Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves, Parliamentary chronicle · Floating text 21
A full Relation of the SCOTS March from BARVVICK to NEVVCASTLE.
THere is no cauſe why we ſhould conceive that our Brethren of Scotland have delayed in any wiſe their comming, though they have not been here ſo ſoon as ſome expected, but rather that wee ſhould give God praiſe for their ſo ſoon and ſpeedy march.
Firſt, Conſidering the great Army which they have raiſed, and proviſion for them, which to be done orderly, and by the brotherly aſſiſtance of that whole Kingdome, is a great worke, and asketh long time.
Secondly, Becauſe they are not onelyonly ayding and aſſiſting unto us, but alſo to our brethren of Ireland, who are brought to a very low, and moſt miſerable condition, inſomuch that informations from thence have certified the Kirke of Scotland, that 200. at the leaſt of the Scots are ſtarved to death in Ireland for want.
Thirdly, Their chiefe Engineer hath formed a new kind of great gunns, never before diſcovered, which were made purpoſely for this deſigne, above three quarters of a yard long, or ſome a yard, that will carry a twelve pound bullet, to doe good execution at a good diſtance, and yet ſo framed, that a Horſe may carry one of them, all which tooke up a great deale of time.
Yet nevertheleſſe, bleſſed be God, they are now come into England, their number being 18000 Foot, 3000 Horſe, and between 4 and 500 Dragoneers, and they bring along with them 120 great Gunns, and other traine of Ammunition, very full and large, which came to Barwick by Sea, and there met the Army in a convenient time, and was prepared ready for them in their march.
On Tueſday the 18 of January laſt, they marched to Barwick and that day was a ſore day to them, by reaſon of great ſtormes and Snow that fell all the day long, and yet ſuch was their valiant reſolution, and deſire of expedition, that they came 18 Scotch miles that day to reach Barwick which is at the leaſt, as much as three and twenty or foure and twenty of our miles heere.
They billited about Barwick that night and there received their train of Artillery, which they neglected not, though after ſo long and weariſome a dayes journey, and the next day, being Ianuary the 19. they marched out of Barwick, one Regiment after another, as conveniently as they could obtaine fit quarter in thoſe parts.
Our Brethren of Scotland brought along with them Printed Declarations of the Kingdome of Scotland, for information and ſatisfaction to their brethren of England, concerning their preſent expedition, viz.
Whereas the greateſt Queſtions that are like to ariſe in this buſineſſe, may be deduced to theſe three particulars, viz. The juſtneſſe of ourcauſe: The lawfulneſſe of our calling thereto: And the faithfulneſſe of carriages therein: our brethren of Scotland will hereby endeavour to give ſatisfaction in them all, and doubt not to doe it, unleſſe there remaine ſome, whoſe inveterare malice hath produced in them a reſolution to be unſatisfied.
This their Declaration gave the Countrey ſo good ſatisfaction, that they found no oppoſition, and they doe carry themſelves ſo civill and well and without offering the leaſt wrong to any, where they come, that the Count ey are exceeding glad of their being come.
When the Meſſenger that brought the meſſage to the Parliament yeſterday, left the Scotch Army, which was on Wedneſday laſt, then they were at Adeſtone, within ſome ſixe miles from An wick in their march towards Newcaſtle, which is about ſome 28 Engliſh miles, and then a Letter was prepared to be ſent to Colonel Glemham, the Governour of Newcaſtle, to require the delivery of the ſame up to the uſe of the Parliament, in England, and he doth verily beleeve that by this time they can give account of the ſame: for on Saturday laſt they intended to be before Newcaſtle.
Colonell Glemham, it ſeemes had marched out of Newcaſtle with a Partee, ſuch ſtrength as he could make; and the the Letters were delived to him, which came from our brethren of Scotland, ſent from both the Chaire-men of the Committies of England and Scotland, which was very faire; and declared, that they did not deſire blood, but to bring in thoſe Delinquents to juſtice, who ſeeke to divert his Majeſtie from the Parliament. The Letter was delivered to Colonell Glemham, and by him read to the Army then with him, which himſelfe would not deny, but that it was very faire; and ſo made unto them three Propoſitions, at the reading of the ſaid Letter.
