FRiday last, the 29. of June 1649. in the Perfect Occurrences, was the particulars of some part of the past, and then present hard condition of Sir Charles Coot, Lord President of the Province of Connaught, as it was represented to the Lord Liutenant Crumwell; to which book I must refer you unto.

And here onely acquaint you with the certainty of the particular relation of the gallant and desperate sally of Sir Charles Coot out of London-Derry (being closely besieged by the Laggan Forces) as the same hath been represented by Letters of the 21. of June from London-Derry.

Wherein is set forth, how he tooke prisoners, Lieutenant Collonell James Galbryth, Major Hamilton, Captaine John Stewart, Major Graham, two Lieutenants, two Ensignes, nine Colours, forty private Souldiers, brought home good store [Page 2]of Armes, and plunder, Major Belfoure, and Captaine Moder slaine, with many more, their Leagure is now within two Musket shot of the Towne, since which he hath on severall other sallies beaten them most shamefully, killed of their men, taken of their chiefe officers, and killed many, with­out any more more losse, then of three common Soul­diers.

The Enemy have divided themselves thus; Sir Robert Stewart, and Collonell Mervine, with their two Regiments for the greatest part, lye at a place called Fine, to prevent the advance of Sir Charles Cootes Connaught Forces, in com­ming for his reliefe, who lye about Ballishanon, Major Ge­nerall George Monro, having lately gotten the Towne of Coleraine into his hands, without a stroke striking (though Collonell Conaway was the Governour thereof.) Monro is now eturned into the Laggan, for Sir Robert Stewarts assistance, with his Regiments of Hilanders, and Irish, whereof his strength consists, and these with their Priests, are to settle the Protestant Reformed Religion, the Ministry of this Country, being clapt up close prisoners by them.

Sir Alexander Stewarts Regiment is now put into the hands of Major James Erskine, who attends this Siege, with part of Sir Robert Stewarts and Collonell Mervins Regiments, and the Country Forces, besides some of Monroes.

The Parliament Ships with about 500. Quarters of Wheat, and 200. Men came safe to Derry; bread at present they have plenty, but other provisions will very suddenly be exhausted, whereof he hath given the Councell of State a true and an exact account of their affaires, whereby they may prevent any prejudice to London-Derry, the Fort of Culmor, and the Connaught Forces, who are (of all others) in a most starving condition.

Sir Charles Coote hath also sent some intercepted letters of Collonell Mervines, which most clearly declares him, both before he came out of England, and since, so that his great friends, who have so highly ingaged for him, he doubts not will be ashamed of these practices, and in publishing [Page 3]of his letters out of Scotland of this City of London-Derries being taken, a purpose to divert reliefe; but God hath prevented them, as he wil ever, and that a little more time will cleerly discover the most close working of theirs: And doth not doubt but they will also divert and retard reliefe to Sligo, and the Con­naught Forces, who are still faithfull to the Parlia­ment.

Now you may cleerly see, when with a poor hand­full, this gallant Gentleman, Sir Charles Coot, hath done such brave and acceptable service against a mul­titude; what might he not have done, having had addi­tionall Forces and Recruits of Horse and Foot, as hath been sent to the other three Provinces, which hee ne­ver had, as you were acquainted by the last Fridayes Booke: He now craves Collonel Huncks Regiment, with some Troops of horse, provisions and monies with them, may be sent; also provisions and monies for his Connaught Forces, which no doubt but the State will speedily send.

These three active Collonels against the Parliament, Sir Robert Stewart, Collonell Marvin, and now Col­lonel Erskeine, were carefully sent over hither by Sir Charles Coot, prisoners to the Parliament: but how they were secured or released, he knoweth not, yet fit to be enquired after for the advantage of the State.