let you know, That if any shall think to put such conditions on me that I may not execute a Person so obnoxious as Wogan, — who did not only betray his trust in England, but counterfeited the General's hand, thereby to carry his men (whom he had seduced) into a Foreign Nation,1 to invade England, under whom he had taken pay, and from whose service he was not discharged; and with the said Nation did invade England; and hath since, contrary to the said trust, taken up arins here: - That [then, I say] as I am willing to the Exchanges aforesaid; so [if] that equality be denied me, I would that all concerned should understand, That I am resolved to deal with Colonel Wogan as I shall see cause, and be satisfied in my conscience and judgment to do. And if anything thereupon shall be done to Captain Caufield as is menaced, I think fit to let you know, That I shall, as God shall enable me, put all those that are with me at mercy for life, into the same condition. "Your servant, 66 'OLIVER CROMWELL." 2 No. 17. IRELAND: ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE THERE. [Vol. xvii. p. 504.] "For my very worthy Friend John Sadler, Esq., one of the Masters of the Chancery in England: These. -- "CORK, 31st December, 1649. "SIR, To put a business of weight suddenly to your consideration may perhaps beget so much prejudice as may cause you either not to think of it at all, or to incline to the worser part when you resolve. The thing I have to offer hath been thought upon by us, as you will perceive by the reasons wherewith we enforce it; and we do willingly tender it to you; desiring God, not you, may give us the answer. "That a Divine Presence hath gone along with us in the late great transactions in this Nation, I believe most good men are sensible of, and thankful to God for; and are persuaded that He hath a farther end; and that as by this dispensation He hath manifested His severity and justice, so there will be a time wherein He will manifest grace and mercy, in 1 Scotland: to join Hamilton and his Engagement. 2 Fragment of Narrative: in Ayscough MSS. no. 4769, ubi suprà. which He so much delights. To us who are employed as instruments in this work the contentment that appears is, That we are doing our Master's work; that we have His presence and blessing with us; - and that we live in hope to see Him cause wars to cease, and bringing in that Kingdom of Glory and Peace which He hath promised. This being so, as the hope thereof occasions our comfort, so the seeing some way made already cannot but [raise] hope that goodness and mercy intends to visit this poor Island. Therefore in what we may as poor instruments, [we] cannot but be endeavoring to answer the mind of God as any opportunity offers itself. "First let me tell you, in divers places where we come, we find the people very greedy after the Word, and flocking to Christian meetings; much of that prejudice that lies upon poor people in England being a stranger to their minds. And truly we have hoped much of it is done in simplicity; and I mind you the rather of this because it is a sweet symptom, if not an earnest, of the good we expect. "In the next place, our condition was such at our arrival here, - by reason of the War, and prevalency of the Enemy, that there was a dissolution of the whole frame of Government; there being no visible authority residing in persons intrusted to act according to the forms of law, except in two corporations [Dublin and Derry at our arrival], in this whole Land. And although it hath pleased God to give us much territory, yet how to fall suddenly into that way again, I see not; nor is it for the present practicable. Wherefore I am constrained, of my own authority, to issue out Commissions to persons to hear and determine the present controversies that do arise, as they may. "Sir, it seems to me we have a great opportunity to set up, until the Parliament shall otherwise determine, a way of doing justice amongst these poor people, which, for the uprightness and cheapness of it, may exceedingly gain upon them, - who have been accustomed to as much injustice, tyranny and oppression from their landlords, the great men, and those that should have done them right, as (I believe) any people in that which we call Christendom. And indeed [they] are accounted the bribing'st [so to speak!] people that are; they having been inured thereto. Sir, if justice were freely and impartially administered here, the foregoing darkness and corruption would make it look so much the more glorious and beautiful; and draw more hearts after it! - I am loath to write what the consequences might be, or what may be said upon this subject; and therefore I shall let you know my desire in a word. "There uses to be a Chief-Justice in the Province of Munster, who having some others with him in assistance uses to hear and determine when I was in Ireland, was with some other Officers judged to die, as those that had formerly served the Parliament, but were then partakers with the Lord Inchiquin in his Revolt: and although the rest suffered, according to the sentence passed upon them, yet, with the advice of the chief Officers, I thought meet to give him, the said Colonel Randall Clayton, his life, as one that is furnished with large abilities for the service of his Country: and indeed there was the appearance of such remorse, and of a work of grace upon his spirit, that I am apt to believe he will hereafter prove an useful member unto the State, upon the best account. "Having thus given him his release, and observing his Christian candor, I then promised him to negotiate with the Parliament for the taking off the sequestration that is upon his estate, which indeed is but very small. I do therefore humbly entreat you To pass such a special act of favor towards him, whereby he will be engaged and enabled to improve his interest the more vigorously, in his place, for the advantage of the Public. "I would not address such an overture to you, did I not suppose that the placing of this favor upon this person will be of very good use, and an act of much charity and tenderness. I rest, Sir, "Your most humble servant, "OLIVER CROMWELL." 