strikes at the Army, and what other aims it has, you will see by the contents of it; as also what is the prevailing temper at this present, and what is to be expected from men. But this is our comfort, God is in Heaven, and He doth what pleaseth Him; His and only His counsel shall stand, whatsoever the designs of men, and the fury of the people be.
We have now, I believe, almost[1] perfected all our business for Scotland. I believe Commissioners will speedily be sent down to see agreements performed: it’s intended that Major-General Skippon have authority and instructions from your Excellency to command the Northern Forces, as occasion shall be, and that he have a Commission of Martial Law. Truly I hope that the having the Major-General to command[2] this Party will appear to be a good thing, every day more and more.
Here has been a design to steal away the Duke of York from my Lord of Northumberland: one of his own servants, whom he preferred to wait on the Duke, is guilty of it; the Duke himself confessed so. I believe you will suddenly hear more of it.
I have no more to trouble you “with”; but praying for you, rest, your Excellency’s most humble servant,
Skippon, as is well known, carried up the cash, 200,000l., to Newcastle successfully, in a proper number of wagons; got it all counted there, ‘bags of 100l., chests of 1,000l.’ (5th-16th January 1646-7); after which the Scots marched peaceably away.
The little Duke of York, entertained in a pet-captive
- ↑ ‘almost’ is inserted with a caret.
- ↑ At this point, the bottom of the page being reached, Oliver takes to the broad margin, and writes the remainder there lengthwise, continuing till there is barely room for his signature, on the outmost verge of the sheet; which, as we remarked already, is a common practice with him in writing Letters:—he is always loath to turn the page;—having no blotting-paper at that epoch; having only sand to dry his ink with, and a natural indisposition to pause till he finish!
- ↑ Sloane MSS. 1519, fol. 78, p. 147.
