A Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland and Jreland , concerning the proceedings of this Kingdom . SIR ,

OUr condition is still very deplorable , but I know you are not ignorant of our many distractions and troubles , therefore I will not trouble you with any large relation , our perplexities & fears are many , which makes us doubt what the success of things may be & somthing amazes us for the present , but the hopes of supplyes from England , quickens and revives our startling spirits , so that now we dayly expect the provisions from England , which we here the Parliament hath ordered for our reliefe , and which by the blessing and assistance of the Almighty , we hope to receive in convenient time .

The traiterous deedes of the Lord Inchiquin , did greatly startle us , and all the Protestant party in Jreland , so that they were in a muse , and much discomforted for the present ; but the supplyes from England being timely sent , will do very much good , and greatly incourage the Protestant Army . Col. Jones and Col. Munkes ; with the rest of the Protestant Commanders , are very diligent , and use their utmost indeavours to incourage their Souldiers , defend themselves , and offend their enemies , and if by any means , with the conjunction of their forces , they can make any thing a considerable party , they intend to give the Rebels battell , to hinder the uniting of their forces , who are assembling , as it is thought , against them , by which meanes they shall be the better able to helpe furnish themselves with such necessaries , as otherwise they would extreamly want .

Vice Admirall Crowther is very dilligent , and faithfull in his service , and with great care attends the Ports of Corke and Kingsate , and other the Havens thereabouts , and carries a weary eye over all suspitious persons , and so very watchfull , that nothing be carried out of this Kingdome for the service of Malignants , or any in Armes against the Protestant party , and not any supplyes be brought into the Kingdom for the reliefe or assistance of the Papists , and blood thirsty barbarous Rebels here .

The Irish Rebels have promised and assured the Lord Inchiquin to be true and faithfull unto him , and that they will to the utmost of their power assist him with their lives and estates , and for the assurance of this performance , they have entered into a Covenant with him , and for a witnesse and Testimony that they which make good their proffers , and performe their Covenant : The Rebels have delivered up into Inchiquins hands , many holds and places of strength , as Galloway , Linerick , and others , which they say he sh●ll keepe as a pledge and assurance , that they will not relinquish the promise and conditions contained in their Covenant ; but what is further intended by Inchiquin , and the Rebels is not yet known , for they keepe their resolutions very private .

Letters from Lewes in Sussex . SIR ,

I Shall acquaint you with a sad accident which happened at Lewis the County town in Sussex , on Sunday Aprill 16. occasioned by meanes of some who had not been carefull to see that their Children and Apprentices , repaired to the Churches to heare Gods word taught , as it was fit they sh●uld ; but left them idle to their own wills , who in their Masters and Parents absence , got together to p●ay in a house , where were left at home but such as were fit for their company , they assembled , and af●er sundry pastimes , they in sport threw fire one at the other , and having thus pleased their foolish fancy , they departed thence , not minding where the fire lighted , or the Colebrands fell , they hasted away to some other vanity , with which they intended to end the day , but in their absence , the fire suddenly kindled , and set the house wholly on fire , where they had been sporting , and the people being some at Church , and some at play , the fire was not perceived , till the house was all in a flame , which suddenly fired others , and greatly indangered the whole Towne , and before it would be quenched , it consumed almost a whole streete of houses , and those houses that were burnt , were observed to be the most prophain in all the Town , and it was observed that one house escaped which was so near , that the flame sometimes touched ( it being a house very famous for Religion ) and others that were three or foure houses distance , were burned to the ground : this may be a faire , and a very good warning for all prophane and licentious livers , to take heede how they prophane the Lords day , and observe what vengeance many is powred upon the willfull abuses of this sacred day ; and if they be not very obdurate , it may cause them to consider well of the fact , and repent of what they have done , and take heede that they offend not for the future .

Lewes Aprill 25. 1618. W. H.

