the Scots would meet them at Gladsmore they laboured to possesse the Moor before them but no considerable part appeared whereupon Major Generall Lambert and Collonel Whalley men of approved courage with 1400. Horse were sent as a Vauntguard to Mussleborough to attempt something upon the Enemy if possible The General with the residue of the Army marching in the rear the English and Scotch Horse had some encounters but the Scots would not endure the Shock that Night the English lay encamp'd close at Mussleborough The Enemy was within four miles of them intrenched with a Line flank'd from Edenburgh to Leith the Guns from Leith scouring most parts of the Line so that they lay very strong The English finding their Enemies were not easily to be attempted lay still all that day being the 20. which proved a sore day of rain and greatly disadvantagious to them having nothing to cover them all which expecting a speedy engagement they did cheerfully undergo it next day being the 30. the ground very wet and provisions being scarce the English resolved to draw to their Quarters at Mussleborough to refresh and re-victuall which while they were doing the Scots fell upon their rear and put them to some disorder But some bodies of the English Horse came forthwith to close with them which produc'd a hot and gallant skirmish insomuch that at length the English charg'd them so home that they beat them to their very Trenches Major General Lambert in this dispute was run through the arm with a Lance and wounded in another part of the body taken prisoner but rescued by Lieutenant Empson of the Generals Regiment severall of the Scots were kil'd and taken Prisoners with small losse to the English among the rest there was taken one Lieutenant Colonel one Major and some Captains some persons of note were likewise slain By this means the English had opportunity to march quietly off to Mussleborugh which they did that night but so wearied for want of sleep and tired with the dirtinesse of the waies that they expected the Enemy would make a sudden infall upon them which accordingly they did Between three and four of the Clock next morning being the 30. of July with 15 select Troops of Horse under the Command of Major General Montgomery and Col. Straughan who came on with great resolution beat in the English Guards and put a Regiment of Horse into some disorder but the English presently taking the Alarm charged routed pursued and did execution upon them within a quarter of a mile of Edenburgh taking and killing many as well Officers as Souldiers the Scotch affairs succeeding in this sort made them forbear such frequent sallies and keep within their intrenchments This was the posture of the Military affairs of Scotland when to adde to the miseries of that people all traffique and commerce was prohibited between the two Nations And such of the Scots as had their residence in England were commanded to depart the Land within ten daies or thereabouts their Ships not able to resist having no Convoy were often surpriz'd by the English Insomuch that they were in the road way to ruine But seeing this Moneth of August produced little of Action from the Armies there it wil not be amisse to give a brief account of such remarkable passages as about that time hapned in England and the Neighbouring Nations At London was apprehended condemned Col. Andrews beheaded at Tower-hill and executed Colonel Eusâ—bius Andrews who being taken wâ—th a Commission from Charles Stuart and for entring into a conspiracy to undermine the Government of England suffered death as aforesaid From the United Provinces came accompt of some notable transactions which takes as followeth The Prince of Orange Brother in Law to the Scots King by marrying his Sister Daughter to the late King of England aspiring to a higher degree of Soveraignty over those Provinces then he or his Predecessors ever enjoyed and being thwarted in some of his projects when he was at Amsterdam he thereupon was so distasted that he resolved to right himself by securing and putting out the leading men in that Province of Holland for which purpose he caused all the Deputies thereof being then at the Hagne to assembled which they refusing he seiz'd most of them those of Amsterdam whom he chiefly desir'd escap'd onely His next design was to have surpriz'd the City of Amsterdam by a stratagem commanding the Horse to such a place under pretence of conducting his Mother and shipped his Infantry at Utrech in the ordinary Passage-Boats to come all night that they might be there early next morning and the horse to have their Rendezvouz upon the Heath between Naerden and Amesford about midnight and to be at the Ports of the Town at the moment appointed By which time the foot should have seized on the Regulars and the S. Tuniâ—s Ports and have opened a passage for the Horse to enter which design if by a wonderfull providence of God in sending a fierce storm of rain that night the intended march of the Horse had not been hindred from coming to the place and time appointed had in all probability taken effect Nor had the Town known any thing