better neighbour to you now than when the great pretenders to the Covenant and Religion and Treaties,-I mean Duke Hamilton, the Earls of Lauderdale, Traquair, Carnegy, and their confederates, had the power in their hands. I dare be bold to' say that that Party, with their pretences, had not only, through the treachery of some in England (who have cause to blush), endangered the whole State and Kingdom of England; but also 'had' brought Scotland into such a condition, as that no honest man who had the fear of God, or a conscience of Religion, ' and' the just ends of the Covenant and Treaties, could have a being in that Kingdom. But God, who is not to be mocked or deceived, and is very jealous when His Name and Religion are made use of to carry on impious designs, hath taken vengeance of such profanity,-even to astonishment and admiration. And I wish from the bottom of my heart, it may cause all to tremble and repent, who have practised the like, to the blasphemy of His Name, and the destruction of His People; so as they may never presume to do the like again! And I think it is not unseasonable for me to take the humble, boldness to say thus much at this time.

All the Enemy's Forces in Scotland are now disbanded. The Committee of Estates have declared against all of that Party's sitting in Parliament.1 Good Elections are already' made in divers places; of such as dissented from and opposed the late wicked Engagement: and they are now raising a force of about 4,000 Horse and Foot;-which until they can complete, they have

The Scotch Parliament, which is now getting itself elected.

desired me to leave them two Regiments of Horse, and two Troops of Dragoons. Which accordingly I have resolved, conceiving I had warrant by your late Votes so to do; and have left Major-General Lambert to command them.

I have received, and so have the Officers with me, many honours and civilities, from the Committee of Estates, the City of Edinburgh, and Ministers; with a noble entertainment;-which we may not own as done to us, but as done to your servants. I am now marching towards Carlisle ; and I shall give you such further accounts of your affairs as there shall be occasion.

Cromwell, at Carlisle on the 14th, has received delivery of the Castle there, for which good news let the Messenger have 1007.1 Leaving all in tolerable order in those regions, the Lieutenant-General hastens into Yorkshire to Pontefract or Pomfret Castle; a strong place which had been surprised in the beginning of the year, and is stubbornly defended ;-surrender being a very serious matter now; the War itself being contrary to Law and Treaty, and as good as Treason, think

some.

* King's Pamphlets, small 4to, no. 392, § 19; see Commons Journals, vi. 54.

'Commons Journals, 20 October, 1648.

2 Appendix, No. 10.

LETTERS LXXX.-LXXXVI.

THE Governor of Pontefract Castle is one Morris, once the Earl of Strafford's servant; a desperate man: this is the Lieutenant-General's summons to him.

SIR,

LETTER LXXX.

For the Governor of Pontefract Castle.

'Pontefract,' 9th November, 1648.

Being come hither for the reduction of this place, I thought fit to summon you to deliver your Garrison to me, for the use of the Parliament. Those gentlemen and soldiers with you may have better terms than if you should hold it to extremity. I expect your answer this day, and rest,

Your servant,

OLIVER CROMWELL.*

Governor Morris stiffly refuses; holds out yet a good while, —and at last loses his head at York assizes by the business.1 Royalism is getting desperate; has taken to highway robbery; is assassinating, and extensively attempting to assassinate. Two weeks ago, Sunday 29th October, a Party sal

2

* Newspapers (Cromwelliana, p. 48); Rushworth. vii. 1325.

1 State Trials.

2 Rushworth, vii. 1279 &c., 1315.

lied from this very Castle of Pontefract; rode into Doncaster in disguise, and there, about five in the afternoon, getting into Colonel Rainsborough's lodging, stabbed him dead :-murder, or a very questionable kind of homicide!

LETTER LXXXI.

As to Pontefract and Governor Morris, here are some pertinent suggestions, 'propositions,' the old Pamphlet calls them, sent in a Letter from Lieutenant-General Cromwell and his Officers;' which are 'read in the House,' and straightway acted upon, to a certain extent:-had they been acted upon in full, that business might have ended sooner.

For the Right Honourable the Committee of Lords and Commons sitting at Derby House: These present.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

Knottingley, near Fontefract, 15th November, 1648.

So soon as I came into these

parts, I met with an earnest desire from the Committee of this County to take upon me the charge here, for the reducing of the Garrison of Pontefract. I received also commands from my Lord General, to the same effect.— I have had sight of a Letter to the House of Commons; wherein things are so represented, as if the Siege were at such a pass that the prize were already gained. In consideration whereof, I thought fit to let you know what the true state of this Garrison is; as also the con

dition of the country, that so you may not think demands for such things as would be necessary, unreasonable.

My lords, the Castle hath been victualled with Twohundred and twenty or forty fat cattle, within these three weeks; and they have also gotten in, as I am credibly informed, salt enough for them and more. So that I apprehend they are victualled for a twelvemonth. The men within are resolved to endure to the utmost extremity; expecting no mercy, as indeed they deserve none. The place is very well known to be one of the strongest inland Garrisons in the Kingdom; well watered; situated upon a rock in every part of it, and therefore difficult to mine. The walls very thick and high, with strong towers; and if battered, very difficult of access, by reason of the depth and steepness of the graft. The County is exceedingly impoverished; not able to bear freequarter; nor well able to furnish provisions, if we had moneys. The work is like to be long, if materials be not furnished answerable. I therefore think it my duty to represent unto you as followeth: viz.—

That moneys be provided for Three complete regiments of Foot, and Two of Horse; and indeed' that money be provided for all contingencies which are in view, too many to enumerate. That Five-hundred Barrels of powder,' and' Six good Battering-guns, with Three-hundred shot to each Gun, be speedily sent down to Hull:- we desire none may be sent less than demicannons. We desire also some match and bullet. And if it may be, we should be glad that two or three of the biggest Mortar-pieces with shells may likewise be

sent.