nigh two hundred miles for the more ease of all parts and that wee might give the better satisfaction to the Kingdome And being in this secure way and labouring after the suddain settlement of the Kingdome we had even brought to perfection the particular Proposals included in the generals of our first Representation to be sent to the Parliament for a finall conclusion of all our troubles And also had made good progresse towards the present reliefe of distressed Ireland by assigning a competent force both of horse and foot forthwith to have advanced for that service But the Kingdomes and our Enemies being most vigilant and active to prevent and frustrate those good intentions and endeavours of ours that they might carry on their former evill designes and under-hand practises and also preserve themselves from the hand of justice they have endeavoured to cast the Kingdome into a new and bloudy warre And for that end have procured the under-hand-listing of severall Reformadoes and others have contrived promoted and caused to be entred into by severall persons a wicked and treasonable combination as is sufficiently manifested by a Declaration passed thereupon by both Houses of Parliament the 23. of July last for the prevention of the disturbances that were like to ensue thereupon from which kinde of disorders the Citie had been well preserved during the space of almost foure yeares whilest the Militia was in the hands of the old Commissioners whereby it appeares there was cause for the Army to intreat the Parliament that the Militia might be returned into the hands it was in before as also for divers other good Reasons 1. The old Commissioners of the Militia that have been since left out were not onely persons with out all exception having been formerly chosen and approved by the Parliament and Citie but also men of whom the City Parliament and Kingdome have had above foure yeares experience in the faithfull discharge of their trust men that ever from the beginning in the worst of times and in the occasions of greatest difficultie had faithfully and constantly ingaged for and with the Parliament in this cause Mâ—n that were alwayes most desirous of a Peace but of a safe and well grounded one and that had alwaies testified a great care to prevent all occasions of embroyling the Kingdome in a new Warre Now that on a suddain this trust which they had so faithfully discharged so long should be taken out of their hands and put into the hands of others some whereof at the best have been very coole in the service of the Parliament at the beginning of this Warre That this should be pressed and in a manner forced upon the Parliament with such importunitie from the Common-Councell that some out of every Ward should be assigned to sollicite the Members of the House of Commons every day as they went in and out at the House with professions that they would never leave the doore of the House till they were satisfied in their desires That they would not be contented with the Militia of the City of London onely unlesse they might have power also over that of the Suburbs and and out parts and all this before the peace of the Kingdome was setled or the Propositions sent to the King for that purpose These things ministred great cause of suspition that this alteration of the Militia was in order to a designe and to make the tearmes of the Peace and agreement with the King on which the security of the whole Kingdome and their posterity is to be bottomed more sutable to the private bargainings and undertakings of some men then to the publique welfare of the whole Kingdome in its security and prosperity for the present and in future times But this designe discovered it selfe more cleerely by such things as accompanied the pursuit of this alteration of the Militia and ensued upon the obtaining thereof At the same time that the alteration of the Militia of London was set on foot the same persons with as much earnestness pressed for the disbanding of this Army before any thing was setled for the security and liberty of the Kingdome At the same time the Common-Councell was new modulized and a Lord Mayor chosen that might suite with the present designe in hand At the said time under colour of differences in some circumstances of Church-Government it was earnestly endeavoured that such as had been constantly true and most faithfull to the interest of the Kingdome should be disabled to have any imployment in Church or Common-wealth either in England or Ireland and without any such colour or pretence divers persons were left out of the Common-Councell and Militia of eminent deserts and fidelity and others brought into their roomes that had either testified an ill affection or little affection to the Parliament and their cause and such as seeking to withdraw themselves from all imployment in the beginning of this Warre now at the winding up thereof are ambitious to thrust themselves into imployment with a designe as may justly be suspected to frustrate and overthrow in the close of all the fruit and effect of all the cost and bloud that hath been spent and spilt in this cause and after that with difficulty and not without reluctancy in the Houses of Parliament they had obtained the power of the Militia in the Citie of London and also in the out parts for the space of one yeare Many Officers and under Officers in the Trained Bands of known trust and fidelity were displaced and others of more doubtfull affections placed in their roomes little care was taken of the honour of the Parliament which was continuâ—lly trampled under-foot and their authority affronted by every rabble of Women Apprentices Reformadoes and Souldiers which latter sort of persons were thereby so incouraged to rise higher and higher in their tumultuous carriages against the House till at length it is risen to that height of barbarous and monstrous violence against the Parliament that they might set themselves on worke and the Kingdome on fire againe And now at length the designe appeares open faced and though the Militia be made as the principall ground of the quarrell yet by the late vowes and engagements set on foote before any alteration of the Militia and the pressing so much the Message of the 12. of May and the Kings comming to London to confirme the same shew that the Militia is desired but in order to that designe and to force the Parliament being wholly in their power to such Termes of peace as they pleased 2. In the next place when the interest of the Common Councell in their change of the Militia shall be claimed as the Birth-right of the City of London which they never had any colour to pretend to saving by the indulgency of the Parliament unto them since this Parliament in respect of the great use they have had of them and the many good services they have received from them It is time for
