Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker, 1 August 1646

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Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker, 1 August (1646)
by Thomas Fairfax

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The city of Worcester was agreed to be surrendered to colonel Rainsborough, for the parliament, on 22 July see Articles of agreement for the surrender of the garrison of Worcester.

In consequence of the many complaints made of the ill conduct of Massey's forces, it was referred to the committee of the west to send them into Ireland, or disband them: the latter course was resolved on; but it was thought prudent that Fairfax and Ireton should draw near Massey’s quarters with two regiments of horse, while the order for their disbanding was being carried into effect. The disbanding was effected without disturbance, and with Fairfax's usual decision and promptitude. See Godwin's Hist. of the Commonwealth, b. ii. c. 5.

Source: Cary, Henry, ed. (1842), Memorials of the Great Civil War in England, from 1646 to 1652. Edited from original letters in the Bodleian Library ... by H. Cary, Henry Colburn, pp. 138–139.

2337227Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker, 1 August1646Thomas Fairfax

Mr Speaker

At the earnest desire of the committee and gentlemen of Worcestershire, that colonel T. Rainsborough might be governor of Worcester, and their recommendation of his discreet carriage in the taking in of that city; I thought good, both for the country's satisfaction and his encouragement, to give him the charge of it, and I do desire your approbation. I need not give you any arguments, to move you to it, seeing you have found him very faithful, valiant, and successful in many undertakings since you put him under my command. I shall take leave to put you again in mind of the reducement of major-general Massey's horse; which I do the rather, because they have made a most dishonourable breach upon the articles of Worcester, by plundering and violating those that marched out of that city, and yet the regiment appointed to that service I did always take (and still do) to be the best of the whole; but besides, I am advertised that those who are quartered west do commit great robberies and insolencies in those parts. The money assigned for the reducement of them, according to former order, I desire may be sent down with all speed, or that I may have liberty to pursue the said order of reducement without it: for truly, sir, I do judge the work so necessary to be done, and so much a relief to the people and counties where they come, that I shall cheerfully undertake it, when I receive your commands for it. I remain your humble servant,

T. FAIRFAX. Bath, Aug. 1, 1646.

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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