A LETTER FROM Exeter, SENT To the deputy-lieutenants of Sommersetshire, Subscribed George Chudley, and Nich. Martin.  
Showing how colonel Ruthen sallied out of Plymouth, and hath taken Sir Edward Fortescue, Sir Edward Seymore, and divers other Gentlemen of note prisoners.  
With the Covenant entered into by the Mayor, deputy-lieutenants, and common-council of the City and County of Exeter.  
Also the true Copy of a Letter sent from Bristol, declaring the manner and means how that City was secured from the Cavaliers.  
London, Printed for C. M. 1642.   
A Letter sent from Exeter to the Deputy lieutenants of Somerset.  
Noble Gentlemen,  
YOur fears have been so often grated with the Relations of our miseries, ready to overwhelm us, as we now think it a neighbourly office, and suiting our association to acquaint you with a blessing that God hath sent us yesterday, being the seventh of this instant. Colonel Ruthen sallied out of Plymouth in the night, with five hundred Horse and Dragooners, and ferching a compass about Plympton Northward, fell upon Modbury. where the Sheriff Sir Edward Fortescue, and Sir Edward Seymore, and others, whose names are underwritten, were mustering the forces of the County, by virtue of the Posse Comitatis. At the sod 〈…〉 coming of our Troops, the soldiers fl●d, and 〈…〉 their Commanders in Master Champer●●●● H 〈…〉 where they a while stood upon their defence, 〈…〉 upon the firing of an outhouse, and the rest 〈…〉 roned, they at length yielded, and are 〈…〉 Dartmouth, That you may be partakers of this encouragements sent us from God, is the end of these hasty lines; From your most assured friends,  
George Chudley, Nich. Martin. Exon the 7 Decemb. 1642.  


The Names of the prisoners taken.  
Sir Edward Fortescue.  
Sir Edward Seymore.  
Master Seymore Knight of the Shire.  
Master Arthur Basset.  
Master Shapcot.  
Master Row, and two or three more taken prisoners.  
Captain Peter Fortescue.  
Captain Bidlack.  
Captain Champernoon.  
Lieutenant Holigrove.  
Captain Pomroy.  
Captain Wood.  
Master Bailie of Barstable a Papist.    

The Covenant entered into by the Mayor of Exeter, deputy-lieutenants of that County, and common-council of the city.  
IN regard of the extraordinary danger the City and County of Exeter now stands in, by reason of the near approach of the enemy whom we understand to be on his March hitherward, and may within a few days be before our Gates; We the Mayor, deputy-lieutenants, and common-council of the said City and County, Do solemnly promise and vow according to our late general Protestation, to defend His majesty's honour, and Person, the privileges of Parliament, the Laws of the Land, the Liberty and propriety of the Subject, all which, are declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, to be actually invaded by Sir Ralph Hopton, Sir John Bartly, Sir William Ashburnam their accomplices and adherents, who have gathered together great Forces, for the accomplishment of their wicked designs to the ruin of this present happy  
Parliament, and in it to lay the Foundation of tyranny and Popery; We therefore do firmly and constantly resolve by the blessing and assistance of Almighty God, as we shall one day answer the contrary before him at his great tribunal, to discharge our duties and consciences in the exact performance of the said Vow and Protestation by our unwearied labours and endeavours, though with the expense of our Lives and Estates, to defend, preserve, and protect this City and County, against the said Sir Ralph Hopton, and his adherents in this their Rebellious Insurrections; And we do further promise, Vow, and Protest, according to the true intent▪ and meaning hereof▪ without any equivocation or mental reservation▪ never to desert this cause, but mutually to join with and support each other in the maintenance of it; in testimony thereof, we have subscribed this Protestation.  
THe Exeter Covenant taken by the Mayor, and the well affected there; and I here those that refuse to take this, shall be cast out; they have raised 3000 Vo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Exon to withstand the cavaliers of Cornwall.   

A Letter from Bristol the tenth of December. 1642.  
IT is this day Written from Bristol, that whereas His Majesty had sent to that City acknowledging their affections to His service, and out of a sense of the present distractions of the Kingdom, to give them order not to receive any forces whatsoever, which might come in to disturb their Peace; whereupon they understanding, that colonel Essex from Gloucester was ready to march to Bristol, they sent 3 of their Aldermen to him, to desire him not to advance; who upon treaty with them, finding the malignity of their Message, detained their persons, and set forward his march thither, where he found strong resistance; but setting these Aldermen in the Front of the battle, by that means abated their rage, and with the assistance of the good party in the City, they got entrance, which City and Castle they have now secured for the King King and Parliament, and placing there a sufficient Garrison, are gone into Sommersetshire to join 〈◊〉 the volunteers there to resist Sir Ralph Hopton in his march. The marquess of Hartford was at Monmouth on his way to Bristol, expecting admittance thither; but understanding that colonel Essex was got in, he is again retreated into Wales.  
FINIS.