THE Treatie for the Surrendring of EXETER TO Sr. THOMAS FAIRFAX.
By Commissioners on both sides, who met at Poltimore House on Friday last, and how farre they proceeded therein, with other news from the PRINCE, and divers others of his Lords and Gentlemen with the Flouts and Jeeres put upon them that went over to Saint MALLOWES:
And other passages of all the affaires at Barnstable, Pendennis and the Mount.
These being true Copies of LETTERS Examined, and Printed according to Order of PARLIAMENT.
London printed for Matthew Walbancke at Grays-Inne-Gate, April 9. 1646.
The Treaty for the surrendring of EXETER to Sir Thomas Fairfax,
YEsterday J acquainted you with the Generalls [...] sing of Exeter, and viewing it round. I then s [...]t you inclosed the Summons, Sir Iohn Berkleys Answer, and his Excellencyes Reply, how far both parties had proceeded in order to a Treaty, and the names of the Commissioners on both sides. This day the Commissioners on both sides mette at Poultemore, at Sir Iohn Bampfields house; I have inclosed some papers which I desire may not at all be made publike, at least not till the businesse be finished, yesterday we had Intelligence by a ship that came from France to Dartmouth, that Sir Richard Greenvill, the Lord Culpepper, Col. Monke, Col. Fenwich, Sir Iohn Munkley, and other Commanders landed the 26 of March at Saint Mallowes in France, they passed thither in the ship called the George, Thomas May, and Richard Tealse Commander and Major. At their comming into France they were hooted at, and jeered by many of the people, with that they were ashamed to goe forth of doores, and glad to take up an obscure house in the Country for their residence. The Prince Hide, Goring, (for ought I can heare) remaine in Silly, and the Lord Hopton in the Mount. The blocking up of those places. (Pendennis and the Mount) are exceedingly mannaged by the vigelancy of Col. Hamon. The Generall hath given Orders for the disbanding of Col. Fowels Regiment, and assigned the Souldiers under him to Colonel Rouse, Governour [Page 4]of D. for the strengthening of his Regiment for further service, which although it was not well digested at first, yet upon the Generalls letter of the occasion thereof, and testimoniall of the fidelity and desarts of Col. Fowell, and his Officers, many of the Souldiers are willing to got under Colonell Rouse, The occasion of their reducement being in regard that the Country is it no sort able to beare the charge of so many Souldiers considering how those parts have bin impoverished. The Generall sent likewise to the Devon. Committee residing at Torn [...]s to expect that work that so C. Rouse his Regiment might assist before Pendennis, and Col. Hammond is thereupon to come to Barnstable; that so Col. Cooks Horse, Colonel Fety-Jamses and other Regiments may move Eastward, after Commissary Generall Ireton, who with those forces with him as I certified you in my last) and to assist about Oxford. The recruits for the Foot come downe a pase, and are disposed for the compleating of divers Regiments, so that we shall march Eastward with a full and gallant Army, fit to be imployed upon any service; I can (as yet give) you no further accompt of the businesse of the Treaty then this, That upon the meeting this day at Poltemore, nothing was fully concluded of, & a great part of the debate was about circumstantialls. The Enemy insisted much upon the execution of the Clergie, what they moved in a reasonable way, and which came neerest to our Commissioners instructions was received, those demands which were too high reserted. The instructions of Sir Iohn Berkleys Commissioners being something in sufficient, they promised to returne with an ample and sufficient additions and I doubt not but to morrowes debate will conduct to the neere finishing of this great worke, so much tending to the good of these parts, and of so great concernment to the Kingdome, of the further proceeding and result whereof you shall (by Gods blessing) have as I shall find opportunity, from
THis day the Commissioners from Exeter, and our Commissioners met at Poltemore house, at their meeting they had faire quarter on both sides, and were very civill each to other, they met in a very convenient roome in that house, ours had very [...]ull and exact Instructions, and were desirous to make short worke of it, but those from the Enemy were not so, they brought out from Exeter to our Commissioners, A Copy of the Articles very high, in which there was very much for the Clergie, and particularly for the Bishop, Deanes, Prebends, and the rest of the Cathedrall men, the dispute about which tooke up much time this day, and there is also much pleaded for in those Articles in the behalfe ef such as have adheered to the King to levell the Parliaments proceedings against, which is no wonder at all, for there r [...]in Exeter many notable sticklers that have acted much for the King [and there are indeed, many precious men that are there who have suffered much by them) but the Malignants there may bussell, we hope they cannot hinder the agreement of the Commissioners for the surrender of Exeter to the Generall, to the Obedience of the Parliament. The E. of Bristoll and others who are there, that with the Clergie labour to obstruct this great work, but will we hope be over powred by those who will bee not so far flattered by them as to undoe themselves to please a few; There are many Gentry, and much wealth in the City, which I believe they will be loath to venture the plunder of, but for the Inhabitants we are assured that they are weary of the league [...] and desire generally to be free, our Commissioners desired that much time might not be spent in circumstances, but that they would come to the businesse of surrender, and to debate of what was most materiall, declaring to them that what might stand with the Ordinances of Parliament, and the good and safety of the Kingdome, they would assent to preserve that City and prevent the effusion of bloud which otherwise might follow, They proceeded so farre that the Commissioners from Sir Iohn [Page 6]Berkley, considering that we were resolved against delayes, and that their instructions were in some things imperfect whereby they were so bound and that they could not give that satisfaction which was expected, and which they broke off the further Treaty for this day, they prove sad [...] Commissioners that they would returne with such Instructions whereby they would be inabled to satisfie our expectation one way or other, we apprehend no great reason to feare any obstructions to hinder the perfecting of this great worke by Sunday. I doubt not but to be able to give you a faire account of their progresse. Pendennis is still stubborne, and Michaels Mount houlds out, the Prince is still in the Isse of Sylly but divers others of his great followers are gone for France, the Prince did not passe over with them, and we heare not that he went since, though I beleive it is so.
The Gentlemen of these parts proceed well in the putting these Countries into a good posture, we hope the Militia will bee well setled in short time, Barnstable I beleive will fall with Exceter, and then we all returne. The Generall is resolved if they will not surrender to make a short work of it, but the former is hoped, and most desired, and before this come to your hands I beleive it will be ours. If Bristol, and the rest be caught in the Net, I hope it will be accounted a good peece of service, but wee impute not the great things that God hath done, by us to the Arme of Flesh, but desire that praise may be given to God that hath made us Instruments to do our Country good, which is the thing desired by
- Leiute. Generall Hammond
- Col. Sir Fardresse Vallers.
- Colonell Lambert.
- Colonell Harley.
- Colonell Fry.
- Commissary Stane.
- Sir Hen. Berkley.
- Mr. VVill. Ashburnham.
- Sir. George Cary.
- Mr. Iohn Were.
- Col. Godalphin.
- Cap. Fitz-Garret.
- Mr. Robert VValker.
- Mr. Thoma [...] Knight.
- Mr. Tho. Kendall.
- Mr. Tho. Forde.