Musgrave muzl'd: or the mouth of iniquitie stoped. Being a true and cleer vindication of Sir Arthur Hazelrige from a false and scandalous accusation of John Musgrave, in his late pamphlet intituled, A true and exact relation of the great and heavie pressurs and grievances the well-affected of the Northern bordering counties lye under by Sir A.H. misgovernment. With a true but not exact character of the said Musgrave in some discoveries of him.

Musgrave muzl'd: or the mouth of iniquitie stoped. Being a true and cleer vindication of Sir Arthur Hazelrige from a false and scandalous accusation of John Musgrave, in his late pamphlet intituled, A true and exact relation of the great and heavie pressurs and grievances the well-affected of the Northern bordering counties lye under by Sir A.H. misgovernment. With a true but not exact character of the said Musgrave in some discoveries of him.

Table of contents

Title page

To the Reader.

A True and Cleer Vindication▪ of Sir Arthur Hazelrige, from a false and scandalous Accusation of John Musgrave, &c.

POST-SCRIPT.

[Page]

A True and Cleer Vindication▪ of Sir Arthur Hazelrige, from a false and scandalous Accusation of John Musgrave, &c.

TO Justifie the wicked and Condemn the Righteous it is hardly determinable which is more abhominable, and a pretended zeal for God and their Country do hurry Hypocrites to the one and the other, whose vociferations of tongues and pens, do beat the eares of City and Country with nothing more then lowd lyes in hypocrisie; who being closely beleagured with pride and penury, impudence and ignorance, and miserably infected with the itch of popularity, do palliate their projects for their lusts and lucre, from the credulous croud of the Common People, with Come see our zeal for God and our Country, acting their parts in the publick view, Theatrico more, that they might procure a plebean plaudite, for the most passionate Patriots of their indeared [Page] Country; when by a very slight scrutinie of their particular practises, their pretended zeal appears nothing more then intended malice against such men: who, for true worth in the just account of God and good men are no more to be compared with such proud boasters, then the dogs of Jobs flocks, withJob 30. 1. those that did abuse him: It is very observeable that the most noxious enemies of our present Authority and new Commonwealth, are the pretended lowdest assertors thereof, who Herod-like, under the colour of advancing the same, seek to sacrifice it in its very infancie, and to introduce a most tyrannicall Anarchy under the colour of the peoples liberty, hence sprung the malicious ebullitions, ranchorous invectives and scurrilous slanders from those swelling swagerors, and licentious levellers, in their lawless libels against the present Parliament, the Councill of State, the High Court of Justice, the Government of the Army by Martiall Laws, blown up and down the Nation like empty clowds, and the greatest distempers that proceeded there-from at Ware, Burford, and else-where; from this spirit of mischief and malignity hath the world been infected with so many scandalous fals and unworthy aspertions cast upon the chiefest Champions of our English Nation, as Cromwel, Bradshaw, Ireton, Harrison, Vane junior, with several others, whom God hath made their Adversaries envie, and the Commonwealths safety; the savor of whose conversation (humane frailties excepted) doth please the Nostrils of God and good men, whose peace and prosperitie are the subject matter of the dayly prayers and praises of the truely Religious; whether it be not the same spirit from beneath which maketh wicked men like the troubled sea, that hath possessed Mr John Musgrave, when he did cast up that mire and dirt upon Sir Arthur Haslerige (as formerly in Print though since washed off to his own glory and his accusers shame, so again) in his late Pamphlet (wherein it is hard to say whether are more sentences or calumnies, sayings or slanders, fars'd and stuft indeed with nothing more then fables and falsities) Intituled, A true and exact Relation of the great and heavie pressures and grievances [Page] the well-affected of the Northern bordering Countries, lye under by Sir A. H. Misgovernment, &c. is offered to the consideration of judicious men from their due observation of the notorious falsities therein specified, and the base miscarriages in several instances of the said Mr Musgrave, rendering himself in truth according to his Charge against another in falshood.

That little acquaintance that I have with him hath quit my desires of increasing the same, whose distempered temper chollerique countenance, troublesom tongue, and slanderous Pen do render him Solomons froward man, with whom we must not converse for fear of the infection of frowardness, and the companion of fools shall be destroyed: The truth is, he hath little in him worthy emulation, and sufficient want of all things lovely for the exercise of mens comiseration, did he not quench the Spirit thereof in all his acquaintance by a violent voluntary precipitancy thereinto, he is not the object of my hatred; for though he be intolerable, yet I hope recoverable; nor yet of my envy, for he neither is or hath any thing worthy thereof; I could love him and pity him, had he but the least of either towards himself.

Sir Arthur Hasterig is more known unto me and to thousands, then I or they to him; and although there is not the least obligement upon me by any dependance upon him, the least particular courtesie or, favour received from him engaging me unto this service▪ yet considering his courage and resolution, his constant and faithful adhesion in all viciscitudes and turns of affairs to the honest party, engaging himself at all times unto the highest degree against the contrary party, though never so great and likely to prosper, and knowing also in mine own present knowledg and experience the notorious falsities and untruths of some things asserted in the said scandulous Pamphlet; I could not withstand those impressions of spirit that were upon me to vindicate his integrity unto the best of my ability.

How injuriously and irreparably Mr Musgrave hath abused the said Sir A. H. contrary indeed to the very A. B. C. and first Principles of Righteousness, Justice and common Honesty, [Page] by publishing him abroad in print for a Deceiver, an Oppressor, a Friend to the worst of Malignants, an Enemy to the Wellaffected, a Promoter of the Scottish Interest against the English, a proud covetous Oppressor, a Tyrant, a Traytor to God and his Country, and that after the said Musgrave had applyed himself unto the Councel of State for audience and reception of his Charge against the said Sir A. H. and had all due encouragements that he should have a fair and regular hearing; how dishonestly and wickedly he hath thus accused, arraigned, condemned and executed the said Sir A. H. in his name, honor and repute before the determination of those to whom he complained, is most obvious to all his Readers; but it is no marvel; for it is most common that such men who have out-lived the credit and repute of their own names, care not what wreck they make of the honor of others, with whom they are not worthy to be nam'd the same day: But it is a constant character of such ranting Railers and flourishing Need-nots, to make loud boasts in propatulo of their great zeal of Justice and Righteousness, Countries Liberty, and common Honesty, and yet to act in such ways, as the dullest eye may well perceive to stand in a perfect inconsistancy with their profest Principles. Is not the plain English of these foul Fables thus printed and published by this bold Boaster and busie Scribe, to dictate unto the people, according to the daring Dialect of that scribling Faction, such clamorous calumnies and aspersions of Tyranny, Pride, Covetousness and Oppression in our present Governors, the very repetition whereof is an offence to all but Malignant ears, and all this managed under the vail of publique Liberty and common good? But O that we were Judges in the Land lies at the heart of these pathetick Zelots; whereunto were they once advanced, the ignoble dispositions, virulent tongues, furious spirits, and mean capacities of these men would quickly reduce us to as much Peace and Happiness, Justice and Liberty, as Saints may expect where Satan hath his Throne, and his Vice-Roys bear Rule: For if the green tree will burn, what will the dry? And they that will tyrannize over the names, honour and repute of [Page] their Superiors, what would they do over their inferiors? and wo be to that people whose Princes are peasants, a spice of such spirits you may perceive in Mr Musgraves proceedings against Sir Arthur Haslerig at the Councel of State, which (though the just Judgment and Order of the said Councel may be a sufficient Vindication of the said Sir A. H. yet) for better satisfaction, take the particulars, thus:

Upon the 23 Ian. 1650. the said Mr Musgrave did appear at the Councel of State according to appointment, and being examined touching a Book with his name unto it, importing many and very great Charges against Sir A. H. being at first demanded whether he would acknowledg that Book there presented to him to be his Book, he did acknowledg the whole Book to be his, excepting the Errata's, which he did proffer to amend with his pen, and that he would justifie it; after a full hearing of both parties; and this Musgrave (not being able to make good his Charge) was commanded to withdraw; and being cal'd in again, was desired to take the Book, and to mend the said Errata's with his pen, but then he denyed to own the Book, but said he would stand to his Charge, and make that good, and being withdrawn, and Sir A. H. also, he did after that publiquely deny to own the Book; whereupon the Councel of State made this ensuing Order.

Saturday 25 January, 1650. At the Councel of State at White-Hall.

