the Commonwealth of England and hath exercised actual Hostility by commissionating Pyrates to spoil the ships and goods belonging thereto to these not the least violence or injury should be offered either in body or goods or if any should happen that upon complaint made redress and satisfaction should immediately be had Wherefore they desire all persons to abide in their habitations assuring them to enjoy what they had without disturbance No sooner was this penned but copies thereof were sent into Scotland and the Country-people that kept Market at Berwick had their pockets stuffed with them to carry home and disperse among their neighbours What good effects this course produced we shall see hereafter when the Army enters their borders The Lord General having used this expedient to undeceive the Scots and to procure their good opinion of him and his Army considered that all would not be convinced thereby the Sword not the Pen must perswade many of them wherefore he leaves York and hastes to Northallerton and thence the next day to Darnton As he pass'd by this place the Train of Artillery which was quartered here saluted him with seven Pieces of Ordnance Coming next to Newcastle the Governour Sir Arthur Haslerig received him with noble entertainment Here the Lord General and the Officers of his Army in a solemn manner implored a blessing from heaven upon their present Expedition After which upon due consideration of the affairs of the Army he setled a way for their supply from time to time with provisions This business being dispatched and the general Rendezvous appointed the Lord General leaves Newcastle and posts for Berwick His Forces being all come up he caused a general Rendezvous of them to be on Haggerston-Moor four miles from Berwiek July 20. 1650 the whole Army was drawn into the Field which was no sooner done but the General himself came among them being received with shouting and other signes of joy Having well view'd them he caused both Horse and Foot to be drawn up in Battalia Which being done there appeared a gallant Body of Horse consisting of 5415 bestrid by as many stout and couragious Riders eight complete Regiments of Foot consisting with their Officers of 10249 with the Train of Artillery which consisted of 690 so that the Army in the whole consisted of 16354. A sight most lovely and very desirable to see such an Army of men gallantly accoutred and provided with all necessaries who for approved valour are not to be equal'd commanded by a General whom no example ancient or modern can parallel for Courage and Conduct in a word he was honored in his Army and they happie in their General Being thus in Battalia the General marcheth them about an hundred paces towards Berwick and so dismisseth them to their quarters on the brink of Tweed where we shall leave them for the present expecting their further advance HIS WARS IN SCOTLAND OCcasion might here be taken to admire at the long continued separation that hath been betwixt England and Scotland that notwithstanding they are cohabitants of the same Island yet they should continue distinct Kingdoms for so many Ages together For whereas divers Kingdoms having inferious Dominions in them soon subjected them to their own Rule as in Spain where many Kingdoms are concorporated into one and in our own Nation where the Saxon Heptarchy was long since reduced into a Monarchy yet England and Scotland could never be united under one Head till the Crown of England devolved upon King James Many attempts have been made by several English Kings to reduce Scotland to their obedience Edward the second a King whose greatest honour was to be the son of an Heroick father and father to an incomparable son unfortunately fought the Battel at Bannocks in Scotland where as Holinshed relates was lost Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester 40 Barons 700 Knights and Gentlemen and about 40000 others This defeat was great even the greatest that ever the English received at one time from that Nation But in hopes to wipe away this blur and to salve up this wound the King raised two great Armies for that purpose but with no better success for the first of his Armies was lost for want of courage to fight the last for want of food was forced to retire and in their retreat lost all their Ammunition But what else could be expected from a pusillanimous King who was observed in the former Battel to be the first that fled for it could not be expected that the Souldiers should stand they being bound to follow their leader To reckon up all the Rencoùnters that have happened betwixt the two Nations would be too tedious and stretch this discourse beyond its intended length Yet I shall wade a little in these plashes before I plunge into the Ocean of Cromwels Conquests Henry the seventh a wise and valiant Prince was much disturbed by those two Impostors Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel Warbeck's quarrel was espoused by the Scots but to little purpose for a Peace was soon concluded betwixt the two Kings on condition that Warbeck should be sent packing and that James the fourth the Scots King should marry the Lady Margret King Henry's daughter Great debate was in the Council about this Match some were against it alleadging that in case the Kings issue should fail England would become subject to Scotland But to this the King wisely returned That the weaker must ever bow to the stronger and England being the stronger Scotland must submit This was but discourse for it could not be then imagined the King having two hopeful sons Arthur and Henry that the Lady Margret should be the Royal Stem from whence should spring those Noble branches which were to over-spread both Nations as it afterwards came to pass in King James But notwithstanding the Alliance made by the said Marriage in the days of King Henry the eighth while he was busied with his Wars in France the Scots invade England and were encountred by the Earl of Surrey at Flodden Field where the success remained doubtful a great while but at last the Victory fell to the English who that day slew the Scots King the Bishop of St. Andrews 12 Earls 14 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen and common Souldiers onely with the loss of 1500. at so easie a rate was this great Victory purchased By this and several other Blows King Henry got many of the Scotish Nobility into his custody And considering how their frequent incursions did impede and frustrate his designes abroad he thought it expedient to use a means to beget amity betwixt the Nations to which end he propounded a Match betwixt his son Edward and Mary the young Princess of Scotland This motion found so good acceptance at first that it was concluded upon and ratified by Act of Parliament with a special Instrument under the hands of the Scotish Nobility who by this means having gotten their liberty from restraint soon after quit themselves of their
against a most obstinately-desperate bloudy enemy people that had put themselves out of all hopes of favour or mercy by acting the most bloudy Tragedie that ever hath been seen or related in that their universal Massacre of the English yet recent in memory There remained now onely Limerick Waterford and some few inconsiderable Garisons to be reduced which being done they might finde leasure to hunt the wilde Irish who were fled for refuge among their Boggs This was left to the charge of Ireton whom the Lord Governour having constituted Lord Deputy he takes leave of Ireland and committing himself to the Sea arrived safely after a boisterous passage at Bristol where he was received with a thrice-repeated Volley of great Guns and other suitable demonstrations of joy Hence without tarrying he posts for London drawing neer Hounslow-Heath he is there met by the Lord General Fairfax accompanied by many Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army with multitudes that came out of curiosity to see him of whom Fame had made such a loud report Hence after mutual salutations congratulations and other testimonies of high respect he proceeds on and passing neer Hide-park-corner he is saluted with great Guns and several Volleys of small Shot by Colonel Barkstead's Regiment which was drawn up in the High-way for that purpose Continuing thus their march multitudes increasing to behold him the Lord Cromwel is conducted to the house called the Cock-pit neer St. James which had been appointed and prepared for him Here he was visited by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London and by many other persons of quality all of them expressing their own and the Nations great obligations to him for his great Services in Ireland After some time of respite and refreshment he attended his charge in Parliament where the Speaker in an elegant Speech gave him the thanks of the House Which being ended the Lord Cromwel gave them an account of the present state of Ireland and of the condition of their Forces both in Field and Garison with what designes they were now upon what strength the Enemy had and what Garisons were then in their power The Parliament being thus assured of the hopeful condition of Ireland began now wisely to provide for the security of the peace of England which was now in danger of disturbance partly by open Hostility and partly by the under-hand dealing of some pretended friends Portugal protects Prince Rupert's Fleet notwithstanding the League France domineers at Sea making prize of all the English they could bring under their power About this time the Parliament sends Dr. Dorislaus as an Agent to the States of the United Provinces for the begetting and continuance of a right understanding and fair correspondence betwixt the two Republicks where not long after his arrival he was basely slain by six Assassinates who rushed into his lodgings at the Hague in disguise and escaped unpunished although the States pretended they had used their utmost endeavour to take them In Russia the English Merchants were much affronted by that Duke by reason of his adherence to the House of Stuarts Virginia and the Caribes Islands revolted from their obedience to the Parliament being very hot for Monarchy and the Liturgie Nearer home Scilly Jersey and the Isle of