thereof tâ—ll too late But the Hamburgh Post as he was coming to the Town met with severall parties of Horse riding to and fro about Amesford and the Heath yet who they were he knew not Hereof the Lords being informed straitway caus'd the Ports to be shut the Bridges drawn the Guards set the Ordinance planted and all warlike preparations to be made and all this while not knowing their enemies But they were not long in suspence for notice was soon given that it was Count William with his Forces whose designments being thus defeated the Prince of Orange accosts the Town with this following Letter Worshipfull Prudent Discreet Sirs and my very good Friends WHen I was last in the City for the service of the Countrey I was so strangely entertained that not to be subject to the like hereafter I found it expedient to send Count William with the Troops following him into your City and ordered him to keep all things in peace and quiet there that I might not be hindred by any ill-affected in such things as yet I have to propound unto you touching the service of the Countrey wherein I require your good assistance And in confidence thereof commending you to the protection of the most High I remain Hague Iuly 29. 1650. Your Good Friend W. Prince of Orange This stratagem projected with so much secrecy and subtlety failing Count William drew off his Forces to severall Posts with intent to block up the Town which being in a posture of defence opened their sluces and set the Land under water round about and having so done they sent a Trumpeter to Count William to know the reason of that so sudden approach and to desire him to retreat with his Army who returned answer that he could do nothing
they have relation to another Government viz. Pontificiall 2. By having a speciall care to the Pulpit and the Presse that no Church-man from the meanest Priest to the Patriarch dare tamper with the affairs designs or transactions of the State It being too well known saith my Authour that Church-men are the most perilous and pernicious instruments in a State Howels Survey of the Signiory of Venice if they misapply their Talents to poyson the hearts of the people to intoxicate their brains suscitate them to sedition and a mislike of the Government and they have more power to do this in regard they have the sway over the noblest part of the creature the soul and intellectualls therefore if any meedle with State-matters in the Pulpit they are punisht in an extraordinary severe manner and this saith he is alledg'd for one main reason why the Venetian Republique hath kept their Liberties inviolable and if it shall please God to put it into the hearts of our Governours to take the like course no doubt but we shall have the like blessing There hapned much about this time a petty Insurrection in Wales A rising in Wales two or three hundred being got together in behalf of the Scots King whom telltale Fame that hath continuall credence with the fickle multitude had possest with pleasing and yet untrue news of the defeating Gen. Cromwels Army and the advance of the Scots into England which prosperous attempt had an event suitable to the undertaking viv confusion and destruction The English being now desirous to put a period to the warre in Scotland by gaining a passage over the river into Fife for the facilitating their work and more easie transportation caused severall boats to be made with which they gave many great Alarms to the Enemy on the other side as also to those in Brunt Island in order to what they futher intended The Scots also made many infals upon the out-quarters and Garisons of the English wherein they had frequently good successe killing some and slaying others having the advantage of the English by their knowledge of the Countrey for prevention whereof orders were given out for drawing off their remotest Garisons and contracting their Quarters which was done accordingly and the Army put into a marching posture for Fife for which purpose Blacknesse was made their Magazine but the Ground not yet affording either Grasse or Oats the enterprise was further suspended The Scots having compleated their Levies to the Number of 15000 Foot and 6000 Horse marched on this side Sterling to a place called Torwood where they were faced by the English but would not be drawn to an Engagement yet still lay encamp'd behind bogs and inaccessible fastnesses on purpose to delay the Warre Upon which the English resolved to land some Forces on Fife side The English gain a passage over into Fife and for that end there was drawn out 1600 Foot and 4 Troops of Horse commanded by Col. Overton who attempted to land at Queens Ferry which on the 17th of July 1651. with the losse of about six men was effected and presently they fell to intrench themselves while this was doing the Lord Gen. Cromwell with his Army marcht close up to the Enemy that in case they had marcht towards Fife he might have engaged their rear before they could have reacht Sterling The Scots receiving the Alarm the same day forthwith sent a considerable party of Horse and Foot to the number of 4000 under Sir John Brown