In a Letter from Chester of August the 31st.

THE Irish finding that they had not gain'd much Reputation by their Actions in the Field, or by being valiant and successful in the taking of Towns, were resolved at last to try what they could do in keeping of Towns committed to their Care and Courage: Carrick fergus was the place where they thought sit, in some measure, to retrieve their Credit and Reputation: But when our Frigats at Sea, and Land Forces at Land had appeared before it, and made such Breaches in the Walls, and Destruction in the Town, by their Guns and Bombs, they judged in safest for them to Capitulate and Surrender; which they did on Wednesday last. The Garrison consisted of near Two thousand Men, and though at the first Summons sent them by the Duke of Schom­berg, they were so stout as to refuse to hearken to any Conditions of Surren­der, yet their Courage not continuing long, they accepted of the Terms of Marching out with Colours flying Arms, and Drums beating, &c. and to go to Charlemont. But such was the ill nature of the Rabble, that they fell upon [Page 2] them in their March, and disarm'd them. The Town has been so misera­bly defaced by the continual playing of the Bombs for Five Days together, that it looks like a dismal heap of ruine. Sir Henry Ingolsby is made Go­vernour of the Town and Castle: A great deal of Arms, Ammunition, and Provisions of all sorts, was found in the Town. This has cleared the North, for the most part, of any considerable Party of the Irish: many come in dayly to the General. The Ships come last Night to High-lake, assure us of the Arrival of the Four Regiments of Horse into the Bay of Carrick-fer­gus; who were turning in into the Lake on Wednesday, as the Ships that are arrived here were turning out from thence.

Neither is it in Scotland and Ireland only, where Success does so constantly attend their Majesties Affairs, but even the West-Indies afford us variety of Examples of Zeal for his Majesties Service: For the Blossom of London coming from Antego, in June last, and arrived here two days ago, brings the News, that Sr. Nathaniel Johnston not finding it safe for him to continue longer upon those Islands, whereof he had the Government committed to him in the late Reign, is gone to Carolina, and that the Inhabitants of Mevis and other Islands had constituted Major General Codrington Governour in his room; That the Irish Planters and Inhabitants of Montserat had declared for the late King, and appeared in a Body of Seven or Eight hundred Men for that Interest, but that Colonel Blakeston, the Governour of the said Island had raised what English men he could, to the number of Two hun­dred, with which he was resolved to attack them: But the Irish no sooner saw him appear with that unequal number of English, and to march to­wards them, but they all offered to lay down their Arms, and upon Arti­cles promised to disperse; at which instant of time a Reinforcement of an Hundred and fifty Men arrived from Antego and seized the chief of the Irish, brought them up Prisoners to Antego, and solemnly Proclaim'd King William and Queen Mary, with all possible Demonstrations of Joy and Gladness. The new Governour Codrington hath sent an Hundred Men from Mevis to St. Christopher's to strengthen the English Interest in that Island.

Lord Hewets, and Colonel Villers Regiments of Horse are to embark with the first fair Wind for Ireland to joyn the Duke of Schomberg.