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▪ 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; 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 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.

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.