eight of this moneth, it being brought to that pass, after many difficulties,
by the importunity and vigorous Applications of the Lord De la
Barde, our Ambassador, who labored hard among the Deputies in
the Diet at Baden, to accomplish it. This different was a matter of
grand importance, wherein most of the Neighboring Princes were concerned
one way or other.
Whitehal, March 17, 18, and 19.
On Saturday last in the Evening, Sir Thomas Wortley was unhappily
slain by one Mr Skipwith. It seems there had been a Quarrel depending
for some time betwixt them, arising first upon an occasion, which I forbear
to name. They met that Evening accidently, (as is supposed)
near York-house in the Strand in the open Street, and being both provided
of Pistols, ready charged in their Pockets, Sir Thomas Wartley
(as its said) drew his out first, and shot Mr. Skipwith in the upper part
of the Brest, near the shoulder; and Skipwith immediately fired his
Pistol, and shot Sir Thomas so, that he died presently Mr. Skipwith
lies in a very doubtful and dangerous condition under the hand of the
Chiturgeon.
We had news likewise, That on the Lords day Mr. Tison, Minister of
Botolph Billingsgate, destroyed himself by cutting his own Throat. He
had attempted it about a fortnight before, having cut himself about
the Throat, but was prevented from doing it effectually; and being
under cure of the Chirurgeon, he was in a fair way of cure; but last
Lords day, having privily gotten a Knife into his Bed, he ripped open
the wound again, and most sadly made an end of this mortal life. He
had been some time in the condition of a distincted man, which (it is
thought) was caused by some distress of Conscience. A [unr]ed spirit,
who can bear? or who can think of these and other lamentable cases
lately faln out among us, without a serious reflection and compassion.
Divers Rumors and Letters have been spred abroad the latter end
of the last week and the beginning of this, pretending that the Spanish
Gallions were come home from the West Indies; but they all prove
meer Air, and Invention.
This last Mondays Letters from Scotland do relate. That one Bruce
was flying out into Arms, and endeavoring to draw followers from the
parts about St. Johnstons to him, in the Hills; from whence he came
down and committed Robberies, and hoped to have made a considerable
party; but Major Pierson, Col. Daniels Major, having notice of
his haunts, went forth with a party, and took him, and hath carried
him prisoner to Edinburgh
On the eighteenth instant in the morning, the wind serving fair, the
Fleet put forth to Sea.
London, Printed by Tho: Newcomb dwelling in Thames-street,
over against Baynards-Castle, 1655.