the Army mentioned last, who report Thursday next, it will be Presbyterian,
do not doubt it, after which the Parliament will adjourne, the way of raising and
paying once concluded, their zeal for the Covenant and against Sectaries is great
and violent; the rice of an additionall Army pretended, is still, that the English
and Royall party will enter, the one in the North, the other in the South.
N[unr]ws is come from Ireland, that the Lord of Ards hath taken Belfast, and declared
absolutely for the King, he produced and proclaimed his Commission for Lord
President of that Province; this way displeases our greatest here, at least they
seemed so, who had prepared severall accommodations for their Presbyterian
friends there which was Shipping : Its also said that George Monroe hath Blockt up
Knocksfergus, but to speake that most probable, the Presbyterian party of the Covenant
is to sleep a while in Ireland, and was in person at Kilroot.
Sir Robert Stuward hath taken in the Castle of Kilmore by storme, with the losse of
50 men; there was in the place 14 peeces of Ordnance before it was stormed, the
men in it being 100 were wearyed out with continuall alarms; this Castle stands
three miles from Derry upon the River, and kept it open, which taken, that City
cannot be relieved by water. Sir George Monroe Knighted by Ormond, gives obedience
to the Lord of Ardes Commission; so did Col. Jack Hambleton, and so you have
Ulster all friends upon the Royall score, and Colonel Mervin to boot; Col. Connaway,
Mr. Royden, and Sir Charles Coot for the Parliament of England, Lieut, Colonell
Gordon is Governour of Coleraine, who is brother to the Earl of Southerland.
Further from Scotland this day, Little newes is this weeke cut of Scotland, the
preparations goes on in the way of the new Levy, as you had in my last, and the
Clergy persist in their continued complaints, and bewailing their young King, for
not sending them a satisfactory answer, and for that the Parliament of Scotland have
by a Message made some further addresse to His Highnesse , they Fast for the inclining
of his heart towards them to be short, things of greater moment are carryed
with most secrecy, until what they intend is brought to maturity, some more
Ordnance and Ammunition are expected here this weeke, no forraign Forces are
yet landed in Scotland we here the Prince is now in France, where its thought be intends
not to stay.
Letters this day from Plymouth July 3. The nine ships from hence bound for
Dublin, went away Thursday last, to that we hope they are safe arrived with the
supplys. The Gynney frigot is put to sea, and gone for Kingsale on Saturday last,
Co. Deane is come here to provide provisions for our ships before Kingsales, I shall
say to you of Dublin what I heard him say in his own words, viz. That Dublin (praised
be God) is in such a posture of defence at present, that he would assure any mans estate in that
place for 2 percent for three moneths ensuing.
From before Kingsale June 27. To give account of things here at present, it is
[unr], The Victuals that Rupert hath (or can be furnish with) is very bad, and
(which is to them worse) they have but little of it neither; our intelligence faith,
they have not above five weeks provisions for all their [unr]ter, so that they must either
v[unr]er out to us or pirate.
Rupert must discharge the Irish Rebels that he hath gotten from Waterford and