Mercurius Politicus,

Comprising the sum of all Intel-

ligence, with the Affairs and Designs

now on foot in the three Nations

OF

ENGLAND, IRELAND, & SCOTLAND.

In defence of the Commonwealth,

and for Information of the People.

Ità vertere Seria. { Horat. de Ar. Poet.


From Thursday January 12. to Thursday January 19. 1654


By the last from Scotland, January 7.

Part of the Army is at Glasgow, seeing to the safety of those parts, where they are in good condition. Intelligence from that place faith, That notice was given where Sir Arthur Forbes (he that was lately routed with his Party) lay at al small Cottage, sore of his wounds that he had received. A party of hors was sent thereupon to seise him; but he quitted that place about 2 daies before, and the Countrey are so false to us, that they will give no direction which way to follow upon any such occasion

Those Scots that will not rise with the Highlanders are plundred by them; the Highlanders lay Contributions upon them, which bring them very low, because they pay likewise toward the maintenance of our English Army. We hear of Supplies coming out of England, as the Regiments if Horse belonging to Major General Lambert, and Commissary-gen. Whalley and the Regiment of Foot belonging to Sir William Constable, they being already on their march; by whose assistance we doubt not but to send this plundring Crew back again to the Highlands, where they will not be able to subsist in a Body, all their dependance being upon Charls Stuart, and his endeavours with the Dutch for money and Arms.

But if a Peace be with Holland (as we hear it is in a faint way) the first news of it will quite take away their hearts, and make them of their own accord retire to their several Habitations, without ever drawing of a Sword against them. So great a destruction hath already been brought upon Scotland by these Robbers, that a few months longer continuance of spoil and disorder, would bring them into the same condition with the Irish, who have been by Famin forced to eat the Corpses of their deceased Friends, after divers dayes interment. And yet these are not much to be pitied by us, because of their implacable enmity, who will rather suffer themselves to be undone by the Enemy, rather than give notice to our Garrisons, when any of the Highlanders come amongst them, or pass through their Country; accounting and calling it Treachery to be any way instrumentall in the surprising of those that would destroy them. There is a Talk among them, as if the Highlanders had some Arms and Ammunition landed in the Northern parts.

By Letters from Madrid of the 16 of December, 1653. Their Majesties are here in perfect health: Two dayes hence they go again to Escurial, to be present at some Church service performed yearly in commemoration of the deceased Princes belonging to the House of Austria. There is to be seen in this City a copy of a Letter in Print sent from the Jesuits in Armenia to those in this City; wherein they express a very strange thing hapned in that Countrey, which is thus briefly; There being about Five months since many Turks and Moores met together at a Town called Medinatalvi, (but commonly known by the name of Mecha) in the Mosquee or Chappell where the body of their false Prophet hath lain many Years. On a sudden, about Ten of the clock in the forenoon, this Iron Chest (which for many years hath been suspended in the roof of that house, by vertue of the Loadstone fastened there) did fall to the ground, which immediately opened and swallowed up both the Chest, and what was therein; the ground remaining open about one quarter of an hour, and in that space came forth of that Abyss a great flame, and smoke, which rendered a great stench, and so the Spectators fell on the ground, being struck with deadly fear at so dreadfull a spectacle, and some of them are since become Christians, leaving their superstitious service.

An Advertisement from the Lieutenant of the Tower.

At the desire of the Earl of Cleveland now Prisoner in the Tower, I doe hereby give notice to all persons allyed in Blood or Acquaintance to the said Earl. That his Lordship hath lately been informed of a certain Impostor or Cheat, who under the cloak of Friendship and pretence of serving his Lordship, hath made very unworthy Addresses to divers persons of quality in the said Earls behalf to borrow Money for his Relief, and to supply his occasions in the Tower; and hath counterfeited the said Earls Hand and Seal for such leud purposes: And because a Vizard is proper for such Practitioners, he goeth sometimes under the mane of Buck, sometimes Braithwaight, and Butler; and that he hath by this means obtained severall sums of money from severall Persons who are deluded by this knavery, and although the Lievtenant (at the desire of the said Earl) hath granted many Warrants for the apprehending of this person, yet it hath hitherto been his Fortune to escape.

