THE DECLARATION Of Lieutenant-Generall CRUMWEL Concerning The Kingdom of Scotland, and his present Design and Engagement with the new levyed Forces, commanded by the Earl of Lanerick.
THe Lord Lanerick in the South of Scotland is very active in levying of new Forces for the King, who by Commission from the Committee of Estates at Edenburgh, summons in all from the age of 16. to 60. requiring obedience from them [Page 2]for the assistance of Monro, regaining of their liberties, and redeeming of their Natives: but their appearance is but small, the Lads refusing to ingage against England, which causeth the Committe of Estates to give expresse Orders for an inforcement; yet all cannot prevail, the major part disserting their owne habitations, and flies to the Marquis of Argyle for shelter, whofe gallantry towards the Commonalty, induceth the whole Kingdom to adhere to him, and have now compleated three or four thousand horse and foot, for their safety and preservation, to be commanded and conducted by the said Marquesse, being resolved to oppose Mouro and his Army, and give a check to the Results of the Committee of Estates.
Lieut. Gen. David Lesley hath raised two thousand old Soldiers, desires a conjunction with the Marquis, who is now upon his march from the North towards the City of Edenburgh.
But Monro useth is utmost endeavour to obstruct the same, and is now marching from the Confines of England, to secure the said City, and Committee, being much disturbed with new commotions and insurrections.
They are pursued exceeding close by Lieut. Generall Crumwell, and Major Gen. Lambert, who are resolved to have restitution of all their plu [...]dered goods & cattell, which they have so barbarously seized on, and took from the Inhabitants in these parts, the Lieuten. Gen. having declared, That he is resolved to hazard life, estate, and fortune, for the priviledge and liberty of the subject, and to preserve the free-born people of this Kingdom from violence and oppression, and therefore will give [Page 3]his utmost assistance, for the restoring of them to their just rights, and remanding back the Cattell which hath been taken from them, and sent into Scotland; this gives great satisfaction to the Country people, who are so far taken with his declaratory expressions, that they have tendered theie service in this present Expedition, proffering to adventure all that is near and dear unto them, for his assistance, which was well taken, and thanks returned for their late and present forwardness in shewing themselves willing to promote so great a work, and to root our, and disperse the enemies of Religion, King, and Kingdom.
We hear that the Royall party in Cheshire had lately a design to have surprized the City of Chester for the King, and to have put most of the Officers and soldiers to the sword; but even in the very nick of time, they were discovered, and the grand Actors taken, and executed.
The like horrid and persidious complottings have been fomented in severall other parts of the Kindome, but by the providence of the great Jehovah still frustrated.
Scarbrough holds out with great insolency, the yong Gentleman Col. Bointon denies a surrender, having fair promises of relief from the Prince, some Forces are landed there, but no considerable party, not amounting to above three or four hundred. Colenell Bethell the Commander in chief against it, is resolved to storm.
The like preparations is making at Pomfra [...]t, the officers and others denying a surender, Ba [...]ceries are raising, and skaling ladders sent for.
Newcastle 14. Sept. 1648.
Other letters say as followeth.
On Satterday last the said Monro marched with his Army toward Morpeth, where he called a Councell of War, the results whereof was, to march back to the Coal-pits, and fire them all, to augment the price of Scotch-coal, and advance Navigation: but Sunday morning two Posts came speeding to have him come presently back into Scotland, a good pretence for his running away, for the Presbyterian Ministers had got hold of the civill Sword, made the renowned Marquis of Argyle Generall having an Army consisting of four thousand Horse and Foot, and much too hard for the new levyed Forces of the Lord Lanerick, most of them being totally routed and dispersed, not ten being left in a Body.
These messengers came from Crauford and Lanerick who are afraid of the Ministers new sword, more then of all their excommunications.
And yet have they proceeded to many notable decrees, to passe by others, one is, That in regard of the great defection to the Covenant throughout Scotland, they will not administer the Sacrament of the supper for one year to come, repent who will, and as soon as they will.
This ill tydings saved our Coal-pits, and sends the Scots the neerest way over [...]weed, in such haste, that they had almost left their plunder behind them, had they not preferred it before life, and thus are the Lads shifted once more out of England towards Kelsey, leaving the confederate English by the way of Northam, to shift for themselves.
They quartered in Banburg Hundred, and being thus [Page 3]deserted, they repair to Barwick for safety, from the Parliaments Forces, whom they thought at their backs though above fifty miles from them.
But ths Governour Lieut. Col. Lesly tells them plainly he could not let them in, having no provisions, from whence it was reported, and may come to it in time, that by directon of the Marquis of Argyle, upon his perill, he should hold that place for the Parliament of England.
Col. Lawson is gone with his feeble company towards Cockermouth Castle, and would be glad of quarter upon mercy.
In Northumberland many were plundered to great values, among others Sir Iohn Fenwicke, from whom was taken his best moveables, and many gallant horses, his dammage is estimate at 2000 l. the Sheriff of Northumberland had his share also, not meat for a Regiment left in all that County.
By Letters from Yarmouth it is advertized, that the populous Inhabitants after a long capitulation, they still persisting not to have any souldiers come into them, and yet carried themselves in a newtrall way, hath yeelded and given way to the income of some hundreds of Foot, and some Troops of Horse, but not till Munday night, they stood so far out as to arm their men: the Generall was necessitated down, but before he came they had agreed
There will be some men put into Garrisons, its conceiv'd only in some Fort, that may command both town and Harbour, and its but necessary, considering the great danger of a forraign Army landing there, [Page 6]whose great threatnings may allar'm the whole Kingdom to a posture of defence, and embrace those who have been their safeguard and protection for these 7 or 8 years.
Letters further from the North say, that Monro is retreated from the Confines of England, but pursued by Lieu. Gen. Crumwell, who is resolved to have restitution made to those English that have suffered since the late invasion. The Scottish Royalists leave no ways unattempted to raise additionall Forces for the King, and sends fair Proposals throughout the whole Kingdom for a compliance, but can no ways prevaile. Most of Sir Philip Musgraves forces ars routed and scattered by the Lieutenant Generall, and above 200 taken prisoners.