Musgraves Mussel broken, OR TRUTH pleading against FALSEHOOD; BEING A just Defence and Answer to two Papers read by Sir ARTHUR HASLERIG: set forth in a Letter written to Mr. Moyer, one of the Commissioners for Compounding.  
WHEREIN Is discovered how the Commonwealth is abused by Sub-Cummissioners for Sequestrations, and a Revenue of 13000 l. per Annum brought into the State, upon the Discovery and Charge of John Musgrave.  
Printed, Anno Dom. 1651.   

Courteous Reader,  
IT is not my intent to apologise here, only I present to thy view a short Narrative of our Northern bordering State transactions, how subtly the adversary holds up his declining Interest, and by Sir Ar. Haslerigs influence upon the Parliament and Council of State, hath got into their hands the whole State Revenues there: justice is the honour of a Nation, but injustice the shame thereof; a few of our old Kingly Monopolists and new State Apostates by Sir Ar. Haslerig's means, have got all the Authorities into their hands: they now more tyrannize, oppose and squeeze the Country, cousin the State, and enrich themselves out of the ruins of poor plundered people, than any ever did, or durst attempt under a King and Prelates. And for that it is inconsistent with a free ingenious spirit, to be subservient to the injust and injurious actings of our Northern Nimrod: none therefore there, but such as be either Cavaliers, and so under his Rod, if they comply not, or his own vassals, mercenary and dependant Creatures must be entrusted in any Authority there, as here in part, and more large hereafter, I shall fully manifest in my answer to two nameless Pamphlets, called Musgrave muzzled, etc. The occasion of writing this following Letter to Mr. Moyer was this. By an Order of the Commissioners for compounding the 2. of Jan. last, I was summoned to appear at Haberdashers-Hall the same day, there when I came, Sir Ar. Haslerig caused a Letter to be read from Sewel and Laughorn, two of his Sub-Commissioners, and a note of my writing touching the pretended agreement betwixt Mr. Briscoe, Cap. Crackenthorp and myself: I than desired that I might have a formal Charge exhibited against me, and offered to answer immediately, and desired to have Copies of the Letter, and a note read against me; but both denied, Sir Ar. Haslerigs carrying them away with him: the forgery and falseness of both thou mayst plainly see in this following Letter to Mr. Moyer, and as Sir Arthur read the one openly, so I have caused my answer to the same in this letter, to be published for the satisfaction of friends, and undeceiving of others that take it for granted, Sir Arthur's only study and care is to advance the public, and the men placed in Authority by him, be honest and faithful in their employment: there is not any thing here asserted for truth; but if I may have liberty, I shall make good the same, and what I have done here, is not out of any discontent, emulation, or private grudge to Sir Arthur Haslerig, or any other person; but for rescuing wronged truth, and right information of an abused deceived State, by these worthless and mean men thus promoted and protected by Sir Arthur Haslerig, who by his power and greatness keeps them from giving account for their miscarriage and misgovernment: The poor North groans for liberty, but hopeless to recover their native freedom, whiles Sir Ar. Haslerig is Commander, and Lord peramount over them, only their hope is in God, that he will shorten the days of his unrighteous reign, and put it into the hearts of the Parliament to call him to account, not only for all the vast sums received out of Goldsmith's Hall, Country sequestrations, fines, freequarter, and other unwrrantable Levies and Sesments; but likewise for his despising Parliament Authority, making his will and lust, not the Acts & Ordinances of Parliament the rule and square of his actions, which if ever it come to equal examination and trial, let me suffer death if he prove not more peccant by fare than I have rendered him in my Charge; whereof the Council of State declared, (notwithstanding their Order intimates otherwise) that they had no cognizance, he being a Parliament-man, and left me to the Parliament, to promote my Charge there; but how to do it, or by whom, I know not: yet nothing doubt but God ere long will bring him to answer for all his oppressions and wrongs done us: This is the prayer and expectation of him who desires to live no longer than he shall be true to the Interest of England's Commonwealth, and a faithful Servant to his Country.  
JOHN MUSGRAVE.   

A Letter written to Mr. Moyer, one of the Commissioners for compounding, wherein is set forth the abuses of the Sub-commissioners for Sequestrations, and how the State Revenue may be advanced without wrong to any honest Interest.  
SIR,  
THis other day a nameless Pamphlet came to my hand, called Musgrave muzzled, or the mouth of iniquity stopped, wherein is printed a Letter from Thomas Sewell, and Thomas Laughorn, two of your Commissioners for sequestrations in Cumberland, and directed in haste to Thomas Craister Major of Carlisle at Newcastle, with a paper said to be of my writing, with a Certificate from a Minister one Nicholson, touching Cap. Crackenthrop, and mine agreement with Lawyer Briscoe; both which Sir Arthur Haslerig read before you at Haberdasher's Hall, but carried the same away with him: so I could have no Copy of either of them; otherwise before this, I would have given a satisfactory answer to both; and herein I doubt not but both clearly to vindicate my own innocency and integrity, and plainly to discover what this anonymus and libellor hath writ, is only to cast a mist before truth, that the baseness and treacherous dealing of those men, of whom I complain, may escape in the fog the better unespyed. And for the honesty of M. Briscoe, his former actions and time truths best discoverer will manifest: I will not trouble you further than with what was by Sir Arthur Haslerig suggested and urged against me before you; when by your Order I was convented before you, without any charge against me. The other part of that book against me in Sir Arthur Haslerigs vindication, as this Detractor is licenced thus to libel against me, I hope I shall not be bound up from answering, nor denied legem talionis.  
