Charles by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland KING, Defender of the Faith, &c,
A DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons IN PARLIAMENT assembled, concerning a personall Treaty with the Kings Majesty, and the establishment of a true and wel-grounded p [...]ace in the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
ALSO, Certain propositions from the Revolted Ships to the Duke of York, touching their coming with him into England, and his Highnesses Answer thereunto.
LIKEWISE, The last Intelligence from COLCHESTER, concerning the proceedings of the Lord Fair fax, and the storming the Town.
TOGETHER, With the storming of Wamour Castle in Kent, and exceeding go [...]d newes from Ireland, of the proceedings of the Lord Inchique [...]ne.
⟨July. 3 d⟩ LONDON. Printed for J. J. 1648.
A Declaration of the Lords and Commons, concerning a personall Treaty with the Kings Majesty.
THe House of Commons take notice of the affectionate acknowledgments which the City expresseth of the Houses Concessions upon their former Petitions, and of their Christian and present desires of a safe and wel-grounded peace according to the Covenant, and of that meanes which they propose in order thereunto of a personall Treaty. In which as in the other particulars of your Petition, the House especially observes the confidence & trust which the City reposes in them, in leaving the consideration of their peace, and security of their wisdom and care. To all which, the House hath commanded me to give you this Answer, That they have the same fellow feeling with the Citie and Kingdom of their sufferings by Warre, and the same desires with them to attain to a safe and welgrounded peace. [Page 2] They have for that end spent a great part of this last month in Considera [...]ions of Peace, and have made some progress therein: And for the more speedy dispatc [...] of what further remains to be done, the Houses have appointed a Committee to consider what the King hath offered, and what is further to be offered to the King, for His satisfaction for se [...]ling of a-speedy and wel-grounded Peac [...]; and to consider of time, place, and [...]ther circumstances for conveniency of Address to be made to His Maj. and they doubt not but what they have done, and speedily shall do herein, will be fully satisfactory to the City of London, and to all others that d [...]sire to see the troubles of this Kingdom ended in a safe and just Peace. And for your good aff [...]ctions to the Parl. and Kingdom, manifested by your Actions in the late War, and in your present Petition for a safe and welgrounded Peace, the House hath commanded me to give you thanks.
Piers, Earl Northumb [...]rland. E. Kent. E Rutland. E Lincoln E. Suffolk. E. Stamford. Lord Ba [...]tlet. L North. L. Hunsdoun. L. Harbert. Comm [...]n [...]rs, Sir Walter Earle. Sir Harbottle Grimston. Sir Iohn Potts. Sir William Lewis. Sir Richard Onslow. Sir Gilbert Gerhard. Sir Iames Harrington. Sir Iohn Burgin. Sir I. Eulin of Wilts. Sir Martin Lumbley. Sir Robert Harlow. Mr. Prideux. Mr. Swy [...]fen. Mr. Maynord. Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Hungerford. Mr. Perepoint. Mr. Lisle. And 2. more of the House of Commons.
AS was certefyed this morning, a party of the Enemies sallyed forth at the South gate, and approched neer our horse Guard, but were quickly beaten back, and pursued by our party to the turn pike, where they kep [...] a Court of Guard, who uppon her approach gave fire and fled away. So we entred this Guard, took such armes as were left there. This Guard of theirs was kept neer the Alme [...]-houses, at the enterance of the Subburbs of the town in this action three of the enemy were killed, and many wounded. We also took 12. prisoners, & 15 or 16 horse with arms, two horses of ours were killed, and one man cut in the head, but the wound not mortall, not any one of the rest of our men received any hurt at all. Provisions begin to grow scarce in the town, especially bread, and how they are provided with corn I know not, but I am certain they are ill provided of mills to grind it if they have any. For this day we have fi [...]ed and burnt down their Windmils to the Ground, diverse souldiers steales away from the enemy daily, and come into us, especially since the Lord Generall sent in a Letter, proff [...]ring conditions to such as should come to him, and unto all, if they would embrace and yeeld upon the Town, which conditions were. 1. That within 24. hours after the receipt thereof, the officers laying down their armes should have p [...]sses to travell beyond Sea. &c. 2. That the common souldiers, and all men of that ranck, shall have liberty to depart to their own homes, submitting to the authority of Parliament. 3. That the Inhabitants of the towne shall be free from plunder and violence.
[Page 4] These conditions proffered not being accepted of, the Lord Generall is resolved not to offer so good againe to those which are the chief in action amongst the enemy, our army is in a very good condition, and full of resolution, and although the Gen. is very unwilling to storme the town (for that as much as in him is, he would avoid the shedding of bloud.
About four of the clock this morning another party of the Enemies forces sallyed out of the town upon the Suffolk forces an the North East side, but Col. Whaley joyning with them, charged them, killed two and put the rest to a disorderly retreat, took ten prisoners, and some very good horses. This Evening another party of the enemy attempted to go out on Harwich road, to fech in provisions, and were fallen upon by a party of ours which routed them and took divers prisoners, one of which that was wounded saith, that they begin to be exceedingly straightned in the town for provisions, espetially for the house meat: three of their Wind-mills are burnt downe, they have two Watermils which we are cuting off, and have scaling Ladders ready to storm, but the morter piece is not yet come up.
Yesterday morning 3 troopers came out of the town with horse and armes, and proffered their service to the General, they report there are in the town about 600. horse, and 3500, foot and about three of the clock in the afternoon, Sir Charles Lucas drew out 8. companies of foot, and 4 troops of horse, close under their workes, whereupon a party of ours were commanded out to charge them, and after some exchang of shot, our forces beat them in, set their guard [Page 5] house on fire, killed two, and took some prisoners.
From the Leaguer before Colchester, June 28. 1648.
Certain Propositions of the Revolted Ships to his Highnesse the Duke of York.
For the present all the newes I can send you is this, that his Highnesse the Duke of York is here in these parts, and that the revolted Ships are coming into Go [...]ith, and have sent 2. propositions to his Highnesse concerning their proceedings for His Majesty (as they pretend) which are as is certified thus. 1. To come aboard there to give them countenance in their Design which they are now engaged in. 2. To send them in provision necessary for the furnishing of their Ships, and for the better maintenance of that design. But his Highnesse denyed to countenance the businesse in the least.
From the Hague June 11. 1648.
Letters from Colchester say thus, that his Excellency goes on very gallantly, and intends very speedily to storme the Town, and not to make many dayes more, yet the enemy have made c [...]rtain sallies forth; but with much losse on the enemies side, 8. of them were taken prisoners of the Countrey men, and 2. Prentices by the Army, and it is not to be doubted but to short time the City will be reduced.
Some talk of the storming of Wamor Castle, but as yet no letters come concerning the s [...]m [...].
There is very great discord about the proceedings [Page 6] of the Rebels in IRELAND, and some blood spilt, Neale, Mache [...]ma c [...]ent of Owen Roes party, is sore wounded if not dead, The Popes Nuntio excommunicated all the supream Coun [...]ells at Kilkenny, that had a hand in the Cessation with Inchiqueene.
THere are som [...] forces here in Scotland, which are already in a posture to march, and are intended to joyne with Sir Marmaduke Langdale; but we fear not but they will v [...]ry speedily be prevented, by reason of the Earl of Argile, who is in a great forwardnesse to give them battaile, and hath had many Skirmishes with them, also divers prisoners are taken by him from these forces under Duke Hamilton, which hereafter J shall give you a more full Relation. So for the present J remain