THE country COMMITTEES LAID OPEN.  
Wherein is Discovered Their Private ways of getting great store of Treasure to themselves, to the Impoverishing of the commonwealth.  
Sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of quality, to an Officer of the Army, desiring redress.  
Published for the good of the kingdom in general.  
Printed. Anno Dom. 1649.   

THE Country Committees LAID OPEN.  
Honoured SIR:  
ACcording to your desires and the duty of an honest man, I have endeavoured to search and find out the corruptions of the Grandees and trusties in those parts which have tended to the great blemish and prejudice of the Integrity of the Parliament and Armies proceedings, and to the great oppression of the poor people. Sr. I formerly gave you intimation in general, the desired particular whereof I deferred till this time, as well for that the greater affairs of the kingdom being then in hand, and I know your leisure would not yet admit to present them seasonably to the council of the Army, as also longer time was advantageous unto me, that I might present unto you a perfect and faithful account, since now the stumbling block is removed the people's fears will be soonest secured, and their love most entirely united unto us, when they see justice run with so clear a current on our parts, that their aggrievances shall be questioned and righted against such (though once trusted, as Committees or in what Authority soever) who have acted their own wills and arbitrary Government upon the people, for their own private ends. Sr. I acquainted you formerly with the Names of the Committees in the several Divisions in Yorkshire; what I writ then concerning Sir Henry Cholmley, his actions since have rendered sufficient proof.  
For the West-riding i find these men predominant, Sir Robert Barwick, Sir Edward Roades, Mr. Stockdale, and Mr. ●arrer. The first a mutable man, and to the judgement of all honest men a mere-time-server, upon every overture changeable in his Principles, which troubles the well-affected that such an one should be chairman in their Committee; he being a Lawyer, the place is serviceable to him to make any business he will (if beforehand he receive a liking Fee) go well by his opinion. For the second Sir Edward Roades, when he was made governor of Cawood Castle under Hotham, he was always subservant to his self-end▪ & by Plunder to the dishonour of our cause it being the original example to others, and the first occasion of Scandal the enemy everhad, to cast dirt upon our undertakings; Besides this way, to enrich himself he became Farmer of Delinquents estates (contrary to the Ordinance of Parliament, that no Committee man should farm Sequestrations at low rates, to the great loss of the public. Now in this late war, his associates in the Committee of the Militia appointed him colonel (as indeed they preferred none to chief Commands but their own members, the better to command their own Army (they terming it so) to fight the independent, if the Scots had been in a way successful; by which trust he raised horse and money at pleasure without limitation, having a Major biased for his purpose, and have got clear into their purses without fighting one stroke 3000. l.  
For the third, Mr. Stockdale a person of a boundless avarice (though a Parliament man) drives on an interest for his own benefit with the Committee, for there is profit hoped for without acaount, he hath much enriched himself as Treasurer a war, yet besides all this he hath received repair for his losses to a much greater value than ever he sustained, very undeserving of such respects; for since the time of trial, his Faith could not support his Courage, but sought for security by shaking hands with Cavaliers, and getting his goods by them protected, yet upon pretence as his wife's Act, who gave forth she had procured a Protection from Langdale. judge by this how the good cause of the kingdom was discountenanced by him, who should have been one of the chief Ascertors.  
For the fourth, Mr. Farrer one who is no less than the former aiming at his private interest, hath turned his House into the Committee Chamber, making his place like a trade of benefit, pity he hath any employment of trust, for it is well known his readiness to comply with the enemy in the beginning of the last War, informing daily the other party what passed at their board, and so zealous for the Scots, that he opposed the reprinting of the Ministers of Scotland Remoustrance to their Parliament, which was thought a most necessary thing by the well affected for the satisfaction of the County, that it might more plain appear, we had a party in Scotland notwithstanding their threatning Army, it is evident what we might have expected from them (if they had reached an Opportunity) the major part of the Militia adhering.  