Sir, After the Commissioners for the Militia in Cumberland were laid aside, upon my exceptions delivered to the Council of State: Mr. Can came to me, telling me Sir Arthur Haslerig desired to speak with me: I went to Sir Arthur Haslerigs Lodging: he seemed to be desirous of a right understanding betwixt him and the honest party with us: and after some flourishing with King James his sword, which he said he much valued, he told us how he was deceived in the men named for our Militia; but after he would not recommend any other, 〈◊〉 honest men with us should fy approve. He said, he had named me a Commissioner for sequestraions in Cumberland: I wished him to forbear doing it, I could not attend that employment by reason of my other private business and troubles I was encumbered with; but if I were a Commissioner, I should not forbear his friends, Mr. Howard and Sir Wilfride Lawson, two great and dangerous Delinquents. But when I understood I was joined with such as were Delinquents themselves, and with whom I could not take the Oath prescribed without perjury: I intended not to have acted with them. No seoner I returned into the Country, but Graister and Laughorn writ to me to meet them at Carlisle for letting out Delinquents Estates for that year; but fearing if I should have refused, they should have laid the blame upon me, if they had let them to the old sequestrators, & Sewel, who were formerly Farmers, at fare undervalues; and understanding that the Governor of Carlisle, and Craister were then Farmers of sundry great Delinquents Estates at low and inconsider able Rents, and how the Governor of Carlisle had made great waste, and cut down a wood of Sir Thomas D●cres, as is said, worth 5 or 600 l. and whose estate the Governor than farmed, conceiving few or no Countrymen would or durst bid money for that, the Governor Craistor or Sewell should desire to have, if we should meet there; upon that account I refused to go thither, and writ to them, that in regard the Governor Craister and Sewell, who then overawed the Country, and exercised tyranny, and an arbitrary Government over the people, by laying the Soldiers upon free quarter, raising moneys, and causing Countrymen to bring in their Corn into that Garrison, without money for the same or for carriage, were Farmers of Delinquents Estates at fare undervalues: few I knew within their own jurisdiction, and that Garrison durst contest with them: therefore I held that place not fitting to draw the Country thither, desiring they would appoint a more convenient place, and I would observe the time and place; at the first they said, I should come thither, or no place; but upon asecond letter, Isent them that I would certify against them: they appointed some two days after, to meet at Hescot by eleven of the Clock; but came not till 3 in the afternoon, no intimation thereof being given to the Country: when they came to Hescot, being but 6. miles from Carlisle, they excused their long stay, in regard of the funeral Sermon made by one Balwyne for Sewells' wife, who died some three weeks before; but Balwyne was fetched from Penreth, and the more intelligent conceived their meeting was rather to cousult how to uphold the Scottish interest then for the Sermon by Balwyne, who was and yet is a professed enemy to the Engagement and present Government. Upon our sitting down, none of our Country appearing, Craystor and Laughorn desired I would consent to let the Delinquents Estates to the old Sequestrators and Farmers at the former Rents, which I desented from, in regard I knew the old Sequestrators did only take the same for the Delinquents use and benefit, for whom they were Agents. Upon this our meeting was adjourned to Penreth for some 3. days longer, only upon Craister and Laughorns entreaty and protestation, they knew the same to be worth no more. I consented to a Lease of Sir Francis howard's Tithes for that year to Captain Briscoe for 30 l. but at our next meeting I found the State cheated of 30 l. therein for Mr. Pearson. The Sequestrator did offer 60 l. for the same, and said they were better worth. In the mean time, I sent into Westmoreland for some friends to come to our meeting at Penreth, (at any other meeting I was never with them after) fearing few or no Countrymen with us would appear in opposition to the Governor, Crayster, and the old Sequestrators; and by my friends at that meeting I advanced the sequestered Rents near 500 l: the worst service I ever did you, and all the favour I shown any Delinquents. There were but two for whom I was solicited to show some favour to, viz. my Uncle Sir William Musgrave, and Mr. Pearson of Newton; for Sir William Musgrave I raised the Rents of his Lands so high, for which I was after threatened, if ever the times changed, to have the like returned. For Pearson, 'tis true, a bribe of 10 l. was offered me for my good will, the other Commissioners being made sure for him. The case was thus, Mr. Pearson the year before had taken of the old Committee Newton-Tithes for 76 l. Sewell by the countenance of Craister, pretends (and but a pretence) to have taken them for 50 l. requires bond of Pearson for the whole 76 l. to