Petition (name of the petitioner Roger Mostyn of Mostyn, esq., crossed out) against the action of the commissioners for securing the peace of the Commonwealth in the six counties of North Wales in taxing the petitioner in a tenth part of his estate in spite of his protest that since his composition with Parliament in 1646 he has lived peaceably and not acted against the Commonwealth. Unsigned certificate follows testifying to petitioner's integrity by petitioner's neighbours.
A long letter giving legal opinion. He has read the enclosed injunction and finds that it extends not only to the quiet possession of the complainants but also of their tenants, which is very unusual and indeed contrary to the rules of Chancery published by Lords Whitlock and Keeble, which rules are not contradicted by the late ordinance for the regulating of the Chancery. But these lands, he perceives, are not in question: the only thing in question is the mountains concerning which Owen makes a query - whether that being open at the time of the bill exhibited and not three years enclosed, Owen may not interrupt the complainants' tenants from enclosing? The writer thinks he may, for the injunction does not extend to give any other possession than they had at the time the bill was exhibited and three years before, which possession of theirs was not in severalty at either of those times .
Certificate discharging William Owen of Porkington who on his personal appearance before them showed that he had no estate real or personal in Shropshire.
Ja. Berry, J. Jones, Hugh Price, Thomas Madryn, Roger Sontley, John Robinson, Thomas Swift, William Pitchford, to Sir John Owen at Clenennau. As commissioners, etc., (see Nos. 674 and 675) they summon Sir John Owen to appear before them at the house of Arthur Spencer at Conwy on 16th January next by 10 o'clock in the morning, and to bring with him particulars of his estate real and personal, etc.
As commissioners for securing the peace of the Commonwealth they require Owen to make his personal appearance before them on Monday the 24th day of this instant month by one o'clock in the afternoon at General Mytton's house in Salop and to bring all particulars of his estate real and personal, etc.
Jn. Carter, Ja. Berry, Roger Sontley Hugh Price, and John Robinson, to William Owen of Porkington, gent., to be left with his tenant at Rhiwlas in Chirkland. In virtue of their appointment with others by the Lord Protector and the Council as commissioners for securing the peace of the Commonwealth and to tax and assess the estates of certain persons, they summon Owen to attend them at the house of John Perry in Wrexham on the 18th day of this instant month by 10 o'clock in the morning and to bring with him full particulars of his estate real and personal, and the true improved value thereof as the same now is or was on 1st Nov. 1653.
Discharge of Sir John Owen on parole. They are desired in the name of the Lord Protector to suffer Sir John to pass to his own house there to abide quietly and to go about his lawful occasions without any let or molestation.
The little gentleman at Chancery Lane end and the writer yesterday renewed their address to Lord Strickland upon the letter and petition formerly delivered him touching Owen's enlargement - having indeed before heard of some inclination in the Protector to relieve some persons in restraint. They found Lord Strickland very civil, and he told them that he had already moved the Lord Protector on Owen's behalf and found him propense to favour him. But Lord Strickland had not received his positive answer as yet but would suddenly do it. He told them to stay at the Council door, 'my Lord being then within and asleep', till he came out, and after a little stay he brought them his Lordship's answer that Owen was to be discharged. Accordingly he went with them to Mr Malyn, his Lordship's secretary, and gave him Owen's petition and directed him to draw up a letter to Colonel Croxon, which his Lordship would sign, that Owen might be forth-with discharged and that without any other terms than upon parole and that Owen should live peaceably and be forthcoming if there were cause. His Lordship's letter cannot be signed before Monday because he goes out of town today and returns then. 'You may please not to forget my Lord Strickland's civilities, which I and your little gentleman were eye witnesses of. If you please to write him a letter of thanks, I think it may not be disadvantageous to you. Ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris.' Owen's discharge, God willing, will be sent him by the next post with care. 'The little gentleman says you may send for your horses and hawks by that time your discharge comes to you and he says your partridges will be afraid of your release. Sir, there is some expectation of the release of many others suddenly but whether of all or not we cannot tell'.
Be pleased to understand how the business between Sir John and Mr Holden stands. About eight years ago Sir John and Mr William Owen were outlawed at Holden's suit upon a bond of £400 for the payment of £200. Two years since, when Mr Owen Wynne was sheriff, an outlawry was delivered to the deputy-sheriff by an agent of Holden's. By inquisition it was found that Sir John was seised of lands to the value of £100 to £200. Since which time Ellis Hughes, the under-sheriff, was prevailed upon not to file the inquisition until last Hilary term. Meantime William Owen preferred a bill in Chancery against Holden, and doing little good thereupon Holden has now transmitted the outlawry and inquisition to the Exchequer and has got a levari facias directed to the Sheriff of Caernarvon to levy all the cattle on the ground before found. Owen's counsel has advised him not to stir in it until the beginning of next term. All their opponents will do now should be easily overthrown. Thinks that if the sheriff were not 'our' friend the cattle should be put out of the way for a time. Holden's agents have another bond of the penalty of £1000 for the payment of £500 which they intend to put in suit against Sir John at the next Caernarvonshire Sessions. All the witnesses to the bond are dead and they will never be able to prove it. 'In the interim make under-sheeriffe your friend and you shall not need feare any disturbance of your or your tenants' cattle'.
