The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 40
‘Delinquents,’ conquered Royalists, are now getting themselves fined, according to rigorous proportions, by a Parliament Committee which sits, and will sit long, at Goldsmiths’ Hall, making that locality very memorable to Royalist gentlemen.[1]
The Staffordshire Committee have sent a Deputation up to Town. They bring a Petition; very anxious to have 2,000l. out of their Staffordshire Delinquents from Goldsmiths’ Hall,
I desire you answer my expectation herein so far as you may. You shall very much oblige, Sir, your real friend and servant,
This is not ‘Freeborn John,’ the Sectarian Lieutenant-Colonel once in my Lord of Manchester’s Army; the Lilburn whom Cromwell spoke for, when Sir Philip Warwick took note of him; the John Lilburn ‘who could not live without a quarrel; who if he were left alone in the world would have to divide himself in two, and set the John to fight with Lilburn, and the Lilburn with John’! Freeborn John is already a Lieutenant-Colonel by title; was not in the New Model at all; is already deep in quarrels,—lying in limbo since August last, for abuse of his old master Prynne.[3] He has quarrelled, or is quarrelling, with Cromwell too; calls the Assembly of Divines an Assembly of Dry-vines;—will have little else but quarreling henceforth.—This is the Brother of Freeborn John; one of his two Brothers. Not Robert, who already is or soon becomes a Colonel in the New Model, and does not ‘want employment.’ This is Henry Lilburn; appointed, probably in consequence of this application, Governor of Tynemouth Castle: revolting to the Royalists, his own Soldiers slew him there, in 1648. These Lilburns were from Durham County.
‘Delinquents,’ conquered Royalists, are now getting themselves fined, according to rigorous proportions, by a Parliament Committee which sits, and will sit long, at Goldsmiths’ Hall, making that locality very memorable to Royalist gentlemen.[4]
The Staffordshire Committee have sent a Deputation up to Town. They bring a Petition; very anxious to have 2,000l. out of their Staffordshire Delinquents from Goldsmiths’ Hall, or even 4,000l.,—to pay-off their forces, and send them to Ireland; which lie heavy on the County at present.
FOR HIS EXCELLENCY SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX, “GENERAL OF THE PARLIAMENT’S ARMY”: THESE
Sir,—I would be loath to trouble you with anything; but indeed the Staffordshire Gentlemen came to me this day, and with more than ordinary importunity did press me to give their desires furtherance to you. Their Letter will show what they entreat of you. Truly, Sir, it may not be amiss to give them what ease may well be afforded, and the sooner the better, especially at this time.[5]
I have no more at present, but to let you know the business of your Army is like to come on tomorrow. You shall have account of that business so soon as I am able to give it. I humbly take leave, and rest, your Excellency’s most humble servant,
The Commons cannot grant the prayer of this Petition;[7] Staffordshire will have to rest as it is for some time. ‘The business of your Army’ did come on ‘tomorrow’; and assessments for a new six-months were duly voted for it, and other proper arrangements made.[8]
- ↑ The proceedings of it, all now in very superior order, still lie in the State-Paper Office.
- ↑ Sloane mss. 1519, fol. 71:—Signature alone is Oliver’s.
- ↑ Wood, iii. 353.
- ↑ The proceedings of it, all now in very superior order, still lie in the State-Paper Office.
- ↑ ‘and the sooner,’ etc.: these words are inserted above the line, by way of caret and afterthought.
- ↑ Sloane Mss. 1519, fol. 72:—Oliver’s own hand.—Note, his Signature seems generally to be Oliver Cromwell, not O. Cromwell: to which practice we conform throughout, though there are exceptions to it.
- ↑ 7th December 1646, Commons Journals, v. 3.
- ↑ 7th October 1646, Commons Journals, iv. 687.