ON Wednesday last, being the 20 instant, the English Commissioners for Admini­stration of Justice, sate upon Criminal matters at Edenborough: The first day was spent in reading their Commission from the [Page 4]Commissioners at Dalkeith, calling the Sheriffes of the se­veral counties on this side of the Frith, and those that ap­peared not were fined 200 l. Scotch each. Afterwards the Gentlemen of the several counties, who were to do their service, were called, and such as appeared not fined 100 li. Scotch; and then several Delinquents were called, and such set down for Tryal, and fining of several persons for A­dultery, Incest, and Fornication, for which there were a­bove 60 persons brought before the Judges in a day. And it is observable, That (such is the malice of these people) that most of them were accused for facts done divers years since, and the chief proof against them was their own con­fession before the Kirk. One Ephraim Bennet (a Gunner in Lieth) was indicted, convicted, and condemned for co [...]ning of money; also two English men [...]ondemned for killing one Scotch-man in March last. But that [...] ob­servable, is, that some were brought before [...] [...] ­ches, wo whereof had been brought before the [...] the time of the Arm [...] coming into Scotland and having confest it were turned [...]ver to the civil [...] [...]he Court demanding how they came to be [...]. They declared, that they w [...]re [...] to do it [...]y the ex­ceeding torture they were put to, which was by tying their [...]humbs behind them, and then hanging them up by them whil [...] two Highl [...]nde [...] whips them: after which they set lighted candles [...]o the soles of their feet, and be­tween their toes; then burned [...]hem by putting lighted candles into their mouthes, and then burning them in the head: 6 were accused, and 4 died of the torture. The Jud­ges are resolved to have an accompt of the ground of this cruelty. It is very probable there will shortly be more dis­coveries of this kind of Amboyna usage; On Wednesday last the Marq. of Argyle came to Edenbourgh; and soon [Page 5]after came the joyful tydings of the release of all our pri­soners. Unto which may be added the happy success of our Navy at sea against the U [...]llander, who have taken since the beginning of the Wars about 163, and the enemy have surprized of ours about 57 Colliers and others.

The Fleet of the States of Holland is not so forward, as it was thought it would be; It was said they would be re [...] ­dy the 26 of this moneth (which is to morrow) but it is well if they get ready by the 26 of the next. It was noised a while there should be no lesse then one hundred and twelve men of war, but it will be hard if they set out but 70. for men are scarce and monies flow. There are about four hundred Merchant men to set forth for Spain, France, the Streights, India, Guinny, Turkey, and Portugal; and for these they intend to make way through the Channel with a strong convoy, which if they can, they will then think they have sufficiently vindicated their reputation to the world, that they can make way for their trade under your noses.

The Diet of the Empire is now at hand, to be kept at Reghensburgh; th [...] King of Scots hath one Tailor with the Emperour to [...] his affairs; but things are not in such a posture, that he and the Princes can or ought in res­pect of their own occasions, to interest themselves in his. Besides the Empire hath had a short breathing time of peace, having been long exhausted, and but little time to recruit and replenish; and [...]t is thought their own affairs will take up no lesse then 3 years time to dispatch, and put them in order.

Edenburgh 28 October, 1652.

SOme of the Dutch Free-boters (with whom this coast is very much pestered) have surpri­sed four small Vessels (between Barwick and the Holy-Island) that were coming from Scotland: And meeting with a small Bark belonging to Scar­borough homeward bound, chased her a whole fore-noon, and at last forced her to run ashore near Flamborough head, where the Countrey people coming to her rescue, the Skellums were forced to leave her. Here is about a hundred of lusty Colli­ers, and a very strong convoy to conduct them, lye all ready at the mouth of the River, and onely wait for a fair gale of winde, to speed them to their wished Port. There came in here lately a small Ves­sel from Yarmouth, by which we understand that some of the Hollanders made an appearance upon that coast, and chased two small Vessels into Soale Bay, but upon sight of some of our men of warre, [Page 7]they tacked about, and now those parts are very cleer of them.

Newcastle, Octob. 28. 1652.

ONe of our Frigots (scouting out) met with two Flemish men of warre, with whom she maintained a very desperate fight for the space of two hours, in which time she so shatter'd their tac­kle that the Butterboxes declined Engagement, and night approaching our men could not follow the pursuit, but in their return to the Fleet, they took a Dutchman laden with Wine and strongwater, and a Frenchman laden with salt. It was reported here by the Owner of a Hive which came from Fal­mouth, that on Thursday the eight and twenty of October, about thirty of the Parliaments ships be­longing [Page 8]to General Blake, were engaged with the Dutch Fleet, and that there had been a very fierce and bloudy Fight between them near to the Isle of Wight, but what was the Event or success thereof he could not resolve, they being said to be engaged at his coming from thence; therefore I shall wave the further relation hereof till further confirmation; Onely this I can assure you (for I have it from very good hands) that on the fourteenth instant, there was a very considerable Fleet of Hollanders descri­ed to pass by Falmouth, which (as they supposed) was bound for the Straits; and that one of our men of War lighted on one of their straglers (a very rich ship) and brought her into Falmouth. Thus desi­ring you to take this in good part, and excuse me for being no larger; for though I am willing to serve you with intelligence, yet I would not be ac­counted a broacher of falsities, or publisher of un­truths. 'Thus in haste I rest.

Plymouth, Octob. 26.