THE rash and injurious speeches, which some misunderstanding peo­ple have let fall concerning the a­ctions of our noble Generall have drawne from us, with no lesse ju­stice than necessity, this short and true vindication. Though his Excellence, secure in his owne worth and conscience, would forgive such calumnies, and that in the noblest way of forgive­nesse, to take no notice at all of them: yet wee who are privy to all passages, whom it concernes in Justice to satisfie the world, and whom it more behooves to vindicate than it can doe any man to calumniate, cannot be guilty of so great a neglect, as not endeavouring to make the truth appeare. And since it is proved by frequent experience, that the grounds of all jealousies and suspitions, which people ignorant of the present actions are apt to conceive against any man, are usually raised from some precedent demeanours of the same person: let it not be thought amisse, if wee digresse a little from the present narration, in shewing what his Excellence has formerly beene, and how little cause [Page 2]can arise from thence for any man to suspect his truth, valour, or discretion. It will not be denyed that my Lord of Essex was esteemed as loyall a servant to the Royall Family, as true a Patriot to all interests of England, and as constant an adven­turer in the maintenance of the reformed Religion (and it has pleased God to put England of late years into that condition, that the greatest advance­ment of her temporall interest is by protection of the reformed Religion) as any Nobleman whatso­ever, as by his former free services for the Palati­nate, Holland, &c. may plainly appeare; in which not onely his Majesty but the Queene of Bohemia will be pleased to acknowledge his fidelity, ready alwayes, though never obliged by the Court, nor waiting upon his Majesty in that way, to serve him truly in all warlike and honourable employments; and in the late businesses of Cales and Scotland, though he commanded not in chiefe, and little was done; yet what was best done, was done by him, as the wisest which were there will acknowledge. So that it may seeme his Majesty made choice of his service as a man of unquestionable fidelity to his Country; and the representative body of the Kingdome now chose him as a man of undoubted loyalty to his Soveraign; those two vertues being [Page 3]inseparable in the breast of a noble Englishman; & which his Excellence professes that in his consci­ence he beleeves this present Parliament never in­tended to disjoyne. Upon this the Parliament in this extreme and sad necessity chose him their Ge­nerall, with a Commission as large and absolute as ever was granted; it being conceived that a more narrow Commission was not worthy to engage him in so dangerous an enterprise, nor of power sufficient to enable him to the accomplishment of great designes. Which was the practice (to com­pare it with elder times) of that soveraigne Senate of Rome; who in times of most imminent danger, waving her usuall government in warre by Con­suls, chose a Dictator, putting the sole and inde­pendent command of the Souldiery upon one man for a limited time; it being observed by wisest au­thors, that too strait a limitation of Generals in their power has been destructive to their best de­signes; for which not only the old petty States of Greece have been blamed, but great Carthage which was able to contest with Rome her self, and in later times the Spaniards (as wise as they think their Councels) have lost much by it. Therfore in a plain narration we shall endeavour to shew that his Ex­cellence has not been wanting in any performance, [Page 4]unlesse disobedience to his power, want of necessary pay for his Souldiers, or too frequent interpositi­ons of another power have sometimes hindred his real intentions. At our march from Windsor (where the necessity of the season, and the safeguard of the City had long detained the body of our Army) the Souldiers were much in arrere, which was willing­ly forborn till the State should be better able, upon promise of constant pay for the future. We came to Reading, lay 16. dayes before it; no mony came; upon the Treaty his Excellence sent the Conditi­ons to the Parliament, who liked it, and the Soul­diers to forbear plundring were promised 12. shil­lings a man, besides their pay, but their pay could not be had, although his Excellence after 8. dayes expectation made a journey himself to London for it; in the mean time, by reason of that infected town a great sicknes and mortality fell upon the Army; notwithstanding his Excellence by the advice of his Councell of War, intended to march thence for better ayre; but such a generall mutiny was raised for want of mony, that his Excellence, though with much courage, & just severity, he began to suppress it, was advised by his Councel of War to desist for fear of a generall defection, till mony might come from the City. Notwithstanding upon this dis­content, [Page 5]his Excellence removing to Cawsham house (which he did to prevent the infection) many of them did disband and go away. The day following his Excellence comming thither received intelli­gence of the defeat of the Devon forces under the command of the Earle of Stanford, at Stretton in Cornwall, and that P. Maurice and Marquis Harford were designed that way. Whereupon he sent an ex­presse with order to Sir William Waller, forthwith to march with his forces to joyn with the forces of Devon, and the other Western Countries to pre­vent the joyning of the enemies forces; and with­all writ to the Governor of Bristol to assist Sir W. Waller with such horse and foot as he could conve­niently spare out of his garrison. And that nothing might be wanting for the safety of the Western Country, which any way lay in his Excellences po­wer, (well knowing them to be of greatest conse­quence) at a Councell of War it was fully debated, put to the question, and resolved that a strong par­ty of horse and foot should then be sent after P. Maurice to fall upon