no more he the said Sir John Clotworthy contrary to the speciall trust reposed in him held secret intelligence with the said Earle of Ormond by Cypher or Character without the consent or knowledge of those others in commission with him and many weeks after the time so limited was expired and about the same time hee the said Sir John Clotworthy held secret intelligence with George Lord Digby then in Ireland beyond the time prefixed and without the consent of the said other Commissioners and in order thereunto the said Ormond and Digby lately imployed one Slingsby to come into this Kingdome about a designe concerning the Prince as he pretendeth 14. That the said Sir John Clotworthy Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton by combination with the rest of the Members before named in further prosecution of the designes before mentioned well knowing that the Lord Lyle late President of Ireland was both faithfull and vigilant while he was trusted in the same Kingdome and had now this last spring made provisions ready to march into the field that the Lord Baron of Brohill Generall of the Parliaments Horse in Munster Col. Sir Arthur Loftus persons of honour and reputation of great fortunes in the said Kingdome lately came purposely into this Kingdome to exhibite and did exhibit many Articles of high treason against the Lord Inchiquin for betraying the Parliaments Army to the enemy as formerly he had done yet by the great power and violent interposition of the said Sir Clotworthy Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton by the practice and combination aforesaid the said Articles have been obstructed and the businesse not suffered to come to a hearing and the said Lord Lisle hastily called out of Ireland and the power and command of the Parliaments forces in that Kingdome committed to the said Lord Inchiquin to the losse of this summers service and the expence of much treasure to make new preparations and whereas the said Lord Lisle being so suddenly called from thence as aforesaid did designe and depute Sir Hardres VValler Knight Major General of the forces there a man of known integrity and courage both for his service in England and Ireland and of considerable Fortunes there to take care of the said Lord Lisles Forces till the pleasure of the Parliament may be further known but the said Lord Inchequin upon the receite of a Letter from the said Sir John Clotworthy Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton or one of them or from some other person by their or one of their direction privity or procurement did expresse that hee had order or direction from London that no man that favoured the Independents under which name the said Lord of Inchequin hath comprehended all men that have shewed themselves opposite to Tyranny and Arbitrary government should have any trust or command there Nay although they were of another judgement yet if they would not prosecute the Independents they should not bee imployed there or words to that effect And under colour thereof the said Sir Hardres Waller and all others that had their Commissions from the said Lord Lisle while hee commanded were displaced to the discouragement of those and other faithfull persons to the Parliament and to the great dis-service and hazard of the losse of that Kingdome 15. That whereas a Committee of the House of Commons hath been lately appointed by the Parliament to consider of Propositions for the settling and preservation of Wales whereof the said Sir William Lewes and Mr. Glyn were and are Members and to report the same to the House They the said Sir William Lewes and Master Glyn with others of the said Committee did on the thirtieth day of April now last past without any authority of Parliament before any report made to the Houses of their owne accord in stead of settling and preserving Wales order that all Committees for Sequestrations should forbeare all proceedings of Sequestrations against all or any the Inhabitants of Wales And although some few persons were upon generall heads excepted yet by vertue of that illegall Order all the Commissioners of peace Commissioners of Association though never so active in pressing men and raising money for Forces against the Parliament all the Commissioners of Array that did or should at any time come in and submit to the Parliament or their Commanders in cheife all that had born armes against the Parliament unlesse they were Governours or other Officers of Warre that held some Towne Castle or Fort against the Parliament all disaffected and scandalous Miniâ—ters though in their Sermons they usually reviled and scandalized the Parliament and their proceedings calling them Rebels and Traitours and not onely incensing the people against the Parliament but usually taking up Armes and leading their Parishioners in armes upon any Alaram against the Parliament and many other desperate Delinquents have been and still are taken off and freed from sequestration and the said Order was sent to every severall Committee in Wales in severall Letters from the said Committee contrary to severall Orders and Ordinances of Parliament and contrary to the Rules of justice and equity which should impartially