BY an Expresse from the City of Dublin to se­verall Marchants residing here, it is advertized; That the Marquesse of Ormond, Generall Pre­ston, the Earl of Clanaickerd, and the rest of the Irish confederates; have no considerable field army, and the severall Factions break out into high Differences; by reason of the falling off of the Lord Inchiquin, and Generall Owen Roe, who are resolved not to fight a­gainst Lieut▪, Generall Crumwell, and the English ar­my, [Page 2]which hath occasioned Prince Rupert to represent a letter to the said Lord Inchiquin, which was to this effect, viz.

That He desireth him to vse his utmost endeavours, for the propagating of the present work in hand, in relation to the investing of his sac [...]ed Majesty (as he is pleased to call the young titular King, Charles the second) in all on his English, Irish, and Scottish Throne, and to en­deavour the restauration of him to its just Rights and Dignities, &c.

But his Lordship returned this answer, That he was resolved to desist from any further engagement against the parliament of England, or to be any wayes instrumen­tall, for the involving of bleeding England and Ireland, in another bloudy and domestique War; and that for the more apparent acquitting himself of that inhuman crime he declared that he was res [...]lved to sacrifice both life and fortunes, against all opposition whatsoever, that should en­deavour the obstruction of the peace and tranquility of that Nation.

Insomuch, that the difference between prince Rupert and his Lordship increaseth, and the breach is like to grow wider before there can be any composure or re­conciliation. For Gen. Owen Roe is likewise fallen into a discontented against the Marq. of Ormond, who upon mature deliberation, in reference to his proceedings, and of the English Forces to be sent over, under the conduct and command of Lieut. Generall Crumwell, the said Owen Roe called a Councell of Officers, and after some time spent in debate of the present transa­ction of affaires, it was resolved by the Councell, That two Letter should be forthwith drawn up, the one to [Page 3]be communicated to the parliament of England, the other to Colonell Jones, intimating. That if they will not molest, or cause to be molested, any of the Forces under his immediate command, in their quarters du­ring the time prefixed for their residence in that king­dom, that then he will not iagage against any of their Forces, neither will he give any assistance to the Mar­quesse of Ormond, Preston, or any other parties who shall engage against them, provided, that they will not any wayes trouble his quarters, upon the advance of the English Army over, during the time of his re­sidence as aforesaid.

2 That he may have safe passage into Spain with such forces as shall bee designed for that Kingdome, &c.

By which meanes and revolt, divers begin to decline from engagement, and to desert the prince; so that it is hoped that Nation will soon be reduced to the po­wer and obedience of parliament, and a period put to her languishing ane bleeding condition. Ormond is in a very sad condition, and dare not take the field, his men moulter away apace.

The Expedition, the Tyger, and another of the Parlia­ments ships are got to Ayrs point within a few leagus of Leverpool, to secure the Coast of Ireland on that side. We hear of some action at Sea, between the two Navies, which speaks the parliament Victors, and that they have sunk and taken 9 of the princes ships: for the further particulars whereof, I shall refer you to my next.

Bristol 9 April 1649.

SInce my last of the sevent of this instant, we have received certain information of the further pro­ceedings of the Princes Fleet, and that they have divi­ded the Navy into three Squadrons; the first com­manded by Prince Rupert, who is to guard the Irish Seas and to attend the motion of Col. Jores Governor of the City of Dublin for the Parliament of England; the second, by Prince Maurice, who with 20 Sayle is to attend the motion of Captain Moulton in the We­stern Riding; the third by Captain Jerden, designed for the Lands-End, to attend the motion and coming out of the parliaments Summers Fleet; all which, bough numerous in shipping, yet weakly man'd, and dare not engage, unlesse with great advantage, the Sea­mon begin to moulter in their affections, and shew a great dislike of the proceedings of their Officers; for divers who have escaped at their coming into Creekes, do declare, That they begin to languish for their late perfidious Revolt▪ and would fain make a recantation▪ and that if once they could have the opportunity to come ashore, are unanimously resolved to desert the princes service: however if they cannot purchase their liberty one way, they are resolved to saciliate it ano­the [...] and that upon a neer Engagement with the Parlia­ments Fleet, it is believed they will take the same reso­lution as the Land Souldiers have formerly done and (upon good articles and conditions) deliver up their Officers to mercy, &c.

Some action hath lately hapned between divers Mar­chants▪ and prince Maurice his ships, and much hurt done on both sides; but after some dispute, and severall boardings, the Victory fell to the Marchant Men of [Page 5]War, who sunk two of the revolted ships, wherin was 50 piece of Ordnance, and chased the rest above seven Leagues, but by reason of a storm▪ they wer [...] forced to desist from further pursuit, and to leave them to the mercy of the raging Billowes.

These ships are said to be bound for London, Ly [...] and Yarmouth, who hold conjunction together for the safety and preservation of their Marchan [...]ize.

Since which time we have received other joyfull in­telligence from the Mauri [...]ian Fleet; and it is likewise confirmed by two men of War who last [...]ight cast anchor in this Harbour: they purport, that upon their crossing the Western Channell, they w [...] set upon by six of the princes ships, who gave them [...] broad sides, but were answered again with another Volley from the Sons of Mars, and after a hot conflict, [...] came vict [...]orious, killing many of their men [...]ing the rest, some taking their pursuit without a Mast o­thers without a stern, and their Sayls [...]. But by reason of the distempers of the Sea, and the dangerous breaches they had received from the Ene­mies round shot, were forced to strike in here for re­fuge, for the repairing and new rigging of their ships. Those who have been in action with them, report them to be as cowardly an Enemy, as ever engaged upon the Neptune Seas, and that 30 of the parliaments ships wel man'd, will (in all probability) soon expell the fury of 60 of theirs.

We heare that Capt. Moulton is in a defensive po­sture, and that he sayles sometimes within sight of the princes Fleet, but declines engagement at present.

We likewise hear of a great insurrection arising in prince Ruperts Squadron, the manner thus: two Sea­man speaking some words touching the unjustnesse of [Page 6]their cause, and the unlawfulnesse of their engagement, being over heard, were brought before the prince, and (according to Martial Law) were adjudged to die▪ and to be hang'd up at the main Mast, but the Seamen hea­ring thereof, unanimously rescued him from the po­wer of the Marshal; other Captains were summoned, to see the princes tyranny performed, but their Mariners likewise joyntly resolved not to execute the same.

Bristoll 7. Aprill, 1949.

Major Gen. Laughorn, Col. Poyer and Powell, are ad­ludged by a Councell of War to die, and have recei­ved Sentence to be shot to death. Whereupon Mrs. Laughorn, wife to Major Gen. Laughorn, presented a petition to the Court Marshal, imploring their mercy to her husband, and that this one unadvised act of his might not cause all his former eminent services to be forgotten; and being the last that ingaged in this unfor­tunate action, it is supposed, that if the Sentence of any be remitted, he will be spared.