A LETTER From COULCHESTER.
THis morning a party of the Enemies ſallyed forth at the South gate, and approached neer our horſe Guard, but were quickly beaten back, and purſued by our party to the turn-pike, where they kept a Court of Guard, who upon our approach gave fire and fled away. So we entred this Guard, took ſuch arms as were left there. This Guard of theirs was kept neer the Almel-houſes, at the entrance of the Suburbs of the town: in this action three of the enemy were killed, and many wounded. We alſo took 12. priſoners, and 15 or 16 horſe with arms, two horſes of ours were killed, and one man cut in the head, but the wound not mortall, nor any one of the reſt of our men receiving any hurt at all. Proviſions begin to grow ſcarce in the town, eſpecially bread, & how they are provided with corn I know not, but I am certain they are ill provided of mills to grind it if they have any. For this day we have fired and burnt down their Wind-mils to the ground, divers ſouldiers ſteal away from the enemy daily, and come into us, eſpecially ſince the Lord Generall ſent in a Letter, proffering conditions to ſuch as ſhould come to him, and unto all, if they would embrace and yeeld up the town, which conditions were. 1. That within 24. hours after the receipt thereof, the officers laying down their armes, ſhould have paſſes to travell beyond Sea, &c. 2. That the common ſouldiers, and all men of that rank, ſhall have liberty to depart to their own homes, ſubmitting to the authority of Parliament. 3. That the Inhabitants of the towne ſhall be free from plunder and violence.
Theſe conditions not being accepted of, the Lord Generall is reſolved not to offer ſo good again to thoſe which are the chief in action amongſt the Enemy. Our army is in a very good condition and full of reſolution, and although the Gen. is very unwilling to ſtorme the town (for that as much as in him is, he would avoid the ſhedding of bloud) yet if the Enemy wil have any more proviſions in the town, they muſt fight for it, and are like to go without it too. We hope to give a good account of this buſineſſe ſhortly.
A Petition was preſented to both Houſes of Parliament from the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commonmon-councell of the city of London, containining theſe particulars, viz. 1. An acknowledgment of former favours, in granting their Petitions. 2. Their deepe apprehenſions of the preſent miſeries of the City and Kingdome, by the growth of Superſtition, Hereſie, &c. and likewiſe by the commotions in ſeverall counties, and the falling off of a conſiderable part of the Navy. 3. That they apprehend no way to avoid theſe miſeries which threatens a decay of Trade, and imminent deſtruction, but by a good underſtanding and agreement between the King and Parliament. And therfore prayes, Firſt that there may be a perſonall Treaty either at London, or ſome other eminent place.
And 2. That our Brethren of Scotland may be invited to this treaty.
At the preſenting of this Petition to the Lords, Alderman Avery made a ſpeech; wherein he ſaid, That as the hearts of Kings were in the power of the Lord to diſpoſe of as he pleaſed: So the City of London deſired the Lord to diſpoſe of the hearts of the King and the honourable Houſes of Parliament, that they may agree and joyn together as one man, in ſetling the peace of this diſtreſſed Kingdome.
The Anſwer of the Houſe of Peers to the City Petition.
THe Lords have commanded me to return you thanks for the continuance of your good affection to the Parl. and inclinations to the peace and ſettlement of the Kingdome; and to let you know, that they were upon conſideration of that which is contained in your Petition before they received it, and they will imploy all their endeavours effectually for the ſpeedy obtaining thereof, as may beſt conduce to the contentment, ſafety and happineſſe of the King, City, and the whole Kingdome.
The Anſwer of the Houſe of Commons.
THe Houſe being informed that the Sheriffes, Aldermen, Common-councel, and Citizens of London were at the Door, they were called in, and Mr. Speaker by command of the Houſe returned anſwer to the ſaid Petition in theſe words, viz.
The Houſe hath read your Petition preſented to them in the name of the Common-councel of the city of London, wherein they take notice of their affectionate acknowledgments which the city expreſſeth of the houſes conceſſions upon their former Petitions, and of their chriſtian and prudent deſires of a ſafe and well-grounded peace according to the covenant, and of that means which they propoſe in order thereunto of a perſonall Treaty. In which, as in the other particulars of your petition, the Houſe eſpecially obſerves the confidence and truſt which the city repoſes in them in leaving the conſideration of their peace and ſecurity to their wiſdome and care. To all which the Houſe hath commanded me to give this anſwer.
That they have the ſame fellow feeling with the City and Kingdome of their ſufferings by war, and the ſame deſires with them to attain to a ſafe and well grounded peace: They have for that end ſpent a great part of this laſt moneth in conſiderations of peace, and have made ſome progreſse therein.
And for the more ſpeedy diſpatch of what remaines further to be done, the Houſes have appointed a Committee to conſider what the King hath offered, and what is further to be offered to the King, for his ſatisfaction for ſetling of a ſpeedy and wel-grounded peace; and to conſider of time, place, and other circumſtances for conveniency of addreſse to be made to his Majeſty; and they doubt not but what they have done, and ſpeedily ſhall do herein, will be fully ſatisfactory to the city of London, and to all others that deſire to ſee the troubles of this Kingdome ended in a ſafe and juſt peace.
And for your good affections to the Parliament and Kingdome, manifeſted by your actions in the late War, and in your preſent Petition for a ſafe and wel-grounded peace, the Houſe hath commanded me to give you thanks.
Another Letter from Coulcheſter.
THis preſent Tueſday a party of the Enemies forces ſallyed out of the towne vpon the Suffolk forces on the North-Eaſt ſide, but Col. Whaley joyning with them, charged them, killed two, & put the reſt to a diſorderly retreat, took ten priſoners, and ſome very good horſes. This Evening another party of the Enemy attempted to go out on Harwich road, to fetch in proviſions, and were fallen uqon by a party of ours, which routed them and took divers priſoners, one of which that was wounded ſaith, that they begin to be exceedingly ſtraightned in the towne for proviſions, eſpecially for horſe-meat: three of their Wind-mills are burnt downe, they have two Water-mils which we are cutting off, and have ſcaling Ladders ready to ſtorme, but the Morter-piece is not yet come up.
From the Leaguer before Colcheſter,June 28. 1648.
Mr. Richard Osburn is come in, and was examined by the Houſe of Peers on Tueſday laſt, he ſtands in juſtification of what is mentioned in his Letters concerning the King; and the further examination thereof is referred to a Committee.