A LETTER SENT To the Honoble William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the honourable House of COMMONS: Concerning Sir Thomas Fairfax's routing Of the Enemy in the West, near BODMAN, March 8. 1645.  
Together with the Lord Hopton's Answer to Sir Thomas Fairfax's Summons.  
ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Letter be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
London, Printed for Edw. Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons, and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Golden Dragon in Fleetstreet, near the Inner-Temple. March 12. 1645.   

TO The honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the honourable House OF COMMONS.  
SIR,  
BY the last Messenger, the Packet from Ireland taken in the Vessel at Padstow, was sent unto you, which I hope came safe to your hands; by which original Letters under the hand of the Earl of Glamorgan, you will perceive how (as yet) he is employed for the bringing over of an Army, and what private correspondency there is between him, the Prince, the Lord Hopton, and other persons of Note (notwithstanding, he is under the cloud of being accused of High Treason) his being at liberty, and acting the King's Commands in bringing over an Army of natural Irish Rebels, and his correspondency with the Prince, Hopton, &c. is enough to satisfy the World, by whose Command he manages that Affair. I also acquainted you with a Summons sent to the Lord Hopton (or rather honourable conditions) if he would instantly lay down Arms, and disband the Forces in the West, which being sent unto him upon Thursday last, and no Answer returned on Friday: On Saturday the Army advanced towards St. Cullumb, and being drawn to a Rendezvouz four miles from Bodman; the Weather proved so extreme Wet, that it was not held fit to advance on any further that day; and so the Foot were appointed to Quarters in Villages thereabouts, and a mile or two forwards: The Horse being likewise at the Rendezvouz, returned to their Quarters; but some went to Quarter nearer the Enemy, and to the Guards, except a very good party of about eight hundred Horse and Dragoons, commanded by Col. Rich, who was sent away with the same, with Orders to fall upon the enemy's Guards or Quarters, as he should see it most fit for the service; and accordingly within two hours of Evening, fell upon their outguards near St. Cullumb, beat them to their Main guard: Being then drawn up in a Body, ours likewise drew into three Divisions; one commanded by Colonel Rich, another by Major Fincher, and the third by Major Scroop: The Enemy seeing no way but to fight, the Van of them gave a very good charge: Major General Pert breaking through one Division himself: But they were instantly put to the Rout, and we had the pursuit of them for three or four Miles, killing many, took about an hundred prisoners, whereof Major General Pert was one, and betwixt two hundred and three hundred Horse. This so alarmed the Enemy, that it made them desert the Head-quarter for a mile, and caused them to draw all their Horse to a Rendezvouz at eleven of the Clock that night on Michael Down, and so continued in the Wet in a great Rain till the next morning, thinking the whole Army had been advanced. Our party returned to St. Cullumb, and this morning brought the prisoners to Town. This party of the Enemies were of the Princes own Regiment, most of them Reformadoes Officers; they confess their soldiers are very weary, and that if it were published among them, they might have Passes to go home, it was not in the officer's power to keep them together: They likewise say, that most of their Officers, if they knew they might be accepted into the protection of the Parliament, they would desert the Service.  
Being asked, if they had heard any Propositions were sent unto them from the General, offering honourable conditions both to Officers and soldiers, they answered they never heard of any; so by that we perceive the Lord Hopt on with some few of his council keeps the propositions from being published: There are some others come from thence, who say that the French are mighty inquisitive to know whether they might be so far received into savour as to have leave to go beyond seas: Laying all these together we are of opinion, that it will not be in Hopton's power to hinder a good effect to the propositions sent him; so soon as the same is published amongst them, which before this, we hope by some means that hath been used is effectually done: This day the general's Trumpeter that went with the summons, is returned with a brief answer from the Lord Hopton to this purpose: That he had taken the letter from the General into consideration, but the sudden advance of our forces gave an interruption to mention at this time any particulars, but by a Trumpeter of his own he would send a particular answer: The Trumpeter was courteously used and much respected, This evening the Lord Hopton's Trumpeter is come with a letter in answer to the general's propositions, which indeed implies a willingness to end the business of the West without more blood shed, but yet desires to be satisfied whether the King and Parliament be not near a conclusion of a Peace; for being entrusted by the King, it concerns him to support his honour as long as he can; and yet withal inclines to have some country Gentleman come unto him to satisfy him of the state of affairs: Taking altogether, it argues a coming to us, though it seems yet a distance, or else a way to get time (which I rather believe, because he invites a cessation) until some Irish do land, which is the thing rumoured abroad in their Army, and expected to be there within eight and forty hours; and indeed a duplicate of that Packet we intercepted at Padstow, is since arrived with the enemy, whereby its probable they hasten ships unto them, for the bringing over those Irish that were intended for Chester into these parts: What ever his intention is, the General will not lose a minute of time: All the Regiments this day advanced to and beyond Cullomb, within three miles of Truro with a great part of the horse; the headquarter is at Bodman with one Regiment there, which we leave to secure the pass.  
To morrow the General and lieutenant General advance after the Army, and I believe will quarter at Truro to morrow at night: This advance as it is like to further a good effect upon the Propositions (if God incline their hearts unto it) so it will I hope dispatch the business before such time as any Irish can land: If there be a Treaty it must not be such a one as shall take up above one days' time: therefore a few days will decide that business, and I hope (with God's blessing) much to your advantage and the peace and welfare of this Kingdom. Major General Pert is run through the body, and shot in the body yet not mortal: There was found in his Pocket a Copy of a Letter to the Lords, about the Prince, either sent, or to be sent by him, advising them, That now was a good time to Trear, before our Forces advanced further; declaring, That they feared else their Condition would be desperate.  
The country is very forward to assist in the Barrocadoing up of all Lanes and Passes, where probably the Enemy (if they intend to break through) may attempt to pass by. This being all I have to trouble you with, I rest,  
Your most faithful And Humble Servant, I. R. Bodman, March 8. 1645. Past 12 at Night.  
FINIS.