his own use: Pearson refuses: then Sewell procures Lieut. Col. Briggs, being Deputy Governor of Carlisle, to send a party of Horse to force Pearson, and did force him to enter bond to Sewell for the whole: Pearson complains to me how he was oppressed by Sewel and Briggs, and how Sewel intended to cheat the State of 26 l. and put it in his own pocket; but Pearson after is sent for to appear before the Governor of Carlisle, who with Craister partly by threats, and partly through promises, Pearson should have the Tithes the next year for 50 l. Pearson pays the whole 76 l. to Sewel. but only 50 l. accounted to the State; if so much, to colour and cover this knavery and cheat, the Tithe is agreed on to be let for 50 l. Musgrave is the only rub. The commissioners offered them for 50 l. I having knowledge of their juggling, caused one beyond their expectation to bid freely for the Tithes, and raised them to 79 l. 19 s. which Pearson seeing and not willing to part with the Tithes, gave the other 12 d. for increase: so the Rent was that year 80 l. If Anonymus in that dark could have struck me with any such Arrow, he would not have miss this mark; but I look upon this Pamphleter, hired with a price by Sir Arthur Haslerig to murder my reputation, (which to an honest man, is more dear than his life) lest I should enter the list once again with him, and by help of unconquered truth, unvale his hypocrisy, and lay open his unfaithfulness to the State and present Government, with his tyrannies & oppressions yet not discovered, which in the strength of God, I fear not but to do. But in answer, for Huddlestons' pretended Estate, I am sure the Commissioners cannot but acknowledge not any was more forward to promote their Rent then I. But upon Mr. Skelton's showing the Exchequer Lease in right of his Son, 'tis true, we said we could not discharge the Lands from under sequestration; but the same were to be freed, either in the Exchequer, or by the Commissioners for compounding above; and Skelton showing an Order of the Exchequer, made upon Mr. Fells motion, a Member of Parliament, in Skelton's right for freeing those Lands of Huddlestons' recusancy, and acquittances from the several Sheriffs for the Rent paid by Skelton to the very time of sequestration, I did not them nor yet see how in soliciting for the infant here, I did or could wrong the State, and what I did therein was with the privity and approbation of the other Commissioners. For receiving 15 l. of Huddleston, I deny it; but upon account it will appear I have spent 10 l. more than I have received, having attended here and in the Country, ever since June last, and never could bring the same to any issue, Skelcon and his Farmer's goods being lately driven for the Arrearages of the Rent due upon Skelton's Lease, by the Sheriff of Cumberland, whereby appeareth the falsehood of that Certificate in relation to me and Skelton: but I would gladly you would examine how it comes to pass, that after a years discovery & proof tendered aghast Thompson of Broomfield, by one Raper of the same, the State is cozened of 400 l. per Annum; for Thompson enjoys his Estate, being worth 400 l. per Annum, still unsequestred, though a notorious Delinquent. For my speaking for Delinquents. I dare them to name one. What discoveries they have made since they were first Commissioners, let them tell. By their refusing and slighting discoveries, I know they have lost the State 10000 l. But why have they been thus long silent against me? Have I not before provoked them? Did I not tell them at our first meeting, that I could not take the Oath with them without perjury, in regard Laughorn was a Delinquent in Arms, and had taken the Oath for the Earl of Newcastle, and that Craister had received 8 or 10000 l. of Delinquents money unacconnted for, and so thereby uncapable to be Treasurer as they had made him, and desired that Mr. Briscoe might supply that place? But they are very careful to advance the State's Revenues, witness their refusal to examine witnesses upon Oath against Mr. Howard, whose delinquency and perjury is manifest, and attested by sundry witnesses under their hands, besides his withdrawing in Arms to the enemy in Yorkshire, 5. or 6000 l. per Annum with them is not considerable, Mr. howard's Estate amounts to no less. And so much displeased was I at my being put out of Commission, as you know the last Summer I solicited you so to do often times, telling you I could not act with them to do you service, and if I might have the same in the Country by indifferent Commissioners examined, and not hurried to Newcastle where none of my witnesses dare appear against them, for Sir Arthur's pride and tyranny. I could, and would prove that they have hindered and lost the State 10000 l. by hindering and obstructing discoveries which your friends would have made and offered to do; so they sure are not only in a clandestine way, but are professed enemies to the interest of this Commonwealth. As for the stewardship of Penreth which they say I am outed of, I never esteemed it nor made aught of it, further than to advance the State's service, and keep under Delinquents, causing such to find