INTELLIGENCE SENT TO THIS KINGDOM, CONCERNING THE TAKING IN OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE: WITH Copies of the Letters, and other Passages, that occurred betwixt our Army and those in the Town. AS ALSO The surrender of the CASTLE thereof. EDINBURGH, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1644. For the Right Honourable, the Earl of LAUDERDAILE. IT hath pleased God of his infinite goodness, to grant to us a glorious and happy Victory in gaining of this Town, without any considerable Loss; for which we have all great cause to praise God, and to acknowledge his mercies, even to outreach our very expectations; For I must confess ingeniously, that I have never seen any Town all my Life-time kept and defended with greater resolution, continuing in a most constant obstinacy, till the very last; and God's Providence appear more in animating of our Officers and Soldiers in general, against so hard oppositions and difficulties. The particulars of what lately passed, your Lordship may be pleased to receive enclosed herewith, and to communicate the same with my Lord Crawford and the Committee of Estates. This much in haste, Irest Newcastle 20. Octob. 1644. Your Lordship's most humble servant Leven. Copy of Summons sent to the Town of Newcastle, Octob. 14. 1644. We Alex. Earl of Leven, Lord General of the Scottish Armies, that it may be the more manifest, and appear to all, how exceedingly we desire you to prevent all those evils, which cannot be longer avoided. Notwithstanding you have been formerly invited by our several Letters, in all fair manner, to think on those ways which might conduce most to your well-being; Do by these presents require and summoned you, to give up and surrender the Town of Newcastle to us, for the use of King and Parliament; that Citizens and Soldiers may be safe: and the Town being preserved from ruin, may enjoy the fruits of settled peace, whereof other Towns reduced to the same obedience, do liberally taste. You are likewise earnestly desired, by no means to conceal this our last offer and warning to the Citizens and Soldiers, as you will be answerable to God and them whom it may concern. If in these things you fail, you may expect the extremities of War. And we profess ourselves, and the Army under our conduct, altogether free and innocent of whatsoever bloodshed and other calamities may ensue, through your obstinacy. Hereto we expect a present answer. Given For Master Major, Aldermen, and Common Council of the Town of Newcastle. Sic subscribitur LEVEN. From the Major of Newcastle, Octob. 14. MY Lord, I received your Letter this afternoon, at almost five a clock: It is directed to Major, Aldermen, and Common Council: And it is for no less matter than the delivering up of the Town to you, (as you say for King and Parliament) no Conditions, but to stand to your mercy. But I will not take upon me absolutely to give answer myself, neither will I conceal it from any it concerns; yet I hope you are not in so great haste, but I may take time to give you a full answer the morrow, at or before this time, when you may by God's assistance, certainly expect it. And in the mean time I take leave, and rest Your Lordship's friend, JO. MORLEY. MY Lord, we have received your Letter, wherein you require and summoned us to give up and surrender the Town, as you say, for the use of King and Parliament; alleging divers Reasons, mixed with Threats, to persuade us thereunto. All which we have well weighed and considered: and as formerly, so now returns this Answer; That we declare to you, and to all the world, That we keep this Town for the use of his Majesty: And that we have full power and authority from his Majesty so to do. And if either you, or any other can show us better, or later Warrant from his Majesty to demand it, we will submit. And although we neither dare, nor will acknowledge that disloyalty to our lawful King (which you call, reducing to just obedience) is the way to preserve us from ruin, and to enjoy the fruits of a settled Peace; yet that you and all the world may see, we desire To shun the effusion of Christian blood; we desire you to send us in writing, upon what Terms and Conditions you would have us deliver up the Town, and then we shall return you a further Answer (which we hope will be satisfactory:) And if this will not give you content, proceed and prosper as your Cause requires: and let the Blood that is, or shall be spilt, lie upon their souls and consciences that deserve it: And if we be the fault, let this subscribed under our hand testify against us. Newcastle 15. Octob. 