the first Bienniall Parliament IV. That an Act be passed for disposing the great Offices for ten years by the Lords and Commons in Parliament or by such Committees as they shall appoint for that purpose in the intervalls with submission to the approbation of the next Parliament and after ten yeares they to nominate three and the King out of that number to appoint one for the succession upon any vacancy V. That an Act be passed for restraining of any Peers made since the 21. day of May 1642. or to be hereafter made from having any power to sit or Vote in Parliament without consent of both Houses VI. That an act be passed for recalling and making voyd all Declarations and other proceedings against the Parliament or against any that have acted by or under their authority in the late Warre or in relation to it And that the Ordinances for indempnity may be conffirmed VII That an Act be be passed for making voyd all Grants c. under the Great-Seale that was conveyed away from the Parliament since the time it was so conveyed away except as in the Parliaments Propositions and for making those valid that have been or shall be passed under the Great-Seale made by the authority of both Houses of Parliament VIII That an Act be passed for confirmation of the Treaties betweene the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland and for appointing Conservators of the peace betwixt them IX That the Ordinance for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries be confirmed by Act of Parliament Provided his Majesties Revenue be not damnified therein nor those that last held Offices in the same left without reparation some other way X. An Act to declare void the Cessation of Ireland c. and to leave the prosecution of that Warre to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England XI An Act to be passed to take away all coercive power authority and jurisdiction of Bishops and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers whatsoever extending to any civill penalties upon any and to repeale all Laws whereby the Civill Magistracy hath been or is bound upon any Ecclesiasticall censure to proceed ex officio unto any civill penalties against any persons so censured XII That there be a Repeale of all Acts or Clauses in any Act enjoyning the use of the Booke of Common-Prayer and imposing any penalties for neglect thereof as also of all Acts or Clauses in any Act imposing any penaltie for not comming to Church or for meetings elsewhere for Prayer or other religious duties excercises or Ordinances And some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists and Popish Recusants and for disabling of them and of all Jesultes or Priests from disturbing the State XIII That the taking of the Covenant be not inforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusers whereby men might be constrained to take it against their judgements or consciences but all Orders or Ordinances tending to that purpose to be repealed XIV That the things here before proposed being provided for setling and securing the Rights Liberties Peace and safety of the Kingdome his Majesties person his Queen and Royall issue may be restored to a condition of safety Honour and freedome in this Nation without diminution to their personall Rights or further limitation to the exercise of the Regall power then according to the particulars aforegoing XV. For the matter of Compositions 1. That a lesser number out of the persons excepted in the two first qualifications not exceeding five for the English being nominated particularly by the Parliament who together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion included in the third qualification may be reserved to the further judgement of the Parliament as they shall finde cause All other excepted persons may be remitted from the exception and admitted to Composition 2. That the rates for all future Compositions may be lessened and limitted not to exceed the severall proportions hereafter exprest respectively That is to say 1. For all persons formerly excepted not above a third part 2. For the late Members of Parliament under the first branch of the fourth qualification in the Propositions a fourth part 3. For other Members of Parliament in the second and third branches of the same qualification a sixth part 4. For the persons nominated in the said fourth qualification and those included in the tenth qualification and eight part 5. For all others included in the sixth qualification a tenth part And that reall debts either upon record or proved by witnesses be considered and abated in the valuation of their estates in all the cases aforesaid 3. That those who shall hereafter come to compound may not have the Covenant put upon them as a condition without which they may not compound but in case they shall not willingly take it they may passe their Compositions without it 4. That the persons and estates of all English not worth two hundered pounds in Lands or Goods be at liberty and discharged And that the Kings meniall Servants that nere tooke up Armes but onely attended his person according to their Offices may be freed from Composition or to pay at most but the proportion of one yeares Revenue or a twentieth part 5. That in Order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the rates aforesaid the Rents Revenues and other Duties and Profits of all sequestred Estates whatsoever except the Estates of such persons who shall bee continued under exception as before be from hence forth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective tenant occupants and others from whom they are due for the space of six moneths following 6. That the Faith of the Army or other foroes of the Parliament given in Articles upon surrenders to any of the Kings party may be fully made good and where any breach thereof shall appeare to have been made full reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured and the persons offending being found out may be comeplled thereto XVI That there may be a generall Act of Oblivion to extend unto all except the persons to be continued in exception as before to absolve from all Trespasses Misdemeanours c. done in prosecution of the Warre and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same after their compositions past and to restore them to all priviledges c. belonging to other Subjects provided as in the fourth particular under the second generall Head affore-going concerning security And whereas their have been of late strong indeavours and practises of a factious and desperate party to imbroyle this Kingdome in a new War and for that purpose to enduce the King the Queene and Prince to declare for the said party and also to excite and stirre up all those of the Kings late party to appeare and engage for the same which attempts and designes many of the Kings party out of their desires to avoid further misery to the Kingdome have contributed their indeavours to prevent as
all Acts or Clauses in any Act enjoyning the use of the Book of Common-prayer and imposing any penalties for neglect thereof as also of all Acts or Clauses in any Act imposing any penalties for not comming to Church or for meetings else-where for prayer or other religious duties exercises or Ordinances and some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists and Popish Recusants and for disabling of them and all Jesuites or Priests from disturbing the State 3. That the taking of the Covenant be not enforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusers whereby men might be constrained to take it against their judgments or consciences but all Orders or Ordinances tending to that purpose to be repealed 4. That the things here before proposed being provided for setling and securing the Rights Liberties Peace and safety of the Kingdome His Majesties person his Queen and Royall Issue may be restored to a condition of safety Honour and freedome in this Nation without diminution to their personall Rights or further limitation to the exercise of the Regall power then according to the particulars afore-going 5. That a lesse number out of the persons excepted in the two first qualifications not exceeding five for the English being nominated particularly by the Parliament who together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion in the third qualification may be reserved to the further judgement of the Parliament as they shall finde cause All other excepted persons may be remitted from the exception and admitted to composition 6. That the rates for all future composition may be lessened and limited not to exceed the severall proportions hereafter exprest respectively That is to say 1. For al persons formerly excepted not above a third part 2. For the late Members of Parliament under the first branch of the fourth qualification in the Propositions a fourth part 3. For other Members of Parliament in the second and third branches of the same qualification a sixth part 4. For the persons nominaâ—ed in the said fourth qualification and those included in the tenth qualification an eighth part 5. For all other included in the sixth qualification a tenth part And that reall Debts either upon Record or proved by witnesses be considered and abated in the valuation of their estates in all the cases aforesaid 7. That those who shall hereafter come to compound may not have the Covenant put upon them as a condition without which they may not compound but in case they shall not willingly take it they may pass their compositions without it 8. That the persons and Estates of all English not worth two hundred pounds in Lands or goods be at liberty and discharged And that the Kings meniall Servants that never took up Armes but only attended His Person according to their Offices may be freed from Compositions or to pay at most but the proportion of one years Revenue or a twentieth part 9. That in Order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the rates aforesaid the Rents Revenues and other dues and profits of all sequestred Estates whatsoever except the Estates of such persons who shall bee continued under exception as before bee from henceforth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective Tenants Occupants and others from whom they are due for the space of sixe moneths following 10. That the faith of the Army or other forces of the Parliament given in Articles upon surenders to any of the Kings party may be fully made good and where any breach thereof shall appeare to have been made fult reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured and the prsons offending being found out may be compelled thereto 11. That there may be a generall act of oblivion to extend unto all except the persons to be continued in exception as before to absolve from all Trespasses Misdemeanors c. done in prosecution of the War and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same and to restore them to all priviledges c. belonging to other Subjects provided as in the fourth particular under the second generall head afore-going concerning security 12. And whereas there have been of late strong endeavours practices a factious and desperate party to imbroyl this Kingdome in a new War and for that purpose to induce the King the Queene and Prince to declare for the said party and also to excite and stirre up all those of the Kings late party to appeare and ingage for the same which attempts and designes many of the Kings party out of a desire to avoid further misery to the Kingdome have contributed their endeavours to prevent as for divers of them we have had particular assurance we doe therefore desire that such of the Kings party who shall appear to have expressed and shall hereafter expresse shat way their good affections to the peace and wel-fare of the Kingdom and to hinder the embroyling of the same in a new War may be freed and exempted from compositions or to pay but one yeares Revenue or a twentieth part The humble Proposals of the Adjutators in the Army Presented to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax concerning divers that suffer in matters concerning the King May it please your Excellency HAving received information from some persons of good affections and fidelity to the Armie and Kingdome that severall persons are now under unmercifull sufferings by confiscating their goods and imprisonment of their Persons for words spoken against the King acting in His Tyrannicall practices in the late War they having been Souldiers We being made sensible of their misery not knowing how soon it may be our own condition there as yet being no provision for their or our own indempnity For want of which our Enemies have so great advantage of all the wel-affected in the Kingdome That if not timely remedied they will recover more upon our words then we of them by our swords We are ingaged to supplicate your Excellency in the behalf of these Prisoners named in this inclosed paper that you would be pleased to use some means for the restoring them to their freedome and to deliver them from their Tyrannicall sufferings according as your Excellency shall finde agreeable to Justice and reason Presented to His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax sighned by these Adjutators John Reynolds Francis White Edward Chillendon Tobias Birdge Richard Nixon Nicholas Andrews John Wilson Nat. Vnderwood George Stenson Richard Grant Thomas Raulings VVilliam Young J hn Taylor Robert Stedman John VVells John Dober Edward Vaughan VVilliam Pryar Thomas Shepheard Timothy Thornbury John Willoughby William Jones Edward Twigge Henry Gethings A Declaration from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of his Army held at Putney Sept. 9. 