‘Of all men I should not trouble you with money matters, did not the heavy necessities my troops are in, press upon me beyond measure. I am neglected exceedingly!... If I took pleasure to write to the house in bitterness, I have occasion.... I have minded your service to forgetfulness of my own and soldiers’ necessities.... You have had my money; I hope in God, I desire to venture my skin, so do my men. Lay weight upon their patience; but break it not!... Weak counsels and weak actings undo all! all will be lost, if God help not! Remember who tells you.’ [1] [Carlyle, _Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches_, No. xvii.] In the same letter he says, ‘My troops increase. I have a lovely company; you would respect them, did you know them. They are no “anabaptists”; they are honest sober christians; they expect to be used as men.’ Of the way in which this ‘lovely company’ had been got together we have such indications as this in a letter [1] to the Suffolk committee. ‘I beseech you be careful what captains of horse you choose, what men be mounted. A few honest men are better than numbers. If you choose godly honest men to be captains of horse, honest men will follow them.... I had rather have a plain, russet-coated captain that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a gentleman, and is nothing else. I honour a gentleman that is so indeed.’ [1] [Carlyle, _Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches_, No. xvi.] In another letter [1] he says, ‘It may be it provokes some spirits to see such plain men made captains of horse. It had been well that men of honour and birth had entered into these employments; but why do they not appear? Who would have hindered them? But seeing it was necessary the work must go on, better plain men than none; but best to have men patient of wants, faithful and conscientious in their employment.... If these men be accounted “troublesome to the country,” I shall be glad you would send them all to me. I’ll bid them welcome. And when they have fought for you, and endured some other difficulties of war {312} which your “honester” men will hardly bear, I pray you then let them go for honest men!’ [1] [Carlyle, _Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches_, No. xviii.]