WHO commands in chiefe, in any kinde of A­ction, becomes the single subject of all great faylings; when in successe, Officers and Sol­diers, expect the benefit of it. This being my case in the surprisall of Hereford, the 18. of December 1645. is aggravated upon me (with such a kinde of Treachery and wilfull Negligence) that could the charge be made good against me, would render mee not only unfit for imployment, but for life. The importance of this Town, at that time, to the King, my Master, and what­soever depended on him, was not unknowne unto me; And when I have sayd this, I have saydenough, to shew the degree and odiousnesse of such a villany. Yet Passing by (that which is obvious) the blemishing of that honourable Profession of a Soldier (whose proper Acts ate the defence of Iustice) and the stayning of the Family whereof I am descended; I will adde this, that to betray those persons, and that Towne unto plunder and slaughter, in whose defence my duty and love did resolve me rather to die, had beene an act unchristian and most barba­rous. Yet under the oppression of this restlesse charge, I have layne languishing a Prisoner at Worcester, seven months. My importunity for a triall at a Court of VVarre, hath beene with; out ceasing. Twice or thrice it pleased his Maiesty to write tha [...] [Page 2] I should be transported to Oxford. But malice hath beene no lesse busie to keepe me both from that, and all trialls, then it was to asperse me at first. Oxford being rendred to the Parliament, and Worcester likely to follow, I laboured the Governour of this latter place, to graunt me a publike hearing there; which yet I failed to obtaine, with effect, through the absence of the said Governour from the Court of VVarre; though the time and place, and summoning of all witnesses were fixed upon severall publique posts by his appointment. Soone after, Worcester being in the same condition with Oxford, and my marching away in­cluded with the rest, and my liberty a consequent thereof, I see not now any other meanes left to vindicate my selfe from re­proach with the world (since I know not when I may be so happy as to come to a judiciall triall) then, according to the ap­proved example of persons in like cases, to publish a true relation of the whole businesse: and therefore I shall endeavour without partiality to represent the motions, and naked state, of the whole, as it was carried, poynt by poynt, from the beginning.

Sir John Bridges being discontented for the burning of his House, and for some reproachfull Language given him by one of his Majesties Generalls, upon the businesse of the Clubmen: and angry with me, for not having something that he desired, which yet I could not give him; quits the Kings Quarters, and goes to Gloucester; where, and in the parts adjacent, residing some two or three Monthes, and comming sometimes into Hereford-shire in disguise, the better to lay his designe, at length goes up to London, and presents to the Committees of both Kingdomes, Propositions for the taking of Hereford, by the way of Stratagem, as he calls it. Hereupon Order is given to Colo­nell [Page 3] Birch, then Governour of Bath, to joyne his forces with Co­lonell Morgan, Governour of Glocester, for the purpose aforsaid.

