AFter the tender of my service, I recommend unto you an Abstract of such occurrances as hath passed in these parts, during his Maje­sties Blocking or beseiging of the Towne of Hull, wherein you shall be informed of nothing but the truth: also I shall give you a short narration of some perticulars from Yorke this last weeke.

Saterday being the ninth of Iuly, Divers Cap­taines and other officers being Rebells in Ireland, and lately taken by some Scotish forces there under the Command of Colonell Montroe was sent over into England, and conveyed from Sheriffe to She­riffe, and so brought to the King at Yorke, This day was they sent for by his Maiestie, who beg'd for pardon, but the King would not grant it, but pre­sently gave command they should bee sent to the Parliament. The Dutches of Buckingham also is at this present in Yorke, to begge pardon for her Hus­band the Earle of Antrim in Ireland, taken prisoner likewise by the said Colonell Montroe, but as yet we heare not how she speedes.

This day Sir Iohn Hotham sent to divers inhabi­tants [Page 3]living without the gates of Hull, neere unto Beverley gate, to depart from their houses, with their goods, necessaries, and housholdstuffe, pro­fering to receive them into the Towne, or else to goe to such friends as they had, whereupon their departure, hee burnt some of the said houses, and caused others to bee pulled downe, least any of his Maiesties forces (who lies intrenched neere Hull) should shelter themselves, and so assault the Town, it being a Maxime in war (especially in a Besieged place) to levell and demolish all places that may prove Advantagious to an enemy: As also to raise Batteries, and make such workes as may stand for their defence and security; Some difference this day hath beene betwixt Sir Iohn Hotham and the Mayor of Hull, who refused to assist him in defence of the Towne, whereupon hee caused his Gowne to bee pull'd over his head, and set a guard before his doore.

The King hath a great strength both of Horse and Foote, whose forces are daily augmented by divers of the Gentry of the County of Yorke, Lanceshire, Cumberland, Westmerland, Northumberland, and of many other places, who continually repaire to Be­verley, and strongly entrench themselves there, they have made two or three workes, and planted some peeces of Ordinance upon them, which was taken out of the shippe called the Providence, which came from Holland with Ammunition to the King, and runne ashore at a Towne called Paul, within five or sixe miles of Hull, they have laboured con­tinually to let out the water our of the m [...]ddowes, [Page 4]which Sir Iohn Hotham drowned, that thereby their approach towards the towne might be more secure & accessable, but all in vaine, for what was drayned out in the ebbe of the Tyde, was drowned againe at the flowing thereof.

Vpon Sunday, Iuly the tenth, Sir Iohn Hotham shot continually into the Kings works, and most part of the night, divers great bullets being taken up neere the Trenches, but God be thanked not a man slaine.

This day nine or tenne Captaines and other Cavalires were taken Prisoners by Sir Iohn Hotham, who were going over Humber to Barton upon the Coast of Lincolneshir to animate that County or else to force them to assist the King against the Parlia­ment.

This Evening a Troop of Horse, Commanded by Sir Thomas Metham, and of my Lord of Lindsyes Re­giment sallyed out of their workes towards Hull, where, in his march, he caused 3, Windmills to be set on fire, but first turned out the Millers, with their Wives and Children, and after retreated againe to his Quarters.

On Munday morning Sir Iohn made divers shott with great Ordinance out of the Towne, to cleare the coast. Captaine Ashburneham is here in the Kings Army, who came over with my Lord Dig­by from Holland.

This d [...]y his Majesty removed from Beverley, to Doncaster, and so to Newarke, conveyed by a Troope of great Horse for his Guard, set out by the Coun­ty of Yorke: The Prince accompanied him, but the Duke of Yorke returned backe to Yorke: His Majesty [Page 5]hath sent a Message to the Parliament, for the deli­vering up of Hull unto him, before he prosecute a­ny further, else he shall be forced to reduce it to his Obedience, he hath appointed the Parliament to meet him by a Committee at Beverley on Fryday last, it is thought he will returne to Yorke upon Saturday.

