TWO INTERCEPTED LETTERS From Sir WILLIAM BRERETON to the Earl of ESSEX, and M. PYM; concerning the rebel's affairs in the NORTH.  
The originals whereof were sent by an express to the Earl of ESSEX, according to His majesty's direction, this 8. of July, 1643.  
Printed Verbatim according to the originals, BY LEONARD LICHFIELD, Printer to the university. 1643.   

May it please your Excellence.  

Halifax is deserted by Our men, & the Earls Forces possessed thereof.  I received this day a Letter from Captain Duckenfield, and another from Captain Booth, importing that my Lord Fairfax and the Lancashire Forces (being joined and encountering with the Lord Newcastle) were routed and pursued to Bradford, which town also was taken by the Earl of Newcastle's Forces, and Leedes besieged, whereby the Earl of Newcastle is possessed of all Yorkshire, except Hull and Leedes.  
The Lancashire Forces being also defeated (as I am informed) there remains very few, except those small forces We have, (which are more than sufficiently matched with the Lord Capell) to make opposition and resistance, unless your Excellence in your Wisdom think fit some ways to provide for the prevention of so great a danger, as may ensue upon gathering and increasing of his Forces, by subduing and spoiling the Country.  
I hope your Excellence will excuse and pardon what was intended for the assistance of my Lord Grey, being necessarily employed for the defence of these parts. But if your Lordship Command otherwise, I shall account it a part of my duty to obey your Excellency, to whom I will always profess to remain.  
Stafford, July. 4. 1643. Your Excellences most humble servant WILL: BRERETON.  
My Lord Fairfax and his Son it is said are in Leedes, where I hear they are distressed.  
Superscribed, For his Excellence the Earl of Essex, these humbly present Speed.   

Sir,  
I Can do no less than account it a part of my duty to Communicate unto you what I received yesternight from Captain Duckenfield, and others, touching the bad success of the Lord Fairfax, and the Lancashire men in their encounter with the Earl of Newcastle's Forces, being routed and pursued to Bradford, which town was by the enemy's Granadoes set on fire and taken: the report whereof struck such a Terror into the Hallifax men, as that thereupon they deserted the Town, whereby the Earl of Newcastle's Forces are become possessed of all that great County of Yorkshire, except Hull and Leedes, whither the Lord Fairfax, and Sir Thomas Fairfax are escaped, and wherein it is said they are besieged and distressed. It is not to be expected that there can be prevention given to the progress, advance, and increase of this Army, unless some considerable force can be sent down to join with the Country, and to assist and make head, there being no more in these parts to resist, but only those small forces we have, which are sufficiently tasked with my Lord chapels Forces.  
Me thinks therefore it were high time that you should have sent before this to have entreated the assistance of the Scots, whereby prevention might have been given to the loss of many 1000 men's lives, and many 1000 pounds worth of Treasure and Goods, whereof the Enemy is become possessed, & will be exceedingly strengthened, if you do not hasten to call them in to our Assistance. And if this be not done it is feared that the whole Kingdom may be endangered, and certainly all the Northern parts ruined and spoiled.  
I beseech the Lord direct you herein to such Resolution as may be most for his own glory, and the rescuing of his people out of the hands of their oppressors, so prayeth▪  
Your most faithful friend and Servant STAFFORD, July 5. 1643.  
Superscribed, For the much honoured M. PYM these Speed Speed.