(4) At a Council of Officers, Putney, November 8 THE LIEUT.-GENERAL spoke much to express the danger of their principles who had sought to divide the army; that the first particular of that which they called the Agreement of the People did tend very much to anarchy, [i.e.] that all those who are in the kingdom should have a voice in electing representatives. CAPT. WILLIAM BRAY made a long speech to take off what the Lieut.-General said, but Cromwell moved and carried a resolution praying the Lord General to send the representative officers and agitators back to their regiments until the rendezvous should be over. A few days later, on the 11th, at the committee of officers, Harrison having declared that the King was a man of blood" and ought to be prosecuted ; THE LIEUT.-GENERAL answered him by putting several cases in which murder was not to be punished. As in the case if a man that had killed his son should get into a garrison, whether he might wage war, or not give conditions to that place. Stated the case of David upon Joab's killing of Abner, that he spared him upon two prudential grounds: one that he would not hazard the spilling of more blood, in regard the sons of Zeruiah were too hard for him. IRETON "answered in the same case," and further urged that they were not to go in any unlawful way in order to bring a delinquent to justice; and THE LIEUT.-GENERAL said that we [must not?] do the work where it is disputable and the work of others to do it, [but only] if it be an absolute and indisputable duty for us to do it.* After a few words from FAIRFAX and COWLING, the debate closed, and on November 15 the first of the three rendezvous (which had been decided on instead of one general one) took place at Ware. On the 8th of the following January, the great Council of the Army ceased to exist. 26 (BEFORE LETTER LII) This letter was probably written at the time of the King's first plan of escape, fixed for December 28, 1647, when a ship was sent for him into Southampton water. The expression "am I forgotten" looks as if it were the opening letter of the series, and Hammond must have *Clarke Papers, i. 226 et seq. had, at this time, some authorisation concerning the King's attendants, as, on this date, he dismissed Ashburnham, Berkeley and Legge. It will be remembered that on this very day, the King had given his refusal to the four propositions sent him by Parliament, and that Berkeley had objected that the Governor might thereby be made more suspicious and vigilant, and so hinder their project. To this, the King replied that he would give in his answer sealed, and thus Hammond would not know its purport in time to hinder him. But the commissioners insisted on receiving it open; Hammond, to the King's great indignation, read it, and the consequences which Berkeley had feared followed; the guards were increased and the King's three most trusty, and therefore dangerous, companions were compelled to leave the castle. For Col. Robin Hammond, Governor of the Isle of Wight, these, at Carisbrook Castle, haste, post haste DEAR ROBIN, am I forgotten? [? December 1647.] Thou art not, I wish thee much comfort in thy great business, and the blessing of the Almighty upon thee. This intelligence was delivered this day, viz., that Sir George Cartwright' hath sent three boats from Jersey and a barque from Sharbrowe 2 under the name of Frenchmen, but are absolutely sent to bring the King (if their plot can take effect) from the Isle of Wight to Jersey, one of which boats is returned back to Jersey with news, but it is kept very private. I wish great care be taken. Truly I would have the castle well manned; you know how much lieth upon it. If you would have any thing more done let your friends know your mind; they are ready to assist and secure you. You have warrant now to turn out such servants as you suspect; do it suddenly for fear of danger. You see how God hath honoured and blessed every resolute action of these [?] for Him; doubt not but He will do so still. Let the Parliament ships have notice of Cartwright's design that so they may look out for him. I have no more but rest, Your true servant, O. CROMWELL.* 2 Cherbourg. 1 Carteret. *Holograph. Amongst the MSS. of the Marquis of Lothian at Newbattle. Printed in the Clarke Papers, ii. xxv. 27 (Before Letter LIX) Ar the beginning of May, 1648, Cromwell marched into Wales, to suppress the Royalist insurrection there. He was at Gloucester on the 8th, and marched by way of Monmouth to Chepstow, which he reached on the 11th. This and the following letter were therefore written from one of the first two of these places, probably Gloucester. are. For his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, General: These MY LORD, [Gloucester, ?] May 9, 1648. You hear in what a flame these western parts I cannot but mind your Excellency that the enemy are designing to surprise many places and we shall still play the after-game. I think it of absolute necessity that some men be put into Bristol, especially since Chepstow is taken, with which (as I heard) they hold correspondency. Sir, Bristol must have a fixed garrison of foot. I beseech you recommend it to the Parliament, that it may be done, there cannot be less than 600 men for it. Lieut.