoln's 

■ 

L  Robert;  baptized  Idth  October,  1621.  Named  for  his  Grandfather* 
No  Cuther  account  of  him ;  he  died  before  ripe  years. 

2.  OliYcr;  baptized  6th  February,  1622-3;  went  to  Felsted  School 
'Captain  in  Harrison's  Regiment, — no.  At  Peterborough  in  1643  (Noble, 
i.,  133-4).  He  died,  or  was  killed  during  the  war ;  date  and  place  not  yet 
diaeoveiable.  Noble  says  it  was  at  Appleby;  referring  to  Whitlocke. 
Whitloeke  (p.  318  of  1st  edition,  322  of  2d),  on  ransacking  the  old  Pam- 
pUets,  turns  out  to  be  indisputably  in  error.  The  Protector  on  his  death- 
bed alludes  to  this  Oliver's  death  :  *'  It  went  to  my  heart  like  a  dagger, 
indeed  rt  did.** 

3.  Bridget ;  baptized  4th  August,  1624.  Married  to  Ireton,  15th  January, 
1646-7  (Noble,  i.,  134);  widow,  26  November,  1651.  Married  to  Fleet- 
wood (exact  date,  after  long  search,  remains  undiscovered;  Noble,  ii.,  355, 
taji '  b^ore '  June,  1 652,  which  is  impossible).  Died  at  Stoke  Newington, 
Bear  London,  September,  1681. 

4.  Richard ;  bom  4th  October,  1626.  At  Felsted  School.  *  In  Lincoln's 
loD,  27th  May,  1647  :*  an  error  ?  Married  in  1648,  Richard  Mayor's  daugh- 
ter, of  Hursley,  Hants.  First  in  Parliament,  1654.  Protector,  1658.  Dies, 
poor  idle  Triviality,  at  Cheshunt,  12th  July,  1712. 

5.  Henry;  baptized  at  All-Saints  (the  rest  are  at  St  John's),  Hunting- 
don, 20th  January,  1627-8.  Febted  School.  In  the  army  at  sixteen. 
Captain  in  Fairfax's  Lifeguard  in  1647.  Colonel,  in  1649,  and  in  Ireland 
with  his  Father.  Lord  Deputy  there  in  1657.  In  1660,  retired  to  Spinney 
Abbey,  *  near  Soham,'  nearer  Wicken,  in  Cambridgeshire.  Foolish  story 
of  Charles  II.  and  the  <  stable-fork'  there  (Noble,  i.,  212).  Died  23d  March, 
1673-4  ;  buried  in  Wicken  Church.  A  brave  man  and  true :  had  he  been 
named  Protector,  there  had,  most  likely,  been  quite  another  History  of 
England  to  write,  at  present ! 

6.  Elizabeth ;  baptized  2d  July,  1629.  Mrs.  Claypole,  1645-6  Died  at 
3  in  the  morning,  Hampton-court,  6th  August,  1658, — 4  weeks  before  her 
Father.  A  graceful,  brave,  and  amiable  woman.  The  lamentation  about 
Dr.  Hewit  and  '  bloodshed  (in  Clarendon  and  others)  is  fudge. 

At  St.  Ives  and  Ely : 

7.  Janua  ;  baptized  8th  January,  1631-2 ;  died  next  day. 

6.  Mary ;  baptized  (at  Huntingdon  still)  9th  February,  1636-7.    Lady 

Fancooberg,  18th  November,  1657.    Dean  Swift  knew  her :   *  handsome 

and  Uke  her  Father.'    Died  14th  March,  1712  (1712-3  ?  is  not  decided  in 

Noble).    Richard  died  within  a  few  months  ci  her. 

9.  Frances:  baptized  (at  Ely  now),  6th  December,  1638.     '  Charles  II. 

for  marrying  her  :*  not  improbable.    Married  Mr.  Rich,  Earl  of  War- 

grandsoD,  11th  November,  1657 :   he  died  in  three  months,  16th 


C8  INTRODUCTION. 


Inn ;'  well  read  in  English  Law,  and  full  of  zeal  for  Gospel  Doc- 
trine and  Morality.  He,  struck  by  certain  flagrant  scandals  of 
the  time,  especially  by  that  of  Play-acting  and  Masking,  saw  good 
this  year  to  set  forth  his  HistriomastiXy  or  Player's  Scourge ;  a 
Book  still  extant,  but  never  more  to  be  read  by  mortal.  For 
which  Mr.  William  Prynne  himself,  before  long,  paid  rather  dear. 
The  Book  was  licensed  by  old  Archbishop  Abbot,  a  man  of  Puri- 
tan tendencies,  but  now  verging  towards  his  end.  Peter  Heylin, 
*  lying  Peter,'  as  men  sometimes  call  him,  was  already  with 
hawk's  eye  and  the  intcnsest  interest  reading  this  now  unreadable 
Book,  and,  by  Laud's  direction,  taking  excerpts  from  the  same. 

It  carries  our  thought  to  extensive  world- transactions  oyer 
sea,  to  reflect  that  in  the  end  of  this  same  year,  <  6  November, 
16*32,'  the  great  Gustavus  died  on  the  fleld  of  LUtzen ;  flghting 
against  Wallenstein ;  victorious  for  the  last  time.  While  Oliver 
Cromwell  walked  peacefully  intent  on  cattle  husbandry,  that 
winter-day,  on  the  grassy  banks  of  the  Ouse  at  St.  Ives,  Gustavus 
Adolphus,  shot  through  the  back,  was  sinking  from  his  horse  in 
the  battle-storm  far  oflT,  with  these  words  :  "  Ich  hahe  genugf 
Brudcr  ;  reUe  Dick.    Brother,  I  have  got  enough  ;  save  thyself!'** 

On  the  19th  of  the  same  month,  November,  1632,  died  like- 
wise Frederick  Elector  Palatine,  titular  King  of  Bohemia,  husband 
of  King  Charles's  sister,  and  father  of  certain  Princes,  Rupert  and 
others,  who  came  to  be  well  known  in  our  History.  Elizabeth, 
the  Widow,  was  lef\  with  a  large  family  of  them  in  Holland, 
very  bare  of  money,  of  resource,  or  immediate  hope ;  but  con- 
ducted herself,  as  she  had  all  along  done,  in  a  way  that  gained 
much  respect.  *  Alles  far  Ruhm  und  Ikty  All  for  Glory  and 
Her,'  were  the  words  Duke  Bernhard  of  Weimar  carried  on  his 
Flag,  through  many  battles  in  that  Thirty- Years  War.     She  was 

February,  1C57-8.  No  child  by  Rich.  Married  Sir  John  Roflsel, — the 
Checquers  Russels.     Died  27th  January,  1720-1. 

In  all  5  sons  and  four  daughters;  of  whom  3  sons  and  all  the  daoghten 
came  to  maturity. 

The  Protector's  Widow  died  at  Norborough,  her  son-in-law  Clajpole'e 
place  (now  ruined,  patched  into  a  farm-house ;  near  Market  Deeping;  it  if 
itself  in  Northamptonshire),  8th  October,  lft72. 

*  Schiller :  Geschichte  des  30jabrigen  Krieges. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  69 

of  Puritan  tendency ;  understood  to  care  little  about  the  Four 
foiplioes  at  Allhallowtide,  and  much  for  the  root  of  the  matter. 

Atkunej-Greneral  Noy,  in  these  months,  was  busy  tearing  up 
tfe  onlbrtunate  old  numufacturers  of  soap ;  tormenting  mankind 
Jtrj  moch  about  soap.*  He  tore  them  up  irresbtibly,  reduced 
them  to  total  ruin ;  good  soap  became  unattainable. 

1633. 

h  Majy  1633,  the  second  year  of  Oliver's  residence  in  this 
nev  Farm,  The  King's  Majesty,  with  train  enough,  passed 
throogh  Huntingdonshire,  on  his  way  to  Scotland  to  be  crowned. 
Tbe  loud  rustle  of  him  disturbing  for  a  day  the  summer  husband- 
ries and  operations  of  mankind.  His  ostensible  business  was  to 
he  ennmed ;  but  his  intrinsic  errand  was,  what  his  Father's  for- 
merly  had  been,  to  get  his  Pretended-Bishops  set  on  foot  there ; 
hii  Tulekans  converted  into  real  Calves ; — in  which,  as  we  shall 
see,  he  aucceeded  still  worse  than  his  Father  had  done.  Dr. 
Lead,  Bishop  Laud,  now  near  upon  Archbishophood,  attended  his 
Majesty  thither  as  formerly ;  still  found  '  no  religion  '  there,  but 
tmsted  DOW  to  introduce  one.  The  Chapel  at  Holyrood-house 
Vis  fitted  up  with  every  equipment  textile  and  metallic ;  and 
little  Bishop  Laud  in  person  <  performed  the  service,'  in  a  way  to 
Ulaminate  the  benighted  natives,  as  was  hoped, — show  them  how 
aa  Artist  could  do  it.  He  had  also  some  dreadful  travelling 
through  certain  of  the  savage  districts  of  that  country. — Crossing 
Huntingdonshire,  in  his  way  Northward,  his  Majesty  had  visited 
the  Establishment  of  Nicholas  Ferrar  at  Little  Gidding  on  the 
border  of  that  county. f  A  surprising  Establishment, 
in  full  flower ;  wherein  above  fourscore  persons,  including 
with  Ferrar  and  his  Brother  and  aged  Mother  at  the 
head  of  them,  had  devoted  themselves  to  a  kind  of  Protestant 
Mooachism,  and  were  getting  much  talked  of  in  those  times. 
Tbey  followed  celibacy,  and  merely  religious  duties;  employed 
themselves  in  *  binding  of  Prayerbooks,'  embroidering  of  hassocks, 
in  almsgiving  also,  and  what  charitable  work  was  possible  in  that 
r^on ;  above  all,  they  kept  up,  night  and  day,  a  continual 


*  Roihwarth,  ii.,  135,  252,  &c.  f  Rush  worth,  ii. 


70  INTRODUCTION. 


repetition  of  the  English  Liturgy  ;  being  divided  into  relays  anc 
watches,  one  watch  relieving  another  as  on  ship-board;  aiu 
never  allowing  at  any  hour  the  sacred  fire  to  go  out.  This  also 
as  a  feature  of  the  times,  the  modern  reader  is  to  meditate.  Ii 
Isaac  Walton's  Lives  there  is  some  drowsy  notice  of  theae  peo 
pie,  not  unknown  to  the  modem  reader.  A  far  livelier  notioe 
record  of  an  actual  visit  to  the  place,  by  an  Anonymous  Person 
seemingly  a  religious  Lawyer,  perhaps  returning  from  Circuit  ii 
that  direction,  at  all  events  a  most  sharp  distinct  man,  throagl 
whose  clear  eyes  we  also  can  still  look ; — ^is  preserved  by  Heam 
in  very  unexpected  neighborhood.*  The  Anonymous  Person,  afte 
some  survey  and  communing,  suggested  to  Nicholas  Fenrni 
'*  Perhaps  he  had  but  assumed  all  this  ritual  mummery,  in  oide 
to  get  a  devout  life  led  peaceably  in  these  bad  times  V  Nioho 
las,  a  dark  man,  who  had  acquired  something  of  the  Jesuit  in  hi 
Foreign  travels,  looked  at  him  ambiguously,  and  said,  "  I  per 
ceive  you  are  a  person  who  know  the  world !"  They  did  no 
ask  the  Anonymous  Person  to  stay  dinner,  which  he  considera 

would  have  been  agreeable. 

Note  these  other  things,  with  which  we  are  more  immediatel; 
concerned.  In  this  same  year  the  Feoffees,  with  their  Purohaa 
of  Advowsons,  with  their  Lecturers  and  Running  Lecturen 
were  fairly  rooted  out,  and  flung  prostrate  into  total  ruin ;  Lao 
having  set  Attomey^General  Noy  upon  them,  and  brought  then 
into  the  Starchamber.  '  God  forgive  them,^  writes  Bishop  Land 
<  and  grant  me  patience  !'— on  hearing  that  they  spake  harahl] 
of  him  ;  not  gratefully,  but  ungratefully,  for  all  this  trouble  b 
took !  In  the  same  year,  by  procurement  of  the  same  Biaboi 
hounding-on  the  same  invincible  Attorney-General,  Willian 
Prynne  our  unreadable  friend,  Peter  Heylin  having  read  him 
was  brought  to  the  Starchamber ;  to  the  Pillory,  and  had  his  can 
cropt  off,  for  the  first  time  ; — who  also,  strange  as  it  may  look 
manifested  no  gratitude,  but  the  contrary,  for  all  that  trouble  !* 

*  Thorns  Caii  Vindicise  Antiquitatis  Academis  Oxoniensis  (Ozf.,  1790) 
ii ,  702-94.  There  are  two  Lives  of  Ferrar;  considerable  writixiffi  abovi 
him  ;  but,  except  this,  nothing  that  much  deserves  to  be  read. 

t  Rushworth  ;  Wharton*s  Laud. 


EVENTS  IN  OLIVER'S  BIOGRAPHY.  71 

1634. 

In  the  end  of  this  the  third  year  of  Oliver's  abode  at  St.  Ives, 
out  the  celebrated  Writ  of  Shipmoney.  It  was  the  last 
feat  <ji  Attorney-General  Noy :  a  morose,  amorphous,  cynical 
Law.Pedant,  and  invincible  living  heap  of  learned  rubbish ;  once 
a  Patriot  in  Parliament,  till  they  made  him  Attomey-General,  and 
enligfateoed  his  eyes :  who  had  fished  up  from  the  dust-abysses 
tins  and  other  old  shadows  of  <  precedents,'  promising  to  be  of 
great  use  in  the  present  distressed  state  of  the  Finance  Depart- 
■eot.  Parliament  being  in  abe3rance,  how  to  raise  money  was 
BOW  the  grand  problem.  Noy  himself  was  dead  before  the  Writ 
cune  oat ;  a  very  mixed  renown  following  him.  The  Vintners, 
nya  Wood,  illuminated  at  his  death,  made  bonfires  and  <  drank 
linty  carouses :'  to  them,  as  to  every  man,  he  had  been  a  sore 
affliction.  His  heart,  on  dissection,  adds  old  Anthony,  was  found 
til  '  shrivelled  up  like  a  leather  penny-purse,'  which  gave  rise  to 
oomments  among  the  Puritans.*  His  brain,  said  the  pasquinades 
of  the  day,  was  found  reduced  to  a  mass  of  dust,  his  heart  was 
a  bimdle  of  old  sheepskin  writs,  and  his  belly  consisted  of  a  bar- 
vri  of  soap.f  Some  indistinct  memory  of  him  still  survives,  as 
of  a  grisly  Law  Pluto,  and  dark  Law  Monster,  kind  of  Infernal 
King,  Chief  Enchanter  in  the  Domdaniel  of  Attorneys ;  one  of 
tinse  frightful  men,  who,  as  his  contemporaries  passionately  said 
and  repeated,  dare  to  '  decree  injustice  hy  a  law.' 

The  Shipmoney  Writ  has  come  out  then ;  and  Cousin  Hamp. 
den  has  decided  not  to  pay  it ! — As  the  date  of  Oliver's  St.  Ives 
Letter  is  1635-6,  and  we  are  now  come  in  sight  of  that,  we  will 
close  our  Chronology. 

*  Wood*s  Athene  (Bliai's  edition,  London,  1815),  ii.,  583. 
t  Rmhworth. 


72  INTRODUCTION. 


CHAPTER  V. 

OF  0LIVKR*8   LETTERS   AlCD  SPEECHES. 

Letters  and  authentic  Utterances  of  Oliver  lie  scattered,  in  print 
and  manuscript  in  a  hundred  repositories,  in  all  varieties  of  con- 
dition and  environment.  Most  of  them,  all  the  important  of  them, 
have  already  long  since  been  printed  and  again  printed ;  but  we 
cannot  in  general  say,  ever  read :  too  oflen  it  is  apparent  that  the 
very  editor  of  these  poor  utterances  had,  if  reading  mean  under- 
standing, never  read  them.  They  stand  in  their  old  spelling; 
mispunctuated,  misprinted,  unelucidated,  unintelligible,— de&c»d 
with  the  dark  incrustations  too  well  known  to  students  of  that  Pe- 
riod. The  Speeches  above  all,  as  hitherto  set  forth  in  The  So- 
mers  Tracts,  in  The  Milton  State-Papers^  in  BurtotCs  Diary^  and 
other  such  Books,  excel  human  belief:  certainly  no  such  agglo- 
merate of  opaque  confusions,  printed  and  reprinted  ;  of  darknesi 
on  tlie  back  of  darkness,  thick  and  three-fold  ;  is  known  to  me 
elsewhere  in  the  history  of  things  spoken  or  printed  by  human 
creatures.  Of  these  Speeches,  all  except  one,  which  was  pub- 
lished by  authority  at  the  time,  I  have  to  believe  myself,  not  very 
exultingly,  to  be  the  first  actual  reader  for  nearly  two  Centuries 
past. 

Nevertheless  these  Documents  do  exist,  authentic  though  de- 
faced ;  and  invite  every  one  who  would  know  that  Period,  to  study 
them  till  they  become  intelligible  again.  The  words  of  Oliver 
Cromwell, — the  meaning  they  had,  must  be  worth  recovering  in 
that  point  of  view.  To  collect  these  Letters  and  authentic  Ut- 
terances, as  one's  reading  yielded  them,  was  a  comparatively 
grateful  labor ;  to  correct  them,  elucidate  and  make  them  legible 
again,  was  a  good  historical  study.  Surely  '  a  wise  memory ' 
would  wish  to  preserve  among  men  the  written  and  spoken  worde 
of  such  a  man ; — and  as  for  the  '  wise  oblivion,'  that  is  already 
1^  Time  and  Accident,  done  to  our  hand.     Enough  is  alieadj 


OF  OLIVER'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES.  73 


lost  and  destroyed ;  we  need  not,  in  this  particular  case,  omit 
&rther. 

Accordingly,  whatever  words  authentically  proceeding  from 
Oliyer  himself  I  could  anywhere  find  yet  suryiving,  I  have  here 
pthered ;  and  will  now,  with  such  minimum  of  annotation  as 
nay  suit  that  object,  offer  them  to  the  reader.  That  is  the  pur- 
port  of  this  Book.  I  have  ventured  to  believe  that,  to  certain 
patient  earnest  readers,  these  old  dim  Letters  of  a  noble  English 
Man  might,  as  they  had  done  to  myself,  become  dimly  legible 
again ;  might  dimly  present,  better  than  all  other  evidence,  the 
noUe  figure  of  the  Man  himself  again.  Certainly  there  is  His- 
torical instruction  in  these  Letters: — Historical,  and  perhaps 
other  and  better.  At  least,  it  is  with  Heroes  and  god-inspired 
men  that  I,  for  my  part,  would  far  rather  converse,  in  what  dia- 
lect soerer  they  speak !  Great,  ever  fruitful ;  profitable  for 
reproof,  lor  encouragement,  for  building  up  in  manful  purposes 
and  works,  are  the  words  of  those  that  in  their  day  were  men.  I 
will  advise  serious  persons,  interested  in  England  past  or  present, 
to  try  if  they  can  read  a  little  in  these  Letters  of  Oliver  Crom- 
well,  a  man  once  deeply  interested  in  the  same  object.  Heavy 
as  it  is,  and  dim  and  obsolete,  there  may  be  worse  reading,  for 
such  persons  in  our  time. 

For  the  rest,  if  each  Letter  look  dim,  and  have  little  light,  after 
an  study ;  yet  let  the  Historical  reader  reflect,  such  light  as  it 
has  cannot  be  disputed  at  all.  These  words,  expository  of  that 
day  and  that  hour,  Oliver  Cromwell  did  see  fittest  to  be  written 
down.  The  Letter  hangs  there  in  the  dark  abysses  of  the  Past : 
if  like  a  star  almost  extinct,  yet  like  a  real  star ;  fixed ;  about 
which  there  is  no  cavilling  possible.  That  autograph  Letter,  it 
was  once  all  luminous  as  a  burning  beacon,  every  word  of  it  a 
live  coal,  in  its  time ;  it  was  once  a  piece  of  the  general  fire  and 
lifrht  of  Human  Life,  that  Letter !  Neither  is  it  yet  entirely 
extinct ;  well  read,  there  is  still  in  it  light  enough  to  exhibit  its 
own  9e^;  nay  to  diffuse  a  faint  authentic  twilight  some  distance 
loond  it.  Heaped  embers  which  in  the  daylight  looked  black, 
nay  still  look  red  in  the  utter  darkness.  These  letters  of  Oliver 
vfl]  convince  any  man  that  the  Past  did  exist !  By  degrees  the 
oombiDed  small  twilights  may  produce  a  kind  of  general  feeble' 

TOL.  I.  5 


74  INTRODUCTION. 


twilight,  rendering  the  Past  credible,  the  Ghosts  of  the  Past  in 
some  glimpses  of  them  visible !  Such  is  the  effect  of  contem- 
porary letters  always ;  and  I  can  very  confidently  recommend 
Oliver's  as  good  of  their  kind.  A  man  intent  on  forcing  for  him- 
self  some  path  through  that  gloomy  chaos  called  History  of  the 
Seventeenth  Century,  and  looking  &ce  to  face  upon  the  same, 
may  perhaps  try  it  by  this  method  as  hopefully  as  by  another. 
Here  is  an  irregular  row  of  beacon-fires,  once  all  luminous  as 
suns ;  and  with  a  certain  inextinguishable  erubescence  still,  in 
the  abysses  of  the  dead  deep  Night.  Let  us  look  here.  In 
shadowy  outlines,  in  dimmer  and  dimmer  crowding  forms,  the 
very  figure  of  the  old  dead  Time  itself  may  perhaps  be  faintly 
discernible  here ! — 

I  called  these  Letters  good, — but  withal  only  good  of  their  kind. 
No  eloquence,  elegance,  not  always  even  clearness  of  expression, 
is  to  be  looked  for  in  them.  They  are  written  with  far  other 
than  literary  aims ;  written,  most  of  them,  in  the  very  flame  and 
conflagration  of  a  revolutionary  struggle,  and  with  an  eye  to  the 
despatcli  of  indispensable  pressing  business  alone :  but  it  will  be 
found,  I  conceive,  that  for  such  end  they  are  well  written.  Su- 
perfluity, as  if  by  a  natural  law  of  the  case,  the  writer  has  had 
to  discard  ;  whatsoever  quality  can  be  dispensed  with  is  indiffer- 
ent to  him.  With  unwieldy  movement,  yet  with  a  great  solid 
step  he  presses  through,  towards  his  object ;  has  marked  out  very 
decisively  what  the  real  steps  towards  it  are ;  discriminating  well 
the  essential  from  the  extraneous ; — forming  to  himself,  in  short, 
a  true,  not  an  untrue  picture  of  the  business  that  is  to  be  done. 
There  is  in  these  letters,  as  I  have  said  above,  a  silence  still  more 
significant  of  Oliver  to  us  than  any  speech  they  have.  Dimly 
we  discover  features  of  an  Intelligence,  and  Soul  of  a  Man,  greater 
than  any  speech.  The  Intelligence  that  can,  with  full  satisfac- 
tion to  itself,  come  out  in  eloquent  speaking,  in  musical  singing, 
is,  afler  all,  a  small  Intelligence.  He  that  works  and  does  some 
Poem,  not  he  that  merely  says  one,  is  worthy  of  the  name  of 
Poet.  Cromwell,  emblem  of  the  dumb  English,  is  interesting  to 
me  by  the  very  inadequacy  of  his  speech.  Heroic  insight,  valor 
and  belief,  without  words, — how  noble  is  it  in  comparisoa  to  elo- 
quent words  without  heroic  insight ! — 


OF  OLIVER'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES.  75 

I  luiTe  corrected  the  spelling  of  these  Letters ;  I  have  puno- 
tuated,  and  divided  them  into  paragraphs,  in  the  modem  manner. 
Hw  Originals,  so  &r  as  I  have  seen  such,  have  in  general  no 
paragraphs :  if  the  Letter  is  short,  it  is  usually  found  written  on  the 
first  leaf  of  the  sheet ;  often  with  the  conclusion,  or  some  post. 
aeript,  subjoined  crosswise  on  the  margin, — indicating  that  there 
was  DO  blotting  paper  in  those  days ;  that  the  hasty  writer  was 
loath  to  turn  the  leaf.  Oliver's  spelling  and  pointing  are  of  the 
sort  oommon  to  educated  persons  in  his  time ;  and  readers  that 
wish  it  may  have  specimens  of  him  in  abundance,  and  of  all  due 
dimness,  in  many  printed  Books :  but  to  us,  intent  here  to  have 
the  Letters  read  and  understood,  it  seemed  very  proper  at  once 
and  altogether  to^  get  rid  of  that  encumbrance.  Would  the  rest 
were  all  as  easily  got  rid  of!  Here  and  there,  to  bring  out  the 
straggling  sense,  I  have  added  or  rectified  a  word,^ — but  taken 
care  to  point  out  the  same ;  what  words  in  the  Text  of  the  Letters 
are  mine,  the  reader  will  find  marked  off  by  single  commas :  it 
was  of  course  my  supreme  duty  to  avoid  altering,  in  any  respect, 
not  only  the  sense,  but  the  smallest  feature  in  the  physiognomy, 
of  the  Original.  And  so  *a  minimum  of  annotation  '  having 
been  added,  what  minimum  would  serve  the  purpose, — here  are 
the  LeUers  and  Speeches  of  Oliver  Cromwell ;  of  which  the  reader, 
with  my  best  wishes,  but  not  with  any  very  high  immediate  hope 
of  mine  in  that  particular,  is  to  make  what  he  can. 

Surely  it  was  &r  enough  from  probable  that  these  Letters  of 
Cromwell,  written  originally  for  quite  other  objects,  and  selected 
Dot  by  the  Grenius  of  History,  but  by  blind  Accident  which  has 
saved  them  hitherto  and  destroyed  the  rest,— can  illuminate  for  a 
modem  man  this  Period  of  our  Annals,  which  for  all  modems, 
we  may  say,  has  become  a  gulf  of  bottomless  darkness !  Not  so 
easily  will  the  nuxlem  man  domesticate  himself  in  a  scene  of 
things  every  way  so  foreign  to  him.  Nor  could  any  measurable 
exposition  of  mine,  on  this  present  occasion,  do  much  to  illumi- 
Date  the  dead  dark  world  of  the  Seventeenth  Century,  into  which 
the  reader  is  about  to  enter.  He  will  gradually  get  to  understand, 
aa  I  have  said,  that  the  Seventeenth  Century  did  exist ;  that  it 
was  Dot  a  waste  mbbish-continent  of  Rushworth-Nalson  State. 
papersy  of  Philosophical  Scepticisms,  Dilettantisms,  Dryasdust 


76  INTRODUCTION. 


Torpedoisms ; — but  an  actual  flesh-and-blood  Fact ;  with  color  in 
its  cheeks,  with  awful  august  heroic  thoughts  iu  its  heart,  and  at 
last  with  steel  sword  in  its  hand !  Theoretically  this  is  a  most 
small  postulate,  conceded  at  once  by  everybody  ;  but  practically 
it  is  a  very  large  one,  seldom  or  never  conceded  ;  the  due  practi- 
cal conceding  of  it  amounts  to  much,  indeed  to  the  sure  promise 
of  all.  I  will  venture  to  give  the  reader  two  little  pieces  of  ad- 
vice, which,  if  his  experience  resemble  mine,  may  prove  further- 
some  to  him  in  this  inquiry  :  they  include  the  essence  of  all  that 
I  have  discovered  respecting  it. 

The  first  is,  By  no  means  to  credit  the  widespread  report  that 
these  Seventeenth-Century  Puritans  were  superstitious  crack- 
brained  persons ;  given  up  to  enthusiasm,  the  most  part  of  them ; 
the  minor  ruling  part  being  cunning  men,  who  knew  how  to  as- 
sume the  dialect  of  the  others,  and  thereby,  as  skilful  Machiavels, 
to  dupe  them.  This  is  a  wide-spread  report ;  but  an  untrue  one. 
I  advise  my  reader  to  try  precisely  the  opposite  hypothesis.  To 
consider  that  his  Fathers,  who  had  thought  about  this  World  very 
seriously  indeed,  and  with  very  considerable  thinking  faculty 
indeed,  were  not  quite  so  far  behindhand  in  their  conclusiona 
respecting  it.  That  actually  their  *  enthusiasms,'  if  well  seen 
into,  were  not  foolish  but  wise.  That  Machiavelism,  Cant,  Offi- 
cial Jargon,  whereby  a  man  speaks  opetily  what  he  does  fnoi 
mean,  were,  surprising  as  it  may  seem,  much  rarer  then  than 
they  have  ever  since  been.  Really  and  truly  it  may  in  a  manner 
be  said.  Cant,  Parliamentary  and  other  Jargon,  were  still  to  invent 
in  this  world !  O  Heavens,  one  could  weep  at  the  contrast ! 
Cant  was  not  fashionable  at  all ;  that  stupendous  invention  of 
*  Speech  for  the  purpose  of  concealing  Thought'  was  not  yet 
made.  A  man  wagging  the  tongue  of  him,  as  if  it  were  the 
clapper  of  a  bell  to  be  rung  for  economic  purposes,  and  not  so 
much  as  attempting  to  convey  any  inner  thought,  if  thought  he 
have,  of  the  matter  talked  of, — would  at  that  date  have  awakened 
all  the  horror  in  men's  minds,  which  at  all  dates,  and  at  this  date 
too,  is  due  to  him.  The  accursed  thing !  No  man  as  yet  dared 
to  do  it ;  all  men  believing  that  Grod  would  judge  them.  In  the 
History  of  the  Civil  War  &r  and  wide,  I  have  not  fallen  in  with 
one  such  phenomenon.    Even  Archbishop  Laud  and  Peter  H^* 


OF  OLIVER'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES.  77 


lin  meant  what  they  say ;  through  their  words  do  you  look  direct 
into  the  scraggy  conviction  they  have  formed :— or  if  *  lying 
Peter*  do  lie,  he  at  least  huncs  that  he  is  lying  !  Lord  Clarendon, 
a  man  of  sufficient  luveracity  of  heart,  to  whom  indeed  whatso- 
ever has  direct  veracity  of  heart  is  more  or  less  horrible,  speaks 
always  in  official  language ;  a  clothed,  nay  sometimes  even 
qwUted  dialect,  yet  always  with  some  considerate  body  in  the  heart 
of  it,  never  with  none  !  The  use  of  the  human  tongue  was  then 
other  than  it  now  is.  I  counsel  the  reader  to  leave  all  that  of 
Cant,  Dupery,  Machiavelism,  and  so  forth,  decisively  lying  at  the 
threshold.  He  will  be  wise  to  believe  that  these  Puritans  do  mean 
what  they  say,  and  to  try  unimpeded  if  he  can  discover  what  that 
is.  Gradually  a  very  stupendous  phenomenon  may  rise  on  his 
astonished  eye.  A  practical  world  based  on  Belief  in  God  ; — 
such  as  many  centuries  had  seen  before,  but  as  never  any  century 
since  has  been  privileged  to  see.  It  was  the  last  glimpse  of  it  in 
our  world,  this  of  English  Puritanism :  very  great,  very  glorious ; 
tragical  enough  to  all  thinking  hearts  that  look  on  it  from  these 
days  of  ours. 

My  second  advice  is,  Not  to  imagine  that  it  was  Constitution, 
*  Liberty  of  the  people  to  tax  themselves,'  Privilege  of  Parlia- 
ment, Triennial  or  Annual  Parliaments,  or  any  modification  of 
these  sublime  Privileges  now  waxing  somewhat  faint  in  our  admi- 
rations, that  mainly  animated  our  Cromwells,  Pyms,  and  Hamp- 
dens  to  the  heroic  efforts  we  still  admire  in  retrospect.  Not  these 
very  measurable  *  Privileges,'  but  a  far  other  and  deeper,  which 
could  not  be  measured ;  of  which  these,  and  all  grand  social 
improvements  whatsoever,  are  the  corollary.  Our  ancient  Puri- 
tan Reformers  wero,  as  all  Reformers  that  will  ever  much  benefit 
this  earth  are  always,  inspired  by  a  Heavenly  Purpose.  To  see 
God's  own  Law,  then  universally  acknowledged  for  complete  as 
it  stood  in  the  holy  Written  Book,  made  good  in  this  world ;  to 
tee  this,  or  the  true  unwearied  aim  and  struggle  towards  this  :  it 
was  a  thing  worth  living  for  and  dying  for !  Eternal  Justice ; 
that  Crod's  Will  he  done  on  Earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven :  corollaries 
enough  will  flow  from  that,  if  that  be  there  ;  if  that  be  not  there, 
no  corollary  good  for  much  will  flow.  It  was  the  general  spirit 
of  England  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.     In  other  somewhat 


78  INTRODUCTION. 


sadly  disfigured  form,  we  have  seen  the  same  immortal  hope  take 
practical  shape  in  the  French  Revolution,  and  once  more  astonish 
the  world.  That  England  should  all  become  a  Church,  if  you 
like  to  name  it  so :  a  Church,  presided  over  not  by  shara-priests 
in  <  Four  surplices  at  Allhallowtide,'  but  by  true  good-consecrated 
ones,  whose  hearts  the  Most  High  had  touched  and  hallowed  with 
his  fire  : — this  was  the  prayer  of  many,  it  was  the  godlike  hope 
and  efibrt  of  some. 

Our  modem  methods  of  Reform  differ  somewhat, — as  indeed 
the  issue  testifies.  I  will  advise  my  reader  to  forget  the  modem 
methods  of  Reform ;  not  to  remember  that  he  has  ever  heard  of  a 
modem  individual  called  by  the  name  of  Reformer,  if  he  would 
understand  what  the  old  meaning  of  the  word  was.  The  Crom- 
wells,  Pyms,  Hampdens,  who  were  understood  on  the  Royalist 
side  to  be  firebrands  of  the  Devil,  have  had  still  worse  measure 
from  the  Dryasdust  Philosophies,  and  sceptical  Histories,  of  later 
times.  They  really  did  resemble  firebrands  of  the  Devil,  if  you 
looked  at  them  through  spectacles  of  a  certain  color.  For  fire  is 
always  fire.  But  by  no  spectacles,  only  by  mere  blinders  and 
wooden-eyed  spectacles,  can  the  flame-girt  Heaven's  messenger 
pass  for  a  poor  mouldy  Pedant  and  Constitution-monger,  such  as 
thb  would  make  him  out  to  be ! 

On  the  whole,  say  not,  good  reader,  as  is  oflen  done,  ''  It  was 
then  all  one  as  now."  Groo^  reader,  it  was  considerably  different 
then  from  now.  Men  indolently  say,  **  The  Ages  are  all  alike ; 
ever  the  same  sorry  elements  over  again,  in  new  vesture ;  the 
issue  of  it  always  a  melancholy  farce- tragedy,  in  one  Age  as  in 
another !"  Wherein  lies  very  obviously  a  truth ;  but  also  in 
secret  a  very  sad  error  withal.  Sure  enough,  the  highest  Life 
touches  always,  by  large  sections  of  it,  on  the  vulgar  and  univer* 
sal :  he  that  expects  to  see  a  Hero,  or  a  Heroic  Age,  step  forth 
into  practice  in  yellow  Drury-lane  stage>boots,  and  speak  in  blank 
verse  for  itself,  will  look  long  in  vain.  Sure  enough,  in  the 
Heroic  Century  as  in  the  Unheroic,  knaves  and  cowards,  and 
cunning  greedy  persons  were  not  wanting, — were,  if  you  will, 
extremely  abundant.  But  the  question  always  remains.  Did  they 
lie  chained,  subordinate  in  this  world's  business ;  ooeroed  by  steel 
whips,  or  in  whatever  other  efiectual  way,  and  sent  whimpering 


OF  OLIVER'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES.  79 

into  their  due  suMerrancan  abodes,  to  beat  hemp  and  repent ;  a 
true  never-ending  attempt  going  on  to  handcufi*,  to  silence  and 
suppress  them  ?  Or  did  they  walk  openly  abroad,  the  envy  of  a 
general  valet- population,  and  bear  sway ;  professing,  without 
universal  anathema,  almost  with  general  assent,  that  they  were 
the  Orthodox  Party ;  that  they,  even  they,  were  such  men  as  you 
bad  right  to  look  for  ? — 

Reader,  the  Ages  differ  greatly,  even  infinitely,  from  one 
another.  Considerable  tracts  of  Ages  there  have  been,  by  far  the 
majority  indeed,  wherein  the  men,  unfortunate  mortals,  were  a  set 
of  mimetic  creatures  rather  than  men  ;  without  heart-insight  as 
to  this  Universe,  and  its  Heights  and  its  Abysses ;  without  con- 
viction  or  belief  of  their  own  regarding  it,  at  all ; — who  walked 
merely  by  hearsays,  traditionary  cants,  black  and  white  sur- 
plices, and  inane  confusions ; — whose  whole  Existence  accordingly 
was  a  grimace ;  nothing  original  in  it,  nothing  genuine  or  sincere 
but  this  only, — their  greediness  of  appetite  and  their  faculty  of 
digestion.  Such  unhappy  ages,  too  numerous  here  below,  the 
Genius  of  Mankind  indignantly  seizes,  as  disgraceful  to  the 
Family,  and  with  Rhadamanthine  ruthlessness — annihilates ; 
tumbles  large  masses  of  them  swiflly  into  Eternal  Night.  These 
are  the  Unheroic  ages ;  which  cannot  serve,  on  the  general  field 
of  Existence,  except  as  dust,  as  inorganic  manure.  The  memory 
of  such  Ages  fades  away  for  ever  out  of  the  minds  of  all  men. 
Why  should  any  memory  o^  them  continue  ?  The  fashion  of  them 
has  passed  away  ;  and  as  for  genuine  substance,  they  never  had 
any.  To  no  heart  of  a  man  any  more  can  these  Ages  become 
lovely.  What  melodious  loving  heart  will  search  into  Hieir 
records,  will  sing  of  them,  or  celebrate  them  ?  Even  torpid  Dry- 
asdust is  forced  to  give  over  at  last,  all  creatures  declining  to  hear 
him  on  that  subject ;  whereupon  ensues  composure  and  silence, 
and  Oblivion  has  her  own. 

Good  reader,  if  you  be  wise,  search  not  for  the  secret  of  Heroic 
Ages,  which  have  done  great  things  in  this  Earth,  among  their 
{pities,  their  greedy  quackeries  and  unheroisms !  It  never  lies 
and  never  will  lie  there.  Knaves  and  quacks, — ^alas,  we  know 
tbej  abounded :  but  the  Age  was  Heroic  even  because  it  had 


80  INTRODUCTION. 


declared  war  to  the  death  with  these,  and  would  have  Deither 
truce  nor  treaty  with  these ;  and  went  forth,  flame-crowned,  as 
with  bared  sword,  and  called  the  Most  High  to  witness  that  it 
would  not  endure  these ! — But  now  for  the  Letters  of  Cromwell 
themselves. 


CROMWELL'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES 


PART    I. 


TO  THE  BEGINNING  OP  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


1686-1642. 


5* 


LETTER  I. 

St.  Iyes,  a  small  Town  of  perhaps  fifteen  hundred  souls,  stands 
OD  the  left  or  Northeastern  bank  of  the  River  Ouse,  in  flat  grassy 
country,  and  is  still  noted  as  a  Cattle-market  in  those  parts.  Its 
chief  historical  fame  is  likely  to  rest  on  the  following  one  remain- 
ing Letter  of  Cromwell's,  written  there  on  the  11th  of  January, 
1635-6. 

The  little  Town,  of  somewhat  dingy  aspect,  and  very  quiescent 
except  on  market-days,  runs  from  Northwest  to  Southeast,  pa- 
rallel to  the  shore  of  the  Ouse,  a  short  furlong  in  length :  it  pro- 
bably, in  Cromwell's  time,  consisted  mainly  of  a  row  of  houses 
fronting  the  River ;  the  now  opposite  row,  which  has  its  back  tc 
the  River,  and  still  is  shorter  than  the  other,  still  defective  at  the 
upper  end,  was  probably  built  since.  In  that  case,  the  locality 
we  hear  of  as  the  '  Green'  of  St.  Ives  would  then  be  space  which 
is  now  covered  mainly  with  cattle-pens  for  market-business,  and 
forms  the  middle  of  the  street,  A  narrow  steep  old  Bridge,  pro- 
bably the  same  which  Cromwell  travelled,  leads  you  over,  west- 
ward, towards  Godmanchester,  where  you  again  cross  the  Ouse, 
and  get  into  Huntingdon.  Eastward  out  of  St.  Ives,  your  route 
is  towards  Earith,  Ely  and  the  heart  of  the  Fens. 

At  the  upper  or  Northwestern  extremity  of  the  place  stands 
the  Church;  Cromwell's  old  fields  being  at  the  opposite  extre- 
mity. The  Church  from  its  Churchyard  looks  down  into  the 
very  River,  which  is  fenced  from  it  by  a  brick  wall.  The  Ouse 
flows  here,  you  cannot  without  study  tell  in  which  direction, 
fringed  with  gross  reedy  herbage  and  bushes ;  and  is  of  the  black- 
ness of  Acheron,  streaked  with  foul  metallic  glitterings  and  plays 
of  oobr.  For  a  short  space  downwards  here,  the  banks  of  it  are 
folly  visible;  the  western  row  of  houses  being  somewhat  the 
shorter,  as  already  hinted :  instead  of  houses  here,  you  have  a 
mo^  wooden  balustrade,  and  the  black  Acheron  of  an  Ouse  River 
as  ft  waahing-plaoe  or  watering-place  for  cattle.    The  old 


84  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [U  Jin. 

Church,  suitable  for  such  a  population,  stands  yet  as  it  did  in 
Cromwell's  time,  except  perhaps  the  steeple  and  pews  ;  the  flag- 
stones in  the  interior  are  worn  deep  with  the  pacing  of  many 
generations.  The  steeple  is  visible  from  several  miles  distant ;  a 
sharp  high  spire,  piercing  far  up  from  amid  the  willow-trees. 
The  country  hereabouts  has  all  a  clammy  look,  clayey  and  boggy ; 
the  produce  of  it,  whether  bushes  and  trees,  or  grass  and  cropsy 
gives  you  the  notion  of  something  lazy,  dropsical,  gross. — This  is 
St.  Ives,  a  most  ancient  Cattle-market  by  the  shores  of  the  sable 
Ouse,  on  the  edge  of  the  Fen-country  ;  where,  among  other  things 
that  happened,  Oliver  Cromwell  passed  five  years  of  his  existence 
as  a  Farmer  and  Grazier.  Who  the  primitive  Ives  himself  waSy 
remains  problematic  ;  Camden  says  he  was  <  Ivo  a  Persian ;' — 
surely  far  out  of  his  road  here.  The  better  authorities  designate 
him  as  Ives,  or  Yves,  a  worthy  Frenchman,  Bishop  of  Charties 
in  the  time  of  our  Henry  Beauclerk. 

Oliver,  as  we  observed,  has  lefl  hardly  any  memorial  of  him- 
self at  St.  Ives.  The  ground  he  &rmed  is  still  partly  capable  of 
being  specified,  certain  records  or  leases  being  still  in  existence. 
It  lies  at  the  lower  or  Southeast  end  of  the  Town  ;  a  stagnant  flat 
tract  of  land,  extending  between  the  houses  or  rather  kitchen* 
gardens  of  St.  Ives  in  that  quarter,  and  the  banks  of  the  River^ 
which,  very  tortuous  always,  has  made  a  new  bend  here.  If  well 
drained,  this  land  looks  as  if  it  would  produce  abundant  graasi 
but  naturally  it  must  be  little  other  than  a  bog.  Tall  bushy 
ranges  of  willow-trees  and  the  like,  at  present,  divide  it  into  fields ; 
the  River,  not  visible  till  you  are  close  on  it,  bounding  them  all 
to  the  South.  At  the  top  of  the  fields  next  to  the  Town  is  an 
ancient  massive  Barn,  still  used  as  such ;  the  people  call  it 
*  Cromwell's  Bam  :' — and  nobody  can  prove  that  it  was  not  his ! 
It  was  evidently  some  ancient  man's  or  series  of  ancient  men's. 

Quitting  St.  Ives  Fen-ward  or  Eastward,  the  last  house  of  all^ 
which  stands  on  your  right  hand  among  gardens,  seemingly  the 
best  house  in  the  place,  and  called  Siepe  Hall,  is  confidently 
pointed  out  as  <  Oliver's  House.'  It  is  indisputably  Slepe*Hall 
House,  and  Oliver's  Farm  was  rented  from  the  estate  of  Slepe- 
Hall.  It  is  at  present  used  for  a  Boarding-school :  the  wordiy 
inhabitants  believe  it  to  be  Oliver's:  and  even  point  out  ih 


1«36.]  LETTER  L,  ST.  IVES.  85 

<  Chapel'  or  secret  Puritan  SennoD-room  in  the  lower  story  of  the 
house :  no  Sermon-room,  as  you  may  well  discern,  hut  to  appear- 
anoe  some  sort  of  scullery  or  wash-house  or  bake-house.  *'  It 
WIS  here  he  used  to  preach,"  say  they.  Courtesy  forbids  you  to 
answer,  *'  Never !"  But  in-  fact  there  is  no  likelihood  that  this 
was  OliTer's  House  at  all ;  in  its  present  state  it  does  not  seem  to 
be  a  century  old  ;*  and  originally,  as  is  like,  it  must  have  served 
»  residence  to  the  Proprietors  of  Slepe-Hall  estate,  not  to  the  Far- 
iDer  of  a  part  thereof.  Tradition  makes  a  sad  blur  of  Oliver's 
memory  in  his  native  country !  We  know,  and  shall  know,  only 
this,  ibr  certain  here.  That  Oliver  farmed  part  or  whole  of  these 
Slepe-Hall  Lauds,  over  which  the  human  feet  can  still  walk  with 
asBurmnce ;  past  which  the  River  Ouse  still  slumberously  rolls, 
towards  Earith  Bulwark  and  the  Fen-country.  Here  of  a  cer- 
tainty Oliver  did  walk  and  look  about  him  habitually,  during 
those  five  years  from  1631  to  1636  ;  a  man  studious  of  many 
temporal  and  many  eternal  things.  His  cattle  grazed  here,  his 
ploughs  tilled  here,  the  heavenly  skies  and  infernal  abysses  over- 
arched and  underarched  him  here. 

In  fiict  there  is,  as  it  were,  nothing  whatever  that  still  deci- 
avely  to  every  eye  attests  his  existence  at  St.  Ives,  except  the  fol- 
lowing old  Letter,  accidentally  preserved  among  the  Harley  Manu- 
scripts  in  the  British  Museum.     Noble,  writing  in  1787,  says  the 
M  branding-irons,  *  O.  C.,'  for  marking  sheep,  were  still  used  by 
some  Farmer  there ;  but  these  also,  many  years  ago,  are  gone. 
In  the  Parish-records  of  St.  Ives,  Oliver  appears  twice  among 
some  other  ten  or  twelve  respectable  rate-payers ;  appointing,  in 
1633  and  1634,  for  *  St.  Ives  cum  Slepa'  fit  annual  overseers  for 
the  *  Highway  and  Green  :'— one  of  the  Oliver  Signatures  is  now 
cut  out.     Fifly  years  ago,  a  vague  old  Townclerk  had  heard  from 
very  vague  old  persons,  that  Mr.  Cromwell  had  been  seen  attend- 
ing divine  service  in  the  Church  with  *  a  piece  of  red  fiannel  round 
his  neck,  being  subject  to  inflammation. 'f     Certain  letters  <  written 
in  a  very  kind  style  from  Oliver  Lord  Protector  to  persons  in  St. 
Ives,'  do  not  now  exist;  probably  never  did.     Swords  'bearing 

*  Noble,  1,102,106. 

t  See  Noble :  hie  confused  gleanings  and  speculatioDi  concerning  St  Ives 
■e  to  be  fimad,  i.,  105-6,  and  again,  i.,  258-61. 


86  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [II  Jib. 

the  initials  of  O.  C.,'  swords  sent  down  in  the  beginning  of  1642, 
when  War  was  now  inominent,  and  weapons  were  yet  8oait)ey— do 
any  such  still  exist  ?  Noble  says  they  were  numerous  in  1787  ; 
but  nobody  is  bound  to  believe  him.  Walker*  testifies  that  the 
Vicar  of  St.  Ives,  Rev.  Henry  Downet,  was  ejected  with  his  ourate 
in  1642 ;  an  act  which  Cromwell  could  have  hindered,  had  he 
been  willing  to  testify  that  they  were  fit  clergymen.  Alas,  had 
he  been  able !  He  attended  them  in  red  flannel,  but  had  not 
exceedingly  rejoiced  in  them,  it  would  seem. — There  is,  in  short, 
nothing  that  renders  Cromwell's  existence  completely  visible  to 
us,  even  through  the  smallest  chink,  but  this  Letter  alone,  whicb, 
copied  from  the  Museum  Manuscripts,  worthy  Mr.  Harrisf  has 
printed  for  all  people.  We  slightly  rectify  the  spelling  and  re* 
print. 

To  my  very  loving  friend  Mr,  Storie^  at  ihe  Sign  qfihe  Dog  in  t&e  ^Royol 

Exchange,  Ijondon:  Deliver  the$e, 

St.  Ives,  nth  JaDtnry»  1635. 
Mr.  Storie, 

Amongst  the  catalogue  of  those  good  works  which 
your  fellow-citizens  and  our  countrymen  have  done,  this  will  not  be 
reckoned  for  the  least,  That  they  have  provided  for  the  feeding  of  souls. 
Building  of  hospitals  provides  for  men's  bodies ;  to  build  material  temples 
is  judged  a  work  of  piety ;  but  they  that  procure  spiritual  food,  tiiey  thai 
build  up  spiritual  temples,  they  are  the  men  truly  charitable,  truly  pkms. 
Such  a  work  as  this  was  your  erecting  the  Lecture  in  our  Couitiy ;  in 
the  which  you  placed  Dr.  Wells,  a  man  of  goodness  and  indostiy,  aid 
ability  to  do  good  every  way :  not  short  of  any  I  know  in  En^and :  and 
I  am  persuaded  that,  sithence  his  coming,  the  Lord  hath  bj  him  wnmglit 
much  good  among  us. 

It  only  remains  now  that  He  who  first  moved  you  to  this,  put  yon  fiv- 
ward  in  the  continuance  thereof :  it  was  the  Lord ;  and  therefore  to  Him 
lift  we  up  our  hearts  that  He  would  perfect  it.    And  suely,  Mr.  Storie, 

♦  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy. 

t  Life  of  Cromwell :  a  blind  farrago,  published  in  1761, '  after  the  manner 
of  Mr.  Bayle,'— a  very  bad  <  manner,'  more  especially  when  a  Hairis  presidis 
over  it !  Yet  poor  Harris's  Book,  his  three  Books  (on  Cromwell,  Charles 
and  James  I.)  have  worth :  cartloads  of  Excerpts  carefully  transeribad^— 
and  edited,  in  the  way  known  to  us,  *  by  shoving  op  the  shafts.*  TheiMMs- 
ing  interest  of  the  subject  brought  «ven  these  to  a  second  editiiin  la  1814k 


!«.]  LETTER  I.,  ST.  IVES.  87 

jt  ««•  a  pkaoQB  thing  to  tee  a  Lecture  ikU,  in  the  hands  of  lo  many 
iMb  and  godly  men,  as  I  am  penuaded  the  foondera  of  this  are ;  in  these 
wfaeiein  we  see  they  are  suppressed,  with  too  mneh  haste  and 
by  the  enemies  of  God's  Thith.  Far  be  it  that  so  much  guilt 
Aoald  stick  to  your  hands,  who  live  in  a  City  so  renowned  for  the  clear 
diintng  light  of  the  Gospel.  You  know,  Mr.  Storie,  to  withdraw  the  pay 
ii  to  let  fiUl  the  Lecture ;  for  who  goeth  to  warfare  at  his  own  cost  7  I 
beseech  yon  therefore  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ,  put  it  forward,  and 
kt  the  good  man  have  his  pay.  The  souls  of  God's  children  will  bless 
yon  for  it :  and  so  shall  I ;  and  ever  rest. 

Your  loving  Friend  in  the  Lord, 

Olivsr  Crokwsll. 

Commend  my  hearty  love  to  Mr.  Bussei^  Mr.  Beadly,  and  my  other 
good  friends.  I  would  have  written  to  Mr.  Busse :  but  I  was  loath  to 
trouble  him  with  a  long  letter,  and  I  feared  I  should  not  receive  an  an^ 
swer  from  him :  from  you  I  expect  one  so  soon  as  conveniently  you  may. 

Such  is  Oliver's  first  extant  Letter.  The  Royal  Exchange 
baa  been  twice  burned  since  this  piece  of  writing  was  left  at  the 
S^  of  the  Dog  there.  The  Dog  Tavern,  Dog  Landlord,  fre- 
quenten  of  the  Dog,  and  all  their  business  and  concernment 
there,  and  the  hardest  stone  masonry  they  had,  have  vanished 
irreoo'verable.  Like  a  dream  of  the  Night ;  like  that  transient 
Sigm  or  Effigies  of  the  Talbot  Dog,  plastered  on  wood  with  oil 
pigments,  which  invited  men  to  liquor  and  house-room  in  those 
days !  The  pers<mages  of  Oliver's  Letter  may  well  be  unknown 
to  us. 

Of  Mr.  Story,  strangely  enough,  we  have  found  one  other 
Dodce  :  he  is  amongst  the  Trustees,  pious  and  wealthy  citizens 
ef  London  for  roost  part,  to  whom  the  sale  of  Bishops'  Lands  is, 
by  act  of  Parliainent,  committed,  with  many  instructions  and 
oonditioDs,  on  the  9th  of  October,  1646. f  'James  Story '  is  one 
of  tfaeee ;   their  chief  is  Alderman  Fowke.     From  Oliver's  ex- 


(LondoD,  1814),  p.  12.    This  Letter,  for  which  Harris,  in  1761, 
'  the  Trufteet  of  the  British  Museum,'  is  not  now  to  be  found  in 
ttttt  EstiUishment ;  '  a  search  of  three  hours  through  all  the  Catalogues. 
iSBited  by  one  of  the  Clerks,'  reports  itself  to  me  as  fruitlesi. 
t  Bodbdfn  Aeti  and  Ordinances  (London,  1656),  p.  99. 


8S  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [II  Jan. 

pression, '  our  Country,'  it  may  be  inferred  or  guessed  that  Story 
was  of  Huntingdonshire :  a  man  who  had  gone  up  to  Lfoodon, 
and  prospered  in  trade,  and  addicted  himself  to  Puritanism  ;— • 
much  of  him,  it  is  like,  will  never  be  known !  Of  Busse  and 
Beadly  (unless  Busse  be  a  misprint  for  Bunse,  Alderman  Bunce, 
another  of  the  above  '  Trustees '),  there  remains  no  vestige. 

Concerning  the  *  Lecture,'  however,  the  reader  wUl  recall  what 
was  said  above,  of  Lecturers,  and  of  Laud's  enmity  to  them ;  of 
the  Feoffees  who  supported  Lecturers,  and  of  Laud's  final  sup- 
pression and  ruin  of  those  Feoffees  in  1633.  Mr.  Story's  name 
is  not  mentioned  in  the  List  of  the  specific  Feoffees ;  but  it  need 
not  be  doubted  he  was  a  contributor  to  their  fund,  and  probably 
a  leading  man  among  the  subscribers.  By  the  light  of  this  Let- 
ter we  may  dimly  gather  that  they  still  continued  to  subscribe, 
and  to  forward  Lectureships  where  possible,  though  now  in  a 
less  ostentatious  manner. 

It  appears  there  was  a  Lecture  at  Huntingdon  :  but  his  Grace 
of  Lambeth,  patiently  assiduous  in  hunting  down  such  objects, 
had  managed  to  get  that  suppressed  in  1633,*  or  at  least  to  get 
the  King's  consent  for  suppressing  it.  This  in  1633.  So  that 
<  Mr.  Wells '  could  not,  in  1636,  as  my  imbecile  friend  suppOBes,f 
be  *  the  Lecturer  in  Huntingdon,'  wherever  else  he  might  lecture. 
Besides  Mr.  Wells  is  not  in  danger  of  suppression  by  Laud,  but 
by  want  of  cash !  Where  Mr.  Wells  lectured,  no  mortal  knows^ 
or  will  ever  know.  Why  not  at  St.  Ives  on  the  market-days  f 
Or  he  might  be  a  '  Running  Lecturer,'  not  tied  to  one  locality : 
that  is  as  likely  a  guess  as  any. 

Whether  the  call  of  this  Wells  Lectureship  and  Oliver's  Let- 
ter got  due  return  from  Mr.  Story  we  cannot  now  say ;  but  judge 
that  the  Lectureship, — as  Laud's  star  was  rapidly  on  the  as- 
cendant, and  Mr.  Story  and  the  Feoffees  had  already  lost  1,8002. 
by  the  work,  and  had  a  fine  in  the  Starchamber  still  hanging 
over  their  heads, — did  in  fact  come  to  the  ground,  and  trouble  no 
Archbishop  or  Market  Cattle-dealer  with  God's  Gospel  any  more. 
Mr.  Wells,  like  the  others,  vanishes  from  History,  or  nearly  so. 
In  the  chaos  of  the  King's  Pamphlets  one  seems  to  discern  dunly 

•  Wharton's  Laud  (London,  1695),  p.  527.  f  NoUe,  L,  809. 


1636.]  LETTER  I.,  ST.  IVES.  89 

that  he  sailed  for  New  England,  and  that  he  returned  in  better 
times.  Dimly  once,  in  1641  or  1642,  you  catch  a  momentary 
glimpse  of  a  '  Mr.  Wells '  in  such  predicament,  and  hope  it  was 
this  Wells, — preaching  for  a  friend,  *in  the  aflemoon,'  in  a 
Church  in  London.* 

ReTerend  Mark  Noble  says,  the  above  Letter  is  very  curious, 
tod  a  convincing  proof  how  far  gone  Oliver  was,  at  that  time, 
in  religious  enthusiasm.!  Yes,  my  reverend  imbecile  friend,  he 
is  clearly  one  of  those  singular  Christian  enthusiasts,  who  be- 
lieve that  they  have  a  soul  to  be  saved,  even  as  you  do,  my 
reverend  imbecile  friend,  that  you  have  a  stomach  to  be  salli- 
fied, — and  who  likewise,  astonishing  to  say,  actually  take  some 
trouUe  about  that.  Far  gone  indeed,  my  reverend  imbecile 
friend ! 

This  then  is  what  we  know  of  Oliver  at  St.  Ives.  He  wrote 
the  above  Letter  there.  He  had  sold  his  Properties  at  Hunting. 
don  for  1,800/. ;  with  the  whole  or  with  part  of  which  sum  he 
stocked  certain  Grazing-Lands  on  the  Estate  of  Slepe  Hall,  and 
farmed  the  same  for  a  space  of  some  five  years.  How  he  lived 
at  St.  Ives :  how  he  saluted  men  on  the  streets ;  read  Bibles ; 
add  cattle ;  and  walked,  with  heavy  footfall  and  many  thoughts, 
through  the  Market  Green  or  old  narrow  lanes  in  St.  Ives,  by  the 
shore  of  the  black  Ouse  River, — shall  be  led  to  the  reader's 
imagination.  There  is  in  this  man  talent  for  farming  ;  there  are 
thoughts  enough,  thoughts  bounded  by  the  Ouse  River,  thoughts 
that  go  beyond  Eternity, — and  a  great  black  sea  of  things  that 
he  has  never  yet  been  able  to  think, 

I  count  the  children  he  had  at  the  time ;  and  find  them  six : 
Four  boys  and  two  girls;  the  eldest  a  boy  of  fourteen,  the 
youngest  a  girl  of  six :  Robert,  Oliver,  Bridget,  Richard,  Henry, 
Elizabeth.  Robert  and  Oliver,  I  take  it,  are  gone  to  Felsted 
School,  near  Bourchier  their  Grandfather's  in  Essex.  Sir  Tho- 
mas Bouchier  the  worshipful  Knight,  once  of  London,  lives  at 
Felsted  ;  Sir  William  Masham,  another  of  the  same,  lives  at 
Otes,  hard  by,  as  we  shall  see. 

Cromwell  at  the  time  of  writing  this  Letter  was,  as  he  him- 

•  OU  Pamphlet :  Title  mislaid  and  forgotten.  f  Noble,  i.,  250. 


90  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [1636. 


self  might  partly  think  probable,  about  to  quit  St.  Ives.  His 
mother's  brother,  Sir  Thomas  Steward,  Knight,  lay  sick  at  Ely, 
in  those  very  days.  Sir  Thomas  makes  his  will  in  this  same 
month  of  January,  leaving  Oliver  his  principal  heir  ;  and  on  the 
dOth  it  was  all  over,  and  he  lay  in  his  last  home  :  <  Buried  in  the 
Cathedral  of  Ely,  30  January,  1635-6.' 

Worth  noting,  and  curious  to  think  of,  since  it  is  indisputable : 
On  the  very  day  while  Oliver  Cromwell  was  writing  this  Letter 
at  St.  Ives,  two  obscure  individuals,  *  Peter  Aldridge  and  Thomas 
Lane,  Assessors  of  Shipmoney,'  over  in  Buckinghamshire,  had 
aitembled  a  Parish  Meeting  in  the  Church  of  Great  Kimble,  to 
assess  and  rate  the  Shipmoney  of  the  said  Parish :  there,  in  the 
cold  weather,  at  the  foot  of  the  Chiltem  Hills,  '  1 1  January, 
1635,'  the  Parish  did  attend,  *  John  Hampden,  Esquire,'  at  the 
head  of  them,  and  by  a  return  still  extant,"*  refused  to  pay  the 
same  or  any  portion  thereof, — witness  the  above  'Asseason*' 
witness  also  two  '  Parish  Constables '  whom  we  remit  from  such 
unexpected  celebrity.  John  Hampden's  share  for  this  Parish  is 
thirty-one  shillings  and  sixpence ;  for  another  Parish  it  is  twenty 
shillings ;  on  which  latter  sum,  not  on  the  former,  John  Hamp- 
den was  tried. 

*  Facsimile  Engraving  of  it,  in  Lord  Nugenfs  Memorials  of  Hampden 
(London,  1S32),  i.,  231. 


lUB.]  LETTER  II.>  ELY.  91 


LETTER  II. 

OuTSR   removed  to  Ely  very  soon  after  writing  the  foregoing 
Letter.     There  is  a  *  receipt  for  lOZ.'  signed  by  him,  dated  *  Ely, 
lOch  June,  1636  ;*  and  other  evidence  that  he  was  then  resident 
tiiere.     He  succeeded  to  his  Uncle's  Fanning  of  the  Tithes  ;  the 
Lesaes  of  these,  and  new  Leases  of  some  other  small  lands  or 
fields  granted  him,  are  still  in  existence.     He  continued  here  till 
the  time  of  the  Long  Parliament ;  and  his  Family  still  after  that, 
tni  some  unascertained  date,  seemingly  about  1647,  when  it  be- 
came apparent  that  the  Long  Parliament  was  not  like  to  rise  for 
a  great  while  yet,  and  it  was  judged  expedient  that  the  whole 
household  should  remove  to  London.     His  Mother  appears  to  have 
joined  him  in  Ely ;  she  quitted  Huntingdon,  returned  to  her  native 
place,  an  aged  grandmother, — was  not,  however,  to  end  her  days 
Aerc. 

As  Sir  Thomas  Steward,  Oliver's  Uncle,  farmed  the  Tithes  of 
Ely,  it  is  reasonable  to  believe  that  he,  and  Oliver  after  him, 
occupied  the  House  set  apart  for  the  Tithe- Farmer  there ;  as 
Mark  Noble,  out  of  dim  Tradition,  confidently  testifies.  This  is 
*the  house  occupied  by  Mr.  Page  ;'f  under  which  name,  much 
better  than  under  that  of  Cromwell,  the  inhabitants  of  Ely  now 
know  it.  The  House,  though  somewhat  in  a  frail  state,  is  still 
standing  ;  close  to  St.  Mary's  Churchyard ;  at  the  corner  of  the 
great  Tithe-bam  of  Ely,  or  great  Square  of  tithe-bams  and  offi- 
ces,— which  *  is  the  biggest  bam  in  England  but  one,'  say  the 
Ely  people.  Of  this  House,  for  Oliver's  sake,  some  Painter  will 
yet  perhaps  take  a  correct  likeness ; — ^it  is  needless  to  go  to 
Stuntney,  out  on  the  Soham  road,  as  Oliver's  Painters  usually  do  ; 
Oliver  never  lived  there,  but  only  his  Mother's  cousins  !  Two 
years  ago  this  House  in  Ely  stood  empty ;  closed  finally  up, 

•  Noble,  i.,  107.  t  Noble,  i..  106. 


92  PART  I.    BEFOFE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [13  Oct 

deserted  by  all  the  Pages,  as  *  the  Commutation  of  Tithes '  had 
rendered  it  superfluous :  this  year  (1845),  I  find,  it  is  an  Ale- 
house, with  still  some  chance  of  standing.  It  is  by  no  means 
a  sumptuous  mansion  ;  but  may  have  conveniently  held  a  man 
of  three  or  four  hundred  a  year,  with  his  family,  in  those  simple 
times.  Some  quaint  air  of  gentility  still  looks  through  its  ragged 
dilapidation.  It  is  of  two  stories,  more  properly  of  one  and  a 
half;  has  many  windows,  irregular  chimneys  and  gables. 
Likely  enough  Oliver  lived  here ;  likely  his  Grandfather  may 
have  lived  here,  his  Mother  have  been  bom  here.  She  was  now 
again  resident  here.  The  tomb  of  her  first  husband  and  child| 
Johannes  Lynne  and  poor  little  Caiharina  Lynne,  is  in  the  Cathe* 
dral  hard  by.  <  Such  are  the  changes  which  fleeting  Time 
procureth.' — 

This  Second  extant  Letter  of  Cromwell's  is  dated  Ely,  Octoberp 
1688.  It  will  be  good  to  introduce,  as  briefly  as  possible,  a  few 
Historical  Dates,  to  remind  the  reader  what  o'clock  on  the  Great 
Horologe  it  is  while  this  small  Letter  is  a-writing.  Last  year  in 
London  there  had  been  a  very  strange  spectacle ;  and  in  three 
weeks  af\er,  another  in  Edinburgh,  of  still  more  significance  in 
English  History. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  1637,  in  Old  Palaceyard,  three  men, 
gentlemen  of  education,  of  good  quality,  a  Barrister,  a  Physician 
and  a  Parish  Clergyman  of  London  were  set  on  three  PQlories ; 
stood  openly,  as  the  scum  of  malefactors,  for  certain  hours  there ; 
and  tlien  had  their  ears  cut  off, — bare  knives,  hot  branding-iroa% 
— and  their  cheeks  stamped  '  S.  L.'  Seditious  Libeller  ;  in  the 
sight  of  a  great  crowd,  <  silent '  mainly,  and  looking '  pale.'*  The 
men  were  our  old  friend  William  Prynne, — poor  Prynne,  who  had 
got  into  new  trouble,  and  here  lost  his  ears  a  second  and  final 
time,  having  had  them  <  sewed  on  again '  before :  William  Prynne^ 
Barrister ;  Dr.  John  Bastwick ;  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Burton, 
Minister  of  Friday-street  Church.  Their  sin  was  against  Laud 
and  his  surplices  at  Allhallow-tide,  not  against  any  other  man  or 
thing.     Prynne,  speaking  to  the  people,  defied  all  Lambeth,  with 

*  State  Trials  (CobbeU^s,  London,  1809),  iii.,  746. 


ILt  ELY.  03 


Rome  at  the  back  of  it,  to  argue  with  him,  William  Prynne  alone, 
and  these  practices  were  according  to  the  Law  of  England  ;  "  and 
if  I  &il  to  prove  it,"  said  Prynne,  '<  let  them  hang  my  body  at 
the  door  of  that  Prison  there,"  the  Grate-house  Prison.  <  Whereat 
the  pec^le  gave  a  great  shout,' — somewhat  of  an  ominous  one,  I 
think.  Basftwick's  wife,  on  the  scaffold,,  received  his  ears  in  her 
lap,  mud  kissed  him.*  Prynne's  ears  the  executioner  *  rather 
mwed  than  cut.'  "  Cut  me,  tear  me,"  cried  Prynne ;  "  I  fear 
tfiee  not ;  I  fear  the  fire  of  Hell,  not  thee  !"  The  June  sun  had 
iboiie  hot  on  their  faces.  Burton,  who  had  discoursed  eloquent 
rdigioD  all  the  while,  said,  when  they  carried  him,  near  fainting, 
into  a  house  in  King-street,  "  It  is  too  hot  to  last." 

Too  hot  indeed.  For  at  Edinburgh,  on  Sunday  the  2dd  of 
July  following.  Archbishop  Laud  having  now,  with  great  efibrt 
and  much  manipulation,  got  his  Scotch  Liturgy  and  Scotch  Pre- 
tended-Bishops  ready ,f  brought  them  fairly  out  to  action, — and 
Jcony  Creddes  hurled  her  stool  at  their  head.  "  Let  us  read  the 
Collect  of  the  Day,"  said  the  Pretended-Bishop  from  amid  his 
tippets ; — **  De'il  colic  the  wame  of  thee !"  answered  Jenny,  hurU 
ing  her  stool  at  his  head.  <*  Thou  foul  thief,  wilt  thou  say  mass 
It  my  lug  ?"^     I  thought  we  had  got  done  with  the  mass  some 


•  ToweT»*s  British  Biography. 

t  Rnahworth,  ii.,  321,  343;  iii.,  Appendix,  153 — 5;  Slc. 

t *  No  sooner  was  the  Book  opened  by  the  Dean  of  Edinburgh,  but 

amnnber  of  the  meaner  sort,  with  clapping  of  their  hands  and  outcries,  made 
agreat  uproar;  and  one  of  them, called  Jane  or  Janot  Gaddia  (yet  living  at 
the  writing  of  this  relation)  flung  a  little  folding-stool,  whereon  she  sat,  at 
tike  Dean's  head,  saying,  "Out  thou  false  thief!  dost  thou  say  the  mass  at 
By  log  f  Which  wan  followed  with  so  great  a  noise,*  &.C.  These  words 
ire  in  the  Continuation  of  Baker's  Chronicle,  by  Phillips  (Milton's 
Kcphew) ;  fifth  edition  of  Baker  (London,  1670),  p.  478.  They  are  not  in 
tibe  fMirth  edition  of  Baker,  1665,  which  is  the  first  that  contains  the  Con- 
tinoatioa ;  they  follow  as  here  in  all  the  others.  Thought  to  be  the  first 
frare  mention  of  Jfenny  Geddes  in  Printed  History ;  a  heroine  still  familiar  to 
Traditioo  eTer3rwhere  in  Scotland. 

In  a  foolish  Pamphlet,  printed  in  1661,  entitled  Edinburgh's  Joy,  8lc. — 
ley  for  the  Blessed  Restoration  and  Annua  Mirabilis, — there  is  mention 
■adc  of  *  the  immortal  Jenet  Geddis,'  whom  the  writer  represents  as  re- 
joicing exceedingly  in  that  miraculous  event ;  she  seems  to  be  a  well-known 
pcaon  keeping  '  a  cabhftge-stall  at  the  Tron  Kirk,'  at  that  date.    Bums,  in 


04  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [18  Oct 


time  ago  ; — and  here  it  is  again !  "  A  Pape,  a  Pape !"  cried 
others :  ^^  Stane  him  !"* — In  fact  the  service  could  not  go  on  at 
all.  This  passed  in  St.  Giles's  Kirk,  Edinburgh,  on  Sunday  2Sd 
July,  1637.  Scotland  had  endured  much  in  the  bishop-way  &r 
about  thirty  years  bygone,  and  endeavored  to  say  nothing,  bit- 
terly feeling  a  great  deal.  But  now,  on  small  signal,  the  hour 
was  come.  All  Edinburgh,  all  Scotland,  and  behind  that  all 
England  and  Ireland,  rose  into  unappeasable  commotion  on  the 
flight  of  this  stool  of  Jenny's ;  and  his  Grace  of  Canterbury,  and 
King  Charles  himself,  and  many  others  had  lost  their  heads  before 
there  could  be  peace  again.  The  Scotch  People  had  sworn  their 
Covenant,  not  without  *  tears;'  and  were  in  these  very  days  of 
October,  1638,  while  Oliver  is  writing  at  Ely,  busy  with  their 
whole  might  electing  their  General  Assembly,  to  meet  at  Glasgow 
next  month.  1  think  the  Tulchan  Apparatus  is  likely  to  be  some- 
what sharply  dealt  with,  the  Cow  having  become  awake  to  it! 
Great  events  are  in  the  wind  ;  out  of  Scotland  vague  news,  of 
unappeasable  commotion  risen  there. 

In  the  end  of  that  same  year,  too,  there  had  risen  all  orer 
England  huge  rumor  concerning  the  Shipmoney  Trial  at  London. 
On  the  6th  of  November,  1637,  this  important  Process  of  Mr. 
Hampden's  began.  Learned  Mr.  St.  John,  a  dark  tough  man, 
of  the  toughness  of  leather,  spake  with  irrefragable  law-eloquence, 
law.logic,  for  three  days  running,  on  Mr.  Hampden's  side;  and 
learned  Mr.  Holborn  for  three  other  days; — preserved  yet  by 
Rushworth  in  acresof  typography,  unreadable  now  to  all  nnortals. 
For  other  learned  gentlemen,  tough  as  leather,  spoke  on  the  op- 
posite side ;  and  learned  judges  animadverted  ; — at  endless 
length,  amid  the  expectancy  of  men.  With  brief  pauses,  the 
Trial  lasted  for  three  weeks  and  three  days.  Mr.  Hampden  be- 
came the  most  famous  man  in  England,f — ^by  accident  partly. 
The  sentence  was  not  delivered  till  April,  1638  ;  and  then  it  went 

• 

his  Higliland  Tour,  named  his  mare  Jenny  Geddet.  Helen  of  Trojg  fiw 
practical  importance  in  Human  History,  is  but  a  small  Heroine  to  Jenny  ;— 
but  she  has  been  luckier  in  the  recording ! — For  these  bibliographical  notices 
I  am  indebted  to  the  friendliness  of  Mr.  D.  Laing  of  the  Signet  Libniy* 
Edinburgh. 
*  Rushworth,  Kennet,  Balfour.  t  Clartndon. 


1616  ]  LETTER  II.,  ELY.  95 

igunst  Mr.  Hampden :  judgment  in  Exchequer  ran  to  this  effect, 
*  CcmsidenUwn  est  per  eosdem  Barones  quod  pradictus  Johannes 
Mampden  de  iisdem  vigintL  soUdis  oneretury  He  must  pay  the 
Twenty  shillings,  et  mde  satisfaciat**  No  hope  in  Law-Courts, 
dieo  ;  Petition  of  Right  and  TaUagio  rum  cancedendo  have  become 
an  old  song.  If  there  be  not  hope  in  Jenny  Greddes's  stool  and 
'  De'il  colic  the  wame  of  thee,'  we  are  in  a  bad  way ! — 

During  which  great  public  Transactions,  there  had  been  in 
Cromwell's  own  Fen-country  a  work  of  immense  local  celebrity 
going  on :  the  actual  Drainage  of  the  Fens,  so  long  talked  about ; 
the  construction,  namely,  of  the  great  Bedford  Level,  to  carry  the 
Ome  River  direct  into  the  sea  ;  holding  it  forcibly  aloft  in  strong 
einbankments,  for  twenty  straight  miles  or  so ;  not  leaving  it  to 
meander  and  stagnate,  and  in  the  wet  season  drown  the  country, 
as  heretofore.  This  grand  work  began,  Dryasdust  in  his  bewil- 
dered  manner  knows  not  when  ;  but  it '  went  on  rapidly,'  and  had 
ended  in  1837 .f  Or  rather  had  appeared,  and  strongly  endea- 
vored, to  end  in  1637  ;  but  was  not  yet  by  any  means  settled  and 
ended ;  the  whole  Fen-region  clamoring  that  it  could  not  and 
should  not  end  so.  In  which  wide  clamor,  against  injustice 
done  in  high  places,  Oliver  Cromwell,  as  is  well  known,  though 
otherwise  a  most  private  quiet  man,  saw  good  to  interfere ;  to 
give  the  universal  inarticulate  clamor  a  voice,  and  gain  a  remedy 
for  it.  He  approved  himself,  as  Sir  Philip  Warwick  will  testify ,:f 
'  a  man  that  would  set  well  at  the  mark,'  that  took  sure  aim,  and 
bad  a  stroke  of  some  weight  in  him.  We  cannot  here  afford 
room  to  disentangle  that  affair  from  the  dark  rubbish-abysses,  old 
and  new,  in  which  it  lies  deep  buried :  suffice  it  to  assure  the 
reader  that  Oliver  did  by  no  means  '  oppose'  the  Draining  of  the 
Pens,  but  was  and  had  been,  as  his  Father  before  him,  highly 
kvorable  to  it ;  that  he  opposed  the  King  in  Council  wishing  to 
do  a  public  injustice  in  regard  to  the  Draining  of  the  Fens  ;  and 
by  a  '  great  meeting  at  Huntingdon,'  and  other  good  measures, 
contrived  to  put  a  stop  to  the  same.     At  a  time  when,  as  Old 

*  Rnahworth,  ili..  Appendix,  150-216  ;  ib.  ii.,  480. 
t  Diigdale*8  Hist  of  Embankments ;  Colson's,  Wells's,  &c.  &c.    History 
«f  the  Fens. 
X  Warwick'fl  Memoirs  (London,  1701).  p.  250. 


96  PART  1.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [13  Ocst 


Palaceyard  might  testify,  that  operation  of  going  in  the  teeth 
of  the  royal  will  was  somewliat  more  perilous  than  it  would  be 
now  !  This  was  in  1638,  according  to  the  good  testimony  of 
Warwick.*  Cromwell  acquired  by  it  a  great  popularity  in  the 
Fen-country,  acquired  the  name  or  nickname  '  Lord  of  the  Fens ;' 
and  what  was  much  more  valuable,  had  done  the  duty  of  a  good 
citizen  whatever  he  might  acquire  by  it.  The  disastrous  public 
Events  which  soon  followed  put  a  stop  to  all  farther  operations  in 
the  Fens  for  a  good  many  years. 

These  clamors  of  local  grievance  near  at  hand,  these  rumors 
of  universal  grievance  from  the  distance, — they  were  part  of  the 
Day's  noises,  they  were  sounding  in  Cromwell's  mind,  along  with 
many  others  now  silent,  while  the  following  Letter  went  off 
towards  ^  Sir  William  Masham's  House  called  Otes  in  Essex,'  in 
the  year  1638.  Of  Otes  and  the  Mashams  in  Essex,  there  must 
likewise,  in  spite  of  our  strait  limits,  be  a  word  said.  The 
Mashams  were  distant  Cousins  of  Oliver's ;  this  Sir  William 
Masham,  or  Massam  as  he  is  often  written,  proved  a  conspicuous 
busy  man  in  the  Politics  of  his  time  ;  on  the  Puritan  side ; — rose 
into  Oliver's  Council  of  State  at  last.  The  Mashams  became 
Lords  Masham  in  the  next  generation,  and  so  continued  for  a 
while ;  one  Lady  Masham  was  a  daughter  of  Philosopher  Cud- 
worth,  and  is  still  remembered  as  the  friend  of  John  Locke,  whom 
she  tended  in  his  old  days,  who  lies  buried  in  the  Church  of  Otes, 
his  monument  still  shown  there.  Otes  Church,  near  which  stood 
Otes  Mansion,  is  in  the  neighborhood  of  High  La  vers,  Essex,  not 
far  from  Harton  Station  on  the  Northeastern  Railway.  The  Ma- 
shams arc  all  extinct,  and  their  Mansion  is  swept  away  as  if  it 
had  not  been.  '  Some  forty  years  ago,'  says  my  kind  informant, 
<  a  wealthy  Maltster  of  Bishop's  Stortford  became  the  proprietor 
by  purchase  ;  and  pulled  the  Manorhouse  down ;  leaving  the 
outhouses  as  cottages  to  some  poor  people.'  The  name  Otes, 
the  tomb  of  Locke,  and  this  undestroyed  and  now  indestructible 
fraction  of  Ragpaper  alone  preserve  the  memory  of  Mashamdon 
in  this  world.     We  modernise  the  spelling ;  let  the  reader,  &r  it 

*  Warwick,  ubi  ntpra  ;  poor  Noble  blunden,  as  he  ii  apt  to  do. 


163&]  LETTER  IL,  ELY.  97 

may  be  worth  his  while,  endeavor  to  modernise  the  sentiment 
and  subject  matter. 

There  is  only  this  farther  to  be  premised,  That  St.  John,  the 
oelebrmted  Sbipmoney  Barrister,  has  married  for  his  second  wife 
a  Cousin  of  Oliver  Cromwell's,  a  Daughter  of  Uncle  Henry's, 
wbom  we  knew  at  Upwood  long  ago  ;*  which  Cousin,  and  per- 
haps her  learned  husband  reposing  from  his  arduous  law.duties 
along  with  her,  is  now  on  a  Summer  or  Autumn  visit  at  Otes, 
and  has  lately  seen  Oliver  there. 

To  my  beloved  Cousin  Mrs,  St.  Johriy  at  Sir  William  Masham 
his  House  called  Otes,  in  Essex :  Present  these. 

Ely,  13th  October,  1638. 

Deul  Cousor, 

I  thankfully  acknowledge  year  love  in  yoar  kind 
mBembnoce  of  me  apon  this  opportunity.  Alas,  you  do  too  highly 
prixe  my  lines,  and  my  company.  I  may  be  ashamed  to  own  your 
expressions,  considering  how  unprofitable  I  am,  and  the  mean  improve- 
■ent  of  my  talent 

Yet  to  honor  my  God  by  declaring  what  He  hath  done  for  my  soul,  in 
this  I  am  cocfklent,  and  I  will  be  so.  Truly  then,  this  I  find  :  That  He 
{ifeth  springs  in  a  dry  barren  wilderness  where  no  water  is.  I  live, 
yoQ  know  where, — in  Meshec,  which  they  say  signifies  Prolonging ;  in 
Kedar,  which  signifies  Blackness:  yet  the  Lord  forsaketh  me  not. 
TboQgfa  He  do  prolong,  yet  He  will  I  trust  bring  me  to  His  Tabernacle, 
to  His  resting-place.  My  soul  is  with  the  Congregation  of  the  First- 
born, my  body  rests  in  hope :  and  if  here  I  may  honor  my  God  either 
\ff  doing  or  sufifering,  I  shall  be  most  glad. 

Truly  no  poor  creature  hath  more  cause  to  put  himself  forth  in  the 
canse  of  his  God  than  I.  I  have  had  plentiful  wages  beforehand ;  and 
I  tin  sure  I  shall  never  earn  the  least  mite.  The  Lord  accept  me  in 
Hit  Soo,  and  give  me  to  walk  in  the  light, — and  give  us  to  waJk  in  the 
liglit,  as  He  is  the  light!  He  it  is  that  enlighteneth  our  black- 
ons,  oor  darkness.  I  dare  not  say.  He  hideth  His  face  from  me.  He 
pmh  me  to  see  light  in  His  light.  One  beam  in  a  dark  place  hath 
exceeding  much  refreshment  in  it : — ^blessed  be  His  Name  for  shining 
BpoD  so  dark  a  heart  as  mine !  You  know  what  my  manner  of  life  hath 
been.  Ob,  I  lived  in  and  loved  darkness,  and  hated  light ;  I  was  a  chief, 
tke  chief  of  sinners.    This  is  true :  I  hated  godliness,  yet  God  had  mercy 

*  Ante,  p.  25. 
TOL.  I.  6 


9H  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [13  Oct 

on  me.  O  the  riches  of  His  mercy !  Praise  Him  for  me ; — pray  for 
me,  that  He  who  hath  began  a  good  work  would  perfect  it  in  the  day  of 
Christ. 

Salute  all  my  friends  in  that  Family  whereof  you  are  yet  a  member. 
I  am  much  bound  unto  them  for  their  love.  I  bless  the  Lord  for  them ; 
and  that  my  Son,  by  their  procurement,  is  so  well.  Let  him  have  your 
prayers,  your  counsel ;  let  me  have  them. 

Salute  your  Husband  and  Sister  from  me : — He  is  not  a  man  of  hii 
word !  He  promised  to  write  about  Mr.  Wrath  of  Epping ;  but  as  yet  I 
receive  no  letters : — put  him  in  mind  to  do  what  witli  conveniency  mtj 
be  done  for  the  poor  Cousin  I  did  solicit  him  about. 

Once  more  farewell.    The  Lord  be  with  you  :  so  prayeth 

Your  truly  loving  cousin, 
Oliver  Cromwell.* 

There  arc  two  or  perhaps  three  sons  of  Cromwell's  at  Felsted 
School  by  this  tinne  :  a  likely  enough  guess  is  that  he  might  hate 
been  taking  Dick  over  to  Felsted  on  that  occasion  when  he  came 
round  by  Otes,  and  gave  such  comfort  by  his  speech  to  the  pioiu 
Mashams,  and  to  the  young  Cousin,  now  on  a  summer  visit  at 
Otes.  What  glimpses  of  long-gone  summers ;  of  long-gone  hu- 
man beings  in  fringed  trowser-breecbcs,  in  starched  ruff,  in  hood 
and  fardingalc  ; — alive,  they,  within  their  antiquarian  costumes^ 
living  men  and  women ;  instructive,  very  interesting  to  one  an- 
other !  Mrs.  St.  John  came  down  to  breakfast  every  noorning  in 
that  summer  visit  of  the  year  1638,  and  Sir  William  said  grave 
grace,  and  they  spake  polite  devout  things  to  one  another ;  and 
they  are  vanished,  they  and  their  things  and  speeches — all  ailenty 
like  the  echoes  of  the  old  nightingales  that  sang  that  season,  like 
tlie  blossoms  of  the  old  roses.     O  Death,  O  Time ! — 

For  the  soul's  furniture  of  these  brave  people  is  grown  not  le« 
unintelligible,  antiquarian,  than  their  Spanish  boots  and  lappet 
caps.  Reverend  Mark  Noble,  my  reverend  imbecile  friend,  di^ 
covers  in  this  Letter  clear  evidence  that  Oliver  was  once  a  veiy 
dissolute  man  ;  that  Carrion  Heath  spake  truth  in  that  FlageUym 
Balderdash  of  his.  O  my  reverend  imbecile  friend,  hadst  thoa 
thyself  never  any  moral  life,  but  only  a  sensitive  and  digestive  t 
Thy  soul  never  longed  towards  the  serene  heights,  all  hidden  fnm 

*ThurIoe*8  State  Papen  (London  1743),  i.,  1. 


Itti.]  LETTER  II.,  ELY.  99 


;  and  thirsted  as  the  hart  in  dry  places  wherein  no  waters 
be  ?  It  was  never  a  sorrow  for  thee  that  the  eternal  pole-star  had 
gone  out,  veiled  itself  in  dark  clouds ; — a  sorrow  only  that  this 
or  the  other  nohle  Patron  forgot  thee  when  a  living  fell  vacant  ? 
I  have  known  Christians,  Moslems,  Methodists, — and,  alas,  also 
leverend  irreverent  Apes  by  the  Dead  Sea  ! 

O  modem  reader,  dark  as  this  Letter  may  seem,  I  will  advise 
thee  to  make  an  attempt  towards  understanding  it.  There  is  in 
it  a  '  tradition  of  humanity'  worth  all  the  rest.  Indisputable  cer- 
tificate that  man  once  had  a  soul ;  that  man  once  walked  with 
God, — ^his  little  Life  a  sacred  island  girdled  with  Eternities  and 
Godhoods.  Was  it  not  a  time  for  heroes  ?  Heroes  were  then 
possible.  I  say,  thou  shalt  understand  that  Letter ;  thou  also, 
knking  out  into  a  too  brutish  world,  wilt  then  exclaim  with 
(Hiver  Cromwell, — with  Hebrew  David,  as  old  Mr.  Rouse  of 
Tmro^  and  the  Presbvterian  populations,  still  sing  him  in  the 
Ncathera  Kirks : 

W(^s  me  that  I  in  Meshec  am 

A  sojourner  so  long, 
Or  that  I  in  the  tents  do  dwell 

To  Kedar  that  belong  ! 

Yes,  there  is  a  tone  in  the  soul  of  this  Oliver  that  holds  of  the 
Perennial.  With  a  noble  sorrow,  with  a  noble  patience,  he  longs 
towards  the  mark  of  the  prize  of  the  high  calling.  He,  I  think, 
hai  chosen  the  better  part.  The  world  and  its  wild  tumults, — if 
they  will  but  let  him  alone !  Yet  he  too  will  venture,  will  do 
tod  suffer  for  Grod's  cause,  if  the  call  come.  What  man  with 
better  reason  ?  He  hath  had  plentiful  wages  beforehand  ;  snatch- 
ed  out  of  darkness  into  marvellous  light :  he  will  never  earn  the 
ktst  mite.  Annihilation  of  self;  Selbsttodtung,  as  Novalis  calls 
it;  casting  yourself  at  the  footstool  of  God's  throne,  "  To  live  or 
to  die  fi>r  ever  ;  as  Thou  wilt,  not  as  I  will."  Brother,  hadst  thou 
never,  in  any  form,  such  moments  in  thy  history  ?  Thou  knowest 
them  not,  even  by  credible  rumor  ?  Well,  thy  earthly  path  was 
peaoeabler,  I  suppose.  But  the  Highest  was  never  in  thee,  the 
H%faest  will  never  come  out  of  thee.     Thou  shalt  at  best  abide 


100  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [leSB. 

by  the  stuff;  as  cherished  housedog,  guard  the  stuff, — perhapi 
with  enormous  gold-collars  and  provender :  but  the  battle,  and  the 
hero-death,  and  victory's  fire-chariot  carrying  men  to  the  Immor- 
tals shall  never  be  thine.  I  pity  thee ;  brag  not,  or  I  shall  haya 
to  despise  thee. 


10«L1  TWO  YEARS.  101 


TWO    YEARS. 

Such  is  Oliver's  one  Letter  from  Ely.  To  guide  us  a  little 
through  the  void  gulf  towards  his  next  Letter,  we  will  here  inter- 
calate  the  following  small  fractions  of  Chronology. 

1639. 

May — July.  The  Scots  at  their  Glasgow  Assembly*  had  rent 
their  Tulchan  Apparatus  in  so  rough  a  way,  and  otherwise  so  ill 
comported  themselves,  his  Majesty  saw  good,  in  the  beginning  of 
this  year,  immense  negotiation  and  messaging  to  and  fro  havin||^ 
proved  so  futile,  to  chastise  them  with  an  Army.  By  unheard- 
of  exertions  in  the  Extra-Parliamentary  way,  his  Majesty  got  an 
Army  ready  ;  marched  with  it  to  Berwick, — is  at  Newcastle,  8th 
May,  1639.')'  But,  alas,  the  Scots,  with  a  much  better  Army, 
already  lay  encamped  on  Dunse  Law  ;  every  nobleman  with  his 
tenants  there,  as  a  drilled  regiment,  round  him ;  old  Fieldmarshal 
Lesley  for  their  generalissimo ;  at  every  Colonel's  tent  this  pen- 
non flying.  For  Chrisfs  Crovm  and  Covenant :  there  was  no  fight- 
ing to  be  thought  of4  Neither  could  the  Pacification  there 
patched  up§  be  of  long  continuance.  The  Scots  disbanded  their 
soldiers;  but  kept  the  best  officers,  mostly  Gustavus-Adolphus 
men,  still  within  sight. 

1640. 

His  Majesty  having  burnt  Scotch  paper  Declarations  <  by  the 
hands  of  the  common  hangman,'  and  almost  cut  the  Scotch  Chan- 
cellor Loudon's  head  off,  and  being  again  resolute  to  chastise  the 
rebel  Scots  with  an  Army,  decides  on  summoning  a  Parliament 
for  that  end,  there  being  no  money  attainable  otherwise.     To  the 

•Nov.,  1C38  ;  BaiUie'f  Letters  (Edinburgh,  1841),  i.,  118-176. 

t  Ruthworth,  iii.,  930.  t  lb.  iii.,  926-49 ;  BaiUie,  i.,  214,  184-221. 

§  King's  Army  *  dismisMKl,*  24th  June  (Rushworth,  iii.,  946). 


102  PART  I.     BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [164a 


great  and  glad  astonishment  of  England ;  which,  at  oae  time, 
thought  never  to  have  seen  another  Parliament !  Oliver  Crom- 
well sat  in  this  Parliament  for  Cambridge;'*'  recommended  by 
Hampden,  say  some ;  not  needing  any  recommendation  in  thoae 
Fen-countries,  think  others.  Oliver's  Colleague  was  a  Thomas 
Meautys,  Esq.  This  Parliament  met,  13th  April,  1640  :  it  was 
by  no  means  prompt  enough  with  supplies  against  the  rebel  Scots  ; 
the  King  dismissed  it  in  a  huff,  5th  May ;  afler  a  Session  of  three 
weeks :  Historians  call  it  the  Short  Parliament.  His  Majesty  de* 
cides  on  raising  money  and  an  Army*  by  other  methods:'  to 
wiiich  end,  Wentworth,  now  Earl  Sirallbrd  and  Lord-Lieutenant 
of  Ireland,  who  had  advised  that  course  in  the  Council,  did  him- 
self  subscribe  20,000/.  Archbishop  Laud  had  long  ago  seen  'a 
cloud  rising'  against  the  Four  surplices  at  Allhallowtide ;  and 
now  it  is  covering  the  whole  sky  in  a  most  disnnal  and  really 
thundcrj'-lookhig  manner. 

His  Majesty  by  *  other  methods,'  commission  of  array,  benevo- 
lence, forced-loan,  or  how  he  could,  got  a  kind  of  Army  on  (bot,f 
and  set  it  marching  out  of  the  several  Counties  in  the  South 
towards  the  Scotch  Border :  but  it  was  a  most  hopeless  Army. 
The  soldiers  called  the  affair  a  Bishops^  War;  they  mutinied 
against  their  officers,  shot  some  of  their  officers :  in  various 
Towns  on  their  march,  if  the  Clergyman  were  reputed  Puritan, 
they  went  and  gave  him  three  cheers  ;  if  of  Surplice-tendency, 
they  sometimes  threw  his  furniture  out  of  the  window.:f  No 
fighting  against  poor  Scotch  Grospellers  was  to  be  hoped  for  from 
these  men.  Meanwhile  the  Scots,  not  to  be  behindhand,  had 
raised  a  good  Army  of  their  o^n ;  and  decided  on  going  into 
England  with  it,  this  time,  *  to  present  their  grievances  to  the 
King^s  Majesty.'  On  the  20th  of  August,  1640,  they  cross  the 
Tweed  at  Coldstream ;  Montrose  wading  in  the  van  of  them  aU. 
They  wore  uniform  of  hodden  grey,§  with  blue  caps  ;  and  each 
man  had  a  moderate  haversack  of  oatmeal  on  his  back. 

August  2Sth.  The  Scots  force  their  way  across  the  Tyne,  at 
Newburn,  some  miles  above  Newcastle  ;  the  King's  Army  mak- 

*  Browne  Willis,  p.  229,  30 ;   Rushworth,  iii.,  1105.  f  lb.  iii,  134L 

X  Vican's  Parliamentary  Chronicle  (Lond.,  1644),  p.  20. 
§  Old  Pamphlets. 


164a]  TWO  YEARS.  103 


log  small  fight,  most  of  them  no  fight ;  hurrying  from  Newcastle, 
and  all  town  and  country  quarters,  towards  York  again,  where 
hb  Majesty  and  Straffi>rd  were.'*'  The  Bishops^  War  was  at  an 
cud.  The  Scots,  striving  to  be  gentle  as  doves  in  their  behavior, 
and  publishing  boundless  brotherly  Declarations  to  all  the  brethren 
that  loved  Christ's  Gospel  and  Grod's  Justice  in  England, — took  pos- 
session of  Newcastle  next  day  ;  took  possession  gradually  of  all 
Northumberland  and  Durham, — and  stayed  there,  in  various 
towns  and  villages,  about  a  year.  The  whole  body  of  English 
Puritans  looked  upon  them  as  their  saviors ;  some  months  after- 
wards, Robert  Bail  lie  heard  the  London  balladsingers,  on  the 
streets,  singing  copiously  with  strong  lungs,  "  Gramercy,  good 
Master  Scot"  by  way  of  burden.')' 

His  Majesty  and  Strafford,  in  a  fine  frenzy  at  this  turn  of  afiairs, 
(bund  no  refuge,  except  to  summon  a  '  Council  of  Peers,'  to  enter 
upon  a  '  Treaty '  with  the  Scots ;  and  alas,  at  last,  summon  a 
New  Parliament.  Not  to  be  helped  in  any  way.  Twelve  chief 
Peers  of  the  summoned  '  Council '  petitioned  for  a  Parliament ; 
the  City  of  London  petitioned  for  a  Parliament,  and  would  not 
laxl  money  otherwise.  A  Parliament  was  appointed  for  the  3d 
of  November  next; — whereupon  London  cheerfully  lent  200,000/. ; 
and  the  Treaty  with  the  Scots  at  Ripon,  1st  October,  1640, J  by 
and  by  transferred  to  London,  went  peaceably  on  at  a  very  lei- 
surely pace.  The  Scotch  Army  lay  quartered  at  Newcastle,  and 
over  Northumberland  aud  Durham,  on  an  allowance  of  850/. 
i-day  ;  an  Army  indispensable  for  Puritan  objects ;  no  haste  in 
finishing  its  Treaty.  The  English  army  lay  across  in  York- 
shire ;  without  allowance  except  from  the  casualties  of  the  King's 
Exchequer ;  in  a  dissatisfied  manner,  and  occasionally  getting 
into  *  Army.Plots.' 

This  Parliament,  which  met  on  the  3d  of  November,  1640, 
has  become  very  celebrated  in  History  by  the  name  of  the  Long 
Parliament.  It  accomplished  and  sufiered  very  singular  desti- 
nies ;  suflTered  a  Pride's  Purge,  a  Cromwell's  Ejectment ;  suffer- 
ed Re-instatements,  Re-ejectments;  and  the  Rump  or  Fag-end 

*  Rushworth,  iii.,  1236»  &c.  f  Baillic*8  Lettera. 

tRmhworth,  iii.,  12S2. 


104                      PART  I.     BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [1640. 

of  it  did  not  finally  vanish  till  16th  March,  1659-GO.  Oliver 

Crornwell  sat  again  in  this   Parliament  for  Cambridge  Town ; 

Meautys,  his  old  Colleague,  is  now  changed  for  '  John  Lowryi 
Esquire/*  probably  a  more  Puritanic  man.  The  Members  (or 
Cambridge  University  are  the  same  in  both  Parliaments. 

•  Willis ;  Rushworth,  ir.,  3. 


IML]  UTTTER  III.,  ANTI-EPISCOPACY.  105 


LETTER  III. 

3b  wnf  hmngfritndf  Mr.  WUlinghtm^  at  his  Home  in  SwiUiifCt  Ltnu . 

These. 

*  London,  Febraary,  164a'* 
So, 

I  desire  yoa  to  send  me  the  Reasons  of  the  Scots  to 

tnforce  their  desire  of  Uniformity  in  Religion,  expressed  in  their  8th 
Aitide ;  I  mean  that  which  I  had  before  of  you.  I  woald  peruse  it 
against  we  fiUl  upon  that  Debate,  which  will  be  speedily.    Tours, 

Oliver  CROMWELL.f 

There  is  a  great  quantity  of  intricate  investigation  requisite  to 
date  this  small  undated  Note,  and  make  it  entii^ely  transparent ! 
The  Scotch  Treaty,  begun  at  Ripon,  is  going  on, — ^never  ended : 
the  agitation  about  abolishing  Bishops  had  just  begun,  in  the 
House  and  out  of  it. 

On  Friday,  11th  December,  1640,  the  Londoners  present  their 
celebrated  <  Petition,'  signed  by  15,000  hands,  craving  to  have 
Bishops  and  their  Ceremonies  radically  reformed.  Then  on 
Saturday,  2dd  January,  1640-1 ,  comes  the  still  more  celebrated 
*  Petition  and  Remonstrance  from  700  Ministers  of  the  Church 
of  England,'^  to  the  like  effect ;  upon  which  Documents,  espe- 
citlly  upon  the  latter,  ^sue  strenuous  debatings  ;§  ensues  a 
'Committee  of  Twenty-four;'  a  Bill  to  abolish  Superstition  and 
Idolatry;  and,  in  a  week  or  two,  a  Bill  to  take  away  the 
Bishops'  Votes  in  Parliament :  Bills  recommended  by  the  said 
Committee.     A  diligent  Committee,  which  heard  much  evidence, 

*  The  words  within  single  commas,  here  as  always  in  the  Text  of  Crom- 
vell*t  Letters,  are  mine,  not  his :  the  date  in  this  instance  is  co^jeotoral  or 
QfinentiaL 

t  Harris,  p.  517.  t  Commons  Journals,  ii.,  72. 

§  Commons  Journals,  ii.,  81 ;  8  and  0  of  February.    See  Baillie's  Letters, 
L*a02;  and  Rushworth,  iv.  93  and  174. 

6* 


106  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [1641. 

and  theological  debating,  from  Dr.  Burgess  and  others.  Their 
Bishops-Bill,  not  without  hot  arguing,  pdssed  through  the  Com- 
mons ;  was  rejected  by  the  Lords ; — took  efiect,  however,  in  a 
much  heavier  shape,  within  year  and  day.  Young  Sir  Ralph 
Varney,  son  of  Edmund  the  Standard-bearer,  has  preserved  very 
careful  Notes  of  the  theological  revelations  and  profound  argu- 
ments,  heard  in  this  Committee  from  Dr.  Burgess  and  others ; 
intensely  interesting  at  that  time  to  all  ingenuous  young  gen- 
tlemen ;  a  mere  torpor  now  to  all  persons. 

In  fact,  the  whole  world,  as  we  perceive,  in  this  Spring  of  1641, 
is  getting  on  fire  with  episcopal,  anti-episcopal  emotion  ;  and  the 
Scotch  Commissioners,  with  their  Desire  of  Uniformity,  are  natu- 
rally the  centre  of  the  latter.  Bishop  Hall,  Smectymnuus,  and 
one  Mr.  Milton  *  near  St.  Bride's  Church,'  are  all  getting  their 
Pamphlets  ready. — The  assiduous  contemporary  individual  who 
collected  the  huge  stock  of  Loose  Printing  now  known  as  King's 
Pamphlets  in  the  British  Museum,  usually  writes  the  date  on  the 
title-page  of  each  ;  but  has,  with  a  curious  infelicity,  omitted  it 
in  the  case  of  Milton's  Pamphlets,  which  accordingly  remaia 
undatable  except  approximately. 

The  exact  copy  of  the  Scotch  Demands  towards  a  Treaty  I 
have  not  yet  met  with,  though  doubtless  it  is  in  print  amid  the 
unsorted  Rubbish- Mountains  of  the  British  Museum.  Notices  of 
it  are  to  be  seen  in  Baillie,  also  in  Rushworth.*  The  first  Seven 
Articles  relate  to  secularities ;  payment  of  damages ;  punishment 
of  incendiaries,  and  so  forth  ;  the  Seventh  is  the  *  recalling '  of 
the  King's  Proclamations  against  the  Scots :  <  the  Eighth,  anent 
a  solid  peace  betwixt  the  Nations,'  involves  this  matter  of  Uni- 
formity in  Religion,  and  therefore  is  of  weightier  numient. 
Baillie  says,  'For  the  Eighth  great  Demand  some  days  were 
spent  in  preparation.'  The  Lords  would  have  made  no  dij£culty 
about  dismantling  Berwick  and  Carlisle,  or  such  like,  but  they 
found  that  the  whole  matter  was  to  involve  the  permanent  rela- 
tions of  England,  therefore  they  delayed  ;  <  we  expect  it  this  very 
day,'  says  Baillie  (28th  February,  1640-1).  Oliver  Cromwell 
also  expects  it  this  very  day,  or  '  speedily,' — and  therefore  writes 
to  Mr.  Willingham  for  a  sight  of  the  documents  again. 

*  Baillie,  i.,  297  et  antea  ttpoitta;  Ruthworth,  iv.»  166. 


1441.]  LETTER  III.,  ANTI-EPISCOPACY.  107 

Whoever  wishes  to  trace  the  emergence,  re-emergence,  slow 
ambiguous  progress,  and  dim  issue  of  this  '  Eighth  Article,'  may 
ooQsult  the  opaque  but  authentic  Commons  Journals,  and  strive 
to  elucidate  the  same  by  poor  old  brown  Pamphlets,  in  the  places 
cited  below.*  It  was  not  finally  voted  in  the  affirmative  till  the 
middle  of  May  ;  and  then  still  it  was  far  from  being  ended.  It 
endedy  properly,  in  the  Summoning  of  a  '  Westminster  Assembly 
of  Divines,'  To  ascertain  for  us  how  <  the  two  Nations '  may  best 
attain  to  *  Uniformity  of  Religion.' 

This  *  Mr.  Willingham  my  loving  friend,'  of  whom  I  have 
fcond  DO  other  vestige  anywhere  in  Nature,  is  presumably  a  Lon- 
doQ  Puritan  concerned  in  the  London  Petition  and  other  such 
matters,  to  whom  the  Member  for  Cambridge,  a  man  of  known 
seal,  good  connexion,  and  growing  weight,  is  worth  convincing. 

Oliver  St.  John  the  Shipmoney  Lawyer,  now  member  for  Tot- 
ness,  has  lately  been  made  Solicitor-Greneral ;  on  the  2d  of  Feb- 
ruary,  1640-1,  D'Ewes  says  of  him,  *  newly  created  ;'f  a  date 
worth  attending  to.  Strafibrd's  Trial  is  coming  on  ;  to  begin  on 
the  22d  of  March  ;  Strafford  and  Laud  are  safe  in  the  Tower  long 
nnce ;  Finch  and  Windebank,  and  other  Delinquents  in  high 
places,  have  fled  rapidly  beyond  seas. 

*  Commonfl  Journals,  ii.,  84,  85 ;  JDtumo/  Oeeurrenees  in  Parliament 
(Printed  for  William  Cooke,  London,  1641 ,— often  erroneous  as  to  the  day), 
10  February,  7  March,  15  May. 

t  Sir  Simond  D'Ewes*8  Notes  of  the  Long  Parliament  {Harleian  MS 8., 
Mi.  162-6),  fol.  189  a ;  p.  156  of  Tmoacripi penes  me. 


108  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [1641. 


IN  THE  LONG  PARLIAMENT. 

That  little  Note,  despatched  by  a  servant  to  Swithin's  Lane  in 
the  Spring  of  1641,  and  still  saved  by  capricious  destiny  while  so 
much  else  has  been  destroyed, — is  all  of  Autographic  that  Oliver 
Cromwell  has  Icfl  us  concerning  his  proceedings  in  the  first  three- 
and-twenty  months  of  the  Long  Parliament.  Months  distinguished, 
beyond  most  others  in  History,  by  anxieties  and  endeavors,  by 
hope  and  fear  and  swill  vicissitude,  to  all  England  as  well  as  him : 
distinguished  on  his  part  by  much  Parliamentary  activity  withal ; 
of  which,  unknown  hitherto  in  History,  but  still  capable  of  being' 
known,  let  us  wait  some  other  opportunity  of  speaking.  Two 
vague  appearances  of  his  in  that  scene,  which  are  already  known 
to  most  readers,  we  will  set  in  their  right  date  and  place,  making 
them  faintly  visible  at  last ;  and  therewith  leave  this  part  of  the 
subject. 

Iq  D'Ewes's  Manuscript  above  cited*  are  these  words,  relating 
to  Monday,  9th  November,  1640,  the  sixth  day  of  the  Long  Par- 
liament :  '  Mr.  Cromwell  delivered  the  Petition  of  John  Lilburn^' — 
young  Lilbum,  who  had  once  been  Prynne's  amanuensis,  among 
other  things,  and  whose  *  whipping  with  200  stripes  from  West- 
minster to  the  Fleet  Prison,'  had  already  rendered  him  conspicuous. 
This  is  the  record  of  D'Ewes.  To  which  let  us  now  annex  the 
following  well-known  passage  of  Sir  Philip  Warwick ;  and  if  the 
reader  fancy  the  Speeches  on  the  former  Saturday,-)-  and  how  the 
*  whole  of  this  Monday  was  spent  in  hearing  grievances '  of  the 
like  sort,  some  dim  image  of  a  strange  old  scene  may  perhaps 
rise  upon  him. 

*  The  first  time  I  ever  took  notice  of  Mr.  Cromwell,'  says  War- 
wick, *  was  in  the  very  beginning  of  the  Parliament  held  *in  No- 
vember, 1640 ;  when  I,'  Member  for  Radnor,  *  vainly,  thought 
myself  a  courtly  young  gentleman, — for  we  courtiers  valued  our* 

*  D'Ewes,  fol.  4.  f  Rushworth,  iv.,  24,  kc 


IML]*  IN  THE  LONG  PARLIAMENT.  100 

aelves  much  upon  our  good  clothes !  I  came  into  the  House  one 
morning '  Monday  morning,  *  well  clad ;  and  perceived  a  gentle- 
man speaking,  whom  I  knew  not, — very  ordinarily  apparelled  ; 
for  it  was  a  plain  cloth  suit,  which  seemed  to  have  heen  made  by 
an  ill  country-tailor ;  his  linen  was  plain,  and  not  very  clean ; 
and  I  remember  a  speck  or  two  of  blood  upon  his  little  band,  which 
was  not  much  larger  than  his  collar.  His  hat  was  without  a  hat- 
band. His  stature  was  of  a  good  size  ;  his  sword  stuck  close  to 
bis  side :  his  countenance  swoln  and  reddish,  his  voice  sharp  and 
nntuneable,  and  his  eloquence  full  of  fervor.  For  the  subject 
matter  would  not  bear  much  of  reason  ;  it  being  on  behalf  of  a 
servant  of  Mr.  Prynne's  who  had  dispersed  Libels ;' — yes,  LibelSy 
and  had  come  to  Palaceyard  for  it,  as  we  saw  :  <  I  sincerely  pro- 
fess, it  lessened  much  my  reverence  unto  that  Great  Council,  for 
this  gentleman  was  very  much  hearkened  unto,'* — which  was 
itrange,  seeing  he  had  no  gold  lace  to  his  coat,  nor  frills  to  his 
band ;  and  otherwise,  to  me  in  my  poor  featherhead,  seemed  a  some- 
what unhandy  gentleman  ! 

Tbe  reader  may  take  what  of  these  Warwick  traits  he  can 
along  with  him,  and  omit  what  he  cannot  take ;  for  though  War- 
wick's veracity  is  undoubted,  his  memory  after  many  years,  in 
inch  an  element  as  his  had  been,  may  be  questioned.  The  '  band,' 
we  may  remind  our  readers,  is  a  linen  tippet,  properly  the  shirt- 
ooUar  of  those  days,  which,  when  the  hair  was  worn  long,  needed 
to  ibid  itself  with  a  good  expanse  of  washable  linen  over  the  upper- 
works  of  the  coat,  and  defend  these  and  their  velvets  from  harm. 
Tbe  '  specks  of  blood,'  if  not  fabulous,  we,  not  without  general 
sympathy,  attribute  to  bad  razors :  as  for  the  '  hatband,'  one  re- 
marks  that  men  did  not  speak  with  their  hats  on  ;  and  therefore 
will,  with  Sir  Philip's  leave,  omit  that.  The  '  untuneable  voice,' 
or  what  a  poor  young  gentleman  in  such  circumstances  would 
consider  as  such,  is  very  significant  to  us. 

Here  is  the  other  vague  appearance ;  from  Clarendon's  Life.f 
*  He,'  Mr.  Hyde,  aflerwards  Lord  Clarendon,  '  was  often  heard  to 
mention  one  private  Committee,  in  which  he  was  put  accidentally 
into  the  chair ;  upon  an  Enclosure  which  had  been  made  of  great 

•  Wirwick,  p.  247.  t  i.  78  (Oxford,  1761). 


110  PART  I.    BEFORE  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  [1641. 

wastes,  belonging  to  the  Queen's  Manors,  without  the  oonsent  of 
the  tenants,  the  benefit  whereof  had  been  given  by  the  Queen  to 
a  servant  of  near  trust,  who  forthwith  sold  the  lands  enclosed  to 
the  Earl  of  Manchester,  Lord  Privy  Seal ;  who  together  with  his 
Son  Mandevil  were  now  most  concerned  to  maintain  the  Enclo- 
sure ;  against  which,  as  well  the  inhabitants  of  other  manors,  who 
claimed  Common  in  those  wastes,  as  the  Queen's  tenants  of  the 
same,  made  loud  complaints,  as  a  great  oppression,  carried  upon 
them  with  a  very  high  hand,  and  supported  by  power. 

<  The  Committee  sat  in  the  Queen's  Court ;  and  Oliver  Crom- 
well being  one  of  them,  appeared  much  concerned  to  counteaance 
the  Petitioners,  who  were  numerous  together  with  their  Witnesses  ; 
the  Lord  Mandevil  being  likewise  present  as  a  party,  and  by  the 
direction  of  the  Committee  sitting  covered.  Cromwell,  who  had 
never  before  been  heard  to  speak  in  the  House  of  Commons,'— at 
least  not  by  ttut,  though  he  had  often  spoken,  and  was  very  well 
known  there, — *  ordered  the  Witnesses  and  the  Petitioners  in  the 
method  of  the  proceeding ;  and  seconded,  and  enlarged  upon  what 
they  said,  with  great  passion ;  and  the  Witnesses  and  persona 
concerned,  who  were  a  very  rude  kind  of  people,  interrupted  the 
Counsel  and  Witnesses  on  the  other  side,  with  great  clamor,  when 
they  said  anything  that  did  not  please  them ;  so  that  Mr.  Hyde 
(whose  office  it  was  to  oblige  persons  of  all  sorts  to  keep  order) 
was  compelled  to  use  some  sharp  reproofs,  and  some  threats,  to 
reduce  them  to  such  a  temper,  that  the  business  might  be  quietly 
heard.  Cromwell,  in  great  fury,  reproached  the  Chairman  for 
being  partial,  and  that  he  discountenanced  the  Witnesses  by 
threatening  them  :  the  other  appealed  to  the  Committee ;  which 
justified  him,  and  declared,  that  he  behaved  himself  as  he  ought 
to  do ;  which  more  inflamed  him,'  Cromwell,  *  who  was  already 
too  much  angry.  When  upon  any  mention  of  matter-of-fact,  or 
of  the  proceeding  before  and  at  the  Enclosure,  the  Lord  MandevO 
desired  to  be  heard,  and  with  great  modesty  related  what  had 
been  done,  or  explained  what  had  been  said,  Mr.  Cromwell  did 
answer,  and  reply  upon  him  with  so  much  indecency  and  rude- 
ness, and  in  language  so  contrary  and  offensive,  that  every  man 
would  have  thought,  that  as  their  natures  and  their  manners  were 
as  opposite  as  it  is  possible,  so  their  interests  could  never  have  been 


1641.1  IN  THE  LONG  PARLIAMENT.  Ill 


tbe  lune.    In  the  end,  his  whole  carriage  was  so  tempestuous, 

and  his  behavior  so  insolent,  that  the  Chairman  found  himself 

obliged  to  reprehend  him  ;  and  to  tell  him,  That  if  he,'  Mr.  Crom. 

well,  ^proceeded  in  the  same  manner,  he'  Mr.  Hyde  *  would 

pfesently  adjourn  the  Committee,  and  the  next  morning  complain 

to  the  House  of  him.     Which  he  never  forgave ;  and  took  all 

occasions  afterwards  to  pursue  him  with  the  utmost  malice  and 

Terenge,  to  his  death,' — ^not  Mr.  Hyde's,  happily,  but  Mr.  Crom- 

well's,  who  at  length  did  cease  to  cherish  '  malice  and  revenge ' 

against  Mr.  Hyde ! 

Tracking  this  matter,  by  faint  indications,  through  various  ob- 
scure sources,  I  conclude  that  it  related  to  the  '  Soke  of  Somer- 
ihain  **  near  St.  Ives ;  and  that  the  scene  in  the  Queen's  Court 
probably  occurred  in  the  beginning  of  July,  1641.')'  Cromwell 
knew  this  Soke  of  Somersham  near  St.  Ives  very  well ;  knew 
these  poor  rustics,  and  what  treatment  they  had  got ;  and  wished, 
not  in  the  imperturbablest  manner  it  would  seem,  to  see  justice 
ck»e  them.  Here  too,  subtracting  the  due  subtrahend  from  Mr. 
Hyde's  Narrative,  we  have  a  pleasant  visuality  of  an  old  summer 
tfiemoon  '  in  the  Queen's  Court '  two  hundred  years  ago. 

Cromwell's  next  Letters  present  him  to  us,  not  debating,  or 
about  to  debate,  concerning  Parliamentary  Propositions  and  Scotch 
'  Eighth  Articles,'  but  with  his  sword  drawn  to  enforce  them ;  the 
vbole  Kingdom  divided  now  into  two  armed  conflicting  masses, 
the  argument  to  be  by  pike  and  bullet  henceforth. 

*  Commons  Journals,  ii.,  172. 

•  Ibid.,  87  ;  150 ;  172 ;  192  ;  215  ;  218 ;  2J9,— the  dates  extend  from  17th 
Febnury  to  2l8t  July,  1641. 


CROMWELL'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES, 


PART   II. 


TO  THE  END  OF  THE  FIRST  CIVIL  WAR. 


1642-1646. 


PRELIMINARY. 

There  is  therefore  a  great  dark  void,  from  February,  1B41,  to 
January,  1643,  through  which  the  reader  is  to  help  himself  from 
Letter  III.  over  to  Letter  IV.,  as  he  best  may.  How  has  pacific 
Eogland,  the  most  solid  pacific  country  in  the  world,  got  all  into 
this  armed  attitude ;  and  decided  itself  to  argue  henceforth  by  pike 
and  bullet  till  it  get  some  solution  ?  Dryasdust,  if  there  remained 
aoy  shame  in  him,  ought  to  look  at  those  wagonloads  of  Printed 
Volumes,  and  blush  !  We,  in  great  haste,  offer  the  necessitous 
reader  the  following  hints  and  considerations. 

It  was  mentioned  above  that  Oliver  St.  John,  the  noted  Puritan 
Lawyer,  was  already,  in  the  end  of  January,  1641,  made  Solicitor- 
General.  The  reader  may  mark  that  as  a  small  fraction  of  an 
event  showing  itself  above  ground,  completed  ;  and  indicating  to 
him  a  grand  subterranean  attempt  on  the  part  of  King  Charles 
ind  the  Puritan  Leaders,  which  unfortunately  never  could  become 
t  fact  or  event.  Charles,  in  January  last  or  earlier  (for  there  are 
DO  dates  discoverable  but  this  of  St.  John's),  perceiving  how  the 
current  of  the  Nation  ran,  and  what  a  humor  men  were  getting 
into,  had  decided  on  trying  to  adopt  the  Puritan  leaders,  Pym, 
Hampden,  Holies  and  others,  as  what  we  should  now  call  his 

*  Ministers : '  these  Puritan  men,  under  the  Earl  of  Bedford  as 
chief,  might  have  hoped  to  become  what  we  should  now  call  a 

*  Majesty's  Ministry,'  and  to  execute  peaceably,  with  their  King 
presiding  over  them,  what  reforms  had  grown  inevitable.  A  most 
desirable  result,  if  a  possible  one ;  for  of  all  men  these  had  the 
least  notion  of  revolting,  or  rebelling  against  their  King  ! 

This  negotiation  had  been  entered  into,  and  entertained  as  a 
possibility  by  both  parties :  so  much  is  indubitable  :  so  much  and 
nothing  noore,  except  that  it  ended  without  result.'*'     It  would  in 

*  Whitlocke»  Clarendon ;  see  Forster's  Statesmen,  ii.,  150-7. 


116  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [IWI. 

our  days  be  the  <^asiest  negotiation  ;  but  it  was  then  an  impoflsible 
one.  For  it  meant  that  the  King  should  content  himself  with  the 
Name  of  King,  and  see  measures  the  reverse  of  what  he  wished, 
and  meant,  take  effect  by  his  sanction.  Which,  in  sad  truth,  had 
become  a  necessity  for  Charles  I.  in  the  England  of  1641.  His 
tendency  and  effort  has  long  been  the  reverse  of  England's ;  he 
cannot  govern  England,  whatever  he  may  govern  !  And  yet  to 
have  admitted  this  necessity, — alas,  was  it  not  to  have  settled  the 
whole  Quarrel,  wiihout  the  eight-and-forty  years  of  fighting,  and 
confused  bickering  and  oscillation,  which  proved  to  be  needful 
first  ?  The  negotiation  dropped ;  leaving  for  visible  result  ooly 
this  appointment  of  St.  John's.  Hb  Majesty  on  that  side  saw  no 
course  possible  for  him. 

Accordingly  he  tried  it  in  the  opposite  direction,  which  also,  on 
failure  by  this  other,  was  very  natural  for  him.  He  entered  into 
secret  tamperings  with  the  OfRccrs  of  the  English  Army ;  which, 
lying  now  in  Yorkshire,  ill-paid,  defeated,  and  in  neighborhood 
of  a  Scotch  Army  victoriously  furnished  with  850/.  a-day,  was 
very  apt  for  discontent.  There  arose  a  *  first  Army-Plot '  for 
delivering  Strafford  from  the  Tower ;  then  a  second  Army-Plot 
for  some  equally  wild  achievement,  tending  to  deliver  Majesty 
from  thraldom,  and  send  this  factious  Parliament  about  its  busi- 
ness. In  which  desperate  schemes,  though  his  Majesty  strove 
not  to  commit  himself  beyond  what  was  necessary,  it  became  and 
still  remains  indubitable  that  he  did  participate  ; — as  indeed,  the 
former  course  of  listening  to  his  Parliament  having  been  aban- 
doned, this  other  of  coercing  or  awing  it  by  armed  force  was  tlie 
only  remaining  one. 

These  Army- Plots,  detected  one  afWr  another,  and  investigated 
and  commented  upon,  with  boundless  interest,  in  Parliament  and 
out  of  it,  kept  the  Summer  and  Autumn  of  1641  in  ocmtinual 
alarm  and  agitation ;  taught  all  Opposition  persons,  and  a  factious 
Parliament  in  general,  what  ground  they  were  standing  on  ; — and 
in  the  factious  Parliament,  especially,  could  not  but  awaken  the 
liveliest  desire  of  having  the  Military  Force  put  in  such  hands  as 
would  be  safe  for  them.  *  The  Lord-Lieutenants  of  Counties,' 
this  factious  Parliament  conceived  an  unappeaseable  desire  of 
knowing  who  these  were  to  be : — this  is  what  they  mean  by 


IMl.l  PRELIMINARY.  117 

'  Power  of  the  Militia ; '  on  which  point,  as  his  Majesty  would  not 
yield  a  jot,  his  Parliament  and  he, — ^the  point  becoming  daily  more 
important,  new  offences  daily  accumulating,  and  the  split  ever 
widening, — ultimately  rent  themselves  asunder,  and  drew  swords 
to  dedde  it. 

Soch  was  the  well-known  consummation ;  which  in  Cromwell's 
nert  Letter  we  find  to  have  arrived.  Here  are  a  few  Dates  which 
may  assist  the  reader  to  grope  his  way  thither.  From  <  Mr.  Wil- 
Kngham  in  Swithin's  Lane'  in  February,  1641,  to  the  Royal 
Standard  at  Nottingham  in  August,  1642,  and  <  Mr.  Barnard  at 
Huntingdon '  in  January,  1643,  which  is  our  next  stage,  there  is  a 
long  vague  road  ;  and  the  lights  upon  it  are  mostly  a  .universal 
dance  of  will-o'- wisps,  and  distracted  fire-flies  in  a  state  of  excite- 
ment^— not  good  guidance  for  the  traveller  ! 

1641. 

Monday,  3d  May.  Strafford's  Trial  being  ended,  but  no  sen- 
tenoe  yet  given,  Mr.  Robert  Baillie,  Minister  of  Kilwinning,  who 
was  here  among  the  Scotch  Commissioners  at  present,  saw  in 
Palaceyard,  Westminster,  '  some  thousands  of  Citizens  and  Ap- 
prentices' (Miscellaneous  Persons  and  City  Shopmen,  as  we 
should  now  call  them),  who  rolled  about  there  *  all  day,'  bellow- 
ing to  every  Lord  as  he  went  in  or  came  out,  '  with  a  loud  and 
hideous  voice  :'  "  Justice  on  Straflbrd !  Justice  on  Traitors  !"* — 
which  seemed  ominous  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Baillie. 

Monday  next,  10^  May,  his  Majesty  accordingly  signed  sen- 
tence on  Straflbrd  ;  who  was  executed  on  the  Wednesday  follow- 
ing :•— no  help  for  it.  A  terrible  example  ;  the  one  supremely 
able  man  the  King  had.  On  the  same  Monday,  10th  May,  his 
Majesty  signed  likewise  another  Bill,  That  this  Parliament  should 
not  be  dissolved  without  its  own  consent.  A  Bill  signed  in  order 
that  the  City  might  lend  him  money  on  good  Security  of  Parlia- 
ment ;  money  being  most  pressingly  wanted,  for  our  couple  of 
hungry  Armies,  Scotch  and  English,  and  other  necessary  occa- 
sions. A  Bill  which  seemed  of  no  great  consequence  except 
financial ;  but  which,  to  a  People  reverent  of  Law,  and  never  in 

*  Baillie,  i.,  351. 


118  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [1641. 

the  wildi> -t  clash  of  hattle-swords  giving  up  its  religious  respect 
for  the  coastable's  baton,  proved  of  infinite  consequence.  His 
Majesty's  hands  are  tied  ;  he  cannot  dismiss  this  Parliamenty  as 
he  has  done  the  others  ; — no,  not  without  its  own  consent. 

August  lOth,  Army.  Plotters  having  fled  beyond  seas ;  the  Bill 
for  Triennial  Parliaments  being  passed;  the  Episcopacy-Bill 
being  got  to  sleep,  and  by  the  use  of  royal  varnish  a  kind  of  ooni* 
posure  or  hope  of  composure  being  introduced  ;  above  all  things, 
money  being  now  borrowed  to  pay  the  Armies  and  disband  them, 
— his  Majesty  on  the  10th  of  the  month*  set  out  for  Scotland.  To 
hold  a  Parliament,  and  compose  matters  there,  as  his  Majesty  gave 
out.  Tq  see  what  old  or  new  elements  of  malign  Royalism  could 
still  be  awakened  to  life  there,  as  the  Parliament  surmised,  who 
greatly  opposed  his  ^ing. — Mr.  Cromwell  got  home  to  Ely  again, 
for  six  weeks,  this  autumn  ;  there  being  a  recess  from  9th  Sep- 
tember when  the  business  was  got  gathered  up,  till  20th  October 
when  his  Majesty  was  expected  back.  An  Interim  Committee^ 
and  Pym  from  his  '  Lodging  at  Chelsea,' f  managed  what  of  India, 
pensable  might  turn  up. 

November  1st,  News  came  to  London,  to  the  reassembled 
Parliament4  that  an  Irish  Rebellion,  already  grown  to  be  an 
Irish  Massacre,  had  broken  out.  An  Irish  Catholic  imitation  of 
the  late  Scotch  Presbyterian  achievements  in  the  way  of  '  reli- 
gious liberty  ; ' — one  of  the  best  models,  and  one  of  the  worat 
imitations  ever  seen  in  this  world.  Erasmus's  Ape,  observing 
Erasmus  shave  himself,  never  doubted  but  it  too  could  shave. 
One  knows  what  a  hand  the  creature  made  of  itself,  before  the 
edgctool  could  be  wreilched  from  it  again  !  As  this  poor  Irish 
Rebellion  unfortunately  began  in  lies  and  bluster,  and  proceeded 
in  lies  and  bluster,  hoping  to  make  itself  good  that  way,  the 
ringleaders  had  started  by  pretending  or  even  foiling  some  war- 
rant  from  the  King  ;  which  brought  much  undeserved  suspicioa 
on  his  Majesty,  and  greatly  complicated  his  ai&irs  here  for  a  long 
while. 

November  22(2.     The  Irish  Rebellion  blazing  up  more  and 

•  Wharton's  Laud,  p.  62. 

t  His  Report,  Commons  Journals,  ii.,  289. 

X  Laud,  62 ;  Commons  Journals,  in  die. 


IMl.]  PRELIMINARY.  1 1 9 

more  into  an  Irish  Massacre,  to  the  terror  and  horror  of  all  Anti- 
papist  men  ;  and  in  England,  or  even  in  Scotland,  except  by  the 
liberal  use  of  varnish,  nothing  yet  being  satisfactorily  mended, 
nay  all  things  hanging  now,  as  it  seemed,  in  double  and  treble 
jeopardy, — the  Commons  had  decided  on  a  '  Grand  Petition  and 
Remonstrance,'  to  set  forth  what  their  griefs  and  necessities  really 
were,  and  would  require  to  have  done  for  them.  The  Debate 
upon  it,  very  celebrated  in  those  times,  came  on  this  day,  Mon- 
day, 22d  November.*  The  longest  Debate  ever  yet  known  in 
Parliament ;  and  the  stormiest, — nay,  had  it  not  been  for  Mr. 
Hampden's  soft  management,  *  we  had  like  to  have  sheathed  our 
swards  in  each  other's  bowels,'  says  Warwick ;  which  I  find 
otherwise  to  be  true.  The  Remonstrance  passed  by  a  small  ma- 
jority. It  can  be  read  still  in  Rushworthjf  drawn  up  in  precise 
business  order ;  the  whole  206  Articles  of  it,— every  line  of  which 
once  thrilled  electrically  into  all  men's  hearts,  as  torpid  as  it  has 
now  grown.  *  The  chimes  of  Margaret's  were  striking  two  in  the 
rooming  when  we  came  out.' — It  was  on  this  occasion  that  Oliver, 
*  coming  down  stairs,'  is  reported  to  have  said,  He  would  have 
sold  all  and  gone  to  New  England,  had  the  Remonstrance  not 
passed  ;:t — a.  vague  report,  gathered  over  dining-tables  long  after, 
to  which  the  reader  need  not  pay  more  heed  than  it  merits.  His 
Majesty  returned  from  Scotland  on  the  Thursday  following  ;  and 
had  from  the  City  a  thrice-glorious  Civic  Entertainment.^ 

December  lOth,  The  Episcopal  business,  attempted  last  Spring 
in  vain,  has  revived  in  iTecember,  kindled  into  life  by  the  Remon- 
strance ;  and  is  raging  more  fiercely  than  ever ;  Crowds  of  Citi- 
zens petitioning.  Corporation  *  going  in  sixty  coaches '  to  petition  ;|| 
the  Apprentices,  or  City  Shopmen,  and  miscellaneous  persons, 
petitioning  : — Bishops  *  much  insulted '  in  Palaceyard,  as  they  go 
m  or  out.  Whereupon  hasty  Welsh  Williams,  Archbishop  of 
York,  once  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  he  with  Eleven  too  hasty  Bishops, 
Smectymnuus  Hall  being  one  of  them,  give  in  a  Protest,  on  this 
10th  of  December,ir  That  they  cannot  get  to  their  place  in  Parlia- 

•  Commons  Journals,  in  die  ;  D'Ewcs*s  mss.  f.  179  b. 

t  ir.,  438-51 ;  see  also  436-7. 

X  Clarendon.  §  Rushworth,  iv.,  429. 

D  Vicars,  p.  56.  IT  Rushworth,  iv.,  467. 


120  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR,  [1642. 

ment ;  that  all  shall  be  null  and  void  till  they  do  get  there.  A 
rash  step  ;  for  which,  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month,  they  are, 
by  the  Commons,  voted  guilty  of  Treason  ;  and  '  in  a  cold  even- 
ing,' with  small  ceremony,  are  bundled,  the  whole  dozen  of  them, 
into  the  Tower.  For  there  is  again  rioting,  again  are  cries  '  loud 
and  hideous;' — Colonel  Lunsford,  a  truculent  one-eyed  maiip 
having  *  drawn  his  sword '  upon  the  Apprentices  in  Westminster 
Hall,  and  truculently  slashed  some  of  them;  who  of  course 
responded  in  a  loud  and  hideous  manner,  by  tongue,  by  fist,  and 
single-stick  :  nay,  on  the  morrow,  28th  December,*  they  came 
marching  many  thousands  strong,  with  sword  and  pistol,  out  of 
the  City,  "  Slash  us  now !  while  we  wait  on  the  Honorable  Houie 
for  an  answer  to  our  Petition !" — and  insulted  his  Majesty's 
Guard  at  Whitehall.  What  a  Christmas  of  that  old  Liondon,  of 
that  old  Year !  On  the  6th  of  February  following.  Episcopacy 
will  be  voted  down,  with  blaze  of  *  bonfires '  and  '  ringing '  of  all 
the  bells, — very  audible  to  poor  old  Dr.  Laudf  over  in  the  Tower 
yonder. 

1642. 

January  Ath,  His  Majesty  seeing  these  extremities  arrive,  and 
such  a  conflagration  begin  to  blaze,  thought  now  the  time  had 
come  for  snatching  the  main  livecoals  away,  and  so  quenching 
the  same.  Such  coals  of  strife  he  counts  to  the  number  of  Five  in 
the  Commons  House,  and  One  in  the  Lords:  Pym,  Hampden, 
Haselrig,  with  Holies  and  Strode  (who  held  down  the  Speaker 
fourteen  years  ago),  these  are  the  Five  Commons ;  Lord  Kimbol- 
ton,  better  known  to  us  as  Mandevil,  Oliver's  friend,  of  the  '  Soke 
of  Somersham,'  and  Queen's-Court  Committee,  he  is  the  Lord. 
His  Majesty  flatters  himself  he  has  gathered  evidence  concerning 
these  individual  firebrands,  That  they  <  invited  the  Scots  to  invade 
us '  in  1640 :  he  sends,  on  Monday,  3d  January ,;(  to  demand  that 
they  be  given  up  to  him  as  Traitors.  Deliberate,  slow,  and  as  it 
were  evasive  reply.  Whereupon,  on  the  morrow,  he  rides  down 
to  St.  Stephen's  himself,  with  an  armed  very  miscellaneous  foroe^ 

*  Rush  worth,  iv.,  464.  f  Wharton'i  Laud,  p..62 ;  see  alio  p.  fiX 

t  Commont  Journals,  ii.,  367. 


1612.]  PRELIMINARY.  121 

of  500  or  of  300  truculent  braggadocio  persons  at  his  back ;  enters 
the  House  of  Commons,  the  truculent  persons  looking  in  afler 
bim  from  the  lobby, — with  intent  to  seize  the  said  Five  Members, 
five  principal  hot  coals;  and  trample  them  out,  for  one  thing. 
It  was  the  fatallest  step  this  poor  King  ever  took.  The  Five 
Members,  timefully  warned,  were  gone  into  the  City ;  the  whole 
Parliament  removed  itself  into  the  City,  '  to  be  safe  from  armed 
violeooe.'  From  London  City,  and  from  all  England,  rose  one 
loud  v(Hce  of  lamentation,  condemnation :  Clean  against  law ! 
Punt  an  inch  thick,  there  is,  was,  or  can  be,  no  shadow  of  law 
ID  Ikis,  Will  you  grant  us  the  Militia  now ;  we  seem  to  need  it 
now ! — ^Elis  Majesty's  subsequent  stages  may  be  dated  with  more 
brevity. 

Jasmanf  lOtk.  The  King  with  his  Court  quits  Whitehall ;  the 
Five  Members  and  Parliament  purposing  to  return  to-morrow, 
with  the  whole  City  in  arms  round  them.'*'  He  left  Whitehall ; 
Dpver  saw  it  again  till  he  came  to  lay  down  his  head  there. 

March  9th.     The  King  has  sent  away  his  Queen  from  Dover, 
'  to  be  in  a  place  of  safety,' — and  also  to  pawn  the  Crown-jewels 
io  Holland,  and  get  him  arms.     He  returns  Northward  again, 
ivoiding  London.     Many  Messages  between  the  Houses  of  Parlia- 
ment and  him:    "Will  your  Majesty  grant  us  Power  of  the 
Ifilitia ;  accept  this  list  of  Lord-Lieutenants  ?"     On  the  9th  of 
March,  still  advancing  Northward  without  affirmative  response, 
be  has  got  to  Newmarket ;  where  another  Message  overtakes  him, 
earnestly  urges  itself  upon  him :  Could  not  your  Majesty  please  to 
grant  us  Power  of  the  Militia  for  a  limited  time  ?     "  No,  by  God !" 
answers  his  Majesty,  "  not  for  an  hour  !"f — On  the  19th  of  March 
be  is  at  York ;  where  his  Hull  Magazine,  gathered  for  service 
mgainst  the  Scots,  is  lying  near ;  where  a  great  Earl  of  Newcastle, 
and  other  Northern  potentates,  will   help  him  ;    where  at  least 
London  and  its  Puritanism,  now  grown  so  fierce,  is  far  off. 

There  we  will  leave  him ;  attempting  Hull  Magazine,  in  vain ; 
exchanging  messages  with  his  Parliament ;  messages,  missives, 
printed  and  written  Papers  without  limit : — Law-pleadings  of  both 
parties  before  the  great  tribunal  of  the  English  Nation,  each 

•  Yican,  p.  64.  t  Rushworth,  ir.,  533. 

TOL.  I.  7 


l.j  PART  II.     riRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [1042. 

party  striving  to  prove  itself  right,  and  within  the  verge  of  Law: 
preserved  still  in  acres  of  typography,  once  thrillingly  alive  in 
every  fibre  of  them ;  now  a  mere  torpor,  readable  by  few  ofmu 
tures,  not  rememberable  by  any.  Tt  is  too  clear  his  Majesty  will 
have  to  gel  himself  an  army,  by  Commission  of  Array,  by  sub- 
scriptions of  loyal  plate,  pawning  of  crown-jewels,  or  how  he  can. 
The  Parliament  by  all  methods  is  endeavoring  to  do  the  like. 
London  subscribed  <  Horses  and  Plate,'  every  kind  of  plate^  even 
to  women's  thimbles,  to  an  unheard-of  amount  ;*  and  when  it 
came  to  actual  enlisting,  in  Liondon  alone  there  were  '  Four  thou- 
sand enlisted  in  a  day.'f  The  reader  may  meditate  that  one  fact. 
Royal  messages.  Parliamentary  messages ;  acres  of  typography 
thrillingly  alive  in  every  fibre  of  them, — these  go  on  slowly  abat- 
ing, and  military  preparations  go  on  steadily  increasing  till  the 
23d  of  October  next.  The  King's  *  Commission  of  Array  far 
Leicestershire'  came  out  on  the  12th  of  June,  commissions  for 
other  counties  following  as  convenient ;  the  Parliament's  *  Ordin- 
ance for  the  Militia,'  rising  cautiously  pulse  aAer  pulse  towards 
clear  emergence,  had  attained  completion  the  week  before.:^  The 
questions  puts  itself  to  every  English  soul,  Which  of  these  wfll 
you  obey  ? — and  in  all  quarters  of  English  ground,  with  swords 
getting  out  of  their  scabbards,  and  yet  the  constable's  baton  still 
struggling  to  rule  supreme,  there  is  a  most  confused  solution  of 
it  going  on. 

Of  Oliver  in  these  months  we  find  the  following  things  noted ; 
wliich  the  imaginative  reader  is  to  spread  out  into  significance  for 
himself  the  best  he  can. 

February  1th,  *  Mr.  Cromwell,'  among  others,  *  ofiers  to  lend 
Three  hundred  Pounds  for  the  service  of  the  Commonwealth,'^— 
towards  reducing  the  Irish  Rebellion,  and  relieving  the  afflicted 
Protestants  there,  or  here.  Rushworth,  copying  a  List  of  such 
subscribers,  of  date  9th  April,  1642,  has  Cromwell's  name  written 
down  for  <  500Z.,'|| — seemingly  the  same  transaction ;  Mr.  Croro- 

*  Vican,  pp.  93,  109 ;  tee  Commons  Joumala,  10th  June,  1643. 

t  Wood's  Athenae,  iii.,  193. 

X  Husbands  the  Printer's  Firtt  Collection  (London,  1643),  pp.  346»  331. 

§  Commons  Journals,  ii.,  408.  ||  Rushworth,  iT.»  964. 


IMSL]  PREUMINARY.  133 

vdl  baring  now  mended  his  offer ;  or  else  Mr.  Rushworth,  who 
uses  the  arithmetical  cipher  in  this  place,  having  misprinted. 
Hampden's  subscription  there  is  1,000/.  In  Mr.  Cromwell  it  is 
there  is  no  backwardness,  fkr  from  that;  his  activity  in 
months  notably  increases.  In  the  D^Etoes  mss.*  he  appears 
tnd  reappears ;  suggesting  this  and  the  other  practical  step,  on 
behftlf  of  Ireland  oftenest ;  in  all  ways  zealously  urging  the  work. 

Mif  15th.  '  Mr.  Cromwell  moved  that  we  might  make  an 
Older  to  allow  the  Townsmen  of  Cambridge  to  raise  two  Companies 
of  Volunteers  and  to  appoint  Captains  over  them.'f  On  which 
■me  day,  15th  July,  the  Commons  Clerk  writes  these  words: 
*  Whereas  Mr.  Cromwell  hath  sent  down  arms  into  the  County 
of  Cambridge,'  for  the  defence  of  that  County,  it  is  this  day 
ofderedy'^ — that  he  shall  have  the  <  100/.'  expended  on  that  ser- 
vice,  repaid  him  by  and  by.  Is  Mr.  Cromwell  aware  that  there 
lies  a  color  of  high  treason  in  all  this ;  risk  not  of  one's  purse  only, 
but  of  one's  head  ?  Mr.  Cromwell  is  aware  of  it,  and  pauses  not. 
The  next  entry  is  still  stranger. 

August  loth.  *  Mr.  Cromwell  in  Cambridgeshire  has  seized 
Clie  Magazine  in  the  Castle  at  Cambridge ;  and  hath  hindered  the 
carrying  of  the  Plate  from  that  University ;  which,  as  some  re- 
port, was  to  the  value  of  20,000/.  or  thereabouts. '§  So  does  Sir 
Philip  Stapleton,  member  for  Aldborough,  member  also  of  our 
new  ^  Committee  for  Defence  of  the  Kingdom,'  report  this  day. 
For  which  let  Mr.  Cromwell  have  indemnity.  || — Mr.  Cromwell 
has  gone  down  into  Cambridgeshire  in  person,  since  they  began 
to  train  there,  and  assumed  the  chief  management, — to  some 
eSeCty  it  would  appear. 

The  like  was  going  on  in  all  shires  of  England  ;  wherever  the 
Parliament  had  a  zealous  member,  it  sent  him  down  to  his  shire 
in  these  critical  months,  to  take  what  management  he  could  or 
durst.  The  most  confused  months  England  ever  saw.  In  every 
shire,  in  every  parish ;  in  courthouses,  alehouses,  churches,  mar- 
kets, wheresoever  men  were  gathered  together,  England,  with 

•  February— July,  1642. 

t  IVEwef*!  MM.,  f.  658-661.  X  Commons  Journals,  ii.,  674. 

§  GommoDt  Journals,  ii.,  720.        ||  Ibid.,  726. 


124  PART  II.     FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [1649. 


sorrowful  confusion  in  every  fibre,  is  tearing  itself  into  hoitOe 
halves,  to  carry  on  the  voting  by  pike  and  bullet  henceforth. 

Brevity  is  very  urgent  on  us,  nevertheless  we  must  give  thii 
other  extract.  Bramston  the  Shipmoney  Judge,  in  trouble  with 
the  Parliament  and  sequestered  from  his  place,  is  now  likely  to 
get  into  trouble  with  the  King,  who  in  the  last  days  of  July  ham 
ordered  him  to  come  to  York  on  business  of  importance.  Judge 
Bramston  sends  his  two  sons,  John  and  Frank,  fresh  young  meiii 
to  negotiate  some  excuse.  They  ride  to  York  in  three  dmys; 
stay  a  day  at  York  with  his  Majesty ;  then  return,  '  on  the  same 
horses,'  in  three  days, — to  Skreens  in  Essex ;  which  was  good 
riding.  John,  one  of  them,  has  lefl  a  most  watery  incoherent 
Autobiography,  now  printed,  but  not  edited,  nor  worth  editingi 
except  by  frre  to  ninety -nine  hundredths  of  it ;  very  distracting ; 
in  which,  however,  there  is  this  notable  sentence ;  date  about  the 
middle  of  August,  not  discoverable  to  a  day.  Having  been  at 
York,  and  riding  back  on  the  same  horses  in  three  days : 

'  In  our  return  on  Sunday,  near  Huntingdon,  between  that 
and  Cambridge,  certain  musketeers  start  out  of  the  com,  and 
command  us  to  stand ;  telling  us  we  must  be  searched,  and  to 
that  end  must  go  before  Mr.  Cromwell,  and  give  account  fiom 
whence  we  came  and  whither  we  were  going.  I  asked.  When 
Mr.  Cromwell  was  ?  A  soldier  told  us,  He  was  four  miles  oC 
I  said.  It  was  unreasonable  to  carry  us  out  of  our  way ;  if  Mr. 
Cromwell  had  been  there,  I  should  have  willingly  given  him  all 
the  satisfaction  he  could  desire ; — and  putting  my  hand  into  my 
pocket,  I  gave  one  of  them  Twelve-pence,  who  said  we  might 
pass.  By  this  I  saw  plainly  it  would  not  be  possible  for  my 
Father  to  get  to  the  King  with  his  coach  ;'* — ^neither  did  he  go  at 
all,  but  stayed  at  home  till  he  died. 

September  Wth,  Here  is  a  new  phasis  of  the  business.  In 
a  List  of  the  Army  under  the  command  of  the  'Earl  of  Eissex,'! 
we  find  that  Robert  Earl  of  Essex  is  *  Lord  Greneral  ibr  King  amd 
Parliament'  (to  deliver  the  poor  beloved  King  from  traitors,  who 

*  Autobiography  of  Sir  John  Bramston,  Knight  (Camden  Society,  1845), 
p.  86. 
t  King*!  Pamphletf ,  email  4to.  no.  73. 


1M3.]  PRELIMINARY.  135 

kafe  misled  him,  and  clouded  his  fine  understanding,  and  rendered 
iiiiD  as  it  were  a  beloved  Parent  fallen  insane)  ;  that  Robert  Earl 
of  Essex,  we  say,  is  Lord  Greneral  for  King  and  Parliamept ;  that 
William  the  new  £^1  of  Bedford  is  Greneral  of  the  Horse,  and  has, 
or  is  every  hour  getting  to  have, '  seventy-five  troops  of  60  men 
etcfa ;'  in  every  troop  a  Captain,  a  Lieutenant,  a  Cornet  and  Quar- 
termaster, whose  names  are  all  given.  In  Troop  Sixty seveuy  the 
CkpCaia  is  '  Oliver  Cromwell,' — honorable  member  for  Cam- 
bridge ;  many  honorable  members  having  now  taken  arms ; 
Mr.  Hmmpden,  for  example,  having  become  Colonel  Hampden, — 
busy  drilling  his  men  in  Chalgrove  Field  at  this  very  time.  But 
moreover,  in  Troop  Eight  of  Earl  Bedford's  Horse,  we  ISnd  ano- 
tiler  'Oliver  Cromwell,  Comet;' — and  with  real  thankfulness 
fcr  this  poor  flint-spark  in  the  great  darkness,  recognize  him  for 
oar  honorable  member's  Son.  His  eldest  Son  Oliver,*  now  a 
Hout  young  man  of  twenty.  "  Thou  too,  Boy  Oliver,  thou  art  fit 
to  swing  a  sword.  If  there  ever  was  a  battle  worth  fighting, 
and  to  be  called  God's  battle,  it  is  this ;  thou  too  wilt  come !" 
How  a  staid,  most  pacific,  solid  Farmer  of  three-and-forty  decides 
on  girding  himself  with  warlike  iron,  and  fighting,  he  and  his, 
against  principalities  and  powers,  let  readers  who  have  formed 
my  notioD  of  this  man  conceive  for  themselves. 

On  Sunday,  2dd  October,  was  Edgehill  Battle,  called  also 
Keinton  Fight,  near  Keinton  on  the  south  edge  of  Warwickshire. 
In  which  Battle  Captain  Cromwell  loas  present,  and  did  his  duty, 
let  angry  Denzil  say  what  he  will.f  The  Fight  was  indecisive  ; 
victory  claimed  by  both  sides.  Captain  Cromwell  told  Cousin 
Hampden,  They  never  would  get  on  with  a  set  of  poor  tapsters 
and  town  apprentice-people  fighting  against  men  of  honor.  To 
cope  with  men  of  honor  they  must  have  men  of  religion.  <  Mr. 
Hampden  answered  me.  It  was  a  good  notion,  if  it  could  be 
executed.'  Oliver  himself  set  about  executing  a  bit  of  it,  his 
share  of  it,  by  and  by. 

'We  all  thought  one  battle  would  decide  it,'  says  Richard 
Baxter  ;^ — and  we  were  all  much  mistaken !     This  winter  there 

•  See  p.  67. 

t  Vican,  p.  198 ;  Denzil  Holles^s  Memoirs  (in  Mazeres*!  Tracti,  vol.  i.). 

X  Life  (London,  1696),  Part  i.,  p.  43. 


126  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR  [16491 


arise  among  certain  Counties  <  Associations'  for  mutual  defence, 
against  Royalism  and  plunderous  Rupertism  ;  a  measure  cherished 
by  the  Parliament,  condemned  as  treasonable  by  the  King.  Of 
which  '  Associations/  countable  to  the  number  of  five  or  six, 
we  name  only  one,  that  of  Norfolk,  Sufiblk,  Essex,  Cambridge^ 
Herts ;  with  Lord  Gray  of  Wark  for  Commander ;  where,  and 
under  whom,  Oliver  was  now  serving.  This  '  Eastern  Associa- 
tion' is  alone  worth  naming.  All  the  other  Associations,  no  maa 
of  emphasis  being  in  the  midst  of  them,  fell  in  few  months  to 
pieces ;  only  this  of  Cromwell's  subsisted,  enlarged  itself^  gi'^^w 
famous ; — and  indeed  kept  its  own  borders  clear  of  invasiofn  dur* 
ing  the  whole  course  of  the  War.  Oliver,  in  the  beginning  of 
1643,  is  serving  there,  under  the  Lord  Gray  of  Wark.  Besidat 
his  military  duties,  Oliver,  as  natural,  was  nominated  of  the  Com- 
mittee  for  Cambridgeshire  in  this  Association ;  he  is  also  of  the 
Committee  for  Huntingdonshire,  which  as  yet  belongs  to  another 
'  Association.'  Member  for  the  Committee  of  Huntingdonshire ; 
to  which  also  has  been  nominated  a  '  Robert  Barnard,  Esquire,'*-* 
who,  however,  does  not  sit,  as  I  have  reason  to  surmise ! 

