father of lyes finding himself disappointed here, in the foresaid mischievous device, hath of late, by the like instruments in England, laboured to asperse His Lordship and this church by insinuating unto some in authority there, that this church in particular, and all other godly Christians in general in Ireland, were much grieved, discountenanced, and discouraged, by reason of the countenance that is said to bee given to vice and vitious persons in Ireland by His Lordship, or since his command of the forces there. They, therefore, after serious examination and consideration had thereon, conceived it their duty to disowne and protest against the said lying report, with detest-> ation of soe vile a slander, and for further vindication of themselves, and manifestation of the truth, they did in the sight of God (the searcher of all hearts) thereby declare, that they were soe farre from being any way discountenanced, or haveing any cause to bee offended, grieved, discouraged, or dissatisfied, with His Lordship's demeanour and carriage in his place, that contrary-. wise they had great cause to rejoice and blesse the Lord for him; - - for his equall justice to all, and mercy to the poore; for his prudent and loveing carriage to all that feare God (though of different judgements), endeavouring to preserve unity and love amongst them; for the countenance that. himself and family gave to all God's publicke ance on them; for the respect, countenance, and encouragement that (in a speciall manner) he gave to all the godly ministers of the Gospel. And we doe also declare (and that upon good ground) that generally all the sober-minded Christians throughout this whole land are of the same mind with us herein. Dated at Dublin, this Sd of June, 1656.” Signed by many ministers. Henry's personal worth and ability, and fitness for the high and arduous situations that he filled in Ireland, will further appear from the following extracts from the many letters to be found in Thurloe's State. Papers, written by, and to and concerning him; most of which were supplied by the Cromwell family. In a letter to Thurloe, dated 8 Martii, 53, (only twenty-six years of age,) he says, -"After a long journey by lande, I arrived heere (Dublin) upon Satterday last, in the eveninge, since which time I have not bin wantinge in my endeavours to informe myselfe of the severall tempers of men heer; and doe find, uppon the strictest inquiry that possibly I could make, that the army generally, both heer about the head-quarters, as also thosse in the other partes of the nation, are abundantly satisfied and well pleased with the present government in Englande; unless it be some few inconsiderable persons of the anabaptiste judgement, whoe are allsoe quiett, though not very well contented; but I beleive they will receive much satisfaction from a letter very lately come to their handes from Mr. Kiffin and Spilsbury, in which they have dealt very homely and plainly with those of that judgement heer: but I must say this, that if they had been inclineable to have made disturbance, they had sufficient encouragement frome those in cheife place heer, whoe have managed business of late with much peevishness and frowardness, endeavouringe to render the government as unacceptable as possibely they could, especially Ludlowe and Jones, who are very highly dissatisfied, though Jones more cuninge and close in it; but Ludlowe hath not spared any company, or opportunitie, to vent his venomous discontents, and that in reproachful and reflectinge language, very much to the amazement of all sober men, amongst whome he hathe rather loste than gained acceptance by it he hath refused to act in his civill capacitie since the change, but will not leave his military, because proffittable, unless it be taken from him. You will, I suppose, consider what is fitt to be done with such persons; and I hope it may stirre you up speedily to settle a government that may signifie somethinge; for this does verry little, unless it be to make orders to give away the publique lands, of which they have given large proportions to each of themselves. The uttmost that is desired is, that all may be uppon ane equall account as to encouragement and countenance, which I doubt will scarce be, unless there be care taken for the A future. I hope you received the character which I sent at my comeing out of town to you. Make use only of the upper clavis to uncypher the inclosed. I am your freinde and servante, "H. CROMWELL." "You will shew this to my father." Then follows the part written in cypher, decyphered by Thurloe." I have taken the freedome to be very plain with my brother, (Fleetwood, Commander-in-chief,) and have, as neare as I could, acquainted hym with what I had in trust, and doe finde his desire rather to returne, than to continue here; but is willing to be at my father's dispose: but, to deale faithfully, I doe thinke he is a little too deeply ingaged in a partial affection to the persons of the Anabaptists, to answer your end; though I do believe it rather to proceed from tendernes than love to their principles. He is very well satisfyed that the government heere should be suteable to yours, and well approves of the two persons pitcht upon for counsellors. To offer my poore thought, I would take advantage by Ludlowe's forwardness, to putt hym out of the army, and putt Gen. Desborow in his place; who, with the assistance of the persons above mentioned, will doe your business effectually, especially if thinke fitt for some short tyme to command my brother over, and in his absence to constitute G. Desbrowe his deputie. I shall staye till the general . you |