in question which had beene given them by the House and used all cunning Artifices and underhand devices not to have it passe yet it was carried in the end the Lords concurring also in it and nominating a Committee of their House to the same intent Which hath begot such true fears jealousies raised such a distrust of one another that it is thought the Houses will be too hot for some potent Members who heretofore did governe the affaires of both and were as uncontroulable amongst them there as ever were the Tribunes in the State of Rome Last of all for the Armies it was thus advertised that the Earle of Essex finding himselfe abused in Pictures censured in Pulpits dishonoured in the table-talke of the common people and a designe on foot of raising a new Army under the conduct of Sir William Waller which would soone put an end unto his authority made complaint of it to the Lords by them to be communicated to the other House requiring that his Army be forthwith paid and furnished with cloathes and all other necessaries his broken and diseased Forces presently recruited reparation to be given him in point of honour for all the calumnies and scandals which falsely as he saith have been laid upon him that Waller be called to an accompt for the losse of his Forces in the West and finally that no Commission may be issued out to any one to have the charge and conduct of any Forces but by his authority Which bold demands though very unwelcome to the Citie-faction in the Lower House who had resolved otherwise amongst themselves yet the Lords ordered for their parts referring the payment and clothing of the Souldiers to the care of the Commons that his Army should be first recruited before any other Forces raised that he and his Army should have reparation by a Declaration of both Houses for all the scandals vented against them that the miscarriage of the businesse in the West should be examined and the blame laid on those whom it did belong to and finally that whosoever was appointed to any charge or command should take his Commission from his Excellencie onely and depend on him and that he should have power to call backe such Commissions as hee saw occasion And it is further certified that though these Votes may give content unto the Generall which was the matter most intended yet doe they yet much displease the faction in the House of Commons and infinitely distast the Citizens who are resolved to raise neither men nor money if Waller may not have ordering and disposing of them and this they sticking not to say openly as they walke the Streetes And on the other side Waller and those who have before served under him are so inraged by these Votes that an implacable and deadly feud is very like to grow amongst them so as there is some hope when these plundering theeves once fall out true men will come the sooner to their goods MONDAY Aug. 7. We have beene long in the intelligence of the former day but shall be breifer in the next the most of which comes from London also For it was certified from thence that they were more disanimated at the losse of Bristol when first the newes was suffered to be knowne amongst them then at all their former losses in the North and West and that assoone as the newes came unto the Houses the prevalent faction there gave Exeter for as good as lost especially since the Earle of Warwicke was come thence with his fleete and had done nothing towards the releife of it but added much unto their desperate condition by being so shamefully repulsed And it was also certified that they had other feares which did more afflict them upon the sight of certaine letters from the Major of Plimmouth to the Earle of Warwicke in which was signified that Sir Alexander Carew and Master Thomas Arundell their Governours of the Fort Island of Plimmouth were suspected to incline unto the King which did so startle them that presently they caused letters to be sent unto them commanding them as Members of the House of Commons to returne to Westminster to doe their service to the House But it was thought the Gentlemen had heard too much of Hotham to put themselves into their hands who shew so little favour unto those that deserved best of them in their present Rebellion It was also certified from Bristol that for a speedier ending of the siege of Exeter and the totall reducing of the West under His Majesties command that so his Armies might unite for some other service Prince Maurice with the Cornish forces and some troopes of horse with many gallant Gentlemen who would needes attend him in the Action was gone towards Devonshire whose going thither as it was generally conceived would quickely put an end to that businesse As also that for the setling of the affaires of Bristol His Majesty had made that noble and deserving Gentleman Sir Ralph Hopton Governour of the towne and Castle and under him that valiant Colon VVashington Lieutenant Governour of the Castle to the generall content of all men It was also signified from London that this last weeke hath beene a terrible weeke