A CRY of BLOOD OF AN INNOCENT ABEL Against Two BLOODY cain's BEING A Discovery of two Cavalier and Malignant Brother's Conspiracy against another Brother of the Parliament Party.  
AND A short Relation of Justices of the Peace in Cumberland their Illegal Proceed against the Parliaments FRIENDS.  
WITH A Complaint of some Corruptions and Delays in Law and Chancery Proceed.  
LONDON: Printed 1654.   

To the Honourable Major General Lambert, one of His Highness' Council.  
AFter so many various changes and alterations we seem to have at length brought our weather beaten ship, almost overwhelmed with blustering storms, and tossed to and fro with the raging waves of an angry sea, safe, in a fair calm, into the long desired and expected port of Peace and security. But now the implacable Adversary, what he could not effect by the sword of War, now endeavoureth by fraud and treachery to recover, as the many desperate Plots and Conspiracies, before, and now of late discovered, do clearly evidence. And the enemy is no wise more animated to compass his design, then by making divisions and breaches amongst ourselves; like the guileful Greeks, who being hopeless after ten years long war, to become Masters of famous Troy, otherwise then by a wile, bringing into the Town the fatal Horse, in whose bulk the enemy lay hid; by which stratagem and devise, Troy's glory and pride were in one night turned into ashes, while the enemies within the Walls were not to be discerned from friends, and friends taken for enemies. We are much in the same condition; our enemies in the bowels of the Trojan Horse are brought by ourselves within our strongest Forts, Strengths, and Guards, I mean, into the highest places and Offices of power, tr●●t and Judicature in this Commonwealth: How this comes to ●ass I understand not; I see our dearest, chiefest, choicest, and most faithful friends and patriots laid aside, as not worthy 〈◊〉 fit to be trusted or employed, or to have the least share or portion of the price or purchase of peace, gained with so much hazard, with such vast sums and expense of treasure, and great effusion and floods of blood, with the loss of thousands of precious Saints, and dearest friends and relations; yet all this seems as a thing of nothing, forgotten, and not worthy of remembrance  
If I alone were concerned, though, life, estate, honour, be already by the enemy set at a price, and I as it were by my own, delivered up unto a Company of bloody men; yet should I be silent and mourn in secret, for the ungratefulness of those, from whom I have deserved better, but I am not a sacrifice which will serve to appease the wrath and malice of the Adversary, unless my friends and family to be made Copartners in the same calamity and destruction with me; for whose sake more than my own, I have once more adventured to come upon this public Theatre. I have had many thoughts within myself, to whom to make my address, and whilst I was thus unresolved, Joshua's grateful remembrance of Rahab's kindness to his Spies, came in my mind, which comparing with what my aged mother did for you and your Messengers or Spies, in their passage through the enemy's guards and quarters in our country, the same doth run in a parallel and adequate line with the other. joshua having sent his Spies to view Jericho, Rahab hid and secured them for which Joshua upon taking and destroying Jericho, preserved Rahab and saved her kindred and family, with all that was he●s, and they dwelled in peace with Israel, as it is written. In your distress when the enemy was Master of our Country, though she had a Naball to her husband, my mother she received, harboured▪ and secured your Spies, and sent them safe into Cockermouth Cattle to your party there, when you had no other garrison or strength in all that country; by her they returned safely and secretly to you again, and thereby that Castle, when it was upon yielding to the enemy, held out against the enemy, until your forces relieved the same, to the recovering of that whole country; and often my aged mother, gave you timely notice of the enemy's motions and approaches, to the preventing the enemy's designs against you and your men, of all which you are not ignorant: But Pharaoh's Butler, when restored to his place, remembered not Joseph horizon; even so hath my mother been forgotten; for when your Jericho was t●ken by you, she was left neglected, to be destroyed, not with the enemy, but by the enemy; upon whom you daily confer honours and promotions: Your promises to her you cannot have forgot, neither be so ungrateful, as, not when she puts forth the scarlet thread, the signal of her kindness and faithfulness to you and yours, as not to secure her from the rage and malice of the enemy. Her request to you is neither for gifts or rewards for herself, or promotion for her son; she asketh no other thing then common right, Justice, and protection, and that she and hers may dwell in peace with you, as Rahab did of old with Israel.  
I cannot but remind you of your promises made to your suffering friends in Cumberland, now under a Delinquent & Malignant Magistracy, worse, and more corrupt than ever was under the late King: I need not tell how those poor people, when the Enemy was in his height, might, and prosperity, neither by threats nor prisons could he drawn to adhere to those you now promote, or from you; I hope your Greatness will not make you forget your Goodness, or your former love, neither cause you to neglect your friends, but will inquire how their enemies and yours are again set up in Authority, whereby they are armed to oppress more than they were under Kingly Prerogative; what is this less than to deliver harmless sheep to the custody and charge of devouring and hunger starved Wolves. This was the motive, and no other consideration, to you first thus to make my application, in the least not distructing Providence for preservation, though the enemy, as Haman, be again advanced, and gained a Decree for destroying me with your most cordial friends with us; yet, we doubt not, God will cause us once again to keep a thankful day of Remembrance for our deliverance, ●s ●h● Jews did their days of Purym; who knows wh●●he● the Lord hath raised you up for this end.  
In this ensuing Discourse, you have a N●●●●●ive of a Cain like brood; two Brothers in Law, and a Sist●●●●●●m of a blood sucking family, taimed with murder and perjury, who for many years have with much villainy and treachery sundry ways attempted the death and downfall of an innocent brother, for no other cause than his kindness showed to an aged Mother, by the other spoiled in one day of all her means, where occasion is offered to set forth the malice and conspiracy against me, of sundry Malignant Justices of the Peace in Cumberland, for my opposing their injustice and oppression, and discovering their Delinquency and treacherous Plots and practices against this Commonwealth, and the manner of listing of some dangerous persons in the Lord Protectors Lifeguard, such as for fear of discovery dare not own their own names. Likewise I am constrained to declare some evil dilatory practices and proceed of Chancery, and Law proceed, in relation to myself and some friends, with the causes for publishing the same; which if you improve for public good▪ as redress of private wrongs, I shall rejoice. However, my confidence is in my God, and though he should slay me, yet will I trust in him; for the devices of the wicked shall not prosper, and by their own Counsels they shall be destroyed.  
JOHN MUSGRAVE.   

