Copie of Summonds sent to the Town of Newcastle, Octob. 14. 1644.
WEe Alex. Earle of Leven, Lord Generall of the Scottish Armies, that it may be the more manifest, and appear to all, how exceedingly we desire you to prevent all those evils, which cannot be longer avoided. Notwithstanding you have been formerly invited by our severall Letters, in all fair manner, to think on those wayes which might conduce most to your welbeing; Do by these presents require and summond you, to give up and surrender the Town of Newcastle to us, for the use of King and Parliament; that Citizens and Souldiers may be safe: and the Town being preserved from ruine, may enjoy the fruits of settled peace, whereof other Townes reduced to the same obedience, do liberally taste. You are likewise earnestly desired, by no means to conceale this our last offer and warning to the Citizens and Souldiers, as you will be answerable to God and them whom it may concerne. If in these things you faile, you may expect the extremities of Warre. And we professe our selves, and the Army under our conduct, altogether free and innocent of whatsoever bloud-shed and other calamities may ensue, through your obstinacy. Hereto we expect a present answer. Given
From the Major of Newcastle, Octob. 14.
MY Lord, I received your Letter this afternoon, at almost five a clock: It is directed to Major, Aldermen, and Common Councell: And it is for no lesse matter then the delivering up of the Town to you, (as you say for King and Parliament) no Conditions, but to stand to your mercy. But I will not take upon me absolutely to give answer my self, neither will I conceale it from any it concernes; yet I hope you are not in so great haste, but I may take time to give you a full answer the morrow, at or before this time, when you may by Gods assistance, certainly expect it. And in the mean time I take leave, and rest
MY Lord, we have received your Letter, wherein you require and summond us to give up and surrender the Town, as you say, for the use of King and Parliament; alleadging diverse Reasons, mixt with Threats, to perswade us thereunto. All which we have well weighed and considered: and as formerly, so now returnes this Answer; That we declare to you, and to all the world, That we keep this Town for the use of his Majestie: And that we have full power and authority from his Majestie so to do. And if either you, or any other can shew us better, or later Warrant from his Majestie to demand it, wee will submit. And although we neither dare, nor will acknowledge that disloyaltie to our lawfull King (which you call, reducing to just obedience) is the way to preserve us from ruine, and to enjoy the fruits of a settled Peace; yet that you and all the world may see, wee [Page 3] desire To shun the effusion of Christian bloud; wee desire you to send us in writing, upon what Termes and Conditions you would have us deliver up the Town, and then we shall return you a further Answer (which we hope will be satisfactory:) And if this will not give you content, proceede and prosper as your Cause requires: and let the Bloud that is, or shall bee spilt, lye upon their soules and consciences that deserve it: And if wee be the fault, let this subscribed under our hand testifie against us.
- John Morley.
- Nicholas Cole.
- Thomas Lyddell.
- Thomas Ryddell.
- Nicholas Tempest.
- Alex: Davison.
- Francis Bowes.
- Raph Cole.
- Leonard Carr.
- Robert Sherflo.
- James Cole.
- Mar. Milbank.
- Cuthbert Carr.
- Edward Stote.
- Thom. Blenkincope.
- Samuel Cork.
- Oswald Mathie.
- Tho. Madisane.
- Henry Rowcastle.
- Thomas Clarke.
- Charles Clarke.
- William Corke.
- Gabriel Robison.
- William Harope.
- John Blackburne.
- William Robisone.
- Will: Armstrong.
- Anthony Younger.
- Will: Archbald.
