THE DECLARATION AND SPEECH OF Colonel John Poyer IMMEDIATELY Before his Execution in Covent-Garden near Westminster, on Wednesday, being the 25. of this instant April, 1649. With the manner of his deportment, and his Proposals to the people of ENGLAND.  
Whereunto is annexed, A Representation from the Kingdom of Scotland, discovering three great Designs against the Parliament of ENGLAND.  
London Printed for R. W. and are to be fold at the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, April 26. 1649.   

A DECLARATION Of Colonel POYER Communicated to the Representatives of England, Immediately before the time of his execution in Covent Garden near Westminster.  
Colonel John Poyer being sentenced by the Court Martial at Whitehall to suffet death (notwithstanding his Lot for execution) implored the mercy of Parliament for his remission, and the rather, because of his great and eminent services formerly done for this Common wealth, which he thus represented and declared, viz. That he was one of the first that declared in Arms for the Parliament in Southwales, that he had took several ships bound for the relief of the Rebels in Ireland, that he had fortified many strong Holds and Castles against the Common Enemy of this Nation, That he had furnished the protestants in Dublin with great quantities of Corn and Victuals to the value of 500 l. whereof as yet he never received but 200. l. from the Parliament, That he had often engaged his life in many services, to the great hazard of his person, and therefore humbly desired, That for these, and many other public Engagements, his life might be spared, the Sentence omitted, and that his blood might not be violently spilt and cast upon the ground.  
But it could not be granted, the Lot falling so equally unto him: So that according to the Sentence denounced against him, and for the putting the same into execution the time and place was appointed, and ordered that he be guarded to the Covent Garden near Westminster, on Wednesday the 25. of April, there to receive the dismal tokens of Death, by the Representation of a Volley from a File of Musqueriers.  
And to the end, that he might the better fit himself for that great work, he was acquainted with the hour designed for his execution, who upon the delivery of that dreadful message, he seemed to give a favourable constructin in reference to his submission there●●●, declaring, That he had but one life to lose, and in ●●●●isicing of it in this World, he hoped to have a blessed and joyful restauration thereof in the world to come, desiring God to forgive them, who were the causers of it, and that for his part he freely forgave them, being in peace with all men.  
He was very penitent, to his last hour, and uttered many condoling speeches, in relation to the bleeding and dying condition of this poor, cistressed & languishing Nation, desiring that his death might close up the breach of the people, and that his blood might be the last that should issue forth in streams within the Bowels of this Commonwealth.  
And (according to the Sentence denounced against him) he was upon the 25 of this instant April being Wednesday, guarded from White-Hall in a Coach, to the place of execution, as aforesaid, by Col. Hews●ns Regiment of Foot, where he made a short speech to the people, saying, That he desired the prayers of all good people for his present wading through the veil of misery; that he was willing to sacrifice his life; that He freely forgave all men; that he ever acted for the liberty and freedom of the subject; that he was an unfeigned and cordial lover of the peace of England; that he died a true protestant according to the Discipline of the Church of England, and that he desired a speedy period might be put to the present distractions between prince & people, etc.  
Having ended his speech, he went to prayers, and immediately rising up again, called the men designed for his execution to him, which were six in number, and giving them the sign when they should give fire, which was by holding up both his hands, they observed his motion; who after some few expressions to his friends about him, prepared an embracement for death, and casting his eyes to Heaven, with both hands lifted up, the Executioners (with their Fire locks) did their Office who at one voleybereaved him of his life, his corp● being taken up was carried away in a Coach, and the Soldiery remanded back again to White-Hall.  
SIR,  
THe Prince of Wales hath had several conferences and disputations with his grand Counsellors at the Hague; they press hard for his going into Ireland, but he seems very unwilling to give his assent thereto, and hath delivered several Reasons at the Council table (in the presence of the Lord Cottington, and others) wherein he remonstrates the apparent danger that may befall his Royal person, if once he should set footing in that Kingdom, by reason of the falling off of his Subjects of Scotland, who are determined to act upon new principles, if once he appears in the head of that Army.  
And therefore, he was resolved to make that place his chiefest Centre for some certain time, having alienated his affections either from England, Scotland, or Ireland, till he saw an opportunity, for the playing of his Game with more facility and surety.  
Montrosse (during this respite of time) seriously minding the dissenting expressions of the Prince, arose from the table, and with an austeer countenance, said, That if his Majesty (for so is he called at the Court) would not hearken to the good Council now attending his Royal person, in all probability, he might become the most deplorable Prince in Christendom, and in stead of the enjoyment of the prerogative and felicity of three Kingdoms be forced to contain himself within the bounds and limits of the Territories of one Naiton.  
The Prince replied, That one Bird in the hand were better than two in the Bush, and that one Crown firmly and universally set upon his head, might produce greater tranquillity and felicity to himself, and the rest of the Royal Off spring, than three that should stand in a tottering and unstable motion, &c: So that in all probability it is conjectured, that he will decline his Centre both from England and Ireland, and wholly cast himself upon the Kingdom of Scotland; for he hath declared, That he will cast off the Earl of Montrosse, and all those who are conceived Enemies to peace and truth, and apply himself to those particulars propounded from the Estates of Scotland, which are conceived to be the voice of the people, and the advice of that Kingdom.  
He seems to make little preparation against England, in reference to Warlike affairs, rather taking his late Father's advice and admonition, to gain it by the way of reconciliation and treaty, then by the power of the blood thirsty Sword.  
But yet notwithstanding he is much pressed to the contrary, and the two Extraordinary Ambassadors from the King of Denmark, and the Queen of Swethland, hath saluted his Highness, and at a conference condoled the death of his late Father, intimating that they would use their utmost endeavours for the reinvesting of him in his just Rights and Dignities, and restoring of him to his Royal prerogative and Birth right; and to that end, have delivered their Representation and Invitation to the most high and mighty Lords, the States of the United Provinces, to join with them to assist, the said King to obtain his Birthright; but it is said they have declared their resolution, to be offensive nor defensive against either parties: So that it is verily believed, that the States will act as Neutralists, and neither meddle with one side, nor the other. For they have declared, that nothing shall be wanting in them for the preservation of a right understanding with the parliament of England, and that they will endeavour the union and peace thereof against all opposition whatsoever.  
Brill 20. April, 1649.  

A Representation from the Kingdom of Scotland.  
Sir, Our dependence here is, what his gracious Majesty will do, all desire his coming hither, but the professed downright Royalists would have him come with a force for the re instituting him in his Right; the other party, such as real for Presbytery, would also have him come with a new heart. We hear that the King is declining to put away the great Courtier the Earl of Montrosse, but hath given no positive Answer to our Commissioners, as yet, seeming as if he would wait a little longer to see how matters will go here, the vulgar sort of people do cry him up exceedingly, and say they must and will have a King, though it cost them never so much: here are daily rise in several parts of the Country, the marquis of Huntleys' Son is again in arms with 2000 Gourdons to revenge his Father's death, they have declared for Charles the second, and have set forth their Invitation, for all pers●ns to come in to their assistance. Col. Car, and divers other English Officers, are likewise very active in raising of Forces, and have sent Letters of invitation into Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, for others to come to them, promising great matters of preferment, but it is more than they are able to perform, for the well affected party are both vigilant & active in suppressing of them.  
Edinburgh 19 April, 1649.   
FINIS.