thanks, in consequence; reward of 10007. in consequence,reward voted, never yet paid, nor, as would seem, likely soon to be. Colonel Robert will take Delinquents' lands for his 10007.; will buy Bear Park, with it and with other debentures or moneys: Bear Park, once Beaurepaire, a pleasant manor near native Durham, belongs to the Cathedral land; and might answer both parties, would the Committee of Obstructions move. To the Right Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England: These. SIR, Edinburgh, 8th March, 1650. I am informed that Colonel Robert Lilburn is like to be damnified very much, in relation to his purchase of the Manor of Bear Park in the County of Durham, by being employed in the service of the Commonwealth in Scotland:-which business (as I understand), upon his Petition to the Parliament, was referred to the Committee of Obstructions, and a Report thereof hath lain ready in the hands of Mr. John Corbet, a long time, unreported. I do therefore humbly desire that the House may be moved to take the said Report into speedy consideration, that so Colonel Lilburn may have redress therein, according as you think fit; and that his readiness and willingness to return to his charge here, and leave his own affairs to serve the Public, may not turn to his disadvantage. I doubt not but those services he hath 1'of' in orig. done in England and here will be a sufficient motive to gratify him herein; which shall be acknowledged by, Sir, Your most humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.* Committee of Obstructions, a Committee for removing Obstructions to the Sale of Dean-and-Chapter Lands,' does accordingly bestir itself; and on Tuesday 18th March, the due order is given.1 To which, we doubt not, as the matter then drops, effect was given,-till the Restoration came, and ousted Colonel Robert and some others. Whether the Colonel personally ever lived at Bear Park, or has left any trace of his presence there, the County Histories and other accessible records are silent. LETTER CLXIX. HERE next, from another quarter, is a new University matter, -Project of a College at Durham; emerging incidentally like a green fruitful islet from amid the dim storms of War; agreeably arresting the eye for a moment. Concerning which read in the Commons Journals of May last: A Letter from the Sheriff and Gentlemen of the County ' of Duresme, dated 24th April, 1650; with a Paper' or Petition of the same date, "" delivered-in by the Grand Jury at the 'Sessions of the Peace holden at Duresme the 24th of April, 1650, To be presented to the Honourable Parliament of this * Baker Mss. (Trin. Coll. Cambridge), xxxv. 79. ' Commons Journals, vi. 492 (7 November, 1650), his 'Petition,' referred to in this Letter; ib. 549 (18 March, 1650), due redress' to him. Nation," were this day read. Ordered, That it be referred to, the Committee of Obstructions for Sale of Dean-and-Chapter Lands, to consider these Desires of the Gentlemen and others ' of that County, touching the converting some of the Build'ings at Duresme called the "College," which were the Houses * of the late Dean and Chapter, into some College or School ' of Literature; to state the business, to'1-in short, to get on with it if possible. This was some ten months ago, but still there is no visible way made; and now in the wild Spring weather here has been, I suppose, some Deputation of the Northern Gentry riding through the wild mountains, with humane intent, to represent the matter to the Lord General at Edinburgh; from whom, if he pleased to help it forward, a word might be very furthersome. The Lord General is prompt with his word ;writes this Letter, as I find, this and the foregoing, in some interval of a painful fit of sickness he has been labouring under. To the Right Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England: These. SIR, Edinburgh, 11th March, 1650. Having received information from the Mayor and Citizens of Durham, and some Gentlemen of the Northern Counties, That upon their Petition to the Parliament, "that the Houses of the late Dean and Chapter in the City of Durham might be converted into a College or School of Literature," the Parliament was pleased in May last to refer the same to the Committee 1 Commons Journals, vi. 410 (8 May, 1650). for Removing Obstructions in the sale of Dean-andChapter Lands, "to consider thereon, and to report their opinion therein to the House:" Which said Committee, as I am also informed, have so far approved thereof as that they are of an opinion That the said Houses will be a fit place to erect a College or School for all the Sciences and Literature, and that it will be a pious and laudable work and of great use to the Northern parts; and have ordered Sir Arthur Haselrig to make report thereof to the House accordingly : And the said Citizens and Gentlemen having made some address to me to contribute my assistance to them therein : To which, in so good and pious a work, I could not but willingly and heartily concur. And not knowing wherein I might better serve them, or answer their desires, than by recommending the same to the Parliament by, Sir, yourself their Speaker,-I do therefore make it my humble and earnest request that the House may be moved, as speedily as conveniently may be, To hear the Report of the said Committee concerning the said Business, from Sir Arthur Haselrig; that so the House, taking the same into consideration, may do therein what shall seem meet for the good of those poor Countries. Truly it seems to me a matter of great concernment and importance; as that which, by the blessing of God, may much conduce to the promoting of learning and piety in those poor rude and ignorant parts;- there being also many concurring advantages to this Place, as 1 Commons Journals, ubi supra. pleasantness and aptness of situation, healthful air, and plenty of provisions, which seem to favour and plead for their desires therein. And besides the good, so obvious to us, which' those Northern Counties may reap thereby, who knows but the setting on foot this work at this time may suit with God's present dispensations; and may,—if due care and circumspection be used in the right constituting and carrying on the same,- tend to, and by the blessing of God produce, such happy and glorious fruits as are scarce thought on or foreseen! Sir, not doubting of your readiness and zeal to promote so good and public a work, I crave pardon for this boldness; and rest, Your most humble servant, Whereupon the Committee for Removing Obstructions does bestir itself; manages, in three months hence (for we do nothing rashly), to report by Sir Arthur Haselrig, touching Duresme College-Buildings to be converted to a College or < School for all the Sciences of Literature: That'-that-And, in brief, History itself has to report that the pious Project, thanks mainly to furtherance by the Lord General, whose power to further it increased by and by, did actually, some seven years hence, take effect;2-actually began giving Lessons *Baker MSS. xxviii. 455: printed also in Hutchinson's History of Durham; and elsewhere. 1 Commons Journals (vi. 589), 18 June, 1651. " Protector's Letters-Patent of 15 May, 1657, following up his Ordinance in Council of the previous Year: Hutchinson's History of the County Palatine of Durham (Newcastle, 1785), i. 514-30. See Cooper's Annals of Cambridge, iii. 473 (Cambridge Petition against it: 18 April, 1659). Throve apace,' says Hutchinson, till' &c. |