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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The manner of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Officers of His Armie sitting in COVNCELL A DECLARATION OF THE Engagements Remonstrances Representations Proposals Desires and Resolutions from His Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the generall Councel of the Army For setling of His Majesty in His just Rights the Parliament in their just Priviledges and the Subjects in their LIBERTIES and FREEDOMES With papers of Overtures of the Army with the Kings Majesty the Parliament the Citie and with the Souldiery amongst themselves Also Representations of the grievances of the Kingdome and remedies propounded for removing the present pressures whereby the Subjects are burthened And the resolutions of the Army for the establishment of a firme and lasting Peace in Church and KINGDOME Die Lunae 27. Seytembris 1647. WHereas Math Simmons hath beene at great charges in Printing the Declarations and Papers from the Army in one Volume It is ordered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that the said Math Simmons shall have the Printing and publishing thereof for the space of one whole yeare from the date hereof And that none other shall re-print the same during that time John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons in Aldersgate-street 1647. To His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of the PARLIAMENTS Forces The humble Petition of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army under your Command SHEVVETH THat ever since our first ingaging in this service for preserving the power of this Kingdome in the hands of the Parliament we have in our severall places served them with all faithfulnesse And although we have layn under many discouragements for want of pay and other necessaries yet have we not disputed their commands disobeyed their orders nor disturbed them with Petitions nor have there any visible discontents appeared amongst us to the incouragement of their Enemies and the impediment of their affaires but have with all chearfulnesse done Summer services in Winter seasons improving the utmost of our abilities in the advancement of their service And seeing God hath crowned our indeavours with the end of our desires viz. the dispersing of their publike Enemies and reducing them to their obedience The King being now brought 〈◊〉 our Brethren the Scots satisfied and departed the Kingdome all dangers seemingly blown over Peace in all their Quarters We imboldned by their manifold promises and Declarations to protect and defend those that appeared and acted in their service herewith humbly present to your Excellency the annexed Representations of our desires which we humbly beseech your Excellency to recommend or represent in our behalfe to the Parliament And your Petitioners shall ever Honour and Pray for your Excellency c. The humble Representation of the Desires of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army under the Command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Presented first to his Excellency to be by him represented to the Parliament 1. FIrst whereas the necessity and exigencie of the War hath put us upon many actions which the Law would not warrant nor we have acted in a time of setled peace we humbly desire that before our disbanding a full and sufficient provision may be made by Ordinance of Parliament to which the Royall assent may be desired for our indempnity and security in all such cases 2. That Auditors or Commissioners may be speedily appointed and authorized to repaire to the head quarter of this Army to audite and state our accompts as well for all former services as for our services in this Army and that before the disbanding of the Army satisfaction may be given to the Petitioners for their arreares that so the charge trouble and loss of time which we must otherwise necessarily undergoe in attendance for the obtaining of them may be prevented we having had experience that many have been reduced to miserable extreamities even almost starved for want of reliefe by their tedious attendance And that no Officer may be charged with any thing in his accompt that doth not particularly concern himselfe 3. That those who have voluntarily served the Parliament in the late Warrs may not hereafter be compelled by press or otherwise to serve as Souldiers out of this Kingdome Nor those who have served as Horsemen may be compelled by press to serve on Foot in any future case 4. That such in this Army as have lost their limbs and the wives and Children of such as have been slain in the service and such Officers or souldiers as have sustained losses or have been prejudiced in their estates by adhering to the Parliament or in their persons by sickness or imprisonment under the Enemy may have such allowances and satisfaction as may be agreeable to Iustice and equity 5. That till the Army be disbanded as aforesaid some course may be taken for the supply thereof with moneys whereby we may be enabled to discharge our quarters that so we may not for necessary food be beholding to the Parliaments Enemies burthensome to their friends or oppressive to the country whose preservation we have alwayes indeavoured and in whose happiness we should still rejoyce The Officers present at the Debates following Viz. Liuet Gen. Hamond Commissary Ireton Col Hamond Col. Harley Col. â—ngoldesby Col. Whaley Col. Fortescue Col. Rich. Col. Butler Col. Hewson Col Lilburne Col. Okey Liuet Col. Jackson Lieutenant Colonell Pride Liuet Col Grimes Major Fincher Major Swallow Major Huntington Major Cowell Major Ducket Major Sedascue Major Waade Captain Brown Captain Groves Capt. Lawrence Capt. Jenkins Capt Morgan Capt Farre Captain Goff Capt. Reynolds Capt. Nevill Capt Pretty Capt. Ohara Capt Leigh Capt Coleman Capt. Young Capt. cannon capt Wallington capt Lieut Audley capt Liut Gladman capt Lagoe Lieut Lloyde Lieut Scottin cor Spencer At the Convention of Officers before his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax at Saffron Walden March 21 1646. THe two Letters from the Committee of Lords and Commons for Irish affaires sitting at Derby-House the one dated the 17. the other the 18. of March instant and the severall votes of the House of Commons there inclosed concerning the sending of seven Regiments of Foot and four Regiments of Horse out of this Army into Irel. for the service of that Kingdom were read Whereupon his Excellency proposed unto the Oâ—ficers this Qestion ensuing viz. Quest Whether they were willing with those under their Commands to ingage for the service of Ireland in the number of Horse Foot and Dragoons now proposed to be sent In order to which after some debate the first Quaerie propounded amongst the Officers was 1. Whether they were prepared at present to give a certain resolution to that Question Resolved Negatively Nemine contradicente 2 It was resolved and declared by all That whether they shall finde cause to ingage themselves personally in that service or no they shall in their severall places be ready to further and advance it amongst those under their respective commands Next there were severall things propounded by severall Officers
