THis other day a nameless Pamphlet came to my hand, called Musgrave musled, or the mouth of ini­quity stopped, wherein is printed a Letter from Tho­mas Sewell, and Thomas Laughorn, two of your Commissioners for sequestrations in Cumberland, and directed in haste to Thomas Craister Major of Carlisle at Newcastle, with a paper said to be of my writing, with a Certificate from a Minister one Nicholson, touching Cap. Cracken­throp, and mine agreement with Lawyer Briscoe; both which Sir Arthur Haslerig read before you at Haberdashers Hall, but carried the same away with him: so I could have no Copy of either of them; o­therwise before this, I would have given a satisfactory answer to both; and herein I doubt not but both clearly to vindicate my own innocency and integrity, and plainly to discover what this anonymus and libellor hath writ, is only to cast a mist before truth, that the baseness and trea­cherous dealing of those men, of whom I complain, may escape in the fogge the better unespyed. And for the honesty of M. Briscoe, his former actions and time truths best discoverer will manifest: I will not trouble you further then with what was by Sir Arthur Haslerig suggested and urged against me before you; when by your Order I was convented be­fore you, without any charge against me. The other part of that book a­gainst me in Sir Arthur Haslerigs vindication, as this Detractor is li­censed thus to libel against me, I hope I shall not be bound up from an­swering, nor denyed legem talionis.

