Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Speaker, 1 August 1646

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.