NEver since GOD had first beene pleased to shew his mercies towards us, was it knowne, that pernitious and nefarious of­fenders against his Church and elect, have escaped unpunished. Never have Conspirators gone undiscerned, ill members unconvicted; and generally no matter, manner, plot or conspiracie whatsoever, against Religion, remained unconcea­led, but have (through his wonderfull means) pal­pably appeared to the attaching and punishing of the offenders, the terrour of malevolent and evill-minded persons, and the glory of Almighty God, the revealer of secrets. This no lesse then other, is worthy of your perspicuous apprehension. The Lord Digby whose iudicious understanding, if well applied, might have both much advantaged, and also extended to the setling of a generall and unac­complished [Page] peace in this kingdome, proving a de­linquent, and flying the iust iudgement and cen­sure of the Parliament against him, first attempt­ing a transportation for Ireland, reduced himselfe into the County of Carmarthen, where many dayes being vigilant, and wayting for opportuni­ty, being still frustrated, in respect that the Parli­aments most iudicious command denied any com­merce thitherward, without their speciall licence, he resolved of another, as hee thought more auspi­tious, was to returne for France; where, amongst hi [...] former acquaintance, to spend away the time, untill being gievn intelligence of a security, and safe permittance in his returne. This setled in his opinion, hee sets forward to sea in a French Bark, called le Olive Shampaneell, where although his desires were earnest, and expected a sudden tran­sportation; yet the winde proving inauspitious, and the Sea very turbulent, hee was forced to re­maine upon the waves for the space of eight daies upon the coast of Wales: whereas it fortuned Sir Iohn Penington, Vice Admirall of his Maiesties Fleet, likewise to ride; who having divers times taken a view of him, and knowing him by reason of former acquaintance, attached him, and recei­ved him into his ship, where hee is detained as pri­soner untill further order should be given from the Parliament concerning the same.

VPon the tenth day of Ianuary last past, a Gentleman anthorized by the Parliament to undertake the government and vigilant care of the Towne of Hull, with three hundred able men for that purpose, set forward in their iourney towards the County of Yorke: where arrived, the inhabitants of the said Towne denied him entrance within the walles, notwithstanding hee produced the command from the Honorable House of Par­liament to that effect. But after some time spent in mature consideration, they admitted him, but not his men, alledging that the Fort being his Ma­iesties, he having there also a Magazine, the power and custody thereof ought not to bee conferd and delivered over unto any, without his Maiesties spe­cial commission authorizing some Noble and well knowne Common-wealths-man by it, otherwise they were not bound, neither would they deliver it up to any; but if he pleased to view their Amuni­tion, Magazine, and what strength they had to de­fend it, he should and made no question but hee [Page] should finde both it and them sufficient an able e­nough to withstand any forraigne force or enemy in defence and safeguard of the same.

Thus answered, hee deprrted; and came to Lon­don, since when the Earle of Newcastle authorized by his Maiesties commission, and attended with a traine of five hundred assistants, was generally and ioyfully received of the inhabitants, where he hath supplied his Maiesties Magazens and Block-houses (where it was wanting) with powder, shot, bullets, both for Canon and Musket,: hee hath also moun­ted the peeces of Ordnances; raised platformes, re­ctified all defaults, whether in carriages or Field­peeces, and is now continually re-edifying and ad­ding to the fortifications formerly built there, his endeavours, and so generally thought for the good of this Kingdome, that wee daily wish a greater multiplication of such loyall subiects. He is a man so generally fraught with vertue, and so industrious in the effectation of his present commission, that neither being mis-led to vice, nor losing opportu­nity for the proceeding in his importunate affairs, that he may be a paterne of emulation for hereaf­ter times.

The maner and plantation of the Ordnance is thus described.

The Blockhouse standing towards the East, ad­ioyning to the Sea, hath twenty peeces; five whole Canons, and fifteen Demicanons and Culverings: the other towards North-east, having ten peeces, whereof three are Culverings, the residue small peeces, and mounted with an aspect over the whole Towne for defence by land, two murderers at Gray [Page] wharfe, and two more at Dilham Port, all made ready and fit for service: there being in the Maga­zines Armes for an hundred thousand men.

These are the endevours of the worthy Earle of Newcastle, which we wish to continue both there and other places in this kingdome by him and such other like good agents, to the honour and glory of God, terrifying our enemies, our owne safety, and hopes of ensuing tranquility. Amen.