pledges without any Fee for their good behaviour as refused the Engagement, whereat some of the now Commissioners were not well pleased: I never received penny by it, only 29 s. the first Court, the Fee due for my service is yet to take up, and which I never expect: undesired, unexpected that place was put upon me by Sir Henry Mildmay. I can make it appear, I have spent in that service near 20 l. the greatest profit I have had by it. If I would have continued that place after that Honour was sold, I might, which was offered me by Captain Dawson, one of the purchasers; but conceiving it a snare, or to prevent me from prosecuting his Father in Law Cholmleys' Delinquency I wholly refused it. For Sewel (who thus upbraids me with my poverty) in the beginning of this Parliament and war, was not worth a groat, Servant to the Postmaster of Carlisle, ready to rub a Cavaliers Horse-heels for a penny; but by cheating the State, and farming Delinquents Lands at fare undervalues, and trading with the enemy in Scotland, of late hath got great wealth. And for Craister, he hath improved his time while he hath served the State, to his own, but not to the State's benefit, industriously ever promoting the Scots interest. It was not indisposition of health, but out of disaffection to the present service, which made him lay down his Commission when he was to march for Scotland, persuading others from bearing Arms under the now Lord General against the Scots. But you will say, while I complain of others, why do I take bribes, or gifts of others to conceal or free them from delinquency? If to accuse were a conviction, who should be innocent? I never saw the face of that man that durst exhibit any such Charge against me before any Court of Justice, otherwise then as the slanderous pen of this invective libeler hath belched out against me; which I disregard, holding it my honour, to be evil spoken of by base men, and such as are ashamed to own themselves and what they writ; like a murderer in the dark, killing the innocent unawares. Only as to that paper produced by Sir Arthur Haslerig, touching Mr. Briscoe, which I owned before you to be my writing; blessed be God, I was never yet reduced to that straight, as to deny any thing I ever yet writ, or not able to give an account for my so doing. And more in particular touching this paper.  
Sir, After the King withdrawing to York from the Parliament, soon in every County in the North with us did they list men, and raise Horse for the King, and in no place with more readiness then in Cumberland. If any there were known or suspected to favour the Parliament, his words or Religion, was quarrel enough to throw him into prison.  
The first imprisoned there was myself, for nonconforming to the Common prayer-Book the Idol of that time; but after bailed. The next Sessions appearing again, Cap. Crackenthorp being there, the Justices said we were against their King, and that we boasted of the Parliament, and thereupon ministered the Oath of supremacy to us, which we refusing committed us both close prisoners; but after again bailed. Col. Rigby our good friend advised us to appear, and (that if we were again committed) by Habeas Corpus to remove ourselves: for by Law they could not administer that Oath without special Commission. I acquainted Mr. Briscoe therewith, being that Sessions to be sworn Justice, desiring him not to intermeddle; but he in open Court told the Justices they had power to minister that Oath, and committed us for high Treason for refusing that Oath the second time, and procured a special Commission for a Goal-delivery, intending and so giving out that we should die as Traitors; but by the Habeas Corpus they were disabled to proceed against us, though they would not obey it as to enlarge us  
To tell you all the cruelty and bad usage towards us, upbraiding us ever with the Parliament, would be a volume.  
After many turn, and the Country freed from under the enemy's power; we made our addresses to the Parliament: and the Lords upon reading our Petition, sent it down to the House of Commons, who referred it to the Committee of Complaints, with power to send for parties, Witnesses and Records. Upon serving the Order upon Mr. Briscoe and other the Justices, Sir William Ermyne, (ever accounted a friend to Cavaliers with us, by whose Votes his Son sits in Parliament, as Knight of the shire for Cumberland) procures an Order of the House of Commons, for respiting the Summons we had procured upon our great charge and attendance, having spent in the prosecution of that Petition near 300 l. Cap. Crakenthorp was hereat much troubled, having suffered and spent so much for the Parliament, to be so slighted; said he would make Mr. Briscoe know other way what wrong he had done us, Col. Cholmley (being then a Member of Parliament, but since left the House for his Delinquency) made his address to us, and much solicited us to agree with Briscoe, telling us how if we were friends, he would (by his friends here) be much useful to the Parliaments friends in Cumberland; and with much confidence did aver that it was impossible any Charge of Delinquency against Mr. Briscoe could be proved.  
