appointmt of this committe wch accordingly they prefently did, & defired them to fend thither with all speed, and of this, informacon hath beene given to the gentleman you mention, who follicits yor bufineffe wch is all that can be done at this committee for it. You fee by thefe inclofed votes how great a burthen the parliam' hath laid uppon mee. I doe hereby fend to you, That you would inftantlie fend mee a lift of fuch as are att prefent about the Kinge who are pfons fitt to be confided in, if you have any in the island worthy of that truft, I would defire you to fend their names alfo in the fame lift: and if you cannot fill upp the number of thirtie with you, which I fhould be glad you could, then I defire you to fend mee the qualitie of those that will be wanting, that foe they may be fupplyed from hence: It will be neceffarie, That you haften this bufineffe feeing the parliam' expects a speedy & effectuall obfervance of their command herein. I propofe foe foone as I have received yor lift to make the number uppe, and lay it before the parliam' to receive their approbation and allowance for my indempnitie; you fee by the votes, That the number of thirtie (of all fortes) gentlemen and their fervants, cookes, butlers, etc. may not bee exceeded, and therefore itt will bee fitt, That a refpect bee had to all occafions and neceffities of the household; wifhing you all fucceffe in yo' great truft and charge: Queenfreete. 5°. I reft: Yor affured friend Februarij 1647. For Colonell Robert Hamond Governo of the idle of Wight. T. FAIRFAX. Sr. 512. Sr. APPEND A P P E N D I X. WEE have received informacon that there are now fome defines in agitation concerning the Kings escape, who is to be carried into France; and that there are two of thofe yt now atend the King upon whom they rely for efecting this feape. Who they are we cannot difcover, nor yet what grounds they have to expect their service in it. Yet wee thought fitt to give you this advertizement that you might the more carefully watch against it. Darbie Houfe Signed in the name & by ye warrant of the comtree at Derby Houfe by yo' very loveing friend NORTHUMBERLAND. Note, all thofe parts that are in Italic, are in cypher in the original, and were decyphered by Col. Hammond. Sweete Robin, OUR UR relation is fo nigh upon the best accompt, that nothing can concerne you or us, but wee believe they are of a mutual concernmt. And therefore wee hold ourfelves much obliged to tranfmitt you this inclofed (coming from a fure hand to us) not onely as relating to yours or of particular, but likewife as a matter of vaft importance to the publick. Itt hath pleafed God (and wee are perfwaded in much mercy) even miraculously to difpofe the hearts of yo freinds in the army, as one man (together with the concurrence of the godly from all parts) to interpofe in this treatie, yet in fuch wife both for matter & manner, as, we believe, will not onely refresh the bowells of the faints, and all other faithful people of this kingdome, But bee of fatisfaction to every honeft member of parliam when tendred to them and made publick wch wil bee wthin a very few daies; and confidering of what a confequence the efcape of the King from you (in the interim) maie proove, Wee haft this difpatch to yow together with or moft earneit request, That (as yow tender the intereft of this na . tion, of God's people, or of aine morall men: or as you tender the ending of England's troubles, or defire the justice & righteousness maie take place) you would fee to the fecuring of that perfon from escape, whether by retorning of him to the caftle, or fuch other waie as in thy wisdom and honefty fhall feeme meeteft. Wee are confident you will receive in few daies a duplicate of this defire, & an affurance from the generall & army to ftand by you in itt: and in the meane time for or parts (though itt maie not be very confiderable to yow) wee doe hereby ingage to owne yow with o' lives & fortunes therein, wch wee should not foe forwardly expreffe, but that wee are impelled to the premises in dutie & confcience to God and man. The Lord (yors & or God) bee your widome and in all things, however wee have done or duty & witneffed the affections of Deare Hamond Windfor. 