1647. Concerning the fundamentall Authority and Government of the Kingdome VVHereas a Member of the Generall Councell of this Army hath publikâ—ly declâ—red and expressed himselfe That there is now no visible Authority in the Kingdom but the power and force of the
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
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
Rich. Hodden Ro. Gibbon Hen. Davis Lewis Awdeley Cap. Lieut. Io. Wallington Cap. Lieut. Edw. Orpin Ro. Anderson Tho. Haws Cap Lieu. Giles Sanders Rich. Sanders Io. Shrimpton Cap. Lieut. Francis-Allen Io. Grime Ia. Iermin Tho. Price Fra. Hawes Will. Arnop Cap. Lieu. Mat. Cadwell Io. Biscoe Sam. Rose Wil. Weare Cap. Lieu. Ro. Read Io. Toppenden Alex. Brafield Wil. Goffe Tho. Patsons George Gregson Roger Alsop Io. Salkeild Waldoffe Lagoe Io. Mason Hen. Lilburn Abra. Holmes Ier. Iolchurse Amos Stoddar Lieutenants Griffith Lloyde Edw. Scotton Tho. Sheares Nâ—t Wight Ben. Gifford Sampson Toogood Hen. Johnson Ioh. Merriman Hen. Martin Edm. Ch llenden George Ensor George Elsemore Tho. Aldridge Io. Peck Io. Frank Gelm Taylor Stephen White Io. Barrow Rich. Kemp Rich. Mosse Ralph Parker Martin Iubbs Tho. Ellis Phil. Price Jo. Hawes Io. Clark Ro. Taylor Io. Friend Rich. Tompson Io. Savage Tho. Camberlain Geor. Smith Ralph Galo Nat. Chasse Ralph Wilson Io. Watson Io. Filkins Lewis Noreot William Farley Brian Smith Alex Davis Ro. Lewis Io. Toppen Hugh Ienkin Io. Nichola Edward Dornay Io. Miller Ia. Clark Edw. Farmer Tho. Day Randol Warner Wil-Giuge Wil. Skelley Ethel Morgan Adrian Arwood Ienken Bevon George Ienkin Wil. Hill Io. Ward Tho. Barker Ed. Singleton Io. Friend Rich. Tompson Tho. Cossinghurst And. Edwards Sam Axtel Fran. Wheeler Io. Petter Cornets Wil. Barrington Io. Fox Rich. Southwood Tho. Barkley Edm. Winstanly Wil. Whittington Io. Sabberton George Ioyce Chry. Kember Io. Corde Geor. Tracy Wil. Beuck Io. Clark Wil. Leadbrook Pet. Wallis Sam. Packer Hen. Mills Io. Southwood Ja. Wilson Io. Spencer Rich. Webb Cha. Whitehead Abel Warren Anth. Lacon Wil. Lurna Sam. Boalley Ensignes Cha. Bolton Rob. Smith Geo. Clark Willi. Iones Ier. Hand Sam. Bince Ro. Beldea Tho. Rawlins Ier. Camfield Tho. Newman Evan Iones Hen. Cedwath Fardinando Green Geor. Neckthey Francis Farmer Hen. Williams Tho. Lewis Rich. Bourn Will. Ioyce Wil. Galhampton Rob. Banning VVil. Everard Io. Mason VVil. Cooper Downhalt Gregory Abinam Spooner Wil. Beard Sam. Chase Edw. Evans Io. Bishop Fra. Litler Wil. Disney Io. VVard Rich Essex Tho. Chambers Io. Bret Abel VVarren Quartermasters Wil. Williams Io. Goodwir Cales Leigh Wil. Miller George Sanders Rich. Slaynor Ed. Warren Tho. Savage Nath. Chedis Philip Ramsey Tho. Stewars Io. Ads Ro. Agard Io. Kennet Hen. Ward Io Due Tho. Ward Phil. Ioanes Rich. Hunt A Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to both Houses of Parliament concerning the Kings being brought from Holdenby towards the Army Mr. Speaker BY my last of Friday the 4 instant I gave you account of what I understood from Holmby concerning the undertaking of some Souldiers on Wednesday last to secure the King from being secretly conveyed away and that Col. Graves being thereupon secretly slipt away I had sent Col. Whaley with his Regiment to attend the Commissioners and take charge of the Guards there On Saturday morning being at a Randezvouze beyond Newmarket and advancing the Army this way in order to quarter about Cambridge I received advertisement That the Souldiers of Holmby had upon Friday morning with his Majesties consent brought him away from thence together with your Commissioners That they lay at Hinchingbrook near Huntingdon on Friday night and would be at Newmarket that day The ground of this remove was alledged to be an apprehension in the Souldiers of some Forces gathering towards that place suddenly to fal upon them forâ—e the Kâ—out of their hands to withstand which they thought they might bâ—â—â—o weak having then no notice of Col. Whaleys comming with his Regiament upon this immediately I sent after Col. Whaley to advertise him thereof with order to direct his course towards Huntingdon and where ere he met his Majesty and the Commissioners to desire that they would come on no further this way but rather to return and suffer him to guard them back And to prevent any danger imaginable therein I sent off from the Rendezvouz two Regiments of Horse more to march after Col. Whaley towards Huntingdon and so on towards Holdenby to be assistant to him in the Guards about his Majesty iâ— it should be found needfull And thus I held on the motion of the rest of the Army this way Towards Evening a fâ—â—t the Quarters of the Army were assigned and taken up hereabouts and the Regiments marching off towards their severall Quarters I understood from Collonel Whaley that meeting the King and your Commissioners upon their way from Huntington towards New-market about foure miles short of Cambridge they had forborn to come on any further but his Majesty being not willing to return back for Holdenby they had taken up his Quarter for present at Sir John Cuts his house at Childerley being the next house of any conveniency to the place where we met them Hereupon I sent thither Sir Hardres Waller and. Col. Lambert to informe the Commissioners of my comming to Cambridge and the Armies quartering hereabouts and to desire that they would think of returning back with his Majesty to Holdenby and because there might bee many inconveniencies in delay that they would not make any stay where they were but remove back that way next morning though it were the Lords day the Commissioners refused to act or meddle any otherwise in disposing the King then by their Answer to me whereof I have sent you a Copy here inclosed you see And his Majesty declares himselfe very unwilling to goe back to Holdenby I have thus given you a true and faithfull account how his Majesty came to the place where he is and how the Quarters of the Army have fallen out to be so neare him What ever by the concurrence of events to make it thus may be suspected of designe therein This is the exact truth of the businesse and I can clearly professe as in the presence of God for my self and dare be confident of the same for all the Officers about me and body of the Army that this remove of his Majesty from Holdeâ— by was without any designe knowledge or privity thereof on our parts and a thing altogether unexpected to us untill the notice of it came upon the Randezvouz as before neither the Randezvouz or comming hither to quarter with the Army from any purpose or with any expectation to be so neere His Majesty as it happens But the effect is so farre meerly providentiall and to us accidentall but the case being as it is your Commissioners refusing to intermeddle as before and the King to goe back I have placed and shall continue about his Majesty such a Guard of trusty men and under such command Collonell Whaley being chiefe in the charge as I may be responsall for to the Parliament and Kingdome so farre as can reasonably be expected from me by the blessing of God to secure his Majesties person from danger and prevent any attempts of such as may designe by that advantage of his Person the best to raise any new Warre in this Kingdome And truely
false informations and mis-representations put the Parliament upon such wayes the timely and effectuall reliefe of Ireland seem really to have been intended or rather with the breaking or disbanding of this Army to draw together or raise such other forces and of such a temper as might serve to some desperate and destructive designes in England For which besides the probable suspitions from their carriage of the businesse wee have beforehand in the transaction thereof had more then hints of such a designe by clear expressions to that purpose from many of those Officers of the Army that have been perswaded and appeared most forward to engage as for Ireland on the termes proposed And that such a designe hath all along been driven seemes now too evident by the present disposing of those Forces that have been engaged for Ireland by the endeavours of some to gaine a power from the Parliament of ordering those Forces for some service in England and by the private listings of men for service here without any publike authority of Parliament And all this by the same persons who have all along appeared most active and violent in the late proceedings against the Army As to the just Discontents and Dissatisfactions of the Army in relation to their Grievances and their Non-compliance to the late Orderers for sudden Disbanding by peece-meale before more full and equall satisfaction were given to the whole we desire you to look back to the Papers already published of the grievances themselves the Narrative of the Officers and to the later Papers from the generall Counsell of War at Bury and the late generall Randezvous neer New-Market And we thinke your late resuming the consideration of those things as to a further satisfaction doth much justifie the desires and proceedings of the Army in those past particulars hitherto And though had we upon our first addresses for our undoubted rights and dues c found a free and candid reception with a just consideration and a reasonable satisfaction or at least a free Answer therein we should have been easily perswaded to have abated or forborn much of our dues and not to have enquired into or considered so farre as we have either the possibilities there are for more present satisfaction of Arrears or the credit of future Securities proposed yet since upon these former Addresses we have found such hard dealing as in the said Papers is set forth and those additionall though hitherto but partial satisfactions comming so hardly as they have we find no obliging reasons in the least to decline or recede from what 's our due but rather still to adhere unto our desires of full and equall satisfaction in all the things mentioned in the aforesaid Papers not only in behalfe of our selves and the Army but also of the whole Souldiery throughout the Kingdome who have concurred or shall concurre with us in the same desires And to all our former Desires at Souldiers we cannot but adde this wherein we find our selves so neerly concerned in point of Justice and reputation That more care and a stricter course may be taken for making good all Articles granted