1. Whether the Countrey ſhould be burnt up before them, and all deſtroied and laid waſt. To this it was anſwered, No, which they had reaſon ſo to doe, becauſe there were then preſent many of the Gentry of thoſe parts, who had interest in the Land there.
2. Whether they ſhould oppoſe the Scots, and ſend them a denyall. To which it was anſwered, that they were altogether unable to oppoſe them, becauſe they being but two thouſand Foot, and ſome few Horſe, it would be in vain to ſtand againſt them.
3. Whether an Anſwer ſhould be retuned to the ſaid Letters, To which ſome ſaid, that it were beſt, Firſt to ſend to the Earle of Newcaſtle, to know his mind: Others, that it was convenient, firſt to ſend to Oxford, before an anſwer be returned.
The Meſſenger further reporteth, that as he ſailed by the mouth of the Channell which leadeth to Newcaſtle, he ſaw ſome ſeven Ships or more, which ſeemed to be fraught, and upon inquiry, it was certified that they were laden with Malignants goods, ſuppoſed for Holland, whereof he gave notice to ſome Commanders under the Lord Admirall, who appointed eleven Ships to wait their comming out, and if they came not foorth before Saturday, the day appoinappointed by our brethren of Scotland to be at Newcaſtle, then to fall in and ſteal upon them.
Now that our brethren of Scotland may not be looked upon with the prejudice of ſtrangers, we hope this firme Union of this mutuall Covenant will beare it out: There is a Committee of our own Nation, the moſt of which are Parliament men, ſuch to whom they have committed the truſt and care of their Religion, Lawes, and Liberties, joyned with them, without whoſe concurrence, nothing that concernes us is to be tranſacted. And to free us of all unjuſt ſuſpition, which if our minds are not ready to conceive, yet the malicious mouthes of our Adverſaries, and theirs, are ready to ſuggeſt, that notwithſtanding their Declaration they have ſome finiſter and ſecret ends, which may prove prejudiciall to our Rights and Happineſſe: It is hereby made known to us, that they have freely engaged themſelves, by an Article of the late Treaty betwixt the Nations, to give the publike Faith of the Kingdome of Scotland, unto the Kingdome of England, that neither their entrance into, nor continuance in this Kingdom, ſhall be made uſe of to any other ends than expreſſed in the Covenant, and that Treaty ſubſcribed to by the Commiſſioners of both Kingdomes, which they are reſolved, to the honour of God, and of this Nation, to keepe inviolate.
And they declare, that they are ſo far from deſiring harme or loſſe to any of their Brethren of England, that their ſincere and reall intentions are not to adde fuell, nor bring oyle, but water to extinguiſh theſe lamentable combuſtions and fires, which they have with ſo much duty and love laboured to quench: That their taking of Armes is not to make Warrs (if they be not neceſſitated) but to obtaine a better grounded and more durable Peace, for enjoying our Religion and Liberties in all the three Kingdoms: and that the wicked (who are the unworthy authors of all our troubles) being removed from our King, a right underſtanding may be' eſtabliſhed betwixt his Majeſtie and his people. And as they have ſolemnly ſworne to protect all who ſhall adhere to this Covenant: So doe they certainly expect, that all their Brethren in England, who are zealous for the true Proteſtant Religion, loyal to the King, and faithfull for their Country, will joyn with them in procuring theſe juſt deſires: which being obtained, they ſhall be moſt willing and ready to returne to their Native Countrey, eſteeming it their greateſt happineſſe, that truth with Peace may be eſtabliſhed in all his Majeſties Dominions.
ANd here give mee leave, good Reader, to add 2 or 3 things omitted in that former Relation, but very obſervable in their ſaid March,Three or 4. memorable Contingents in the Scots March. which were theſe.
Firſt, that on Thurſday Ianuary the twenty fifth, their Army had a hard and difficult March, in reſpect of a very great thaw,1. A great thaw, much hindring the Scots march. after much froſt and ſnow upon the ground at that time, which ſo ſwelled the waters (whereof there were not a few in their way, that oftentimes it came up to the middle, and ſometime to the arme-pits of their Foot, inſomuch that the horſe paſſed with little leſſe difficulty; which though it was not without much hazard and danger, yet (bleſſed be God) without the leaſt harme or dammage to the meaneſt Souldier.
