have likewise endeavoured to put the Parliament and Kingdome to the trouble hazard delay and vast expence of raising a new force for that sereice 4. That with the breaking of this Army as aforesaid they have in the like manner endeavoured under the pretence of the service of Ireland to raise a new force as before to advance and carry on desparate designes of their owne in England to the prejudice of the Parliament and Publicke and in pursuance of the same have endeavored to divert the forces ingaged as for Ireland and unto such their purpose as aforesaid here in England and have in like manner endeavored to have gained a power from the Parliament for themselves or some of them of diverting and misimploying those forces aforesaid and to raise new forces under pretence to guard the Parliament and not having obtained that have in like manner endeavoured privately to list and engage Officers and Souldiers or procure them to be listed and engaged without Authority of Parliament for the raising of and imbroiling this Kingdome in a new and bloody War and to interrupt and hinder the setling and securing the Rights Liberties and peace of the Kingdome and for the setling upholding and protecting of themselves and their accomplices in their unjust oppressive and Factious designes and proceedings 5. That they have jointly or severally invited encouraged abetted or countenanced divers Reformadoes and other officers and Souldiers tumultuously and violently to gather together at Westminster to affright and assault the Members of Parliament in passage to and from the House to offer violence to the House it selfe and by such violence outrages and threats to awe and inforce the Parliament The severall Heads of Charge the Army will by such Solicitors as they shall appoint when the House of Commons shall admit thereof make good in particulars each Head against some of the persons and some one Head or more against each of the persons and shall shortly give in the severall particulars against each person respectively which shall be made good by proofs the Army desiring to save and reserve to themselves the liberty of exhibiting any farther Charge against all or any of the said persons A Paper delivered to the Right Honorable Commissioners of Parliament now with the Army at S. Albans June 15. 1647. From his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army vnder his Command Shewing I. THat in pursuance of the Representation delivered in we have prepared the Heads of a Charge against divers persons Members of the House of Commons to whom many passages in the said Representation do relate which we have delivered in to be speeded to the Parliament and shall when the Parliament shall have admitted thereof appoint fit persons to our and the Kingdomes behalfs to prosecute and make good the same II. That if the Parliament shall be pleased to admit these things into Debate and Consideration at the desire of the Army in behalf of themselves and the Kingdome and to proceed thereupon for a generall satisfaction therein we shall then desire 1. That the persons impeached in the said Charge may be forthwith suspended from sitting in the House without which we cannot reasonably expect such a proceeding upon any the things we have proposed as may probably bring the same to an happy or timely issue to the Kingdom or our selves or as may prevent the present Designes and practises so imminently indangering the Peace of this Nation if those same persons who have notoriously appeared most active in all the late proceedings to the prejudice and provocation of the Army and hazarding thus farre the Peace of the Kingdom shall continue in the same power Judges of those things relating to the Armies satisfaction and peace of the Kingdom 2. That there may be at least a months pay immediately sent down to the Army for a present supply out of which the Army shall pay fourteen dayes quarter for time to come and the other Fourteen dayes pay shall be accompted as part of Arrears And to this we must desire a present Resolution to be with us on Thursday next by noon at farthest 3. That if the Officers and Souldiers of the Army who have engaged for Ireland or those who have deserted the Army and come to London have since then received more then a Moneths pay there may be so much more money sent downe to the Army above the Moneths pay aforementioned as make up that Moneths pay to the Army equall to what such Officers and Souldiers have so received at London or elsewhere 4. That no Officers or Souldiers who have deserted the Army shall have any more paid them as for Arrears until the rest of the Army shall first be satisfied in point of their Arrears 5. Whereas there have been severall designs and Endeavours without Authority from the Parliament to raise and list new Forces within this Kingdome to draw together the Forces engaged for Ireland and march them towards London and other secret practices to engage the Kingdom in a second War We further desire that during the Debates and Transaction of this businesse betwixt the Parliament and the Army the Parliament would not suffer any new Forces to be raised within this Kingdome or any Forces to be invited or admitted out of any other Kingdome to this or any thing else to be done that may carry the face of a new War or of preparations thereunto which may endanger or interrupt the present proceeding to the settlement of the Liberties and peace of this Kingdom 6. That the Parliament would be pleased without delay to put the things contained in our severall Representations and Papers already given in into a speedy way of resolution and dispatch The present posture and condition of the Kingdome and Army As also of his Majestie himselfe not admitting delays By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax and Souldiers of the Army under his Command Signed by me John Rushworth S. Albans June 17. 1647. Severall Letters sent from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Officers of the Army To the Right Honorable the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled With their Answer to the said Letters Right Honorable WE received yours of the Eighteenth of this instant whereof though all passages were not so answerable to our expectation as we hoped yet we apprehend the same good affection in you towards this Army as was expressed in your former Letter And that not onely from the assurance of the worthy Gentlemen your Commissioners againe sent to us but also from that information we have received of your extraordinary endeavours to procure money for the Army To prevent further raising or listing of Souldiers and to procure those already Listed to bee disbanded some persons of your Militia onely having been active for the raising of them without your privity As likewise from that Letter fill'd with respect which you prepared and intended to us and being sent to
the common interest from the beginning of the Parliament to this very day still awed by the concourse of Reformado Officers and others to their doores Expence of time will be their advantage only who intend to bring evill purposes to passe we have written this to you for your satisfaction that so nothing may be done without giving you a perfect account of our intentions and ends And still to continue our assurance to you that should necessity bring us neerer to the City our former faith given you shall be observed inviolably there being nothing more next the good of the Kingdome in our thoughts and desires then the prosperitie of your City By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Counsell of Warre Signed Jo. Rushworth Barkehamstead June 25. 1647. For his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight Generall of the Forces raised by the Parliament and his Honorable Councell of Warre May it please your Excellency and the honorable Councel of War WE the Major Alder. and CoÌ„mons in Common-Councel assembled having received yours to us of the 21. and 22. and your Excellencies to our Committee of the 23. instant with a Copy of a Remonstrance directed to the Parliament did send three of that number yesterday to acquaint you with our resolutions thereupon since which we have caused Copies of those Letters to be presented to both Houses desiring their direction concerning the residing of some of that Committee continually with you in the head Quarter and that according to our former requests the Reformadoes and other Officers and Souldiers raised for the service of the Parliament might be required forthwith to repaire into their severall Counties there to receive such satisfaction as is or shall be appointed by Parliament and that if any Souldiers be listed upon the Votes of the Committee of Lords and Commons and Committee of the Militia that they may be forthwith discharged Whereupon severall Votes were made unto which we desire to be referred We have also taken those Letters with another received from those we sent yesterday and a Copie of a Letter dated the 24. instant delivered to the Commissioners of Parliament and yours of the 25. instant into further consideration thereby observing the constancie of your expressions to doe nothing in prejudice either of the Parliament or the City and of your purpose by Proclamation and otherwise to endeavour that the accustomed supplies of this City may be freely sent up all which we do with all due thankfulnesse acknowledge and to preserve a right understanding with you we have appointed the said Committee or six of them at the least continually to reside in your head Quarter and do intend to make it our request to the Parliament that whoever have or shall endeavour to raise any forces to ingage this Kingdome in a new War may be discovered and prevented therein and that you may receive satisfaction equall to those that have left the Army so soone as it is possible for the Parliament to performe the same relying upon the assurance you have given us that your speciall ends are the glory of God the good of this whole land and the safety of Parliament and City To conclude the neer approach of your Army to this City causeth us once more to desire you to take it into your most serious consideration for albeit you doe not come to offer any violence to us yet we have and shall suffer very much in our trade and price of Victuals by reason thereof which we hope you will be so sensible of as to prevent it in the future by removing further off and by taking such a course that we may receive no further prejudice either in the one or the other which is our earnest desire and that in your indeavors to save the Kingdome from ruine you doe not overthrow the fundamentall constitution of Parliament which is essentiall to the well-being thereof By command of the Major Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled Michel London 25. June 1647. To the Right honorable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London IT was last night resolved by the Generall and Councell of War for present not to Advance any of the Army neerer London but whereas the Foot being all quartered then at Watford Vxbridge and Colebrooks were very troublesome and burthensome to those places It was only Ordered that the Quarters of the Foot should be inlarged for the ease of those places whereupon by a mistake of that Resolution in the setting out of quarters some Regiments had quarters assigned for inlargement at places lying much forwarder towards London as farre as Harrow on the Hill Hayes Cranford Harlington Bedfont Feltham and Hanworth This morning so soone as this was understood by the Generall and the Officers there were Orders immediately sent out to stop the Regiments and now none quartered nearer London then Watford Rislip Ikeham Hellindon Cowley Drayton Hamsworth Stanwell and Stanes which make a line about fifteen or sixteen miles distance from London And to avoid any disquieting to the Parliament or City upon future apprehensions His Excellency and his Officers do promise That there shall be no further Advance either of the Army or any quarters of it any nearer to London without timely notice thereof and of the Reasons of it to the Parliament and City By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre John Rushworth Uxbridge June 26. 1647. An humble Remonstrance from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army under his Command concerning the present State of affairs in relation to themselves and and the â—â—â—gdom with their desires and present Resolutions thereupon Presented to the Commissioners at S. Albans June 23. 1647. to be by them humbly presented to the Parliament Present his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax LIeutenant General Cromwel Lieut. Gen. Hamond Com. Gen. Ireton Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Lambert Col. Rich. Col. Lilburn Col. Okey Col. Hewson Col. Scroope Col. Harrison Col. Tomlinson Col. Horton Col. Pride Quarter Master Gen. Grosvenor Scout Mr. Gen. Watson Adjutant Gen. Deane Lieutenant Col. Jubbs Lieut. Col. Cobbet Lieut. Col. Ewers Lieut. Col. Salman Lieut. Col. Goffe Major Barton Major Rogers Major Sanders Capt. Cannon Capt. Husbands Capt. Disney The Remonstrance of the Army was this day read and after debate thereof by the Councell of War was agreed unto and afterwards by direction of the Generall and Councell of Warre was delivered unto the Commissioners of Parliament residing at St. Albans by the hands of Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Rich and Col. Tomlinson OUr Desires as Souldiers in behalfe of our selves and other Souldiers that have faithfully served the Parliament in this Kingdome as also our remaining dissatisfactions in relation thereunto may be clearly collected out of our severall Papers that have formerly been presented to the Parliament concerning the same to which particulars we have not yet received any further
of their want of Officers they may be subject to run unto and likewise to continue them in the North lest by their motion to the Army they myght draw a greater concourse and burthen of Souldiers Quarters upon these parts then they will be well able to beare and thereby the disaffected in those parts during their absence may take that advantage to make insurrections or any disturbance of the peace there For the prevention whereof and disposition of the whole as well in order to the peace of this Kingdome as speedy reliefe of Ireland I shall humbly make bold to offer my opinion that since there are many severall distinct and through these late distractions disjoynted Forces within this Kingdome which were sufficient together with this Army being united and well mannaged both to preserve the peace of this Kingdom and give present reliefe to Ireland without putting this Kingdome to the charge of raising new Forces at present for that service That the Parliament would speedily put all the Forces under one and the same Command Discipline and equall establishment for future pay maintenance which being done it would give much encouragement to some of the Forces that may be spared out of all the Forces mentioned from England to go more cheerfully into Ireland and if with this there were some present course taken to provide for Arrears for such Forces as might be spared for Ireland there might in probability be an effectuall reliefe sent over into Ireland before this Summer be quite spent All which I humbly tender to your consideration and desire your speedy Answer that no time may be lost in so good and necessary a work both for the quiet of this Kingdom and relief of Ireland wherein none shall be more ready to expresse their forwardnesse then Your most humble servant T. FAIRFAX Reading July 16. 1647. These severall ensuing particulars being considered debated and resolved upon at a Generall Councell of Warre his Excellency being present wee the Commissioners of the Army were appointed in the name and behalfe of them to present the same to your Lordships and the Commissioners to be tendred with all speed to the Parliament which wee accordingly offer and desire your speedy care therein That so an Answer accarding to the desire and expectation of the Army may be speedily returned to these Particulars 1. THat there be an effectuall Declaration forthwith published to the whole Kingdome against the inviting bringing or comming in of any forraine Forces under any pretence whatsoever 2. That the Army may be paid up equall with the Desertors thereof according to the late Votes of Parliament And that the Army may forth with be put into a constant course of pay that they may not be so burdensome and oppressive to the Countrey for the more speedy performance whereof Wee desire that the House of Peers would be pleased to concurre with the desires of the House of Commons so often proposed to them for the reviving of the Committee for the Army that so the Assessements and great summes in Arrears both in the City and elsewhere may be by their indeavour collected for the speedy and necessary supply of the Army and also that the Treasurers and the Committee of Weavers-Hall may be speedily called to accompt in what manner and by what Warrant the two hundred and thirty thousand pounds lately intrusted in their hands have been in so short a time consumed 3. That the Militia of the City of London and the Committee of the same may consist of such persons and speedily be returned into those hands who formerly during the worst of times have therein given large Testimonies of their fidelity to the Parliament and Kingdome which besides the reall security will be to the Parliament and Kingdome in preventing of dangers repreparing towards a new Warre would conduce so much to the remooving of jealousies and give such a ground of confidence to the army as that wee might the better dispose it to larger Quarters in severall parts for the ease of the Countrey By the appointment of the Commisisioners for the Army William Clarke Reading 18. July 1647. According to and in pursuance of the particular mentioned under the fifth Head of the Representation of the Army we doe earnestly desire THat all persons imprisoned in England or Dominion of Wales not for Delinquency in relation to the late Warre but for other pretended misdemeanors and whose imprisonment is not by the Regulated Course of law but by Order from either Houses of Parliament or of Committees flowing from them may be put into a speedy Regular and equitable way of tryall or if the necessitie of setling the generall affaires of the Kingdome admit not their present tryall then they may have present liberty upon reasonable security for their appearance at a certaine day to answer what shall be charged against them in a legall way And that when they should be tryed if they appeare wrongfully or unduly imprisoned they may have reparation according to their sufferings In particular wee desire this may be done in behalfe of Lieutenant Colonel John Lilbourne Mr. Musgrave Mr. Overton and others in their condition imprisoned in and about London By the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Reading July 18. 1647. A Letter to the Lord Major Court of Aldermen and Common-Counsell of the City of LONDON My Lord and Gentlemen IN the carying on of the great businesse of the Kingdome towards a generall and happy settlement it hath been a fixed principle with us to make it our first endeavour with the Parliament that all things which threaten an engagement of the Kingdom in a second Warr might be removed before we could have a confident expectation of a good issue upon a Treaty with their Commissioners which course of ours although it might have some appearance of delay yet by men that are zealous of the Kingdomes good we hope no endeavour will be judged â—â—â—ecessary that may secure the Kingdome from the danger of any new imbroylements Wee are now come thus farr that the most materiall particulars which we have in preparation to propose for the generall settlement of the affaires of the Kingdome have bin communicated to the Parliaments Commissioners and we hope they are satisfied that they containe in them things tending to a generall good and to lay an hopefull Foundation for common Right and Freedome to the people of this Land for future and for a lasting peace amongst us But before we can securely intend and without interruption apply our selves unto the proceedings and dispatch of the Treaty there upon wee have delivered into the hands of their Commissioners the Paper which consists of three particulars in the last whereof which is the Militia of the City you being most immediately concerned to the end you may see we would aske nothing which relates to you without giving you a just account thereof and all possible
