192 Appendix V 



v 



MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS RELATING TO THE CIVIL 



WAR IN YORKSHIRE 



The first of these letters was captured when Guilford Slingsby, to 

 whom it was addressed, was defeated by Sir Hugh Cholmley at 

 Guisborough on January 16, 1643 (Rushworth, III, ii, 125). Slingsby 

 was severely wounded, and died a few days afterwards (Rush- 

 worth, Trial of the Earl of Strafford, 773). The letter was sent up to 

 Parliament, and is now amongst the papers of the House of 

 Lords, together with the instructions given to Slingsby which 

 accompany it. 



Sir, — I have received your letters this day, and return you thanks for 

 the very good service you have done, and should be very glad to give you 

 all the assistance you desire, and more, to prosecute your present levies, 

 but I was informed that you had of your own levies 400 foot besides your 

 troop of horse. And as the case stands I cannot furnish you with any 

 more forces for the present. For these reasons, first, the forces of the 

 Bishoprick were levied upon condition to remain in the country for the 

 security thereof ; and besides, they are appointed to guard the ammuni- 

 tion through their country, and if need be further ; which I hope they will 

 obey, for I hear Colonel Huddleston nor Colonel Clavering can either 

 of them march for that convoy as was intended, and therefore I have 

 appointed Sir Robert Strickland and his forces to wait upon that service, 

 and I desire you will do so too, for I hear they have a design to surprise it 

 if they can, and it deserves our best cares to secure it. When that service 

 is done, I shall be ready to give you all the assistance I can. For the lady 

 you mention use your own discretion towards her, for I have not been ever 

 used to take ladies prisoners. For any goods or arms you shall take of 

 disaffected persons or in their possession, keep them to your own use, the 

 goods upon account for paying your soldiers (for we can get no money 

 here to supply you) and the arms for arming your men, and though they 

 be part of the Trained-band arms, yet being taken by you as a prize, they 

 shall be accounted so. For your fortifying those castles you mention, 

 I do not understand of what consequence it can be to you, except it be 

 some one for your retreat and place of residence whilst you are levying 

 your regiment. For the 500 arms you desire a warrant for, it will be very 

 inconvenient to serve it upon their way, and therefore for it you must have 

 a little patience. For the paying of your troop you propose one of three 

 ways, but to resolve of which of them is to no end unless there was money 

 to pay, but in that you shall have all the right that may best be, in time. 

 Till then, as I told you before, you may make use of such moneys and 

 goods you take of delinquents, or so much thereof as will serve you, for 

 I perceive you meet with good store. And thus much for answer to your 

 letters from, — Your very affectionate friend, W. Newcastle. 



Pomfret, 8th Jan. 1642. 



(Papers of the House of Lords) 