Ordered, &c. Ʋpon information given to this Councel by Sir Arthur Haslerig, that one Mr John Musgrave had caused a Book to be printed and published, and that in the Epistle and Charge the said John Musgrave did accuse him the said Sir Arthur Haslerig of breach of promise and engagement to the Councel, and for acting contrary to the same, and contrary to the Councel of States Declaration; the said Mr John Musgrave being called before the Councel, did acknowledg the whole Book excepting only some Errata's of the Printer, which he offered to amend with his pen, and said he would justifie it, and offered to put in security to make it good: Thereupon the said Mr Musgrave [Page] being fully heard, as to the particulars of the Epistle and Charge in his Book against Sir Arthur Haslerig for a supposed breach of trust and engagement by him to the Councel, and also for acting contrary to the Councel Declarations, concerning the examining the Charge of Mr Howard, late High Sheriff of Cumberland, for the not displasing and putting in certain Commissioners of the Militia for Cumberland, who were objected against by Mr Musgrave; the Councel declares, That it doth not at all appear unto them, that Sir Arthur Haslerig hath broken the Trust reposed in him by the Councel, or made any failer of promise or engagement to them in any of those particulars: but do find that the imputations therein laid as a Charge upon Sir Arthur Haslerig, are false and scandalous; and do therefore touching the said scandals, leave Sir Arthur Haslerig for his due vindication and reparation, to take such course as he shall think fit.

Gualter Frost, Secretary.

The first Article was this:

1. That Sir Arthur Haslerig, contrary to his Engagement to the Councel of State, and Councels of States Declarations upon the Petitioners Exceptions, procured lately such in the County of Cumberland, to be Iustices of the Peace, Commissioners for Sequestrations, Commissioners for the Ministry, and Commissioners for the Militia there as were known Delinquents, and such as are disaffected to the present Government, and complying with the Scotish Interest, as by the Charge against them hereunto annexed, and another Charge against them, formerly exhibited to the Councel of State, may appear.

The Charge in this Article you see is declared false and scandalous by the Councel of State, which is sufficient to stop the mouth of that calumny therein vented against Sir Arthur Haslerig.

Artic. 2. That the said Sir Ar. Haslerig being the chief, and leading Commissioners for the Ministry at Newcastle, approved of such Ministers in Cumberland at Newcastle as refused the Engagement, were scandalous, and Delinquents; and such Ministers [Page] as were well-affected, without any Charge removed from their Ministry, and put them out of their places, whereby he discovers his dis-affection to the present Government, by upholding and countenancing the Malignant party in Authority, and keeping under the Parliaments friends, all which this Petitioner is able to prove, and further refers himself to the Copies of Letters hereunto annexed, the Originals being in the Petitioners hands.

First, Sir A. H. never acted concerning placing or displacing Ministers but in publique, and that with the Commissioners of of the four Northern Counties, and that upon their appointed days of publique Meeting, and also with the assistance of Doctor Jennison, Mr Wells, Mr Hammond, Mr Wolfred, Mr Durant, with several other godly and well-affected Ministers.

Secondly, Sir A. verily believes that there was never any Minister approved that publiquely refused to take the Engagement; and he is very confident, that there was not any Minister against whom proof was made of his Delinquency or scandal, but was put out.

Thirdly, He doth not know of any one well-affected person that was put out of his living, except scandalous, ignorant or insufficient; as for the Copies of the Letters, Sir A. H. conceives they neither concern him, nor prove any thing against him.

Artic. 3. That Sir Arthur Haslerig undertook to the Councel of State to examine the Articles exhibited by the Petitioner to the Councel of State against Mr Charls Howard, High Sheriff of Cumberland, but neglected the same, and came privately into the Country to Naward, and there feasted with the said Sheriff, who is a dangerous and most notorious Delinquent, as appears by the Charge exhibited against him by the Petitioner to the Councel of State.

The Councel hath declared this also to be false and scandalous; and concerning Sir A. H. going to feast with Mr Howard, about the latter end of Summer he being commanded to take care of all the Forces that were for the preservation of the Borders, [Page] and to enter into Scotland upon Carlile side, Sir A. H. being in those parts upon that occasion, and the City of Carlile infected with the sikness, Mr Howards house being next unto the Borders, was necessitated to be two nights there, and this was his private going into the Country to feast with Mr Howard: and if so be to have Articles exhibited against a man by such an Article-maker or Forgerer be sufficient to evidence a man a dangerous and notorious Delinquent, the Parliaments best Friends must beware of Musgraves.

Artic. 4. That the said Sir Arthur Haslerig suffers Captain Howards Troop to lie upon free quarter upon the Country for these four Moneths last past, and doth conntenance one Dobson, Captain Howards Leiutenant, who cheated the Troop of 1350 pound; and when complaint was made to Sir Arthur Haslerig, he never punished him for the same.

Captain Howards Troop belongs to the Garison of Carlile, and Sir A. H. is confident that the Governor thereof hath not suffered them to live upon free quarter; and you may guesse by this at Musgraves tales: for whereas he chargeth Sir A. H. for countenancing Dobson in cheating the Troop of 1350. li. and saith, when complaint was made to Sir Arthur, he never punished him for it; the truth is this, about September last, Complaint being made by Captain Howard against the said Dobson, his then Leiutenant, for detaining money from some of his Troopers, Sir Arthur understanding discontents arising in the Troop, forth with gave the said Captain a Warrant all written with his own hand to seize upon his Lieutenants person, and all his horses, and then also put another able and honest Lieutenant to be in his place; and upon further examination finding that there was 39. l. 2. s. and no more due to the Souldiers, the Troop being engaged upon the Border service, and the Captain, and Lieut. Dobson at Newcastle with Sir A. H. the said Dobson was discarged his place, and was made to enter into a Bond of 500. l. with one Robert Huntly Merchant in Newcastle, an able and sufficient man bound with him, the Bond bearing date the 15 of October last, that the said Dobson shall answer the [Page] same at a Councel of War, upon twenty days notice, the Troop being upon service, as aforesaid, and not then at leisure immediately to prosecute; and you may the better unders [...]d the truth of this by the Cirtificate following, written by the now Lieutenant of the said Troop.

§

These may certifie whom it may concern, That ever [...] came to be Lieutenant to Capt. Cecil, Howards Troop, which began the 7 of October last, the Troop hath constantly paid their quarters, as soon as we received our pay from the honorable Col. Thomas Fitch, Governor of Carlile, which he was very careful to pay to my Capt. Cecil Howard as soon as it came to his hands by order of the Committee from the Army, or otherwise; and lest the Country should through want of timely notice go without their money, it hath been my care to cause notice to be given to them as soon as the money was to be paid out; and I often told the Country, that if any man did neglect to pay his quarters, my Capt. Howard or my self would see them paid, if they did make it known to us: And to my knowledg the said Troop hath been upon constant duty by parties to York and Newcastle for the service of the State, and fetching in of Sequestrations upon contempt of Orders; or else we have been upon duty along the Borders near Scotland: And I have understood since I came from his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel, that in Lieut. Dobsons time, being Lieutenant of the Troop before I came, the Souldiers paid their quarters; and the said Lieut. Dobson having detained in his hands of the Souldiers money near forty pounds, the honorable Sir Arthur Haslerig upon notice thereof did cause the said Lieut. Colonel to enter into Bond with security to make good the said sum to those Souldiers to whom it is owing; and when he had given good security, the said Sir Arthur Haslerig did dismiss him from his Command. Dated at Carlile, this 3 of Janua. 1650.

DANIEL FREIND, Lieut. to Capt. Cecil Howard, and somtime Martial General to his Excellency the L. G. Fairfax.

[Page]By all which you may see, if this famous slanderer had quite omitted that foul untruth of Sir Arthurs countenancing and not p [...]ishing this Dobson, and had abated 1300. l. of his assertion and said he had cheated the Troopers of 50. l. only, he had done service to the Prince of this world, and obeyed the [...] of Liars after the rate of above twenty in the hundred, [...] had been a more profitable servant unto him, then many of his children and servants are, though the wages of such work (except he leaves it in time) will not be very acceptable in the latter end.

Artic. 5. That the said Sir Arthur Haslerig gave Commission to Edward Brigs, to be Lieutenant Colonel for Carlile Garison, and made him a Commissioner for the Militia and Ministry in Westmerland, a man known disaffected to the present Government, and lately cashered for his drunkenness and other miscarriages by the now Lord General Cromwel: That the said Sir Arthur gave Commissions to Thomas Craystour, Cuthbert Studholm, Captain Brown, and others, to be Captains and Lieutenants in Carlile Garison, men known to be disaffected to the present Government, profest Enemies to honest men; most of them having now layd down their Commissions, when they were to march into Scotland; and the said Sir Arthur doth countenance none in Cumberland, but such as are profest Enemies to the honest party, and are for the Scotish Interest.

