THough the late taking of Leicester by the Ene­my, did too sadly prove, that the complaints heretofore made by some Honourable persona­ges against that Committee, were no ground­ [...]esse accusations, or splenitive aspersions cast upon them, but the just feares of provident men: [...]et because that Committee have since, in a Printed Narrative, gone about to justifie their whole proceedings; it may concern the other, not so much in vindication of their own honour, as for redeeming the truth, to examine the particulars of that Narration. Those Gentlemen of quality, who at the beginning of this sad Warre, had, with the hazard of their lives and fortunes, put the Town of Leicester into a posture of defence, could not chuse afterwards (out of zeale to the publike) but continue their care for the suppression of it; though the full managing of that Affaire were since taken out of their hands, and committed to o­thers of Meaner ranke, and such men, who had not at first joyned in the hazard with them, nor appeared, untill danger did seeme to bee blowne over. Nor could they better expresse that publike care which they had to Preserve the Countrey, then by a serious observing, and timely com­plaining of such faults or Errours as that Committee were guilty of. Some of those faults, how well soever that Committee have endea­voured to blanch them over, Will plainely appear in searching out the truth of their owne Narration. In which it is not our meaning to pick needlesse quarrells against all that they say: But to insist onely upon such things, as without too much injurie to truth, cannot be let passe. That discourse concerning Master Purif [...]y, which they begin with, it is let passe, as a thing improper to give answere to; seeing he gave in his Testimonie to that Committee, which the House appointed for examining the par­ticulars concerning Leicester. But to an higher concerne, which pre­sently followes in their Narration, as namely where the Committee say, that the workes were amended where they were any waies defective, and that they were well made up in all places; To this is answered, that they had [Page 2]left all places of advantage to the Enemie undemolished, as namely, Master Chapmans Houses neer Belgrave Gate, Greenes houses neere Hum­berstone Gate; Widdow Swannes house, and the Grange neere unto Southgate; diverse Houses at the West bridge, and many neere to Saint Sundaies Bridge. From which place Major Innes with a Party of his owne men, allighted from their Horses, with Carabines in their hands, Sallied out at Sundaies bridge, beate off the Kings Forces, and fired those houses (the Foote of the Towne refusing to go upon the Service) All which places left thus, undemolished, were within sixescore Paces of the Workes, and most of them within Pistoll shot. It will be further proved that the Committee were unprovided of divers materialls, necessary for defence of the Garrison, as Spades Shovells, and Mattocks to make up the breaches, the Workes altogether naked, there being neither Cannon nor Musket Baskets to Shelter the Souldiers. Besides all this, that place in the Newarke, where the breach was made, the Committee would never suffer to be Fortifyed, because Master Wadland Clarke to the Committee, and a powerfull man with them, had a parcell of ground lying there, which he was unwilling should be cut up. In the next place, wheras they say, That the line was neere three miles about, and made by the Lord Gray; It is answered, that the Lord Gray could never prevaile with the Committee to pull downe those Houses before mentioned, much lesse to contract the Line to a more narrow circumference, and this unwillingnesse of theirs is most apparent, in regard that they suffered the said Houses to stand, and the Kings forces to take possession of them, though they had time­ly intelligence of the Kings approach. And whereas they say, That the Kings comming to Ashby was so suddaine, that they had not time to call away their men from Colearton, and bring off their Cannon; To that wee answer; Sir Iohn Gell by Letters advertised the Committee, three dayes before the King came to Ashby, that in all probabilitie the Kings designe was for Leicester. So that they had time enough to call in their out Garrisons, be­ing (as they say) 350. Horse and Foot at Colearton, and 160 Horse and Foote at Kirby, in all 510. besides those at Bagworth. Wheareas they say, that when the Towne was Summoned, onely Sir Robert Pye, and Major Innes see­med to question whether their number were sufficient to make resista [...]ce against such an Armie; They answer, that being Strangers they enquired what their Strength was; the Committee having formerly related to them, that they had 1500. fighting men in the Towne (wherewith no doubt but the Towne might easily have been defended) But upon view at the severall Posts they found not above 450. Souldiers, a very insufficient numb [...]r to Manne the Circumference of so vast a Line. Besides Sir Robert Pye [...] the Committee to take Order that there might be Teames and D [...]ght Horses for the removing of the Cannon from place to place, as [Page 3]occasion should require. But not an Horse nor Teame was to bee seen in readinesse for that service. And whereas the Committee promised Sir R [...]bert Pye, that there should bee 300. Men upon the maine Guard con­stantly, there were not seene above twenty men; Notwithstanding all these things, Sir Robert Pye, and Major Innes, declared that they would c [...]ntribute th [...]ir best endeavours to the maintenance of the Town, which they fu [...]ly performed; and when severall other Officers did quit their Post, Major Innes maintained his; and it is evidently knowne, that the Enemie never entred at his Post.

