29 Oct 1642 – more from Guildhall meeting of 27 Oct || After Master Strode, the Earle of Pembrooke made a speech, but the chiefe occasion of the speech was concerning a letter which was intercepted writ from Secretary Nicholas to the Earle of Cumberland in the North, dated the twenty foureth of October, which letter was read to this effect. The Secretary writes to his Lordship that the King takes speciall notice of his vigilancy and care of the business in Yorkshire, and the care he hath of the Lady Dutches of Buckingham; That [Sir Ralph Hopton and others have] raised some 10000 horse and foote, and have disarmed all such persons in Cornewell, which they esteeme to be disaffected to the King, and are marching into Devonshire to doe the like there, and that they intend to meete the King at London; That there is also in Wales about six or seven thousand men raised for the King, which are to be under Marquesse Hartford, and be ready to come to his Majesty: But the Secretary writeth that hee hoped there will be no neede of their helpe, for that he saith (however falsely) the King hath lately given the Earl of Essex a blow, that they will make no hast againe to adventure themselves in that cause; And that tomorrow (being the 25 of October) the King Marcheth towards London by Oxford.
After the reading of this Letter the Earle of Holland made an excellent speech, chiefely concerning the Letter, shewing them what is threatned by it, viz. A great Army of the Kings to come against the City, and commanded by such, that intend no lesse then the utter destroying of the Citty, their persons, and estates, and this not all, but that if they can destroy the City, the whole Kingdome must submitt and yeeld to them, wherefore hee desires them to consider that God hath kept the first blow from them & delivered them as from an iminent danger by the power of his hand; and let that be an encouragement to them to pursue all things that are for glory, and the defence of Religion and cause: Further adding, that he only recommended this unto them, that it might hasten them forwards to the worke, well knowing, and resting confident that they are not wanting of piety, courage, and resolution to defend themselves, the Parliament and Kingdome, &c.
After this, the Lord Say and Seale made a speech further to second that businesse, wishing that they would not bee wanting to themselves, and then there was no cause to feare that danger which is threatned by the Letter, nor any thing that can be done by the Kings broken Arny, those things that are falsly buzzed abroad by the malignant party into the City; there is no danger, but in security, in sitting still: further adding, that it was not a time for men to think of being in their shoppes and getting a little money, but let every man shutt up his shoppe, and fetch his Musquet, and come forth freely to serve his God, Religion, Countrey and Parliament; he had divers other excellent expressions, but they would bee too tedious to relate here. || A Collection of Speciall Passages and Certaine Informations
Reporting the English Civil War 