A second, and a third letter from the Lord Lambert, dated at Chester, August 21, and read in Parliament, Tuesday Aug. 23 the one directed to the Speaker of the Parliament, the other, to the Lo. President of the Council of State : together with a letter from Major Edm. Waring, Governor of Shrewsbury, of the same date : wherein is set forth the manner of the surrender of Chester, with the names of the principal persons taken prisoners, and the state of affairs concerning the issue of this rebellion.

The Lord Lamberts Letter to the Right Honorable the Speaker of the Par∣liament.

SIR,

BEing according to those Resolutions I last acquainted you with, upon our march towards Chester, we were met by two persons from that City, who were instructed to offer some Tearms of surrender thereof; I suppose up∣on fear, least the Town should become a Prey to the Sol∣diers. Having heard what they had to say, I called toge∣ther divers of the Officers, and acquainted them there∣with, who advised me to this Answer; That if they would set open their Gates on the morrow by Ten of the Clock, sub∣mitting themselves wholly to the Parliament, and receive in such Forces as should be appointed, I would engage that no Sol∣dier by violence should take any thing from them; And lastly, That I would attend for their answer till eight of the Clock the next morning, without any further action. Whereupon the Enemy finding themselves incapable to stand upon their own defence, and the City declining all further assistance, that night in confusion, in small parties, they left the Town, and about Ten of the Clock, finding the Gates open, we marched in with one Regiment of Foot, and two Troops of Horse. Upon my march thither, I met

with two Inhabitants from Leverpoole, and one Mr. Brown who had formerly been in your service, who upon the route of the Enemy, got some well affected together, and took divers prisoners of the routed forces, which had fled that way. They inform me that that Town hath conti∣nued very faithful to your service, and that the Governor appointed by the Enemy, did assure them before hand, That he would keep that place for your service, and hath now declared for you. Before I had this information, I sent Major Hoare with three Companies of Foot of Co∣lonel Hewsons Regiment, and three Troops of Horse to reduce that place, whom I have ordered notwithstanding this, to proceed according to his former instructions, and having secured that place, by putting in some of his men to march up to a conjunction with the rest of that Regi∣ment in Lancashire, in case they should meet with any op∣position there. It is the earnest desire of those per∣sons, that the Castle may be demolished, which I hum∣bly conceive may be for your service, and pray your di∣rections therein. I have sent a Summons to Harding Castle which I hope will be delivered; It is likewise the desire of some of the well-affected in these parts, that the Ca∣stle may be demolished, which I likewise submit to your consideration. Sir Thomas Middleton yesterday past over the Ferry at Ronckhorne, and came to this Town, and as I am informed, is gone to Chirk Castle. I have sent thither a Summons, and have accompanied it with three Troops of Horse, and four Companies of Foot, under the com∣mand of Colonel Biscoe, and intend (if it please God to give a Blessing to your forces gone into Lancashire) to go thither my self to morrow, I doubt not but the Insurrecti∣on in these parts will be wholly broken.

I 〈…〉〈…〉 more at present worthy your knowledge, and there•…•… •…•…all onely on their behalf desire, That the For∣ces may be supplied with some proportion of pay, where∣of at this time they stand in great need. Sir, I shall hum∣bly subscribe.

Your most faithful and most humble Servant J. Lambert,

Chester, August 21, 1659.

Sir, The enclosed is a List of some Gentlemen and Prisoners taken in the Fight. The Soldiers exprest great zeale in this service; many lost and spoiled their horses, whereof I humbly desire your confideration.