3, after dinner, Bath: Sir John Culpepper to George Lord Digby. This enclosed from the Chancellor will show that both he and I have been careful in speeding away ammunition to Bristol. The landing of 200 barrels of gunpowder with the promise of 800 more to come is excellent news, for before the arrival of this earnest we were almost in despair. Neither will you find 6,000 muskets, 2,000 cases of pistols, 24,000 lbs of match, and 50,000 lbs of brimstone, which I understand are in Haesdonck's frigate, to be ill news. I have received a cheerful letter from Sir John Berkeley and one from the Commissioners of Devon, both showing extraordinary willingness in their new levies, notwithstanding the descent of the rebels on their neighbourhood and their discouragement by the raising of the siege of Taunton. I have likewise received the two enclosed from Lord Goring and Col Wyndham, which I refer to you to reconcile as well as you can. Upon the whole matter I believe Goring has sufficiently scared the rebels, but not destroyed them. It is necessary we should hear again speedily from you, and now the case is fully stated to you, send us what commands you will, and expect a most exact obedience. I again conjure you not to undervalue the danger of his Majesty's engaging [in] his person without ammunition. Though I am extremely tired with business I will not sleep until I have made [up] several dispatches to Exeter, Dartmouth, and Barnstaple, touching powder, yet I cannot hope that any considerable quantity can be at Bristol [in] any less than 20 days; neither can there be much [sent] till more arrives. To-morrow you shall hear again from me. P.S. - Since writing this I received your cypher in yours from Exeter of the 26th April. I suppose you put it in the Chancellor's packet which has run the wild goose chase.
"Received, 26th May". Partly in cipher.