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
Houses that were driven away by the violence aforesaid and the immunitie of the Army in advancing to London to bring them back and restore the Parliament to its honour and freedome which have been acknowledged with publick Thankesgiving to God for it as aforesaid is subjected and exposed to question wherein theirs and ours and the Kingdoms enemies obtrude themselves to be the Iudges for if those pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances whereby werre was levied against them and us were then good and valid though they should now he repealed yet we with the Speakers and those Members aforesaid in opposing of them while they were of force must needs remaine transgressors still and yet God and we are thanked for it what a Mock is this to God and man but to returne to the more serious consideration of our case in relation to the securitie of the Parliament Kingdome and our selves against the like turbulent and treasonable practises in future since by the means aforesaid no securitie by exemplary justice can at present be had to deterre any from the like we wish all men to consider what straights we are in this case put upon That which is the maine worke of the Kingdome and which we most earnestly thirst for and attend upon viz. the setling of a peace and consideration of our Proposals in Order thereunto will aske time to bring it to an issue and that done the relieving or remedying of the pressing grievances of the Kingdome will take up and require the sitting of the Parliament for some further time though upon the setling of a peace a period be set for the certaine ending of it Now for the body of this Army or so great apart of it as may serve to over-power any future tumults or force that may arise in or from the City to continue hereabouts so long the condition of the Countrey hereabouts and the nceessities of the City in point of provision cannot well beare it and we doubt Forraign forces that are already upon the wing and turbulent Spirits that in severall parts of the Kingdome are beginning insurrections if we continue fixed here will have such opportunity and take such encouragement there-from as that they may ere long necessarily call us off should we now or hereafter while the Parliament sits draw off the Army from about the City without exemplary justice upon some would not the same or more dangerous tumults and violences probably returne upon the Parliament and the like or worse practices of raising a new war be revived with more advantage to our enemies more danger to us and the Kingdome and lesse hopes of appeasing it so easily and happily as the former while the same violent and factious spirits both in the Parliament and elsewhere shall continue in the same power and opportunities as formerly and both they and all others shall have before their eyes the encouragement of that impunity and protection yea rather that Justification which they have hitherto found from within the Parliament it selfe in the past practises aforementioned though as grossely treasonable as any they can hereafter run into should we or any others for the obtaining of exemplary justice upon some proceed to impeach any for their past treasonable practices what hopes of justice or of a timely dispatch therein can we have while such a prevailing party of men interessed and concerned in the same things shall in the House of Commons continue to be judges thereof or at least be ready to avow and justifie the offendors therein as having acted under their pretended authority In this straight therefore though we ever have been and shall be most tender of all just priviledges of Parliament yet finding the root of these and other difficulties to the Parliament Kingdom our selves to lie in this viz. That those Members of the House of Commons who during the forced absence of the Speakers of both Houses continuing to sit â—nâ— act as a Parliament did procure and consent to the pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances afore-mentioned for levying of war and that as is before demonstrated in direct prosecution or maintenance of the forâ—-said treasonable Engagâ—-ment and the violence done to the Parliament and for the opposing resisting and destroying of this the Parliaments Army in its advance towards London to returne the Speakers and Members of both Houses which were driven away and the Houses themselves to their honour and freedome and who are thereby and by their late owning and avowing of the same and many of them as we can prove by acting personally the said treasonable practises become pâ—râ—ies to the same doe yet take the boldnesse to sit and Vote in Parliament especially in the House of Commons Wee say finding the main roote of our difficulties and dangers to â—ye in this First we appeale to all men whether it be just or tolerable that any priviledge of Parliament should contrary to the Law of nature make a man judge in his owne case and concernment and wee wish those Members themselves to consider if we had come to engagement with the Forces raised by vertue of their pretended Votes and Ordinances and that thousands had been shine and we had made our way by