of newes to that falling faction For besides the deadly newes from Bristol the losse whereof doth more astonish them then all the rest of their misfortunes in the North and West and that they have given Exeter for as good as lost they have beene miserably vexed with Letters from Gloucester Coventry and Warwicke complaining of their severall wants but specially of the backwardnesse of the people to make good those places or contribute to the worke as formerly since this change of things and plainly signifying that unlesse speedy supplies be sent of Men Armes and Money neither of which the pretended Houses can afford them at the present time they are not able to hold out against His Majesties Forces but of necessity must give up those Townes on the first assault TUESDAY August 8. It was advertised this day that the prevailing party in the House of Commons had refused to concurre to many of the Votes which had beene passed by the Lords in favour of the Earle of Essex which breedes ill bloud not onely betwixt them and the Lords but betwixt the Soldierie and them and that considering that no Commission must be granted but by and from the Earle of Essex the Independent Army which was so much talked of is come to nothing insomuch that Sir William Waller hath not yet listed above 600 of the 20000 which the City promised him And it is further certified that the towne is very much divided about the businesse of Bristol some imputing the losse of it to Fines and some to Waller according as they stand affected to either party and that the disputation grew to so great an height betweene Sir William and my Lord Say who you must thinke would not allow his sonne to be a
House yet when they came into that House they were very eagerly opposed and the House continued sitting untill nine at night in hope such men as durst declare themselves to be well-affected would be wearied with their long debates and they of the malignant faction might there carry matters upon that advantage as they had done formerly But finding that they sate it out and carried it for the Propositions by the major part they had no other way to effect the businesse then to returne againe to their former practices and bring downe their City Club-men to awe the Members of both Houses and repeale those Votes And so accordingly they did For the next day being Sunday last they had so fashioned and prepared their partie in the City of London that printed Bills were set up on the Church dores and somewhat you must think was done in the Pulpits too a copie whereof wee here offer you All such as desire there may be a generall raising of the people against those Irish Rebels and blood thirsty Papists now in Armes fully purposing to destroy us our Religion Lawes and Liberties are desired to meet at Westminster Hall to morrow morning by nine of the clocke being the seventh day of this instant August to move the Parliament that this may be put in speedy execution Twenty thousand Irish Rebels are appointed to come over against us According to which intimation the Rabble came in such multitudes and with so great clamour that such of the Lords and Commons who had favoured the Propositions were forced to take boate and make hast towards Kingston where the Earle of Essex then lay with that part of his Forces which Gods hand and the Kings sword had left alive conceiving that the declaring of themselves in favour of him of which you heard at full before had beene sufficient to oblige him fast unto their partie But contrary to their hopes and expectation they found him so resolved for the other side as they were faine to dispose otherwise of themselves And it is said that notwithstanding those indignities which have beene offered to him by the City faction he is so much inclined that way that upon notice sent unto him that the women had made an uproare in demand of peace he sent some Troops of Horse amongst them and killed three of them for which and some other former courtesies that sex will ever honour him and his posterity On Wednesday last a partee of Horse about fifty were sent out from Banbury towards Towceter commanded by Captaine James Chamberlaine twenty of this number divided and went towards Northampton the other thirty within lesse then a mile of Towceter met with the Rebels Forces in number about one hundred and twenty commanded by Captaine Lawson which though they had so great advantage in number yet Captaine Chamberlaine very valiantly charged through them with part of his men his Rere falling off from him and with that small strength maintained a sharpe fight with them above halfe an hower wherein he received many wounds and at last was shot dead through the head and one of his men also Of the Rebels there are at least 20 sore wounded as by intelligence from Northampton where they are is certified and five were carried away behind them dead from the place one left on the ground and Captain Lawson himselfe wounded This gentleman was the youngest brother to Sir Thomas Chamberlaine now high Shriffe of this County and