THe Enemy still con­tinues in COL­CHESTER, The great ones had a purpose last night to escape, as wee heare, for their goods are shipped, and sent a Party to possesse MERSEY I­land [Page 2] sFort, the better to secure their pas­sage to Sea; but this morning early, our Horse and Dragoones passed the Island and Foot, and so hath prevented the Ene­mies flight by Sea; and by Land their body cannot stirre: some Horse may perchance in the night escape, & leave the rest to slaughter. For such is the rage of the Souldier for the losse of their Com­manders, that they will hardly admit of quarter. Many honest people (though the meaner sort) steale out of towne hour­ly to us; and all agree in one story, That the Enemy knows not which way to turn himselfe, that he is desperate, and thinks to get Conditions for themselves, by their ha­ving Sir WILLIAM MASSHAM, and others of the Committee prisoners.

The Generall sent a Trumpeter to see Sir William Masham, but they yet detain the Trumpeter. The Townsmen say, they had six hun­dred men run away that night the fight was; we have Five hundred Prisoners, most taken from the Gats [Page 3] of the City. The Enemy buried of their slain men, Sixty in one Church yard, besides what was slain in the other part of the Town, they say, that Sir William Campion, and one Knight more, Col: Cooke and two Majors, and other Officers were slain; some prisoners we have taken since confess as much, and many of quality wounded; many of the priso­ners of the Trained bands; (which this day the General released, being sore wounded) say, that they went under Col. Farre, my Lord Warwicks Lieutenant Colonel, that he lead them out into the field, and into Mr. Grimstons house; and when he and the men fled, being galled with our Musketiers, he got to the gate, and caused it to be shut, and left his men to be cut in pieces without the wall, if [Page 4] our Soldiers had not been more mer­cifull. The General is close beleaguer­ing the Town; this day Col. Ewers is come up with his Regiment, and all our Train: The General purposes to preserve the town from plunder and fire, if it be possible; though one Buxton and the Leomons, and many more (as those that come out in form) encourages GORING and the Cavaliers to hold out. Many an honest boyd is und on by them God is only wise, for who could have found out such a way to unite the ho­nest party together against this bloody & common Enemy? There are 4. Colonels taken at Newmarket, about to raise men for the King, Col. sir BAR. SCUDAMORE is one of them. If the News of any success this Army hath were acceptable, you would send one weeks pay to an Army that hath not had a penny this Moneth. I. R.

The Generalls Trumpeter is returned, who left Sir William Masham and the o­ther Gentlemen in a reasonable good con­dition, [Page 5] he saith, Sir Wil Campion and one Col. Cook were buried this afternoon, their Corps attended by the Lord Goring, Lord Capel, Lord Louthborough, Sir Wil. Compton, and divers others of quality. They much lament the losse of Major Eyres, whom they thought we had priso­ner, but he was slain.

Captain Zanchy, who took in Mersey-Fort, found two Culverins, two Sacres, and one Drake in it, Captain Peacock, and the Commanders of the Ships at Har wich have sent to the Generall to assist him, in the Harbour of Coln River, if the Fort at Mersey be ours, of which the General hath sent them word, Col. Stewart, and Col. Thornton were taken with Sir Barn. Scu­damore.

UPon Thursday last, about three of the clock in the afternoon, Captaine Pickering recei­ved intelligence, that divers eminent Commanders were at Newmarket, plotting and contriving how they should raise and seduce the Inhabitants, to [Page 6] serve the King against the Parliament; and the bet­ter to effect, rode up to the Market place, declaring That all Gentlemen whatsoever, that had a desire to serve his Majestie, for the defence and preservation of his Royall Person, the Protestant Religion, the fundamen­tall Laws of the Kingdome, and the Libertie of the Sub­ject should repaire to the Kings Armes, there to receive present entertainment, and advance money; Whereup­on divers resorted thither, Protesting to live and dye in the Cause. But in the very interim of time, Captaine Pickering, came in with his Troop, who ended their Designes, dispersing those that were gathered together, and seizing on the persons of the Commanders in chiefe, but with some diffi­culty; for Collonell Stewart, Coll. Shornton, and Coll. Scudamore, shot out at the Chamber win­dowes, and maintained the doores, which caused the exchange of severall bullets, but after some few shots on each side, Captaine Pickering with 12 of his men, entred the Chambers, seized on the said Colonells, with losse of one man; for they fought it our very resolutly, but at last sub­mitted to mercy.

Newmarket, 17 of June, 1648.

FRom Colchester we are informed, that Cot. Goring is ve­ry much straitned, his Excellency having closely besieged the said City; insomuch, that Goring, Capel, Loughbo­rough, &c. distrusting their own safeties, have made several attempts with their horse to break through his Excellincios forces; but finding it no way secible; have sent a Message to the Generall (as is supposed) to this effect, viz. That if His Excellency will be pleased to signe certain Articles, that they may march forth with their horse and armes, without letter molestation, they will surrender the Town, with all their Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition.