Richard Forster from Newcastle to Joseph Williamson, 11 September 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 29/171 f52.
Joseph Williamson (1633-1701) was the Under-Secretary of State 1660-74 and Keeper of the State Papers which he reorganised from 1661-1701. He also started the ‘Oxford Gazette’ at the time of the Great Plague in 1665, which later became established as the ‘London Gazette’.
- How does Richard Forster explain the cause of the fire?
- Why do you think there were Dutch prisoners in Newcastle jail?
- What is the value of this letter for understanding more about the fire of London?
Transcript
Honoured
Sir
The sad rendition of Royal Calamity doth … much; amongst us here, not as yet hearing a perfect relation how so famous and great a city should be consumed so suddenly; though it is diversly reported; some say Dutch, French and other fanatics had a hand in it, and that there is diverse arson with balls of wild fire in their hands. Several reports there is but I shall not trouble you with the relation of them. Last night 17 Dutch prisoners escaped out of the Castle jail, I do not as yet hear of coming search for them; they have some friends that rallied them to instruments to break through the wall they were discovered before they could get all out; the quakers and other such sectaries have these meetings in greater Membury than formerly in Gateshead last Sunday met about sixty. There is little care taken to hinder their meetings; which may be of ill consequence, god in mercy preserve his sacred majesty and all his good subjects from the inveterate malice of this sort of people; I know the [London?] fleet of [Galway?] have some thoughts of god to so this time god preserve them from danger, they have no … I am,
Sir,
Your afflicted ready friend
To serve you
Richard Forster
Simplified transcript
Honoured
Sir
The sad tale of the disaster worries so many of us here. We have not had a precise account of how so famous and great a city should be consumed so suddenly. It is widely reported by some that Dutch, French and other fanatics had a hand in it and arson was caused by various people in possession of fireballs. There are several reports, but I will not trouble you with them. Last night 17 Dutch prisoners escaped out of the Castle jail, although I did not hear about a search for them. The prisoners have some friends that supplied them with instruments to break through the wall. They were discovered before they could all escape. The Quakers and other sectarians [religious or political groups] have meetings in Greater Membury. In Gateshead sixty met last Sunday. There is little effort taken to stop these meetings, which I fear is dangerous. God in his mercy preserve his Majesty and his subjects from the malice and ill intent of these kinds of people.
I am your friend to serve you.
Richard Forster.