Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1095

Royalists Accused
Undated, unsigned letter in defence of the trustworthiness of Sir Patrick Curwen to "Your Exc[ellency]" reading:

"wee perceive that some informations have rendered Sir Patric Carwen as one ill affected to his ma'ties service and adheereing to his enemies, and that this heath appreered by his endeavouring to raise a power in this countrie for the service of the parliament. Wherefore wee thought oure selves obliged seeing the occation of this arising from a muster called by Sir Patric Curwen by consent of other commissioners of array at Havethwate in this countie, wee thought oure selves obliged to yor lop' [lordship] that since the beginning of these distractions hee heath ever appered to be bothe a loiall subject, and verie industrious to advance his mates' service ..... and at the foresade muster, did his utmost to perswade those that came to him to conforme themselves to such wais as did most agree with the cources observed in other parts of the countie, and to pay in the benevolence desired to bee given to his matie whose service with the peace of the countrie wee are assured, hee onely arrived att the cauleing these men together.Wherefor wee humblie desire yor ex' that hee may remane cleere in yor opinion, and by yor means obtaine the same favoure from the queens matie and hee will bee redie to justifie himself before yor ex; (if you thinke fit to caule him to itt) and that hee may know his accusers not doubting but yo ex; will cause reparation to bee given unto him which reparation from his accusers, against whome hee is redie to justifie his doing actions when hee shall know them and this will obleedge us to remane, as manie other yor fomer favours will much obleige."

Some faults and paper loss but perfectly legible.

1644 (26 March) ALS in English from Sir Walter Pye to Sir Richard Browne with integral address panel in French reading "Monsieur, Monsieur Browne Resident pour Le Roy de la greande Britayne a Paris". Letter reading:

"Troubles and afflictions have taken upp all my time since I had the honor to write vnto you in Paris; and truly since I have been home have till this last weeke that I have binne in this Towne of purpose to injoye it. I have had neither leasure nor oppertunitie to performe my promise with you. The last letter I received of yours came the morrow after ye Battle at Edge Hill, wherein it seemes some had me a Rebell at Paris, but before ye receipt of it, not many howres before I had giuen sufficient testimony of my fidelitie. I must humble thanke you for your kind remembrance, for had I binne engaged on ye other side, it would certainly have wrought powerfull enough to have drawne me from them. I neede not trouble you with the relation of any of these passages, you have them from better and more judicious observers. I can only tell you [?] we prepare on all sides to cut throats [?], and put ye kingdome in a posture fitt for any one that will indeavour it to be conquerd. In the meane time you drinke good wine at Paris, see the beauties [?] ... and refresh ... [?], which in my opinion is better than drinking Sarvey [Ale?], marching all day in the Heate, and lyeing all night under an hedge. If you can away with this course of life I will imbibe you unto [?] England, but truly I had rather remaine and obey yours at Paris ... ".

Two extraordinary letters that reveal the fragility of political allegiances and the fear of spies.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£300 to £400

Starting price
£240