By W, W. Ravenhill, Esq. 



89 



well pleased with these proceedings against the rebells. The sergeant in his 

 charge observed their ingrateful returne after an act of oblivion passed, in- 

 gratitude being condemned by the very heathen ; and theire restlesse spirits to 

 set up an enterest, which God by soe many signes and wonders had fought 

 against. He likewise observed the care of his highnesse to preserve the people 

 in their lives, liberties, and propertyes, and that this was the only end of his 

 highnesse, not any private end to himselfe. Mr. Attorney, in his manadgeing 

 the evidence, would often inculcate to the people, that they might now see, who 

 were the cause of theire taxes, and the necessity of continuing them. I humbly 

 take leave, craving your honor's pardon for this over hasty scribbling, being ever 



Your honor's in all duty and service, 

 Exon, April 21, 1655. Ja. Nutlet. 



I had almost forgotten to acquaint your honour, that one major Alford (who 

 was in Mr. Love's conspiracy) was of the graund inquest at Salisbury, and 

 was very zealous in his highnesse service here, and his good affection and wise 

 carriage here, did much advantage the bussinese. I received much information, 

 from him ; and in this place (amongst others) one Mr. Atkins of Tiverton 

 served of the graund jury here, from whom I had my best information of what 

 was done in private." 



It will be remembered, that the fight at South Molton, closed 

 with the surrender of some combatants on certain conditions ; who 

 they were, was a matter of controversy between Colonels Penruddock 

 and Grove, and their fellows, on the one hand, and Capt. Unton 

 Croke on the other. The former in the following* petition preserved 

 among the Compton MSS., gives his version of what happened. 1 



* " To his Highnesse the Lord Protector and the Right Honorable the Lords 

 of the Councell. 



The humble Remonstrance of John Penruddock and Francis Jones in the 

 behalfe of themselves, and the rest of ye prisoners. 



That wee may not bee wanting to ourselves, and the rest of the prison 1-9 , in 

 our conditon and that wee may leave nothing unassayed w ch . may tend towards 

 the preservaton of our Lives. And finding that as yet our severall conditons 

 have not beene rep r sented to his Highnessejior to your Honors, wee are bold to 

 offer this our humble addresse and declaraton as followeth. 



Upon Wednesday the 13 th of March, 1654, Cap*. Unton Crooke fell into our 

 Quarters att South Moulton, about two houres after we came into the Towne, 

 our men being in a most desperate conditon, and firing out of the windowes, 

 after the wounding of the Maior of the Towne, and divers of the Captayne's 

 Souldiers, The Cap*, thought fitt upon this Exigent to sound a parley and 

 tender us conditons. Whereupon Hostages were delivered on both sides, and 

 one Mr. Rogers, a Corporall, and Mr. Lane, a Gentleman of the Troope were 

 sent in the behalfe of Cap*. Crooke, Mr. Penruddocke haveinge drawne the 



1 1 should have given this earlier had it come into my hands. 



•The original document is without date and written on a sheet of white paper. 



