THE Resolution OF DEVONSHIRE AND CORNWALL AND Other adjoining Counties: with the names of the Forts and Castles given up to the King.  
WITH The Copy of a Letter written by I. Air Esquire from Portsmouth, to M. I. Arundel in London, showing His M●i●●●ie entertainment there, and all proceed since his Majesty's coming thither.  
ALSO A true Relation of the Passages between the Cavaliers at Wells in , and the Trained Bands, with their Resolution for the defence of the King and Parliament, and the number of Volunteers that came to assist them from the neighbouring Counties.  
Joh. Brown Cler. Parl.  
Printed for Richard West. 1642. August 13.   

THE COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN By I. Air Esquire, to M. john Arundel, DECLARING HIS MAJESIES PROCEED at Portsmouth since his coming thither.  
SIR,  
FOr your unwearied pains and courage for me in these dangerous times wherewith you have been encompassed, and in that you have minded nothing in all your consultations and endeavours but God's glory, His Majesty's honour and safety, and the Kingdom's good: In requital of which, I have in part sent you the passages since His Majesty's arrival amongst us at Portsmouth. We have had continual rumours of wars in these parts, no other discouse stirring, but what ●ath possessed the subject's hearts with fear and terror, by reason of the continual expectation of blood, yet hitherto we see no such danger; but at his Majesty's approach the Governor humbled himself, and surrendered his charge. Then the Mayor, and Aldermen, and inhabitants of the town made a guard, and waited on him to Sir Henry Walker his house, with about two hundred gentlemen on horseback: and when he had viewed the town round, and saw it well fortified, he said, his Parliament hath had a great care both of the Kingdom and his Person, or to that effect: here was exceeding joy, nay I dare boldly say, that from the greatest to the meanest, they had not the heart to resist his entrance, as Sir john Hotham did at Hull. The Gentry of the Country have since flocked to the town in abundance, and happy they are to see his Majesty; for it was reported that his Majesty much grieved that Sir john Hotham denied him entrance into the town of Hull, and for that he hath made such spoil, and undone so many men about him, and that he being a peaceable King, was desirous to leave the Northern parts for fear of bloodshed amongst his subjects. Here is no suspicion of his Majesty. The greatest Gentry in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and other Counties have proffered themselves to live and die in the defence of his Majesty, and all his just and lawful prerogatives: and the Governor and Porter of Hust Castle, the Governor and Captain Burley in Yarmouth, both places in the Isle of Wight, will be ready to resign their places of trust, if his Majesty pleaseth: also farther West, at Waymouth, Poole, and Lymo in Dorsetshire, Apsum, Tingmoth, Dartmouth and Plymmouth in Devonshire, Penderines', S. Maws, Foy, and Helford in Cornwall. All these places of strength, with the brave Commanders and Soldiers therein will be at his Majesty's service when occasion serves. There is likewise order taken, that those places of of strength, as Castles, and Forts, which are any ways decayed in the works or fortifications, shall be speedily rectified and repaired. The Castle of S. Maws in Cornwall is extremely decayed in platforms, Carriages, and want of Ordnance, being altogether unfurnished of any sort of ammunition whatsoever. There is order taken for the amending and supplying of these places, being of such great consequence. I understood a passage in a Letter written unto me by my cousin Arundel, that divers gentlemen in Lincolne-shire and other Counties adjacent should proffer the King all they had, yea and venture their lives in His Majesty's defence, and the King made answer, their love should never be forgotten, and said, for their persons he desired not. but said, they would be then termed Papists, but for their money, horse, or ammunition he would embrace, knowing them to be no Papists. I desire you to let me understand by the next Post of the passages in Ireland, but I fear that the distractions and divisions that have been raised amongst ourselves, have much hindered their relief, and unless these impediments be speedily removed, that the aid and assistance intended for that service, willbe still delayed and procrastinated, to the utter destruction of that Kingdom, without all hopes of recovery, or reducing the same to due obedience and subjection to the Crown of England, because they daily receive encouragement by occasion of our troubles here: It is to be feared that those barbarous and inhuman Rebels will scarce put an end to their devilish designs in Ireland, for the inhabitants of the City of Bristol do now watch in Arms day and night to prevent the surprising of the City by the Irish Rebels, who gathered a great army over against Bristol, which is within twenty four hours sail of that part of Ireland. After two day's settlement with His Majesty, our High Sheriff and Deputy-Lieutenants were questioned for the putting of the Militia in execution, who answered as followeth, That what they did was by command of both Houses of Parliament: And as for my part, quoth the Sheriff, I that have formerly engaged myself for my King, and Country's good, am now ready, nay more willing than ever, to adventure both life, estate, liberty, and whatsoever else I may term mine, for the good of the Kingdom, and advancement of his Majesty's honour, against any foreign or civil enemy, Under the pleasing shade of whose Crown we have ever gathered the fruits of justice; and upon whose happiness the welfare of the whole Commonwealth principally depends, and our hopes principally consisting in his royal pleasure. I confess, the jars amongst ourselves must needs be a point of great indignity and dishonour to our Realm of England, and a joy to those which seek to subvert and confound our Laws and Religion. But God grant by his goodness that the wisdom of his sacred Majesty, and good policy of the Parliament we may be all composed and brought to a happy reconcilement. Vale.  
Yours with respect, J. A.   

The Lord marquis Hartford and the Cavaliers being possessed of Wells, the County of Somerset upon Friday morning last me● at Chewton, about four miles distant from Wells, where all the Trained Bands of that part of the Shire, especially M. Pophams' Regiment, twice doubled in number by Volunteers that came in completely armed. Sca●ce had they been two hours upon the hill, but the number increased to forty thousand. There came out of Wiltshire 300. Horsemen most of them well armed, besides three hundred other Horsemen from the city of Bristol men of good rank and quality, armed with Swords, Pistols and Carbines, with two wains loaden with powder match and bullet, and two other wins with four small field-pieces, and two Gunners; and from Glocestershire three hundred Footmen Volunteers led by an expert Commander, all resolving with the utmost of their power to fall upon the Cavaliers in Wells, & take them with the Marque, & bring them up to the Parliament, insomuch that the Committees and Deputy-Lieutenants could scarce restrain them. The next day while the Cavaliers desired time to answer the Propositions propounded by the Somersetshire men, left the town and road away, for fear of being taken by the countrymen.  
joh. Brown Cleric. Parliament.  
FINIS.