A MESSAGE Sent from the Earl of DERBY Governour of the Isle of Man, To his Dread Soveraign, Charles the second, King of Scotland; concerning the Treaty between his Lordship, and Commissary Gen Ireland.
THe Earl of Derby (King in Man) having entred into a Treaty with the Commissioners of Parliament, touching the surrender thereof to their due obedience and authority, Commissary Gen. Ireland propounded to his Lordship, That it was the pleasure of the Parliament [Page 2] of England to receive him into favour, and to mitigate the Fine of his Lordships estate, by taking off the Sequestration thereof, and to make his Composition for 15000. li. provided, That he would surrender that Island, with all the Forts, armes, ammunition, and other warlike provisions thereunto belonging, for the use and service of the State & Common-wealth of England; and after mature deliberation on the result therof, his Lordship returned a very strange answer, saying, That he abhorred with his soul, the rescenting or harbouring the least thought of persidiousnesse, that he wold never be instrumentall, in casting such an Odium upon the House of Derby, as to betray the trust reposed in him by h [...] Soveraign, and that he was resolved to sacrifice his life, and all that was near and dear vnto him then to forfeit his Allegance and sell his Loyalty for 15000. l.
These resolutions seem exceeding strange and opposite to such fair overtures and propositions, insomuch that the transactions of the treaty are like to take little effect, as may appear by his Lordships Letter, to the declared King of Scotland, wherein he remonstrates,
That he was resolved, never to alienate or divert his loyal affections from his sacred Majesty, but to improve all possible interests whatsoever for the propagating of the Work in hand, and advancing so glorious a Cause, tending to the honour of God, the peace and prosperity of his Church and kingdoms, and the liberty freedom, and tranquility of all loyall Subjects throughout his Dominions; and as for the present Treaty, he was resolved to wave the same, he having no other end nor intentions therein, but onely a demur to the present advance of the English Army for Ireland; in prosecution whereof, he was resolved not to desist, assuring his Majesty, [Page 3] that for faciliating of the same, no means should be left vnattempted by
Yet notwithstanding the non-prevailing of the present overtures, we doubt not but a good account will (in process of time be given of the reducement of that Island, and his Lordship be forced (for the future) to make a finall recantation, for his former presumption and disobedience.
As for our intelligence from Ireland, I shall refer you to the inclosed letters, which came out this day in print, viz.
SInce the taking of the three Impregnable and strong Garrisons of Tredagh, Dundalk, and Trim, the enemy hath exceedingly streightned us, & have now gained more than ever they lost before, having incamped themselves within half a mile of the City, and many of their Out-works and trenches are lesse then musket shot of our walls: The last night about 10 of the clock they allarm'd us, our Governor and the Captains of the Guards were soon in a readinesse to receive them, and gave them a great volley; insomuch that we received some respite of ease, till two in the morning; at which time, the Lord Inchiquin (with a select party of horse and foot of his own Brigade) gave us a visit, and very desperately and resolutely fell upon our man in some in the Out-works, who being overpowr'd, were forced to quit the respective places, and make their retreat to the next place of sanctuary, but not without losse; for by their sudden assault, the poor Defendants sel [...] the terrour of their Bloud-thirsty Sword, and about 30 sacrificed their lives in the place; which action being with great vigour prosecuted, Inchiquin returned to his Tents, singing hallelujah for his tryumphant successe; but we doubt not, but to make our scores even, before many dayes are expired.
The Enemy make their neer approaches to our Liue, to threaten a storm; but its believed, their repuls the other night at the storming of Patrick Fo [...]t, will somewhat ret [...]rd that work; for they were disorderly beaten off with the losse of about 50 men. The Lord Inchiquin hath sent a peremptory Letter to our Governour, intimating, That he heard Crumwell was advancing into that Nation with an Army of English Rebels, to relieve him; but if he durst come thither, he should be welcome, and better entertained by his Lordship then he was ever, either by England, Wales, or Scotland, &c. Our Governour returned a very modest and resolute answer, That as he had vndertaken a Trust, so he should be faithfull therein to the last moment, whether any forces or none, came for relief of him.
But the thing that our Souldiery are most doubtfull and dubious of, is, that they fear the enemy will not give them a field upon the additionall forces landing, but that they wil rather betake themselves to the [...]ogs and Woods.
And although we cannot but represent our selves in a very sad condition (without timely relief) yet we cannot but exceedingly rejoyce at the gallantry of faithfull Col. Jones our Governour, under such a state, in this his present condition.
Since the enemies receipt of the intelligence of the Lord Lieutenant Crumwels designment for this bleeding City, they have somewhat awakened us with stronger allarms, and (as we hear) have entred into Protestation, to live and die, stand and fall together, and to fight it out to the last man, and that upon receipt of the foresaid intelligence, Ormond called a Councell of Officers, at the head quarters neer Fingles, the result was, whether they should prepare for a storm, before his Lordships landing, or whether they should begirt the City, streighten other Garisons, take in what they could [Page 5] and then randezvouz and draw into a Body, and give him battell at his landing: Upon mature deliberation thereon, it was unanimosly declared by most of that Popish and Prolaticall faction, That if he set footing there they wold fight him; in the mean time they would us [...] their utmost endeavours for the reducing of those Garrisons which the Parliament had in possession.
On Wednesday morning last, a party of the Marq. of Ormonds horse and foot faced our frontier Guards, keeping a great careering up & down neer the City Wa [...]s, and — making severall bold attempts within Pistol shot of our Line, Spurs, and Sconces, which continued for the space of half an hour; till at the last Cape, Cambray (Commander in chief of the new Fort) made a salley out with a party of horse and foot, who placed the Musquetiers in an obscure trench, for an Ambuscado; he himself being the Coy, for the calling in and ensnaring of the adverse party; but upon his first advance towards them with his horse, he found it a Work very full of difficulty, by reason that they had used the like point of policp: However, he resolved to dispute the place, and thereupon divided his horse (being 60 in number) into two parties, he himself commanding the one, and [...]ornet Jackson the other; Capt. Cambray charged the Van of the Enemies Forlorn, Corne [...] Jackson flanked them, and upon their first charge exchanged ground, with the losse of three men on both sides; but upon their present wheeling, both parties received each other with a second desperate Onset, who with great courage & resolution kept their stations, disputing the place with great gallantry; but at last our men being overpowred (by the coming on of a fresh supply of horse) were forced to embra [...] an honourable retreat; the enemy pursued to the very [...]n; pikes, where they were soon welcomed by the sons of Mar [...], both [Page 6] from the mouth of the Canon and Musquet, at which Volley, 7 of them were forced to yeeld obedience to the earth, wch caused the enemy to desert further dispute or engagement, leaving dead and wounded upon the place about 17. of our party five slain and two wounded.
By Letters further from Dublin it is advertized, that the Marq. of Ormond, and the L. Inchiquin with 20000 Horse and Foot, have in [...]renched themselves (in many places) within Musquet shot of the Walls, and by their strong allarums (being very resolved, since the taking of Tredah) keeps us in continuall action: the last night their Pioneers wrought exceeding hard, and raised an half Moon within musket shot of our Out-works, where was placed about 400 musketiers, and four pieces of Ordnance; it was contrived very artificially and strong, with a running Trench from their frontier incampings, which secures their men from great annoyance of our round shot: this morning we sallyed out upon them, with a resolution to beat them off from the said Fort; but finding too much opposition retreated to our Redout, which was within Pistoll shot thereof; about 4 of the clock severall parties of horse and foot were drawn forth on both sides, who engaged each other, and after a sharp conflict disputed with great gallantry the enemy retreated, and having a Reserve ready at hand our men durst not embrace the pursuit, but returned Victors with 17 prisoners, & left dead and wounded upon the place about 15 with the losse of 14 men, which the enemy in the night time set off, and buryed.
Thus having given you a brief account of that which is most remarkable and extant amongst us, I remain
As for the rumour, that the Earl of Derby hath seized upon Commissary Gen. Ireton, and a suit of Cloaths amounting to the value of 700. l. and sent them both for a Present to the Prince, it is false and incredible.