The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 34
Fairfax, with the Army, is in Devonshire; the following Letter will find him at Tiverton; Cromwell marching that way, having now ended Basing. It is ordered in the Commons House that Cromwell be thanked; moreover that he now attack Dennington Castle, of which we heard already at Newbury. These messages, as I gather, reached him at Basing, late ‘last night,’—Wednesday 15th, the day they were written in London.‘|[1] Thursday morning early, he marched; has come (‘came,’ he calls it) as far as Wallop; purposes still to make a forced march ‘to Langford House tonight’ (probably with horse only, and leave the foot to follow);—answers meanwhile his messages here (see next Letter), and furthermore writes this:
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX, GENERAL OF THE PARLIAMENT’S ARMY:[2] HASTE: THESE
Sir,—In today’s march I came to Wallop, twenty miles from Basing, towards you. Last night I received this enclosed from the Speaker of the House of Commons; which I thought fit to send you; and to which I returned an Answer, a copy whereof I have also sent enclosed to you.
I perceive that it’s their desire to have the place[3] taken-in. But truly I could not do other than let them know what the condition of affairs in the West is, and submit the business to them and you. I shall be at Langford House tonight, if God please. I hope the work will not be long. If it should, I will rather leave a small part of the Foot (if Horse will not be sufficient to take it in), than be detained from obeying such commands as I shall receive. I humbly beseech you to be confident that no man hath a more faithful heart to serve you than myself, nor shall be more strict to obey your commands than your most humble servant,
Sir, I beseech you to let me know your resolution in this business with all the possible speed that may be; because whatsoever I be designed to, I wish I may speedily endeavour it, tirne being so precious for action in this season.[4]
Langford House, whither Oliver is now bound, hoping to arrive tonight, is near Salisbury. He did arrive accordingly; drew out part of his brigade, and summoned the place;— here is his own most brief account of the business.