"To the Right Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of England: These” Chipping Norton, 8th September 1651. SIR,-I have sent this Bearer, Captain Orpyn, with the Colours taken in the late Fight;-at least as many of them as came to my hands, for I think very many of them have miscarried. I believe the number of these sent will be about an Hundred; the remainder also being Forty or Fifty, which were taken at the Engagement in Fife. I ask pardon for troubling you herewith; and rest, Sir, your most humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.* No. 23 LETTER TO SISTER ELIZABETH [Vol i. p. 20 note; iii. p. 15.] By accident, another curious glimpse into the Cromwell Family. 'Sister Elizabeth,' of whom, except the date of her birth and that she died unmarried, almost nothing is known, comes visibly to light here; 'living at Ely,' in very truth (as Noble had guessed she did); quietly boarded at some friendly Doctor's there, in the scene and among the people always familiar to her. She is six years older than Oliver; now and then hears from him, we are glad to see, and receives 'small tokens of his love' of a substantial kind. For the rest, sad news in this Letter! Son Ireton is dead of fever in Ireland; the tidings reached London just a week ago. dear Sister Mrs. Elizabeth Cromwell, at Doctor Richard Stand & his house at Ely: These "Cockpit," 15th December 1651. DEAR SISTER,—I have received divers Letters from you; I must desire you to excuse my not writing so often as you expect: my burden is not ordinary, nor are my weaknesses a few to go through therewith; but I have hope in a better Strength.-I have here 1 Inverkeithing Fight in July: see Letter CLXXV. * Tanner MSS. (in Cary, ii. 380.) 2 Antea, vol. i. p. 20. 8 Query, not Hand? with sent you Twenty Pounds as a small token of my love. I hope I shall be mindful of you. I wish you and I may have our rest and satisfaction where all saints have theirs. What is of this world will be found transitory; a clear evidence whereof is my Son Ireton's death. I rest, dear Sister, your affectionate Brother, OLIVER CROMWELL. "P.S." My Mother, Wife, and your friends here remember their loves. No. 24 Letter to the COMMITTEE FOR SEQUESTRATIOns, in Behalf [Vol. iii. p. 19.] THOMAS FINCHAM, Esquire of Oatwell, Isle of Ely, is on the List of Delinquents: Oliver, as an old friend or at least neighbour, will do what he can for him. To the Commissioners for Sequestration, at Goldsmiths' Hall: These GENTLEMEN,-I formerly recommended unto you the Petition of one Mr. Fincham and his Wife, desiring that if it were in your power to give remedy in their case, you would be pleased to hear them, according to the equity of their case. And forasmuch as they have waited long in Town for a hearing, to their great charge and expenses, which their present condition will not well bear, I again earnestly desire that you will grant them your favour of a speedy hearing of their business, and to relieve them according to the merits and justice of their case: whereby you will very much oblige, Gentlemen, your very loving friend, OLIVER CROMWELL.† * Original shown me, and copied for me (26th October 1853), by Mr. Puttick, Auctioneer, 191 Piccadilly,-who sold it, with another (Letter to Dick, 2d April 1650, Carrick, our Letter CLXXXII.), next day, 'for 9 guineas, to Mr. Holloway, Bedford Street': the Dick, a long letter, in very good keeping, went 'for 26 guineas, to Mr. John Young, 6 Size Lane, Bucklersbury.' 1 On the margin. + Composition Papers, in State-Paper Office. No. 25 TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE [Vol. iii. p. 22.] FROM those nine months of 1652 remain certain other small vestiges or waymarks; relating, as it happens, to the Universities, of one of which Oliver was Chancellor. The first is a Letter to Oxford. 'Greenwood' we have already seen: Goodwin' is the famed Independent, at this time President of Magdalen College. Of 'Zachary Maine,' and his wishes and destinies, the reader can find an adequate account in Wood, with express allusion to the Letter which follows. Zachary's desire was complied-with. A godly young man from Exeter City; not undeserving such a favour; who lived seven years in profitable communion with Goodwin, Owen, and the others; then, at the Restoration, fell into troubles, into waverings; but ended peaceably as Master of the Free School of Exeter, the Mayor and Chamber favouring him there. 1. To the Reverend my very loving Friend Dr. Greenwood, 66 Cockpit,' 12th April 1652. SIR, Mr. Thomas Goodwin hath recommended unto me one Zachary Maine, Demy of Magdalen College, to have the favour To be dispensed-with for the want of two or three terms in the taking of his Degree of Bachelor. I am assured that he is eminently godly, of able parts, and willing to perform all his exercises. Upon which account (if it will not draw along with it too great an inconvenience) I desire that he may have the particular favour to be admitted to the said Degree. Which I intend not to draw into a precedent, but shall be very sparing therein. I remain, Sir, your very loving friend, OLIVER CROMWELL.