BLOODY NEWS FROM COLCHESTER CONCERNING The late Fight on Tuesday last, between the Forces under the command of Sir Charles Lucas, and the Suffolk Forces, near the East-gate; with the manner of the Fight, and the number that were slain and taken prisoners.  
Likewise, the Proclamation of the Earl of Norwich, and Sir Charles Lucas, concerning the Duke of York's coming to Coulchester, and their proclaiming of it at the Head of each Regiment throughout the Town.  
Together with the Lord General's Propositions to the Earl of Norwich, and Sir Charles Lucas, touching a general peace. And their Answer thereunto, concerning his Excellency's Army.  
LONDON: Printed for R. W. 1648.   

PROPOSITIONS FOR PEACE SENT By His Excellency the Lord General Fairfax, to the Earl of Norwich, the Lord Capell, Sir Charles Lucas, and the rest of the Commanders in chief, etc.  
THe Lord General Fairfax having seriously weighed and considered the sad event of war, and the effusion of more Christian and innocent blood, occasioned by the present Engagement of the two Armies at Colchester; for prevention whereof, and for the future preserving of the peace and tranquillity both of that County and Kingdom, his Excellenc●● hath agreed upon certain Propositions to be sent to the Commanders in chief of the King's Forces in Colchester, a copy whereof followeth, viz.  

My Lords,  
I Shall here let you know what yourselves and those under you may expect from me (which for the restoring of quiet to this County, and the Kingdom, without more bloodshed, and for the saving so eminent a Town from the chance of War) I shall offer, viz.  
1. That if yourselves, and the rest with you in Colchester, shall within 24. hours after notice hereof, lay down Arms and surrender the Town, the common Soldiers, and men of that rank, shall have liberty to departed to their several homes, and there quietly to remain, submitting unto the authority of Parliament, and this I shall make good however, to so many of that sort respectively, as shall accept thereof, and do accordingly.  
2. That yourselves, and the Officers and Gentlemen engaged with you in the Town shall have liberty and passes to go beyond Sea, with equipage befitting their qualities, engaging themselves not to return into this Kingdom without leave from both or either Houses of Parliament.  
3. That all of both sorts, with the Inhabitants of the town, shall be free from plunder or violence of the Soldiers, their Arms, Ammunition, and Furniture of War within the town, and also their Horses employed to Military service (except such horses and swords, as shall be fit to be allowed to Captain, or superior Officers, and Gentlemen of quality, for their removal) being first delivered up without imbezelment, in an orderly manner, as shall be further set down, and the Forces under my command, or such as I shall appoint, being admitted a peaceable entrance into the town. I desire that the Gentlemen of the Committee may be acquainted herewith, and that it be not concealed from any that are concerned in it.  
T. Fairfax.   

The Answer to the Propositions for Peace.  
My Lord,  
THose conditions you proffer to the Officers and Soldiers on our part, we do hereby make offer of to the Officers and Soldiers on your part. We shall in this occasion deal plainly, we do not without evident reason conceive ourselves to be in a condition all the force you can make, and thereby to give courage and opportunity to all truehearted Englishmen, to recover their ancient and known Laws, or if you shall adventure to attaque us, we doubt not but by the mercy & assistance of Almighty God so give you such a repulse, as shall give testimony of our force & courage, & at how high a rate we value the general peace of the kingdom. And as for that clause, touching the communicating of it to those whom it may concern, we conceive you intent the Inhabitants of Colchester, We were very unworthy persons if any should exceed us in our care for this good town.  
Norwich, Charles Lucas.   

Sir, Since my last dated June 24. we have had several skirmishes with the enemy, they have often times approached near our Guards, but have been repulsed and beaten in again.  
The Enemy is very resolute, and takes all the advantages that may be in sallying out upon us; they have made several attempts upon the Suffolk Forces, and have salled out at the East-gate, beating them from their Works, and falling in amongst their trenches; but after a sharp dispute, the enemy were forced to retreat, and the Suffolk Forces pursued, doing great execution.  
Captain Green (a Suffolk Gentleman) deported himself with much courage and gallantry, in this conflict, charging with two hundred musquetiers, against three hundred of the enemy's Horse and Foot, worsted them, killed fifteen upon the place, and took near upon thirsty prisoners, with the loss of eight men, three slain, and five wounded.  
Some of the prisoners, upon their examination, confessed, that their Commander in chief, Colonel Lunsford, give order, that no man should give quarter to any of the Suffolk traitors, but that they should put every man to the sword, which cruelty and Barbarism, hath not a little stirred up the spirits of the Suffolk-men, insomuch, that they will adventure to the very Walls and Gates of the town, to restrain the enemy of their liberty, and on Tuesday morning last, captain Fisher with his trooy of horse, and captain Greene with his Foot company fell upon a party of the enemies near East-gate, who were guarding of a Herd of , but they perceiving the resolution of the Suffolk men to engage, caused the  to be driven into the town, and advanced towards captain Fisher's troop, but kept within command of their canon, whereupon six of captain Fishers troupers road out, and gave fire, a party of the enemies met them, and did the like, and at the last both Bodies engaged, and a resolute charge received and given by each other; but the enemy perceiving the Suffolk Foot coming up, retreated nearer the walls, and discharged four pieces of Ordnance, which did little harm, except the loss of one man, and two horses; and captain Fisher perceiving that the enemy would not engage, unless upon great advantage, made good his retreat within the Line, and endeavours to make his approaches nearer the town.  
We keep them with continual alarms on all sides, which causeth much murmuring amongst the common soldiers, and divers come in unto us, who have confessed, that many hundreds would have come had it not been for a paper which the Lord Goring, sir Charles Lucus, and the rest of the Commanders in chief caused to be read at the head of each Regiment, thorough out the town; a copy whereof I have here sent you enclosed, viz.  
All Gentlemen and Soldiers, who have listed themselves under the immediate command of Sir Charles Lucas, General of the King's Forces, raised for the defence and preservation of His Majesty's Royal Person, Crown, and Kingdom, are required to stand firm to their first principles and engagement, and to defend this town against all opposition, being assured, that within few days, His Highness James Duke of York, will come in to our assistance, with a considerable Army from Holland.  
But Since the proclaiming of this Paper, divers have disserted them, and are resolved to be no longer carried on by their hypocritical suggestions, and false Delusions.  
This day the enemy made a sally out upon Stanway side with a great party of Horse and Foot, commanded by sir Charles Lucas, and col. Beal, and with great fury, advanced towards a Body of ours, but finding the hedges ambuscadoed retreated and would not engage, our men pursued, kiled three, and took six prisoners.  
From the Leaguer before Colchester, June 27. 1648.   
FINIS.