A RELATION MADE In the House of Commons, BY Col: Nathaniel Fiennes, CONCERNING The Surrender of the City and Castle OF bristol, August 5. 1643.  
Together with the Transcripts and Extracts of certain Letters, wherein his care for the preservation of the City doth appear.  

Imprimatur, JOHN WHITE.   
London, Printed for R. D.   

Mr. SPEAKER,  
ALthough both myself and the whole kingdom have cause to be humbled under the hand of God, which hath lighted heavy upon us, in the late unhappy defeat of Sir William Wallers Army near the devices, and in consequence thereof, in the loss of a place of such importance as is the City of bristol, yet I make no doubt but I shall give clear satisfaction both to this House, and to the whole world; That though I have great cause to be grieved at the success, yet I have no cause at all to be ashamed for any mis-carriage in the discharge of my duty and trust, having performed it to the uttermost of my power, and beyond what could be expected from me, considering the condition wherein I was, and in this great unhappines which hath befallen myself and the whole kingdom; it is some ease to me that I have opportunity to clear myself in this place, from such aspersions as most unworthily and most unjustly have been laid upon me, by those that have condemned me before they heard me, or any other upon whose relation they were able to found a right judgement concerning the carriage of this unhappy business.  
Sir, I will not trouble you with rehearsing the occasion of my first undertaking the care& charge of the City, nor with the dangers& difficulties that I have gone through in the managing thereof: only thus much I shall say, that as I little enjoyed myself in the employment, having no rest or quiet from continual care and pains, so I never did affect it, but always declined it, and that not in a way of compliment, but really as my private Letters to my Lord general, my father, and others, and my expressions at several times to my friends in private, may witness; and the reason why I did desire to be taken off that employment, was this: Because I knew that the place was of very great importance to the Kingdom, and the loss thereof would much reflect upon him that had the charge thereof, though he were not at all in any fault, having not sufficient means to defend it, which I always feared would be the destiny of that place( as it hath been) by reason that it would require a great Garrison, and charge to maintain it, which I found would not so soon and so easily be settled, but that some misfortune was like to befall it( as it hath done) in the mean time. Notwithstanding, seeing God was pleased to pitch me there, and that I could not get off this service,( although I earnestly endeavoured it) I bethought myself, how I might put the place into a posture of defence, and though it be one of the hardest towns in England to be fortified, yet by Gods assistance I drew Fortifications round about it, and had almost brought them to perfection: and knowing that without men, arms, and ammunition, all that I had done would be but like a body without a soul, and considering how hard a thing it would be to have men and maintenance continually from London, for the defence of that City; and that it was as impossible( what conceits soever some had of the wealth of that City) to maintain the Garrison, out of the City, without the assistance of the adjacent Counties: I made certain Propositions soon after my first coming thither, to the Gentlemen of the adjacent counties, for the settling and maintaining of a sufficient Garrison there; which( at length, I got most of the Gentlemen to consent unto, as may appear by Certificates under their hands:) After I sent them to my Lo: general, who liked them very well, and wrote a Letter to my father, wherein he did earnestly press him to move the Committee for the safety, and the Houses for to settle the Garrison according to those Propositions; accordingly the Committee and the Houses were moved in it: an Ordinance framed to that purpose, and Committee appointed to consider of it, and to bring, it to perfection: and there was never a Post, but I wrote, earnestly for the expediting of it, and pressed it, as that which imported no less then the safety of the City:( all this my Letters to my Lord, Father, and others can testify) yet I know not what obstructions it met with at the Committee, but I am very confident had it been dispatched when I first sent about it, before the Armies had fallen into the countries round about that City, it had not been in the hands that now it is. In the mean time I did not fail to use all the care I could, and all the power I had to strengthen that Garrison with men, arms, and ammunition; for whereas I found, there only colonel Essex's and Col. Pophams Regiments: Sir William Waller drew out, Col. Essexs Regiment, and all the Troops of horse that were in it, except two for the service of the field, in stead whereof, I raised and armed as many troops as he drew forth: and without any money allowed from London raised, armed and coated a Regiment of foot, of 1200. men. After that, when Sir Ralph Hoptons Army, upon the defeat of the Earl of Stamford, began to draw down towards Sommersetshire, and marquis Hartford, and Prince Maurice, endeavoured to join their forces with him: Six Companies of Col. Pophams Regiment were drawn forth to ioyn with the forces of somerset to prevent the joining of the enemies western forces; but these were routed, and lost all their arms at Wells. After that, when Sir will. Waller came from Woster, and had his rendezvous at Bath, both he and Sir Arthur Hazelrig, and all the Gentlemen of the country were very earnest with me to afford him a good strength of foot to his horse, whereby he might be enabled to encounter with the enemy, and be master of the field, which was pressed upon me both by him, and others with great earnestness, as the onely means to preserve bristol and the west of England,( as may appear by a Letter signed by him and sir Arthur Hazelrig,( which I shall desire may be red:) Hereupon I advised with my Officers, and concluded that if there had been a sufficient Garrison within the City, whereby it might have subsisted of itself without the help of an Army in the field, that it would not have been wisdom in me to suffer so considerable a place to depend upon the fortune of an Army in the field; but seeing there was not a sufficient Garrison established in the town, but that the enemy being master of the field, would in a short time be master of the City also: it was held the best way to make Sir will: Wallers Army as strong as possible I could; and seeing the security of the City was to depend upon the success of his Army, to use all means that might any ways contribute towards the good success thereof; and so I resolved to sand him 1200. men out of the town, which accordingly I did, besides my Regiment of horse, which was with him before: After expressing that I was forced to cast bristol, and the fortune thereof upon the success of that Army; But when all Sir Will. Wallers Army was routed, and amongst them those 1200. that I had sent out of bristol were all dispersed, and had lost all their arms; Every body looked upon bristol as a lost town, and that onely with respect to the western Army, without relation to those forces which came from Oxford with Prince Rupert,( which were more then the other:) Hereupon Sir will: Waller resolved to retire with his horse( wherein he did wisely, for otherwise he would have lost those that remained of them, to no purpose;) and Sir ARTHUR HAZELRIGGE and colonel BORRGHELL though sorely wounded, and divers Gentlemen that had formerly resided constantly in bristol, thought fit to withdraw themselve, which I do not speak to any other purpose( many of them having no tie at all to that place) but onely to show that it was the gener I apprehension of these men, that bristol was lost when Sir William Waller lost the field, and that they did not hold that either Town or Castle was tenable( for that to my knowledge they might have had lodgings in either) all which I am enforced to declare, to satisfy the world, that there were some besides myself and the council of War at bristol, that were of opinion, that neither the Town nor Castle were tenable against such Forces as came against them. Notwithstanding all this, and that I had but 700 men left in the town, and not a penny of money left to pay th●m, much less to raise or arm any more, yet I was not wholly discouraged, but it pleasing God to stir up the heart of Sir John Horner,( who hath carried himself very nobly in this business to the end) and some other honest men to lend me some money,( whom I am confident you will never suffer to be Loser, for the testifying of their affection in such a time of