A Motion was made in the House to this effect; That whereas the
present Government and Governors were daily scandalized and brought
into Contempt, by the Seditious Pens of Malignants and Levellers, and
yet none stood up and defended the same; that to wipe off the
staines and calumnies cast upon the Parliament and their Proceedings,
they would be pleased to thinke of some way whereby to vindicate themselves
from those aspersions: Whereupon it was Ordered, That a Narrative
should bee forthwith drawne up by the Councell of State, and reported
to the House with all convenient speed, wherein should bee set
forth the grounds of the late Warres, and the justnesse and candor of
their Proceedings, to the Murder of the King, &c. how farre they have
gone on in Order to that blessed Reformation, so much desired of the
Godly; what have beene and are the obstructions therein, and (they
being removed) how vigorously they meane to proceede: Whereby
they hope to gull the People yet seven yeers longer, with these & the like
their specious pretences, at least to allay their fury for present, the
better to perpetuate and consummate their unheard or Abhominations.
But whilest I am writing this, a Letter is brought to my hands, entituled
From Ireland, subscribed by that fast and loose-Prophet Hugh-Peters,
directed to Henry Walker the Pillory-youth, Iron-monger,Hebrew-monger,
Occurrencer (or what else you please to know him by,)
printed by the Cuckold Ibbitson, said to bee read in the House of Commons
on Friday last, and Imprimatur Henry Scobell to it; wherein it is
thus Written,
SIR,
THE Truth is Tredagh is taken, three thousand five hundred fifty
two [not a man more or lesse] of the Enemies slaine, and sixty four
of ours, Collonell Castles and Captaine Simmons of note : Ashton the
Governour killed, none spared : Wée have also Trimme and Dundalke,
and are marching to Kilkenny. I came now from giving thankes
in the great Church : Wee have all our Army well Landed.
I am
Dublin Sep. 15.
1649
Yours
Hugh Peters.
Whence weé gather thus much (I) That here's a Letter (though but
a sory one) not from king Oliver but Hugh Peters, his Chaplaine extraordinary:
not to the Speaker of the Juncto, nor to the President of the
State