Sir Thomas Glemham alſo did intend (to hinder the Scots March and advance forward) to cut Feltam-Bridge; 2. A Bridge which would much have retarded the Scots March, not ſuffred to be cut down as intended.but the Maſons and workemen which he brought thither for that purpoſe, were ſo affrighted and amazed, by reaſon of the exclamation and execrations of the Countrey, women upon their knees, that while Sir Thomas went into a Houſe to refreſh himſelfe, they all ſtole away, and before he could get them to returne again, he received an alarm from the Scottiſh Horſe, which made himſelfe alſo to fly away with ſpeed to Morpeth, but there alſo he ſtayed not long, but Marched to Newcaſtle.
Alſo the great ſtorm of Snow, which in, reaſon, the Scots could not but expect would encounter them in the way (eſpecially at that time of the yeare) and might have killed many of their Foot,3. The contrary effects of the great Snow in the Scots march. did not (by Gods providence) hurt any of them: but contrariwiſe did greatly hinder the enemy, from putting in execution their wicked reſolutions, to plunder and drive away all the Cattle and goods, and burning up of all the Corne of the whole Country, where the Scots ſhould paſſe, that ſo they might ſtarve their Army.
Laſtly, that there was ſo great a Froſt (the like whereof had not been ſeen in any mans memory in thoſe parts) that in two nights,4. A remarkable hard Froſt which helped all the Army over the river Tweed. the River of Tweed freezed ſo ſtrong and thick, as that the whole Army of our brethren the Scots and all their Ammunition which was at a place called Kelſo, marched moſt ſafely, upon the ice, which otherwiſe could not poſſibly have come over the River in a long time after, and that with difficulty and danger too. But their forces have thus happily paſſed on to Alnwick, the Lord Marqueſſe of Argyle marched to Cocquet-Iſland, which was yeilded to him at the firſt ſhot which they diſcharged againſt the Towne,Gods evident hand of good Providence going along with the Scots Army. though they had 70 Souldiers within it, 7 pieces of braſſe Ordnance, and victuals almoſt for a yeare. And were not here remarkable teſtimonies and cleare demonſtrations of Gods ſpeciall good hand of Providence, guiding and guarding this bleſſed Army ſo ſafely and ſecurely, in ſo imminent and eminent dangers, and difficulties, as theſe were? Yes, moſt aſſuredly, and none, queſtionleſſe, but a meer Mole-ey'd Malignant, or open Atheiſt, can deny it. But to go… on.
Shortly after our ſaid Brethren of Scotlands arrivall thus into the Kingdome, beſides a moſt excellent ſatisfactory Declaration ſet forth and ſent abroad in print by our ſaid brethren, as was touched in the former relation of their march;A Declaration conſented to, and confirmed by the Eſtates of England and Scotland. There was alſo another Declaration, which had paſt the Convention of Eſtates in Scotland, (about the 28. or 29. of Jan. 1643) that was unanimouſly confirmed by our pious and prudent Houſe of Commons in Parliament, and tranſmitted to the Houſe of Lords, and by them alſo aſſented to: which in effect declared, who in both the Kingdomes ſhould be received into mercy, and who not. viz.
Firſt,1. all Papiſts in armes to be proceeded againſt for their lives, as Traitors, and their eſtates confiſcate. The like for all Iriſh Rebels whom His Majeſty doth entertain in theſe wars.
Secondly,2. None of the grand Incendiaries and fomenters of this war to have any mercy ſhewed them, either for life or eſtate.
Thirdly,3 That all ſuch as have or ſhall refuſe the Covenant, to have all their eſtates forthwith ſequeſtred.
Fourthly,4. That ſuch Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen and others, that have been miſled to take up arms againſt the Parliament, and ſhall returne to the Parliament by the firſt of March, or to any part of their Armies, ſhall be protected as to his life and liberty; but as to his eſtate, a competencie ſhall be allowed to him and his family, but a proportion muſt go out of it to help to ſatisfie the loſſes of others that have ſuffered, and to defray the charges of the Kingdome.
