King Accepts what wee offer, and come amongst us, wee shall soone
put and end to their spreading, which indeed wee hold more dangerous
to the Government of the Kirke, than open prophanenessa, because
that is amongst those who never were better, but this other still insects
the most conscientious men amongst us, which wee sadly looke upon
to see such defection in men which wee ever esteemed to be better principled
toward the Kirke. The forces wee have at present ready for his
Majesties service are but 5000 foote and 2400 horse, which indeed are
more than this poore Countrey are able to beare, and the people cry
cut for the heavy taxes. But there was appointed by the last Session
of Parliament here, that there should be in readinesse to be imployed
when there should be occasion 9449 foots, and 2772 horse, who are all
to be ready in 24 houres warning, upon paine of 400 mark Scotch for
every horseman, and 100 li. Scotch every footman; wee have store of
Officers, and can quickly raise the men when there shall be cause to
lead them out of the Countrey, but indeed wee cannot maintaine them
at home, the burthens are already so great. If the King and the
Kirke doe agree, I hope God will send our next expedition better successe
then the last, for indeed they came out with the Curse of the Kirke
upon them, and sped accordingly. Notwithstanding all our taxes, yet
wee are building a new Kirke in Edenburgh. Major Boswell is gone from
hence to Ireland, to informe himselfe of the State of affaires there, after
which he is to goe to his Majesty. There is newes come to us that Cromwell
hath taken Tredagh, and that Ormond doth forbeare to fight with
him.
By these Letters from Caen and Scotland may be conjectured the Course
which Charles Stuart intends to steere, and is evidenced the temper of Scotland,
how closely they adhere to their Covenant, and how desirous they are to
obtrude their King upon us, for the good fat morsels sake they swallowed in
England for forty yeares together, and upon what grounds they have all this
last yeare kept such a bawling against the late unlawfull engagement.
From Sr Germaines the 22 of September, 1649.
It is not yet knowne here whether the Prince be arrived at Jersey or
not, none being come from him hither since he lest Caen, the Governour
of which place desired him to stay a day or two there, to rest himselfe
& his company, with an intention to defray them, and feast them,
but he refused out of indignation, for that he had received no accommodation
from the French any where else, but was wholly left to himselfe.
And indeed beside that the French have no great opinion of him,
no more than he hath affection to them, they are so miserably low in