Chidley Coot Col. Carter Adju. Gen. Lowthian Ionathan Bruen Esq Roger Wilbraham Esq Lieut. Col. Hunt Lieut. Col. Venables Mr. Rich. Bradshaw From the Major of Chester and Mr. Tatton to Sir W Brereton Sir VVE desire that a Pass for our Commissioners formerly named â—heir servants and horses may be sen by this Drum to meet with yours in the Forgate-street to morrow morning by nine of the Clock and to return Remaining Your servants Cha. Walley Major Robert Tatton Vic. Com. cestr. Chester the 28 of Ian. 1645. They delaying time and not sending for a Pass so soon as was expected this was sent in to them Gentlemen I Have received your several Dilatory Answers and do assure you that if the Lord Byron in whom you say the sole power of Treaty resteth do not assent and act therein you may forbear sending Do not deceive your selves in expectation that I will Treat when you please I am sorry my care of the Cities preservation hath produced such unsuitable effects The further misery that is like to befal that City be on your heads and not on Your servant Will Brereton January 29. 1645. Lord Byron to Sir William Brereton SIR I was knowing of and consenting to the Letter this day sent by Mr. Mayor and Mr. Sheriff Tatton touching the intended Treaty and am content if a Passe may be sent for that purpose that the Commissioners formerly named do meet with yours at the time and place in that Letter mentioned and remain Your Servant Iohn Byron Chester Ian. 29. MY Lord I have according to your desire sent you a Passe here inclosed for those Gentlemen you formerly nominate who are to morrow expected at the time and place appointed where mine also shall be ready In the mean time I remain Your Servant William Brereton Chester Suburbs 29 Ian. 1645. A Passe for the Chester Commissioners To all Commanders Officers and other Souldiers under my command in service for King and Parliament THese are to command you to permit and suffer the persons under named with their Attendants not exceeding twenty four in number quietly and peaceably to passe your Scouts and Guards from Chester to this place with their Horses and Arms and to return without any your let or hindrance Hereof fail not at your perils Given under my hand at my Quarters in the Forgate street Ian. 29. 1645. Sir Edm Verney Knight Col. William Ince Alderman Thomas Cholmondley Esq Lieut. Col. Peter Griffith Lieut. Col. Henry Leigh Christopher Blease Alderman Sergeant Major Tho Throp Lieut. Col. Iohn Robinson Iohn Iohnson Merchant John Werden Gent. Dr. Moreton Divines Tho Bridge From the Mayor and Lord Byron to Sir William Brereton SIR Vpon the return of those Commissioners sent to treat with yours and the Accompt they have given of their proceedings wee finde it so absolutely impossible to make a final conclusion in the time limited the matter being of so high a concernment to the Estates Liberties Lives and Consciences of the several conditions of people in this Citie that we are inforced to require a further day which we desire no longer then Monday next at which time we hereby engage our selves they shall return with full power to conclude Hereunto not doubting your assent we rest Your Servants John Byron Cha Walley for my self Citizens Chester 31 Jan. 1645. MY Lord Upon due consideration how you have carryed on this Treaty and upon consultation with those with whom I have advised I finde nothing more then delayes in your desires there being no new matter proposed yesterday but what you have had sufficient time to consider I shall not therefore admit of any further delay nor longer time to treat and conclude upon the Conditions tendred then this day and so remain Your Servant William Brereton Ian. 31. 1645. Articles concluded and agreed upon Feb. 1. 1645. between the Commissioners appointed on the behalf of John Lord Byron Field Marshal General of North Wales and Governour of Chester on the one part and the Commissioners on the behalf of Sir William Brereton Baronet Commander in chief of all the Forces of Cheshire and at the Leaguer before Chester on the other part for the Surrender of the City of Chester with the Castle and Fort thereof 1. THat the Lord Byron and all Noblemen Commanders Officers Gentlemen and Souldiers and all other Persons whatsoever now residing in the City of Chester and the Castle and Fort thereof shall have liberty to march out of the said City Castle and Fort with all their Apparel whatsoever and no other or more Goods Horses or Arms then are hereafter mentioned viz. The Lord Byron with his Horse and Arms and ten men with their Horses and Arms to attend him Also his Lady and Servants two Coaches and four Horses in either of them for the accommodating of them and such other Ladies and Gentlewomen as the said Lord Byron shall think meet with eighty of the said Lords Books and all his Deeds and Evidences Manuscripts and Writings in his possession the said Lord his Lady nor any their Attendants carrying amongst them all above fourty pounds in money and twenty pounds in Plate The rest of the Noblemen with their Ladies and Servants to march with their Horses each of the said Lords attended with four men their Horses and Arms every such Nobleman carrying with him not above thirty pounds in money Every Knight and Colonel to march with two men their Horses and Arms no such Knight or Colonel to carry with him above ten pounds in money Every Lieutenant Colonel Major and Captain of Horse with one man their Horses and Arms no such Lieutenant Colonel Major or Captain carrying with him above five pounds in money Every Captain of Foot Esquire Graduate Preaching Minister Gentlemen of quality the Advocate and Secretary to the Army every of them with his own Horse and Sword the Ministers without Swords none of them carrying with him above fifty shillings and the Ministers to have all their own Manuscripts Notes and Evidences Lieutenants Cornets Ensignes and other inferiour Officers in Commission on Foot with every man his Sword and not above twenty shillings in money All Troopers Foot-Souldiers Gunpowder Makers Canoneers and all other not before mentioned to march without Horse or Arms And that none of the said Persons before mentioned shall in their march after they are out of the City and Liberties thereof be plundered searched or molested 2. That all Women of what degree soever that please to march out of the City shall have all their Apparel with them and such Officers Wives whose Husbands are Prisoners or absent may carry such sums of money with them as are allowed by these Articles to Commanders Officers and Gentlemen of their Husbands qualities and no more 3. That none of the Commanders Officers or Souldiers or any other at or before their marching out of the City Castle or Fort do injure or plunder the Person or Goods of any nor carry any thing
moneth there will be a force sufficient with Gods blessing to raise the Siege you may assure the City so much was in Cypher of all this I am very confident and you may do well to send this to my Lord whom I will strive to serve to my utmost I had gone to my Lord Ashley but for fear of my missing him upon the way Your faithful Servant Rob Elice Bridgnorth Ian. 14. 1645. For my general Friend Sir William Neal. DEar Knight Pray be pleased to speed this enclosed Paper with all possible speed into Chester it contains crums of comfort My Lord Byron hath the key for your present satisfaction be pleased to know that my Lord Ashley Sir Charls Lucas Sir William Vaughan and plenty of gallant Blades will be in these parts ere many dayes with a sufficient force by the blessing of God to raise the Siege at Chester pray seal up the enclosed in a Paper and direct it for my Lord Byron my duty to you all Dear Knight Your true Servant John Wats Jan. 18. 2645. The Scribe is yours and my Ladyes most faithful Servant This enclosed will be most welcom to your Neighbours use all possible means to hasten it to prevent all sluggering comers For my Lord Byron MY Noble Lord This night ours is come from my Lord Digby and you post night and day to the King with assurance that 15000 are ready with all Accommodations for to come over for to relieve Chester which will crown your Lordships work and the truly loyal Mayor whose Names will be Honored by all vertuous posterity they had come over before now if some miscarriage had not hapned which will suddenly be removed and then 24 hours will Land them upon English ground they care not for the Enemies ships My Noble Lord when Sir William Gerrard writes in Cypher he will acquaint where the error was that before now this gallant Army came not I hope in good time it will if peoples patience be not in Chester altogether exhausted which God forbid I assure them those of our Country Gentry that are gone in to the Enemy conceive themselves much neglected by them I would not have thus much trespassed upon your Lordships most serious occasions but knowing of Sir W. Ia. absence thought it necessary to impart this News in haste to youward Noble Mayor God direct you both and have you in his keeping So wisheth My Lord Your most humble Servant Leinster Ian. 18. 1645. For my Lord Byron MAy it please your Lordship I have sent you these inclosed which I am sure will be welcom to you I durst not write to you before now by reason I had no certainty to write I believe your Lordship doth know of my condition here the Enemy lives in Hawarden Aston and Stretton and Bretton I received a Letter from Denby intimating great hopes of the Irish Landing by this fair wind My Lord the Enemy brags of a Parley for the delivering of the City but I believe them not I beseech your Lordships care and two fires if this come safe to your hands and if all be well an hour after our fire to be made upon the Castle So desiring you will be pleased to let me hear from you as soon as possible you can that I may further serve your Lordship which shall never be wanting by him that will remain My Lord Your faithful Servant William Neal. Haw Castle Ian. 19. 1645. For the Ea. of Leinster MY Honorable Lord This night hath produced this News that 15000 men are already in Ireland with shipping both from France and Denmark with all other accommodations and I hope will come in good time to crown your Lordships and the truly loyal Majors work which deserves all honour They had been over before now to your Relief but for some miscarriage which will suddenly be removed and that done their readinesse is so compleat 24 hours will land them on English ground I have no more to say but I hear some of our countrey Gentry being gone to the Enemy begin to think themselves much neglected by them so let all be which turn turn-coats God have you all in his keeping Yours till death Leinster January 18. Sir Edmond Verney and Major Throp refusing to carry in the Propositions tendred by Sir Wil Brereton divers of these Copies were thrown over the walls which produced good effects amongst the Citizens I Did this day deliver unto Sir Edmond Verney and Major Throp Conditions wherein I tendred to all the Welch Souldiers and Officers liberty to go and live at their own homes For the Irish that have not taken part with the Rebels liberty to return into Ireland or to march to any of the Kings Garrisons To the Citizens who were not Commissioners of Array nor Members of Parliament the liberty of their persons the enjoyment of their estates and freedom of Trade as other Towns and Cities under the Parliaments power and protection which would have been performed had they been accepted but they would not receive them as was desired by William Breretor Chester Suburbs Ian. 21. 1645. SIr We are told by Sir Edm Verney and Major Thomas Throp imployed from the Lo Byron our Governor with Propositions that you intended to send some by a Trumpet of your own the bringing thereof being contrary to their Instructions we have since seen Papers under your hand thrown over the wals two whereof we send inclosed and desire to know whether those be the Conditions you offered to their conveyance which if they be not we wish those may be sent you tendred to them And remain Your Servants Cha Walley Major for my self and Citizens Rob Tatton Vic. Com. cestr. Chester Ian. 24. 1645. GEntlemen I have received your Letter and because this day is set apart for Sacred duties I shall send my Propositions to-morrow if before nine of the clock in the morning I receive a Passe from the Lord Byron for Col Chidley Coot and Lieut. Col. Rob. Venables and in the mean time I remain Your Servant William Brereton Ian. 25. 1645. SIr I send inclosed a Passe for Col Coot and Lieutenant Colonel Venables their horses and servants where you shall think fit that they may meet with Lieutenant Colonel Io. Robinson and Alderman William Ince whom I shall send to receive your Propositions and for whom with their servants and horses I desire your Passe and leave it to your choice whether at the Iron Bridge or between your Works and our Fort Upon receipt and consideration had of your Propositions I shall give such Answer thereunto as shall be consonant to Honour and Justice and remain Your Servant Iohn Byron Chester 26. Ian. 1645. To all Commanders Officers and Souldiers of His Majestirs Army and Garrisons whom it may concern YOu are hereby required to suffer the bearers hereof Col Chidley Coot and Lieut. Col. Venables their servants and horses quietly to passe and travel to the Iron Bridge or to the mid-way between the Fort and
the Enemies works at the choice of them there to meet with Lieut. Col. Io Robinson and Alderman William Ince and to return into the Forgate street without any your let or interruption Iohn Byron Chester 26 Ian. 1645. MY Lord Although I expected a Passe for those two Gentlemen I nominated to come into the City as I granted to yours to come into my Quarters yet to satisfie the Citizens desire and expectation I have sent you a Passe for those Gentlemen you desire to meet the mid-way betwixt two and three of the clock this afternoon between your Fort and our Works which you shall receive inclosed and I remain Your Servant William Brereton Chester Suburbs Ian. 26. 1645. To all Commanders Officers and common Souldiers in service for King and Parliament whom it may concern YOu are hereby required to suffer the Bearers hereof Lieut. Col. Iohn Robinson and Alderman William Ince their servants and horses quietly to passe and travel the mid way between our Works and the Enemies Fort there to meet with Col. Chidley Coot and Lieut. Col. Robert Venables and to return into Chester without any your let or molestation William Brereton Chester Suburbs Ian. 26. 1645. MY Lord I cannot now send you such Propositions as have been formerly rejected every day producing losse of Blood and expence of Treasure neither will I trouble my self with answering the particulars of your unparalleld demands to which if I should suit mine I could require no lesse then your self and all the Officers and Commanders to be my prisoners and the rest submitted to mercy Yet to witnesse my desires of the preservation of the City I have upon serious consideration and debate thought fit to tender these inclosed Conditions for the perfecting whereof I am content Commissioners meet concerning them and such further particulars as may be conceived conducible to the welfare of the City and counties adjacent and have given Commission to these Gentlemen to receive your Answer in writing to these Propositions of mine herewith sent touching which I shall not be so scrupulous as to demand their return not valuing to what view they may be exposed therefore they are to be left with you if you please and remain Your Servant William Brereton Chester Suburbs Ian. 26. 1645. From the Lord Byron to Sir William Brereton upon the first tender of his PROPOSITIONS SIR I have received your Propositions by the Gentlemen sent to meet yours whereunto in regard of the several conditions of men therein concerned I cannot for the present give an Answer upon consideration thereof had by those therein concerned I shall not fail to give you a punctual Answer thereunto and in the mean time rest Your Servant John Byron Chester Ian. 26. 1645. The second Letter from the Lord Byron to Sir William Brereton touching the said Propositions SIR These demands of mine which you term unparalleld have been heretofore granted by far greater Commanders then your self no disparagement to you to places in far worse condition then God be thanked this yet is witnesse the Basse Breda Mastrick and as many other Towns as have been beleaguered either by the Spanyard or Hollander or to come nearer home York and Carlifle and nearest of all Beeston Castle And therefore you must excuse me if upon the Authority of so many Examples I have not onely propounded but think fit to insist upon them as the sence of ali manner of people in the City As for your conceit in the demanding of my self and the rest of the Commanders and Officers to be your Prisoners I would have you know That we esteem our Honours so far above our lives that no extremity whatsoever can put so mean thoughts into the meanest of us all And that to submit to your mercy is by us reckoned amongst those things we intend never to make use of I am neverthelesse still content that the Commissioners whose Names I formerly tendred unto you meet with such as you shall appoint in any indifferent place to Treat upon Honorable conditions and desire you to assure your self that no other will be assented unto you by Your Servant John Byron Chester Ian. 27. 1645. Sir William Breretons Reply to the former MY Lord I cannot believe that you conceive the War betwixt the Hollander and Spaniard is to be made a president for us Neither can I believe that such conditions as you demanded were granted to Basse Breda or Mastrick Sure I am none such were given to York Garlisle or Beeston though some of them were maintained by as great Commanders as you self and no disparagement to you I shall therefore offer to your consideration the Examples of Liverpool Basing and Latham who by their refusal of Honorable terms when they were propounded were not long after subjected to Captivity and the Sword You may therefore do right to all those many inâ—ocents under your Command to tender their safety and the preservation of the City for which end I have sent you fair and Honorable conditions such as are the sence of all the Officers and Souldiers with me which being rejected you may expect worse from Your Servant William Brereton Chester Suburbs Ian. 27. 1645. A Leter from the Major of Chester and Mr. Tatton to Sir W Brereton SIR My Lord Byron having acquainted us with a Letter which he received from you the last night in answer to his sent by the said Drum by which we conceive you apprehend a rejection of your Propositions which we much wonder at well knowing that my Lord writ unto you to appoint an indifferent place where ours and your Commissioners might meet to Treat upon the Propos. on both sides which is apprehended by us to be your sence also your own Propositions iming so much and you having so often by Letter expressed your tender care of the Cities preservation and prevention of the effusion of innocent blood Our desire therefore is That you will nominate your Commissioners with the time and place that ours and yours may meet to debate and Treat upon the Propositions tendred on both sides without which there can be no hopes of a conclusion So expecting your Answer we rest Your Servants Cha Walley Mayor Rob Tatton Vic. Com. cestr. Chester Ian 28. 1645. Answer to the hast ALthough I hold my self dis-engaged from any former tenders and do very well know your necessitous condition whereof I have received abundant information several wayes Yet because I desire the Cities preservation and not to lengthen your miseries I am content to appoint for Commissioners the Gentlemen whose names are inclosed to Treat with yours upon my Propositions already tendered to morrow morning by ten of the Clock in the Forgatestreet if you send in the mean time for a Pass for your Commissioners formerly named and their servants In the mean time I remain Your servant W. Brereton Ian. 28. 1645. The names of the Commissioners Col. Bowyer Col. Io. Booth Col. Duckenfield Col. Mich. Iones Col.
away out of the said City Castle or Fort but what is their own and hereby allowed 4. That all Citizens and others now residing within the City shall be saved and secured in their Persons and their Goods and Estates within the City and Liberties thereof preserved and kept from the plunder and violence of the Souldiers and have the like freedom of Trade as other Cities and Towns under the Parliaments protection have and such immunities as they of right ought to have And that every such Merchant and Tradesman of Chester as shall desire to go into North-Wales to look after his Goods shall have a Passe to go thither and return back again he first giving security that during his absence he will do no act to the prejudice of the Parliament And that no such person shall at any time without Licence carry more moneys with him then sufficient to defray the charges of his journey And that all Citizens and other Inhabitants who shall now or hereafter desire to march forth of the City of Chester and not act any thing against the Parliament his or their Wives or Families to have the benefit and priviledge of Inhabitants 5. That such Officers and Souldiers as shall be left sick or wounded within the City of Chester or the Castle or Fort thereof shall have liberty to stay until their recovery and then have Passes to Conway or any of the Kings Garrisons not blocked up In the mean time to be provided for 6. That the said Lord Byron Noblemen Commanders Gentlemen Officers and Souldiers and all others that shall march out of the Town shall have liberty to march to Conway and five dayes are allowed them to march thither with a Convoy of two hundred Horse the Welsh Officers and Souldiers to have liberty to go to their own homes all of them to have free Quarter in their march and twelve carriages if they shall have occasion to use so many which carriages are to be returned on the sixth day and that Passes be given them for their safe return to Chester and that they be secured until they return thither 7. That no Souldier in his march shall be inveigled or enticed from his Colours or Command with any promise or inducement whatsoever 8. That all such Persons Citizens or others who have Families in Chester and are now in places remote thence shall have the like benefit of these Articles as those who are now resident in the City 9. That the Friends of the Earls of Derby and Leitchfield or of any of those whose dead Bodies are not yet interred in Chester shall have two moneths time to fetch them thence whither they please provided that none of them come attended with above twenty horse 10. That no Church within the City or Evidences or Writings belonging to the same shall be defaced 11. That such Irish as were born of Irish Parents and have taken part with the Rebels in Ireland and now in the City shall be prisoners 12. That all those Horses and Arms belonging to those that march out and not by these Articles allowed to be taken and carried out of the City except such Horses as are the proper Goods of the Citizens and Inhabitants that shall remain in the City before the delivery of the same be brought the Horses into the Castle Court and the Arms in to the Shire-Hall where Officers shall be appointed to receive them 13. That in consideration hereof the sayd City and Castle without any slighting or defacing thereof with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and all other furniture and Provisions of Warre therein whatsoever except what is allowed to be carryed away and all the Records in the Castle without diminution imbezelling or defacing be delivered to the said Sir William Brereton or such as he shall appoint for the use of King and Parliament upon Tuesday next being the third of this instant February 1645. by ten of the cloke in the forenoone 14. That the Fort with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and Provision therein of what sort soever not formally granted or allowed of upon the signing of these Articles be delivered to Sir William Brereton or such as he shall appoint 15. That upon Signing of these Articles all Prisoners in the City Castle and Fort that have been in Armes for the Parliament or imprisoned for adhearing thereunto shall immediatly be set at Liberty 16. That the Convoy shall not receive any injury in their going or comming back and shall have three dayes allowed for their returne 17. That if any Person concerned in any of these Articles shall violate any part of them such Person shall loose the benefit of all the said Articles 18. That upon the Signinig of these Articles sufficient Hostages such as shall be approved of be given for the performance of the said Articles Signed by us the Commissioners appointed on the behalfe of the right Honourable the Lord Byron Edmund Verney John Robinson Thomas Cholmondeley Peter Griffith Henry Legh Thomas Throppe Christopher Blease William Jnce John Werden John Iohnson Edward Moreton Thomas Bridge What is done by the Commissioners is confirmed by Iohn Byron Chesters Enlargement after three yeares bondage Or A Compendious Narration of the reducing of Chester and Beston Castle with the memorable occurrances conducing thereunto THe City of Chester is a strong Prize in it selfe anciently such by the high and broad Walls with many Towers and Bulwarkes flankering the same and since these troubles fortified by more than ordinary Mud-walls securing the Suburbs and to compleat the whole the river Dee in some measure Navigable secures it on the West and South which swells so broad and high in the Tyde that no forces by Land can restraine reliefe by Sea The scituation likewise makes it most advantagious to the possessors it being the key of Ireland and a tye to unite North-Wales to Lancashire by a small neck of land in Cheshire five miles over the Rivers on both sides foardable This Citie ever since the beginning of these troubles Perfideously surprized by the Commissioners of Array in time of Truce was kept for the King esteemed the master-piece of these parts of the Kingdome and in some measure accordingly lookt upon by the Parliament whence it came to passe that much time and Treasure was expended by the prudent Commander Sir William Brereton for the reducing of it More then two yeares agone it was first attempted but the worke not well mannaged the Militia being then in its infancie it proved abortive The enemy perceiving what they might expect in time endeavoured their utmost by art and industrie to make it impregnable Sir William Brereton perceiving that worke too difficult betooke himselfe to another Designe the reducing of Boston Castle a piece of such annoyance and charge to the Country that it will not bee impertinent to give a briefe account of the fortifying losing and regaining of it but the worke of this piece and the City did at all times so
army The enemy perceiving their pretences slighted and pincht with their owne necessities applyed themselves to seeke for a parle by this Letter sent to Sir William Brereton Sir at the entreaty of us the Major Noblemen Gent. Alderman and Citizens of Chester the Lord Byron our Governour in whom the sole power of Treaty rests is pleased to give way to a Treaty upon honourable conditions to which if you assent Commissioners to that purpose may be agreed upon by both sides expecting your answer I rest Your servants Charles Walley Major Robers Tatton vic. Comes Chester 15. Jan 1645. To which Sir William Brereton returned this answer When I have so long considered of an answer to your Letter as you the Major and the Lord Byron tooke time to answer my summons you shall heare from me by a Messenger of myne owne in the meane time I rest Your servant William Brereton Chester Suburbes 15. Ian. 1645 To the Major of Chester and Robert Tatton Esquire The day after notwithstanding this Letter was sent into the City Gent. We have prevailed with Sir William Brereton to give us leave to returne this answer to your last Letter that notwithstanding your former rejection of faire honourable conditions and the expence of time and blood which hath bin occasioned by your obstinacy might justly provoake him to refuse any further treaty yet that it may appeare he reteines his wonted desires of the preservation of the City and the lives and estates of the inhabitants if your Governour in whom you say lyes the full power to treat send out reasonable Propositions betwixt this and Munday morning he will take them into consideration and returne such answer as may stand with honor and justice and may prevent the destruction of this ancient City which is desired by Your servants Robert Duckenfield James Louthiane Chester Suburbs 16. Jan. 1645. For the Major of Chester and Robert Tatton Esquire To which Letter this answer was returned Gent. We have acquainted the Lord Byron with your Letter to us directed who is pleased to promise that within the time therein limited a full answer shall be thereto returned we remaine Your servants Charles Walley Robert Tatton Vic. Com. Chester 17. Jan. 1645. For Collonel Duckenfield and adjutant Generall Louthiane Upon Munday about noone they sent a long Letter without the propositions expected the contents whereof was to excuse their not sending in of propositions for want of time fully to deliberate upon things of so great importance Also they nominated 12. men for Commissioners consisting of the Gentry Souldiery Citizens and Clergy because all these had their share in the treaty desiring Sir William also to nominate persons of that number and quality on his part and to designe a place where they might treat Sir William tooke it not well that they sent not the propositions as was expected and approved not of so great a number of Commissioners therefore he required their propositions speedily or to expect no further treaty the next day they sent againe signifying their propositions were ready but they would not send them by Drumme or Trumpet but by Commissioners which they desired might be agreed upon the place designed and their persons protected Answer was made to the Lord Byron that if they sent propositions into the Suburbes by two persons of their choice they should have safe conduct Accordingly they sent 36. propositions upon Thursday Ianuary 22. by Sir Edmund Verney and Major Thropp which were so extreame high that they were ridiculous not fit to burden the Presse or to reade otherwise than to make sport Sir William then tendred to them his owne propositions which they utterly refused to take because they had no such Commission Hereupon Sir William caused divers papers to be dispersed upon the walls that night which the Centries tooke in from our Souldiers in which he signified their unreasonable Demands in their propositions and that they refused to take with them his propositions in which he sought their good and preservation of the City not doubting but this would worke a mutiny and force them to a parlye in a more humble way Their extremities caused them to pretend a desire to continue the parlie whiles new hopes of releife by late intelligence quickned their droopeing spirits to more than ordinary acclamations For upon Friday January 23. they reported to our Guards their great confidence of releife by an army out of Ireland already landed and others to be assistant to them in Wales for joy whereof they shot off their Guns and gave a great shout upon the Walls and within the City which they doubted not would prove effectuall to animate the gasping Citizens and to worke on us to allow them better conditions But to cleare all on our part Gen. Mytton with 800. Horse and 200. Foote and Dragoones Ianuary 25. marched into VVales quartered that night in Ruthen endeavouring to finde out and disipate that body of the enemy what ever it might prove under the command of the Lord Saint Paul Collonel Iones the day after sent a party towards Ruthland Castle hoping thereby to inclose the enemy or interrupt them in the way if they attempted the releife of Chester whiles so great a party of ours was abroad in the Country The enemy not appearing the party sent out by Collonel Iones made a speedy returne with a booty of Horse taken from the enemy who had secured them in Ruthland and good stoare of Catle for restitution of which the Country there payd their arreares of contribution for the Leaguer But Gen. Mytton continued in Ruthen having great hopes of the Castle destitute of the Governour Ammunition and fuell This while the Citizens were more sensible of their desperate condition then the Commanders resolved to feede no longer upon lyes which had brought them a long time to feede upon horesslesh so they forced the Commissioners to treate with us and to make the best conclusion they could but however to conclude Upon Friday January 30. their 12. Commissioners were admitted into the forrest streete which sent the same number of able men to joyne with them they continued late that night in debating the propositions but the worke drew not towards a period Our Commissioners agreed that unlesse they came the next day by 12. a clocke and ended by 6. the treaty should cease they desired to deferre it till Munday which would not be admitted so they all met upon Saturday continued the treaty all night and all the next day Our Commissioners held them so close to it that they yeelded to very hard conditions which because they will be publique and larger then will sute to this short narration shall not burden this paper Betwixt ten and eleven at night they possest us of the royall Fort wee having first sent Col. Bowyer and Col. Massie hostages to Hawarden Castle to secure them of our fidelitie in making good the Conditions on our part upon Tuesday we were possest