14th 9ber 1648. SIR; Yo' moft intire, & faithfull H. IRETON. T. HARRISON. JOHN DISBROWE. *E. GROSVENER. Ince our laft wee have received againe advertisem from a good hand that the defigne holdes for the King's efcape; and to escape all fufpicion from you, he intends to Grofvener I believe to be the name, though there is fome doubt. What renders it more probable is, that there was a colonel Edward Grofvenor, quarter mafter of the army, chofen member of parliament for Weftminster, in 1656, and again in Richard's parliament, January 27, 1658, O. S. See Wood's Fafti, vol. ii. c. 79. and Mercurius Politicus, No. 550. P. 176. In A narrative of the late parliament (fo called) begun at Westminster September 17, 16;6, &c. with an account of the places of profit, falleries and advantages which they hold and receive under the prefent power,' &c. appears, Collonel Grosvenor, as quarter-mafter general, 419 1. 10s.od. per annum, and it's faid hath captain of horse pay; and the better to carry it in the choice at Westminster, the foldiers were bid pull off their red coats and put on others, and to give their votes for him, which is contrary to the eighteenth article of the old decayed inftrument of government, which allows none that is not worth 2001. to choose parliament men.' 513 walke out on foote a mile or two, as ufually in the day time, & there horfes are layd in the ifle to carry him to a boate. If he cannot do this, then either over the house in the night, or at fome privat window in the night he intends his paffage; which wee thought fitt againe to give you notice of, that you may make fuch use of it for prevention, as you shall fee caufe. Darby House 18 Novemb. 1648. Signed in the name & by the warrant of the committee of lords & commons at Darby Houfe, by Your very affectionate friend P. S. Wee defire you to communicate this to the commiffion's there; and alfo if you shall finde the Kinge hath escaped to give us notice with all poffible speed. For Collonel Robert Hammond Governot of the ifle of Wight. I Deere Norton, SALISBURY. The three following letters are in the pofffion of Robert Symmer, Efq; of Mount Street, Grofvenor Square. Have fent my fonn over to thee, beinge wiilinge to anfwere providence, and although I confeffe I have had an offer of a very great propofition from a father of his daughter, yett truly I rather encline to this in my thoughts, because though the other bee very farr greater, yett I fee different tyes, and not that affurance of godlyneffe, yett indeed fairness. I confeffe that which is tould mee concerning eftate of Mr. M. is more then I can looke for as thinges now ftand. If God please to bring itt about, the confideration of pietye in the parents, and fuch hopes of the gentlewoeman in that refpect, make the bufineffe to mee a great mercy, concerninge wch I defier to waite upon God. I am confident of thy love, and defier thinges may be car carried with privacie. The Lord doe his will, thats beft, to wch fubmittinge I reft your humble fervant, Deere Dick, ITT O. CROMWELL. TT had beene a favour indeed to have mett you heere at Farnham, but I heere you are a man of great bu fineffe.- -Therefore I fay noe more, if it be a favor to the house of commons to enioy you, what is itt to mee? But in good earnest when wi... you and your brother Ruffel be a lit.... honeft and attend your charge fuerly fo.. [fome] expect itt, especially the good fellowes wh... chofe you. I have mett wth Mr Maior, wee spent two or 3 howers together last night. I perceave the gentleman is very wife and honeft, and indeed much to be vallewed, fome thinges of comon fame did a little sticke, I glad .... heard his doubts, and gave fuch anfware as was next att hand, I beleive to fome fatisfaction, never the leffe I exceedingly liked the gentlemans plainneff, and free dealinge wth mee. I knowe God has beene above all ill reports, and will in his owne tyme vindicate mee, I have noe cause to cumplaine. I fee nothinge but that this particular bufineffe betweene him and mee may go onn, The Lords will be donn. For newes out of the north there is little, only the Mal. partye is prevailinge in the parint of S. They are earneft for a warr, the minifters oppofe, as yett. Mr. Marfball is returned, whoe fayis foe. And foe doe many of our letters, their great committee of dangers have 2 malig. for one right. Its fayd they have voted an armie of 40000 in parlat foe fome of yesterdayes letters, but I account my newes ill beflowed, because upon an idle perfon. I shall take speedy courfe in the bufinefs concerninge my tenants, for wh thankes, my fervice to your lady, I am really Your affectionate fervant |