A LETTER Sent from Col. William. Lockhart, Dated at Dunkirk, Decemb. 31. 1659. Superscribed, For the Right Honourable, William Lenthall, Esq Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England.  
Read in Parliament, January 3. 1659.  
LONDON, Printed by John Streater, and John Macock, Printers to the Parliament. 1659.   

A LETTER Sent from Colonel William Lockhart.  
May it Please Your Honour,  
THis day by Private Letters I have received the Joyful, and Acceptable News of the Parliaments Re-entering upon the Exercise of Their Authority; Which I thought it my Duty to Communicate Immediately to the Officers and Soldiers of Your Garrison in this Place; and accordingly began with those of my own Regiment, Proceeding afterwards to the rest, and Endeavouring to set it upon all their Hearts, how Extraordinary, and almost Miraculous the Workings of GOD have been, in bringing to pass this Your Last Return; and how happily Advantageous it is likely to prove to all the Three Nations, and to each Particular Concerned therein. I can give Testimony of the General Acclamations, and all outward Signs that could be rendered of absolute Satisfaction in every man here; neither do I in the leastwise Question the Consent of their Hearts, with the sensible Demonstrations of their Tongues, and Countenances; especially when I Declared to them the many and singular Encouragements they have formerly received from the Parliament; and that they cannot expect the like, from any other Authority whatsoever; besides the Consideration of their Respective Membership, and Incorporation with the Bodies both Civil and Military under Your Command.  
We have (GOD be praised) during the late Interval, continued Faithful Servants to the Honour and Interest of our Country, and are at present in such a posture, as to fear nothing from abroad, being so well fortified at home.  
I was recalled from the Prosecution of Your Commands at St Jean de Luz, by the same Power that Ordered me thither; but finding the face of things changed at my Return; and myself at a loss what to do, I was at last advised by some Persons, to discharge myself to those who took upon them the Mannagement of Affairs at that time, and did accordingly give them the best Lights I could, whereby to discern the Interest of the Commonwealth, in Relation both to France, and Spain; after which I forthwith betook myself to this Place, to Act here according to that Trust, which You had formerly Reposed in me: and I hope my presence hath not been unserviceable. But if it shall be thought Requisite, That I come over again to render You a more full Account of my late Negotiations abroad, I shall most willingly and cheerfully do it: In the mean time, till Your farther Directions, I shall Proceed to use all care and diligence here, both for the orderly disposing of the Garrison, and the vigorous opposing of the Enemy, if occasion require; hoping, That in a short time I shall Receive the Honour of Your commands, which shall always find a ready and exact Obedience in me, and all that are under my Charge.  
I thought the great Importance of this happy day, would have its effect upon the Spirits of our Enemies round about us, as well as upon our own, though in a different manner: And therefore to express our Joy, and to intimate unto them the just cause of their Sadness, I have this night ordered all our Great Guns, both by Sea and Land, to Proclaim our Exaltation, and their disappointment.  
I shall daily Pray, That God would crown Your Counsels and Endeavours with Success, answerable to the Honest and Peaceable Expectation of the Nations under You; and do for my own part give myself up entirely to be disposed by you, as becomes him who is so really and without Reserve,  
May it Please Your Honour, Your Honour's Most Humble, Faithful, and Obedient Servant, William Lockhart. Dunkirk, Dec. 31. 1659.