A PLAIN DISCOVERY HOW THE Enemy and Popish Faction in the North upholds their Interest now under the Power and Authority of the Parliament and Army, Set forth in a Letter from a Northern SOLDIER.  
Published by john Musgrave, an eminent sufferer under the Earl of Strafford, the Prelates, the Common Enemy, and the Commissioners of Array in CUMBERLAND.  
Pulcrum est pro patria mori.  
June 21 Printed in the Year, 1649.   

To the READER.  
NOt longer since then yesterday, being in company with Colonel Briggs, discoursing of the affairs and state of our Country, he much complained of the malignancy and averseness of the Committees, and Justices of Cumberland and Westmoreland, and how, besides himself, there was not a Justice of Peace in Westmoreland, but such as acted for, and carried on the enemy's designs, the new Justices there assigned, refusing to take the Oath of a Justice of Peace, and that some of the Committee of Cumberland, who joined with, and largely contributed to the enemy in the last war, are the leading and powerful men in that Committee, and how Mr. Howard of Naworth raised a troop, and acted for Hambleton, yet by the connivance of that Committee he still keeps up that troop, which do of the Committees there, and their indulgence of Delinquents, and Malignants, made the Colonel, as he said, weary and disheartened longer to continue in those quarters, all which corresponding with the following letter from my Northern friend, and now a soldier there, not knowing otherwise how to communicate the same to the Parliament and Council of State for the reasons in my Answer to that letter, I have made bold to commit the same to the Press, not doubting a favourable acceptance thereof, having no other end or aim, than the good and peace of my Country, under the present Authothorities, for which, and their prosperity, I shall ever pray, and do remain,  
London, 16th. 6th. Month called June, 1649. Thy friend as thou loves this Commonwealth, Jo. Musgrave.   