For the North-riding, Sir Henry Cholmley, Mr. Henry Darley, Mt. John Wastell, Mr. Ralph R●mer. For the first, his ways & actions are known unto you already, and so I leave him to be buried in the ruins of his own disgraces. For the second, by his power in Sequestration and privilege as a Parliament man, he hath well stopped his Creditors mouths, and offers for the present 15000. l. for a Purchase; if this were well examined no doubt it will appear, he hath been very ingenious for himself in the North, and no less at Goldsmiths-Hall, by his readiness to serve Delinquents. His trade at Goldsmiths-Hall▪ and Haberdashers-hall, and at Committees in the North will witness his gains, and many frauds he used; having by several Orders from himself only, taken upon him the whole power of the aforesaid Committees. But his practices with Sir Hugh Cholmley, whose Prisoner he was, though released by Contract between themselves; Sir Hugh giving him 200. l. in Gold and four Horses, which Mr. Darley (most lovingly) shortly after requites; procuring a Cessation for Sir Hugh in Harvest-time, which he made good use of; for he victuals the Castle with all Provisions of beef and Pork carried 300 load of corn and Hay from the next adjacent Villages into the Castle. He kept ever after Iutell●gence by Character with Sir Hugh; and when the Castle came to be distressed by sickness and scurvy, he gave a warrant to John Goures wife to go into the Castle with as much Medicaments as was more then enough to have cured all the diseases in the Castle, but was hindered by the than Besiegers. He hath procured 5000. l. for his Fathers and his sufferings, though both of them before these late times was scarce worth so much; he is a great Enemy to the Army, and never sent in or appeared at the last Assizes at York; notwithstanding he is continued a Trustee for the State.  
For Mr. John Wastell a man armed Cap-a-pee, a colonel, a Parliament man, a Committee man, a Lawyer, a justice of Peace, a favourite of all sides, plausible to all whom he can deceive or make use of by insinuation, none can be more properly called a Nuter, or rather a dangerous Actor on all sides; for it is well known his compliance with all Interests (viz.) the King's party, for there a Composition was paid for him to the Lord of Newcastle, and came down to Hull to complete his peace; but that the Siege then and the success thereof prevented his former progress. And for the Scots party, his assurings and affections are plainly visible, he giving them Protections since our victory. His ways to our own parties appear zealous, but it is time to be cautious of a man of such sinister dealings; No man yet hath been so bold or watchful to protect Papists and other Delinquents, notorious in so high a manner nor so open handed for gratuities, that ever I heard of, but only himself; For being guarded with thus much power he ensures all his Actions unquestionable; As colonel he enslaves the country as having imposed taxes beyond all measure of former precedents the last raising of his Regiment, having cost the country 5000. l. (and yet himself never in any Service.) As Parliament man, he seldom appears, for his gainful trade is in the country; As Committee-man, Lawyer, and justice, what he pleaseth to conclude, is law.  
He made his Brother, and Brother in law Westall and Wadnell, Sequestrators (though they were then beggars) both which have enriched themselves to Thousands, he got the Lead Mines at Marryke into his hands, worth clearly in Rent 1500. l. per annum, which he paid little or nothing for. (Whosoever is the Miller he will be his Dog;) he is a person dangerous to the State, hath got much by the aforesaid ways, which hath much increased his Estate, and one if further trusted will most assuredly betray the commonwealth.  
For Mr. Rymer, he is Treasurer for that Riding, though his credit could not secure before these times 20. l. being indeed (as I am informed) worse than nothing, And the Country accounted it a Paradox, that a beggar should become a Treasurer; yet notwithstanding his inconsiderableness, he is one of the chief of the Committee, and of himself represents the whole by divers Orders (He makes of his own accord,) with the clerks hand to it, carries the authority of an Order (as they two compact); make use to impose, grant, receive, or remit what they please; the like unlimited proceedings are now paralleled (as they say) in any Committee. Lately made a Justice of Peace, though before so inconsiderable, that he had not one foot of Land anywhere, except lately bought with the state's money; His Landlord Sir Edward Osborne would have declared of this Gent: abilities, by what he was in arrear to him in rent, but whatsoever he was then, he hath thousands now.  