Sir, After the Commissioners for the Militia in Cumberland were laid aside, upon my exceptions delivered to the Councel of State: Mr. Canne came to me, telling me Sir Arthur Haslerig desired to speak with me: I went to Sir Arthur Haslerigs Lodging: he seemed to be desirous of a right understanding betwixt him and the honest party with us: and after some flourishing with King James his sword, which he said he much valued, he told us how he was deceived in the men na­med for our Militia; but after he would not recommend any other, [Page 2] [...] honest men with us should fiest approve. He said, he had named me a Commissioner for sequestraions in Cumberland: I wished him to for­bear doing it, I could not attend that imployment by reason of my other private business and troubles I was incombred with; but if I were a Commissioner, I should not forbear his friends, Mr. Howard and Sir Wilfride Lawson, two great and dangerous Delinquents. But when I understood I was joyned with such as were Delinquents themselves, and with whom I could not take the Oath prescribed without perjury: I intended not to have acted with them. No seoner I returned into the Countrey, but Graister and Laughorn writ to me to meet them at Carlisle for letting out Delinquents Estates for that year; but fearing if I should have refused, they should have laid the blame upon me, if they had let them to the old sequestrators, & Sewel, who were formerly Far­mers, at farre undervalues; and understanding that the Governour of Carlisle, and Craister were then Farmers of sundry great Delinquents Estates at lowe and inconsider able Rents, and how the Governour of Carlisle had made great waste, and cut down a wood of Sir Thomas D [...]cres, as is said, worth 5 or 600 l. and whose estate the Governour then farmed, conceiving few or no Countreymen would or drust bid mo­ney for that, the Governour Craistor or Sewell should desire to have, if we should meet there; upon that accompt I refused to go thither, and writ to them, that in regard the Governour Craister and Sewell, who then overawed the Countrey, and exercised tyranny, and an arbitrary Government over the people, by laying the Souldiers upon free quarter, raising monies, and causing Countreymen to bring in their Corn into that Garrison, without money for the same or for carriage, were Farmers of Delinquents Estates at farre undervalues: few I knew within their own jurisdiction, and that Garison drust contest with them: therefore I held that place not fitting to draw the Countrey thither, desiring they would appoint a more convenient place, and I would observe the time and place; at the first they said, I should come thither, or no place; but upon asecond letter, Isent them that I would certifie against them: they appointed some two dayes after, to meet at Hescot by eleven of the Clock; but came not till 3 in the afternoon, no intimation thereof be­ing given to the Countrey: when they came to Hescot, being but 6. miles from Carlisle, they excused their long stay, in regard of the funeral Sermon made by one Balwyne for Sewells wife, who dyed some three weeks before; but Balwyne was fetched from Penreth, and the more [Page 3]intelligent conceived their meeting was rather to cousult how to uphold the Scottish interest then for the Sermon by Balwyne, who was and yet is a professed enemy to the Ingagement and present Government. Ʋp­on our sitting down, none of our Countrey appearing, Craystor and Laughorn desired I would consent to let the Delinquents Estates to the old Sequestrators and Farmers at the former Rents, which I desented from, in regard I knew the old Sequestrators did only take the same for the Delinquents use and benefit, for whom they were Agents. Ʋpon this our meeting was adjourned to Penreth for some 3. dayes longer, onely upon Craister and Laughorns intreaty and protestation, they knew the same to be worth no more. I consented to a Lease of Sir Francis How­ards Tithes for that year to Captain Briscoe for 30 l. but at our next meeting I found the State cheated of 30 l. therein for Mr. Pearson. The Sequestrator did offer 60 l. for the same, and said they were better worth. In the mean time, I sent into Westmerland for some friends to come to our meeting at Penreth, (at any other meeting I was never with them after) fearing few or no Countreymen with us would appear in op­position to the Governour, Crayster, and the old Sequestrators; and by my friends at that meeting I advanced the sequestred Rents near 500 l: the worst service I ever did you, and all the favour I shewed any Delin­quents. There were but two for whom I was solicited to shew some fa­vour to, viz. my Ʋnckle Sir William Musgrave, and Mr. Pearson of Newton; for Sir William Musgrave I raised the Rents of his Lands so high, for which I was after threatned, if ever the times changed, to have the like returned. For Pearson, 'tis true, a bribe of 10 l. was of­fered me for my good will, the other Commissioners being made sure for him. The case was thus, Mr. Pearson the year before had taken of the old Committee Newton-Tithes for 76 l. Sewell by the countenance of Craister, pretends (and but a pretence) to have taken them for 50 l. requires bond of Pearson for the whole 76 l. to his own use: Pearson re­fuses: then Sewell procures Lieut. Col. Briggs, being Deputy Gover­nour of Carlisle, to send a party of Horse to force Pearson, and did force him to enter bond to Sewell for the whole: Pearson complains to me how he was opprest by Sewel and Briggs, and how Sewel intended to cheat the State of 26 l. and put it in his own pocket; but Pearson after is sent for to appear before the Governour of Carlisle, who with Craister partly by threats, and partly through promises, Pearson should have the Tithes the next year for 50 l. Pearson payes the whole 76 l. to Sewel. [Page 4]but only 50 l. accompted to the State; if so much, to colour and cover this knavery and cheat, the Tithe is agreed on to be let for 50 l. Mus­grave is the only rub. The commissioners offered them for 50 l. I having knowledge of their jugling, caused one beyond their expectation to bid freely for the Tithes, and raised them to 79 l. 19 s. which Pearson see­ing and not willing to part with the Tithes, gave the other 12 d. for increase: so the Rent was that year 80 l. If Anonymus in that darke could have struck me with any such Arrowe, he would not have missed this mark; but