State Papers, 1658: April (3 of 6)

April (3 of 6)

Mr. Downing, resident in Holland, to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. lviii. p. 317.

Sir,
I received yours of the 9th instant old stile, I suppose, with the inclosed intelligence concerning the Spanish soldiers bound for Flanders their being at sea. Yesterday the French ambassador gave in a memorial of the States General, giving them notice, that he had advice from Paris, that the king of Spain had raised levies in Galicia to send for Flanders, and that they intended to land in some part of the United Provinces; and to the same purpose I gave in a memorial this day. We do verily believe, that their intention is to land in some part of the United Provinces, and without asking leave I thought fit to give notice of that: accordingly you may, so far as in you lies, dispose to meet them; and I think 4 or 3 frigates at this time upon this coast may do very well to wait for them, and for preventing of picharoons, which here this week brought in 3 more English vessels into the Brill laden with coals; and if there were a couple of ketches, the one to lye before the Brill, and the other before the Maeze, it would break this trade; for they would fetch them or their prizes; or if they do bring in any, a couple of the said ketches men might be put on board any such prizes to see they unload them not, and that will make them weary of this trade, if they could not unload, nor yet carry out their prizes. I have here inclosed to you an answer in what forwardness the fleet is at Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, and Zeland; their men of warre are in like forwardness.

Hague, April 20. 1658. [N. S.]

I am, Sir,
Your very ready faithful servant,
G. Downing.

Captain H. Smith to the protector.

Vol. lviii. p. 324.

May it please your Highnes,
I have received your highnes letter of the 6th instant, and will persue your highnes instructions therein. I am in some hopes, I may yet discover somethinge more of that busines, but I seare I shall not lay hold of Gardner. I cannot heare hee is in these parts: He was lately in Flanders as I am informed; if he comes into this country, I doe thinke I shall bee sure of him. Captain Overton being very lame, and not able to goe abroad, he lately sent mee this inclosed paper, which I have, according to my duty, taken the boldnes to present to your highnes. Mr. Stapleton was here about the beginning of this moneth with his unckle Sir Henry Slingsby. He told mee his busines was about setling of some estate upon Sir Hen.'s eldest sonn, who is in election to bee marryed ere long. I am sorry any pretending to religion and to good men should give your highnes most malitious enemys such cause of rejoyceing, as I perceave the words mentioned in the inclosed paper hath done. I shall not give your highnes any further trouble at present, but to subscribe my self

Hull. April 10. 58.

Your Highnes most humble servant
Hen. Smith.

The information of John Stapeley, ofPatcham, in the county of Suffex, Esq; taken, upon oath the 10th day of April 1658, before Williamlord Goffe, and Henry ScobellEsq; justices of the peace for the city and liberty of Westminster.

Vol. lviii. p. 322.