Man stand out and miserably infest the Seas with their Piracie But above all the Scots were the most formidable who seemed to set their wits on the tenters that so they might embroyl England in new troubles and thereby have opportunity to work their ends upon it To this end a Treaty is commenced betwixt them and their King at Breda a famous Town in the Netherlands belonging to the Prince of Orange Here they propose 1. That his Majestie recal and disclaim all Commissions and Declarations granted by him to the prejudice of the Covenant 2. That he acknowledge their present Parliament and the two last Sessions thereof and allow of the Acts made therein 3. They remonstrate the Motives contained in the eleventh Instruction meaning Vxbridge-Treaty 4. That as soon as he comes into Scotland and before his admission to the exercise of Royal power he shall swear subscribe and seal the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant Their King having assented and promised in verbo Principis to perform these things the Commissioners had order to let him see the Coronation-Oath he was to take which he approving they were to invite him into Scotland assuring him that he should be entertained there with all due respect To all which things the King at last condescended partly by the perswasion of the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges the Treaty was both begun and continued and partly upon hopes that by this means he might gain the easier footing in England The Scots being now impatient of the enjoyment of their King presence he in order to their satisfaction herein hastes from Breda towards the Hague and from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and not long after landed notwithstanding several snares laid for him at the Spey in the North of Scotland The Parliament in England were not ignorant of these things they having faithful Scouts abroad in the world who failed not to give them timely notice of the machinations of their enemies in all quarters And taking the matter into consideration in the House a great debate there was VVhether the war for that there must be a war betwixt us and our dear Brethren was taken for granted should be Offensive or Defensive As to the later the Defensive part they were very sensible of the havock the Scots had formerly made in the North of England when they came in as friends so that should they be suffered to come in as enemies nothing could be expected to follow but ruine and desolation wheresoever they came Hamilton's Invasion likewise stuck in their stomacks and the devastations that accompanied it Besides it was considered that to let them give the first blow had been to make our own Country the seat of war and thereby an opportunity would be given to discontented spirits here which then were not a few to joyn with the enemy Upon these and other weighty considerations the Parliament resolves upon an Offensive war and to alarm them in their own Quarters This Resolution was thought most advantageous in many respects as 1. Scotland the Enemies Country must needs be much impoverished by being burdened with two Armies when it could not well maintain one and England would be quit of much fear and calamity incident to quartering of Armies Besides in all encounters it is good policie to keep an adversary at the arms end 2. By invading Scotland the Souldiery would be much encouraged in respect of the benefit might accrue to them by the spoils of their enemies Hereby also the Territories of this Commonwealth were likely to be enlarged 3. The Scots Levies were not yet finished nor their Army completed so that a sudden march might nip them
in the bud and prevent their further increase 4. It was necessary to have a special regard to and warchful eye upon Scotland because by reason of its contiguity no Enemy could be so obnoxious to England as it and how ready they have been to lay hold on all opportunities to disturb the peace of England frequent examples testifie both of former and later times And unless that back-door were pin'd up as great mischiefs were like to be let in thereby now as ever In order therefore to their former Resolutions the Parliament provide for a war they order the Army to march Northwards to sit upon the skirts of the Scots But Sir Tho. Fairfax their General at that time being it seems not satisfied in the thing as many others likewise were not desired to be excused and laid down his Commission VVhich action of his bred consternation in most and several descants were given thereupon the Plebeian rout whose tribunal nothing of moment can pass judged the reason to be that he durst not venture to abide the gust of those Northern blasts But wise men know how much vulgar bruits are to be heeded and that notwithstanding what was said then or can be said now the trumpet of his fame shall not be put to silence nor shall Time it self be able to wipe his name into oblivion The Parliament being thus disappointed are to seek for a General to command their Army but for that they need not go far since they had then amongst them the most renowned Cromwel of whose prowess and faithfulness they had had manifold experience and who upon their request did accept of the Charge upon which they give him a Commission thereby impowering him to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in the Commonwealth of England annulling all Commissions formerly granted to the Lord Fairfax Cromwel being thus invested with power presently addresses to the vvork and in order thereunto he took his journey towards the Army in the North June 28. 1650. As he passed great demonstrations of respect were given him by the generality of the people July 4. he arrived at York attended by many great Officers of the Army No sooner vvas he entred that City but the Lord Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs gave him an invitation to a stately Dinner expressing how much they joyed in the presence of so renowned an Hero But he remembring that it was Fighting and not Feasting that he came about tarried there no longer then to order supplies for the Army and expedite their Rendezvous By this time the Committee of Estates in Scotland was alarmed insomuch that they were frighted into an Expostulation with the Parliament thinking thereby to protract time till their Levies were perfected to that end they sent a Letter to the Speaker by Col. Grey to this effect That they wondered at the report of the English Armies advance towards their Nation and that many of their Ships were seized and secured by the English contrary to the Act of Pacification in the large Treaty which provided that no acts of Hostility should be used against each other without three months warning beforehand and that those Forces which they were raising were onely for their own defence and therefore they desired to know if the Forces of England now on their march Northward were intended for Offence or Defence to guard their own borders or invade Scotland Papers of like import were also sent to the Governour of Newcastle Major Gen. Lambert and the Lord General Cromwel The Parliament answered them by a Declaration shewing the Grounds and Reasons of their Armies advance vvith the equity and necessity thereof Their Grounds and Reasons vvere these 1. For that the Scots endeavoured to seduce the people of the Commonwealth of England from their affection and duty to the Parliament and to promote the Interest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant 2. In that they took Berwick and Carlisle and put Garisons into them in the year 1648. contrary to the large Treaty in 1640. and this done by the Parliament of Scotland even whilst English Commissioners were at Edinburgh offering to endeavour the composing of all differences betwixt the Nations by a Treaty which they refused But forasmuch as every quarrel that is lawful is not necessary for in some cases injuries are to be passed by or at least to be composed by Treaty therefore they proceed to declare the Necessity also of their present Expedition which they thus grounded All reparations of the damages done by the Scots in their late Invasion have been denied to be given in a fair way by their Parliament vvhereby they have owned the vvrongs done thereby That they have a designe again to invade us which appears thus 1. In that upon the English their demanding a Treaty for satisfaction of the injuries done in their late Invasion they in express terms declared themselves enemies to this Commonwealth 2. In that although they could not claim to themselves any Authority or Dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stuart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against this Commonwealth 3. In that vvhen upon preparation in Scotland for Hamiltons Invasion of England the Parliament of England sent Commissioners to treat of an Accommodation to prevent effusion of bloud they declined the Treaty and in stead thereof an Army speedily marcheth into England 4. In that they declared against the English Parliament and Army as Sectaries ranking them vvith Malignants and Papists These provocations being intolerable and no satisfaction being to be had but vvhat the Sword must procure the Parliament resolve upon that course vvhereby seeing no other expedient could effect it to vindicate the Nations honour and to secure it against the like insolencies for the time to come This Declaration was quickly seconded by another from the Lord General and his Army which they directed to the well-affected in Scotland and was to this effect That they being to advance into Scotland for the ends expressed in the Parliaments Declaration of June 26. they considering the practices of some in that Kingdom whose designes are by unjust reproaches and false slanders to make the Army odious and render them to be rather monsters then men Therefore to clear themselves they could do no otherwise then re-minde them of their behaviour when they were before in Scotland what injury or wrong was then done either to the persons houses or goods of any considering this it was hoped that such their former demeanour would not be forgotten nor the present reports affright the people from their habitations To satisfie them further the Lord General and the Army declared from the integrity of their hearts That such of the Gentry and Commonalty as inhabit where the Army may come they being none of those who by their counsels laid the foundation of a second Invasion or closed with him who hath endeavoured to engage forraign Princes against