we intreat you to give the Parliament a full representation of these things which that you may do we have sent you the Papers together with such informations as may give them an oportunity to discover the bottom of this business we were marching from London when wee received this information in obedience to the Parliament and to give the City more content and to stop the mouths of slanderers But if such Designs so destructive to the Parliament the work in hand be suffered to goe on or that the Parliament be interrupted in the freedom of their debates and proceedings as we hear within these few daies they were by those that are invited to partake in this confederacy We beg it of the Parliament as they tender their own safety the peace of the Kingdom and preventing of a second Warre as they would not have the Kingdome lose the fruit and benefit of all the bloud and treasure that hath been spent in this cause that they would not suffer their freedome and liberty to be endangered by such designs as these they having an Army which by the blessing of God in spight of all that theirs and the Kingdomes enemies can do will stand and fall with them and be found faithfull and obedient to them in all things and as ready to relieve Ireland when the Peace and rights of this Kingdome are setled We write not this to desire the Parliament to invite us to march up to them wee care not how great a a distance we are from London if it be the Parliaments pleasure and consists with their security and the breaking of those combinations which are hatcht in the bowels of the City wee are hastening our Proposalls which are for the generall settlement and which we are confident will satisfie all that love truth and peace but wee see plainly wee need more to intend security then have cause to expect to bring things to an happy issue by Treaty while such designs are on foote Wee pray you therefore that the Parliament would speedily and throughly enquire into and break these designes wherein as in all things else we shall be ready to serve them as they shall judge it needfull and when they shall command us By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Secr. Alisbury July 23. 1647. BY a printed paper come to our hands this day a Copie whereof you receive herewith we still find and clearly and evidently perceive that some evill spirits within the City of London maliciously dis-affected to the peace of this Kingdom doe secretly and wickedly endeavour to bring about that mischief upon the Kingdom which we have so much feared and by all our severall addresses unto you sought to prevent which indeed are of that dangerous consequence as we can expect no other issue from then the unavoydable engaging the Kingdom in a second Warre if not timely and effectually prevented by your wisedome and diligence Wee must further observe unto you that whatsoever designes intended in the fore-said paper is contrary to the authority of Parliament and indirect opposition to the proceedings of the army which the two Houses have owned as theirs and approved of their fidelity by committing the forces of the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales and Islands of Garnsey and Jersey under the Generalls care and command and therefore cannot be effected but by force of armes against the Parliament and their Armies which in probability may involve the whole Kingdome in bloud but must necessarily begin within your own bowels and draw the Seate and misery of war upon you and your City Also we desire you would consider whether wee have not just cause to suspect that an evill party lurkes within the City ready to distemper it and the whole Kingdom upon every occasion and whether it be probable such persons desire a happy close between the King and the Parliament at least such as will be for the Kingdoms good when they take upon them the boldnesse to make new offers to his Majesty with solemne engagements to make good the same during the time that this Parl. had given us leave to make tender of and treate with their Commissioners about those things which tend to a general settlement And therfore we cannot but desire that you would take a speedy course timely to suppresse this great evill and to prevent all of this nature for the future and by making some of those examples who have been active to carry on this businesse wee have not had time to enquire into particulars but shall give you only one instance of a meeting at Skinners Hall concerning this businesse where some persons have been very active the names of some of whom we have given to your Commissioners and also the names of other Citizens who will testifie their carriage there Lastly we cannot but desire you to concur with us in our desires to the Parliament to put the Militia into the hands of those that had it before without which wee can have no assurance that the City will be free from designs of this nature nor can we expect to see a happy Close By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Alisbury July 23. 1647. To the Right Honourable the Lord Major the right Worshipfull the Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in the Common or Guild-hall of the City of London assembled The humble Petition of the Citizens Commanders Officers and Souldiers of the Trained Bands and Auxiliaties the young men and Apprentices of the Cities of London and Westminster Sea-Commanders Sea-men and Watermen together with with divers other Commanders Officers and Souldiers within the Line of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekely Bill of Mortality SHEWETH THat your Petitioners taking into serious consideration how Religion his Majesties Honour safety the priviledges of Parliament liberties of the Subjects are at present greatly endangered and like to be destroyed and also sadly weighing with our selves what meanes might likely prove the most effectuall to procure a firme and lasting Peace without a further effusion of Christian English bloud have therefore entred into a solemne engagement which is hereunto annexed and do humbly and earnestly desire that this whole City may joyne together by all lawfull and possible meanes as one man in hearty endeavours for his Majesties present comming up to his two Houses of Parliament with Honour safety and freedome and that without the neerer approach of the Army there to confirme such things as he hath granted in his Message of the twelfth of May last in answer to the Propositions of both Kingdomes and that by a Personall Treaty with His two Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Kingdome of Scotland such things as yet are in difference may be speedily setled and a firme and lasting Peace established All which we desire may be presented to both
we suppose the Gentlemen themselves from the same grounds that induced them to offer this will still forbeare to offer the contrary till the matters concerning them be heard and determined or to make any new interruption or disturbance to the proceeding upon or settlement of the generall affaires of the Kingdome So we hope and shall confidently expect that the wisedome and justice of the House will not admit any thing to the contrary or leave it to an hazard thereof but will use sufficient care and caution against such things and for the bringing of those Members to tryall when the House shall judge it more seasonable and safe as before exprest By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge June 27. 1647. WHereas without Order from the Generall or the Councell of War Nicholas Cowley Commissary Generall of provisions hath issued out Warrants to some Hundreds within lesse then a mile of London to bring provisions from thence into the Army which he pretended to be Randezvouzed between London and Vxbridge Whereas there was no such thing ordered by the Generall or his Councell of War It is therefore this day ordered by the Generall and his Councel of warre that the said Commissary Cowley shall stand committed and he is thereby committed to the Marshall from whence he is not to be discharged untill he hath given satisfaction to the Commissioners for the City of London residing at Vxbridge By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge Junii 27. The Kings Majesties most gracious Letter to his Son his Highnesse James Duke of York written with his Majesties own hand read in both Houses of Parliament C. R. IAmes I am in hope that you may be permitted with your Brother and Sister to come to some place betwixt this and London where I may see you To this end therefore I command you to aske leave of the two Houses to make a journey if it may be for a night or two But rather then not to see you I will be content that yee come to some convenient place to dine and go back at night And foreseeing the feare of your being brought within the power of the Army as I am may be objected to hinder this my desire I have full assurance from Sir Thomas Fairfax and the chiefe Officers that there will be no interruption or impediment made by them for your returne how and when you please So God blesse you Your loving Father Charles Rex Casam July 4. 1647. Two Letters from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax One to both Houses of Parliament giving an accompt of what Transactions and Proceedings have been betwixt the Kings Majesty and the Army since his coming into their Quarters With some farther Proposals in relation to his Majesty and the speedy settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom c. Master Speaker I Was sent unto by the King on Friday last to desire the Parliament to give way to Him to see his children and that they might for that purpose be sent to Him If I may be bold humbly to offer my Opinion I thinke the allowance of such a thing may be without the least prejudice to the Kingdome and yet gain more upon his Majestie then denying it and if it be in the prayers of every good man that his heart may be gained the performance of such civilities to him is very surable to those Desires and will heare well with all men who if they can imagine it to be their own case cannot but be sorry if His Majesties naturall affections to His Children in so small a thing should not be complyed with and if any question should be concerning the assurance of their returne I shall ingage for their return within what time the Parliament shall limit Upon this occasion give me leave I beseech you to take notice of some reports spread abroad as if my selfe and the Officers of the Army were upon some under-hand Contract or Bargaine with the King and from thence occasion is taken to slander our Integrities and endeavour a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army the fidelity of which to the Parliament and Kingdome and their affection to it are the great objects of many mens Envies because they see nothing so likely to settle Right and Freedome with Truth and Peace to us and Posterity and to hinder their Designs against the same as an Harmony or good accord between the Parliament and Army which is the joy of good men and it shall be our study to preserve against all Designes and Designers to the contrary To prevent therefore all misunderstandings of that kinde I thought fit with all clearnesse to declare unto you That we have done nothing nor shall do any thing which we desire to hide from you or the world or shall not avow to the faces of our greatest Adversaries Our Desires concerning a just consideration and settlement of the Kings Rights His Majesty first giving His concurrence to settle and secure the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome We have already publickely declared in our Representation and Remonstrance Since the first of those Papers sent to the Parliament there have been severall Officers of the Army upon severall occasions sent to His Majesty the first to present to Him a Copy of the Representation and after that some others to tender Him a copy of the Remonstrance upon both which the Officers sent were appointed to clear the sence and intention of any thing in either Paper whereupon His Majesty might make any question Since then there have also been some Officers at severall times sent to His Majesty about His remove from Hatfield to disswade if possibly from Windsor or any place so near London to some place of further distance answerable to what we had desired of the Parliament In all which addresses to his Majesty we care not who knowes what hath been said or done for as we have nothing to bargaine for or to ask either from His Majesty or the Parliament for advantage to our selves or any particular party or interest of our own so in all those Addresses to His Majesty we have utterly disclaimed and disavowed any such thing or any Overtures or Thoughts tending that way but the only intent and effect of those our Addresses hath been to desire and endeavor His Majesties free concurrence with the Parliament for establishing and securing the common Rights and Liberties and setling the peace of the Kingdome And to assure Him That the publick being so provided for with such His Majesties concurrence it is fully agreeable to all our Principles and should be our desires and indeavour That with and in such setling of the Publick the Rights of His Majesties Royall Family should be also provided for so as a lasting Peace and Agreement might be setled in this Nation And that as we had publickly