to drive the English out of Fife upon which Gen. Cromwell sent Maj. Gen. Lambert with two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot to re-enforce the other party who in 24 hours were ferryed over and joyned upon which Col. Okey with his Regiment fell in among the Enemy whereby they were forc't to draw into a Battalia as did the English also who were more in number then the Enemy though to equalize that they had greater advantages of ground In this posture they continued facing each other about an hour and half whereupon the English resolved to attempt the Enemy by ascending the Hill which being done after a short dispute the Scots were utterly routed 4000 of the Scots routed slain and taken 2000 or thereabouts were slain and 1400 taken Prisoners whereof Sir John Brown the Commander in chief was one with Col. Buchanan and many others of quality Of the English there was few slain but many wounded A further additional strength of horse and foot were sent into Fife so to strengthen the English that they might be able to encounter the whole body of the Scots Army if occasion required Immediately upon this Inchigarvey Castle surrendred to the English was surrendred to the English the strong Castle of Inchigarvey scituate on a rock in the midst of the Fryth between Queens-Ferry and North-Ferry wherein were 16 pieces of Ordnance July 27. The whole English Army appeared before Brunt-Island and sent in a Summons for rendition thereof unto which the Governour returned a modest answer and the next day accepted a Parley Commissioners on both sides were chosen and after some debate it vvas agreed that the said Island Brunt-Island surrendred to the English with all the Provisions Guns and Shipping of Warre should be delivered into the hands of the English c. and that all the Officers and Souldiers in the said Island should march away with Colours flying Matches lighted and Bullet in mouth This place vvas of much concernment to the English and served for a store-house of all necessary supplies for the support of their Army Thence the Army marched without stay to St. Johns-Town a place of great strength and importance St Johns-Town yeelded to the English into vvhich the enemy had newly boated a Regiment of Foot yet when the English broke down their sluces and let the water out of the Graff the enemies courage failed them so that it was in short space deliver'd This vvas no sooner done but the main body of the English Army vvere constrained to attend more eminent service viz. the pursuit of the Scots King who with an Army of about 16000 Horse and Foot had slipt into England by the vvay of Carlisle The Scots enter England by the way of Carlisle accordingly most of the Infantry vvere boated over to Lieth vvith as much expedition as could be and presently after the Horse Orders vvere immediately given to Maj. Gen. Lambert to march vvith 3000 Horse and Dragoons and if he could to get into the rear of the enemy Maj. Gen. Harrison vvas ordered likewise to get into their van to stop them and do vvhat further he thought fit besides these there was about 16 Regiments of Horse and Foot vvith Gen. Cromwell upon their march after the enemy And to prosecute the affairs of Scotland Liev. Gen. Monke vvas left vvith a party of 7000 Horse and Foot vvho straitway took in the strong Town and Castle of Sterling Aberdeen Abernethy Dundee
till he heard from the Prince of Orange yet a little after he thought fit to quit his station and retire yet the Deputies of Holland being fast in the Castle of Lovenstaine the Prince of Orange had the advantage of making his own conditions which were these 1. That the Town of Amsterdam shall agree with the other six Provinces for continuing the Militia as it is now setled for four or five years 2. That the Prince shall repair to their City at pleasure and be received upon his entry with all respect and reverence as was used in times past to his predecessors Lieutenants of Holland and have access into their Assemblies 3. That the Lords of Amsterdam shall at the next Assembly of the States use their utmost endeavours to allay all jealousies and to reconcile differences in reference to the late action and bury all in oblivion 4. That the Lords Andrew and Cornelius Bicher shall forthwith be removed from Government with respect had to their good Names Integrity and future Security and if after they have had conference with his Highnesse the Prince of Orange he shall persist in his opinion touching them that then they shall be rendred uncapable of any Government hereafter Now though by this means he brought the States under his Lure and subjugated them to his humour yet this was not the prize he run for his greatest hopes and highest thoughts being fix'd on that inexhaustible treasure then in the bank at Amsterdam with which he might not only have rais'd his declining state but also mount to an absolute degree of Soveraignty and Supremacy over that people and likewise might have contributed much towards the repairing the despicable and needy fortunes of his Brother in Law the Scots King to the troubling and disquieting the