The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 60
Of this Major, afterwards Colonel, Thomas Saunders, now lying at Brecknock, there need little be said beyond what the Letter itself says. He is ‘of Derbyshire,’ it seems; sat afterwards as a King’s-Judge, or at least was nominated to sit; continued true to the Cause, in a dim way, till the very Restoration; and withdrew then into total darkness.
This Letter is endorsed in Saunders’s own hand, ‘The Lord General’s order for taking Sir Trevor Williams, and Mr. Morgan, Sheriff of Monmouthshire.’ Of which two Welsh individuals, except that Williams had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Parliament’s forces in Monmouthshire some time ago, and Morgan High Sheriff there,[1] both of whom had now revolted, we know nothing, and need know nothing. The Letter has come under cover enclosing another Letter, of an official sort, to one ‘Mr. Rumsey’ (a total stranger to me); and is superscribed For Yourself:
“TO MAJOR THOMAS SAUNDERS AT BRECKNOCK: THESE”
Sir,—I send you this enclosed by itself, because it’s of greater moment. The other you may communicate to Mr. Rumsey as far as you think fit and I have written. I would not have him or other honest men be discouraged that I think it not fit, at present, to enter into contests; it will be good to yield a little, for public advantage: and truly that is my end; wherein I desire you to satisfy them.
I have sent, as my Letter mentions, to have you remove out of Brecknockshire; indeed, into that part of Glamorganshire which lieth next Monmouthshire. For this end: We have plain discoveries that Sir Trevor Williams, of Llangibby,[2] about two miles from Usk, in the County of Monmouth, was very deep in the plot of betraying Chepstow Castle; so that we are out of doubt of his guiltiness thereof: I do hereby authorise you to seize him; as also the High Sheriff of Monmouth, Mr. Morgan, who was in the same plot.
But, because Sir Trevor Williams is the more dangerous man by far, I would have you seize him first, and the other will easily be had. To the end you may not be frustrated and that you be not deceived, I think fit to give you some characters of the man, and some intimations how things stand. He is a man, as I am informed, full of craft and subtlety; very bold and resolute; hath a House at Llangibby well stored with arms, and very strong; his neighbours about him very Malignant, and much for him,—who are apt to rescue him if apprehended, much more to discover anything which may prevent it. He is full of jealousy; partly out of guilt, but much more because he doubts some that were in the business have discovered him, which indeed they have,—and also because he knows that his Servant is brought hither, and a Minister to be examined here, who are able to discover the whole plot.
If you should march directly into that Country and near him, it’s odds he either fortify his House, or give you the slip: so also, if you should go to his House, and not find him there; or if you attempt to take him, and miss to effect it; or if you make any known enquiry after him,—it will be discovered.
Wherefore, “as” to the first, you have a fair pretence of going out of Brecknockshire to quarter about Newport and Caerleon, which is not above four or five miles from his House. You may send to Colonel Herbert, whose House lieth in Monmouthshire; who will certainly acquaint you where he is. You are also to send to Captain Nicholas, who is at Chepstow, to require him to assist you, if he “ Williams” should get into his House and stand upon his guard. Samuel Jones, who is Quartermaster to Colonel Herbert’s troop, will be very assisting to you, if you send to him to meet you at your quarters; both by letting you know where he is, and also in all matters of intelligence. If there shall be need, Captain Burges’s troop, now quartered in Glamorganshire, shall be directed to receive orders from you.
You perceive by all this that we are, it may be, a little too much solicitous in this business;[3]—it’s our fault; and indeed such a temper causeth us often to overact business. Wherefore, without more ado, we leave it to you; and you to the guidance of God herein; and rest, yours,
“P.S.” If you seize him, bring,—and let him be brought with a strong guard,—to me. If Captain Nicholas should light on him at Chepstow, do you strengthen him with a strong guard to bring him—If you seize his person, disarm his House; but let not his arms be embezzled. If you need Captain Burges’s troop, it quarters between Newport and Chepstow.[4]
Saunders, by his manner of endorsing this Letter, seems to intimate that he took his two men; that he keeps the Letter by way of voucher. Sir Trevor Williams by and by[5] compounds as a Delinquent,—retires then into ‘Langevie House’ in a diminished state, and disappears from History. Of Sheriff Morgan, except that a new Sheriff is soon appointed, we have no farther notice whatever.[6]