*  Husbands,  i.,  892 ;  iee  for  the  other  particulars,  ii.,  183,  327, 804, 809; 

Commons  Journals,  &c. 


1M2.]  LETTER  IV.  127 

• 


LETTER  IV. 

Tbe  reader  recollects  Mr.  Robert  Barnard,  how,  in  1630,  he  got 
aCommissioo  of  the  Peace  for  Huntingdon,  along  with  <  Dr.  Beard 
lod  Mr.  Oliver  Cromwell,'  to  be  fellow  justices  there.  Probably 
they  never  sat  much  together,  as  Oliver  went  to  St.  Ives  soon 
after,  and  the  two  men  were  of  opposite  politics,  which  in  those 
times  meant  opposite  religions.  But  here  in  twelve  years  space 
is  a  change  of  many  things  ! 

To  my  ensured  friend^  Robert  Barnard,  Esquire :  Present  these, 

*  Huntingdon,*  2dd  January,  1642. 

Ma.  BiJLIIAKD, 

It's  most  true  my  Lieutenant,  with  some 
other  Boldiers  of  my  troop,  were  at  your  House.  I  dealt  *  so '  freely  *  as 
to  inquire  after  you ;  the  reason  was,  I  had  heard  you  reported  active 
against  the  proceedings  of  Parliament,  and  for  those  that  disturb  the 
peace  of  this  Country  and  the  Kingdom, — ujiih  those  of  this  Country 
who  have  had  meetings  not  a  few,  to  intents  and  purposes  too  too  full  of 
inspect* 

It's  true.  Sir,  I  know  you  have  been  wary  in  your  carriages :  be  not 
too  confident  thereof.  Subtilty  may  deceive  you ;  integrity  never  will. 
With  my  heart  I  shall  desire  that  your  judgment  may  alter,  and  your 
practice.  I  come  only  to  hinder  men  from  increasing  the  rent, — from 
doing  hurt ;  but  not  to  hurt  any  man  :  nor  shall  I  you  ;  I  hope  you  will 
give  me  no  cause.  If  you  do,  I  must  be  pardoned  what  my  relation  to 
tbe  Public  calls  for. 

If  your  good  parts  be  disposed  that  way,  know  me  for  your  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell. 

Be  assured  fair  words  from  me  shall  neither  deceive  you  of  your 
houses  nor  your  liberty.f 

•  Country  is  equivalent  to  county  or  region ;  too-too,  in  those  days, 
means  little  more  than  too ;  suspect  is  suspectability,  almost  as  proper  as 
our  modem  suspicion. 

t  Original,  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Gosford  at  Worlingham,  in  Suffolk. 


12S  PART  II.     FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [1640. 


My  Copy,  two  Copies,  of  this  Letter  I  owe  to  kind  friends,  who 
have  carefully  transcribed  it  from  the  Original  at  Lord  Gosford's. 
The  present  Lady  Gosford  is  *  grand-daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Bar- 
nard,' to  whose  lineal  ancestor  the  Letter  is  addressed.  The  date 
of  time  is  given ;  there  never  was  any  date  or  address  of  place, — 
which  probably  means  that  it  was  written  in  Huntingdon  and  ad- 
dressed  to  Huntingdon,  where  Robert  Barnard,  who  became 
Recorder  of  the  place,  is  known  to  have  resided.  Oliver,  in  the 
month  of  January,  1642-3,  is  present  in  the  Fen-country,  and  all 
over  the  Eastern  Association,  with  his  troop  or  troops ;  looking 
after  disaflfected  persons;  ready  to  disperse  royalist  assemblages^ 
to  seize  royalist  plate,  to  keep  down  disturbance,  and  care  in 
every  way  that  the  Parliament  Cause  suffer  no  damage.  A 
Lieutenant  and  party  have  gone  to  take  some  survey  of  Robert 
Barnard,  Esquire ;  Robert  Barnard,  standing  on  the  right  of  in- 
jured innocence,  innocent  till  he  be  proved  guilty,  protests: 
Oliver  responds  as  here,  in  a  very  characteristic  way. 

It  was  precisely  in  these  weeks,  that  Oliver  from  Captain  be- 
came Colonel :  Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  horse,  raised  on  his  own 
principles  so  far  as  might  be,  in  that  <  Eastern  Association  :'  and 
is  henceforth  known  in  the  Newspapers  as  Colonel  Cromwdl. 
Whether  on  this  23d  of  January,  he  was  still  Captain,  or  had 
ceased  to  be  so,  no  extant  accessible  record  apprises  us.  On  the 
2d  March,  1642-3, 1  have  found  him  named  as  *Col.  Cromwell,** 
and  hitherto  not  earlier.  He  is  getting  <  men  of  religion '  to  aenre 
in  this  cause,— or  at  least  would  fain  get  such  if  he  might. 

• 

*  Cromwelliana,  p.  2. 


I«43.]  LETTER  V.  199 


LETTER  V. 

Thb  addreas  of  this  Letter  is  lost ;  but  the  label  of  the  address 
remaiiiB,  from  which  it  can  be  with  certainty  enough  restored. 
Unhappily  the  date  too  is  missing,  which  can  only  be  restored  by 
pobable  conjecture.  We  are  in  the  Eastern  Association  still, 
tod  indeed  for  above  a  year  to  come. 

*  To  w^  oisund/riend^  Tknmas  Knyvett,  Esquire^  at  his  House  of  Ask, 

weUihorpe:  These.' 

«  January,  1642,  Norfolk.* 

Sn, 

1  cannot  pretend  any  interest  in  you  for  anything  I 
kve  done,  nor  ask  any  favor  for  any  service  I  may  do  yon.  But  be- 
eao^  Ism  conscious  to  mjrself  of  a  readiness  to  serve  any  gentleman  in 
an  possible  civilities,  I  am  bold  to  be  beforehand  with  you  to  ask  your 
iavoron  behalf  of  your  honest  poor  neighbors  of  Hapton,  who,  as  I  am  in* 
farmed,  are  in  some  trouble,  and  are  likely  to  be  put  to  more,  by  one 
Robert  Browne  your  Tenant,  who,  not  well  pleased  with  the  way  of 
these  men,  seeks  their  disquiet  all  he  may. 

Tmly  nothing  moves  me  to  desire  this,  more  than  the  pity  I  bear  them 
in  respect  of  their  honesties,  and  the  trouble  I  hear  they  are  likely  to  suf- 
fer for  their  consciences,  and  humor  as  the  world  interprets  it  I  am 
not  ashamed  to  solicit  for  such  as  are  anywhere  under  pressure  of  this 
kind ;  doing  even  as  I  would  be  done  by.  Sir,  this  is  a  quarrelsome 
age ;  and  the  anger  seems  to  me  to  be  the  worse,  where  the  ground  is 
diflerence  of  opinion  *, — which  to  cure,  to  hurt  men  in  their  houses,  per- 
sons or  estates,  will  not  be  found  an  apt  remedy.  Sir,  it  will  not  repent 
you  to  protect  those  poor  men  of  Hapton  from  injury  and  oppression : 
which  that  you  would  is  the  efiect  of  this  Letter.  Sir,  you  will  not 
want  the  grateful  acknowledgment,  nor  utmost  endeavors  of  requital 

from 

Your  most  humble  servant, 
Oliver  Cbohtwell.* 

*  Letter  onc«  in  the  poisesiion  of  Lord  Berners,  at  Didlington  in  Nor- 
folk ;  copied  by  or  for  Mr.  Dawson  Turner  of  Yarmouth,  and  by  him  com- 

7* 


130  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [1648. 

Knyvett  was  the  ancestor  of  Lord  Bemers.  *  The  Knyyetts  <^ 
Knivetts  of  Ashwellthorpe  are  an  old  family  of  large  property  in 
Norfolk  ;'  their  seat,  Ashwellthorpe,  is  still  one  of  Lord  Bemers's. 

Hapton  is  a  Parish  and  Hamlet  some  seven  or  eight  miles  sooth 
of  Norwich,  in  the  Hundred  of  Depwade ;  it  is  within  a  mile  or 
two  of  this  Ashwellthorpe ;  which  was  Knyvett's  residence  at  that 
time.  What  *  Robert  Browne  your  Tenant '  had  in  hand  or  view 
against  these  poor  Parishioners  of  Hapton,  must,  as  the  adjoioing 
circumstances  are  all  obliterated,  remain  matter  of  conjeotiUB 
only.  He  dimly  shows  himself  in  this  Letter  as  an  Unfriend  to 
Puritans,  who,  however,  have  now  found  a  Friend.  They  apply 
to  Oliver ;  who  is  in  those  parts,  on  Association  business,  with  k 
company  of  devout  troopers.  This  Letter,  full  of  civility  and 
backed  by  devout  horsemen  with  petronels,  would  doubtless  pro- 
cure them  relief.  We  can  fancy  the  date  of  this  Letter  to  be, 
both  in  time  and  place,  adjacent  to  that  of  the  former.  We  shall 
&11  in  with  Mr.  Knyvett,  in  still  graver  circumstances,  speedily 
again. 

munic&ted  to  me :  the  original,  it  seems,  is  now  lost  or  mitliid.  Than 
never  was  any  date  of  lime  or  place  on  the  copy,  nor  is  the  address  givui 
as  verbally  exact,  but  only  as  substantially  so. 


JMl]  LOWESTOFF.  181 


LOWESTOFF. 

Iff  the  end  of  February,  1642-3, '  Colonel'  Cromwell  is  at  Cam. 
bridge ;  '  great  forces  from  Essex,  Norfolk  and  Sufiblk'  having 
joined  him,  and  more  still  coming  in.*  There  has  been  much 
llarm  and  running  to  and  fro,  over  all  those  counties.  Lord 
Oapel  hanging  over  them  with  an  evident  intent  to  plunder  Cam- 
bru^e,  generally  to  plunder  and  ravage  in  this  region ;  as  Prince 
Rupert  has  cruelly  done  in  Gloucestershire,  and  is  now  cruelly 
doing  in  Wilts  and  Hants.  Colonel  Cromwell,  the  soul  of  the 
vhole  business,  must  have  had  some  bestirring  of  himself;  some 
swift  riding  and  resolving,  now  here,  now  there.  Some  *  12,000 
men,'  however,  or  say  even  *  800  men'  (for  rumor  runs  very 
high  !)  from  the  Associated  Counties,  are  now  at  last  got  together 
about  Cambridge ;  and  Lord  Capel   has   seen  good   to  vanish 

igain-t 

On  Monday,  ISth  March,  1642-3,  Thomas  Conisby,  Esquire, 
High  Sheriff  of  Herts,  appears  visibly  before  the  House  of  Com- 
moos,  to  give  account  of  a  certain  <  Pretended  Commission  of 
Array,'  which  he  had  been  attempting  to  execute  one  Market-day 
Qot  long  since  at  St.  Albans  in  that  county. j:  Such  King's  Writ, 
or  Pretended  Commission  of  Array,  the  said  High  Sheriff  had, 
with  a  great  Posse  Comitaius  round  him,  been  executing  one 
Market-day  at  St.  Albans  (date  irrecoverably  lost), — when  Crom- 
well's dragoons  dashed  suddenly  in  upon  him ;  laid  him  fast, 
-Hiot  without  difficulty  :  he  was  first  seized  by  *  six  troopers,' 
but  rescued  by  his  royalist  multitude ;  then  '  twenty  troopers' 
again  seized  him ;  <  barricadoed  the  inn-yard  ;'§  conveyed  him  off 
to  London  to  give  what  account  of  the  matter  he  could.     Here 

•  CromwelUana,  p.  2 ;  Vicars,  p.  273. 

t  Vicart ;  Newspapers,  6—15  March  (in  Cromwellitna,  p.  2). 
X  Commons  Journals,  ii ,  1000, 1. 

§  Vicvt,  p.  946 ;  Mmj't  History  of  the  Long  Parliament  (Oaisoft  French 
TnulatioD),  ii.,  196. 


132  PART  II.    FIRSrr  CIVIL  WAR.  [ITMsreh, 

he  is  giving  account  of  it, — a  very  lame  and  withal  an  '  insolent' 
one,  as  seems  to  the  Honorable  House ;  which  accordingly  sends 
him  to  the  Tower,  where  he  had  to  lie  for  several  years.  Coni. 
missions  of  Array  are  not  handy  to  execute  in  the  C^astem  Asso- 
ciation at  present ! 

Here  is  another  adventure  of  the  same  kind,  with  a  similar 
result.  The  '  Meeting  at  Laystoff,'  or  Lowestoff  in  Suflblk,  is 
mentioned  in  all  the  old  Books ;  but  John  Cory,  Merchant  Bar- 
gess  of  Norwich,  shall  first  bring  us  face  to  face  with  it.  Assu 
duous  Sir  Symonds  got  a  copy  of  Mr.  Cory's  Letter,*  one  of  the 
thousand  Letters  which  Honorable  Members  listened  to  in  those 
mornings  ;  and  here  now  is  a  copy  of  it  for  the  reader, — news  all 
fresh  and  fresh,  afler  waiting  two  hundred  and  two  years.  Old 
Norwich  becomes  visible  and  audible,  the  vanished  moments  bus- 
zing  again  with  old  life, — if  the  reader  will  read  well.  Potts, 
we  should  premise,  and  Palgrave,  were  lately  appointed  Deputy 
Lieutenants  of  Norwich  City  ;f  Cory  I  reckon  to  be  almost  a  kind 
of  Quasi-Mayor,  the  real  Mayor  having  lately  been  seized  fi>r 
Royalism  ;  Kny  vett  of  Ashwellthorpe  is  transiently  known  to  us. 
The  other  royalist  gentlemen  are  also  known  to  antiquaries  of 
that  region,  and  what  their  <  seats'  and  connexions  were :  but  our 
reader  here  can  without  damage  consider  merely  that  they  were 
Sons  of  Adam,  not  without  due  seats  and  equipments ;  and  reed 
the  best  he  can  : 

"  To  Sir  John  Potts,  Knight  Baronet,  of  Mannington,  Norfolk: 

""  These. 

"  Laus  Deo. 

"  Norwich,  17©  Mirtii,  1649.* 

**  Right  hononrable  and  worthy  Sir, — ^I  hope  you  came  in  due  time  to 

the  end  of  your  journey  in  health  and  safety ;  which  I  shall  rejoice  to 

hear.     Sir,  I  might  spare  my  labor  in  now  writing ;  for  I  suppose  you 

are  better  informed  from  other  hands ;  only  to  testif}'  my  respects : 

''Those  sent  out  on  Monday  morning,  the  13th,  returned  that  m§^ 

•  D'Ewes's  MS8,  f.  1139  ;  Transcript,  p.  378. 
t  Commons  Journals,  10th  December,  1642. 

}  Means  1643  of  our  Style.  There  are  yet  seven  days  of  ths  Old  Tsar 
to  run. 


iWl]  LOWESTOFF.  133 

with  old  Mr.  Castle  of  Raveningham,  and  some  arau  of  his,  and  of  Mr. 
Loodcm's  of  Alby,  and  of  Captain  Hamond's,  with  his  leading  sUiif-enBign 
and  dram.  Mr.  Caatle  is  secured  at  Sheriff  Greenwood's.  That  night 
letters  &om  Yarmouth  informed  the  Colonel,'"  That  they  had,  that  day, 
nade  stay  of  Sir  John  Wentworth,  and  of  one  Captain  Allen  from 
LowestoC  who  had  come  thither  to  change  dollars ;  both  of  whom 
are  yet  secured; — and  further.  That  the  Town  of  Lowestoff  had 
recdved-in  divers  strangers  and  was  fortifying  itself. 

"  The  Colonel  advised  no  man  might  enter  in  or  out  the  gates  '  of 
Norwich,'  that  night  And  the  next  morning,  between  five  and  six, 
vith  his  &ve  troops,  with  Captain  Fountain's,  Captain  Rich's,  and  eighty 
of  our  Norwich  Volunteers,  he  marched  towards  Lowestoff;  where  1^ 
vas  to  meet  with  the  Yarmouth  Volunteers,  who  brought  four  or  five 
pieces  of  ordnance.  The  Town  *  of  Lowestoff'  had  blocked  themselves 
vp ;  all  except  where  they  had  placed  their  ordnance,  which  were  three 
pieces ;  before  which  a  chain  was  drawn  to  keep  off  the  horse. 

"  The  Colonel  summoned  the  Town,  and  demanded.  If  they  would 
ddiver  up  their  strangers,  the  Town  and  their  army  7 — promising  them 
then  fiivor,  if  so ;  if  not,  none.  They  yielded  to  deliver  up  their  stran- 
gers, but  not  to  the  rest.  Whereupon  our  Norwich  dragoons  crept 
under  the  chain  before  mentioned ;  and  came  within  pistol-shot  of  their 
ordnance ;  proffering  to  fire  upon  their  cannoneer, — who  fied :  so  they 
gained  the  two  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  broke  the  chain ;  and  they  and 
the  hone  entered  the  Town  without  more  resistance.  Where  presently 
eighteen  strangers  yielded  themselves ;  among  whom  were,  of  Suffolk 
men :  Sir  T.  Barker,  Sir  John  Pettus ;— of  Norfolk  :  Mr.  Knyvett  *  our 
friend '  of  Ashwellthorpe,  Mr.  Richard  Catelyn's  son, — some  say  his 
Father  too  was  there  in  the  morning;  Mr.  F.  Cory,  my  unfortunate 
cousin,  who  I  wish  would  have  been  better  persuaded. 

"  Mr.  Brooke,  the  sometime  minister  of  Yarmouth,  and  some  others, 
escaped,  over  the  river.  There  was  good  store  of  pistols  and  other 
anns :  I  hear  above  fifty  cases  of  pistols.  The  Colonel  stayed  there 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday  night.  I  think  Sir  John  Palgrave  and  Mr. 
Smith  went  yesterday  to  Berks.  It  is  rumored  Sit  Robert  Kemp  hath 
yielded  to  Sir  John  Palgrave ;  how  true  it  is  I  know  not,  for  I  spoke  not 
Bii  John  yesterday  as  he  came  through  Town.  I  did  your  message  to 
Captain  Sbewood.    Not  to  trouble  you  further,  I  crave  leave ;  and  am 

"  Your  Worship's  tft  command, 

«  John  Cobt. 

*  <  viz.,  Cromwell,'  adds  PEwes. 


184  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [164*. 

"  Postscriptum,  30th  March,  1643.— Right  worthy  Sir,  The  abovoniJ 
on  Friday  was  unhappily  left  behind ;  for  which  I  am  sorry ;  as  alsa 
that  I  utterly  forgot  to  send  your  plate.  On  Friday  night  the  Cdooel 
brought  in  hither  with  him  the  prisoners  taken  at  LowestoQ  and  Mr. 
Trott  of  Beccles.  On  Saturday  night,  with  one  troop,  they  sent  all  the 
prisoners  to  Cambridge  '  Castle.'  Sir  John  Wentworth  is  come  c^with 
the  payment  of  1000/.  On  Saturday,  Dr.  Corbett  of  Norwich,  and  Mr. 
Henry  Cooke*"  the  Parliament  man,  and  our  old  'Alderman'  DanieD 
were  taken  in  Suflfolk.  Last  night,  several  troops  went  out ;  some  to 
Lynn-ward,  it's  thought;  others  to  Thetford-ward,  it's  supposed^— be* 
cause  they  had  a  prisoner  with  them.  Sir,  I  am  in  great  haste,  and 
remember  nothing  else  at  present 

"JoHR  Cost. 


"  Sir  Richard  Bemey  sent  to  me,  last  night,  and  showed  and  gave 
the  Colonel's  Note  to  testify  he  had  paid  him  the  602.— «  forced  coDtri- 
bntion  levied  by  the  Association  Committee  upon  poor  Bemey,  who  Ind 
shown  himself  '  backward :'  let  him  be  quiet  henceforth,  and  study  to 
conform. 

This  was  the  last  attempt  at  Royalisra  in  the  Associatioa 
where  Cromwell  served.  The  other  '  Associations,'  no  man  duly 
forward  to  risk  himself  being  present  in  them,  had  alreltdy  fallen, 
or  were  fast  falling,  to  ruin  ;  their  Counties  had  to  undergo  the 
chance  of  War  as  it  came.  Huntingdon  County  soon  joined  itself 
with  this  Eastern  Association.!  Cromwell's  next  operations^  aa 
we  shall  perceive,  were  to  deliver  Lincolnshire,  and  give  it  the 
power  of  joining,  which  in  September  next  took  effect.^  Lincoln, 
Norfolk,  Suffolk,  Essex,  Cambridge,  Herts,  Hunts :  these  are 
thenceforth  the  *  Seven  Associated  Counties,'  called  often  the 
*  Association'  simply,  which  maka  a  great  figure  in  the  old  Book% 
— and  kept  the  War  wholly  out  of  their  own  borders,  having  had 
a  man  of  due  forwardness  among  them. 

*  Corbett  is  or  was  *  Chancellor  of  Norwich  Diocese  ;*  Heaiy  Ckwke  is 
Son  of  Coke  upon  Lyttleton, — has  left  his  place  in  Parliament,  uid  got  iols 
dangerous  courses. 

t  26th  May,  Husband^  Second  Collection  (London,  16i6),  p.  163. 

t  lb.,  p.  327. 


IMl]  LETTER  VI.,  GRANTHAM.  IM 


LETTER  VI. 

htt  die  ibllowiDg  Letter,  the  first  of  Cromwell's  ever  published 
k  the  Newspapers,  testify  what  progress  he  is  making  towards 
delivering  Lincolnshire;  which  is  sadly  overrun  with  the  Marquis 
of  Newcastle's  Northern  *  Popish'  Army  :  an  Army  *  full  of  Pa- 
pists,' as  is  currently  reported ;  officered  by  renegade  Scots,  *  Sit 
lohn  Hendersons,'  and  the  like  unclean  creatures.  The  Marquis, 
b  ^e  of  the  Fair&xes,  has  overflowed  Yorkshire ;  has  fortified 
himself  in  Newark  over  Trent,  and  is  a  sore  affliction  to  the  well- 
afiected  of  those  parts.  '  That  valiant  soldier  Colonel  Cromwell' 
ii8s  written  on  this  occasion  to  an  official  Person  of  name  not  now 
discoverable : 

*  7b :  These: 

<  GranUiam,  13  May,  1643.' 

Sia, 

God  hath  given  ns,  this  evening,  a  glorious  victory  over 
OBT  enemies.  They  were,  as  we  are  informed,  one-and-twenty  colon 
of  hmac-tioope,  and  three  or  four  of  dragoons. 

It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  we  drew  out ;  they  came  and  faced 
Bi  within  two  miles  of  the  town.  So  soon  as  we  had  the  alarm,  we 
drew  out  our  forces,  consisting  of  about  twelve  troops, — whereof  some 
of  them  so  poor  and  broken,  that  you  shall  seldom  see  worse :  with  this 
haodfol  it  pleased  God  to  cast  the  scale.  For  after  we  had  stood  a 
little,  above  musket-shot  the  one  body  from  the  other ;  and  the  dragooners 
had  fired  on  both  sides,  for  the  space  of  half  an  hour  or  more ;  they  not 
advancing  towards  us,  we  agreed  to  charge  them.  And,  advancing  the 
body  after  many  shots  on  both  sides,  we  came  on  with  our  troops  a 
pretty  round  trot ;  they  standing  firm  to  receive  us :  and  our  men  charging 
fiercely  upon  them,  by  God's  providence  they  were  immediately  routed, 
and  ran  all  away,  and  we  had  the  execution  of  them  two  or  thiee 
miies. 

1  believe  some  of  our  soldiers  did  kill  two  or  three  men  apiece  in  the 
panuit ;  but  what  the  number  of  dead  is  we  are  not  certain.    We  took 


186  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [ISO. 

forty-five  Prisoners,  besides  divers  of  their  horse  and  arms,  and  rescued 

many  Prisoners  whom  they  had  lately  taken  of  ours ;  and  we  took  four 

or  five  of  their  colors.    '  I  rest ' 

♦  ♦  * 

•  Oliveb  Cromwell.** 

On  inquiry  at  Grantham,  there  is  no  vestige  of  tradition  as  to 
the  scene  of  this  skirmish ;  which  must  have  been  some  two  miles 
out  on  the  Newark  road.  There  was  in  these  weeks  a  combined 
plan,  of  \v  hich  Cromwell  was  an  element,  for  capturing  Newark  ; 
there  were  several  such ;  but  this  and  all  the  rest  proved  abortive^ 
one  element  or  another  of  the  combination  always  failing.  New- 
ark  did  not  surrender  till  the  end  of  the  War. 

The  King,  at  present,  is  in  Oxford :  Treaty,  of  very  slow  ges- 
tation, came  to  birth  in  March  last,  and  was  carried  on  there  by 
Whitlocke  and  others  till  the  beginning  of  April ;  but  ended  in 
absolute  nothing.f  The  King  still  continues  in  Oxford, — his 
headquarters  for  three  years  to  come.  The  Lord  General  Essex 
is  lying  scattered  about  Thame,  and  Brickhill  in  Buckingham- 
shire, in  a  very  dormant,  discontented  condition.:]:  Colonel  Hamp* 
den  is  with  him.  There  is  talk  of  making  Colonel  Hampden 
Lord  General.  The  immediate  hopes  of  the  world,  however, 
are  turned  on  <  that  valiant  soldier  and  patriot  of  his  country'  Sir 
William  Waller,  who  has  marched  to  discomfit  the  Malignantsof 
the  West. 

On  the  9th  of  this  May,  Cheapside  Cross,  Charing  Cross,  and 
other  Monuments  of  Papist  Idolatry,  were  torn  down  by  authority, 
'  troops  of  soldiers  sounding  their  trumpets,  and  all  the  people 
shouting ;'  the  Book  of  Sports  also  was  burnt  upon  the  ruins  of 
the  same.§  In  which  days,  too,  all  the  people  are  working  at  the 
Fortification  of  London.  || 

*  Perfect  Diurnal  of  the  Passages  in  Parliament,  22-29  May,  1643 ;  com- 
pleted from  Vicars,  p.  332,  whose  copy,  however,  is  not,  except  as  to 
and  facts,  to  be  relied  on. 

t  Whitlocke,  Ist  edition,  pp.  63-5 ;  Husbands,  ii.,  48-119. 

X  Rush  worth,  r.,  290. 

§  Vicars,  p.  327.  0  ^f  P-  331. 


Mtt]  LETTER  VII..  GAINSBOROUGH.  137 


LETTER  VII. 

Cioxwbll's  next  achievement  was  the  raising  of  the  Siege  of 
Cropland  (exact  date  not  discoverable) ;  concerning  which  there 
ire  large  details  in  loud-spoken  Vicars:*  How  the  reverefid 
godly  Mr.  Ram  and  godly  Sergeant  Home,  both  of  Spalding, 
were  '  set  upon  the  walls  to  be  shot  at/  when  the  Spalding  people 
rote  to  deliver  Croyland  ;  how  <  Colonel  Sir  Miles  Hobart '  and 
other  Colonels  rose  also  to  deliver  it, — and  at  last  how  '  the 
vtliant  active  Colonel  Cromwell '  rose,  and  did  actually  deliver  it.f 
Again,  on  *  Tuesday,  July  27th,  news  reach  London,'  that  he 
his  taken  Stamford.  Whereupon  the  Cavaliers  from  Newark  and 
Belvoir  Castle  came  hovering  about  him :  he  drove  them  into 
Burleigh  House ;  and  laid  siege  to  the  same :  *  at  three  in  the 
rooming '  battered  it  with  all  his  shot,  and  stormed  it  at  last. 

The  Queen  in  late  months  has  landed  in  these  Northern  parts, 
with  Dutch  ammunition  purchased  by  English  Crown  Jewels ;  is 
stirring  up  all  manner  of  *  Northern  Papists  '  to  double  animation  ; 
tempting  Hothams  and  other  waverers  to  meditate  treachery,  for 
which  they  will  pay  dear.  She  marches  Southward,  much  agi- 
tating the  skirts  of  the  Eastern  Association  ;  joins  the  Kingi  <  on 
Keintoa  field '  or  Edgehill  field,  where  he  fought  last  autumn. 
She  was  impeached  of  treason  by  the  Commons.  She  continued 
in  England  till  the  following  summer  ;X  then  quitted  it  for  long 
years. 

Cromwell  has  been  at  Nottingham,  he  has  been  at  Lynn,  he  ^ 
has  been  here  and  then  swiflly  there,  encountering  many  things, 

*  '  Thou  that  with  ale,  or  viler  liquors, 

Didst  inspire  Withers,  Prynne  and  Viears* 

Hudibras,  canto  i.,  645. 
t  Vicaw,  p.  322-5. 

i  From  February,  1642-3  to  July,  1644  (Clarendon,  ii.,  195;  Rushworth 
▼.,684.) 


138  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [31  July, 

all  summer ; — take  this  as  a  token,  gathered  still  luminous  from 
the  authentic  but  mostly  inane  opacities  of  the  Commons  Jour^ 
nals  :*  *  21  June,  1643,  Mr.  Pym  reports  from  the  Committee  of 
the  Safety  of  the  Kingdom,'  our  chief  authority  at  present,  to  this 
effect,  that  Captain  Hotham,  son  of  the  famed  Hull  Hotham,  had, 
as  appeared  by  Letters  from  Liord  Gray  and  Colonel  Cromwell, 
now  at  Nottingham,  been  behaving  very  ill ;  had  plundered 
divers  persons  without  regard  to  the  side  they  were  of;  had,  oa 
one  occasion,  '  turned  two  pieces  of  ordnance  against  Colonel 
Cromwell ;'  nay  once,  when  Lord  Gray's  quartermaster  was  ia 
some  huff  with  Lord  Gray  *  about  oats,'  had  privily  offered  to  the 
said  quartermaster  that  they  should  draw  out  their  men,  and  have 
a  fight  for  it  with  Lord  Gray ; — ^not  to  speak  of  frequent  corres- 
pondences with  Newark,  with  NewcasUe,  and  the  Queen  now 
come  back  from  Holland :  wherefore  he  is  arrested  there  in  Not- 
tingham, and  locked  up  for  trial. 

This  was  on  the  Wednesday,  this  report  of  Pym's :  and,  alas, 
while  Pym  reads  it,  John  Hampden,  mortally  wounded  four  days 
ago  in  the  skirmish  at  Chalgrove  Field,  lies  dying  at  Thame  ;— - 
died  on  the  Saturday  following ! — Here  is  Cromwell's  Letter : 
about  Lord  Willoughby  of  Parham,  and  of  the  relief  of  Grains- 
borough  <  with  powder  and  match :' 

To  the  Committee  nfthe  Assodation  sitting  at  Cambridge, 

Huntingdon,  Slst  July,  1643.  ■ 

Gentlemen, 

It  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  yonr  servant  and 
soldiers  a  notable  victory  now  at  Gainsborough.  I  marched  after  the 
taking  of  Burleigh  House  upon  Wednesday  to  Granthanif  where  I  mat 
about  300  horse  and  dragooners  of  Nottingham.  With  these,  by  agree- 
ment,  we  met  the  Lincolneers  at  North  Scarle,  which  is  about  ten  miles 
from  Gainsborough,  upon  Thursday  in  the  evening ;  where  we  tarried 
until  two  of  the  clock  in  the  morning ;  and  then  with  our  whole  body 
advanced  towards  Gainsborough. 

About  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Town,  we  met  a  forlorn-hope  of  the 
enemy  of  near  100  horse.  Our  dragooners  labored  to  beat  them 
back ;  but  not  alighting  off  their  horses,  the  enemy  charged  theq^  and 

§  iii.y  138. 


lUL]  LETTER  VII.,  6AINSB0R0UOU.  139 


tbem  retire  nnder  their  main  body.  We  advanced,  and  came  to 
Ife  bottom  of  a  sleep  hill :  we  could  not  well  get  up  but  by  some  tracka ; 
wiiieh  omr  men  easaying  to  do,  the  body  of  the  enemy  endeavored  to 
kader;  wherein  we  prevailed,  and  got  the  top  of  the  hill.  This  was 
tee  by  the  Lincolneers,  who  had  the  vanguard. 

When  we  all  recovered  the  top  of  the  hill,  we  eaw  a  great  Body  of 
tfe  eneoiy'a  horse  facing  us,  at  about  a  musketHshot  or  less  distance ; 
uri  a  good  Reserve  of  a  full  regiment  of  horse  behind  it.  We  endea- 
foied  to  put  our  men  into  as  good  order  as  we  could.  The  enemy  in 
tfe  meantime  advanced  towards  us,  to  take  us  at  disadvantage :  but  in 
neb  Older  as  we  were,  we  charged  their  great  body,  I  having  the  right 
wiig ;  we  came  up  horse  to  horse ;  where  we  disputed  it  with  our 
•voids  and  pistols  a  pretty  time  ;  all  keeping  close  order,  so  that  one 
eoald  not  break  the  c^er.  At  last,  they  a  little  shrinking,  our  men  per- 
flcmng  it,  pressed  in  upon  them,  and  immediately  routed  this  whole 
body ;  some  flying  on  one  side  and  others  on  the  other  of  the  enemy's 
Roerve ;  and  our  men,  pursuing  them,  had  chase  and  execution  about 
five  or  six  mOes. 

I  perceiving  this  body  which  was  the  Reserve  standing  still  unbroken, 
kept  back  my  Major,  Whalley,  from  the  chase ;  and  with  my  own  troop 
and  the  other  of  my  regiment,  in  all  being  three  troops,  we  got  into  a 
body.  In  this  Reserve  stood  General  Cavendish ;  who  one  while  faced 
■e,  another  while  heed  four  of  the  Lincoln  troops,  which  was  all  of  ours 
thit  stood  upon  the  place,  the  rest  being  engaged  in  the  chase.  At  last 
General  Cavendish  charged  the  Lincolneers,  and  routed  them.  Imme- 
diately I  feU  on  his  rear  with  my  three  troops ;  which  did  so  astonish 
him,  that  he  did  give  over  the  chase,  and  would  Detin  have  delivered 
himself  from  me.  But  I  pressing  on  forced  *  them*  down  a  hill,  having 
good  execution  of  them ;  and  below  the  hill,  drove  the  General  with 
some  of  his  soldiers  into  a  quagmire ;  where  my  Captain-lieutenant  slew 
him  with  a  thrust  under  his  short  ribs.  The  rest  of  the  body  was 
wholly  routed,  not  one  man  staying  upon  the  place. 

After  the  defeat  which  was  so  total,  we  relieved  the  Town  with  such 
powder  and  provision  as  we  brought  with  us.  We  had  notice  that  there 
were  six  troops  of  horse  and  300  foot  on  the  other  side  of  the  Town, 
about  a  mile  off  us :  we  desired  some  foot  of  my  Lord  Willoughby's, 
about  400 ;  and,  with  our  horse  and  these  foot,  marched  towards  them : 
when  we  came  towards  the  place  where  their  horse  stood,  we  went  back 
with  my  troops  to  follow  two  or  three  troops  of  the  enemy's  who  retired 
into  a  small  village  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill.  When  we  recovered  the 
UD,  we  saw  in  t^  bottom,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  us,  a  regi- 


got  olT  without  tlic  loss  of  one  miin  ;  tlie  eneniv  lollowinfr  II 


a  ijreat  bod  v. 

The  lionor  of  this  retreat  is  due  to  God,  as  also  all  the  i 
Whalley  did  in  this  carry  himself  with  all  tlie  gallantry 
gentleman  and  a  Christian.     Thus  you  have  this  true  relati 
as  I  could.    What  yon  are  to  do  upon  it,  is  next  to  be  consii 
Lord  direct  you  what  to  do. 

Gentlemen,  I  am, 
Your  faithful  aei 
Oliyeb  Cs 

About  two  miles  south  of  Grainsborough,  on  the  I^ 
road,  stands  the  Hamlet  and  Church  of  Liea ;  near 
<  Hill,'  or  expanse  of  upland,  of  no  great  height,  but  san 
with  furze,  and  full  of  rabbit-holes,  the  ascent  of  whic 
difficult  for  horsemen  in  the  teeth  of  an  enemy.  Th 
stood  to  be  the  '  Hill '  of  the  Fight  referred  to  here, 
of  it  is  enclosed,  and  the  ground  much  altered,  since 
but  one  of  the  fields  is  still  called  '  Redcoats  Field,'  f 
at  some  distance  nearer  Gainsborough  '  Grates  Fiel 
which  latter, '  on  the  other  or  western  face  of  the  Hill, 
the  boundary  of  Lea  Parish  with  Gainsborough  Pa 
left  hand  (as  you  go  North)  between  the  Road  and  tl 


ra^  OAiNSBcmouoH.  i4i 


^ 


datkm^-r^nd  must  leave  them  to  the  guess  of  local  antiquaries 
interested  in  such  things. 

*  Geoeral  Cavendish,'  whom  some  confound  with  the  Earl  of 
Newcastle's  brother,  was  his  Cousin,  <  the  Earl  of  Devonshire's 
Koood  son ;'  aa  accomplished  young  man  of  three-and-twenty ; 

'  fer  whom  there  was  great  lamenting ; — indeed  a  general  emotion 
about  bis  death,  of  which  we,  in  these  radical  times,  very  irreve- 
iCBtof  buman  quality  itself,  and  much  more  justly  of  Hie  dresses 
of  biunan  quality,  cannot  even  with  effort  form  any  adequate  idea. 
Hiis  was  the  first  action  that  made  Cromwell  to  be  universally 
talked  of:  He  dared  to  kill  this  honorable  person  found  in  arms 
aguDst  him !  '  Colonel  Cromwell  gave  assistance  to  the  Lord 
WiUoogbby,  and  performed  very  gallant  service  against  the 
Earl  of  Newcastle's  forces.  This  was  the  beginning  of  his 
gnat  fortaoes,  and  now  he  began  to  appear  in  the  world.** 

Waller  has  an  Elegy,  not  his  best,  upon  '  Charles  Ca'ndish.'f 
h  must  have  been  written  some  time  afterwards :  poor  Waller,  in 

,  these  weeks,  very  narrowly  escapes  death  himself,  on  account  of 
the  *  Waller  Plot ;' — ^makes  an  abject  submission  ;  pays  £10,000 
file ;  and  goes  upon  his  travels  into  foreign  parts ! 

Gainsborough  was  directly  taken,  afler  this  relief  of  it ;  Lord 
WtUoaghby  could  not  resist  the  Newarkers  with  Newcastle  at 
their  head.  Sir  William  Waller,  whom  some  called  William  the 
Cooqueror,  has  been  beaten  all  to  pieces  on  Lansdown  Heath, 
•bout  a  fortnight  ago. 

*  Whitlocke  (Ist  edition,  London,  1682, — as  always,  unless  the  contrary 
be  ipecified),  p.  68. 

t  Fenton't  Waller,  p.  209. 


Stephen's  were  votinii  him  (Jovernor  of  the  Isle 
the  heart  of  th<'  I^'eiis,  a  plaee  of  i^rcat  inilitai 
much  troubled  with  '  corrupt  ministers,*  with  '  coi 
and  understood  to  be  in  a  perilous  state  ;  where 
nate  Cromwell  to  take  charge  of  it.*"  We  un 
Family  to  be  still  resident  in  Ely. 

The  Parliament  affairs,  this  Summer,  have  tai 
and  except  it  be  in  the  Eastern  Association,  lool 
dining.     They  have  lost  Bristol  ;f  Essex's  A 
away,  without  any  action  of  mark  all  Sumnner,  < 
Hampden  in  a  skirmish :  in  the  beginning  of  . 
breaks  out  from  Oxford,  very  clearly  superior 
settle  Bristol ;  and  might  thence,  it  was  suppo» 
direct  to  Liondoa,  if  he  had  liked.     He  decide 
cester  with  him  before  he  quit  those  parts.     T 
much  extremity,  calls  upon  the  Scots  for  help ; 
tions  will  consent. 

In  these  circumstances,  it  was  rather  thougl 
ism  in  our  old  friend  Lord  Kimbolton,  or  Mam 
Earl  of  Manchester,  to  accept  the  command  < 
sociation  :  he  is  nominated  '  Sergeant- Major 
Pnnntift«.'  10th  Auffust,  1643 ;  is  to  raise  new  i 


1643.1  WINCEBY  FIGHT.  148 

'The  Associated  Counties  are  busy  listing,'  intimates  the  old 
Newspaper ;  '  and  so  soon  as  their  harvest  is  over,  which  for  the 
present  much  retardeth  them,  the  Earl  of  Manchester  will  have 
i  very  brave  and  considerable  Army,  to  be  a  terror  to  Northern 
Papists,'  Newarkers  and  Newcastles,  '  if  they  advance  South- 
irajd.'*  When  specially  it  was  that  Cromwell  listed  his  cele- 
brated body  of  Ironsides  is  of  course  not  to  be  dated,  though  some 
lb  carelessly  date  it,  as  from  the  very  '  beginning  of  the  War  ;' 
lod  in  Batesf  and  others  are  to  be  found  various  romantic  details 
on  the  subject,  which  deserve  no  credit.  Doubtless  Cromwell,  all 
ikmg,  in  the  many  changes  his  body  of  men  underwent,  had  his 
iye  upon  this  object  of  getting  good  soldiers  and  dismissing  bad  ; 
■nd  managed  this  matter  by  common  practical  vigilance,  not  by 
Ebeatrical  claptraps  as  Dr.  Bates  represents.  Some  months  ago, 
it  was  said  in  the  Newspaper,  of  Colonel  Cromwell's  soldiers, 
'not  a  man  swears  but  he  pays  his  twelve-pence ;'  no  plundering, 
BO  drinking,  disorder,  or  impiety  allowed. :(  We  may  fancy,  in 
Ifais  new  levy,  as  Manchester's  Lieutenant  and  Governor  of  Ely, 
when  the  whole  force  was  again  winnowed  and  sifted,  he  might 
eomplete  the  process,  and  see  his  Thousand  Troopers  ranked 
hekire  him,  worthy  at  last  of  the  name  of  Ironsides,  They  were 
men  that  had  the  fear  of  Grod  ;  and  gradually  lost  all  other  fear. 
"Truly  they  were  never  beaten  at  all,"  says  he. — Meanwhile  : 

1643. 

Axigust  2lst.  The  shops  of  London  are  all  shut  for  certain 
days  :§  Gloucester  is  in  hot  siege ;  nothing  but  the  obdurate  valor 
of  a  few  men  there  prevents  the  King,  with  Prince  Rupert,  called 
dso  Prince  Robert  and  Prince  Robber,  from  riding  rough^od 
Ofer  us.  II  The  City,  with  much  emotion,  ranks  its  Trained  Bands 
under  Elssex ;  making  up  an  Army  for  him,  despatches  him  to 
relieve  Gloucester.  He  marches  on  the  26th ;  steadily  along,  in 
spite  of  rainy  weather  and  Prince  Rupert ;  westward,  westward ; 

*  29  Augxut,  1643,  Cromwelliana,  p.  7.  f  Elenchus  Motuum. 

t  May,  1643,  Cromwelliana,  p.  5.  §  Rushworth,  v.,  291. 

H  See  Webb*8  Bibliotheca  GloucestrensiB,  a  Collection,  Sue,  (Oloucetter, 
1325),  or  Corbet's  contemporary  Siege  of  OUmeester  (Somers  TractSt  v. 
9U),  which  formi  the  main  substance  of  Mr.  Webb*s  Book. 


otr  rather   superior.^     Poor  Lord  Falkland,  in  nis 
was   killed    iiere.      This    steady  march,    to    (Jlonct 
again,  by  Essex,  was  the  chief  ieal  he   did  durir 
considerable  feat,  and  very  characteristic  of  him, 
inarticulate,  indignant,  somewhat  elephantine  man 
September  22d.     The  House  of  Commons  and  il 
Divines  take  the  Covenant,  the  old  Scotch  Covenai 
dified  now  into  a  '  Solemn  League  and  Covenant ;' 
ret's  Church,  Westminster.f     They  lifted  up  their 
and  then  '  stept  into  the  chancel  to  sign.'     Oliver  C 
and  next  after  him  young  Sir  Henry  Vane.     T) 
about  220  honorable  Members  that  day.     The  wl 
tary  Party,  down  to  the  lowest  constable  or  drumnr 
gradually  signed.     It  was  the  condition  of  assif 
Scotch ;  who  are  now  calling  out '  all  fencible  m 
to  sixty,'  for  a  third  expedition  into  England. 
Covenant,  and  Vow  of  all  the  People ;  of  the  awfi 
we,  in  these  days  of  Customhouse  oaths  and  loose 
cannot  form  the  smallest  notion. — Duke  Hami] 
painful  Scotch  diplomacy  end  all  in  this  way,  flie 
Oxford, — is  there  'put  under  arrest,'  sent  to  P 
near  the  Land's  End.j: 


WINCEBY  FIGHT.  145 

nd  Fairfiu[  in  Hull ;  who  has  been  obliged  to  ship  his  brave 
r  TlKxnas  Fairfax,  with  all  the  horse,  as  useless  here, 
the  Humber,  to  do  service  under  the  Earl  of  Manchester, 
ell  and  this  younger  Fairfax  have  united  about  Boston : 
Iter  much  marching  and  skirmishing,  is  an  account  of 
liy  Fight,  their  chief  exploit  in  those  parts,  which  cleared 
[Otry  of  the  Newarkers  and  renegade  Sir  John  Hendersons  ; 
Boorded  by  loud^poken  Vicars.  In  spite  of  brevity  we 
3p7  the  Narrative.  Cromwell  himself  was  nearer  death 
action  than  ever  in  any  other;  the  victory,  too,  made  its 
ure,  and  *  appeared  in  the  world.' 

oeby,  a  small  upland  Hamlet,  in  the  Wolds,  not  among  the 
»f  Lfincolnshire,  is  some  five  miles  west  of  Homcastle. 
ofused  memory  of  this  Fight  is  still  fresh  there ;  the  Lane 
vhich  the  chase  went  bears  ever  since  the  name  of '  Slash 
and  poor  Tradition  maunders  about  it  as  she  can.  Hear 
,  a  poor  human  soul  zealously  prophesying  as  if  through 
lans  of  an  ass,— -in  not  a  mendacious,  yet  loud-spoken,  ex- 
tive,  more  or  less  asinine  manner  :* 
♦  *  All  that  night,'  Tuesday,  10th  October,  1643,  *  we  were 
g  our  horse  to  the  appointed  rendezvous ;  and  the  next 
g,  being  Wednesday,  my  Lord '  Manchester  *  gave  order 
)  whole  force,  both  horse  and  foot,  should  be  drawn  up  to 
)roke  Hill,  where  he  would  expect  the  enemy,  being  the 
ovenient  ground  to  fight  with  him.  But  Colonel  Cromwell 
way  satisfied  that  we  should  fight ;  our  horse  being  ez- 
r  wearied  with  hard  duty  two  or  three  days  together. 
3  enemy  also  drew,  that '  Wednesday  *  morning,  their  whole 
r  horse  and  dragooners  into  the  field,  being  74  colors  of 
iod  21  colors  of  dragoons,  in  all  95  colors.  We  had  not 
nore  than  half  so  many  colors  of  horse  and  dragooners ; 
elieve  we  had  as  many  men, — besides  our  foot,  which  in- 

rd  form  of  Vicars:  God's  Ark  overtopping  the  World's  Waves, 
rhird  Part  of  the  Parliamentary  Chronicle :  by  John  Vicars  (Lon- 
inted  by  M.  Simons  and  J.  Meecock,  1646),  p.  45     There  are  three 

or  successive  forms  of  this  Book  of  Vicars's  (See  Bliss's  Wood,  in 
it  it  always,  unless  the  contrary  be  expressed,  the  8eeon4  (of  1644) 

refer  to  here. 
.  I.  8 


IL!''    "I     IMC    (MHMII\     >>     L-t'llilll-.    iin    >      ,,^.v       .v.T      -- 

i:mi)ii,  thiiikiiiL^    it    a   !j;rcat   inorcv  that   tlu^v  should 
th  hini.      Our  men  went  on   in   scvrral  b<)tii(^<.  siiiiii 
jartermaster-General  Vermuyden  with  live  troops  I 
rii-hope,  and  Colonel  Cromwell  the  van,  assisted  wi 
y  Lord's  troops,  and  seconded  by  Sir  T.  Fairfax.     1 
2t  alx)ut  Ixbie,  if  1  mistake  not  the  Town's  name,* — ] 
ke,  Mr.  Vicars ;  it  is  Winceby,  a  mere  hamlet  and 
*  Both  they  and  we  had  drawn  up  our  dragooners 
e  first  charge ;  and  then  the  horse  fell  in.     Colonc 
II  with  brave  resolution  upon  the  enemy,  immediatel 
•agooners  had  given  him  the  first  volley ;  yet  th 
mble,  as  that  within  half  pistol-shot,  they  gave  hii 
s  horse  was  killed  under  him  at  the  first  charge,  an 
pon  him ;  and  as  he  rose  up,  he  was  knocked  down  e 
entleman  who  charged  him,  who  'twas  conceived  ^ 
ram  Hopton :  but  afterwards  he '  the  Colonel  *  reco\ 
Drse  in  a  soldier's  hands,  and  bravely  mounted  hie 
'ruly  this  first  charge  was  so  home-given,  and  perfbr 
luch  admirable  courage  and  resolution  by  our  tro( 
nemy  stood  not  another ;  but  were  driven  back  upc 
ody,  which  was  to  have  seconded  them ;  and  at  U 

'    *       '*    — J-—  .    ~mJ  «U««a  ir%  Iaoo  fVion    hair   nn 


ms.]  WINCEBY  FIGHT.  147 

food  it,— ftDd  Henderaoa  the  renegade  Soot  was  nerer  heard  of 
ID  those  parts  more.  My  Lord  of  Manchester's  foot  did  not  get 
up  till  the  battle  was  over. 

This  wfll  suffice  for  Winceby  Fight,  or  Homcastle  Fight,  of 
11th  October,  1643;  and  leave  the  reader  to  imagine  that  Lin- 
eolnsbire  too  was  now  cleared  of  the  <  Papist  Army,'  as  we  vio- 
lently nickname  it, — all  but  a  few  Towns  on  the  Western  border, 
which  will  be  successfully  besieged  when  the  Spring  comes. 

1644. 

Friday t  January  I9lh.  The  Scots  enter  England  by  Berwick, 
21,000  strong ;  on  Wednesday  they  left  Dunbar  *  up  to  the  knees 
IB  waaw ;'  such  a  heart  of  forwardness  was  in  them.*  Old  Les- 
ley, DOW  Earl  of  Leven,  was  their  Creneral,  as  before ;  a  Com- 
mittee of  Parliamenteers  went  with  him.  They  soon  drove  in 
Newcastle's  *  Papist  Army'  within  narrower  quarters ;  in  May, 
got  Manchester  with  Cromwell  and  Fairfax  brought  across  the 
Humber  to  join  them,  and  besieged  Newcastle  himself  in  York. 
Which  brings  us  to  Marston  Moor,  and  Letter  Eighth. 

Let  us  only  remark ^first  that  Oliver  in  the  early  months  of  1644 
had  been  to  Gloucester,  successfully  convoying  Ammunition 
thither,  and  had  taken  various  strong  houses  by  the  road.f  After 
which  the  due  Sieges  and  successes  in  the  Western  parts  of  Lin- 
colnshire had  followed,  till  Summer  came,  and  the  Cavaliers  were 
ill  swept  out  of  that  county. 

In  these  same  weeksj  there  is  going  on  a  very  famous  Treaty 
once  more,  *  Treaty  of  Uxbridge ;'  with  immense  apparatus  of 
King's  Commissioners,  and  Parliament  and  Scotch  Commission- 
ers ;  of  which,  however,  as  it  came  to  nothing,  there  need  nothing 
here  be  said.  Mr.  Christopher  Love,  a  young  eloquent  divine, 
of  hot  Welsh  blood,  of  Presbyterian  tendency,  preaching  by  ap- 
pointment in  the  place,  said.  He  saw  no  prospect  of  an  agreement, 
he  for  one ;  "  Heaven  might  as  well  think  of  agreeing  with  Hell  ;"§ 
words  which  were  remembered  against  Mr.  Christopher.     The 

•  Roshworth,  v.  603-6. 

t  Newspapers,  5  March,  Cromwelliana,  p.  8 ;  Whitlocke,  p.  78. 

X  79  January— 5  March,  Rushworth,  v.  844-946 ;  Whitlocke,  p.  122-3. 

(  Wood,  iii.,  281 :  Conunoufi  Journals,  Slc. 


in  it  was  Culonrl  Gcor^re  Monk  ;   already  taken  at  N 
lodged  in  the  Tower. 

More  interesting  to  us  ;  in  this  same  month  of  . 
day  of  it,  Colonel  Cromwell  had  transiently  appeared 
in  Parliament ;  complaining  much  of  my  Lord  Will 
a  backward  General,  with  strangely  dissolute  people 
great  sorrow  to  Lincolnshire  ;j' — and  craving  that  nr 
Chester  might  be  appointed  there  instead :  which,  af 
done ;  with  good  result. 

In  which  same  days  indeed,  end  of  January,  16^ 
Governor  of  Ely,  had  transiently  appeared  in  Ely  d 
for  the  Four  Surplices  were  put  down  by  Act  of  Pa 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Hitch  was  somewhat  too  scrupulo 
ing.  Whereupon  Oliver  ordered  him,  *<  Leave  ofl 
and  come  down,  Sir  !"^ — ^in  a  voice,  still  audible  1 
which  Mr.  Hitch  instantly  gave  ear  to. 

*  Rash  worth,  v.,  547  (Cessation,  15  September,  1643) ;  v. 
of  Nantwich,  21  November), 
t  I^Ewe't  MM,  vol.  iv.,  f.  280  b. 
t  Walker's  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy,  Part  ii.,  p.  23. 


IHCi  LETTER  VIII.,  MARSTON  MOOR.  liO 


LETTER  VIII. 

Ill  the  last  days  of  June,  1644,  Prince  Rupert,  with  an  army  of 
tome  20,000  fierce  men,  came  pouring  over  the  hills  from  Lan- 
cashire, where  he  had  lefl  harsh  traces  of  himself,  to  relieve  the 
Marquis  of  Newcastle,  who  was  now  with  a  force  of  6,000  besieged 
in  York,  by  the  united  forces  of  the  Scots  under  Leven,  the  York- 
thiremen  under  Lord  Fairfax,  and  the  Associated  Counties  under 
Manchester  and  Cromwell.  On  hearing  of  his  approach,  the 
Parliament  Generals  raised  the  Siege ;  drew  out  on  the  Moor  of 
Long  Marston,  some  four  miles  off,  to  oppose  his  coming.  He 
avoided  them  by  crossing  the  river  Ouse ;  relieved  York,  Monday, 
1st  July  ;  and  might  have  returned  successful ;  but  insisted  on 
Newcastle's  joining  him,  and  going  out  to  fight  the  Roundheads. 
The  Battle  of  Marston  Moor,  fought  on  the  morrow  evening, 
Tuesday,  2d  July,  1644,  from  7  to  10  o'clock,  was  the  result, — 
entirely  disastrous  for  him. 

Of  this  Battle,  the  bloodiest  of  the  whole  War,  I  must  leave 
the  reader  to  gather  details  in  the  sources  indicated  below  ;*  or  to 
imagine  it  in  general  as  the  most  enormous  hurlyburly,  of  fire 
and  snaoke,  and  steel-flashings  and  death-tumult,  ever  seen  in 
those  regions :  the  end  of  which,  about  ten  at  night,  was  '  Four 
thousand  one  hundred  and  fifly  bodies '  to  be  buried,  and  total 
ruin  to  the  King's  aflairs  in  those  Northern  parts. 

The  Armies  were  not  completely  drawn  up  till  after  five  in  the 
evening  ;  there  was  a  ditch  between  them ;  they  stood  facing  one 
another,  motionless  except  the  exchange  of  a  few  cannon-shots, 
for  an  hour-and-half.     Newcastle  thought  there  would  be  no  fight- 

*  King's  Pamphlets,  small  4to.,  no.  164  (various  accounts  by  eyewitness- 
es): no.  168,  one  by  Simeon  Ash,  the  Earl  of  Manchester's  Chaplain ;  no. 
167,  kc. :  Rushworth,  v.,  632  :  Carte's  Ormond  Papers  (London,  1739),  i., 
M :  Fair&z's  Memorials  (Somers  Tracts,  v.,  389).  Modem  accounts  are 
unneroas,  but  of  no  value. 


''  To  my  loiing  Brother.  Colond  Vdlrntlnp  ^Valto^l. 

*  Lcagucr  before  York,'  5tl 

Deak  Sir, 

It's  our  duty  to  sympathize  in  all  m 

praise  the  Lord  together  in  chastisements  or  trials,  so  thu 
row  together. 

Truly  England  and  the  Church  of  God  hath  had  a  gn 
the  Lord,  in  this  great  Victory  given  unto  us,  such  as 
was  since  this  War  began.    It  had  all  the  evidences  of  ai 
tory  obtained  by  the  Lord's  blessing  upon  the  Godly  Pa 
We  never  charged  but  we  routed  the  enemy.    The  Left 
commanded,  being  our  own  horse,  saving  a  few  Scots  it 
all  the  Prince's  horse.    God  made  them  as  stubble  to  on 
charged  their  regiments  of  foot  with  our  horse,  and 
charged.    The  particulars  I  cannot  relate  now ;  but  I  be 
thousand  the  Prince  hath  not  four  thousand  left.    Gh 
glory,  to  God. — 

Sir,   God  hath  taken  away  your  eldest  Son  by  a  c 
brake  his  leg.    We  were  necessitated  to  have  it  cut 
died. 

Sir,  you  know  my  own  trials  this  way  :*  bat  the  Lor 
with  this,  That  the  Lord  took  him  into  the  happiness  we 
live  for.    There  is  your  precious  child  full  of  glory,  ne' 


liM.} ;  lavfM,  yiuf.,  mamton  moor.  m 

fered  him  to  be  any  more  the  ezecationer  of  Hk  enemies.  At  his  fall, 
bis  horse  being  killed  with  the  bullet,  and  as  I  am  informed  three  horses 
more,  I  am  told  he  bid  them,  Open  to  the  right  and  left,  that  he  might 
see  the  rognes  ran.  Truly  he  was  exceedingly  beloved  in  the  Army, 
of  all  that  knew  him.  But  few  knew  him ;  for  he  was  a  precious  young 
man,  fit  for  God.  Yon  have  cause  to  bless  the  Lord.  He  is  a  glorious 
Saint  in  Heaven ;  wherein  you  ought  exceedingly  to  rejoice.  Let  this 
drink  up  your  sorrow ;  seeing  these  are  not  feigned  words  to  comfort 
you,  but  the  thing  is  so  real  and  undoubted  a  truth.  You  may  do  all 
thingiF  by  the  strength  of  Christ  Seek  that,  and  you  shall  easily  bear 
joor  trial.  Let  this  public  mercy  to  the  Church  of  God  make  you  to 
iorget  your  private  sorrow.    The  Lord  be  your  strength  :  so  prays 

Your  truly  faithful  and  loving  Brother, 

Oliver  Csomwell. 

My  love  to  your  Daughter,  and  my  Cousin  Perceval,  Sister  Desbrow 
tod  all  friends  with  you.* 

CcAoael  Valentine  Walton,  already  a  conspicuous  man,  and 
more  so  afterwards,  is  of  Great-Staughton,  Huntingdonshire,  a 
neighbor  of  the  Earl  of  Manchester's  ;  Member  for  his  County, 
and  a  Colonel  since  the  beginning  of  the  War.  There  had  long 
been  an  intimacy  between  the  Cromwell  Family  and  his.  His 
Wife,  the  Mother  of  this  slain  youth,  is  Margaret  Cromwell,  Oli- 
ver's younger  Sister,  next  to  him  in  the  family  series.  *  Frank 
Russel '  is  of  Chippenham,  Cambridgeshire,  eldest  Son  of  the  Ba- 
ronet there  ;  already  a  Colonel ;  soon  afterwards  Governor  of  Ely 
in  Oliver's  stead.f  It  was  the  daughter  of  this  Frank  that  Henry 
Cromwell,  some  ten  years  hence,  wedded. — Colonel  Walton,  to 
appearance,  is  at  present  in  the  Association,  near  his  own  home. 
The  poor  wounded  youth  would  have  to  lie  on  the  field  at  Marston 
while  the  Battle  was  fought ;  the  whole  Army  had  to  bivouack 
there,  next  to  no  food,  hardly  even  water  to  be  had.  That  of 
*  Seeing  the  rogues  run,'  occurs  more  than  once  at  subsequent 
dates  in  these  Wars  ::|:  who  first  said  it,  or  whether  anybody  ever 
laid  it,  must  remain  uncertain. 

*  Ellis's  Original  Letter$  (First  Series),  iii.,  299.    '  Original  once  in  the 
poMestion  of  Mr.  Langton  of  Welbeck  street.' 
t  See  Noble,  ii.,  407,  8, — with  vigilance  against  his  blunders. 
}  Ludlow. 


nature  of  the  '  niaraudini:  apparatus'  in  (jucstion  tii 


*  Rush  worth,  v.,  7S3. 


15M.]  SELF-DENYING  ORDINANCE.  1S8 


THREE  FRAGMENTS  OF  SPEECHES. 

tKU'-DxirTuro  ordin  ancs. 

The  following  Three  small  Fragments  of  Speeches  will  have  to 
represent  for  us  some  six  months  of  occasional  loud  dehating, 
iiid  continual  anxious  gestation  and  manipulation,  in  the  Two 
Houses,  in  the  Committee  of  Both  Kingdoms,  and  in  many  other 
houses  and  places  ; — ^the  ultimate  outcome  of  which  was  the  cele- 
brated *  Self-denying  Ordinance,'  and  *  New  Model '  of  the  Par- 
liament's Army ;  which  indeed  brings  on  an  entirely  New  Epoch 
m  the  Parliament's  Afiairs. 

Essex  and  Waller  had,  for  the  third  or  even  fourth  time, 
chiefly  by  the  exertions  of  ever-zealous  London,  been  fitted  out 
with  Armies ;  had  marched  forth  together  to  subdue  the  West; — 
and  ended  in  quite*  other  results  than  that.  The  two  Generals 
diflered  in  opinion :  did  not  march  long  together :  Essex,  urged 
hj  a  subordinate,  Liord  Roberts,  who  had  estates  in  Cornwall  and 
hoped  to  get  some  rents  out  of  them,*  turned  down  thitherwards 
to  the  left :  Waller  bending  up  to  the  right, — with  small  issue 
either  way.  Waller's  last  action  was  an  indecisive,  rather  unsuc- 
cessful Fight,  or  day  of  skirmishing,  with  the  King,  at  Cropredy 
Bridge  on  the  border  of  Oxford  and  Northampton  Shires,']'  three 
days  before  Marston  Moor.  Afler  which  both  parties  separated : 
the  King  to  follow  Essex,  since  there  was  now  no  hope  in  the 
North ;  Waller  to  wander  London- wards,  and  gradually  <  lose  his 
Araiy  by  desertion,'  as  the  habit  of  him  was.  As  for  the  King, 
be  followed  Essex  into  Cornwall  with  effect ;  hemmed  him  in 
among  thie  hills  there,  about  Bodmin,  Lestwithiel,  Foy,  with  con- 
tinual skirmishing,  with  ever-growing  scarcity  of  victual ;  forced 

*  Clarendon.  f  29th  June,  1644,  Clarendon,  ii«,  655. 

8^ 


his  Lieulcnani-Vicncrai  w  jnm  int- m  ,  uy  ^muk^h 
making  auain  a  coiisidcralilt'  annv,  undrr  the  coii^ 
chcsler  and  Waller  (tor  I'iSsrx  at  Londuii  lay  'sic 
to  be  sick),  the  King,  returning  towards  Oxford  fp 
was  intercepted  at  Newbury  ;  and  there,  on  Suae 
ber,  1644,  fell  out  the  Second  Battle  of  Newbury  .f 
Majesty,  afler  four  hours  confused  fighting,  rather 
yet  contrived  to  march  off,  unmolested,  *by  xm 
o'clock,'  towards  Wallingford,  and  got  safe  Jiomc 
refused  to  pursue ;  though  urged  by  Cromwell,  an 
Nay  twelve  days  afler,  when  the  King  came  ba 
revictuallcd  Dennington  Castle,  an  important  st 
by, — Manchester,  in  spite  of  Cromwell's  urgency, 
interfere. 

They  in  fact  came  to  a  quarrel  here,  these  tw 
else  that  was  represented  by  them  came  to  a  quarr 
and  Independency,  to  wit.  Manchester  was  re] 
said.  If  they  lost  this  Army  pursuing  the  King,  the 
the  King  *  might  hang  them  all.'  To  Cromwell  ai 
going  party,  it  had  become  very  clear  that  big 
Manchesters,  of  limited  notions  and  large  estates 
who  besides  their  fear  of  being  themselves  beati 


iULi  SELF-DENYING  ORDINANCE.  Id5 

priYAte  ooDsultatioD,  which  these  Three  Fragments  of  Speeches 
are  here  to  represent  for  us. 

L  Bitke  House  of  Commons,  on  Monday,  26tk  November,  1644,  LUute- 
mmi'General  Cromwell  did,  as  ordered  on  the  Saturday  before,  exhibit 
a  (^arge  against  the  Earl  of  Manchester,  to  this  effect : 

That  the  said  Earl  hath  always  been  indisposed  and  backward  to 
engagements,  and  the  ending  of  tlie  War  by  the  sword ;  and  '  always' 
for  such  a  Peace  as  a  '  thorough '  victory  would  be  a  disadvantage  to ; 
—and  hath  declared  this  by  principles  express  to  that  purpose,  and  '  by' 
a  oootumed  series  of  carriage  and  actions  answerable. 

That  since  the  taking  of  York,*"  as  if  the  Parliament  had  now  advan- 
tige  foUy  enough,  he  hath  declined  whatsoever  tended  to  farther  advan- 
t^e  upon  the  Enemy  ;  'hath'  neglected  and  studiously  shifted  off  oppor- 
tonities  to  that  purpose,  as  if  he  thought  the  King  too  low,  and  the  Par- 
Usment  too  high^— especially  at  Bennington  Castle. 

That  he  hath  drawn  the  army  into,  and  detained  them  in,  such  a  pos- 
ture as  to  give  the  Enemy  fresh  advantages ;  and  this,  before  his  con- 
jonction  with  tlie  other  Armies,f  by  his  own  absolute  will,  against  or 
without  his  Council  of  War,  against  many  commands  of  the  Committee 
of  Both  Kingdoms,  and  with  contempt  and  vilifying  of  those  commands  ; 
—and,  since  the  conjunction,  sometimes  against  the  Councils  of  War, 
and  sometimes  by  persuading  and  deluding  the  Council  to  neglect  one 
opportanity  with  pretence  of  another,  and  this  again  of  a  third,  and  at 
kk  by  persuading  *  them'  that  it  was  not  fit  to  fight  at  all.f 

To  these  heavy  charges,  Manchester  makes  heavy  answer,  at 
great  length,  about  a  week  after :  of  which  we  shall  remember 
only  this  piece  of  counter-charge.  How  his  Lordship  had  once  in 
those  very  Newbury  days,  ordered  Cromwell  to  proceed  to  some 
rendezvous  with  the  horse,  and  Cromwell,  very  unsuitably  for  a 
Lieutenant-General,  had  answered,  The  horses  were  already  worn 
off  their  feet ;  *•  if  your  Lordship  want  to  have  the  skins  of 
the  horses,  this  is  the  way  to  get  them  !" — Through  which  small 
lUt,  one  looks  into  large  seas  of  general  discrepancy  in  those  old 
months  f  Lieutenant- General  Cromwell  is  also  reported  to  have 
and,  in  a  moment  of  irritation  surely,  "  There  would  never  be  a 

*  Directly  aftei  Marston  Moor.        f  Waller's  and  Esmz's  at  Newbury. 
^Eaihworth,  v.  733 ;  Common  Journtls,  iii.,  703,  5. 


lard  ti)  /his  drlirafe  point  of  '^eftiujj;  our  Kssrxes  and  . 
'ihj  ousted  front  the  Anny  ;  a  icrij  dfliciite  ]ioi7if  indeed, — 
lanl- General  Cromwell  stood  up^  and  spake  shortly  to  this 

is  now  a  time  to  speak,  or  for  ever  hold  the  tongue.   Th 
sion  now,  is  no  less  than  to  save  a  Nation,  oat  of  a  bl 
•St  dying  condition ;  which  the  long  conlinnance  of  thi 
Ldy  brought  it  into ;  so  that  without  a  more  speedy,  vi 
tual  prosecution  of  the  War,— casting  off  all  lingering 
'  those  uf '  soldiers-of-fortune  beyond  sea,  to  spin  out 
I  make  the  kingdom  weary  of  us,  and  hate  the  name  of  a 
or  what  do  the  enemy  say  7    Nay,  what  do  many  saj 
ids  at  the  beginning  of  the  Parliament  7    Even  this,  Tlu 
of  both  Houses  have  got  great  places  and  commanda,  ai 
their  hands ;  and,  what  by  interest  in  Parliament,  what 
Army,  will  perpetually  continue  themselves  in  grande 
nit  the  War  speedily  to  end,  lest  their  own  power  shoul 
I  it    This  *  that '  I  speak  here  to  our  own  faces,  is  but 
itter  abroad  behind  our  backs.    I  am  far  from  reflectiD( 
w  the  worth  of  those  Commanders,  Members  of  both  I 
yet  in  power :  but  if  I  may  speak  my  conscience  witho 
n  any,  I  do  conceive  if  the  Army  be  not  put  into  another 
War  more  vigorously  prosecuted,  the  People  can  beai 
rer.  and  will  enforce  you  to  a  dishonorable  Peace. 


IMC]  SELF-DENTING  ORDINANCE.  157 

■  — > 

EofUih  betits,  and  lealou  aflfections  towards  the  general  weal  of  our 
Mother  Country,  as  no  Memben  of  either  Hoaee  will  scrapie  to  den^ 
tbemeelves,  and  their  own  private  interests,  for  the  public  good ;  nor 
account  it  to  be  a  dishonor  done  to  them,  whatever  the  Parliament  shall 
resolve  npon  in  this  weighty  matter.* 

in.  On  the  same  day,  seemingly  at  a  subsequent  part  of  the  debate,  lAeU' 
tenantfGeneral  Cromwell  said  likewise,  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Speaker, — I  am  not  of  the  mind  that  the  calling  of  the  Members 
to  sit  in  Pariiament  will  break,  or  scatter  our  Armies.  I  can  speak  this 
lor  my  own  soldiers,  that  they  look  not  upon  me,  but  upon  you  ;  and  for 
yoa  they  will  fight,  and  live  and  die  in  your  Cause ;  and  if  others  be  of 
that  mind  that  they  are  of,  you  need  not  fear  them.  They  do  not  idolise 
me,  bat  look  upon  the  Cause  they  fight  for.  You  may  lay  upon  them 
what  conmiands  you  please,  they  will  obey  your  commands  in  that 
Cause  they  fight  for.f 

To  be  brief,  Mr.  Zouch  Tate,  Member  for  Northampton,  moved 
this  day  a  Self-denying  Ordinance  ;  which,  in  a  few  days  more, 
was  passed  in  the  Commons.  It  was  not  so  easily  got  through 
the  Lords  ;  but  there  too  it  had  ultimately  to  pass.  One  of  the 
most  important  clauses  was  this,  introduced  not  without  difiiculty. 
That  religious  men  might  now  serve  unthout  taking  the  Covenant 
as  a  fo'st  preliminary, — perhaps  they  might  take  it  by  and  by. 
This  was  a  great  ease  to  tender  consciences ;  and  indicates  a 
deep  split,  which  will  grow  wider  and  wider,  in  our  religious 
ifiairs.  The  ScoU  Commissioners  have  sent  for  Whitlocke  and 
Maynard  to  the  Lord  Grenerars,  to  ask  in  judicious  Scotch  dia^ 
kct.  Whether  there  be  not  ground  to  prosecute  Cromwell  as  an 
'incendiary*?  "You  ken  varry  weel !" — The  two  learned 
gentlemen  shook  their  heads.:|: 

This  Self-denying  Ordinance  had  to  pass;  it  and  the  New 
Model  wholly ;  by  the  steps  indicated  below. §     Essex  was  grati- 

•  Rushworth,  vi.  4. 

t  Cromwelliana,  p.  12. 

X  WhiUocke,  iii.,  p.  Ill  (December,  1644) 

^  Rnshwortb,  vi.,  7,  8  :  Self-denying  Ordinance  passed  in  the  Commons 
19th  December,  and  is  sent  to  the  Lords ;  Conference  about  it,  7th  January ; 
rejected  by  the  Lords  15th  January,— because  "  we  do  not  know  what  shape 
the  Army  will  now  suddenly  take."    Whereupon,  21ft  January,  •  Fair&z  is 


tttf.]  LETTER  IX..  8ALISBUBT.  IW 


LETTERS  II.-XII. 

Befokb  the  old  Officers  laid  down  their  commissionsy  Waller 
with  Cromwell  and  Massy  were  sent  on  an  Expedition  into  the 
West  against  Goring  and  Company ;  concerning  which  there  is 
some  echo  in  the  old  Books  and  Commons  Journals,  but  no  definite 
▼estige  of  it,  except  the  following  Letter,  read  in  the  House  of 
Commons,  9th  April,  1644 ;  which  D'Ewes  happily  had  given  his 
Clerk  to  copy.  The  Expedition  itself,  which  proved  successfuli 
is  now  coming  towards  an  end.  Fairfax  the  new  General  is  at 
Windsor  all  April ;  full  of  business,  regimenting,  discharging, 
enlisting,  new-modelling. 

LETTER  IX. 

For  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax^  Creneral  <f  the  Army : 

Haste,  Haste :  These :  At  Windsor, 

*  Salisbury,'  9th  April  (ten  o'clock  at  night),  1645. 

SlE, 

Upon  Sunday  last  we  marched  towards  Bruton  in  Somer- 
•etihire,  which  was  General  Goring's  head-quarter :  but  he  would  not 
mad  as ;  but  marched  away,  upon  our  appearance,  to  Wells  and  Glss- 
toobary.  Whither  we  held  it  unsafe  to  follow  him ;  lest  we  should  en^ 
gage  our  Body  of  Horse  too  hi  into  that  enclosed  country,  not  having 
fotii  enough  to  stand  by  them ;  and  partly  because  we  doubted  the 
idvtnce  of  Prince  Rupert  with  bis  force  to  join  with  Goring ;  having 
•ome  notice  from  Colonel  Massey  of  the  Prince  his  coming  this  way. 

General  Goring  hath  *  Sir  John '  Greenvil  in  a  near  posture  to  join 
with  him.  He  hath  all  their  Garrisons  in  Devon,  Dorset  and  Somerset 
•hire,  to  make  an  addition  to  him.  Whereupon  Sir  William  Waller 
kring  a  very  poor  infiintry  of  about  1600  men, — ^lest  they,  being  so 
iKOBsiderAUe,  should  engage*  our  Horse, — ^we  came  from  Shaftesbury 
to  Safisbwy  to  secure  our  foot;  to  prevent  our  being  necessitated  to  a 

*  Entangle  or  incumber. 


themselves  abandoned  on  our  departure  from  them.     Sir,  1 

send  wliat  Horse  and  Foot  you  can  spare  towards  Salisbur) 

Kingscleere,  with  what  convenient  expedition  may  be.     Ti 

to  be  attempted  upon  every  day. 

These  thxnga  being  humbly  represented  to  your  knowled 

I  Bubecribe  myself, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

OuvBm  Cm 

In  Carte's  Ormond  Papers  (i.,  79)  is  a  Letter  of  the 
on  the  same  subject,  somewhat  illustrative  of  this. 
Commons  Journals  in  die. 


LETTER  X. 

Pbince  RirP£RT  had  withdrawn  without  fighting;  i^ 
Worcester  with  a  considerable  force,  and  had  sent  2(K)C 
to  Oxford,  to  convoy  his  Majesty  with  the  artillery  tbi 
The  Committee  of  Both  Kingdoms  order  the  said  a 
attacked.  *  The  charge  of  this  service  they  reoomnu 
cularly  to  General  Cromwell,  who  looking  on  himself 


l«4d  ]  LETTER  X.,  FARRINGDON.  161 

oodung  lest  in  all  the  world,  came  to  him  from  the  Committee  of 
Both  KiDgdoms.* 

*  The  night  before  '  must  jnean,  to  all  ap]>earance,  the  22d  of 

April.     How  Cromwell  instantly  took  horse ;  plunged  into  Ox- 

ibrdshirey  and  on  the  24th,  at  Islip  Bridge,  attacked  and '  routed 

this  said  convoy ;  and  the  same  day,  <  merely  by  dragoons'  and 

fierce  countenance,  took  Bletchington  House,   for  which  poor 

Colonel  Windebank  was  shot,  so  angry  were  they  ;  how  Crom- 

welU  sending  off  the  guns  and  stores  to  Abingdon,  shot  across 

westward  to  *  Radcot  Bridge '  or  <  Bampton-in-the-Bush  ;'  and  on 

the  26th  gained  a  new  victory  there  ;  and  on  the  whole  made  a 

rather  brilliant  sally  of  it : — all  this* is  known  from  Clarendon,  or 

more  authentically  from  Rushworth  if  but  only  the  concluding 

unsuccessful  part  of  it  has  left  any  trace  in  autograph. 


Sol, 


To  the  Goixmor  cfthe  Cfarrison  in  Farringdon, 

29th  April,  1645. 


I  summon  yoo  to  deliver  into  my  hands  the  House  wherein 
joo  are,  and  your  Ammunition,  with  all  things  else  there  ;  together  with 
TOUT  penons,  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  Parliament  shall  appoint  Which 
if  jTon  refuse  to  do,  you  are  to  expect  the  utmost  extremity  of  war.  I 
mt, 

Your  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.^ 

This  Governor, '  Roger  Bui^ess,'  is  not  to  be  terrified  with 

*  Sprigge's  Anglia  Rediviva  (London,  1647),  p.  10.  Sprigge  was  one  of 
Piirikz's  Chaplains ;  his  Book,  a  rather  ornate  work,  gives  florid  but  authen- 
tic and  soflicient  account  of  this  New-Model  Army  in  all  its  features  and 
operations,  by  which  '  England '  had  *  come  alive  again.'  A  little  sparing 
ia  dates ;  but  correct  where  they  are  given.  None  of  the  old  Books  is  bet- 
ter worth  reprinting.— For  some  glimmer  of  notice  concerning  Joshua 
Spricge  himself;  see  Wood  m  voce,— and  disbelieve  altogether  that  *  Nat 
Fiannes*  had  anything  to  do  with  this  Book. 

t  vi.,  23,  4. 

i  Rnsfaworth»  ¥i»  90. 


I  understaiul  by  forty  or  fifty  poor  men  whom 
into  your  House,  that  you  have  many  there  whom  you  cam 
who  are  not  serviceable  to  you.  If  tliese  men  should  per 
means,  it  were  great  inhumanity  surely.  Honor  and  hon 
this,  That  though  you  be  prodigal  of  your  own  lives,  yet  no) 
theirs.  If  God  give  you  into  my  hands,  I  will  not  spare  a  i 
if  yoa  put  me  to  a  storm. 

Oliver  Cr< 

Roger  Burgess,  still  unawed,  refuses ;  Cromwell  w; 
fantry  from  Abingdon  *  till  8  next  morning,'  then  sto 
fourteen  men,  with  a  captain  taken  prisoner  ; — and  d 
leaving  Burgess  to  crow  over  him.  The  Army,  whic 
Windsor  yesterday,  gets  to  Reading  this  day,  and  he  i 
thither. 

Yesterday,  Wednesday,  Monthly-fast  day,  all  Pn 
Ordinance  of  Parliament,  were  praying  for  *  God' 
assistance  to  this  New  Army  now  on  march,  and  1: 
upon  their  endeavors. 'f  Consider  it ;  actually '  prayioj 
a  capability  old  London  and  its  Preachers  and  Popul 
to  us  the  incrediblest. 


16tf.]  LETTER  XII.  163 

it  in  the  Anociated  Counties,  raising  force ;  ^  for  protection  of  the 
Ue  of  Ely,'  and  other  purposes.     To  Fair&z  and  his  Officers,  to 
the  Paiiiament,  to  the  Committee  of  Both  Kingdoms,  to  all  per- 
sons, it  is  clear  that  Cromwell  cannot  be  dispensed  with.    Fairfax 
and  the  Officers  petition  Parliament*  that  he  may  be  appointed 
their  Lieutenant  (reneral,    Commander-in-Chief  of  the   Horse. 
There  is  a  clear  necessity  in  it.    Parliament,  the  Compions  some- 
what more  readily  than  the  Lords,  continue  by  instalments  of 
*  forty  days,'  of '  three  months,'  his  services  in  the  Army,  and  at 
length  grow  to  regard  him  as  a  constant  element  there.     A  few 
odiers  got  similar  leave  of  absence,  similar  dispensation  from  the 
Sdfdenying  Ordinance.     Sprigge's  words,  cited  above,  are  no 
doubt  veracious;  yet  there  is  trace  of  evidencef  that  Cromwell's 
continuance  in  the  Army  had,  even  by  the  framers  of  the  Self- 
denyii^  Ordinance,  been  considered  a  thing  possible,  a  thing 
desirable.     As  it  well  might !    To  Cromwell  himself  there  was 
DO  overpowering  felicity  in  getting  out  to  be  shot  at,  except  where 
wanted;  he  very  probably,  as Sprigge  intimates,  did  let  the  matter 
in  sflence  take  its  own  course. 

'  To  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  General  of  the 

Parliament's  Army :  TheseJ* 

Huntingdon,  4  June,  1645. 
So, 

I  most  humbly  beseech  yon  to  pardon  my  long  silence.  I 
im  oooscioiu  of  the  finult,  considering  the  great  obligations  lying  upon 
me.  But  since  my  coming  into  these  parts,  I  have  been  busied  to 
secure  that  part  of  the  Isle  of  Ely  where  I  conceived  most  danger 
to  be. 

Truly  I  found  it  in  a  very  ill  posture :  and  it  is  yet  but  weak ;  with- 
out works,  ammunition  or  men  considerable, — and  of  money  least :  and 
then,  I  hope,  you  will  easily  conceive  of  the  defence :  and  God  has  pre- 
served us  ail  this  while  to  a  miracle.  The  party  under  Vermuyden 
Wilts  the  King's  Army,  and  is  about  Deeping ;  has  a  command  to  join 
with  Sir  John  Gell,  if  he  commands  him.  So  '  too*  the  Nottingham 
Hone.  I  shall  be  bold  to  present  you  with  intelligence  as  it  comes  to 
me. 

*  Their  Letter  (Newspapers,  9-16  June)  in  Cromwelliana,  p.  18. 
t  Godwin's  History  of  the  Conmionwealth  (London,  1824),  i,  405. 


nuydtni,  is  supposed  to  be  a  son  of  the  Dutch  Engi 
Irained  the  Fens.  '  Colonel  Sidney  '  is  the  celebrated  1 
le  was  nominated  in  the  *  Model/  but  is  *  leaving  his  j 
Daptain  Rawlins  does  obtain  a  Company  of  Horse  ;  un( 
nel  Sir  Robert  Pye.'f — Colonel  Montague,  afterward 
Sandwich,  has  a  Foot-Regiment  here.  Hugh  Peters 
lain  to  the  Train.' 

The  King  has  got  into  the  Midland  Counties ;  '  hunt 
ing  '  large  herds  of  cattle '  before  him, — uncertain  whi 
and  we  are  now  within  sight  of  Naseby  Field. 

*  Rush  worth,  vi.  (London,  1701),  p.  37. 
t  Army-Liflt,  in  Sprigge  (p.  330). 


H4§JJ  LETTER  XTH.,  NASEBT.  165 


•  LETTER  XIII. 

Thb  old  Hamlet  of  Naseby  stands  yet,  on  its  old  hill-top,  very 
nmcfa  as  it  did  in  Saxon  days,  on  the  Northwestern  border  of 
KorthampCoQshire ;  some  seven  or  eight  miles  from  Market-Har. 
borough  in  Leicestershire ;  nearly  on  a  line,  and  nearly  midway, 
KetweeD  that  Town  and  Daventry.  A  ]>eaceable  old  Hamlet,  of 
perhaps  five  hundred  souls ;  clay  cottages  for  laborers,  but  neatly 
tbttched  and  swept ;  smith's  shop,  saddler's  shop,  beer-shop,  all 
in  order ;  forming  a  kind  of  square,  which  leads  off,  North  and 
Sooth,  into  two  long  streets:  the  old  Church,  with  its  graves, 
itands  in  the  centre,  the  truncated  spire  finishing  itself  with  a 
itnnge  old  Ball,  held  up  by  rods ;  a  ^  hollow  copper  Ball,  which 
came  from  Boulogne  in  Henry  the  Eighth's  time,' — which  has, 
like  Hudibras's  breeches,  <  been  at  the  Siege  of  Bullen.'  The 
groand  is  upland,  moorland,  though  now  growing  com  ;  was  not 
enclosed  till  the  last  generation,  and  is  still  somewhat  bare  of 
wood.  It  stands  nearly  in  the  heart  of  England  ;  gentle  Dulness, 
tiking  a  turn  at  etymology,  sometimes  derives  it  from  Navel ; 
*  Navesby,  quasi  Navelshyy  from  being,'  &c. :  Avon  Well,  the 
distinct  source  of  Shakspeare's  Avon,  is  on  the  Western  slope  of 
the  high  grounds ;  Nen  and  Welland,  streams  leading  towards 
Cromwell's  Fen-country,  begin  to  gather  themselves  from  boggy 
places  on  the  Eastern  side.  The  grounds,  as  we  say,  lie  high ; 
and  are  still,  in  their  new  subdivisions,  known  by  the  name  of 
« Hills,' '  Rutput  Hill,'  '  Mill  Hill,'  *  Dust  Hill,'  and  the  like,  pre- 
cisely as  in  Rushworth's  time :  but  they  are  not  properly  hills  at 
all ;  they  are  broad  blunt  clayey  masses,  swelling  towards  and 
from  each  other,  like  indolent  waves  of  a  sea,  sometimes  of  miles 
in  extent. 

It  was  on  this  high  moor-ground,  in  the  centre  of  England, 
that  King  Charles,  on  the  I4th  of  June,  1645,  fought  his  last 
Battle ;  dashed  fiercely  against  the  New-Model  Army,  which  he 


iV  Ul/fl  I,    V7I1     I  «.  iiii  mil  -       A,  ^,,...     ,    

a  ruin  ;  prepares  to  charije  a^iiiii  with  tho  rallied 
the  Cavalry  too,  when  it  came  to  tlie  point,  '  broke 
— never  to  reassemble  more.  The  chase  went 
borough  ;  where  the  King  had  already  been  that  n 
in  an  evil  hour  he  turned  back,  to  revenge  some 
an  outpost  at  Naseby  the  night  before,'  and  give  thi 
battle. 

Ample  details  of  this  Battle,  and  of  the  monM 
posterior  to  it,  are  to  be  found  in  Sprigge,  or  oop 
abridgment  into  Rushworth ;    who  has  also  copied 
Plan  of  the  Battle ;  half  plan,  half  picture,  which 
logues  are  very  chary  of,  in  the  case  of  Sprigge. 
attention,  aided  by  this  Plan,  as  the  old  names  y 
localities,  the  Narrative  can  still  be,  and  has  late! 
accurately   verified,   and  the   Figure  of  the  old 
brought  back  again.     The  reader  shall  imagine 
sent. — On  the  crown  of  Naseby  Height  stands  a  i 
monument ;  but,  by  an  unlucky  oversight,  it  is  a 
the  east  of  where  the  Battle  really  was.     There  ai 
modem  Books  about  Naseby  and  its  Battle ;  both 
out  value. 

'^^^    ■D-«iJ«»~»*»«#«»».«r  A  tMmv  .     nH    mnomd   on   th 


IMI.]  LETTER  XIII.,  NASEBY.  167 

of  which  have  been  (with  more  or  less  of  sacrilege)  verified  as 
mch.  A  friend  of  mine  has  in  his  cabinet  two  ancient  grinder- 
teeth,  dug  lately  from  that  ground, — and  waits  for  an  oppor- 
tnnity  to  rebury  them  there.  Sound  effectual  grinders,  one  of 
them  very  large ;  which  ate  their  breakfast  on  the  fourteenth 
morning  of  June,  two  hundr^  years  ago,  and,  except  to  be 
clenched  once  in  grim  battle,  had  never  work  to  do  more  in  this 
world  ! — ^  A  stack  of  dead  bodies,  perhaps  about  100,  had  been 
buried  in  this  Trench ;  piled  as  in  a  wall,  a  man's  length  thick : 
the  skeletons  lay  in  courses,  the  heads  of  one  course  to  the  heels 
of  the  next ;— one  figure,  by  the  strange  position  of  the  bones, 
gave  us  the  hideous  notion  of  its  having  been  thrown  in  before 
death !  We  did  not  proceed  far : — perhaps  some  half-dozen 
•keletoos.  The  bones  were  treated  with  all  piety ;  watched  rigor. 
oQsly,  over  Sunday,  till  they  could  be  covered  in  again.'*  Sweet 
friends,  for  Jesus'  sake  forbear ! — 

At  this  battle  Mr.  John  Rushworth,  our  Historical  Rushworth, 
bad,  unexpectedly,  for  some  instants,  sight  of  a  very  famous  per- 
80D.  Mr.  John  is  Secretary  to  Fairfax  ;  and  they  have  placed 
him  to-day  among  the  Baggage-wagons,  near  Naseby  Hamlet, 
above  a  mile  from  the  fighting,  where  he  waits  in  an  anxious 
manner.  It  is  known  how  Prince  Rupert  broke  our  left  wing, 
while  Cromwell  was  breaking  their  left.  *  A  Gentleman  of  Pub- 
lic Employment  in 'the  late  Service  near  Naseby '  writes  next 
day,  '  Harborough,  15th  June,  2  in  the  morning,'  a  rough  graphic 
Letter  in  the  Newspapers,f  wherein  is  this  sentence : 

♦  *  *  A  party  of  theirs  that  broke  through  the  left  wing  of 
borae,  came  quite  behind  the  rear  to  our  Train ;  the  Leader  of 
tbem,  being  a  person  somewhat  in  habit  like  the  (reneral,  in  a  red 
montero,  as  the  General  had.  He  came  as  a  friend;  our  com- 
mander of  the  guard  of  the  Train  went  with  his  hat  in  his  hand, 
ind  asked  him,  How  the  day  went  ?  thinking  it  had  been  the 
General :  the  Cavalier,  who  we  since  heard  was  Rupert,  asked 


*  M  t.  petiet  me. 

f  King's  Pamphlets,  small  4to.,  no.  212,  §  26,  p.  2 ;  the  pnnctual  con- 
temporaneous Collector  has  named  him  wiUi  his  pen  :  *  Mr.  Rushworth's 
Letter,  being  the  Secretary  to  his  Excellency.' 


•  •   l4.-»      Cll.'^l 


^Kj  irtivcii,  uiui  a  VvaunHn  and  many  Koyal  x\u 
which  \v  hen  printed  made  a  sad  impression  against  h 
gave  in  fact  a  most  melancholy  view  of  the  veracity  o 
*'  On  the  word  of  a  King."f     All  was  lost! — 

Here  is  Cromwell's  Letter,  written  from  Harboro 
verbrow '  as  he  calls  it,  that  same  night ;  after  the  h 
hot  chase  were  over.  The  original,  printed  loog^sii 
worth,  still  lies  in  the  British  Museum, — with  '  a  8 
signature,'  which  one  could  look  at  with  interest, 
consists  of  two  leaves;  much  worn,  and  now  s 
pasting ;  red  seal  much  defaced ;  is  addressed  oi 
leaf.' 

For  the  Honorable  WiUiam  LenthdU,  Speaker  of  the 

House  cf  Parliament :  Theee, ' 

Hirboro^h,  14th 
Sir, 

Being  commanded  by  you  to  this  service,  I  think 
to  acqaaint  you  with  the  good  hand  of  God  towards  yon  ai 
We  marched  yesterday  after  the  King,  who  went  bi 
Daventry  to  Harborough;  and  quartered  about  six  mik 
This  day  we  marched  towai      him.  drew  out  to  n 

armies  engaged.    We,  ai       mree  h      i       »♦  vow  -i^- 


1645.1  LETTER  XIII.,  NASEBY.  ir,9 

the  enemy  from  three  miles  short  of  Uarborougfa  to  nine  bojond,  even  to 
the  nght  of  Leicester,  whither  the  King  fled. 

Sir,  this  is  none  other  but  the  hand  of  Grod ;  and  to  Him  alone  belongs 

the  ^hry,  wherein  none  are  to  share  with  Him.    The  General  served 

JOB  with  mil  ftuthfulness  and  honor :  and  the  best  commendation  I  can 

gife  him  is,  That  I  daresay  he  attributes  all  to  Grod,  and  would  rather 

perish  than  assome  to  himself.    Which  is  an  honest  and  a  thriving 

way  •    and  yet  as  much  for  bravery  may  be  given  to  him,  in  this  actioni 

ts  to  a  man.    Honest  men  served  you  faithfully  in  this  action.    Sir, 

diej  are  trusty :  I  beseech  yon,  in  the  name  of  God,  not  to  discourage 

doL    I  wish  this  action  may  beget  thankfulness  and  humility  in  all 

tbit  are  concerned  in  it    He  that  ventures  his  life  for  the  liberty  of  his 

eooBtry,  I  wish  he  trust  God  for  the  liberty  of  his  conscience,  and  you 

far  the  liberty  he  fights  for.    In  this  he  rests,  who  is 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

John  Bunyan,  I  believe,  is  this  night  in  Leicester, — not  yet 
writing  bis  Fifgrim's  Progress  on  paper,  but  acting  it  on  the  face 
of  the  Earth,  with  a  brown  matchlock  on  his  shoulder.  Or 
nther,  itUhmU  the  matchlock,  just  at  present ;  Leicester  and  he 
having  been  taken  the  other  day.  '  Harborough  Church '  is  get- 
ting '  filled  with  prisoners '  while  Oliver  writes, — and  an  immense 
eootemporaneous  tumult  everywhere  going  on ! 

The  *  honest  men  who  served  you  faithfully  on  this  occasion ' 
are  the  considerable  portion  of  the  Army  who  have  not  yet  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  themselves  to  take  the  Covenant.  Whom  the 
PresbjTterian  Party,  rigorous  for  their  own  formula,  call  '  Schis- 
matics,' '  Sectaries,'  *  Anabaptists,'  and  other  hard  names ; 
whom  Cromwell,  here  and  elsewhere,  earnestly  pleads  for.  To 
Cromwell,  perhaps  as  much  as  to  another,  order  was  lovely,  and 
disorder  hateful ;  but  he  discerned  better  than  some  others  what 
order  and  disorder  really  were.  The  forest-trees  are  not  in  *  order ' 
because  they  are  all  dipt  into  the  same  shape  of  Dutch  dragons, 
and  forced  to  die  or  grow  in  that  way  ;  but  because  in  each  of 
tbem  there  is  the  same  genuine  unity  of  life,  from  the  inmost 
pith  to  the  utmost  leaf,  and  they  do  grow  according  to  that ! — 
Cromwell  naturally  became  the  head  of  this  Schismatic  Party, 

*  Karl.  M88.,  no.  7502,  art  5,  p.  7 ;  Rushworth,  vi.,  45. 
TOL.  I.  0 


lia^land  i^asiu",  lo  imo    y,^^^    

some  li)rcf',  and  comin*^  to  iii^ht  ai^aiii  ;  which  huwcv 
never  do."^  Some  ten  months  more  of"  roanjint:,  ai 
guised  as  a  groom,'  will  be  riding  with  Parson  lludi? 
the  Scots  at  Newcastle. 

The  New- Model  Army  marched  into  the  Southwest 
<  relieved  Colonel  Robert  Blake  '  (Admiral  Blake), 
others  ; — marched  to  ever  new  exploits  and  victories,  y 
the  pious  admiration  of  Joshua  Sprigge ;  and  very  80( 
its  enemies  from  the  field,  and  brought  this  War  to  a 

The  following  Letters  exhibit  part  of  Cromwell's  s 
business,  and  may  be  read  with  little  commentary. 

*  Her  Ceurolinwn  ;  being  a  succinct  Relation  of  the  nece«it 
Retreats  and  Sufferings  of  his  Majesty  Charles  the  First,  fron 
1641,  till  the  time  of  his  Death,  1648:  Collected  by  adaUy  A 
his  Sacred  Majesty  during  all  the  said  time.  London,  1660.^ 
in  Somen  Tracts  (v.,  263),  but,  as  usual  there,  without  any 
a  nominal  one,  though  it  somewhat  needed  more. 

t  A  Journal  of  every  day's  March  of  the  Army  under  hii  ] 
Thomas  Fairfax  (in  Sprigge,  p.  331). 


IMS.]  LETTER  XIV.,  THE  CLUBMEN.  Ill 


LETTER  XIV. 


THE   CLUBMEN. 


Tn  Tictorious  Army,  driving  all  before  it  in  the  Southwest, 
where  alone  the  King  had  still  any  considerable  fighting  force, 
hand  itself  opposed  by  a  very  unexpected  enemy,  famed  in  the 
old  Pamphlets  by  the  name  of  Clubmen.  The  design  was  at  bot- 
tom Royalist ;  but  the  country  people  in  those  regions  had  been 
worked  upon  by  the  Royalist  Gentry  and  Clergy,  on  the  some- 
what plausible  ground  of  taking  up  arms  to  defend  themselves 
igtinst  the  plunder  and  harassment  of  both  Armies.  The  great 
nasB  of  them  were  Neutrals ;  there  even  appeared  by  and  by 
Ttrious  transient  bodies  of  *  Clubmen '  on  the  Parliament  side, 
whom  Fairfax  entertained  occasionally  to  assist  him  in  pioneering 
aod  other  such  services.  They  were  called  Clubmen,  not,  as  M. 
Villemain  supposes,'*'  becausi^  they  united  in  Clubs,  but  because 
they  were  armed  with  rough  country  weapons,  mere  bludgeons 
if  no  other  could  be  had.  Sufficient  understanding  of  them  may 
be  gained  from  the  following  letter  of  Cromwell,  prefaced  by 
tome  Excerpts. 

From  Rushworth  :  *  Thursday,  July  3d,  Fairfax  marched  from 
Blandford  to  Dorchester,  12  miles ;  a  very  hot  day.  Where 
Colonel  Sidcnham,  Governor  of  Weymouth,  gave  him  information 
of  the  condition  of  those  parts ;  and  of  the  great  danger  from 
the  Club-risers  ;'  a  set  of  men  *  who  would  not  suffer  either  con- 
tribution or  victuals  to  be  carried  to  the  Parliament's  garrisons. 
And  the  same  night  Mr.  Hollis  of  Dorsetshire,  the  chief  leader 
of  the  Clubmen,  with  some  others  of  their  principal  men,  came 
to  Fairfax :  and  Mr.  Hollis  owned  himself  to  be  one  of  their 

*  Our  French  friends  ought  to  be  informed  that  M.  Villemain's  Book  on 
Cromwell  is,  unluckily,  a  rather  ignorant  and  shallow  one. — Of  M.  Guizot, 
OD  the  other  hand,  we  are  to  say  that  his  Two  Volumes,  so  far  as  they  go, 
are  the  fruit  of  real  ability  and  solid  studies  applied  to  those  Transactions. 


li m_  L     j*'i     ».  V  *i«,»4.»     ...  .. 


prtitioiis  ;'*   wliich  l*\iiiia\  in   a  very  mild    but   n 
re  fused. 

From  SpriggCjf  copied  also  into  Rush  worth  wit 
racies  :  *  On  Monday,  August  4th,  Lieutenant-Ge 
having  intelligence  of  some  of  their  places  of  rend* 
several  divisions,  went  forth '  from  Sherborne  '  v 
Horse  to  meet  these  Clubmen  ;  being  well  satisfie 
of  their  design.     As  he  was  marching  towards  S 
the  party,  they  discovered  some  colors  upon  the 
Hill,  full  of  wood  and  almost  inaccessible.     A  . 
a  small  party  was  sent  to  them  to  know  their  r 
acquaint  them  that  the  Lieutenant-General  of  the  A 
whereupon  Mr.  Newman,  one  of  their  leaders,  tho 
down,  and  told  us,  The  intent  was  desire  to  kno 
tlemen  were  taken  at  Shaftesbury  on  Saturdaj 
ter  ant-General  returned  him  this  answer :  That  I 
not  bound  to  give  him  or  them  an  account ;  wha 
by  authority  ;  and  they  that  did  it  were  not  reap 
that  had  none  :  but  not  to  leave  them  wholly  ud 
him,  Those  persons  so  met  had  been  the  occasioD 
many  tumultuous  and  unlawful  meetings ;  for  ti 
A-   1 —  *-:«j  K,r  inw  •  iirKinh  itiaI  ouffht  not  bv  t 


IMSl]  letter  XIV.,  THE  CLUBMEN.  173 


was  the  way  to  lote  their  goods ;  and  it  was  offered  them, 

Tliat  justice  should  be  done  upon  any  who  offered  them  violence ; 

and  as  ibr  the  gentlemen  taken  at  Shaftesbury,  it  was  only  to 

answer  some  things  they  were  accused  of,  which  they  had  done 

contrary  to  law  and  the  peace  of  the  Kingdom. — Herewith  they 

•eeming  to  be  well  satisfied,  promised  to  return  to  their  houses  ; 

and  acoordiDgly  did  so. 

'  These  being  thus  quietly  sent  home,  the  Lieutenant-General 

adfanoed  further,  to  a  meeting  of  a  great  number,  of  about  4,000, 

vho  betook  themselves  to  Hambledon  Hill,  near  Shrawton.     At 

tiie  bottom   of  the   Hill  ours  met  a  man  with  a  musket,  and 

adked.   Whither  he  was  going  ?   he  said.  To  the  Club  Army ; 

oon  asked,  What  he  meant  to  do  ?  he  asked,  What  they  had  to 

do  with  that  ?     Being  required  to  lay  down  his  arms,  he  said  he 

would  first  lose  his  life ;    but  was  not  so  good  as  his  word,  for 

though  he  cocked,  and  presented  his  musket,  he  was  prevented, 

dkanned,  and  wounded,  but  not' — Here  however  is  Cromwell's 

own  narrative: 

I 

7^  (ke  Right  Honorable  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  Commander  in  Chief  qf 
the  PartiamerU^s  Forces, '  at  Sherborne :  These.* 

*  Sbaflesbury/  4th  August,  1645. 
Sat, 

I  marched  this  morning  towards  Shaftesbury.  In  my 
way  I  fcNuid  a  party  of  Clubmen  gathered  together,  about  two  miles  on 
tins  side  of  the  Town,  towards  you ;  and  one  Mr.  Newman  in  the  bead 
of  them^ — who  was  one  of  those  that  did  attend  you  at  Dorchester,  with 
Mr.  HoUis.  I  sent  to  them  to  know  the  cause  of  their  meeting :  Mr. 
NewmaD  came  to  me ;  and  told  me,  That  the  Clubmen  in  Dorset  and 
Willa,  to  the  number  of  ten  thousand,  were  to  meet  about  their  men  who 
were  taken  away  at  Shaftesbury,  and  that  their  intendment  was  to 
Kcme  themselves  from  plundering.  To  the  first  I  told  them,  That 
ahbough  no  account  was  due  to  them,  yet  I  knew  the  men  were  taken 
by  yoor  authority,  to  be  tried  judicially  for  raising  a  Third  Party  in  the 
Kingdom  ;  and  if  they  should  be  found  guilty,  they  must  suffer  according 
to  the  nature  of  their  oflfence ;  if  innocent,  I  assured  them  you  would 
•eqoit  them.  Upon  this  they  said.  If  they  have  deserved  punishment, 
tliey  would  not  have  anything  to  do  with  them  ;  and  so  were  quieted  as  to 
that  point  For  the  other  *  point,'  I  assured  them,  That  it  was  your  great 
cue,  not  to  snfifer  them  in  the  least  to  be  plundered,  and  that  they  should 


174  PART  11.     FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [4  Aug. 


defend  themselves  from  violence,  and  bring  to  your  Army  such  as  did 
them  any  wrong,  where  they  should  be  punidhed  with  all  severity :  upon 
this,  very  quietly  and  peaceably  they  marched  away  to  their  houses, 
being  very  wtU  satisfied  and  contented. 

Wc  marched  on  to  Shaftesbury,  where  we  heard  a  great  body  of  them 
was  drawn  together  about  Hambledon  Hill ; — where  indeed  near  two 
thousand  were  gathered.  I  sent  '  up  *  a  forlorn-hope  of  about  fifty 
Horse;  who  coming  very  civilly  to  them,  they  fired  upon  them;  and 
ours  desiring  some  of  them  to  come  to  me,  were  refused  with  dis* 
dain.  They  were  drawn  into  one  of  the  old  Camps,*  upon  a  very  high 
Hill :  I  sent  one  Mr.  Leef  to  them.  To  certify  the  peaceableness  of  my 
intentions,  and  To  desire  them  to  peaceableness,  suid  to  submit  to  tfaa 
Parliament.  They  refused,  and  fired  at  us.  I  sent  him  a  second  time, 
To  let  them  know,  that  if  they  would  lay  down  their  arms,  no  wrong 
should  be  done  tlicm.  They  still  (througli  the  animation  of  their  lead- 
ers, and  especially  two  vile  ministers)  refused  ;  I  commanded  your  Cap- 
tain-Lieutenant to  draw  up  to  them,  to  be  in  readiness  to  charge ;  and  if^ 
upon  his  falling-on,thcy  would  lay  down  arms,  to  accept  them  and  spare 
them.  When  we  came  near,  they  refused  this  ofier,  and  let  fly  at  him; 
killed  about  two  of  his  men,  and  at  least  four  horses.  The  passage  not 
being  for  above  three  a-breast,  kept  us  out ;  whereupon  Major  Desbrow 
wheeled  about ;  got  in  the  rear  of  them,  beat  them  from  the  worii,  and 
did  some  small  execution  upon  them  ; — ^I  believe  killed  not  twelve  of 
them,  but  cut  very  many,  *  and  put  them  all  to  flight.'  We  have  taken 
about  300 ;  many  of  which  are  poor  silly  creatures,  whom  if  you  please 
to  let  me  send  home,  they  promise  to  be  very  dutiful  for  time  to  come, 
and  will  be  hanged  before  they  come  out  again. 

The  ringleaders  which  we  have,  I  intend  to  bring  to  you.    They  had 
taken  divers  of  the  Parliament  soldiers  prisoners,  besides  Colonel  Fiennes 
his  men :  and  used  them  most  barbarously ;  bragging,  they  hoped  to  seo 
my  Lord  Hopton,  and  that  he  is  to  command  them.    They  expected. 
from  Wilts  great  store ;  and  gave  out  they  meant  to  raise  the  siege  wJL- 
Sherborne,  when  *  once  *  they  were  all  met.    We  have  gotten  great  stor0 
of  their  arms,  and  they  carried  few  or  none  home.    We  quarter  aboa^ 
ten  miles  off,  and  purpose  to  draw  our  quarters  near  to  yon  to-morrow. 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.| 

*  Roman  Camps  (Cough's  Camden,  i.,  52). 

t  *  One  Mr.  Lee  who,  upon  the  approach  of  ours,  had  come  from  theH^ 
(Sprigge,  p.  79). 
X  Newspapers  (Cromwelliana,  p.  20).    Also  Sprigge,  pp.  113, 118. 


16I5.1  LETTER  XIV.,  THE  CLUBMEN.  176 

*  On  Tuesday  at  night,  A^ust  5th,  the  Lieutenant-General' 
Cromwell  *  with  his  party  returned  to  Sherborne,'  where  the 
General  and  the  rest  were  very  busy  besieging  the  inexpugnable 
Sir  Lewis  Dives. 

'  This  work,'  which  the  Lieutenant-General  had  now  been  upon, 

oootinues  Sprigge,  *  though  unhappy,  was  very  necessary.'*     No 

messeoger  could  be  sent  out  but  he  was  picked  up  by  these  Club- 

men :  these  once  dispersed,  <  a  mah  might  ride  very  quietly  from 

Sherbame  to  Salisbury.'    The  inexpugnable  Sir  Lewis  Dives  (a 

Aruooical  person  known  to  the  readers  of  Evelyn),  afier  due 

bittering,  was  now  soon  stormed  :   whereupon,  by  Letters  found 

en  him,  it  became  apparent  how  deeply  Royalist  this  scheme  of 

Qubmen  had  been  :  *  Commissions  for  raising  Regiments  of  Club- 

Dieo ;'  the  design  to  be  extended  over  England  at  large, '  yea  into 

tlie  Associated  Counties :'  however,  it  has  now  come  to  nothing  ; 

and  the  Army  turns  up  to  the  Siege  of  Bristol,  where  Prince  Ru- 

pert  is  doing  all  he  can  to  entrench  himself. 

•  Sprigge,  p  81. 


{ 


17C  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [14  8«pt 


LETTER   XV. 


HTORM  OF  BRIBTOI^ 


On  the  Lord's  Day,  September  21.  according  to  Order  of  Parlia- 
ment, Lieutenant-Gencral  Cromwell's  Letter  on  the  taking  of 
Bristol  was  read  in  the  *  several  Congregations  about  London,  and 
thanks  returned  to  Almighty  God  for  the  admirable  and  wonder- 
ful reducing  of  that  city.  The  Letter  of  the  renowned  Conunander 
is  well  worth  observation.'*  For  the  Siege  itself  and  what  pre- 
ceded and  followed  it,  see  besides  this  Letter,  Rupert's  own  ac- 
count,'!' and  the  ample  details  of  Sprigge  copied  with  abridgment 
by  Rushworth ;  Sayer's  History  of  Bristol  gives  Plans,  and  all 
manner  of  local  details,  though  in  a  rather  vague  way. 

For  the  Honorable  William  LenthaUy  Speaker  of  the  Commons  House 

of  Parliament:  These, 

Bristol,  14th  September » 1045. 

Sm, 

It  has  pleased  the  Greneral  to  give  me  in  charge  to  repre- 
sent unto  you  a  particular  account  of  the  taking  of  Bristol ;  the  which  I 
gladly  undertake. 

After  the  finishing  of  that  service  at  Sherborne,  it  was  disputed  at  a 
council  of  war,  Whether  we  should  march  into  the  West  or  to  Bristol  ? 
Amongst  other  arguments,  the  leaving  so  considerable  an  enemy  at  oar 
backs,  to  march  into  the  heart  of  the  Kingdom,  the  undoing  of  the 
country  about  Bristol,  which  was  ^  already'  exceedingly  harassed  by  the 
Prince  his  bcinjr  thereabouts  but  a  fortnight;  the  correspondency  be 
might  hold  in  Wales ;  the  possibility  of  uniting  the  Enemy's  forcei 
where  they  pleased,  and  especially  of  drawing  to  an  head  the  disafibcted 
Clubmen  of  Somerset,  Wilts  and  Dorset,  when  once  onr  backs  were 
toward  them  :  these  considerations,  together  with  'the  hope  of  taking 
so  important  a  place,  so  ad\'antageou8  for  the  opening  of  trade  to  Lon- 
don,— did  sway  the  balance,  and  beget  that  conclusion. 

*  Newspapers,  CromwcUiana,  p.  24.  t  Rushworth,  vi.,  69,  &c. 


I 


IMl]  LETTER  XT.»  STORM  OF  BRISTOL.  177 


Vilien  we  came  within  four  miles  of  the  City,  we  had  a  new  debate, 
Whether  we  should  endeavor  to  block  it  np,  or  make  a  regular  siege  7 
The  latter  being  OTemiled,  Colonel  Welden  with  his  brigade  mardied 
b  Pile  Hill,  on  the  Sooth  side  of  the  City,  being  within  musket-shot 
thereof; — ^where  in  a  few  days  they  made  a  good  quarter,  overlooJdng 
the  City.  Upon  our  advance,  the  enemy  fired  Bedminster,  Clifton,  and 
nme  other  villages  lying  near  to  the  City ;  and  would  have  fired  more, 
if  oar  unexpected  coming  had  not  hindered.  The  General  caused  some 
Hone  and  Dragoons  under  Commissary-General  Ireton  to  advance  over 
AvoQ,  to  keep  in  the  enemy  on  the  North  side  of  the  Town,  till  the  foot 
conkl  come  up :  and  after  a  day,  the  Creneral,  with  Colonel  Montague's 
lad  Cokxiel  Rainsborough's  brigades,  marched  over  at  Kensham  to 
Siapletoo,  where  he  quartered  that  night.  The  next  day.  Colonel  Mon- 
ttgne,  having  this  post  assigned  with  his  brigade,  To  secure  all  between 
tfae  Rivers  Froom  and  Avon ;  he  came  up  to  Lawford's  Gate,*  within 
■■ikel-sbot  thereof.  Colonel  Rainsborough's  post  was  near  to  Durdam 
Dovn,  whereof  the  Dragoons  and  three  regiments  of  Horse  made  good 
I  ft  post  upon  the  Down,  between  him  and  the  River  Avon,  on  his  right 
!  hand.  And  from  Colonel  Rainsborongh's  quarters  to  Froom  River  on 
lis  left,  a  part  of  Colonel  Birch's,  and  '  the  whole  of  Creneral  Skippon's 
I     repment  were  to  maintain  that  post. 

Tlieae  poets  thus  settled,  our  Horse  were  forced  to  be  upon  exceeding 
gntt  doty ;  to  stand  by  the  Foot,  lest  the  Foot,  being  so  weak  in  all 
their  pr«ts,  might  receive  an  afiront.  And  truly  herein  we  were  very 
i«|»pT,  that  we  should  receive  so  little  loss  by  sallies ;  considering  the 
ptacity  of  our  men  to  make  good  the  posts,  and  strength  of  the  enemy 
within.  By  sallies  (which  were  three  or  four)  I  know  not  that  we  lost 
thirty  men  in  all  the  time  of  our  siege.  Of  officers  of  quality,  only 
Goloael  Okey  was  taken  by  mistake  (going  *  of  himself '  to  the  enemy, 
thmking  they  had  been  friends),  and  Captain  Guiiliams  slain  in  a  charge. 
We  took  Sir  Bernard  Astley ;  and  killed  Sir  Richard  Cranes— one  very 
eoDsiderBble  with  the  Prince. 
We  had  a  council  of  war  concerning  the  storming  of  the  Town,  about 
rs  before  we  took  it ;  and  in  that  there  appeared  great  unwilling- 
to  the  work,  through  the  unseasonableness  of  the  weather,  and 
apparent  difficulties.  Some  inducement  to  bring  us  thither  had 
been  the  report  of  the  good  afifection  of  the  Townsmen  to  us ;  but  that 
did  not  answer  expectation.  Upon  a  second  conskleration,  it  was  over- 
nled  for  a  storm.  And  all  things  seemed  to  favor  the  design ; — and 
tniy  there  hath  been  seldom  the  like  cheerfulness  to  any  work  like  to 

*  One  of  the  Bristol  Gates. 
9* 


178  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [14  8c 

■  —^-^—^^^-^^—^^^^^^^^^ 

this,  after  it  was  once  resolved  upon.  The  day  and  hoar  of  our  ilo 
was  appointed  to  be  on  Wednesday  morning,  the  Tenth  of  Septemb 
about  one  of  the  clock.  We  chose  to  act  it  so  early  becaase  we  ho| 
thereby  to  surprise  the  Enemy.  With  this  resolution  also,  to  avdd  e 
fusion  and  falling  foul  one  upon  another,  That  when  'once*  we  1 
recovered  *  the  Line  and  Forts  upon  it,  we  should  not  advance  fnrtl 
till  day.  The  (jeneral's  signal  unto  a  storm  was  to  be,  The  firing 
straw,  and  discharging  four  pieces  of  cannon  at  Pryor's  Hill  Fort. 

The  signal  was  very  well  perceived  of  all ;  and  truly  the  men  w« 
on  with  great  resolution ;  and  very  presently  recovered  the  Line,  maki 
way  for  the  Horse  to  enter.  Colonel  Montague  and  Colonel  Pkkerii 
who  stormed  at  Lawford's  Gate,  where  was  a  double  work,  well  SL 
with  men  and  cannon,  presently  entered ;  and  with  great  reeoliitioo  bi 
the  enemy  from  their  works,  and  possessed  their  cannon.  Thehr  ei] 
dition  was  such  that  they  forced  the  enemy  from  their  advantages,  wi 
out  any  considerable  loss  to  themselves.  They  laid  down  the  bridf 
for  the  Horse  to  enter ; — Major  Desbrow  commanding  the  Hofw ;  w 
irery  gallantly  seconded  the  Foot  Then  our  Foot  advanced  to  the  Ci 
Walls;  where  they  possessed  the  Gate  against  the  Castle  Stm 
whcreinto  were  put  100  men ;  who  made  it  good.  Sir  Hardress  Wall 
with  his  own  and  the  GeneraPs  regiment,  with  no  less  resolntio 
entered  on  the  otlicr  side  of  Lawford*s  Gate,  towards  Avon  Rive 
and  put  themselves  into  immediate  conjunction  with  the  rest  of  tl 
brigade. 

During  this,  Colonel  Rainsborough  and  Colonel  Hammond  attempb 
Pr}'or'8  Hill  Fort,  and  the  Line  downwards  towards  Froom ;  and  tl 
Major-Gcneral^s  regiment  being  to  storm  towards  Froom  River,  Cokn 
Hammond  possessed  the  Line  immediately,  and  beating  the  enemy  frn 
it,  made  way  for  the  Horse  to  enter.  Colonel  Rainsborongh,  who  h 
tlie  hardest  task  of  all  at  Pryor's  Hill  Fort,  attempted  it ;  and  liragl 
near  three  hours  for  it  And  indeed  tliere  was  great  despair  of  canyiB 
the  place ;  it  being  exceeding  high,  a  ladder  of  thirty  roonda  ocanel 
reaching  the  top  thereof;  but  his  resolution  was  such  that,  noCwid 
standing  the  inaccessibleness  and  difficulty,  he  would  not  give  it  an 
The  enemy  had  four  pieces  of  cannon  upon  it,  which  they  plied  wit 
round  and  case  shot  upon  our  men :  his  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bowen,  ai 
others,  were  two  hours  at  push  of  pike,  standing  upon  the  p^litadof 
but  could  not  enter.    *  But  now'  Colonel  Hammond  being  entered  tk 

*  Recovered  means  *  taken,* '  got  possession  of:'  the  Line  is  a  new  eutb< 
work  outside  the  walls ;  very  deficient  in  height  according  to  Rnperf  s  a 
count. 


IMS.]  LETTER  XV.,  STORM  OF  BRISTOL.  179 

Lbe  (mad  *  here'  Captain  Lreton  *  with  a  forlorn  of  Colonel  Riches  regi- 
■nt  interposing  with  his  Horse  between  the  Enemy's  Horse  and 
Colooel  Hammond,  received  a  shot  with  two  pistol-bullets,  which  broke 
Hi  aim)^ — by  means  of  this  entrance  of  Colonel  Hammond  they  did 
Aim  llie  Fort  on  that  part  which  was  inward ;  *  and  so '  Colonel  Rains- 
knogfa's  and  Colonel  Hammond's  men  entered  the  Fort,  and  imraedi- 
atelf  pvt  almost  all  the  men  in  it  to  the  sword. 

And  mm  this  was  the  place  of  most  difficulty,  so '  it  was '  of  most  loss 
tft  n  oo  that  side, — ^and  of  very  great  honor  to  the  undertaker.  The 
Hone  '  too '  did  second  them  with  great  resolution :  both  these  Colonels 
h  acknowledge  that  their  interposition  between  the  enemy's  Horse  and 
Mr  Foot,  was  a  great  means  of  obtaining  of  this  strong  Fort.  With- 
•it  which  all  the  rest  of  the  line  to  Froom  River  would  have  done  us 
iide  good ;  and  indeed  neither  Horse  nor  Foot  could  have  stood  in  all 
tkt  way,  in  any  manner  of  security,  had  not  the  Fort  been  taken. — 
Ifaior  Bethel's  were  the  first  Horse  that  entered  the  Line ;  who  did 
Mwve  himself  gallantly ;  and  was  shot  in  the  thigh,  had  one  or  two 
ibot  more,  and  had  his  horse  shot  under  him.  Colonel  Birch  with  his 
■en,  and  the  Major-Grenerars  regiment,  entered  with  very  good  reso- 
lition  where  their  post  was ;  possessing  the  enemy's  gnns,  and  turning 
then  upon  them. 

By  this,  all  the  line  from  Pryor's  Hill  Fort  to  Avon  (which  was  a  full 
■lie),  with  all  the  forts,  ordnance  and  bulwarks,  were  possessed  by  us  ; 
—save  one,  wherein  were  about  Two  hundred  and  twenty  men  of  the 
Enemy ;  which  the  General  summoned,  and  all  the  men  submitted. 

The  success  on  Colonel  Welden's  side  did  not  answer  with  this. 
And  although  the  Colonels,  and  other  the  officers  and  soldiers  both 
Horn  and  Foot,  testified  as  much  resolution  as  could  be  expected, — 
Cdonel  Welden,  Colonel  Ingoldsby,  Colonel  Herbert,  and  the  rest  of 
the  Colonels  and  officers,  both  of  Horse  and  Foot,  doing  what  could  be 
veil  looked  for  from  men  of  honor, — ^yet  what  by  reason  of  the  height 
of  the  works,  which  proved  higher  than  report  made  them,  and  the 
■hortnesa  of  the  ladders,  they  were  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  about  One 
handled  men.  Colonel  Fortescue's  Lieutenant-Colonel  was  killed,  and 
Major  CromweUt  dangerously  shot ;  and  two  of  Colonel  Ingoldsby's 
bndierB  hart ;  with  some  officers. 

Being  possessed  of  thus  much  as  hath  been  related,  the  Town  was 
fired  in  three  places  by  the  Enemy;  which  we  could  not  put  out 

*This  is  not  the  fiunous  lreton;  this  is  his  Brother.    'Commissary- 
Genenl  lreton,'  as  we  have  seen,  is  also  here ;  he  is  not  wedded  yet 
t  A 


Oil   TluirMhiy  uboiiT.  iwo   tu  l..^    

iiKirclircl  out;  liiivinnf  a  ronvdv  of  two  roiriments  of  I 
and  iiiakintr  elrclion  of  Oxford  for  the  place  lie  would  g 
had  liberty  to  do  by  his  Articles. 

The  cannon  which  we  have  taken  are  about  One  hiui 
mounted ;  about  One  hundred  barrels  of  powder  alread 
hands,  with  a  good  quantity  of  shot,  ammunition,  and  ar 
found  already  between  Two  and  Three  thousand  musket 
Fort  had  victual  in  it  for  One  hundred  and  fifty  men,  for 
and  twenty  days ;  the  Castle  victualled  for  nearly  half 
Prince  had  in  foot  of  the  Garrison,  as  the  Mayor  of  th 
me.  Two  thousand  five  hundred,  and  about  One  thousan* 
the  Trained  Bands  of  the  l^own,  and  Auxiliaries  One 
say  One  thousand  five  hundred. — I  hear  hot  of  one  man 
of  the  plague  in  all  our  Army,  although  we  have  quarts 
in  the  midst  of  infected  persons  and  places.    We  had  n 
in  the  Storm,  nor  in  all  this  Siege,  Two  hundred  men. 

Thus  I  have  ^ven  you  a  true,  but  not  a  fall  acooi 
business  ;  wherein  he  that  runs  may  read,  That  all  th 
than  the  work  of  God.  He  must  be  a  very  Athei 
acknowledge  it. 

It  may  be  thought  that  sc       praises  are  dae  to  thoi 
whose  valor  so  much  m     ion  is  made : — their  buml 
.  t —  «„  j„tp,      ijj  jjjjg  blessing,  is,  That  in 


1645.]  LETTER  XV.,  STORM  OF  BRISTOL.  181 

He  have  all  the  praise.  Presbyterians,  Independents,  all  have  here  the 
nme  spirit  of  faith  and  prayer ;  the  same  presence  and  answer ;  they 
agree  here,  have  no  names  of  di^rence :  pity  it  is  it  should  be  other- 
wise anywhere !  All  that  believe,  have  the  real  unity,  which  is  most 
g^orioiis ;  because  inward,  and  spiritual,  in  the  Body,  and  to  the  Head.* 
For  being  united  in  forms,  commonly  called  Uniformity,  every  Christian 
will  for  peace-sake  study  and  do,  as  far  as  conscience  will  permit.  And 
iat  brethren,  in  things  of  the  mind  we  look  for  no  compulsion,  but  that 
of  light  and  reason.  In  other  things,  God  hath  put  the  sword  in  the 
BtfiiaBient's  hands, — for  the  terror  of  evil-doers  and  the  praise  of  them, 
that  do  well.  If  any  plead  exemption  from  that, — ^he  knows  not  the 
Gospel :  if  any  would  wring  that  out  of  your  hands,  or  steal  it  from  yon 
under  what  pretence  soever,  I  hope  they  shall  do  it  without  e&ct  That 
Qod  may  maintain  it  in  your  hands,  and  direct  you  in  the  use  thereof,  is 
the  prayer  of 

Your  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.! 

These  last  paragrapns  are,  as  the  old  Newspapers  say, '  very 
remarkable.'  If  modern  readers  suppose  them  to  be  *  cant,'  it 
will  turn  out  an  entire  mistake.  I  advise  all  modem  readers  not 
only  to  believe  that  Cromwell  here  means  what  he  says  ;  but  even 
to  try  bow  theyy  each  for  himself  in  a  new  dialect,  could  mean  the 
like  or  something  better ! — 

Prince  Rupert  rode  out  of  Bristol  amid  seas  of  angry  human 
&ces  glooming  unutterable  things  upon  him  ;  growling  audibly, 
in  spite  of  his  escort,  "  Why  not  hang  him .'"  For  indeed  the 
poor  Prince  had  been  necessitated  to  much  plunder ;  commanding 
'  the  elixir  of  the  Blackguardism  of  the  three  Kingdoms,'  with 
very  insufficient  funds  for  most  part! — He  begged  a  thousand 
muskets  from  Fairfax  on  this  occasion,  to  assist  his  escort  in  pro- 
tecting him  across  the  country  to  Oxford  ;  promising  on  his 
honor  to  return  them  aAer  that  service.  Fairfax  lent  the  mus- 
kets ;  the  Prince  did  honorably  return  them,  what  he  had  of 
them, — honorably  apologising  that  so  many  had  Meserted'  on 
the  road,  of  whom  neither  man  nor  musket  were  recoverable  at 
present. 

*  <Head'  means  Chriit;  *Body'  True  Church  of  Chriti. 
t  Bnshworth,  vi.,  85. 


183  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [14  Sipt 


LETTERS  XVI -XVIII. 

From  Bristol  the  Army  turned  Southward  again,  to  deal  with  the 
yet  remaining  force  of  Royalism  in  that  quarter.  Sir  Ralph 
Hopton,  with  Groring  and  others  under  him,  made  stubborn  re- 
sistance ;  but  were  constantly  worsted,  at  Langport,  at  Toning- 
ton,  wheresoever  they  rallied  and  made  a  new  attempt.  The 
Parliament  Army  went  steadily  and  rapidly  on ;  storming  Bridge- 
water,  storming  all  manner  of  Towns  and  Castles  ;  clearing  the 
ground  before  them  :  till  Sir  Ralph  was  driven  into  Cornwall ; 
and,  without  resource  or  escape,  saw  himself  obliged  next  spring* 
to  surrender,  and  go  beyond  seas.  A  brave  and  honorable  roan ; 
respected  on  both  sides ;  and  of  all  the  King's  Generals  the  most 
deserving  respect.  He  lived  in  retirement  abroad;  taking  no 
part  in  Charles  Second's  businesses ;  and  died  in  honorable 
poverty  before  the  Restoration. 

The  following  Three  Letters  are  what  remain  to  us  concern- 
ing Cromwell's  share  in  that  course  of  victories.  He  was  present 
in  various  general  or  partial  Fights  from  Langport  to  Bovey 
Tracey ;  became  especially  renowned  by  his  Sieges,  and  took 
many  Strong  Places  besides  those  mentioned  here. 

LETTER  XVI. 

^To  the  Hcnorable  William  Leruhall,  Speaker  cf  the  Cknnmont  Honue 

of  Parliament :  These.^ 

*  Winchester,  6th  October,  1645.' 
Sir, 

I  came  to  Wmcbester  on  the  Lord's  day,  the  38th  of  8e|>- 

tember ;  with  Colonel  Pickering,— commanding  his  own.  Colonel  Mion- 

tagae's,  and  Sir  Hardress  Waller's  regiments.    After  some  dispate  with 

the  Governor,  we  entered  the  Town.     I  summoned  the  Castle;  was 

*  Truro,  14th  March,  1646  (Rushworth,  vi.,  110). 


1645.]  LETTER  XVI.,  WINCHESTER.  183 

denied ;  wherenpon  we  fell  to  prepare  batteries, — which  we  could  not 
perfect  (some  of  our  guns  being  out  of  order)  until  Friday  following. 
Omr  battery  was  six  guns ;  which  being  finished, — after  firing  one  round, 
I  sent  in  a  second  summons  for  a  treaty ;  which  they  refused.  Where- 
upon we  went  on  with  our  work,  and  made  a  breach  in  the  wall 
near  the  Black  Tower ;  which,  after  about  200  shot,  we  thought  storm- 
able  ;  and  purposed  on  Monday  morning  to  attempt  it.  On  Sunday 
night,  al^out  ten  of  the  clock,  the  Governor  beat  a  parley,  desiring  to 
treat  I  agreed  unto  it ;  and  sent  Colonel  Hammond  and  Major  Harri- 
aon  in  to  him,  who  agreed  upon  these  enclosed  Articles. 

Sir,  this  is  the  addition  of  another  mercy.  Yon  see  God  b  not  weary 
in  doing  you  good:  I  confess,  Sir,  His  favor  to  you  is  as  visible,  when 
He  comes  by  His  power  upon  the  hearts  of  your  enemies,  makmg  them 
quit  places  of  strength  to  you,  as  when  He  gives  courage  to  your  sd- 
diera  to  attempt  hard  things.  His  goodness  in  this  is  much  to  be 
acknowledged:  for  the  Castle  was  well  manned  with  680  horse  and 
foot,  there  being  near  200  gentlemen,  officers,  and  their  servants ;  well 
Tictoalled  with  15,000  weight  of  cheese ;  very  great  store  of  wheat  and 
beer ;  near  twenty  barrels  of  powder,  seven  pieces  of  cannon ;  the  works 
were  exceeding  good  and  strong.  It's  very  likely  it  would  have  cost 
mnch  blood  to  have  gained  it  by  storm.  We  have  not  lost  twelve  men : 
this  is  repeated  to  you,  that  God  may  have  all  the  praise,  for  it's  all  His 

due. 

Sir,  I  rest, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Crobtwell.* 

*  Lieutenant-General  Cromwell's  Secretary,'  who  brings  this 
Letter,  gets  50/.  for  his  good  news.f  By  Sprigge's  account,^:  he 
appears  to  have  been  *  Mr.  Hugh  Peters,'  this  *  Secretary.'  Peters 
there  makes  a  verbal  Narrative  of  the  afiair,  to  Mr.  Speaker  and 
the  Conmions,  which,  were  not  room  so  scanty,  we  should  be  glad 

to  insert. 

it  was  at  this  surrender  of  Winchester  that  certain  of  the 
captive  enemies  having  complained  of  being  plundered  contrary 
to  Articles,  Cromwell  had  the  accused  parties,  six  of  his  own 
soldiers,  tried :  being  all  found  guilty,  one  of  them  by  lot  was 
banged,  and  the  other  five  were  marched  off  to  Oxford,  to  be 
there  disposed  of  as  the  Governor  saw  fit.     The  Oxford  Groyemor 

*  Sprigge,  p.  128,  and  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  25). 
t  Commons  Journals,  7th  October,  1645.  t  P*  l^^- 


e  riiiiKMi  hfa[);^  mmi  ^-   -   , 

'  in  Hampshire.      It  had  loiii^  inf(\st('H  the  rariiarne 
ters  ;   and  heen  especially  a  i^reat  evesorruw  to  tl 
ondon  with  the  Western  Parts.'      With  Denningtoi 
>^bury,  and  this  Basing  House  at  Basingstoke,  the 
elling  the  western  roads,  except  with  escort,  or  on  s 
)  two  places  had  oflen  been  attempted  ;  but  alwayi 
ling  House  especially  had  stood  siege  aAer  siege, 
.rs ;  ruining  poor  Colonel  This  and  then  poor  Coioi 
jubilant  Royalists  had  given  it  the  name  of  Bastin 
re  was,  on  the  Parliament   side,  a  kind  of  passio 
sing  House  taken.     The  Lieutenant-Greneral,  gathei 
dllery  he  can  lay  hold  of;  firing  about  200  or  5 
me  given  point  till  he  sees  a  hole  made ;  and  the 
ce  a  fireflood : — he  perhaps  may  manage  it. 

'o  the  Honorable  William  LenthaUy  Speaker  of  (he  Comm 

Pttrliament:  These. 

BMii^;itoke,  14th  Ocf 

I  thank  God,  I  can  give  you  a  good  accov 
fter  onr  batteries  placed,  we  settled  t      several  posts  fi 

'    »--  '^1  thfl  ]      1  Bide  of  the  Hf 


19i5.]  LETTER  XVII.,  BASING  HOUSE.  189 

throogfa,  mud  got  tke  gate  of  the  Old  House,  whereapon  ibey  Munmoned 
a  pariey,  which  our  men  would  not  hear. 

In  the  mean  time  Colonel  Montague's  and  Sir  Hardress  Waller's 
regiments  assaulted  the  strongest  work,  where  the  Enemy  kept  hia 
Cooft  of  Guard ; — which,  with  great  resolution,  they  recovered ;  beating 
the  Enemy  from  a  whole  culverin,  and  from  that  work :  which  having 
done,  they  drew  their  ladders  after  them,  and  got  over  another  work,  and 
the  house-wall,  before  they  could  enter.  In  this  Sir  Hardress  Waller 
performed  his  duty  with  honor  and  diligence ;  was  shot  on  the  arm, 
but  not  dangerously. 

We  have  had  little  loss :  many  of  the  enemies  our  men  put  to  the 
sword,  and  some  officers  of  quality ;  most  of  the  rest  we  have  prisoners, 
UDongst  whom  the  Marquis  *of  Winchester  himself  and  Sir  Robert 
Peak,  with  divers  other  officers,  whom  I  have  ordered  to  be  sent  up  to 
jou.  We  have  taken  about  ten  pieces  of  ordnance,  with  much  ammu- 
mtioo,  and  our  soldiers  a  good  encouragement 

I  humbly  oflfer  to  you,  to  have  this  place  utterly  slighted,  for  these 
following  reasons :  It  will  ask  about  eight  hundred  men  to  manage  it ; 
it  is  no  frontier ;  the  country  is  poor  about  it ;  the  place  exceedingly 
rained  by  our  batteries  and  mortar  pieces,  and  by  a  fire  which  fell  upon 
the  place  since  our  taking  it  If  you  please  to  take  the  garrison  at 
Ftmham,  some  out  of  Chichester,  and  a  good  part  of  the  foot  which 
were  here  under  Dalbier,  and  to  make  a  strong  quarter  at  Newbury 
with  three  or  four  troops  of  fiorse, — ^I  dare  be  confident  it  would  not  only 
be  a  curb  to  Dennington,  but  a  security  and  a  frontier  to  all  these  parts ; 
isasmuch  as  Newbury  lies  upon  the  River,  and  will  prevent  any  incur- 
sioD  from  Dennington,  Wallingford,  or  Farringdon  into  these  parts ;  and 
by  lying  there,  will  make  the  trade  most  secure  between  Bristol  and 
London  for  all  carriages.  And  I  believe  the  gentlemen  of  Sussez*and 
Hampshire  will  with  more  cheerfulness  contribute  to  maintain  a  garri- 
son on  the  frontier,  than  in  their  bowels,  which  will  have  less  safety 
in  it 

Sir,  I  hope  not  to  delay,  but  to  march  towards  the  West  tomorrow : 
tnd  to  be  as  diligent  as  I  may  in  my  expedition  thither.  I  must  speak 
my  jodgment  to  you,  That  if  you  intend  to  have  your  work  carried  on, 
recmita  of  Foot  must  be  had,  and  a  course  taken  to  pay  your  army ;  else, 
believe  me.  Sir,  it  may  not  be  able  to  answer  the  work  you  have  for  it 
to  do. 

I  entrusted  Colonel  Hammond  to  wait  upon  you,  who  was  taken  by  a 
mistake  whilst  we  lay  before  this  Garrison,  whom  Grod  safely  delivered 
to  OS,  to  our  great  joy ;  but  to  his  loss  of  almost  all  he  had,  which  the 
fioemy  took  from  him.    The  Lord  grant  that  these  mercies  may  be 


l\.l    1>>> 


(lis  gor)d  news  lo  London,  aim  nav 

»eing  rL'(ji]e>t('il  Mo  make  ii  rolati<.)ii  lo  ilie  1  louse 

»pake  as  Iblluws.'      The   reader  will   like   to  hear   A 

)nce,a  man  concerning  whom  he  has  heard  so  many  i'a 

kO  see  an  old  grim  scene  through  his  eyes.     Mr.  Pet 

''That  he  came  into  Basing  House  some  time  afte 
on  Tuesday,  14th  of  October,  1645  ; — "  and  took  a 
the  works ;  which  were  many,  the  circumvallation 
a  mile  in  compass.  The  Old  House  had  stood  (as  i 
two  or  three  hundred  years,  a  nest  of  Idolatry  ;  the 
suqiassing  that,  in  beauty  and  stateliness  ;  and  eith 
to  make  an  Emperor's  court.         * 

**  The  rooms  before  the  storm  (it  seems),  in  both 
all  completely  furnished  ;  provisions  for  some  yea 
months;  400  quarters  of  wheat;  bacon  divers  re 
taining  hundreds  of  flitches ;  cheese  proportionafa 
meal,  beef,  pork ;  beer  divers  cellarB-fuU,  and  thi 
— Mr.  Peters  having  taken  a  draught  of  the  same. 

'*  A  bed  in  one  room,  furnished,  which  cost  1 
books  many,  with  copes,  and  such  utensils.  In  tr 
stood  in  its  full  pride  ;  and  the  Enemy  was  persuad 
be  the  last  piece  of  ground  that  would  be  taken  by 

^  M«j  ^„^  fnrfiea  whic 


J645.1  LETTER  XVII.,  BASING  HOUSE.  187 

gTOiind,  Major  Cuffle ; — a  man  of  great  account  amongst  them,  and 
t  Dolorious  Papist ;  slain  by  the  hands  of  Major  Harris,  that 
godly  and  gallant  gentleman," — all  men  know  him ;  "  and 
RoMnsoD  the  Player,  who  a  little  before  the  storm  was  known  to 
be  mocking  and  scorning  the  Parliament,  and  our  Army.  Eight 
or  nine  gentlewomen  of  rank,  running  forth  together,  were  enter- 
tained  by  the  common  soldiers  somewhat  coarsely  ;  yet  not  un- 
ciTilly,  considering  the  action  in  hand. 

**  The  plunder  of  the  soldiers  continued  till  Tuesday  night : 
one  soldier  had  120  Pieces  in  gold  for  his  share ;  others  plate, 
others  jewels ; — among  the  rest,  one  got  three  bags  of  silver, 
which  (be  being  not  able  to  keep  his  own  counsel)  grew  to  be 
oomnooa  pillage  amobgst  the  rest,  and  the  fellow  had  but  one  half- 
crown  left  for  himself  at  last. — The  soldiers  sold  the  wheat  to 
country  people  ;  which  they  held  up  at  good  rates  a  while  ;  but 
afterwards  the  market  fell,  and  there  were  some  abatements  for 
haste.  After  that,  they  sold  the  household  stuff;  whereof  there 
was  good  store,  and  the  country  loaded  away  many  carts ;  and 
they  continued  a  great  while,  fetching  out  all  manner  of  house- 
WM  stuff,  till  they  had  fetched  out  all  the  stools,  chairs,  and  other 
lumber,  all  which  they  sold  to  the  country  people  by  piecemeal. 

'*  In  all  these  ^reat  buildings,  there  was  not  one  iron  bar  left 
in  all  the  windows  (save  only  what  were  on  fire),  before  night. 
And  the  last  work  of  all  was  the  lead  ;  and  by  Wednesday  mom- 
ing,  they  had  hardly  left  one  gutter  about  the  House.  And  what 
the  soldiers  left,  the  fire  took  hold  on ;  which  made  more  than 
ordinary  haste  ;  leaving  nothing  but  bare  walls  and  chimneys  in 
less  than  twenty  hours  ; — being  occasioned  by  the  neglect  of  the 
Enemy  in  quenching  a  fire-ball  of  ours  at  first." — What  a  scene ! 

"  We  know  not  how  to  give  a  just  account  of  the  number  of 
persons  that  were  within.  For  we  have  not  quite  three  hundred 
prisoners  ;  and  it  may  be,  have  found  an  hundred  slain, — whose 
bodies,  some  being  covered  with  rubbish,  came  not  at  once  to  our 
view.  Only,  riding  to  the  House  on  Tuesday  night,  we  heard 
divers  crying  in  vaults  for  quarters  ;  but  our  men  could  neither 
oome  to  them,  nor  they  to  us.  Amongst  those  that  we  saw  slain, 
one  of  their  Officers  lying  on  the  ground,  seeming  so  exceeding 


188  PART  II.    FIRST  CIVIL  WAR.  [U  Oct 

tall,  was  measured  ;  and  from  his  great  toe  to  his  crown  waa  nine 
feet  in  Iwigth  "  («c). 

*^  The  Marquis  being  pressed,  by  Mr.  Peters  arguing  with 
him,"  urging  him  to  yield  before  it  came  to  storm,  "  broke  out 
and  said,  '  That  if  the  King  had  no  more  ground  in  England  but 
Basing  House,  he  would  adventure  as  he  did,  and  so  maintain  it 
to  the  uttermost ;' — meaning  with  these  Papists  ;  comforting  him* 
self  in  his  disasters.  That  Basing  House  was  called  LoyoAjf. 
But  he  was  soon  silenced  in  the  question  concerning  the  King 
and  Parliament ;  and  could  only  hope '  That  the  King  might  have 
a  day  again.' — And  thus  the  Lord  was  pleased  in  a  few  hours  tt> 
show  us  what  mortal  seed  all  earthly  glory  grows  upon ;  and 
how  just  and  righteous  the  ways  of  Grod  are,  who  takes  sinners 
in  their  own  snares,  and  lifteth  up  the  hands  of  his  despised  peo- 
ple. 

<^  This  is  now  the  Twentieth  garrison  that  hath  been  taken  in 
this  Summer  by  this  Army  : — and,  I  believe  most  of  them  the 
answers  of  the  prayers,  and  trophies  of  the  faith,  of  some  of  Giod's 
servants.  The  Commander  of  this  Brigade,"  Lieutenant-Greneral 
Cromwell,  *'  had  spent  much  time  with  G^  in  prayer  the  night 
before  the  storm  ;  and  seldom  fights  without  some  Text  of  Scrip- 
ture to  support  him.  This  time  he  rested  upon  that  blessed  word 
of  Grod,  written  in  the  Hundrcd-and-fifleenth  Psalm,  eighth  Terse, 
They  that  make  them  are  like  unto  them  ;  so  is  every  one  that  <niff- 
eih  in  them.  Which,  with  some  verses  going  before,  was  now  ac- 
complished."* 

Mr.  Peters  presented  the  Marquis's  own  Colors,  which  he 
brought  from  Basing  ;  the  Motto  of  which  was.  Donee  pax  redeai 

"  *  Not  unto  us,  0  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  Name,  give  glory  ; 
for  thy  mercy  and  for  thy  truth*s  sake.  Wherefore  should  the  Heathen 
say,  Where  is  now  their  God  ?  Our  God  is  in  the  Heavens :  he  hath 
done  whatsoever  he  hath  pleased  ! — Their  Idols  are  silver  and  gold ;  the 
work  of  men's  hands.  They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not ;  eyes  have 
they,  but  they  see  not :  they  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not ;  noees  have  thej, 
but  they  smell  not ;  they  have  hands,  but  they  handle  not;  feet  have  they* 
but  they  walk  not ;  neither  speak  they  through  their  throat !  They  that 
make  them  are  like  unto  them ;  so  is  every  one  that  trusteth  in  them.'— 
These  words,  awful  as  the  words  of  very  God,  were  in  Oliver  CromwelTs 
heart  that  night 


I«l5il  LETTER  XVIII.,  WALLOP.  189 

knis  ;  the  very  same  as  King  Charles  gave  upcm  his  Coronation- 
naney,  when  he  came  to  the  Crown.'* — So  Mr.  Peters ;  and  then 
vithdreWy — getting  by  and  by  200Z.  a-year  settled  on  him.f 

This  Letter  was  read  in  all  Pulpits  next  Sunday,  with  thanks 
lendered  to  Heaven,  by  order  of  Parliament.  Basing  House  is 
Id  be  carted  away  ;  '  whoever  will  come  for  brick  or  stone  shall 
freely  have  the  same  for  his  pains. ':|: 

Among  the  names  of  the  Prisoners  taken  here  one  reads  that  of 
fa^  /onet, — Unfortunate  old  Inigo.  Vertue,  on  what  evidence 
1  know  not,  asserts  farther  that  Wenceslaus  Hollar,  with  his 
griTing-tools,  and  unrivalled  graving-talent,  was  taken  here.§ 
Tbc  Ifarquis  of  Winchester  had  been  addicted  to  the  Arts, — ^to 
the  Upholsteries  perhaps  still  more.  A  magnificent  kind  of  man ; 
whose  '  best  bed,'  now  laid  bare  to  general  inspection,  excited  the 
wooder  of  the  world. 


LETTER  XVIII. 

Fairfax  with  the  Army  is  in  Devonshire  ;  the  following  Letter 
▼ill  find  him  at  Tiverton ;  Cromwell  marching  that  way,  having 
DOW  ended  Basing.  It  is  ordered  in  the  Commons  House  that 
Cromwell  be  thanked  ;  moreover  that  he  now  attack  Dennington 
Oastle,||  of  which  we  heard  already  at  Newbury.  These  Mes- 
sages overtake  him  on  the  road.  This  fraction  of  old  Museum 
Manuscripts  is  now  legible  : 

To  ike  RiglU  Honorable  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  Oeneral  cf  ike  ParUa- 

menCs  Army :  Haste  .-IT  These, 

Wallop,  14  [error  for  16th]  October,  1645. 
Snt, 

In  to-day's  march  I  came  to  Wallop,  twenty  miles  from 

BssiBg,  towards  you.    That  night  I  received  this  enclosed  from  the 

Hooae  of  Commons  ;  which  1  thought  fit  to  send  you ;  and  to  which  I 

letnmed  an  answer,  a  copy  whereof  I  have  also  sent  enclosed  to  yon. 

*  Sprigge,  pp.  139-41.        t  Whitlocke.       X  Commons  Jour.,  iv.>  309. 
§  Life  o(  Hollar.  |i  Commons  Journals,  15  October,  1645. 

T  Marching  from  Collumpton  to  Tiverton,  while  Cromwell  writes  (Sprigge, 
P.334)w 


V^Llvr.i 


Sir,  I  beseech  you  to  let  me  know  your  resolution  in  tl 
all  the  possible  speed  tliat  may  be ;  because  whatsoever 
I  wish  I  may  speedily  endeavor  it,  time  being  so  precic 
this  season.f 

The  date  *  14th'  is  evidently  an  error.     Basin 
just  seen,  was  taken  on  the  14th  ;    news  of  it  c 
House  on  Wednesday,  the  15th,  and  '  a  Letter  ord< 
ten,'  which  natucally  arrives,  on  the  Road  from  f 
ford,  on  the  16th ;  and  is  here  forwarded  from  ^ 
that  same  evening.     Lang  ford   House,  whither 
bound,  hoping  to  arrive  next  night,  is  near  Salii 
arrive  accordingly  ;  drew  out  part  of  his  brigade, 
the  place  :  place  surrenders ;  '  to  march  forth  to-n 
of  the  clock,  being  the  18th  instant4 

Colonel  Dalbier,  a  man  of  Dutch  birth,  well  k 
of  the  old  Books,  is  with  Cromwell  at  present 
command,  it  was  from  Dalbier  that  Cromwell  fi 
the  mechanical  part  of  soldiering ;  he  bad  Da 
in  drilling  his  Ironsides;  so  says  Heath,  crei 
rv — ^>;,^^nn  Castle  was  not  besieged  at 


IM9l]  letter  XVIII.,  WALLOP.  19t 

About  a  moDth  before  tbe  date  of  this  Letter,  the  King  had 
appeared  again  with  some  remnant  of  force,  got  together  in 
Wales ;  with  intent  to  relieve  Chester,  which  was  his  key  to  Ire- 
land :  but  this  force  too  he  saw  shattered  to  pieces  on  Rowton 
Heath,  near  that  city.*  He  had  also  had  an  eye  towards  the 
great  Montrose  in  Scotland,  who  in  these  weeks  was  blazing  at 
]us  highest  there:  but  him  too  David  Ldlley  with  dragoons, 
emerging  firom  the  mist  of  the  Autumn  morning,  on  Philips- 
baugh  near  Selkirk,  had,  in  one  fell  hour,  trampled  utterly  out. 
The  King  had  to  retire  to  Wales  again ;  to  Oxford  and  obscurity 
again. 

On  the  14th  of  next  March,  as  we  said,  Sir  Ralph  Hopton  sur- 
reodered  himself  in  Com  wall,  j*  On  the  22d  of  the  same  month 
Sir  Jacob  Astley,  another  distinguished  Royalist  General,  the  last 
of  them  all,— -coming  towards  Oxford  with  some  small  force  he 
had  gathered, — was  beaten  and  captured  at  Stow  among  the 
Wolds  of  Gloucestershire  4  surrendering  himself,  the  brave  ve- 
teran said,  or  is  reported  to  have  said,  *^  You  have  now  done  your 
work,  and  may  go  to  play, — unless  you  will  fall  out  among  your- 
selves." 

Oq  Monday  night,  towards  twelve  of  the  clock,  27th  April, 
1646,  the  King  in  disguise  rode  out  of  Oxford,  somewhat  uncer- 
tain  whitherward, — at  length  towards  Newark  and  the  Scots 
Army.§  On  the  Wednesday  before,  Oliver  Cromwell  had  re- 
turned to  his  place  in  Parliament.  ||  Some  detached  Castles  and 
Towns  still  held  out,  Ragland  Castle  even  till  the  next  August ; 
but  the  First  Civil  War,  we  may  say,  has  now  ended. 