upon Surrenders according to the true intent and meaning of them at also for remedy and reparation in case of any breach and this without those delays which divers have found as prejudiciall to them or more then if they had been totally denied the performance of them Nor will it now we hope seem strange or unreasonable to rationall and honest men who consider the consequence of our present case to their own and the Kingdomes as well as our future concernments in point of Right Freedome Peace and safety if from a deep sense of the high consequence of our present case both to our selves in future and all other people we shall before disbanding proceed in our owne and the Kingdoms behalfe to propound and plead for some provision for our and the Kingdoms satisfaction and future security in relation to those things especially considering that we were not a meer mercenary Army hired to serve any Arbitrary power of a State but called forth and conjured by the severall Declarations of Parliament to the defence of our owne and the peoples just Rights and Liberties and so we took up Armes in judgement and conscience to those ends and have so continued them and are resolved according to your first just desires in your Declarations and such principles as we have received from your frequent Informations and our own common sense concerning those our fundamental rights and liberties to assert and vindicate the just power and rights of this Kingdome in Parliament for those common ends premised against all arbitrary power violence and oppression and against all particular parties or interests whatsoever The said Declarations still directing us to the equitable sense of all Laws and Constitutions as dispensing with the very letter of the same and being supreme to it when the safety and preservation of all is concerned And assuring us that all Authority is fundamentally seated in the Office and but ministerially in the Persons Neither do or will these our proceedings as we are fully and in conscience perswaded amount to any thing not warrantable before God and men being thus far much short of the common proceedings in other Nations to things of an higher nature then we have yet appeared to and we cannot but be sensible of the great complaints that have been made to us generally in the Kingdome from the people where we march of Arbitrarinesse and Injustice to their great and insupportable oppressions And truly such Kingdomes as have according both to the law of Nature and Nations appeared to the vindication and defence of their just Rights and Liberties have proceeded much higher as our brethren of Scotland who in the first beginning of these late differences associated in Covenant from the very same grounds and principles having no visible form either of Parliament or King to countenance them And as they were therein justified and protected by their own and this Kingdome also so we justly shall expect to be We need not mention the States of the Netherlands the Portugals and others all proceeding upon the same Principles of right and freedome And accordingly the Parliament hath declared it no resisting of Magistracy to side with the just principles and law of nature and Nations being that law upon which we have assisted you and that the souldiery may lawfully hold the hands of the Generall who will turne his Cannon against his Army on purpose to destroy them the Seamen the hands of that Pilot who wilfully rune the Ship upon a rock as our Brethren of Scotland argued And such were the proceedings of our Ancestors of famous memory to the purchasing of such Rights and Liberties as they have enjoyed through the price of their bloud and we both by that and the later bloud of our deare friends and fellow Souldiers with the hazard of our own do now lay
tend to the generall prejudice and dishonour of Parliaments As to these particulars included in our charge which depend on things done without the Parliament we are ready and should most willingly proceed in the particular charging and proving thereof if first from the Justice of the House in a present proceeding against the persons charged for those things that are already known to the House being done in it we could find incouragement to expect any good issue upon those other things and did we not on the contrary find that notwithstanding what is so knowne to the House as before expressed the same persons continue in such power and prevalence both in the House and in all Committees of the highest trust as leaves little hope of Right or satisfaction to the Army or Kingdome in other things and much lesse in any just proceeding against themselves while they continue Judges of their owne and our concernements so as we cannot while they remaine in the same power expect any other but a continued perverting and making advantage of all things and especially of those delays which a regular proceeding against them would necessarily induce altogether to our owne and the Kingdomes prejudice and danger disable or weaken us for those things which the safety and setling of the Rights Liberties and peace of the Kingdome requires And to strengthen themselves by under-hand practises and preparations both at home and abroad the beâ—ter to oppose us and engage the Kingdome in a new War thereby to accomplish their designes or at least to save themselves from Justice in a common confusion We say were it not for thesâ— and other considerations that leave little hopes of Iustice to our selves or the Kingdome while they continue in the same power and render all delayes dangerous and destructive to ourselves and peace of the Kingdome we should be contented that the businesse concerning the Members we have charged should be laid aside till those other things were first setled which our Declaration does propound for the common Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome But finding things still so carried as they are and as we have before exprest and that while they are Judges in their owne causes they with that party which they make will do what they please and yet render it a breach of Priviledge to be accused for it we cannot but upon all these considerations and for all the reasons before exprest insist upon it that the members charged may first be forthwith suspended from fitting in the House otherwise we cannot expect any faire proceedings against them upon a more particular charge nor thinke there is any good intended to our selves or the Kingdome As to our desire of having the Army presently paid up equally with those that have deserted it we appeale to all men for the Iustice reasonablenesse and necessity thereof The Iustice in that the former service for which there arrears are due hath been at least as faithfully and diligently performed by the Army as by those late deserters of it and in our present posture though they have appeared indeed more officious and serviceable to the interest and will of particular men then we yet we are sure the Army is and we hope will at last appear to be more faithfull to the true interests of Parliaments and the Kingdome which we were at first called out and ingaged for then they in deserting the Army have hitherto appeared For the reasonablenesse of our desires though we have ground to claim more then they or rather that they or some of them should forfeit their Arrears yet we aske for present but equall nor should we at present insist much on that as to Officers if our Souldiers were but first paid up Our necessity to insist on that is obvious to every man and therefore unlesse we should betray our owne and the Kingdomes cause we cannot but positively insist upon it that the Army should forthwith be paid up at the least equally to those desertorâ— of it which if denied or delayed we shall be thereby inforc'â— upon present wayes of instant remedy and right to the Army therein And whereas the Parliament hath lately ordered and publickly declared that all that shall desert the Army shall have present satisfaction in their Arrears the Officers three Moneths pay the Souldiers all their Arrears deducting for free Quarâ—erâ— which still continues unrecalled we cannot but look upon it as a most cleare evidence of the continâ—ing malice and prevalence of ours and the Kingdomes Enemies And we must and do insist upon it that that order or Declaration may forthwith be publikely recalled otherwise we cannot beleeve that any thing but ruine and destruction is designed to our selves and all others in the Kingdome who every where call upon us not to dâ—â—band till we see the Rights Liberties and peace of the Kingdome sâ—â—led according to the many Declarations by which we were first called forth and invited to ingage in the late War Next we cannot but take 〈◊〉 that in stead of graâ—ting or Answering our desires in the last Paper in order to the beâ—â—â—r and more â—â—se proceeding to a composure and settlement of all things for the good and peace of the Kingdome and for prevention of a now War the Army being first commanded to forty miles distance from London his Majesties perion is demanded immediately to Richmond house within eight miles of London which as we cannot but impute it to the prevailing interest of the same enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace so all men may easily discerne with us how directly it â—ends in pursuance of their former private designe upon the King ere he came from Holdenby to put his Majesty within the reach of those mens power who have under-hand Listed about London already very considerable numbers both of horse and foot and are daily listing and engaging more both there and in many parts of the Kingdome to serve their designes And therefore we appeale to all uningaged men whether we can in this give way to have the King put so farre within those mem power without giving them the so long sought for advantage of his Majesties Persons whereby to imbroyle the Kingdome in a new and bloudy War and to strengthen themselves in their mischeivous designes the better to uphold and establish their faction and intended domination so that in this case we cannot but importune the Parliament as they tender the peace and safety of the Kingdome and the avoiding of Iealousies or worse inconveniency in the Army that they would resume the consideration of this businesse concerning the Person of the King and not propose any place for him â—â—â—ter to London then they would have the Quarters of the Army to be And whereas by the procurement of the same persons or others of their party there hath been scandalous informations presented to the Housea and industriously published in print importing as if his Majesty were â—ep◠〈◊〉 a pâ—â—sones amongst us and