The Cry of ABEL'S Blood again from the Ground.  
IT is not unknown to those who have read the History of England, that few in the North for service done against the Scot; deserved better, or were greater asserters of their country's liberty, than the family of the Musgraves, men of good estates, and large Revenues; of whom Speed in his Chronicle takes special notice with this Character, The Ancient and Warlike Family of the Musgraves.  
Sir Simon Musgrave my Grandfather, served Queen Elizabeth upon those Borders, as Deputy Warden for many years; after his death the Queen was pleased to honour my father with that employment, in which service he so behaved himself, as he preserved the borders from the Inroads of the Scots and Rapines of the Outlaws of both Nations there, with whom that Country in those times were infested; I purpose not at this time to particularise the known services, and the great executions my father did upon some eminent Scots, enemies to our Nation; for which he brought upon himself the envy of King James, and most of the Scots Nobility, who after the old Queen's death watched for an opportunity to ruin my father and destroy his family, and how hard a matter it is to stand before envy, or bear the wrath of a King, the prudent may consider. Now about the 5th year of K. James' reign here in England, one Thomas Musgrave a dissolute lose man, and one Puckering more deboist, drew into their company Sir Thomas Musgrave, a young Gentleman, and the eldest son of Sir Richard Musgrave my Grandfather's second son; these fell upon the King's Receivers in Westmoreland, and rob them, and the night after came to my father's house in Cumberland, and lodged there, my father being then at Ednell, ignorant both of the fact done, and their being at his house, as another of the same name, who suffered for that fact, at his death did solemnly declare.  
Robinson then Bishop of Carlisle, knowing how pleasant a thing i● would be to the King, to bring my father within the compass of the Law, procures Puckering a pardon to become an approver against my father to evidence that he was privy of their being at his house after the fact done, more they could not have any colour for King James glad of this, doth forthwith cause a special Gaol Delivery to be called for trial of my father, and sent down as Commissioners the Earl of Dunbar, with sund●y other Lords to carry on the design, he well knowing that upon an equal trial my father would be in no jeopardy, and the King a month before the Trial signs a Warrant for execution, to prevent all Reprieval●, all which was with much celerity performed according to the King's direction; but the great signal Testimonies of my father's innocency, and the countries' dislike of those extraordinary proceed, much discontented the King, and the Court faction, my father left an estate settled upon my mother & his children of 200 l. by year, held by lease for 3 lives, which King James would have seized on, but upon Trial in the Exchequer, possession was established with her.  
Afterwards my mother, by persuasion of friends, to her children's undoing, marries one Vaux, a Gent. of ancient, but most wicked bloody family, having no estate at all: For Wil Vaux, his father, having in a most barbarous and unheard of manner, murdered one Ridley, suffered for the same, and did confiscate his whole estates And not long before, Rowland Vaux, father of William, procured one Bell to personate two, and procured a forged Acquittance for a debt of 100 l. Rowland owed to a Kinswoman; for which perjury Bell lost his ears, and for the forgery and subornation Vaux wore Paper, and road backward, my Grandfather being then High Sheriff at the time of the execution of the sentence. I would have forborn thus to have untombed the dead, if I had not by a wicked Sister been provoked thereto,  
Now for twenty years together, Vaux in my fathers children's right, held an estate of 200 l. by year, for which we never had any account; in which time he purchased the Reversion of the whole with our moneys: for which calling him to account, I was with a 22 years consuming suits in Law, wested and spent, and yet is not come to any issue, 〈…〉  
Vaux in the beginning of the difference, the more to disable me to prosecute my Cause, beats my mother, would have killed her with an hatchet, put her out of doors, and would have suborned witnesses to have sworn, That she and I would have murdered him, as some of the witnesses yet living do confess.  
The particular Process and proceed betwixt us, I shall refer to another discourse; and of old Coventries in justice, King Charles' Order in the Case, being not the thing I desire now to ●rge or press. While I was in this private contest, a Parliament is called, by which for a while I was as one raised from the dead; but the Kings leaving his Parliament, was the cause of new Troubles to me; for upon my coming from London, I was committed to Carlisle Castle, for no other cause but that I said the Earl of Strafford was condemned for Treason.  
But when the Commission of Array 〈◊〉 set a foot in our County, than my father Vaux doubted not but to bring me to ruin, knowing I was affected to, and had declared for the Parliament, and the better to compass this end, he procured one Richmond (whose son after married his daughter, and my sister) at the Sessions of the Peace to put that illegal oath upon me, called the oath ex Officio, which I refusing was committed to close Gaol, and then Richmond caused me to be indicted for speaking blasphemous words against the book of Common Prayer, viz. that it was Popish; but this having not colour to take away my life, the next Sessions I was called forth, and then Richmond commands me to take the Oath of Supremacy, which I refusing twice, I was returned back to the Gaol, committed for Treason; upon this Richmond conspires with Sir Richard Graham, who had married his daughter to Sir Edward Musgrave's grandchild, who wrongfully held an estate from my mother, being her birthright of 600 l. by year, to procure a special Gaol Delivery, for the Trial of me and Captain Crakanthorp, for the like offence; but knowing ●ow fatal Cumberland Gaol Deliveries were to the innocent, with much difficulty we obtained a Writ of Habeas Corpus cum causa, which we delivered to Sir Henry Fletcher, then high Sheriff, and to whom we were prisoners, therewith he acquainted, Sir George Dalstin, Sir Thomas Dacres, Sir William Musgrave Knights, Leonard Dikes, William Briscoe, Esq and other Justices of the Peace, who dissuaded the Sheriff from returning our bodies according to the tenor of the Writ, and sent to London a Certificate, that the reason of disobeying the Writ of Habeas corpus, was, for that we had committed Treason against the King, in refusing the Oath of Supremacy: But the Court being not satisfied, granted us another Writ with a penalty. Upon knowledge of this, the Justices complained to the King, being then at York, how they had imprisoned us as dangerous persons, and enemies to his Majesty, desiring his direction and Warrant to try us for Treason, the Habeas corpus notwithstanding; but the King would not give any direction therein. In the mean time the Assizes approached, so they could not fit the Gealed livery.  
At the Assizes Sir Robert Heath delivered the Goal, and we being brought to the Bar, Judge Heath declared, the Justices could not enforce us to the Oath of Supremacy, without a special Commission under the Great Seal; yet gave Judgement of Praemunire against us, to forfeit Lands and Goods, and imprisonment during life, for no other cause then refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance upon a Book; and gave the Sheriff direction, not to suffer any to come at us, and close imprisonment. But upon the Treaty of a Peace betwixt the King and Parliament, a little before Edgehil fight, the Sheriff took security of us, to appear upon the Habeas corpus at the Upper Bench Bar; which we did accordingly, and after was discharged by Order of the House of Commons. Upon our return home, the war and difference betwixt King and Parliament growing great and high, Sir Philip Musgrave gave order to apprehend us again; of which having notice, I lest the Country, and in my way was taken prisoner by one Bennet, servant to Sir John Lowther (a Commissioner of Array, and Colonel for the King) and three other, charging me with a conspiracy and Treason against the King and Sir John Lowther; from whom I made an escape, but lost my Horse, Sword, and Cloak. In the time of my withdrawing, my Father Vaux offered 100 l. to any that could discover and apprehend me. After, with much difficulty I got into Sco●land, and there I was threatened by Thomas Craistour, for my nonconformity to the Scotish Presbytery, that he would inform against me if I did not withdraw.  
While I was in Scotland, I discovered how John Barwis, and John Hod●son pretenders for the Ba●liaments ●aisse, kept sto●es correspondency with Sir Patricius Curwin, and Si● Wilfride Lawson then Commissioners of Array, and in Arms against the Parliament, and how Richard Barwis a Member of the House of Commons kept correspondency with Sir Richard Graham, and Sir Edward Musgrave, and other the known enemies of the Parliament: All which I after made known to the Parliament; but by Barwis faction or party in the House of Commons, to hinder my prosecution, I was committed by an Order of the House, to the Fleet, for a pretended contempt, in refusing to answer Interogatories; where I was kept close prisoner, without any charge or other crime laid against me, for the most part of two years. Upon the difference betwixt the Parliament and the Army, I refused no hazard to serve the Agitators, who then acknowledged the service I did in promoting their Cause, was acceptable to them; and the Lord General Fairfax with ●is Council of Officers, sent to the Parliament to set me at liberty, and that he expected I should have fitting reparations for my losses and imprisonment; whereupon I was enlarged, but never had any satisfaction for my losses and imprisonment to this day.  
After this, I made sundry discoveries of concealed Delinquents, and brought into the public Treasury more than 2000 l. for the undervalue of Sir Henry Bellingham's estate, whereof the fifth part was due to me, for which I have not had one penny, my other discoveries amounting to above 10000 l. a great part whereof was secured by the sub-Commissioners, who refused to certify the same being required thereunto by the Commissioners for compounding, the other alleging the Commissioners for Compounding never intended good to the Commonwealth, and so they would certify no more to them, and thus I was hindered from further prosecuting my discoveries till by the Act of Oblivion the same were discharged: after this I began to apply myself to my own private affairs, having unprofitably spent my time, wearied myself, and wasted my means to do my country service; while others by their beneficial places enriched themselves in the ruins of their country, and falsifying their faith and trust.  
In the mean time my father Vaux (having settled his estate and lands upon his two sons in law, Richmond and Graham, while they were in actual rebellion against the Parliament, to defraud me of my right, amounting to above 2000 l. I being in my way from London) died; presently after Richmond applied himself to my mother, blaming his father Vaux for his cruelty to her and her children; professing all love and respect, desiring as he pretended to come to a settlement, faithfully promising if upon my return home, I disapproved what should be agreed on, no advantage should be taken on either side, but his meaning was far otherwise, his intention being to circumvent her and strip her out of all, as the sequel doth prove, for the visible personal estate being valued to about 200 l. he and Graham divided it betwixt them under a colour that there was a debt of 200 l due to Mr. Heron of Chipchase, which with great oaths and many asseverations he did aver to be true, and that Mr. Heron had threatened to put the Bond in suit, all which was forged and a lie; for upon a Bill of discovery in Cham●ery Mr. Heron hath upon Oath confessed Vaux did owe him no such sum nor other debt.  
Then Richmond entreated my mother to let him and his wife have liberty to lie in her house some time, which she not mistrusting his guile gave way to him▪ soon after I returned home, to my mother, she telleth me how her sons in law and daughters in law had used her, and that the bond she gave Richmond and Graham was delivered with caution, in case I disliked the agreement, the same to be void; then I caused her to take the locks off her Chamber which Richmond had set on, and made a legal and peaceable entry to them, for the widow hath her quarantine, which is the possession of the chief Mansion house for forty days; and when the entry was made, we had sundry honest neighbours to take view of what was in the room to avoid misreports, and the next day I went with my mother to Graham house, the better to confirm myself of the tru●h of the agreement, who told me the bond was delivered with the caution aforesaid, and that upon consideration my mother would make void the agreement he would keep her harmless, and upon request release the bond, and further declared, he did believe Richmond intended to cheat both him and her.  
