great honour to himself, and advantage to his masters. His courage notwithstanding has been called in question 13: I have no need to say,

18

asked him his blessing, and that the few hours he was there, he would not keep on his hat in his presence; but at the same time, he not only disarmed, but plundered him: for he took away all his plate" This was in character: the uncle was treated with proper respect; the cavalier prevented from doing mischief! Cromwell well understood his duty.

18 His courage however has been called in question.] It has been observed that there is no opinion so absurd as not to have been embraced by some men. The imputation of cowardice to Cromwell would not easily have been thought on, by those who had seen or heard of his exploits. But prejudice works wonders, and in a trice levels or exalts characters in the eyes of even wise and understanding men. Lord Holles was undoubtedly of this number; but being opposed and oppressed by Cromwell and his party, he could see nothing to admire, but every thing to blame in him." He engaged in a particular opposition to Cromwell," says Burnet, " in the time of the war: they hated one another equally. Holles seemed to carry this too far, for he would not allow Cromwell to have been either wise or brave; but often applied Solomon's observation to him, that the battle was not to the strong, nor favour to the man of understanding, but that time and chance happened to to all men." A fine way of levelling the acts of heroes!→ But let us hear Holles himself. "However lieutenant general Cromwell had the impudence and boldness to assume much of the honor of it [the victory at MarstonMoor, in July, 1644] to himself, or rather, Herod like, to suffer others to magnify and adore him for it (for I can scarce believe he should be so impudent to give it out himself, so conscious as he must be of his own base

without reason.

His success procured him friends and reputation; but at the same time

cowardliness) those who did the principal service that day, were major general Lesly, who commanded the Scots horse, major general Crawford, who was major general to the earl of Manchester's brigade, and Sir Thomas Fairfax, who, under his father, commanded the northern brigade. But my friend Cromwell had neither part nor lott in the business : for I have several times heard it from Crawford's own mouth (and I think I shall not be mistaken if I say Cromwell himself has heard it from him; for he once said it aloud in Westminster-hall, when Cromwell passed by him, with a design he might hear him) that when the whole army at Marston-Moor was in a fair possibility to be utterly routed, and a great part of it running, he saw the body of horse of that brigade standing still, and to his seeming doubtful which way to charge backward or forward, when he came up to them in a great passion, reviling them with the names of poltroons and cowards, and asked them if they would stand still and see the day lost? Whereupon Cromwell shewed himself, and in a pitiful voice said, 'Major general, what shall I do?' He(begging pardon for what hẹ said, not knowing he was there, towards whom he knew his distance as to his superior officer) told him, 'Sir, if you charge not, all is lost;' Cromwell answered he was wounded, and was not able to charge (his great wound being a little burn in the neck by the accidental going off behind him of one of his soldiers' pistols); then Crawford desired him to go off the field, and sending one away with him (who very readily followed wholesome advice) led them on himself, which was not the duty of his place, and as little for Cromwell's honor, as it proved to be much for the advancement of his and parties pernicious designs. This I have but by relation, yet I easily believe it upon the credit of the reporter, who was a man of honor, that was not ashamed or afraid to publish it in all places. Besides I have heard a parallel story of his valour from another person

it was attended with the envy and hatred" of very powerful persons, whom he soon got the

[colonel Dalbier] not inferiour, neither in quality nor reputation, to major general Crawford, who told me, that when Basing House was stormed, Cromwell, instead of leading on his men, stood a good distance off, out of gun-shot, behind a hedge. And something I can deliver of him upon my own knowledge, which makes passage for the easier belief of both these relations, and assures me that that man is as errand a coward, as he is notoriously perfidious, ambitious, and hypocritical. This was his base keeping out of the field at Keinton battle; where he with his troop of horse came not in, impudently and ridiculously affirming, the day after, that he had been all that day seeking the army and place of fight, though his quarters were but at a village near hand, whence he could not find his way, nor be directed by his ear, when the ordnance was heard, as I have been credibly informed, 20 or 30 miles off; so that certainly he is far from the man he is taken for 2" Mr. Walpole, referring to this passage, says "from the extream good sense of his lordship's speeches and letters, one should not have expected that weak attempt to blast Cromwell for a coward. How a judicatory in the temple of fame would laugh at such witnesses as major general Crawford and a colonel Dalbier! Cæsar and Cromwell are not amenable to a commission of oyer and terminer.”

19 His success was attended with the envy and hatred of very powerful persons.] The following passages will enable the reader to understand this. "Colonel Cromwell being made lieutenant general of the earl of Manchester's army, gave great satisfaction to the commons touching the business of Dennington castle, and seemed (but cautiously enough) to lay more blame on the officers of the lord general's army, than upon any other. And the point of privi

a Holles's Memoirs, p. 15. & seq. 8vo. Lond. 1699. Royal and Noble Authors, vol. II. p. 32.

↳ Catalogue of

better of, by craft, dissimulation, hypocrisy,

ledge was debated touching the lords transmitting of a charge from them, before it was brought up to them. This reflected upon lieutenant general Cromwell, of whom the lord general now began to have some jealousies, and was advised to put to his strength to rid Cromwell out of the way, and the means to be used to effect this, was supposed to be by the Scots commissioners, who were not well pleased with Cromwell upon some words which he had spoken (as they apprehended) derogatory to the honor of their nation. One evening very late, Maynard and I were sent for by the lord general to Essex-house, and there was no excuse to be admitted, nor did we know beforehand the occasion of our being sent for when we came to Essex-house, we were brought to the lord general, and with him were the Scots commissioners, Mr. Hollis, Sir Philip Stapylton, Sir John Meyrick, and divers others of his special friends. After compliments, and that all were set down in council, the lord general, in general terms having mentioned his having sent for them on important business, desired the lord chancellor of Scotland to enter into the detail, which he did in the following manner: Master Maynard and master Whitlock, I can assure you of the great opinion both my brethren and myself have of your worth and abilities, else we should not have desired this meeting with you, and since it is his excellency's pleasure that I should acquaint you with the matter upon whilke your counsel is desired, I shall obey his commands, and briefly recite the business to you. You ken vary weel that lieutenant general Cromwell is no friend of ours, and since the advance of our army into England, he hath used all underhand and cunning means to take off from our honor and merit of this kingdom; an evil requital of all our hazards and services: but so it is, and we are nevertheless fully satisfied of the affections and gratitude of the gude people of this nation in the general. It is thought requisite for us, and for the carrying on of the cause of the tway kingdoms, that this obstacle or remora may be removed out of the way,

and the usual arts of men bent on defeating the

whom we foresee will otherwise be no small impediment to us, and the gude design we have undertaken. He not only is no friend to us, and the government of our church, but he is also no well-willer to his excellency, whom you and we all have cause to love and honour; and if he be permitted to go on in his ways, it may, I fear, endanger the whole business; therefore we are to advise of some course to be taken for prevention of that mischief. You ken very wele the accord 'twixt the twa kingdoms, and the union by the solemn league and covenant, and if any be an incendiary between the twa nations, how is he to be proceeded against: Now the matter is, wherein we desire your opinions, what you tak the meaning of this word incendiary to be, and whether lieutenant general Cromwell be not sicke an incendiary, as is meant thereby, and whilke way wud be best to tak to proceed against him, if he be proved to be sicke an incendiary, and that will clepe his wings from soaring to the prejudice of our cause. Now you may ken that by our law in Scotland we clepe him an incendiary whay kindleth coals of contention, and raiseth differences in the state to the publick damage, and he is tanquam publicus hostis patriæ; whether your law be the same or not, you ken best who are mickle learned therein, and therefore with the favour of his excellency we desire your judgments in these points"."

Whitlock in answer hereunto observed, "that the sense of the word incendiary was the same in both nations; but whether Cromwell was one depended on proofs; if proofs were wanting, he was none: if such were at hand, he might be proceeded against in parliament." He moreover observed, that it became not persons of their honour and authority to appear in any business, especially of an accusation, but such as they saw could be clearly made out, and be brought to the effect intended. Cromwell's parts were then describ. ed; his interest in the house of commons, and even in the

a Whitlock's Memorials, p. 116,