A true RELATION Of the apprehension of the Lord DIGBY, As he was intending his journey and shipped for France, intercepted by Sir John Pennington, Vice Admiral of his majesty's Fleet, and by him detained Prisoner. With a bloody plot politically intended against the Parliament, by certain Papists and their Adherents. As also the opposition made by the Inhabitants of Hull, against a Gentleman and his three hundred men sent by the Parliament, with their general and free acceptance of the Earl of Newcastle, authorized by his majesty's Commission to the same effect. As also the store of ammunition wherewith the said town is fortified. LONDON, Printed for John Hammond. 1642. The manner of apprehending the L: DIGBY, son to the Earl of Bristol, BY Sir John PENINGTON. NEver since GOD had first been pleased to show his mercies towards us, was it known, that pernicious and nefarious offenders against his Church and elect, have escaped unpunished. Never have Conspirators gone undiscerned, ill members unconvicted; and generally no matter, manner, plot or conspiracy whatsoever, against Religion, remained unconcealed, but have (through his wonderful means) palpably appeared to the attaching and punishing of the offenders, the terror of malevolent and evil-minded persons, and the glory of Almighty God, the revealer of secrets. This no less than other, is worthy of your perspicuous apprehension. The Lord Digby whose judicious understanding, if well applied, might have both much advantaged, and also extended to the settling of a general and unaccomplished peace in this kingdom, proving a delinquent, and flying the just judgement and censure of the Parliament against him, first attempting a transportation for Ireland, reduced himself into the County of Carmarthen, where many days being vigilant, and waiting for opportunity, being still frustrated, in respect that the Parliaments most judicious command denied any commerce thitherward, without their special licence, he resolved of another, as he thought more auspicious, was to return for France; where, amongst hi● former acquaintance, to spend away the time, until being gieun intelligence of a security, and safe permittance in his return. This settled in his opinion, he sets forward to sea in a French Bark, called le Olive Shampaneell, where although his desires were earnest, and expected a sudden transportation; yet the wind proving inauspitious, and the Sea very turbulent, he was forced to remain upon the waves for the space of eight days upon the coast of Wales: whereas it fortuned Sir John Penington, Vice admiral of his majesty's Fleet, likewise to ride; who having divers times taken a view of him, and knowing him by reason of former acquaintance, attached him, and received him into his ship, where he is detained as prisoner until further order should be given from the Parliament concerning the same. The Papists plot against the PARLIAMENT. Mischiefs in hell erst hatched, hath not been found So bad, pernicious, or so cursed a ground, As this I mean to treat on, whose intent Hath been for to abolish Parliament, Undo a King and kingdom, make a State Through want of peers to prove unfortunate: And all this bloody massacre provided For us, but that the hand of God decided, And cured our evils; also giving hope We shall have freedom from their Lord the Pope. Thus was't contrived: Many demi Blades Amongst their brave papistical Comrades, Advanced to Westminster, with Pistols, Swords, Their arms complete, and many braving words, Ha●berts provided for to cut and hew Such as they meant should bid the world adieu. Our bes● of men that purposed good, they evil Provided as if seconds for the devil. Thrusting the Officers from off their place, Abusing others; thinking to deface The form of government: But God be praised, Their plot's defaced, and our fortunes raised By their defeating; Had they had the word, We must have suffered or by fire or sword. A Letter since produced to th'house of Commons, Which shows their private and conjoined summons, Is afterwards inserted, look and view, It is not half so dismal as 'tis true. O praise the Lord then, all that love his Name, Lift up your hearts, eternize still his fame, Who still doth shield us harmless day by day, To whom be honour, glory, now and aye. A RELATION OF THE ENTERtainment given to the Gentleman sent by the Parliament to be governor of Hull, With his garrison of three hundred men, and their opposing the same, as also their willing acceptance of my Lord of Newcastle, sent with a Commission from his majesty. Upon the tenth day of January last past, a Gentleman anthorized by the Parliament to undertake the government and vigilant care of the town of Hull, with three hundred able men for that purpose, set forward in their journey towards the County of York: where arrived, the inhabitants of the said town denied him entrance within the walls, notwithstanding he produced the command from the honourable House of Parliament to that effect. But after some time spent in mature consideration, they admitted him, but not his men, alleging that the Fort being his majesties, he having there also a Magazine, the power and custody thereof ought not to be conferred and delivered over unto any, without his majesty's special commission authorising some Noble and well known commonwealths-man by it, otherwise they were not bound, neither would they deliver it up to any; but if he pleased to view their ammunition, Magazine, and what strength they had to defend it, he should and made no question but he should find both it and them sufficient an able enough to withstand any foreign force or enemy in defence and safeguard of the same. Thus answered, he deprrted; and came to London, since when the Earl of Newcastle authorized by his majesty's commission, and attended with a train of five hundred assistants, was generally and joyfully received of the inhabitants, where he hath supplied his majesty's Magazens and Block-houses (where it was wanting) with powder, shot, bullets, both for Canon and Musket,: he hath also mounted the pieces of Ordnances; raised platforms, rectified all defaults, whether in carriages or field-pieces, and is now continually re-edifying and adding to the fortifications formerly built there, his endeavours, and so generally thought for the good of this kingdom, that we daily wish a greater multiplication of such loyal subjects. He is a man so generally fraught with virtue, and so industrious in the effectation of his present commission, that neither being misled to vice, nor losing opportunity for the proceeding in his importunate affairs, that he may be a pattern of emulation for hereafter times. The manner and plantation of the Ordnance is thus described. The Blockhouse standing towards the East, adjoining to the Sea, hath twenty pieces; five whole Canons, and fifteen Demicanons and Culverings: the other towards North-east, having ten pieces, whereof three are Culverings, the residue small pieces, and mounted with an aspect over the whole town for defence by land, two murderers at grey wharf, and two more at Dilham Port, all made ready and fit for service: there being in the Magazines arms for an hundred thousand men. These are the endeavours of the worthy Earl of Newcastle, which we wish to continue both there and other places in this kingdom by him and such other like good agents, to the honour and glory of God, terrifying our enemies, our own safety, and hopes of ensuing tranquillity. Amen. The Copy of a writing produced and presented to the Parliament. We work, we plot, we study and devise Our powder works, whiles that you blind the eyes Of those perspicuous enemies: our plot Stands so securely hid, they must to pot Go altogether, in their chairs of state Mounted aloft by the promiscuous fate, Like Phaeton in fire their Chariot hot Will sear their nimble intellect; a trot Phoebus swift Geldings never glide, they run, So shall they suddenly ere we have done. Farewell. I. P. FINIS.