THE COPIE OF A LETTER, Sent from the Commander in Chiefe, of the Town and Port of PLYMOVTH, To the Honourable William Lenthall, Esq Speaker of the House of Commons: Concerning the late great fight at Mount Stanford.
Together, With a true Relation of the Persons there killed; and what condition the said Towne and Port now are in.
Also Copie of the Vovv and Covenant, which all the Deputy Lieutenants, Commanders, Townesmen, and Souldiers took, to live and dye in defence of the said Town.
Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Letter and Protestation, be forthwith printed and published.
LONDON, Printed for Edward Husbands, and are to be sold at his shop in the middle Temple. Novemb. 91 ⟨19 th⟩ 1643.
SInce my last unto you of the 28 of October, 1643. The Enemy hath pressed hard upon us, against Mount Stanford Work, with their great Ordnance, and began to play against the same on Sabbath last, being the fifth of November; hoping, by that meanes to performe what the hellish Plot of the Gunpowder Treason should have done: they played so hard against it all that day with Batteries, and it being not any way made to endure the same, that some of our Gunnes they dismounted, and some clogged with earth, falling downe upon them, that we could not make use of any of them; so that on the morrow they surrounded the Worke; fell on with all their strength of Horse and Foot upon all quarters: yet the chiefe Commander of the Fort behaved himselfe so bravely, that three times he forced them to retreat; and could we have got any indifferent reliefe over the Water in any reasonable time, wee had kept the Fort. Yet neverthelesse the Enemy sent a Parley three times before the Captaine would except of it. Then Conditions were made, That all Souldiers should march away with their Armes, flying Colours, and Bullet in their mouths; and that the Captaine should have any one peece of Ordnance away, that he would make choice of. The Enemy lost foure or five Captaines before the Fort; besides diverse other Officers, and many Souldiers, We lost at that time no Officer of note, only one Lieutenant [Page 2]killed with a great shot, and divers Souldiers taken prisoners, which were all exchanged the next day, for some of their owne men that we had formerly taken. I beleeve they will not brag much of their victory by getting that Work, for we are now better and in more safety in the Towne then before. For we were forced to keepe a Leager there, and continually to relieve them; so that our men were forced to very hard duty, to keepe all the other Workes and Fortifications belonging to the Town. The Enemy having the Worke yeilded to them, those of the Enemies party in the Town (as it must be expected in all places are some) began to get courage, our own friends doubtfull; and I believe, the Nutralists do desire that the Town might be delivered up: Whereupon, for feare that either through treachery of the Townesmen, or for want of experienced men, I seazed the Fort and Iland, the Castle and Magazine, that in case the Towne should bee forced and over-powred with strength by the Enemy, and knowing this place of such great concernement, that through Gods assistance I would keepe them till supplies and reliefe come. Whereupon I have put them into the hands of such as will keepe them for the King and Parliament, with the last drop of blood in their bodies. Our friends began then to be incouraged, our enemies both within and without us to be dismayed, thinking that there was no hope of surrendering the Towne: so ever since, the Townesmen and all Inhabitants have been more forward to contribute their best assistance then formerly many have done. And upon Thursday last [Page 3]after Prayer and our mornings best preparation for the same, my selfe and Mr. Major, took a Vow and Protestation, which I have here sent inclosed, and caused it to be presented to all Gentlemen, the Committee of Parliament, the Deputy Lieutenants, all Townesmen, all Officers and Souldiers, and all Inhabitants whatsoever; which I finde was generally taken with great joy and cheerefulnesse. I hope the honourable Houses of Parliament are not unmindefull of us; yet I never received any instructions from them since the fifth of September, being the time that I departed from London, although I have sent foure severall Packets concerning divers and speciall affaires. I humbly crave that with all speed I may have Powder, Lead, and Match sent, that I may with honour performe the trust imposed upon me. Thus humbly kissing your hand, I take leave and rest,
The Vow and Protestation.
I A. B. In the presence of Almighty God, do vow and protest, that I will to the utmost of my power, by Gods assistance, faithfully maintaine and defend the Townes of Plimouth and Stone-howse, the Fort and Iland, with all the outward Works and Fortifications to the same belonging, against all Forces now raised against the said Townes of Plimouth and Stone-howse, the Fort and Iland or any Part thereof, or shall be raised by any Power or Authority whatsoever, without the Consent and Authority of both houses of Parliament. Neither will I by way or meanes whatsoever, contrive or consent to the giving up of the Townes and Fortifications aforesaid, or any parcell of them, into the hands of any person, or persons vvhatsoever, vvithout the consent of both Houses of Parliament, or of such as are Authorized thereunto by them. Neither vvill I by Gods grace raise nor consent to the raising of any Force or Tumult, nor vvill I by any vvay or meanes give or yeild to the [Page 5]giving of any advice, counsell, or intelligence, to the prejudice of the said Tovvnes and Fortifications either in vvhole or in part: But vvill vvith all posible speed faithfully discover to the Major of Plimouth, and to the Comander in cheife there, vvhatsoever designe I shall knovv or here of hurtfull thereunto. Neither have I accepted any pardon or protection, nor will I accept any protection from the Enemy. And this Vovv and Protestation I make, vvithout any equivocation and Mentall reservation vvhatsoever: Beleeving that I cannot be absolved from this my Vovv and Protestation; and vvishing no blessing from God on my selfe or my posterity, If I do not truly and sincerely performe the same. So helpe me GOD.