be administred as well in Wales as in other places of this Kingdome whereby the ill-affected Gentry and Ministery of that Country are growne so high insolent that honest men dare scare live amongst them so as that which was intended by the Parliament to settle and preserve Wales is by the practice of the said Sir William Lewes and Master Glyn perverted to the danger and destruction of it 16. That the said Sir William Lewis and Master Glyn have further ingratiated themselves with the Delinquents of Wales and prepared them for their said designes in manner following viz. hee the said Sir William Lewis hath within two yeares last past countenanced and protected many of the most notorious and dangerous Delinquents within the severall Countries of Southwales namely the Lord of Carbery and others in Carmarthinshire Master Crane and others in Glamorganshire Master Morgan late Knight of the shire Master John Herbert and others in Bâ—ecknockshire Master Gwin Master Lewis and divers others in Radnoâ—shire by freeing some of them altogether from compositions though sequestred by labouring divers Members of the House and of Committees to be favourable in compounding with others and to admitt of such to their compositions as were uncapable thereof And the said Sir William Lewis hath animated and incouraged some of the said persons to continue their fidelity unto the Kings cause promising them That if they would be friends with the King for him hee and his would be their friends in the Parliament in so much as his friends the Delinquents in those parts have lately looked upon him as a rising man when the King shall come to London which hath lately been their constant boasting And the said Sir William Lewis hath within two yeares last past caused divers that had been Commissioners for the King and had prest men and raised
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
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
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
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
declared for the same in generall terms so if things came to a way of settlement we should not be wanting in our sphaeres to owne that Generall Desire in any particulars of natural or civill right to His Majesties person or Family which might not prejudice or againe indanger the Publick and in the meane time Thâ—t his Majestie should find all personall civilities and respects from us with all reasonable freedome that might stand with safety and with the trust or charge lying upon us concerning His Person You have here the utmost sum of what hath passed from us to His Majesty and we could wish all men did rightly understand without misrepresentations every particular wherein as we know nothing not agreeable to Reason Justice Honesty or Conscience so we thought our selves concerned the rather to say and doe as we have towards his Majesty since He came within our Quarters because of those common prejudices suggested against us as if we were utter Enemies to Monarchy and all Civill Order and Government And for that particular of the Duke of Richmond and the Two Chaplains lately permitted to attend His Majesty It was not done without much reluctancy because therein we doubted we might be misunderstood by the Kingdomes best friends But upon His Majesties continuing importunity for it as a thing very nearly concerning His present inward and outward contentment and conceiving those persons such as we hoped would not do ill offices to prejudice the Peace of the Kingdome we did give way to it and the persons before they came had notice of the permission And as we then thought so we still do thinke that to allow him some such company of persons least dangerous whom former acquaintance may make him take pleasure in and the allowance of some such Chaplains of His own are things reasonable and just and the debarring of that liberty in the latter We doubt will but make him more prejudiced against other Ministers In general We humbly conceive that to avoid all harshnesse and afford all kind usage to his Majesties Person in things consisting with the Peace and Safety of the Kingdome is the most Christian Honorable and Prudent way And in all things as the Representation and Remonstrance of the Army doth expresse We think that tender equitable and moderate dealing both towards His Majesty His Royall Family and His late party so farre as may stand with safety to the Kingdome and security to our common Righrs and Liberties is the most hopefull course to take away the seeds of War or future Feuds amongst us for posterity and to procure a lasting Peace and Agreement in this now distracted Nation To the effecting and setling whereof with a secure provision first to be made for the common Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and a due care to preserve and propagate the Gospell of Truth and Peace amongst us we shall hope that neither the Parliament nor his Majesty will be wanting And if God shall see it good to make us any way instrumentall thereunto or that we may otherwise see the same accomplisht we shall then thinke our selves indeed discharged from the publick engagements we have been called out unto more