A Copy of Colonel rossiter's Letter, who took the KING'S Packet. SIR, I Have sent (with these two Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and to the Committee of both Kingdoms) two intercepted Letters, going from Newarke to Belvoyr, which I send enclosed: The last night a party of the King's horse broke into Linsey, but I hope that our party there are strong enough for them; being Major GIBS Regiment, and Captain PEARTS Troup. The sickness is certainly in Newarke, and the increase of company there is like to increase it. Your Servant, EDW. ROSSITER. Grantham Octob. 7. 1645. at five a clock at night. The Copies of the Letters that were intercepted by Colonel Rossiter coming from the King from Newark towards Belvoir. To Sir Gervase Lucas the Governor of Belvoir Castle: These haste. [This Letter Hatton (an Officer) sent by Gerhards' order, after the King's Letter was come to Gerhards' hands, and with it was sent the King's Letter.] Dear Sir: I Am commanded by the Lord Gerhard, to send you this order from the King, and withal to let you know he [Gerhard] intends to be with you himself to morrow (he saith) in the morning: You will have a great many troublesome guests, and amongst them, a most faithful servant, called Robert H●●●●●. A Copy of a Letter from the King. [By His Majesties own command, and subscribed Edward Waller.] To Sir Gervase Lucas Governor of Belvoir. CHARLES R. Trusty and well beloved, We greet you well: Whereas We have for the present thought fit to dispose our Horse in this [Newark,] and all other Garrisons in these parts, whereby they may be ready for any service, [whether to lie still, to march into Yorkshire, to break into the Association, or relieve Chester, if the Irish come in time.] Our pleasure and command to you therefore is, that you immediately provide in that your Garrison [Belvoir] fit accommodation for General Gerhards' Horse, being about three hundred, besides your own; and that you assist them in levying, and bringing in provisions for the supply, both of horse and men, out of the several Towneships allotted for their provisions, during their stay with you. Herein We expect you shall employ your best care and diligence. And so We bid you farewell. From our Court at Newark, Octob. 6. 1645. Here we see (by the Kings own Letters) that he, and all the Council about him, are so put to it, that they know not what to do. It seems the King's design is not then absolutely resolved on, and therefore the chiefest care they take, is to quarter them where the may be ready for any service. We may see what a sad condition the King hath brought himself to, and that especially in these five respects. 1 That he hath but one Army left in the field, and dare not himself quarter within two hundred miles of them, and yet they retreat before further West. 2 That all the associate Counties are utterly against his coming amongst them, and will allow him no relief. 3 That the King should block himself up in a place where the Plague is, and so many people there, (for Colonel rossiter's Letter saith) the sickness is certainly in Newarke. 4 That the Forces, Monies, and Helps, which the King most builds upon, should be from foreign Popish Kingdoms. 5 That yet he should be so hardened, that he will not comply with the Parliament, to end the Wars. You see here what the King commands in this Letter, fit accommodation for three hundred Horse, besides their own, who are of themselves such a burden, that the Country is undone by them, Assessments must be made for horse, and man, when as they have not only assessed, but plundered and rob the Country most barbarously for their own maintenance. And now Gerhards' men (who are many of them Irish Rebels) must be further provided for also by them, the most absolute thievish plunderers in the Kingdom, as it is well known in Wales, where they have had the woeful experience of them, and yet Lucas is commanded by the King to assist them. A Copy of a Letter sent from the Lord Byron to the King, intercepted by the Cheshire Forces. For the Right Honourable the Lord Digby, Principal Secretary of State. My Lord: I Received (together with your Lordship's Letter) a double comfort, both the assurance of your Lordship's recovery from a dangerous sickness, and that I shall continue that place in your good opinion, wherewith I have ever thought myself so much honoured. To those I