barbarously and uncivilly used we cannot but declaâ—e that the same and all other suggestions of that sort are most false and scandalous and absolutely contrary not only to our declared desires but also to our Principles which are most clearly for a generall right and just freedome to all men And therfore upon this occasion we cannot but declare particâ—larly that we desire the same for the King and others of lift â—arty so farre as can consist with common right or freedome and with the security of the same for future and wâ— do further clearely professe we do not see how there can be any peace to this Kingdome firme or lasting without a due consideration of and provision for the Pâ—ighâ—s Quiet and Immunity of his Majestieâ— Royall Family and his lâ—t◠〈◊〉 and here in â—e thinke that â—â—nder and equitabâ—e deaâ—ing aâ— supposing thâ—re â—â—ses had been ours and a spirit of common love and justice diffusing it selfe to the good and preservation of all will make up the most glorious conquests over their hearts if God in mercy see it good to make them and the whole People of the Land lasting friends Now to draw to a conclusion since we can yet obtaine no satisfection or answer to the things desired as before but contrariwise find all things carried on by the prevailing interest of those our enemies to the prejudice and danger of our selves and the Kingdome since notwithstanding some Votes of Parliament against the late Orders of the Committee of safety for listing of Forces and notwithstanding the earnest desires and indeavours of the City concurrent with our owne to have the same prevened or remedied yet the said Committee of safety being continued still in the same power we find that by the appointment or contrivance and under the protection or countenance of the same persons whom we have charged and their accomplices there are still manifold practises under-hand to list and raise new Forces and notwithstanding the discovery thereof to the Parliament from the City yet the same persons have prevailed so far in the House as not to admit the Question for discharging of them but the same practices still continue and with double diligence are inforced since also divers forces pretended to have ingaged for Ireland are by the same persons ordered to Randezvouz about Worcester there to lay the foundation of a new Army And to that purpose their Emissaries and correspondents in all Counties are busie and active to raise forces for them And though for these things the actors of them have no present publick authority yet they have some way such countenance or assistance to be justified in Parliament if questioned for it as that they have the confidence to act openly since they have likewise their Emissaries or Agents abroad in Scotland France and other Countries very active to draw in sorraine Forces for their assistance since in the mean time they are endeavouring by Spies and secret agents in all our Quarters to inveigle and invite the Souldiers of this Army to desert their Officers and come to London and for that purpose do improve the advantage of the Order or Declaration of Parliament afore-mentioned for satisfaction of Arreares to such as shall desert the Army And we find they have the publick purse so much at their disposall as to make good that and other their undertakings of that nature and yet such as have so deserted the Army and received their Arrears are not discharged or dispersed but continued together in bodies and under command in or near the City as in particular some of Sir Robert Pyes men Coll Greaves his Cap. Farmers and others still quartered upon Keâ—â— Since likewise they have Agents and Correspondents labouring with the King to make contractâ— with him to draw his Majesty to engage and declare for them or at least to declare himselfe a prisoner amongst us whereby to stirre up and engage his party against us since in all these respects we find all delatory wayes which they industriously devise to be designed and made use of only to our disadvantage weakning and ruine and the Kingdomes prejudice and to their owne advantage and strengthening in their designes the better to prepare for a new War And lastly considering the multitudes of Reformadoes and other Souldiers swarming about the City whom the persons we have charged and their accomplices have at their beck to bring up to Westminster when they please and that by their frequent tumultuous confluences thither besetting and sometimes blocking up the Parliament doores threatning and offering violence to the persons of the most faithfull Parliament men the just freedome of Parliament seems to be taken away or ar least for the present abrogated in so much that those Members who have served the Kingdome hitherto with most faithfulnesse diligence and integrity for the publick good many of them dare scarce come to the House or if they doe they come in feare and perill of their lives and when they are there are awed discharged or disabled from discharging their consciences or doing their duties to the Kingdome Upon all these considerations we are clearely convinc'd and satisfied that both our duties and trust for the Parliament and Kingdome cals upon us and warrants us and an imminent necessity for our owne and the Kingdomes safety and a prevention of a new warre inforceth us to make or admit of no longer delayes but upon these foundations God hath given us with vigour and speed to indeavour in some extraordinary way the vindicating of Parliament freedome from tumultuous violence the breaking of these designes and preparations that otherwise threaten a present imbroilement of the Kingdome in more blood and war and a future perpetuable inslaving of it under faction and Tyranny And so if God see it good to put the Parliament into a freedome and capacity with his Majesties wished and hoped concurrence to settle the Rights Liberties and peace of the Kingdome Upon all these grounds and for all these ends premised we shall be inforced to take such courses extraordinary as God shall inable and direct us unto to put things to a speedy issue unlesse by Thursday night next we receive assurance and security to our selves and the Kingdome for a more safe and hopefull proceeding in an ordinary way by having those things granted which in order thereunto we have before insisted on And shall here for more brevity and clearnesse repeat as followeth 1 That the declaration inviting men to desert the Army and promising their Arrears in case they doe so may be recalled and annulled 2 That the Army may be presently paid up equally to those that have deserted it 3 That his Majesties comming to Richmond may be suspended untill affaires be better setled and composed And in the meant time no place may be appointed that may be neerer to London than the Parliament will allow the Quarters of the Army to be 4 That the Members charged may be forthwith suspended or
we suppose the Gentlemen themselves from the same grounds that induced them to offer this will still forbeare to offer the contrary till the matters concerning them be heard and determined or to make any new interruption or disturbance to the proceeding upon or settlement of the generall affaires of the Kingdome So we hope and shall confidently expect that the wisedome and justice of the House will not admit any thing to the contrary or leave it to an hazard thereof but will use sufficient care and caution against such things and for the bringing of those Members to tryall when the House shall judge it more seasonable and safe as before exprest By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge June 27. 1647. WHereas without Order from the Generall or the Councell of War Nicholas Cowley Commissary Generall of provisions hath issued out Warrants to some Hundreds within lesse then a mile of London to bring provisions from thence into the Army which he pretended to be Randezvouzed between London and Vxbridge Whereas there was no such thing ordered by the Generall or his Councell of War It is therefore this day ordered by the Generall and his Councel of warre that the said Commissary Cowley shall stand committed and he is thereby committed to the Marshall from whence he is not to be discharged untill he hath given satisfaction to the Commissioners for the City of London residing at Vxbridge By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge Junii 27. The Kings Majesties most gracious Letter to his Son his Highnesse James Duke of York written with his Majesties own hand read in both Houses of Parliament C. R. IAmes I am in hope that you may be permitted with your Brother and Sister to come to some place betwixt this and London where I may see you To this end therefore I command you to aske leave of the two Houses to make a journey if it may be for a night or two But rather then not to see you I will be content that yee come to some convenient place to dine and go back at night And foreseeing the feare of your being brought within the power of the Army as I am may be objected to hinder this my desire I have full assurance from Sir Thomas Fairfax and the chiefe Officers that there will be no interruption or impediment made by them for your returne how and when you please So God blesse you Your loving Father Charles Rex Casam July 4. 1647. Two Letters from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax One to both Houses of Parliament giving an accompt of what Transactions and Proceedings have been betwixt the Kings Majesty and the Army since his coming into their Quarters With some farther Proposals in relation to his Majesty and the speedy settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom c. Master Speaker I Was sent unto by the King on Friday last to desire the Parliament to give way to Him to see his children and that they might for that purpose be sent to Him If I may be bold humbly to offer my Opinion I thinke the allowance of such a thing may be without the least prejudice to the Kingdome and yet gain more upon his Majestie then denying it and if it be in the prayers of every good man that his heart may be gained the performance of such civilities to him is very surable to those Desires and will heare well with all men who if they can imagine it to be their own case cannot but be sorry if His Majesties naturall affections to His Children in so small a thing should not be complyed with and if any question should be concerning the assurance of their returne I shall ingage for their return within what time the Parliament shall limit Upon this occasion give me leave I beseech you to take notice of some reports spread abroad as if my selfe and the Officers of the Army were upon some under-hand Contract or Bargaine with the King and from thence occasion is taken to slander our Integrities and endeavour a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army the fidelity of which to the Parliament and Kingdome and their affection to it are the great objects of many mens Envies because they see nothing so likely to settle Right and Freedome with Truth and Peace to us and Posterity and to hinder their Designs against the same as an Harmony or good accord between the Parliament and Army which is the joy of good men and it shall be our study to preserve against all Designes and Designers to the contrary To prevent therefore all misunderstandings of that kinde I thought fit with all clearnesse to declare unto you That we have done nothing nor shall do any thing which we desire to hide from you or the world or shall not avow to the faces of our greatest Adversaries Our Desires concerning a just consideration and settlement of the Kings Rights His Majesty first giving His concurrence to settle and secure the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome We have already publickely declared in our Representation and Remonstrance Since the first of those Papers sent to the Parliament there have been severall Officers of the Army upon severall occasions sent to His Majesty the first to present to Him a Copy of the Representation and after that some others to tender Him a copy of the Remonstrance upon both which the Officers sent were appointed to clear the sence and intention of any thing in either Paper whereupon His Majesty might make any question Since then there have also been some Officers at severall times sent to His Majesty about His remove from Hatfield to disswade if possibly from Windsor or any place so near London to some place of further distance answerable to what we had desired of the Parliament In all which addresses to his Majesty we care not who knowes what hath been said or done for as we have nothing to bargaine for or to ask either from His Majesty or the Parliament for advantage to our selves or any particular party or interest of our own so in all those Addresses to His Majesty we have utterly disclaimed and disavowed any such thing or any Overtures or Thoughts tending that way but the only intent and effect of those our Addresses hath been to desire and endeavor His Majesties free concurrence with the Parliament for establishing and securing the common Rights and Liberties and setling the peace of the Kingdome And to assure Him That the publick being so provided for with such His Majesties concurrence it is fully agreeable to all our Principles and should be our desires and indeavour That with and in such setling of the Publick the Rights of His Majesties Royall Family should be also provided for so as a lasting Peace and Agreement might be setled in this Nation And that as we had publickly
