Sir William Breretons letter concerning the surrender of the city of Chester for the Parliament: together with the articles agreed on betwixt both parties, and the commissioners names. Sent in a letter to the Honorable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the Honorable House of Commons, and appointed to be forthwith printed and published:

For the Honorable William Lenthal Esq Speaker to the Honorable House of Commons.

Honorable Sir,

THe care of preserving this City from ruine (being the most considerable in this part of the Kingdom) invited to entertain a Treaty, wherein at the least ten dayes were spent in several Transactions, the Enemy still using protractions and delayes in hope of their expected Relief: For which end, strong preparations were made, whereof we received frequent Advertisements from several persons, That Ashley and Vaughan had united their Forces, and lay hovering about Bridge-North. Their intention was to have joyned with the Welch For∣ces under the Lord St. Paul, with those Irish that came over in December last, and those other now lately Landed at Blew-Morris, who were part of the Lord Digbies Regiment, some whereof are English, and some Lorrainers, as these Intercepted Letters in∣closed mention. To prevent the Conjunction of which Forces, I sent three Regiments of Horse, the Warwickshire, the Reforma∣does Regiment, and part of the Staffordshire Horse, and some of the Cheshire Dragoons, together with some of Colonel Mittons Horse and Foot, which party was Commanded by Colonel Mit∣ton, who marched to Ruthin upon Saturday night, Ian. 24. intend∣ing to fall upon the Enemy in their Quarters, but the Enemy escaped and marched to Denbigh, and so towards Conway: Never∣thelesse our Forces came most seasonably; for Ruthin Castle was so unprovided, as that we have now great hopes of Reducing that strong Castle, however the Conjunction of the Enemies Forces is hereby prevented, which might probably occasion the Enemies

Retreat, after they had Quartered three or four dayes about Bridge-North and Shiffnall, and had drawn out some small pieces, and two Cases of Iack. So as the Besieged being now hopelesse of Relief, sent out their Commissioners Ian. 30. to Treat with ours, whose Names are herein inclosed.

The number was proposed by them, and was the rather assented to by us, to the end better satisfaction might be given to the com∣mon Souldiers, when some of their own Officers were intrusted and imployed in Treating and making Compositions for them, that they might thereby be also obliged to restrain their Souldiers from Plunder and violation of what is concluded and agreed upon.

The first day nothing was concluded upon.

This day Ian. 31. they were mighty importunate that the Treaty might be continued, and respited until Monday morning at nine of the clock; which being refused, as by my last Letter appears, they de∣layed not to enter into a Treaty; whereupon it was concluded to be delivered upon these inclosed Conditions, whereunto it was the rather assented, to prevent the Plunder of the City, which could not have been preserved, if it had not been taken by Composition. That which further remains, is satisfying the Souldiers and setling of the City, which will prove a work of great difficulty, wherein my Endeavours shall not be wanting to the uttermost of my Abili∣ties, or to serve the Publique in any other imployment Commanded, and shall ever professe my self to be, Sir

Your most faithful Friend and humble Servant, WILLIAM BRERETON.

Chester Suburbs, Febr. 2. 1645.

THough this Letter was Dated Febr. 2. yet I thought it fit to stay the Messenger untill we were able to send you the cer∣tainty that we were possessed of the City. What Ordnance, Arms, or Ammunition, or what Irish are found therein, you may expect to receive an Accompt in my next. I do not hear any further Re∣ports of the Irish, neither do I believe, they will be now lesse for∣ward to adventure into these parts.

WILLIAM BRERETON.

Chester, Febr. 3. 11 of the Clock.