The  Parliament,  in  these  circumstances,  was  now  getting  itself 
*  recruited,' — its  vacancies  filled  up  again.  The  Royalist  Mem- 
bers who  had  deserted  three  years  ago,  had  been,  without  much 
difficulty,  successively  '  disabled,'  as  their  crime  came  to  light : 
but  to  issue  new  writs  for  new  elections,  w^ile  the  quarrel  with 
the  King  still  lasted,  was  a  matter  of  more  delicacy  ;  this  too, 

*  24th  September,  1645  (Rushworth,  vi.,  117;  Lord  Digby*8  Account  of 
it,  Ormond  Papem,  ii.,  90). 
t  Hopton*!  own  account  of  it,  Ormond  Papers,  ii.,  1U9-26. 
X  Roshworth,  vi.,  139-41. 
§  Roahworth,  y'i.,  267 ;  Iter  Carolinum.  ||  Cromwelliam. 


1  aunton),    1ju<jim>»  ,    ».. . 

Hutch  ill  soil  known  hv  liis  Wife's  Memoirs^  wen 
new  Members.  Fairfax,  on  his  Father's  death  s* 
hence,  likewise  came  in.* 

*  The  Writ  is  issued  16th  March,  1647-6  )Common2 


i 


CROMWELL'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES, 


PART   III. 


BETWEEN  THE  TWO  CIVIL  WARS. 


1646-1648 


VOL.  I. 


10 


LETTERS  XIX.-XXIV. 

• 

The  conquering  of  the  King  had  been  a  difficult  operation  ;  but 
to  make  a  Treaty  with  him  now  when  he  was  conquered,  proved 
an  impossible  one.  The  Scots,  to  whom  he  had  fled,  entreated 
him,  at  last  '  with  tears '  and  *  on  their  knees,*  to  take  the  Cove- 
nant, and  sanction  the  Presbyterian  worship,  if  he  could  not  adopt 
it :  on  that  condition  they  would  fight  to  the  last  man  for  him ; 
OQ  no  other  condition  durst  or  would  a  man  of  them  fight  for 
him.  The  English  Presbyterians,  as  yet  the  dominant  party,  ear- 
nestly entreated  to  the  same  effect.  In*  vain,  both  of  them.  The 
King  had  other  schemes :  the  King  writing  privately  to  Digby, 
before  quitting  Oxford,  when  he  had  some  mind  to  venture  pri- 
vately on  London,  as  he  ultimately  did  on  the  Scotch  Camp,  to 
raise  Treaties  and  Caballings  there,  had  said,  "  —  endeavoring 
to  get  to  London  ;  being  not  without  hope  that  I  shall  be  able  so 
to  draw  either  the  Presbyterians  or  the  Independents  to  side  with 
me  for  extirpating  one  another,  that  I  shall  be  really  King 
again."*  Such  a  man  is  not  easy  to  make  a  Treaty  with, — 
on  the  word  of  a  King !  In  fact  his  Majesty,  though  a  belli- 
gerent party  who  had  not  now  one  soldier  on  foot,  considered 
himself  a  tower  of  strength  ;  as  indeed  he  was  ;  all  men  having 
a  to  us  inconceivable  reverence  for  him,  till  bitter  Necessity  and 
be  together  drove  them  away  from  it.  Equivocations,  spasmodic 
obstinacies,  and  blindness  to  the  real  state  of  fiicts,  must  have  an 
end. — 

The  following  Six  Letters,  of  little  or  no  significance  for  illus- 
tratiug  public  affairs,  are  to  carry  us  over  a  period  of  roost  intri- 
cate  negotiation  :  negotiation  with  the  Scots,  managed  manfully 
on  both  sides,  otherwise  it  had  ended  in  quarrel ;  negotiations 
with  the  King  ;  infinite  public  and  private  negotiations  ; — which 
ittoe  at  last  in  the  Scc^  marching  home  with  200,000/.  as.  <  a 

*  Oxford,  26  March,  1646-7 ;  Carte's  Life  of  Ormonde  iii  (LondoB, 
1''30),  p.  4S2. 


'  T.ond 
Sin, 

I  was  desired  to  write  a  Ix'tter 

Flemming.     The  end  of  it  is,  To  desire  your  I^ltei 
tion.    He  will  acquaint  you  with  the  sum  thereof 
what  the  business  is.     I  most  humbly  submit  to  yo 
when  you  have  it  from  him. 
Craving  pardon  for  my  boldness  in  patting  yen  to 

I  rest, 

Your  most  humble  sc 

Adjutant  Flamming  is  in  Sprigge's  Army-Lis 
to  be  the  Flemming  who,  as  Colonel  Flemming 
had  rough  service  in  South  Wales  two  years 
was  finally  defeated, — attempting  to  *  seize  a 
broke  Castie,  then  in  revolt  under  Poyer ;  ' 
Church,  and  there  slain, — some  say,  slew  him.s< 

Of  Flemming's  present  *  business  *  with  Fj 
were  to  solicit  promotion  here,  or  continued  ei 
land,  nothing  can  be  known.  The  War,  whicl 
the  *  First  War,'  is  now,  as  we  said,  to  all  re 
Ragland  Castle,  the  last  that  held  out  for  Charl 


164«.]  LETTER  XX.,  LONDON.  197 

remptory  reduction  of  it.*     There  have  begun  now  to  be  discus- 
and  speculations  about  sending  men  to  Ireland  ;t  about 

ding  Massey  (famed  Grovemor  of  Gloucester)  to  Ireland  with 
men,  and  then  also  about  disbanding  Massey 's  men. 

Exactly  a  week  before,  24th  July,  1646,  the  united  Scots  and 
Parliamentary  Commissioners  have  presented  their  '  Propositions'! 
to  his  Majesty  at  Newcastle  4  Yes  or  No,  is  all  the  answer  they 
can  take.  They  are  most  zealous  that  he  should  say  Yes. 
Chancellor  Loudon  implores  and  prophesies  in  a  very  remarkable 
manner :  "  All  England  will  rise  against  you  ;  they,"  these  Sec- 
tarian Parties,  ''  will  process  and  depose  you,  and  set  up  another 
TJovemment,"  unless  you  close  with  the  Propositions.  His  Ma- 
jesty, on  the  1st  of  August  (writing  at  Newcastle,  in  the  same 
boors  while  Cromwell  writes  this  in  London),  answers  in  a 
haughty  way.  No. 


LETTER  XX. 

August  10/A.  The  Parliamentary  Commissioners  have  returned, 
and  three  of  the  leading  Scots  with  them, — to  see  what  is  now  to 
be  done.  Fairfax  is  at  Bath  ;  and  *  the  Solicitor,'  St.  John  the 
Shipmoney  Lawyer,  is  there  with  him. 

'To  the  Right    Honorable    Sir    Tlwmas    Fairfax^    General  of  the 
Parliament's  Army,  at  the  Bath :  These' 

SiE,  London,  10th  August,  1646. 

Hearing  you  were  returned  from  Ragland  to  the  Bath, 
I  take  the  boldness  to  make  this  address  to  you. 

Our  Commissioners  sent  to  the  King  came  this  night  to  London.}  I 
have  spoken  with  two  of  them,  and  can  only  learn  these  generals,  That 
there  appears  a  good  inclination  in  the  Scots  to  the  rendition  of  our 
Tovsns,  and  to  their  march  out  of  the  Kingdom.    When  they  bring  ip 

•  Rush  worth,  vi.,  293  ; — Fairfax's  first  Letter  from  Ragland  is  of  7  Au- 
pst ;  14  August  he  dates  from  Usk ;  and  Ragland  i»  surrendered  on  tha 

nth. 

t  Cromwclliana,  April,  1646,  p.  31.  J  Ru»hworth.  ▼*.,  319 

§  Conmions  Journals. 


tlie  uttermost  of 

Your  faithful  and  most  obcdicr 

Oliv 

'P.S.'  I  beseech  you  my  humble  service  may  hi 
L&dy. 

*  P.S.  2d. 'I  The  money  for  disbanding  Massey'e 
you  will  speedily  have  directions  about  them  from  tfa 

The   Commissioners   to  Charles  at  Newca 
Pembroke  and  Suffolk,  from  the  Peers ;  from 
Walter  Earle  (Weymouth),  Sir  John  Hippeslc 
Robert  Goodwin  (East  Grimstead,  Sussex),  Luk 
borough).§ 

<  Duke  of  Hamilton  :'  the  Parliamentary  Ai 
Pendennis  Castle, — no,  in  St.  Michael's  Moi 
they  toQk  these  places  in  Cornwall  lately.  Tl 
let  him  loose  again  ; — he  has  begun  a  course  o 
which  will  end  still  more  tragically  for  him. 

Ormond  is,  on  application  from  the  Parlian 
dered  by  his  Majesty  not  to  make  peace  witl 
rebels  ;  'detestable  to  all  men ; — but  he  of  coui 
judgment  of  the  necessities  of  the  case,  beio 
n,,uu  ;♦  Kimoolf  unA  thft  K\nff  under  restraint  i 


1646.]  LETTER  XXI.,  LONDON.  199 

weie  to  come  over  and  help  his  Majesty  :  which  truth  is  now  be- 
ginning to  ooze  out.  It  would  be  a  comfi)rt  to  understand  farther, 
what  the  &ct  soon  proves,  that  this  Peace  will  not  hold ;  the  Irish 
Priests  and  Pope's  Nuncios  disapproving  of  it.  Even  while  Oli- 
ver writes,  an  Excommunication  or  some  such  Document  is  com- 
ing out,  signed  "  Prater  O'Farrel,"  "  Abbas  O'Teague,"  and  the. 
like  names :  poor  Ormond  going  to  Kilkenny,  to  join  forces  with 
the  Irish  rebels,  is  treacherously  set  upon,  and  narrowly  escapes 
death  by  them.* 

Concerning  '  the  business  of  Massey's  men,'  there  are  some 
notices  in  Ludlow.f  The  Commons  had  ordered  Fair&x  to  dis- 
band them,  and  sent  the  money,  as  we  see  here ;  whereupon  the 
Lords  ordered  him.  Not.  Fairfax  obeyed  the  Commons ;  apolo- 
gised to  the  Lords, — who  had  to  submit,  as  their  habit  was.  Mas- 
sey's Brigade  was  of  no  particular  religion ;  Massey's  Miscel- 
lany,— '  some  of  them  will  require  passes  to  Ethiopia,'  says  an- 
cient wit.  But  Massey  himself  was  strong  for  Presb3rterianism, 
for  strict  Drill.serjeantcy  and  Anti-heresy  of  every  kind :  the 
Lords  thought  his  Miscellany  and  he  might  have  been  useful. 


LETTER  XXI. 

His  Excellency,  in  the  following  Letter,  is  Fairfax  ;  John  Rush- 
worth,  worthy  John,  we  already  know  !  Fairfax  has  returned  to 
the  Bath,  still  for  his  health  ;  Ragland  being  taken,  and  the  War 
ended. 

For  Jdhn  RtLshvfortht  Esquire,   Secretary  to  his  Excdleney^  at  the 

Bath:  These, 

*  London,*  26th  August,  *  1646.' 
Mb.  Rush  worth, 

I  must  needs  entreat  a  favor  on  the 
brialf  of  Major  Lilbum ;  who  has  a  long  time  wanted  emplojrment, 
tnd  by  reason  good  his  necessities  may  grow  upon  him. 
Yon  should  do  very  well  to  move  the  General  to  take  him  into 

*    Rush  worth,  yi.,  416  ;  Carte's  Life  of  Ormond. 
t  Memoirs  of  Edmund  Ludlow  (London,  1722),  ii.,  181. 


jjiii»uin    ■  WHO  i.-nuni  nni    iivc   \v  iukhu  a  ({lUllTL'l 
It'll  uKuH'  in  llie  world  would    have  to  di\ide   hi 
set  the  John  to  light  with    Lilburii,  and    the    Li] 
Freeborn  John  is  already  a  Lieutenant-Colonel 
in  the  New  Model  at  all  ;  is  already  deep  in  q 
limbo  since  August  last,  for  abuse  of  his  old 
He  has  quarrelled  or  is  quarrelling  with  Cromv 
Assembly  of  Divines  an   Assembly  of  Dry-v 
little  else  but  quarrelling  henceforth. — This  i 
Freeborn  John ;  one  of  his  two  Brothers.     ] 
already  is  or  soon  becomes  a  Colonel  in  the  Ne^ 
not  *  want  employment.'     This   is   Henry  Li 
probably  in  consequence  of  this  application,  G 
mouth  Castle :  revolting  to  the  Royalists,  his 
him  there,  in  1648.     These  Lilburns  were  fron 


LETTER  XXIL 


*  Delinquents,'  conquered  Royalists,  are  now  { 
fined,  according  to  rigorous  proportions,  by  a  Pi 
tee,  which  sits,  and  will  sit  long,  at  Goldsmiths' 


JM«.]  LETTER  XXIII.,  LONDON.  201 


Town.  They  bring  a  Petition  ;  very  anxious  to  have  2,000/.  out 
of  their  Staffi)rdshire  Delinquents  from  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  or  even 
4,000/., — to  pay  off  their  forces,  and  send  them  to  Ireland ;  which 
lie  heavy  on  the  County  at  present. 

'  To  the  Right  Honorable  l^ir  Thomas  Fairfax,  General  of  (he  Parlia- 
ment's Army :  These* 

BoLj  <  London,'  6th  October,  1646. 

I  would  be  loath  to  trouble  you  with  anything ;  but  indeed 
the  Stmffi>rd8hiTe  Gentlemen  came  to  me  this  day,  and  with  more  th^ 
adinary  impetuosity  did  press  me  to  give  their  desires  furtherance  to 
you.  Their  Letter  will  show  what  they  entreat  of  you.  Truly,  Sir,  it 
may  not  be  amiss  to  give  them  what  ease  may  well  be  aflS)rded,  and  the 
sooner  the  better,  especially  at  this  time.* 

I  have  no  more  at  present,  but  to  let  you  know  the  business  of  your 
Army  is  like  to  come  on  to-morrow.  You  shall  have  account  of  that 
business  so  soon  as  I  am  able  to  give  it.    I  humbly  take  leave,  and  rest, 

Your  Excellency's  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  CROMWELL.f 

The  Commons  cannot  grant  the  prayer  of  this  Petition  ;  J  Staf- 
fordshire will  have  to  rest  as  it  is  for  some  time.  '  The  business 
of  your  Army'  did  come  on  *  tomorrow  ;'  and  assessments  for  a 
Dew  six-months  were  duly  voted  for  it,  and  other  proper  arrange- 
ments made.§ 


LETTER  XXIII. 

Colonel  Ireton,  now  Commissary- General  Ireton,  was  wedded 
to  Bridget  Cromwell  on  the  15th  of  January  last.     A  valiant  man 
Once  B.  A.  of  Trinity  CoUlege,  Oxford,  and  Student  of  the  Mid 

*  '  and  the  soouer,'  &€. :  these  words  are  inserted  above  the  line  by  way 
of  caret  and  afterthought. 

t  Sloane  mss.,  1519,  fol.  72  : — Oliver's  own  hand. — Note,  his  signature 
Kerns  alwajTs  to  be  Oliver  Cromwell,  not  O.  Cromwell ;  to  which  practice 
we  shall  accordingly  conform,  when  the  copy  may  be  doubtfuL 

t  "7  December,  1646,  Commons  Journals,  iv.,  3. 

§  1  October,  1646,  Commons  Journals,  iv.,  687. 

10* 


QuarUrs :  Thcf^e. 

London, ^ 

Dear  Daughter, 

I  .write  not  to  thy  Hash 
trouble,  for  one  line  of  mine  begets  many  of  his,  v 
him  sit  up  too  late ;  partly  because  I  am  myself  indi 
having  some  other  considerations. 

Your  Friends  at  Ely  are  well ;  your  sister  Cla; 
mercy,  exercised  with  some  perplexed  thoughts, 
vanity  and  carnal  mind :  bewailing  it :  she  seeks  a 
what  will  satisfy.  And  thus  to  be  a  seeker  is  to  be 
to  a  finder ;  and  such  an  one  shall  every  faithful  hui 
end.  Happy  seeker,  happy  finder  !  Who  ever  tas 
gracious,  without  some  sense  of  self,  vanity  and  b 
tasted  that  gracionsness  of  His,  and  could  go  lessf  i 
pressing  after  full  enjoyment  7  Dear  Heart,  press  < 
let  not  anything  cool  thy  afiTections  after  Christ  ] 
occasion  to  inflame  them.  That  which  is  best  w 
Husband  is  that  of  the  image  of  Christ  he  bears.  L 
itJbest,  and  all  the  rest  for  that    I  pray  for  thee  anc 

My  service  and  dear  affections  to  the  General  anc 
she  is  very  kind  to  thee ;  it  adds  to  all  other  obligati* 

Thy  dear  I 


l«i«.l  LETTER  XXIV.,  LONDON.  309 


Bridget  Ireton  is  now  Twenty-two.  Her  Skter  Claypole 
(Elizabeth  Cromwell)  is  five  years  younger.  They  were  both 
wedded  last  Spring.  <  Your  Friends  at  Ely'  may  indicate  that 
the  Cromwell  Family  was  still  resident  in  that  City  ;  though,  I 
think,  they  not  long  afterwards  removed  to  London.  Their  first 
residence  here  was  King-street,  Westminster  ;♦  Oliver  for  the  pre- 
sent  lodges  in  Drury  Lane  :  fashionable  quarters  both,  in  those 
times. 

General  Fairfax  had  been  in  Town  only  three  days  before, 
attending  poor  Essex's  Funeral :  a  mournful  pageant,  consisting 
of  '  both  the  Houses,  Fairfax  and  all  the  Civil  and  Military  Offi- 
cers then  in  Town,  the  Forces  of  the  City,  a  very  great  nurhber 
of  coaches  and  multitudes  of  people  ;'  with  Mr.  Vines  to  preach  ; 
— ^r^ardless  of  expense,  5,000Z.  being  allowed  for  it.f 


LETTER  XXIV. 

The  intricate  Scotch  negotiations  have  at  last  ended.  The  pay- 
ing of  the  Scots  their  first  instalment,  and  getting  them  to  march 
tway  in  peace,  and  leave  the  King  to  our  disposal,  is  the  great 
iffiur  that  has  occupied  Parliament  ever  since  his  Majesty  refused 
tbe  Propositions.  Not  till  Monday  the  21st  December  could  it  be  ^ 
got  *  perfected'  or  *  almost  perfected.'  After  a  busy  day  spent  in 
tbe  Commons  House  on  that  affair,^  Oliver  writes  the  following 
Letter  to  Fairfax.  The  *  Major-General'  is  Skippon.  Fairfax, 
'  since  he  left  Town,'  is  most  likely  about  Nottingham,  the  head- 
quarters  of  his  Army,  which  had  been  drawing  rather  North- 
ward,  ever  since  the  Ring  appeared  among  the  Scots.     Fairfax 

spondf,  18  this  Note:  *Memo. :  The  above  Lettr  of  Olirer  Cromwell 
Jdo  Caswell  Mercht  of  London  had  from  his  Mother  Linington,  who  had 
it  from  old  Mrs.  Warner,  who  liv'd  with  Oliver  Cromwell's  Daughter.  — 
And  was  Copied  from  the  Original  Letter,  which  is  in  the  hands  of  John 
Warner  E^sqr  of  Swanzey,  by  Cha«  Norris,  25th  Mar. :  1749.' 

*  Crorawelliana,  p.  60. 

t  Roshworth,  vi.,  239;  Whitlocke,  p.  230. 

I  Commons  Joomals,  v.,  22, 3. 


Iiii:!!  ;    impatient  inv  'a  just  pcacf'  iio\v*that  the 
()ii  Salurilav,  (itii  December,  it  ^\as  ordered  tlia 
be  appi'ibcd  uf  tumultuous  assemblages  which 
disturbance  of  the  peace  ;'  and  be  desired  to  qu 
can. 

*  To  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  Qe 

mentis  Army:  These, 

*  London,'  2 Is 
Sib, 

Having  this  opportanity  by  the  Major-( 

few  lines  anto  you,  I  take  the  boldness  to  let  you  ki 

go  on  since  you  left  Town. 

We  have  had  a  very  long  Petition  from  the  City 
the  Army,  and  what  other  aims  it  has  you  will  see  b] 
as  also  what  is  the  prevailing  temper  at  this  present 
expected  from  men.  But  this  is  our  comfort,  €rod  is 
doth  what  pleaseth  Him  ;  His  and  only  His  counsel  e 
ever  the  designs  of  men,  and  the  fury  of  the  people  b 

We  have  now,  I  believe,  almostf  perfected  all  oui 
land.    I  believe  Commissioners  will  speedily  be  sent 
ments  performed ;  it's  intended  that  Major-General  Sk 
ity  and  instructions  from  your  Excellency  to  comn 


1646.]  LETTER  XXIV.,  LONDON.  205 

Here  has  been  a  design  to  steal  away  the  Duke  of  York  from  my  Lord 
of  Northumberland :  one  of  his  own  servants,  whom  he  preferred  to  wait 
CO  the  Dake,  is  guilty  of  it ;  the  Duke  himself  confessed  so.  I  believe 
yoQ  will  suddenly  hear  more  of  it. 

I  have  DO  more  to  trouble  you  '  with  ;'  but  praying  for  you,  rest, 

Your  Excellency's  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

SkippoD,  as  is  well  known,  carried  up  the  cash  200,000/.  to 
Newcastle,  successfully  in  a  proper  number  of  wagons ;  got  it 
all  counted  there,  <  bags  of  100/.,  chests  of  1,000/.  (5.16th  Janu 
ary,  1646-7\  after  which  the  Scots  marched  peaceably  away. 

The  little  Duke  of  York,  entertained  in  a  pet-captive  fashion 
at  St.  James's,  did  not  get  away  at  this  time ;  but  managed  it, 
by  and  by,  with  help  of  a  certain  diligent  intriguer  and  turncoat, 
called  Colonel  Bamfieldf  ^-of  whom  we  may  hear  farther. 

On  Thursday,  11th  February,  1646-7,  on  the  road  between 
Mansfield  and  Nottinghamj — road  between  Newcastle  and  Holmby 
House, — *  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  went  and  met  the  King ;  who 
stopped  his  horse :  Sir  Thomas  alighted,  and  kissed  the  King's 
hand ;  and  afterwards  mounted,  and  discoursed  with  the  King  as 
they  passed  towards  Nottingham. ':f  The  King  had  left  Newcastle 
00  the  3d  of  the  month ;  got  to  Holmby,  or  Holdenby,  on  the 
13th  ; — and  *  there,'  says  the  poor  Iter  Carolinunif  *  during 
pleasure.' 

there  is  barely  room  for  his  signature,  on  the  outmost  verge  of  the  sheet ; 
which,  as  we  remarked  already,  is  a  common  practice  with  him  in  writing 
Letters  : — he  is  loath  always  to  turn  the  page  ;  having  no  blotting-paper  at 
that  epoch  ;  having  only  sand  to  dry  his  ink  with,  and  a  natural  indisposi- 
tion to  pause  till  he  finish  ! 

•  Sloane  mss.,  1519,  fol.  78,  p.  147. 

t  Clarendon,  iii.,  189. 

\  Wbitlocke,  p.  242  ;  IterCarolinum  (in  Somers  Tracts,  vi.,  274) :  Whit- 
locke*s  date,  as  usual,  is  inexact 


printed  : 

*  The  Presbyterian  ''Platfirnr'  of  Cliurcli 
recommended  by  the  Assembly  of  Divines  o 
has  at  length,  after  unspeakable  debatings,  p 
passings  through  both  Houses,  and  soul's-tra^ 
about  "  ruling-elders,"  "  power  of  the  keys," 
— been  got  jinaUy  passed,  though  not  without  s 
shades  of  Erastianism,  or  "  the  Voluntary  Princ; 
phrase  runs.  The  l*resbyterian  Platform  is  pass 
London  and  other  places,  busy  "  electing  thei 
are  just  about  ready  to  set  it  actually  on  foot, 
hoped  there  will  be  some  "  uniformity"  as  to  the 

*  Uniformity  of  free-growing  healthy  forest 
uniformity  of  dipt  Dutch  dragons  is  not  so  go 
tion,  Which  of  the  two  ?  is  by  no  means  settl 
Assembly  of  Divines,  and  majorities  of  both  Ho 
think  it  so.  The  general  English  mind,  which,  1 
in  all  things,  loves  regularity  even  at  a  high  pri( 
tent  with  this  Presbyterian  scheme,  which  we 
dragon  one  ;  but  a  deeper  portion  of  the  Englit 
decisively  to  growing  in  the  fbrest-tree  way, — 
nhnot  out  into  verv  singular  exc  ices.  Ouak 


1M7.]  LETTER  XXV..  LONDON.  207 

shears,  at  this  rate !  The  devout  House  of  Commons,  viewing 
these  things  with  a  horror  inconceivable  in  our  loose  days,  knows 
not  well  what  to  do.  London  City  cries,  "  Apply  the  shears  !" 
— the  Army  answers,  "  Apply  them  gently  ;  cut  off  nothing  that 
is  sound !'  The  question  of  garden-shears,  and  how  far  you 
are  to  apply  them,  is  really  difficult : — the  settling  of  it  will 
lead  to  very  unexpected  results.  London  City  knows  with 
pain,  that  there  are  "ir.any  persons  in  the  Army  who  have 
never  yet  taken  the  Covenant ;"  the  Army  begins  to  consider  it 
unlikely  that  certain  of  them  will  ever  take  it !' — 

These  things  premised,  we  have  only  to  remark  farther,  that 
the  House  of  Commons,  meanwhile,  struck  with  devout  horror, 
has,  with  the  world  generally,  spent  Wednesday,  the  10th  of 
March,  1646-7,  as  a  Day  of  Fasting  and  Humiliation  for  Bias* 
phemies  and  Heresies.*  Cromwell's  Letter,  somewhat  remarka- 
ble for  the  grieved  mind  it  indicates,  was  written  next  day. 
Fair&x  with  the  Army  is  at  Saffron  Walden  in  Essex  ;  there  is 
an  Order  this  dayf  that  he  is  to  quarter  where  he  sees  best. 
There  are  many  Officers  about  Town ;  soliciting  payments,  at- 
tending private  businesses :  their  tendency  to  Schism,  to  Anabap- 
tistry  and  Heresy,  or  at  least  to  undue  tolerance  for  all  that,  is 
well  known.  This  Fast-day,  it  would  seem,  is  regarded  as  a  kind 
of  covert  rebuke  to  them.  Fast-day  was  Wednesday;  this  is 
Thursday  evening : 

LETTER  XXV. 

For  Uf  Excellency  Sir  Thomas  FaitfaXy  General  of  the  Parliamentary 

Army,  *  at  Saffron  Walden ;'  These. 

*  London,  11th  March,  1646.' 
Sdl, 

Your  Letters  abont  your  head-quarters,  directed  to  the 

Hoii9es4  came  seasonably,  and  were  to  very  good  purpose.  There 
wmt  not  in  all  places  men  who  have  so  much  malice  against  the  Army 
as  besots  them :  the  late  Petition,  which  suggested  a  dangerous  design 
against  the  Parliament  in  '  your '  coming  to  those  quarters)  doth  suffi- 

*  Whitlocke,  p.  243.  f  Commons  Journals,  v.,  110. 

X  Ibid.,  11  March,  1646  (Letter  is  dated  Safiron  Walden,  0  March). 
§  Safiron  Walden,  Eastern  Association ;  Manchester's  deliverance  about  it 
it  in  Commons  Journals. 


•  ]\S."f  Adjutant  Allon  dosiros  CoIdiu'I  Baxter, 
of  llcadiM^-,  may  Ix'  rfinniihcrecl.  1  humbly  (1(V 
may  not  be  out  of  your  remombrdiice.     He  is  a  des' 

sents  his  humble  service  to  you. Upon  the 

diers  were  raised  (as  I  heard),  both  horse  and  foot, 
Garden,  To  prevent  us  soldiers  from  cutting  the  Pn 
These  are  fine  tricks  to  mock  God  with.^ 

This  flagrant  insult  to  '  us  soldiers/  in  Cc 
doubtless  elsewhere,  as  if  the  zealous  Presbyter 
not  safe  from  violence,  in  bewailing  Schism, — ^ii 
The  Lieutenant-General  might  himself  have 
*  heard'  it, — for  he  lived  hard  by,  in  Drury  I 
was  of  course  at  his  own  Church,  bewailing  S 
not  in  so  strait-laced  a  manner. 

Oliver's  Sister  Anna,  Mrs.  Sewster,  of  Wis 
shire,  had  died  in  these  months,  1st  Noveml 
Letter  lies  contiguous  to  Letter  XVIIL  in  the 
Letter  XVIIL  is  sealed  conspicuously  with  i 
XXV.  with  black.  The  Cromwell  crest,  *  lioE 
foregamb,' — the  same  big  seal, — is  on  both. 

•  C       ions  Journals,  v..  110.  11  Mnrr»l»   ia>ia 


1047.]  LETTER  XXVI.,  LONDON.  200 

LETTER  XXVL 

Commons  Journals,  17th  March,  1646 :  *  Ordered,  That  the 
Committee  of  the  Army  do  write  unto  the  General  and  acquaint 
him  that  this  House  takes  notice  of  his  care  in  ordering  that  none 
of  the  Forces  under  his  Command  should  quarter  nearer  than 
Five-and-twenty  Miles  of  this  City:  That  notwithstanding  his 
care  and  directions  therein,  the  House  is  informed  that  some  of 
his  Forces  are  quartered  much  nearer  than  that ;  and  To  desire 
hira  to  take  course  that  his  former  Orders,  touching  the  quarter- 
ing of  his  Forces  no  nearer  than  Twenty-five  Miles,  may  be  ob- 
served.' 

'  To  his  ExeeUency  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax,  Chneral  of  the  ParliamenCs 

Army:  These.'' 

*  London,'  19th  March,  1646. 
Sib, 

This  enclosed  Order  I  received ;  but,  I  suppose,  Letters 
from  the  Committee  of  the  Army  to  the  effect  of  this  are  come  to  your 
hande  before  this  time.  I  think  it  were  very  good  that  the  distance  of 
Twenty-five  Miles  be  very  strictly  observed ;  and  they  are  to  blame  that 
have  exceeded  the  distance,  contrary  to  your  former  appointment.  This 
Letter  I  received  this  evening  from  Sir  William  Massam,'^  a  Member  of 
tiie  House  of  Commons ;  which  I  thought  fit  to  send  you  ;  his  House 
being  much  within  that  distance  of  Twenty-five  Miles  of  London.  I 
have  sent  the  Officers  down,  as  many  as  I  could  well  light  of. 
Not  having  more  at  present,  I  rest. 

Your  Excellency's  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  CBOMWELL.f 

The  troubles  of  the  Parliament  and  Army  are  just  beginning. 
The  order  for  quartering  beyond  twenty-five  miles  from  London, 
and  many  other  *  orders'  were  sadly  violated  in  the  course  of  this 
season ! — *  Sir  W.  Massam's  House,'  *  Otes  iiT  Essex,'  is  a  place 
known  to  us  since  the  beginning  of  these  Letters, 

The  Officers  ought  really  to  go  down  to  their  quarters  in  the 
Eastern  Counties  ;  Oliver  has  sent  them  oflf,  as  many  of  them  as 
he  *  could  well  light  of.' 

*  Masham.  t  Sloane  mss.,  1519,  foL  74. 


»     1^  v^  » 


so  exquisite  a  way,  lias  cost  the  Artist  dear! 
tly  ;   his  hist  scene  much   the    hest,  for  liinise 
two  Hothams  also,  and  other  traitors,  have  di< 

*  Rushworth,  vi.,  489  ;  Whitlocke  (p.  249) 


ARMY  MANIFESTO.  211 


ARMY  MANIFESTO. 

entirely  authentic  Letter  is  at  six  months  distance :  a 
imfrequent  in  this  Series ;  but  here  most  especially  to 
sd ;  such  a  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  Oliver  and  of  England 
I  itself  in  the  interim.  The  Quarrel  between  City  and 
ich  we  here  see  begun  ;  the  split  of  the  Parliament  into 
ly  hostile  Parties  of  Presbyterians  and  Independents, 
d  by  City  and  Army  ;  the  deadly  wrestle  of  these  two 
ith  victory  to  the  latter,  and  the  former  flung  on  its 
its  '  Eleven  Members'  sent  beyond  Seas :  all  this  tran- 
r  in  the  interim,  without  autograph  note  or  indisputably 
utterance  of  Oliver's  to  elucidate  it  for  us.  We  part 
aboring  to  get  the  Officers  sent  down  to  Saffron  Wal- 
jwful  on  the  Spring  Fast-day  in  Covent  Garden :  we 
Lgain  at  Putney  in  Autumn ;  the  insulted  Party  now 
and  he  the  most  important  man  in  it.  One  Paper 
id  among  the  many  published  on  that  occasion,  and 
tty  confidently,  by  internal  evidence,  to  be  of  his  writ- 
e  introduced  ;  and  there  is  no  other  that  I  know  of. 
is  Quarrel  between  City  and  Army,  no  agreement  with 
or  the  present  being  possible,  went  on  waxing ;  deve- 
If  more  and  more  visibly  into  a  Quarrel  between  Pres- 
rn  and  Independency  ;  attracting  to  the  respective  sides 
ivo  great  Parties  in  Parliament  and  in  England  gene- 
this  the  reader  must  endeavor  to  imagine  for  himself, — 
Y,  as  matters  yet  stand.  In  books,  in  Narratives  old  or 
ill  find  little  satisfaction  in  regard  to  it.  The  old  Nar- 
ritten  all  by  baffled  enemies  of  Cromwell,*  are  full  of 
1  rage,  distraction  and  darkness ;  the  new  Narratives, 
3nly  in  '  Machiavelism,'  dz;c.,  disfigure  the  matter  still 

s  Memoirs ;  Waller's  Vindication  of  his  Character ;  Clement 
istory  of  Independency,  &c.,  &c. 


j't'iTiird  to  it,  al")Uii(l.  J  Icjw  iiianv  i^ravc  historic 
circuhitc  ill  the  u.irld.  accn  ilitcd  l»v  liisiioj)  lUir 
wiiicli  on  exaiiiiiialion  you  will  lliul  melt  away 
rumors, — gathered  Irom  ancient  red-nosed  Pre 
men,  Harbottle  Grimston  and  Company,  sitting  i 
a  Blessed  Restoration,  and  talking  to  the  loosely 
in  a  very  loose  way  !  Statements  generally  wit 
hannless  truth,  misinterpreted  by  those  red-nose 
sons ;  frothed  up  into  huge  bulk  by  the  loquacic 
mentioned,  and  so  set  floating  on  Time's  Stream, 
to  us,  they,  nor  the  red-noses  they  proceeded 
cite  them  here ;  I  have  examined  most  of  them 
of  them  fairly  believable ; — wondered  to  see  ho^ 
generation,  earnest  Puritanism  being  huog  oi 
thrown  out  into  St.  Margaret's  Churchyard,  the 
it  had  grown  mythical,  and  men  were  ready  to  8^ 
of  nonsense  concerning  it.  Ask  for  dates,  ask 
saw  it,  heard  it ;  when  was  it,  where  ?  A  misc 
do  much.  So  accurate  a  man  as  Mr.  Grodwii 
accurate  in  such  matters,  makes  "  a  master-stm 
merely  by  mistake  of  dating  :*  the  thing  when 

it.  WAS  A  RrAditAhln  truth.  nnH  stAr.stim1rA 


1W7.]  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  213 


ty"  that  Cromwell  steered  himself  victoriously  across  such  a 
deTouring  chaos ;  no,  hut  hy  coniinuances  of  nohle  manful  ^m- 
plicity  I  rather  think, — by  meaning  one  thing  before .  God,  and 
nrw^ning  the  Same  before  men  as  a  strong  man  does.  By  consci- 
entious resolution  ;  by  sagacity  and  silent  wariness  and  prompti- 
tude ;  by  religious  valor  and  veracity, — which,  however  it  may 
fare  withybow,  are  really  after  all  the  grand  source  of  clearness 
for  a  man  in  this  world  !' We  here  close  our  Manuscript. 

Modem  readers  ought  to  believe  that  there  was  a  real  impulse 
of  heavenly  Faith  at  work  in  this  Controversy  ;  that  on  both 
sides,  more  especially  on  the  Army's  side,  here  lay  the  central 
element  of  all ;  modifying  all  other  elements  and  passions ; — that 
this  CoDtroversy  was,  in  several  respects,  very  different  from  the 
oonuDoa  wrestling  of  Greek  with  Greek  for  what  are  called  *  Poli- 
tical objects  V — Modem  readers,  mindful  of  the  French  Revohi- 
lioD,  will  perhaps  compare  these  Presbyterians  and  Independents 
to  the  Gironde  and  the  Mountain.  And  there  is  an  analogy ;  yet 
with  differences.  With  a  great  difference  in  the  situations  ;  with 
the  difference,  too,  between  Englishmen  and  Frenchmen,  which  is 
always  considerable  :  and  then  with  the  difference  between  be- 
licvers  in  Jesus  Christ  and  believers  in  Jean  Jacques,  which  is  still 
more  considerable ! 

A  few  dates,  and  chief  summits  of  events,  are  all  that  can  be 
indicated  here,  to  make  our  *  Manifesto'  legible. 

From  the  beginnings  of  this  year,  1647,  and  earlier,  there  had 
often  been  question  as  to  what  should  be  done  with  the  Army. 
The  expense  of  such  an  Army,  between  twenty  and  thirty  thou- 
sand men,  was  great ;  the  need  of  it,  Royalism  being  now  sub- 
dued, seemed  small ;  besides  it  was  known  that  there  were  many 
in  'M  who  *  had  never  taken  the  Covenant,'  and  were  never  likely 
to  take  it.  This  latter  point,  at  a  time  when  Heresy  seemed  rising 
like  a  hydra,*  and  the  Spiritualism  of  England  was  developing 
itself  in  really  strange  ways,  became  very  important  too, — became 
gradually  most  of  sdl  important,  and  the  soul  of  the  whole  Con- 
troversy. 

*  See  Edwards's  Oangrtena  (London,  1646)  lor  many  furious  details  of  it 


J14  PART  III.    BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.       [10  Jnne, 

Early  in  March,  after  much  debating,  it  had  been  got  settled 
that  there  should  be  Twelve  thousand  men  employed  in  Ireland,* 
which  was  now  in  sad  need  of  soldiers.     The  rest  were  in  some 
good  way  to  be  disbanded.     The  *  way,'  however,  and  whether  it 
might  really  be  a  good  way,  gave  rise  to  considerations.    Without 
entering  into  a  sea  of  troubles,  we  may  state  here  in  general  that 
the  things  this  Army  demanded  were  strictly  their  just  right : 
arrears  of  pay,  '  three-and-forty  weeks'  of  hard-earned  pay ;  in- 
demnity for  acts  done  in  War ;  and  clear  discharge  according  to 
contract,  not  service  in  Ireland  except  under  known  Coromandera 
and  conditions, — *  our  old  Commanders,'  for  example.     It  is  also 
apparent  that  the  Presbyterian  party  in  Parliament,  the  leaders  of 
whom  were,  several  of  them,  Colonels  of  the  Old  Model,  did  not 
love  this  victorious  army ;  that  indeed  they  disliked  and  grew  to 
hate  it,  useful  as  it  had  been  to  them.     Denzil  Holies,  Sir  William 
Waller,  Ilarley,  Staplcton,  these  men,  all  strong  for  Presbyterian- 
ism,  were  old  unsuccessful  Colonels  or  Generals  under  Elssez; 
and  for  very  obvious  reasons  looked  askance  on  this  Army,  and 
wished  to  be  bo  soon  as  possible  rid  of  it.     The  first  rumor  of  a 
demur  or  desire  on  the  part  of  the  Army,  rumor  of  some  Peti- 
tion to  Fairfax  by  his  Oflicers  as  to  tlie  '  way'  of  their  dbbanding, 
was  by  these  Old-Military  Parliament  men  very  angrily  repressed ; 
nay,  in  a  moment  of  fervor,  they  proceeded  to  decree  that  who- 
ever had,  or  might  have,  a  hand  in  promoting  such  Petition  in  the 
Army  was  an  *  Enemy  to  the  State,  and  a  Disturber  of  the  Public 
Peace,' — and  sent  forth  the  same  in  a  '  Declaration  of  the  80th  of 
March,'  which  became  very  celebrated  afterwards.    Thb  unlucky 
*  Declaration,'  Waller  says,  was  due  to  Holies,  who  smuggled  it 
one  evening  through  a  thin  House.     "  Enemies  to  the  State,  Dis- 
turbers of  the  Peace :"  it  was  a  severe  and  too  proud  rebuke ;  felt 
to  be  unjust,  and  looked  upon  as  <  a  blot  of  ignominy  ;'  not  to  be 
forgotten  nor  easily  forgiven,  by  the  parties  it  was  addressed  to. 
So  stood  matters  at  the  end  of  March. 

At  the  end  of  April  they  stand  somewhat  thus.  Two  Pariia- 
ment  Deputations,  Sir  William  Waller  at  the  head  of  them,  have 
been  at  Saffron  Walden,  producing  no  agreement  :f  five  digni- 

•  6  March,  Commons  Journals,  ?.,  107. 

t  Waller,  pp.  42-«5.  ^  .  ..        ....... 


i»47.]  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  215 


of  the  Army,  *  Lieutenant-Greoeral  Hammond,  Colonel  Ham. 
moDdy  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pride/  and  two  others,  have  been  sum- 
moned to  the  bar  ;"*  some  subalterns  given  into  custody  ;  Ireton 
himself  '  ordered  to  be  examined  ;' — and  no  <  satisfaction  to  the 
just  desires  of  the  Army ;'  on  the  contrary,  the  '  blot  of  igno- 
miny'  fixed  deeper  on  it  than  before.  We  can  conceive  a  univer. 
ml  sorrow  and  anger,  and  all  manner  of  dim  schemes  and  consul - 
tatioQs  going  on  at  Saffron  Walden,  and  the  other  Army-quarters, 
in  those  days.  Here  is  a  scene  from  Whitlocke,  worth  looking  at, 
which  takes  place  in  the  Honorable  House  itself;  date  30th  April, 

1647  :t 

'  Debate  upon  the  Petition  and  Vindication  of  the  Army. 
Major-General  Skippon,  in  the  House,  produced  a  Letter  pre- 
mited  to  him  the  day  before  by  some  troopers,  in  behalf  of 
Eight  Regiments  of  the  Army  of  Horse.  Wherein  they  ex- 
pressed some  reasons.  Why  they  could  not  engage  in  the  service 
of  Ireland  under  the  present  Conduct,'  under  the  proposed 
Gommandership,  by  Skippon  and  Massey ;  '  and  complained.  Of 
the  many  scandals  and  false  suggestions  which  were  of  late 
raised  against  the  Army  and  their  proceedings ;  That  they  were 
taken  as  enemies ;  That  they  saw  designs  upon  them,  and  upon 
many  of  the  Godly  Party  in  the  Kingdom ;  That  they  could 
not  engage  £ot  Ireland  till  they  were  satisfied  in  their  expecta- 
tions, and  their  just  desires  granted. — Three  Troopers,  Edward 
Sexby,  William  Allen,  Thomas  Sheppard,  who  brought  this  Let- 
ter, were  examined  in  the  House,  touching  the  drawing  and^sub- 
scribing  of  it ;  and,  Whether  their  OfRcers  were  engaged  in  it  or 
not  1  They  affirmed.  That  it  was  drawn  up  at  a  Rendezvous  of 
several  of  those  Eight  Regiments ;  and  afterwards  at  several  meet- 
ings by  Agents  or  Agitators,  for  each  Regiment ;  and  that  few  of 
their  Officers  knew  or  took  notice  of  it. 

*  Those  Troopers  being  demanded.  Whether  they  had  not  been 
Cavaliers  ? — it  was  attested  by  Skippon,  that  they  had  constantly 
served  the  Parliament,  and  some  of  them  from  the  beginning 
of  the  War.     Being  asked  concerning  the  meaning  of  some  ex- 

•  Commons  Journals,  v.,  129. 

f  Whitlocke,  p.  249 ;  Commons  Journals  in  die;  and  a  fuller  account  in 
Enshworth,  vi.,  474. 


210  PART  III.    BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.         [10  June, 


pressions  in  the  Petition,'  especially  concerning  "  certain  men 
aiming  at  a  Sovereignty,'^ — *  they  answered,  that  the  Letter  be- 
ing a  joint  act  of  those  Regiments,  they  could  not  give  a  punctual 
answer,  being  only  Agents ;  but  if  they  might  have  the  queries  in 
writing,  they  would  send  or  carry  them  to  those  Regiments,  and 
return  their  own  and  their  answers. — They  were  ordered  to  attend 
the  House  uiK)n  summons.' 

Three  sturdy  fellows,  fit  for  management  of  business ;  let  the 
rcarler  note  them.  They  are  *  Agents'  to  the  Army :  a  class  of 
functionaries  called  likewise  *  Adjutators'  and  misspelt  *  Agita- 
tors ;*  elected  by  the  common  men  of  the  Army,  to  keep  the  ranks 
in  unison  with  the  Oflicers  in  the  present  crisis  of  their  affairs. 
This  is  their  first  distinct  appearance  in  the  eye  of  History ;  in 
which,  during  these  months,  they  play  a  great  part.  Evidently 
the  settlement  with  the  Army  will  be  a  harder  task  than  was 
supposed. 

During  these  same  months  some  languid  negotiation  with  the 
King  is  going  on  ;  Scots  Commissioners  come  up  to  help  in  treat* 
ing  with  him ;  but  as  he  will  not  hear  of  Covenant  or  Presbytery, 
there  can  no  result  follow.  It  was  an  ugly  aggravation  of  the 
blot  of  ignominy  which  the  Army  smarts  under, — ^the  report 
raised  against  it,  That  some  of  the  Leaders  had  said,  "  If  the 
King  would  come  to  them,  they  would  put  the  crown  on  his 
head  again." — Cromwell,  from  his  place  in  Parliament,  ear- 
nestly watches  these  occurrences ;  waits  what  the  great  *  birth  of 
Providence'  in  them  may  be; — 'carries  himself  with  much  wari- 
ness ;'  is  more  and  more  looked  up  to  by  the  Independent  Party 
for  his  interest  with  the  Soldiers.  One  day,  noticing  the  *  high 
carriages'  of  Holies  and  Company,  he  whispers  Edmund  Ludlow 
who  sat  by  him,  "  These  men  will  never  leave  till  the  Army  pull 
them  out  by  the  ears  !"*  Holies  and  Company,  who  at  present 
rule  in  Parliament,  pass  a  New  Militia-Ordinance  for  London; 
put  the  Armed  Force  of  London  into  hands  more  strictly  Pres- 
byterian.f     There  have  been  two  London  Petitions  agakist  the 

•  Ludlow,  i.,  ISQ;  sec  Whitlocko,  p.  252. 

t  4  May,  1047,  Commons  Journals,  v.,  160,—*  Thirty-one  PerMiDS»*  their 
names  ^iven. 


1«7.1  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  2Vl 

Armjj  and  two  London  Petitions  covertly  in  favor  of  it ;  the 
Managers  of  the  latter,  we  observe,  have  been  put  in  prison. 

May  Qih.  A  new  and  more  promising  Deputation,  Crom- 
well at  the  head  of  it.  *  Cromwell,  Ireton,  Fleetwood,  Skippon,' 
proceed  again  to  Saf&on  Walden ;  investigate  the  claims  and 
grievances  of  the  Army :  engage,  as  they  had  authority  to  do, 
that  real  justice  shall  be  done  them ;  and  in  a  fortnight  return 
with  what  seems  an  agreement  and  settlement ;  for  which  Lieu- 
tenant-General Cromwell  receives  the  thanks  of  the  House.*  The 
House  votes  what  il  conceives  to  be  justice,  <  eight  weeks  of  pay' 
in  ready  money,  bonds  for  the  rest, — and  so  forth.  Congratula- 
tions hereupon  ;  a  Committee  of  Lords  and  Commons  are  ordered 
to  go  down  to  Saffiran  Walden  to  see  the  Army  disbanded. 

May  2&ih.  On  arriving  at  Saffron  Walden,  they  find  that 
their  notions  of  what  is  justice  and  the  Army's  notions  difier 
widely.  "  Eight  weeks  of  pay,"  say  the  Army ;  **  we  want  nearer 
eight  times  eight !"  Disturbances  in  several  of  the  quarters : — at 
Oxford  the  men  seize  the  disbanding-money  as  part  of  payment, 
and  will  not  disband  till  they  get  the  whole.  A  meeting  of  Adju- 
tatorsy  by  authority  of  Fairfax,  convenes  at  Bury  St.  Edmund's, 
— a  regular  Parliament  of  soldiers,  '  each  common  man  paying 
Iburpence  to  meet  the  expense  :'  it  is  agreed  that  the  Army's 
quarters  shall  be  '  contracted,'  brought  closer  together  ;  that  on 
Friday  next,  4th  of  June,  there  shall  be  a  Rendezvous,  or  Gen- 
eral  Assembly  of  all  the  Soldiers,  there  to  decide  on  what  they 
will  do.f 

June  4ih  and  5th,  The  Newmarket  Rendezvous,  '  on  Kent- 
finth  Heath,'  a  little  east  of  Newmarket,  is  held  ;  a  kind  of  Co- 
venant is  entered  into  and  other  important  things  are  done  : — ^but 
elaewhere  in  the  interim  a  thing  still  more  important  had  been 
done.  On  Wednesday,  June  2d,  Cornet  Joyce, — once  a  London 
tailor  they  say,  evidently  a  very  handy  active  man, — he,  and  Five 
hundred  common  troopers,  a  volunteer  Party,  not  expressly  com- 
inande<^y  anybody,  but  doing  what  they  know  the  whole  Army 
wishes  to  be  done,  sally  out  of  Oxford,  where  things  are  still 
■omewh&t  disturbed ;  proceed  to  Holraby  House ;  and,  after  two 

•  May  Ql,  Commons  Journals,  v.,'  181,  f  Ruahworth,  pp.  496-510. 

VOL.  I.  11      ' 


218  PART  in.     BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.        [10  June, 

days  of  talking,  bring  *  the  King's  Person'  off  with  them.  To  the 
horror  and  despair  of  the  Parlianncnt  Comnnissioners  in  attendance 
there  ;  but  clearly  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  Majesty, — who  hopes, 
in  this  new  shullle  and  deal,  some  good  card  will  turn  up  for  him ; 
hopes,  with  some  ground,  *the  l^resbyterians  and  Independents 
vmij  now  be  got  to  extirpate  one  another.'  His  Majesty  rides 
w  illingly  ;  the  Parliament  Commissioners  accompany,  wringing 
their  hands  : — to  Hinchinbrook,  that  same  Friday  night ;  where 
Colonel  Montague  receives  them  with  all  hospitality,  entertains 
them  for  two  days.  Colonel  Whalley  with  a  strong  party,  de- 
]>uted  by  Fairfa.x,  had  met  his  Majesty  ;  offered  to  deliver  him 
from  Joyce,  back  to  Holmby  and  the  Parliament ;  but  his  Majesty 
positively  declined. — Captain  Titus,  quasi  Tighthose,  very  well 
known  afterwards,  arrives  at  St.  Stephen's  with  the  news ;  has 
50/.  voted  him  *  to  buy  a  horse,'  f()r  his  great  service ;  and  fiUs 
all  men  with  terror  and  amazement.  The  Honorable  Houses 
ai^ree  to  *  sit  on  the  Lord's  day  ;'  have  Stephen  Marshall  to  pray 
fur  them  ;  never  were  in  such  a  plight  before.  The  Controvers}', 
at  this  point,  has  risen  from  Economical  into  Political :  Army 
Parliament  in  the  Eastern  Counties,  against  Civil  Parliament  in 
\V>.stminster ;  and,  How  *thc  Nation  shall  be  settled'  between 
tliem  ;  whether  its  growth  shall  be  in  the  forest-tree  fashion,  or 
in  the  dipt  Dutch-dragon  fashion? — 

Monday,  June  lih.  All  Officers  in  the  House  are  ordered 
fortliwith  to  go  down  to  their  regiments.  Cromwell,  without 
oriler,  not  without  danger  of  detention,  say  some, — has  already 
gone :  this  same  day,  *  (jcneral  Fairfax,  Lieutenant-General 
Cromwell  and  the  chief  men  of  the  Army,'  have  an  interview  with 
the  King,  '  at  Childerly  House  between  Huntingdon  and  Cam- 
bridge :'  his  Majesty  will  not  go  back  to  Holmby ;  much  prefers 
'■  the  air'  of  these  parts,  the  air  of  Newmarket  for  instance  ;  and 
will  continue  with  the  Army.*  Parliament  Commissioners,  with 
jiew  Votes  of  Parliament,  are  coming  down  ;  the  Army  must  have 
a  new  R(?ndezvous,  to  meet  them.  New  Rendezvous  atAoyston, 
more  pro|)crly  on  Triploe  Heath  near  Cambridge,  is  appomted  for 
Thursday  ;  and  in  the  interim  a  *  Day  of  Fasting  and  Humiliation' 

•  Rushworth,  vi.,  549. 


1647.]  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  219 

b  held, — a  real  Day  of  Prayer  (very  inconceivable  in  these  days), 
For  Grod's  enlightenment  as  to  what  should  now  be  done. 

Here  is  Whitlocke's  account  of  the  celebrated  Rendezvous 
Mit, — somewhat  abridged  from  Rushworth,  and  dim  enough ; 
wherein,  however,  by  good  eyes  a  strange  old  Historical  Scene 
may  be  discerned.  The  new  Votes  of  Parliament  do  not  appear 
still  to  meet '  the  just'  desires  of  the  Army  ;  meanwhile,  let  all 
things  be  done  decently  and  in  order. 

*  The  Creneral  had  ordered  a  Rendezvous  at  Royston ;'  properly 
00  Triploe  Heath,  as  we  said:  on  Thursday,  10th  June,  1647: 
the  Force  assembled  was  about  Twenty-one  thousand  men,  the 
remarkablest  Army  that  ever  wore  steel  in  this  world.  <  The 
General  and  the  Commissioners  rode  to  each  Regiment.  They 
first  acquainted  the  General's  Regiment  with  the  Votes  of  the 
Parliament ;  and  Skippon,'  one  of  the  Commissioners,  '  spake  to 
them  to  persuade  a  compliance.  An  Officer  of  the  Regiment 
made  answer.  That  the  Regiment  did  desire  that  their  answer 
might  be  returned  after  perusal  of  the  Votes  by  some  select 
Officers  and  Agitators,  whom  the  Regiment  had  chosen ;  and  said, 
This  was  the  motion  of  the  Regiment. 

*  He  desired  the  General  and  Commissioners  to  give  him  leave 
to  ask  the  whole  Regiment  if  this  was  their  answer.  Leave  being 
given,  they  cried,  "  All."  Then  he  put  the  question,  if  any  man% 
were  of  a  contrary  opinion  he  should  say,  No  ; — ^and  not  one  man 
gave  his  "  No." — The  Agitators  in  behalf  of  the  soldiers  pressed 
to  have  the  question  put '  at  once,  *  whether  the  Regiment  did 
acquiesce  and  were  satisfied  with  the  votes  V  The  Agitators 
knew  well  what  the  answer  would  have  been  ! — *  But  in  regard 
the  other  way  was  njore  orderly,  and  they  might  after  perusal 
proceed  nK)re  deliberately,  that  question  was  laid  aside. 

'  The  like  was  done  in  the  other  Regiments  ;  and  all  were  very 
unanimous ;  and '  always  <  after  the  Commissioners  had  done 
reading  the  Votes,  and  speaking  to  each  Regiment,  and  had 
received  their  answer,  all  of  them  cried  out,  "  Justice,  Justice !" 
-—not  a  very  musical  sound  to  the  Commissioners. 

'  A  Petition  was  delivered  in  the  field  to  the  Greneral,  in  the 
name  of  "  many  well-affected  people  in  Essex  ;"  desiring.  That 
the  Army  might  not  be  disbanded ;  in  regard  the  ComnK)n wealth 


220  PART  in.    BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.       [10  June, 

/lad  many  enemies,  who  watched  for  such  an  occasion  to  destroy 
the  good  people.'* 

Such,  and  still  dimmer,  is  the  jotting  of  dull  authentic  Bulstrode, 
drowning  in  official  oil,  and  somnolent  natural  pedantry  and  fat, 
one  of  the  rcmarkablest  scenes  our  History  ever  had:  An 
Armed  Parliament,  extra-official,  yet  not  without  a  kind  of  sacred- 
ness,  and  an  Oliver  Cromwell  at  the  head  of  it ;  demanding  with 
one  voice,  as  deep  as  ever  spake  in  England,  "  Justice,  Justice !" 
under  the  vault  of  Heaven. 

That  same  afternoon,  the  Army  moved  on  to  St.  Albans,  nearer 
to  London ;  and  from  the  Rendezvous  itself,  a  joint  Letter  was 
despatched  to  the  Lord  Afayor  and  Aldermen,  which  the  reader  is 
now  at  last  to  sec.  I  judge  it,  pretty  confidently,  by  evidence  of 
style  alone,  to  be  of  Cromweirs  own  writing.  It  differs  totally  in 
this  respect  from  any  other  of  those  multitudinous  Army-Papers ; 
which  were  understood,  says  Whitlocke,  to  be  drawn  up  mostly 
by  Ireton,  <  who  had  a  subtle  working  brain ;'  or  by  Lambert,  who 
also  had  got  some  tincture  of  Law  and  other  learning,  and  did  not 
want  for  brain.  They  are  very  able  Papers,  though  now  very 
dull  ones.  This  is  in  a  far  different  style ;  in  Oliver's  worst 
style ;  his  style  when  ho  writes  in  haste, — and  not  in  haste  of  the 
pen  merely,  for  that  seems  always  to  have  been  a  most  rapid  busi- 
ness with  him  ;  but  in  haste,  before  the  matter  had  matured  itself 
fur  him,  and  the  real  kernels  of  it  got  parted  from  the  husks,  A 
style  of  composition  like  the  structure  of  a  block  of  oak-root, — as 
tortuous,  unwedgeable,  and  as  strong!  Read  attentively,  this 
Letter  can  bo  understood,  can  be  believed ;  the  tone  of  it,  the 
*  voice  '  of  it,  reminds  us  of  what  Sir  Philip  Warwick  heard  ;  the 
voice  of  a  man  risen  justly  into  a  kind  of  diauni, — very  dangerous, 
for  the  City  of  London  at  present. 

To    the    Right  Honorable  the  Jjord  Mayor,  Aldermen^  and   Commtm 

Council  of  the  City  of  London :  TTiese* 

Royston,  10th  Jane,  1047. 

RuJHT  Honorable  and  Worthy  Friends, 

Having,  by  our  Letters  and  other  Addresses  presented  by 
our  General   to  tlic  Honorable  House  of  Commons,  endeavored  to 

♦  Whitlocke,  p.  25b, 


1647.]  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  221 

gnre  aatigfiiction  of  the  clearness  of  our  just  Demands ;  and  '  having ' 
ilso,  in  Papers  published  by  ns,  remonstrated  the  groonds  of  oar  pro- 
eeedings  in  prosecation  thereof ;— all  which  being  published  in  print, 
we  are  confident  '  they '  have  come  to  your  hands,  and  received  at 
least  a  charitable  construction  from  yon. 

The  sum  of  all  these  our  Desires  as  Soldiers  is  no  other  than  this  ; 
Sttisiaction  to  our  undoubted  Claims  as  Soldiers ;  and  reparation  upon 
those  who  have,  to  the  utmost,  improved  all  opportunities  and  advan- 
tiges,  by  &lse  suggestions,  misrepresentations  and  otherwise,  for  the 
destruction  of  this  Army  with  a  perpetual  blot  of  ignominy  upon  it. 
Which  *  injury '  we  should  not  value,  if  it  singly  concerned  our  own 
puticalar '  persons ;'  being  ready  to  deny  ourselves  in  this,  as  we  have 
done  in  olher  cases,  for  the  Kingdom's  good :  but  under  this  pretence, 
«e  find,  no  less  is  involved  than  the  overthrow  of  the  privileges  both  of 
Piritanient  and  People ; — and  that  rather  than  they*"  shall  &il  in  their 
designs,  or  we  receive  what  in  the  eyes  of  all  good  men  is  *  our '  just 
right,  the  Kingdom  is  endeavored  to  be  engaged  in  a  new  War.  *  In 
a  new  War,'  and  this  singly  by  those  who,  when  the  truth  of  these 
things  shall  be  made  to  appear,  will  be  found  to  be  the  authors  of  those 
'said'  evils  that  are  feared ; — and  who  have  no  other  way  to  protect 
Utenuelves  from  question  and  punishment  but  by  putting  the  Kingdom 
into  blood,  under  the  pretence  of  their  honor  of  and  their  love  to  the 
Piriiameot.  As  if  that  were  dearer  to  them  than  to  us ;  or  as  if  they 
iad  given  greater  proof  of  their  faithfulness  to  it  than  we. 

But  we  perceive  that,  under  these  veils  and  pretences,  they  seek  to 
bterest  in  their  design  the  City  of  London  : — as  if  that  City  ought  to 
Diake  good  their  miscarriages,  and  should  prefer  a  few  self-seeking  men 
before  the  welfare  of  the  Public.  And  indeed  we  have  found  these  men 
K>  active  to  accomplish  their  designs,  and  to  have  such  apt  instruments 
for  their  turn  in  that  City,  that  we  have  cause  to  suspect  they  may 
engage  many  therein  upon  mistakes, — which  are^  easily  swallowed,  in 
times  of  such  prejudice  against  themf  that  have  given  (we  may  speak 
it  without  vanity)  the  most  public  testimony  of  their  good  affections  to 
the  Public,  and  to  that  City  in  particular. 

'  As '  for  the  thing  we  insist  upon  as  Englishmen, — and  surely  our 
being  Soldiers  hath  not  stript  us  of  that  interest,  although  our  malicious 
enemies  would  have  it  so, — we  desire  a  Settlement  of  the  Peace  of  the 
Kingdom  and  of  the  Liberties  of  the  Subject,  according  to  the  Votes 
and  Declarations  of  Parliament,  which,  brfore  we  took  arms,  were,  by 

*  The  Presbyterian  leaders  in  Parliament,  Holies,  Stapleton,  Harleyj 
WaUer,  &c. 
t  Oblique  for  *  us.' 


\V(^  linvf  >:ii(l  Iji'lnrt'.  niiil  |ir'i|r<s  it  n')\v,  Wo  (l(\s 
the  ( 'ivil  ( itncriniMMif.  A>  lilllc  do  \v<'  ('.♦'-iro  to  ii 
lt.'u>t  to  iiil(.'rriuMl(ih'  with,  tlio  M.'ttlinir  tit"  the  Pn-sbvl 
Nor  did  we  seek  to  open  a  way  for  licentious  liberty, 
obtaining  ease  for  tender  consciences.  We  profess 
things,  When  once  the  State  has  made  a  Settlement 
to  say  but  to  submit  or  suffer.  Only  we  could  wis! 
citizen,  and  every  man  who  walks  peaceably  in  a  bl 
tion,  and  is  beneficial  to  the  Commonwealth,  might 
encouragement ;  this  being  according  to  the  tme  po 
and  even  to  justice  itself. 

These  in  brief  are  our  Desires,  and  the  things  foi 
beyond  which  we  shall  not  go.    And  for  the  obtaining 
we  are  drawing  near  your  City ; — professing  sincerel; 
*  That  *  we  intend  not  evil  towards  you ;  declaring,  wi 
and  assurance,  That  if  you  appear  not  against  as 
desires,  to  assist  that  wicked  Party  which  would  em 
Kingdom,  neither  we  nor  our  Soldiers  shall  give  yoa 
We  come  not  to  do  any  act  to  prejudice  the  being  of  1 
the  hurt  of  this  '  Parliament '  in  order  to  the  present  i 
Kingdom.    We  seek  tlie  good  of  all.    And  we  sh 
remove  to  a  farther  distance  to  abide  there,  if  once  w 
a  speedy  Settlement  of  things  is  in  hand, — ^antil  it  i 


1647.]  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  23S 

Mch  efil  should  fell  out,  the  soldiers  shall  make  their  way  thnmgfa  oar 
blood  to  efSbet  it  And  we  can  say  this  for  roost  of  them,  for  yoar 
better  assurance.  That  they  so  little  value  their  pay  in  cofmparison  of 
higher  concernments  to  a  Public  Good,  that  rather  than  they  will  be 
nnrigfated  in  the  matter  of  their  honesty  and  integrity  (which  hath 
snfieied  by  the  Men  they  aim  at  and  desire  justice  upon),  or  want  the 
aettlement  of  the  ELingdom's  Peace,  and  their  *  own '  and  their  fellow- 
Bobjecis'  Liberties^ — they  will  lose  all.  Which  may  be  a  strong  assur- 
isce  to  you  that  it's  not  your  wealth  they  seek,  but  the  things  tending 
in  common  to  your  and  their  welfare.  That  they  may  obtain  *  these,' 
Ifou  shall  do  like  Fellow-Subjects  and  Brethren  if  you  solicit  the  Par- 
liuaent  for  tiiem,  on  their  behalf. 

If  after  all  this,  you,  or  a  considerable  part  of  you,  be  seduced  to 
tike  up  arms  in  opposition  to,  or  hindrance  of,  these  our  just  undertak- 
iagB, — we  hope  we  have,  by  this  brotherly  premonition,  to  the  sincerity 
of  which  we  call  God  to  witness,  freed  ourselves  from  all  that  ruin 
which  may  befal  that  great  and  populous  City ;  having  thereby  washed 
our  hands  thereof.     We  rest, 

Your  afl^tionate  Friends  to  serve  you, 

Thobias  Fairfax.  Henry  Ireton. 

Oliver  Cromwell.  Robert  Lilburn. 

Robert  Hammond.  John  Desborow. 

Thomas  Hammond.  Thomas  Rainsborow. 

Hardress  Waller.  John  Lambert. 

Nathaniel  Rich.  Thomas  Harrison.* 
Thomas  Pride. 

This  Letter  was  read  next  day  in  the  Commons  House,f — not 
without  emotion.  Most  respectful  answer  went  from  the  Guild- 
Wi  *in  three  coaches  with  the  due  number  of  outriders.' 

On  June  16th,  the  Army,  still  at  St.  Albans,  accuses  of  trea- 
son Eleven  Members  of  the  Commons  House  by  name,  as  chief 
•uthors  of  all  these  troubles;  whom  the  Honorable  House  is 
respectfully  required  to  put  upon  their  trial,  and  prevent  from 
doting  in  the  interim.  These  are  the  famed  Eleven  Members ; 
Holies,  Waller,  Stapleton,  Massey  are  known  to  us ;  the  whole 
List,  ibr  benefit  of  historical  readers,  we  subjoin  in  a  Note.j: 

*  Rush  worth,  vi.,  554.  t  Commons  Journals,  v.,  208 

t  Denzil  Holies  (Member  for  Dorchester),  Sir  Philip  Stapleton  (Bo- 
fooghbridge),  Sir  William  Waller  (Andover),  Sir  William  Lewis  (Peters- 


224  PART  III.    BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.      [10  June, 


They  demurred ;  withdrew;  again  relumed ;  in  fine,  had  to  *  ask 
leave  to  retire  for  six  months,'  on  account  of  their  health,  we 
suppose.  They  retired  swiftly  in  the  end ;  to  France ;  to  deep 
concealment, — to  the  Tower  otherwise. 

The  history  of  these  six  weeks,  till  they  did  retire  and  the 
Army  had  its  way,  we  must  request  the  reader  to  imagine  for  him- 
self. Long  able  Papers,  drawn  by  men  of  subtle  brain  and  strong 
sincere  heart :  the  Army  retiring  always  to  a  safe  distance  when 
their  Demands  are  agreed  to ;  straightway  advancing  if  otherwise, 
— which  rapidly  produces  an  agreement.  A  most  remarkable 
Negotiation ;  conducted  with  a  method,  a  gravity  and  decorous 
regularity  beyond  example  in  such  cases.  The  *  shops  *  of  Londoo 
were  more  than  once  *  shut ;'  tremor  occupying  all  hearts: — but 
no  harm  was  done.  The  Parliament  regularly  paid  the  Army ;  the 
Army  lay  coiled  round  London  and  the  Parliament,  now  advancing, 
now  receding ;  saying  in  the  most  respectful  emblematic  way, 

"  Setllemcnt  with  us  and  the  Godly  People,  or !"  — ^The 

King,  still  with  the  Army,  and  treated  like  a  King,  endeavored 
to  play  his  game,  *  in  meetings  at  Woburn  '  and  elsewhere ;  but 
the  two  Parties  could  not  be  brought  to  extirpate  one  another  for 
his  benefit. 

Towards  the  end  of  July,  matters  seem  as  good  as  settled: 
the  Holies  *  Declaration,'  that  *  blot  of  ignominy,'  being  now 
expunged  from  the  Journals  ;*  the  Eleven  being  out ;  and  now  at 
last,  the  New  Militia  Ordinance  for  London  (Presbyterian  Ordi- 
nance brought  in  by  Holies  on  the  4th  of  May)  being  revoked, 
and  matters  in  that  quarter  set  on  their  old  footing  again.  The 
two  Parties  in  Parliament  seem  pretty  equal  in  numbers;  the 
Presbyterian  Party,  shorn  of  its  Eleven,  is  cowed  down  lo  the  due 
pitch ;  and  there  is  now  prospect  of  fair  treatment  for  all  the 

field),  Sir  John  Clotworthy  (Maiden),  Recorder  Glynn  (Westminster),  Mr, 
Anthony  Nichols  (Bodmin) ;  these  seven  are  old  Members,  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Parliament :  the  other  Four  arc  *  recruiters/  elected  since  1645 : 
Major-Gencral  Massey  (Wooton  Basset),  Colonel  Walter  Long  (Ludgers- 
hall),  Colonel  Edward  Harcly  (Herefordshire),  Sir  John  Maynard  (Lest- 
withiel). 

*  Asterisks  still  in  the  place  of  it,  Commons  Journals,  29th  March, 
lGlO-7. 


1617.]  ARMY  MANIFESTO.  225 

Godly  Interest,  and  such  a  Settlement  with  his  Majesty  as  may 
be  the  hest  for  that«  Towards  the  end  of  July,  however,  London 
City,  torn  by  &ctioDs,  but  Presbyterian  by  the  great  majority, 
rallies  again  in  a  very  extraordinary  way.  Take  these  glimpses 
&om  contemporaneous  Whitlocke :  and  rouse  them  from  their  fat 
somnolency  a  little. 

Jtily  26/A.  Many,  young  men  and  Apprentices  of  London 
came  to  the  House,  in  a  most  rude  and  tumultuous  manner; 
tod  presented  some  particular  Desires.  Desires,  That  the  Eleven 
may  come  back ;  that  the  Presbyterian  Militia  Ordinance  be  not 
revoked, — that  the  Revocation  of  it  be  revoked.  Desire,  in 
abort.  That  there  be  no  peace  made  with  Sectaries,  but  that  the 
London  Militia  may  have  a  fair  chance  to  fight  them ! — Drowsy 
Whidocke  continues ;  almost  as  if  he  were  in  Paris  in  the 
eighteenth  century :  *  The  Apprentices,  and  many  other  rude 
boys  and  mean  fellows  among  them,  came  into  the  House  of 
Commons ;  and  kept  the  Door  open  and  their  hats  on ;  and  called 
out  as  they  stood,  "  Vote,  Vote !" — and  in  this  arrogant  posture, 
stood  till  the  votes  passed  in  that  way.  To  repeal  the  Ordinance 
for  change  of  the  Militia,  to '  &c.  *  In  the  evening  about  7 
o'clock,  some  of  the  Common  Council  came  down  to  the  House ;' 
but  finding  the  Parliament  and  Speaker  already  luid  been  forced, 
they,  astute  Common  Council-men,  ordered  their  Apprentices  to 
go  home  again,  the  work  they  had  set  them  upon  being  now 
finished.*  This  disastrous  scene  fell  out  on  Monday,  26th  July, 
1647 :  the  Houses  on  the  morrow  morning,  without  farther  sitting, 
adjourn  till  Friday  next. 

On  Friday  next, — behold,  the  Two  Speakers,  *  with  the  Mace,' 
and  many  members  of  both  Houses,  have  withdrawn ;  and  the 
Army,  lately  at  Bedford,  is  on  quick  march  towards  London! 
Alam)ing  pause.  *  About  noon,'  however,  the  Remainders  of  the 
Two  Houses,  reinforced  by  the  Eleven  who  reappear  for  the  last 
time,  proceed  to  elect  new  Speakers,  *  get  the  City  Mace ;'  order, 
above  all,  that  there  be  a  vigorous  enlistment  of  forces,  under 
General  Massey,  General  Poyntz,  and  others.  'St.  James's 
Fields'  were  most  busy  all  Saturday,  all  Monday ;  shops  all  shut ; 

♦  WhiUocke,  p.  263. 
11* 


226  PART  III.    BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.       [10  Jane, 

drums  beating  in  all  quarters ;  a  most  vigorous  enlistmeDt  gotng 
on.  Prcsbyterianism  will  die  with  harness  on  its  back.  Alas, 
news  come  that  the  Army  is  at  Colnebrook,  advancing  towards 
riounslow  :  news  come  that  they  have  rendezvoused  at  HounsloWy 
and  received  the  Speakers  and  fugitive  Lords  and  Commons  with 
shouts.  Tuesday,  3d  August,  1647,  was  such  a  day  as  Liondon 
and  the  Guildhall  never  saw  before  or  since !  Southwark  declares 
that  it  will  not  fight ;  sends  to  Fairfax  for  Peace  and  a  *  sweet 
composure ;'  comes  to  the  Guildhall  in  great  crowds  petitioning 
for  Peace  ; — at  which  sight,  General  Poyntz,  pressing  through  for 
orders  about  his  enlistments,  loses  his  last  drop  of  human  patience ; 
^  draws  his  sword '  on  the  whining  multitudes,  <  slashes  several 
persons,  whereof  some  died.'  The  game  is  nearly  up.  Look  into 
the  old  Guildhall  on  that  old  Tuesday  night;  the  palpitation, 
tremulous  expectation ;  wooden  Gog  and  Magog  themselves  al- 
most sweating  cold  with  terror  : 

*  General  Massey  sent  out  scouts  to  Brentford  :  but  Ten  men 
of  the  Army  beat  Thirty  of  his  ;  and  took  a  flag  from  a  Party  of 
the  City.  The  City  Militia  and  Common  Council  sat  late  ;  and 
a  great  number  of  jKJople  attended  at  Guildhall.  When  a  scout 
came  in  and  brought  news,  That  the  Army  made  a  halt ;  or 
other  good  intelligence, — they  cry,  "  One  and  all !"  But  if  the 
scouts  reported  that  the  Army  was  advancing  nearer  them,  then 
they  would  cry  as  loud,  "  Treat,  treat,  treat !"  So  they  spent 
most  part  of  the  night.  At  last  they  resolved  to  send  the  Grene- 
ral  an  humble  Letter,  beseeching  him  that  there  might  be  a  way 
of  composure.* 

On  Friday  morning,  was  *  a  meeting  at  the  Earl  of  Holland's 
House  in  Kensington '  (the  Holland  House  that  yet  stands),  and 
prostrate  submission  by  the  Civic  Authorities  and  Parliamentary 
Remainders ;  after  which  the  Army  marched  *  three  deep  by  Hyde 
Park  '  into  the  heart  of  the  City,  *  with  boughs  of  laurel  in  their 
iials ;' — and  it  was  all  ended.  Fair  treatment  for  all  the  Honest 
Party ;  and  the  Spiritualism  of  England  shall  not  be  forced  to 
grow  in  the  Presbyterian  fashion,  however  it  may  grow.  Here 
is  another  entry  from  somnolent  Bulstrode.     The  Army  soon 

•  VVhitlockc,  p.  265. 


1M1S]  ABMT  MANIFESTO.  299 

changes  its  head-quarters  to  Putney  ;*  one  of  its  outer  posts  is 
Hunpton  Court,  where  his  Majesty,  obstinate  still,  but  somewhat 
de^xNKlent  now  of  getting  the  two  Parties  to  extirpate  one  ano- 
ther, is  lodged. 

Saturday,  <  September  IQth,  After  a  Sermon  in  Putney^hurch, 
the  Greneral,  many  great  Officers,  Field-Officers,  inferior  Officers 
and  Adjutators,  met  in  the  Church ;  debated  the  Proposals  of  the 
Knay '  towards  the  Settlement  of  this  bleeding  Nation ;  '  altered 
nme  things  in  them ; — and  were  very  full  of  the  Sermon,  which 
bad  been  preached  by  Mr.  Peters. 'f 

*  28  August,  Rushwortb,  vii.,  791.  t  WhiUocke,  p.  272. 


I 


238  PART  III     BETWEEN  THE  CIVIL  WARS.       [14  8«pt 


LETTERS  XXVII-XXXVII. 

These  Eleven  Letters,  touching  slightly  on  public  affairs,  with  one 
or  two  glimpses  into  private,  must  carry  us,  without  commentary, 
in  a  very  dim  way,  across  to  the  next  stage  in  Oliver's  History 
and  England's  :  the  Flight  of  the  King  from  Hampton  Court  and 
the  Army,  soon  followed  by  the  actual  breaking  out  of  the  Second 
Civil  War. 

LETTER  XXVIL 

The  Marquis  of  Ormond,  a  man  of  distinguished  integrity, 
patience,  activity  and  talent,  had  done  his  utmost  for  the  King 
in  Ireland,  so  long  as  there  remained  any  shadow  of  hope  there. 
His  last  service,  as  we  saw,  was  to  venture  secretly  on  a  Peace 
with  the  Irish  Catholics, — Papists,  men  of  the  massacre  of  1641, 
men  of  many  other  massacres,  falsities,  mad  blusterings  and  con- 
fusions,— whom  all  parties  considered  as  sanguinary  Rebels,  and 
regarded  with  abhorrence.  Which  Peace,  we  saw  farther,  Abbas 
O'Teague  and  others  threatening  to  proiiuce  excommunication  on 
it,  the  *  Council  of  Kilkenny  *  broke  away  from, — not  in  the  hand- 
somest manner.  Ormond,  in  this  Spring  of  1647,  finding  himself 
reduced  to  *  seven  barrels  of  gunpowder  '  and  other  extremities, 
without  prospect  of  help  or  trustworthy  bargain  on  the  Irish  side, 
— agreed  to  surrender  Dublin,  and  what  else  he  had  left,  rather 
to  the  Parliament  than  to  the  Rebels ;  his  Majesty,  from  Eng- 
land, secretly  and  publicly  advising  that  course.  The  Treaty 
was  completed :  *  Colonel  Michael  Jones,*  lately  Grovemor  of 
Chester,  arrived  with  some  Parliamentary  Regiments,  with  certaia 
Parliamentary  Commissioners,  on  the  7th  of  June  :*  the  surrender 
was  duly  effected,  and  Ormond  withdrew  to  England. 

♦  Carte's  Ormond,  i.,  603 


tt47J  LETTER  XXVIL,  PUTNEY.  S99 


A  great  English  force  had  been  anticipated;  but  the  late 
quarrel  with  the  Army  had  rendered  that  impossible.  Jones,  with 
such  inadequate  forces  as  he  had,  made  head  against  the  Rebels ; 
gained  *  a  great  victory '  over  them  on  the  6th  of  August,  at  a 
place  called  Dungan  Hill,  not  far  from  Trim  :*  *  the  most  signal 
victory  we  had  yet  gained;'  for  which  there  was  thankfulness 
enough. — Four  days  before  that  Sermon  by  Hugh  Peters,  fol- 
lowed by  the  military  conclave  in  Putney  Church,  Cromwell  had 
addressed  this  small  Letter  of  Congratulation  to  Jones,  whom,  by 
the  tone  of  it,  he  does  not  seem  to  have  personally  known : 

Fcr  the  Harwrable  Col,  JoTtes,  Oovemor  of  Dublin,  and  Commander'inr 
Chief  of  all  the  Forces  in  Leinster:  These, 

•  Putney,*  14th  September,  1647. 
Sa, 

The  mutual  interest  and  agreement  we  have  in  the 
nme  Caosef  give  me  occasion,  as  to  congratulate,  so  '  likewise '  abun- 
dantly to  rejoice  in  God's  gracious  Dispensation  unto  you  and  by  you. 
We  have,  both  m  England  and  Ireland,  found  the  immediate  presence 
tod  assistance  of  God,  in  guiding  and  succeeding  our  endeavors 
iiitherto ;  and  therefore  ought,  as  I  doubt  not  both  you  and  we  desire,  to 
lacribe  the  glories  of  all  to  Him,  and  to  improve  all  we  receive  fix>m  Him 
Qoto  Him  alone. 

Though,  it  may  be,  for  the  present  a  cloud  may  lie  over  our  actions  to 
those  who  are  not  acquainted  with  the  grounds  of  them ;  yet  we  doubt 
Dot  but  God  will  clearf  our  integrity  and  innocency  from  any  other  ends 
we  &im  at  but  His  glory  and  the  Public  Good.  And  as  you  are  an 
inatroment  herein,  so  we  shall,  as  becometh  us,  upon  all  occasions,  give 
]roa  your  due  honor.  For  my  own  particular, — wherein  I  may  have 
yoor  commands  to  serve  you,  you  shall  find  none  more  ready  than  he 
tiat  sincerely  desires  to  approve  himself. 

Your  affectionate  friend  and  humble  servant, 

OLiVEa  CaOMWELL.| 

Michael  Jones  is  the  name  of  this  Colonel ;   there  are  several 

•Rushworth,  vii.,779;  Carte,  ii.,v. 

t  Words  uncertain  to  the  Copyist;  sense  not  doubtful. 

J  Ms.  Volume  of  Letters  in  Trinity-College  Library,  Dublin  (marked : 
^-  3. 18),  fol.  62.  Autograph  ;  docketed  by  Jones  himself,  of  whom  the 
volame  contains  other  memorials 


aii<».      Alter  lyiMLf  tlir«M,'  years  in  llio  I'Dwor,  seoi 
aliiiirs   now   de.sjx-i'ale,   lie    lia.s  cnnsentrd   to   tak 
eiiihark  with  the  rarlianient  *   and  is  ul>\v  doing 
Ulster. 


LETTER  XXVni. 

'  To  His  Excellency  Sir  Thomas  Fair/ax,  General  e^ 

Army:  These. 

Putney,  13t 

The  case  concerniDg  Captain  Midi 
inasmuch  as  it  is  delayed,  upon  pretences,  from  comio 
not,  I  humbly  conceive,  fit  that  it  should  stay  any  long 
complain  thereof,  and  their  witnesses  have  been  ej 
Middleton,  and  some  others  for  him,  have  made  stay  tl 

I  beseech  your  Excellency  to  give  order  it  may  fa 
or  Saturday  at  farthest,  if  yon  please ;  and  that  so  i 
nified  to  the  Advocate. 

Sir,  I  pray  excuse  my  not  attendance  upon  yon. 
the  House  a  day,  where  it's  very  necessary  for  me  tc 
Excellency  will  be  at  the  Head-quarter  to-morrow, 


I^.J  LlhPTER  XXVIir.,  PUTNEY  231 

of  the  records  ;  whether  it  was  tried  on  Saturday,  and  how  de- 
cided, will  nerer  now  be  known.  Doubtless  Fairfax  '  signified ' 
somewhat  to  the  Advocate  about  it,  but  let  us  not  ask  what. 
<  The  Advocate '  is  called  *  John  Mills,  E^uire,  Judge- Advocate;'* 
whose  military  Law.labors  have  mostly  become  silent  now.  The 
former  Advocate  was  Dr.  Dorislaus;  of  whom  also  a  word.  Dr. 
Dorislaus,  by  birth  Dutch;  appointed  Judge-Advocate  at  the 
beginning  of  Elssex's  campaignings ;  known  afterwards  on  the 
King's  Trial ;  and  finally,  for  that  latter  service,  assassinated  at 
the  Hague,  one  evening,  by  certain  highflying  Royalist  cutthroats, 
Scotch  several  of  them.  The  Portraits  represent  him  as  a  man 
of  heavy,  deep-wrinkled,  elephantine  countenance,  pressed  down 
with  the  labors  of  life  and  law ;  the  good  ugly  man  here  found 
his  quietus. 

The  business  in  the  House,  *  where  it's  necessary  for  me  to  be ' 
without  miss  of  a  sitting,  is  really  important,  or  at  least  critical, 
in  these  October  days ;  Settlement  of  Army  arrears,  duties  and 
arrangements ;  Tonnage  and  Poundage ;  business  of  the  London 
Violence  upon  the  Parliament  (pardoned  for  the  most  part) ; 
business  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Lilbum,  now  growing  very 
noisy  ; — above  all  things,  final  Settlement  with  the  King,  if  that 
by  any  method  could  be  possible.  The  Army-Parliament  too 
sdll  sits ;  *  Council  of  War '  with  its  Adjutator  meeting  frequently 
at  Putney .f  In  the  House,  and  out  of  the  House,  Lieutenant 
General  Cromwell  is  busy  enough. 

This  very  day,  'Wednesday,  13th  October,  1647,'  we  find 
him  deep  in  debate  *  On  the  farther  establishment  of  the  Presby. 
terial  Government '  (for  the  law  is  still  loose,  the  Platform  except 
in  London  never  fairly  on  foot) ;  and  Teller  on  no  fewer  than 
three  divisions.  First,  Shall  the  Presbyterian  Government  be 
limited  to  three  years  ?  Cromwell  answers  Yea,  in  a  House  of 
73  ;  is  beaten  by  a  majority  of  3.  Second,  Shall  there  be  a 
limit  of  time  to  it  ?  Cromwell  again  answers  Yea  ;  beats,  this 
time,  by  a  majority  of  14,  in  a  House  now  of  74  (some  individual 
having  dropt  in).     Third,  Shall  the  limit  be  seven  years  ?   Crom- 

•  Sprigge,  p.  326.  t  Rushworth,  vii.,  849,  &c. 


LETTER  XXIX. 

'  To  His  Excellency  Sir  Thomas  Faiffax,  General 

Army:  These, 

Putney, 
Sir, 

Hearing  the  Garrison  of  Hall  ii 
the  present  government,  and  that  the  most  fiuthfal 
have  no  disposition  to  serve  there  any  longer  nndei 
nor ;  and  that  it  is  their  earnest  desires,  with  all  tb 
inhabitanta  of  the  Town,  to  have  Colonel  Overton 
your  Excellency's  Deputy  over  them, — I  do  hnmbly 
leucy,  Whether  it  might  not  be  convenient  that ' 
speedily  sent  down ;  that  so  that  Garrison  may  be  f 
And  tliat  your  Excellency  would  be  pleased  to  send 
and  confer  with  him  about  it.  That  either  the  Re 
Town  may  be  so  regulated  as  your  Excellency  may 
Garrison  may  be  secured  by  them ;  or  otherwise  i1 


1647.]  LETTER  XXIX.,  PUTNEY.  233 


tnctioDs  here.    This  I  thoaght  fit  to  ofifer  to  your  Excellency's  consider- 
atioik    I  shall  humbly  take  leave  to  subscribe  myself, 

Your  Excellency's 

Humble  '  and  faithful  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.*^ 

Aiier  Hotham's  defection  and  execution,  the  Lord  Ferdinando 
Fairfax,  who  had  valiantly  defended  the  place,  was  appointed 
Governor  of  Hull ;  which  office  had  subsequently  been  conferred 
on  the  Generalissimo  Sir  Thomas,  his  Son ;  and  was  continued 
to  him,  on  the  readjustment  of  all  Garrisons  in  the  spring  of  this 
same  year.f  Sir  Thomas  therefore  was  express  Grovemor  of 
Hull  at  this  time.  Who  the  substitute  or  Deputy  under  him  was, 
I  do  not  know.  Some  Presbyterian  man  ;  unfit  for  the  stringent 
times  that  had  arrived,  when  no  algebraic  formula,  but  only 
direct  vision  of  the  relations  of  things  would  suffice  a  man. 

Colonel  Overton  was  actually  appointed  Governor  of  Hull : 
tbere  is  a  long  Letter  from  the  Hull  people  about  Colonel  Over- 
ton's laying  free  billet  upon  them,  a  Complaint  to  Fairfax  on  the 
subject,  next  year.J  He  continued  long  in  that  capacity  ;  zea- 
lously loyal  to  Cromwell  and  his*  cause,§  till  the  Protectorship 
came  on.  His  troubles  afterwards,  and  confused  destinies,  may 
again  concern  us  a  little. 

This  Letter  is  written  only  three  weeks  before  the  King  took 
bis  flight  from  Hampton  Court.  One  spark  illuminating  (very 
faintly)  that  huge  dark  world,  big  with  such  results,  in  the 
Army's  quarters  about  Putney,  and  elsewhere ! 

*  Sloane  mss.,  1519,  fol.82 : — Signature,  and  all  after  '  humble,'  is  torn  off. 
The  Letter  is  not  an  autograph ;  it  has  been  dictated,  apparently  in  great 
hute. 

t  13  March,' 1646-7  (Commons  Journals,  v.  111). 

X  4  March,  1647-8  (Rushworth,  vii.,  1020). 

§  Sir  James  Turner's  Memoirs.  Milton  State-Papers  (London,  1743), 
pp.  10,  24,  161,— where  the  Editor  calls  him  Colonel  Richard  Overton :  his 
name  was  Robert :  '  Richard  Overton '  is  a  *  Leveller,'  unconnected  with 
him ;  Colonel  Richard  Overton  is  a  non-existence. 


Aniiy  Coum-il,  ihc  Army  Adjutiilor'^,  and  ^c 
larL'^',  \\<  r<'  in  eafnc>t  ab^nit  oik-  lliinL''  ;  the  ^\i:i 
nest,  except  about  anullicr  thing  :  there  could  b* 
the  King. 

Cromwell  and  the  Chief  Officers  have  foi 
ceased  frequenting  his  Majesty  at  HamptOD  C 
being  looked  upon  askance  by  a  party  in  the  I 
left  the  matter  to  Parliament ;  only  Colonel  \^ 
guard,  and  Parliament  Commissioners,  keep  watt 
ity  of  his  Majesty.'  In  the  Army,  his  Majest 
becoming  now  apparent,  there  has  arisen  a  ver] 
ling  Party  ;'  a  class  of  men  demanding  punish 
Delinquents,  and  Deceptive  Persons  who  have  i 
tion  in  blood,  but  of  the  *  Chief  Delinquent :'  nr 
getting  punished,  how  should  the  Chief  Delinqu 
class  of  men  dreadfully  in  earnest ; — to  whom  i 
no  impenetrable  screen  ;  who  within  the  Kin| 
that  there  is  a  man  accountable  to  a  God  !  Th 
except  when  officially  called,  keep  distant :  hinti 
his  Majesty  is  not  out  of  danger. — In  the  Commt 
is  what  we  read  ; 


1W7.]  LETTEK  XXX..  HAMPTON  COURT.  235 


I 


WIS  gone  ;  had  hastened  oiT  to  Hampton  Court ;  and  there  about 
'twelre  at  night'  despatched  a  Letter  to  Speaker  Lenthall.  The 
Letter,  which  I  have  some  confused  recollection  of  having,  some- 
where in  the  Pamphletary  Chaos,  seen  in  full,  refuses  to  disclose 
itself  at  present  except  as  a  Fragment : 

'  Far  ike  Honorable  WiUiam  LenihaU^  Speaker  of  the  House  of 

Commons:  These.\ 

*  Hampton  Court,  Twelve  at  night, 
'Sib,'  nth  November,  1647.' 

*    ♦    *    *    Majesty    ♦    *    withdrawn  himself    *    * 
it  nine  o'clock. 

The  maimer  is  varioasly  reported ;  and  we  will  say  little  of  it  at  present, 
bat.  That  his  Majesty  was  expected  at  supper,  when  the  Commissioners 
and  Colonel  Whalley  missed  him ;  upon  which  they  entered  the  Room  : 
—they  found  his  majesty  had  left  his  cloak  behind  him  in  the  Gallery 
in  the  Private  Way.  He  passed  by  the  back-stairs  and  vault  towards 
the  Water-side. 

He  left  some  Letters  upon  the  table  in  his  withdrawing-room  of  his 
own  handwriting ;  whereof  one  was  to  the  Commissioners  of  Parliament 
%n0jiAtng  him,  to  be  communicated  to  both  Houses,  '  and  is  here  en- 

CJ06CU< 

%  «  fc 

*  Oliver  Cromwell,** 

We  do  not  give  his  Majesty's  Letter  *  here  enclosed :'  it  is  that 
well-known  one  where  he  speaks,  in  very  royal  style,  still  every 
inch  a  Ring,  Of  the  restraints  and  slights  put  upon  him, — men's 
obedience  to  their  King  seeming  much  abated  of  late.  So  soon 
as  ikeif  return  to  a  just  temper,  "  I  shall  Instantly  break  through 
this  cloud  of  retirement,  and  show  myself  ready  to  be  Pater 
Pairia,^* — as  I  have  hitherto  done. 

The  Ports  are  all  ordered  to  be  shut ;  embargo  laid  on  ships. 
Read  in  the  Commons  Journals  again :  '  Saturday,  Idlh  November. 
Colonel  Whalley  was  called  in ;  and  made  a  particular  Relation 
of  the  circumstances  concerning  the  King's  going  away  from 
Hampton  Court*  He  did  likewise  deliver-in  a  letter  directed  unto 
him  from  Lieutenant-Greneral  Cromwell,  concerning  some  rumors 

*RiiBhworth,vii.,871. 


itriiant-(  MMicral  Croiiiweirs  Letter  tu  W'hullcy  also  ( 
■t  ill^il:InliL'anl  lujte  :   hrrc  it  is,  ii^^hcd  IVoiii  \\\o  Dust  . 
oil  reiuse  to  disclose  the  other.     Whalley  is  '  Cousin  \^ 
ve  may  remember ;  Aunt  Franceses  and  the  Squire  of 
, — a  Nottinghamshire  man 4 

LETTER  XXXI. 

For  my  beloved  Cousin,  Colonel  Whalleyf  at  Hampton 

These: 

•  Putney,  Noyembe 
)ear  Cos.  Whalley, 

There  are  rumors  abroad  of  some  intende 
his  Majesty's  person.    Therefore  I  pray  have  a  care  of  yo 

iny  such  thing  should  be  done,  it  would  be  accounted  a  n 

«    «    « 

Yours, 

Olives  Csoi 

See,  among  the  Old  Pamphlets,  Letters  to  the  like  < 
oyalist  Parties :  also  a  letter  of  thanks  from  the  Kio^ 
y  : — ending  with  a  desire,  *  to  send  the  black-grey  bi 


1647.]  LETTER  XXXII.,  LONDON.  237 

Duke  of  Richmond,'  on  the  part  of  his  Majesty :  Letters  from  &o., 
Letters  to  6z;c.,  in  great  quantities.*  For  us  here  this  brief  notice 
of  one  Letter  shall  suffice  : 

*  Monday,  \bih  November,  1647.  Letter  from  Colonel  Robei^ 
Hammond,  (jovernor  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  Cowes,  13®  Novemhrisy 
signifying  that  the  King  is  come  into  the  Isle  of  Wight. 'f  The 
King,  afler  a  night  and  a  day  of  riding,  saw  not  well  whither  else 
to  go.  He  delivered  himself  to  Robert  Hammond  ]%  came  into 
the  Isle  of  Wight.  Robert  Hahimond  is  ordered  to  keep  him 
strictly  within  Carisbrook  Castle  and  the  adjoining  grounds,  in  a 
vigilant  though  altogether  respectful  manner. 

This  same  '  Monday,'  when  Hammond's  Letter  arrives  in  Lon- 
don,  is  the  day  of  the  mutinous  Rendezvous  *  in  Corkbush  Field, 
between  Hertford  and  Ware  ;'§  where  Cromwell  and  theCreneral 
Officers  had  to  front  the  Levelling  Principle,  in  a  most  dangerous 
manner,  and  trample  it  out  or  be  trampled  out  by  it  on  the  spot. 
Eleven  Mutineers  are  ordered  from  the  ranks  ;  tried  by  Court 
Martial  on  the  Field  :  three  of  them  condemned  to  be  shot ; — ^throw 
dice  for  their  life,  and  one  is  shot,  there  and  then.  The  name  of 
him  is  Arnald  ;  long  memorable  among  the  Levellers.  A  very 
dangerous  Review  service ! — Head-quarters  now  change  to 
Windsor. 


LETTER  XXXII. 

Robert  Hammond,  Governor  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  who  has  for 
the  present  beconie  so  important  to  England,  is  a  young  man  *  of 
good  parts  and  principles :'  a  Colonel  of  Foot ;  served  formerly  as 
Captain  under  Massey  in  Gloucester, — where,  in  October,  1644, 
he  had  the  misfortune  to  kill  a  brother  Officer,  one  Major  Gray, 
in  sudden  duel,  ^  for  giving  him  the  lie  ;'  he  was  tried,  but  acquit- 
ted, the  provocation  being  great.  He  has  since  risen  to  be  Colonel, 
and  become  well  known.  Originally  of  Chertsey,  Surrey;  his 
Grandfather,  and  perhaps  his  Father,  a  Physician  there.     His 

•  Parliamentary  History,  xvi.,  324-30. 

t  Commons  Journals,  in  die. 

X  Berkeley's  and  Ashbumham's  Narratives.        §  Rashworth,  vii..  875. 


^  'uniiiiNM'Mi  III  I  111-  ,  XI  111*  ,   .'..,   »  .....   ,.    .. 

itriulucrd  liiint')  hi<  Mai''>'\' at  I  lainptoii  ( 'ourt,  a'<  an 

oiiiii,  repentant,  or  at  least  svinpatlietie  and  n^t  uith-i 

Vliich  circumstance,  it  is  supposed,  had  turned  the  Kinjj 

n  that  bewildered  Flight  of  his,  towards  Colonel  Rob^ 

sle  of  Wight. 

Colonel  Ilobcrt,  it  would  seem,  had  rather  dislike 
»urse  things  were  sometimes  threatening  to  take,  in 
]k>uncil  of  War ;  and  had  been  glad  to  get  out  of  it 
jrovernorship  at  a  distance.     But  it  now  turns  out, 
nto  still  deeper  difRculties  thereby.     His  ^  temptation 
King  announced  himself  as  in  the  neighborhood,  had 
Shall  he  obey  the  King  in  this  crisis ;  conduct  the  Kit 
ward  his  Majesty  wishes  ?     Or  be  true  to  his  trust  a 
liament  ?     He  *  grew  suddenly  pale ;' — he  deqided  as 
The  Isle  of  Wight,  holding  so  important  a  deposit,  i 
the  Derby-house  Committee,  old  *  Committee  of  Both 
some  additions  being  made  thereto,  and  some  exclusio 
is  of  it,  and  Philip  Lord  Wharton,  among  others.    Loi 
a  conspicuous  Puritan  and  intimate  of  Oliver's ;  of  wli 
afterwards  have  occasion  to  say  somewhat. 

This  Committee  of  Derby  House  was,  of  course. 


1648.]  LETTER  XXXII.,  LONDON.  239 


here,  from  Wood's  AiheiuE  :*  and  has  committed — as  who  does 
not  ?— -several  errors.  His  Annotations  are  sedulous  but  inefTeo- 
tual.  What  of  the  Letters  are  from  Oliver  we  extract  with 
thanks. 

A  former  Letter,  of  which  Oliver  was  *  the  penner,'  is  now  lost. 
*  Our  brethren  '  in  the  following  letter  are  the  Scots,  now  all 
excluded  from  Derby-House  Committee  of  Both  Kingdoms.  The 
'  Recorder '  is  Glyn,  one  of  the  vanished  Eleven,  Stapleton  being 
another ;  for  both  of  whom  it  has  been  necessary  to  appoint  sub- 
stitutes in  the  said  Committee. 

Far  Colonel  Robert  Hammond,  Governor  of  the  Isle  of  Wight :  These, 
for  the  Service  of  the  Kingdom,    Haste :  Post  Haste, 

•  London,'  3d  January,  1647. 
(My  Lord  Wharton 's,  near  ten  at  night.) 

Dear  Robin, 

Now,  blessed  be  God,  I  can  write  and  thou  receive 
freely.  T  never  in  my  life  saw  more  deep  sense,  and  less  will  to  show 
it  unchristianly,  than  in  that  which  thou  didst  write  to  us  when  we  were 
at  Windsor,  and  thou  in  the  midst  of  thy  temptation, — ^which  indeed,  by 
what  we  understood  of  it,  was  a  great  one,  and  occasionedf  the  greater 
by  the  Letter  the  General  sent  thee ;  of  which  thou  wast  not  mistaken 
when  thou  didst  challenge  me  to  be  the  penner. 

How  good  has  Grod  been  to  dispose  all  to  mercy !  And  although  it 
was  trouble  for  the  present,  yet  glory  has  come  out  of  it ;  for  which  we 
praise  the  Jx)rd  with  thee  and  for  thee.  And  truly  thy  carriage  has 
been  such  as  occasions  much  honor  to  the  name  of  God  and  to  religion. 
Go  on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord ;  and  the  Lord  be  still  with  thee. 

But,  dear  Robin,  this  business  hath  been,  I  trust,  a  mighty  providence 
to  this  poor  Kingdom  and  to  us  all.  The  House  of  Commons  is  very 
sensible  of  the  King's  dealings,  and  of  our  brethren's,^  in  this  late  trans- 
action. You  should  do  well,  if  you  have  anything  that  may  discover 
juggling,  to  search  it  out,  and  let  us  know  it.  It  may  be  of  admirable 
use  at  this  time ;  because  we  shall,  I  hope,  instantly  go  upon  business 
in  relation  to  them,}  tending  to  prevent  danger. 

The  House  of  Commons  has  this  day  voted  as  follows;  1st,  They 
will  make  no  more  addresses  to  the  King;  2d,  None  shall  apply  to  him 
without  leave  of  the  Two  Houses,  upon  pain  of  being  guilty  of  high 
treason ;  3d,  They  will  receive  nothing  firom  the  King,  nor  shall  any 

*  iii.,  500.  t  rendered.  X  the  Scots.  §  the  Scots. 


I  trnni  us.      k^'Min.  «.i   ...    

t. 

ccrns  us  to  kc»^[)  tliat  Ishmd  in  (rrcat  security,  bocauso  of  t 
:  and  it'  so,}  where  can  ihe  Kinj.^  be  better  ?     If  you  liave 
It,'  you  will  be  sure  of  full  provision  for  tlicin. 

The  Lord  bless  thee.     Pray  for 

Thy  dear  friend  and  se 
Oliver  Croi 

[n  these  same  days  noisy  Lilburn  has  accused  Crc 
ning  or  having  meant  to  make  his  own  bargain  will 
d  be  Earl  of  Essex  and  a  great  man.     Noisy  John 
eat  men,  especially  all   Lords,  ought  to  be  brought  1 
>mmons  have  him  at  their  bar  in  this  month. § 


LETTER  XXXin. 

[ere,  by  will  of  the  Destinies  preserving  certain  bit 
ad  destroying  others,  there  introduces  itself  a  little  p 
lesticity  ;  a  small  family-transaction,  curiously  enou 
irough  by  its  own  peculiar  rent,  amid  these  great  ^ 
ctions :  Marriage-treaty  for  Richard  Cromwell  the 


1«4«.]  LETTER  XXXIII..  LONDON.  «41 

In  spite  of  Noble,  I  incline  to  think  he  too  had  been  in  the  Army ; 
in  October  last  there  are  two  sous  mentioned  expressly  as  being 
officers  there  :  *  One  of  his  Sons,  Captain  of  the  Greneral's  Life- 
guard ;  his  other  Son,  Captain  of  a  troop  in  Colonel  Harrison's 
Regiment,' — so  greedy  is  he  of  the  Public  Money  to  his  own 
family  !*  Richard  is  now  heir-apparent ;  our  poor  Boy  Oliver 
therefore,  *  Cornet  Oliver,'  we  know  not  in  the  least  where,  must 
have  died.  ^^  It  went  to  my  heart  like  a  dagger ;  indeed  it  did  !" 
The  phrase  of  the  Pamphlet  itself,  we  observe,  is  *  his  other  Son,' 
not  ^  one  of  his  other  Sons,'  as  if  there  were  now  but  two  left.  If 
Richard  was  ever  in  the  Army,  which  these  probabilities  may 
dimly  intimate,  the  Lifeguard,  a  place  for  persons  of  consequence, 
was  the  likeliest  for  him.  The  Captain  in  Harrison's  Regiment 
will  in  that  case  be  Henry. — The  Cromwell  family,  as  we  labo- 
riously guess  and  gather,  has  about  this  time  removed  to  London. 
Richard,  if  ever  in  the  Lifeguard,  has  now  quitted  it :  an  idle 
fellow,  who  could  never  relish  soldiering  in  such  an  Army  ;  he 
now  wishes  to  retire  to  Arcadian  felicity  and  wedded  life  in 'the 
country. 

The  *  Mr.  M.'  of  this  Letter  b  Richard  Mayor,  Esquire,  of 
Hursley,  Hants,f  the  young  lady's  father.  Hursley,  not  far  from 
Winchester,  is  still  a  manorhouse,  but  no  representative  of  Richard 
Mayor's  has  now  place  there  or  elsewhere.  The  treaty,  after 
difficulties,  did  take  effect.  Mayor,  written  also  Major  and 
Maijor,  a  pious  prudent  man,  becomes  better  known  to  Oliver,  to 
the  world  and  to  us  in  the  sequel.  Richard  Norton,  Member  for 
Hants  since  1645,  is  his  neighbor ;  an  old  fellow-soldier  under 
Manchester,  Fellow-Colonel  in  the  Eastern  Association,  seemingly 
very  familiar  with  Oliver,  he  is  applied  to  on  this  delicate  oc- 
casion. 

For  my  noble  Friend,  Colonel  Richard  Norton :  These, 

*  London,'  25th  February,  1647. 
Dear  Norton, 

I  have  sent  my  Son  over  to  thee,  being 

willing  to  answer  Providence  ;  and  although  I  had  an  offi^r  of  a  very 

•  5  October,  1647  (Royalist  Newspaper,  citing  a  Pamphlet  of  Lilbumla), 
Cromwelliana,  p.  36. 
t  Noble,  ii.,  436-42. 
VOL.  I.  13 


1  c«)nri(lont  of  thy  love;  and  desire  iiiiiijift  uia_y    ^^  ^ 

/.     'J'he  Lord  do  His  will;  that's  best; — to  wliich   subm 

Your  humble  Servant, 

Oliver  Cromw 

tiat  other  Father  it  was  that  made  *  the  offer  of  a  ver 

Jon  to  Oliver/  in  the  shape  of  his  Daughter  as  ^ 

r'S  Son,  must  remain  totally  uncertain.     There  were 

which  Oliver  did  not  entirely  like ;  there  was  not  ai 

of  *  godliness '  in  the  house,  though  there  was  of  *  fi 

latural  integrity  ;  in  short,  Oliver  will  prefer  Mayor, 

try  him, — and  wishes  it  carried  with  privacy. 

he  Commons,  now  dealing  with  Delinquents,  do  nc 
ward  good  Servants,  to  <  conciliate  the  Grandees,'  as  i 
ker  calls  it.     For  above  two  years  past,  ever  since  1 
;d,  there  has  been  talk   and  debate  about  settling 
;ar  on  Lieutenant-Greneral  Cromwell;  but  difficult 
en.     First  they  tried  Basing- House  Lands,  the  Ma 
ichester's,  whom  Cromwell  had  demolished  ;  but  the  I 
irs  were  in  disorder;  it  was  gradually  found  the 
for  most  part  only  a  Life-rent  there  : — only  <  Abbot 


i«4S.l  LETTER  XXXITI.,  LONDON. 

came  the  Army  Quarrels,  and  an  end  of  such  business.  But  now 
in  the  Commons  Journals,  7th  March,  the  very  date  of  Oliver's 
next  Letter,  this  is  what  we  read  :*  *  An  Ordinance  £>r  passing 
unto  Oliver  Cromwell,  Esquire,  Lieutenant-General,  certain 
Lands  and  Manors  in  the  Counties  of  Gloucester,  Monmouth, 
and  Glamorgan,  late  the  Earl  of  Worcester's,  was  thb  day  read 
the  third  time  and  upon  the  question,  passed;  and  ordered  to 
be  sent  unto  the  Lords  for  their  concurrence.'  Oliver  himself 
as  we  shall  find,  has  been  dangerously  sick.  This  is  what  Cle- 
ment Walker,  the  splenetic  Presb3rterian,  *  an  elderly  goDtlMXiaa 
of  low  stature,  in  a  grey  suit,  with  a  Nttle  stick  in  his  band,' 
reports  upon  the  matter  of  the  Grant : 

<  The  7th  of  March,  an  Ordinance  to  settle  2,500?.  a-year  of 
Land,  out  of  the  Maftjuis  of  Worcester's  Estate,'— old  Marquis 
of  Worcester  at  Ragland,  father  of  my  Lord  Glamorgan,  who  in 
his  turn  became  Marquis  of  Worcester  and  wrote  the  Centur]j[  of 
Inventions, — 2,500/.  a-year  out  of  this  old  Marqub's  Estete 
upon  Lieutenant-General  Cromwell !  I  have  beard  some  gentle- 
men that  know  the  Manor  of  Chepstow  and  the  other  Lands 
affirm '  that  in  reality  they  are  worth  5,000/.  or  even  6,0001. 
a-year ; — which  is  far  from  the  fact,  my  little  elderly  friend  I 
'You  see,'  continues  he,  'though  they  have  not  made  King 
Charles  "  a  Glorious  King,"  '  as  they  sometimes  undertook,  they 
have  settled  a  Crown-Revenue  upon  Oliver,  and  have  made  km 
as  glorious  a  King  as  ever  John  of  Leyden  was  !'f— — A 
very  splenetic  old  gentleman  in  grey ; — verging  towards  Pride's 
Purge,  and  lodgment  in  the  Tower,  I  think !  He  is  from  the 
West ;  known  long  since  in  Gloucester  Siege ;  Member  now  for 
Wells ; — but  terminates  in  the  Tower,  with  ink,  and  abundant 
gall  in  it,  to  write  the  History  of  Independency  there. 

Itche//,'  meaning  Abbotston  and  Itchin,  Marqais  of  Wtnehettef'i  there). 
Commons  Journals,  ▼.,  36,  about  a  year  afterwards.  7  January,  1646-7  ('  re- 
mainder of  the  2,500/.  from  Marquis  of  Winchester's  Lands  in  general : 
which  in  a  fortnight  more  is  found  to  be  impossible :  hereupon  *  Lands  of 
Delinquents  and  Papists,'  as  in  the  Text).  None  of  these  Himpehlra 
Lands,  except  Abbotston  and  Itchin,  are  named.  Noble  says,  'Fawley 
Park*  in  the  same  County ;  which  is  possible  enough. 

•  v.,  492. 

t  History  of  Independency  (London,  1648),  Pttrt  i.,  83  sod  56. 


and  1  uu  iiiu.-^L  »> .. — „. . 

ion,  exercised  tlie  bowels  oC  a  lullier  towards  me.     1   rec- 

'  the  sentence  of  death,  that  I  inij^^ht  learn  to  trust   in  li 

1  from  the  dead,  and   have   no  contidence   in   the   tlesh. 

d  thing  to  die  daily.     For   what   is   there   in  this  worl 

nted  of!     The  best  men  according  to  the  flesh,  and  thii 

r  than  vanity.    I  find  this  only  good,  T^love  the  Lord  t 

despised  people,  to  do  for  them,  and  to  be  ready  to  sol 

: — and  he  that  is  foand  worthy  of  this  hath  obtained  gre 

Lord  ;  and  he  that  is  established  in  this  shall  (being  C( 

and  the  rest  of  the  Body'")  participate  in  the  glory  of  i 

>D  which  will  answer  all.f 

',  I  must  thankfully  confess  your  favor  in  your  last  Lettei 
.  not  forgotten ;  and  truly,  to  be  kept  in  your  remembrance 
L  satisfaction  to  me ;  for  I  can  say  in  the  simplicity  of  my 
I  high  and  true  value  upon  your  love, — which  when  I  forg 
e  to  be  a  grateful  and  an  honest  man. 
most  humbly  beg  my  service  may  be  presented  to  your 
m  I  wish  all  happiness,  and  establishment  in  the  truth, 
ere  are  for  you,  as  becomes 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  humble  servai 
Oliver  Croi 
P.S.'  Sir,  Mr.  Rushwoith  will  write  to  yon  about  the  Q 
TiPtter  lat      sent ;  and  therefore  I  forbear.^ 


MM.]  LETTER  XXXT.,  FASNHAIL  »« 

'T\>  Ae  Himorabh  theCommiaeeofLordtandComimmtJorlheAffmn 
if  Inland,  tiaing  a  Derby  ShuM :  The  Offer  t)f  lAnilataitt-atair^ 
Cromueajdr  Hie  Sermx  qf  frrfonrf.' 

210  Martii,  1M7. 

The  two  HoDsei  of  Parliament  having  lately  bestowed  1,680/.  per 
umvm  upon  dm  mod  my  heirs,  out  of  the  Earl  o(  Worceatcr's  Estate ; 
the  Mcetut;  of  tSats  requiring  aBBistotice,  I  do  hereby  oHer  one  thon- 
■and  poiiDiia  ammallj  to  be  paid  out  of  the  rents  of  the  eajd  lands;  that 
u  tomjr,  AOOJ.  ontof  the  next  Michaelmaa  rent,  and  so  on,  by  the  half 
jrear,  for  the  apace  of  five  yeara,  if  the  War  in  Ireland  shall  so  long  coi*- 
thine,  or  that  I  lite  so  long;  to  be  employed  for  the  service  arlrelanit,aii 
tbe  Pariiament  ahall  please  to  appoint ;  provided  the  said  yearly  rent  of 
1,680/.  boconie  not  to  be  auepended  by  war  or  other  Bccident. 

And  wbereaa  there  is  an  arrear  ot  Pay  due  unto  me  whilst  I  waa 
IJeateiwat.4ieiM»l  vnto  the  Earl  of  Manchester,  of  about  IfiOOU, 
audited  and  stated  ;  ae  hIeo  a  p^eat  arrear  due  for  about  Two  Year^ 
being  Governor  of  the  Tele  of  Ely :  I  do  hereby  diecha^e  the  State  front 
all  or  any  claim  to  be  made  by  me  thereunto. 

Oliver  Csomwku..* 

'  Ordered,  That  the  House  dolh  accept  the  Free  Offer  of  Lieu- 
teDftn^GreneraI  Cromwell,  testifying  Kia  zeal  and  good  afTeclion.' 
My  aplenetic  little  gentlenian  in  grey,  with  the  little  stick  in  hia 
hand,  takes  no  notice  of  this ;  which  modifies  materially  what  the 
Chepstow  Connaiaaeurs  and  '  their  five  or  aix  thousand  a-yeor" 
reported  lately  t 


LETTER  XXXV. 

Hbkx  is  Norton  and  the  Marriage  again.  Here  are  news  out  of 
ScotlsJid  that  the  Malignant  Party,  the  Duke  of  Hamilloa's  Fac- 
tiim,  are  taking  the  lead  there  ;  and  about  getting  up  an  Army 
to  attack  us,  and  deliver  the  King  from  Sectaries  :t  Reverend 
Stephen  Marshall  reports  the  news.     Let  us  read  ; 

*  Cammons  Jaurnala,  v,,  5l'J.  t  Ruahworlh,  vii.,  1040,  be. 


Ji3\^4       fc^^..       .^       -, 


•t'ct  it ;  especially  lh«'  jjood  tcllows  who  chose  you  ; — 
liave  met  with  Mr.  Mayor  ;  we  spent  two  or  three  hours 
t  night.     I  perceive  the  ^entleuian   is   very  wise  and  hone 
eed  much  to  be  valued.     Some  things  of  common  Tame  *  did 
:k :  I  gladly  heard  his  doubts,  and  gave  such  answer  as  was 
od,— I  believe,  to  some  satisfaction.    Nevertheless  I  exceeding 
i  gentleman's  plainness  and  free  dealing  with  me.    I  kqpw  < 
en  above  all  ill  reports,  and  will  in  His  own  time  vindicate  me 
>  cause  to  complain.     I  see  nothing  but  that  this  particular 
tween  him  and  me  may  go  on.    The  Lord's  will  be  done. 
For  news  out  of  the  North   there    is  little;    only  the  IM 
arty  is  prevailing  in  the  Parliament  of  Scotland.    They  are 
•r  a  war ;  the  Ministers  f  oppose  as  yet.    Mr.  Marshall  is 
'ho  says  so.    And  so  do  many  of  our  Letters.    Their  great  C 
r  Danger  have  two  Malignants  for  one  right    It's  said  tl 
oted  an  Army  of  40,000  in  Parliament ;  so  say  some  of  Y( 
jetters.    But  I  account  my  news  ill  bestowed,  because  upoi 
lerson. 

I  shall  take  speedy  course  in  the  business  concerning  my 
or  which,  thanks.    My  service  to  your  Lady.    I  am  really 

Your  aflectionate  serva 
Oliver  Cboi 

Had  Cronflvell  come  out  to  Famham  on  military  1 
■  *  "  '    '-*^  -  '•  **«^«*  rtiit  Rome  weeks 


1648.]  LETTER  XXXVI..  LONDON.  j247 

oopses,  or  otherwise  not  behaving  to  perfection :  but  they  shall 
be  looked  to. 

For  the  rest,  Norton  really  ouglit  to  attend  his  duties  in 
Parliament !  In  earnest '  an  idle  fellow/  as  Oliver  in  sport  calls 
him.  Given  to  Presbyterian  notions ;  was  purged  out  by  Pride  ; 
dwindled  subsequently  into  Royalism.  '  Brother  Russel*  means 
only  brother  Member.  He  is  the  Frank  Russel  of  the  Letter  on 
Marston  Moor.  Now  Sir  Francis ;  and  sits  for  Cambridgeshire. 
A  comrade  of  Norton's;  seemingly  now  in  hb  neighborhood^ 
possibly  on  a  visit  to  him. 

The  attendance  on  the  House  in  these  months  is  extremely 
thin ;  the  divisions  range  from  200  to  as  low  as  70.  Nothing 
going  on  but  Delinquents'  fines,  and  abstruse  negotiations  with 
the  Isle  of  Wight,  languid  Members  prefer  the  country  till  some 
result  arrive. 


LETTER  XXXVI. 

Here  is  a  new  phasis  of  the  Wedding-treaty ;  which,  as  seems, 
'  doth  now  a  little  stick.'  Prudent  Mr.  Mayor  insists  oa  his 
advantages ;  nor  is  the  Lieutenant-Greneral  behindhand.  What 
'  lands'  all  these  of  Oliver's  are  in  Cambridgeshire,  Norfolk, 
Hampshire,  no  Biographer  now  knows.  Portions  of  the  Par- 
liamentary  Grants  above  alluded  to ;  perhaps  *  Purchases  by  De- 
bentures/ some  of  them.  Soldiers  could  seldom  get  their  Pay 
in  money ;  with  their  '  Debentures'  they  had  to  purchase  For- 
feited Lands ; — a  somewhat  uncertain  investment  of  an  uncertain 
currency. 

The  Mr.  Robinson  mentioned  in  this  Letter  is  a  pious  Preacher 
at  Southampton.*  *  My  two  little  Wenches'  are  Mary  and  Fran- 
ces :  Mary  aged  now  near  twelve ;  Frances  ten.f 

'  For  my  noble  friend,  CoUmd  Rkhard  Norton:  That. 

*  Loadoa,*  4th  i^pril,  IMS. 
Dear  Norton, 

I  could  not  in  my  last  give  yon  a  perfect  aecoont 

of  what  passed  between  me  and  Mr.  liayor ;  becMise  we  were  to  have 
*  Harris,  p.  504.  f  Sse  omUOt  pp.  67,  S. 


!.  jn  r  ,niiiuin  o^  InhvnVdUco,   lyini;   m  vci...^.  .^^... 

0  |)n'>ently  stalled, f  aiiil  to  be  for  iiKiiiil(Miance  ;  whorcii 

e  advised  bv  niv  Wile.     I  ()tK'n*d  tlie  Lund  in  }Iainj).sbiro 

ntenance  ;  which  I  dare  say,  with  copses  and  ordinary  fel 

imunibus  annis,  500/.  per  annum :  *  and  '  besides  *  this/  5< 

n  in  Tenants*  hands  holding  but  for  one  life ;  and  about  3 

71,  some  for  two  lives,  some  for  three  lives.    But  as  to 

;er  offer  be  not  liked  of,  I  shall  be  willing  a  farther  coi 

d  in  *  regard  to  *  tlie  first. 

[n  point  of  jointure  I  shall  give  satisfaction.    And  as  to  thi 
lands  given  me  by  the  Parliament,  satisfaction  to  be  gi' 
inner,  according  as  we  discoursed.    *  And '  in  what  else  wt 
me,  I  am  willing,  so  far  as  I  remember  any  demand  v 
tbfaction.    Only,  I  having  been  informed  by  Mr.  Robinsc 
ayor  did,  upon  a  former  match,  ofier  to  settle  the  Manor 
'ed,  and  to  give  2,000/.  in  money,  I  did  insist  upon  that ;  a 
may  not  be  with  difficulty.    The  money  I  shall  need  for  i 
/'enches ;  and  thereby  I  shall  free  my  Son  from  being  c 
lem.    Mr.  Mayor  parts  with  nothing  at  present  bat  that 
}pt  the  board  *  of  the  young  Pair,'  which  I  should  not  be 
ive  them,  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  their  society ; — ^which  i) 
irt  for,  if  he  will  rob  me  altogether  of  them, 
rruly  the  land  to  be  settled, — ^both  what  the  Parliame 
nd  my  own, — is  very  little  less  than  3,000/.  per  annum,  a.' 

I-  :^r^,,^o^     ^nj  ^  Lawyer  of  Linco! 


i-*i. 


I 


»  LONDON. 


friend ;  which  I  reckon  no  small  mercy.    He  is  also  possessed  < 
writings  for  me.* 

I  thongfat  fit  to  give  yon  this  account;  desiring  yon  to  make  snc 
of  it  as  God  shall  direct  yon ;  and  I  donbt  not  but  yon  will  do  th 
^of  a  friend  between  two  friends.  I  account  myself  one ;  and  I 
)ieard  yon  say  Mr.  Mayor  was  entirdy  so  to  yon.  What  the  good 
iiare  of  God  is  I  shall  wait;  there  *alone'  is  rest.  Present  my  m 
to  your  Lady,  to  Mr.  Mayor,  dtc    I  rest, 

Your  aflbctionate  servant, 

Qliv£b  Ceoiiwi 

*P.S.'  I  desire  you  to  cany  this  business  with  all  privacy* 
seech  you  to  do  so,  as  you  love  me.  Let  me  entreat  you  not  to  i 
day  herein,  that  I  may  know  Mr.  Mayor's  mind ;  for  I  think  I  may 
leisure  for  a  week  to  attend  this  bushiess,  to  give  and  take  satisfiu 
from  which  perhaps  I  may  be  shut  up  afterwards  by  employmen 
know  thou  art  an  Mle  fellow :  but  prithee  neglect  me  not  now ; 
may  be  very  inconvenient  to  me ;  I  much  rely  upon  you.  Let  mc 
from  you  in  two  or  three  days.  'I  confess  the  principal  considerati 
to  me,  is  the  absdute  settlement  *  by  Mr.  Mayor  *  of  the  Manor  y 
he  lives ;  which  he  would  not  do  but  conditionally,  in  case  they  I 
BOD,  and  but  3,0002.  in  case  they  have  no  son.  But  as  to  this,  I 
fiirther  reason  may  work  him  to  more.J 

Of  *  my  two  little  Wenches,'  Mary,  we  may  repeat,  be 
Lady  Fauconberg ;  "Frances  was  wedded  to  the  Hooorabh 
Rich ;  then  to  Sir  John  Russell.  Elizabeth  and  Bridget  a: 
ready  Mrs.  Claypole  and  Mrs.  Lreton.  Elizabeth,  the  you 
was  first  married.  They  were  all  married  very  young ;  I 
beth,  at  her  wedding,  was  little  turned  of  sixteen* 


DeakRobdi, 


LETTER  XXXVn. 

For  CoUmdlL  Hammond. 

*  London,*  6th  April,  It 


Your  business  is  done  in  the  Ham^ :  yomr  1< 
the  week  is  made  202.;  10002.  given  you;  and  Order  to  Mr.  LI 

*  Holds  these  Rigland  Documents  on  my  behsUl 
t  Went  to  Wales  in  May.  %  Harris,  p.  508. 

12* 


tliern.  'J'ho  i^ame  party  assures  tliat  there  is  aqiialortis  (rone  ( 
London,  to  remove  that  obstacle  wliicli  hindered  ;  and  that 
design  is  to  be  put  in  execution  in  the  next  dark  night^s.  He 
Captain  Titus,  and  eonie  others  about  the  King  are  not  to  I 
He  is  a  very  considerable  Person  of  the  Parliament  who  gave 
ligence,  and  desired  it  should  be  speeded  to  yon. 

The  Gentleman  who  came  out  of  the  window  was  Master ! 
the  Gentlemen  doubted  are  Cresset,  Burrowes,  and  Titos; 
when  this  attempt  of  escape  was,  the  20th  of  March. 

Your  servant, 

Qliv£&  Crqi 

Henry  Firebrace  is  known  to  Birch,  and  his  Na 
known.  *  He  became  Clerk  of  the  Kitchen  to  Charles  II.'- 
Books  are  full  of  King's  Plots  for  escape,  by  aquafortis  i 
wise.f  His  Majesty  could  make  no  agreement  With  t 
ment,  and  began  now  to  smell  War  in  the  wind.  Hu 
in  this  or  the  other  locality  might  have  been  of  clear  a 
But  Hammond  was  too  watchful.  Titus,  with  or  w 
new  horse,  attends  upon  his  Majesty ;  James  Harrii 
(afterwards  author  of  Oceana);  and  'the  Honorabl< 
Herbert,'  who  has  left  a  pleasing  Narrative  concerning  t 
These,  thoush  appointed  by  the  Parliament,  are  all  soi 


PRATU-HEKTIHa 


PRAYER-MEETING. 


Thb  Scotch  Army  of  Forty -thousand,  ■  lo  deliver  the  King  from 
Sectuiea,'  is  not  k  fable  but  a  fact.  Scotland  is  distracted  by 
dim  disastroiu  Actions,  very  uncertain  what  it  will  do  with  the 
King  when  be  it  delivered  ;  but  in  the  meanwhile  Hamilton  haa 
got  a  majority  in  the  Scotch  Parliament ;  and  drums  are  beating 
in  that  country :  the  'Army  of  Forty-thousand,  certainly  coming,' 
hangs  over  England  like  a  flaming  comet,  England  itself  being 
all  very  combustible  loo.  In  few  weeks  hence,  discontented 
Walea,  the  Presbyterian  Colonels  declaring  now  for  Royalism, 
will  be  in  a  blaze  ;  large  aeotiona  of  Elngland,  all  &iglaad  vwy 
ready  to  follow,  will  shortly  af^er  be  in  a  blaze. 

The  amall  Governing  Party  in  England,  during  liiose  eariy 
months  of  1648,  are  in  a  position  which  might  fill  the  bravest 
mind  with  misgivings.  Elements  of  destruction  everywhere  under 
and  around  them  ;  ibeir  lot  either  to  conquer,  or  ignominioualy  to 
die.  A  King  not  to  be  bargained  with  ;  kept  in  Carisbrook,  the 
centre  of  all  factious  hopes,  of  world-wide  Intrigues :  that  is  one 
element.  A  great  Royalist  Parly,  subdued  with  ditBcuIty,  and 
ready  at  all  moments  to  rise  again  :  that  is  another.  A  great 
Presbyterian  Party,  at  the  head  of  which  is  London  City,  '  thd 
Purse-bearer  of  the  Cause,'  highly  dissatisfied  at  the  course  things 
had  taken,  and  looking  despemtely  round  for  new  combinations 
and  a  new  struggle :  reckon  that  for  a  third  element.  Add  lastly 
a  headlong  Mutineer,  Republican,  or  Levelling  Party  ;  and  con- 
sider that  there  is  a  uorking  House  of  Commons  which  counts 
about  Seventy,  divided  in  pretty  equal  halves  too, — the  rest  wait- 
ing what  will  come  of  it.  Come  of  it,  and  of  the  Scotch  Army 
advancing  towards  it  \ — 

Cromwell,  it  appears,  deeply  sensible  of  all  this,  does  In  these 
weeks  make  strenuous  repeated  altempis  towards  at  least  a  union 
among  the  friends  of  the  Cause  themselves,  whose  aim  is  one^ 


Ulli^iv    mm       »»ciii»v.» , .-^ 

April,  lOH,'  having  prepared   the  ixround  beforehan 
with  another  leader  or  two,  attended  a  Common  (Jounc 
we  may  fancy,  ot*  the  common  dangers,  of  the  gulfs  r 
on  every  side  :  *  but  the  City,'  chuckles  my  little  gentk 
with  a  very  shrill  kind  of  laughter  in  the  throat  of  hir 
wiser  than  our  First  Parents ;  and  rejected  the  '  Se 
subtleties. 'f     In  fact,  the  City  wishes  well  to  Han 
Forty-thousand  Scots ;  the  City  has,  for  some  time, 
ments  quartered  in  it,  to  keep  down  open  Royalist 
insurrection.     It  was  precisely  on  the  morrow  aftei 
Cromwell's  that  there  rose,  from  small  cause,  hugt 
riot  in  the  City :  discomfiture  of  Trainbands,  seiz 
seizure  of  City  Gates,  Ludgate,  Newgate,  loud  wide 
and  King  Charles !" — riot  not  to  be  appeased  but  1 
charge  of  cavalry,'  after  it  had  lasted  forty  hours.:( 
aspects  of  affairs,  near  and  far. 

Before  quitting  Part  Third,  I  will  request  the  ret 
take  a  small  piece  of  very  dull  reading ;  in  which, 
look  till  it  become  credible  and  intelligible  to  him,  a 
much  elucidative  of  the  heart  of  this  matter,  will 
At  Windsor,  one  of  these  days,  unknown  now  wh 
•^M — *: c  A »•**„" T.ooHor«.     Adiutant-General  All 


1M&]  PRATER-MEETING.  t88 


look  at  it  with  very  many  thoughts,  for  which  there  is  no  w<ml  at 
present. 

'  la  the  year  Forty-seven,  you  may  remember/  says  Adjutant 
Allen, '  we  in  the  Army  were  engaged  in  actions  of  a  very  high 
nature ;  leading  us  to  very  untrodden  paths, — both  in  ourCootesIs 
with  the  then  Parliament,  as  also  Conferences  with  the  King.  In 
which  great  works,^ — ^wanting  a  spirit  of  faith,  and  also  the  foar 
of  the  Lord,  and  also  being  unduly  surprised  with  the  fear  of  nian» 
which  always  brings  a  snare,  we,  to  make  haste,  as  we  thought, 
out  of  such  perplexities,  measuring  our  way  by  a  wisdom  of  our 
own,  fell  into  Treaties  with  the  King  and  his  Party :  which  proved 
such  a  snare  to  us,  and  led  into  such  labyrinths  by  the  end  of  that 
year,  that  the  very  things  we  thought  to  avoid,  by  the  means  we 
used  of  our  own  devising,  were  all,  with  many  more  of  a  fiur  worse 
and  more  perplexing  nature,  brought  back  upon  us.  To  the  over- 
whelming of  our  spirits,  weakening  of  our  hands  and  hearts ;  fill- 
ing us  with  divisions,  confusions,  tumults,  and  every  evil  work ; 
and  thereby  endangering  the  ruin  of  that  blessed  Cause  we  had, 
with  such  success,  been  prospered  in  till  that  time. 

'  For  now  the  King  and  his  Party,  seeing  us  not  answer  their 
ends,  began  to  provide  for  themselves,  by  a  Treaty  with  the  then 
Parliament,  set  on  foot  about  the  beginning  of  Forty-eight.  The 
Parliament  also  was,  at  the  same  time,  highly  dii^leased  with  U8 
for  what  we  had  done,  both  as  to  the  King  and  themselves.  The 
good  people  likewise,  even  our  most  cordial  friends  in  the  Nation, 
beholding  our  turning  aside  from  that  path  of  sitnplicU§  we  had 
formerly  walked  in,  and  been  blessed  in,  and  thereby  much  en« 
deared  to  their  hearts, — began  now  to  fear,  and  withdraw  their 
affections  from  us,  in  this  politic  path  which  we  had  stepped  into, 
and  walked  in  to  our  hurt,  the  year  before.  And  aa  a  fiurtber 
fruit  of  the  wages  of  our  backsliding  hearts,  we  were  also  filled 
with  a  spirit  of  great  jealousy  and  divisions  amongst  ourselves ; 
having  lefl  that  Wisdom  of  the  Word,  which  is  first  pure  and  then 
peaceable ;  so  that  we  were  now  fit  for  little  but  to  tear  and  rend 
one  another,  and  thereby  prepare  ourselvee,  and  the  work  in  our 
hands,  to  be  ruined  by  our  common  enemiei.    Bnendes  that  were 


and  ])Ut  oiirsf'lvrs  iiuu  mr  ectjun-ii..  .>  v  .  ^ — _. 

wo  had  dnn(\  and   wfiat  was   yot    in   our   lirarls  to  do, 

we  judged  to  the  good  of  these  poor  Nations,  was  not  a 

them. 

*  Some  also  even  encouraged  themselves  and  us  to  s 
by  urging  for  such  a  practice  the  example  of  our  L 
who,  when  he  had  borne  an  eminent  testimony  to  the 
his  Father  in   an  active  way,  sealed  it  at  last  by 
ings ;  which  was  presented  to  us  as  our  pattern  fb 
Others  of  us,  however,  were  difierent-minded ;  thii 
thing  of  another  nature  might  yet  be  farther  our 
these  therefore  were,  by  joint  advice,  by  a  good  hand 
led  to  this  result ;  viz..  To  go  solemnly  to  search  ( 
iniquities,  and  humble  our  souls  before  the  Liord  in 
the  same ;  which,  we  were  persuaded,  had  provok 
against  us,  to  bring  such  sad  perplexities  upon  us 
Out  of  which  we  saw  no  way  else  to  extricate  oursel 

<  Accordingly  we  did  agree  to  meet  at  Windsor 
the  beginning  of  Forty-eight.     And  there  we  spent 
gether  in  prayer  ;  inquiring  into  the  causes  of  thai 
sation,' — let  all  men  consider  it ;  '  coming  to  no  f 
that  day ;  but  that  it  was  still  our  duty  to  seek. 


-——--•■•—   •      n.K^ 


•■<*  mor 


1648.]      '  PRATER-MEETiyO.  «5 

atioQ  of  our  actions  as  an  Army,  and  of  our  wajrs  particularij 
as  private  Christians :  to  see  if  any  iniquity  oould  be  IoudA  in 
them ;  and  what  it  was ;  that  if  possible  we  might  find  it  cut, 
and  so  remove  the  cause  of  such  sad  rebukes  as  were  upon  us 
(by  reason  of  our  iniquities,  as  we  judged)  at  that  time.  And 
the  way  more  particularly  the  Lord  led  us  to  herein  was  this : 
To  look  back  and  consider  what  time  it  was  when  with  joint 
satisfaction  we  could  last  say  to  the  beet  of  our  judgment.  The 
presence  of  the  Lord  was  amongst  us,  and  rebukes  and  jodg* 
ments  were  not  as  then  upon  us.  Which  time  the  Lord  led  us 
jointly  to  find  out  and  agree  in ;  and  having  done  so,  to  proceed, 
as  we  then  judged  it  our  duty,  to  search  into  all  our  public 
actions  as  an  Army,  afterwards.  Duly  weighing  (as  the  Lord 
helped  us)  each  of  them,  with  their  grounds,  rules,  and  end% 
as  near  as  we  could.  And  so  we  concluded  this  second  day,  with 
agreeing  to  meet  again  on  the  morrow.  Which  accordingly  we 
did  upon  the  same  occasion,  reassuming  the  consideration  of  our 
debates  the  day  before,  and  reviewing  our  actions  again. 

'  By  which  means  we  were,  by  a  gracious  hand  of  the  Lord, 
led  to  find  out  the  very  steps  (as  we  were  all  then  jointly  con- 
vinced) by  which  we  had  departed  from  the  Lord,  and  provoked 
Him  to  depart  from  us.  Which  we  found  to  be  those  cursed 
carnal  Conferences  our  own  conceited  wisdom,  our  fears,  and 
want  of  faith  had  prompted  us,  the  year  before,  to  entertain  with 
the  King  and  his  Party.  At  this  time,  and  on  this  occasion,  did 
the  then  Major  Grofie  (as  I  remember  was  his  title)  make  use  of 
that  good  Word,  Proverbs  First  and  Twenty-third,  Turn  yom  al 
my  reproof:  behold  1  will  pour  out  my  Sptrit  unto  you,  /  wiU  make 
knoion  my  words  unto  you.  Which,  we  having  found  out  our  sin, 
he  urged  as  our  duty  from  those  words.  And  the  Lord  so  aoccxn- 
panied  by  His  Spirit,  that  it  had  a  kindly  efl^t,  like  a  word  of 
His,  upon  most  of  our  hearts  that  were  then  present ;  which  be- 
got in  us  a  great  sense,  a  shame  and  loathing  of  ourselves  for  our 
iniquities,  and  a  justifying  of  the  Lord  as  righteous  in  His  pro- 
ceedings against  us. 

*  And  in  this  path  the  Lord  led  us,  not  only  to  see  our  sin,  but 
also  our  duty ;  and  this  so  unanimously  set  with  weight  upon 


.^  ^vj^iec  HI   me   ijovd  ;   wliose   faithfulness  ami 
we  were  made   to  see,  vet   failed   us  not  ; — who 
still,    even  in  our    low  estate,    because   His  me 
ever.     Who  no  sooner  brought  us  to  His  feet, 
Him  in  that  way  of  His  (viz.  searching  for,  bei 
and  willing  to  turn  from,  our  iniquities),  but  H( 
steps ;  and  presently  we  were  led  and  helped  tc 
ment  amongst  ourselves,  not  any  dissenting,  That 
of  our  day,  with  the  forces  we  had,  to  go  out  ai 
those  potent  enemies,  which  that  year  in  all  f 
against  us.'     Courage !     *  With  an  humble  coc 
name  of  the  Lord  only,  that  we  should  destroy  t 
were  also  enabled  then,  after  serious  seeking  Hi 
to  a  very  clear  and  joint  resolution,  on  many  gr 
there  debated  amongst  us,  That  it  was  our  duty,  if 
brought  us  back  again  in  peace,  to  call  Charles  Si 
of  blood,  to  an  account  for  that  blood  he  had  shed 
he  had  done  to  his  utmost,  against  the  Lord's  Cau 
in  these  poor  Nations.'     Mark  that  also ! 

'  And  how  the  Lord  led  and  prospered  us  in  all 
ings  that  year,  in  this  way  ;  cutting  His  work  shoi 
ness ;  making  it  a  year  of  mercy,  equal  if  not  t 


ie4S.] 


PRAYER- MEETING. 


Abyaaes,  black  chaotic  whirlwinds :— -doe*  the  rewler  hdk 
upon  it  all  as  Madness?  Madness  lies  cl6se  by;  as  Madness' 
does  to  the  Highest  Wisdom,  in  man's  life  always :  but  this  is  not 
mad!  This  dark  element,  it  is  the  mother  of  the  lightnings  and 
the  splendors ;  it  is  very  sane  this  t^ 


^^^^^^^^^^B 

■  ^ 

CKOMWELl-S 

lETTERS   AND 

SPEECHKS. 

PART   IV. 

SECOND  CIVIL  WAR. 

- 

1648. 

vo... 

13 

A 

^^^ 

^ 

LETTERS  XXXVIII.,  XXXIX. 

About  the  beginning  of  May,  1648,  the  general  Pre8b3rteriaiip 
Royalist  discontent  announces  itself  by  tumults  in  Kent,  tumults 
at  Colchester,  tumults  and  rumors  of  tumult  &r  and  near ;  pof> 
tending  on  all  sides,  that  a  new  Civil  War  is  at  hand.  The  Scotoh 
Army  of  Forty-thousand  is  certainly  voted ;  certainly  the  King 
is  still  prisoner  at  Carisbrook ;  factious  men  have  yet  made  no 
bargain  with  him ;  certainly  there  will  and  should  be  anew  War! 
So  reasons  Presbyterian  Royalism  everywhere.  Headlong  dis- 
contented Wales  in  this  matter  took  the  lead. 

Wales  has  been  full  of  confused  discontent  all  Spring ;  this  or 
the  other  confused  Colonel  Foyer,  full  of  brandy  and  Presbyterian 
texts  of  Scripture,  refusing  to  disband  till  his  arrears  be  better 
paid,  or  indeed  till  the  King  be  better  treated.  To  whom  other 
confused  Welsh  Colonels,  as  Colonel  Powel,  Major-General 
Laughern,  join  themselves.  There  have  been  tumults  at  Cardifl^ 
tumults  here  and  also  there ;  open  shooting  and  fighting.  Drunken 
Colonel  Foyer,  a  good  while  ago,  in  March  last,  seized  Pembroke; 
flatly  refuses  to  obey  the  Parliament's  Order  when  Colonel  Flenw 
ming  presents  the  same. — Poor  Flemming,  whom  we  saw 
time  ago  soliciting  promotion  :*  he  here,  attempting  to  defeat 
insurrectionary  party  of  this  Foyer's  '  at  a  Pass '  (name  of  the 
Pass  not  given),  is  himself  defeated,  forced  into  a  Church,  and 
killed.|  Drunken  Foyer,  in  Pembroke  strong  Castle,  defies  the 
Parliament  and  the  world;  new  Colonels,  Parliamentary  and 
Presbyterian- Royalist,  are  hastening  towards  him,  for  and  against* 
Wales,  smoking  with  confused  discontent  all  Spring,  has  now,  by 
influence  of  the  flaming  Scotch  comet  or  Army  of  Forty-thousand, 
burst  into  a  general  blaze.  '  The  gentry  are  all  for  the  Kin{^ ; 
the  common  people  understand  nothing,  and  follow  the  gentry.' 
Chepstow  Castle  too  has  been  taken  'by  a  stratagem.'    The 

*  Letter  XIX.,  p.  196.  t  Rmhworth,  viL,  109T 


262  PART  IV.     SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [17  June, 

country  is  all  up  or  rising  :  *  the  smiths  have  all  fled,  cutting  their 
bellows  before  they  went ;'  impossible  to  get  a  horse  shod, — never 
saw  such  a  country  !'*'  On  the  whole,  Cromwell  will  have  to  go. 
Cromwell,  leave  being  asked  of  Fairfax,  is  on  the  1st  of  May  or* 
dered  to  go ;  marches  on  Wednesday  the  3d.  Let  him  march 
swiftly ! 

Horton,  one  of  the  Parliamentary  Colonels,  has  already,  while 
Cromwell  is  on  march,  somewhat  tamed  the  Welsh  hunrior,  by  a 
good  beating  at  St.  Fagaa's  :  St.  Fagan's  Fight,  near  Cardiff)  oo 
the  8th  of  May,  where  Laughern,  hastening  towards  Poyer  and 
Pembroke,  is  broken  in  pieces.  Cromwell  marches  by  Monmouth, 
by  Chepstow  (11th  May);  takes  Chepstow  Town;  attacks  the 
Castle,  Castle  will  not  surrender, — he  leaves  Colonel  Ewer  to  do 
the  Castle  :  who,  afler  four  weeks,  does  it.  Cromwell,  by  Swan- 
sea and  Carmarthen,  advances  towards  Pembroke  ;  quelling  dis- 
turbance, rallying  force,  as  he  goes;  arrives  at  Pembroke  in  some 
ten  days  more  ;  and,  for  want  of  artillery,  was  like  to  have  a  te- 
dious siege  of  it.f  He  has  been  before  Pembroke  some  three 
weeks,  when  the  following  Letter  to  Major  Saunders  goes  off. 

Of  this  Major,  afterwards  Colonel,  Thomas  Saunders,  now 
lying  at  Pembroke,  there  need  little  be  said  beyond  what  the  Let- 
ter itself  says.  He  is  of  '  Derbyshire,'  it  seems  ;  sat  afterwards 
as  a  King's- Judge,  or  at  least  was  nominated  to  sit,  continued 
true  to  the  Cause,  in  a  dim  way,  till  the  very  Restoration ;  and 
withdrew  then  into  total  darkness. 

This  Letter  is  endorsed  in  Saunders's  own  hand,  *  The  Lord 
General's  order  for  taking  Sir  Trevor  Williams,  and  Mr.  Morgan 
Sheriff  of  Monmouthshire.'  Of  which  two  Welsh  individuals, 
except  that  Williams  had  been  appointed  Commander-in-chief  of 
the  Parliament's  forces  in  Monmouthshire  some  time  ago,  and 
Morgan  High  Sheriff  there,:^  both  of  whom  had  now  revolted,  we 
know  nothing,  and  need  know  nothing.     The  Letter  has  oome 

♦  Rush  worth,  vii.,  1097. 

t  Abundant  details  lie  scattered  in  Rushworth,  vii. :  Poyer  and  Pembroke 
Castle^  in  March,  p.  1033 ;  Flemming  killed  (1  May),p.  1097 ;  Chepetow 
surprised  (* beginning  of  May'),  p.  1109,— retaken  (29  May),  p.  1130;  St. 
Fagan*s  Fight  (8  May),  p.  1110 ;  CroraweU's  march,  pp.  1121-8. 

X  10  January,  1645-6,  Williams;  17  November,  1647,  Morgia:  Com- 
mons Journals,  in  dielnts. 


1648.]  LETTER  XXXVIII.,  PEMBROKE.  M3 

under  cover  enclosiDg  another  Letter  of  an  official  sort,  to  one 
<  Mr.  Rumsey '  (a  total  stranger  to  me) ;  and  is  superscribed 
Far  Yourself, 

LETTER  XXXVra. 

*  To  Major  Thomas  Saunders,  at  Brecknock :  These.^ 

*  Before  Pembroke/  17th  June,  1648. 
Sir, 

1  send  you  this  enclosed  by  iteelf,  because  it's  of 

jrreater  moment.    The  other  you  may  communicate  to  Mr.  Rumsey,  as 

iar  as  you  think  fit  and  I  have  written.     I  would  not  have  him  or  other 

honest  men  be  discouraged  that  I  think  it  not  fit,  at  present,  to  enter 

into  contests ;  it  will  be  good  to  yield  a  little,  for  public  advantage :  and 

truly  that  is  my  end  ;  wherein  I  desire  you  to  satisfy  them. 

I  have  sent,  as  my  Letter  mentions,  to  have  you  remove  out  of 
Brecknockshire ;  indeed,  into  that  part  of  Glamorganshire  which  lieth 
next  Monmouthshire.  For  this  end :  We  have  plain  discoveries  that 
Sir  Trevor  Williams,  of  Llangibby,*  about  two  miles  from  Usk  in  the 
County  of  Monmouth,  was  very  deep  in  tlie  plot  of  betraying  Cliepstow 
Castle ;  so  that  we  are  out  of  doubt  of  his  guiltiness  thereof.  I  do 
hereby  authorize  you  to  seize  him  ;  as  also  the  High  Sheriff  of  Mon- 
mouth, Mr.  Morgan,  who  was  in  the  same  plot. 

But,  because  Sir  Trevor  Williams  is  the  more  dangerous  man  by  far, 
I  would  have  you  seize  him  first,  and  the  other  will  easily  be  had.  To 
the  end  you  may  not  be  frustrated  and  that  yon  be  not  deceived,  I  think 
fit  to  give  you  some  characters  of  the  man,  and  some  intimations  how 
things  stand.  He  is  a  man,  as  I  am  informed,  full  of  craft  and  subtlety; 
very  bold  and  resolute ;  hath  a  House  at  Llangibby  well  stored  with 
arms,  and  very  strong ;  his  neighbors  about  him  very  Malignant,  and 
much  for  him, — who  are  apt  to  rescue  him  if  apprehended,  much  more 
to  discover  anything  which  may  prevent  it.  He  is  full  of  jealousy ; 
partly  out  of  guilt,  but  much  more  because  he  doubts  some  that  were 
in  the  business  have  discovered  him,  which  indeed  tliey  have«— and  also 
because  he  knows  that  his  Servant  is  brought  hither,  and  a  Minister  to 
be  examined  here,  who  are  able  to  discover  the  whole  plot 

If  you  should  march  directly  into  that  Country  and  near  him,  it's 
odds  he  either  fortify  his  House,  or  give  you  the  slip :  so  also,  if  yoa 
should  go  to  his  House,  and  not  find  him  there ;  or  if  yon  attempt  to 

*  He  writes  *  Langevie ;'  *  Munmouth '  too. 


264  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [88  Jane, 

take  him,  and  miss  to  efl^t  it ;  or  if  yoa  make  any  known  inquiry  after 
him, — it  will  be  discovered. 

Wherefore,  *  as '  to  the  first,  yoa  have  a  fair  pretence  of  going  oat 
of  Brecknockshire  to  quarter  about  Newport  and  Caerleon,  which  is  noC 
above  four  or  five  miles  from  his  House.  You  may  send  to  Cokmel 
Herbert,  whose  House  lieth  in  Monmouthshire;  who  will  certainly 
acquaint  you  where  he  is.  You  are  also  to  send  to  Captain  Nicholaa, 
who  is  at  Chepstow,  to  require  him  to  assist  you,  if  he '  Williams ' 
should  get  into  his  House  and  stand  upon  his  guard.  Samuel  Jones, 
who  is  Quartermaster  to  Colonel  Herbert's  troop,  will  be  very  assisting 
to  you,  if  you  send  to  him  to  meet  yon  at  your  quarters ;  both  by  letting 
you  know  where  he  is,  and  also  in  all  matters  of  intelligence.  If  there 
shall  be  need.  Captain  Surge's  troop,  now  quartered  in  Glamorganshire, 
shall  be  directed  to  receive  orders  from  yon. 

You  perceive  by  all  this  that  we  are,  it  may  be,  a  little  too  miich 
solicitous  in  this  business ; — it's  our  fault ;  and  indeed  such  a  temper 
causefh  us  often  to  overact  business.  Wherefore,  without  more  ado^we 
leave  it  to  you ;  and  you  to  the  guidance  of  God  herein ;  and  rest, 

Yours, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

Saunders,  by  his  manner  of  endorsing  this  Letter,  seems  to 
intimate  that  he  took  his  two  men ;  that  he  keeps  the  Letter  by 
way  of  voucher.  Sir  Trevor  Williams  by  and  by*  oompounds  as 
a  Delinquent, — retires  then  into  *  Langevie  House'  in  a  diminished 
state,  and  disappears  from  History.  Of  Sheriff  Morgan,  except 
that  a  new  Sheriff  is  soon  appointed,  we  have  no  farther  Dodce 
whatever. 


