The Northern INTELLIGENCER: Communicating the Affairs of those Parts; AND PARTICULARLY, The AGITATIONS of Mr. HUGH PETER, in five several Counties.  
WITH A LETTER DIRECTED TO HIM at Northampton.  
Printed in the Year, 1648.   

The Northern Intelligencer, etc.  
WE are informed that Sir Thomas Tilesly hath taken in Lancashire several Colours of foot, and no small number of good horse, and is now upon his march with a potent Army.  
From North-Wales we are assured of a very considerable strength, part under the command of the Lord Byron, part supplied from Denbighshire, Flintshire, Canarvanshire, and the abused Soldiers from Ireland (who lately served the Parliament) to the number of ten thousand at the least; who upon the return of the Lord Byron from Herefordshire, will be ready to advance.  
And there is lately come intelligence, that Cromwell sent to Monroe, to let him understand that if he advanced one foot further towards the South, that he would put all the Scottish prisoners then in his power, to the sword; to which he replied, that he would thank him for it, for therein he would save him a labour; for he was resolved that as many as he met withal to hang them up for Traitors and cowards; since which Monroe hath fallen upon Cromwell's Forces, and killed and taken above 600 horse and foot, and so scattered and shaken the rest of his Army, that he hath lately sent to the Parliament for a recruit, telling them that without a sudden supply his whole Army will be in great danger.  
But that which takes up the discourse of these parts is, the active proceeding of Mr. Hugh Peter in stirring up the Counties of Leicester, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Rutland, and Northamptonshire: To this purpose he arrived lately at Northampton, and presently summoned the Committees, who were all so tamely slavish as to obey him, and to know the pleasure (or rather displeasure) of his Master Cromwell, for that they had appeared so slack and tardy in the Cause; upon Saturday being marked day, his designs were farther published, and fixed upon all the posts in and about the market place, which were to this effect, and almost in these very words.  
That whereas there were two great and considerable Bodies marching upon them, and daily increasing as they marched, raising a great tax of 12000l. upon Northumberland, and threatening the like to us, and whereas they had raised in Leicestershire 2000 horse to impede their march, which were to rendezvous at Leicester; these were to require them to bring all the Forces they could procure, to the said Rendezvous to expect the directions of God: And that the Committees of this Country should speedily meet the Committees of the Countries above named, at Leicester, which was thought the most expedient place.  
This was subscribed by Colonel Grey, Colonel Hacker, and other Majors, and Captains, a great part of which are Parliament Chaplains put in sequestrations: For you must understand that these Levites, although they have greedily swallowed down the Covenant, yet they are the greatest sticklers against the Scots that can be, as they are against all manner of Accommodation, lest their great Diana and trade of gain should be laid aside.  
For Mr. Peter himself, he lodged at the Hind, and the greatest part of his abode in the Town was in his bed, where he devices mischief; from which at length rising he walked in the street armed, and propped up by two cunning Companions, Mr. Ball, and Mr. Rogers: It was a miracle to behold this Independent Goose supported by two Presbyterian Gizzards, and walking between them from the Tavern, hi● chief disciples were ●●ce Cobblers, two Shoemakers, two Tailors, and one Saddler; besides Martin Tomkins, whom he comforted with the hopes of a Sermon; but on Saturday be pretended to a politic cold to excuse him, and to observe withal whether any proselyte Lady would recover him with sweetmeats, or Captain Spicer the Ex●●zeman, Apothecary, and Confectioner, would serve him with a gratuity of sugar Penidies; although his white powder would have fitted him much better, which is so famously approved for setting so many men into eternal silence. There was likewise a Letter directed to him, of which I shall give you the very words from the original copy.  
Sir,  
WE understand that you have instructions from Mr. Catiline Cromwell, to put this Country into a posture of sedition, & (if your voice had served you) with a ridiculous thing which you call a sermon, to make us laugh ourselves into damnation: you are the most improper Instrument that could be employed about this work; a vicious Buffoon to a civil religious place, an Independent to a Presbyterian Town, a desperate and hired Rebel to a People that discern their own errors, and desire to live quietly and peaceably in the Land; to what a measure of despair hath your guiltiness provoked you, that you had rather trust the people (whose hatred you are) than the mercy of the King, so surely and solemnly to be established? to what an height of Tyranny are you arrived to force men that are unwilling? to what shifts are you now drive that you are feign to deal with Committee men, of whom in your late Pulpit vision, you affirmed that none were ever seen in Heaven; but you will readily light a candle to the Devil upon condition he will set all a flame, and to his fire and brimstone you will be well furnished to add salt-Peeter: Forsake these courses in time, that if it be possible the naughtiness of your heart and actions may be forgiven; otherwise I shall believe the verity of Mr. Saltmarsh his Predictions, that you, and all that cleave unto you shall come to ruin:  
Thus thinks; your truly admonishing friend, A. P.  
Indeed their proceed are very hateful to the generality of the Country, and what the engaged and over awed Committee-men will do you shall hear in our next Relation, wherein I shall spare Mr. Ball as he behaves himself in this trans-action. The County of Leicester have been by degrees deluded into this design, and now amazed to see themselves put upon action by the Committee and their new-fangled Ministers, being at first persuaded that they should only stay in their own Country, plunder the Malignants, and all that are to be so created: They are a cowardly mixture, and will but lead the way to flight and confusion.  
We hope that the Royal City will have the honour to conclude this difference, who may make a quick composure by their early wisdom, and present courage, hinder a vast expense of money, and (which ought to be more precious) of Christian blood, appease the Countries, and retard their ruin, which else may reach at length to their own doors, and lastly may bring home with honour, the truly religious, and much injured King, and the blessing of Peace may be upon their head.  
Pax optima rerum:  
Pacem te possimus omnes.  
Peace is the best of things:  
Peace all the Welkin rings.  
FINIS.