THE HYPOCRITES unmasking; OR A clear Discovery of the gross Hypocrisy of the Officers and Agitators in the Army, concerning their pretended forwardness, and real sincere desires to relieve Ireland, with the obstruction whereof they falsely charge some of the 11 impeached Members, (who cordialy advanced it) in the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13., 11, 12, & 14. Articles of their mostfalse and scandalous Charge. By a Letter of the Agitators to Lieutenant general Crumwell, March 30. 1647: and colonel Robert Hammond his unreasonable Propositions to the Parliament; and some brief Observations concerning Sir Hardresse Waller, and the Lord Lisle; late governor of IRELAND. isaiah 9 16. 17. For the Leaders of this People cause them to err: and those that are led of them are swallowed up: For every one is an Hypocrite, and an evil doer, and every mouth speaketh villainy. LONDON, Printed Anno Dom. 1647. A Letter of the Agitators to lieutenant general Cromwell. May it please your Honour. WE, who have [for these two years past and more] been by your 1 Sir Thomas Fairfax (It seems) was & is but a cy-; pher with you: crumwell, only your Conductor, and general. Honour conducted through many dangers, and by providence have been hitherto protected; who have often seen the devouring sword of a raging enemy drawn forth against us threatening destruction to us, and now see them vanquished, and ourselves seemingly settled in peace and safety, are not unsensible of a more dangerous storm hanging over our heads then ever the malice of our open Enemies could have contrived, or their fury caused to fall upon us, which unless diverted, strikes not only at our liberty, but also at our lives: To whom (next to our maker) shall we fly for shelter but to 2 This disovers, who is supreme head of the mutinous faction in the Army your Honour, our Patron and Protector? from what Secondary means shall we expect our deliverance, but from that hand that hath been so often engaged with us? and from that heart that hath often been so tender over us, and careful for our securities? Can we suffer, and, you not Sympathize? can we be proclaimed Rebels, and your Honour remain secure? Ah dear Sir, let your wonted care for us be further demonstrated: cease not to speak for us who together with yourself, and in obedience to your commands have adventured all that is dear to us for the kingdom's safety: Hath any thing been desired by, that hath been promised us, or then we have just cause to expect? if there hath, then let it and the Authors thereof perish. But can the Parliament upon misinformation pass us for Enemies, and we not therein perceive the designs of our Enemies? can we be satisfied with a compliment, when our fellow soldiers suffer at every 3 A more untruth, never cleared by any one real instance; Assi●e for Acts merely relating to the war It is not our lives we seek for: where shall we be * The Ordinance for indemnity hath prevented this danger. secured whom the mere Envy of a malicious person is sufficient to destroy us? were our Enemies in the field with their swords in their hands, we should expect no more than a bare command, and a divine protection in our endeavours to free ourselves: but it is another and a far worse Enemy we have to deal with, who like Foxes lurk in their Dens, and cannot be dealt with though discovered, being protected by those who are entrusted with the 4 The XI impeached Members, who now can neither protect themselves (though Innocent) nor others against these Agitators and the army's rage, and violence. Government of the kingdom. It is the grief of our hearts that we cannot desire our own security without the hazard of your excellency if but in speaking in our behalf. When shall we see justice dispensed without partiality, or when shall the public weal be singly sought after and endeavoured? Can this Irish Expedition be any thing else but a design to ruin and 5 What need they continue entire to oppress the kingdom withtheir pay and frequarter, now the wars are ended. break this Army in pieces? Certainly Reason tells us, it can be nothing else, otherwise why are not those who have been made Instruments in our country's deliverance, again thought 6 So they were: as Major Gen. Skipp●n, Massy. worthy to be employed? or why, are such [who for their miscarriage have been cast out of the Army] thought fit to be entrusted, and those Members of the Army encouraged and preferred to that service, when they are for the most part such, as (had they considered their just demerits) might rather have expected an 7 Because not of the Present faction & confederacy which they long have ●●nce in conscience deserted ejection than employment? We are sensible, Yea, 8 Your comm-dictory Actions and present rebellious proc●edings, obstructive and destructive to Ireland, proclaim this anotable untruth. far more sensible of the bleeding condition of Ireland crying aloud for a brotherly assistance, than those forward undertakers in this present design manifest themselves to be, and shall willingly contribute the utmost of our abilities toward their relief, when we shall see this to be the only thing sought after and endeavoured: But we are confident that you cannot but perceive, That this Plot is but a mere Cloak for some who have lately tasted of sovereignty, and being lifted beyond the ordinary sphere of servants 9 This is mosttrue of the Agitators and Officers in the Army, who now exalt themselves above king and Parliament, & give laws to both. seek to become Masters & degenerate into Tyrants. We