with great loss, having many officer slain and wounded Afterwads
they wen before le Chostelet, but with no better success the Governors
of those places being well resolved upon their gua[unr]. But that
which the Enemy have most in their Eye, is the good Town of Cambray,
and it not to be doubled but their next desig[unr]lyes that way, for
cardinal Mazarin looks upon that as a piece for himself, having long
had a liking to it, because if he were master of that, hee should make
himsef not only Archbishop of Cambray, but also Prince, count and
Marquis of Cambresis. Or old his heart and hand [unr]h been upon that
Diocess; but he will finde it no easie matter to gain it.
At present the Army of France s about Guise and ours at Bouchain
quarterd along towards Cambray, the better assure and preserve that
paceupon occasion, for upon that Town depends the ill or welfare of
our Counttey, it being our principal Frontire against France, le hath
been newly reinforced by an addition of 15 Regiments, with many
Officers a dail things necessary.
The Queen of Sweden continues still in these parts, and the Scotish
King at Colen where his company encreaseth more than his pu se; so
that they must part ere long; and tis like he will tid his hands of them
by taking a journey to the Spaw, where his faster the Princess of Orange
is expected to drink the Waters.
From Edenburgh, July 23.
There has been long expectation of the Councellors coming hither,
but the occasions that have retarded them, as they are not known, so
the may not bee enquired after by us at this distance. Many of the
Fined persons have made shift to pay into the Treasury their first moiety,
but that done with so much extremily, in respect of the scarcity
of money, as is hardly credible; for it is certain that some of them
have paid above Thirty in the Hundred to procure money.
From Plymouth, July 23.
In my last I wrote you of the coming in of the new Fleet or Squadron
bound to the West-Indies; they said but one night, and the
next day, which was the II. Instant, went hence, and ever since have
had a very good wind, which hath ere this put them on a good way
in their voyage; many Merchant men, together with the Convoys
for the new found-land, went away the same time. This day the
Assistance Frigat, commanded by Captain Sporling. brought in a
French Prize of about 250 tuns, 24 guns, laden with Linen cloth,
and valued to be worth little less then Eighty thousand pounds;
they made no resistance, but presently yielded. This is all I have at
present to acquaint you with.
From Portsmouth we understand, that there are 7 Salt-ships brought
in lately to that Port, belonging to the Grand party, there were
but three of the whole Fleet escaped, the rest were taken and run
on shore. Whitehall, July 26.
It was certified from Windsor, that the L:Grey of Groby, upon application
made to his Highness, hath been set at liberty from that
Castle. His Highness this afternoon retired to Hampton-Court.