Coll. Birch, his forces being joyned accordingly, comes pri­vately, with Sir Iohn Bridges from Glocester, to a place some few miles from Hereford, where they met with two persons (that is as I am credibly enformed, Cap. Howorth, and Cap. Alderne) both Captaines under the King; by whom Coll. Birch (as in his prin­ted Letter may appeare) was sufficiently informed of the state of the Towne; and returning backe to Glocester, they received continuall intelligence of the condition of Hereford, by the meanes of the said Captaine Howorth and Captaine Alderne, but especially from Captaine Ballard my Captaine Lieutenant; up­on whose advertisements, being now drawne into their party, they most relyed. In few dayes after, these aforesaid two Colo­nells marched with all their forces to Ledbury, in the County of Hereford; where they arrived at five a clocke in the evening, upon Munday the 15. of December. Notice whereof being sent mee, the next morning very early from one at Ledbury, upon whom I depended constantly for intelligence, I dispatched the messenger backe with directions, that fresh messengers should be sent, to and fro continually, to advise me of the posture and motion of the Enemy. I likewise dispatched instantly Ex­presses, to intimate the same to Sir Michael Woodhouse, Gover­nour of Ludlow, and Sir William Vaughan, who lay at Bridgenorth, collecting forces for the reliefe of Chester. And I gave immedi­ate order to Captaine Chaplaine, the Towne-Major, to double the Guards in the Towne. And the Towne being weakned by forces sent forth two dayes before, for the reliefe of Chester, ha­ving drawne in, the day before, all the Horse that were quarte­ring [Page 4] in the Country (saving the Lieutenant Colonells Troop) for the better fortifying of the Garrison, upon this notice of the advance of the Enemy, I drew in his Troope also; giving him command to guard that night, and to send out of the Towne at Port-shutting a party of his Horse to guard without, and petroll toward the Enemy, to guard within, and goe the Grand-Round himselfe; to goe forth likewise himselfe at Port-opening, the next morning with Horse as farre as Lug-bridge: all which the said Lieutenant colonell Ieffreys did exactly performe. This Troop was no sooner in, but, though it were drawne in upon this cause, a company of Townsmen take occasion from hence to raise a mutiny; and so, while we should have beene in attendance to the motions of the Enemy without, the townesmen refusing quarter to this troope, and townesmen and souldiers going to­gether by the ears, and the countenance of the mutiny appearing as if it were like to grow to a very great height, worke & difficulty I had enough; yea, I was wholly imployed to suppresse the muti­ny within. VVhether this was done upon designe or no, I cannot say; but I have inducements to thinke it so. Sure I am, the notice of it gave incouragement to the Enemy: Of whose march, all Munday night from Ledbury toward Hereford, as far as Cannon-Froom, I had notice by divers upon Tuesday mor­ning; as likewise upon Tuesday night, of their returne backe to Ledbury. Vpon VVednesday in the afternoone, I was advertised that the enemy was marched out of Ledbury, and that the dis­course of the common Souldier in Ledbury was, that they were going towards Hereford.

[Page 5]This newes the Messenger delivering privately by word of mouth, when Master Major, and some halfe a score Gen­tlemen and Townes-men were in the roome with me, I did instantly communicate it in publique to them all. And di­rected Master Major to make Proclamation; that the Towns­men might have notice of this intelligence: And withall, he required presently to shovell off the Snow from the Walls, that the place might be fit for them to stand on with their Armes upon the first Alarum; which Proclamation was ac­cordingly made. At two of the Clocke, the said afternoone, Order was given by me, to Livetenant Colonell Jeffreys, who commanded the Horse in chiefe, that as he, in his owne per­son had performed the duty of the Guards the night before, as is before expressed, so he should give Order, that the Offi­cer, who had the Guard that Wednesday night, should doe the very same. This Order Livetenant Colonell Ieffreys ac­knowledgeth to have received from me; and affirmes, that he transmitted it to Major Fletcher; who by turne had the command of the Guard that Wednesday night; and Major Fletcher under his hand, hath acknowledged that he received the said Orders from Livetenant Colonell Ieffreys; But the next daies successe doth manifest, that no Horse were sent out that night, and that Major Fletcher failed in that important du­ty.