1. This Brigs was the only man when Hamilton came into Westmerland, that did raise a Regiment of Foot for the Parliament Service, and he hath been always faithful to the Parliament (when such as this Accuser have undermined their Interest,) who having rais'd his Regement (as aforesaid) Sir A. H. with the advice of the now Lord General (Carlile being then rendred by the Scots) did put that Regiment into Carlile, and made Col. Fitch the Colonel, and this Brigs Lieut. Colonel of his own rais'd Regiment.

2. Sir A. H. did never hear the least complaint against Leiut. Col. Brigs until of late, for which he was brought to a Councel of War, and upon proof made of his misdemeanor he was put [Page] out. As for the rest of this Article, it is so notoriously false and scandalous, that it is worth no other Answer; only it is wish'd, that this Master-slanderer of the North had the least tang and savour of that Spirit of Piety and Religion as Mr Thomas Craystour hath; if so, mens ears had not been abused with such notorious untruths as these are.

Artic. 6. That by the said Sir Arthur Haslerigs intrusting the Authorities and Militia in the hands of Delinquents, and men for the Scottish Interest, the well-affected in Cumberland and Bishoprick lie under greater Oppressions, then formerly under King and Prelates. And the said Sir Arthur is a Protector of Papists and Delinquents, forbidding the Subsequestrators, and Sollicitors for Sequestration in Bishoprick to Sequester Papists Ordered to be Sequestred, of which the Papists and Delinquents do much boast, and honest men thereby are much cast down.

This is general; containing whole clusters of the grapes of Sodom, as if gathered from a Sodomite himself, having in its bowels as much spawn of malice, scandal and falsities, as so few words are capable of.

Artic. 7. That Sir Arthur Haslerig hinders and obstructs the ordinary proceedings of Law and Justice in favor of Papists, and did take out of the Sheriffs custody Ralph Lampton a notorious Papist and Delinquent, being under arrest, and formerly arraigned for poysoning his wife, with which Lampton, the said Sir Arthur is very kind and familiar.

This Ralph Lampton came to the Committee to make complaint against Mr George Lilburn, and Mr George Grey, for detaining a very great sum of moneys due to the State, and desired a fifth part for his twelve poor Children, he being sequestred as a Papist and Delinquent (which Case is returned up, and now lies before the Commissioners at Goldsmiths Hall) the Committee appointed a day of hearing the same: while this Mr Lampton was coming, according to Order, to the Committee, he was arrested, and (as it was informed the Committee) by Mr Lilburns procurement: hereupon the Committee, and not [Page] Sir Arthur Haslerig, thought fit to secure him from Arrests, during his coming unto, continuing at, and returning from the Committee, in prosecution of that complaint onely; for as much as it was the Service of the Common-wealth, and no more then the Committee had Authority to do, and what is practised in all Courts of Justice and Committees of Parliament whatsoever: and this was all that the Committee did upon that business, and who but a Musgrave would not judg it equitable?

Artic. 8. That the said Sir Arthur Haslerig procured Ralph Delival Esq a Delinquent in Arms against the Parliament, and disaffected to the present Government, this last year, to be High Sheriff for Northumberland.

Sir A. H. never heard, neither was there ever complaint made unto him, that Mr Ralph Delival was a Delinquent in Arms against the Parliament; and the truth is, he was nominated by another, and not by Sir A. H. but if he had done it, he would have justified it, for he conceives it would have been for the publique Service.

Artic. 9. That the said Sir Arthur Haslerig, contrary to an Act of Parliament, suffered Lievtenant Colonel John Jackson a notorious Delinquent, and in Arms against the Parliament both in the first and second War, a great Plunderer, to go and ride up and down the Country with his Arms, and against Law put the said Jackson in possession of certain Grounds and Colleries in Bishoprick, belonging to men well-affected, whom the said Sir Arthur by strong hand dispossessed thereof, without Law: and the said Sir Arthur Haslerig, against the Fundamental Law of the Land, most arbitrarily and tyarnnically, did by his power take from the now High Sheriff of Bishoprick the said Jacksons goods, taken in Execution after Judgment, and restored the said goods to the said Jackson, contrary to all the Rules of the Law.

As for this Article, wherein this black-mouth'd man (in whose tongue and pen the very Throne of Scandal and Calumny is established) doth charge Sir A. H. to have acted by a [Page] strong hand without Law, yea against the fundamental Law of this Land, most arbitrarily and tyrannically take from the now Sheriff of the Bishopprick, one Jacksons goods, taken in execution after judgment, and restored the said goods, &c. Sir A. H. professeth that this whole Article is altogether false, that he never heard word or tittle of this Jacksons riding up and down the Country in arms, &c. and as for this instance of goods taken from the Sheriff, &c. it was as Heathen Greek unto him, he understood it not, nor heard little or much of it, until he read it in this railing Pamphlet; since the publication whereof, this ensuing Letter was sent unto him, from the then Sheriff of the County of Durham touching this business.

Sir, Having lately seen a Pamphlet flying about the Country, and an aspersion in it thrown upon your self, in that you should have taken some goods from the Sheriff of this County after they were taken upon execution, I thought it fitting to let you know, upon what ground these goods were delivered back, which was thus: After the goods were driven, Mr Bruen sent a Letter to my Under-Sheriff, to acquaint him that the goods taken were belonging to an Officer in the Army, and not to Jackson, the party mentioned in the Execution; upon which the Under-Sheriff returned the goods to Mr Bruen, having nothing to do with those goods: This is the truth, and shall in point of Vindication to your self be made good by him wheresoever you shall please to call: I shall trouble you no further, but rest,

Your most affectione friend, Iames Clavering.

Durham, 23 Ian. 1650.

Whether the very unclean spirit of Impudence and slander hath not possess'd this loose and licenscious Pen-man and his Contrivers, let all men judg.

Artic. 10. That the said Sir Ar. Haslerig is very familier, and keepeth company with Thomas Wray, a Papist, in arms against the Parliament; and upon search for a Popish Priest, there was lately found in the said Wrays house Copes, and other Popish Reliques, and much gold and money, most whereof Sir [Page] Arthur Haslerig caused to be returned back to Mr Wrays wife, a Papist: And the said Sir Arthur by his Souldiers put sundry honest men out of possession of the Colleries, setled upon them by Law, under colour the same belonged to the said Wray, whose debts Sir Ar. Haslerig undertook to pay (as Wray confessed) for the said Colleries, being worth 10 pounds per diem, as the said sir Arthur giveth forth, to the utter undoing of the Owners of the said Colleries.

Sir A. H. professeth he never had any thing to do with this Mr Wray, but when he came unto him about Complaints against Mr George Lilburn and Mr George Gray for deceiving the Commonwealth of very great sums of money when they were of the Committee, and trusted for the Parliament, which business is sent up to the Commissioners of Goldsmiths-Hall, and now lies before them; and he is resolved, that whilst he hath any power commited to him, that he will do every man right to the best of his understanding, be he Papist, Delinquent, or any other whatsoever, and he is a very hypocritical and feigned Pretender of Righteousness and Justice that will be offended thereat, especially complaining in the Commonwealths behalf. And concerning the Gold mentioned in the Article, there was a girdle brought to the Committee sitting at Durham, which Mrs Wray did usually were about her, wherein was quilted about 70. l. in gold, of which there was 10. l. in old gold, which the said Mrs Wray affirmed was her mothers, her grand-mothers, and great grand-mothers, and that she never intended to make use of it; and further, with sore lamentations, complained to the Committee, that twice before that Sequestration she had all her goods seized on, and taken away for her Husbands Delinquency, and earnestly besought the Committee for her fifth part, whereupon the Committee gave her back the old gold, and a fifth part of the rest, and this was publiquely done at the Committee, Sir A. H. being then present, he not acting at any time single, but with the whole Committee: And for the remaining part of the Article, concerning the dispossessing of honest men of the Colleries, under colour of Mr Wrays right unto them, and Sir Arthurs [Page] undertaking to pay his debts, read this ensuing Certificate under Wrays own hand and seal in the presence of Thomas Scot and Col. George Fenwick.

