THE DECLARATION Of the Lord Governour CROMWEL CONCERNING The Citizens of
- LONDON,
- YORK,
- LINCOLN,
- GLOVCESTER,
- BRISTOLL,
AND All other Cities, Corporations, and Market-Towns, within the Territories of England, and Dominion of Wales, and his Vow and Protestation touching the aforesaid places, and the people of England, upon his crossing the Irish Seas with one hundred Sayl of Ships.
ALSO, Prince Charles His Letter to the said Lord Governour Cromwell, and his Desires and Propositions for PEACE.
Perused and examined, and appointed to be printed and published without interruption or molestation.
London, Printed for G. Oreton. Aug. 23. 1649.
THE DECLARATION Of the Lord Governour CROMWEL TO The Citisens of London, York, Lincoln, Gloucester, Bristoll, and all other Cities, Corporations, and Market-towns, within the Territories of England, and Dominion of WALES.
WHereas the Lord hath brought his People our of the House of Bondage, and by his Almighty arm made more visible his evident demonstrations in owning of his Cause, for the asserting and recovery of the just Rights and Liberties of the people of this Nation, with the establishment of Truth and Righteousnesse, and suppression and removall [Page 2]of tyranny, and all the effects of it. And seriously considering the great mercies, and miracles of victory and deliverances which hath accompanied us even from the hand of our mercifull God, since our first engagement with the common enemy, cannot I hope, be so far out of either the sense or memory of any good Patriot as to need a capitulation or rehearfall, he hath made us to tryumph over our enemies, and wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them, giving them leave oft times to swell their waves, that he might set them limits, and say unto them, hitherto shall you come, and no further. In consideration of all which, his Lordship the Lord Governour Cromwell, hath declared a manifestation of his high & extraordinary sense of so many signall blessings from time to time which hath bin showr'd down upon the Armies in England; and to the end, that his omnipotent hand and divine Sword of protection may still be present with them, his Lordship (together with all his Officers and Souldiers) hath earnestly besought the Lord by prayer, for a further blessing upon them, in the great and present Work of Ireland, and that he will still be pleased to stand by them in the defence of his Cause, and to give them spirits of courage and magnanimity, to fight his Battel under the Banner of Jesus Christ, to the honour and glory of his great Name, and the peace and tranquility of all those who lie under the insupportable burden of affliction in England and Ireland. And that it may appear to the Word, his pure and spotlesse integrity to the Wealepublque of this Nation, his Lordship further declared the reality of his present engagement against the bloud-thirsty Irish, and if it please God to crown his endeavours with expected happy success, all his poor Country-men under oppression shall find the fruits thereof.
Protesting, That no means shall be (by him) left unassayed, that may prove instrumentall for the propagation and advancement of free Trade and Commerce to the City of London, and all other Cities, Corporations, Markettowns, and Cinque Ports whatsoever, within the Territories of England, and Dominion of Wales.
His Lordship after some further Conference with the Officers of the Army, and Gentlemen of the Country, soon hasted aboard, where (with a pleasant Gale of Wind) he hoysted Sayl, and in few hours came within sight of the Irish Cliffs, where the raging Billows seem'd turbulent, but soon became calm, and (as we hea [...]) many of our ships are safely arrived in the Bay, the Report being frequent, that the Lord Governour, and many of his Sons of Mars, are landed in tryumph at the City of Dublin.
Such a Fleet (consisting of above one hundred Sayle) hath not been seen on the Irish Neptune these many years, who on a fair Sun-shine day appeared to each mans Eye like a great Wood, surrounded with many pleasant Hills and Dales.
Some report the Marquesse of Ormond to be fallen down neer Dublin with an Army of 15000 Horse and Foot, to prevent the landing of the English forces; the truth wherof I shall at present wave, it seeming very incredulons, by reason that the Lord Inchiquin swels in envy against the Marquesse, for his late misdemeanours and neglect, and as some affirm, hath sent a Challenge to him, to dispute revenge in the field.
