Col. Hampden,

Thank you for your letter, which reached me today in Ivinghoe. I thought it best to absent myself from London temporarily, given the affairs with Halpenny and it would seem a considerable part of the Merchant Adventurers and the East India men. Most recently Firth (goldsmith, Lombard street, who keeps my Capital) was prevailed on to cease business with me, or lose trade with them; though he made a brave face of it, I could never be the cause of an honest tradesman’s Ruin. What’s mine is thus Distributed, in several strong places; should one fall, there are other Redoubts.

Dear Colonel Hampden,

Your petition to Capt-General Essex on the soldiers’ outrages hath borne fruit; to wit, Essex having requested £100,000 to pay his Men, the Parliament hath demanded it of the City. Of which I’m no longer a member, at least, not of a Company; the Merchant Adventurers having banished me yesterday, at the urgings of Mr Halpenny; who is as well seeking to pauperize me through the Courts to recoup sums he claims owed him per the Contract of 1638.

Dear Colonel Hampden,

You may've heard too, by the same post as me; but Col Holles' regiment is appx one day's march from Aylesbury. Or perhaps two. It's my understanding they've dawdled a bit on the way. Some altar rails consigned to the flame at Chiswick; in Hillindgon, so I hear, some papistical garments worn by the vicar converted to use for bandages.

Regarding your instruction of yesterday; I understand Aylesbury to Buckingham, in two marches; Buckingham to Northampton, two marches; departing as envisioned on the 16th. I have arranged for Stores (bread, cheese, beer) to meet the regiment at Buckingham, with the rest of the Baggage to greet you at Northampton.