AN ABSTRACT OF several LETTERS from Hull, York, and Beverly, of his majesty's proceedings.  
As also the carriage and behaviour of the Cavaliers, with the number of those that were slain and taken prisoners by Sir John Hotham.  
Whereunto is added, A true Relation of the provision in HULL.  
LONDON: Printed for Ben. Allen in Popes-Head Alley. August the second. 1642.   

An Abtract of several Letters from Hull, York, and Beverly.  

SIR,  
MY love and respect unto you. I have collected some material passages as I have writ you before, Captain Piggot hath redeemed his credit, and took a Bark with 3 great guns, also many musketeers which fled ashore; and now the said Captain and 2 other ships lieth upon Linconshire shore side, so that no Fortifications can be made there as hath been attempted, to hinder passage up to Hull. And as I have writ you, we have taken many Cavaliers and brave horses, and some money, we took one horse worth an 100 l. Our townsmen stand all bravely to their business; and those that were malignant's before, are now cured, and see their former error, and now strive who should be most forwards and valiant: at first these things were something troublesome unto us, and most to our women, but now God be praised, we have better spirits, and the truth is, if Sir John would give way, we would sally forth upon them, and (my life for it) we remove the siege, for the country have no mind to fight against us, and the people's hearts of the country do much incline to us, and divers would come into our town to help us, if they could come safely; but if any come, they seize upon their means. We have information of their proceedings every night; they have robbed Mr Leggeds' house, and taken away all he hath; and they have robbed Mr Hotham's house, and have taken a brave horse from him which he is troubled for, but he hath a brave horse in lieu of him▪ they have robbed Sir John Hotham's house which is about eight miles from our Town.  
The country people complain miserably that they enjoy nothing that they have, that Candebed men and Cotingham men and Newland men they say they dare not be seen to read a good book, but he that doth not banish God and good men, he is no company for the Cavaliers.  
Not to omit the Cavaliers have planted 3 pieces of Ordnance at Hassel to hinder any passage by water, and a Keel coming towards us, the principal gunner shot at her and missed, he swore God damn him if he did not sink her the next shot: and the Peice broke in pieces and killed the Gunner and some others.  
They have of late sent to Sir John for the horse and men he had taken, but he returned answer that upon good and fair terms he would deliver them, that was horse for horse, and man for man; and to begin, if they would be pleased to send the horse that was taken from his son, he would send any horse for him. And so Mr Hotham's horse was sent him, and the brave horse I writ you of, was sent in exchange.  
There hath since a Knight been sent from the King to Sir John, that offereth a general pardon if he will deliver the Town▪ But Sir John saith he will not betray the trust reposed in him: if the Parliament order him to deliver up the Town he will deliver, otherwise he cannot.  
We manned out of our Town some firelocks and some small Barks with 150 musketeers, and they went to visit the Cavaliers at Berton, and at the landing of our men the watch fled away, so they took away all the boats out of Harbour, and what else was there, and came away.   

Beverly, the 29 July. 1642.  
Sir,  
YOu being so affectionately compassionate with our friends in Hull, I could not but ●cquaint with my first intelligence of their good success. This last week they issued out upon their besiegers about some 500 which when they saw they began to prepare themselves for an encounter, exhorting each other to stand to it and look to themselves; The country people bid the Cavaliers look to themselves, these (say they) are our friends will not hurt us: which so amazed the Cavaliers and desperadoes, that they thought their best weapons were their heels, and fairly run away to Beverly. But for all their haste, Sir John took 30. and killed two. The King presently called a council of War to treat that he would pursue no further: who gave him answer he must do as he saw convenient: then the King and Cavalry laying the fault upon the unskilfulness of the country Captains, thought to remedy the business by sending an Irish old Captain to command them, who coming to the soldiers with the King's pleasure that he should lead them, they asked whether he were a Yorkshire man, and he saying no; they asked him what he had to do to command them, so beat him and sent him back again. I should have writ you that in this skirmish they took Captain Dacucoms Colours from him, and set them upon a Turret in the Town. This is all, I rest,  
Your affectionate friend.   

We have no good news save only good help comes from you: since a few men came from London, Sir John hath sent the King's Army a Message that caused the most of the Leaguer to run away, at least 21. slain, and 15. taken prisoners. The King's Magazine was fired at the same broil, at a part of the Leaguer called Ayvelebie, within 3. miles of Hull. This disaster happened to the great amazement of the Cavaliers: yea they who were so confident of their victory against Hull, who most bitterly cursed Sir John Hotham, and in conceit would cut him in sippets, within 3. days these brave or rather base spirits are now forced to say, that Sir John is worthy commendations for his fidelity.  
York 29 July. 1642.   

Postscript.  
The King hath beat up his Drums but none cometh in here, he beats his Drums, but not a man: and of late the King hath sent for to view our Army, and that he may have 80. Musketeers to guard his person, but it was answered they could not go out of the City. You shall have enclosed the note of the provision in Hull.   

York 29. of July. 1642.  
YOur Letter I received and books, for which I thank you: news here upon Wednesday at night last, Sir John Hotham sent out 300. foot soldiers and some 60. horse unto a place called Aulbe 3. miles of Hull, where Captain Dunkam, lay with his Company, where Sir John Hotham's men set on fire a barn wherein was some gunpowder and other materials: this day Sir Henry Slingsbe took the view of our Arms in the City both common and private, and desires 80. Musketeers for the King's guard: this night the Earl of Leicester is come to Town with a great Company, we live in great fears: and in this city many are grown careless in the worship and service of God. The Lord in mercy think thoughts of mercy to our Kingdom. The next Thursday the Gentry is to come in, and the Papists to bring in their horses: but not to find themselves as is said. So desiring to be remembered of you as is our duty one for another, will rest yours.   

A true relation of that Provision in Hull most necessary.  
Rye 14 thousand quarters, besides private provision.  
Wheat 500 quarters, besides the Kings and private provision.  
Beans, 7000. quarters at least, besides private provision.  
Oates 7000. quarters, besides private.  
Malt 200. quarters besides private provision.  
Oatmeal 80. quarters, besides private.  
Fish as much as will serve this seven years.  
Wine 1000 Tun. bear provision for 12. Months.  
Water as much as is needful, one Well in twelve hours' time sprung ten foot water; also divers wells discovered that hath not been used this 39 years, so that there is no want of fresh water, not hath there been the least complaint as yet of one poor man, woman or child in the Town for want of provision; God hath miraculously provided store of fresh water (besides the wells in the Town, and the fresh River at low water) especially in a place within their outworks, without the walls, so that there is a place called Bush-dike being sixty yards in length, and ten yards broad, the which hath in one night sprung a foot plum height, and was never known to spring before.  
This is a true Relation.   
FINIS.