The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Free Offer
From the Committee of the Lords and Commons sitting at Derby House, Sir John Evelyn reports a certain Offer from Lieutenant-General Cromwell; which is read in the words following:
The two Houses of Parliament having lately bestowed 1,680l. per annum upon me and my heirs, out of the Earl of Worcester’s Estate; the necessity of affairs requiring assistance, I do hereby offer One-thousand Pounds annually to be paid out of the rents of the said lands; that is to say, 500l. out of the next Michaelmas rent, and so on, by the half year, for the space of five years, if the War in Ireland shall so long continue, or that I live so long: to be employed for the service of Ireland, as the Parliament shall please to appoint; provided the said yearly rent of 1,680l. become not to be suspended by war or other accident.
And whereas there is an arrear of Pay due unto me whilst I was Lieutenant-General unto the Earl of Manchester, of about 1,5001, audited and stated; as also a great arrear due for about Two Years being Governor of the Isle of Ely: I do hereby discharge the State from all or any claim to be made by me thereunto.
‘Ordered, That the House doth accept the Free Offer of Lieutenant-General Cromwell, testifying his zeal and good affection.’ My splenetic little gentleman in gray, with the little stick in his hand, takes no notice of this; which modifies materially what the Chepstow Connoisseurs and their ‘five or six thousand a-year’ reported lately!
- ↑ Commons Journals, v. 513.