Upon his further request, my mother consented to go the next day to one Dacres of Vnthank, where Richmond was to meet him, and agreed, that if Richmond would not yield my mother and graham's Right, they would join together in securing the goods: But upon our coming thither, Dacres after some private words with them, came to my mother, desiring to be excused, for the Trunks her Husband had left with him, by direction were not to be opened, till her sons in Law both agreed to it, but she should not be present. Thus she was thrust out, and made a stranger to h●r own; for by the Custom of the Province of York, the Widow is to have half the personal Estate, if the children be preferred or married. There it is said the two brothers found some Writings, purporting large sums of moneys to be left by Vaux in Dacres hand; which at first Dacres denied; but after some threats, Dacres acknowledged 60 l. and the 160 l. wherewith they charged him more, Richmond's wife persuaded the other to remit, and they gave George Sy●pson, Mr. Vaux sister's son, 100 l. of the moneys in Dacres hand, being privy to their Counsel. All which, Richmond's wife hath to sundry of her friends and acquaintance privately told who have since discovered the same.  
Upon this the two brothers in Law confederated together against the old woman, and Richmond gave forth in speeches, that my mother and I had broken a chest up in the chamber, and taken out Forty shillings, for which he would hang us both; and said, his man did see him lay it and leave it there; who being asked what he knew thereof, replied, he knew nothing thereof, neither did he believe any such thing. As for the Trunk, upon our entry it was viewed, with all within the same, by able and honest men, whereof not any thing lacked, the trunk being open, and had been without Lock for 40 years and more.  
Next day I went towards Manchester, and returned not for ten days. In the mean time, Richmond thinking I was gone for London, goes to Mr. Howard, and procures a Warrant from him to bring me and one Proctor before him, charging us with Felony: Upon his Warrant Proctor is carried as a Thief to Naward, some 16 or 18 miles, thence to Carlisle, being from Naward 10 miles, and back again to Naward, where he gave security for his appearance: in all this much wickedness and cruelty is discovered; for there were two Justices of the Peace living within less than two miles of us, but we must be carried before none but Howard.  
The next passage that was attempted against my Mother, was this: Richmond and his wife comes to my mother's house, thinking with rail and revile to have provoked her to passion; but their expectation failing, Richmond's wi●e laid violent hands upon her own mother, b●ar her, and called her Whore: The old woman being ready to faint, one present cried out, Fie Mabel, have son never read the Fifth Commandment? the other answered in fury She knew not what the Commandments were, so she had a father and mother that taught her neither the fear of God nor Man.  
Some two days after this, Richmond with some four or six more, in a forcible and ●i●tous manner, takes away the Court gate, the Hall door, and carried them away with him, thereby to fright her away, and reported Mr. Howard advised him to do it; Wicked counsel.  
No● long after, I came home; and being in bed in this open house, I heard in the Hall much people, whereupon I called to know the business; the Constable came to me, and told me he had a Warrant to arrest me for Felony. I ●ose, and find a poor lame Widow, that served my mother, under arrest likewise for Felony, as the Constable said; most of Richmond's Tenants being there, to the number of 20 or 30; I ask o them why so many? they answered, Richmond commanded, and that the Constable would early in the morning take me, otherwise I would fly, if notice were given me. With this Guard am I carried by the Constable to Penreth, a market Town, on a Market day, before Mr. Halton▪ who upon reading Mr. howard's warrant, would take no knowledge of me, so away I am carried to Naward; Which manner of doing of theirs was much like the J●ws carrying of Christ to Caiphas, who sent him to Pilate, Pilate Herod, and so back again. When I came before Howard, he told me, Richmond bad sworn Felony against me, and some witnesses were examined against me, who speaking ruth, he refused to set down or testify the same, saying, that party spoke more for me then Richmond, Yet brought before him by his Warrant: I enter Bond for my appearance the next Assizes, paying my fees. The nex● Sessions Richmond in my absence prefers a Bill of Felony against me and Proctor, which the Jury not finding, are called before the Justices, who threatened the Jury for not finding the same; and one of the Quorum told the Jury, they must find the Indictment, right or wrong: But most of the Jury being understanding men, would not be persuaded or frighted to act contrary to a good Conselence, finds not the Bill; notwithstanding, the Justices granted Richmond a Warrant of good behaviour against me, without Oath or Articles; against others they would not, though indicted, which discovered their malice to me, and corruption. Upon a Certiorari after in the Upper Bench, I was discharged, never any thing to this day being objected against me.  
My occasion soon after drew me to Lond●n; in my absence Richmond daily vexes my aged mother with opprobrious rail, threatening her he would reduce her to that poverty and want, as for flesh she should be constrained to boil a Louse, and for malt to brew Sand; often staring in her face, after crying, Mother, mother, Death is in thy face, thou wilt not live till Easter: the Justices of the Peace much animating him in this course against my mother and me, as he bragged, all the Justics of the Peace, Commissioners for Sequestrations, Sir Arthur Haslerig and Captain Howard would all adhere to him against me.  
Upon my return from London, the Assizes approaches; Richmond now bestirs himself, procures the Sheriff to return of the Grand Jury, 14 of 17, all compounded Delinquents, and most Richmond's near relations, one being graham's father, another graham's son in Law, most of the rest bitter spirited Cavaliers; but one man reasoned all the rest out, and the Bill against me was not found: the one of the Jury would have had it, protesting that he would find it against the Roundhead, whether it was right or wrong.  
I made my address to Justice Puliston, in a peti ionary way, that Richmond might not disquiet my mother with his boisterous and uncivil carriage, but he more like a party then a Judge, slighted my Petition, asked how it came to p●sse I was not gone beyond seas with John Lilburn, to which I replied, I had other business then to mind, and further said, when these Gentlemen by him, meaning Captain Howard, and the other Justices by oaths and actions, confederated to destroy the Parliament as Traitors, I at their Bar owned there Authority; but Traitors are promoted and your friends slighted, yet God is good. Richmond turns his Indictment of Felony, after not found, into an indictment of Trespass, which the Juries finds, and being called, I traverse it; upon Sergeant Parker's motion, all differences were referred to Sir John Lowther and Mr. Halton, but when we meet, hen Richmond asked my mother why she would busy herself for death was in her face, and G●aham his brother did challenge me to sight with him on Penreth Fell, thinking to get some advantage upon me by provoking me to passion or accepting the challenge; upon a common Latitat Richmond bringeth the Sheriff in person, and arrested my mother, and had carried her to Gaol, but an Attorney told the Sheriff he could not, for he was an Attorney and would appear for her; but we could never have the Sheriff to this day execute any Writ against Richmond.  
To free my mother of Richmoxd disturbances, I brought her from Catterlen Hall, being made unhabitable as aforesaid, and ever since she hath dwelled with me.  
The last Assiz s at Carlisle my mother had two trials for her Dowry, the one against Graham, the other against Richmond, before my old friend Justice Puliston; I appearing for my mother Justice Puliston began to check me, telling me I never dealt but in bad causes, and that he met me at every Bar in Westminster Hall, the Jury being to be sworn, one of the Panel would not swear upon a book, whereupon the Judge bid set him aside, for that man was one of Musgrave's faction, the man being a stranger to me; above which a great contest I had before he was admitted to be sworn, Mr. Vaux dying seized was proved by Richmond and graham's answers to my mother's Bill of Discovery. Then Justice Puliston asked me when Vaux died; to which I answered about the third of March was a twelve month. Then said the Jugd, Are you sure M. Vaux died the third of March? To which I answered, my Lord, I came out of London about the 13 or 18 of March, and before I got home Mr Vaux was dead, so I cannot speak certainly to the time, but I believe he died about the 3 4, or 5th of March; or thereabouts: then said the Judge, Mr. Musgrave what would you say if he died in April? I replied, my Lord, I cannot speak positively to any time, but sure I am he is dead; all which will be proved by Gentlemen of quality well affected and untainted in their reputations, which for the satisfaction of friends, some of them have certified as much, which I have here inserted.  
These are to certify, we whose names are here under-written upon the 16 day of August, 1653. were presented at the Trial had at Carlisle before Mr. Justice Puliston, betwixt Isabel Vaux Widow Demandant, upon a Writ of Dowry against William Graham Defendant, when and where we see John Musgrave of Miln●rig in the County of Cumberland Gentleman, sworn a Witnesson the behalf of the said Demandant Isabel Vaux in the said cause, and the said John Musgrave being asked when the said John Vaux, late husband of the said Isabel died, the said John Musgrave, said upon his oath that the said John Vaux died about the 3d of March was a twelve month, than the said Justice Puliston said Mr. Musgrave, are you sure Mr. Vaux died the 3d of March, to which the said Mr. Musgrave replied and said, my Lord, I came out of London about the 13 or 18 of March (or words to that purpose) and before I got home Mr. Vaux was dead, so I cannot speak certainly to the very time of his death, but I believe he died about the 3, 4, or 5 or thereabouts: then said the Judge Mr. Musgrave, what will you say if he died in April, Mr. Musgrave replied and said, my Lord, I cannot speak positively to any time (or words to that effect) but I'm sure he is dead, and this is the whole sum of Mr. Musgraves Oath and Deposition, other then proving some copies of Records; we being present in Court at the time of the said Trial, from the swearing of the Jury till they gave up their Verdict, which we shall be ready to testify when we shall be thereunto required. In witness whereof, we have subscribed our hands the 10th day of October, 1653. This is the great Perjury I am charged with.  
At Michaelmas Sessions held at Cockermouth, Octob. 5. 1653. in my absence Richmond prefers a Bill of Perjury upon this against me, whereof Captain Hudson now a Justice of Peace hearing, who was present at the Trial, repaired to the Jury, wishing them well to consider what they did upon that indictment against me in my absence, for there was more malice than matter in the prosecution; the Jury told him, they had examined the matter and they could not find it, but the Justices of the Bench being most of them my implacable enemies, called the Jury before them, and would have the witnesses sworn in open Court, but the Sheriff and Bailiffs put back all those whom they suspected to favour me; Mr Lamplough one of the Justices told the Court, there was an Order of Sessions, that no indictment was to be admitted against any inhabitant, without notice first given to them; which than they admitted to others, but denied in my case: Mr. Howard hath caused him since to be put out of the Commission of peace, for no other cause as I believe but this, and suspecting him to be a man of too public a spirit to comply with Howard and his popish faction; and others of the most dis-affected and known Delinquents, he hath procured to be Justices of the Peace, refusing to put in some very honest & able men recomended to him.  
One of the Jury told the Court M. Musgrave might mistake the month, and not swear either corruptly or wilfully; to which M. Briscoe and Sheriff Lawson said, there was some would have all to be mistakes so after Richmond was admitted privately to tamper with some of the jury, the indictment was found, I being in my way from London: The witnesses sworn to the indictment, were one Dacres , Thomas Ga●th an Attorney (how much conscience he makes of an oath, after I shall discover) and one Orfear, and how qualified he is for such a purpose here will appear; I will begin with the last.  
Orfear was first a plundering Cavalier captain for the King, till the county was reduced for the Parliament, then entertained by Lawson as captain under him for the parliament; daily he resorted to the Enemy's Garrison in Carlisle; drank the King's health, and being asked why he would serve the parliament? he said he did the King better service than when he was of his party.  
