A Letter to the Gentlemen of KENT, and others aboard the Ships in the DOWNS.
HAving by my Letter of the 7th. of June 1648. declared to all Seamen and others, who have been inſtruments in the ſeizing and carrying away of divers ſhips, ſet forth by the Parliament, for the ſecuritie of the Kingdom, that if for the future, they do ſo improve their indeavours, as to regain the ſaid ſhips, and bring them in to the obedience of the Parliament, that then they ſhall receive, not only pardon for what they have done, but likewiſe what pay ſhall be due unto them; All which I am ſtill ready to make good unto them, if forthwith they ſhall comply; and in perſuance thereof, bring their reſpective ſhips into Chattham, there to receive their pay, and being informed that your ſelves being on board the ſhips, (whereof at writing of my former Letters I had no notice) are ſencible of your own danger, which you have the more reaſon to be, conſidering the continued ſucceſſe which it hath pleaſed God to give the forces of the Parliament, under my Command in this Countie, my Self being here at Canterburie, as by the incloſed Articles delivered, Dover Caſtle relieved, the two Forts of Dover taken, Sandwich poſſeſt by ſome of my Forces, and the reſt of my Forces now marching to reduce Deale Caſtle, and the other two Caſtles, of which by Gods bleſſing, I doubt not but to have a ſpeedie and good account.
To teſtifie the deſires I have of your preſervation, ſo far as you2 will make your ſelves capable thereof, by your being inſtrumentall to bring the ſaid ſhips under obedience of the Parliament, and for that purpoſe to deliver them up to the charge of theſe Gentlemen hereafter named, intruſted for that purpoſe, to be by them immediatly brought into Chattham: which done by you, do declare, and hereby tender unto you Indempnitie for your by-paſt errors, in relation to the revolting of the ſhips, and Kentiſh commotions, for which I have warrant from the Parliament, as by the incloſed Papers will appear. The Gentlemen I have intruſted to come unto you about this buſineſſe, are, Col. Rich, and another Officer of the Army, Capt. Benjamin Craulie. Capt. Phineas Pett. Thomas Arkinſtall, and Henrie Coodall. If you do readily comply herein, I ſhall not only be carefull to obſerve what is promiſed, but be ready on any occaſion,
To the Gentlemen of the Countie of Kent, and Seamen aboard the Ships in the Downes.
I Thought fit to let you know I am here by the Command of the Generall, for the preſervation of the peace of this County, and that by the bleſſing of God, according to his Excellencies Letter to you on that behalf, the late troubles of theſe parts are very well alayed; that according to the Generals directions, I have ſent you his Excellencies Declaration, to whom the Parliament hath referred the Compoſure of theſe diſtractions. I hope you will deeme your ſelves ſo far concerned in the peace of this County and Kingdom, as that nothing being wanting in what is tendred to render you capable of injoying all that is deſirable, notwithſtanding the late clouds you have been under, you will not now be enemies to your own peace and happineſſe, but imbrace, and not reject what3 is offered, leſt the Parliament by this large tender, having ſo clearly waſhed their hands of that blood and miſery which may enſue by your refuſall: It lies now at your doore, if you accept of what is here ſent. I deſire a ſpeedy returne, that you may have a ſafe conduct from me, for ſuch as you ſhall think fit to come on ſhore to treat the purport of what you have incloſed, with the Gentlemen here,
To this no other Anſwer was returned, then that they owed not him, the Parliament, or Generall, ſo much ſervice, as to return him a word in writing, but if he would produce a Commiſſion from His Majeſty, they were his ſervants.
Deale the 11th of June. 1648.
