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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D1232/O/38
Title"An answer to the Committee's letter" (Thomas Sanders to the Committee of Public Safety?) (copy)
Date[1645]
DescriptionI have received you express wherein you intimate that you conceive it was through misinformation that Sir Thomas Fairfax commanded me and our Derbyshire of horse to Gloucester - I am ignorant of the motive that led Fairfax to command me thither - Sir Thomas was then ignorant which way you would command me - I had put his command into execution before your express had not some of the committee prevailed upon me to await an answer from Sir Thomas - in the meantime your command for Sir John Gell's march arrived - he drew out the troops without desiring my company, at which the soldiers took offence refused to follow him and returned - I am glad to see your will vouchsafe me for the title of major for Sir John has not afforded it me for a long time and sends his orders to one of the Captains - you have commanded me to obey Sir John Gell as my colonel - I conceive it hard that I and those honest, valiant Captains should be engaged to observe the results of one man's absolute will while others have their commands from Parliament - there was an agreement between Gell and myself, before the regiment was raised that I should have power to constitute my own Captains and officers, with which express power my commission was granted by the Earl of Essex but also that I should have power of command over them, which I long time exercised - I make bold to profess myself to you to be desirous of a fair method and order in the affairs of our own country - I humble desire you to direct your expresses to the Committee of the county - if your be pleased to continue your resolution of making Sir John Gell commander in chief of a brigade, of which our horse is to be part, I shall observe your commands readily not doubting that if the brigade draw together, we shall have things ordered by a council in a regular way, but if I am subjected to his sole will, I shall lay down my commission and sit down in some angle spending the rest of my days in contemplation and devotion". 3 or 4 Jul
LevelFile
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Archive CreatorThomas Sanders of Little Ireton (1610-1695), Parliamentarian soldier
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