Castle the ballance in my thoughts that caused me to yeeld to that Article which otherwise I would never have done supposing that we should quickly find Armes againe preserving the horses and men of my Regiment of horse and foot which had conditions been kept with me I had preserved I have given your Excellence a true account of the carriage of this unhappy businesse and of the causes of the surrendring of that Citie and Castle together with the conditions whereupon they were yeelded up All which being considered and proved as it shall by many witnesses against whom there can be no exception I hope I shall not only stand clear in your Lordships eyes and the eyes of all the world but that it shall be acknowledged that I have done most faithfull service to those by whom I have been entrusted and that in truth which every indifferent man sees the unhappy disaster which befell Sir William Wallers Army did necessarily involve the fate of Bristol both because I had unfurnished the Citie with men and Ammunition to supply that Army and it was necessary for me so to do because the City was never put into a condition to subsist of it selfe against a Royall Army although I was not wanting to represent the importance of the place and the means how it might be defended in certain propositions which I long since sent to your Lordship and which were by your Excellency earnestly recommended to the Committee but they were not brought to any effect What my care and pains hath been to preserve that Citie having the whole burthen thereof for the providing of Men Arms Ammunition and all sorts of provision cast upon me having armed 3000 foot and 300 horse and paid constantly 2000 foot and a Regiment of Horse for foure or five moneths together without ever having above 4000 pounds from the Parliament and 1700l of the custome moneyes What hath been my toil and labour to get moneyes for these uses without troubling the Parliament how little advantage I have made for my selfe how ready I have been to furnish Sir W. Waller with Men Arms Ammunition Money and all sorts of provision that I may say nothing of the hundreds of his maimed Souldiers that have been cast upon my care and charge I leave to my greatest enemies to speak the truth for I know there cannot be found in the world so great malice as to deny it and I appeal to him that knowes all things to judge between me and those that expect a greater tale of brick from me and will not affoord me straw wherewithall to make it and I shall appeal to your Lordship and all indifferent men whether more could have been done by me when as after the defeat of Sir W. Wallers Army I had left onely 700 men to defend that Citie against two such Armies as came aginst it nor so much as one peny of money to raise more men provide Armes or pay those men I had already yet God inabled me in five dayes to raise and Arm 1000 men more and with those 1700 men and that Ammunition I had left I made that defence that I have done of which I am sure I shall never have cause to be ashamed of nor do I beleeve that your Lordship will be ashamed to own me still as Your Excellencies most humble Servant NATH. FIENNES We whose names are under-written do know the narrative part of this letter to be true according as it is here set down John Horner John Fiennes John Clifton Gabriel Homes Tho. Raulins Henry Archbould John Birch Edward Tyson Robert Johnston Chr. Stokes Robert Bagnall FINIS MERCVRIVS AVLICVS Communicating the Intelligence and affaires of the Court to the rest of the KINGDOME The two and thirtieth VVeeke SUNDAY August 6. YOu heard last weeke of the affrights and terrours which the prevailing faction in the pretended Houses were fallen into by reason of the sad condition of their affaires in most parts abroad and shall now heare of the confusions and distractions they are in at home the Vpper House bandying against the Lower the Lower at a rupture amongst themselves and the Army in as great distemper as both the Houses For it was certified this day and had beene rumoured two or three dayes before that the Lords had ordered that the Earle of Portland and the Lord Conway should be bayled whom formerly they had committed upon a generall impeachment from the House of Commons And though it was much pressed by Master Strode that There would be no sitting for them if those Lords were released and restored to the freedome of their Votes againe yet the Order stood and the two Lords were bayled accordingly foure of the Peeres which heretofore had dearely cherished the proceedings of that House being bound for them which added much unto the heat and fury of their discontent As also that two Bills being sent up to the Lords the one for levying the estates of all whom they stile Malignants according to the newly enlarged Ordinance for Sequestrations the other for the continuance of the weekely Assessements were both rejected by that House Which moved Master Martyn to propose as he had done before on the like occasions that they would passe them of themselves without the Lords whose suffrage and consent he conceived as unnecessary as the Kings in things pertaining to the Commons but wiser heads thought fitter to passe by the motion they being now in no condition for so great a breach As for the Lower House it was also signified that on the rising of the House on Saturday July 29. Master Pym moved that they would heare some Propositions from the Earle of Essex but the House having all that day attended the leisure of the Close Committee without doing any thing would not be perswaded but rose immediately to the great disgust of that Committee who formerly had beene looked upon with more observance But this was but the beginning of a greater storme For at the next meeting it was moved that the Close Committee should be dissolved many considerable men inveighing bitterly against it as the cause of all those miseries which afflict this Kingdome And when that could not be effected it was proposed and carried at the last by the major part that a Committee should be nominated to take an accompt of the Close Committee and of all others which were trusted with receipts or disbursements of money and that none of the Close Committee nor any which had fingered any of the publick moneys was to have a voyce in it it being affirmed in the House that great summes of money had beene drawne from the Citie and Country to the summe of three millions at the least as was before alleadged whereof although the Earle of Essex had not received 300000l Waller and Fairefax both not above 30000l yet the Armies were continually in want of pay And though Strode and others of the Close Committee did oppose it openly saying it called that power