peace and tranquillity of these three Nations to all which it pleased God of his goodnesse to give a check The State of France had likewise a plentifull share in those incumbrances and common calamities that are incident to Nations and people by reason of forreign and domestique broyls The present Cardinall Mazarine was lookt upon as the very efficient cause of all their civill discords and the only eye-soar of that miserable people not much unlike the late blazing Star of Canterbury in England both Church men and yet both Statesmen of like Interest with their King and of like power over the people both alike emulated by the Nobility for their Greatnesse and of the Commonalty for their grievances But like Fate hath not befell them For this Cardinall is neither out of favour with his Prince nor is he fallen into the hands of the people for though they have often shewed their teeth it hath never been in their power to bite For during the minority of the present King of France Lewis the 14. the sole management of State-affairs hath been in the hands of the Queen Regent and her beloved Favourite Cardinall Mazarine at which after some years forbearance the chief of the Nobility utter'd their discontents both privately and publikely whereupon three of them were arrested and sent to prison viz. Lewis de Bourbon Prince of Conde Armant de Bourbon Prince of Conti and the Duke of Longueville this administred fresh occasion to the people to breathe out their discontents those of Burdeaux against the Duke of Espernon more especially but all against the Cardinall So that on a sudden the whole Kingdome was inflam'd with civil wars and the appurtenances thereunto belonging The principall promoters of and actors in those tumults were two famous Amazones the Princesse of Conde and the Dutchesse of Longueville in behalf of their imprison'd husbands Many others of quality appear'd also in their behalf and to make themselves the more formidable contracted an underhand bargain with the Spaniard who greedy to fish in such troubled waters supplied them with considerable summes of money The Parliaments of Burdeaux Paris Dijon Tholouse c. countenanced these designs in opposition to the Cardinall and his creatures So that in short space Armies were raised on both sides Towns garrison'd taken and re-taken many mens lives lost and the Countrey prey'd upon by all parties The Spaniard being not only a fomenter of but an actor in these portentous divisions for by this means he had the opportunity to march to and fro in that Nation without any considerable opposition taking Garrisons and wasting the Countrey at his pleasure These Insurrections after many ebbing and flowings strange Revolutions and transmigrations too tedious here to insert at length produc'd the liberty of the Princes the withdrawing the Duke of Espernon from Bourdeaux the banishing the Cardinall with all his kindred and friends from the Court and Kingdom yet was he longer banishing then banished for it was not many moneths ere he return'd in great pomp and glory to the extream grief of his old malecontents and competitors the Prince of Conde the Duke of Orleance and others as appears by the present troubles wherewith that servile people is yet afflicted where praying for their deliverance I shall leave them and return to the more proper subject of this discourse viz. the English affairs in Scotland The moneth of August was neer done and little action perform'd save the taking of Collington house and Readhall by storm and in it the Laird Hamilton Major Hamilton and 60 Souldiers 60 Barrels of Pouder 100 Arms great store of Meal Malt Beer Wine and other rich plunder This was done on the 24th of Aug. 1650. The body of the English Army remov'd forthwith from Pencland Hills to Collington Readhall and other parts within a mile of the whole Army of the Scots on the 27th both Armies march'd side by side a great bog only betwixt them which hindred an engagement yet the great Guns plaid on both sides Aug. 28th the Canon from the English Camp plaid hard upon the Enemy and greatly annoy'd them all which provoked them not to fight but still they kept within the protection of the Bog The English being in some want of Provisions drew off to their old Quarters at Pencland Hills then with much difficulty to Mussleburrough to recruit which done they drew off their Forces quitted their Garrisons and marched to Haddington the Scots attending on their right wing fell into their Quarters with a resolute Party and were as valiantly repuls'd by a Regiment of Foot commanded by Coll. Fairfax Septemb. 1. The Scots being so advantagiously drawn up at the west end of the Town the English drew Eastward into fair and champion ground fit for both Armies to engage in but finding after severall hours expectation of the enemies approach that they would not move after them but to dog them to advantages they marched towards Dunbar whether the Scots mov'd apace after them and at a Passe endeavoured to fall upon the rear which the English perceiving fac'd about to fight them whereupon the Scots drew off to the Hills perceiving their advantage lay there to impede the
