HEre was a notable designe to have conveyed his Majesty away from hence, whither, God knows, some suppose it might be to the Navy, expecting it would engage all, or most part of the Seamen, (upon this intervaile of disorder) suddenly.

Others think that his Majesty should have gone from hence to Kent, to set up his Royall Standard in the head of those that are risen for him, and that ther­upon divers Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen should presently have come in, received Commissions, and engaged their Interests.

But what ever the intentions were, the defigne is (in this particular) prevented, and his Majesty is still safe in this Castle.

Two Souldiers of the Guard acquainted Collonell Hammond the Governour, that they and one of their fellow Souldiers (of the Guard also) had been treated with, and perswaded to make engagements to some [Page 2]that were to convey his Majesty away: and that all things were ready for the speedy execution thereof.

Coll: Hammond, (upon examination hereof) was ac­quainted that two of the Gentlemen appointed by the Parliament, and the Lord Generall; were complotters in this designe. Viz. Mr. Douset, formerly a page of the back-staires, and after Gentleman of the Ward­robe, and M. Osburne Clerk of the Kitchen, both of them formerly servants to two Peers of the Realme.

There was (also) a Barber (an Inhabitant here) and some Gentlemen of this Isle, that had joyned in the managing of this businesse, and they with some Sea­men, and the aforesaid three Souldiers (two of which discovered it to the Governor) were to doe the work.

There are divers of them apprehended, and sent to prison by the Governour, who waits for Instructions from the Parliament, and the Lord Generall, what to doe therein.

Upon further search into the businesse, Collonell Hammond hath found out all the designe how His Ma­jesty should have got away, which was thus.

The King was to have gone out at a backe window, where His Majesty and a guide were to take horse, and the Guards being prepared to let him passe (upon an item given, who should have been well paid) His Ma­jesty was to ride with His said guid to a private creeke where a boate and water-men were ready to carry him away.

And this was brought so neare to a conclusion, that His Majesty was in a withdrawing posture, and had spent some time in privacy (I suppose) writing.

And Iron bar of a back window, was eaten through with some mercury water, but not easily to be dis­cerned; [Page 3]yet could with pleasure be drawne aside, but it was a paire of staires high from the ground.

Under that Window there were tyed two Horses, ready bridled and saddled, and a Boat was in one of the creeks of the Island, and had it not bin discovered by the souldiers, I do not know what could have pre­vented His Majesties going away.

Carisbrooke Castle May 30. 1648.

