A LETTER From a Captain of the Army, To an Honourable Member OF PARLIAMENT.  
Dated at Tadcaster, January 2. 1659.  
LONDON, Printed by John Streater, and John Macock, Printers to the Parliament, 1659. Jan. 9   

A LETTER From a Captain of the Army, To an honourable Member of Parliament.  
Honoured Sir,  
YOu cannot but have heard how my mayor and all his Officers, Captain Wilkinson alone, and myself, and Cornet, all along since this late force put upon the Parliament, have opposed my Lord Lambert, and the rest in their Transactions, which was of no small advantage to General monk, and and encouragement to his Forces, as also to the discouragement of Lord Lamberts Forces, as he himself declared,( I may say with a sad heart, to us) and when he could not by any threats nor invitations draw us after him in this undertaking; he was pleased, contrary to our own and friends expectations, to leave us to our liberties; and he desired us not to think much with them to struggle for their lives. Many passages we had, too tedious to relate by Pen, the 16th of Decemb. the 17th I went to my Troop that lay at Easinton in bishopric, and found them free to follow me either to join with General monk, or as I see cause; I sent most of those that lived near me home, and my mayor did the like of his, which was in order indeed to have secured York, which with the assistance of other friends, 〈◇〉 had made a good progress in, and got home the 20th, and did appoint to meet my mayor, Captain Wilkinson, and some friends at Thirsk to consult, where we resolved to get what Forces together as we could, and appear in the Field, the friday following, being the 30 Decemb. I was to meet Colonel Bethel, Sir Francis Boynton, Sir Chomley, and some other Gentlemen at Malton( which we did) Colonel Bethel brought, and Sir Francis B●ynton brought about 100 Horse, Sir Henry Cholmley and ●is friends had 100 more, I had most of my Troop, with my Colours, and about 20 more of my Neighbours well appointed. I must not omit to let you know, that William Gower did appear with a party of about twenty Horse, which gave great offence to Colonel Bethel, and the most of the Gentlemen there; neither could I admit him, and declared I would oppose any such person, if they did appear with us; thereupon he withdrew himself. I met Richard Mounton with a Sword that day in Malton Market-place, where I disarmed him; I marched that night to Hemsley, Sir Henry Cholmley to his own house, Col. Bethel and his Company to Honingham, with intention to Randezvouz on Saturday on Bagbie Moore, where my mayor, Captain Wilkinson, and Captain Lilburn, was to meet us with what Forces they could make, but my Lord Lamberts Forces falling back in a strange confusion, some part of them into Yorkshire, my mayor was forced to come away that night with most of his own Troop, intending for Kirkbie Moorside, where by accident he met with my party that was sent to take up Quarters for me at Hemsley, and so stayed there, about six a clock comes Captain Lilburn with about fifty of his old Troop, and their Colours, which left their Officers in bed, unexpectedly to us about ten a clock at night, M. Smi●hson my Majors Brother, sent us intelligence that the Irish Brigade of Horse were in a staggering condition, and he thought would be willing to join with us: immediately thereupon we sent my Cornet with our Letter to them ●o invite them to so good a work, which they kindly accepted, and declared with us for this present Parliament, as it was August the 10th. We Randezvouzed on Saturday by day, at Earsley with about 450 Horse, and resolved, and did march that night to Knasebrough, where we met with my Lord Fairfax, Captain Wilkinson, and a party of about 120. the Duke of Buckingham was there, and some others, as Col. Branbin, which gave a great occasion of offence, not onely to us of the Army, and the Irish Brigade, who quartered that night at Wether●ie, but to honest Col. Bethel, Sir Francis Boynton, and many Gentlemen with us. We resolved yesterday morning by seven of the clock to rendezvous all our Forces on Hessam Moore, where we had a Gallant Body of Horse about 1800, who would not endure the Duke, nor any known Cavalier amongst us. The Duke went away in some trouble, that we would not admit him to venture his life with us, and all that was dear unto him for the same thing we declared for, and protested it his judgement to stand with this present Parliament.  
I  told him we did believe what he expressed, but withal  told him, though he intended good, yet he could not but be sensible that our honest Friends in the Army and Country would not believe it; and that it was the only means under Heaven to keep the Souldiers under the L. Lambert together if he did appear with us, or any Cavaliers, and that we were resolved to appear against any such, and in short forced him to withdraw ▪ Then we red our resolutions in the Head of every Troop, which is the same with the Irish Brigade, which was unanimously approved by the Souldiers and all our old Officers, as also Colonel Bethel, and Sir Francis Boynton, and many Gentlemen which were free to subscribe their Hands and Seals with us: My Lord Fairfax, Sir Henry Cholmley, Mr. Ardinton, and some others, professed they owned the same thing with us, and said my Lord would give the Parliament an Account of his Intentions with all speed, he doubted not but to our satisfaction. We then marched forthwith before York, and went close to the Gates, and had conference with the Officers and Souldiers, but before we sent Mr. John alured with a trumpeter to the Lord Mayor to demand York for the Parliaments use, which the Guards would not admit, but at the last by Parley with my Colonel, the Irish Brigade and my mayor with his Troop was admitted, but mine and Captain Lilburn's would not be suffered to go in; so we with all the parties belonging to the several Gentlemen fell into the Villages to quarter. I hear the Lord Lambert for certain is in York, and all his Forces are dispersed. I think all our Country parties will disperse to their several Houses this day. My Lord Fairfax went not into York, It is a great and never to be forgotten mercy, that this Army under the Lord Lambert should without blood be brought again to the obedience of the Parliament, who I doubt not but will be merciful above Justice, to the greatest offenders, I mean as to taking of life; I had forgot to tell you, that on saturday we had intelligence that three of Colonels Hackers Troop was marching towards Burough Bridge, which we endeavoured to meet with, and did; they  told us they were marching towards Notinghamshire, and was for the Parliament, but being commanded by Captain wall, who hath been a Cavalier, and an evil and active Instrument in this evil Undertaking, made us a little more strict with them; at the the last they engaged they would stand by this Parliament against all opposers: and we did believe the Souldiers, but was a little jealous of wall, with whom I hope you will take course to quit the Army of. Sir, I am tedious, and in hast pardon this scribbling of  
Your faithful Servant. Tadcaster, janu. 2 1659.  
SIR,  
I am just now informed that the Lord Lambert is not come to York, but expected there this night onely with a Reformadoe Troop. I am sent for by my mayor to go to York, and when we have settled our affairs there, I think one of us will come up to London I have about twenty men more then my Troop, who amongst the rest that hath freely appeared for you, which I desire may be cared for: Pray Sir, get me an Order, if you think fit, that they may be continued in my Troop, until they can be placed in the Regiment, for we have too many that pretend good.   
FINIS.