And for the yet more happy compleating of the Parliamentary mercies of this MonethMonth,Namptwhich moſt bravely relieved, and a moſt glorious victory obtained by Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir Will… Brereton. both privative and poſitive both by freedom from ſecret miſchievous and treacherous plots and conſpiracies, and thereby great dangers threatned; as alſo by many admirable and comfortable Victories and thereby ſweet and ſoveraigne bleſſings obtained: See here how in the very cloſe and ſhutting up of this MonethMonth it pleaſed the Lord on the very night of this Moneths Faſt-day, or Monethly Humiliation and ſeeking the Lord in the face of Chriſt, as a moſt immediate and gracious returne of our prayers (a thing which I have all along obſerved in moſt of the Moneths of theſe our Parliamentary paſſages, in both the former parts of this our Parliamentary Chronicle) how it pleaſed the Lord, I ſay, as a bleſſed return of prayer, A retunr of Prayer.to crown us in the concluſion of this monethmonth with a moſt memorable and almoſt incredible famous Victory (by Gods almighty power and mercy) obtained by his ever to be honoured Inſtruments therein, thoſe two renowned, valiant and victorious Commanders, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Sir William Brereton, neer Namptwich, againſt the Forces which came out of Ireland into thoſe parts, and were then under the Command of bloody Bragadochio Sir Iohn Byron, of whom we made mention before. The generall report and relation whereof came unto us to London on the 3.The firſt relation of this famous victory came to London on the concluſion of this monthly faſts, ho…y duties. of this inſtant Ianuary, 643 being the Monthly Faſt-day, at night, juſt about the time of the concluſion of the holy exerciſes of that day and which was by Letters confirmed more certainly & particularly the next day being Thurſday, and Friday following: The ſubſtance and manner whereof was this. The Engliſh and Iriſh Forces which but a little before came out of Ireland, under the command of ſir Michael Earnly, and ſeverall other Commanders, having laid ſiege to that brave and faithfull Town of Namptwich, Namptwich 3. times aſſ…ulted, and the enemy moſt bravely repulſed.(reſolving it is probable to doe ſome brave piece of ſervice, at their firſt arrivall into England,) had, therefore made three ſeverall onſets and aſſaults upon it, and were moſt bravely repulſed every time by Captaine Booth, Governour of the Towne, with great loſſe to the Enemie; Lieutenant Colonell Boughton, and foure Captaines more, beſides many common Souldiers being there ſlain before the towne. At laſt they hearing the advance of Sir Tho: and Sir William toward them to relieve the beſieged,The ſiege raiſed. they raiſed their ſiege from thence, and drew out their Forces upon a plaine, neere the Town, to give them b…ttell.The 2. Armies met and encountred each other. Both Armies b…ing met, there continued a fierce encounter betweene them, which was very bravely performed on both ſides for the ſpace of two houres at leaſt. At laſt, the enemy (Gods providence ſo ordering it) began to give ground, which our as vigilant as valiant Commanders ſoone perceiving, were greatly encouraged thereat to animate and draw on their ſouldiers with the braver reſolution.Bloody Byron, commander of the Horſe firſt began to fly. Sir Thomas Fairfax moſt magnanimiouſly charged their Horſe, whereof bloody Byron was Commander, who not daring to ſtand to ſo fierce a ſhock, began firſt to fly, (mangre all his former lying vaunts over brave Sir William Brereton) our Horſe valiantly purſuing the opportunity thereof, gave not over, till they had …terly routed their enemies, and diſperſed and ſcattered all their Forces. The names of the Priſoners of eminency taken (all of them,Priſoners and prizes taken. either Commanders of the Engliſh Forces in Ireland or native Iriſh-rebells) were Major Generall Gibſon; Sir Richard Fleetwood, Major; Sir Michael Earnley; Sir Francis Butler, an Iriſh Rebell, Colonell Monck, Colonell Warren; Lieutenant Colonell Gibs, Sir Ralph Dames, Major Hamon; 14. Captaines, 20. Lieutenants, 27. Enſignes, 3. Cornets, 4. Quarter-maſters, 40. Drummes, 4. Serjeants, 63. Corporals, 1700. Common-Souldiers, and above an 100.Above an 100 Iriſh-Queanes with ſharp & long Skeanes to cut throats. wicked Women and Iriſh Queanes, with long and ſharpe Skeanes, or Knives, to play the barbarous Cutthroats of ſuch as they ſhould have taken Priſoners, or were wounded, had they got the Victory; 6. Pieces of Ordnance, 4. Canoneers, 27. Wagons, laden with very rich ſpoiles, taken by the Iriſh-Forces, from the Inhabitants of thoſe parts. Very many of them were ſlaine on the Ground, and in the purſuit of them, among which, were,The ſlaine on the Enemies part. Colonell Wane, a Lieutenant Colonell, 4. Captaines; yea, and Sir Wil: Brereton in his own Letter to the Parliament, teſtifies, that there were about 2400. of the Enemies ſlaine and taken Priſoners, in this Battaile; and at the ſiege of Namptwich there were above 500. ſlaine before the Towne; and yet, that in all that ſiege the Towne loſt but 2. men in all.
