Important circular letter sent out to Cromwell's followers after he had achieved military supremacy in the British Isles and was consolidating his personal hold on the strings or government. This circular is discussed in The Writings and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell by Wilbur Cortez Abbott, pp. 672-673. Some authorities have thought the number sent out was a dozen or more, others about fifty. Cromwell is pleased at "the good hand of God going along with us in defeating the late Rebellious Insurrection so that as wee have certain intelligence from all parts the rysings are everywhere suppressed and dissolved and some hundreds of prisoners in custody and daily more are discovered and secured... And therefore wee hold our selfs obliged to return you our hearty thanks for your zeale and fowardness in so readily appearing and Contributing your assistance..." He goes on to state rather ominously that "letters are directed [to] Justices of peace of the several counties that diligent watches be kept such as the law hath appointed for taking a strict account of all strangers which will not only be a means to Suppress all loose and Idle persons but may probably cause some of those that come from abroad to kindle fires here to be seized..." He signs it "Your very affectionate friend, Oliver P."