A TRUE AND SAD RELATION Of divers passages in Somersetshire, between the Country and the Cavaliers concerning the Militia, and the Commission of Array, August. 5. 1642.  
Wherein some were slain, others distracted, and the Town of Wells taken by the Cavaliers, and since besieged by the Country.  
With the Votes of the Lords and Commons concerning divers Delinquents in that Action.  
john Brown Cler. Parliament.  
LONDON, Printed by A. N. for Ed. Blackmore, and Richard Lownds, 1642.  
August. 9   

SIR,  
I Long to hear from you, in regard I must inform you of the great misery this Country is in, the Cavaliers in Somersetshire have used violence on the Yeomanry, and have turned them out of doors, and take their arms from them, the people seeing it could not suffer it, For if they prevail now they think they shall be slaves for ever. For the Lord Pawlet hath declared that it is not fit for any Country Yeoman to have above ten pound a year: the people murmured much at him: the malignant part have as it were proclaimed war already, For place of Rendezvous is Wells, this Week the people came in daily. For the Militia yesterday was appointed, at the meeting there came in thirty thousand, for the Militia, there is five hundred gone out of Bristol, they went yesterday morning, and are not returned yet, it is but twelve miles where the Army lies, there is like to be fearful times here. There came in on Thursday night against Friday, a hundred men for the Militia, they being few in respect of the malignant party, they went out of Wells, and killed some, and took the rest, for the number it is but few that were killed, they are merciless men, they care not what they do: the Deputy-lieutenants have demanded their prisoners but cannot have them: they have all ihis night been planting Ordnance against Wells, and will certainly batter down the town unless they deliver them: there is like to be great bloodshedding; the people have resolved rather to lose their lives then to be slaves, the people have been out this two days and two nights, and have not time to refresh themselves, the place to meet at is on Mendip: the Cavaliers failed their promise, and did not appear yesterday, in regard of the many that came against them: you would admire to see what weapons the people got for want of Arms: there is not two thousand of the Advers party: the chief are the marquis of Hartford, the Lord Paulet, sir Ralph Hopon, sir Francis Dorington, & Master Smith for the Pa●liament, There is sir Francis Poppam and his son, sir john Horner, Master Richard Col●▪ Master Sirood, Master Pine, sir Edward Hungerford, sir Edward Gainton; There comes in for their assistance, Gloucester, Wilts, Dorset, and Devo● shires, Master Alexander Poppam bestirs himself bravely: our well affected people in the Town have sent three or four field pieces to him, and much Arms, Lord grant them a good success; This evening will produce much news, I wish it may be for the best. I pray let me hear from you of that business I wrote of, so for this present I rest,  
Yours ever to be Commanded joseph Proud. Bristol August 5. 1642.   

Die Veneris 5 August, 1642.  
Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament.  
THat Sir Ralph Hopton. M. Tho. Smith, and Captain john Digby shall be disabled to sit as Members of the House of Commons during this Parliament.  
Resolved, etc. That Captain john Digby be forth with sent for as Delinquent.  
Resolved etc. That Sir Ralph Hopton, Mr. Tho. Smith, Sir Ferdinand Gorges, and Sir Francis Dodington be forthwith sent for as Delinquents.  
Resolved, etc. That Richard Board. Hercules' Whiting, Nicholas Dounton, ●●mes Stroud, john Walker, and John Cooth, the Parson of Shipton▪ 〈◊〉. ●e forthwith sent for as Delinquents.   

ORDERED,  
THat the High Sheriff of the County of Somerset, and the Deputy-lieutenants and Committees of the same County, and the Forces that shall be sent down to the assistance of the said Deputy-Lievienants, and Committee, be all required to use their best endeavours for the apprehending and sending up to the Parliament the Delinquents voted of that County.  
August.