About three a clock, that afternoone, I gave Major Chap­laine Orders to double the Guards: Which he performed not, as by the list he gave me appeares. At nine a clock, I dismist the said Chaplaine to goe to his rest; telling him, that I would goe the grand round my selfe; and should expect [Page 6] him to be with me at five a clock in the morning, to receive from me the defects of the Guards and to looke to the Towne, while I might catch an houres rest or two; being, at eight a clock in the morning, to sit at a Court of Warre, upon the Mutineers of the day before. The grand round I went about one of the clock, and beginning at the maine Guard, I found that Captaine Traherne, Captaine of the Watch, was not upon the place; and resenting it, I directed his Ensigne to send for him, in my name, to attend his duty: which was done accordingly, but Traherne came not. Going on the round, at every Port, I charged them, upon paine of death, that neither Officer, nor Souldier, should stirre off from their Guard; ever adding, that the enemie was advan­cing, and the Towne in danger. Comming to Bysters Gate, at which Port they that come from Ledbury enter, and where indeed the enemy did enter, I found the Corporall so drunke that he could not give me the word, whom I corrected for the present with my Cane, and commanded my Captaine, Livetenant, the above mentioned Ballard, who commanded the round with me, (mine owne Company being upon the Guard) to place an Officer in Commission at that Port, as soone as the grand round should be ended, and to lay the Corporall by the heeles. Looking up I called to the Sentinel that stood on the top of that Gate, to swingle his match; and answer being made, that he had a snap-hanz, for the more surety, I sent another Souldier up and called him downe, and finding it to be so, and fixt, and laden, I returned him up to his sentry place and added one more to him; leaving a strict charge, that the Sentries should be often visited, and relie­ved [Page 7] every halfe houre. So that whereas it is noysed, that I called downe this Sentry, and returned none up, to meet with this rumor, you may perceive, that instead of one I placed there two. And here, seeing it is in my way, let me answer another as frivolous objection. It is bruited abroad, that I gave money to corrupt the Guard. Tis true, that as I passed by the Ports, I gave in that cold snowie night, some twelvepence, or eigh­teen pence a peece, as my custome was, to each Guard; yet with order to the Officer, who received that money from me, that they should not drinke it till nine a clock; and five shillings I gave to the Officer of the Horse, with like order. But at this Port ( Bysters Gate) finding things as you see not in order I gave not one penny. The grand round being ended, about five of the clock I commanded my Captaine Livetenant Ballard to continue rounds without ceasing, un­till eigh, tand to give me an account. Which Order he altoge­ther neglected, though I did not only give it him at the dis­missing of the Guards; but afterwards, at mine owne house, repeating it twice at least: Yea, it was the last word I said unto him. But it is no wonder, if we consider what doth fol­low: For in place of it, tis very well knowne, by testimony of some who entred the Towne with the enemie, that he the said Ballard drew off the Guards from Bysters Gate; where, when the Towne was entred, were but foure Souldiers. And further, that he had beforehand poysoned, or by some other meanes, disabled the Murthering Peece, which lay in the mouth of Bysters Gate. Both which good Officers were faire preparatives for the force which was without to enter with greater ease and safetie. But where is Major Chaplaine, the [Page 8] Towne Major, whom the Common Councell some weekes be­fore recommended to me for that place with much impor­tunity. It is not unknowne, I then told them, that he would deceive them, and would not rise in a morning. And now they find my words made good: For according to Order I expected him to take the charge of the Towne as befitted his Office; yea, I enquired often for him not without passion; but then no newes could be heard of him: Yet now in his confession, under his hand, he is not ashamed to a­vow, that he was in his bed when the Towne was taken, which was about eight a clock in the morninge. And though his nature may incline some to thinke that this was sloth; and others, through his report, that the woundes which he had in his body, and the attendance of the Chyrurgion to dresse it, may be the matter; yet I doubt there was a worse thing in it. For cleerely, the wound that troubled him, for it is but one, is but in the nature of an Issue, and requires but the atten­dance of an Issue. Besides, this wound hath been in him some yeares; and notwithstanding it, during the siege of Hereford, which was not above foure moneths before, he was able to watch all night, and doe his duty all day, taking his rest but as other Officers did. But suppose him to be generally unable to rise betimes; yet when that Towne which recommended him to, the place was in danger, and the Governour, by expresse Order had commanded him to be with him by five in the mor­ning; and at a time, when all the Towne knew, by Proclama­tion, that the enemy was approaching: For him then not to ob­taine of himselfe to rise two or three houres before his accus­tomed time, but to sleepe, secure, doth shrewdly infer his minde [Page 9] to be in a worse condition then his body. But sleep he did not all this while; he was awake earely enough, yea too soon in that respect. For his Lieut: Cooper spake with him that morning, and received from his hands the keyes of the sally Ports of the Castle: with which keyes, for my part, I know not what Major Chaplaine did. But Lieu: Lightfoot, to whose custody these keyes did properly belong, informes, that this Chaplaine, that night in my name (and I say again with­out my knowledge) demanded the Keyes of him, as sent for by me, and got them from him by much importunity. Pos­sible enough it is, that through these Sally-ports the enemy received intelligence that night and morning: for it is most certaine, they expected intelligence out of the Towne, even to the very minute of their entrance, in case any difficulty should have risen unexpectedly, to secure themselves. But Cooper finding me gone to rest, thought likely the time to be now most fit, and finding the Salli-port keyes to be of no further use for his designe in hand, to conceale himselfe, rids his hands of those keyes to Lieutenant Light­foot, as returned by his Major; and then comes instantly to my house, and demands and presses with great importuni­ty to have the keyes of the great Gates delivered him, pre­tending that carts and people staied in the street to go forth; which though it might have a colorable shew was far from truth. But his earnestnesse at length prevailed with him that waited in my chamber to steale up that he might not a­wake mee, and to take the keyes which were in the win­dow [Page 10] (and so still in my sight being awake) and to bring them downe to him.