are earnest therefore with your Honour to use your utmost endeavours that before any other or further Propositions be sent to us, our expectations may be satisfied; which if they are not, we conceive ourselves and our friends as bad as destroyed, being exposed to the merciless cruelties of our malicious Enemies. And shall your Honour, or any other faithful servant to the State, be appointed for the service of Ireland, and accept of that employment, we * This is their real forwardness to relieve Ireland. must of necessity (contrary to our desires) show ourselves averse to that service, until our just desires be granted, the just Rights and Liberties of the Subjects of England vindicated, and maintained: And then, (as God and our own consciences bear us witness) shall we test●fie to the kingdom the * You should say Hypochrisy. integrity of our hearts to the service of Ireland, and our forward actions shall demonstrate the sincerity of our expressions, in reference to that employment. Once more, we are earnest with your Honour for your assistance; without it we are like to be wholly ruined, and having obtained it, may be enabled [as in duty we are bound] to express ourselves. Your 1 His in the first p●ace, and a truth as to him. Honours and the 2 This your present Rebellion and disobedience to the Parliament proves a falsehood, in relation to the kingdom. kingdoms most faithful and obedient Servants, whose names are here annexed, as agitating in behalf of their several Regiments. * traitorous Mutineers by Law martial, and the Common Law of the Land. Agents for the general's Regiment. Tho. Moor Edward Sexby For the Lieutenant general's Regiment. Samuel Whiteing William Allin. For the Commissary general's Regiment. Anthony Nixson Tho. Sheppard. For Col. Fleetwood's Regiment. William Jones John Cusby. For Col. Sheffield's Regiment. Henry Gethings Edw. star For Col. whales Regiment. Tho. Lindoll John Thomas For Col. Butler's Regiment. Tobias Box John Willoughby For Col. Riches Regiment. Nichol. Lockyer Joseph Foster For our Honoured Commander, lieutenant * Though no present Officer in, or Member of the Army; yet, now chief President in the council there, and is appointed a commissioner for the Army to treat with the House, of which he is an actual Member; as in contradistinction to the House. A strange Mystery of iniquity. general Crumwell these. 30. Aprilis 1647. Propositions of colonel Robert Hamond concerning the present service of Dublin. 1. THat the time of his employment, and those of this Army going with him, in this service, 1 Why so? but only to carry on the designs now on foot here in the Army. exceed not two, or three months at the farthest. 2. To have the 2 Yet these Gentlemen are not Mercenary and scorn and neglect their pay in respect of Justice and higher ends. Proportion of money in hand for the pay of the said forces for the said term, and that their pay be made good by the Parliament for what further time their return and landing again in England, shall by casuality of weather, or any other unavoidable necessity, be protracted beyond that time. 3. That good shipping, well victualled, both for soldiers and mariners, with sufficient convoy, be provided and appointed for the Transportation of the said Forces to Dublin; which shipping and convoy to 3 This Gent. would be supreme Commander both by Sea and land be commanded to observe his directions in Order to that service, and not to depart until he dismiss them. 4. That the said Forces going over with him, be not obliged to * Their de●●g● therein was to posse● themselves of Dublin, not to relieye Ireland. this seems unreasonable when they would stay there but 2. or 3 months at furthest. any other service whatsoever, more than the possessing and defending of Dublin. 5. That there be embarked with them victual for * he would be both Lord general and Lord Admiral at once, and command both by Land and Sea. six months after their coming thither, for their supply, in case they should be so besieged, that it should not be possible for them to return for England, at the time appointed. 6. That sufficient shipping of war, convenient for that service, lie in the River of Dublin to serve upon all occasions, and to preserve an interc●urse betwee●e the town and relief by Sea in case the Enemy [being potent] should besiege the town: Which shipping to be commanded to observe what orders or directions they shall receive from him in Order to that service during his said continuance there. 7. That shipping be ready in the harbour of Dublin victualled at the Parliaments Charge with sufficient Convoy, * A very reasonable motion to wait so long upon his worship before hand, at so great expenses, only for a month's continuance (not service) in Dublin. fourteen days before the expiration of the said term, to transport the said Forces back again for England, which shipping to be commanded to observe his orders or directions in order to that service, until he be landed in England; and that in Case relief do not come for him and the Forces of Sir Thomas Fairefax his Army with him, within fourteen days before the end of the said term, That [whatsoever otherwise shall happen] It shall be lawful for him and them to take shipping * A very just demand to receive full pay beforehand for the whole time and yet to return without Orders 7. days before the time. seven days before the expiration of the said time and to return for England. That a good engineer, 1 What need such extraordinary provision for 2 months' service only when moneys were so