Bewmorris 19. Aug. 1649.
BY an Expresse yesterday from the Lord Governor Cromwell, we hear, that he is got safely into the Harbour at Dublin, and hath landed two or three Regiments of the foot, the horse being also craning out of the ships as fast as possible they can: its said, that his Lordship (at his landing) were entertained with a great volley from the great Guns in the City. And a little before his presence Col. Jones sent forth a party of horse and foot to take in Droghedah; who upon summoning thereof, the Lord Moor returned a very peremptory answer, and disputed the place with great resolutenesse and gallantry, insomuch, that many many of them were slain upon the place; but at last, the conflict grew so hot and sharp, that the enemy began to article and at last obtained conditions to march away with sword and pistoll, upon the surrender of the town with all the Ordnance, Arms and Ammunition. This action cost us not very dear, our losse being esteemed about 70, whereof 30 slain, the rest wounded; of the enemies about 200.
We hear that the Lord Inchiquin hath randezvou'd in Muster about 4000 horse and foot, who sending a Letter to Gen. Oneal, to know whether he would covenant for the declared King of Scotland, &c. received answer, that he would not engage against the Parl. of England: whereupon he advanced with his horse and foot, fell upon them in their quarters, dissipated part of the foot, killed many, and took divers prisoners, forcing the rest to the Bogs and Woods, in which conflict, they give out, that above 1000 fell under the power of their sword.
During which action, Sir Charles Coot lay not idle in London-Derry, but opportunely fore-seeing his advantage, sallyed out, and fell upon Sir Charles Stuarts quarters, killed [Page 5]many, took divers prisoners, and raised the siege, with the losse of 40 men.
The newes is confirmed from Dublin, Ormond hath paid dear for his bowzing, Taff, Preston, and he being met together, thought they could destroy the Parl power, by drinking healths to their destruction, when its in so many words a Bull, whereas Lieu. Gen. Jones came soberly upon them, and made them run several ways: It's said, that in their hast they fell upon Ballyshanon, have taken it, and are rallyed, being about twelve thousand within twelve miles of Dublin and fallen to their old way of disputing passes: which when lost, they run to the next: they increase by the coming of forces to them, and say, if they recover not their reputation before Michaelmas, they shal not keep Ireland from a totall reducement within a year.
Bristol 18. Aug. 1649.
By Letters from the Hague thus: since the late blow given to Ormond by Lieut. Gen. Jones, we hear that they are rebodying about Kilkeny and Munster, and that in the said Engagement thirteen thousand of the Princes forces escaped, who are gathering together, and randezvouzing in severall places; but the raising of the siege, and defeating that potent power is joyfully rescented by many.
It is likewise reported, that the Princes retinue lately sat in Councell, whose result was, That new propositions should be sent to the Parl. of Scotland, viz. 1 That his declared Majesty would wive his assent, for the setling of Religion, according to the solemn League and Covenans.
2 That he would wholly apply his Ear to the Councell and Advice of the Estates conveened, provided, that respect might be had to the tender Consciences of those who have adhered to or assisted him.
[Page 6]But this will hardly be; for he must either become a perfect Covenanter, or else a despised Prince.
Many of the Royall party have caused proclamation to be made for Charles the II, for the raising of Voluntiers, but few appears in that engagement,
Hague 9. Augusti, 1649.
From whence other Letters make mention, That the Prince (by advice of his Councell) hath sent a Message to the Marquesse of Ormond, and the Lord Inchiquin, desiring them to compose all dis [...]erences, to knit their hearts in brotherly love and affection, and unanimously to unite in all their counsels and consultations, for the propagation and advancement of their present Design and Engargement. There is some rumour of an inclosed Letter, directed to the Lord Lieutenant Cromwell, from Prince Charles; the contents whereof, are said to be for a speedy composure and reconciliation of all difference, and for the setling of peace both in Church and State, &c.