"Sir, this is all the news I have. My Father desires me to "say, Pray be careful! Sir, I rest, "Your humble Servant, "HENRY CROMWELL." On the same sheet follow four lines of abstruse cipher, with a signature which I take to mean "Oliver Cromwell:" apparently some still more secret message from the Colonel himself. On Friday, 28th July 1643, precisely ten days after this Letter, occurred the action at Gainsborough, where poor General Cavendish, "handling his broom" to best ability, was killed; and a good account, or good instalment of account to begin with, was given of these Ca'ndishers.* Nos. XXV.-XXXV. Our last batch consists of Eleven Letters; all of which, except two only, bear date 1643; and all turn on the old topics. Squire's more intimate relation to Oliver naturally ceased as the sphere of action widened, as the "valiant Colonel," having finished his Eastern-Association business, emerged as a valiant General into Marston Battle, into England at large. After 1643, there is only one Letter to Squire; and that on personal business, and dated 1645. XXV. SIR, To Mr. Squire, at his Quarters, Wisbeach, at Mr.Thorne's House there: by my Son Henry. August 2d day, 1643. My Lord Manchester has not the power to serve me as you would [as you wish] for York: but I will see if I can do it for him, to serve you in my Kinsman's [Whalley's, Desborow's, Walton's troop. I will give you all you ask for that Black you won last fight. I remain, Yours, OLIVER CROMWELL.' "Last Fight" is Gainsborough with the Ca'ndishers; which occurred a week ago, — and has yielded Squire a horse among other things. Letters and Speeches, antea,'p.123. XXVI. To Mr. S. Squire, at his Quarters, the Flag. SIR, These are to require you to bring the Statements of the Troopers who were on the road, when they stopped the Wains containing the Arms going from [word illegible; my Correspondent writes "Skegness"] to Oxford: that they be paid their dues for the service. I learn from Jackson that some of the Suffolk Troop requires Passes to return home to Harvest. Now, that is hardly to be given; seeing we are after Lynn Leaguer, and require all aid needful to surround them [the Lynn Malignants]:· - Say I cannot grant their requesting. Have they not had great manifesting of God's bounty and grace, in so short a time? I am filled with surprise at this fresh requiring of these selfish men. Let them write home, and hire others to work. I will grant no fresh Passes: the Lord General is against it; and so am I, fixed in my mind. Do you ride over to Swaffham, and buy Oats for 2000 horse: we shall require as many, to come on to Gaywood, by order, as needed. Also see to the Hay; and let your servants see well that no imposition is practised. I must insist on due weight and measure for man and horse; or let the chapmen look to their backs and pouches! I stand no rogue's acts here, if they are tolerated in London. I will have my pennyworth for my penny. Send on a Trooper to Norwich and Yarmouth for news. Bid them call at 112 and 68, and ask Mr. Parmenter after 32: he is fox, I hear. I fear Burton is double. I am, Your Friend, XXVII. To Mr. Squire.' OLIVER CROMWELL. 17th August 1643.' Bid three Troops go on to Downham, and come by way of Wisbeach. Tell Ireton my mind on his shooting that Spy without learning more. I like it not. His name is Nickols, I hear. It were well no news took air of it. O.C. "From Col. Cromwell on his way to Siege of Lynn, 17th August 1643:' so Squire dockets; which enables us to date. Farther in regard to "Ireton's matter" (the well-known Ireton), there stood in the Journal, says my Correspondent: "This man was shot in Thorney Fen: he was a spy, and had done great injury. He had 500 Gold Pieces in his coat, and a Pass of Manchester's and one of the King's." To which my Correspondent adds in his own person: "Shooting spies, and hanging newsmongers, was very often done; and to me very horrible was the news I read often in the Journal of such doings." XXVIII. The "great work on hand" - is a ride to Lincolnshire; which issued in Winceby Fight, or Horncastle Fight, on Wednesday next. DEAR FRIEND, To Auditor Squire.' Ely, this day [moths], October '1643.' Hasten with all speed you may, and come on the spur to me at Ely: we have a great work on hand, and shall need us all to undertake it. May the Lord be with us. Hasten your men. I must see you by tomorrow sunset, as we start next day. From Yours, OLIVER CROMwell. "Came by the Colonel's Music," so Squire endorses. For Windeby Fight, which followed on Wednesday next, see Letters and Speeches, antea, pp. 142-4. XXIX. Home at Ely again; in want of various domestic requisites, a drop of mild brandy, for one. o Mr. S. Squire, at his Quarters, Dereham, or elsewhere: Haste, haste. SIR, Ely, 15th November 1643. With all speed, on getting this, see Cox; his Quarters are at the Fort on the South End. Tell him to send me two Culverins, also a small Mortar-piece, with match, powder and shot; also a Gunner and his mates, as I need them. Buy of Mr. Teryer a case of Strong-waters for me; — and tell the Bailiff to order on such Volunteers as we can: we need all we can get. Also get a cask of cured Fish for me. - Do not fail sending on, with good speed, the Cannons; we stay for them. In haste, yours, OLIVER CROMWELL. SIR, XXX. To Mr. S. Squire, at his Quarters. This day, Friday noon, · November 1643.' Your Letter is more in the Lord General's business than mine; but to serve you am well pleased at all times. I have writ to the Captain of Loughborough to mind what he is about: at the same time, if your Kinsmen are Papists, I do not know well how I dare go against the Law of Parliament to serve them. I have, to oblige you, done so far: Take a Pass, and go over and see to this matter, if you are inclined. But I think they, if prudent, will get no further ill. I shall want the Blue Parcel of Papers you know of: send them by your Music. Sir, I am Your Friend, so left her." OLIVER CROMWELL. Squire endorses: "My Cousin would not leave the Nunnery, Peterborough, this day, 2d Dec. 1643. I think I have heard you say that you had a relation in the Nunnery at Loughborough. Pray, if you love her, remove her speedily; and I send you a Pass, - as we have orders to demolish it, and I must not dispute orders: [no!] - There is one of the Andrews' in it, take her away. Nay give them heed to go, if they value themselves. I had rather they did. I like no war on women. Pray prevail on all to go, if you can, I shall be with you at Oundle in time. From Your Friend, OLIVER CROMWELL. Squire has written on the other side: "Got my Cousin Mary and Miss Andrews out, and left them at our house at Thrapstone, with my Aunt, same night; and the Troops rode over, and wrecked the Nunnery by order of Parliament.' XXXII. Some Cathedral or other Church duty come in course; at which young Montague, Captain of the St. Neot's Troop, would fain hesitate! Readers may remember Mr. Hitch of Ely, about a fortnight after the date here.* "Monuments Letters and Speeches, antea, p. 145. Carlyle, Cromwell. IV. 17 RD TAUCH P. of Superstition and Idolatry," they must go: the Act of Parliament, were there nothing more, is express! SIR, 'To Mr. Squire. Christmas Eve, '1643.' It is to no use any man's saying he will not do this or that. What is to be done is no choice of mine. Let it be sufficient, it is the Parliament's Orders, and we to obey them. I am surprised at Montague to say so. Show him this: if the men are not of a mind to obey this Order, I will cashier them, the whole Troop. I heed God's House as much as any man: but vanities and trumpery give no honour to God, nor idols serve Him; neither do painted windows make man more pious. Let them do as Parliament bid them, or else go home,- and then others will be less careful to do what we had done [might have done] with judgment. I learn there is 4 Men down with the Sickness, in the St. Neot's Troop now at March. Let me hear: so ride over, and learn all of it. - Sir, I am Your Friend, OLIVER CROMWELL. Squire has endorsed: "They obeyed the Order." XXXIII. This Letter, in my Copy of it, is confidently dated "Stilton, 31st July 1643;" but, for two reasons, the date cannot be accepted. First, there is a Letter long since printed, which bears date Huntingdon, instead of Stilton, with precisely the same day and year, the Letter concerning Gainsborough Fight, namely. Secondly, in the Letter now before us there is allusion to "Horncastle" or Winceby Fight, which had not happened in "July," nor till 11th October following. If for July we read Jany, January 1643-4, there is a better chance of being right, "To Auditor Squire,' Stilton, 31st January' 1643. DEAR SIR, Buy those Horses; but do not give more than 18 or 20 Pieces each for them: that is enough for Dragooners. I will give you 60 Pieces for that Black you won at Horn*Letters and Speeches, antea, p. 123. |