joyful news FROM COLCHESTER DECLARING, The proceedings of the Kings Forces, under the Command of general LUCAS, against the Parliam●nts Forces Commanded by the Lord Gen. Fairfax, and the success and achievements of the said Army. With their several Fights and Skirmishes upon Friday and Saturday last, and a Relation concerning the relieving of Colchester, by the Swallow, and some other of the Kings Ships from Holland. Likewise, a Letter sent from Gen. Lucas, to the Lord general Fairfax, And several Proposi●ions propounded for Peace, and bringing of the King to London.  
LONDON, Printed for general satisfaction of all loyal and true-hearted Subjects. 1648.   

Bloody news from Colchester, and the further proceedings of Sir Charles Lucas, and their threatening speeches to the Army, if they do not speedily draw off.  
SIR,  

THe Enemy in the Town begins to grow far more insolent then formerly, they give out threatening speeches, and brag much of their Victory over the Suffolk forces, sa●ing, they will make us drink of the same Cup before the quart●… is ended, exp●cting supplies from Holland either fr●m the Prince or ●he Duke, but it is conceived their hopes will be frustrated, for Captain Green Captain Pe●cock, and other of the Parliaments Ships, rideth up●n the R●… d, adjoining to the Block-houses, and are ready to attend the motion of any force whatsoever that shall endeavour to make an inroad there.  
We have had several fights and skirmishes with the besieged, and they have received several charges from us, with great Resolution, but have been repulsed and beaten in, with the loss of 20. or 30. men at a time; As for the Rumour echoed up and down the City, and other parts adjacent, that our Army is drawn off from the siege, I can assure you it is utterly false; We maintain the Line, and have raised several Forts and sconces nearer the Town.   

SIR.  
Tuesday last Col. Whaley mounted a Culverin himself and fired at the L. Gorings chief Gunner,( who hath done much execution, being an absolute Gunner) judgement and fortune so joined herein, that the shot be proved effectual, to the loss of the Gunners life: six of the enemy came into his Excellency this morning,( all foot,) upon an examination by his Excellency, and some other chief Officers, they said, three quarters of a pound of beef was allowed to each per diem, and once in three dayes they have meat; for the most paa● eat nothing but rye bread, and drink water of late, though much wine in the Town with which the Officers make merry; and if they had had provision enough within, they should not so soon have deserted the Garrison: His excellency, with most of the chief Officers, viewed the Town, and sent out a par-of 400 foot, and 200 horse, to take advantage of the enemy if any opportunity happened; the party went up boldly, and dared much, but no enemy dared to appear against them: In the afternoon, they tried the enemy with a small party, which went up into the suburbs, and haled one horseman and five foot out of houses, which they brought in prisoners: Two great Guns played all day against Maries Steeple, where the Enemy had one that much annoyed the besiegers, but to little purpose; being musket shot from the Town; direction was given for a a work to be made 60 yards nearer by the morrow morning, and the Cannon to be planted there, and the Gunners not to cease firing till the ●the Steeple was beat down; a Redoubt was made near Sir John Lucas his house the enemy played all day, but the work was perfected without any loss. About 11. at night the Gen. had notice the enemy was making a bridge, endeavouring to escape, Orders went out for a party to wait privately for them, which the enemy perceiving desisted.  
The 2. Culverins that played yesterday to batter down Maries Church, were by his Excellencies Order, planted 60. paces nearer then before, being within pistol shot, they fired near 80. pieces at the Steeple, seldom m●ssing execution, tearing it in several places, the enemy firing but 2. pieces upon them all that day, and those in the morning, who soon after dismounted their Cannon, and took down the bells, the place being too hot for them: Fourteen Prisoners exchanged this day, who marching towards the Town, with a small guard they within fired a piece upon them but did no execution, at which they held up hankerchiefs, being answered from within with white Flags. A soldier lying in his but had both his legs shot off by the enemy; another divided in the middle; & a third shot in the breast. Our soldiers went several times into the Suburbs, brought away much plunder, and advansing up to their works, killed one man, retreating without loss.  
A commanded party of horse also from the leaguer advanced into the Suburbs, took many prisoners horse and foot▪ More of their foot came to the General.   

The proceedin●s of the House of Peers, concerning their bringing the King to London.  
Th● Right Honourable the House of peers having taken into their serious considerations, the long sufferings of this bleeding disconsolated Kingdom, and the heavy burdens and oppressions of the people, which they have for these 6. or 7. years groaned under; therefore, to remedy the same( under God) and to prevent the like commotions and sad distractions for the future, they have agreed upon certain Propositions for Peace, touching the speedy bringing of the King to London, and desi●e the Concurrence of the House of Commons therein; which Propositions, I shall here give you verbatim, as followeth, viz. 

1 That so there may be no delay in the Parliament● Treaty with the King, A speedy personal Treaty being so much desired and Petitioned for, by the City of London, and divers counties, That it must needs be delatory, his Majesty having several times declared that he will sign nothing until all things be fully concluded.  
2. That it is contrary to the Rules of a Treaty between any persons, for one party to grant to the other those things, which are of most concernment, before any thing in the Treaty be insisted on. That therefore the Parliament may declare by their Action as well as verbal, that they do really desire PEACE.  
3 To keep a faire correspondency with the kingdom of Scotland, who in their Papers desire that his Majesty may come to some of his houses near London, where both Kingdoms may make their addresses to him for a safe and well-grounded Peace.  
4. That there may be no delay by staying for the Answer of the kingdom of Scotland to those Propositions before the Treaty,  
5 That it was the sense of the Parliament,( concurring with the kingdom of Scotland) to treat with his Majesty at uxbridge, and Oxford, when the Kings forces could equal theirs, and that therefore their Lordships conceive; there needs less suspicion to be made now, then was then, to have all things referred to a personal Treaty with the Kings Majesty.  
It was declared also by their Lordships at this Conference. That they desire not to be mistaken herein. For they propounded that these 3. might be the first matter treated on. And being agreed on: to be passed into Bills, after the rest are agreed, between his Majesty, and the Parliament for the settling of the peace of the kingdom.    
A Porter coming in a disguised manner from the bell in Gracious street London got into Colchester, with intelligence from this City, assuring them that if they would but maintain the Town till the 18 of this instant july they would have assistance enough, both from London, and other parts adjacent; this morning the besieged played hard with their great Guns, out of the Town and did some execution in our leaguer, & we answered them again with several volleys, the Lord Norwich the Lord capel, and Sir Charles Lucas hath sent a letter to his Excellency, touching the exchange of prisoners, as also in the said letter, a paper enclosed sent from colonel Whaley, intimating That they could not but admire at the strange language expressed therein, viz. biding them brag of their late sally upon the Suffolk men, and if they would dare to make another, he would beate his cowardly souldiers worse then before, We hear that there is a great rumour in London, that colchester is relieved, and our Army drawn off, and that the Swallow and some other ships, have brought them great store of provisions, as biscuits, cheese and butter, and other necessaries, to which I answer; that their digressions are numerous, and their vainglorious expressions infinite, proceeding only from the hearts of wicked men for I can assure you the said report and rumovr is of no certainty.   
Colchester leaguer, July 15. 1648.  
FINIS.