BLOODY NEWS FROM Portsmouth: Being a true Relation of a great and desperate Onset given by Major Randol, on Friday Morning last: With the particulars thereof, the manner of the Engagement, and the number killed and taken prisoners.  
Also, the reinforcing and securing of Ports Down Fort by the Parliaments Forces. And a Declaration of Sir Arthur Hasilrig▪ and Vice-Admiral Lawson: With Proposals to the People, Army, Navy, and the Militia of London, and the Country.  
Likewise, a Message from General Monck, to the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and Sheriffs, in the Northern parts; And their Answer thereunto.  
London, Printed for Alexander Frere, 1659.   

A MESSAGE FROM General MONCK; To the Knights, Sheriffs, and Justices, in their respective Shires, Cities, Towns, and CORPORATIONS.  
My Lords and Gentlemen,  
HAving a Call from God and his people to march into England to assert and maintain the Liberty and Being of Parliaments, our ancient Constitution, and therein the Freedom and Rights of the people of these three Nations from arbytrary and tyrannical Usurpation upon their Consciences, persons, and Estates, and for a Godly Ministry. I do therefore expect from you the Nobility, Gentlemen, and Sheriffs, and the Justices of peace, and each one of you, that you do preserve the peace of the Commonwealth in your shire. And I do hereby authorise you to suppress all Tumults. Stir, and unlawful Assemblies, and that you hold no correspondency with any of Charles Stuarts party, or adherents, but apprehend such as shall make any disturbance, and send them in to the next Carrion: And do further desire you to countenance and encourage all the Godly Ministry, and all that truly fear God in the Land: and that you continue faithful to own and assert the Interest of Parliamentary Government, in your several paces and stations, I hope my absence will be very short: but I do assure you that I will procure from the Parliament what ever may be for the good Government and relief of this Nation; and doubt not but to obtain abatements in your Assess, and other public burdens, according to the proportion of England. And what further service I may be able, I shall not be wanting in that which may promote the happiness and peace of this afflicted people. I shall not trouble you further, but beg your prayers, and desire you to assure yourselves that I am  
Your faithful Friend, and humble Servant, George Monck. Edinburgh, Novemb. 15. 1659.   