Treaty however and then declare how unreasonable the Propositions were and that yet for the peace of the Kingdome his Majesty would Treate upon them but withall wished the said Treaty might be in London whether the King himselfe should come upon security He the said M. Holles adding that there was nothing in the world that the violent party meaning the well-affected party to the Parliament against the Enemy did so much feare as his Majesties comming to London which would be a certaine dissolution of their authority and power And the said Mr. Holles bad those said persons or one of them assure the King that if his Majesty knew as much as hee the said Mr. Holles knew his Majesty would take his Horse and be at London the next day or words to that effect And it being againe demanded whether if the King should be willing to come it would be accepted of He the said Mr. Holles thereto answered that certainely it would bee much opposed but yet hee the said Mr. Holles was confident that he and his party meaning some of the members above named and others should carry it and wished the King to put it upon that triall And the said Mr. Holles was desired by the said Earle of Lindsey Earle of Southampton and Lord Savill or one of them that he would be pleased to draw such an Answer in writing to the said Propositions as he desired the King should send and the said Earle of Southampton who was that night to lye in the Kings Bedchamber would perswade the the King to condiscend unto it and thereupon the said Mr. Hollas withdrew and either the same day or the next day following the said Mr. Holles accordingly carried in his hand unto the said Lords or one of them a paper ready written which as he said was such an Answer to the said Propositions as he had drawne for the King to send to the Parliament which was taken by the said Lords or one of them and carried to the King to be considered of and so much thereof as advised the Kings comming to London was laid by the King fearing to adventure himselfe but the rest of the said Paper the Lord Digby who writ the Kings Answer to the said Propositions made use of in the same words as the said Mr. Holles had set downe And the said Mr. Holles to ingratiate himselfe with the Kings party did about the same time revile the well-affected Members of the House of Commons declaring unto the said Kings party at Oxford or some of them that those well-affected Members which to render them the more odious as he conceived he named the violent Independant party had ill intentions and greater aversenes to Peace and that nothing would bee more pleasing to them then for the King to refuse the Propositions how unreasonable soever the same were and hee also then said that the Commissioners of Scotland were very weary of that violent party and that they being desperate to establish their Presbytery here as in Scotland made their addresses to him the said Mr. Holles and his party All which tended to the protracting of the said late Warr to the hindrance of an happy Peace and the said Mr. Holles did also after that receive from the Earle of Lindsey a letter written in white inke concerning some secret designe and kept it from the knowledge of the House from February till about July after when it was discovered by him that brought it but the Letter it selfe was by Mistris Holles said after hee had read it burnt And the said Earle of Linsey moved the King for a passe for the said Master Holles to goe to Oxford but the King refused to grant it saying that Holles did him better service in the Parliament then he could doe him at Oxford 2. That the said Mr Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton during the said late Warre when the said Earle of Lindsey went from the Tower of London to Oxford sent severall Messages of intelligence to the Earle of Dorset and Lord Digby thereby assuring them that they the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton did better service for the King here in Parliament then they could doe him if they were at Oxford And the said Sir Philip Stapleton desired that the said Earle of Dorset would preserve him the said Sir Philip and his friends in the good opinion of the party at Oxford which was then the Kings Garrison and he the said sir Philip would doe as much for his Lordship and his friends here with the Parliament and the said Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton the more to ingratiate themselves into the favour of the Enemy did of their owne accord without any direction of the Parliament draw up other Propositions then those mentioned in the precedent Articles which they affirmed were in their judgements fit for the King to grant and for the Parliament to desire and being so drawn up sent them privately to his Majestie without any authority of Parliament to warrant the same 3. That the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthie Sir William Waller Sir John Maynard Major generall Massie Mr. Glyn M. Long Colonell Edward Harley and Anthony Nicholls in the Moneths of March Aprill May and June last past and at others times in prosecution of the evill designes in the severall generall heads mentioned have frequently assembled and mett together at the Lady Carliles Lodging in White-Hall and in other places with divers other persons dis-affected to the State without any authority of Parliament for holding correspondencie with the Queene of England now in France and her participants with an intent by such secret and clandestine treaties amongst themselves to put conditions upon the Parliament and to bring in the King upon their owne tearmes and having a great power upon the Treasure of the Kingdome have therewith maintained and encouraged by Pensions and otherwise the Queenes party in France thereby to beget a second and more bloudy Warre in this Kingdome and they or some or one of them assured the Queene 40000. l. per annum if shee would assist them in their designe and that they would doe more for the King then the Army would doe and that they would finde out some meanes to destroy the Army and their friends 4. That in further pursuance of the same evill designes they the said Mr. Hâ—lles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewes Sir John Clotworthie Sir William Waller and Major generall Massey by the combination aforesaid within the space of three monthes last past without any authority of Parliament Invited the Scots and other forraigne forces to come into this Kingdome in a Hostile manner to abett and assist them in the prosecuting and effecting of their said designes And the said Mr. Holles very lately sent to the said Queene of England then and still in France advising her amongst other things speedily to send the Prince into Scotland to march into this
Members more out of Cornwall on purpose to carry on the designes and practises before mentioned and to make a faction in the said House And notwithstanding the selfe-denying Ordinance hee the said Mr. Nicholls doth still hold a place in the Tower formerly conferred upon him by the House and receiveth the profits thereof to his owne use 22. That the said Mr. Nicholls hath since his sitting in the House as aforesaid taken rewards for his service done there namely whereas Sir William Vvedall Knight for deserting the Parliament and going to Yorke with the King was suspended the House He the said Mr. Nicholls for the sum of one hundred pounds or an hundred fifty pounds paid unto him or to his use by the said Sir William Vvedall or some for him did by misinformations to the House procure the said sir William Vvedall to be re-admitted a Member of the said House And the said Mr. Nicholls while he was a Member of the Committee for safety he others of the said Committee having issued forth a warrant for searching Greenwich house he the said Master Nichols did under-hand acquaint one of the Queens Officers therewith and thereby prevented the Designe of the said Committee to great disservice of the Parliament and Kingdome 23. That the said Mr. Long at the beginning of the late Wars not having courage sufficient to performe his duty in Militia affairs did out of covetousnesse or other unworthy end procure a command of a Troope of horse under his Excellency the late Lord Generall the Earle of Essex but when ever his said Troope came upon any service he the said Master Long out of feare or treachery unworthily absented himselfe and never was seene or known to charge the Enemy in person though his Troope often engaged namely at the Battail of Edge-hill when he saw there were like to be blows he the said Mr. Long left the field and never charged before his Troop and at the Battail or fight at Brainford though his troop were there yet he staid at London till the danger was past and fighting done And when his Troop was sent into the West he took no other notice of it but to receive his pay and in the meane while he repaired into the County of Essex and procured a commission to be a Colonel of Horse and in stead of fighting against the Parliaments enemies he betooke himselfe to plunder and oppresse the Parliaments friends there and contrary to Order and without any authority or exigencies of Warre compelling him thereunto enforced great sums of money and many Horses and other provisions from the country namely from Mr. Thomas Manwood a man well affected who had the Generalls protections and whose horses were taken from his plow and others to the great losses and oppression of the people and to the great dishonour of the Parliament whose service he neverthelesse neglected and hath not hither to given an accompt of the great sums of money and other things that he so exacted of the countrey as afore-said 24. That the said Master Long afterwards upon pretence of some losses sustained by the enemy and some great service he had done for the State did procure of the House a great office in the Chancery namely to be the chiefe Register of that Court wherein his skill was little and whereof he was and still is altogether uncapable and although for a time upon the selfe-denying Ordinance he was displaced yet upon the motion or by the power and meanes of the said Master Hollis he hath obtained the same office againe to the great prejudice of skilfull Clerkes that have beene bred up in the said Court to the disservice of the common-wealth and the dishonour of the House 25. That the said Master Long on purpose to drive on the designes in the said severall charges expressed hath for the space of two yeares last past usually pressed and urged severall members to give their votes such wayes as he pleased and to that end and purpose doth constantly place himselfe neare the doore of the House that when any debate is concerning any designe wherein his party is engaged he the said Master Long hath used much tampering and violence to such of his owne party as would goe out of the House and hath perswaded them to continue there for their Votes and he the said Mr. Long in case any such have gone out of the House hath been very inquisitive where they might be found that so he may goe for them when the businesse in debate comes neer to be put to the Vote and if they come not according to his expectation doth ordinarily and speedily run out of the House himselfe to call them drive them in again that he hath been commonly called by those that are without the House and have taken notice of his actions the Parliament Driver whereby the freedome of the Members is taken from them the manner of Parliaments proceedings much scandalized and many times evill and dangerous designes drove on in a faction by Votes to the great prejudice of the Common-wealth All which matters and things the said Army shall and will be ready in convenient time to make good by proofe upon Oath as this Honourable House shall direct And for that by reason of the straitnesse of time and other more weighty affaires of the Army they could not so fully finish and accomplish the said Articles therefore the said Army still reserves further liberty to adde other Articles against the said Members or any of them at any time before their Tryall as occasion shall serve BY the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Counsell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Secr. Mr. Speaker HAving this day received papers from the Northern Forces under Col. Gen. Pointz his command with some other papers from Col. Thornhaghs Regiment which is already marcht up to Buckingham wherein they expresse their resolutions to associate themselves with this Armie for the more speedy and happy effecting of a true lasting and wel grounded Peace to the King Parliament and Kingdome and in order to that have delayed obedience to the command of many of their Officers who for some reasons best known to themselves have refused to joyne with them in their just desires and have also as formerly now againe petitioned mee to exempt them from further obedience to any other command then what may conduce for the obtaining of the just desires and establishment of the peace of the Kingdome as in the inclosed papers is more fully exprest and further desiring to march up speedily to the Army All which being of so great concernment to the Kingdome and not well admitting delay thought fit to represent unto you with speed their severall Papers and Desires that I might receive your pleasure concerning the things they desire your commands for their present disposall to the end they may be better kept in Discipline and obedience and such disorders prevented as by reason