At Colonel Cholmleys and Captain Dawson's earnest entreaty (as Mr. Briscoe the Merchant I know will acknowledge, if not, I am able to prove the truth of it otherwise) more in regard that Mr. Briscoe would be a friend to honest men, then for such an inconsiderable sum: as to our losses by that imprisonment, we were content to take 35 l. of Mr. Briscoe, for the wrong done to us by him, with this proviso, that our discharge or release to him, should never be produced in evidence for to debar us from recovering damages for our false imprisonment of the other malignant Justices; but we could not agree of the manner of the discharge: whereupon Mr. Briscoe the Merchant said, Conzen Musgrave, writ as I shall dictate to you, and when it is done, if you and the Captain like it not, there shall no use be made of it; and thereupon I did write the note or paper ask gave it in, of which this nameless Libeler so much boasteth. But did we upon reading it agree or subscribe to it? nay, did I not often say to him while I was writing it, what he did dictate to me was untruth, we had no charge of Delinquency against his Brother, and we would not subscribe that paper: ask him if he did not solicit us to subscribe it, and upon what account he carried it away with him: did he not premise to go that night to the Council at Lincoln's Inn with it, and if Council held it not good, he would not require it, but would come to us the next day with it? & did we not tell him what was written was untruth, and we could not ever own it? and before he was suffered to carry it away, did he not promise (if Council held it not warrantable) to return it us again the next morning? for any such agreement or Engagement under our hands as the Cavalier Priest falsely in his Certificate intimated, the paper produced (which you have seen) will testify the contrary: where is now my covetousness, dishonesty, knavery, or unwarrantable action in all this? let the Lybeller tell me; for his money we never expected, nor desired it before the difference was settled by learned Council; but the next day we heard not from him, for by this trick it seems a design was laid to blast our reputation: but blessed be God, we are not afraid of such Bug-bears, but warned to beware of men, and be more cautious and careful of our ways and walking. We were men of private conditions; but Mr. Briscoe the Lawyer, a Justice of peace and Committee-man. If you ask, I will tell you how he had or was to have of S. Wilf. Lawson by the mediation of 2. grand Delinquents, 30 l. for imprisoning him, by virtue of the Commission of Array, how it did agree with his Oath to conceal S. Wilfrids' Delinquency, and not sequester him, and yet have reparations for himself, I know not; but surely, if this nameless Balaamite and hireling for Sir Arthur Haslerig had any such thing against me, he would not be silent I confess. As for Delinquency against Mr. Briscoe, I could not to this day ever find sufficient matter to fixed charge upon him, though I believe the Commonwealth hath many better friends, and to honest men be ever professed himself an enemy: the Character of the Gentleman, Baron Thorp can better give than I; yet that he hath acted with and for the enemy, against the Parliament, I believe; for I have a warrant under his hand to that purpose; but how to prove it legally I know not, though his Brother doth believe the subscription to be his hand writing, unless you will put him to the Oath ex officio, which is against the Law of God and Man, as you did my cousin Wharton, in my case without any charge exhibited against me; but if you had examined Cap. Swain upon that Oath, who the other day pretended such zeal for the Commonwealth before you, against Mr. Primate, he could have teld you what money, and by whom was offered me in Michaelmas Term last, whether 60 l. more or less, to forbear from prosecuting Sir Richard graham's concealments and undervalues upon Cap. Crackenthorps' Discovery, and what Arguments were used to induce me thereunto; how Sir Richard Graham would find better friends than I before you, and why I should do it for a State that never did me good, right, not justice: notwithstanding all my sufferings and high actings for them, it stood neither with wisdom nor reason, when by giving it ever, I might not only gain a potent friend; but have in hand a considerable sum to my own desire: Cap. Swain, if examined upon the Oath ex officio, could tell you what moneys this last term were offered me in the same case, and what Answer I returned.  
But in case Sir Richard Graham had given us satisfaction for the wrong done us before the discovery by us made; I quere, whether it had not been our liberty if we had liked, and the other desired, if another had made the Discovery, to have solicited for Sir Richard Graham, without wronging the State, as well as Mr. Squibs Brother, who by soliciting for Delinquents before you is said to get 500 l. per Annum. and yet no bribery in him, I know you account it, neither do I? I further quere, whether i● no information or Discovery had been made by us, it had not been our liberty to have agreed with him for our personal wrongs, and forborn if we had pleased to have made the Discovery?  
If you had put Mr Craister to the Oath ex officio, he could have told you how he and Langhorn the last Summer refused to receive Discoveries against Delinquents, in contempt of your Orders, and great prejudice to the State.  
I you had put him and Langhorn to that Oath, they could have told you, how they solicited me (upon my bringing in (before them) my Discoveries of the 17. of October last) to have forborn to do it, saying, I should do my Country bad service in it; for by that means the Discoveries would come to the State, and they had an intent to get all the Concealments and Discoveries to themselves, as Sir Arthur Haslerig hath since done for them from the first of November last. Now my Discoveries are the only let in their way, being before that time, ●nce Craister gave out in speeches (before he went out of Town, as my Cousin Wharton can witness) that neither the State nor I should have any benefit by those Discoveries, which I made the 17. of October last.  
If you had put Mr. Craister and Mr. Sewell to the Oath ex officio, they could have told you how they solicited me to withdraw my Charge of Delinquency against Col. Cholmley and Thomas Langhorn, saying, I should undo them if I did the same, and they could tell you how they laboured with Cap. Crackenthorp to dissuade me therefrom.  