clearly and effectually then before such things were setled we could have thought our selves to be and to demonstrate our clearnesse from seeking self-advantages in what we did we shall thenceforth account it our greatest happinesse and Honor if God see it good to be disingaged and disinist not only from our military charges but from all other matters of Power or publick imployment whatsoever I have in these things spoke not in my owne Name alone but in the Name because I find it to be the clear sence of generality or at least of the most considerable part of the Army and I am confident you and the Kingdome will never find it otherwise I shall leave it to your favorable construction and commit all to the goodnesse of God for an happy issue I remain Your most humble servant Thomas Fairfax Reading July 8. 1647. For the Right Honorable The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament For the Right Honorable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councel of the City of London My Lord and Gentlemen TO the end we may continue a right understanding betwixt you and us all along in the management of this great businesse with the Parliament the happy proceedings thereof so much concerning the safety and peace of this Kingdome we have given your Commissioners this day the copie of a Paper which we presented to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with us wherein we take notice of the true reasons of the slow progresse in the Treaty and declare where the stop remains And to the end that nothing may be wanting in us which might work toward the speedy settlement of the quiet of this Kingdome we have humbly offered what we can say will most effectually tend to remove those incumbrances and letts which stand between us and the universal good of the Kingdome and till that be done it cannot be expected that we should procure the Peace of this Kingdome by a Treaty but rather give occasion and opportunity thereby to others to ingage us in a second War which must necessarily hazzard the ruine of this Kingdome as also the certaine destruction of Ireland the reliefe whereof we should most effectually apply unto you were the affairs of England but once put into an hopefull posture It is a sudden and substantiall settlement of the whole we desire in a generall safe and well-grounded Peace and the establishment of such good Laws as may duly and readily render to every man their just Rights and Liberties and for the obtaining of these not only our intentions had led us to but we think that all the Blood Treasure and Labour spent in this War was for the accomplishing those very things which are of that concernement both to our selves and posterity that neither we nor they can live comfortably without them and thereof we hope your selvs will have the same sence and therefore improve your interest for the obtaining our just Desires in the Proposals now sent unto the Parliament which being granted and we secured from the danger of a War we shall proceed with chearefulnesse to the Treaty and doubt not in a short time to see an happy Conclusion to the satisfaction of all honest mens Expectation and that in all our undertakings we shall be found men of truth fully and singly answering the things we have held forth to the Kingdom in our severall Declarations and Papers without by or base respects to any private end or interest whatsoever By the appointment of his Excellency Sir T. Fairfax and his Councel of War Signed J. R. Secre. Reading July 8. 1647. A Paper delivered in by the Commissioners of Parliament Wednesday July 7. 1647. THat finding the expectation of the Parliament and Kingdom to be very great upon the speedy progresse and happy issue of this
of their want of Officers they may be subject to run unto and likewise to continue them in the North lest by their motion to the Army they myght draw a greater concourse and burthen of Souldiers Quarters upon these parts then they will be well able to beare and thereby the disaffected in those parts during their absence may take that advantage to make insurrections or any disturbance of the peace there For the prevention whereof and disposition of the whole as well in order to the peace of this Kingdome as speedy reliefe of Ireland I shall humbly make bold to offer my opinion that since there are many severall distinct and through these late distractions disjoynted Forces within this Kingdome which were sufficient together with this Army being united and well mannaged both to preserve the peace of this Kingdom and give present reliefe to Ireland without putting this Kingdome to the charge of raising new Forces at present for that service That the Parliament would speedily put all the Forces under one and the same Command Discipline and equall establishment for future pay maintenance which being done it would give much encouragement to some of the Forces that may be spared out of all the Forces mentioned from England to go more cheerfully into Ireland and if with this there were some present course taken to provide for Arrears for such Forces as might be spared for Ireland there might in probability be an effectuall reliefe sent over into Ireland before this Summer be quite spent All which I humbly tender to your consideration and desire your speedy Answer that no time may be lost in so good and necessary a work both for the quiet of this Kingdom and relief of Ireland wherein none shall be more ready to expresse their forwardnesse then Your most humble servant T. FAIRFAX Reading July 16. 