was in most of the principall Fights at Worcester Keynion Brainsford c. where his valour was eminently manifested and by this last action wherein he lost his life hath added further to the honour of that worthy and loyall Family FRIDAY August 11. This day wee were certified by Letters from Yorke that about foure hundred of the Rebels of Lancashire came stealing into Yorkshire hoping to have surprized some of His Majesties horse quarters about Halifax which being timely perceived by Sir Francis Mackworth he fell upon them and routed them killed above forty in the place and tooke fifty the rest as they were taught ran away and escaped by the advantage of the place At Coventry they pull downe many houses of the Suburbs and tell the people that the Kings Army is marching towards them with twenty pieces of Ordnance and they had some reason for this day we received an expresse that his Majesty yesterday sate downe before Gloucester and sent in a most Gracious Summons to the City in these very words Out of our tender Compassion to Our City of Glocester and that it may not receive Prejudice by Our Army which We cannot prevent if We be compelled to assault it We are personally come before it to require the same and are graciously pleased to let all the Inhabitants of and all other Persons within that City as well Souldiers as others know That if they shall immediatly submit themselves and deliver this our City to Vs we are contented freely and absolutely to pardon every one of them without exception And doe assure them in the word of a KING that they nor any of them shall receive the least Dammage or Prejudice by our Army in their Persons or Estates But that we will appoint such a Governour and a moderate Garrison to reside there as shall be both for the ease and security of that City and that whole County But if they shall neglect this Profer of Grace and Favour and compell Vs by the Power of Our Army to reduce that place which by the helpe of God We doubt not We shall be easily and shortly able to do they must thank themselves for all the Calamities and Miseries must befall them To this Message We expect a cleere and positive Answere within two houres after the publishing hereof And by these presents doe give leave to any Persons safely to repaire to and returne from Vs whom that City shall desire to imploy unto Vs in that businesse And doe require all the Officers and Souldiers of Our Army quietly to suffer them to passe accordingly But this Rebellious City answered that they would obey His Majesties commands as they were signified by the two Houses of Parliament And now let the world judge if His Majestie could have sent a more Gracious Message to His most Loyall Subjects and whether these desperate Rebels deserve any mercy who after so many offers do still refuse a pardon But since their returning this Rebellious Answer they have set their owne Suburbs on fire which surely is not to keepe the City either for the KING or Parliament Yet His Majesties Forces quenched the fire and in spight of the Rebells entred the Suburbs where still they are and have already raised Mounts and digged trenches so neare the City wall that I dare promise you God willing a very speedy account of the siege of Gloucester SATURDAY August 12. This day newes was brought to Town of Sir William Waller's extraordinary progresse in raising the great Army intended
Castle the ballance in my thoughts that caused me to yeeld to that Article which otherwise I would never have done supposing that we should quickly find Armes againe preserving the horses and men of my Regiment of horse and foot which had conditions been kept with me I had preserved I have given your Excellence a true account of the carriage of this unhappy businesse and of the causes of the surrendring of that Citie and Castle together with the conditions whereupon they were yeelded up All which being considered and proved as it shall by many witnesses against whom there can be no exception I hope I shall not only stand clear in your Lordships eyes and the eyes of all the world but that it shall be acknowledged that I have done most faithfull service to those by whom I have been entrusted and that in truth which every indifferent man sees the unhappy disaster which befell Sir William Wallers Army did necessarily involve the fate of Bristol both because I had unfurnished the Citie with men and Ammunition to supply that Army and it was necessary for me so to do because the City was never put into a condition to subsist of it selfe against a Royall Army although I was not wanting to represent the importance of the place and the means how it might be defended in certain propositions which I long since sent to your Lordship and which were by your Excellency earnestly recommended to the Committee but they were not brought to any effect What my care and pains hath been to preserve that Citie having the whole burthen thereof for the providing of Men Arms Ammunition and all sorts of provision cast upon me having armed 3000 foot and 300 horse and