138 Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 
I purpose (God willinge) forthwith to ride to Exon, there to spend {wo or 
three days in examining those prisoners taken, from whom somthing may be 
obtained for the advantage of the Commonwealth. I am informed that Pen- 
ruddock, Grove, Jones and Mumparsons* with about 40 of their men are at 
Exon in prison. Itis thought J. Wagstaffe is escaped. I beg your Highness’s 
pleasure and commands concerning myselfe and my troopes and subscribe myself 
Wincanton March 17 Your Highnesse’s humble Servant 
1654 (5). Joun DisBROWE.” 
We thus see what large forces the Government had at their 
disposal to oppose such a rising as the present, well trained and 
disciplined, posted admirably for concentration or otherwise ; the 
Sealed Knot were right, it was no time for attack. 
A day or two after the 17th, Disbrowe arrived at Exeter, and ex- 
amined and catalogued most if not all the prisoners thereabouts. 
Having completed his work in Devon, he went on to Taunton, 
where he wrote the following letter,! probably March 28th, for it is 
without date. 
‘‘ May it please your Highnesse, 
Accordinge to your commands, inclosed is a list of the prisoners in the 
several countyes and the places, where for the present they are secured. I doe 
understand that many of them doe pretend to innocency, as the Lord Paulett 
and one Mr. Tent of Somersetshire, and the Marquess of Harford in Wilts. 
The informations I have had since my comeinge into these parts concerning them 
is nothinge of new or late actinge, though I am very confident they generally 
knew of the late rebellion. TZhetr (sic) be many in every County as bade or 
worse in their affections to the Cayilere party, that are not secured, for they are 
are of ameaner quality, and I did conceive it not convenient to sease more than I 
know what to doe withall; for truly I am humbly of opinion, that haveinge two 
many of them togetther,might give them an advantage of knowinge one another’s 
winds more than now they can, beinge (seeing) Iam forced to keepe them for the 
most part in inns, not havinge any other places, where is any accomodation for 
them. But if it be judged needfull, I can cause as many as your highness 
please to be taken up more; but I humbly conceive, these allready secured will 
be sufficient to proceed with, and to make a patterne for all the rest. Indeed, 
my Lord, I have not found it so easy worke as I thought it would have bine, to 
_ settle the militia in these parts to my satisfaction. I hope I shall now gitt 
through it. I have sent to Major Sanders to attend your highness for Devon, 
Captain Gorges for Somersett, Captain Dury for Dorsett, Major Ludlow for 
Wilts, and I intend Captain Crofts for Gloster; Col. Bennett is allready at 
* Mompesson. 
13 Th., 308. 