The keyes received, away he hastens, and omitting the ordinary duties, which were to go to the main Guard, and take a guard with him, sends the other keyes to their severall Ports, and passing to Bysters gate, opens not the wicket, sends out no Scouts, but opens the great Gate, lets downe the great Chaine, lets fall the Draw-bridge, and going over himselfe, while he saw upon the side of the Mote the Liev. and six souldiers, who acted the part of the Constable and Labourers (whose reported pretence of being sent for by warrant) Cooper could not but know to be untrue, for hee was the overseer of the VVorks, & writ all such VVarrants, and saw the snow upon the ground which made it unfit for work, and knew that the Ice was every day broken by the Garrison, cryes out (and to them certainly) Now or Never, Now or Never. And happily thinking it would be too hot for him to returne the same way he went forth, runs amaine along the ditch side, and comes backe into the Towne at the Castle; which very returne into the Towne, when hee could not but see as hee ran along the Enemy entring, shewes that he had a greater confidence in them, then one true to the Garrison could have.

VVith this the Enemy enters, the above mentioned per­sons, Captaine Howorth being in the forelorne-hope of foot that seconded the said personated Constable and La­bourers: Sir Iohn Bridges in the forelorne-hope of Horse, [Page 11] and Captaine Aldern in the second division. Being entred the Gate, where they found but foure Souldiers, the fore­lorne-hope of Horse, takes the right hand, and seizeth upon the Maine-guards, where were but six Souldiers and one Ensigne; And Captaine Alderne, my professed Enemy, takes the left hand to my house and the Castle. My man brings word to my bed-side the Enemy was entered. I leapt up, commanded him to get me a horse, and slipping on my cloathes, I ran instantly downe with my Sword and Pistoll in my hand, to the fore gate towards the street, where the Enemies Horse already come fired upon me, and shot my Secretary into the belly. At which I retreating, another of the house, shuts the door, & out I got at a back way towards the River, in hopes still of my horse. Vpon the left hand, at the Castle, I was shewed the Enemy gallopping towards me; upon the right hand, going to the Bishops Pallace, I found a body of their foot comming into the Pallace yard: and seeing my selfe thus beset, my boy shewing mee that a couple were gotten to the other side of the River over the Ice, by which I perceived it would beare; I passed over, and got to the gate at Wybridge, where intending to get into the Towne at the wicket, I saw most of the guard gone, and a body of their horse comming upon the Bridge; and then, understan­ding the Enemy to be fully possessed of the Towne, and no possibility of resistance left, I resolved to cast my self at the King my Masters feet, and rather to be sacrificed for his ser­vice, if his wisdome, upon triall of mee, should so order it, then to live with appearance of such evill, either by putting [Page 12] my selfe into the protection of the Enemy, or by any other way of flying from the Kings justice, desert mine owne innocency. From hence then I went to Ludlow, and from Ludlow in like manner to Worcester, professing there my purpose to ride to Oxford. But sicknesse staying me there a weeke untoucht, in comes my deputy Governour, and very unthankfully, being stirred up with a causelesse revenge, chargeth me with the losse of Hereford by treachery; which, if it were true, the Orders given and diligence used by mee, manifested in the foregoing Relation, would be a strange peece of policie; for it is as cleare as the Sunne that if the inferiour officers upon whom this Relation in the face of the world, chargeth the losse of the place, had performed those Orders, it had been impossible that the Town should have been taken in this manner though I had concurred. For there would have beene an Alarum, and then, the Garrison with the Towne and Gentry, would have made their defence sufficiently, maugre the Governour. But I am charged, and must answer; you shall heare the proofes. It is said that I received money for the delivering the Towne and Lieut: Wykes, who is a person that hath relation to my knowne Enemies, gives in evidence, that Mr. Charles Bridges did affirme to him, that about five or six dayes be­fore the losse of Hereford he brought sixteene or seventeen hundred pounds to me for the delivery of the Towne.