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
all the Kingdome to look to their Birth-rights if such a claime shall be held up against both the Houses of Parliament That upon no occasion whatsoever nor in no time of danger and distraction whatsoever they may appoint those that shall have the power of the Militia of London without the consent of the Councell especially when as the Houses shall sit under their power The late Example may evidence to all the World who shall be Masters of the Parliaments freedome and Resolutions And common reason will teach every man who shall be Masters of the Birth-rights of the whole Kingdome when there shall be no Army on foots when they have the confidence to dispute for the Mastery notwithstanding such an Army as this to checke and ballance them in behalfe of the Kingdome and Parliament 3. Lastly The Army discerning how intimate some of the new Militia were with some of the 11. accused Members how forward they were to comply and act with them in their endeavours to raise a new Warre how they made 18. or 19. Votes in order thereunto together with them in one night All which the Common-Councell and Parliament disliked and revoked how notwithstanding afterwards they secretly promoted their Designes by private Listings which now appeare to have been still working under ground The Army wee say observing this and having nothing more in their thoughts and desires then to settle a speedy safe and well-grounded peace and to prevent a new Warre found it necessary to desire That the Militia might be put into the hands wherein it was formerly who had approoved themselves both to the Army Parliament and Kingdome to be sober-minded men and not given to any practise whereby a new Warre might be kindled To the intent that the Army being secured by that meanes from that danger might with the more confidence retire further from the City enlarge their Quarter for the greater ease of the Kingdome and intend wholly the setling of a sure peace in this Kingdome and a speedy and effectuall reliefe of Ireland which was almost brought to a period and nothing in the sight of man could have hindred but this cursed practice of violence upon the Parliament under pretence of the Militia which according to our desire being restored againe into the hands of the old Commissioners by an Ordinance of both Houses dated the 21. of July in pursuance of the aforesaid treasonable combination severall Petitions were presented to the Common-Councell of the City of LONDON in the name of the Apprentices and others importing their Desires that the Militia of the City might continue in the hands of the former Commissioners according to the Ordinance of the 4. of May last Whereupon Monday July the six and twentieth the Common-Councell of the City presents their Petitions to both Houses for changeing the Militia wherein the House of Lords refuse to alter their resolutions the House of Commons answered they would take it into consideration the next morning Notwithstanding which the City and Kingdome cannot be ignorant with what rage and insolency the tumult of Apprentices the same day forced both Houses They blockt up their doores swearing they would keepe them in till they had passed what Votes they pleased they threatened the Houses if they granted not their desires knocking hooping and hallowing so at the Parliament-doores that many times the Members could not be heard to speake or debate not suffering the House of Commons to divide for determining such Questions as were put crying out That those that gave their Votes against them should be sent out to them very often and loudly saying Agree agree dispatch wee 'l wait no longer and in this outragious manner they continued at the House doore above eight houres together the City-Guards there present nor the City relieving them by reason whereof the House was forced to Vote what that rude multitude would demand and then adjourned the House till the next morning After which the House rising the Speaker and many Members going out of the House they forc'd them back againe into the House Many of the Apprentices pressing in with them where they stood with their hats on their heads and compelled the Speaker to take the Chaire and the House to Vote in their presence what they pleased committing many other insolencies as is published by the Speaker of the House of Commons in his Declararation and is too well known by all then present And during the time of this execrable violence done by the said Apprentices Westminster-Hall and the Pallace-yard was sild with Reformadoes and other ill-affected persons designed to back them After this the Houses being adjourned till Friday following upon the Thursday the Apprentices printed and posted a paper in severall places of the Citie requiring all their fellowes to be early at the Parliament the next morning for that they intended to adjourne by seven of the clock and that for a moneth Thus the Speakers with many of the Members of both Houses were driven away from the Parliament This in briefe being the true state of things as they have broke forth within these few dayes which are so contrary to all those pretences of Peace and detestation of a new Warre of late so frequently held forth on all sides all men may observe to what maturity the long projected Designe of some men of whom are those that are impeached by us is now brought and may be traced in the severall steps thereof as it hath tended to the enslaving this Kingdome and the destruction of all such well-affected people who would not comply with them therein so as by what now is come to light the justnesse of that cause this Army had engaged themselves in and the great and wonderfull mercy of God in continuing them together we assure our selves doth now clearly appeare to all meâ—â— eyes and apprehensions and will every day more and more be acknowledged even by those that have heretofore made a question of it And if when this Kingdome hath spent so much of its bloud and treaure hath past through such un heard of dangers and overcome such difficulties so many yeares together All that they must now hope for and rest in must only be what the King grants in his Messege of the 12 of May last And if this must be imposed upon mens judgements and consciences by an oath and now entred into in a tumultuous and unlawfull way and by outrage maintained in despâ—ght and contempt of the Parliament If rather then this shâ—uld not be accomplished the Parliament it selse must be violated and forced into the hands of such of the Members thereof as have secretly abetted and fomented those practises to that end That these hidden counsels and works of darknesse might when they come to their full biâ—th have the image of highest authority in the face of them the better to gaine credit thereunto secure the Authors of them from punishment For the evidence of all which wee