extremity;) by this means I was encouraged to try what strength of Foot I could add to these I had already, and resolved to make use of the Arms of the Trained-●ands of the City, which I did, and by that mean, and by ready money, I procured about One thousand or Eleven hundred Arms, and raised so many men in Five dayes space; which time of respite the Enemy gave me, staying till the Oxford Army under the Conduct of Prince Rupert came up on Glocestershire side the Town. Having gotten together between Seventeen hundred, or Eighteen hundred men( which was nothing for the manning of those Works, that required at least twice as many) I resolved to make the best defence I could, and as long as I could, although when I saw the two Armies drawn upon both sides the town( being as I have been fierce informed. Fifteen Regiments of Foot, and Twelve Regiments of Horse) I did know, that without a miracle, it was impossible the town should be maintained against them for one week, yet neither the sight of their great Army, nor their short Summons, did cause us to surrender the place, as some have reported we did; and the Enemy expected we should have done( as some of them have expressed since the rendering of the town) but we stood it out Four dayes together, wherein they spared not to ply us with small and great shot, and with their granades, giving our men( who were forced to be constantly all of them upon duty, and were so Five dayes and nights together) no rest at all, and two sharp assaults they made upon us, the one on monday was seven-night at midnight, at which time having given a signal by three pieces of Ordnance shot off, first on the one side of the water, and then answered by as many on the otherside, they fell on very desperately on both sides the town at once, but were beaten off with loss; whereupon on Tuesday they entred into a solemn debate, whether they should proceed to fall upon the town by way of Assault, or by way of Approach; and it was resolved, that it should be by way of Assault, as may appear by the Result of their council of War( which we found in the pocket of colonel Buck( who, with divers other Officers and Gentlemen of quality was slain in that Assault) and accordingly on Wednesday morning at break of the day they made a most furious Assault upon all sides of the town in Eight or Nine places at once, with Fire-Pikes and granades in their hands, and with Wains full of Faggots, which they driven into the Ditches, that first getting upon them, they might after get over the works, and they ran on so desperately, that they got up to the portalls of the Canon, and to the palisadoes of the Forts, and would not give over till they were knocked down with Stones and Halberts, and so with the loss of divers hundreds of their men,( with many Officers and Gentlemen of quality) besides a multitude that were wounded and maimed, they were beaten off on all sides, and the ground bestrewed with their dead bodies in all places where they stormed.  
But in one place where the works were not quiter perfected, the Ditch being not made without side, nor the Foot Bank within side the work, they entred the line, there being but a weak Guard in that place, yet as I did in all places where through the want of foot I could not place a Guard strong enough, there were near a 100. horse under the command of mayor Langrishe, appointed to second the Foot there, who were commanded to charge the enemy so soon as they should enter, but these horse did not charge the enemy as they were commanded, though some of them were most earnestly entreated thereunto by my Lieutenant colonel, who had the command of that part; when the enemy first began to enter, and our men began to give back; so the enemy falling on in five distinct bodies, the first and the second got over, and presently got to the walls and places of advantage within the line, but as the third body was entering, my troop of horse, that was set to second another Guard, hearing of the enemies entry in this place, came down and fell upon the third division of the enemy as they were entering, and cut them off; but being assaulted both by those that were entering, and those that had entered, before they came down firing upon them from the walls( which they had got the advantage of) they were forced to retreat, and then the enemy had free liberty to possess themselves of the Suburbs by the college Green, and Froom-gate, which they did, and hoping to force their entry by that gate, they drew off the whole body of their forces to the place; whereupon we also drew off all our men from off the line into the town, and not staying till they came to the Gates, we opened them, and issued forth upon the enemy both with horse and foot, and beat them back from street to street for an hour and half together, insomuch that many of them threw down their arms and cried for Quarter, but the enemy drawing down fresh Companies still one after another upon us, and we being not able to answer them in the like kind, having so few men as we had, our men were forced at length to retreat into the town, and then, and not till then, whether it were out of extreme weariness,( having been upon continual duty for five nights together) or that they began to be disheartened, the souldiers began to drop away from their colours, and from their guards, insomuch that( having declared that all souldiers should repair into the Marsh unto their colours, and that there they should receive both victuals and money:) when I went into the marsh to see what company came together, of 12. or 14. Companies there came not a 100. men, and yet the enemy drew down thick upon the back; and it began now to be low water in the Key, so that they might wade over at their pleasure, and the guards being so weak, might( if they had attempted it) have forced their entry into the town in half an hour: Hereupon I resolved to call a counsel of war, for that now was the time that either we must treat or retreat into the Castle, if it should be thought fit so to do, for that the Town could not be kept any longer.  
The Officers of the garrison being gathered together, and also the Gentlemen of the adjacent Counties, Sir John Horner, Edward Sironde, Mr. Stevens, &c. We took it into consideration, whether we should treat with the enemy or no, or retreat into the Castle, firing the Town behind, as we made our retreat, if wee could keep the Town no longer, every body seemed to be of opinion, and as for the retiring into the Castle before we treated with the enemy, these considerations were offered against it. First, all our Horse, which were 300. All the Souldiers that could not be contained in the Castle( which would have been near half of them) all our friends, both Citizens, and those that had retired themselves into Bristol out of the adjacent Counties, excepting some few principal men, must have been sacrificed to the fury of the enemy, the city was like in great part to be put into ashes, and those that should retire into the Castle( if they were not prevented by the enemy) falling upon them on one hand, and the generality of the City on the other,( as I am credibly informed, there was such a design) they must also within three or four daies have been the objects of the enemies cruelty and revenge( who would have given them no conditions) when they had no further retreat to make conditions in.  
A second consideration was this, that if we did fall upon these desperate resolutions, we should destroy, only that we might destroy without any hope of defending the place above three or four daies, and without expectation of any relief in three or four weeks,( nay it is clear, we should not have had any in six or eight weeks. That which made it evident, that wee could not hold the Castle above two or three daies, was because we had not ammunition for a longer time, having only fifty barrels of Powder, and no match at all, and according to the proportion of powder that we had spent the daies before, this would not have served us above two daies: And if any blame me for being no better provided with Ammunition, my Answer is, that I found but 45. Barrels of powder in the Town when I first entred upon the charge thereof, that I had set all the men I could find about the City, and in the country thereabouts, to make Salt peter and Powder, that I had several times preached all the Ships and Shops in the City, and had brought into the store all the Powder and Match that could be found, that I had sent to London often for Powder, declaring that want of Powder and men would be the loss of that City, and of the West of England, that I received only 30. Barrels of Powder from London, and that 70. more were sent by a Ship( which as I understand since is cast away) that unless I had taken care for more surety to have some from France( from whence I