resolutions to maintain the government now established with the hazard of their lives and fortunes.' A letter amongst the Duke of Sutherland's MSS., dated March 20, says: "The city are putting themselves into a posture of arms according to the Protector's [speech to the] Court of Aldermen and Common Council." An earlier one, written on March 6, states: "It is reported that the Protector cannot take his natural sleep at night, but cries out upon Monck, Monck, so that it seems there is something in Scotland troubles him." "1 141 To the Council in Scotland April 15th, 1658. OLIVER, by the grace of God, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the dominions and territories thereunto belonging, to our well-beloved Council in Scotland, greeting: Whereas, for about the space of one hundred years last past, the Gospel (blessed be God) hath been plentifully preached in the Lowlands of the said nation, and competent maintenance provided for the Ministry there, yet little or no care hath been taken for a very numerous people inhabiting in the Highlands by the establishing of ministry, or a maintenance, where the greatest part have scarce heard whether there be an Holy Ghost or not, though there be some in several parts, as we are informed, that hunger and thirst after the means of salvation, and that there is a concealed maintenance detained in unrighteousness, and diverted from the right ends to the sole benefit of particular persons; and being also informed that there hath been much revenue for many years together in the late King's time, and since concealed and detained from us by such persons as have no right or title thereunto; and that some Ministers that were acquainted with the Highland language have in a late summer season visited those parts, and been * A Discovery made by his Highnesse the Lord Protector to the Lord Mayor, etc. (E. 1644, at the end of the volume); also Mercurius Politicus, No. 407 (E. 748, 23) and Public Intelligencer, No. 126 (E. 748, 22); reprinted in Cromwelliana, p. 171. There are allusions to the speech in the Clarke MSS. and the State Papers. (See Clarke Papers, iii. 143, and Cal. S. P. Dom., 1657-8, p. 328). See also Thurloe, vii. 3. 1 See Appendix to Fifth Report of the Hist. MSS. Commissioners, p. 166. courteously used by many professing their breathings after the Gospel : We do therefore, in consideration of their sad condition, the great honour and glory of God, and the good that may redound to the souls of many poor ignorant creatures, will and require you with all care, industry and conveniency to find out a way and means for the planting of the Gospel in those parts. And that in pursuance thereof, and the better carrying on so pious a work, our Barons of our Exchequer in Scotland do search and find out six hundred pounds per annum, out of concealed estates and revenues belonging to us, or that may belong unto us and our successors. And to issue forth and pay the same unto such person or persons as by our said Council shall be nominated and appointed out of such concealed rents or any other concealed revenues whatsoever, quarterly or half yearly, as there shall be cause, by and with their consent and approbation, to the only use and end aforesaid; for which so doing this shall be yours and their warrant. Witness ourself at our palace at Westminster the day 1658.* 142 To the Mayors, Bailiffs and Jurats of the Cinque Ports 1658, April 17, Whitehall.-Understanding that persons daily land from beyond seas, as well in the ports as in creeks and bye-places, and that "by their wandering up and down and other carriages they show themselves to be dangerous persons, and come over with a design against the peace of the Commonwealth; "-he desires them to cause some of their troops to be always near the landing places, with orders to secure all such persons, until they be examined and can give an account of themselves and their business. The officers of the ports to do the like to such as land in or attempt to pass from the said ports. With warrant of assistance.t * Copy. S. P. Dom. Interregnum I., 78, pp. 557, 558. +Copy amongst the MSS. of Rye Corporation. Printed in the Appendix, part 4, of the Thirteenth Report of the Hist. MSS. Commissioners, p. 230. VOL. III.-33 143 To Mr. Pell Whitehall, May 6, 1658. SIR, The state of affairs being much altered in those parts, so that your longer abode there seemeth not so necessary, and that your return hither may be more serviceable to us, I have thought fit hereby to recall you; therefore you will do well, having taken your leave there in the best manner, to repair homewards, that we may receive from you the account of your whole negotiation, and you from us the encouragements which you have deserved. So I rest, Your loving friend, By his Highness's command. J. THURLOE. OLIVER P.