A LETTER Written by Sir Richard Grenvile (under his own hand) To an Honorable Person in the City OF LONDON, Concerning the Affairs of the WEST.
Published by Authority.
LONDON: Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honorable House of Commons. April 17. 1646.
A LETTER Written By Sir Richard Greenvile, under his own hand, to an Honorable person in the City of London, Concerning the Affairs of the WEST.
FOrmer obligations have moved me to represent unto you my affectionate service: I am now at Nantes in France, and about to depart hence toward Italy for the war against the Turk (not much unlike the unhappy war of England.) My Lord, I truly value you in the number of [Page 4] my best and honorable Friends, and therefore have presumed to send you herewith a narrative truth concerning the former proceedings of the affairs of the VVest of England, though not so particular, as the evil managing thereof deserved: since which, an unhappy Ieast chanced at Peurin (a town nigh Pendennis castle in Cornwal) for Hopton with his new forces (lately before) taking a strange affright at a party of the Parliaments forces at Torrington in Devon, and flying into Cornwal with his men dispersed several wayes, like a wildegoose chace; the sad News thereof made the Prince command the Earl of Branford and Lord Culpepper with all speed to meet the Lord Hopton and Lord Capel at Wadebridge, nigh [Page 5] the heart of Cornwal, to advise on affairs for the safety of the VVest (I think to shut the stable door when the horse was gone) but Culpepper in his haste and way, finding some Gentlemen merry and drinking in Peurin town, he would needs make one amongst them, and so did, till night came, and then Bacchus prevailing, Culpeppers Eloquence displeased Mr. Slingsby, by which grew a quarrel betwixt them two onely, and at bare fistycuffs they were a good space, till the company parted them, and then Culpepper and Slingsby, in the Moonshine, got them into the garden, and like two Cocks at the end of a Battel, not able to stand wel, offer'd & peck'd at one another, till the weight of Slingsbies head drew him to the [Page 6] ground, which advantage Culpepper took hold of, and by it got Slingsbies sword, and then like St. George, made more such triumphant flourishes over Slingsby, then a German Fencer at the begining of a Prize; but by good fortune, the rest of the associates came in, and easily perswaded the Duellists to end the quarrel by the cup again, which service continued till the next day, with divers and several bouts at fistycuffs: the next day (about ten of the clock) they having red Herrings and mustard for Breakfast, Culpepper again gave Slingsby distaste, whereon he threw a dish of mustard in Culpeppers face (taking his Nose for a red Herring) which procur'd another grievous incounter, in such sort, that the Market people [Page 7] (to part the fray) thronged the house full, whereby that also was taken up, and the saucy Lord fain to get his mustard-Face, Eyes, Beard, Band, and Coat wash'd; and about four of the next evening, Culpepper rid on in his hasty journey to overtake the Lord of Branford, who rid chafing & staying for him above twenty four hours in his way. Such a Privie-Councellor will soon finish his Masters businesse one way, preferring his own delights before the important businesse▪ that concerns the safety of the Prince, &c. This story is indeed very true in every particular, and so I leave it with you, and depart▪