Ane INFORMATION of the publick Proceedings of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND, and their ARMIES.
In pursuance of This most necessar and pious Engadgement for RELIGION, KING, and KINGDOMS.
IT hath been in all ages the constant endeavour of the Enemies of Religion and Government, to maligne and mis-represent the proceedings of those entrusted with the managing of publick affairs: Neither ever was this seditious way pursued with more cunning [Page 2]and care, then at this time, by a number of dis-affected and dis-contented persons, who finding themselves disappointed of their own by-ends, Do labour so far as in them lyeth, to defame and traduce the publick Proceedings of this Kingdom for the good of Religion, the rescue and re-establishment of the King, and the peace and happines of these Kingdomes; and to poison (if it were possible) the loyaltie and affections of his Majesties good Subjects. Wherefore it is thought fit, That for the un-deceiving of such as are apt to be mis-led with reports, and for satisfaction to the Kingdom, There shall go forth weekly, or once every fourtnight at furthest, a true accompt of the Publick Proceedings of this Kingdom and their Armies.
The Estates of Parliament finding, that Religion, the Kings Person and Authoritie, and the safetie of the Kingdome, were in danger to be over-thrown by the Sectaries in England, and their favourers and adherents in both Kingdomes: And that the just desires of this Kingdom in behalf of all these, were slighted and neglected; Gave orders for a Levie, and emitted their Declarations, containing the grounds and reasons thereof, whilks being dispersed through the Countrey, were generally embraced with a great deal of cheerfulnesse and affection, and in a very short time a considerable Army was put on foot, without the least appearance of opposition: Except that some ignorant and seduced people in the West were drawn together at Mauchleen moore, to the number of 2000. and above: But were that same very day scattered and supprest by six small Troups, commanded by Liutenant Generall Middleton. And then the resolutions of the Parliament contained in their Declarations, being truly represaented to them, they were so far convinced of the necessity and lawfulnesse thereof; Of the wickednesse and disloyaltie [Page 3]loyaltie of their own wayes, and of the Gallantrie and Mercie of these Noble Officers that came against them, That they conceived themselves obliged, to give publick testimonie thereof. And therefore many of the Officers, Souldiours and others, did willingly offer an acknowledgment under their hands, which was sent in to the Committee of Estates, and for satisfaction of the Countrey, is here exactly set down.
WEE under-subscrivers, Do with all submission and ingenuitie, acknowledge that by the instigation and persuasion of some, wee were unhappily brought to a violent opposition of the orders of this present Parliament: Which opposition wee acknowledge to be a most horrid Rebellion, deserving the execution of the strictest justice. Therefore in the presence of Almightie GOD, Wee do solemnly Swear, That faithfully and efauldly to the utmost of our power wee shall joyn and concurre in the maintenance of the freedome and lawfulnesse of this present Parliament, and in the advancement and assistance of the execution, obedience, and observation of the Acts and Constitutions thereof, as the most fit and necessary remedies of the by-gone and present evils and distractions of this Kirk and Kingdom, and for the preservation of Religion, as it is now established, and of the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom, and of his Majesties authoritie.
Witnes our subscriptions at Air, 19. June 1648.
After this, some tryall being taken of the occasion of this unlawfull meeting, it was certainly informed, that diverse Ministers did not only draw them together, but by their exhortations and prayers forced them to stay and fight: And for their encouragement, some of the Ministers clad themselves in gray, and led on a Troup of Horse, but were thereafter [Page 4]taken in the field, with their swords in their hands. Whereupon summonds were direct against them, to appear and answer before the Committee of Estates, under pain of Treason: But three of them being conscious of their own guiltinesse, though twise summoned and called (a favour not ordinar in the like cases) have refused to compeir and answer. A notable example of the obedience due by Ministers to the Civill Magistrat. Is not this the great designe now in hand? Ex ungue leonem.
