The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 7
And now here is a new horde of ‘Plunderers’ threatening the Association with new infall from the North. The old Newspapers call them ‘Camdeners’; followers of a certain Noel, Viscount Camden, from Rutlandshire; who has seized Stamford, is driving cattle at a great rate, and fast threatening to become important in those quarters.—‘Sir John Burgoyne’ is the Burgoyne of Potton in Bedfordshire, chief Committee-man in that County: Bedford is not in our Association; but will perhaps lend us help in this common peril.
“TO MY HONOURED FRIEND SIR JOHN BURGOYNE, BARONET: THESE”
Sir,—These Plunderers draw near. I think it will do well if you can afford us any assistance of Dragooners, to help in this great Exigence. We have here about Six or Seven Troops of Horse; such, I hope, as will fight. It’s happy to resist such beginnings betimes.
If you can contribute anything to our aid, let us speedily participate thereof: In the mean time, and ever, command your humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.[1]
Concerning these Camdeners at Stamford and elsewhere, so soon as Colonel Cromwell has got himself equipt, we shall hear tidings again. Meanwhile, say the old Newspapers,[2] ‘there is a regiment of stout Northfolk blades gone to Wisbeach, Croyland, and so into Holland’ of Lincolnshire, ‘to preserve those parts,’—if they may. Colonel Cromwell will follow; and give good account of that matter by and by.
Lincolnshire in fact ought to be all subdued to the Parliament; added to the Association. We could then coöperate with Fairfax across the Humber, and do good service! So reason the old Committees, as one dimly ascertains.—The Parliament appointed a Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Lord Willoughby of Parham, a year ago;[3] but he is much infested with Camdeners, with enemies in all quarters, and has yet got no secure footing there. Cromwell’s work, and that of the Association, for the next twelvemonth, as we shall perceive, was that of clearing Lincolnshire from enemies, and accomplishing this problem.