59

Passes given by Cromwell

(1) For Col. Richard Butler

1650, April 29.-Pass for Col. Richard Butler of Kilcash, who "stands engaged for some moneys for the ransoming of some prisoners at Dublin, who are since released, and doth desire to go to the Lord of Ormond, the Lord of Inchiquin or any other of the enemy's party to disengage himself of the obligation aforesaid," to go, with three servants, and return to the Lord-Lieutenant's headquarters, provided it be done before May 12 next. And if, within that time, Col. Butler shall discharge his said engagement he shall be free from his imprison(Signed) O. CROMWELL.*

ment.

(2) For Lady Inchiquin

1650, May 13.-Pass for "the right honourable the Lady of Inchiquin" and her family and servants, with their household stuff and goods, to depart from Ireland, and to be transported to foreign parts, by the Golden Sun of Ankehusen [Enchuysen] bound for Midleburgh and laden with hides, wool, skins and sides of bacon.

"Provided they act nothing to the prejudice of the State of England, and that under pretence hereof no person or goods be transported than as afore specified according to the purport and true meaning of these presents."

THE last letter which we have of Cromwell's before he left Ireland, was addressed to Col. Hewson in favour of Henry, Viscount Moore of Drogheda, son of Charles the second Viscount and of Alice Loftus, his wife, who, after her husband's death, gained a somewhat unpleasant notoriety by her persistent "informations" against Royalists, in order to secure her husband's arrears. The young Viscount had changed sides as often as Lord Inchiquin-first for the King, then for the Parliament, of late for the " enemy"-but had surrendered to Cromwell a little time before this.

Original amongst the MSS. of the Marquess of Ormonde. Printed in the Calendar of the Ormonde Papers, vol. i., new series, p. 148. Also in Gilbert's Contemporary History etc., ii. 399.

fCarte Papers, xxvii. 339. Gilbert's Contemporary History etc., ii. 410.

SIR,

For Colonel Hueson, Governor of Dublin

May 22, 1650.

The Lord Viscount Moore having had passes and protection from me to repair to Mellifont in the county of Louth and there to reside during the space of six months next ensuing; I desire you that the said Lord Moore during his stay at Mellifont, and if he shall during the said time have occasion to repair to Dublin to the Commissioners there, that he may be fairly and civilly treated, and that no incivility or abuse be offered unto him by any of the soldiery, either by restraining of his liberty or otherwise; it being a thing which I altogether disprove and dislike that the soldiers should intermeddle in civil affairs farther than they are lawfully called upon.1 Your care herein will oblige the said Lord in relation to his present condition, and will be well accepted by

Your loving friend,

O. CROMWELL.*

61

(AFTER LETTER CXXXIV)

SCOTLAND

CROMWELL entered Scotland on July 22, and reached Cockburnspath on the 25th. On the 26th he marched to Dunbar, but before starting, wrote the following letter. Sir John Monson was one of the Royalist Commissioners for the rendition of Oxford, and came in on Oxford Articles. The various Committees whose business it was to get as much money as possible from "delinquents" fretted exceedingly at what they considered the too favourable terms granted by the generals to the defenders of places like Bristol and Oxford, and often tried to evade the Articles. Fairfax and Cromwell, on the other hand, were determined that they should be scrupulously kept, feeling not only their own honour, but (as Cromwell says here), that of the army at stake.

*

1 Altered from unto" apparently by Cromwell himself.

Signature and date in Cromwell's own hand. From the original in the possession of Capt. Charles Lindsay. Printed in Anthologia Hibernica, i. 170. This letter is said to have been in the possession of Dean Swift.

SIR,

For Sir Henry Vane, junior: These

Copperswith in Scotland, July 26, 1650.

Having received this enclosed petition from Sir John Monson, expressing a very severe proceeding against him by the violation of the public faith because his Report by Mr. Attorney General hath not been yet made to the Parliament, I cannot but, for the vindication of the Parliament and army's honours, which I conceive are much concerned in it, and his just reparation, recommend it to your favour, desiring you would with all speed acquaint the Parliament with the substance of this petition and my humble and earnest request that he may receive the intended benefit of his Articles, and be freed from these pressures that are now upon him, his cause having been thought just by the army and so formerly recommended to the honourable Speaker. And by this favour, not doubting your effectual endeavours herein, you will much engage

Your humble servant,

O. CROMWELL.

With postscript, referring him for particulars to the Attorney General.*

62

(AFTER LETTER CXLIX)

