of it too, if they be not drenched too deep in their one [own] reason and opinions. Robin, be honest still. God keep thee in the midst of snares. Thou hast naturally a valiant spirit. Listen to God, and He shall increase it upon thee, and make thee valiant for the truth. I am a poor creature that write to thee, the poorest in the work,1 but I have hope in God, and desire from my heart to love His people, and if thou hast opportunity and a free heart, let me hear from thee how it is with thee. This bearer is faithful, you may be very free to communicate with him; my service to all my friends, and to my dear brother Herne whom I love in the Lord, I rest, Thy true and faithful friend HERON'S BROTHER.* This letter, Mr. Firth says, makes two points clear. "The first is Cromwell's deep distrust of the King and of any attempt to treat with him; the second is his desire to see union and right understanding' between Puritans of every sort. The justification of the alliance with the Argyle party in Scotland expresses the views not merely of Cromwell himself, but probably of the majority of the superior officers of his army." Exactly the same sentiments are expressed in a letter from the headquarters in Scotland, signed J. L. and probably written by Lambert. Clarke Papers, ii., preface, p. xxiv. 36 (WITH LETTER LXXX) (1) For the Honourable Col. Fairfax in Pontefract: These SIR, Nottingley (sic), Nov. 6, 1648. I did order a company of my Lord General's regiment to be with the guard of horse in the park this night, but finding it fit to dispose of that company to another place, I thought fit to desire of you that you would send six files of musketeers to the guard in the park this night in the room of the other. I shall have occasion also to remove one of the troops from the guard in the park to another place, wherefore I desire you that you would only retain twenty horse of the troop that is to do duty in the town, and send the rest to strengthen 1" world," Clarke MS. * From the MSS. of the Marquis of Lothian at Newbattle. Copy. Printed in the Clarke Papers, ii. 49. the guard of horse in the park. I hope within a night or two, now tools are come, we shall not put you to so much trouble. I rest, Sir, Your affectionate servant, O. CROMWELL.* (2) For the Honourable Col. Fairfax at Pontefract: These SIR, Knottingley, Nov. 7th, 1648. I understand that one Richard Gagge and two boys of John Ward's (whose father is now in the Castle) were, upon their coming to Knottingley, apprehended and carried prisoners to Pontefract, upon suspicion that they were going into the Castle. The business being cleared up to me to the contrary, I desire you would set them at liberty, and to cause such things as were taken from them to be restored; which will very much oblige, Sir, Your very humble servant, O. CROMWELL. * (3) For the Honourable Col. Charles Fairfax at Pontefract: These Knottingley, Nov. 10th, 1648. SIR, I have perused your letter. I am very sorry that your condition should be so strait. I pray you, strive with difficulties as far as you can, and for my part I will do what lies in me to get you supplied. I shall upon this occasion send expressly to the Committee for a fortnight's pay for you, and if I be denied I shall think I am not fairly dealt withal. I shall let them know that I think present money and nothing else will keep the men together. And truly, if that my lending of you a hundred pounds for the present will do you any service you shall have it in the morning if you please to send for it. I have written to Lincoln and Leicester to keep in Captain Jackson's and the other company of foot for a fortnight; their officers promised me they should perform duty as before until they had an answer. I desire you to send them this enclosed order. I take it not ill at all that you give only word, nor can I take anything ill at your hands, I pray you still account me Your true and faithful friend and servant, O. CROMWELL. Sir, I shall desire you to speed this letter by an express to York.* * From the original, signed, in the Collection of Sir Richard Tangye. (4) For the Honourable Col. Charles Fairfax, at Pontefract: These Knottingley, November 11th, 1648. SIR, The bearer has been with me, complains exceedingly of her poverty, as not able to get victuals for her family, and yet is forced to maintain sold[iers] much beyond her ability. I desire that what favour can be afforded her, you would do it, at the desire of Your humble servant, O. CROMWELL* (5) For the Honourable Colonel Fairfax, in Pontefract: These Knottingley, November 11th, 1648. SIR, The bearer, Mrs. Gray, is desirous to go into the Castle to see a brother of her who lies sick in the Castle. I desire you would let her have a drum and give her your pass to return within a limited time. I rest, Sir, THE Remonstrance of the Army, framed by Ireton and accepted by the Council of Officers on November 18, 1648, was presented to Parliament on the 20th. It demanded that all negotiations with the King should be broken off, and that he should be brought to trial; that his "instruments" should