THE greatest news and chiefest, oc­currences now stirring in our County, is about the Marquesse of Hartford, fortify­ing [Page]of himself at Shereborn, and of Collonel Lunsford his Fire weekes, of which it is reported, he hath made a­bundance, and began to domineere in those parts, till the Parliament Forces came, giving out divers scandalous and seurrolous speeches, saying, that the would keep the Castle against 40000. Round-headed Souldiers, and that hee doth not esteeme of such a Number, and he and divers of the Cavaleers hath entred into an Oath of Associa­tion, to be true one to another, and to strive to the utmost of their power to resist all those that shall oppose them, he is very resolute.

Here hath bin much pains used by Sir, Walter Earl, with the rest of the Deputy Lieutenants, in raising of forces to go to Shereborn, but such is the base nesse of the Gentry and scandalous Ministers, as that they will do nothing themselves, but have discharged all our souldiers of our trayned Bands, as that very few of them will go.

Captain Gould and Captain Sidnam made great shew of their forwardnesse at the first, but it proved nothing but dissembling with our Lieutenants at last; for they dishcartned their soul­diers themselves, and then gave out that their Souldiers would not goe: their Lieutenants and under Officers are gone from their service, and have listed themselves under other Cap­tains, and so have many of Captaine Sidnams souldiers, daring him to his face to go with them.

Thus you see the wickednesse of our County, occasioned by Malignant Mi­nisters, who do nothing else but preach a­gainst the Parliament and their Procee­dings.

But I hope the Wisedome of that great Councell is such, that they will take notice of it, and take conveni­ent time to rid the Kingdom of them and set honester and faithfuller Prea­cgers in their places, that so Gods true Religion may once flourish againe in this Kingdom.

Upon Satterday being the 2. of this instant month, our souldiers being a­bout 500. horse, and foot, marched out of this Town, accompanied with 900. of the Trayned Bands, and Volunteers of Devonshire, towards Shereborn, be­ing all very couragious and stout­hearted souldiers.

They was also accompanied with our Deputy Lieutenants, and two Barro­nets of Devon, with many more of the chief Gentry of that County, there was about 200. and 50. went out of our Town, most of the young men being also gone, Mr. Hewet, Mr. Edward Dash­wood, Mr. William Whis, Meychant, are likewise gone in this service, had it not bin for the forwardnesse of Dor­chester few of the Country would have gone.

Yesterday about two of the clock in the afternoon, the Earl of Bedford sate down with his Forces before Sher­born, being a mile distance from the Town, having with him 28. Ensigns, [Page]five thousand foot, and seven hundred Horse.

Our company having notice that the Earl was set down, marched yester­day night to be there this morning. The Earl hath promised to send them 300. horse, when they are within three miles of Shereborn, to conduct them safe from the Cavaleers, those that came out of Devonshire are very Reli­gious people.

It is thought that the Marquesse of Hartford is in the like condition that Colonell Goring is in, by reason of the abundance of Forces that have now besieged him in his strong hold at Shereborn Castle.

For upon Saturday last, it was sig­nified to the Iouse of Commons, that the Marquesse is compassed in with 4. or 5000. men, and that they could easily fetch him out, but that they are very unwilling to shed any bloud.

The Devonshire Voluateers are very resolute, and stand fast for the Parlia­ment.

They take much courage to hear of the happy and fortunate successe of the Parliaments forces at Portsmouth, and of the proceedings of Sir John Meldrum there.

Having information of the brave Exploits that he hath performed since his going down, as it was signified to to the County by Letters from Portsmouth, that Sir John Meldrum is raising of great Horn works against the Town, and that his Advice much advantageth the service, daily endea­uouring, and using his best skill to further that happy work, he is a great encouragement to the souldiers, and a man much esteemed of amongst them, being sent down by the consent of both Houses of Parliament.