By this time that the Insurrection in the West wes supprest, The Army of Sectaries, under the command of Colonell Lambert, was (upon correspondence and call of some who had the speciall hand in the meeting at Machleene Moor) upon the Borders of this Kingdom: Berwick and Carlile were like to be surprised by them: And Invitations were sent to Us from many of England in Covenant with US, desiring Our assistance. Whereupon Our Army the 8. of July, did by publick warrand, enter into the Kingdom of England, and the next day the Infantrie marched through the City of Carlile, the Keyes whereof were delivered to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, Lord Generall of the Army, who marched that night toward Thirsby, about three miles from Rosse Castle, which Lambert the night before had burnt, and then retired to Pirreth. The English in these places did welcome the Scots Army, as the Instruments of their deliverie from the greatest misery that ever people groaned under.
The Army lay at Thirsby and Croston hal for some few dayes: During which time the Declaration of the Committee of Estates, to their Brethren in England was resolved on, and a Messenger sent from both Committees with Copies of it, and Letters to the Kings Majesty, and to the Parliament of England. The Declaration is already printed: Therefore the Copy of the Letters shall be here set down.
Your Majesties Subjects of Your Kingdom of Scotland, upon the late return of their Army from England, were confident that a specdie and effectiall course would then have been taken for setling and securing of Religion, according to the Covenant, For establishing Your Majesty in Your just Rights, For disbanding of all Armies, and setling a religious and solid Peace: But so powerfully have the Sectaries in England, and their adherents opposed the endeavours of the Honourable Houses of Parliament for a happy composure of differences, as Wee finde Religion, Your Majesties sacred Person and Government, and the peace of Your Kingdomes in greater danger than ever. And though Wee have laboured in an amicable way by Treaties and Messages, to obtain satisfaction to our necessary desires, yet they have proved so in-effectuall, as this Kingdom can no longer (as unconcerned spectators) be witnes to the ruine and losse of what (by the oath of God which lyeth upon them) they are bound to endeavour to preserve. And therefore they are again in Armes in England, To prosecate their duties to God, Your Majesty, and their oppressed Brethren, upon the grounds contained in their Declaration, which Wee have presumed herewith to send to Your Majesty. And although wee forbear to presse any thing from Your Majesty, being in the said condition, and under the base restraint You are now into, yet Wee are confident when it shall please God to remove that judgement from Us, and to restore You to a condition, To Treat with Honour, Freedom and Safetie with Your Parliaments (for the obtaining whereof, Wee are resolved to hazard our lives and fortunes) that he will encline Your heart, to satisfie their just desires, That the cruell noise of War may no longer be heard in the Land, The Kingdom of Christ may be advanced, Your Majesties Throne and [Page 6]Government, perpetuated in your Sacred Person, and Royall Posterity: And righteousnesse and peace may be established in Your Majesties Dominions, which is and shall be the prayers and endeavours of,
The Committees Letter to the Parliament of ENGLAND.