had 126 barrels) long ere this both the Town and Sir William Waller had been lost for want of powder,& I was forced to help Sir William Waller with so great a proportion of powder,( about 60 barrels) and so much match, before the Siege of the City, that I could not recover it, the enemy giving meno time to furnish myself again with match and powder, and if I had not helped Sir William Waller at that time, he having but 6 barrels of powder left him after the fight at Launsdown: both the loss of his Army and of the City in consequence thereof, would have been imputed to me, and as I said before, I held the security of bristol, to be involved in the security of that Army, and that the destiny of the one, would bee the fall of the other. Besides whatever opinion some may have of the strength of the Castle( and indeed I had a greater opinion of it myself, till I saw the manner of the Enemies storming and the execution that their pieces of battery did even upon our perapets of Earth) I am of the opinion that the enemy was, that they would by battery and storm of hand have entred the Castle in two dayes and so they did resolve to have stormed it, being provided with close decked boats and galleries to that purpose; and I do verily believe that they would have gained it though with the loss of some men, whereof there would have been after, a great deal more loss and massacre on every side, when they should have entred in that manner by force, which I am confident in the eye of any judicious man, they would have done, the fortifications about the Castle being not perfected as they were intended, upon these Reasons it was concluded by the counsel of War that we should rather treat,& accept of conditions which might preserve the City to the Kingdom and 300 horse and 1500 Foot to the Parliament, besides the lives and estates of many friends to the Parliament; then to expose al these to evident ruin and destruction for to preserve the Castle 2 or 3 daies without hope of keeping it longer: and without hope of having relief in that space, or in any time it could be imagined the Castle could be kept, though we could have kept it 2 mon. as I verily persuade myself we could not have kept it a daies. When we now entred into the Parley, all the conditions that we desired all most we had accorded unto us, excepting that of the Ammunition, Souldiers marching out with his arms and colours wheron I intended to have insisted and should have done it, but that whilst I was withdravvne to debate it, together with my Officers. divers of my Captaines, came in and  told me, that do what they could, they could not get together above six a piece of their compainies that many of them did run over the water to the enemy, which not onely shewed the enemy that our men were disheartened, and that they should find but slender opposition, but it also shewed the enemy how they might with ease come over the water into the hewn; which undoubtedly, they would have done, withal the ease that might bee, had we broken off the Treaty without coming to an agreement. It is true, conditions were not observed( which turned very much to the prejudice of the State) for by that means they ruined a Regiment of three hundred horse and disperse a body of 1200, or 1500 Foot, which if faith had been kept; I would have brought in a body together to this City, and that was a special thing that induced me to surrender upon Conditions, esteeming that the preservation of so many Horse and Foot, for the serving the State, together with the lives and Estates of divers hundreds of our Friends, was of more consideration unto the Parliament, then the desperate holding out of a Castle for a few dayes to no purpose but the destruction of those that could not bee drawn into it first, and of all those also that were drawn into it afterwards there being no hope of any timely relief, but it is time that the falsehood of the Enemy( against which there is no Fence) hath in great part deprived us of the fruit of our conditions dismounting our Troopers pillaging our Souldiers as well Officers as others and by threats and enticements drawing off our Souldiers to serve them, or dispercing them into their several Countries, and our convoy used us worst of all, pillaging us all most all the way they went with us, and extorting moneys from us, wherein the Officers for the most part were as much to blame as the Common-Souldiers, yet I must do this right to the Princes, Prince Rupert, and Prince Maurice, contrary to what I find in a printed pamphlet, that they were so far from sitting upon their horses, triumphing and rejoicing at these disorders that they did ride amongst these plunderers with their swords, hacking and slashing them, and Prince Rupert did excuse it to me in a very faire way and with expressions as if he were much troubled at it:  
One thing more I shall endeavour to give you satisfaction in and so I shall conclude. It is concerning Sir William Wallers leaving of bristol, which by something that I have seen in Print, as the resolution of a council of war held at bristol, is said to have been by the importunity of me, and my Officers, at which council of war, neither I nor any of my Officers were present, nor do I know that Sir William Waller was ever importuned, or so much as moved by me, or any of my Officers to go from thence, but finding by many expressions of his that he did not intend to bee besieged with his Horse in that town( as it would not have been wisdom for him to have been) the first Speech that I had with him about his stay or departure, was when he drew out his Horse upon Bundam down, near bristol, for to take a view of them, at which time I asked him if the Enemy should advance towards bristol, how he would dispose of himself and his Horse, whereunto he answered that he must retreat, and thereupon so so●n as I come off the down, I called a council of war, and acquainted them with Sir William Wallers resolution, and thereupon we made certain propositions unto him, that if he did leave the town, that he would leave a certain proportion of Horse with us( which was my Regiment) and that he would leave all his foot with us, who if we could get Arms for them, might be some help to us, which proposition he stuck at a while, alleging that he would take the field again, and would have his Foot with him, but after he was contented to leave the Foot with us, finding it was not possible for him to keep the field with a few unarmed Foot, and a many scattered and disheartened troops, which I am confident did not altogether make 500. Horse when he left bristol, yet they were two many to lose, as I am confident they would all have been lost had they stayed in bristol, or have run away to the Enemy, as many of them did, and they would have been of no use to us for the Defence of the city, but have helped to have spent our Provision, and disturbed the city quarreling continually with the Townsmen for want of Money to pay their quarters( as they did) and therfore it was my opinion and is still that it was best for the advantage of the service that Sir Villiam Waller should draw them out of the Town, and this I might expressein discourse, but that I ever moved Sir William Waller thereunto, much less importuned him. I do not remember, onely just as he was going to take Horse, he desired me, if it was my opinion, that I would set it under my hands, that I did approve of his resolution therein, which accordingly I did, but I knew nothing of his going to my Lord general, but expected rather that he would have gone to gloucester or Exeter, and gathered a Body there, to have afforded me some speedy relief, which when he went from me, he  told me he would do, and that he would not be long ere he returned to my relief, or to that purpose, and as it appeareth by a Letter, which he writ to my Lord general, the day after he came to bristol, that he intended not to stay there, but to take the Field again, so it did appear to me by many of his expressions, that he never intended to bee kept up in bristol, and I never heard that he advised with any or my Officers concerning his stay at bristol, but supposing that he must not stay in the town, he advised with one of my Officers, whether he had best to retire to gloucester, or to Exeter, who advised Him to go for Exeter, and to take Do●chester in the way, and so gathering all the Forces he could to join with the earl of Warwick, to raise the siege of Exeter, and after to make a Body to relieve us, which in my opinion had been no ill course if it had been followed. Thus having declared unto you all particulars at large, I desire you would be pleased to let the truth of what I have affirmed be examined at a council of war, that I may bee cleared or condemned according as they shall find the truth or falsehood of what I have declared.   