WE received your Answer to our last, wherein as in all former Letters, we conceive we have used no threats, but fair and peaceable expressions, such as are ordinary in differences of this kinde: But that our constant desire to shun the effusion of Blood, and the sincerety of our loyal Intentions, may more and more appear to you and all the World, we desire that without any further delay, Hostages may be sent from either side, and judicious men appointed to Treat on such termes and conditions, as may put a happy end to the Businesse; And to meet in such a place between the Town and Campe, or within the Town, as shall be thought fitting by you. Hereto wee expect your Answer, And remaine
I Have been still expecting your Answer to my last, wherein it was desired, That Hostages might be sent, and a place appointed for Treaty: but now since you have returned none, we do hereby exhonour our selves; That all the World may know how desirous we have been of the safety and peace of your Town, as this and our former Letters will bear witnesse for us against your obstinacy: And this we are confident God will blesse us according to the integrity of our Intentions. So I leave, and rest
WE received your second Letter directed as the former; and upon good considerations, we could have wisht that according to our desires in our former Letters, you would have sent in writing the conditions and termes you desire the Town upon; That we might altogether have considered and condescended to what had been fitting and convenient for us to grant. But since you like not that course, but desires Hostages may be sent, and some appointed to meet, and treat, at a time and place convenient. We must acknowledge and confesse that we doe not hold that power in us to grant, as Major, Aldermen, and Common Councell: But solely to be in the Major, as he is Governour of the Military, who we finde very willing to condescend to any thing that may tend to The honour of his Majestie, The welfare of Newcastle, and The shunning essusion of Blood, if you please to write unto him for that purpose. And so wishing a happy and honourable peace in all his Majesties Dominions, We rest
I Conceived for your further exoneration, it had been most fitting to write to your self, as Master Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell: But now seeing I understand by themselves, that the power is solely in your self, as Governour of the Military affairs; I will use your way, and shall here [Page 7] repeat my former desire, that Hostages may be sent, and a place appointed without further delay, to meet and treat on such things as may most tend to The honour of his Majestie, and Wele of Newcastle: Being alwayes most willing To shun all the occasions of effusion of Blood. Hereto we expect your Answer the morrow before 10. a clock. And that ye will likewise make known to us the names and qualities of Hostages; And such as you think fit to nominate to treat, and the place appointed for meeting, according as ours shall be ready against the same time. Thus I rest
I Received your Letter so late that I was forced to keep your Drummer all night: And I am very glad to see that you and I aime both at one end; Which is, His Majesties Honour, Newcastles Welfare, and The avoiding effusion of Blood: And I wish those that treat, may be of the same minde: But whereas you desire me to name Hostages, and men to treat: I must desire you to name yours, and I shall sute them aswell as I can, for you know there is no Noblemen with me, but two of your own Countreymen; yet we have Knights and other Gentlemen of good esteeme: Ishall also desire that there may be but three appointed to treat, and each to bring but one man, and know what Guard you will send with your Hostages, that I may send the like; the place of Exchange and Treaty may be at Newcastle. And when I know your minde in those things, we shall appoint the time of meeting. And if [Page 8] we hold close and sincerely to these ends by you proposed, I doubt not but God will blesse our endeavours, and set us at peace, and I hope, in his good time, these distracted Kingdoms; which that it may be, shall be the daily prayer of
After the Committee did sit, a Letter was written by Master Primerose, appointing Thursday the 17. at 12. a Clock, to Treat at Newcastle, the names of the Commissioners sent in, viz. The Lord Humby, Sir David Hume of Wedderburne, and the Provest of Jedburgh, whereupon the following Answer was returned.
I Received your Letter, and do approve of those men you name to Treat, being all strangers to me: And likewise, that there is no necessity of a Guard, onely one Officer to meet them at the place appointed. But you desire that the meeting may be this day at 12. a Clock: And that I will send the names of these I intend to appoint as Hostages, to be exchanged at the time and place above-mentioned; which is impossible, for I received your Letter half hour after 12. And certainly you mean not 12. at night; But I will keep promise, and to that purpose, this night I will send you the names of the Hostages I intend to send to the place appointed; and the time to be the morrow at 9. a Clock in the fore-noone: As for those that are to Treat, I intend to supply the place of one my self, and shall send you the names of the rest; And so wishing a happy end to those and all the Troubles of his Majesties Dominions, I rest
ACcording to promise, I send you the names of the Hostages, and of those appointed to Treat; and shall keep the time and place mentioned in my former Letter, and have set down their names here under: I will say no more, but desire that during the time of the Treaty those courses may be holden which is accustomed in War. And so expecting your Answer by this Drummer, I rest
- Sir John Morley, Knight and Governour.
- Sir Nicholas Cole Knight Baronet.
- Sir George Baker Knight, and a Secretary.
- Colonell Charles Brandling.
- Lieutenant Colonell Thomas Davisone.
- Captain Cuthbert Carr, late Sheriffe of Newcastle.
Whereupon Answer was returned, That all should be observed as was appointed.
Upon Friday 18. at 10. a clock our Commissioners went in, and stayed till 4. a clock in the afternoon, but had no satisfaction to any of their demands, the Maior not suffering any thing to come in writ, but jeering all the time, desiring they might have 2. dayes to advise, and thereafter they would give Answer: So upon Friday at 8. a clock at night this Letter following was sent forth by them.
WE have had some discourse this day with your Commissioners, but you have bound them to have our Answers to your Demands in so short a time, as we could not give them that satisfaction we would gladly, considering they demanded that which was not according to your Propositions, namely, His Majesties honour, and The welfare of Newcastle: But we are so unwilling to see Christian blood shed, as if that you rest satisfied untill Munday, we shall then, God willing, send you Propositions which we hope will give content. If this will not serve, we trust God will deliver us out of your hands. And so we rest
- John Morley.
- Nicholas Cole.
- G. Baker.
