"THE COUNCIL OF STATE TO LORD FAIRFAX.[35:1]

"MY LORD,--By the narrative enclosed your Lordship will be informed
of what relation hath been made to this Council of a disorderly and
tumultuous sort of people assembling themselves together not far
from Oatlands, at a place called St. George's Hill; and although
the pretence of their being there by them avowed may seem very
ridiculous, yet that conflux of people may be a beginning whence
things of a greater and more dangerous consequence may grow, to the
disturbance of the peace and quiet of the Commonwealth. We
therefore recommend it to your Lordship's care that some force of
horse may be sent to Cobham in Surrey and thereabouts, with orders
to disperse the people so met, and to prevent the like for the
future, that a malignant and disaffected party may not under colour
of such ridiculous people have any opportunity to rendezvous
themselves in order to do a greater mischief.

"Signed in the name and by order of the Council of State
appointed by authority of Parliament,

"JOHN BRADSHAW, _President_.

"DERBY HOUSE, _16th April 1649_.

"For the Right Honourable
THOMAS LORD FAIRFAX, Lord General."


Acting on his instructions, within a few days Lord Fairfax was in
possession of the following soldier-like letter from the active