CHIPPENHAM: MALMESBURY CRICKLADE: Iles, and Edward Hope, (their present Mayor), who are both right. Is a Borrough that chooseth by prescription; about 80 tenements elect; they propose to choose Henry Baynton, and Richard Kent; of whom they are confident. Is a Corporation. The Election is in the boddy corporate, and if the Regulation be past, they will choose Walter White of Grittleton, a through right man; and another of whom they will be certaine. The Duke of Beaufort * undertakes for this place. Is a Borrough under the influence of Colonell Edward Webb, and M'. Charles ffox, who tis supposed will stand for this place. Of these two we are doubtfull, though we hope they may goe right. GREAT BEDWIN Is a Borrough and the Election popular. They desire to be incorporated, and have agreed on persons in order thereunto. They will choose such as shall declare themselves right. They are under y influence of Marlbrough, who will advise wth Dr Cox as to their choyse LUGDERSALE OLD SARUM MARLBROUGH Is a Borrough. The Election popular; consists of about 75. Mati ties Is a Burrough; the Electors butt few; it is supposed they will choose their old Members, St Eliab Harvey, and S′ Thomas Mompasson, who have always favoured the Dissenters, and bin for liberty. WOOTEN BASSETT.-Is a Borrough that is under the power of the Earle of Rochester,† and will choose such as his LoPP. shall nominate, which tis presumed will be such as your Matie will desire. Is a Corporation; the Election is in the boddy corporate; there is a Quo Warranto issued against their Charter, and persons agreed upon to be named in a new one. They have consented to choose such as yo' Majesty, or Dr. Cox shall recommend unto them." [Here follow the Dorsetshire, Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk, Somersetshire, and Devonshire Returns.] "We further humbly acquaint your Majesty that for the other Counties, Corporations, and Burroughs, We cannot at present give soe Distinct account of them, there haveing not as yett bin any person sent to them; but by answers to letters *First Duke of Beaufort; cr. 1682, ob, 1699. + Lawrence Hyde, first Viscount Hyde, of Kenilworth (second son of Edward, first Earl of Clarendon); was created Earl of Rochester in 1682; was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland; ob. 1711. and information received, We have good reason to believe, that the greatest part by farr of those that will be chose for those places, will out of Inclination readily concurr with your Majesty, to abolish those Lawes and Tests. [Endorsed] All which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty" "LIST OF PERSONS PROPOSED AS DEPUTY-LIEUTENANTS AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR THE COUNTY OF WILTS: Original Letters from the Wiltshire Commis sioners to Cromwell in 1655. [EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL STATE PAPERS IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY.] By SIR GEORGE DUCKETT, Bart. ORIGINAL LETTER FROM THE WILTSHIRE COMMISSIONERS TO CROM WELL: "May it please yo' highnes, "In obedience to yo' commands, wee this day wayted upon ye Right Honoble Gen'rall Disbrowe, who haveing communicated to us yo' orders, and Instructions for the secureinge of the Peace of the Com'wealth, wee, humbly resenting them, as most just and reasonable, and most conduceinge to the end therein specifyed; will and doe most cordially ingage o'selves in the worke, and both in this and all other thinges else, shalbe ready to observe and obey yor highnes commands, who are Seal in red wax: a cross charged with a leopard's head, within a bordure; crest, a man's head in profile ppr, couped at the shoulders, wreathed about the temples, and tied in a knot.1 [Rawl. MS. A. 33. fo. 157.] ORIGINAL LETTER FROM TWO OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF WILTSHIRE, TO CROMWELL, DATED FROM SALISBURY, 13TH MARCH, 1655: "May it please yor Highness, "It haveing beene your pleasure, to appoint us two of yo" Highness Commissiors for this county of Wilts, who with others have made it our business faithfully to pursue our Instruccons, as alsoe to discover such of yor Highness Enemies, as heretofore hath beene concealed, divers whereof have beene brought under this new Assesment; but finding their have beene Applicacons made to • Colonel John Dove was High Sheriff of Wilts in 1655. 1 These are the arms of Bridges, Lord Mayor of London, 1520. your Highness, by and conserning some p'sons contrary to our expectacons, wee cannot but in faithfulness to yor Highness, and the trust we have undertaken, make knowne our thoughts unto you theirin. At our first Sitting in this county, the Commission's received a letter from your Highness to forbear the assesing of the Lord Seamor, which, in obeadience to your Highness sade letter, was done accordinglie; though for our parte, we are much unsatisfied of any change of his former principles. Since that tyme we finde their hath beene applicacons made to your Highness, concerning Mr. Seamor, sonne to the sade Lord, who was of the late Kings Commission for sequestring the Parliaments party for this countie, and satt in the execuc'on theirof; as alsoe for one Mr Yorke, who was actually in armes in the late Kinges owne troupe, and otherwise a dangerous person, as doth appear to us by his discouraginge honest men in their assisting the Parliament at the late Worcester fight, and is still a discountenanser of Religious people; and as it is a wonder to us, how such a person as this latter, should lie unquestioned all this while, soe we cann noe less admire, that now he is bringing to the Light, any should appear to yor Highness for him, as alsoe for the sade Mr. Seamor, soe as to hinder just proceedings against them; a thing of which nature, wee that have runn the Hazzards of our lives with your Highniss, for this Twelve or fourteen yeares, durst not adventure to attempt. Mr. Yorke hath never yett beene publiquely questioned for beinge of that party, by which meanes both himself, as alsoe one Mr. Norden, another dangerous person in this county, obteined to be of the last parliament, through the disaffection of some people, to the great greife of honest men. Now my Lord, all that we aime at is, that the Masque of these men may be pulled off, and the country have a right knowledge of them; as alsoe that we may be able to give an accoumpt of the justness of our proceedings, in carrying an equall hand to all that come before us, according to our Instrucc'ons, w'out respect of persons; and lastly, that they may not stand in the way of good people for the future. Thus haveing faithfully acquainted your Highness concerninge the persons aforesade, wee humbly leave it to yor Highness' considerac❜on, whether you will please to referr the sayd Mr. Seamor and Mr. Yorke to a tryall before the Commission's here, or otherwise doe as to yor Highness shall seeme meet; and soe craving pardon for this boldness and trouble, wee subscribe our selves, * This signature occurs in three or four other entries, and may be in one case taken for "Hotton." |