I Had not been thus long out of Eſſex, had there not been a neceſſity for my ſtay in theſe parts, till this County be totally reduced: which now by Gods bleſſing it is; except Deale-Caſtle, and the other two Caſtles upon that Coaſt, before which there are now forces lying, and doubt not but very ſhortly to give a good account of them: Thoſe forces that beſieged Dover-Caſtle, upon the approach of Colonell Rich, and Colonell Hewſon, retreated to Canterbury, where they made a conſiderable ſtrength, with other forces of the County that had ſled thither, together with the Townſ-men, being above two thouſand Horſe and Foot, whereupon I ſent a good Party of Horſe, Foot, and Artillery from Rocheſter, to come on this ſide the Towne, whileſt Colonell Rich and thoſe with him came on the other ſide. The Gentry in the Towne ſent forth for a Parley, whereupon theſe incloſed Articles (being the Copie of the Originall) were agreed upon; which I humbly offer to the conſideration of the Houſe. Ʋpon which the Towne was yeſterday delivered, and neare three thouſand Armes brought in to the Cathedrall: Commiſſary Generall Ireton ſtaies there a while to diſmantle4 ſome part of the wall, by the ſtrength whereof they have been ſo incouraged to hold out. I likewiſe ſend you incloſed the Demands of the Towne of Dover, and Colonell Rich his anſwer thereunto; the Fort there yeelded preſently after the Towne was poſſeſt, wherein there were ſeventy barrels of powder, which they had gotten in thither for the better ſupply of their Army in Kent: I have ſent two Companies to quarter at Sandwich, and intend this night (God willing) to quarter at Graveſ-end, and to loſe no time in proſecuting the buſineſſe in Eſſex: I have writ to the Committee of the Army, to ſend a Morter-Peece downe by water to Sandwich; which I deſire may be baſtened, in caſe the Caſtles hold out,
Gentlemen, and others of the Town of Harwich.
WE whoſe names are hereunto ſubſcribed, ſend greeting, and ſhew unto you, that whereas the Forces of the Lord Goring are in Colcheſter, and probably may attempt the Towne of Harwich; we therefore declare, and reſolve, that if you will ſtand joyntly together, and keep out the enemy aforeſaid, and preſerve the Towne for King and Parliament, we will ſtand firme with you, uſing our utmoſt diligence to aſſiſt: but if you ſhall through treachery, or cowardiſe admit, or ſuffer the enemy to enter in, or poſſeſſe themſelves of the Towne; know you, that we are reſolved to force the enemy forth againe, and in ſo doing ſhall beat downe, or fire your Town eaven with the ground; we deſire to act rather as friends then enemies, and doe ſubſcribe according to your behaviours, to be your
The Reſult of a Conſultation held on Board the Providence, by us whoſe names are hereunto ſubſcribed, for the ſervice of the Parliament, occaſioned by the enemies beeing in poſſeſſion of Colcheſter, with Gorings whole Army.
FIrſt, That forthwith we write to the Mayor, and the reſt of the Town of Harwich, that if they will ſtand firme to preſerve and defend againſt the common enemy, viz. the Kings Party, that then we will ſtand and act with them with all diligence, but if they comply, or give way to the enemy to enter and poſſeſſe the Town, we will uſe our••termoſt endeavours to beat the enemies forth of the Towne againe, though in ſo doing we beat down, or fire the Towne.
Secondly, In order to the ſervice, it is agreed, that if the Fort ſhall ſtand in need of Ammunition, or otherwiſe, we will ſupply them.
Thirdly, For the beſt advantage of ſervice, it is thought fit that the ſhips ſhall be thus diſpoſed of, viz. the Adventure, and Tyger ſhall birth upon the South-weſt of the Town, as neare as with ſafety, to flank the paſſage to the Town upon that ſide: the Providence lie neare, within Piſtoll ſhot of the Rode of the Town, upon the North-ſide, to ſway that part; the Recovery to birth as near to Langer Fort as with convenience, that the Dolphin ride upon the Weſt ſide, Musket ſhot off the Fort of Harwich; the Grey-hound to be upon the North-eaſt ſide of the Town, to flank that ſide.
Fourthly, That care be taken to draw off all the boats from the ſhore upon Harwich ſide, ſave only ſuch neceſſary boats as may be eſpecially uſefull. To the premiſes aforeſaid we joyntly conſent and ſubſcribe.