the sword whether they would then have expected to have sate as Judges upon us therein and we are sure it is no thanks to them that it hath beene otherwise and had wee found those Members in Armes against us and subdued and taken them whether had they not beene in the condition of prisoners of Warre and if so then having put Armes into the hands of others against us and still maintaining it whether can they in strict justice challenge any better condition from us but that contrariwise we should suffer either that those whom by the course of Warre which they had chose to engage in against us wee might justly make our prisoners should in a course of Law become our Masters and Commanders or that those who the other day did in an hostile manner endeavour to have beene our Executioners should now we have by force broke their prepa ations against us become our Judges we suppose no reasonable man nor themselves when they well consiâ—er it can expect from us Upon all these Considerations of the justnesse of the Cause and the necessity of the thing for the safety of the Parliament Kingdome and this Army having no other way left timely to remedy the difficulties we are put upon or prevent the growing dangers of future violence unto the Parliament and disturbances to the Kingdome or to secure the Parliament in a quiet proceeding to settle the peace of the Kingdome And in such case the safety of the people being the Supream Law we doe protest and declare That if any of those Members who during the absence of the Speakers and the rest of the Members of both Houses forced away by the tumultuous violence aforesaid did sit and Vote in the pretended Houses then continuing at VVestminster
without the Generals privity where he is still kept Prisoner at great expences and not brought to tryall which president may equally extend to any or all in the Army Which said particular bearing with it the face of delay and protraction we cannot but looke upon as a just cause of trouble unto us 4 That whereas we understand that the Parliament hath voted asudden disbanding of the ARMY not having made a sufficient provision for the auditing of our Arrears and stating of our accounts so fully as we may not be liable to future charges concerning them our owne reason and the experience of others doth make us sensible how difficult chargeable and uncerrain the oftaining thereof will be after we are disbanded and dispersed to our severall homes 5 That no provision hath been made for the payment of our dearly earned wages to the expence of our blood and often hazard of our lives saving a Vote of six weeks pay upon disbanding Now at the consummation of our work which is so small that it will inevitably expose us especially the private Souldiers to great extremity being searse sufficient to maintain many of them in their journey to their own homes 6 That nothing as yet hath been perfected for our future security for things done as Souldiers in relation to the warre which the exigency thereof and difficulties therein hath compelled us unto the want whereof we cannot chuse but be very sensible of when we consider the many sad examples of bitter and rigorous prosecutions at Law against Souldiers for acts done in order to the promotion of the Kingdomes service 7 That we stand in feare especially the private Souldiers of being impressed or inforced to serve as Souldiers out of the Kingdome many having spent themselves freely and voluntarily in the publicke service forsaking their trades and friends and livelihoods to which many desire to returne again for their better future subsistance 8 That whereas divers of us especially the private Souldiers who were Apprentices in London or other parts of the Kingdome have voluntarily engaged themselves in this service being incouraged thereunto by the Parliaments Declarations shewing that the time they should so spend in the prosecution thereof should be as effectuall in order to their Freedome as if they had remainened with their severall respective Masters Notwithstanding which many have refused to give us freedome who may justly claim it by the aforesaid Declarations for that purpose 9 That many Souldiers who have lâ—st their lives Widowes their Husbands and Children their Parents in this service and thereby are reduced to great poverty even to beggery are not sufficiently provided for a future livelihood 10 That whereas divers persons both privately and publickly laboured by evill aspersions and false calumnies to render us odious to the Kingdom thereby seeking to alienate their affections from us in order to which they have published many Bookes viz. Ma. Edwards his Gangraena and divers others of that nature and also very lately a report divulged abroad that wee had petitioned his Majesty inviting him to come to the head of the Army and that we would restore him to his Crowne Throne and Dignity A person of eminence averred before a very great and publik convention in the Citie of London that he saw a Copy of that Petition which was delivered to his Majesty And that the Army was no longer a New Modell but had 4000. Cavaliers in it that hee comming from the Fountaines head perceived that the King and Cavaliers have their single and whole dependency upon this Army And others privaâ—ly suggesting the same by dispersing severall copies of the said pretended Petition the severall particulars whereof wee protest against as most false and are most confident that it proceeded not from any probable ground which might argue such an intention in us but singly from the malice of our enemies 11 That notwithstanding the great care of the Committee and Treasurers for the Army and the cheerfull readinesse of the most Counties in paying their Assesments as these where we now quarter generally affirme neverthelesse through want of pay the private Souldiers are necessitated to take free quarter for the present which is very irksome to be so burdensame to the kingdome Having thus according to your commands as fully as we are able accounted unto you