ON Saturday last, the 22. of Jan. Instant, the English Commissioners, the Earle of Pembroke, the Earle of Denbigh, Lord Mountague, Sir John Holland, Sir Walter Earle, Sir Iames Harrington, Sir Iohn Cooke, Mr. Crew, and Major Generall Browne, came from Durham, hither to New­castle, with the Gentlemen appointed to wayte upon the King, Collonel Thomas Herbert, Mr. Maxvill, Mr. Austley, Mr. Iames Harrington, Sir Fouke Grivel, Mr. Anthony Mild­may, [Page 2]and Captaine Middleton, Doctor Wilson the Phisition, also, and divers Gentlemen more accompanying of them.

Some of the Scots Commissioners, with the Mayor, and the Governour, and other Gentlemen met them, His Excel­lency Generall Leven, was then with the King: His Majesty being then at Goffe, whither he never goes, nor any where else out of the Towne, but his Excellency waytes upon His Majesty, considering how strict a charge is layd upon him, by both Kingdomes. There was a fayre house in St. Johns parrish provided in the Commissioners quarters, where they are, a good distance from the Court, The Earle of Stamford, Mr. Ashurst, stay with Major Generall Skippon.

After that His Majesty came from Goffe, and the Gene­rall had liberty, his Excellency (with the Lord Lowdoune, Lord Belcarris, Lord Lothirn, Lord Traquire, Lord Garthland, and others of the Commissioners, and Ministers of Scotland, came that night to the Commissioners quarters to give them a visit, Sir Arthur Forster, Sir William Carr, Collonel Wel­den, Lieutenant Collonel Strangeny, Lieutenant Collonel Bal­bibueriwood, and Lieutenant Collonel Doglas, were then Hostages with Major Generall Skippon at Northallerton.

The Scots Commissioners being come to the English, there were very free and full expressions of love and affection, each to other, Mr. Stephen Marshall, and Mr. Caroll, Ministers to the English Commissioners did lovingly salute each other, and after some discourse, and many expressions of amity, it being Saturday night, they parted, the Scots promising to be with them againe on the Munday following; And I must not for­get to tell you, that the Mayor, and the Inhabitants express­ed as much affections to them as could be, and have been ex­ceeding ready and willing to accomodate them with any thing.

On the Lords day Jan. 34. Mr. Caryll, and Mr. Martiall preached before the English Commissioners very zealously, and divinely, Mr. Marshalls text was Matthew 11. and the 12. verse, The words are thus. And from the dayes of Iohn the Baptist till now, the Kingdome of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force; out of which he made a very [Page 3]seasonable Sermon, and Mr. Caryll was most excellent.

The King also heard 2. Sermons that day, one, by one of the Scots Ministers, and the other by an Englishman, but His Majesty had as much dislike of the one, as approbation of the other; yet both of them were excellent preparatives against His Majesties receiving the Message from the English Com­missioners.

Some of the Commissioners of each Kingdome visited each other that evening: but (in regard of the day) nothing was done in a publick way, save onely the workes of the day.

Yesterday Jan. 25. The Commissioners of both King­domes met, and had much debate, consulting of the great af­faires of the Kingdome, and particularly concerning the busi­nesse about which the English Commissioners came, (viz.) to receive the King, and to bring His Majesty to Holmsby House, in Northamptonshire; as also declaring what Instructi­ons they had received from the Parliament: so farr as was needfull to declare to the Scots Commissioners, and concer­ning them therein, and advised with them in relation to the doing therein accordingly. Some part of their debates were a­bout those appointed to go with the King to Holmsby House, and the English Commis: acquainted the Scots who they were that the Houses had chosen, and that they were then with them, onely Mr. Maul, was then in those parts, (and as they had heard) with His Maj. already. And the Scots Commis: ac­quainted them, that the Parliament of Scotland had chosen the Lord Loudon, and the Lord Garthland to go with His Maj. as Commis. from the Parliament of Scotland, to Holmsby. Some parts of which debates the Scots concurred immediately with the English, and some things were to be considered of; yet so that there is not the least obstruction, or disagreement in any thing between them. All things being carried on with a mu­tuall joynt advice, union, and affection; That day the King was acquainted from the English Commissioners, that they were come, desiring His Maj. Audience to what they had to declare to him from the Parliament; and His Majesty appoin­ted them to come on the morrow, and that they should have Audience, and the Commissioners prepared all things in rea­dinesse accordingly.

