lordship, perhaps, before hath learned, and will be more faithfully and amply related by the bearer, Captain Bamber, whom I have employed to his highness the Prince, to gave an account of the state of affairs here, and in what a mist we are for want of intelligence, whereby we might be ascertained of the King's and Prince's condition, which one Allen a merchant of Waterford proposeth to undertake a course for. And his highness's desire, which moved for three hundred men for the Prince's life-guards, which the Irish party is willing should be sent him by the return of such shipping as, I have humbly desired from his highness, might be sent hither to Waterford for to waft over the men, whereof six thousand are in a readiness for the relief of Chester (which yet we hear holds out) and the other four thousand, by the first of May, are to follow. Your lordship would extremely further the service by your representing to his highness the necessity of a course of intelligence, that we might not, as we are now, be buried in ignorance of his Majesty's and the Prince's being and condition; of which I hope your lordship will vouchsafe me some light, that our motion may be according thereunto, by which likewise to be ascertained of your lordship's welfare and happiness would be most welcome news to, My Lord, Your Lordship's most affectionate and humble servant, GLAMORGAN. These several letters and papers, coming from Ireland, were taken at Milford-Haven, by Captain Moulton. To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons, for the Committee of the Admiralty, and Cinque-Ports. Right Honourable, Aboard the Lyon, in Milford-Haven, Jan. 23, 1645. THESE contrary winds have, much against my desire, detained me still in this harbour, so that my intended voyage for Ireland hath not the free nor speedy passage I wished; but the first opportunity of wind, that offers itself, shall be laid hold of. Yesterday a barque, that stole away from Dublin, came in hither, wherein I found the inclosed letters, committed to a passenger, which I send unto your honours, to be disposed of, as to your honours shall seem good; this place being barren, both of news, and action to produce any, makes me forbear to give your honours any further present trouble, save to assure, that I am ever Your Honours affectionate, humble, and most obedient servant, ROBERT MOULTON. Worthy Cousin, To Colonel Pigott. Dublin, this 5th of Jan. 1645. I HAVE here sent, inclosed, two letters, to the Countess of Glamorgan, at Ragland, her lord being lately confined here, to the Castle of Dublin; and lest her ladiship may take things too much to heart, these letters are sent to add some comfort. Both my lord, and I, shall ac knowledge our thankfulness unto you, if you be pleased to use the best and speediest course you may, for conveighing them to my lady; you were wont to honour noble ladies, especially in distress, and I am assured now, more than ever, having the happiness of enjoying so noble a lady of your own. Your father, mother, and friends in 1.eix are all in good health, and daily expect to hear good news out of England; thus not doubting of care herein, with my best wishes of happiness, to yourself, and your noble lady, not unmindful of our good friends all, I remain Your assured loving cousin to serve you, Madam, ROGER BRERETON. To the Countess of Glamorgan. Dublin, this 5th of Jan. 1645. I PRESUME that some rumours of my Lord of Glamorgan's being confined to the Castle of Dublin, for some matters laid to his charge by the Lord George Digby, have, before this time, come to your ladiship's hearing; I thought fit therefore, by these few lines, to let you know, that my lord is in perfect health, hearty, and very chearful, not doubting to give a satisfactory answer, to what may be laid to his charge. I have so much confidence in your ladiship's accustomed discretion, that I know there need no dissuasive arguments to your ladiship, from either grieving, or taking any reports you may receive to heart too much, not doubting but his lordship will before long see your ladiship, when you may partake of all things more fully, than may be by writing. My lord your uncle is in health at Bunraly, and with him there, the Earl of P. my Lord John, and my Lady Honora; I wish your honour all health and happiness, and am Your Ladiship's still faithful servant and kinsman, ROGER BRERETON. Lord Herbert, pretended Earl of Glamorgan, his letter to his lady. My dearest Heart, I HOPE these will prevent any news shall come unto you of me, since my commitment to the Castle of Dublin, to which, I assure thee, I went as chearfully and as willingly as they could wish, whosoever they were, by whose means it was procured; and should as unwillingly go forth, were the gates, both of the castle and town, open unto me, until I were cleared, as they are willing to make me unserviceable to the King, and lay me aside, who have procured for me this restraint: When I consider thee a woman, as I think, I