He has summoned counsel about Owen's business. Every endeavour will be used to present the letter and petition enclosed by Owen to Mr Strickland which they hope will be on Monday or Tuesday next. Newton is in Northamptonshire with Mr Robert Owen. Thus with the service of R. V. with the writer's.
Since the Merionethshire Sessions draw near the writer humbly implores his Worship's good advice as to what he is to do in his own cause, and to whom he must address himself for counsel. Has been beaten by his adversaries and is threatened by two more. 'What course ought I to take ... to right myselfe. I doe humblie crave your Worship's good advice ... with my praiers to God Allmightie for your Worship's happie and speedy returne.'.
Asks them to approve and subscribe a pass for Sir John Owen to go to Mr Baker, the late Sheriff of Shropshire, about the payment of money. The writer has subscribed the same. This is real business.
Owen's letter on behalf of three gentlemen of 'our county' has reached the writer. He wishes he knew how he might be of service to them in the matter, so that he might give Owen and the gentlemen concerned some testimony of the reality of those wishes. There are some friends who labour to take off the restraint from two of them, asserting it to have been occasioned by some mistake. It seems that this act of state, 'of this large extent', is grounded upon a design of the common enemy to disturb the public peace, and that this course may be a probable means to prevent it, and that although many now in restraint may be free from being personally engaged in any such design, yet their firm adherence to that interest keeps some life in it, and gives encouragement to attempt the involving of the nation in blood, knowing how apt men are naturally to improve opportunities for the advancing of their particular interests, fax extincta recens trahit eminus ignem, and that may give just cause of suspicion to those in authority to justify - when common safety is concerned - so general a restraint. This is but the guess of a private man who desires not to inquire into affairs of state. However until something be held forth towards those persons in general the writer does not see how any application can rationally be made for any particular person that is under the common prejudice.
Honoured Sir. The writer has according to Owen's desire sent a pass for him to stay out as long as his occasions permit. Is sorry about Owen's indisposition. Wishes him much health and a safe return. The writer's 'humble service to my lady'.
Warrant in pursuance of the Lord Protector's command for the apprehension of strangers and all other loose and idle persons especially near the sea coasts, to be brought before the justices and dealt with according to law. This in consequence of an intended insurrection throughout the nation which by God's blessing was frustrated. This is a true copy of the original warrant by John David, High Constable of Nanheudwy.
Has thought fit to give an account of Owen's business. With much ado they have it referred from Worcester House to the Committee of Instructions which ordered that Owen's business be referred to two counsellors to review the writings and for them to inform the Committee what title Owen has, and meantime the sale of it has been stayed. The writer has got the same order for Mr Vaughan. Asks that the latter send papers and directions. There were two soldiers who would have purchased Owen's estates, but it is stopped now until the counsellors inform the Committee what title he has.
They have several times been desired to compel in arrears remaining due from the county. Notwithstanding little progress has been made to the great inconvenience of the Receiver-General of the County, who cannot clear accounts with the Treasurers at War. An account for fifteen months, from 25th March 1651, has been lately presented by Mr Theodore Vaughan, a Receiver-General, with an arrear in his time of £84.6.6. If this and other arrears remaining since the 25th March 1647, are not cleared, it will soon be assigned to such forces as will speedily levy the same, and if any burden or inconvenience happen to their county thereby it will be through their own default and neglect.
These letters certify whom it may concern that Sir Robert Eyton of Pentre Maddock, Shropshire, having been sequestered for subscribing only one warrant as a commissioner of array, acted no further in the late King's service nor adhered to his party: indeed he subscribed through the threats of other commissioners maliciously bent on ruining him if he refused to subscribe to the warrant. Soon after the fall of Shrewsbury, Eyton expressed his good affection for Parliament and tendered his services for the gaining of the Isle of Anglesey and the Castle of Beaumaris by treaty with the then Lord Bulkeley in whom as a kinsman he had very good interest and who then had the command of the said castle and island. He was employed in that service which he performed effectually and faithfully, so that upon the agreement made between Eyton and Bulkeley the castle and island were delivered to the agents of Parliament, who, in consequence, discharged him of his delinquency. He has also shown an impeccable zeal for the present government ever since, which has rendered him very hateful to the disaffected party and exposed him to danger amongst his neighbours. He was a justice of the peace before the war and is a man fitted for public employment.
Torion o'r wasg yn cynnwys ysgrifau coffa a theyrngedau yn dilyn marwolaeth Dic Jones ym mis Awst 2009, gan gynnwys cerdd gan y Prifardd Ceri Wyn Jones o'r enw 'Deryn Du yr Hendre' a theyrnged yn y cylchgrawn Golwg.