Gentlemen, and our worthy good Friends.
WE have received by Captain Mildmay the reſult of your conſultation, for the good and defence of this Town, in anſwer whereunto we thought good to ſend theſe few lines, to intimate our thankfulneſſe, and withall, our reſolutions faithfully to adhere and joyne with you, for the preſervation of this Town for6 King and Parliament: and in purſuance of intereſt of the Parliament for the proſperity of this Kingdome againſt the Forces now under the Command of the Lord Goring, or Sir Charles Lucas, now in, or about Colcheſter; and upon this reſolution we are ready to adventure both our lives and Eſtates, deſiring that upon any emergent occaſion you will be pleaſed to furniſh us with ſuch men and ammunition as may with convenience be ſpared by you, and ſo we reſt,
May it pleaſe your Excellencie.
VVE whoſe names are ſubſcribed, being Inhabitants in the Towne of Manningtree, have intercepted a letter which was ſent from Maſter Robert Veyſey to his wife, and a Warrant to the high Conſtable; we keep the Originals, and have ſent you a true Copy of them, as is our duty, that your Excellency may deale and proceed therein, as in your wiſdome you ſhall think fit, and remaine in all humbleneſſe, praying for your health and ſafety, with good and proſperous ſucceſſe in Gods cauſe.
MY Love prefixt, My Suite to thee is, to further my ingagement under Sir Charles Lucas, Generall of His Majeſties Forces, now at Colcheſter, with ſuch money and linnen, as upon the ſuddaine may be provided for me: and to ſend the ſame to me to my Coſen Buxſtoves, where I have quartered this two nights; I earneſtly deſire thee not to be diſmayed, for we truſt in God we ſhall be able to make good our cauſe againſt the fury of the enemy. I cannot ſend thee the particulars of what hath happened ſince my coming forth, I being now in haſte to ſend for my ſouldiers that are gone home, the next I hope ſhall give thee a full relation: in the meant time, committing thee and thine to the protection of the Almighty, I remaine
I Have received Order from the Right Honourable the Lord Norwich, and Sir Charles Lueas, Generall of His Majeſties Forces now at Colcheſter, & do hereby ſtraightly charge and command you forthwith, upon ſight hereof to iſſue out your Warrants to the Conſtables of every ſeverall Pariſh within my diviſion, ſtraightly charging them to warne all my trained ſouldiers to repaire with all ſpeed, to ingage in the Service againſt the Parliaments Forces, and to let every ſouldier have foure dayes pay, hereof faile not.
I Am come hither with the Parliamenss forces to reduce thoſe under your command to the obedience of the Parliament, if your Lordſhip, and thoſe under you will inſtantly lay down your Armes, there may be a prevention of much blood that is like to be ſpilt, and the Town preſerved from plunder and ruine, the evill muſt lie upon you, if you refuſe: I expect your preſent Anſwer, and remaine,
They ſleighted this ſummons, and the Earl of Norwich askt the Trumpeter how the Generall did, telling him, That he heard he was ill of the Gout, but he would cure him of all diſeaſes: This ſcornefull Anſwer hath much enraged the Souldiers. Afterwards upon a Letter from the Committee at Darby Houſe, concerning their ill uſage of Sir William Maſſam, &c. His Excellencie wrote as followeth:
I Ʋnderſtand you have in cuſtody Sir William Maſſam, a Parliament man, and ſome other Gentlemen priſoners, I deſire you to permit this Bearer to go and ſee in what condition they are, and what neceſſaries they want, that care may be taken for the ſupplying of them; I have about five hundred priſoners of yours, if you have any〈◊〉my Souldiers priſoners, I deſire to know the number and qualitie of them, and ſhall ſend you as many in exchange, which ſhall be performed by me.
Yeſterday there came this enſuing letter to his Excellencie, viz.
