And 3, In that they would have all their Arrears payd in money within a moneth, or six
weeks, without any deduction for free quarter.
Then they propounded, to Know of us how they should be secured we told them
that for what they had acted in, as from souldiers to us, we would engage to secure
them; but if otherwise they had underhand acted in unlawfull things we could not
promise it them, further declaring to them, that if they did act disorderly, we could
not engage how long they might be secure from danger. But the Agitators being
sensible of their guilt, went and incensed the Souldiers that we would not joyn in any
thing that was for their good, nor secure them from danger, and that there was a
necessity for them to secure themselves, and then they marched with a Company and
possessed New-Colledge (Where lay our Magazine which we understanding, drew
what of the Souldiers we Could together, to convince them of the unreasonablenesse
of their desires, in which we could not agree, shewing how far we could go along
with them, desiring their concurrence, to which they manifested a good resentment,
but told us that they had referred it to their Agents, and that they would not act any
thing without them, and what they did they would be satisfied in, yet promising to
be at our command, and act nothing against the command my Lord Generall, and
so we left them that evening.
About nine a clock that night I took my horse, and my Ensigne with me, intending
to goe to Wallingford where my charge is, being all this time at Oxford, at the
desire of the Officers, to improve my best interest with them for a composure of their
distractions; but at the East port I met with five or six horseman, who were newly let
into Oxford by the Guard, who understanding who I was, commanded me to march
back with them, and carried me prisoner to New-Colledge, and in the way they told
me that there were many pretended friends to this Nation, who had promised great
things, but done little or nothing; and that there were many honest men, but they
were Officers, and so their particular interests blinded them as to the good of the
Nation, telling the Souldiers that Such had been their persidious breaking of their
engagements, that there was no longer trust or confidence to be put in them; and
many such like expressions to heighten the discontents of the souldiery.
So soon as I came to New-Colledge they delivered me up to the Guard to be Kept
close, and presently sent for the Guards which fetched in all the Officers in the town;
themselves going with some of the Foot to my Majors quarters, and broke open his
doores about midnight, and with their naked Swords came into his chamber thrusting
their Swords within the Curtains where his wife and he were in bed (as he related
to me) and put him and the rest of the Officers in a chamber together in New-Colledge.
And about two a clock the next morning my Colonell, Col. Ingalsby
comming into the Town, they brought him also to us, but with some perswasions
they were prevailed with to let him goe into the Town to an Inne, where he might
have Some accomodation and refreshment, but with a strong Guard upon him, refusing
to admit any entercourse between him and us, whilst we were in restraint. Upon
Sunday they fetched in all the Collours into New-Colledge, with great acclamation,
and those peeces that were mounted they placed at the Colledge gates. And about 12
a clocke as we were informed, they made Proclamation with Drum about the City,
That all those of the Regiment in Town that would not Come in by source a clock and