what is the true genuine sense of the Army and not their imaginary but reall grievances which inevitably fall upon us except the Parliament in their wisdomes take some effectuall course to prevent them and as we if the time allowed to us by you would permit we could clearly demonstrate unto you we therefore assume the boldnesse to desire you to be sensible with us of what we have offered unto you and to present unto the Parliament the particulars aforesaid in such humble way and manner as you conceive most effectuall to the accomplishment of our future quiet and wel-being That you will doe us right if in case any of our actions be mis-represented to the Parliament That you will do us right if in case any of our actions be mis-represented to the Parliament That you will as farre as justly you câ—â— cover 〈◊〉 weaknesse if any thing of that nature hath slipt us in the transaction of this to weighty and considerable an importance that the integrity of our hearts is not hid from you and which we doubt not but will clearly appeare notwithstanding the malice or secret workings of any person whatsoever seeking to asperse us when our proceedings herein shall be throughly inquired into And if any thing expressed herein may appeare or be understood otherwise by the Honourable Houses of Parliament we desire you will declare the minde and sense of us all which is that we have endevoured to our utmost in all our expressions to avoid things which might offend or in the least manner intrench upon the honour and authority of the Parliament for which we have adventured all we have in this world that is deare unto us But if any reflection may seem to touch upon some particulars our intentions are no other then towards those who have abused the Parliament Kingdome and a faithfull Army A list of the severall respective Officers interested herein Collonells Robert Hammond Jo. Lambert Rich. Engolesby Ed. Whaley Jo. Okey Jo. Hewson Nath. Rich. Lieutenan-Collonels Isaac Ewer Mark Grime Tho. Pride Edw. Salmon Tho. Reade Jo. Jubbs Majors Tho. Smith Wroth Rogers Io. Wade Dan. Axtell Io. Desborough Ad. Scroop Geo. Sedacive Ro. Huntington Thomas Horton Ro Swallow Will. Cowel Captaines Iohn Reynolds Tho. Disney Io. Pitchford I. Carter Hen. Binfield Sam. Grames Dan. Dale Io. Grove Wâ—lliam Rainborough Walter Bethel Tho. Ireton Will. Colâ—man Will Evanson Aâ—ariah Husbands Sam. Gardiner Ben. Burgesse Will. Stâ—eetham Io. Ienkin Hen Pritty Rich. Zanchy Hen. Cannon Tho. Pennifather Io. Spooner Io. Gladman Cap. Lieuten Will. Reade Ro. Kerby Cap. Lieut. Rich. Aske Tobias Bridges Io. Clarke Edm. Rolse Ioseph Blisset Oriell Smith
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
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
for divers of them wee have had particular assurance we doe therefore desire that such of the Kings party who shall appeare to have expressed and shall hereafter expresse that way their good affections to the peace and welfare of the Kingdome and to hinder the imbroyling of the same in a new Warre may be freed and exempted from compositions or to pay but one yeares Revenue or a twentieth part These particulars fore-going are the Heads of such proposalls as wee have agreed on to tend in order to the setling of the peace of this Kingdome leaving the Termes of peace for the Kingdome of Scotland to stand as in the late propositions of both Kingdomes untill that Kingdome shall agree to any alteration Next to the Proposalls aforesaid for the present setling of a peace wee shall desire that no time may be lost by the Parliament for dispatch of other things tending to the welfare ease and just satisfaction of the Kingdome and in speciall manner 1. That the just and necessary liberty of the people to represent their grievances and desires by way of Petition may be cleared and vindicated according to the fift Head in the late Representation or Declaration of the Army sent from St. Albans 2. That in pursuance of the same Head in the said Declaration the the common grievances of the people may be speedily considered of and effectually redressed and in particular 1. That the Excise may be taken off from such Commodities whereon the poore people of the Land doe ordinarily live and a certaine time to be limitted for taking off the whole 2. That the oppressions and incroachments of Forrest-Laws may be prevented for future 3. All Monopolies old or new and restraints to the freedome of trade to be taken off 4. That a course may be taken and Commissioners appointed to remedy and rectifie the inequallity of rates lying upon severall Counties and severall parts of each County in respect of others and to settle the proportions for Land rates to more equallity throughout the Kingdome in order to which wee shall offer some further particulars which wee hope may be usefull 5. The present unequall troublesome and contentious way of Ministers maintenance by Tythes to be considered of and some remedy applyed 6. That the rules and course of Law and the Officers of it may be so reduced and reformed as that all suits and questions of Right may be more cleare and certaine in the issues and not so tedious nor chargeable in the proceeding as now in order to which wee shall offer some further particulars hereafter 7. That Prisoners for Debt or other Creditors who have estates to discharge them may not by imbracing imprisonment or any other wayes have advantage to defraud their Creditors but that the Estates of all men may be some way made liable to their Debts as well as Tradesmen are by Commissions of Bankrupt whether they be imprisoned for it or not And that such Prisoners for Debt who have not wherewith to pay or at least doe yeeld up what they have to their Credâ—tors may be freed from imprisonment or some way provided for so as neither they nor their Families may perish by their imprisonments 8. Some provision to be made that none may be compelled by penalties or otherwise to answer unto questions tending to the accusing of themselves or their neerest relations in