AN EXACT AND Humble Remonstrance TOUCHING The late Conflict of Armies in and neer the County of PEMBROOKE; and the present condition of the Harbour of MILFORD.
Presented to the Honourable Committee of the two United Kingdomes, England and Scotland, by such as were very lately resident in the said County.
Together with a word of Remembrance and Advice, seasonably they hope, directed to the Committee of the said County, and Mayor of Penbrooke.
London, Printed by J. M. 1645.
IT may be thy curious eye will not be satisfied with Generall Relations, and if we descend to particulars, there may be some injury done to Truth against our will; and it were great pitty so rare a Grace should receive the least blemish by Friends, seeing she is so oft-times wronged both by the ignorant and malicious Enemy. If we should take on us to tell thee how many were taken, and how many slaine, we might say, we misse about 300. and speak our thoughts, and yet not punctually (it may be suitable) to the verity of the matter. This I would have thee note, That this unhappy clashing hapned not many dayes after valiant Crumwell took Heathen Sir Henry Vaughan Colonell and Welchman, with all his Bare—Foot going to Oxford. If thou wilt promise to be candid in thy construction, thou shalt have once more other matters come to thy hand, if God will, very shortly. It is yet but Low-water at Milford, as soon as it it Halfe-flood, our trusty Mercury, that loves not to talke so large as others, will hoyse up saile and bring thee true intelligence, and very probably, pleasing too, if thou be not a blood-thirsty Irish-man, or his base English confederate:
Farewell.
TO The Honourable Committee of the tvvo united Kingdomes of ENGLAND and SCOTLAND. A true Narration of the present Condition of the County of PEMBROOKE and Army there, together with the Harbour of MILFORD, exhibited by such of the said County, as have been eye witnesses, and have Solemnly Covenanted with God, to advance to their utmost his glorious Cause, now managed by the two Houses of PARLIAMENT.
WHo sadly Remonstrate to your Honours, That when it pleased God to give a great blessing to the said County, not onely plentifully to cast off, but also for a good while to be nourished, and miraculously to be preserved by his great power and providence, raising them so beyond all probabilities, from a handful of naked men to become a prety considerable body of armed men; the resolved Commanders and Worthies there, for discharge of their faithfulnesse in so great a Trust, having a tender eye also to the Exonerating and easing of a Country almost worn out by the pillaging and oppression of the Enemie, and necessary Quarter of friends; put on a resolution, and marched out of their own County to Cardigan where after they had possessed [Page 4]themselves of the said Town and Castle, and Indeed wonderfully releeving the said Castle afterwards, when it was strongly besieged by Generall Gerrard, they besieged the Castle of Emelyn about six miles distant from Cardigan, being the enemies next and onely Garrison in that Quarter, where (after they had laid neer a fortnight) upon the 27. day of Aprill last, being the Lords day about six of the clock in the morning, there came a very strong party of the enemies horse from England, besides other foot very numerous; who suddenly and secretly fell upon our men; flew and took most of our best foot Companies, besides many horse, drave the rest into their Garrisons, being about 30. miles remote from the place of their defeate; and forthwith Advanced into the County of Pembrooke, faced the Town of Haverford West, and sommond it. The Souldiers no sooner quit the said Town, by reason of the openesse of it, and that they might the better preserve the other Garrisons of Penbrooke and Tenby, being far mote strong and considerable, but the Inhabitants were constrained to surrender it upon very slender Quarter, there they ceaze upon much of our Ammunition and Armes, imprison, plunder, and abuse the well-affected Townsmen; range every where about the Country, pillage and destroy that which should be the present and future livelihood of an Army; and have given us a sure testimony, that they will leave nothing undone, that mischiefe and violence can invent against a distressed County. This done, they drew all their forces towards the other two Garrisons of Pembrooke and Tenby, and are very confident either to over-master them, or in fine to distresse them till they yeeld: Notwithstanding the Major Generall, Mayor of Pembrook, and resolute Commanders there, have firmely by Gods blessing, determined to stand to their trust, and resolve rather Honourably to lose their lives, together with their said Townes and Garrisons [Page 5]then basely, by yeelding, betray them with their Religion and Liberties.
They further make known to your Honours the most dangerous condition of the Harbour of Milford, which the Enemie doubts not to block up, by planting Great Ornances to keep out such shipping as might relieve the Town and Castle of Pembrooke, and this very probably they will speedily do, if a timely expedient be not found out to prevent them.