To cleare which, Mr. Charles Bridges hath disclaimed it to severall persons of honour and quality. But then Wykes alleadgeth further that Mr. Thomas Pembridge, Collonell [Page 13] Morgans Secretary, said to him, that he knew nothing of the said seventeen hundred pounds; but that he had brought twelve hundred pounds from Gloucester to the old Gore, be­ing a little Village betweene Hereford and Gloucester, he be­ing one of the Convoy, which money he saw told in Glou­cester, and (to Wykes his best remembrance) said it was for Sir Barnabas Scudamore for the delivery of Hereford; and that hee the said Pembridge thought, that the Parliament would be glad, if Sir Barnabas Scudamore were put to death that they might pay him no more money. Now, if for one man to allege, that he heard another man, and another, say this and that thing, shall passe for good evidence in a judi­ciall triall, or with just men; what innocency, what person can be safe? Besides, for mine owne part, I that tender the good of my soule, and would not (however other things may goe with me) lose my reputation with good men, by adding wilfull falsehood to these scandalls, do here solemnly protest before God and the world, that I never received from the Parliament, or any other person whatsoever, or treated with the Parliament, or any person whatsoever, di­rectly or indirectly, for the delivery up of Hereford.

And Collonell Birches printed letter, upon the taking of Hereford to his superiours in London, shews, that there were great disbursements made to severall persons, besides deepe ingagements, upon their going on to Hereford: so that there were instruments enow to be satisfied more then this twelve hundred pounds would performe; and therefore, men need not muse what imployment there should be for this summe [Page 14] though the Governour touched it not. Secondly, tis al­leged I had intelligence with the enemy: And for proofe of this there is produced a paper, wherein there were fi­gures and words at length, which they say were written by me.

Resol. Tis true, I confesse the scribling of such a Pa­per; but not with those thoughts as they would have it. To satisfie your desires, the manner, thus:

