THen certainly, if ever, may a man speak of his well done Services, when either a just Relation of them, may be the remedy of his present miseries, or a feeble case of his over-burdened heart: both these at this time have an influence upon me; glad would I be, if the former end might prove successefull. And truly why should I not hope it? But if Equity and Reason hath left England, if I and mine must rot, starve, perish, famish, that have been a means to preserve others from such dreadfull ends, when they whom I served, both can, and should, and may, and that most easily, discharge their obligations to me, and therein succour me. If it must be so, I shall yet [Page 2]have a little ease in letting the world know both what I have done, and how I have been dealt with; in either of which if I blot one line with a falshood, I make no question, but some of my back-friends will labour to let as many see their teeth, as I defire may see the truth. Which as briefly and orderly as I can, I shall now begin.

HAving at the beginning of the Irish Insur­rection upon just discontents forsaken that Kingdom, I came into England, and parti­cularly to Manchester, where I fastened my strangers home; I had not lived there three months, before the differences of this Kingdom were heightned into a War, and all parts were full of confusion. The Town of Manchester, a­mongst others, apprehending a manifest dan­ger of ruine, from the Earl of Darby and his strength, who appeared for the King; having none that knew what belonged to Military affairs, either for offence, or defence, and ha­ving observed, and heard of me that I was bred up in Souldiery from my youth, well skilled in Fortifications, nor contemptibly furnished with all other military abilities: propounded and concluded with me a Contract under hand and seal, for half a yeer, engaging me by the utmost of my advice and skill, to endeavour the security of their Town, and engaging [Page 3]themselves, in consideration of my service for that time, to pay me 30 li. we agreed accor­dingly. I must be bold to say, that my under­taking of this Service (though for a poore re­ward) as it was not small in it self; so it proved in the consequents as considerable, both to the weakning of the Kings party, and the strength­ning of the Parliaments, as any action in that kinde, through the passages of that yeer: for (let it be considered) foure for one in that Town, if not more, favoured my Lord of Darby, and had publickly vowed to cut my throat, if ever I attempted any works to keep him out. The other party which favoured my under­takings, were full of fears, and confusions, not knowing which way to turn themselves: the Town in all it's entrances, open, and without any defence about it; A powerfull Enemy con­tinually expected to come upon them, which within three weeks of our Contract fell out: surely these were circumstances, which might easily have made it lawfull to fear, and in that fear to decline a service of this nature: But be­ing desirous to do the Town the best office, that either I could do, or they could wish, I put my life in my hand, I over-looked all dangers and difficulties, and undertook this Charge, which how I have discharged, let the world judge.

By the way observe, that the very next mor­ning after my Contract, my Lord of Darby sent [Page 4]two Gentlemen to me, with 150 l. as a Present from his Lordship, with an invitation to attend him at Latham. Twas easie to see, what the drift of this kindnesse was. But 30 l. if backed with my promise, contract, or engagement, I have ever learned to value above all offers; honesty being more worth than gold. Returning there­fore my thanks for the Earls noblenesse, and the money with my thanks, I dismissed these Gentlemen, and addressed my self to my trust.

My first aime was to set up good Posts and Chains, to keep out the Enemies Horse; which by the contrivance of a false Alarum, and by the help of the Countreys coming in, upon the ringing of the Bels backwards, devised pur­posely for this end, I safely performed, though many tongues had doomed me to death, if ever I attempted it. This was done upon Wed­nesday the 22. of September, 1642.

Having by this devise drawn some Armed men into the Town, I earnestly pressed, that they might be carefully provided for, heartned and encouraged; for I was confident, that within lesse then a week, that the Enemy would make a reall approach, and then these men would stead us; they took my advice; and my prediction fell out accordingly.

In that small time of preparation which I had, I fortified and barricadoed up every streets end, with the addition of Mud-wals, which [Page 5]were unfinished when the Earl came upon us, I advised how our men should be assigned through each part about the Town; But Sal­ford-bridge the onely place of manifest danger, greatest action, and least defence, upon others refusall, I undertook my self: though by my engagements I was not bound to fight at all, but to advise, and direct onely.