may add another, which is the * The Character deciphered is thus, Hope I have shortly to enjoy your Lordships (much longed for) conversation, where you may ease my oppressed thoughts of a burden, which is almost grown too wieldy for them, any longer to bear. 68 17 53 30 6 9 33 50 52 26 37 25 53 4 3 54 7 3 63 40 6 9 63 7 58 4 5 9 53 4 27 37 33 9 38 62 31 52 42 33 59 53 6 82 66 27 19 63 4 35 63 6 52 66 4 62 43 3 40 53 6 1 33 6 4 5 7 9 31 43 7 66 43 62 26 31 7 53 30 38 14 26 37 60 27 3 17 63 28 82 33 21 57 63 19 50 80 50 14 3 33 26 6 40 35 33 9 37 50 54 31 53 37 82 14 58 36 15 26 29 63 20 26 59 34 7 10 5 3 4 21 33 60 31 43 23 2 59 53 15 49 66 22 21 53 65 26 43 60. For the present, I shall only inform your Lordship, and humbly desire you to acquaint his Majesty with the condition of this place, and the strong necessity there is of a speedy and powerful relief: I know it is usual for men to recommend the safety of those places where their own commands lie, as of highest concernment to his Majesty's service, but truly I have wholly drawn my thoughts from any such partiality, and only consider this place now as really it stands to His Majesty's affairs, both in this Kingdom and Ireland, to this place, wherein it is inferior to (none other that I know, drawing with it all Wales, Lanca-shire, with the North of England; and what supplies His Majesty can expect, either out of Ireland or Scotland. The two Princes when they had united their Forces and relieved Beeston castle and Chester, were earnestly entreated by me to clear this Country, before they departed out of those petty Garrisons that infected Chester, but other considerations (at that time) hindered the effecting of it, and therefore with a promise that the Army should continue in distance till Chester were furnished with Victuals, and Ammunition, I was contented to return and undertake the government of that Garrison, but the business of Hereford intervening, P. Rupert was suddenly called away before either Ammunition or Victuals could be brought into Chester, and (together with his Highness) marched away the remainder of the old Irish Regiments, with some other Horse and Foot, the number of at least a 200. so that I was left in the Town only with a Garrison of the Citizens, and mine own, and Colonel Nastons Regiment, which both together made not up above six hundred men, whereof the one half being Mastons men, I was forced soon after to send out of Town, finding them by reason of their Officers (who were but ignorant Welsh Gentlemen, and unwilling to undergo any strict only) fare more prejudicial than useful. The Rebels finding the Prince retreated with his army, and the County emptied of all soldiers, but such as was necessary for keeping the Garrisons, returned with all their Ports to block up Chester on all sides, which ever since they have continued. The Welsh (though they have men for member and Arms sufficient to beat the Rebels out of Wales, yet) either they will not or dirt not stir, notwithstanding the many orders I have sent them: The ●●●th is, so long as that cursed Commission of Array, or (at least) such Commissioners as are put into it, have any power there, the King must expect no good out of North Wales, and I am confident were it not for the Castles which are well provided both with men, victuals, and ammunition, that country had long since taken part with Brereton & Middleton. Thus your Lord sees I am left in a condition neither to offend others, nor to defend myself, pressed by a considerable Army of the Enemy, to join with the Lanca shire Forces and Cheshire, * This character deciphered is thus: All is, if speedy relief come not: the want of powder will be sufficient to blow me up, there being not full eighteen barrels in the store, nor any public Magazine of victual, nor any money for public service. 