By W. W. Ravenhill, Esq. 



173 



so we must pick what we can from the letters of Mr. Attorney- 

 General, and others. 



" Some of that crew [writes Mr. Hill*] whom we find will be good witnesses, 

 we shall forbeare to prosecute for the present. The proofes we find very lame, 

 our busynes haveinge not been soe well prepared for us, as it might have bene; 

 wee shall be the more carefull and industrious to make up what is short. I 

 believe, that many of the prisoners will confesse, the indictments and referre 

 themselves to the mercye of his highnes. 



In a postcript he adds 



" Captain Collyer and his company that were sent down from you, are the most 

 considerable witnesses we have in this place, and elsewhere. 



Possibly Collyer was one of the two already mentioned as taken at 



South Mol ton. According to Major Ludlow and Mr. Huly (Hely) 1 



11 there was dabing and knavery in slubering over matters in examination 

 against gilty persons by Mr. Tucker a justis of the peace for Wilts, and by Mr. 

 Swanton the assize clarke. That many men were [not] brought to trial. 

 Those two justices [added Major Wansey] made it their worke to extenuate 

 offenders faults. Major Ludlow after the first day was left out, and not sent to, 

 to examine persons, which were in the great rebellion ; one Mr. Kitson,f and 

 his brother, both in the rising, the one in custody and brought not to trial at 

 all. His brother, as Major Ludlow said, came lately from beyond the seas into 

 this toune, as a secret agent. One of these brothers married Swanton Sisters' 

 daughter, the agent led. The sherife examined clivers brought in on high sus- 

 picion secretly in his chamber the dore being kept shut." 



Truly there were critics in those days. However Mr. Swanton 

 possessed the high esteem of the Attorney- General, 2 which no doubt 

 supported him. 



But to continue the narrative; the Attorney- General wrote of the 

 evidence : — 3 



" Collyer and Westfield (whome yow sent downe) have appeared before me 

 and been examined, and prove to be soe materiall witnesses, as we had been 

 lame without them ; and indeed I was necessitated to respite proceedings against 

 some of the prisoners, or else I could not have applyed this rebellious action 

 to the most active persons ; for though I could in generall prove there was a 

 rebellion, yet that such persons were actors in it, I could not have done it, but 



*3 Th., 8(i5. 



1 Mr. Thomas Bingham to Thurloe, April 14th, 105,5. 3 Th., 376. 



t He afterwards gave information as to Mr. Willougliby having rejoined the risers near Yeovil. 

 3 Th., 648. 



2 3 Th., 378. 3 Ibid, 371. 



