ment. The other you may communicate to Mr. Rumsey as far as you thinke fitt, and I have written. I would not have him or other honest men bee discouraged that I thinke itt not fitt at present to enter into contests, itt will be good to yeeild a little for publicke advantage, and truly that is my end, wherein I desire you to satisfie them.

I have sent as my letter mentions, to have you remove out of Brecknoksheire, indeed into that part of Glamorganshire wh lyeth next Munmouthsheire, for this end.

Wee have plaine discoveries that Sir Trevor Williams of Langevie about two miles from Uske in the countye of Munmouth was very deepe in the plott of betrayinge Chepstowe castle, soe that wee are out of doubt of his guiltynesse thereof.

I doe hereby authorize you to seize him, as also the high sheriffe of Munmouth Mr. Morgan, whoe was in the same plott.

But because Sir Trevor Williams is the more dangerous man by farr, I would have you to seize him first, and the other will easilye bee had. To the end you may not be frustrated, and that you bee not deceaved, I thinke fitt to give you some caracters of the man, and some intimations how things stand. Hee is a man (as I am informed) full of craft and subtiltye, very bould and resolute, hath a house at Langevie well stored with armes, and very stronge, his neighbours about him very malignant and much for him, whoe are apt to rescue him if apprehended, much more to discover any thinge wch may prevent itt. Hee is full of iealosie, partly out of guilt, but much more because hee doubts some that were in the businesse have discovered him, which indeed they have, and alsoe because hee knows that his servant is brought hither, and a minister to bee examined here, whoe are able to discover the whole plott. Iff you should march directly into that countye and neere him, itts ods hee either fortefyes his house, or gives you the slip, soe alsoe if you should goe to his house and not finde him there, or if you attempt to take him and misse to effect itt, or if you make any knowen enquirye after him, itt wil be discovered.

Wherefore to the first you have a faire pretence of goeinge out of Brecknock sheire to quarter about Newport and Carleon, which is not above 4 or 5 miles from his house. You may send to col. Herbert, whose house lyeth in Munmouthsheire, whoe will certenly acquaint you where hee is. You are alsoe to send to capt. Nicolas, whoe is at Chepstowe, to require him to assist you if hee should gett into his house, and stand upon his guard. Sam. Jones, whoe is quarterm to col. Herbert's troupe, wil be very assistinge to you if you send to him to meete you att your quarters; both by lettinge you know where hee is, and alsoe in all matters of intelligence. If theire shal be neede capt. Burge his troupe now quarteringe in Glarmorgansheire shal be directed to receave orders from you. You perceave by all this, that wee are (it may bee) a little too much sollicitous in this businesse, it's our fault, and indeed such a temper causeth us often to overact businesse, wherefore without more

adoe wee leave itt to you, and you to the guidance of God herein, and rest

June 17, 1648.

Yours O. CROMWELL.

If you seize him bring & lett him bee brought with a stronge guard to mee. If capt. Nicolas should light on him at Chepstowe, doe you strengthen him with a good guard to bring him.

If you seize his person, disarme his house, but lett not his armes bee imbeziled.

If you need capt. Burge his troupe, it quarters betweene Newport and Cardiffe.

Cromwell went into Wales the beginning of May, 1648; Chepstow Castle was surprized for the King about the same time, but retaken the 25th. It does not appear whether Sir Trevor Williams was secured, or not.

The six following letters are in the possession of Theodosius Forrest, Esq; of George-street, Yorke-Buildings, London.

DEEREST ROBIN,

Nowe (blessed bee God) I can write, and thou receave, freely. I never in my life sawe more deepe sense, and lesse will to shewe itt unchristianly, then in that, wh thou diddest write to us when wee were at Windsor, and thou in the middest of thy tentation, wch indeed (by what wee understood of itt) was a great one, and occasioned the greater, by the letter the generall sent thee, of wh thou wast not mistaken, when thou didest challenge mee to bee the pener. How good has God beene to dispose all to mercy, and although itt was trouble for the present, yett glory is come out of itt, for wh wee prayse the Lord with thee, and for thee, and truly thy carriage has biene such, as occasions much honor to the name of God, and too religion, Goe onn in the strength of the Lord, and the Lord bee still with thee. But (deere Robin) this businesse hath beene (I trust) a mightye providence to this poore kingdome, and too us all. The house of comons is very sensible of the Kgs dealinges, and of our brethrens, in this late transaction, You should doe well (if you have any thing that may discover iuglinge) to search itt out and lett us knowe itt, itt may bee of admirable use at this tyme, because wee shall (I hope) instantly goe upon businesses in relation to them, tendinge to prevent danger. The house of comons has this day voted as follows. First that they will make noe more addresses to the K. 2. None shall applye to him wthout leave of the two houses upon paine of beinge guilty of high treason. 3dly, They will receave nothinge from the Kinge, nor shall any other bringe any thinge to them from him, nor receave any

* It is believed him is the word, though there is some doubt of it. VOL. III.

k k

thinge from the Kinge. Lastly the members of both houses, whoe were of the committee of both kingdoms, are established in all that power in themselves for England, and Ireland, wch they had to act with both kingdoms, and Sr. John Evelin of Wilts is added in the roome of Mr. Recorder, and Rath. F. Fienis in the roome of Sir Phillip Stapleton, and my Lord of Kent, in the roome of the Earl of Essex. I thinke it good you take notice of this, the sooner the better.