English as would wash them out of their Country if not out of the world and to make sure work imagining they had them now in a Pound they being well acquainted with the Country set a strong Guard upon the Pass at Copperspeith a place where ten stout men may obstruct the passage of fourty thereby to intercept or hinder all provisions or relief from Berwick or perhaps to hinder the English from running away lest any thing should be wanting to compleat their imagined neer approaching Victory For as a late ingenious * R H. his discourse of England Author hath it writing upon this subject The Scots from those high hills that encompassed this sickly remnant and which they had possessed themselves of look down on the English as their sure prey But as the same Author goes on how much better had they done had they levelled those mountains which surrounded their wretched enemies and which proved such sleight defences against a vertue backt with necessity and so made them an easier passage to their homâ—… by reason of their sickness did very â—…ant it And no marvel the Scots were thus confident For besides that they were stout and hearty in their own Country and upon advantageous ground in all which respects the English were at a loss they doubled the English in number they being 6000 Horse 16000 Foot whereas the other were but 7500 Foot 3500 Horse Two to one is great oddes and yet as the case then stood they must either fight manfully or tamely give up themselves a prey to their insulting Enemy which the English not having been accustomed to do knew not how to begin now Neither did all these straights difficulties and disadvantages in the least dismay the Lord General who as a Rock remained immoveable in this Sea of dangers and who considering that the present necessity required more then an ordinary courage and that this must be his Master piece or Misfortune after he had well view'd the Enemy and found that they had drawn down about two thirds of their Left wing of Horse to the Right causing them to edge down toward the Sea shogging also their Foot and Train to the Right a posture not well to be understood unless it were by this means to make short work and to catch the English as it were in a Purse-net saw that it was no time to use many words and that small debates must produce great actions and therefore after a short consultation had with his chief Officers it was concluded to take such a course as might let the Enemy see it was in vain for them to go about to abridge them of their liberty by any power or policie that they could use The better to do this the Lord General drew forth six Regiments of Horse with three Regiments and a half of Foot to march in the Van the Horse were commanded by Major-General Lambert and Lieutenant-General Fleetwood the Foot by Commissary-General Whalley and Colonel Monk To second these were Colonel Pride's Brigade and Colonel Overton's Brigade Two Regiments of Horse moreover brought up the Rere with the Cannon All things being thus in a readiness the Souldiers desired nothing more then the coming of the time when they should fall on that so they might shew their Valour to purpose It was resolved Sept. 3. to fall on by break of day but by reason of some impediments it was delayed till six of the clock at which time Major-General Lambert Lieutenant-General Fleetwood Commissary Whalley and Colonel Twisleton all stout resolute Commanders gave a furious charge upon the Scots Army who stoutly sustained the same and gallantly disputed the business at the swords point The English Foot in the mean time fired roundly upon the Enemies Foot but with more courage then success for being over-powred they were forc'd into some disorder notwithstanding they soon recovered their ground being reinforc'd by the Generals own Regiment And now the Fight grew hot on all sides The English Horse flew about like Furies doing wonderful execution insomuch that the place soon became an Aceldama or field of bloud The Foot were not behinde in their capacities for the Pikes gallantly sustained the push of their Enemies and the Muskets seemed by their often firings to have a designe to alter the property of the Climate from the Frigid to the Torrid Zone Neither were the English more free of their Powder then the Scots especially Lawyers Regiment of Highlanders were of their Bullets until their Horse being totally dispers'd and enforc'd to quit the Field left the Foot exposed to all dangers which they seeing began to shift for themselves as well as they could throwing away their Arms and betaking themselves to their heels a poor shift it being better to fight a day then run an hour To be short the English at last so far prevailed as to give a compleat Overthrow by the utter routing of that Army which had but lately triumphed in a confident assurance of Victory This was the work of one hour but it ended not here for the Rout begetting a Run the fugitives were pursued eight miles from the place Of the Enemy were slain in all about 3000 many prisoners of quality taken besides 10000 private souldiers with 15000 Arms all their Train of Artillery great and small the Leather-Guns not excepted and for standing Trophies of this great Victory 200 of their Colours were sent up to the Parliament at London who caused them to be hung up in Westminster-Hall where they remain till this day As Sea-sick passengers in a boisterous Ocean receive as it were new life and spirit upon safe arrival at their desired Port so the English Army who had been tossed up and down in a strange Country and almost spent by hard duty and the unsutableness of the Climate were now revived by this miraculous Victory And the Lord General seeing their courage to be up resolved it should not flat for want of exercise and therefore the better also to improve this Victory and to secure what he had gotten he dispatches away Lambert with six Regiments of Horse and nine of Foot to attaque Edinburgh the Metropolis of Scotland and secure Leith that so the English ships might thence readily and without obstruction yeeld necessary supplies to the Army The Lord General himself remained some small time at Dunbar to dispose of prisoners and to order other matters as the occasion required And the prisoners being so numerous that it seemed to be as much trouble to retain them as it was to take them the Lord General discharged neer upon 5000 of them most sick and wounded the rest much about the same number being conveyed to Berwick by four Troops of Colonel Hacker's Horse Having given this account of the captives a word or two of those that escaped by flight Their General it seems was one of that number and none of those that made the least haste neither or else he could not have been
any of them nor voluntarily afford or cause to be afforded or delivered to any of them any Victuals Provisions Ammunition Arms Horses Plate Money Men or any other Relief whatsoever under pain of High Treason And that all persons should use their utmost endeavours to hinder and stop their March Yet for all this the Scots went on in prosecution of their present designe bending their course by a swift March for the west of England where we will leave them making more hast then good speed and return back again to the Lord Gen. Cromwel He having notice at St. Johnstons that the Scots Army were gone to take up new Quarters in England did immediately settle the Affairs of Scotland in a posture sufficient to secure what was already won and leaving six thousand Horse and Foot more with Lieutenant General Mork to reduce the rest he causes Major General Lambert with five Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fly away with all possible speed to get into the Rear of the Scots Army whilst Harison was in their Front so to impede their March until himself could get up unto them This being done with the remainder of the Army consisting of eight Regiments of Foot two of Horse and eight great Guns this victorious General marched away leaving Scotland but not the remembrance of his being there and on August 12. he with his Army crossed Tine With this swift March being quite tired out he caused the Army to pitch their Tents on Ryson Haugh upon the brink of Tine himself in the mean time quartering at Stelly House neer unto his Souldiers The Mayor of New-Castle having notice of the Armies being thus neer the Town immediately went forth with the rest of the Magistrates to congratulate the Generals arrival into England And to make themselves welcome to the Souldiers they carried along with them for supply of the Army Bread Cheese Biscet and Beer these Provisions were a great refreshing and inabled the Souldiers with cheerfulness to undertake the future march In the mean time the Scots with their King marched on towards Warrington Bridge where Maj. Gen. Harison resolved to make opposition against them and if possible to hinder their passage over but before they could break down the Bridge the Scots by a swift March from Charley came up and being necessarily engaged they maintained a notable combate with those that offered to withstand them here they had a small brush but could very well afford it for the loss was their gain and so both sides were satisfied with the ingagement for though some of their men fell in the fight yet they had their desire which was to pass over the bridge And now it was the great Question of all whither they intended to bend their course most believed for London being that was the Metropolis of the English Nation a populous City well furnished with a great Magazine of Men and Money the first being the Wheels of War the last the Oyl which makes them turn nimbly about But it seems the Scots looked upon this as too hazardous or else intended onely to take the dimensions of the Land and when that was done to return home again to their own Kingdom However they marched on towards the West shewing all civility to the people as they past along and with such strict Discipline were they governed that as their Army marched through Shropshire a private Souldier for offering to enter an Orchard was by his Officer immediately disbanded with a Bullet By this severity their rough-hewn natures were so polished that if Necessity drove any private Souldier to a door he durst speak no other Language then A Drink of Water But now at last their Peregrination ends at Worcester for coming thither weak and weary with constant duty and hard labour having expected much out finding little they here resolve to take up their Quarters hoping Massey's former services in Gloucestershire and those parts was not quite buried in the Grave of Oblivion But in this they found it otherwise for although they might love his person well yet seeing his parts ingaged against the Grain of the Times it quite alienated the affections of those that otherwise might wish him well The Scotch King with his Army having thus entered Worcester on Friday August the 23. 