TUESDAY, Sir Iohn Hotham, confined the Major of Hull to his house, setting a strict guard be­fore his doore. This day, a Petition from Holder­nesse, was delivered: to the King, Complayning of Sir Iohn Hothams insolencies done to them, which his Majestie promised to protect against.

WEDNESDAY, it was generally reported that my Lord Digby was gone from the King, to­wards Holland againe, upon what occasion it is not certainely knowne; but divers reports come from the Court; that the King did not countenance his comming over, but was displeased greatly with him, the Lords about the King was discontented therewith likewise.

THURSDAY, Newes came to Beverley, that two great Demy Cannons and one whole Can­non was planted at Barton upon Humber, by my Lord of Lindse [...]es direction.

This day came divers graat horse to BEVERLEY from the West-riding of the County: my Lord of Cumberland is made Generall, of the Kings Forces; His Majesties Proclamation was proclaimed in York this day, declaring his purpose in beseiging of Hull, His Majesties intention is to Blocke it up, both by Sea, and Land; and to keepe all provision from it, [Page 6]and so starve them out; which by land I am per­swaded he will accomplish, if not releived by ship­ing at Sea.

FRIDAY, a Warrant under his Majesties Broad Seale, came to Yorke, for the erecting of a new Mynt there, some Commissioners appoint­ed for the same, came to veiw the place, where the old Mynt stood, which is now in Sir William Saviles possession, neere the Minster, where it appeares mo­ny was coyned in Hen. 8. Raigne.

This is all I can impart unto you for the present, so wishing a happy peace betwixt King and Parlia­ment, that thereby the distractions of this King­dome might be removed; I take my leave and Rest.

WE hold it our duties to tender you this short account of our Iourney in­to Worcestershire, which fell out to be very necessary and seasonable, for we found by the way, and after our arri­vall here at Worcester upon Munday night last (being [Page 7]the night before the Quarter Sessions) that great preparation had beene made for the Execution of the Commission of Array on this day, and great distempers raised in the Countie, by the violent: prosecution of Master Sherrington Talbott (whose high contempts and oppositions against the Parli­ament shall be more particularly represented to you hereafter) giving us iust cause to beleeve that there was a designe, hope, and probability, (with refe­rence to other parts adioyning) to have made this Countrey a place of warre; But (blessed be God) our coming downe by the Command of the Hono­rable House whereof we are unworthy Members, hath wrought (we hope so effectually that the Com­mission of Array was this day quite deserted by the whole Countie; The Declarations of the Parlia­ment most joyfully, and thankefully received, and the mindes of the People (which before were by mis-reports, and publications of matters from Yorke full of anxietie and trouble) are now (we beleeve) fully setled, as may appeare by this inclosed Petiti­on, which in a very full, and great Assembly as ever wee saw at any Assizes, or Sessions, was by the Grand jury presented to us, and the rest of the Iu­stices with a great acclamation of the company then present, and further intimations of ten Thou­sand hands more to have beene added to it, if time would have permitted.

Meane while Master Sherrington Talbott having the night before at his house peremtorily refused to obey the arrest of the Messenger, as the messenger can testifie, with other his speeches and actions, and [Page 8]comming hither to this Citie in a daring manner to have executed the Commission (finding his hopes faile, and his apprehension like to follow) secretly fled away, and as we heare is gone a­gaine towardes Yorke, with menaces in his mouth, leaving the Lord Dudley (one of the chief Commis­sioners) to mannag the worke, who being not secon­ded by the Commissioners whom he expected (or any other) the same day quitted the place, leaving the City and County (thanks be to God) in good peace and quietnesse, wherein we hope by Gods blessing it will continue faithfull, and firme to the King and Parliament; and of other passages we shall be ready to give the House a more particular ac­count at our returne, which we intend (God will­ing) shall be very speedily. Meane while and ever with our due respects and best service presented to you, we take our leave, and rest.