1644. Sic subscribitur John Morley. Nicholas Cole. Thomas Lyddell. Thomas Ryddell. Nicholas Tempest. Alex: Davison. Francis Bowes. Ralph Cole. Leonard Carr. Robert Sherflo. James Cole. Mar. Milbank. Cuthbert Carr. Edward Stote. Thom. Blenkincope. Samuel Cork. Oswald Mathie. Tho. Madisane. Henry Rowcastle. Thomas Clarke. Charles Clarke. William Cork. Gabriel Robison. William Harope. John Blackburne. William Robisone. Will: Armstrong. Anthony Younger. Will: Archbald. Right Worshipful, etc. WE received your Answer to our last, wherein as in all former Letters, we conceive we have used no threats, but fair and peaceable expressions, such as are ordinary in differences of this kind: But that our constant desire to shun the effusion of Blood, and the sincerity of our loyal Intentions, may more and more appear to you and all the World, we desire that without any further delay, Hostages may be sent from either side, and judicious men appointed to Treat on such terms and conditions, as may put a happy end to the Business; And to meet in such a place between the Town and Camp, or within the Town, as shall be thought fitting by you. Hereto we expect your Answer, And remain To Master Maior, Aldermen, and Common-council of the Town of Newcastle. Octob. 15. Your Loving friend LEVEN. Right Worshipful, etc. I Have been still expecting your Answer to my last, wherein it was desired, That Hostages might be sent, and a place appointed for Treaty: but now since you have returned none, we do hereby exhonour ourselves; That all the World may know how desirous we have been of the safety and peace of your Town, as this and our former Letters will bear witness for us against your obstinacy: And this we are confident God will bless us according to the integrity of our Intentions. So I leave, and rest 16. Octob. 3. a clock afternoon. Your friend LEVEN. My Lord, WE received your second Letter directed as the former; and upon good considerations, we could have wished that according to our desires in our former Letters, you would have sent in writing the conditions and terms you desire the Town upon; That we might altogether have considered and condescended to what had been fitting and convenient for us to grant. But since you like not that course, but desires Hostages may be sent, and some appointed to meet, and treat, at a time and place convenient. We must acknowledge and confess that we do not hold that power in us to grant, as Major, Aldermen, and Common Council: But solely to be in the Major, as he is Governor of the Military, who we find very willing to condescend to any thing that may tend to The honour of his Majesty, The welfare of Newcastle, and The shunning essusion of Blood, if you please to write unto him for that purpose. And so wishing a happy and honourable peace in all his Majesty's Dominions, We rest Newcastle, 16. Octob. 1644. Your loving friends Subscribitur as the other Letter by Major, Aldermen, and Common-council For his Excellence the Earl of Leven, General of the Scottish Army. Right Worshipful, I Conceived for your further exoneration, it had been most fitting to write to yourself, as Master Major, Aldermen, and Common-council: But now seeing I understand by themselves, that the power is solely in yourself, as Governor of the Military affairs; I will use your way, and shall here repeat my former desire, that Hostages may be sent, and a place appointed without further delay, to meet and treat on such things as may most tend to The honour of his Majesty, and We'll of Newcastle: Being always most willing To shun all the occasions of effusion of Blood. Hereto we expect your Answer the morrow before 10. a clock. And that ye will likewise make known to us the names and qualities of Hostages; And such as you think fit to nominate to treat, and the place appointed for meeting, according as ours shall be ready against the same time. Thus I rest For the Right Worshipful, Sir John Morley Knight, Master Major, and Governor of Newcastle. 16 Octob. 1644. Your loving friend LEVEN. My Lord, I Received your Letter so late that I was forced to keep your Drummer all night: And I am very glad to see that you and I aim both at one end; Which is, His Majesty's Honour, Newcastles Welfare, and The avoiding effusion of Blood: And I wish those that treat, may be of the same mind: But whereas you desire me to name Hostages, and men to treat: I must desire you to name yours, and I shall suit them aswell as I can, for you know there is no Noblemen with me, but two of your own Countrymen; yet we have Knights and other Gentlemen of good esteem: Ishall also desire that there may be but three appointed to treat, and each to bring but one man, and know what Guard you will send with your Hostages, that