letters now come to the House with us are no way satisfactory. Others, again, offer to lay wagers that they come not in at all.

It hath been moved that the forces of the army might still abide in London, even by Skippon himself, notwithstanding that they had a late grant for the return of their ancient militia, which is not well taken (as I conceive) by the citizens. Essex does still persist in putting their whole county into a defensive posture against all taxes, quarterings, sequestrations, and the like oppressions. Surrey comes up unanimously with their petition; Kent are vigorously in hand with theirs; which are the best signs that I can possibly discern of a timely change. And without doubt (if the army were but conveniently divertised), both this city and the adjacents to it would be so associate, as we might have a blessed conclusion of these distractions, without Scot or devil. And now I spake of Kent, you are to know that those who were to be tried by the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer were all acquitted by the several juries, and an ignoramus brought in; several jurors, a strange charge, and all the rigour that malice could invent, having been tempered together to despatch them, which so much incensed the country, that when the verdict was finished, all of them cried out aloud, "God, King Charles, and Judge Tresham!" who, it seems, did, in his instructions to those of the county jury, declare his opinion with less vehemence and rigour than did Wilde. Which event of theirs hath so much vexed the thirsty ones of the Parliament, that it was moved this day martial law might pass upon them; but it was not assented unto. So that you may see what the common law is like to come unto, if our constitution cannot preserve it.

One observable I must not fomit, which was, the judges being to pass by in a coach, there were three halters delivered, like a present, from a country fellow, with addresses; one to the judge, another for the under- sheriff, and a third for Mr. Major. Tresham confessed to the Speaker but this morning (as an ear-witness assured me) that the affections of that county were totally lost; and that if there had not been a guard of two troops of horse and a regiment of foot, nothing could have rescued them from the violence of the people.

VOL. III.

с

Just as I am come to this period, my brother surprises me that he now spake with two or three gentlemen, who had it from the mouth of the Gloucester carrier (but now arrived), that Horton, in this action of Wales, has been since totally routed, and the other still in posture; which sudden change of scene does so amaze me, that I know not what to add, until a farther inquiry, which time will now prevent me of. God grant it may hold to the next! [The end of this letter has been torn off.]

SIB,

London, 18th May, 1648.

The news of this interval is so strange, and the scene of such a look, there is no ink black enough to express the horror and impiety of the act; but because I have not time to anatomize circumstances, I shall only present you with the naked relation.

Tuesday was the day of our Surrey men's petition, the contents whereof I make bold to enclose. It was much opposed in the county by Sir R. Onslow (one of the Knights of the Shire), and others of that party, as the complexion and nature thereof, aiming honestly at the true mark, will readily discover: notwithstanding, being bravely animated both by men of quality and honour, it was subscribed unto by many thousands, and brought up according to the usual manner by near upon 5000 knights, gentlemen, and freeholders of the best qualifications in our county, and presented by Sir Edward Boyer to the Lords, and one Mr. Price to the Commons. But so it happened that, after the Lords had returned them a civil answer, the Commons of purpose retarding theirs (as it is believed), whilst many of our county, naked and disarmed men, expected in the Palace yard their reply (more than a third part of them being dismounted, and scattered by means of an extreme shower of rain, which then fell abundantly), there rushed in upon them two troops of horse and a full regiment of foot, invited privately from Whitehall, and, falling upon our poor countrymen (after they had slain some watermen and secured the stairs), most barbarously not only wounded

but utterly stript and murdered a great number of them,' by which means they not only failed of their expectations in petitioning, but lost many of their horses and lives too. Upon this the Parliament gave thanks to the Lieutenant who guided the action, after they had substituted false witnesses, who deposed that some disorderly person of the multitude cried out twice, "God bless King Charles!" which is crime enough here to put a man to death. Behold now, if this be not a satisfactory answer to our petition, and if the right of the subject be not highly asserted! This was the tragedy of Tuesday.