1651. resolved being he could go no further to tarry there and abide the brunt And therefore in the first place because he would not be wanting in any thing that might conduce to the preservation of himself and forces he caused works to be raised for better security Then he sent forth his Letters Mandatory to Colonel Mackworth Governout of Shrewsbury and likewise to Sir Thomas Middleton to perswade them to raise Forces for him but this proved fruitless so that being now got as it were in a pound there was no way but to make the best of a bad bargain And now the black and dismal clouds began to gather about Worcester which portended a dreadful storm would quickly follow as presently after it did For victorious Cromwel who by delaies never contributed to approaching dangers having refreshed his men neer New-Castle marched away without the least delay or loss of time until he came to joyn with the rest of the Parliaments Forces commanded by Lieutenant General Fleetwood Major General Desborough the Lord Gray of Groby Major General Lambert Major General Harison and besides all these the Militia Forces out of every County were commanded to march away and surround those wretched men at Worcester that so a quick dispatch might be put to the work Never was it known before in England that such great Forces were gathered together in so small a time for the standing Army with the rest of those Forces newly raised by Act of Parliament upon this occasion could not amount to less then eighty thousand But now the Lord General Cromwel being come up and having observed the posture that the Scoth Army lay in began his work with an attempt upon Vpton Bridge there intending if it was possible to pass over his Army this designe was left to Major General Fleetwoods management who presently sent away a small party of Horse and Dragoons to discover how feasible the attempt might be this Party though small proved daring in a desperate attempt for finding the bridge broken down and nothing remaining but onely a Beam of Timber that reached from one Arch to another which through negligence had been left by the Scots these bold Fellows made no more ado but dismounting their Horses one after another rid over on this Wooden Pegasus and presently after having now recovered the other side run themselves into a Church neer to the bridge for security Major General Massey being all this while in Vpton with about 60 Dragoons and 200 Horse lying secure without the least dread of an Enemy imagining it impossible for any to come at him at that time was upon the sudden report of this Exploit so alarmed that in
Action was that which chiefly corresponded to his Nature yet the sharpness of the season made him continue in his Winter-quarters for some small time longer in which time parties were sent abroad to enlarge their Quarters and clear the passage between England and Edinburgh Timptallon-Castle was a place which many times had cut off passengers and much molested the Country by frequent excursions for the reducing of which Colonel Monk that gallant Commander was sent with about three Regiments of Horse and Foot When first he came before it finding the Scots very refractory he caused the Mortar-pieces to play for 48 hours which did them little hurt until that six battering Guns being planted they played their parts so well that the Governour was enforst to yeild seeing no other conditions would be granted to Mercy and all those that were with him The Scots King having now got some power into his hands used his utmost endeavours to gain reputation amongst his Subjects by visiting all the Garisons in Fife and putting them in a posture to hinder the English from landing on that side the Frith But having experience of the Lord Generals courage and knowing that Forts would prove weak withstanders of his Forces should they make an attempt therefore he drew from Sterling those Horse and Foot which could be well spared and joyning with them the new-raised souldiers he quartered them all along the VVater-side for better security After this business was ended away rides he to the High-lands to compose differences for that place was not free from dissentions perswade those rough-hewn Fellows to rise unanimously in defence of their craggy habitations This progress vvas no sooner ended but the sitting of the Scotch Parliament at St. Johnstons vvas begun vvhere the chief consideration vvas still to recruit their Army vvith new supplies of men This Meeting produced an Act Ordinance or great Gun to terrifie those that should slip away from their Colours vvithout leave from their Captains and vvas followed by the Clergie to shew how ready they were to promote these designes with an exhortatory Declaration stufft with raising rhetorick against the English which was sent into Fife and the High-lands perswading all to rise at this time of need This produced little for the common people must not stir unless their Lords or Leards beat the Drum But these Grandees were now busily snarling one at another about superiority in the Army every one endeavoring to be in the chiefest place of command and if any one were advanced he that came next behind pulled him by the skirts to hinder his preferment By this means the Scots great undertakings went on but slowly But to return and make an inspection into the English Affairs We find the Army in and about Edinburgh under a cloud of sorrow mourning for the Eclipse of that great Luminary which erst while had shined so bright in their Hemisphere whose influence had many times melted the waxen Whings of his ambitious Enemies but now as all men are subject to be so this great General by sickness was confined to his Chamber and utterly dis-abled for the present to act in person with the Army should any new occasion call them forth of their Winter-Quarters This did not so much depress the spirits of the English Souldiery who were exceeding sensible of their unspeakable loss should Cromwel their fortunate Leader be now snach't away from them in the midst of their hopes as it heightned the Scots who were very much elevated with the fancy of his death believing the slightest report of it to be real truths because it corresponded with their desires imagining to themselves assurance of Victory and sufficient Revenge when death had conquered him who many times before had made them feel the force of his Steel This conceit was so deeply grounded in their imaginations that no report to the contrary could supplant it but it must be so because so they would have it so apt are men to believe any thing that serves for their purpose according to that saying Quod volumus facile credimus But this Chimaera soon vanished into nothing for a Scotch Trumpeter being sent out of Fife to Edinburgh about the restoration of a Ship laden with Goods which the English Frigats had taken sailing from Brunt-Island to Fife after his message was delivered he very confidently aver'd to the Souldiers That their General was dead and that they did well in hiding it but all the world should never make him believe otherwise This report was much wondered at and the more because the Reporter did it with abundance of confidence endeavouring to perswade all to chirp after his note But he could not long persist in his opinion for this Novelty being handed about from one to another at last it came to the Lord Generals ear who much admired such a thing should be and he not know it therefore to dispossess the Trumpeter of that conceit he caused him to be brought into his presence where coming he now saw that although sickness had for some time sorely handled this noble General yet now his recovery was so far advanced and that Nature had now gotten so much mastery over his distemper that in all probability he would walk forth in a small time to take the air and visit his neighbours at Sterling if not in Fife At the return of the Trumpeter to those that sent him he quickly blew away this false report which went so currantly in the Scotch Army and assured the falsity of it The Parliament in England having ever a watchful eye on the Affairs in Scotland with singular providence provided sufficient supplies both of Men Money and Provisions of all sorts for Horse and Man dispatching them away continually to the Army so that it might be said That never was an Army better provided for then this nor ever did Souldiers better deserve encouragement then these About this time arrived at Leith Admiral Dean one of the English Generals at Sea with large supplies from London amongst other conveniences he brought 27 great flat-bottom'd Boats which were for transportation of the Army over into Fife that so thereby a quick dispatch might be made of this work so far advanced already But the time of year would not admit of much action for although it was April here yet the Rays of the Sun were not of force sufficient to penetrate the congealed Clouds and raise any verdure on the ground so that the Cavalry could not march unless they carried their fields behind them or else in Carts But this which hindered the English furthered the Scotch and gave them leasure to scrape together as many men as possibly could be got Out of the High-lands marcht Middleton with a considerable Force of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee out of a great respect to their King and to shew their forwardness in prosecuting the cause advanced for the service a brave Regiment of Horse at their own charges and