in question which had beene given them by the House and used all cunning Artifices and underhand devices not to have it passe yet it was carried in the end the Lords concurring also in it and nominating a Committee of their House to the same intent Which hath begot such true fears jealousies raised such a distrust of one another that it is thought the Houses will be too hot for some potent Members who heretofore did governe the affaires of both and were as uncontroulable amongst them there as ever were the Tribunes in the State of Rome Last of all for the Armies it was thus advertised that the Earle of Essex finding himselfe abused in Pictures censured in Pulpits dishonoured in the table-talke of the common people and a designe on foot of raising a new Army under the conduct of Sir William Waller which would soone put an end unto his authority made complaint of it to the Lords by them to be communicated to the other House requiring that his Army be forthwith paid and furnished with cloathes and all other necessaries his broken and diseased Forces presently recruited reparation to be given him in point of honour for all the calumnies and scandals which falsely as he saith have been laid upon him that Waller be called to an accompt for the losse of his Forces in the West and finally that no Commission may be issued out to any one to have the charge and conduct of any Forces but by his authority Which bold demands though very unwelcome to the Citie-faction in the Lower House who had resolved otherwise amongst themselves yet the Lords ordered for their parts referring the payment and clothing of the Souldiers to the care of the Commons that his Army should be first recruited before any other Forces raised that he and his Army should have reparation by a Declaration of both Houses for all the scandals vented against them that the miscarriage of the businesse in the West should be examined and the blame laid on those whom it did belong to and finally that whosoever was appointed to any charge or command should take his Commission from his Excellencie onely and depend on him and that he should have power to call backe such Commissions as hee saw occasion And it is further certified that though these Votes may give content unto the Generall which was the matter most intended yet doe they yet much displease the faction in the House of Commons and infinitely distast the Citizens who are resolved to raise neither men nor money if Waller may not have ordering and disposing of them and this they sticking not to say openly as they walke the Streetes And on the other side Waller and those who have before served under him are so inraged by these Votes that an implacable and deadly feud is very like to grow amongst them so as there is some hope when these plundering theeves once fall out true men will come the sooner to their goods MONDAY Aug. 7. We have beene long in the intelligence of the former day but shall be breifer in the next the most of which comes from London also For it was certified from thence that they were more disanimated at the losse of Bristol when first the newes was suffered to be knowne amongst them then at all their former losses in the North and West and that assoone as the newes came unto the Houses the prevalent faction there gave Exeter for as good as lost especially since the Earle of Warwicke was come thence with his fleete and had done nothing towards the releife of it but added much unto their desperate condition by being so shamefully repulsed And it was also certified that they had other feares which did more afflict them upon the sight of certaine letters from the Major of Plimmouth to the Earle of Warwicke in which was signified that Sir Alexander Carew and Master Thomas Arundell their Governours of the Fort Island of Plimmouth were suspected to incline unto the King which did so startle them that presently they caused letters to be sent unto them commanding them as Members of the House of Commons to returne to Westminster to doe their service to the House But it was thought the Gentlemen had heard too much of Hotham to put themselves into their hands who shew so little favour unto those that deserved best of them in their present Rebellion It was also certified from Bristol that for a speedier ending of the siege of Exeter and the totall reducing of the West under His Majesties command that so his Armies might unite for some other service Prince Maurice with the Cornish forces and some troopes of horse with many gallant Gentlemen who would needes attend him in the Action was gone towards Devonshire whose going thither as it was generally conceived would quickely put an end to that businesse As also that for the setling of the affaires of Bristol His Majesty had made that noble and deserving Gentleman Sir Ralph Hopton Governour of the towne and Castle and under him that valiant Colon VVashington Lieutenant Governour of the Castle to the generall content of all men It was also signified from London that this last weeke hath beene a terrible weeke of newes to that falling faction For besides the deadly newes from Bristol the losse whereof doth more astonish them then all the rest of their misfortunes in the North and West and that they have given Exeter for as good as lost they have beene miserably vexed with Letters from Gloucester Coventry and Warwicke complaining of their severall wants but specially of the backwardnesse of the people to make good those places or contribute to the worke as formerly since this change of things and plainly signifying that unlesse speedy supplies be sent of Men Armes and Money neither of which the pretended Houses can afford them at the present time they are not able to hold out against His Majesties Forces but of necessity must give up those Townes on the first assault TUESDAY August 8. It was advertised this day that the prevailing party in the House of Commons had refused to concurre to many of the Votes which had beene passed by the Lords in favour of the Earle of Essex which breedes ill bloud not onely betwixt them and the Lords but betwixt the Soldierie and them and that considering that no Commission must be granted but by and from the Earle of Essex the Independent Army which was so much talked of is come to nothing insomuch that Sir William Waller hath not yet listed above 600 of the 20000 which the City promised him And it is further certified that the towne is very much divided about the businesse of Bristol some imputing the losse of it to Fines and some to Waller according as they stand affected to either party and that the disputation grew to so great an height betweene Sir William and my Lord Say who you must thinke would not allow his sonne to be a
