156 Records of the Rising in the JFcst, A.J). 1655. 



John Tregonwcll clcerc as to this business ; ho hath engaged to his highness in 

 20002 bond, to appeare when called on, and not to act any thinge against his 

 highness, nor the Commonwealth, &c. 



Sir, I understand a Commission of oyer and Terminer is issued out for tryall 

 of the rebells in the west ; and there is a mistrust of my under sheriffe. Sir, I 

 resolve, that not one man shall be returned in the one or the other jurys, but 

 such as may be confided in, and of the honest well-affected party to his highness 

 and the present Government. If there be but enough, to be found of them 

 throughout the whole county (which I hope there is) it is and will be my 

 greatest care for that business to see it punctualy don, and not trust my under- 

 sheriffe therewith, that is soe much spoken against by some here, that would 

 have had one of their relations bin my sheriffe, which, had either of them pre- 

 vayl'd, I should not have trusted them in this great worke ; there is such 

 abominable falshood amongst some men now a dayes, that a man knoweth not 

 whom to trust. 



Sir, you would be glad to knowe, what men were fittest to be proceeded 

 against in the first place ; to which I give you my thoughts, humbly submitting 

 to better judgements, that in the first place to proceed against the chiefe and 

 principall actors, that were commissionated, as they said, by Charles Stewart ; 

 for if any of them goe free, it will soe much disharten the honest party of the 

 country, that they will be affrayde to shewe themselves to act for his highness. 

 Therefore due care must be had of that. 



For the second place, against such as are knowne to be of implacable spirits 

 in the country, and most disaffected to his highness and the present government. 



And in the third place, against such as thinke to escape by favour, and may 

 remayne as nest eggs, to cherish others hereafter, that may prove a pest to his 

 highness and the Commonwealth. 



Sir, I believe great suit is and will be made to his highness for some of the 

 principal actors, by reason of relations ; but I am confident his highness will 

 looke more upon the publique good, then there addresses, as the case now 

 standeth with England, &c. 



Sir the county of Dorsett I heare have a commisson for the militia. I feare 

 some may stop the sendynge one hither, on pretence of ease to the county. Be 

 confident, that if it be delayed it may prove dangerous. 



Sir, those forces I have already raised, I have no rule or instructions what to 

 doe or how to pay them. I desire you move his highness about it. 



Sir, I doe what I may to finde out the first actors. Sir they be cunning 

 fellows. The Lord God bringe their evill counsells to naught. I ame 



Sir, your affectionate friend and servant 

 Sarum March 29 1655. John Dove." 



Two days after this we find a second letter from Boteler, 1 written 

 still from Marlborough, in which lie says that the information 

 against Sir Seymour Pyle was groundless. However, he had taken 

 good bail " for his forthcominge/*' He then proceeds 



*3 Th., 327. 



