A perfect RELATION OF The taking of the town of Preston IN LANCASHIRE, By the PARLJAMENTS Forces under the Command of colonel Sir John Seaton on Thursday the ninth day of February, 1642.  
As it was certified by some Gentlemen of repute in the same County to a Member of the House of COMMONS, with the names of those that were slain.  
Together, with very good marshmallows from CHESHIRE.  

ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Letter be forthwith printed and published.  
H: elsing, clear. Parl. D. come.   
London, Printed for Edward Husbands, and are to be sold at his shop in the Middle Temple. Febr. 16. 1642.   

A perfect Relation of the taking of the Town of Preston in Lancashire, &c.  
Good Sir,  
OUr due respects premised, I have often mentioned a design, but now praised be God, there is one acted, the happy success and victory the Lord of Hosts hath given our Lancashire Forces: Upon monday last Sir John Seaton( the mayor general) marched from this Town, attended with sergeant mayor Sparrow, colonel Holland, Cap. Booth, sergeant mayor Birch, with them three Foot-companies,& as many from Boulton, all these came to Blackburn, upon Tuesday night, thence marched along with them, four or five Foot-companies of Blackburn Hundred, under the command of Captain Nowell of Mearely, and other Captains towards Preston, together with two thousand club-men upon Wednesday night, and betimes the next morning they fell upon the town courageously, and after about two hours fight they entered it, Capt. John Booth first entered, behaving himself most bravely, there was a great strife between colonel Hollands company and Capt. John Booths which should first have entrance; The mayor general behaved himself gallantly at the end of the Churchstreet, where the entry was made; our Musquiets beat them from their centeryes and from the Steeple. There dyed of the Popish party, the mayor of the Town,( Master Adam Morte) who killed one of the Collonells men with push of his Pike, but afterwards lost his own life for it, together with his son,& also M. Radcliff Hoghton Captain of the horse( and brother to Sir Guilbert Hoghton) sergeant mayor Purvey( lately come out of Jreland) and the Popish Doctor, Dr. Westby, with two or three lieutenants and others more of quality are likewise slain, and divers others which I saw were mortally wounded, and to some procured Surgeons, Sir Guilbert Hoghton escaped by flight to Wigom, and what more I cannot tell, Captain Farrington and Captain Preston are brought Prisoners yesternight: old Master Anderton of Clayton( their great Popish commander) is taken, Master George Talbot,( Sir John Talbots son) Master Richard Fleetwood, Master Blundells, Mr. abbot, Mr. Mawdesly, two Thomas Hoghtons, Captain Hoghton,( Sir Guilberts Nephew) Ralph Shorrock, John Hylton, and divers others of meaner quality, above two hundred, and your Cousin Master Townly of Townly escaped narrowly.  
My Lady Hoghton, my Lady Girlington, and Mrs. Townly were also taken as prise: We took three pieces of Ordnance, a murdering piece, a great number of Musquiets, and many horses with two or three colours, and divers were pillaged to a purpose, few friends have suffered to any value; there were but two barrels of powder found in the foreshown, We had only three or four common Souldiers, not an Officer slain on our side, we gave the enemy no leisure to annoy us with their Guns our entry was so quick, and the execution done was most with the sword: all the Companies except Captain Nowells stays there, and I think does intend to Garrison that Town; the fruits of this success are a large contribution out of the adjacent parts for maintenance of our forces, and an interruption of the passage from Newcastle to Chester and Shrewsbury, of what further concernment it is to our country I need not relate to you, and in what sort it will be good for the Kingdom you are able to conceive; Upon our fasting and praying on Wednesday last, God hath given us this victory. Deo detur Gloria.  
From Chester very good news, Master Lee of Aldington hath left his home, his tenants, Friends, and arms, are now for the Militia, they beat our new Earl and all those Popish ones every day in some place, driving them from hold to hold, and killing with good success: I pray you thank God for us, and pray we may proceed with success, and that we may hear good news from your parts; which shall be the daily task of  
Your loving friends to serve you. Manchester this 10th of Feb: 1642.  
 
You are desired to hasten the money, and what other supplies you can.  
mayor Sparrow denies all hath been spoken in his commendation, he hath wholly surprised and taken the good affections of all our Country Gentlemen who are Captains, whereof I am right glad, he acted his part in this, and the contriving thereof very well, nor do I know that any man was defective in his duty, but all very courageous.  
The ladies and Gentlewomen of note found here, are guarded.   

14. Febr: 1642.  
IT is Ordered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Letter bee forthwith Printed and published.  
H: elsing, clear: Parl: D: come.  
FINIS.