Henry Cromwell in Ireland had heard of this; and among many interesting letters of his to various correspondents on the difficulties of his brother's opening Protectorate, all showing a proud and fine sensitiveness, with some flash of his father's intellect, there is one (Oct.

20) of rebuke to his brother-in-law Fleetwood on account of _his_ conjunction with the malcontents, "Pray give me leave to expostulate with you.

How came those 200 or 300 officers together?
...

If they were called, was it with his Highness's privity?
If they met without leave in so great a number, were they told their error?
I shall not meddle with the matter of their petition, though some things in it do unhandsomely reflect not only on this present, but his late, Highness, I wish with all my heart you were Commander-in-chief of all the forces in the three nations; but I had rather have it done by his Highness's especial grace and mere motion than put upon you in a tumultuary soldierly way.

But, dear brother, I must tell you (and I cannot do it without tears) I hear that dirt was thrown upon his late Highness at that great meeting.