the strong solicitations, for the levying of Forces, out hands are not like to
annoy you, by strengthning them: the greatest hope at present is upon Ireland,
thereby to vex you by Sea; yet, invade you by Land: and if Scotland be a little
embroyld, it will bring the Covenanters there to give better conditions to their
new King: if there be an accord at Paris, but especially at cambray. between the
two crownes, that may add to your feares, as much as it doth to your enemies
hopes, but most of all your male contents at home, who must be more sweetned
or weakned: that which much troubles your few friends here, is, that your new
common-wealth hath no alliance abroad to strengthen it, but it hath enemies
enough, this should cause you to stick closer one unto another: the conclusion of
all at Munster and the treaty being agreed upon, hath made Monsieur Spiering,
the Swedish Embassador at the Hague to make fires, and discharg the great guns,
he hath a great influence upon the King of Scotland, and hath had audience at
the court, at which time several propositions were propounded, in the name of
the Queen of Swethland, for a mutual correspondency, and the increase of amity
betwixt the Britsish and the Swedish crowns.
Brill 9. March 1649.
Wednesday
March 14.
THere was a Letter from the Parl. of Scotland (brought by Mr.
Belford)read in the Parl. of England, wherein they just for what
their commis deliver'd, in sending a transcript of the same both for matter and
words this occasion'd an order for discharg of the commis and for answer to the
Parl. it was referd to the councel of State(whereof S. Bradshaw is made constant
President:) they considered of a General, and other Officers for Ireland, and referd
that also to the councel of State, which businesse requires hast, its much seared
Dublin is in great danger, and that there may be a sudden alteration there,
they of ulster being wholly and prefect Covenanters. Ordered that no private
businesse be debated these 14 days. They considered what was necessary to doe
in farther punishing of Offenders, and voted 15. whereof but two are in custody,
should be banished: these two are the Marq of Winchester, and one other,
Judge Jenkins and sir John Stowell are to betryed at the Kings Bench Barn of the banished, the Earl of Bristol, Cottington, and D[unr]gby are three.
Letters from France advertize, that there are some overtures of a Treaty between
the paristans and the King; and the better to gain on the affections of the
popularity of the people, some provision were sent into the city, from the King.
which wrought so much upon them, that with shrill acclamations, they declared
for peace; insomuch, that their aty took effect, and all differences are composed
between the King and his Subjects.
Letters further from the North purports. That Lieut. Gen. Middleton is very
active in Scotland, and (like a cunning Scot) workes excellently under-hand
with the Gentry to engage them with those already in Arms, their differences
are but shadows, being contrived by great Arteists, to deceive the English Nation;
for (its said) they are resolved for a War(God give them enough out, that take
delight therein) and that they expect many thousands to joyn with them from
forreign parts: from whence, we hear, that about 6 or 7000 old Souldiers, viz.
Germans, English Scots, and others, who have for many yeers served under the