For this service, Septemb: the 28. I took with me 50. Muskettiers: we lay there till Munday without action.

Munday, Septemb: 27. I was necessitated, to send 20. of my Muskettiers to Captain Brad­shaw at the Deans-gate which never returned: that afternoon, though thus weakened, I was numerously assaulted; but through the good­nesse of him, who saved us, my 30 Muskettiers (having no Brest-work but a Chain) gave them a sound repulse.

The next day, Septemb. 28. the Enemy plaid at us with his great Peeces, which being a strange noise, and terrour to my raw men, six­teen of them took their heels; the rest, some for fear of my drawn sword, others out of gallan­try, resolving rather to dye, than to forsake me, stuck close to me, and to the safety of their Town. I was now few in number, but found some pitie from some other gallant hearts, who voluntarily came in to my assistance, making up my number 28. And this was my huge Army [Page 6]even then, when I had not onely many Ene­mies without, but dangerous temptations within to deal with. For the Enemy finding their assault not to take successe, nor their Can­nons to terrifie us, as at the first, severall par­leys sore against my will, were sent into the Town: whereof I gave my Souldiers a little notice, with incouragements to stand out, to the utmost.

Particularly, Wednesday, Septemb: 29. the Earl offered upon the delivery of some 100 Muskets to withdraw his Forces, and march away. To back this offer, Collonel Holland un­derstanding my aversenesse, earnestly pressed me to condescend to the motion, using withall these three Reasons. First, said he, we have nei­ther Powder nor Match. I confesse I had onely six pound of the one, and 18. fathome of the other; but this was onely known to my self. Secondly, the Countreymen (said he, though falsly,) will stay no longer, their own houses and goods lying open to the mercy of the Ene­mie. Thirdly, said he, the Enemy is increased in strength. With these arguments did he not only urge, but almost command the embracing of the Earls Proposals. I related these things to my Souldiers, who unanimously resolving ne­ver to yeeld to my Lord of Darby, so long as I would stand out, and they had an inch of Match, or a shot of Powder: my heart leaped [Page 7]at such courage, and thereupon I peremptori­ly refused any terms whatever. Which so passionately moved Collonel Holland, that he left me in great anger and discontent. Imme­diately after this, Master Bourne, an aged and grave Minister, came down to the Bridge to me, I told him Collonel Hollands language, and the dangerous concernment it tended to, I ad­vised him, that if he desired to prevent the mis­chief which might ensue, he would immediate­ly walk to the Deansgate, & from thence to the other Centuries, using his best encouragements to prop up their hearts against any dangers; and assuring them from me, that whereas the Enemy now, made no assaults, but where I was, I was confident with the help of Almighty God, and my few men, to defend it against their whole Power, nor should they ever enter at my guard. The heartned old man quickly left me, and followed my advice, with such gravity and chearfulnesse, that I cannot but ascribe much to it, as to the means of our pre­servation. Having thus prevailed for a refusall of all terms, sent in by the Enemy, our height of resolution to defend our selves to the utmost was returned to the Earl; who finding by our actions that we spake as we meant, within 3. dayes after, withdrew this siege, and gave me leave with about ten of my men in open view, to fetch away a great number of good Arms from them.

[Page 8] Thus was Manchester freed from the danger of her first brunt; wherein how farre I was in­strumentall, if impartiall men cannot see, I will appeal from them to my Enemies; If either can deny me an acknowledgement, I am con­tent the world should be blinde, and what I have done should be buried: But was the safe­tie of Manchester, the whole of Manchesters safe­tie? He that shall view in a Prospective the state of things at that time in the Kingdome, must yet see more, my Lord of Essex had then at that instant no great Forces, and those very remote from those parts. And surely if the actions of Manchester, had not sufficiently ballanced the Earl of Darbies Forces, or had that Town yeelded either to his Assaults or Proposals, Lancashire, and all those associated Counties, had been at his service; and the whole Soul­dery therein at his disposing; which with his own Souldiers would have made up at least 9000 well armed fighting men, besides Horse. These joyned to his Majesties Body, who onely wanted Infantery, would have made such an Army as in humane reason could not have found an opposition strong enough from all the Parliaments Forces, which at that time could be brought together. These concern­ments I onely touch at, because, though my heart would break, if I should not let the world know, how I have served, and am served; yet I [Page 9]have no minde to draw my own picture. One­ly one thing more let me adde, to do my self a little right, since none else hitherto have done. This Town was not onely a foyl to an assault­ing Enemy, but a strength, help, and Magazine to all the adjacent Counties, as they stood en­gaged for the Parliaments service. But of this enough.