know you are, I fear lest you should be apprehensive; but, when I reflect that you are of the house of Thomond, and that you were once pleased to say these words unto me, That I should never, in tenderness of you, desist from doing what in honour I was obliged to do; I grow confident, that in this you will now shew your magnanimity, and by it, the greatest testimony of affection, that you can possibly afford me; and am also confident, that you know me so well, that I need not tell you how clear I am, and void of fear, the only effect of a good conscience, and that I am guilty of nothing, that may testify one thought of disloyalty to his Majesty, or of what may stain the honour of the family I come of, or set a brand upon my future posterity. Courage, my heart, were I amongst the King's enemies you might fear; but being only a prisoner amongst his friends, and faithful subjects, you need doubt nothing, but that this cloud will be soon dissipated, by the sun-shine of the King my master; and did you but know how well and merry I am, you would be as little troubled as myself, who have nothing that can afflict me, but lest your apprehension might hurt you, especially since all the while I could get no opportunity of sending, nor yet by any certain probable means, but by my cousin Brereton's, Mr. Mannering's, our cousin, constable of the castle, and my Lord Lieutenant's leave; and I hope you and I shall live to acknowledge our obligation to them, there being nothing in this world, that I desire more, than you should at least hear from me; and I believe it, sweetheart, were I before the parliament in London, I could justify both the King and myself, in what I have done; and so I pray acquaint my father, whom I know so cautious, that he would hardly accept a letter from me, but yet I presume most humbly to ask his blessing, and as heartily as I send mine to pretty Mall, and I hope this day, or to-morrow, will set a period to my business, to the shame of those who have been occasioners of it; but I must needs say from my Lord Lieutenant, and the Privy-council here, I have received as much justice, nobleness, and favour, as I could possibly expect; the circumstances of these proceedings are too long to write unto, but I am confident, all will prove to my greater honour; and my right honourable accuser, my Lord George Digby, will be at last rectified, and confirmed in the good, which he is pleased to say, he ever had of me hitherto, as the greatest affliction that he ever had, did do what his conscience inforced him unto, and indeed did wrap up the bitter pill of the impeachment of suspicion of high treason in so good words, as that I swallowed it, with the greatest ease in the world, and it hath hither had no other operation, than that it hath purged melancholy; for as I was not, at the present, any way dismayed, so have I not since been any way at all disheartened. So I pray let not any of my friends, that is there, believe any thing, until ye have the perfect relation of it from myself. And this request I chiefly make unto you, to whom I remain A most faithful, and VOL. V. Most passionately devoted, Remember my service to my brother, my cousin Brown, and the rest of my good friends. My dear Friend, To Thomas Piggot, Esq. 11th of Jannary, 1645. I HAVE very mnch to write to you concerning this place, and yet know not what to write; you have heard, I do believe, of the Earl of Glamorgan's agreement with the Irish, by which he undertook they should have all the churches within their quarters, and all other churches in the kingdom, not actually possessed by the protestant party, as also all the lands, tenements, tythes, and hereditaments belonging to the clergy, not actually possessed by the protestant party, and that they should be free from the jurisdiction of the protestant clergy; for which wild undertaking, my Lord Digby accused him of high treason, for which the Earl doth now stand committed in the Castle. What further effects this will produce, I am not able to judge, but the Irish give out, that they will treat no further with us, if that he be not set at liberty; it was part of his agreement with them, that they should send into England ten thousand men, to assist his Majesty, and a great part of them was ready to be shipped, where he was committed, which were thereupon staid; we are in a very sad condition here, environed with enemies of all sides, and in a very weak posture to defend ourselves, but the God of Jacob will I hope be our refuge. Your father and the rest of your friends are in good health. I would you had known my thoughts, or that I were with you for some time to unburden myself; God keep you and us, in the midst of these streights, and so in haste I rest Your assured loving friend, MAU. EUSTACE. This gentleman hath some business to Bristol, I pray you to befavour him therein; some estate is there fallen to him, and he is gone thither in pursuit thereof. My own and my wife's service to your noble lady. |