A Designe by Captain BARLEY and others, to have surprized Carisbrook Castle, in the Isle of Wyght, where His Majesty now is.
ON Wednesday December 29. 1647. Some Malignants formerly of the Kings Army intended to have surprized the Castle in this Island, to have either kept it for the King, or carried His Majesty to Jarsey Island.
The cheif of these Plotters was Captaine Barley formerly Governor at Pendenis for the King against the Parliament, an active Malignant, and one who hath been very active and was now Captain of a Ship, with others who came into this Island to stirre up all such as they could heer, to rise and joyne in Armes with them to perfect their Rebellious designe.
By command from Collonell Barley and [Page 2]the rest, Drummes were beaten for the raising of men and they declared for the King, and had some came in to them, so that they intended to have surprized the Castle where His Majesty then was.
But the Mayor of Newport and some others, indeavoured what they could to hinder this most dangerous designe, and Collonell Hammond having notice of it, as also Captaine Basket the Governour of the Castle, there were all possible meanes that could be used to suppresse them.
Colonell Hammond sent Letters to the Commanders of the Horse who came to secure that Island, appointed by His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, to have aide presently sent over.
Captain Basket the Governour of Cowes Castle sent also Letters to the Commanders of the Parliament ships, who were riding neere those parts for the guard of that Island for releif from them also, not knowing what this designe might come to, for Captaine Barley and the rest of the Rebels that rise, went still on in their designe to surprize the Castle and the Island.
About 11 a clock that night a Letter came to the Commanders of the Parliaments ships from Captain Basket, of Cowes Castle in the said Isle of Wight, by which Letter they were advertized, that the Governour of the Isle of Wight was (that night) beseiged by some formerly of the Kings party, that had been in Armes against the Parliament: and that it was feared that the Hollanders then riding there at Anker might be ingaged with them (but for that it afterwards appeared that they were not, and they have shewed great willingnesse afterwards to cleare themselves therein,) and that also divers of the Islanders were joyned with them.
Hereupon the Commanders of five ships of the Parliaments, viz. Captaine Jordaine, Captaine Penrosse, Captaine Jervis, Captaine Mildmay, Captaine Legent, called a Councell of Warre to consult presently on this businesse for relife of the Island, and the souldery for the Parliament against the power of the Plotters.
1 And it was resolved (in councell that all possible assistance should be speedily given [Page 4]to Collonell Hammond Governour of the Isle of Wight for the Parliament against those who had risen there in opposition to the power of Parliament.
2 That those severall ships for the Parliament should be disposed in such stations as might best prevent the putting off of boates to or from the Island without search.
3 That the Island may be secured from all inconveniences by the ships then riding neere the Island, and all others as much as may be.
And accordingly the Commanders of the ships addressed themselves for the perfecting of speedy reliefe,
On Thursday Decemb. 30. The Captains of the five ships for the Parliament, had informations by expresses, that the aforesaid Captaine Barley and other three of the cheif Mutiners, were apprehended & prisoners in Carisbrook Castle. And the Mayor of Newport and other of the Magistrates had done very good service in assisting Collonel Hammond, and that there was some appeasing of the businesse.
Also an hundred men were landing upon the Island and an hundred more going from Portsmouth after them for further releife if occasion were.
A Letter this day from the Governour of the Isle of Wyght, concerning a designe for a surprize of the Castle of Carisbrook, where the King now is, by Captain Barley and others, was this day read.
A Letter from some Commanders of the Parliaments ships riding in the Mawes, Dated Decemb. 30. concerning a designe of surprizing of Carisbrook Castle, by Captain Barley and others, was read.
The House upon consideration of this businesse, Ordered, That a Conmission for Martiall Law be given to the Governour of the Isle of Wyght, for the Tryall of the said Captain Barley, and the rest of the chiefe Mutiners in this businesse.
A Message this day came from the Lords whereby the Lords returned some Amendments to the Orders yesterday, sent up by the House of Commons, [Page 5]to authorise his Excellency, and the Governour of the Isle of Wyght (in order to his Excellencies directions therein) for the security of the Kings person, which Orders were to this effect, viz
That the Lords and Commons doe approve of what the Generall hath done concerning the safety and security thereof, in the place where he now is: And the Lords and Commons doe further Order, that the Governour of the Isle of Wyght, be hereby authorized to take especiall care for the security and safety of the Kings person, where now he is, and that he doth observe such orders and directions herein as he shall receive from his Excellency, or both Houses of Parliament. And that these Votes be dispatched away to his Excellency, and the Governour of the Isle of Wyght, accordingly.
Also that the thanks of this House be given to the Mayor of New-port, and to the well-affected Inhabitants there, for their care and good affections expressed in the late Mutiny, and insurrection in that Town raised by Captain Barley and others.