TO MY VERY LOVING FRIEND ROBERT BARNARD ESQUIRE: PRESENT THESE
Sir,—I have received two Letters, one from my Lord of Manchester, the other from yourself; much to the same effect: I hope therefore one answer will serve them both.
Which is in short this: That we know you are disaffected to the Parliament;—and truly if the Lords, or any Friends, may take you off from a reasonable Contribution, for my part T should be glad to be commanded to any other employment. Sir, you may, if you will, “come freely into the country about your occasions.” For my part, I have protected you in your absence; and shall do so to you.
This is all,—but that I am ready to serve you, and rest, your loving friend, OLIVER CROMWELL.[1]
Let Barnard return, therefore; take a lower level, where the ways are more sheltered in stormy weather;—and so save himself, and ‘become Recorder after the Restoration.’ Subtlety may deceive him; integrity never will!—
Cromwell, we find, makes haste to deal with these ‘Camdeners.’ His next achievement is the raising of their Siege of Croyland (in the end of April, exact date not discoverable); concerning which there are large details in loudspoken Vicars:[2] How the reverend godly Mr. Ram and godly