I look upon this Pamphleter, hired with a price by Sir Arthur Haslerig to murther my reputation, (which to an honest man, is more dear then his life) least I should enter the list once again with him, and by help of unconquered truth, unvale his hypocrisie, and lay o­pen his unfaithfulness to the State and present Government, with his tyranies & oppressions yet not discovered, which in the strength of God, I fear not but to do. But in answer, for Huddlestons pretended Estate, I am sure the Commissioners cannot but acknowledge not any was more forward to promote their Rent then I. But upon Mr. Skeltons shewing the Exchequer Lease in right of his Sonne, 'tis true, we said we could not discharge the Lands from under sequestration; but the same were to be freed, either in the Exchequer, or by the Commissioners for com­pounding above; and Skelton shewing an Order of the Exchequer, made upon Mr. Fells motion, a Member of Parliament, in Skeltons right for freeing those Lands of Huddlestons recusancy, and acquit­tances from the several Sheriffs for the Rent paid by Skelton to the ve­ry time of sequestration, I did not them nor yet see how in soliciting for the infant here, I did or could wrong the State, and what I did therein was with the privity and approbation of the other Commissioners. For re­ceiving 15 l. of Huddleston, I deny it; but upon account it will ap­pear I have spent 10 l. more then I have received, having attended here and in the Countrey, ever since June last, and never could bring the same to any issue, Skelcon and his Farmers goods being lately dri­ven for the Arrearages of the Rent due upon Skeltons Lease, by the Sheriff of Cumberland, whereby appeareth the falshood of that Certifi­cate in relation to me and Skelton: but I would gladly you would exa­mine how it comes to passe, that after a years discovery & proof tender­ed agaist Thompson of Broomfield, by one Raper of the same, the State is couzened of 400 l. per Annum; for Thompson injoyes his Estate, being worth 400 l. per Annum, still unsequestred, though a notorious [Page 5]Delinquent. For my speaking for Delinquents. I dare them to name one. What discoveries they have made since they were first Commissio­ners, let them tell. By their refusing and sleighting discoveries, I know they have lost the State 10000 l. But why have they been thus long silent against me? Have I not before provoked them? Did I not tell them at our first meeting, that I could not take the Oath with them with­out perjury, in regard Laughorn was a Delinquent in Arms, and had taken the Oath for the Earl of Newcastle, and that Craister had re­ceived 8 or 10000 l. of Delinquents money unacconnted for, and so thereby vncapable to be Treasurer as they had made him, and de­sired that Mr. Briscoe might supply that place? But they are very careful to advance the States Revenues, witness their refusal to exa­mine witnesses upon Oath against Mr. Howard, whose delinquency and perjury is manifest, and attested by sundry witnesses under their hands, besides his withdrawing in Arms to the enemy in Yorkshire, 5. or 6000 l. per Annum with them is not considerable, Mr. Howards E­state amounts to no lesse. And so much displeased was I at my being put out of Commission, as you know the last Summer I solicited you so to do often times, telling you I could not act with them to do you service, and if I might have the same in the Countrey by indifferent Commissi­oners examined, and not hurried to Newcastle where none of my wit­nesses dare appear against them, for Sir Arthurs pride and tyranny. I could, and would prove that they have hindered and lost the State 10000 l. by hindering and obstructing discoveries which your friends would have made and offered to do; so they sure are not only in a clande­stine way, but are professed enemies to the interest of this Common-wealth. As for the stewardship of Penreth which they say I am outed of, I never esteemed it nor made ought of it, further then to advance the States service, and keep under Delinquents, causing such to find pledges without any Fee for their good behavior as refused the En­gagement, whereat some of the now Commissioners were not well pleas­ed: I never received peny by it, only 29 s. the first Court, the Fee due for my service is yet to take up, and which I never expect: undesired, unexpected that place was put upon me by Sir Henry Mildmay. I can make it appear, I have spent in that service near 20 l. the greatest profit I have had by it. If I would have continued that place after that Honour was sold, I might, which was offered me by Captain Dawson, one of the purchasers; but conceiving it a snare, or to prevent me from prose­cuting [Page 6]his Father in Law Cholmleys Delinquency I wholly refused it. For Sewel (who thus upbraids me with my poverty) in the beginning of this Parliament and warre, was not worth a groat, Servant to the Post­master of Carlisle, ready to rub a Cavaliers Horse-heeles for a peny; but by cheating the State, and farming Delinquents Lands at farre under­values, and trading with the enemy in Scotland, of late hath got great wealth. And for Craister, he hath improved his time while he hath served the State, to his own, but not to the States benefit, industriously ever promoting the Scots interest. It was not indisposition of health, but out of disaffection to the present service, which made him lay down his Commission when he was to march for Scotland, perswading others from bearing Arms under the now Lord General against the Scots. But you will say, while I complain of others, why do I take bribes, or gifts of others to conceal or free them from delinquency? If to accuse were a conviction, who should be innocent? I never saw the face of that man that durst exhibit any such Charge against me before any Court of Justice, otherwise then as the slanderous pen of this invective libel­ler hath belcht out against me; which I disregard, holding it my honour, to be evil spoken of by base men, and such as are ashamed to own them­selves and what they write; like a murtherer in the dark, killing the inno­cent unawares. Only as to that paper produced by Sir Arthur Haslerig, touching Mr. Briscoe, which I owned before you to be my writing; blessed be God, I was never yet reduced to that strait, as to deny any thing I ever yet writ, or not able to give an account for my so doing. And more in particular touching this paper.

