WHereas there are twenty thousand Scots already in England, & there are twelve thousand more muste­ring in Scotland, they have alrea­dy possessest themselves of all the East part of Northumberland: and the Forts and Castles betweene Barwicke and Tinmouth. They have taken the Isle of Cockes and the Garrison thereof, with seventy Commanders and other common Souldiers: seven peeces of Ordnance, and all their ammunition, and have placed a Garrison of their owne men therein.

The Inhabitants of that Countie come into them daily, and the more because the Centrie of the Countrie join with them and take the Covenant, so that indeed all Northumberland is prettie well redu­ced to the obedience of the King, and Parliament; Newcastle, Tinmouth, and the Sheelds only excep­ted, which it is verie probable by this time are in their hands too, especially Newcastle.

The Scots lie quattered about Morpeth, Seaton, Hepam: Ogle Castle; Prude, and those parts about Newcastle: and have laid a strong siege about New­castle also: and ly close under the verie Walls, the Malignants are for the most part all of them gone into Newcastle, when they first heard of the Scots approach, whether they carried such treasure and o­ther goods as they most esteemed: There is no cer­taintie whether Generall King be in Newcastle or not, but the Scots had besieged it eight days: which is to this time above a fortnight: There are a great number in the Town; but they wish that all New­castles Army was there, that they might make short work with them, for they did not expect the taking of Newcastle to be much troublesome to them.

Generall Lesley sent a Messenger to the Towne to the Governour thereof: to require to the delivery there­of to him: for the use of the King, and Parliament, and that for their so doing, the Town should be free from plunder, and themselves in person secured; with other propositions as was by the Generall thought fit.

The Messenger having delivered his Message to Col. Glenham, who received it in the name of the Town, the Town was summoned, and a parlie was held concerning the same, and it was agreed upon, that an answer should be returned to Gene [...]ll Les [...]ey: to desire him only to grant five daies respite, and then a full answer should be given him.

This answer being brought to Generall Lesley he was very willing to condiscend thereunto, and the more rather because hee had not then his murthering pieces ready, by reason the ilnesse of the wayes hindred them, but by that time (at the farthest) he ex­pected them, resolving that if they would not deliver up the Town thēy would storme it, but it was then believed by the Scots Armie that it would be surrendred to them, so that there is no question but that by this time it is in their hands.

And as for the Shields they are not yet ta­ken, but being only but houses they doe ex­pect that it will bee no great matter to take them, they can doe it when they list, The greatest matter next unto the taking of New castle Town, i [...] Tinmouth Castle.

They are not yet over Tyne, but in case they are forced by any occasion to stay be­fore Newcastle, they intend to leave a strong siege there and to march into the Bishoprick of Durham.

They doe carry themselves so sivelly and [Page]orderly that the Countrey doe even admire them, taking not the worth of a penny from any man but what they pay fully for, and they are not come unprovided, for every souldier hath 2 or 3 peeces in his pocket, and there hath thousands come in to them, and taken the Covenant, and their Army doth exceedingly increase.

The Ships that were laden in the channel with malignants goods, were stopt in by 4 Parliament Ships which the vice Admirall appointed to ly before Tinmouth, but the last weeke about Thuasday and Friday there fell such stormes that our ships could not ride there, but were forced to sale away from thence for fear of being shipwrackt, at which time they took their oportunity, and saled out of the channell, and have carried away their fraught, it is supposed for Holland.