Which we have some of us come 195 miles in tender love to lay these sufferings before you, that you may take care that innocent and peaceable people may not be de­stroyed in the high way by prophane and ungod­ly men who seek to take away their lives.

THere being to the number of 14. persons or there abouts peaceably met together in the fear of the Lord, to wait upon him; one Al­ban Vaughan with several others (whom he see­med to encourage thereunto) came in upon them, and haled them out of the house wherein they met, beating them with swords & pistols, saying that he would car­ry them to Carnarvan Castle, being a garison 26. miles off, though he refused to shew any Orders he had there­unto, he, or any of his company, being known to be neither Magistrates, Officers nor Soldiers, and when he carried them into the next Village in the way, he cau­sed them to be put into a pin-fold, blasphemously term­ing a little dog that followed them to be the spirit wch [Page] [Page] [Page 2] led them in their way of worship, where they were kept while he and his companions were drinking and scoff­ing at them in an Ale-house hard by, but in the evening (it being the first day) having driven them two miles further, they let them go.

But not long after, it being the 25^th day of the 5^th Month, the same rude party fell upon the same people in their particular habitations, and did lug them out of their beds, wounding, beating and bruising several of them, and made them trot before their horses, and so brought them into a Town called Baala, being 20 miles distant from their said habitations, having beaten and abused them in the way, so as there was no pity shewed to them that were old and feeble, young and tender, poor and bare-foot, for such were they, who never had been in arms, or otherwise imployed against the pre­sent Authority. Likewise in a quarter Sessions at Baala aforesaid, four of the said persecuted people being re­quired to take the Oath of Allegiance, & they desirous to know the contents thereof, one of the Magistrates replied in these words, to wit, You are to swear faithful­nesse or obedience not to your heavenly King, but to our earth­ly King; which saying made them so much amazed, & fearful of ingaging against the Lord that they resolved to suffer, & so were committed to the Goaler, who im­mediately coupled them together in fetters, for about 3 dayes & 3 nights, and then (the Goalers habitation being in another Town 12 welch miles distant) he eau­sed them to go thither in the Irons through a great storm, insomuch that 2 of those who went along with­out irons tired by the way, but they being brought un­to the Goalers house, Immediately there were several other friends brought in unto them, so that they were in all to the number of thirteen who suffered upon the [Page 3] same account, and these were in, some for the space of fifteen, some sixteen weeks, in which time the Goaler was so cruel, not regarding either the po­verty of some, or the innocency of all, that he would not suffer them to have the common Goal to lie in, so as they might have been at peace, but kept them close prisoners in his own house, where he would not suffer any to carry them food, or other necessaries they stood in need of, but so continued in a rage towards them, kicking and abusing them daily, having taken from them their bibles, inkhorns, knives, moneys, &c. So that the generality of the sober people did so cry out, that an innocent people and honest neighbours should be so cruelly dealt withal, yea the Goaler him­self seemed to be so far convinced that they suffered for conscience sake, that he did often acknowledge it; and in his rage (having not else against them) would say, That it were as well for them to render their souls to the De­vil first as last, and swear what was required of them, for do it they must; and more to that effect than can be herein expressed; And notwithstanding (thinking thereby to injoy their peace) they compounded with him for their house-room, and he seeming to be satisfied there­with, yet did he put them to such slavery, that he cau­sed them to draw timber, like Oxen, and to carry like Horses, till their shoulders were bruised red and black, they being kept so close that some of them were glad to have so much liberty to preserve their health, though the terms were such, though also some refused, judging it to be beyond what they were called to suffer such cruelty, but rather to seek to stop it; notwithstanding all which, 3 of them were forced to pay 30 l. Pole mo­ney, though they had never owned nor acted in, any Commission that might render them liable thereunto, [Page 4] And though at their, releasment they paid the Goaler fully the agreement, and he seemed to be satisfied, yet hath becaused 3 of those who were formerly fettered in the irons (the 4^th being not found) to be apprehen­ded by the Sheriffs Bailiffs, and brought again to his cu­stody and tyranny, in which misery they now remain, and doth now deal so cruelly with them, that one of them being a maried man, is deni'd to let his wife come at him, nor hardly suffer victuals to be brought them, as had dealt with them and others formerly, Alledging that they must pay for all the meat, drink and house­room that he and his companions did devour at the quarter Sessions, though the prisoners did not partake thereof at all, saving their standing where they were linked together during the said time, where the drun­kards did so rage at them, that some threatned to pierce them with their swords drawn, others to knock them down with axes, &c. Also the 10^th day of the fourth Month, 3 friends being upon their Journy having 3 horses, two of which were laden with Family provision, the same Al­ban Vaughan, who was formerly mentioned, coming out of an Alehouse by the way side, did (without any provocation there­unto) violently abuse, wound, bruise and beat them until his staff was broken, and then fell upon them with his sword, and so caused them to part with their horses, not suffering them to ease the dumb creatures of their heavy loads, but forced them to go before him with greater speed than their bodies were a­ble to bear, for the space of 3 miles or thereabouts, scarce sheathing his sword in all the way, but still abusing them, and swearing that he would take away their lives, but being limitted as to that, coming into a Village, he caused them to be put in the stocks, and having been there while he was satisfying his lusts otherwise, for their further torment, he brought them back again to their horses, where he robbed them of one horse, saddle, bridle, riding coat, as also what other things they had, to wit, moneys, linnens, gloves, books, knives, comb [Page 5] and other like, and then he let two of them go, but the third he detained for a while after.

