A DECLARATION Of all the passages at the taking of PORTSMOUTH; SHOWING The reasons why it was surrendered up to the Committee of both Houses of PARLIAMENT: Together with a true copy of the Articles agreed upon between the Committee and Colonel Goring.  
London Printed for John Sweeting at the Angel in Popes-head Alley. Septemb. 15. 1642.   

The Declaration of all such Officers as were in the Town of Portsmouth in the County of Southampton, when the same was besieged, made the sixth day of September, in the eighteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King Charles.  
THese are the Reasons why the Town of Portsmouth was delivered up to the Committee of Parliament.  
There was upon the second of August, 1642. which was the day the Governor declared that he held and resolved he would hold the Town for his Majesty's service: In the Town of Portsmouth of the ordinary Garrison about 300. persons, and of the Townsmen, about one hundred, that were able to bear Arms, and of the Island which was also under the command of the Governor about 100 fight men more.  
Of Officers with their Servants there were then about 50. with their, and the Governors' Horses there was above 50. Horse, Of victual there was not by estimation sufficient for this number above two days.  
The Town itself unfortified and very weak in many places; the Thursday following the County of Hampshiere by virtue of Order from the Parliament, began to assemble against the Town, and from that time forward provision came in, but with great difficulty.  
The Commissions of Array were daily expected by us to be put in execution for relief of us according to promise.  
The orders for the Militia were put in execution, which caused one or more companies of the Trained Bands, which had formerly declared for the King, to turn about and express themselves for the Parliament.  
All Soldiers and Townsmen in Portsmouth, 3. or 4. excepted, did agree to the Governors' Declaration, and notwithstanding within less than 10. days, above half of them forsook the town. Divers Gentlemen of the County of Southampton, and parts adjacent promised to come into Town with men and horse, whereby we had fitted up our Troops of Horse and Foot, but most of them failed, by reason of the gathering together of the Country Forces, and the approaching of others from London.  
The Saturday after being the 6. of August, all provisions and succours from the Issle of Wight were stopped, and upon Monday morning following the King's Ships road before the Town.  
Upon Thursday a Messenger with some difficulty came into the Town, with Letters from his Majesty, which gave great comfort to the Soldiers and Townsmen, who were much out of heart before.  
The next day after being Friday, we were alsolutely blocked up by Sea and by Land.  
The Wednesday before the Maria Pinnace was ready rigged and manned with about 14. persons, of which, two were officers was taken without striking one blow, which we conceive was by the treachery of Goodwin, the Master thereof. We continually led on and encouraged the Soldiers with the expectation of the Kings coming, or Forces from his Majesty, but at length they finding themselves delayed, grew impatient, and so bold, that they declared they would not fight against, but rather take part with those without the Town: So that with a very small number of Officers and Gentlemen; we were forced not only to keep watch over those that were without, but those that were within the town.  
About eight or ten days after they began to raise several batteries against the Town at Gooseport, from one of which they begun to play upon Friday the second of September upon the Town, which made the common Soldiers of the Garrison very unwilling to stand to their Arms or work  
This playing of the Ordnance upon the Town continued till Sunday morning following, with some intermission in the first night.  
On Saturday night before, Southsea Castle was taken without one blow stricken.  
After Southsea Castle was taken, the Mayor of the Town, one Lieutenant, one Ensign, and other inferior Officers stealing out of Town over the wall did so much increase the fear and villainy of the common Soldiers, that as many of them dropped away, so we concluded all of us that there was not one of them all that remained would fight: Besides, it was concluded by us all that no one part of the Town was so perfectly furnished that it was possible with our small number to hold it out against an assault.  
Upon this all the common Soldiers and Townsmen being possessed with fear of having the Town battered down on all sides, and being frighted more by their wives, did throw away their Arms, and absolutely refused to do duty: And though some of them were persuaded to return to their guards, yet they professed that if there should come assault the would not fight a stroke.  
This caused the Officers of the Garrison to desire my Lord Wentworth to send Master Weston to the Governor to demand a council of War, which he presently called, wherein the Reasons aforesaid, and an estimate made of all the men we could draw to fight, which were not above the number of threescore at most, and those, Gentlemen and their servants which were not used either to traversing of great Guns or use of Muskets. The Council of War, (Nullo contradicente) grew to this resolution, of sending for a parley upon the most honourable conditions we could get.   

Articles agreed upon between the Committee for the Parliament in the County of Southampton, and Colonel Goring, for, and on his own behalf, and other the Officers and Soldiers within the Garrison of Portsmouth, fort he rendering up of the said Town.  
FIrst, that the Committee for the Parliament shall this day, being the seventh day of September, Anno Dom. 1642. at, or about six of the Clock in the morning put in two Companies of Foot in the Town of Portsmouth, for preventing of disorders, & preservation of the Magazine.  
Secondly, that all such persons as are not of the old Garrison, excepting Colonel Goring, the Lord Wentworth, Master Weston, Master Covist, with their ordinary servants, shall forthwith issue out of Town, and have free liberty to pass and go wheresoever they please in this Kingdom, except unto any part of that Army raised against the Parliament, with their Horses, Swords, and Pistols, but no other Arms, and all other their goods whatsoever, and that they may be allowed twenty days for their journey, they carrying themselves according to the Laws, in a peaceable manner.  
Thirdly, that Sir Thomas Jervase, Sir William Walter, who with one servant a piece, and Sergeant Major Lobbe, shall go into the Town to take possession of the Stores, and several provisions in the Town, and that for their security Master Weston, Master Covist, Lieutenant Colonel Donnet be delivered as Hostages.  
Fourthly, that if any of the said persons in the Town desire to go beyond the Sea, they may have liberty to pass with their proper goods in that Town, (Arms only excepted) without the molestation of any one, and a Ship to convey them.  
Fifthly, that all Officers and Soldiers under the Governor, that were formerly of this Garrison, and now residing in Town, shall continue their places, or have three month's liberty to sell, or otherwise dispose thereof to some other persons, except such as have been put in since the last of July.  
Sixthly, that no person whatsoever, now residing in Town, and who within any time since the first of August hath resided in Town, that hath done any act for the keeping, defence, or maintenance thereof, or used any other words in justification of the maintenance thereof, on the behalf of the King's Majesty, shall be questioned or molested.  
Seventhly, that such Soldiers as are run from their Colours to the Town, shall be excluded out of this Treaty.  
Eighthly, that there shall be no Train left to any Mine, or to the Magazine, whereby to blow up the Town, or endamage the Garrison that shall be put into it, And that the Governor, Gentlemen of quality, and all the Officers of the said Towue shall discover upon their Oaths, what they know concerning any such things, and that sufficient Hostages be given for performance thereof, who are to be retained two days in the custody of such person as shall be put in the Town as Governor.  
Ninthly, that Carriages shall be provided for the use of such persons as shall issue out of the Town, they paying the usual rates for them.  
Tenthly, that all prisoners on both sides be released, excepting such as are sent up to London.  
Eleventhly, that the Governor shall presently after delivery up of the Town, which shall be on Thursday next, by nine of the Clock in the morning, have permission from the Committee to dispatch such a Gentleman to the King, as he shall name.  
FINIS.