VPon the advance of General Monck with his Ar­my towards Berwick Proclamation was made at the Head of each respective Regiment, both of Horse and Foot, For all persons whatsoever, either Officers and Souldiers, that could not freely, willingly, or consciously, engage with Him, in this present Expedition, to lay down their Arms, and depart the Army; and that for his own part, he had a deep sense of this great and National Affair, having just grounds of dissatisfaction, and that he could not comply with any, who should refuse, or seem dubious, to stand or adhere to a warran­table concurrence: His Undertakings being such, that the can­dour of his Heart bore him Testimony and Evidence of the just­ness of his Cause; and that he ought not to violate the Autho­rity of Parliaments, whose Legislative Power and Freedom▪ [Page 4] every individual Member were bound to assert and maintain, after such solemn assurances of faithfulness and obedience; and to assert the honour and integrity of such Noble Patriots, who for many years had undergone a Labyrinth of Troubles, and stood even in the very Gap and Gulph of the Ruines, Desolati­ons, and Miseries, that for many yeaars threatned these distra­cted, divided, and bleeding Nations.

Proclamation being thus made by sound of Trumpet, the Army drew off in a Regimental way from Hadington towards Berwick, where General Monck caused a Declaration to be published, intimating▪ The integrity of his Heart, and the since­rity of his Cau e; That he held a detestation of that horrid im­piety, to raise himself by the ruine of others, That he was none of tho e that sought great things to himself: That he was forced with the Parliaments Army under his command, to bear Testi­mony against the violence of those, who shall endeavour an ab­solute extirpation of the Peoples Rights and Priviledges, and that he is resolved to use the utmost of his Endeavours, to re­move the late force put upon the Parliament Members: That no means shall be left by him unassayed, for preservation of the peace of the Commonwealth, in obedience to the Parliament; taking God to witness, the integrity of his present Design and Intentions, and that he abhors the very thoughts of introducing any arbitrary power, being resolved to spend his blood in oppo­sition to any single person whatsoever: That he doubts not but the justness of his Cause will crown his Endeavours, being resolved to leave the successe to the Most High, and to hazard ALL for the Glory of God, and the good of his people.

Upon his departure from Edenbrough, an Engagement was tender'd to the Assembly of Lords and Gentlemen, which they subscribed; assuring him, in the Name of themselves, and the whole Nation, that they will not own the interest of Charles Stuart, but endeavour the preservation of the peace of their Country, against all attempts whatsoever.

Having thus setled the Country in a posture of defence, Or­ders were issued forth for the Army to march towards the Bor­ders; [Page 5] Which the Lord Lambert understanding, immediately gave Order for the advance of his Forces; so that both Armies being upon motion, several Regiments of Horse and Foot are matched into Northumberland; and 'tis reported, that Gene­ral Monck is advanced over Berwick Bridge, and that some En­gagement hath hapned, and a small party of horse routed: But this being various, we shall not blot paper with any such circum­stances: considering, that the Interests of several persons do ballance the Scales according to their affections: However, thus much is ascertain'd, that the Army under the conduct of General Monck consists of about Nine Thousand Horse and Foot, and that the Lord Lambert is neer upon Eleven Thou­sand.

By the last Express from Portsmouth, on Saturday last, it is certified, that a party of horse came as far as Gosper, and faced the Town, but afterwards wheeled off at a further distance. Seven Troops are also marched from Petersfield towards Chichester, and some Commotions are feared about Exceter. The Foot that marched from London was met on Saturday last between Look­hup and Petersfield, and intended to arrive before Portsmouth the 12th instant. Which place is said to be supplyed with great store of provision and ammunition, having above threescore pieces of Ordnance.

Col. Morley, and the rest of the Members of the Old Parlia­ment, having consulted the publick affairs in general, and setled that Garrison, dispatched (as we hear) sundry Letters to the Go­vernours of several Castles and Garrisons, inciting them to a re­turn of their former Duty, and to alienate their affections from the Army. But how it is rescented, the Relations are various, and the several Reports as dubious: for some report the Isle and Castle of Portland to be in safe hands, and that Cowes and Hurst Castle in the Isle of Wight have undergone some Tampe­rings: as also Carisbrook Castle: What further shall accrue, upon these National Transactions, we shall endeavour to make obvious, by our next: Humbly imploring, that the signal ma­nifestations of Gods most gracious presence, may enlighten the Sons of men in these dark and gloomy Times, and to work our [Page 6] deliverance from the inevitable ruine and mischiefs, which are now aggravated by our manifold Divisions.

Upon the arrive of this suddain change and alteration, in so considerable a Garrison as Portsmouth, It was ordered, That a considerable Body of Horse and Foot should be forthwith sent down into the Western parts, to reduce that Garrison, or block it up: and accordingly the Lord Disbrow was made choice of, as Commander in chief for that Expedition, who advanced with several Troops of Horse from Westminster, and on Tuesday Night last Colonel Hewsons Regiment of Foot began their march from the City of London, and five Companies of Colonel Gibbons Regiment from the Borough of Southwark who were met on Friday last above twenty miles on their way towards Portsmouth, the Horse being in the Van, who are somewhat impeded in their march, by the present season, and inclemency of the weather. Notwithstanning, willing they are, to embrace all timely Opportunities, for the obviating all dangerous and pernitious Designs and Enterprises, that may any wayes prove obnoxious and destructive to the publike peace and welfare of these Nations: In order whereunto, all possible care is taken, for the way-laying, stopping, and guarding the several Avenues and Passes, porting and leading to the Town, that so the reducing of it may prove the more facile, and the Work expedited, which otherwi [...]e may introduce various Contingencies & Mutations, the Spirits of the people being exceeding inclinable therunto: occ sioned by the deplorable Revolutions, and a general decay of Trade, as doth exceed the greatest of presidents in former times.

Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, Colonel Morley, and Colonel Walton, have issued forth Warrants, for the raising of Forces in the We­stern Counties, according to the power given them by Act of Parliament for the commanding of the Army.

The Forces sent from London are arrived in those parts, and have faced the Town; but there is li [...]tle hopes (as yet) of atti­quing the place.

[Page 7] The Garrison is re-inforced with additional supplies, and many of the Gentry are joyned with them; but Colonel Nor­ton (we hear) declines engaging. There is free access into the Town by Sea, and the Frigats which lay in the Harbour have been coasting up and down, and have brought in some supplies. They were lately at Faymouth, and from thence went towards Plymouth, but are since returned. The Commissions issued forth for raising of the Countreyes, have been sent to divers Gentlemen in those parts; but we do not hear of the embody­ing of any Forces, since the dispiersing of those in Sussex.