The Copy of a Letter written to my Lord Say, by colonel Nathaniel Fiennes, and the Gentlemen of summer set and Glocester-shire for the settling of a sufficient garrison in that City; they having written another to my Lord general to the same purpose.  
May it please your Lordship,  
TO Understand first the importance of this City of bristol, and next the condition in which we are left to defend it: The enemy hath lately cast his eye upon it, prompted by the witty malice of our Malignants, to spy his advantage, if he possess this City, he will reap these benefits by our loss. 1. he will get much money, arms and ammunition in a more cheap and less hazardous way, then he can have them out of the Low-Countreyes, all which he will pay for with monopolies and ingrossments of Trade,( things with which the great ones of this town have been well acquainted, and are therfore malignant. 2. If he gain this Town he will soon subdue gloucester, and become Master of all the Tract between Shrewsbury, and and the Lizards point in Cornwall, a quarter so plentiful as his plundering army yet never saw. 3. He will become master of all the traffic of that Inland Sea the Severne, and make all the Shipping both of the Welch, and English Coasts his own. 4. His Neighbourhood to Wales: will from time to time supply him with a body of Foot 5. We shall lose a Port town very important for the service of Ireland, and fit to give Landing to the Rebels of that place or any other Enemy.  
The diseased state we stand in followeth.  
The Enemy hath lately been before our doors invited by a treacherous party in this Town: we had then 2 Regiments of foot, colonel Essexes, and Col. Pophams, and almost a whole Regiment of horse, yet the extent of this scattering City, commanded by many hills, and the conspiring multitude within it enforced all our men at once to do duty: so that we had been undone by watching over our safety, if the enemy had been able to persist, since which time Sir William Waller hath been with us,( and being desirous to take the field) hath taken from us Col. Eslex whole Regiment of foot, and the most part of our horse. And though we aclowledge a party in the Field, to bee a good strength to us, yet wee conceive a City of this consequence ought to have an inward strength of his own, and not to depend wholly upon the uncertain issue of war abroad; considering how apt the Town is to rise against us if the die of war should turn against Sir William Waller, and the enemy pursue his victory to the Walls or if a joint party from Cornwall and Wales, should pass through the Country, and take up our malignant in their way, wee cannot promise to keep the town but to lose ourselves, seeing our whole strength consists but of Col. Pophams Regiment of Foot not complete, and of Col. Fiennes, and Col. coals troops of Horse.  
Wherefore we shall humbly propound the remedy, which is, that we may be enabled to raise, two other Regiments of foot, one under the command of Col. Fiennes, and the other under the command of And that we may have some supply of money from the Parliament; That these new raised Regiments together with Col. Pophams aforesaid Regiment, and Col. Fiennes Regiment of Horse be only destined for defence of this City and Country for twenty miles round about it, out of which territory of 20 miles compass and this City, if they be left onely to us we hope to pay the said forces when as they are raised, we have written to his Excellency for two or three experienced Commanders to make Sergeant Majors, as many able Gunners, and a skilful Engineer we beseech your Honour forward our desires, One advertisement more we shall trouble your Lordship withall; which is that our rich Merchants have shipped most of their Treasure, and the Ships lye off at Sea out of our command which seems to threaten a storm at Land: If the Parliament could spare 2. or 3. good pinnaces to guard this haven and the Seaverne; that no Ships pass without licence, it would much secure these parts, and annoy Wales, and we conceive the charge may be born by the toll upon all merchandise, which those malignants deserve to undergo.  
The two Pinnaces sent by the Parliament to Milford Haven, are vessels of no force and their commanders of no activity that we hear of. And if we be trusted to take some account of their endeavours it may perchance quicken them, we have writ to his Excellency, to enable us by his appointment to proceed with our Treacherous Conspirators, to the utmost extent of marshall Law; the wickedness of some of them deserving to be made an example of utmost severity, and without which, we shall incur contempt and lye open to more practices, we beseech your Lordship bee the mediator of our humble desires, and make what use you please of them, to the close Committee we have revealed those weaknesses to your honour, which otherwise wee desire to conceal knowing that a bare reputation in matters of War doth many times win the game. We are  
Your honours humble 
 Servants. 
 