1647. These severall ensuing particulars being considered debated and resolved upon at a Generall Councell of Warre his Excellency being present wee the Commissioners of the Army were appointed in the name and behalfe of them to present the same to your Lordships and the Commissioners to be tendred with all speed to the Parliament which wee accordingly offer and desire your speedy care therein That so an Answer accarding to the desire and expectation of the Army may be speedily returned to these Particulars 1. THat there be an effectuall Declaration forthwith published to the whole Kingdome against the inviting bringing or comming in of any forraine Forces under any pretence whatsoever 2. That the Army may be paid up equall with the Desertors thereof according to the late Votes of Parliament And that the Army may forth with be put into a constant course of pay that they may not be so burdensome and oppressive to the Countrey for the more speedy performance whereof Wee desire that the House of Peers would be pleased to concurre with the desires of the House of Commons so often proposed to them for the reviving of the Committee for the Army that so the Assessements and great summes in Arrears both in the City and elsewhere may be by their indeavour collected for the speedy and necessary supply of the Army and also that the Treasurers and the Committee of Weavers-Hall may be speedily called to accompt in what manner and by what Warrant the two hundred and thirty thousand pounds lately intrusted in their hands have been in so short a time consumed 3. That the Militia of the City of London and the Committee of the same may consist of such persons and speedily be returned into those hands who formerly during the worst of times have therein given large Testimonies of their fidelity to the Parliament and Kingdome which besides the reall security will be to the Parliament and Kingdome in preventing of dangers repreparing towards a new Warre would conduce so much to the remooving of jealousies and give such a ground of confidence to the army as that wee might the better dispose it to larger Quarters in severall parts for the ease of the Countrey By the appointment of the Commisisioners for the Army William Clarke Reading 18. July 1647. According to and in pursuance of the particular mentioned under the fifth Head of the Representation of the Army we doe earnestly desire THat all persons imprisoned in England or Dominion of Wales not for Delinquency in relation to the late Warre but for other pretended misdemeanors and whose imprisonment is not by the Regulated Course of law but by Order from either Houses of Parliament or of Committees flowing from them may be put into a speedy Regular and equitable way of tryall or if the necessitie of setling the generall affaires of the Kingdome admit not their present tryall then they may have present liberty upon reasonable security for their appearance at a certaine day to answer what shall be charged against them in a legall way And that when they should be tryed if they appeare wrongfully or unduly imprisoned they may have reparation according to their sufferings In particular wee desire this may be done in behalfe of Lieutenant Colonel John Lilbourne Mr. Musgrave Mr. Overton and others in their condition imprisoned in and about London By the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Reading July 18. 1647. A Letter to the Lord Major Court of Aldermen and Common-Counsell of the City of LONDON My Lord and Gentlemen IN the carying on of the great businesse of the Kingdome towards a generall and happy settlement it hath been a fixed principle with us to make it our first endeavour with the Parliament that all things which threaten an engagement of the Kingdom in a second Warr might be removed before we could have a confident expectation of a good issue upon a Treaty with their Commissioners which course of ours although it might have some appearance of delay yet by men that are zealous of the Kingdomes good we hope no endeavour will be judged â—â—â—ecessary that may secure the Kingdome from the danger of any new imbroylements Wee are now come thus farr that the most materiall particulars which we have in preparation to propose for the generall settlement of the affaires of the Kingdome have bin communicated to the Parliaments Commissioners and we hope they are satisfied that they containe in them things tending to a generall good and to lay an hopefull Foundation for common Right and Freedome to the people of this Land for future and for a lasting peace amongst us But before we can securely intend and without interruption apply our selves unto the proceedings and dispatch of the Treaty there upon wee have delivered into the hands of their Commissioners the Paper which consists of three particulars in the last whereof which is the Militia of the City you being most immediately concerned to the end you may see we would aske nothing which relates to you without giving you a just account thereof and all possible