§

Thomas Wray of Benish in the County of Durham Esquire, declares, That he was formerly and is Owner of the Colleries at Harraton in the said County, and that the said Colleries were sequestred for the Papisty and Delinquency of the said Thomas Wray first by Sir William Armyn in the year 1644. and also by the Committee of Durham 1645. of which Mr George Lilburn was then a Member, and present; and that the said Mr George Lilburn in the year 1647. entered into the possession of the said Colleries at Harraton, and converted the Profits to his own use, for which wrong done both to the State and the said Wray, he the said Wray complained to the Committee at Durham in the year 1649. and the Committee thereupon ordered, upon full hearing of both parties, That the said Colleries should be again taken into the possession of the State, and employed for the use of the Commonwealth according to the first Sequestration, and so it now remains: And the said Thomas Wray further declares, That Sir Arthur Haslerig, neither by himself, nor any other from him, did ever treat with the said Wray for the buying or dealing in the said Collery, or paying any of the debts of the said Wray, neither did the said Wray ever say to any man, that Sir Art. Haslerig undertook to pay any of the said Wrays debts, all which he will be ready to testifie upon Oath, as cause may require. In witness whereof he hath hereunto set his hand and seal, the 9 of Ianuary, 1650.

Signed and sealed in the presence of

Tho. Scot.

Geo. Fenwick.

Artic. 11. That the said Sir Arthur Haslerig doth comply with, and countenance Colonel John Hilton, a Delinquent in Arms, both in the first and second War, and assists the said Hilton to defraud the poor in sundry Parishes in Bishopprick, of great Legacies given by the said Hiltons elder brother.

Whatsoever Hiltons brother gave to the several Parishes, concerns not Sir A. H. but what estate Col. Hilton had in possession [Page] when he was a Delinquent and sequestred, it concern'd Sir A. H. as trusted for the State, not to suffer such an estate upon pretence of the poors right to be taken out of the States hands by any of the States Agents, but in a legal way, or by the Command of those that were intrusted by the Parliament to take off Sequestrations; and for Col. Hilton himself, he did never speak in private with him in all his life: And surely had not this Musgrave more familiarity with a lying Spirit from beneath, then Sir A. H. hath had with this Hilton, he had never been so countenanced and assisted in framing so many false and scandalous untruths, as he hath been.

Artic. 12. That Sir Arthur Haslerig brought Colonel Hacker into the Country, who contrary to an Act of Parliament, quarters his Souldiers, and others under the name of Souldiers, who are none, upon the well-affected in Bishoprick, and would but pay what they pleased, and in some places nothing, but upon complaint Colonel Hacker gave them no relief, but threatned them to have them before Sir Arthur Haslerig for complaining; afterwards Captain Thomas Lilburn brought the matter in question before a Councel of War at Whitehall, but by Sir Arthurs power it could never be fully heard, which if it had, there would have appeared many thousand pounds kept wrongfully from the Souldiers, besides the great Oppression of Free-Quarter; some Examinations whereof were taken by Mr Margets, which Sir Arthur Haslerig keeps hitherto from reading; and the said Sir Arthur sore threatened the said Captain, for appearing for the Souldiery and Country against him and Col. Hacker.

That Sir A. H. did bring Colonel Hacker into that Country, he doth acknowledg and justifie the same; if he or his Souldiers have done any thing unworthy, he is very sufficient to answer it, and is ready to give an account thereof at any time: and it is notoriously known, that Sir A. H. did exceedingly press to have the Complaints against his Souldiers to come to hearing; and he is fully perswaded, that the aspersions layd upon Col. Hacker are very false, and the proceedings in the Country against him were unjust.

[Page]

Artic. 13. That the said Sir Arthur Haslerig, to disable M. George Lilburn to serve his Country, and the more to discourage the well-affected in Bishoprick, caused him to be put out of the Commission of Peace, Ministry, and Militia, and much endevoreth to Sequester the said M. George Lilburn, who hath commonly been reputed the most active, stirring, and suffering man for the good of this Nation, both before the Parliament began, and since, of any that hath been, or is in the Country.

Concerning Sir A. H. leaving Mr George Lilburn out of Commission, he conceives that he had done nothing but his duty, and doubts not but he can give satisfaction to any honest and well-affected man to this present Government in what he hath done; and for his endeavors to Sequester the said George Lilburn, it is notoriously known, that he was accused at the Committee, long before Sir A. H. came into the Country, upon these three ensuing Articles.

First, That he had signed Warrants with his own Hand and Seal, with Sir William Carnaby, Sir Tho: Riddal, and Sir Tho: Liddal, for carrying Arms and Ammunition which came out of Holland into Newcastle, and were sent unto the late King after he had set up his Standard, which were used against the Parliaments Forces at Edghil Battel, two of which Warrants were produced.

Secondly, That he gave the late Kings Oath to several persons in the County of Durham, when the Earl of Newcastle had the whole power of the County.

Thirdly, That he compelled his servant Thomas Chilton to serve in Col. Hiltons Regiment against the Parliament, which Regiment being broken by the Parliament Forces at Marston Moor, the said Chilton returned to his said Master George Lilburns House.

Artic. 14. That Sir Arthur Haslerig hath displaced all the well-affected men in Bishoprick, that were of the Committee for Sequestrations there, and put in their stead one Thomas Haslerig his Kinsman, and a stranger; and doth continue one Colonel Francis Wren, who in the Head of his Regiment, upon [Page] his first march into Scotland, was digracefully and justly cashiered, by the now Lord General Cromwel, for plundering, and other gross and foul Misdemeanors; and one Thomas Dalaval, an arch Malignant, and disaffected to the present Government, who lived in the Enemies quarters all the time the Earl of Newcastle had his Forces.

It is well if those that were displaced appear well-affected to the Publick, and faithful to their Trust; surely that was no cause of their ejection: if unfaithfulness was not their sin, it will never be their sorrow: as for Col. Wren, he hath ever been faithful to the Parliament, and in Arms for them from the very beginning, and did ascend unto his Colonelship by degrees; and when his Regiment went into Scotland after Hamiltons defeat, so soon as they came into Scotland, they did conceive they might have plundered in Scotland as the Scots had done in England immediately before, as supposing themselves legal Executioners (and that without Commission) of the Law of Taliation, and that they might act the Scotch-men in their own Countries, and thereupon they were very unruly; the Lord General being very much offended thereat, desired the Colonel to return back into his Country, but he was not cashiered, as is here falsly asserted. As for Mr Haslerig, he hath a very good Estate in the County of Durham, and is very well known to be an able and well-affected man, and very fit for the employment, and so is Mr Tho: Dalaval, and Sir A. beleeves Musgrave can never prove him an arch Malignant, onely his work is to slander, and he loves to be doing.

Artic. 15. That the said George Lilburn, being Surveyor of the Bishops Lands in Bishoprick with one Edward Colson, which said Colson joyned with one Saunders, and counterfeited M. Duncalss hand without his privity, for the abatement of a thousand and odd pounds, meerly to cozen the State thereof, which cheat and cozenage the said George Lilburn discovered. But the said Sir Arthur Haslerig much labored and sollicited the said George Lilburn to conceal the said cheat and forgery of the said Colson, and though the said Colson be a man disaffected [Page] to the present Government, and marryed to a Papist, yet doth the said Sir Arthur Haslerig much countenance the said Colson, and made him a Commissioner for the Ministry, and his Court-Keeper.

This hath been discovered and published in print by the said George Lilburn about two years since, and then also answered by the said Saunders and Mr Colson: and why did not Mr Lilburn then print Sir A. Haslerigs desire for his concealment of that cheat and forgery? surely there was never such intimacy between Sir A. H. and Mr Geo: Lilburn, as that Sir A. H. should commit such a base secret unto him, and he abhors the practice of such baseness, he could never Musgrave it after that manner; and as for Sir A. putting in Mr Colson to keep his Courts, it is well known that he was appointed to keep those Courts by the Committee when they were under Sequestration, before Sir A. H. bought the Manors; that Colson is a Commissioner for the Ministry, it may be numbered among the rest of Musgraves, it's utterly false.

Artic. 16. That Your Petitioner hath been much sollicited by the well-affected in his Country, to present their Grievances and Oppression, and crave Relief in their behalf, as appears by their Letters, Copies whereof are hereunto annexed.