Nathaniel Fiennes.  
Alexander Popham.  
Ch: Walker.  
Joh. Seymoure.  
Edw. Stephens.   bristol, 20 March 1643.   

A copy of a Letter written by my Lord general, to the Lord SAY, concerning the settling of a sufficient garrison at bristol, according to the Propositions made by colonel Fiennes to that purpose.  
My Lord,  
I Understand there is a Committee of the House of Commons appointed to consider of the establishing a garrison in the City of bristol. I am very glad of their care of it, being a place of so great importance. I desire your Lordship to acquaint the Committee with my resolution concerning the strength of that garrison, and entreat them that course may be taken for a sufficient maintenance for it.  
I think it necessary that that garrison do consist of those two Regiments which Col. Fiennes hath already raised, and of that Regiment under Col. Popham, of two troops of Horse, and captain Olands company of Dragoons. This I think little enough both in respect of the importance of that place as being the Key of the West of England, and likewise because by these forces the governor will bee able at all times to suppresle any that shall rise against us in those parts to assist our friends, as now is done by colonel Pophams Regiment.  
My Lord, I again recommend this business to your care and desire you likewise, that you will let my resolution herein be known to the governor of bristol, and likewise to the Gentlemen of Sommerset-shire, Glocester-shire, and Wilt-shire, that they may endeavour to settle some constant course for the maintenance of this garrison. My Lord I am  
Your Lordships faithful 
 Friend and Servant, 
 ESSEX. 
 Thame, june, 22. 
 1643.   