If John Musgrave had done any such thing; how would this Tertullus, hired to rail against me, have opened his throat to declaim against me? what black epithets would he have given me, you may easily imagine? But those be Sir Arthur Haslerig's honest men; and no place, but at Newcastle, you think fit to examine their misdemeanours. I had almost forgot to acquaint you, how upon my coming last to London, Craister, Sewell, and Langhorn, the day before I came out of the Country) did earnestly entreat me that I would be their Solicitor at London; for they knew, I would be both honest and diligent in what I undertook; and without some active man above, you would do nothing: so careless were you of what they certified as you made not any return thereupon. Then they could fawn, flatter and dissemble with me; professing, they knew I was glad to be out of Commission with them, and how prejudicial the same was to my other business; hoping thereby to have drawn me from prosecuting my Discoveries and complaining of them: but now failing in their expectation, they throw their dirt and filth in my face, to make me ugly, and the Readers believe, that it is my natural complexion, and a leprosy growing from an inbred corruption. But their and the Governor of Carlisle's Certificate of Craister's Judgement for a Congregational way are a like truth; Craister being the Scottish Presbyters great Champion there, and a professed enemy to ask such in that Country, is favour Independency, as I can prove by a Cloud of Witnesses. Nay Craister hath threatened of late, that such as walk in a Congregational way, shall be debarred to meet to prayer and worship; boasting to be armed with authority from Sir Arthur Haslerig to effect it. Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light: but the hope of the Hypocrite shall perish; and God will unmask in his due time, the unworthy dealing and dissembling of this juggler. For Mr. Nicholson, if Sir Arthur had not read his certificate before you, I should not further have troubled you with him, by what is said; which I am able to prove. You see, upon what weak props and rotten pillars Sir Arthur Haslerig would uphold his credit; & by a short & true character of the man, who calls himself a Minister of the Gospel, you may conceive how by such men Sir Arthur Haslerig propagates the Gospel in the North.  
Nicholson, while the enemy had any power with us, complied with that interest, after the Country was reduced to the obedience of Parliament, upon the recommendation of some, whom the Commissioners of the great seal best know, got the Rectory of Plumland under the great seal of England granted him; of which he makes Merchandise, and sells the same to a Delinquent Priest, one Eglesfield, for an hundred pounds. After upon Duke Hambleton's invading England, withdraws himself to the enemies garrison in Carlisle; and there he turns to his old vomit, the book of Common-Prayer; and was preacher before Sir Philip Musgrave and Sir Wil Leviston the Governor of Carlisle: of all which Craister is not ignorant: By his friends, now in authority, he is placed at Thursby; and of late upon the recommendation of Craister, confirmed in that Rectory, by the Commissioners for the Ministry of Newcastle. And Eglesfield (though a Cavalier & Delinquent) enjoys his place likewise but who dares say, that Craister is no honest man, or Sir Arthur is a friend to Cavaliers and Malignants? I have often heard you say, you were under an oath. Deceive not yourselves: God will not be mocked. The Lords and Commons of Parliament (whose seats you now possess) though high in power, and great in wealth, for their double mindedness, dissembling, slighting oaths, regarding persons, brother, cousin, and friends; and despising men of mean & lieu condition, God with contempt hath laid aside. If you tread in the same tract they did, notwithstanding you set a fairer guilt and gloss upon your do, God will find you out; and you shall go off with as bad a savour as the snuff of a Candle when put out. Your wisdoms, and all your wind shall not prevent it; and that sooner than you dream of, if you despise Council. Now to carry witnesses for the Commonwealth out of Carlisle to Newcastle, near a 100 miles remote from their dwellings for to Browgham in Westmoreland, not a mile out of Cumberland, the Commissioners there being of your own naming, & upon Sir Arth. Haslerigs recommendation as the other be, and whom you may arm and alike authorise them to do it; be more equal, just, and for the more ease and lessening of the charges of the witnesses, and for the further encouragement of the prosecutor for the Commonwealth, God judge and let all honest and  men well consider. To presix a peremptory day for a hearing within six weeks and before the parties complained of have answered the charge, and so no issue joined, nay before any formal summons granted against them for their appearance; and parties and witnesses living remote hence near 300 miles, while you have made the prosecutor attend two months, before be can have an order out, made against a Delinquent; and yet he cannot procure it, be regular, just, and honest: and if such difficulties, or rather impossibilities put upon the prosecutor is not partial dealing, or agreeable with your oath let the more judicious consider. One question more I would offer unto you, whether the high Court of Parliament be not a Court of equity as law? If so, then whether the Commissioners or Judges sitting at Haberdashers-Hall, from whom there be no appeals to any other Court then the Parliament itself, in cases depending before and determinable by them, be not Judges of the equitable part as the legal? Which if denied; will it not unavoidably follow, that former Kings and Tyrants of this Nation, have in their high Court of Chancery made better provision for their vassals and slaves, to recover and regain their lost rights and possessions, when without remedy in Common Law-Courts, their evidences being lost then England's Parliament hath done for their plundered friends, and the widows of the slain in their quarrels? Will not England's freedom be now worse and more destructive to us, then former England's slavery under Kings and Lordly power? Admit (as too true it is in many men's cases) the enemy for my affection and adhering to the Parliament hath not only imprisoned me; but dispossessed me of lands, plundered me, taken from me all my writings and evidences upon reducing the Country my land and estate is sequestered for the Delinquency of the intruder or disseisor, the last Tenant in possossions the disseasor confesseth to have my evidences, I desire he may produce them; a zealot stands up, and tells you, the State makes title under the disseisor: I am to show the writings, if I expect the land we may not, we will not, saith he, nay we forbidden the disseisor to speak the truth; or show any writings for him: Is this right? is this Law? is this Parliamentary? Now admit all my evidences and writings had been burnt by the enemy, or by casualty lost, how shall I regain my possession? shall not Records, proofs and proceed of other Courts, discovering my right be read and allowed? were it not the height of tyranny and injustice to deny it? Whosoever would persuade you to act thus wickedly, as Sir Ar. Haslerig did in Mr. Primates case; suspect him for an enemy: and whatever his pretence be, his intent and aim is to bring us into an odium and dislike of the present Government; and cause the people to cry out for another King, as through the misgovernment of samuel's Sons Israel did do, draw the curses of the oppressed upon you, and bring the wrath of God upon your Masters. Be wise, seek not deep to hid your Counsels: remember there is a woe written to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that writ grievousness which they have prescribed.  