About a Moneth before the Towne was lost, having been all day sitting with the Commissioners of Array, and returning weary and melancholy to my House, some little space before supper time I found my Secretary writing in the Parlour, with divers others of my Ser­vants; and taking one of his permes, I tore a peece of the backside of a letter, which was foule too, and broken with the seale; and sitting downe I began to suffer my pen to drop forth any thing that a melancholy fancie, in­tending nothing, might happen upon. So first I wrote three or four Arithmeticall figures, then three or foure wordes, then leaving a blanck space I wrote againe words, and then figures, and so wordes interchangeably for some six lines, subscribed with my name, and dated at Hereford, both written backward; and then againe my name written at large forward. By which time, hearing some company comming in to suppe with me, and knowing one of them to have an intention to procure a passe from Glocester, I suddainely foulded up this written characterized peece of paper, and endorsed it, (for Major [Page 15] Dobson at Glocester) to give occasion to the company and the aforesaid Gentleman to exercise their witts and to make themselves merry in desciphering and giving sig­nifications to things that were altogether non-signifi­cant, and so left it carelessely upon the Table for one of them to take up. Accordingly taken up it was by one of them, (Sir Baynham Throgmorton my Cousin Germane in the first degree) but it seemes with a false heart; who, insteade of communicating it for sporte, concealed it in his pocket; (though he could be contented to sup with me that night,) and instead of revealing it Loyally to the King, with that diligence as the nature of such an af­faire did require, (it being in his apprehention, as is now pretended, intelligence with the enemy,) conceales it a­bout a Moneth, till Hereford was lost: And then, comes his unthankfull brother, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton my Deputie Governour, in a causelesse revenge (being for­merly upon some difference with a person of quality, as well as he, confined by me) and bringes it with him to Worcester; and by virtue of that nonsense-paper, princi­pally, laies this charge of Treachery upon me. But, see­ing no intelligence can be held between two without communication, and that no conceipts of the minde can be communicated by non-significant meanes, I hope this serowle will never be admitted as an evidence against the, untill that which is writ within, be first proved to signifie and intend such intelligence as is presumed. Now that by scribling or writing upon this paper there was my intention in me to send or communicate any thing [Page 16] to Major Dobson, I disavow, and doe here againe affirme in the presence of God, under the same Protestation, which I formerly made concerning Money, that it was not so much as conceived in my thoughts. Which yet if any man should distrust, I could produce a paper from Major Dobson, though I never sought it, in which under his owne hand, he doth upon the faith of a Gentleman, and the honour of a Soldier averre, that there hath never any letter, or character, passed from me to him, concer­ning the betraying of the Towne of Hereford. And these are the Columns upon which they have placed their charge of Treachery; namely, these two heare-saies, and this scrap of non-significant paper.

But here is not all: For besides this Treachery, I am further charged with willfull negligence; and so exami­ned upon these particulars following.

Ob. 1. First tis alledged, that I commanded to have the Key of the Sally-port of St. Owens Gate, to send out a Party of Horse, but did not.

Resol. Tis true, I intended to send forth a party of Horse, in case an Alarum should be given; but no Alarum comming, no order was given to send out that way.

Ob. 2. Secondly, they say, that a Knight in the Towne sent two of his men in armes to have gone with the party of Horse, but the Governour sent them back with thankes, and said he had sent out a party already which was not so.

[Page 17] Res. I grant there was no party sent out; but that was Major Fletchers fault, not mine: for I gave Orders that afternoone, to him that commanded the Horse in cheife, to send out a good party of Horse, with a carefull Offi­cer, at Port shutting; which Order Major Fletcher, in his examination upon oath, confesseth to be charged upon him by the person commanding the Horse in cheife: but, it is evident, these Orders were not observed by him. Now, I supposing Horse to be sent forth according to my Order & no Alarum given, to what purpose should I have sent out that Gentlemans two Horses? But the truth is I remember nothing of any such offer made me.

Ob. 3. Thirdly, tis said, that Captain Fletcher, and one Master Terringham, after they had gone the grand round with me that night, desired that they might goe forth, or send out a party of their Horse.

Resol. But, this is as true as the rest, and Major Flet­cher in his examination only affirmes, that having gone the grand round, he asked me whether I would command him any further service, expecting (he doth not say de­siring) that I would have some of those Horse sent out. To which question, (apprehending it only as a civill ta­king of leave, not knowing that the Order of sending forth Horse at Port shutting was charged on him; nor having the least suspition that the said Order was neg­lected, and so no Horse abroad) I answered, no more then the observance of their former Order; which was an Or­der requiring all Horse in the Towne (excepting those [Page 18] that were upon the out-guard that night) to be ready by eight a clock the same morning, and so dismissed them.

Ob. 4. Fourthly, because Livetenant Cooper, the Ma­jor of the Townes Livetenant, did fetch the keies of the Ports from my House, and did so perfidiously open the Gate, at which the enemy entred, it is alledged (by the said Major Chaplaine, to excuse his owne palpable naughtinesse) that I did know and allow of his Livete­nant Cooper to open the Ports.

