THe continuall assistance and bro­therly affection of the Scots to this Kingdome, in hindring and opposing the practices of the malighant party (which do daily endeavour and strive by al means possible to retard and hinder the expected pro­ceedings of Parliament hath very much en­couraged the desires of those who wish well to the happy and much desired union of the King and Parliament. And as a demonstration of [Page 2]this their primary and first fidelity to the Par­liament, they have given of late a new and large testimony and expression of their true and reall love and affection to this Kingdome. For upon Saturday last in the morning, there came many Scottish Commanders of very good sufficien­cy and ability, and offered their service, with all the performance that lay in their power to serve the King and Parliament in this present expedition, professing moreover to the House, that they would endeavour themselves with the hazard and expence of their lives and fortunes, for a happy reconciliation between the King and Parliament to bring the Delinquents (who have beene the maine causers of these terrible and dangerous distractions in this our King­dome) to an examination and triall for their offences, to settle and reform the abuses which have for many yeeres troubled the Church, and so by a most unhappy consequence troubled this whole Kingdome, bred many and dange­rous distractions in the Commonwealth. This service so free and voluntary being profered to the House, it was accepted with much gratula­tion, and a publike acceptation of their kinde affection.

Vpon Saturday the 20. of this moneth the Earle of Stamford with his Forces, consisting of five hundred Foot and a Troupe of Horse marched out of London towards S. Albans, to [Page 3]go into Leicester Shire to meet with M. Ha­stings sonne to the Earle of Huntingdon, by whom he had formerly received many strange and insolent oppositions, who with his adhe­rents and confederates, hath made many assaults against the said Earles house, that they might from thence take and carry away the Magazine of that County, which was treasured up in his house. The Parliament also understanding and considering what opposition the said Earle had found by the said M. Hastings, for his better proceedings, and more able assistance, they or­dered that the said Earle should be furnished for his present purpose with foure peeces of Ordnance, and two wagons for his carriage.

Vpon the 22. of August two Jesuites were discovered in Covent Garden, the one was im­mediately apprehended, the other got into a a vault, and hid himself for a while, but at last was found by a company of boys and drag'd to the Parliament House, the boyes bearing of a drum before him saying, he was lost, and is found.

The County of Chester hath been very tumul­tuous of late, and many disturbances have been in that Countrey, insomuch as the House be­ing informed thereof, sent down Messengers to bring up to the House those who were the a­gents and causers of those disturbances: the same day the Messengers returned again to the Parliament House, informing them that they, [Page 4]who were delinquents, and for whom warrants were sent downe, refused to obey the aforena­med Warrants, pretending that they were protected by those who had the ordering of the Commission of Array from His Maiesty from that County, which doth very much disture and vexe that Countrey.

And that they may the better bring to passe and effect their intended plots and designes, many of the Justices of Peace for that County were made of persons as did side and joyn with the malignant party, and that whereas that County sends sends but five Burgesses to the Parliament House, three of them are flow im­ployed by His Maiesty for the putting in exe­cution the Commission of Array.

Much distraction there is in those parts, by reason of those that strive to oppose the Ordi­nance of the Militia by endeavouring to set up the Commission of Array.

But especially remarkable is the endeavour of Sir William Brewerton, who doth very good service for the King and Parliament in those part, by resisting them who doe endeavour to put the Commission of Array in execution. For the greater encouragement of them who stand for the peace of the Kingdome against the opposite party in that County, they have the aid and assistance of the inhabitants of the city of Chester, who are very faithfull and [Page 5]trusty in their fidelity and good affection to the Parliament, by which meanes a great part of the Countrey is drawne away from their waver­ing disposition wherein at first they stood tot­tering. And although many dangerous at­tempts have been made against the city of Che­ster, and many plots, endeavours and contri­vances have endangered those parts, as yet their designes take none effect, but by some good and faithfull members or other their intentions have been defeated.

It is not unknowne to all men what plots and conspiracies have been attempted by the Cavaliers for the surprizing of Hull, and all to no purpose; for after so many moneths siege they are forced to leave their trenches, to for­sake the is fortifications, and betake themselves to flight: For Sir Iohn Hotham hath so cleared the coasts about him by sea and land, that the Cavaliers dare not so much as adventure to come neer the towne. As for the chiefest of the Gentry of Yorkshire, they have declared their resolution to assist the Parliament against all that shall oppose them, and for that end have profered to adventure their owne estates and persons to both Houses of Parliament for the maintenance of the Protestant Religion, the Priviledge of Parliament, and the Liberty of the Subiect: and that they may be the better enabled to defend and maintain the said Cause, [Page 6]they have desired the Parliament that a con­siderable number of Horse and Foot might be sent to that County, and that power and autho­rity might bee given to such Gentlemen, whose names they presented to the House, be­ing men of trust, to raise Forces and command them, for the defence and safety of that Coun­trey. The King is expected to be at Nottin­gham this present munday, and from thence he intends with all possible speed to go to Warwick Shire, where the Lord Brook, Colonell Hamp­den, Colonell Hollis, and Colonell Goodwyn are marching toward Warwick with about six hun­dred Horse and Foot, where they intend to meet with the Cavaliers, and were to lie at Ban­bury on Saturday night last.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament declare, That all such persons as shall, upon any pretence whatsoever, assist His Maiesty in this Warre, with Horse, Arms, Plate or Money, are Traytors to His Maiesty, the Parliament and Kingdome, and shall be brought to con­digne punishment for so high an offence.