This informant faith, that he hath been acquainted with Dr. Hewett, who usually preacheth at Gregory's near Pauls, about three years, and became acquainted with him at the lady Campion's, his grandmother; and that about a year since Dr. Hewett took occasion to tell this informant, that he wished him very well, and believed him to be a person, whom he might trust and communicate to what was in design; and hereupon told him, that there was a design to bring the King (meaning Charles Stuart into England) he being the right heir of this crown, or words to that effect; and that many persons both in the se veral counties and in the city were engaged therein; and thereupon asked this informant, whether he were inclined to engage also in the design, insinuating, that if he did not, he was a lost man, this informant's father having been on the other side, and had sat as a judge upon the late king's death; to which this informant answered not much, but made a difficulty to meddle in a matter of so great consequence: and faith, that his discourse was at the lodging of the said Dr. Hewett near Paul's; upon occasion, of a visit, which this informant made him; and faith it was when the parliament was sitting, before the debate of kingship was on foot. And this informant further faith, that there was several meetings between the said Hewett and this examinate, which were usually at his the said Hewett's lodgings, where they had further discourse about this business; and the said Hewett opened to him more particularly the said design, acquainting him that the king himself, meaning Charles Stuart, would come from Flanders with men and arms; and that an insurrection would be at the same time here, being many engaged in several counties, and in particular that many in the county of Suffex, where this informant lived, were engaged, and did persuade this informant to take a commission from Charles Stuart to raise that county; and thereupon some discourse there was about the nature of the commission, what it would be, and in what quality this informant should serve; whereupon the said Hewett repiied, that he could procure any commission that should be desired from Charles Stuart, but said he did usually give no commission but for single regiments, to avoid competition and divisions amongst gentlemen, who were willing to serve him, and that he would have no general but himself. Then this informant, before he declared himself about the acceptance of a commission, desired to know from him, what persons were in particular engaged in this design, either in the country or in the city, and by what authority he the said Hewett did negotiate in these affairs; whereupon he said, that for his authority there was a committee of several persons in the city, who did by order of Charles Stuart manage the whole affair, and send messengers and agents to and fro between Flanders and England, two whereof he said were Sir Humphrey Bennet and himself, but refused to tell the names of any of the rest, being obliged (as he said) to the contrary; and said it was not material for this informant to know it. And as to the persons engaged, he made great difficulty therein also, but said that he knew for certain, that major general Browne was to command for Charles Stuart in the city, and that he would have with him about 8000 men, and that there were 1000 horse in the hands of private persons, which were all ready and would appear at a night's warning, and that there was a bank of mony in the city for the managing of this business; and said there were very many considerable persons in the city, that would appear, but always said it would be of no use to this informant to discover their names to him; only he, this informant, hath heard the said Hewett speak of alderman Adams as a very honest man. And as to the manner of managing their business in the city, he would discourse, that the protector's forces would be necessitated to draw away, when the foreigners arms were landed in the several counties, and then the city would shut up their gates and rise to arms. And as to those persons, who were engaged in his design, in the several counties, he put off that as a thing not properly belonging to him, his peculiar business lying in the city, and his part was to be plaid there; but said they had good assurance of the lord Fairfax, lord Lambert, and sir William Walker; as also of sir Francis Vincent and Adam Browne for Surry; and as for Suffex, he said that sir Humphrey Bennet knew all the business of Sussex, and who they were who were engaged in that business; and said that he kept correspondence with major Smith, colonel Bishop, and colonel Gunter of Suffex, by whom this informant might know from time to time all matters which related to that county, and especially colonel Bishop and Gunter, who have managed all the affairs of Charles Stuart for that county ever since Worcester fight. And Major Smith told this informant, that Gunter did lodge Charles Stuart in his flight from Worcester one night, and conveyed him away from Brighthemsted. And this informant further faith, that this, which is before said, is the effect of several discourses, which were between the said Dr. Hewett and this informant, in most of which the said Hewett pressed this informant to take a commission from Charles Stuart, telling him, he had particular directions from Charles Stuart to offer him a Commission; and faith, that at last he agreed to take a commission, which was delivered to him by the said Dr. Hewett at Grinstead in Sussex, where this informant and the said Dr. Hewett met upon the desire of the said Hewett, signified to him in a