Also 5. of the 13 prisoners heretofore mentioned & 2 others, they being then out of that wch leadeth into all truth, having acted in a Commission for the Militia, under former Authority, though they strictly observed their orders in all their actings, & gave up a full and clear account thereof to the Commissio­ners that succeeded them, who are the now Magistrates in that said County, yet have they been by them imprisoned for the space of 15 weeks unjustly and without orders, as then and af­terwards did appear; and though their bodies had been long imprisoned, they seized upon their cattel, & drove away there­of with much cruelty and violence to the number of 650 head or thereabouts, and brought them to the said Town of Baala where the owners of them were prisoners, which was above 20 miles from some of their habitations, except such as they de­stroyed by the way, in the driving, where they sold them away for what they pleased, and disposed of the monies according to their own wills, and for all this they detained the owners still prisoners, until the Act of Oblivion came forth; and their enmity did so continue, that some of them hearing of a Messenger that was sent with the said Act to the prisoners, whom it did so much concern, caused the Messenger to be apprehended, and brought before one or more of them, who caused him to be searched, and finding the Act with him, and he affirming it was for the prisoners, they took it from him by violence, with another book, and him they committed to the common Goal, having not else against him; And also though upon further conside­ration they found the prisoners to be clear, and left the prison door as it were open for them to take their liberty, yet did they not make any return of, or satisfaction for their said cattel, though several of the said prisoners were poor Tenants, and their Families so left without either their goods or rela­tions, but rather the contrary, some of the said persecutors known, and others greatly supposed so to incense the Countrey, that there is about fifteen suits now depending above-forth, at the County Sessions and elswhere, for the same moneys that the aforesaid Catrel were sold away for, none due to either, being there was as clear an [Page 6] accompt given for them as may yet further appear, as in any County in the Nation, so as to outward appearance several fa­milies are like to be ruined thereby; and least the innocent should be exclaimed against with the guilty, it is to be observed that most of the indulgence that these persecuted people have found in all their sufferings (which was more then can be well expressed) was from those who had been sufferers in the times of the late revolutions, as being the Kings friends, but the enmity and persecution was from those who acted under all authorities they could, except one or two that were more mo­derate then all the rest yea one of their greatest persecutors not long before did openly declare, that he had never been for the King, nor would he ever be, but now he and many others of them would sacrifice Lambs for peace-offerings, or cover themselves with seeming zeal in persecuting the innocent, who did not at all in­tend to exclaim against any, had they left them to passe along the way, and to enjoy of their own wherewithall to subsist; but finding their enmity not onely to continue, but rather to in­crease in some or other of them daily, so thatAs in Pennall Towyn, &c. Priest and people made it their practice to abuse them in the way, put them in the stocks, and that without any Officer or pretence of order for what they did, some of them affirming it was because they would not bow unto them, which they could not do for Con­science sake,) they are constrained to lay it before you, being they still continue in their wickednesse, and rejoyce in their in­humane practice.

The Names of the Sufferers.