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
Parliament extraordinary provided it meet above seventie dayes before the next Bienniall day and be dissolved at least sixtie dayes before the same so as the course of Bienniall-elections may never bee interrupted 4. That this Parliament and each succeeding Bienniall-Parliament at or before adjournment or dissolution thereof may appoint Committees to continue during the intervall for such purposes as are in any of these Proposalls referr'd to such Committees 5. That the Elections of the Commons for succeeding Parliaments may be distributed to all Counties or other parts or divisions of the Kingdome according to some rule of equality or proportion so as all Counties may have a number of Parliament Members allowed to their choice proportionable to therespective Rates they beare in the common charges and burthens of the Kingdome according to some other rule of equallity or proportion to render the House of Commons as neere as may be an equall Representative of the whole and in order thereunto that a present consideration be had to take off the Elections of Burgesses for poore decayed or inconsiderable Townes and to give some present addition to the number of Parliament-Members for great Counties that have now lesse then their due proportion to bring all at present as neere as may be to such a rule of proportion as aforesaid 6. That effectuall provision be made for future freedome of Elections and certainty of due returnes 7. That the House of Commons alone have the power from time to time to set downe further orders and rules for the ends expressed in the two last preceding Articles so as to reduce the Elections of Members for that House to more and more perfection of equality in the distribution freedome in the Election order in the proceeding thereto and certainty in the Returnes which orders and rules in that case to be as Lawes 8. That there be a liberty for entering dissents in the House of Commons with provision that no Member be censurable for ought said or voted in the House further then to exclusion from that trust and that onely by the judgement of the House it selfe 9. That the judiciall power or power of small Judgement in the Lords and Commons and their power of Exposition and Application of Law without further appeale may be cleared And that no Officer of Justice Minister of State or other person adjudged by them may be capable of Protection or pardon from the King without their advice and consent 10. That the Right and libertie of the Commons of England may be cleared and vindicated as to a due Exemption from any Judgement Triall or other proceeding against them by the House of Peeres without the concurring Judgement of the House of Commons As also from any other judgement sentence or proceeding against them other then by their equalls or according to the Law of the Land 11. The same Act to provide that grand Jury-men may be chosen by and for severall parts or divisions of each County respectively in some equall way and not remaine as now at the discretion of an under-Sheriffe to be put on or off And that such Grand Jury-men for their respective Counties may at each Assize present the names of persons to be made Justices of Peace from time to time as the Countrey hath need for any to be added to the Commission and at the summer Assize to present the names of three persons out of whom the King may prick one to be Sheriffe for the next yeare II. For the future security to Parliaments and the Militia in generall in order thereunto that is be provided by Act of Parliament 1. That the power of the Militia by Sea and Land during the space of ten yeares next ensuing shall be ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons Assembled and to be Assembled in the Parliament or Parliaments of England or by such persons as they shall nominate and appoint for that purpose from time to time during the said space 2. That the said power shall not be ordered disposed or exercised by the Kings Majesty that now is or by any person or persons by any Authority derived from him during the said space or at any time hereafter by his said Majesty without the advice and consent of the said Lords and Commons or of such Committees or Councell in the intervals of Parliament 〈◊〉 they shall appoint 3. That during the some spâ—â—ce of ten yeares the said Lords and Commons may by Bill or Ordinance raise and dispose of what moneys and for what Forces they shall from time to time finde necessary â—s also for payment of the publick debts and damages and for all other the publick uses of the Kingdome 4. And to the end the temporâ—â—y security intended by the three particulars last precedent may be the better assured it may therefore be provided That no Subjects that have been in Hostility against the Parliament in the late warre shall be capable of bearing any Office of power â—s publick trust in the Common-wealth during the space of five yeares without consent of Parliament or of the Councell of State or to sit as Members or assistants of either House of Parliament untill the second-â—ituniall Parliament be past III. For the present forme of disposing the Militia in order to the peace and safety of this Kingdome and the service of Ireland 1. That there be Commissioners for the Admiralty with a Vice-Admirall and Rereâ— Admirall now to be agreed on with power for the forming regulating appointing of Officers and providing for the Navy and for ordering the same to and in the ordinary service of the Kingdome And that there be a sufficient provision and establishment for pay and maintenance thereof 2. That there be a Generall for command of the Land Forces that are to be in pay both in England Ireland and Wales both for Field and Garrison 3. That there be Commissioners in the severall Counties for the standing Militia of the respective Counties consisting of Trained Bands and Auxiliaries not in pay with power for the proportioning forming regulating training and disciplining of them 4. That there be a Councell of State with power to superintend and direct the severall and particular powers of the Militia last mentioned for the peace and safety of this Kingdome and of Ireland 5. That the same Councell may have power as the Kings privy Councell for and in all forraigne negotiations provided That the making of warre or peace with any other Kingdome or State shall not be without the advice and consent of Parliament 6. That the said power of the Councell of State be put into the hands of trusty and able persons now to be agreed on and the same persons to continue in that power si bene se gesserint for a certain Terme not exceeding seven yeares 7. That there be a sufficient establishment now provided for the salary Forces both in England and Ireland the establishment to continue untill two Moneths after the meeting of
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
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
especially in this viz. To have the King brought up to London without delay or any nearer upproach of the Army And to all these the succeeding Votes of the pretended Houses for the same thing did speedily eccho the same note Concerning which matter not to examine the alteration of the case since both Houses and both Kingdomes also of England and Scotland resolved that it was not safe the King should come to London untill he had given satisfaction and secutity to his people in relation to those publick ends for which so much bloud and treasure had been spent we shall only say thus much to those mens intentions and designes in the businesse That had the King come up to London as they have so oft desired and attempted it is apparent they intended and would have made use of it rather to lay the stronger foundations of a new Warre upon the ruines of that publick interest contended for in the former and of all those that had with most candor clearenesse and simplicity of heart appeared and acted for the same then any way to settle thereby a safe and well-grounded peace And since they could not rationally expect so easie an obtaining of the Kings person to London upon such a pretended Vote or Declaration of their desire thereof it is as evident that they could intend nothing thereby but a more plausible pretence and foundation of quarrell against this Army whereby to ingage or incline to their assistance the Kings party and such others who might be catcht with the apprehension thereof as a speedy way to Peace the thing so generally longed for and by such assistance gained the better to ruine this Army and those faithfull Members of Parliament who were retired to it For our parts we shall rejoice as much as any to see the King brought back to his Parliament and that not so much in place as in affection and agreement on such sound termes and grounds as may render both Him and the Kingdome safe quiet and happy and shall be as ready as any to bring his Majesty to London when his being there may be likely to produce not greater disturbances but a Peace indeed And that such as may not with the shipwrack of publick interest be shaped and moulded only to the private advantages of a particular party or faction But bottomed cheifly on grounds of common and publick welfare and security And if without regard to these considerations we would have brought his Majesty with us to London in our late advance thither which our enimies could not hinder or prejudice us in we had no cause to doubt but as to men we might have had all the advantages which our adversaries promised to themselves thereby added to the strength and interest of the Army and have inverted the disadvantages upon them that they intended against us thereby so as his Majesties so much desired to come to London might have been much to their prejudice and our advantage and security if we had regarded only our owne particulars But as at present our consciences beare cleare witnesses to our selves so we hope God will in the issue make it cleare to others that we have not minded nor been acting our owne workes or interests but the Kingdomes and every honest mans in it Mean while to return to our purpose we thinke it is sufficiently cleared that the proceedings of those members or the major part of them that continued to sit at Westminster during the absence of the Speakers the powers by them given the forces thereupon levied and other preparations of Warre thereupon made were all designed and driven on in prosecution and maintenance of the said treasonable ingagement and of the force done upon the Parliament or for the same ends and interest with them and to oppose the advance of this Army towards London for restitution of the Parliament to honour and freedome and indeed to raise a new warre in the Kingdome against the Parliament and their Army for the destruction thereof And the same may yet further appear by this that those very Appentices Reformadoes and others about the City who were the cheife actors in the said ingagement and tumult were afterwards most trusted and imployed and most active in their preparations for War By what we have here said and what hath been declared and published from us and from the Speakers and aforesaid Members of both Houses and by the whole series of our owne and our enemies actions and carriages compared together it may appeare how tender we have been not only of the authority and just Priviledges of Parliament and of the safety peace and welfare both of the Kingdome and the City but even towards those our enemies themselves seeking only things necessary for the common good of the whole and that if possible without ruine or hurt to any and yet how maliciously and unworthily we have that while been dealt withall by those our enemies and by a factious and powerfull party especially in Parliament and City combining with them And what cleare cause we have had both for all that we have formerly desired or done in prevention of our owne ruine and the Kingdomes disturbance and also what just grounds for our late advance to London The good service whereof especially in restoring the Parliament into a condition of safety honour and freedome thereby hath been without any seeking of ours acknowledged by both Houses with thankes to us and publick thankesgiving to the Almighty for it And a further trust hath been thereupon committed to the Generall for taking care with his Army to safe-guard the Parliament The Houses being thus restored to a condition of present safety honor and freedome Two things seem clearly remaining to be done which our owne and most mens expectations are most set upon viz. First to vindicate the honour freedome and safety of Parliament from the like affronts or violences in future and the Army and Kingdome from danger of the like disturbances whilst things shall be in a debate or treaty for a settlement and then to proceed unto a speedy settlement of the peace of the Kingdome The latter of these is first in our intentions being nearest to the ultimate end And we shal earnestly desire in order therunto the proposals of the Army whereof the heads are published may be speedily considered and brought to a resolution But considering that the debates of them may take up some time ere they be agreed on all hands and the framing of them into Bils and perfecting of the same will require much more Something must first be done in the former for a present security to the Parliament from like affronts or violence and to the Army and Kingdome from the like disturbances to the peace thereof by any farther advantage which the time like to be spent in the setling of peace may afford to our watchfull restlesse and we doubt implacable enemies First therefore to those ends unlesse it should be
sword We therefore the said Generall Councell to testifie how far our hearts and minds are from any design of setting up the power of the sword above or against the fundamentall authority and government of the Kingdome And our readinesse to maintaine and uphold the said authority Have by a free Vote in the said Councell no man contradicting judged the said Member To be expelled the said Councell Which we hereby thought fit to publish as a cleare manifestation of our dislike and disavowing such principles or purposes Putney Septemb. 9. 1647. By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Generall Councell of his Army Signed John Rushworth Secretary His Majesties Message in Answer to the Propositions presented to him at Hampton-court Sept. 7. 1647. by the Earls of Pembrook and Lauderdale Sir Charls Erskin siâ— John Holland sir John Cooke sir James Harrington Mr. Richard Brown Mr. Hugh Kenedy and Mr. Robert Barkley In the names of the Parliament of England and in behalfe of the Kingdome of Scotland Charles Rex HIs Majesty cannot choose but be passionately sensible as hee believes all his good Subjects are of the late great distractions and still languishing and unsetâ—ed State of this Kingdom and he calls God to witnesse and is willing to give testimony to all the world of his readinesse to contribute His utmost endeavours for restoring it to a happy and flourishing condition His Majesty having perused the Propositions now brought to Him finds them the same in effect which were offered to him at Newcastle To some of which as Hee could not then consent without violation of His conscience and honour so neither can he agree to others now conceiving them in many respects more disagreeable to the present condition of affaires then when they were formerly presented to Him as being destructive to the main and principall interests of the Army and of all those whose affections concur with them And His Majesty having seen the Proposals of the Army to the Commissioners from His two houses residing with them with them to be treated on in order to the clearing and securing the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and the setling a just and lasting peace To which Proposalls as he conceives His two Houses not to be strangers so he believes they will think with him that they much more conduce to the satisfaction of all interests and may be a fitter foundation for a lasting peace then the Propositions which at this time are tendred unto Him Hee therefore propounds as the best way in his judgment in order to peace that His two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposalls upon which there may be a personall Treaty with His Majesty and upon such other Propositions as His Majesty shall make hoping that the said Proposalls may be so moderated in the said Treaty as to render them the more capable of his Majesties full concessions wherein He resolves to give full satisfaction unto his people for whatsoever shal concern the setling of the Protestant profession with liberty to tender consciences the securing of the Laws Liberties and properties of all His Subjects and the just priviledges of Parliament for the future And likewise by His present deportment in this Treaty He will make the world clearly judg of His intentions in matter of future government In which Treaty His Majesty wil be well pleased if it bee thought fit that Commissioners from the Army whose Proposals are may likewise be admitted His Majestie therefore conjures his two houses of Parliament by the duty they owe to God and His Majesty their King and by the bowels of compassion they have to their fellow-Subjects both for reliefe of their present sufferings and to prevent future miseries that they will forthwith accept of His Majesties offer whereby the joyfull news of peace may be restored to this distressed Kingdome And for what concerns the Kingdom of Scotland mentioned in the Propositions His Majesty will very willingly treat upon those particulars with the Scotch Commissioners and doubts not but to give reasonable satisfafaction to that His Kingdome Given at Hampton-Court Sept. 9. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of the Parliament of England and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland Master Speaker THe sad condition and sufferings of divers well-affected to your affaires in the Kingdom is very grievous particularly the cases of James Simbal Francis Wade Robert White and Roger Crab as they are presented unto me which hath induced me to present the inclosed paper to your consideration wherein you may see the manner nature and pretences of their sufferings as presented and withall the exorbitancies of some in places of Judicature towards such who in the worst of times exprest much affection and reality to your proceedings And I humbly desire you to move the House to take their condition into consideration if they be committed meerly for speaking words against the King in time of War which thing I in no sort approve of yet it would doe well if the men might have some enlargement so as they may not perish by a languishing imprisonment such cruell usage as some of them suffer especially considering the offences for which they suffer were but in expresse of zeale for your Cause and that upon apparent provocation from such as I am informed as were your professed enemies With all due submission to you I desire their speedy enlargement and freedome of their Estate Your humble Servant Tho Fairfax Putney Sept. 12. 1647. For the Honourable Will Lenthall Esq Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons The particular cases of severall prisoners returned in the Kalender to the County Gaol at the White Lyon in Southwark the last Assizes held at Darking for the County of Surrey Represented by his Excellency to the Parliament IAmes Simball Deputy Keeper of Winchester house lying sicke hearing a Cavallier there a prisoner then say That the Parliament were Rebells and Traytors and that if the King came to London with his Army hee would make the Parliament a poore Parliament and Exemplary for their Rebellion by chopping off their heads at the doore The said Cavallier neer two years after boasting of a designe intended against the Parliament and being questioned for the same by the said Simball out of malice did accuse him for speaking against the King in these words viz. That he the said Simball hoped to see the Kings head upon the Tower blocke When indeed the said words were spoken in Answer to those above mentioned upon these conditions That if the King had any such intention then he the said Simball hoped as afore-said and thus much the said Cavalier himselfe did confesse but afterwards denyed Now the said Simball being indicted without any cognizance taken of these circumstances stands convicted by the only testamony of the said Cavallier ever since the Assizes held in March last and adjudged