letter, which as he remembers was about Michaelmas last, and the said commission was signed with the name Charles R. and sealed with the seal, with which the kings of England used to seal, which is called the privy seal, as he believes; and was for this informant's raising of a regiment of 500 horse in his the said Charles Stuart's Service; and that at the same time he the said Dr. Hewett delivered to this informant three other blank commissions signed and sealed, as aforesaid. One of them was for a regiment of horse, another for a regiment of foot, and the other for the commanding of a garrison; but the garrison was left blank also, and left it to this informant to dispose of those commissions as he himself thought sit; and faith, that these commissions were delivered to supply the want of a commission for a general officer, the intent being that this informant should command in chief in Suffex, and to that purpose this commission was of the eldest date; and so by consequence the other colonels, who were to have the other commissions, were to be under his command; but this informant faith, that he was very unwilling to meddle with the said other commissions, alledging that he knew not on whom to be bestow them; but the said Dr. Hewett pressed him thereunto, desiring him to give them to whom he should think fit for his master's service, or words to that effect. And being asked, whether they had any discourse about persons, who might be fit for those charges, faith, that he doth remember the said Dr. Hewett spake of colonel Gunter as a very fit man, and one that was true to his master, meaning Charles Steuart; colonel Bishop, and major Smith were also named; and he doth not remember any other. And being further asked, what garrison they thought upon to be taken and kept, he faith, there was a discourse of Chichester and Arundell, and chiefly of Chichester; that if it could be surprized, the person might have that commission, who could be thought fit to keep it; and he this informant further faith, that he hath not disposed of any of the said commissions, but hath them all by him, for which the said Dr. Hewett seemed much displeased at him. Sometimes, when they have met together this informant further faith, that he doth well remember, that before the meeting of Grinstead, the said Dr. Hewett (they being together at the lodging of the said Dr.) shewed to him a letter signed Charles R. or C. R. which was written to the said Dr. Hewett by Charles Stuart, whom he called the king, (as he said) which letter the said Dr. Hewett read to him; and was to this effect: That he desired his friends to be mindful of his business, hoping himself to be with them in some convenient time, and wished him to assure them, that he would not forget the zeal they had for his service, and affections they should manifest to him, or words to that effect; and that the said Hewett told him, that he had received several other messages by word of mouth from him he called the king, by trusty messengers, who were employ'd between England and Flanders, who brought nothing in writing for fear of miscarriage. And this informant further faith, that he hath had several discourses with the said major Smith, to whom he was directed as aforesaid by Hewett, to be further informed about the persons who were ingaged in Sussex, and what he and Gunter had done for the interest of Charles Stuart in those parts; and told the said Smith, that he had received a commission for a regiment of horse for the service of Charles Stuart, and intended him for one of his officers, and asked him, what men he had prepared and engaged to join with him? who assured him, that there were several men, both gentlemen and others, who were already engaged; that he for his part was sure of forty or fifty men, who would follow him; that Mr. Colt would bring in a very considerable number; so would Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Lewkenor. Mr. Garret Kempe, Mr. Caryll, Mr. May, Mr. Woodcock, Colonel Bishop, young Mr. Paine of Petworth; and that Binsted the inn-keeper who was an active man; all which he said colonel Gunter had spoke with, and had assurance of, and said, that if this judgment would rise, many would rise with him, who would not follow the king's party. These were in the West; and that also Dr. Burton was engaged and assisted much in council. There were others in the east, as Denny, Ashburnham, Mr. Wilson of Bourne, and Mr. Alexander Farmer, who (Smith said) were all engaged; and also colonel Apsley. But this informant saith, that he spake himself with none of these but Mr. Woodcock, who was to have been one of this informant's officers, and with one Henry Mallory, who was to be another of his officers, and also with Mr. Hutchinson. He faith also, that Mr. Smith told him, that he believed, that Foster and Gildridge were at the command of Wilson in his business; but that he had not spoke with them, nor had he, as he said, either spoke with Mr. Goring of Highdowne but believed him to be an honest man: Nor doth he know the mind of sir Henry Goring, of Burton; but in case he be engaged, he believes it is done by colonel Bishop. Mr. Hutchinson undertook also to have colonel Herbert Morley tried what he would do, becouse he appeared to be much discontented: And this informant further faith, that there was an intention to surprize Chichester; and this business was to be done by colonel Gunter. Mr. Ray, and major Smith (the relation whereof he had from Smith) and the way was, for Gunter and May to have procured some men in town, who should have seized the soldiers and their horses in the inns, and also to have surprized