Anccient Friend,  
MEeting with strange Occurrences in the Journal, called The Perfect Occurrences, in a Letter from the North, I being that Country man, and well knowing the matter whereon that Letter treats, have taken upon me to write something unto you in behalf of that great service done upon our borders, and in vindication of Capt. Crakenthorpe, who is aimed at for to be aspersed for not receiving Arthur Foster for Lieutenant; In the Letter there is a high public spirit put upon Mr. Howard of Naworth, who, as is said, spared no pains for his Country's service, the way is meant by his Troop, in suppressing Moss-Troopers; the end why he is so set forth, is that some way may be found out to put some Horse under his Command. I see if the public spirits prevail, we will all turn public spirited, Latet anguis in herba; 'tis true that Mr. Howard hath had a troop of horse all this last Winter under his Command, which was thus set on foot: Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and the Scots Army being in the North the last year, most of the Gentry joined with them, amongst whom Mr. Howard was not backward, for in Gilsland he called three Musters, viz. On Thursday the 10th. of August, Monday the 14th. and Wednesday the 16th. of August, 1648. the day before Preston battle, so raised one troop for the Prince his service, whom he gave out was to meet at Barwick, but having news that they had lost the battle at Preston, Mr. Howard being at a loss himself, thought it best to convert his troop to the taking of border thiefs, called Moss Troopers, and though he did little service, yet found he it a good gloss for his actions, and it took so well, that when we returned, and God had subdued the Enemy, he got the favour as to continue his troop, and having passed well thus far, he looks a little further to make Arthur Foster, who should have been his Lieutenant, Lieutenant to Capt. Crakenthrope, and so make two troops; but the Captain soon perceiving the mystery, was unwilling to entertain Foster for Lieutenant, giving these reasons, for that the said Foster was a Capt. for the King in the first war against the Parliament: secondly, that he was in arms in the Garrison of Carlisle, in the second war against the Parliament, thirdly, that the said Foster had never served the Parliament: fourthly, that he had been arraigned for murder, but it being pretended, that he was a fit man for to serve against Moss Troopers, he answered, that Foster lived amongst that pack, and who so knows that place, knows that none living there durst oppose the Moss Troopers, that was any way notable, and that he was Sir Rich. graham's man & must do neither more nor less than he will have him; now you know all the Moss Troopers, are either Sir Rich. graham's, Sir Edward Musgraves, or Mr. howard's Tenants, and our Northern and Scots Lords jump in one policy to make to themselves great revenues of barren grounds, the Moss Troopers pay to Sir Richard Graham one thousend pound per annum, and above, and to Mr Howard no less, and to Sir Edward Musgrave a good revenue: now the Inhabitants of barren grounds to pay such rents, what they cannot by their labours, they make up by Moss trooping; under this consideration it hath been anciently thought fit, that the Landlords in those parts should make good the Tenant's theft to the owner and certainly if this were put in practice, we should nothear much of Moss troopers; for thus it is carried, a young thief being entered to a tenement, for which he is to pay fine, may steal without control but his theft is Registered by his Landlord, and if he fall under his displeasure, he is apprehended, and hanged at his Lords will, or if he hath been a thief in his youth, and grown rich by his craft, though for twenty years he stole not then will his Landlord pick a quarrel at him, and for old done deeds hang him, and take his lands and goods; to take such manner of thiefs was Arthur Foster employed, but not to meddle further, without his Lord's Order: one of Capt. Crakanthorpes troop being upon that service with Mr. Howard, asked him what they were going to do, Mr. Howard answered, to take Moss troopers, well said the trooper, there is one of the greatest now riding by you (which was Sandy Kinman) upon which Mr. Howard called Kinman, and told him what the trooper said, who answered, away Sir, away, misken him: In that it's said Capt. Crakanthrops troop marched unto Scotland, where he had, etc. this is altogeter false, or that they took any Moss troopers by way of defeat, I love no vain boasting, I am of that troop, neither did ever Foster take any but a few poor sneak's out of their own houses, such as I tell you have fallen under their Landlord's displeasure, one of which told Foster it was not long since he rid himself, and when the soldiers would have taken Arms as they found them in the houses of the Moss troopers and their friends, Foster would not suffer them; but Captain Crakanthrops hath displaced Foster, and so that service so well begun will fall. Truly Sir that Capt. is in the eye of a company of Delinquents, and Semy-Parliamentiers, who pretend for the Parliament and Country, but intent the ruin of both, had they but such as Mr. Howard, or other of their creatures in places and power, and the Captain outed, all were their own; that Captain hath suffered more for the Parliament then any there, and stood closer to the Country than they all, he was imprisoned near three whole years, had his prison changed ten several times, laid in irons, coupled with now some of his troopers for the Parliament, and the more to torment him, put amongst whores, and murderers of their own children; he and other fourteen imprisoned within the compass of fourteen foot long, and nine broad, and with his own hands he was forced to cast out his own excrements for many days together, yet was not these, nor many more cruelties able to alter the said Captains affection to the Parliament: but while thus in prison, he weekly gave Intelligence to the State of Scotland, of the enemies do which cost him no small moneys to obtain, devised a secret Character, which he directed you then to read and write, by which were imparted (as you know) matters of high concernment for the good of both States; they asperse him that he is no soldier, because forsooth thus kept in the first war, which is so false, that all that well know him know the contrary, he was a Captain before these wars began; and though not in the first, yet in the second war ferved, where he behaved himself so, that his adversaries, amongst whom he marched could never lay any aspersion upon him, but on the contrary have in that way highly commended him, he never showing the least fear or disorder, but did so order his troop, that by his means and council, God made him instrumental to save the rest, as at several places I could name, and for his deportment in the Country, set aside some of the Committee that are Malignants, and have acted in the Commission of Array, there is not a man hath that impudence as to speak evil of him at this day; for the ease of the Country he hath devised a way to take off freequarter for his troop, borrowing of the Committee so much money as doth only give the soldier 18. pence a day, which he is engaged to repay to a penny what he hath borrowed out of his pay, when he shall receive the same from the Parliament, and doth at present quarter his Troop, the Horse altogether, over which he sets a guard, and the men within a mile or two of their horse; that upon any occasion, are able within two hours, to march upon any Order, the ground partly his own, and others taken for that purpose by him; and doth with the money borrowed, maintain twenty poor Families, not able to subsist of themselves. Truly that Captain doth endeavour himself, & makes it his study, to do good to all, nourishing the Lord's people, having a Congregation of godly men in his Troop; such as fear the Lord, will not suffer them to do violence to ary, but makes them content with their wages, nay, without wages; yet notwithstanding all this, and that none is able to lay any thing to his charge: And though the Lord General at the instance of that honourable person, the Lieutenant General, gave him a Commission to be in the establishment of the Army, yet by the malignancy of some of the Committee, as Sir Wilfrid Lawson, who hath acted in the Commission of Array, entered into association against the Parliament, sworn the oath to the Earl of Newcastle, raised forces for the King, all which, and much more as fully be proved against him; by whose means, the said Captain is sought to be reduced, and an order obtained to refer it to him, and some other of his stamp to make choice of another; but I fear not, but my Lord General, the Lieutenant General, and the honourable Sir Arthur Haslerig, will prevent the designs of these men, and not suffer a poor Country to be spoiled by such as are strangers; for it's not to be thought that that Country having but one man that hath any estate there, who hath served so faithfully, as the said Captain, that he shall be reduced without any charge, and such as are rather Soldiers of Fortune, and strangers, have command. It's fit, I say, for the Moss Troopers service, which for want of Foster, it's said will fall. The said Captain hath a Lieutenant, one Lieutenant Dowson, who was known to be a man of such parts, and so well experienced in that way, that all that know that Country know, that there is not a fit Soldier in all England for that service; a man of much approved gallantry, and more worth than ten Fosters. And I dare say, if the Captain had but order to subdue that pack of thiefs, that it would soon be done; which service, he is so far from letting fall, as that he intends to make suit, that he may do service against the Moss-Troopers.  
Thus loving friend, you see, as was our sufferings of old, by the enemies of God, and the Country; even so it is at this day, only a new way, and a new device set on foot to ruin good men; for all the good, and faithful men in these parts, are struck at in Captain Crakenthorp; but the Lord that hath carried us out in many troubles, will not leave us now; into whose hands we render up ourselves, and rest upon him.  
Your ancient, and loving Friend, T. G. Catterlen. 7. of June.  
WE think it fit that 205 l. be collected through this County in general, for one month; which the High Constables are to pay over to Captain Crakenthorp, he having engaged to repay the same to us for the County, upon the receipt of the said money.  
Given under our hands at Penrith, this 25. of May. 1649. 