Sir, After the King withdrawing to York from the Parliament, soone in every County in the North with us did they list men, and raise Horse for the King, and in no place with more readiness then in Cumberland. If any there were known or suspected to favour the Parliament, his words or Religion, was quarrel enough to throwe him into prison.

The first imprisoned there was my self, for non-conforming to the Common prayer-Book the Idol of that time; but after bailed. The next Sessions appearing again, Cap. Crackenthorp being there, the Justices said we were against their King, and that we boasted of the Parlia­ment, and thereupon ministred the Oath of supremacy to us, which we refusing committed us both close prisoners; but after again bailed. Col. Rigby our good friend advised us to appear, and (that if we were [Page 7]again committed) by Habeas Corpus to remove our selves: for by Law they could not administer that Oath without special Commission. I acquainted Mr. Briscoe therewith, being that Sessions to be sworn Justice, desiring him not to intermeddle; but he in open Court told the Justices they had power to minister that Oath, and committed us for high Treason for refusing that Oath the second time, and procured a special Commission for a Goale-delivery, intending and so giving out that we should die as Traytors; but by the Habeas Corpus they were disabled to proceed against us, though they would not obey it as to in­large us

To tell you all the cruelty and bad usage towards us, upbraiding us ever with the Parliament, would be a volum.

After many turnings, and the Countrey freed from under the ene­mies power; we made our addresses to the Parliament: and the Lords upon reading our Petition, sent it down to the House of Commons, who referred it to the Committee of Complaints, with power to send for par­ties, Witnesses and Records. Ʋpon serving the Order upon Mr. Bris­coe and other the Justices, Sir William Ermyne, (ever accompted a friend to Cavaliers with us, by whose Votes his Sonne sits in Parlia­ment, as Knight of the shire for Cumberland) procures an Order of the House of Commons, for respiting the Summons we had procured upon our great charge and attendance, having spent in the prosecution of that Petition near 300 l. Cap. Crakenthorp was hereat much trou­bled, having suffered and spent so much for the Parliament, to be so sleighted; said he would make Mr. Briscoe know other way what wrong he had done us, Col. Cholmley (being then a Member of Par­liament, but since left the House for his Delinquency) made his address to us, and much solicited us to agree with Briscoe, telling us how if we were friends, he would (by his friends here) be much useful to the Par­liaments friends in Cumberland; and with much confidence did aver that it was impossible any Charge of Delinquency against Mr. Briscoe could be proved.