Whereas this proud Boaster glories, that the well-affected in his Country did become so many Sollicitors unto him, that he would be pleased to be their Sollicitor-General to present their Grievances and Oppressions, &c. and in the Title-page of his Book takes in the Northern bordering Counties, I thought fit to let you see, how the County of Northumberland do throw the falshood of it in his face, as appears by this ensuing Letter from the grand Jury of that County, occasioned by the sight of this scandalous Pamphlet, and sent up Post unto the Councel of State.

§

Right Honorable, We the Grand Jury for the County of Northumberland, at the now Sessions of the Peace, having seen a Book published by one John Musgrave, who therein pretends the great and heavy Pressures and Grievances the well-affected [Page] of the Northern bordering Counties lie under, by Sir Arthur Haslerigs Misgovernment, and placing in Authority men disaffected to the present Government, and having perused the Book, and finding our selves therein much concerned, as being the most Northern bordering County to Scotland, we presume humbly to acquaint Your Lordships, That as the Author of the Book is altogether unknown to us, so also all his Relations, Complaints, and Petitions, without our consent. And we cannot but wonder that any man durst assume so much boldness, as to present to this Honorable Councel, in the name of the well-affected in the four Northern Counties, such false and scandalous things.

We shall not trouble your Lordships with the particulars in his Book, few of them concerning our County; but having diligently perused the Book, we find it chiefly endeavors to make the world believe that Sir Arthur Haslerig is a Countenancer of Delinquents, a Friend to the Scots, and an Enemy to honest men, and the present Government: We hope we need not say any thing to wipe off those seeming stains; Sir Arthur is well known to the Parliament, and his actions have sufficiently testified his affections and faithfulness to the Publique Interest, and good of this Nation; yet we being his neighbors, and having seen his just and equal dealings, and being partakers of exceeding much good by him, cannot hold our peace: and we dare say, if all the four Counties may have leave to speak their own words, they would tell your Lordships more then we can say on his behalf. It is strange to us that Sir Arthur should be counted a Friend to Delinquents; surely he is not so in these parts: We very well remember, that long before the Parliament made an Act to restrain Papists and Delinquents, Sir Arthur Haslerig caused those that had been in Arms against the Parliament in our County, especially the Gentlemen, and those that had been Officers, to be apprehended, and those that were active and dangerous he continued under strict bond, not to go from their own houses, and others about a mile from home, none above five; and none of them to keep Arms in their houses, nor to speak or [Page] do any thing against the Authority of the Parliament; and divers desperate men he kept prisoners in Newcastle; and we suppose he took the same course in other Counties: and for his being an Enemy to honest men, we must needs tell your Lordships, those that fear the Lord bless God for him, and the mercies they enjoy by him.

Those that love the Parliament amongst us, will acknowledg his care and tenderness of them, and his unwearyed Endevors to preserve them, and the Interest of the Parliament: and all the poor people will confess the happiness and benefit they have received by his means; they are exceeding sensible of the Miseries and Oppressions they long groaned under, and of the Ease and Freedom they are now partakers of. And for those Gentlemen now intrusted by the Parliament with the Power of this County, we know not how, nor by whom, they were placed in Authority, whether by recommendation of Sir Arthur Haslerig, or others; but we are sure they are those that have been most active in promoting the Parliaments Interest, and have kept firm through all changes to the service of their Country; and their righteous dealings in their Trust have made their Names famous among the people; and we hope they are not afraid to give an account of themselves when Authority shall require it: And for Sir Arthur Haslerigs being a Friend to the Scots Faction, let his activity, care, and industry, to raise men against them, speak for him: and after our Army was gone into Scotland, his pains and labor to furnish them with Provisions and Supplies, without which they had been forced to retreat, as we have heard.

My Lord, We could renumerate our late last Grievances, and our present Mercies, and instance in many particulars, what benefits we have reaped by Sir Arthur Haslerig, and those in Authority amongst us, but it would too much trouble your Lordship; onely we make bold to say, we exceedingly wonder, that such scandalous Complaints should be suffered to pass in print, which though they receive not much credit in our days, yet may lay a stain upon the posterity of those, whose Names [Page] are precious, and deserve to be had in perpetual remembrance. We doubt not of Your Lordships Justice in acquitting the Just. We are, my Lord,

Your Lordships most faithful and humble Servants,

Richard Hearon

Robert Pearson

John Midford

Rich: Dawson

Thomas Pye

William Lawson

Thomas Watson

George Marshal

Henry Lawson

Robert Dalton

Thomas Megison

Cuthbert Fenwick

John Shafto

Thomas Fenwick

Ro: Megison

George Hoslop

George Wharton.

Morpeth in Northumberland, 16 January, 1650.

Arric. 17. That Your Petitioner hath lately discovered sundry concealed and sequestred Delinquents of great Estates, which will bring in to the State ten thousand pounds and more, if the Commissioners for Sequestration made by Sir Arthur Haslerig were honest and faithful men; but in regard most of the said Cōmissioners are Delinquents, and Sequestrable themselves, and all of them disaffected to the present Government, they do what in them lies to hinder Your Petitioner in the prosecution thereof.

Whereas this Musgrave boasts of his discovery of Delinquents Estates, to the value of 10000 l. if the Commissioners made by Sir A. H. had been honest and faithful, the truth is, this Musgrave came with Mr Can to Sir A. H. his Chamber, the last time he was in Town, which was about April last, and gave the like Information, whereupon Sir A. H. conceiving, that if Musgrave had power he would be the better enabled unto a through discovery, and bringing in unto the State those great sums of Mony, thought fit to move the Commissioners for Compounding to make him one of their Commissioners for Sequestration for Cumberland, which accordingly they did; and Sir A. confesseth that he was exceedingly mistaken in Mr Musgrave; and if there was any dishonest and unfaithful, that he put in, or was an occasion of being put into Commission, it was this Musgrave: And Sir A. doth acknowledg, that he never suffered so much disgrace by preferring any [Page] man to any place of Trust, as he hath received by him; for the Commissioners of Goldsmiths-Hall have most justly turned him out of Commissions, for his corrupt and wicked actings; and that you may see a true character of this John Musgrave, his great Zeal for this Commonwealth, and against Papists-Delinquents, and who is the truer Friend unto Papists and Malignants, and more faithful to their Trusts, Sir A. H. or this John Musgrave, read this ensuing Letter from his Fellow Commissioners of that County.

For the Worshipful Tho: Craister, Esq Major of the City of Carlisle, haste, haste, in Newcastle.

SIR, About the 15 day of October, Mr Clement Skelton brought in an Order from the Commissioners for Compounding to the Commissioners for Sequestrations in Cumberland, to examine the validity of a Deed produced to them, touching the clearing of Andrew Huddleston's Estate, a Papist in Arms, worth 120 l. per annum: The said Mr Skelton, bringing the said Order before us, and the said Deed, was demanded, wherefore he did not seek his Interest in that Estate before that time, the same being under Sequestration for four or five years: The said Mr Skelton replyed, He could never get a man for his purpose, until he met with Mr John Musgrave: and being asked, How the said Order was got, He answered, Mr Musgrave knew better then himself; whereupon Mr Musgrave was called, and at his coming in, said, 'Tis true, he had 10 l. to sollicite that business: It being replyed, He was not sent for to know what he had for so doing, but what the Commissioners for Compounding said to the matter in dispute, and what he thought of it himself; To the first he answered, That Mr Winslow did engage to send the said Order; and that he conceived, if we could not prove the said Skelton to have made away the Estate to the said Huddleston, the Deed was valid, and so it did behove us to certifie: whereupon he withdrew. The said Mr Skelton being further asked, When he had the aforesaid Estate in possession, and what Rent he had received of the said Mr Huddleston, He thereupon was silent; whereupon we told the [Page] said Mr Skelton, That if any man went about to conceal a Delinquents Estate, that same Act made him liable to Sequestration; and further, we produced before him the late Committee Book, wherein it did appear the said Mr Skelton had farmed the said Estate of the late Committee, in the year 1647, and payd the Rent due for the same, without claiming any Interest therein: whereupon the said Mr Skelton withdrew, and never since appeared to claim any Title therein: But since, the said Mr Andrew Huddleston, paying in his Rent due for the same, confessed, that he had given to Mr John Musgrave himself 10 l. and sent him up to London 5 l. more: and about the day aforesaid, Mr Musgrave being asked, Why he would take 10 l. for solliciting a business of that nature against the State and his Conscience, at the very time when he was Commissioner for Sequestrations for the State, contrary to his Trust and Oath, which he either had, or should have taken; He replyed, He was a Sollicitor, as well as a Commissioner, and would not forego his Solliciting for being a Commissioner.