The Copy of a Letter from Scotland SIR ,

SEverall Acts which passed in the Parl. there , some are very desirous to have an Army raised here , and some preparations are making for that purpose , and many Souldiers listing ; but I knew none of quality in command as yet .

The Parl. of Scotland were preparing to send demands to the Parl. of Eng●and , and Sir James Lochart was appointed to bring them ; but some of the Scots Parl. like not all the particulars , by which meanes it is not possitively concluded they shall be sent , nor who shall certainly bring them , it is not yet known .

The Parl. of Scotland are upon a Declaration , wherein are the reasons which they say is the cause why they put the Kingdom into a posture of defence , which endeavours to satisfie the Kingdom ; for so doing , this Declaration is already committed to several bodies of the states , and will be speedily published .

From Ireland came a Messenger to the Parl. of Scotland from the Irish forces , and brought a proffer of their service , and gave in assurance that they would joyne with them , with the Messenger the Sco●ch Parl. treated , and passed on to this effect , viz. that they shall have a letter of thanks returned them and that a fortningts pay be forth advanced for them .

By this you may suppose , that the Scots are certainly resolved for a warre , and if their proposalls take notice , they intend to send to the Parl. of England , they will appear in their proper Colours , & their raising of an Array would be facilitated , if they could agree about Officers in chiefe , but as yet they cannot , only there is much dispute , who shall be Generall , some would have on , some another ; but who shall be Generall , it is not yet concluded , many of the Officers in the former Army , perceiving how things are like to be carried , refuse to take part with them , and so have quitted their places , and rendred up their Commissions . As for Captain Wogan , and other Englishmen in Scotland , which were demanded by the English Commissioners , ●re not delivered up as was exp●cted ; but a full deniall is given the Commissioners concerning them .

There are as it is reported 7000 Scots quartered between Edenburgh & Barwick , there are as it is reported near 5000. English in Scotland , in a readinesse to help forward their designe , & 8000. are expected from Munroe , the Scots Gen. in Ireland : likewise there are 11. Regiments upon their march , out of the North of Scotland , under this pretence , that the Northern Army shall come and be disbanded upon the borders , it is confidently reported by men of credit , that Prince Charles shall speedily be landed in Scot●and ; but for my part , I cannot credit it , and whether it be true or false I cannot averre .

Edenburgh April . 19. 1648.

From Yorke April . 22. SIR ,

THe Malignants have a great desire to be medling , but cannot as yet for want of opportunity ; but yet their hopes are great , there are some that would be in Scotland willingly , but that they feare that those which are there already , are extreamly put to their shift for provision and sustenance : therefore they intend to stay till the Scots come into England , and then joyn with them , by which you may see they have hopes of such a day as I hope they never shall , never see it . It is said , the Scots Armies pretence is to release His Maj. from the ●sl● of Wyght , and to reinstate him in his Royall Throane at Westminster . Captain Wogans men increase , and are amounted to the number of seven score , here are many Lords & Gentlemen in Scotland , would fain see the conclusion , because the English Souldiers are maintained by them , till such time as it is known , whether they result for Peace or Warre .

Yorke Aprill 22. 1648.

The Copy of a Letter from Norwich . SIR ,

OF late here hath happenned a sad acci●ent , which was occasioned thus . The Mayor was sent for to attend the Parl. to answer for somthing done ; but the Malignants opposed his coming up , and the well-affected endeavoured to further it ; but this began to grow into such a quarrel , that the Malignants began to repaire to , and armed themselves at the County Magazine , which was within this City ; but the matter was so handled , that the Magazine was blown up , and much hurt done to Churches , and many houses , what were neare were spoilded , and one hundred people were killed , and mortally wounded ; but for all this , those which were left , still continued their quarrell , and would not desist , but declared for God and King Charles , till at last there came in 3. Troopes of Col. Fleetewoods borse , which after a little skirmishing , quickly quieted the City . It is said , that most of the Committee-men were blown up by this sad accident .

Norwich April . 23. 1648.