Lawson had a house pulled down by the Enemy in his Isle by Keswick, for which he preferred after an indictment against sundry persons, some not being near the place by twenty miles, which indictment was found upon Orfears evidence, against sundry persons that were not there, and forced to compound with Lawson upon his own terms; One of credit told me, he was first named in that indictment, and how Lawson swore that he was the first put his hand to the pulling the house down, whereas in truth the man was not near the place by ten miles, and was forced to leave his habitation because he would not assist the Enemy in that work, and so desired Lawson to consider his condition, but the man not being able to traverse his indictment, the poor creature was constrained for purchasing his peace, to give Lawson six or seven pound; this he told me before sundry credible persons, all which I believe to be true. It is credibly said that Orfear did take and subscribe that damnable Oath, called the Earl of Newcastles Oath for destroying the Parliament as traitors; and which Lawson did likewise, as is proved when he was Lieutenant Colonel under Sir Patritius Curwin. But as the Fool makes a mock of sin, so these make as light matter of Oaths, as all their practices demonstrate.  
For Garth, he was Q●arte●m●●● 〈◊〉 to Sir Philip Musgrave; and then Cornet to Col. Sir Henry Fletcher for the King, and did likewise swear and subscribe the aforenamed O th' for the E. of Newcastle; but upon reducing of that Country he was made by Barwis Agent for sequestrations; in which employment if he had dealt faithfully, he might have brought into the public treasury 20000 l. which by his being Solicitor at the same time for Delinquents was lost; for while he was Agent for sequestrations, Mr. Howard, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Dalston, Richmond, and other great Delinquents, employed him as their Steward to keep their Courts, their Attorney and Solicitor in suits of Law, and some of them allowing him yearly stipends; so as little could be made of any discovery or concealment, most of the Commissioners for sequestrations themselves being likewise sequestrable and men dis-affected.  
In the like cases how officious he was to serve his friends, one of many may suffice. My father Vaux being in contempt for not answering my Bill, and for costs upon overruling of his Plea, I came to Garth being Deputy Sheriff, for the return of the two Attachments against Vaux, he therewith had Orders and moneys from Vaux to discharge the contempt, and sue out a Commission to answer in the country, and for the costs by the next Post he should receive direction from Vaux where to have money to pay me. I told him I could not trust him, and would not forbear prosecution, unless he would go presently to the fix Clarks Office and pay the contempt money for not answering, and give Commissioners names to his Clerk accordingly. Garth goes with me to Mr. Colburn in the fix Clarks Office, to him Garth gave names for Commissioners, Christopher Richmond, Henry Da●res, and others, before Mr. Colburn paid me the contempt money and I joined in the Commission; and Garth in the presence of M. Golburn declared, what he did was by Vaux direction: Garth sues out the Commission, but Vaux doth not execute, but comes to London, thinking to set his plea up again; the former Commission is a bar to him, Garth must help or it cannot be, whereupon Garth makes affidavit, that he had no direction to sue out a Commission or discharge the contempt, and what he did was without the privity or direction of Vaux. Upon this the Court referred it to the fix Clarks to examine whether the Commission was regularly sued out, and upon hearing of Mr. Colburn, the fix Clarks certified for me, and Garths wicked Oath was fruitless; the affidavit is filled.  
Henry Pearson told me, Garth made an affidavit in the Upper Bench in Michaelmas Term last, which is upon the File; to which Pearson made another contrary to it; so that one must be forsworn: Many others have complained to me of Garths desperate swearing and affidavits. For Dacres he could swallow the Earl of Newcastles damnable Oath; and I can most bear with him, not only in respect of his malignancy, but for that Richmond and his wife had given him 160 l. for doing such like services against my mother and me, as Richmond's wife hath in council told sundry of her bosom friends.  
Now what advantage could my mother have by my Oath, as to the mistake of the month; or what loss or disadvantage had or could Graham have by the same, or how I can be brought within the compass of the statute of perjury, I am not afraid to submit to the trial and judgement of the greatest of my enemies, saving our Cumberland Justices of the peace and their Session juries, and if the gentlemen's certificate on my behalf be disproved, or either my mother or I could have one halfpenny profit, or the other so much loss by my supposed mistake, or that the same was wilful, knowingly, or corruptly done by m●, then let me have the like censure as Vaux his Bell with two tongues received for his most wicked, wilful, and corrupt perjury.  
After my mother had recovered he Dowry, my business carried me to the Assizes after held at Appleby in Westmoreland, thither am I pursued by these bloody men; Being at Supper in my Inn, some there took occasion of discourse of the Scottish King (so called) and of an expected change; which I opposing, one Richard Graham my brother graham's brother sitting at the lower end of the table, used provoking words, whereat I seemed not to be moved; thereupon this fellow called me rogue, traitor, and said that I was committed for treason against the King, and all those that adhered to the Parliament were traitors, and the King would have his right again, and we should be all punished as rogues and traitors: Truly it was much I could forbear, but passed the same over with other discourse, as neglecting him, After Supper I did go into the Town, which graham's brother having notice of, with one of his Comrades purposed to have waylaid me, as after I understood, for while they were plotting against me, for no other end, then as I conceive, privately to murder me, if I had gone alone; my man overheard graham's Comrade say to the other, Musgrave hath his man with him, and we shall not be able to deal with them both; thus the Lord delivered me from those bloody conspirators: And the next morning I found this Graham lying in the Kitchen Chimney amongst the ashes asleep, in a beastlike manner overcome with drink, in all this I acknowledged the Lords goodness to me.  
At the Westmoreland Assizes justice Puliston, as at Carlisle, discountenanced the honest justices there, and said openly upon the Bench, he could own none for a justice but Col. Brigs, against whom the Lord did witness before night, Brigs having overburthened himself with drink as he could not walk the streets without reeling, and after some repose Brigs came to my lodging, where he spent the whole night in swearing and excessive drinking among a company of Cavaliers, but such things are no blemishes in our persecuting justices; but when I come in particular to set down the malignancy and misgovernment of our justices made upon M. howard's recommendation to the Lord Protector, I may have farther occasion to speak of this Gentleman.  
But before I will farther meddle with our Country Magistracy, I will finish my discourse as to Richmond. This last Term, upon my removing the indictment of perjury against me into the Upper Bench, for the very same thing, merely for vexation, hath he laid an information of perjury against me in the Capital Office, for the man's malice hath no bounds; to which I say no more, if I be faulty in the least, let me suffer with the highest transgressor; but Richmond's deal is no better towards other poor widows His father's widow by a wile he turned out of doors, who being friendless was drawn to take a small annuity, which he failing to pay broke the woman's heart, and she soon died. This affidavit will discover his kindness to another widow, whose petition I have to present to the Lord Protector, when a door shall be open to me, together with Richmond's barbarous usage of one Halton the Minister of Kurbythure, because a Roundhead; and how he carried the man to York by virtue of his Commission of Array, and how the poor man was brought by him to his grave, will require a more large discourse.  
The Affidavit of John Wambye in the behalf of Mary Bearson Widow, plaintiff Thomas Wilton and Henry Mes●s, Defendants.  
WHereas there was a reference made by Justice Puliston, of the difference betwixt the Plaintiff and the Defendant, upon the Defendants petition to Christopher Richmond Esq and Thom. Laton Esq two delinquents compounded, which said referrees about the 20 of Septemb. last called the said parties before them, and brought with them one Francis Sisson a Justice of peace in Westmerl. Nephew to Edward Sisson who married Wiltons' Aunt, and guardian to the said Wilton, being an aged decrepit woman about 80 years old. Now this Deponent deposeth, that he was present at Broughan upon the meeting of the said referrees and parties, and upon the said widow pearson's seeming to decline the said reference, the said Richmom began to give the said widow very high and threatening language, telling her if she would not submit to the reference she should never get any thing, nor should have never any benefit of the law; and for this Deponent who went thither with the said Pearson, he threatened to have his nose slit and his ears cut off, and threatened one john Gowling to undo him because he was the widow's friend and neighbour, and other bad language the said Richmond gave then unto the said Gowling, so as he well durst not or would not stay longer to be abused with the said Richmond; and presently after the said Gowlings departure, the said widow Pearson was drawn by the threats and menaces of the said Mr. Richmond, to submit to the order and award of the said referrees, with the Vmperidge of the said Justice Sisson, who ordered her for to take 25 shillings for her widdow-right and dower in a Tenement in Gulgath in the County of Cumberland, and seal a release thereof; Whereas her third part thereof was well worth twenty shillings by the year. And this Deponent knoweth the said release was made by her through the threats and menaces of the said Mr. Richmond. Sworn the 8 of November, 1653.  
By John Wawbye.  
John Page.  
Therefore I will till a fit opportunity forbear and proceed in order with our Country Justices of the peace in Cumberland and Westmoreland; And first with Cumberland, whose names be, Sir Wilfride Lawson, Charles Howard, William Briscoe, John Barwis, Henry Tolson, Thomas Cholmley, John Hudson, Thomas Craister, Tho. Langhorn, Arthur Foster, Lancelot Fletcher, Captain Coulsey.  
Sir Wilfride Lawson did take the treasonable Oath and Engagement called the E. of Newcastles Oath, was a Lieuten. Colonel in arms for the King, caused one widow Blaithwait to be carried in a Cart to Carlisle Goal, and there imprisoned, and first stripped to her smock, urging to Sir Phil. Musgrave that she came from the Parliament as a Spy. Committed to prison one George Fox to close Goal, and procured an order from the Judges, that none of his friends should visit him, for no other thing then being a Preacher, without ever laying any charge against the man to this day.  
After an Injunction serves for settling possession, Sir Wilfride Lawson some three months since put two of Sir Patritius Curwins tenants out of the possession of their houses and tenements, and thereby the men were forced to submit to their Landlords will and pleasure, after much money spent in settling their possession.  
Sir Wilfride Lawson being Sheriff the last Summer Assizes at Carlisle, refused to arrest Christoph. Richmond upon a Capias ut legate. at my mother's suit, the warrant being delivered to him in Richmond's presence, and his Fee tendered.  
Sir Wilf. Lawson and his under Sheriff, will not though required return processes of Contempts, as attachments and proclamations, as for instance; 3 proclamations at my mother's suit, two attachments, one at my own suit, and another of privilege, at Mr Nelsons suit, all returnable the last Term.  
Charles Howard a notorious delinquent, though at Worcester he engaged against the enemy, yet his brother (supposed not without his privity) betrayed a great part of Mr howard's Troop to the Scots King, with whom his brother went away, and before Mr Howard came up to the last Parliament, Sir Pat. Curwen and most of his projecting Cavaliers was at his House all night, which the well-affected are jealous was upon some design, for the next day again they had another great meeting at Sir Patric-Curwens Castle, under colour of a hunting. Mr Howard used barbarous cruelty upon the body of the wife and daughter of Thom. Milb. one of the witnesses examined to prove his delinquency, by causing a Scottish Witchfinder, so termed in his presence, to strip the women, and thrust great pins into sundry parts of their naked bodies, to the amazement of the beholders, the women being of good repute, and never any charge brought against them.  
Since the last Plot against the Lord Protector was discovered, M. Howard hath listed one Berriswith to be one of the Lord Protectors Lifeguard, by the name of Hunt, that he might not be known by the name of Berriswith, he and his friends being so much declared enemies to the Parliament, as Captain Thorp a man of credit, both by word and writing doth testify; for other things I refer you to my Letter to the Speaker of the last Parliament, my Petition, Articles, and the proof of his Delinquency following: only I desire notice may be taken of what manner of men he puts in Commission of Peace with us.  