dispatched away Blake their noble General by sea with a Fleet of Men of War who being joyned with Sir George Ascue immediately prevented the Dutch by reducing that Island under obedience The Parliament of England having seriously considered the unhandsome actions of these their neer Neighbours how refractory they were upon all Treaties of Amity which was seen by their refusing those Propositions which were sent to them and how those honourable Persons that carried them to Holland were dayly so ill treated at the Hague by some insolent persons that the Parliament lest their Embassadors should again be Dorislaus'd called them home Reinfecta Presently upon this they were forc'd to take up a resolution to maintain the Right of their Jurisdiction on the British Seas and therefore sent abroad an Act for incouraging Navigation and increase of shipping This very much heightned the spirits of the English Sea-men and gave them hopes of being one day even with the Dutch for eating the bread out of their mouthes as they had long before done by bringing all Commodities into England at cheaper rates then they could be sent for by reason they were in Amity with most Nations and could send out ships with no more men then what served to sail them whilst in the mean time the English having Wars with most of their Neighbours were inforc't to be at great charges in double manning out their Merchant Men for security of the ships lading But to proceed This noble Act being arrived at Holland very strangely changed the constitution of that People from a Flegmatick to a perfect Sanguine Complection for now they saw it was time to look about them being like to be deprived of that sweet profit which before they did enjoy This animated them on to try conclusions in denying the English their undoubted Right of Dominion in the British seas At first it was put in practise by some particular men of War to see if the English would relinquish that old complement of striking the Top-sail but in this they met with sharp rebukes far surpassing imagination so that many times present Ruine did befal them that in wilful refusal durst deny this ancient Custom Thus by degrees one Quarrel begetting another the fire no longer smothered but broak forth into a dreadful combustion all preceding ages since the Creation never having produced such terrible Sea-fights which ever light heavy on the Dutch shoulders and made them know That although Holland was the elder State yet was it impossible for them to make England a younger Brother But in the midst of all these high undertakings the Lord General perceiving the Parliaments intentions were to perpetuate their sitting as appeared by their delatory proceeding in the Bill for successive Representatives therefore knowing that as standing water would breed corruption and grow offensive if it were not sometimes changed so Parliaments perpetual were offensive to the Peoples Priviledges but when pro tempore pleasant to their sight He having well weighed the matter and deliberately debated the business with his Council of Officers it was at last agreed by them to serve the Parliament with a Writ of Ease and make them understand the meaning of Exit This resolution being taken up the Lord General Cromwel went into the House attended by some of the prime Officers of the Army where he delivered certain Reasons for a present Dissolution of the Parliament which were no sooner heard but all the Members in obedience avoyded the place and every one betook himself to his particular habitation Thus this mighty Parliament was dissolved who first of all were called through the importunity of the people and afterwards upheld by the zealous devotion of the City of London whose inhabitants through their abundant affections made them a free-will offering of all their Ear-rings Bodkins Thimbles and Jewels to carry on the weighty great work of routing Popery beating down of Antichrist suppressing Superstition and out of all to raise up a Glorious Structure of Reformation To answer expectations this Senate began the work with the Kings evil Council and having lopped them off drove on to such great Actions that the faith of after-Ages will be much puzzled to believe and rather look upon them as Romances then Realities But now their time being come after twelve years sitting they were annihilated and the power transferred into the hands of others Presently upon this the Lord General Cromwel and his Council of Officers published a Declaration shewing the Reasons of the Parliaments Dissolution the substance whereof was this THat after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his People in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great a degree of Peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the Parliament had opportunity to give the People the harvest of all their Labour Blood and Treasure and to settle a due Liberty in reference to Civil and Spiritual things whereunto they were obliged by their duty engagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them But they made so little progress therein that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who there upon applyed themselves to the Army expecting redress by their means who though unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the Commonwealth and in setling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousness which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires by an humble Petition in August 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progress made therein as might imply their real intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for but rather an aversness to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the People of God and his Spirit acting in them insomuch that the Godly Party in Parliament were rendered of no further use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt Party for effecting their desires of perpetuating themselves in the Supreme Government For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained several meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what Remedy might be applyed to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectual it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his People and the whole Nation expected from them But that this Cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the Lives Liberties and Comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a Duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of some effectual means whereby to
would have extended had they had power sufficient to execute it Afterwards King Charles perceiving their enchroaching set forth a brave Fleet which hurt himself more then any body else for it raised so hideous a storm amongst his Subjects upon the payment of Ship-money that never after could be appeased till his Head was blown off his Shoulders these lying in the Downes under command of Dover-castle to protect a Spanish Armado intending for Flanders the Spaniards were boldly set upon by the Dutch and utterly destroyed Had this presumptuous attempt of the Hollander met with a vindictive King it would not have been so silently connived at These Affronts being thus slightly passed by imboldened them to attempt higher matters for the English Nation on a suddain involved in a Domestick War they made use of this opportunity to fish freely on the English Coast which they continued so long that from custome they would argue a right because they had done it therefore they ought to do it still presuming withall to make Englands Harbors the bounds to their Soveraignty A rich Bank of Treasure and great strength in shipping prompted them to this project and the rather because England was wasted by War and disunited amongst themselves Now they thought it their time to attempt the designe wherein they fancied an assured and absolute Conquest not at all considering what advantages in Navigation England hath over them as first not a ship can well pass the Narrow Seas between Dover and Calice but must run the hazard to be snapt in their passage unless they sailed under protection of a strong Fleet of War Secondly in stormy Weather the Winds would inforce ships at Sea to put into the English Harbours for shelter In both which respects it must needs be very prejudicial to the Dutch if they fell out with England their Traffick this way being stopt up no other means remained to continue a Trade to France Portugal Spain Turkey East and West Indies but by the North of Scotland with a Circumference about Ireland whereby the Merchant must necessarily be exposed to a double danger in respect of Enemies And that which is more unavoydable the tempestuousness of the Sea in this Northerly Latitude would have rendred their passage that way both unfafe and uncomfortable But it seems these Considerations never entred into the thoughts of that State their minds were onely troubled with dividing Spoils and how to give Laws by Sea to the whole world This high conceit of Fortitude many times bars up the doors against prudential Counsels Well blinded as the Dutch were Van Trump that leading Card against the English Commonwealth must begin the Game and that when their Embassadors were in Treaty at London The Parliament of England remembring their late saucy Action in the Downs resolved to make it redound to the honour of England to that end they fell into a close debate of the Nations right in those Seas now Mare Olausum speaks English to let every one see the Dominion of the Narrow Sea is Englands safety and Protector under Divine Providence from the fury of forraign Foes which if it were lost a Confluence of all Nations would quickly subjugate the Land to their will How sensible the Senate and People of England were of this is easily seen by the industrious Counsels of the one and incomparable Valour of the other so that in a few moneths the Dutch sustained more loss by this their wilful undertaking then before they had done in several years War with the Spaniard The English Parliament being