LETTERS FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF OUR ARMY IN SCOTLAND: BEING A DIARY of all Proceed in the Army to Octob. 30. 1650.  
An Account of Col. Kerr and Straughans' Overture to the Lord General CROMWELL, about Accommodation.  
Also Commissioners from them, with a Declaration against the Interest of the Scots King and Lords, etc.  Published by Authority. 
LONDON, Printed by E. G. in the Old-baily. 1650.   

SIR,  
I Cannot but continue my duty in acquainting you what passes here, I shall be glad to hear from you, now we are like to stay here longer then expected.  
My last told you of a Letter to be sent to Col. Kerr & Straughan from hence. Saturday the 26 the Commissary Gen. dispatched away a Trumpet with that letter, as also gave another to the Shiriff of Cumberland to be sped away to M. john Scot Bailiff and B. brother to the Lord of Buccliew, for his demanding restitution upon his Tenants the Moss-troopers, for the horses by them stolen the night we quartered in their Country; since which, promises hath been made of restitution, and we doubt not to receive it very suddenly, or else to take satisfaction another way ourselves.  
Sunday the 27. the Commissary, with Col. Fitch, Col. Hacker, and divers Officers of the Army heard Sermon in the Cathedral at Carlisle, where preached before them in the forenoon M. Bywater the Governors' Chaplain, and in the Afternoon an Officer of our Army.  
Monday 28. We had intelligence of some of our Messengers being taken, and their Letters intercepted: also we were informed that a yielding to us was in probability like to be shortly from some of their Grandees, who now better understand themselves then formerly, and are ready to listen to us, especially the good people of the west of Scotland, from whom as also from Kerr and Straughan some Gentlemen are sent to treat with his Excellency.  
Tuesday 29, Mr Caithnes came safe hither in the evening, and the Provost of Dumfreeze with him (who was a Major at Dunbar fight, there taken, and now upon his Parole) came to renew it. Also our Trumpeter sent with the Letter to Kerr and Straughan came in this night, who informs us of his kind entertainment at Dumfreeze, but their Scouts blinded him for many miles up and down the Country, but Kerr was sent for post to give answer to the Letter, who promised to return it speedily by a messenger of his own. The Enemy having left Dumfreeze expectating of our coming. Many of their soldiers run away daily. Both Horse, Foot, and Dragoones were ready for a march, and Thursday morning next we were to have exchanged English for Scottish ground, but now (upon other grounds) our desired march is suspended. Our soldiers (not long since drooping and sickly) are now most lively, well, and cheerful, desirous of nothing more than action: Of such vigour is a little English refreshment, whereto some timely supplies of moneys would be a most comfortable addition. This day Mr. Caithnes was dispatched away with other Letters to the Headquarters, which is all at present from.  
Carlisle, 30 Octob. 1650. Your servant, T. F.  
The Letter sent Kerr and Straughan from Carlisle, was as followeth:  
Gentlemen,  
IT is not unknown to you what Amicable and Christian ways, both before and since our coming into Scotland, and even after our never to be forgotten Victory, My Lord General and the Officers about him have taken to avoid the effusion of Christian blood; but hitherto (to our great grief) God hath permitted all to be ineffectual; yet knowing God can change the hearts of men in a Moment; It troubles me not to be further solicitous, the union of God's People, in both Nations, yea even throughout the whole world, being that which above any thing in the Earth we desire, It's that which God hath commanded, that which he hath promised, that which we pray for, that which with confidence we believe shall be, and that which indefatigably I hope we shall endeavour; those that are acquainted with the secrets of God do clearly see, the Quarrel is betwixt Christ and the Devil, betwixt Christ's seed and the Devils. Here it began, here it will end. The whore of Babylon, hath received her deadly wound, let the Devil be her Chirurgeon; Babylon is falling, let not God's People (to the loss of their outward man) stay in it, much less labour to support it; And this ye are doing, though ignorantly: And our prayers for you shall be that the Lord would forgive you in that you know not what you do; and that he would give you a clear sight of the great work, he is now in these latter days carrying on and then I am sure we shall not differ. I shall say no more further, then to let you know, that the Arms of our Christian love are still stretched out, ready to embrace you, when ever God shall incline your hearts to come in to us: When you shall see, (as already we have declared) We seek not for domination over you, we seek not to enslave you, nor the depressing your Kirk-government, we seek not your Goods, nor Estates, but to carry on the Work of the Lord, which from our very souls, we desire you may have a joint share in. But if after all this, God shall still suffer your eyes to be blinded, as that seeing, you will not see; and your hearts to be hardened as to persist in your gainsaying and opposing way of the Lord what ever further misery befalls your Nation, either through Famine or Sword, I must plainly tell you will lie heavy upon you: And this before any attempt be made upon you by these Forces under my Command, I thought myself obliged in Christian duty to acquaint you with, I remain  
Carlisle, Octob. 26. 1650. Your servant, E. W.  
By a special Express from Edinburgh, thus:  
SIR,  
THe Mine intended to be sprung under Edenburgh-castle goes on very well, they have now wrought 60 yards into it, and are come to the hard Rock, so that a few days (if there be not some unexpected interruption) will produce the desired effect. The two Morter-pieces being come from Hull. I hope we shall go to work that way. Major Browne hath with a party of Horse possessed a strong house not fare from Dalkeeths called Dalhouz, it was suspected to have been an harbour for those villainous Moss Troopers who murdered some of our men that were either straggling or going for provisions. They found in it 50. Muskets, 50. pikes, four Barrels of powder and some store of provisions and provender.  
On Tuesday last a Lieutenant came with some intimations from Col. Ker and Col. Straughan as to their Resolution for a conference, they having already sent four Commissioners to the Court Commissioners with a Declaration, that they will not own the interest of King and Lords, and that as to the Executive part of the Kingly power they did not think it fit the King should be admitted to it until he had given better satisfaction to their Kirke, that his father was justly put to death for his acts of tyranny though there might be some miscarriages in the way, that the Commissioners and Kirk had done very ill in provoking the English, but that the Parliament were too much to blame to send an Army to make an Invasion to proceed to blood before they gave them warning. They sent also a Letter to the General with some Queeries enclosed concerning what security or satisfaction was expected & to whom it should be given, etc.  
From Saint johnstons' we understand that the Kings and Kirks party are still at variance. That the Royal party (having notice from some of the Kirks who deserted them of the quarters of Sir Io. Brounes Regiment) fell upon that Regiment, took six score Horse and prisoners: That thereupon L. G. David Lesley was gone with four Regiments of horse to fall upon them, and that Major General Mountgomery was gone with 800 horse to reduce Straughan and that party to the obedience of the Kirk. That the Kirk had persuaded the King to proclaim, that if those in the hither parts of the North should not come in within 15 days, and the rest within 20 days, and lay down their arms, that they should be proceeded against as Traitors and enemies to to him. The King's party insist to have a free Parliament, and that they may sit in Parliament with the rest; the Kirke say none shall have any hand in government that were engaged in Hamiltons' invasion. Our work now is to stand still and see salvation wrought for us, this Nation being destinated for ruin, which makes them thus to divide amongst themselves, when an Enemy is in their bowels.  
We are raising a Platform for a battery against Edinburgh castle, which we hope (with the mine) will tend much to the reducing the same. They in the Castle have been so angry at it, that for two or three nights together they discharged seven pieces of Ordnance against it, but did not spoil it much.  
Saturday Oct. 26. The General and Officers of the Army kept a day of humiliation to humble themselves for the sins of the Army, and to desire God's blessing upon their proceed.  
Edinburgh, 27 Octob. 1650.  
FINIS.