A Great VICTORY Obtained in IRELAND By the Princes Forces under the command of the Marquesse of Ormond, with the names of those Regiments who yeelded upon quarter, and the particulars of the fight.
THe Marquesse of Ormond (wee heare) is sate down before the City of Dublin with 12000 Horse and Foot, and hath summoned Colonell Jones the Governour, to submit and surrender the said City to the obedience of his Majesty, Charles the II, [Page 2]for so is he called by those new Associates, but the Governour is resolved to hold it out to the last hour with the hazard of life & fortunes, and in order thereunto, hath disputed severall passes with great gallantry and forced the Enemy to a disorderly retreat; insomuch that they have inlarged their quarters, and caused the Marquesse to withdraw at a further distance; but upon this motion, fortune frowned upon our Sons of Mars, the Enemy making an attempt upon some of the frontier Garisons, adjacent to the City became both successfull and victorious, the manner thus:
When they were about six miles distant from the City, the Generall gave command that a considerable party of Horse and Foot should be drawn forth, for the assaulting of the aforesaid Garisons, and subduing of the Parliaments Forces: the first that they attempted was upon a part of Col. Hungerfords Regiment, who defended the place with unanimous Spirits, and received the Enemy with great courage; but being overpowred were constrained to article for their lives, which took effect, and Hostages being appointed to treat, these ensuing Articles were signed and agreed upon.
- 1 That all armes, powder, bullet, and other Necessaries appertaining to the said Garrison, should be safely delivered to the Marquesse of Ormond, or such as he should appoint, without any imbezelment whatsoever.
- 2 That they shall leave all their armes behind them, and march with their hands in their pockets.
- 3 That they shall not be interrupted in their passage, but have free liberty to go where they please.
Thus may you apparently discern the exorbitances [Page 3]of the usurping Marquesse, and his Confederate Catholiques, how, and with what insolencies they begin, if they surmount and dis impower Us there or here, a man that can but see with half an eye, may easily discern what in future times may be expected from them, what shall we say, The mercies of the wicked are cruelties.
They have also made an attempt upon another Garison, which proved effectuall, but not without great losse; for it is said they lost above one hundred men in the taking of it, besides as many wounded, occasioned by the unparalel'd valour of Col. Long (the Governour) and his Heroick Spirits, and after a hot dispute articled as aforesaid, and surrendred upon honourable conditions.
They use their utmost endeavors for the reducing of all Garisons ere new forces be sent over, and are marching against Dublin with a resolution to storm. But we hope, that supplies will be suddenly expedited thither, for the preservation of the distressed defendants, from the rage and fury of the bloud thirsty Enemy.
Chester 26. Aprill, 1649
The Committee of Estates sit daily in consultation, and are exceedingly discontented at their new Kings refusall to grant their desires, and reject a complyance with them; whereupon many of them have declared their assent for a message to be sent to the parliament of England, in reference to a Treaty, touching prince Charles; but many of the great Ones are divided in that particular, and the Commoners cannot indure to heare of the subversion of Monarchy.
Berwick 27 April, 1649.
VPon the 26. of this instant, here arrived a Messenger from Prince Maurice, with a Letter to the Prince of Wales, wherein he gives an account to his Highnesse of the present transactions at Sea, purporting, That without a speedy supply of Monies, and other necessaries appertaining thereunto, for accommodation of the Mariners, a great distraction would suddenly break forth amongst them new Coles being already kindling, which are ready to break forth in a visible flame.
For we hear, that they mutiny exceedingly, and have declared, That they will not engage against the Parliaments Navy without assurance both of present and future satisfaction; insomuch, that many of them have undantedly remonstrated to Prince Rupert, and other superiour Officers, that they will rather die and suffer martyrdome, then be enslaved and ruled by a usurping power and arbytrary Government.
This strange allarum soundeth in the eares of many like a terrible eccho, and puts a great demur to the proceedings at Court, many of the Grandees declining Engagement; especially since the receipt of the Intelligence, that the parliaments Navy are put forth to Sea who are joyntly resolved to hazard the encounter, and to bring them to obedience and subjection, who have perfidiously deserted, and betrayed the trust reposed in them.
And by an Expresse from Helver-sluce it is further intimated, that upon the lanching forth of the parliaments ships to the Ocean, they soon espyed a Squadron of the princes Fleet, all under sayl, being about sixteen in number, who making towards them, and comming [Page 5]within shot, gave them a broad side, which by reason of a second Volley from the assaulted, a hot conflict began, being disputed with great resolutenesse and gallantry on both sides, the Victory seeming a long while doubtfull, but at last it fell to the parliamenteers, who unk one of their Combitants, chased the rest many leagues, and are now become Masters of a great part of the Brittish Seas.
This is reported here with great confidence, and it is verily believed, the rest will not stand a fight, divers of them fearing, that they shall be made exemplary, if ever they be taken. Col. Popham one of the parliaments Admirals, hath cleered the Western Coast neere the Isle of Portland, and forced many to fly before him. The other two Admirals, Col. Blague, and Col. Deane, are upon the same motion on the South-west point.
Hague 27. Aprill, 1649.
Postscript, Sir, Since the writing of my last, the two extraordinary Embassadours from Sweden and Denmark have had audience with the titufar King of Scotland, representing the personall appearance of their Masters, and promising him assistance for the obtaining of his Birthright. But truly we cannot discerne any visible Force as yet in Armes, and the Princes Propositions to the old Souldiers of the United Provinces are much slighted and rejected, having unanimously declared, that they will not any wayes intermeddle with the affairs of England, in relation to the erecting and setting up of Monarchy, or any other Government whatsoever. Here is a great demur hapned, at Court, by reason of the Parliaments Navy putting forth to Sea, which causeth many who at first seemed very forward to promote the Royall Design, to desert [Page 6]any further Engagement, taking a president by the late headlesse members, who acted against the Commonwealth of England.
Hague 27. Aprill 1649.
Letters from the North say, That the Scots are still levying of men, but what the end of it is, time will manifest, all our enquiries cannot attain to the certaine knowledge of it: However we doubt not but to be as vigilant, as they are politike, and if we can but faciliate the taking of Time by the fore top, and reconcile our domestique distractions, we need not fear any foraign commotions. Yet the necessities of these parts are so great, that the Inhabitants are far from a defensive posture, especially Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmerland, where the poorer sort are almost famished, many hundreds dying in the high wayes for want of bread; it appearing by a Certificate from the Justices of Cumberland, that there are neer upon 30000. families in that County, that have neither Seed, Bread corn, nor monies to buy either.