A draft of the Ordinance presented to the House of Commons by the Le: Say, for the settling of a sufficient Garrison AT bristol, According to the Propositions made by colonel Fiennes, and recommended unto his care by my Lord general, and the Gentlemen of Somerset and Gloucestershire.  
THe Lords and Commons taking into their serious consideration, the great importance of the city of bristol, to the safety of this Kingdom, and the dangerous attempts that have been made against it by the late detestable conspiracy, and the great Forces that were brought before it by Prince Rupert, into whose hands the Conspirators were prepared to have delivered the same; And that there is great danger that the like attempts may be made hereafter for the surprisal of it, if care be not taken for the preventing thereof,  
Do Order and Ordain, That there shall be a Garrison forthwith raised by colonel Fiennes, the governor of the said City, consisting of Three Regiments of Foot, one of Twelve hundred men, and another of One thousand, another of Eight hundred men, and Two Troops of Horse, and One company of Dragoons, to be completely armed and furnished, and there kept and maintained in constant pay, for the defence of the said city and the circuit thereof; And to be employed for the defence of the city of Bathe, and the adjacent counties of Somerset and gloucester, as occasion shall require.  
And that one of the said Regiments for the said Garrison, consisting of Twelve hundred men, shall be maintained by Barkley division, in the county of Gloucest, another of One thousand, being Colonels Pophams Regiment, with the Troops of Horse, and company of Dragoons, by that part of the Eastern division in the county of Somerset, which is next adjoining to bristol and Bathe. And the third Regiment of Eight hundred men, together with other incident charges necessary for their safety, by the said cities of bristol and Bathe.  
And it is likewise Ordained, That there be Three Regiments more of Trained Bands, or volunteers, which upon Summons shall be drawn together from time to time; as often as need shall require, for the defence of the said cities and counties adjacent; One of which Regiments of the Trained Bands, or volunteers, shall be raised out of Barkley division, in the county of Gloucest'; One other out of that part of the Eastern division of Somersetshire, which is nearest bristol and Bathe; And the third, out of both the said cities.  
That for the better settlement of the Garrison in manner aforesaid, the Deputy-Lieutenants in the counties of Glouc' and Som●rset, shall cause the Regiments of the Trained-Bands of their several counties to be furnished again with Arms, those of Glocestershire being for the most part lost at Ciceter; And those of Somersetshire in the parts next bristol, being employed in colonel Pophams Regiment, being one of the Three to be kept in constant pay as aforesaid.  
And that all the Moneys which shall be levied out of B●rkley division in Glouc', and out of that par● of the Eastern division in Somersetshire which is ne●t adjoining to bristol and Bathe, and out of the cities of bristol and Bathe, by virtue of the several Ordinances of both Houses for the weekly Assessments, the Twentieth part, and the Sequestrations of Delinquents Estates; shall be assigned for the use of the aforesaid Garrisons and Fortifications. And that the several Committees who are appointed to receive or issue out moneys raised by these Ordinances in the said city of bristol, or the said counties adjacent shall pay and defray all the charges of the said Garrison and Fortifications, being valued and made known to them by the said governor of bristol, out of the moneys so to be raised by the said Ordinances, before they do employ any part thereof to any other use. And the Warrant and receipt of the said colonel Fiennes governor of the said city, shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Committees in that behalf. Provided always, that if there shall not be a sufficient proportion for the uses aforesaid, raised out of the several divisions and places before mentioned, that then it be made up out of the rest of the said counties respectively.  
And also that the surplusage( if any be) shall be employed for the use of other parts of the adjacent counties, and for such other uses as shall be directed by both Houses of Parliament.  
And it is further Ordained by the Authority abovesaid, that as well for the maintenance of the said Garrison, and the charges incident thereunto. As also, for the making and finishing of the Fortifications and Works in and about the said city of bristol, the said city of bristol shall pay, and is hereby ranted and assessed to the Weekly sum of Four hundred pounds, to begin the First day of july, 1643. And for the better performance thereof; and ease of the said city, It is Ordained by the Lords and Commons, That the Weekly sum of Fifty five pounds, formerly assessed upon the said city by the late Ordinance of both Houses of Parl. for the Weekly Assessments towards the supply of the Army raised by Authority of Parliament, shall go and be accounted as part of the said Four-hundred pounds weekly for the maintenance of the said Garrison and Fortifications, and not otherwise to be required for the use of the said Army.  
It is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That the said Weekly Assessment of Four hundred pounds shall be Assessed, ranted, taxed, and levied by colonel Fiennes governor of the said Town, colonel Popham, Richard Aldsworth mayor of the said city of bristol, Sergeant mayor John Clifton, Captain Richard Hippesley, Captain Thomas Hippesley, Mr. Luke Hodges, Mr. Henry Gribs, and Mr james howel, who shall have like power and Authority, as other Committees have by the said several Ordinances; And also have power and Authority to call unto them such of the most indifferent understanding, and sufficient persons of every Parish within the said city of bristol as they shall think fit to their assistance; And shall rate and tax the said Weekly Assessment, charged by this Ordinance upon the Inhabitants, and the owners of goods or other Estate there, in such moderate and proportionable manner as they shall think fit, to and for the maintenance of the said Garrison and Fortifications; As also to have like power to levy the same, and to do all things necessary for the execution of this present Ordinance, as by the said former Ordinance for the Weekly Assessment is appointed; And that what shall be established in London by way of Excise or new Impost, upon Wines, Tobacco, or other Commodities, shall be likewise settled in bristol, towards the maintenance of the said Garrison and Fortifications( there.)  
And to the end the Trained Bands or volunteers above specified, and the several division and limits, out of which they shall be raised, may be the better able to perform the services, and discharge the payments before mentioned, It is further Ordained, That no Taxes or payments shal be levied or Assessed upon them, other then such as are or shall be Ordered by both Houses of Parliament.  
And it is also Ordained, That by the assent and Warrant of colonel Fiennes the governor of bristol, and Two or more of the Deputy-Lieutenants, or Committees of Parliament, residing in or n●er the said divisions and no other, the Treasurers of the said Divisions and cities shall issue out moneys for the use of the said Garrison and Fortifications; And that the said Trained-Bands or volunteers shall not be drawn away to other services, then what they are by this Ordinance assigned unto, without the like Warrant as aforesaid; And that by such Warrant they may be at any time drawn out into the said cities of bristol or Bath for the defence thereof.  
It is further Ordained, That the said colonel Fiennes governor of bristol shall have power to grant Commissions for Trained-Bands; As also for Bands of volunteers to be raised within the said cities; And that the same power which was granted by Ordinance of Parliament to the Apprentices and others of London, that should be willing to undergo the like service, shall be extended to the said city of bristol.  
And for the securing of the River of Severn, and the Seas thereto adjoining. It is Ordained, That the said colonel Fienn●s governor of bristol, shall have power likewise to grant Commissions to any Merchants or others that will set out ships, to take any Welsh, Cornish, or Irish Rebells, or any vessel that shall be employed, to afford them or any of them any aid or assistance, and to make prizes thereof, paying a third of all, that shall be taken, or such proportion as shall be thought fit to the use of the Parliament.  
Lastly it is ordained, That Col. Nath: Fiennes, governor of bristol, Alexander Popham, Capt. John Fiennes, be added to the several Committees of the weekly assessment, the Twentieth Part, and the Committee for Sequestrations in the several Counties of Glocestershire and Sommersetshire, and in the Cities of bristol and Bath.   

An Approbation of the Ordinance presented to the House by the Lord Say, for the settling of the Garrison of bristol, by the principal Gentlemen of Berkly division in Glocestershire.  
we whose names are under written, have seen the draft of an Ordinance of Parliament, for the settling of a Garrison in the City of bristol, and for the contribution and assistance of the adjacent Counties for the maintenance thereof, which we approve of, and hold very conducible to the security both of the City and county, only we desire that a provision may be inserted, for the defraying of the charges of the Officers and Souldiers of the Trained-bands and volunteers, when they shall be called to do any service out of the several divisions out of the which they are raised, and that Berkly Castle may be furnished with a Garrison sufficient for the defence thereof out of the Garrison of bristol; or upon the moneys to bee raised out of Berkley division.  


John Seymour.  
Edward Stephens.  
Joh: Codrington.     

An Extract out of a Letter from Col: Fiennes to my land general, dated March 20. upon occasion of Sir Will. Wallers drawing forth Col: Essex's Regiment out of bristol.  
THe drawing forth of Col: Essex his whole Regiment may expose this City to a great deal of danger, there being not so much as one experienced Officer left among the Comparies that remain here, and the number and quality of the Common souldiers being much disproportionable to the necessity and importance of this place, as in a particular Letter which( with the rest of the Gentlemen of Sommersetshire, and Glouc. I writ to your Excellency doth more fully appear:) And as I doubt not, but according to the constant care your Excellency hath had of this place, answerable to the importance thereof, your Lordship will provide a person for the government thereof that may be fit to be entrusted with so great a charge; so that your Excellency will also hold it fit that he may have such a command over the forces that shalbe thought fit for the defence of the place, as that he may be able to give a good account thereof. I earnestly expect a discharge from your Excellency of that trust, which at present is in my hands, that it may not be left at Random in no bodies hand at all: And that it may be reposed in a hand more fit and able for it; which is the humble desire of  
Your Excellencies 
 most humble Servant. 
 Nath: Fiennes. 
 bristol. 
 March 20. 1643.   

An Extract of another Letter from Col: Fiennes to Col: Hambden, dated March. the 19th.  
I Shall say onely this in general, that if there be not some speedy course taken that more men may be brought to strengthen the Garrison, and some expert souldiers to command them, this Town in all probability will be lost, and all we that are in it. All that Sir will: Waller aleadgeth is this; that he being in the Field with a considerable body, doth stand between us and danger: but such a city as this should not be a noun adjective, nor depend upon the fortune or failing of a party in the field, the loss thereof being of greater consequence then of the whole party in the field; I desire that either I may have leave to quit the charge,( which was my earnest svit to Sir will: Waller that I might do) or that means might be afforded unto me to make it good; I shall appeal to any man that is a soldier, whether there be not need of 3000. men at least to be an ordinary Garrison for this Town with some Troops of horse and Dragoons. bristol is worth the keeping, and yet in the judgement of any soldier not easy to be kept, though with a good strength of souldiers, but impossible to bee kept with a few; If that it be expected from me to give an account of this place, I desire my straw may not be taken from me, and yet so great a tale of Brick be required at my hands.   

MY LORD,  
I Am utterly discouraged in the employment I have here, because I do not see a way of subsistence for the forces that are here, for I doubt I can expect little money from London, and all the ways whereby I got some heretofore out of Gloucestershire and Sommersetshire, will be stopped up and diverted towards the maintenance of Sir will: Wallers Army, and I shall be left to feed upon the bare stones, and yet Sir will: Waller at his first coming to this City, drew 2000 l. out of it, which if it might be allowed me till a course might be settled for the maintenance of this Garrison, I should have some probability of keeping up the horse and foot that I have, with a great deal of pains raised, without one penny allowance from London, but if all draw from me and none help me; I should desire that my Lo: general would command me to come to his Army with my Regiment of foot and horse, and that some body else may be put to keep this Town, that can make it keep itself, for I confess I cannot do it without assistance from the adjacent Counties, or from the Parliament; That which will arise out of the Delinquents estates, will not be considerable; there are not many of any estate, that were in the Conspiracy, and they have found means to conceal the greatest part of their estates; and what is visible will bee little more then what is sufficient to pay their debters; And I perceive the Parliament intendeth to allow the payment of debts out of their estates,( which is just that it should be done, so there be care that the State be not deceived by pretended debts, or such as are contracted since the Conspiracy.) My Lord, I cannot long subsist in this employment unless that there be a course t● help me with moneys, or that power be given me to help myself in this City and the adjacent parts.  
Your Lordships most obedient 
 Son, Nath: Fiennes. 
 Bristol. Apr. 22.   

An Extract of a Letter written from Col: Fiennes to the Lord Say his Father, May, 12. 1643.  
I Have laid out here, near 9000. l. since I came to this Town, and I never yet had above 4000 l. from the Parliament; as your Lordship best knows, all the rest I have got up myself with great deal of trouble for the preservation of this City, which without it had undoubtedly fallen into the hands of the enemy.   

An Extract of a Letter from Col: Fiennes to the Lord Say his Father, dated May 13, 1643.  
I Am in that extremity for want of money, that I know not what to do, and all the springs which formerly afforded me supply, are dried up, for Sir will: Waller expecteth all out of the counties, and the City will not continue their weekly contribution any longer: If the Propositions of joining a certain Circuit in Sommersetshire and Glocestershire to this town, as to the maintenance of this Garrison with money, and men upon occasion, might be granted; I should hope by the grace of God to give a good account of this City and the adjacent parts; And I am confident there is no objection against them, but what ariseth out of particular respects to the prejudice of the public interest, unless those Propositions may be admitted, or a continual supply granted from London,( which I cannot expect:) all that I build here is without a foundation, and must needs fall to the ground, and this Town into the hands of the enemy.   

An Extract out of a Letter from Col: Fiennes to my Lord Say his Father, June 9: 1643.  
THe Lord deliver me from the condition wherein I am, that I should have the charge of a Town of such importance as this is upon me,& neither have men half enough to maintain it, nor money to maintain those men I have, nor means afforded me to raise any money, I beseech your Lordship dispatch unto me by order of the House, a power to rate Malignants and Neutralls at the 20th. part of their estate; If I had but this I might be able to raise some moneys( although not sufficient) for the Garrison, unless the adjacent counties come in to our assistance; and it is all the reason in the world that Glocestershire should maintain one Regiment in this City, somerset, another, and the City, with the help of Wiltshire another; if some such course were settled, I should have less recourse to supplies from London; till then I must, or this Town must be lost, and all that is in it, and all that depend upon it, which will not so soon be ●…ed again.   