Dunotter Castle Dunbarton Castle vvith severall others so that the whole Realme of Scotland was after a passage gain'd into Fife with little or no difficulty subdued and made tributary to the Republique of England The Scots Army The Scots enter the City of Worcester after many halts and skirmishes long and taedious marches vveakned in their bodies and distracted in their mindes decreasing rather then increasing at length put into Worcester whence the King sent out his Letters mandatory to Sr Thomas Middleton to raise forces for him and to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury to the like purpose as he did to others also but without successe He vvas likewise proclaim'd King of Great Britain France and Irelrnd in most places vvhere he came which blast of Honour like Jonah's Gourd quickly vanisht for alas by this project of theirs of coming into England they run themselves into inevitable danger as the Poet sayes Decidit in Syllam qui vult vitare Charybdim being environed on all sides with the Militia Forces of the severall Counties of the Nation besides Gen. Cromwels Army they so much dreaded there was likewise a considerable body of Horse and Foot under Maj. Gen. Lambert and Harrison that attended their motions Col. Robert Lilburne was left in Lancashire to hinder the Earl of Derby from raising Forces in those parts other parties were dispos'd into severall other places to hinder the enemy of Provision or stop their flight as occasion should be The Earl of Derby being landed as vvas expected at Wyewater in Lancashire with about 300 Gentlemen and others endeavour'd to raise the Country while the English were busied at Worcester and in short space by the accession of Papist Royallists and discontented Presbyterians they encreas'd to the number of 1500 Gen. Cromwels Regiment of Foot being then at Manchester was appointed to meet Col. Lilburn at Preston To prevent this conjunction The Earl of Derby routed in Lancashire the enemy bent their course towards Manchester to surprize the said Regiment whereupon Col. Lilburn assay'd to flank the enemy in their march and by that means to joyn with those Foot which the enemy perceiv'd and prest to engage Now though Col. Lilburn was overmatcht with Foot in point of number whereby the dispute proved taedious and difficult yet in the space of an hour the enemy was totally routed many persons of quality were taken as Col. Leg Col. John Robinson Col. Bayns Col. Gerard 4 Lieut. Col. 1 Major 4 Captains 2 Lieutenants 20 Gentlemen and Reformadoes 500 Common Souldiers with all their baggage Sumpters Arms and Ammunition the Earl of Derby's George Garter and other robes with badges of the Order but he himself escaped and recovered Worcester There vvere slain the Lord Widrington Sr Thomas Tildesly Col. Matth. Boynton Sr William Throgmorton Sr Francis Gamuel with some other inferior Officers and about 60 private Souldiers Of the Parliaments Party but 10 were slain but many wounded For this peece of service Col. Lilburn was bountifully rewarded as he indeed deserved Gen. Cromwell who by delayes never contributed to approaching dangers with his Army came to Worcester before he was either expected or desired by his Adversaries whenas the whole Army was presently disposed about the City in order to a close begirting thereof The first remarkable attempt was the possessing a Passe upon the Severne at a place called Upton which was done by a party led on by Maj. Gen. Lambert and was presently made good by Lieut. Gen. Fleetwoods Brigade who marched towards the River Teame over which was made a Bridge of Boats and another over Severne on the Generals side upon which the enemy took the Alarme and drew out Horse and Foot to oppose the Lieut. Generals passage to whose relief there was commanded over Colonell Inglesbyes and Col. Fairfax Regiments of Foot the Generals Lifeguard and Col. Hackers Regiment of Horse all which were led on by Gen. Cromwell in person then was commanded over likewise Col. Goffs and Maj. Gen. Deans Regiments who sell to scouring the hedges which the enemy had lined and beat them from hedge to hedge and being seconded by a fresh supply after about an hours sharp dispute the enemy was forced to give ground and fly to Powick bridge where with about three Regiments more they maintained another hot dispute but at length quitted their ground also and ran into Worcester except some that were taken After which renewing their courage they drew out what Horse and Foot they could on the Generals side thinking most of his Army had been on the other side making a bold and resolute sally wherby the Generals men were forced a little to retire but the scales presently turn'd and in such sort that the enemy was totally routed both Horse and Foot their Works and Fort-Royall were taken and their Canon turned upon themselves the Town also was straitway entred and sack'd The Scots routed at Worcester Sept. 3. 