I Have received your Letter, and give you thanks for your remembrance of me. The next day after my last writing, we were suddenly in great feares and dangers, by the rebellious risings about Pensaner, in the suppressing of which tumults, Mr. Seyntaubin shewed himself both discreetly and valiantly. I shall give you a perfect narrative of the businesse. This Tuesday night 16 of May, the Rebels began to gather between Pensaner and Gulbal, under the command of Major Grosse, Cap. Maddern, Cap. Pike, Cap. Trisi­lian, Cap. Colman, and Cap. Jones, they were at first about 200. Mr. Seyntaubin hearing of it, hasted to Market Jew, and with Mr. Ceely, and Mr. Sheerwood, had a parley with Grosse, and some others, they pre­tended that they were wronged, and threatned, by the Mount Souldiers, and took up armes to defend them­selves, but this was a meer pretence. Mr. Seyntaubin in the mean time had sent Eastward for the Forces, and put off the parley untill Saturday morning, and [Page 4]this Friday went unto St Ives, to quiet them who were suspected to have a hand in the confederacy. On Sa­turday Evening the Eastern forces came unto Helston, with the Sheriffe, and Col. Bennet; but I should have told you, that on Thursday Evening came 30 Soul­diers from the Devizes unto our Town, intending to march unto the Mount to secure it, but being so small a party, would not adventure further, I perswaded them to stay with us all that night to secure our Town, of whom I was much afraid, and not without cause, for our Cavalliers had two dayes before vapoured most terribly, and am confident had risen that night, if those 30 Souldiers had not stayed with us, for since I have searched out the businesse, and have found, by the confession of two, that John Pierce, who was Ser­geant unto Collins, had warned all the rogues to be ready at an houres call, and had listed 40. This Sa­turday night our Forces marcht out of Helston unto Breague, being about 400 horse, and but 120 Foot, under the command of Cap. Wilson, a brave stout man and so are all his Foot, the Horse were the Sheriffes Troop, Cap. Glyns Troop, Cap. Rawlins Troop, with others. The Sunday night they advanced Westward, and the Monday morning I went after them. The Re­bels were increased to the number of 300. and had fortifyed Pensaner Town. Munday about one of the clock our Forces fell upon the Town most resolutely, and after half an houres skirmish, stormed the Town and took it, we lost some five or six men, the Rebells lost many, Cap, Jones, Cap. Tristlian taken, the rest of the Commanders fled, and not yet discovered, ma­ny of the common Souldiers taken, the whole Town plundered, unlesse it were Gubbs and one or two more, [Page 5]the Souldiers had never such plunder since they were Souldiers, the Town is utterly undone, this misery they have brought upon themselves by setting up a May-Pole, which was the occasion of all this. As soon as this was ended, (and it was Gods great mercy that they were so soon routed) a Post came unto us that Mullion was up in armes, for Cap. Pike the Munday went from Pensaner by Boat, landed upon the Sand by the Looe, and went unto the South to raise them, and their plot was to come in the Reare of our Forces that Evening, I posted home, and caused bonefires and the Bells to be rung out for joy of our Victory, tidings came to our Town, that there were 120 in armes in Mullion Church yard, under the conduct of one Glo­ver and Slavill, our Town was in a pittifull fright, we procured a watch, and all that we durst trust were not above 20, & all the Muskets were but 15. The Mayor, my selfe, and the rest of our Magistrates, watched in person all night, our Mayor hath shewed himself ho­nest and diligent. Tuesday about mid-day, tidings came to us, that there was a great body of Rebels at Mangou Church Towne, for it appeares that they had marched from Mullion unto St. Keveme that night, and had gathered about 300 Foot and 40 Horse, and was come unto Mangou, our Town was struck in amaze­ment, for our Forces were not yet advanced from Pen­saner, we had sent Letters unto them the Monday night I bestirred my selfe, and got some 15 Horse, among whom was Mr. Burges and his Son, Alex. Penkillicke, and others, we marched toward Mangou, and at John Bassets house we had intelligence, that the Rebels force was at Church-Town. We retreated to the Downes, and at last we espied 3 of their Scouts bravely horsed, [Page 6]we suffered them to come on half a mile in the Downs then we pursued them, they fled into the Lanes, where we durst not follow them for fear of an ambuscado in the hedges, in the way to Week they had set 4 musket­teers. In our Retreat they followed us again, 6 of us resolved, if our Horses could do it, to recover them, we spurd on, the Rogues fled, we followed them into the Lane, but at last we stood, and then they stopt, we dis­covered one of them to be Calenso, we fired on them, and so Retreated unto the middle of the Downs, our purpose was to scout on the Downs, that they might not advance to our Towne, by this time about six of the clock, wee had notice that our Forces Horse and Foot, were come to Helston, they sent for us and we re­turned, they presently advanced, and charged on to Mangou Church-Town, where they killed this Calenso, and some others: The Rebels had made their stand at Trevilians Barne, on the top of the hill above Geare Bridge, our Horse and Foot fell on bravely, routed them with the hurt only of one man, pursued them all this last night unto St. Kevern, and all the South, have killed many, and taken many, and are yet in the chase. What the full issue of this is, as yet I cannot write you, the Post stayes, and I am weary with watching. God hath been very gracious to us in scattering our Enemies, this was a great plot, for the whole County to rise, and had we not falne on so soon on Pensaner, we had all been ruined. The Lord watch over us and preserve us, and unto him be all the glory.

Many of the Cavaliers that fl [...]d after they were routed, seeing themselves so close pursued, joyned hand in hand, and leaped into the water.

Helston this 29 of May, 1648.