Whereas the Committee say, That they disposed themselves to severall pa [...]ts of the Towne, to supplie what was wanting in Ammunition, and otherwise distributing of Money to the Souldiers that stood at the Line; It is an­swered, We heard the Souldiers at severall Posts complain, that in twen­ty foure houres they had no reliefe in meat, drinke, or money; and that the Committee very seldome appeared at the Workes. Whereas they at­tribute the maintining of that breach in the Newarke to Captaine Hacker and Captaine Babbington; We say that Captaine Babbington was never, du­ring the Storme, neerer to the breach then the Westbridge, which was as­signed for his Post. And this breach was maintained by Major Innes; and after that all the Officers and Souldiers (properly belonging to the Garrison) had deserted that place, Major Innes with his Troopes repulsed them five severall times. After which repulses, the Enemie falling on at other Places, Captaine Hacker made his escape through that Breach, and was taken neer Humberston; the same Captaine Hacker, who when Co­lonell Rocciter was engaged with Sir Marmaduke Langdale, neere unto Mil­ton Mowbray, failed to joyne with him, which did extremely prejudice that service. And being then Governour of the Garrison at Kerby, fled to Leicester; first setting fire on the Barnes and Stables there; according to the information of an honest man, who was then at Kerby Garrison, when the Kings Forces came by Melton. Who saith that there were no Scouts sent out that day from the Garrison of Kerby Beler. And fur­ther faith that one Captaine Gollifon, comming from Melton, told Cap­taine Hacker that Colonell Rossiters Forces were Routed, upon which information Captaine Hacker Commanded that all his Souldiers, who had the weakest Horses, should with all speed march away to Leicester; and those, who had the best Horses, should goe into the Garrison, and set fire on it. The Souldiers obeying his command, set fire on a great Barne of eleven bayes of Building; the greatest p [...]rt of the said Barne having been nevvly made a stable to hold 250 Horses, and some Bayes left to lay in Hay. All which were burnt, and about ten or twelve Bayes more, and then the said Captain Hacker marched away, leaving behinde h [...]m provi­sions of Victuall, ammunition, and other necessaries for the Garrison; in [Page 4]which also he left sixe Prisoners, who ra [...] away. Some other Souldi­ers report that by Captaine Hackers command they Carried into the Hall, Hay, Straw, and Firres, to have fired the House. Whereas they write that Colonell Gray, of whose Valour they had former experience, was sore wounded, and led off the place; It will bee proved that he suffered Sir Barnard Ashlie his whole brigade of Foote to scale with three laddders, and enter the workes, without discharging a Musquet; and running from his Poast, was wounded in the backe, one of his Enemies saying, that he would give him the marke of a Coward; and that formerly he decla­red to us his ignorance, and want of experience to perform the dutie of a Governour. Where they say also that Captain Hurst was slain, it is like to the rest in their Narration; for he was not so much as wounded. Besides this, it is most certain that the Committee were so possest with fear, that they told His Majestie they would have delivered the Town at first upon the summons, had not Sir Robert Pye, and Major Innes dsswaded them from it. Sir Henry Skipwith likewise, and Sir John Pate two notorious Delin­quents, and powerfull with His Majestie, declared at Leicester, in the pre­sence of many honest men, that the greatest motive which drew the King to Leicester, was the certain Intelligence, that he had of the weaknesse of that Committee, and their want of experience in Military affaires. Concern­ing the fortifying of the Newark, which they say was intended by them; But that, upon a Letter from Collonel Booth to the Lord Grey, the Com­mittee of both Kingdomes did command the contrary: We will leave it to the judgement of all the World, how great a discouragement that had been both to Town and Country, and of what small advantage to the publike. Since it was impossible that the Newark could receive the persons, much lesse the goods and estates of all the well-affected. Insomuch as that if it had been fortified (which could not be effected to any purpose, unlesse they would resolve to pull down hundreds of houses) we conceive that both the P [...]rsons and Estates of the aforesaid well-affected persons, had been subject to as much misery and plunder, as they have since undergone. And for Collonel Booth, we are so well assured of his good intentions, in that dis­swading Letter (as they say) that malice it self can gather nothing of it, but a cordiall desire to prevent the misery, that was like to befall that place, both for want of able souldiers to manage the Militia, and strength enough to man the Workes. We therefore, as not unwilling that further notice may be taken of his Letter, have caused it to be reprinted. Concerning the taxation of the Country, we conceive nothing could breed more discon­tentment, then that