A LETTER FROM Maj. General Massey TO AN HONOURABLE PERSON IN LONDON.  
LONDON: Printed for Thomas Bateman, 1659.   

A LETTER from Major General Massey to an Honourable Person in London.  
Noble Sir!  
I Will dispense a while with my tedious Privacy and Retirement, which the Violence and Injustice of a Juncto and their Myrmidon Oliver enforced me to, and breathe a little free English air in the Contents of this Paper: withal to give you to understand, that I do yet, by God's goodness, survive the implacable malice of mine Enemies, and have a life devoted, and to sacrifice to my country's Happiness and Honour. And this not out of Ostentation, or any Presumption of my Interest, (for I could wish there was no such factious English word) which is no more than the bounden duty of every good Subject, in promoting by all lawful means and endeavours, the Peace and Prosperity of the Kingdom: but that these difficult times do require a Review and copy of the former and past Transactions of the State; wherein no man will deny I have had in both Fortunes my extraordinary share.  
Sir, I need not make this Defence to you for this trouble (for you have been weaned to greater) the universal cry of the Nation is yet resounding in your ears, and you have still but the Rudiments, the Introduction to their future Importunities; the People being so wary and weary of all Counsels tending to the prolongation of their Distractions, that they will make unjust Judges by their reiterated and urged Demands willing to comply. And while I think on that general Desire of the three Kingdoms, I cannot restrain myself, but bring what I can to its conducement, and shall therefore liberally decipher to you my thoughts, and discover myself in this portraiture of my mind.  
Towards the expiration of my Command and Government of the City of Gloucester, (a place famed for its Fidelity to the Parliament) I found their animosity against the King's party so slaked, before the War was near extinct, that I could not but examine myself; in which scrutiny I saw the raked sparks of loyalty necessarily flying upward, and surmounting the clouds of malcontent and envious exhalation. Afterwards in my public Trust (as being a Member of this now-sitting Parliament) I perceived such a relenting, such compassionate considerations, of that hitherto unaccountable expense of blood, such moderate and equal ways to a Settlement, that it was most plainly apparent, as Vox Populi is Vox Dei, that without the establishment of our ancient Government, there could be neither Peace nor Order. And now since to this time, we have seen such a deluge of confusion, one oppression ushering in another, one Power crushing and crushed by the other, all of us made Brethren by Calamity, as by another first Nature: What else can be added to our misery, but that we are resolved and content to be miserable?  
And this being the true state of our case, being alarum'd on all sides from abroad, awakened from our brainsick Dreams at home, having nothing to fear within us, no danger if we be honest from without, why do we boggle at our Peace; What's the remora to our Safety? a few inconsiderable Anabaptists must have the Reputation here which they had not at Munster, to be able to obstruct our happiness. Certainly never any soldier dreaded them, for they will make as Schismatical Armies as Congregations, and be as many divisions as Conventicles. Why then do we not proceed directly to a Settlement? I take that for no politic maxim, The farthest way about the nearest way home, for what Lynceus eyes can spy any danger obviating such a course? What need have we of the Fabian Cunctation? What potent Enemy is at door, except you reckon my Lord Lambert? Believe me, all delays are dangerous, and our wounds rankle, and what folly is it when we may be cured gratis, afterwards to pay the chirurgeon his own Demands?  
We are lost in a Wood, let's make all speed to get out; we are nonplussed and baffled at our own Argument, 'twill be no disingenuous fallacy [Petitio Principii] and beg the Question; which an honest Subject, though a bad Scholar, may English [Petition the Prince.]  
I have made this Essay, no way doubting but that it is the only Consult of the Parliament, and their sole Business of Concernment: To which purpose I am not so remote, but if the left shadow of disturbance should appear, I am ready at all points to do my Devoir. Sir, I kiss your Hands, and remain,  
Your most faithful Servant, WILLIAM MASSEY. Febr. 25.  
FINIS.