At Colonel Cholmleys and Captain Dawsons earnest intreaty (as Mr. Briscoe the Merchant I know will acknowledge, if not, I am a­ble to prove the truth of it otherwise) more in regard that Mr. Briscoe would be a friend to honest men, then for such an inconsiderable summe: as to our losses by that imprisonment, we were content to take 35 l. of Mr. Briscoe, for the wrong done to us by him, with this provisoe, that [Page 8]our discharge or release to him, should never be produced in evidence for to debar us from recovering damages for our false imprisonment of the other malignant Justices; but we could not agree of the manner of the discharge: whereupon Mr. Briscoe the Merchant said, Conzen Musgrave, write as I shall dictate to you, and when it is done, if you and the Captain like it not, there shall no use be made of it; and thereupon I did write the note or paper aske gave it in, of which this nameless Libeller so much boasteth. But did we upon reading it agree or subscribe to it? nay, did I not often say to him while I was writing it, what he did dictate to me was untruth, we had no charge of Delin­quency against his Brother, and we would not subscribe that paper: aske him if he did not solicit us to subscribe it, and upon what account he car­ried it away with him: did he not premise to go that night to the Councel at Lincolns Inne with it, and if Councel held it not good, he would not re­quire it, but would come to us the next day with it? & did we not tell him what was written was untruth, and we could not ever own it? and be­fore he was suffered to carry it away, did he not promise (if Councel held it not warrantable) to return it us again the next morning? for any such agreement or Ingagement under our hands as the Cavalier Priest falsly in his Certificate intimated, the paper produced (which you have seen) will testifie the contrary: where is now my covetousness, dishonesty, knavery, or unwarrantable action in all this? let the Ly­beller tell me; for his money we never expected, nor desired it before the difference was setled by learned Councel; but the next day we heard not from him, for by this trick it seemes a design was laid to blast our reputation: but blessed be God, we are not afraid of such Bug-bears, but warned to beware of men, and be more cautious and careful of our wayes and walking. We were men of private conditions; but Mr. Bris­coe the Lawyer, a Justice of peace and Committee-man. If you aske, I will tell you how he had or was to have of S. Wilf. Lawson by the medi­ation of 2. grand Delinquents, 30 l. for imprisoning him, by vertue of the Commission of Array, how it did agree with his Oath to conceale S. Wil­frids Delinquency, and not sequester him, and yet have reparations for himself, I know not; but surely, if this nameless Balaamite and hire­ling for Sir Arthur Haslerig had any such thing against me, he would not be silent I confess. As for Delinquency against Mr. Briscoe, I could not to this day ever find sufficient matter to fixed charge upon him, though I believe the Commonwealth hath many better friends, and to [Page 9]honest men be ever professed himself an enemy: the Character of the Gentleman, Baron Thorp can better give then I; yet that he hath acted with and for the enemy, against the Parliament, I believe; for I have a warrant under his hand to that purpose; but how to prove it legally I know not, though his Brother doth believe the subscription to be his hand writing, unless you will put him to the Oath ex officio, which is against the Law of God and Man, as you did my couzen Wharton, in my case without any charge exhibited against me; but if you had examined Cap. Swaine upon that Oath, who the other day pre­tended such zeal for the Common-wealth before you, against Mr. Primate, he could have teld you what money, and by whom was offered me in Michaelmas Terme last, whether 60 l. more or lesse, to forbear from prosecuting Sir Richard Grahams concealments and underva­lues upon Cap. Crackenthorps Discovery, and what Arguments were used to induce me thereunto; how Sir Richard Graham would find better friends then I before you, and why I should do it for a State that never did me good, right, not justice: notwithstanding all my sufferings and high actings for them, it stood neither with wisdom nor reason, when by giving it ever, I might not only gain a potent friend; but have in hand a considerable summe to my own desire: Cap. Swain, if examined upon the Oath ex officio, could tell you what monies this last terme were offered me in the same case, and what Answer I returned.

But in case Sir Richard Graham had given us satisfaction for the wrong done us before the discovery by us made; I quere, whether it had not been our liberty if we had liked, and the other desired, if another had made the Discovery, to have solicited for Sir Richard Graham, without wronging the State, as well as Mr. Squibs Brother, who by so­liciting for Delinquents before you is said to get 500 l. per Annum. and yet no bribery in him, I know you accompt it, neither do I? I fur­ther quere, whether i [...] no information or Discovery had been made by us, it had not been our liberty to have agreed with him for our personal wrongs, and forborn if we had pleased to have made the Discovery?

If you had put Mr Craister to the Oath ex officio, he could have told you how he and Langhorn the last Summer refused to receive Discoveries against Delinquents, in contempt of your Orders, and great prejudice to the State.

