THE RESOLUTION OF Sr Marmaduke Langdale Concerning the relieving of 

The Lord Goring.  
The Lord of Loughborough.  
The Lord Capel.  
Sir Charles Lucas, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers   NOW Blocked up in the Town of Colchester, by the Lord General FAIRFAX. And their further proceed touching Major General Lambert; agreed upon by a Council of War, and assented to by most of the Colonels and Officers in the Northern Army.  
Likewise the Lord gore's Letter to Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his further Resolution and proceed thereupon.  
LONDON, Printed for G.N. MDCXLVIII.   

THE RESOLUTION OF Sir Marmaduke Langdale, concerning the Lord Generals blocking up of the town of Colchester.  
Honoured Sir,  
SIr Marmaduke Langdale having received Letters from the Lord Goring, intimating their unfortunate success in their late. Engagement with the Kentishmen, and how they had crossed the River of Thames, thereby to carry on their Design with more safety, and prevent the sudden falling on of the Lord General with b● army, resolved not to engage with his army against Major Gen. Lambert, but to keep them in a complete and entire Body, for their future preservation, and present increasing; and thereupon summoned in most of his Colonels, Lieutenant-colonels, Majors, and Captains, who presently called a Council of War, at which it was resolved to retreat towards Carlisle, which they did accordingly, but in their Retreat, some of their Rearguard who lay plundering up and down the country, had quarters provided for them by a party of Major General Lambert's Horse, who fell upon them near Braugham castle, and took divers prisoners, with great store of good pillage which they had taken from divers well affected of the country.  
Divisions and distractions increase daily in their army, especially amongst the Superiors and Officers, who have continual disputations upon several differences, some being desirous to have a strong party of Horse and Dragoones sent Southward for the relief of the Lord Goring and his army; others declaring against i●, saying, That they had rather keep one Body in a defensive posture, then to hazard both, which indeed was the expression of Sir Marmaduke himself, who stands much against the dividing of his Army, and will by no means assent to those Propositions for the sending of a party into the South, but hath resolved to oppose the proceed thereof, and to keep his Army in the North, until such time that the additional Forces from Scotland are joined with him.  
He hath had several invitations (as we hear) from Sir Charles Lucas, to send Sir Philip Stapleton with a party of Horse and Dragoons to their assistance, but would not assent thereto.  
As also, a Letter from the Lord Goring and General Hastings to the same effect: wherein they intimated their Desires to have some additional Forces sent down unto them for the better and more secure managing of the greatwork in hand, declaring That if it pleased God to give them victory in the South, they need not fear the day in the North; but all could not prevail for he had fixed his resolution to the contrary; and therefore called a Council of War, to consider what should be done for their greatest advantage and safety, & after some disputation thereupon, it was resolved by the major part, that no Forces should be sent Southward, until such time that the additional Forces were come in unto them from Scotland, together with some Arms and Ammunition, but it is hoped that he will come short of his expectation.  
We have seized on two Castles in the North, which was in the possession of Langdale and his party, we pursed him through the greatest part of Westmoreland, until he came within 12. miles of Carlisle, where they received a strong Alarm, and barricadoed up their Gates.  
The Major General is now in Penreth, and his Army quartered in the towns adjacent, ●●nsisting of about 3000. Horse and Foot. Col. Dodding, Col. Booth, and the rest of the Lancashire Forces are expected to join with us very suddenly, and I hope they will be here seasonably.  
The happy tidings of reducing Kent, and the ill success of Goring in Essex, hath quite broke the hearts of the Eneny here, who are fearful that the Lord General will advance with a great strength towards them, which causeth divers to dissert the service. Sir, I am  
Your devoted Servant, M. Simcock. From the Headquarters near Penreth, 16. Junij 1648.  
SIR,  
HIs Excellency the Lord General hath sent a party round about on Suffolk side of the city, which have made good Mersey Island, and taken some prize of the enemies, which was carrying away by water: We have also another party on the other side of the water, near the Heath which is the harbour, or Key, to which the shipping comes, and is not half musket shot over for at least a mile from the town: there is at the Key two or three ships, which lie so low on the Water, that they cannot much annoy us. We have also made good the bridge on Norwich Road, and are drawing a line round about the City, the Suburbs being already in our possession: those which come out to us, do certainly affirm, that about sixty of the enemy were buried in St. Margaret's Church yard that night which we fought with them, and many others elsewhere besides those they left behind them, which they got not again into the City. Sir William Campion (once Governor of Bostol house for the King) is dead, and Major Eyes, whole loss they much lament.  
Col. baxter's Reg. was far engaged with the enemy, & quitted themselves with great valour: we lost in all a Major, and one or two captains, and some other officers, besides common soldiers: the L. Goring, the L. Loughorough, Sir Charles Lucas & several other eminent commanders are said to be still remaining in the town: they have taken Mr. Wigmores' Wagon horses, and several others, and mounted men upon them; but since that night they have been very quiet in the city, & not offered to sally forth: those within do intimate that they would have conditions, especially the Horse which are very desirous to departed. A Trumpeter was sent out of the town with a message to the Lord General, and his Excellency pities the sadcondition of many imminent and harmless souls in the city. The Lord General hath hereupon sent Letters to the Parliament this morning, to acquaint them with the affairs here, and within a day or two I shall be able to communicate more unto you, and the rest of our friends, from hence, I remain  
Your affectionate friend. T. N. From the Headquarters near Colchester June 19 1648.  
The L. Gen. sent a Letter to the L. Goring, and others in the town in these words, viz.  
Sir, I understand you have in custody Sir W. Masham, a Parl. man and some other Gent. prisoners, I desire you to permit this bearer, to see in what condition they are, what necessaries they want, that care may be taken for supplying of them, I have about 500 prisoners of yours, if you have any of my soldier's prisoners, I desire to know the number and quality of them and shall send as many in exchange which shall be performed by me.  
Thomas; Fairfax, 17. of June 1648.  
To which answer was returned in these words,  
My Lord I desire you will by the trumpeter send up a List of all those Gen●. Officers, and soldiers of our party, and under our command, that are now prisoners in your Army, we shall upon the like occasion, show the same respect to you, and we desire the Trumpeter may speak with the best of quality of our prisoners to let them know our endewours for their enlargement we have detained your Trumpeter longer by reason of our how? ely motion and action my Lord we rest.  
Your servants 

Norwich.  
Arthur Capell.  
Loughborough.  
Charles Lucas.   17. June 1648.  
SIR,  
SInce my last here hath been some action: On Friday night last a party of the Enemy's Horse made a sally out of the town, thinking to make an escape away, but being discovered by one of our Scouts, he presently road up to the Horse-guard, and gave notice thereof to the Commander in chief, who immediately mounted three Troops, and left two upon the guard to maintain that passage, and advanced towards the Enemy, who meeting with them, our Frontiers fired, and the rest of the Body charged in amongst them, and after a short dispute the Enemy retreated and in agreat disorder made towards the town, but our men pursued them even to the very gates▪ doing some execution, and took divers prisoners, with very little loss. Our men are very vigilant, and keeps provisions from going to them, the town is much straightued thereof, which causeth a most doleful & heavy cry amongst the Inhabitants.  
Lexton 18. Junij 1648.  
FINIS.