A true & exact relation of the several passages at the siege of Manchester between the Lo. Strange his forces and the towne vvherein is evidently seene the wonderfull mercy of God in their deliverance / written by one that was an eie-witnese ... ; also a protestation of Master Hotham and divers other knights and gentlemen against the 14 articles of pacification and neutrality.

Thursday.

Then began they freshly to their worke againe on the thurs∣day morning about ten of the clocke, and immediately was dis∣charged two great Pieces of Ordnance against the new bancke that was raysed along the water-side to command the Streete that leads up to the Chappell, they being discharged strooke through and through a house of one that much favoured my Lord, but mist the worke. From whence we playde so hotly, that the Canno-neere having againe chargde his Cannon, durst not stay to discharge it, but so they stood all that night, and all the next day, and part of the next night, and they durst not come neare unto them, yea they were got away the second night, by what device I cannot tell. His Lordship sent for a Parley againe, but the Souldiers would admit of none. We passe here through great difficulties, Master Butterworth, a prime man, is gone out for ayde towards London we heare, Master Hol∣land the chiefe, upon good reason, thought fit to condescend, had drawne Master Booth and Master Edgerton with him: the Souldiers also that were ill affected, began to murmure and com∣plaine, making this an excuse, that the Countrey was spoyled, and they to save the Towne hazzarded their owne estaies, so that we were even at a stand, which being taken notice of, the well affected Souldiers incouraged by Master Hyde (the mea∣nest of the Lievtenants) Captaine Bradshaw, and Captaine Rof∣worme, spoke openly, that if all the Gentlemen deserted the cause, yet would they cleave unto it, and depend and rest up∣on the promise and engagement of the Parliament, for the ma∣king good any losse or dammage that should befall them.

Great and terrible words are given out against the Rogues of Manchester (as they please to terme us) calling us bloudy minded Roundheads: Lyes published by them, that Mr. John∣son

one of our fellowes, was taken, hanged, and quartered, that Master Bowker our Constable was slaine, that our Towne was given up, and that the Queene had sent great battering Pieces; These and the like Reports went very farre into the Countrey, which hindered us of helpe, discouraged us within, so that had not the Almightie God (whom they scoffed a∣gainst in their reproachfull way) saying to this effect, we shall see where their Almightie Gods helpe is: I say, had not our Lord God been our present helpe, certainly in that very ex∣tremitie wee had perished. For encouragement rested onely in the breasts of a company of poore despised Christians, who with our Towne, our poore Manchester, ingaged themselves against the great mightie ones of our Countie; For, for ought I can learne, there was not one Gentleman of Eminency, Knight or Lord, throughout our Shire, nor any eminent man of note, but other in person or best assistance he was against us. Great boasts were made abroad, and our Towne condemned for proud and bloudy people, because wee would not give up; and gene∣rall notice was given (by my Lords friends) to all those whom they call well affected people, with all innocent women and children, as they did tender their lives, to forgoe and leave the Towne; yea, and before this time, many of the chiefe of our Towne, had left and forsaken us; and our owne neighbour Towne Salford was up against us, keeping us in play with their continuall shot, so as the theeves had more libertie to rob, yea, hope of helpe now fayling, and no ayde appearing, hope of provision beginning to slacke, the villaines having spoylde all about them, what they could not eate and carry away, either for horse or man, most shamefully they cast abroad and spoyld it. It is confidently spoken, they have done ten thousand pound of hurt. Also report came, that Master Leigh of Adlington, with foure hundred men, were at Stopport, ready to assist the Earle of Darbie. Master Ardene of Huden went our Eastward to cleare a passage, and had one of his men shot and dyed; more priso∣ners were this day brought into our Towne; The Cannon still play through and upon divers houses, and hurt none: this night passed on with great and generall feare, not knowing how wee should subsist.