WE deſire you will by this Trumpeter ſend us a Liſt of all thoſe Gentlemen, Officers, and Souldiers of our partie, and under our Command, that are now Priſoners in your Army, we ſhall upon the like occaſion ſhew the ſame reſpect to you, and we deſire this Trumpeter may ſpeak with the beſt of qualitie of our Priſoners, to let them know our endeavours for their inlargement; we have detained your Trumpeter longer, by reaſon our hourly motion and action:
In Anſwer to this, the enſuing Liſt was ſent back this day.
A Liſt of the Priſoners remaining in cuſtody with the Marſhall Generall, Lexton, June 15th. 1648.
Sir William Leiton Collonell, Lieut Col. Roberts, Capt. Gregorie Baker, Capt. Chriſtmas, George Rawlins Eſquire, Lieut. Thomas Outing, Lieut. Francis Bland, and ſixteen Gentlemen more. Sir John Dorrell, Col. Francis Clark, George May Gent. theſe three taken before the fight, with three hundred and twentie private Souldiers.
Articles agreed upon, by and betwixt the Commiſſioners, whoſe Names are hereunder written, intruſted by Commiſſarie Generall Ireton, in the behalf of his Excellencie, the Lord Gen. Fairfax, on the one part, and the Commiſſioners, whoſe names are here under written, in the behalf of the Gentlemen and others, now in Arms in the Citie and Suburbs of Canterburie.
1. THat the Forces now under the Command of Commiſſarie Gen. Ireton, or ſuch of them as he ſhall appoint, ſhall have peaceable entrance into the City and Countie of Canterburie, by 11th. of the clock to morrow morning.
2. That all Armes, Ammunition, and Ordnance, within the ſaid City, Countie, and Suburbs, ſhall be without imbezlement, brought in by the ſaid••ure, into the Cathedrall Church of Canterburie, and there laid up, and delivered to the cuſtodie of ſuch perſons as the Commiſſarie Gen. ſhall appoint, for the uſe of the Parliament; and all horſes, ſaddles, and furniture imployed there in Militarie ſervice, ſhall likewiſe be delivered to ſuch as he ſhall appoint in the Caſtle yard, to morrow by two of the clock in the afternoone, or ſooner, except to the number of eightie of the Countrie Gentlemens horſes, with their ſaddles and bridles, to be allowed for the carrying of them to their houſes, and there to continue them to their own proper uſes.
3. That all other furniture of warre, within the ſaid Citie, County, and Suburbs, ſhall likewiſe be delivered up to ſuch as the ſaid Commiſſary Generall ſhall appoint by to morrow at noone, or ſooner.
4. That in conſideration hereof, no ſouldier ſhall offer any violence, or plunder, or to their power ſuffer to be plundred any the perſons Inhabitants in the County of Kent, or in the County and City of Canterbury, compriſed within theſe Articles, and that all of them ſhall, or may with ſaſety and freedome returne to their ſeverall habitations, and there quietly abide, (they ſubmitting to the authority of Parliament) except ſuch as have ſerved the King againſt the Parliament in the late warre unleſſe they ſhall within ten dayes next enſuing give ſufficient ſecurity to the Lord Generall for their peaceable reſidence in the Kingdome, and not to beare, or raiſe Armes againſt the Parliament, or the forces by them imployed, or otherwiſe doe in one Moneth depart the Kingdom, and not to return without leave firſt had, and obtained from the Parliament, or the Lord Generall,10 and every ſuch perſon upon requeſt ſhall have a Paſſe from the Lord Generall for his tranſportation: and except alſo ſuch other perſons as are not Inhabitants within this County of Kent, County and City of Canterbury, and yet have borne Anmes in the late Inſurrections in this County.