I you had put him and Langhorn to that Oath, they could have told you, how they solicited me (upon my bringing in (before them) my Disco­veries [Page 10]of the 17. of October last) to have forborn to do it, saying, I should do my Countrey bad service in it; for by that meanes the Dis­coveries would come to the State, and they had an intent to get all the Concealments and Discoveries to themselves, as Sir Arthur Haslerig hath since done for them from the first of November last. Now my Dis­coveries are the only let in their way, being before that time, [...]nce Crai­ster gave out in speeches (before he went out of Town, as my Couzen Wharton can witness) that neither the State nor I should have any benefit by those Discoveries, which I made the 17. of October last.

If you had put Mr. Craister and Mr. Sewell to the Oath ex offi­cio, they could have told you how they solicited me to withdraw my Charge of Delinquency against Col. Cholmley and Thomas Lang­horn, saying, I should undo them if I did the same, and they could tell you how they laboured with Cap. Crackenthorp to diswade me therefrom.

If John Musgrave had done any such thing; how would this Tertul­lus, hired to raile against me, have opened his throat to declame against me? what black epithites would he have given me, you may easily ima­gine? But those be Sir Arthur Haslerig's honest men; and no place, but at Newcastle, you think fit to examine their misdemeanors. I had almost forgot to acquaint you, how upon my coming last to London, Craister, Sewell, and Langhorn, the day before I came out of the Countrey) did earnestly intreat me that I would be their Solicitor at London; for they knew, I would be both honest and diligent in what I undertook; and without some active man above, you would do nothing: so careless were you of what they certified as you made not any return thereupon. Then they could fawn, flatter and dissemble with me; professing, they knew I was glad to be out of Commission with them, and how prejudicial the same was to my other business; hoping thereby to have drawn me from prosecuting my Discoveries and complaining of them: but now failing in their expectation, they throwe their dirt and filth in my face, to make me ugly, and the Readers believe, that it is my natural complexion, and a leprosie growing from an inbred corruption. But their and the Gover­nor of Carlisle's Certificate of Craister's Judgement for a Congregati­onal way are a like truth; Craister being the Scottish Presbyters great Champion there, and a professed enemy to ask such in that Countrey, is favour Independency, as I can prove by a Cloud of Witnesses. Nay Craister hath threatned of late, that such as walk in a Congregational [Page 11]way, shall be debarred to meet to prayer and worship; boasting to be arm­ed with authority from Sir Arthur Haslerig to effect it. Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light: but the hope of the Hypo­crite shall perish; and God will unmask in his due time, the unworthy dealing and dissembling of this jugler. For Mr. Nicholson, if Sir Ar­thur had not read his certificate before you, I should not further have troubled you with him, by what is said; which I am able to prove. You see, upon what weak props and rotten pillars Sir Arthur Haslerig would uphold his credit; & by a short & true character of the man, who calls himself a Minister of the Gospell, you may conceive how by such men Sir Arthur Haslerig propagates the Gospell in the North.

