there is a new Oath tendered to all person whatsoever, who enter into this Engagement,
the substance whereof is, That they shall be true to their dread Soveraign
Lord, King Charles the second, and to the utmost of their power, endeavour the ranstaration
of his Royall person to his just Rights and Dignities, and to preserve and
defend his Majesties sacred person (with the hazard of lives and fortunes, and to seals
the same with the last drop of their bloud) against all opposition whatsoever. But Lieu.
Gen David Lesley is gone with three thousand Horse and Foot to demand their
intentions, and find out by what authority they act and levy Forces, and whether
they have commission from the King, or not.
The Parliament are resolved to raise an Army forthwith and have debated the
number thereof, and insisted upon the nomination of the Generall Officers,
which Army is to be divided into forty Regiments, ten of Horse, and thirty of
Foot the Colonels and other Officers having already received commission, and
col. Douglas, col. Hume, and col. Brown, have raised their full number, and com.
pleated their distinct Regiments. Two thousand horse and six thousand foot are
also in a readinesse, and more will be put into a posture of Arms (as its said)o
defend their own country; and being endued with abundance of subtill and deceitfull
policy, they think to cast a curtain before the English faces, to keep them
from discerning their wicked and treacherous Designs.
Tuesday March 13.
THe great debate in the House, was the taking a way of obstructions, in the
matter of Compositions at Goldsmiths Hall, and a Committee of redresse
was appointed to take them away.
This day severall letters were transported from Holland, directed to severall
Merchants of the city of London, containing a Narrative of the proceedings of
the King of Scotland, and his party, which followeth in these words.
Sir, Prince Charles (generaly now calld the King) is still at the Hague, his company
drawn to him from all parts to that place, and their conflux together makes
them rages the Episcopall Doctors in all their sermons, inflame to revenge the
late Kings death, they like the Scots Proclamation of King but the conditions
are a choak-peare that will not go down: for to take the Covenancis is to grant the
cause: Doctour Critton a Scorchman by birth, preached lately at the Hague,
and was so kind to his Country men as to make them worse then the Jewes
in selling the King; hee told them how many Kings the Scots had killed, hee
said, the Presbyterians held the King by the haire, and the Independants
cut off his head: which so far scandalized the Scotch Lords, as made them
compplaine to his Master which procured a checke, and somewhat more in
appearance: its said, that upon advice had some of the State Counsell the
Prince to take the Covenant. The Lord of Hernstede being arrived here, is
gone to the Hague this afternoon they misliked there his so long stay in England,
and that he used such civil it yes after the Kings death, to them who were
the cause of it.
The rage of the Kings party here doth all this country with rage against you,
that many believe you as black as your enemies make you; but notwithstanding