A LETTER TO The Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons.  
Concerning the SURRENDER OF Ruthin-Castle To Colonel Thomas Mitton, Major General of NORTH-WALES.  
Together with THE ARTICLES Concerning the same.  

ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Letter with the Articles be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
London: Printed for EDW. HUSBAND, Printer to the Honourable House of Commons. April 14. 1646.   

To the Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons.  
Honourable Sir,  
THe Reducing of this Castle of Ruthin hath cost me more time and Ammunition, than I expected when I first laid Siege to it: At last having a Mine almost in a readiness to spring, and Batteries prepared for a Demi-Ganon and a Culverin to play upon it; It was this day agreed to be Surrendered upon the Conditions in the enclosed Articles, which I was willing to accept, having perfect Information by some that escaped out of the Castle, that there was in it Provision sufficient for two months longer; which now I find to be true: And if I should have forced it, I must have hazarded many men, and made the place unserviceable, which is of very great use to the Reducement of this Country, it being the most convenient place for a Garrison in all North Wales, as things now stands with us. Yesterday before the break of day, a party of the Enemy out of Denbigh Castle, being about sixscore, and thirty mounted firelocks, fell upon Captain Richard Price his Quarters, within two miles of this Town; but he was vigilant, and his Scouts performed their duty so well, that they were drawn into the field before they came upon them, which gave him opportunity to avoid them, and convey the Alarm to this Town; And thereupon Colonel Carter with a standing Horse-guard, which we are fain to keep in the field constantly to secure our Out quarters; and Captain Simkies with my own Troop, which was then upon the Guard in this Town, drew out and fell between them and Denbigh, and within half a mile of their Garrison met with them, and charged them so gallantly, that they broke in upon them, killed seven of them (as is said) upon the place; and in the pursuit, took four Captains, one Lieutenant, two Cornets, divers Troopers, and about forty Horse, with the loss of one man of our side. The Siege at Hoult hath of late been of great difficulty and hazard to those few men I have there: For the drawing off of the Cheshire Firelocks from that Service, without any privity, gave the Enemy an advantage to burn the Guard the Firelocks kept (which cost the Country much to fortify) and above forty dwelling Houses more in the Town, and exposed my men (who lay in open Quarters, and were fewer in number then the Enemy within were) to their power, which necessitated my men to be upon continual duty. Upon the first of April the Enemy sallied out and fell upon Major Saddler's Quarters, resolving to put all my men in that House to the Sword, which they had been like to effect, had not a Guard which was placed in a Mount, erected by us three days before relieved them: In this storm I lost five men, and fourteen wounded; of the Enemy there were killed their Commander Captain Cottingham a Papist, a Lieutenant, and two more, and many wounded: There hath been never a day since, but they sallied out constantly twice or thrice a day, and as constantly beaten in. This service, and the furnishing of such Garrisons which are reduced, occasions the expense of very much Powder and Match; and therefore, I humbly desire, that the Honourable House will be pleased to grant, that I may have a hundred Barrels of Powder, and four or five hundred Firelocks sent me, and that some course may be prescribed to convey it down speedily; the carriage and Convoy of the last Powder I had, cost above half as much as the Powder was worth. And further, that they will be pleased to appoint a Governor for this Castle, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Mason, is a very faithful active and godly Gentleman, and the most knowing man in his profession that we have in these parts, having been a Soldier above twenty years, and lost his command in Ireland, because he refused to bear Arms against the Parliament: And if this place were worthy of him, I should make bold to recommend him to their consideration. This nevertheless, I leave to their Wisdoms to determine, and rest  
Your very humble Servant, THO. MITTON. Ruthin the 8 of April. 1646.   

Articles agreed and concluded betwixt Robert Fog, chaplain to Colonel Thomas Mitton, Major General of North-wales, and Captain Edward Thelwall, Commissioners on the behalf of the said Major General on the one party, and Lieutenant John Reynolds, Deputy Governor of the Castle of Ruthin on the other party.  
1. IT is agreed and concluded by the parties above mentioned, That the Castle of Ruthin shall be Surrendered unto General Mitton aforesaid, or his Assigns on Monday next by ten of the clock in the Forenoon, without any dismantling, demolishing, or defacing the same, or any Works now made in or about the same.  
2. That all the Ordnance, Arms, Ammunition, Provision, and Goods now in the Castle be left safe, and no way harmed (saving the particulars hereafter mentioned).  
3. That the said Deputy Governor shall march away quietly, and without molestation, with his Sword and one case of Pistols, and six Gentlemen with him, and each of them his Sword.  
4. That the rest of the Soldiers and others (the Irish only excepted) who are barred by the Ordinance of Parliament, to pass to their respective Habitations, or to Conway with a safe Conduct (they behaving themselves civilly).  
5. That the said Deputy Governor take only with him two Trunks, containing only therein his wearing Apparel, and some few Clothes and Linens of his Sisters; And that a Cart be provided for the carriage thereof.  
6. That in the mean time there be a Cessation of Arms on both sides, and no advantage taken by admitting any strength of men or Ammunition into the said Castle (other than the Hostages agreed upon by both parties;) And for the firm confirmation of the Premises, the parties to these presents have interchangeably set to their Hands this Eighth day of April, Anno Domini, 1646.  
Robert Fog, Edward Thelwal. I do consent to what my Commissioners have agreed unto, Tho: Mytton. I also agree to the Articles above written, John Reynolds.  
FINIS.