For the East-riding▪ there is Mr. Thorpe the Lawyer, Mr. Christopher Ledgert, Mr. Richard Darley, with his youngest Brother; in those parts my stay was not long▪ but at Hull I met with a Charge which was proved and sworn before Sir Matthew Boynton and divers others, then in power to act for the Parliament, which renders him disaffected; It consists of many Articles, material enough to forfeit the honour lately conferred upon him, and make him as grand a Delinquent as any whosoever; No marvel that Committees are so cried forth on (though very useful in their kind) so long as Vipers are nourished in their bosom.  
For Mr. Ledgers, his actings have not been great at their board, by reason of his martial employments, being a Militia colonel, chosen as a fit servant for them. He hath obtained 5000. l. for his arrears, though he never did ten groats worth of service, he was cashiered before upon jealousy of the confederacy with Hotham; he is much against the Army, but he is one can do little hurt; For his valour, or credit, caries little commendations in his country. Those that procured him the 5000. l. made him late colonel, the Forces raised by him was to put him into a condition to make good terms; for his Patrons the Darleys, Anlibyes, and Thorp; In case Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell had been overthrown; then it would have appeared whom he would have fought for; it were well if these things were timely looked unto; For there were more Birds of that County, that wore the same feathers, which would all have flown together, if any disaster had happened to the Army.  
For the two last, I think both Tradesmen (if not broke) their Interest in their Country is not much more than the air they were borne in; They have by-friends got to be of the Committee; Mr. Richard was made Treasurer, but since he became a Member of the House, being for want of constant Residence uncapable of the place; yet loath to part with so sweet a profit, obtained for a Kinsman to be his Substitute; But the younger Gentleman being none of the Committee, and therefore not generally resented, by all means he pulls in his Brother (one would think as by entail) unto him and his Kindred for ever. It's easily discerned, there is more in it then a direct benefit, when Treasurers was never yet called to an account (their continuance in their Counting tribble have been so long.) Besides he is much suspected, being both needy and crafty; Little rumoured yet, concerning the carriage of the other, having but lately crept into the service. A notable Artist, his original was a cracked Draper▪ he seemingly acted for the Parliament, his wife, for the Earl of Newcastle, with whom she ever held intelligence. At the rendition of York he got employment, broke all Articles, seized trunks, rifled Houses, cut down Woods▪ got to be Treasurer, converted the best things to be found for his own use, got great sums into his own hands of the publics, and to shroud himself from accounts, and from his Debts which he was very able to pay out of the commonwealth's money, and to keep Thousands; he combined with one Blackwell another Associate, to choose him burgess of New-Malton (it being the clear right of Old-Malton to elect) though now decayed; Old-Malton having the mother Church and Priory belonging to it. Neither hath there been any burgess served in Parliament this 350 years for Malton before this present Parliament, which was 200 years before any of New-Malton was builded. All his other endeavours since have tended to get moneys, cheat the commonwealth; and how he behaved himself at the King's trial (being in town all the time, and a Member of it) is very notorious.  
Thus according to my Intelligence, i have presented unto you the cries of the Country, which I am confident, are not so loud as they would be, being timorous to be liberal with such Tax-masters, until they may receive some encouragement from justice to examine the Complaints.  
The relation of the County of Somersetshire Petition, to discover corrupt men in Authority, (having had so favourable acceptance) persuades their mention in some like way▪ These being communicated to the general council of the Army, no doubt but some redress will be by their means, afforded; until then, honest men will be unwilling to act in Committees; by reason of that Ignominy and reproach, is cast upon them for these men's sakes; So▪ none but these who are necessitated to beg employments, are willing to attend the service.  
From the Leaguer my Orders were for Lancashire, where I must make some stay, having some business of this nature; from thence I shall make return, unless otherwise, ordered to Lnodon where I long to be, for the happiness of yours and the rest of my Comrades society; hoping that God will give you all wisdom to carry things righteously, aiming at the great end the glory of God, in all your undertakings.  
FINIS.