AN ABSTRACT OF SEVERALL LETTERS from Hull, York, and Beverly, of his MAJESTIES proceedings.
As also the carriage and behaviour of the Cavaliers, with the number of those that were slain and taken prisoners by Sir John Hotham.
Whereunto is added, A true Relation of the provision in HULL.
LONDON: Printed for Ben. Allen in Popes-Head Alley. August the second. 1642.
An Abtract of severall Letters from Hull, York, and Beverly.
MY love and respect unto you. I have collected some materiall passages as I have writ you before, Captain Piggot hath redeemed his credit, and took a Bark with 3 great guns, also many Muskettiers which fled ashore; and now the said Captain and 2 other ships lieth upon Linconshire shore side, so that no Fortifications can be made there as hath been attempted, to hinder passage up to Hull. And as I have writ you, we have taken many Cavaliers and brave horses, and some money, we took one horse worth an 100. l. Our townsmen stand all bravely to their businesse; and those that were malignants before, are now cured, and see their former error, and now strive who should be most forwards and valiant: at first these things were something troublesome unto us, and most to our women, but now God be praised, we have better spirits, and the truth is, if Sir John would give way, we would sallie forth upon [Page 2] them, and (my life for it) we remove the siege, for the Countrey have no mind to fight against us, and the peoples hearts of the Countrey do much incline to us, and divers would come into our town to help us, if they could come safely; but if any come, they sease upon their means. We have information of their proceedings every night; they have robbed Mr Leggeds house, and taken away all he hath; and they have robd Mr Hothams house, and have taken a brave horse from him which he is troubled for, but he hath a brave horse in liew of him▪ they have rob'd Sir John Hothams house which is about eight miles from our Town.
The Countrey people complain miserably that they injoy nothing that they have, that Candebed men and Cotingham men and Newland men they say they dare not be seen to read a good book, but he that doth not banish God and good men, he is no companie for the Cavaliers.
Not to omit the Cavaliers have planted 3 peices of Ordnance at Hassel to hinder any passage by water, and a Keel coming towards us, the principall gunner shot at her and missed, he swore God damne him if he did not sink her the next shot: and the Peice brake in peeces and killed the Gunner and some others.
[Page 3] They have of late sent to Sir John for the horse and men he had taken, but he returnd answer that upon good and fair terms he would deliver them, that was horse for horse, and man for man; and to begin, if they would be pleased to send the horse that was taken from his sonne, he would send any horse for him. And so Mr Hothams horse was sent him, and the brave horse I writ you of, was sent in exchange.
There hath since a Knight been sent from the King to Sir John, that offereth a generall pardon if he will deliver the Town▪ But Sir John saith he wil not betray the trust reposed in him: if the Parliament order him to deliver up the Town he will deliver, otherwise he cannot.
We manned out of our Town some fire-locks and some small Barks with 150 Muskettiers, and they went to visit the Cavaliers at Berton, and at the landing of our men the watch fled away, so they took away all the boats out of Harbour, and what else was there, and came away.
Beverly, the 29 July. 1642.
YOu being so affectionately compassionate with our friends in Hull, I could not but [...]cquaint with my first intelligence of their good successe. This last week they issued out upon their besiegers about some 500. which when they saw they began to prepare themselves for an encounter, exhorting each other to stand to it and look to themselves; The Countrey people bid the Cavaliers look to themselves, these (say they) are our friends will not hurt us: which so amazed the Cavaliers and desperadoes, that they thought their best weapons were their heels, and fairly run away to Beverly. But for all their hast, Sir John took 30. and killed two. The King presently call'd a Councell of War to treat that he would pursue no further: who gave him answer he must do as he saw convenient: then the King and Cavalry laying the fault upon the unskilfulnesse of the Countrey Captains, thought to remedie the businesse by sending an Irish old Captain to command them, who coming to the Souldiers with the Kings pleasure that he should lead them, they asked whether he were a Yorkshire man, and he saying no; they asked him what he had to do to command them, so beat him and sent him back again. I should have writ you that in this skirmish they took Captain Dacucoms Colours from him, and set them upon a Turret in the Town. This is all, I rest,
VVE have no good news save onely good help comes from you: since a few men came from London, Sir John hath sent the Kings Army a Message that caused the [Page 5] most of the Leaguer to run away, at least 21. slain, and 15. taken prisoners. The Kings Magazine was fired at the same broyl, at a part of the Leaguer called Ayuelebie, within 3. miles of Hull. This disaster happened to the great amazement of the Cavaliers: yea they who were so confident of their victory against Hull, who most bitterly cursed Sir John Hotham, and in conceit would cut him in sippits, within 3. dayes these brave or rather base spirits are now forced to say, that Sir John is worthy commendations for his fidelity.
York 29 July. 1642.
Postscript.
The King hath beat up his Drums but none cometh in here, he beats his Drums, but not a man: and of late the King hath sent for to view our Army, and that he may have 80. Muskettiers to guard his person, but it was answered they could not go out of the City. You shall have inclosed the note of the provision in Hull.
York 29. of July. 1642.
YOur Letter I received and books, for which I thank you: news here upon Wednesday at night last, Sir John Hotham sent out 300. foot Souldiers and some 60. horse unto a place called Aulbe 3. miles of Hull, where Captain Dunkam, lay with his Company, where Sir John Hothams men set on fire a barn wherein was some gunpowder and other materials: this day Sir Henry Slingsbe took the view of our Arms in the City both common and private, and desires 80. Muskettiers for the Kings guard: this night the Earl of Leister is come to Town with a great Company, we live in great fears: and in this Citie many are grown carelesse [Page 6] in the worship and service of God. The Lord in mercy think thoughs of mercy to our Kingdom. The next Thursday the Gentry is to come in, and the Papists to bring in their horses: but not to find themselves as is said. So desiring to be remembred of you as is our duty one for another, will rest yours.
A true relation of that Provision in Hull most necessarie.
Rye 14 thousand quarters, besides private provision.
Wheat 500. quarters, besides the Kings and private provision.
Beans, 7000. quarters at least, besides private provision.
Oates 7000. quarters, besides private.
Mault 200. quarters besides private provision.
Oatmeal 80. quarters, besides private.
Fish as much as will serve this seven yeers.
Wine 1000. Tun. Beare provision for 12. Moneths.
Water as much as is needfull, one Well in twelve houres time sprung ten foot water; also divers Wels discovered that hath not been used this 39. yeers, so that there is no want of fresh water, not hath there been the least complaint as yet of one poore man, woman or child in the Town for want of provision; God hath miraculously provided store of fresh water (besides the Wels in the Town, and the fresh River at low water) especially in a place within their out-works, without the wals, so that there is a place called Bush-dike being sixtie yards in length, and ten yards broad, the which hath in one night sprung a foot plumme height, and was never known to spring before.
This is a true Relation.