if we hear not of her by the next we shall then give her up for lost, or taken by the enemy
which say I upon our coasts in considerable numbers, especially since our Fleet have
been so much imployed in the transport and convey of our Army into Ireland; insomuch
that most of our shipping are fearful to strike out of harbor; which if not soon prevented,
will ruine this poor Town, and the few Marchants therein. From Scotl. we hear that
the Grandees (since the defeat in Irel. not only to Ormond, but their pretended revolting
party before London Derry) are much dejected in their spirits, and more confounded in
their Councels; for this week they seen to be carelesse of their own Transactions with
their King, laying aside all their former overtures. and desist in prosecution of their late
Treaty, which its conceived will not be revived, unlesse by a cordiall of the Earl of Ormonds
own making. They wonder much at their Kings last unsatisfactory Answer
to their former Propositions, especially since Col. Jones hath had such great successe
against his friends in Ireland; what his pollicy is therein, they are not able to fathom,
and many of them do impute it to indiscretion, or want of a grave Councel, Notwithstanding,
the better to coulour their intentions, and give some publike and seeming dislike
of the spreading doctrine of the Royall Ministry, they have appointed certain of
their Members in Commission from their late Parliament, to ride their circuits through
Scotland, to put all such Ministers out of their livings, and to place in their stead such
others as wil preach up the intrest of their Covenant; and upon that score only to engage
the People. Their expedition for England is not now so much as thought on, much loss
intended to put in execution,; and doubtless you will ere long find them as felicitous to
obtain what they so refractorily and immodestly rejected, and what with so much mildness
and moderation was accepted, and glad they can regain a free concession thereof.
Bristol, Aug. 31. Sir, the enemy taking advantage of the late imployment
of our Navy, have too much presumed upon the neglect of these Coasts
by shipping; and there for Hide, Cottington, and some other of the Princes
poor distressed Councell made an attempt with about ten sayl of the
Princes best shipping, upon a smaller number of ours; the fight was desperate
on both sides, and performed with much gallantry. And this day we
heard, that four of the Princes ships are taken, and two sunk, and that
Cottington, and some others of note are taken Prisoners, but not without
great losse. By the next I shalbe able to give you a more ful and certain accompt
thereof, it in the Interim you receive it not from other hands. The
thanksgiving day was observed by some parts of the Country, but slighted
by most, the Ministers being generally disaffected thereunto; and say they
will rather loose their Livings, then act against their clear Consciences,
and just Principles. They declare exceeding high against the Parliament,
calling them the tyrannicall Juncto, and say they can no longer bear the
burden of Oppressors. They daily endeavour to alienate and withdraw the
hearts of the people from their due obedience to the present Authority of
this Nation, and pray, That God would be pleased to comfort the Royall Widow,
to bring home, and crown the branches of the late glorious Cedar, and
to restore the poor shrubs of this once flourishing Vineyard, to their due
propriety, Rights, Government, and Liberty, &c.