5. That for what Fine or further puniſhment ſhall be impoſed upon any of the perſons within this Capitulation for Delinquency in the late Inſurrections, in order to reparation of damages occaſioned thereby, and the further ſecurity and quiet of this County, the Generall, ſo ferre as it is, or ſhall be left to him by the Parliament, will ſet downe ſome moderate and reaſonable tearmes; and for what ſhall not be in his power properly to determine, will earneſtly recommend their conditions to the Parliament, for moderation and gentleneſſe to be uſed: and it is the intentions of this Agreement,〈◊〉no penalty be impoſed, as aforeſaid, upon any perſon within this Capitulation except ſuch as ſtand excepted in the laſt preceding Article) ſhall extend to corporall puniſhment.
6. That all perſons compriſed within this Capitulation, that are to Live the benefit thereof, ſhall ingage themſelves, unleſſe within three layes they declare the contrary to the Generall, or Commiſſary Generall Ireton, ſhall be underſtood hereby to be ingaged, not to raiſe or beare Armes any more againſt the Parliament, or their forces by them imployed, or to act any thing wilfully to the prejudice of their affaires, or to the diſturbance of the Publique Peace; and when they, or any of them ſhall be required by the Generall, or ſuch other〈◊〉he ſhall appoint, ſuch perſons ſo required ſhall ſubſcribe to the ſame.
- Jo. Barkſtead.
- Q. Gravener.
- Hen. Whaley.
- Robert Wilkinſon.
- James Kent.
I do approve of theſe Articles, and for my part do ratifie and confirme the ſame.
WEE have ſent the incloſed to your peruſall, and ſhall need to ſay no more, then what the incloſed ſpeaks, we reſt,
- Norwich.
- Arthur Capell.
- Charles Lucas.
Iune 19. 1648.
THE Committee of Parliament now under reſtraint at Colcheſter, upon their humble requeſt for it to the Lord Norwich, Lord Capell, and Sir Charles Lucas, have obtained leave of them, that they, the ſaid Committee, may make it their humble Propoſall to the Lord Fairfax, that there may be a Treaty between both Armies for a Peace.
- W. Rowe.
- W. Maſham.
- Io: Edm.
- Samuell Sheffeld.
- I. Langley.
- T. Midleton.
- Tho. Ayloff.
- Robert Smith.
- I. Barnardiſton.
- Robert Crane.
IT is the generall Peace of the Kingdome we contend for, and therefore we are content, that the Commitee ſhall ſend their above-written Propoſall to the Lord Fairfax, according unto their Requeſt made unto us,
- Norwich.
- Arth: Capel.
- Charles Lucas.
THE Paper ſent to me, incloſed in the Letter from your Lordſhips, and Sir Charles Lucas, of the 19. Inſtant, ſeemes in the firſt part of it ſo drawn, as that I could not well underſtand it, what kinde of Treaty, or for what Peace it meant: But the latter part, underwritten by your Lordſhips, and Sir Charles Lucas, ſeemes to explain your own meaning, ſo, as if you meant a Treaty betwixt the Armies for the generall Peace of the Kingdom, and not otherwiſe for your ſelves, or your Garriſon: And to the Contents12 of it in that ſence, I can only ſay, That ſuch a Treaty, and for ſuch a Peace, is not the proper work of my ſelf, or the Army, but theirs that have imployed us: But if the Engliſh be, to make way for Conditions to your Garriſon, I ſhall, without the trouble of a Treaty, let you know what your ſelves, and thoſe under you may expect from me, (which for the reſtoring of quiet to this County, and the Kingdom, without more bloodſhed) and for the ſaving of ſo eminent a Town from the chance of War, I ſhall offer, viz. That if your ſelves, and the reſt with you in Colcheſter, ſhall, within 24. houres after notice hereof, lay down Armes, the Common ſouldiers, and men of that rank, ſhall have liberty to depart to their ſeverall homes, and there quietly to remain, ſubmitting unto the Authority of Parliament: (And this I ſhall make good however, to ſo many of that ſort reſpectively, as ſhall accept thereof, and do accordingly.) Your ſelves, and the Officers and Gentlemen engaged with you in the Town, ſhall have liberty, and Paſſes to go beyond Sea, with Equipage befitting their qualities, (engaging themſelves not to return into this Kingdom without leave from the Parliament.) And all of both ſorts, with the Inhabitants of the Town, ſhall be free from plunder or violence of the ſouldiers, their Arms, Ammunition, and furniture of War within the Town, and alſo their borſes imployed in Militarie ſervice, (except ſuch horſes and ſwords, as ſhall be fit to be allowed to Captaines, or ſuperior Officers, and Gentlemen of quality, for their removall) being firſt delivered up without imbezlement, in an orderly manner, as ſhall be further ſet down, and the forces under my Command, or ſuch as I ſhall appoint, being admitted a peaceable entrance into the Town. I deſire the Gentlemen of the Committee of Parliament now in your hands, (who by their ſubſcriptions to part of the Paper, and by your ſending of it, as from them, or at their requeſt, are concerned to know what my Anſwer is,) may be acquainted herewith, and indeed, if it be concealed from any that are concerned in it: The blame thereof from God and man is like to fall on their heads, who ſhall be the Authors of ſuch Concealment.