criminall causes And no mans life to be taken away under two witnesses 9. That consideration may be had of all Statutes and the Laws or Customes of Corporations imposing any Oathes either to repeale or else to qualifie and provide against the same so farre as they may extend or be construed to the molestation or ensnareing of religious and peaceable people meerly for non conformity in Religion 3. That according to the sixt Head in the Declaration of the Army the large powers given to Committees or Debuty Lieutenants during the laâ—e times of warre and distractioâ— may be speedily taken into consideration to be recalled and made void and that such powers of that nature as shall appeare necessary to be continued may be put into a regulated way and left to as little Arbitrarinesse as the nature and necessity of the things wherein they are conversant will beare 4. That according to the seventh Head in the said Declaration an effectuall course may be taken that the Kingdome may be righted and satisfied in point of Accounts for the vast summes that have been levyed 5. That provision may be made for payment of Arreares to the Army and the rest of the Souldiers of the Kingdome who have concurred with the Army in the late desires and proceedings thereof And in the next place for payment of the publicke debts and dammages of the Kingdome and that to be performed first to such persons whose debts or dammages upon the publicke Account are great and their estates small so as they are thereby reduced to a difficulty of subsistance In order to all which and to the fourth particular last preceding wee shall speedily offer some further particulars in the nature of rules which wee hope will be of good use towards publick satisfaction Signed by the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre Jo. Rushworth Secret August 1. 1647. A DECLARATION From his Excellency S ir THO FAIRFAX And his Councell of VVarre WHen this Army was formerly led by the manifold dispensations of Gods providence and the grounds then declared to advance towards the Citie of London wee held it our duty to yeeld the Kingdome the sum of those desires which we had to propose on behalf of it and our selves wherein we should acquiesce And having received from the Parliament some hopes of due satisfaction therein and some assurance from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London of the ready concurrence with us in those things and also great resolution professed by them of their care and tendernesse to preserve all the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament safe free and inviolated from attempts of all kinds wee doe appeale to God to the City and to all men what a speedy compliance to their desires for our removall to a further distance found in this Army for preventing all feares jealoufies and other inconveniences to the Citie and to give cleare testimony that wee had nothing in our breasts but thoughts of peace and the good and welfare both of Parliament City and Kingdome notwithstanding many false and scandalous reports raised that we sought our selves that we had vile and wicked ends and that nothing would satisfie the Souldier but the plunder of the City the contrary whereof did manifestly appeare when they readily marched back upon hopes of satisfaction in their desires of publique concernment Having then upon the aforesaid confidence so withdrawne and out of a just sense of the Countries suffering by quartering removed the Head-quarter of the Army above forty miles from London and dispersed the rest well
refer our selves to the particulars in our Charge against the 11. Members compared with those passages of late broke forth before rehearst unto which wee shall now onely adde and leave it to the consideration of all wise and good men with what artifice and boldnesse these Members have serv'd themselves of those horrid â—umulâ—s and violences of their own creating instead of shewing their detestation of them againe to intrude themselves into the publique managing of affaires and Inevitably to embroyle the Kingdome in a new war which their own revenge and the compassing of their former plots and designes makes them so greedily thirst after If these things we say must be the end and up-shot of all what then remaines to this poore Kingdome and all true hearted Englishmen but to joyne together as one man with their counsels estates and lives in this way as our last refuge under God which he by his wise and gracious providence hath provided and reserved by keeping up this Army even to a Miracle so to prevent the aforesaid evils and to procure to this dying Kingdome yet a setled peace and happinesse if it be his blessed will These things being seriously considered by us wee have thought fit in the name of the Army to declaâ—â— that all such Members of either House of Parliament as are already with the Army for the security of their persons and for the ends aforesaid are forced to absent themselves from Westminster that wee shall hold and esteeme them as persons in whom the publick trust of the Kingdome is still remaining though they cannot for the present sit as a Parliament with freedome and safety at Westminster and by whose advice counsels we desire to govern our selves in in the managing these weighty affaires and to that end we invite them to make repaire to this Army to joyne with us in this great cause wee being resolved and doe hereby faithfully oblige our selves to stand by them therein and to live and die with them against all Opposition whatsoever and in partticular wee doe hold our selves bound to owne that honourable act of the Speaker of the House of Commons who upon the grounds he himselfe expressed in his Declaration sent unto us hath actually withdrawn himselfe and hereupon we doe further ingage to use our utmost and speedy endeavours that he and those Members of either House that are thus inforced away from their attendance at Westminster may with freedome and security sit there and againe discharge their trust as a