LETTER  XXXIX. 

Since  Cromwell  quitted  London,  there  have  arisen  wide  conuno- 
tions  in  that  central  region  too ;  the  hope  of  the  Scotch  Army 
and  the  certainty  of  this  War  in  Wales  excite  all  unruly  things 
and  persons. 

May  I6th,  Came  a  celebrated  *  Surrey  Petition  :'  highflyiii^ 
armed  cavalcade  of  Freeholders  from  Surrey,  with  a  Petitioa 
craving  in  very  high  language  that  Peace  be  made  with  his 

*  Harris,  p.  495.  t  Commons  Journals. 


1M8.]  LETTER  XXXIX.,  PEMBROKE.  965 


Majesty  :  they  quarrelled  with  the  Parliament's  Guard  in  West- 
minster Hall,  drew  swords,  had  swords  drawn  upon  them ;  '  the 
Miller  of  Wandsworth  was  run  through  with  a  halbert,'  he  and 
others ;  and  the  Petitioners  went  home  in  a  slashed  and  highly 
indignant  condition.  Thereupon,  May  2Uhy  armed  meeting  of 
Kentishmen  on  Blaekheath ;  armed  meeting  of  Essex-men ;  several 
armed  meetings,  all  in  communication  with  the  City  Pre8b3rte« 
rians :  Fairfax,  ill  of  the  gout,  has  to  mount, — in  extremity  of 
haste,  as  a  man  that  will  quench  fire  among  smoking  flax, 

June  IsU  Fairfax,  at  his  utmost  speed,  smites  fiercely  against 
the  centre  of  this  insurrection  ;  drives  it  from  post  to  post ;  drives 
it  into  Maidstone  *•  about  7  in  the  evening,'  <  with  as  hard  fighting 
as  I  ever  saw ;  tramples  it  out  there.  The  centre-flame  once 
trampled  out,  the  other  flames,  or  armed  meetings,  hover  hither 
and  thither ;  gather  at  length,  in  few  days,  all  at  Colchestei'  in 
Essex ;  where  Fairfax  is  now  besieging  them,  with  a  very  obsti- 
nate and  fierce  resistance  from  them.  These  are  the  *  glorious 
successes  God  has  vouchsafed  you,'  which  Oliver  alludes  to  in 
this  Letter. 

We  are  only  to  notice  farther  that  Lambert  is  in  the  North ; 
waiting,  in  very  inadequate  strength,  to  see  the  Scots  arrive. 
Oliver  in  this  Letter  signifies  that  he  has  reinforced  him  with 
some  *  horse  and  dragoons,'  sent  by  *  West  Chester,'  which  we 
now  call  Chester,  where  *  Colonel  Dukinfield'  is  GJovenior.  The 
Scots  are  indubitably  coming ;  Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale  (whom 
Oliver,  we  may  remark,  encountered  •  in  the  King's  left  wing  at 
Nasehy  Fight)  has  raised  new  Yorkshiremen,  has  seized  Berwick, 
seized  Carlisle,  and  joined  the  Scots ;  it  is  becoming  an  openly 
Royalist  afTair. 

Very  desirable,  of  course,  that  Oliver  had  done  with  Pembroke 
and  were  fairly  joined  with  Lambert.  But  Pembroke  is  strong ; 
Poyer  is  stubborn,  hopes  to  surrender  *  on  conditions ;'  Oliver, 
equally  stubborn,  though  sadly  short  of  artillery  and  means,  will 
have  him  '  at  mercy  of  the  Parliament,'  so  signal  a  rebel  as  him* 
Fairfax's  Father,  the  Lord  Ferdinando,  died  in  March  last  ;*  so 
thot  the  General's  title  is  now  changed : 

*  13  March,  1647-8  (Rushworth,  vii.,  1030). 


206  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [38  J«M» 

■  -  ■  -         1 ' ■ m 

To  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Faiffax^  Oenend  of  the  Parliaments  Armtg: 

These. 

Before  Pembroke,  28th  Jane,  1648. 

Mt  Lord, 

I  have  some  few  days  since  despatched  bone  uid 
dragoons  for  the  North.  I  sent  them  by  the  way  of  West  Chester ; 
thinking  it  fit  to  do  so  in  regard  of  this  enclosed  Letter  which  I  received 
from  Colonel  Dukinfield ; — ^requiring  them  to  give  him  assistance  in  ttm 
way.  And  if  it  should  prove  that  a  present  help  would  not  serve  the 
turn,  then  I  ordered  Captain  Pennyfeather*s  troop  to  remain  with  the 
Governor  'Dukinfield;'  and  the  rest  immediately  to  march  towards 
Leeds, — and  to  send  to  the  Committee  of  York,  or  to  him  that  commands 
the  forces  in  those  parts,  for  directions  whither  they  should  come,  uid 
how  they  shall  be  disposed  of. 

The  number  I  sent  are  six  troops :  four  of  horse,  and  two  of  dragoons  ; 
whereof  three  are  Colonel  Scroop's — and  Captain  Pennyfeather's  troom 
and  the  other  two  dragoons.  I  could  not,  by  the  judgment  of  the  Colo- 
nels here,  spare  more,  nor  send  them  sooner  without  manifest  hazard  to 
these  parts.  Here  is,  as  I  have  formerly  acquainted  your  Excellency,  a 
veiy  desperate  Enemy ;  who,  being  put  out  of  all  hope  of  mercy,  tie 
resolved  to  endure  to  the  uttermost  extremity ;  being  very  many  '  of 
them'  gentlemen  of  quality,  and  men  thoroughly  resolved.  They  have 
made  some  notable  sallies  upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Reade's  quarter,*  to 
his  loss.  We  are  forced  to  keep  divers  poets,  or  else  they  would  have 
relief,  or  their  horse  break  away.  Our  foot  about  them  are  Four-and- 
twenty  hundred ;  we  always  necessitated  to  have  some  in  garrisons.  * 

The  Country,  since  we  sat  down  before  this  place,  have  made  two  or 
three  insurrections ;  and  are  ready  to  do  it  every  day ;  so  that, — what 
with  looking  to  them,  and  disposing  our  horse  to  that  end,  and  to  get  ns 
in  provisions,  without  which  we  should  starve,  this  country  being  so 
miserably  exhausted  and  so  poor,  and  wo  no  money  to  buy  victuals^  ■ 
indeed,  whatever  may  be  thought,  it's  a  mercy  we  have  been  able  to 
keep  our  men  together  in  the  midst  of  such  necessity,  the  sustenance  of 
the  foot  for  most  part  being  but  bread  and  water.  Our  guns,  throngh 
the  unhappy  accident  at  Berkley,  not  yet  come  to  us ; — and  indeed  it 
was  a  very  unhappy  thing  they  were  brought  thither ;  the  wind  having 
been  always  so  cross,  that  since  they  were  recovered  from  sinking,  they 

^Reade  had  been  entrusted  with  the  Siege  of  Tenby ;  thst  had  ended 
June  2  (Commons  Journals,  v.,  588) ;  and  Reade  is  now  aasiiting  at 
broke. 


1048.]  LETTER  XXXIX.,  PEMBROKE.  257 


could  not  come  to  us ;'  and  this  place  not  being  to  be  had  without  fit 
uiBtruments  for  battering,  except  by  starving.*^  And  truly  J  believe  the 
Enemy's  straits  do  increase  upon  them  very  fast,  and  that  within  a  few 
days  an  end  will  be  put  to  this  business ; — which  sorely  might  have 
been  before,  if  we  had  received  things  wherewith  to  have  done  it.  But 
it  will  be  done  in  the  best  time.f 

I  rejoice  much  to  hear  of  the  blessing  of  God  upon  your  Excellency's 
endeavors.  I  pray  God  that  this  Nation,  and  those  that  are  over  us,  and 
your  Ebccellency  and  all  we  that  are  under  you,  '  may  discern*  what  the 
mind  of  God  may  be  in  all  this,  and  what  our  duty  is.  Surely  it  is  not 
that  the  poor  Godly  People  of  this  Kingdom  should  still  be  made  the 
object  of  wrath  and  anger ;  nor  that  our  Crod  would  have  our  necks 
under  a  yoke  of  bondage.  For  these  things  that  have  lately  come  to 
pass  have  been  the  wonderful  works  of  God ;  breaking  the  rod  of  the 
oppressor,  as  in  the  day  of  Midian, — not  with  garments  much  rolled  in 
blood,  but  by  the  terror  of  the  Lord ;  who  will  yet  save  His  people  and 
confound  His  enemies,  as  on  that  day.  The  Lord  multiply  His  grace  upon 
you,  and  bless  you,  and  keep  your  heart  upright ;  and  then,  though  you  be 
not  conformable  to  the  men  of  this  world,  nor  to  their  wisdom,  yet  you 
shall  be  precious  in  the  eyes  of  God,  and  He  will  be  to  you  a  horn  and  a 
shield. — 

My  Lord,  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  had  a  Letter  from  any  of  your 
Army,  of  the  glorious  successes  God  has  vouchsafed  you.  I  pray 
pardon  the  complaint  made.    I  long  to  'be*  with, you.    I  take  leave, 

and  rest. 

My  Lord, 
*         Your  most  humble  and  faithful  servant, 

Olfver  Cromwell. 

'  P.S.'  Sir,  I  desire  you  that  Colonel  Lehunt  may  have  a  Commission 
to  command  a  Troop  of  horse,  the  greatest  part  whereof  came  from  the 
Enemy  to  us ;  and  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  send  blank  Commie- 
sions  for  his  inferior  officers, — with  what  speed  may  be.| 

In  Rushworth,  under  date  March  24th,  is  announced  that 
'Sir  W.  Constable  has  taken  care  to  send  ordnance  and  ammu- 
nition from  Gloucester,  for  the  service  before  Pembroke.'§  *  The 
unhappy  accident  at  Berkley,'  I  believe,  is  the  stranding  of  the 
*  Frigate,'  or  Shallop,  that  carried  them.     Guos  are  not  to  be 

•  •  Without  either  fit  instruments  for  battering  except  by  starving.'  Great 
haste,  and  considerable  stumbling  in  the  grammar  of  this  last  sentence ! 
After  *  starving,'  a  mere  comma;  and  so  on. 

t  God's  time  is  the  best.        t  Sloane  mss.,  1519,  f.  90.         §  vii.,  1096. 

13* 


968  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [38  June. 

had  of  due  quality  for  battering  Pembroke.  Id  the  beginniDg  of 
June,*  '  Hugh  Peters  '  went  across  to  Milfbrd  Haven,  and  from 
the  Lion,  a  Parliament  Ship  riding  there,  got  'two  drakes,  two 
dcmi-culverins,  and  two  whole  culverins,'  and  safely  conveyed 
them  to  the  Leaguer  ;  with  which  new  implements  an  instanta- 
neous essay  was  made,  and  a  '  storming '  thereupon  followed,  but 
without  success. 

Several  bodies  of '  horse '  are  mentioned  as  deserting,  or  taking 
quarter  and  service  on  the  Parliament  side.f  It  is  over  these 
that  Lehunt  is  to  be  appointed  Colonel ;  and  to  Fairfax  as 
Grenoral-in-chief  <  of  all  the  Parliament's  Forces  raised  or  to  be 
raised,'  it  belongs  to  give  him  and  his  subordinates  the  due  oom- 
missions. 

July  bih.  Young  Villiers,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  son  of  the 
assassinated  Duke ;  he  with  his  Brother  Francis,  with  the  Earl 
of  Holland,  and  others  who  will  pay  dear  for  it,  started  up  about 
Kingston  on  Thames  with  another  open  Insurrectionary  Arma* 
ment ;  guided  chiefly  by  Dutch  Dalbier,  once  Cromwell's  instnic- 
tor,  but  now  gone  over  to  the  other  side.  Fairfax  and  the  Army 
being  all  about  Colclicster  in  busy  Siege,  there  seemed  a  good 
opportunity  here.  They  rode  towards  Riegate,  these  Kingston 
Insurgents,  several  hundreds  strong :  but  a  Parliament  Party 
'  under  Major  Gibbons '  drives  them  back ;  following  close,  comes 
to  action  with  them  between  '  Nonsuch  Park  and  Kingston,' 
where  the  poor  Lord  Francis,  Brother  of  the  Duke,  fell  mortally 
wounded  ;— drives  them  across  the  river  *  into  Hertfordshire ;' 
into  the  lion's  jaws.  For  Fairfax  sent  a  Party  out  from  Colches- 
ter ;  overtook  them  at  St.  Neot's ;  and  captured,  killed,  or  en- 
tirely dissipated  them.if  Dutch  Dalbier  was  hacked  in  pieces, 
*  so  angry  were  the  soldiers  at  him.'  The  Earl  of  Holland  stood 
his  trial  afterwards ;  and  lost  his  head.  The  Duke  of  Bucking- 
ham got  off; — might  almost  a^  well  have  died  with  poor  Brother 
Francis  here,  for  any  good  he  afterwards  did.  Two  pretty 
youths,  as  their  Vandyke  Portraits  in  Hampton  Court  still  tea- 
tify  ;  one  of  whom  lived  to  become  much  uglier  ! 

*  Cromwelliana,  p.  40.  f  Roshworth,  CromweUiina. 

X  Rushworth,  vii.,  1178,  83. 


048.]  LETTER  XXXIX.,  PEMBROKE.  Mf 

July  %ih,  Duke  Hamilton,  with  the  actnal  Scotch  Armj,  is 
^  at  Annan '  on  the  Western  Border,  ready  to  step  across  to  Eng* 
land.  Not  quite  Forty  thousand ;  yet  really  about  half  tiMit 
number,  tolerably  effective.  Langdale,  with  a  vangaard  of  Thrae 
thousand  Yorkshiremen,  is  to  be  guide :  Monro,  with  a  body  of 
horse  that  had  long  served  in  Ulster,  is  to  'bring  up  the  rear. 
The  great  Duke  dates  from  Annan,  8th  July,  1648.*  Poor  old 
Annan ; — ^never  such  an  Army  gathered,  since  the  Scotch  James 
went  to  wreck  in  Solway  Moss,  above  a  hundred  years  ago  ^f 
Scotland  is  in  a  disastrous,  distracted  condition ;  overridden  by 
a  Hamilton  majority  in  Parliament.  Poor  Scotland  will,  with 
exertion,  deliver  its  '  King  from  the  power  of  Sectaries ;'  and  is 
dreadfully  uncertain  what  it  will  do  with  him  when  delivered  I 
Perhaps  Oliver  will  save  it  the  trouble. 

July  Wth.  Oliver  at  last  is  loose  from  Pembroke;  drunken 
Colonel  Poyer,  Major-General  Laughem  and  some  others  sur- 
render <  at  mercy  ;'  a  great  many  more  on  terms ;  and  the  WeMi 
War  is  ended.  Cromwell  hurries  northward :  by  Gloucester, 
Warwick  ;  gets  *•  3,000  pairs  of  shoes '  at  Leicester ;  leaves  his 
prisoners  at  Nottingham  (with  Mrs.  Hutchinson  and  her  Colonel, 
in  the  Castle  there)  ;  joins  Lambert  anK)ng  the  Hills  of  York- 
shire,^:  where  his  presence  is  much  needed  now. 

Jtdy  27th,  In  these  tumultuous  months  the  Fleet  too  has  par- 
tially revolted  ;  '  set  Colonel  Admiral  Rainsborough  ashore,'  in 
the  end  of  May  last.  The  Earl  of  Warwick,  hastily  sent 
thither,  has  brought  part  of  it  to  order  again ;  other  part  of  it 
has  fled  to  Holland,  to  the  Young  Prince  of  Wales.  The  Young 
Prince  goes  hopefully  on  board,  steers  for  the  coast  of  England ; 
emits  his  summons  and  manifesto  from  Yarmouth  roads,  on  the 
27th  of  this  month.  Getting  nothing  at  Yarmouth,  be  appears 
next  week  in  the  Downs ;  orders  London  to  join  him,  or  at  least 
to  lend  him  20,000/.§ 

*  Rushworth,  vii.,  1184.  t  James  V.,  a*]>.  1542. 

t  At  Barnard  Castle,  on  the  27th  July,  *  his  horfs'  joined  (Rushworth, 
▼ii.,  1211) ;  he  himself  not  till  a  fortnight  after,  at  Wetherby  ftrtfaer  south 

§  Rushworth,  vii. ;  20  May,  p.  1131 ;  8  June,  11  June,  pp.  1149, 1151 
27  July,  pp.  1207, 1215,  *c 


170  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [17  A«g. 

It  all  depends  on  Hamilton  and  Cromwell  now.  His  Majesty 
from  Carisbrook  Castle,  the  revolted  Mariners,  the  Liondon  Pres- 
byterians, the  Besieged  in  Colchester,  and  all  men,  are  waiting 
anxiously  what  they  now  will  make  of  it  when  they  meet. 


1M8.]  LETTER  XL.,  PRESTON  BATTLB.  til 


LETTERS  XL.,  ILL 

PREBTOlf   BATTLE. 

The  Battle  of  Preston  or  Battle-and-Rout  of  Preston  lasts  three 
days  ;  and  extends  over  many  miles  of  wet  Lancashire  country, 
— from  *  Langridge  Chapel  a  little  on  the  east  of  Preston,'  south- 
ward to  Warrington  Bridge,  and  northward  also  as  far  as  you 
like  to  follow.  A  wide-spread,  most  confused  transaction  ;  the 
essence  of  which  is,  That  Cromwell,  descending  the  valley  of 
the  Ribble,  with  a  much  smaller  but  prompt  and  compact  force, 
finds  Hamilton  flowing  southward  at  Preston  in  very  loose  order ; 
dashes  in  upon  him,  cuts  him  in  two,  drives  h*im  north  and  south, 
into  as  miserable  ruin  as  his  worst  enemy  could  wish. 

There  are  four  accounts  of  this  Affair  by  eye-witnesses,  still 
accessible ;  Cromwell's  account  in  these  Two  Letters  ;  a  Captain 
Hodgson's  rough  brief  recollections  written  afterwards  ;  and  on 
the  other  side,  Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale's  Letter  in  vindication 
of  his  conduct  there  ;  and  lastly  the  deliberate  Narrative  of  Sir 
James  Turner  (*  alias  Dugald  Dalgetty,'  say  some).  As  the 
Affair  was  so  momentous,  one  of  the  most  critical  in  all  these 
Wars,  and  as  the  details  of  it  are  still  so  accessible,  we  will  illus- 
trate Cromwell 's  own  account  by  some  excerpts  from  the  others. 
Combining  all  which,  and  considering  well,  some  image  of  this 
rude  old  tragedy  and  triumph  may  rise  upon  the  reader. 

Captain  Hodgson,  an  honest-hearted,  pudding-headed  York- 
shire Puritan,  now  with  Lambert  in  the  Hill  Country,  hovering 
on  the  left  flank  of  Hamilton  and  his  Scots,  saw  Cromwell's  feoe 
at  Ripon,  much  to  the  Captain's  satisfaction.  'The  Scots,'  says 
he,  *  marched  towards  Kendal ;  we  towards  Ripoq,  where  Oliver 
met  us  with  horse  and  foot.  We  were  then  between  Eight  and 
Nine  thousand :  a  fine  smart  Army,  fit  for  action.     We  marched 


338  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [17  Avg 

up  to  Skipton  ;  the  Forlorn  of  the  Enemy's  horse,'  Sir  Marma- 
duke's,  <  was  come  to  Gargrave ;  having  made  havoc  of  the  coun- 
try,— it  seems,  intending  never  to  come  there  again.'  'Stout 
Henry  Cromwell,'  ho  gave  them  a  check  at  Gargrave  ;* — and 
better  still  is  coming. 

Here,  however,  let  us  introduce  Sir  James  Turner,  a  stoul 
pedant  and  soldier-of-fortune,  original  Dugald  DaJgetly  of  the 
Novels,  who  is  now  marching  with  the  Scots,  and  happily  has  a 
turn  for  taking  Notes.  The  reader  will  then  have  a  certain 
ubiquity,  and  approach  Preston  on  both  sides.  Of  the  Scotoh 
Officers,  we  may  remark,  Middleton  and  the  Earl  of  Calendar 
have  already  fought  in  England  for  the  Parliament ;  Baillie,  once 
beaten  by  Montrose,  has  been  in  many  wars,  foreign  and  domes* 
tic ;  he  is  leflhand  cousin  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Robert,  who  heard 
the  Apprentices  in  Palaceyard  bellowing  "  Justice  on  Strafibrd !" 
long  since,  in  a  loud  and  hideous  manner.  Neither  of  the  Les* 
leys  is  here,  on  this  occasion ;  they  abide  at  home  with  the  op- 
pressed minority.  The  Duke,  it  will  be  seen,  marches  in  ex- 
tremely loose  order  ;  vanguard  and  rearguard  very  far  apart^-^ 
and  a  Cromwell  attending  him  on  flank  ! 

<  At  Hornby,'  says  the  learned  Sir  James  alias  Dugald,  <  a  day's 
march  beyond  Kendal,  it  was  advised,  Whether  we  should  march 
to  Lancashire,  Cheshire,  and  the  Western  Counties;  or  if  we 
should  go  into  Yorkshire,  and  so  put  ourselves  in  the  straight  road 
to  London,  with  a  resolution  to  fight  all  who  would  oppose  us  ? 
Calendar  was  indi^erent ;  Middleton  was  for  Yorl^hire  ;  Baillie 
for  Lancashire.  When  my  opinion  was  asked,  I  was  for  York- 
shire ;  and  for  this  reason  only.  That  I  understood  Lancashire 
was  a  close  country,  full  of  ditches  and  hedges ;  which  was  a 
great  advantage  the  English  would  have  over  our  raw  and  undis- 
ciplined musketeers  ;  the  Parliament's  Army  consisting  of  disci- 
plined and  well-trained  soldiers,  and  excellent  firemen ;  while  on 
the  other  hand,  Yorkshire  was  a  more  open  country  and  full  of 
heatlis,  where  we  might  both  make  use  of  our  horse,  and  come 
sooner  to  push  of  pike'  with  our  foot.     '  My  Lord  Duke  was  fiir 

*  Hodgson's  Memoirs  (with  Slingsby's  Memoirs,  Edinburgh,  1808  ;  a  dull 
authentic  Book,  left  full  of  blunders,  of  darkness  natural  and  adscititioos,  bj 
the  Editor),  pp.  114,  5. 


Ii48.1  LETTER  XL.,  PRESTON  BATTLE.  378 


lAOcashire  way  ;  and  it  seems  that  he  had  hopes  that  some  forces 
would  join  with  him  in  his  march  that  way.  I  have  indeed  heard 
him  say,  that  he  thought  Manchester  his  own  if  he  came  near  it. 
Whatever  the  matter  was,  I  never  saw  him  tenacious  in  anything 
during  the  time  of  his  command  but  in  that.  We  chose  to  go 
that  way  which  led  us  to  our  ruin. 

*  Our  march  was  much  retarded  by  most  rainy  and  tempestu- 
ous weather,  the  elements  fighting  against  us ;  and  by  staying 
for  country  horses  to  carry  our  little  ammunition.  The  vanguard 
is  constantly  given  to  Sir  Marmaduke,  upon  condition  that  he 
should  constantly  furnish  guides ;  pioneers  for  clearing  the  ways ; 
and,  which  was  more  than  both  these,  have  good  and  certain  in- 
telligence of  all  the  Enemy's  motions.  But  whether  it  was  by 
our  fault  or  his  neglect,  want  of  intelligence  helped  to  ruin  us; 
for,' — in  fact  we  were  marching  in  extremely  loose  order ;  left 
hand  not  aware  what  the  right  was  doing  ;  van  and  rear  some 
twenty  or  thirty  miles  apart ; — far  too  loose  for  men  that  had  a 
Cromwell  on  their  flank  ! 

On  the  night  of  Wednesday.,  16th  August,  1648,  my  Lord 
Duke  has  got  to  Preston  with  the  main  body  of  his  foot ;  his 
horse  lying  very  wide, — ahead  of  him  at  Wigan,  arear  of  him, 
one  knows  not  where,  he  himself  hardly  knows  where.  Sir 
Marmaduke  guards  him  on  the  loft,  *  on  Preston  Moor,  about  Lan- 
gridge  Chapel,'  some  four  miles  up  the  Ribble, — and  knows  not, 
in  the  least  what  storm  is  coming.  For  Cromwell,  this  same 
night,  has  got  across  the  hills  to  CUtheroe  and  farther ;  this  same 
Wednesday  night  he  lies  •  at  Stonyhurst,'  where  now  the  College 
of  Stonyhurst  is, — *  a  Papist's  house,  one  Sherburne's;'  and  to- 
morrow morning  there  will  be  news  of  Cromwell. 

*  That  nFght,'  says  Hodgson,  *  we  pitched  our  camp  at  Stan- 
yares  Hall,  a  Papist's  house,  one  Sherburne's ;  and  the  next 
morning  a  Forlorn  of  horse  and  foot  was  drawn  out.  And  at 
Langridge  Ciiapel  our  horse'  came  upon  Sir  Marmaduke  ;  *  drawn 
up  very  formidably.  One  Major  Poundall'  (Pownell,  you  pud- 
ding-head !)  *  and  myself  commanded  the  Forlorn  of  foot.  And 
here  being  drawn  up  by  the  Moorside  (a  mere  scantling  of  us, 
as  yet,  not  half  the  number  we  should  have  been),  the  General' 
Cromwell  *  comes  to  us,  orders  us  To  march.     We  not  having 


u 


flyin;^  party,  Ashton  and  me  jjaiiuabuiiu  i  n.ou^>icii 
well  writes  in  haste,  late  at  niijljt. 


LETTER  XL. 

For  the  Honorable   Commiltee  of  Lancashirtf  siUing  a 

(I  desire  the  Commander  of  the  Forces  there  to  open  th\ 

come  not  to  their  hands.) 

*  Preston/  17th 
Gentlsmeii, 

It  hath  pleased  God,  this  day 
great  power  by  making  the  Army  successful  against 
Enemy. 

We  lay  last  night  at  Mr.  Sherburn's  of  Stonyhnrst,  nu 
Preston,  which  was  within  three  miles  of  the  Scots  qi 
advanced  betimes  next  morning  towards  Preston,  witfc 
engage  the  Enemy:  and  by  that  time  our  Forlorn  had 
Enemy,  wc  were  about  four  miles  from  Preston,  and 
advanced  with  the  whole  Army :  and  the  Enemy  being 
a  Moor  betwixt  us  and  the  Town,  the  Armies  on  both  si 
and  after  a  very  sharp  dispute,  continuing  for  three  or 
pleased  God  to  enable  us  to  give  them  a  defeat ;  which  I 


16i8.]  LETTER  XL.,  PRESTON  BATTLE.  275 


18  on  south  side  Ribble  and  Darwen  Bridge,  and  we  lying  with  the 
greatest  part  of  the  Army  close  to  them ;  nothing  hindering  the  ruin 
of  that  part  of  the  Enemy's  Army  but  the  night.  It  shall  be  our  care 
that  they  shall  not  pass  over  any  ford  beneath  the  Bridge,*^  to  go  North- 
ward, or  to  come  betwixt  us  and  Whalley. 

We  understand  Colonel-General  Ashton^s  are  at  Whalley ;  we  have 
seven  troops  of  horse  or  dragoons  that  we  believe  lie  at  Clithroe.  This 
night  I  have  sent  order  to  them  expressly  to  march  to  Whalley,  to  join 
to  those  companies  ;  that  so  we  may  endeavor  the  ruin  of  this  Enemy. 
You  perceive  by  this  letter  how  things  stand.  By  this  means  the 
Enemy  is  broken ;  and  most  of  their  Horse  having  gone  Northwards, 
and  we  having  sent  a  considerable  party  at  the  very  heel  of  them ;  and 
the  Enemy  having  lost  almost  all  his  ammunition,  and  near  four  thou* 
sand  arms,  so  that  the  greatest  part  of  the  Foot  are  naked ; — therefore, 
in  order  to  perfecting  this  work,  we  desire  you  to  raise  your  County ; 
and  to  improve  your  forces  to  the  total  ruin  of  that  Enemy,  which  way 
soever  they  go ;  and  iff  you  shall  accordingly  do  your  port,  doubt  not 
of  their  total  ruin-t 

We  thought  fit  to  speed  this  to  you ;  to  the  end  yon  may  not  be 
troubled  if  they  shall  march  towards  you,  but  improve  your  interest  as 
aforesaid,  that  you  may  give  glory  to  God  for  this  unspeakable  mercy. 
This  is  all  at  present  from 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

OuvER  Cromwell.} 

Commons  Journals j  Monday,  2V  Augusli,  1648  :  *  The  Copy  of 
a  letter  from  Lieutenanl-General  Cromwell,  from  Prestoa  of 
17°  Aiigiisti,  1648,  to  the  Committee  of  Lancashire  sitting  at 
Manchester,  enclosed  in  a  Letter  from  a  Member  of  this  Hoase 
from  Manchester,  of  19^  Avgusli,  1648,  were  this  day  read. 
Ordered,  that  it  is  reforred  to  the  Committee  at  Derby  House  to 
send  away  a  copy  of  Lieutenant-General  Cromwell's  Letter  to  the 

•  There  is  such  a  ford,  rideable  if  tide  and  rain  permit 

t  *  that'  in  the  Original. 

I  The  punctuation  and  grammar  of  these  sentences  might  have  been  im- 
proved ;  but  their  breatliless  impetuosity,  directness,  sincere  singleness  of 
purpose,  intent  on  the  despatch  of  business  only,  would  have  been  obscured 
in  the  process. 

§  I^ncashirc  during  the  Civil  War  (a  Collection  of  Tracts  republished 
by  the  Chetham  Society,  Manchester,  1844),  p.  257.  The  Letter  is  in 
many  old  Pamphlets  of  the  time.  Langdale's  Letter  is  also  given  in  this 
Chetham  Book,  p.  267. 


li:ttkr  xli. 

Cromwell,  oh  this  Thursday  Night,  does  not  yet 
havoc  he  has  made.     Listen  to  stout  Sir  James  : 
side ;  and  pity  poor  men  embarked  in  a  hollow 
Duke  of  Hamilton  for  General ! 

*  Beside  Preston  in  Lancashire,'  says  the  stout  I 
well  falls  on  Sir  Marmaduke's  flank.  The  Ei 
Marmaduke  ^  imagined  it  was  one  Colonel  Asht( 
Presbyterian,  who  had  got  together  3,000  men  to 
cause  we  came  out  of  Scotland  without  the  Grene 
permission.  Mark  the  quarrel.  While  Sir  Manr 
the  matter,  Baillie,  by  the  Duke's  order,  marches  to 
and  passes  it  with  all  the  foot  except  two  bri| 
dreaming  that  Cromwell  is  upon  us  !  '  This  was 
Preston.  By  my  Lord  Duke's  command,  I  had 
munition  and  commanded-men  to  Sir  Marmaduk 
but  to  no  purpose  ;  for  Cromwell  prevailed  ;  so  tl 
first  retired,  and  then  fled.  It  must  be  remem 
night  before  this  sad  encounter,  Earl  Calendar 
were  gone  to  Wigan,  eight  miles  fi  thence,  us 
aHIa  nart  of  the  cavalry.     Calei         was  come 


164B.]  '    LETTER  XLI^  FBE8T0N  BATIXB.  fl^T 

muiyoffioera,  among  others  myself  got  into  PrailOD  Town;  wtlii 
intentioQ  to  pass  a  ford  below  it^  though  at  that  time  not  rideahlfc 
At  the  entry  of  the  Town,  the  enemy  panaed  us  haid.  IW 
Duke  fiiced  about,  and  put  two  troops  of  tliem  to  a  letieat;  tel 
so  soon  as  we  turned  from  them,  they  again  turned  upon  as.  The 
Duke  &oing  the  second  time,  charged  them,  whidi  snooeedad 
well.  Being  pursued  the  third  time,  my  Lewd  Duke  cried  lb 
charge  once  more  for  King  Charles  I  One  trooper  refiiiiiig»  lia 
beat  him  with  his  sword.  At  that  charge  we  put  the  enemy  m 
fitr  behind  us,  that  he  could  not  so  soon  overtake  us  again.  Then 
Sir  Marmaduke  and  I  entreated  the  Duke  to  hasten  to  his  Army: 
— and  truly  here  he  showed  as  much  personal  valor  as  avf 
man  could  be  capable  of.  We  swam  the  RibUe  Rhrer :  and  so 
got  to  the  plafte  where  Lieutenant-General  Baillie  had  advaa* 
tageously  lodged  the  foot,  on  the  top  of  a  Hill,  among  very  ftn- 
cible  enclosures. 

*  After  Calendar  came  to  the  infantiy,  he  had  sent  600  mas- 
keteers  to  defend  Ribble  Bridge.  Veiy  unadvisedly ;  fer  the 
way  Cromwell  had  to  it  was  a  descent  from  a  hill  that  com- 
manded  all  the  champaign ;  which  was  about  an  English  quartsr 
of  a  mile  in  length  between  ^e  Bridge  and  that  Hill  whm  mir 
foot  were  lodged.  So  that  our  musketeers,  having  no  sbeltisry. 
were  forced  to  receive  all  the  musket-shot  of  Cromwell's  in&ntrfy 
which  was  secure  within  thick  hedges ;  and  after  the  loss  df 
many  men,  were  forced  to  run  back  to  our  foot.  Here  Cteod 
Hamilton,  the  Duke's  Lieutenant-Cdonel,  had  his  arm  broke  wtlfc 
a  musket-bullet. 

<  The  Bridge  of  Ribble  being  lost,  the  Dnk»  oallsd  all  tte 
Colonels  tc^ether  on  hor8eba<|k{tf>*|i4viM  what:vm  nettto 
We  had  no  choice  but  one  of  t|iro :  Either  stay,  and 
our  ground  till  Middletxm  (whd  Wiislsent  for)  came  baek  widi  Us 
cavalry;  Or  else  march  away- that  night,  and  find  Um  oaL 
Calendar  would  needs  sp^  first ;  whereas  by  the  ooslom  of  wnr 
he  should  have  told  his  opinion  last^  -and  it  wa%  To  maroh 
away  that  night  so  soon  as  it  was  dark.  TUs  waa  Moonded 
by  all  the  rest,  except  by  Lieutenant-Oeneral  BaflUe  and  my. 
self.  But  all  the  aiguments  we  used^ — as  the  impossibiUty  of  a 
safe  retreat,  from  an  enemy  so  powtefid  of  boorsa;  in  so  very 


Wllt»     lis     \>  c    cwni'.     ...    j_      . 

that  n-'jlit,  lest  lh<'rcli\-  the  t-ncinv  should  know  of 
rather  lli^dit.      1  uas  ol"  that  ('j)iiii'>:i  tK);    Imt  for  a 
for  we  could  not  have  blown   it   up,  then,  without 
chief  to  ourselves,  being  so  near  it.     It  was  orderc 
done,  three  hours  a^er  our  departure,  by  a  train  : 
neglected,  Cromwell  got  it  all. 

*  Next  morning  we  appeared  at  Wigan  Moor ;  hf 
less  than  we  were ; — most  of  the  faint  and  weary  i 
lagged  behind ;  whom  we  never  saw  again.     Lieu 
Middleton  had  missed  us,'  such  excellent  order  was 
^  for  he  came  by  another  way  to  Ribble  Bridge, 
wished  he  had  still  stayed  with  us^    He,  not  fin 
followed  our  track :  but  was  himself  hotly  pursuec 
horse ;  with  whom  he  skirmished  the  whole  wa 
within  a  mile  of  us.     He  lost  some  men,  and  sev 
among  others  Colonel  Urrey*  got  a  dangerous  e 
side  of  his  head  ;  whereof,  though  he  was  afterw: 
oner,  he  recovered.     In  this  retreat  of  Middlel 
managed  well,  Cromwell  lost  one  of  the  gallantest 
Major  Thornhaugh  ;  who  was  run  into  the  brea* 
whereof  he  died. 


liM.]  LETTER  XLI.»  PRESTON  BATlUL  1fH 

» 

ten  miles  from  the  Moor  we  were  in ;  and  there  wa  eonoeiTed 
we  might  face  about,  having  the  command  of  a  Town,  a  Rifw, 
and  a  Bridge.  Yet  I  conceive  there  were  hut  few  dt  us  eooUl 
have  foreseen  we  might  be  beaten,  before  we  were  masters  of  avf 
of  them. 

^  It  was  towards  evening,  and  in  the .  latter  end  of.  Augnii^' 
Friday,  18th  of  the  month,  <  when  our  horse  began  to  marah. 
Some  regiments  of  them  were  left  with  the  rear  of  the  Ibat: 
Middleton  stayed  with  these ;  my  Lord  Duke  and  Calendar  weni 
before. — As  I  marched  with  the  last  brigade  of  ibot  through  the 
Town  of  Wigan,  I  was  alarmed,  That  our  horse  bdund  me  wev^ 
beaten,  and  running  several  ways,  and  that  the  enemy  was  in  mj 
rear.  I  faced  about  with  that  brigade  ;  and  in  the  Blaricat-plaoe^ 
serried  the  pikes  together,  shoulder  to  shoulder*  to  entertain  mdf 
that  might  charge :  and  sent  orders  to  the  rest  of  the  brigades 
before.  To  continue  their  march,  and  follow  Lieutenant-General 
Baillie  who  was  before  them.  It  was  then  night,  but  the  moon 
shone  bright.  A  regiment  of  horse  of  our  own  a{^>eared  fint» 
riding  very  disorderly.  I  got  them  to  stop,  till  I  commanded  my 
pikes  to  open,  and  give  way  for  them  to  ride  or  run  away,  since 
they  would  not  stay.  But  now  my  pikemen,  being  demented  (aa 
I  think  we  were  all),  would  not  hear  me :  and  two  of  them  lan 
full  tilt  at  mc,' — poor  Dalgetty !  '  One  of  their  pikei^  which  waa 
intended  for  my  belly,  I  griped  with  my  left  hand ;  the  other  ran 
me  nearly  two  inches  into  the  inner  side  of  my  right  thigh  ;  aU 
of  them  crying,  of  me  and  those  horse,  "  They  are  CnxnweQ's 
men  V  This  was  an  unseasonable  wound ;  lor  it  made  me,  after 
that  night,  unserviceable.  This  made  me  forget  aU  rules  of 
modesty,  prudence,  and  discretion,' — my  choler  being  up,  and  mf 
blood  flowing  !  '  I  rode  to  the  horse,  and  desired  them  to  ohafge 
through  these  foot.  They  fearing  the  haa^ard  of  the  plkes^  stood: 
I  then  made  a  cry  come  from  behind  them.  That  the  enemy  was 
upon  them.  This  encouraged  them  to  charge  my  foot,  so  fierodjr 
that  the  pikemen  threw  down  their  pikes,  and.  got  into  houses. 
All  the  horse  galloped  away,  and  as  I  was  toSLd  afterwards,  rode 
not  through  but  over  our  whole  foot ;  treading  them  down ;— -and 
in  this  confusion  Colonel  Lockhart  was  trod  down  from  his  hons^ 
with  great  danger  of  his  life. 


I  A  J  V  '  »  •  «     T 


'11 


ton,  which  was  hut  a  inilc  ;   and  indeed  I  may  say  1 
way,  nutwithstamhng  my  wound.' 

While  the  wounded  Dalgelty  rides  forward,  let  i 
other  glimpse  from  a  different  source  ;*  of  bitter 
going  on  a  little  to  the  rear  of  him.  <  At  a  place 
bank,'  near  Winwick  Church,  two  miles  from  Wai 
Scots  made  a  stand  with  *a  body  of  pikes,  and  linei 
with  muskets ;  who  so  rudely  entertained  the  pursi 
that  they  were  compelled  to  stop  until  the  coming  i 
Pride's  regiment  of  foot,  who  after  a  sharp  dispute  p 
brave  fellows  to  the  run.  They  were  command 
spark  in  a  blue  bonnet,  who  performed  the  part  of 
commander,  and  was  killed  on  the  spot.'  Does  ai 
this  little  spark  in  the  blue  bonnet  1  No  one.  Eli; 
has  long  ceased  to  weep  for  him  now.  Let  him  ha' 
a  passing  sigh  from  us ! — Dugald  Turner  continues 

*  I  expected  to  have  found  either  the  Duke  or 
both  of  them,  at  Warrington  :  but  I  did  not :  and 
often  been  told  that  Calendar  carried  away  the  Du 
much  against  his  mind.     Here  did  the  Lieutenant-( 
foot  meet  with  an  Order,  whereby  he  is  required  * 


letfS.]  LETTER  XLI.»  PBESTON  BATTUL 

oomposed  himself,  and  being  much  aolioitad  by  the  offioen  tluil 
wexe  by  him,  he  wrote  to  Cromwell.  I  then  told  him,  Thtt  to 
long  as  there  was  a  resolution  to  fight,  I  would  not  go  a  fiioC  ftom 
him ;  but  now  that  they  were  to  deliver  themaeltea  priaonen,  I 
would  preserve  my  liberty  as  long  as  I  could :  and  so  took  nrf 
leave  of  him,  carrying  my  wounded  thigh  away  with  me.  I 
met  immediately  with  Middleton ;  who  mAlf  condoled  the  im« 
coverable  losses  of  the  last  two  days.  Wifhin  two  homs  afier* 
Baillie  and  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  that  were  left  of  the  fiiot 
were  Cromwell's  prisoners.  I  got  my  wound  dressed  that  mofm^ 
ing  by  my  own  sui^eon ;  and  took  from  him  those  things  I  though 
necessary  for  me ;  not  knowing  when  I  might  see  hiin  again ;— ^ 
as  indeed  I  never  saw  him  after.'* 

This  was  now  the  Saturday  morning  when  Turner  rode  aWaji 
*  carrying  his  wounded  thigh  with  him ;'  and  got  up  to  dam&toa 
and  the  vanguard  of  horse  ;  who  rode,  aimless  or  as  good  as  aim- 
less henceforth,  till  he  and  they  were  captured  at  Uttozeter,  or  in 
the  neighborhood.  Monro  with  the  rearguard  of  horse, '  always  a 
day's  march  behind/  hearing  now  what  had  hefidlen,  instuidy 
drew  bridle ;  paused  uncertain  ;  then,  in  a  marauding  manneri 
rode  back  towards  their  own  country. 

Of  which  disastrous  doings  let  us  now  read  Cromwell's  vioto- 
rious  account  drawn  up  with  more  deliberatioa  on  the  morrow 
after.  <  This  Gentleman,'  who  brings  up  the  Letter,  is  Major 
Berry  ;  <  once  a  Clerk  in  the  Shropshirf  Iron- works;'  nowm  veiy 
rising  man.  <  He  had  lived  with  me,'  says  Richard  Baxtaf,  *  aa 
guest  in  my  own  house ;'  he  has  now  high  destinies  bates  him, 
— which  at  last  sink  lower  than  ever.f 

To  the  Honorable  WiUiam  Lmihall,  Esquire^  Sfedurcf  AtSkmrntf 
\  Commons:  These* 

<  Warrington,' SOdi  Ai^Mt,  1648. 

I  have  sent  up  this  Gentleman  to  gift  yoa  an  aeoooat 
of  the  great  and  good  hand  of  God  towards  yoo,  in  the  late  vielofy  ob- 
tained against  the  Enemy  in  these  parts. 

•  Memoirs  of  his  own  Life  and  Times,  by  Sir  Jsmss  Tnmar  (Bdinbnigli, 
1829),  pp.  63-7. 
t  Baxter's  Life,  pp.  57,  97,  58,  73. 


interpo.si;  bc(\ve*':i  tlio  IOikmiiv  and  his  riirthor  prnifrc^.s  ii 
and  Si)  soiithujtn!. — whicii  we  li;id  sonif  advcrii-iMiuMi! 
tended,  and  'we  aru '  since  conlirnit.d  that  they  int'.Mul 
itself:  Or  whether  to  march  immediately  over  the  said 
being  no  other  betwixt  that  and  Preston,  and  there  engaj 
— ^who  we  did  believe  would  stand  his  ground,  because  w 
tion  that  the  Irish  Forces  under  Monro  lately  come  out  of 
consisted  of  twelve  hundred  horse  and  fifteen  hundred  foo 
march  towards  Lancashire  to  join  them. 

It  was  thought  that  to  engage  the  Enemy  to  fight  was 
and  the  reason  aforesaid  giving  us  hopes  that  our  marchin 
side  of  Ribble  would  effect  it,  it  was  resolved  we  should  i 
Bridge,  which  accordingly  we  did  ;  and  that  night  quarU 
Army  in  the  field  by  Stoneyhurst  Hall,  being  Mr.  Shorb 
place  nine  miles  distant  from  Preston.  Very  early  the 
we  marched  towards  Preston  :  having  intelligence  that  tl 
drawing  together  thereabouts  from  all  his  out-quarters,  ' 
Forlorn  of  about  two  hundred  horse  and  four  hundred 
comnbinded  by  Major  Smithson,  the  foot  by  Major  Powi 
lorn  of  horse  marched,  within  a  mile,  *■  to '  where  the  Ene 
up, — in  the  inclosed  grounds  by  Preston,  on  that  side  next 
upon  a  Moor,  about  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  Enemy^s  / 
Scouts  and  Outguard ;  and  did  behave  themselves  with  1 
courage  as  made  their  guards  (which  consisted  both  of  1 

*._ It.  *i- 1  . J  *,-i_  j; :        -  u^u: «.u 


IM8.]  LETTER  XLI.,  PRESTON  BATIUB. 

• 

Ann  notil  oar  Forlorn  of  foot  came  up  f<w  their  jaBtilinmfani  and  hf 
tiieee  we  had  opportunity  to  bring  up  oar  whole  Army. 

So  eoon  as  our  foot  and  horse  were  come  up,  we  reaohred  that  night  to 
engage  them  if  we  coald ;  and  therefore  advancing  with-oar  Forioia, 
and  patting  die  rest  of  our  Army  into  as  good  a  poatnre  aa  tiie  gnmni 
woold  bear  (which  was  totdly  inconvenient  for  onr  hone,  being  aU  as- 
dofBore  and  miry  ground),  we  pressed  upon  them.  Tlie  legioMBta  oC 
foot  were  ordered  as  followeth.  There  being  a  Lane,  Tery  deep  and  10, 
np  to  the  Enemy's  Army,  and  leading  to  the  Town,  we  '^'UP*"*^'*^  l«o 
legunents  of  horse,  the  first  whereof  was  Ookxiel  Harriaon'a  and  MBrt 
was  my  own,  to  chargeup  that  Lane ;  and  on  either  aide  of  them  advaai^ 
ed  the  *  Main '  battle^ — which  were  lieatenantrColonel  Read*a,  Golenal 
Dean's  and  Colonel  Pride's  on  the  right;  Colonel  Bright'a  and  a^ 
Lord  General's  on  the  left ;  and  Colonel  Ashton  with  the  LancaahiM 
regiments  in  reserve.  .  We  ordered  Colonel  Thomhauf^'a  and  Colonri 
Twtstleton's  regiments  of  horse  on  the  right ;  and  one  regiment  in  m- 
serve  for  the  Lane;  and  the  remaining  horse  on  the  left>— eo  that, 
at  last,  we  came  to  a  Hedge^nlispate ;  the  greatest  (tf  the  impresaion  fipom 
the  Enemy  being  upon  our  left  wing,  and  upon  the  *  Blain'-battle  on  both 
sides  the  Lane,  and  upon  our  horse  in  the  Lane :  in  all  which  places  the 
Enemy  were  forced  from  their  ground,  after  four  hoars  dispute ;— ondl 
we  came  to  the  Town :  into  which  four  troops  of  my  own  regiment  fint 
entered,  and,  being  well  seconded  by  Colonel  Harrison's  regiment,  cfaaijl" 
ed  the  Enemy  in  the  Town,  and  cleared  the  streets.  <* 

There  came  no  band  of  your  foot  to  fight  that  day  but  did  it  with  in* 
credible  valor  and  resolution ;  among  which  Coiond  Bright'a,  my  Lori 
General's,  Lieutenant^Jolonel  Read's  and  Colonel  Ashton'a  had  tta. 
greatest  work ;  they  often  coming  to  push  of  pilce  and  to  doee  firing,  aad 
always  making  the  Enemy  to  recoil.  Aiiid  hideed  I  must  needs  mf 
God  was  as  much  seen  in  the  valor  of  the  officers  and  aoldi^  of  thiia 
before-mentioned  as  in  any  action  that  hath  been  performed  ;tiieFinmy 
making,  though  he  was  still  worsted,  very  stifiTand  study  lesiatanee.  Col»* 
nel  Dean's  and  Colonel  Pride's,  outwingug  the  Enemy,  ooald>notOQae  lo 
so  much  share  of  the  action ;  the  Enemy  shogging*  down  towaida  Aa 
Bridge :  and  keeping  almost  all  in  reserve,  that  ao  he  odgbt  bring  fiMh 
hands  often  to  fight.  Which  we  not  knowing,  and  lest  wa  abonld  be 
oatwinged, '  we '  placed  those  t¥vo regiment!  to  enln]ga  onr  ri|^  wing; 

*  Shog  is  from  the  same  root  as  tkoek  ; '  shoggiag/  a  word  of  Oliver^  in 
such  cases,  signifies  moving  by  pulses,  intermittsndy.  RiliUe  Bridge  lay  on 
the  Scotch  right :  Dean  and  Pride,  therefore,  who  foai^enthe  Ea^arii 
right,  got  gradually  less  and  less  to  do. 

VOL.  u  14 


-iv«^t-.^«n»L    i»i     n: 


ni^ht,'^ — wo  not  bcincf  able  to  attempt  farthfr  upon 
prevcntinij  us.  In  tliiri  posture  did  the  Mnerny  a:ii 
that  nijrht.  Upon  entering  the  Town,  niatiy  of  tl 
towards  Lancaster ;  in  the  chase  of  whom  went  di\ 
pursued  them  near  ten  miles  and  had  execution  of 
five  hundred  horse  and  many  prisoners.  We  poe 
very  much  of  the  Enemy's  ammunition ;  I  believe 
thousand  arms.  The  number  of  slain  we  judge  to 
the  prisoners  we  took  about  four  thousand. 

In  the  night  the  Duke  was  drawing  off  his  Army 
were  so  wearied  with  the  dispute  that  we  did  no 
Enemy's  going  off  as  might  have  been ;  by  means 
was  gotten  at  least  three  miles  with  his  rear,  befo 
I  ordered  Colonel  Thomhaugh  to  command  two  oi 
horse  to  follow  the  Enemy,  if  it  were  possible  to 
we  could  bring  up  the  Army.    The  Enemy  marc 
eight  thousand  foot  and  about  four  thousand  horse ;  ^ 
about  three  thousand  foot  and  two  thousand  five  hui 
goons :  and,  in  this  prosecution,  that  worthy  Gentler 
haugh,  pressing  too  boldly,  was  sUiin,  being  run  intc 
and  head  by  the  Enemy's  lancer8.f    And  give  me  1 
a  man  as  faithful  and  gallant  in  your  service  as  any 
heretofore  lost  blood  in  your  quarrel,  and  now  his 


1648.]  LETTER  XLL,  PRESTON  BATTLB. 


WAy.  At  last  the  Enemy  drew  op  within  three  mileeoC  WifNi;  and  fagf 
tiMit  time  OUT  Army  wae  come  np^  they  drew  off  egaint  and  recoKeted 
Wigan  before  we  could  attempt  anytiiing  upon  them*  We  ky  that 
nig^  in  the  field  dose  by  the  Enemy ;  being  veiy  dirty  and  weaiy.  and 
having  marched  twelve  miles  of  epfh  groirad  aa  I  never  rode  in  all  iif 
life,  the  day  being  very  wet  We  had  some  akirmiahing,  that  night,  widk 
tbe  Enemy,  near  the  Town;  where  we  took  Genenl  Van  DrttilBe  anda 
Cobnel,  and  killed  some  principal  Officers,  and  took  abovt  a  faradiad 
ptiaonerB  ;  where  I  also  received  a  letter  from  Doke  Hamilton  te  dfil 
naage  towards  his  kinsman  Cokmel  Hamilton,*  wliom  he  left  nwedai 
there.  We  took  also  Colonel  Hnny  and  lientenant-ColoQal  Innai 
Bometimes  in  your  service.  The  next  morning  the  Enengr  mamlwd  to* 
wards  Warrington,  and  we  at  the  heels  of  them.  The  Town  of  ll^gaB^ 
a  great  and  poor  Town,  and  very  Malignant,  woe  pluderad  ahnalto 
their  skins  by  them. 

We  could  not  engage  the  Enemy  nntil  we  came  within  thne  ndlai 
of  Warrington ;  and  there  the  Enemy  made  a  stand,  at  a  plaoe  near 
Winwick.  We  held  them  in  some  dispute  till  our  Army  came  up ;  they 
maintaining  the  Pass  with  great  resolution  for  many  houa ;  onra  and 
theirs  coming  to  push  of  pike  and  very  close  chargee^ — which  tooed  na 
to  give  ground ;  but  our  men,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  quickly  reeoveied 
it,  and  charging  very  home  upon  them,  beat  them  from  their  afanding; 
where  we  killed  about  a  thousand  of  them,  and  took,  as  we  beliove,ahoDt 
two  thousand  prisoners ;  and  prosecuted  them  home  to  Waxringlon 
Town ;  where  they  possessed  the  Bridge,  which  had  a  atraog  faarrioido 
and  a  work  upon  it,  formerly  made  very  defensive.  Aa  soon  as  we  came 
tiiither,  I  received  a  message  from  General  Baillie,  deairing  some  eapl- 
tnlation.  To  which  I  yielded.  Considering  the  strengtii  of  the  ¥mm, 
and  that  I  could  not  go  over  the  River  *  Mersey  *  witUn  ten  milea  of 
Warrington  with  the  Army,  I  gave  him  these  terms  :  That  he  should 
surrender  himself  and  all  his  officers  and  soldiers  priaonen  of  wary  wRli 
all  his  arms  and  ammunition  and  horses,  to  me :  I  giving  qaailer  fer 
life,  and  promising  civU  usage.    Which  according^  ia  done:  and  te 


*  Claud  Hamilton;  see  Turner  ntpra.  Who  'Van  DnMke*  ia» 
knows.  *  Colonel  Hurry  *  is  the  ever-changing  Sir  John  Hnny,  i 
called  Urry  and  Horrey,  who  whisks  like  a  most  rapid  actor  oC  all  work, 
ever  on  a  new  side,  ever  charging  in  the  van,  through  this  Civil-War  Drama. 
The  notablest  feat  he  ever  did  was  leading  Prince  Rnpert  on  that  maranding 
party,  from  Oxford  to  High  Wycombe,  on  the  return  from  which  ffampden 
met  his  death  (Clarendon,  ii.,  351).  Hurry  had  been  on  the  Parliamsoi-ada 
before.  He  was  taken,  at  last,  when  Montrose  was  taken ;  and  hanged  out 
of  the  way.    Of  Innes  (*  Ennis ')  I  know  nothing  at  prsaant 


tlil>:^     tju-f 


tliev  liavp  nw  liiiinl-*  w  riflii-j' ;"  t.'llii!''-  tlirm  Thov  :ir 
briii(jf  in  iiiul  kill  divers  ol  tlicm.  a-^  fh-'v  lii'li^  ii|;on  t!i« 
Nobility  of  Scotland  are  uitli  the  J)aki\  Jt  I  liail  a 
that  could  but  trot  thirty  miles,  I  should  not  doubt 
very  good  account  of  tliem  :  but  truly  wc  are  so  ha 
gled  out  in  this  business,  that  we  are  not  able  to  do 
'  at '  an  easy  pace  after  them. — I  have  sent  post  to  my  J 
Henry  Cholmely  and  Sir  Edward  Rhodes  to  gather  a 
speed  to  their  prosecution  :.as  likewise  to  acquaint  the  i 
ford  therewith. 

I  hear  Monro  is  about  Cumberland  with  the  horse 
and  his  '  own  *  Irish  horse  and  foot,  which  are  a  cons 
have  left  Colonel  Ashton's  three  regiments  of  foot,  witb 
horse  (six  of  Lancashire  and  one  of  Cumberland),  at  Pr 
ed  Colonel  Scroop  with  five  troops  of  horse  and  two  tr« 
'  and '  with  two  regiments  of  foot  (Colonel  Lascelles's  f 
tell's),  to  embody  with  them;  and  have  ordered  tl 
prisoners  to  the  sword  if  the  Scots  shall  presume  to  ad 
hecause  they  cannot  bring  them  off  with  security.f 

Thus  you  have  a  Narrative  of  the  particulars  of  t 
God  hath  given  you ;  which  I  could  hardly  at  this  tim 
Bidering  the  multiplicity  of  business  ;  but  truly,  whe 
gaged  in  it,  I  could  hardly  tell  how  to  say  less,  there  I 

—    1 — •  .U^-^ 


IM]  LKTTER  XLL,  PRESTON  BATT|iB. 

Mge,  the  great  band  of  God  in  this  baeinesB.    The  Scots  Anaj  ooold 

■ot  he  less  than  twelve  thousand  e&ctive  foot,  well  anned,  and  fif» 

thonaaod  horse ;  Langdale  not  less  than  two  thoosand  fim  hundred  lootf 

and  fifteen  hundred  horse  ;  in  all  Twenty-one  Thoosand ;    and  tnHf 

T8ry  few  of  their  foot  but  were  as  well  armed  if  not  better  than  j^wn^ 

and  at  divers  disputes  did  fight  two  or  three  hours  before  they  wonldqalt 

their  ground.    Yours  were  about  two  thousand  five  hondred  hone  aad 

dragoons  of  your  M  Army ;  about  four  thousand  foot  of  yoor  old-  Amtfi 

also  about  sixteen  hundred  Lancashire  foot  and  about  fife  hundred  Ijn^ 

eaahire  horse ;  in  all  about  Eight  Thousand  Six  Hundred.    Yon  see  hf 

Computation  about  two  thousand  of  the  Enemy  were  slain;  betwixt  eigjbt 

and  nine  thousand  prisoners ;  besides  what  are  lui4[ing  in  liedgis  aod 

private  places,  which  the  Country  daily  bring  in  or  destroy.    Whsse 

Ijuagdale  and  his  broken  forces  are,  I  know  not ;  bat  they  are  exoeodu^^ 

shattered. 

Surely,  Sir,  this  is  nothing  but  the  hand  of  God ;  and  whereref  aiqp- 

thing  in  this  world  is  exalted,  or  exalts  itself,  God  will  pull  It  down ;  for 

this  IS  the  day  wherein  He  alone  will  be  exalted.    It  is  not  fit  forme  to 

give  advice,  nor  to  say  a  word  what  use  you  should  make  of  this>~ 

more  than  to  pray  you,  and  all  that  acknowledge  God,  That  they  woohl 

exalt  Him, — and  not  hate  His  people,  who  are  as  the  apple  of  Hb  sje^ 

and  for  whom  even  Kings  shall  be  reproved ;  and  that  you  woold  take 

courage  to  do  the  work  of  the  Lord,  in  fulfilling  the  end  of  yoor  Magis^ 

traey,  in  seeking  the  peace  and  welfare  of  this  Land,— that  all  that  will 

live  peaceably  may  liave  countenance  from  you,  and  they  that  are  inci^ 

pable  and  will  not  leave  troubling  the  Land  may  speedily  be  destroyed 

out  of  the  Land.    And  if  you  take  courage  in  this,  God  will  bless  yon  i 

and  good  men  will  stand  by  you ;  and  God  will  have  gfory,  and  the  Land 

will  have  happiness  by  you  in  despite  of  all  your  enemies.    Which  tktA 

be  the  prayer  of 

Your  most  humble  and  foithfol  servant,    - 

OuvxB  CBonruA. 

Postscript.  We  have  not,  in  all  this,  lost  a  considerable  Oflber  hot 
Colonel  Thomhangh  ;  and  not  many  soldiers,  considering  the  senrfeaf 
but  many  are  wounded,  and  our  horse  much  wearied.  I  hoably  ciiM 
that  some  course  may  be  taken  to  dispose  of  the  Prisonen.  The  troo* 
Ue,  and  extreme  charge  of  the  Country  where  they  lie»  Is  mors  than  the 
danger  of  their  escape.  I  think  they  would  not  go  home  if  they  mighti 
without  a  convoy ;  they  are  so  fearful  of  tlie  Coimtty,  firom  whom  they 
have  deserved  so  ill.  Ten  men  will  keep  a  thoesaad  irom  nmni^f 
away.* 

*  Chethtm-Soeiety  Book,  trf  fiQNWy  p.  ttMR 


L  I  a  V-'       ii  ft  < 


known  lu   u>    i«m 
advantage,  by  and  by.      A  1  )ay  of  universal  Than 
*  wonderful   great    Success'   is   likewise  ordered 
schedule  of  items  to  be  thankful  for,  is  despatcln 
ber  of  10,000/  into  all  places.* 

Colchester  Siege,  one  of  the  most  desperate 
now  plainly  without  object,  terminates,  on  Mondi 
render,  '  on  quarter'  for  the  inferior  parties,  '  s 
the  superior.     Two  of  the  latter,  Sir  Charles  Luca 
Lisle,  gallant  Officers  both,  are  sentenced  and  s) 
^  By  Ireton's  instigation,'  say  some  :  yes,  or  witi 
instigation  ;  merely  by  the  nature  of  the  case ! 
trary  to  Law  and  Treaty,  have  again  involved  thu 
do  they  deserve  nothmg  ? — Two  more,  Groring 
stood  trial  at  Westminster ;  of  whom  Lord  Cap 
He  was  '  the  first  man  that  rose  to  complain  c 
November,  1640 ;  being  then  Mr.  Capel,  and  I 
fordshire. 

The  Prince  with  his  Fleet  in  the  Downs,  too. 
Lancashire  tidings  reached  him,  made  off  for  E 
the  Hague  in  thirty  coaches,'  and  gave  up  his 
c« J  r«;„;i  "Wor  its  ba«      once  broken 


1948.]  LETTER  XU.,  PRESTON  BATTUt 

night  before ;  <  each  blaming  the  other  for  the  ndsfixrtime  and 
miscarriage  of  our  affiurs :'  a  sad  employment !  Dalgetty  himsdf 
went  prisoner  to  Hull ;  lay  long  with  Cbkmel  Robert  Overtooi  an 
acquaintance  of  ours  there.  *  As  we  rode  from  UttOKetar»  ws 
made  a  stand  at  the  Duke's  window ;  and  he  loddng  out  with 
some  kind  words,  we  took  our  eternal  fiurewell  of  him,'— -nerer 
saw  him  more.  He  died  on  the  scafibid  fi>r  this  business ;  being 
Earl  of  Cambridge,  and  an  EngUsk  Peer  as  wdl  as  Sootoh  >^ 
the  unhappiest  of  men ;  one  of  those  *  very  able  men'  who^  with 
all  their  *  ability/  have  never  succeeded  in  any  enterprise  wbat^ 
ever ! — 

In  Scotland  itself  there  is  no  fiuther  resistance.  The  op* 
pressed  Kirk  Party  rise  rather,  and  almost  thank  the  ooDqueicn. 

*  Sir  George  Monro,'  says  Turner,  *  following  ooDstantly  a  whole 
day's  march  iti  the  rear  of  us,'  finding  himself  by  this  wduq^py 
Battle,  cut  asunder  from  my  Lord  Duke,  and  brought  into  ooii-> 
tact  with  Cromwell  instead, — ^  marched  straight  back  to  Scotland 
and  joined  with  Earl  Lanark's  forces,'  my  Lord  Duke's  BroCliar. 

*  Straight  back,'  as  we  shall  find,  is  not  the  word  fi>r  this  maroh* 

'  But  so  soon  as  the  news  of  our  Defeat  came  to  Scotland,' 
oontioues  Turner,  <  Argyle  and  the  Kirk  Party  rose  in  arms ;  every 
mother's  son ;  and  this  was  called  the  '<  WJuggatnore  Raid  :" ' 
1648, — first  appearance  of  the  Whig  Party  on  the  page  of  ESstoryi 
I  think  !  <  David  Leslie  was  at  their  head,  and  old  Lev«i/  the 
Fieldmarshal  of  1639, '  in  the  Castle  of  Bdinbuigh ;  who  coMioift- 
aded  the  Royal'  Hamilton  'troops  whenever  they  came  in  view 
ofhunr* 

Cromwell  proceeds  northward,  goes  at  last  to  Edinbmgb  itidC 
to  compose  this  strange  state  of  matters. 

*  Turner,  tdn  iupra  ;  6nthry*8  Memdis  (GHi^gow,  114B%  p.  965 


ol)li(|U:'!v  I. Lick  ;  liiiiicrini^  for  several  weeks  on 
the  l^(/i(!er  ;  eolh  cliii^^  reimian^s  »;f  lMii:li>li,  ^ 
Irish  Maliiinanti?,  not  uiihout  hones  of"  niakinir  a 
them, — cruelly  spoiling  those  Northern  Counti 
Cromwell,  waiting  first  till  Lambert  with  the  fon 
of  Hamilton  can  rejoin  the  main  Army,  moves  ^ 
with  these  broken  parties,  and  with  broken  Sc( 
The  following  Ten  Letters  bring  him  as  fai 
whither  let  us  now  attend  him  with  such  lights  i 


LETTER  XLII. 

A  PRIVATE  Letter  to  my  Lord  Wharton ;  to  cot 
some  '  particular  mercy,'  seemingly  the  birth  c 
pour  out  his  sense  of  these  great  general  mere 
Lord  Wharton  is  of  the  Committee  of  Derby  IIou 
in  those  months  ;  it  is  probable*^  Cromwell  had 
spatchcs  to  them,  and  had  hastily  enclosed  this 
Philip  Lord  Wharton  seems  to  have  been  a 
much  concerned  with  Preachers,  Chaplains,  &c 
establishment ;  and  full  of  Parliamentary  and 


1548.]  LETTER  XLII..  KNARESBOROUGH.      *  291 

Henry's  saying,  "  He,  Wharton.,  had  made  his  peace  at  Oxford," 
in  November,  1643,  is  noted  in  the  Commons  Journals,  iii.,  300. 
It  was  to  him,  about  the  time  of  this  Cromwell  Letter,  that  one 
Osborne,  a  distracted  King's  flunkey,  had  written,  accusing  Major 
Rolf^  a  soldier  under  Hammond,  of  attempting  to  poison  Charles 
in  the  Isle  of  Wight  !* — This  Philip's  patrimonial  estate,  WharUm, 
still  a  Manorhouse  of  somebody,  lies  among  the  Hills  on  the  south- 
west side  of  Westmoreland  ;  near  the  sources  of  the  Eden,  the 
Swale  rising  on  the  other  watershed  not  far  off.  He  seems  how- 
ever to  have  dwelt  at  Upper  Winchington,  Bucks,  *  a  seat  near 
Great  Wycomb.'  He  lived  to  be  a  Privy  Councillor  to  William 
of  Orange.f  He  died  in  1696.  Take  this  other  anecdote,  once 
a  very  famous  one. 

*  James  Stewart  of  Blantyre  in  Scotland,  son  of  a  Treasurer 
Stewart,  and  himself  a  great  favorite  of  King  James,  was  a 
gallant  youth ;  came  up  to  London  with  great  hopes :  but  a 
discord  falling  out  between  him  and  the  young  Lord  Wharton, 
they  went  out  to  single  combat  each  against  the  other ;  and  at  the 
first  thrust  each  of  them  killed  the  other,  and  they  fell  dead  in 
one  another's  arms  on  the  place. ':f  The  *  place'  was  Islington 
fields  ;  the  date  8th  November,  1609.  The  tragedy  gave  rise  to 
much  balladsinging  and  other  rumor.§  Our  Philip  is  that  slain 
Wharton's  Son. 

This  Letter  has  been  preserved  by  Thurloe :  four  blank  spaces 
ornamented  with  due  asterisks  oqcur  in  it, — Editor  Birch  does 
not  inform  us  whether  from  tearing  off  the  Seal,  or  why.  In 
these  blank  spaces  the  conjectural  sense,  which  I  distinguish  here 
as  usual  by  commas,  is  occasionally  somewhat  questionable. 

Far  tlie  Right  Memorable  the  Lord  Wharton :  These, 

*  Near  Knaresborough,'  2d  September,  1648. 
My  Lord, 

You  know  how  untoward  I  am  at  this  business  of 

writing ;  yet  a  word.    I  beseech  the  Lord  make  us  sensible  of  this 

*  Wood,  ill.,  501 ;  Pamphlets;  Commons  Journals,  &c. 
t  Wood,  iv.,  407,  542 ;  Fasti,  i.,  335 ;  Nicolas's  Synopsis  of  the  Peerage. 
X  Scotstarvct's  Staggering  State  (Edinburgh,  1754,  a  Yery  curious  little 
Book),  i>   32. 
§  Bibliotheca  Topograph  ica,  no.  xlix. 

14* 


993  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  p  SipL 

great  mercy  here,  which  surely  was  much  more  than  '  thd  senae  of  it ' 
the  House  exprcsseth.*  I  trust  '  to  have,  through '  the  goodness  of  our 
God,  time  and  opportunity  to  speak  of  it  to  you  face  to  face.  When  we 
think  of  our  God,  what  are  we  7  Oh,  His  mercy  to  the  whole  societj 
of  saints,— despised,  jeered  saints*!  Let  them  mock  on.  Would  wo 
were  all  saints !  The  best  of  us  are,  God  knows,  poor  weak  saiots  ^— 
yet  saints ;  if  not  sheep,  3^t  lambs ;  and  must  be  fed.  We  have  daily 
breadjf  and  shall  have  it,  in  despite  of  all  enemies.  There's  enough  in 
our  Father's  house,  and  He  dispenseth  it|  I  tliink,  through  these  out- 
ward mercies,  as  we  call  them.  Faith,  Patience,  Love,  Hope  are  exer- 
cised and  perfected, — ^yea,  Christ  formed,  and  grows  to  a  perfect  man 
within  us.  I  know  not  well  how  to  distinguish :  the  difiference  is  osly 
in  the  subject,  *  not  in  the  object ;'  to  a  worldly  man  they  are  outward, 
to  a  saint  Christian ;  but  I  dispute  not. 

My  Lord,  I  rejoice  in  your  particular  mercy.  I  hope  that  it  ia  so 
to  you.  If  so,  it  shall  not  hurt  you ;  not  make  you  plot  or  shift  for  the 
young  Baron  to  make  him  great.  You  will  say,  "  He  is  God's  to  dit- 
pose  of,  and  guide  for,"  and  there  you  will  leave  him. 

My  love  to  the  dear  little  Lady,  better  '  to  me '  than  the  child.    The 

Lord  bless  you  both.    My  love  and  service  to  all  Friends  high  and  low ; 

if  you  will,  to  my  Lord  and  Lady  Mulgrave  and  Will  Hill.     I  am 

truly, 

Your  faithful  friend  and  humblest  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.} 

During  these  very  days,  perhaps  it  was  exactly  two  days  after, 
*on  Monday  last,'  if  that  mean  4th  Septeinber,|| — Monro,  lying 
about  Appleby,  has  a  party  of  horse  *  sent  into  the  Bisboprick  ;' 
firing  '  divers  houses '  thereabouts,  and  not  forgetting  to  plunder 
*the  Lord  Wharton's  tenants '  by  the  road :  Cromwell  penetrating 
towards  Berwick,  yet  still  at  a  good  distance,  scatters  this  and 

*  The  House  calls  it '  a  wonderful  great  mercy  and  success,'  this  Preston 
victory  (Commons  Journals,  v.,  6S0) ; — and  then  passes  on  to  other  matten, 
not  quite  adequately  conscious  that  its  life  had  been  saved  hereby  !  What 
fire  was  blazing,  and  how  high  in  Wales,  and  then  in  Lancashire,  is  known 
only  in  perfection  to  those  that  trampled  it  out. 

t  Spiritual  food,  encouragement  of  merciful  Providence,  from  day  to  dsj. 

}  There  follows  here  in  the  Birch  edition :  '  As  our  eyes '  [seven  stus] 
<  behinde,  then  wee  can '  [seven  stars]  '  we  for  him :'  words  totally  nnin- 
tcUij^ible ;  and  not  worth  guessing  at,  the  original  not  being  here,  but  only 
Birch's  questionable  reading  of  it. 

§  Thurloe,  i.,  99.  ||  Cromwelliana»  p.  45. 


I«47.)  DECLARATION.  393 


Other  predatory  parties  rapidly  enough  to  Appleby, — as  it  were 
by  the  very  wind  of  him  ;  like  a  coming  mastilT  smelt  in  the  gale 
by  vermin.  They  are  swifter  than  he,  and  get  to  Scotland,  by 
their  dexterity  and  quick  scent,  unscathed.  <  Across  to  Kelso  * 
about  September  8th.* 

Mulgrave  in  those  years  is  a  young  E^dmund  Sheffield,  of 
whom  I  as  yet  know  nothing  more  whatever. — *  Will  Hill  *  is 
perhaps  William  Hill,  a  Puritan  Merchant  in  Lopdon,  ruined  out 
of  *  a  large  estate '  by  lending  for  the  public  service  ;  who,  this 
Summer,  and  still  in  this  very  month,  is  dunning  the  Lords  and 
Commons,  the  Lords  with  rather  more  effect,  to  try  if  they  cannot 
give  him  some  kind  of  payment,  or  shadow  of  an  attempt  at  pay- 
ment,— he  having  long  lain  in  jail  for  want  of  his  money,  A 
zealous  religious,  and  now  destitute  and  insolvent  man ;  known  to 
Oliver  ; — and  suggests  himself  along  with  the  Mulgraves  by  the 
contrast  of  '  Friends  high  and  low.'  Poor  Hill  did,  after  infinite 
struggling,  get  some  kind  of  snack  at  the  Bishops'  Lands  by  and 
by.f 

The  '  young  Baron '  now  bom  is  father  (I  suppose)  ;  he  er  his 
brother  is  father,  of  the  far-famed,  high-gifled,  half-delirious  Duke 
of  Wharton. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  Cromwell  is  at  Durham,^:  scaring 
the  Monro  fraternity  before  him ;  and  publishes  the  following 

DECLARATION. 

Whereas  the  Scottish  Army,  under  the  command  of  James  Duke  of 
Hamilton,  which  lately  invaded  this  Nation  of  England,  is,  by  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  the  Parliament's  Forces, defeated  and  overtluown, 
and  some  thousands  of  their  soldiers  and  officers  are  now  prisoners  in 
our  hands ;  so  that,  by  reason  of  their  great  number,  and  want  of 
sufficient  guards  and  watches  to  keep  them  so  carefully  as  need  requires 
(the  Army  being  employed  upon  other  duty  and  service  of  the  Kin^ 
dom),  divers  may  escape  away ;  and  many,  both  since  and  upon  the 
pursuit,  do  lie  in  private  places  in  the  country. 
I  thought  it  very  just  and  necessary  to  give  notice  to  all,  and  accoid* 

•  Rushworth,  vii.,  1250,  3,  9,  60. 

t  Commons  JouraalB,  vL,  29, 243.       t  Ibid.,  vii.y  1960r 


C<  «  \,/      '^^  v/  • 


within  the  County  where  they  shall  be  so  taken ;  there 
and  kept  in  prison,  as  shall  be  found  most  convenient. 

And  the  said  Committee,  Officer,  or  Governor  respective 
to  secure  such  of  the  said  prisoners  as  shall  be  so  ap 
brought  unto  them,  accordingly.    And  if  any  of   the 
officers  or  soldiers  shall  make  any  resistance,  and  refuse 
render  themselves,  all  such  persons  well-afiected  to  the 
Puliament  and  Kingdom  of  England,  may  and  are  desir 
fight  with,  and  slay  such  refusers :  but  if  the  said  priso 
tinue  and  remain  within  the  places  and  guards  assigned 
of  th^m,  That  then  no  violence,  wrong,  nor  injury  be  < 
by  any  means. 

Provided  also,  and  special  care  is  to  be  taken.  That  i 

residing  within  this  Kingdom,  and  not  having  been  a 

said  Array,  and  also.  That  none  such  of  the  said  Scotti 

shall  have  liberty  given  them,  and  sufficient  passes  to  | 

^ipointed,  may  be  interrupted  or  troubled  hereby. 

Oliver 
<  Durham,'  8th  September,  1648. 


LETTER  XLin. 
i7«n>vAY  ic       1  Rt  On  r,  ar  k  the  *  ram 


1648.]  LETTER  XLIIL,  BERWICK.  395 


For  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Fairfax^  Chnerai  of  all  the  ParliamenCt 

Armies :   These. 

<  Berwick,*  11th  September,  1648. 
My  Lord, 

Since  we  lost  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cowell, 

his  Wife  came  to  me  near  Northallerton,  much  lamenting  her  loss,  and 

the  sad  condition  she  and  her  children  were  ]efl  in. 

He  was  an  honest  worthy  man.  He  spent  himself  in  your  and  the 
Kingdom's  service.  He  being  a  great  Trader  in  London,  deserted  it  to 
serve  the  Kingdom.  He  lost  much  monies  to  the  State ;  and  I  believe 
few  outdid  him.  He  hath  a  great  arrear  due  to  him.  He  left  a  Wife 
and  three  small  children  but  meanly  provided  for.  Upon  his  deathbed 
he  commended  this  desire  to  me.  That  I  should  befriend  his  to  the  Pu- 
liament  or  to  your  Excellency.  His  Wife  will  attend  you  for  Letters 
to  the  Parliament;  which  I  beseech  you  to  take  into  a  tender  con- 
sideration. 

I  beseech  you  to  pardon  this  boldness  to 

Your  Excellency's  most  humble  servant, 

OuvEE  Cromwell.* 

On  the  19th  June,  1649,  *  Widow  Coweir  is  ordered  to  be 
paid  her  Husband's  Arrears  by  the  Committee  at  Haberdashers' 
Hall.t  One  hopes  she  received  payment,  poor  woman  !  *  Upon 
his  death-bed  her  Husband  commended  this  desire  to  me.' 

In  the  very  hours  while  this  Letter  is  a  writing,  *  Monday,  11th 
September,  1648,'  Monro,  now  joined  with  the  Earl  of  Lanark, 
presents  himself  at  Edinburgh;  but  the  Whiggamore  Raid,  all 
the  force  of  the  West  Country,  6000  strong,  is  already  there ; 
*  draws  out  on  the  crags  be-east  the  Town,'  old  Leven  in  the 
Castle  ready  to  fire  witlial  ;  and  will  not  let  him  enter.  Lanark 
and  Monro  move  west  to  Stirling  ;  meet  Argyle  and  the  Whigga- 
mores,  make  some  Treaty  or  Armistice,  and  admit  them  to  be  the 
real  *  Committee  of  Estates,'  the  Hamilton  Paction  having  ended4 
Here  are  two  Letters  of  one  date,  directly  on  the  back  of  these 
occurrences. 

•  Lansdovvne  M89.,  1236,  fol.  85. 

t  Commons  Journals,  vi.,  237.  X  Guthry,  pp.  288-97. 


396  PART  IV.     SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [16 


LETTER  XUV. 

For  the  Right  Honorable  the  Lord  Marquis  of  ArgyUf  and  the  rett 
of  ihe  iDelUaffected  Lords,  QenUemen,  Ministers,  and  PeopU  now  m 
arms  in  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland:  Present. 

*  Near  Berwick,*  16th  September,  1648. 

My  Lords  jlkd  Gentlemen, 

Being  (in  prosecation  of  the  common  Enemy) 
advanced,  with  the  Army  under  my  command,  to  the  borders  of  Scot- 
land, I  thought  fit,  to  prevent  any  misapprehension  or  prejudice  that 
might  be  raised  thereupon,  to  send  your  Lordships  these  GentlemeHy 
Colonel  Bright,  Scoutmaster-General  Rowe,  and  Mr.  Stapylton,  to 
acquaint  you  with  the  reasons  thereof:  concerning  which  I  desire  your 
Lordships  to  give  them  credence.    I  remain, 

My  Lords, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

Colonel  Bright  and  Scoutmaster  Rowe  are  persons  that  often 
occur,  though  somewhat  undistinguishably  in  the  Old  Pamphlets. 
Bright,  in  the  end  of  this  month,  was  sent  over,  '  from  Berwick' 
apparently,  to  take  possession  of  Carlisle  now  ready  to  surrender 
to  us.f  '  Scoutmaster'  is  the  Chief  of  the  Corps  of  '  Guides,'  as 
soldiers  now  call  them.  As  to  Stapylton  or  Stapleton,  we  have 
to  remark  that,  besides  Sir  Philip  Stapleton,  the  noted  Member 
for  Boroughbridge,  and  one  of  the  Eleven,  who  is  now  banished 
and  dead,  there  is  a  Bryan  Stapleton  now  Member  for  Aldbo- 
rough  :  he  in  January  lastj:  was  Commissioner  to  Scotland  ;  but 
this  present  Stapylton  is  still  another.  Apparently,  one  Robert 
Stapylton  ;  a  favorite  Chaplain  of  Crom well's ;  an  Army-Preach- 
er,  a  man  of  weight  and  eminence  in  that  character.  From  his 
following  in  the  rear  of  the  Colonel  and  the  Scoutmaster,  instead  of 
taking  precedence  in  the  Lieutenant-General's  Letter  as  an  M.P. 
would  have  done,  we  may  infer  that  this  Reverend  Robert  Stapyl. 
ton  is  the  Cromwell  Messenger, — sent  to  speak  a  word  to  the 
Clergy  in  particular. 

•  Thurloe,  i.,  100.  f  Cromwelliana,  p.  48. 

X  Commons  Journals,  v.,  442 ;  Whitlocke,  p.  290. 


1648.]  LETTER  XLV.,  NEAR  BERWICK.  297 


Scoutmaster  Rowe,  William  Rowe,  appears  with  an  enlarged 
sphere  of  influence,  presiding  over  the  Cromwell  spy- world,  in  a 
very  diligent,  expert  and  almost  respectable  manner,  some  years 
afterwards,  in  the  Milton  State-Papers.  His  counsel  might  be 
useful  with  Argyle  ;  his  experienced  eye,  at  any  rate,  might  take 
a  glance  of  the  Scottish  Country,  with  advantage  to  an  invading 
General. 

Of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Stapylton's  proceedings  on  this  occasion 
we  have  no  notice :  but  he  will  occur  afterwards  in  these  Let- 
ters ;  and  two  years  hence,  on  Cromwell's  second  visit  to  those 
Northern  parts,  we  find  this  recorded  :  *  Last  Lord's  Day,'  29th 
September,  1650,  *  Mr.  Stapylton  preached  in  the  High  Church,' 
of  Edinburgh,  while  we  were  mining  the  Castle ! — *  forenoon 
and  afternoon,  before  his  Excellency  with  his  Officers ;  where 
was  a  great  concourse  of  people  ;  many  Scots  expressing  much 
affection  at  the  doctrine,  in  their  usual  way  of  groans.'*  In 
their  usual  way  of  groans,  while  Mr.  Stapylton  held  forth :  con- 
sider that ! — Mr.  Robert,  *  at  10  o'clock  at  night  on  the  3d  Sep- 
tember' next  year,  writes,  *  from  the  other  side  of  Severn,'  a  co- 
pious  despatch  concerning  the  Battle  of  Worcester,f  and  then  dis- 
appears from  History. 

The  following  Letter,  of  the  same  date,  was  brought  by  the 
same  Messengers  for  the  Committee  of  Estates. 

LETTER  XLV. 

For  the  Right  Honorable  the  Committee  of  Estates  for  the  Kingdom  of 

Scotland:  These. 

*  Near  Berwick,'  16th  September,  1648. 
Ricnx  Honorable, 

Being  upon  my  approach  to  the  borders  of 
the  Kingdom  of  Scotland,  I  thought  fit  to  acquaint  you  of  the  reason 
thereof. 

It  is  well  known  how  injuriously  the  Kingdom  of  England  was  lately 
invaded  by  the  Army  under  Duke  Hamilton ;  contrary  to  the  Covenant 
and  '  to '  our  leagues  of  amity,  and  against  all  the  engagements  of  love 

•  Cromwelliana,  p.  92.  t  Ibid.,  p.  113. 


298  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [16  Snt 

and  brotherhood  between  the  two  Nations.  And  notwithstanding  Hm 
pretence  of  your  late  Declaration,*  pnbh'shed  to  take  with  the  people  of 
this  Kingdom,  the  Commons  of  England  in  Parliament  Assembled 
declared  the  said  Army  so  entering.  Enemies  to  the  Kingdom;  and  those 
of  England  who  should  adhere  to  them,  Traitors.  And  havingf  xe- 
ceived  command  to  march  with  a  considerable  part  of  their  Army,  to 
oppose  so  great  a  violation  of  faith  and  justice, — what  a  witness  God, 
being  appealed  to,|  hath  borne,  upon  the  engagement  of  the  two  Armies, 
against  the  unrighteousness  of  man,  not  only  yourselves,  but  this  King^ 
dom,  yea  and  a  great  part  of  the  known  world  will,  I  trust,  acknow- 
ledge. How  dangerous  a  thing  it  is  to  wage  an  unjust  war ;  much 
more,  to  appeal  to  God  the  Righteous  Judge  therein !  We  trust  He 
will  persuade  you  better  by  this  manifest  token  of  His  displeasure;  lest 
His  hand  be  stretched  out  yet  more  against  you,  and  jrour  poor  Pecqde 
also,  if  they  will  be  deceived. 

That  which  I  am  to  demand  of  you  is,  The  restitution  of  the  Garri- 
sons of  Berwick  and  Carlisle  into  my  hands,  for  the  use  of  the  Pailia- 
ment  and  Kingdom  of  England.  If  you  deny  me  herein,  I  must  make 
our  appeal  to  God ;  and  call  upon  him  for  assistance,  in  what  way  He 
shall  direct  us ; — wherein  we  are,  and  shall  be,  so  fJBLr  from  seeking  the 
harm  of  the  well-affected  people  of  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland,  that  we^ 
profess  as  before  the  Lord,  That  (what  diffi^rence  an  Army,  necessitated 
in  a  hostile  way  to  recover  the  ancient  rights  and  inheritance  of  the 
Kingdom  under  which  they  serve,  can  make§)  we  shall  use  our  endea- 
vor to  the  utmost  that  the  trouble  may  fall  upon  the  contrivers  and  au- 
thors of  this  breach,  and  not  upon  the  poor  innocent  people,  who  have 
been  led  and  compelled  into  this  action,  as  many  poor  souls  now  prisoii- 
ers  to  us  confess. 

We  thought  ourselves  bound  in  duty  thus  to  expostulate  with  you,  and 
thus  to  profess ;  to  the  end  we  may  bear  our  integrity  out  before  the 
world,  and  may  have  comfort  in  God,  whatever  the  event  be.  Desiring 
your  answer,  1  rest, 

Your  Lordships'  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Crobtwell.H 

*  To  be  found  in  Rushworth ;  read  it  not ! 

t  The  grammar  requires  *  I  having,'  but  the  physiognomy  of  the  sentence 
requires  nothing. 

j  on  Preston  Moor. 

^  Means :'  so  far  as  an  Army,  necessitated  to  vindicate  its  country  by 
War,  can  make  a  discrimination.'  The  'ancient  rights  and  inheritance* 
are  the  right  to  choose  our  own  King  or  No-King,  and  so  forth. 

II  Thurloe,  L,  100. 


1648.]  LETTER  XLVI.,  CHESWICK.  399 

The  troubles  of  Scotland  are  coming  thick.  The  '  Engagers/ 
those  that  *  engaged '  with  Hamilton  are  to  be  condemned ;  then, 
before  long,  come  *  Resolutioners '  and  *  Protesters  ; '  and  in  the 
wreck  of  the  Hamilton-Argyle  discussions,  and  general  cuncta- 
tions, — all  men  desiring  to  say  Yes  and  No  instead  of  Yes  or  No, 
— Royalism  and  Presbyterianism  alike  are  disastrously  sinking. 

The  Lordships,  for  the  present,  send  most  conciliatory  congra- 
tulatory response  ;  have  indeed  already  written  in  that  strain 
*  from  Falkirk,'  where  the  Whiggamore  Raid  and  Lanark  were 
making  their  Armistice  or  Treaty.     Whereupon  follows 


LETTER  XLVI. 

To  the  Ri^lit  Honorable  the  Earl  of  Loudon^  Chancellor  of  the  Kingdom 

of  Scotland: 
To  he  communicated  to  the  Noblemen,  Gentlemen,  and  Burgesses  now  in 

arms*  wlio  dissented  in  Parliament  from  the  late  Engagement  against 

the  Kingdom  of  England, 

Cheswick,t  18th  September,  1648. 
Right  Honorable, 

We  received  yours  from  Falkirk  on  the  16th 
September  instant.  We  have  had  also  a  sight  of  your  Instructions 
given  to  the  Laird  of  Greenhead  and  Major  Strahan ;  as  also  other  two 
Papers  concerning  the  Treaty  between  your  Lordships  and  the  Enemy  ;• 
wherein  your  care  of  the  interest  of  the  Kingdom  of  England,  for  the 
delivery  of  the  TownsJ  unjustly  taken  from  them,  and  '  your'  desire  to 
presen-e  the  unity  of  both  Nations,  appears.  By  which  also  we  under- 
stand the  posture  you  are  in  to  oppose  the  enemies  of  the  welfare  and 
the  peace  of  both  Kingdoms ;  for  which  we  bless  Grod  for  His  goodness 
to  you ;  and  rejoice  to  see  the  power  of  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland  in  a 
hopeful  way  to  be  invested  in  the  hands  of  those  who,  we  trust,  are 
taught  of  God  to  seek  His  honor,  and  the  comfort  of  His  people. 

*  *  The  Whiggamore  Raid,*  as  Turner  calls  it,  now  making  a  Treaty  with 
Lanark,  Monro,  and  the  other  Assignees  of  the  bankrupt  Hamilton  con- 
cern. 

t  Cheswick,  still  a  Manorhouse  *  of  the  Family  of  Strangeways,*  lies 
three  or  four  miles  south  of  Berwick,  on  the  great  road  to  Newcastle  and 
London. 

X  Berwick  and  Carlisle,  which  by  agreement  in  1646-7  were  not  to  be 
garrisoned  except  by  consent  of  both  Kingdoms. 


Vf\.  11  llivt 


tijorein,  let  this  prof(*?sion  ri^e  up  in  iiul^rmciit  ao-a 
been  maile  in  hyp<K"risy, — a  seven'  aveii^^er  ot  wiiicli  ( 
peared,  in  His  most  righteous  witiie^ssing  agaiiibt  the  2 
Hamilton,  invading  us  under  specious  pretences  of  ] 
We  may  humbly  say,  we  rejoice  with  more  trembling* 
8Qch  a  wicked  thing. 

Upon  our  advance  to  Alnwick,  we  thought  fit  to  sei 
our  horse  to  the  borders  of  Scotland,  and  thereby  a  bui 
riBon  of  Berwick :  to  which  having  received  a  dilator} 
a  safe-convoy  for  Colonel  Bright  and  the  Scoutmast 
Army  to  go  to  the  Committee  of  Estates  in  Scotland ; 
have  the  opportunity  to  be  with  your  Lordships  before 
hands, — and,  according  as  they  are  instructed,  will  let 
some  measure,  as  well  as  we  could  in  so  much  ignora 
tioD,  know  our  affections  to  you.  And  understanding 
by  yours,  we  now  thought  fit  to  make  you  this  *  preset 

The  command  we  received,  upon  the  defeat  of  Du 
To  prosecute  this  business  until  the  Enemy  were  put 
or  hope  of  growing  into  a  new  Army,  and  the  Ga; 
and  Carlisle  were  reduced.  Four  regiments  of  our  h* 
goons,  who  had  followed  the  Enemy  into  the  south 
come  up;  and  this  country  not  able  to  bear  us,  the 
thereof  having  been  wasted  by  Monro  and  the  for 


i-i-   r^^. 


IMa]         LETTER  XLVI.,  CHESWICK.  SOt 

ike  hoiieataiidiiecessary  thingiyoaliayepropoiedtoditiBlv 
of  both  KingdomB :  we.  have  thought  fit,  out  of  the  ■odm  of  dniy  to  tho 
coainMmdii  laid  upon  ns  by  those  who  have  tent  mit  and  to  ttm  enl  «• 
oii|^  be  in  a  poBtuie  more  ready  to  give  yoo  teiietaiic^  and  not  bt 
wanting  to  what  we  have  made  so  large  professions  ol^— to  advance  into 
Scotland  with  the  Army.*  And  we  trust,  by  the  Mossing  of  God^  die 
common  Enemj  will  thereby  the  sooner  be  bioo|^  to  a  snfamlsiiQn  to 
yon.  And  we  thereby  shall  do  what  becomeo  ns  in  cider  to  the  oblaii^ 
ing  of  our  Garrisons;  engaging  onrsdves  that,  so  soon  as  we  shiHkBOur 
fiom  you  that  the  Enemy  will  yield  to  the  things  yon  have  proposed  to 
them,  and  we  have  oar  Garrisons  delivered  to  ns,  we  sfasU  ftitfawidi  d^ 
part  out  of  your  Kingdom ;  and  in  the  meantime  be  '  even'  move  tender 
towards  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland,  m  the  point  of  charge,  than  if  we 
were  in  our  own  Kingdom. 

K  we  shall  receive  from  you  any  desire  of  a  nuve  speedy  advaae^,  wie 
shall  readily  yield  compliance  therewith ;— desiring  also  to  hear  fiom  yott 
how  affiurs  stend.  This  being  the  result  of  a  Council  of  War,  I  present 
it  to  you  as  the  expression  of  their  aflfoctions  and  of  my  own;  who  am, 

My  Lords, 
Your  most  humble  servant, 

Olheb,  CwomwxLL,^ 

Cheswick,  where  Oliver  now  has  his  head-quarter,  lieSi  as  we 
said,  some  three  or  four  miles  south  of  Berwick,  on  the  English 
side  of  Tweed.  Part  of  his  forces  crossed  the  River,  I  tliink,  this 
same  day  ;  a  stray  regiment  had  without  order  goiae  across  the 
day  before. — ^The  '  Laird  of  Greenhead/  Sir  William  Ker,  is 
known  in  the  old  Scotch  Books;  still  better,  Ifajinr  Strah•l^ 
who  makes  a  figure  on  his  own  footing  by  and  by.  Tlie  Antl* 
Hamilton  or  Whiggamore  Party  are  all  inclined  to  Cranwdl ; 
inclined,  and  yet  averse  ;  wishing  to  say  '<  Yes  and  No ;  **  if  tiMt 
were  possible ! — 

The  answer  to  this  Letter  immediately  fellows  in  Thmrkei 
but  it  is  not  worth  giving.  The  intricate  longwindednesspf  mere 
Loudens,  Argyles  and  the  like,  on  such  subjeoto  at  this  time  of 
day,  is  not  tolerable  to  either  Gods  or  men*  <<  We,  Londoiii 
Argyle,  and  Company,  are  very  sensible  how  ri|^itooiisIy  *  God 

*  Neither  does  the  sentence  end  even  here !  It  is  dnadfliUy  bad  comfo* 
sition ;  yet  contains  a  vigoroaB  clear  seDse  in  it 
t  Thurloe,  i.,  101. 


302  PART  IV     SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [18  8flpb 

who  judgeth  the  Earth '  has  dealt  with  Hamilton  and  his  fidlow- 
ers  ;  an  intolerable,  unconscionable  race  of  men,  tending  towaidi 
mere  ruin  of  religion,  and  *  grievously  oppressive '  to  us.  We 
hope  all  things  from  you,  respectable  Lieutenant-Greneral.  We 
have  sent  influential  persons  to  order  the  giving  up  of  Berwick 
and  Carlisle  instantly  ;  and  hope  these  Garrisons  will  obey  them. 
We  rest, — Humbly  devoted, — Argyle,  Loudon,  and  Company." 

Influential  Persons :  '  Friday  last,  the  22d  September,  the 
Marquis  of  Argyle,  the  Lord  Elcho,  Sir  John  Scot  and  others 
came  as  Commissioners  from  the  Honest  Party  in  Scotland  to  the 
Laird  of  Mordington's  House  at  Mordington,  to  the  Lieutenant- 
General's  quarters,  two  miles  within  Scotland.  That  night  the 
Marquis  of  Argyle  sent  a  trumpet  to  Berwick,'* — ^Berwick  made 
delays,  needed  to  send  to  the  Earl  of  Lanark  first.  Lanark,  it  is 
to  be  hoped,  will  consent.  Meanwhile  the  Lieutenant-Greneral 
opens  his  parallels,  diligently  prepares  to  besiege,  if  necessary. 
Among  these  influential  Persons,  a  quick  reader  notices  '  Sir  John 
Scot,' — and  rejoices  to  recognize  him,  in  that  dim  transient  way, 
for  the  *  Director  of  the  Chancery,'  and  Laird  of  ScoUtarvet  in 
Fife,  himself  in  rather  a  staggering  staU'\  at  present,  worthy  old 
gentleman ! 


PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  we  are  marching  with  the  Parliament's  Army  into  the  Kingw 
dom  of  Scotland,  in  pursuance  of  the  remaining  part  of  the  Enemy  who 
lately  invaded  the  Kingdom  of  England,  and  for  the  recovery  of  the 
Garrisons  of  Berwfck  and  Carlisle : 

These  are  to  declare,  That  if  any  Officer  or  Soldier  under  ray  com- 
mand shall  take  or  demand  any  money;  or  shall  violently  take  any 
horses,  goods  or  victual,  without  order ;  or  shall  abuse  the  people  in  any 
Bor^ — ^he  shall  be  tried  by  a  Council  of  War ;  and  the  said  person  so 

•  Rushworth,  vii.,  1282. 

t  Scott  of  Scotstarveft  Staggering  State  of  Scots  Staietmen  is  the 
strange  Title  of  his  strange  little  Book  :  not  a  Satire  at  all,  but  a  Homily  on 
Life's  Nothingness,  enforced  by  examples ;  gives  in  brief  compass*  not 
without  a  rude  Laconic  geniality,  the  cream  of  Scotch  Biographic  History 
in  that  age,  and  unconsciously  a  curious  self-portrait  of  the  Writer  withaL 


104&]  LETTER  XLVIL,  NOR^AM.  90$ 


ofltoding  shall  be  punished,  according  to  the  Artidee  of  Warmade  kn 
the  government  of  the  Army  in  the  Kingdom  ofEnglaad,  wfaieh  piullib- 
ment  is  death. 

Each  ColonelyOrodier  chief  Officer  in  eveiy  regimmt,  Jb  to  tnaacifba 
a  copy  of  this ;  and  to  cause  the  same  to  be  ifelivaied  to  each  CSaptela  bk 
hia  regiment:  and  every  said  Captain  of  each  respective  troop  and  oom- 
pany  is  to  publish  the  same  to  his  troq>  or  company ;  and  to  take  a 
strict  course  that  nothing  be  done  contrary  hereunto. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  20th  September,  1648. 

Qlivbb  Cbokwill.* 


LETTER  XLVn. 

For  the  Right  Honorabk  the  Committee  of  Eetaiee  ef  lie  tSfigiom  ef 

Scotlandj  at  Edinburgh :  These. 

Norham,  3l8t  September,  1648. 

Right  Honorable, 

We  perceive  that  there  vraa,  upon  cm  ad- 
vance to  the  Borders,  the  last  Lord's  Day,t  a  very  disorderiy  carriage 
by  some  horse ;  who,  without  order,  did  steal  ov^r  tiie  Tweed,  and  plun- 
dered some  places  in  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland :  and  since  that»  aont 
stragglers  have  been  alike  faulty ;  to  the  wrong  of  the  inbabitanti»  and 
to  our  very  great  grief  of  heart. 

I  have  been  as  diligent  as  I  can  to  find  out  the  men  that  have  done 
the  wrong,  and  I  am  still  in  the  discovery  thereof;  and  I  traat  theie 
shall  be  nothing  wanting  on  my  part  that  may  teirtify  how  mndi  ne 
abhor  such  things :  and  to  tho  best  of  my  mformation  I  eannol  finl 
the  least  guilt  of  the  fact|  to  lie  upon  the  regiments  of  this  Anqr*  tafc 
upon  some  of  the  Northern  hom,  who  have  not  been  ender imtikh 
cipline  and  government,  until  just  that  we  came  into  theae  parti. 

I  have  commanded  those  forces  away  back  again  into.  Knghied ;  aad 
I  hope  the  excmplarity  of  justice  will  testify  for  na  our  greal  delaahBJm 
of  the  fact  I  For  the  remaining  regiments,  which  are  of  ov  old  fadea^ 
we  may  engage  for  them  their  officers  will  keep  them  fiem  doing  wmf 
such  things :  and  we  are  confident  that,  saving  yictoal,  they  shall  noC 
take  anything  from  the  inhabitants ;  and  in  that  alee  they  ahaU  be  ao 
hi  from  being  their  own  carvers,  as  that  they  ahaU  aabmit  to  have  pnn 

*  Newspapers  in  Cromwelliana,  p.46. 

t  21  September,  1648,  is  Thursday ;  last  Snndaj  ia  17th. 

t  •  &it.' 


the  l^ishopnck  oi  inirnuin,  under  Luioiiei  wieu, 
selves  rudely  ;  uhii-h  as  soon  as  the  Lieutenant- 
Army  '  Cromwell  '  had  notice  of,  lie  caused  it  to 
Tweed  banks  ;  and  the  Scoltish  people  having  cha 
horses  taken  from  them  by  that  Regiment,  the  Lieu 
caused  the  said  horses  to  be  restored  back,  and  tb 
be  cashiered.  A  Lieutenant  that  countenanced  i 
delivered  into  the  Marshal's  hands ;  and  the  Colon 
niving  at  them,  and  not  domg  justice  upon  the 
complaints  were  brought  in  to  him,  was  taken  fi 
his  Regiment,  and  suspended  from  executing  his 
had  answered  at  a  Council  of  War  for  his  neglige 
formance  of  his  duty.  This  notable  and  impartial 
did  take  very  much  with  the  people  ;  and  the  Reg 
back  into  Northumberland '  ^ — as  we  see. 

The  answer  of  <  Loudon  CanceUarius '  to  this  L 
ham  is  given  in  the  old  Newspapers.^  The  dat 
28th  September,  1648.  Loudon  of  course  is  vc 
sudi  tenderness  and  kind  civilities ;  thankful  es[ 
Honorable  Lieutenant-Greneral  has  come  so  net 
dread  of  him  forced  the  Malignants  at  Stirling  B 
terms,  and  leave  the  Well-affected  at  peace.     A  i 


IMa]  LETTER  XLYIIL,  BERWICK. 


you  «n  inoendiary,  and  I,  O  hcMiomble  Lieutaoaat-Geiieraly 
would  80  &in  have  had  you  extinguiflbedy-^not  loiofwing  wfam 
Idid! 

Noriiam  lies  on  the  South  shore  of  the  Tweed, 
inQes  above  Berwick : 

*  Day  set  on  Norbam's  castled  steep.*  ^ 

Cromwell  went  across  to  Mordington,  and  met  the 
Persons,'  on  the  morrow. 


LETTER  XLVm. 

* 

« Th  ike  Honorahle  WiUiam  LenihaU,  Speaker  of  the  Haute  tf  Cammom: 

These. 

Berwick^  9d  OetDber»  164a 
•SiB,' 

*    *    *    Upon  Friday,  Sdth  Sepleiiiber,  ctme  ta 

Order  from  the  Earl  of  Lanark,  and  divers  Lords  of  Ids  Party,  reqaifing 

the  Governor  of  Berwick  to  march  out  of  the  Town;  which  sceoidiD^ 

he  did  on  Satorday,  September  30th ;— at  which  time  I  entered;  HSl 

have  placed  a  Grarrison  there  for  your  nse.    The  Qovemor  woold  Ul 

have  capitulated  for  the  English  *  who  were  with  hhn  ;*  bat  we^  haiiag 

this  advantage  npon  him,  would  not  bear  it:  so  that  they  are  sobmitted 

to  your  mercy,  and  are  under  the  considenUion  of  Sir  Arthur  Hitsebig ; 

who,  I  believe,  will  give  you  a  good  account  of  them;  sod  who  hath 

already  turned  out  the  Malignant  Mayor,  and  pnt  sa  hopest  msn  in  Ids 

room. 

I  have  also  received  an  Order  for  Cariude;  and  have  sent  Colonsl 
Bright,  with  horse  and  foot,  to  receive  it ;  Sir  Awhew  CSsr  and  Oolooel 
Scot  being  gone  with  him  to  require  observance  ti  the  Order;  than 
having  been  a  Treaty  and  an  agreement  betwixt  the  two  paitiss  in  Seo^ 
land.  To  disband  all  forces,  except  fifteen  hundred  hone  and  fsot,  andsr 
the  Earl  c^  Leven,  which  are  to  be  kept  to  see  all  lemainlqg  knm  dis* 
banded. 

Havmg  some  otbef  things  to  desire  from  the  rv—wnifff^  ^  Kstatas  at 
Edmbur^  for  your  service,  I  am  myself  going  thitiisniavd  dds  day ;  and 
so  soon  as  I  slull  be  able  to  give  yon  a  fnrtitier  aoooant  therso^  I  shall 

*Scotfs  Marmim* 


SOO  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [9  OcL 

do  it.  In  the  meantime,  I  make  it  my  desire  that  the  Garrison  of  Bar* 
wick  (into  which  I  have  placed  a  regiment  of  foot,  which  ahall  fa» 
attended  also  by  a  regiment  of  horse)  may  be  provided  for ;  and  that  Sir 
Arthur  Haselrig  may  receive  commands  to  supply  it  with  guns  and  aofr* 
munition  from  Newcastle ;  and  be  otherwise  enabled  by  you  to  fomiah 
this  Garrison  with  all  other  necessaries,  according  as  a  place  of  that  im- 
portance will  require.  Desiring  that  these  mercies  may  beget  tnut  and 
thankfulness  to  God  the  only  author  of  them,  and  an  improvement  of 
them  to  His  glory  and  the  good  of  this  poor  Kingdom,  I  rest, 

Your  most  hnmUe  servant, 

Oliver  Ceokwell.* 


LETTER  XLIX. 

Follows  here  a  small  Note,  enclosing  a  duplicate  of  the  above 
Letter,  for  Fairfax ;  written  chiefly  to  enforce  the  request  %a  to 
Haselrig  and  Berwick, — *  Hasel ridge '  and  '  Barwick,'  as  Oliver 
here  spells.  Haselrig  is  Grovemor  of  Newcastle,  a  man  of  chief 
authority  in  those  Northern  regions. — Fairfax,  who  has  been  sur- 
veying, regulating,  and  extensively  dining  in  Townhalls,  through 
the  Eastern  Counties,  is  now  at  St.  Albans,f — ^the  Army's  head- 
quarters for  some  time  to  come. 

'  To  his  ExceUency  the  Lord  Fairfax,  at  8l  Albans:  Them,* 

Berwick,  2d  October,  164& 
Mat  it  please  toue  Excellency, 

I  received  your  late  Commissions,  with  jon 

directions  how  they  shall  be  disposed ;  which  I  hope  I  shall  pnrsoe  to 

your  satisfaction. 

I  haviiig  sent  an  account  to  the  House  of  Commons,  am  bold  (being 

straitened  in  time)  to  present  you  with  a  Duplicate  thereof,  which  I  tnut 

will  give  you  satisfaction.    I  hope  there  is  a  very  good  understanding 

between  tlic  Honest  Party  of  Scotland  and  us  here ;  better  than  some 

would  have. — Sir,  I  beg  of  your  Excellency  to  write  to  Sir  A.  Hasdrig 

to  take  care  of  Berwick ;  he  having  at  Newcastle  all  things  necessaiy 

for  the  Garrison  '  here,'  which  is  left  destitute  of  all,  and  may  be  lost  tf 

*  Newspapers  (Cromwelliana,  p.  48). 

t  Since  16th  September,  Rash  worth,  vii.,  1271. 


1648.]  LETTER  XLIX.,  BERWICK.  SOV 


be  not '  done.'    I  be^  of  your  Lordship  a  CominiiiKon  to  be  tpeedad 
tohioL    I  have  no  more  at  present;  but  resti 

My  Lcndy 
Your  most  hunble  senraot, 

Qlivbb  Cbokwbkl,* 

In  these  weeks,  once  more,  there  is  an  intensely  intereatiDg 
Treaty  going  on  in  the  Isle  of  Wight;  Treaty  of  Forty  Days 
with  the  King;  solemn  Parliamentary  Commissionen  on  one 
hand,  Majesty  with  due  assistants  on  the  other,  very  solemnly 
debating  and  negotiating  day  after  day,  fi>r  forty  days  and  longery 
in  the  town  of  Newport  there.'f  The  last  hope  of  Piesbjrteiian 
Royalism  in  this  world.  Not  yet  the  last  hope  of  his  Ifajesty ; 
who  still,  after  all  the  sanguinary  ruin  of  this  year,  feels  himaelf 
a  tower  of  strength ;  inexpugnable  in  his  divine  right,  which  no 
sane  man  can  question ;  settlement  of  the  Nation  impoarible  with- 
out him.  Happily,  at  any  rate,  it  is  the  last  of  the  Treaties  with 
Charles  Stuart, — for  History  begins  to  be  weary  of  them.  Treaty 
which  came  to  nothing,  as  all  the  others  had  daae.  Which  in* 
deed  could  come  only  to  nothing;  his  Majesty  not  having  the 
smallest  design  to  abide  by  it;  his  Majesty  eagerly  consulting 
about '  escape '  all  the  while,*— escape  to  OmxHid  who  is  now  in 
Ireland  again,  escape  somewhither,  any  whither ; — and  considering 
the  Treaty  mainly  as  a  piece  of  Dramaturgy,  which  must  ba 
handsomely  done  in  the  interim,  and  leave  a  good  impiessioii  on 
the  Public4  Such  is  the  Treaty  of  Forty  Days;  a  mere  torpor 
on  the  page  of  History ;  which  the  reader  shall  conceive  for  him* 
self  ad  Ubiium.  The  Army,  from  head-quarters  at  St.  Albans^ 
regards  him  and  it  with  a  sternly  watchful  eye ;  not  partioipating 
in  the  hopes  of  Presbyterian  Royalism  at  all ;— and  there  begiii 
to  be  Anny  Councils  held  again. 

As  for  Cromwell,  he  is  gone  forward  to  Eklinbur^;  reaches 
Seaton,  the  Earl  of  Winton's  House,  which  is  the  head-quarten 

*  Sloane  mbs.,  1519,  f.  92. 

t  Warwick,  pp.  321-9 ;  Rushworth,  viL,  &c.,  tec  B^gtn  18tb  Saptam- 
ber ;  was  lengthened  out  by  sbcceasiTe  permiwions  to  the  18th,  Sfltfa,  and 
even  27th  of  November. 

t  His  own  Letters  (in  Wagstaff's  Vindieaiian  ^  fAa  jBtfal  JTor^f't  i* 
Carte's  Ormond,  &c.) ;  see  Godwin,  ii.,  608-33. 

VOL.  I.  15 


(icneral  ;  and  even  certain  Clergy  come,  who  ha\ 
way/'' — The  I'.arl  of  Moray's  lJous(>,  .Moray  Ilous 
the  Canongate  ot'  Edinburgh,  well  known  to  the  in 
A  solid  spacious  mansion,  which,  when  all  bi 
two  hundred  years  ago,  must  have  been  a  very 
ing.  There  are  remains  of  noble  gardens;  or 
state-rooms,  when  I  last  saw  it,  was  an  extensiv 
house.  There  is  no  doubt  but  the  Lieutenant. Gre 
here ;  Guthry  seeming  to  contradict  this  old  Pamj 
to  confirm  it.f 

The  Lieutenant-General  has  received  certain  "^ 
ment,:^  sanctioning  what  he  has  done  in  reference 
Parties,  and  encouraging  and  authorizing  him  tc 
which  circumstance,  in  the  following  official  Doc 
not  to  avail  himself,  on  the  morrow  afler  his  arrivi 

LETTER  L. 

For  the  Right  Honorable  the  Committee  of  Estates  fo 

Scotland:  These, 


Edinburgh, «. 


1648.]  LETTER  L.,  EDINBURGH.  309 

restoring  the  Garrisons  of  Berwick  and  Carlisle:  and  having  received 
80  good  a  pledge  of  your  resolutions  to  maintain  amity  and  a  good 
understanding  between  the  Kingdoms  of  England  and  Scotland,  it 
makes  me  not  to  doubt  but  that  your  Lordships  will  farther  grant  what 
in  justice  and  reason  may  be  demanded. 

I  can  assure  your  Lordships,  That  the  Kingdom  of  England  did  fore- 
see that  wicked  design  of  the  Malignants  in  Scotland  to  breaJc  all 
engagements  of  faith  and  honesty  between  the  Nations,  and  to  take 
from  the  Kingdom  of  England  the  Towns  of  Berwick  and  Carlisle. 
And  although  they  could  have  prevented  the  loss  of  those  considerable 
Towns,  without  breach  of  the  Treaty,  by  laying  forces  near  nnto  them ; 
yet  such  was  the  tenderness  of  the  Parliament  of  England  not  to  give 
the  least  suspicion  of  a  breach  with  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland,  that  they 
did  forbear  to  do  anything  therein.  And  it  is  not  unknown  to  your 
Lordships,  when  the  Malignants  had  gotten  the  power  of  your  King- 
dom, how  they  protected  and  employed  our  English  Malignants,  though 
demanded  by  our  Parliament;  and  possessed  themselves  of  those 
Towns ; — and  with  what  violence  and  unheard-of  cruelties  they  raised 
an  Army,  and  began  a  War,  and  invaded  the  Kingdom  of  England ;  and 
endeavored  to  the  uttermost  of  their  power,  to  engage  both  Kingdoms 
in  a  perpetual  Quarrel ;  and  what  blood  they  have  spilt  in  our  King- 
dom, and  what  great  loss  and  prejudice  was  brought  upon  our  Nation, 
even  to  the  endangering  the  total  ruin  thereof. 

And  although  God  did,  by  a  most  mighty  and  strong  hand,  and  that 
in  a  wonderful  manner,  destroy  their  designs;  yet  it  is  apparent  that 
the  same  ill-affected  spirit  still  remains ;  and  that  divers  Persons  of 
great  quality  and  power,  who  were  either  the  Contrivers,  Actors,  or 
Abettors  of  the  late  unjust  War  made  upon  the  Kingdom  of  England, 
are  now  in  Scotland  ;  who  imdoubtedly  do  watch  for  all  advantages  and 
opportunities  to  raise  dissensions  and  divisions  between  the  Nations. 

Now  forasmuch  as  I  am  commanded,  To  prosecute  the  remaining 
part  of  the  Army  that  invaded  the  Kingdom  of  England,  wheresoever 
it  should  go,  to  prevent  the  like  miseries :  And  considering  that  divers 
of  that  Army  are  retired  into  Scotland,  and  that  some  of  the  heads  of 
those  Malignants  were  raising  new  forces  in  Scotland  to  carry  on  the 
same  design ;  and  that  they  will  certainly  be  ready  to  do  the  like  upon 
all  occasions  of  advantage :  And  forasmuch  as  the  Kingdom  of  England 
hath  lately  received  so  great  damage  by  the  failing  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Scotland  in  not  suppressing  Malignants  and  Incendiaries  as  they  ought 
to  have  done ;  and  in  suffering  Persons  to  be  put  in  places  of  great 
trust  in  the  Kingdom,  who  by  their  interest  in  the  Parliament  and  the 


310  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [6  Oct 

Countries,  brought  theJCingdom  of  Scotland  eo  far  as  they  could,  by 
an  unjust  Engagement,  to  invade  and  make  War  upon  their  firethien 
of  England : 

'  Therefore,'  my  Lords,  I  hold  myself  obliged,  in  proeecution  of  my 
Duty  and  Instructions,  to  demand.  That  your  Lordships  will  give  as- 
surance in  the  name  of  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland,  that  you  will  not 
admit  or  suffer  any  that  have  been  active  in,  or  consenting  to,  the  said 
Engagement  against  England,  or  have  lately  been  in  arms  at  Stirling 
or  elsewhere  in  the  maintenance  of  that  Engagement,  to  be  employed 
in  any  public  Place  or  Trust  whatsoever.  And  this  is  the  least  security 
I  can  demand.  I  have  received  an  Order  from  both  Houses  of  the 
Parliament  of  England,*  which  I  hold  fit  to  communicate  to  your  Lord- 
ships ;  whereby  you  will  understand  tlic  readiness  of  the  Kingdom  of 
England  to  assist  you  who  were  dissenters  from  that  Invasion :  and  I 
doubt  not  but  your  Lordships  will  be  as  ready  to  give  such  further  satis- 
faction as  tlicy  in  their  wisdoms  shall  find  cause  to  desire. 

Your  Lordships'  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  CftOBfWELL.t 

This  was  presented  on  Thursday,  to  the  Dignitaries  sitting  in 
the  Laigh  Parliament-House  in  the  City  of  Edinburgh. .  During 
which  same  day  came  '  the  Lord  Provost  to  pay  his  respects '  at 
Moray  House  ;  came '  old  Sir  William  Dick,'  an  old  Provost  nearly 
ruined  by  his  wcll-atll-ctcd  Loans  of  Money  in  these  Wars,  *  and 
made  an  oration  in  name  of  the  rest ;'— came  many  persons,  and 
quality  carriages,  making  Moray  House  a  busy  place  that  day ; 
*  of  which  I  hope  a  good  fruit  will  appear.' 

Loudon  Canccllarius  and  Com{>any,  from  the  Laigh  Parlia- 
ment-House, respond  with  the  amplest  assent  next  day  :f  and  on 
the  morrow,  Saturday,  all  business  being  adjusted,  and  Lambeit 
left  with  two  horse- regiments  to  protect  the  Laigh  Parlianwnt- 
1  louse  from  Lanarks  and  Malignants, — 'when  we  were  about  to 
come  away,  several  coaches  were  sent  to  bring  up  the  Lieutenant- 
Crenoral,  the  Earl  of  Leven  '  Governor  of  the  Castle  and  Scotch 
Commander-in-chief,  '  with  Sir  Arthur  Haselrig  and  the  rest  of 

*  Votes  of  September  2Sth ;  Commons  Journals,  vi.,  37 :  •  received  the 
day  W(>  entered  Edinburgh '  (Rushworth,  ubi  supra). 
t  King's  Pamphlets,  small  4to„  no.  392,  §  19 :  Printed  by  Order  of  Pte- 

liameiit. 
X  Ibid. 


1648.]  LETTER  LI.,  DALHOUSIE.  311 


the  Officers,  to  Edinburgh  Castle ;  where  was  provided  a  very 
sumptuous  Banquet,'  old  Leven  doing  the  hobony  *  my  Lord  liar* 
quis  of  Argyle  and  divers  other  Lords  being  present  to  grace  the 
entertainment.  At  our  departure,  many  pieces  of  ordnance  and 
a  volley  of  small  shot  was  given  us  from  the  Castle ;  and  some 
LfOrds  convoying  us  out  of  the  City,  we  there  parted/  The'Lofd 
Provost  had  defrayed  us,  all  the  while,  in  the  handaoroett  manner. 
We  proceeded  to  Dalhousie,  the  Seat  of  the  Ramsays,  near  Dal- 
keith ;  on  the  road  towards  Carlisle  and  home, — ^by  Selkirk  and 
Hawick,  I  conclude.  Here  we  stay  till  Monday  morning,  and, 
leave  orders,  and  write  Letters. 


LETTER  LI. 

For  the  Honorable  William  LenthaU,  Esquire,  Speaker  jof  the  HonorMe 

House  of  Commons :  These, 

Dalhousie,  9th  October,  1648. 

Sir, 

In  my  last,  wherein  I  gave  yo^  an  account  of  my  des- 
patch of  Colonel  Bright  to  Carlisle,  after  the  rendition  of  Berwick,  I 
acquainted  you  with  my  intentions  to  go  to  the  head-qoaiters  of  my 
horse  at  the  Earl  of  Winton's,  within  six  miles  of  Edinburgh ;  that  from 
thence  I  might  represent  to  the  Committee  of  Estates,  what  I  had  far- 
ther to  desire  in  your  behalf. 

The  next  day  after  I  came  thither,  I  received  an  Invitation  from  the 
Committee  of  Estates  to  come  to  Edinburgh ;  they  sending  to  me  tfaa 
Lord  Kircudbright  and  Major-General  Holbom  for  that  purpose ;  with 
whom  I  went  the  same  day.  being  Wednesday,  4th  of  this  instant  Octo- 
ber. We  fell  into  consideration,  What  was  fit  farther  to  inskt  upon. 
And  being  sensible  that  the  late  agreement  between  the  Committee  of 
Estates,  and  the  Earls  of  Crawford,  Glencaim,  and  Lanark,  did  not  suffi- 
ciently answer  my  instructions,  which  were.  To  disenable  them  fiom 
being  in  power  to  raise  new  troubles  to  England : — therefore  I  held  it 
my  duty,  Not  to  be  satisfied  with  the  mere  disbanding  of  them;  bat  con- 
sidering their  power  and  interest,  I  thought  it  necessary  to  demand  con- 
cerning them  and  all  their  abettors,  accordhig  to  the  contents  of  the 
Paper  *  here  enclosed. 

Wherein,— having  received  that  very  day  yoor  Votes  for  givmg  fnr- 

*LetterL. 


312  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR,  [9  OoL 


ther  assistance  '  to  the  Well-affected  in  Scotland,'  I  did  in  the  clon 
thereof  acquaint  them  with  the  same ;  reserving  such  further  satiafiic* 
lion  to  be  given  by  the  Kingdom  of  Scotland,  as  the  Parliament  of  Eng- 
land should  in  their  wisdom  see  cause  to  desire.  The  Committee  of 
Estates  '  had '  sent  the  Earl  of  Cassilip,  Lord  Warriston,  and  two  Gen- 
tlemen more  to  me,  To  receive  uhat  I  had  to  oflfer  unto  them ; — ^which 
upon  Thursday  I  delivered.  Upon  Friday  I  received  by  the  said  penons 
this  enclosed  Answer,  which  is  the  Original  itself. 

Having  proceeded  thus  far  as  a  Soldier,  and  I  trust,  by  the  bleeaing 
of  God,  not  to  your  disservice ;  and  having  laid  the  business  before  jtoQi 
I  pray  God  direct  you  to  do  further  as  may  be  for  His  glory,  the  good  of 
the  Nation  wherewith  you  are  intrusted,  and  the  comfort  and  eDcon- 
ragement  of  the  Saints  of  God  in  both  Kingdoms  and  all  the  World  over. 
I  do  think  the  afiairs  of  Scotland  arc  in  a  thriving  posture,  as  to  the 
interest  of  honest  men :  and  '  Scotland  is '  like  to  be  a  better  neighbor  to 
you  now  tlian  when  tlie  great  pretenders  to  tlie  Covenant  and  Religion 
and  Treaties, — I  mean  Duke  Hamilton,  the  Earls  of  Lauderdale,  Tra- 
quair,  Cameg}',  and  their  confederates, — had  the  power  in  their  bands. 
I  dare  '  be  bold  to '  say  ihat  that  Party,  with  their  pretences,  had  not 
only,  through  the  treachery  of  some  in  England  (who  have  cause  to 
blusli),  endangered  the  whole  State  and  Kingdom  of  England ;  but  also 
^  had '  brought  Scotland  into  Buch  a  condition,  as  that  no  honest  man  who 
had  the  fear  of  God,  or  a  conscience  of  Religion,  *  and '  the  just  ends 
of  the  Covenant  and  Treaties,  could  have  a  being  in  that  Kingdom.  Bat 
Gcxl,  wlio  is  not  to  be  mocked  or  deceived,  and  is  very  jealous  when 
His  Name  and  Religion  are  made  use  of  to  carry  on  impious  designs, 
hath  taken  vengeance  of  such  profanity, — even  to  astonishment  and 
admiration.  And  I  wish  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  it  may  cause 
all  to  tremble  and  repent,  who  have  practised  the  like,  to  the  blasphemy 
of  His  Name,  and  the  destruction  of  His  People ;  so  as  they  may  never 
presume  to  do  tlie  like  again  !  And  I  think  it  is  not  unseasonable  for 
me  to  take  the  humble  boldness  to  say  thus  much  at  this  time. 

All  the  enemy's  Forces  in  Scotland  are  now  disbanded.  The  Com- 
mittee of  Estates  have  declared  against  all  of  that  Party's  sitting  in  Par- 
liament.* Good  Elections  arc  *  already'  made  in  divers  places ;  of  such 
as  dissented  from  and  opposed  the  late  wicked  Engagement :  and  they 
are  now  raising  a  force  of  about  4,000  Horse  and  Foot ; — ^which  until 
tliey  can  complete,  they  have  desired  me  to  leave  them  two  Regiments 
of  Horse,  and  two  Troops  of  Dragoons.  Which  accordingly  1  have 
resolved,  conceiving  I  had  warrant  by  your  late  Votes  so  to  do ;  and 
have  left  Major-General  Lambert  to  command  them. 

*  The  Scotch  Parliament,  which  is  now  getting  itself  elected. 


1648]  LETTER  LI.,  DALHOUSIE.  813 

I  have  received,  and  so  have  the  officers  with  me,  many  honors  and 

civilities,  from  the  Committee  of  Estates,  the  City  of  Edinburgh,  and 

Ministers;  with  a  noble  entertainment; — which  we  may  not  own  as 

done  to  us,  but  as  *  done  to'  your  servants.    I  am  now  marching  towards 

Carlisle  ;  and  I  shall  give  you  such  further  accounts  of  your  afairs  as 

there  shall  be  occasion.    I  am.  Sir, 

Your  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

Cromwell,  at  Carlisle  on  the  14th,  has  received  delivery  of  the 
Castle  there,  for  which  good  news  let  the  Messenger  have  lOO/.f 
Leaving  all  in  tolerable  order  in  those  regions,  the  Lieutenant- 
General  hastens  into  Yorkshire  to  Pontefract  or  Pomfret  Castle ; 
a  strong  place  which  had  been  surprised  in  the  beginning  of  the 
year,  and  is  stubbornly  defended ;  surrender  being  a  very  serious 
matter  now ;  the  War  itself  being  contrary  to  Law  and  Treaty, 
and  as  good  as  Treason,  think  some. 

*  King's  Pamphlets,  small  4to.,  no.  392,  §  19  ;  see  Commons  Journals, 
vi.,.')4. 

t  Commons  Journals,  20  October,  1648. 


314  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [» Ifor. 


LETTERS  Lll.-iy. 

The  Grovernor  of  Pontefract  Castle  is  one  Morris,  onoe  the  Elarl 
of  Strafford's  servant ;  a  desperate  man :  this  is  the  Lieuteoant- 
General's  summons  to  him. 


LETTER  UI. 

For  the  Oovemor  (f  Pontefract  CasUe. 

*  Pontefract,'  9th  November,  1649. 
Sir, 

Being  come  hither  for  the  reduction  of  this  place  I  thought 
fit  to  summon  you  to  deliver  your  garrison  to  me,  for  the  use  of  the  Par- 
liament.  Those  gentlemen  and  soldiers  with  you  may  have  better  terms 
than  if  you  should  hold  it  to  extremity.    I  expect  your  answer  this  day, 

and  rest, 

Your  servant, 

Oliver  Crobiwell.* 

Grovemor  Morris  stiffly  refuses  ;  holds  out  yet  a  good  while^-— 
and  at  last  loses  his  head  at  York  assizes  by  the  busineas.f 
Royalism  is  getting  desperate ;  has  taken  to  highway  robbery ;  is 
assassinating,  and  extensively  attempting  to  assassinate,  j:  Two 
weeks  ago,  Sunday,  29th  October,  a  Party  sallied  from  this  very 
Castle  of  Pontefract ;  rode  into  Doncaster  in  disguise,  and  there, 
about  five  in  the  afternoon,  getting  into  Colonel  Rainsborough's 
lodging,  stabbed  him  dead : — murder,  or  a  very  questionable  kind 
of  homicide ! 

Meanwhile,  the  Royal  Treaty  in  Newport  comes  to  no  good 
issue,  and  the  Forty  Days  are  now  done ;  the  Parliament  by  snmll 
and  smaller  instalments  prolongs  it,  still  hoping  beyond  hope  for 
u  good  issue.     The  Army,  sternly  watchful  of  it  from  St.  Albana, 

*  Newspapers  (Cromwelliana,  p.  48) ;  Rushworth,  vii.,  1325. 
I  State  Trials.  X  Rushwcrth,  vii.,  1279,  &c.,  131&. 


1648.]  LETTER  LIII.,  ENOTTINGLET.  91S 


is  presenting  a  Remonstrance,  That  a  good  issue  lies  not  in  it ; 
that  a  good  issue  must  be  sought  elsewhere  than  in  d.  By 
bringing  Delinquents  to  justice ;  and  the  Chief  DsLmquENTy 
who  has  again  involved  this  Nation  in  blood !  To  which  doctrine, 
various  petitioning  Counties  and  Parties,  and  a  definite  minority 
in  Parliament  and  England  generally,  testify  their  stem  adhe- 
rence, at  all  risks  and  hazards  whatsoever. 


LETTER  LIII. 

Jenner,  Member  for  Cricklade,  and  Ashe,  Member  for  Weetbury ; 
these  too,  sitting  I  think  in  the  Delinquents'  Committee  at  Gkdd- 
smiths'  Hall, — seem  inclined  for  a  milder  course.  Wherein  the 
Lieutenant-General  does  by  no  means  agree  with  the  said  Jenner 
and  Ashe ;  having  had  a  somewhat  closer  experience  of  the  mat« 
ter  than  they ! 

*■  Colonel  Owen '  seems  to  be  a  Welsh  Delinquent ;  I  suppose, 
the  *  Sir  John  Owen  '  of  whom  there  arises  life-and-death  question 
by  and  by.  <  The  Governor  of  Nottingham '  is  Colonel  Hulchiiu 
son,  whom  we  know.  Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale  we  also  knoWy—- *  • 
and  '  presume  you  have  heard  what  is  become  of  him  ?'  Sir 
Marmaduke,  it  was  rigorously  voted  on  the  6th  of  this  month,  is 
one  of  the  <  Seven  that  shall  be  excepted  from  pardon ;'  whom 
the  King  himself,  if  he  bargain  with  us,  shall  never  forgive.* 
He  escaped  afterwards  from  Nottingham  Castle,  by  industry  of 
his  own. 

To  the  Honorable  my  honored  Friends  Robert  Jenner  and  Mn  AAe^ 

Esquires,  *  at  London:* These. 

Knottiogley,  imr  Pimtafrsett 
20th  November,  IMS. 
Gentlemen, 

I  received  an  Order  from  the  Govenwr  of  Nottingham, 
directed  to  him  from  yoa,  to  bring  ap  Colonel  Owen,  or  take  bail  fSor  his 
coming  up  to  make  his  composition,  he  having  made  an  homUe  PetitloB 
to  the  Parliament  for  the  same. 

*  Commons  Journals,  vi.,  70. ' 
15* 


316  PART  IV.    SECOND    CIVIL  WAR.  [20  Nor. 


If  I  be  not  mistaken,  the  House  of  Commons  did  vote  all  tliOM  *  per- 
sons '  Traitors  that  did  adhere  to,  or  bring  in,  the  Scots  in  their  kte 
Invading  of  this  Kingdom  under  Duke  Hamilton.  And  not  withoat 
very  clear  justice  ;  this  being  a  more  prodigious  Treason  than  any  thtl 
had  been  perfected  before ;  because  the  former  quarrel  was  that  Eng- 
lishmen might  rule  over  one  another ;  this  to  vassalise  us  to  a  foreign 
Nation.  And  their  fault  who  have  appeared  in  this  Summer's  business 
is  certainly  double  to  theirs  who  were  in  the  first,  because  it  is  the  repe- 
tition of  the  same  offence  against  all  the  witnesses  that  God  has  borne** 
by  making  and  abetting  a  Second  war. 

And  if  this  be  their  justice,!  and  upon  so  good  grounds,  I  wonder  how 
it  comes  to  pass  that  so  eminent  actors  should  so  easily  be  received  to 
compound.  You  will  pardon  me  if  I  tell  you  how  contrary  this  is  to 
some  of  your  judgments  at  the  rendition  of  Oxford :  Uiough  we  had  the 
.Town  in  consideration,^  and '  our'  blood  saved  to  boot ;  yet  Two  Years  per- 
haps was  thought  too  little  to  expiate  their  offence.}  But  now,  when  yon 
have  such  men  in  your  hands,  and  it  will  cost  you  nothing  to  do  jus- 
tice ;  now  after  all  this  trouble  and  the  hazard  of  a  Second  War, — ^for  a 
little  more  money}  all  offences  shall  be  pardoned ! 

This  Gentlenlan  was  taken  with  Sir  Marmaduke  Langdale,  in  their 
flight  together : — I  presume  you  have  heard  what  is  become  of  him. 
Let  me  remember  you  that  out  of  tlie  '  same '  Garrison  was  fetched  not 
long  since  (I  believe  while  we  were  in  heat  of  action)  Colonel  Hum- 
phrey Mathews,  than  whom  this  Cause  we  have  fought  for  has  not  had  a 
more  dangerous  enemy ; — and  he  not  guilty  only  of  being  an  enemy,  out 
he  apostatised  from  your  Cause  and  Quarrel ;  having  been  a  Colonel,  if 
not  more,  under  you,  and  '  then '  the  desperatest  promoter  of  the  Welsh 

*  From  Naseby  downwards,  God,  in  the  battle-whirlwind,  seemed  to 
speak  and  witness  very  audibly. 

t  House  of  Commons's.  X  Town  as  some  recompense. 

X  Sentence  unintelligible  to  the  careless  reader,  so  hasty  is  it,  and  over- 
crowded with  meaning  in  the  original.  '  Give  mc  leave  to  tell  you  that,  if 
it  were  contrary  to  some  of  your  judgments,  that  at  the  rendition  of  Oxford, 
thoui;h  we  had  the  Town  in  consideration,  and  blood  saved  to  boot ;  yet 
Two  Years  perhaps,*  &,c. — Oxford  was  surrendered  20-24  June,  1646  ;  the 
Malignants  found  tliere  were  to  have  a  composition,  not  exceeding  Two 
Years  revenue  for  estates  of  inheritance  (Rushworth,  vi.,  280,  5), — which 
the  victorious  Presbyterian  Party,  belike  Jenncr  and  Ashe  among  the  rest, 
had  exclaimed  against  as  too  lenient  a  procedure.  Very  different  now  when 
the  new  Malignants,  though  a  doubly  criminal  set,  are  bone  of  their  own 
bone ! 

§  Goldsmiths'  Hall  has  a  true  feeling  for  Money ;  a  dimmer  one  for  Jus- 
tice, it  seems 


1M8.1  LETTER  LIIL,  KNOTTINOLEY.  911 


RebeUkMi  amongst  them  all !  And  how  near  yoa  won  faioiight  to  ndn 
thereby,  all  men  that  know  anything  can  tell  ;*  and  this  man  wastakea 
away  by  composition,  by  what  order  I  knqw  not 

Gentlemen,  though  my  senae  does  appear  more  severe  than  periia|M 
yoa  would  have  it,  yet  give  me  leave  to  tell  yon  I  find  i^  sense  among 
the  Officers  concerning  such  things  as '  the  treatment  of'  those  men  to 
amazement } — ^which  truly  is  not  so  mach  to  see  their  blood  made  m 
cheap,  as  to  see  such  manifest  witnessings  of  God,  ao  terriUe  and  ao 
just,  no  more  reverenced. 

I  have  duected  the  Gov^por  to  acquaint  the  Loid-Genexal  heiewltli; 
and  rest, 

Gentlemen, 

Yoor  most  obedient  servant, 

OUVBB  ClU»IWXLL.f 

Here  is  a  sour  morsel  for  Jenner  and  Ashe ;  diflerent  fifom 
what  they  were  expecting !  It  is  to  be  hoped  they  will  digest  this 
piece  of  admonition,  and  come  forth  on  the  morrow  two  sadder 
and  two  wiser  men.  For  Colonel  Owen,  at  all  events,  there  is 
clearly  no  outlook,  at  present,  but  sitting  reflective  in  the  strong- 
room of  Nottingham  Castle,  whither  his  bad  Grenius  has  led  him* 
Who  Colonel  Owen  was,  what  he  had  specially  done^  or  what  be- 
came of  him  afterwards,  except  that  he  escaped  beheading  on  this 
occasion,  is  not  known  to  me.  His  name  indicates  a  Welsh  ha- 
bitat ;  <  he  was  taken  with  Sir  Marmaduke  in  their  flight  together :' 
probably  one  of  the  Presbyterian  Welshmen  discomfited  in  June 
and  July  last,  who  had  fled  to  join  Hamilton,  and  be  worse  dis- 
comfited a  second  time.  The  House  some  days  ago  bad  voted 
that  '  Sir  John  Owen,'  our  '  Colonel  Owen'  I  conclude,  should  get 
oflT  with  'banishment;'  likewise  that  Lord  Capel,  the  Earl  of 
Holland,  and  other  capital  Delinquents  should  be  '  baniahed  ;'and 
even  that  James  Barl  of  Cambridge  (James  Duke  of  Hamiltoil) 
should  be  'fined  100,000/.'  Such  votes  are  not  unlikely  to  pro- 
duce '  a  sense  amongst  the  Oflicers,'  who  had  to  graf^ple  with 
these  men,  as  with  devouring  dragons  lately,  li&  to  lift.  Such 
votes — will  need  to  be  rescinded,  j:    Such,  and  some  others !    For 

*  Witness  Chepstow,  St.  Pagan's,  Pembroke  :— ^  this  man'  is  Mathews. 
t  Sloane  mss.,  1519,  fol.  94 

X  Passed,  10  November,  1648  (Commons  Journals,  vL,  3) ;  repealed,  18 
December  (with  a  Declaration ;  Somen  Tracts,  v.,  167). 


318  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  [20  Nor. 

indeed  the  Presbyterian  Party  has  rallied  in  the  House  durii%  the 
late  high  blaze  of  Royalism  ;  and  got  a  Treaty  set  on  fix>t  as  we 
saw,  and  even  got  the  Eleven  brought  back' again. — 

Jenner  and  Ashe  are  old  stagers,  having  entered  Parliament  at 
the  beginning.  They  are  frequently  seen  in  public  business ;  as* 
siduous  subalterns.  Ashe  sat  aflerwards  in  Oliver's  Parlia- 
ments.* Of  this  Ashe  I  will  remember  another  thing :  oncey 
some  years  ago,  when  the  House  was  about  thanking  some 
Monthly-fast  Preacher,  Ashe  said  pertinently,  "  What  is  the  use 
of  thanking  a  Preacher  who  spoke  so  low  that  nobody  could  hear 
him  ?"t  ' 

Colonel  Humphrey  Mathews,  we  are  glad  to  discover,j:  was 
one  of  the  persons  taken  in  Pembroke  Castle  by  Oliver  himself  in 
July  last :  brought  along  with  him,  on  the  march  towards  Pres- 
ton, and  left,  as  the  other  ViTelsh  Prisoners  were,  at  Nottingham  ; 
— out  of  which  most  just  durance  some  pragmatical  official,  Ashe^ 
Jenner,  or  another,  '  by  what  order  I  know  not,'  has  seen  good 
to  deliver  him  ;  him,  *  the  desperatest  promoter  of  the  Welsh  Re- 
bellion amongst  them'  all.'  Such  is  red-tape  even  in  a  Heroic 
Puritanic  Age !  No  wonder  *  the  Officers  have  a  sense  of  it,* 
amounting  even  '  to  amazement.'  Our  blood  that  we  have  shed 
in  the  Quarrel,  this  you  shall  account  as  nothing,  since  you  so 
please  ;  but  these  '  manifest  witnessings  of  God,  so  terrible  and 
so  just,' — are  they  not  witnessings  of  God  ;  are  they  mere  sports 
of  chance  ?  Ye  wretched  infidel  red-tape  mortals,  what  will  or 
can  become  of  you  ?  By  and  by,  if  this  course  hold,  it  will  ap- 
pear that  '  You  are  no  Parliament ;'  that  you  are  a  nameless  un- 
believing rabble,  with  the  mere  title  of  Parliament,  who  must  go 
about  your  business  elsewhither,  with  soldiers'  pikes  in  your 
rearward ! — 

*  Parliamentary  History,  xxi.,  3.  f  I^Ewes's  mb.,  p.  414. 

X  Cromwelliana,  pp.  41,  42. 


1646.]  LETTER  LIV.,  KNOTTINGLEY.  319 


LETTER  LIV. 

*  All  the  Regiments  here  have  petitioned  my  Lord  General 
against  the  Treaty'  at  Newport,  *  and  for  Justice  and  a  Settle- 
ment of  the  Kingdom.  They  desired  the  Lieutenant-General  to 
recommend  their  Petition  :  which  he  hath  done  in  the  Letter  fol- 
lowing;' — which  is  of  the  same  date,  and  goes  in  the  same  bag 
with  that  to  Jenner  and  Ashe,  just  given. 

For  his  Excellency  the  Lord  General  Fairfax^  ^at  St,  Albans :  These. 

Knottingley,  20th  November,  1648. 
My  Lord, 

I  find  in  the  Officers  of  the  Regiments  a  very  great 
sense  of  the  sufferings  of  this  poor  Kingdom  ;  and  in  tlieA  all  a  very  great 
zeal  to  have  impartial  Justice  done  upon  ofienders.  And  I  must  confess 
I  do  in  all,  from  my  heart,  concur  with  them  ;  and  I  verily  think  and  am 
persuaded  they  are  things  which  God  puts  into  our  hearts. 

I  shall  not  need  to  offer  anything  to  your  Excellency :  I  know,  Grod 
teaches  you ;  and  that  He  hath  manifested  His  presence  so  to  you  as 
that  you  will  give  glory  to  Him  in  the  eyes  of  all  the  world.  I  held  it 
my  duty,  having  received  these  Petitions  and  Letters,  and  being  *so' 
desired  by  the  framers  thereof, — to  present  them  to  you.  The  good 
liord  work  His  will  upon  your  heart  enabling  you  to  it ;  and  the  pre- 
sence of  Almighty  God  go  along  with  you.     Thus  prays, 

My  Lord, 
Your  most  humble  and  faithful  servant, 
»  Oliver  Cromwell.* 

This  same  day,  Monday,  20th  November,  1648,  the  Army 
from  St.  Albans,  by  Colonel  Ewer  and  a  Deputation,  presents  its 
humble  unanimous  *  Remonstrance'  to  the  House  ;  craving  that 
the  same  be  taken  '  into  speedy  and  serious  consideration.'!'  It 
is  indeed  a  most  serious  Document ;  tending  to  the  dread  Un- 
known !  Whereupon  ensue  *  high  debates,'  Whether  we  shall 
take  it  into  consideration  ?  Debates  to  be  resumed  this  day 
week.     The  Army,  before  this  day  week,  moves  up  to  Windsor; 

•Rushworth,  vii.,  1339, 

t  Commons  Journals,  vi.,  81 ;  Remonstrance  itself  in  Rushworth,  vii., 

1330. 


322  PART  IV.    SECOND  CIVIL  WAR,  [25  Nor, 

You  say :  "  Grod  hath  appointed  authorities  aimmg  the  natiooB,  to 
which  active  or  passive  obedience  is  to  be  yielded.  This  resides  ia 
England  in  the  Parliament.  Therefore  active  or  passive  resistaiioe,'' 
&c. 

Authorities  and  powers  are  the  ordinance  of  God.  This  or  that  spe- 
cies is  of  human  institution,  and  limited,  some  with  larger,  others  ndtfa 
stricter  bands,  each  one  according  to  its  constitution.  '  But  *  I  do  not 
therefore  think  the  Authorities  may  do  anything,*  and  yet  such  obedi- 
ence be  due.  All  agree  that  there  are  cases  in  which  it  is  lawful 
to  resist.  If  so,  your  ground  fails,  and  so  likewise  the  inference.  In- 
deed, dear  Robin,  not  to  multiply  words,  the  query  is.  Whether  oars  bs 
such  a  case  ?    This  ingenuously  is  the  true  question. 

To  this  I  shall  say  nothing,  though  I  could  say  very  much ;  but  only 
desire  tliee  to  see  what  thou  findcst  in  thy  own  heart  to  two  or  three 
plain  considerations :  First,  Whether  Solus  Pojndi  be  a  sound  posi- 
tion ?f  Secondly,  Whether  in  the  way  in  hand,!  i^ly  &nd  before  the 
Lord,  before  whom  conscience  has  to  stand,  this  be  provided  for ;— or  if 
the  whole  fruit  of  the  War  is  not  like  to  be  frustrated,  and  all  most 
like  to  turn  to  what  it  was,  and  worse?  And  this,  contrary  to  En- 
gagements, explicit  Covenants  with  those}  who  ventured  their  lives  upon 
those  Covenants  and  Engagements,  without  whom  perhaps,  in  equity, 
relaxation  ought  not  to  be  ?  Thirdly,  Whether  this  Army  be  not  a 
lawful  Power,  called  by  Grod  to  oppose  and  fight  against  the  King 
upon  some  stated  grounds  ;  and  being  in  power  to  such  ends,  may  not 
oppose  one  Name  of  Authority,  for  those  ends,  as  well  as  another  Name, 
— since  it  was  not  the  outward  Authority  summoning  them  that  hj 
its  power  made  the  quarrel  lawful,  but  the  quarrel  was  lawful  in  itself  t 
If  so,  it  may  be,  acting  will  be  justified  in  foro  humano, — ^But  truly  this 
kind  of  reasonings  may  be  but  fleshly  either  with  or  against :  only  it  is 
good  to  try  what  truth  may  be  in  them.    And  the  Lord  teach  us. 

My  dear  Friend,  let  us  look  into  providences ;  surely  they  mean  some- 
what. They  hang  so  together ;  have  been  so  constant,  so  clear,  undood- 
ed.  Malice,  8 woln  malice  against  God's  people,  now  called  "  Saints,** 
to  root  out  their  name ; — and  yet  tliey,  *  these  poor  Saints,'  getUng  arms, 
and  therein  blessed  with  defence  and  more ! — I  desire,  he  that  is  for  a 
principle  of  sufieringH  would  not  too  much  slight  this.  I  slight  not  him 
who  is  so  minded :  but  let  us  beware  lest  fleshly  reasoning 


•  Whatsoever  they  like 

t  *  The  safety  of  the  people  the  supreme  law :'  is  that  a  true  doctrine  or 
a  false  one  ? 
X  By  this  Parliamentary  Treaty  with  the  King. 
§  Us  soldiers. 
U  Passive  obedience. 


[)t)st  tlmu  not  think  tlii>   ft^ar  of  tiie  l^'vollors   (of  \ 
fear)    "tiiiit   they   would  dt'stroy   Xut'ility,""   "c'Vc."   lias 
take  up  corruption,  and  tind  it  lawful  to  make  tliiri  r 
cal  Agreement,  on  one  part?f     Hath  not  this  biassed 
men  ?    I  will  not  say,  the  thing  they  fear  will  come 
if  it  do,  they  will  bring  it  upon  themselves.    Have  i 
friends,  by  their  passive  principle  (which  I  judge  not, 
liable  to  temptation  as  well  as  the   active,  and  neith( 
bat  as  we  are  led  into  them  of  God,  and  neither  of  1 
soned  into,  because  the  heart  is  deceitful), — ^been  occf 
look  what  is  just  and  honest,  and  to  think  the  peop 
have  as  much  or  more  good  the  one  way  than  the  ot 
this  Man, — against  whom  the  Lord  hath  witnessed ;  t 
knowest !    Is  this  so  in  their  hearts ;  or  is  it  reasoned,  i 

Robin,  I  have  done.  Ask  we  oiir  hearts,  Whether 
after  all,  these  dispensations,  the  like  to  which  many  gee 
aflbrd, — should  end  in  so  corrupt  reasonings  of  good  men 
hit  the  designings  of  bad  7  Thinkest  thou  in  thy  heart  tl 
dispensations  of  God  point  out  to  this  7  Or  to  teach  His 
in  Him,  and  to  wait  for  better  things, — when,  it  may 
sealed  to  many  of  their  spirits  7}  And  I,  as  a  poor  Ic 
rather  live  in  the  hope  of  tliat  spirit  ^  which  believes 
80  teach  us,'  and  take  my  share  with  them,  expecting 
|ban  be  led  away  with  the  others. 


1648.]  HURST  CASTLE.  395 

This  trouble  I  have  been  at,  because  my  soul  loves  thee,  and  I  would 
not  have  thee  swerve,  or  lose  any  glorious  opportunity  the  Lord  pats 
into  thy  hand.    The  Lord  be  thy  counsellor.    Dear  Robin,  I  rest  thine, 

Olivee  Cromwell.* 

Colonel  Hammond,  the  ingenuous  young  man  whom  Oliver 
much  loves,  did  not  receive  this  Letter  at  the  Isle  of  Wight 
whither  it  was  directed ;  young  Colonel  Hammond  is  no  longer 
there.  On  Monday  the  27th,  there  came  to  him  Colonel  Ewer, 
he  of  the  Remonstrance  ;  Colonel  Ewer  with  new  force,  w|th  an 
Order  from  the  Lord  General  and  Army  Council  that  Colonel 
Hammond  do  straightway  repair  to  Windsor,  being  wanted  at 
head-quarters  there.  A  young  Colonel,  with  dubitations  such  as 
those  of  Hammond's,  will  not  suit  in  that  Isle  ^t  present.  Ewer, 
on  the  Tuesday  night,  a  night  of  storm  and  pouring  rain,  besets 
his  Majesty's  lodgings  in  the  Town  of  Newport  (for  his  Majesty  is 
still  on  parole  there)  with  strange  soldiers,  in  a  strange  state  of 
readiness,  the  smoke  of  their  gun-matches  poisoning  the  air  of 
his  Majesty's  apartment  itself; — and  on  the  morrow  morning, 
at  eight  of  the  clock,  calls  out  his  Majesty's  coach ;  moves  off 
with  his  Majesty  in  grim  reticence  and  rigorous  military  order,  to 
Hurst  Castle,  a  small  solitary  stronghold  on  the  opposite  beach 
yonder.f 

For  at  London  matters  are  coming  rapidly  to  a  crisis.  The 
resumed  Debate,  "  Shall  the  Army  Remonstrance  be  taken  into 
consideration?"  does  not  come  out  affirmative;  on  the  contrary, 
on  Monday  the  30th,  it  comes  out  negative  by  a  Majority  of 
Ninety  :  "  No,  we  will  not  take  it  into  consideration."  No  ?  The 
Army  at  Windsor,  thereupon,  spends  again  *a  Day  in  Prayer.' 

The  Army  at  Windsor  has  decided  on  the  morrow  that  it  will 
march  to  London  ; — marches,  arrives,  accordingly,  on  Saturday 
December  2d  ;  quarters  itself  in  Whitehall,  in  St.  James's;  *and 
other  great  vacant  Houses  in  the  skirts  of  the  City  and  Villages 
about,  no  offence  being  given  anywhere. 'if  In  the  drama  of 
Modern  History  one  knows  not  any  graver,  more  noteworthy 

*  Birch,  p.  101 ;  ends  the  Volume. 

t  Colonel  Cook's  Narrative,  in  Rushworth,  vii.,  1344. 