thus engaged in a defensive War quickly changed the Scoene to offensive maintaining it with wonderful Policy and Prudence but on a suddain in stept General Cromwel and justled them out of Power taking upon himself to end this War He fought the Hollander twice prosperously which brought over into England four Embassadours extraordinary to sollicite a Peace these using pecuniary Perswasions so far prevailed with the Protector as made him balance the publick Concernments with his private Interest and so granted their desires The Peace being thus concluded and published the people of England were then perswaded to a general Thanksgiving by a Declaration partly made up of nine Verses out of the 107 Psalm To make observation on Englands Profit by this Peace is needless that I will leave for the Merchant to rejoyce in Actions of State are like the Billows of the Sea one designe drives forward another as they are agitated by the Princes breath No sooner was peace proclaimed abroad but Plots commenced at home the chief Designers were two Gerrards Brothers one Jones an Apothecary Teuder Fow and Vowel some of these through mercy were saved but Vowel and Gerrard must suffer for example In the same Juncture of time fell out an arrogant exploit of Don Pantaleon Sa brother to the Portugal Embassadour this man being followed by a fanatique Crew came one evening to the New Exhange armed with Swords Pistols and Hand-granadoes what the original provocative to this designe was is uncertain however one wrapt in Buff a bold Blade no doubt being followed by Knights of Malta Foot-boys and the like ascended the Staiers into the upper Exchange where firing a Pistol a Gentleman there walking was slain There happened to be walking the same time this Gerrard above-mentioned he seeing their Countenances not so swarthy as this deed was sable draws his Rapier and with a magnanimous spirit drove them all before him down staiers The Lord Protector having notice of these Portugals frollique upon examination resolved to proceed thereupon without respect of persons and to make the chiefest Actor an example of Justice which being found to be the Embassadours Brother he was condemned for this ridiculous riot and executed at Tower-hill on the same Scaffold though for different causes with generous Gerrard The eyes of the Spectators never beheld such different tempers in two men Gerrard no way appald in countenance or behaviour like a true English man out-braved Death on the very Block His body being removed out of sight up came Don Pontaleon Sa the Portugal with a body too heavy for its supporters and a countenance which sufficiently demonstrated that the terrour of his heart had in a manner made him insensible of the smart of the Executioners Ax so that many present believed his head served onely to satisfie the Law his life being already fled through fear But now on a suddain there breaks forth an Insurrection in the Highlands of Scotland these mountanous people having little to loose but their lives would ever be trying to shake the English yoak from off their necks The chief bellows to blow these miserable men to destruction was the Earl of Glencarne a man whose industry was ever pregnant in contriving new designes against the English he having now drawn together a considerable strength proclaimed to his fellows what great assistance would be wafted over to them from the Low Countries by which means it
watering place in the Bay To what intent and purpose this was I shall be silent and leave it for others to judge The Army being come into the Bay had not that supply of Victuals from the ships as formerly but were necessitated by parties to go in the Woods to catch Cattel which many times cost them dear for the Negro's instead of hunting Cows would oftentimes change their game and breath them back again to their Quarters These things brought the Army to such distress that fearing to fight for Food abroad they exercised their Valour at home upon the Troop-horses belonging to their own Army thus did they continue for some days till a resolution was taken to imbark them and with all speed to make for Jamaica May the third day all the remaining part of the Army being shipped without the least disturbance from the Spaniard the Fleet set sail for the aforesaid Island On the tenth of the same moneth the whole Fleet cast Anchor in Jamaica Harbour and quickly after possest themselves of Oristano the chief Town in the Island here the Army having taken up their standing began to plant which since hath been and is like to prove a bad Neighbour to the adjacent Spanish Islands General Pen presently after returned for England and was quickly followed by General Venables to give an account to the Court of the brave service they had performed for the honour of their Country which pleased the Protector so well that he sent them both to the Tower of London This unfortunate Voyage to Hispaniola cannot well be let pass without some small inspection into the miscarriage of the Action Where there is want of Food and Arms fitting for an Army they must of necessity become a prey to their Enemies neither of which were sufficiently provided for in the beginning as they ought to have been It hath been alwayes the policy of Conquerous first to possess and then to plant but the Wives and Children in this expedition shewed a confidence in the fruition before they gained possession Alexander at his entrance into the Wars of Persia had but 35000 men which proved sufficient to carry on his enterprise By this we see two thousand Cocks are better to fight then ten thousand Capons But above all if the spring be corrupted the stream cannot run clear Where covetousness is at the root the branches of a design are alwayes blasted This made Achan prosper no better with his ill gotten gold A General that will prohibit plundering in an Enemies Country must resolve to do all the service himself for Souldiers will suffer him to win all that must wear all To dwell longer on this lamentable lame Story can be no way useful unless it be to call to minde that excellent saying Man proposeth but God disposeth Therefore to sweeten the bitterness of the blow received in America it will not be much amiss to recount brave Blakes successes in Affrica Not long before Pen set saile for the unfortunate Islands Blake set forth with a considerable Navy to scowre the Straights from Pirats which had much damnified the English Merchants in their passage out of the Levant Sea At first he beat about on the Spainsh Coast in hopes to finde them roving abroad but missing of his expectation a sudden resolution was taken up to fire their nests and consume their shipping in the very Harbors to effect this April 18. 1655. the Fleet approching near Tunis General Blake sent to the Dye demanding satisfaction for ships taken and a speedy release of the poor English taken in them from their present Captivity To this Message such an arrogant Answer was returned by the imperious Turk as very much enraged the English Sea-men insomuch that after a small debate it was concluded to revenge themselves on nine ships that lay in Porta Ferino the wind at present sitting fair encouraged a present prosecution of the designed project which was effected in this manner At first there entered the Harbour the Boats of every Ship man'd with resolute Sea-men and then followed Blake himself in the Admiral with the Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral These lying within Musket-shot of the Enemies Castle and Forts plagued them perpetually with whole broad sides until the Boats had utterly consumed the Turkish men of War which were reduced to ashes in four hours time with no more loss to the English then 25 men slain and 48 wounded This may in part wipe off the blemish which stained Englands reputation in the former disastrous Expedition At this time the Lord Protector endeavouring to strengthen himself abroad made an alliance with the Swede the effects of which Peace have since been felt to purpose in some parts of Europe Then presently after he constituted Major-Generals and divided England into eleven parcels amongst them The names of these Vice-Roys and the Counties allotted to every one's share were as followeth Colonel Kelsey For Kent and Surry Col. Goff For Sussex Hampshire and Berkshire Gen. Desbrow For Glocestershire Wilts Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwal Lieutenant Gen. Fleetwood For Oxfordshire Bucks Hartford Cambridge Isle of Ely Essex Norfolk and Suffolk Major Gen. Skippon For the City of London Com. Gen. Whaley For Lincolnshire Nottingham Derby Warwick and Leicestershire Major Butler For Northamptonshire Bedford Rutland and Huntington Col. Berry For Worcester Hereford Salop and North-Wales Col. Wortley For Cheshire Lancashire and Staffordshirre Lord Lambert For Yorkshire Durham Cumberland Westmerland and Northumberland Col. Barkstead For Westminster and Middlesex These Major-Generals in their respective Provinces did the Protector no small service in forcing Delinquents to pay the Decimation of their Estates which was imposed upon them by the Court for the sins of their youth he very well knowing 'T is good for Princes to have all things fat Except their subjects but beware of that Yet this new device after a while grew troublesome to the grand Projector himself who fearing they might in time eclipse his own greatness if continued brought them down again to move in an inferiour Orb. Another designe of a far different nature but for like ends with the former was about this time set on foot by the Protector to wit the re-admission of the Jews into this Nation This people indeed were sometime Gods peculiar people to whom pertained the adoption and the Glory and the Covenant and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises insomuch that Moses thus expostulates with them What Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for But as if all this had not been sufficient it pleased God so far further to honour them that of them according to the flesh Christ came who although he were approved of God among them by miracles wonders and signs for their conviction Yet they entertained him with crucifixion uttering this direful imprecation thereupon His bloud be upon us and our