* Pell states that he was sent for on March 2, 1654, by the Protector, who proposed to him the Mission to Switzerland. He left London on April 5, and " so from Westminster to Zurich, 43 days. Our way was crooked and at least 700 miles long." He received the Protector's letter of recall on May 22, 1658, left Zurich on June 26, and reached home on August 13. On the 24th (the day the Protector came to Whitehall) he went to London, hoping for an interview, but Oliver was probably too ill to see him. 144 To Captain Stoakes, in the Straits or elsewhere 1658, May 21, Whitehall.--Sending him the petition of Lazaro Armenio, with the papers of the Admiralty thereon, and praying him to deal with the poor man according to equity and good conscience.+ 145 (AFTER LETTER CCXXV) HARRY CROMWELL, To Henry Cromwell June 1, 1658. I write not often to you. Now I think myself engaged to my dear cousin Whalley to lay my commands upon you that *Lansdowne MSS. 754, f. 400. Printed in Vaughan's Protectorate, ii. 335. +S. P. Dom. Interregnum, clxxxii. no. 43, iv. you show all loving respect to his eldest son by his present lady, whom you are to receive in the room of his eldest brother, both into his command and into your affection.1 I assure you, though he be so nearly related to us, as you know, yet I could not importune on his behalf so heartily as now I can upon the score of his own worth; which indeed is as remarkable as I believe in any of ten thousand of his years. He is excellent in the Latin, French and Italian tongues; of good other learning, with parts suitable; and, which completes this testimony, is hopefully seasoned with religious principles. Let him be much with you, and use him as your own. Being most serious in this desire, and expecting a suitable return thereunto, I rest Your loving father, P.S. My love to your dear wife and the two babes. OLIVER P.* 146 To the Master and Wardens of the Stationers' Company and to Hen. Hills and John Field, printers 1658, June 22, Whitehall.—Authorising and ordering them to put in execution the acts against the publishing of unlicensed, scandalous and seditious books.t 147 [To the Mayor and Commonalty of Chester] 1658, June 23, Westminster.-Grant to the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of the city of Chester, of the patronage and care of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist in the same city; with further grant of the office of keeper or warden of the hospital to the Mayor of Chester for the time being, to have and hold the said office during his 1 This was Cornet Richard Whalley, second son of Col. Edward, the Protector's cousin. The eldest son, John, was also a cornet. He afterwards sat in Richard's parliament, but was at this time in the Tower, in consequence of fighting a duel with Lord Chesterfield. * Printed in Waylen's House of Cromwell, p. 295, and there stated to be in the possession of John R. W. Whalley, Esq. See Notes and Queries, June 26, 1869. +S. P. Dom. Interregnum I., 78, pp. 709-711. mayoralty and no longer, and in like manner to every succeeding Mayor for the time being.* 148 For our Dear Son the Lord Henry Cromwell, our Deputy of Ireland Hampton Court, July 16, 1658. SON [HARRY], I have received a Petition from Lieut.-Col. Nelson touching his transporting Irish into Spain, desiring thereby that he may have some satisfaction for his losses sustained in that business out of lands in Ireland. I do believe he hath been a very great sufferer, and that his sufferings have been of some advantage to Ireland, by carrying away those people thence. And I know and so do you, the services of the said Lieut.-Colonel performed in his own person, and how well he hath deserved for the same of the Commonwealth. For those considerations I was, and am, exceeding willing and indeed desirous, that something might be done for him, which might not only repair his losses but be a mark of favour to him. And therefore, although I have not done the thing he desires, as judging it not to be within my power, yet I do most earnestly recommend him unto you, desiring that you and the Council would take him and his case into consideration, and put him in some way that may answer his said losses, without which I believe he and his family will be in a very ill condition. And if you shall agree of any thing to be done by me therein you shall find me most ready to do it. And so I rest, Your affectionate father, OLIVER P.+ 149 (AFTER LETTER CLXXXVII) The following short note is written to Edmund Dunch of Little Wittenham, Berkshire, the son of Oliver's aunt Mary and father of * MSS. of the Corporation of Chester. Calendared in the Eighth Report of the Hist. MSS. Commissioners, Appendix 1, p. 361. + Letters from the Lord Protector etc., 1654-8,, p. 191. Office, Dublin. Public Record |