the Eastern Association and all friends to aid us; and stormin upon Oxford itself? It may perhaps quicken the negotiations there!—
This Design came to nothing, and soon sank into total obscurity again. But it seems Colonel Hampden did entertain such a Design, and even take some steps in it. And this Letter of Oliver’s, coupled with the Entries in the Commons Journals, is perhaps the most authentic proof we yet have of that fact; an interesting fact, which has rested hitherto on the vague testimony of Clarendon,[1] who seems to think the Design might have succeeded. But it came to nothing; Colonel Hampden could not rouse the Lord General to do more than ‘write at three in the morning,’ and send ‘special commands,’ for the present.
And now here is a new horde of ‘Plunderers’ threatening the Association with new infall from the North. The old Newspapers call them ‘Camdeners’; followers of a certain Noel, Viscount Camden, from Rutlandshire; who has seized Stamford, is driving cattle at a great rate, and fast threatening to become important in those quarters.—‘Sir John Burgoyne’ is the Burgoyne of Potton in Bedfordshire, chief Committee-man in that County: Bedford is not in our Association; but will perhaps lend us help in this common peril.
“TO MY HONOURED FRIEND SIR JOHN BURGOYNE, BARONET: THESE”
Sir,—These Plunderers draw near. I think it will do well if you can afford us any assistance of Dragooners, to help in this great Exigence. We have here about Six or Seven
- ↑ History of the Rebellion (Oxford, 1819), ii. 319; see also May’s Long Parliament (Maseres’s edition, London, 1812), p. 192.