free and a legall Parliament and in the meanâ— time wee doe declare against that late choice of a new Speaker by some Gentlemen at Westminster as contrary to all right Reason Law and Custome and wee professe our selves to be most clearly satisfied in all our judgements and are also confident the Kingdome will herein concurre with us that as things now stand there is no free nor legall Parliament sitting being through the aforesaid violence at present suspended And that the Orders Votes or Resolutions forced from the Houses on Munday the 26. of July last as also all such as shall passe in this Assembly of some few Lords and Gentlemen at Westminster under what pretence and colour soever are void and null and ought not to be submitted unto by the free-borne Subjects of England And that we may prevent that slavery designed upon us and the Nation that the Kingdome may be restored to a happy State of a visible Government now eclipsed and darkened wee hold our selves bound by our duty to God and the Kingdome to bring to condigne punishment the Authors and Promoters of that unparalleld violence done to the Parliament and in that to all the free-borne Subjects of England that are or hereafter shall be and therefore we are resolved to march up towards London where we doe expect that the well-affected people of that City will deliver up unto us or otherwise put into safe Custody so as they may be reserved to a legall Triall the eleven impeached Members that have againe thrust themselves into the management of publick affaires by this wicked designe And that all others will give us such assistance therein that the Members of both Houses may receive due incouragement to returne to Westminster there to sit with all freedome and so to performe their trust as shall conduce to the settlement of this distracted Kingdome and to inflict such punishments upon these late Offenders as shall deterre any for the future to make the like attempt Our lives have not been deare unto us for the publick good and being now resolved by the assistance of God to bring these delinquents to their deserved punishments as that then which there cannot be any thing of more publick concernment to the Kingdome wee trust if it shall come to that our bloud shall not be accounted too deare a price for the accomplishment of it And if any in the City will ingage themselves against us to protect these Persons and so put the Kingdome againe into a new and miserable Warre The bloud must be laid to the account of such persons as the Authors thereof And lastly Because it is the maine Engine of ours and the Kingdomes enemies to render us odious by possessing the minds of men that we gape onely after the plunder of this great and wealthy City as the experience of the contrary carriage in all Townes that wee have taken yeeldeth unto us a Testimony beyond the example of any Army so wee doe from our hearts declare that wee abhorre the thoughts thereof and wee doubt not but the world shall see our actions answerable to our professions and that we shall not cause any man to suffer but by his own default and that God will manifest we have only in our eyes that Justice may have a free course the Parliament a free sitting and voting and a full vindication of the late violence done to them And as for the City of Westminster the Borough of Southwarke the Hamlets and the rest of the Suburbs and out-parts as wee are informed that they are not so ready to engage themselves in a new warre as some would have them so wee are sensible of the hard condition that they are brought into even by them that claime a Right against both Houses of Parliament a strange claim against a Parliament though more reasonable against others not to be subjected to a Militia without their own consent and yet will not be contented unlesse they may have others subjected unto them and lay what burthens they please upon them without allowing them any part of vote or consent with them In which points of common Right and Equity wee shall not be wanting in a due way to assist them for the obtaining of their just desires and immunities it being our chiefe aim to settle Peace with Truth and Righteousnesse throughout the Kingdome that none may be oppressed in his just freedome and Liberties much lesse the Parliament it selfe which things
being duly setled we shall be as ready also to assure unto the King his just Rights and authority as any that pretend it never so much for the better upholding of an ill cause and the countenance of tumultuous violence against the Parliament the which our honest just and necessary undertakings as we are resolved to pursue with the utmost hazzard of our lives and fortunes so wee doubt not but we shall find Gods accustomed goodnesse and assistance with as therein till wee have brought them to a good and happy conclusion for this poore distracted and languishing Kingdome A REMONSTRANCE From his Excellency S ir THO FAIRFAX And the Army under his Command WHen by the blessing of God upon the endeavours of this Army and other forces of the Parliament the adverse forces and Garrisons within this Kingdome were dissipated and reduced a present quiet and freedome of Trade and all Commerce and businesse restored to all parts of the Kingdome and an hopefull way made for setling of a sound lasting Peace on good termes for the Interest of the Kingdome instead of the hoped fruit of our labours and hazzards and of the Kingdomes vast expence in the dispensing of Justice and Righteousnesse and the setling and upholding of common Right and freedome to the Subjects of this Nation we found immediately the crosse-workings of a strong and prevalent Partie in the Parliament and Kingdome who walking under the maske of the Parliaments friends but being in truth men of corrupt and private ends and Interests different from and destructive to the reall and common Interest of the Kingdome made use of their power to obstruct and pervert Justice to injure oppresse and crush the peaceable and well-affected people of the Kingdome to