the Parliament was obstructed by some persons who labouring to imbroyle the Kingdome in a new Warre would not have the Forces already raised to be disbanded who excepted against your discovery to the House That some persons onely of the Militia had joyned in the raising of the new Forces who also would prevent a right understanding between your City and this Army knowing a firme correspondence betweene them would make the Designes of all such men hopelesse And though our taking notice of these things seemes not regular yet being so publickly done we thought fit to mind you of them Now although we have confidence of the reall and cleare intentions of your Lordship the Aldermen and the Commons of your City to promote the peace of this Kingdome and the just desires of this Army Also to prevent all tendencles to a new War or any further blood and therefore hold our selves obliged to yeeld all possible complyance to what you desire of us yet adding to the former grounds the many informations which daily come to us of the continued underhand workings of some Persons still to list men that divers Agents are sent into severall parts of the Kingdome to levie forces and Worcester the place appointed for a generall Randezvouz whither the Forces designed for Ireland that were part of this Army are by some of the Committee at Derby house ordered to March and severall of those Companies who went out from us for the service of Ireland having it intimated to them and by divers carriages perceiving they were intended a foundation for a new Army and a new Warre they so much abhorred the thoughts of it as both the Officers and Souldiers of divers Companies are of late entirely returned to us Likewise that no meanes is left unattempted to bring in Forces from Ireland France and Scotland against the Peace of this poore Kingdome We upon the whole matter offer to yours and all mens Considerations whether with yours ours or the publick Safety we can remove further backeward untill upon yours and our joint endeavours with the Parliament those things of immediate and pressing necessitie be provided for which we desired in our Paper last given in to the Parliaments Commissioners in order to the better proceeding upon the Heads of the Representation and Charge with more hopes of safety and of a timely and happy issue to our selves and the Kingdome viz. That the persons impeached by us may not continue in power and capacity to obstruct due proceedings against themselves And for their owne escape from justice to threaten ruine to the whole Nation That all forces lately raised or listed in or about the City may be forthwith discharged except the usuall number of Trained Bands and Auxiliaries and that all endeavours publickly or privately to raise any further forces may cease and be supprest And that the same measure may be allowed to this Army in paying them up to the same foot of accompt as is already given to those who have deserted the same And for the things exprest in our Representation though of weighty importance yet because they will require time they shall be no occasion to impede our remove and in the meane time both by Proclamation from his Excellency and all other wayes we shall deavour That the accustomed supplies to your City may be freely sent up To conclude we say from our hearts That as our especiall ends are the glory of God and the good of this whole Land so our endeavours shall be to prosecute the same without prejudice to the being or well-being of Parliament in generall the maintenance whereof we value above our owne lives or as we have formerly said of this Parliament in particular but altogether in order to the good and peace of this Nation and with a most tender regard to your City to which we professe we shall by all actions make good all engagements tending to the security thereof in what way your selves shall desire consisting with the good of the whole Kingdome you making good your mutuall correspondency with us not doing any thing to our prejudice in the prosecution of our just desires and endeavours St. Albans June 21. 1647. WE heare even now since the writing of this Letter that yesterday divers of the Reformadoes came againe in a threatning manner to Westminster the House of Commons then sitting to the great affrightment and terror of divers faithfull Members then present and to discouragement of others from their attendance there so that we cannot but perceive that the freedome of this Parliament is no better then that those Members who shall according to their consciences endeavour to prevent a second War and act contrary to their wayes who for their owne preservation intend it they must doe it with the hazzard of their lives which indeed is a thing so destructive to Parliaments and Freedome that we conceive our selves in duty bound to endeavour to the utmost to procure redresse therein June 22. 1647. By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of War Jo. Rushworth Secretary For the right Honorable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London My Lord and Gent. WE have in al things dealt clearly and plainly with you and hope we shall continue still to doe so As soon as the worthy Aldermen and the other two Gentlemen your Commissioners came the last night to us we acquainted them with our purpose to draw the Head quarter to Vxbridge that so we might contract our Quarters which have hitherto lien scattered at which place we hope to receive that which will be satisfaction to the whole Kingdome and will remove obstructions out of the way of Justice wherein if right were done we should let you and all the world see that we would be so farre from pressing neer your City of London it should be indifferent to us to march not onely to the distance already prescribed but to any part of the Kingdome we should be commanded to by the Parliament we have asked nothing hitherto but right in the things that are known as if they were proved an hundred times before them from whom we have sought them which if granted would not only be a Iustice to the Army but would let the Kingdome see the Fountain in a way to be cleared without which nothing of force or power would be a security to any man We wish the name of priviledges may not lie in the ballance with the safety of a Kingdome and the reality of doing justice which as we have said too often we cannot expect whilst the persons we have accused are the Kingdomes and our Iudges A little delay will endanger the putting the Kingdome into bloud notwithstanding what hath been said if it be considered that in Wales besides under-hand workings in your City and other places men are raised and that in no small numbers And are not those men in the Parliament who have continued faithfull to
barbarously and uncivilly used we cannot but declaâ—e that the same and all other suggestions of that sort are most false and scandalous and absolutely contrary not only to our declared desires but also to our Principles which are most clearly for a generall right and just freedome to all men And therfore upon this occasion we cannot but declare particâ—larly that we desire the same for the King and others of lift â—arty so farre as can consist with common right or freedome and with the security of the same for future and wâ— do further clearely professe we do not see how there can be any peace to this Kingdome firme or lasting without a due consideration of and provision for the Pâ—ighâ—s Quiet and Immunity of his Majestieâ— Royall Family and his lâ—t◠〈◊〉 and here in â—e thinke that â—â—nder and equitabâ—e deaâ—ing aâ— supposing thâ—re â—â—ses had been ours and a spirit of common love and justice diffusing it selfe to the good and preservation of all will make up the most glorious conquests over their hearts if God in mercy see it good to make them and the whole People of the Land lasting friends Now to draw to a conclusion since we can yet obtaine no satisfection or answer to the things desired as before but contrariwise find all things carried on by the prevailing interest of those our enemies to the prejudice and danger of our selves and the Kingdome since notwithstanding some Votes of Parliament against the late Orders of the Committee of safety for listing of Forces and notwithstanding the earnest desires and indeavours of the City concurrent with our owne to have the same prevened or remedied yet the said Committee of safety being continued still in the same power we find that by the appointment or contrivance and under the protection or countenance of the same persons whom we have charged and their accomplices there are still manifold practises under-hand to list and raise new Forces and notwithstanding the discovery thereof to the Parliament from the City yet the same persons have prevailed so far in the House as not to admit the Question for discharging of them but the same practices still continue and with double diligence are inforced since also divers forces pretended to have ingaged for Ireland are by the same persons ordered to Randezvouz about Worcester there to lay the foundation of a new Army And to that purpose their Emissaries and correspondents in all Counties are busie and active to raise forces for them And though for these things the actors of them have no present publick authority yet they have some way such countenance or assistance to be justified in Parliament if questioned for it as that they have the confidence to act openly since they have likewise their Emissaries or Agents abroad in Scotland France and other Countries very active to draw in sorraine Forces for their assistance since in the mean time they are endeavouring by Spies and secret agents in all our Quarters to inveigle and invite the Souldiers of this Army to desert their Officers and come to London and for that purpose do improve the advantage of the Order or Declaration of Parliament afore-mentioned for satisfaction of Arreares to such as shall desert the Army And we find they have the publick purse so much at their disposall as to make good that and other their undertakings of that nature and yet such as have so deserted the Army and received their Arrears are not discharged or dispersed but continued together in bodies and under command in or near the City as in particular some of Sir Robert Pyes men Coll Greaves his