Good newes from South-Hampton, and Basingstoke, in Hampshire. As it was related in a letter from thence by one Master Goter, to a merchant of good quality, in Lumbardstreet. With the copy of a letter sent by Captaine Swanly, captaine of one of the Kings ships, to the major and communalty of the said towne. As also another letter to the same merchant from Basingstoke, relating the passages there.

Good Newes from SOVTH-HAMPTON, AND BASINGSTOKE, in Hampshire. As it was related in a Letter from thence by one Master Goter, to a Merchant of good quality, in Lumbardstreet. With the Copy of a Letter sent by Captaine Swanly, Captaine of one of the Kings Ships, to the Major and Com∣munalty of the said Towne. As also another Letter to the same Merchant from Basingstoke, relating the passages there.

LONDON, Printed for Tho. Bates, and are to be sold at his shop in the Old Bayly. 1642.

Decem. 9. 1642.

Sir,

MY service unto you remembred; we received yours, and the things by the Post: It is true that you heard of our Towne. Captaine Swanly, Captaine of one of the Kings ships, on Saturday last sent a letter to our Towne, the copy of which, I have here inclosed; whereupon our Major summoned all the inhabitants to appear at our Councel-house on Monday, where the Captaines let∣ter was read divers times, whereupon a letter was retur∣ned to him how that they would obey the Parliament, yet every man underwrit it not: it was thought that Swanly would have come up the River with his ships, and bear the Towne about our ears: This day one of our Parliament men an Alderman of our Towne, with divers of our Townsmen, are gone to the Committee at Portsmouth, to make their peace with them; this stirre need not have beene, but that our Major, and some of the richer sort that are counted for malignants, for most of our Commoners held fast for the Parliament.

Thus having no more at present, I take my leave, and rest yours to serve,

Iohn Goter.

Captaine Swanlies Letter to the Towne of Southampton.

Mr. Major, and the rest of your Corporation,

YOu well know in what distractions this Kingdome is in now, and is at this time. I am placed here by authority of Parliament, for the peace of that part of the King∣dome, which I shall endeavour to maintaine as far as my ability of life and fortune may extend: your Towne is a confiderable place of Merchandising, and by reason thereof, there are men amongst you of very good fortune and estates, to preserve their estates and so in generall through the Kingdome with their Religi∣on and liberties, is the onely aime of the Parliament; and no question those that shall oppose either of these, are unfit to enjoy either, but to be branded with base∣nesse: there are divers reports in the Country of your forwardnesse in opposing the Parliament; but I hope you wish your owne peace herein better then so, if you should not, there can nothing befall you but ruine and destruction; to know the truth of this, I have sent my

letter unto you, as likewise whether you will submit your selves obedient to the commands of Parliament, and consequently to the directions and commands of the governour of Portsmouth, and the Committee there authorised by both Houses of Parliament: for the peace of this part of this Kingdome, I have seised on Cashot Castle, and disabled Saint Andrewes Castle, and Nutly Castle; I have seised also upon all the boats of Hieth and thereabouts, I have given order to stop all provisi∣ons from comming out of the Isle of Wight unto you, all which I have done by the commands of the Com∣mittee of Portsmouth; I have also authority to sum∣mon you, and that Towne to your obedience, to the grand Councell of England; to which I desire answer, and if no answer, I shall take it as a deniall; then if un∣happy things befall, thank your selves, for I shall to my uttermost endeavour and power bring you thereunto.

I pray you let this letter be knowne to all the Com∣moners as to your selves: thus expecting an answer by this messenger, I rest

Yours, as you use your selves, Richard Swanly.

Decem. 3. 1642.

Basingstoke this tenth of December, 1642.

Sir,

HEre lay my Lord Grandisons troope of Horse, and Colonell Greyes Dragooners eleven dayes: wee had imploiment enough to dresse the meat, and provide drinke for them, but last Friday they went away, and as we heard, are gone to Marlborough, and many say they heard the Guns goe off very fiercely.

The KING was expected to bee in this Towne this day: here were many Gentlemen came thirty miles to meete him, but returned presently, hearing the con∣trary. It hath beene a great charge to our Towne; they demanded two thousand yards of woollen cloth, and five hundred yards of linnen, at foureteene pence the yard; so the linnen Drapers brought theirs in, but the Clothiers, and wollen Drapers made no great haste, so they served themselves some at one shop, and a greater quantity at another.

If you see master Lamy, tell him he saved his purse in going away, but they made bold with his house, he may come downe safely now, and see what is done: pray God send peace, or else I see what will come to this Land quickly. I hope you at London desire peace, as well as wee, though perhaps you are not so much in danger as wee are, yet enough, I beleeve you are not quite out of it: and thus with my love I rest yours,

H. W.

FINIS.