COL: BETHELS LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCE THE Lord Fairfax, Concerning the surrender of Scarbrough Castle, on Tuesday, Decemb. 19 1648. Together, With a true Copy of the Articles for the Rendition thereof, and the Result of the Council of War concerning the same. LONDON, Printed for J. Playford at his shop in the Inner-Temple. Decemb. 25. 1648. Colonel Bethels Letter to his Excellency the Lord Fairfax. May it please your Excellency, SInce I acquainted you with the Treaty concerning the surrender of this Castle, (and before the receipt of yours) having received Information by very honest and well-affected persons, Seamen of Scarbrough, and others, that several Ships with men and provisions from the Prince were designed hither, and expected every hour for the relief of this Castle; I called together the Officers here, who unanimously agreed rather fully to conclude then to run the hazard of the inconveniencies that might ensue thereby to the poor Country, considering we never had yet the happiness to have one Ship upon these Coasts, neither any assurance thereof (though I have writ many times) and indeed if God had not been more merciful by his providence in the winds then any endeavour we have found by man, they had been relieved ere this; but the wind being fair, and not hearing from your Excellency, and having encouragement from Major General Lambert) we did conclude for the delivery of the Castle according to several Articles which I have herewith sent you, and are now marched in with Captain Lawsons' Company; and though the terms may seem better than your Excellency expected (yet in the present exigence it could not be avoided.) The Governor is ashamed to stay in England, therefore intends beyond Seas, and likewise most of the Officers: there is good store of all sorts of provisions, especially of Rye, and Butter, and at least 50 barrels of powder, and a great quantity of Match, it might very well have holden out these three Months, had we any hopes or assurance of Shipping to have prevented their relief, we should not have admitted such Conditions, which I hope however will gain your Excellencies good Construction (I must needs acknowledge your Excellencies high esteem of me in thinking me worthy of this place;) Captain Lawson I conceive well of, but there would be at least a Company or two more in it, which I only offer to your consideration, hoping your Excellency will think of a certain establishment for it as for other places of that concernment, for I hope to give your Excellency upon all occasions a just and faithful account of what I am entrusted with; so I rest, Scarborough Decem. 19, 1648. Your Excellencies most humble and faithful Servant, Hugh bethel. By the Council of War. Leaguer at Scarborough, Decem. 12. 1648. Whereas certain Intelligence hath been this day given to this Council, that there is a Ship at Sea which came from Dunkirk ready to bring Men, Money, and store of Provisions for the relief of the Castle, and (the wind being now fair) will be here very speedily before we can receive Instructions from the Lord General; besides, other Informations also given us, that some of the Prince's Ships are also at Sea, or ready to set to Sea, for their relief, we having not any Ships here at present, nor any assurance of having any, to hinder the designs of the Enemy by Sea: We therefore upon the aforementioned grounds seriously considering, that if the Castle get relief it will be of great prejudice to the whole Kingdom, have therefore thought fit hereby to give full power unto Colonel Christopher Legard, Lieutenant Colonel William Spencer, Lieutenant Colonel Barrington Bourcher, Captain Nicholas Conyers, and Captain john Lawson, Commissioners on our part already nominated, to treat and conclude with the Commissioners appointed by Colonel Matthew Bointon, Concerning the surrender of this Castle, aswell in reference to the giving such Conditions to Colonel Bointon, and Captain Rowley, as to our said Commissioners shall seem expedient, as to all other points and matters concerning the Rendition of the said Castle. In testimony whereof we have subscribed our names the day and year above written. Hugh bethel, ArthurStringer, Io: bethel, Robert Legard, William Legard, Charles Brocket, George Blacker, Walter bethel, Thomas johnson, Io: Attey, john Beer, Henry Wilkinson, Francis Bacon, Thomas Weddell, Charles Legard, Hugh Savile, james Best, Edward Todd, William Blacker. Upon the grounds and reasons above mentioned, we having formerly entrusted and authorized the Gentlemen above named, to treat and conclude as above said, We do therefore now ratify and confirm all such Articles agreed and concluded upon by the said Commissioners concerning the surrender of Scarborough Castle: In testimony whereof we have subscribed our names the 18 day of December. 