Lett us knowe howe its with you in point of strength, and what you neede from us, some of us thinke the Kinge well with you, and that itt concernes us to keepe that island in great securitye because of the French, et. And if soe, where can the Kinge bee better. If you have more force you will suer of full provision for them. The Lord blesse thee, pray for

My Ld Wharton's Jan. 3d.

neere tenn at night, 1647.

For Col. Robert Hamond Governor of the isle of Wight theise

Thy deere friend and servant

For the service of the kingdom hast post hast.

0. CROMWELL.

OLIVER CROMWELL.

SIR,

Wee have received yor letter of the 28th instant, wherein you desire to have the approbation of this committee concerning the fower gentlemen by you appointed to watch in their courses at the Kinges chamber dore, Wee thinke it fitt that in this businesse you should make your application to the houses, from whom wee doubt not you will receive orders in that particular. For the money appointed for the fortification of the castle it was to be furnished by the committee of the army by the appointmt of this committe w accordingly they presently did, & desired them to send thither with all speed, and of this, informacon hath beene given to the gentleman you mention, who sollicits yor businesse wch is all that can be done at this committee for it.

Signed in the name & by the warrant of the committee at Derby House by your affectionate friend

To Colonel Robert Hammond
Governour of the isle of Wight

SR.

These are

W. SAY & SEALE.

You see by these inclosed votes how great a burthen the parliam* hath laid uppon mee. I doe hereby send to you, That you would instantlie send mee a list of such as are att present about the Kinge who

are psons fitt to be confided in, if you have any in the island worthy of that trust, I would desire you to send their names also in the same list: and if you cannot fill upp the number of thirtie with you, which I should be glad you could, then I desire you to send mee the qualitie of those that will be wanting, that soe they may be supplyed from hence: It will be necessarie, That you hasten this businesse seeing the parliam' expects a speedy & effectuall observance of their command herein. I propose soe soone as I have received yo' list to make the number uppe, and lay it before the parliam' to receive their approbation and allowance for my indempnitie; you see by the votes, That the number of thirtie (of all sortes) gentlemen and their servants, cookes, butlers, etc. may not bee exceeded, and therefore itt will bee fitt, That a respect bee had to all occasions and necessities of the household; wishing you successe in yo' great trust and charge:

Queenstreete. 5o.
Februarij 1647.

For Colonell Robert Hamond Governo

of the isle of Wight.

SR.

I rest: Yo' assured friend

all®

T. FAIRFAX.

Wee have received informacon that there are now some desynes in agitation concerning the Kings escape, who is to be carried into France; and that there are two of those y now atend the King upon whom they rely for efecting this escape. Who they are we cannot discover, 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.

Note, all those parts that are in Italic, are in cypher in the original, and were decyphered by Col. Hammond.

SWEETE ROBIN,

Our relation is so nigh upon the best accompt, that nothing can concerne you or us, but wee believe they are of a mutual concernm. And therefore wee hold ourselves much obliged to transmitt you this inclosed (coming from a sure hand to us) not onely as relating to yours or o particular, but likewise as a matter of vast importance to the publick.

Itt hath pleased God (and wee are perswaded in much mercy) even miraculously to dispose the hearts of yo' freinds in the army, as one man (together with the concurrence of the godly from all

parts) to interpose in this treatie, yet in such wise both for matter & manner, as, we believe, will not onely refresh the bowells of the saints, and all other faithful people of this kingdome, But bee of satisfaction to every honest member of parliam when tendred to them and made publick wh wil bee whin a very few daies; and considering of what a consequence the escape of the King from you (in the interim) maie proove, Wee hast this dispatch to yow together who most earnest request, That (as yow tender the interest of this nation, of God's people, or of anie morall men: or as you tender the ending of England's troubles, or desire the justice & righteousness maie take place) you would see to the securing of that person from escape, whether by retorning of him to the castle, or such other waie as in thy wisdom and honesty shall seeme meetest. Wee are confident you will receive in few daies a duplicate of this desire, & an assurance from the generall & army to stand by you in itt: and in the meane time for o' parts (though itt maie not be very considerable to yow) wee doe hereby ingage to owne yow with olives & fortunes therein, wwee should not soe forwardly expresse, but that wee are impelled to the premises in dutie & conscience to God and man. The Lord (yo & o" God) bee your wisdome and in all things, however wee have done or duty & witnessed the affections of Deare Hamond

Windsor. 14th 9ber

1648.

Yo' most intire, & faithfull brethren, friends, & servants.

H. IRETON.

T. HARRISON. JOHN DISBROWE. *E. GROSVENER.

SIR,

Since our last wee have received againe advertisem1 from a good hand that the designe holdes for the King's escape; and to escape all suspicion from you, he intends to walke out on foote a mile or two, as usually in the day time, & three horses are layd in the isle to carry him to a boate. If he cannot do this, then either over the house in the night, or at some privat window in the night he intends his passage; which wee thought fitt againe to give you

* Grosvener I believe to be the name, though there is some doubt. What renders it more probable is, that there was a colonel Edward Grosvenor, quarter master of the army, chosen member of parliament for Westminster, in 1656, and again in Richard's parliament, January 27, 1658, O. S. See Wood's Fasti, vol. ii. c. 79. and Mercurius Politicus, No. 550. p. 176.

In "A narrative of the late parliament (so called) begun at Westminster September 17, 1656, &c. with an account of the places of profit, salleries and advantages which they hold and receive under the present power," &c. appears, "Collonel Grosvenor, as quarter-master general, 41ol. 10s. Od. per annum, and it's said hath captain of horse pay; and the better to carry it in the choice at Westminster, the soldiers 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 instrument of government, which allows none that is not worth 2001. to choose parliament men."