182 A Contribution ts the History of Malmesbtcry , 8fe. 



event appears well from the following letter, preserved in the 

 Record Office ' ; — 



" To the Honor*"' Williain Leiithall Esqmer Speaker to th» boano'**' bonse of 

 ye Commons these present 



to the Honno"° House 

 «R^htHonno^i» \ 



" Being hear Intrusted by the noble Govemo' of Gloueest' not oneKe to- reoeavff 

 in the contributions for the maintenance of this gan-ison but allsoe to give him 

 Intelligence of all occurrences that may Annie waj' Accrew unto the gennera" 

 good. The w*" uppon all occasions I have faithfuUie done. And now lately 

 haveing sent out by vertue of his commission one Capt Sallmon to ffetch in som 

 money in Chippenham hundred w*""'" this Com"^ of Willtshire ; whoe by God's 

 providence seazed uppon M'. Hayes M'. Usher to herr Ma'" and found w"" him 

 manie letters fi'om his Ma"' the Earle off Digby and diverse others off great 

 Concernment whom the s**. Cscpt Sallmon brought into this garrison on thursday 

 last in the Aftemoone and delivered up to Collonell Devereux governour hear by 

 CoUonell Massey's appoyntment : with all the s''. letters, whoe coppied out the 

 principall and sent the originalls to my Lord Generall. all w"^*" was domte without 

 giveing the least notice thereof to the governo' of Gloucest'. wch. when I un- 

 derstood w"" other particular passages in the caiyedge of this mayn businesse of 

 consequence I gave the Govemour of Gloucest' notice theareof w"' all possible 

 speed I could. Whoe I make noe question but will w"* all expedition give an 

 Accompt thereof to this honno'*^'' Assemblie ; And now this p'sent Instant dining 

 w"^ the Governo' Devereux hear bee finding by my poore Counsell to further him! 

 in the genne'" good. Revealed unto mee the Coppie of the kinges pticular letter 

 written to the Queene whearein is more expressed to discover their great plott 

 against our nation than all the rest, being but in figures. Whereupon I demanded 

 Iffe he had sent Coppics of all to the Parliam' as well as to his Excellency, whoe 

 tould me hee had not. therefore in consideration of the p'sent necessitie as allsoe 

 in regard the letters though sent by his Exeellencie for London might be surprised 

 I gave him Counsell to send Coppies of the said letters to this honno'*'' Assemblie. 

 notwithstanding all former delay whoe takeing my advice I w"" all speed that 

 might bee assisted him in writing these copies for the more secure and speedie 

 Information of this honno'*''" Assemblie in the p'mises to w'*' end I have sent upp 

 my owne servant this bearer for the more ffaythfull & speedie deliverie, humblie 

 beseeching Allmightie God to give you the spirit of wisdome to disceme not onlie 

 these but all the blloudie plotts of the enemies of God's churdi for tbe utter 

 Bubversion of Antichrist 



" Your honno" humble & f aithfull 

 " servant till death 

 " Mallmesburye the 6 of Julie " An" Cabteight 



A° 1644." 



Leaving Malmesbury in such careful hands, I must with regret 



close this paper. 



' " State Papers, Domestic, 1644." There appears to be nothing in those of 

 1643 referring to this subject. 