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
all the Kingdome to look to their Birth-rights if such a claime shall be held up against both the Houses of Parliament That upon no occasion whatsoever nor in no time of danger and distraction whatsoever they may appoint those that shall have the power of the Militia of London without the consent of the Councell especially when as the Houses shall sit under their power The late Example may evidence to all the World who shall be Masters of the Parliaments freedome and Resolutions And common reason will teach every man who shall be Masters of the Birth-rights of the whole Kingdome when there shall be no Army on foots when they have the confidence to dispute for the Mastery notwithstanding such an Army as this to checke and ballance them in behalfe of the Kingdome and Parliament 3. Lastly The Army discerning how intimate some of the new Militia were with some of the 11. accused Members how forward they were to comply and act with them in their endeavours to raise a new Warre how they made 18. or 19. Votes in order thereunto together with them in one night All which the Common-Councell and Parliament disliked and revoked how notwithstanding afterwards they secretly promoted their Designes by private Listings which now appeare to have been still working under ground The Army wee say observing this and having nothing more in their thoughts and desires then to settle a speedy safe and well-grounded peace and to prevent a new Warre found it necessary to desire That the Militia might be put into the hands wherein it was formerly who had approoved themselves both to the Army Parliament and Kingdome to be sober-minded men and not given to any practise whereby a new Warre might be kindled To the intent that the Army being secured by that meanes from that danger might with the more confidence retire further from the City enlarge their Quarter for the greater ease of the Kingdome and intend wholly the setling of a sure peace in this Kingdome and a speedy and effectuall reliefe of Ireland which was almost brought to a period and nothing in the sight of man could have hindred but this cursed practice of violence upon the Parliament under pretence of the Militia which according to our desire being restored againe into the hands of the old Commissioners by an Ordinance of both Houses dated the 21. of July in pursuance of the aforesaid treasonable combination severall Petitions were presented to the Common-Councell of the City of LONDON in the name of the Apprentices and others importing their Desires that the Militia of the City might continue in the hands of the former Commissioners according to the Ordinance of the 4. of May last Whereupon Monday July the six and twentieth the Common-Councell of the City presents their Petitions to both Houses for changeing the Militia wherein the House of Lords refuse to alter their resolutions the House of Commons answered they would take it into consideration the next morning Notwithstanding which the City and Kingdome cannot be ignorant with what rage and insolency the tumult of Apprentices the same day forced both Houses They blockt up their doores swearing they would keepe them in till they had passed what Votes they pleased they threatened the Houses if they granted not their desires knocking hooping and hallowing so at the Parliament-doores that many times the Members could not be heard to speake or debate not suffering the House of Commons to divide for determining such Questions as were put crying out That those that gave their Votes against them should be sent out to them very often and loudly saying Agree agree dispatch wee 'l wait no longer and in this outragious manner they continued at the House doore above eight houres together the City-Guards there present nor the City relieving them by reason whereof the House was forced to Vote what that rude multitude would demand and then adjourned the House till the next morning After which the House rising the Speaker and many Members going out of the House they forc'd them back againe into the House Many of the Apprentices pressing in with them where they stood with their hats on their heads and compelled the Speaker to take the Chaire and the House to Vote in their presence what they pleased committing many other insolencies as is published by the Speaker of the House of Commons in his Declararation and is too well known by all then present And during the time of this execrable violence done by the said Apprentices Westminster-Hall and the Pallace-yard was sild with Reformadoes and other ill-affected persons designed to back them After this the Houses being adjourned till Friday following upon the Thursday the Apprentices printed and posted a paper in severall places of the Citie requiring all their fellowes to be early at the Parliament the next morning for that they intended to adjourne by seven of the clock and that for a moneth Thus the Speakers with many of the Members of both Houses were driven away from the Parliament This in briefe being