A continuation OF The late proceedings of His majesty's Army at Shrewsbury, Bridge-North, and MANCHESTER: with A Particular relation of the Actions and strength thereof, and likewise of the Preparations of His majesty's removal towards London, York, or elsewhere.  
Written by a good hand from the Army.  
London Printed for M. Batt, October 12. 1642.   

Shrewsbury, Octob. 8. 1642. Sir,  
I Received yours of the fourth of October, and thank you for your relation of the proceedings of the Parliament, which are welcome to all loyal and true-hearted Snbjects; There is daily here spread amongst us many lying and scandalous reports against that high and Honourable Court, to make it odious; but certainly that cause must needs be bad, which makes use of lies to support it. I shall give you the best Intelligence I can of the strength of his majesty's Army: It is related amongst us, that it doth increase daily, and as I am an eyewitness myself, and have it likewise from others; It doth consist of six thousand foot, three thousand Horse, and fifteen hundred Dragooneers, which, if supplies come not speedily in, must in few day's mutiny: The country hath been in particular dealt with for lending moneys, and Commissioners appointed for receiving thereof, and every man of any ability hath paid somewhat, who so refused, or gave not so much as was expected, was threatened to be plundered: This money is all spent, and what else his majesty's Plate could coin, which I can assure you was not much: Now the Gentry and Usurers are again sent to, to know what they will lend the King upon security, and great sums are demanded, but whether upon the former conditions we know not; They have a saying amongst the soldiers, that all rich men are roundheads, and therefore they may be bold with them, and certainly they make good their words, by their practice, for they have plundered many gentlemen's houses in these parts, and those too which were not so well affected to the Parliament, whereby men see now what is to be expected from them: We fear when his Majesty goes, which they say he will upon Monday or Tuesday next, we shall be ill dealt with by the common soldiers, both in Town and Country; We have had Warrants to send in Horses and Carts for his removal, which are come towards Salop, but whither his Majesty intends, is not certainly known, it is given out he intends for London. I pray God bless him, and send him well thither in peace, but it is conceived by others, that he will march towards York, and take Manchester in the way, where the new Earl of Darby hath had but ill success, he hath lost above two hundred men. Last Tuesday he was fain to leave it, and it is given out for the reparation of his Honour, that his Mejesty sent twice for him. Had there not been some faintheartedness in some of the prime Gentry in Cheshire, who would stand as Neutrals, there had been as great an opposition there, as in any other County, and those Gentlemen have found but little favour, for they stand committed at Court, and their Houses have been plundered, the County is disarmed, and likewise at Wrexam his Majesty sent for the Inhabitants of Denbighshire, and Flintshire, and hath disarmed them: Most of our Gentry hereabouts are made captains, and resolve to go with the Army, some that you know very well, that came to Salop this last night for that purpose, and in hope of plunder, for his Majesty we hear is in great want of money, and he is fallen into a barren part of the kingdom for that, or any other provision fit for an Army, so that if the Mint at Salop do want supply, we fear it will go hard with us, a Garrison of 2000 are sent to Bridge-North to relieve and keep that from the Earl of Essex his Forces, the like, or more, with some pieces of Ordnance are to be left at Salop for the same purpose: there are all sorts of Nations (I think) about the Court, and I admire the Papists do so resort thither, since his majesty's Proclamation to the contrary: many of his majesty's Officers and menial servants pray for peace, and it is verily believed his Majesty is graciously inclined to it, but the Cavaliers will not endure to hear of it, but rather will adventure upon most desperate things. I conceive it great pity his Majesty should be brought into any straits▪ God reward them that have been the occasion of it; but this I am sure of, he is much abused by his plundering Cavaliers, who daily plunder and undo men, and say they have Commission for it: They have plundered Master Nichols House, who is sheriff of Montgomery, and burned his writings, spoiled his house, sold his furnace, and the Iron of his Carts, it is much doubted these passages, and other the like, will withdraw the affections of his majesty's Subjects from him, this is the substance of all: Prince Robert and the Duke are yet in Salop, they lie at Master Jones house the Lawyer, it is reported here the term is adjourned, I pray let us hear if it be so. They tell us likewise that the Parliament Forces have had a great overthrow at Hereford, and that they are weak and dare not fight, but are returned back towards London, and that one half thereof are against them utterly. I believe his majesty's Army, Horse and foot, is above ten thousand, but it's feared the volunteers, not one of ten can give fire, many young boys come in daily, to what number they may increase we know not; the Horse of our County are gone to Bridge-North in his majesty's service, the arms of several Welsh Counties are brought to Salop: Your last Letter came safe; I desire to hear from you, which way my Lord of Essex intends. I suppose you hear more at London. My service.  
I rest, Yours. Octob. 8. 1642.