I Received yours of the 15. instant, and have dispensed with my other occasions which at this time are very urgent; to fulfill your request, and give you a cer­taine relation of all the proceedings in these parts.

This last Weeke, the Earle of Argi [...]e and divers others [...]issenting Scots Lords, and Gentlemen, with the Gen: dissented to the raising of Forces against England, and Petitioned the Parliament that there might be no engagement with their Bretheren of Engl [...]nd, but that they would edeavour to compose all differences, that Unity and Peace might once againe triumph in both King­domes. Which petition was seconded by divers well af­fected persons in the County of Fiffe, who have likewise drawn up a petition to the very same effect.

The Clergy generally stick to their old principles, and labour to perswade the people to seek after peace, laying before them the miseries and inconveniences, that Warre [Page 2] brings to a State or Kingdom, and the rich blessings and be­nefits that attend on peace; whose doctrin hath so wrought in peoples hearts,, that divers have entred into an agree­ment to petition the Parliament, that they might not bee forced to fight against their consciences, nor further en­gage, unlesse it be on better termes, then as yet they con­ceive. Yet (notwithstanding these dissentions) there is a very considerable A [...]my raysing, (under the command of the E. of Kalender, which I conceive you have heard off formerly) under the pretence of pu [...]ting the king­dome into a posture of defence, and they list men dayl [...] in all p [...]ts; and within th [...]se 8. dayes there came above 100 English Souldiers to this City, who are already entred in­to pay, and joyned with the rest, who are in all some 2000. and most of them Cav [...]liers, and such as have formerly en­gaged against the parliament: Yet for all this, th [...]re is great hopes there will be an agreement betweene both King­domes, and these men disapointed of their purpose, for the L. Lee is appointed to go with a Message (to London, from the Parl. of Scotland) to the Parl, of England, and present se­verall propositions for a personall treaty; and to that end, they desire;

• 1. That his Majestie should be brought to London, or Holdenby, or some other of his Majesties Pallaces, which the Honses shall think most fit, where his Maj [...]stie may remaine in honor and safety.
• 2. That the Presbyterian government may be setled in full unifor­formity to that of Scotland, or according to Covenant.
• 3. The disbanding the A [...]my of Sectaries, as they call them.
• 4. That the Warre of Ireland may be effectually prosecuted.

Now before these propositions were agreed upon, there passed severall Votes on which Votes it is conceived, these propositions were propounded.

• 1. That the Parliament is not free.
• 2. That Bils were sent to his Majesty without their consent.
• 3. That the King is a Prisoner, contrary to promise.
• [Page 3] 4. And that Religion is not setled according to the Covenant.

But divers [...]ds, with the G [...]n [...] and many of the Officers of the Army are against these Vo [...]es, and Petitioned against their rai­si [...] of Forces in this kind.

Sir T [...]o [...] Glemham, and Sir Will: Fleming, expect dayly to be dis­pa [...]ched for France, and the Ships that came with them are prepa­r [...] for their voyage; the Marriners are very jocond and merry, and report that they hope they shall have a speedy passage over, and ere long to returne again, and to b [...]ing his Highnesse, Prince Charles with them. T [...] English Commission [...]rs delivered their Message A [...]ril 12 to the Parl. demanding Cap. Wogan, and some other de­linquents there, that endeavoured to see both Kingdomes on fire by another Warre, and they received this answer.

That for the delivery of Cap. VVogan, Glemham, and o­thers, They say it is not contracted in the Treaties and Pa­c [...]ficat [...]on; only to deliver such as shal endeavour to incense the King of the Scots against the kingdom of Engl. for that they conceive them not incendiaries betweene the King­doms, but rather between the King and Engl. And to [...]hat of the am [...]ty between the kingdom [...], they answer, that they doe on their parts desire it, and wil labour to continue it. Also, they do approve the m [...]tter of their Commissioners Declaration, & they conceive that the parliaments answer is not satisfactory, &c. The English Commissioners seemed not to be wel pleased with this answer, but daily solicite the parl. that they would be pleased to consider further of it, that they might receive a more plausible answer to their demand.

In the Marquesse of Argiles Country there is likewise great Forces raised under the command of one Mac. Do­nald, comonly called Kolkir [...]oth, a kinsman of the former and hath gathered unto him a great number of discontent­ed persons, and malignants, which is a very great obstructi­on to the Design here on foot, and doth much re [...]ard our proceedings.

[Page 4] The Clergy stand firmly to their Protestation, and ut­terly detest against sending of an Army into England, or engaging themselves in a new war with their covenanted brethren, and do f [...]eely acquit themselves of the innocent blood, which by that meanes may be split, and desire of God that i [...] may light upon the heads, and be laid to the charge, and requires only at the hands of those, that seeke to promote the differences, and make the breach betwixt the two Kingdoms wider, which is already too to large.

The former propositions are delivered to the Lord Lee, and the Parliament have given him his Instructions, and limited the time of his stay in England, which must not be very long, he having not many dayes allowed him for his journey.