It is to be noted, That about the 27 of April, 1650. the said Deed was produced before Mr Craister, Tho: Langhorn, and Mr Musgrave, then Commissioners for Sequestration: The said Commissioners returned the Deed with this Answer, That it was to be cleared above; whereupon the said Mr Musgrave by his expressions seemed to undertake that business, as it appears he did; and also at that time spoke in other Delinquents behalf so much, as gave occasion to his Fellow-Commissioners to have some Jealousies of his actings; and presently after the said Tho: Langhorn saw the said Mr Musgrave receive a sum of Mony from the said Mr Huddleston, and the said Mr Musgrave went presently after to London, and stayd there above three moneths, which caused Mr Craister and Tho: Langhorn to desire the Commissioners for compounding, either to joyn with them such as would act faithfully and fully for the Publick, or else excuse them from the service, the affairs of Sequestrations speedily requiring diligence and action; upon which desire of theirs the said Musgrave was outed, and others put in, before [Page] the said Mr Skeltons Order was examined: but Mr Musgrave took his discharge so ill, that he did vehemently threaten that the said Tho: Langhorn, and others, should have Lex Talionis; and further, that Sir Arthur Haslerig, to stop his mouth, had made him a Commissioner, but now being outed, his mouth was open: To which one replyed, It seems a great place will stop your mouth.

Also at that time he was outed of being Steward of the honor of Penrith: and the said Mr Musgrave being poor, his Estate not being possible to be made worse, we do verily beleeve put him upon printing his Book: notwithstanding, we desire to forgive him, and the Lord to give him Repentance, which is all we can offer to you at this time: The truth of what is said shall be sufficiently by our selves and others proved. We desire you to finish that Letter to the Commissioners above, whereof you took Instructions at Carlisle, with the tender of our Service to all the honorable persons with you. We remain,

Your Friends and Servants,

Tho: Langhorn

Tho: Sewell.

Pearith, 6 Januar: 1650.

Thus have you the several Articles exhibited by this Northern Article-Maker against Sir A. H. with particular Answers thereunto, and that you have compleat satisfaction touching Sir A. his innocency in respect unto them all, is my perfect presumption: I had almost said, that a doubt herein (all things considered) renders the doubtful, not so much a man, as a Musgrave.

And although it is beneath a man advanced but one degree, in ways of wisdom and discretion, to waste his time in setting forth the vileness and baseness of the principles and practices of so worthless a person, it being but actum agere, he himself having been his own Limbner in this very Pamphlet which he made against Sir A. H. where you may see, as in a glass, as many ill qualities, as can likely croud together in one man; yet if you can bear the savor, see him anatomized in some few Instances.

[Page]First, Observe his covetousness, dishonesty, and (to speak it out) his plain knavery in this Instance following, in a Certificate under the hand of a Minister and an eye-witness thereof.

A Certificate from a Minister touching Mr Musgrave's base offering to compound to desist prosecution of an honest man, by him accused for a certain sum of Mony.

About the beginning of February, 1648. Captain Crakanthorp and John Musgrave procured an Order from the Committee for Complaints at Westminster, to summon several Gentlemen within the County of Cumberland to appear before the said Committee, to answer to a Charge layd against them by the said Captain Crakanthorp and John Musgrave, who alledged, that they had sustained loss or damage by those Gentlemen (being Justices of the Peace within the said County) to the value of two thousand pounds and upwards; which Order the said Informers shewed to Captain Dowson and my self, then being at London. We friendly demanded of them, What Injury they had received from William Brisco, Esq now High-Sheriff of the said County, being one of those Gentlemen whom they accused, and whom they had Order to summon: And finding, by their unsatisfactory Answer, that a matter of mony would pacifie them, and prevent this appearance, we acquainted Mr Edward Brisco, a Merchant in London, and Brother to the said William Brisco, Esq of their Intentions, so far as by their discourse we could judg of them; Mr Edward Brisco was willing to promise a considerable sum of mony, though without his Brothers privity, hoping he might thereby procure a discharge from the Complainers, and withall an engagement under their hands to free his Brother from all future trouble, which accordingly was effected, and the sum agreed upon, viz. 35 l. presented before them, upon the sight and promise whereof, the Complainers engaged to acquit the said William Brisco from all future troubles, assuring us that they would not molest or accuse him directly or indirectly, by themselves or others, for any injury or offence done, or pretended to have been done, by him, either in particular against them, or IN GENERAL AGAINST [Page] THE STATE, OF WHICH THEY PROTESTED THEY WERE ABLE, AND WOƲLD ACCƲSE HIM, IF THEY RECEIVED NOT PRESENT SATISFACTION. They on the other side required Bonds, besides the present payment of the mony, for assurance from the said Edward Brisco, Captain Dowson, and my self, that we would not discover this their Act and Deed to any other, least the report thereof should prejudice their proceedings against the rest of the Gentlemen, of whom they hoped to receive like satisfaction: their engagement for acquiting Mr Brisco, together with the mony, which then lay upon the Table in a bag, He the said Mr Edward Brisco immediately pocketed, pretending that he desired to be advised by some Lawyers, whether this Engagement of theirs was full and satisfactory, or not; and so leaving them that had delivered their Engagement, and not received their mony, he went home, and that night shewed the paper to Major Salloway, a Member of the House, who assured him, that he would acquaint the House with it.

This I am willing to depose upon Oath, whensoever I shall be called thereunto.

Jos: Nicholson, Minister of Gods Word at Thursby.

Mr Edward Brisco is now in the City, and ready to make Oath of what is expressed in this Certificate.

Here follows the Release which this Musgrave writ with his own hand.

Whereas Mr Richard Crakanthorp and John Musgrave, Gentlemen, have exhibited certain Complaints to the Parliament against William Brisco, Esq as well for certain wrongs done to us in particular, as also for publique wrongs, or dis-service to the Parliament, and their adherents, and have obtained Summons against him; Now these presents are to satisfie all whom it may concern, That Edward Brisco, Brother of the said William, hath payd us thirty five pounds on his Brothers behalf, for the wrongs done, in consideration whereof we do by these presents promise, and covenant, to, and with, the said [Page] Edward Brisco, that we shall not at any time hereafter prosecute the said William Brisco for the causes aforesaid, or any other wrongs by the said William committed against us, or other person or persons whatsoever.

He acknowledged this engagement and discharge to be his own hand-writing before the Commissioners at Goldsmiths-hall very lately.

Now judg Reader (if I may be a little pleasant with thee) whether here was not a KNAVE and a KNAVECATCHER well met.

Take here another Instance, and that shall be of his Tyranny, cruelty, and indeed Barbarism, set forth upon the best terms of concealment, and that by his own hands, in an Apologetical Letter written to Col. Fitch, Governor of Carlisle, who required an account of a Captain, and some Souldiers that were assistant unto him in the execution thereof.

To his much honored Friend Colonel Fitch, Governor of Carlisle, these deliver.