* The Second an official Protection to Cambridge: 2. To all Officers, Soldiers under my command, and others These are to charge and require you, upon sight hereof: Not to quarter any Officers or Soldiers in any of the Colleges, Halls or 1 Athena, iv. 411. * From the Archives of Oxford University. Communicated by the Rev. Dr. Bliss. other Houses belonging to the University of Cambridge; Nor to offer any injury or violence to any of the Students or Members of any of the Colleges or Houses of the said University. As you shall answer the contrary at your peril. Given under my hand and seal, the First of July 1652. Note. In the Archives of Trinity College Cambridge is a patent duly signeted, and superscribed 'Oliver P.', of date 'Whitehall, 21st October 1654'; appointing Richard Pratt, 'who, as we are informed, is very poor and necessitous,' a Bedesman (small pensioner for life) of that College. Which merely official Piece, as Richard Pratt too, except this of being poor, is without physiognomy for us, we do not insert here.1 The Third and Fourth are for Oxford again : 3. By his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell, Chancellor of the University of Oxford Whereas divers applications have been made unto me, from several of the Members of the University of Oxford, concerning differences which have arisen between the Members of the said University about divers matters which fall under my cognisance as Chancellor: And forasmuch as differences and complaints of the like nature may "again" happen and arise between them: And considering that it would be very troublesome and chargeable to the parties concerned to attend me at this distance about the same: And the present burden of public affairs not permitting me so fully to hear and understand the same as to be able to give my judgment and determination therein : I do hereby desire and authorise Mr. John Owen, now Vicechancellor of the University, and the Heads of the several Colleges and Halls there, or any Five or more of them (whereof the said Vicechancellor to be one), To hear and examine all such differences and complaints which have "arisen," or shall arise, between any of the said Members; giving them as full power authority as in me lies to order and determine therein as, in their judgments, they shall think meet and agreeable to justice and * Cooper's Annals of Cambridge, iii. 452. 1 Copy penes me. and equity. And this Power and Commission to continue during the space of Six Months now next ensuing. Given under my hand and seal, the 16th day of October 1652. OLIVER CROMWELL. 4. By his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell, Chancellor of the University of Oxford Whereas within the University of Oxford there frequently happen several things to be disposed, granted and confirmed, wherewith the Vicechancellor, Doctors-Regent, Masters and others of the said University, in their Delegacies and Convocations, cannot by their statutes dispense, grant or confirm, without the assent of their Chancellor: And forasmuch as the present weighty affairs of the Commonwealth do call for and engage me to reside, and give my personal attendance, in or near London; so that the Scholars of the said University and others are put to much charge and trouble by coming to London to obtain my assent in the cases before mentioned: Therefore, taking the premises into consideration, For the more ease and benefit of the said Scholars and University, and that I may with less avocation and diversion attend the councils and service of the Commonwealth: I do by these presents ordain, authorise, appoint and delegate Mr. John Owen, Dean of Christchurch and Vicechancellor of the said University; Dr. Wilkins, Warden of Wadham College; Dr. Jonathan Goddard, Warden of Merton College; Mr. Thomas Goodwin, President of Magdalen College; and Mr. Peter French, Prebend of Christchurch, or any Three or more of them, To take into consideration all and every matter of dispensation, grant or comfirmation whatsoever which requires my assent as Chancellor to the said University, and thereupon to dispense, grant, confirm, or otherwise dispose thereof, as to them shall seem meet; and to certify the same to the Convocation. And all and every such dispensation, grant, confirmation or disposition made by the aforesaid Mr. John Owen, Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, Mr. Thomas Goodwin, and Mr. Peter French, or any Three or more of them, shall be to all intents and purposes firm and valid, in as full, large and ample manner as if to every such particular |