Letter Concerning the Present State

A LETTER Sent from the RIGHT HONORABLE, Robert Earl of Warwick, To the Right Honorable, The Speaker to the House of PEERES.

EVer since my last accompt of the State of Lime, I have continued here for encouragement thereof, and in the intervening time have observed these occurrences; That the enemy hath in these five days last past shot many vollies of great and small shot into the Town, which the besieged have received; and answered with equal courage as before. On the twelfth instant, I furnished the Town with ten barrels of Powder, their store being near exhausted. On the thirteenth they took a prisoner, who gave information that the Lord Hopton had been in the Leaguer last Sabbath-Day, and demanded five men out of every Company, which he promised to make good by an equal number of pressed men, but they were denied him. From thence (as I heard by one of the Frigots that came from the West on Monday last) he went to Dartmouth, whether he came in on Thursday night with seven horse, giving out that he was to raise an Army of fifteen thousand men. The said thirteenth instant, upon desire from the Counsel of War in Lime, I resolved to sent the Boates and small Vessells here to give an Alarm on the East part of Lime for distracting of the enemy, and drawing him off from the Town (notice being given of the soldiers affrightment, with what was formerly done in the like kind) which was yesterday put in execution accordingly; the Seamen landing and marching up into the Country, which caused the horse and foot that came down to attend them to fly to the Hills, and gave the Seamen opportunity to converse with many of the Country people, who have appeared generally well affected to the Parliament, in respect of the great pressures laid upon them by a beggarly and cruel enemy. By some of them I received notice that the Lord Hopton had two days before commanded all there abouts, from sixteen to sixty, to repair forthwith to Dorchester, with such arms as they could provide; as also with victuals and money, to withstand some forces expected there suddenly; under command of his Excellency, or sir William Waller, and that some hundreds men had been pressed for his service, who had near all of them made an escape. Yesterday there came aboard me one Lieutenant Far, of the Lord Broghills Regiment, and his Ensign, who had the night before they came into Lime two and twenty of the soldiers under his care. By him I received Intelligence that Prince Maurice had some notice of some forces coming to Dorchester; That the Queen was about ten days ago brought to bed at Exeter of a Boy. That many of the Princes Army were ready to come into Lime, as they could gain a conveniency. This morning about two of the clock my boat came from the Town, with advice that the enemy was drawing off his great Guns, and raising his siege, which by letters received this day from the Governor was confirmed. The Prince withdrawing himself last night about five of the clock, and the Army stealing away about two of the clock this morning. At noon I went on shore, and viewing the works, I found the enemy to be contrived with strength and much advantage, but the Townsmen so slight, that its near a miracle they should hold out so long against so violent and resolved an enemy. The truth is, next to the protection of Heaven, the courage and honesty of the Officers and Soldiers were in a manner their sole defense, they being made instrumental, and through God's blessing to the preserving of them in safety and cheerfulness.

When I came amongst the Officers, I found them all worthy of precious esteem, and modestly submitting to the many Inconveniencies, which a long and hard Siege had contracted, and that nothing is wanting to render them specially serviceable abroad, but money, for supply whereof they desired me to be an humble Remembrancer, which I need not to second with any Argument besides their own merit, whereof I know the Parliament will be very sensible, considering the great Advantages that will depend upon their fidelity: I received lately a desire from Plymouth, to move the Parliament for some Money for their Garrison, they having no defect to hinder their marching forth, but of that and a Governor. On Tuesday Sir John Bamfield, Colonel Carre, and their Officers came into this road; and went away in the Hector the same night: And so, that I suppose they are before this time safely landed at their intended Port: I heard a report at Lime this day, that Weymouth is delivered up to the Parliament, and some Carriages were observed this day to pass from that side towards Exeter; How far that Report may be credited, or another, that Prince Charles was lately at Weymouth, I know not: But I have renewed my command at the Ships attending that Road, to have a special eye on all Vessells that come from those parts. Of these things I thought fit to give advertisement to your Lordship, that the same may be communicable to the House of Peers, of whose commands I shall be most faithfully observant; Resting,