A COPY OF THE ARTICLES For the surrender of the City of VVorcester, With all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein to Major Gen. RAINSBOROW.
With a Copy of a Letter sent from the Governour to him, and the manner of the mutining in the Town, which occasioned the same.
And how Sir William Russell is to be delivered to the mercy of the Parliament, and the Enemy to deliver all their Armes after they have marched a mile out of Worcester.
These are perused by the Originall Papers and published according to Order of Parliament.
London, Printed for F. Coles. 1646.
MAjor Generall Rainsborow being come before Worcester, and made his approaches very nigh, that so terrified them within, that in a kinde of mutinous way, they pressed the Governour to surrender, whereupon he sent this insuing letter to Major Generall Reinsborow.
For Major Generall Rainsborow, Commander in chiefe of the Forces before this City of WORCESTER.
THis City was first summoned by your Generall, upon promise of honourable termes, and hath [Page 2]beene since invited to a Treaty, by Colonell Whalley. In order to which, (upon assurance of the rendition of Oxford, and credence of His Majesties Printed Letters, we of this City offer'd Propositions, with this reservation: That if any demand on our parts might seeme too high, or any deniall on yours, to trench too much upon our Honours, neither side should so insist upon their owne sence, as not to submit to better reason, which was mutually assented unto. On this foot we left them, being assured, upon the word and honour of your Commissioners, we should receive an accompt of them within few dayes; If that resolution be altered, we shall desire to have a cleare and perfect Answer: that the world may be the Judge betweene us upon whose score, the effusion of so much innocent blood shall rest; since in conformity to His Majesties Command, we doe not decline the rendring of this City, upon honourable and equall conditions.
Postscript.LEast the Treaty begun by Colonell Whalley, might have been misrepresented by him, I shall desire you to grant a passe for Master Goodwin, to come to you, who can particularly informe you, of the progresse of the whole Treaty; which gives me opportunity of sending this passe for Captaine Blisset.
MAjor Generall Rainsborow receiving this Letter from Colonell Washington, he yeelded to a parly, which was carried on with very much gallantry, and wisdom; and the result thereof, produced an agreement for the surrender of the City of Worcester, with the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein according to these insuing Articles.
Articles of agreement for the Surrender of the City of Worcester, and the Forts belonging thereunto, concluded Iuly 19. 1646 Between Col. Tho. Rainsborow on the behalf of his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax Generall of he forces raised by the Parliament, and Col. Henry VVashington Governour of Worcester.
1. THat the City of Worcester with all Forts, Ordnance, Armes, Ammunition, stores and Provision of War thereunto belonging shall be delivered without wilfull spoyle and imbeazlement unto his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, or to such as he shall appoint to receive them upon the 22 of this instant July at ten of the Clock, in the morning, in such manner and with such exceptions as are contained in the ensuing Articles.
2. That one the 23 of July the Governour and all Officers and Souldiers of the Garison, with all other persons therein that will shall march out of Worcester with their Horses, Armes, and Baggage belonging to them to any place within one mile of [Page 4]Worcester, which the Governour shall chuse, where all their Horses and Armes except what allowed in the insuing Articles shall be delivered up to such as his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint. All the Souldiers shall bee disbanded, and all such both Officers and Souldiers and others as shall ingage themselves by promise never to beare Armes any more against the Parliament of England, nor do any thing wilfully to the prejudice of their affaires shall have the benefit of these ensuing Articles.
3. That all such as shall desire to goe to their owne ho [...]es, or private friends, shall have the Generalls passes and protection for their peaceable repaire to and aboad at their severall places they shall desire to goe unto, The Governour to passe with all Horses, Armes and baggage properly belonging to him, and each Colonell to passe with three Horses, and each Lieutenant Colonell and Serjeant Major with two Horses, each Captaine Lieutenant, and Cor [...]t with out Horse, and every person not under the degree of an Esquire with three Horses and all of them with their Armes and goods properly belonging to them to be carried on their Horses, and all Souldiers with their Swords and such baggage as properly belong to them, which they carry about them.
4. That all persons which are to have the benefit of the preceding Articles shall if they desire it, have passes to goe beyond Seas, provided they depart this Kingdome within two Moneths after the surrender of the Town.
5. That the City and garison of Worcester, and all the Inhabitants thereof shall be preserved from all plunder and violence of the Souldier.
6. That Sir William Russell now residing in Worcester be excepted from any benefit of these Articles.