THE DECLARATION AND SPEECH OF Colonell John Poyer IMMEDIATLY Before his Execution in Covent-Garden neer Westminster, on Wednesday, being the 25. of this instant April, 1649. With the manner of his deportment, and his Proposals to the people of ENGLAND.

Whereunto is annexed, A Representation from the Kingdom of Scotland, discove­ring three great Designes against the Parliament of ENGLAND.

London Printed for R. W. and are to be fold at the Royall Exchange in Cornhill, Aprill 26. 1649.

A DECLARATION Of Colonell POYER Communicated to the Representatives of England, Immediatly before the time of his execution in Covent Garden neer Westminster.

COlonell John Poyer being sentenced by the Court Marshall at White-hall to suffet death (not­withstanding his Lot for execution) implored the mercy of Parliament for his remission, and the ra­ther, because of his great and eminent services former­ly done for this Common wealth, which he thus re­presented and declared, viz. That he was one of the first that declared in Armes for the Parliament in Southwales, that he had took severall ships bound for the relief of the Rebels in Ireland, that he had fortified [Page 2]many strong Holds and Castles against the Common Enemy of this Nation, That he had furnished the pro­testants in Dublin with great quantities of Corne and Victuals to the value of 500. l. whereof as yet he never received but 200. l. from the Parliament, That he had often engaged his life in many services, to the great ha­zard of his person, and therefore humbly desired, That for these, and many other publique Engagements, his life might be spared, the Sentence omitted, and that his bloud might not be violently spilt and cast vpon the ground.

But it could not be granted, the Lot falling so equal­ly unto him: So that according to the Sentence de­nounced against him, and for the putting the same into execution the time and place was appointed, and orde­red that he bee guarded to the Covent Garden neere Westminster, on Wednesday the 25. of Aprill, there to receive the dismall tokens of Death, by the Repre­sentation of a Volley from a File of Musqueriers.

And to the end, that he might the better fit himselfe for that great work, he was acquainted with the hour designed for his execution, who upon the delivery of that dreadfull message, he seemed to give a favourable constructin in reference to his submission there [...], declaring, That he had but one life to lose, and in [...]isi­cing of it in this World, hee hoped to have a blessed and joyfull restauration thereof in the world to come, desiring God to forgive them, who were the causers of it, and that for his part he freely forgave them, being in peace with all men.

He was very penitent, to his last hour, and uttered many condoling speeches, in relation to the bleeding and [Page 3]dying condition of this poor, cistressed & languishing Nation, desiring that his death might close up the breach of the people, and that his bloud might bee the last that should issue forth in streames within the Bo­wels of this Common-wealth.

And (according to the Sentence denounced against him) he was upon the 25 of this instant Aprill being Wednesday, guarded from White-Hall in a Coach, to the place of execution, as aforesaid, by Col. Hew­s [...]ns Regiment of Foot, where he made a short speech to the people, saying, That he desired the prayers of all good people for his present wading through the vaile of misery; that he was willing to sacrifice his life; that He freely forgave all men; that he ever acted for the liberty and freedom of the subject; that he was an unfeigned and cordial lover of the peace of England; that he died a true protestant according to the Discipline of the Church of England, and that he desired a speedy period might be put to the present distractions between prince & people, &c.

Having ended his speech, he went to prayers, and im­mediatly rising up again, called the men designed for his execution to him, which were six in number, and giving them the sign when they should give fire, which was by holding up both his hands, they observed his motion; who after some few expressions to his friends about him, prepared an embracement for death, and casting his eyes to Heaven, with both hands lifted up, the Executioners (with their Fire locks) did their Of­fice who at one voleybereav'd him of his life, his corp [...] being taken up was carryed away in a Coach, and the Souldiery remanded back again to White-Hall.

SIR,

THe Prince of Wales hath had severall confe­rences and disputations with his grand Coun­cellours at the Hague; they presse hard for his going into Ireland, but he seemes very unwilling to give his assent thereto, and hath delivered several Rea­sons at the Councell table (in the presence of the Lord Cottington, and others) wherein he remonstrates the apparent danger that may befall his Royall person, if once he should set footing in that Kingdom, by reason of the falling off of his Subjects of Scotland, who are determined to act upon new principles, if once he ap­peares in the head of that Army.

And therefore, he was resolved to make that place his chiefest Center for some certain time, having aliena­ted his affections either from England, Scotland, or Ire­land, till he saw an opportunity, for the playing of his Game with more facility and surety.

Montrosse (during this respite of time) seriously minding the dissenting expressions of the Prince, arose from the table, and with an austeer countenance, said, That if his Majesty (for so is he called at the Court) would not hearken to the good Councell now attending his Royall person, in all probability, he might become the most deplorable Prince in Christendome, and in stead of the en­joyment of the prerogative and felicity of three Kingdoms be forced to contain himselfe within the bounds and li­mits of the Territories of one Naiton.

The Prince replyed, That one Bird in the hand were better then two in the Bush, and that one Crown firm­ly and universally set upon his head, might produce greater tranquility and felicity to himself, and the rest of the Royall Off spring, than three that should stand in a tottering and unstable motion, &c: So that in all probability it is conjectured, that hee will decline his [Page 5]Center both from England and Ireland, and wholly cast himself upon the Kingdom of Scotland; for hee hath declared, That he will cast off the Earl of Mon­trosse, and all those who are conceived Enemies to peace and truth, and apply himself to those particu­lars propounded from the Estates of Scotland, which are conceived to be the voyce of the people, and the advice of that Kingdom.

He seemes to make little preparation against Eng­land, in reference to Warlike affaires, rather taking his late Fathers advice and admonition, to gain it by the way of reconciliation and treaty, then by the power of the bloud thirsty Sword.

But yet notwithstanding he is much pressed to the contrary, and the two Extraordinary Ambassadours from the King of Denmark, and the Queen of Sweth­land, hath saluted his Highness, and at a conference con­doled the death of his late Father, intimating that they would use their utmost endeavours for the reinvesting of him in his just Rights and Dignities, and restoring of him to his Royall prerogative and Birth right; and to that end, have delivered their Representation and Invi­tation to the most high and mighty Lords, the States of the United Provinces, to joyne with them to assist, the said King to obtain his Birthright; but it is said they have declared their resolution, to be offensive nor defensive against either parties: So that it is verily believed, that the States will act as Neutralists, and nei­ther meddle with one side, nor the other. For they have declared, that nothing shall be wanting in them for the preservation of a right understanding with the par­liament of England, and that they will endeavour the union and peace thereof against all opposition what­soever.

A Representation from the Kingdom of Scotland.

Sir, Our dependance here is, what his gracious Maje­sty will do, all desire his comming hither, but the pro­fessed downright Royalists would have him come with a force for the re instituting him in his Right; the other party, such as reall for Presbytery, would also have him come with a new heart. We hear that the King is declining to put away the great Courtier the Earl of Montrosse, but hath given no positive Answer to our Commissioners, as yet, seeming as if he would wait a little longer to see how matters will goe here, the vulgar sort of people do cry him up exceedingly, and say they must and will have a King, though it cost them never so much: here are dayly risings in severall parts of the Country, the Marquesse of Huntleys Son is again in arms with 2000. Gourdons to revenge his Fathers death, they have declared for Charles the se­cond, and have set forth their Invitation, for all pers [...]ns to come in to their assistance. Col. Car, and divers o­ther English Officers, are likewise very active in rai­sing of Forces, and have sent Letters of invitation into Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmerland, for o­thers to come to them, promising great matters of pre­ferment, but it is more then they are able to performe, for the well affected party are both vigilant & active in suppressing of them.

FINIS.

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