-Col. Rolphe would be a fit man; he is able to give help in the business by his father Skippon his interest, and it would be well taken if your Lordship would recommend him; there is necessity of speed in my opinion, the city desire it. I take leave and rest, Your Excellency's most humble servant, O. CROMWELL. Postscript. My Lord, Lieut.-Col. Blackmore is with me; he is a godly man and a good soldier. I beg a commission to make him an adjutant-general to the army. He is very able, as most ever were in this army.* Endorsed by William Clarke. *Holograph. Egerton MSS., 2620, f. I. Printed in the English Historical Review, 1887. Cromwell's request concerning Blackmore was complied with, but it does not appear that Rolph was made governor of Bristol. He was at this time in the Isle of Wight, and was accused, two or three weeks afterwards (though probably without foundation) of a design to assassinate the King under pretext of helping him to escape. He was senior officer in charge (after Hammond's departure) at the time that Fairfax sent Cobbet and Merryman to remove the King to Hurst Castle, and is said to have tried to force his way into the royal coach. "It has not come to that yet; get you out," said the King, as he called his own attendants to him. See Herbert's Memoirs, p. 199. MR. ROBERTS, 28 To Mr. (Capt. Thomas) Roberts 1 [Gloucester ?], May 9, 1648. Being informed that divers Papists and delinquents do gather themselves together upon pretence of hunting meetings, giving out dangerous speeches, riding up and down armed to the hazard of the peace of this kingdom, I do desire and authorise you to gather to you such of your friends and persons well affected to the Parliament's cause, and attach them, causing them to be brought to Gloucester, that there they may be secured until the pleasure of the Parliament be further known. I rest your friend and servant, Underneath-Writ of Assistance O. CROMWELL. I desire you from time to time to give such assistance to Captain Thomas Roberts in suppressing insurrections and tumults, and apprehending suspected persons, as he shall desire from you. Given under my hand this ninth day of May, 1648. OLIVER CROMWELL. To all officers, horse and foot, under the General the Lord Fairfax.* Enclosed in petition to the Protector by Roberts, May 25, 1655. 29 To Captain Crowther 2 Cardiff, May 16, 1648. SIR, I received both yours this morning, and cannot but acknowledge your great forwardness to serve the public. I have here enclosed sent you an order for the taking up of vessels for the transporting of soldiers and the oats of the horses. My men shall be at the water-side tomorrow. If they can provide victuals, they shall. # 1 Of the Gloucestershire Militia, 2 Vice-Admiral John Crowther. Holograph. S. P. Dom. Interregnum, c. 117. i. VOL. III.-25 If not I shall give you notice that we may bring it out of your vessels. Sir, I remain, Your very humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL. * 30 (AFTER LETTERS LX and LXI) From the Leaguer before Pembroke (1) To Col. William Herbert 1648, June 26.-Desiring him to quarter his troop in any part of Monmouthshire that he judges most advantageous for the public service. Signed. (2) To Col. Poyer Pembroke, July 10, 1648. SIR, I have (together with my Council of War) renewed my propositions, [and] I thought fit to send them to you with these alterations, which if submitted unto I shall make good. I have considered your condition, and my own duty; and (without threatening) must tell you that if (for the sake of some) this offer be refused, and thereby misery and ruin befall the poor soldiers and people with you, I know where to charge the blood you spill. In case this offer be refused, send no more to me about this subject. I rest your servant, O. CROMWELL. + THIS was the last summons to Pembroke Castle, which surrendered the following day; Col. Poyer and certain of his officers at mercy; the rest of the garrison upon terms. * Printed in A Discourse of the Warr in Lancashire (p. 98), edited for the Chetham Society by W. Beaumont, who states that the original letter is preserved at Wincham in Cheshire. + Perfect Occurrences, No. 81 (E. 525). Printed in J. Roland Phillips' Civil War in Wales, i. 414. |