THE present accident suting with this opportunity, invites me to communi­cate our intelligence (by a few lines) to you, concerning Sir Phillip Stapleton, Sir William Waller, Sir Will. Lewis, and Sir John Clotworthy; with their retinue, who (since their leaving [Page 2] London) have been much crost in their De­signes.

I am informed that their designe was to passe into France and to St. Jermins to the Queenes Court, and Prince Charles, carried on upon their old Principles, to advance the old designe, by a new way, thus.

These Oracles (in their eloquency) to la­bour by set speeches (upon advice amongst themselves) to addresse themselves first to the Queene of Great Brittaine, to worke a good opinion in Her Majesty of them, and their intentions, and on what they have done, and (in like manner) to visit the Prince his Highnesse.

Then if possibly they could prevaile, to make the Queene, and the Prince, Instru­ments to the State of France to carry on their intended designe; And by Her Maiesty to be entertained as Agents in Her behalfe to carry on this worke by a Treaty with the State of France, And by solicitations with the King, and the Queene Regent, His Ma­iesties Mother.

These Gentlmen, had hired a Ship, and were passing over, but about three Leagues [Page 3] from Callis, they were taken by Captaine Peirson, and Captaine Lamming, and were carryed before Captaine Batten, Viz-Admi­rall of the English Navy at Sea

Captaine Batten, being acquainted with the taking of these Gentlemen, and they be­ing brought to them, he went aside with them, and afterwards examined by what Au­thority they stayed them, They answered that they were impeached by the Army of high misdemeanors, since which they would have raised a new Warre against them, and were now running away, because they, and their power are subdued: And that they were stayed that Justice might be done upon them.

Captain Batten said they had the Speakers passe, and they could not stay them, because of that: They replyed that Mr. Nichols one of the eleven was stayed by the Army, and that the Army doe require that they be all stayed, and secured, where ever they are found

But Captain Batten told them that they had done that which they could not answer and that they should be questioned for it, [Page 4] and charged them to be gone, giving them a dismission,

Some search was made by command from Captain Batten what was in their Chests Truncks, and Boxes, where were found monies Clothes, Jewels, Papers, Books, and other ne­cessaries, but nothing medled with. Cap­taine Batten had them aboard his ship, and to Dinner with him, Mr. Keme (Chaplaine to the Viz-admirall said Grace.)

But Sir Phillip Stapleton was sicke, which did againe much trouble them, yet they all desired, Sir Phillip Stapleton although so ill, to passe over to Callis with all speed.

And accordingly a Vessell was dismissed with them, and a passe form Captaine Bat­ten the Viz-Admirall, in which they were transported over.

Sir Phillip Stapleton, Sir William Waller, Sir William Lewis, Sir John Clotworthy, and some ten Gentlemen, whereof some are of the City of London, were landed safe at Callice in France: But Sir Phillip Stapleton continued very sick and vomited often, and grew worse and worse, insomuch that they were much cast downe about him, for afterwards he [Page 5] was come into Callice he was much worse then he was before.

And the sicknesse being something hot in Callice they feared much least it might not turne to the Plague, Doctors wete sent for, and all possible meanes that could be had to helpe him.

But Sir Phillip Stapleton is since dead there, and it is given out to be of the sickenesse, so that the rest of his Company are much de­jected about it.

And hereby their Designes are totally thwarted, so that, by reason of his dying of the sicknesse, they cannot be admitted nei­ther to come to the Court of France, nor to the Queene of England, or Prince Charles

Surely the Hand of God is mighty in these things, had we but eyes to see it, and hearts to beleive the power of God in it.

And Sir William Waller, Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthy and the rest (seeing their intentions thus prevented) are gone to Flush­en, where it is beleived that they will put in for some Command if they can have im­ployment sutable to their desires, as now [Page 6] being utterly out of hopes to carry on their former Designes any further.

I am glad to heare of the good accord betweene the Parliament, the Army, and the City, God grant a settled and sure Peace.

So prayes.