The Earl of Cleveland desires this may be publickly known, that this Villains proceedings may be prevented for the future, and also that it may be believed, that when the said Earl hath any occasion to use money, it hath been his custom alwaies to use such honourable means of procurements as are suitable with his degree and honour.

The like abuse hath been offered by the same person to the Lord Grandison also, a prisoner in the Tower, which is likewise desired to be made known.

A Letter from the Spanish General, from Badaiocio to a Portugal Governour.

This Messenger I send to know assuredly whether the Count Almarantius be slain, or only a Captive. And this I must needs know, for it imports much in his Ladies behalf. Again, whether or no there be not among the Captives one Don William Puitavilla and Luis Bricula, Captains; and if any of them be grievously wounded, there shall come from us a Coach to fetch them; yea and if any Commanders corps be with you, I desire that they be honourably sent us.

And I do hope for civility and charitie's sake, you will decently interr the dead; and if need be, let this man know and inform himself and you of each of them whom notice ought to be taken.

A Declaration by the Commander in chief of the Forces in Scotland.

Forasmuch as it is apparent, that (notwithstanding my Proclamation of September 27. Last) many serviceable horses daily go to the enemy, to the great disservice of the Peace of this Nation, which could not be without too much connivance of the Owners or Possessors; These are therefore strictly to require all manner of persons who now are, or hereafter shall be possessed of any serviceable horses or mares, exceeding the value of 5l. sterling, to bring in the same within 48 hours next after publication hereof, unto the next adjacent Garison or Quarters of our Army, under the penalty not only of forfeiting treble the value of such horses and mares as shall not be brought in; the one moiety thereof to the use of the State, and the other moiety to the party informing; but also be deemed as an open enemy, and dealt with accordingly; which horses and mares so brought in, shall nevertheless be at the owners choice either to have meet satisfaction for them, as they shall be reasonably worth, or keep them within the said Garisons or Quarters of our Army; and the respective Sheriffs and their Deputies within their Sheriffdoms, are hereby required, to cause these presents solemnly to be proclaimed and published according to accustomed manner of publishing Proclamations. And afterwards (that none may pretend ignorance) to cause to be distributed to the several Presbyteries within their said Sheriffdoms, a competent number hereof.

Given under my hand and Seal at Dalkeith R.LILBURN

From Lyme in Dorsetshire, January 10.

We hear by a By a Barque come from Bretaigne in France, that one of our Frigats having met with a Dutch Pickeroon near Ushant, gave him chace, and followed him so close, that he forced him to run aground on the other side of the Bay of Carmaret, and by reason of his shooting hard at him made the Country come down to the water side. It hapned that some shot did make execution of the shore, thore being four killed and wounded; yet because of night approaching, and the Country being alarm'd thereby, could not fetch her off: but ours put to Sea again, to clear from the Rocks, because it was dark.

From Paris, January 17. stilo novo. 1654.

The Prince of Conde is quite given over here by the Court-party, as desperate, and they suppose he is not to be brought back again by any tolerable means of accommodation. There was a suspicion among the Spaniards, as if he had intended to have made his peace with the Court of France, and it was given out that a Treaty for that end was actually on foot which did the Prince a great deal of wrong among the Spanish party, upon whom is all his dependence: But now it appears no such matter, only it was raised here out of policy. And he is since gon to Brussels, to the Arch-Duke Leopold, partly to take the air there, and perfect his recovery from his late dangerous Ague, but principally to give assurances of his resolution against the Court of France, and against all the Mazarin party; and thereupon to procure monies and recruits, that he may be in some good equipage at Spring, to infest this Kingdom.

