The Copy of a letter from the North; containing a Relation of the condition of those parts; with some particulars from Barwick, as Col. Brodelin made Governour of Berwick, Sir VVilli­am Selby the Lord Generalls bro­ther, taken prisoner, and the Commis­sioners Jnstructions taken, &c.

THe works about this Towne goe one a pace, and with all, prepare for defence, the Inhabitantr out of their affections to the Com­mon good, as well as for their owne Security have undertaken to make a worke called the s [...]ei­ffeld worke, and to incourage others, the Major and Aldermen went them selves first to beginne it, so that when the workers finished, the Towne will be as it were double Walld; likewise the Souldiers make [Page 2] up other works, and all paid for their paines, the Sur­prise of Barwick, and Castill makes them the more diligent for by this they perceive which way things are likely to tend.

The Engl [...]sh [...]s wee heere that surprised Barwick doe also use diligence to Fortifie that Towne, and they have made Colonell Brodlin the Govenour, who is to Command the forces there, and give I [...]structions for the fortifying and victualling thereof, they have taken Sir William Selby the Lord Generalls Brother prisoner, also they have taken the Commissioners with their Instructions, and other packets sent by the Post from England, also they have secured the Mayor with the Commissioner and other which they tooke; also they brought in some provisions with them; but to prevent other provisions and supplyes going unto them, there is a Ship gone from Newcastle, called the Adventure, to block up the River Tweede, to prevent the bringing of any reliefe that way; but some Foote all come into them from Scotland side, but they have broken down the Bridge, so that none could passe o­ver into England that way: there is much talke of Prince Charles his coming into Scotland, and that he hath already granted Commission to divers also, it is reported that Barwick was surprized by a Commissi­on from the Prince, the Scots make preparations that all may be in a readinesse against the returne of their Commission, and if their answer be not satisfactory, as they call it, they threaten to do something, it is ho­ped when the time comes, there will not dare to ven­ture upon any designe, for the Ministers still hold out [Page 3] Here is great alterations in this Towne, Malignants are very high, and insult over the Parliaments freinds with great tyranny. The Inhabitants feare they shall want bread to eate. Here is li [...]tle trading, except to Souldiers upon Tickets. The Parli [...]ment of Sco [...]land, and the Assembly of Divines a [...]e upon a new Treaty. These Malignants here abou [...]s stop the report of the Parliament of Englands Votes, to continue the Go­vernment of the Kingdom, by the King, and Parlia­ment, and would not have the new [...]s spread in Scot­land. &c.

Wee have every day fresh Alarms, God grant it prove not a worse deluge then the former, none have cause to gape for a War, but the desperate banckrupt, and the hungry Souldiers; me thinkes men of Estates should now value peace. And Religion will at this time be ill settled in blood.

Our Governer Sir Arthur Hazlerig, sent supplies to the Governour of the Holy Jsland, fearing that it might be attempted as well as Barwicke, And they came very seasonably, for not long after they were landed; letters came to the Governour, from Sir Mar­maduke Langdale, to perswade with him, about the surrender thereof. His Letter was (as I am informed) to this effect (viz)

That hee had received Commission from Prince Charles for the reducing of those parts to the obedi­ence of the King. And that if hee would keep that Jsland for his Maj [...]sty, he did assure him, that it would be taken by his Majesty for a very accep [...]able service, And promised him (upon his honour) that he should have all his Arrears paid to him.

[Page 4] The Governour being Incouraged by those suplies sent from hence, stands upon his guard, and would return him no Answer of compliance. Here are two Ships taken neere these coasts by the Irish, w [...]o d [...]e much mischeife at Sea.

Levitenont Colonell Henry Lilburne is placed Go­venerr of Tinmouth Castle, from which he is lit [...]le ab­sent. We haue good hopes of the Countries standing firme to us, especially if strength come to support them. God grant these dismall clouds well blowne over.

Newcastle, the 8, of May. 1648.

[...]rom this Town of Newcastle, there was sent this last weke, into the Towne of Barwick, a Frigor which carried 34. pieces of Ordinance, upon her coming into the Harbour, discharged 2 broad sides against the Towne, which made them within thinke all was not like to be well with them; our Governo likewise on Munday the first instant, mounted a con­siderable number of musketeirs on horseback, and sent them to secure workworth Castle, a strong hould that belongeth to the Earle of Northumberland, scitu­ate neer the sea, upon the mouth of the River coquet, which runneth thorow the middle of Northumber­land.

The Popish and Malignant party, flock a pace forth of these two Counties of Northumberland, and Dur­ham, to Barwick, no doubt Royall Presbyters; where those that held the Town are very active, sen­ding forth summons to the parts remote, and adja­cent [Page 5] wheat a Rendevous upon Hedgely Moor, 4. or 5. rules from Alwick, to be there listed for the service of the King: Col. Grey of Warke his tenants to joyn with them.

The high Sheriffe of Northumberland, and many Justices of Peace, are inforced to flie to Newcastle for the safety of their persons, leaving their houses and goods exposed to the danger of the enemy. At the meeting last week of the several Northern Counties, at Richmond, it is agreed that some of Col. Lambertss troops of Horse stay in Yorkshire, and the rest (about 1000) to be drawn to Nortumberland and Cumber­land.

This Town being at a generall meeting desired to declare whether they would stand for the Parliament, and give their assistance for defence of the Town, an­swered that which signified nothing, or the contrary: Eght hundred Foot are comming from Yorkshire to this Town; these Counties will not stir unlesse they see a potent Army come for their defence, if then they begin to feele already its to be active any way; the Fortifications of this place and Tinmouth goes on apace. Lieutenant Coll. Lilbourne is to be Deputy Governour of Tinmouth.

Newcastle, May. 7.

The Copie of a Letter from Brecknockshire in Wales &c. Col. Horton keeps his Randezvouz in this Count­ry, where he hath scatered and routed all that were gathered togeather for the assistance of powell who were fortyfying of some strong holds in this Country, he also opposeth the Welch party dayly, [Page] and keeping them from flying to the Mountaines through his vigillancy: It is said that Maj. Generall Laughorne, and Col. Powell have made severall Pro­positions & inhabitants of Southwales, to this effect viz.

That they are resolved to use there uttermost en­deavours for the setling of his Majestie in his Royall Palace at Westminster.

To restore Charles Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royall Progeny, to all there just rights and pre­rogatives belonging unto them.

That they will hazard both life and fortunes for the electihg and stablishing the Booke of common prayer, and setling of Church Government, as it was before this Parliament began.

Cardiff 11. April, 1647.

Since my last, we have received further intelligenc [...] from Barwick, that the Towne is now blocked up by Sea, and that they now, and then receive many Great shot, in­somuch, that divers houses are battered; but Sir. Mar. Langdale, hath sent Propositions to Capt in Batten Go­verner of the Holy Island, which are to this effect. viz.

1 That he would be pleased to surrender for else maintain the said Garison for the Kings Maj. 2 that upon perfor­mance of the same, he will engage for his Arreares toge­ther with the souldiers also. 3 that he will assure him of his Maj. said favor, and will recommend him unto his Majesty. 4 That he would be pleased to consider of the imprisonment of his Majesty, and the violation of the laws of the Kingdom &c. These with some other circumstan­ces, were presented to the Governour; but he utter [...]y deny­ed to assent thereunto.