THe sad condition and sufferings of di­vers well-affected to your affaires in the Kingdome is very grievous, and particular­ly the cases of James Simball, Francis Wade, Robert White, and Roger Crabb. as they are presented unto mee, which hath induced me to present the inclosed paper to your conside­ration wherin you may see the manner, na­ture, and pretences of their sufferings (as presented) and withall the Exorbitancies of some in places of judicature towards such, [Page 2] who in the worst of times, exprest much af­fection, and Reality to your proceedings.

And I humbly desire you to move the House to take their condition into considera­tion, if they be committed meerly for speak­ing words against the King in time of War (which thing I in no sort approve of, yet) it would do well if the men might have some inlargement, so as they may not perish by a languishing imprisonment, and such cruell usage as some of them suffer, Especially, con­sidering the offences, for which they suffer, were but in expresse of zeale for your Cause, and that upon apparent provocation, from such (as I am informed) as were your profes­sed enemies.

With all due submission to you, I desire their speedy Inlargement; And freedome of their Estate.

JAmes Symball Deputy Keeper of Winchester-house, lying sick; hearing a Cavalier, there a prisoner, then say, That the Parliament were Rebells and Traytors, and that if the King came to London with his Army, he would make the Parliament, a poore Parliament, and exemplary for their Rebellion, by chopping off their heads at the doore. The said Ca­valier neere two years after boasting of a designe in­tended against the Parliament, and being questioned for the same by the said Symball, out of malice did ac­cuse him, for speaking against the King, in these words, (viz. That he (the said Symball) hoped to see the Kings head upon the Tower block: When indeed the said words were spoken in Answer to those above menti­oned, and upon these conditions: That if the King had any such intention, then he the said Symball hoped as aforesaid; and thus much the said Cavalier him­selfe did confesse, but afterwards denyed. Now the said Symball being indited without any cognizance, taken of these circumstances, stands convicted by the onely testimony of the said Cavalier ever since the Assizes held in March last, and adjudged with Fran­cis [Page 4] Wade, and Robert White, by Serjeant Creswell, to forfeit their whole estates, and remain prisoners, du­ring the Kings pleasure.

Francis Wade being urged to drinke the Kings health, denyed it, saying, that King James said, that the King which ruled not according to his Laws, is no longer a King but a Tyrant: and that the King had put the Parliament out of his protection, and in them the whole kingdome, Therefore no King.

Robert White having been a Souldier in the Parlia­ments service, was demanded upon his returne, what he would have done to the King, had he met him in the head of his Army, answered, hee would have as soon killed him, as another man.

Roger Crabb, for comparing the King to the gol­den Calfe (which the Israelites worshipped) or words to that purpose) stands convicted by Justice Bacon, since July 1646. and fined at an hundred Marks, and to lye in Goale till payment.

James Simball being at this Instant a priso­ner, and in Irons at the said Goale, was in­dited by one Wimball, formerly a Cavalere son in law, and partner to Richardson, keeper and Bayliffe of the Prison called the (linck, Now under sequestration, and they (keepers for the State, the said Symballs goods being within their liberty as aforesaid.) have seized [Page 5] and made stay thereof, as being confiscated to the King.

The said Richardson, and Windball com­mensing suites in their owne Court, for that the said Symballs brother, defending part of the said goods in right of himself, having formerly lent them to the said James, his bro­ther.

Francis Wade, Robert White, and Roger Crabb are returnd as prisoners in the Calender to the White Lyon, by Justice Bacon who fined Mr. Devinish late Keeper of the said County-Goale threescore pounds for suffering the said prisoners to have some liberty.

In Crabs case the Jury brought him guilty of the words spoken by him, but that they were neither seditious, Scandalous, nor pernitious; Justice Bacon used much Argument to per­swade the Jury to finde the Judgement, they having formerly twice returned him, And caused the said Jury to be locked up all night without meat, drink, fire, or candle, untill they had returned him, as hee stood indited.