THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 295 
regiment. There was another order for money in May; and in 
October it was reported that Plymouth, though beleaguered, was in 
no want. Yet the straits of the Committee had been so severe, 
that in the early part of the year they had had to borrow three 
several times from their friends,* and even then were only able to 
pay some.of their debts in coals at the rate of £1 a quarter. 
Autumn, however, found the townsfolk not only in good circum- 
stances, but in good spirits. They felt secure themselves, and were 
cheered by the tidings of success elsewhere. To the bearer of the 
tidings of the great victory at Naseby they gave a silver tankard, 
thus recorded : ‘‘ Paid Johane Chandler widdow for a silver tankard 
weighing 12 ounces given a gentleman y* brought the intelligence 
of y° defeateinge y° King’s army by Sir Thomas Fairefaxe £3 9.” 
In September Sir John Berkeley was succeeded by General 
Digby ; and in the following month Col. Welden, who had been 
engaged with Fairfax at the siege of Bristol, and had at one time 
conducted the defence of Taunton, was appointed governor of 
Plymouth. It does not appear as if the appointment took im- 
mediate effect ; for Kerr continued in command until the following 
Janugry. Digby was not more active than his predecessors, and 
confined himself to the blockade until December. He then did 
make an effort to take the town. But it was by treachery. White- 
lock states t that the agent was hanged by martial law. This can 
hardly have been the case, unless Digby tried twice. The only 
attempt of which we have any information is that recounted in the 
following correspondence between Digby and Kerr :} 
Sir,—I am troubled to understand, that through the ingratitude of those 
you serve you are likely to be rewarded with the dishonour of having a 
person of much inferior merit put over your head, an injury insupportable 
to any man of spirit, and which may offer you a justifiable occasion of doing 
a very eminent service to your Native King and Country ; and which if you 
will embrace to deliver up the Town with the works of Plimouth, I shall 
engage myself on my honour and the faith of a gentleman, you shall be 
rewarded with ten thousand pounds, and have the command if you please of 
a Regiment of 500 Horse, with what honour yourself can desire. Sir, be 
not scrupulous in taking the advice of an enemy that desires heartily on 
these terms to become your true friend and faithful servant, 
For Col. Ker, Governor of Plimouth. Jo. Dicsy. 
30 Decem. 
* Vide Appendix. + Page 191. 
t SanpErson’s “ History of the Life of King Charles,’ pp. 839 40. 
u 2 
