THE APOLOGY OF COLONEL JOHN WERE,  
In vindication of his Proceed since the beginning of this present PARLIAMENT.   decorative device 
Decemb" 20th LONDON, Printed in the year. 1644.   

The Apology of Colonel John Were in vindication of his proceed, since the beginning of this present Parliament.  
MY Conscience is within me clear, and quiet, and therein I have given satisfaction to myself my actions were not obscure, nor done in darkness, and they render me an entire man to all that saw them, or knew me; yet am I so unhappy as to suffer by the mere guilt of rumour, or by some aspersions cast upon me by the subtle enemy, whose interest is the discord of friends, wherein I can claim no privilege above my Saviour, who was not free of slanders; 'Tis for his cause that I glory I have shed my blood, nor need I repine to be a sufferer like him: And certainly neither the hardship of mine own imprisonment, nor the distressed condition of my tender family, could have induced me to have dained so much to a false rumour, as to have given this open satisfaction, were there any more noble way left me to vindicate my reputation, more precious, than my life; But since necessity enforceth me to this Apology, take it, without gloss or smooth expression, my commerce is more with the Soldier than the Orator, and plain truth is to itself a sufficient countenance. I undertook not this service for private interest, revenge, or pay, I had an estate competent left by my Anccstors, the office of a Justice of Peace I long had executed in my Country, and I wanted not solicitations to adhere to the King's party, being put into the Commission of Array, but upon Assembly of the Gentry that were that way affected, hearing some discourse that tended both to the dishonour of God, and the overthrow of the common liberty, I totally disavowed the executing that Commission, and fully resolved with my utmost to promote the purity of Religion, and the public peace, I applied myself to Sir Peter Prediux a Deputy Lieutenant, and from him received a Commission in the Militia, being the first, and I suppose the last Gentleman in Devonshire, that raised and continued a Regiment in that County, and since have raised several Regiments at my own charge, at several times all actually employed in the Parliaments service; the particulars of which employments have been thus. Upon the Lord Marquest of Hartford and Sir Ralph Hoptons' first surprising Shurburne Castle, a party of the County of Devon were summoned at Collumpton, whether I brought a considerable number and was desired to march thither and to persuade that Regiment, which I did, and by reason of my respects and vicinity with them, I got readily their consent, though they had stood mute to others before, and marched with three companies of them, this was my first employment. The next Sir Ralph Hopton and the Cornish forces advancing towards Exon, I brought into that City a good supply of men and maintained it, until we were relieved by the Earl of Stanford our then General, where, for that service & keeping Cowley Bridge with much disadvantage against a violent storm I received a memorial of their loves and thanks, than was Belfore made by the said Earl my Major, I was commanded to send him with 100 Dragoneares, to march with the Army, the rest of the Regiment to disband which I did: Then after their defeat in Cornewell, Plymouth being besieged, I was commanded to bring what force I could to Exon to join with the Regiments there, where I brought a considerable number of my friends and neighbours, and from thence marched to Modbury, and after a long fight the enemy was beaten thence, and Plymouth relieved, and a treaty of both Counties Devon and Cornewell assented to, and my Regiment with the rest of the Army was disbanded, the treaty broke off I was again commanded to bring my Regiment to Crediton, whence I marched to Stratton, where I continued all the fight and came off with my general who continued to the last, having I suppose not twenty men left with him, when he fired with our assistance divers pieces of Ordnance upon the Enemy, the Earl went to … iford, thence to Exon, I to mine own house where Sir Ralph Hopton bei●● upon his march, I received an other Summon to bring in my Regiment, 〈◊〉 as many as I could procure to Exon which I did, thence upon a Petition, I was sent to Tewerton, where I was like to have been betrayed by the Mayor, and was forced wanting Arms Ammunition and men, to go for Taunton, having got up what force I could. I marched through the enemy's quarters with much hazard, and came again to Exon, where I continued all the siege: after the surrender of that City upon composition, I went to my own house, where I could not stay without I would take up Arms for the King, which rather than I would do, I chose to leave my wife, children and estate to the mercy of the Enemy, though the Parliament was then in its lowest ebb. Then I came to Lym●, thence to London, where I was again employed by the Parliament, and sent to Lyme with about 200. men, with them I beat up Bridgport quarters of the Enemy and took 100 good horse, which so heartened the Inhabitants about Hemlock, that they generally risen to free themselves, and sent to me for some assistance of Horse and Officers, which by a general consent of a Council of War at Lyme was granted, and Major Butler sent with 60. Horse thither, to bring them to me at Studcombe House, which order, if it had been observed, I at that instant beating up Collinten quarters of the Enemy, taking most of that Garrison prisoners, I desire all Deavonshire men to consider whether I had not been master of the field as fare as Exon, this was done before Lieutenant Colonel Blakes coming down, these successes drew Prince Morris to leave Plymoth, and besige Lyme where I continued all the siege being shot, though not governor, yet commander in chief of most of the forces in the town, in all this time I