The Earl of Darby having afforded me a va­cancy by his departure, I throughly set my self to raise up my Works of Fortification about the Town, during the residue of that half yeer, for which my Contract was made: In which I did not onely prosecute that to my utmost, by my directions, but having declared my judge­ment, that unlesse we did something speedily against the Earl, he would get head again, and do us new mischief: We thereupon gathered our Forces together, went out, and upon De­cemb. 24. we shattered the Enemy at Shewbent, and the same night we took Leigh by assault, returning again within three dayes.

I was now so observed for my faithfulnesse and successe, that Januar. 2d. following I was unexpectedly honoured with a Commission from my Lord Wharton, to be Lieutenant Coll: of a Foot Regiment to Coll: Ashton, with which Febr. 6. I was commanded by Serjeant Major Generall Seaton, to joyne with Coll: Hollands Regiment, and to attempt Preston, which was [Page 10]accordingly taken by assault, Febr. 8. And af­terwards at Serjeant Major Generall Seatons, and the Deputy Lieutenants request, was forti­fied by my direction.

I kept this Command of Lieutenant Coll: during the residue of my half yeers service con­tracted for with the Town of Manchester, which being now expired, they then observed, what they cannot without shame remember now, that I was both trustie, and successefull. They were loath to for-go such a servant, and there­fore propounded new terms to me, offering me an annuity of 60 li. per annum, to be paid 15 li. quarterly, during the lives both of my self and wife, which should survive the longest, if I would by my advice prosecute the finishing of their Fortifications, and the ordering of all Military affairs conducing to the safetie of the Town, and upon all occasions be ready to give directions accordingly. At the same time also they with the Deputy Lieutenants desired me to accept of a Foot Company in the Garrison of Manchester, engaging themselves to main­tain it, as long as it was a Garrison, and to pay me 40 s. per week in part of my Captains pay, and the rest was to go upon the publick Faith. I was pressed to accept this so importunate­ly on their part, and by one reason so strongly within my self, which was, that by embracing the first of these Proposals, I should not [Page 11]leave a desolate Widow without a poore sub­sistence, in case a warlike end should befall my self, that I layed down my Lieutenants Collo­nels Commission, and closed with their Con­tract; and is this circumstance nothing to chain these men to their promises? Those hearts cer­tainly are deeply rooted in the Earth, which Reason, Equity, Conscience, nay and shame cannot pull out with such ropes.

My Engagement being past, I returned to my Charge, enlarged my Fortifications, left nothing unprepared, as time would permit, which might not make an Enemy a strong work to attempt me.

