A LETTER OF Dangerous Consequence, From Sergeant Major Ogle, to Sir Nicholas Crisp at Oxford.
As it was Intercepted by Colonell Goodwin of the PARLIAMENTS Forces.
Together with the Examination of the Messenger, in the Coller of whose Doublet the said Letter was found.
ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Letter and Examination be forthwith printed and published:
London, Printed for EDW: HUSBANDS, February 27. 1642.
A Letter from Sergeant Major Ogle to Sir Nicholas Crisp, as appears by the Examination (herewith printed) of the Messenger, in whose coller the Letter was found, who was intercepted by Colonell Goodwyn; Sergeant Major Ogle likewise being examined before a Committee, confesseth the Letter to be all of his own hand, and by him sent to Sir Nicholas Crisp by the same Messenger, but affirms, that the Letter intends nothing else, but to desire a resolution from Sir Nicholas Crisp, touching some lands which he had offered him formerly to sell: And this is all he will yet confesse; and what appearance this has of truth, deducible from this Letter, let the Reader judge.
A Letter of dangerous consequence from Sergeant Major Ogle, to Sir Nicholas Crisp at Oxford.
SInce your departure from hence, I writ you [...] Letter which I hope came to your hands: If I had knowne of your bosome-friends coming to you, I should have sent, and imparted that which now I cannot: But since you have the conveniency and safety of Mr. Collewells coming hither, Pray let me receive a finall determination, and hang no longer in suspence, whether any thing is to be done or no in that businesse we spoke. I want nothing but money to effect it, but in case there be either a difficulty in the thing, or a dishke or dispute of me for the Actor, pray let me know; and in case therebe some reasons which I am ignorant of, to hinder what we spoke of, then M. Colwell can tell you somewhat I wished him to write to you, which upon the receit of money I shall bring along with me to you speedily. In a word Three thousand five hundred pound will serve [Page 5]to effect that, which will be an extraordinary benefit and advantage, if not a finall happy conclusion to what we both desire, which money if you will give Master Colwell order to furnish me with, Ile give him that Land and Collery which I spoke to you in security for the same; And speedily come to you well prepared when I shall take a full order for your satisfaction: However pray let me know your positive determination, and of what account and reckoning (if any at all) I am there, which how bad or small soever it be, I would willingly repair by this, or some other notable vvay vvherein I might be entrusted: your candidnesse herein, I shall take for an extraordinary evidence of your friendship, vvhich till death I vvill requite by resting
THe nevves here is, that the Commons yesterday carried up their Votes to the Lords, vvith reasons declaring their disassent from concurring vvith the Lords in a Cessation of [Page 6]Armes and a Treaty: And that upon these reasons the Commons had Voted the disbanding both Armies presently, and till that vvere done no Treaty upon the Propositions; which if his MAjESTY would assent unto, there should be a Treaty and a Cessation of Armes tovvards a disbanding. One particular circumstance I vvill acquaint you vvith in the carriage of this businesse, vvhich vvas remarkeable. After the Lords had voted a Cessation of Armes and a Treaty, the next morning they sent a Message to the Commons for a conference to acquaint them with their Votes. While the Messengers tarryed for their Answer (which usually is very short, either they will; or they will send an Answer by Messengers of their owne) it was so ordered that Colonell Manwaring, Captain Harvey, Captain Titchburn, Captain Vnderwood, Captain Gore, and divers other Citizens, with Master Case, and Master Wodcocke and Burroughs with other Ministers, came to the House of Commons, and desired to be heard, and to deliver some reasons they had in the behalfe of the City, against a cessation of Armes and a Treaty: Whereupon there was present resolution to call them in: But a Debate of almost [Page 7]an hour, vvhether they should be called in before the conference vvith Lords or no: After severall Votes the House was divided, and by ten Voices carryed to call them in first, and so they had the preheminence of the Lords. When they were called in, Colonell Manwaring was their spokes-man, and tendered a paper conteyning the reasons: but they were commanded to withdraw, and after some debate the paper was receiv'd, and they remind thanks. You may judge by this what likelyhood there is on other end save by the sword. If it please God I come to you I shall more inlarge then I dare write. We hear his Majesty had made Sir Ralph Hopton Baron of Glasonbury, but he enjoyed his honour a short space, for he and Six hundred men more of his are slain before Plunmouth. I have him that I sent to you upon the Exchange yet, and the rest you know of ready to do as I direct them. The God of Heaven direct us all aright, and settle the peace of this Church and Kingdom.
Vale.
Pray let me hear speedily from you.
The Examination of Henry Commins, Servant to Master Daniel Colwell, one of the searchers of the Custome-house London, taken before Colonell Goodwin and Colonell Bulstrode, the 16. of February, 1642.
HE saith, that his Master went from his house in Bartholomew lane London, to Oxon, upon Friday last, with Sir Nicholas Crisps his Lady, and that Captain Ogle, dwelling over against Pallace-yard conduit Westminster, sent by him a Letter to Sir Nicholas Crisp to Oxon: Which Letter the said Captain did, together with his Maids help sow up in the Coller of the Doublet of this Examinant, giving him a great charge to deliver the Letter carefully, and not to confesse from whom he had it: And there coming one to speak with Captain Ogle, whiles he was sowing in the Letter, he suddenly called this Examinant into his Closet, that he might not be discovered.
And this inclosed Note, the Examinant said, was sent from Sir Nicholas Crisp his Servant, unto his Master.