paid constantly 2000 foot and a Regiment of Horse for foure or five moneths together without ever having above 4000 pounds from the Parliament and 1700l of the custome moneyes What hath been my toil and labour to get moneyes for these uses without troubling the Parliament how little advantage I have made for my selfe how ready I have been to furnish Sir W. Waller with Men Arms Ammunition Money and all sorts of provision that I may say nothing of the hundreds of his maimed Souldiers that have been cast upon my care and charge I leave to my greatest enemies to speak the truth for I know there cannot be found in the world so great malice as to deny it and I appeal to him that knowes all things to judge between me and those that expect a greater tale of brick from me and will not affoord me straw wherewithall to make it and I shall appeal to your Lordship and all indifferent men whether more could have been done by me when as after the defeat of Sir W. Wallers Army I had left onely 700 men to defend that Citie against two such Armies as came aginst it nor so much as one peny of money to raise more men provide Armes or pay those men I had already yet God inabled me in five dayes to raise and Arm 1000 men more and with those 1700 men and that Ammunition I had left I made that defence that I have done of which I am sure I shall never have cause to be ashamed of nor do I beleeve that your Lordship will be ashamed to own me still as Your Excellencies most humble Servant NATH. FIENNES We whose names are under-written do know the narrative part of this letter to be true according as it is here set down John Horner John Fiennes John Clifton Gabriel Homes Tho. Raulins Henry Archbould John Birch Edward Tyson Robert Johnston Chr. Stokes Robert Bagnall FINIS MERCVRIVS AVLICVS Communicating the Intelligence and affaires of the Court to the rest of the KINGDOME The two and thirtieth VVeeke SUNDAY August 6. YOu heard last weeke of the affrights and terrours which the prevailing faction in the pretended Houses were fallen into by reason of the sad condition of their affaires in most parts abroad and shall now heare of the confusions and distractions they are in at home the Vpper House bandying against the Lower the Lower at a rupture amongst themselves and the Army in as great distemper as both the Houses For it was certified this day and had beene rumoured two or three dayes before that the Lords had ordered that the Earle of Portland and the Lord Conway should be bayled whom formerly they had committed upon a generall impeachment from the House of Commons And though it was much pressed by Master Strode that There would be no sitting for them if those Lords were released and restored to the freedome of their Votes againe yet the Order stood and the two Lords were bayled accordingly foure of the Peeres which heretofore had dearely cherished the proceedings of that House being bound for them which added much unto the heat and fury of their discontent As also that two Bills being sent up to the Lords the one for levying the estates of all whom they stile Malignants according to the newly enlarged Ordinance for Sequestrations the other for the continuance of the weekely Assessements were both rejected by that House Which moved Master Martyn to propose as he had done before on the like occasions that they would passe them of themselves without the Lords whose suffrage and consent he conceived as unnecessary as the Kings in things pertaining to the Commons but wiser heads thought fitter to passe by the motion they being now in no condition for so great a breach As for the Lower House it was also signified that on the rising of the House on Saturday July 29. Master Pym moved that they would heare some Propositions from the Earle of Essex but the House having all that day attended the leisure of the Close Committee without doing any thing would not be perswaded but rose immediately to the great disgust of that Committee who formerly had beene looked upon with more observance But this was but the beginning of a greater storme For at the next meeting it was moved that the Close Committee should be dissolved many considerable men inveighing bitterly against it as the cause of all those miseries which afflict this Kingdome And when that could not be effected it was proposed and carried at the last by the major part that a Committee should be nominated to take an accompt of the Close Committee and of all others which were trusted with receipts or disbursements of money and that none of the Close Committee nor any which had fingered any of the publick moneys was to have a voyce in it it being affirmed in the House that great summes of money had beene drawne from the Citie and Country to the summe of three millions at the least as was before alleadged whereof although the Earle of Essex had not received 300000l Waller and Fairefax both not above 30000l yet the Armies were continually in want of pay And though Strode and others of the Close Committee did oppose it openly saying it called that power