the true state of things as they have broke forth within these few dayes which are so contrary to all those pretences of Peace and detestation of a new Warre of late so frequently held forth on all sides all men may observe to what maturity the long projected Designe of some men of whom are those that are impeached by us is now brought and may be traced in the severall steps thereof as it hath tended to the enslaving this Kingdome and the destruction of all such well-affected people who would not comply with them therein so as by what now is come to light the justnesse of that cause this Army had engaged themselves in and the great and wonderfull mercy of God in continuing them together we assure our selves doth now clearly appeare to all meâ—â— eyes and apprehensions and will every day more and more be acknowledged even by those that have heretofore made a question of it And if when this Kingdome hath spent so much of its bloud and treaure hath past through such un heard of dangers and overcome such difficulties so many yeares together All that they must now hope for and rest in must only be what the King grants in his Messege of the 12 of May last And if this must be imposed upon mens judgements and consciences by an oath and now entred into in a tumultuous and unlawfull way and by outrage maintained in despâ—ght and contempt of the Parliament If rather then this shâ—uld not be accomplished the Parliament it selse must be violated and forced into the hands of such of the Members thereof as have secretly abetted and fomented those practises to that end That these hidden counsels and works of darknesse might when they come to their full biâ—th have the image of highest authority in the face of them the better to gaine credit thereunto secure the Authors of them from punishment For the evidence of all which wee
refer our selves to the particulars in our Charge against the 11. Members compared with those passages of late broke forth before rehearst unto which wee shall now onely adde and leave it to the consideration of all wise and good men with what artifice and boldnesse these Members have serv'd themselves of those horrid â—umulâ—s and violences of their own creating instead of shewing their detestation of them againe to intrude themselves into the publique managing of affaires and Inevitably to embroyle the Kingdome in a new war which their own revenge and the compassing of their former plots and designes makes them so greedily thirst after If these things we say must be the end and up-shot of all what then remaines to this poore Kingdome and all true hearted Englishmen but to joyne together as one man with their counsels estates and lives in this way as our last refuge under God which he by his wise and gracious providence hath provided and reserved by keeping up this Army even to a Miracle so to prevent the aforesaid evils and to procure to this dying Kingdome yet a setled peace and happinesse if it be his blessed will These things being seriously considered by us wee have thought fit in the name of the Army to declaâ—â— that all such Members of either House of Parliament as are already with the Army for the security of their persons and for the ends aforesaid are forced to absent themselves from Westminster that wee shall hold and esteeme them as persons in whom the publick trust of the Kingdome is still remaining though they cannot for the present sit as a Parliament with freedome and safety at Westminster and by whose advice counsels we desire to govern our selves in in the managing these weighty affaires and to that end we invite them to make repaire to this Army to joyne with us in this great cause wee being resolved and doe hereby faithfully oblige our selves to stand by them therein and to live and die with them against all Opposition whatsoever and in partticular wee doe hold our selves bound to owne that honourable act of the Speaker of the House of Commons who upon the grounds he himselfe expressed in his Declaration sent unto us hath actually withdrawn himselfe and hereupon we doe further ingage to use our utmost and speedy endeavours that he and those Members of either House that are thus inforced away from their attendance at Westminster may with freedome and security sit there and againe discharge their trust as a free and a legall Parliament and in the meanâ— time wee doe declare against that late choice of a new Speaker by some Gentlemen at Westminster as contrary to all right Reason Law and Custome and wee professe our selves to be most clearly satisfied in all our judgements and are also confident the Kingdome will herein concurre with us that as things now stand there is no free nor legall Parliament sitting being through the aforesaid violence at present suspended And that the Orders Votes or Resolutions forced from the Houses on Munday the 26. of July last as also all such as shall passe in this Assembly of some few Lords and Gentlemen at Westminster under what pretence and colour soever are void and null and ought not to be submitted unto by the free-borne Subjects of England And that we may prevent that slavery designed upon us and the Nation that the Kingdome may be restored to a happy State