William Hicks; and if you had but heard the bells of every church ring as they passed the streets, with those strange and cordial acclamations of the people as they marched, I am sure it would have more cheered your heart than this imperfect relation can possibly imagine to do. But this cold answer which they received, hath, it seems, appeared to them so unsatisfactory, that they are resolute not to leave it until matters be in better posture; and in pursuance of their steps, our county of Surrey are in a very great forwardness to do the like. Divers other counties likewise resolved to follow them, which strange alterations (after all this security of theirs, and subornation of mock counterfeit petitions to take them for their votes of non-address) shows plainly that it is only the finger and power of God, who can unravel all this bottom of confusion, by beginning their destruction, where they began our miseries.

This day's work has struck such a damp in them' that they all concurred in the House this morning, that either they must accommodate with his Majesty, or resolve to despatch with monarchy, and run a most desperate course, which I tremble to consider. In the mean time Cromwell is not in such grace with his soldiers as to make that force he believed he should to accompany him into Wales, where (if Lahorne2 be not treacherous) he may yet find a difficult employment. It was whispered that he is not to be found, upon which it is imagined that he is again tampering with the King, or else hatching some cockatrice' egg, which will suddenly break forth. I assure you this day's example is like to be such a shoeing-horn to the good expectations on foot, that no conjuncture could be more lucky; and I augur much satisfaction in the rest of my expresses to you hereafter. By the next we shall see more clearly, for it cannot be long now but we shall see what we have to trust to. God in his mercy put a conclusion to this tragedy, and so I end.

1 The "Grandees" of Parliament.

Major-General Langhern is here meant. He resisted at Pembroke in company with Poyer, was sentenced to death, and escaped at the throw of the dice by which Poyer suffered.

[Postscript.]

Extraordinary haste, occasioned by visitants, just at the writing hereof, with the lateness, before I was well informed of the truth, makes me write thus confusedly.-If you approve it, my sister and brother Granville (who are truly persons not unworthy of friendship), hearing that I intend to spend the heats of this summer at Deptford, at my request will bear me company, which will be an ease to my expenses, (they being but frugal,) and no little satisfaction; else they go to a stranger's, and I shall be alone: but till we have your approbation, nothing is resolved.

London, May 12th, 1648.

SIR, I come now (with a great deal of regret, God knows) to relate you the catastrophe of the Kentish design and engagement, they having, as it were, universally abandoned themselves to no better conditions than the mercies of the men of Westminster. For indemnity is no more granted them, than if they had still persisted in their loyalty; so that many of them being imprisoned (as Sir Payton Brockman, &c.), the rest are become slaves, and the whole county at their devotion. Behold the fruits of your wise consultations in France; from whence it was stedfastly hoped and confidently believed some person of conduct and quality would have been sent unto them, with such a commission as might have determined all disputes of precedency in a conjuncture of so much advantage and opportunity, the like whereof we henceforth altogether despair of. When I reflect upon the strange miscarriage of that poor county (not for want of hands, but heads), I cannot but accuse you abroad, as well as lay the blame upon our proceedings at home. When Maydeston' might have been relieved during the fatal conflict there, by one thousand men, which waited on my Lord Norwich and others, not a commander would stir for want of orders, or (to say truly) obedience to some person that had a more proper delegation than any there pretended. The people were numerous; the country was full of arms and provi

1 Maidstone.

sions; the sea, the river, and the ships were their guard; the adjacent shires were their confederates; the enemy was weak, far off, and full of apprehensions; in fine, there was nothing wanting, but temper, discretion, and valour, in some individual and particular men, to have (ere this) freed us from the most detestable and sordid oppression that ever befel a nation. But God was not yet pleased to think us fit for deliverance, and we must attend his leisure.

Sir, I have held you too long on a sad theme, but really my passion is guilty, and I must beg you pardon.