inequality, which the Committee used in taxing the severall Townes, which Taxations (had they been equally layed according to the proportion of some Townes) had amounted to a farre greater summe [...]hen is appointed by the Ordinance of Parliament. And it is verily besee­ [...] that, [...]a [...] the moneys collected Weekly been converted to no other use, [Page 5]then for the service and maintainance of their Garisons, Leicester had been better provided for a Siege, then (as appeares) it now was. And yet notwith­standing the Committee did, over and above those great Taxes, charge the Country with all kinde of Provisions for their Garisons, and with Horses to mount their men. Where they affirm, that they receive not any pay; We are credibly informed that very few, or not one of them but is chargeable with moneys raised in the Country for the publike service. And how they have disposed of it, we must leave to the Examination of those who are im­ployed for that purpose. This we know, that many of them were Captains, and received great summes of money; yet seldome or never went out with their Troopes for defence of the Country. Whereby there was an unjust and unnecessarie charge, which might have otherwise been employed upon able souldiers. Instead of which they cashiered old Officers, and able men, advancing in their places raw souldiers, to the great prejudice of the busi­nesse. And whereas they affirm, that they undertook the Work, when others of greater Estates deserted it, and justifie themselves in that point through the whole Narration; it is well remembred that Captain Temple, late Gover­nour of Coleotton, when the Lord Grey began to fortifie Leicester, upon intelligence given of the Enemies advance out of Worcestershire towards Ashby, repaired at Midnight to the Lord Greys Chamber, earnestly per­swading him at that instant to remove to Rockingham with his Forces, Canon, and Cariages. And indeed many times since hath he expressed that fearfull disposition. For in time of danger (pretending businesse) he usually hastens to London; witnesse the last journey that he made up thither, upon the approach of the Kings Army into those parts. And for the rest of those that now sit in the Committee, not above two or three of them did appear, and joyn in the service with those Gentlemen, that hazarded their lives and fortunes for the Publike at the beginning, and are now out of the Ordi­nance for the Militia; neither did they appear untill Leicester was nigh fortified, and both Town and Country in a good posture of defence. Whereas they say that Sir Edward Hartop, Sir Thomas Hartop, Sir Roger Smith, Iohn St. John, and Thomas Brudenell Esquires, were but commanded down to sit as Committees, they would give more satisfaction to the Country, and do the Parliament better service, then those that are of lesse estates and esteem, possibly can do; The Committee well know that all, or most of those Gen­tlemen before mentioned, by reason of their age and other infirmities (with­out prejudice to their health) cannot attend to do service, as otherwise they willingly would. And it is most evident how earnestly the Country petitio- for an addition to the Committee, of Gentlemen of known integrity and abilities, who suffered both in their Persons and Estates for their affections to the publike; namely William Quarles, Thomas Beaumont, William Dan­vers, George Pochin, Thomas Pochin, Thomas Cotton Esquire, and William Sherman Gent. with divers others, some of vvhich, during the time [Page 6]of the Siege, were thought worthy and invited to sit, and advise with the Committee; yet the Committee would not give way to an addition: But did, as much as in them lay, render those Gentlemen odious to the Parliament. It is true that the Lord Grey gave a Commission to Theophilus Grey Esquire, then eldest Captain of his Lordships Regiment (the superiour Of­ficers of the Garison being drawn out upon service) to command in Leice­ster for s [...]me few dayes, when there was no danger of an Enemy. Vpon these considerations; How much those Gentlemen of the Committee, who have had the power of the Militia in their hands these ten moneths last past, deserve to be rewarded for their service let the world judge. Nor can we fear that this frivolous Apology of their (which they have printed under the name of a Narration, stuffed with apparent and detected falshoods) should so farre prevail with wise men, as to acquit them of such hainous essences against the State [...] or much lesse have power to transmit the ble­mish from themselves to their just accusers. Such Apologies, as they im­ply some faults committed, are themselves sometimes greater faults, then those wh [...]ch they labour to excuse. Since it is a greater crime purposely to deceive a State by misunderstanding, then to trespasse against it by igno­rance, or weaknesse. Howsoever, no fear of prejudice can discourage men of Honour, who are ashamed of nothing but ignoble actions, to averre and maintain a clear truth against any persons, especially where the satisfaction of the State, more then the vindication of their own Honours, doth engage them to it.