An Extract of another Letter written to the Lord Say, June 17. 1643.  
MY Lord I much wonder that any should conceive the estates of the Conspirators any thing consideable, in respect of the great charge I am constantly at, being to pay 1500 foot, a Regiment of Horse, and a company of dragoons, and a hundred Gunners, besides workmen upon the Fortifications; so that I have been sometimes at 1300. l. sometimes at 1200. l. seldom under 1000. l. a week; and I shall never make 3000. l. from the beginning to the end out of the Conspirators estates, there being never a rich man amongst them; and their Creditors claiming and carrying away the greatest part of what is not abroad conveyed away, or so concealed that I cannot find it out; and I can assure your Lordship I have already received and spent the most of what I am to expect that way, otherwise I had not been able to have subsisted half this time: It were folly in me to conceal that which will prove the truth, if out of the conceit of the riches of bristol( which since the stop of trade, and many Malignants withdrawing their estates, is much otherwise then is conceived by some) I am left to maintain this Garrison, without assistance from the Countries or from some other way, I shall not be able to keep my men together for a fortnight: for my part I shall desire to be discharged of the trust, unless I may have means to discharge it with honour to myself, and safety to the City and countries adjacent; I am confident they are their own greatest enemies that oppose my propositions for the settling this Garrison, and that if they have their wils, they will quickly see this City fall into the enemies hands, and so have a perpetual yoke, to the Counties of Gloucester and somerset; I shall muster up all the patience that is in me, but I cannot hold out long in that manner that I have done; Sir William Waller hath now a good strength about him, especially of Horse, and for ought that I see the enemy will fight with him, I must confess I doubt the success, unless it come extraordinarily from God, as formerly it hath done.   

Another Extract of a Letter of june 24.  
MY Lord I have ever since I came to this City, been in a troublesone and very oft in a dangerous condition, but I am like to be put to it now more then ever, and had I not had experience of Gods mercy to me in times of streights, my faith would well-nigh fail me. I will not writ the particulars whereon I ground this apprehension of my condition, not knowing into what hands this Letter may come, but only in general I will say thus much, That happily the support that this City and all the rest seems to rely on( which is Sir William Wallers army) may fail us, but God will never fail us. At the last Rendesvouz that Sir William Waller had of his horse, there appeared between two and three thousand horse, a brave body of horse, &c.   

Another Extract of a Letter of July 8. 1643. Sent by the same Col. Fines to my Lord Say his Father.  
I Beseech your Lordship to cause my Ordinance for the settling of a garrison at bristol to bee dispatched; me thinks there should be no stop of it now that I have sent an approbation thereof, under the hands of all those considerable Gentlemen that live in those parts whereon the burden is principally to lie; your Lordship cannot imagine what difficulties I am put upon for want of that Ordinance, and if God had not given my Souldiers and Officers a great deal of patience, we must needs have fallen all to pieces by this time; and this day I am in as great necessity as ever, and do live every day but from hand to mouth. I am sure all my Propositions have no other aim but the public good. I beseech your Lordship again to hasten the dispatch of that Ordinance which is in hand,& in the mean time being a very beggar, I must still beg for supplies of money.   

A Letter written by Sir W. Waller and Sir Arthur Haslerigge to Mr: John ash, to hasten forces out of Bristol unto them, Whereupon 1200 was sent.  
Good Sir,  
SUre you think we have both a lame and a patient enemy, that will be knocked and stay till we be ready to answer his return. We expected Col. Fines Regiment this day, and now I hear that he appointed that Sir John Seymors men should not come to bristol before Monday, and then we are to expect ours. Upon Tuseday we think the Enemy will fall on this night, if not, to morrow morning; and if so, what good will this Regiment do bristol, if we perish. It is a wonder to me to see our friends delay help when there in safety; and I am confident, Honour is wrapped up in our success. It is said your Captains have not yet cast lots who shall come forth; I thought they would have petitioned for the employment. We shall be happy in Col. Pophams Regiment, and Col. Fines also; surely a small guard will keep under the Malignants, we being so near. Let not the west of England be lost for a little moneys, neither sand your supplies too late. There is a time which wise-men do not let slip. It is strange to me, that these Forces have not long since been drawn out. What forces you sand us, let us have them with all speed. It grieves our hearts you are no more sensible of our present condition, and the nearness and strength of the Enemy. We have done our duties, the Lord direct you. We are  
Your Servants, 
 

William Waller.  
Art. Hasilrige.   
 July 1. 1643.   

A copy of the Result of the council of war held by the Enemies, concerning the Assaulting of the City of bristol, found in colonel Bucks pocket that was there stain, with divers other Officers and Gentlemen of quality.  
At the council of war held at Knowle, near bristol, Somerset. the five and twentieth day of July, 1643  
Their Highnesse Prince Rupert, and Prince Maurice. Present.  

earl of carnarvan.  
Sir John byron.  
sergeant mayor general wagstaff.  
Sir Richard Cave.  
Sir William Ogle.  
Sir Richard Slanning.  
colonel Buck.  
colonel Basset.  
Lieutenant Col. Ashtley.  
Lieutenant Col. o'neill.   

Question.  
WHether it be best to assault, or approach the City of bristol?   

Resolution.  
It is resolved by the whole council of war for divers reasons, that it shall be assaulted by both the Armies on all sides, according to the best skill and discretion of the Commanders in chief that are to fall on.   

Orders.  
It is ordered that the hour appointed for them to fall on, shall be to morrow morning, just at the break of day: The word for the Souldiers to be Oxford; and the sign between the two Armies, whereby to know each other, to be green colours, either bows, or such like, and that every Officer and soldier be without any band or hand-cherchiefe about his neck.  
That the colonels of the several Brigads as soon as they shall have entred the Enemies works, shall presently appoint some to throw down the Brest-workes, and fill up the ditches in several places where they enter, or other places more convenient for the entrance of our Horse( if occasion require.)  
That the Commanders in chief of the several Brigads do agree between themselves in what manner ratcliff Church shal be possessed, and if possessed, how maintained; and that they appoint certain Officers for that purpose.  
That the general of the Ordnance give special order, that all the Souldiers be furnished with all kind of ammunition, and that several Officers be by him appointed to attend the several Brigads with ammunition during the Assault, as also that the artillery, and the Officers thereto belonging, be ordered to be ready upon all Commands.   
FINIS.  
Ex. per Geo. trim. Secr.