I Have herewith ſent an Anſwer to the Paper ſent me yeſterday from Lord Norwich, Lord Capell, and Sir Charles Lucas, as from your ſelves, or at your requeſt; which I preſume, will be imparted to you by them, and I have likewiſe ſent a Copy thereof by this bearer, to be delivered to you, if thoſe Lords ſhall ſo admit.
June 20. 1648.
WE have received yours of the 20. which takes notice of the Paper of the 19. ſubſcribed by the Committee, and of our permiſſion to have it delivered to you, You have very juſtly apprehended our intentions to be the Publique Peace of the Kingdome, and we againe owne that ſence, and no other, as befitting the duty of Engliſh Men: And we believe, if both Armies were accorded in ſuch an indeavour, it were the moſt pious, eaſie, and honourable13 action, wherein they could be ingaged; but why you have taken occaſion by that act of ours, to offer Conditions in particular to us, we underſtand not, nor can it be ſuppoſed, without ſtrayning, and offering violence to our manner of proceeding. I hoſe Conditions you proffer to the Officers and ſouldiers on our part, we doe hereby make offer of to the Officers and ſouldiers on your part. We ſhall in this occaſion deale frankly and plainly. We doe not without evident reaſon conceive our ſelves to be in a Condition, able to entertaine all the force you can make and thereby to give courage and opportunity to all true hearted Engliſhmen, to recover their ancient and knowne Lawes; or if you ſhall adventure to attaque us, we doubt not but by the mercy and aſſiſtance of Almighty God to give you ſuch a repulſe, as ſhall give I eſtimony of our force and courage; & at how high a rate we value the Generall peace of the Kingdome. You doe with more then uſuall earneſtneſſe deſire, that your Anſwer ſhould be communicated to the Committee, and whom elſe it may concerne; we apprehend you cheifly intend the Inhabitants of Colcheſter; we were very unworthy perſons if any thould exceed us in our Care for this good Towne, and we doubt not but God will recompence the kindneſſe we have received from them, and that he hath a reward in ſtore for them ſutable to the loyalty and fidelity they have hitherto in this occaſion manifeſted toward the King, and knowne Lawes of the Kingdome: and becauſe you apprehend it ſo important and neceſſary to divulge the proceedings in this affaire, we will therefore put it into your power: And therefore we deſire your Lordſhip, to cauſe the Paper ſigned by the Committee of the 19. and our anſwer ſubſigned, the anſwer of your Lordſhip to us of the 20. and this our reply of the 21 to be all printed, and as many of the prints as you ſhall ſend to us, we will diſperſe in Colcheſter, and thoſe parts of the Country under our power, and to each perſon of the Committee one,
- Norwich.
- Arthur Capell.
- Charles Lucas.
My Lord we doe alſo hereby returne you many thanks for your honorable Civilities in the buſineſſe of Sir William Leyton.