the gate, if there had not been too many of the soldiers present upon the guards; and if they had carried it, they would have gathered their friends together unto that place, and formed a strength fit to have marched with. And this informant being asked, what further preparations were made for their insurrection in Sussex, he said, that Smith told him, he had been many times with sir Humphry Bennet about those affairs, and had also spoke with colonel Gunter, who had also conferred with sir Humphry Bennet; and that it was thought most adviseable for them to rendevous upon Beeding-hill, about the middle of Sussex; and that if there were but 200 horse appeared, they would ride up and down to gather their friends together; and if they were not surprized at first, they did not doubt but to double their number presently; and that those, who would not rise with them, they would seize upon, and secure; and that Smith and Mr. Covet would take care to secure captain Freeman; and as for armies Smith said, that they in the East should be put to it to arm themselves, but that he knew the gentlemen in the West of Sussex had arms for themselves and their servants. And as to the time of their insurrection, no certain time was prefix'd? but sir Humphry Bennet bid Smith to acquaint all the gentlemen, that they should get themselves in readiness; and that Charles Stuart would be sure to give them a fortnight's warning before he came; but that they were not to stir till London begun. This informant likewise faith, that he spake with Mr. Hutchinson about a month since at Cuckfield, where Hutchinson lives; who coming to this informant at his lodgings at Mr. Henley's, began to spake to him of the intended insurrection; and told him, that major Smith and he had often spoke about this informant; whereupon this informant asking him, what he knew of that business, he said he was engaged therein, and had received a commission from the king, meaning Charles Stuart; and that he doubted not, but to bring in 20 or 30 horse, and said he spake with Mr. Cover, and colonel Bishop, and they were ingaged, and believed the same of Wilson, and Ashburnham, and Farmer. And being asked what correspondence they in Sussex had with other counties, he saith, he doth not know of any, save that Smith told him, that he heard that Mr. Cotton, of Hampshire, and Mr. Hooke of Brunshot, of the same county, were also ingaged in this insurrection, but knew not the certainty thereof. And this informant further saith, that he being in London many times this winter, he hath had often discourse with Dr. Hewett about Charles Stuart's coming over; and that Dr. Hewett did assure him, that he would certainly come with between 7 and 8000 men, which he said were ready upon the sea-coast, and were to be commanded by Marcine, or some such name; and with them they would bring good store of arms for arming their friends here, and 12000 pallisado's to fortisy the place they should land upon, which he said was to be Yarmouth; and there were 20 ships and upwards, which were ready to take the men on board; some whereof were ships of store, and others of burthen. That the time of their coming was not certain; but that there should be a fortnight's warning. He also faith, that the said Hewett acquainted him, that the marquess of Ormond had been here in London, and his business was to treat with several parties about the king's coming over; and in particular, to satify them in matters of religion: and that although the government of the church should be episcopacy, as it had been exercised in England, that yet others as presbyterians, &c. should be tolerated; and that to this purpose Ormond had spoke with some of all sorts. And he further saith, that Hewett told him, that sir William Waller would appear in Kent in this action, as also the lord Winchester, whom he hears is since gone beyond-sea: and that which makes this informant believe that sir William is ingaged in this account is, for that Mr. John Mordaunt, son of the countess of Peterborough, did about Christmas was twelve-month, in some discourse they had at the lodging of this informant, at Foster's in Fleet-street, or at the said countess's house, ask him, whether he, this informant, did not hear of an insurrection intended to be through this nation, on the behalf of Charles Stuart, whom he called the king; to which this informant answered, he did not. Then (said he, the said Mr. Mordaunt) hoping you will do me no prejudice, being my friend, I will tell you, that there is a design to bring in the said king; and would know of this informant, whether he would ingage in that design yea or not; to which he answered, that he would not; and asked the said Mordaunt whether he were ingaged therein, who answering he was not, being no man of the sword, nor had a body for it, or words to that effect; whereto this examinant reply'd, why then would you engage me? Who said, he had spoke with sir William Waller therein, and that he had wished him to come to this informant about it, saying that they did nothing, if they did not ingage that gentleman, meaning the informant for Suffex; who was, as he said, a moderate man; and many would rise with him, who would not follow the cavalliers. The said Mordaunt told this examinate at the same time, that sir Frances Vincent, and Mr. Adam Browne, were ingaged in the same business; and this informant speaking with the said Mordaunt some time since of the said matters, and inquring of him, what became of the rising he spake of formerly, the said Mordaunt told him the same things he had spoken before, but did not acquaint him with any further particulars.

