YEsterday the Governour of this Isle Collonell Hamond, dispached a second messenger to the Parl. with letters, by whom I thought to have sent this inclosed; which neverthelesse I hope will come as seasonable to you now, onely I shall come short in this, that will not come time enough to bring the first intel­ligence of the Kings comming hither; which I dare aver to be altogether unexpected by the Governour or any others here, and the manner as strange unto us; for as Colonell Hamond was going from Carisbrook Castle to Newport, where he was to meet diverse Officers and Gentlemen of the Isle, Sir Iohn Barkley and M. Ashburn­ham came riding suddenly to him, and acquainted him that his Majesty had an apprehension that he could not stay at Hampton-Court, without apparent hazard to His Royall Person, as His Majesty was credibly informed; and therefore thought good to come away from thence, and had made choice of that place, desiring to put him­self into his hands for protection and safety, which His Majesty was the rather moved to do, for that he was a member of the Army, from which he had not with­drawn himself, if he had not understood that some did [Page]plot and combine against him to take away his life: And after some other discourse between M. Ashburnham and Colonell Hamond, the Colonell desired to know where His Majesty was at that time in Person, and M. Ashburn­ham and Sir Iohn Barkley did both affirme that they left His Majesty at a place called Stichfield, neer the water­side in Hampsheir, whereupon the Governour told them that if His Majesty were pleased to come over into that Island, he would undertake to protect him from violence, and doe his best endeavour to preserve his Royall Person in honour, safety, and freedome: Then Colonell Ha­mond sent for Colonell Basket the Governour of Cawse Castle, who with some other officers attended the Go­vernour over the water; and when they came to His Ma­jesty, the Governour and the rest first kist his hand, and then His Majesty spake to him to this effect.

Hamond, after an intolerable restraint to my Person at Hampton Court, I found there was a further designe against my Person, by some which insinuated them­selves into diverse Regiments of the Army, and having an earnest desire of the serling of the Kingdome in such sort as might best conduce to a lasting Peace throughout my Dominions; and not to be an instrument of stirring up a new warre; I have thought good to come in this place with confidence of your fidelity in protecting my Person from danger, untill by such addresses as shall be made unto us by the Parliament, there be a mutuall agree­ment concluded, and our Kingdome settled.

To which Colonell Hamond declaring that he tendred His Majesties Person above his own life, and would not faile in doing his utmost in fulfilling His Majesties just desires (in relation to the orders and directions which he should receive from the Parliament:) So His Majesty attended by the Governour Colonell Hamond, Sir Iohn [Page]Barclus, M. Ashburnham, and the other officers of the Isle came over the water, and went to Cawse-Castle, when according to the time there was to prapare, he was as Royally entertined as the Isle could afford.

Since which time his Majesty hath rode abroad a hunt­ing in the Park, which is very plentifully stored with Deer, and his Majesty is gallantly accomodated with all things, which is done with the more conveniency and better facility, for that the Govern. had newly settled his house, and (though a Batchellor) had placed his houshold officers fit for his part and place; he hath also sent for his mother which lives at Cherse, and is expected here the next week; he hath also written severall letters to the Parliament, not onely to acquaint them of the manner of the Kings comming hither, but also for to understand their pleasure therein, and for provision of money and such persons, he decides about His Majesty as may be most for his honour and content; to which end at least some Divines, and three or four of the bed-chamber which attended at Hampton-Court are desired, as also some Commissioners from the Parliament, for the better carrying on of things so as may be most acceptable and bestwarranted: In the mean time the Governour hath a speciall care to keep Delinquents of that Isle from ha­ving any free converse to his Majesty, and it is declared at all the Ports, that none shall be admitted the Isle to come to His Majesty from forraign parts, without ap­probation from the Parliament of one or both King­domes: The other day as His Majesty was walking a­broad, he asked the Governour certaine questions con­cerning the strength of the Isle, and the num­ber of inhabitants &c. to all which the Gover­nour gave His Majesty satisfaction; and truly I must confesse ingeniously, I think here are men sufficient [Page]with the benefit of (the inacessablenesse to the place by nature) to preserve and defend it against all attempts whatsoever, but as yet the Governours Regiment is not come thither: I the rather make mention of the strength of this place to give satisfaction to that which may be infused by some to breed further feares in those whom they would perswade to believe that his Majesty is in danger of a forraign Nation which indeed is so frivalous an objection, that it scrace deserves the remembrance much lesse the an­swering.

It is said that the Kins goes to morrow to Newport being the chiefe towne about the middest of the Isle but returnes again to Cawse Castle, Our expectations are now to heare what the Parliament will order concerning him, The first messenger is returned and reports that they have voted that his Majesty shall recide here a time for safety, which we are very glad to hear of, for surely he cannot be in a safer place, nor more convenient, as affairs of the Kingdom now stand, where a free intercourse may be had between him and the Parliament, his residing here, may also hinder the raising of any new parties, and frustrate the designes which were hatch­ing [Page]by some, so that the like opportunity for setling the Kingdomes peace, to the satisfying of all parts is without the danger of a new war, is not thought to have been yet offered unto us, for a blessing on which is the prayers of