Resol. But this hath as much truth as the former: For to what end did the Towne commend, and I entertaine him to be Major, if his Livetenant could supply the place, and the trust should be reposed in him? And these be the maine arguments, by which they would make me guilty of wilfull negligence. I confesse I am more then halfe a­shamed to lengthen the Readers trouble in setting downe such triviall things, especially since none of these objections have been proved upon oath. Yet, having been interrogated upon them, I thought it not amisse for satisfaction, to produce them to the view of the world to meet with rumors, lest they should gaine cre­dit to my prejudice.

So, now you have seen both the charge and the proofs. The charge great enough, Treachery and Negligence: And the proofes weake enough, neither of them valid, even to the ordinary Reader. For as to the Charge of wil­full negligence, none of the allegations above recited hath been made upon oath: but being sent to the Advo­cate Marshall, he thought it not amisse to heare what I [Page 19] could answer to them.

And as to the charge of treachery they have only offered as I said before, two heare-saies and a scrap of non-significant paper. Yet I have laine long enough a prisoner at Worcestor for depositions to have been sent in, if matter could have been as readily found as my adversaries have been laborious and curious to hunt after it.

But how unlikely is it, that my desires should any wayes concurre in this fact, seeing the losse of that place hath not only put my life, but my good name, more precious then life, to most eminent hazard? By this meanes, I am depri­ved not onely of the honour of being Governour, and the benefit accruing by that command; but of all meanes of satisfaction for provisions of my owne, which were in the towne, before the time of my being Governour, and deli­vered by my Commissary to the Garrison, amounting to the value of 700 and odde pounds; of all hopes of reliefe for my other ingagements and disbursements to the Com­missarie for the Garrison, amounting to as much more by the Commissaries Accompts; of all stores of provisions, & arreares of my allowance for my own house: Not to speak of my intertainment money, horses, plate, and houshold­stuffe, surmounting in all the summe of 3000l. Besides, the estates of my friends, and of my best friends in that County, in which was included the onely meanes remayning for my subsistence, was heereby exposed to Sequestration: the many noble and worthy persons of both sexes, whom I loved and honoured, who had fled thither for their last re­fuge.

[Page 20]The Towne, in which I had some part of my Educati­on, and whereof I was now a sworne member: my fel­low Citizens and companions in Loyalty, that so bravely assisted me in the late siege against a formidable Army of Scots; all these were made lyable (I should detest to live, if by me) to the mercy of a party which esteemed us, as of all others most malignant, so most worthy of extream seve­rity. And all this, for what? for twelve, or seventeen hun­dred pounds? why, you see by that above mentioned, that I should have been so a loser in point of money. And if it be replyed that I should have received more afterward; I pray you reflect, that the way to Oxford, was not the way to that. The blood of ancient Gently, and of an untain­ted family, makes me abhorre the first apprehensions of so detestable and damnable a fact. For no act can bee more perfectly base & cowardly, then, for feare of any temporall want, to desert in this sort, Iustice, Honour, and Humanity. Let my carriage be considered before, and after this action. Take a view of the whole course of my life, and parti­cularly in this warre. Looke upon the orders I gave even to the last, while this evill fortune was in motion Regard my behaviour since, putting my selfe, stript of all assistance, into the power of the Kings party, inraged like Lions with that losse; and doth not my behaviour in these distinct parts of time, administer just arguments of innocency and con­stancy?

