Tadeaster, Mar. 17.
Sir, these are to acquaint you, that Friday last was seven-night
about midnight, about 200 Papists and old Cavaliers
headed at Hessam-moor, the place where the fatal blow was
once given to P. Rupert and E. of Newcastle: who brought
with them to the said Moor 5 or 600 arms, muskets, pikes, &c.
where they expected a great appearance by a general rise of
that gang, and designed to have seis'd York that night, which
feasibly might have been done But seeing their design took
not, they drew off in a confused panick fear, leaving some
of their Carriages and Arms behind them. The chief headers
of this party of this Country, were Sir Richard Maleverer
a late made Knight, and Mr. Hutton of Goldsborough, both
young men, and are both fled upon it: Amongst them were
sundry French-men who are fled; some of the meaner sort
being discovered and apprehended, have discover'd many;
amongst the rest one sir William Ingram, a man of little
action, who yet secured many of them in his house 3 or 4
days before this appearance. He being but a timerous man,
by the genius of Colonel Robert Lilburn (I am inform'd)
hath confest and laid all naked; and it is verily believed the
Scots King was at his house, by all descriptions. But that the
Colonel hath put me upon some imployment in the Country
for further discovery, I should have been with him and communicated
more to you. The Colonel hath secured many
Gentlemen, some that will be found faulty, others upon
suspition: these mentioned are prisoners, Sir Willam Ingram
Sir Philip Constable, Sir Henry Slingsby, Col. Brandlin,
Major William Vavosor, Mr. Hamond of Scardingwel, and
abundance more, as Colonel Car and Mr. Loftus of York-City;
here are every day further discoveries. For, my self
with the assistance of a friend, have discovered and since secured
an arch Youth that was a Lieutenant for Charls Stuart,
who three or four days before this appearance went as messenger
from Papist to Papist, and the old Crew, as to a Rise;
telling one that was formerly a Cavy, that some would raise
Horse, others Foot for the Scots King, &c.