him before he should joyne with Hoptons forces, and the body of the Army to have remained thereabouts till a Fort had been rai­sed upon Kennets mouth to have secured the river, and commanded the towne; but that designe was [Page 6]not executed, partly because it was then prest that the moving of the whole Army would better sa­tisfie the City, and would be of greater concern­ment to march toward Oxford, to meet with the auxiliary forces of the associated Counties, & part­ly by reason of Sir William Waller his own Letter, which assured my Lord Generall that he would presently obey his commands, and march into the West, which notwithstanding was not done; for Sir William marched to Worcester, and went not to­ward the West; whereas had they marched thither, they might have been furnished with money bet­ter (those Counties being rich and well affected to us) than in judgement could be expected at Worce­ster, which was a fortified Garrison town; nor were Horse and Dragoones proper or probable to pre­vaile against it. However Sir William Waller not certifying his Excellence of the altering his pur­pose, the reasons of it, or of his march to Worcester, till after he was engaged in his March, he relyed wholly upon his marching to the West. But by that occasion necre 20. daies were spent ere he mar­ched toward the West, in which time the forces of P. Maurice, Marquesse Harford, and Hopton joyned together. The Lord Generall (it being much ur­ged as a thing of absolute necessity to move with [Page 7]the whole army toward Oxford, for pleasing of the City, from whom otherwise we were to expect no money) did, though much against judgement, pro­ceed in that designe, and marched to Thame with the whole army to meet with the associate forces of the Counties. Upon his comming thither hee found neither his own forces, nor those new forces of that number that was expected and promised, there being not above 1000. Dragoons and foot at most, which came up to us. At Thame the hand of God in an extreme increase of sicknes (hundreds in a day falling desperately il) and by strong unseasona­blenesse of weather, and great raine continuing 14. dayes, the place being upon a flat, clayie, and moist ground, made it impossible to advance from that quarter. In which time the army was by sicknesse, and departure away of most of the auxiliary for­ces, brought to a number utterly unable to attempt the former design without certaine ruine; the situ­ation of Oxford upon the river of Thames conside­red, it being impossible to blocke up the towne without a double number to what his Excellence then had. Yet as soone as the raine ceased, and the waters abated, to make the wayes passable, intelli­gence being given that P. Rupert had drawn out his horse & foot toward Buckingham, & intended there to give battel, having broght thither, as was reported [Page 8]his Canon, called in the Countrey, and made open profession before them, that upon his honour hee would fight with our forces, though they were 10. for 1. the Lo: Generall marched with all speed to­wards Buckingham to fight with the Enemy, whose showes of bravery, and desires of sighting quickly came to nothing; for when the Lo: Generall mar­ched within two miles of Buckingham, intelligence was given that they had all in a disorderly manner quitted the towne, left their provisions behinde them, horst their foot, and were marcht away the night before. His Excellence then knowing it was not possible for him with his traine of Artillery, and foot to follow the enemy to any advantage, or by those forces he had to hinder P. Rupert from joyning with the Queene, desisted from his march to Buckingham, sending into the towne a party of horse to quarter there that night, and to bring a­way the enemies provision; he himselfe with the rest of his Army marched to great Brickhill, a place most convenient to lye betweene the Enemy and London, to defend the associate Counties, to assist or joyn with the forces of the Lo: Gray of Grooby, Sir John Meldrum, and Colonell Crumwel, to whom his Excellence had given many strict commands to have fought with the Queens forces, and stopt her passage up to the King, for which designe they had a com­petent [Page 9]force; but notwithstanding it was not done, nor were such opportunities as were offered taken to have fallen upon the enemy; but the Queen and P. Rupert were suffered to joyn with all their forces. (yet the Lo: Gray of Grooby came afterwards readi­ly with his forces to his Excellence.) About this time came intelligence of good successe which Sir William Waller had upon the enemy in the West, taken some of their Canon, forced them to retreat, and had pursued them to the Devises, of which his Excellence on Tuesday night following the defeat received a Letter from Sir William Waller, dated on the Monday, confirming the truth of it; which was seconded with further intelligence that Sir W. Wallers forces had routed more of the Enemies horse, and beat a convoy of Ammunition sent from Oxford by the Lo: Craford, and that the Lo: Wilmot upon newes thereof, who was with 2. Regiments of horse going after the Lo: Craford, retreated to Ox­ford, and that the enemy had but 1200. foot left in the Westerne Counties, which were got into the Devises, and offered to quit that town upon faire conditions, Sir VVilliam VValler having a victori­ous and very considerable army before it. Now the case standing thus, the feare of the Western parts was changed into joy and thankfulness for victory and successe, his Excellence having out of his great [Page 10]care and circumspection written to Sir VVilliam VValler in these words:

I Would have you fight with the Marquesse of Hartford, if possibly you may, not upon unequall terms; if not, to march up after him, and to hinder and trouble him in the Reare as much as in you lyes, and so joyne with this Army; otherwise if the King send any supply of force to the Enemy there, (if I have notice thereof) I shall take all possible care to supply you accor­dingly.

