A LETTER Sent To Mr. SPEAKER, From the Commissioners in the County of ESSEX, concerning the MILITIA. Together with A Relation of diverse passages in Ireland, sent over in a Letter. June 8. 1642. Ordered by the House of Commons assembled in Parliament, that these two Letters be forthwith Printed and Published. Henry Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. LONDON, Printed for Joseph Hunscott. 1642. A Letter sent to Mr Speaker. Mr. Speaker, HAving in obedience to the Order of both Houses attended the Lo. Lieutenant of the County of Essex this day to Brent Wood, for the putting of the Ordnance of the Militia of this County in execution; his Lordship hath directed us to give you an account of the service, so far as it could be yet prosecuted, as he hath himself done to the house of Lords. There were five Companies of the ordinary train bond, this day drawn into the field, being about a 4th part of the trained bonds of his County, and all that were directed to meet at this place, their numbers were full, & their arms complete, a supply being made by volunteers of those arms that were carried forth of the County, upon the late expedition for Scorland; and one of the said Companies (being under the charge of captain Massam) was doubled to the usual proportion, a sixth company did appear at this place, consisting of about five hundred volunteers, under command of captain Barrington, youngest son of Sir Thomas Barington. The Declaration of both Houses touchtheir indempnity, was read in the head of each Company, and the captains, Officers and soldiers being req●ired by the Lord Lieutenant, to observe such further directions as in pursuance of the said Ordinance should be hereafter given them in charge by his Lordship, or us his Deputy Lieutenants, for the service of his majesty, and the Parliament, in defence of the kingdom, they did unanimously express a resolution so to do, and in the same cheerfully to spend their lives and Fortunes▪ Brentt Word 7 of June 1642. Thomas Barrington William Masham William Hicks Mars. Loomley, Thomas Cheek. Henry Mildmay. Har. Grimston. Ric. Everard. John Barrington. Carlingford the 24. of May, 1642. Master Maurice Tomson. SIR, HUmble salutes; my last unto you was from Carrickvergus of the 25. past, wherein I declared at large, what I conceived of the affairs of this Country, as also how that I was designed for this place, laden with provision for the Army, who then was designed to take the Newry. It pleased God, that on the 18. past, I arrived here, where I found myself surrounded with great companies of the Rebels, whom I did know, expected daily a supply of Munition, wherefore to put them in hopes, I displayed no colours, our men seeking the channel, came with their boats somewhat near the shore, whom the Rebels bid very welcome, and demanded whence we came, the one side of the Harbour, my men answered from Hamborough, and on the other side, they said from France, (both which sayings was without my consent) but fourteen of the Rebels soon came aboard, in hopes to buy Powder and arms, (whom I laid in Irons) and presently shot divers guns, as healths, in hopes to get some more from the shore, it being towards night, my project failed, wherefore the next morning, I fell to battering the town of Carlingford, but the same lay so far off, that I could do no great execution from our Ship, she being almost without distance, wherefore I presently raised a platform upon a great open boat, which the night before I had taken, and thereon mounted two pieces of Ordnance, and so with all my force I could spare, leaving my Ship well manned, I approached within a musket shot of the Town, and battered the same with our two guns, and being within call of the King's Castle, the Rebels challenged me to land, promising they would meet me with half my number, whereupon I forthwith drew to a point, where I knew myself secure, and their landed 64. men, being within a musket shot of the town, having my great guns, ready to charge them at or as they should approach, There I continued a long while in order of battle, but the Enemy approached not, though in great numbers, but from that time began to burn the town, and carry their goods into the mountains, and the next day we had a Parley, wherein I was resolved to have redeemed some English people, against my prisoners. But the next morning before day, they fearing our coming a shore, fired all the town and Castles, and left them on fire unto us, wherein are six Irish Castles, and the King's Castle besides, being a strong hold, wherein I forthwith put a garrison of my own Seamen, and kept the same about fifteen days, unt ill I procured from Sir Henry Tichbourne relief from Dundalke, unto whom I surrendered the said town and Castle, about the time of our taking this place. The Army was likewise come to the Newry, which they took in without many shot, the soldiers flying away from them, as soon as they heard the Army marched toward them, the Ditto Army for want of some necessaries, are marched to Carrickvergus, where three days since they are arrived without any opposition, being not above 3500, men, under command of a gallant soldier colonel Mouro, and for my own part I am designed thither, only wait for a fair wind, where I hope to find some letters from you, being exceedingly desirous to hear your news. 'tis now daily more and more to be seen and expected that famine must do that which our swords cannot, for I do now conceive they will never stand to fight any considerable battle, but will continue in the Woods, Bogs, and mountains, all day, and in the night they steal, fire and burn, and will so continue still, removing as the Army moves, and will never fight except upon great advantage, and indeed as yet they have very little powder and few arms, and are daily more and more discouraged, finding no supply. As for the common poor people, I believe a great part of them were at first forced to this action, by the threats of the great ones, and the curses of Priests if they did not; it is believed most of them would lay down their arms at the feet of the British, provided they might save their lives only, but this were dishonourable, and soon would beget a new Rebellion, they have great store of cattle in the mountains with them, but 'tis hoped this winter coming will shrink them, and their Garrons which they in holes have hid, so that I doubt not but famine will soon come in among them afterward, and do much more execution than all our Armies if they were five times more, especially if they be deprived of this summer's course by our forces, as is hoped. I have cows enough, but as yet they are hardly man's meat, nor will not be this two months. The Ship Peter is guarding the North Coast, and hath relieved Colraine and London Derry with ammunition. Thus hoping to hear of your welfare, I take leave for present, and rest, Your Humble Servant John Brookhaven. FINIS.