Whilest I was prosecuting these things, I was sollicited, April the 1. 1643. by the Deputy Lieutenants to attend and assist our Forces, against Wigan; for indeed the Souldiers decla­red themselves discontented, if I went not a­long with them. I went accordingly, being loath that those should want any of my ser­vice, who had afforded me so much roome in their hearts; nor were we without a happy suc­cesse in our attempt, for by a gallant assault, chiefly of Collonel Ashtons men, we took that strong Town in lesse than an houre: The Town being taken, to my best remembrance, we sent 500 Muskettiers of Collonel Ashtons men to se­cure Bolton, not far from us: Whilest the Town was taken, the Enemy having for a refuge ob­served [Page 12]and fitted the Church and steeple ad­joyning for their advantage, fled thither as many as could, and killed from thence, I dare say, more men, after the taking of the Town, than we had lost in the whole assault besides. Whilest we struggled with this difficulty, an Alarum was sent us from the Enemy, I went speedily with some few Horse to view the state they stood in, I found them onely three slender troops of Horse, who observing us to present a resolute face towards them, they instantly tri­ed their heels, and gave us language enough in their disorder, to tell us we need not trouble our selves with such Enemies. I returned with what hast I could, with the truth in my mouth, but found Collonel Holland in such a shaking agony of fear, that he was ready to march a­way with all our Forces, consisting of 2000. Foot, most part good Muskettiers, the rest Club and Bill men, and to my best remembrance about 200. or 300. horse, besides eight Piece of Ordnance, and no want either of Ammunition or provisions. And surely with this Force I durst have seen the face of the greatest Ene­mies we had about us, though conjoyned at that time. Having this confidence, I earnestly desired him not to leave that Garrison so fear­fully, that was won so gallantly; or if he would not stay himself, to leave me 500 Muskettiers, and one troop of Horse, and clear me of the [Page 13]Prisoners, of which we had already good store, and I would entertain any attempt of the Ene­mie, and prosecute the rest of the service touch­ing the Town, which was yet unfinished. His Answer was, Stay, that stay would, he nor any of his men, either would or should stay. I could almost have torn my flesh at this answer; yet suppressing my passion, with deep intreaties, and repeated perswasions, he was at length wrought so farre, as to promise a stay till I had forced those who had possessed the advan­tage of the Church steeple wholly to surrender; I having assured him, that I would either do it, or otherwise in one houre blowe them up: He gave me his hand to assure me of his stay. I thereupon first summoned them, but in vain. I prepared for execution, the event whereof startling the Enemy, they all surrendred, being 86. in number. But whilest I was receiving their Arms, and making preparation for their Convoy, Collonel Holland (for, alas, who can settle a trembling heart?) marched away with all the Forces, left me with one Company one­ly, (these also, fearing their inabilitie to deal with so many prisoners, forsaking me) engaged amongst 400 prisoners, many good Arms, two great Peeces of Ordnance, in the middest of a Town where generally all the Towns-people were great Malignants. Being thus wholly for­saken by all, I was forced first to run to finde [Page 14]Horse, and then to flie for my life, which in such a danger was most strangely saved.

All that adhered to the Parliament through the whole Kingdome, and knew the circum­stances of this assault, rejoyced at the taking and supposed keeping of Wigan, as a confider­able service; It being thought an impregnable piece, the Enemies pride, and our fear; onely Collonel Holland seemed to be troubled that I perished not in the action; and therefore find­ing that I survived his treacherie in leaving me in the midst of so many enraged Enemies, as I before shewed; did the best he could to destroy me and my family a worse May. For presently upon the taking of that Town, as a noble gra­tuity for that service, and yet saving my own life, the 40 s. per week as part of my Captains pay (the onely main pillar of my family ex­pences) was by Collonel Hollands command, subscribing 2 hands more for the countenan­cing of his unworthinesse, taken away from me, upon this pretence, that I had not taken the Covenant, and was suspended for above a yeer; during all which time notwithstanding, I was still kept in my employment.

I cannot forget that about that time, and many times since, I received severall Letters of acknowledgement from some eminent per­sons in the Kingdom, but I could feed neither my dog, nor my cat with them, much lesse my [Page 15]horses, which I have kept alwayes at my own expences in the service, though afterwards up­on second thoughts some of my charges were allowed me: but as for my family, who could not live upon the bare return of my expences, I was compelled to trie an unhappy experi­ment, whether I could feed them with I thank you. But enough of this.

Wigan service done, and undone, for which I was payed accordingly, I came to my charge at Manchester, whence not long after I was de­sired to ride to Lever-pool, to direct the Fortisi­cations there, I stayed there five dayes, with­out any reward.

March 11. after my return thence, I, besides many more out of Manchester and the County, was summoned up by Warrant to attend the Committee of Examinations upon the 15. of April next after, and to give in our Informati­ons touching Collonel Hollands actions, where all this, and divers things more were justified to his face, as his perfidious dealings at Wigan, his actions touching Mr. Peter Heywood and his ea­gernesse in urging me to deliver up Manchester, when I kept Salford bridge, at the first. But his great friends in the house prevailed for his escape, accounting it perhaps a sufficient pu­nishment that he was so publickly shamed. Whereas if I had been guilty of the like, I am sure the Law of Armes would have condemned [Page 16]and executed me for bad service, that am sought to be famished for good.

