and put into the Tolebooth: some apprehend the Lord Rae, and Donald Macchaic, will
be accused for former actions, and loose their heads: It will much displease those who took
them prisoners, if Article of War be not kept. The businesse in the North is over, except
some of the Mackeneyes in Red. costle, who offer'd to yeild upon quarter, which denied, they
have been desperate, and killed a Lieutenant of Collonel keys: Middleton is said, to have
agreed with David, Lesley, and being pardoned, is come unto him; some whisper, as if the late
over coming of the Lord Rae, &c, was net worthy of the name of a Defeat, because it's clear,
they were in Treaty, and Letters were sent to Ker, and Strauhan, yet it's also believed they
received them not: four Troops remain in the North, all the rest being 25 Troops, and 500
Horse are come back, and quarter about Edenburg, where first raised, to the great discontent
of the people, victuals being scarce, and dear, even to the scar of a famine: among other desires,
made in a Sermon by M. John Hambleton to the Parliament; one was, that they would take
care to strengthen the weake hands of their Brethren in England, that had been faithful to
the Covenant, and Cause in England: not that he would have them advance with an Army
into England presently, but when the Lord should put occasion in their hands: they would do
their utmost for poor Presbytery in England, by way of recovery from their distressed condition:
as yet no ground to expect it: they of the Ministry are so much friend, that when the difference
was with the Levellers, they gave thanks for the confusion begun: those in Ireland that
have so appeared for Covenant, are dear unto them, & they urge their accommodation with
foot, at Lease: a Doctor of physick in the City hath delivered in a paper of above 3 Sheets,
where in he presses for Justice to be done against those, who did ill Offices in the Isle of Wight,
and had hand in the death of the late King, his name is Sibbald: saying, he believed there
were from in Church and State, that could not quit themselves of guilt: he is put in prison,
and is like to suffer, he is an old man, very confident, and seems, willing to sacrifice his life
in the Quarrell. The Thanksgiving Day was solemnly kept: It is confidently reported that
Sir Roberts Stewart had a Commission from the declared King, with which he went to Ireland:
here is one Collonel Molsworth, and another English Collonel, who came with Sir Robert,
from Holland: these go to Ormond a good way and safe: where they expect the King, before
whose coming, Ormond will not act, say they brag of no less them 20000 that will
suddenly come into Scotland and Ireland, from foreign Parts: all these discourses unsettles
the people, who say, they cannot be happy without an accord. Leith and divers other places are
fortifying: believe no more from all that hath been mentioned, save that Scotland will put
themselves into a posture of defence.
Chester, the 2d. of June.
We are now confident of the good condition of Dublin, but know nothing of London Derry.
Collonel Jones, we hope has money as well as corn: for the Souldier will not be content
with bread, or his loafe, unlesse he hath some money to drink, or make his head giddy a little:
the Enemy we perceive, is not idle; Inchequin beares up against Owen Rowe, and Preston:
take in such Garrisons as Owen had in Queens-County having taken the strong place At by
already: another part of his Army under Sir Thomas Esmond is gone against Leith; Generall
Birue, who is of Owens side: they of Ulster intend also to fall upon Owen, that so the obstruction
from conjunction may be take away: part of Owen Rowes men are neare Dundalke:
Collonel Munk is at Dublin: unless Ormonds Partie be busied, Owen will be swallowed: little
news of Ormond, unlesse a talk of 15000 Foot, & 3000 Horse, that he hath got together, but
cannot untill corn is ripe come against Dublin, had he a minde, not having bread, to bring
along with his Army.
The 5th. of May.
Colonel Popham (being the night before come to Town) gave account to the House: concerning
the Sea, and particularly that Squadron, where of had chiefe charge, and saith,
that Kinsale is blockt up, and no more done there are 15 Saile of the Princes ships, but they
[unr] so, as they cannot be well attacqued, however, untill ill weather, and windes, they will not
be able to get aboard: the Collonel hath been at Dublin, furnished Collonel Jones with what
ships he desired and needed, victualed 2 Ships for himself, got a Merchant to land Collonel