At 10. a clock at night I caused conveene the Committee, and did resolve to send in Propositions that night to them, which went in about 12. a clock at night: The effect whereof was;
1. That all Officers and Souldiers should have liberty to go away with flying Colours, full Arms, Bag and Baggage, and should have a Safe-conduct to any of the Kings Garisons within 60 miles of Newcastle.
2. That all such as had a minde to stay and go to their own houses, should be protected, and have a safegard for their persons, families, and goods.
3. That all Strangers, Residents within the Town, should have the like, with liberty to go to their own dwellings in the Countrey about.
[Page] 4. That all Burgesses and Townesmen should have free liberty and Trade, as other Towns reduced to obedience of King and Parliament.
5. That they should have their persons, houses, estates, and goods protected, and be liable to no other Sesses or Contributions, but as other Towns reduced to the obedience foresaid.
6. That they were to be free from all free Billetting and Quartering, and none of the Armie to come into the Town but a competent Garison.
7. That if they would imbrace these conditions, they were to send forth sufficient Hostages for delivery up of the Town within two dayes thereafter upon Saterday 19 by nine a clock.
Whereupon the following Letter was sent forth about the same time.
WEe received your Letter, wherein you say, wee cannot make good, that your Commissioners Demands are against either His Majesties honour, or The welfare of Newcastle; wee will give you but one reason amongst many: Whether it be for His Majesties honour, that the Town of Newcastle should bee delivered to any of another Nation? Nay more, If it be for the honour of the English Parliament? And that it is not For our welfare, is so clear, needs no Answer. And whereas you say, You wonder we are not ashamed to be sodilatory, having demanded a Treaty; We say, We wonder you can be so forgetfull, knowing wee have your Letter to shew, that the Treaty was your own motion. But for answer to the rest, and to your Articles, We say, The delivery of Newcastle is not of so small moment: But if you intend (as you say) time may well be given untill Monday, for giving Answer; for in case we should give consent to let you have the [Page] Towne: There is divers more Articles then you have set down, both fit for us to demand, and you to grant: Therefore if you would shun effusion of Bloodshed, as you professe, forbear your Acts of hostility, untill we give you Answer upon Monday, wherein we will not faile: Otherwise we doubt not but God will require an account at your hands; And besides, will keep and preserve us from your furie. So expecting your Answer, we rest
- John Morley.
- Nicholas Cole.
- G. Baker.
UPon Saturday 19. Order being given the day before to all Commanders at their severall Posts round about, for their way in storming and entring the walls and Town, after they should see a fire made on at two severall places, Elswich & Sheilfield. Our Cannon began to play at day light in brashing the walls at five severall places, and did continue very hotly till three in the afternoon, about which time two Mynes were sprung, one at Sandgate in the Lord Sinclars Quarters; and the other at Whitefrier Tower, neere Closegate; some foure or five Mynes being counter-myned by the Enemie within the Town, and spoiled before thir were ready; who were likewise very diligent to get the two last undone. And (as we conceive) did seek for delayes till Monday only for the same purpose. After 3 a clock the fires were made on: The walls manfully defended round about. Our People went on at their severall Posts and Brashes, did enter very bravely and [Page 13] couragiously, without once recoyling, notwithstanding there could not be greater opposition made: Our Men were so eager, that these who were appointed for Reserves at some Posts, did all enter also, so that we were forced to send Horsemen to stand in their places. After very hot skirmishing within the walls for a whole houres time and more, it pleased God to grant us a very happy and considerable Victory, in gaining the whole walls and Town. The Lord Crawfurd, Major, and many others, are retired within the Castle, and are calling for Quarters to yeeld the same, whereof you may expect an accompt shortly; as also of what Men we have lost, who are but very few. Our Officers and Souldiers were all very mercifull in sparing the lives of the Officers, Souldiers and Townsmen, after they had won the Town.
The surrender of the Castle and Prisoners. New-castle 21. October 1644.
ON the Lords Day we gave thanks to God in the chief [...] Kirk of the Towne, and that Day the Governour wrote to the Generall, desiring that he and the Gentlemen, and Ministers with him, might have liberty to go to the King, or where they pleased, with their Horses, Swords, and Pistols: This Letter was neglected, and not answered. Upon Tuesday the 22. the Ministers, viz. Doctor Gray of Pontiland, Master George Wishart, Vicar Alvey, and Master Walter Lamonth, wrote an humble supplication to the Generall, submitting themselves and their fortunes, to grace and favour; whereupon they were suffered to come out and render themselves Prisoners. The Major and some Captains with him, came out upon the like terms. Lodovick Lindsay sometime Earl of Crawfurd, my Lord Maxwell, and some other Scottish-men are prisoners also, and kept in the Castle (now rendred) by a Garison of our Souldiers. This day also summonds were sent to the Castle of Tinmouth, what answer is received, you shall hear by the next.