1648. Hugh bethel, Arthur Stringer, Io: bethel, Robert Legard, William Legard, Charles Brocket, George Blacker, Walter bethel, Thomas johnson, Io: Attey, john Beer, Henry Wilkinson, Francis Bacon, Thomas Weddell, Charles Legard, Hugh Savile, james Best, Edward Todd, William Blacker. Articles agreed and concluded upon Decemb. 17. 1648. betwixt Col: Christopher Legard, Lievt. Col: William Spencer, Lievt. Col: Barrington Bourcher, Capt. Nicholas Conyers, and Capt. John Lawson, Commissioners on the behalf of Col: Hugh Bethel, Commander in chief of the Parliament Forces now in Leaguer before Scarborough Castle, and Col: Thomas Fairfax, Major Edward Gower, Major Thomas Reston, Capt. Roger Newinson, and Capt: Timothy Wilkins, Commissioners for Col: Matthew Boynton, Governor of that Castle on the behalf of His Majesty, concerning the Rendition of the said Castle to the said Col: Hugh bethel to the use of the Parliament. 1. THat upon Tuesday next, being the nineteenth day of December instant, the Castle of Scarbrough shall be surrendered to Col: Hugh bethel, Commander in chief, and to the use of the Parliament, with all the Arms, Ordnance, and Ammunition, Provisions and other goods whatsoever, without embezelment, except what is metioded in the ensuing Articles. 2. That the Governor, Officers, Gentlemen and Soldiers in the said Castle, shall march out thereof upon the day & at the hour aforesaid, with their wearing Apparel and Money, properly their own; their Colours flying, Drums beating, Muskets loaden, Bandeleers filled, Matches lighted, and Bullet in mouth, to a Close called Scarbrough Common, and there to lay down their Arms, except what is hereafter excepted. 3. That the Governor shall march with his Horse and Arms, offensive and defensive, and three servants on horseback to attend him, with their swords, to what place he shall appoint; every Field-Officer on horseback, with Sword and Pistols, and two servants on horseback with their Swords, every Captain on horseback with their Swords and Pistols, and one servant to attend them, all other Commission-Officers and Gentlemen on Foot with one Pistol and Sword, all other Officers and Soldiers with their Swords to their several habitations, and there to remain without molestation, submitting to all Orders and Ordinances of Parliament; And for any thing done in order to the providing for or securing of the said Garrison to his Majesty's service, to be freed from Arrests and other Molestations till the first of May next ensuing; and all Officers and Soldiers included in these Articles, shall have liberty to go about their occasions to any part of the Kingdom, except besieged places. And in case any one of them shall desire to go beyond the Seas betwixt the time of the surrender of this Garrison, until the first of May next ensuing, Passes shall be granted to them to that purpose; also all such persons as are employed about the affairs of this Garrison, and are not now in custody, shall have the benefit of these Articles. 4. That free Quarter shall be granted to all included in these Articles in their passages to their several habitations, they travelling eight miles a day, and not staying above one night in a place, except on the Sabbath day: And that all sick and wounded persons shall be provided for till they shall be recovered, and then to have Passes to go to their several habitations. 5. That all Gentlewomen within the said Castle shall be suffered to pass out with their wearing Apparel, Money and Necessaries: And the Horses and other conveniences may be brought for their conveyance to such place as shall be nominated: And that all such persons that shall desire it, shall have liberty to hire or procure Horses for their Money, or from Friends; And the same Horses to be brought on the day of the surrender to the backside of Saint Mary's Church in Scarborough. 6. That all persons included within these Articles now under Sequestration, shall have liberty to compound. 7. That all Prisoners now in custody in the Town of Scarborough, shall upon this Agreement be set at liberty. 8. In case any Officer or Soldier shall do any thing contrary to this Agreement, they shall be forthwith delivered up to punishment, and that the said breach shall prejudice none but those that are guilty. 9 That a sufficient Convoy be appointed. Tho: Fairfax. Tho: Reston. Edw: Gower. Roger Newinson. Timothy Wilkins. FINIS.