50 54 59 9 6 7 8 37 30 66 27 2 4 66 54 60 9 10 26 35 63 31 26 6 58 21 3 33 66 20 43 63 53 19 46 53 36 27 26 22 1 9 64 65 60 26 57 28 10 18 40 29 9 66 6 3 21 53 80 54 53 11 31 26 66 36 36 3 17 66 24 26 80 26 66 9 6 18 15 53 3 18 36 54 64 26 9 10 17 3 66 26 6 60 80 50 14 14 26 54 59 37 9 6 43 33 60 37 3 53 4 60 6 53 4 81 43 6 12 30 51 65 54 9 35 32 26 31 51 82 50 44 9 6 26 54 19 52 40 3 21 52 51 54 59 19 53 22 43 6 2 18 53 4 30 52 65 54 9 32 26 37 26 4 52 9 35 2. I have the more fully related my condition to your Lordship, to the end that if any misfortune should befall me before relief come, it may appear how little accessary I have been to it; and for those poor means I have left to maintain this place, your Lordship may be assured I shall improve them to the uttermost for his Majesty's service; and how unfortunate soever I may be, I shall leave an account of my charge befitting an honest man, and one whom (I hope) your Lordship shall not blush for to own for your Lordship's most humble and faithful Servant, John Byran. C. A. 1645. Here you may see who bears the sway? popish Digby and his smiles are the best comfort at Court; and that they may stand in his good opinion, a great honour, Digby being (by the Queen's means) the King's right hand and you see how his thoughts burden him, in which condition he has no comfort but what his hopes are in Digby, a sad condition for England to have a company of Papists that sway all with the King, and are not those exceeding blind buzzards that will follow them up and down, like so many tantany pigs, to be fed like the old London Apes: but mark the design: for that is the meanest thing to be looked after. 1. Chester hath been kept against the Parliament for the conveying of supplies to his Majesty out of Ireland and Scotland. From Oneale and from Montrosse and you so that he gave an account of some Irish that Rupert when he was at Chester took out of that Garrison and saith that which his highness marched away to the remainder of the old Irish Regiments? the Irish rebels have come over thither several times. 2. The Parliaments forces he calls Rebels; because they come against those Irish; If they should prevail, all Protestants should be used by them no better. 3. The protestants that are of the King's Commission in Wales he would feign have removed: that they may be all papists, and such as will comply with the Irish rebels, and obey his orders in joining with them against the Parliament. A COPY OF A LETTER Sent from Daniel Oneal from Dmblin in Jreland. This Daniel Oneal was once a a prisoner in the Tower, a Irish rebel Who broke out and ran to the King. For the Honourable the Lord DIGBY, principal Secretary to his MAjESTY. My Lord, THere lately landed here Mr. (a) O Bryan though a native Irish, yet being o Protestant, & seeing how the King complied with the Popish rebels, diserted the King since, and is now prisoner in Dublin by the King's authority. O Bryan, sent with a dispatch from the (b) Those Irish agents were at Oxford then with the King. agents to their Council, with the manner how he lost some letters which came to my Lord marquis his view, I send you: the man (Mr. Martin, and Mr. Plunket bid their council beware of, I am told by a false brother) is I: by their finding out what my Lord marquis wrote to you cencerning their pardons, I imagine they found out what you writ to me concerning it, and the several dispatches I made from hence, have a care hereafter whom you trust, for I need not tell you how prejudicial such Traitors are to press you to be industrious to find them our. By my Lord marquis former dispatch as well as this, you By my Lord marquis former dispath as well as this, you will find you are to expect no more from the (c) The means that at the King could not parvaile with General Lesley and the King in England which was laboured for, so neither could Ormond prevail with any of the Scots in Ireland, so come over, and joins with the King. new and old Scots here, then from those with Lesly in England. By my (d) The great Oneale is his Uncle. Uncle's means I have got the most refractory part of the supreme Council that were against the marquis (which is the Clergy) to consent to 6000 foot and 1000 horse, besides my Uncle's Army in Ulster, defigned by the Irish for the suppression of the Scots; be put under the Marquis' command. His Lordship I must confess finds some difficulties which I do not, as that it would be prejudidiciall to his Majesty, unsafe for himself, before there were a peace, or a command to join with the Irish, this nicety is too well known unto them, for they force the Covenant upon all the English. These few towns the English possess, threatened to be plundered. That of (e) Arthur Chichester married Digbies sister. your brother Chichester, if your valiant sister had not prevented it, had been gone last week. If there none wiser than I his Majesty should send another Sir P. Commanding him