THe last weeke I wrote you of the pro­gresse that Marquesse Hartford and the Cavaliers had made, in the carry­ing on of their designe in these parts, and how they have intrencht them­selves in Sherbone Castle; and like­wise of the daily increase of their Company, both Horse and Foote; they continue still in the use of all meanes whereby to make themselves secure, and the place strong where they are; and the truth is, that its much to be feared, that this County is intended for the Seat of Warre, it being a Champi­on place, fit for the purpose, and the rottennesse of the Gentry in these parts (we doubt) will be a strong inducement to draw all the Cavaliers with their For­ces hither: Many places have been attempted for this purpose, but it seemes the designe would not take in other Counties, doubtlesse every Bush must be beaten before they will give up the Game.

The Marquesse having received a Commission this last weeke to put in execution the Array, he sent Let­ters to the Towne and County of Poole, to shew them that he had authority to preserve that Town in peace [Page 2] and safety, and thereupon required them to stand upon their Guard, and to oppose all others that should come by any authority whatsoever, to Array and Muster them; and in case they were unable of themselves, he would send them a hundred men: These Letters be­ing received, two of the chiefe men in the Towne brought them to Dorchester, and presented them to Sir Walter Earle, and the rest of the Lieutenants, who im­mediatly furnish'd these men with fifty pounds, and or­dered them to get such men into the Towne as they might repose trust in, and by their helpe to make the place strong; and withall to apprehend one Mr. Antill (sometimes Minister of that Town) who brought these Letters to them, and to send him up to the Parliament: Also the Marquesse sent Mr. Lawrence the High-Sheriffes Sonne of this county unto Wareham (which is a considerable Port Towne, and will easily be made strong) with a commission to presse a hundred men, & to billet them in the same place, and this Mr. Law­rence to be the captaine over them: whereupon the Townesmen laid hold of him, and put him into cu­stody whilst they sent hither to the Deputy Lieute­nants: but before the Messengers returned hee had made an escape; however monies were suddenly dis­patcht hence, that Souldiers might be entertained into pay for the safety of the Towne; so that now both Poole and Wareham are well fortified, and provided, the Souldiers come in chearfully, under the com­mand of our Captaines. Captaine Gould hath twenty men of his Bond that cam riding to his house last week, and told him, that they had each of them a hundred pound a peece that they would spend in the cause. All our best justices of the Peace, are put out of their pla­ces, [Page 3] as Mr. Hollis, Sir Thomas Trenchard, Sir Wal [...]er Earle and his Sonne, and Mr. Savage, and Mr. Iohn Browne, &c. which were all right and good, and what they are which succeeded them, you may judge. Our Grand-jury are likewise put out, and others put in, which are men desperatly inraged against the Parlia­ment. The Marquesse sent lately for all our Justices, (such as they are) to come to Sherbone, where hee shew'd them his Commission, and feasted them (as we are informed) they are men of malignant spirits, and cannot indure this word Reformation: Well, from thence they came to Dorchester to treate with the De­puty Lieutenants, concerning the Marquesse his quiet departure from Sherbone, which he is contented to do if they would undertake to secure his passage; Answer was made by Sir Walter Earle and the rest, that it was more then they could grant, but in case he would put himselfe into their custody, hee should be safely con­veyed to the Parliament, and there be brought to an Honourable Tryall.

The next monday the Lord Bedfords forces and ours meete at Sherbone, the Lord Bedford brings 20000. with him, and eight or ten pieces of Ordnance: there is 1000. men will be with us this night out of Devon­shire, and we have here two thousand to joyne with them, and foure good pieces of ordnance. The Mar­quesse hath not with him above 500 horse, most of them base ones, as base as their masters, and betwixt three or foure hundred foote, many of them being lowsie fellowes, that instead of fighting, will finde enough to scratch, some among them (which are got in by com­pulsion) are of good ranke: The towne of Dorchester continues constant in their resolutions for King and [Page 4] Parliament, and to defend themselves and Magazine, if assaulted, and to that end continue their watching and fortifying dayly, you know willing minds & stout hearts passe through all difficulties and expence, for they all contribute in paines and purse, according to their abilities, excepting one Mr. I. G. a man that you well know.

The Cavaliers that are with the Marquesse commit many outrages dayly in these parts, the last wedensday as we are credibly informed, two of them met a maid and ravisht her, & then tyed her to a tree stark naked, and stopt her mouth, but an honest man comming pre­sently by, and seeing her, untyed her, and tooke the cloth out of her mouth, & then she told him that they were two Horsemen that used her so cruelly, who told her they would go to such a place hard by to drinke, who indeed did so and were there taken and apprehen­ded and sent to Illchester Goale.

Three or 4 of them were coming through a little village nere Sherbone, called Marston, and having bin at an Alehouse by, and there heard of an honest man living in that parish, inquired for his house, and when they found it, askt for him, but the dore they found fast shut, whereupon these rogues called out often to him by the simple name of Round-head, and he com­ming not sorth to them, they shot three or foure times through his doore and so departed; they also rob many men and women, that Countrey people dare scarce stir forth neare Sherbone.

Last thursday one of the Cavaliers kild a poor harm­lesse man in the Market at Sherbone (being about his businesse) and without any the least occasion ran to him and struck him first with his stick, and then with [Page 5] his owne sword into the skull. I hope we shall not be long troubled with them, had our Country bin as o­thers are, and our Gentlemen not so bad, wee had bin rid of them ere this, our feares lye chiefly now at Weymouth, (a considerable port Towne) which hath it it nigh upon twenty demy Culverins & above 40. Sa­kers and Minyon, the Townesmen are so malignant, that they will not admit of any strength to be sent in out of the Countrey: we offered them 150. men of a traine bond, neare them, being men they well know, and would have paid them 7. s. a weeke each man, but this offer was refused: you must pray for a good successe to this Weekes worke, for it will be of much con­sequence.