children God took them at their word For not to mention what some affirm that a bloudy issue hath ever since hereditarily descended upon them not long after according to Christs prophecy their City was destroyed their Temple not on stone left upon another and themselves ceasing to be a Nation became with Cain Fugitives and Vagabonds upon the Earth having now according to that prophecie of Hosea been many dayes yea many years without a King and without a Prince and without a sacrifice and without an image and without an Ephod and without a teraphim being dispersed amongst all Nations and hated by all people remaining nevertheless in such a degree of contumacious obduration that here in England whither some of them wandred they crucified children in despight to and derision of the name of Christ For which and other execrable practices they were justly expelled this Nation by King Edward the first in the year of Christs incarnation 1291. And so willing were the people then to be rid of them that for this Act of that King the Commons in Parliament freely granted him a whole Fifteenth Thus they were expulsed and ever since for the space of 364 years they have been excluded without the publike permission of so much as one Synagogue in England But this our Protector having a large I say not conscience but heart and being of tender bowels his charity extended so far as to plead for the re-entertainment of these guests to which purpose he propounded it to several eminent Ministers for their approbation alleadging that since there is a promise of their Conversion means must be used to that end which is the preaching of the Gospel and that cannot be had except they be permitted to reside where the Gospel is preached But by his leave when Gods good time is come there shall not be means wanting to accomplish that work which being of an extraordinary nature is not like to be done by ordinary means Besides such was then and yet is the temper of the people of England so full of diversities in opinions and reduced to such an indifferencie in matters of Religion that it is more then probable the number of their Proselytes would have exceeded that of our Converts But this is not all for it seems our Protectors charity that we mentioned before according to the Proverb began at home he had a promise of 200000 l. from the Jews in case he procured their Toleration here as saith Mr. Prynne in his Narrative p. 56. which sweet morsel he had swallowed by thus gratifying them had not the design been opposed by Arguments as sharp as weapons of STEEL The War with Spain beginning now to wax warm not onely under the Torrid Zone but likewise Northwards of the Tropick the Protector thought it best to annoy this Enemy in as many places as possible which could not well be brought about without a Peace with France which being effected roome might be made for English Feet to tread Flemish ground The French at this time earnestly desired the same for their chief minister of State Cardinal Mazarine saw every Champaign how prejudicious it was to his Masters Affairs in Flanders especially in besieging a Sea-Port Town to be without correspondencie with England This gave the Protector not onely opportunity of making up the long continued feud that had been betwixt the two Nations but to do it on very advantagious terms wherein the French King was content to deny himself in sending out of his Dominions his near relations the Stuarts which kindness the Protector requited with sending him 6000 Foot-Souldiers Thus the alliance was contracted The impediments that hindered Peace with France being past over to the Protectors great content he set himself wholy to a thorow prosecution of his Wars with Spain For this purpose the two Generals Blake and Montague had with a strong Navie long beleaguered the Port of Cadiz by Sea and with many provocations endeavoured to dare out an Enemy but the grave-pac'd Spaniard durst not step one stride to drive the English from his coasts but rather waited the lucky hour when scarcity of provisions or distress by weather would do the work to his hand and save the Limbs and Lives of many good Catholicks which might miscarry in forcing the English farther off But this piece of Policy little prevailed for when the Fleet wanted water and other necessaries the Generals found out a way to supply it by sayling to the Bay of Wyers in Portugal whence they were recruted in the mean time leaving behind Captain Stayner with a Squadron of seven Ships to have an eye on Cadiz Now it hapned that in the absence of the Generals a stiff gale of wind forc't Stainer to ply it off to Sea which brought him upon the discovery of an excellent object it was the King of Spaines Plate-Fleet richly laden with Gold Silver Pearl and other good commodities newly brought from the Indies The Spaniards at the first sight of the English Frigats took them for Fisher-boats which indeed they were in a sense for Captain Stainers work was to fish for gold and now seeing so fair a shole swimming he thought he would be sure to catch some considerable quantity or lose his life in the attempt wherefore with these three the Speaker Bridgwater and Plymouth Frigats the remaining part of the Squadron being driven to Leeward he gallantly fell upon the Spanish great Galleons which were seven in number and plyed them so sore with great shot that in few hours the whole Fleet was quite spoyled one whereof was sunk another burnt two forc'd on ground one run away and two remained in the Conquerours hands which were safely conveyed to England and very joyfully received by the Protector who set apart a particular day to give God thanks for this good success The Protector being much necessitated for money and withal impatient to tarry longer for a Confirmation of his Dignity by the People which although he could not obtain of the preceding Parliament he hoped he might gain of another this perswaded him to attempt once more a new Representative Which being resolved upon he issued out Writs for Election throughout the three Nations But remembring the Speeches and carriage of some in the late Parliament private intimation was given to certain persons in several Counties to obstruct if possible their Election again in this ensuing Session yet for all this the generality of people being swayed by respect made choyce of them they thought sit and such as were most able to carry on the weighty affairs of the Common-wealth Septemb. 17. 1656 being appointed for the general meeting at Westminster the Members accordingly made their appearance at the Parliament House where they found quite contrary to the ancient Priviledge of Parliament that no Members could enter into the House except they were first tyed up in a promise Not to act any thing prejudicial to the present Government Many of the Members would not bite
at this Bait but rather chose to return home again seeing they could not sit with a safe conscience Those that entered the House having made choyce of Sir Thomas Widdrington to be their Speaker began to act answerable to the Protectors own desire which we shall see in its due place mean time take this ensuing Relation of General Blakes worthy exploit against the Spaniard Of all the desperate Attemps that ever were made in the World against an Enemy by Sea this of noble Blakes is not inferiour to any He lying upon the Spanish Coast had intelligence given him that the West-India Fleet were arrived at the Canary Islands and put into the Bay of Sancta Cruz on the Island of Tenariff Upon this the Fleet weighs Anchor on the 13 of April 1657. and by the 20th of the same Month were fair in the Offing of Sancta Cruz where they discovered how bravely the Spanish Ships sixteen in number were barricado'd in this Bay where they lay in a manner Semi-circular Near to the mouth of this Haven stands a Castle sufficiently furnished with great Ordinance which threatned destruction to any that durst enter without its leave into the Harbour besides this there stood seven Forts more round about the Bay with six four and three great Guns apiece and united together by a Line of Communication from one Fort to another which was man'd with Musqueteers To make all safe Don Diego Diagues General of the Spanish Fleet was not idle in making provision for the best defence of his Armado he caused all the smaller ships to be mored close along the shoar and the six great Galleons stood farther out at anchor with their broad sides towards the Sea It hapned at this time there was a Dutch Merchants ship in the Bay the Master whereof seeing the English ready to enter and that a combate would presently be commenced it made him fear that among all the blows that would be given he could not avoyd some knocks therefore to save himself he went to Don Diego and desired his leave to depart the Harbour For said he I am very sure Blake will presently be amongst you To this the resolute Don made no other Reply but Get you gone if you will and let Blake come if he dares They that knew Blakes courage could not but know it needless to dare him to an engagement for himself was ever forward enough to fight especially when the honour of his Nation lay at stake like himself were his Sea-men who never questioned Commands but readily ran upon the most desperate attemps which sheweth that courage in a Commander infuseth activity in the Souldiers as here it did in an eminent manner for Gen. Blake having seen his Enemy presently called a Council of Officers to contrive the best way for carrying on the present exploit In this Council of War Glory quite eclipsed hazard so that little else was discoursed upon but a quick Execution which quite buryed difficulty in Oblivion All things being ordered for fight a Squadron of Ships was drawn out of the whole Fleet to make the first Onset these were commanded by Captain Stainer in the Speaker Frigat who no sooner had received Orders but immediately he flew into the Bay with his canvas wings and by eight in the morning fell pell-mell upon the Spainsh Fleet without the least regard to the Forts that spent their shot prodigally upon him No sooner were these entered into the Bay but Blake following after placed certain Ships to pour broad sides