AS the Parliament of this Kingdom, their Committees and Armies did cheerfully engage in this cause with your Lordships, even in your lowest condition, and faithfully performed their parts in the Solemn League and Covenant; So (notwithstanding the great and imminent dangers to Religion, the Kings Majestie, and the peace and happinesse of these Kingdoms from the prevailing party of Sectaries and their adherents in your Councels and Armies) they have been very tender of doing any thing that might give the least occasion of mistake betwixt the Nations. And altho the many injuries that this Kingdom and these employed by them hath received from that prevailing party; The violation of Covenant and Treaties, and all other eugagements; The base usage and imprisonment of our King might have made a more brisk way of proceeding against them, warrantable and justisiable before God and man: Yet the Parliament did assay if it were possible in an amicable way to remove differences, and to provide for the security of Religion, the King, and Kingdoms. [Page 7]And therefore as by their Commissioners they had long endeavoured (tho without successe) by Treaty, To give and receive satisfaction: So by their demands of the 26. of April, They again moved for satisfaction in that fair and brotherly way, as might most evident their reall inclinations to peace. But we are sorry to finde the Councells and power of Sectaries still so prevalent, That not so much as an answer is returned to the necessary and just desires of the Parliament, except a generall remit to a further satisfaction from your Commissioners here: Which we have with great patience expected, but not yet received: Therefore we are necessitate to return our Army again into England, for the good of Religion, and His Majesties Rescue, in pursuance of the Solemn League and Covenant, wherein both Kingdoms are equally engaged, and their joynt Declaration of the 6. of January 1644. Being also invited thereunto by many of that Kingdom joyned in Covenant with Us. And for clearing the grounds and ends of this undertaking, Wee have emitted the enclosed Declaration, which we hope will satisfie the Honourable Houses of Parliament, and all our Brethren of England, with whom it is our Resolution, and shall be our constant study to continue a firme union and brotherly correspondence. We shall not repeat what is there declared, but desire your Lordships speedily to take into consideration Our demands therein contained (which we are confident, you will finde agreeable to our former principles) That upon the granting and performing of them a lasting and well grounded Peace may be setled, and Our Forces recalled, which is the most earnest desire of this Kingdom and their Armies and Committees.
POSTSCRIPT,We have sent the Bearer Master George Halybrunton to His Majestie, that from himself, Wee may hear his condition; who with our Letter is to deliver to him a duplicate of our Declaration.
The Army at this time sent a most grave and pious Supplication to the Generall Assembly for Ministers to be sent up to them: And the Committee of Estates seconded that Supplication with most earnest and renewed desires, That Generall Assembly would apply themselves for removing the differences betwixt the State and Church, And with an offer and full assurance of granting all the security to Religion that in reason could be demanded from the Committees or from the Army; But this was not pleasing to the Assembly, who after the exchange of some Papers betwixt the Committee and them did proceed to their declaration of the last of July, Which with the Committees Observations thereupon (the full Answer not being as yet in readiness) is left, to the consideration of every Judicious and unprejudiced Reader.
Upon the 17. day the Army followed on to Aplebee; Lamberts out guards consisting of 400. of Cromwell and Colonell Harrisoas Regiments and their best Horse, getting notice of our approach, retired towards the Town; But were quickly pursued by the Lord Generals own Troop, and Lieut. Generall Middletons Troop, who put them to disorder, killed divers, and took some prisoners, and chased the rest in so great haste to the Bridge, that some of them run over it: Their Barricadoes and hedges about the bridge was lined with Musketiers, who played hotly on our Cavalrie, but they stood gallantly to it, and with their very Pistolls, charged in upon them, and there also killed sundry and took some prisoners, whereof Capt. Cromwells Lieutenant was one, and Colonell Harrison and divers other Officers were ill hurt: Yet this small advantage was like to have been purchased at too dear a rate, tho it had been with the overthrow of all Lamberts forces: For the Right Honourable the [Page 9]Earl of Callander was shot in the left side, the Bullet pierced his clothes and rufled his skin, But praised by God to no hazard.
About night our commanded party of Musketiers come up, all wet and dragled by a long march in foul weather, and through deep waters; But how soon they come within sight of the Enemy, They were so born up, with the sense of the justnesse of the Cause they maintained, that with fresh vigour and alacrity, they went to it, and beat the enemy from their hedges to the Bridge, whilk was guarded with Fairfax own Regiment. About midnight Lambert drew off all his Forces towards Lancashire, Garrisoned the Castle of Apleby (which as also Cockermouth are both since rendred to the Lord Dukes Grace) and burnt the houses about it: Our Army was so wearied with foul weather, and long marches, that it was resolved they should refresh themselves at Apleby for a few dayes.
Vpon the 19. of July, A part of our Army entred the Town of Berwick which is now Garisond with one thousand Foot, who have 500. Horse, and a 100. Dragouners to attend them: The Command and Government of that 'Town and Garison is entrusted to the Lord Duke of Hamilton and his Deputies, And that of Carlile to the Earle of Callander and his Deputies.