In

All our talk now is of my Lord of Norwich, his march and accessions in Essex, which, with some hopeful planets in the north, and a few faithful ships, is the small glimpse and little light which now guide us from falling on the rocks of despair. And now I have spoken of my Lord of Norwich (I beseech you be nothing discouraged), he is strong and in a very good posture; there being come to his assistance my Lord Capell, with numbers of gallant men out of this town, and Sir Charles Lucas, by whose counsel and valour we do promise ourselves a great deal better success, both from the example of their neighbours and the handsome constitution of their followers. Their number is about 5000 horse and foot well armed, and stout men. this engagement none were compelled, or, indeed, invited, but only such of the country as were absolutely resolved to dispense with all private interests and run the uttermost hazards; so that such as would accept of indemnity were not restrained, nor such as declared for them refused; in the mean time many of the trained bands accompany them, fearing to return upon submission (so much are their very mercies obnoxious), and the whole army march towards Cambridgeshire, where it is reported they will this night encounter an adjunct of 500 horse more. Nor are they at all afraid of those who follow them seeing the General (who is this day come out of Kent with 1500 foot and 500 horse, having left 2000 men to take the two forts which still refuse him), as the cream of their whole forces in these parts are conceived to be fully equivalent to him in number and resolution. If they can attain the north without great impeachment, it is nothing doubted but the game may yet

be balanced to the purpose; for which purpose we heartily pray here to God. We pray to God that he may establish the resolutions of those who command the navy, for the Rich is sent empty away from Portsmouth (whatever they brag), and we are made to believe here six or seven more are come in to them. Many of our ships are under sail for Holland, where we hope they may receive a gallant Admiral: yet it was practised by our grandees here to have tempted them both with money and promises, for which end, besides the stratagem of manning a ship with women (not Sirens) to entice them (the sailors' wives), Sir H. Vane and Mr. Green were despatched with golden hooks and stranger instruments to have prevailed with them.

This is the news at sea; and indeed, if it hold fair weather there, the Storm cannot last long at land, as the citizens and merchants very well foresee, who are now forming a more peremptory petition for an effectual compliance with his Majesty; that trade may live again, which is now giving the last gasp. For if these wooden walls hold out, the merchant must keep in, and the retail men (who are numerous and depend on them) will be compelled to farther some strange and sudden alteration, which God send us. On Saturday next seven night there will of course be a Common-Hall for the election of a new mayor and sheriffs. What that may produce, none can tell; if the threatening army be far enough, perhaps something of consequence.

In the north, Pomfract Castle is relieved and reinforced with 400 men; God grant the governor prove honest. Langdale still augments: but whether advanced, retreated, or happily engaged with Lambert, nothing can be collected of truth. The Scots are at a stand, and many affirm they will not come in, the Duke of Hamilton having laid down his commission (as they report); but if Calender resume it (who is more for the King, less for 1 A pun upon Rich Earl of Warwick.

Evelyn elsewhere remarks, "This was a new sea-term."

The Earl of Calender, who fought for the Parliament in England, had now taken up the King's cause in Scotland. His disputes with the Duke of Hamilton at and after the Rout of Preston are matters of history. The report that the Duke had “laid down his commission" was premature.

16

CORRESPONDENCE OF

1618.

the crown, than the other), it is hoped the change is not for the worst. In North Wales, the good party received an unlucky defeat; in the South, Cromwell is fortunately repulsed; which particular expect in my next. Ireland does nothing but remonstrate. So has Essex done this morning extremely well. Sussex had a general answer to their petition, and all things are as much out of frame as ever: Orate pro nobis. If his Highness were on the coast of any voisin country, it would add great influence in our proceedings. It is said Prince Rupert is designed for this place, but believe it altogether unseasonable: happy for us Norwich had stayed. Yours,

SIR,

APLANOS.

From the old hand and place, 15th May, 1648.

This succeeds my last of the seventh current, which I wish heartily there were just cause to retract; our Welsh news running still as high as ever (whatsoe'er may be the report with you), so that you may be assured all expectations from those parts are absolutely frustrated; this victory being so unseasonable, so unfortunate, in so hopeful a conjuncture. But it has fallen out (as I was ever fearful it would), the Royal party engaging themselves in all places so preposterously, that it is now conceived it will be no difficulty for the army to weed them out. And who can tell but that our brethren (who always apprehended that party might overpower them in conclusion, and turn head against Covenant) do willingly contribute to their ruin, by their slow advance and manifest cunctation. However, not to discourage you altogether, we hear there is yet a remnant of them left in the castles, who will be able to give them some trouble; and it is reported that Langhorne, and such troops as escaped, are advanced and gotten to Langdale, who appears numerous and far engaged in the kingdom. And if the Scots (as all our confident party do verily believe) be as good as their outside, there will be yet another difficulty for the game. It is rumoured that their Parliament being adjourned till the 31st of July (as I take it), they will out of hand be marching; and that 1 See p. 12, note.