Captain Wogan (so far forth as I can learn) is not in this City, but it is commonly reported, is gone towards the Borders of England. There are divers horse and foote quartered betwixt this City and Barwick, who are provi­ded for their March, if occasion serve, at an houres war­ning. It is here confidently reported, that Sir William Flemming, and Sir Thomas Glemham, do earnestly solicit the Parliament, that they would be pleased to permit his Highnesse Prince Charles to come into th [...]s Kingdom, and that th [...]y would be pleased to appoint the place where he shall reside and keepe his Court, and some there are, which are forward in swearing that the Parliament hath consen­ted to their desires, and appointed Ships for the better se­curity of his Highnesse Person: And not long since I heard an English Gentleman speak it, that we should ere long see more of the Royall Blood in the City, and that we should see Edenborough famous.

The English Cav [...]es here, are very busie in inst [...]g [...]ting and stirring the people, and setting their hearts against the [Page 5] Parliament of England, and are so confident that things will suite according to their desires, that they daily drink healths here to the confusion of the Parl. and their Independant Army.

The Scots still go on in their preparations, they have a Declarati­on ready to come for the the souldiers that come from England are still received, but maintained at private mens charge, which cannot hold long, the Ministers still couragiously oppose, but prevaile not, but do acquit themselves of the guilt of blood that shall be shedd much indeavour is used to gain them; the principall Synod in Fife and Sterlings, Petition for the Parl. hearkening to the Kirke, for good of Kirk and Common-wealth, are sl [...]ghted, & the other party carries on all with a strong hand Wogans Troope is become a double Troope; Munroes men in Ireland have offered themselves to serve the Parl. had thankes, and 14. dayes pay; The Paper set out by the Ministers in Glocestershire, in approbation of the Testimony of the London Ministers in relation to the Covenant is reprinted at Eden­burgh; its thought they will shortly adjourn to June, and in the in­terim prepare their Armies in the Counties: the Commissions of the Kirk put up a large Petition to the Parl. wherein they do most earnestly desire the Lords, not to preceede, so as to give any incou­ragement unto the Prelaticall, or Malignant party in England, nor be any griefe to the Presbyterian party, nor to restore the King un­till he hath resolved, and assured the settlement of Presbyterie, the taking of the Covenant, &c. they desire that such reparation be sought from the Parl. of England, as may be most probable in rea­son to attain the same in a peaceable way.

In answer to this Petion, the 24 Lords, and Committee for that purpose, give in, as the sence of the thre [...] Estates of Parliament. First, That the necessity and lawfulnesse of a War shall be cleared before any engagement, so as all well affected may be satisfied with the necessity, and ends thereof. Secondly, So that the union between the Kingdomes shall be kept firme without discouragement of the Presbyterian partie in England. Thirdly, That they will be so far from associating with the Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant partie that if they shall be rising in armes to obstruct the ends of the Co­venant, that they will indeavour the subpression of them, as ene­mies to the Covenant, as wel as Sectaries. 4. That in regard his Maj. late concessions concerning religion are not satisfactorie, the chief end of the undertakings of this nation having been for Religion, & as we shall endeavour the rescuing of his Majestie out of their [Page] hands, who carried him from Holdenby against his will, and the resolution of both Kingdomes & do still detaine him cl [...]se prisoner, that he may with honor and safety be where both Kingdomes may make application to him for setling Religion, and a well grounded peace. So we resolve not to put in his Majesties hands, or any other, such power whereby the ends of the Covenant may be ob­structed; but before any Engagement his Majestie to give assu­rance under hand & seale, that he shall for himself and successors a­gree to such Acts and Bils as shall be presented by both, or either Kingdome respectively, for injoyning the Covenant, Presbyteri­an Government, Directory worship; &c. in all his Majesties Do­minions, and that his majestie shall never oppose or endeavour the change thereof. 5. That none shall be imployed in Arms or Com­mittees, but such as are of knowne integrity and without any just Excepsion. Lastly, that an Oath shall be framed, wherein the Church shall have its Interest, as in the like case hath been. This being pro­mised, they conceive it sit the Kingdome be put in the posture of defenceas it was in 1643 and that a discret man be sent with Pro­positions to the Parliament of England, with a limited time for his returne, and their answer. The Propositions that are to be brought, are with confidence said to be these. 1. That his Majestie come to one of His Houses, there to be in honour and safetie. 2. That the present army in England be disbanded, unlesse those who will take the Covenant. 3 That Presbyterie be setled And lastly That the Co­venant be taken by all upon a penalty. In a moneths time they ex­pect to have their army ready; the large Declaration to be sent, will be ready within two dayes. Sir, thus have I for the present, given you a true account of all our proceedings in these parts, which I am bound to performe, being

SInce my last to you, here hath bappened a great accident, and many per­sons lost their lives, occasioned by the Malignant party; for the Mayor be­ing sent for to attend the Parliament for somewhat done: the disaffected to Parliament opposed his coming up the affected indeavoured to further it, this grew into a quarrel, which put the disaffected upon repair to the County Maga­zine, being within the City to arm [...] themselves; th [...]y so handled the matter, that the Magazine blew up, vvhich besides the house in vvhich it vvas, divers o­thers vvere spoiled, and much hurt done to Churches; one hundred persons vvere killed and mortally vvounded, the residue persisted, untill three Troope [...] of C [...]l. F [...]eet [...]oods horse came in, vvho quietted them.

There vvas this day Order given to the Citizens of London, to looke to their Arme [...], and be ready to be upon their Guard, vvhen they shall have notice.