to accept that Army, and root out those Rebeles, whose being here, distracts all our designs. I have recommended another thing to you very often, which was a posture command for my Lord marquis to commit the (f) Those four are Sir William Parsons, Sir Adam Loftus, Sir john Temple, Sir Robert Meridith, who are all present in Dublin castle; and them kept very strictly upon the instigation of the Irish Rebels, and so commanded to be by antherity from the King. 4 impeached members. As yet, his Lordships hears nothing material from you, I will only add this to what I have said before, if your Lordship knew the hurt their lible doth to his Majesty, you would not neglect these things as you do. It is here said publicly, and by some of their own friends, that the Duke of Richmond hath had great sums of money from them, and Master Web hath undertaken their potection. But I beseech, let not his Majesty be sold to preserve any but (g) The Dutchos of Richmond is called Pap. by a Nickname. Pap. and not her neither, if she be not better disposed. The men with their provisions and Arms, for 105. will God willing be at 42. 20. 186. 79. 14. 16. 60. 205. 202. 26. 32. 36. 38. 53 17. 4. 5. 11. 12. 62 72. 80. 92. 86. 76 44. 206. 27. 28, this is by advice rom 30. 81. 14. 300. 174. 160. 70. 10. 1. 2. 13. 24. 12. 82. 81 41. 73 90. 19 16. 87. 66. 22. 33. 54. 203. 39 102 34. 84. 52. 58. 10. 6. 6. 164. 172, you told me should wait on the journey, dispatch them away, we want them extremely, this letter of (h) An honest man for the Parliament, some letters of her were intercepted. Major Royden, will inform you much of the state of that part of the Kingdom, this other of Shells who is a merchant employed about Arms, I have sent you, that if you like of the means, you may send the Lord marquis word, to what part of the Kingdom you would have them transported. In case his Majesty agrees with the Irish Rebels Agents, let this especial care be to condition that the choosing of the ten thousand men, they proffer to aid his Majesty withal, be left to my Lord marquis. So the 6000 now levied for the suppression of the Scots shall not be any part of the 10000, as the Council now imagine they shall. Besides, it will drain them of their Arms; so as it will disinable them to attempt soon any other mischief, let it be conditioned likewise that they furnish them with Arms, Artillery, Carriagecloathes, I must confess I would have them 14 days pay after landing; Her Majesty hath recommended some one that she names, for the Vice-Treasurers place to my Lord marquis, which makes me think she is not engaged to Master Spencer as I believed she was, I gather some hopes now, that your Lordship's intercession for (i) Sir Adam Loftus his place, one of them whom they have imprisoned, who is the true Vice Treasurer of Ireland. me, will not be as fruitless as I imagined. The marquis shown me a letter from Arthur Trever, which saith, P. Rupert hath his old destructive design for Norfolk on foot again, I fear his necessitous Counsel studies more fresh countries, then to play a sure game for his Majesty. If you do not clear the Coasts of Lancashire and Cheshire, before any thing else be done; never credit me if you do not render this Country wholly, unserviceable to that. And his Highness sent to desire that his instructions might hereafter issue by my Lord jarmin, in which he hath done you a special courtesy. I am my dearest Lord, Your most affectionate friend. October 9 1645. DANIEL ONEALE. This letter is from Colonel Daniel Oneale a Popish priest, and an Irish rebel, who was protected in the King's Army when he broke out of the tower, and hath since been a great agent for the King in Jreland, this General Oneale is near allied in blood to Philome-Oneale, to the great Okconeale. and most of the chief of the plotters that first raised the rebellion in Ireland, and he is the only man made choice of the act for the King with the Marquis of Ormond, in Jreland: and there is very secre tintercourse between Digby and this Daniel Oneale, as you may see by their private carrestors, nay you may see that he is a man highly esteemed on, for he tells Digby of miscarriages, and bids him have a care hereafter whom he doth trust. But we may here see how their wheels have been going: and what they have secretly plotted for the ruin of the protestants, and the Parliament, and the Kingdom. 