5651. most of the Scots Infantry were slain and taken but of their Horse above 3000 escap'd of which Col. Barton lying about Bewdly with some Horse and Dragoons took neer upon a thousand Col. Lilburn with the Gener. Regiment of Foot met with the Earl of Derby that lately so narrowly mist his hands with the Earl of Lauderdaile and above an hundred persons of quality more In this engagement and the gleanings thereof there were taken Prisoners neer 10000 and about 3000 slain Those of Quality taken were Duke Hamilton Earl Lauderdaile Earl of Rothes Earl of Carnwarth Earl of Shrewsbury Sir John Packington Sir Charles Cunningham Sir Ralph Clare Lo. Spine Lord Sinclare Earl of Cleveland Earl of Derby Earl of Kelly Col. Graves Mr Richard Fanshaw Secretary to the Scots King 6 Col. of Horse 13 of Foot 9 Lieu. Col. of Horse 8. of Foot 6 Majors of Horse 13 Maj. of Foot 37 Capt. of Horse 72 Capt. of Foot 55 Quartermasters of Horse 89 Lieutenants of Foot Maj. Gen. Pitscotty Maj. Gen. Montgomery the Lieutenant Gen. of the Ordnance Adjut Generall of the Foot the Marshall Quartermaster Generall Waggonmaster Generall 76 Cornets of Horse 99 Ensignes of Foot 30 of the Kings servants 9 Ministers 9 Chirurgions 158 Colours the Kings Standard Coach and Horses with other rich goods and his collar of SS Many Parties were taken besides in severall other places as Warwickshire Shropshire Lancashire Cheshire Yorkshire c. insomuch that few of that great Body escaped but were either killed or taken Maj. Gen. Massey being sorely wounded surrendred himself to the Countesse of Stamford and by the Lord Grey of Groby her Sonne was secur'd and sent to London whence in short space he made an escape In another place was taken Maj. Gen. Middleton and Lieut. Gen. David Lesley so that I may say the gleanings of this Victory were not much inferior to the harvest thereof Neer this time most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland were taken at a place called Ellet in that Nation where
and wonted valour betook themselves to new resolutions for the quickning out a considerable Fleet whereby to allay the soaring pride of their adversaries and to stifle those unruly clamours and generall discontents of the people every where murmuring and inveighing against their Governours as if they had by secret and clandestine designes contrived the ruine of the Nation by a destruction of the Fleet. And first they took into consideration what due encouragement was fit to be given to Mariners and Seamen and ordered That the Wages of every able Seaman fit for the helme and head top and yard should be advanced from 18s the moneth to 23s the moneth and all the rest proportionable That for every Prize they shall take and shall be so adjudged in the Court of Admiralty they shall have Ten Shillings for every Tun the said Ship shall measure and six Pounds ten Shillings four Pence for every peece of Ordnance whether Iron or brasse to be shared and divided amongst them proportionably according to their places and Offices in the Ship and that they shall have all Pillage they shall finde upon or above the Gun-deck of any such Prize That they shall have ten Pounds a Gun for every man of Warre they shall sink or destroy by Fire or otherwise to be divided as aforesaid with a moneths gratis money to all that shall voluntarily come into their Service within 40 dayes That for supplying of necessary Provisions unto sick and wounded men aboard there be allowed five Pounds for six moneths service for every hundred men That care be taken upon their discharge for the payment of their Tickets and Conduct money That a convenient house be provided in or neer Dover Deale or Sandwich as an Hospitall for the accommodation of such wounded men as shall be there set on shore These with severall other branches of the like nature were printed and published to the great satisfaction of the Seamen insomuch that towards the latter end of Febr. 1653 the English had a brave and resolute Fleet out at Sea notwithstanding all the care and industry of the Hollanders to hinder all Nations from bringing any Pitch Tar or Masts into this Common-weath Febr. 18th The English and Dutch Fleets engage neer the Isle of Wight and Portland The Dutch Fleet in number about 80 with about 150 Merchantmen from Roan Nants and Bourdeaux were discovered between the Isle of Wight and Portland and about 8 in the morning the headmost of the English Fleet came up and engaged them viz. the Triumph where was Gen. Blake Gen. Dean with three or four more the rest were not able to get up being to the Leeward so that them few were constrained to bear the first brunt holding play with no lesse then 30 of the Dutch men of Warre and thus it continued till two a clock in the afternoon after which about half the English Fleet came up and engaged the Dutch till the night parted In this fight the English lost none save the Sampson a Dutch Prize which being made unserviceable was sunk by themselves the men being all taken out and saved which Ship first sunk the enemy that maimed her Febr. 19. The English made towards the Dutch and followed them upon the chace a good while in which dayes service some of the enemies Ships were brought by the Lee and destroyed Febr. 20. They engaged the Dutch again and the dispute