Wednesday, a committee was ordered to examine the particulars more accurately, wherein you may be sure our poor Surrey men shall have little favour, if you well observe the premises; and in order to that nothing is yet done which gives any honest man satisfaction, seeing that it hath hitherto extended no further than to the restoring of their horses taken, and the prohibition that for the future no petition shall be brought through the town by above five or six persons at the most, whereby you may easily conjecture for what reason our poor petitioners were so inhumanly butchered. Since this fatality, some talk of an inclination in Surrey to associate; but I fear their enemies are too potent. If Kent be not discouraged, there are great hopes of a sudden change; but that Essex does most magnanimously proceed, a very little time will fully acquaint you: meantime, thanksgiving has been given for the mock victory in South Wales; though it is feared the forces there are but in a bad condition, Cromwell pressing very hard upon them, so that, if more speedy succour do not arrive from Ireland, proceedings there will be in great disadvantage. That Langdale is strong there, nobody disputes. And it is affirmed, that the Scots will be suddenly upon English ground, though I (for my part) do much doubt it; their general being (as we hear) not yet approved, and their rendezvous of so long a date, that it is feared the animosities of those injured and oppressed people will be utterly and irrevocably suppressed.

This day the city of London obtained a complete order About 20 slayne and wounded more than 100," is a note attached to this letter.

20

CORRESPONDENCE OF

1648.

for the speedy re-instating them into the Tower and ancient militia; but, so long as Skippon is to continue their major, it is not to be expected that any good should come from them. And indeed it is more than suspected, that they will forthwith comply in all respects to their masters the army. For which end, they have granted them liberty to collect £30,000, as a small gratification for their several good services. So that you see what hopes we have of the happy days, which you believe in France are breaking upon us; now in more obscurity, thraldom, error, and confusion than ever we were since these wars began.

They talk of treating with his Majesty, but defer it; tomorrow, some say, they go about it; but, if I do not sleep till they intend it, I shall never lay mine eyes together, unless proceedings have a strange turn, and an unexpected catastrophe.

This is all our news in brief. I pray God give us patience and hope, which is the only refuge of miserable men. But he that endureth to the end, shall be saved.

SIR,

London, Whitsunday, 1648.

Upon hope you have received my last, which gave you notice of our Surrey success, I continue this present; wherein you will find no more satisfaction touching that miscarriage and strange entertainment, than almost the utter defection of the county. Persons have been examined by the committee deputed; but with such partiality on the soldiers' behalf, as that the county are drawing up a remonstrance to disabuse the world. All that may be is attempted to reconcile them. My Lord of Northumberland and sundry others sent down to assuage them. My brother absolutely refused to go. Sir R. Onslow has utterly lost himself; and I am confident, that though the heat for the present be allayed, yet that county will be always ready for an opportunity to declare themselves. Meantime Kent are still resolute to pursue their petition (which, it is apprehended, will not be brought up by men that are so unprovided as that of Surrey was); however they' labour all they can to suppress these meetings and

The Parliament men.

intentions, by having caused a declaration to be read in every church throughout that county, to deter men from setting their hands, or acting therein, under the name of a pretended petition, tending to a seditious consequence.

It is this day reported that the city of Rochester is all in an uproar upon a bruit that soldiers were coming amongst them from the parliament, they resolving to oppose them; but there is no such thing, for I suppose our masters have not such a strength near them, as they dare adventure amongst them. But that which is most observable from thence, is the news of Saturday, giving intelligence from Mr. Mayor of Sandwich, of Prince Charles his landing, or another Perkin Warbeck as like him. Some believe it, your friend laughs at it; and so soon as he' has a new suit and a clean shirt (of both which the poor Prince was extremely disfurnished), Mr. Mayor has promised to send him up, having first, as Pilate did our Saviour, conjured him to tell him whether he were that Charles Prince of Wales, eldest son and heir apparent to Charles, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, with the rest of his titles, as in good earnest it is affirmed.

Some now begin to scandalize the proceedings in Essex, as if their hearts began to fail them; and matters not altogether so high as it is reported; but this comes from a person, who I am confident wishes it so. They speak of an offer of the Cambridgeshire men to join with those of Essex; but how true I know not. Hertfordshire and Middlesex, some think, will petition, with a great part of Sussex; which things are but in embryo as yet. Ireton has played the d-1 in Hampshire, plundering and imprisoning all such as he suspects to be loyal; amongst others having secured Sir W. Legg and Mr. Ashburnham,' who (as it is reported) were betrayed unto him. From Wales we have received nothing, since Cromwell's cruelty at Chepstow; but the holding out still of the castle there, which, upon the late storming, slew a world of the assailants. The rest

1 The alleged Prince. Sir Harbottle Grimston (in margin). These were sent to Windsor Castle, where I think they lack many friends." (Evelyn's note.)