About July 4 after, the Earl of Newcastle with no small Force made an angry approach towards Lancashire, our men were sent out to oppose his passage, nor was I thought fit to be present at this action: The issue was, our men were soundly beaten at Wicked-hill in York-shire, and pursued into Lancashire by the Enemy, who quickly also possessed himself of Hallifax, about 16. miles distant from us. When I had received this sad intelligence, I informed my self of the nature of the passes, by which the Enemy most easily could come in upon us; and finding them capable of a sudden Fortifica­tion, by the consent of the Deputy Lieutenants, I quickly helped Nature with Art, strengthning Blackestone Edge, and Blackegate, and manning them with Souldiers, to prevent the Earls dan­gerous approach, by which means being di­verted, like an angry storme with a gust, he went to the siege of Hull.

How considerable this diversion of so power­full an Enemy was, let reason judge; for cer­tainly, whereas he never reached his end at Hull, if he had gotten in amongst us, we were not onely in a manifest danger of being over­run by an enraged Enemy, but all parts within an ordinary distance, would have felt the smarting bitternesse of his heavy hands.

[Page 17] 1643. Jan. 19. following, I received order from Sir Thomas Fairfax to accompany his For­ces to the relieving of Nantwitch, at that time closely besieged by the Enemy. Where how I discharged the trust reposed in me, I leave to the testimony of his Excellency, whose name I shall alwayes remember with honour.

Nantwitch relieved, I repaired to my home, where I have with my utmost skill nourished a company of vipers, who in recompence would eat my bowels.

From thence I was once more, Aug. 16. 1644. commanded by Sir John Meldrum to attend him to the siege of Leverpoole, which continued full ten weeks, I there served as Master of the Ordnance, gave directions for divers Works. In a word, I failed not in any thing which could be expected from me during the siege, it was surrendred Novemb. 4. For all which, and many other services, I am to this day unre­warded.

And now I come to my last actions, not a little conducing to the great shame and dis­honour of Manchester, and the farther eviden­ces of my own honesty.

After the siege of Leverpoole, the Parliament with a great Force layed siege to York; to raise this siege, Prince Rupert made an hastie and a furious march, with a very great Army; so that from the beginning of these Wars, there were [Page 18]not two such numerous Armies, nor so fiercely resolved each against other, as met at length upon the occasion of that siege; Prince Rupert, well noting, that there were two wayes to raise this siege, which was the whole of his work and designe; the one by policy, the other by force, left neither unattempted; His politicall method lay no where so strongly for his end, as to corrupt me for the betraying of Manche­ster, wherein had he sped, Yorke siege would have raised of it self. To effect this, Prince Ru­pert joyned my Lord Byron to himself in the transactions; and having the advantage of one Mr. Peter Heywood, by his means laboured with me for the betraying of the Town.

This Mr. Peter Heywood, who at this time sits at his ease, and enjoyes his own, whilest I for want of it endure extreme miserie: was a Cap­tain in Lancashire for the Parliament, was often in our private consultations; and by holding intelligence with the Enemy, did us much mis­chief. He went oft to Chester, Oxford, and other Garrisons of the Enemie, discovering our se­cret results. This being at length found out, and proved against him, he was secured by the Committee; and yet, without the consent of the rest of the Committee, contrary to an Or­dinance touching such cases, released by Coll: Holland; two of his friends also being bound for his appearance, which never were question­ed, [Page 19]though he presently upon his enlargement went to the Enemy, & was afterwards thought the onely fit instrument to work me to this treacherie.

His method was, first to take advantage of the injurious and most unthankfull unworthi­nesse, which the Town had used towards me, stirring those passions in me, which he knew were deeply provoked. This done, he offered in the behalf of Prince Rupert, that I should have a very great summe of money payed me in my hand, before my delivery of the Town, that I should have great preferments under Prince Rupert; besides the perpetuall obligati­ons of affection and honour from many most noble friends, which I should look upon as pur­chased by the desert of such a seasonable and usefull service.

