THE TRVE COPIE OF A LETTER Importing divers passages of high and dangerous consequence.
VVritten by one Master Tempest a grand Recusant, to his brother Master John Tempest, likewise a Papist and an Officer in the Kings Army.
Which Letter was intercepted at Manchester, and sent to a Member of the House of Commons to be made known to the House, and was accordingly read at the Committee for the safety of the Kingdome.
WITH DIVERS REMARKABLE passages from Shrewsbury and Coventry concerning the King, with the proceedings of his Army at this present.
London, Printed for H. Tompson, 1642.
THE COPIE OF A LETTER OF Dangerous Consequence: Written by one Master Tempest a great Recusant, to his brother an officer in the Kings Army.
I Can hear no particulars of your being (by my brother Thomas Medcafes relations) here in these parts, whom though I have not yet seene, this night (being to lodge here with us) to interrogate him more fully, onely he reports you are all well, but was not in Prince [Page 3] Rupert his last exploit. I was last week but one neer Chester, in hopes to have found you with His Majesty, but wholly lost that labour, but for some simple doings, I saw in my returne at the siege of Manchester, a weak Towne, a strong Siege of 7▪ of 8000. Foot, and 6. or 700. Horse, with Canon enough to no purpose, and the poorest come off that ever was heard of. Our great affairs at York, not greatly better, young Hotham, and Sir Edward Rodes plundering up and downe without correction. Our Arch-Bishop, Sir Dovoyne, Sir Andrew Young, Sir Ralph Hansbye, and others more sufferers I doubt by this, and with the nill doing of our greatest, the base hearts of York-shire lost to the King, but such heroicke ones, as can take no new impression. All ours are well, and desire extreamly to heare of you in more and particular relations then yet we have, which for Gods sake choose some oportunities to doe, and incite others wee would heare of to doe the like, especially Robin Grimshawe, and Stephen, to whom commend me, as I daily beseech heavens best aid to defend and preserve you body and soule.
Our Priests at Lancaster are all at liberty; Catholique Commanders admitted, and all well enough that way, God Almighty (as I hope hee will the better) prosper the designe.
The brave Generall Revyne late out of Sweden now come to the King through us will make a brave conjunction with the bravest Prince Rupert, [Page 2] to advance his Majesties just designes, and thus I fill up roome with no newes to move you fill the lines with some. Write wherein I may help you and feare no failing; My brother Tempest is for London this Tearme, if the great designes may leade you thither, make best use of the time, to serve the aftertime, and when good bootie befals you, deposite wisely, or direct us how to befriend you. God almighty preserve you however.
REMARKABLE PASSAGES FROM SHREWSBƲRY: Concerning the proceedings of his Majesties Army at this present.
MY Respect unto you. I give you many thanks for your good Remembrance of mee; I could not write to you an Answer by the same Carryer, because they did come of the latest unto mee, and I was mightily employed about the Kings businesse, I being an officer of the Mayors. The King did goe from hence on wednesday last to Bridg-north, and some of his foot souldyers did march yesterday to Sturbridge in Worcester shire. The King [Page 5] is about 16000 strong of foot, besides Horse, and every day more and more come to him, by reason (as wee are informed about us) the Parliaments forces doe so plunder as they goe. And the King hath Commanded that noe plundring shall be at all, for he did cause Sir Robert Heath, who is now made Lord Chiefe Justice of England, to sit with a Commission of Oyer and Terminer in our Town where six of the Kings souldiers were cast, for plundering and stealing.
The Mint is come to our Towne, and one Master Bushell doth coyne every day, for abundance of plate is sent in to the King from severall Counties about us, and a great deale of Plate comes daily out of Wales and Cornwall to be coyned here. Also the Presse for Printing is come to this Towne, and this day they are setting of it up in some vacant roomes in my house.
Sir Richard Newport is made a Lord, he hath given the King 10000. pounds. The King would have Knighted the Mayor of our Towne, but he refused it.
The last Sunday the King took a Protestation and the Sacrament upon it in S. Maries Church in our Towne, to defend the true Protestant Religion, established by Queene Elizabeth, and his Royall Father.
We heare His Majesty on Tuesday last with his Armie were at Brumigham: Prince Robert demanding 2000. pound, or he would plunder the [Page 6] towne; but most of the Inhabitants were (before) fled to Coventry. Upon Thursday he marched to Meriden, three miles off Coventry, and intends (as we are informed by divers reports) to march towards Banbury, and so to Oxford, for his resolution it is thought is to march to London, or to Windsor, or thereabouts. God of his mercy turn all to the good and peace of this Kingdome, and deliver us from the misery of Civil War. Thus with my love to all our friends, I rest,