And being asked, what he knoweth further of those matters, this informant faith, that about a month since there came to him here in London one Barham, directed to him by Smith and Gunter; who, with colonel Bishop had sent him into Flanders to Charles Stewart; and that he had come from thence about a month before, and now come the informant to give him an account, how things stood there; which he said was to this purpose, that Charles Stuart was in a good condition; and was prepairing to come over into England; and gave him the same account, or much to that purpose of his strength, which Dr. Hewett had given before; and said that the just time of his coming was fixed, but all his friends should have a fortnight's warning; and this informant faith, that the said Barham is a Western man, which made the informant ask him of the state of affairs there; to which the said Barham answered, that there were parties there also; but was not willing to tell this informant the names of any persons. And this informant further faith, that the said Dr. Hewett told this informant, that they had great hopes, that Windsor castle would be delivered to them, or words to that effect.

J. Stapley.

Taken and acknowledged before us,
Will. Goffe.
Hen. Scobet.

Lockhart, ambassador in France, to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. lviii. p. 325.

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May it please your Lordshipp,
The last post brought me two from your lordshipp, and one from Mr. Marvell, with a letter inclosed to his eminency which I delivered upon friday last. I had, before my receipt of his highnes letter to his eminency, obtained all satisfaction to the officers, who had been absent in England this winter; which I signified to them by adjutant general Willoby, whom I dispatched to Calais on monday last, with a pacquett to your lordshipp, which I hope come safe to your hands. Your lordshipp's letter relating to Cesi's businesse, commanded me to observe an order that was inclosed in it, which neither was sined by his highnes, nor your lordshipp. I have given to Mr. Bourdier, the procureur of the interresses, the coppy of such an order as will be requisitt in that buisiness. So soone as that is returned to me signed, the money shall be paid upon sight; at least, so much of it as is received, which is 20000 crowns lying in Mr. Wildegoe's hands. Your lordship's writ by your owne hand takes notice, that Mr. Swist was not then dispatched with the ratification. If he arryve not heare with it before I leave this place, which I doe uppon tuesday morning next, I shall leave him and order for the delivery of it, and will receive theirs upon my promise to cownt Brienne, that yours shall be delivered to him by Mr. Swist. I cannot conjecture what ma. gen. Morgan hath sayd concerning Hesden; it seems by your lordshipp's, that you looke upon that businesse to be soe over as it will no more prove a hinderance to any other designe the French may have; the contraire is so well knowne heare, as it is not doubted but it will prove a very sharpe thorn in the syds of France. The cardinal continues firme in his resolutions touching Dunkirk. If the lord vowchafe his blessing upon endeavors, I hope to see a good end put to that businesse. Affairs at Francksor goe on not so well as they did, though there is yet good hopes; and there is still no small propension to that treaty of peace, which the electors offer to mediate for. The king of Sweden hath, since his treaty with the Dane, earnestly pressed France to a vigorous prosecution of their quarrell with the house of Austria. Though his minister here, who is a catholick, hath not given me a visit this winter; yet I am not made so great a stranger to his negociations, as perhapps he imagines; and with regrait I see, that his master's propositions, which are very generous and worthy of himself, meet with a colder reception then I could wish. I endeavor to do him all the good offices I can; but. I find there is a jealose, that if at this tyme any extraordinary assistance should be given him from hence, the fiercenesse of his naturall inclinations to warr is such, that their is no hopes to manage him so as to secure his consent to a peace upon reasonable terms. I shall entertaine your lordshipp more fully of this when I come to Callais, either by waiting upon you, or wryting to you. The Spaniard doe still presse the Hollanders for passage to their forces, which are now in a considerable number at St. Sebastiane; they endeavour to brybe theire consent by offering them theise two advantages; in one of which Spaine will finds its count more then Holland, tho' certainly Holland will have great advantage by it. The first is, Holland hath a trade in the Indies (which I doe not fully understand, but some of our English merchants can give your lordshipp certaine information concerning it) for the carying on of which trade, they are necessitate to cary to the vallew of 3 or 4 millions in species; which summe the Spanyards offer to pay upon the place for bills upon Amsterdam, payable 8 months after their receipt of it, without any consideration of the interest of the money during the time of its advantage: the second is, they offer to the Hollanders free libertye to transporte from Punta St. Araya, what proportione of falt they think fit; the salt is their naturally, and so much better then that of Rochelle, by how much the influence of the sunne is stronger their, then at the aforesaid Rochell. This last cession is offered with a proviso, that it shall last no longer then the warre continues betwixt England and Spayne. If the Hollanders cannot be hook'd by either of the two aforesaid baits, then they resolve to venture the landing of their forces (now at St. Sebastiane) in Flanders upon all hazards, it being better for them to loose them in such an attempt, than to maintaine them idle at St. Sebastiane; and theirfore it will be fitt to renew your instructions to your commanders at sea, to observe the coast of Flanders with a watchfull eye. His eminency returns his humble thanks to his highness for his condescensione to lend him the company of some of his frigates in the Mediteranian; he beggs that 5 or 6 of his highnes's frigats be at or near Toullon by the 1 of June, the tyme he intreats their company is 6 weeks; all the pryses they take shall be theire owne; and their admirall shall carry his highnes's flag on his maine topp. If they come to fight with the Spanyard, he shall choose either the right or left wing; and at theire meeting with the French fleet, the French admirall shall salute him, first with his cannon, as ane allie that cometh to his assistance, and shall so live with him, as there shall be no cause of quarrell; only its desyered that for the rout they are to saile, and in all things that concerne remooving from one place to another, that the commander of your squadron follow the opinion of the French generall, who if the duke Mercure, his eminency's nephew; or the French admirall, in case of the foresaid duke's absence or sicknesse. I send your lordshipp with this his eminency's answer to his highnes demands concerning Mr. de Bourdeaux. I have all the faire promises that can be given, that Mr. de Bourdeaux shall have the president de mortier's place, (but I dare not engage for their performance,) when the first president's shall be disposed of, which will not be till the returne of the court from this campagne; the interest being at present to keep a great many persons quyet, in hopes they may be preferred to it. I got his eminency to send for old Mr. de Bourdeaux yesterday morning, and to speak very oblydgingly to him. There is great brigues heare for the ambassader of England: the persons of the greatest interest under the cardinall are ingadged in them; I have been spoke too in it by some of them indirectly, and by others directly; but I hope I shall be able to prevent all their designs. It will not be fitt, that Mr. de Bourdeaux know any thing of this last. The cardinal desyers, that the two great mortar-pieces, which were at Mardick road last year, and were broght from Scotland, may be sent over againe with their granads, and all things sutable; and able men that are best knowen in the way of managing of them, they will so much contribute to the success of businesses, as it will be his highnes interest to send them, and 3 or 4 more if they can be spared. I hope your lordshipp will be mindfull of giving order, that a frigatt be at Calais for the transporting of my wyse; and I humbly pray, that I may find there your lordshipp's orders to me, which shall be punctually obeyed by