No information at all was given him of any such forces, nor received he any other Letter from Sir William Waller (saving one Letter from Sir Ar­thur Hazelrick dated on the Monday at noone, and one other on the Wednesday, desiring his Excellence to take care of the forces at Oxford) during the time that he lay before the Devises, but still supposed him to proceed prosperously against the enemy; untill the sad news of his being routed was rumo­red, & by himselfe written to his Excellence, which was upon the Thursday, not above 48. houres after he received the Letter of his victory (scarce time enough to have rid poste betwixt his Excellences army and Sir William Wallers) in which Letter Sir VVilliam VValler assured his Excellence he had lost but 100. men, and some armes, which hee doubted not suddenly to rally, and resolved the next day to take the field, not desiring any assistance or supply from his Excellence in either of his Letters. Not­withstanding which, Sir William Waller (though [Page 11]the care and safety of the Western Countries were committed to him) contrary to his Excellences expectation, consent or knowledge, left the West to take care of it selfe, marched to Warwicke, and from thence sent a Letter by an expresse to his Ex­cellence, signifying the imminent danger of the West, especially of Bristol and Gloucester, unlesse his Excellence did speedily advance, and that he was ready at Warwick with his Might (his own expres­sion in his Letter) which was affirmed by the mes­senger to be 2000.) to assist him. The Lo: Generall presently upon receit of this intelligence, though there was no money to pay the Souldiers, and the Army then on its march another way, commanded that the Army should march toward the West, and by advice of the Councell of Warre sent order to Sir William Waller to meet tenne miles towards Brackley, entending the next day after all the for­ces should have met at some convenient place of Rendevous, and so have proceeded to relieve the West, if it were possible, either by falling upon Oxford, or marching on to Bristol, as should bee advised.

But Sir William Waller before the receipt of his Excellences Order was marched to Northampton, a contrary way, and sent Colonell Popham, and Col: Carre to signifie that his force was inconfiderable, [Page 12]not above 400. horse (strangely shrunk, if, as is said, he mustered 2000. at Bristol after his defeat,) that he had a desire to lay down his Commission, and go to London. And the day following he came to his Excellence, and assured him that his horse, which was all the strength he had, was so inconsiderable, that a Corporal with an ordinary squadron of horse would rout them all, and desired he might goe to London, where he heard there would presently bee new forces and money raised to set him out again. This strange newes quasht the design for reliefe of the West, his Excellences army being shrunk through the continuall encrease of violent sicknesse, want of pay, cloathing, and other necessaries to such a num­ber as is not requisite to name, that he could not proceed further, lest his army might be engaged to the utter ruine of it, and danger of the Kingdome, since Colonell Crumwels, and the other forces of those associate Counties were neither willing, nor could with safety be commanded so far from their own Countries. This notwithstanding his Excellence before Bristol was lost, offered that if the Parliament would send him three thousand foot, and five hun­dred horse to recrewt his army, he would march to relieve it; under which number, considering the present weaknesse of his army, he could neither hope to atchieve any thing, nor with safety convey [Page 13]his great Artillery. We should extend this dis­course to too great a length, if wee should speci­fie the severall engagements, which from time to time have been made to him that he should be sup­plyed with money and other necessaries, and the often failings, only that he hath not yet received from the State for his army since the beginning 600000. pounds; besides, at his comming to King­stone last, the souldiers were then promised 5. weeks pay, and cloaths; yet after they had stayed a fort­night longer, only a weeks pay was sent to them at Kingstone, whereupon, there being so long before promised sixe weeks, they disbanded to the num­ber of above a thousand, saying openly they would be no more fooled with promises.

By what misfortune Sir William Waller lost that strong army, we think it not our part to make any relation; but referre the Reader to what rela­tion his own Commanders will make of it. This briefe narration had no other end than to inform those people in the truth of proceedings, who might through ignorance have been too apt to have thrown undeserved aspersions upon our noble Ge­nerall, and restraine those which have already done it, from wronging themselves any more hereafter: And has extended no farther than the necessity of that required; which a judicious Reader will by [Page 14]the language easily perceive, expressing only what impediments have sometimes crossed his reall and honourable designs, and that without any bitternes of contestation, or invectives, conceiving that such things are too much unmanly, and too farre below that pen whose subject is so noble as the vindica­tion of such a man. We will only insert what we have heard his Excellence stil professe; that not­withstanding his true intentions & unwearied en­deavours to serve his Countrey have unjustly met with so many misunderstandings (lesse injuries thā those having made other persons of quality desert the cause which they had chosen, though such loose plants could never be well and honourably rooted) it shall no whit discourage him, much lesse divert him from that, in which his conscience to God, & deare affection to his native Country have once en­gaged him, but that for the future (hoping that the Parliament will afford him just and necessary ac­commodations) his life and fortunes shall not be spared when the cause shal require an adventure of them; hoping that God will blesse his endeavours and his Country esteeme of them as they deserve, since Fame, though it be not the chiefe end which a wise man shoots at in his undertakings, yet it is such a reward as a noble minde cannot easily con­temne.