Just such another story was raised of his Brother, the Prince of Conti, as if he had had an intention to come to Court, and not only so, but with an intention to marry one of the Cardinals Nieces; which it is believed he scorns to do. The Courtiers (however) say, that he will shortly be here.

There have of late been very strong sollicitations used, to move his Majesties Uncle, the Duke of Orleans, to come again to Court; but hitherto he waves the business, and will by no means give consent to it, but pleads excuses still in his wonted way, which are here but ill resented; and he knows that very well, which makes him keep at a distance, rather than trust himself in the Cardinals clutches, knowing that he shall become a either a sacrifice to violence, or Treachery. Therefore he is so much Italian by the mother, as not to trust an offended enemy. The truth is, if the Cardinal could but get him to Court, it would exceedingly advantage his affairs, because as the Kings Uncle he hath a great influence upon the hearts of the people, who pay a reverence to his bloud: But it will not be, and there is somewhat more than ordinary that holds up the Dukes humor, or else he useth not to be so hardy. It is to many men a presage, that some strange turn of affairs is yet to be expected, for the heaving out of the Cardinal. This is certain; if the Princes ever make up a considerable party again within the bowels of France, the people will turn to them, most of the good Towns will stand for them, and if ever they approach this City the Inhabitants wil be as high for them as ever, and stick the more surely to them, because they are deceived in all their expectations of those golden daies, that they thought to have seen again upon the return of the Court; who have dealt so impolitickly and tyrannically with the poor people here, and in all parts of France, since the composing of the last tumults, that they will never have any hope or confidence in them any more.

The Court have been long a drawing up a Declaration against the Prince of Conde, but as yet they think not fit to make it publick. They have of late had good success against the Spaniard in Catalonia. The Cardinal De Retz continues still in prison, and no hope there is as yet of his release.

From Brussels, January 18, stilo novo.

since my last here have been several Treasons discovered in these parts, and amongst the rest, one remarkable piece of Treason to have been executed against one of the chiefest Frontier Towns of this Country, which the Traitors had agreed to betray and deliver into the hands of the French for a good sum of money. The designe of their treachery was laid after this manner; In the Town of Armentiers, scituated upon th River Lisle in Flanders, about three leagues from Lisle and Bassee, and not far from Bethune, there was amongst other Troopes, a Regiment of Irish for their Garison, The Irish knowing that there were some of their own Nation in the French Garisons, of Bassee and Bethune aforesaid; some of them running away discontented from Armentiers, went and joyned with those of the Garisons of the said place, and on the other side some of the French Garisons left their own and came over to the Spaniards in Armentiers, and there listed themselves, speaking very ill of the French Officers. At last these runnagadoes broacht a designe together to deliver the Town of Armentiers into the hands of the Duke of Elbeuf, who was the Buyer, and they the Sellers; the Duke was to have taken possession of one of the Gates when they were upon the Guard, who were to let him in with four or five thousand men which he had in readiness at a Village called Bevery, on this side of Beshune; and to this end they had appointed a night, that their design was to have been executed; but that night one of the Irish men who was of the plot, considering with himself the horrible designe of putting to the sword so many innocent creatures, was troubled in his conscience about it, and went and discovered the whole designe immediately to the Governor, who whilst he was a telling him the business, a Sergeant brings him word that the enemy was approacht near the Town. Thereupon the Governor doubles his Guards, an puts the Town in a posture to defend its elf. The Duke of Elbeuf perceiving by the signes that were made, that the design was failed, retreated to the place from whence he came. The Governor presently seized upon the Contrivers of this designe, whereof four are Captains, five other Officers, and nine Souldiers, all Irish, who will be soon rewarded according to their deserts.

From Rotterdam, January 16. stilo nove.

There is no Post come this week from England, we are still in hopes of a peace: here is a report at present that the peace is concluded between us, which we desire may prove to be true. The burning down of so many houses, and the loss of twenty ships in the Tessel upon the sixth of this month through a Hericane, mentioned in my last, hath been since confirmed to the ruine and sorrow of a great many who were interested in them. Our Eastland Fleet, to the number of 190 Sail, was come near our own Coasts, and through the same storm that hapned on the sixth aforesaid, was forced to sail back into the Sound; what losses they have sustained thereby, is not known.

From Berwick, January 11.

They write from Scotland that the Lord Kenmore, and Mac Aldore, with 6 or 700 men, are about the Lord of Grante Gracents Bounds, and Straths-pey, where they expect Seaforthes Party to joyn with them. Col. Morgan hath drawn out a party of horse and foot to ingage them (if possible) in case they come down from the Hills. Capt. Hart lately sent a party of horse from Kelsoe into Northumberland, where they tool one Richardson, a Moss-Trooper who lay there to be a guide to some party put of England, and one John King who was a Corporall with Sir Arthur Forbes. Sir Arthur is not yet heard off: whether dead or living. Young Montross is lately joined with the Enemy, and also the Lord Charles Gourdon, only Brother to the late Earl of Huntley, and the Head of their Clan, is gone unto them. They proceed very vigorously in their new Levies.

The Earle of Athole was lately with about Two or Three hundred horse, and Five hundred Foot, at Cooper in Angus, and from thence went to Meagil, and so back to the Hills.

You may perceive their greatest Confidence is the Hills, who rather by cunning and Craft doe shelter themselves, then to come out and fight as Men, but the Lord will finde them out in his due time.

From Paris, January 21. stilo novo

This Court is now wholly taken up with discourse of the Prince of Conde, whose Condemnation hath been agitated and at length concluded in Parliament. The King would have had the Parliament the arrest of their owne accord; but they pleading, it was against the custome, that any proceeding should be to condemn a Prince of the Blood without the presence of his Majesty, desired the King that he would come an sit in his great Tribunall. Whereupon, his Majesty, the 19. instant went to the Parliament, accompanied with the Dukes and Peers of France, and many other great Lords, and then sentence was passed against the said Prince, and that all his Estate should bee immediately confiscated, if he come not within a Monneths time, and submitted to his Majesties obedience. It is reported that the Duke of Orleans intimating a desire of marrying one of his own Daughters to the said Duke of Enguien: which Message and Request makes many men beleeve, that Orleans is now disposed to comply with the Court.

Here is an extraordinary Courier arrived from Rome, who came within 9 dayes, and hath brought Letters pressing, that his Majestie of France would be pleased to hearken to a Pacification with Spain, and give way to the generall Peace; wherein his Holiness hath promised to contribute his best assistance. He departs this day with the like haste for Spain, with Letters of the same nature to that King. What this may produce, time may shew. It may be said of these Monarchies which is spoken of the Sea, that what it gains in one place it loseth in another, and so e contra: Just so, is Fortune ever ebbing flowing between these two mighty Monarchs, what they gain one year they lose the next, and what in one place, they lose in another, and that is the issue of their Warrs, to vexe themselves and all Europe to no purpose.

This Town swells perpetually with Rumors. Nothing now, but that one of your Lord Protectors daughters is to be married to the Prince of Condes son, the Duke D'Enguien; though others will have the young Gentleman to be bestowed upon one of the Duke of Orleans his Daughters.

The like care they have taken here to bestow the Queen of Sweden upon the Emperors son, who is called King of the Romans, which truly is no Tavern nor Street Talk but discours at Court among those that would be thought serious men: and this last Match, they say, is promoted by Piemontelli, the Spanish Ambassador, in the Swedish Court.

The Pope hath sent order to his Nuntio residing with this Court, to make enquiry (which he doth) what Irish Bishops and Priests are in this City, with their Names and Sirnames, and how they live at present. What the occasion is, none can tell.

Charls Stuart and his Followers are of an inclination to leave France. It's thought, if they remove it will be for Germany. They have bin pumping with those of the Reformed Religion here in France, to try what, and whether they would or could do any thing for them. His Councellors have had a sharp quarrel among themselves, Ned Hide, who is called Chancellor of the Dutchy or Exchequer (but which I cannot well remember) having been accused of Treason by the Lord Gerard. There hath been somewhat to do among them about it, to no purpose.