of a visible Government now eclipsed and darkened wee hold our selves bound by our duty to God and the Kingdome to bring to condigne punishment the Authors and Promoters of that unparalleld violence done to the Parliament and in that to all the free-borne Subjects of England that are or hereafter shall be and therefore we are resolved to march up towards London where we doe expect that the well-affected people of that City will deliver up unto us or otherwise put into safe Custody so as they may be reserved to a legall Triall the eleven impeached Members that have againe thrust themselves into the management of publick affaires by this wicked designe And that all others will give us such assistance therein that the Members of both Houses may receive due incouragement to returne to Westminster there to sit with all freedome and so to performe their trust as shall conduce to the settlement of this distracted Kingdome and to inflict such punishments upon these late Offenders as shall deterre any for the future to make the like attempt Our lives have not been deare unto us for the publick good and being now resolved by the assistance of God to bring these delinquents to their deserved punishments as that then which there cannot be any thing of more publick concernment to the Kingdome wee trust if it shall come to that our bloud shall not be accounted too deare a price for the accomplishment of it And if any in the City will ingage themselves against us to protect these Persons and so put the Kingdome againe into a new and miserable Warre The bloud must be laid to the account of such persons as the Authors thereof And lastly Because it is the maine Engine of ours and the Kingdomes enemies to render us odious by possessing the minds of men that we gape onely after the plunder of this great and wealthy City as the experience of the contrary carriage in all Townes that wee have taken yeeldeth unto us a Testimony beyond the example of any Army so wee doe from our hearts declare that wee abhorre the thoughts thereof and wee doubt not but the world shall see our actions answerable to our professions and that we shall not cause any man to suffer but by his own default and that God will manifest we have only in our eyes that Justice may have a free course the Parliament a free sitting and voting and a full vindication of the late violence done to them And as for the City of Westminster the Borough of Southwarke the Hamlets and the rest of the Suburbs and out-parts as wee are informed that they are not so ready to engage themselves in a new warre as some would have them so wee are sensible of the hard condition that they are brought into even by them that claime a Right against both Houses of Parliament a strange claim against a Parliament though more reasonable against others not to be subjected to a Militia without their own consent and yet will not be contented unlesse they may have others subjected unto them and lay what burthens they please upon them without allowing them any part of vote or consent with them In which points of common Right and Equity wee shall not be wanting in a due way to assist them for the obtaining of their just desires and immunities it being our chiefe aim to settle Peace with Truth and Righteousnesse throughout the Kingdome that none may be oppressed in his just freedome and Liberties much lesse the Parliament it selfe which things
space prepared and ordered a considerable force no lesse then 4000. horse and foot as Sir Thomas Temple employed from the Parliament about that businesse to us can testifie for a present reliefe thereunto But the restlessâ— and treacherous malice of the enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace taking their supposed advantage of our distance and dispersed posture which their faire pretences of peaceable intentions had induced us into first they did without all colour of authority contrive and set on foot in the City and many of them entred into a mischievous and desperate now and ingagement tending to the subversion of the freedome of Parliament and the liberties of this Nation to the frustrating of those just and publick ends for which so much bloud and treasure hath been spilt and spent in the late Warres and to the raising of a new Warre against the Parliament and their Army which said ingagement both Houses of Parliament did by their Declaration of the 23. of July adjudge and declare to be high Treason in all that should promote or abet the same and within a few dayes after to wit on Monday July 26. there was a Petition brought to the Parliament by the Sheriffes and some Aldermen and Common-Councell-men in the name of the City of London for the recalling of the said Ordinance of the 23. of July concerning the Militia and the returning of the Militia into those hands in which it was put by the Ordinance of the 4. of May which Petition was immediately followed and backed with a tumultuous confluence of Apprentices and other dissolute and desperate persons who committed most horrid and unheard of violence upon both Houser inforcing them to recall both the said Declaration of the three and twentieth day of July concerning the said engagement and also the