with Francis Wade and Robert White by Serjeant Creswell to forfeit their whole estates and remaine prisoners during the Kings pleasure Francis Wade being urged to drinke the Kings health denyed it saying that King James said That the King which ruled not according to his Lawes is no longer a King but a Tyrant and that the King had put the Parliament out of his protection and in them the whole Kingdom Therefore no King Robert White having been a souldier in the Parliaments service was demanded upon his return what he would have done to the King had he met him in the head of his Army answered he would as soone have killed him as another man Roger Crabb for comparing the King to the golden Calfe which the Israelites worshipped or words to that purpose stands convicted by Justice Bacon since July 1646. and fined at an hundred marks to lye in Gaole till payment James Simball being at this instant a prisoner and in Irons at the said Gaole was indicted by one Wimball formerly a Cavallier sonne in law and partner to Richardson Keeper and Bailiffe of the prison called the Clinke now under sequestration and they keepers for the State the said Symbals goods being within their liberty as aforesaid have seized and made stay thereof as being confiscated to the King The said Richardson and Windball commencing suites in their owne Court for that the said Symbals brother defending part of the said goods in right of himelfe having formerly lent them to the said James his brother Francis Wade Robert White and Roger Crab are return'd as prisoners in the Kalender to the White Lion by Justice Bacon who fined Mr. Devinish late Keeper of the said County Gaole threescore pounds for suffering the said prisoners to have some liberty In Crabs case the Jury brought him guilty of the words spoken by him but they were neither seditious scandalous nor pernitious Justice Bacon used much Argument to perswade the Jury to finde the judgement they having formerly twice returned him And caused the said Jury to be locked up all night without meate drinke fire or candle untill they had returned him as he stood indicted The Explanation or Declarations of the sence of His Excellency and the generall Councell of the Army upon severall particulars in the Proposalls afore-going in answer to certain Queries thereupon made by the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army agreed upon at the generall Councel held at Putney on Thursday Septem 16. 1647. 1. Vpon the first generall Head TO the Quere concerning the time of commencement of the yeare within which a period to this Parliament is desired The explanation was thought fit to be suspended untill it should appear what expedition will be made in the settlement of the things proposed 2. Vpon the first particular under the first generall Head To the Quere Whether not rather Trienniall Parliaments and the act for that purpose to be continued with supplementall additions according to the effect of the particulars contained under this generall Head Resolved That as to the circumstance of time we are satisfied with either Bienniall or Trienniall Parliaments provided that in case Triennialls be prefer'd there be a proportionable addition to the time for the certainety of their sitting to viz. to be at least for six or eight monthes 3. Vpon the second particular under the first generall Head To the Quere concerning the prejudice of laying a limitation upon Parliaments not to sit past 240. dayes Resolved That that limitation is to be understood with this exceptions viz. unlesse any Parliament shall find it necessary for the safety of the Kingdome to sit longer but still with this proviso That each Parliament shall dissolve of course at least 80. dayes before the next Bienniall or Trienniall if not otherwise dissolved sooner so as that course of new Elections may never be interrupted 4. Vpon the eighth particular under the first generall Head To the Quere concerning the prejudice to Parliament freedom which this particular might induce Resolved That the liberty of entring dissents is not desired but in case where the major vote may bee to the destruction or prejudice of the Common Right or liberty of the Subject 5. Vpon the first particular under the second generall head viz. concerning the Militia To the Quere concerning what 's ment by the power of the Militia Resolved That by these words the power of the Militia is meant the power of raising arming c. according to the expressions used in the Proposition of both Kingdoms concerning the Militia 6. Vpon the third particular under the same Head To the Quere concerning the expressing of that power of raising disposing moneys by both Houses Resolved That we are well satisfied in the expressions thereof used in the Propositions of both Kingdoms concerning that matter 7. Vpon the fourth generall Head To the Quere what great Officers are meant Resolved The same that are named in the Proposition of both Kingdoms together with the office of High Admiral or Commissioners for the Admiall 8. Vpon the fourteenth Head concerning the King To the first Quere concerning the extent of these words without diminution to their personall rights Resolved That those words were not intended to extend to any part of the Revenues that have come or shall become due before the settlement so as to invalid or question any disposure thereof made by the Houses of Parliament or by authority derived from them To the second Quere upon the same head concerning the extent of these word without further limimitation to the exercise of the Royall power Res That these words are intended only as exclusive to any farther new limitations not to any that have been made heretofore by the Laws of the Land Putney 16. Septemb. 1647. By the appointment of His Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the generall Councell of the Army A Declaration from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the generall Councell of the Army held at Putney on Thursday Sept. 11. 1647. THe extream wants of the Souldiery both of the Army and other Forces and Garrisons that have concurred with us as also the sufferings of the Countries in respect of free Quarter and the necessities of the Kingdome for a speedy supply of money in relation to the disbanding of superfluous forces the sending over of others for the reliefe of Ireland and for the supplying of those Forces that are there already so as to prevent the danger of those distempers lately raised amongst them are such as we are and have been very sensible of and exceedingly pressed with the consideration of them Yet the care the Houses have so many wayes exprest for providing a present supply of monies in relation to all these affaires have made us hitherto silent as to that point in expectation to have found ere this time an answerable effect thereof in actuall supplies But finding that notwithstanding all their care yet through the neglect or delay of those
Treaty in consideration whereof we have made it our care constantly to tend at the appointed times of meeting and to presse all dispatch therein And we canot but take notice that the proceedings on your part have been and are very slow and that little or nothing hath been done in the Treaty since our entrance thereupon and therefore in discharge of our Duty and the Trust reposed in us we do very earnestly desire that the Treaty may be effectually proceeded on with all expedition and the times for meeting punctually kept there being nothing that shall be wanting in us according to the power given us to further a work of so great importance and which may perfect a right understanding betwixt the Parliament and the Army By the appointment of the Commissioners residing with the Army Reading July 7. 1647. An Answer of the Commissioners of the Army to the Paper of the Commissioners of Parliament about a speedy proceeding BY the last Paper delivered in unto us from your Lordships at Reading July 7. we perceive you find that the Expectation of the Parliament and Kingdome is great upon the speedy progresse and happy issue of this Treaty We answer that we do really apprehend the same things with you neither can we but witnesse that you have constantly attended the appointed times of meeting and prest dispatch therein Neverthelesse we cannot but be very sensible that you seem to reflect upon us further then there is just cause in your taking notice that the proceedings herein should be slow and dilatory on our part as if we should not seem to desire and labour the quick and speedy settlement o the affaires of the Kingdome in a safe and well-grounded Peace as cordially as any persons whatsoever We shall therefore desire you to remember with what forwardnesse we have in the first place presented to you those things which we did in our hearts conceive necessary in order to a Treaty and without which being granted we could not with safety to the Kingdome and satisfaction to our selves proceed in Treaty and further prest you to present them to the Parliament with speed that a quick dispatch might be had therein as being in our thoughts the chiefest and surest way to prevent the engaging this Kingdome in a second War when contrary to our expectation we have found little effectually done in relation to our Desires in those things most concerning the safety and peace of the Kingdome To the end therefore wee may acquit our selves from being guilty of the delay you mention and that it may appeare to all men where the stick is of not proceeding in the Treaty to a settlement of the Peace of the Kingdome so much thirsted after by us all we thought fit to reminde you of these following proposals which we have formerly insisted upon and to which satisfaction is not given I. That there is nothing done with effect notwithstanding the Votes of the House to the dispersing of the Reformado Officers who continue in and about London ready to head Forces to the apparent hazzard of a new Warre II. That notwithstanding the Votes of the House for the speedy sending into Ireland or disbanding those forces which have left the Army and their speciall Order to the Committee at Derby House to take speedy care therein yet they are still continued in bodies in and about London and as we heare are daily listing more Forces pretending the service of Ireland III. That notwithstanding the Votes of the House of the tenth of June and those since of the fifth of July for the present purging of the House yet divers persons comprised in these Votes continue still to sit there So long as we remain unsatisfied in the two first of these particulars we cannot be secured from those doubts we have expressed of the danger of a new Warre especially if it be considered that the end of inviting so many Reformado Officers to London was to lay a foundation of a new Warre and was principally carried on by the designe of some of those Members of the house of Commons we have impeached And likewise that divers of the Officers and Souldiers which left this Army were procured by promises of pay and other ingagements which were likewise designed by the same persons aforementioned if possibly they might thereby have broken this Army And for the last what comfortable effect may we expect of a Treaty so long as the Parliament the supreme Judicatory of the Kingdome is coustituted of some that are men of interests contrary to the common good thereof from whom we can expect nothing but banding and designing to obstruct and frustrate all proceedings contrary to their interest though never so essentiall to the happy settlement of the Kingdome and if a seasonable remedy be not given herein we despaire of any good to the Kingdome by way of Treaty Signed By the appointment of the Commissioners of the Army W. Clerk Secre. Reading 7. July 1647. A PARTICVLAR CHARGE OR IMPEACHMENT In the Name of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX And the Army under his Command against Denzill Holles Esquier Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clothworthy Sir William Waller Sir John Maynard Knights Major Generall Massie John Glynne Esquire Recorder of London Walter Long Esquire Colonel Edward Harley and Anthony Nicoll Esquire Members of the Honorable House of Commons WHereas on the fifteenth day of June last the Heads of a Charge were delivered in the name of the said Army unto the Commissioners of Parliament to bee sent up to the Parliament against the Persons above named Now in prosecution and maintenance thereof and according to the power thereby preserved It is in the Name of the said Army more particularly charged against the said persons as followeth 1. That the said Mr. Denzill Holles during the late Warre in prosecution of the evill designes expressed in the generall Heads or Articles formerly exhibited contrary to the trust reposed in him contrary to his Oath taken in June 1643. and contrary to the Ordinance of Parliament dated in October 1643. hath assisted the King in the late unnaturall Warre and held correspondency and intelligence with the Enemy against the Parliament in manner following viz. He the said Mr Holies being one of the speciall Commissioners for the Parliament to present Propositions of both Houses to the King at Oxford did privately and contrary to his instructions at severall times make his addresses unto the Kings party the â—â—â—â—en in Armes against the Parliament namely unto the Earle of Lyndsey the Earle of Southampton the Lord Savill and others and did secretly plot and advise them against the Parliament and did intimate unto them or one of them that the said Propositions then sent unto his Majesty by the Parliament were unreasonable And the said M. Holles being demanded what Answer he would advise the King to make to the Propositions he the said M. Holles did advise that the King should demand a