Paris, Apryl 11/21 1658.

Your most humble, faithfull,
and obedient servant,
Will. Lockhart.

I shall not faile to serve the minister (whom your lordshipp did me the honor to recommend to me) with all possible zeale. Mr. St. Johns parted from me this last weeke by my advice: his stay here would have beene unsafe after the remoovall of the court. I procured him his majesty's letter in ample forme to all magistrats civill, and officers military, to assist him, protect him, and doe him all offices of favor, as one, whom he hath taken into his royall protection, and for whom he had a particular esteeme. The French at Mardick complaine much against the insolency of the English soldiers at Mardick: in a late quarrell they have killed some of the king's guards, and the actors are neither punished nor apprehended, as the captains of his guards alledge, and have writ to ma: ge: Morgan about it; and have fully held forth the ill consequences may follow upon it.

Mr. Gill to vice-admiral Goodson.

In Flushing, April the 12/22 1658.

Vol. lviii. p. 330.

Worshipful vice-admiral salutes: having conference with our vice-admiral of Zealand, Sir John Evertson wondered, that your worship took no course for the preventing of small pickeroons, that daily went in and out close on board this shore of — ——that if your worship ordered two small men of war, that daily ply'd about Schoon a while, where is better riding then before Ostend, should seldom miss of these pickeroons going out or coming in; either in taking them, or putting them on shore; and if putting them on shore, to batter them, till they are not able to get them of; and in so doing, your worship will do many a poor man of our nation a courtesy, and prevent these godless villains of doing great spoil upon the North coast; and if this business be put on foot, we shall not have any of them to frequent our harbour, neither here nor at Camphire. I am certain our state should be very glad; and am of opinion, vice-admiral sir John Evertson is commanded to make report to these gentlemen, who can inform your lordship in particular, better than I can write. I have no more at present to inlarge.

Your worshipful friend to command,
John Gill.

General Fleetwood to H. Cromwell, lord deputy of Ireland.

In the possession of the right honourable the earl of Shelbourne.