said Ordinance of the same date concerning the Militia and compelling the Speaker of the House of Commons to resume the Chaire after the House was adjourned and the House to passe such further Votes concerning the Kings present coming to London c. as the said Rioters did please neither the Guard from the City that then attended the Houses nor the Lord Mayor Sheriffes or any Authority in the City though sent to for that purpose taking any course to suppresse the said tumult or relieve the Parliament against that violence though it was continued for the space of eight or ten houres And the Houses having next day adjourned till Friday July 30. There were printed Tickets fixed upon posts in and about the City the day before inviting the same persons to the like confluence at Westminster against the House next meeting all which hath been more fully and more assuredly made known by the Declaration of the Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the same By this meanes the Speakers of both Houses together with most of the Lords and a very great number of the most faithfull and unquestioned Members of the House of Commons were driven away so as they could not with safety attend their service in Parliament nor with freedome discharge their trust to the Kingdome therein but were forced to fly to their Army for safety so as there was not nor could then be and free meeting or legall proceeding of a Parliament Notwithstanding which divers Members of both Houses who by the carriage and sequell of the businesse will appeare to be of the same party and confederacy with the aforesaid Enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace and with the Authors and Actors both of the said treasonable ingagement and the tumoltuous force upon the Parliament Taking this opportunitie of time to carry on their designes when very few were left but of their owne party did continue to meet in the usuall places in Westminster And having under pretence of a necessity for continuing the Parliament by adjournement they drawn in some few well-minded Members to sit with them out of a scruple least the Parliament should fall for want of adjournement took upon them the name of both Houses of Parliament And having on Friday July 30. chosen a new Speaker did proceed to Vote and Act as a Parliament and adjourned from time to time But of what party and confederacy the most of them were and to what ends and interests they acted will appeare by what they did whereof we shall for present give a taste in some particulars hoping that shortly the whole Journall of their proceedings may be made publick First the said Members of the House of Commons conveening as aforesaid immediately Voted and called in as to the service of the House the Eleven impeached Members And also those who upon former Votes of the House were suspended or under Question to be put out for Delinquency and had put in their cases with this pretended House of Commons thus composed and foure or five Lords of the same Modell for an house of Peares they proceed to set up a Committee for safety whereof almost all of the said impeached Members were apart this Committee they appointed to joine with that same pretended Committee of the City Militia whose power was obtained only by the tumultuous force and violence aforesaid To these Committees the most or many of their proceedings referre and by divers pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances procured in the name of one or both Houses of Parliament large powers were given to these two Committees for raising of Forces appointing chiefe Commanders and other Officers and other vast unlimited and unusuall powers were given them all tending to the raising and levying of a new Warre within this Kingdome upon which many forces both of Horse and Foot were actually levyed and other preparations of Warre made all which that they were intended and designed in Justification prosecution and maintenance of the aforesaid treasonable engagement and of the said force and violence done to the parliament or of the very same ends and interests and to oppose and hinder the restitution of the Houses of Parliament to their honour and freedome and the advance of this their Army for that purpose being then upon a March Besides the consideration of the persons into whose hands these powers were committed It is abundantly evident many other wayes but especially by that Declanation of the Lord-Mayor Aldermen and Common-councell of London which was first by that pretended Committee of safety ordered and then by the pretended Houses without reading a word of it approved to be published in the Parish Churches with an exhortation to the people to take up Armes in maintenance of the ends therein expressed which though the pretence were for the defence of the King Parliament and City then alledged to be in great danger when as indeed none were in danger but only the Authors Actors and Abettors of the traiterouâ— practises aforesaid yet the true ends thereof appeare clearely to be the same with the said treasonable ingagement and tumult against the Parliament all of them concentring as in other things so
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