A PROCLAMATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY ROBERT Earl of ESSEX, &c. captain general of the Army employed for the defence of the Protestant Religion, King, Parliament, and kingdom. Together with A Letter from a Gentleman of quality residing in the Army, concerning the advancement of the Army towards Oxford.  
LONDON, Printed for T. G. 1644.   

ROBERT Earl of Essex, &c. captain general of the Army employed for the defence of the Protestant Religion, King, Parliament, and kingdom.  
WHereas these Countries have been very much afflicted and oppressed by the enemy, and we are now come to relieve them of their hard bondage. It is therefore my express will and pleasure, and I do hereby straightly charge and command all Officers and soldiers of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, belonging to the Army under my command, that they and every of them do forthwith after Proclamation hereof made, forbear (notwithstanding any pretence whatsoever) to plunder or spoil any of the goods of the inhabitants of these Countries, or offer any violence or other prejudice unto them, upon pain of death without mercy.  
Given under my hand and seal this 26 of May, 1644. ESSEX.   

A Letter from a Gentleman of quality residing in the Army, to his friend in LONDON.  
SIR,  
THe Armies are this day on their march. Yesterday the Lord Roberts Martial general of the field marched with a party of Horse and Foot (by his excellency's order) and possessed themselves of Abington, which the enemy the day before quitted, and retreated to Oxford; truly (blessed be God) the enemy flies before us and durst not oppose. The country where we now are, are in a very poor condition, and truly the enemy dealt so inhumanly with them, that they have almost stripped them of all they had in this town; as I am informed, some of them ripped up sow's bellies great with pigs, and did other incredible acts of worse nature, besides ravishing three maids; and when they had done this, they said they would do what other mischief they could, because they had but a short time to reign. Herein is his excellency's Proclamation to save all that is left by the enemy, which is very little. I rest,  
Your assured friend. Blewbery, May 26. 1644. in the morning.  
Sir William Waller was this day at Sutton, which is between Oxford and Abington.   
FINIS.