Boaſting bloody Byron himſelfe fled (like a cowardly beaten and bitten Dog,Bloody Byron fled to Oxford. with his taile between his leggs) to Oxford, there to bragg how he had made noble Sir William Brereton flye, as his cuſtome was; and to vapour of his happy victory, and good ſucceſs he hath had ſince his former late inhumane butcherie of Lancaſhire Forces:His lying brag retorted on him. Herein ſtill, the Lord moſt wiſely and juſtly ſuiting his Divine diſpenſations to mens actions, and worthyly repaying to the wicked a ſuitable and proportionable meaſure of Iuſtice and revenge.
Of this, and all the reſt of his rich and rare mercies, and wonderfull Victories, and Deliverances, let our Wonder-working God alone, have all the moſt meritorious praiſe and glory. And accordingly, on the Fryday following, which was the 2. of February, the pious and prudent Houſe of Commons in Parliament,An Order of Parliament for ſolemne Thankſgiving to God, for this great vi…tory. paſſed an Order to this effect, That on the next Lords day, publike thanks ſhould be rendred unto Almighty God, both for the ſeaſonable comming in of our faithfull and loving brethren of Scotland to our aſſiſtance againſt the mighty Enemies of the Lord; for the good ſucceſſe of the Garriſon of Nottingham, againſt Newcaſtles treacherous fraud and forces, together with the happy diſcovery and defeat of the ſeverall late plotts of the Enemy againſt us, as was forementioned; and eſpecially, for this laſt foreſaid famous Victory of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Sir William Brereton, againſt the Engliſh-Iriſh Forces in Cheshire; and it was Ordered therein alſo, that the ſaid Order ſhould be read by the Miniſters of the ſeverall Congregations, in and about the Cities of London and Westminſter, and that the names of all ſuch Miniſters as ſhould refuſe to publiſh the ſaid Order ſhould be returned to the Parliament.
And here now I ſhall deſire to caſt Anchor againe,A moſt gratefull reviſe and review of all the moſt memorable Parliamentary mercies of this Moneths Voyage. and make a little ſtay of Contemplation, and gratefull rumination, on the precious Traffick and rich Commodities of this Moneths Voyage, wherein the godly Reader may ſee at a ſight, and ſeeing, admire the great mercies of our good God, thus ſtill carrying on his Arke, and cauſing it to over-top all the troubleſome waves and windes of Malignity that have thus ſtill bruiſht and ruſht againſt it, and bringing it home in ſafety to the Haven of this Moneths end, fairely fraught with all theſe mercies.
As firſt,1. in raiſing up the ſpirits of the Swedes to interrupt the Auxiliary deſigne of Denmarke againſt England.
In the taking of thoſe two Houſes, 2.Holts-Houſe, and Bewley-Houſe, two pernicious Kennels or Cages, for the Kings Cormorants, thoſe birds of Prey, to rouſt and neſtle in, for the fitter falling upon the ſpoile and plunder of the people, and places neer about them.