Sewel and Langhorn certify, that I sp●●ke so much in Delinquents behalf as gave occasion to my fellow Commissioners to have some jealousies of my actings. I pray consider, and let it be examined by indifferent men; whether my high actings against Delinquents was not the very cause they desired me out, wherein though not by them intended, they did me a courtesy? But how fare they promoted the State's Revenue, the farming out the Tithes of the Rectory of Graistock for 71 l. when 100 l. more was proffered, and which they knew to be worth 300 l. with many other such actions of theirs will speak for them. For the favour I shown Delinquents then, or since my then advancing the rents of Delinquents Estates, and my discovery then and since will sufficiently answer for me. I did the whole work, they received the whole wages and allowances. Mr. Briscoe nor I had one penny since we were Commissioners. Let all the Recoras and Returns of Haberdashers-Hall be viewed, if by them or their Discovery, 100 l. per Annum be brought in to the State, either in Concealments or undervalues, more than some few particulars of mine, and Mr. Cruckenthorps' Discoveries, than I am much mistaken. In prosecution of which Discoveries, before you, I have spent 200 l. besides the neglect of my private affairs, and a long and wearisome attendance upon you with such discouragement and disrespect from Mr. Winslow and Mr. Barnard, as if I had been no friend to the Republic in what I did: besides my Discoveries made to you in June last, which I could never get your Commissioners in Cumberland to proceed to the examining of witnesses, though I had much solicited them and which will bring in to the State 10000 l. per annum. My poverty they object to me as a crime: to this day I have eaten mine own bread: I am content with my portion, oft have I refused, never did I seek for place of profit or preferment, I have since this Parliament begun, often ventured my life for them, spent in promoting the State's service first and last, more than 500 l. besides my losses and imprisonment for the Parliaments cause: yet never had I any thing from the Parliament, either towards wages or reparations for my losses. But for your boasting Commissioners, whatsoever they have lost, I am able to prove. They have by their beneficial Offices, received a pound for every penny lost: yet hath S. Arthur H. procured the other day all the concealed Delinquents estates and undervalues in Cumberland, from the first of November last to be of their disposing: how they will order and bestow the same, a little time will discover. For the Leases they have made of Delinquents Estates, they might have improved them 1000 l. per Annum. And by good security, I dare undertake to procure you Farmers, that will give 500 l. per Annum, more than they account to you for. But lest you should think I only word it, the particulars ensuing of my Discoveries made before you the first of November last, and in Cumberland follow.  