SIR, This evening I received a Letter from Captain Place, wherein he intimates, that he is commanded to bring two of his Soldiers before you to Carlisle, upon my Father in Law Mr Vaux his complaint, that they took him forth of his bed, and carryed him a mile in his shirt, and that they took and detained a Horse of his worth 10 l. the Captain was desirous that I should come along with them to give account of the thing, so far as I knew, and the same related to my Mother and me, which very willingly I would have done, if I had not been constrained the Audite to morrow, by appointment from Mr Pollard, the States Receiver, I (being the States Steward for the Honor of Penrith) might neglect that Service, but to morrow night I shall be, God willing, with my Brother Graham at Newbygin, and the next day at Newlathes, to hold the Leet for my ancient Friend Captain Sikes, Purchaser of the Manor of John De Chappels, whither if you send, upon notice I will wait on you, so be I may, according to Law, be free from Arrests, which in that Corporation may causless be layd upon me for vexation, as [Page] often heretofore hath been done, I speak not this that I know or fear any just cause, for I never concealed my self, and shall be ready to appear gratis at Westminster to any action: in the mean time take a short account of what I know there concerning; I doubt not but you have heard of the difference betwixt me and Mr Vaux, and him and my Mother, and how, while the late Kings party was Master of this County, wickedly he used her, and endevored to have starved her; for the Committee of this County ordered her 30 l. per annum, till she could obtain relief in a legal way, which Order he never observed, not to speak of his wilful contemning the present Authority, refusing to answer any Proces, or obey any Order therein, for which, at my Suit some fourteen days since, he was proclaimed by the Sheriff, and upon an Order under seal out of the High Court of Chancery for 20 l. 250 l. Arrearages, and fourty pounds per annum, upon an Attachment by a special Warrant from the Sheriff of this County, to me and Thomas Graves and others directed, he was arrested: The maner was thus, before any Souldier was quartered with my Mother, we went to Kelbarrow, and his chamber door being open, and he in bed, we peaceably entered, and desired him to rise, which he refused to do; then I told him, he was a Prisoner; whose Prisoner (quoth he?) I said, my prisoner, wishing him to rise and put on his clothes; I shewed him the Warrant under seal, and read it unto him; but he said, It was a counterfeit Warrant, and he would not obey it, and if we had him, we should take him naked; so finding him obstinate, we took him out of his bed, and brought him into the Hall, and set him in a chair, wishing him to put on his dublet, which Thomas Grave brought out of the chamber, but he would not, fearfully cursing me, and my Mother: I offered to fetch his breeches, but he cryed out, I went to rob him; so I forbare, wishing his man there present to fetch his clothes, but he commanded the contrary: I offered him, if he would give security to appear and answer the Court, I would accept it; or if he would go to Mr Sandersons, or any other Friend, I would carry him thither, desiring him still to [Page] put on his clothes, which after long refusal, fearing his Tenants coming in to rescue him, as sometimes they had done, we HORSED HIM, and cast a cloke about him even per force, and carryed him to Laths, not half a mile from his own house, where he was taken, and with much entreaty got him to go to bed, he still refusing to put on clothes, which the good-wife of the house brought him; and after Henry Dacre came to him, and brought his clothes, he caused them to be sent away: I offered Dacres to accept bond for his appearance without going further, but Dacres went to the Undersheriff and brought a discharge, a copy whereof I send you. That night late I went to Catterben to see how things were with my Mother, where I found these two Soldiers quartered, as they said, by Orders; they were much discontented with Dyet and Lodging, wanting indeed all fit accommodation, having neither fire, victuals, or bedding for them; some words passed betwixt them and me: I told them, my Mother was a forsaken woman, had nothing but that great empty house, her Husband not allowing her common necessaries, and contempting all Orders made for her, desired them to go to him, and quarter there, or cause him to bring in provision, and she would make it ready, and if that would not serve, they must bring it with them, for they could not have it where it was not: That night they layd upon hay with such coverings as she had, dis-furnishing her self, and sup'd with Big-pottage, Fare coarse enough. The next day I shewed them Mr Vaux his man in the field, but he would not come neer us, though none intended him harm; the Souldiers finding the man so refractory, horsed after him, and a while after brought the Horse, dear of six pounds, being lame, into the Courting, which my Mother took from the Souldiers, and which she sent away to be sold without the privity or consent of the Soldiers: what she hath done, she will maintain and justifie, and when that mony is spent, as most of it be, she must fetch more from him; for four years she had not any thing from him, whereby she contracted great debts, and if God had not enabled me to travel for her, he had starved her long ere [Page] this; perhaps ere long you may have a larger view of all his doings in print. Yesterday after I came from keeping the Leet at Feverham for the State, I finde two Soldiers more quartered with my Mother; this morning I sent to the Constables who layd them upon her, wishing them either to provide for them, or take them away; but they said they durst not do any thing without Mr Vaux consent: Mr Vaux hath complained to a Councel of War at Penrith, but they finde no cause to interpose amongst us in these civil differences: This day I acquainted Major Rippon with my Mothers burthens and condition, and he took off that charge for the present, as by the enclosed you may perceive. I desire you for the future that my Mother may not be troubled with billeting any Souldiers, till there be a setlement betwixt her and her husband, for avoyding the like disturbances as these: I have been larger, then I intended, but you have nothing but truth; for Mr Vaux his uncivilities to us are not worthy mentioning. I take leave and rest,

Yours, wherein I may serve you, John Musgrave.

Catterben-hall, 8. 10 moneth, 1650.

Judg again Reader, didst thou ever see such Tyranny upon the dunghil in all thy life before? What (think'st thou) would it advance unto, was it upon the Throne? Look back upon the instance, tell the aggravations thereof: A poor old man of seventy years of age, in time of peace, having his chamber door broken open, taken out of his bed, in the Winter season, in the North of England, put naked upon a horse, for neither felony nor Treason, by his wives own son (this Musgrave) and so carried away towards this wretched mans house, and compel'd (for fear the old man should dye, or rather of the reward of a murtherer) to hasten him into a Milners house by the way, and put him into bed, hardly able to keep life in him, and all for so small a matter as is here specified: Would not a man think that the great Tormentor of mankind was mew'd up in this Musgrave, and that a few more of such Musgraves would render those places where they were, as if Hell was broke loose, and the Inhabitants thereof had dwelt therein?

[Page]I shall forbear any further digging in his own dunghil; for the truth is, I loath the work, and it shall be pure necessity that shall re-compel my pains of this nature, if ever I attempt it the second time: no more now but only this; he pretends himself the grand Advocate for the godly Ministers in the Northern Counties; if you may judg of his Clergy Clients by one or two of them, whose cause he solicited very lately before the Committee of Plunder'd Ministers, you may quickly ghess what Ministers they are: and for thy satisfaction herein, read the Orders of the said Committee after full hearing of both of their Causes.

At the Committee for Plundered Ministers, February 14. 1650.

Upon the complaint of Mr John Musgrave on the behalf of Mr Morland, ejected out of the Rectory of Graystock in the County of Cumberland by Sir Arthur Haslerig, and other the Commissioners, for propagating the Gospel in the four Northern Counties, the said Mr Morland appealing against the Judgment of the said Commissioners, and being now present with the said Mr Iohn Musgrave, his Solicitor, to make good the said Appeal, It is admitted on both sides, That the cause of the said Mr Morland his Ejectment out of the said Rectory, was for insufficiency for the Ministry; and that he appearing upon examination before the said Commissioners (as is in behalf of the said Commissioners affirmed) to be grosly ignorant, and therefore unable and unfit for the work of the Ministry, they have adjudged him a scandalous Minister: but the said Mr Morland standing upon his Justification, submitteth himself to a re-examination before this Committee; and being now re-examined before this Committee in presence of his said Solicitor Mr Iohn Musgrave, and all parties concerned, it appeareth to this Committee upon the publique Examination of the said Mr Morland, that he is notoriously ignorant even of the very Fundamentals of Christian Religion; and the said Mr Morland having nothing more to say for himself, nor his said Solicitor Mr Musgrave on his behalf, this Committee do upon full hearing adjudg, that the said Mr [Page] Morland is a very scandalous Minister in regard of his said ignorance, and do approve of the said Commissioners ejecting him out of the said Rectory for the same, and do therefore order, That the Orders of the said Commissioners for his said Ejectment shall stand, and the same are hereby confirmed, and that the said Appeal be, and the same is, hereby dismissed.

Gilbert Millington.

At the Committee for Plundered Ministers, February 14. 1650.

Upon the complaint of Mr Iohn Musgrave on the behalf of Mr Lampit against Sir Arthur Haslerig, and the rest of the Commissioners for propagating the Gospel in the four Northern Counties, the said Mr Lampit appealing against the Judgment of the said Commissioners for removing him out of the Rectory of Aiction in the County of Cumberland, and being now present with the said Mr Iohn Musgrave his Solicitor to make good the said Appeal; It appeareth upon full hearing of what the said Mr Lampit and Mr Musgrave could say, that Mr Lampit was not ejected out of the said Rectory by the said Commissioners, for that the said Mr Lampit by his own shewing and confession acknowledged that he had no other title unto the said Church, but the Election and entertainment of some of the said Parish thereunto, they having no Authority at all to present; and that the said Commissioners taking notice of the vacancy of the said place (the former Incumbent being lately dead) did, according to the Authority vested in them by the Parliament, settle Mr Nichols, Minister of the said Church, an able and painful Preacher, who is freely received and entertained by the said Parish, and the pretended choyce of the said Mr Lampit by them the said Parishoners wholly retracted. Now therefore in regard the said Mr Lampit claimeth only by Intrusion, as afore-said, without any right, and the said Commissioners having found it so before them, and thereupon otherwise disposed of the said living according to Law: The said Mr Lampit and Mr Musgrave having nothing more to say, this Committee finding that the said Mr Lampit or Mr Musgrave had not the least just cause [Page] of complaint against the said Sir Arthur Haslerig and Commissioners for putting the said Mr Lampit out of the said Rectory of Aicton, do approve of the proceedings of the said Commissioners, and confirm the Order by them made for disposing the said Rectory, and do dismiss the said Appeal.