Dear Brother,
We sticke still how to sende you ready cash. There is but one way best, if we can effect it; which is to be out of the exchequer money, which this halfe year last past are to be paid, our excise and other revenues coming in so slowly, that we are much disappointed in our affayres. If we can get this, it is as much as at present we can have hopes of; but I hope very suddenly we shall have such a way, as will deliver you and us out of such intricacyes. We have had very notable discoveryes of the malignant designes, which I hope will convince all men, that we have not pretended one; but that the thing was real. Suddenly the justice upon some of them will cleare it up. In this Mr. secretarye's account to you will give a more full satisfaction. Certainly such providences are very signally teaching. The lord give us hearts rightly to improve the same, and to let us see how deceitfull a thing, it is to put a confidency in any outward arm of flesh, but to make him our strength and confydence, who never slumbers nor sleeps; but even then when we are most secure and nearest danger, then is his wakefull eye of providence over us; a present experience whereof I am sure we have had in the prevention and discovery of this design; which, now through mercy, hath proved so abortive. The lord give us hearts to own him in this, which that we may, is the desire of

April 13. 1658.

Your most affectionate brother,
And humble servant,
Cha. Fleetwood.

P. S. Very affectionate and humble services to your deare lady.

H. Cromwell, lord deputy of Ireland, to secretary Thurloe.

April. 14. 1658.

In the possession of William Cromwell, Esq.

Sir,
I thank God for the seasonable discoveryes you mention. I need not repeat them. Our address is now so forward, that we can own it. 95 of 107 companies and all our horse to about two troops are returned within the small time allowed them. The rest we expect daily. The papers themselves. which we shall send you, will shew, who have actually signed; but we do withal take private notice, who necessarily and who voluntarily were absent, when it was first offered; who signed with reluctancy, who with scruples and promises, who by invita ion, and who out of slavish fear; and on the other side, who were active (I mean of such as we doubted) and expressed utmost affections to the thing, and who did but flatter us and deceive themselves in their hot seeming forwardness and profession. So that although the thing was not originally intended for a test, yet it pleaseth God, that it hath proved such, and that to good purpose. The dissenters are not considerable in number, not exceeding 12, and less considerable in place (the chief being major Low, one captain of foot, and one captain lieutenant) but least of all considerable for their unanimity, scarce two giving the same reason of their refusal. Whereupon I pronounce there are no effective dissenters at all, because of no power to do harm. So that although I never doubted of giving a tolerable account of the army's obedience upon all occasions, yet through God's blessing I could never presume more upon their unity than now. I say the address is so forward and confirmed, that if you see occasion you may publish it; which if you do, let care be taken in the printing. We are now thinking of sending the whole in an handsome manner, and by fit messengers. I remain &c.

H. Cromwell

H. Cromwell, lord deputy of Ireland, to general Fleetwood.

[April 14. 1658.]

In the possession of William Cromwell, Esq;

Dear Brother,
Hunger will break through stone-walls; and really if our wants were not great, we could scarce endure to hear such a proposal as you mentioned, viz. that we pay our quit-rents forthwith, because our assessments are easier now than when the indulgence for 5 years respitt was granted. To which I say the assessment is above ¼ as much as all England and Wales, that is 10 times more than in due proportion they ought to be. 2. The people of Ireland pay incomparably more other publick charges than any other of the 3 nations, viz. for repairing churches, courts, goales, bridges, highways, &c. 3. The greatness of the contribution, when that respite was granted, was a barbarous and prejudicial exaction, and the mention of it ought to be abhorred. 4. The disorder about coins hath left this nation very bare of money; and were it not for the supplies from England in specie, which that proposal would cut off, all trade must cease here, and consequently all planting, so as we must by this cessation of industry become as brutish as the Irish themselves, and by degrees degenerate into all their manners and practices, whereby for not sparing us a little at first, you may hasten the labour and charge of reducing this nation again.

As for your proposal of a recruit of 500 old soldiers from hence, I persist much in what I last writ about it. Nevertheless if there be occasion actually to send them abroad, and that we may have the bodies of as many Englishmen sent us hither in lieu of them, and that the charge being not put upon our scanty allowance, I shall not resist what you conceive fit for the publick good and safety; for if there be no other remedy, if you will send us Englishmen, we will use our best industry to make them soldiers here, altho' as you said, those we have already do better understand the work we have been doing. It is a mercy the plots of our enemys are so far discovered. I hope the Lord will in due time laugh them to scorn. I remain

Your &c.