Nicholson, while the enemy had any power with us, complied with that interest, after the Country was reduced to the obedience of Parlia­ment, upon the recommendation of some, whom the Commissioners of the great seal best know, got the Rectory of Plumland under the great seal of England granted him; of which he makes Merchandize, and sells the same to a Delinquent Priest, one Eglesfield, for an hundred pounds. After upon Duke Hambleton's invading England, withdraws himself to the enemys garrison in Carlisle; and there he turns to his old vomit, the book of Common-Prayer; and was preacher before Sir Philip Musgrave and Sir Wil. Leviston the Governour of Carlisle: of all which Craister is not ignorant: By his friends, now in authority, he is placed at Thursby; and of late upon the recommendation of Craister, confirmed in that Rec­tory, by the Commissioners for the Ministry of Newcastle. And Egles­field (though a Cavalier & Delinquent) injoys his place likewise but who dares say, that Craister is no honest man, or Sir Arthur is a friend to Ca­valiers and Malignants? I have often heard you say, you were under an oath. Deceive not your selves: God will not be mocked. The Lords and Commons of Parliament (whose seats you now possesse) though high in power, and great in wealth, for their double mindednesse, dissembling, sleighting oaths, regarding persons, brother, cousin, and friends; and des­pising men of mean & lew condition, God with contempt hath laid aside. If you tread in the same tract they did, notwithstanding you set a fairer guilt and glosse upon your doings, God will find you out; and you shall go off with as bad a savor as the snuff of a Candle when put out. Your wise­domes, and all your windings shall not prevent it; and that sooner then you dream of, if you despise Councel. Now to carry witnesses for the Com­monwealth out of Carlisle to Newcastle, near a 100 miles remote from [Page 12]their dwellings for to Browgham in Westmerland, not a mile out of Cumberland, the Commissioners there being of your own naming, & upon Sir Arth. Haslerigs recommendation as the other be, and whom you may arm and alike authorize them to do it; be more equall, just, and for the more ease and lessening of the charges of the witnesses, and for the fur­ther incouragement of the prosecutor for the Common-wealth, God judge and let all honest and unbyassed men well consider. To presix a pe­remptory day for a hearing within six weeks and before the parties complained of have answered the charge, and so no issue joined, nay be­fore any formall summons granted against them for their appearance; and parties and witnesses living remote hence near 300 miles, while you have made the prosecutor attend two moneths, before be can have an order out, made against a Delinquent; and yet he cannot procure it, be regular, just, and honest: and if such difficulties, or rather impossibilities put upon the prosecutor is not partial dealing, or agreeable with your oath let the more judicious consider. One question more I would offer unto you, whether the high Court of Parliament be not a Court of equity as law? If so, then whether the Commissioners or Judges sitting at Haberdashers-Hall, from whom there be no appeals to any other Court then the Parlia­ment it self, in cases depending before and determinable by them, be not Judges of the equitable part as the legall? Which if denied; will it not un­avoidably follow, that former Kings and Tyrants of this Nation, have in their high Court of Chancery made better provision for their vassals and slaves, to recover and regain their lost rights and pos­sessions, when without remedy in Common Law-Courts, their evi­dences being lost then Englands Parliament hath done for their plun­dered friends, and the widdows of the slain in their quarrels? Will not Englands freedome be now worse and more destructive to us, then former Englands slavery under Kings and Lordly power? Admit (as too true it is in many mens cases) the enemy for my affection and adhering to the Parliament hath not onely imprisoned me; but dispos­sest me of lands, plundered me, taken from me all my writings and evidences upon reducing the Country my land and estate is sequest­red for the Delinquency of the intruder or disseisor, the last Tenant in possossions the disseasor confesseth to have my evidences, I desire he may produce them; a zealot stands up, and tels you, the State makes title un­der the disseisor: I am to shew the writings, if I expect the land we may not, we will not, saith he, nay we forbid the disseisor to speak the truth; [Page 13]or shew any writings for him: Is this right? is this Law? is this Parliamentary? Now admit all my evidences and writings had been burnt by the enemy, or by casualty lost, how shall I regain my possessi­on? shall not Records, proofes and proceedings of other Courts, disco­vering my right be read and allowed? were it not the height of tyran­ny and injustice to deny it? Whosoever would perswade you to act thus wickedly, as Sir Ar. Haslerig did in Mr. Primates case; suspect him for an enemy: and whatever his pretence be, his intent and aime is to bring us into an odium and dislike of the present Government; and cause the people to cry out for another King, as through the misgovern­ment of Samuels Sonnes Israel did do, draw the curses of the oppres­sed upon you, and bring the wrath of God upon your Masters. Be wise, seek not deep to hide your Councels: remember there is a woe written to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievous­ness which they have prescribed.

