LETTER LIX. HERE is his first Letter from before the place: a rugged rapid despatch, with some graphic touches in it, and rather more of hope than the issue realised. Guns of due quality are not to be had. In the beginning of June, * "Hugh Peters" went across to Milford Haven, and from the Lion, a Parliament Ship riding there, got "two drakes, two demiculverins, and two whole culverins," and safely conveyed them to the Leaguer; with which new implements an instantaneous essay was made, and a "storming" thereupon followed, but without success. - Of "the Prince," Prince Charles and his revolted ships, of the "victory in Kent" and what made it needful, we shall have to speak anon. 'To the Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons: These.' SIR, Leaguer before Pembroke, 14th June 1648. All that you can expect from hence is a relation of the state of this Garrison of Pembroke. Which is briefly thus: They begin to be in extreme want of provision, so as in all probability they cannot live a fortnight without being starved. But we hear that they mutinied about three days since; cried out, "Shall we be ruined for two or three men's pleasure? Better it were we should throw them over the walls." It's certainly reported to us that within four or six days they'll cut Poyer's throat, and come all away to us. Poyer told them, Saturday last, that if relief did not come by Monday night, they should no more believe him, nay they should hang him. We have not got our Guns and Ammunition from Wallingford as yet; but, however, we have scraped up * Cromwelliana, p. 40. Last night, a few, which stand us in very good stead. we got two little guns planted, which in Twenty-four hours will take away their Mills; and then, as Poyer himself confesses, they are all undone. We made an attempt to storm him, about ten days since; but our ladders were too short, and the breach so as men could not get over. We lost a few men; but I am confident the Enemy lost more. Captain Flower, of Colonel Dean's Regiment, was wounded; and Major Grigg's Lieutenant and Ensign slain; Captain Burges lies wounded, and very sick. I question not, but within a fortnight we shall have the Town; 'and' Poyer hath engaged himself to the Officers of the Town, Not to keep the Castle longer than the Town can hold out. Neither indeed can he; for we can take away his water in two days, by beating down a staircase, which goes into a cellar where he hath a well. They allow the men half-apound of beef, and as much bread a-day; but it is almost spent. We much rejoice at what the Lord hath done for you in Kent. Upon our thanksgiving* for that victory, which was both from Sea and Leaguer, Poyer told his men, that it was the Prince, 'Prince Charles and his revolted Ships,' coming with relief. The other night they mutinied in the Town. Last night we fired divers houses; which 'fire' runs up the Town still: it much frights them. Confident I am, we shall have it in Fourteen days, by starving. I am, *By Cannon-volleys. Sir, Your servant, OLIVER CROMWELL. § § Rushworth, vii. 1159: read in the House, 20th June 1648 (Commons Journals, v. 608). Precisely in about "Fourteen days" a'new attempt was made, *not.without some promising results, but again ineffectual. "The Guns are not come from Bristol, for want of wind;" and against hunger and short scaling-ladders Poyer is stubborn. Three days after this Letter to Lenthall, some three weeks since the siege began, here is another, to Major Saunders. LETTER LX. Or this Major, afterwards Colonel, Thomas Saunders, now lying at Brecknock, there need little be said beyond what the Letter itself says. He is "of Derbyshire," it seems; sat afterwards as a King's-Judge, or at least was nominated to sit; continued true to the Cause, in a dim way, till the very Restoration; and withdrew then into total darkness. This Letter is endorsed in Saunders's own hand, "The "Lord General's order for taking Sir Trevor Williams, and "Mr. Morgan, Sheriff of Monmouthshire." Of which two Welsh individuals, except that Williams had been appointed Commander-in-chief of the Parliament's forces in Monmouthshire some time ago, and Morgan High Sheriff there, ** both of whom had now revolted, we know nothing, and need know nothing. The Letter has come under cover enclosing another Letter, of an official sort, to one "Mr. Rumsey" (a total stranger to me); and is superscribed, For Yourself. 'To Major Thomas Saunders, at Brecknock: These,' SIR, I send you this enclosed by itself, because it's of greater moment. The other you may communicate to Mr. Rumsey as far as you think fit and I have written. I would not have him or other honest men be discouraged that I think it not fit, at present, to enter into contests; it will be good to yield a little, for public *Rushworth, vii. 1175, ** 10th January 1645-6, Williams; 17th November 1647, Morgan: Commons Journals, in diebus. advantage: and truly that is my end; wherein I desire you to satisfy them. I have sent, as my Letter mentions, to have you remove out of Brecknockshire; indeed, into that part of Glamorganshire which lieth next Monmouthshire. For this end: We have plain discoveries that Sir Trevor Williams, of Llangibby,* about two miles from Usk in the County of Monmouth, was very deep in the plot of betraying Chepstow Castle; so that we are out of doubt of his guiltiness thereof. I do hereby authorise you to seize him; as also the High Sheriff of Monmouth, Mr. Morgan, who was in the same plot. But, because Sir Trevor Williams is the more dangerous man by far, I would have you seize him first, and the other will easily be had. To the end you may not be frustrated and that you be not deceived, I think fit to give you some characters of the man, and some intimations how things stand. He is a man, as I am informed, full of craft and subtlety; very bold and resolute; hath a House at Llangibby well stored with arms, and very strong; his neighbours about him very Malignant, and much for him, - who are apt to rescue him if apprehended, much more to discover anything which may prevent it. He is full of jealousy; partly out of guilt, but much more because he doubts some that were in the business have discovered him, which indeed they have, and also because he knows that his Servant is brought hither, and a Minister to be examined here, who are able to discover the whole plot. If you should march directly into that Country and near him, it's odds he either fortify his House, or give *He writes "Langevie;" "Munmouth" too. you the slip: so also, if you should go to his House, and not find him there; or if you attempt to take him, and miss to effect it; or if you make any known inquiry after him, it will be discovered. Wherefore, 'as' to the first, you have a fair pretence of going out of Brecknockshire to quarter about Newport and Caerleon, which is not above four or five miles from his House. You may send to Colonel Herbert, whose House lieth in Monmouthshire; who will certainly acquaint you where he is. You are also to send to Captain Nicholas, who is at Chepstow, to require him to assist you, if he 'Williams' should get into his House and stand upon his guard. Samuel Jones, who is Quartermaster to Colonel Herbert's troop, will be very assisting to you, if you send to him to meet you at your quarters; both by letting you know where he is, and also in all matters of intelligence. If there shall be need, Captain Burges's troop, now quartered in Glamorganshire, shall be directed to receive orders from you. You perceive by all this that we are, it may be, a little too much solicitous in this business; it's our fault; and indeed such a temper causeth us often to overact business. Wherefore, without more ado, we leave it to you; and you to the guidance of God herein; and rest, Yours, OLIVER CROMWELL. and let him be to me. If Captain 'P.S.' If you seize him, bring, brought with a strong guard, Nicholas should light on him at Chepstow, do you strengthen him with a strong guard to bring him. |