30 Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 
The following relates to another of the risers, Mr. Richard 
Arscott (of Sampford Courtenay, according to Desborough’s list). 
State Papers, Domestic. Charles II, Vol. ii., No. 13 :— 
‘“‘ These are to certify all whom it may concerne that the bearer hereof Richard 
Arscott Gent. served under the late Lord Hopton during all the late warre 
untill the laying doune of Armes at Truro in Cornwall, and hath been in 
severall flights viz: at Braddock, Launceston and Stratton, in all the seige of 
Exon untill it was reduced to his Matie’s obedience, at Cherriton Doune, and both 
Newberry Battells, in which services he received severall wounds to the hazard 
of his life and since Duke Hamilton’s comeinge into England with an Army 
hath beene employed as an Agent by the Gentry of Devon and Cornwall (his 
Matie’s Loyall subjects) And that in Penruddock’s business he appeared with 
Men, Horse and Armes raised at his owne charge. And also in S* George 
Booths raising Armes, he bought 300 case of Pistolls for the Gentry of Devon 
to be employed in his Matis service, which Armes he brought out of Exon with 
the hazard of his life. He was likewise sequestered of all his estate both reall 
and personall, and at severall times suffered three yeares Imprisonmnt, and in 
Penrddock’s business, was committed to the Common Goale by John Coppleston, 
then High Sheriff of the County of Devon, and tryed for his life by a Court 
Marshall. 
That for his loyall and good affection, in prosecution of his Mati’s severall 
services, he mortgaged to one Burgoyne 12 small Tenem*. of his owne Inherit- 
ance for £400, which still lyes forfeited, and for the better carrying on of fhe 
said services he hath been enforced to borrow severall summes of Money 
amounting to £180 more, which yet remains unpaid 
August the 21* 1660 
J. GRENVILE 
HawLey 
Tuo. SrucKEY 
Hues PoLtiarDe” 
The next is a petition of Marcellus Rivers and others :—! 
On the 24th March, 1659, as the Grand Committee of the 
*«©On a motion that Major General Boteler be declared‘incapable of employ- 
ment in any office, either civil or military in this Commonwealth 
Colonel White [Wells], ‘ He is now saidjto have offended in a military ca- 
pacity, but the military capacity has committed a rape upon the civil.’ 
Mr. Secretary Thurloe [Cambridge University], ‘ I think him a man of worth. 
The sentence too severe. The highest punishment next to life and he unheard. 
He had but secured the property of one engaged for Charles Stuart, who had 
since fled to him.’ 
Mr. Charlton [Ludlow], ‘If this is not the highest offence what can be ? Nor 
is this the highest punishment on this side death. Sending one to Jamaica or 
Barbadoes is much worse.’” April 12th, 1659, 4 Burton’s Diary, 407—8., 