 l s d IMprimis, upon my discovery against Mr. Pennington of Muncaster, his real Estate secured per Annum about Mr. William Pennington of Seaton, upon my Discovery per Annum 400 0 0 Authony Latus of Beck, per Annum 150 0 0 John Huddleston ofVlpha per Annum 60 0 0 John Rawbanke— per Annum 60 0 0 Hugh Askow— per Annum 100 0 0 Cumberland Discoveries per Annum 2270 0 0  

Cumberland Concealments and Undervalues upon my Discovery seized and secured.   l. s. d. IMprimis John Scenhouse his undervalue per Annum. 14 2 4 His Concealments per Annum, 123 16 8 Thomas Patrick son of Stockholne his undervalue per Annum 26 13 4 His Concealments per Annum 81 16 8 Robert Fisher of Brakenthweat his Undervalue per Annum, 34 0 0 His Concealment per Annum, 28 0 0 Concealments upon my discovery before the 1. of November 1050. per annum, 308 9 0 Sir Henry Bellingham his Concealment and undervalue per annum upon my discovery 400 5 0 Summatotalis of Discoveries & Concealments upon my Discovery since the 17. of Octob. and before the 1. of November 1650. 3058 14. 0 Baronet Curwens' Concealment and undervalue by Cap. Crackenthorps' Discovery 17. Octob. 1651. 271 0 0 So Cap. Crackenthorp added to my Discovery before the 1. of Novemb. 1650. All seized and secured, amounts per annum to 3329 14 0 And upon my Discovery 17. of Octob, 1650. Mr. Pennington of Muncaster his personal Estate seized and secured, 571 0 0 My other Discoveries of the 19 of June 1650. and 17. of Octob. 1650. not yet secured, will amount per annum, to 10000 0 0 Cap Crackenthorps' Discovery upon Sir Richard Graham, concealed and undervalved 600 0 0 Now if you would have examined witnesses for these latter unsecured, the State had been in actual possession of the same, as well as of the other; but in regard of private friendship, they wholly refused it, so that what is secured, and this which is not yet secured by the only default of your Commissioners doth amount. per Annum, to 14490 14 0  
If I had done the like service for any Prince in Europe, I should not have been thus disregarded: yet notwithstanding all the disrespects I have had, delays and puttings off: if hereafter I receive encouragement, and misunderstanding be removed, I shall be ready to prosecute the Discoveries before you. Therefore my humble request to you is, that according to your former engagement, you will give order for allowance of the fifths of my Discoveries, towards the defraying charges, loss of time & neglect of private business, as of my own, so of others, & without which I shall be disabled to finish what I have begun, whereby the State will lose a considerable Revenue, if well improved.  
1. That the Articles against your Commissioners in Cumberland, may be examined in Cumberland or Westmoreland, and not at Newcastle, upon such great inequality and discouragement, both of the prosecutor and witnesses.  
2. That your Commissioners may be required to make returns of such Discoveries as they have secured, and give account why they have not done it before this time.  
3. For that it appears by affidavit, the miscarriage of your Commissioners in not truly setting down depositions taken against Delinquents, you will appoint an able and honest man whom I can approve of, to write the depositions, and not leave it to Mr. Craisters' man, who either ignorantly or wilfully leaves out the most material things tending to prove the delinquency of the party discovered.  
I know sundry in Bishopric, Yorkshire, Cumberland and Westmoreland, would before this have made out great and considerable discoveries, if by your flow proceed upon mine and Captain Crackenthorps' they had not been hindered, who wait to hear how the State will resent the good service I have done them herein, and how they consider me for my great travel and expenses, I have undergone about the same: all which I held it my duty to communicate unto you, expecting your answer hereunto, hoping you will not spend me out with unnecessary attendance, when one day will do all my business for the present before you.  
I take my leave and rest, Yours, JOHN MUSGRAVE. 26. 3. month, 1651.  
For Sam. Moyer Esq one of the Commissioners for compounding.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
THis Letter I had published before now, if my private business drawing me out of Town had not hindered. Upon my return I find a Letter printed, written by Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburn to John Price, the supposed Author of that nameless and scurrilous Pamphlet, entitled, Musgrave muzzled, or the mouth of iniquity stopped: In which Letter Mr. Lilburn much complains of Sir Arthur Haslerig, for his cruel and harsh deal, and causeless prosecution against Mr. George Lilburn his Uncle, and Mr. Richard Lilburn his Father, whom with their whole Family Sir Arthur Haslerig causelessy endeavours to destroy, as Mr. Lilburn saith in his Letter; a Family I know as well deserving from this Commonwealth, for their faithfulness, activeness, and suffering for the good thereof, as any one Family of their condition this day in England. I hear Sir Arthur doth sore threaten me: I am not afraid; but before he meddle with me, if he have either Honour or honesty, he will clear himself of that high Charge fixed upon him by Mr. Lilburn in that Letter: otherwise who will doubt that Sir Arthur Haslerig relies more upon his power and greatness to protect him, then by truth and justice to defend the bounty and goodness of his cause. Mr. Lilburn the other day told me, that Sir Henry Mildmay asked him, what he thought of Musgraves Charge against Sir Arthur Haslerig? and how he replied, he knew Sir Arthur was guilty of most I had charged him with, as to Bishopric and Northumberland; and that Shurir Art Haslerig had made one Dallivall, a notorious Delinquent, High Sheriff of Northumberland the last year; and this year one Shadforth a great Delinquent and Malignant, High Sheriff of Bishopric yet neither of them sequestered, though Sir Arthur Haslerig knows them to be such which makes me to remember what Justice Warburton said to me at Durham, at his going thence the last A sizes the Judge called me to him, and said Mr. Musgrave, the greatest and richest Delinquents in Newcastle are yet unsequestred, take notice of it, and look to it. I told the Judge, I was a stranger in those parts, but I would acquaint my Lord Precedent with it, and which I did by the next Post: so that it may truly be said of Sir Arthur Haslerig, as sometimes it was of Rome's Senate, in 〈…〉 and calling state, Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas.  
JOHN MUSGRAVE.  
FINIS.