To which the Lord, Knights, and Gentlemed, returned an answer by the Larl of Glencairn, and Sir James Stuart, That they are satisfied with his Lordship's Engagement, and Grounds thereof, and that they were resolved to concur with his Lordship's desires, in a mutual and affectionate concurrence, and in a positive owning of the Parliament, and disowning all other Interests whatsoever.  
This answer being returned, his Lordship gave them thanks, and ordered them to convene and assemble in the  on the 12th instant: and the additional Forces being come from the Highlands, and other parts of the Nation a Rendezvouz was a pointed, and Proclamation made at the Head of each respective Regiment, both of Horse and Foot, For all Persons whatsoever, either Officers and Soldiers, throughout the army, that could not freely, willingly, or consciously, engage with Him, in this present Expedition to lay down their Arms & departed the Army; and that for his own part, he had a deep sense of this great and National Affair, having just grounds of dissatisfaction, and that he could not comply with any, who should refuse, or seem dubious, to stand or adhere to a warrantable concurrence: His Undertake being such, that the cannour of his Heart bore him Testimony and Evidence of the justness of his Cause; and that he ought not to violate the Authority of Parliaments, whose Legislative Power and Freedom, every individual Member were bound to ass●rt and maintain, after such solemn assurances of faithfulness and obedience; and to assert the honour and integrity of such Noble Patriots, who for many years had undergone a Labyrinth of Troubles, and stood even in the very Gap and Gulf of the Ruins, Desolations, and Miseries, that for many yeaars threatened these distract, divided, and bleeding Nations.  
Proclamation being thus made by sound of Trumpet, the Army drew off in Regimental way, General Monck leading the Van, and Major General Morgan bringing up the Rear; a●d the Northern Avisoes speak them to be about nine thousand Foot, two thousand Horse and twelve hundred Dragoons: This seems high, and to exceed in Numeration; for the Letters from Newcastle import otherwise, and carry a contrary Dialect.  
Upon their advance to Berwick, the General commanded Colonel Ogle to march over the Bridge into Northumberland, he having he Conduct of the Scots and Highlands, his appointed station being at Alnwick: The rest of his Forces are quartered about Fenwick, and the parts adjacent; observing not only a vigilant posture at the several passes and Avenues, but also a strong Guard near the Holy Island.  
The Gentry Ministry, and Commonalty, throughout the whole Country of Northumberland, had declared a mutual concurrence, and the Lord Lambert is approaching towards the Confines of Berwick.  
General Monck having sent a Letter to Vice-Admiral Lawson, desiring his concurrence for restoring of the Parliament, and to remove the Interruption put upon them the 13th of October last; receive this answer, That nothing should be wanting in him to compose all differences, and to obliterate all things whatsoever, by person or persons, concerned in the late difference betwixt the Parliament and Army.  
Since which time, the said Vice-admiral hath declared, That through the Lord's assistance, he will in all Christian ways and means, Endeavour the begetting a right Understanding betwixt the Parliament and Army, and happy composure (if it may be) without bloodshed: But if there by your an endeavour by Force to hinder the Parliament, from returning to the Exercise and Discharge of their Trust, who have so often been declured the supreme Authority of these Nations, That then he will to the utmost of his power, with his life, and all that is dear to him, use his whole Interest for the removing of that Force, and restore Them to their Freedom and privileges. Further declaring, (as in the presence of the Lord) That he hath no aim nor ends to advance particular Interests, but the Interest of Christ, and the good and weal of all the people of God, in their Rights, Civil and Religious, and of these poor suffering Nations in general; utterly disclaiming the Interest of Charles Stuart, and all his Adherents; or the Interest of any single person whatsoever, of House of Lords; doubting not but to find the concurrence and assistance of all the faithful and upright-hearted in the Land. For whose sakes, next to the Cause of Christ, (God being his Witness,) he hath engaged.  
And he therefore invites all Brethren of the Churches, Army, Nay, and Militia of the City of London and Country, and that profess love to God, and his people, to join with him, and give their Christian aid and assistance in the performance of the premises, which the Lord hath called them unto; lest when too late, They have cause to lament the non-improvement of the Opportunity that God hath put into his hands, once more to assert the privileges of Parliament, and Liberty of the good people of this Nation.  
In pursuance of these Resolutions, Sir Arthur Hasilrig, and the rest of the Parliament men at Portsmouth, have declared, That they intended not to levy or raise any war in the Nation, thereby to open a breach for the Common Enemy to enter, being more concerned against him, then to afford him such advantage, but that the Treaty being on foot betwixt the Army and Gen. Monck, the Commander in chief of the Parliaments Forces in Scotland, the gaining of that place might be a means to facilitate it, and balance the affair, and that they hoped it would produce a right understanding and unity so much desired by all good men.  
To which the Townsmen answered, That they would stand by them in these their Intentions, and afford them all the assistance they can.  
The Town is well fortified and provided, the Soldiery unanimous, and the Inhabitants very cheerful and resolute to go through with them, and to bear part of the Duty, hoping by their cordial concurrence to engage the rest of the considerable places of the Nation to do the like. They have already reinforced Port. Down fort with four pieces of Artillery more, and have lodged there a convenient Garrison, They have also six Companies of Foot of the Army, and have raised two Troops of Horse in the Town.  
There are ten gallant Men of War in the Harbour, who have declared themselves for the Parliament, two whereof have set sail with Commission upon the State affairs. Vice-admiral Lawson is expected daily with the Fleet under his Command to their assistance. The Marston-Moor, Phenix, Lion, and Pelican Frigates, are rigging. Mr. Wallop, the most considerable Gentleman in those parts is gone into Portsmouth, with 50 Horse, most of them his Tenants.  
Sir Arthur hath further declared, That nothing will be done by Treaty at Newcastle, without a preliminary Article for restoring the Parliament to a Free Session without any other condition.   

By an Express from Portsmouth on Saturday night last, it is certified, That Major Randol having raised about forty choice and selected Horse, with stout Riders, and well armed, on Friday last made his approach within 5 or 6 miles of Portsmouth; 〈◊〉 was forced to fight his passage through two Troops of Horse, and several Companies of Colonel Gibbon's Regiment of Foot, leaving five of his men behind, two being slain, and three taken prisoners, having their horses shot under them. Some few were wounded, but got off to Ports Down fort, where the Bridge being let down, they marched over to Portsmouth, with their Red Standard and one Trumpet sounding, devoting their service to Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, who treated and entertained them with a friendly acceptation, welcoming them in with a Volley from the great Guns. Many of the Army-forces have reinforced Faeram, and the Towns adjacent, having very bad quarters, some lying in Barns, and other Out-places, yet they are very unanimous, and desirous of action,  
FINIS.