It were but rashnesse and indiscretion in them to intimate the dangerous consequence of a Delay, as of other things so well known to your Honours; The publike importance of the said Haven, being the onely harbour to friend between Plymouth and Leverpool, bloody Irelands greatest curb and terrour; the Marriners security, if preserved: nay, they are verily perswaded, and so are all that know it, that there is not one place in England more considerable, Consideratis considerandis, then that; though some ignorantly (we hope not maliciously) to the great prejudice of the state do slight it. They presume no farther but humbly submit themselves to your Lordships, and from a bleeding and most tender heart, they do commend the condition of the publick, and that place, together with their own sad estate and condition to the Grace and Mercy of a good God and the known Wisdome of this Honourable Committee, for their more speedy reliefe.
TO The Committee established by Parliament, for the County of PEMBROOK.
IT is not unknown unto most of you, who they were that very lately departed from your Country and Harbour of Milford. And albeit they had but small incouragement to remain there; yet now, by Gods Providence, being safely arived here, (a place of greater enlargement and love.) They cannot choose but remember you, and in their remembrance, (though they never tread on your ground again) to endeavour your future weal and happinesse. They cannot but be sensible how Offices and Officers in this kind have been intreated and rewarded; namely, with cruelty and contempt for love and curtesie, (some if they had Grace would blush at the conceit.) However it now falls out, that water shall never be able to quench the flames of publick Affection and Desires. They humbly and earnestly crave of you, (and that in the bowels of Jesus Christ) that in matters of such publick consequence you lay by, and cast away all sinister and by ends of your own selfishnes of all sorts, which already have been your undoings, and have proved unto you more banefull, then the Malice of your most Malignant Enemy: such as have contracted on many of you a great Odium in the minds of many honest men, and have rendred you very meanly spirited in good men opinions and judgements. Retention of old private Star-chamber and Ludlow-grudges. Partiality where conscience and Equity should beare sway. Coveteousnesse working by oppression on the poor [Page 7]undone- Commons, reserving your old corne for the Enemy, or at best for the Vermine; when your underlings and tenants in the mean time are ground to powder; having not corn enough left for the Mill, to stop the mouthes and refresh the bowels of their crying children: besides the discouragement of those disheartned Soulders, that have hazarded, nay lost, their own lives to save yours. Gentlemen, I pray give us leave to tell you in love, and tender affection (for we regard not Athesticall spurnings.) This hath made a loud cry heaven-ward, and this together with that Epidemicall vice called Excesse, and that Coroding disease called Malice, and that pleasing sin called Contempt and abuse of Gods Ministers, was the dissolution and rout of that part of your Army, and discomfiture of your men.
The theeves that stole away your Cattle, plundred your houses, betrayed the persons of some of you into the hands of those that hate them: and surely if you bottle not up many teares to extinguish and quench these flames of Gods wrath and just displeasure, it will consume further, till it hath consumed all, dissolved gates of iron and walls of brasse. Take therefore this course, use.this Method. A Jove Principium. Begin with God and then no doubt but he will go forth with your Army; nay, he will recruit and discipline the same, and make you again gloriously victorious over those degenerate English, and Egyptian Welsh, that now encompasse you, and are confederate with the bloody Irish against you: As for us we confidently hope (and we have an assured perswasion) that the enemie is neer (or at least not far off) his fall, for that he is now exalted so high in pride and presumption. Turn over a new leaf then, and get but the Master head of your corrupt Affections, in any good measure, and it will not be long ere you be again Masters of the field, and prevalent in your undertakings.
London, May 24. 1645.
To Mr. JOHN POYER the most Vigilant Mayor of the Tovvne of Pembroke.
LEt it not trouble your minde to conjecture who it is that thus put you in the Presse, it may suffice that there is a hand in this publication that hath but little cause to be partiall in this sense, or to signe any thing in your praise, did not worth and your faithfull service to the State call for and command it. Private spirits are odious in publick times. Sir, Goe on in your wonted constancy, and the Lord prosper you; only take this friendly word of counsell, Love them that love GOD, and cleave close to him your selfe; get first acquaintance with him, and renew it by hearing the Word and Prayer, and walk on with him by a daily exercise of piety; this doe, I say, and prosper. There will never want a party to assist you. If all should faile, God hath an Army of Flyes and Lice to destroy his Enemies like the Egyptians. As for us we shall not be wanting to put up the most effectuall prayers we are able for you all; That such as are unsetled may be established, that such as are hollow may have that vacuity filled up with substance and realities, that such as are descreet in their moderate and cold expressions in these times, may be made either hot or cold, or spued out: That such as would now be savers may be loosers, and such as will be loosers may be savers; That such as are distressed may be comforted, and straitned Garrisons enlarged, if they deserve it. These are our votes.