THE COPY OF A LETTER, Sent from the Commander in Chief, of the Town and Port of PLYMOUTH, To the Honourable William Lenthall, Esq Speaker of the House of Commons: Concerning the late great fight at Mount Stanford.  
Together, With a true Relation of the Persons there killed; and what condition the said Town and Port now are in.  
Also Copy of the Vow and Covenant, which all the Deputy Lieutenants, Commanders, Townsmen, and Soldiers took, to live and die in defence of the said Town.  

Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Letter and Protestation, be forthwith printed and published.  
Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
LONDON, Printed for Edward Husbands, and are to be sold at his shop in the middle Temple. Novemb. 91 19th 1643.   

Sir,  
SInce my last unto you of the 28 of October, 1643. The Enemy hath pressed hard upon us, against Mount Stanford Work, with their great Ordnance, and began to play against the same on Sabbath last, being the fifth of November; hoping, by that means to perform what the hellish Plot of the Gunpowder Treason should have done: they played so hard against it all that day with Batteries, and it being not any way made to endure the same, that some of our Guns they dismounted, and some clogged with earth, falling down upon them, that we could not make use of any of them; so that on the morrow they surrounded the Work; fell on with all their strength of Horse and Foot upon all quarters: yet the chief Commander of the Fort behaved himself so bravely, that three times he forced them to retreat; and could we have got any indifferent relief over the Water in any reasonable time, we had kept the Fort. Yet nevertheless the Enemy sent a Parley three times before the Captain would except of it. Then Conditions were made, That all Soldiers should march away with their Arms, flying Colours, and Bullet in their mouths; and that the Captain should have any one piece of Ordnance away, that he would make choice of. The Enemy lost four or five Captains before the Fort; besides divers other Officers, and many Soldiers, We lost at that time no Officer of note, only one Lieutenant killed with a great shot, and divers Soldiers taken prisoners, which were all exchanged the next day, for some of their own men that we had formerly taken. I believe they will not brag much of their victory by getting that Work, for we are now better and in more safety in the Town then before. For we were forced to keep a Leaguer there, and continually to relieve them; so that our men were forced to very hard duty, to keep all the other Works and Fortifications belonging to the Town. The Enemy having the Work yielded to them, those of the Enemy's party in the Town (as it must be expected in all places are some) began to get courage, our own friends doubtful; and I believe, the Nutralists do desire that the Town might be delivered up: Whereupon, for fear that either through treachery of the Townsmen, or for want of experienced men, I seized the Fort and Island, the Castle and Magazine, that in case the Town should be forced and overpowered with strength by the Enemy, and knowing this place of such great concernment, that through God's assistance I would keep them till supplies and relief come. Whereupon I have put them into the hands of such as will keep them for the King and Parliament, with the last drop of blood in their bodies. Our friends began then to be encouraged, our enemies both within and without us to be dismayed, thinking that there was no hope of surrendering the Town: so ever since, the Townsmen and all Inhabitants have been more forward to contribute their best assistance then formerly many have done. And upon Thursday last after Prayer and our morning's best preparation for the same, myself and Mr. Major, took a Vow and Protestation, which I have here sent enclosed, and caused it to be presented to all Gentlemen, the Committee of Parliament, the Deputy Lieutenants, all Townsmen, all Officers and Soldiers, and all Inhabitants whatsoever; which I find was generally taken with great joy and cheerfulness. I hope the honourable Houses of Parliament are not unmindful of us; yet I never received any instructions from them since the fifth of September, being the time that I departed from London, although I have sent four several Packets concerning divers and special affairs. I humbly crave that with all speed I may have Powder, Led, and Match sent, that I may with honour perform the trust imposed upon me. Thus humbly kissing your hand, I take leave and rest,  
Plymouth 11 Novemb. 1643. Your most humble Servant to be commanded, James Wardlace.   

The Vow and Protestation.  
I A. B. In the presence of Almighty God, do vow and protest, that I will to the utmost of my power, by God's assistance, faithfully maintain and defend the Towns of Plymouth and Stonehowse, the Fort and Island, with all the outward Works and Fortifications to the same belonging, against all Forces now raised against the said Towns of Plymouth and Stonehowse, the Fort and Island or any Part thereof, or shall be raised by any Power or Authority whatsoever, without the Consent and Authority of both houses of Parliament. Neither will I by way or means whatsoever, contrive or consent to the giving up of the Towns and Fortifications aforesaid, or any parcel of them, into the hands of any person, or persons whatsoever, without the consent of both Houses of Parliament, or of such as are Authorized thereunto by them. Neither will I by God's grace raise nor consent to the raising of any Force or Tumult, nor will I by any way or means give or yield to the giving of any advice, counsel, or intelligence, to the prejudice of the said Towns and Fortifications either in whole or in part: But will with all possible speed faithfully discover to the Major of Plymouth, and to the Commander in chief there, whatsoever design I shall know or here of hurtful thereunto. Neither have I accepted any pardon or protection, nor will I accept any protection from the Enemy. And this Vow and Protestation I make, without any equivocation and Mental reservation whatsoever: Believing that I cannot be absolved from this my Vow and Protestation; and wishing no blessing from God on myself or my posterity, If I do not truly and sincerely perform the same. So help me GOD.   
FINIS.