Saturday, August. 24.
CAme to my hands a Letter from a Friend of eminent employment
in the Army, bearing date at Muscleburgh, Friday
the 16th Instant:
SIR;
ON Monday last the Army received their Cheese from the
London-vessels; which was a great refreshment to them,
who had for so long time before fed upon bread and water.
On Tuesday my Lord Generall marcht with the Army west of
Edenburgh, and encampt on Penctand-hills, a little above a mile
from Edenburgh Castle, intending that night to have gone to
Queens Ferry, but the Passes were so difficult, and other Consideration;
diverted that designe for that time. Wednesday morning
early the Enemy sent a Trumpet with a Letter and Declaration
of the Kirk and Estates, declaring that (the Quarrell being
stated,) they would fight us, when God called them to it,
using some reproachfull language, in relation to the Generalls
last Letter unto them. And withall they intimate in the said
Letter, that they had sent to the King to signe Declaration, to
renounce his Fathers, actors against the godaly Partie of either
Kingdome; which if he did not signe they intended not to own
Him; and after ward by discourse that day with Gibby Carre,
and other of the Scot, party, who came to a friendly parley at
our Guards, they, did seem very much to doubt the Kings
complying with them, for them he had for foure days before
denyed the signing the Declaration, and a yesterday (being the
first day of the Parliaments sitting) if he had signed the Declaration,
he was to have been crowned; so the Army encamped
that night also upon the same Hills, & retreated back to Muscleburgh,
to receive 6. or 7. dayes Provision, which is this day
delivered unto them, & then you may expect to heare of form
further attempt, which by the first opportunitie I shall certife
you of and remaine
Yours, J. R.
I have little time to write, the burden of disposing provisions
to the bungry, and shipping those sicke of the Flux, &c. lies
on my bands to doe to besides other busines[unr] which makes it
bard dutie.