grew hot insomuch that the enemy began to fire out of their stern-most ports and make away so that divers of their Merchants Ships fell into the hands of the English at evening the English Fleet being against Boloigne in France and not farre from the shore the wind at N. N. west which was bad for them to get to their own shore they endeavoured by haling upon a tack to get Dover-Road but many of their Ships having their Sails and rigging much tattered and torn they came to an Anchor The English in this fight took about 50 Merchants and 9 men of Warre severall of their men of Warre were likewise sunk by the English beside what the enemy themselves sunk that were made unserviceable and by Letters out of France it was certified also that above 2000 dead bodies of the Dutch were seen upon the French shores Presently after this hot and terrible fight there was 1500 taken Prisoners and brought to London Gen. Blake was wounded in this engagement severall other Commanders of the English of eminent worth and gallantry were slain and wounded also Now though a particular accompt of the Dutch losse could never yet be fully known yet without all question it was as sad and dreadfull a losse to that State as they ever yet knew for which let Gods Name alone be magnified and though I am none of those Qui malis gaudeo alienis yet seeing that by a kind of fatall necessity the stroakes of adverse fortune must fall heavy somewhere we ought with hands lifted up to blesse God for our deliverance The Dutch being deeply sensible of this losse sent a Letter to the Parliament of England yet signed only by the States of Holland and West-Friesland in answer to which the Parliament a Letter signifying their desire of a friendly compliance for the avoiding the further shedding of Christian bloud but nothing came thereon But lest the English should surfet with excesse of joy for their late Victories over their enemies God was pleased to give them a check by an unexpected defeat of their Ships in the Levant-Seas which was as followes The English having by a stratagem regained the Phoenix Frigot from the Dutch as she lay in Levorn Mole fitted themselves for another encounter with the Dutch Capt. Badiley with 9 men of War weighed out of Portolongone towards the relief of those other Ships under Capt. Apleton that lay in Levorne Mole and for severall moneths had been coop'd up by 22 men of Warre hereupon the English Ships under Capt. Apleton weighed out of the Mole The English Fleet in the Levant Seas are again worsted by the Dutch a little sooner then they should have done and were presently engaged by the whole Fleet of the Dutch who having the advantage of the wind with their Admirall and two other Ships clapt the Leopard aboard a stout English Ship of above 50 Guns who bravely maintain'd the fight at least 5 hours against them all till at length being overborne by the number of the enemy she was taken The Bonadventure by a shot in her Pouder room took fire and was blown up The Peregrine was engaged with four or five of the Dutch at a time and having her main-mast and misen-mast shot away and being overpowr'd with number was taken The Levant-Merchant was first boarded by one of the enemies Ships of 36 Guns and after two hours fight by another as big the first of which sunk presently after yet was she also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Trump Rear Admirall of the
produc'd no more then a mutuall desire of an amicable compliance yet was it very well resented by the Parliament that they shew'd themselves the leading cards to the rest of the Provinces at such a time as that Now whenas the Treaty at Breda was fully ended and that all their Jealousies and animosities notwithstanding the vast disproportion and notable antipathy that was erewhile between the Royallists and Presbyterians was by this means fully allay'd at least in shew The Scots seem'd to want nothing save the presence of their King wherby to crown their desires and confront the English in order whereunto He hasts from Breda to the Hague from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and at last in despight of foul weather and the English Kingfishers that lay there to intercept him he landed at the Spey in the North of Scotland where he found the greatest difficulty in ascending the Throne and least enjoy'd it of any Prince that was ever heard or read of For upon all occasions he was compeld to trace the steps and follow the dictates of that haughty Clergy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees who bereav'd him first of all his old friends Counsellors and confederates whether of the Clergy or Layety who to say the truth had alwayes accompanied his Father and Him in all their disasters and dangers and had shipwrackt their own fortunes to carine and repair his though it may be by this desertion he intended their restauration But now the Scots had a King yet as though they had none they did what seem'd right in their own eyes The first and most pernicious potion they made him to take and of hardest digestion was the Solemne League and Covenant that ignis