Sewel and Langhorn certifie, that I sp [...]ke so much in Delinquents behalf as gave occasion to my fellow Commissioners to have some jea­lousies of my actings. I pray consider, and let it be examined by indiffe­rent men; whether my high actings against Delinquents was not the very cause they desired me out, wherein though not by them intended, they did me a courtesie? But how farre they promoted the States Reve­nue, the farming out the Tithes of the Rectory of Graistock for 71 l. when 100 l. more was proffered, and which they knew to be worth 300 l. with many other such actions of theirs will speak for them. For the favour I shewed Delinquents then, or since my then advancing the rents of Delinquents Estates, and my discovery then and since will sufficient­ly answer for me. I did the whole work, they received the whole wa­ges and allowances. Mr. Briscoe nor I had one peny since we were Commissioners. Let all the Recoras and Returns of Haberdashers-Hall be viewed, if by them or their Discovery, 100 l. per Annum be brought in to the State, either in Concealments or undervalues, more then some few particulars of mine, and Mr. Cruckenthorps Discove­ries, then I am much mistaken. In prosecution of which Discoveries, before you, I have spent 200 l. besides the neglect of my private af­fairs, and a long and wearisom attendance upon you with such discou­ragement and disrespect from Mr. Winslow and Mr. Barnard, as if I had been no friend to the Republick in what I did: besides my Discove­ries made to you in June last, which I could never get your Commissi­oners [Page 14]in Cumberland to proceed to the examining of witnesses, though I had much solicited them and which will bring in to the State 10000 l. per annum. My poverty they object to me as a crime: to this day I have eaten mine own bread: I am content with my portion, oft have I refused, never did I seek for place of profit or preferment, I have since this Par­liament begun, often ventured my life for them, spent in promoting the States service first and last, more then 500 l. besides my losses and im­prisonment for the Parliaments cause: yet never had I any thing from the Parliament, either towards wages or reparations for my losses. But for your boasting Commissioners, whatsoever they have lost, I am able to prove. They have by their beneficial Offices, received a pound for eve­ry peny lost: yet hath S. Arthur H. procured the other day all the conceal­ed Delinquents estates and undervalues in Cumberland, from the first of November last to be of their disposing: how they will order and be­stowe the same, a little time will discover. For the Leases they have made of Delinquents Estates, they might have improved them 1000 l. per Annum. And by good security, I dare undertake to procure you Far­mers, that will give 500 l. per Annum, more then they accompt to you for. But least you should think I only word it, the particulars ensuing of my Discoveries made before you the first of November last, and in Cumberland follow.

If I had done the like service for any Prince in Europe, I should not have been thus dis-regarded: yet notwithstanding all the dis­respects I have had, delayes and puttings off: if hereafter I receive encouragement, and mis-understanding be removed, I shall be rea­dy [Page 16]to prosecute the Discoveries before you. Therefore my hum­ble request to you is, that according to your former engagement, you wil give order for allowance of the fifths of my Discoveries, to­wards the defraying charges, losse of time & neglect of private busi­ness, as of my own, so of others, & without which I shall be disabled to finish what I have begun, whereby the State will lose a conside­rable Revenue, if well improved.

1. That the Articles against your Commissioners in Cumberland, may be examined in Cumberland or Westmerland, and not at New­castle, upon such great inequality and discouragement, both of the prosecutor and witnesses.

2. That your Commissioners may be required to make returns of such Discoveries as they have secured, and give accompt why they have not done it before this time.

3. For that it appeares by affidavit, the miscarriage of your Com­missioners in not truly setting down depositions taken against De­linquents, you will appoint an able and honest man whom I can approve of, to write the depositions, and not leave it to Mr. Crai­sters man, who either ignorantly or wilfully leaves out the most material things tending to prove the delinquency of the party dis­covered.

I know sundry in Bishoprick, Yorkshire, Cumberland and West­merland, would before this have made out great and considerable discoveries, if by your flowe proceedings upon mine and Captain Crackenthorps they had not been hindered, who wait to hear how the State will resent the good service I have done them herein, and how they consider me for my great travel and expences, I have undergone about the same: all which I held it my duty to com­municate unto you, expecting your answer hereunto, hoping you will not spend me out with unnecessary attendance, when one day will do all my business for the present before you.