abridge and overthrow all just freedome and libertie and drive on designes to set up a Party and faction in the Parliament and Kingdome and by the advantage of a perpetuall Parliament to domineere over and inslave the Kingdome to posteritie And for that end to make such a Peace with the King if any as without any just provision for the common and true Interest of the people and the securitie thereof for future would serve onely to make up and establish their own greatnesse and the affected domination of themselves and their Partie over all others To all which ends as before this Parliament the ignominious names of Puritan and Non-conformist and the specious pretences for setling of Order Decencie and Uniformity in Religion were made use of to the prejudice trouble and suppressing of all that appeared either for the Truth and power of Religion or for the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and towards the advancing at once both of an Ecclesiasticall and Civill tyranny So this generation of men in the application of the Parliaments Power succeeding the former in the exercise of the Kings have made use of the odious names of Brownists Anabaptists Independents Hereticks Schismaticks or Sectariâ—s of one sort or other to blast such men in whom the Truth and power of Religion or a just sense of the common Interest of the Kingdome hath appeared and have held forth the pretences of Reformation and Uniformity to colour and countenance their Designes of setting up their owne irreligious or pharisaicall domineering faction to the oppression of all other people And herein they have had a great advantage to further their aforesaid Designes by reason of the jealousies which many Conscientious men of the Presbyterian Judgement have enterrained concerning this Army and concerning divers other eminent and worthy Instruments of the Kingdomes good who being in places of publick trust and power were supposed to be of the Independent way In pursuance of their aforesaid designeâ— they endeavoured and by their power and influence upon the Parliament and the advantage of such pretences as aforesaid very much prevailed to put out of all places of power or publick trust the most sobâ—â— and coâ—sciencious men and such as had approved themselves faithfull to the publick interest throughout all the late troubles and to put in debauched and dissolute men or such as would for advantage serve their prevate interests and for that end in cases where they could not otherwise prevaile procured such Garrisons to be slighted and such powers to be recalled though more necessary to have been continued which they found in the hands of persons of the former sort and such to be continued though lesse necessary as they found in the hands of the later And the better to strengthen themselves in their designes closing with a very poâ—â—â—â—ul party in the Citie of London they first with much activitie endeavoured and prevailed to new modell the Common-Councell and forme the same to their own party and then stirred them up to Petition amongst other things concurrent to their ends for the alteration of the City Militia who by their continuall violent and pressing Importunitie at the Parliaments doores wrung from the Parliament an Ordinance for that purpose whereby they procured the power of that Militia the speciall influence whereof upon the Citie and Kingdome and upon the Parliament it selfe being the onely guard they had for their safe sitting is evident to all men to be taken out of those hands in which it had been continued without out prejudice and with great and known security and advantage both co the Parliament City and Kingdome throughout the late troubles and this without any exception either then or since made against them and to be put into the hands of such others as were at best of doubtfull affections to the interest of the Parliament and Kingdome but indeed men given up and ingaged to the private interests and designes of the said factious party as hath since too evidently appeared and as in the late Declaration of the Army concerning the grounds of our advance towards London is more fully remonstrated And finding this Army not for their turnes they made it their maine worke to dis-band or breake it in pieces even before the reliefe of Ireland were provided for or the peace of this Kingdome setled And though all this went under the pretence of easing the present burthenâ— of the Kingdome yet at the same time they designed and went about to put the Kingdome to the expence and trouble of raising and forming a new force under pretence as for the service of Ireland but evidently designed and so framed as to serve their own ends and purposes aforesaid in England And being many of them filled and acted with personall envy and others with malignity of principles and interests against this Army and the worke of God by it It would not serve their turne to breake or dis-band it but it must be with all possible dishonour injury oppression and provocation that they could put upon it And it was too evident that their endeavour was not onely to put it off without the honour or satisfaction due to it for the service it had done but to