H. Cromwell, lord deputy of Ireland, to lord Broghill.

14 April 58.

In the possession of William Cromwell, Esq;

My Dear Lord,
His highness's enemies find him no fool. I wish he were equally distant from both his childhoods; but am glad to hear he will not be cozened again. Whilst our address was but words, and the carcass of the army's affections, I would not send it your lordship; but now it is animated with unanimous subscriptions, 'twill shortly go itself. There are not 12 dissenters, nor 3 upon the same or like grounds; some of these private soldiers, all underlings, none higher than major Lowe. I did not intend this as a test, yet it has proved the spectacles, through which I have seen more and better things than I expected in the army. I am thinking how to deal with the dissenters. They are men of no merit in any kind, some of them having acted out of singularity, others out of meer folly and mistake, others out of meer particular discontent upon other occasions. My life would be very dull, were it not for your lordship's communications. I hope you will mind and consider what I wrote in my last in answer to your terrifying proposall for retirement. I hope his highnes brave resolutions not to be cozened again will beget a serenity in your lordship's intentions. I say, pray mind what I wrote last hereupon, and what I desired concerning honest Maurice Fenton. I remain &c.

H. Cromwell, lord deputy of Ireland, to the lord Falconberg.

14. April 1658.

In the possession of William Cromwell, Esq;

My Lord,
We have nothing here fitt, wherewith to interrupt your lordshipps repose; but if you can endure to hear us talk of ourselves and our successes, I can tell you our address (whereof I herewith send you a copy) is now unanimously subscribed, as well by every particular soldier as the officers. The dissatisfactions are ridiculous and but few, and those all different from each other; insomuch, as I dare say, they are all effectually nothing. I hope the unanimity of our poor unpaid army, and their couragious patience under all manner of tryalls for his highness sake, will make this place a Zoar against the seditious pride of some. I pray God confirm your lordship's health, and preserve our few friends, among whom I presume to reckon your lordship, being full of like affection towards your lordshipp, desiring to approve myself

Your &c.

H. Cromwell, lord deputy of Ireland, to commissary generall Whalley.

[14. April 1658.]

In the possession of William Cromwell, Esq;

Sir,
My lord Lockhart's confirmation of my opinion concerning your son doth likewise beget in me a good opinion of myself; for, till I heard myself seconded, I was afraid my affections towards you and him had misguided my reason in the character I formerly conceived of him. Truly if I had not perceived so good fundamentalls in him, I should neither have advised him to the superstructure of a foreign education, nor have exposed the weakness of so near a relation to the derision of strangérs. But I saw there was matter, and that it was fitt to be wrought and formed. I am of opinion, that we want such men for our foreign negotiations, as my cousin, your son, is like to be. I give him my leave to stay for his further improvement or other benefit, being the least return I can make for that affection I have always observed in you towards me, and our whole family. You see better than myself what times we live in: let me beg to be studious of the publick peace, and to take heed of new shuffles, not one of 1000 succeeding well. For my own part, I wish I may be contented and prepared to be undermost of the pack, and with ease to submit to the providence of God. I remain &c.

Mr. Thomas Herbert, clerk of the council of Ireland, to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. lviii. p. 335.

Right Honourable,
A report being made to his excellency the lord deputy and council by the commissioners for his highness revenue, treasury, and stores in this nation sitting in Dublin, it appeares, that amongst several papers of discoveries lately brought unto the said commissioners, Mr. Thomas Buckridge offered the discovery of two plowlands, called Ballinacur, in the barony of Barrimore, in the county of Cork, containing seaven hundred and seaventy acres; and understanding likewise, that the said lands are lately decreed here for the earle of Barrymore, Buckridge by his petition suggesting, that the said earle is endeavouring to to passe a patent in England for the lands so decreed, and praying that the state of this case may be represented to his highnes, whereby the said patent may be suspended, untill his highness title be determined by due course of law: I am commanded by their lordships to acquaint your honour therewith, to the end you may be pleased to take such care therein, as in your honour's wisdome may be found meet.

I humbly take leave to remaine

Your Honour's
Most humble and faithfull servant,
Tho. Herbert.

Councel Chamber, Dublin,
Aprill 14. 1658.