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[...]swer them again, with the same which they meat to us; and I believe they have paid for their sallying at a high rate: for we have killed about twenty of the troop called the shavers, Sir Charles Lucas his Major, and divers others of eminency, the losse of whom they much lament, we have also killed their chief Gunner, and our great Guns playes hard upon them, doing great execution. The last night they made another sally, and thought to have surprised some of our Guards, but by timely discovery were prevented, and made good their retreat without losse.

Those who come out of the town say, they begin to eate horse flesh, whether for need, or as a dainty, we know not: they are afraid of a storm, and in that respect have provided whatever may defend themselves or offend us. They dig deep holes in almost all the streets of this town, that so if we storm, our horse should be uselesse; the high street is not pittied, for there they feed their horses, giving them grasse and nay upon stalls belonging to the shops.

It is further reported, that they have made two inner workes within the walls, and have dug a deep trench under them, at least four yards deep, that in ease our men should storm, their trenches should be the Gulfe to swallow them: in consideration whereof, it is conceived it will be very difficult work to accomplish, and prejudiciall for our Army to storm; but we doubt not but to force them to conditions for surrender in a short time, or else become Master, thereof by a famine in the town. The enemy maintains their quarters well, they dispute every inch of ground, but in open places they are not so valiant. wee are put to exceeding hard duty for want of our own Soldiers.

When Caesar fought against Pompey in Greece, whose Army was not come to him, onely a numerous company unexperienc'd Roman gallants, Caesar got the better, and gave [Page 3] this accyunt, he found the Generail with an Army, many of the prisoners and dying Enemies, say that their plot was to bring in the King upon the Parliament, not bp treaty but force, the means to effect it was by making the Parliament odious, and chus to asperse them with reproaches from all sorts of Pamphlets, whereby the people should be incensed against them, 2. To stir up the people to p tition acd mutiny. 3 Togather into arms, that then Cavaliers who were to be confided in, carry on the work and not raw discontented countrey men, who onely long for peace. To weaken the Army by making them odious, putting them upon action in all parts, that they appear formidable no where, nor able to resist numerous risings. 5 To make most noise there where there was least design to fright the Parliament with the Scots comming, when the intention was to be strongest in the South. 6 To raise, if not destroy the Parl. or force them to yield to the King.

There is a great Rumour amongst the Royalists in London, that Major Gen. Lambert is totally routed, and that He hath lost 17. Foot Cullers, and 9 of Horse; which Report is false, some skirmishing hath been between them, and the Major General (as we hear) is retreated towards Cleveland: for your further satisfaction, I refer you to the inclosed Letter.