To the Right Honourable the Committee for Sequestration sitting at Westminster

1650, September 27. Edinburgh. Recommending the case of Abraham Webb, apothecary general to the army, who has "approved his good affection to the Parliament by his constant service in this army, ever since the beginning of the wars," and praying for such dispatch therein as their more weighty affairs will permit, whereby they will do an act of justice and encouragement to a deserving man, as well as lay an obligation upon their humble servant,

O. CROMWELL.†

*Certified Copy. S. P. Dom. Interregnum G., cxci. 913. For Sir John Monson's case, see Calendar of Committee for Compounding, p. 1431. +The concluding words only in Cromwell's own hand. S. P. Dom. Interregnum G., cxxix. 329. For Webb's case, see Calendar of Committee for Compounding, p. 2564.

63

For the Honourable William Lenthall, Esq., Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England

SIR,

Edinburgh, October 2, 1650.

Col. George Gill had a regiment under my command. I knew nor heard of anything but what was honest and Christian in the man, until the Parliament was pleased to pass a sentence upon him and I commanded to discharge him from his regiment. I did yield present obedience to your commands as became me; since that time the man hath written unto me to desire I would mediate to some friends that he might have liberty to make his innocency to appear. I, persuading myself that nothing would be more welcome to the Parliament than to hear and redress innocency, which is so confidently stood upon by this man, do in all humility desire he may be heard, and if it be found impudency in him he may have his punishment doubled. It is not any importunity in the person occasions this boldness, but because I durst not deny my [conscience. Craving pardon for this trouble, I rest, Sir, your most humble servant,

O. CROMWELL.

In a petition to the Council of State, presented in May 1653, Col. Gill stated that "at the beginning of the late war he raised a troop under Ferdinando, Lord Fairfax, which cost him 600l., that during service he was plundered of 400l., and that on disbanding, nearly 1700l. was due to him, for which he was now sued, and in danger of being cast into prison: that in July 1650, on misrepresentation of "doubling the said 400l.," he was dismissed his regiment, voted incapable of any office and his lands ordered to be sold, but after nineteen months' attendance and great expense got the sentence taken off, though without any allowance in reparation. He begged consideration in regard of the loss of his calling, his debts, and his wife and six children; but though his case was brought forward and "referred" several times, it does not appear that he ever got anything. See Cal. of Committee for Compounding, p. 1153.

Enclosing a petition of the said Col. Gill, defending himself from the charge of having claimed more money than he was entitled to, and praying for an examination of the matter. Portland MSS. N. viii. 21. Calendared in Hist. MSS. Commissioners' Report on the Portland MSS., i. 535.

64

(AFTER LETTER CLXIV)

To Sir John Wollaston and the other Treasurers at War

1650[-1] February 3. Desiring them to pay 1000l. to Mr. William Clarke out of the money in their hands for payment of the forces under his [Cromwell's] command in Scotland. With Clarke's receipt.*

65

To Col. Hammond

DEAR COUSIN,

May 13th, 1651.

I received yours, for which I thank you. I understand my cousin, your wife, is under some trouble of mind, but because you are not particular,1 I can only say my poor prayers shall be for her, that it may be sanctified to you both. I am glad to hear my aunt' and you are agreed; I hope it's a mercy to you both. You mention some purposes to come and visit us, which kindness deserves and hath a thankful acknowledgment from your friends here, who retain in some measure their old principles, which are not unknown to you.

You do express in your letter that it's the desire of your soul that you may be led forth in some way wherein you may have more enjoyment of God, and be used to His glory, finding deadness.

Truly Sir, it's a favour from the Lord not to be valued that He vouchsafe to use and own us, of the sweet whereof you have heretofore tasted, and well it becomes you, in remembrance of former experiences, to say and think so. He is a master who owns every servant in the lowest station, and those who are in the highest have nothing to boast of but His favourable countenance and acceptance; the greater the trust the greater the account; there is not rejoicing simply in a low

*South African Public Library, Capetown. Calendared by Waylen in his House of Cromwell, 1st edition, p. 275. Waylen reduces all the dates to New Style, but Cromwell would write 1650. He did not, in Scotland, do as the Scots did; who began their year in January, though they kept the old style as regards the day of the month.

1 i.e., do not give particulars.

2 Hammond, it will be remembered, had married Hampden's daughter, and Mrs. Hampden, sen., was Eliz. Cromwell, sister to Oliver's father. She was now nearly eighty years of age.

3i.e., invaluable.