The Forces desired from Ireland, are now come over, to the number of 1200. Horse, and 2500. Foot chosen out of the best experienced Souldjers of that Army: They are now joyned with the Forces from this Kingdom.
The Committee of Estates finding it necessary for carrying on this great Work: That the Prince his Highnesse should be Invited, To come and Countenance the Endevours of this Kingdom for RELIGION, and His Royall [Page 10]Fathers Rescue and Reestablishment. Have employed the Earl of Lauderdail in Commission to that effect, And have sent a Letter to the Prince, which is here set down.
AMongst all the Calamities and Miseries, which this Nation hath these late yeers wrestled under: None doth more deeply wound and afflict Us (next to His Majesties your Royall Father His Sad Condition and restraint) then your Highnesse long absence from this Kingdom, whereunto (by Gods mercie, and a long descent from your many Royal Progenitours) your right and title is so just and unquestionable. And seeing the Forces of this Kingdom are now again in England, in pursuance of their duties to Religion, and for His Majesties rescue: Wee (the Committee of Estates of Parliament entrusted by them with the managing of the publick Affairs of this Kingdom, under His Majesties Government) Do presume humbly to beg, That your Highnes would be pleased to honour and countenance with your presence & assistance Our pious and loyall endeavours for Religion, and your Royall Fathers reestablishment on his Throne with all his just power, which Wee look upon as the most eminent and hopefull means of strengthning and Uniting Us in this great Work, being confident, that if it shall please God to honour Us with being instrumentall in His Majesties rescue, your Highnes will effectually apply your self to procure from him just sat is faction to the desires of the Parliaments, and these entrusted by them in both Kingdoms. And if your Highnes shall be pleased to grant this Our humble desire, and entrust your Person amongst Us, Wee do engadge the Publick Faith of this Kingdom, for your being in Honour, Freedom and Safety during your abode with Us in Scotland, or with Our Army and Forces now in England. And that your Highnesse shall have a full [Page 11]and entire libertie to remove from Us or them, when and whither your Highnes shall think fit.
These Our humble desires Wee have presumed to offer to your Highnes by the Right Honourable the Earl of Lauderdale (a Person of great Honour and Loyaltie, and who hath been very eminently Instrumentall and usefull in this present engagement) who is fully instructed and authorised by Us in every thing concerning this Service. To whom Wee beg your Highnes will be pleased to give trust to all shall be by him presented to you from.
That the Prince his Highnes may at his comming be attended with honour and respect, and that the Peace of the Kingdom may be secured from invasion or insurrection, A new Levie of Horse is agreed unto, and orders sent through the Kingdom for that effect. Upon the consideration whereof, and of the present condition of affairs; some of the most considerable Shires, have made offer to the Committee of Estates, not onely to be carefull in the exact putting out of their Levie, and performing all other publick duties; But also that they will presently put themselves in a Posture of Armes, and that they shal be ready upon twelve houres call, To come every man betwixt 60 and 16. To hazard their lyves and fortunes for promoving of this Cause, and suppressing of all opposition that shall appear within the Kingdom against the same.
The Committee have accepted this offer, as a reall testimonie of their Pietie to GOD, loyaltie to the Kings Majesty (in this his sad and low condition) and affection to the true liberties of their native Kingdome: Have returned to [Page 12]them thankes, with authoritie to act according to their of fer; and publick assurance, that when by the blessing of GOD the troubles of this Kingdom shall be put to an end, this their dutifull and gallant carriage will be thankfully acknowledged by his Majesty and Estates of Parliament.
In the beginning of this moneth, the Army marched to Kendall; and some of the Cavalry quartered at Kirkby and Langdall, and others into Yorkeshire. So they have intirely cleared two Counties of the enemie.