I was not so little a fool, though I never meant to be a knave, but I gave the propounder audience, gave some incouragement to the bu­sinesse, so much as to fish out which way the Enemy would lay his stratagem, and to secure my self from suspicion on their part, appointed them a time of receiving their hopes. And I must needs say, I could with more ease have sold them, man, woman and childe, with all they had into their Enemies hands, than at any time I could have preserved them. But, alas, I should then have been a Manchester man, for [Page 20]never let an unthankfull man, and a promise-breaker, have another name.

When I had found out the bottome of the plot, and searched out the method of their in­tention; Immediately I sent for six of the chief men of the Town, layed open the whole de­signe, told them how to prevent the danger, laboured night and day to get our Cannons to the Work, repaired our Mudwals, as well as time would suffer. In a word, left nothing uncared for, which was necessary to entertain an assault. But the Enemie having got some intelligence of our actions by our treacherous friends, or home-bred enemies, when he had marched within one or two miles of Manchester at his appointed time, having notice of an hot entertainment, instead of Manchester, steared his course another way.

I must not forget here a new peece of wrong, Manchester and the whole Kingdom received from Coll: Holland at this time, that very mor­ning which I had discovered the plot, Coll: Holland had summoned the Souldiers of Sal­ford Hundred, consisting of almost 4000 Mus­kettiers to my best remembrance. He was desi­red by us at Manchester, that these Souldiers might quarter in or near the Town, that they might assist us in times of danger: But how were we answered? he disbanded these men, went away, left us to our selves, there being no [Page 21]established Souldiers in the Town at that time: but that one single Company under my com­mand, and some few of Major Radliffs Com­pany, which, with all that could be perswaded to look to the security of their lives and liveli­hoods, made not up so many Muskettiers, as to double our guards, much lesse reasonably to enable us against a resolute Enemies at­tempt. Nor was our distresse without many aggravating circumstances, for besides the de­cay of our Mudwals, and the unmounting of our Cannons, we knew not who to trust. The insinite toyl, pains, and indefatigable industry, night and day, which I used at this time, all that had eyes in that Town saw, and all that have tongues can witnesse; insomuch that the ablest, and richest of those who had engaged themselves for my Annuity, being overcome with the consideration of my pains, and the shining evidences of my fidelity, gave me deep protestations and promises, That if ever the hand of Providence should lead them to peace again, and that Trading might once again flourish, they would out of their own private purses, enlarge my reward; particularly foure of the six to whom I first discovered the Ene­mies stratagem, specified their summes. Mr. Johnson promised me 10 li. Mr. Gaskell 20 li. Mr. Hunt 30. Mr. Hartley 40 li. yeerly, as long as I lived. But, alas, when our distresse was over, [Page 22]which lasted a week, this smoke vanished. The issue was this, that whereas Coll: Holland (who ever hath been (as you may see all along) the bountifull rewarder, encourager, and furtherer of my good services) had suspended my 40 s. per week, part of my Captains pay, for a whole yeer, they drew a most importunate Petition to the House, for the Arrears of my pay, and continuance of it, for the time to come; recom­mending me also for some noble gratuity a­greeable to my deserts and quality. This Peti­tion begot me an Order for my discontinued pay, and a recommendation from the House to Manchester, for my Annuity: It was dated, Sept. 4. 1644. This being granted me, through much importunity, and great expences on my part, my 40 s. per week was payed me till Octob. 9. 1647.