believe there was not the least suspicion of infidelity in me, for I was received into my Country with as much honour as they could give, or I expect for the good service I had done, witness the great appearance I had at the first summons, when his Excellency came down, which I think all the Army can testify, for within a short time I raised two Regiments, one of horse, the other of foot without money; when his Excellency marched into Cornewell, I went with him never being off my Regiment, until our Arms as is well known, were laid down, and then had not gone from them but upon this occasion, quarters and good terms being compounded for, by Major General Skippon and the Council of War, we marched from Castle door to Lostwithiell, where at the Bridge were many barbarismes used, some killed, others fling into the water, most plundered, and three of my colours taken away, and I for the safety of my life was forced to cross the water, and with much speed to recover the hill where Major General was, I acquainted him with the passages, & there staying until the Army came up, I met with Major Belfore, sometimes Major of my Regiment by order aforesaid, but then turned to the King, who told me he wished me well, and saw that I was wet, and heard that I was wounded, and that our Army was to lie that night upon the hill, where they would be plundered, advised and persuaded me to go to his quarters, engaging the faith of a Soldier be would see me safe to our Army again the next morning, than I finding myself in a wet and sick condition so as that night's cold lodging might have endangered my life, I took his word, relying some thing upon our former intimacy of acquaintance, but principally upon that faith, which if broken, so much dishonoureth a Gentleman or Soldier, & with two of the Convoy went Master Salway my Chalplaine and Cornet Davis who accompanying me to Liskard, where we were civility dealt withal that night, the next morning when we thought to return, the house and town were full of soldiers, where we had been barbarously used had not the convoy protected us, then sending for Belfore, I desired him to make good his promise unto me which he basely and ungentlemanlike denied saying, there had been much enquiry for me that night, and that I must go to Sir Richard Grendvile, I was not then in a condition to contest more then with bare words, and so went with him to Grendvile, who lay in the same town, no sooner came I thither, but I acquinted him with the passage, desiing him as he was a Soldier to send me to the Army again, which he refused saying, I had been the most active enemy they had and he was glad he now had me in his custody, and that he would send me to the King upon breach of the Articles, in learning the road way with the Army, I told him it was Belfores engagement brought me thither, he replied, Belfore was a fool to promise more than he could perform, and so put me into another room, and within a short time sent for me again, telling me I must either to the King or serve him, and then I should not want encouragements; truly this their base carriages did much amaze me, and perceiving I could not avoid going to the King, of whom by reason of my former actions, I could expect little favour, or suffer under the hands of an unruly multitude who thronged about me with many menaces, in this extremity I promised to serve the King, but with a secret reservation to myself, no further than he complied with his Parliament, holding it no sin to deceive them that had been twice perfidious to me, than Grendvile gave me in charge to Major Mohum, who brought me that evening to th● 〈◊〉 Goring, unto whom upon the same constraint as to Grendvile, I ma●● the same promise; then was I carried that night with a sufficient guard to Master Trefrayes house, the next day to Okehampton, where I met our Army, but was not suffered to stay there, but by Mohum was carried a mile out of the town, where my Major came unto me, to him I gave forty shillings for to buy victuals for my Soldiers, and told him privately and passionately how basely I had been used by Belfore, desiring him to assure the Major General I would speedily be with him, for I would never serve against the Parliament, this he is more a Soldier then to deny, if he do, I can prove his confession of it. Thence I was carried to Tiverton where Sir John Bearkley lay, unto whom I made the same promise as to Grenvile and Goring, and got of him a release for divers Soldiers there taken up, and brought them to mine own house, where giving them money and victuals, I sent them to our Army, telling them with as much assurance as in discretion was thought fit, I would never serve against the Parliament; this I did to them and others, which I can prove if my own words in my own cause be not currant, the friday after the compossition I came to my own house, the Sabbath following came Colonel Lindsie and some eight persons more with him unto me, who demanded in a rough way of me the reason I had not sent out my warrants, saying, when I was for the Parliament I was daily active, now I did nothing swearing they would make me do i● or ●end me to Ex●n, I replied what I did for the Parliament I had commission for, and quarters for my men now. I had neither then said Linsey write a letter to the Lord Goring and I will carry it, and you shall have any thing upon it. I writ a smooth letter to Goring, & had an order to free 〈◊〉 ●rom Ha' … rton his then quarters▪ & for me to quarter there, this Order I showed to M●hum, and so was freed of those two tormentors, that night I intended to go for Taunton, but before night in came Cockin and his troop, and Captain Misreform quartered at my house; then sent I to Captain K 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to know whether he could not bring me twenty honest men from Sampf●rd our neighbour Parish, and we would adventure upon that troop, and bring them away, he said no, it was hard