This day the Commissioners went to the King, and have deli­vered their Message according to their Instructions for receiving his Maj. and coming with him to Holdenby house; as also con­cerning other things related, to what is contained in the said in­structions.

To morrow, or Thursday next at the furthest (it is believed) his Maj. will giue his answer: In the mean time, the Commis­sioners of both Kingdoms meet dayly to carry on the Work u­nanimously, and proceed in all things in love, and brotherly affe­ction.

It is conceived, that his Maj. will be delivered to the English Commissioners on Thursday, Fryday, or Satturday at furthest, The Scots Souldiery march forwards a pase, all the wayes are levelled for them to Barwicke. There are Guns which they call the Hammiltons, are shipped, and much of their ammunition & goods, wives, children, &c. are gone. The souldiers passe away dayly, they are all to march out on Saturday: most of them goe very willingly; especially those who are considerable, though in­deed some of them are discontented, Gen. Leven carryes himself most excellently in the mannaging thereof.

The 100000. l. paid at Northallerton, is come safe to the Scot­tish Army, though with a small Convoy part of the way, yet afterwards there was strength sufficient: you would not thinke how the bonny Scots laugh & fling up their caps, at the sight of the monies; to receive which, they haue each of them a singular good will.

The Country (indeed) is deeply taxed by some, & very great Sesments are laid (which is no more then was expected.) But Gen. Leven hath published a Proclamation, upon the Commis­sioners complaint thereof, upon the receipt of some Papers from the Gentlemen of the Country, to command, that no advance-monies be taken, and hath written to our Commissioners (there at Newcastle) to assure them, that if any Officers or Souldiers of­fend them, that they shal be punished, the grievances redressed, & the Country haue satisfaction. And moreover, that none shall take any Cattell, or any thing from the Inhabitants, save what they pay for. Concerning which, his Excellency is most full in his Proclamation, and promise to the Commissioners, professing [Page 5]by all meanes to use all possible care for a faire & friendly part­ing; concerning which, the Commissioners have received great satisfaction.

The Scots Commissioners writ to the Parliament of Scotland at Edenburg, about the dispute they had with the King, concer­ning two Quaeres; concerning his Maj. freedome, and going into Scotland in safety, with their Answer. In consideration whereof, that Parl. have sent a Declaration, and some desires to the Parl. of England, which you haue fuller knowledge of at London, then we here. And in answer thereto, the Parl. of Scot­land have also sent a message to Newcastle; to let his Maj. know that he cannot go to Scotland, and that they haue condescended to the Votes of the Parl of England, for his Maj. going to Holm­by house, and therefore haue appointed the E. of Lowdon, & the L. Garthland to go with his Maj. as Commissioners from them, And for his Maj. freedome, that it is not so to be restrained by his Majesties going thither (though with a guard for the pre­sent) as that it shall be any diminution to his Maj. in his Kingly Government, if he will take the Covenant, and passe the Pro­positions of both Kingdoms for Peace, nor any prejudice to his Posterity.

Major Generall Skippons Head-quarters is at Northallerton, expecting the Scots surrendring of their Garrisons; with him are the Commissioners of the Army, the Treasurers, Tellers, Hostages, &c.

The English Horse & Foot are all quartered from thence, a­bout those parts, all on the South side of Tees, who carry them­selves so fair y towards the Country, that the Inhabitants doe highly applaud them.

And for the Scots, they make no great stop in their prepara­tions to be gone, & give very good satisfaction in all things, so far as yet we haue had to do with them. And it is the opinion both of the Commissioners of the Treasurers, & of the Army, that all things will be faire to the last; and that it will be as honest a parting now, as it was the last time they came into England.

The Scots are already surrendring the English Garrisons, as you may see by this following List; resting

• 1. The City and Garrison of Durham quit, Ian. 26.
• 2. The Garrison of Hartlepool, quit and left.
• 3. The Garrison of Stockton also quit, and the English Dra­gooners have taken possession thereof.