A DECLARATION From the West of ENGLAND Containing The Resolution of the Cornish-men, touching the Prince of Wales, and a Declaration of their Engagement, in relation to the proceedings of the Parliament and Army.
THE Distractions in these parts begin to grow numerous, and the adverse party appeareth visible it several places throughout this Westerne [Page 2]Climate, especially since the late Blow given to the great Cedar; who upon receipt of the intesligence, vowed to revenge his bloud, and prove instrumentall, in propagating the Royall succession, by crowning the Prince of Wales. But upon proclaiming of the proclamation, prohibiting the same, the pride of their insolent spirits was much abated, and divers who seemed to smile upon their actions, have now shrowded themselves under the Banner of Freedom, by holding correspondency with the well affected in these parts, and mutually engaging with them in this ensuing Declaration, for the preservation of their Relgion and Liberty, from the violation of their insulting Enemies; a copy of the said Declaration followeth.
WHereas, we having found (by sad and woful experience) the continuance of the publike Calamities of this distracted County, and bleeding Kingdom to have been principally occasioned by the prevalency of a corrupted and self-seeking party, whose daily actings, hath brought forth, crosse, delatory, and destructive proceedings, for obstructing the peace of this Nation, and infringing the liberty and freedom of the Inhabitants thereof.
And likewise considering the apparent danger, and approaching ruine ready to be fall us (if not timely prevented) by reason of the Princes being at Sea with a Fleet (consisting for the most part) of Forreiners, and men disaffected to the peace of this Kingdom: In order whereunto, and for prevention of the aforesaid ruine and danger, VVe doe (in the presence of Almighty God) unanimously declare,
That we shall leave no meanes unattempted, for the strengthning and quickning of our hands in this great work of the Parliament and Army, which so much redounds to the universall peace of this distracted Kingdome, the preservation of our lives, liberties, and freedoms, from the violation of an arbytrary and self-seeking people, and the establishing of truth and Righteousnesse both in Church and State.
And that according to this our Engagement) we shall with the hazard of our lives and fortunes expose all that is near and dear unto us, in defence thereof, and for preservation of our peace, liberty and freedom, against all opposition whatsoever either by Sea or Land; being confident, that these suitable Actings to such just principles, will soon bring in, and promote all the upright in the whole Land to a mutuall compliance and engagement with the Parliament and Army; and not only so, but will also prove instrumentall, for the making of them renowned patterns to all the people of Europe, for the good of all Nations.
This Declaration was subscribed unto by many hundreds of the well-affected in the Towns of Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tavestock,and other places, with a Resolution to live and dye with the Parliament and Army in all righteousnesse, for defence and safety of the Religion, Government, and the publike peace and interest of the Kingdome.
The moderate party about Taunton have likewise declared for the Par. and army, and are resolved to put themselves into a posture of defence, and to oppose the landing of the Princes Forces, whose floting up and down the Neptune Seas, and riding in our VVesterne Channel, causeth some fear of jealousie: they are very numerous in shipping, but are slightly arm'd, and weakly man'd; yet seem to be very full of courage, and resolutenesse of spirit; for within these few dayes, upon the landing of some of the Hoptonians neere Dartmouth, an allarum being given, that Sir Hardresse Wallers Forces were upon their march to receive them, the Soldiery declared a great willingnesse to fight them; but the Officers caused them all to quit their Land-sanctuary, and to hasten aboard.
The Fleet consisteth of 28 Sayl, but Pr. Rupert generally hated amongst them all: the Lord Hopton hath the greatest influence on the Sea-men, who wa [...]teth an opportunity for the playing of his game.
There are divers in the town of Plymouth who seeme to be much discontented at the death of the King, and have declared a great deale of sadnesse, and vexation of spirit, in relerence to the same; who accordingly upon receipt thereof, dispatched a messenger aboard the Princes Fleet, to advertize them thereof; but the Governour hath shewn a great deal of wisdom and integrity, in preservation of the peace of the Inhabitants, and allaying all differences.
The Princes Agent (during his private residence in the said town) had wrought exceedingly upon the hearts of many; insomuch, that divers would not stick to say, That if they were deprived of the Father, they would endeavour [Page 5]the Inthroning of the Son; but most of this Royall Faction are now silenced, since the Kings death, and the rest will be proceeded against in a way of Justice.
Exceter 5 Feb. 1648.
Other Letters from the VVest make mention, That divers of the well-affected in the Counties adjacent, upon a meeting near Taunton, on the 3. of this instant, declared their Resolutions, and entred into protest [...]tion, to sacrifice lives and fortunes in the defence of Parliament and Army, for the obtaining of Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, together with the common Rights of the people of England.
And do desire, that impartiall Justice may (without detraction of time) be forthwith executed upon all Offendeas wdo have beene ayding and assisting in this tyrannicall, and bloudy war, and promoted the Designes of the adverse party, against the well-affected of this Kingdom.
Since which Declaratory Expressions from the said well-affected party, the spirits of malignancy have been much abated in these parts: But in some parts of Hereford, & Somertsetshire, the Coles of Enmity are kindling, and ready to break forth into new flames of Discord and Contention, the Clergy stirring up the people in their pulpits, and using all meanes possible to incite them to an Engagement against the Parliament and Army.
Gloucester 5. Feb. 1648.
Letters from Southampton say, That divers of the Princes men desert him daily, being not willing [...]o engage either with the Irish or Scots, against the English: they further intimate, that on Friday Feb. 2. the Prince received intelligence of his Fathers death, and being much astonish'd thereat, declared himself with a sad dejected countenance, to divers Gentlemen attending his person, saying, O unfortunate Prince, that ever I should live to see this day; now woe be vnto the Kingdome of England: with that, the tears trickled down his cheeks, and his Highnesse betook himself to some privacy for a while: Some roport, that he hath designed his resolution for Scotland; it being said, that the Jockies intend to crown him at Edenburgh, and then he will revenge his Fathers quarrel. But those that cover to swim in the bloud of Saints, shall assuredly sink in the gulf of Gods eternall wrath.