SIR,  
IT is not unknown to you, that when you were a Member in the former Parliament, I did not forbear for favour, kindred, greatness of Persons, or other by-respects, but freely and plainly laid open such corrupt Members as sat then in Parliament for our County, for which I underwent twenty month's imprisonment, until I was released upon Letters sent to the Parliament from the Lord General Fairfax and his Council of Officers: to this day no discouragements could hinder me in this way to discharge my duty, ever avoiding sidings, & factions, and what else might tend to the disturbance of public Authority. But this day having read the Declaration of this Honourable Parliament, promising so many good things, and that without partiality or respect of persons, your ultimate end and aim, next to the glory of God, to be for the good and peace of this Commonwealth; I am encouraged to represent unto the Parliament, the true and general state and condition of my poor Country by this my Petition and Articles annexed, which otherwise I knew not how to make known to the Parliament, then by your hand, and yet durst not be silent, lest I be thought to be an Apostate, as others have proved: If you fail to present this my Petition, the fault is yours and not mine, if your Honours suffer thereby, and the enemy with us kept still up in Authority, to the much sadding of the spirits of your suffering friends. However I am as I writ,  
Yours and the Commonwealths true Servant, John Musgrave.  
Directed to M. Rous, the Speaker of the Parl. and written in July, 1653.   