I may send the like; the place of Exchange and Treaty may be at Newcastle. And when I know your mind in those things, we shall appoint the time of meeting. And if we hold close and sincerely to these ends by you proposed, I doubt not but God will bless our endeavours, and set us at peace, and I hope, in his good time, these distracted Kingdoms; which that it may be, shall be the daily prayer of Your loving friend John Morley. Newcastle 16. Octob. After the Committee did sit, a Letter was written by Master Primrose, appointing Thursday the 17. at 12. a Clock, to Treat at Newcastle, the names of the Commissioners sent in, viz. The Lord Humby, Sir David Hume of Wedderburne, and the Provest of Jedburgh, whereupon the following Answer was returned. My Lord, I Received your Letter, and do approve of those men you name to Treat, being all strangers to me: And likewise, that there is no necessity of a Guard, only one Officer to meet them at the place appointed. But you desire that the meeting may be this day at 12. a Clock: And that I will send the names of these I intent to appoint as Hostages, to be exchanged at the time and place ; which is impossible, for I received your Letter half hour after 12. And certainly you mean not 12. at night; But I will keep promise, and to that purpose, this night I will send you the names of the Hostages I intent to send to the place appointed; and the time to be the morrow at 9 a Clock in the forenoon: As for those that are to Treat, I intent to supply the place of one myself, and shall send you the names of the rest; And so wishing a happy end to those and all the Troubles of his Majesty's Dominions, I rest Your loving friend John Morley. Newcastle 17. Octob. 1644. For his Excellence, the Earl of LEVEN. My Lord, ACcording to promise, I send you the names of the Hostages, and of those appointed to Treat; and shall keep the time and place mentioned in my former Letter, and have set down their names here under: I will say no more, but desire that during the time of the Treaty those courses may be holden which is accustomed in War. And so expecting your Answer by this Drummer, I rest Your loving friend Jo. Morley. Newcastle 17. Octob. 1644. Gentlemen appointed for the Treaty. Sir John Morley, Knight and Governor. Sir Nicholas Cole Knight Baronet. Sir George Baker Knight, and a Secretary. Hostages. Colonel Charles Brandling. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Davisone. Captain Cuthbert Carr, late Sheriff of Newcastle. Whereupon Answer was returned, That all should be observed as was appointed. Upon Friday 18. at 10. a clock our Commissioners went in, and stayed till 4. a clock in the afternoon, but had no satisfaction to any of their demands, the Mayor not suffering any thing to come in writ, but jeering all the time, desiring they might have 2. days to advise, and thereafter they would give Answer: So upon Friday at 8. a clock at night this Letter following was sent forth by them. My Lord, WE have had some discourse this day with your Commissioners, but you have bound them to have our Answers to your Demands in so short a time, as we could not give them that satisfaction we would gladly, considering they demanded that which was not according to your Propositions, namely, His Majesty's honour, and The welfare of Newcastle: But we are so unwilling to see Christian blood shed, as if that you rest satisfied until Monday, we shall then, God willing, send you Propositions which we hope will give content. If this will not serve, we trust God will deliver us out of your hands. And so we rest Newcastle 18. Octob. 1644. Your loving friends John Morley. Nicholas Cole. G. Baker. At 10. a clock at night I caused convene the Committee, and did resolve to send in Propositions that night to them, which went in about 12. a clock at night: The effect whereof was; 1. That all Officers and Soldiers should have liberty to go away with flying Colours, full Arms, Bag and Baggage, and should have a Safeconduct to any of the King's Garrisons within 60 miles of Newcastle. 2. That all such as had a mind to stay and go to their own houses, should be protected, and have a safeguard for their persons, families, and goods. 3. That all Strangers, Residents within the Town, should have the like, with liberty to go to their own dwellings in the Country about. 4. That all Burgesses and Townsmen should have free liberty and Trade, as other Towns reduced to obedience of King and Parliament. 5. That they should have their persons, houses, estates, and goods protected, and be liable to no other Sesses or Contributions, but as other Towns reduced to the obedience foresaid. 