my best wishes salute you, your Letter happily came to my hands on Friday at night where you desire a faire corre­spondency, notwithstanding the distance of place, as hath formerly passed be­twixt us, imparting such newes and passages to each other, as our knowledge and the places where either of us abide, may furnish us with, I assure you Sir, that the performance of your part of Frienship requires the like in me, for Newes, J should be loth to be num­bered amongst those that write onely upon [Page] bare imagination, to sweeten their owne de­sires, though they often appeare improbable, but J presume upon my owne knowledge, and my Eyes are the just and faithfull witnesses of what J write, and J shall doe nothing with­out their directions, therefore J shall write to you nothing but what J know for truth, our Country howsoever they seeme strongly for the other Party, yet in their hearts they are for the King and Parliament, however they have been abused in idle Pamphlets.

We have credible information, the King intended to advance towards you, but hath waved his resolution towards London, and di­vided his Army into two bodies.

One of which Divisions His Majesty him­selfe leads, the other Part Prince Robert com­mandeth, who with a flying Army posts be­fore him, and as J have heard a true relation plunders many Villages by the way, but our Commanders with undanted resolutions, their Troopes being fild with courage, are resolved to follow them, and bravely to venture th [...] li [...]es in the maintenance, of the true Protest [...] [Page] Religion, the defence of the King, the Rights and Privilidges of Parliament, against all ma­lignant Parties, both Papists and Cavaliers.

All which Commanders with an unani­mous consent doe most Christianlike declare their firme resolves in the behalfe of their King and Country.

And could they meet the Papists and bloud-thirsty Cavaliers in one distinguishable Body, they would then publish their true zeale to Protestant Religion, their Loyalty to his Ma­jesty, and their faithfull service to the Hono­rable Houses of Parliament.

But howsoever they are resolved by Gods assistance to follow both Armies, and to de­fend all those that shall make resistance or en­deavour to withstand the Cavaliers.

This may appeare by this ensuing relation.

Prince Robert with his Troopes did intend to plunder Drayton, but our Commanders ha­ving intelligence of his purpose, sent Forces to intercept him, which was as followeth.

They having intelligence by a scout of Draggoners, six Troopes of Horse, and a thousand Foot were sent to intercept them.

[Page] Twixt whom held a dangerous skirmish, for the space of an houre, yet being at that onset over-prest with odds upon Prince Ro­berts party, which had not their courage been answerable to their Cause and minds, in rights behest of King and Parliament, they alone had not been lost but the Towne also, who like­wise lent their aid and assistance, otherwise they had been plundered and utterly rui­ned.

But God, who still guards the fighters of his battailes, did likewise to their Courage adde their victory.

For they with undanted resolution, (to whose aide was brought two Troopes more of Horse, with two hundred Dragooneers) as­sailed them on the right wing of Prince Ro­berts Army, which new refreshing, they sup­posing more supplies were ready for to backe them) began by degrees to retreat, which our party perceiving, with fiery resolution redoub­led heir former courage, and with joyfull ac­clamations, symptomes of a hopefull victory, which did so dismay the adverse party with feare, that we got ground of them, and for­ced them to a present flight.

[Page] In which flight a worthy Gentleman, not to be forgotten for his brave courage and ap­proved valour Mr. John Ramsey Coronet, be­haved himselfe so bravely, that hee deserves to have our loves and future memory; for he not onely dismounted Prince Roberts Co­ronet, but farther brake into their rankes, slew a Lieutenant, and so bravely behaved himselfe which gain'd him many followers as envious of his Fame to gaine themselves like honour, in which flight Princes RO­BERTS Horse was shot under him, and hee was forced to take a Troopers horse to save him from their pursuit, and had not this a­foresaid worthy Gentleman Mr. John Ram­sey Coronet, received a dangerous wound in the Thigh, hee questionlesse had tane Prince Robert or fallen in the attempt, yet howsoever this to his fame be it spoke, hee brought the trophy of the other Coronet which hee dismounted to his Colonell, who so with love received him for his Service, and gave him a Lieutenants place. And had not the Evening prevented the pursuit of Prince ROBERTS army, they had given them a greater overthrow.

[Page] The number of the slaine on the other side as yet J cannot send you, but in my next Let­ter J shall, belieue no flying tales that the Ar­my mutinies, they are but false rumours ray­sed by some malignant spirits, for believe it their resolves are firmely knit, in the defence of the King and Parliament to live and die.

So much newes and no more at this time can J affoord you, J beseech God to send us peace and a speedy happy union betwixt the King and Parliament, so J rest, hoping to heare from you.