To the Right Honourable the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England.  
The Humble Petition of John Musgrave of Milnerigg in the County of Cumberland.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat your Petitioner hath undergone much trouble, affliction of imprisonment for his affection to the Parliament and Army, and of discovering and complaining of Delinquent Magistrates which oppressed the Parliament and Armies Cordial friends in Cumberland.  
That the Enemy of this Commonwealth while Delinquents are kept in Authority in Cumberland, are encouraged to hope for a time of change, and so boast, and if the happy successes of the Army had not prevented the same, would have endangered insurrections, as often threatened in that Country.  
Your Petitioner on the behalf of himself, and your distressed and afflicted friends there, humby prays your Honours to take the Articles against Mr. Charles Howard a Member of this honourable Parliament, into your consideration, and that ye will be pleased to remove Delinquents out of authority, and free your suffering friends from under the pressures they lie under, by corrupt and Malignant Magistrates, all which in discharge of his duty, in affection to your Honours, and for the good of this country, your Petitioner is humbly bold to represent to your Honours, and what your Honours shall think meet to do, therein he shall wholly acquiesse, and endeavour to pursue and observe your Honour's directions, And shall ever pray for your Honours.   

Articles against Charles Howard Esquire, a Member of Parliament, by John Musgrave.  
IMprimis. The said Mr. Howard in the first war was in actual arms against the Parliament, and after he was taken under the protection of the Parliament falsified his engagement, as by the Articles of Delinquency proved, and hereunto annexed may appear.  
2. That the said Mr. Howard hath and doth employ Captain Coulsey, a notorious Delinquent, a great plunderer, and oppressor of the well-affected, as his afterward of all his Courts, and the Agent in most of his affairs; which Coulsey employeth one Thomas Jackson a sequestrep Delinquent as his Deputy Steward, whereby the well-affected are much discouraged.  
3. That the said Mr. Howard procured an Order from the Justices of the Peace at the general Quarter Sessions, helden for Cumberland, in September last, for levying 500 l. yearly of the Country, under pretence of the suppressing the Mosse-Troopers, which he hath raised; but keepeth but about 20 of his own Tenants men, dis-affected to the present Government, and Moss-Troopers themselves or so reputed, and most men of evil fame; whereas Mr. howard's Tenants in Gilsland are by their Tenure of their lands to do Border service, against the Moss-Troopers at their own charge.  
4. That the said Mr. Howard at the general Quarter Sessions of the Peace, holden us at Penreth upon the return of the grand Jury by the Sheriff, being most of them compounded Delinquents, and so disabled from executing any Office of Trust, by an Act of Parliament made in October before, declared openly that it was his judgement that Delinquents were not by that Act, disabled to serve as Jurors; but afterwards in the beginning of February, 1642. privately inquired of some Gentlemen, whether the said John Musgrave would complain of the said Delinquent Jurors upon breach of the said Act, to which one of them answered they knew not, the said Mr. Howard replied, the said Musgrave would do it, but we must oppose him, and we have no other way, then by alleging that we could not get otherwise able men to execute that employment (or words to that effect) whereby it clearly appeared his judgement was, that the said Jurors were incapable of that trust and employment, though he professed openly otherwise in the said Sessions, and it is notoriously known, that the well-affected there, are much oppressed by Malignant and Delinquent Jurors.  
5. That the well-affected in the County of Cumberland are much discouraged in regard none but a known Delinquent is summoned to sit in Parliament for this Country, and little hopes they have of readressing their grievances, without some that have been constant and faithful to the Parliament and Army's Interest, be called to sit in Parliament, and Delinquents removed out of their public employments there, most of the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of the Militia in Cumberland, being either sequestrable for their Delinquency, or men dis-affected to the Army. 〈…〉   

