Page 31 - Fenning_Scoland

Burgh Posts during the Commonwealth Army's occupation of Scotland

1653 Letter to 'be communicate from hand to hand in haist 1

The union of Scotland with England became effective through military occupation in 1651.
In 1652, Scottish Commissioners gave consent to the terms of the union and, in 1654,
Scottish representatives attended Parliament at Westminster. The Act of Union was passed
in 1656 whereby 'the people of Scotland should be united with the people of England into
one Commonwealth and under one Government'. Throughout this period, Cromwell's army
occupied Scotland. No public posts operated within the country apart from on the Berwick
to Edinburgh section of the Great North Road, but the Burgh Posts continued to operate.

22nd November 1653. Letter from Edinburgh most probably sent by Burgh Post as
evidenced by the contents and address. The letter is addressed using phonetic spelling:

Ffor the richt honorabill the Lairt of Bysaierrfas and Vlllthous layabiJJ in payment off debt within the
parishe of Selkirk, Angus McDonald and be communicate from hand to hand in haist, these

The letter opens with the words 'Having received orders from Colonel Lilburn ... ' and relates
to the requirement for Selkirk to pay its taxes and dues 'the payment whereof is speedily
required' and 'without any further delay'.

'Colonel Lilburn' was Colonel Robert Lilbume, regicide and commander-in-chief of the
Commonwealth Forces in Scotland from December 1652 until April 1654. He was the elder
brother of the political agitator John Lilbume, known as 'Freeborn John' and famous for his
speeches on the rights of the people and for being leader of the Levellers. Robert Lilburne
was succeeded as Cromwell's commander of the army in Scotland by General Monck.