In the happy and timely diſcovery of that pernitious plot of dividing the Parliament and City,3. under the modeſt mask, forſooth, of pretended Peace, by Sir Baſil Brook, Riley, and the reſt; and the happy deliverance of thoſe three honeſt and loyall Patriots of their Countrey in Gernſey, from the preſent Impriſonment, and intended future danger which they were in.
In the happy taking into the Parliaments poſſeſſion of Arundel-Caſtle, 4.by Sir William Waller, and his valiant Forces; beſides a brave Ship full fraught with Armes, Ammunition, and other good Merchandizes.
The moſt happy Harmony and union of Spirits, Love and Loyalty,5. between the Parliament and City of London, moſt ſweetly manifeſted in that famous invitation at Marchant-Taylors-Hall.
In that moſt noble Defeat given to Sir Nicholas Byron, 6.by valiant Colonell Mitton; Sir Iohn Gells valiant ſurpriſall of Burton on Trent; and the taking of Hilſden-Houſe, by the Parliaments Forces.
In the happy diſcovery and diſappointment of the baſe Plots, and trecherous deſignes of miſchievous Major Ogle, both in endeavouring to ſow the ſeeds of ſedition in the City of London, by Maſter Nye, Maſter Goodwin, and other Independents; in the Plot againſt Windſor, and that alſo at Ayleſbury; and the moſt happy preſervation of Nottingham Towne, and Caſtle, by loyall and valiant Colonell Hutchinſon.
The long deſired and ſeaſonable comming into this Kingdome,8. of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland to our aſſiſtance, with a potent Army, to help to re-eſtabliſh Peace and Truth among us.
In the harmonious,9. pious, and prudent conſent of the Commiſſioners and Eſtates of both Kingdoms, in a moſt excellent Declaration, for the juſt terror and trouble of our Popiſh and Atheiſticall Adverſaries, as a condigne puniſhment of their viperous inſolencies.
And laſtly,10. in that moſt memorable and famous Victory which the Lord graciouſly vouchſafed to give unto his two faithfull and magnanimous Joſhuahs, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Sir William Brereton, at Namptwich. All which admirable Parliamentary mercies being rightly reflected on,Gods Arke over-topping the Worlds waves ſwelling. and ſeriouſly conſidered of, with a truly pious, and gratefull heart; who can chooſe but ſ…e, and ſay, Gods Ark was here alſo triumphantly over-topping the Worlds waves and winds, fiercely raging and ſwelling. And upon the right and religious review thereof, who can, but in all bounden gratitude, with holy David break out into moſt thankfull expreſſions of ſoule, and ſay, Aſcribe unto the Lord (O happy England) aſcribe unto the Lord glory and ſtrength; Pſal. 29. 1, 2, 3, 10.aſcribe unto the Lord the glory due unto his great name: worſhip the Lord in the beauty of holineſſe. For the voice of the Lord is upon the great waters, yea the Lord rideth upon many and mighty waters, as King for ever. And now to proceed.
About the beginning of this monethmonth of February, February, 1643.came certain advertiſement by Letters out of Glouceſterſhire to London, that the ever to be renowned Commander Col. Maſſey, had lately before iſſued forth with a party of his Souldiers,Col. Maſſey ſurpriſeth Sir Henry Talbot in his quarters and had fallen upon Sir Henry Talbots quarters at Shepſtow, where he ſurprized the ſaid Colonel, 3 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 3 Iriſh Reformadoes, Serjeant. Major Moore, beſides 60 Common Souldiers, with much arms and ammunition, And that he had alſo the week before this ſent out a Frigot man'd with his Garriſon-ſouldiers, which took a Veſſel going with ſupplies to the Enemies forces at Worceſter; And performeth other brave exploits.the Bark was laden with Tobacco, and ſome ammunition, which was all brought into Glouceſter for his own Souldiers. And it was likewiſe then confirmed, that divers parties of his Horſe had taken divers Carriers going with ſeverall parcels of Gunpowder, and other Military neceſſaries to the Enemy; which he alſo diſpoſed of to his own better uſes.