fatuus and only seminary of bloud and mischief in these three Nations The next was a Declaration of the Kirks own framing and fashioning wherein he is taught to renounce the sinnes of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the Cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establisment of Church-government as it is laid down in the Directory for publike Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme This with divers others of the like nature although with much reluctancy he also signed which its like burthen'd his spirit yet better'd not his condition which was like that of a Child under Tutors and Governors for there was not an Officer in that Church or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoy'd more freedom in body and minde then he Guarded indeed he was but little regarded so that move he must not but in the sphaere of the Kirk they were the primum mobile whereby its apparent that the Government of that Nation was not truly Monarchicall though they had a King but Hierarchicall the confusion whereof I shall now set before you The Parliament of England weighing right well the condition into which their affairs were now reduc'd by reason of the Agreement that was peec'd up between the Scots and their King after a serious and solemne debate voted that Thomas Lord Fairfax with the Army under his command should march Northwards who after some conference had with the Parliament and being prompted by an indisposition of body or minde laid down his Commission which was forthwith confer'd upon Oliver Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland Gen. Fairfax laies down his Commission which was presently confer'd upon General Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland who in order to this Northern expedition arriv'd a while after from his victorious atchievements in that country leaving his Son in Law Henry as Lord Deputy in his room Accordingly Orders were issued forth for the speedy advance of the Army into Scotland who had no sooner begun their March but the Scots took the Alarme and sent two or three Papers to Sr Arthur Haslerig then Governour of Newcastle wherein they expostulated the Case about the sudden approach of the English Army endeavouring thereby to impede their march till such time as their designes were ripe alledging as scar-Crowes to fright fooles the Covenant the large Treaty and Union between the two Nations with other circumstances of the like nature as frivolous as they were fruitlesse The Parliament of England then published likewise a Declaration shewing the grounds and reasons of their Armies advance towards Scotland accompanied with another from the Generall and Officers of the Army shewing that that which moov'd them to that great undertaking was not any reliance upon the arm of flesh The Declaration of the English Army in their march to Scotland or being lifted up with the remembrance of former successes or the desire of accomplishing any designes of their own that they had forelaid but the full assurance they had that their Cause was just in the sight of God looking at the precedent changes and the successes that produc'd them not as the work of the policy or strength of man but as the eminent actings of the Providence and Power of God to bring forth his good will and pleasure concerning the things which he hath determined in the world adding That nothing was predominant with them next to their duty to their duty to God not to betray a cause to which he had so much witnessed as the love they had to those that feared God there who might possibly suffer through their own mistakes or their disability to distinguish in a common calamity of which Christian love they hoped that they gave some proof when they were before in Scotland with that Army and were by God made instrumentall to break the power of those that oppressed the godly Party there for which say they their late Engagement to their new King against England was no good requital nor their heaping on them the reproach of a Sectarian Army a Christian dealing all which by the grace of God they could forget and forgive and did as they say desire of God that the precious might be separated from the vile beginning and concluding with a most solemn and dreadfull imprecation and appeal That to the truth of these things the God of Heaven in his great mercy pardoning their weaknesses would judge of them when they came to meet the Enemy in the Field This Declaration was sent by the Generall of the English Forces from their Head-Quarters at Barwick to Edenburgh by a Trumpeter whom they blinded coming and going what effect this wrought the sequel of the Story will relate From Barwick the Army marched to the Lord Mordingtons House July 22. 1650. where they lay three daies on the 25. they marched to Copperspeth the 26. to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to attend the motions of the Army forasmuch as the people of the Countrey had forsook their habitations and had left nothing behinde that might accommodate them The Army thus refresht at Dunbar marcht thence to Haddington Next day hearing