6. That they were to be free from all free billeting and Quartering, and none of the Army to come into the Town but a competent Garrison. 7. That if they would embrace these conditions, they were to send forth sufficient Hostages for delivery up of the Town within two days thereafter upon Saturday 19 by nine a clock. Whereupon the following Letter was sent forth about the same time. My Lord, We received your Letter, wherein you say, we cannot make good, that your Commissioners Demands are against either His Majesty's honour, or The welfare of Newcastle; we will give you but one reason amongst many: Whether it be for His Majesty's honour, that the Town of Newcastle should be delivered to any of another Nation? Nay more, If it be for the honour of the English Parliament? And that it is not For our welfare, is so clear, needs no Answer. And whereas you say, You wonder we are not ashamed to be sodilatory, having demanded a Treaty; We say, We wonder you can be so forgetful, knowing we have your Letter to show, that the Treaty was your own motion. But for answer to the rest, and to your Articles, We say, The delivery of Newcastle is not of so small moment: But if you intent (as you say) time may well be given until Monday, for giving Answer; for in case we should give consent to let you have the Town: There is divers more Articles than you have set down, both fit for us to demand, and you to grant: Therefore if you would shun effusion of Bloodshed, as you profess, forbear your Acts of hostility, until we give you Answer upon Monday, wherein we will not fail: Otherwise we doubt not but God will require an account at your hands; And besides, will keep and preserve us from your fury. So expecting your Answer, we rest For his Excellence the Earl of Leven, General of the Scottish Army. Newcastle 19 Octob. 1644. Your friends John Morley. Nicholas Cole. G. Baker. UPon Saturday 19 Orders being given the day before to all Commanders at their several Posts round about, for their way in storming and entering the walls and Town, after they should see a fire made on at two several places, Elswich & Sheilfield. Our Cannon began to play at day light in brashing the walls at five several places, and did continue very hotly till three in the afternoon, about which time two Ours were sprung, one at Sandgate in the Lord Sinclars Quarters; and the other at Whitefrier Tower, near Close-gate; some four or five Ours being counter-myned by the Enemy within the Town, and spoiled before their were ready; who were likewise very diligent to get the two last undone. And (as we conceive) did seek for delays till Monday only for the same purpose. After 3 a clock the fires were made on: The walls manfully defended round about. Our People went on at their several Posts and Brashes, did enter very bravely and courageously, without once recoiling, notwithstanding there could not be greater opposition made: Our Men were so eager, that these who were appointed for Reserves at some Posts, did all enter also, so that we were forced to send Horsemen to stand in their places. After very hot skirmishing within the walls for a whole hour's time and more, it pleased God to grant us a very happy and considerable Victory, in gaining the whole walls and Town. The Lord Crawfurd, Major, and many others, are retired within the Castle, and are calling for Quarters to yield the same, whereof you may expect an account shortly; as also of what Men we have lost, who are but very few. Our Officers and Soldiers were all very merciful in sparing the lives of the Officers, Soldiers and Townsmen, after they had won the Town. The surrender of the Castle and Prisoners. Newcastle 21. October 1644. ON the Lord's Day we gave thanks to God in the chief● Kirk of the Town, and that Day the Governor wrote to the General, desiring that he and the Gentlemen, and Ministers with him, might have liberty to go to the King, or where they pleased, with their Horses, Swords, and Pistols: This Letter was neglected, and not answered. Upon Tuesday the 22. the Ministers, viz. Doctor Grace of Pontiland, Master George Wishart, Vicar Alvey, and Master Walter Lamonth, wrote an humble supplication to the General, submitting themselves and their fortunes, to grace and favour; whereupon they were suffered to come out and render themselves Prisoners. The Major and some Captains with him, came out upon the like terms. Lodovick Lindsay sometime Earl of Crawfurd, my Lord Maxwell, and some other Scottish-men are prisoners also, and kept in the Castle (now rendered) by a Garrison of our Soldiers. This day also summons were sent to the Castle of Tinmouth, what answer is received, you shall hear by the next. FINIS.