1. General Leshly and the Scots with him were largely offered if they would come in to the King, but that would not prevale here. The like was here to entice the Scots that were in Ireland, to persuade them to come over into England, to join with the King against the protestants here, but that would not prevail there neither, and when more Scots came over into Ireland they were tried too, but still in vain. 2. Then the Marquis of Ormond he does what he can do, with the Irish Rebels, to persuade them to send over some aid to the King, and he could not prevail of himself, and therefore this Daniel Oneale he must help in the business, and you see what account he gives of his prevailing. The words are thus. I have got the most refractory part of the supreme council that were against the Marquis, (that is those who hindered the going on of the treaty) and who are they? they are the Clergy (he saith) that is the priests, and jesuits and Friars, of Ireland for a party to conquer us here, whilst Oneale himself subdues them that the protestants in Vister, with his Army there. 3. The Marquis, and the Irish Rebels had so plotted the business, that in the first place a peace must be had with the Irish Rebels else it will be prejuditiall to his Majesty. 4. In the next place the most eminent protestants in all Ireland they must be strictly looked to, and secured for fear of acting any thing against the Papists, Sir William Parson's Sir Adam Loftus, Sir John Temple, and Sir Robert Meridith, although they had been persecuted before, and each of them bound in ten thousand pound bonds a piece, not to departed the Kingdoms: and to be ready when they shall be called for at ten day's warning, yet that would not serve their tu●ne● they must be kept close prisoners, because (being true hearted honest protestants,) their liberty doth his Majesty much hurt; and he chargeth the Duke of Richmond and Web his secretary to be the cause of it, though very unlikely and he beseecheth Digby that he will not let his Majesty be sold to preserve any but the duchess of Richmond, & she must be palpably disposed to, now you must understand that if it be for such as are disposed for the good of the Catholic Religion, they care not how the King is bought, and sold for such. 5. There is a great unity in the Church but we have not the key to unlock it, but it is about hasting the Irish Rebels to the King, and trading with foreign papists for Arms, and Ammunition, 6. All this while there is a correspondency between the Marquis of Ormond, and the Queen; and she must strike the stroke in placing the chief officers in Ireland, as well as in England; and particularly the advise treasurers place of Ireland, which is Sir Adam Loftus his right, though the Queen be resolved to have him out because he is a protestant, and to put some Irish Papists in, in his room, it seems Spencer looked for it, but Oncale here you see hopes to get 〈◊〉 from him, and therefore knowing well, that Digby will do his utmost in the behalf of such an active Papist he tells him thus, I have some hopes now (saith he) that your Lordship's intersession for me will not be as fruitless as I imagined. And thus the papists are one for another all they can to have the greatest places of trust and power in their hands, and have prevailed much in it. 7. In the last place he tells Digby that if the King durst clear Cheshire, and Lancashire before any thing else be done, than the Irish will be wholly unservisable to him for England: And (the truth is) if we take Chester, as is hoped the Irish will hardly land in Ingland for the future. Now if we way these things well, we may see how blind malignants are, who will not see what a snare the Papists have laid for us, and how much it concerns us to rise all as one man to join with the Parliament, and with our persons lives estates, goods, and all we have, add and affect them till this popish party be totally subdued. There are other letters which the Lord Digby sent to the Lord Byron from the King taken by Sir john Gell, which letters are to encourage him to hold out Chester, that be shall be made field martial, Governor of Conway and Commander in chief of all the forces in Wales, with directions what to do in case that he be put to straits, much is written in cyphers, and divers particulars of great consequence are discovered therein. Subscribed. DIGBY. FINIS.