To which the Lord, Knights, and Gentlemed, returned an answer by the Larl of Glencairn, and Sir James Stuart, That they are satisfied with his Lordships Engagement, and Grounds thereof, and that they were resolved to concur with his Lord­ships desires, in a mutual and affectionate concurrence, and in a positive owning of the Parliament, and disowning all other In­terests whatsoever.

This answer being returned, his Lordship gave them thanks, and ordered them to convene and assemble in the Parliament-House on the 12th instant: and the additional Forces being come from the Highlands, and other parts of the Nation a Rendezvouz was a pointed, and Proclamation made at the Head of each respective Regiment, both of Horse and Foot, For all Persons whatsoever, either Officers and Souldiers, throughout the army, that could not freely, willingly, or consciously, engage with Him, in this present Expedition to lay down their Arms & depart the Army; and that for his own part, he had a deep sense of this great and National Affair, having just grounds of dissatisfaction, and that he could not comply with any, who should refuse, or seem dubious, to stand or adhere to a warran­table concurrence: His Undertakings being such, that the can­nour [Page 5]of his Heart bore him Testimony and Evidence of the just­ness of his Cause; and that he ought not to violate the Autho­rity of Parliaments, whose Legislative Power and Freedom, every individual Member were bound to ass [...]rt and maintain, after such solemn assurances of faithfulness and obedience; and to assert the honour and integrity of such Noble Patriots, who for many years had undergone a Labyrinth of Troubles, and stood even in the very Gap and Gulph of the Ruines, Desolati­ons, and Miseries, that for many yeaars threatned these distra­cte, divided, and bleeding Nations.

Proclamation being thus made by sound of Trumpet, the Army drew off in Regimental way, General Monck leading the Van, and Major General Morgan bringing up the Rear; a [...]d the Northern Avisoes speak them to be about nine thousand Foot, two thousand Horse and twelve hundred Dragoons: This seems high, and to exceed in Numeration; for the Letters from Newcastle import otherwise, and carry a contrary Dialect.

Upon their advance to Berwick, the General commanded Colonel Ogle to march over the Bridge into Northumberland, he having he Conduct of the Scots and Highlands, his appoint­ed station being at Alnwick: The rest of his Forces are quarte­red about Fenwick, and the parts adjacent; observing not one­ly a vigilant posture at the several passes and Avenues, but also a strong Guard near the Holy Island.

The Gentry Ministry, and Commonalty, throughout the whole Countrey of Northumberland, had declared a mutual concur­rence, and the Lord Lambert is approaching towards the Con­fines of Berwick.

General Monck having sent a Letter to Vice-Admiral Law­son, desiring his concurrence for restoring of the Parliament, and to remove the Interruption put upon them the 13th of October last; receive this answer, That nothing should be wanting in him to compose all differences, and to obliterate all things whatsoever, by person or persons, concerned in the late diffe­rence betwixt the Parliament and Army.

Since which time, the said Vice-admiral hath declared, That through the Lords assistance, he will in all Christian wayes and means, Endeavour the begetting a right Understanding betwixt [Page 6]the Parliament and Army, and happy composure (if it may be) without bloud-shed: But if there by yer an endeavour by Force to hinder the Parliament, from returning to the Exercise and Discharge of their Trust, who have so often bin declured the supream Authority of these Nations, That then he will to the utmost of his power, with his life, and all that is dear to him, use his whole Interest for the removing of that Force, and restore Them to their Freedom and priviledges. Further declaring, (as in the presence of the Lord) That he hath no aym nor ends to advance particular Interests, but the Interest of Christ, and the good and weal of all the people of God, in their Rights, Civil and Religious, and of these poor suffering Nations in general; utterly disclaiming the Interest of Charles Stuart, and all his Ad­herents; or the Interest of any single person whatsoever, of House of Lords; doubting not but to find the concurrence and assist­ance of all the faithful and upright-hearted in the Land. For whose sakes, next to the Cause of Christ, (God being his Wit­ness,) he hath engaged.

And he therefore invites all Brethren of the Churches, Army, Nay, and Militia of the City of London and Country, and that profess love to God, and his people, to joyn with him, and give their Christian aid and assistance in the performance of the pre­mises, which the Lord hath called them unto; least when too late, They have cause to lament the non-improvement of the Opportunity that God hath put into his hands, once more to assert the priviledges of Parliament, and Liberty of the good people of this Nation.

In pursuance of these Resolutions, Sir Arthur Hasilrig, and the rest of the Parliament men at Portsmouth, have declared, That they intended not to levy or raise any war in the Nation, thereby to open a breach for the Common Enemy to enter, being more concerned against him, then to afford him such ad­vantage, but that the Treaty being on foot betwixt the Army and Gen. Monck, the Commander in chief of the Parliaments Forces in Scotland, the gaining of that place might be a means to facilitate it, and ballance the affair, and that they hoped it would produce a right understanding and unity so much desi­red by all good men.

To which the Townsmen answered, That they would stand by them in these their Intentions, and afford them all the assist­ance they can.

The Town is well fortifyed and provided, the Souldiery u­nanimous, and the Inhabitants very chearful and resolute to go through with them, and to bear part of the Duty, hoping by their cordial concurrence to engage the rest of the considerable places of the Nation to do the like. They have already re­inforced Port. Down fort with four pieces of Artillery more, and have lodged there a convenient Garison, They have also six Companies of Foot of the Army, and have raised two Troops of Horse in the Town.

There are ten gallant Men of War in the Harbour, who have declared themselves for the Parliament, two whereof have set sail with Commission upon the State affairs. Vice-admiral Lawson is expected daily with the Fleet under his Command to their assistance. The Marston-Moor, Phenix, Lyon, and Pelli­can Frigats, are rigging. Mr. Wallop, the most considerable Gen­tleman in those parts is gone into Portsmouth, with 50 Horse, most of them his Tenants.

Sir Arthur hath further declared, That nothing will be done by Treaty at Newcastle, without a preliminary Article for re­storing the Parliament to a Free Session without any other con­dition.

By an Express from Portsmouth on Saturday night last, it is certified, That Major Randol having raised about fourty choice and selected Horse, with stout Riders, and well arm'd, on Friday last made his approach within 5 or 6 miles of Portsmouth; [...] was forced to fight his passage through two Troops of Horse, and several Companies of Colonel Gibbon's Regiment of Foot, leaving five of his men behind, two being slain, and three taken prisoners, having their horses shot under them. Some few were wounded, but got off to Ports Down fort, where the Bridge be­ing let down, they marched over to Portsmouth, with their Red Standard and one Trumpet sounding, devoting their service to Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, who treated and entertained them with a friendly acceptation, welcoming them in with a Volley from the great Guns. Many of the Army-forces have re-inforced Fae­ram, and the Towns adjacent, having very bad quarters, some lying in Barns, and other Out-places, yet they are very unani­mous, and desirous of action,