scarce. Gunners, Matrosses, with pay for them, convenient ammunition and Provisions of war with Materials to work, as spades, shovels, Mattocks and the like, may be ready to go with them. That at Chester there may be 2 A very just 〈◊〉 for scarce 2 months' stay in Dublin. fourteen days pay ready for the said forces at their return put into the hands of such as he shall name, to carry them from thence to their own homes, in case the Army, whereof they are Members be disbanded. That in all other things, they shall enjoy a like privilege in point of arrear or otherwise, with the Army * They knew the Army would not disband, & therefore would continue Members of it, and return from Ireland to join in their present designs whereof they Are Members if disbanded That the said * To gain all into the army's power both in Irel. & Engl. to carry on their present designs the better. colonel Hamond may have the Command of the said Garrison of Dublin and of all the forces in it, during the said Term, or until he and the forces going with him be releived; and also that a good Proportion of Money be provided for the contingent occasion that may happen, for the better carrying on of this work, to be trusted in the hands of some, whom the Parliament shall appoint●, and to be issued out, as Colonel Hamond shall Order. Which last proposition (as also some parts of the former) he would not have made, but that he doubts and * Pay before hand for all the time; 14 days pay at the return; and yet such a good proportion of money besides: is a very unreasonable demand of unmercinary men for a month's service only finds, he shall not be able to get any considerable number with him to answer this service, unless they be so satisfied in the point of command during their stay. nevertheless, If that, or any of the other propositions be thought unfit [to manifest the * Therefore neither he nor his friends in the Army ever really intended Ireland's relief, but their own private interest and lucre- reality of his intentions for the advancement of this service, in case it could be no otherwise supplied] he is willing himself, with as many others as he can persuade, to go over for that space, upon what terms the Parliament shall think fit, But he * He means Hypocrsy: Elswhy such Articles or such a conclusion as this. doubts, that upon other terms than these, the number would not be Considerable. * Which puts all out of doubt, that the Army never cordially intended Irel●. relief, but only juggled with the Parliament therein. Sir Hardress Waller, a colonel in this Army, one of the council of War there: a great stickler against the Accused Members, hath so little zeal to Ireland, and so large a conscience [though he disdains the thoughts of being mercenary] as to continue with this Mutinous Army instead of repairing into Ireland, where he hath a plurality of Offices of very great trust and profit: being Major general of the Army there, governor of Cork and colonel of 2. or 3. Regiments, and Captain of one Troop of Horse at once: receiving no less than 5079. 17. 6 4. d. this last year from the Houses for his pay and raising forces for Ireland, which lay many months upon the western parts, and spent as much in free quarter as would have raised five times more men, who yet were never transported thither to do service there, till the Country rose up in arms against them and some of the accused members sent some of them over. The Lord Lisle [a great Independent and friend of the Armies] who in the 14. Article against the Members, accuseth Sir Io●…Clotworthy, Mr. Holles, and Sir Philip Stapleton, for Calling him back from the Government of Ireland, of which he was made Lord President for one year; did during that whole year space, except two months in the Winter; continue constantly in England, without doing any service at all in the Field; yet received his full pay of 10. l. a day [or more] for all the time he resided here in London (being near ten months' space) as well as for the time he was in Ireland: During which year, he and his Agents received from the State no less than 236000. l. in money and Provisions for the service of Ireland; and put the kingdom to near as much charge in quartering of soldiers raised and designed for Ireland, which lay some 8. 9 10. 11. and 12. months upon the Country on freequarter, or more, and yet were not transported during his time; which money and forces if well employed, might have reduced Ireland ere this: And to recompense this disservice, his interest in the Officers and soldiers of the Army at this time, hath obstructed the relief of Ireland, of purpose to gain a New commission for himself to be Governor there; rather to promote his own ends, and the Independents interests and designs, than the welfare of that bleeding kingdom, which hath already suffered too much by his service, (bought at an over dear rate) as will appear by his Accompt● when they come to be examined. By all which (and the late treacherous engaging of Col. Birch his forces to join with Sir Tho. Fairfax and the Army against the Parliament, when they were to be shipped for Ireland, by letters and solicitations from the Army, and to return to Hereford) let the world Judge of the Armies & Independents most derestable hypocrisy, dissimulation and feigned intentions to relieve Ireland, whose relief they have most wilfully obstructed, and how false their Charge against those worthy Members of the House, for obstructing its relief, is, even for their most cordial and real endeavours to accelerate and promote it, all they could. FINIS: