A terrible Battell between London and St, Albons, fought betwixt a party of the Royalists, and a party of the Parliaments forces upon Saturday last,
THis day being the 28. of Sep. 1648. A Member of the House gave notice, that himself and another Gentleman, having occasion to passe forth of the City about some extraordinary businesse, were affronted by 3. Gentlemen, (who very well knew the said Member, calling him by his name) two of them drew their Swords, and fell on him, the third had a Dagger to stob him, but by great providence gave them a Repulse. T [...]ere was also information given that Col. Rainsborough was likewise set upon by 3, of the Kings party between London and St. Alba [...]s, he having a Captain in his company, the Cavaliers seeing their gallantry and resolution, put spurs to their horse, and rode for it & being extraordinary well mounted over rid them.
A great Plot discovered, Wherein should have been Murthered, and most villanously Massacred fourescore of the House of Commons, divers of the Chiefe Actors being discovered.
UPon Saturday last, Information was given to the Committee of Darby house and the Speaker, that there were divers of the Kings party who had c [...]mbined to massacree fourescore of the Members of the Honourable House of Commons, who as they said opposed the Treaty in the House, & gave a note of 4. of their names A Captain of the Army was likewise killed in London, and a Major the last week.
A Petition was presented to the house in the name of many Thousands of the County of Ox [...]n, shewing their approbation of the large Petition in the name of many Thousands of the City of London, Westminster, and parts adjacent, and the great danger the Kingdom is in at this Time, desiring that those that have ever adhered to them and ventured their lives and fortunes in this great cause may not perish suddenly, while the destroyers cry peace, peace, but seek after blood, And that they would return to their first principles and not fail from the good work of God, that Gods wrath may be appeased, the enemies of him and his people subdued, their friends reconciled, which will be like life from death to this poor dying Nation, and so by this meanes a wel-grounded peace established.
From St. Albons Septemb. 29.thus.
There hath little of concernment happened here since the last Post, his Excellency takes all the care he can to [Page 3]the Countrey that undergoes the great but then of Free quarter; complaints coming in daily concerning the same and that which adds to affliction is, That the Souldiers is not paid, whereby to inable them to discharge [...]heir quarters, some Regiments having not had one penny pay these 18. weeks past, and none having had above one month pay in a [...]l that time, except the 2. Regiments which were in Kent, and the Souldiers begin to be much discontented, that the fault should be imputed unto thē for not satisfying for what they have in provisions when as they have been so ill paid, it is v [...]ry much feared if some speedy course be not taken herein, neither the Countrie nor the Souldier will with patience long undergoe the same. His Excellencie had letters out of Scotland (where Lieut. Gen. Crumwell is with the Army) informing of the good correspondencie betwixt the Earl of Argiles Army and ours, and that Monro was possest of Sterling bridge, hoping thereby to increase his Army its conceived it will rather lessen their number. There past some Scots prisoners this way going to be shipt for beyond the Seas, most of them curse Duke Hamilton, and wish that the Deele may flea his hide, some of them who escapt when they came to beg made as if they were dumb, making signes for bread, least their language should discover them.
2. Letters came this day to the Generall from good hands, that there was a Design that 2. Caviliers should sto [...] him during his residence at St. Albans, another from France came this week to his Excellency to the same purpose, and the party is in England and upon his journey from France that first discovered it.
The Lord Admirall with his fleet consisting of about 20 ships hath now alarmed the revol [...]ed ships & is labouring to reduce them the particulars are as followeth. viz.
His Lordship called a Councell of war upon receite of the Ordinance for giving indemnity to the revolted ships, And it was resolved to send them a summons and offer indempnity to them accordingly.
And comming within 4 leagues of them, a Summons was sent to them, offering them if they would surrender themselvs and their vessels they should have Indempnity and favour if not, to expect none.
But the Prince sent answer of a positive denyall to come in, or do any thing in order to that Summons, sleighting the indempnity offered. And declared resoluton and those with him for the restoration of the King his Father to his former Rights.
My Lord having received this answer, sent a reply to the Prince, to let His Highnes know the dangerous courses he is in, and those with him, and what a hopefull way the Kingdom of England, is now in to be setled, and all differences [Page 5]composed, and very good invitation to his highnes, and those with him to hearken to an agreement with the Parliament of England.
The Hollanders declare themselves Newters, and that they will not meddle at all neither on the one side nor on the other, between the King and Parl. of England.
And they have a fleet of ships put in between our ships and the Princes, that so no hostile act may be done on either side.
But the Officers, and Sea-men have differences among them, with the Prince, and that very great; only at present upon a little mony paid to them, they are so unruly altogether, since the Prince came, as they were before, & yet I do not hear that Prince Charles is aboard them. It is thought his Highnes will not goe aboard for fear they should have some design to carry him away.
Intelligence came just now that the Warwick Frigot hath had a fight with one of the Irish ships, and taken her with 10 peeces of Ordnance, 5 barrels of Gun-powder, and good store of Marchandize, diverse hundreds [Page 8]of Hids, and many Thousand Weight of Tallow. And there is also a little Vessell t [...]ken that was (by the Lord Iermins order) going with reliefe to his Islands, and all the Ammunition therein taken.
BEing at present arrived into Chester water, having been to the Northward, and came on yesterday our of the Bay of Carrickfergus, where upon Saturday was a sennite, Col. Mouke did surprize the Town and Castle of Corrickfergus, and the same day did surprixe Belfast: I have brought over with me the Generall Major Monro Prisoner unto your Honours; Upon Thursday last when I received him aboard, Col. Monk did march away toward Colrane, I pray God give him good successe, he is in great want of men and money; here is one Captain Browf come over in charge with the Generall Major, to whom I referre you to further relation at his coming to you.
Thus with my humble service presented unto you, I take leave and remain, Yours.
FRom this Island for the present I can write little of Newes, only his Majesty and the Commissioners goes on very hopefully, and his Majesty is willing, and ready to come to an agreement upon reasonable Conditions, so that there is great hopes of a speedy alteration and happy union between both parties.