Upon their entrie into Lancashire, a considerable partie of the Gentrie met and wrote a Letter to the Lord Dukes Grace, wherein they acknowledge this Army to be under GOD the principall means to settle their Religion, to relieve their gracious Soveraign from Imprisonment, and to free them from the unsupportable burdens they have groaned under, and have promised most willingly to send in all necessar provisions to the Army, and to be every way else assisting for carrying on this great Work.
This Generall Assembly rose on Saturday last, who will no doubt make their proceedings known to the Kingdom, yet it will be no encroachment on their Liberties, tho it be made known here that they have suspended from the exercise of the Ministry, The most Reverend, Learned and Pious Fathers of this Church, Mr. Andro Ramsay, Doctor Barron and Mr. William Colvill; And have indulged the power of preaching to Johu Gillon who by his by gone 50. yeers studie hath attained to that proficiency of learning, that all Books and Languages are alike understood by him, except they be of his mother tongue.
Vpon Munday the 7. of this moneth, the Earl of Lauderdail arrived at the mouth of the River of Masse in Holland, But finding the Prince his Highnesse gone from thence with [Page 13]the Fleet to the Downes, he immediatly addrest himself thither; where-upon the Thursday following he arrived, And had from the Prince his Highness a very gracious reception both to the business he wes employed in, and to his own person. His Highness stay in the Downes (where he is as yet with 18. Ships of the Royall Navy) is chiefly in expectation of an answer to a Message he sent to the City of London, which being now at the Presse shall not be here repeated.
Onely this much we are advertised from London, That it hath had a very extraordinary influence upon very many in the City. And tho the House of Commons have ordered, that no answer shall be returned thereunto. Yet it is like they will fully comply with the desires of his Highnesse both from a sense they have of their duties to him, and of their ovvn prejudice from an absolute interruption of all their former traffique and commerce: for his Highnesse hath already seized on three rich Ships, estimate above 100000. pounds Stirling, But hath declared his readinesse both to restore them and to preserve the free Trade of the City in the future upon their contributing the ordinary allovvance appointed for maintaining the Royall Navy.
The House have sent the Earl of Midlesex, Sir John Hipsley, and Master Bulklie to his Majestie to the Ile of Wight, To shew him, that they have granted him a Personall Treaty there; with Honour Freedom and Safety: But how can his Majestie understand himself in Honour, Freedom and Safety, while he is confined in that Island, environed with their guards of Sectaries, and his faithfull Subjects and Servants debarred accesse to him.
Upon Tuesday the 1. of August, The House of Commons ordered that Major Rolph (who is accused by famous witness upon oath to have undertaine to poyson or kill the King) to [Page 14]be put to liberty upon Bail; A proceedor without example; for none accused of Treason, were ever till now capable of that favour.
Major Huntington who hithertils hath had the Command of Lieut. Generall Cromwells Regiment of horse hath laid down his Commission, and given in to the house very high accusations against the said Lieutenant General, and his son in Law Commissary General Ireton.
Colchester doth still holdout gallantly, and no great appearance that in haste it will be reduced.
Scarrisbrough Castle commanded by Colonel Boynton hath declared for the King.
The Castle of Tinmouth did the like upon the 9. of this moneth: But Colonell Lilburn who commanded there, not having sufficiently prepared his Souldiers, was (upon the first appearanee of Forces from Newcastle) deserted by them, And left almost alone to maintain these great works, which singly he did for a long time with great resolution and gallantry: And choose rather honourably to fall in that loyall action, then live longer under the Tyrannie and oppression of the Sectaries.
The Lord Byron is now up in Armes for the King in Northwales, and hath a considerable force together.
The House of Commons have Voted the sending of a Declaration to the Kirk of Scotland. But the House of Peers would neither joyn with them therein; nor in their Votes wherein they declared the Armies of this Kingdom Enemies.
We have this week been forced, to exceed the bounds of one sheet vvhich hereafter vve intend to limit our selves unto.
Edinb. 16. August 1648.
Give deliverances O Lord unto the King, And shew mercie to thine Anoynted, Even to KING CHARLES and his seed for ever.