to trust Country follows with so weighty a secret as concerns our lives, these fellows kept so strict a guard over us as we could not escape without danger and infinite hazard, we wanting horse and other accommodations for our dispatch; at last God offered a means the which I took, this Captain Mu●●ifor● desired me to make him Captain of Tiverton Company, I perceived by it a company would work much with him, which I granted so he would ass●●t me in bringing in my Regiment, he not without oaths promised it then the next day being Sunday, I took the advantage and car●ed him to the Constable of Halbertones house, unto whom I did openly before Muddifor● and Cockin● quartermaster deliver a warrant, but before had privily told him my intentions never to serve against the Parliament; and s●ewed them a smooth letter that I had writ t● Sir J●hn Bar … & desired them to send it▪ this bread such a confidence in them that Muddifor● ride with me and Quartermaster Baker to one Th●mas Knights house, where I had appointed Captain Kerslake and his Lieutenant to meet me where we dined, and after dinner under pretence of this warrant which M●ddif●r● had, we brought him in by ways some seven miles near Milverton Heffeild where we understood of a troop of the enemy's horse not fare before us, and Muddifor● mistrusting by reason of our whispering rid away, otherwise we had brought him away prisoner, than I and my company posted to Taunton, where I was heartily welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Blake the governor of the Castle: the next day being monday, I sent one Bartholomew Merson with warrants to countermand them I had delivered the day before, commanding the Country to appear before me at Taunt●n, upon it divers came in, who I believe are in actual service now there I stayed aweeke, and had continued longer as there was need, had not the London Pamphleteeres been ●●●l of the scandal of my revolt, which to clear, and to give the world satisfaction of my integrity, by offering myself ready to wipe off that aspersion came away, having with me a large testimony under the Governors' hands to Shasbury to Sir William Waller, with whom and Sir Arthur Hasterig I had some discourse, thence I came to Southampton where I was imprisoned by his Excellency's Order, otherwise I had come to London of mine own accord. But I hear a rumour among the multitude that I,  
Obj. 1. Suffered the Bridge to be taken by the King's forces, otherwise they had never entered Cornwall.  
Ans. When the King entered Cornwall our Army was near 20 miles off, and I then by command was at Lostwithell.  
Obj. 2. That I had the keeping of a Bridge near the Lord Robert's house.  
Ans. I sent by order a party of Dragoones thither, and kept it until by order they were drawn off, as Captain Shears and other Captains can testify.  
Obj. 3. That I had the command of a Castle near Lostwithell which was lost.  
An. 'tis true, a party of men were sent out of my Regiment without my consent theither by two cashiered Captains formerly under my command, but by what order they were sent thither, or how discharged of that command I know not, I believe no general officer will say he gave me the charge of that place, there being but 18 men in it.  
Ob. 4. That I quited the Post at Castledoore being there Commanded by Major General Skippon.  
An. It is true, I marched thither in the rear of my L. General's Regiment with one part of five of my Regiment, and there continued until my Lord General's Regiment came bacl and routed mine, than I did my uttermost to preserve the Ordnance and brought them into a lane nereby, and placed as many men as I could make stand in a ground at most advantage, this I did of myself when the Colonel of the other Regiment withdrew himself.  
Ob. But you have spoken words that do not tend to the honour of the Lord General.  
An. I confess I have spoken that in some passion which might have been well left unsaid, which I will as nakedly confess as the rest being demanded, and I hope not of that nature as to extinguish all former merit.  
Obj. 6. That I carried my Regiment to the King.  
An. Let proof be made that I carried one man, or advised any so to do, or was with the King then let me suffer to the utmost.  
Obj. 7. That you were with Colonel Barkley, and did not desire him to demand you upon the Articles.  
Ans. 'tis true I met him, but had I acquainted him and desired him to have demanded me upon the Articles I believe I had never met him again for they that cared not to break Articles upon no pretence, what would they have done to me having some colour for it, it would have certainly endangered my life.  
And thus you have plain punctall Narration of my actions; wherein perhaps may be some weaknesses; Let him accuse me that hath not any; However I was neither false, or prejudicial to the cause, though perhaps some slander insinuated by the enemy (to work divisions) have represented such, as also the heat and passion of a Soldier may carry him to some extravagancies when his heart is real; I justify my actions, few men can all their cursory casual discourses; if mine have erred, it has been on the right hand, out of too passionate zeal to the good success of this cause; the which I so much tender, that I would rather lie a prisoner, then interupt the proceed thereof by an unseasonable petition, though a trial be that which so much above all things I desire; my present sufferance not so much grieving me as the present scandal I lie under, and the frequent scoffings of the disaffected, to see me so much discountenanced by those for whose prosperity I have forsaken wise, children, house and lands, spilt my blood, having at this instant a wound green, a bullet in my body, and not expended less than all; scarce having aught left to yield myself and family a subsistence, especially where the expenses are not small, But I wait deliverance from God and good men.  
John Were.   
FINIS.