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Aug. 4.
Calais. |
162. Lord Cobham to the Lord Protector. The bearer, who is
Clerk of the Council here, has lately been preferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury to a benefice in the Isle of Thanet, lying in a
marshy ground a little from the sea-side, much subject to diseases,
and especially the ague, wherewith he is ofttimes sore afflicted. He
has therefore besought Cobham to mediate with his Grace for the
obtaining a licence of non-attendance during his life. In consideration of the above, and because he was for ten years schoolmaster to
his children, and now draws far on in age, Cobham begs that the
petition, which he will present in person, may be granted. |
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P.S.—The person having gone to London, found a proclamation
was issued prohibiting any one from repairing to the Court for any
suit, the plague then being furious in the City. On this account,
and because in this busy time he cannot be absent, he has been recalled, and has sent his petition with this letter to one of his Majesty's
servants to solicit for him. [One page.] |
Aug. 10.
Oatlands. |
163. The Lord Protector and Council to the Governor and Council
of Boulogne. M. de Langé, the French Ambassador, has complained
of the mole now in course of being built at Boulogne, insisting that
because it has a flanker, and has men and ordnance placed upon it,
it must be considered as a fortification, which his master will not
endure. The Ambassador had been told there were no flankers, and
the soldiers and ordnance had merely been placed to defend the
workmen in like manner as the French protected their labourers.
Notwithstanding their explanation, the very next day, because the
men continued their operations, the French fired upon them, which
was returned, and a general shooting from the pieces on both sides
was maintained. All this occurring in time of alleged peace, and
the French resisting the mole, daily make attempts on their men
both on land and by sea, they are required to see to their charge,
and provide for things there accordingly. With this will receive a
short discourse of all proceedings in Scotland, and at what point
matters be there. Desire to hear in future more frequently from them. |
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P.S.—(Autograph of Petre). Hear they have begun to make
certain fortifications towards the land, which when completed, doubt
not they will cause good order to be had for keeping of them.
Think they should have an eye to some of the chief ports, especially
those which be towards France, or may by any means best serve the
French. [Two pages.] |
| August. |
164. "Special remembrances for Ninian Sanderson, master gunner
of the Old Man, to declare at large unto my Lord Protector's Grace,
from the King's Majesty's Council of Boulogne." He is to show:— |
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1. The necessity for the artillery and munitions specified in the
book of the Master of the Ordnance, being immediately sent. |
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2. That two of the windmills without the Old Man, standing in
much danger from the enemy, it is necessary that one be taken down
and reconstructed in the Old Man, upon a mount recently commenced on the east bulwark. |
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3. That the earthen rampart at the gate of the Old Man has sunk
very low, and is so exposed to the French new works, that if war
goes forward, few or none will be able to keep ward there, or go out
of the gate, without danger of gunshot. And to urge that the
Surveyor may be commanded to make a substantial gate of stone in
the midst of the curtain towards Boulogne, which place is thought
most out of danger; also to learn of what depth the foundation
shall be made, and the thickness and height of the walls that shall
surmount it. |
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4. The necessity of having a gate made at Acton's bulwark towards the sea for urgent cases. |
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5. That the Surveyor be instructed to make a strong foundation
of a platform within the new fort, able to bear six brass pieces. |
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6. That the platform of timber on the tower of the Old Man is so
weak, that no ordnance can be fired from it, although such would
greatly annoy the enemy; and that the Surveyor should be ordered
to build it up with stone immediately. |
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7. The Deputy and Council having ordered eight gunners to serve
in the piece, and other eight to be assigned to Clements' bulwark, to
know what wages they shall receive when the ordnance is placed
there. |
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8. The annoyance sustained by the French from the guns of the
Old Man, and the little injury that their guns have done to the
battery of that piece. |
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9. That the shot of the French has pierced the wall of the castle
in the Old Man, and little less at the Young Man. |
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10. The work already done by the soldiers, and what further operations require to be done out of hand, for inclosing the castle, and
covering the fort from the enemy's fire. |
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11. Mr. Maxwell, who was appointed to have 100 men in the
Old Man, having only 50, permission is required to elect 50 others,
for the better guarding of the fort. |
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12. The Protector to be requested to grant commission for the
Deputy's ship to travel the seas against the enemy at his own or the
King's charges. |
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13. The Surveyor is determined to make the foundation of the
new gate at the Old Man only two feet deep, which will prevent the
ditch being of any depth. |
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14. That a well should be made in the Old Fort and the Castle.
[Two pages and a quarter.] |
| Aug.? |
165. Articles setting forth what things are necessary to be done
for the safety of Boulogneberg, in the event of its being besieged.
Showing equal deficiencies and dilapidations, as in the preceding and
former documents. Signed by Nicholas Arnold. [Two pages and a
half.] |