X  Rushworth,  vii.,  1350. 


the  s'jcrilK'ial  Priest,  \\i>'  au;.  ust  .Iiiml:."  pron 
orucKs  to  1.1'  I),  tlu'sc  and  tip.'  at im-i^nis  MiirJcr'j 
dcTs  ot  b\ood  ;  and  it  is  an  owl's  ( yc  that,  exec 
they  wear,  discerns  no  difTcrcnce  in  these ! — Let 
to  his  iiootings;  let  us  get  on  with  our  Chroi 
course  of  events. 

On  Monday f  4th  December,  the  House,  for  the 
*  into  farther  debate '  the  desperate  question,  \ 
jesty's  concessions  in  that  Treaty  of  Newport  { 
settlement  ? — debates  it  all  Monday  ;  has  debat 
and  Saturday  before.  Debates  it  all  Monday,  ' 
next  morning  ;'  at  five  o'clock  next  morning,  deci 
a  Majority  of  Forty-six,  One-hundred  and  twentj 
three,  it  is  at  five  o'clock  on  Tuesday  mornin, 
they  are  a  ground  of  settlement.  The  Army  CI 
nority  consult  together,  in  deep  and  deepes^delib 
the  night ;  not,  I  suppose,  without  Prayer ;  and 
morning  this  is  what  we  see : 

Wednesday,  Gih  December,  1648,  *  CJolonel  Ric 
horses  and  Colonel  Pride's  regiment  of  foot  were 
Parliament;    and  the  City  Trainbands  were  di 


*!--.*    - 


1648.]  COLONEL  PRIDE.  9Sn 

up,  whispers  or  beckons,  "  He  is  one  of  thenn  ;  he  cannot  enter !" 
And  Pride  gives  the  word,  "To  the  Queen's  Court;"  and  Mem- 
ber  after  Member  is  marched  thither.  Forty-one  of  them  this 
day  ;  and  kept  there  in  a  state  bordering  on  rabidity,  asking,  By 
what  Law  ?  and  ever  again.  By  what  Law  ?  Is  there  a  color  or 
faintest  shadow  of  Law,  to  be  found  in  any  of  the  Books,  Year- 
books, Rolls  of  Parliament,  Bractons,  Fletas,  Cokes  upon  Lyttle- 
ton,  for  this '?  Hugh  Peters  visits  them ;  has  little  comfort,  no 
light  as  to  the  Law ;  confesses,  "  It  is  by  the  Law  of  Necessity ; 
truly,  by  the  Power  of  the  Sword." 

It  must  be  owned  the  Constable's  baton  is  fairly  down,  this 
day ;  overborne  by  the  Power  of  the  Sword,  and  a  Law  not  to  be 
found  in  any  of  the  Books.  At  night  the  distracted  Forty-one 
are  marched  to  Mr.  Duke's  Tavern  hard-by,  a  *  Tavern  called 
Hell ;'  and  very  imperfectly  accommodated  for  the  night.  Sir 
Symonds  D'Ewes,  who  has  ceased  taking  notes  long  since  ;  Mr. 
William  Prynne,  louder  than  any  in  the  question  of  Law  ;  Waller, 
Massey,  Harley,  and  others  of  the  old  Eleven,  are  of  this  unlucky 
Forty-one ;  among  whom  too  we  count  little  Clement  Walker  *in  his 
grey  suit  with  his  little  stick,'* — asking  in  the  voice  of  the  indo» 
mitablest  terrier  or  Blenheim  cocker,  "  By  what  Law  ?  I  ask  again, 
By  what  Law  ?"  Whom  no  mortal  will  ever  be  able  to  answer. 
Such  is  the  far-famed  Purging  of  the  House  by  Colonel  Pride. 

This  evening,  while  the  Forty-one  are  getting  lodged  in  Mr. 
Duke's,  Lieutenant-General  Cromwell  came  to  Town.  Ponte- 
fract  Castle  is  not  taken ;  he  has  left  Lambert  looking  after  that, 
and  come  up  hither  to  look  after  more  important  things. 

The  Commons  on  Wednesday  did  send  out  to  demand  *  the 
Members  of  this  House'  from  Colonel  Pride ;  but  Pride  made 
respectful  evasive  answer; — could  not  for  the  moment  comply 
with  the  desires  of  the  honorable  House.  On  the  Thursday  Lieu- 
tenant-General Cromwell  is  thanked ;  and  Pride's  Purge  con- 
tinues :  new  men  of  the  Majority  are  seized  ;  others  scared  away 
need  no  seizing  ; — above  a  Hundred  in  all  ;*  who  are  aent  into 
their  countries,  sent  into  the  Tower ;  sent  out  of  our  way,  and 

•  List  in  Rushworth,  p.  1355. 

t  List  in  Somers  Tracts,  vi.,  37 ; — very  incorrect,  as  all  the  Lists  are. 


Thk  Trial  of  Charles  Stuart    falls  not   to    be   dc 
place  ;  the  deep  meanings  that  lie  in  it  cannot 
glanced  at  here.     Oliver  Cromwell  attends  in  the 
Justice  at  every  session  except  one  ;  Fairfax  sits 
Ludlow,  Whalley,  Walton,  names  known  to  us,  a 
attendants   in   that   High  Court,   during    that    ! 
Month  of  January,  1049.     The  King  is  thrice 
Bar  ;  refuses  to  plead,  comports  himself  with  roy 
royal  haughtiness,  strong  in  his  divine  right ;  '  sn 
uously,  '  looks  with  an  austere  countenance  ;' — dc 
the  very  last,  to  have  fairly  believed  that  they  wo 
tence  him.     But  they  were  men  sufficiently  provid 
men,  we  are  bound  to  see,  who  sat  there  as  in  the 
Maker  of  all  men,  as  executing  the  judgments  of 
and  had  not  the  fear  of  any  man  or  thing  on  th 
Bradshaw  said  to  the  King,  "  Sir,  you  are  not  pc 
out  in  these  discoursings.     This  Court  is  satisfied 
No  Court  will  bear  to  hear  its  authority  questione 
ner." — "  Clerk,  read  the  Sentence  !" — 

And  so,  under  date  29th  January,  1648-9,  the 

riAnnmAnt  tn  >u»  intmdnopH  !    not   SDecificallv  of  i 


1648.]  DEATH-WARRANT.  329 

To  Colonel  Francis  Hackery  Colonel  Huncks,  and  LieuienaiU'Colofiel 

Phayr,  and  lo  every  of  them. 

At  the  High  Court  of  Justice  for  the  Trying 
and  Judging  of  Charles  Stuart,  King  of 
'  England,  29th  January,  1648. 

Whereas  Charles  Stuart,  King  of  England,  is  and  standeth  convicted, 
attainted  and  condemned  of  High  Treason  and  other  high  Crimes ;  and 
Sentence  upon  Saturday  last  was  pronounced  against  him  by  this  Court, 
To  be  put  to  death  by  the  severing  of  his  head  from  his  body  ;  of  which 
Sentence  execution  yet  remaineth  to  be  done : 

These  are  therefore  to  will  and  require  you  to  see  the  said  Sentence 
executed,  in  the  open  Street  before  Whitehall,  upon  the  morrow,  being 
the  Thirtieth  day  of  this  instant  month  of  January,  between  the  hours 
of  Ten  in  the  morning  and  Five  in  the  afternoon,  with  full  efiect.  And 
for  so  doing,  this  shall  be  your  warrant. 

And  these  are  to  require  all  Officers  and  Soldiers,  and  others  the  good 
People  of  this  Nation  of  England,  to  be  assisting  unto  you  in  this 
service. 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals, 

John  Bradshaw. 

Thomas  Grey,  *  Lord  Grobt.' 

Oliver  Cromwell. 

(♦  and  Fifty-six  others.')* 

^^  Ipsis  molossis  ferocioreSf  More  savage  than  their  own  mas* 
tiffs  !"  blirieks  Saumaise  ;f  shrieks  all  the  world,  in  unmelodious 
soul-confasing  diapason  of  distraction, — happily  at  length  grown 
very  faint  in  our  day.  The  truth  is,  no  modem  reader  can 
conceive  the  then  atrocity,  ferocity,  unspeakability  of  this  fact. 
First,  after  long  reading  in  the  old  dead  Pamphlets  does  one  see 
the  magnitude  of  it.  To  be  equalled,  nay  to  be  preferred  think 
some,  in  point  of  horror,  to  *  the  Crucifixion  of  Christ.'  Alas,  in 
these  irreverent  times  of  ours,  if  all  the  Kings  of  Europe  were  to 
be  cut  in  pieces  at  one  swoop,  and  flung  in  heaps  in  St.  Mar- 

•  Rushworth,  vii.,  1426:  Nalson'a  Trial  of  King  Charles  (Londcn,  1C84): 
Phelpes's  Trial  of,  &,c.,  &c. 
t  Salmasii  Clamor  Regii  Sanguinis. 


aSO  PART  IV     SECOND  CIVIL  WAR.  pi 

II.  .  !■ 

garet's  Churchyard  on  the  same  day,  the  emotion  would,  in  strict 
arithmetical  truth,  be  small  in  comparison !  We  know  it  noty 
this  atrocity  of  the  English  Regicides ;  shall  never  know  it.  I 
reckon  it  perhaps  the  most  daring  action  any  Body  of  Men  to  be 
met  with  in  History  ever,  with  clear  consciousness,  deliberately 
set  themselves  to  do.  Dread  Phantoms,  glaring  supernal  on  yoa 
— when  once  they  are  quelled  and  their  light  snuffed  out,  none 
knows  the  terror  of  the  Phantom !  The  Phantom  is  a  poor 
paper-lantern  with  a  candle-end  in  it,  which  any  whipster  dare 
now  beard. 

A  certain  Queen  in  some  South-Sea  Island,  I  have  read  in 
Missionary  Books,  had  been  converted  to  Christianity ;  did  not 
any  longer  believe  in  the  old  gods.  She  assembled  her  people ; 
said  to  them,  <  My  faithful  People,  the  gods  do  not  dwell  in  that 
burning-mountain  in  the  centre  of  our  Isle.  That  is  not  God ; 
no,  that  is  a  common  burning-mountain, — mere  culinary  fire 
burning  under  peculiar  circumstances.  See,  I  will  walk  before 
you  to  that  burning-mountain ;  will  empty  my  washbowl  into 
it,  cast  my  slipper  over  it,  defy  it  to  the  uttermost,  and  stand 
the  consequences!" — She  walked  accordingly,  this  South-Sea 
Heroine,  nerved  to  the  sticking-place ;  her  people  following  in 
pale  horror  and  expectancy :  she  did  her  experiment ;  and,  I 
am  told,  they  have  truer  notions  of  the  gods  in  that  Island  ever 
since.  Experiment  which  it  is  now  very  easy  to  repeat,  and  very 
needless.  Honor  to  the  Brave  who  deliver  us  from  Phantom- 
dynasties,  in  South-Sea  Islands  and  in  North  ! 

This  action  of  the  English  Regicides  did  in  effect  strike  a 
damp  like  death  though  the  heart  of  Flunkeyism  universally  in 
this  world.  Whereof  Flunkeyism,  Cant,  Cloth-worship,  or  what- 
ever ugly  name  it  have,  has  gone  about  incurably  sick  ever  since ; 
and  is  now  at  length,  in  these  generations,  very  rapidly  dying. 
The  like  of  which  action  will  not  be  needed  for  a  thousand  years 
again.  Needed,  alas — not  till  a  new  genuine  Hero-worship  has 
arisen,  has  perfected  itself;  and  had  time  to  degenerate  into  a 
Flunkeyism  and  Cloth- worship  again!  Which  I  take  to  be  a 
very  long  date  indeed. 

Thus  ends  the  Second  Civil  War.     In  Regicide,  in  a  CtHnmoD- 


iwe.] 


DEATH-WARRANT. 


veslth  and  Keepers  of  tho  Liberties  of  England.  In  punishment 
of  Delinquents,  in  aboliiton  of  Cobwebs; — if  it  be  possible,  in 
K  Government  of  Heroism  and  Veracily  ;  at  lowest,  of  Anti- 
Ftunkeyism,  Anti-Cant,  and  tlie  endeavor  aAer  Heroiim  ud 
Vencity. 

TOL.  I.  19 


LETTERS  LYL-Liy. 

On  Tuesday,  30^  January,  1648-0,  it  is  ordered  io  the  OoromcMMi 
House, '  That  the  Post  he  stayed  until  to-morrow  morning,  ten  of 
the  clock :'  and  the  same  aflcmoon,  the  King's  ExecutioQ  having 
now  taken  place,  Edward  Dendy  Sergeant  at  Arms,  with  duo 
trumpeters,  pursuivants  and  horse-troops,  notifies,  loud  as  he  can 
blow,  at  Cheapside,  and  elsewhere,  openly  to  all  men,  That  who* 
soever  shall  proclaim  a  new  King,  Charles  Second  or  aoodier, 
without  authority  of  Parliament,  in  this  Nation  of  England,  shall 
be  a  Traitor  and  suffer  death.  For  which  service,  on  the  morrow, 
each  trumpeter  receives  <  ten  shillings'  of  the  public  money,  and 
Sergeant  Dendy  himself— shall  see  what  he  will  receive.*  And 
all  Sheriffs,  Mayors  of  Towns  and  such  like  are  to  do  the  w$XDfi 
in  their  respective  localities,  that  the  fact  be  known  4o  every  ona* 

After  which  follow,  in  Parliament  and  out  of  it,  such  debat- 
ings,  committee-ings,  consultings  towards  a  Settlement  of  this 
Nation,  as  the  reader  can  in  a  dim  way  sufficiently  fiuioy  finr 
himself  on  considering  the  two  following  facts.  Firsts  That  on 
February  13/A,  Major  Thomas  Scot,  an  honorable  Member 
whom  we  shall  afterwards  know  better,  brings  in  his  Report  or 
Ordinance  for  a  Council  of  State  to  be  henceforth  the  EkX^ 
cutive  among  us ;  which  Council,  to  the  number  of  Forty-one 
Persons,  is  thereupon  nominated  by  Parliament ;  and  begins  its 
Sessions  at  Derby  House  on  the  17th.  Bradshaw,  Fairfiuc,  Crom- 
well, Whitlocke,  Harry  Marten,  Ludlow,  Vane  the  Younger^  and 
others  whom  wc  know,  are  of  this  Council. 

Second,  That,  after  much  adjustment  and  new-modelling,  new 
Great  Seals,  new  Judges,  Sergeants'  Maces,  there  conies  out,  on 
May  19/A,  an  emphatic  Act,  brief  as  Sparta,  in  these  words : 
*  Be  it  declared  and  enacted  by  this  present  Parliament,  and  by 

*  Commons  JoumalB,  vi.,  196;  8oobell's  Aeli  tad  OMtiaaBCts  (LviioD, 
1658, 1657),  ii.,  3. 


CROMWELL'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES. 


PART    V. 

CAUPAiGN  IN  IRELAND. 

1649. 


336  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [I  Fdb. 

the  authority  of  the  same :  That  the  People  of  England,  and  of 
all  the  dominions  and  territories  thereunto  belonging,  are  and 
shall  be,  and  are  hereby  constituted,  made,  established  and 
confirmed  to  be,  A  Commonwealth  or  Free-State;  and  shall 
from  lienceforth  be  governed  as  a  Commonwealth  and  Free- 
State, — by  the  Supreme  Authority  of  this  Nation  the  Represen- 
tatives of  the  People  in  Parliament,  and  by  such  as  they  shall 
appoint  and  constitute  officers  and  ministers  under  them  for  the 
good  of  the  People ;  and  that  without  any  King  or  House  of 
Lords.'* — What  modelling  and  consulting  has  been  needed  in 
the  interim  the  reader  shall  conceive. 

Strangely  enough,  among  which  great  national  transactions 
the  following  small  family-matters  again  turn  up ;  asserting  that 
they  too  had  right  to  happen  in  this  world,  and  keep  menoory  of 
themselves, — and  show  how  a  Lieutenant-General's  mind,  busy 
pulling  down  Idolatrous  Kingships,  and  setting  up  Religions 
Commonwealths,  has  withal  an  idle  eldest  Son  to  marry  ! — 
•  There  occurred  '  a  stick,'  as  we  saw  some  time  agOyj*  in  this 
Marriagc-treaty  :  but  now  it  gathers  life  again  ; — and,  not  to  agi- 
tate the  reader's  sympathies  overmuch,  we  will  say  at  once  that  it 
took  effect  this  time  ;  that  Richard  Cromwell  was  actually  wedded 
to  Dorothy  Mayor,  at  Hursley,  on  Mayday,  1649  ;X  and  one  point 
fairly  settled  at  last ! — But  now  mark  farther  how  Anne,  second 
daughter  of  the  House  of  Hursley,  came  to  be  married  not  long 
afler  to  ^  John  Dunch  of  Pusey  in  Berkshire ;'  which  Dunch  of 
Pusey  had  a  turn  for  collecting  Letters.  How  Dunch,  groping 
about  Hursley  in  subsequent  years,  found  '  Seventeen  Letters  of 
Cromwell,'  and  collected  them,  and  laid  them  up  at  Pusey ;  how, 
after  a  century  or  so,  Horace  Walpole,  likewise  a  collector  of 
Letters,  got  his  eye  upon  them ;  transcribed  them,  imparted  them 
to  dull  Harris.§  From  whom,  accordingly,  here  they  still  are 
and  continue.  This  present  fascicle  of  Ten  is  drawn  principally 
from  the  Pusey  stock ;  the  remainder  will  introduce  themselves 
in  due  course. 

*  Scobell,  ii.,  30 ;  Commons  Journals,  19  May. 

t  Letter  XXXVI.,  p.  247.         f  Noble,  i.,  188.         §  Hanrif,  p.  SOi. 


1640.]  LETTER  LYL,  LONDON. 


LETTER    LVI. 

Colonel  Norton, '  dear  Dick,'  was  purged  out  by  Pride :  laiy 
Dick  and  lazy  Frank  Russel  were  both  purged  out,  or  scared  awmy^ 
and  are  in  the  lists  of  the  Excluded.  Dick,  we  infers  is  now 
somewhat  estranged  from  Cromwell;  probably  both  Dick  and 
Frank  ;  Frank  returned,  Dick  neVer  did.  And  so,  there  being 
now  no  'dear  Norton' on  the  spot,  the  Lieutenant>General  appliea 
to  Mr.  Robinson  the  pious  Preacher  at  Southampton,  of  whom  we 
transiently  heard  already; — a  priest  and  oounseUor,  and 
acting  as  such,  to  all  parties. 

For  my  very  lofting  Friend^  Mr.  Robinsony  Preacher  ai  BrntOktrnj^ 

ton:  TVie. 

*  London,'  1st  February,  1648. 
Sib, 

I  thank  you  for  your  kind  Letter.    As  to  the  business  you 
mention,  I  desire  to  nse  this  plainness  with  yon. 

When  the  last  overture  was,  between  me  and  Mr.  Mayor,  bytfaekbA- 
ness  of  Colonel  Norton^ — after  the  meeting  I  had  with  Mr.  Mayor  at 
Famham,  I  desired  the  Colonel  (finding,  as  I  thoogfat,  some  sernples  in 
Mr.  Mayor),  To  know  of  him  whether  his  mind  was  free  to  the  thingor 
not  Col.  Norton  gave  me  this  acoonnt,  That  Mr.  Mayor,  by  reason  of 
some  matters  as  they  then  stood,  was  not  very  free  theremito.  Wheirs* 
upon  I  did  acquiesce,  submitting  to  the  providence  of  God. 

Upon  your  reviving  of  the  business  to  me,  and  yonr  Letter,  I  think  fit 
to  return  you  this  answer,  and  to  say  in  plainness  of  spirit  to  yon :  That| 
upon  your  testimony  of  the  Gentlewoman's  worth,  sad  the  ftommim 
report  of  the  piety  of  the  family,  I  shall  be  wUling  to  entertain  the  re- 
newing of  the  motion,  upon  such  conditions  as  may  be  to  mutual  salfi- 
faction.  Only  I  think  that  a  speedy  resolutton  will  be  very  eonveoleiDl 
to  both  parties.  The  Lord  direct  aU  to  His  glory. 
I  desire  your  prayers  therein ;  and  rest. 

Your  very  afiectionate  friend, 

Olivxs  Cbokwxix.* 

<  February  1st,' — it  is  Thursday ;  the  Kmg  was  eieouted  cm 
Tuesday :  Robinson  at  Southampton,  I  think,  must  have  been 
writing  at  the  very  time. 

*  Harris,  p.  504;  one  of  die  seventeen  Letters  liKUid  at  Pussf. 


338  PART  V     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [3  Pdh. 

On  Tuesday  night  last,  a  few  hours  after  the  King^s  Execution, 
Marquis  Hamilton  had  escaped  from  Windsor,  and  been  retaken 
in  Southwark  next  morning,  Wednesday  morning.  *  Knooking 
at  a  ■  door,'  he  was  noticed  by  three  troopers ;  who  questioned 
him,  detected  him  ;*  and  bringing  him  to  the  Parliament  Author- 
ities, made  40/.  a-piece  by  him.  lie  will  be  tried  speedily,  by  a 
new  High  Court  of  Justice ;  he  and  others. 


PASS. 

To  all  Officers  and  Soldiers^  and  all  Persons  tohom  these  may  ameam. 

Whereas  John  Stanley  of  Dalegarth,  in  the  County  of  Camberltnd, 
Esquire,  hath  siibficrlbcd  to  his  Compositiou,  and  paid  and  secured  his 
Pine,  accordinj^  to  the  direction  of  Parliament : 

These  arc  to  require  you  to  permit  and  sufier  him  and  his  servants 
quietly  to  pass  into  Dalegarth  above-Baid,  with  their  horses  and  swords, 
and  to  forbear  to  molest  or  trouble  him  or  any  of  his  Family  there : 
without  seizing  or  taking  away  any  of  his  horses,  or  other  goods  or  es- 
tate whatsoever ;  and  to  permit  and  suffer  him  or  any  of  his  Family,  at 
any  time,  to  pass  to  any  place,  about  his  or  their  occasions ;  without  of* 
fering  any  injury  to  him  or  any  of  his  Family,  either  at  Dalegarth,  or  in 
his  or  their  travels :  As  you  will  answer  your  contempt  at  your  utmost 
perils. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  2d  of  February,  1648. 

Oliver  Cromwell.! 

Oliver's  seal  of  '  six  quarterings'  is  at  the  top.  Of  course 
only  the  seal  and  signature  arc  specially  his  :  but  this  one  Pan 
may  stand  here  as  the  sample  of  many  that  were  then  circulaU 
ing, — emblem  of  a  time  of  war,  distress,  uncertainty  and  danger, 
which  then  was. 

The  2d  of  February  is  Friday.  Yesterday,  Thursday,  there 
was  question  in  the  House  of  <  many  Gentlemen  from  the  North- 
em  Counties,  who  do  attend  about  Town  to  make  their  coroposi- 

•  Cromwelliana,  p.  51. 

t  JcfTorson^s  History  and  Antiquities  of  Allerdale  Ward,  Cumberland 
(Carlisle,  1842),  p.  284. 


M49.J  LETTER  LVIL,  LONDOK.  339 

tiooa,'  and  or  what  is  to  be  done  with  ihem.*  The  late  busiaesa 
that  endiid  in  Preston  Fight  had  tmade  many  new  delJnquenis  in 
those  parts  ;  whom  now  we  see  painfully  with  pale  faces  dancing 
attendance  in  Goldsmiths'  Hall, — not  to  say  knocking  imporlu. 
oately  at  doors  in  the  grey  of  the  morning,  in  danger  of  their 
life  !  Stanley  of  Dal^garlh  has  happily  got  his  composition  finbh- 
ed,  his  Pass  signed  by  the  Lieulenairt-General ;  and  may  go 
home  with  subdued  thankfulness  in  a  whole  skin.  Dalegarth 
Hall  is  still  an  estate  or  farm,  in  the  aouthern  extremity  of  Cum- 
berland;  on  the  Esk  river,  in  the  R&venglasa  district ;  not  far 
from  that  small  Lake  which  Tourists  go  to  see  under  the  name 
of  Devock  Water.     Quiet  life  lo  Stanley  there  ! 


LETTER  LVU. 

For  my  wry  wortiy  Friend,  Richard  Maynr,  Esq. :  These. 

•  LoDdon,'  lath  Februarv,  1048,. 
Sib, 

I  received  some  inlimationa  formerly,  and  by  Che  lasB 
retnm  from  SouthamptOD  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Rabinwin,  concerning  tba 
reviving  of  the  lut  year's  mation  touching  my  Son  and  your  Daughter. 
Hr.  RoUdbod  was  also  pleued  to  send  enclosed  in  his  a  Letter  from 
yoa,  bearing  dale  the  5lh  of  this  instant  February,  wherein  I  Rnd  your 
willingnesB  lo  enteruin  any  gtxnl  means  for  tho  completing  of  that 

From  whence  I  take  enconragement  to  send  ray  Son  to  wait  upon 
yon;  and  by  him  to  let  you  know.  That  my  desires  are,  if  Pmvidence 
so  dispose,  very  full  and  free  to  the  thing,— if,  upon  an  interview,  there 
prove  also  a  freedom  in  the  yoang  persona  iliereunto.  VVliat  liberty  yon 
will  give  herein,  I  wholly  submit  to  you, 

I  thought  lit,  in  my  Ijetter  lo  Hr.  Robinson,  to  mention  somewhat  of 
expedition ;  becaose  indeed  I  know  not  how  soon  I  may  bo  called  Into 
the  field,  or  other  occaaioiu  may  remove  me  from  hence  ;  having  for 
the  present  some  Uber^  of  slay  in  London.  The  Lord  direct  all  to  Hia 
gkH7.    I  rest,  Sir, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

OUVEB   CsOMWELL.t 

*  Commons  Journals,  in  He. 
t  Harris,  p.  505 ;  one  of  the  Pnaey  seventeen. 
!«• 


less  paliciiL-e  and  dilliculty.  j)iitclied  up  some  kin 
the  Pa{)ists.  Nuiiciu  Papists  and    l^apists  cf  the 
as  numlxTs  go,  looks  verv  formidable.     One  dc 
soon  one  •  may  be  called  into  the  field.'     Howe 
veral  things  turn  up  to  be  settled  first. 


ORDER. 

On  the  Saturday  17th  February  1648-9,  n 
Monday  19th,  the  Council  of  State  first  met,  to 
and  begin  despatch  of  business.f  Cromwell  se€ 
thedr  first  President.  At  first  it  had  been  decidec 
have  no  constant  President ;  but  afler  a  time,  th 
of  such  a  method  were  seen  into,  and  Bradshaw 
the  office. 

The  Minute-book  of  this  Council  of  State,  wri 
old  hand  of  Walter  Frost,  still  lies  complete  in 
Office :  as  do  the  whole  Records  of  the  Committc 
doms,  of  the  Committee  of  Sequestrations  in  G 
and  many  other  Committees  and  officialities  of  t 
the  long  labor  of  Mr.  Lemon,  these  waste  I 
gathered  into  volumes,  classed,  indexed,  methodis* 
singularly  accessible.     Well  read,  the  thousandtl 


Iflie.]  OltDER.  341 

cord  CommissioD,  had  been  expended  upon  wise  labors  here  ! — ■ 
But  loour  '  Order.' 

Sir  Oliver  Fleming,  a  most  gaseous  but  indisputable  historical 
Figure,  of  uncertain  genesis,  uncertain  habital,  glides  through 
the  old  Books  as  '  Master  of  the  Ceremoniea,' — master  of  one 
knows  not  well  what.  In  the  end  of  1643  he  clearly  is  nomi- 
nated '  Master  of  the  Ceremoniea'  by  Parliament  itseif;*  and  glides 
out  and  in  ever  after,  presiding  over  '  Dutch  AmbassadorSj' 
'  Swedish  Ambassadors'  and  such  like,  to  the  very  end  of  the  Pro- 
tectorate. A  Blessed  Restoration,  of  course,  relieved  him  from 
his  labors.  He,  for  the  present,  wanta  lo  see  some  Books  in  the 
lale  Royal  Library  of  St.  James's.  This  scrap  of  paper  still  lies 
in  the  British  Museum. 

To  llie  KeepfT  of  the  tAhrary  of  St.  Jamts't. 

2aii  Februarj,  1648. 
These  are  to  will  anil  require  yoti,  upon  sight  hereof,  to  deliver  ooto 
Sir  Oliver  Fleming,  or  lo  whom  he  shall  appoint,  two  ot  three  such 
Boohs  S8  he  aliall  choose,  of  which  there  is  a  doable  copy  in  the 
Library;  to  be  by  him  dispoaed 'of  as  there  ghall  be  direction  given 
him  by  the  Council.  Of  which  yoa  are  not  to  fail,  and  for  which  Ibis 
aball  be  your  warrant. 
Given  at  the  Council  of  State,  tliie  33d  day  of  February,  1648. 

In  the  name,  and  eigned  by  Order  of,  the 
CoDDcil  of  Slate  appointed  by  Authority 
of  Parliament, 

Oi-tTEB  Cbonwzll, 

{Prases  pro  fn7ipor«,)f 

There  is  already^  question  of  selling  the  late  King's  Roods, 
crawn-jewels,  plate,  and  '  hangings,'  under  which  latter  title,  we 
suppose,  are  included  his  Pictures,  much  regretted  by  the  British 
connoisseur  at  present.  They  did  not  come  actually  to  market 
tfll  July  next.t 

•  2  November,  104.3,  Commons  Joumila,  iii,,  aOO. 

t  Additional  Ayscough  Hii.,  la.Ogfl. 

X  Scobell,  Part  ii.,  40,  theimmcDM  Act  or  PorliKmeut  for  sale  of  them. 


342  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [22  F«b 


LETTER  LVIII. 

Reverend  Mr.  Stapylton,  of  whom  we  heard  once  beft>re  in 
Edinburgh,  has  been  down  at  Hursley  with  Mr.  Richard  ;  Miss 
Dorothy  received  them  with  her  blushes,  with  her  smiles ;  the 
eider  Mayors  '  with  many  civilities :'  and  the  Marriage-treaty,  as 
Mr.  Stapylton  reports,  promises  well. 

For  my  very  toorthy  Friend^  Richard  Mayor,  Esq, :  7^se. 

*  London,'  20th  Februurj,  1648. 

I  received  yours  by  Mr.  Stapylton  ;  together  with  an 
account  of  the  kind  reception  and  the  many  civilities  a^rded '  to ' 
them,* — especially  to  my  Son,  in  the  liberty  given  him  to  wait  upon 
your  worthy  Daughter.  The  report  of  whose  virtue  and  godliness  has 
so  great  a  place  in  my  heart,  that  I  think  fit  not  to  neglect  anything,  on 
my  part,  which  may  consummate  a  close  of  the  business,  if  God  please 
to  dispose  the  young  ones*  hearts  thereunto,  and  other  suitaUe  ordering 
'  of  affiiirs  towards  mutual  satisfaction  appear  in  the  dispensation  of 
Providence. 

For  which  purpose,  and  to  the  end  matters  may  be  brought  to  as  near 
an  issue  as  they  are  capable  of, — not  being  at  liberty,  by  reason  of 
public  occasions,  to  wait  upon  you,  nor  your  health,  as  I  understand, 
permitting  it, — ^I  thought  fit  to  send  this  Grentleman,  Mr.  Stapylton, 
instructed  with  my  mind,  to  see  how  near  we  may  come  to  an  under- 
standing one  of  another  therein.  And  although  I  could  have  wished 
the  consideration  of  things  had  been  between  us  two,  it  being  of  so 
near  concernment, — ^yet  Providence  for  the  present  not  allowing,  I  desire 
you  to  give  him  credence  on  my  behalf. 

Sir,  all  things  which  yourself  and  I  had  in  conference,  at  Famham, 
do  not  occur  to  my  memory,  thorough  multiplictty  of  business  inter* 
yening.  I  hope  I  shall  with  a  very  free  heart  testify  my  readiness  to 
that  which  may  be  expected  from  me. 

I  have  no  more  at  present :  but  desiring  the  Lord  to  order  this  aflSur 
to  His  glory  and  the  comfort  of  His  servants,  I  rest. 

Sir, 

Yoor  humble  Servant, 

Oliver  CBoafwsLi..f 

*  To  Richard  Cromwell  and  him. 

t  Harris,  p.  505 ;  one  of  the  Pusey  seventeen :  Signature  only  is  in 
Cromwell's  hand. 


LETTER  LIX..  LONDON. 


LETTER  UX. 


This  Thursday,  8lh  March,  164S-9,  they  are  voting  and  debating 
in  a  thin  House,  hardly  above  60  there,  Whether  Duke  Hamil- 
ton, Earl  Holland,  Lords  Capel,  Goring,  and  Sir  John  Owen, — 
our  old  friend  '  Colonel  Owen  '  of  Nottingham  Castle,  Jenner  and 
Ashe's  old  friend,' — are  lo  die  or  to  live  ? 

They  have  hcen  tried  in  a  new  High  Court  of  Juatice,  and  all 
found  guilty  of  treason,  of  levying  war  against  the  Supreme 
Authority  of  this  Nation.  Shall  ihey  be  executed;  shall  lh«y  be 
respited  ?  The  House  by  small  Majorities  decides  agaiiul  the 
first  three  ;  decides  in  favor  of  the  last ;  and  aa  to  Goring,  the 
Toles  are  equal, — the  balance. tongue  trembles,  "  Life  or  Death  !" 
Speaker  Leuthal!  says,  Life.-f 

Meanwhile,  small  private  matters  also  must  be  attended  to. 

For  my  very  worthy  Friend,  Riehard  Mayor,  Eiquirt :   Theie. 

'  I.ondon,'  8th  March,  164B. 
Sib, 

Yours  I  have  received;  and  have  given  &ither 
UBtructioDs  to  this  Bearer,  Mr.  Stapyllon,  to  treat  with  yon  about  the 
bnainess  in  agitation  between  your  Daughter  and  my  Son. 

I  am  engaged;  (o  you  for  all  your  civilitiee  and  respects  ajready 
manirested.  1  trust  there  will  be  a  right  underetanding  between  na, 
and  a  good  concluHion ;  and  though  I  cannot  particnlariy  remember  the 
things  spoken  of  at  Farnbam,  to  which  your  Letter  seems  to  refer  me, 
yet  I  doubt  not  but  I  hnve  sent  tlie  ofler  of  such  things  now  as  will  ^ve 
mntual  Eatisfactlon  to  us  both.  My  attendance  upon  public  aSairs  will 
not  give  me  leave  to  come  down  unto  you  myself;  I  have  sent  unto  yon 
this  Gentleman  with  my  mind. 

I  salote  Mrs.  Mayor,  though  nnknown,  with  the  rest  of  yoor  Family. 
I  commit  you,  with  the  progress  of  the  Business,  to  the  Lord;  and  rest. 
Sir, 
Yonr  aasured  friend  to  serve  you, 

OLIVEa    CtlO.MWSLL.{ 

On  the  morrow  morning,  poor  versatile  Hamilton,  poor  versa- 
tile Holland,  with  the  Lord  Capel  who  the  first  of  all  in  this  Par. 

t  Commons  Joumils,  vi.,  15S. 
^  Harris,  p.  906 ;  ona  aT  the 


344  PART  v.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.         [14  Mareh. 

liament  rose  to  complain  of  GrievaDces,  meet  their  death  in  Palaoe- 
yard.  The  High  Court  was  still  sitting  in  Westminster  Hall  as 
they  passed  through  '  from  Sir  Robert  Cotton's  house.'  Hamil- 
ton  lingered  a  little,  or  seemed  to  linger,  in  the  Hall ;  still  hope- 
ful of  reprieve  and  fine  of  100,000/. :  but  the  Earl  of  Denbigh, 
his  brother-in-law,  a  Member  of  the  Council  of  State,  stept  up  to 
him  ;  whispered  in  his  ear ;  the  poor  Duke  walked  on.  That  b 
the  end  of  all  his  diplomacies ;  his  Scotch  Army  of  Forty-thou- 
sand, his  painful  ridings  to  Uttoxeter,  and  to  many  other  places, 
have  all  issued  here.  The  Earl  of  Lanark  will  now  be  Duke  of 
Hamilton  in  Scotland  :  may  a  better  fate  await  him  ! 

The  once  gay  Earl  of  Holland  has  been  '  converted '  some 
days  ago,  as  it  were  for  the  nonce, — poor  Earl !  With  regard  to 
my  Lord  Capel  again,  who  followed  last  in  order,  he  behaved, 
says  Bulstrode,  <  much  afler  the  manner  of  a  stout  Roman.  He 
'  had  no  Minister  with  him,  nor  showed  any  sense  of  death  ap- 
proaching ;  but  carried  himself  all  the  time  he  was  upon  the  scaf- 
fold with  that  boldness  and  resolution  as  was  to  be  admired.  He 
wore  a  sad-colored  suit,  his  hat  cocked  up,  and  his  cloak  thrown 
under  one  arm  :  he  looked  towards  the  people  at  his  first  coming 
up,  and  put  off  his  hat  in  manner  of  a  salute  ;  he  had  a  little  dis- 
course with  some  gentlemen,  and  passed  up  and  down  in  a  care- 
less posture.""  Thus  died  Lord  Capel,  the  first  who  complained 
of  Grievances  :  in  seven  years  time  there  are  such  changes  for  a 
man  ;  and  the  first  acts  of  his  Drama  little  know  what  the  last 
will  be ! — 

This  new  High  Court  of  Justice  is  one  of  some  Seven  or  Eight 
that  sat  in  those  years,  and  were  greatly  complained  of  by  Con- 
stitutional persons.  Nobody  ever  said  that  they  decided  contrary 
to  evidence  ;  but  they  were  not  the  regular  Judges.  They  took 
the  Parliament's  law  as  good,  without  consulting  Fleta  and  Brae- 
ton  about  it.  They  consisted  of  learned  Sergeants  and  other 
weighty  persons  nominated  by  the  Parliament,  usually  in  good 
numbers,  for  the  occasion. 

Some  weeks  hence,  drunken  Foyer  of  Pembroke  and  the  con- 
fused Welsh  Colonels  are  tried  by  Court  Martial ;  Foyer,  Powel, 

*  Whitlocke,  p.  380  {thefint  of  the  two  pages  380  which  there  are). 


1M9.]  LETTER  LX.,  LONDON  MS 

Laughera  are  found  to  merit  death.  Death  however  Bhall  be 
executed  only  upon  one  of  tliem  ;  lei  the  otlier  two  be  pardoned : 
let  them  draw  lots  which  two.  '  In  two  of  the  lots  was  wriiien, 
Life  given  by  Gorl ;  the  third  lot  was  a  blank.  The  Prisoners 
were  not  willing  to  draw  their  own  destiny  j  but  a  child  drew  the 
lots,  and  gave  them :  and  the  lot  fell  to  Colonel  Poyer  to  dio."* 
He  was  shot  in  Covcnt  Garden  ;  died  like  a  soldier,  poor  confused 
Welshman  ;  and  so  ended. 

And  with  these  executions,  the  chief  Delinquents  are  now  got 
punished.  The  Parliament  lays  up  its  aie  again  j  willing  to 
pardon  ihe  smaller  multitude,  if  they  will  keep  quiel  benccforlh. 


LETTER  LX. 


■  London,'  Hlh  Mucb,  leiS. 
Bib, 

I  Dnderstand  one  MrsTNutling  is  >  Bnilor  unto  you,  on  the 
right  of  her  Son,  about  tlie  renewing  of  a  Lease  which  holds  of  your 
College.  The  old  inlerest  I  have  hsd  makes  me  piesume  npon  year 
fevor.  I  deaire  nothing  but  what  is  just ;  leaving  that  lo  your  jtidgmeot ; 
and  beyond  which  I  neither  now  nor  at  any  time  shall  move.  If  1  do, 
deni^  Bliall  be  most  welcome  and  accepted  by. 
Sir, 
Your  aflectionale  servant, 

OlIVEB  CtlO)IW£I.L.f 

This  is  not  the  Christopher  Love  who  preached  at  Uibridge, 
during  the  Treaiy  there  in  1644  ;  who  la  now  a  minister  in  Lou. 
don,  and  may  again  come  belbre  u.s  ;  this  is  a  Cambridge  '  Dr. 
Love,'  of  whom  I  know  nothing.  Oliver,  as  we  may  gather,  had 
befriended  him,  during  the  reform  of  that  University  in  1644- 
Probably  in  Baker's  Manuscripts  it  might  be  ascertained  in  what 
year  he  graduated,  where  he  was  bom,  where  buried  ;  but  no- 
thing substantial  is  ever  likely  to  be  known  of  him,— or  is  indeed 

•Whidocke,  21  April,  1849.  \  Laoedosf  ana..  1236,  fol.  63. 


346  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [U  Mar 

necessary  to  be  known.  *  Mrs.  Nutting '  and  he  were  evidently 
children  of  Adam,  breathing  the  vital  air  along  with  Oliver  Crom- 
well ;  and  Oliver,  on  occasion,  endeavored  to  promote  justice 
and  kindness  between  them  ;  and  they  remain  two  '  shadows  of 
small  Names.' 

Yesterday,  Tuesday,  ISth  March,  there  was  question  in  the 
Council  of  State  about '  modelling  of  the  forces  that  are  to  go  to 
Ireland  ;'  and  a  suggestion  was  made,  by  Fairfax  probably,  who 
had  the  modelling  to  do,  that  they  would  model  much  better  if 
they  knew  first  under  what  Commander  they  were  to  go.*  It  is 
thought  Lieutcnant-General  Cromwell  will  be  the  man. 

On  which  same  evening,  furthermore,  one  discerns  in  a  faint 
but  an  authentic  manner,  certain  dim  gentlemen  of  the  highest 
authority,  young  Sir  Harry  Vane  to  appearance  one  of  them,, 
repairing  to  the  lodging  of  one  Mr.  Milton,  '  a  small  house  in 
Holborn  which  opens  backwards  into  Lincoln's  Inn  Field ;'  to 
put  an  official  question  to  him  there !  Not  a  doubt  of  it  they 
saw  Mr.  John  this  evening.  In  the  official  Book  this  yet  stands 
legible  : 

« Die  Martis,  13*>  MarUi  1648.'  *  That  it  is  referred  to  the 
*  same  Committee,'  Whitlocke,  Vane,  Lord  Lisle,  Eiarl  of  Denbigh, 
Harry  Marten,  Mr.  Lisle,  *  or  any  two  of  them,  to  speak  with 
Mr.  Milton,  to  know.  Whether  he  will  be  employed  as  Secretary 
for  the  Foreign  Languages  ?  and  to  report  to  the  Council.'f  I 
have  authority  to  say  that  Mr.  Milton,  thus  unexpectedly  applied 
to,  consents  ;  is  formally  appointed  on  Tuesday  next ;  makes  his 
proof-shot,  *  to  the  Senate  of  Hamburgh, ':|:  about  a  week  hence ; — 
and  gives,  and  continues  to  give,  great  satisfaction  to  that  Coun- 
cil, to  me,  and  to  the  whole  Nation  now,  and  to  all  Nations ! 
Such  romance  lies  in  the  State-Paper  Office. 

Here,  however,  is  another  Letter  on  the  Hursley  BusinesSy  of 
the  same  date  as  Letter  LX. ;  which  must  also  be  read.  I  do  not 
expect  many  readers  to  take  the  trouble  of  representing  befinre 

•  Order-Book  of  the  Council  of  State  (in  the  State-paper  Office),  i.,  86. 

t  Ibid. ;  Todd's  Life  of  Milton  (London,  1826),  pp.  96,  108-123. 

X  Senatus  Populusque  Anglicanus  Amplisaimo  Civitatit  Hamburgen' 
ais  Senatui,  Salutem  (in  Milton's  LUera  Senatus  AnglUani,  this  Jint 
Letter  to  the  Hamburgers  is  not  given). 


1049.1  LETTER  LXI.,  LONDON.  3*1 

their  minds  the  clear  condition  of '  Mr.  Ludlow's  lease,'  of '  the 
860/.'  '  the  150?.'  &c.,  in  this  abstruse  aiTair  :  but  such  as  [tlease 
to  do  so  will  find  it  all  very  slraight  at  last.  '  We  observe  Mr. 
Mayor  has  a  decided  preference  for  '  my  ould  laTid  ;'  land  that 
I  inherited,  or  bought  by  common  ooniraet,  instead  of  getting  il 
from  Parliament  for  Public  Services  !  lu  fiiot,  Mr.  Mayor  seems 
somewhat  of  a  sharp  man  :  but  neither  has  he  a  dull  man  to  deal 
irith — though  a  much  bigger  one. 


LETTER  LXI. 
'  For  m<i  ivoTlhy  Frietid,  Richard  Mayor,  Esquirt,  at  HarsUy :  That ;' 

'  London,'  1-lth  March.  1048. 

8m, 

I  received  your  Paper  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Stapyltim.  I 
desire  your  leave  to  return  my  diaeHtisfACtion  tberewitb.  I  ahalj  not 
need  to  prpmiBe  how  much  I  have  desired  (I  hope  upon  tlie  best  gmunds) 
to  match  with  you.  Tlie  name  desire  continues  in  me,  if  Providence 
see  it  fiL  But  I  may  sot  be  bo  much  wanting  to  myself  nor  family 
as  not  to  have  some  equality  of  conaideniLioii  tosvards  it.* 

I  have  two  young  Daughters  to  bestow,  if  Gul  give  them  life  and 
oppoTtiinity,  AcL'onling  to  yourOffer,  I  have  nothing  for  them ;  nothing 
at  all  in  hand.  If  my  son  die,  what  consideration  is  there  to  me  ?  And 
yet  a  jointure  patted  with  '  on  my  side.'  If  she  die,  there  is  '  on  yonr 
aide'  little  'money  parted  with;'  'even'  if  yon  have  an  heir  male, 
'  there  is '  but  3,0001.,  ■  and '  without  time  ascertaincd.f 

As  for  these  things,  '  indeed,'  I  doubt  not  hut,  by  one  interview  be- 
tween you  and  myself,  they  might  be  accommodated  to  nmtual  satiBfte- 
tjon ;  and  in  relation  to  tiiese,  I  think  we  ehoiild  hardly  part,  or  have 
many  words,  so  much  do  I  deeire  a  closure  with  you.  But  to  deal  freely 
with  you :  the  settling  of  the  Mnnor  of  Hursley,  as  yon  propose  it,  elicka 
so  much  with  me,  that  either  I  understand  you  not,  or  else  it  much  lails 
my  expectation.  As  you  offer  il,  there  is  4001.  ^m-niinum  charged  upon 
it  For  the  15o;.  to  your  Lady,  for  her  life,  as  a  jointure,  I  stick  not  at 
that:  but  the  2501.  per  annum  until  Mr.  Ludlow's  Lease  expires,  the 
tenor  whereof  I  kuow  not,  and  so  much  of  the  2M(.  jifr  annum  as  ex 
ceede  tliat  I^aec  in  annual  value  for  some  lime  also  after  the  expiration 

*  ■  if  il  not  the  family,  but  the  match.        t  See  Letter  XXXVl.,  p.  347. 


348  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [U  Mv. 


of  the  said  Lease,"" — gives  such  a  maim  to  the  Manor  of  Huraley  as  in- 
deed renders  the  rest  of  the  Manor  very  inconsiderable. 

Sir,  if  I  concur  to  deny  myself  in  point  of  present  monies,  as  also  in 
the  other  things  mentioned,  as  aforesaid,  I  may  and  do  expect  the  Manor 
of  Hursley  to  be  settled  without  any  charge  upon  it,  after  your  decease, 
saving  your  Lady's  jointure  of  150/.  per  annum, — which  if  you  should 
think  fit  to  increase,  I  should  not  stand  upon  it.  Your  own  Estate  is 
best  known  to  you :  but  surely  your  personal  estate,  being  free  for  yoo 
to  dispose,  will,  with  some  small  matter  of  addition,  beget  a  nearness  of 
equality, — if  I  hear  well  from  others.  And  if  the  difference  were  not 
very  considerable,  I  should  not  insist  upon  it. 

What  you  demand  of  me  is  very  high  in  all  points.  I  am  willing  to 
settle  as  you  desire  in  everything ;  saving  for  maintenance  4002.  per 
annum,  300/.  per  annum,  j  I  would  have  somewhat  free,  to  be  thanked 
by  them  for.  The  300/.  per  annum  of  my  old  land|  for  a  jointure,  after 
my  Wife's  decease,  I  shall  settle ;  and  in  the  meantime  '  a  like  som ' 
out  of  other  lands  at  your  election :  and  truly.  Sir,  if  that  be  not  good, 
neither  will  any  lands,  I  doubt.  I  do  not  much  distrust,  your  principles 
in  other  things  have  actedj  you  towards  confidence. — You  demand  in 
case  my  Son  have  none  issue  male  but  only  daughters,  then  the  *  Crom- 
weir  Lands  in  Ilantshire,  Monmouth,  and  Gloucester-shire  to  descend 
to  these  daughters,  or  else  3,000/.  apiece.  The  first  would  be  most  un- 
equal ;  the  latter  *  also'  is  too  high.  They  will  be  well  provided  for  by 
being  inheritrixes  of  their  Mother;  and  I  am  willing  Mhat'  2,0002. 
apiece  be  charged  upon  those  lands  '  for  them.' 

Sir,  I  cannot  but  with  very  many  thanks  acknowledge  your  good 
opinion  of  me  and  of  my  Son ;  as  also  your  great  civilities  towards  him ; 
and  your  Daughter's  good  respects, — whose  goodness,  though  known  to 
me  only  at  a  distance  and  by  the  report  of  otliers,  I  much  value.  And 
indeed  that  causeth  me  so  cheerfully  to  deny  myself  as  I  do  in  the  point 

•  *  Ludlow's  Lease,*  &c.,  is  not  very  plain.  The  'tenor  of  Ludlow's 
Lease !'  is  still  less  known  to  us  than  it  was  to  the  Lieutenant- General !  Thus 
much  is  clear :  2.30-f  150=400  pounds  are  to  bo  paid  off  Hursley  Manor  by 
Richard  and  his  Wife,  which  gives  a  sad  '  maim '  to  it.  When  Ludlow's 
Lease  falls  in,  there  will  be  some  increment  of  benefit  to  the  Manor ;  but  we 
are  to  derive  no  advantage  from  that,  we  are  still  to  pay  the  surplus  *  for 
some  time  after.* 

f  Means,  in  its  desperate  haste :  '  except  that  instead  of  400/.  per  annum 
for  maintenance,  we  must  say  300/.' 

X  Better  than  Parliament-land,  thinks  Mayor !  Oliver  too  prefers  it  for 
his  Wife  ;  but  thinks  all  land  will  have  a  chance  to  go,  if  that  go. 

§  Actuated  or  impelled. 


HM8.1  LETTER  LXII,,  LONDON.  340 

of  moniea,  and  bo  willtagly  lo  comply  in  other  things.  But  if  I  should 
not  iusjet  as  above,  1  should  in  a  greater  measure  Chan  were  meet 
deny  both  my  own  reason  and  Uie  advice  of  my  friends ;  whicli  I  mnj 
not  do.  Indeed,  Sir,  I  have  notclneed  with  a  far  greater  Ofler  of  estate  j 
bat  chose  rather  to  fix  here :  1  hope  I  have  not  beeo  waaling  to  Provi- 
dence in  this. 

I  have  made  myself  plain  to  you.     Desiring  you  will  niake  my  Son 
the  messenger  of  your  pleasure  and  resolution  iierein  ae  speedily  u 
with  cooveniency  you  may,  I  lake  leave, 
And  rest, 

Your  affijcliooale  cervant, 

OiAixB.  Cbouweij.. 

I  desire  my  service  may  be  presented  to  yaat  Lady  and  Dauglilers.* 

On  the  morrow,  which  is  Monday  the  15th,  day  of  John  Mil- 
ton's nomination  to  be  Secretary,  Lieu  ten  ant-General  Cromwell 
was  noininaied  ComiiiaiideF  for  Ireland  ;  salisfaclory  appoinlincnta 
both. 

LETTER  LXII. 

Tbe  Lieutenant- Gen  era!  is  in  hot  haste  lo-day  ;  sonds  a  brief 
Letter  '  by  your  Kinsman,'  consenting  to  almost  everything. — 
Mayor,  as  we  saw  before,  decidedly  prefers  '  my  ould  land  '  lo 
uncertain  Parliamentary  land.  Oliver  (see  last  Letter)  offered  to 
settle  the  800/.  of  jointure  upon  his  old  land,  afWr  his  Wife's 
decease;  he  now  agrees  that  half  of  it,  150/.,  shall  lie  settled 
directly  out  of  the  old  land,  and  the  other  half  out  of  what  Par> 
liamentary  land  Mayor  may  like  best. — The  Letter  breathes  haste 
in  every  line  ;  but  hits,  with  a  firm  knock,  in  Cromwell's  way, 
the  essential  nails  on  their  head,  as  it  hurries  on. 

'  Your  Kinsman,'  who  carries  this  Letter,  lunia  out  by  and 
by  lo  tie  a  Mr.  Barton  ;  a  man  somewhat  particular  in  his  ways 
of  viewing  matters  :  unknown  otherwise  lo  all  men.  The  Lieu- 
tenant-General  getting  his  Irish  Appointment  confirmed  in  Par- 
liament, and  the  conditions  of  it  sctlled,f  is  naturally  very  busy. 


350  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [95 

Far  my  tDoriky  Friend^  Richard  Mayors  Esquire^  at 

Hursley :   These. 

'  London,*  25th  March,  1G49. 

You  will  pardon  the  brevity  of  these  lines ;  the  hasta  I  am 
in,  by  reason  of  business,  occasions  it.  To  testify  the  earnest  deaiie  I 
have  to  sec  a  happy  period  to  this  Treaty  between  ub,  I  give  yoa  to 
understand, 

That  I  agree  to  150/.  per  annum  out  of  the  300/.  per  annum  of  my  M 
land  for  your  Daughter's  jointure,  and  the  other  150/.  where  you  please. 
'  Also'  400/.  for  present  maintenance  where  you  shall  chooee ;  either  in 
Hantshire,  Gloucester-  or  Monmouth-shire.  Those  lands  '  to  be'  settled 
upon  my  Son  and  his  heirs  nude  by  your  Daughter ;  and  in  case  of 
daughters,  only  2,000/.  apiece  to  be  charged  upon  those  lands. 

'  On  the  other  hand,'  400/.  per  annum  free*  to  raise  portions  ftn  my 
two  Daughters.  I  expect  the  Manor  of  Hursley  to  be  settled  upon  yoor 
Daughter  and  her  heirs,  the  heirs  of  her  body. '  Yonr  Lady  a  jointure 
of  150/.  per  annum  out  of  it.  For  compensation  to  yonr  yoonger 
Daughter,  I  agree  to  leave  it  in  your  power,  after  your  decease,  to 
charge  it  with  as  much  as  will  buy  in  the  Lease  of  the  Farm  at  Alllngt- 
tonf  by  a  just  computation.  I  expect,  so  long  as  they 'the  young 
couple '  live  with  you,  their  diet,  as  you  expressed ;  or  in  case  of  volnn- 
tary  parting  *  from  you,'  150/.  per  annum.  *  You  are  to  give '  3^0002.  in 
case  you  have  a  Son  \l  to  be  paid  in  two  years  next  following.  'In  case 
your  Daughter  die  without  issue, — 1,000/.  within  six  months  '  of  the 
marriage.' 

Sir,  if  this  satisfy,  I  desire  a  speedy  resolution.  I  should  the  radier 
desire  so  because  of  what  your  Kinsman  can  satisfy  yon  in.  The  Lord 
bless  you,  and  your  Family,  to  whom  I  desire  my  afl^tions  and  service 
may  be  presented.    I  rest, 

Yonr  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.} 

Your  Kinsman  can  in  part  satisfy  you  what  a  multiplicity  of 
business  we  are  in :  modelling  the  Army  for  Ireland  ; — ^which 

*  Means,  <  shall  be  settled  on  Richard  and  his  Wife,  that  I  msj  be 
enabled' 

f  •  Ludlow's  Lease,'  I  fancy.  Anne  Mayor,  •  your  younger  Daughter/ 
married  Dunch  of  Pusey ;  John  Dunch,  to  whom  we  owe  these  seventeen 
Letters.     See  also  Letter  27  August,  1657. 

X  Grandson,  t.  e. : '  die,'  in  the  next  sentence,  means  more  properly  Ivve. 

§  Harris,  p.  508  ;  one  of  the  seventeen 


1649.]  LETTER  LXIII.,  LONDON.  351 

indeed  is  a  most  delicate  dangerous  opeiatioa,  full  of  difficulties 
perhaps  but  partly  known  tu  your  Kiustnau  ! 

For,  in  these  days,  John  Lilburn  is  again  growing  very  noisy  ; 
bringing  out  Pamphlets,  Englan/Vst  New  Chains  Discovered,  in 
several  Parts.  As  IJItewise,  The  Hunting  of  the  Foxes  from  Trip- 
he  Heath  to  Whitehall  by  Five  Small  Beagks*—]\ie  tracking  out 
of  Oliver  Cromwell  and  his  Grandees,  onward  from  their  rendez- 
vous at  Royslon  or  Triploe,  all  the  way  lo  iheir  present  lodge- 
ment in  Whitehall  and  the  seat  of  authority.  '  Five  small  Bea- 
gles,' Five  vociferous  petitionary  Troopers,  of  Ihe  Levelling 
species,  who  for  their  high  carriage  and  mutinous  ways  have  been 
set  to  '  ride  the  wooden  horse  '  lately.  Do  military  men  of  these 
times  understand  the  wooden  horse  ?  He  is  a  mere  triangular 
ridge  or  roof  of  wood,  set  on  four  sticks,  witli  absurd  head  and 
tail  superadded  ;  and  you  ride  him  bare-backed,  in  the  fat;e  of 
the  world,  frequently  with  muskets  lied  lo  your  feel, — in  a  very 
uneasy  manner!  To  Litiulenant-Colond  Lilburn  and  these  small 
Beagles  il  is  manifest  we  are  getting  into  New  Chains,  not  a  jot 
better  than  the  old  ;  and  certainly  Foxes  ought  to  be  hunted  and 
tracked.  Three  of  the  Beaglea,  the  bcst-nosed  and  loudest-lonod, 
by  names  Richard  Overton,  William  Walwyn,  Thomas  Prince, — 
these,  with  Lieutenant- Colonel  Lilburn,  huntsman  of  the  pack, 
are  shortly  after  this  lodged  in  the  Tower  ;t  '  committed  to  llio 
Lieutenant,'  to  bo  in  mild  but  safe  keeping  with  thai  officer. 
There  is,  in  fact,  a  very  dangerous  leaven  in  the  Army,  and  in 
the  Levelling  Public  at  present,  which  thinks  wiih  itself:  God's 
enemies  having  been  foughtdown,  chief  Delinquents  all  punished, 
and  the  Godly  Party  made  tri\imphant,  why  does  not  some  Millen- 


LETTER  LXIir. 

'  Compensation,'  here  touched  upon,  is  the  '  oompensation  to 
your  younger  daughter'  mentioned  in  last  Letter;  burden  settled 
on  Hursley  Manor,  '  after  your  decease,'  'to  buy  in  the  Lease  of 


352  PART  v.     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [6  April, 


way ;  which  * 


Allington  Farm.'     Mayor  wants  it  another 
truly  inconvenient/  and  in  brief  cannot  be. 

For  my  worthy  Friend^  Richard  Mayor,  Esquire^  ai 

Hursley :  These, 

'  London,'  30th  Much.  1649. 

SiK, 

I  received  yours  of  the  28th  instant.  I  desire  the  rnttter  of 
compensation  may  be  as  in  my  last  to  you.  You  propoee  another  way; 
which  seems  to  me  truly  inconvenient 

I  have  agreed  to  all  other  things,  as  yon  take  me,  and  that  rightly, 
repeating  particulars  in  your  Paper.  The  Lord  dispoee  this  great 
Business  (great  between  you  and  me)  for  good. 

You  mention  to  send  by  the  Post  on  Tuesday.*  I  shall  speed  things 
here  as  I  may.  I  am  designed  for  Ireland,  which  will  he  speedy.  I 
should  be  very  glad  to  see  things  settled  before  I  go,  if  the  Lord  wiD. 
My  service  to  all  your  Family.    I  rest. 

Sir, 
Your  afiectionate  servant, 

'Oliver  CROKwzi^'f 


LETTER  LXIV. 

Who  the  Lawyer,  or  what  the  '  arrest  *  of  him  is,  which  occa- 
sions new  expense  of  time,  I  do  not  know.  On  the  whole,  one 
begins  to  wish  Richard  well  wedded  ;  but  the  settlements  do  still 
a  little  stick,  and  we  must  have  patience. 

For  my  worthy  Friend,  Richard  Mayor,  Esquire^  at 

Hursley:  These. 

*  London/  6th  April,  1649. 
Sm, 

I  received  your  Papers  enclosed  in  your  Letter ;  although 

I  know  not  how  to  make  so  good  use  of  them  as  otherwise  might  have 

been,  to  have  saved  expense  of  tune,  if  the  arrest  of  your  Lawjrer  had 

not  fallen  out  at  this  time. 

I  conceive  a  draught,  to  your  satisfaction,  by  your  own  Lawyer,  would 

•  The  30th  of  March  is  Friday ;  Tuesday  is  the  3d  of  ApriL 
t  Harris,  p.  508. 


1649.]  LETTER  LXV.,  LONDON.  333 

have  saved  much  time ;  which  to  me  ia  precious.  I  hope  jon  will  send 
eome  '  one '  up,  perfectly  inslnicled.  I  shall  eadeavor  to  Epeed  what  ia 
to  be  done  on  my  part ;  not  knowing  bow  eoon  I  may  be  sent  down 
towards  my  charge  for  Ireland.  Andl  hope  loperibrm punctually  with  yon. 
Sir,  my  Son  hod  a,  great  desire  to  come  down  and  wait  upoD  your 
Danghler.  I  perceive  lie  minda  that  more  than  to  attend  to  businen 
here.*  I  should  tie  glad  to  see  him  settled,  and  all  things  liniahcd  be- 
fore I  go.  I  trust  not  to  be  wanting  therein.  The  Lord  direct  all  out 
hearts  into  Ills  good  pleasure.    I  rest, 

Six, 
Your  affectionate  servant, 

Oliver  CRomwsLL.t 
My  seirice  to  your  Lady  and  Family. 

There  is  much  to  be  settled  before  I  can  '  be  seol  down  to  my 
charge  for  Ireland.'  The  money  ia  not  yet  got ; — and  the  Amiy 
has  ingredients  difficult  to  model.  Next  week,  &  Parliamentary 
Committee,  one  of  whom  is  the  Lieulenant-General,  and  another 
is  Sir  Harry  Vane,  have  to  go  to  the  City,  and  try  if  they  will 
lend  us  120,000/.  for  this  business.  Much  speaking  in  the  Guild- 
hall there,  in  part  by  Cromwcll.^f  The  City  will  lend  ;  and  now 
if  the  Army  were  onoe  nwdolled,  and  ready  to  march 1 — 


LETTER  LXV. 

Here,  at  any  rale,  is  the  end  of  the  Marriage-treaty, — not  even 
Mr.  Barton,  with  hjs  peculiar  ways  of  viewing  matters,  shall  now 
delay  it  long. 

For  my  imrlhy  Friertd,  Richard  Mayor,  Esquire:  Thete. 

'  London,'  ISth  April,  1640. 
Snt, 

Your  Kinsmnn  Mr.  Barton  and  myself,  repairing  to  onr  Coun- 
•el,  for  the  perTecling  of  this  Business  eo  much  concerning  us,  did,  upon 
Salorday  Ihis  15th  of  April,  draw  our  Counsel  to  a  meeting:  where, 

•  The  dog !  t  Harris,  p.  509. 

t  12th  April,  1649,  Newspsperi  (in  Crumwelllatia,  p.  95). 


354  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [15  April, 

upon  consideration  had  of  my  Letter  to  yourself  expressing  my  conseDt 
to  particulars,  which  *  Letter'  Mr.  Barton  brought  to  your  Counsel  Mr, 
Hales  of  Lincoln's  Inn ;''' — upon  the  reading  that  which  ezpresseth  the 
way  of  your  settling  Hursley,  your  Kinsman  expressed  a  sense  of  youn 
contrary  to  the  Paper  in  my  hand,  as  also  to  that  under  your  band*  of 
the  28th  of  March,  which  was  the  same  as  mine  as  to  that  particular. 

Inf  that  which  I  myself  am  to  do,  I  know  nothing  of  doubt,  but  do 
agree  it  all  to  your  Kinsman's  satisfaction.  Nor  is  there  much  uuiterial 
difference  *  between  us,'  save  in  this, — wherein-  both  my  Paper  sent  by 
you  to  your  Counsel,  and  yours  of  the  28th,  do  in  all  literal  and  all 
equitable  construction  agree,  viz. :  To  settle  an  Estate  in  fee-simple 
upon  your  Daughter,  after  your  decease ;  which  Mr.  Barton  affirms  not 
to  be  your  meaning, — although  he  has  not  (as  to  me)  formerly  made  this 
any  objection ;  nor  can  the  words  bear  it :  nor  have  I  anything  more 
considerable  in  lieu  of  what  I  part  with  than  this.  And  I  have  appealed 
to  yours  or  any  Counsel  in  England,  whether  it  be  not  just  and  equal 
that  I  insist  thereupon. 

And  this  misunderstanding, — if  it  be  yours,  as  it  is  your  KinsmaD's, 
— put  a  stop  to  the  Business ;  so  that  our  Counsel  could  not  proceed, 
until  your  pleasure  herein  were  known.  Wherefore  it  was  thought  fit 
to  desire  Mr.  Barton  to  have  recourse  to  you  to  know  your  mind ;  be  al- 
leging he  had  no  authority  to  understand  that  expression  so,  but  the  con- 
trary;— which  was  thought  not  a  little  strange,  even  by  your  own 
Counsel. 

I  confess  I  did  apprehend  we  should  be  incident  to  mistakes,  treating 
at  such  a  distance ; — although  I  may  take  the  boldness  to  say,  there 
is  nothing  expected  from  me  but  I  agree  to  it  to  your  Kinsman's  sense 
to  a  tittle. 

Sir,  I  desired  to  know  what  commission  your  Kinsman  had  to  belp 
this  doubt  by  an  expedient ; — who  denied  to  have  any ;  but  did  think  it 
were  better  for  you  to  part  with  some  money,  and  keep  the  power  in 
your  own  hand  as  to  the  land,  to  dispose  thereof  as  you  should  see 
cause.  Whereupon  an  overture  was  made,  and  himself  and  your  Coun- 
sel desired  to  draw  it  up ;  the  efiect  whereof  this  enclosed  Paper  con- 
tains. And  although  I  should  not  like  change  of  agreements,  yet  to 
flhow  how  much  I  desire  the  perfecting  of  this  Business,  if  you  like 
thereof  (though  this  be  far  the  worse  bargain),  I  shall  submit  thereunto ; 

*  This  is  the  future  Judge  Hale. 

t  A  mere  comma  here,  instead  of  a  new  paragraph  ;  greatly  obscuring  the 
sense  :— *  as  to  that  particular,  and  I  know  nothing  of  doubt  in  that  which  I 
am  to  doe,  but  doe  agree  itt  all,'  dtc. 


tMS.]  LETTER  LXV.,  LONDON.  386 

jma  Counsel  thinking  ihat  things  may  be  settled  this  way  with  mora 
cleuness  and  less  intricacy.  There  is  mention  made  of  9001.  jierajmam 
to  be  reserved:  but  it  comes  to  bui  about  SOOI.  ;  my  lands  in  GlamoN 
ganshire  being-  but  little  above  4001.  jut  annum :  and  the  '  other'  4001, 
jter  annum  out  of  my  Manor  in  Gloucester-  and  Monmonth-shire.  1  wish 
a.  clear  understanding  may  be  between  us ;  truly  1  would  not  willingly 
mistake.  Desiring  lo  wait  npon  Providence  in  lliis  Business,  I  real. 
Sir, 


I  desire  my  service  may  be  presented  lo  yoor  Lady  and  Daughters. 

This  is  the  last  of  the  Marriage-Irealy.  Mr.  Barton,  whom 
*  tw  Counsel  in  England  '  could  back,  was  of  course  disowned  in 
his  over-zeal ;  the  match  was  concluded  ;  solemnised,  1st  May, 
1649.t 

Richard  died  12th  July,  1712,  at  Chesbunt,  age  66  ;t  his  Wife 
died  5th  January,  I675-G,  at  I^iuraley,  and  is  buried  there, — 
where,  ever  after  Richard's  Deposition,  and  while  he  travelled  on 
the  Continent,  she  had  continued  lo  reside.  In  pulling  down  the 
flid  Hursley  House,  above  a  century  since,  when  ihe  Estate  had 
passed  into  other  hands,  there  was  found  in  some  crevice  of  the 
old  walls  a  rusty  lump  of  metal,  evidently  an  antiquity ;  which 
was  carried  lo  the  new  proprietor  at  Winchester  ;  who  sold  it  as 
a  '  Roman  weight '  for  what  ii  would  bring.  When  acoured,  it 
turned  out, — or  is  said  by  vague  Noble,  (juoiing  vague  '  Vertue,' 
'Hughes's  Letters,'  and  'Ant.  Soc.'  (.\ntiquarian  Society),  to 
have  tamed  out, — lo  be  tlie  Great  Seal  of  the  Common woaltli.J 
If  the  Antiquaries  still  have  it,  let  them  be  chary  of  it. 


356  THE  LEVELLERS.  [90  April, 


THE  LEVELLERS. 

While  Miss  Dorothy  Mayor  is  choosing  her  wedding-dresses,  and 
Richard  Cromwell  is  looking  forward  to  a  life  of  Arcadian  felicity 
now  near  at  hand,  there  has  turned  up  for  Richard's  Father  and 
other  parties  interested,  on  the  public  side  of  things,  a  matter  of 
very  different  complexion,  requiring  to  be  instantly  dealt  with  in 
the  interim.  The  matter  of  the  class  called  Levellers ;  ooQcem- 
ing  which  we  must  now  say  a  few  words. 

In  1647,  as  we  saw,  there  were  Army  Adjutators ;  and  among 
some  of  them  wild  notions  afloat,  as  to  the  swift  attainability  of 
Perfect  Freedom  civil  and  religious,  and  a  practical  Millennium 
on  this  Earth  ;  notions  which  required,  in  the  Rendezvous  at 
Corkbushfield,  *  Rendezvous  of  Ware '  as  they  ofienest  call  it, 
to  be  very  resolutely  trodden  out.  Eleven  chief  mutineers  were 
ordered  from  the  ranks  in  that  Rendezvous ;  were  condenmed  by 
swifl  Court  Martial  to  die ;  and  Trooper  Arnold,  one  of  them,  was 
accordingly  shot  there  and  then  ;  which  extinguished  the  mutiny 
for  that  time.  War  since,  and  Justice  on  Delinquents,  England 
made  a  Free  Commonwealth,  and  such  like,  have  kept  the  Army 
busy :  but  a  deep  republican  leaven,  working  all  along  among 
these  men,  breaks  now  again  into  very  formidable  development. 
As  the  following  brief  glimpses  and  excerpts  may  satisfy  an  at- 
tentive reader  who  will  spread  them  out  to  the  due  expansion  in 
his  mind.  Take  first  this  glimpse  into  the  civil  province ;  and 
discern,  with  amazement,  a  whole  submarine  world  of  Calvinistic 
Sansculottism,  Five-point  Charter  and  the  Rights  of  Man,  threat- 
ening to  emerge  almost  two  centuries  before  its  lime  ! 

« The  Council  of  State,'  says  Whitlocke,*  just  while  Mr.  Bar- 
ton  is  boggling  about  the  Hursley  Marriage-settlements,  '  has 
intelligence  of  certain  Levellers  appearing  at  St.  Margaret's  Hill, 

•  17  April,  p.  384. 


1649.]  THE  LEVELLERS.  357 


near  Cobham  in  Surrey,  and  at  St.  George's  Hill/  in  the 
quarter :  '  that  they  were  dicing  the  ground,  and  sowing  it  with 
roots  and  beans.  One  Everard,  once  of  the  Army,  who  termt 
himself  a  Prophet,  is  the  chief  of  them ;'  one  Winstanley  is  ano- 
ther chief.  <  They  were  Thirty  men,  and  said  that  they  shofidd 
be  shortly  Four-thousand.  They  invited  all  to  oome  in  and  lielp 
them ;  and  promised  them  meat,  drink,  and  clothes.  They  threaten 
to  pull  down  Park-pales,  and  to  lay  all  open ;  and  threaten  the 
neighbors  that  they  will  shortly  make  them  all  come  up  to  the 
hills  and  work.'  These  infatuated  persons,  beginning  a  new  em 
in  this  headlong  manner  on  the  chalk  hills  of  Surrey,  are  laid 
hold  of  by  certain  Justices,  '  by  the  country  people,'  and  also  by 
'  two  troops  of  horse ;'  and  complain  loudly  of  such  treatment ; 
appealing  to  all  men  whether  It  be  bir.*  This  is  the  aocx>iiiit 
they  give  of  themselves  when  brought  before  the  Creneral  some 
days  afterwards  : 

<  Apnl  20th,  1649.  Everard  and  Winstanley,  the  chief  of  those 
that  digged  at  St.  George's  Hill,  in  Surrey,  came  to  the  GJenerml 
and  made  a  large  declaration,  to  justify  their  proceedings.  Eve- 
rard said,  He  was  of  the  race  of  the  Jews,'  as  most  men,  called 
Saxon  and  other,  properly  are ;  '  That  all  the  Liberties  of  the 
People  were  lost  by  the  coming  in  of  William  the  Conqueror ;  and 
that,  ever  since,  the  People  of  God  had  lived  under  tyranny  and 
oppression  worse  than  that  of  our  Forefathers  under  the  Egyptiane. 
But  now  the  time  of  deliverance  was  at  hand ;  and  God  would 
bring  His  people  out  of  this  slavery,  and  restore  them  to  their 
freedom  in  enjoying  the  fruits  and  benefits  of  the  Earth.  And 
that  there  had  lately  appeared  to  him,  Everard,  a  vision ;  which 
bade  him,  Arise  and  dig  and  plough  the  Earth,  and  receive  the 
fruits  thereof.  That  their  intent  is  to  restore  the  Creation  to  its 
former  condition.  That  as  God  had  promised  to  make  the  haneo 
land  fruitful,  so  now  what  they  did,  was  to  restore  the  ancient 
Community  of  enjoying  the  Fruits  of  the  Earth,  and  to  distribute 
the  benefit  thereof  to  the  poor  and  needy,  and  to  feed  the  hungry 
and  clothe  the  naked.     That  they  intend  not  to  meddle  with  any 

*  King's  Pamphlets,  small  4to.,  no.  427,  §  6  (Declantion  of  the  bloody 
and  unchristian  Acting  of  William  Star,  ftc,  in  opposition  to  those  that  dig 
upon  George-Uill  in  Surrey) ;  ib.,  no.  418»  $  5»  Ibc 


ase  PART  V.     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [30  Aptii. 


man's  property,  nor  to  break  down  any  pales  or  enclosures,'  in 
spite  of  reports  to  the  contrary ;  *  but  only  to  meddle  with  what  is 
common  and  untilled,  and  to  make  it  fruitful  for  the  use  of  man. 
That  the  time  will  suddenly  be,  when  all  men  shall  willingly 
come  in  and  give  up  their  lands  and  estates,  and  submit  to  this 
Community  *  of  Goods. 

These  are  the  principles  of  Eyerard,  Winstanley,  and  the  poor 
Brotherhood,  seemingly  Saxon,  but  properly  of  the  race  of  the 
Jews,  who  were  found  dibbling  beans  on  St.  Greorge's  Hill,  under 
the  clear  April  skies  in  1649,  and  hastily  bringing  in  a  new  em 
in  that  manner.  <  And  for  all  such  as  will  come  in  and  work  with 
them,  they  shall  have  meat,  drink,  and  clothes,  which  is  all  that 
is  necessary  to  the  life  of  man :  and  as  for  money,  there  was  nol 
any  need  of  it ;  nor  of  clothes  more  than  to  covBr  nakedness.' 
For  the  rest, '  That  they  will  not  defend  themselves  by  arms,  but 
will  submit  unto  authority,  and  wait  till  the  promised  opportonitj 
be  offered,  which  they  conceive  to  be  at  hand.  And  that  as  their 
forefathers  lived  in  tents,  so  it  would  be  suitable  to  their  conditioOf 
now  to  live  in  the  same. 

<  While  they  were  before  the  Greneral  they  stood  with  their  hats 
on  ;  and  being  demanded  the  reason  thereof,  they  said,  Because 
he  was  but  their  fellow-creature.  Being  asked  the  meaning  of 
that  phrase,  Give  honor  to  whom  honor  is  due, — they  said,  Your 
mouths  shall  bo  stopped  tliat  ask  such  a  question.'* 

Dull  Bulstrodc  hath  <  set  down  this  the  more  largely  because  it 
was  the  beginning  of  the  appearance '  of  an  extensive  levelling 
doctrine,  much  to  be  '  avoided'  by  judicious  persons,  seeing  it  is 
*  weak  persuasion.'  The  germ  of  Quakerisn)  and  much  else  is 
curiously  visible  here.  But  let  us  look  now  at  the  military  phaais 
of  the  matter  ;  where  <  a  weak  persuasion '  mounted  on  cavalry 
horses,  with  sabres  and  fire-arms  in  its  hand,  may  become  a  Terj 
perilous  one. 

Friday,  20t^  Aprils  1649.  The  Lieutenant-General  has  coo. 
sented  to  go  to  Ireland ;  the  City  also  will  lend  money,  and  now 
this  Friday  the  Council  of  the  Army  meets  at  Whitehall  to  decide 
what  regiments  shall  go  on  that  service.     '  After  a  solemn  seek. 

•  Whidocke*  p.  384 


1649]  THE  LEVELLERS.  Xi 

ing  of  God  by  prayer,'  they  agree  that  it  shall  fw  by  lot :  tickets 
sre  put  into  a.  hat,  a  child  dratvj  them :  tlie  regiments,  fourteen 
of  foot  atiJ  fourteen  of  horse,  are  decideJ  on  in  this  manner. 
'  The  officers  on  whom  the  lot  fell,  in  all  the  twenty-eight  regi- 
ments, expressed  much  cheerfulness  at  the  decision.'  The  officers 
did  ; — but  the  common  men  are  by  nn  means  all  of  that  humor. 
The  common  men,  blown  on  by  Lilburn  and  his  five  small 
Beagles,  have  notions  about  England's  new  Chains,  aiiout  the 
Hunting  of  Foxes  from  Triploe  Healh,  and  in  fact  ideas  concern- 
ing the  capability  that  lies  in  man  and  in  a  free  Commonwealth, 
which  are  of  the  most  alarming  description. 

Thursday,  2(Hh  April.  This  night  at  the  Bull  in  Bishopsgate 
there  has  an  alarming  mutiny  broken  out  in  a  troop  of  Whalley'a 
regiment  there.  Whalley'a  men  are  not  allotted  for  Ireland  :  but 
they  refuse  to  quit  London,  as  they  are  ordered  ;  ihcy  want  this 
and  that  first  :  they  seize  their  colors  from  the  Cornet,  who  is 
lodged  at  the  Bull  there  : — the  General  and  the  Lieutenant- General 
have  to  hasten  thither  ;  quell  them,  pack  ihem  forth  on  their  march  ; 
seizing  fifteen  of  ihem  first,  to  be  tried  by  Court  Martial.  Tried 
by  instant  Court  Martial,  five  of  them  are  found  guilty,  doomed 
to  die,  but  pardoned  ;  and  one  of  them.  Trooper  Lockyer,  is 
doomed  and  not  pardoned.  Trooper  Lockyer  is  shot,  in  Paul% 
Churchyard,  on  ihc  morrow.  A  very  brave  young  roan,  they  say ; 
though  but  ihree-and-twenty,  '  he  has  serveil  seven  years  in  these 
Wars, 'ever  since  the  Wars  began,  '  Religious,' too,  'of  excel- 
lent  parts  and  much  beloved  :' — but  with  hot  notions  as  to  human 
Freedom,  and  the  rale  at  which  the  millenniums  are  attainable, 
poor  Lockyer!  He  falls  shot  in  Paul's  Church-yard  on  Friday, 
amid  the  tears  of  men  and  women.  Paul's  Cathedral,  we  remark, 
is  now  a  Horseguard  ;  horses  stamp  in  the  Canons'  stalls  there ; 
and  Paul's  Cross  itself,  as  smacking  of  Popery,  where  m  liict 
Alablaster  once  preached  flat  Popery,  is  swept  altogether  away, 
and  il-s  leaden  roof  melted  into  bullets,  or  mixed  with  tin  fiir  culi- 
nary pewter.  Lockyer's  corpse  is  watched  and  wept  over,  not 
without  prayer,  in  the  eastern  regions  of  the  Ctly,  till  a  new  week 
come ;  and  on  Mouday  this  is  wiiat  we  see  advancing  westward 
by  way  of  funeral  to  him. 

'  About  one  hundred  went  before  the  Corpse,  five  or  six  in  a 


I 


the  Inciter  sort  iiiPt  thcin,  who  thought  not  lit  t( 
City.  Many  looked  upon  this  tuneral  as  an  t 
inentanJ  Army  ;  others  called  tiiese  people  '' . 
took  no  notice  of  any  one's  sayings.'* 

That  was  the  end  of  Trooper  Lockyer :  sL 
stern  music  through  London  streets ;  Rosemai 
dipt  in  blood ;  funeral  of  many  thousands  in  se 
black :  testimony  of  a  weak  persuasion  now 
perilous.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lilburn  and  his 
'•*  '  now  in  a  kind  of  loose  arrest  under  the  Lieute 

''  •'  make  haste  to  profit  by  the  general  emotion ; 

^    i  of  Mayf  their  *  Agreement  of  the  People,' — ^thc 

p"  'I  Constitution :  Annual  very  exquisite  Parliame 

^[  bum  apparatus  ;  whereby  the  perfection  of  H 

with  a  maximum  of  rapidity  be  secured,  and  a  m 
way  arrive,  sings  the  Lilburn  Oracle. 
i '  May  9ih.     Richard  Cromwell  is  safe  wedde 

I  ther  is  reviewing  troops  in  Hyde  Park,  <  seagre 

of  their  hats.'    The  Lieutenant-General  speaks 
Has  not  the  Parliament  been  diligent,  doing 
punished  Delinquents ;  it  has  voted  in  these  ver 
for  dissolvini?  i     If  «"'!  BooowWr      a,*.. —  t»--i 


.•> 


1M9.1  THE  LEVELLERS.  aSl 

we  others  do, — we  that  still  mean  to  lighi  agaiiisl  iho  enemies  of 
England  and  this  Cause.* — One  trooper  showed  signs  of  insolence ; 
the  Lieutenant- General  sup  pres-sed  him  by  rigor  and  by  clemency; 
(he  seagreen  ribbons  were  torn  from  such  hats  as  had  them.  The 
burner  of  the  men  ia  not  the  most  perfect.  This  Review  was  on 
Wednesday  ;  Lilburn  and  his  five  small  Beagles  are,  on  Saturday, 
committed  close  Prisoners  to  the  Tower,  each  rigoroimly  to  a  cell 
of  his  own. 

h  is  high  time.  For  now  the  flame  has  caught  the  ranks  of 
the  Army  itself,  in  Oxfordshire,  in  Gloucestorsliire,  at  Batisbiiry 
where  head-quarters  are  ;  and  rapidly  there  is,  on  all  hands,  A 
dangerous  conflagration  blazing  out.  In  Oxfordshire,  one  Cap- 
tain Thompson,  not  known  to  us  before,  has  burst  from  his  quar- 
ters at  Banbury,  with  a  Parly  of  Two-hundred,  in  these  same 
days;  has  sent  forth  his  England's  Standard  Advanced ;\  insist- 
ing passionately  on  the  Nnn  Chains  we  are  fettered  with ;  indig- 
nantly demanding  swifl  perfeetioD  of  Human  Freedom,  justice 
on  the  murderers  of  Lockyer  and  Arnald  ; — threatening  that  if 
a  hair  of  Lilburn  and  the  live  small  Beagles  be  hurt,  he  will 
avenge  ii  '  seventy  .and. seven  fold.'  This  Thompson's  Parly, 
awiAly  attacked  by  his  Colonel,  is  broken  within  the  week ;  he 
himself  escapes  with  a  few,  and  slill  roves  up  and  down.  To 
join  whom,  or  to  communicate  with  Gloucestershire  where  help 
lies,  tlicre  has  in  the  interim  open  mutiny  '  above  One-thousand 
strong,'  with  subalterns,  with  a  Cornet  Thompson,  brother  of  the 
Captain,  but  without  any  leader  of  mark,  broken  out  at  Salisbury: 
the  General  and  Lieulenant-General,  with  what  force  can  be 
raised,  are  hastening  thitherward  in  all  speed.  Now  were  the 
time  for  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lilburn  ;  now  or  never  might  noisy 
John  do  some  considerable  injury  to  the  Cause  he  has  at  heart : 
but  he  sits,  in  these  critical  hours,  fast  within  stone  walls  ! 

Monday,  IMh  May.  All  Sunday  the  General  and  Lieutenant- 
General  marched  in  full  speed  by  Alton,  by  Andorer,  towards 
Salisbury  ;  the  mutineers,  hearing  of  them,  start  northward  for 
Buckinghamshire,  tlien  for  Berkshire  ;  the  General  and  Lieu- 

■  NewBpapera  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  56). 

t  Given  in  Walker's  Uiitor/  of  IndepeodeDCj,  part  ii.,  168  ;  ditfid  S 


362  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [17  If^ 

tenant-General  turning  also  northward  after  them  in  hot  ohaia. 
The  mutineers  arrive  at  Wantage ;  make  for  Oxfordshire  by 
New-bridge  ;  find  the  Bridge  already  seized  ;  cross  higher  up  bj 
swimming ;  got  to  Burford,  very  weary,  and  <  turn  out  their 
horses  to  grass ;' — ^Fairfax  and  Cromwell  still  following  in  hot 
speed,  <  a  march  of  near  fifty  miles '  that  Monday.  What  booti 
it ;  there  is  no  leader,  noisy  John  is  sitting  fast  within  stooe 
walls !  The  mutineers  lie  asleep  in  Burfofd,  their  horses  out  at 
grass ;  the  Lieutenant-Greneral,  having  rested  at  a  safe  distance 
since  dark,  bursts  into  Burford  as  the  clocks  are  striking  mid- 
night. He  has  beset  some  hundreds  of  the  mutineers,  'who 
could  only  fire  some  shots  out  of  window? ;' — has  dissipated  the 
mutiny,  trodden  down  the  Levelling  Principle  out  of  Engliah 
affairs  once  more.  Here  is  the  last  scene  of  the  business ;  the 
rigorous  Court  Martial  having  now  sat  i  the  decimated  doomed 
Mutineers  being  placed  on  the  leads  of  the  Church  to  see  : 

Thursday^  llth  May.  *■  This  day  in  Burford  Churchyaid, 
Cornet  Thompson,  brother  to  Thompson  the  chief  leader,  was 
brought  to  the  place  of  execution ;  and  expressed  himself  to 
this  purpose.  That  it  was  just  what  did  befall  him ;  that  God 
did  not  own  the  ways  he  went ;  that  he  had  offended  the  Gene- 
ral :  he  desired  the  prayers  of  the  people ;  and  told  the  acddiers 
who  were  appointed  to  shoot  him,  that  when  he  held  out  his  hands 
they  should  do  their  duty.  And  accordingly  he  was  immediatelji 
after  the  sign  given,  shot  to  death.  Next  afler  him  was  a  Cor- 
poral, brought  to  the  same  place  of  execution ;  where,  looking 
upon  his  fellow.mutineers,  he  set  his  back  against  the  wall ;  and 
bade  them  who  were  appointed  to  shoot,  <*  Shoot !"  and  died  des- 
perately. The  third  being  also  a  Corporal,  was  brought  to  the 
same  place  ;  and  without  the  least  acknowledgment  of  enor, 
or  show  of  fear,  he  pulled  off  his  doublet,  standing  a  pretty  dis- 
tance from  the  wall ;  and  bade  the  soldiers  do  their  duty ;  look- 
ing them  in  the  face  till  they  gave  fire,  not  showing  the  least 
kind  of  terror  or  fearfulness  of  spirit.' — So  died  the  Leveller 
Corporals  ;  strong  they,  after  their  sort,  for  the  Liberties  of  Eng- 
land ;  resolute  to  the  very  death.  Misguided  Corporals !  But 
History,  which  has  wept  for  a  misguided  Charles  Stuart,  and 
blubbered,  in  the  most  copious  Iielpless  manner,  near  two  cen- 


IWfl.l  THE  LEVELLERS.  3B3 

turiea  now,  whole  floods  of  brine,  enough  to  salt  the  Herriag- 
fuihcry, — will  tiot  refiLse  these  poor  Corporals  also  her  tributary 
sigh.  With  Arnald  of  the  Rendezvous  at  Ware,  with  Lock- 
yer  of  the  Ball  in  Bishopsgale,  and  other  misguided  marlyrs  to 
the  Liberties  of  England  then  and  since,  may  they  sleep  well ! 

Cornel  Dean  who  now  came  forward,  aa  the  next  lo  be  shot, 
'  expressed  penitence ;'  got  pardon  from  ihe  GeDcral :  and  there 
was  no  more  shooting.  Lieutenant- General  Cromwell  went  into 
the  Church,  called  down  the  Decimated  of  Iho  Mutineers;  re- 
buked, admonished  ;  said,  the  General  in  his  inercy  had  forgiven 
them.  Misguided  men,  would  you  ruin  this  Cause,  which  war- 
vellous  Providences  have  so  confirmed  to  us  lo  be  the  Cause  of 
God  V  Go,  repent ;  and  rebel  no  more,  lest  a  worse  thing  bpfall 
you  !  '  They  wept,'  says  tlio  old  Newspaper ;  they  retired  to  the 
Devizes  fur  a  time  ;  were  then  restored  to  their  regiinonls.  and 
marched  cheerfully  for  Ireland. — Captain  Tliompson,  the  Cornet's 
brother,  the  lirst  of  all  the  Mutineers,  ho  too,  a  few  days  after- 
wards, was  fallen  in  with  in  Northamptonshire,  slitl  mutinous  : 
his  nien  look  quarter  ;  he  himself  '  lied  to  a  wood  ;'  fired  and 
fenced  there,  and  again  desperately  fired,  declaring  he  would 
never  yield  alive  ; — whereupon  '  a  Corporal  with  seven  bullets  in 
his  carbine '  ended  Captain  Thompson  loo  ;  and  this  formidable 
confiagration,  lo  the  last  glimmer  of  it,  was  extinct. 

Sansculoltism,  as  we  said  above,  baa  lo  lie  submerged  (or 
almost  two  cenluries  yel.  Levelling,  in  the  practical,  civil  or 
military  provinces  of  English  things,  is  forbidden  to  be.  in  the 
spiritual  provinces  it  cannot  be  forbidden ;  for  there  it  everywhere 
already  is.  It  ceases  dibbling  beans  on  St.  George's  Hill  near 
Cobbam  ;  ceases  galloping  in  mutiny  across  the  Isis  to  Burford  ; 
— takes  into  Quakerisms,  and  kingdoms  which  are  not  of  this 
world.  My  poor  friend  Dryasdust  lamentably  tears  his  hair  over 
the  '  intolerance  '  of  that  old  Time  lo  Quakerism  and  euoh  like  ; 
if  Dryasdust  had  seen  the  dibbling  on  St.  George's  Hill,  the 
threatened  fall  of  '  Park-pales,'  and  the  gallop  lo  Burford,  he 
would  reflect  that  Conviction  in  an  earnest  age  means,  nol  lengthy 
Spouliog  in  E\eter-Hall,  but  rapid  silenl  Practice  on  the  faco  of 
ihe  Earth  ;  and  would  perhaps  leave  his  poor  hair  alone. 

On  Thursday  night,  17th  of  the  montii,  the  General,  Lieu- 
IT 


'I 


Antliony  Wocxl,  in   his  crabbed   but  authentic  a 
biofiraphical   sketehes  of  all  those  (iraduates; 
lean,  very  perverse,  but  better   than   are  comr 
and  in  the  fatal  scarcity  not  quite  without  value 
Neither  do  we  speak  of  the  thanking  in  tl 
mens ;  or  of  the  general  day  of  Thanksgiving  f 
b  Thursday,  7th  June  (the  day  for  Englanc 
Thursday  21st),f — and  of  the  illustrious  Dinn 
gave  the  Parliament  and  Officers,  and  all  the  D 
land,  when  Sermon  was  done.     It  was  at  Groce 
dinner ;  really  illustrious.     Dull  Bulstrode,  Kt 
the  Keepers,  of  the  Commonwealth  Great  Se 
Keeper  of  that  lump  of  dignified  metal,  found 
the  wall  at  Hursley  :  and  my  Lord  of  Pembr 
Member  of  the  Council  of  State,  '  speaking  v 
manner  was,  insisted  that  illustrious  Bulstrode  : 
above  him.     I  have  given  place  to  Bishop  Willii 
Keeper ;  and  the  Conrmionwealth  Great  Seal  i: 
King's  ever  was ; — illustrious  Bulstrode,  take 
so Ij:     'On  almost  every  dish  was  enamelled  a 
word  Welcome,     No  music  but  that  of  drum  a 
j  balderda       or  aim    t  nnnA.  of  •      f^**^  muu^*** 


i 
I 


1649.] 


THE  LEVELLERS. 


aos 


drinking  of  healths  or  other  incivility :' — drinking  of  healths ;  a 
kind  of  invocation  or  prayer,  addressed  surely  not  to  God,  in  that 
humor  ;  probably  therefore  to  the  Devil,  or  to  the  Heathen  gods : 
which  is  offensive  to  the  well-constituted  mind.  Four-hundred 
pounds  were  given  to  the  Poor  of  London,  that  they  also  might 
dine. — * 

And  now  for  Bristol  and  the  Campaign  in  Ireland. 


*  Newspapers  (in  Cromweliiana,  p.  59, 60) 


366  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [10  Mf, 


LETTERS  LXVI.-LXIX. 

Thiesdayy  lOth  July,  1649.  <  This  evening  about  five  of  the  clock, 
the  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  began  his  journey  ;  by  the  way 
of  Windsor,  and  so  to  Bristol.  He  went  forth  in  that  state  and 
equipage  as  the  like  hath  hardly  been  seen  ;  himself  in  a  coach 
with  six  gallant  Flanders  mares,  whitish  grey ;  divers  coachei 
accompanying  him ;  and  very  many  great  Officers  of  the  A.nny ; 
his  Lifeguard  consisting  of  eighty  gallant  men,  the  meanest 
whereof  a  Commander  or  Esquire,  in  stately  habit ; — with  trum- 
pets sounding,  almost  to  the  shaking  of  Charing  Cross,  had  it 
been  now  standing.  Of  his  Lifeguard  many  are  Colonels ;  and 
believe  me,  it's  such  a  guard  as  is  hardly  to  be  paralleled  in  the 
world.  And  now  have  at  you,  my  Lord  of  OrnK)nd !  You  will 
have  men  of  gallantry  to  encounter ;  whom  to  overcome  will  be 
honor  sufficient,  and  to  be  beaten  by  them  will  be  no  great 
blemish  to  your  reputation.  If  you  say,  Caesar  or  Nothing  :  they 
say,  A  Republic  or  Nothing.  The  Lord  Lieutenant's  colors  are 
white.'  * 

Thus  has  Lord  Lieutenant  Cromwell  gone  to  the  Wars  in  Ire- 
land. But  before  going,  and  while  just  in  the  act,  he  has  had  a 
Letter  to  write,  on  behalf  of  his  '  Partner '  or  fellow  Member  for 
Cambridge,  which  the  reader  is  now  to  glance  at : 

LETTER  LXVI. 
For  the  Honorable  WiUiam  Lenthdll,  Esquire. 

*  London/  10th  July,  1649. 
Sm, 

I  beseech  yea,  upon  that  score  of  favor,  if  I  be  not  too  bold 

to  call  it  friendship,  which  I  have  ever  had  from  yon,  Jet  me  desire  yoa 

*  Newspapera  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  62). 


».]  LETTER  LXVII.,  BRISTOL,  867 


promote  my  Partner's  humble  suit  to  the  House;  and  obtaiD,  aa  §u 
possibly  you  may,  some  just  satisfaction  for  him.  I  know  hia  anfibw 
a  for  the  Public  have  been  great,  besides  the  loss  of  hia  calling  fay  hia 
sndance  here.  His  affections  have  been  true  and  conatant ;  and,  I 
ieve,  his  decay  great  in  his  Estate.  It  will  be  justice  and  charity  to 
1 ;  and  I  shall  acknowledge  it  as  a  favor  to, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

QXJVBR  CbOHWEUp.'* 

John  Lowry,  £^.,  is  Oliver's  fellow  Member  for  Cambridge, 
bat  Lowry's  '  losses,'  '  estate,'  '  calling,'  or  history  in  general 
re,  remains  undiscovcrable.  One  might  guees  that  he  had 
m  perhaps  a  lawyer,  of  Puritan  principles,  and  fortune  already 
ly.  He  did  not  sit  in  the  short  Parliament  of  1640,  as  Oliver 
1  done ;  Oliver's  former  <  Partner,'  one  Meautys  as  we  men- 
led  already,  gave  place  to  Lowry  when  the  new  Election  hap- 
led. 

Lowry  in  1645  was  Mayor  of  Cambridge.  Some  controversy 
to  the  Privileges  of  the  University  there,  which  was  now  re- 
med  according  to  the  Puritan  scheme,  had  arisen  with  the 
wn  of  Cambridge  :  a  deputation  of  Cambridge  University  meUi 
:h  '  Mr.  Vines '  at  their  head,  comes  up  with  a  Petition  to  the 
use  of  Commons,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1645  ;  reporting  that 
y  are  like  to  be  aggrieved,  that  the  '  new  Mayor  of  Cambridge 
1  not  take  the  customary  oaths,'  in  respect  to  certain  privileges 
the  University  ;  and  praying  the  House,  in  a  bland  and  flatter- 
;  way,  to  protect  them.  The  House  answers :  ''  Yours  is  the 
iversity  which  is  under  the  protection  of  this  House ;"  Oxford, 
1  in  the  King's  hands,  being  in  a  very  unrefbrmed  state  :  ''  this 
use  can  see  no  learning  now  in  the  Kingdom  but  by  your  eyes;" 
i^ertainly  you  shall  be  protected ! — Counter-Petitions  oome  finom 
wry  and  the  Corporation  ;  but  we  doubt  not  the  University  was 
»tected  in  this  controversy,  and  Gown  made  good  against  Town.f 
bat  the  controversy  specially  was,  or  what  became  of  it,  let  no 
ing  man  inquire.  Lowry  here  vanbhes  into  thick  night  again ; 
vhere  reappears  till  in  this  Letter  of  CromwelPs. 
Letter  written,  as  its  date  bears,  on  the  very  day  whan  he  set 

Harriii,  p.  516 ;  Harleiau  mss.,  no.  6988— coUttad,  and 
See  Commons  Journals,  vi.,  329,  341. 


368  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [10  Ju(f, 

out  towards  Bristol,  to  take  the  command  in  Ireland,  *  10th  July, 
1649,  about  five  in  the  afternoon.'  In  some  Committee-room,  or 
other  such  locality,  in  the  thick  press  of  business,  Lowry  had 
contrived  to  make  his  way  to  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  and  to  get  this 
Letter  out  of  him.  Which  indeed  proved  very  helpful.  For  on 
that  day  week,  17th  July,  1649,  we  find  as  follows :  '  The  humble 
Petition  of  John  Lowry,  Esq.,  was  this  day  read.  Ordered^  That 
the  sum  of  Three-hundred  pounds  be  allowed  unto  the  said  Mr. 
John  Lowry,  for  his  losses  in  the  said  Petition  mentkmed :  and 
that  the  same  be  charged  upon  the  revenue :  and  the  Committee 
of  Revenue  are  authorized  and  appointed  to  pay  the  aanoe :  and 
the  same  is  especially  recommended  to  Sir  Henry  Vane,  Senior, 
to  take  care  the  same  be  paid  accordingly,'* — which  we  can  only 
hope  it  was,  to  the  solace  of'  poor  Mr.  Lowry  and  the  ending  df 
these  discussions. 

Ten  years  later,  in  Protector  Richard's  time,  on  Fridaj  22d 
July,  1659,  a  John  Lowry,  Esquire,  now  quite  remored  from 
Cambridge,  turns  up  again ;  claiming  to  be  continued  *  Cheque 
in  Ward  in  the  Port  of  London,' — which  dignity  is  acoordiogly 
assured  him  till  *  the  first  day  of  October  next.'f  But  whethcnr 
this  is  our  old  friend  the  Mayor  of  Cambridge,  and  what  kind  of 
provision  for  his  old  age  this  same  Chcqueship  in  Ward  might  he^ 
is  unknown  to  the  present  Editor.  Not  the  faintest  echo  or  vestige 
henceforth  of  a  John  Lowry  either  real  or  even  possible.  The 
rest — gloomy  Night  compresses  it,  and  we  have  no  more  to  say. 


LETTER  LXVII. 

Mayor  of  Hursley,  with  whom  are  the  young  Couple,  is  connected 
now  with  an  important  man :  he  has  written  in  behalf  of  <  Major 
Long ;'  for  promotion  as  is  likely.  The  important  man  does 
not  promote  on  the  score  of  connexion ;  and  mildly  wignifigMi  ao 
much. 

*  Commons  Journals,  vi.,  263.        f  Commons  Journals,  vii.,  737 


•  * 


1649.]  LETTER  LXVIL,  BRISTOL.  8e0 


For  my  very  laving  Brother ,  Richard  Mayor^ 

Hursley :  These. 

Bristol,  19th  Svlj,  1649. 
LcrmiG  Bbotheb, 

•         I  received  your  Letter  by  Major 

LoDg ;  and  do  in  answer  thereunto  according  to  my  best  understandings 

with  a  due  consideration  to  those  gentlemen  who  have  abid  the  bmnt  of 

the  service. 

I  am  very  glad  to  hear  of  your  welfare,  and  that  our  childien  have  so 
good  leisure  to  make  a  joamey  to  eat  cherries  : — it's  very  excusable  In 
my  Daughter ;  I  hope  she  may  have  a  very  good  pretence  for  it  I 
assure  you,  Sir,  I  wish  her  very  well ;  and  I  believe  she  knows  it.  I 
pray  you  tell  her  for  me  I  expect  she  writes  often  to  me;  by  which  I 
shall  understand  how  all  your  Family  doth,  and  she  will  be  kept  in  some 
exercise.  I  have  delivered  my  Son  up  to  yon ;  and  I  hope  yon  will 
counsel  him :  he  will  need  it ;  and  indeed  I  believe  he  likes  well  y^bat 
you  say,  and  will  be  advised  by  you.  I  wish  he  may  be  serioos ;  the 
times  require  it. 

I  hope  my  Sister*  is  in  health ;  to  whom  I  desire  my  very  heaity 
affections  and  service  may  be  presented ;  as  also  to  my  Cousm  Ann,t  to 
whom  I  wish  a  good  husband.  I  desire  my  auctions  may  be  presented 
to  all  your  Family,  to  which  I  wish  a  blessing  from  the  Lord.  I  hope  I 
shall  have  your  prayers  in  the  Business  to  which  I  am  caUed.  My 
Wife,  I  trust,  will  be  with  you  before  it  be  long,  in  her  way  towards 
Bristol. — Sir,  discompose  not  your  thoughts  or  Estate  for  what  you  are 
to  pay  me.  Let  me  know  wherein  I  may  comply  with  your  occaaioiMi 
and  mind,  and  be  confident  you  will  find  me  to  you  as  your  own  heart. 

Wishing  your  prosperity  and  contentment  very  sincerely,  with  the 
remembrance  of  my  love,  I  rest. 

Your  affectionate  brother  and  servant, 

Oliver  Cbomwiil.^ 

Mayor  has  endorsed  this  Letter :  '  Received  27  July,  1649,  per 
Messenger  express  from  Newbury.'  He  has  likewise,  says  Har- 
ris, jotted  on  it  J  some  shorthand/  and  '  an  account  of  hie  cattle 
and  sheep.' — Who  the  /  Major  Liong'  was,  we  know  not :  Crcnn- 
well  undertakes  to  *  do'  for  him  what  may  be  right  and  reason- 
able, and  nothing  more. 

*  Mrs.  Mayor.       f  Miss  Mayor,  afterwards  Mrs.  Danch  of  Pns^. 
X  Harris,  p.  510 :  no.  8  of  the  Pusey  seventeen. 


KJk      0%Atm»f 


LETTER  LXVIII. 

'• 

'  *  The  new  Lord  Lieutenant  liad  at  first  desi 

;  *  where  it  seemed  his  best  chance  lay.     Alread 

\i  ments  over,  to  reinforce  our  old  acquaintance 

tenant-General  Michael  Jones,  at  present  heaii 
enable  him  to  resist  the  Ormond  Army  there. 
August  an  important  Victory  has  turned  up  ft 
and  striking  into  panic  and  total  rout,  of  the  sa 
which  fortunate  event,  warmly  recognized  in 
ter,  clears  Dublin  of  siege,  and  opens  new  ov 
Lieutenant  there.  He  sails  thitherward ;  i 
^^  Monday,  August  13th.     Ireton,  who  is  Major 

'■'.  command,  Jones  being  second,  follows  with  ai 

force,  on  Wednesday.     Hugh  Peters  also  wei 
also,  for  another  chaplain. 

The  good  ship  John  is  still  lying  in  Mil 
pose,  waiting  for  a  wind,  for  a  turn  of  the  tid 
ard  Cromwell,  and  perhaps  Richard's  Mothe: 


■  I 


f 

ft 

;  \ 

•t  I 

^  »♦ 


l«4i.]  LETTER  LXVIIL,  BflLFORD  HATEN.  tn 


*  For  my  loving  Brother ^  Riehmrd  Mttyoff  E9fuw$t  ol 


.<  Milfoid  Haven/  From  Aboard  the  John, 

13th  Aug.,  1649. 

LovncG  Bbotheb, 

I  could  not  eatisfy  myaelf  to  omit  thie  opportiuii^  bj 
my  Son  of  writing  to  you ;  especially  there  being  eo  late  and  great  an 
occasion  of  acqaainting  yon  with  the  happy  news  T  recdved  from  Lien* 
tenant-General  Jones  yesterday. 

The  Marquis  of  Ormond  besieged  Dublin  with  19,000  men  or  thei^ 
abouts ;  7,000  Scots  and  3,000  more  were  coming  to  'join  him  in'  that 
work.    Jones  issued  out  of  Dublin  with  4,000  foot  and  l,i0O  hone ;. 
hath  routed  this  whole  army ;  killed  about  4,000  npon  the  plaoa ;  HVm 
2y517  prisoners,  above  300  *  of  them '  officers,  eoma  of  great  qaaUty.* 

This  is  an  astonishing  mercy ;  so  great  and  ■eaeonabie  that  indeadm 
are  like  them  that  dreamed.  What  can  we  sayl  The  Lord  fili  oar 
eonls  with  thankfulness,  that  our  mouths  may  be  fall  of  His  pnlaer^ 
and  our  lives  too ;  and  grant  we  may  never  forget  His  goodnesa  to  wl 
These  things  seem  to  strengthen  our  fiuth  and  love,  against  more  difi- 
cult  times.  Sir,  pray  for  me.  That  I  may  walk  worthy  of  the  Loid  in 
all  that  He  hath  called  me  unto ! — 

I  have  committed  my  Son  to  you ;  pray  give  him  adviee.    I  miyj  hin 

not  his  contents ;  but  I  fear  he  should  be  swallowed  op  la  theoL    I 

would  have  him  mind  and  understand  Business,  read  a  little  Hialecyi 

study  the  Mathematics  and  Cosmography : — these  are  good,  with  suboi^ 

dination  to  the  things  of  God.    Better  than  Idleness,  or  mere  ootwaid 

worldly  contents.    These  fit  for  Public  services,!  ibr  which  a  maa  jb 
bom. 

Pardon  this  trouble.  I  am  thus  bold  because  I  know  yo«  love  ne;  ta 
indeed  I  do  you,  and  yours.  My  love  to  my  dear  Sister  and  niy  CMttift 
Ann  your  Daughter,  and  all  Friends.    I  rest, 

Sir, 

Yoor  kmng  brathery 

QiivBft  Cbomwxix. 

'P.S.'  Sir,  I  desire  you  not  to  disconmiodate  yoandf  beoaaie  of  the 
money  due  to  me.  Your  welfare  is  as  mine:  and  therefiwe  letiaekiiow 
fnm  time  to  time  what  will  convenience  yoa  in  attf  Mkamwa ;  I  ahall . 

^  The  round  numbers  of  this  account  have,  m  f»  woal,  oome  over  greatly 
ezaggerat6d(Carte,  vH  supra). 
t  Services  useful  to  all  men. 


372  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [13  A««. 

answer  you  in  it,  and  be  ready  to  accommodate  you.    And  therefore  do 
yonr  other  business ;  let  not  this  hinder.* 


LETTER  LXIX. 

Same  date,  same  conveyance. 

To  my  beloved  Daughter j  Dorothy  CramtPell,  at  HurtUy :  Thae. 

From  Aboard  the  John,  13th  August,  1649. 
Mt  Dear  Daughter, 

Your  Letter  was  very  welcome  to  me.    I  like  to 

see  anything  from  your  liand  ;  because  indeed  I  stick  not  to  say  I  do 

entirely  love  you.    And  therefore  I  hope  a  word  of  advice  will  not  be 

unwelcome  nor  unacceptable  to  thee. 

I  desire  you  both  to  make  it  above  all  things  your  business  to  eeek 

the  Lord :  to  be  frequently  calling  upon  Him,  that  He  would  manifest 

Himself  to  you  in  His  Son ;  and  be  listening  what  returns  he  makes  to 

you, — for  He  will  be  speaking  in  your  ear  and  in  your  heart,  if  yoa 

attend  thereunto.    I  desire  you  to  provoke  your  Husband  likeifise  thm- 

unto.    As  for  the  pleasures  of  this  Life,  and  outward  Business,  let  tbat 

be  upon  the  bye.    Be  above  all  these  things,  by  Faith  in  Christ ;  and 

then  you  shall  have  the  true  use  and  comfort  of  them, — and  not  other- 

wise.f    I  have  much  satisfaction  in  hope  your  spirit  is  this  way  set ; 

and  I  desire  you  may  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  oor  Lord 

and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  and  that  I  may  hear  thereof.    The  Lord  b 

very  near :  which  we  see  by  His  wonderful  works :  and  therefore  He 

looks  that  we  of  this  generation  draw  near  to  Him.    This  late  great 

Mercy  of  Ireland  is  a  great  manifestation  thereof.    Your  Husband  will 

acquaint  you  with  it    We  should  be  much  stirred  up  in  our  spirits  to 

thankfulness.    We  much  need  the  spirit  of  Christ,  to  enable  na  to 

praise  God  for  so  admirable  a  mercy. 

The  Lord  bless  thee,  my  dear  Daughter. 

I  rest, 

Thy  loving  Father, 

OuvER  Cbomwbix. 


*For8tcr*8  Statesmen  of  the  Commonwealth,  iv.,267;  from  certain 
of  Lord  Nugent's. 

t  How  true  is  this ;  equal,  in  its  obsolete  dialect,  to  the  highest  that  man 
has  yet  attained  to,  in  any  dialect,  old  or  new ! 


16^.1      LETTER  LXIX.,  ABOARD  THE  JOHN.       im 

*  P.S.'  I  hear  thou  didst  lately  miscany.  Prithee  tako  heed  of  ft 
coach  by  all  means ;  borrow  thy  Father's  nag  when  thon  fntcndiiit  to 
go  abroad.* 

Is  the  last  phrase  ironical ;  or  had  the  '  ooAch,'  in  thoie  aiu 
cient  roads,  overset,  and  produced  the  disaster  ?  Perhaps  *  thj 
Father's  nag'  is  really  safer  ?  Oliver  is  not  given  to  irony ;  nor 
in  a  tone  for  it  at  this  moment.  These  gentle  domesticities  and 
pieties  are  strangely  contrasted  with  the  fiery  savagery  and  iroo 
grimness,  stern  as  Doom,  which  meets  us  in  the  next  set  of  Let> 
ters  we  have  from  him  ! 

On  the  second  day  following,  on  the  iMi  of  Aiigiist,f  CSran* 
w«ll  with  a  prosperous  wind  arrived  in  Dublin ; '  whersi'  say  die 
old  Newspapers,^  '  he  was  received  widi  all  possible  demoBftni- 
tions  of  joy ;  the  great  guns  echoing  forth  their  weloome,  and  His 
acclamations  of  the  people  resounding  in  every  street  The  Loid 
Lieutenant  being  come  into  the  City,-— where  the  conooiine  of 
the  people  was  very  great,  they  all  flocking  to  see  him  of  whom 
before  they  had  heard  so  much, — at  a  convenient  place  he  made 
a  stand,'  rising  in  his  carriage,  we  suppose,  'and  with  his  het  in 
his  hand  made  a  speech  to  them.'  Speech  unfortunately  lost  |  it 
is  to  this  effect :  "  That  as  God  had  brought  him  thither  in  sftfistyi 
so  he  doubted  not  but  by  Divine  Providence  to  restore  them  aH  to 
their  just  liberties  and  properties,"  much  trodden  down  by  Hioae 
unblessed  Fapist-Royalist  combinations,  and  the  injuries  of  war  ; 
**  and  that  all  persons  whose  hearts'  afl^otions  were  real  far  ike 
carrying  on  of  this  great  work  against  the  barbftRms  and  blood- 
thirsty Irish  and  their  confederates  and  adhereotSi  and  far  piepft* 
gating  of  Christ's  Gospel  and  establishing  of  Truth  and  Fteos^ 
and  restoring  of  this  bleeding  Nation  of  Irelmnd  to  its  farmer  liftp- 
piness  and  tranquillity, — should  find  favor  and  ptoCeotkm  Cram 
the  Parliament  of  England  and  him,  and  withal  reoeive  snob  re- 
wards and  gratuities  as  might  be  answerabk  to  their  merits.'' 
'  This  Speech,'  say  the  Old  Newspapers,  *  wis  eirtimlained  vith 
great  applause  by  the  people ;  who  all  oried  oalf  ''We  will  live 
and  die  with  you !"  ' 

*  Forster,  iv.,  268.    FVom  certain  xm.  of  Loid  NuKSOfc 

t  Carte,  il.,  83.    |  InKimber:  Ufeof  Chf«aBWill(LoMAQa,l'm)i^  IM. 


374  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [16« 


LETTERS  LXX.-LXXXV. 


UtlSH   WAm. 


The  history  of  the  Irish  War  is,  and  for  the  present  must  coq- 
tinue,  very  dark  and  indecipherable  to  us.  Ireland,  ever  since 
the  Irish  Rebellion  broke  out  and  clianged  itself  into  an  Irish 
Massacre,  in  the  end  of  1641,  has  been  a  scene  of  distracted  con- 
troversies, plunderings,  excommunications,  treacheries,  conflagra- 
tions, of  universal  misery  and  blood  and  bluster,  such  ms  the 
world  before  or  since  has  never  seen.  The  History  of  it  does  nol 
form  itself  into  a  picture  ;  but  remains  only  as  a  huge  bldi  an 
indiscriminate  blackness  ;  which  the  human  memory  cannoc 
willingly  charge  itself  with !  There  are  Parties  on  the  back  of 
Parties ;  at  war  with  the  world  and  with  each  other.  There  are 
Catholics  of  the  Pale,  demanding  freedom  of  religion  ;  under  my 
Lord  This  and  my  Lford  That.  There  are  Old-Irish  Catholic^ 
under  Pope's  Nuncios,  under  Abbas  O'Teague  of  the  ezoommuni- 
cati(»is,  and  Owen  Roe  O'Neil ;— demanding  not  religious  fre^ 
dom  only,  but  what  we  now  call  '  Repeal  of  the  Union ;'  and 
unable  to  agree  with  th^  Catholics  of  the  English  Pale.  Then 
there  are  Ormond  Royalists,  of  the  Episcopalian  and  mixed  creeds^ 
strong  for  King  without  Covenant :  Ulster  and  other  Presbyte- 
rians, strong  for  King  and  Covenant :  lastly,  Michael  Jones  and 
the  Commonwealth  of  England,  who  want  neither  King  dcmt  Cove- 
nant. All  these  plunging  and  tumbling,  in  huge  discord,  for  the 
last  eight  years,  have  made  of  Ireland  and  its  affairs  the  black 
unutterable  blot  we  speak  of. 

At  the  date  of  Oliver's  arrival,  all  Irish  Parties  are  united  in 
a  combination  very  unusual  with  them ;  very  dangerous  for  the 
incipient  Commonwealth.  Ormond,  who  had  returned  thither 
with  new  Commission,  in  hopes  to  co-operate  with  Scotch  Hamil* 
ton  during  the  Second  Civil  War,  arrived  too  late  for  that 


1649.]  IRISH  WAB.  576 


but  has  succeeded  in  rallying  Ireland  into  one  mass  of  declared 
opposition  to  the  Powers  that  now  rule.  Catholics  of  the  PalOi 
and  Old-Irish  Catholics  of  the  Massacre,  will  at  length  act  to- 
gether :  Protestant  English  Royalism,  which  has  fled  hither  for 
shelter  ;  nay,  now  at  last  Royalist  Presbyterianism,  and  the  Yeiy 
Scots  in  Ulster, — have  all  joined  with  Ormond  *  against  the  Regi- 
cides.' They  are  eagerly  inviting  the  young  Charles  Second  to 
come  thither,  and  be  crowned  and  made  victorious.  He  as  yet 
hesitates  between  that  and  Scotland  ; — may  probably  give  Scot- 
land the  preference.  But  in  all  Ireland,  when  Cromwell  sets  foot 
on  it,  there  remain  only  two  Towns,  Dublin  and  Derry,  that  hold 
for  the  Commonwealth  ;  Dublin  lately  besieged,  Derry  still  be- 
sieged. A  very  formidable  combination.  All  Ireland  kneaded 
together,  by  favorable  accident  and  the  incredible  patience  of 
Ormond,  stands  up  in  one  great  combination,  resolute  to  resist  the 
Commonwealth.  Combination  great  in  bulk ;  but  made  of  izon 
and  clay  ; — in  meaning  not  so  great.  Oliver  has  taken  survey 
and  measure  of  it ;  Oliver  descends  on  it  like  the  Hammer  of 
Thor ;  smites  it,  as  at  one  fell  stroke,  into  dust  and  ruin,  never  to 
reunite  against  him  more. 

One  could  pity  this  poor  Irish  People ;  their  case  is  pitiable 
enough  !  The  claim  they  started  with,  in  1641,  was  for  religious 
freedom.  Their  claim,  we  can  now  all  see,  was  just :  essentially 
just,  though  full  of  intricacy  ;  difRcult  to  render  clear  and  COE- 
cessible  ; — nay,  at  that  date  of  the  World's  History,  it  was  hardly 
recognizable  to  any  Protestant  man,  for  just ;  and  these  frightfiil 
massacrings  and  sanguinary  blusterings  have  rendered  it,  for  the 
present,  entirely  unrecognizable.  A  just,  though  very  intricate 
claim  :  but  entered  upon,  and  prosecuted,  by  such  methods  as 
were  never  yet  available  for  asserting  any  claim  in  this  world  t 
Treachery  and  massacre:  what*could  come  of  it?  Eight  years 
of  cruel  fighting,  of  desperate  violence  and  misery,  have  left  mat- 
ters worse  a  thousandfold  than  they  were  at  first.  No  want  of 
daring,  or  of  patriotism  so-called  ;  but  a  great  want  of  other 
things  !  Numerous  large  masses  of  armed  men  h^ve  been  on 
foot ;  full  of  fiery  vehemence  and  audacity,  but  without  worth  as 
Armies  ;  savage  hordes  rather ;  full  of  hatred  and  mutual  hatred, 
of  disobedience,  falsity  and  noise.     Undrilled,  unpaid,— driving 


'*'• 


376  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [1649. 

herds  of  plundered  cattle  before  them  for  subsistence ;  rushing 
down  from  hillsides,  from  ambuscadoes,  passes  in  the  mountains ; 
taking  shelter  always  '  in  bogs  whither  the  cavalry  cannot  follow 
them.'  Unveracious,  violent,  disobedient  men.  False  in  speech ; 
— alas,  false  in  thought,  first  of  all ;  who  have  never  let  the  Fact 
tell  its  own  harsh  story  to  them ;  who  have  said  always  to  the 
harsh  Fact,  "  Thou  art  not  that  way,  thou  art  this  way  !"  The 
Fact,  of  course,  asserts  that  it  is  that  way  ;  the  Irish  Projects  end 
in  perpetual  discomfituro ;  have  to  take  shelter  in  bogs  whither 
cavalry  cannot  follow !  There  has  been  no  scene  seen  under  the 
sun  like  Ireland  for  these  eight  years.  Murder,  pillage,  confla- 
gration, excommunication ;  wide-flowing  blood,  and  bluster  high 
as  Heaven  and  St.  Peter ; — as  if  wolves  or  rabid  dogs  were  in 
fight  here  ;  as  if  demons  from  the  Pit  had  mounted  up  to  de&oe 
this  fair  green  piece  of  Grod's  Creation  with  their  talkings  and 
workings !  It  is,  and  shall  remain,  very  dark  to  us.  Conoeive 
Ireland  wasted,  torn  in  pieces ;  black  controversy  as  of  demons 
and  rabid  wolves  rushing  over  the  face  of  it  so  long ;  incurable, 
and  very  dim  to  us :  till  here  at  last,  as  in  the  torrent  of  Heaven's 
lightning  descending  liquid  on  it,  we  have  clear  and  terrible  view 
of  its  aflairs  for  a  time ! — 

Oliver's  proceedings  here  have  been  the  theme  of  much  loud 
criticism,  and  sibylline  execration ;  into  which  it  is  not  our  plan 
to  enter  at  present.  We  shall  give  these  Fifteen  Letters  of  his  in 
a  mass,  and  without  any  commentary  whatever.  To  those  who 
think  that  a  land  overrun  with  Sanguinary  Quacks  can  be  healed 
by  sprinkling  it  with  rose-water,  these  Lietters  must  be  veiy 
horrible.  Terrible  Surgery  this :  but  t^  it  Surgery  and  Judg- 
ment, or  atrocious  Murder  merely  ?  That  is  a  question  which 
should  be  asked ;  and  answered.  Oliver  Cromwell  did  believe  in 
God's  Judgments ;  and  did  not  helieve  in  the  rose-water  plan  of 
Surgery ; — which,  in  fact,  is  this  Editor's  case  too  !  Evciy  idle 
lie  and  piece  of  empty  bluster  this  Editor  hears,  he  too,  like 
Oliver,  has  to  shudder  at  it ;  has  to  think :  "  Thou,  idle  bluster, 
not  true,  thou  also  art  shutting  men's  minds  against  the  GSod's 
Fact ;  thou  wilt  issue  as  a  cleft  crown  to  some  poor  man  some 
day  ;  thou  also  wilt  have  to  take  shelter  in  bogs  whither  cavalry 
cannot  follow !" — But  in  Oliver's  time,  as  I  say,  there  was  still 


1649.]  IRISH  VTASL  tfl 

belief  in  the  Judgments  of  God ;  in  Oliver's  timoy  thero  wm  yet 
no  distracted  jargon  of  '  abolishing  Capital  Puishmenttiy'  of  Jean- 
Jacques  Philanthropy,  and  universal  rose-water  in  this  worid  still 
so  full  of  sin.  Men's  notion  was,  not  fi>r  abolishing  panishineiitSy 
but  for  making  laws  just :  God  the  Maker's  Laws^  they  ooosidefed, 
had  not  yet  got  the  Punishment  abolished  from  them !  Men  had 
a  notion,  that  the  difference  between  Good  and  Evil  was  sUU  ooi»- 
siderable ; — equal  to  the  difference  between  Heaven  and  Hell. 
It  was  a  true  notion.  Which  all  men  yet  saw,  and  felt  in  all  fibres 
of  their  existence,  to  be  true.  Only  in  late  decadent  generatioiiSy 
fast  hastening  towards  radical  change  or  final  perdition,  can  such 
indiscriminate  mashing-up  of  Good  and  Evil  into  one  untveraal 
patent-treacle,  and  most  unmedical  electuary,  of  Rousseau  Seoti- 
mentalism,  universal  Pardon  and  Benevolence,  with  dinner  and 
drink  and  one  cheer  more,  take  effect  in  our  Earth.  Eleetnary 
very  poisonous,  as  sweet  as  it  is,  and  very  nauseous ;  of  which 
Oliver,  happier  than  we,  had  not  yet  heard  the  slightest  intima- 
tion even  in  dreams. 

The  reader  of  these  Letters,  who  has  swept  all  that  very  omi- 
nous  twaddle  out  of  his  head  and  heart,  and  still  looks  with  a 
recognizing  eye  on  the  ways  of  the  Supreme  Powers  with  this 
world,  will  find  here,  in  the  rude  Practical  state,  a  PbeDomeiion 
which  he  will  account  noteworthy.  An  armed  Soldieri  solemnly 
conscious  to  himself  that  he  is  the  Soldier  of  God  the  Just^— *a 
consciousness  which  it  well  beseems  all  soldiers  and  all  men'  to 
have  always; — armed  Soldier,  terrible  as  Death,  irientleaB  as 
Doom  ;  doing  God's  Judgments  on  the  Enemies  of  God  I  It  is  a 
Phenomenon  not  of  joyful  nature ;  no,  but  of  awfoli  to  be  looked 
at  with  pious  terror  and  awe.  Not  a  Phenomenon  whioh  yoii  are 
called  to  recognize  with  bright  smiles,  and  fall  in  l(yve  widi  at 
sight : — ^thou,  art  thou  worthy  to  love  such  a  thing ;  worthy  to 
do  other  than  hate  it,  and  shriek  over  it  ?  Darest  thou  wed  the 
Heaven's  lightning,  then  ;  and  say  to  it,  Godlike  One  t  Is  thy 
own  life  beautiful  and  terrible  to  thee ;  steeped  in  the  eternal 
depths,  in  the  eternal  splendors  ?  Thou  also,  art  thou  in  thy 
sphere  the  minister  of  God's  Justice ;  feeling  that  thou  art  iiere 
to  do  it,  and  to  see  it  done,  at  thy  soul's  peril  t    Thou  wilt  then 


378  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [1M9. 

judge  Oliver  with  inoreasing  clearness ;  otherwise  with  increani^ 
darkness,  misjudge  him. 

In  fact,  Oliver's  dialect  is  rude  and  obsolete ;  the  phrases  of 
Oliver,  to  him  solemn  on  the  perilous  battlefield  as  voices  of  God, 
have  become  to  us  most  mournful  when  spouted  as  frothy  cant 
from  Exeter  Hall.  The  reader  has,  all  along,  to  make  steady 
allowance  for  that.  And  on  the  whole,  clear  recognition  will  be 
difficult  for  him.  To  a  poor  slumberous  Canting  Age,  mumbling 
to  itself  everywhere.  Peace,  Peace,  where  there  is  no  peace,— 
such  a  Phenomenon  as  Oliver,  in  Ireland  or  elsewhere,  is  not  the 
most  recognizable  in  all  its  meanings.  But  it  waits  there  ibr  re- 
cognition ;  and  can  wait  an  Age  or  two.  The  Memory  of  Oliver 
Cromwell,  as  I  count,  has  a  good  many  centuries  in  it  yet ;  and 
Ages  of  very  varied  complexion  to  apply  to,  before  all  end.  My 
reader,  in  this  passage  and  others,  shall  make  of  it  what  he  can. 

But  certainly,  at  lowest,  here  is  a  set  of  Military  Despatches  of 
the  most  unexampled  nature!  Most  rough,  unkempt;  shaggy  as 
the  Numidian  lion.  A  style  rugged  as  crags ;  coarse,  drossy :  yet 
with  a  meaning  in  it,  an  energy,  a  depth ;  pouring  on  like  a  fire- 
torrent  ;  perennial  ^re  of  it  visible  athwart  all  drosses  and  defiu)e- 
ments :  not  uninteresting  to  see  !  This  man  has  come  into  dis- 
tracted Ireland  with  a  Grod's  Truth  in  the  heart  of  him,  though  an 
unexpected  one  ;  the  first  such  man  they  have  seen  for  a  great 
while  indeed.  He  carries  Acts  of  Parliament,  Laws  of  Earth  and 
Heaven,  in  one  hand  ;  drawn  sword  in  the  other.  He  addresses 
the  bewildered  Irish  populations,  the  black  ravening  coil  of  san- 
guinary blustering  individuals  at  Tredah  and  elsewhere  :  "  San- 
guinary blustering  individuals,  whose  word  is  grown  worthless 
as  the  barking  of  dogs ;  whose  very  thought  is  false,  represent- 
ing no  fact  but  the  contrary  of  fact, — behold,  I  am  come  to 
speak  and  to  do  the  truth  among  you.  Here  are  Acts  of  Par- 
liament, methods  of  regulation  and  veracity,  emblems  the  near- 
est  we  poor  Puritans  could  make  them  of  God's  Law.Book^  to 
which  it  is  and  shall  be  our  perpetual  efibrt  to  make  them  cor- 
respond nearer  and  nearer.  Obey  them,  help  us  to  perfect 
them,  be  peaceable  and  true  under  them,  it  shall  be  well  with 
you.  Refuse  to  obey  them,  I  will  not  let  you  continue  living ! 
As  articulate-speaking  veracious  orderly  men,  not  as  a  bluster- 


1649.]  IRISH  WAR.  379 


ing  murderous  kennel  of  dogs  run  rabid,  shall  you  continue  in 
this  Earth.  Choose  !" — They  chose  to  disbelieve  him ;  could 
not  understand  that  he,  more  than  the  others,  nfieant  any  truth 
or  justice  to  them.  They  rejected  his  summons  and  terms  at 
Tredah :  he  stormed  the  place  ;  and  according  to  his  promise,  put 
every  man  of  the  Garrison  to  death.  His  own  soldiers  are  forbid- 
den 10  plunder,  by  paper  Proclamation;  and  in  ropes  of  authentic 
hemp  they  are  hanged  when  they  do  it.  To  Wexford  Garrison 
the  like  terms  as  at  Tredah  ;  and,  failing  these,  the  like  storm. 
Here  is  a  man  whose  word  represents  a  thing !  Not  bluster  this, 
and  false  jargon  scattering  itself  to  the  winds;  what  this  man 
speaks  out  of  him  comes  to  pass  as  a  fact ;  speech  with  this  man 
is  accurately  prophetic  of  deed.  This  is  the  first  King's  face 
poor  Ireland  ever  saw ;  the  first  Friend's  face,  little  as  it  recog- 
nizes him, — poor  Ireland ! 

But  let  us  take  the  Letters  themselves ;  and  read  them  with 
various  emotions,  in  which  wonder  will  not  fail.  What  a  rage, 
wide-sweeping  inexorable  as  Death,  dwells  in  that  heart ;— close 
neighbor  to  pity,  to  trembling  affection,  and  soft  tears !  Some 
readers  know  that  softness  vdthout  rigor,  rigor  as  of  adamant 
to  rest  upon,  is  but  sloth  and  cowardly  baseness;  that  without 
justice  first,  real  pity  is  not  possible,  and  only  false  pity  and 
maudlin  weakness  is  possible.  Others,  again,  are  not  aware  of 
that  fact. — To  our  Irish  friends  we  ought  to  say  likewise  that  this 
Garrison  of  Tredah  consisted  mostly  of  Englishmen.*  Perfectly 
certain  this: — and  therefore  let  "the  bloody  hoof  of  the  Saxon," 
dec,  forbear  to  continue  itself  on  that  matter.  At  its  peril !  Idle 
blustering,  and  untruth  of  every  kind,  lead  to  the  like  terrible 
results  in  these  days  as  they  did  in  those. 

The  following  Two  Letters  on  Tredah,  or  Drogheda  as  we 
now  name  it,  contain  in  themselves,  especially  the  Second  and 
more  deliberate  of  the  two  contains,  materials  for  a  pretty  com- 
plete account  of  the  Transaction  there.  It  requires  only  to  be 
added,  what  Cromwell  himself  has  forborne  to  do,  that  on  the 
repulse  of  the  first  attack,  it  was  he,  in  person,  who,  *  witnessing 

•  Ludlow,  i.,  301. 
VOL.  I.  18 


380       LETTER  LXX.,  STORM  OF  DROGHEDA.    [16 

it  from  the  batteries,'  hastened  forward  and  led  on  the  new  attack: 
My  pretty  men,  we  must  positively  not  be  repulsed ;  we  miut 
enter  here,  we  cannot  do  at  all  without  entering ! — The  leat  of 
these  Irish  Letters  may,  I  hope,  tell  their  own  tale. 


LETTER  LXX. 

'  To  the  Honorable  John  Bradshaw,  Esquire,  President  ff  ike  CowmbU 

ofStaU:  These,' 

*  Dublin/  16tb  September.  1649. 

Sib, 

It  hath  pleased  God  to  bless  our  endeavors  at  Drogfaeda.* 
After  batter}',  we  stormed  it.  The  Enemy  were  about  3,000  strong  in 
the  Town.  They  made  a  stout  resistance ;  and  near  1,000  of  our  men 
being  entered,  the  Enemy  forced  them  out  again.  But  God  giving  a 
new  courage  to  our  men,  they  attempted  again,  and  entered ;  beating 
the  Enemy  from  tlieir  defences. 

The  Enemy  had  made  three  retrenchments,  both  to  the  right  and  ]eft 
'of  where  we  entered ;  all  which  they  were  forced  to  quit.  Being  thus 
entered,  we  refused  them  quarter ;  having  the  day  before  sununoned  the 
Town.  I  believe  we  put  to  the  sword  the  whole  number  of  the  defend- 
ants. I  do  not  think  Tliirty  of  the  whole  number  escaped  with  their 
lives.  Those  tliat  did,  are  in  safe  custody  for  the  Barbadoes.  Since 
tliat  time,  the  Enemy  quitted  to  us  Trim  and  Dundalk.  In  Trim  they 
were  in  such  haste  that  they  left  their  guns  behind  them. 

This  hath  been  a  marvellous  great  mercy.  The  Enemy,  being  not 
willing  to  put  an  issue  upon  a  field-battle,  bad  put  into  this  GarrisoD 
almost  all  tlieir  prime  soldiers,  being  about  3,000  horse  and  foot,  nnder 
the  command  of  their  best  officers;  Sir  Arthur  Ashton  being  made 
Governor.  There  were  some  seven  or  eight  regiments,  Ormondes  being 
one,  under  the  command  of  Sir  Edmund  Varney.  I  do  not  believe, 
neither  do  I  hear,  that  any  officer  escaped  with  his  life,  save  only  one 
Lieutenant,  who,  I  hear,  going  to  the  Enemy  said.  That  he  was  the 
only  man  that  escaped  of  all  the  Garrison.  The  Enemy  upon  this  woe 
filled  with  much  terror.  And  truly  I  believe  this  bitterness  will  save 
much  efifusion  of  blood,  through  the  goodness  of  God. 

*  This  is  Oliver's  spelling;  contrary  to  i?bat  was  then  usual»  almost 
universal. 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXI.,  STORM  OF  DROGHEDA.  381 

I  wish  that  all  honest  hearts  may  give  the  glory  of  this  to  Crod  alone, 
to  whom  indeed  the  praise  of  this  mercy  belongs.  '  As '  for  instruments, 
they  were  very  inconsiderable  the  work  throughout.    ♦    ♦    * 

Captain  Brandly  did  with  forty  or  fifty  of  his  men  very  gallantly  storm 
the  Tenalias ;  for  which  he  deserves  the  thanks  of  the  State.    '  I  rest,' 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

*  Tenalia,'  I  believe,  is  now  called  Tenaitte  by  engineers ;  a 
kind  of  advanced  defensive-work,  which  takes  its  name  from  re- 
semblance, real  or  imaginary,  to  the  lip  of  a  pair  of  pincers. 

The  *  Sir  Edmund  Varney '  who  perished  here  was  the  son  of 
the  Standard-bearer  at  Edgehill.  For  Sir  Arthur  Ashton  see 
Clarendon.  Poor  Sir  Arthur  had  a  wooden  leg  which  the  sol- 
diers were  very  eager  for,  understanding  it  to  be  full  of  gold  coin ; 
but  it  proved  to  be  mere  timber :  all  his  gold,  200  broad  pieces, 
was  sewed  into  his  belt,  and  scrambled  for  when  that  came  to 
light. f  There  is  in  Wood's  Lifei^  ^^  old-soldier's  account  of  the 
Storm  of  Tredah,  sufficiently  emphatic,  by  Tom  Wood,  Anthony's 
brother,  who  had  been  there. 


LETTER  LXXI. 

*  For  the  Honorable  William  Lenihall,  Speaker  of  the  ParliamerU  of 

'England:  These.'' 

Dublin,  J  7th  September,  1649. 
Sm, 

Your  Army  being  safely  arrived  at  Dublin ;  and  the  Enemy 

endeavoring  to  draw  all  his  forces  together  about  Trim  and  Tecroghan, 
as  my  intelligence  gave  me, — from  whence  endeavors  were  made  by  the 
Marquis  of  Ormond  to  draw  Owen  Roe  O'Neil  with  his  forces  to  his 
assistance,  but  with  what  success  I  cannot  yet  learn, — I  resolved,  after 
some  refreshment  taken  for  our  weatherbeaten  men  and  horses,  and 
accommodations  for  a  march,  to  take  the  field.  And  accordingly,  upon 
Friday,  the  3uth  of  August)  last,  rendezvoused  with  eight  regiments  of 

•  WhiUocke,  p.  412. 

f  Ibid.  X  Prefixed  to  the  Athine  Oxoniense^ 

^  Friday  is  31st ;  this  error  as  to  the  day  of  the  month  continues  through 
the  Letter. 


383  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [17 


foot,  six  of  horse  and  some  troops  of  dragoons,  three  miles  on  the  ncndi 
side  of  Dublin.  The  design  was,  To  endeavor  the  regaining  of  Drog^ 
heda ;  or  tempting  the  Enemy,  upon  his  hanrd  of  the  loM  of  that  plut^ 
to  fight 

Your  Army  came  before  the  Town  upon  Monday  following.*  When 
having  pitched,  as  speedy  course  was  taken  as  could  be  to  frame  our 
batteries ;  which  took  up  the  more  time  because  divers  of  the  battering 
guns  were  on  shipboard.  Upon  Monday,  the  9thf  of  this  instant,  the 
batteries  began  to  play.  Whereupon  I  sent  Sir  Arthur  Ashton,  the  then 
Governor,  a  summons.  To  deliver  the  Town  to  the  use  of  the  Pariiament 
of  England.  To  the  which  receiving  no  satisfactory  answer,  I  pR^ 
ceeded  that  day  to  beat  down  the  Steeple  of  the  Church  on  the  eonth 
side  of  the  Town,  and  to  beat  down  a  Tower  not  iar  from  the  eune 
place,  which  you  will  discern  by  the  Chart  enclosed. 

Our  guns  not  being  able  to  do  much  that  day,  it  was  resolved  to 
endeavor  to  do  our  utmost  the  next  day  to  make  breaches  aaeanltable, 
and  by  the  help  of  God  to  storm  them.  The  phice  pitched  upon 
that  part  of  the  Town-wall  next  a  Church  called  St  Mary's;  which 
the  rather  chosen  because  we  did  hope  that  if  we  did  enter  and 
that  Church,  we  should  be  the  better  able  to  keep  it  against  their  hoiw 
and  foot  until  we  could  make  way  for  the  entrance  of  oar  horse ;  end 
we  did  not  conceive  that  any  part  of  the  Town  would  aflbrd  the  like 
advantage  for  that  purpose  with  this.  The  batteries  planted  were  two : 
one  was  for  that  part  of  the  Wall  against  the  east  end  of  the  atid 
Church ;  the  other  against  the  Wall  on  the  south  side.  Being  aome- 
what  long  in  battering,  the  Enemy  made  six  retrenchments :  three  of 
them  from  the  said  Church  to  Duleek  Gate ;  and  three  of  them  from  the 
east  end  of  the  Church  to  the  Town-wall  and  so  backward.  The  goni, 
after  some  two  or  three  hundred  shot,  beat  down  the  comer  Tower,  and 
opened  two  reasonable  good  breaches  in  the  east  and  south  Wall. 

Upon  Tuesday,  the  10th  of  this  instant,  about  five  o'clock  in  the  eve- 
ning, we  began  the  Storm:  and  after  some  hot  dispute  we  entered, 
about  seven  or  eight  hundred  men ;  the  Enemy  disputing  it  very  rtiflly 
with  us.  And  indeed,  through  the  advantages  of  the  place,  and  the 
courage  God  was  pleased  to  give  the  defenders,  our  men  were  forced  to 
retreat  quite  out  of  the  breach,  not  without  some  considerable  km; 
Colonel  Cassel  being  there  shot  in  the  head,  whereof  he  presently  died ; 
and  divers  officers  and  soldiers  doing  their  duty  killed  and  wonndedL 
There  was  a  Tenalia  to  flanker  the  south  Wall  of  the  Town,  between 
Duleek  Gate  and  the^  comer  Tower  before  mentioned ; — which  onr  men 
entered,  wherem  they  found  some  forty  or  fifty  of  the  Enemy,  which 

*  3d  September.  f  10th. 


1649L]  LSTTER  LXXI.,  STORM  OF  DROGHEDA.  388 

they  put  to  the  sword.  And  this  *Tenalia'  they  held:  but  it  being 
without  the  Wall,  and  the  sally-port  tlirough  the  Wall  into  that  Tenalia 
being  choked  up  with  some  of  the  Enemy  which  were  killed  in  it,  it 
proved  of  no  use  for  an  entrance  into  the  Town  that  way. 

Although  our  men  that  stormed  the  breaches  were  forced  to  recoil, 
as  is  before  expressed ;  yet,  being  encoura^d  to  recover  their  loss,  they 
made  a  second  attempt ;  wherein  God  was  pleased  so  to  animate  them 
that  they  got  ground  of  the  Enemy,  and  by  the  goodness  of  Crod,  forced 
him  to  quit  his  entrenchments.  And  after  a  very  hot  dispute,  the 
Enemy  having  both  horse  and  foot,  and  we  only  foot,  within  the  WaU, 
— they  gave  ground,  and  our  men  became  masters  both  of  their  retrench- 
ments and  *of'  the  Church:  which  indeed,  although  they  made  onr 
entrance  the  more  difficult,  yet  they  proved  of  excellent  use  to  us ;  so 
that  the  Enemy  could  not  *  now '  annoy  us  with  their  horse,  but  thereby 
we  had  advantage  to  make  good  the  ground,  that  so  we  might  let  in 
our  own  horse ;  which  accordingly  was  done,  though  with  much  diffi- 
culty. 

Divers  of  the  Enemy  retreated  into  the  Mill-Mount ;  a  |^ce  very 
strong  and  of  difficult  access ;  being  exceedingly  high,  having  a  good 
grail,  and  strongly  pallisadoed.  The  Governor,  Sir  Arthur  Ashton,  and 
divers  considerable  Officers  being  there,  onr  men  getting  up  to  them, 
were  ordered  by  me  to  put  them  all  to  the  sword.  And  indeed,  being 
in  the  heat  of  action,  I  forbade  them  to  spare  any  that  were  in  arms 
in  the  Town :  and,  I  think,  that  night  they  put  to  the  sword  about 
2,000  men; — divers  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  being  fled  over  the 
Bridge  into  the  other  part  of  the  Town,  where  about  100  of  them  pos- 
sessed St.  Peter's  Church-steeple,  some  the  west  Gate,  and  others  a 
strong  Round  Tower  next  the  Gate  called  St.  Sunday's.  These, 
being  summoned  to  yield  to  mercy,  refused.  Whereupon  I  ordered 
the  steeple  of  St.  Peter's  Church  to  be  fired,  when  one  of  them  was 
heard  to  say  in  the  midst  of  the  flames :  "  God  damn  me,  God  con- 
found me  :  I  burn,  I  bum." 

The  next  day,  the  other  two  Towers  were  summoned ;  in  one  of 
which  was  about  six  or  seven  score  :  but  they  refused  to  yield  them- 
selves: and  we  knowing  that  hunger  must  compel  them,  set  only 
good  guards  to  secure  them  from  running  away  until  their  stomachs 
were  come  down.  From  one  of  the  said  Towers,  notwithstanding 
their  condition,  they  killed  and  wounded  some  of  our  men.  When 
they  submitted,  their  officers  were  knocked  on  the  head;  and  every 
tenth  man  of  the  soldiers  killed ;  and  the  rest  shipped  for  the  Bai^ 
badoes.  The  soldiers  in  the  other  Tower  were  all  spared,  as  to  thehr 
lives  only  ;  and  shipped  likewise  for  the  Barbadoes. 

I  am  persuaded  that  this   is   a  righteous  judgment  of  God  upon 


384  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [17  Sept 

these  barbarous  wretches,  who  have  imbrued  their  hands  in  so  mnch 
innocent  blood ;  and  that  it  will  tend  to  prevent  the  effusion  of  blood 
for  the  future.  Which  are  the  satisfactory  grounds  to  sach  actknu, 
which  otherwise  cannot  but  work  remorse  and  regret.  The  officers  and 
soldiers  of  this  Garrison  wTre  tlie  flower  of  their  Army.  And  their 
great  expectation  was,  that  %\it  attempting  this  place  would  put  hit  to 
ruin  us :  they  being  confident  of  the  resolution  of  their  men,  and  the 
advantage  of  tlie  place.  If  we  had  divided  our  force  into  two  qnaiten 
to  have  besieged  the  North  Town  and  the  South  Town,  we  could  not 
have  had  such  a  correspondency  between  the  two  parts  of  our  Annj, 
but  that  they  might  have  chosen  to  have  brought  their  Army,  and  have 
fought  with  which  part '  of  ours '  they  pleased, — and  at  the  same  time 
have  made  a  sally  with  2,000  men  upon  us,  and  have  left  their  walli 
manned ;  they  having  in  the  Town  the  number  hereafter  specified,  bat 
some  say  near  4,000. 

Since  this  great  mercy  vouchsafed  to  us,  I  sent  a  party  of  horse  and 
dragoons  to  Dundalk ;  which  the  Enemy  quitted,  and  we  are  poeaeaaed 
of, — as  also  *  of  another  Castle  they  deserted,  between  Trim  and  Drop 
hcda,  upon  tlie  Boyne.  I  sent  a  party  of  horse  and  dragoona  to  a 
House  within  five  miles  of  Trim,  there  being  then  in  Trim  some  Scoli 
Companies,  which  the  Lord  of  Ardes  brought  to  assist  the  Lord  of 
Ormond.  But  upon  the  news  of  Drogheda,  they  ran  away ;  leaving 
their  great  guns  behind  them,  which  also  we  have  possessed. 

And  now  give  me  leave  to  say  how  it  comes  to  pass  that  this  work  ii 
wrought  It  was  set  upon  some  of  our  hearts.  That  a  great  thing  ahonld 
be  done,  not  by  power  or  might,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  God.  And  b  it  not 
so,  clearly  ?  That  which  caused  your  men  to  storm  so  courageously, 
it  was  the  Spirit  of  God,  who  gave  your  men  courage,  and  took  it 
away  again ;  and  gave  the  Enemy  courage,  and  took  it  away  again ;  and 
gave  your  men  courage  again,  and  therewith,  this  happy  success.  And 
therefore  it  is  good  that  God  alone  have  all  the  glory. 

It  is  remarkable  that  these  people,  at  the  first  set  up  the  Mass  in  some 
places  of  the  Town  that  had  been  monasteries ;  but  afterwards  grew  so 
insolent  that,  the  last  Lord's  day  before  the  storm,  the  Protestants  were 
thrust  out  of  the  great  Church  called  St.  Peter's,  and  they  bad  pnUic 
Mass  there :  and  in  this  very  place  near  1,000  of  them  were  put  to  the 
sword,  fleeing  thither  for  safety.  I  believe  all  their  friars  were  knock- 
ed on  the  head  promiscuously  but  two :  the  one  of  which  was  Father 
Peter  Taaff,  brother  to  Lord  Taaff,  whom  the  soldiers  took,  the  ne3[t  day, 
and  made  an  end  of.  The  other  was  taken  in  the  Round  Tower, 
under  the  repute  of  a  Lieutenant,  and  when  he  understood  that  the 


1648.]  LETTER  LXXI.,  STORM  OF  DROGHEDA.  385 

officers  in  that  Tower  had  no  quarter,  he  confessed  he  was  a  Friar; 
but  that  did  not  save  him. 

A  great  deal  of  loss  in  this  business  fell  upon  Colonel  Hewson's, 
Colonel  Cassers,  and  Colonel  Ewer*8  regiments.  Colonel  Ewer  hav- 
ing two  Field-Officers  in  his  regiment  shot ;  Colonel  Cassel  and  a  Cap- 
tain of  his  regiment  slain:  Colonel  Hewson*s  Captain-Lieutenant 
slain.  I  do  not  think  we  lost  100  men  upon  the  place,  tliough  many  be 
wounded. 

I  must  humbly  pray  the  Parliament  may  be  pleased  <  that '  this  Army 
may  be  maintained ;  and  that  a  consideration  may  be  had  of  them,  and 
of  the  carrying  on  affairs  here,  ^  such '  as  may  give  a  speedy  issue  to 
this  work.  To  which  there  seems  to  be  a  marvellous  fair  opportunity 
offered  by  God.  And  altliough  it  may  seem  very  chargeable  to  the  State 
of  England  to  maintain  so  great  a  force ;  yet  surely  to  stretch  a  little 
for  the  present,  in  following. God's  providence,  in  hope  the  charge  will 
not  be  long — I  trust  it  will  not  be  thought  by  any  (that  have  not  irrecon- 
cilable or  malicious  principles)  unfit  for  me  to  move.  For  a  constant  sup- 
ply :  which,  in  human  probability  as  to  outward  things,  is  most  likely  to 
hasten  and  perfect  this  work.  And  indeed  if  God  please  to  finish  it  here 
as  He  hath  done  in  England,  the  War  is  like  to  pay  itself. 

We  keep  the  field  much ;  our  tents  sheltering  us  from  the  wet  and 
cold.  But  yet  the  Country-sickness  overtakes  many :  and  therefore  we 
desire  recruits,  and  some  fresh  regiments  of  foot,  may  be  sent  us.  For 
it's  easily  conceived  by  what  the  Garrisons  already  drink  up,  what  our 
Field- Army  will  come  to,  if  God  shall  give  more  Grarrisons  into  our 
hands.     Craving  pardon  for  this  great  trouble,  I  rest, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  of  my  Letter,  a  Major  who  brought  off  forty-three 
horse  from  the  Enemy  told  me  that  it's  reported  in  their  camp  that 
Owen  Roe  and  they  are  agreed. 

The  defendants  in  Drogheda  consisted  of:  The  Lord  of  Ormond'a 
regiment ;  Sir  Edmund  Vamey  Lieutenant-Colonel's,  of  400 :  Colonel 
Bym's,  Colonel  Warren's,  and  Colonel  Wall's  of  2,000 ;  the  Lord  of 
Westmeath's,  of  200  ;  Sir  James  Dillon's,  of  200 ;  and  200  horse.* 

The  report  as  to  Owen  Roe  O'Neil  is  correct.  Monk,  who 
had  lately  in  Ulster  entered  upon  some  negotiation  with  O'Neil 
and  his  Old-Irish  Party,  who,  as  oflen  happened,  were  in  quarrel 

*  Newspapers ;  in  Parliamentary  History  (London,  1763),  xix.,  30L 


3S6  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [14  Oct 

with  the  others,  found  himself  deserted  by  his  very  soldierB,  sod 
obliged  to  go  to  England  ;  where  this  policy  of  his,  very  useful 
as  Monk  had  thought,  is  indignantly  disavowed  by  the  Authori- 
ties, who  will  not  hear  of  such  a  connexion.*  Owen  Roe  0*Nei] 
appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  real  ability  :  surely  no  able  mao, 
or  son  of  Order,  ever  sank  in  a  more  dismal  welter  of  oonfuaions 
unconquerable  by  him  !  He  did  no  more  service  or  diaserrice 
henceforth  ;  he  died  in  some  two  months,  of  a  disease  in  the  foot, 
— poisoned,  say  some,  by  the  gifl  of  a  *  pair  of  russet-leather 
boots '  which  some  traitor  had  bestowed  on  him.f 

Such  was  the  Storm  of  Tredah.  A  thing  which,  if  one  vanied 
good  assurance  as  to  the  essential  meaning  of  it,  might  well 
*work  remorse  and  regret:'  for  indisputably  the  outer  body  of 
it  is  emphatic  enough  !  Cromwell,  not  in  a  light  or  loose  man- 
ner, but  in  a  very  solemn  and  deep  one,  takes  charge  for  himself) 
at  his  own  peril.  That  it  is  a  Judgment  of  Grod :  and  that  it  did 
*  save  much  effusion  of  blo^d,'  we  and  all  spectators  can  very 
readily  testify.  '  The  execrable  policy  of  that  Regicide/  aayi 
Jacobite  Carte  on  the  occasion,  '  had  the  efiect  he  proposed.  It 
spread  abroad  the  terror  of  his  name ;  it  cut  * — ^In  fact,  it  cut 
through  the  heart  of  the  Irish  War.  Wexford  Storm  followed 
(not  by  forethought,  it  would  seem,  but  by  chance  of  war)  in  the 
same  stern  fushion ;  and  there  was  no  other  storm  or  slaughter 
needed  in  that  Country.  Rose-water  Surgeons  might  have  tried 
it  otherwise ;  but  that  was  not  Oliver's  execrable  policy,  not  the 
Rose-water  one.  And  so  we  leave  it,  standing  oi^  such  basis  as 
it  has. 

Ormond  had  sent  orders  to  *  bum '  Dundalk  and  Trim  befere 
quitting  them  ;  but  the  Garrisons,  looking  at  Tredah,  were  in  too 
much  haste  to  apply  the  coal.  They  marched  away  at  double- 
quick  time  ;  the  Lord  Lieutenant  got  possession  of  both  Towns 
unbumt.  He  has  put  Grarrisons  there,  we  see,  which  '  drink  up ' 
some  of  his  forces.  He  has  also  despatched  Colonel  Venables,  of 
whom  we  shall  hear  again,  with  a  regiment  or  two  to  raise  what 
Siege  there  may  be  at  Derry,  and  assist  in  settling  distracted 
Ulster ;  a  service  they  rapidly  accomplished,  without  much  hurCi 

*  10  August,  1649  (Commons  Joumtis,  vl.,  277).         f  Caite,  ii.,  83. 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXII.,  WEXFORD.  887 


though  not  without  one  imminent  peril — by  a,  oamisado,  or  sur- 
prisal  in  the  night-time,  which  is  afterwards  alluded  to  in  these 
Letters.  The  Lord  Lieutenant  himself,  who  dates  from  Dublioi 
rests  but  a  few  days  there ;  then  sets  out  Southward  on  a  new 
series  of  operations. 


LETTER  LXXn. 

For  the  Honorable  WiUiam  LenthaU^  Speaker  of  the  ParKameiU  tf 

England:  These. 

Wexford,  14th  October,  1640. 

Sm, 

The  Army  marched  from  Dublin,  aboat  the  23d  of  September, 

into  the  County  of  Wicklow,  where  the  Enemy  had  a  Garriaon  aboat 
fourteen  miles  from  Dublin,  called  Killincarrick ;  which  they  quitting,  a 
Company  of  the  Army  was  put  therein.  From  thence  the  Army  march- 
ed through  almost  a  desolated  country,  until  it  came  to  a  passage  over 
the  River  Doro,*  about  a  mile  above  the  Castle  of  Arcklow,  which  was 
the  first  seat  and  honor  of  the  Marquis  of  Ormond's  family.  Which  he 
had  strongly  fortified  :  but  it  was,  upon  the  approach  of  the  Army,  quit- 
ted ; — wherein  we  left  another  Company  of  Foot. 

From  thence  the  Army  marched  towards  Wexford ;  where  in  the  way 
was  a  strong  and  large  Castle,  at  a  town  called  Limbrick,  the  anciei^ 
seat  of  the  Esmonds ;  where  the  Enemy  had  a  strong  Garrison ;  which 
they  burnt  and  quitted,  the  day  before  our  coming  thither.  From  thence 
we  marched  towards  Ferns,  an  episcopal  seat,  where  was  a  Castle ;  to 
which  I  sent  Colonel  Reynolds  with  a  party  to  summon  it  Which  ae* 
cordingly  he  did,  and  it  was  surrendered  to  him ;  where  he  having  pot 
a  company, — advanced  the  Army  to  a  passage  over  the  River  Slaney, 
which  runs  down  to  Wexford ;  and  that  night,  we  marched  into  the 
fields  of  a  Village  called  Enniscorthy,  belonging  to  Mr.  Robert  Wallop  ;t 

*  River  Dorrha :  it  is  now  called  Avoca :  and  well  known  to  mnsicat 
persons. 

t  Wallop  is  Member  (*  recruiter')  for  Andover;  a  King's- Judge ;  Mem- 
ber of  the  Council  of  State ;  now  and  afterwards  a  conspicnoiis  rigorova 
republican  man.  He  has  advanced  money,  long  since,  we  sappose,  for  the 
Public  Service  in  Ireland ;  and  obtained  in  payment  this  *  fidr  House,'  and 
Superiority  of  Enniscorthy ;  properties  the  valtie  os  no-value  of  which  will 
much  depend  on  the  Lord  Lieutenant's  success  at  psssent— Wallop's  repra» 
sentative,  a  Peer  of  the  Realin,  is  still  ownes  hsce,  s»  it  hss  rrored. 

18* 


388  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [14  Oct 

where  was  a  strong  Castle  very  well  manned  and  provided  for  bj  tha 
Enemy :  and,  close  under  it,  a  very  fair  House  belonging  to  the  nine 
worthy  person, — a  Monastery  of  Franciscan  Friars,  the  consideiibleel 
in  all  Ireland :  they  ran  away  the  night  before  we  came.  We  aniB- 
moned  the  Castle ;  and  they  refused  to  yield  at  the  first;  but  upon  bel^ 
ter  consideration,  they  were  willing  to  deliver  the  place  to  ns ;  whieh 
accordingly  they  did ;  leaving  their  great  guns,  arms,  ammunitioo  And 
provisions  behind  them. 

Upon  Monday,  the  First  of  October,  we  came  before  Wexfoid.  Into 
which  the  Enemy  had  put  a  Garrison,  consisting  of  'part  of  their 
Army ;  this  Town  having,  until  then,  been  so  confident  of  their  own 
strength  as  that  they  would  not,  at  any  time,  su^r  a  Garrison  to  be  im- 
posed upon  them.  The  Commander  that  brought  in  those  forcee  wee 
Colonel  David  Synott ;  who  took  upon  him  tlie  command  of  the  piece.' 
To  whom  I  sent  a  Summons ;  between  whom  and  me  there  peeeed  en- 
Bwers  and  replies : 

"  For  the  Lord  General  Cromwell, 

^  Sir, — ^I  received  your  Letter  of  Summons  for  the  delivery  of  tlw 
Town  into  your  hands.  Which  standeth  not  with  my  honor  to  do  of 
myself;  neither  will  I  take  it  upon  me,  without  the  advice  of  the  reit 
of  the  Officers,  and  Mayor  of  this  Corporation ;  this  Town  bein^  of  so 
great  consequence  to  all  Ireland.  Whom  I  will  call  together,  ead 
confer  with  ;  and  return  my  resolution  to  you,  to-morrow  by  twelve  of 
the  clock. 

'*  In  the  meantime,  if  you  be  so  pleased,  I  am  content  to  fovbeer  all 
acts  of  hostility,  so  you  permit  no  approach  to  be  made.  Expecting 
your  answer  in  that  particular,  I  remain, — my  Lord, — ^yoar  Lordihi|i% 
servant, 

"D.  Stsor." 

"  To  the  Commander-ii^chief  of  the  Town  of  Wearford, 

"  Sm, — ^I  am  contented  to  expect  your  resolution  by  twelve  of  Ae 
clock  to-morrow  morning.  Because  our  tents  are  not  so  good  a  coveiiii| 
as  your  houses,  and  for  other  reasons,  I  cannot  agree  to  a  ceeoation.  I 
rest, — ^your  servant, 

"Oliver  Cromwell." 

Whilst  these  papers  were  passing  between  us,  I  sent  the  Lientenul- 
General*  with  a  party  of  dragoons,  horse  and  foot,  to  endeavor  to 

*  Michael  Jones. 


1640.}  LETTER  LXXIU  WEXFORD.  aSt 

dieir  Fort,  which  lay  at  the  mouth  of  their  harbor,  about  ten  mfles  di»* 
tant  from  as.  To  which  he  8ent<a  troop  of  dragoons;  but  ttuB  EneiBf 
quitted  their  Fort,  leaving  behind  them  about  seven  great  guns;  betook 
themselves,  by  the  help  of  their  boat,  to  a  Frigate  of  twelve  guns  lyiiif 
fai  the  harbor,  within  cannon-shot  of  the  Fort.  The  dragoons  possessed 
the  Fort :  and  some  seamen  belonging  to  your  Fleet  coming  happily  in 
at  the  same  time,  they  bent  their  guns  at  the  Frigate,  and  ^  UnoMdl* 
ately  yielded  to  mercy, — both  herself,  the  soldiers  that  had  been  in  the 
Fort,  and  the  seamen  that  manned  her.  And  whilst  our  men  wenis  kt 
her,  the  Town,  not  knowing  what  had  happened,  sent  another  veesel  to 
her ;  which  our  men  also  took. 

The  Governor  of  the  Town  having  obtained  from  me  a  saib-eondiMt 
for  the  four  persons  mentioned  in  one  of  the  papers,  to  come  and  treat 
with  me  about  the  surrender  of  the  Town,  I  expected  they  sboohl  hate 
done  BO.  But  instead  thereof,  the  Earl  of  Castlehaven  broiigfat  to  tbeir 
relief,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,*  about  five  hundred  foot  Which 
occasioned  their  refusal  to  send  out  any  to  treat ;  and  caused  me  to  re- 
voke my  safe-conduct,  not  thinking  it  fit  to  leave  it  for  them  to  make 
use  of  it  when  they  pleased.  Our  cannon  being  landed,!  and  we  having 
removed  ail  our  quarters  to  the  south-east  end  of  the  Town,  next  the 
Castle, '  which  stands  without  the  Walls,' — it  was  generally  agreed  that 
we  should  bend  the  whole  strength  of  our  artillery  upon  the  Castle; 
being  persuaded  that  if  we  got  the  Castle,  the  Town  wouU  easily  loDow. 

Upon  Thursday,  the  11th  instant  (our  batteries  being  finished  the 
night  before),  we  began  to  play  betimes  in  the  morning ;  and  haviof 
spent  near  a  hundred  shot,  the  Governor's  stomach  came  down ;  and  he 
sent  to  me  to  give  leave  for  four  persons,  intrusted  by  him,  to  oome  nnlD 
me,  and  ofier  terms  of  surrender.  Which  I  condescending  to,  two  Field- 
Officers  with  an  Alderman  of  the  Town,  and  the  Captafai  of  the  Caade^ 
brought  out  the  Propositions  enclosed, — which  lor  their  abominaMepeWi 
noanifesting  also  the  impudency  of  the  men,  I  thought  fit  to  pfeeent  to 
jTOur  view.  Together  with  my  Answer  ;| — which  indeed  had  no  eftet 
For  whilst  I  was  preparing  of  it ;  studying  to  preserve  the  Town  firam 
plunder,  that  it  might  be  of  the  more  use  to  yon  and  your  Amyy— the 
Captain,  who  was  one  of  the  Commissioners,  being  hiAf  treated,  yielded 
up  the  Castle  to  us.  Upon  the  top  of  which  our  men  no  sooner  qn 
peared,  but  the  Enemy  quitted  the  Walls  of  the  Town ;  which  our  men 
perceiving,  ran  violently  upon  the  Town  with  their  ladders,  and  stormed 
it  And  when  they  were  come  into  the  market-place,  the  Enenj 
making  a  stiff  resistance,  our  forces  brake  them ;  and  then  pot  all  tothe 

*  Carte,  ii.,  93.  f  MhOdbfJtMtlib.).       tK^^ 


390  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [U  Oct 

sword  that  came  in  their  way.  Two  boatfuls  of  the  Enemy  attempting 
to  escape,  being  overprest  with  numbers,  sank ;  whereby  were  drowned 
near  three  hundred  of  them.  I  believe,  in  all,  there  was  lost  of  the 
Enemy  not  many  less  than  Two  thousand ;  and  I  believe  not  Twenty  of 
your*s  from  first  to  last  of  the  Siege.  And  indeed  it  hath,  not  without 
cause,  been  deeply  set  upon  our  hearts.  That,  we  intending  better  to 
this  place  than  so  great  a  ruin,  hoping  the  Town  might  be  of  more  use 
to  you  aAd  your  Army,  yet  God  would  not  have  it  so ;  but,  by  an  unex- 
pected providence,  in  His  righteous  justice,  brought  a  just  judgment  upon 
them ;  causing  them  to  become  a  prey  to  the  soldier  who  in  their  pirftp 
cies  had  made  preys  of  so  many  families,  and  now  with  their  bloods  to 
answer  the  cruelties  which  tliey  had  exercised  upon  the  lives  of  divers 
poor  Protestants  1  Two  *  instances*  of  which  I  have  been  lately  ae* 
quainted  with.  About  seven  or  eight  score  poor  Protestants  were  by 
them  put  into  an  old  vessel ;  which  being,  as  some  say,  bulged  by  them, 
the  vessel  sunk,  and  they  were  all  pit^sently  drowned  in  the  Harbor. 
The  other '  instance  '  was  thus  :  They  put  divers  poor  Protestants  into 
a  Chapel  (which,  since,  they  have  used  for  a  Mass-House,  and  in  which 
one  or  more  of  their  priests  were  now  killed),  whore  they  were  ilEtmished 
to  death. 

The  soldiers  got  a  very  good  booty  in  this  place ;  and  had  not  they* 
bad  opportunity  to  carry  their  goods  over  the  River,  whilst  we  besieged 
it,  it  would  have  been  much  more : — I  could  have  wished  for  their  own 
good,  and  tlie  good  of  the  Garrison,  tliey  had  been  more  moderate.f 
Some  things  which  were  not  easily  portable,  we  hope  we  shall  make 
use  of  to  your  behoof.  There  are  great  quantities  of  iron,  hides,  tallow, 
salt,  pipe,  and  barrel-staves ;  which  are  under  commissioners*  hands,  to 
be  secured.  We  believe  there  are  near  a  hundred  cannon  in  tlie  Foit, 
and  elt'cwhcre  in  and  about  the  Town.  Hero  is  likewise  some  very  good 
shipping :  here  are  tliree  vessels,  one  of  tliem  of  thirty-four  guns,  which 
a  week's  time  would  fit  to  sea ;  there  is  another  of  about  twenty  guns, 
very  near  ready  likewise.  And  one  other  Frigate  of  twenty  guns,  upon 
the  stocks ;  made  for  sailing ;  which  is  built  up  to  the  uppermost  deck : 
for  her  handsomeness'  sake,  I  have  appointed  the  workmen  to  finish  her, 
here  being  materials  to  do  it,  if  you  or  the  Council  of  State  shall  ap- 
prove thereof.  The  Frigate,  also,  taken  beside  the  Fort,  is  a  most 
excellent  vessel  for  sailing.  Besides  divers  other  ships  and  vessels  in 
the  Harbor. 

Tills  Town  is  now  so  in  your  power,  that  of  the  former  inhabitant! 

*  The  Townsfolk.  t  Not  forced  us  to  storm  them. 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXIL,  WEXFORD.  Ml 


I  believe' scarce  one  in  twenty  can  challenge  any  property  in  their 
houses.  Most  of  them  are  run  away,  and  many  of  tliem  lulled  In 
this  service.  And  it  were  to  be  wished,  that  an  honest  people  would 
come  and  plant  here ; — where  are  very  good  lionsesi  and  other  %»> 
commodations  fitted  to  their  hands,  which  may  by  yonr  fiivor  be  made  of 
encouragement  to  them.  As  also  a  seat  of  good  trade,  both  inward  And 
outward : — and  of  marvellous  great  advantage  in  the  point  of  the  her- 
ring and  other  fishing.  The  Town  is  pleasantly  seated  and  straBf, 
having  a  rampart  of  earth  within  the  wall,  near  fifteen  feet  thick. 

Thus  it  hath  pleased  God  to  give  into  yonr  hands  this  other  merey- 
For  which,  as  for  all,  we  pray  God  may  have  all  the  glory.    Indeed 
your  instruments  are  poor  and  weak,  and  can  do  nothing  but  throng 
believing, — and  that  is  the  gift  of  God  also. 
I  humbly  take  leave,  and  rest. 

Your  most  humble  Servant, 

Ouvjut  Ckomwxll. 

<  P.  S.'  A  day  or  two  before  our  Battery  was  planted,  Ormond,  the 
Earl  of  Castlehaven,  the  Lord  of  Ardes  and  Clannebqyes  were  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Water,  with  about  1,800  horse  'and'  1,600  foot ;  and 
ofiered  to  put  in  four  or  ^we  hundred  foot  more  into  the  Town ;  which 
the  Town  refusing,  he  marched  away  in  all  haste.  I  sent  the  liev* 
tenant-General  ader  him,  with  about  1,400  hofse;  bnt  the  Enenj 
made  from  him.* 

Young  Charles  II.,  who  has  got  to  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  decid- 
edly inclining  towards  Ireland  as  yet,  will  probably  be  staggered 
by  these  occurrences,  when  the  news  of  them  reaches  him.  Not 
good  quarters  Ireland  at  present  f  The  Scots  have  prodaimed 
him  King  ;  but  clogged  it  with  such  conditions  about  the  Gov^ 
nant,  about  Malignants,  and  what  not,  as  nothiDg  but  the  thrott 
of  an  ostrich  could  swallow.  The  poor  young  King  is  much 
at  a  loss  ;f — must  go  somewhither,  and  if  possible  take  soma 
Mrs.  Barlow  with  him !  Laird  Winram,  Senator  of  the  College 
of  Justice,  is  off  to  deal  with  him  ;:|:  to  see  if  he  cannot  help  hhn 
down  with  the  Covenant :  the  Laird's  best  ally,  I  think,  will  be 
Oliver  in  Ireland.  At  Edinburgh  these  are  the  news  from  that 
quarter : 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwdliana,  pp.  65-7). 

t  Carte's  Ormond  Papers,  i.,  316,  &c. 

}  11  October,  1649,  Balfour's  Historical  Wc^Bi  (Edish.,  imSU  iu-t  4Si. 


30.3  PART  V.     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [17  Oct. 


*  In  October  and  November  this  year  there  ran  and  were  spread 
frequent  rumors  that  Lieutenant-Greneral  Oliver  Cromwell  wts 
routed  in  Ireland,  yea  killed ;  and  again  that  he  bore  all  down 
before  him  like  ane  impetuous  torrent :  how  that  he  had  taken 
Tradaffe  and  Washeford/  Tredah  and  Wexford ;  '  and  there,  nei- 
ther sparing  sex  nor  age,  had  exercised  all  the  cruelties  of  a 
merciless  inhuman  and  bloody  butcher,  even  brutishly  against 
Nature.  On  these  rumors  Will  Douglass,'  no  great  shakes  at 
metre,  '  did  write  these  lines  : 

'*  Cromwell  is  dead,  and  risen ;  and  dead  again, 
And  risen  the  third  time  after  he  was  slain : 
No  wonder !   For  he's  messenger  of  Hell : — 
And  now  he  buffets  us,  now  posts  to  tell 
What*s  past ;  and  for  more  game  new  counsel  takes 
Of  his  good  fViend  the  Devil,  who  keeps  the  stakes."  ** 


LETTER  LXXIIL 

Under  date  5th  November,  1649,  we  read  in  the  old  Newspapen : 
'  Our  affairs  have  made  this  progress :  Wexford  being  settl^  under 
the  command  of  Ck>lonel  Cooke,  our  Army  stayed  not  long  there: 
but  hasted  further  unto  Ross.  Which  is  a  widled  Town,  situated 
upon  the  river  Barrow,  a  very  pleasant  and  commodious  iiTer, 
bearing  vessels  of  a  very  considerable  burden.  Upon  Wednes- 
day, the  17th  of  this  instant  October,  we  sat  down  before  Ross; 
and  my  Lord  Lieutenant,  the  same  day,  sent  in  this  following 
Summons:' 

For  the  Commander-4n<kief  tn  Ro8$:  Thete, 

17th  Octobsr,  1640. 
Sib, 

Since  my  coining  into  Ireland,  I  have  this  witness  for  nijssl( 

That  I  have  endeavored  to  avoid  effusion  of  blood ;  having  been  before 

no  place,  to  which  such  terms  have  not  been  first  sent  as  miglit  have 

torned  to  the  good  and  preservation  of  those  to  whom  they  were  of^ 

•  BalfooT't  Historictl  Woiki  (Edinb.,  1835),  iii.,  p.  433. 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXIII.     ROSS.  tfM 

fered ;   this  bein^  my  principle,  that  the  people  and  plieei  where  I 
come  may  not  sufier,  except  throngli  their  own  wilfiihieee. 

To  the  end  I  may  observe  the  like  course  with  this  plaee  and  peo- 
ple therein,  I  do  hereby  summon  you  to  deliver  the  Town  of  Rom 
into  my  hands,  to  the  use  of  the  Pariiament  of  England.  Ezpeeting 
your  speedy  answer,  I  rest, 

Your  servant, 

Olivbb  CsohwiUm* 

* 

'  The  trumpeter  that  carried  this  suimiKms  was  denied  entrance 
into  the  Town.  They  received  his  paper  at  the  gfttes ;  and  ttdd 
him  that  an  answer  should  be  returned  thereunto  by  a  dninuner 
of  their  own.  Hereupon  we  prepared  our  batteries,  and  made 
ready  for  a  storm.  Ormond  himself,  Ardes,  and  Castldiafeii 
were  on  the  other  side  of  the  River ;  and  sent  in  supplies  of 
1,500  foot,  the  day  before  it  was  surrendered  to  us;  1,000  fcot 
being  in  it  before  we  came  unto  it.  Castlehaven  was  in  it  that 
morning  they  delivered  it,  and  Inchiquin  too  had  been  there  not 
above  two  or  three  days  before  our  advance  thither.  They  boated 
over  their  men  into  the  Town  in  our  sight ;  and  yet  that  did  not 
discourage  us  in  making  ready  all  provisions  fitting  for  a  storm. 
On  Friday,  the  19th  of  this  instant,  our  great  pieces  began  to 
play,  and  early  in  the  morning  the  Governor  sent  out  his  answer 
to  my  Lord  Lieutenant's  Summons : 

*^For  General   Cromwell,  or,  in  his  abseneCf  For  the  Ccmmandefnn 
chief  ff  the  Army  now  encamped  h^dre  Ro$$, 

"  RoM,  19th  October,  1649. 
"  Sir, — I  received  a  Summons  from  you,  the  first  day  yon  appealed 
before  this  place ;  which  shouM  iiave  been  answered  ere  now,  had  not 
other  occasions  interrupted  me.  And  although  I  am  now  in  hx  bstlsr 
condition  to  defend  this  place  than  I  was  at  that  time,  yet  am  I,  vpoB 
the  considerations  ofSsred  in  your  Summons,  content  to  SBtSftaia  a 
Treaty ;  and  to  receive  from  you  those  eooditkins  that  may  be  safe  and 
honorable  for  me  to  accept  of.  Which  if  yon  listen  to^  I  ds^rs  that 
pledges  on  both  sides  may  be  sent,  for  performanee  of  such  Articles  as 
shall  be  agreed  upon ;  and  that  all  acts  of  hostility  may  cease  on  both 
sides,  and  each  party  keep  within  their  distance.  To  tiiis  yomr  Imme- 
diate resolution  is  expected  by, — Sur,  your  servant, 

■*  Lucas  Tajow.^ 
^  Newspapers  (in  CromweUiSBa,  p.  e7.) 


391  PART  V.     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [19  Oct 


*  Hereunto  my  Lord  iniinediately  returned  this  Answer,'^ 
which  counts  here  as  our  Seventy -fourth  Letter : 

I 

LETTER  LXXrV. 

For  the  Qovemor  of  Ross :  These. 

19th  October,  1649. 
Sm, 

If  you  like  to  march  away  with  those  under  your 
command,  with  their  arms,  \mg  and  hag^gage,  and  with  drums  and 
colons,  and  shall  deliver  up  the  Toi^'n  to  me, — I  shall  give  caution  to 
perform  these  conditions ;  expecting  the  like  from  yon.  As  to  the  in* 
habitants,  they  shall  be  permitted  to  live  peaceably,  free  from  the  injuiy 
and  violence  of  the  soldiers. 

If  you  like  hereof,  you  can  tell  how  to  let  me  know  your  mind,  noU 
withstanding  my  refusal  of  a  cessation.  By  these  you  will  see  the 
reality  of  my  intentions  to  save  blood,  and  to  preserve  the  place  ftooi 

ruin.    I  rest, 

Your  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.^ 

'  Our  batteries  still  continued,  and  made  a  great  breach  In  the 
Wall.  Our  men  were  drawn  out  in  a  readiness  to  storm,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Ingoldsby  being  by  lot  chosen  to  lead  them ;  but 
the  Governor  being  willing  to  embrace  conditions,  sent  out  this 
his  Reply  : 

"  Far  General  Cromwell :  These. 

"Ross,  19th  October,  1649. 

"  Sir, — There  wants  but  little  of  what  I  would  propose : — ^whicb  is. 

That  such  Townsmen  as  have  a  desire  to  depart,  may  have  liberty 

within  a  convenient  time  to  carry  away  thcmHelves  and  goods :  and 

liberty  of  conscience  to  such  as  shall  stay :  and  that  I  may  carry  away 

such  artillery  and  ammunition  as  I  have  in  my  command.    If  you  be 

inclined  to  this,  I  will  send,  upon  your  honor  as  a  safe-conduct,  an 

Officer  to  conclude  with  yon.    To  which  your  immediate  answer  is 

expected  by, — Sir,  your  servant, 

"  Lucas  Taaft." 

'Hereunto  my  Lord  gave  this  return,'-— our  Seventy-fifth 
Letter: 

^  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  68). 


Iit0.\  LETHER  LXlfV.,    ROSS.  3M 

LETTER  LXXV. 
For  the  Governor  i^  Ron :  Theu. 

IBth  October,  1018. 
Sm, 

To  what  I  fonnerly  ofiered,*  I  sliall  make  good. 
Ab  for  your  carrying  anny  any  arlillery  or  annnuDilion,  that  yoii  brought 
not  with  ynu,  or  'thai '  hath  not  come  to  yoa  since  you  had  the  CDni> 
msnd  of  that  place, — 1  mu9t  deny  you  that ;  expect! og  you  to  leave  it 
as  you  found  it. 

'  Ah  '  for  that  which  you  mention  winceming  liberty  of  conpcience,  I 
meddle  not  with  any  man's  conscience.  But  if  by  liberty  of  couBcieace, 
you  mean  a  liberty  to  exercise  the  Mass,  I  judge  it  best  lo  uee  pbUn 
dealing,  aud  to  let  you  know,  Where  the  Parllainenl  of  England  hive 
power,  (lull  will  not  be  allowed  of.  As  for  such  of  the  Towiumen  who 
desire  to  depart,  and  carry  away  ihemselveg  and  goods  (as  you  exprefis), 
I  engage  myrielf  (hey  shall  have  thre«  months  time  so  to  do ;  and  In  tbe 
mean  time  shall  be  protected  from  violenco  In  their  persons  and  gDod», 
aa  oilers  uuder  the  obedience  of  the  Parliameat. 

If  yuu  accept  of  this  olfer,  I  engmge  my  honor  for  a  puuctual  per- 
fonna;ice  hereof.     I  rest. 

Your  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.) 

'  The  Governor  reliirned  this  Answer  ; 

"  For  Qeneral  CromvtU :   These. 

Oaobpr  19th,  1(1.19, 

"  Sir, — I  am  content  to  yield  op  this  place  npon  the  Terms  ofltred 
in  your  laet  and  first  Letters.  And  if  you  pleaee  to  send  yonr  safe- 
condnct  to  such  as  1  shall  appoint  to  perfect  these  conditions,  I  shall  oo 
receipt  thereof  send  tliem  to  you.  In  the  interval, — To  cease  oil  acta 
of  hostiUly,  and  that  all  parties  keep  their  own  ground,  until  matters 
receive  a  full  end.     And  so  remains,  Sir,  your  servant, 

"Ldcas  Taatf." 

'  Hereunto  my  Lord  replied  thus :' — 

•  '  To,'  lie.  t  Newspapers  (in  CromwellJuiB,  p.  68). 


896  PART  V.     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [19  Oct. 


Sm, 


LETTER  LXXVI. 

For  the  Oovemar  of  Ross :  These, 

October  19th,  1649. 


You  have  my  hand  and  honor  engaged  to  perform 
what  I  offered  in  my  first  and  last  Letters ;  which  I  shall  inviolably 
observe.  I  expect  you  to  send  me  immediately  four  persona  of  saeh 
quality  as  may  be  hostages  for  your  performance ;  for  whom  yoa  have 
this  safe-conduct  enclosed,  into  which  you  may  insert  their  minoa 
Without  which  I  shall  not  cease  acts  of  hostility.  If  anything  happen 
by  your  delay,  to  your  prejudice,  it  will  not  be  my  fault  Thoae  jtm 
send  may  see  the  conditions  perfected.  Whilst  I  forbear  acti  of  hoe* 
tility,  I  expect  you  forbear  all  actings  within.    I  rest, 

Your  servant, 

Oliver  Cxomwkli..* 

• 

'  This,'  says  the  old  Newspaper, '  was  the  last  message  between 
them :  the  Grovernor  sending  out  his  four  hostages  to  compose  and 
perfect  the  Agreement,  our  batteries  ceased ;  and  our  intentiont 
to  storm  the  Town  were  disappointed.  Thus  within  three  dajft 
we  had  possession  of  this  place  without  the  effusion  of  blood.  A 
very  considerable  place,  and  a  very  good  quarter  for  the  refreeb- 
ment  of  our  soldiers.  The  Enemy  marched  over  to  the  other  side 
of  the  River,  and  did  not  come  out  of  that  side  of  the  Town  where 
we  had  encamped,' — which  I  think  was  a  judicious  movement  of 
theirs.  What  English  were  in  the  Garrison,  some  five  or  six  hun- 
dred here,  do,  as  their  common  custom  is,  'join  us.'  Munater 
Royalist  Forces,  poor  Ormond  men,  they  had  rather  live,  than  be 
slain  in  such  a  Cause  as  this  has  grown. 


LETTER  LXXVn. 

Here  is  Cromwell's  official  acooimt  of  the  same  bu8ine«,  in  a 
Letter  to  Lenthall. 

^  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  69). 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXVIL,  ROSS. 

*For  the  Honorable  WiUiam  LerUhaU,  Speaker  ef  Ae  PmHmmt  ef 

England:  These. 

Rom,  25th  October,  1649. 

Sib, 

Since  my  last  from  Wexford,  we  marched  to  Roes ;  a  mlled 
Town,  situated  upon  the  Barrow ;  a  port-town,  up  to  which  a  fhip  of 
seven  or  eight  hundred  tons  may  come. 

We  came  before  it  upon  Wednesday,  the  17th  UMtant,  with  time 
pieces  of  cannon.  That  evening  I  sent  a  Sanunons;  Mi^)or-G6iiei«l 
Taaff,  being  Governor,  refused  to  admit  my  trumpet  into  the  Town ;  bvt 
took  the  Summons  in,  returning  me  no  answer.  I  did  hear  thai  near 
1,000  foot  had  been  put  into  this  place  sope  few  daya  before  my  oocniiif 
to  it.  The  next  day  was  spent  in  making  preparations  for  oar  battery ; 
and  in  our  view  there  were  boated  over  from  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
of  English,  Scots,  and  Irish,  1,600  more,  Ormond,  CastldHLven,  sad 
the  Lord  of  Ardes,  being  on  the  other  side  of  the  water  to  cause  it  to 
be  done. 

That  night  we  planted  our  battery ;  which  began  to  play  ?ery  early 
the  next  morning.  The  Governor  immediately  sent  forth  an  Answer 
to  my  Summons ;  copies  of  all  which  I  make  bold  herewith  to  tum- 
ble you  *  with  ;**  the  rather  because  yon  may  see  how  God  polls  down 
^roud  stomachs.  The  Governor  desired  commissioners  might  treaC»  and 
that  in  the  meantime  there  might  be  a  ceasmg  of  acts  of  liostility  on 
both  sides.  Which  I  refused ;  sending  in  word,  That  if  he  wonld 
march  away  with  arms,  bag  and  baggage,  and  give  me  hostages  for  per- 
formance, he  should.  Indeed  he  might  have  done  it  without  my  leaver 
by  the  advantage  of  the  River.  He  insisted  upon  having  the  cannon 
with  him ;  which  I  would  not  yield  unto,  but  requured  the  leaving  the 
artillery  and  ammunition ;  which  he  was  content  to  do,  and  marehed 
away,  leaving  the  great  artillery,  and  the  ammunition  in  Uie  stores  to 
me. — When  they  marched  away,  at  least  600  English,  many  of  them 
of  the  Munster  forces,  came  to  us. 

Ormond  is  at  Kilkenny,  Inchinquin  in  Munster,  Hemy  OTIeily  Owen 
Roe's  Son,  is  come  up  to  Kilkenny,  with  near  9,000  hone  tnd  foot, 
with  whom  and  Ormond  there  is  now  a  perfect  oonjnnetion.  So  that 
now,  I  trust,  some  angry  friends  will  think  it  high  time  to  take  off  their 
jealousy!  from  those  to  whom  they  ought  to  exercise  mors  charity* 

The  rendition  of  this  Garrison  was  a  seasonable  mercy,  as  giving  ns 

*  We  have  just  read  them. 

t  Jealousy  of  the  Parliament's  having  countansnced  Monk  in  his  negotia- 
tions with  Ov^en  Roe  and  the  Old-Irish  of  the 


39S  PART  V.     CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [13  Nov. 

an  opportunity  towards  Munster ;  and  is  for  tlie  present  a  very  good 
refreshment  for  our  men.  We  are  able  tu  say  nothing  as  to  all  this,  but 
that  the  Lord  is  still  pleased  to  own  a  company  of  poor  worthless  crea- 
tures; for  which  we  desire  His  name  to  be  magnified,  and  '  that'  the 
hearts  of  all  concerned  may  be  provoked  to  walk  worthy  of  such  con- 
tinued favors.    This  is  the  earnest  desire  of 

Your  most  humUe  senrant, 

Oliveb  Cromwell. 

P.S.  Colonel  Ilorton  is  lately  dead  of  the  Country-disease,  leaving 
a  Son  behind  him.  lie  was  a  person  of  great  integrity  and  courage. 
His  former  services,  especially  that  of  the  last  summer,  I  hope  will  be 
had  in  remembrance.* 

Poor  Ilorton  ;  he  beat  the  Welsh  at  St.  Pagan's,  and  did  good 
service  '  last  summer;'  and  now  he  is  dead  of  the  'Country-dis- 
ease,'— a  pestilence,  raging  in  the  rear  of  Famine  and  the  Spoil 
of  War.  Famine  has  long  reigned.  When  the  War  ended, 
Ludlow  tells  us,  it  was  found  necessary  to  issue  a  Proclamatioii 
that '  no  lambs  or  calves  should  be  killed  for  one  year,'  the  atock* 
of  cattle  being  exhausted.  Such  waste  had  there  been,  continues 
he,  in  burning  the  possessions  of  the  English,  many  of  the  Natives 
themselves  were  driven  to  starvation ;  <  and  I  have  been  informed 
hy  persons  deserving  credit,  that  the  same  calamity  fell  upon  them 
even  in  the  first  year  of  the  Rebellion,  through  the  depredations 
of  the  Irish ;  and  that  they  roasted  men,  and  ate  them,  to  supply 
their  necessities. 'f  Such  a  War  is  worth  ending  at  some  oost  U^ 
In  the  Lord  Lieutenant's  Army,  we  learn  elsewhere,  there  was 
an  abundant  supply,  the  country  crowding  in  as  to  a  good  nmrkeCi 
where  sure  prices  were  given,  and  fair  dealing  enforced ;  all  man* 
ner  of  depredators  being,  according  to  the  paper  Proclamation^ 
hanged  in  very  authentic  hemp.  '  Much  better  supplied  than  any 
of  the  Irish  Armies  had  ever  been.'J 

•  Newspapers  (in  Pari.  History,  xix.,  224-6). 

t  Ludlow,  i.,  338,  9.  t  Carte,  ii.,  90. 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXVIII.,  ROSS.  a09 


LETTER  LXXVIII. 

Here  is  a  small  glimpse  of  domesticity  again,  due  to  the  Pniey 
Seventeen ;  very  welcome  to  us  in  these  wild  scenes.  Mayor 
has  endorsed  it  at  Hursley,  *  Received  12th  Decemher,  1649.' 
*  Cousin  Barton,'  I  suppose,  is  the  Barton  who  boggled  at  some 
things  in  the  Marriage-Contracts ;  a  respectable  man,  though  he 
has  his  crotchets  now  and  then. 

For  my  beloved  Brother,  Richard  Mayor,  Esquire^  at  Hunky:  Tlmi. 

Rots,  13th  November,  1649. 
Dear  Brother, 

I  am  not  often  at  leisure,  nor  now,  to  sslnte 

my  friends ;  yet  unwilling  to  lose  this  opportunity.  I  take  it,  only  to  let 
you  know  that  you  and  your  Family  are  often  in  my  prayers.  As  for 
Dick,  I  do  not  much  expect  it  from  him,  knowing  his  idleness ;  but  I  am 
angry  with  my  Daughter  as  a  promise-breaker.  Pray  tell  her  so; — but 
1  hope  she  will  redeem  herself. 

It  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  us  (since  the  taking  of  Wexford  and 
Ross)  a  good  interest  in  Munster,  by  the  accession*  of  Cork  and  Yongfaal, 
which  are  both  submitted;  their  Commanders  are  now  with  me.  Diveis 
other  lesser  Garrisons  are  come  in  also.  The  Lord  is  wonderful  in 
these  tilings;  it*s  His  hand  alone  does  them;  O  that  all  the  prufe 
mi^ht  be  ascribed  to  Him ! 

I  have  been  crazy  in  my  health ;  but  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  sustain 
me.  I  beg  your  prayers.  I  desire  you  to  call  upon  my  Son  to  mind 
the  things  of  God  more  and  more :  alas,  what  profit  is  there  in  the 
things  of  this  world  ;— except  they  be  enjoyed  in  Christ,  they  are  snares. 
I  wish  he  may  enjoy  his  Wife  so,  and  she  him ;  I  wish  I  may  eiyoj 
them  both  so. 

My  service  to  my  dear  Sister  *  and '  Cousin  Ann ;  my  blessing  to 
my  Children,  and  love  to  Cousin  Barton  and  the  rest. 

Sir,  I  am. 
Your  affectionate  brother  and  ssrvant, 

OUVBE  CBOIIWXLL.t 

•  •  access,*  orig, 

t  Harris,  p.  511 ;  one  of  the  Pusey  set,  preserved  by  Dnnch,  as  intimated 
*bove. 


01    lis    IL'cllUl  L'S.        Jit;  tiuain.j<.»ii«^  v-«    n    i,^   v^^.^^,^.^.^ 

Princo   Maurice,  sea- roving  in  like   fashion, 
sank,  in  the  West  Indies,  mouse  and  man  ;  an( 
exactly  where,  when,  or  how.     Rupert  inven 
vent,  <  pinchbeck'  in  subsequent  years,  and  ( 
to  the  public  that  I  know  of. 

The  defection  of  Cork  and  Youghal,  full  o 
and  complex  distractions,  followed  naturally 
cesses.     In  Lady  Fanshawe^s  Memoirs  is  a  ^ 
universal  hurlyburly  that  took  place  at  Cork, 
t'  '  occurrence  there :  tremulous  instant  decisioi 

which  side  you  will  join ;  swifl  packing  in 
swift  riding  ofi^  in  any  carriage,  cart,  or  ass-c 
with  for  love  or  money !  Poor  Lady  Fansh 
there  to  try  it  yet  a  little  longer. 


i'.  For  the  Honorable  WiUiam  LerUhaU,  Speaker  oft) 

land:  These. 
Y 

m 

Ron,  1 
:  Sot, 

•i  Aboat  a  fortnight  since,  I  had  son 

'  Cork  was  retamed  to  its  obedience;  and  had  r 


1640.]         •  LETTER  LXXIX.,  ROSS.  401 

Who,  when  they  came  thither,  received  rach  enterttinmeiit  u  tiieM  «i> 
dosed  will  let  you  see. 

In  the  meantime  the  Garland,  one  of  your  third-rate  Ships,  coming  hap- 
pUy  into  Waterford  Bay,  I  ordered  her,  and  a  great  Prize  lately  takan 
in  that  Bay,  to  transport  Colonel  Phayr*  to  Cork ;  whitherward  he  want, 
having  along  with  him  near  Five-hundred  foot,  which  I  spared  him  out 
of  this  poor  Army,  and  1,600/.  in  money; — giving  him  snoh  inatiue* 
tions  as  were  proper  for  the  promoting  of  yonr  hiterest  there.  As  they 
went  with  an  intention  for  Cork,  it  pleased  God  the  whid  coming  eroMy 
they  were  forced  to  ride  off  from  Dungarvan.  Where  they  met  CS^p- 
tain  Mildmay  returning  with  the  Nonsuch  Frigate,  with  Cokmel  ^Pmni- 
send  aboard,  coming  to  me ;  who  advertised  them  that  Yoogfaal  had  alaa 
declared  for  the  Parliament  of  England.  Wherenpon  they  steered  tMr 
coarse  thither ;  and  sent  for  Colonel  Giilbrd,  CoAooel  Warden,  Mi^ 
Pnrden  (who  with  Colonel  Townsend  have  been  very  active  instni- 
ments  for  the  return  both  of  Cork  and  Yougfaal  to  their  obedience,  htT- 
ing  some  of  them  adventured  their  lives  twice  or  thrice  to  efl^t  it),  and 
the  Mayor  of  Youghal  aboard  them ;  who  accordingly  immediately  came 
and  made  tender  of  some  propositions  to  be  o^red  to  me*  Bat  my  Lovf* 
Broghil  being  on  board  the  Ship,  assuring  them  it  wooM  be  more  lor 
their  honor  and-  advantage  to  desire  no  conditions,  they  said  they  wonhl 
submit  Whereupon  my  Lord  Broghil,  Sir  William  Fenton,  and  Golond 
Phayr,  went  lx>  the  Town ;  and  were  received, — ^I  shall  give  yon  my 
Lord  BrogbiPs  own  words, — ^  toUh  aU  the  retUdemomtratums  €f  glmimn 
an  overjoyed  people  were  capable  of.** 

Not  long  after,  Colonel  Phayr  landed  his  foot.  And  by  the  endeavon 
of  the  noble  personf  afore  mentioned,  and  the  rest  of  the  gentlemen,  tiie 
Garrison  is  put  in  good  order ;  and  the  Munster  officers  and  eoUien  in 
that  Garrison  in  a  way  of  settlement  Colonel  Phayr  intends,  aa  I  liaar, 
to  leave  Two-hundred  men  there,  and  to  march  with  the  rest  oreriand  lo 
Cork.  I  hear  by  Colonel  Townsend,  and  the  rest  of  the  gentlemen  that 
were  employed  to  me,  that  Baltimore,  Castlehaven,  Cappoqnin,aDd  aonie 
other  places  of  hard  names,  are  come  in ;  aa  also  that  then  ara  hopea 
of  other  places. 

From  Sir  Charles  Coot,  Lord  President  of  Connanght,  I  bid  a  Letter, 
about  three  or  four  days  since.  That  he  is  come  ofver  the  Bann,  and  batfi 

*  He  of  the  King's  Death  Warrant. 

t  Lord  Broghil.  The  somewhat  romantic  story  of  Cromwell's  first  visit 
to  him,  and  chivalrous  conquest  of  him,  at  his  lodgings  in  London,  *  in 
the  dusk  of  the  evening,'  is  in  Collins's  Peerage  (London,  1741 )» iv.,  95S; 
and  in  many  other  Books ;— copied  from  Morrice's  Life  ef  Orrery* 


402  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [14  Nor. 


taken  Coleraine  by  storm :  and  that  he  is  in  conjnnction  with  Colonel 
Venables, — who  I  hear  hath  besieged  Carrickfergrus  ;  which  if  through 
the  mercy  of  God  it  be  taken,  I  know  nothing  considerable  in  the  North 
of  Ireland,  but  Charlemont,  that  is  not  in  your  hands. 

We  lie  with  the  Army  at  Ross  ;  where  we  have  been  making  a  bridge 
over  the  Barrow,  and  *  have*  hardly  yet  accomplished  '  it*  as  we  codU 
wish.  The  Enemy  lies  upon  the  Nore,  on  the  land  between  the  Banoir 
and  it ;  having  gathered  together  all  ^e  force  they  can  get.  Owen 
Roe's  men,  as  they  report  them,  are  Six-thousand  foot,  and  about  Foor> 
thousand  horse,  beside  their  own  Army  *■  in  this  quarter  :*  and  they  give 
out  they  will  have  a  day  for  it : — which  we  hope  the  Lord  in  His  mercy 
will  enable  us  to  give  them,  in  His  own  good  time.  lu  wliom  we 
desire  our  only  trust  and  confidence  may  be. 

Wiiilst  wc  have  lain  here,  we  have  not  been  without  some  sweet 
taste  of  the  gcKMlncss  of  Grod.  Your  ships  have  taken  some  good  prises. 
The  last  was  thus :  There  came-in  a  Dunkirk  man-of-war  with  32  guns; 
who  brourrht  in  a  Turkish  mau-of-war  whom  she  had  taken,  and  ano- 
ther ship  of  10  guns  laden  with  poor-john  and  oil.  These  two  yonr 
ships  took.  But  the  man-of-war  whose  prizes  these  two  were,  put  hei^ 
t^elf  under  the  furt  of  Duncannon,  so  that  your  ships  could  not  come 
near  her.  It  pleased  God  we  had  two  demi-cannon  with  tlie  foot  on  the 
shore;  wliich  bt'ing  planted,  raked  her  through,  killing  and  wounding  her 
men :  so  that  alter  ten  shot  she  weighed  anchor,  and  ran  into  your  Fleet, 
with  a  ll;ig  of  submission,  surrendering  herself.  She  was  well-man* 
ned,  the  prisoners  taken  being  Two-hundred  and  thirty. — I  doubt  the 
taking  of  prisoners  of  this  sort  will  cause  the  wicked  trade  of  Piracy 
to  be  endless.  They  were  landed  before  I  was  aware  :  and  a  hundred 
of  them,  as  I  hear,  are  gotten  into  Duncannon,  and  have  taken  up 
arms  there  ;  and  I  doubt  the  rest,  that  are  gone  to  Waterford,  will  do  us 
no  g(KKl.  The  seamen,  being  so  full  of  prizes  and  unprovided  of  victiud, 
knew  not  how  otherwise  to  dispose  of  them. 

Anotiier '  mercy^  was  this.  We,  having  left  divers  sick  men,  both 
horse  and  foot  at  Dublin, — hearing  many  of  them  were  recovered,  sent 
them  orders  to  march  up  to  us ;  which  accordingly  they  did.  Coming 
to  Arcklow,  on  Monday  the  first  of  this  instant,  being  about  350  horse 
and  about  800  foot, — the  Enemy,  hearing  of  tliem  (through  the  great 
advantage  they  have  in  point  of  intelligence),  drew  together  a  body  of 
horse  and  ftxit,  near  3,000,  which  Inchiquin  commanded.  There  went 
also,  with  this  party,  Sir  Thomas  Armstrong,  Colonel  Trevor,  and  most 
of  tlieir  great  ranters.*    We  sent  fifteen  or  sixteen  troops  to  their 


*  firajj:gurts,  great  guns.     Trevor  had  given  Venables,  as  above  hinted»  m 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXIX.,  ROSS.  403 

cue,  near  eight  hours  too  late.  It  pleased  God  we  sent  them  word  by 
a  nearer  way,  To  march  close,  and  be  circumspect,  and  to  make  what 
haste  they  could  to  Wexford,  by  the  sea-side.  They  had  marched  near 
eighteen  miles,  and  were  come  within  seven  miles  of  Wexford  (the  foot 
being  miserably  wearied),  when  the  Enemy  gave  the  scouts  of  the  reai^ 
guard  an  alarm.  Whereupon  they  immediately  drew  up  in  the  best 
order  they  could  upon  the  sands,  the  sea  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  rocka 
on  the  other ;  where  the  Enemy  made  a  very  furious  charge ;  *  and' 
overbearing  our  horse  with  their  numbers,  which,  as  some  of  their  priflon- 
ere  confess,  were  Fifteen  hundred  of  their  best  horse,  forced  them  in 
some  disorder  back  to  the  foot.  Our  foot  stood ;  forbearing  their  firing 
till  the  Enemy  was  come  almost  within  pistol-shot,  and  then  let  fly  feiy 
full  in  the  faces  of  them :  whereby  some  of  them  began  to  tnmble ;  Ihe 
rest  running  off  in  a  very  great  disorder ; — and  '  they'  foced  not  about 
until  they  got  above  musket-shot  off.  Upon  this  our  hone  took  eneoa- 
ragement;  drawing  up  again;  bringing  up  some  foot  to  flank  them. 
And  a  gentleman  of  ours,  that  had  charged  through  before,  being 
amongst  them  undiscerned,  having  put  his  signal  into  his  hat  ai  they 
did, — took  his  opportunity  and  came  off;  letting  our  men  know,  Tiiat 
the  Enemy  was  in  great  confusion  and  disorder,  and  that  if  they  couki 
attempt  another  charge,  he  was  confident  good  might  be  done  on  them. 
It  pleased  God  to  give  our  .men  courage ;  they  advanced ;  and,  &lling 
upon  the  Enemy,  totally  routed  them ;  took  two  cofors  and  diven 
prisoners,  and  killed  divers  upon  the  place  and  in  the  pnnniit  I  do 
not  hear  that  we  have  two  men  killed ;  and  but  one  mortally  wounded, 
and  not  five  that  are  taken  prisonera. 

The  quick  march  of  our  party  made  Inchiquin  that  he  could  reach 
them  with  nothing  but  his  horse,  hoping  to  put  them  to  a  stand  until  hit 
foot  came  up ;  which  if  he  had  done,  there  had  probably  been  no  saving 
of  a  man  of  this  party.  Without  doubt  Inchiquin,  Trevor,  and  the  leat 
o(  those  people,  who  are  very  good  at  this  work,  had  swallowed  up  this 
party !  And  indeed  it  was,  in  human  probability,  lost ;  but  God,  thit 
defeated  Trevor  in  his  attempt  upon  Venables  {which  Trevor,  ai  I  hear 
this  night  from  the  Enemy's  camp,  was  shot  tliroagh  the  belly,  in  this 
service,  and  is  carried  to  Kilkenny, — and  Sir  Thomas  Annstraog  is  alho 

dangerous  camisado  in  the  North  lately ;  and  was  not  to  from  rainiog  him, 
had  the  end  corresponded  with  the  beginning  (see  Carte,  iL,  89).  To  which 
Cromwell  alludes,  by  uiid  by,  in  this  Letter.  Lord  Inchiquin,  a  man  of 
Royalist-Presbyterian  tendencies,  has  fought  loqg  on  various  sides.  The 
name  Armstrong  is  not  yet  much  of  a  '  ranter ;  but  a  new  Sir  Thomas  will 
become  famous  under  'I'itus  Oates.  Ludlow  gives  a  curious  account  of  this 
same  running-fight  on  the  sea^beach  of  Arcklow  (i.,  309). 
YOL.  I.  19 


404  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [U  Nor. 


wounded),  hath  disappointed  them,  and  poured  shame  upon  them  in  thiB 
defeat ;  giving  us  the  lives  of  a  company  of  our  dear  friends,  which  I 
hope  will  be  improved  to  His  glory  and  their  Country's  good. 

Sir,  having  given  you  this  account,!  shall  not  trouble  you  much  with 
particular  desires.  Those  I  shall  humbly  present  to  the  Council  of  State. 
Only,  in  tlic  general,  give  me  leave  humbly  to  offer  what  in  my  judgment 
I  conceive  to  be  for  your  8er\-ice,  with  a  full  submission  to  yon.  We 
desire  recniits.  It  is  not  good  not  to  follow  providences.*  Year  re- 
cruitfi,  and  the  forces  desired  will  not  raise  your  charge,  if  your  asaigii- 
mcnts  already  for  the  forces  here  do  come  to  our  bands  in  time.  I 
should  not  doubt  '  but '  by  the  addition  of  assessments  here,  to  have 
your  charge  in  some  reasonable  measure  borne;  and  the  soldier  up- 
held, without  too  much  neglect  or  discouragement, — ^which  sickness,  in 
this  country  so  ill  agreeing  with  their  bodies,  puts  upon  them ;  and 
*  which  ^  this  Winter's-action,  I  believe  not  heretofore  known  by  English 
in  this  country,  subjects  them  to.  To  the  praise  of  God  I  spesk  it,  I 
scarce  know  one  officer  of  forty  amongst  us  that  hath  not  been  sick. 

Wherefore  I  humbly  beg,  that  the  monies  desired  may  be  seasonably 
sent  over ;  and  those  other  necessaries,  clothes,  shoes,  and  stockingi, 
formerly  desired;  that  so  poor  creatures  may  be  encouraged:  and, 
through  the  same  blessed  Presence  that  has  gone  along  with  us,  I  iiops, 
before  it  be  long,  to  see  Ireland  no  burden  to  England,  but  a  prafitaUs 
part  of  its  Commonwealth.  And  certainly  the  extending  your  help  in 
this  way,  at  this  time,  is  the  most  profitable  means  speedily  to  efibct  it 

Craving  pardon  for  this  trouble,  I  rest, 

Your  most  humble  and  faithful  servant, 

OUVER  CBmiWBLL.f 


LETTER  LXXX. 

Commons  Journals,  12®  Decembris,  1649 :  '  A  Lietter  from  the 
Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  was  this  day  read.  Ordered^  That 
the  said  Letter  be  forthwith  printed  and  published ;' — ^Lord  Mayor 
to  be  sure  and  send  it  to  all  the  Ministers  next  Lord's  Day,  who 
are  to  be,  as  they  best  may,  the  voice  of  our  devout  thankfulness 
for  *  these  great  mercies.'  Here  is  the  Letter  still  extant  fi>r  pos- 
terity,— with  or  without  the  thankfulness. 

Wc  cannot  give  the  exact  day  of  date.    The  Letter  exists, 


•  Beckonings  of  Providence. 

t  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  pp.  60-71). 


1640.]  LETTER  LXXX.,  BEFORE  WATERFORD.  405 

separate,  or  combined,  with  other  matter,  in  various  old  Pamphlets ; 
but  is  nowhere  dated ;  and  in  fact,  as  the  Entry  in  the  Comaioiis 
Journals  may  indicate,  was  never  dated  either  as  to  place  or  time. 
The  place  we  learn  by  the  context :  the  time  was  after  Saturday, 
November  24th,'*'  and  before  December  had  yet  began  ;-^iobiU 
bly  enough,  Sunday,  November  25th. 

For  the  Honorable  William  LenthdUj  Speaker  ofAe  PmUameiU 

(f  England:  These. 

*  Before  Waterford,— Nofimber,  1649l 

Mr.  Sfeaksr, 

The  Enemy  being  quartered  between  the  two 
rivers  of  Nore  and  Barrow,  and  masters  of  all  the  passages  thereupon ; 
and  giving  out  their  resolutions  to  fight  us,  thereby,  as  we  conceived, 
laboring  to  get  reputation  in  the  countries,  and  occasion  more  strength, 
— it  was  thought  fit  our  Army  should  march  towards  them.  Which  ac* 
cordiDgly  upon  Thursday,  the  15th  instant,  was  done.  The  Major- 
General  and  Lieutenant-Generalf  (leaving  me  very  sick  at  Roes  behiiid 
them),  with  two  battering  guns,  advanced  towards  Inistioge ;  a  little 
walled  Town  about  five  miles  from  Ross,  upon  the  Nore,  on  the  south 
side  thereof,  which  was  possessed  by  the  Enemy.  But  a  party  of  our  men 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Abbot,  the  night  before,  approaching  the 
gates,  and  attempting  to  fire  the  same,  the  Enemy  ran  away  through  the 
River,  leaving  good  store  of  provisions  behind  them. 

Our  Commanders  hoped  by  gaining  this  Town  to  have  gained  a  pass.} 
But  indeed  there  fell  so  much  sudden  wet  as  made  the  River  unpassa 
ble,  by  that  time  the  Army  was  come  up.  Whereupon,  hearing  that  the 
Enemy  lay  about  two  miles  off  upon  Uie  River,  near  Hioniastown,  a 
pretty  large  walled  Town  upon  the  Nore,  on  the  north  side  thereof 
having  a  bridge  over  the  River^— our  Army  marched  thither.  Bat  fSbtb 
Enemy  had  broken  the  bridge,  and  garrisoned  the  town ;  and  in  the  view 
of  our  Army,  marched  away  to  Kilkenny^— seeming,  thon^  I  believe 
they  were  double  our  number,  to  decline  an  engagement  Whie^  they 
had  the  power  to  have  necessitated  us  unto;  but  'which  it'  was  noways 
in  our  power,  if  they  would  stand  upon  the  advantage  of  the  Puses,  to 
engage  them  unto ; — nor  indeed  *  was  it  in  our  power '  to  continQe  two 
days  longer,  having  almost  spent  all  the  bread  they^  canied  with  tliem. 

*  SeeposteOf  pp.  406 ;  and  Whitlocke,  2d  edition,  p.  433. 
t  Ireton,  and  Jones.  |  A  ford  over  ^  River. 

§  *  They'  and  '  them'  mean  tre  and  tu :  the  swift-rushing  sentSDoa  hers 
altera  its  personality  from  first  person  to  third,  and  so  goes  on. 


t 


.ihoiit  ;iii  li\m.Ir«'il  <>0i, •,.!•>  ain!   -oldicrs  •  wpp'    t;i 
till'  ln«;>:  (.'' ciif  111:111  (»!l  niir  ]i:irr.       hi    'l,:^    J>l:ii't' 
;ind  one  nl  iJic  aiicit'iitt'.-t  .-im's  l>rl(>iiHini2-  t«i  Iim- 
Jand  :  the  gainc  "^  wius  romlerod  witliuiit  any  los.-: 
store  of  provisions  for  the  refrcshing  of  our  men. 

The  Colonel  givinp^  us  speedy  intelligence  of  < 
agreed  to  marcli,  witli  all  convenient  speed,  Uic 
I '  thitlier.     Which  accordingly  was  done,  upon 

day  the  21st  and  2*2d  of  tliis  instant ;  and,  throu 
enabled  to  bear  them  company.    Being  come  hi 
as  an  especial  good  hand  of  Providence  to  give 
as  it  gives  us  a  passage  over  the  River  Suir  to 
and  indeed  into  Muuster  to  our  shipping  and  f 
were  betiten  from  us  out  of  Waterford  Bay  by 
hath  given  us  also  opportunity  to  besiege  or  bl 
we  hope  our  gracious  God  will  tlicrein  direct  ut 
also  the  opportunity  of  our  guns,  ammunition,  8 
quarter  for  our  horse,  which  could  not  have  su 
sweet  a  mercy  was  the  giving  of  this  little  plac 

Having  rested  there  a  night,  and  by  noon  of 
Army  over  the  River ; — leaving  Colonel  Reync 
dred  and  fifty  foot,  his  own  six  troops  of  horse,  0 
with  a  very  little  ammunition  according  to  the 
ing  store  ; — we  marched  away  towards  Waterft 


I. 


•    •  •  I 


■I 


•  I 


•  •     - : 


u.r —  »u„  r 


1649.]  LETTER  LXXX.,  BEFORE  WATERPORD.  407 

after'  continuing  near  four  hours  under  the  walls  ;*  ^{ter*  having  bamt 
the  Gates,  which  our  men  barricaded  up  with  stones;  and  likewise 
*  having'  digged  under  the  walls,  and  sprung  a  small  mine,  which  flew 
in  their  own  faces.  But  they  left  about  forty  or  fifty  men  dead  under 
the  Walls ;  and  have  drawn  oft*,  as  some  say,  near  400  more,  which  they 
buried  up  and  down  the  fields;  besides  what  are  wounded.  And,  as 
Inchiquin  himself  confessed  in  the  hearing  of  some  of  their  soldiers 
lately  come  to  us,  '  this'  hath  lost  him  above  a  thousand  men.— >The 
Enemy  was  drawing  off  his  dead  a  good  part  of  the  night  They  woe 
in  such  haste  upon  the  assault,  that  they  killed  their  own  trumpeter  as 
he  was  returning  with  an  Answer  to  the  Summons  sent  by  them.  Both 
in  the  taking  and  defending  of  this  place  Colonel  Reynolds  his  caniage. 
was  such  as  deserves  much  honor.f 

Upon  our  coming  before  Waterford,  I  sent  the  lieutenant-Genersl 
with  a  regiment  of  horse,  and  three  troops  of  dragoons,  to  endeavor  the 
reducing  of  the  Passage  Fort :  a  very  large  Fort  with  a  Castle  in  the 
midst  of  it,  having  five  guns  planted  in  it,  and  commanding  the  River 
better  than  Duncannon ;  it  not  being  much  above  musket-shot  over, 
where  this  Fort  stands ;  and  we  can  bring  up  hither  ships  of  three-hun- 
dred  tons,  without  any  danger  from  Duncannon.  Upon  the  attempt, 
though  our  materials  were  not  very  apt  for  the  business,  yet  the  Enemy 
called  for  quarter, — and  had  it,  and  we  the  place.  We  also  possessed 
the  guns  wiucli  the  Enemy  had  planted  to  beat  our  ships  out  of  the  Bay, 
two  miles  below.  By  the  taking  of  this  Fort,  we  shall  much  straiten  Dun- 
cannon from  provisions  by  water,  as  we  hope  they  are  not  in  a  condi- 
tion to  get  much  by  land ;  besides  the  advantage  it  is  to  us  to  have 
provisions  to  come  up  the  River. 

It  hath  pleased  the  Lord,  whilst  these  thuigs  have  been  thus  transaet- 
ing  here,  to  add  to  your  interest  in  Munster,  Bandon  Bridge ;  the  Town 
(as  we  hear)  upon  the  matter,  thrusting  out  young  Jephson,!  who  was 
their  Governor ;  or  else  he  desertmg  it  upon  that  jealousy.  As  also 
Kinsale,  and  the  Fort  there  :  out  of  which  Fort  Fonr-hnndred  men 
marched  upon  articles,  when  it  was  surrendered.  So  that  now,  by  the 
good  hand  of  the  Lord,  your  interest  in  Munster  is  near  as  goodalveidy  as 
ever  it  was  since  this  War  began.  I  sent  a  party  about  two  days  ago  to 
my  Lord  of  Broghil ;  from  whom  I  expect  to  have  an  account  of  all. 

*  Having  only  *  a  very  little  ammunitioQ*  and  small  use  of  guns  (see 
Whitlocke,  p.  «J18 ;  Ludlow,  &c.). 

t  We  shall  hear  of  Reynolds  again. 

X  *  Young  Jephson,'  I  suppose,  is  the  son  of  Jephson,  Member  fat  Stock- 
bridge,  Hants ;  one  of  those  whom  Pride  purged  away ; — not  without  reason. 
Mis 


^^^ 


. v.. V. ....>,   V.4V4.V  tin   t   f^ » ♦ »-    l;h-mv    f-u  vniu.        1    WISH   11 

the  lieart.s  and  spirits  of  nil  those  that  are  now 
in  the  greatest  trust. — that  tiiey  may  all  in  1 
giving  Him  glory  by  holiness  of  life  and  convci 
unspeakable  mercies  may  teach  dissenting 
agree,  at  least,  in  praising  God.  And  if  the  F 
kind,  why  should  there  be  such  jarrings  and  he 
children  ?  And  if  it  will  not  be  received  Th 
God's  approbation  of  your  great  Change  of  Go^ 
was  no  more  yours  than  these  victories  and  i 
^.'  let  them  with  us  say,  even  the  most  nnsatisfii 

,  y\  That  both  are  the  righteous  judgments  and 

That  He  hath  pulled  the  mighty  from  his  seat 
*  for'  innocent  blood.  That  He  thus  breaks  thi 
in  pieces;  And  let  them  not  be  sullen,  but  pra 
of  us  as  they  please ;  and  we  shall  be  satisfied 
wait  upon  our  God.  And  we  hope  we  shall  se* 
of  our  native  Country :  and  the  Lord  give  tt 
Indeed,  Sir,  I  was  constrained  in  my  bowels  to 
yonr  pardon,  and  rest, 

Your  most  hui 


•  ' 


•  4 
» 


An  Able  Ekiitor  in  the  old  Newspapers  h 
favored  with  the  sight  of  a  Letter  to  an  '  ] 


iMil-  inTKH  uaxi.,  coke.  im. 

Major-General'  Irelon  '  is  expected  here: — ixiih  in  good  health, 
God  be  praised.  This  week,  I  believe,  they  will  visit  Kinsale, 
BandoD  liridge,  and  other  places  id  this  Province  that  have  lately 
declaretl  lor  us,  and  that  expect  a  return  of  his  affection  and  pre- 
sence, which  joys  many.  Some  report  here  that  the  Enemy  burns 
towns  and  provisions  near  our  quarters :  but  the  example  may  at 
length  turn  to  their  own  greatest  prejudice.  Colonel  Deane  and 
Colonel  Blake,  our  Sea-generals,  are  both  riding  in  Cork  Harbor.'* 
Dated  on  the  morrow  is  this  Letter  : 


LETTER  LXXXl. 

fV  the  HojiorabU  Wiiliam  LenihaH,  Sptaker  if  the  PorJwnwnt 
of  Kngland :  T  fteie. 

Cork,  19th  DeCBmber,  1649. 

Mr.  Sfeakeb, 

Not  long  after  my  last  to  yon  from  before  Water- 
ford, — by  reason  of  the  tempestuousness  of  llie  weather,  we  thought  fit, 
and  it  waa  agreed,  To  rasrch  away  lo  Winter^qoarterfl,  to  refresh  onr 
men  antJl  God  sliull  please  to  give  farther  opportunity  for  action. 

We  marched  oE,  the  2d  of  this  instant ;  it  being  so  terrible  a  day  m 
ever  I  marched  in  all  my  life.  Just  as  we  marched  oS  in  the  morning, 
— nne:y>cciccl  to  us,  the  Biiemy  had  brought  nn  addition  of  near  Two- 
thousand  lior^  and  foot  to  the  increase  of  their  Garrison :  which  wo 
plainly  saw  at  the  other  side  of  the  K-aler.  We  marched  that  night 
some  ten  or  twelve  miles  throQgh  a  craggy  country, to  Kilmac  Thomas; 
a  Castle  sumc  eight  miles  from  Dungan'Dii.  Ae  we  were  marching  oR 
in  the  morning  from  thence,  the  Lord  Broghil, — I  having  eent  before  lo 
him  Co  ni.irch  ^ip  lo  me, — sent  a  party  of  horse,  to  let  me  know,  He  was, 
with  about  Twelve  or  Thirteen  hundred  of  the  Munster  horse  and  foot, 
about  ten  uiiies  off,  near  Dungnrvan,  which  was  newly  rendered  to  him. 

In  the  n>irl<  of  these  good  euccesses,  wherein  the  kindness  and  mercy 
nf  God  h:iili  uppeareil,  the  Lord,  in  wisdom,  and  for  gracious  ends  best 
known  to  Himself,  hath  interlaced  some  things  which  may  give  us  cause 
of  serious  tonsideralion  what  His  mind  tlierein  may  be.  And  we  hope 
we  wait  iiixin  Him,  desiring  to  know,  and  to  submit  to  His  good  pleasure. 
The  DoblL-  Lieutenant-Generaljf — whose  finger,  to  onr  knowledge,  never 


•  Newapapera  {in  Cromwell  iana,  p.  73). 

t  Michael  Jones :  Ludlow  (i.,  304}  ii  a  little 


•  I 


.ti     • 


■    I      • 


■f 


uiiicii  I  hiiHii  Fi«)\\  L'^i\»'  \(jn  ;ui  ;ice')uiu.  itvi 
my  iiittMidcd  lo  t:i;-.<'  i'l  tl.'*  I-^)rt  nf  l';i-«^:ii:'',  ;i 
Fl'it.iI  with  his  l";-?cr>T  u;is  t-)  inaioh  out  ol 
erable  party  of  horse  and  loot,  lor  that  so: 
Zanchy,  who  lay  on  tlie  north  side  of  the  B1 
his  regiment  of  horse,  and  two  pieces  of  two 
•.  1 4j  j^..  relief  of  our  friends.     Which  he  accordingl) 

•:',  i>i!  in  all  of  about  three  hundred  and  twenty. 

•  *  .-« '  miles  from  the  place,  he  took  some  of  the 

villages  as  he  went ;  all  which  he  -put  to  the 
his  killed  thirty  of  them  in  one  house.    Whe 

•'  •■•  |t' *  he  found  the  Enemy  had  close  begirt  it,  with 

,-^|i-,  foot  under  Major  0*Neil ;  Colonel  Wogan  al 

.  ■;  "I*  cannon,  with  a  party  of  his,  with  two  great  bi 

^v-J^/»  piece,  and  Captain  Browne,  the  Governor  of 

•  *  ./'f*  men  furiously  charged  them;  and  beat  th( 

Enemy  got  into  a  place  where  they  might  i 
who  bragged  much  of  their  pikes,  made  inde 

'  '.'f0^\  sistance ;  but  the  horse,  pressing  sorely  upoi 

>*'}  jV  near  an    Hundred    upon   the    place;    took 

•  .^  t  iL  prisoners, — amongst  whom,  Major  O'Neil,  an 
^  •  ^*  4r  ^^  Ulster  foot,  all  but  those  which  were  kilh 
!^J'i    * .                 with  twenty-four  of  Ormond*s  kurisees,  and 

-  '   ;  -I*  &c.    Concerning  some  of  these,  I  hope  I  shs 

,.    r*')^;  This  mercy  was  obtained  without  the  loss  c 

* .  **«';^  shot  in  the  shoulder.    Lieutenant-General  I 

. ,  •' /^  ;r  near,  with  a  great  party  to  their  relief;  but  o 


lG4ft]  LETTER  LXXXI.,  CORK.  «1 

wunbg  would  permit,  fur  the  recovery  of  Monster,  which  proves  a 
Bweel  refreshment  to'us,  even  prepared  by  God  for  ut,  after  our  weatj 
and  hard  labor, — Tliot  tliat  very  day,  and  that  very  time,  while  men  were 
praieing  God,  was  this  deliverance  wroogbt. 

Though  the  present  state  of  affiiirs  bespeakBa  continuance  of  cliarge, 
yet  (he  aame  good  hand  of  Providence,  which  hath  blessed  j-our  afTuirs 
hitherto,  13  worthy  to  be  followed  to  the  uttermoat.  And  who  kn'jws,  or 
rather  who  Iialli  not  cau^e  tn  hope,  that  He  may  in  His  goodness,  put  a 
short  period  lo  your  whole  charge.  Than  which  no  worldly  thing  is 
more  ileeired,  and  endeavored  by 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Chomweli.,* 

Onnoad  witoessed  this  defeat  at  Passage,  Trom  some  ateeple, 
or  '  place  of  prospect '  io  WalerTord ;  and  found  the  '  Mayor,' 
whom  he  sent  for,  a  most  unreasonable  man.f 

'  The  Renegado  Wogan :'  Captain  Wogan,  onte  in  the  Parlia- 
ment service,  joined  himself  to  Hamilton  and  the  Scots  in  1848  ; 
'  bringing  a  gallant  troop  along  with  him.'  His  maraudings, 
pickeerings,  onslaughts,  and  daring  chivalries  became  very  cele- 
brated after  that.  He  was  not  slain  or  hanged  here  at  Passage ; 
there  remained  for  him  yet,  some  four  years  hence,  his  grand  feat 
wliich  has  rendered  ail  (he  rest  memorable  :  '  that  of  riding  right 
Ihrough  England,  having  rendezvoused  at  Baroct,  with  a  Parly 
'of  Two-hundred  horse,'  to  join  Middlolon's  new  Scotch  Insur- 
reclion  in  the  Highland  Hills ;  where  he,  soon  after,  died  of  con- 
sumption and  some  slight  hurt.J — What  '  kurisees '  are,  I  do  not 
know  :  some  nickname  for  Ormond's  men, — whom  few  loved ; 
whom  the  Mayor  of  Walerford,  this  very  day,  would  not  admit 
into  his  Town  even  for  the  saving  of  Passage  Fort.J  With  cer- 
tain of  these  '  your  justice '  Deed  not  be  troubled. 

This  Letter,  with  two  others,  one  from  Ireton  and  one  from 
Bn^hil,  all  dated  Cork,  19th  December,  were  not  received  in  the 

•  Newipapers  (in  Cromwel liana,  pp.  "73,  7-1). 
f  Carte,  ii.,  103  ;  whose  accouDt  is  olherwiBe  rery  deficient 
i  Clarendon,  iii..  679 ;  Whitlocke,  Ueath'i  Chroiuda,  &c. 
§  Carta,  ibid. 

1«* 


'And,'  contimn's    Wliitlncke,   mIk'   proco 
,  raisin<r  of  new  l()rcc's  rravc  an  alarm  tn  th( 

■,  of  their   Members  who   liad  discouri>ed   ^ 

Fairfax  upon  those  matters,  and  argued  I 
be  to  send  an  Army  into  Scotland  to  diverl 
— had  found  the  General  wholly  averse  t 
by  means  of  his  Lady,  who  was  a  strict  F 
a  friend  to  the  Scots  than  they/  those  Mer 
fore  they  thought  this  a  fit  time  to  sent 
Ireland,  the  rather  as  his  Army  was  n 
quarters. 'f 

The  Lford  Lieutenant  thought,  or  wa 
complying  straightway,  as  the  old  Newsp 
better  counsel,  the  Scotch  peril  not  bein 
decided  '  to  settle  Ireland  in  a  safe  post 
Letter  itself  is  long  in  reaching  him  ;  ai 
arrives  much  sooner,  has  already  set  the 
whereof  advantage  might  be  taken. j:    1 
been  rehabilitating  Courts  of  Justice  in  .' 
tions,  and  doing  much  other  work ;  and  r 
January  weather  being  unusually  good, 


LETTER  LXXXll.,  CASTLETOWN. 


LETTER  LXXXII. 

Hebe  is  another  small  excerpt  from  fiulstrode,  which  we  may 
take  along  with  us ;  a  small  speck  of  dark  Ireland  and  its  att'aira 
rendered  luminous  for  an  instant.  To  which  there  is  refereDce 
in  this  Letter.  We  saw  Enniscorlhy  taken  on  the  last  day  of 
September,  the  '  Castle  and  Village  of  Enniscorthy,'  '  whicli  be- 
longs lo  Mr.  Robert  Wallop  ;'  a  Garrisoo  was  settled  there ;  and 
this  in  some  three  monlhs  time  is  what  becomes  of  it. 

January  9iii,  1649,  Letters  reach  Bulst^xie,  perhaps  a  fort- 
night afler  date,  '  That  the  Enemy  surprised  Enniscorthy  Castle 
in  this  manner  :  Some  Irisli  Gentlemen  feasted  tlie  Garrisun 
Soldiers ;  and  aent-in  women  to  sell  them  alrong-waler,  of 
which  they  drank  too  much;  and  then  the  Iri.sh  fell  upon  them, 
look  the  Garrison,  and  put  all  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  to  tbe 
sword.'  Sberp  practice  on  the  part  of  the  Irisii  Gentlemen  ;  and 
not  well-advised !  Which  constrained  the  Lord  Lieutenant, 
when  he  heard  of  it,  to  order  '  that  the  Iritth,'  Papist  suspected 
Irish,  'should  be  pul  out  of  such  Garrisons  as  were  in  the  power 
of  Parliament,'* — ordered  to  seek  quarters  elsewhere. 

For  Ihg  Honarahte  William  Lenihuil,  Spakrr  nf  the  Parhamenl  of 
England:  Then. 

CMlletown,  ISth  Febiuary,  IG-IU. 

Ma,  Bfgaker, 

Having  refreshetl  oar  men  for  some  short  time  In 
oor  Winter-quarters,!  and  health  being  pretty  well  recovered,  we  thought 
fit  lo  take  the  Self) ;  and  lo  attempt  such  things  as  God  by  Hta  provi- 
dence should  leail  us  lo  upon  the  Enemy. 

Our  rceolution  was  to  fall  into  tlie  Enemy's  quartera  two  waye.  Tlie 
one  party,  bein^  about  fjileen  or  sixteen  troops  of  horse  and  draguoDV, 
and  about  two  thousand  foot,  were  ordered  to  go  up  by  the  way  or  Car- 
rick  into  the  County  of  Kilkenny  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Hey* 
nolds ;  wliom  Major-Gencral  Ireton  was  lo  follow  with  a  reserve.  I 
myself  was  to  go  by  tiie  way  of  Mallow.^  over  the  Blackwaler,  towards 
the  County  of  Limerick  and  t!ie  County  of  Tipperary,  with  about  twelve 

•  WhiUocke,  p.  421.  |  Yougliii  liia  been  the  head-quirter. 

}  '  Muyolld  '  be  nrilea,  and  '  Majsllo.' 


.V      I  ..v.    .     ,         \<i        I  Ilf         «   i  I 


1 

i  •' 
•1 


*   »•  « 


.  .~iiiii:iiiiii-v  (I  lia\  nii:-  t:i!:<'ii  lln'  ( 'iipt.iiii  nf  li,ir- 
il'Tcd  to  11)1'.      ThfM'    p'licc-;    ix'iii'j"    thus    po- 
iniiiid  (^i();^r,.'tln'r  with  sumo  otlicr  holds  \\c  li; 
and  Roche's  Country  ;  and  of  all  the  land  fro 
'1  —especially  by  *  help  of  another  Castle  calle 

since  my  march,  *  was '  taken  by  my  Lord  < 
sent  to  his  Lordship  to  endeavor ;  as  also  a  ( 
harris,  over  the  Mountains  in  the  County  of 
'  "     .  his  Iiordship  at  Mallow,  with  six  or  seven  hun 

•,H  .-  ■  hundred  foot,  to  protect  those  parts,  and  you 

■f  while  we  were  abroad,  Inchiquin,  whose  forces 

County  of  Kerry,  should  fall  in  behind  us. 
f    If  I  cannon  to  the  foresaid  Castle ;  which  having 

His  Lordship,  having  bestowed  about  ten  shot 
stomachs  come  down, — he  gave  all  the  soldier 
''  j  all  the  Officers,  being  six  in  number,  tode. 

*  '  ^  these  Garrisons,  the  Irish  have  sent  their  co 

'.  .*•'  for  their  contribution  as  far  as  the  walls  of  Lii 

I  marched  from  Roghill  Castle  over  the  ^ 

y  J\  culty;  and  from  thence  to  Fethard,  almost  ii 

'*■  !\  of  Tipperary ;  where  was  a  Garrison  of  the  Er 

►  •  •]  pleasantly  seated ;  having  a  very  good  Wall  v 

-  ■  warks,  after  the  old  manner  of  fortifications. 

night,  and  indeed  were  very  much  distresRpH 


i» 


IBSO.]  LETTER  LXXXII.,  CASTLETOWN.  413 

of  the  Army.  We  eliot  not  a  slioC  at  Ihem;  bnt  they  were  vary  angry, 
and  fired  very  earneBllyupoiiua;  telling  m,  That  it  waa  not  atimenfnrght 
to  send  a  auiamoibB.  But  yet  in  tlie  end,  the  Goveraor  was  willing  to 
eend  oat  two  CDmmiasionerB, — !  think  rather  to  see  whether  there  w»8"a 
force  aofficient  to  force  him,  than  lo  any  olhi-r  end.  After  ilmoM  a 
whole  night  spent  in  treaty,  the  Town  was  delivered  lo  me  tlic  next 
momiug,  upon  lerma  which  we  uenally  call  honorable ;  which  I  wbs  the 
willioger  to  give,  because  1  had  little  above  Two-hundred  fint,  and 
neither  ladder?  nor  gune,  nor  anything  else  to  force  them  that  night. 
There  being  about  ^venteeu  companies  of  the  UUlcr  foot  in  Cashd, 
above  five  miles  liom  thence,  they  qnit  it  in  some  disorder;  and  the 
Sovyreign  and  tlie  Aldermen  sent  to  me  a  petition,  desiring  that  1  would 
protect  theoi.     Which  1  have  also  made  a  qaarter. 

From  thence  I  marched  towards  Callan ;  hearing  that  Colonel  Rey- 
nolds was  there,  with  the  Party  before  mentioned.  When  I  come 
thither,  I  found  he  had  fallen  upon  the  Enemy's  horae,  and  rouled  them 
(being  about  a  hundred},  with  his  forlorn;  'he'  tool:  my  Lonlof  Oatory's 
Captain-Lie uteimnl,  and  another  Lieutenant  of  horse,  prisoners ; — and 
one  of  tlioae  who  betrayed  our  Garrison  of  Enniscottliy  ;  whnm  we 
hanged.  The  Enemy  had  possessed  three  Castles  in  the  Town ;  one 
of  them  belonging  to  one  Butler,  very  conaiderable ;  the  other  two  had 
about  a  hundred  ot  huudred-aud -twenty  men  in  them, — which  'lattef' 
he  atlempted ;  mid  they,  refusing  conditions  scnaonahly  oflered,  were 
put  all  to  the  sword.  Indeed  some  of  your  soldiers  did  attempt  very 
notably  in  this  service : — 1  do  not  hear  there  were  six  men  of  ours  lust. 
Butler's  Cnslle  weis  delivered  up  on  conditions,  for  all  to  march  away, 
leaving  their  unns  behind  them.  Whereiii  I  have  placed  a  company 
of  foot,  and  a  troop  of  horse,  tinder  tlie  nammand  of  my  Lord  Coivil;  the 
place  being  six  miles  from  Killcennj.  From  hence  Colonel  Reynolds 
was  sent  wllh  his  regiment  (o  remove  a  Garrison  of  the  Enemy's  ftom 
Knocktofer  (being  the  way  of  our  communication  to  Rose)  ;  which 
accordingly  he  did. 

We  marched  back  with  the  rest  of  liie  body  to  Felliard  and  Cashel ; 
where  we  arp  now  quartered, — having  good  plenty  both  of  horse  meat 
and  man's  meat  fur  a  time  ;  and  being  indeed,  we  may  say,  even  almost 
in  the  heart  and  bowels  of  the  Enemy;  i^adyto  attempt  what  Gud  shall 
next  direct.  And  blessed  bo  His  name  only  for  this  good  Muccess ;  and 
for  this  '  also,'  That  we  do  not  lind  our  men  are  at  all  considerably  sick 
upon  thia  expedition,  tliough  indeed  it  bath  been  very  blnitering  wea- 
ther.— 

I  had  almost  forgotten  one  buaineae :  The  Major-General  was  very 


1  1  VMIl 


« 


t  • 


I 
I 


r*      I 


^     • 


Coiinly  III  'l'i|)porary  Jiavp  siilirnittod  to  1,5<. 
altln)iiL''li  iliev'liavo  ^ix  or  seven  of  llie  Kno 
tJiem. 


Sir,  I  desire  the  charge  of  England  as  to  tb 
much  as  may  be,  and  as  we  know  you  do  d< 
the  Commonwealth.  But  if  you  expect  youi 
marching  Army  be  not  constantly  paid,  and  tt 
been  humbly  represented, — indeed  it  will  no 
land,  as  far  as  England  is  concerned  in  the 
'!  land.    The  money  we  raise  upon  the  Countii 

forces :  and  hardly  that.    If  the  active  force  I 
contingencies  defrayed,  how  can  you  expecl 
business  of  it?    Surely  we  desire  not  to 
treasury,  wherein  our  consciences  do  not  pro 
we  are  willing  to  be  out  of*  our  trade  of  v 
God's  assistance  and  grace,  to  the  end  of  our 
to  be  at  his  rest.    This  makes  us  bold  to  be 
cessary  supplies: — ^that  of  money  is  one. 
things, — ^which  indeed  I  do  not  think  for  yooi 
licly,  which  I  shall  humbly  represent  to  the  ' 
1*^  with  I  desire  we  may  be  accommodated. 

Sir,  the  Lord,  who  doth  all  these  things,  gii 
to  this  business ;  and,  I  am  persuaded,  will  g 


1930.]  LETTER  LXXXIII..  CASHEL  417 

tiwn  aa  dry  bonea.    Tbat  God  be  merciful  in  these  thiaga,  ud  blau 
you,  ia  the  humble  prayer  of,  Sir, 

Vaur  most  humble  eervant, 

OLivEa  Crohwell,* 

Commons  Jouma/s,  25th  February,  1640-50  :  '  A  Letter  from 
the  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  from  Castletown,  15"  Febntarii, 
1649,  was  this  day  read ;  and  ordered  to  be  forthwith  printec^ 
and  published.  Ordered,  That  a  Letter  of  Thanks  bo  sent  to 
the  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  ;  and  that  Mr.  Scott  do  prepare 
the  Letter  J  and  that  Mr.  Speaker  do  sign  the  same.  Resolved, 
That  the  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  have  the  use  of  the  Lodg- 
ings called  the  Cockpit,  of  the  Spring  Garden  and  St.  Jarnes'a 
House,  and  the  comraand  of  Su  James'a  Park.' 

This  Letter  of  Thanks,  and  very  handsome  Hetotulion  did,  aa 
We  shall  find,  come  duly  to  hand.  The  Cockpit  waa  then  and 
long  afterward')  a  sumptuous  Royal  '  Lodging'  in  VVhiiehall  ; 
Henry  the  Eighth's  place  of  cock-fighting : — stood  till  not  very  long 
ago,  say  the  Topographers,  where  the  present  Privy-Council 
Office  is.  The  Cromwell  Family  hereupon  prepared  to  remove 
thither;  not   without   reluctance  on    Mrs.  Cromwell's   part,  tta 


LETTER  LXXXm. 


Cuh«l,  Slh  March,  1649. 
'Sib,' 

*  *  *  It  pleaacth  God  still  to  enlarge  your  bterest 
here.  The  Castle  of  Cahir,  very  conaidenble,  built  upon  a  roe)(,  and 
seated  in  an  IsIeuiiI  in  the  midst  of  the  Suir,  wu  lately  rendered  lo  ine. 
It  cost  the  Earl  of  Essex,  as  1  am  informed,  about  eight  weeks  siege 
VTJth  hia  army  atid  artillery.f    It  is  now  yours  without  the  loss  of  one 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliuin,  p.  11) ;  see  slso  ComciDits  Journals, 
25  February,  1649-50. 

t  InlS99(CsmdeDiiDEeniMt,ii.,  ei4);bottlie'*ightWMks' tNbyu 


.liey  will  sink. 


LETTER  LXXXIV. 

» 

Henry  Cromwell,  *  Colonel  Henry,'  and 
busy  with   Inchiquin  in  Limerick  County, 
other  Colonels  are  with  other  rebels  elsewh 
'  our  Enemies  will  not  stand,  but  have  m 
Kilkenny  once   taken,  '  it  is  not  thought 
recruit  their  Army,  or  take  the  field  again 

For  the  Honorable  WiUiam  LerUhali,  Speaker  oj 

land:  These, 

( 
Mr.  Speaker, 

I  think  the  last  Letter  I 
ibout  the  taking  of  Cahir,  since  which  time  tl 
ing  up  their  quarters,  two  Colonels,  a  Lieutei 
divers  Captains,  all  of  horse;  Colonel  Johi 


1M0.3  LETTER  LXXXIV.,  CABRICE.  4M 

Le[ghlin  Bridge;  and  hearing;  also  U .at  Colonel  Hewson,  with  a  good 
Party  from  Dublin,  was  come  as  far  as  BulljBonan,*  ftiid  liad  taken  it,— 
we  thoagbt  fit  to  Bend  an  express  Lo  him,  To  oiftrch  up  towards  us  for 
a  conjunction.  And  because  we  doubted  the  EufGcieocy  of  his  PatIj  to 
marcb  witli  that  security  that  were  to  be  wished,  Colonel  Shilbournwaa 
ordered  to  go  with  some  troops  of  horse  out  of  tlie  Coonty  of  Wexford, 
which  was  his  station,  lo  meet*im.  And  because  the  Enemy  was 
possessed  of  the  fittest  [iIkcbe  upun  the  Barrow  for  our  conjunction,  we 
aent  a  Party  of  spven  or  eight  hundred  horse  and  dragoons,  and  about 
five-huodred  foot,  ti>  atlempt  npon  Caetleliafen  in  tlie  rear,  if  he  ehonld 
have  endeavored  to  ileli'iiJ  ihe  places  against  Colonel  Hewson, 

Our  Parly,  bein;;  a  liElit.  nimble  Party,  wasat  the  Barrow-side  befora 
Colonel  Hewson  ci^iild  be  heard  of;  and  possessed  a  House,  by  the 
Graigue :  they  marcli?d  towards  Laiifrhlin,  and  laced  Casttehavenat  a  pret- 
ty distance ;  but  he  tliowed  no  forwardness  lo  engage.  Our  Parly  not  be- 
ing able  to  hear  of  Colonel  Hew9un,  came  back  us  far  as  Thomastown, 
a  small  walled  Town,  and  a  pass  upon  the  Nore,  between  Kilkenny  and 
Rosa.  Which  our  men  atlenipting  to  take,  the  Enemy  made  no  great 
reeietaiKX ;  bat,  by  the  advatitage  of  the  bridge,  quilted  the  Town,  and 
fled  to  a  Castle  about  half  a  mile  distant  off,  which  they  had  formerly 
poaeessed.  That  night  the  President  ofMunsterf  and  myself  came  np 
to  the  Party.  We  eiimmoned  the  Castle ;  and,  after  two  days,  it  waa 
surrendered  to  us :  the  Enemy  leaving  their  arms,  drums,  colors,  and 
ammunition  behind  tiiem,  and  engaging  never  to  bear  arms  more  agaiosl 
the  Parliament  of  Englsnd. 

We  lay  still  after  this  about  two  or  three  days.  The  President  went 
back  to  Fethard,  to  bring  up  some  great  guns,  with  a  purpose  to  attempt 
upon  the  Granny,)  and  some  Castles  thereabouts,  fortho  better  blocking 
up  of  Waterford  ;  and  to  cause  to  advance  up  to  us  some  more  of  our 
foot  la  the  end  wo  had  advertisement  that  Colonel  Hewson  was  cnme 
to  Leighlin ;  where  was  a  very  strong  Castle  ajid  pass  over  the  Barrow. 
I  sent  him  word  that  he  should  attempt  it:  which  he  did;  and,  alter 
aome  dispute,  reduced  it.  By  which  means  we  have  a  gcx>d  pass  over 
the  Barrow,  and  intercourse  between  Munsler  and  Lcinster.  I  sent 
Colonel  Hewson  word  that  he  should  march  up  to  me  ;  and  we  advanc- 
ing likewise  with  our  Party,  met  'him,' — near  by  Gowran;  a  populous 
Town,  where  the  Enemy  had  a  very  strong  Castle,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Hammond  ;  a  Kentishman,  who  was  a  principal  actor  in  the 

•SeeWhitlocke,  p,  -130;  CartB,  il.,  113, 

t  Ireton  (Commons  Joiiriiais.  4  Deccnit>er,  1S4S> 

t  Now  aruin  near  Waterford ; he  spells  it' Oraono.' 


to  have  tho  Castle  (l(>Iiver«Hl,  was  par{l(jnod. 
took  a  l*oj)ish   Prie^t,  who  was  chaplain  to 
mcnt;  who  was  caused  to  be  hannfotl.     I  troul 
because  this  regiment  was  the  LordofOrttton 
Castle  was  good  store  of  provisions  for  the  Ai 


After  the  taking  of  this  Castle,  it  was  agr 
to  the  City  of  Kilkenny.  Which  we  did  upoi 
and  coming  with  our  body  within  a  mile  o 

* '  with  some  horse  very  near  unto  it :  and  that 

,> '  Butler  and  the  Corporation  a  Letter.    We  tc 

where  to  plant  our  batteries ;  and  upon  Mon< 
consisting  of  three  guns,  began  to  play.  Al 
made  a  breach,  as  we  hoped  stormable.  Our 
for  the  attempt ;  and  Colonel  Ewer  *  was 
thousand  foot,  to  endeavor  to  possess  the  It 
time  of  our  storming ; — which  he  accordingi 
above  three  or  four  men.  Our  men  upon  the  si 

h  which  indeed  was  not  performed  with  usual 

they  were  beaten  off,  with  the  loss  of  one  C\ 
thirty  men  killed  and  wounded.  The  Enemy  h 

m\  or  counter-works,  which  they  had  strongly  p 

did  so  command  our  breach,  that  indeed  it  w; 
r/mtpnd  for  an  entrance  there ;  it  be 


1650.]  LETTER  LXXXIV.,  CARRICK.  431 

the  Bridge  inlo  the  City,  and  to  fire  the  Galp ;  which  indeed  was  dona 
with  gt>od  resolulion ;— but,  lying  loo  open  to  the  Enemy's  shot,  he  had 
forty  or  liily  men  killed  and  wounded  ;  which  was  a  EOie  blow  to  ds. 
We  made  our  preparations  for  a  second  battery;  which  waa  well  near 
perfected  :  '  but '  the  Enemy,  seeing  himself  thus  begirt,  Bent  for  a 
Treaty ;  and  had  it ;  and,  in  some  hourB,  agreed  to  deliver  op  the  Caa- 
t!e  upon  the  Articles  enclosed.  Which,  '  accordingly,'  we  received 
upon  Thnrday,  the  3Sth  of  March. — We  God  the  Castle  exceeding  well 
fortified  by  the  industry  of  (he  Enemy ;  being  aleo  very  capacious :  « 
that  if  we  had  taken  the  Town,  we  must  have  had  a  new  work  for  the 
Castle,  which  might  have  cost  mnch  blood  and  time.  So  that,  we  hope, 
the  Lord  hath  provided  better  for  us ;  and  we  look  at  it  as  a  graciona 
mercy  that  we  have  the  place  for  you  npon  these  terms.* 

Whilst  these  a&lrs  were  transacting,  a  Lieutenant-Colonel,  three 
Majors,  eight  Captains,  being  English,  Webh  and  Scotch  with  othera, 
possessed  of  Cantwell  Castle,! — f^  very  strong  Castle,  situated  in  a  bog, 
well  furnished  with  prorisiona  of  com, — were  ordered  by  Sir  Walter 
Butler  to  come  to  strengthen  the  Garrison  of  Kilkenny.  Bnt  they  aent 
two  Officers  to  me,  to  ofTer  me  the  place,  and  their  service. — that  they 
might  have  passes  to  go  beyond  sea  to  serve  foreign  stales,  with  some 
money  to  bear  their  charges  :  the  last  whereof  '  likowiae  *  I  consented 
to ;  they  promising  to  do  nothing  to  the  prejodice  of  the  Parliament  of 
England.  Colonel  Abbot  also  attempted  Ennisnag;  where  were  gotten 
a  company  of  rogues  which  '  had '  revolted  from  Colonel  Jones.]  The 
Soldiers  capitulated  for  life,  and  their  two  Otiicers  were  hanged  for 
revolting.  Adjutant-General  Sadler  was  commanded  with  two  guns  to 
attempt  some  Castles  la  the  County  of  Tipperary  and  KQkenny :  which 
being  reduced  '  would '  exceedingly  tend  to  the  hlocking-up  of  two  con- 
siderable Towns.  He  summoned  Polkerry,  a  Garrison  under  Clonmel ; 
battered  it ;  lhl^y  refusing  to  come  out,  stormed  it ;  put  thirty  or  forty 
of  them  to  the  sword,  and  the  rest  remaining  obstinate  were  fired  in  tba 
Castle.  He  took  Ballopoin ;  the  Enemy  marching  away,  leaving  their 
arms  behind  them.  He  took  also  the  Granny  and  Donkill,  two  very 
considerable  places  to  Waterford,  npon  the  same  terms. — We  have  ad- 
vanced our  quarters  towards  the  Enemy,  a  considerable  way  abors 
Kilkenny ;  where  we  hope,  by  the  gaining  of  ground,  to  get  subsistence; 
and  still  to  grow  npon  the  Enemy,  as  the  Lord  shall  bless  u. 

Sir,  I  may  not  be  wonting  to  tell  you,  and  renew  it  again,  That  OUT 


t  Of  Cantwell,  Pulkerry,  Ballopoin  and  Doikill,  in  (hii  pangr^ib,  I 
can  hear  no  tidings. 
t  The  Isto  Michael  Jonea. 


■    L  • 


Ky.  .^i.i«.i  r-i.iu  .-,  wuum  fosi  y(;ll  lliorc  Ill'U 
Hiiicc  \v«'  caiiit.'  <n<'r.  1  hnj»L'.  tlin>n;:li  t 
Ct)inc  chcajjor  toyni :  hul  how  we  .-lioukl  1k' 
witliout  reasonable  supply,  is  humbly  subu 
I  think  I  need  not  say,  that  a  speedy  pericM 
.   ■ ,  ^    ^*  the  expectation  of  all  your  enemies.    And 

ing  to  you,  I  most  humbly  beg  it,  that  y< 
^  ^  yourselves. 

In  the  last  place,  it  cannot  be  thought  b 
«^,  and  keeping  but  what  is  necessary  of  them,  m 

and  I  may  humbly  repeat  it  again.  That  I 
two-thousand  of  your  five-thousand  recruitc 
you  this  account  concerning  your  afhirs,  I 
an  account  concerning  myself,  which  I  shi 
honesty. 


\  .    • 


j»« 


I  have  received  divers  private  intimations 
come  in  person  to  wait  upon  you  in  Engle 
of  the  Parliament  to  that  purpose.    But  coi 
to  me  was  but  '  by '  private  intimations,  ai 
I"  .'■  .  Letter  to  be  signed  by  the  Speaker, — I  thoi 

much  forwardness  in  me  to  have  left  my 
Letter  came ;  it  being  not  fit  for  me  to  p 
would  be  an  absolute  command,  or  having  1 
by  the  Parliament  to  me,  to  consider  in  wha 


1050.J  LETTER  LXXXV.,  CARRICK.  433 

aath  of  Jmraary ;  and  yonf  Letter,  which  was  to  be  the  role  of  my 
obedience,  coming  to  my  hands  after  oot  having  been  an  long  in  action,— 
with  respect  had  to  the  resBons  yon  were  pleased  to  use  therein,  'I knew 
not  what  to  do.'  And  having  received  a  Letter  argned  by  yourself,  of 
the  26th  of  February,*  which  meotions  not  a  word  of  the  continuance 
of  yoar  pleasure  concerning  my  coming  over,  I  did  humbly  conceive  it 
mtich  eonsiBting  with  my  duty,  hambly  to  beg  a  positive  pigntRcBtira 
what  your  will  is ;  profeaaing  (oa  before  the  Lord)  that  I  am  moat  ready 
to  obey  yonr  conunanda  herein  with  all  alacrity ;  rejoicing  only  to  be 
abont  that  work  which  I  am  called  to  by  choee  whom  (!od  halli  set  over 
mc,  which  I  acknowledge  you  to  be ;  and  fearing  only  in  obeying  you, 
to  disobey  you. 

I  moat  humbly  and  earnestly  beseech  you  to  judge  for  me,  Whether 
your  Letter  doth  not  naturally  allow  me  the  hberty  of  begging  a  more 
clear  expression  of  your  command  aod  pleasure.     Which,  when  voucb- 
aafed  nnto  me,  will  &nd  moat  ready  and  cheerful  obedience  from, 
Sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  CROHWsix.t 


LETTER  LXXXV. 

Hehe,  of  tho  same  date,  is  a  Letter  to  Mayor ;  which  conolu^ 
what  we  have  in  Ireland. 

For  my  very  loiing  Brother,  Richard  Mayor,  £)fuir«,  at  Hurtley  in 
Hampshire:    Tkeie. 

Carrick,  3d  ApHI,  ISSO. 

DbIlR  BaoTHEE, 

For  me  to  write  unto  yon  the  state  of  our  aflalis  bare 
were  more  indeed  than  1  have  ieisare  well  to  do ;  and  therefore  I  Iiopo 
you  do  not  expect  it  from  me  ;  seeing  when  I  write  to  the  Farliamenl  I 
nsnally  am,  aa  becomes  me, very  particular  with  them;  and  usually  from 
thence  the  knowledge  thereof  is  Epread. 

Only  this  let  me  say,  which  ia  the  best  intelligence  to  Friends  that  ore 
truly  Christian :  The  Lord  is  pleased  still  to  vouchsafe  us  His  presence, 
and  to  prosper  Hia  own  work  in  our  hands ; — which  to  ua  is  Iha  more 

•  Sec  Letter  LXXXII     f  Newspapers  (in  CroinweUiaDa,  pp.  7S-S1). 


•I 


1  desire  your  pruyers ;  your  Family  i: 
liear  how  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  d 
LfOrd  bless  lier,  and  sanctify  all  His  disp 
have  committed  my  Son  to  you ;  I  pray  • 
have  lately  had  from  him  have  a  good  save 
there,  that  out  of  that  treasury  he  may  bri 

Sir,  I  desire  my  very  entire  afl^tion  i 
Sister,  my  Cousin  Ann  and  the  rest  of  m 
Norton  when  you  see  him.    Sir,  I  rest, 

Your  mc 


In  the  end  of  this  month,  <  the  Pn 
')  Bradshaw  Frigate,  sails  from  Milford 

oellency's  pleasure,'  and  bring  him  hoc 
He  has  still  one  storm  to  do  there  first 
*  Two-thousand  foot,  all  Ulster  men,' 
struggle ; — the  death-agony  of  this  Wai 
die,  and  be  buried.  A  very  fierce  stor 
;  i  last  i     oy ;  whereof  take  this  solid  a< 

and  h    d-actor;  and  so  leave  this  part 
18  lOtn       y,  1650 ;  <  a  Letter  from  Cl< 

«       irthy  Sir,— Yesterday,"  Thureda 


r«i^-.. 


16B0.J  LETTER  LXXXV..  CARSICK.  435 

gave  back  a  while  ;  but  presently  charged  up  to  tlie  Game  grouod 
again.  But  the  Enemy  had  made  themselves  exceeding  strong, 
by  double-works  and  traverse,  wliicli  were  worse  to  enter  than 
the  breach ;  when  we  came  up  to  it,  they  had  cross-works,  and 
were  strongly  flanked  from  the  houses  within  tlieir  works.  Tho 
Enemy  defended  themselves  against  U3  iliat  day,  until  towards 
the  evening,  our  men  all  the  while  keeping  up  close  to  their 
breach ;  and  many  on  both  sides  were  slain."  Tho  Tierce  dealh- 
wrestle,  in  the  breaches  here,  lasted  four  hours  :  so  many  hours 
of  hot  storm  and  continuous  lug  of  war,  "  and  many  men  were 
alain."  "At  night,  the  Enemy  drew  out,  on  the  other  side, 
and  marched  away  undiscovered  to  us ;  and  the  Inhabitants 
of  Clonmel  sent  out  for  a.  parley.  Upon  which.  Articles  were 
agreed  on,  before  wo  knew  the  Enemy  was  gone.  Afler  sign- 
ing of  the  Conditions,  we  discovered  ihe  Enemy  to  be  gonC  ; 
and,  very  early  this  morning,  pursued  them  ;  and  fell  upon 
their  rear  of  stragglers,  and  killed  above  200, — besides  iIk»s 
we  slew  in  the  storm.  We  entered  Clonmei  this  morning,  and 
have  kept  our  Conditions  with  them.  The  place  is  consider- 
able ;  and  very  advantageous  to  (he  reducing  of  these  parts 
wholly  lo  the  Parliament  of  England."*  Whitlocke  has  heard, 
by  other  Letters,  '  That  they  found  in  Clonmel  the  stoutest 
Enemy  this  Amiy  had  ever  met  in  Ireland  ;  and  that  there  was 
never  seen  so  hot  a  slonn  of  so  long  continuance,  and  so  gal- 
lamly  defended,  either  in  England  or  Ireland. 'f 

The  Irish  Commander  here  was  Hugh  O'Nei],  a  kinsman  of 
Owen  Roe's ; — vain  he  too,  this  new  brave  O'Neil  !  It  is  a  lost 
Cause.  It  is  n  Cause  he  has  not  yet  seen  into  the  secret  of,  and 
cannot  prosper  in.  Fiery  fighting  cannot  prosper  tn  it ;  no,  there 
needs  something  other  first,  which  has  never  yet  been  done  !  Let 
the  O'Neil  go  elsewhither,  with  his  fighting  talent ;  here  it  avails 
nothing,  and  less.  To  the  surrendered  Irish  Officers  tho  Lord 
Lieutenant  granted  numerous  permissions  to  embody  regiments, 
and  go  abroad  with  them  inlo  any  Country  not  at  war  with  Eng- 
land. Some  '  Fivc-and- forty  Thoueand'  KuriseM,  or  whatever 
name  they  had,  went  in  this  way  to  France,  to  S{>uin,  and  fought 
there  far  off;  and  their  own  land  had  peace. 

*  Newspapers  (is  Cromwolliuia,  p.  SI).  \  Wbillocke.  p.  Wl. 


436  PART  v.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [31  Ma^, 

The  Lord  Lieutenant  would  fain  have  seen  Waterford  aurren- 
der  before  he  went :  but  new  Letters  arrive  from  the  Parliament ; 
affairs  in  Scotland  threaten  to  become  pressing.  He  appoiotB 
Ireton  his  Deputy,  to  finish  the  business  here ;  rapidly  makes 
what  survey  of  Munster,  what  adjustment  of  Ireland,  military 
and  civil,  is  possible ; — steps  on  board  the  President  Frigate,  in 
the  last  days  of  May,  and  spreads  sail  for  England.  He  has  been 
some  nine  months  in  Ireland  ;  leaves  a  very  handsome  spell  of 
work  done  there. 

At  Bristol,  aflcr  a  rough  passage,  the  Lord  Lieutenant  is  re- 
ceived with  all  the  honors  and  acclamations, '  the  great  guns 
firing  thrice ;'  hastens  up  to  London,  where,  on  Friday,  Slat  May, 
all  the  world  is  out  to  welcome  him.  Fairfax,  and  chief  Officers, 
and  Members  of  Parliament,  with  solemn  salutation,  on  Houns- 
low  Heath :  from  Hounslow  Heath  to  Hyde  Park,  where  are 
Trainbands  and  Lord  Mayors  ;  to  Whitehall  and  the  Cockpit, 
which  arc  better  than  these, — it  is  one  wide  tumult  of  salutatioa, 
congratulation,  artillery- volleying,  human  shouting ; — ^Hero-wor- 
ship afier  a  sort,  not  the  best  sort.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that 
Oliver  said,  or  is  reported  to  have  said,  when  some  sycophaotic 
person  observed,  "  What  a  crowd  come  out  to  see  your  Lordship's 
triumph  !" — <*  Yes,  but  if  it  were  to  see  me  hanged,  how  many 
would  there  be  !"* — 

Such  is  what  the  Irish  common  people  still  call  the  **  Cune 
of  Cromwell ;''  this  is  the  summary  of  his  work  in  that  country. 
The  remains  of  the  War  were  finished  out  by  Ireton,  by  Ludlov: 
Ireton  died  of  fever  at  Limerick,  in  the  end  of  the  second  year;f 
and  solid  Ludlow,  who  had  been  with  him  for  some  ten  months 
succeeded.  The  ulterior  arrangements  for  Ireland  were  those  of 
the  Commonwealth  Parliament  and  the  proper  Official  Persons; 
not  specially  Oliver's  arrangements,  though  of  course  he  remained 
a  chief  authority  in  that  matter,  and  nothing  could  well  be  dona 
that  he  with  any  emphasis  deliberately  condemned. 

There  goes  a  wild  story,  due  first  of  all  to  Clarendon  I  think, 

*  Newspapers  (in  Kimber,  p.  148;  Whitlocke,  p.  441). 
t  26  November,  1651  (Wood  in  voce) ;  Ludlow  had  arrived  in  JattW^ 
of  the  same  year  (Memoirs,  i.,  32*2,  332,  Ate.). 


■>».. 


1650.]  RETURN  TO  ENGLAND.  487 

who  13  (he  author  of  many  such,  How  the  Parliament  at  one  time 
had  decided  to  '  exterminate  '  all  the  Irish  population  ;  and  then, 
finding  this  would  not  Cjuile  answer,  had  contented  itself  wiih 
packing  ihem  a1!  otVinto  the  Province  ofConnaught,  there  to  live 
upon  the  moorlands  ;  and  so  had  pacified  the  Sister  Island.* 
Strange  rumors  no  doubt  were  ailoat  tn  the  Council  of  Kilkenny 
and  other  auch  quarters,  and  were  kepi  up  for  very  obvious  pur- 
poses in  those  days  ;  and  my  Lord  of  Clarendon  at  an  after  date, 
seeing  Puritanism  hung  on  the  gallows  and  tumbled  in  heaps  in 
St.  Margaret's,  thought  it  safe  to  write  with  considerable  latitude 
respecting  its  procedure.  My  Lord  had,  in  fact,  the  story  all  hia 
own  way  for  about  a  hundred  and  filly  years  ;  and,  during  that 
time,  has  set  aHoai  through  vague  beads  a  great  many  things. 
His  authority  is  rapidly  sinking  ;  and  will  now  probably  sink 
deeper  than  even  it  deserves. 

The  real  procedure  of  the  Pnritui  Commonwealtli  towRidS 
Ireland  is  not  a  matter  of  conjecture,  or  of  report  by  Lord  Cla- 
rendon ;  the  documentary  basis  and  scheme  of  it  still  stands  in 
black-on- while,  and  can  be  road  by  all  persons.'!'  I"  ''^'^  Docu- 
ntent  the  reader  will  find,  set  forth  in  authentic  business- form,  a 
Scheme  of  Settlement  somenhat  ditH^renl  from  that  of  '  cxcermi. 
nation  ;'  which,  if  he  be  curiiuis  in  that  matter,  he  ought  to  con- 
sult. First,  it  appears  by  this  Document,  'all  husbandmen, 
ploughmen,  laborers,  artificers  and  others  of  the  meaner  sort'  of 
the  Irish  Nation  are  to  be, — not  exterminated  ;  no,  but  rendered 
exempt  from  puniabment  and  (|uestion,  as  to  these  Eight  Years 
of  blood  and  misery  row  ended  :  which  ia  a  very  considerable 
exception  from  the  Clarendon  Scheme !  Next,  as  to  the  Ring- 
leaders, the  rebellious  LandlrinJ'i,  am!  Papist  Aristocracy  ;  as  to 
these  also,  there  is  a  carefully  graduated  scale  of  puniabnients 
established,  that  punishment  and  guilt  may  in  some  measure  cor- 
respond. All  that  can  be  proved  to  have  been  concerned  in  the 
Massacre  of  Forty-one  ;  for  these,  and  for  certain  other  persons 
of  the  turncoat  species,  whose  names  are  given,  there  shall  be  no 
pardon : — '  extermination,'  actual  death  on  the  gallows,  or  per- 

*  Continuation  of  Ctarendoa's  Life  (.Osford,  1701),  pp.  110,  ir.,  fce. 
t  Scobell,  Part  ii.,  p.  197  (13  AugUfit,  105-)) ;  tee  ilio  p.  317  (27  June, 
1656). 


428  PART  V.    CAMPAIGN  IN  IRELAND.  [31  Miy, 

petual  banishment  and  confiscation  for  these ;  but  not  without 
legal  inquiry  and  duo  trial  first  had,  for  these,  or  for  any  one. 
Then  certain  others,  who  have  been  in  arms  at  certain  dates 
against  the  Parliament,  but  not  concerned  in  the  Massacre :  these 
are  declared  to  have  forfeited  their  estates  ;  but  lands  to  the  value 
of  one-third  of  the  same,  as  a  modicum  to  live  upon,  shall  be 
assigned  them,  where  the  Parliament  thinks  safest, — in  the  moor- 
lands of  Connaught,  as  it  turned  out.  Then  another  class,  who 
are  open  Papists  and  have  not  manifested  their  good  aiiectioQ  to 
the  Parliament:  these  are  to  forfeit  one-third  of  their  estates; 
and  continue  quiet  at  their  peril.  Such  is  the  Document ;  which 
was  regularly  acted  on  ;  fulfilled  with  as  much  exactness  as  the 
case,  now  in  the  hands  of  very  exact  men,  admitted  of.  The 
Catholic  Aristocracy  of  Ireland  have  to  undergo  this  &te,  lor 
their  share  in  the  late  miseries  ;  this  and  no  other :  and  as  for  all 
*  ploughmen,  husbandmen,  artificers  and  people  of  the  meaner 
sort,'  they  are  to  live  quiet  where  they  are,  and  have  no  que^ 
tions  asked. 

In  this  way,  not  in  the  way  of  <  extermination/  was  Ireland 
settled  by  the  Puritans.  Five-and-forty  thousand  armed  *  kuii- 
sees'  are  fighting,  not  without  utility  we  hope,  far  off  in  foreign 
parts.  Incurably  turbulent  ringleaders  of  revolt  are  sent  to  the 
moorlands  of  Connaught.  Men  of  the  Massacre,  where  they  can 
be  convicted,  of  which  some  instances  occur,  are  hanged.  The 
mass  of  the  Irish  Nation  lives  quiet  under  a  new  Land  Aristo* 
cracy  ;  new,  and  in  several  particulars  very  much  improved 
indeed :  under  these  lives  now  the  mass  of  the  Irish  Nation ; 
ploughing,  delving,  hammering;  with  their  wages  punctually 
paid  them  ;  with  the  truth  spoken  to  them,  and  the  truth  done 
to  them,  so  as  they  had  never  before  seen  it  since  they  were  a 
Nation  !  Clarendon  himself  admits  that  Ireland  flourished,  to  an 
unexampled  extent,  under  this  arrangement.  One  can  very  well 
believe  it.  What  is  to  hinder  poor  Ireland  from  flourishing,  if 
you  will  do  the  truth  to  it  and  speak  the  truth,  instead  of  doing 
the  falsity  and  speaking  the  falsity  ? 

Ireland,  under  this  arrangement,  would  have  grown  up  gra- 
dually into  a  sober,  diligent,  drabcolored  population  ;  developing 
itself,  most  probably,  in  some  form  of  Calvinistic  Protestantism. 


IMtt]  BETUBN  TO  ENGLAND. 

For  there  was  horeby  a  ProtestaDt  Ckurek  of  Ireland,  of  the  moat 
irrefragable  nature,  preaching  daily  in  all  its  actions  and  pro- 
cedure a  real  Gospel  of  Veracity,  of  piety,  of  fair  dealing  and 
good  order  to  all  men  ;  and  certain  other  '  Protestant  Churches 
of  Ireland,'  and  unblessed  real-imagioary  Entities,  of  whioh  the 
human  soul  is  getting  weary,  had  of  a  surety  never  found  fixAing 
there !  But  the  £ver-blessed  Restoration  came  upon  us.  All 
that  arrangement  was  torn  Up  by  (he  roots ;  and  Ireland  was 
appointed  to  develope  itself  as  we  have  seen.  Not  in  the  dnb- 
colored  Puritan  way ;— in  what  other  way  is  still  a  terrible 
dubiety,  lo  itself  and  to  us !  It  will  be  by  some  Gospel  of  Vs. 
racily,  1  think,  when  the  Heavens  are  pleased  to  send  snob.  This 
'  Curse  of  Cromwell,'  so-called,  is  the  only  Goqiel  of  that  kind 
I  can  yet  discover  to  have  ever  been  fairly  afoot  there. 


CROMWELL'S  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES. 

PART  VI. 

WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND. 

1650—1951. 


WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND. 

Thb  Scotch  People,  ihe  first  banners  of  this  grand  Puritan  Re- 
voll,  which  we  may  define  as  aa  attempt  to  bring  tlio  Divine  Law 
of  the  Bible  into  actual  practice  in  men's  aflairaon  the  Earth,  are 
still  one  and  all  resolute  for  that  otiject ;  but  they  are  getting 
into  sad  difficulties  as  to  realizing  ii.  Not  easy  to  realize  such  a 
thing  :  besides  true  will,  there  need  heroic  gifts,  the  highesl  that 
Heaven  gives,  for  realizing  it !  Gifts  which  have  not  been  vouch- 
safed the  Scotch  People  at  present.  The  letter  of  ihoir  Covenant 
presses  heavy  on  these  men  ;  traditions,  formulas,  dead  letters  of 
many  things  press  heavy  on  them.  On  the  whole,  they  too  are 
but  what  we  call  Pedants  in  conduct,  not  Poets  :  the  sheepskin 
record  failing  them,  and  old  use-and-wont  ending,  they  cannot 
farther  ;  they  look  into  a  sea  of  troubles,  shoreless,  starless,  on 
which  there  seems  no  navigation  pousible. 

The  faults  or  misfortunes  of  the  .Scotch  People,  in  their  Puri- 
tan business,  are  many :  but  properly  their  grand  fault  is  this. 
That  they  have  produced  for  it  no  sulTiciently  heroic  man  among 
them.  No  man  that  has  an  eye  to  sec  beyond  the  letter  and  the 
rubric  ;  lo  discern,  across  many  consecrated  rubrics  of  the  Post, 
the  inarticulate  divineness  of  the  Present  and  the  Future,  and 
dare  all  perils  in  the  faith  of  IJiat  •  With  Oliver  Cromwell  bora 
a  Scotchman  ;  with  a  Hero  King  and  a  unanimous  Hero  Nation 
at  his  back,  it  might  have  been  far  otherwise.  With  Oliver  born 
Scotch,  one  sees  not  but  the  whole  world  might  have  become  Pu- 
ritan ;  might  have  struggled,  yet  a  long  while,  to  fashion  jlself 
according  to  that  divine  Hebrew  Gospel, — to  the  exclusion  of 
other  Gospels  not  Hebrew,  which  also  are  divine,  and  will  have 
their  share  of  fulfilment  here ! — But  of  such  issue  there  is  no 
danger.  Instead  of  inspired  Olivers,  glowing  with  direct  insight 
and  noble  daring,  we  have  Argyles,  Loudona,  and  narrow,  mora 
or  less  opaque  persons  of  the  Pedant  species.  Committees  of  Es- 
tates, Committees  of  Kirks,  much  tied  up  in  formulas,  both  of 
them  :  -a  bigoted  Theooraoy  urilhout  the  Inspiration  ;  which  is  a 


434  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [1630 


very  hopeless  phenomenon  indeed  !  The  Scotch  People  are  all 
willing,  eager  of  heart ;  asking,  Whitherward  ?  But  the  LfCad- 
ers  stand  aghast  at  the  new  forms  of  danger ;  and  in  a  vehement 
discrepant  manner  some  calling,  Halt !  others  calling,  Backward ! 
others,  Forward  ! — huge  confusion  ensues.  Confusion  which  will 
need  an  Oliver  to  repress  it ;  to  bind  it  up  in  tight  manacles,  if 
not  otherwise  ;  and  say,  "  There,  sit  there  and  consideT  thyself  a 
little  !"— 

The  meaning  of  the  Scotch  Covenant  was,  That  God's  divine 
Law  of  the  Bible  should  be  put  in  practice  in  these  Nations; 
verily  it,  and  not  the  Four  Surplices  at  Allhallowtide,  or  anj 
Formula  of  cloth  or  sheepskin  here  or  elsewhere  which  merely 
pretended  to  be  it :  but  then  the  Covenant  says  expressly,  there 
is  to  be  a  Stuart  King  in  the  business  :  we  cannot  do  without  our 
Stuart  King  !     Given  a  divine  Law  of  the  Bible  on  one  hand,  and 
a  Stuart  King,  Charles  First  or  Charles  Second,  on  the  other : 
alas,  did  History  ever  present  a  more  irreducible  case  of  equations 
in  this  world  ?     I  pity  the  poor  Scotch  Pedant  Governors ;  still 
more  the  poor  Scotch  People  who  had  no  other  to  follow  !     Nayi 
as  for  that,  the  People  did  get  through,  in  the  end ;  such  was 
their  indomitable  pious  constancy,  and  other  worth  and  fortune ; 
and  Presbytery  became  a  Fact  among  them,  to  the  whole  length 
possible  for  it ;  not  without  endless  results.     But  for  the  poor 
Governors  this  irreducible  case  proved,  as  it  were,  fatal !     They 
have  never  since,  if  we  will  look  narrowly  at  it,  governed  Soot- 
land,  or  even  well  known  that  they  were  there  to  attempt  govern- 
ing it.     Once  they  lay  on  Dunse  Hill,  '  each  Earl  with  his  Regi- 
ment of  Tenants  round  him,'  For  ChrisVa  Crown  and  Coventmi  ; 
and  never  since  had  they  any  noble  National  act  which  it  was 
given  them  to  do.     Growing  desperate  of  Christ's  Crown  and 
Covenant,  they,  in  the  next  generation  when  our  Annus  JMSrahiS$ 
arrived,  hurried  up  to  Court,  looking  out  for  other  Crowns  and 
Covenants  ;  deserted  Scotland  and  her  Cause,  somewhat  basely ; 
took  to  booing  and  booing  for  Causes  of  their  own,  unhappy  mor- 
tals : — and  Scotland  and  all  Causes  that  were  Scotland's  have  had 
to  go  on  very  much  without  them  ever  since  !     Which  is  d  very 
fatal  issue  indeed,  as  I  reckon  ; — and  the  time  for  settlement  of 
accounts  about  it,  which  could  not  fail  always,  and  seems  now 


lUO.]  WAR  WITH  BCOTLAND.  495 

fust  drawing  nigh,  looks  very  ominous  lo  me.  For  ia  fact  there 
is  no  creature  more  fatal  ilian  your  Pedant ;  safe  as  he  esteems 
himself,  the  terriblest  issues  spring  from  him.  Human  crimes 
are  many :  but  the  crime  of  being  deaf  to  the  God's  Voice,  of 
being  blind  to  all  but  parcliments  and  antiquarian  rubrics  when 
the  Divine  Handwriting  ia  abroad  on  the  sky, — certainly  there  is 
no  crime  which  the  Supreme  Powers  do  more  terribly  avenge  I 

But  leaving  all  that, — the  poor  Scotch  Governors,  we  remark, 
in  that  old  crisb  of  theirs,  have  come  upon  the  desperate  expe- 
dient of  getting  Charles  Second  to  adopt  the  Covenant  the  best 
he  can.  Whereby  our  parchment  Ibrmula  is  indeed  saved ;  but 
the  divine  fact  has  gone  terribly  to  the  wall !  The  Scotch  Go- 
vernors hope  otherwise.  By  treaties  at  Jersey,  treaties  at  Breda, 
they  and  the  hard  Law  of  Wutit  together  have  constrained  this 
poor  young  Stuart  to  their  detested  Covenant ;  as  the  Frenchman 
said,  they  have  '  compelled  him  to  adopt  it  voluntarily.'  A  fear- 
ful crime,  thinks  Oliver,  and  think  we.  How  dare  you  enact 
such  mummery  under  High  Heaven !  exclaims  he.  Von  will 
prosecute  Malignants  ;  and,  with  the  aid  of  some  poor  varnish, 
transparent  even  lo  yourselves,  you  adopt  into  your  bosom  the 
Cliief  Malignant !  My  soul  come  not  into  your  secret ;  mine 
honor  be  not  united  unto  you  ! — 

In  fact,  his  new  Sacred  Majesty  is  actually  under  way  for  the 
Scotch  court ;  will  become  a  CVivenanled  King  there.  Of  iumself 
a  hkely  enough  young  man; — very  unfortunate  he  too.  Satis- 
factorily descended  from  tiK*  .Sleward  of  Scotland  and  Catherine 
Muir  of  Caldwell  (whom  sonif  liave  called  an  improper  female)  ;• 
satisfactory  in  this  rcspcui,  but  in  others  most  unsatisfactory. 
A  somewhat  loose  young  uinn  ;  has  Buckingham,  Wilinot  and 
Company,  at  one  hand  of  hiti),  and  painful  Mr.  Livingston  and 
Presbyterian  ruling-elders  at  the  other ;  is  hastening  now,  as  a 
Covenanted  King,  towards  such  a  Theocracy  as  we  described. 
Perhaps  the  most  anomalous  phenomenon  ever  produced  by- 
Nature  and  Art  working  together  in  this  World ! — He  had  sent 
Montrose  before  him,  poor  young  man,  to  try  if  war  and  force 


436  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [I65a 


could  effect  nothing  ;  whom  instantly  the  Scotch  Nation  took,  and 
tragically  hanged.*  They  now,  winking  hard  at  that  transao- 
tion,  proffer  the  poor  young  man  their  Covenant ;  compel  him  to 
sign  it  voluntarily,  and  be  Covenanted  King  over  them. 

The  result  of  all  which  for  the  English  Commonwealth  caDnoC 
be  doubtful.  What  Declarations,  Papers,  Protocols,  passed  on 
the  occasion, — numerous,  flying  thick  between  Edinburgh  and 
London  in  late  months, — shall  remain  unknown  to  us.  The 
Commonwealth  has  brought  Cromwell  home  from  Ireland ;  and 
got  forces  ready  for  him :  that  is  the  practical  outcome  of  it. 
The  Sootch  also  have  got  forces  ready ;  will  either  invade  us, 
or  (which  we  decide  to  be  preferable)  be  invaded  by  us.f  Crom- 
well must  now  take  up  the  Scotch  coil  of  troubles,  as  he  did  the 
Irish,  and  deal  with  that  too.  Fairfax,  as  we  heard,  was  unwil- 
ling to  go ;  Cromwell,  urging  the  Council  of  State  to  second 
him,  would  fain  persuade  Fairfax  ;  gets  him  still  nominated  Com- 
mander-in-chief ;  but  cannot  persuade  him ; — will  liimself  have 
to  be  Commander-in-chief,  and  go. 

In  Whitlocke  and  Ludlow^  there  is  record  of  earnest  inter- 
cessions, solemn  conference  held  with  Fairfax  in  Whitehall,  duly 
prefaced  by  prayer  to  Heaven  ;  intended  on  Cromwell's  part  to 
persuade  Fairfax  that  it  is  his  duty  again  to  accept  the  chief  com- 
mand, and  lead  us  into  Scotland.  Fairfax,  urged  by  his  Wife,  a 
Vere  of  the  fighting  Veres,  and  given  to  Presbyterianism,  dare 
not  and  will  not  go ; — sends  '  Mr.  Rush  worth,  his  Secretary/ 
on  the  morrow,  to  give  up  his  Commission,^  that  Cromwell  him- 
self may  be  named  General-in-chief  In  this  preliminary  busi- 
ness, says  Ludlow,  <  Cromwell  acted  his  part  so  to  the  life  that  I 
really  thought  he  wished  Fairfax  to  go.'  Wooden-headed  that  1 
was,  I  had  reason  to  alter  that  notion  by  and  by  ! 

Wooden  Ludlow  gives  note  of  another  very  singular  interview 
he  himself  had  with  Cromwell,  *  a  little  afler,'  in  those  same  days 
or  hours.     Cromwell  whispered  him  in  the  House  ;  they  agreed 

*  Details  of  the  business,  in  Balfour,  iv.,  9-22. 

t  Commons  Journals,  20  June,  1650. 

X  Whitlocke,  pp.  441-0  (25  June,  1650)  ;  Ludlow,  i.,  317. 

§  Commons  Journals,  ubi  supra. 


IBM.]  WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  437 

'  to  meet  that  afternoon  in  the  Council  of  State'  ia  WhitehBll,  and 
there  withdraw  into  a  private  room  to  have  a  little  talk  together, 
Oliver  had  cast  his  eye  on  Ludlow  as  a  fit  man  for  Ireland,  to  go 
and  second  Ireton  there ;  he  took  him,  as  by  appointment,  iolo  a 
private  room,  'the  Queen's  Guard-chamber' to  wit ;  and  there 
very  largely  expressed  himself.  He  testified  the  great  value  be 
had  for  me,  Ludlow  ;  combated  ray  objections  to  Ireland  ;  spake 
somewhat  ageinst  Lawyers,  what  a  tortuous  ungodly  jingle  Eng- 
lish Law  was  ;  spake  of  the  good  that  might  be  done  by  a  good 
and  brave  man  ; — spake  of  the  great  Providenoea  of  God  now 
abroud  on  the  Earth ;  in  particular  '  talked  for  almost  an  hour 
u|ion  the  Hundred-aod-tenth  Psalm ;'  which  to  me,  in  my  solid 
wooden  head,  seemed  extremely  singular  !" 

Modem  readers,  not  in  the  case  of  Ludlow,  will  find  this  fact 
illustrative  of  Oliver.  Before  setting  out  on  the  Scotch  Expedi- 
tion, and  just  on  ihe  eve  of  doiug  it,  we  too  will  read  that  Psalm 
of  Hehrew  David's,  which  had  become  English  Oliver's:  we 
will  fancy  in  our  minds,  not  without  reflections  and  emotions, 
the  largest  soul  in  England  looking  at  this  God's  World  with 
prophet's  earnestness  through  that  Hebrew.  Word, — two  Divine 
Phenomena  accurately  correspondent  for  Oliver;  the  one  accu- 
rately the  prophetic  symbol,  and  articulate  interpretation  of  the 
other.  As  if  the  Silences  had  at  length  found  utterance,  and  this 
was  their  Voice  from  out  of  old  Eternity  : 

'  The  Lord  said  unto  my  Lord  :  Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand  until  I 
make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool.  The  Lord  shall  send  the  rod  of 
thy  strength  out  of  Zion  :  rule  thou  in  the  midst  of  thine  enemies. 
Thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power ;  in  the 
beauties  of  holiness,  from  the  womb  of  the  morning;  ihou  bast 
the  dew  of  thy  youth.  The  Lord  hath  sworn,  and  will  not  repeat, 
Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever  after  the  order  of  Melchizedek.  The 
Lord,  at  thy  right  hand,  shall  strike  through  Kings  in  the  day  of 
bis  wrath.  He  shall  judge  among  the  Heathen ;  he  shall  fill  the 
places  with  the  dead  bodies  j  he  shall  wound  the  heads  over  many 
countries.  He  shall  drink  of  the  brook  in  the  way :  therefore 
ehall  he  lift  up  the  head.' 

*  Ludlow,  i.,  310 


arenas  there  is  nothing  that  can  withstan 
to  us  it  is  tragic  ;  a  thing  that  should  stril 
one,  thy  old  noble  Prophecy  is  divine  ;  ok 
old  as  the  Origin  of  Man ; — and  shall,  the 
thou  Bupposest,  be  fulfilled  ! — 


LETTERS  LXXXVI.-XC. 

On  Wedneadas,  26th  June,  1650,  tho  Act  appointing  '  Thai  Oliver 

Cromwell,  Esquire,  be  constituted  Captain -General  and  Com- 
njander- in-chief  of  all  the  Forcee  raised  or  to  be  raised  by 
authority  of  Parliament  within  the  Commonwealth  of  England  '* 
was  passed.  'Whereupon,'  says  Wliitlocke,  '  great  cercmonicfl 
and  congratulations  of  the  new  General  were  made  to  him  from 
all  sorts  of  people ;  and  be  went  on  roundly  with  his  buainess.' 
Roundly,  rapidly  ;  for  in  three  days  morp,  on  Saturday,  the  29th, 
'  the  Lord  General  Cromwell  went  out  of  London  towards  the 
North  :  and  the  news  of  him  marching  northward  much  startled 
the  Scots.'t 

He  has  Lambert  for  Major.  Gen  oral,  Cousin  Whalley  for  Com- 
missary-General ;  and  among  his  Colonels  are  Overton  whom  we 
knew  at  Hull,  Pride  whoai  we  have  seen  in  Westminster  Hall ; 
and  a  taciturn  man,  much  given  lo  chewing  tobacco,  whom  we 
have  transiently  seen  in  various  places,  Colonel  George  Monk  by 
name.f  An  excellent  officer;  listens  lo  what  you  say,  answers 
often  by  a  splash  of  brown  juice  merely,  but  punctually  does 
what  is  doable  of  it.  Puddingheaded  Hodgson  the  Yorkshire 
Captain  is  also  there ;  from  whotn  perhaps  wo  may  glean  a  rough 
lucent-point  or  two.  The  Army,  as  my  Lord  General  attracts 
it  gradually  from  the  right  and  led  on  his  march  northward, 
amounts  at  Tweedsidc  to  some  Sixteen -thousand  horee  and  foot.^ 
Rushworth  goes  with  him  as  Secretary  ;  liisioricail  John  ;  having 
now  done  with  Fairfax  : — bu:,  alas,  his  Papers  for  this  Period  are 
all  lost  to  us :  it  was  not  safe  li)  print  ihern  with  the  others  ;  and 
they  are  lost !     The  Hulorical  Collections,  with  their  infinite  rub- 

*  Commons  Jaum^s,  in  die.  t  Whittocke,  pp.  US,  7. 

t  Life  of  Morti,  bj  GumWe,  bis  Chaplain. 

^  TruQ,  690  i  hone,  S,41S ;  fMt,  10,240 ;  in  lota,  lfl^54  (CromweUitnt, 
p.  B5), 


LETTER  LXXXV 

Dorothy  Cromwell,  we  are  happy  to  fii 
— but  the  poor  little  thing  must  have  < 
inexact  lists  there  is  no  trace  of  its  ever  hi 
Greneral  has  got  into  Northumberland.  H 
being  *  silent  this  way,' — the  way  of  Lett 

Fhr  my  very  loving  Brother^  Richard  JMi 

House  at  Hursley :  Thk 

A 
Drar  Brother, 

The  exceeding  crc 

London  is  the  best  excuse  I  can  make  for  my 

Sir,  my  heart  beareth  me  witness  I  want  no  i 

yon  are  all  often  in  my  poor  prayers. 

I  should  be  glad  to  hear  how  the  little  Brat 

Father  and  Mother  for  their  neglects  of  me :  ] 

I  had  better  thoD      s  of  Doll.    I  doubt  now 

her;  pray  tell  1      so  from       .    If  I  had  i 


l«5a]  LETTER  LXXXVI.,  ALNWICK.  441 

the  Lord's  presence.  I  have  not  sought  these  things ;  truly  I  bftTe  been 
called  unto  them  by  the  Lord ;  and  therefore  am  not  withaat  Mine 
asaunuice  that  lie  will  enable  His  poor  worm  uid  weak  servant  to  do 
His  will,  Btid  to  fulfil  my  generation.  In  thia  I  desire  your  prayers. 
Desiring  to  be  lovingly  remembered  to  my  dear  Sister,  to  our  Son  and 
Daughter,  to  my  Cousin  Aon  and  the  good  Family,  I  rest, 

Vaur  very  aSectionate  Brother, 

OuvEB  Chomwrll.* 

On  Monday,  22d  July,  the  Army,  after  due  rondezvousiiig 
And  reviewing,  passed  through  Berwick  ;  and  encamped  at  Mord- 
ington  across  the  Border,  where  a  fresh  slay  of  two  days  is  atill 
necessary.  Scolland  is  bare  of  resources  for  us.  That  night, 
'  the  Scotch  beacons  were  all  set  on  lire  ;  the  men  fled,  and  drove 
away  their  cattle.'  Mr.  Bret  his  Excellency's  Trumpeter  returns 
from  Edinburgh  wiihou!  symptoms  of  pacification.  '  The  Clergy 
represent  us  lo  ihe  people  as  if  we  were  monsters  of  the  world.' 
"  Army  of  Sectaries  and  Blasphemers,"  la  the  received  term  fur 
us  among  the  Scots,  f 

Already  on  the  march  hilherward,  and  now  by  Mr.  Bret  in  an 
official  way,  have  duo  manifeaioes  been  promulgated  ;  Declaration 
To  all  that  are  Saints  ond  Partaktra  of  the  Failh  of  God'a  Elect  m 
Scmland,  and  Proclamation  To  the  People  of  Scotland  in  general. 
Asking  of  the  mistaken  People,  in  mild  terms,  Did  you  not  aeo 
us,  and  try  us,  what  kind  of  men  we  were,  when  we  came  among 
you  two  years  ago?  Did  you  find  us  plunderers,  murderers, 
monsters  of  the  world  1  '  Whose  ox  have  we  stolen  V  To  the 
mistaken  SainU  of  God  in  Scotland,  again,  the  E)eclaralioa  testi- 
fies and  argues,  i[i  a  grand  earnest  way.  That  in  Charles  Stuart 
and  his  party  there  can  be  no  salvation ;  that  ice  seek  the  real 
substance  of  the  Covenant,  which  il  is  perilous  lo  desert  for  the 
mere  outer  form  thereof; — on  the  whole  that  we  are  not  secta- 
ries  and  blasphemers  ;  and  that  it  goes  against  our  heart  to  hurt 
a  hair  of  any  sincere  servant  of  GcmI. — Very  earnest  Documents; 
signed  by  John  Rushworth  in  the  name  of  General  and  OlEoers  ; 
often  printed  and  reprinted. f     They  bear  Oliver's  sense  in  every 

*  Harris,  51 3  :  onp  of  Ihe  Pusey  itnck. 

tHalTour,  iv.,97.100,  *c.:  '  Cromweli  the  Blasphemer'  {ib.,  88). 
X  Nen-spapers   (in    Parliunenti^  Hbtoijr,  aix.,   2U8,  310) ;  Conunoas 
Joumalii,  19  July,  1600. 


442  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [»Jiily» 

feature  of  them ;  but  are  not  distinctly  of  his  oorapositioo : 
wherefore,  as  space  grows  more  and  more  precious,  and  Oliver's 
sense  will  elsewhere  sufficiently  appear,  we  omit  them. 

*  The  Scots,'  says  Whitlocke,*  *  are  all  gone  with  their  goods 
towards  Edinburgh,  by  command  of  the  Estates  of  Scotland,  upon 
penalty  if  they  did  not  remove  ;  so  that  mostly  all  the  men  are 
gone.  But  the  wives  stay  behind  ;  and  some  of  them  do  bake 
and  brew,  to  provide  bread  and  drink  for  the  English  Army.' 
The  public  functionaries  <  have  told  the  people,  "  That  the 
English  Army  intends  to  put  all  the  men  to  the  sword,  and  to 
thrust  hot  irons  through  the  women's  breasts ;" — which  much 
terrified  them,  till  once  the  General's  Proclamations  were  pub- 
lished.' And  now  the  wives  do  stay  behind,  and  brew  and  bake, 
poor  wives ! 

That  Monday  night  while  we  lay  at  Mordington,  with  hard 
accommodation  out  of  doors  and  in, — my  puddingheaded  friend 
infonns  mc  of  a  thing.  The  General  has  made  a  large  Discourse 
to  the  Officers  and  Army,  now  that  we  are  across ;  speaks  to 
them  "  as  a  Christian  and  a  Soldier,  To  be  doubly  and  trebly 
diligent,  to  be  wary  and  worthy,  for  sure  enough  we  have  work 
before  us  !  But  have  we  not  had  Grod's  blessing  hitherto  ?  Let 
us  go  on  faithfully,  and  hope  for  the  like  still  !"t  The  Army 
answered,  *  with  acclamations,'  still  audible  to  me. — Yorkshire 
Flodgson  continues : 

'  Well ;  that  night  we  pitched  at  Mordington,  about  the  House. 
Our  Officers,'  General  and  Staff  Officers,  <  hearing  a  great  shout 
among  the  soldiers,  looked  out  of  window.  They  spied  a 
soldier  with  a  Scotch  kirn '  (chum) '  on  his  head.  Some  of  them 
had  been  purveying  abroad,  and  had  found  a  vessel  .filled  with 
Scotch  cream  :  bringing  the  reversion  of  it  to  their  tents,  some 
got  dishfuls,  and  some  hatfuls  ;  and  the  cream  being  now  low  in 
the  vessel,  one  fellow  would  have  a  modest  drink,  and  so  lifts  the 
kirn  to  his  mouth  :  but  another  cantmg  it  up,  it  falls  over  his 
head  ;  and  the  man  is  lost  in  it,  all  the  cream  trickles  down  his 
apparel,  and  his  head  fast  in  the  tub !  This  was  a  merriment  to 
the  Officers ;  as  Oliver  loved  an  innocent  jest.' 

*  p.  450.  t  Hodgson,  p.  130 ;  Whitlocke,  p.  450. 


laSO.]  LETTER  LXXXVir,,  HUSSELBUBOH  44S 

A  week  after,  we  find  the  General  very  serious ;  writing  thtu 
to  the  Lord  President  Brsdshaw. 

LETTER  LXXXVIL 

'  CoppEESPATH,'  of  which  the  General  here  speaks,  is  the  country 
pronunciation  of  Cockburnspath  ;  name  of  a  wild  Tock-and-rivar 
chasm,  through  which  the  great  road  goes,  some  miles  to  the 
eastward  of  Dunbar.  Of  which  we  shall  hear  again.  A  rerjr 
wild  road  at  thai  time,  as  may  still  be  seen.  The  nrioe  is  now 
spanned  by  a  beautiful  Bridge,  called  Peon  Bridge,  or  Path's 
Bridge,  which  pleasure  parlies  go  to  visit. 


Mi  Lokd,  Hnwelbnrgli,  30th  July,  1690. 

We  marched  from  Berwick  upon  Monday,  being  the 
Q2d  of  July ;  and  lay  at  my  Lord  Mordington's  bouEe,  Monday  night, 
Tuesday,  and  Wednesday.  On  Thursday  we  marched  t-o  Copperepatli ; 
on  Friday  to  Dunbar,  where  we  got  »ome  small  pittance  froni  our  ships ; 
from  whence  we  marched  to  HaddinLton. 

On  the  Lord's  day,  hearing  that  tlic  Scottish  Army  meant  to  meet  ns 
at  Gladgmoor,  we  labored  to  poaeetf^  the  Moor  before  tbem ;  and  beat  onr 
drums  very  early  in  the  morning.  Bill  when  we  came  there,  no  consider- 
able body  of  the  Army  appeared  Whereupon  Fonrteen-hnndred  horee, 
□nder  the  command  of  Major-Gene ral  l^mbert  and  Colonel  Whalley, 
were  sent  as  a  vanguard  to  Musselburgh,  lo  sec  UXewise  if  they  conid 
find  out  and  attempt  anything  upon  the  Enemy ;  I  marching  in  the  heel 
of  them  with  the  residue  of  the  Army.  Onr  party  enronnlered  with  some 
of  their  horse  ;  but  they  could  not  abide  ns.  We  lay  at  Muaselburgh, 
encamped  close,  that  night ;  the  Knemy's  Army  lying  between  Edin- 
burgh and  Leith,  about  four  miles  from  ns,  entrenched  by  a  Lino  flank- 
ered  from  Edinburgh  to  Leith;  the  gnna  also  from  Leith  scouring  roost 
parts  of  the  Line,  so  that  they  lay  very  strong. 

Upon  Monday,  29th  instant,  we  were  resolved  to  draw  np  to  them,  to 
see  if  they  would  light  with  us.  And  when  we  came  upon  the  place,  we 
resolved  lo  get  our  cannons  as  near  tliein  as  we  could ;  hoping  thereby 
to  annoy  them.  We  likewise  perceived  that  ihcy  had  some  force  apona 
Hill  that  overlooks  Edinburgh,  from  whence  we  might  be  annoyed; 
'  and'  did  resolve  to  send  up  a  pwty  to  possess  the  said  Hill ;  — which 


444  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [30Ja)y, 

prevailed :  but,  upon  tiie  whole,  we  did  find  that  their  Army  were  Dot 
easily  to  be  attempted.  Whereupon  we  lay  still  all  the  said  day ;  which 
proved  to  be  80  sore  a  day  and  night  of  rain  as  I  have  seldom  seen,  and 
greatly  to  our  disadvantage ;  the  Enemy  having  enough  to  cover  them,  and 
we  nothing  at  all  considerable.*  Our  soldiers  did  abide  this  difficulty 
with  great  courage  and  resolution,  hoping  they  should  speedily  come  to 
fight.  In  the  morning,  the  ground  being  very  wet,  'and'  ourprovisioiu 
scarce,  we  resolved  to  draw  back  to  our  quarters  at  Musselburgh,  there 
to  refresh  and  revictual. 

The  Enemy,  when  we  drew  off,  fell  upon  our  rear ;  and  pot  them  into 
some  little  disorder :  but  our  bodies  of  horse  being  in  some  reftdiness, 
came  to  a  grabble  with  them  *, — where  indeed  there  was  a  gallant  and 
hot  dispute ;  the  Major-Generalf  and  Colonel  Whalley  being  in  the  rear; 
and  the  Enemy  drawing  out  great  bodies  to  second  their  first  affiont 
Our  men  charged  ttiem  up  to  the  very  trenches,  and  beat  them  io.  The 
Major-GeneraFs  horse  was  shot  in  the  neck  and  head ;  himself  run 
through  tiie  arm  with  a  lance,  and  run  into  another  place  of  his  body^— 
was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Enemy,  but  rescued  immediately  by 
ant  Empson  of  my  regiment.  Colonel  Whalley,  who  was  then 
to  the  Major-General,  did  charge  very  resolutely;  and  repulsed  the 
Enemy,  and  killed  divers  of  them  upon  the  place,  and  took  some  prieoo* 
ers,  without  any  considerable  loss.  Which  indeed  did  so  amaie  and 
quiet  them,  that  we  marched  off  to  Musselburgh,  but  they  dared  not  send 
out  a  man  to  trouble  us.  We  hear  their  young  King  looked  on  upon 
this,  but  was  very  ill  satisfied  to  see  their  men  do  no  better. 

We  came  to  Musselburgh  that  night ;  so  tired  and  wearied  fiyr  want 
of  sleep,  and  so  dirty  by  reason  of  the  wetness  of  the  weather,  that  we 
expected  the  Enemy  would  make  an  infall  upon  us.  Which  accordingly 
they  did,  between  three  and  four  of  the  clock,  this  morning ;  with  fifteen 
of  their  most  select  troops,  under  the  command  of  Major-General  Mont* 
gomery  and  Stralian,  two  champions  of  the  Church : — upon  which  busi- 
ness there  was  great  hope  and  expectation  laid.  The  Enemy  came  on 
with  a  great  deal  of  resolution ;  beat  in  our  guards,  and  put  a  regiment 
of  iiorse  in  some  disorder :  but  our  men,  speedily  taking  the  alarm, 
charged  the  Enemy  ;  routed  them,  took  many  prisoners,  kOled  a  great 
many  of  them  ;  did  execution  *  to '  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  Edin- 
burgh ;  and,  I  am  informed,  Strahan|  was  killed  there,  besides  diven 

*  *  Near  a  little  village  named,  I  think,  Lichnagarie,'— means,  Lang  Nid^ 
dery  (Hodgson,  p.  132). 
t  Lambert. 
t  We  shall  hear  of  Strahan  again,  not '  killed.*    This  Montgomeiy  is  the 


10».]  LETTER  LXXXVII.,  MUSSBLBORQH.  -MS 

other  Officers  of  qualily.  We  took  Hit'  Major  tu  LSiraiian's  rogimecit, 
Major  Hamilton ;  a  Lieolenant-ColnneJ,  and  divers  other  Officers,  and 
peiBOnB  of  quality,  whom  yet  we  know  not.  Indeed  Ihig  is  a  sweet  be- 
ginning of  your  huainesB,  or  rather  the  Lord's ;  and  I  believe  is  not  very 
MtiBfactory  to  the  Enemy,  especially  lo  the  Kirk  party.  We  did  not  lose 
«ny  in  this  business,  so  far  as  t  hear,  bur  a  Comet ;  I  do  not  hear  of  foiir 
men  more.  The  Major-Gener»l  will,  I  beliere,  within  few  days  be  well 
to  take  the  field.  And  I  trust  this  work,  which  is  the  Lord's,  will  pros- 
per in  the  hands  of  His  servsjilH. 

I  did  not  think  advisable  to  attempi  upon  tlie  Enemy,  lying  as  he  doth : 
but  surely  this  would  sufficiently  provoke  him  to  Qght  if  he  had  a  mind 
to  it.  1  do  not  think  lie  is  less  than  Six  or  Seven  thousand  horse,  and 
Fourteen  or  Fil^een  thousand  foot.  The  reason,  I  hear,  that  ihey  give 
out  to  their  people  why  they  do  not  light  us,  is,  Because  they  expect 
many  bodies  of  men  more  out  of  the  NoKh  of  Scotland ;  which  when 
(hey  come,  they  give  out  tbey  will  then  engage.  But  1  believe 
they  would  rklher  tempt  us  to  attempt  them  in  their  lastnesa,  within 
which  they  are  entrenched ;  or  elie  hoping  we  shall  famish  for  want  of 
provisiona ;— which  la  very  likely  la  be,  if  we  be  not  tunely  and  fully 
Mipplied.    I  remain, 

MyLoii!. 