John Barwis, Vic. Com.  
Wilfrid Lawson.  
Thomas Chomley.  
Miles Hatton.     

SIR,  
SInce I received this Letter, Captain Crakenthorp hath been here at London, and made the difference between him, and Major Sk●if, known to the General, and Lieutenant General, who both of them were so free from partiality, or wronging the Gentleman, as upon right understanding the case, his Excellency writ presently to Sir Arthur Haslerig, not to suffer any further proceed against the Captain, in prejudice to his Commission. I doubt not, but Sir Arthur Haslerig will for the future, so provide for the protection, and indemnity of honest men, as not upon the underhand Information, or other false suggestion of their adversaries, though Committee-men, displace, or discountenance friends: As for the Lieutenant General, though a stranger to us, he hath done more for us, than all that sit in Parliament, for our poor Country; not long since, he sent 100 l. to the poor of Westmoreland, by the hand of Captain Crakanthorp, and hath been ready to give us his assistance for freeing us of the pressures we still lie under, for not coming to the Common-prayer Book, upon the penalties of the Statute made 35. Eliz. yet unrepealed; while the Lord Howard, (Mr. howard's father in law, having lately married his daughter to him) Burgess of Carlisle, and others, as have the honour to sit in Parliament for Cumberland, are regardless of our sufferings; and to this day, never procured relief, or reparation for any of us that suffered there, under the enemy, for the Parliaments Cause; so as unless the Lieutenant General, the Speaker, or some other gallant man of the House, Commiserate our sufferings, and present our condition to the Parliament, I am without hopes, ever to get access unto Justice, either for myself, or my suffering-friends; for whom, I have here attended at the Parliament door, more than two years; yet be not discouraged, nor cast down. I hope, though our own Countrymen neglect us, strangers will pity us.  
Farewell, John Musgrave. London, 15. sixth month, called June. 1649.  
FINIS.   

 portrait of Charles I