barrister, were exerting themselves for the king. In a letter 1659. from Lord Clarendon to Mr. Mordaunt, dated May 9, 1659, is the following passage. "Do you not think it fit that he "(How) and Massey should confer together about the business "of Gloucester? When the time is ripe for action there be very few things will be more hopeful, and fill the hearts of "the people better, (considering the superstition our nation "is naturally possessed with,) than to hear that Gloucester "is defended for the king by Massey; which would look like "one of those revolutions which providence brings about, when "it will wonderfully restore a prince and people to happiness."* Richard Cromwell abdicated, and the long parliament sat again. The designs of the king's friends upon Bristol and Gloucester taking air had been for awhile suspended; but in July, Captain Titus, among other information, makes this report to the king. July 1. "Mr. How gave us assurance, and (not to mention his own "account of an army) others gave us better grounds to believe "that upon his interest 1000 foot would be raised besides."Major General Massey hath been long in those parts and myself "twice. At my last meeting with the major general at Hunger"ford (but few days before I came over) he told me he had "been in the Forest of Dean, where he found the gentlemen "very forward; that several of them had engaged for consi"derable numbers; that Bristol was as forward as ever; that "the seamen of that place had undertaken to dispatch or "secure the two troops that are quartered there without the "assistance of any others of the town; that Gloucester was no "less ready than Bristol; that they valued not the troop that was quartered there; that the mayor of the town himself "had expressed much inclination to act in such a business; * Clarendon. State Papers, III. 464. "but the particulars had not then been communicated to him; "that Dr. Fielding, a person of whose willingness or ability "to perform it there was no cause to doubt, had engaged at 'any time, upon the least warning, to secure a gate in Glou"cester, and to give the major general entrance for any force "he should think fit to bring; and besides, to dispose a "considerable part of the town immediately to join with "him. Major General Massey was at my coming away very "industriously agitating the business with all particular persons "in those parts, with whom it was any way necessary and "safe for him to have any communication of that kind." This might be the time when, perhaps, to favour the design of the royalists, the keys of the city were ordered to be delivered out of the possession of Captain Hill to the mayor, on account of some matters imparted to the corporation. Massey, however, who had been in Gloucester, wandering about in disguise was traced to Symond's Hall, the house of July 31. his relation Mr. Veal, where he was seized by some troopers, from whom, as they were carrying him down Nympsfield hill in the night, he effected his escape.† In the mean while Thomas Pury and his son had raised and armed three hundred foot in Gloucester, for which they received the thanks of the parliament by letter from the speaker. ↑ August. The report of a plot to murder all the Independents and Anabaptists in the city publicly contradicted by Robert Tyther, the mayor, in a letter to the house of commons. § September. The militia set on foot in this month. 7.-Amendments to the bill for settling lands upon the adenturers and soldiers in Ireland were before the house this day; and an amended clause in favour of Gloucester was read the third time and agreed to. 1659-60. 1660. October 4.-It was resolved that all the forests and chaces should be sold, except the New Forest, and the Forest of Dean.* November.-Gloucester was oppressed by the quartering of soldiers who had no pay; and a correspondence took place between the mayor and the committee of safety at Whitehall, which sufficiently proves the existing disorders. Sir Brice Cochrane, who had commanded three regiments in France, was in the city, and had demanded a part of their arms for the use of the commonwealth.+ February 23.-Was issued a proclamation and protest of the lords, knights, and gentlemen, in the counties of Gloucester, &c. against all assemblies which impose taxes without consent of parliament. In this year a guard house was erected. No more than one assize had been holden. The anarchy that now prevailed was only remedied by the restoration of King Charles II. who May 15. was proclaimed in Gloucester with great rejoicings. * C. J. In this year the walls of Gloucester were ordered to be razed.|| ↑ APPENDIX, No. XXI. Mercurius Publicus, May 10-17. || MS. Furney. |