Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/427

Rh ''yet I hope you will judge it good thrift; especially if you consider that this place hath cost the Kingdom some hundred-thousands of pounds already. And for aught I know, it may cost you one more, if it be trifled withal ; besides the dishonour of it, and what other danger may be emergent, by its being in such hands. It’s true, here are some two or three great guns in Hull, and hereabouts; but they are unserviceable: and your Garrisons in Yorkshire are very much unsupplied at this time.''

''I have not as yet drawn any of our Foot to this place; only I make use of Colonel Faixfax’s and Colonel Malevrier’s Foot regiments; and keep the rest of the guards with the Horse;—purposing to bring-on some of our Foot tomorrow. The rest,—these parts being not well able to bear them,—are a little dispersed in Lincoln and Nottingham Shires, for some refreshment; which after so much duty they need, and a little expect.''

And indeed I would not satisfy myself nor my duty to you and them, To put the poor men, at this season of the year, to lie in the field: before we be furnished with shoes, stockings and clothes, for them to cover their nakedness,—which we hear are in preparation, and would be speeded:—and until we have deal-boards to make them courts-of-guard, and tools to cast-up works to secure them.

These things I have humbly represented to you; and waiting For your resolution and command, I rest, your most humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.

Due Orders of the House in consequence, dated Saturday 18th November, can be read in the same old Pamphlet; —most prompt Orders, giving if not ‘Five-hundred Barrels of powder,’ yet ‘Two-hundred-and-fifty’; a middle term, or compliance halfway, which perhaps is as much as one could