'  P.S.'  I  understand  since  writing  of  this  Letter,  that  Major-Genwsi 
Montgomery  Is  slain.* 

Cautious  David  Lesley  lies  thus  H'lihiti  his  Line  '  flankered  ' 
from  Leith  shore  to  the  Calton  Hill,  wiili  guns  lo  '  scour '  it ;  with 
outposts  or  flying  parties,  as  we  see,  stationed  on  the  back  slope 
of  Salisbury  Crags  or  Arthur's  Seat ;  wiib  all  Edinburgh  Hife 
behind  him,  und  indeed  all  Scotland  safe  behind  him  Ibr  Bupplies: 
and  nothing  can  tempt  him  to  come  out.  The  factions  and  dia- 
tractions  of  Scotland,  and  its  Kirk  Committees  and  Slate  Commit- 
tees, and  poor  Covenanted  King  aiid  Courtiers,  are  many ;  but 
Lesley,  standing  steadily  to  his  guns,  persists  here.  His  Army, 
it  appears,  is  no  great  things  of  an  Army  :  '  allogelher  governed 
by  the  Committee  of  Kstates  and  Kirk,'  snarls  an  angry  E/ncove- 

EarlofEgliatOD'asoDRobert,  nsitkcr  ishe'slain'  (Douglas's  Scotch  fttt- 
M«.  '■.  503). 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwellian*,  pp.  8S,  0). 


446  PART  Vr.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [8  Av^ 

nanted  Courtier,  whom  the  said  Committee  has  just  ordered  to 
take  himself  away  again ;  <  altogether  governed  by  the  Conunittee 
of  Estates  and  Kirk/  snarls  he,  '  and  they  took  especial  care  in 
their  levies  not  to  admit  any  MalignarUs  or  Etigagers'  (who  had 
been  in  Hamilton's  Engagement) ;  '  placing  in  command,  fer 
most  part,  Ministers'  Sons,  Clerks  and  other  sanctified  creaturesy 
who  hardly  ever  saw  or  heard  of  any  sword  but  ttiat  of  the  spirit  I  ** 
The  more  reason  for  Lesley  to  lie  steadily  within  his  Line  here. 
Lodged  in  <  Bruchton  Village,'  which  means  Broughton,  now  a 
part  of  Edinburgh  New  Town  ;  there  in  a  cautious  solid  manner 
lies  Lesley ;  and  lets  Cromwell  attempt  upon  him.  It  is  his  his- 
tory, the  military  history  of  these  two,  for  a  month  to  come. 

Meanwhile  the  General  Assembly  have  not  been  backward 
with  their  Answer  to  the  Cromwell  Manifesto,  or  '  Declaration  of 
the  English  Army  to  all  the  Saints  in  Scotland,'  spoken  of  abote. 
Nay,  already  while  he  lay  at  Berwick,  they  had  drawn  up  an 
eloquent  Counter-Declaration,  and  sent  it  to  him;  which  he, 
again,  has  got  '  some  godly  Ministers '  of  his  to  declare  against 
and  reply  to :  the  whole  of  which  Declarations,  Replies  and  Re* 
replies  shall,  like  the  primary  Document  itself,  remain  suppressed 
on  the  present  occasion. f  But  along  with  this  '  Reply  by  some 
godly  Ministers,'  the  Lord  Greneral  sends  a  Letter  of  his  own, 
which  is  here : 


LETTER  LXXXVm. 

To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Kirk  of  Scotland ;  or,  in  ease  pf  IMr 
not  sitting,  To  the  Commissioners  of  the  Kirk  of  Scotland:  Thete, 

Musselburgh,  3d  August,  1690. 
Sms, 

Your  Answer  to  the  Declaration  of  the  Army  we  have 
seen.    Some  godly  Ministers  with  us  did,  at  Berwick,  compose  this  Re* 
ply  ;  which  I  thought  fit  to  send  you. 
That  you  or  we,  in  these  great  Transactions,  answer  the  will  tad 

*  Sir  Edward  Walker  :  Historical  Discourses  (Loodoo,  1705),  p.  102. 
t  Titles  of  them,  copies  of  several  of  them,  in  Parliamentary  Histoiy^ 


IBSe.]  LETTEE  UCXXTIIL,  UUSSELBnSOH.  447 

mind  of  God,  it  is  only  from  His  grace  aod  mercy  to  as.  And  there- 
fore, having  said  as  in  our  Papers,  wc  commit  the  issue  thereof  to  Him 
who  disposeth  all  things,  assuring  yoti  tbnl  wc  have  light  and  comfort 
increasing  upon  ua,  day  by  day  ;.  and  are  persuaded  that,  before  il  bo 
long,  the  Lord  will  manifest  Hie  good  pleasure,  bo  Ihat  alt  ehail  see  Him; 
and  His  People  ahall  say,  ThU  is  i!ie.  Lord's  icork,  ami  it  is  marcelloua 
in  our  eyes  :  this  is  the  day  that  the  Lurd  halh  made  ;  ice  wUl  be  glad  and 
rgoiet  therein. — Only  give  me  leave  to  say,  in  a  word,  'thus  much  :' 

You  take  upon  you  to  judge  us  m  Ilie  things  of  our  God,  though  yon 
know  vi  not, — though  in  the  tilings  we  liave  said  unto  you,  iu  that 
which  ia  entitled  the  Army's  Dcclaratioti,  wo  have  spoken  our  hearts 
as  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  who  liatli  tried  us.  And  by  your  liard  and 
subtle  words  you  have  begotten  prejudice  in  those  who  do  too  much,  in 
matters  of  conscience, — wherein  every  soul  is  to  answer  for  ilself  to 
God,— depend  upon  you.  So  that  some  have  already  followed  you,  to 
flw  breathing^nt  of  their  souls  ;*  '  and '  others  continue  sliU  in  the  way 
wherein  Uiey  are  led  by  you, — we  fear,  to  their  own  ruin. 

And  no  marvel  if  you  deal  tbua  uilli  us,  when  indeed  you  can  liud  in 
your  hearts  to  conceal  from  your  own  people  the  Papers  we  have  sent 
you ;  who  might  thereby  see  and  unden^land  the  tiowcU  of  our  aflections 
to  them,  especially  to  such  among  Ibem  as  fear  tile  Lord.  Send  wt 
many  of  your  Papers  as  you  plense  amongst  ours;f  they  have  a  free 
passage.  I  fear  them  not.  What  is  of  God  in  them,  would  it  might 
be  embraced  and  received ! — One  of  tbem  lately  sent,  directed  3\)  Iht 
Under-ogicers  and  Soldiers  in  th:  English  Army,  halh  begotten  from 
tbem  this  enclosed  Ansteer;  which  they  desired  me  to  send  to  you:  not 
a  crafty  politic  one,  but  a  plain  timple  spiritual  one ', — vihal  kind  of  ooa 
it  ia  God  knoweth,  and  God  also  will  in  due  time  make  manifest 

And  do  we  multiply  these  things.)  m  men ;  or  do  we  them  for  the 
Lord  Christ  and  His  People's  sake  ?  Indeed  we  are  not,  through  the 
grace  of  God,  afmid  of  your  numbers,  nor  confident  in  ourselvea.  We 
could, — 1  pray  God  you  do  not  think  we  boast, — meet  your  Army,  or 
what  you  have  to  bring  againtt  us.  We  have  given, — humbly  we 
■peak  it  before  our  God,  in  wliuin  all  our  hope  is, — some  proof  that 
thoughts  of  that  kind  prevail  not  upon  us.  The  Lord  hath  not  hid  His 
face  from  us  since  our  approach  so  near  unto  yon. 

Your  own  guilt  is  too  much  for  }oit  to  bear ;  bring  net  therefore  upon 
yourselves  the  blood  of  innocent  men, — deceived  with  pretences  of  King 
and  Covenant ;  from  whose  eyes  you  hide  a  better  knowledge !  I  aui 
persuaded  that  divers  of  jon,  who  lead  the  People,  have  labored  to  build 

*  In  the  Musselburgh  Skirmish,  &c.  f  Our  peoplo. 

}  Papers  and  DecUntiou. 


448  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [3  Ang. 


yourselves  in  tliese  things;  wherein  you  have  censured  otherB,  and 
established  yourselves  "  upon  the  Word  of  God."  Is  it  therefore  infiJli- 
biy  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,  all  that  you  say  ?  I  beseech  yon,  in 
the  bowels  of  Christ,  think  it  possible  you  may  be  mistaken.  Precept 
may  be  upon  precept,  line  may  be  upon  line,  and  yet  the  Word  of  the 
Lord  may  be  to  some  a  Word  of  Judgment ;  that  they  may  fiJl  back- 
ward and  be  broken,  and  be  snared  and  be  taken  !*  There  may  be  a 
spiritual  fulness,  which  the  World  may  call  dmnkemiess  ;f  aa  in  the 
second  Chapter  of  the  Acfs.  There  may  be,  as  well,  a  carnal  confidence 
upon  misunderstood  and  misapplied  precepts,  which  may  be  called 
spiritual  drunkenness.  There  may  be  a  Covenant  made  with  Death  and 
Hell !  *  I  will  not  say  yours  was  so.  Bat  judge  if  such  things  have  a 
political  aim :  To  avoid  the  overflowing  scourge  \*  oc.  To  accompliik 
worldly  interests  ?  And  if  therein  we  \  have  confederated  with  wicked 
and  carnal  men,  and  have  respect  for  them,  or  otherwise  '  have*  drmwB 
them  in  to  associate  with  us,  Whether  this  be  a  Covenant  of  God,  and 
spiritual  ?    Bethink  yourselves ;  we  hope  we  do. 

I  pray  you  read  the  Twenty-eighth  of  Isaiah,  from  the  fifth  to  the  fi^ 
teenth  verse.  And  do  not  scorn  to  know  that  it  is  the  Spirit  that 
quickens  and  giveth  life. 

The  Lord  give  you  and  us  understanding  to  do  that  which  la  wdl« 
pleasing  in  Ilis  sight.    Committing  you  to  the  grace  of  God,  I  rests 

Your  humble  servant, 

Oliveb  Ceoxwxxx..{ 

Here  is  the  passage  from  Isaiah:  I  know  not  whether  the 
General  Assembly  read  it  and  laid  it  well  to  heart,  or  not,  but  it 
was  worth  their  while, — and  is  worth  our  while  too: 

<  In  that  day  shall  the  Lord  of  Hosts  be  for  a  crown  of  glorj, 
and  for  a  diadem  of  beauty,  unto  the  residue  of  His  people.  And 
for  a  spirit  of  judgment  to  him  that  sitteth  in  judgment,  and  fcr 
strength  to  them  that  turn  the  battle  to  the  gate. 

*  But  they  also  have  erred  through  wine,  and  through  strong 
drink  are  out  of  the  way  !  The  Priest  and  the  Prophet  have  erred 
through  strong  drink ; .  they  are  swallowed  up  of  wine ;  they  are 
out  of  the  way  through  strong  drink.     They  err  in  vision,  thsy 

*  Bible  phrases. 

f  As  you  now  do  of  us  ;  while  it  is  rather  you  that  are  "  drank." 

1 1.  e.  you. 

§  Newspapers  (in  Parliamentary  History,  xix.,  32(K-323.) 


1S90.1  LETTER  LXXXVm.,  IfOSSELBUROH.  M» 

stumble  in  judgment.  For  all  lalilos  are  fall  of  vomit  and  fillhi- 
ness  ;  so  that  there  is  no  placf  cleiin. 

'  Whom  shall  He  teach  knowleJge?  Whom  shall  He  make 
to  understand  doctrine  1  Them  that  are  weaned  from  the  mitk, 
and  drawn  from  the  breaata.  I'tir  precept  must  be  upon  precept, 
precept  upon  precept;  line  upon  line,  line  upon  line;  here  a 
little  and  there  a  little.  Fur  with  stammering  lips  and  another 
tongue  will  He  speak  to  this  people.  To  whom  Ho  said,  This  is 
the  rest  wherewith  ye  may  cause  the  weary  to  rest,  and  this  is  the 
refreshment ; — yet  they  would  not  hear.'  No.  '  The  Word  of 
the  Lord  was  unto  them  precept  upon  precept,  line  upon  line, 
here  a  little  and  there  a  littl?',  That  they  might  go,  and  fait  back- 
ward, and  be  broken  and  snared  and  taken ! — Wherefore  hear  ye 
the  Word  of  the  Lord,  ye  scornful  men  that  rule  this  people  which 
is  in  Jerusalem  ! ' 

Yes,  hear  it;  and  not  with  the  outward  ear  only,  ye  Kirk  Gom- 
mittees,  and  Prophesying  and  Cloverning  Persons  everywhere  ;  it 
may  be  important  to  you  !  If  God  have  said  it,  if  ihe  Eternal 
Truth  of  things  have  said  ii,  will  it  not  need  to  be  done,  think 
you  ?  Or  will  the  doing  some  diEiracied  shadow  of  it,  some  Cove- 
nanted  Charles  Stuart  of  it,  Buftiee  ? — The  Kirk  Committee  seems 
in  a  bad  way. 

David  Lesley,  however,  what  as  yel  is  in  their  favor,  continues 
within  his  Line  ;  stands  steadily  to  his  guns; — and  the  weather 
is  wet;  Oliver's  provision  is  failing.  This  Letter  to  the  Kirk 
was  written  on  Friday :  on  the  Monday  following,*  '  about  the 
flih  of  August,'  as  Major  Hodgson  dates  it,  the  tempestuous  slate 
of  the  weather  not  permitting  ship-sloros  to  be  landed  at  Mussel, 
burgh,  Cromwell  has  to  march  \m  Army  back  to  Dunbar,  and 
there  provision  it.  Great  joy  in  the  Kirk-and-Cslates  Committee 
thereupon  :  Lesley  steadily  continues  in  his  place. — 

The  famine  among  the  Scots  themselves,  at  Dunbar,  is  great  ; 
picking  our  horses'  beans,  caiing  our  soldiers'  leavings  ;  '  they 
are  much  enslaved  to  their  Loriis,'  poor  creatures  ;  almost  desti- 
tute of  private  capital, — and  ignorant  of  soap  to  a  terrible  extent  If 
Cromwell  distributes  among  them  '  pease  and  wheat  to  the  value 

■  B&lfoiu,  ir,,  89.  I  Whitlnske,  p.  4S3. 


450  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [13  Ang. 


of  240/.'  On  the  12th  he  returns  to  Musselburgh ;  fiDds, 
heavy  Bulstrode  spells  it  in  good  Scotch,  with  a  friskiaess  we 
hardly  looked  for  in  him,  That  Lesley  has  commanded  '  The  gude 
women  should  awe  come  away  with  their  gear,  and  not  stay  to 
brew  or  bake,  any  of  them,  for  the  English ;' — which  makes  it 
a  place  more  forlorn  than  before.*  Oliver  decides  to  encamp  on 
the  Pentland  Hills,  which  lie  on  the  other  side  of  Edioburgh, 
overlooking  the  Fife  and  Stirling  roads ;  and  to  try  whether  he 
cannot  force  Lesley  to  fight  by  cutting  off  his  supplies.  Here, 
in  the  meantime,  is  a  Letter  from  Lesley  himself;  written  in 
<  Broughton.Village,'  precisely  while  Oliver  is  on  march  towanb 
the  Pentlands : 

"  For  his  Excellency  the  Lord  General  CromwlL 

"  Bruchton,  13thfl^ugiist,  169a 
'*  My  Lord, — ^I  am  commanded  by  the  Committee  of  Elstates  of  thb 
Kingdom,  and  desired  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  General  Aswmbly, 
to  send  unto  your  Excellency  this  enclosed  Declaration^  as  that  whidi 
containeth  the  State  of  the  Quarrel ;  wherein  we  are  resolved,  bj  the 
Lord's  assistance,  to  fight  your  Army,  when  the  Lord  shall  be  picasod  to 
call  us  thereunto.  And  as  you  have  professed  you  will  not  conceal  say 
of  our  Papers,  I  do  desire  that  this  Declaration  may  be  made  known  to 
all  the  Officers  of  your  Army.  And  so  I  rest, — ^your  Excellency's  moit 
humble  servant, — ^DAvro  LESLEY."t 

This  Declaration,  done  by  the  Kirk,  and  endorsed  by  the 
Estates,  we  shall  not  on  the  present  occasion  make  known,  eTen 
though  it  is  brief.  The  reader  shall  fancy  it  a  brief  emphatic 
disclaimer,  on  the  part  of  Kirk  and  State,  of  their  having  anything 
to  do  with  Malignants  ;^-disclaimer  in  emphatic  words,  while  the 
emphatic  facts  continue  as  they  were.  Distinct  hope,  however, 
is  held  out  that  the  Covenanted  King  will  testify  openly  his  sorrow 
for  his  Father's  Malignancies,  and  his  own  resolution  for  a  quile 
other  course.  To  which  Oliver,  from  the  slope  of  the  Pentlaiids,t 
returns  this  answer  : 

•  Whitlocke,  p.  453. 

t  Newspapers  (in  Parliamentary  History,  xiz..  330). 

}  *  About  Colinton'  (Balfour,  iv.,  90). 


1090.]  LETTER  LXXXUL,  PENTLAND  HILLS. 


LETTER  LXXXDL 

For  ike  Right  Bonorahle  David  Lesley  lAtuimumi-^kmnU  cf  A$ 

Scots  Army:  Tkue. 

Turn  tlie  Cunp  at  P^atlnd  HOkb 
Utk  Angiiit.  105a 

Sib, 

I  received  youn  of  the  13th  imtaiit ;  with  the  Vwfm  yon  niMi* 
tioiied  therein,  encloeed, — ^which  I  caused  to  he  leid  in  the  pmenee/oC 
80  many  Officers  as  could  well  be  gotten  together ;  to  wlitfi  yoarTnuii- 
pet  can  witness.  We  return  you  this  answer  By  whk»  I  hope,  in  the 
Lord,  it  will  appear  that  we  continue  the  same  we  have  prolciiieed  oo^- 
selves  to  the  Honest  People  in  Scotknd ;  wishing  to  them  u  to  our 
own  souls ;  it  being  no  part  of  our  business  to  hinder  any  of  them  fioan 
worshipping  God  in  that  way  they  are  satisfied  in  their  eonedencee  bgr* 
the  Word  of  God  they  ought,  though  difierent  from  ne^ — hot  ahilL 
therein  be  ready  to  perform  what  obligation  liei  npon  ns  by  the  ikn9^ 
nant* 

But  that  under  the  pretence  of  the  Covenant,  mfstaheni  imd  wiwled* 
from  the  nioet  native  intent  and  equity  thereof  a  King  ihonhl  be  ti]Mn> 
in  by  you,  to  be  imposed  upon  us ;  and  this  *  be  '  called  "  the  Game  oC. 
God  and  the  Kingdom ;"  and  this  done  upon  **  the  satiefutioB  of  God'e 
People  in  both  Nations,"  as  is  alleged,— together  with  a  dieowning  of 
Malignants;  although  hef  who  is  the  head  of  them,  in  whom  all  thdr 
hope  and  comfort  lies,  be  received ;  who,  at  this  very  instant,  hath  % 
Popish  Army  fighting  for  and  under  him  in  Ireland;  hath  Plteee  Bl- 
pert,  a  man  who  hath  had  his  hand  deep  in  the  Uood  of  mniiy  Innnnmrf 
men  of  England,  now  in  the  head  of  our  Ships,  stolen  from  ns  npon  aT 
Malignant  account;  hath  the  French  and  Irish  ships  daily  making  de- 
predations on  our  coasts ;  and  strong  combinations  hy  the  MaUgmalilB- 
England,  to  raise  Armies  in  our  bowels,  by  virtoe  of  hla  oomnWooi^ 
who  hath  of  late  issued  out  very  many  to  that  pnipoees  How  ti^t* 
'  Godly'  Interest  you  pretend  you  have  received  him  npon,  and  the  Ib- 
lignant  Interests  in  their  ends  and  conseqoenee  '  all'  centering  in  tiili 
man,  can  be  secured,  we  cannot  discern !  And  how  we  abonkl  beHefS 
that  whilst  known  and  notorious  Malignants  are  i^^itinf  and  jolting 
against  us  on  the  one  hand,  and  you  declaring  ht  Um  on  the  other,  ft 
should  no/  be  an  **  espousing  of  a  Malignant>Phity'f  Qnanel  or  Ime- 

*  Ungrammatical,  but  intelligible  and  charsetefilCie. 
t  Charles  Stuart 
VOL.  I.  21 


452  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.         [14  Aag, 

rest;"  but  be  a  mere  "  fighting  upon  former  grounds  and  principles,  and 
in  defence  of  the  Cause  of  God  and  the  Kingdoms,  as  hath  been  these 
twelve  years  last  past,"  as  you  say :  how  this  should  be  **  for  the  se- 
curity and  satisfaction  of  God*s  People  in  both  Nations  ;**  or  '  how"  the 
opposing  of  this  should  render  us  enemies  to  the  Godly  with  yon,  we 
cannot  well  understand.  Especially  considering  that  all  these  Bfalig^ 
nants  take  their  confidence  and  encouragement  from  the  late  timnsae- 
tions  of  your  Kirk  and  State  with  your  King.  For  as  we  have  alteady 
said,  so  we  tell  you  again,  It  is  but  *  some'  satisfying  security  to  thoM 
who  employ  us,  and  *  who*  are  concerned,  that  we  seek.  Which  we 
conceive  will  not  be  by  a  few  formal  and  feigned  Submissions,  from  a 
Person  that  could  not  tell  otherwise  how  to  accomplish  his  Malignunt 
ends,  and  '  is*  therefore  counselled  to  this  compliance,  by  them  who  a^ 
sisted  his  Father,  and  have  hitherto  actuated  himself  in  his  most  efil 
and  desperate  designs ;  designs  which  are  now  again  by  them  set  oo 
foot.  Against  which.  How  you  will  be  able,  in  the  way  yon  are  in,  to 
secure  us  or  yourselves  ? — *  this  it  now'  is  (forasmuch  as  concerns  ovr- 
selves)  our  duty  to  look  after. 

If  the  state  of  your  Quarrel  be  thus,  upon  which,  as  yon  say,  yon  le- 
solve  to  fight  our  Army,  you  will  have  opportunity  to  do  that ;  else  wfait 
means  our  abode  here  ?  And  if  our  hope  be  not  in  the  Lord,  it  will  be 
ill  with  us.  We  commit  both  you  and  ourselves  to  Him  who  knowsthe 
heart  and  tries  the  reins ;  with  whom  are  all  our  ways ;  who  is  able  to 
do  for  us  and  you  above  what  we  know :  Which  we  desire  may  be  in 
much  mercy  to  His  poor  People,  and  to  the  glory  of  His  great  Name. 

And  having  performed  your  desire,  in  making  your  Papers  so  pnbKe 
as  is  before  e«Kpressed,  I  desire  you  to  do  the  like,  by  lettin|v  tiie  State, 
Kirk,  and  Army  have  the  knowledge  hereof.  To  which  end  I  have  sent 
you  enclosed  two  Copies  *  of  this  Letter ;'  and  rest, 

Your  humble  servant, 

OuvER  Cromwell.* 

The  encampment  on  Pcntland  Hills,  '  some  of  our  tents  withia 
sight  of  Edinburgh  Castle  and  City,'  threatens  to  cut  ofT  Lesley's 
supplies ;  but  will  not  induce  him  to  fight.  '  The  gude  wives 
fly  >vith  their  bairns  and  gear '  in  great  terror  of  us,  poor  gude 
wives ;  and  ^  when  we  set  fire  to  furze-bushes,  report  that  we  are 
burning  their  houscs.f     Great  terror  of  us  ;  but  no  other  result 

•  Xewspapers  (in  Parliamentary  History,  xix.,  331-333). 
\  JK'arrathe  of  Farther  Proceedings^  dated  *  From  the  Camp  of  Mnsnl* 
burgh  Fields,  16th  August,  1600;'  read  in  the  Parliament  23d 


leSO.]  LETTER  LXXXIX.,  PENTLAMD  HILLS.  4M 

Lesley  brings  over  his  guns  to  the  western  side  of  BdiAbmn^ 
and  awaits,  steady  within  his  fiistnesses  there* 

Hopes  have  arisen  that  the  Godly  Party  in  Sootland,  ■aeiiig 
now  by  these  Letters  and  Papers  what  our  real  meaning  is,  may 
perhaps  quit  a  Malignant  Seng's  Interest,  and  make  bloodlev 
peace  with  us,  *  which  were  the  best  of  all.'  The  S3ng  hogfjim 
about  signing  that  open  Testimony,  that  Dedaratioa  against  his 
Father's  sins  which  was  expected  of  him.  *  A  great  Commander 
of  the  Enemy's,  Colonel  Gibby  Carre '  (Colonel  Gilbert  Ker,  of 
whom  we  shall  hear  farther),  solicits  an  interview  with  some  of 
ours,  and  has  it ;  and  other  interviews  and  free  oommuninga  Uka 
place,  upon  the  Burrow.Moor  and  open  fields  that  lie  between  m* 
Gibby  Ker,  and  also  Colonel  Strahan  who  was*  tbougfat  to  ho 
slain  :*  these  and  some  minority  of  others  are  clear  against  M^ 
lignancy  in  every  form  ;  and  if  the  Covenanted  Stuart  King  will 
not  sign  this  Declaration — ! — ^Whereupon  the  Corenantad  StUttfC 
King  does  sign  it ;  signs  this  too,f — ^what  will  he  not  sign  f— and 
these  hopes  of  accommodation  vanbh. 

Neither  still  will  they  risk  a  Battle ;  though  in  their  interviews 
upon  the  Burrow-Moor,  they  said  they  longed  to  do  it.  Yabi 
that  we  draw  out  in  battalia ;  they  lie  within  their  fhstneMM. 
We  march,  with  defiant  circumstance  of  war,  round  all  aooeiaiUa 
sides  of  Edinburgh  ;  encamp  on  the  Pentlands,  return  to  MimmI* 
burgh  for  provisions ;  go  to  the  Pentlands  again,— -enjoy  ono  of 
the  beautifullest  prospects,  over  deep-blue  seas,  over  yellow  oorn- 
fields,  dusky  Highland  mountains,  from  Ben  Lomond  loond  to  the 
Bass  again ;  but  can  get  no  Battle.  And  the  weather  if  hiokiM^ 
and  the  season  is  advancing,— equinox  within  ton  dqr%  bj  Hm 
modem  Almanac.  Our  men  fall  sick  ;  the  service  is  hanusiiig; 
— and  it  depends  on  wind  and  tide  whether  even  biaouit  can  ho 
landed  for  us  nearer  than  Dunbar.    Here  is  the  Lord  General's 

(Commons  Journals) ;  reprinted  in  Parliunentaiy  HiHoty  (xiz.,  327)  as  % 
*  Narrative  by  General  CromweU ;'  though  it  it  clearly  enovfli  not  Oeaenl 
Cromweirs,  but  John  Rushworth's. 

•  Letter  LXXXVII.,  p.  443. 

t  At  our  Court  at  Dunfermline  this  16th  dty  d  AqgMt*  1080  (Sir  Edwud 
Walker,  pp.  170-6 ;  by  whom  the  melancholj  DoeoBMBt  ii»  with  doe  Ifljfil 
indignation,  given  at  large  there). 


4M  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.         [30  Ai«. 

own  Letter  '  to  a  Member  of  the  Council  of  State/ — ^we  mighl 
guess  this  or  the  other,  but  cannot  with  the  least  certainty  know 
which. 


LETTER  XC. 

«  To  — CkmncU  of  Suue  in  WhUekdll:  Them.* 

Musselburgh,  30th  August.  1650. 
Sir, 

Since  my  last,  we  seeing  the  Enemy  not  willing  to  engage, 

Lnd  yet  very  apt  to  take  exceptions  against  speeches  of  that  kind 
spoken  in  our  Army ;  which  occasioned  some  of  them  to  come  to 
parley  with  our  Officers,  To  let  tliem  know  that  they  would  fight  nv^ 
they  lying  still  in  or  near  their  fastnesses,  on  the  west  side  of  Edin- 
burgh, we  resolved,  the  Lord  assisting,  to  draw  near  to  them  once  more, 
to  try  if  we  could  fight  them.  And  indeed  one  hour's  advantage  gained 
might  probably,  we  think,  have  given  us  an  opportunity.* 

To  which  purpose,  upon  Tuesday,  the  27th  instant,  we  marched  west* 
ward  of  Edinburgh  towards  Stirling;  which  the  Enemy  perceiving, 
marched  with  as  great  expedition  as  was  possible  to  prevent  us ;  and 
the  vanguards  of  both  the  Armies  came  to  skirmish, — upon  a  place 
where  bogs  and  passes  made  the  access  of  each  Army  to  the  other 
difficult.  We,  being  ignorant  of  the  place,  drew  up,  hoping  to  have 
engaged ;  but  found  no  way  feasible,  by  reason  of  the  bogs  and  other 
difficullics. 

We  drew  up  our  cannon,  and  did  that  day  discharge  two  or  three 
hundred  great  shot  upon  tliem;  a  considerable  number  they  likewise 
returned  to  us :  and  this  was  all  that  passed  from  each  to  other. 
Wherein  we  had  near  twenty  killed  and  wounded,  but  not  one  Commis- 
sion Officer.  The  Enemy,  as  we  are  informed,  had  about  eighty  killed, 
and  somo  considerable  Officers.  Seeing  they  would  keep  their  gronnd, 
from  which  we  could  not  remove  them,  and  our  bread  being  spent^-^we 
were  necessitated  to  go  for  a  new  supply  :f  and  so  marchjed  off  about  ten 
or  eleven  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning.    The  Enemy  perceiving  iu-^ 

•  Had  we  come  one  hour  sooner :— but  we  did  not. 

t  Wc  went  to  our  Camp,  or  Bivouack,  that  night ;  and  off  to  Musselbui^ 
'  for  a  new  supply'  next  morning.  Camp  or  Bivouack  *  on  Pentland  Hills/ 
says  van;ue  Hodgson  (p.  142) ;  <  within  a  mile  of  Edinburgh,*  says  Cromwell 
in  this  Letter,  who  of  course  knows  well. 


1690.]  LETTER  XO..  MUSSELBURGHi. 

Slid,  BB  we  conceiye,  fearing  we  might  interpoM  betwmp  llitai 
Edinburgh,  though  it  wtB  not  our  intentioii,  alMt  it  ■ecmsd  m  bj  ov 
march^ — retreated  back  again,  with  all  liaate ;  iia?ing  a  bog  and 
between  them  and  us :  and  there  followed  no  cooaidenble  aetkm« 
ing  the  'skirmishing  of  the  van  of  oar  horse  with  tbeir's,  near  to  Edii^ 
burgh,  without  any  considerable  loss  to  either  party,  lafing  thai  we  fot 
two  or  three  of  their  horses. 

That  *  Tuesday '  night  we  quartered  widiin  a  mile  of  Edlnboii^  «ll 
of  the  Enemy.  It  was  a  most  tempestoons  night  and  w«t  noral^f. 
The  E^nemy  marched  in  the  night  between  Leith  and  £dinbttgl^  It 
interpose  between  us  and  our  victual,  they  knowing  that  it  waa  ipnil  |**» 
but  ^e  Lord  in  mercy  prevented  it ;  and  we,  perceiving  in  the  moming^ 
got,  time  enough,  through  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  to  tlia  ieaptide  It 
re-victual ;  the  Enemy  being  drawn  up  upon  the  Hill  near  Aitlm^i 
Seat,  looking  upon  us,  but  not  attempting  anytliing. 

And  thus  you  have  an  account  of  the  present  occnneiioea. 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

QuvBE  Cbohwell.* 

The  scene  of  this  Tuesday's  skirmish,  and  cannonade  manm 
bogs,  has  not  been  investigated ;  though  an  antiquarian  To|mk 
grapher  might  find  worse  work  for  himself.  Rough  HodgnOi 
very  uncertain  in  his  spellings,  calls  it  Gawger  Field,  whioh  will 
evidently  take  us  to  Gogar  on  the  western  road  tliere.  The 
Scotch  Editor  of  Hodgson  says  &rther,  <  The  Water  of  Leith  lay 
between  the  two  Armies  ;'  which  can  be  believed  or  not.  York- 
shire Hodgson's  troop  received  an  ugly  cannon-abot  while  thqr 
stood  at  prayers;  just  with  the  word  AMen^  came  the  ugly  eaiw 
non-shot  singing,  but  it  hurt  neither  liorse  nor  man.  We  alao 
<  gave  them  an  English  shout '  at  one  time,  along  the  whole  Una^f 
making  their  Castle-rocks  and  Pentlands  ring  again ;  but  ooold 
get  no  Battle  out  of  them,  for  the  bogs. 

The  Lord  General  writes  this  Letter  at  Musselbiurgfa  on  Sator- 
day  the  30th  :  and  directly  on  the  heel  of  it  there  ia  a  Councfl  of 
War  held,  and  an  important  resolution  taken.  With  sioknei^ 
and  the  wild  weather  coming  on  us,  rendering  even  viotual  unoer- 
tain,  and  no  Battle  to  be  had,  we  clearly  cannot  continue  heie. 
Dunbar,  which  has  a  harbor,  we  might  ibrtif|r  far  a  kind  of 

*  Newspapers  (in  Parliunentvy  HiiCoiy,  ziz.,  889).    f  lIuiJaiMb  f.  14L 


456  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [30  A^ 


eitadel  and  winter-quarter ;  let  us  retire  at  least  to  Dunbar^  to  be 
near  our  sole  friends  in  this  country,  our  Ships.  That  same 
Saturday  evening  the  Lord  Greneral  fired  his  huts,  and  marched 
towards  Dunbar.  At  sight  whereof  Lesley  rushes  out  upon  him ; 
has  his  vanguard  in  Prestonpans  before  our  rear  got  away.  Sa- 
turday night  through  Haddington,  and  all  Sunday  to  Dunbar, 
Lesley  hangs,  close  and  heavy,  on  Cromwell's  rear ;  on  Sunday 
night  bends  southward  to  the  hills  that  overlook  Dunbar,  and 
hems  him  in  there.  As  will  be  more  specially  related  in  the  next 
fascicle  of  Letters. 


1650.]  LETTER  XCI.,  DUNBAB.  ittl 


t*^Jf 


LETTERS  XCI.-XCy. 


BATTLE  OF  DITNBAB. 


Thb  small  Town  of  Dunbar  stands,  high  and  windy,  looUog  dowm 
over  its  herring-boats,  over  its  grim  old  Caade  now  much  fadoof^ 
combed,— on  one  of  those  projecting  rock  promontories  with  whioh 
that  shore  of  the  Frith  of  Forth  is  niched  and  vandyked,  u  ftr 
as  the  eye  can  reach.  A  beautiful  sea ;  good  land,  too^  now  that 
the  plougher  understands  his  trade;  a  grim  niehed  barrier  of 
whinstone  sheltering  it  from  the  chafings  and  tumbUiigs  of  the  1% 
blue  German  Ocean.  Seaward  St.  Abb's  Head,  of  whinstone^ 
bounds  your  horizon  to  the  east,  not  very  far  olBT;  west,  close  by^ 
is  the  deep  bay,  and  fishy  little  village  of  Belhaven :  the  gloomy 
Bass  and  other  rock-islets,  and  farther  the  Hills  of  Fife,  and  ibre* 
shadows  of  the  Highlands,  are  visible  as  you  look  seaward.  From 
the  bottom  of  Belhaven  bay  to  that  of  the  next  sea-bight  St.  AU/s- 
ward,  the  Town  and  its  environs  form  a  peninsula.  Along  iho 
base  of  which  peninsula,  *  not  much  above  a  mile  and  a  half  firom 
sea  to  sea,'  Oliver  Cromwell's  Army,  on  Monday,  2d  of  SeptembeTf 
1650,  stands  ranked,  with  its  tents  and  Town  behind  it^ — in  TOiy 
forlorn  circumstances.  This  now  is  all  the  ground  thatOliTor  It 
lord  of  in  Scotland.  His  ships  lie  ui  the  offing,  with  Usooit  and 
transport  for  him ;  but  visible  elsewhere  in  the  Earth  no  hdp* 

Landward  as  you  look  from  the  Town  of  Dunbajr  there  rise% 
some  short  mile  off,  a  dusky  continent  of  barren  heath  QUs;  the 
Lammermoor,  where  only  mountain-sheep  can  be  at  home*  The 
crossing  of  tchich,  by  any  of  its  boggy  passes,  and  InnawUiig  stream- 
courses,  no  Army,  hardly  a  solitary  Scotch  Ptokman  ooaU  at- 
tempt, in  such  weather.  To  the  edge  of  these  Lammermoor 
Heights,  David  Lesley  has  betaken  himself;  lies  now  along  the 
outmost  spur  of  them, — a  long  Hill  of  eonsiderable  height,  whioh 
the  Dunbar  people  call  the  Dun,  Doon;  or  sometimes  fcr  ftshiaQ's 


t.i...  i»a>c.imf  oi  uiiver  s  Dunbiir  peninsula; 
will  do.  Cockburnspath  with  its  ravines 
Oliver's  left,  and  made  impassable  ;  behind  ( 
front  of  him  Lesley,  Doon  Hill  and  the  heat 
mermoor.  Lesley's  force  is  of  Three- and-t 
spirits  as  of  men  chasing  ;  Oliver's  about  hal 
t  *^,  I  as  of  men  chased.     What  is  to  become  of  01 


?•    •  - 


I      -  ■  « 


*'-  -1 


LETTER  XCL 


Oliver  on  Monday  writes  this  Note ;  sends 
sea.     Making  no  complaint  for  himself,  the  i 
doing,  with  grave  brevity,  in  the  hour  the  bu 
*  He  was  a  strong  man,'  so  intimates  John  Ma 
him  :  '  in  the  dark  perils  oT  war,  in  the-  high 
y  hope  shone  in  him  like  a  pillar  of  fire,  when  i 

4k^\  all  the  others. 'f     A  genuine  King  among  roc 

The  divinest  sight  this  world  sees, — when  it 


t^  '  \  such,  and  not  be  sickened  with  the  unholy  apei 

tf'%m  just  now  upon  an  'engagement,'  or  complica 

'•'*    •  difficult.' 


1690.]  LETTER  XCI.,  DUNBAR.  4M 

'  To  Sir  Arthur  Hdsdrig,  Oovemor  ijf  Neweastie:  Tkem.* 

*  DanlNff,  Ski  September,  1000.* 

Dear  Sm, 

We  are  upon  an  Engagement  very  difficult  Tte 
Enemy  hath  blocked  up  our  way  at  the  Pass  at  Copperapatb,  throiii^ 
which  we  cannot  get  without  almont  a  miracle.  He  lieth  so  upon  ^ 
Hills  that  we  know  not  how  to  come  that  way  without  great  difllcvl^ ; 
and  our  lying  here  daily  consumeth  our  men,  who  ftU  sick  bejooil 
imagination. 

I  perceive,  your  forces  are  not  in  a  capacity  for  prownt  nlaMiii 
Wherefore,  whatever  becomes  of  us,  it  will  be  well  finr  yoa  to  got  whU 
forces  you  can  together;  and  the  South  to  help  what  they  can.  Tho 
business  nearly  concemeth  all  Good  People.  If  your  forces  had  b^en  kk 
a  readiness  to  have  fallen  upon  the  back  of  Copperspath,  H  mi|^  have 
occasioned  supplies  to  have  come  to  us.  But  the  only  wise  God  knowi 
what  is  best.  All  shall  work  for  Grood.  Our  spirits*  are  comfoitafatoi 
praised  be  the  Lord, — though  our  present  condition  be  as  it  is.  And 
indeed  we  have  much  hope  in  tlie  Lord ;  of  whose  mercy  we  have  lind 
large  experience. 

Indeed  do  you  get  together  what  forces  yon  can  against  tbem.  Senl 
to  friends  in  the  South  to  help  with  more.  Let  H.  Vane  knoir  whit  I 
write.  I  would  not  make  it  public,  lest  danger  shoold  acorae  Ibev^. 
You  know  what  use  to  make  hereofl    Let  me  hear  from  yon.    I  lesly 

Your  servant, 

OUVEB  CmQlfWBLL.f 

The  base  of  Oliver's  <  Dunbar  Peninsula,'  as  we  have  called  it 
(or  Dunbar  Pinfold  where  he  is  now  hemmed  in,  upon  'an  entail* 
glement  very  difHcult'),  extends  from  Belhaven  Bay  oo  hia  rigfa^ 
to  Brocksmouth  House  on  his  left ;  '  about  a  mile  and  a  half  fion 
sea  to  sea.'  Brocksmouth  House,  the  Elarl  (now  Duke)  of  Son- 
burgh's  mansion,  which  still  stands  theroi  his  soMiers  now  oooupj 
as  their  extreme  post  on  the  left.  As  its  name  indlcales^  it  ia  die 
nunith  or  issue  of  a  small  rivulet,  or  Bum,  called  Brockf  Broek§^ 
hum;  which,  springing  from  the  Laromermoor,  and  skirting 
David  Lesley's  Doon  Hill,  finds  its  egress  here  into  the  sea«-   The 

•  minds. 

t  Communicated  by  John  Hare,  Esquire,  Rosemont  Cottage,  Clifton. 
The  MS.  at  Clifton  is  a  Copy,  without  date ;  but  hat  this  title  in  an  old  hand: 
*  Copy  of  an  original  Letter  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  written  with  his  ewnhsnd, 
the  day  before  the  Battle  of  Dunbarr,  to  Sir  A.  Hssalridga.' 

21* 


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of  this  L)rocksl)urn,  and  its  grassy  gl(Mi  ;   he  i 
he  and  liis  L)lilcers,  in  ranking  th<Mn  there. 
Monday,'  Lesley  sent  down  his  horse  from  tli 
the  other  side  of  this  Brook ;  *  about  four  ii 
train  came  down,  his  whole  Army  gradual 
they  now  are  ranking  themselves  on  the  opp< 
bum,— on  rather  narrow  ground  ;  com-fieldj 
upwards  to  the  steep  of  Doon  Hill.     This 
showers  and  winds  of  Monday,  2d  Septembei 
of  the  Rivulet  of  Brock.     Whoever  will  b< 
get  across  this  Brook  and  its  glen  first ;  a  t 
vantage. 

Behind  Oliver's  ranks,  between  him  an 
tents :  sprinkled  up  and  down,  by  battalions 
'  Peninsula :'  which  b  a  low  though  very  un 
now  in  our  time  all  yellow  with  wheat  and 
season,  but  at  that  date  only  partially  tilled,- 
shire  Hodgson  as  a  place  of  plashes  and  roi 
bly  beaten  by  showery  winds  that  day,  sc 
hardly  stand.  There  was  then  but  one  Fai 
where  now  are  not  a  few :  thither  were  Oil 


1  ' ;_ 


1690.]  DUNBAR  BATTLE.  HSL 

lodged  <  six  horse  and  fifteen  foot '  in  this  poor  hut  etilj  In  tht 
morning :  Lesley's  horse  came  acroas,  and  drove  them  out;  kill- 
ing some,  and  '  taking  three  prisoners ;' — and  so  got  pooiOMlop  of 
this  pass  and  hut ;  hut  did  not  keep  it.  Among  the  three  prisoom 
was  one  musketeer,  <  a  very  stout  man,  though  he  has  hoi  a 
wooden  arm,'  and  some  iron  hook  at  the  end  of  it,  poor  Mkm» 
He  <  fired  thrice,'  not  without  effect,  with  his  wooden  arm,  and 
was  not  taken  without  difficulty  :  a  hand&st  stubbom  man ;  thajr 
carried  him  across  to  Greneral  Lesley,  to  give  some  aeoount  of 
himself.  In  several  of  the  old  Pamphlets^  which  agree  in  all 
the  details  of  it,  this  is  what  we  read : 

'  General  David  Lesley  (old  Leven,'  the  other  Lesley,  *  being 
in  the  Castle  of  Edinburgh,  as  they  relate*),  asked  this  man,  U 
the  Enemy  did  intend  to  fight  ?  He  replied,  **  What  do  joa 
think  we  come  here  for?  We  come  for  nothing  else!"— ^  Sol* 
dier/'  says  Lesley,  '<  how  will  you  fight,  when  you  have  ship* 
ped  half  of  your  men,  and  all  your  great  guns?"  The  Sddlsr 
replied,  "  Sir,  if  you  please  to  draw  down  your  men,  you  shall 
find  both  men  and  great  guns  too !" — ^A  roost  dogged  hsndfcst 
man,  this  with  the  wooden  arm,  and  iron  hook  on  it  I  *  Otm  of 
the  Officers  asked,  How  he  durst  answer  the  General  so  saudlj.t 
He  said,  "  I  only  answer  the  question  put  to  me  P' '  Lesley  SMk 
him  across,  free  again,  by  a  trumpet :  he  made  his  way  to  Crom- 
well ;  reported  what  had  passed,  and  added  doggedly.  He  fiv  cos 
had  lost  twenty  shillings  by  the  business, — plundered  from  him 
in  this  action.  <The  Lord  General  gave  him  thereupoii  two 
pieces,'  which  I  think  are  forty  shillings;  and  sent  him  awvjr 
rejoicing.f — This  is  the  adventure  at  the  *  pass'  by  the  shephenPs 
hut  in  the  bottom  of  the  glen,  close  by  the  Biocksbum  itsdf. 

And  now  farther,  on  the  great  scale,  we  are  to  itomark  veiy 
specially  that  there  is  just  one  other  '  pass'  across  the  Brooks* 
burn ;  and  this  is  precisely  where  the  London  road  now  crosses 
it ;  about  a  mile  east  from  the  former  pass^  and  perhaps  two 

*  Old  Leven  is  here,  if  the  Pamphlet  knew ;  but  only  ■•  a  volontser  aad 
without  command,  though  nominally  stiU  Genenl*iii-ehie£ 

t  Cad  well  the  Army-Memenger's  Narrative  to  the  Parliament  (in  Cait«ni 
Ormond  Papers,  i.,  382).  Given  also,  with  other  details,  in  Kiii§^s  Pan* 
phlets,  smaU  4to.,  no.  478,  §§  9,  7, 10 ;  no.  479»  §.1 ;  Ae.»  Ac 


aniiiiinir,  t<x)lv  place  tlio  hrimt  or  essential  i 

l)unl)ar   \nu<i  auo.      Uead  in  the  extinct  oli 

again  obstinately  read,  till  some  light  rise  ii 

unmilitary  eyes  at  the  ground  as  it  now  is 

small  glimmerings  of  distinct  features  he 

^ij  i  gradually  coalesce  into  a  kind  of  image  for 

trum  of  the  Fact  becomes  visible  ;  rises  v 

on  you,  grim  and  sad  in  the  depths  of  the  i 

my  travelling  friends,  vehiculating  in  gigs  • 

piece  of  London  road,  you  may  say  to  yot 

':.)  monument  is  the  grave  of  a  valiant  thing  ^ 

r  the  Sun  ;  the  footprint  of  a  hero,  not  yet  qi 

.    .  ,-  is  here  ! — 

•^*'  *,  *The  Lord  Greneral  about  four  o'clocli 

phlets,  '  went  into  the  Town  to  take  some 
late  <  dinner,'  or  early  '  supper,'  whichever 
very  soon  returned  back,' — having  sent  of 
fV^j^  I  think,  in  the  interim.     Coursing  about 

'Z;.  K  of  things  to  order ;  walking  at  last  with  Lf 

i]^  : '  Garden  of  Brocksmouth  House,  he  discen 

•;f!V.  01^  t^o  Hill-side;  altering  his  position  som 

4  «'  i  in  fact  is  coming  wholly  down  to  the  basis  < 

•I / *'^'  horse  had  been  since  sunrise  :  coming  w)i 


•    ■  . 
A.    -■ 


J- 


■'  't  • 

V«     K  4  D««^1»    «~J    -1 


1690.]  DUNBAR  BATTLE. 


after  which  it  will  be  free  to  him  to  attack  ui  when  be  will  1^-^ 
Lesley  in  fact  considers,  or  at  least  the  Committee  of  &tatea«iid 
Kirk  consider,  that  Oliver  is  lost ;  that  on  the  whole,  he  mutt  not 
be  left  to  retreat,  but  must  be  attacked  and  annihilated  here, .  A 
vague  story,  due  to  Bishop  Buroet,  the  watery  source  of  maaj 
such,  still  circulates  about  the  world,  That  it  was  the  Kirk  Gom* 
mittee  who  forced  Lesley  down  against  his  will ;  that  (Mivary  at 
sight  of  it,  exclaimed,  "  The  Lord  hath  deliveredy"  dso. :  wUdi 
nobody  is  in  the  least  bound  to  believe.  It  appears,  fiom.  other 
quarters,  that  Lesley  toas  advised  or  sanctioaed  in  this  attanqil 
by  the  Committee  of  Estates  and  Kirk,  but  also  that  he  was  bj 
no  means  hard  to  advise  ;  that,  in  fact,  lying  on  the  top  of  Dooa 
Hill  shelterless  in  such  weather,  was  no  openition  to  spin  out 
beyond  necessity  ; — and  that  if  anybody  pressed  too  madi  upon 
him  with  advice  to  come  down  and  fight,  it  was  likeliest  to  \m 
Royalist  Civil  Dignitaries,  who  had  plagued  him  with  their  cavil- 
lings at  his  cunctations,  at  his  '  sacret  fellow  feeling  for  the  Sec- 
tarians and  Regicides,'  ever  since  this  War  began.  The  poor 
Scotch  Clergy  have  enough  of  their  own  to  answer  fi>r  in  this 
business  ;  let  every  back  bear  the  burden  that  belongs  to  it.  la 
a  word,  Lesley  descends,  has  been  descending  ail  day,  and 
^shogs'  himself  to  the  right, — urged,  I  believe,  by  manifi)ld 
counsel)  and  by  the  nature  of  the  case ;  and,  what  is  equally  im- 
portant for  us,  Oliver  sees  him,  and  sees  through  him,  in  this 
movement  of  his. 

At  sight  of  this  movement,  Oliver  suggests  to  Lambert  stand- 
ing by  him,  Does  it  not  give  us  an  advantage,  if  we,  instead  <of 
him,  like  to  begin  the  attack  ?  Here  is  the  Enemy's  right  wiag 
coming  out  to  the  open  space,  free  to  be  attacked  on  anyiside; 
and  the  main-battle  hampered  in  narrow  sloping  ground  between 
Doon  Hill  and  the  Brook,  has  no  room  to  manoBune  or  assist^ 
beat  this  right  wing  where  it  now  stands ;  take  it  In  flank  and 
front  with  an  overpowering  force,— it  is  driren  npon  its  own 
main-battle,  the  whole  Army  is  beaten  ?  Lambert  eagerly  sssants, 
<<  had  meant  to  say  the  same  thing."  Monk,  who  cooi^s  up  at 
the  moment,  likewise  assents ;  as  the  other  Offioexs  dp,  when  the 


HodipKUk 


'•  *.  :  -  •  i 


'   .     > 


and  quit  hiinscir  likr  a  iiiun! — Thus  they  j; 
that  I)i:iil>ar  Peninsula  and  Hroek  Kivu 
me.  We  English  have  some  tents  ;  the  k 
hoarse  sea  moans  bodeful,  swinging  low  ai 
whinstone  bays ;  the  sea  and  the  tempe 
asleep  but  we, — and  there  is  One  that  rid 
wind. 

Towards  three  in  the  morning  the  Sc< 

Major-General  say  some,*  extinguish  their 

?,-.  "  a  company  :  cower  under  the  corn-shocks, 

•  ,.  shelter  and  sleep.     Be  wakeful,  ye  Engl 

,  f ^  and  keep  your  powder  dry.     About  four  ( 

I  my   puddingheaded  Yorkshire   friend,  th 

mount  and  march  straightway ;  his  and  \ 

march,  pouring  swiftly  to  the  left  to  Bro< 

.-.'■  Pass  over  the  Brock.     With  overpowering 

/'  Scots  right  wing  there;    beat  that,  and 

Hodgson  riding  along,  heard,  he  says,  <  c 
night ;'  a  company  of  poor  men,  I  think, 
under  the  void  Heaven,  before  battle  jo 
giving  his  charge  to  a  brother  Officer,  ti 
a  minute,  and  worship  and  pray  along  wit 
'*I v-*^  prayer  on  this  Earth,  as  it  might  prove  to 


1650.]  DUNBAR  BATTLE.  405 

have  opened  us  a  way  of  deliverance !— The  Moon  gleamB  oaif 
hard  and  blue,  riding  among  hail-clouds ;  and  over  St  AWs 
Head,  a  streak  of  dawn  is  rising. 

And  now  is  the  hour  when  the  attack  should  be^  and  no  Lam- 
bert  is  yet  here,  he  is  ordering  the  line  fiir  to  the  right  yet ;  and 
Oliver  occasionally,  in  Hodgson's  hearing,  is  impatieiit  for  hiiii» 
The  Scots  too,  on  this  wing,  are  awake ;  thinking  to  surpriae  ua ; 
there  is  their  trumpet  sounding,  we  heard  it  onoe ;  and  Lamberti 
who  was  to  lead  the  attack,  is  not  here.  The  Lord  Geneiel  is 
impatient ; — ^behold  Lambert  at  last !  The  trumpets  peal,  shat- 
tering with  fierce  clangor  Night's  silence ;  the  cannons  awaken 
along  all  the  Line :  «  The  Lord  of  Hosts !  The  Lord  of  Hosto !" 
On,  my  brave  ones ;  on ! — 

The  dispute  '  on  this  right  wing  was  hot  and  stifl^  fer  thxee 
quarters  of  an  hour.'  Plenty  of  fire,  from  field-pieces,  snap- 
hances,  matchlocks,  entertains  the  Scotch  main-battle  across  the 
Brock ; — poor  stiffened  men,  roused  from  the  odm-shocks  with 
their  matches  all  out !  But  here  on  the  right,  their  horse,  *  with 
lances  in  the  front  rank,'  charge  desperately;  drive  us  hack 
across  the  hollow  of  the  Rivulet; — back  a  little;  but  the  Lord 
gives  us  courage,  and  we  storm  home  agaip,  horse  and  foot,  upon 
them,  with  a  shock  like  tornado  tempests;  break  them,  beat 
them,  drive  them  all  adrifl.  *  Some  fled  towards  Copperqwth, 
but  most  across  their  own  foot.'  Their  own  poor  foot,  whose 
matclios  were  hardly  well  alight  yet !  Poor  men,  it  was  a  terriUe 
awakening  for  them:  field.picces  and  charge  of  foot  across  the 
Brocksburn ;  and  now  here  is  their  own  horse  in  mad  panto 
trampling  them  to  death.  Above  Three-thousand  killed  upoa  the 
place  :  ^  I  never  saw  such  a  charge  of  foot  and  horse,'  sajs  cue  | 
nor  did  1.  Oliver  was  still  near  to  Yorkshire  Hodgson  when  the 
shock  succeeded  ;  Hodgson  heard  him  say,  "  Tiiey  run  f  I  pio- 
fess  they  rurx!"  And  over  St.  Abb's  Head  and  the  G^ennan 
Ocean  just  then  burst  the  first  gleam  of  the  level  Sun  upon  us, 
*  and  I  heard  Nol  say,  in  the  words  of  the  Psalmist, ''  Let  Ood 
arise,  let  His  enemies  be  scattered,'  "—-or  in  Rous's  metre,   - 


Let  God  arise,  and  scattered 
Let  all  his  enemiet  be ; 

And  let  all  those  that  do  him  hats 
Before  his  preeenoe  flee ! 


0  j;ive  ye  )")r;iist'  unto  the  Lor( 

All  iiali-i)ii>  lli;it  be  ; 
Likewise  ye  people  all,  accon 
i«r.-^  ' '  His  name  to  magnify ! 


I  •   •  i 


For  great  to-us-ward  ever  are 

His  lovingkindnesses; 
His  truth  endures  forevermon 
•  »•  .  '  The  Lord  0  do  ye  bless ! 


And  now,  to  the  chase  again. 

The  Prisoners  are  Ten-thousand, — all 
Many  Dignitaries  are  taken ;  not  a  few  ar 
Printed  Lists, — full  of  blunders.     Provost 
Member  of  the  Scots  Parliament,  one  of  ' 
tates,  was  very  nearly  slain :  a  trooper's  a\ 
sever  him,  but  one  cried.  He  is  a  man  of  • 
ransom  himself! — and  the  trooper  kept  him 
of  the  Scots  Quakers,  by  and  by ;  and  ai 
reconciled  to  Oliver.     Ministers  also  of  the 
slain ;  two  Ministers  I  find  taken,  poor  ( 
poor  Waugh  of  some  other  place,^K)f  whot 
hear  again. 
"(fl\  General  David  Lesley,  vigorous  for  fligl: 


1650.]  LETTER  XCIL,  DUNBAR  BATTLE.  467 

Dunbar  up  to  the  knees  in  snow  !  It  was  to  help  and  save  these 
very  men  that  we  then  marched  ;  with  the  Covenant  in  all  our 
hearts.  We  have  stood  by  the  letter  of  the  Covenant ;  fougljt  for 
our  Covenanted  Stuart  King  as  we  could  ; — they  again,  they 
stand  by  the  substance  of  it,  and  have  trampled  us  and  the 
letter  of  it  into  this  ruinous  state ! — Yes,  my  poor  friends ; — 
and  now  be  wise,  be  taught !  The  letter  of  your  Covenant,  in 
fact,  will  never  rally  again  in  this  world.  The  spirit  .and  sub- 
stance of  it,  please  God,  will  never  die  in  this  or  in  any  world ! 

Such  is  Dunbar  Battle ;  which  might  also  be  called  Dunbar 
Drove,  for  it  was  a  frightful  roui.  Brought  on  by  miscalculation ; 
misunderstanding  of  the  difference  between  substances  and  sem- 
blances ;  by  mismanagement,  and  the  chance  of  war.  My  Lord 
General's  next  four  Letters  will  now  be  intelligible  to  the  reader. 


LETTER  XCIL 

For  the  Honorable  William  Lrnthallj  Speaker  of  the  Parliament 

cf  Eng  laiid :   T  hese, 

Dunbar,  4th  September,  1650. 
Sir, 

I  hojK?  it's  not  ill  taken,  that  I  make  no  more  frequent 

addresses  to  tlie  Psirliament.     Thino:8  that  nre  in  trouble,  in  point  of 

provision   for  your  Army,  and  of  ordinary  direction,  I  have,  as  I  could, 

often  presented  to  the  (Jonncil  of  State,  together  with  such  occurrences 

as  have  happened  ; — who,  J  am  cure,  as  they  have  not  been  wanting  in 

their  extniurdinury  care  and   provision  for  us,  so  neither  in  what  they 

judjre  fit  and  nece^f-ary  to  represent  the  same  to  you.     And  this  I  thought 

to  be  a  sutVicient  dischur^e  of  my  duty  on  that  behalf. 

It  liath  now  pleased  God  to  bestow  a  mercy  upon  you,  worthy  of  your 

knowleilije,  and  of  the  utmost  praise  and  thanks  of  all  that  fear  and  love 

His  name  ;  yea  the  mercy  is  far  above  all  praise.     Wliich  that  you  may 

the  beirer  perceive,  I  f^hall  take  the  boldness  to  tender  unto  you  some 

circumstances  accompunying  this  g^cat  business,  which  will  manifest 

the  greatness  and  scascnableness  of  this  mercy. 

We  having  tried  what  v.e  could  to  engage  the  Enemy,  three  or  four 
miles  West  of  Edinburgh ;  that  proving  iuelTectual,  and  our  victual  fail- 


Itctwecn  us  and  cur  victuals,  or  lu  niiut ,  u^i... 

•  retliH'iii;r  us   t.)  a*  lock, — hoiiiiii:  that   the   sick 

-    •.  roudor  their  work   more  ea>v  hv  the    naiuiiur 

••  *  marched  to  Musselburgh,  to  victual,  and  to 

■;••'■'•  f  where  we  sent  aboard  near  five-hundred  sick  i 

\'. .  >.'•  And  upon  serious  consideration,  finding  oai 

IttV'^f  and  the  Enemy  lying  upon  his  advantage, — a 

•J '  *i:  thought  fit  to  march  to  Dunbar,  and  there  to  \ 

'.'*'■'  '*  (we  thought),  if  anything,  would  provoke  th 

That  the  having  of  a  Garrison  there  would  fui 


i 


'  •  ?•  f-  tion  for  our  sick  men,  *and'  would  be  a  gt 


:  ^''-.i  exceedingly  wanted;  being  put  to  depend 

I  .'  ■w  weather  for  landing  provisions, which  many  ti 

\  '•  *  tlie  being  of  the  whole  Army  lay  upon  it,  all  1 

I .   .^'  /y  Leith  having  not  one  good  harbor.    As  also, 

*»•!?•  s\  to  receive  our  recruits  of  horse  and  foot  from 

*   •'-  Having  these  considerations^ — upon  Satnrc 

^*  %u^^  marched  from  Musselburgh  to  Haddington. 

^^^r  had  got  the  van-brigade  of  our  horse,  and  or 

■*'k}»'  qufuters,  the  Enemy  had  marched  with  that 

y  If  1^;  they  fell  upon  the  rear-forlorn  of  our  horse,  f 

*  i^  *  :*  ^^^  indeed  had  like  to  have  engaged  our  rex 

whole  Army, — ^had  not  the  Lord  by  His  pro\ 
Moon,  thereby  giving  us  opportunity  to  drav 

"'''  *    *-    ---*»•*!{    (vlw  nma   Aon 


1690.]  LETTER  XCIL,  DUNBAR  BATTIA.  469 

be  being  prepoisesaed  thereof ;— but  rather  drew  btck»  to  gif«  fafan  way 
to  come  to  us,  if  he  had  bo  thought  fit  And  having  wailed  aboot  tlie 
epace  of  four  or  five  hours,  to  see  if  he  would  come  to  as ;  and  not  find* 
ing  any  inclination  in  the  Enemy  so  to  do^ — ^we  reedved  to  go^aisooidiqg 
to  our  first  intendment,  to  Dunbar. 

By  that  time  we  had  marched  three  or  four  mfles,  we  saw  eome  bodlii 
of  the  Enemy's  horse  draw  out  of  their  quarters ;  and  by  that  time  oar 
carriages  were  gotten  near  Dunbar,  their  whole  Army  was  upon  ilbrir 
march  after  us.  And  indeed,  our  drawing  back  in  this  manner,  with  tlie 
addition  of  three  new  regiments  added  to  them,  did  mneh  liei|^lon  their 
confidence,  if  not  presumption  and  anogancy.— The  Enemy,  tint  nighl^ 
we  perceived,  gathered  towards  the  Hills ;  laboring  to  make  a  parfeet 
interposition  between  us  and  Berwick.  And  havkig  in  tlili  poataia  a 
great  advantage, — through  his  better  knowledge  of  the  coaotiyy  ha 
effected  it :  by  sending  a  considerable  party  to  the  strait  Fnm  at  Coppen* 
path ;  where  ten  men  to  hinder  are  better  than  forty  to  make  tlieir  wity. 
And  tru]y  this  was  an  exigent  to  us,*^  wherewith  the  Enemy  reproached 
us; — ^^as'  with  that  condition  the  Pariiament's  Army  waa  inf  when  it 
made  its  hard  conditions  with  the  King  in  Cornwall^— by  some  repofH 
that  have  come  to  us.  They  had  disposed  of  us,  and  of  their  bnaineMi  in 
sufficient  revenge  and  wrath  towards  our  persons ;  and  had  ewallowad 
up  the  poor  Interest  of  England ;  believing  that  their  Army  and  liieir 
King  would  have  marched  to  London  without  any  inteinqiCkm ;— 4t 
being  told  us  (we  know  not  how  truly)  by  a  prisoner  we  took  the  lAifA 
before  the  fight,  That  their  King  was  very  suddenly  to  come  amongil 
them,  with  those  English  they  allowed  to  be  about  hioL  Bot  in  what 
they  were  thus' lifted  up,  the  Lord  was  above  them. 


The  Enemy  lying  in  the  posture  before  mentioned,  havfaig  tiioee  i 
tages;  we  lay  very  near  him,  being  sensible  of  oar  diaadvantaget;  hav- 
ing some  weakness  of  fiesh,  but  yet  consolation  and  aappoit  ftoni  tin 
Lord  himself  to  our  poor  weak  faith,  wherein  I  believe  not  a  few  •■■"^f* 
us  stand :  That  because  of  their  numbers,  because  of  tiieir  advanligai, 
because  of  their  confidence,  because  of  our  weakness,  becaaeo  of  oar 
strait,  we  were  in  the  Mount,  and  in  the  Mount  the  Lord  wooM  be  aesB ; 
and  that  He  would  find  out  a  way  of  deliverance  and  nhatioii  for  ai  :— 
and  indeed  we  had  our  consolations  and  our  hopes. 

*  A  disgraceful  summons  of  caption  to  us :  *  exigent '  is  a  kw^nh  issasd 
against  a  fugitive,~such  as  we  knew  long  since,  in  our  yooQg  dsjs,  aboot 
Lincoln's  Inn. 

t  Essex's  Army  seven  years  ago,  in  Autumn,  1644,  wlien  the  Kiag  had 
impounded  it  among  the  Hills  of  Cornwall  (see  aalia,  p.  164). 


, .V  .  ,.<'.  im^ii.       X  i»c"  iTiiiji;r-v 

to  tlu'  Karl  Ro\biirij;!rs  1I(Miso,  aiul  ub>ervjiin 
tlio'iljlit  it  did  t(i\e  us  an  opportunity  and  ad\i 
Enemy.     To  which   he  immediately   replied, 
I  have  said  the  same  thing  to  me.     So  that  it  p 

apprehension  upon  both  of  our  hearts,  at  the 
for  Colonel  Monk,  and  showed  him  the  thing : 
ters  at  niglit,  and  demonstrating  our  appre 
Ck>lonel3,  they  also  cheerfully  concurred. 
fe,  *   ','  ,\  We  resolved  therefore  to  put  our  business  u 

f:  •i  ■  regiments  of  horse,  and  three  regiments  and  an 

^,%  \^'  in  the  van ;  and  that  the  Major-General,  the  1 

j  :     -','*]  horse,  and  the  Commissary-General,*  and  Co 

the  brigade  of  foot,  should  lead  on  the  business 

brigade,  Colonel  Overton's  brigade,  and  the  rci 

i  borse  should  bring  up  the  cannon  and  rear. 


,,.,.'4 


■ 


I 

•  -••• 


,^.      iH  be  by  break  of  day  : — but  through  some  delay 

^•^.  ■  1  *  "^^ '  ^*^^  *^*  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

»/   '•  .yi  j  The  Enemy's  word  was,  Tlie  Covenant :  wh 

•  , :-  •  ••  days.    Ours,   The  Ijord  of  Hosts.    The  Mj 


:.\fiO. 


t 


General  Fleetwood,  and  Commifsary-Grenera 
Twistleton,  gave  the  onset ;  tlie  Enemy  being 


^       i  receive  them,  having  the  advantage  of  their  cat 


f,-^  li "  *\  horse.    Before  our  foot  could  come  up,  the  Ene 

*•'.- .  M'j  ancc,  and  there  waa  a  vprv  hnt  Aian*it*%  «♦  — 


1650.]  LETTER  XCII.,  DUNBAR  BATTLE.  471 


• 

between  the  foot.  The  horse  in  the  meantime  did,  with  a  great  deal  of 
courage  and  spirit,  beat  back  all  oppositions  ;  charging  through  the 
bodies  of  the  Enemy's  horse,  and  of  their  foot ;  who  were,  after  the  first 
repulse  given,  made  by  the  Lord  of  Hosts  as  stubble  to  their  swords.— 
Indeed,  I  believe  I  may  speak  it  without  partiality:  both  your  chief 
Commanders  and  others  in  their  several  places,  and  soldiers  also,  were 
acted*  with  as  much  courage  as  ever  hath  been  seen  in  any  action  since 
this  War.  I  know  they  look  not  to  be  named;  and  therefore  I  forbear 
particulars. 

The  best  of  the  Enemy's  horse  being  broken  through  and  through  in 
less  than  an  hour's  dispute,  their  whole  Army  being  put  into  confusion, 
it  became  a  total  rout :  our  men  having  the  chase  and  execution  of  them 
near  eight  miles.  We  believe  that  upon  the  place  and  near  about  it 
were  about  Three-thousand  slain.  Prisoners  taken :  of  their  officers, 
you  have  this  enclosed  List ;  of  private  soldiers  near  Ten-thousand. 
The  whole  baggage  and  train  taken,  wherein  was  good  store  of  match, 
powder  and  bullet ;  all  their  artillery,  great  and  small, — thirty  guns. 
We  are  confident  they  have  left  behind  them  not  less  than  Fifteen-thou- 
sand arms.  1  have  already  brought  in  to  me  near  Two-hundred  colors, 
which  I  herewith  send  ycu.f  What  officers  of  theirs  of  quality  are 
killed,  we  yet  cannot  learn ;  but  yet  surely  divers  are :  and  many  men 
of  quality  are  mortally  wounded,  as  Colonel  Lumsden,  the  Lord  Libber- 
ton  and  othcrt:.  And,  that  which  is  no  small  addition,  I  do  not  believe 
we  have  lost  twenty  men.  Not  one  Commissioned  Officer  slain  as  I 
hear  of,  save  one  Cornet ;  and  Major  Rooksby,  since  dead  of  his  wounds ; 
and  not  many  mortally  wounded : — Colonel  Whalley,  only  cut  in  the 
handwrist,  and  his  horse  (twice  shot)  killed  under  him;  but  he  well  re- 
covered another  horse,  and  went  on  in  the  chase. 

Thus  you  have  the  prospect  of  one  of  the  most  signal  mercies  God 
hath  done  for  England  and  His  people,  this  War: — and  now  may  it 
please  you  to  give  mc  the  leave  of  a  few  words.  It  is  easy  to  say,  The 
Lord  hatli  done  this.  It  would  do  you  good  to  see  and  hear  our  poor 
foot  to  go  up  and  down  making  their  boast  of  God.    But,  Sir,  it's  in 

*  *  Actuated,'  as  we  now  write  it. 

t  Thiy  huiiLC  lung  in  Westminster  Hall;  beside  the  Preston  ones,  and 
stiil  others  tluit  oaine.  Colonel  Pride  has  been  heard  to  wish,  and  almost 
to  liopc,  That  ihe  Lawyers*'  gowns  might  all  be  hung  up  beside  the  Scots 
colors  yet, — and  the  Lawyers'  selves,  except  some  very  small  and  most  se- 
1l(  t  ncnliul  remnant,  be  ordered  peremptorily  to  disappear  from  those 
l(K.\ilities,  und  seek  an  Iionest  trade  elsewhere  !  (Walker^s  ffi*/ory  of  Jn- 
dtptndcncy.) 


..  •' 


iicii,'  LiiiiL  iruiis  1101  a  lonunonwealth.  It  11 
.servants  to  i]y:h\,  please  to  jrive  your  hearts  to 
order  to  His  ^\or\\  and  tlie  ^Hory  of  your  ('o 
sides  the  benefit  England  shall  feel  thereby, 
other  Nations,  who  shall  emulate  the  glory  of  si 
the  power  of  God  turn  in  to  the  like  ! 

These  are  our  desires.  And  that  yoa  may  I 
nity  to  do  these  things,  and  not  be  hindered,  wc 
(by  God's  assistance)  willing  to  venture  our  1 
sii%  you  should  be  precipitated  by  importunities, 
and  preservation ;  but  that  the  doing  of  these 
their  place  amongst  those  which  concern  wellb 
in  their  time  and  order. 

Since  we  came  in  Scotland,  it  hath  been  c 
have  avoided  blood  in  this  business ;  by  reasot 
here  fearing  His  name,  though  deceived.  Anc 
o^red  much  love  unto  such,  in  tlie  bowels  of 
the  truth  of  our  hearts  therein,  have  we  appeal 
Ministers  of  Scotland  have  hindered  the  passag 
hearts  of  those  to  whom  we  intended  them,  i 
not  only  the  deceived  people,  but  some  of  the  1 
in  this  Battle.  This  is  the  great  hand  of  the  1 
consideration  of  all  those  who  take  into  their  h 
a  foolish  shepherd, — ^to  wit,  meddling  with  world 
of  earthly  power,  to  set  up  that  which  they  call 
which  is  neither  it,  nor,  if  it  were  it,  would  sue! 
•••■*•  I  ual  to        t  end, — and   n.      *r.t-  nr  tmat  w^  fn 


IWO.]  LETTER  XCIII.,  DUNBAR.  «lt 


sword  of  the  Spirit ;  which  is  alone  powerful  and  able  fiir  tlia  Mtdog  «p 
of  that  Kingdom ;  and,  when  trusted  to,  will  be  found  eflbetoally  able  to 
that  end,  and  will*  also  do  it !  This  is  humbly  ofibied  for  tfarir  mJkm 
who  have  lately  too  much  tamed  aside :  that  they  might  xetnm  again  to 
preach  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  simplieity  of  the  Goapd}— tad 
then  no  doubt  they  wOl  discern  and  find  your  proteetkai  and  eoooorago* 
ment 
Beseeching  you  to  pardon  this  length,  I  humbly  takeleafe;  andmC^ 

Sir, 

Your  most  dbediem  aervant* 

QuvxE  Cb/okweuJ^ 


LETTER  XCm. 
To  the  Lord  President  of  the  Council  cf  Siaie:  TVit. 

Dunbar,  4th  Septaoibar,  laflCk 

My  Lord, 

I  have  sent  the  Major-General,  with  aiz  regimote  of 
horse,  and  one  of  foot,  towards  Edinburgh ;  purposing  (Qod  willing)  to 
follow  after,  to-morrow,  with  what  convenience  I  may. 

We  are  put  to  exceeding  trouble,  though  it  be  an  efibet  of  abondaat 
mercy,  with  the  numerousness  of  our  Prisoners ;  having  so  fow  haadi^ 
so  many  of  our  men  sick ;  so  little  conveniency  of  dispoaing  of  them  ^ 
and  not,  by  attendance  thereupon,  to  omit  the  seasonaUeneia  of  the  pro- 
secution of  this  mercy  as  Providence  shall  direct.  We  have  been  OOA* 
strained,  even  out  of  Christianity,  humanity,  and  the  beforamentioaad 
necessity,  to  dismiss  between  four  and  five  thousand  PrisaneiB,  almoat 
starved,  sick  and  wounded :  the  remainder,  which  are  the  Uka^  or  a 
greater  number,  I  am  fain  to  send  by  a  convoy  of  four  troops  of  Goknd 
Hacker's,  to  Berwick,  and  so  on  to  Newcastle  8onthwaid8,| 

I  think  fit  to  acquaint  your  Lordship  with  two  or  three  dhnrfilioai. 
Some  of  the  honestest  in  the  Army  amongst  the  Scots  did  profoss  before 

•  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  pp.  87-91). 

t  The  Prisoners  : — sentence  ungrammatical,  but  intelligible. 

X  A  fright/ul  account  of  what  became  of  them  '  southwards  ;*  bow,  for 
sheer  hunger,  they  ate  raw  cabbages  in  the  *  walled  gsrden  at  MofpeCh/tnd 
lay  in  unspeakable  imprisonment  in  Durham  Cathedral,  and  died  ss  of  swift 
pestilence  there :  In  Sir  Arthur  HaBelrig$  Letter  fo  lAe  CmmdU  ff  SioH 
(reprinted  from  the  old  Pamphlets,  in  Parliamsntsiy  HislQi7»  siz.,  417> 


lilt,  i:»MHiiifj<.s  (>[  \.iO(l. 

The  Fiiieniy  took  !i  ;^roiilleinan  of  Major  Bro 
niij^ht  wo  caiiu'  to  Haddin^^toii  ;  and  he  had  qu 
General  David  Leslie's  means ;  who,  finding  h 
parts,  labored  with  him  to  take  up  arms.     But 
stancy  and  resolution  to  this  side,  the  Lieutena 
be  mounted,  and  with  two  troopers  to  ride  abc 
Army ;  using  that  as  an  argument  to  persuade 
when  this  was  done,  dismissed  him  to  us  in  a  I 
day  before  we  fought,  they  did  express  so  mucl 
of  as  to  some  soldiers  they  took,  as  was  beyond 

Your  Lordship^B  moe 


Which  high  officialities  being  ended,  here  i 
Letters  of  the  same  date. 

•  r-'  LETTER  XCIV. 

Far  my  beloved  Wife,  Elizabeth  CromtoeU,  at 

Dunbar, 
Mt  Dearest, 


T    1 


1650.]  LETTER  XCV ,  DUNBAR.  410 

great  it  is !  My  weak  faith  hath  been  uphdd.  I  have  been  In  nj  li^ 
ward  roan  marvellously  supported }— though  I  aisoie  thee^  I  grow  aaoli 
man,  and  feel  infirmities  of  age  marvellously  stealing  upon  me.  Wbild 
my  corruptions  did  as  fast  decrease!  Pray  on  my  behalf  in  the  kttar 
respect  The  particulars  of  our  late  success  Ebrry  Vane  or 
Pickering  will  impart  to  thee.  My  love  to  all  dear  ^rienda.  I 
thine, 

QUVIB  CmOHWBUL* 


LETTER  XCV. 

For  my  loving  Brother,  Richard  Mayor ^  EMqidre^  at  Bunieif: 

These. 

Dunbar,  4th  September,  1050. 
Dear  Brother, 

Having  so  good  an  occasion  as  the  imparting  so 
great  a  mercy  as  the  Lord  has  vouchsafed  us  in  Scotland,  I  would  not 
omit  the  imparting  thereof  to  you,  though  I  be  full  of  business. 

Upon  Wednesday  f  we  fought  the  Scottish  Armies.  They  were  in 
number,  according  to  all  computation,  above  Twenty-thousand;  we 
hardly  Eleven-thousand,  having  great  sickness  upon  our  Army.  After 
much  appealing  to  God,  the  Fight  lasted  above  an  hour.  We  killed  (at, 
most  think)  Three-thousand ;  took  near  Ten-thousand  prisoners,  aU  thdr 
train,  about  thirty  guns  great  and  small,  besides  bullet,  match  and  pow^ 
der,  very  considerable  Officers,  about  two-hundred  colon,  above  ten* 
thousand  arms ; — lost  not  thirty  men.  This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it 
is  marvellous  in  uur  eyes.  Good  Sir,  give  God  all  the  gkny ;  etlr  np  ill 
yours,  and  all  about  you,  to  do  so.    Pray  for 

Your  affectionate  brodier, 

Qlivbb  Cbohwblu 

'I  desire  my  love  may  be  presented  to  my  dear  Sister,  and  to  eU  yoir 

*  Copied  from  the  Original  by  John  Hare,  Esq.,  Rosemouot  Cett^ps» 
Clifton.  Collated  with  the  old  Copy  in  British  Museum,  Cole  mis.,  od. 
5834,  p.  as.  '  The  Original  was  purchased  at  Strawbeny-HiU  Sale*  (Ho- 
race Walpole's),  *  30th  April,  1842,  for  Twenty-one  guineas.' 

t  *  Wedensd.'  in  the  Original.  A  curious  proof  of  the  haste  and  oonfti* 
bion  Cromwell  was  in.  The  Battle  was  on  3\ieadqy, — ^yesterday,  3d  Sep- 
tember, 1650;  indisputably  Tuesday;  and  he  is  now  writing  on 
day ! — 

VOL.  I.  22 


476  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [4 

Family.  I  pray  tell  Doll  I  do  not  forget  her  nor  her  little  Bnt.  She 
writes  very  cunningly  and  complimentary  to  me;  I  espect  a  Letter  of 
plain  dealing  from  her.  She  is  too  modest  to  tell  me  whether  she 
breeds  or  not.  I  wish  a  blessing  upon  her  and  herlliubuid.  TheLoid 
make  them  fruitful  in  all  thafs  good.  They  are  at  leUare  to  wzile 
often ; — but  indeed  they  are  both  idle,  and  worthy  of  blame.* 

*  Harris,  p.  513 ;  one  of  the  Pusey  stock,  the  last  now  but  three. 


1600.]  LETTER  XCVI..  BDINBUBCH.    '  «n 


LETTERS  XCyi.-XCVIII. 

Of  these  Letters,  the  first  Two,  with  their  Replies  and  Adjanota^ 
Six  Missives  in  all,  form  a  Pamphlet  published  at  Ediblraigh  in 
1650,  with  the  Title  :  Several  Letiers  and  Pastages  heiwem  Mf 
Excellency  the  Lord  General  Cromwell  and  the  Gcvernor  cf  EHb^ 
hurgh  Castle,  They  have  been  reprinted  in  various  quarton: 
we  copy  the  Cromwell  part  of  them  from  TkurJoe  ;  and  &lloy 
they  will  not  much  need  any  preface.  Here  are  some  woid% 
written  elsewhere  on  the  occasion,  some  time  ago. 

<  These  .Letters  of  Cromwell  to  the  Eklinburgh  Clergy,  treadng 
of  obsolete  theologies  and  politics,  are  very  dull  to  modem  msD : 
but  they  deserve  a  steady  perusal  by  all  such  as  will  understand 
the  strange  meaning  (for  the  present,  alas,  as  good  as  obscdele  in 
all  forms  of  it)  that  possessed  the  mind  of  Cromwell  in  these  ha- 
zardous operations  of  his.  Dryasdust,  carrying  his  learned  ey* 
over  these  and  the  like  Letters,  finds  them,  of  course,  full  of  ^*  hy- 
pocrisy," &;c.,  &c. — Unfortunate  Dryasdust,  they  are  corusoationsb 
terrible  as  lightning,  and  beautiful  as  lightning,  from  tRe  inner- 
most temple  of  the  Human  Soul ; — ^intimations,  still  credible,  of 
what  a  Human  Soul  does  mean  when  it  believes  in  the  Highest ; 
a  thing  poor  Dryasdust  never  did  nor  will  do.  The  hapless  gene- 
ration that  now  reads  these  words  ought  to  hold  its  peace  when  it 
has  read  them,  and  sink  into  unutterable  reflection^ — not  iinm8»*H 
with  tears,  and  some  substitute  for  "  sackcloth  and  ashes,''  if  it 
liked.  In  its  poor  canting  sniffing  flimsy  vocabulary  there  is  no 
word  that  can  make  any  response  to  them.  This  man  has  a  living 
god-inspired  soul  in  him,  not  an  enchanted  artificial  ^substitute 
for  salt,"  as  our  fashion  is.  They  that  have  human  jves  can 
look  upon  him ;  they  that  have  only  owl-eyes  need  not. 

Here  also  are  some  sentences  on  a  fiivorite  topic,  l^hinmg  and 
Ughi.  *  As  lightning  is  to  light,  so  is  a  Cromwell  to  a  Shakspeare. 
The  light  is  beautifuUer.    Ah,  yes ;  but  until,  by  lightning  and 


•« 


and  siHNT,  ami  iirLTUin'-ntativcly  jari,^oii.  ; 
lioii-labh".      Neither  as  yet  can  it  work, 
and  cotton-spinning.       It  \\  ill,  apparontl 
'*  V;:*';. i**  and  then  more  lij^htnings  will  be  need 

^  •  .^' .  >  '  which  Cromweirs  was  but  a  mild  mat 

*  * 

•'^  ligJ^tj  we  may  hope  !"  ' — 


The  following  Letter  from  Whalley,  w 
iqtioduce  this  'Series.     The  date  is  Mo 
•#'.-:'i-Y  observing  yesterday  that  the  poor  Edin 

t'^.tn."  short  of  Sermon,  has  ordered  the  Lieute 

■  'j  J- ' ;  nicate  as  follows : 

:  r  'V  •■'  "  For  the  Honorable  the  Governor  of  tht 

"  Edinbv 


>t. 


,  "  Sir, — ^1  received  command  from  my  Lo 

let  the  Ministers  of  Edinburgh,  now  in  die  C 

they  have  free  liberty  granted  them,  if  they 

^  ^1  preach  in  their  several  Churches ;  and  that 

M"  command  both  to  officers  and  soldiers  that  t 

•I  ' 

A  molested.    Sir,  I  am  your  most  humble  serva 

I.  ". 


1690.]  LETTER  XCVI ,  EDINBURaH.  €19 


^''That  though  they  are  ready  to  be  spent  in  their  Muter*! 
and  to  refuse  no  suffering  so  they  may  fulfil  their  ministry  with  joy ;  yet' 
perceiving  the  persecution  to  be  personal,  by  the  practice  of  yow  Fartj* 
upon  the  Ministers  of  Christ  in  England  and  Ireland,  and  in  the  Kii^p- 
dom  of  Scotland  since  your  unjust  Invasion  thereof;  and  finding  nothii^ 
expressed  in  yours  whereupon  to  build  any  security  (or  their  pemM 
while  they  are  there,  and  for  their  return  hither; — they  are.re8ol?ed  to 
reserve  themselves  for  better  times,  and  to  wait  upon  Him  who  hath  hid- 
den His  hce  for  a  while  from  the  sons  of  Jacob. 

**This  is  all  I  have  to  say,  but  that  I  am.  Sir,  your  most  hamUe 
servant,  * 

To  which  somewhat  sulky  response,  Oliver  makes  Answer  in 
this  notable  manner : 


LETTER  XCVI. 

For  the  Honorable  the  Oovemor  of  the  Castk  cfEOnburgk: 

Thete. 

Edinburgh,  9th  September,  1600. 

Sir, 

The  kindness  ofieted  to  the  Ministers  with  you  was  done 
with  ingenuity  ;f  thinking  it  might  have  met  witli  the  like;  bnt  I  am  iS^ 
tisfied  to  tell  those  with  you,  That  if  their  Master's  service  (as  they  call 
it)  were  chiefly  in  their  eye,  imagination  of  suflfering}  would  not  have 
caused  such  a  return ;  much  less  *  would'  the  practice  of  our  Party,  as 
they  are  plea!«ed  to  say,  upon  the  Ministers  of  Christ  in  Enf^snd,  hwrs 
been  an  argument  of  personal  persecution.  i 

The  Ministers  in  England  are  supported,  and  have  liberty  to  presfih 
the  Gospel ;  tliough  not  to  rail,  nor  under  pretence  thereof  { to  overtop 
the  Civil  Power,  or  debase  it  as  they  please.  No  man  faath  been 
troubled  in  England  or  Ireland  for  preaching  the  Gospel ;  nor  has  any 
Minister  been  molested  in  Scotland  smce  the  coming  of  the  Army 
hither.    The  speaking  truth  becomes  the  Ministers  of  Christ 

When  Ministers  pretend  to  a  glorious  Reformatiaii ;  and  lay  the 
foundations  thereof  in  getting  to  themselves  worldly  power ;  and  can 
make  worldly  mixtures  to  accomplish  the  .same,  spch  as  iheir  late 

"  SecUrian  Party,  of  Independents.  f  MetM  always  imgeHmmuif. 

X  Fear  of  personal  danger.  §  Of  pnachii^  the  GespsL 


480  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [9 


Agreement  with  their  King  ;  and  hope  by  him  to  cany  on  their  deaign, 
*  they '  may  know  that  the  Sion  promised  will  not  be  bniitof  auch  nnten- 
pered  mortar. 

As  for  the  anjust  Invasion  they  mention,  time  waa*  when  an  Armj  of 
Scotland  came  into  England,  not  called  by  the  Supreme  Anthority. 
We  have  said,  in  our  Papers,  with  what  hearts,  and  npcm  what  acooont, 
we  came  ;  and  the  Lord  hath  heard  us,f  though  you  would  not,  upon 
as  solemn  an  appeal  as  any  experience  can  parallel. 

And  altliough  they  seem  to  comfort  themselves  with  being  aooa  of 
Jacob,  from  whom  (they  say)  Goth  hath  hid  His  face  for  a  time ;  yet 
it's  no  wonder  when  the  Lord  hath  lifted  up  His  hand  so  eminently 
against  a  Family  as  He  hath  done  so  often  against  this,}  and  men 
will  not  see  His  hand, — *  it's  no  wonder '  if  the  Lord  hide  His  iaee 
from  such  ;  putting  tliem  to  shame  both  for  it  and  their  hatred  of 
His  people ;  as  it  is  this  day.  When  they  purely  tmat  to  the  Sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  Word  of  God,  which  is  powerful  to  bring  down 
strongholds  and  every  imagination  that  exalts  itself, — ^which  alone  ii 
able  to  square  and  fit  the  stones  for  a  new  Jerusalem ; — then  and  not 
before,  and  by  that  means  and  no  other,  shall  Jerusalem,  the  City  of 
the  Lord,  which  is  to  be  the  praise  of  the  whole  Earth,  be  built;  the 
Sion  of  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

I  have  notliing  to  say  to  you  but  that  I  am,  Sir, 

Your  humble  servant, 

Oliver  CB0i[WELii.{ 

The  Scotch  Clergy  never  got  such  a  reprimand  since  they  finC 
took  ordination !  A  very  dangerous  radiance  blazes  through  these 
eyes  of  my  Lord  Grencral's,^-destructive  to  the  owl-dominion,  in 
Edinburgh  Castle  and  elsewhere ! 

Let  Dundas  and  Company  reflect  on  it.  Hero  is  their  reedy 
Answer ;  still  of  the  same  day. 

'  To  the  Right  Honorable  the  Ijord  Cromwell^  Commander^n<hirf  ef  Af 

English  Army. 

*  Edinburgh  Castle,  9th  September,  1650. 
*'  Mt  Lord, — ^Yours  I  have  communicated  to  those  with  me  whom  it 
concerned  ;  who  desire  me  to  return  this  Answer : 

*  161^,  Duke  Hamilton*s  time  ;  to  say  nothing  of  1040  and  other  timea. 

t  At  Dunbar,  six  days  ago. 

i  Of  the  Stuarts. 

§  Thurloe,  i.,  159 ;  Pamphlet  at  Edinburgh. 


1650.]  LETTER  XCVI.,  EDINBURGH.  481 


'*  That  their  ingenuity  in  prosecuting  the  ends  of  the  Covenant,  ac- 
cording to  their  vocation  and  place,  and  in  adhering  to  their  first 
principles,  is  well  known  ;  and  one  of  their  greatest  regrets  is  that  they 
have  not  been  met  with  the  like.  That  when  Ministers  of  the  Gospel 
have  been  imprisoned,  deprived  of  their  benefices,  sequestrated,  forced 
to  flee  from  their  dwellings,  and  bitterly  threatened,  for  their  faithful 
declaring  the  will  of  God  against  the  godless  and  wicked  proceedings 
of  men, — it  cannot  be  accounted  *  an  imaginary  fear  of  suffering*  in  such 
as  are  resolved  to  follow  the  like  freedom  and  faithfulness  in  discharge 
of  their  Master's  message.  That  it  savors  not  of  *  ingenuity'  to  promise 
liberty  of  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  to  limit  the  Preachers  thereof,  that 
they  must  not  speak  against  the  sins  and  enormities  of  Civil  Powers ; 
since  tlieir  commission  carrieth  them  to  speak  the  Word  of  the  Lord 
unto,  and  to  reprove  the  sins  of,  persons  of  all  ranks,  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest.  That  to  impose  tlie  name  of  '  railing  upon  such  faith- 
ful freedom  was  the  old  practice  of  Malignants,  agauist  the  Mmisters 
of  the  Gospel,  who  laid  open  to  people  the  wickedness  of  theu:  ways, 
lest  men  should  be  ensnared  thereby. 

"  Tliat  their  consciences  bear  tliem  record,  and  all  their  hearers  do 
know,  that  they  meddle  not  with  Civil  Afiairs,  farther  than  to  hold 
forth  the  rule  of  the  Word,  by  which  the  straightness  and  crookedness 
of  men's  actions  are  made  evident.  But  they  are  sorry  they  have  such 
cause  to  regret  that  men  of  mere  Civil  place  and  employment  should  usurp 
tlie  calling  and  employment  of  the  Ministry  :*  to  the  scandal  of  the 
Reformed  Kirks  :  and  particularly  in  Scotland,  contrary  to  the  govern- 
ment and  discipline  therein  established, — to  the  maintenance  whereof 
you  are  bound,  by  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant. 

"  Thus  far  they  have  thought  fit  to  vindicate  their  return  to  the  o^r 
in  Colonel  Wlialley's  Letter.  The  other  part  of  yours,  which  concerns 
the  public  as  well  as  them,  tliey  conceive  hath  all  been  answered  suffi- 
ciently in  the  Public  Papers  of  the  State  and  Kirk.  Only  to  that  of  the 
success  upon  your  '  solemn  appeal,'  they  say  again,  what  was  said  to 
it  before.  That  they  have  not  so  learned  Christ  as  to  hang  the  equity  of 
tlieir  Cause  upon  events  j  but  desire  to  have  their  hearts  established  in 
the  love  of  the  Truth,  in  all  the  tribulations  that  befall  them. 

"  I  only  do  add  that  I  am,  my  Lord,  your  most  humble  servant, 

"W.   DUWDAS." 

On  Thursday  follows  Oliver's  Answer, — *  very  inferior  in  com- 

*  Certain  of  our  Soldiers  and  Officers  preach ;  very  many  of  them  can 
preach, — and  greatly  to  the  purpose  too  ! 


let  Kiirh  fjniFs  mishikis    ami    iiu'i)ii-rr]iiPnri 

And  tJr^t,  Ihoir  lii^'t'iiiiily  in  ri'larion  to  l)i 
commend  tliemselvca,  doth  nn  more  justify 
answer  to  Colonel  Whdley'ii  Cliristisn  o: 
Letter  charged  thero  with  gQtItiaess  '  and '  di 
witness  to  themselves  of  their  adhering  to 
ii^nuily  in  prosecuting  the  ends  o{  the  Co 
have  done  merely  because  they  say  so.  T 
hence  forward  H ;  for  Christ  will  have  it  so, 
they  muft  have  patience  to  have  the  truth  ol 
tried  by  the  sure  touchstone  of  the  Word  o 
liberty  and  duty  of  trial,  there  ia  a  liberty 
that  may  and  ought  to  try  ;  which  being* 
leave  to  say  and  think  that  they  can  appral 
been  the  tracst  fulfillen  of  the  moat  real 
Covenant? 

But  if  these  Gentlemen  dot  asaume  to  th' 
espoaitoTs  of  tite  Covenant,  as  they  do  too  n 
be  the  infallible  expositors '  of  the  Scripturei 
sense  and  judgment  from  theirs  Breach  of  < 
marvel  tliey  judge  of  others  so  authorilaiii 
have  not  *o  learned  Christ.  We  look  at  ] 
lords  over,  God's  peq>le.    I  appeal  to  theii 


1650.]  LETTER  XCVII.,  EDINBURGH.  483 


have  been  "  imprisoned,  deprived  of  their  benefices,  seqnestered,  forced 
to  fly  from  their  dwellings,  and  bitterly  threatened,  for  their  fiuthfol  de- 
claring of  the  will  of  God  ;*'  that  they  have  been  limited  that  they 
might  not  speak  against  the  '*  sins  and  enormities  of  the  Civil  Powers ;" 
that  to  impose  the  name  of  railing  upon  such  faithful  freedom  was  the 
old  practice  of  Malignants  against  the  Preachers  of  the  Gospel,  dtc.— * 
*  Now/  if  the  Civil  Authority,  or  that  part  of  it  which  continued  fiuth- 
f ul  to  their  trust,"^  *  and '  trae  to  the  ends  of  the  Covenant,  did,  in  answer 
to  their  consciences,  turn  out  a  Tyrant,  in  a  way  which  the  Christians 
in  after-times  will  mention  with  honor,  and  all  Tyrants  in  the  world 
look  at  with  fear;  and  *  if  while  many  thousands  of  saints  in  Englmd 
rejoice  to  think  of  it,  and  have  received  from  the  hand  of  God  a  liberty 
from  the  fear  of  like  usurpations,  and  have  cast  off  himf  who  trod  in 
his  Father's  steps,  doing  mischief  as  far  as  he  was  able  (whom  yoa 
have  received  like  fire  into  your  bo60m,-^f  which  God  will>  I  trust,  in 
time  make  you  sensible):  if,  *I  say,'  Ministers  railmg  at  the  CivO 
Power,  and  calling  them  murderers  and  the  like  for  doing  these  things, 
have  been  dealt  with  as  you  mention, — will  this  be  found  a  "  personal 
persecution  ?"  Or  is  sin  so,  because  they  say  so  7|  They  that  acted 
this  great  Business}  have  given  a  reason  of  their  faith  in  the  action ; 
and  some  here||  are  ready  further  to  do  it  against  all  gainsayers. 

But  it  will  be  found  that  these  reprovers  do  not  only  make  themselvee 
the  judges  and  determiners  of  sin,  that  so  they  may  reprove ;  bat  they 
also  took  libertylT  to  stir  up  the  people  to  blood  and  arms ;  and  would 
have  brought  a  war  upon  England,  as  hath  been  upon  Scotland,  had  not 
God  prevented  it.  And  if  such  severity  as  hath  been  expressed  towards 
them  be  worthy  of  the  name  of  '^  personal  persecution,"  let  all  unin> 
terested  men  judge, '  and '  whether  the  callmg  of  the  practice  **  railing" 
be  to  be  paralleled  with  the  Malignants'  imputation  upon  the  Muaisters 
for  speaking  against  the  Popish  Innovations  in  the  Prelates'  times,**  and 
the  '  other  *  tyrannical  and  wicked  practices  then  on  foot !  The  Roman 
Emperors,  in  Christ's  and  his  Apostles'  times,  were  usurpers  and  in- 
truders upon  the  Jewish  State :  yet  what  footstepff  have  ye  either  of 
our  blessed  Saviour's  so  much  as  willuigness  to  the  dividing  of  an  in- 


*  When  Pride  purged  them.  f  Your  Charles  II.,  as  you  call 

X  Because  you  call  it  so.  §  Of  judging  Charles  First 

II  I  for  one.  t  In  1648. 

**  O  Oliver,  my  Lord  General,  the  Lindley-Murray  composition  hare  Im 
dreadful :  the  meaning  struggling,  like  a  strong  swimmer,  in  an  ekmsBt 
verv  viscous  I 

ft  Vestige. 

22* 


484  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [12  Sept 


heritance,  or  their*  *  ever '  meddling  in  that  kind  ?  This  was  not  prac- 
tised by  the  Church  since  our  Saviour^s  time,  till  Antichrist,  aasiuniiig 
tlie  Infallible  Chair,  and  all  that  he  called  Church  to  be  nnder  him, 
practised  this  authoritatively  over  Civil  Governors.  The  vmy  to  fulfil 
your  Ministry  with  joy  is  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  which  I  wish  eoine  who 
take  pleasure  in  reproofs  at  a  venture,  do  not  forget  too  much  to  do ! 

Thirdly,  you  say.  You  have  just  cause  to  regret  that  men  of  Civil 
employments  should  usurp  tlie  calling  and  employment  of  the  Ministry ; 
to  the  scandal  of  the  Reformed  Kirks. — Are  you  troubled  that  Christ  b 
preached  ?  Is  preaching  so  exclusively  your  function  If  Doth  it  SGan- 
dalize  the  Reformed  Kirks,  and  Scotland  in  particular  ?  Is  it  against 
the  Covenant  ?  Away  with  the  Covenant,  if  this  be  so !  I  thought,  the 
Covenant  and  these  *  professors  of  it '  could  have  been  willing  that  any 
should  speak  good  of  the  name  of  Christ :  if  not,  it  is  no  Covenant  of 
God*s  approving :  nor  are  these  Kirks  you  mention  in  so  mncht  the 
Spouse  of  Christ.  Where  do  you  find  in  the  Scripture  a  giound  to 
warrant  such  an  assertion.  That  Preaching  is  exclusively  your  function  Tf 
Though  an  Approbation  from  men  hath  order  in  it,  and  may  do  wdl ; 
yet  he  that  hath  no  better  warrant  than  that,  hath  none  at  all.  I  hope 
lie  that  ascended  up  on  high  may  give  His  gifts  to  whom  He  fileaseB: 
and  if  those  gifls  be  the  seal  of  Mission,  be  not  'yon '  envious  though 
Eldad  and  Medad  prophesy.  You  know  who  bids  us  cotet  eamaUy  tke 
best  gifts,  but  chiefly  that  tee  may  prophefy ;  which  the  Apostle  explains 
there  to  be  a  speaking  to  instruction  and  edification  and  comfoit»— 
which  speaking  the  instructed,  the  edified  and  comforted  can  best  tell 
the  energy  and  eflect  of,  '  and  say  whether  it  is  genuine.'  If  such 
evidence  be,  I  say  again,  Take  heed  you  envy  not  for  your  own  sakes ; 
lest  you  be  guilty  of  a  greater  fault  than  Moses  reproved  in  Joihna  fiir 
envying  for  his  sake. 

Indeed  you  err  through  mistaking  of  the  Scriptures.  Appr6bation{  ii 
an  act  of  conveniency  in  respect  of  order ;  not  of  necessity,  to  give 
faculty  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Your  pretended  fear  lest  Error  shoaU 
step  in,  is  like  tlie  man  who  would  keep  all  the  wine  out  the  eountiy 
lest  men  should  be  drunk.  It  will  be  found  an  unjust  and  unwise  jea- 
lousy, to  deprive  a  man  of  his  natural  liberty  upon  a  supposition  he  may 
abuse  it.  When  he  doth  abuse  it,  judge.  If  a  man  speak  foolishly,  ye 
Bufifer  him  gladlyll  because  ye  are  wise ;  if  erroneously,  the  truth 

•  The  Apostles*. 

t  *  so  inclusive  in  your  function,*  means  that 

X  So  far  as  their  notion  of  the  Covenant  goes. 

§  Or  say  *  Ordination/  Solemn  Approbation  and  Appointment  by 

II  With  a  patient  victorious  feeling. 


IBM.]  LETTER  XCVII.,  EDINBURGH. 


appears  by  your  coni-iction  'of  him.'  Stop  such  %  man's  monQi  bj 
Eonnd  words  which  cannot  be  gainsayed.  K  he  »peak  blaephemtnialy, 
or  to  llie  dieturbanco  of  the  pablfc  peac«,  let  the  Civil  Magistrate  ptiniab 
him ;  if  truly,  reioice  In  the  troth.  And  if  you  will  call  out  speakings 
together  since  we  came  into  Scotland, — to  provoke  one  another  (o  love 
and  good  works,  to  faith  in  out  Lord  JeBua  Cbriat,  and  repentance  from 
dead  works ;  '  and '  to  charity  and  love  towards  you,  to  pray  and  mourn 
for  you,  and  for  your  bitter  returns  to  'our  love  of  you,'  and  jont  in- 
credulity of  our  professions  of  love  to  yoo,  of  the  truth  of  which  we 
have  made  our  solemn  and  humble  appeals  to  the  Lord  our  God,  which 
lie  bath  heard  and  borne  witness  to:  if  you  will  call  things  scandalona 
1o  the  Kirk,  and  against  the  Covenant,  because  done  by  men  of  Civil 
catlings, — we  rejoice  in  them,  not  withstanding  what  you  say. 

For  &  conclusion :  In  answer  to  the  witness  of  God  upon  onr  eolemn 
Appeal,*  you  say  you  have  not  so  learned  Christ '  aa '  to  hang  the  equity 
of  jonr  cause  upon  events.  We,  'for  our  part,'  could  wish  blindness 
have  not  been  upon  your  eyes  lo  all  those  marvellous  dispensations 
wbicbGod  hath  lately  wrought  in  England.  But  did  oot  yon  solemnly  ap- 
peal and  pray  1  Did  not  we  do  so  too  ?  And  ought  not  you  and  we  to 
think,  with  fear  and  trembling,  of  the  hand  of  the  Great  God  in  this 
mighty  and  strange  appearance  of  His ;  instead  of  slightly  calling  it  an 
"  event  '."f  Were  not  bolh  your  and  our  expectations  renewed  from 
lime  !o  time,  whilst  we  waited  upon  God,  to  see  which  way  He  wonh) 
nanifeat  Himself  upoD  our  appeals  ?  And  shall  we,  after  all  these  our 
pmyeiv,  fastings,  tears,  expectations  and  eolemn  appeals,  call  these  bare 
"  events  J"     The  Lord  pity  yon. 

Surely  we, '  for  our  part,'  fear ;  because  it  hath  been  a  merciful  and 
gracious  deliverance  to  us.  1  beseech  yon  in  the  bowels  of  Christ, 
search  after  the  mind  of  tlie  Lord  in  it  towards  yoo ;  and  we  shall  help 
yoo  by  onr  prayers ;  that  you  may  find  It  out :  for  yet  (If  we  know  out 
hearts  at  all)  our  bowels  do,  in  Christ  Jesus,  yearn  after  the  Godly  in 
Scotland.  We  know  there  are  stumbling-blocks  which  hinder  you  :  the 
personal  prejudices  you  have  taien  up  against  usj  and  our  ways,  wherein 
we  cannot  but  think  some  occasion  has  been  given, [  and  for  which  we 
inoDm  :  the  apprehension  you  have  (hat  we  have  hindered  the  glorious 
Refomiation  yon  think  you  were  upon : — I  am  petEuaded  these  and  such 

'  At  Dunbar.  f  '  but  can  slightly  call  it  an  event,'  in  orig. 

X  Me,  Oliver  Cromwell. 

(j  1  have  ofisTt,  in  Paitiaraenl  and  elsewhere,  been  crabbed  towards  yonr 
hidebound  Presbyterian  Formula ;  and  given  it  many  a  fillip,  oot  ihinVipg 
BufficieoUy  what  good  withal  was  in  it 


-.    .». 


V  v-r.-r 


but  in  the  love  of  Dirist  lavinof  them  before 
in  the  Lord  that  tliere  is  a  truth  in  them, 
may  not  be  laid  a.'^idc  unsouij^ht  utter,  from  ; 
the  things  themselves,  or  the  unworthiness 
that  offers  them.  If  you  turn  at  the  Lord's 
His  Spirit  upon  you ;  and  you  shall  unde 
will  guide  you  to  a  blessed  Reformation  indt 
to  the  Word,  and  such  as  the  people  of  God 
find  us  and  all  saints  ready  to  rejoice,  and  \ 
our  places  and  callings.^ 


Enclosed  is  the  Paper  of  Queries  ; 
anxious  to  bring  out  my  Lord  General'! 
liberty  to  intercalate  a  word  or  two  of  ( 


QUERIES. 

1.  Whether  the  Lord's  controversy  be  n* 
in  Scotland  and  in  England,  for  their  wn 
Covenant,'  and  employing}  the  Covenant  i 
in  England  (of  the  same  faith  with  them  in 
a  bitter  persecution ;  and  so  making  that  w] 


1S90.]  QUERIES.  4m 

The  meaning  of  your  Covenant  was  dial  God's  glory  should 
be  promoted  :  and  yet  how  many  zealoua  Preachers,  unpreabyte- 
rian  bui  real  Promoters  of  God's  glory,  have  you,  by  wresting 
and  straining  of  the  verbal  phrases  of  the  Covenant,  found  means 
to  menace,  eject,  afflict  and  in  every  way  discourage ! — 

a.  Whether  the  Lord's  controversy  be  not  for  your  wid  the  MiniHten 
in  England's  sallenness  at  *  God's  great  providences,'  and  '  ynur '  dark- 
ening and  not  beholdiag  the  glory  of  God's  wonderfol  dispensittiona  in 
tliia  series  of  Ilia  providences  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  boUi 
now  and  formerly, — through  envy  at  inBtrnments,  and  because  the  Ihinga 
did  not  work  fortli  your  Platform,  and  tlie  Great  God  did  not  come  down 
to  your  miiids  and  thoughts. 

This  is  well  worth  your  attention.  Perhapa  ihe  Great  God 
means  something  other  and  farther  than  you  yel  imagine.  Per- 
haps, in  His  infinite  Thought,  and  Scheme  thai  reaches  through 
Eternities,  there  may  be  elements  which  the  Westminster  Assem- 
bly has  not  jotted  down  7  Perhaps  these  reverend  learned  per- 
sons, debating  at  Four  shillings  and  sixpence  a  day,  did  not  get 
to  the  bottom  of  the  Bottomless,  after  all  ?  Perhapa  this  Universe 
was  not  entirely  built  according  to  the  Westminster  Shorter  CKte- 
chiam,  but  by  other  groundplans  withal,  not  yel  entirely  brought 
to  paper  anywhere,  in  Westminster  or  out  of  it,  thai  I  hear  of? 
O  my  reverend  Scotch  friends ! — 

3.  Whether  your  carrying  on  aReformation.ao  much  by  vou  spoken 
of,  have  not  probably  been  subject  to  some  mistakes  in  your  own  judg- 
ments about  some  parts  of  the  same, — laying  ao  much  atreas  Ibereupon 
08  hath  been  a  temptation  to  you  even  to  break  the  Law  of  have, '  the 
greatest  of  all  laws,' towards  your  brethren,  and  tboae  '  whom '  Christ 
balh  regenerated ;  even  to  the  reviling  and  persecuting  of  them,  and  to 
etirring  up  of  wiched  men  to  do  the  same,  for  your  Form's  sake,  or  bnt 
'  for '  some  parts  of  iL 

A  helpless  lumbering  sentpnce,  but  with  a  noble  meaning  in  it. 

4.  Whether  if  yoar  Reformation  be  so  perfect  and  so  npiritaal,  bo 
indeed  the  Kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  it  will  need  such  carnal  policies, 
snch  fleshly  mixtures,  such  nnaincerc  actings  as  '  some  of  these  are  ?' 
To  pretend  to  cry  down  all  Malignants ;  and  yet  to  receive  and  set  np 


488  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [12  8i^ 


the  Head  of  them  *  all,'  and  to  act  for  the  Kingdom  of  Chriit  in  hii 
name,"^  and  upon  advantage  thereof  ?  And  to  publish  to  iidae  a  F^ier,t 
80  full  of  special  pretences  to  piety,  as  the  fruit  and  eftct  of  hia  **  r^ 
pentance," — to  deceive  the  minds  of  all  the  Godly  in  Englandy  Irdud 
and  Scotland ;  you,  in  yoar  own  consciences,  knowing  with  what  regret 
he  did  it,  and  with  what  importunities  and  threats  he  waa  brought  to  do 
it,  and  how  much  to  this  very  day  he  is  against  it  ?  And  whether  this 
be  not  a  high  provocation  of  the  Lord,  in  so  groasly  dlBaemUing  with 
Him  and  His  people  ?f 

Yes,  you  can  consider  that,  my  Friends;  and  think,  od  the 
whole,  what  kind  of  course  you  are  probably  getting  into ;  steer- 
ing towards  a  Kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  with  Charles  Stiiait  and 
Mrs.  Barlow  at  the  helm ! 


The  Scotch  Clergy  reply,  through  Grovemor  Dundagy  still  in  a 
sulky  unrepentant  manner,  that  they  stick  by  their  old  opiniom ; 
that  the  Lord  General's  arguments,  which  would  not  be  hard  to 
answer  a  second  time,  have  already  been  answered  amplj,  bj 
anticipation,  in  the  public  Manifestoes  of  the  Scottish  Nation  and 
Kirk  ; — that,  in  short,  he  hath  a  longer  sword  than  they  lor  the 
present,  and  the  Scripture  says,  '*  There  is  one  event  to  the  rights 
eous  and  the  wicked,"  which  may  probably  account  for  Dui^bar, 
and  some  other  phenomena.  Here  the  correspondence  oloees; 
his  Excellency  on  the  morrow  morning  (Friday,  13th  September, 
1650)  finding  no  < reasonable  good  leisure'  to  unfold  himself 
farther,  in  the  way  of  paper  and  ink,  to  these  men.  There  zemain 
other  ways ;  the  way  of  cannon-batteries,  and  Derbyshire  mineiB. 
It  is  likely  his  Excellency  will  subdue  the  bodies  of  these  men; 
and  the  unconquerable  mind  will  then  follow  if  it  can. 

*  Charles  Stuart*8 :  a  very  questionable  *  name  *  for  any  gii^^m  of 
Christ  to  act  upon  ! 
t  The  Declaration,  or  tefltimony  against  his  Father's  sins. 
t  Thurloe,  i.,  158-162. 


LETTER  XCVIII.,  EDINBURGH. 


LETTER  XCVm. 

The  Lord  General,  leaving  the  Clei^y  lo  meditate  these  Queries 
in  (he  seclusion  of  their  Castle  rock,  sets  off  westward,  on  the 
second  day  after,  to  see  whether  he  cannot  at  onco  dislodge  the 
Governing  Committee. men  and  Covenanted  King ;  and  get  pos- 
session of  Stirling,  where  ihey  are  buaily  endeavoring  lo  rally. 
This,  he  finds,  will  not  answer,  for  the  moment. 

'  To  Ok  Right  HnnorabU  ihe  Lord  PresUeiU  ^  A«  Comeii 
of  Stale:  TheK.' 

Edinburgh,  25tb  September,  1690. 

*  *  *  On  Salaniay  the  14th  instant,  we  marched  six 
inilea  towards  Stirling;  and,  by  reason  of  the  badness  of  the  ways,  were 
forced  to  send  back  two  pieces  of  our  greatest  artillery.  The  day  fbl- 
Bowing,  we  marched  to  Linlithgow,  not  lieing  able  to  go  farther  by  reason 
cf  much  rain  that  fell  that  day.  On  the  I6lh,  we  marched  to  Falkirk ; 
and  the  next  da.y  fallowing,  within  cannon-shot  of  Stirling; — where, 
upon  WedneHlay  the  tSlh,  our  Army  was  drawn  forth,  and  all  things  in 
a  readiness  to  storm  Ihe  Town. 

Bui  finding  the  work  very  difBciilt ;  tliey  having  in  the  Town  Two- 
thousand  horse  and  more  foot ;  and  the  place  standing  npon  a  river  not 
navigable  for  shipping  to  relieve  the  same, '  so  that'  we  coald  not,  with 
Btfety,  make  it  a  Garrison,  if  God  sliould  have  given  it  into  uur  bands  : 
— upon  this,  and  other  considerations,  it  was  not  thought  a  fit  Lime  to 
Etorm.  But  such  waj  the  unanimoua  lesolation  and  courage  both  of  our 
Officers  and  Soldiers,  tliat  greater  could  not  be  (as  to  outward  appear* 

On  Thursday,  the  19th,  we  returned  from  thence  to  LJnlilhgow  j  and 
at  night  we  were  informed  that,  at  Stirling,  they  shot  off  their  great  guns 
for  joy  their  King  was  come  thither.  On  Friday,  the  20th,  three  Irish 
soldiers  came  from  them  lo  us  ;  to  whom  we  gave  enierlainmenl  in  the 
Army ;  they  say,  Great  fears  possessed  the  soldiere  when  they  expected 
us  to  storm.  That  they  know  not  whether  old  Leven  be  their  General 
or  not,  the  report  being  various ;  but  tliat  Sir  John  Brown,  a  Colonel  of 
their  Army,  was  laid  aside.  Thai  they  are  endeavoring  lo  raise  all  ths 
Forces  they  can,  in  tlio  North ;  that  many  of  the  soldiers,  since  onr  vic- 
tory, are  o^nded  at  their  Ministers ;  that  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker  and  Colonel 
Stiachan  are  gone  with  gbatteied  itsrcM  W  Gla^ow,  to  levy  soldiers 


490  PART  VI.  WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [25S«pL 


there.  As  yet  we  hear  not  of  any  of  the  old  Cavaliers  being  entertain- 
ed as  Officers  among  them ;  *the  expectation  of  which  occasions  dif- 
fprences  hetwixt  their  Ministers  and  the  Officers  of  the  Anny. 

The  same  day  we  came  to  Edinburgh  '  again.'  Where  we  abide  with- 
out disturbance  ;  saving  that  about  ten  at  night,  and  before  day  in  the 
morning,  they  sometimes  fire  three  or  four  great  guns  at  us ;  and  if  any 
of  our  men  come  within  musket-shot,  they  fire  at  them  from  the  Castle. 
But,  blessed  be  God,  they  have  done  us  no  liarm,  except  one  soldier  shot 
(but  not  to  the  danger  of  his  life),  that  I  can  be  informed  of.  There  are 
some  few  uf  the  inhabitants  of  Edinburgh  returned  home ;  who,  perceiv- 
ing our  civility,  and  *  our '  paying  for  what  we  receive  of  them,  repent 
their  departure  ;  open  their  shops,  and  bring  provisions  to  the  market 
It's  reported  they  have  in  the  Castle  provisions  for  fifteen  months ;  some 
say,  for  a  lunger  time.  Generally  the  poor  acknowledge  that  omr  car^ 
riage  to  them  is  better  than  that  of  their  own  Army ;  and  *  that '  had  they 
who  are  gone  away  known  so  much,  they  would  have  stayed  at  home. 
They  say,  one  chief  reason  wherefore  so  many  are  gone  was,  They 
feared  we  would  have  imposed  upon  them  some  oath  wherewith  they 
could  not  have  dispensed. 

I  am  in  great  hopes,  through  God*s  mercy,  we  shall  be  able  this  Win- 
ter to  give  the  People  such  an  understanding  of  the  justness  of  our  Caaie, 
and  our  desires  for  the  just  liberties  of  tlie  People,  that  the  better  sort  of 
tliem  will  be  satisfied  therewith  ;  although,  I  must  confess,  hitherto  they 
continue  obstinate.  I  thought  I  should  have  found  in  Scotland  a  consci- 
entious People,  and  a  barren  country  :  about  Edinburgh,  it  is  as  fertile 
for  com  as  any  part  of  England ;  but  the  People  generally  <  are  so '  given 
to  the  most  impudent  lying,  and  frequent  swearing,  as  is  incredible  to  be 
believed. 

I  rest, 

*  Your  Lord8hip*8  most  humble  servant,' 

OuvER  Crohwell.* 

What  to  do  with  Scotland,  in  these  mixed  circumstances,  is  a 
question.  Wo  have  friends  among  them,  a  distinct  coiDcidence 
with  them  in  the  great  heart  of  their  National  Purpose,  could 
they  understand  us  aright ;  and  we  have  all  degrees  of  enemies 
among  them,  up  to  the  bitterest  figure  of  Malignancy  itself. 
What  to  do  ?  F*or  one  thing,  Edinburgh  Castle  ought  to  be 
reduced.  '  We  have  put  forces  into  Linlithgow,  and  our  Train  is 
*  lodged  in  Lcith,'  Lesley's  old  citadel  there  ;  *  the  rest  being  so 

•  Newspapers  (in  Parliamentary  History,  six.,  404). 


16S0.]  LETTER  XCVltt.,  EDINBURGH.  «1 

'  great  that  we  cannot  march  with  our  Traia.'  Do  we  try  Edin- 
burgh Castle  with  a  few  responsive  shots  from  the  CaUon  Hill ; 
or  from  what  point  ?  My  Scotch  Antiquarian  friends  have  not 
informed  me.     We  decide  on  reducing  it  hy  mines. 

'  Svnday,  291A  Seplember,  IGfiO.  Hesoluticn  being  taken  for 
the  springing  of  mines  in  order  to  the  reducing  of  Edinburgh 
Castle ;  and  our  men  beginning  their  galleries  last  night,  the 
Enemy  fired  five  pieces  of  ordnance,  wi[h  several  volleys  of  shot, 
from  the  Castle  ;  but  did  no  execution.  We  hope  tliia  work  will 
take  effect;  notwithstanding  the  height,  rockinesjj,  and  strength 
of  the  place. — His  Excellency  with  his  Officers  met  ihis  day  in 
the  High  Church  of  Edinburgh,  forenoon  and  afternoon ;  where 
was  a  great  concourse  of  people.'  Mr.  SlHpyllon,  who  did  the 
liursley  Marriage-treaty,  and  is  otherwise  transiently  known  to 
mankind, — he,  as  was  above  intimated,  occupies  ihe  pulpit  there  ; 
the  Scots  Clergy  still  sitting  sulky  in  their  Castle,  with  Derby 
miners  row  operating  on  them.  '  Many  Soots  expressed  much 
affection  at  the  Doctrine  preached  by  Mr.  Stapyllon,  in  their  usual 
way  of  groans,' — Hum-m-tnrrh  ! — '  and  it's  hoped  a  good  work  is 
wrought  in  some  of  iheir  hearts.'*  I  am  sure  I  hope  so.  But  to 
think  of  brother  worshippers,  pnriakers  in  a  Gospel  of  ihis  kind, 
cutting  one  another's  throats  for  a  Covenanted  Charles  Stuart, — 
Hum-m-mrrh  ! 

*  Newtpapera  (id  Cromwelliank,  p.  09). 


492  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [«  Oct 


LETTERS  XCIX.-CVIII. 

Haste  and  other  considerations  forbid  us  to  do  more  than  glance^ 
timidly  from  the  brink,  into  that  sea  of  confuaioiis  in  which 
the  poor  Scotch  People  have  involved  themselves  by  soldering 
Christ's  Crown  to  Charles  Stuart's !  Poor  men,  they  have  got  a 
Covenanted  King ;  but  he  is,  so  to  speak,  a  Solecism  Incarnate: 
good  cannot  come  of  him,  or  of  those  that  follow  him  in  thii 
course ;  only  inextricability,  futility,  disaster  and  diaoomfitnre 
can  come.  There  is  nothing  sadder  than  to  see  such  a  Purpon 
of  a  Nation  led  on  by  such  a  set  of  persons ;  staggering  into 
ever  deeper  confusion,  down,  down,  till  it  fall  prostrate  into  utter 
wreck.  Were  not  Oliver  here  to  gather  up  the  fragments  of  h, 
the  Cause  of  Scotland  might  now  die ;  Oliver,  little  aa  the  SogIb 
dream  of  it,  is  Scotland's  Friend  too,  as  he  was  Ireland's :  what 
would  become  of  Scotch  Puritanism,  the  one  great  feat  hitherto 
achieved  by  Scotland,  if  Oliver  were  not  now  there  f  Oliver*! 
Letters  out  of  Scotland,  what  will  elucidate  Oliver's  footsteps  and 
utterances  there,  shall  alone  concern  us  at  present.  For  sufficing 
which  object,  the  main  features  of  these  Scotch  confusions  may 
become  conceivable  without  much  detail  of  ours. 

The  first  Scotch  Army,  now  annihilated  at  Dunbar,  had  been 
sedulously  cleared  of  all  Hamilton  Engagers  and  other  Malignant 
or  Quasi- Malignant  Persons,  according  to  a  scheme  painfully  laid 
down  in  what  was  called  the  Act  of  Classes, — a  General- Assembly 
Act,  defining  and  classifying  such  men  as  shall  not  be  allowed  to 
fight  on  this  occasion,  lest  a  curse  overtake  the  Cause  on  their 
account.  Something  other  than  a  blessing  has  overtaken  the 
Cause : — and  now,  on  rallying  at  Stirling  with  unbroken  pur- 
pose of  struggle,  there  arise  in  the  Committee  of  Estates  and  Kirk, 
and  over  the  Nation  generally,  earnest  considerations  as  to  the 
methods  of  farther  struggle ;  huge  discrepancies  as  to  the  ground 
and  figure  it  ought  henceforth  to  take.    As  was  natural  to  the 


1650.]  SCOTCH  PARTIES.  4B3 

case,  Three  Parties  now  develope  Ihemselves :  a  middle  one,  aod 
two  eslremea.  The  OfRcial  Party,  Argyle  and  the  Official  Per- 
sons, especially  the  secular  ponion  of  them,  think  that  the  old 
ground  should  aa  much  as  possible  be  adhered  to:  Let  us  fill  up 
our  old  ranks  with  new  men,  and  fight  and  resist  with  llie  Cove- 
nanted Charles  Siitart  at  the  head  of  ua,  as  we  did  before.  This 
is  the  middle  or  Ofiicial  opinion. 

No,  answers  an  extreme  Part)-,  Let  us  have  no  more  to  do 
U'iih  your  covenauling  pedantries ;  let  us  sign  your  Covenant 
one  good  time  for  all,  and  have  done  with  it ;  bu!  prosecute  the 
King's  Interest,  and  call  on  all  men  to  join  us  in  that.  An  al- 
most openly  declared  Malignant  Party  this  ;  at  the  head  of  which 
Lieutenant-Ueneral  Middlelon,  the  Marquis  of  Huntley  and  other 
Koyalist  Persons  are  raising  forces,  publishing  manifestoes,  in  the 
Highlands  near  by.  Against  whom  David  Lesley  himself  at  last 
has  lo  march.  This  is  the  one  extreme  ;  the  Malignant  or  Roy- 
alist extreme.  The  amount  of  whose  exploits  was  this :  They 
invited  the  poor  King  lo  run  off  from  Perth  and  hia  Church-and- 
State  Officials,  and  join  them ;  which  he  did, — rode  out  as  if 
to  hawk,  one  aflernooD,  softly  across  the  South  Inch  of  Perth, 
then  galloped  some  forty  miles  ;  found  the  appointed  place ;  a 
villancius  hut  among  the  Grampian  Hills,  without  soldiere,  re- 
sources, or  accommodations, '  with  nothing  but  a  turf  pillow  to 
sleep  on  :'  and  was  easily  persuaded  back,  the  day  after;*  mak- 
ing his  peace  by  a  few  more, — what  shall  we  call  them  1 — poetic 
figments ;  which  the  Official  Persons,  with  an  effort,  swallowed- 
Shonly  afler,  by  oflicial  persuasion  and  military  coercion,  this 
first  extreme  Party  was  suppressed,  reunited  to  the  main  body  ; 
and  need  not  concern  us  farther. 

And  now,  quite  opposite  to  this,  there  is  another  extreme 
Party  ;  which  has  its  seat  in  '  the  Weslorn  Shirea,'  from  Renfrew 
down  to  Dumfries; — which  is,  in  fact,  I  think,  the  old  Wigga- 
noTc  Raid  of  1648  under  a  new  figure  ;  these  Western  Shires 
being  always  given  that  way.  They  have  now  got  a  '  Wealern 
Army,'  wiih  Colonel  Ker  and  Colonel  Strahan  to  command  it; 
and  most  of  the  Earls,  Lairds,  and  Ministers  ^i  those  parts  have 

■  4-a  October,  BaliiNr.  ir.,  113-13. 


494  PART  VI.  WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [0  Ott 

joined.  Very  strong  for  the  Covenant ;  very  strong  against  all 
shams  of  the  Covenant.  Colonel  Ker  is  the  '  famed  Cbmmander 
Gibby  Carr/  who  came  to  commune  with  us  in  the  Burrow.nioor, 
when  we  lay  on  Pcntland  Hills :  Colonel  Strahan  is  likewise  a 
famed  Commander,  who  was  thought  to  be  slain  at  Muaeelburg^ 
once,  but  is  alive  here  still ;  an  old  acquaintance  of  my  Lord 
(leneral  Cromwell's,  and  always  suspected  of  a  leaning  to  Seo- 
tarian  courses.  These  Colonels  and  Grentry  having,  by  iwnrtion 
of  the  Committee  of  Estates,  raised  a  Western  Aimy  of  some 
Five-thousand,  and  had  much  consideration  with  themselvee; 
and  seen,  especially  by  the  flight  into  the  Grampians,  what  way 
his  Majesty's  real  inclinations  are  tending,^-decide,  or  threaten 
to  decide,  that  they  will  not  serve  under  his  Majesty  or  his 
General  Lesley  with  their  Army,  till  they  see  new  light ;  that  in 
fact  they  dare  not ;  being  apprehensive  he  is  no  genuine  Cove- 
nanted King,  but  only  the  sham  of  one,  whom  it  is  terribly  dan- 
gerous to  follow !  On  this  Party  Cromwell  has  his  eye ;  and  they 
on  him.     What  becomes  of  them  we  shall,  before  long,  learn. 

Meanwhile  here  is  a  Letter  to  the  Official  Authorities ;  which, 
liowever,  produces  small  effect  upon  them. 

LETTER  XCUL 

Far  the  Right  Honorable  the  Committee  of  Estates  cf  SeotUmd,  «l 

Stirling^  or  elsewhere :  These. 

Linlithgow,  9th  October,  165a 
Right  Honorable, 

The  groiiDds  and  ends  of  the  Army's  entering 

Scotland  have  been  heretofore,  often  and  clearly,  made  known  unto  yoa; 

and  how  much  we  have  desired  the  same  might  be  accomplished  withoot 

blood.    But,  according  to  what  returns  we  have  received,  it  is  evident 

your  hearts  had  not  that  love  to  us  as  we  can  truly  say  we  had  towaidi 

you.    And  we  are  persuaded  those  difficulties  in  which  yon  have  f^ 

volvcd  yourselves, — by  espousing  yonr  King's  interest,  and  taking 

your  bosom  that  Person,  in  whom  (notwithstanding  what  hadi ' 

or  may  be  said  to  the  contrar}')  that  which  is  really  Mali| 

Malignants  do  centre ;  against  whose  Family  the  Lord  I      mi 

]y  witnessed  for  bloodguiltiness,  not  to  be  done  away  by      shf 

cal  and  formal  shows  of  repentance  as  are  expressed  in 


:850.]  LETTER  XCIX.,  LINLITHGOW.  49iS 

lion;  aiul  yoorntisnge  prpjiidices  iigninat  as  as  men  of  heretical  opin'i>n> 
(wbich,  through  tlie  great  goodness  of  God  to  ue,  have  been  orymity 
cliarged  upon  us), — have  occasioned  your  rejecting  tliese  Overtures 
which,  with  a  Christian  affection,  were  offered  to  you  before  any  l)iood 
was  spilt,  or  your  People  had  BofTered  damage  by  ua. 

The  daily  seriHe  we  hvive  of  the  calamily  of  Wnr  lying  upon  the  poor 
People  of  this  Nation,  and  the  sad  consequencea  of  blood  and  famine 
likely  to  come  opon  them ;  the  advantage  given  to  the  Malignant,  Pro- 
fane, and  Popish  party  by  this  War ;  and  that  reality  of  affection  which 
we  have  bo  often  professed  to  you, — and  concerning  the  truth  of  which 
we  have  bo  solemnly  appealed, — do  again  constrain  us  lo  send  unto  you, 
to  let  yon  know,  That  if  the  contending  Tor  tliat  Person  be  not  by  you 
preferred  lo  the  peace  and  welfare  of  your  Country,  the  blood  of  your 
Peoples,  the  love  of  men  of  the  same  faith  with  you,  and  (in  this  above 
all}  the  honor  of  tiiat  God  we  serve, — Then  give  the  State  of  England 
that  satiafactioD  and  security  for  their  peaceable  and  qnlet  living  by  you, 
which  may  Injustice  be  demanded  from  a  Nation  giving  so  just  ground 
to  ask  the  same, — from  those  who  have,  as  you,  taken  their  enemy  into 
their  bosom,  whilst  he  was  in  hostility  agabst  them.  And  it  will  be 
made  good  to  yon,  that  yoo  may  have  a  lasting  and  durable  Peace  with 
them,  and  the  wish  of  a  blessing  upon  you  in  all  religious  and  civil  things. 

If  this  be  refused  by  you,  we  are  persuaded  that  God,  who  hath  once 
borne  His  testimony,  will  do  It  again  on  the  behalf  of  us  His  poor  ser- 
vants, who  do  appeal  to  Him  whether  their  desires  Sow  from  sincerity 
of  heart  or  not.    I  rest, 

Your  Lordships'  humble  servant, 

Omveb  Chomwkll.* 

The  Coramitlee  of  Estates  Bt  Stirling  or  elsewhere  debated 
about  an  Answer  lo  this  Letter  ;  but  sent  none,  escepl  of  civility 
merely,  and  after  considerable  delays.  A  copy  of  the  Letter  was 
likewise  forwarded  to  Colonels  Ker  and  Slrahan  and  their  Western 
Army,  by  whom  it  was  taken  into  consideration  ;  and  some  Cor- 
respondence, Cromweira  part  of  which  Is  now  lost,  followed  upon 
it  there  ;  and  indeed  Cromwell,  as  we  dimly  discover  in  the  old 
Books,  set  fonli  towards  Gla^ow  directly  on  the  back  of  it.  in 
hopes  of  a  closer  comnmnicatioD  with  these  Western  Colonels  and 
their  Party. 

While  Kex  and  Strahan  are  busy  '  at  Dumfries,'  says  Baillie, 

fit  Oromwdliana,  p.  S3). 


I     t  ' 


all,  to  iiKir  very  lace,  in  me  iiigii  i^niirc 
taiies  and  Hlasphenirrs,  the  fantastic  old  l 
though   not  so   bitr  or  ricli  as  Edinburir 
•-  %  place  ;  the  completest  town  we  have  yet 

4**^  '.■;  ,,  their  choicest  Universities.'     The  people 

•  till  they  saw  how  we  treated  them.     *  Caj 

t  General's  regiment  of  horse  was  cashic 

,  .•'/         ^  some  blasphemous  opinions.f — This  is  ( 

*^t'.  *•  Glasgow :  he  made  two  others,  of  which  < 

■  •.*•"'  betaken.     In  Pinkerton^s  Correspondence 

!'i-..         /  of  Cromwell  at  Glasgow  ;'  which,  like  ma 

V  *         ^  need  not  be  repeated  anywhere  except  in 

i^- . /  Cromwell  entered  Glasgow  on  Friday 

\^*         *  was  patient  with  ZacharyBoyd:  but  gt 

and  Strahan.     Ker  and  Strahan,  at  Dum 
,  have  perfected  and  signed  their  Remon 

Army  ;^  a  Document  of  much  fame  in 
.*  '  Expressing  many  sad  truths,'  says  the 

,  pressing,  in  fact^  the  apprehension  of  Kei 

Covenanted  King  may  probably  be  a  Sol 
whom  it  will  not  be  good  to  fight  longer  i 
and  Scotland; — expressing  meanwhile  c 


1050.]  PROCLAMATION.  4B7 

inburgh,  to  get  hold  of  the  Castle  there.  Whereupon  Cromwell, 
in  bU  haste,  on  Monday,  sets  otT  thilherward  ;  '  lodges  the  first 
night  in  a  poor  cottage  fourteen  miles  from  Glasgow;'  arrives 
eafe,  to  prevent  all  alarms.     Hia  first  visit  to  Glasgow  was  but  of 

two  days. 

Here  is  another  trait  of  the  old  lime  ;  not  without  illuminatioQ 
Tor  us.  '  One  Watt,  a  tenant  of  the  Earl  of  Tweeddale's,  being 
sore  oppressed  by  the  English,  took  to  himself  some  of  hia  own 
degree ;  and,  by  daily  incursions  and  infalls  on  the  English 
Garrisons  and  Parlies  ia  Lothian,  killed  and  took  of  them  above 
Four-hundred,'  or  say  the  half  or  quarter  of  so  many,  '  and 
enriched  himself  by  their  spoils.'  The  like  did  'one  Augustin, 
a  High-German,'  not  a  Dutchman,  '  being  purged  out  of  the 
Army  before  Dunbar  Drove,' — of  whom  we  shall  hear  farther. 
In  fad,  the  class  called  Mosstroopers  begins  to  abound  ;  the  only 
class  that  can  flourish  in  such  a  slate  of  affairs.  Whereupon 
comes  out  this 

PROCLAMATION. 

1  Fwcn'o  that  divers  of  the  Army  under  my  command  are  not  only 
spoiled  and  robbed,  but  also  sometimes  barbarously  and  inhumanly 
batcbered  and  slain,  by  a  sort  of  Outlaws  and  Robbers,  not  under  the 
discipline  of  any  Army;  and  finding  that  all^onr  tenderness  to  the 
Country  prodoceth  no  otber  eflect  than  tlieir  compliance  with,  and  pfo- 
tection  of,  Biich  persons;  and  consideiing  that  it  is  in  the  power  of  tfae 
Country  In  delect  and  discover  them  (many  of  them  licing  intialMtBiita 
of  Ihoae  plsces  where  commonly  the  outrage  is  committed) ;  and  per- 
ceiving tfiat  ibeir  motion  is  ordinarily  by  the  invitatioD,  aod  according 
to  intslligence  given  Ihem  by  Countrymen ; 

I  do  therefore  declare  that  wheresoever  any  under  my  command  shall 
be  hereafler  robbed  or  spiled  by  such  parties,  I  will  require  life  for  life, 
and  a  plenary  satisfaction  for  their  goods,  of  those  Parishes  and  Places 
where  the  fact  shall  f>e  committed ;  unless  they  shall  discover  and  prc^ 
dace  the  oSender.  And  this  I  wish  all  persons  to  lake  notice  of,  that 
none  may  plead  ignorance. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Edinbntgh,  the  Mh  of  November,  16S0. 

Ohveb  Cbomwbij..* 

*  Nevrspapen  (in  Crcmwelliua,  p.  M). 


498  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [5  Not. 


Colonels  Ker  and  Strahan  with  their  Remonstrance  have  filled 
all  Scotland  with  a  fresh  figure  of  dissension.  The  Kirk  finds 
*  many  sad  truths '  in  it ;  knows  not  what  to  do  with  it.  In  the 
Estates  themselves  there  is  division  of  opinion.  Men  of  worship, 
the  Minister  in  Kirkcaldy  among  others,  are  heard  to  say  strange 
things  :  "  That  a  Hypocrite,"  or  Solecism  Incarnate,  "  ought  not 
to  reign  over  us ;  that  we  should  treat  with  Cromwell,  and  give 
him  assurance  not  to  trouble  England  with  a  King ;  that  whoso- 
ever mars  such  a  Treaty,  the  blood  of  the  slain  shall  be  on  his 
head  !  '*  *  Which  are  strange  words,'  says  Baillie,  *  if  true.' 
Scotland  is  in  a  hopeful  way.  The  extreme  party  of  MalignantB 
in  the  North  is  not  yet  quite  extinct ;  and  here  is  another  extreme 
party  of  Remonstrants  in  the  West, — to  whom  all  the  conscien- 
tious rash  men  of  Scotland,  in  Kirkcaldy  and  elsewhere,  aeem  as 
if  they  would  join  themselves  I  Nothing  but  rennonstratiog,  pn>* 
testing,  troatying  and  mistrcatying  from  sea  to  sea. 

To  have  taken  up  such  a  Remonstrance  at  first,  and  stood  by 
it,  before  the  War  began,  had  been  very  wise ;  but  to  take  it  up 
now,  and  attempt  not  to  make  a  Peace  by  it,  but  to  continue  the 
War  with  it,  looks  mad  enough !  Such  nevertheless  is  Colonel 
Gibby  Ker's  project, — not  Strahan's,  it  would  seem  :  men's  pro- 
jects strangely  cross  one  another  in  this  time  of  bewilderment ; 
and  only  perhaps  in  doing  nothing  could  a  man  in  such  a  soene 
act  wisely.  Lambert,  however,  is  gone  into  the  West  with  Three* 
thousand  horse  to  deal  with  Ker  and  his  projects  ;  the  Lord  Gen* 
eral  has  himself  been  in  the  West :  the  end  of  Ker's  projects  b 
succinctly  shadowed  forth  in  the  following  Letter.  From  Baillie^ 
we  loam  that  Ker,  with  his  Western  Army,  was  lying  at  a  place 
called  Carmunnock,  when  he  made  this  infall  upon  Lambert; 
that  the  time  of  it  was  <  four  in  the  morning  of  Sunday,  lat  De* 
cembcr,  1650 ;'  and  the  scene  of  it  Hamilton  Town,  and  the 
streets  and  ditches  thereabouts ;  a  dark  sad  business,  of  an 
ancient  Winter  morning  ; — sufficiently  luminous  for  our  purpose 
with  it  here. 

•  iii.,  125. 


1650.]  LETTER  C.  EDINBURGH.  409 

LETTER  C. 

The  '  treaties  among  the  Enemy '  meana  Ker  and  Strahao's  con- 
fused rcnionslratin^'9  and  trealyings ;  the  '  result,'  or  geoeral 
upshot,  of  which  is  this  scene  in  the  ditches  at  four  in  iho 
morning.' 

To  iJie  Honorable   William  IjenlhaR,  Speaker  i-f  Ihe  Parliament  <f 
Ei^taiul:  Thefe. 

Edinburgh,  4th  December,  IS30. 

I  have  row  eenl  you  the  resulta  of  Bomo  Treatiea  amongst  the 
Enemy,  which  came  to  my  hand  this  da.y. 

The  Major-Genera.1  and  CoraraiBeary-General  Whalley  marched  a  few 
daya  ago  towards  Glasgow.  The  ICnemy  attempted  his  quarters  in 
Ilaniilinn ;  were  entered  the  Town :  bat  by  the  blessing  of  God,  by  a 
very  gracious  hand  of  Providence,  without  the  loss  of  six  men  as  I  hear 
of,  he  beat  them  out ;  killed  about  an  Hundred ;  look  also  about  the  same 
number,  amongst  whom  are  some  prisoners  ot  quality;  and  near  an 
Hundred  horse, — as  I  am  informed.  The  Major-General  is  still  in  the 
chase  of  them  i  to  whom  also  I  have  since  sent  the  addition  of  a  fresh- 
parly.  Colonel  Ker  (as  my  messenger,  this  night,  tells  me)  is  taken  ; 
his  Lieutenant-Colonel;  and  one  that  was  sometimes  Major  to  Cotonel 
Strahan ;  and  Ker's  Captain-Lieutenant.  The  whole  Party  is  shattered. 
And  give  me  leave  to  tay  it,  If  God  had  not  brought  them  upon  us,  we 
might  have  marched  Three-thousand  Iwrse  to  death,  and  not  have  lighted 
on  them.  And  truly  it  was  a  strange  Providence  brought  them  upon 
him.  For  1  marched  from  Edinburgh  on  the  north  side  of  Clyde ;  '  and 
had' appointed  the  Major-General  to  march  from  Peebles  to  Hamilton, 
on  the  Bouth^side  of  Clyde.  I  came  thither  by  the  time  expected; 
tarried  the  remainder  of  the  day,  and  until  near  seven  o'clock  the  next 
morning. — apprehending  'then  that'  the  Major-General  would  not  come, 
by  reason  of  tlie  waters.  I  Ijeing  retreated,  the  Enemy  look  encourage- 
ment; marched  all  that  night;  and  came  upon  the  Major-General's 
quarters  about  two  hours  before  day ;  where  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  order 
as  you  have  heard. 

The  Major-General  and  Commissary -Genera!  (as  he  sent  me  word) 
were  etill  gone  on  in  the  prosecution  of  them ;  and  '  he '  saitli  timt,  ex- 
cept an  Hundred-and-nily  horse  in  one  body,  he  hears  they  are  fled,  by 

•  See  al«i  WhilXocVe,  10  Dec«inUi.  1650. 


500  PART  VI.,  WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [4 

sixteen  or  eigliteen  in  a  company,  all  tlie  country  over.  Robii^  Montp 
gomery  \va.s  come  out  of  Stirling,  with  four  or  five  regimentfl  of  horse 
and  dragoons,'''  but  was  put  to  a  stand  when  he  heard  of  the  issue  of 
this  business.  Strahau  and  some  other  Officers  had  quitted  some  three 
weeks  or  a  month  before  this  business ;  so  that  Ker  commanded  this 
whole  party  in  chief. 

It  is  given  out  that  the  JVIalignants  will  be  almost  all  received,  and 
rise  unanimously  and  expeditiously.  I  can  assure  you,  that  those  that 
ser\'e  you  here  find  more  satisfaction  in  having  to  deal  with  men  of  this 
stamp  than  '  with '  others ;  and  it  is  our  comfort  that  the  Lord  hath 
hitlierto  made  it  the  matter  of  our  prayers,  and  of  our  endeavors  (if  it 
might  have  been  tlie  will  of  God),  To  liave  had  a  Christian  understand- 
ing between  tliose  that  fear  God  in  this  land  and  ourselves.  And  yet  we 
hope  it  hatl)  not  been  carried  on  with  a  willing  fkiling  of  oor  duty  to 
those  that  trust  us : — and  I  am  persuaded  tlie  Lord  hath  looked  favorably 
upon  our  sincerity  herein;  and  will  still  do  so;  and  upon  yoa  also, 
whilst  you  make  the  Interest  of  God*s  People  yours. 

Those  religious  People  of  Scotland  that  fall  in  this  Cause,  we  cannot 
but  pily  and  mourn  for  them ;  and  we  pray  that  all  good  men  may  do  so 
too.  Indeed  there  is  at  tliis  time  a  very  great  distraction,  and  mighty 
workings  of  God  upon  the  hearts  of  divers,  both  Ministers  and  People; 
much  of  it  tending  to  the  justification  of  your  Cause.  And  although 
some  are  as  bitter  and  as  bad  as  ever ;  making  it  their  business  to  shuffle 
hypocritically  with  their  consciences  and  the  Covenant,  to  make  it '  seem  * 
lawful  to  join  with  Malignants,  which  now  they  do, — as  well  they  might 
long  before,  having  taken  in  tlie  Head  *  Malignant '  of  them :  jret  truly 
otliers  are  startled  at  it ;  and  some  have  been  constrained  by  the  woik 
of  God  upon  their  consciences,  to  make  sad  and  solemn  accusationa  of 
themselves,  and  lamentations  in  tlie  face  of  their  Supreme  Authority; 
charging  themselves  as  guilty  of  the  blood  shed  in  this  War,  by  having 
a  hand  in  the  Treaty  at  Breda,  and  by  bringing  the  King  in  amongst 
them.  This  lately  did  a  Lord  of  the  Session ;  and  withdrew  '  from  the 
Committee  of  Estates.'  And  lately  Mr.  James  Livingston,  a  man  is 
highly  esteemed  as  any  for  piety  and  learning,  who  was  a  Commissioner 
for  the  Kirk  at  the  said  Treaty,— charged  himself  with  the  guilt  of  the 

•For  the  purpose  of  rallying  to  him  these  Western  forces,  or  such  of 
them  as  would  fullow  the  otllcial  Authorities  and  him  ;  and  leading  them 
to  Stirling,  to  the  main  Army  (Baillie,  ubi  atipra).  Poor  Ker  thought  it 
might  be  useful  to  do  a  feat  on  his  own  footing  first :  and  here  is  the  con- 
clusion of  him!  Colonel  *  Robin  Montgomery'  is  the  Earl  of  £^Iinton*f 
Sou  whom  we  saw  before. 


IMO.]  LETTER  C.  EDINBURGH.  501 

Uood  of  tbi9  War,  berorc  their  ABBcmbly,  snd  wiihdrew  from  tliem,aiid 
is  retired  to  hia  own  hoaee. 

It  wi!l  be  very  necesaary,  to  encourage  victuallers  to  Eome  to  us,  that 
jrou  take  off  Cuetoms  and  Excise  from  all  things  brought  hither  Uyi  the 
use  of  the  Army. 

I  beg  your  prayers ;  and  rest, 

Yoni  humble  eervaot, 

OuvBB  Crohwell.* 

This  then  is  the  end  of  Ker'a  fighting  project ;  a  very  mad 
one,  at  this  stage  of  (he  business.  The  Remorutlrattee  continued 
long  to  be  the  symbol  of -the  Extreme-Covenant  or  Whiggamore 
Party  among  the  Scols ;  but  its  practical  operation  ceased  here. 
Ker  lies  lamed,  dangerously  wounded  ;  and,  I  think,  will  fight  no 
more.  Strahan  and  some  othera,  voted  traitorous  by  the  native 
Authorities,  went  openly  over  to  Cromwell ; — Strahan  soon  after 
died.  As  for  the  Western  Army,  it  straightway  dispersed  itself; 
part  towards  Stirling  and  the  Authorities  ;  the  much  greater  part 
lo  tlieir  civil  callings  again,  wishing  ihey  had  never  quitted  them. 
'  This  miacarriago  of  atfairs  in  the  West  by  a  few  unhappy  nieu,' 
says  Baillie,  '  put  us  all  under  the  foot  of  the  Enemy.  They 
presently  ran  over  all  the  country  ;  destroying  cattle  and  crops  ; 
putting  Glasgow  and  all  other  placea  under  grievous  contribu- 
tioDs.  This  makes  me,'  for  my  part,  •  stick  at  Perth ;  not  daring 
to  go  where  the  Enemy  is  master,  as  he  now  is  of  all  Scotland 
south  of  the  Forth.' f 

It  only  remains  lo  he  added,  that  the  two  Eitreme  Parlies  being 
broken,  the  Middle  or  Official  one  rose  supreme,  and  widened  its 
borders  by  the  admission,  as  Oliver  anticipated,  '  of  the  Malig- 
naols  almost  all ;'  a  set  of  '  Public  Resolutions'  so-called  twing 
passed  in  the  Scotch  Parliament  to  that  end,  and  ultimately  got 
carried  through  the  Kirk  Assembly  too.  Ofiicial  majority  of '  Re- 
eolutiooers,'  with  a  zealous  parly  of  '  Remonslrania,'  who  are 
also  called  '  Protesters  :'  in  I^irk  and  State,  these  long  continue 
to  afliict  and  worry  one  another,  sad  fruit  of  a  Covenanted  Charlea 
Stuart ;  but  shall  not  farther  concern  iis  here.     It  is  a  great  com- 

•  Newsiiiptrs  (in  Cromwelliana,  pp.  9i,  S). 
t  iii.,  125  (dale,  2  Jimuary,  1330-]). 


502  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [la  Dw. 

__  ^^^^— ^^-^-^^— ^^^ 

fi>rt  to  the  Lord  Greneral  that  be  has  now  mainly  real  Malignants 
for  enemies  in  this  country ;  and  so  can  smite  Without  reluctance. 
Unhappy  '  Resolutioners/  if  they  could  subdue  Crorawelly  what 
would  become  of  them  at  the  hands  of  their  own  Malignanto ! 
They  have  admitted  the  Chief  Malignant,  <  in  whom  all  Malignity 
does  centre,'  in  their  bosom ;  and  have  an  Incarnate  Solecism 
presiding  over  them.  Satisfactorily  descended  from  Catherine 
Muir  of  Caldwell,  but  in  all  other  respects  most  unsatisfactory ! — 
The  *  Lord  of  the  Session,'  who  felt  startled  at  this  condition 
of  things,  and  '  withdrew '  from  it,  I  take  to  have  been  Sir  James 
Hope  of  Craighall,"'  of  whom,  and  whose  scruples,  and  the  cen- 
sures they  got,  there  is  frequent  mention  in  these  months.  But 
the  Laird  of  Swinton,  another  of  the  same,  went  still  farther  in 
the  same  course ;  and  indeed,  soon  after  this  defeat  of  Ker,  went 
openly  over  to  Cromwell.  *  There  is  very  great  distraction,  there 
are  mighty  workings  upon  the  hearts  of  divers.'  '  Mr.  James 
Livingston,'  the  Minister  of  Ancrum,  has  lefl  a  curious  Life  of 
himself: — he  is  still  represented  by  a  distinguished  fiunily  in 
America. 


The  next  affair  is  that  of  Edinburgh  Castle.  Our  Derbyshire 
miners  found  the  rock  very  hard,  and  made  small  way  in  it :  but 
now  the  Lord  General  has  got  his  batteries  ready  ;  and,  on  Thurs- 
day, 12th  December,  after  three  months'  blockade,  salutes  the 
place  with  his  '  guns  and  mortars,'  and  the  following  set  of  Sum- 
monses ;  which  prove  effectual. 


LETTER  CI. 

For  the  Chvemnr  of  Edinburgh  Castle :  These, 

Edinburgh,  12th  December*  1650. 
Sm, 

We  being  now  resolved,  by  God's  assistance,  to  make 
of  such  means  as  He  hath  put  into  our  hands,  towards  the  redocing  of 
Edinburgh  Castle,  I  thought  fit  to  send  you  this  Summons. 