But not to tire the Reader, this was done by externall force, and therefore it needs not be considered what reason [Page 21] or what affection might carry me, for it was done by o­thers, and in no wise by me. Briefly, you see my diligence was such in point of intelligence, that wee had continuall notice of the motions of the Enemy, till the Horse were to got forth at Port-shutting that VVednesday night; and the failing of their going forth was not through default of or­der from me. Then, upon the intelligence, orders were pre­sently given out, and continually renewed by mee, to the Major of the Towne, Captaine Chaplaine, to double the guards within. And drawing the Horse in, I commanded them double duty, that is, to guard as well without as with­in the Towne. Vpon the said VVednesday in the afternoon as soone as the notice of the Enemies advance came to mee, I imparted it immediatly to Mr. Major, and published it by Proclamation to the whole Towne. At nine a clocke that night, I dismist the Towne Major Chaplaine to his rest, that he might be with me at five next morning to take care of the Towne. I went the Grand Round, not remissly; but correcting faults as I passed: I sent for Captaine Traherne Captaine of the watch to come to the place of his duty, the Maine Guard: At every Port, I charged them upon paine of death, that neither Officer nor Soulder should flirre off their guard, ever inculcating, that the Enemy was advan­cing, and the Towne in danger. I Cudgelled the drunken Corporall at Bysters Gate, commanding him to be set by the heels, and that an officer in Commission should bee placed at that Port. I viewed the Centries Armes that stood over that Gate, and added another Centrie to him, directing the Centries should be visited and relieved every halfe houre. [Page 22] At the dismissing the Guards, I charged Ballard to continue Rounds, without ceasing, untill eight a clocke in the mor­ning, and then to bring me an account.

Permit me this further, that I was so farre from giving order (as is reported) that the Gates should bee opened at 8. a clock, that I intended they should be kept shut at least till ten. For having received private notice that some opposi­tion was like to be made by Townesmen, in defence of the Mutiniers to be tried; I was willing, that businesse should be ended, before the Gates were unlocked. And my resoluti­on being, immediatly after the rising of the Court of VVar, to march out my selfe in person with the whole body of Horse, to discover, and observe the motions of the Enemy, I truely meant the ports should not be opened till I went forth my selfe. And of this resolution of mine, Liev. Col­lonell Ieffreyes is a perfect witnesse; to whom I did com­municate it, upon Letters I had received the day before, from Sir Michael Woodhouse Governour of Ludlow, who su­spected the Enemy had a designe to plant a Garrison at Ten­bury, to stop the intercourse betweene Ludlow and Worcester.

But you see how my intention was made frustrate: my servant that waited upon me in my chamber, stealing away the keyes (as he might no lesse easily have taken away my life) from the place (where and in places like to which all Governours use to confide their keyes) they usually rested, and safely enough even during the late siege; though I will not charge my said servant with any knowledge of Lieu­tenant Coopers treacherous purpose. And this is the negli­gence that I am guilty of. Now if any of these orders [Page 23] had been fully executed, could this Towne have been lost? It cannot be imagined. On the other side, you see how the plot was laid and Carried. Sir Iohn Bridges and Colonell Birch, riding into Hereford shire, receive information of the present state of Hereford, by Captaine Howorth and Captain Alderne: these two, with the addition of Captaine Ballard my Lievtenant, conveyed continuall intelligence to Gloce­ster. Major Fletcher omits to send forth out guards: Ma­jor Chaplaine failes to double the guards within; and, in a word, keeping his bed, neglects the whole duty naturally inherent in the place of Major. Captain Treherne, Captain of the watch, comes not at all to the maine Guard. Captain Lievtenant Ballard, commanding the guards, drawes off the guards from Bysters Gate, in order to his disabling be­forehand the murthering Peece. Lievtenant Cooper opens the great gate, lets downe the chaine, lets downe the draw bridge, and gives the word, Now, or Never; with which the Enemy enters, with three or foure and twenty hundred; accompanied with Captaine Howorth, Sir Iohn Bridges, and Captaine Alderne: And yet the whole businesse still lay upon me: although, by this time, it is very well knowne what it cost the Parliament, and who received their moneyes.

This is the truth: and I doubt not, but it will finde credit with good men, and abundantly satisfie the generous and judicious spirits in order to my innocency, and deliver mee from the false & foule charge of Treachery or Negligence. My conscience bearing witnesse with me, that I am guilty only of the unhappinesse of it; which hath been, and is com­mon to all men, of honor, of my profession, [...]