Emboldened by her success, Lady Claneboye made a further appeal to Cromwell, concerning her husband's composition for his estate, but here she did not find him quite so willing to help. He referred her petition to Cols. Montague and Mackworth, and, upon their report, gave orders for an ordinance to be prepared for Lord Claneboye's easy composition, but afterwards saying that he was unsatisfied about the delinquents of Ireland, he declined to sign it, and referred the whole business to the authorities in Ireland,

84

For his Excellency the Lord Ambassador of the King of Spain

1653[-4] January 3.-In favour of the sons of the late Sir Peter Rycaut, to whom a debt of upwards of 23,000l. sterling is owing by the King of Spain. Desires that a speedy course may be taken to satisfy the petitioners, in default whereof letters of reprisal will be granted them.*

85

Speech to the Ministers of the French Church of London

1653-4, January 5.—An address having been presented by the French Ministers thanking him for his encouragement and praying for his protection, his Highness replied to the following effect:

"That he saw we were pleased to take notice of what he had formerly said to us, wherein he had declared his heart to us, and had said it indeed, and did say it still that we should go on in one way, and that it should be his joy to see we would do as we had said we should; to live in the love which is in Christ Jesus, and to honour our profession with a holy life (though for his part he knew no other ways but we did so) for whatsoever our profession were, that is that would do it, namely the power of godliness. He did exhort us then to go on in doing so, and promised us his protection, and that he would be ready to serve us. That he did hope that God would grant him the grace to keep his ark in these nations; and desired our prayers for him, that he might improve that authority which the Lord had given him for the good of God's people." Clarendon MSS., xlvii. 268.

* Thurloe, iii. 75. The ambassador's reply is in the same volume, p. 113.

86

(BEFORE LETTER CXCII)

THE ministers in Scotland were at this time very favourable to the royal cause-" trumpets of sedition," Lilburne called them. Oliver hoped no doubt that his personal influence might do something, and therefore, under pretext of consulting them about ecclesiastical affairs in England, sent for three of the "Remonstrators," as they were called. Middleton was at this time expected in Scotland to join and lead Glencairne's insurrection; indeed according to a letter from Lilburne to the Protector of March 4th he had already landed in Sutherland. See Firth's Scotland and the Protectorate, p. 52.

For the Honourable Colonel [Robert] Lilburne, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Scotland

SIR,

Cockpit, 7th of March, 1653[-4].

Having some occasion to speak with some godly ministers and Christians to accommodate the interest and to beget a good understanding between the people of God of different judgments in this nation; and remembering well you did once hint to me some purpose of Mr. Patrick Gilasbie's thoughts to come up hither,' in order (as I suppose) to somewhat relating to the people of God in Scotland; I have thought fit to require the coming up of Mr. John Levingston, Mr. Patrick Gilasby and Mr. John Meinzies, to which purpose I have here enclosed sent to each of them a letter appointing them the time of their appearance here. I desire you to speed their letters to them, especially to Mr. John Meinzies, who is so far remote as Aberdeen. I desire you to let them have 20l. apiece to defray the charges of their journey; let it be out of the Treasury in Scotland. Not doubting of your care and diligence herein, I rest,

Your loving friend,

OLIVER P.

I desire you to continue your care to look out after Middleton upon the coast, for I hear he was driven back by foul weather.

I desire you not to make too public the ends of sending for these gentlemen.*

1 On Feb. 7 Lilburne had written, "I am informed some of the Remonstrators are thinking to make application to your Highness very shortly, and intend Mr. Patr. Galeaspe as their Commissioner." Scotland and the Protectorate, p. 41.

*Egerton MS. 2620, f. 11. Signed only by Cromwell. Endorsed by William Clarke.

On March 16, Lilburne replied to this letter that he had given the letters to Mr. Galeaspe and Mr. Levingston, who had resolved to wait upon his Highness, and seemed sensible that it might be a good providence which called them to do so. Mr. Menzies' letter had been sent to him. Scotland and the Protectorate, p. 57.

For an account of affairs in Scotland at this time, see Gardiner's Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii. 389 et seq.

87

ONE of the Letter books of the Council of Ireland contains a large number of letters from the Protector, Council of State and Parliament of England. Those from the Protector are all in relation to petitions sent to him, and so much of the same character throughout, that only a few of the most interesting have been selected for this collection, as specimens of the rest. Mr. Prendergast printed one of these, in favour of Edmund Spenser's grandson, in his Cromwellian Settlement of Ireland, and Miss Hickson printed four of them in her Ireland in the Seventeenth Century, but not quite accurately. The fact that

the Protector wrote all these letters-there are about a hundred of them-is important, as showing his desire to be fair, even to an Irish

man.

