REMARABLE PASSAGES Newly received of the great overthrow of Sir Ralph Hopton and his Eorces; At Madburie, 12. miles from Plymouth:  
WITH The taking of the High Sheriff (Sir Edmond Fortescue) prisoner, and divers others of Note, their names being here inserted.  
THE WHICH PARTICULARS WERE Sent in two Letters, to Gentlemen of good Credit here in LONDON.  
LONDON, Printed for Henry Overton, Decemb. 14. 1642.   

Plymouth, Decemb. 9 1642.  
SIr Nicolas Slaning, and Sir Ralph Hopton have entered Devon: as you have already heard, with two or three thousand foot and horse, and first took Tavestocke, and next Plymton near Plymouth, and after went to Modberry, leaving these towns fortified where the high Sheriff of Devon: Sir Edw. Fortescue met them, and by his warrant of Posse commitatus called many thousands together at Modberry on Tuesday and Wedsday last, where they thought by examining every man to persuade the people to stand against the Parliament, either by fair or foul means, and also to increase their army by taking up of volunteeres, and arming them with the arms they could take from honest men that were unwilling to follow their designs, by which means they would certainly have gotten many to serve them, for that most part appeared from 18. years to 60. years, but it hath pleased God to frustrate their designs for this time, by means the Scottish Colonel went hence on Wednesday morning by four of the clock with four troops of horse, viz. Bar. Drakes, Captain Tompsons', Captain Pimmes, and Captain Gooldes, and about 200. Dragoneeres; and coming to Modberry about nine of the clock, all the Country people fled, most of them being naked men, and those that had arms also threw them down and ran away without any arms or horses; by which means, with the loss of one man, they took the high sheriff Sir Edmond Fortescue, Baronet Seymer and his eldest son which was Knight of the Shire for Devon: in Parliament) and Squire Arthur Basset of the North of Devon: (a notable Malignant) but the Clerk of the Peace, and about thirteen Gentlemen more, which they carried from Dartmouth, and this day sent them hither by sea (God send them a fair wind, I hope here will be 30. or 40. great Malignants sent from hence to London) Sir Nicholas Slaning, and Sir Ralph Hopton scaped very narrowly: Captain Goold, I hear, is sent with his troop to Exon to desire some aid from thence, which if they come to join with our forces, with Dartmouth and Plymouth (I hope, by God's assistance) they will be speedily suppressed. Our Soldiers are hearty to the Work, at Madbury they got great store of money, horse, and arms from the Gentry they met there,  
Vale.   

Master Stock and loving friend,  
SInce the writing of my Letter a friend is come hither upon purpose from Exeter, to bring us tidings of a brave exploit done by the Plymouth Forces, worthy to be Chronicled, a neat and true relation, and fit for the Press, is as solloweth.  
Upon Tuesday last at night, being the 6: of this instant, The Commanders of the Garrison at Plymouth entered into a consultation concerning what was fit to be done, and having intelligence that the Sheriff lay at Madbury, where the trained bands by virtue of his Posse Comitatus met that day, and the next, the Cavaliers chief quarters being at Plympton, within 3. miles of them, thereupon they framed their design. Very early in the morning Captain Thomson, Captain Pym, and Captain Goold, and some others, with 500 Horse and Dragooneers, marched away very privately Northward, toward Roubard Down, as if they meant to go to Tavestock, and then wheeled about toward Ivy Bridge on Plymouth road, and so went to Madbury, where in Master Champernons house, ●nd in the Town, they found the Sheriff, with divers other Gentlemen of quality, and 2000 trained Soldiers, and Volunteers; presently on their approach the Trained bands crying out, the Troopers are come, run away, many of them leaving their Arms behind them; The house was beset, and the Sheriff stood upon his defence until it was fired, and then the Assailants breaking in, possessed the house, and took divers prisoners, to the number of 20. or thereabouts, amongst which were these that follow, Sir Edmond Fortescue, high Sheriff, Sir Edward Seimor Baronet, Master Edward Seimor Knight of the Shire, Master Basset, Captain Champernon, Captain Pomeroy, Captain Bedlake, Captain Peter Fortescue, Master Barnes, Master Sheptoc Clerk of the Peace: After which they marched away towards Dartmouth, with their prisoners, where that night they safely arrived, bringing good store of Arms with them.  
This good news I could not but write, although 10. at night: I conceive, nay I hear they will there Ship these Prisoners for london, I wish them a fair wind to bring them unto Winchester house, or some such place: Master Hill understanding the ways of the March, will say it is as brave an exploit as hath been attempted a long time, unto whom, with all my good friends that shall be at the reading hereof, I pray remember him that is always ready to serve you, etc.  
Dated Decemb. 9 1642. R. B.  
We have now Letters from Portsmouth, where they are very courageous, and ready to do exploits.  
FINIS.