I shall onely adde one more Evidence of my faithfulnesse to this ungratefull Town. The Summer after Prince Ruperts diversion, it plea­sed God to lay his heavy hand of plague upon us, which, ranging according to his direction, left no part unvisited; becoming indeed such a sad object, that our very miseries were as great a guard to us against our Enemies, as the cries of them were strong for a publick commisera­tion from our friends. The Pestilence in a little time grew so hot, that it not onely occasioned most of the richest to depart with their whole [Page 23]families, but moved also the Warden and the other Minister to desire me with my family to withdraw not far from the Town, that, if occa­sion were, I might from thence readily serve the danger and extremitie, which might befall it from the Enemie: I think few men would have blamed me, if having stayed thus long, I had left the Town upon such importunitie. But conceiving my self as strongly tyed to look to the goods and estates of those that were gone, as one of the Ministers thought himself char­ged to look to the souls of those there remain­ing; I waved all fear, and resolved personally to serve my trust, leaving my death to him, that once gave, and often before had spared my life. And truly my resolution herein, I must be bold to say, was not a little courtesie to this Town; as both I foresaw how things would, and af­terwards did come to passe. For Major Ratcleifs and his Company having withdrawn, and quartered themselves without the Works for fear of the plague, my self having onely 12. Muskettiers, whose hearts stood fixed to run my hazard, the poore, many of whom were at the pest-houses without, and the rest within, entred into a dangerous combination, with a­bout a dozen of the middle sort of men, that were within, to take advantage of our weak­nesse and nakednesse, and to seize upon the whole riches of the Town, which at that time [Page 24]was very great. In the prosecution of this vil­lany, they wanted neither secresie, unanimity, nor craft. Not secresie, for till their designe was ripe, I had no knowledge of it; which argues also their unanimity. As for their craft, a man would have thought some minor Jesuite had been of their counsell. They had prepared, for­sooth, a kinde of Declaration, zeal to the safety of the Town, solicitousnesse to see it so naked, and unfit to oppose an Enemy, were the em­broidered coat of this pretty brat; and to make up all, they added a resolution to slick to King and Parliament, and to use the whole fruits of their attempts to serve the Publick: and I, forsooth, had the honour to be nomina­ted their chief Commander. I had at this time taken physick, but my Serjeant, Mr. Beirom the elder, having discovered the plot to some in the Town, who quickly came to advise with me. We with some few others, which we sent for, agreed upon this as the suddenest remedy, that the twelve chief conspirators should be se­verally sent for into one roome, at one time, and afterwards severally examined, which ac­cordingly was done; their examinations re­maining still upon fyle in Manchester. Whilest these things were doing, I gave order for my 12 Muskettiers privately to attend me, with whose assistance having secured these heads, the conspiracie vanished into smoke, which [Page 25]otherwise would have set all on fire.

The plague being ceased, and the chief in­habitants of the Town returned, a man would have thought that this last Evidence of my faithfulnesse alone, should have wrought these men, if not to thankfulnesse, yet to honesty: But who can vvhite a Blackmore? or make a rope of sand? Their brows vvere brasse to all intreaties, their affections flints to all reason, their hearts rocks to all pitie, and their consci­ences adamants to all obligations, even still my Annuity vvas kept from me; vvhich ag­gravating my many debts and vvants to the height of extremitie, in hope of relief I repair­ed to London. Where prevailing not for a re­dresse, in three quarters of a yeers attendance, vvith my boy and tvvo horses, at very great expences; at length (it being true, that Ma­gister artis ingenii (que) largitor venter,) it came into my head, to print an angry Paper, the Copie vvhereof I have here inserted.

The shame of this Paper, which the bitter­nesse of my condition, and the unworthines of their dealing, forced me to Print, together with the concurrence of the Scottish advance, from which they feared danger, occasioned them to recall me from London, and to pay me my then Arrears.

But this storme being over, they again most shamelesly slighted their Engagements; and therfore being utterly worn out with the vexa­tion of their usage, and finding nothing to work, I sent them a Letter dated, Octob. 11. 1648 desiring their leave that I might seek imploy­ment where I could, and look after a means of subsistence elsewhere, since their hearts were such, that they could suffer me, my wife, chil­dren, and family to perish before their eyes, who for six or seven yeers had been an evident Instrument of keeping them, their wives and children from the same end. For this purpose I sent them inclosed the form of a testimony to be subscribed; the result of all was, I neither could get pay, nor testimoniall: what is this, but as much as to say in other words, For all [Page 31]the good service you have done us, we will keep you here, and famish you?

I have now done my story, what's behinde must be for Application. And first I shall begin with those undertakers of Manchester, who first engaged me; and first, and last, and all along, have almost equalled my services with their wrongs.

Having done with these, I shall keep that order in my debates, which I observe in my wrongs. Manchester was first, and the Parliament in its late state was next, to them must I be bold to say a little.