Gilbert Millington.

His POST-SCRIPT is as full of the same Spirit of Malice and Scandal as his PRESCRIPT, belching out falsities and forgeries by thousands; affirming, That Sir A. H. partly by oppression, but mostly by buying the Commonwealths Lands at a far under-rate, hath gotten an Estate worth 8 or 10 thousand pounds per annum: A man would have thought he had spent his poyson in the body of his Pamphlet; but it seems he hath a spring thereof in his bowels that can vent it self without end: Sir Arthur is a man of Estate, Honour, and Conscience, and therefore no probable friend to Levelling Principles; He hath been a Purchaser of Bishops Lands, and is not this a clear evidence of his dis-affection to the Commonwealth, and a manifest Testimony of his Scotish Malignancy? All which he hath bought at a far under-value, the Surveyors returning the prizes as Sir Arthur desired: What forsworn wretches were these Surveyors? what, all Musgraves? not an honest man amongst them? Sir Arthurs man Pearson buys Lands also: Who can endure to see such thriving? Is not this worthy of complaint to the Councel of State? Col: Fitch also wrongs the whole Country: This is most apparent; for he would not suffer one of his Captains and Souldiers to abuse Musgraves father in Law (as you lately read) but he calls them to account for it: No man but Musgrave is sensible of his Countries misery under Sir A. H. misgovernment, and his Malignant Iustices, contrary to his Engagement to the Councel of State, all which is submitted to that Honorable Councel, who hath declared it false and scandalous.

§

§

[Page]

Musgrave Muzl'd: OR The mouth of Iniquitie stoped.

BEING A true and Cleer Vindication OF Sir Arthur Hazelrige FROM A false and Scandalous Accusation of John Musgrave, In his late Pamphlet Intituled, A True and exact Relation of the great and heavie pressurs and grievances the well-affected of the Northern bordering Counties lye under by Sir A. H. misgovernment.

With a True but not Exact Character of the said Musgraue in some discoveries of him.

LONDON, Printed by John Macock, for L. Lloyd, and H. Cripps, and are to be sold at their shop in Popes head Alley. 1651.

To the Reader.

[Page]

[Page]

READER,

A GOOD Name well got is the best of Riches and he that unjustly taketh away the same is the worst of Robbers, to conceal the worth of a man is dis-ingenuity, to detract from true deserts is not equity: to charge guilt upon innocencie is inhumanity, but to call worthiness by the name of wickedness is right down Devilism. I am no more Master Musgraves adversary then thine, and that's not at all, for I know thee not, and yet I am both thine and his adversary in all Malignity, against this Common. wealth and its chiefest champions: Sir Arthur Hazilrige is no otherwise my Friend then thine, if thou art a wel-wisher to this Republique; and I have as little dependence upon him, and obliegment from him upon any personal interest as thy self whoever thou art, I have alwayes observed him (according to the best advantage of my standing in all the turns of our turning times) a plain hearted man, an English Oake, and not an Osier that wil warp and winde with every wind; a Protector of all good men of whatsoever judgement, in a good cause; an Assertor of just liberty, an opposer of Tyrannie and that not in prate but in practise, in Councels▪ and Combates: For my part let the terror of a Tyrant be his reward, that wil plead his cause, but they are the [Page] subtil'st Sollicitors for dethron'd Tyrants, that decry their dethroners without a cause: it is too true honours do alter manners, and high places without great watchfulness, do make high spirits, but every bird is not taken in the snare of the Fowler: and it is as true, that preferment in some begets envie in others, whose constant course is to strive and endeavour to stain their integrity with notorious forgerie; I take no pleasure in padling in other mens puddle, nor dabling my self with other mens dirt; yet I judge it a service worthy my betters, to wash off that filth and foam which the malicious stomachs of envious men do dayly eject upon the Names and Honours of our English Heroes: beleeve it (if I may speak it without vanity) flattery is the very antipathy of my genius, and I blesse my God my foot is not taken in the snare of necessitie to dissemble the same, by the instigation whereof upon the first view of this For so it appears. paltrie Pamphlet written by Master Musgrave, I had a strong resolution to make a strict inquisition touching matters of Fact therein asserted; and (though I had not faith to beleeve the tenths of those tales mentioned therein, mine own personal knowledge rising up against some of them; yet considering that the best of men are but men at best, and well knowing that a plain man would not be offended at plain dealing) I applyed my self to Sir Arthur himself for satisfaction herein, who hath given me that which I give unto thee, which, if thou judgest by the Law of impartiality, thou shalt finde such a complexion of impudence and ignorance, scandal and slander, malice and mischief, pride and passion, forgeries and falsities concentred in Mnsgrave, as if they were all cloth'd in flesh and dwelt amongst us, but that the power of him whose design it was in coming into the world to destroy the works of the Devil, would crush the crowd, spoil the spawn, and confound the conventicle of those unclean spirits in that unclean man, is my hearty desire. I expect a Respons, but cleerly perceiving a ranting, raving, and railing spirit stearing his pen and praecipitating him to wright at randum, I judge him not worthy the honour of a Reply, and therefore

Farewell.

POST-SCRIPT.

[Page]

JOhn Musgrave, one word of counsel (before we part) and then farewel: Let us hear no more complaint of oppression from an Oppressor, nor of Tyranny from a Tyrant; you know they are not always the honestest men that cry loudest Stop Thief: If you love the Commonwealth, seek not to ruine her Common-worthies; though you have quit the Scotch Interest, yet love your Scotch wife; you know the meaning; there is more hope of a babe of grace of her, then of another: If I should tell you of loosness in bonds, of liberty in prison, of a Fleet on the dry ground, I presume you able to expound all these Aenigma's; if you cannot, you may have an Interpreter, time enough.

Reader, It is very likely that thou hadst never been tempted to bestow thy labour in perusing this Answer unto that inconsiderate, malicious, and indeed self-confuting Pamphlet, written by Musgrave; for Sir A. H. inhibited the publication hereof, resolving to let Shemei curse and rail, as presuming that the Lord might send even a messenger of Satan to do him good, and that he would have rebuked him in the hearts and consciences of all his Readers: But upon the perusal of another Answer to the said Musgrave, printed at Newcastle, and sent unto London, Sir A. H. being altogether ignorant thereof, and unconsulted therein, and several things respecting matter of fact in Answer to Musgraves Articles against Sir Arthur therein specified not so satisfying, it was thought convenient to call out of its adjudged darkness, and to expose it unto the publique view.

Farewell.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

Musgrave muzl'd: or the mouth of iniquitie stoped. Being a true and cleer vindication of Sir Arthur Hazelrige from a false and scandalous accusation of John Musgrave, in his late pamphlet intituled, A true and exact relation of the great and heavie pressurs and grievances the well-affected of the Northern bordering counties lye under by Sir A.H. misgovernment. With a true but not exact character of the said Musgrave in some discoveries of him.

Edition statement

1651

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A89431

ID [STC]

Wing M3157

ID [STC]

Thomason E625_11

ID [STC]

ESTC R206469

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99865626

ID [PROQUEST]

99865626

ID [VID]

117873

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Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A89431)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 117873)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 96:E625[11])

Source

— Musgrave muzl'd: or the mouth of iniquitie stoped. Being a true and cleer vindication of Sir Arthur Hazelrige from a false and scandalous accusation of John Musgrave, in his late pamphlet intituled, A true and exact relation of the great and heavie pressurs and grievances the well-affected of the Northern bordering counties lye under by Sir A.H. misgovernment. With a true but not exact character of the said Musgrave in some discoveries of him., Price, John, Citizen of London, Attributed name..

Extent

[4], 18 p.

Printed by John Macock, for L. Lloyd, and H. Cripps, and are to be sold at their shop in Popes head Alley,. London :: 1651.. (Attributed to John Price by John Lilburne in "A letter of Lieutenant colonel John Lilburns, .. [1651]" (Wing L2133).) (A reply to: Musgrave, John A true and exact relation of the great and heavy pressures and grievances the well-affected of the northern bordering countries lye under.) (Annotations on Thomason copy: "march 3d 1650"; the last two numbers of the imprint date have been marked through.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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