thought fit to secure the Parliament by keeping the whole body of the Army or so great a part thereof to remain continually in and about London as might be sure to over-power any future tumults or force that may arise out of the City and ease of the parts adjacent nor the safety of the Kingdome in respect of the present posture of affaires will admit It is absolutely necessary that there be speedy and exemplary justice done upon at least the cheif authors or abettors of the said treasonable engagement and of the said force done to the Parliament and upon the chief actors in maintenance and prosecution thereof whereby men may be deterred from the like in future And this is also as necessary to the security of the Army and peace of the Kingdome since it is apparent by all that hath been said and by infinite other evidences too many to recount That both the said ingagement and the force done to the Parliament and the power of the City militia thereby gained and the succeeding votes and orders of the pretended Houses but indeed of that faction that are our professed enemies in maintenance and prosecution thereof and the Forces thereupon levied put under the command of Major Gen. Massey and others our professed adversaries were all designed and directed to the ruine and destruction of this Army and the raising of a new war against us in this Kingdome And having had such experience of their restlesse malice and cruell intentions towards us notwithstanding our tendernesse and lenity towards them and of their treacherous dealing so soon as they thought they had the advantage notwithstanding all their semblances of compliance to a composure what reason is there to expect but that if by our patience and delays they apprehend in future the like or other advantage they will break out againe into the like or worse attempts of violence and war if all escape with impunity for these But as to this point of security by exemplary justice in an ordinary way we see our hopes almost frustrated whilst though our desires and resolutions to that purpose exprest in our late Declaration of the grounds of our advance towards London were then seconded with the declared approbation and concurrent resolutions of the Speakers and Members of both Houses that were driven away to the Army and with their ingagement to live and die with us therein And though in pursuance thereof the Right Honourable House of Peers have since their restitution began and proceeded to declare null and void all that was done in the name of both Houses while they lay under the power of that tumultuous violence and to give their more authentick approbation to our said Declaration made in behalfe of the said Speakers and Members while they were with the Army and in behalfe of the honour and freedome of the Parliament and to give their like approbation to the concurrent Declaration and Engagement of the said Speakers and Members made to us while they were with us yet the House of Commons have not only concurred with the Lords in any of those things but rather seem to have cast them aside and upon the Question concerning those very Votes of July 26. to which the Houses were by the said violence inforced whether they should be declared null and void it was carried in the Negative that the Question should not be put in by the consequences whereof which are many wayes very sad to this poor Kingdome and more then we can recount and by all subsequent proceedings in that House in relation to the whole businesse we clearly find that the Members of that House who after the violence done to it and during the absence of the Speaker and the other Members thereby driven away proceeding in the name of that House as aforesaid procured the pretended powers and did make the pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances aforementioned and many of them were chiefe actors thereupon for the levying of warre in prosecution and maintenance of the aforesaid treasonable Engagement and force done to the Parliament and for the opposing resisting and destroying of this the Parliaments Army in its advance to London for the restitution of the Parliament to its honour and freedome being conscious of their owne guilt and danger thereby yet presuming on their interest in the House and the patience and lenity of this Army do continue to intrude themselves to sit and Vote there and by their present interest in the House do use their utmost eudeavours and very much prevaile to obstruct and avoid the bringing of any to justice who have acted under their pretended authority knowing it to be their owne case and concernement in point of impunity as well as conducency to their faction and interest And for that cause they labour as for life to uphold the things past and done and the authorities given by them and their faction in their and the Apprentices pretended Parliament yea even those very Votes and authorities wrested from the Parliament by that palpable force of July 26. to be good and valid till they be repealed as if past in a free and legall Parliament In which point and all Questions touching upon it we find they presume upon and are strengthened by the concurrence of divers other Members who having perhaps with harmelesse intentions continued to sit with them during the speakers absence as aforesaid though they consented not to any of their mischievous Votes Orders or Treasonable proceedings aforementioned may yet feare themselves to be involved in the same case and danger by having sate with them and thus by the concurrence of these two partyes in the House as to that point and the interest which both these partyes have with others in the House especially upon a matter of saving one another and by the partiall respects of some others in the House for the saving of their friends out of the House who have acted under the authority and for the evill ends aforementioned we find an absolute obstruction to the bringing to justice or questioning of any who have acted in the late levying of warre against us and against the Vindication of the Parliaments freedome or in the said Treasonable ingagements yea or in abetment of the tumultuous violence upon the Parliament it selfe neither can we find or heare of any one person brought to justice or question for my of those things but all seem to be either justifyed or at least protected from Iustice by the power and prevalence of those Members in Parliament who are many of them as we can make appeare equally guilty of and others in some kind obnoxious for the same things and thus not only our just expectations of Vindication to the Parliament and security to our selves and the Kingdome from the like treasonable and turbulent practises in future by Exemplar justice for what hath been so done are frustrated but even the safety and immunitie of the Speakers and those faithfull Members of both