into the Castle and Forts these played their parts so well that after some time the Spaniards found their Forts too hot to be held In the mean time Blake strikes in with Stainer and bravely fought the Spanish Ships which were not much inferiour in number to the English but in men they were far the superior Here we see a resolute bravery many times may carry the day and make number lie by the Lee this was manifest for by two of the Clock in the after-noon the English had beaten their Enemies out of their Ships Now Blake seeing an impossibility of carrying them away he ordered his men to fire their prizes which was done so effectually that all the Spanish Fleet were reduced to ashes except two Ships that sunk downright nothing remaining of them above water but some part of their masts The English having now got a compleat victory were put to another difficulty by the wind which blew so strong into the Bay that many despaired of getting out again But Gods providence was miraculously seen in causing the wind upon the sudden to vere about to the Southwest a thing not known in many years before which brought Blake and his Fleet safe to Sea again notwithstanding the Spaniards from the Castle played their great Guns perpetually upon them as they passed by The wind as it proved a friend to bring the English forth so it continued to carry them back again to their former station near to Cadiz Should we compare the vastness of this attempt with the diminutive loss the English received it may go near to raise incredulity in the Reader However it must not be past over in silence All the men that Blake had slain in this fight which lasted from eight in the morning to seven at night were but 48â— and one hundred and twenty wounded On the Spanish side all was lost that could be lost their whole Fleet being quite destroyed so that the English gain was nothing but Honour which ever attended Blakes attempts For this good service the Protector at the Parliaments desire sent this worthy Commander a Ring worth five hundred pounds and presently after Capt. Stainer came to England that his Ship might be new fitted for the Sea which gave the Protector a fair opportunity to clap on his shoulders a whole Knighthood which served to satisfie for all his brave services The Protector according to a private agreement with France prapared a Brigade of Foot to joyn with the French Army under Command of Marshal Turin that so both together might fall into Flanders against the Spaniards The English Forces designed for this service were 6000. many of them old Souldiers but most new raised men over whom Sir John Reynolds was made Commander in Chief and Col. Morgan Major-General who afterwards was Knighted by the Lord Richard Cromwel for his eminent service these being provided with all necessaries for a march were rendezvoused on Black-Heath from whence they marched away to the Sea-side and were immediately transported over to Bulloin in Picardy At their landing the Souldiers had all new Red-Coats distributed amongst them which made such a glistering show that the French King said he never before saw the like sight About the later end of October 1657. the English were advanced into the Spanish Territories and being joyned with Turin the whole Army sate down before Mardike-Fort lying about two miles from Dunkirk This place was looked upon to be of great
a rich commodity was how offered to sale at a cheap rate The French Grandees presently bite at the bait little doubting the hook was daub'd over with this pretty pretence that the Governour Magistrates and Citizens of Ostend being grieved at the English keeping their Coast blockt up with Ships to rid themselves of this continual trouble they would rather be under France then remain any longer in their present condition This motion being made they came to a price and agreed upon a good round sum of mony which Marshal D'Aumont was appointed to pay and take possession of the place at a time agreed on He being well apaid in the imployment slily slipt from Calice with three Ships fraught with Souldiers and soon after fell in amongst a Squadron of English Ships commanded by Vice-Admiral Goodson then lying near Ostend The English Commander seeing how confident these the Protectors Confederates were in the design they went about was willing to assist them with Sea-men the better to facilitate their landing Whil'st D'Aumont was preparing to enter the Town according to agreement the Spaniards within being a courteous Nation where they take affection were very active in making preparations for the entertainment of their French Guests to this end the Governour of Ostend caused the Inhabitants to keep their Houses and not to stir from thence till they heard the Bells Ring in the City Steeple then the great Church and Capuchin Friars Church with many more secret places were crowded with clusters of Souldiers these were to give the French a Spanish Fig at their landing All things being in readiness on both sides May the 4th in the morning some of the French-men that were before received into the Town went out and invited their Countrey-men to come in D'Aumont upon this and the sight of white Colours placed upon the Walls for Decoys did not in the least distrust but took all to be gold that glister'd Hereupon the tide beginning to serve about ten in the morning four French Vessels a ship of Dover and six or seven Boats from the English ships sailed into the Haven and presently the French landing upon the Keys were in a trise drawn up in Battalia Upon this certain Spanish Officers went to enquire for the money that was promised them to which the French returned answer That it was ready in one of their ships This being as much as could be expected the Officers returned into the Town again and immediately shewed the French an a la mode trapanning trick for the great Guns from two Batteries one of which was mounted with twelve the other with eight let slie their murthering shot upon the poor French Foot and to compleat their misery the Bells rung as before appointed which brought the Souldiers and Towns-men about their ears The French now when it was too late seeing how hard a bargain they were like to have made some small â—â—ir at the beginning but finding it fruitless to resist they layd down their Arms and submitted on quarter Thus much for the taking of Ostend The slie Spaniard having thus slurred their Enemy it raised in the French an unquenchable thirst of revenge and therefore to quit scores the whole French and English Armies joyned together resolving to wreak their wrath upon the Town of Dunkirk This place may be called The Key of Flanders it being a Sea-Port-Town and of all men best known to English Merchants whose ships were frequently carryed prize into it But now to put a finit to their infinite Losses a formidable Siege was framed before it which hotly alarm'd the Spaniards in all their Quarters Hereupon Don John of Austria takes these two things into serious consideration first the importance of the place for its Situation it was a Key to Flanders a frontier to France next after Graveling and a certain supply of moneys by continual booties brought in thither by his men of War On the other side should he lose Dunkirk the English in whose possession it would be put had a door opened and fit opportunity to bid fair for all Flanders here might an Army be landed from England and from hence incursions made to the Walls of Bruxels Mean time the Spanish Ports Newport and Ostend could expect no less then to be perpetually infested by men of war which would utterly spoyl their Trade and ruine the Inhabitants these and such like considerations mounted Don John upon fixt resolutions to undertake the relief of Dunkirk though it were to the hazard of his whole Army Mean while the Confederate Forces beleaguering this strong place did in a small time working like Moles run their Trenches to the Spanish Counterscarpe and still encroaching upon the Wall they promised fair to a speedy accomplishment of their Design These things were well known to the Spanish Army who now saw the relief of Dunkirk would admit of no delay for were it not speedily accomplished the Town of necessity must lie prostrate to the Enemies mercie The bettter to effect which therefore Don John the Spanish General having drained his Garisons to fill up his Army suddenly advanced with 15000 men to the relief of his distressed friends these by a swift march through Fuernes quickly seated themselves upon some sandy Hills within an English mile and a half of Turine the French Generals Camp The report of the Enemies near advance made both the French and English Officers consult upon the best course that could be taken to repel the Force that now sate upon their Skirts indeavor to frustrate their labours in the present Siege and render it fruitless Time for consultation being short for it was on the over-night they agreed unanimously to give the Spaniards the next morning a warm breakfast All this night the Officers of both Nations were very active to provide for the ensuing action the Army being found sufficient to fight a Field Battel and at the same time to keep the besieged from ranging abroad For this service most of the English were drawn from their entrenchment and being joyned to the French Horse they marched against the Enemy In the morning both Armies being come near together it was perceived the Spaniards posture was rather Defensive then Offensive but the English Commanders knowing it was no time to dally and being desirous withall to shew the discipline of their own Country which is to make seeing and fighting all one did presently mount the Sand-Hills with a forsorn of three hundred Musquetiers commanded by Captain Devaux after these followed that courageous Commander Lieutenant-Col Fenwick with the Lord General Lockharts Regiment The Spaniards perceiving that the resolution of these men was by degrees to creep within them did as highly resolve to keep them off at the Armes end by pouring down perpetual vollies of great and small shot General Lockhart knowing what duty belonged to his Office did here shew the part of a noble Commander for finding the French unwilling to enter now the English had opened the