WHereas in anſwer to a Letter ſent out from Colcheſter, concerning a Treatie, I have offered libertie to all private Souldiers and perſons of that ranke, laying downe Armes, to depart to their ſeverall homes, and to be free from the plunder or violence of the Souldiers. Together with other Conditions to Perſons of other Qualities: I doe therefore require and Command all Officers, Souldiers, and others, whom it may concerne, That in Caſe before acceptance of, or Agreement upon the Conditions tendred to all of the Enemies partie, for the ſurrender of the Towne, any private Souldiers or Perſons of that ranke, ſhall come away from the Enemy, with their Armes or without, and ſhall peaceably come into the guards, rendring ſuch Armes as they bring with them; That in ſuch caſe no plunder or violence being committed upon any ſuch perſons, but that they be quietlie brought to the Head Quarters, there to receive Paſſes for their repair to their Homes.
This was Proclaimed in the head of every Troop and Regiment of he Army of his Excellenency, the Lord Fairfax, before Colcheſter. June 21. 1648.
I Have read your Lettter of the ſecond Inſtant. As to the unheard of motion of free trade to be admitted to a beſieged Town, (the imharring whereof, they have by their admiſſion of your forces drawn upon themſelves) I have yet ſent here incloſed an Anſwer to the Mayor, and the reſt, which I expect to be communicated to them. For the reſt of your Letter, being of that nature as it is, I ſhall for bear either to retort, or anſwer,
WE who are now in Colcheſter in a poſture of Arms, but ſtill in Order to the generall Peace of the Kingdom, underſtand that you have aſſembled your ſelves alſo in a warlike poſture, upon the Confines of your County of Suffolk, whether to joyn with us in the ſame juſt undertakings, wch become true lovers of their country, or to adhere to thoſe who oppoſe our common Peace, or to ſtand in a cold Newtrality to both, we yet know not. We well hope, any diſtance you at preſent think fit to keep from us, proceeds not from any difference of opinion, or deſigne, but want of a mutual underſtanding of one another: Our intents on our part, are ſo much leveled at the reſtoring of the known Laws of the Land, the proper intereſt both of King and ſubjects, and a well-grounded Peace, without any by intereſt whatſover, as we doubt not, if you will pleaſe to ſend ſome few perſons among you, in the name of the reſt, to communicate to us your thoughts and deſires, and freely underſtand ours, we ſhall be found ſo agreeing with you in our ends, as you will after that, with more confidence concur, and joyn with us in our proceedings, which union will not only ſtrengthen one another, but give both acceſſe and incouragement to others more remoter to ingage in the ſame undertaking. You may be confident, ſuch perſons as you ſhall depute for this purpoſe, ſhall have a ſafe paſſage to us, and return to you, and ſuch a Cordiall Reception here, as ſhall evidence us to be,
WE are willing ſo far to anſwer your deſires, as to let you know our forces are come hither to preſerve the County of Suffolk from the injuryous oppreſſions, and illegall proceedings of the L Goring, Sir Charles Lucas, and their party, and are further reſolved, by Gods aſſiſtance, to helpe o••neighbours in Eſſex, in removing ſuch juſt cauſes of their complaint, and if you were as ſenſible of them as we, and not ſeduced by ſome old and know he enemies of the Kingdome, into a ſecond unnaturall difference (if the goodneſſe of God prevent it not) you would cleerly ſee we are freinds, and no enemies to you, further then you are enemies to the State, and to the peace of the Kingdome and of theſe Aſſociated Counties; and whereas we underſtand you have drawne nigh to us, and ſeiſed upon Sir Harbottle Grimſtons houſe, and plundred thoſe parts which you pretend to ſecure, we deſire you would prevent thoſe cauſes of Jealouſy, by a preſent removing of the forces, till which be done, we ſhall take you for enemies, and cannot, as we otherwiſe gladly would ſubſcribe our ſelves.
- Ioh. Brandlinge.
- Peter Fiſher.
- Rich. Gooding.
- Jacob Caley.