[From Manx Soc vol 3 - part 1 Letter of James 7th Earl]

CHAPTER IV.

1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–The Earl's reasons for choosing Capt. Greenhalgh his Lieutenant. 9–10–How best to deal with the multitude in case of a tumult.

THESE be the reasons for the choice I made of Captain Greenhalgh to be governor here.

2, First, he is a gentleman well born, and such will usually scorn to do a base act.

3. His ancestors have formerly dwelt in my house, as the best, if not all the good families in Lancashire have done. This certainly might breed a desire in the man that the house where his predecessors have served might still flourish; and, belike, he would willingly endeavour to be an instrument thereof himself.

4. He hath a good estate of his own; and, therefore, need not borrow of another; which hath heretofore been a fault in this country; for that governors who have wanted were forced to be beholden unto those that, may be, were the parties most offending against Lord and country. The borrower becomes servant to the lender.

5. He was a deputy-lieutenant and justice of peace in this country; in which places he did his King and country good service, and with good reputation.

6. He governed his own affairs well; he was, therefore, much more likely to do mine so.

7. He hath been approved valiant; and is, therefore, better for your trust.

8. He is such, that I thank God for him; and I charge you love and cherish him.

9. When the people are bent to mischief, it is folly openly and rashly to oppose them, but in what you be sure to make good with sufficient power of force, &c. Neither is [it] discretion to yield to them too much. For reason will never persuade a senseless multitude. But, keeping your gravity [and state], comply with them; and, as the Captain did, defer the matter, making them believe you will forward their own desires; by which you may take time to compass your own. Seem, for the present, as if convinced with their reasons, not with apprehension of the least danger from them. By the next meeting you may have, underhand, taken off some of their chief champions, either by good words (feeding them with some hopes), or haply a reward. If none of these will do, you may cut them short of their journey another way, and entertain them in your castle

10. It is to be noted what great care the Captain had to keep up my authority, and to awe the people with the same; which he did not in any threatening manner; for so it might have occasioned the people, in that mad mood, to oppose the same by some daring deeds or words.