Alſo about the beginning of this inſtant Febr. Sir Iohn Meldrum takes the Iſle of Axholmcame certain intelligence from Sir Iohn Meldrum, that brave, pious, and prudent Commander: that whereas a little before, ſome French-men had treacherouſly betrayed about 20 of Sir Iohn's Souldiers, and a Captain of his, together with divers well-affected Inhabitants of the Iſle of Axholme, into the hands of Newcaſtles Cavaliers: Sir Iohn, hereupon, reſolved to go into that Iſland with a convenient party to repay that affront, and to give them their due deſert for their ſaid treachery: and about the 4. of February, Sir Iohn approaching the Iſle,The Iſland, priſoners and prizes taken. moſt valiantly aſſaulted, and took the Royall Fort, or chiefe Defence of the ſaid Iſland, which commands all the paſſages from Newark upon Trent; and that he purged the Iſland of all the Malignants therein, and took there about an hundred priſoners, moſt of them men of quality; 8 peeces of Ordnance, 300 Arms, and a Troop of Horſe of Newcaſtles Cormorants; together with 5 Hoyes upon the River, which were going forth with proviſion to Newcaſtles Army.
Much alſo about the ſame time,A Councel of State for all the 3 Kingdomes eſtabliſhed. our moſt pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies, having long and divers times had much debate in both Houſes, about a reſolved Councel of State, for the more ſure & ſecret tranſacting and managing of the principall and moſt weighty affaires in and about all the three Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and having deliberated moſt ſeriouſly both of the perſons, and power of thoſe that were to be choſen thereunto; and after a moſt wiſe and diſcreet regulating thereof, ſo as that they may never commence nor determine a Peace without the Houſe of Commons conſent and good liking: They at laſt agreed, that all thoſe perſonages which were nominated by the Lords, ſhould be returned without any alteration, and ſo reſolved to tranſmit the buſineſſe to the Lords. The names of thoſe that were to be of this Councell, are theſe following:The names of the Councel of State. The Earle of Northumberland, the Earle of Eſſex, the Earle of Warwick, the Earle of Mancheſter, the Lord Vicount Say and Seale, the Lord Wharton, and the Lord Roberts. Of the houſe of Commons, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir William Waller, Sir Arthur Haſlerigge, Sir William Armyne, Sir Henry Vane ſenior, Sir Henry Vane junior, Sir Philip Stapleton, Mr. Crew, Mr. St. Iohn Sollicitor, Mr. Brown, Mr. Glyn Recorder of London, Mr. Perpoint, and Mr. Wallop. And for the State and Kingdome of Scotland; the Lord Lowden, the Lord Maitland, Sir Archibold Johnſtone, and Mr. Berkley. But ſhortly after,An ordinance of Parliament for the ſetling of the Councel of State. namely about the midſt of this inſtant February, the Ordinance for the abſolute ſetling of this great Councel of State, paſſed both Houſes with a joint concurrence in all particulars; both the time of their ſitting, for three moneths, to adviſe, conſult, order and direct concerning the Recruits,The maine matter of this Councel of State, and their place of meeting. regulating, and government of the Armies, and concerning Treaties and Anſwers, and other the great affairs of the three Kingdoms. The names of the perſons ye have had; their place of meeting was Derby-houſe in Chanel-row in Weſtminſter. This piece of State-policie may, by Gods mercy, (and hath already, as we have found by happy experience it hath and doth) produce much good to the whole three Kingdomes, and is, no doubt, a mighty terrour and ſtartling to the Enemies. God in his mercy go on ſtill to direct them for the beſt advancement of his glory, and the bleſſed peace and welfare of the three Kingdomes.
About th…5.A p…ot againſt Southampton diſcovered and prevented of this inſtant, came certain intelligence by Letters to London, of another miſchievous deſigne plotted againſt the Town of Southampton, moſt happily diſcovered and prevented by the wiſdom and loyalty (next under God) of Mr. Peter Murford Serjeant Major to Colonel Norton, the moſt noble and active Governour of the ſaid Town. Which Letter containing the exact relation thereof, and having in it divers very obſervable paſſages, I have therefore thought fit, for the Readers better and more full content and ſatisfaction therein, here to inſert verbatim, as it was printed and publiſhed by Order and Authority.