•  Balfour,  iv.,  173,  235. 


1650.]  LETTER  CII..  EDINBURGH.  503 

What  Ihe  granoda  of  our  proceeding  have  been,  tnd  what  our  d^ 
siresandaima  in  relation  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  common  Interegt  of 
His  People,  we  have  often  oxpressed  in  our  Papers  tendered  to  pnblia 
view.  Tu  which  tliough  credit  hitlierto  hath  not  beeii  given  by  men, 
yet  the  Lord  lintb  been  pleased  to  bear  a  giacious  and  favorable  te«ti> 
mony ;  and  hath  not  only  kept  ua  constant  to  our  profession,  and  in  otu 
aObctions  to  £ucb  as  fear  the  Lord  in  this  Nation,  but  hath  unmaaked 
others  from  their  pretences, — as  appears  by  the  present  trajisactionB  at 
St.  JohnatoD.*  Let  the  Lord  dispose  your  resolutions  as  aeeroclh  good 
to  Him:  my  sense  of  duty  preaaeth  me,  for  the  ends  aforeaaid,  and  to 
prevent  tlie  efiusion  of  more  blood.  To  demand  the  rendering  of  Uua 
place  to  me  upon  fit  conditions. 

To  which  expectlug  your  answer  this  day,  I  rest, 
Sir,  your  aervani, 

OijvER  Ckomwwj.. 

The  Governor's  Anawer  to  my  Lord  Geoeral's  Letter  U  this ; 

"  Far  At*  Excdleticy  Ihe  General  of  the  English  Forcet. 

"  Edinburgh,  12th  December,  16S0, 

"  Mt  LonDf— I  am  intrusted  by  the  Estates  of  Scotland  willi  this 
place ;  and  being  sworn  not  to  deliver  it  to  any  without  their  warrant,  I 
have  no  power  to  dispose  thereof  by  myself.  I  do  therefore  desire  the 
space  of  ten  days,  wherein  1  may  conveniently  acquaint  the  said  Estates. 
*ad  receive  their  answer.  And  for  this  eSeci,  your  safe-conduct  lor 
tbem  employed  in  the  mcsMge.  Upon  the  receipt  of  their  answer,  yas 
shall  liava  the  resolation  of, — my  Lend,  your  moat  humble  servant, 

"  W.  DuND**." 

The  Lord  General's  Reply  to  Governor  Waller  Dundoa  : 


LETTER  Cn. 

For  Iht  Qovemor  of  the  Catlle  of  Edinburgh, 

Edinburgh,  12th  December,  1630. 

It  concerns  not  me  to  know  your  obligations  to  those  that 
trnat  yon.     I  make  no  question  of  the  apprehenaions  you  have  of  your 

'Readmiraion 'of  Ihe  Mafignanta  ikttnasl  all)  Earl  of  Calendar,  Duke  of 
Hamilton,  tu:.  (BaJTour,  iv.,  179-203);  bytha  PuUament  at  Perth. 


504  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [13 

abilities  to  resist  those  impressions  which  shall  be  made  upon  yon,*  are 
the  natural  and  equitable  rales  of  all  men^s  judgments  and  conaciencef 
in  your  condition ;— except  you  had  taken  an  oatli  beyond  a  possibility. 
I  leave  that  to  your  consideration  ;  and  shall  not  seek  to  contest  with 
your  thoughts :  only  I  think  it  may  become  me  to  let  yoa  know,  Yon 
may  have  honorable  terms  for  yourself  and  those  with  you ;  and  both 
yourself  and  soldiers  have  satisfaction  to  all  your  reasonable  desires; 
and  those  that  have  other  employments,  liberty  and  protection  in  the 
exercise  of  them. 

But  to  deal  plainly  with  you,  I  will  not  give  liberty  to  yon  to  consult 
your  Committee  of  Estates ;  because  I  hear,  those  that  are  honest 
amongst  them  enjoy  not  satisfaction,  and  the  rest  are  now  discovered  to 
seek  another  Interest  than  they  have  formerly  pretended  to.  And  if 
you  desire  to  be  informed  of  this,  you  may,  by  them  you  daie  trust,  tt  a 
nearer  distance  than  St.  Johnston. 

Expecting  your  present  answer,  I  rest. 

Sir,  your  servant, 

Olives  Croxwell. 

The  Grovemor's  Reply  No.  2  arrives  on  the  morrow,  Friday : 

**  For  his  Excellency  the  Lord  General  of  the  English  Forces  in  SeoUani, 

Edinburgh,  13th  December,  IS.'M. 

"  My  Lord, — It  much  concemeth  me  (considering  my  obligations)  to 
be  found  faithful  in  the  trust  committed  to  me.  And  therefore,  in  the 
fear  of  the  living  God,  and  of  His  great  Name  called  upon  in  the  accept- 
ing of  my  trust,  I  do  again  press  the  liberty  of  acquainting  the  Estates. 
The  time  is  but  short ;  and  I  do  expect  it  as  answerable  to  yoor  profiss- 
sion  of  affection  to  those  that  fear  the  Lord.  In  the  meantime  I  am  wil* 
ling  to  hear  infonnation  of  late  proceedings  from  such  as  he  dare  trust 
who  is, — my  Lord,  your  humble  servant, 

"  W.  DUHDAS." 

The  Lord  Generars  Reply,  No.  2 : 

*  By  my  cannons  and  mortars. 


IMO-l  LETTKR  cm,,  EDINBUnan,  SOS 

LETTER  cm. 

For  the  Governor  of  Edinbitrgk  Castle :  Then. 

SlB,  Edinburgh,  131h  Decemher,  IflM). 

Because  or  your  Birict  and  Eolemn  tLdjnnlion  of  me.  In  ibe 
fear  and  Name  of  liic  living  God,  That  I  give  you  time  lo  send  to  (be 
CoDimillee  of  Eslatco,  to  whom  you  uodertook  the  keeping  of  this  pltcs 
miller  the  obligation  of  aa  oath,  as  you  affirm, — 1  cannot  but  hojK  thUit 
ia  joar  conscience,  and  not  policy,  canyiog  you  to  that  desire.  Thv 
granting  of  wliich,  i(  it  be  prejudicial  to  our  affiixre, — 1  am  u  much 
obliged  in  conBcienca  not  to  do  it,  as  you  can  pretood  caiue  for  your 
conscience'  sake  to  desire  it 

Now  considering 'that' our  merciful  and  wise  God  binds  not  His 
People  to  actions  too  cross  one  to  onoltier ;  bat  Lhut  our  bond*  may  be,* 
ma  I  Mn  persuaded  tliey  are,  through  our  mistakes  and  darkneasf— not 
only  in  the  r^ueation  about  the  surrendering  thia  Cattle,  bat  also  in  all 
the  present  differences  : — I  have  much  reason  to  believe  that,  by  a  Con- 
Terence,  you  may  be  well  salialied,  in  point  of  fact,  of  your  EslatCB  (to 
whom  you  Bay  you  are  obliged)  carrying  on  an  Interest  destructive  and 
contrary  to  what  tbey  professed  when  they  committed  that  trust  to  you, 
— having  made  to  depart  from  them  many  honest  men  through  fear  of 
their  own  safety,!  f^o^  making  way  for  the  reception  of  profesaed  Malig- 
nants,  both  in  their  Parliament  and  Army; — and  also  ' (hat  yon '  may 
have  laid  before  you  such  grounds  of  our  eoda  and  aims  lo  the  preserva> 
tion  of  tlie  interesl  of  honest  men  in  Scotland  as  well  aa  England,  as 
will  (if  God  vouchsafe  lo  appear  in  lliem}  give  your  conscience  satisGto 
tion.  Which  if  you  refuse,  I  hope  you  will  not  have  cause  to  say  IfuU 
we  are  cither  unmindful  of  tlie  great  Name  of  the  Lord  wliich  yon  have 
mentioned,  nor  that  we  are  wanting  to  answer  onr  profession  of  aS)0- 
tion  to  tiiose  that  fear  the  Lord. 

I  am  willing  to  coase  hostility,  for  some  hours,  or  convenient  time  (o 
so  good  an  end  as  information  of  judgment,  and  aatiafaclion  of  con- 
science ; — oltliough  I  may  not  givo  liberty  for  the  lime  desired,  to  send 
to  the  Committee  of  Bstntea  ;  or  &I  all  slay  the  prosecution  of  my 
atlenipl. 

Expecting  your  sudden  answer,  I  rest, 

Yonr  servant, 

Oliver  Ckokwkll.I 


*  our  perpiesdtics  ire  caused. 

t  Swinlon,  Strahan,  Hope  of  Cmighall,  lie. 

t  Newsijaprra  (in  Cromwalliana,  p.  37). 


J 


that  a  small  delay  ot  out  uwn*  attairs  should  n 
satisfaction  of  a  desire  pressed  in  so  serious 
Batisfyinnf  conscience. 

"  Bui  if  you  will  needs  persist  in  denial,  I  s 
formation  of  late  proceedings  from  such  as  I 
iiad  occasion  to  know  the  certainty  of  things 
permit  to  come  alongst  at  the  first  convenience 
acts  of  hostility,  and  prosecution  of  attempts,  1 
I  am,  my  Lord,  your  bumble  servant, 


The  Lord  GeneraPs  Reply,  No.  3  : 

LETTER  CIV. 

For  the  Chvemor  of  Ektinburgh  Ca 

Edinburg! 
Sot, 

Yon  will  give  me  leave  to  be  senc 

science  of  daty  *  too.' 

If  you  please  to  name  any  yon  would  spea 

Town,  they  shall  have  liberty  to  come«and  spet 

if      Y  will ;  provided  you  send  presently.    I  c 


16S0.]  LETTER  CV.,  EDfNBURBH.  507 

persons,  whom  we  saw  made  captive  in  Dunbar  Drove,  who  have 
ever  since  lieen  Prisonere-on-parole  with  hia  Excellency,  much 
meditating  on  him  and  his  ways.  Who  very  naturally  decline  to 
be  concerned  with  ao  delicate  an  aperation  as  this  now  on  hand, 
— in  the  following  characteristic  Note,  in  his  Excellency's  Replyt 
No.  4: 

LETTER  CV. 

for  Ihe  Ooi'STTiur  of  Edinburgh  Cattk  :  These. 

Edinburgh,  Uth  December,  leSO. 
Sm, 

Having  acijiiainted  the  Gentlemen  with  your  desire  to 
speak  with  them,  and  they  makiag  some  dflBctilty  of  it,  have  desired  ids 
to  teoA  you  tliis  encloBed.    I  reel. 

Sir,  j'our  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwbll.» 

Here  is  '  thia  enclosed  :' 
"For  the  Rigltl  Honorable  the  Goiwntor  0/  Edinburgh  Cmtk :  Thete. 
"Edinburgh.  Uth  DMember,  165U. 
"  RiOHT  Honorable, — We  now  hearing  thai  you  waa  desirous  to 
speak  with  us  lor  your  information  of  the  posture  of  aflaira,  we  would 
be  glad,  and  we  think  you  make  no  doubt  of  it,  to  be  refreshing  or  use- 
ful to  you  In  anything;  but  the  matter  is  of  so  high  concemmeol, 
especially  since  it  may  be  you  will  lean  somewhat  upon  our  information 
in  managing  that  important  trust  put  upon  you,  that  ive  dare  not  la^e 
upon  UB  to  meddle  :  ye  roay  therefore  do  as  ye  find  yonrselveH  clear  and 
in  capacity ;  and  the  I/ird  be  with  you.  We  are.  Sir,  your  honor's 
hnniblc  hcnaiitB,  well  wish  era  in  the  Lord, 

"  Al.  JArraAT. 
'■Jo.  Cabstaim." 

So  that.  Tor  (liis  Saturday,  nothing  can  be  done.  Od  Sun- 
day, we  suppose,  Mr.  Stapyllon,  in  black,  leaches  in  St.  Giles's ; 
and  other  qualified  persons,  sorne  of  them  in  red  with  belts, 
leach  in  oilier  Kirks;  the  Scots,  much  taken  with  the  doclrino, 
'  answering  in  (heir  usual  way  of  groans,'  Hum-m-m-rrh  ! — and 

•  Newspapers  (in  CromwaIliana,-j».  98). 


■     ,     » 


your  iiioti\('  that  diil  imluce  yoii  to  suiniuon  tli!.> 
*       .  teiiijif  aiiyf liiiiL,''  ai;:iin>f  it,  >linu!(l  al-o  liavt*  nun 

my  Aii.-utT  lo  your  J)('inaii(l  of  llic  house  ;  \\ 
conscience,  suddenly  give,  withrut  mature  delil 
ness  of  such  high  importance.  You  having  refus 
I  did  demand  to  the  efiect  I  might  receive  the 
did  intrust  me  with  this  place  ;  and  **  I  *'  yet  no 
sire, — I  do  demand  such  a  competent  time  as  m 
betwixt  us,  within  which  if  no  relief  come,  I  si 
upon  such  honorable  conditions  as  can  be  agret 
and  during  which  time  all  acts  of  hostility  and 
on  both  sides  may  be  forborne.    I  am,  my  Lord, 


The  Lord  General's  Reply,  No.  5 : 


LETTER  CVL 

For  the  Oovemor  of  Edinburgh  Ca 

Edinburgh, 
Sir, 

All  that  I  have  to  say  is  sbortl} 

send  out  Commissioners  by  eleven  o'clock  this  ni 

ed  and  authorized  to  treat  and  conclude,  you  ma 

and  safe  to  you,  and  '  to '  those  whose  interest 

things  that  are  with  yon.     I  shall  ffive  a  safe-* 


The  Governor's  Reply,  No.  6  r 

■■  Edinburgli  Castle,  ISth  December,  1650. 

"  MyIiObd, — I  have  thought  upon  these  TwoGentlemeD  whoac  names 
Bxe  hero  tncDtioDed  ;  lo  wit,  Major  Andrew  Abemethy  and  Captain  Ro- 
bert Henderson ;  wliom  I  purpoee  to  send  ont  inelruct^,  id  order  to  tljo 
carrying  on  the  Capitulatioti.  Thereforo  expecting  a  aafB-condact  lor 
them  with  this  bearer, — I  rest,  my  Lord,  your  humble  servant, 

"  W.  DnNDAS," 

The  Lord  General's  Reply,  No.  6  : 

LETTER  CVn. 

For  the  Oovemor  if  Edinburgh  Castle:  These. 

Edinburgh,  JSlh  December,  1050. 
Sra, 

I  have,  here  enclosed,  sent  yon  a  eafe-conduct  for  the  cowing 
forth  and  return  of  iho  Gentienten  you  deiirc ;  and  have  appointed  and 
authorized  Colonel  Monli  and  Lieulenant-Colonel  White  to  meet  with 
your  Commiasionera,  at  the  house  in  the  safe-conduct  mentioned :  there 
to  treat  and  conclude  of  the  Capitulation,  on  my  part.     I  reet, 

Oliver  Ckowwell.* 

Here  is  his  Excellency's  Pass  or  safe-conduct  for  them : 

PASS. 

To  all  Officers  and  Soltliers  unSer  mg  Command. 

Tou  are  on  pif.'ht  hereof  to  Buffer  Mujor  Andrew  Abemethy  and  CaptaJn 
Robert  Henderson  lo  come  forth  of  Edinborgh  CostlG,  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Wallace  in  Edinburgh,  and  to  return  back  Into  the  uid  Cacllet 
without  any  trouble  or  molestation. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  ISth  December,  16S0. 

OUTEB  CxOMWELI-.f 

By  to-morrow  morning,  in  Mr.  Waliace's  house,  Colonel  Monk 
and  ihe  other  Three  Iiavo  agreed  upon  handsome  terms ;  of  which, 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliaaa,  p.  99).  t  Iti'd. 


•     » 


some  (jucstion  afterwards  accidentally  ri 

PROCLAMATIO: 

To  he  'proclaimed  by  the  Marshal-general^  by 

and  Leith, 

Whereas  there  is  an  agreement  of  articles 
myself  and  Colonel  Walter  Dondas,  Govemo] 
which  doth  give  free  liberty  to  all  Inhabit 
persons  who  have  any  goods  in  the  said  Ci 
from  thence: 

These  are  therefore  to  declare,  That  all  s 
who  have  any  goods  in  the  Castle,  as  is  befr 
liberty  between  this  present  Thursday  the  1 
24th,  To  repair  to  the  Castle,  and  to  fetch  a 
or  molestation.    And  I  do  hereby  farther  de 
and  Soldiers  of  this  Army,  That  they  take 
be  done  to  any  person  or  persons  fetching  a 
ing  them  to  such  place  or  places  as  to  then 
so  faU  out  that  any  Soldier  shall  be  found  ^ 
thing  contrary  hereunto,  he  shall  suffer  dei 
shall  appear  that  any  Officer  shall,  either  t 
wise,  do  or  suffer  '  to  be  done  *  anything  coi 
Proclamation,  wherein  it  might  lie  in  his  p 
,  he  the  said  Officer  shall  likewise  suf 

ur      under  my  hand  the  19th  of  DeceoD 


1650.]  LETTER  CVIII.,  EDINIiURGH.  flll 

and  the  other  partiea  implicated  are  considered  little  better  than 
traitors,  at  Stirling  :  in  fact  they  are,  openly  or  secretly,  of  the 
Remonstrant  or  Protester  species  ;  and  may  as  well  come  over  to 
Cromwell  ; — which  at  once  or  gradually  the  most  of  them  do. 
What  became  of  the  Clergy,  let  us  not  inquire  :  Re iiionst rants  or 
Resoluiioners,  confused  times  await  them  !  Of  which  here  and 
there  a  glimpae  may  turn  up  as  we  proceed.  The  Lord  General 
has  now  done  witli  Scotch  Treaties  :  the  Malignanls  and  Quasi- 
Malignants  arc  ranked  in  one  definite  body  ;  and  he  may  smito 
without  reluctance.  Here  is  his  Letter  to  the  Speaker  on  this 
business.  Afier  which,  we  may  hope,  the  rest  of  his  Scotch 
Letters  may  be  given  in  a  mass ;  sufficiently  legible  witliom 
commentary  of  ours. 

LETTER  CVUI. 

Fur  Ok  Huwraiiie  Wiiiiaiii  Lenlliaii,  Speaiier  o/tie  Parliament  t^ 

England:   Tliese. 

Ediiibutgl).  Slth  December,  1650. 

Right  Hororjlblb, 

It  hath  plensed  God  to  cause  this  Castle 
of  Edinbargh  to  be  surrendered  into  our  handii,  this  day,  about  eleven 
o'clock.  I  thought  fit  to  give  you  such  account  thereof  as  I  could,  and 
'  as '  the  shortness  of  time  woald  permit. 

I  sent  a  Summons  to  the  Castle  upon  ttic  IQth  instant ;  which  occa- 
sioned several  Exchanges  and  Replies,^ — whicii,  for  their  uniiaualneEs,  I 
also  thought  lit  humbly  to  present  to  you."  Indeed  the  mercy  is  very 
great,  and  seasonable.  1  think,  1  need  to  say  little  of  the  strength  of  the 
place ;  which,  if  it  had  not  come  in  ai  it  did,  woald  have  cost  very 
mach  blood  tu  have  attained,  if  at  all  to  be  attained ;  and  did  tic  up  your 
Army  to  that  inconvenience.  That  little  or  nothing  could  have  been  at- 
tempted whilst  Ihiij  was  in  design ;  or  little  fruit  had  of  anytliing  brought 
into  your  power  by  your  Army  hitherto,  without  it.  I  must  needs  say, 
not  any  skill  or  wisdom  of  onra,  bnt  the  good  hand  of  God  bath  given 
you  this  place. 

I  believe  all  Scodand  hath  not  in  it  ao  much  brass  ordnance  as  this 
place.     I  send  you  here  enclosed  a  List  tiiereoC.f  and  uf  the  arms  and 


erers,  monKia,  ol  brass  and  iron, — not  imeran- 


LETTER  CIX..  EDINBUKGH. 


LETTERS  CIX.-CXXII. 

The  Lord  General  is  now  settled  at  Edinburgh  till  the  season  for 
campaigning  return.  Tradition  still  reporta  him  as  lodged,  as  in 
1648,  in  that  same  spacious  and  sumptuous  '  Earl  of  Murrie's 
House  in  the  Cannigale ;'  credibly  enough ;  thougli  Tradition 
does  not  in  this  instance  produce  any  wriiteu  voucher  hidierlo. 
The  Lord  General,  as  we  shall  find  by  and  by,  (alls  dangerously 
sick  here  ;  worn  down  by  over-work  and  the  rugged  cltuiale. 

The  Scots  lie  enireached  at  Stirling,  diligently  raising  new 
levies  ;  parlianienting  and  coniiiiiltee.ing  diligently  at  Perth  ; — 
crown  iheir  King  at  Scone  Kirk,  on  the  First  of  January,*  in 
token  tliat  they  have  now  all  '  complied  '  with  him.  The  Lord 
General  is  virtually  master  of  all  Scotland  south  of  the  Forth; — 
fortifies,  before  long,  a  Garrison  as  far  weal  as '  Newark.'f  which 
we  now  coll  Port  Glasgow,  on  the  Clyde,  How  Ida  forces  had 
to  occupy  themselves,  reducing  detached  Castles;  coercing  Moas- 
troopers ;  and,  in  detail,  bringing  the  Country  to  obedience,  the 
old  Books  at  great  length  say,  and  the  reader  here  shall  fancy  in 
his  mind.  Take  the  following  two  little  traits  from  Whillocke, 
and  spread  them  out  to  the  due  expansion  and  reduplication  : 

'  Februiiry  3d,  1650.  Letters  that  Colonel  Fenwick  sum- 
moned Huuie  Casllo  to  be  surrendered  to  General  Cromwell. 
The  Governor  answered,  "  I  know  not  Cromwell ;  and  as  for 
my  Castle,  it  is  built  on  a  rock."  Whereu[)on  Colonel  Fenwick 
played  upon  him  '  a  little  '  ivith  the  great  guus,'  But  the  Gov- 
ernor still  would  not  yield ;  nay  sent  a  Letter  couched  in  these 
singular  terms: 

"  I.  WilUam  of  the  Wastle, 
Am  now  in  my  Castle; 
And  aw  tha  dogs  in  the  town 
Shauna  gai*  m«p.Bgdoi*n." 

•Minute  description  uf  the  cerptDony,  in  Somets  Tiacta,  »t,  117. 

t  Hilton  Stote-Popen,  p.  84.     ]  'Sbind  gvts '  i«  Whitlacke^  nadiafr 


<  lit.  1    V>      >.<.  J 


as  he  returiKMl  IVoin  j)ursuiiig  soiiio  M 
guide  and  ti'Linipft  ;  ami  toijk  Dawson 
and  after  having  given  them  quarter, 
blood.**  In  which  *  Village  called  ( 
readers  recognize  a  known  place,  Jedd 
enough  to  Mosstroopers ;  and  in  the  tra 
example  of  what  is  called  *Jeddart  J 
whom  you  have  a  pique  at ;  killing  him 
then  judging  him ! — However  there  coir 
English  soldiers  married  divers  of  the  S 
ah  excellent  movement  on  their  part  :- 
concluding  feature  here. 


LETTER  CO 

The  *  Empson '  of  this  Letter,  who  is  e 
Hacker's  regiment,  was  transiently  vis: 
'  Lieutenant  Empson  of  my  regiment,' 
selburgh,  four  months  ago.f  Hacker  : 
Francis  Hacker,  who  attended  the  Kh 
a  signed  Warrant,  which  we  have  read 
other  Officers  to  that  effect.     The  mc 


19S0.]  LETTER  CIX.,  EDINBURGH.  515 

visible,  from  time  to  lime,  all  along.  Of  whom  a  kind  of  conti- 
nuous Outline  of  a  Biography,  conaiderably  different  from  Caul- 
field's  and  other  inane  Accounts  of  him,*  might  still  be  gathered, 
did  il  much  concern  us  here.  To  all  appearance,  a  somenhat 
taciturn,  somewhat  indignaut,  very  switl,  resolute  and  valiant 
man.  He  died  for  hin  share  in  the  Regicide  ;  but  did  not  profess 
to  repent  of  it; — intimated,  in  his  lacitum  way,  llial  he  was  will, 
ing  to  accept  the  results  of  it,  and  answer  for  it  in  a  much  higher 
Court  than  the  Westminster  one.  "We  are  indeed  to  understand 
generally,  in  spite  of  the  light  phrase  which  Cromwell  reprimands 
in  this  Letter,  that  Hacker  was  a  religious  man  ;  and  in' his  regi- 
cides and  other  operations  did  nol  act  without  some  warrant  thai 
was  very  satisfactory  to  him.  For  the  present  he  has  much  to 
do  with  MosKtroopcrs ;  very  active  upon  ihem ; — Ibr  which 
*  Peebles '  ia  a  good  locality.  He  continues  visible  as  a,  Repub- 
lican to  the  last ;  is  appointed  '  to  raise  a  regiment '  for  the  expiring 
Cause  in  1G5Q, — in  which,  what  a  little  concerns  ua,  this  same 
'  Hubbert '  here  in  question  b  to  be  his  Major.'j' 

To  the  Hojiorabk  Colonel  Hacker,  at  Petbkf  or  eUetdtcre ;    Thfte. 

'  Edinburgh,'  39th  December,  1S30. 

8lK, 

I  have  '  used '  the  best  consideration  I  can,  for  \he  present, 
in  this  btisineas ;  and  although  I  believe  Captain  Unbbert  is  a  wortliy 
man,  and  henr  so  much,  yet,  as  tlie  case  stands,  I  cannot,  with  Mtisfac* 
tion  to  mysi^lf  and  eome  others,  revoke  the  Commission  I  had  given  to 
Captain  Emppon,  witliout  oSbnce  to  tliem,  and  reflection  upon  my  own 
judgmenL 

I  pray  let  Captain  Hubbert  know  I  shall  not  be  unmindful  of  him, 
and  that  no  disrespect  is  intended  lo  him.  But  indeed  I  was  not  sUie- 
fied  with  your  last  speech  to  me  about  Empson.  That  he  was  a  beU«r 
preacher  ihnn  fighter  or  soldier, — or  words  to  that  effect.  Trn^  I  think 
he  that  prays  uid  preaches  bent  will  light  beat.  1  know  nothing 'thot' 
will  give  like  courage  and  confidence  us  the  knowledge  of  Qcd  in  Christ 
will ;  and  I  bless  God  tu  see  any  in  this  Anny  rtble  and  willing  to  impart 


LETTER  ex. 

Letter  Ilundred-and-tenth  relates  to  th- 
Prisoners  whom  we  saw  taken  ii^  Dunbar  Dr 
occasional  glimpse  of  since.  Before  rea< 
another  Letter,  which  is  quite  unconnected 
lies,  as  we  may  see,  on  the  Lord  Greneral's  t 
in  the  Canongate  while  ho  writes  this  ; — an 
of  its  kind  :  A  Letter  from  the  Lord  Grenera 

*  My  Lord  Chief  Justice  '  is  Oliver  St.  J< 
long  while  ;  *  President '  is  Bradshaw  ;  *  S 
high  official  persons  ;  to  whom  it  were  bette 
ral  to  take  his  Wife's  advice,  and  write  occf 

*^  The  Jjody  Elizabeik  CromweU  to  her  Husbar 

Edinburgh. 

**  <  Cockpit,  London,' 

**  Mt  Dearest, — ^I  wonder  you  should  blame  i 
er,  when  I  have  sent  three  for  one :  I  cannot  but 
ried.  Truly  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  I  should  i 
as  to  *  omit't  the  least  thought  towards  you,  wh 
it  to  myself.  But  when  I  do  write,  my  Dear,  I 
factory  answer ;  which  ntakes  me  think  iny  writi 


1690.]  LETTER  CX.,  EDINBURGH.  U7 

submit  to  the  Providence  of  God ;  hoping  the  Lord,  who  hith  wpa* 
rated  U9,  aai  hath  often  brought  us  together  agajn,  will  in  Hia  good 

time  bring  us  again,  lo  the  praise  of  Hia  name.  Truly  my  life  is  bnl 
half  a  life  In  your  absence,  did  not  the  Lord  make  it  Dp  in  Htmaelf, 
wliich  I  must  acknowledge  to  the  praise  of  HiH  grace. 

"  I  would  you  would  lliink  lo  write  Bometimes  to  your  dear  friend, 
my  l»rd  Chief  Justice,  of  whom  I  hsvfl  often  put  you  in  mind.  And 
truly,  my  Dear,  if  you  would  think  of  what  I  put  you  in  mind  of  aome, 
it  might  be  lo  as  much  purpose  aa  olbers  ;*  writing  sometimea  a  Letter 
to  the  President,  and  sometimes  Ui  the  Speaker.  Indeed,  my  Dear,  you 
cannot  tliink  the  wrong  you  do  yourself  in  the  want  of  a  Letter,  though 
it  were  hut  seldom.  I  pray  think  on  ;t  and  bo  rest, — yonrs  in  all  &ith- 
fultiesa, 

"  EUZABETH  CSOMWEIJ.."! 

This  Letter,  in  the  original,  Is  frightfully  spelt ;  but  otherwise 
eiiactly  as  hero  :  the  only  letter  extant  of  this  Heroine  ;  sad  not 
unworthy  of  a  glance  from  us.  It  is  given  in  Harris  too,  and  in 
Nob/e  very  incorroctly. 

Ami  now  for  the  Letter  concerning  Provost  Jaflray  and  fais 
two  fellow  prisoners  from  Dunbar  Drove. 

For  the  Right  Honorable  LUuUnetnt-Oeneral  David  Leihy :  Then. 

Ediidiurgh.  17tb  January,  1G50. 
SiK, 

I  perceive  by  your  last  Letter  you  had  not  met  with  Mr. 
Carstairsj  and  Mr.  Waugh,  who  were  to  apply  themselves  to  you  about 
Provoet  JulTruj's  and  their  release,  'In  exchange' for  llie  Seamen  aiui 
Officers.  But  I  understood,  by  a  Paper  since  shown  me  by  them  under 
your  hand,  that  you  were  conlenled  lo  relcaw  the  said  Seamen  and 
Officers  for  llioae  three  Persons, — who  liave  haJ  their  discharges  ac- 
cordingly. 

I  am  contented  also  to  discharge  the  Ueutenant,  '  in  exchange '  for 
the  Four  Troopers  at  ytirling,  who  hath  solicited  coe  to  that  puipoeo. 

1  have,  here  enclosed,  sent  you  a  Letler,[|  which  1  desire  you  to 

*  The  Grammir  bill ;  the  meaniDjj  evident  or  tliscovenble,— And  till  bad 
grammar  a  part  of  that ' 

t  '  think  i/'  is  the  Lad;'»  old  pbnse. 

t  Milton  State-Papers,  p.  40. 

^  Cuaturea.  II  Tbs  nettt  telttr. 


•■• 


inittco  of  Estates   remits    lo   inu  ^^lyll.o.... 
exchange   of  Prisoners   anent    ]\Ir.    Alexa 
John   Carstairs,    Minister,   with    some    En 
if'  Castle  of  Dunbarton.'     Nevertheless  at 

weeks  after,  the  busiaess  is  not  yet  perfecl 

Alexander  Jafiray,  as  we  know  alread 
deen ;  a  leading  man  for  the  covenant  f 
rally  the  Member  for  his  Burgh  in  the 
these  years.     In  particular,  he  sits  as  Corr 
for  the  Parliament  that  met  4th  Januar 
this  disastrous  Quarrel  with  the  English 
afterwards  (infamous,  it  then  meant)  as 
Scotch  Quakers ;  he,  with  Barclay  of 
Fallen-Stars.     Personal  intercourse  with 
tary  and  Blasphemer,  had  much  altered  t 
ander  Jaftray.     Baillie  says,  He  and  Cai 
parole,  were  sent  Westward,  by  Cromwe 
strance,' — ^to  guide  towards  some  good  is$ 
Negotiation  :  which,  alas,  could  only  be 
ditches  at  Hamilton  before  daybreak,  i 
afterwards  in  the  Little  Parliament ;  w 
Scotland,^  and  one  of  Cromwell's  leadin/ 

Carstairs,  we  have  to  say  or  repeat,  is 
(rl     ow  :  deep  in  the  confused  Remor 


laai.]  LETTER  ex..  EUINBURGH.  MB 

not  altogether  know,  perhaps  he  himself  hardly  aitogethec  knew. 
From  Baillie,  who  has  frequent  notices  of  liim,  il  is  clear  he 
tends  strongly  tpwanls  the  Crom»-el!  view  in  many  tWnga ;  yet 
Willi  repugnances,  anti-aectary  an  J  other,  difficult  for  frail  human 
nature.  (low  he  managed  his  life-pilotage  In  these  ciroumstan- 
oes  shall  concern  himself  mainiy.  His  Son,  I  believe,  is  the 
'  Principal  Carslairs,'*  who  became  very  celebrated  among  the 
Scotch  Whigs  in  King  William's  time.  He  gels  home  to  Glas- 
gow now,  where  perhaps  we  shall  see  some  glimpses  of  him  again. 

John  Waugh  (whom  they  spell  Vouch,  and  Wauck,  and  other- 
wise distort)  was  the  painful  Minister  of  Borrowsiounness,  in  the 
Shire  of  Linlithgow,  A  man  of  many  troubles,  now  and  after- 
wards. Captive  in  the  Dunbar  Drove  ;  siUI  deaf  he  to  the  tempt- 
inga  of  Sectary  Cromwdl ;  deafer  than  ever.  In  this  month  of 
January,  16;il,  we  perceive  he  gels  his  deliverance;  returns 
with  painfully  increased  experience,  but  tittle  change  of  view  de- 
rived from  il,  to  his  painful  Ministry  ;  where  new  tribulations 
await  him.  From  Baillie  X  I  gather  tiiat  the  painful  Waugh's 
invincible  tendency  was  to  the  Resolutionor  or  Quasi- Malignant 
side  ;  and  too  strong  withal ; — no  1  evel  sailing,  or  smooth  pilotage, 
possible  for  poor  Waugh  !  For  as  the  Remonstrant  or  Ker-and 
Slrahan  Party,  having  joined  itself  to  the  Cromwellean,  came  ulti- 
mately to  bo  dominant  in  Scotland,  tiiero  ensued,  for  straitlaced 
clerical  individuals  who  would  cling  too  desperately  to  the  appo- 
site Resolutioner  or  Quasi- Malignant  side,  very  bad  times.  There 
ensued  in  the  first  place,  very  naturally,  this.  That  the  straitlaced 
individual,  who  would  not  cease  to  pray  publicly  againgt  the  now 
Govcniing  Powers,  was  put  out  of  hLi  living ;  this ;  and  if  he 
grew  still  more  desperate,  worse  than  this. 

Of  both  which  destinies  our  poor  straitlaced  Waugh  may  serve 
10  us  as  an  emblem  here.  Some  three  years  hence  we  find  that 
the  Cramwellean  Government  has,  in  Waugh's,  as  in  various 
other  cases,  ejected  the  straitlaced  Resolutioner,  and  inducted  a 
loose-laced  Remonstrant  into'his  Kirk  ; — leaving  poor  Waugh  the 
straitlaced  lo  preach  '  in  a  barn  hard  by.'     And  though  the  loose- 

*  Bioi;.  Britann.  in  hoc;  somewhat  indistinct  t  iii..  348. 


IIIUI 


Robert    Knox  *  even  u'ciu 
11th    November,  KJ.'):^,  is  a   most   iloleful 
VVaugh's  own   hand  :  ••  bron^^^ht  to  the   tof 
ultimate  lodgingplace  ;  "  having  my  habi 
of  the  desert,  because  of  my  very  great  u» 
ness  among  the  sons  of  men."     Yet  he  i 
conscience  yielding  him  a  good,  d^c,  d^c- 
he  would  reconsider  himself.     Whether  it 
sable  to  Christ's  Kirk  to  have  a  Nell-Gwyr 
even  though  descended  from  Catherine  ]V 
not  the  bravest  and  devoutest  of  all  British 
O  Waugh,  it  is  a  strange  camera-obscura 


LETTER  CXI. 

We  have  heard  of  many  Mosstroopers :  i 
tain  Watt,  a  Tenant  of  the  Earl  of  1 
ruined  out  by  the  War,  distinguished  hir 
and  contemporary  with  him,  of  '  one  At 
To  which  latter  some  more  special  mc 


1051.]  LETTER  CXL.  EDINBURGH.  331 

them :  whereby  he  both  enriched  himself  and  las  followers,  and 
greaily  damnified  the  Enemy.  His  chief  abode  was  about  and  ia 
the  Mountains  of  Pentland  and  Soutra,' — And  again,  from  Perth, 
!9tli  December,  1650;  'Memorandum,  That  Auguslin  departed 
from  Fife  with  a  party  of  six-score  horse  ;  crossed  at  Blackness 
on  Friday,  13ih  December;  forced  Cromwell's  guards;  killed 
eighty  men  lo  the  Enemy ;  pul-in  thirty-six  men  to  Edinburgh 
Castle,  with  all  sorts  of  spices,  and  some  otlier  things ;  took  thirty- 
live  horses  and  live  prisoners,  which  he  sent  to  Perth  the  14tb  of 
this  instant,'  Which  feat,  with  the  spices  and  thirty-six  men, 
could  not  indeed  save  Edinburgh  Castio  from  sUTrendering,  as  we 
saw,  next  week  ;  but  did  procure  Captain  Auguslin  'thanks  from 
the  Lord  Chancellor  and  Parliament  in  his  Majesty's  name,'  and 
good  outlooks  for  promotion  in  that  quarter.* 


Edinburgh,  nth  January,  1 630. 
Mr  LoKDB, 

Having  been  informed  of  divera  bMbaroae  murders 
aod  icihuman  ncte.  perpetrated  upon  our  men  by  one  AogUBtin  a.  Ger- 
III3I1  in  ornploy  under  you,  and  one  Rose  a  Lieutenant,  I  did  eend  to 
Lieu  tenant-Gene  ml  David  IjCsley,  desiring  justice  against  the  said  per- 
sons. And  to  the  end  I  miglit  make  good  the  ftct  upon  them,  I  was 
willing  either  by  cemmieeioners  on  both  parts,  or  in  an;  other  equal 
way,  to  have  the  charge  proved. 

Tfie  Lieulenant-General  was  pleased  to  allege  a  want  of  power  from 
Poblic  Authority  to  enable  him  liorein  :  which  occasiona  me  to  desire 
your  Lordships  that  this  bosiuess  may  be  put  into  such  a  way  as  may 
give  Eatiefac.tion ; — whereby  I  may  iinderstaad  what  rules  your  Lord- 
ships will  hold  during  this  fad  Contest  between  the  Iwo  Nations;  'mJea' 
which  may  evidence  the  War  to  stand  upon  other  pretences  U  least 
than  the  allowing  of  such  actions  will  suppose. 

Desiring  your  Iiordships'  aiMwer,  I  rest. 
My  Lofde, 

Yoar  humble  lervant, 

Ouras  CKOMwstJ..t 


522  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [17  Jan. 

No  effect  whatever  seems  to  have  been  produced  by  this  Letter. 
The  Scotch  Quasi- Malignant  Authorities  have  '  thanked'  Augtu- 
tin,  and  arc  determined  to  have  all  the  benefit  they  can  of  him, — 
which  cannot  be  much,  one  would  think  !  In  the  following  June 
accordingly  we  find  him  become  '  Colonel  Augustio,'  probably 
Major  or  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  quartered  with  Robin  Montgomeiy 
<at  Dumfries;'  giving  'an  alarm  to  Carlisle/  but  by  no  means 
taking  it ;— '  falling  in,'  on  another  occasion,  '  with  two  hundr^ 
picked  men,'  but  very  glad  to  fall  out  again, '  nearly  all  cut  off.' 
In  strong  practical  Remonstrance  against  which,  the  learned  Bnl- 
strode  has  Letters  in  November,  vague  but  satisfactory.  '  That 
the  Scots  themselves  rose  against  Augustin,  <  killed  some  of  his 
men,  and  drove  away  the  rest ;'  entirely  disapproving  of  such 
courses  and  personages.  And  then  finally  in  January  fbllowing^ 
'  Letters  that  Augustin  the  great  robber  in  Scotland, — upon  dis- 
banding of  the  Marquis  of  Huntley's  forces,'  the  last  remnant  of 
Scotch  Malignancy  for  the  present, — '  went  into  the  Orcades,  and 
there  took  ship  for  Norway.'*     Fair  wind  and  full  sea  to  him! — 


LETTER  CXII. 

An  Official  Medallist  has  arrived  from  London  to  take  the  Effigies 
of  t)ie  Lord  General,  for  a  Medal  commemorative  of  the  Victory 
at  Dunbar.  The  Effigies,  Portrait,  or  '  Statue'  as  they  sonne- 
times  call  it,  of  the  Lord  General  appears  to  be  in  a  state  of  for- 
wardness ;  but  he  would  fain  waive  such  a  piece  of  vanity. 
The  ^  Gratuity  to  the  Army'  is  a  solid  thing :  but  this  of  the 
Effigies,  or  Stamp  of  my  poor  transient  unbeautiful  Face—? — 
However,  the  Authorities,  as  we  may  surmise,  have  made  up 
their  mind. 

For  the  Honorable  the  Committee  cfthe  Army  *  at  Ltrndon:'*  Theu. 

Edinburgh,  4th  Febmtry,  165a 
Gentlemen, 

It  was  not  a  little  wonder  to  me  to  see  that  you  shoold 
8cnd  Mr.  Symonds  &i  great  a  journey,  about  a  business  importing  so 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,   p.  104) ;  Whitlocke,  23  November, 
1651 ;  ib.,  14  January,  1651-2. 


1B51.]  LETTER  CXII.,  EDINBURGH.  503 

little,  aa  far  as  it  relates  to  me ;  wlierens,  if  my  poor  opinion  may  not  be 
rejected  by  yon,  I  have  to  otTer  to  that*  which  I  tliink  the  most  noble 
end,  to  wit.  The  Commemoration  of  that  great  Mercy  at  Dunbar,  and 
the  Gratuity  to  the  Army.  Which  might  be  belter  expre«i!ed  upon  the 
Medal,  by  engraving,  as  nn  the  one  aide  the  I'arlianient,  which  I  hear 
was  intended  and  will  do  singnlarly  well,  no  on  tlie  othcT  nide  an  Army 
with  this  Inscription  over  the  head  of  it,  Th^  Lord  o/  J/osis,  which  was 
niir  Wnrd  that  day.  Wherefore,  if  I  may  beg  it  as  a  favor  from  yoo,  I 
most  eameatJy  beseech  yon,  if  I  may  do  it  without  offence,  tbat  it  may 
be  BO,  And  if  you  ihink  not  fit  to  have  it  aa  I  ofler,  you  may  aller  it  as 
you  see  canee ;  only  I  do  think  I  aiay  truly  say,  it  will  be  very  thank- 
fully acknowledged  by  me,  if  you  will  a  pare  the  having  my  Effigiea  in  it- 
Tiie  Gentleman's  pains  and  trouble  hither  have  been  \'ery  great ', 
and  I  shall  make  it  my  second  suit  unto  you  that  you  will  please  to  con- 
fer upon  him  that  Employment  which  Nicholas  Briot  had  before  him : 
indeed  ihe  man  is  ingenious,  and  wortliy  of  encouragement.  I  may  not 
presume  much  ;  but  if,  at  my  request,  and  for  my  sake,  he  may  obtain 
this  favor,  I  shall  put  it  upon  tlie  account  of  my  obligations,  which  are 
iiot  few ;  and,  I  hope,  shall  be  found  ready  to  acknowledge  '  it,'  and  to 
approve  myself, 

Gentlemen, 

Your  most  real  servant, 

Oliver  CB0KwziJ..t 

or  '  Nichnlaa  Briot'  and  '  Mr.  Symonds,'  since  they  have  the 
honor  of  a  passing  relation  to  the  Lord  General ;  and  still  enjoy, 
or  Slider,  a  kind  of  ghnsl- existence  in  the  Dilettante  tiioinory,  we 
may  subjoin,  rather  than  cancel,  the  following  autheatic  particu- 
lars. In  the  Commons  Journals  of  30th  August,  1642,  it  is  : — 
'Ordered,  Thai  the  Earl  of  Warwick,'  now  Admiral  of  our  Fleet, 
•  be  desired  that  Monsieur  Bryult  may  have  delivery  of  his  wear- 
ing apparel ;  and  all  his  other  goods  stayed  at  Scarborough,  not 
belonging  !o  Miming  and  Coining  of  Monies.' — This  Nicholas 
Briot,  or  Bryatt,  then,  must  have  been  Chief  Engraver  for  the 
Mint  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  Wars.  We  perceive,  he  has 
gone  to  the  King  northward  ;  but  is  here  slopt  at  Scarborough, 
with  all  his  baggage,  by  Warwick  the  Lord  High  Admiral ;  and 
is  to  get  away.  What  became  of  liim  aflerwards,  or  what  was 
bis  history  before,  no  man  and  hardly  any  Dilettante  knows. 

•  1  should  vote  exclusively  for  thsL  t  Harrb,  p.  319. 


624  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [4  Feb. 


Symonds,  Symoni),  or  as  the  moderns  call  him,  Simon,  is  still 
known  as  an  improved  Medal- maker.  In  the  Commons  Journals 
of  17th  December,  1651,  we  find :  'Ordered,  That  it  be  referred 
to  the  Council  of  State  to  take  order  that  the  sum  of  3007.  be  paid 
unto  Thomas  Symons,  whicli  was  agreed  by  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose  to  be  paid  unto  him,  for  the  Two  Great 
Seals  made  by  him,  and  the  materials  thereof:  And  that  the  said 
Council  do  take  consideration  of  what  farther  recompense  is  fit  to 
be  f^ivcn  unto  him  for  his  extraordinary  pains  therein ;  and  give 
order  for  the  payment  of  such  sum  of  money  as  they  shall  think 
fit  in  respect  thereof.' 

An  earlier  entry,  which  still  more  concerns  us  here,  is  an 
Order,  in  favor  of  one  whose  name  has  not  reached  the  Clerk, 
and  is  now  indicated  only  by  stars,  that  the  Council  of  State  shall 
pay  him  for  '  making  the  Statue  of  the  General,' — doubtless  this 
Mcdul  or  EfTigies  of  the  Greneral ;  the  name  indicated  by  stars 
being  again  that  of  Symonds.  The  Order,  we  observe,  lias  the 
same  date  as  the  present  Letter.*  The  Medal  of  Cromwell,  exe- 
cuted on  this  occasion,  still  exists,  and  is  said  to  be  a  good  like- 
uess.f  The  Committee-men  had  not  taken  my  Lord  Greneral's 
advice  about  the  Parliament,  about  the  Army  with  the  Lord  of 
Hosts,  and  the  total  omitting  of  his  own  Effigies.  Vertue  pub- 
lished Engravings  of  all  these  Medals  of  Simon  (as  he  spells  him) 
in  the  year  1753. 

The  *  Two  Great  Seals,'  mentioned  in  the  Excerpt  above,  are 
also  worth  a  word  from  us.  There  had  a  good  few  Great  Seals 
to  be.  made  in  the  course  of  this  War;  all  by  Symonds:  of 
whom,  with  reference  thereto,  we  find,  in  authentic  quarters,  va- 
rious notices,  of  years  long  prior  and  posterior  to  this.  The 
first  of  all  the  *•  new  Great  Seals'  was  the  one  made,  after  infinite 
debates  and  hesitations,  in  1643,  when  Lord  Keeper  L3rttleton 
ran  away  with  the  original :  Symonds  was  the  maker  of  this,  as 
other  entries  of  the  same  Rhadamanthine  Commons  Journals  in- 
struct us:  On  the  11th  July,  1643,  Henry  Marten  is  to  bring 
'  the  man'  that  will  make  the  new  Great  Seal,  and  let  us  see  him 
'  to-morrow  ;'  which  man  it  turns  out,  at  sight  of  him,  not  *  to* 

*  Commons  Journals,  4  February,  1650-1.  f  Harris,  p.  518 


1851.]  NEW  GREAT  SEAL3.  sas 

morrow,'  but  a  week  after,  on  the  19th  July,  fa  '  Mr.  Sinxwidst'* 
— who,  wo  find  farther,  is  to  have  100/-  for  his  work;  40/.  ta 
haod,  30/.  so  soon  as  his  work  is  done,  and  the  other  30/.  one 
knows  not  wlien.  Symonds  niarle  the  Seal  duly  ;  but  as  for  his 
payment,  we  fear  it  was  not  made  very  duly.  Of  course  when 
the  Commonwealth  ami  Council  of  State  began,  a  couple  of  new 
Great  Seals  were  needed  ;  and  these  too,  as  we  see  above,  Sy- 
monds nmdo  ;  and  is  to  be  paid  for  them,  and  for  the  Geaeral's 
Statue  ; — which  wo  hope  ho  was,  but  are  not  sure  ! 

Other  new  Seals,  Great  and  Noi-so-greai,  iu  the  subsequent 
iQutatioos,  were  needed  ;  and  assiduous  Symonds  made  them  all. 
N  evert  lie  less,  in  IQ59,  when  the  Proieolorate  under  Richard  was 
staggering  towards  ruin,  we  find  *  Mr.  Thomas  Symonds  Chief 
Graver  of  the  Mint  and  Seals,'  repeatedly  turning  up  with  new 
Seals,  new  order  for  payment,  and  new  indication  that  the  order 
was  but  incompletely  complied  wilh.-f  May  14th,  1659,  he  lias 
made  a.  new  and  newest  Great  Seal ;  he  is  to  be  paid  for 
that,  and  '  for  the  former,  for  whiuh  he  yet  remains  unsatisfied.' 
Also  on  the  34lh  May,  1659,:]:  the  Council  of  State  get  a  new  Seal 
from  him.  Then  on  the  22d  August,  on  the  Rump  Parliament's 
reas.sembling,  he  makes  a  '  new  Parliament  Seal ;'  and  presents 
a  mod(!St  Petition  lo  have  his  money  paid  him  :  order  is  granted 
very  promptly  to  that  end  ;  '  his  debt  to  be  paid  for  this  Seal,  and 
for  all  former  work  done  by  him;' — we  hope,  with  complete 
eflecl.^ 

The  Restoration  soon  followed,  and  Symonds  continued  slill  in 
the  Mint  under  Charles  H. ;  when  it  is  not  very  likely  his  claims 
were  much  beiier  attended  to ;  the  brave  Hollar,  and  other  brave 
Anisls,  having  their  own  difficulties  lo  get  life  kept-in,  during 
those  rare  limes,  Mr.  Rigmarole  ! — Symonds,  we  se«,  did  get  tbo 
place  of  Nicholas  Briol ;  and  found  it,  like  other  brave  men's 
places,  full  of  hard  work  and  short  rations.  Enough  now  of  Sy- 
monds and  the  Seals  and  Effigies. 

On  the  same  Tuesday,  4th  February,  1050-1,  while  the  tiord 
General  is  writing  this  Letter,  his  Army,  issuing  from  its  Lcilh 

•  Commons  Joutii»lB,  lii.,  lOS-lM.  t  IM..  vii..  6M. 

I  Ibid.,  vii.,  GG3.  §  Ibid.,  vii.,  6M,S63,  TUl 


520  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [24  Mar. 


■Citadel  and  other  winter-quarters,  has  marched  westward  towards 
Stirling  ;  he  himself  follows  on  the  morrow.  His  Army  on 
Tuesday  got  to  Linlithgow  ;  the  Lord  Greneral  overtook  them  at 
Falkirk  on  Wednesday.  Two  such  days  of  wind,  hail,  snow,  and 
rain  as  made  our  soldiers  very  uncomfortable  indeed.  On  Fri- 
day, the  morning  proving  fair,  we  set  out  again  ;  got  to  Kilsyth ; 
— but  the  hail- reservoirs  also  opened  on  us  again  ;  we  found  it 
itnpossible  to  get  along  ;  and  so  returned,  by  the  road  we  came; 
hack  to  Edinburgh  on  Saturday,* — coated  with  white  sleet,  but 
endeavoring  not  to  be  discouraged.  We  hope  we  much  terrified 
tfic  Scots  at  Stirling ;  but  the  hail-reservoirs  proved  friendly  to 
them. 


LETTER  CXIIl. 

By  this  tempestuous  sleety  expedition  my  Lord  Greneral  caught 
a  dangerous  illness,  which  hung  about  him,  reappearing  in  three 
successive  relapses,  till  June  next ;  and  greatly  alarmed  the 
Commonwealth  and  the  Authorities.     As  this  to  Bradshaw,  and 

various  other  Letters  still  indicate. 

7')  the  Right  Honorable  the  Lord  President  of  the  Council  (^  State:  TVse. 

Edinburgh,  24th  March,  1650. 
My  Lord, 

I  do  with  all  humble  thankfulness  acknowledge  your 

hirrh  favor,  and  tender  respect  of  me,  expressed  in  yoar  Letter,  and  the 

Express  sent  therewith  to  inquire  after  one  so  unworthy  as  myself. 

Indeed,  my  Lord,  your  service  needs  not  me :  I  am  a  poor  creature ; 

and  have  been  a  dry  bone ;  and  am  still  an  unprofitable  servant  to  my 

Master  and  you.    I  thought  I  should  have  died  of  this  fit  of  sickness ; 

but  the  Jjord  seemcth  to  dispose  otherwise.    But  tndy,  my  Lord»  I  d^ 

sire  not  to  live,  unless  I  may  obtain  mercy  from  the  Lord  to  approve  my 

heart  and  life  to  Him  in  more  faithfulness  and  thankfulness,  and  *to' 

those  I  serve  in  more  profitableness  and  diligence.    And  I  pray  God» 

your  Lordship,  and  all  in  public  trust,  may  improve  all  those  unpanJ- 

lelcd  experiences  of  the  Lord's  wonderful  Workings  in  your  si^t,  with 

singleness  of  heart  to  His  glory,  and  the  refreshment  of  His  People ; 

*  Perfect  Diurnal  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  100). 


16&I.J  LETTER  CXIV  ,  EDINBURGH.  537 

who  are  lo  Him  as  tho  spplo  of  His  eye  ;  and  upon  whom  your  enemies, 
both  fonner  and  Utter,  who  have  I'allen  before  you,  did  cplit  tlieinselves. 
This  shall  be  the  unfeigned  prayer  of, 
My  Lord, 

Your  moat  hnmble  Eernui, 
Oliver  Cbdhweu.,' 

From  Edinbui^l),  of  date  18th  March,  by  special  Espres.s  wo 
have  this  comfortable  intelligence  :  '  The  Lord  GeDcral  is  now 
well  recovered;  he  was  in  his  dining-room  to-day  with  hie  Offi- 
cers, and  was  very  cheerful  and  pleasant.'  And  the  symplums, 
we  see.  continue  and  better  on  the  24th.  '  So  that  there  is  not 
any  fear,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  but  our  General  will  be  enabled 
to  take  the  field  when  ihe  Provisiona  arrive.'  '  Dr.  Goddard  '  is 
attending  him.-f  Before  the  end  of  the  month  he  is  on  foot  again  ; 
sieging  Blackness,  sieging  Ihe  Island  of  Inchgarvie,  or  giving 
Colonel  Monk  directions  to  that  end. 

The  following  Letter  brings  its  own  commentary  ; 


LETTER  CXrV. 

For  my  beloced  Wife,  Elimbetli  Cromaell,  at  (lie  Cockpic :     Thete. 

•  Edinburgh,'  12th  ApHt,  lOSl. 

My  Dearest, 

1  praise  lite  Lord  I  am  increased  in  etrengtli  id 
my  outward  man  :  But  thai  will  not  saliafy  me  except  I  get  a  heart  to 
lot  e  and  terve  my  heavenly  Father  better ;  and  gel  more  of  the  light  of 
Hie  countenance,  which  is  better  tlian  life,  and  more  power  over  my  cor> 
ruptiona : — in  these  liopes  1  wait,  and  am  not  without  eipecta.tion  of  a 
gracious  reliirn.  Pray  for  me ;  truly  I  do  daily  for  thee,  and  tlie  dear 
^mily  1  and  God  Almighty  bless  yoii  all  with  Hia  spiritual  blesaiogi. 

Mind  poor  Betty  of  tlie  Lord's  great  mercy.  Ob,  1  deairc  her  not  only 
lo  seek  fJie  Lord  in  her  necessity,  but  in  deed  and  in  Irnth  to  turn  to  the 
Lord  ;  and  to  keep  close  to  Him  ;  and  to  take  heed  of  a  departing  heart, 
and  of  being  coxened  with  worldly  vanities  and  worldly  company, 
which  I  doubt  she  is  too  subject  to.  I  earnestly  and  freifuently 
pray  for  lier,  and  for  him.  Truly  they  axv  dear  to  bib,  very  dear; 
and  I  am  in  fear  lest  Satan  slioulJ  deceive  them, — knowing  how 

■Kewapapert  (in  (^mwcUiu)a,p.  101).  t  Ibid.,  pp.  100, 1. 


528  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [12  April, 

weak  our  hearts  are,  and  how  subtile  the  Adversary  is,  and  what  way 
the  deceitful ncBs  of  our  hearts  and  tlie  vain  world  make  for  his  tempta- 
tions. The  Lord  give  them  truth  of  heart  to  Him.  Let  them  seek  Him 
in  truth,  and  tliey  shall  find  Him. 

My  love  to  the  dear  little  ones ;  I  pray  for  grace  for  them.  I  think 
them  for  their  Letters ;  let  me  have  them  often. 

Beware  of  my  Lord  Herbert's  resort  to  your  house.  If  he  do  lo,  it 
may  occasion  scandal,  as  if  I  were  bargaining  with  him.  Indeed,  be 
wise, — ^you  know  my  meaning.  Mind  Sir  Henry  Vane  of  the  bosineH 
of  my  Estate.    Mr.  Floyd  knows  my  whole  mind  in  that  matter. 

If  Dick  Cromwell  and  his  Wife  be  with  yon,  my  dear  love  to  them.  I 
pray  for  them ;  they  shall,  God  willing,  hear  from  me.  I  love  them  very 
dearly. — ^Truly  I  am  not  able  as  yet  to  write  much ;  I  am  weaiy,  and 
rest  thine, 

QlIVEB  CBCaiWBLL.* 

'  Betty '  and  *  he '  are  Elizabeth  Clay  pole  and  her  Husband  ;  of 
whom,  for  the  curious,  there  is  a  longwinded  intricate  account  fay 
Noble,f  but  very  little  discoverable  in  it.  They  liyed  at  Nor- 
borough,  near  Market  Deeping,  but  in  Northamptonshire ;  wheie, 
as  already  intimated,  the  Lady  Protectress,  Widow  Elizabeth 
Cromwell,  after  the  Restoration,  found  a  retreat.  *  They  had  at 
least  three  sons  and  daughters.'  Clay  pole  became  '  Master  of 
tlic  Ilorsc  '  to  Oliver ;  sat  in  Parliament ;  made  an  elegant  appear- 
ance in  the  world : — but  dwindled  sadly  after  his  widowhood ; 
his  second  marriage  ending  in  *  separation/  in  a  third  quagumar' 
riagCj  and  other  confusions,  poor  man  !  But  as  yet  the  Liady 
Claypole  lives ;  bright  and  brave.  '  Truly  they  are  dear  to  me, 
very  dear.' 

.  ^  Dick  Cromwell  and  his  Wife '  seem  to  be  up  in  Town  on  a 
visit ; — living  much  at  their  ease  in  the  Cockpit,  they.  Brother 
Henry,  in  these  same  days,  is  out '  in  the  King's  County '  in  Ire- 
land ;  doing  hard  duty  at  '  Ballybawn,'  and  elsewhere,^— 4he 
distinguished  Colonel  Cromwell.  And  Deputy  IretoOi  with  hij 
labors,  is  wearing  himself  to  death.  In  the  same  hooae,  one 
works,  another  goes  idle. 

<  The  LfOrd  Herbert '  is  Henry  Somerset,  eldest  son  of  the  now 

*  Cole  MSB.,  xsxiii.,  37 :  a  copy ;  copies  are  frequent 

t  ii.,  375,  &C.  X  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana»  p.  109). 


1631.]  LETTER  XCV.,  EDINBURGH.  529 

Marquis  of  Woroesler, — of  Uie  Lord  Glamorgan  whom  we  knew 
sligliily  ai  Raglanti,  in  'Irisii  Cessations'  and  such  like;  whose 
Century  of'  Inceniioits  is  slill  sligliliy  known  to  here  and  [here  a 
reader  of  Old  Books.  '  This  Lord  Herbert,'  it  seems,  '  became 
Duke  of  Beaufort  after  the  Restoration.'  For  obvious  reasons, 
you  are  to  '  beware  of  his  resort  to  your  house  at  present.'  A 
Papist  of  the  Papists;  which  may  give  rise  to  commentariee.  One 
stupid  Annotalor  on  a  ceriain  Copy  of  this  Letter  says,  '  His  Lord- 
ship had  an  intrigue  with  Mrs.  Claypole  ;' — which  is  evidently 
downright  stupor  and  falsehood,  like  so  much  else. 


LETTER  CXV. 

Upon  the  Surrender  of  Edinburgh  Castle  due  provision  had  been 
made  for  conveyance  of  the  Public  Writs  and  Registers  to  what 
quarter  the  Scotch  Authorities  might  direct ;  and  '  Passes  '  under 
ihc  Lord  General's  hand  duly  granted  for  that  end.  Archibald 
Johnston,  Lord  Register,  we  conclude,  had  superintended  the 
operation  ;  had,  a&er  much  labor,  bundled  t))o  Public  Writs  pro- 
perly together  into  masses,  packages  ;  and  put  them  on  shipboard, 
considering  ihis  (he  eligiblest  mode  of  transport  towards  Stirling 
and  llie  Scotch  bead-ijuarters  at  present.  But  now  it  has  fallen 
out,  in  the  middle  of  last  month,  that  the  said  ship  has  been  taken, 
as  many  ships  and  shallops  on  bo!h  sides  now  are  ;  and  (be  Public 
Writs  are  in  jeopardy  ;  whereupon  ensues  correspondence  ;  and 
this  fair  Answer  from  my  Lord  General. 

Tolhe  Honorable  Archibald  Johnson,  Lord  Remitter  of  Scollaiul :  These.' 

Edinbureh,  lath  April,  1631. 
Mt  Loan, 

Upon  the  pcroeal  of  the  Paasee  formerly  given  for  the 
safe  passing  of  the  Public  Writs  and  Registers  of  the  Kingdom  of  Scot- 
land, I  do  tJiiiik  they*  ought  u>  be  restored :  and  ihey  shall  be  so,  to  such 
persons  as  yon  shall  appoint  to  receive  them  ;  with  passes  for  persons 
and  vessels,  to  carry  them  to  such  place  ae  shall  be  appointed  : — so  that 
jt  be  done  within  one  moolb  next  following. 

*  The  Writs  and  K^iiten. 


530  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [12  April* 

I  lierewilh  send  you  a  Pass  for  your  Servant  to  go  into  IRfe,  and  to 
return  with  the  other  Clerks ;  I  rest, 

Your  servant, 

OuvEB  Ceomwell.* 

Warriston's  answer,  written  on  Monday,  the  12th  being  Satur- 
day, is  given  also  in  Thurhe.  The  Lord  Greneral's  phrase,  '  pe- 
rusal of  the  Passes,'  we  now  find,  nneans  *  reperusal,'  new  sight 
of  them  ;  which,  Archibald  earnestly  urges,  is  inipossible ;  the 
original  Passes  being  now  far  ofT  in  the  hands  of  the  Authorities, 
and  the  Writs  in  a  state  of  imminent  danger,  lying  in  a  ship  at 
Leith,  as  Archibald  obscurely  intimates,  wliich  the  English  Go- 
vernor has  got  his  claws  over,  and  keeps  shut  up  in  dock  ;  with 
a  considerable  leak  in  her  too :  very  bad  stowage  for  such  good8.t 
Which  obscure  intimation  of  Archibald's  becomes  lucid  to  us,  as 
to  the  Lord  General  it  already  was,  when  we  read  this  sentence 
of  Bulstrodc's,  under  date  22d  March,  1650-1 :  <  Letters  that 
the  Books  and  Goods  belonging  to  the'  Scotch  ^  King  and  Regis- 
ter were  taken  by  tiic  Parliament's  shii)s ;  and  another  ship,  laden 
with  oats,  meal,  and  other  provisions,  going  to  Fife :  twenty-two 
prisoners.'!  For  captures  and  small  sea-surprisals  abound  in 
tlic  Frith  at  present ;  the  Parliament-ships  busy  on  one  hand ; 
and  the  '  Captain  of  the  Bass,'  the  *  Shippers  of  Wem3rss,'  and 
the  like  active  persons  doing  their  duty  on  the  other, — whereby 
infinite  *  biscuit,'  and  such  small  ware,  is  from  time  to  time 
realized.^ 

Without  doubt  the  Public  Writs  were  all  re-delivered,  accord- 
ing to  the  justice  of  the  case ;  and  the  term  of  '  one  month,' 
which  Archibald  pleads  hard  to  get  lengthened,  was  made  into 
two,  or  the  necessary  time.  Archibald's  tone  towards  the  Lord 
General  is  anxiously  respectful,  nay  submissive  and  subject.  In 
fact,  Archibald  belongs,  if  not  by  profession,  yet  by  invincible 
tendency,  to  the  Remonstrant  Kcr-and-Strahan  Party  ;  and  looks 
dimly  forward  to  a  time  when  there  will  be  no  refuge  for  him, 
and  the  like  of  him,  but  Cromwell.  *  Strahan,'  in  the  month  of 
January  last,  is  already  <  excommunicated,  and  solemnly  deliv- 

•  Thurloe,  i.,117.    Records  of  the  Laigh  Parliament  House. 
t  Thurloe,  ibid.  t  .Whitlocke,  p.  490. 

§  Balfour,  iv.,  204, 241,  251,  dtc. 


1031.]  SECOND  VISIT  TO  GLASGOW.  331 

ered  to  the  Devil,  in  the  Church  of  Perth."     This  is  what  you 
have  lo  look  ri>r,  from  a  Quasi- Malignant  set  of  men  ! 

This  Archibald,  as  is  well  known,  sal  afterwards  in  Cromwell's 
Parliaments;  becamo  'one  of  Cromwell's  Lords;' — and  ulti- 
mately lost  his  life  for  these  dangerous  services.  Archibald' 
Johnston  of  Warrislon  ;  loose-flowing  Bishop  Burnet's  uncle  by 
the  Mother's  side :  a  Lord  Register  of  whom  all  the  world  fao* 
heard.  Redactor  of  the  Covenanters'  Protests,  1637  and  on- 
wards ;  rodaclor  perhaps  of  the  Covenant  itself;  canny  lyni-eyedl 
Lawyer,  and  austere  Presbylerian  Zealot ;  full  of  fire,  of  lieavy 
energy  and  gloom  ;  in  fact,  a  very  notable  character; — of  whoiU' 
our  Scotch  friends  might  do  well  to  give  us  farther  elucidationa.. 
Certain  of  his  Letters  edited  by  Lord  tlalles,-|-  a  man  of  fine  inteU 
ligence,  though  at  that  time  ignorant  of  this  subject,  have  proved 
well  worth  their  paper  and  ink.  Many  more,  it  appears,  still  lie 
in  the  Edinburgh  Archives.  A  good  selection  and  edition  of  them 
were  desirable.  Bui,  alas,  will  any  human  soul  ever  again  lave 
poor  Warrislon,  and  take  pious  pains  with  him,  in  this  world  ? 
Properly  it  turns  all  upon  that ;  and  the  chance  seems  rather 
dubious ! — 


SECOND  VISIT  TO  GLASGOW. 

That  Note  lo  Warrislon,  and  the  Letler  lo  Elizabeth  Cromwell, 
as  may  have  been  observed,  are  written  on  the  same  day,  Satur- 
day, I2Ih  April,  I6CI,  Directly  after  which,  on  Wednesday,  the 
16lh,  there  is  a  grand  Muster  of  the  Army  on  Museelburgh 
Links  ;  preparatory  to  new^peralions.  Blackness  Fort  has  sur- 
Tendered  ^  Itichgarvie  Uland  is  beset  by  gunboats  :  Colonel  MoDb, 
we  perceive,  who  has  charge  of  these  services,  ia  to  be  made 
Lieulena  1)1- General  of  the  Ordnance  ;  and  now  there  is  to  be  an 
attack  on  liurntisland  with  gunboats,  which  also,  one  hopes,  may 
succeed.  As  for  the  Army,  it  is  to  go  westward  this  same  afler- 
Doon  ;  try  whether  cautious  Lesley,  atraileaed  or  assaulted  from 

•  Balfour,  iv.,  210. 

t  MemuriatsandLellnnin  thercignof  CIuzImI.  (Gbagow,  1706.) 


532  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [16  April, 

botli  west  and  east,  will  not  come  out  of  his  Stirling  fiistness,  so 
that  soiiie  good  may  be  done  upon  him.  The  Muster  is  held  on 
Musselburgh  Links;  whereat  the  Lord  General,  making  his 
appearance,  is  received  '  with  shouts  and  acclamations,'  the  sight 
of  him  infmitely  comfortable  to  us.*  The  Lord  General's  health 
is  somewhat  re-established,  though  he  has  had  relapses,  and  still 
tends  a  little  towards  ague.  *  About  three  in  the  afternoon'  all  is 
on  march  towards  Hamilton  ;  quarters  '  mostly  in  the  field  there.' 
Where  the  Lord  General  himself  arrives,  on  Friday  night,  late ; 
and  on  the  morrow  afternoon  we  see  Glasgow  again. 

Concerning  which  here  are  two  notices  from  opposite  points  of 
compass,  curiously  corroborative  of  one  another ;  which  we  most 
not  withhold.  Facc-to-face  glimpses  into  the  old  dead  actualities; 
worth  rescuing  with  a  Cromwell  in  the  centre  of  them. 

The  first  is  from  Baillie  ;'|'  shows  us  a  glance  of  our  old  friend 
Carstairs  withal.  Read  this  fraction  of  a  Letter :  "  Reverend  and 
dear  brother, — For  preventing  of  mistakes,"  lest  you  should  think 
us  loose-laced  Remonstrant  sectarian  individuals,  ^<  we  have 
tliought  meet  to  advertise  you  that  Cromwell  having  come  to  Ha- 
miltun  on  Friday  late,  and  to  Glasgow  on  Saturday  with  a  body 
of  his  Army,  sooner  than  we  could  well  with  safety  have  retired 
ourselves," — there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  stay  and  abide  him 
here !  ^^  On  Sunday  forenoon  he  came  unexpectedly  to  the  High 
Inner  Kirk ;  where  quietly  he  heard  Mr.  Robert  Ramsay,"  un- 
known to  common  readers,  "  preach  a  very  honest  sernxui,  per- 
tiiient  to  his"  Cromwell's  '<  case.  In  the  afternoon  he  came,  as 
unexpectedly,  to  the  High  Outer  Kirk  ;  where  he  heard  Mr.  John 
Carstairs,"  our  old  friend,  "  lecture,  and"  a  "  Mr.  James  Durham 
proach, — graciously,  and  weel  to  the  times  as  could  have  been 
desired."  So  that  you  see  we  are  not  of  the  loose-laced  species, 
we !  "  And  generally  all  who  preached  that  day  in  the  Town 
gave  a  fair  enough  testimony  against  the  Sectaries." — Where- 
upon, next  day,  Cromwell  sent  for  us  to  confer  with  him  in  a 
friendly  manner.  "  All  of  us  did  meet  to  advise,"  for  the  case 
was  grave  :  however,  we  have  decided  to  go ;  nay  are  just  go* 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  102). 
t  (Glasgow,  22d  April,  1631)  iii.,  165. 


1651.]  SECOND  VISIT  TO  GLASGOW.  i3i 

■Dg  ;  but,  most  unfortunately,  do  not  write  any  record  of  our 
intenfiew  !  Nothing,  except  some  transient  assertion  elsewhere 
thai  "  wc  liad  no  disadvantage  in  the  thing."*  So  that  now,  from 
the  opposite  point  of  the  compa.is,  the  old  London  Newspaper 
must  come  in  j  curiously  confirmatory  : 

"  Sir, — We  came  hither"  to  Glasgow  "  on  Saturday  last,  April 
19lh.  The  Ministers  and  Townsmen  generally  stayed  at  home, 
and  did  not  quit  their  habitations  as  formerly.  The  Ministers 
here  have  mostly  deserted  from  the  proceedings  beyond  the 
Water,"  at  Perth, — are  in  fact  given  to  Remonstrant  ways, 
though  Mr.  Baillie  denies  it :  "  yet  they  are  equally  dissalislied 
with  us.  Bui  though  they  preach  against  us  in  the  pulpit  to 
our  faces,  yet  we  permit  them  without  disturbance,  as  willing  to 
gain  them  by  love. 

"  My  Lord  General  sent  to  them  lo  give  us  a  friendly  Christian 
meeting.  To  discourse  of  those  things  which  they  rail  against 
us  for;  that  so,  if  possible,  all  misunderstandings  between  us 
might  be  taken  away.  Which  accordingly  they  gave  us,  on 
Wednesday  last.  There  was  no  bitterness  nor  passion  vented 
on  either  side ;  all  was  with  moderation  and  tenderness.  My 
Lord  General  and  Major-General  Lambert,  for  ihe  moat  part, 
maintained  the  discourse  ;  and,  on  their  part,  Mr.  James 
Guthry  and  Mr.  Patrick  Gillcspie.f  We  know  not  what  satia- 
faction  they  have  received.  Sure  I  am,  there  was  no  such 
weight  in  their  arguments  as  might  in  the  least  discourage  ub 
from  what  we  have  undertaken  ;  the  chief  thing  on  which  they 
insisted  being  our  Invasion  into  Scotland. "J 

The  Army  quitted  Glasgow  after  some  ten  days;  rather  ham 
tily,  on  Wednesday,  30th  April ;  pressing  news,  some  false  atami 
of  movements  about  Stirling,  having  arrived  by  express  from  iha 
East.  They  marched  again  for  Edinburgh : — quenched  some 
foolish  Town  Riot,  which  had  broken  out  among  the  Glasgow 
Baillies  themselves,  on  some  quarrel  of  their  own  ;  and  wa»  now 

■Baillie,  iii.,  lliS. 

}  *  Gelaipy'  the  Sectarian  Fpelli ;  in  sdl  particulars  of  ficta  he  cuincidca 
with  BuUic.  GuIhiT  and  Gillespie,  noted  men  in  thsi  time,  published  a 
•Sum'  orthii  Interricw  {Baiklie,  iii.,  158),  but  nobodjr  now  luion«  it 

t  Newspapers  (iji  Cromweiliuii,  p.  103). 


»S4  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [16 


tugging  and  wriggling,  in  a  most  unseemly  manner,  on  the  open 
gtreets,  and  likely  to  enlist  the  population  generally,  had  not 
Cromwell's  soldiers  charitably  scattered  it  asunder  before  they 
went.*     In  three  days  they  were  in  Edinburgh  again. 

When  a  luminous  body,  such  as  Oliver  Cromwell,  happens  to 
be  crossing  a  dark  Country,  a  dark  Century,  who  knows  what  he 
will  not  disclose  to  Us  !  For  example  :  On  the  Western  edge  of 
Lanarkshire,  in  the  desolate  uplands  of  the  Kirk  of  Shotts,  there 
dwelt  at  that  time  a  worshipful  Family  of  Scotch  Lairds,  of  the 
name  of  Stewart,  at  a  House  called  Allertoun, — a  lean  turreted 
angry -looking  old  Stone  House,  I  take  it ;  standing  in  some  green 
place,  in  the  alluvial  hollows  of  the  Aughter  Burn  or  its  tribu- 
taries :  most  obscure ;  standing  lean  and  grim,  like  a  thousand 
such  ;  entirely  unnoticeablc  by  History, — had  not  Oliver  chanced 
to  pass  in  that  direction,  and  make  a  call  there !  Here  is  an  ac- 
count of  that  event :  unfortunately  very  vague,  not  written  till  the 
second  generation  after :  indeed,  palpably  incorrect  in  some  of 
its  details;  but  indubitable  as  to  the  main  fact;  and  too  curious 
to  be  omitted  here.  The  date,  not  given  or  hinted  at  in  the  ori- 
ginal, seems  to  fix  itself  as  Thursday,  Ist  May,  1651.  On  that 
day  Auchter  Bum  rushing  idly  on  as  usual,  the  grim  old  turreted 
Stone  House,  and  rigorous  Presbyterian  inmates,  and  desolate 
uplands  of  the  Kirk  of  Shotts  in  general,  saw  Cromwell's  ftuse, 
and  have  become  memorable  to  us.  Here  b  the  ^record  given  as 
we  find  it.f 

*  There  was  a  fiah  Son'  of  Sir  Walter  Stewart,  Laird  of  Aller- 
toun  :  *  James ;  who  in  his  younger  years  was  called  "  the  Cap- 
tain of  Allertoun," — from  this  incident :  Oliver  Cromwell,  Cap- 
tain-General of  the  English  Sectarian  Army,  afler  taking  Eldin- 
burgh  Castle,  was  making  a  Progress  through  the  West  of  Scot- 
land ;  and  came  down  towards  the  River  Clyde  near  Lanark, 
and  was  on  his  march  back,  against  King  Charles  the  Second's 
Army,  then  with  the  King  at  Stirling.  Being  informed  of  t 
near  way  through  Auchtermuir,  he  came  with  some  General 

*  Ane  Information  concerning  the  late  Tumult  in  Glasgow,  Wedneadij 
April  30,  at  the  very  time  of  Cromweirs  Ri^moval  (in  BaiUie,  iii.,  161). 

t  Coltneas  Collections,  Published  by  the  Maitland  Club  (Qlaigow,  IMg)^ 
p.  9. 


1651.]  SECOND  VISIT  TO  GLASGOW.  833 

Officera  lo  reoonnoiire ;  and  hftd  Et  Guide  along.  Sir  Waller, 
being  a  Royalist  and  Covensnler,  had  absconded.  As  he'  Crom- 
well '  passed,  ho  called-in  at  Allertouii  for  a  further  Guide  ;  but 
DO  men  were  to  be  found,  save  one  valetudinary  Gentleman,  Sir 
Walter's  Son,' — properly  a  poor  valetudinary  Boy,  as  appears, 
who  of  course  could  do  nothing  for  him. 

'  He  found  the  road  not  practicahic  for  carriages ;  and  upon 
his  return  he  called-in  at  Sir  Walter's  House.  There  was  none 
to  entertain  "him  but  the  Lady  and  Sir  Walter's  sickly  Son. 
The  good  Woman  was  as  much  for  the  King  and  Royal  Family 
as  her  Husband:  but  she  olTered  the  General  the  civilities  of 
her  House  ;  and  a.  glass  of  canary  was  presented.  The  General 
observed  the  forms  of  these  limes  {1  have  it  from  good  authority), 
and  he  asked  a  blessing  in  a  long  pathetic  graee  before  the  cup 
went  round; — he  drank  his  good  wishes*  for  the  family,  and 
asked  for  Sir  Walter ;  and  was  pleased  to  say,  His  Mother  was 
a  Stewart's  Daughter,  and  he  had  a  relation  lo  the  name.  All 
passed  easy  ;  and  our  James,  being  a  lad  of  ten  years,  came  so 
near  as  to  handle  the  hilt  of  one  of  the  swords:  upon  which 
Oliver  stroked  his  head,  saying,  "You  are  my  little  Captala;" 
and  this  was  all  the  Commission  our  Captain  of  Allertoun  ever 
had, 

'  The  General  called  for  some  of  his  own  wines  for  himself 
and  other  Officers,!  ""<!  would  have  the  Lady  try  his  wine ;  and 
was  so  humane,  when  he  saw  the  young  Gentleman  ao  mafgrt 
and  indisposed,  he  said.  Changing  the  Climate  might  do  good, 
and  the  South  of  France,  Montpellier,  was  the  place. 

'  Amidst  all  this  humanity  and  politeness  he  omitted  not,  In 
person,  to  return  thanks  to  God  in  a  pointed  grace  al\er  his 
repast;  and  after  this  hasted  on  hia  return  lo  join  the  Army. 
The  Lady  had  been  a  strenuous  Royalist,  and  her  Son  a  Captain 
in  command  at  Dunbar ;  yet  upon  thiy  interview  with  the  Gono- 
ral  she  abated  much  of  her  zeal.  She  said  she  was  sure  Crom- 
well  was  one  who  feared  God,  and  had  that  fvar  in  him,  and  the 
true  interest  of  Religion  at  heart.  A  story  of  Ihia  kind  is  no 
Idle  digression  ;  it  has  some  small  connexion  with  the  Fatnity 

*  Certainly  incorrect  |  InugiMtJ, 


530  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [3  Majr» 


concerns,  and  shows  some  little  of  the  genius  of  these  distracted 
times.' — And  so  we  leave  it;  vague,  but  indubitable;  standing 
on  such  basis  as  it  has. 


LETTER  CXVI. 
*  For  my  beloved  Wife,  Elizabeth  CromfoeU,  at  the  Cockpit :  Tkne.* 

Edinburgh,  3d  Mmy,  1651. 
My  Dearest, 

I  could  not  satisfy  myself  to  omit  this  poet,  although 
I  have  not  much  to  write ;  yet  indeed  I  love  to  write  to  my  Dear,  who  is 
very  much  in  my  heart.  It  joys  me  to  hear  thy  soul  prospereth :  the  LonI 
increase  His  favors  to  thee  more  and  more.  The  great  good  thy  sovl 
can  wish  is,  That  the  Lord  lift  upon  thee  the  light  of  His  counteDaiioe^ 
which  is  better  than  life.  The  Lord  bless  all  thy  good  counsel  and  e» 
ample  to  all  those  about  thee,  and  hear  all  thy  prayers,  and  acc^  diee 
always. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  thy  Son  and  Daughter  are  with  thee.  I  hope  thoa 
wilt  have  some  good  opportunity  of  good  advice  to  him.  Preeent  my 
duty  to  my  Mother,  my  love  to  all  the  Family.    Still  pray  for 

Thme, 

Oliver  Cromwexx.* 

Written  the  day  after  his  return  to  Edinburgh.  <  Thy  Son 
and  Daughter,'  are,  to  all  appearance,  Richard  and  his  Wife,  who 
prolong  their  visit  at  the  Cockpit.  The  good  old  '  Mother '  is  still 
spared  with  us,  to  have  ^  my  duty '  presented  to  her.  A  pale 
venerable  Figure ;  who  has  lived  to  see  strange  things  in  this 
world ; — can  piously,  in  her  good  old  tremulous  heart,  rejoice  in 
such  a  Son. 

Precisely  in  these  days,  a  small  ship  driven  by  stress  of  wea- 
ther into  Ayr  Harbor,  and  seized  and  searched  by  Cromwell's 
Garrison  there,  discloses  a  matter  highly  interesting  to  the  Com- 
monwealth. A  Plot,  namely,  on  the  part  of  the  English  Presby- 
terian-Royalists,  English  Royalists  Proper,  and  all  manner  of 
Malignant  Interests  in  England,  to  unite  with  the  Scots  and  their 

•  Harris,  p.  517. 


laSi.]  LETTER  CXVI.,  EDINBURGH.  C.31 

King :  in  which  certain  of  the  London  Presbyterian  Clergy, 
Christopher  Love  among  others,  are  deeply  involved.  The  little 
Kliip  was  bound  for  the  Isle  of  Man,  with  tidings  to  the  Earl  of 
Derby  concerning  the  affair ;  and  now  we  have  caught  her  within 
ihc  Bars  of  Ayr  ;  and  the  whole  matter  is  made  manifest  !•  Re- 
verend Christopher  Love  ia  kid  hold  of,  Tih  May  ;  he  and  others : 
and  the  Council  of  State  b  busy.  It  is  the  same  Christopher 
who  preached  _»t  Uxbridge  Treaty  long  since,  That  '  Heaven 
might  as  well  think  of  uniting  with  Hell.'  Were  a  new  High 
Court  of  Justice  once  constituted,  it  will  go  hard  with  Chrislo- 
pher. 

As  for  the  Lord  General,  this  march  to  Glasgow  has  thrown 
him  into  a  new  relapse,  which  his  Doctor  counts  as  the  third  since 
March  last.  The  disease  is  now  ague ;  comes  and  goes,  till,  in 
the  end  of  this  month,  the  Parliament  requests  him  to  return  to 
England  for  milder  air  jj*  and  then,  this  hind  offer  being  declined, 
despatches  two  London  Doctors  to  him  ;  whom  the  Lord  Fairfax 
is  kind  enough  to  '  send  in  his  own  coach  ;'  who  arrive  in  Edin- 
burgh on  the  SOth  of  May,  '  and  are  afleclionately  entertained  by 
my  Lord.'J  Tho  two  Doctors  are  Bales  and  Wright.  Bates,  in 
his  loose-tongued  History  of  the  Trouhlet,  redacted  in  after  times, 
observes  strict  silence  as  to  this  Visit.  The  Lord  General's  case 
seems  somewhat  grave  ;  hopeless  for  this  summer.  •  My  Lord 
is  not  sensible  that  he  is  grown  an  old  man,'  The  Officers  are  to 
proceed  without  him  ;  directed  by  him  from  the  distance.  However, 
on  the  5th  of  June  he  is  seen  abroad  in  his  coach  again  ;  shakes 
his  ailments  and  iniinnilies  of  age  away,  and  takes  the  field  in 
person  once  more.  The  Campaign  is  now  vigorously  begun ; 
though  as  yet  no  great  result  follows  from  it. 

On  the  2.'ith.of  June,  the  Army  from  all  quarters  reassembled 
'  in  its  old  Camp  on  the  Penlland  Hills  ;'  marched  westward  ;  left 
Linlithgow,  July  2d,  ever  westward,  with  a  view  to  force  the 
Enemy  from  his  strong  ground  about  Stirling.  Much  pickeering, 
vaporing,  and  transient  skirniLihing  ensues ;    but  the  Bnomy, 

•  Bill's  :  History  of  the  lale  Troutiles  in  England  (TnnsUtion  of  the  Elm- 
ehutMoluvm;  London,  leSS),  PhI  ii,,  IIS. 

t  Whitlocke,  p.  479  t  Nswtpipeo  [in  CromweUiana,  p.  103). 


538  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.         [21  July, 

strongly  entrenched  at  Torwood,  secured  by  bogs  and  brooks,  can* 
not  be  forced  out.  We  take  Calendar  House,  and  do  olher  in- 
sults, before  their  eyes ;  they  will  not  come  out.  Cannonadings 
there  are,  *  from  opposite  Hills  ;*  but  not  till  it  please  the  Enemy 
can  there  be  any  battle.  David  Lesley,  second  in  rank,  but  real 
leader  of  the  operations,  is  at  his  old  trade  again.  The  Problem 
is  becoming  difficult.  We  decide  to  get  across  into  Fife  ;  to  take 
them  in  flank,  and  at  least  cut  off  an  important  part  of  their  sup- 
plies. 

Here  is  the  Lord  General's  Letter  on  the  result  of  that  enter- 
prise. Farther  details  of  the  Battle  which  is  briefly  spoken  of 
here, — still  remembered  in  those  parts  as  the  Battle  of  Inverkeiihr 
ingy — may  be  found  in  Lambert's  own  Letter  concerning  it.* 
*  Sir  John  Brown,  their  Major- General,'  was  once  a  zealous  Par- 
liamenteer  ;  '  Governor  of  Abingdon,'  and  much  else ;  but  the 
King  gained  him,  growls  Ludlow,  <  by  the  gift  of  a  pair  of  silk 
stockings,' — poor  wretch  !  Besides  Brown,  there  are  Massey,  and 
various  Englishmen  of  mark  with  this  Malignant  Army.  Mas- 
sey's  Brother,  a  subaltern  person  in  London,  is  one  of  the  conspi- 
rators with  Christopher  Love. — The  Lord  (Jeneral  has  in  the  in- 
terim made  his  Third  Visit  to  Glasgow  ;  concerning  which  there 
are  no  details  worth  giving  here.f  Christopher  Love,  on  the  5th 
of  this  month,  was  condemned  to  die.:j: 


LETTER  CXVn. 

For  the  Honorable  William  Lenthall,  Speaker  of  the  Parliament  <^  Efig^ 

land:  These. 

Linlithgow,  Slst  July,  1651. 
Snt, 

After  our  waiting  upon  the  Lord,  and  not  knowing  what 

course  to  take,  for  indeed  we  know  nothing  but  what  God  pleaseth  to 

•North  Ferry,  22  July,  1651  (Whitlocke,  p.  472)  :  the   BatUe  was  oa 
Sunday,  the  20th.     See  also  Balfour,  iv.,  313. 
t  Whitlocke,  p.  471 ;  Milton  State-Papers,  p.  84  (11  July,  1651). 
t  Wood,  iii.,278,  ate. 


16.-)l  ]  LETTER  CXVIT.,  LINLITHGOW.  939 

teacli  11^  ni  Ills  great:  mercy, — we  were  directed  to  send  a  Pnrty  lo  get 
na  a  hniling  '  on  the  Fire  coast '  by  our  boats,  whilst  we  marched  to- 
wards Ghfgovr. 

On  Thurtiday  mortiing  !a!t,  Colonel  Overton,  wiih  about  one-thouiand 
four-hucdred  foot  and  eome  horse  and  dragoon!',  landed  at  the  NotlhFeny 
in  Fife  ;  we  with  the  Army  lying  near  the  Enemy  (a  email  river  parted 
UB  and  tliem),  and  hftvln«  consnltalions  to  attempt  the  Enemy  within  his 
forlificalioiJB :  but  the  Lord  was  not  pleased  to-give  way  to  IJiat  counael, 
proposing  a  belter  miy  for  us.  The  Mnjor-Gereral  '  Lambert'  marched, 
on  ThaD'duy  night,  with  Iwo  regiments  of  horse  and  two  regimenta  of 
foot,  for  better  wcuring  the  place ',  and  to  attempt  npon  the  Enemy,  as 
occasion  alionid  serve.  He  getting  over,  and  finding  a  considerable  body 
of  the  Enemy  there  (who  would  probably  have  bealen  our  men  from  the 
place  if  )ie  had  not  come},  drew  out  aiul  fought  them ;  he  being  about 
two  regiments  of  horse,  with  about  four-hoodred  of  horse  and  dragoons 
more,  and  three  regiments  of  Tout ;  the  Eneiny  five  regiments  of  foot,  »nd 
about  four  or  five  of  horae.  They  came  to  a  close  charge,  and  in  the 
enil  totally  routed  the  Enemy ;  having  taken  about  forty  or  lil^y  coloia, 
hilled  near  tiva-Ihousand ,  some  say  more  ;  have  taken  Sir  John  Brown, 
their  Major-General,  who  commanded  in  cliief, — and  otlier  Colonels  and 
conaiilerable  Officers  killed  and  taken,  and  about  five  or  «ix  hundred  pri- 
soners. The  Enemy  is  removed  from  their  ground  with  their  wliole 
Army  ;  but  whither  we  do  not  certainly  know. 

Thin  is  an  unspeakable  mercy.  I  trust  the  Lord  will  follow  it  niffil 
He  halli  perfected  peace  and  truth.  We  can  truly  My,  we  were  gooe 
aa  far  a?  we  could  in  our  counsel  and  action ',  and  we  did  say  one  to  ano- 
ther, wo  know  not  what  lo  do.  Wherefore  it's  sealed  upon  our  hearia, 
that  this,  as  all  ttie  rest,  is  from  tlie  Lord's  goodness,  and  not  from  man. 
I  hope  it  becoinelti  me  to  pray.  That  we  may  walk  humbly  and  self-<le- 
nyingly  l>ef(>re  the  Lord,  and  believingly  also.  That  you  whom  we  serve, 
as  the  Authorily  over  us,  may  du  tiie  work  committed  to  you,  with  ap- 
righlTiOsB  and  faithfulness, — and  thoroughly,  sa  to  the  Lord,  Thai  jou 
may  not  au^r  anything  to  remain  that  o&nds  the  eyes  of  His  jeatunsy. 
That  common  weal  may  more  and  more  be  sought,  and  justice  done  im- 
partially.  For  the  eyea  of  the  I«rd  run  to  and  fro  ;  and  a*  He  finds  out 
His  entmiea  here,  lo  be  avenged  on  them,  so  will  He  not  spare  them  for 
whom  he  dolh  good,  if  by  his  lovingkindnese  they  become  not  good.  I 
shall  lukc  the  humble  boldness  to  represent  tliia  Engagement  of  David's, 
in  the  Hunilred-snd-ninelcenth  Psalm,  verse  Hundred-and-lhirty-fourth, 
Delirtr  jnrfnim  the  opprtition  of  tnan,  to  teill  I  keep  Tliy  precfplt. 

I  take  leave,  and  rest. 

Sir,  your  most  hamblo  eervant, 

OuvEK  Cromwxlu 


540  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [24  July, 

P.S.  The  carriage  of  the  Major-General,  as  in  all  other  things  so  in 
this,  IS  worthy  of  your  taking  notice  of;  as  also  the  Colonels  Okey, 
Overton,  Daniel,  West,  Lydcot,  Syler,  and  the  rest  of  the  OfficerB.* 

Matters  now  speedily  take  another  turn.  At  the  Castle  of 
*  Dundas '  we  are  still  on  the  South  side  of  the  Frith  ;  in  front  of 
the  Scotch  lines,  though  distant :  but  Inchgarvie,  often  tried  with 
gunboats,  now  surrenders ;  Burntisland,  by  force  of  gunboats  and 
dispiritments,  surrenders :  the  Lord  General  himself  goes  across 
into  Fife.     The  following  Letters  speak  for  themselves. 


LETTER  CXVIIL 

*  To  the  Right  Honorable  the  Lord  President  of  the  Council  of  State : 

These: 

Dundas,  24th  July,  1651. 
My  Lord, 

It  hath  pleased  God  to  put  your  affiiirs  here  in  some 

hopeful  way,  since  the  last  Defeat  given  to  the  Enemy. 

I  marched  with  the  Army  very  near  to  Stirling,  hoping  thereby 
to  get  the  Pass ;  and  went  myself  with  General  Dean,  and  some  others, 
ujAo  Bannockbum  ;  hearing  that  the  Enemy  were  marched  on  the  other 
side  towards  our  forces  in  Fife.  Indeed  they  went  four  or  five  miles  on 
towards  them ;  but  hearing  of  my  advance,  in  all  haste  they  retreated 
back,  and  possessed  the  Park,  and  their  other  works.  Which  we 
viewed  ;  and  finding  them  not  advisable  to  attempt,  resolved  to  march  to 
Queensferry,  and  there  to  ship  over  so  much  of  the  Army  as  might  hop^ 
fully  be  master  of  the  field  in  Fife.  Which  accordingly  we  have  almost 
perfected  ;  and  have  left,  on  this  side,  somewhat  better  than  four  regi- 
ments of  horse,  and  as  many  of  foot. 

I  hear  now  the  Enemy's  great  expectation  is  to  supply  themselves  in 
the  West  with  recruits  of  men,  and  what  victual  they  can  get:  for  they 
may  expect  none  out  of  the  North,  when  once  our  Army  shall  interpose 
between  them  and  St.  Johnston.  To  prevent  their  prevalency  in  the 
West,  and  making  incursions  into  the  Borders  of  England,!      *         * 

bLFVER  Cromwell.^ 

*  Newspapers  (in  Pari.  Hist.,  xix.,  494 ;  and  Cromwelliana,  p.  105). 

t  Sir  Harry  Vane,  wlio  reads  the  Letter  in  Parliament,  judges  it  prudeDt 
lo  stop  here  (Commons  Journals,  vi.,  G14). 
X  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  107). 


LETTER  CXX.,  BUKNTISLAND. 


LETTER  CXIX. 

'  To  Ike  Right  Hbm/rabli  the  Lord  Prssiiknl  of  Ihe  CouneU  of  State: 
These: 

Linlilhgow,  361h  July,  1631. 
Mt  Lord, 

We  are,  with  ten  raiments  of  Toot,  and  ten  of  bane, 
in  Fife,  aud  eight  cacnon,  ready  for  tbe  field.  Wo  bavo  didf^oTered  the 
Enemy,  which  wc  found  to  bo  their  whole  Army.  We  tliought  they 
would  Ii&ve  fought  ub  ;  but  they  retreated. 

Our  Party  is  made  so  strong  on  the  other  aide  the  Water,  that  they 
are  fit  to  fight  the  Enemy,  if  they*  can  be  brought  to  engage.  They 
are  KiilHcient  to  check  any  attempt  of  (heira  from  breaking  into 
Eoglntid, 

Inchgar^'ie,  a  Castle  upon  a  roch  between  Qucen^ferry  and  the  neck 
of  the  land,  is  surrendered;  with  sixteen  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  all  the 
ammunition  in  it, — except  the  eoldiers'  ewords,  with  which  and  llieir 
baggage  they  marched  away,    '  I  real, 

'  Your  most  humble  servant,' 

Olives  CEomweu;,,! 


LETTER  CXX. 


'  Bumtinland,'  29th  July,  ISSl. 

Dear  Bbotheb, 

I  wu  glad  to  receive  a  Letter  from  you ;  for  in- 
deed anything  that  comes  from  you  is  very  welcome  to  me.  I  believe 
your  expeclation  of  my  Son's  coming  is  deferred.  I  wish  lie  may  bob  a 
happy  delivery  of  hia  Wife  first,!  for  whom  I  freqnently  pray. 

1  hear  my  Son  hath  exceeded  hia  allowance,  and  is  in  debt  Truly  I 
cannot  cimimcnd  him  therein ;  wisdom  requiring  hia  living  within  com> 
jinsB,  and  calling  for  it  at  hia  hands.  And  in  my  judgmeot,  llie  reputn- 
tion  arising  from  thence  would  have  been  more  real  honor  than  what  ia 

*  The  Enemy. 

j  NEwa|>a[>er9  (in  ParliamentHry  History,  xix.,  4D9). 
t  Noblc-B  registers  are  vorj  defective  !    Theea  Lettsrs,  too,  were  before 
the  poor  man's  eyes. 


549  PART  VI.     WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [28  Jolif, 


attained  the  other  way.  I  believe  vain  men  will  speak  well  of  him  that 
does  ill. 

I  desire  to  be  understood  that  I  grudge  him  not  laudable  recreations, 
nor  an  honorable  carriage  of  himself  in  them ;  nor  is  any  matter  of  charge, 
like  to  fall  to  my  share,  a  stick'''  with  me.  Truly  I  can  find  in  my  heart 
to  allow  him  not  only  a  sufficiency  but  more,  for  his  good.  But  if  plea- 
sure and  self-satisfaction  be  made  the  business  of  a  man*s  life,  *  and '  so 
much  cost  laid  out  upon  it,  so  much  time  spent  in  it,  as  rather  answers 
appetite  than  the  will  of  God,  or  is  comely  before  His  Saints, — I  scruple 
to  feed  this  humor;  and  God  forbid  that  his  being  my  Son  should  be  his 
allowance  to  live  not  pleasingly  to  our  heavenly  Father,  who  hath  raised 
me  out  of  the  dust  to  be  what  I  am  ! 

I  desire  your  faithfulness  (he  being  also  your  concernment  as  well  as 
mine)  to  advise  him  to  approve  himself  to  the  Lord  in  his  course  of  life ; 
and  to  search  Ilis  statutes  for  a  rule  to  conscience,  and  to  seek  grace 
from  Christ  to  enable  him  to  walk  therein.  This  hath  life  in  it,  and 
will  come  to  somewhat :  what  is  a  poor  creature  without  this  ?  This 
will  not  abridge  of  lawful  pleasures ;  but  teach  such  a  use  of  them  as 
will  have  the  peace  of  a  good  conscience  going  along  with  it.  Sir,  I 
write  what  is  in  my  heart :  I  pray  you  communicate  my  mind  herein  to 
my  Son,  and  be  his  remembrancer  in  these  things.  Truly  I  love  him, 
he  is  dear  to  me ;  so  is  his  Wife  ;  and  for  their  sakes  do  I  thus  write. 
They  shall  not  want  comfort  nor  encouragement  from  me,  so  far  as  I 
may  a0brd  it.  But  indeed  I  cannot  think  I  do  well  to  feed  a  voluptuous 
humor  in  my  Son,  if  he  should  make  pleasures  tjie  business  of  his  life, — 
in  a  time  when  some  precious  Saints  are  bleeding,  and  breathing  out 
their  last,  for  the  safety  of  the  rest.  Memorable  is  the  speech  of  Uriah 
to  David  (Second  Samuel,  xi.  11).*  / 

Sir,  I  beseech  you  believe  I  here  say  not  this  to  save  my  purse ;  for  I 
shall  willingly  do  what  is  convenient  to  satisfy  his  occasions,  as  I  have 
opportunity.  But  as  I  pray  he  may  not  walk  in  a  course  not  pleasing 
to  the  Lord,  so  M  *  think  it  lieth  upon  me  to  give  him,  in  love,  the  best 
counsel  I  may ;  and  know  not  how  better  to  convey  it  to  him  than  by  so 
good  a  hand  as  yours.  Sir,  I  pray  you  acquaint  him  with  these  thoughts 
of  mine.    And  remember  my  love  to  my  Daughter ;  for  whose  saJke  I 

*  Stop. 

t  *  And  Uriah  said  unto  David,  The  Ark,  and  Israel,  and  Judah  abide  in 
tents  ;  and  my  lord  Joab,  and  the  servants  of  my  lord,  are  encamped  in  the 
open  fields  :  shall  I  then  go  into  mine  house,  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  to 
lie  with  my  wife  ?  As  thou  livest,  and  as  thy  soul  livetb,  I  will  not  do  this 
thing.* 


IBSi.]  LETTER  CXXl.,  BURNTISLAND.  54S 

ahall  be  induced  to  do  aoy  lensonsble  thing.    I  pray  for  her  happjr 

deliverance,  freqnently  and  earnestly. 

I  am  sorry  lo  liear  that  my  Bailiff*  in  Hanlshire  ehould  do  lo  my  Son 
ae  is  JntimBted  by  your  Letter.  I  assure  you  I  sliall  not  aJlow  KOf 
such  thing,  tf  there  be  any  suspicion  of  his  abufle  of  the  Wood,  I 
desire  it  may  be  looked  afler,  and  inquired  intu ;  that  eo,  if  things  appear 
true,  he  may  be  removed, — allhough  indeed  I  must  needs  say  be  had 
the  repute  of  a  godly  man,  by  divers  that  knew  him  when  I  placed  him 
there. 

Sir,  T  desire  my  hearty  afiection  may  he  presented  to  my  Sister;  to 
tny  Cousin  Ann,  and  her  husband  though  anknown. — 1  proive  the  Ix>rd 
I  have  obtained  much  merry  in  respect  of  my  health ;  the  Lord  give  me 
k  truly  thankful  heart.     1  desire  your  prayers  ;  and  reel, 

Your  very  affectionate  brother  and  servant, 

Oliver  Crohwell.I 

My  Cousin  Anne,  then,  is  wedded!  'Her  Husband,  though 
unknown,  is  Juhn  Dunch  ;  nlio,  on  his  Fulhcr's  decease,  became 
John  Dunch  of  Pusey ;  to  whom  we  owe  this  Letter,  among  the 
others. 


LETTER  CXXI. 

To  llie  Honorable  Wittiam  Lenlhall,  Speaker  of  ihe  Parliamtta 
ofEnglavd:   Thar. 

Baratisland,  3<'th  July,  1631. 

SlH, 

The  grealesl  part  of  the  Army  is  In  Fife ;  waiting  what 
way  God  will  farther  lend  us.  It  baih  pleaned  G«l  to  give  u%  in  Uumt- 
island  ;£  which  is  Indeed  very  cnnducinK  to  ths  carrying'on  of  our  ftf- 
feira.  The  Town  is  well  seated  :  pretty  strong ;  but  mirvelloiu  cxpa- 
ble  of  further  improvement  in  that  respect,  without  ^at  cfaarge.  Th« 
Harbor,  at  a  high  spring,  is  near  a  fathom  deeper  than  at  Leilh ;  ami 
doth  not  lie  commanded  by  any  ground  without  the  Town.  We  took 
tlirec  or  four  small  men-of-war  in  it,  and  I  believe  thirty  or  forty  guns. 

Commissary-General   Whalley   marched  along  the  seaside  In  Fil«, 
having  some  ships  to  go  along  the  coast;  and  hath  taken  great  etore  of 

•  ■  Biylye.'  \  Uairii,  p.  513. 

t  '  Burut  Island'  in  arif. 


3U  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [29  July, 


great  artillery,  and  divers  ships.     The  Enemy's  afl&irs  are  in  some  dia- 
composure,  as  we  hear.     Surely  the  Lord  will  blow  upon  them. 

'  I  rest,' 
Yonr  most  humble  servant, 

Olivek  Cromwell.* 


LETTER  CXXIL 

In  eflect  the  crisis  is  now  arrived.  The  Scotch  King  and  Army 
finding  their  supplies  cut  olT,  and  their  defences  rendered  unavail- 
ing, by  this  flank-movement, — break  up  suddenly  from  Stirling  ;f 
march  direct  towards  England, — for  a  stroke  at  the  heart  of  the 
Common  wealth  itself.  Their  game  now  is,  Ail  or  nothing.  A 
desperate  kind  of  play.  Royalists,  Presbyterian-Royalists  and 
the  large  miscellany  of  Discontented  Interests,  may  perhaps  join 
them  there ; — perhaps  also  not !  They  march  by  Biggar ;  enter 
England  by  Carlisle,:]:  on  Wednesday,  6th  of  August,  1651.  *  At 
Ciirtheud,  in  the  Parish  of  Wamphray,  in  Annandale,'  human 
Tradition,  very  faintly  indeed,  indicates  some  Roman  Stones  or 
Mile-stones,  by  the  wayside,  as  the  place  where  his  Saored  Ma- 
jesty passed  the  Tuesday  night ; — which  are  not  quite  so  venera- 
ble now  as  formerly. § 

To  the  Honorable  William  LetUJuzll,  Speaker  of  the  Parliament 

of  England  :    These, 

Leith,  4th  August,  1651. 

Sir, 

In  pursuance  of  the  Providence  of  God,  and  that  blessing 
lately  given  to  your  forces  in  Fife  ;  and  finding  that  the  Enemy,  being 
masters  of  the  Pass  at  Stirling,  could  not  be  gotten  out  there  except  by 
hindering  his  provisions  at  St.  Johnston, — we,  by  general  advice, thought 
fit  to  attempt  St.  Johnston ;  knowing  that  that  would  necessitate  him  to 
quit  his  Pass.  Wherefore,  leaving  with  Major-General  Harrison  about 
three-thousand  horse  and  dragoons,  besides  those  which  are  with  Colonel 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  107). 

t  '  Last  day  of  July'  (Bate^,  ii.,  120).  t  Whitlocke,  p.  474. 

§  Nicholas  Carlisle's  Topographical  Diet,  of  Scotland,  §  Wamphray, 


1651.]  LETTER  CXXll.,  LEITH.  545 

Rich,  Colonel  Saanders,  and  Colonel  Barton,  upon  the  Bordcra,  we 
marched  to  St.  Johnstun  ;•  and  lying  one  day  before  it,  we  had  it  bvt- 
Kodered  to  ua. 

During  which  time  we  had  some  intelligence  of  the  Enemy's  march- 
iDg  southward ;  though  with  Eonie  coDtradiclioos,  aa  it'  it  had  not  been 
BO.  But  doubling  it  might  be  true,  we  (leaving  a  GarriBOn  in  St.  John- 
Eton,  BJLil  sending  Lieu  tenant-General  Monk  with  about  Five  or  Six 
thousand  to  Stirling  to  reduce  tlial  place,  and  by  it  to  pot  your  aflkinj 
into  a  good  posture  in  Scotland),  marched,  with  all  possible  expedition, 
back  again ;  and  have  passed  onr  foot  and  many  of  our  horfie  over  the 
Frith  thin  day ;  resolving  to  make  what  speed  we  can  up  to  llw  Enemyi 
— who,  in  his  desperation  and  fear,  and  out  of  inevitable  necessity,  ia 
run  to  try  whitl  he  can  do  this  way. 

I  do  apprehend  that  if  he  goes  to  England,  being  some  few  days 
march  before  os,  it  will  trouble  some  men's  thoughts ;  and  may  occasion 
Bome  inconveniences ; — which  i  hope  we  are  as  deeply  sensible  of,  and 
have  been,  and  I  trust  slmll  be,  as  diligent  to  prevent,  aa  any.  And  in- 
deed tills  is  our  comfort,  That  in  simplicity  of  heart  as  towards  God,  we 
have  done  to  the  best  of  our  judgments ;  knowing  that  if  some  issue 
were  not  put  to  this  Business,  it  would  occasion  another  Winter's  war: 
to  the  ruin  of  your  soldiery,  for  «hom  the  Scots  are  too  hard  in  respect 
of  enduring  the  Winter  dlllicultieB  of  this  Country ;  and  to  the  ecdlesa 
expense  of  the  treasure  of  England  in  prosecuting  this  War.  It  may 
be  supposed  ue  might  have  kept  tlie  Enemy  from  this,  by  interposing 
between  him  and  England.  Which  truly  I  believe  we  might :  bat  how 
to  remove  him  out  of  this  place,  without  doing  what  we  have  done, 
unless  wo  had  a  commanding  Army  on  botli  sides  of  the  River  of  Forth, 
is  iu)t  clenr  to  us  ;  or  how  to  answer  the  inconveniences  efdrementioned, 
we  nndersland  not. 

We  pray  therefore  that  (seeing  there  is  a  possibility  for  the  Enemy  to 
put  you  lo  some  trouble)  yoa  would,  with  the  same  courage,  grounded 
upon  a  confidence  in  God,  wherein  you  have  bwn  supported  lo  the  great 
things  (hm!  hnlh  used  you  in  hitherto,— ; improve,  the  bf«I  ynu  can,  such 
forces  aa  you  have  in  readineas,  or '  aa '  may  on  the  sndden  be  gatliered 
together.  To  give  the  Enemy  some  check,  until  we  sliall  be  able  to 
reach  up  to  him ;  which  we  trust  in  the  Lord  we  shall  do  our  utmost 
endeavor  in.  And  indeed  we  have  this  comfortable  experience  from  the 
Lord,  That  this  Enemy  is  hesrl-stnitlen  by  God ;  and  whenever  tiie 
Lord  »ihnll  hrlQg  us  up  to  them,  we  believe  the  Lord  will  make  the  deo- 
penlenesB  of  this  counsel  of  theirs  to  appear,  and  the  folly  of  it  elM. 

•  a  Auguit.  1651  (Bilfour,  it.,  313). 


646  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [4  Aug. 

When  England  was  much  more  unsteady  than  now ;  and  when  a  much 
more  considerable  Army  of  theirs,  unfoiled,  invaded  you ;  and  we  had  but 
a  weak  force  to  make  resistance  at  Preston, — upon  deliberate  advice, 
we  chose  rather  to  put  ourselves  between  their  Army  and  Scotland :  and 
how  God  succeeded  that,  is  not  well  to  be  forgotten!  This  *  present 
movement '  is  not  out  of  choice  on  our  part,  but  by  some  kind  of  neces- 
sity ;  and,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  will  have  the  like  issue.  Together  with  a 
hopeful  end  of  your  work ; — in  which  it 's  good  to  wait  upon  the  Lord, 
upon  the  earnest  of  former  experiences,  and  hope  of  His  presence,  which 
only  is  the  life  of  your  Cause. 

Major-General  Harrison,  with  the  horse  and  dragoons  under  him* 
and  Colonel  Rich  and  the  rest  in  those  parts,  shall  attend  the  motion  of 
the  Enemy ;  and  endeavor  the  keeping  of  them  together,  as  also  to  ioH 
pede  his  march.  And  will  be  ready  to  be  in  conjunction  with  what 
forces  shall  gather  together  for  this  service: — to  whom  orders  have 
been  speeded  to  that  purpose ;  as  this  enclosed  to  Major-General  Hani- 
Bon  will  show.  Major-General  Lambert,  this  day,  marched  with  a  veiy 
considerable  body  of  horse,  up  towards  the  Enemy's  rear.  With  the 
rest  of  the  horse,  and  nine  regiments  of  foot,  most  of  them  of  your  old 
foot  and  horse,  I  am  hasting  up;  and  shall,  by  the  Lord's  help,  use 
utmost  diligence.  I  hope  I  have  left  a  commanding  force  under  Liea- 
tenant-General  Monk  in  Scotland. 

This  account  I  thought  my  duty  to  speed  to  you ;  and  rest. 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  Cromwell.* 

The  Scots  found  no  Presbyterian  Royalists,  no  Royalists  Proper 
to  speak  of,  nor  any  Discontented  Interest  in  England  disposed  to 
join  them  in  present  circumstances.  They  marched,  under 
rigorous  discipline,  weary  and  uncheered,  south  through  Lanca- 
shire ;  had  to  dispute  their  old  friend  the  Bridge  of  Warrington 
with  Lambert  and  Harrison,  who  attended  them  with  horse-troops 
on  the  left ;  Cromwell  with  the  main  Army  steadily  advancing 
behind.  They  carried  the  Bridtre  at  Warrington  ;  they  sum- 
moned various  Towns,  but  none  yielded  ;  proclaimed  their  King 
with  all  force  of  lungs  and  Heraldry,  but  none  cried,  God  bless 
him.  Summoning  Shrewsbury,  with  the  usual  negative  response, 
they  quitted  the  London  road  ;  bent  southward  towards  Worces- 
ter, a  City  of  slight  Garrison  and  loyal  Mayor ;  there  to  entrench 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  pp.  107,  8). 


163!.]  TO  WORCESTER.  847 

themselves  and  repose  a  littie. — Poor  Earl  Derby,a  dUliDguiahed 
Royalist  Proper,  bad  hastened  OTer  from  the  Isle  of  Man,  to  kiss 
his  Majesty's  hand  in  passing.  Ho  (hen  raised  some  force  in 
Lancashire,  and  was  in  liopes  to  kindle  that  counuy  again,  and 
go  to  Worcester  in  Iriuniph  : — but  Lilburn,  Colonel  Robert, whom 
we  have  known,  fell  upon  him  at  Wigan  ;  cut  his  force  in  pieces: 
the  poor  Earl  had  lo  go  to  Worcester  in  a  wounded  and  wrecked 
condition.  To  Worcester, — and  alas,  lo  the  scaffold  hy  and  hy, 
for  ihat  buKiness.  The  Scots  ot  Worcester  have  a  loyal  Mayor, 
some  very  few  adventurous  loyal  Gentry  in  the  neighborhood  ; 
and  e.seilaWe  Wales,  perhaps  again  excitable,  lying  in  the  rear: 
but  for  the  present,  except  in  their  own  poor  Fourteen -thousand 
right-hands,  no  outlook.  And  Cromwel!  is  advancing  steadily  ; 
by  York,  by  Nottingham,  by  Coventry  and  Slratford ;  '  raising 
all  the  County  Militias,'  who  muster  with  aitigular  alacrity ; — 
flowing'  towards  Worcester  like  the  Ocean -1  ide ;  begirdling  it 
with  'opwnrda  of  Thirty-thousand  men.'  His  Majesty's  royal 
summons  to  tiie  Corporation  of  London  ia  burnt  there  by  the 
hands  of  the  common  hangman  ;  Speaker  Lenlhall  and  tho*Mayor 
have  a  copy  of  it  burnt  by  that  functionary  at  tlie  head  of  every 
regiment,  at  a  review  of  the  Trainbonds  in  MoorHelds."  London, 
England  generally,  seems  to  have  made  up  its  mind. 

At  Laniion,  on  the  2ad  of  August,  a  rigorous  thing  was  done  ; 
Rev.  Cdiiiiopher  Love,  eloquent  zealous  Minister  of  St.  Lawrence 
in  the  Jewry,  was,  after  repeated  respites  and  negotiations,  be- 
headed on  Tower  Hill.  To  the  unspeakable  emotion  of  men. 
Nay,  the  very  Heavens  seemed  to  testily  a  feeling  of  it, — by  a 
Ihunderclitp,  by  two  [hunderclai>s.  When  the  Parliament  passed 
their  volfs,  on  the  4th  of  July.  That  he  should  die,  according  to 
the  sentence  of  the  Court,  there  was  then  a  terrible  thunderclap, 
and  darkening  of  daylight.  And  now  when  he  actually  dies, 
'  directly  aAor  hfs  beheading,'  arises  thunderstorm  that  threatens 
the  dissolution  of  Nature  !     Nature,  as  wc  aee,  survived  it. 

The  ulrl  Newspaper  says,  It  was  on  the  32d  August,  1642,  that 
Charles  lute  King  erected  his  Standard  at  Nottingham  ;  and  now 
on  thia  samo  day,  32d  August,  1651,  Charles  Pretender  erccUs 

•  Bjtea.  ii.,  IW  ;   Whillocke,  p.  492. 


548  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [23  Ai«. 


his  at  Worcester, — and  the  Rev.  Christopher  dies.  Men  may 
make  their  reflections. — ^There  goes  a  story,  due  to  Carrion  Heath 
or  some  such  party,  That  Cromwell  being  earnestly  solicited  for 
mercy  to  this  poor  Christopher,  did,  while  yet  in  SoDtland,  send  a 
Letter  to  the  Parliament,  recommending  it ;  which  Letter,  how- 
ever, was  seized  by  some  roving  outriders  of  the  Scotch  Worces- 
ter Army ;  who  reading  it,  and  remembering  Uzbridge  Sermon, 
tore  it,  saying,  "  No,  let  the  villain  die !" — after  the  manner  of 
Heath.  Which  could  be  proved,  if  time  and  paper  were  of  no 
value,  to  be,  like  a  hundred  other  very  wooden  mifiks  of  the  same 
Period,  without  truth.  Gitarda  e  passu.  Glance  at  it  here  for 
the  last  time,  and  never  repeat  it  more ! — 

Charles's  Standard,  it  would  seem  then,  was  erected  at  Wor- 
cester on  the  22d :  on  the  28th,  came  Cromwell's  also,  furled  or 
floating,  to  that  neighborhood ;  from  the  Evesham  side ;  with 
upwards  of  Thirty-thousand  men  now  near  it ;  and  aome  say, 
upwards  of  Eighty-thousand  rising  in  the  distance  to  join  it  if  need 
were. 


BATTLE  OF  WORCESTER. 


LETTERS  CXXIII.,  CXXIV. 


The  Battle  of  Worcest^was  fought  on  the  evening  of  Wednes- 
day, 3d  September,  1^ ;  anniversary  of  that  at  Dunbar  last 
year.  It  could  well  have  but  one  issue  :  defeat  for  the  Scots  and 
their  Cause ; — either  swift  and  complete ;  or  else  incomplete, 
ending  in  stow  sieges,  partial  revolts,  and  much  new  misery  and 
blood.  The  swill  issue  was  the  one  appointed ;  and  complete 
enough  ;  severing  the  neck  of  the  Controversy  now  at  last,  as  with 
one  efleclual  stroke,  no  need  to  strike  a  second  time. 

The  Battle  was  fought  on  both  side^  of  the  Severn :  part  of 
Cron^well's  forces  having  crossed  to  tlie  Western  Ijank,  by  Upton 
Bridge,  some  miles  below  Worcester,  the  night  before.  About  a 
wecj;  ago,  Alassey  understood  himself  to  have  ruined  this  Bridge, 
at  UplDii ;  !)ut  Lambert's  men  '  straddled  across  by  the  parapet,' — 
a  dangerous  kind  of  saddle  for  such  riding,  I  tkink  ! — and  hastily 
repaired  it;  hastily  got  hold  of  Upton  Church,  and  maintained 
themselves  there  ;  driving  Massey  back,  with  a  bod  wound  in  the 
hand.  This  was  on  Thursday  night  last,  the  very  night  of  the 
Lord  General's  arrival  in  those  parts;  and  they  have  held  this 
post  ever  since,  Fleetwood  crosses  here  with  a  good  part  of 
Cromwell's  Army,  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  September  2d; 
shall,  on  the  morrow,  attack  the  Scotch  posts  on  the  Southwest, 
about  the  Suburb  of  St.  John's,  across  the  Kiver;  while  Crom- 
well, in  person,  on  this  side,  plies  them  from  the  Southeast.  St. 
John's  Suburb  lies  al  some  distance  from  Worcester ;  west,  or 
southwest  as  we  say,  on  the  Hertfordshire  Road  ;  and  oonnecU 
itself  with  the  City  by  Severn  Bridge.  Southeast  of  the  City, 
again,  near  the  tlien  and  present  London  Road,  is  '  Port  Royal/ 
an  entrenchment  of  the  Scots :  on  this  side  Cromwell  is  to  attempt 
the  Enemy,  and  second  Fleetwood,  as  occasion  may  serve.  Wor- 
cester City  itaelfis  on  Cromwell's  «de  of  the  River;  stands  high. 


560  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [3  SepL 

surmounted  by  its  high  Cathedral ;  close  on  the  left  or  eastern 
margin  of  the  Severn  ;  surrounded  by  fruitful  fields,  and  hedges 
unfit  for  cavalry-fighting.  This  is  the  posture  of  aiiairs  od  the 
eve  of  Wednesday,  lid  September,  1651. 

But  now,  ibr  Wednesday  itself,  we  are  to  remark  that  between 
Fleetwood  at  Upton,  and  the  Enemy's  outposts  at  St.  John's  on 
the  west  side  of  Severn,  there  runs  still  a  River  Teme ;  a  western 
tributary  of  the  Severn,  into  which  it  falls  about  a  mile  below  the 
City.  This  River  Teme  Fleetwood  hopes  to  cross,  if  not  by  the 
Bridge  at  Powick  which  the  Enemy  possq|ses,  then  by  a  Bridge 
of  Boats  which  he  is  himself  to  prepare  lower  down,  close  by  the 
mouth  of  Teme.  At  this  point  also,  or  *  within  pistol-shot  of  it,' 
there  is  to  be  a  Bridge  of  Boats  laid  across  the  Severn  itself^  that 
so  both  ends  of  the  Army  may  communicate.  Boats,  boatmen, 
carpenters,  aquatic  and  terrestrial  artificers  and  implements,  in 
great  abundance,  contributed  by  the  neighboring  Towns,  lie  ready 
on  the  River,  about  Upton,  for  this  service.  Does  the  reader  now 
understand  the  ground  a  little  ? 

Fleetwood,  at  Upton,  was  astir  with  the  dawn,  September  3d. 
But  it  was  towards  *  three  in  the  afternoon'  before  the  boatmen 
were  got  up  ;  must  have  been  towards  five  before  those  Bridges 
were  got  built,  and  Fleetwood  set  fairly  across  the  Teme  to  begin 
buijiness  The  King  of  Scots  and  his  Council  of  War,  *on  the 
top  of  the  Cathedral,'  have  been  anxiously  viewing  him  all  after- 
noon ;  have  seen  him  build  his  Bridges  of  Boats  ;  see  him  now  in 
great  force  got  across  Teme  River,  attacking  the  Scotch  on  the 
South,  fighting  them  from  hedge  to  hedge  towards  the  Suburb  of 
St.  John's.  In  great  force :  for  new  regiments,  horse  and  fool, 
now  stream  across  the  Severn  Bridge  of  Boats  to  assist  Fleetwood : 
nay,  if  the  Scots  know  it,  my  Lord  General  himself  is  come 
across,  *  did  lead  the  van  in  person,  and  was  the  first  that  set  foot 
on  the  Enemy's  ground.' — The  Scots,  obstinately  struggling,  are 
gradually  beaten  there ;  driven  from  hedge  to  hedge.  But  the 
King  of  Scots  and  his  War-Council  decide  that  most  part  of 
Cromwell's  Army  must  now  be  over  i  n  that  quarter,  on  the  West 
side  of  the  River,  engaged  among  the  hedges ; — decide  that  they, 
for  their  part,  will  storm  out,  and  offer  him  battle  on  their  own 
East  side,  now  while  he  is  weak  there.     The  Council  of  War 


I«l.]  LKITER  CXXIII.,  NEAR  WORCESTER.  691 

comes  down  from  ibe  (op  of  [lie  Cathedral ;  their  trumpets  sound  : 
Cromwell  ulso  is  soon  back,  across  the  Severn  Bridge  of  Boats 
again;  and  the  deadliest  tug  of  war  begma. 

Fort  Royal  is  still  known  at  Worcester,  and  Sudbury  Gate  at 
the  Bouiheast  end  of  the  City  is  known,  and  tbosu  other  localities 
here  specified  ;  aRer  much  study  of  which  and  of  the  old  dead 
Pamphlets,  this  Battle  will  at  last  become  conceivable.  Besides 
Cromwell's  Two  Letters  there  are  ploiitiful  details,  questionable 
and  uiu]uestionable,  in  Bates  and  elsewhere,  as  indicated  below.* 
The  lighting  of  the  Scots  was  fierce  and  desperate.  '  My  Lord 
General  did  exceedingly  hazard  himself,  riding  up  and  down  in 
the  midst  of  the  fire  ;  riding,  himself  in  person,  to  the  Enemy's 
foot  to  offer  them  quarter,  whereto  they  returned  no  answer  but 
shot.'  The  small  Scotch  Army,  begirdled  with  overpowering 
force,  and  cut  ofT  from  help  or  reasonable  hope,  atorms  forth  in 
fiery  pulses,  horse  and  foot ;  charges  now  on  this  aide  of  the 
River,  now  on  that; — can  on  no  side  prevail.  Cromwell  recoils 
a  little;  but  only  to  rally,  and  return  irresiBlible.  The  small 
Scotch  A  rmy  is,  on  every  side,  driven  in  again.  Its  fiery  pulsings 
are  but  the  struggles  of  death  :  agonies  as  of  a  lion  coiled  in  tho 
folds  of  a  boa  ! 

'  As  stilTa  contest,  for  four  or  five  hours,  as  ever  I  have  seen.' 
But  it  avails  not.  Through  Sudbury  Gate,  on  Cromwell's  side, 
through  St.  John's  Suburb,  and  over  Severn  Bridge  on  Fleet- 
wood's, the  Scots  are  driveu-in  again  to  Worcester  Streets ;  deft- 
perately  struggling  and  recoiling,  are  driven  through  Worcester 
Streets,  to  the  North  end  of  the  City, — and  terminate  there.  A 
distracted  mass  of  ruin  :  the  foot  all  killed  or  taken ;  the  horse  all 
scattered  on  flight,  and  their  place  of  refuge  very  for!  His 
sacred  MajeKty  escaped,  by  royal  oaks  and  other  miraculaits  ap- 
pliances well  known  to  mankind :  but  Fou  Keen -thousand  other 
men,  sacred  too  after  a  sort  though  not  majesties,  did  not  escape. 
One  could  we»p  at  such  a  death  for  bravo  men  iu  such  a  Cause  ! 
But  let  us  now  read  Cromwell's  Letters. 

•  BslM.  Part  li.,  131-7.  King's  Pamphlets ;  iimall  410.,  no.  507.  jia 
(givBQ  nio«tly  in  CromwoIliuH,  pp.  114,  IS)  i  large  <lo.,  no.  S4,  §^13,  18. 
Letter  from  Stapylton  the  Chtplain,  in  Cromweliiani,  p.  112 


J 


552  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [3  Sept 


LETTER  CXXm. 

To  the  Honorable  William  Lenthall,  Speaker  of  the  Parliament  cf 

England:  These, 

Near  Worcester,  3d  September,  1651, 
(10  at  night). 
Sir, 

Being  so  weary,  and  scarce  able  to  write,  yet  I  thoagfat 
it  my  duty  to  let  you  know  thus  much.  That  upon  this  day,  being  the 
3d  of  September  (remarkable  for  a  mercy  vouchsafed  to  your  Forces  on 
this  day  twelvemonth  in  Scotland),  we  built  a  Bridge  of  Boats  oarer 
Severn,  between  it  and  Teme,  about  half  a  mile  from  Worcester; 
and  another  over  Teme,  within  pistol-shot  of  the  other  Bridge.  Laeih 
tenant-General  Fleetwood  and  Major-Greneral  Dean  marched  from 
Upton  on  the  southwest  side  of  Severn  up  to  Powick,  a  Town  which 
was  a  Pass  the  Enemy  kept.  We,  *  from  our  side  of  Severn,'  passed 
over  some  horse  and  foot,  and  were  in  conjunction  with  the  Lieutenant- 
General's  Forces.  We  beat  the  Enemy  from  hedge  to  hedge  till  we 
beat  them  into  Worcester. 

The  Enemy  then  drew  all  his  Forces  on  the  other  side  the  Town,  all 
but  what  he  had  lost ;  and  made  a  very  considerable  fight  with  ns,  for 
three  hours  space :  but  in  the  end  we  beat  them  totally,  and  pursued  him 
to  his  Royal  Fort,  which  we  took, — and  indeed  have  beaten  his  whole 
Army.  When  we  took  this  Fort,  we  turned  his  own  guns  upon  him. 
The  Enemy  hath  had  a  great  loss ;  and  certainly  is  scattered,  and  run 
several  ways.  We  are  in  pursuit  of  him,  and  have  laid  forces  in  several 
places,  that  we  hope  will  gather  him  up. 

Indeed  this  hath  been  a  very  glorious  mercy ; — and  as  stiff  a  contest, 
for  four  or  five  hours,  as  ever  I  have  seen.  Both  your  old  Forces  and 
those  new-raised  have  behaved  with  very  great  courage ;  and  He  that 
made  tliem  come  out,  made  them  willing  to  fight  for  you.  The  Lord 
God  Almighty  frame  our  hearts  to  real  thankfulness  for  this,  which  is 
alone  His  doing.  I  hope  I  shall  within  a  day  or  two  give  you  a  more 
perfect  account. 

In  the  meantime  I  hope  you  will  pardon, 

Sir, 
Your  most  humble  servant, 

Oliver  CRoiiWELL.* 

Industrious  dull  Bulstrode,  coming  honne  from  the  Council  of 

*  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  p.  113). 


1851.]  LETTER  CXXTV.,  WORCESTER.  553 

State  towards  Chelsea  on  Thursday  afternoon,  is  accoBled  on  the 
streets  by  a  dusty  individual,  who  declares  himself  bearer  of  this 
Letter  from  ray  Lord  General ;  and  imparls  a  rapid  outline  of 
the  probable  contents  to  Bulstrode's  mind  which  naturally  kindles 
with  a  certain  slow  solid  saiisfaction  on  receipt  thereof." 

On  Saturday  (he  6ih  comes  a  farther  Letter  from  my  Lord 
Genera! ;  '  the  effect  whereof  speaketh  thus  :' 

LETTER  CXXIV. 

For  the  Honorable  William  Lenikall,  Speaker  of  Ihe  Parliament  of 
England:  These. 

Worctsfcr,  ^ih  Seplembflr,  1051. 

Sir. 

1  am  ni>t  able  yet  to  give  yon  an  exact  acconnt  of  the 
great  Ihingd  the  Lord  bath  wrought  for  thia  Commonwealth  and  for  His 
People  1  and  yet  I  am  unwilling  to  be  silent ;  but,  according  to  my  duly, 
Ehall  represent  it  to  you  bs  it  comes  to  hand. 

ThiE  Batlle  was  fought  with  various  xncceas  for  some  hours,  bat  still 
hopeful  on  your  part;  and  in  the  end  became  an  absolute  Victory, — and 
Eo  full  an  one  as  proved  a  total  defeat  and  ruin  of  the  Enemy's  Army ; 
and  a  possession  of  the  Town,  our  men  entering  at  the  Enemy's  heeli, 
and  tightiog  with  them  in  the  streets  with  very  great  courage-  We 
took  all  their  baggage  and  artillery.  What  the  slain  are,  I  can  give 
you  no  account,  because  we  have  not  taken  an  exact  view ;  bat  they  are 
very  tnany; — and  must  needs  be  eo  ;  because  the  diapnte  was  long  and 
very  near  at  hand ;  and  often  at  pusli  of  pike,  and  from  one  defence  to 
anotlier.  There  are  about  Six  or  Seven  thousand  prisoners  taken  here ; 
and  many  Officers  and  Noblemen  of  quality :  Duke  Hamilton,  the  Earl 
of  Bothes,  and  divers  other  Noblemen, — 1  hear,  the  Earl  of  Lauderdale ; 
many  OfHcetB  of  great  quality  ;  and  some  that  will  be  fit  aubjecta  for 
your  juHticc. 

We  have  sent  very  considerable  parties  after  the  dying  En^my  ;  I 
hear  they  iiave  taken  considerable  numbers  of  prisoners,  and  are  very 
cloec  in  tlie  pursuit.  Indeed,  I  hear  the  country  rjsetli  upon  them  every- 
where ;  und  I  believe  the  forces  that  lay,  through  Providence,  at  Bewd- 
ley,  and  in  Shropshire  and  Staffordabire,  and  those  witli  Colonel  Lil- 
bame,  were  in  a  condition,  as  if  this  had  been  foreseen,  to  intercept 
what  should  return. 

A  more  partir.ular  acconnt  than  thia  will  be  prepared  for  yno  as  we 

*  Whitlocke  <al  edition),  in  die.  ^v^w         *« 


654  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [4  Sept 

are  able.  ]  heard  they  had  not  many  more  than  a  Thousand  horse  in 
their  body  that  fled ;  I  believe  we  have  near  Foiir-tliousand  forces  follow- 
ing, and  interposing  between  tliem  and  home.  Their  Army  was  about 
Sixteen-thousand  strong ;  and  fought  ours  on  Worcester  side  of  Severn 
almost  witli  their  whole,  whilst  we  had  engaged  half  our  Army  on  the 
other  side  but  with  parties  of  theirs.  Indeed  it  was  a  stiff  business ;  yet 
I  do  not  tliink  we  have  lost  Two-hundred  men.  Your  new-raised  forces 
did  perform  singular  good  service ;  for  which  they  deserve  a  very  high 
estimation  and  acknowledgment;  as  also  for  their willmgness  thereonto^ 
— forasmuch  as  the  same  hatli  added  so  much  to  the  reputation  of  your 
ai&irs.  They  are  all  despatched  home  again;  which  I  hope  wiU  be 
much  for  tlie  case  and  satisfaction  of  the  country ;  which  is  a  great  fruit 
of  these  successes. 

The  dimensions  of  tliis  mercy  are  alx)ve  my  thoughts.  It  is,  for 
aught  1  know,  a  crowning  mercy.  Surely,  if  it  be  not,  such  a  one  we 
shall  have,  if  this  provoke  those  that  arc  concerned  in  it  to  tliankfulness ; 
and  the  Parliament  to  do  the  will  of  Him  who  hath  done  His  will  ibr  it, 
and  ibr  the  Nation ; — whose  good  pleasure  is  to  establish  the  Nation  and 
the  Change  of  the  Government,  by  making  the  People  so  wiUing  to  the 
defence  thereof,  and  so  signally  blessing  the  endeavors  of  your  servants 
in  tliis  late  great  work.  I  am  bold  humbly  to  beg,  That  all  thooghts 
may  tend  to  the  promoting  of  His  honor  who  liath  wrought  so  great 
salvation ;  and  that  the  fatness  of  these  continued  mercies  may  not  occsp 
sion  pride  and  wantonness,  as  formerly  the  like  hath  done  to  a  chosen 
Nation ;'''  but  that  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  even  for  His  mercies,  may  keep 
an  Authority  and  a  People  so  prospered,  and  blessed,  and  witnessed 
unto,  humble  and  faitliful ;  and  that  justice  and  righteousness,  mercy 
and  trutli  may  llow  from  you,  as  a  thankful  return  to  onr  gracious  God. 

This  shall  be  the  praver  of. 

Sir, 

Your  most  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

Oliver  C&OMWELL.f 

*  On  Lord's  day  next,  by  order  of  Parliament,'  these  Letters 
are  read  frotn  all  London  Pulpits,  amid  the  general  thanksgiving 
of  men.  At  Worcester,  the  while,  thousands  of  Prisoners  are 
getting  ranked,  ^  penned  up  in  the  Cathedral/  with  sad  outlooks: 


•    4 


But  JcMhunin  waxed  fat,  and  kicked: — (and  thou  art  waxen  fat,  thou 
art  grown  thick,  tlioii  art  covered  with  fatness)  :  then  he  forsook  God  which 
made  him,  and  lightly  esteemed  the  rock  of  his  salvation*  {Deuteronomff 
xxxii.,  15). 
t  Newspapers  (in  Cromwelliana,  pp.  113,  14). 


I85i,]  At'TER  WORCESTER.  593 

OBTCBSses  of  horses,  corpses  of  men,  frightful  to  sense  and  mind, 
encumber  the  slreets  of  Worcester ;  '  we  are  plucking  Lords, 
Knights,  and  Gentlemen  from  (heir  lurk  log- holes,'  into  the  un- 
welcome light.  Lords  very  numerous ;  a  Peerage  sore  slashed. 
The  Duke  of  Hamilton  has  got  his  thigh  hroken ;  dies  on  the 
fourth  day.  Tlie  Earl  of  Derby,  also  wounded,  is  caught,  and 
tried  for  Treason  against  the  Stale  j  lays  down  his  head  at  Bol- 
lun,  where  he  had  once  carried  it  loo  high.  Lauderdale  uid 
Mhers  are  put  in  the  Tower  ;  have  to  lie  there,  in  heavy  dor- 
mancy, for  long  years.  The  Earls  of  Cleveland  and  Lauderdale 
came  to  Town  together,  about  a  fortnight  hence.  '  As  ihey 
passed  along  Coriihill  in  their  coaches  wiiji  a  guard  of  horse, 
the  Earl  of  Lauderdale's  coach  made  a  staud  near  the  Conduit: 
where  a  Carman  gave  his  Lordship  a  visit  saying,  "  Oh,  uiy 
Lord,  you  are  welcome  to  London !  1  protest,  olT  goes  your 
head,  as  round  as  a  hoop !"  LSut  his  Lordship  passed  oS'  tlio 
iatal  compliment  only  with  a  laughter,  and  so  fared  along  to  the 
Tower.'*  His  Lordship's  big  red  head  has  yet  other  work  to 
do  in  tills  world.  Having,  at  the  ever-bles^d  Restoration,  man- 
aged, not  without  difhculty,  '  to  get  a  new  suit  of  clothe3,''t'  he 
knelt  before  his  now  triumphant  Sacred  Majesty  on  that  glorious 
Thirtieth  of  May  ;  learned  from  his  Majesty,  that  "  Presbytery 
was  no  religion  for  a  gentleman ;"  gave  it  up,  not  without 
pangs  ;  and  resolutely  ael  himself  to  introduce  the  exploded  TiJ. 
chan  Apparatus  into  Scotland  again,  by  thumbikius,  by  bootikios, 
bv  any  and  every  method,  smco  it  was  the  will  of  his  Sacred 
MajesU  — faded  m  thi  Pulchan  Apparatus,  as  is  well  known: 
uarued  iit  himself  new  plentiful  clothes-suits,  Dukedoms  and 
promotions  from  the  SaLied  Majesty  ;  and  from  ibe  Sootnh  Peo- 
pk  di,ep  toned  universal  sound  of  curses,  not  yet  become  inau- 
dible ,  and  shall,  in  this  place,  and  we  hope  elsewhere,  concern 

Un  i:  rida>  the  Uth  ot  September,  the  Lord  General  arrived 
in  Town  Four  dignified  Members,  of  whom  Bulstrode  was  one, 
specially  missioned  by  vole  of  Parliamenl,:t  had  met  him  the  day 

•  King's  Pamplilela,  small  4tO.,  no.  507,  §  18. 

I  K'jgcr  Cuku's  DetGction  of  [he  Court  Btid  State  of  EngkciL 

i  Common?  Journal?,  vii„  13(0  Sept..  1651).  -^   „  . 


556  PART  VI.    WAR  WITH  SCOTLAND.  [4  SopL 

before  with  congratulations,  on  the  other  side  Aylesbury ;  '  whom 
he  received  with  all  kindness  and  respect ;  and  afler  ceremonies 
and  salutations  passed,  he  rode  with  them  across  the  fields ;— • 
where  Mr.  Winwood  the  Member  for  Windsor's  hawks  met 
them  ;  and  the  Lord  General,  with  the  other  Grentlemen,  went  a 
little  out  of  the  way  a-hawking.  They  came  that  night  to  Ayles- 
bury ;  where  they  had  much  discourse ;  especially  my  Liord  Chief 
Justice  St.  John,'  the  dark  Shipmoney  Lawyer,  <  as  they  supped 
together.'  To  me  Bulstrodc,  and  to  each  of  the  others^  he 
gave  a  horse  and  two  Scotch  prisoners :  the  horse  I  kept  for 
carrying  me ;  the  two  Scots,  unlucky  gentlemen  of  that  country, 
I  handsomely  sent  home  again  without  any  ransom  whatever.* 
And  so  on  Friday  we  arrive  in  Town,  in  very  great  solemnity 
and  triumph ;  Speaker  and  Parliament,  Lord  President  and(}ouii- 
cil  of  State,  Sheriffs,  Mayors,  and  an  innumerable  multitude,  of 
quality  and  not  of  quality,  eagerly  attending  us;  once  more  split* 
ting  the  welkin  with  their  human  shoutings  and  volleys  of  great 
shot  and  small :  in  the  midst  of  which  my  Lord  General  *  carried 
himself  with  much  affability ;  and  now  and  aflerwards,  in  all  his 
discourses  about  Worcester,  would  seldom  mention  anything  of 
himself;  mentioned  others  only ;  and  gave,  as  was  due,  the  glory 
of  the  Action  unto  God.'f — Hugh  Peters,  however,  being  of  loose- 
spoken,  somewhat  sibylline  turn  of  mind,  discerns  a  certain  in- 
ward exultation  and  irrepressible  irradiation  in  my  Lord  General, 
and  whispers  to  himself,  "  This  man  will  be  King  of  England, 
yet."  Whicii,  unless  Kings  are  entirely  superfluous  in  England, 
I  should  think  very  possible,  O  Peters !  To  wooden  Ludlow  Mr. 
Peters  confessed  so  much,  long  afterwards ;  and  the  wooden  head 
drew  its  inferences  therefrom. if 

This,  then,  is  the  last  of  my  Lord  Greneral's  Battles  and  Vic- 
tories, technically  so  called.  Of  course  his  Life,  to  the  very  end 
of  it,  continues,  as  from  the  begiiming  it  had  always  been,  a 
hatUe^  and  a  dangerous  and  strenuous  one,  with  due  modicum  of 
victory  assigned  now  and  then  ;  but  it  will  be  with  other  than 
the  steel  weapons  henceforth.     He  here  siieathes  his  war-sword ; 

•  Whitlocke,  p.  4S4 ;  see  also  2d  edit  in  die, 

t  Whitlocke,  p.  485.  (  Ludlow. 


iflSl.]  AFTER  WORCESTER.  M7 

with  that,  it  is  not  his  Order  trom  the  Great  Captain  that  he  fight 
any  more. 

The  distracted  Scheme  of  the  Scotch  Goveraore  to  acooraplish 
their  Covenant  by  this  Charles -Stuart  method  has  here  ended. 
By  and  by  they  shall  have  their  Charles -Stuart  back,  as  a  general 
Nell-Gwyiin  Defender  of  the  Faith  to  us  all ; — and  shall  see  how 
they  will  like  him  !  But  as  a  Covenanted  King  he  isolTupou  hiB 
travels,  and  will  never  return  more.  Worcester  Battle  has  cut 
the  heart  of  that  atfair  in  two  :  anil  Mon't,  an  assiduous  Lieuten- 
ant to  tlic  Lord  General  in  his  Scotch  afTairs,  is  busy  suppreasng 
the  details. 

On  Monday,  tile  Isl  of  September,  two  days  before  iho  Battle 
of  Worcester,  Lieu  ten  ant-General  Monk  Itad  stormed  Dundee, 
the  last  stronghold  of  Scotland  ;  where  much  wealth,  as  in  a  place 
of  safety,  had  been  laid  up.  Governor  Lumsden  would  not  yield 
on  Suininons  :  Lieutenant-General  Monk  stormed  him ;  the  Town 
look  lire  in  the  business  ;  there  was  onco  more  a  grim  scene,  of 
flame  and  blood,  and  rage  and  despair,  transacted  in  this  Earth ; 
and  taciturn  General  Monk,  his  choler  all  up,  was  become  surly 
as  the  Russian  Bear  ;  nothing  but  negatory  growls  to  be  got  out 
of  him :  nay,  to  one  clerical  dignitary  of  the  place  he  not  only 
gave  his  ■■  No  1"  but  audibly  threalenud  a  slap  with  the  Ust  to 
bock  it, — '  ordered  him,  Not  to  epcak  one  word,  or  he  would  soobe 
his  mouth  for  him!'* 

Tea  days  before,  soma  Shadow  of  a  new  Commitloe  of  Estates 
attempting  to  sit  at  Alyth  on  the  border  of  Angus,  with  intent  to 
cwncert  some  measures  for  the  relief  of  the  same  Dundee,  had 
been,  by  a  swift  Colonel  of  Monk's,  laid  hold  of;  and  the  mem- 
bers were  now  all  shipped  to  the  Tower.  It  was  a  snu£Dg-out 
of  the  Government-light  in  Scotlaiid.  Except  some  triumph  come 
from  Worcester  to  rekindle  it : — and.  alas,  no  triumph  came  from 
Worcester,  as  wc  sec  ;  nothing  but  ruin  and  defeat  from  Worces- 
ter !  The  Government- light  of  Scotland  lemains  snuffed  out. — 
Active  Colonel  Alured,  aswifl  devout  man,  somewhat  given  to 
Anabaptist  notions,  of  whom  we  shall  hear  again,  was  he  (haf  did 
this  feat  at  Alyth ;  a  kind  of  feather  in  hia  cap.     Among  the 

•  Balfour,  iv.,  31Q. 


•  •   ■  % 


K. 


ai;  1  ill  ilict  dill  .'i  tliiiiir  (,r  two  in  liis  tiiiit'. 

r»iit  wiih  I'.ic  ];l!"!)'.  iti"  ( Ii.jv.'niiiifiit  .-tinll'' 
no  rt'kinnliiig  ui"  il  i'rjni  llu;  NW'rccbler  >klt' 
•  .  has  ended.     Lambert,  next  suminer,  marcl 

lands,  pacificating  them.f  There  rose  a 
the  Highlands,  rebellion  of  Glencairn,  of 
inosstroopery  and  horsestealing ;  but  Mon 
the  command  there,  by  energy  and  vigilan* 
tuality,  and  slow  methodic  strength,  put  it  d 
A  taciturn  man  ;  speaks  little  ;  thinks  mor 
ever  is  doable  here  and  elsewhere. 

Scotland  therefore,  like  Ireland,  has  fa 
administered.  He  had  to  do  it  under  grea 
erning  Classes,  especially  the  Clergy  or 
tinning  for  most  part  obstinately  indispo9e< 
their  formulas  had  he  been.  With  Monk  i 
tenant  in  secular  matters,  he  kept  the  < 
appears  on  aH  sides,  he  did  otherwise  what 
He  sent  new  Judges  to  Scotland ;  *  a  pack 
minded  no  claim  but  that  of  fair  play.  I 
tnml.  thp  Rpfntmxtrant  Ker-and-Strahan  Pj 


1651.]  AFTER  WORCESTER.  S5l» 

Assembly  to  sit ;  marciied  the  Assembly  out  bodily  lo  Bruntis- 
field  Links,  and  soot  it  home  again,  when  it  tried  such  a  thing.* 
He  uniitd  Seotland  to  England  by  act  of  Parliament ;  tried  in  all 
ways  lo  unite  it  by  still  deeper  m^ihods.  He  kept  peace  ond  order 
in  the  country  ;  was  a  little  heavy  wiili  laxea ; — on  thn  whole, 
did  what  he  could  ;  and  proved,  as  there  w  good  evidence,  a  highly 
bdneficial  though  unwelcome  plienomenon  there. 

Alas,  may  we  not  say,  In  circuitous  ways  he  proved  iho-Doar 
of  what  this  poor  Scotch  Nation  really  wished  and  wilicd,  could 
il  have  known  so  much  at  sight  of  him  !  The  true  Governor  of 
this  poor  Scotch  Nation  ;  accomplishing  their  Covenant  jaithout 
the  Cliarles  Stuart,  aiacn  vn'tk  the  Charles  Stuart  it  was  a  flat  im- 
possibility. But  they  knew  bim  not ;  and  with  their  at JC-nccked 
ways  obstructed  him  as  they  could.  How  seldom  can  a  Nation, 
can  even  an  individual  man,  understand  what  at  heart  his  own 
real  will  is :  such  masses  of  superficial  i>ewilderment,  of  respecta- 
ble hearsay,  of  fantasy  and  pedantry,  and  old  and  new  cobwebbcry, 
overlie  our  poor  will ;  much  hiding  it  from  us,  for  most  part  I  So 
that  if  we  can  once  get  eye  on  it,  and  walk  resolutely  towards 
fulfilmenl  of  it,  the  battle  is  as  good  as  gained ! — 

For  example,  who,  of  all  Scotch  or  other  men,  is  he  Ihat  verily 
uuderslonds  tJie  '  real  ends  of  the  Covenant,'  and  disc  rim  inaies 
them  well  from  the  sujierfioial  Ibrms  thereof;  and  with  pious 
valor  does  them, — and  continunlly  struggles  to  see  ibem  done  ? 
I  should  say,  this  Cromwell,  whom  wc  call  Scclary  and  Blaa- 
phemer !  TIic  Scotch  Clergy,  persisting  in  their  own  most  hide. 
bound  formula  of  a  Covenanted  Charles  Stuart,  hear  clear  to«i- 
mon}'  thai,  at  no  time,  did  Christ's  Gospel  so  flourish  in  Scotland 
as  now  unJer  Cromwell  the  Usurper.  '  These  bitter  waters,'  suy 
they,  '  wci'e  sweetened  by  the  Lord's  remarkably  blessing  the 
labors  of  His  faithful  servants.  A  great  door  and  an  eSeclua) 
was  oprned  to  many.'  j-  Not  otherwise  in  inaticrs  oivil.  '  Scot- 
land,' thus  testifiea  a  competent  eye-witness,  '  waa  kept  in  great 
order.     Some  Castles  in  the  Highlands  had  Garrisons  put  into 

*  Wiiitlocke,  as  July.  1053.  I,ifr  of  Rnberl  Bhir  (Edinburgh.  175^1, 
pp.  lis,  ts,    Btencowe'i  Sydney  Paper*,  pp.  153-fl. 

f  Life  of  Robert  Blair,  p.  lao ;  Liringston'i  Life  of  Himulf  (Giis^w, 
1754),  pp.  34,  S,  tc.,  tc. 


n 


I 


I. 


}• 


-  ». 


pority/* — though  wo  needed  to  be  twice  bi 
foolish  (jovernors  lhin<^  into  the  '"J'owtT,  bi 
the  same.  We,  and  mankind  generally,  . 
set  of  creatures. 

^  Bishop  Burnetts  History  of  his  own  1 


END  OF  VOL.  I.  PART.  n. 


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