The Charge against Charles Howard Esquire, 
Penrith, Apr. 30. 1650.  High Sheriff of the County of Cumberland.  

That the said Mr. Howard having a Commission to be a Colonel for the King in the last War, which he did confess was as large as any man had, did by virtue thereof send forth his Warrants to the several Constables of Gilesland, for their several Masters, requiring all men above sixteen and under threescore, to appear before him at Bramton, and the Constable to present their names upon Thursday the tenth of August 1648. and the 14 and 16 day of the said month following, at which several days the said Mr. Howard came to the abovesaid place accompanied with many soldiers in Arms under his command, and did muster the men who appeared, and appointed Officers, and listed many men under his command; and gave order for free quarter for his soldiers, and that the Constables should levy moneys to pay for the horses he took in every place.  


Thom. Milburn.  
Tho. Bell of Farlam.  
Anthony Heviside of Tawkin.     

Secondly, that the said Master Howard took ten horses for the said service in Hayton Parish, and proportionably in other parishes within Gilesland, according to the purvey.  
Tho. Bell. Anth. Heviside.   

Thirdly, that the said Mr. Howard did declare openly at the said Muster, that the men and horse so levied was for the King's service, and that he was to meet the Prince at Berwick Saturday the 19 of August following.  
Tho. Milburn. Tho. Bell.   

Fourthly, the said Mr. Howard sent a letter to ten Cavaliers that had horse and arms quartering upon Leonard Hodgson, Constable of Hartleburn in Northumberland, that if they would ride in his Troup to Barwick, as Reformadoes, they should have command as the places fell, and they should come to Francis graham's of the Stone-house in Gilsland, and thereabouts, and they should have quarter till they marched to Barwick.  
Leonard Hodgeshon.   

Fifthly, the said Mr. Howard repaired several times to the enemy's Guarrison at Carlisle, and walked abroad with his arms.  
Richard Hutton.]   

Sixthly, at two several Musters by Warrant, the said Mr. Howard, in the fi●st Article mentioned, after the said M. Howard had made his Speeches to the Country, his Soldiers drew their swords and cried a King, a King.  
Thomas Addison.   

This charge was presented us, and the several Witnesses to every Article proved the same, and subscribed their names before us at Penrith the 1. of May 1650.  