Cap. Farmers and others still quartered upon Keâ—â— Since likewise they have Agents and Correspondents labouring with the King to make contractâ— with him to draw his Majesty to engage and declare for them or at least to declare himselfe a prisoner amongst us whereby to stirre up and engage his party against us since in all these respects we find all delatory wayes which they industriously devise to be designed and made use of only to our disadvantage weakning and ruine and the Kingdomes prejudice and to their owne advantage and strengthening in their designes the better to prepare for a new War And lastly considering the multitudes of Reformadoes and other Souldiers swarming about the City whom the persons we have charged and their accomplices have at their beck to bring up to Westminster when they please and that by their frequent tumultuous confluences thither besetting and sometimes blocking up the Parliament doores threatning and offering violence to the persons of the most faithfull Parliament men the just freedome of Parliament seems to be taken away or ar least for the present abrogated in so much that those Members who have served the Kingdome hitherto with most faithfulnesse diligence and integrity for the publick good many of them dare scarce come to the House or if they doe they come in feare and perill of their lives and when they are there are awed discharged or disabled from discharging their consciences or doing their duties to the Kingdome Upon all these considerations we are clearely convinc'd and satisfied that both our duties and trust for the Parliament and Kingdome cals upon us and warrants us and an imminent necessity for our owne and the Kingdomes safety and a prevention of a new warre inforceth us to make or admit of no longer delayes but upon these foundations God hath given us with vigour and speed to indeavour in some extraordinary way the vindicating of Parliament freedome from tumultuous violence the breaking of these designes and preparations that otherwise threaten a present imbroilement of the Kingdome in more blood and war and a future perpetuable inslaving of it under faction and Tyranny And so if God see it good to put the Parliament into a freedome and capacity with his Majesties wished and hoped concurrence to settle the Rights Liberties and peace of the Kingdome Upon all these grounds and for all these ends premised we shall be inforced to take such courses extraordinary as God shall inable and direct us unto to put things to a speedy issue unlesse by Thursday night next we receive assurance and security to our selves and the Kingdome for a more safe and hopefull proceeding in an ordinary way by having those things granted which in order thereunto we have before insisted on And shall here for more brevity and clearnesse repeat as followeth 1 That the declaration inviting men to desert the Army and promising their Arrears in case they doe so may be recalled and annulled 2 That the Army may be presently paid up equally to those that have deserted it 3 That his Majesties comming to Richmond may be suspended untill affaires be better setled and composed And in the meant time no place may be appointed that may be neerer to London than the Parliament will allow the Quarters of the Army to be 4 That the Members charged may be forthwith suspended or
declared for the same in generall terms so if things came to a way of settlement we should not be wanting in our sphaeres to owne that Generall Desire in any particulars of natural or civill right to His Majesties person or Family which might not prejudice or againe indanger the Publick and in the meane time Thâ—t his Majestie should find all personall civilities and respects from us with all reasonable freedome that might stand with safety and with the trust or charge lying upon us concerning His Person You have here the utmost sum of what hath passed from us to His Majesty and we could wish all men did rightly understand without misrepresentations every particular wherein as we know nothing not agreeable to Reason Justice Honesty or Conscience so we thought our selves concerned the rather to say and doe as we have towards his Majesty since He came within our Quarters because of those common prejudices suggested against us as if we were utter Enemies to Monarchy and all Civill Order and Government And for that particular of the Duke of Richmond and the Two Chaplains lately permitted to attend His Majesty It was not done without much reluctancy because therein we doubted we might be misunderstood by the Kingdomes best friends But upon His Majesties continuing importunity for it as a thing very nearly concerning His present inward and outward contentment and conceiving those persons such as we hoped would not do ill offices to prejudice the Peace of the Kingdome we did give way to it and the persons before they came had notice of the permission And as we then thought so we still do thinke that to allow him some such company of persons least dangerous whom former acquaintance may make him take pleasure in and the allowance of some such Chaplains of His own are things reasonable and just and the debarring of that liberty in the latter We doubt will but make him more prejudiced against other Ministers In general We humbly conceive that to avoid all harshnesse and afford all kind usage to his Majesties Person in things consisting with the Peace and Safety of the Kingdome is the most Christian Honorable and Prudent way And in all things as the Representation and Remonstrance of the Army doth expresse We think that tender equitable and moderate dealing both towards His Majesty His Royall Family and His late party so farre as may stand with safety to the Kingdome and security to our common Righrs and Liberties is the most hopefull course to take away the seeds of War or future Feuds amongst us for posterity and to procure a lasting Peace and Agreement in this now distracted Nation To the effecting and setling whereof with a secure provision first to be made for the common Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and a due care to preserve and propagate the Gospell of Truth and Peace amongst us we shall hope that neither the Parliament nor his Majesty will be wanting And if God shall see it good to make us any way instrumentall thereunto or that we may otherwise see the same accomplisht we shall then thinke our selves indeed discharged from the publick engagements we have been called out unto more clearly and effectually then before such things were setled we could have thought our selves to be and to demonstrate our clearnesse from seeking self-advantages in what we did we shall thenceforth account it our greatest happinesse and Honor if God see it good to be disingaged and disinist not only from our military charges but from all other matters of Power or publick imployment whatsoever I have in these things spoke not in my owne Name alone but in the Name because I find it to be the clear sence of generality or at least of the most considerable part of the Army and I am confident you and the Kingdome will never find it otherwise I shall leave it to your favorable construction and commit all to the goodnesse of God for an happy issue I remain Your most humble servant Thomas Fairfax Reading July 8. 1647. For the Right Honorable The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament For the Right Honorable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councel of the City of London My Lord and Gentlemen TO the end we may continue a right understanding betwixt you and us all along in the management of this great businesse with the Parliament the happy proceedings thereof so much concerning the safety and peace of this Kingdome we have given your Commissioners this day the copie of a Paper which we presented to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with us wherein we take notice of the true reasons of the slow progresse in the Treaty and declare where the stop remains And to the end that nothing may be wanting in us which might work toward the speedy settlement of the quiet of this Kingdome we have humbly offered what we can say will most effectually tend to remove those incumbrances and letts which stand between us and the universal good of the Kingdome and till that be done it cannot be expected that we should procure the Peace of this Kingdome by a Treaty but rather give occasion and opportunity thereby to others to ingage us in a second War which must necessarily hazzard the ruine of this Kingdome as also the certaine destruction of Ireland the reliefe whereof we should most effectually apply unto you were the affairs of England but once put into an hopefull posture It is a sudden and substantiall settlement of the whole we desire in a generall safe and well-grounded Peace and the establishment of such good Laws as may duly and readily render to every man their just Rights and Liberties and for the obtaining of these not only our intentions had led us to but we think that all the Blood Treasure and Labour spent in this War was for the accomplishing those very things which are of that concernement both to our selves and posterity that neither we nor they can live comfortably without them and thereof we hope your selvs will have the same sence and therefore improve your interest for the obtaining our just Desires in the Proposals now sent unto the Parliament which being granted and we secured from the danger of a War we shall proceed with chearefulnesse to the Treaty and doubt not in a short time to see an happy Conclusion to the satisfaction of all honest mens Expectation and that in all our undertakings we shall be found men of truth fully and singly answering the things we have held forth to the Kingdom in our severall Declarations and Papers without by or base respects to any private end or interest whatsoever By the appointment of his Excellency Sir T. Fairfax and his Councel of War Signed J. R. Secre. Reading July 8. 1647. A Paper delivered in by the Commissioners of Parliament Wednesday July 7. 1647. THat finding the expectation of the Parliament and Kingdom to be very great upon the speedy progresse and happy issue of this
houses of Parliament from this honourable Assembly And we shall pray A solemne engagement of the Citizens Commanders Officers and Souldiers of the Trained bands Auxiliaries the young men and Prentices of the Cities of London Westminster Sea Commanders Sea-men Watermen together with divers others the Commanders Officers and souldiers within the lines of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bill of Mortality WHereas we have entered into a solemne League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace safety of the 3. Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland all which we do iminently perceive not only to be endangered but ready to be destroyed we do therefore in pursuance of our said Covenant oath of Allegiance oath of every Free-man of the Cities of London and Westminster and protestation solemnly ingage our selves vow unto Almighty God that we will to the utmost of our power cordially endeavour that His Majesty may speedily come to his 2. Houses of Parliament with Honour safety and freedom and that without the neerer aproach of the Army there to confirm such things as he hath granted in his Message of the 12. of May last in answer to the Propositions of both Kingdoms that by a Personall Treaty with his 2. Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland such things as yet are in difference may be speedily setled a firm lasting peace established for the effecting hereof we do protest and reobliege our selves as in the presence of God the searcher of all hearts with our lives and fortunes to indeavour what in us lie to preserve and defend His Majesties Royall Person and authority the priviledges of Parliament and liberty of the Subject in their full and constant freedom the Cities of London and Westminster lines of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the weekly Bill of Mortality and all others that shall adhere with us to the said Covenant and oath of Allegiance oath of every Free-man of London and Westminster and Protestation Nor shall we by any meanes admit suffer or endure any neutrality in this common cause of God the King and Kingdome as we do expect the blessing of Almighty God whose help we crave and wholly devolve our selves upon in this our undertaking I. Doe hereby require the chiefe Officer present with every Troope and Company to make strict enquiry what Cavalliers have been listed entertained in their Troopes or Companies since the Muster preceeding the last Muster And that all such chiefe Officers shall presently upon such enquiry as before put forth of their Troopes or Companies of such Cavalliers as they shall find in their Troopes or companies from such Musters as before And before they receive any pay upon this last Muster they shall expunge all such Cavalliers out of their Muster Rolls as they shall have put out of their Troops or Companies And if it shall hereafter appear that any chiefe Officer present with their Troop or Company shall neglect is put forth or cashiere such Cavalliers in manner as before or receive any for the time to come upon proofe thereof made he shall be lyable to a Councell of War and be accordingly proceeded against Given under my Hand the 21. of July 1647. Tho Fairfax For the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army My Lords and Gentlemen HAving resolved upon this inclosed dispatch from the City of London I thought it my part to give you an account of it and to give you all assurance that my heart is deeply affected with the late carriages toward the Parliament And how-ever others have neglected their duty towards them for their security and defence yet as God shall enable me it shall be my great businesse to improve all that is in my hand for the preserving of them and in them the interest of this Nation And what construction soever some formerly may have put upon the proceedings of this Army I trust the Lord will by his good hand lead us into such good actions as shal witnesse our end answerable to all our professions to wit for the good of the Kingdom and thereinto be an effectuall saving to great authority of the Kingdome in the Parliament I rest Your most assured friend Tho. Fairfax Bedford July 29. 1647. To the Right Honourable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London My Lord and Gentlemen YOu may please to remember the forward complyance of this Army with your desires to remove to this distance and that upon the assurance you gave them of your concurrence with their declared desires for the setling the liberty and peace of this Kingdom against which you never yet offered us one exception or any ground of dissent as also of your great tendernesse and resolution to secure the Parliament and their Priviledges from any violence or attempt the chiefe reason given us of your late listing of new forces and wherein we did most acquiesce That upon this confidence we had disposed the Army into severall parts of the Kingdom for the ease of the whole to above 100. miles distance we had given up our selves to the effecting of such proposalls as might tend to the comfortable settlement of this poor Kingdom and we were in a hopefull way for the speedy reliefe of Ireland We cannot then but be deepely sensible of the unparalled violation acted upon the Parliament upon Monday last by a rude multitude from your City because therein the guards sent from the City did not only neglect their duty for the security of the Parliament from such violence and the whole Citie to yeild any reliefe to the houses in that extreamity but I am assured from eye ear-witnesses that divers of the Common-councell gave great encouragement to it which doth not only gain-say your former professions but does violence to those many obligations that by your Charter Protestation and sundry other wayes lye upon you to protect the Parliament For my part I cannot but look on your selves who are in authority as accountable to the Kingdome for your present interruptions of that hopefull way of Peace and settlement things were in for this Nation and of relieving Ireland occasioned by the late Treasonable and destructive engagement Especially the lately prodigious and horrid force done upon the Parliament tending to dissolve all government upon which score we and the whole Kingdom shall have cause to put every thing of the like nature that may happen to the Parliament or to any who are friends to them and this Armie except by your wisedom care and industry the chiefe acters in the Premisses may be detected secured and given up to the procuring of justice for the same and the best endeavours used to prevent the like for the future And so I rest Your most assured friend to serve you Tho. Fairfax Bedford 29. July 1647. A Declaration of William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the
Honourable House of Commons ALthough it may happily be contrary to the expectation of some that I attend not the service of the House of Commons at this time as I have constantly done for almost 7. years last past yet can it not be reasonably expected by any that well consider the violence offered to both Houses of Parliament and to my selfe in particular on Monday last insomuch that I can safely take it upon my conscience and so I doubt not may all the Members of both Houses also they sate in continuall feare of their lives and by terrour thereof were compelled to passe such Votes as it pleased an unruly multitude to force upon them which as I did then openly declare in the House so I cannot but believe that they are all void and null being extorted by force and violence and in that manner that they were and I cannot any longer dispence with my selfe to be an instrument in passing such Votes or to give any colour or shadow of Parliamentary authority unto them which are not the Votes of the representative body of the Kingdom but of a tumultuous multitude as those must needs be accompted that seemed to passe the House on Monday last which shall passe hereafter untill better provision be made for the safe and free sitting of the Houses of Parliament there being no effectuall course taken by the City since the last adjournment of the Houses to prevent the like tumults for the future no nor so much as a Declaration from them to shew their dislike thereof but on the contrary it is generally voyced in the Town that there will be a far greater confluence of Apprentices Reformadoes and others on Friday at the Parliament doors and particularly notice was given to me that after they had made the House vote what they pleased they would destroy me I had likewise information given mee that there would be a great number of Apprentices of a contrary Opinion affections to the other about the Parliament doors on Friday mornings which I fore-saw must of necessity cause a great combustion and in probability occasion much bloud-shed the preventing of which mischiefs together with the considerations afore-said have weighed more with mee then any thing which may concern my particular and espâ—cially having served the House faithfully and diligently for the space of very neere seven years in a true and Parliamentary way of proceedings that I might not now be made a servant to such a multitude to transfer upon them the colour of Parliamentary authority therewithall to abuse and deceive the mindes and to destroy the lives liberties and estates of the people of this Kingdom And having taken a solemn Protestation and Covenant in my place and calling to maintain the priviledges of Parliament the rights and liberties of the Subjects I could not now satifie my selfe but by absenting my selfe at this time rather then by my presence to give any shadow or countenance of the authority of Parliament to such apparent violations thereof neither can the omission of a circumstance or some foâ—mality in the adjournment of the House when through force and violence it cannot meet and sit in any sort as a Parliament be any prejudice to the future meeting and proceedings thereof when it may meet and sit again as a free Parliament it being well known that nothing can dissolve this Parliament but an Act of Parliament When a company of Apprentices Reformadoes and others shall call the Ordinances of Parliament pretended Ordinances shall lock the doors of the houses upon them shall sweare not to let them out till they had passed what they pleased concerning the Militia of London and other things though the Houses had immediately before voted otherwise shall threaten the Houses in case they did not instantly satisfie their demands shall knock whoot and hollow continually at the Parliament doore that the Members could not be heard to speak or debate and after that the House of Commons had passed a Vote concerning the Militia of London and that the Speaker by the Vote had judged the major part to be for the Negative shall not suffer the House to be divided but in a threatning way require those that gave their votes against them to come out to them if they would when after the House was adjourned they shall by main force thrust backe the Speaker again into the House and force the Members in their presence and sight divers of them thrusting into the House to vote what they demanded when they shall justly pull and hale the Speaker all the way hee went down to his Coach and force him to avoid their violence to betake himselfe to the next coach he could get into for refuge when they shall breath forth bloudy threats against the Members as they came out of the House and since against me in particular at the next meeting of the House as I am credibly informed when there is no appearance but that they will continue to doe as formerly they have done or far worse on Friday I could not in discharge of my Trust Protestation and Covenant sit in the Chaire of the House of Commons whilst it shall be in such a condition but so soon as it may sit again in freedom and safety I shall be ready to attend the service thereof but till then as I have upon the fore-mentioned grounds fully satisfied my own conscience so I doubt not but I shall give the whole Kingdom whose interest is most concerned in it ample satisfrction in the necessity of my absence William Lenthall Speaker For his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of WARRE Right Honourable BY those of our Committee which came from you this day we understand your Excellencies your Honorable Councell of War their expectation to be possessed of all Forts from Giles fort and that to be one down unto the River side by six of the clock this Evening And we take notice for what reasons your Excellency is led to insist thereupon For our parts that we may manifest how ready wee are to comply with all things which may beget a good understanding wee have readily consented therunto as far as the cognizance thereof belongs to this court have given directions accordingly to the Committee of the Militia for drawing off all Forces and Ordnance unto which work they do now instantly apply themselves and we are confident your Excellency will finde performance acordingly The Committee of Militia will also give order for quitting such Forts on Southwark side as are not as yet in possession of your Forces And now next unto Almighty God we doe rely upon your Excellencies honourable word for our safety and to be protected from all violence of the Souldiery Michel 4. August 1647. For the Right Honourable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London My Lord and Gentlemen I Am very glad to find so ready a complyance in answer to my last desire
sent to the Common-Councell and have accordingly given order for 3. Regiments of Foot and two of Horse to possesse those Forts you mentioned in your last and to lie thereabouts I am with the rest of the Army marched up to Hammersmith in order to the security of the Lords and Commons who I suppose will to morrow sit in Parliament the preserving of their priviledges and securing them from violence that with freedome they may sit to discharge their trusts hath been the cause of my neer approach to your Citie And whereas you are pleased to expresse your hopes of preservation from violence you may be confident nothing shall passe from this Armie but what shall be for the safety of your City And I doubt not though some dis-affected persons to the peace of this Kingdom have endeavoured to beges a misunderstanding betweene this Army and the City hoping thereby to embroyle the Kingdome in new troubles Yet that this Army may always behave themselves as to witnesse to the world the integrity of their hearts in having no other design but the quiet and happy settlement of a firm and lasting peace wherein both the whole Kingdom and your Citie in particular wil have cause to rejoyce in the goodnesse of God the accomplishment whereof will truly glad the hearts of this Army and in particular of Your most humble Servant Tho Fairfax August 5. 1647. A Declaration from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Concerning the Proposalls of the Armie for setling of a Peace and the grounds of publishing the heads thereof SInce our drawing back to Reading we have applyed our selves with all diligence to frame and hasten an intire body of all the particular proposals which we would tender to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army to be treated on in pursuance of those generall desires exprest in our former Declarations Papers for the securing of the common rights and liberties and a present setling of the peace of the Kingdom In which businesse notwithstanding the many interruptions and disturbances with daily advertisements of the indirect and treacherous practises and preparations of the Committee of Militia and others in and about the City of London and else-where tending to a new War have occasioned to the diverting or retarding of our proceeding therein yet we have made a progresse as speedy as the nature and weight of such a work would admit and having finished the same we have delivered in an abstract of the Heads thereof unto the said Commissioners of Parliament to be treated upon But the late pernicious Engagement for on â—â—oâ—â— in the 〈◊〉 aâ—d much more that prodigious violence doâ—e to both Houâ—◠〈…〉 on Munday last having wholly taken us off for present and rendred all proceeding in the way of Treaty thereupon nâ—â—erely vaine and hopelesse untill it shall please God the Parliament be righted and vindicated against that violation done to it and restored into a condition of freedome so as the unquestioned Members of it may repaire together with safetie and proceed according to their just freedome Wee have thought good in the meane time to make this publique tender of the Heads of the Proposalls to the Consideration of the whole Kingdome wherein though all circumstances requisite to be determined in an actuâ—ll settlement â—e not so fully and perfectly expressed as upon the Treaty intended if not interrupted as before they might speedily have been yet all men may see and understand in these the effect and bottome of our desires whereupon wee have sincerely studied that a present peace might be satled which same thing with and after such vindication of the Parliament as may againe render it into a capacitie to establish the same wee shall still faithfully endeavour to the utmost of our powers and accordingly shall expect the chearfull and hearty concurrence of all those who are or shall be satisfied concerning the integrity of our intentions to the peace and welfare of the Kingdome in these Proposalls or who shall for the maine desire or approve of the same things with us in order to a settlement And to these Proposalls which wee here first tender as necessary to a Peace and upon which wee desire the seale of peace in the restitution of his Majesty and others to their Rights and in an Act of Oblivion to be past wee cannot but adde the further expression of our desires in some other particulars which though not so essentiall to peace as necessarily to precede the setling of it yet being matters of very publique and most of them of generall grievance to the Kingdome which wee every where finde the Out-cryes of and being contained in or pursuance of the same things expressed in our former Representations and Papers Wee shall desire that the Parliament being set free no time may be lost for a speedy Consideration of them so as the former things for the present setling of peace be not delayed thereby Signed by the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre Jo Rushworth Secretary Colbrooke August 2. 1647. The Heads of the PROPOSALLS agreed upon by his Ex cie Sir THO FAIRFAX and the Councell of the Army to be tendred to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army and with them to be treated on by the Commissioners of the Army Containing the particulars of their desires in pursuance of their former Declarations and Papers In order to the clearing and securing of the Rights and Libertles of the Kingdome and the setling a just and lasting peace To which are added some further particular desires for the removing and redressing of divers present pressing grievances being also comprized in or necessary pursuance of their former Representations and Papers appointed to be Treated upon 1. THat the things hereafter proposed being provided for by this Parliament a certain period may by Act of Parliament be set for the ending of this Parliament such period to be within a yeare at most and in the same Act provision to be made for the succession and constitution of Parliaments in future as followeth 1. THat Parliaments may Blennially be called and meet at a certain day with such provision for the certainty thereof as in the late Act was made for Trienniall-Parliaments and what further or other provision shall be found needfull by the Parliament to reduce it to more certainty and upon the passing of this the said Act for Trienniall-Parliaments to be repealed 2. Each Bienniall Parliament to sit 120. dayes certain unlessâ— adjourned or dissolved sooner by their own consent afterwards to bâ— adjournable or dissolveable by the King and no Parliament to sit past 240. dayes from their first meeting or some other limited number of dayes now to be agreed on upon the expiration whereof each Parliament to dissolve of course if not otherwise dissolved sooner 3. The King upon advice of the Councell of State in the intervalls bewixt Bienniall-Parliaments to call a
space prepared and ordered a considerable force no lesse then 4000. horse and foot as Sir Thomas Temple employed from the Parliament about that businesse to us can testifie for a present reliefe thereunto But the restlessâ— and treacherous malice of the enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace taking their supposed advantage of our distance and dispersed posture which their faire pretences of peaceable intentions had induced us into first they did without all colour of authority contrive and set on foot in the City and many of them entred into a mischievous and desperate now and ingagement tending to the subversion of the freedome of Parliament and the liberties of this Nation to the frustrating of those just and publick ends for which so much bloud and treasure hath been spilt and spent in the late Warres and to the raising of a new Warre against the Parliament and their Army which said ingagement both Houses of Parliament did by their Declaration of the 23. of July adjudge and declare to be high Treason in all that should promote or abet the same and within a few dayes after to wit on Monday July 26. there was a Petition brought to the Parliament by the Sheriffes and some Aldermen and Common-Councell-men in the name of the City of London for the recalling of the said Ordinance of the 23. of July concerning the Militia and the returning of the Militia into those hands in which it was put by the Ordinance of the 4. of May which Petition was immediately followed and backed with a tumultuous confluence of Apprentices and other dissolute and desperate persons who committed most horrid and unheard of violence upon both Houser inforcing them to recall both the said Declaration of the three and twentieth day of July concerning the said engagement and also the said Ordinance of the same date concerning the Militia and compelling the Speaker of the House of Commons to resume the Chaire after the House was adjourned and the House to passe such further Votes concerning the Kings present coming to London c. as the said Rioters did please neither the Guard from the City that then attended the Houses nor the Lord Mayor Sheriffes or any Authority in the City though sent to for that purpose taking any course to suppresse the said tumult or relieve the Parliament against that violence though it was continued for the space of eight or ten houres And the Houses having next day adjourned till Friday July 30. There were printed Tickets fixed upon posts in and about the City the day before inviting the same persons to the like confluence at Westminster against the House next meeting all which hath been more fully and more assuredly made known by the Declaration of the Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the same By this meanes the Speakers of both Houses together with most of the Lords and a very great number of the most faithfull and unquestioned Members of the House of Commons were driven away so as they could not with safety attend their service in Parliament nor with freedome discharge their trust to the Kingdome therein but were forced to fly to their Army for safety so as there was not nor could then be and free meeting or legall proceeding of a Parliament Notwithstanding which divers Members of both Houses who by the carriage and sequell of the businesse will appeare to be of the same party and confederacy with the aforesaid Enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace and with the Authors and Actors both of the said treasonable ingagement and the tumoltuous force upon the Parliament Taking this opportunitie of time to carry on their designes when very few were left but of their owne party did continue to meet in the usuall places in Westminster And having under pretence of a necessity for continuing the Parliament by adjournement they drawn in some few well-minded Members to sit with them out of a scruple least the Parliament should fall for want of adjournement took upon them the name of both Houses of Parliament And having on Friday July 30. chosen a new Speaker did proceed to Vote and Act as a Parliament and adjourned from time to time But of what party and confederacy the most of them were and to what ends and interests they acted will appeare by what they did whereof we shall for present give a taste in some particulars hoping that shortly the whole Journall of their proceedings may be made publick First the said Members of the House of Commons conveening as aforesaid immediately Voted and called in as to the service of the House the Eleven impeached Members And also those who upon former Votes of the House were suspended or under Question to be put out for Delinquency and had put in their cases with this pretended House of Commons thus composed and foure or five Lords of the same Modell for an house of Peares they proceed to set up a Committee for safety whereof almost all of the said impeached Members were apart this Committee they appointed to joine with that same pretended Committee of the City Militia whose power was obtained only by the tumultuous force and violence aforesaid To these Committees the most or many of their proceedings referre and by divers pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances procured in the name of one or both Houses of Parliament large powers were given to these two Committees for raising of Forces appointing chiefe Commanders and other Officers and other vast unlimited and unusuall powers were given them all tending to the raising and levying of a new Warre within this Kingdome upon which many forces both of Horse and Foot were actually levyed and other preparations of Warre made all which that they were intended and designed in Justification prosecution and maintenance of the aforesaid treasonable engagement and of the said force and violence done to the parliament or of the very same ends and interests and to oppose and hinder the restitution of the Houses of Parliament to their honour and freedome and the advance of this their Army for that purpose being then upon a March Besides the consideration of the persons into whose hands these powers were committed It is abundantly evident many other wayes but especially by that Declanation of the Lord-Mayor Aldermen and Common-councell of London which was first by that pretended Committee of safety ordered and then by the pretended Houses without reading a word of it approved to be published in the Parish Churches with an exhortation to the people to take up Armes in maintenance of the ends therein expressed which though the pretence were for the defence of the King Parliament and City then alledged to be in great danger when as indeed none were in danger but only the Authors Actors and Abettors of the traiterouâ— practises aforesaid yet the true ends thereof appeare clearely to be the same with the said treasonable ingagement and tumult against the Parliament all of them concentring as in other things so
on whom the Houses have depended in that particular there is little or nothing hitherto effected therein and especially considering the delayes made by the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-councell of the City of London in the advancing of that summe which the Houses have demanded of them upon the security of their Arrears so long since due from the City to this Army and for that tax whereupon all or most other places have long since paid in their proportions We are inforced to make this present addresse to the Houses in relation thereunto 1. Wee cannot but consider the notorious readinesse of that Court to the advancing of far greater sums for the raising of a new War and prosecution of the late mischievous practices and designs against the Parliament and Army And that as their precipitate forwardnesse therein was the occasion of the Armies comming into these parts so their backwardnesse to the raising or advancing of the money now required for the service of the Parliament and supply of the Army hath been and is the occasion of the Armies continuance here And therefore wee cannot but offer it as what we humbly conceive most just and reasonable That for what time their default or delays have occasioned and shall further occasion the Armies stay hereabouts so much as to the burthen oppression of these parts the charge thereof should some way be laid upon them and their adherents in and about the City together with those persons from whom the said Arreares are due and those in whose default it lyes that they have hitherto been either not assessed or not collected And for that purpose that at least in case the summ required for so long time as the payment thereof shall be further delayed Next forasmuch as the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell may perhaps conceive themselves not so much obliged either to execute the authority given them by the Parliament for levying of money upon others or to advance it themselves by way of loan in behalf of others until it can belevied as they would be to provide what should justly be charged upon themselves Wee therefore humbly offer at least in case the sum required upon the Arreares be not paid in by the time limited 2. That the Houses would be pleased speedily to consider of the delinquency of that Court and Councell in those things that were lately done by them as a Court and set such Fine upon them for the same as shall be agreeable to justice which money being chargeable so properly upon themselves we presume they will not have the like excuse not to provide Lastly since it is most evident that for the speedy bringing in of the money required upon the arrears there wants not in the said Major Aldermen and Common-Councell either authority to levy it or ability to advance it by way of Loan til it can be levied nor doe the persons from whence the arrears are due want ability to pay them but the only fault and defect lies in the want of will to the thing both in the one and in the other and want of power in the hands of willing men to enforce it without which wee see little hopes that it will in any tolerable time be effected We therefore offer 3. That in case the money be not brought in by the time limited the Parliament would be pleased to give leave and power to the Generall with the advice and directions of the Committee for the Army for the levying of the said arrears together with such penalties and fine as the Houses shall find cause to impose as afore-said or at least the penalties allowed by the Ordinances for that tax for the Armie and then 〈◊〉 the money be not speedily brought in for the Parliament to dispose of let us bear the blame And all these things we desire the rather because we have grounds both of reason and evidence from the speeches of many in the City to believe that in this long with-holding of money the designs and hopes of the Parliament and our enemies are to raise the Army into distempers and the Countrey about into a flame whereby at least to hinder and interrupt all proceedings to the execution of Parliamentary justice or settlement of the Kingdome and to expose the Parliament again into tumultuous violence of all which the danger is very evident and imminent if not speedily prevented by some such vigorous and effectuall remedies as afore-said By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the Generall Councell of his Army Signed John Rushworth Secretary Putney Septemb. 16. 1647. A Representation from his Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the Generall Councell of the Army Expressing the Desires of the Army in relation to themselves as Souldiers in which they desire satisfaction before disbanding Tendred to the Right Honourable the Commissioners o◠Parliament residing with the Army Sept. 21. to be by them represented to the Parl. Right Honourable IN our Representation or Declaration sent from St. Albans wee did expresse in generall terms what we desired for the setling and securing of the Rights Liberties Peace and Safety of the Kingdom and since then as the Distractions and interruptions we have met withall would admit Wee have proceeded to prepare and have lately delived to your Lordships in particular Proposall In pursuance of these generall Desires and in order to the same Ends having in these set forth what our Desires are in the things which concerns us as members of the Common-wealth and in common with all others we shall now desire your Lordships to remind the Parliament of our humble Desires in these things which concerne us as Souldiers and of our dissatisfaction in relation thereunto which remained upon us when some Regiments of the Army are voted to be disbanded For which purpose we have now prepared and doe herewith tender to your Lordships our particular desires in pursuance of our former papers published before our comming to St. Albans in order to the satisfaction and security of the Army other the Parliaments forces in point of Arrears and other things that concern us as Souldiers Which we desire may be humbly represented to the Parliament to be taken into a speedy consideration as may be a matter of the first Article concerning the present stating of Accounts and giving Debentures for Arrears to bee speedily put in execution or set in a way of dispatch and the rest of them to be agreed upon and provided for and included in any setling of a Peace which we shall heartily pray for By the appointment of His Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the generall Councel of the Army Signed John Rushworth Secr. Putney Septemb. 21. 1647. Putney Septemb. 21. 1647. FIrst That a Committee or Commissioners be appointed by the Parliament to come down and abide at the Head-quarters of the Army with full power and authority to Audite and State the Accounts thereof and to give Debentures at well for the pay respited