THE RESOLUTION OF THE Prince of WALES, concerning the landing of his Army in the Isle of Loving-land, within the County of Suff [...]lk, And his Propositions to all Eng [...]ishmen, concerning his Engagement for King, City, & Kingdom against the Army, & to fight for their Liberties, Freedom & Priviledges.
Likevvise, the further proceedings of th [...] Royall Navie, under his Highness the D. o [...] Yo [...]k, and the Declaration of the Seamen in the Isle of VVight and Portsmouth, concerning the King Majesty and the Fleet Royall. 1648.
Propositions from his Highnesse the Prince of Wales, agreed upon at a Generall Councell aboard the Royall Navie, by the Lord Culpepper, the Lord Ruthin, the Lord Gerrard, and Sir John Bartley.
Honoured Sir,
HAving received information of the Prince of Wales intentions and Resolu [...]ion to land at Yarmouth, with his forces, The Ci [...]y of Norw [...]ch, the Town of Attlebury, and other parts adjacent, re [...]olved to put themselves into a posture to receive his High [...]esse, & to entertain him with loyalty and h [...]n [...]ur, i [...] he would be pleased to entrust his person in their hands, & to land only such a party that did consist of English, bu [...] would not assent to the coming in of any Forreigners, conc [...]iving the cons [...]quences to be very dangerous; the [...]e [...]o [...]esolved not to admit of any invasi [...]n by str [...]ngers: Whereupon, his Highnesse distrusting the event [...]f his Design, [Page 2] called a generall Councell, aboard the Royall N [...]vie, where was present, his Highn [...]sse the D [...]ke of York, Prince Rup [...]rt, Prince Maurice, the Lord Culpepper, the Lord Gerrard, the Lord Willoughby of Parham, the Lord [...]ermin, the Lord Ruthin, Sir [...]ohn Bartley, and Col. Bainfield; and after some consultation, in relation to their Landing, and serio [...]sly of weighing, a [...]d considering severall paticulars, which might prove very prejudicial and dangerous, to the Kings Cause, they unanimously resolved to get what Provisions they could aboard, and to hoyst sayle to flote upon the Neptune Seas towards the Downs, there to cast Anchor for the present, and to send an Invit [...]tion to the Kentishmen, to invite them to their assistance.
But we fear, that they have still an Eagles eye upon this County, and in regard Yarmouth lies so point blank for the Revolted Ships to come unto, it is feared, That if they should possesse themselves of the said, That some whisperings, were amongst them, in Relation to the said Design, and we conceive it probable, that had not Lovingland been secured by Col. Scroop, and a Regiment of the County foot, they had possessed themselves of that place ere this; for our Intelligencer saith, That it was the Resolution, bo [...]h of the Prince, the Duke, the Lord Culpepper, the Lord Gerrard, and the rest of the English Gallants, attending his Highnesse; to make a shew at Yarmouth, and then to use their endeavours for the securing of the Island of Lovingland, but by providence, it is now prevented; That which is most prevalent, and doth induce us, to give credence to the said Report; is, Because the disposition and affection of the Inhabitants, are weaned from the [Page 3] Parliament, and linked firme to the Royalists; for I cannot hear, that since the begining of these sad times, of many Volunteers, that hath been set forth of that Island for the Parliaments service. And for your further satisfactio [...] touching the description of the said Isl [...]nd, I shall here give you a brief account thereof, viZ. The Peninsula of Lovingland, in the County of Suffolk, in Longitude extends it selfe 7. miles, in Latitude 4. It contains 16. Parishes, abou [...]ding with all things requirable either by necessity or delight, by way of sustentation or recreation: Its blest with a healthfull Ayre, scituated for a generall accomodation of Trade, having the Sea bordering upon a fourth part of it; the other parts being begirt with the great Rivers of Yare and Waurney, by which the Country Commodities are brought into it, and from thence transported to all transmarine parts: The whole Peninsula is ra [...]sed into one intire Hill, defended tow [...]rds the Sea; with Cliffs and Sands, and on all parts by Land surrounded with a specious levell of low grounds, amidst which levels runs the forenamed Rivers, discharging themselves into the Sea, through the said Island; So that it is invinsible by land, four passages excepted, and one by Sea, called Newton Gap; It hath in former times been called by the name of Low-England; being as considerable a place for health, fortility, strength, and pleasure, as any that I know of within his Majesties Realms and Dominions; And if it should be once lost, it will not be vast sums and multitudes of lives that will regain it. It is said that Prince Rupert had a great desire to l [...]nd there, and had he [...]ffected it, it would have hazarded the losse of [...]he whole Kingdom, For,
The Romans having formerly gained this place, and transported their Colonies, bridled the whole East of England by it, and brought the people under subjection. Thus having faithfully imparted, the proceedings of the Prince, and their Resolution to have poss [...]ssed themselves of this Island, I remain,
Propositions from his Highnesse the Princee of Wales, to be published to the Kingdom of England.
1 That his Highnesse doth declare that the Reformation of Religion, shall be as it was agreed on with the Scots Dec. 26 last in the Isle of Wight.
2 To rescue his Maj. from His imprisonment, that he may fit with the Parl. and enjoy his rights.
3 That the two Houses of Parl. may be restored to their freedom.
4 That the Kingdom may be eased of the Excise.
5 That the A [...]my of Sectaries may be disbanded.
[Page]6 That all taxes and cessements may be taken off.
7 That the narrow seas may be protected, for the carrying on of a free trade in the passage of Merchants ships.
8 That the City of London may enjoy their Priviledges and Rights.
From Dover Castle, July 29. 1648.
Sir
WEE have received Intelligence, of the incredible newes of the The Constant Warwick; Could it h [...]ve been immagined, that two names most consistent with change, should have revolted; but it was carryed away by Captain Batten, that somthing, he is able to draw away Mahomet, and his Iron Chest from the Loadstone; The going away of this Ship seemes ominous to many; who therefore expect some notable businesse; but what will the Revolted Ships do? land an Army, where is it? not the London March [...]nts, that's dangerous at this time, Londoners eff [...]ct nor to be hindered in Trade, touch their Copyhold, and they will move otherwaies.
By our Intelligence from the West, it is advertised. That there are severall Ships lies in the Harbours at Portsmouth, and in the Isle of Wyght, and that some of the Seamen. begins to have revolting Language, and cryes out, Hey for King Charles and his Royall Ships, and some of the Saylors which lay in Portsmouth Harbour, openly declared themselves in the Town, in the like speeches; but some of them were soone silenced, and comm [...]tted to safe Custody.
The Earl of Warwick hath 16. gallant Ships ready to put to Sea, victualled, and provided with all necessaries whatsoever: The revolting and running away of the Seamen, after they have been lifted, hath much retarded the work in hand, His Lordship leaves no meanes u [...]assayed, to advance and further the Cause, and encourage the Marreigners in this honorable Engagement, for the reducing of revolted Ships, whose designes may be v [...]ry destructive, both to King and Kingdom, if not timely prevented.
Walmer Castle is ready to attend the motion of [...]he Prince, Deale is exce [...]ding insolent and stubborn, and does execu [...]ion upon our men, the walles are thick, and Cannon-proofe, and have great advantage upon our men; but notwit [...]sta [...]ding, their opportunities, and advantages, our men are resolute, and Col. Rich deports himselfe with great gallantry, Major Husbands is likewise very forward and active, and upon Fryd [...]y last, the besieged made a sallcy, where he charged them with his own Troop, (who had then the Guard) disputed the businesse, put them to a retreat, and pursued them to the very Castle Gates.
Dover July 29. 1648. 4. in the morning.