The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 84
The Army came to Windsor on Saturday the 25th; on which same day Oliver, from Knottingley, is writing a remarkable Letter, the last of the series, to Hammond in the Isle of Wight, who seems to be in much strait about ‘that Person’ and futile Treaty, now under his keeping there.
First, however, read this Note, of like date, on a local matter: one of many Notes which a vigilant Lieutenant-General, be where he may, has to importune the Governing Powers with. Hull Garrison and Governor Overton, like most garrisons and persons, are short of pay. Grocers’ Hall, Haberdashers’ Hall, or some section of the Finance Department, ought absolutely to take thought of it.
FOR MY NOBLE FRIEND THOMAS ST. NICHOLAS, ESQUIRE: “THESE, AT LONDON”
Sir,—I suppose it’s not unknown to you how much the Country is in arrear to the Garrison of Hull;—as likewise how probable it is that the Garrison will break, unless some speedy course be taken to get them money; the soldiers at the present being ready to mutiny, as not having money to buy them bread; and without money the stubborn Townspeople will not trust them for the worth of a penny.
Sir, I must beg of you that, as you tender the good of the Country, so far as the security of that Garrison is motioned, you would give your assistance to the helping of them to their money which the Country owes them. The Governor will apply himself to you, either in person or by letter. I pray you do for him herein as in a business of very high consequence. I am the more earnest with you, as having a very deep sense how dangerous the event may be, of their being neglected in the matter of their pay. I rest upon your favour herein;—and subscribe myself, Sir, your very humble servant,
Hull Garrison does not ‘break’: doubtless St. Nicholas, a chief Clerk, of weight in his department, did what he could. A Kentish man this St. Nicholas, if any one could be supposed to care what he was; came to be Recorder of Canterbury, and even refractory Member for Canterbury;[2] has his seat, for the present, in the Grocers’-Hall region, among the budgets or ‘bottomless bags,’ as Independency Walker calls them. And now for the remarkable Letter contemporaneous with this: