Letter to Lord General Concerning Bristol, Day 1 – Day 4
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 Ʋpper 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 onelyonly, 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 onelyonly 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.