be punished, and that the soldiers should be paid their arrears. On November 28 Fairfax wrote to Cromwell, urging him to come up at once to town. (See his letter, Clarke Papers, ii. 62.) The Remonstrance had been received by the Northern Army before the 25th, as is shown by Cromwell's letter to Hammond (Letter LXXXV). SIR, For his Excellency the Lord-General Fairfax November [after the 28th), 1648. We have read your declaration here, and see in it nothing but what is honest and becoming Christians and honest men to say and offer. It's good to look up to God, who alone is able to sway * In William Clarke's handwriting, signed by Cromwell. Original in the possession of Sir Richard Tangye, and a photograph of it given in his Two Protectors. hearts to agree to the good and just things contained therein. I verily believe the honest party in Scotland will be satisfied in the justness thereof; however, it will be good that Will Rowe be hastened with instructions thither. I beseech you command him (if it seems good to your Excellency's judgment) to go away with all speed; what is timely done herein may prevent misunderstandings in them. I hope to wait speedily upon you, at least to begin my journey upon Tuesday. Your own regiment will be coming up. So will Okey's, mine, Harrison's and some others. The two garrisons have men enow (if provided for) to do that work. Lambert will look to them. 2 I rest, my Lord, Your Excellency's most humble and faithful servant, O. CROMWELL. * 38 (AFTER LETTER LXXXVI) COL. HARRISON had been sent by the Council of Officers to bring the King to Windsor. "Gallantly mounted and armed" and gaily attired -as Herbert tells us he met his royal prisoner near Farnham on Dec. 20 and reached Windsor with him on Dec. 23. To Col. Harrison at Windsor or by the way to Farnham thitherward Westminster, Dec. 22nd, 1648. SIR, Col. Thomlinson is to be speeded away to Windsor with instructions to himself, Lt.-Col. Cobbett, and Captain Merriman,3 for securing of the King, answerable to the several heads you desire resolution in. So soon as he comes you may come away, and your presence here is both desired and needed. But before you come away, we desire you to appoint three or four troops out of your convoy (of the surest men and best officered) to remain about Windsor, to whom 1 This must mean Tuesday, December 5, as Cromwell reached London on the evening of Wednesday the 6th, and it is not likely that when so urgently summoned, he would take more than a week to make the journey. On the other hand, two days would indeed mean travelling "post haste." Perhaps he got away a little sooner. 2 York and Hull. 3 Cobbett and Merriman were the two officers who had been sent by Fairfax to the Isle of Wight to demand the removal of the King. * Egerton MSS. 2620, f. 3. Endorsed by Wm. Clarke. Printed in the English Historical Review, 1887, p. 149. you may assign quarters in the next parts of Middlesex and Surrey, advising with the Governor therein, and to keep guard by a troop at a time within the Castle, and for that purpose to receive orders from Col. Thomlinson; and we desire you also out of the chief of the King's servants last allowed (upon advice with Lt.-Col. Cobbett and Captain Merriman) to appoint about the number of six (such as are most to be confided in, and who may best supply all offices) to stay with and attend the King for such necessary uses, and the rest we desire you to send away, not as discharged from the benefit of their places, but only as spared from extraordinary attendance. This is thought fit to avoid any numerous concourse which many servants, with their followers and their relations or acquaintance, would draw into the Castle; and for the said reason it is wished that such of the servants retained as are least sure, and not of necessity to be constantly in the King's lodgings, may be lodged in the town, or the lower part of the Castle, wherein the Governor is to be advised with. Capt. Mildmay1 (we presume) will be one of those you'll find to retain. The dragoons of your convoy send away to the quarters formerly intended, which (as we remember) were in Bedfordshire. We bless God by whose providence you are come on so well with your charge. We remain, Your true friends to serve you, OLIVER CROMWELL* 39 For Colonel Whitchcott, Governor of Windsor Castle, haste: These? Westminster, Dec. 22nd, 1648. SIR, Captain Brayfeild of Col. Hewson's regiment with his own and two other companies of Foot are ordered to come to you, 1 Anthony Mildmay (brother of Sir Henry), in the Parliament's service, attendant on the King. 2(Note by Mr. Firth.) "In October, 1642, Col. John Venn occupied Windsor Castle for the Parliament. In April, 1645, the House of Commons recommended Col. Christopher Whichcote (to use his own spelling of his name) as Venn's sucWhichcote, who had commanded a brigade under Essex in Cornwall, and had signed the capitulation of Sept. 1, 1644, seems to have been removed from his governorship in 1651. He died about 1655." Clarke Papers, ii. 144. cessor. * Printed in the Clarke Papers, ii. 140. |