English Civil War Autograph Letter - signed by Robert Shafto (1634-1705) barrister and Recorder of Newcastle on Tyne, dated October 22nd 1661 being his opinion on the procedure for discharging Cromwell's standing army. 1p 4to on paper, erosion to right hand of the letter and in a somewhat fragile condition, but clearly legible throughout. One of the most important tasks Charles II faced on his restoration in 1660 was the peaceful disbanding of Cromwell's standing troops. This was far from an easy task, as the army, which had after all brought about the abolition of the monarchy in 1649 and forced Charles into exile in Belgium, could still provide a considerable threat. In this letter Shafto as the leading legal authority in his region gives his opinion as to how discharge certificates for army personnel could best be carried out