Coward though he can cherish him in a murther that the lye passed betweene them As also that Sir William Waller begins to be discontented with his friends the Citizens who so much admired him being absent and promised him such mighty matters if he would honour them with his presence For whereas on the first of this present August he went into the new Artillery yard to list those multitudes of men which had long expected him the appearance was so thinne and small that he was very much ashamed of the disappointment And when the new Committee nominated in the Citie Petition told him that was no place to doe the feat in but they would goe presently to Haberdashers Hall and appoint Commanders to receive them and then hee should see with what alacrity the people would come in unto him that on the other side did as much offend him to see he should not have the nominating of his owne Commanders So that for ought we can perceive by the preparations the Conquerour is like to adde little to his Westerne victories by the Citie Army It was advertised also that some of the more peaceable Lords to say no worse taking advantage of the slow successe which Waller found in raising his Army and of their losses in the West proposed the renewing of the Treaty desiring that such Propositions might be sent His Majestie as they might reasonably hope would be hearkned to Which being agreed on by the rest and a Committee named for the Propositions they drew them to some certaine heads such as might give some little shew of satisfaction to His Majestie but more security unto themselves and a free pardon to all those who have beene either Instruments or Authors of this Rebellion And yet this pleased not my Lord Say who by chance was absent and therefore when he came next into the House he laboured very earnestly to have them altered and prevailed in it at the last Insomuch that whereas it was first agreed on that the Ships Forts Townes Magazines and Revenues should be delivered to the King without any condition and if the Parliament should be adjourned to some other place being the only points in which there was any shew of satisfaction to His sacred Majestie he obtained to have both of them altered and put into such generall termes as might best suite unto the humour of his friends in the other House But being the businesse stayed not here but brake out into greater and more publike heats you shall heare more of it after a day or two WEDNESDAY Aug. 9. It was advertised this day that the Castle and Isle of Portland wherof St Edw. Sydenham Knight Marshal was is Governor were reduced againe under his Majesties command which had beene taken by the Rebells about March last The manner how it was regained is reported thus A Gentleman well known unto the Rebells which had the guard of the Castle and used to be much there for his owne safety and preservation in these dangerous times came to the noble Earle of Carnarvon and gave him very good assurance that if he would trust him with 60 of his men he would forthwith make him Master of the Isle and Castle the Earle considering that the Castle and Isle were richly worth the adventuring of 60 muskets having taken so many armes at Dorchester condescended he should have them which being obtained the Gentleman furnished them with Parliament colours and making towards the Castle with so confused a speed as if he fled from an Enemy called upon the guards and told them he had brought some Parliament forces to make good the place but that they were pursued so closely by the Earle of Carnarvon that if they had not speedy entrance they should all be lost This was no sooner heard by the credulous Rebels but all the hast was made that could be to set open the Ports at which His Majesties Soldiers entred and seizing on the guards who looked not for such unwelcome visitants made themselves masters of it without further trouble A place of very great importance as having the command of the haven and Towne of Weymouth against which it lieth and as the case then stood of most infinite wealth all the rich houshold stuffe and Treasure which had beene taken by the Rebells out of Wardour Castle with a great deale more of goods plate and money being stored up there It was also certified from those parts that Poole Melcombe Weymouth which were in treaty with the Earle of Carnarvon as you heard the last weeke upon the yeelding up of Dorchester have since submitted to His Majestie so that all Dorsetshire is totally reduced againe to its old obedience which cannot but very much conduce to the dispatch of the worke at Exeter and consequently to the absolute and finall setling of all the West And it was also signified that a ship of His Majesties Navy called the Charles being the ship of the second ranke had left the Earle of Warwick and was come to Folmouth according to His Majesties Proclamation of the 7 of July Nor is it in my mind without some good Omen that the first ship of strength and burden which did obey that invitation should be the CHARLES THURSDAY August 10. It was advertised this day that the Lord Capell with his forces appeared before the Walls of Namptwich in hope to finde them in a disposition of returning to his Majesties service considering how His Majesties affaires had thrived and prospered not only in raising the siege of Chester but in cleering of the North and West from the power of the Rebells But finding them continue in their wonted obstinacy he fell off againe and retreated safely to his owne quarters with the losse of sixteene only of his men And on the other side to make amends for the defailement of this hope for it was no more we had intelligence this day that the Lord Willoughby of Parham being gone from Gainsburgh on his redelivery of that towne had recovered Lincolne But seeing an impossibility that either Cromwell should time enough recruit his beaten and distracted forces or that hee could receive any seasonable supplies from London on the first newes that the Earle of Newcastle was comming towards him he forsooke the place and made what hast he could to Boston leaving the City and Close of Lincolne which he had nested in so long to be the next example as we have had very many lately of Gods great mercy to His sacred Majesty It was also signified this day that the heates in London according to the season doe still increase and that the discontents which have late beene growing betweene the remaining partie in the two Houses are at the last improved to a sedition if not unto a Civill Warre amongst themselves For howsoever the Lord Say had so farre altered the Propositions intended by some peaceable Lords to be presented to His Majesty as to make them of a better relish to the Lower