Divers Protestants of great and eminent quality having been at the Church at Charenton, were returning back hither by water, and the boat breaking in two, many were drowned, among them the Son of the Chancellor of Poland, both the Sons of the Marquis de Clerainbout. There were ain all 60 persons, most of them lost.

The Peace between the two Commonwealths of England and Holland is taken for granted here, and concluded on all hands. Several Letters are come hither from Holland, which confirm it. And Bereel the Dutch Ambassador, who resides with this Court, declares that he hath Letters from his Country of the 14 instant, stilo novo, whice assure him of it. Which is an alarm here to your enemies at the English Court

From the Hague, January 17. stilo novo.

We are here very apt to believe a peace, because it is a thing exceedingly desired all over these Lands: And there is the more hope, because all things are very still and calm, both at Sea and Land: And we have added to all our conceits the like out of England, by the way of Flanders; from whence Letters say, that there was not much difference between the Councel at their parting. Some things have been communicated from them to the States General, which take up a great part of their time in consultation, but nothing can be certainly know yet of the event, because it depends upon their Lordships present Resolution: But we guesse things may go well, because men are not high in discourse (as formerly) against England besides, we observe little talk of a War, or of a desire to it. Thus we live by our Guesses. The Princes about us are loth to see two such formidable Commonwealths in so near a Conjunction; especially now that England, Scotland, and Ireland are united under one Head, and that a wise and an active one too; and therefore they bid high, in hope to keep open the breach; of whole fears and jealousies the States here will be able to make many an advantagious use, and wind them up to their own Conditions, as they shall see cause. The French Ambassador, by his diligence, shews that he hath little else to do here in this Ambassy, but to hinder peace if he can. You have formerly heard of his large offers and promises. What to think we know not; but it cannot be long ere the mists be over.

If War go on the Governors here are in no great forwardness of shipping; besides, guns is a great commodity wanting. The late fire in the Bemster hath proved a cooler, and occasioned a great loss, besides the Merchant-men lost at the same time in the Texel. It was a most violent storm; and the fire took first from a Mill used in making Oyle. When the wind was high, the Owner of the Mill used all possible means to stop it, but could not, the wind was so strong; and so the stone whirling around with extraordinary swiftness, contracted such heat, that at length the Mill fired, and the storm conveyed fire thence to the houses. Since this Warre, these Provinces have had invaluable losses, one way or other.

The Lorainers seemed to come on again, but have not visited the Frontiers.

We expect the coming home of the East-land Fleet from the Sound.

From Dalkeith, January 7.

The Supplies are safely and timely arrived here, for the encouragement of our Forces in this Nation, where affairs look with no pleasant face, by reason of the great devastations, spoyls, and devourings, made by the Highland Locusts, who have been swarming and pilfering up and down in all parts. And now they are very active in their Levies.

Doubtless, the enemy have been fed and heightened with more than ordinary hopes and promises; and so mat be more considerable than is believed, as to matter of resolution; but how to accomplish any thing

As this week, the Commander in chief hath received an account of the flying out of young Montross, and Charls Lord Gourdon, only brother to the late Marquis of Huntley, and Chief of that Clan, who are gone in to the enemy.

Here is news come this day, that a Letter came to Edenburgh, from Aberdene, importing the arrival of seventeen Dutch Ships in the North, with fifteen hundred Foreiners, and Arms, and two hundred horse. But we have not yet had any account of it, from any of our own people.

No news from Sea, but that the Fleet is riding about Stoaks Bay.


There is lately printed and published

☞ A DISCOURSE of CONSTANCY,

In two Books, written in Latine by Justus Lipsius, containing many Comfortable consolations for all that are afflicted in Body or in Mind. Printed for Humphrey Moseley at the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard.


Licensed and Entred according to the Act for Printing.


London Printed by Tho. Newcomb, 1653.