For the Right Honourable the Commissioners of the Commonwealth in Ireland

GENTLEMEN,

Whitehall, 22nd of March, 1653[-4].

Having received the two enclosed petitions and papers of John Prendergast and the widow Brooke, whose cases have been so represented to me, which, if true, may deserve some tender regard; wherefore I thought fit to recommend them' to your consideration, that they may be permitted to reside in and enjoy their present estates and habitations, unless there be some just cause to the contrary. However, I would have their transplantation to be suspended until I receive from you an account of their particular cases and conditions and that you receive further order therein. I rest

*Letters from the Lord Protector etc, Public Record Office, Dublin.

VOL. III.-29

Your loving friend,

OLIVER P.*

Commonwealth Council Book,, p. 31.

88

Speech to the Corporation of Guildford.

ON April 18, 1654, the Protector consented to receive a deputation from Guildford, brought by the Mayor, certain of the Aldermen, the Steward and the Bailiff of that town. On being introduced to his presence, he "left speaking of some other gentlemen and came towards them," took the petition, "went to the window, and heedfully read it." The petition,-after assuring His Highness of his suppliants' belief that out of constraint rather than desire he had taken upon his shoulders the great and ponderous burden of the government, and testifying their contentment that by his countenancing of a godly and learned ministry and making of honest and learned Judges he had shown that he meant to uphold religion and justice ;-expressed their conviction that he would vouchsafe to their ancient Corporation the privileges they had hitherto had, and finally, coming to the point, presumed to make known that their "minister of Trinity and Maries parishes" was lately dead, that the living was in his Highness' gift, and that they humbly prayed it might be granted to such a one as they should certify to be a godly and learned minister, and to no other.

To this the Protector made reply :

GENTLEMEN,

I have read your paper, wherein what you there express touching my taking of the government upon me, you say what is truth; I did not desire it, nor have I, I am sure, told you so. I believe God put it into your hearts; I shall desire your prayers that I may do as you have expressed, for God is my bottom and in Him only do I trust. As for your desire of a minister, I think I have not granted the living away, and upon your making choice of such an one as your paper mentions, I shall take order that you shall have your suit.*

89

(AFTER LETTER CXCV)

For General Fleetwood, Commander-in-Chief of our Forces in Ireland

SIR,

Whitehall, July 20, 1654.

It is our will and pleasure that the papers of Patrick Rooth, a maimed soldier, here inclosed, be taken into consideration by

*Several Proceedings etc., no. 239. (E. 227, 27.) Reprinted in Cromwelliana, p. 139.

the Commissioners for Sequestrations or whom else it may concern, and that speedy justice may be done him as to the obtaining of his right. But if he be barred by the delinquency of his ancestors, and it be thought inconvenient to restore those houses and lands to him by making a precedent of that kind, yet in regard he hath manifested his good affection to the service of the Commonwealth and hath lost his arm therein, we do think fit and do hereby order that the Commissioners for Sequestrations do put him in possession or permit him to receive the profits of so much of the said lands and houses as may yield him a subsistence for himself, his wife and children, and that the true state of his case be certified to us; and it is our further pleasure that the Governor of Wexford do permit him to live there with his wife and family and do show him kindness and give him encouragement so long as he shall demean himself honestly and well. All which is recommended to your special care to see the same effectually performed. Your loving father,

OLIVER P.*

90

66

RICHARD SALWAY, it will be remembered, had refused to go to Sweden, partly on the score of health, partly because he had not freedom of spirit" to act. Perhaps his health interfered again with his plans, for he did not go to Turkey, and Bendish was continued there.

To the Company of Merchants trading in the Levant Seas 1654, August 14, Whitehall.-Announcing the appointment of Richard Salway, Esq., to succeed Sir Thomas Bendish as ambassador at Constantinople.

FOR an account of the disastrous fire which, on April 18, 1653, nearly destroyed the town of Marlborough, see Waylen's History of Marlborough, pp. 257-269.

* Letters from the Lord Protector etc., A, p. 38. Public Record Office, Dublin. +From the MSS. of Alfred Salway, Esq. Printed in the Tenth Report of the Hist. MSS. Commissioners, Appendix iv. p. 410.