• Thomas Lewis
• Samuel Humphrey
• John Williams
• Evan Jones
• Rees Jones
• Robert Owen
• Owen Lewis
• Owen Humphrey
• John Humphrey
• John Williams the younger.
• John Evan
• John David
• Richard Jones
• William Jones
• Thomas Ellis
• Hugh ap Rees
• William ap Rees
• John Meredith
• Lewis ap Humphrey
• Meredith Edwards
• Henry Thomas, and others.
• Jane Owen Widdow
• Joan Humphrey
• Katherine Williams, and others of that sex.

[Page 7] The 28th. day of the 3d. Moneth, James Lewis riding peaceably from Tinby towards his Habitation, in the way was met by one Thomas Davies, a rude bruitish fellow, who regards neither the fear of God or man, yet esteemes himself one of the Kings best subjects, who asked the said James whether he was a Quaker, to which he made no reply, then said he you dumb dog I'le make you speak, and began to beat him as hard as he could with a great staff full of knots, took his hat off his head, and threw it down a hill; James having lighted of his horse to fetch his hat, he comes to him the second time with the same words, and beateth him again with his staff, then he threw off his hat again; James having lighted to fetch his hat, he comes to him the third time, and beat him, and told him he would make him as Jelly, and would beat him as long as his stick would hold, before he would part with him; At last laid hold on him, and threatned to kill and Pistol him, but his power was limited, that he could do no more; He gave him a­bout thirty blowes in all, which did very much bruise his body.

In the 4th. Month of the year 1660 Humphry Williams and John Howel passing along the Road, met a company of rude people, one of which struck at Humphery Williams, and missing him struck the horse on his head till he reeled; Then he went to John Howel, and beat him and shed his blood, and again he came back to Humphery Williams swearing he would kill him, saying, there was no Law against it now, the King being come.

In the same month another man meeting with Humphery Williams in the Road, and demanded of him to speak after the custome of the world, drew out his knife, swearing if he would not speak, he would kill him; To that purpose came several times with his knife towards him, but was kept from acting; So riding with him awhile, still threatning, at last parting said, if ever he met him again, he would do it.

The 2d. of the 12th. month 1660 John Husband being at his standing in a fair, at a place called Whit-land in Carmarthen­shire, the aforesaid Thomas Davies came unto him in a bruitish bloody manner, and gave him many blows with his sword, and left not off till he had cut his nose very nigh off his face; Cut his and several other mens Shoes from the poles with his sword, frighted the whole fair, insomuch that the people [Page 8] through fear were dispersed, and their Market hindred; Yet for all this general disturbance, no care taken by the Magi­strates for punishing or preventing such misbehaviours.

The 29th. of the 3d. month 1661 Humphery Williams and John Husband being Shoomakers, comming to a Town called Carmarthin about their Lawful occasions to buy Leather, at their first entrance saw a great multitude of people in the street with Arms and Drums, being led by one Boney Barret, who was drunk before them, yet having a Halbert on his shoulder, and a Sword by his side, came furiously unto them as soon as they lighted off their horses, and thought to strike Humphry Williams with the halbert, but being hindred by one of the Drummers, he gave him a cuff in his face, then ran furiously at one James Lewis with his halbert intending to stabb him in the neck, but the spear entered not according to his bloody will; Then they were delivered to the Marshal, by whom they were brought before Dankin Gough called Justice; In the mean time, the said Bonny Barret went to the Smiths to sharpen the spear of his halbert, and in the said Justice his sight did run at James Lewis and thought to stab him in the belley, but his hand be­ing on the place, he received the stab through the bone of his hand, which obstructed a greater danger; Then turning to John Husband, gave him a blow over the shoulders, and another to Humphery Williams; The said Justice Commanded them to be brought from Constable to Constable out of Town, strengthning the rude rabble in their crueltie, though he was counselled to keep them in better order; Insomuch that the said Bonny Barret followed them to the place where they had left their horses, and with his sword struck Humphry Williams over the pate, his hand being on his head, cut off a piece of his finger.

And this is our desires who loves good Government, that our friends who lie in Prison for their Innocency and good Con­science, may be set at liberty by you; Such actions and practises tending to the utter ruine of so many families as before mentioned may be taken a course withall, and stopt (with the wisdome of God) which dishonours good govern­ment, our desires being to live peaceable in all godliness and honesty.