Thomas Craister.  
John Musgrave.  
Jo. Bristoe.  
Tho. Langhorn.      
William Briscoe was a Committee man for the enemy, advised the other Justices being most of them Commissioners for Array, to commit Captain Crakanthrop, and me for not taking the oath of Supremacy, and advised the other Justices to disobey our Habeas Corpus. When the Justices in open Sessions would have released one Nicholson, committed by Col. Fletcher, for refusing to take up Arms for the King against the Parliament, Mr. Briscoe advised the Court not to do it without Colonel Fletcher's directions; whereupon the poor man was held in prison, till the siege of Carlisle was over. He is a great enemy to Sectaries, so called, and in his charge in Sessions called them worse than Papists, requiring the Jury to present them, and they would punish them.  
That complaint being made to Mr. Briscoe against Edward Robinson a notorious Delinquent and one who articled against William Musgrave for delivering jartlepool to the Parl. For forging a false Verdict against one Wil B●urbank, and for levying moneys upon that Verdict and other forgeries, Mr. Brisco would not punish nor displace Robinson for it, but keeps him still to be Clerk of the honour of Penrith and Inglewood Forrest Courts, Master Briscoe being learned Steward of the same Honours and Courts.  
Complaints being made to Mr. Brisco for redress of a wrongful amerciament set upon Thomas Cason a tradesman, for selling goods in Penreth being no Corporation, and of the said Robinson for taking Cason's cloth of good value from him, would neither give order to redress the amerciament, or Robinson to restore Cason's cloth, tending to the destroying of Cason's trade and credit.  
John Barwis to him I have little to say, than what is said already, only he is known to be no friend to them they call Sectaries, and would destroy us.  
Henry Tolson he hath ever been a Neutral, but known a Cavalier hath his heart, and is no friend to the Parliament or Armies Friends.  
Thomas Cholmley did take the Earl of Newcastles Oath, sent ou Horse and Arms against the Parliament, and was in Arms himself for the late King, for his delinquency and malignancy deserted the former Parliament being a Member thereof. At the Lord Protectors fi●st going into Scotland openly declared, it was against his conscience to fight against the Scots, and committed sundry to prison under the name of Sectaries and preachers.  
Thom Craister a Commissioner for sequestrations got most of his estate by that employment, and being a Captain in Carlisle Garrison, declared it was against his conscience to fight against the Scots, and laid down his Commission, raised near ten thousand pound of Delinquents by way of Fines, for which he never yet accounted for, and without authority of parliament or the Lord General, continueth still a professed Enemy to all such as are called Sectaries or Independents, and imprisoned sundry of them for their judgement.  
Thomas Langhorn did take and subscribe the Earl of Newcastles Oath, a great countenancer of Malignant Ministers, as Master Baldine of Penreth, who refused to pray for parliament and Army while the Scots had an Army on foot; A petty Shop keeper very unfit for a Justice of Peace.  
John Hudson, against whom I have nothing to object, if others have they may, but as he tells me he will rather undergo a fine then take the Oath with others in Commission whom he cannot approve of.  
Lancelot Fletcher is a stranger to me, I never knew or heard he was any ways active or appeared for the parliament, but by his Cavalier friends lived peaceably at home when the Enemy was in power.  
Captain Coulsey what manner of man he is, I re●er to the Articles against Howard.  
Arthur Foster a Delinquent, and in Arms both in the first and and second War against the parliament, arraigned for murder, and ●ued out his pardon by means of Sir Richard Graham, to whose family he is a retainer.  
For the Westmoreland Justices I shall be brief, being not my business, and should have been wholly silent, if the honest and suffering party there had not been concerned therein.  
Edward Briggs, noted for his malignancy to the Armies friends, and for his life and conversation I shall forbear to speak, but very many ways unfit for that employment, and ignorant of the Laws and Statutes of this Nation.  
Roger Bateman was so disaffected to the change of Government from Kingly to Parl. as for a long time he refused to be sworn a Justice, very passionate, and Strafford never more cruelly persecuted the Puritans than he the Sectaries.  
Thomas Burton, a notorious Delinquent, was a Trooper under Sir Thomas Tildesly, expressing his malignancy by drinking the King's health; the gross misdemeanours in executing of his Office while he was Justice of Peace, the many quarrelsome and troublesome suits, his oppressions, and unwarrantable and illegal commitments, his daily frequenting ranting Cavaliers company, are all proved before the Commissioners for compounding, and much more, for which be was fined Fifty pounds, and disabled to be a Justice of Peace. And whereas it is said, that his father was plundered by Sir Philip Musgrave, it is known that his father was under Sir Philip Musgraves protection, and voluntary without compulsion lent large sums of money to Sir Philip to carry on the War; and if there was a more scandalous and malignant Priest in that Country, let me receive blame and shame.  
Francis Sisson, a man of a quiet spirit, but Prelatical, and no friend to the Army's Interest.  
Robert Skaife, a man no ways qualified for a Justice of Peace.  
Sir john Lowther, a compounded Delinquent, a man of able parts, but known to be of a Kingly spirit, and his son was in the last War, conceived not without his father's privity; A Gentleman he is of great Estate, nearly related to me in kindred; but it stumbles all friends, that he shall now be thought fit to be a Justice of Peace in this Country, where he is so powerful and known (though his wisdom in this time teacheth him moderation) to wait for a change. I am afraid some of our Worthies are carried away with their Dalilahs, but let them beware they receive not Sampsons' portion. I could say more, but will forbear for the present: Only I could wish it were enquired into, How john Thwaits, who hath knowledge to discharge his duty, not in a condition with power to oppress his Country; and Gervase Benson, who hath been thought fit to be trusted with such high Commands, and great employments, while there was trouble and danger, without any complaint, should now be laid aside. You that sit at the Helm will have the loss, and thereby may unawares tacitly set up again Charles Stuarts Interest.  
I desire to draw to my journey's end; yet before I conclude, I must as Abraham said to God, so say I, Let not my Earthly Lords be angry, and I will speak but yet once; I have heard that his now Highness upon some discourse of Lawyers, out of the sense he had of the common calamity his brethren had lain under, should sometimes say, How sad, and to be lamented a thing it was, that these men should raise so great and vast Estates out of the ruins of a miserable afflicted people, seeking justice and relief of wrongs, and the poor to be made more wretched by complaining, and sustain more damage by their Advocates then by their Adversaries who did the wrong? Is there no Balm in our Gilead? How long shall we wait for the long promised and expected Reformation? the Law and Chancery proceed be now no less burden, terror, and oppression to the people of this Land, than Thiefs and Highwaymen be to the poor travellers in their journey; in every street I meet with sad complain; a man may spend his whole patrimony in Chancery; before he come to any issue, and then shall he be dismissed again to Law: I have had in my poor mother's case against Richmond in Chancery, some 16 several orders and reports yet have not obtained a perfect answer: for 3 l. costs upon a second insufficient answer, I have spent above 12 l. besides travelling charges; and Richmond hath had two London journeys 'bout the same. O when shall we have an end of a Chancery suit? Shall a woman of 80 years of age be thus spent out, upon her Writs of Dower a Law? before we could come to declare, a year and a half was spent with Essoy●es and adjornments, mere delays and fopperies to waste poor people, spin out time, and spend money.  
In Chancery what Order made there to day is again to morr●● unmade; sometime upon Petitions with false suggestions, more o●ten in Court without hearing the other side, so as the Court seems rather to be set to make work for the Registers and Lawyers, by multiplying Orders▪ and differences, then to settle differences, or determine causes, while the poor suitors have any money to purchase Orders, or give fees to Lawyers. If I be called to account for this, I shall be ready to give particular instances, in my own mothers, and many other of my suffering friends: The wasted condition of myself doth constrain me to sigh out these my groans and complaints; which if the same be taken into consideration, and receive timely redress and relief, as the same will much conduce to the praise of those in power, security to our Country, and the good of a poor afflicted people; so shall he with all thankfulness acknowledge the same, who truly is as he writes,  
A true Servant and Wellwisher to his Country, JOHN MUSGRAVE. 6. 3. Mon. 1653.  Pulchrum est pro Patria mori. 
FINIS.