1 Letter written (what may be noted) just in the beginning of that dangerous Fit of Sickness; — following Letter just about the end of it. Letter 4th, in behalf of Colonel Borlace. [To the Right Honorable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of England: These.] "EDINBURGH, 13th June, 1651. "SIR, Having received the enclosed Petition and Letter from the Officers of a Court of War at Whitehall, representing unto me that the faith of the Army concerning the Articles of Truro,2 in the particular case of Colonel Nicholas Borlace, is violated; and the Petitioner himself having come hither to Scotland, desiring me to be instrumental that the said Articles be performed, and that the faith of the Army thereupon 1 Tanner MSS. (in Cary, ii. 272). 2 Hopton's Surrender, 14th March, 1645-6 (antea, vol. xvii. p. 223); a hurried Treaty, which gave rise to much doubting and pleading, in other instances than 1651. MAJOR-GENERAL HARRISON. 121 given might be made good: I do therefore humbly desire That the Parliament will take his case into consideration, and that his Business may receive a speedy hearing (he being already almost quite exhausted in the prosecution thereof); that so justice may be done unto him, and that the faith of the Army may be preserved. "I crave pardon for this trouble; and rest, Sir, "Your most humble servant, "OLIVER CROMWELL." 1 No. 20*. [Vol. xviii. p. 228.] GENERAL HARRISON, with some force, is on the Border, keeping open our communications. Along with that Letter to Mrs. Cromwell goes another, dated the same day. "For the Honorable Major-General Harrison: These. "EDINBURGH, May 3d, 1651. "DEAR HARRISON, I received thine of the 23d of April. Thy Letters are always very welcome to me. "Although your new militia forces are so bad as you mention, yet I am glad that you are in the head of them; because I believe God will give you a heart to reform them; a principal means whereof will be, by placing good Officers over them, and putting out the bad; whereunto you will not want my best furtherance and concurrence. I have had much such stuff to deal withal, in those sent to me into Scotland; but, blessed be the Lord, we have [been] and are reforming them daily, finding much encouragement from the Lord therein; only we do yet want some honest men to come to us to make Officers. And this is the grief, that this being the cause of God and of His people, so many saints should be in their security and ease, and not come out to the work of the Lord in this great day of the Lord. "I hear nothing of the men you promised me. Truly I think you should do well to write to friends in London and elsewhere, to quicken their sense in this great business. I have written this week to Sir Henry Vane, and given him a full account of your affairs. I hope it will not be in vain. 1 Tanner MSS. (in Cary, ii. 276). "I think it will be much better for you to draw nigher to Carlisle, where [are] twelve troops of horse; whereof six are old troops, and five or six of dragoons. Besides, the troops you mention upon the Borders will be ready upon a day's notice to fall into conjunction with you; so that if any parties should think to break into England (which, through the mercy of God, we hope to have an eye to), you will be, upon that conjunction, in a good posture to obviate [them]. Truly I think that if you could be at Penrith and those parts, it would do very well. And I do therefore desire you, as soon as you can, to march thither. Whereby also you and we shall, have the more frequent and constant correspondency one with another. And it will be better, if a party of the enemy should happen to make such an attempt, to fight him before he hath an opportunity to get far into our country. "I have offered a consideration also to our friend at London, that you might have two regiments of foot sent too, [of] which I am not without hope. "The Lord bless you and keep you, and increase the number of His faithful ones. Pray for us, and for him who assures you he is "Your affectionate faithful Friend, "OLIVER CROMWELL." 1 No. 21. MARCH TO WORCESTER. [Vol. xviii. p. 244.] OLIVER, in his swift March from Scotland towards Worcester, takes Ripon and Doncaster as stages: Provision for us must be "in readiness against our coining." [To the Mayor and Corporation of Doncaster: These.] "RIPON, 18th August, 1651. “GENTLEMEN, -- I intend, God willing, to be at Doncaster with the Army on Wednesday 2 night or Thursday morning; and forasmuch as the Soldiers will need a supply of victual, I desire you to give notice 1 Letter in possession of B. S. Elcock, Esq., of Prior-Park Buildings, Bath (Note of 1869). 2 Wednesday is 20th. |