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A82141 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 resolution of the army; for the establishment of a firme and lasting peace in Church and Kingdome. Die Lunæ, 27. Septembris, 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. Fairfax, Thomas Fairfax, Baron, 1612-1671. 1647 (1647) Wing D664; Thomason E409_25; ESTC R204445 144,071 176

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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 Mini●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 B●ecknockshire Master Gwin Master Lewis and divers others in Radno●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
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 ●●●●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
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. H●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
monyes to promote the late Warre against the Parliament namely his Brother Master Thomas Lewis Master Gwyn Master Charles Walbiffe Master Meridith Lewis Master Edward Williams and many others to be Commissioners of the peace and Committee men for the said County of Brecknoc insomuch as those that have been most active and faithfull to the Parliament have been and still are outvoted in those places and can doe no considerable service for the Parliament and the rather for that the said Sir William Lewis hath also procured one Edward Williams his owne kinsman and one much disaffected to the Parliament to be Solicitor of Sequestrations in that County who is and hath been very remisse and corrupt therein And the said Sir William Lewis hath by the meanes aforesaid lately procured Master Edward Lewis his sonne though unfit for that imployment to be chosen and returned Burgesse for Brecknoc which that hee might the better effect he kept the Writ for election of the said Burgesse above eight months in his owne custodie before it was delivered to the Sheriffe of the said County And likewise that the said Master John Glyn within two yeares last past hath procured severall persons that have lately been Commissioners of Array and in Arms against the Paliament in Northwales viz. _____ and others to be named in the Commission of the peace for the Counties of Denbigh and Carnarvan and other Counties there and to be put in other great places of Trust and command there and amongst others Colonel Glyn his Brother who was lately a Colonel in the Kings Army is by the said Master Iohn Glyns procurement become Governour of the Town Castle of Carnarvan Admirall or Vice-Admirall of the Irish Seas to the endangering of those countries lying upon the Coasts towards Ireland and to the feare and discouragement of the well-affected inhabitants of those places 17. That the said Sir VVilliam Lewis being heretofore during these troubles Governour of Portsmouth a Garrison for the Parliament in which time he received much of the publike treasure for which hee hath not yet given an accompt did while he was Governour there frequently hold correspondence and intelligence with the Kings party about the delivery up of the said Garrison insomuch as although Sir VVilliam VValler divers others in that Garrison were proclaimed Traytors to the King yet he by the Kings speciall command was spared the King affirming that the said Sir VVilliam Lewis was his friend and that he was confident he would doe him good service or to that effect and although he then was a Parliament man and Governour of Portsmouth as aforesaid and his estate in the said County of Brecon being of the value of above sixe hundred pounds per an was three yeares in the Kings quarters yet the same was never sequestred And since the Parliament hath prevailed Colonell Harbert Price Esquir having beene Governour of Brecknock for the King against the Parliament being sequestred the said sir Williem Lewis by his solicitations to the Committee procured the personall estate of the said Colonell Price which the Committee of the County had found out and caused to be brought to Morgan Aubreyes house in Brecon to bee restored unto him without any satisfaction to the State and hath procured his the said Colonell Prices Lands in the said County of Brecon being worth about three hundred pounds per annum to be let to a friend of the said Col. Prices to his wives use at 50 pounds per annum contrary to the directions of severall Ordinances of Parliament made in that behalfe 18. That the said Mr. Iohn Glyn or some other person or persons by his direction consent or privity or to his use hath during his being a member of the House of Commons taken rewards of severall persons for service done them in the House as namely amongst others drivers Drovers from VVales who by his meanes and procurement had an allowance by order of the House for 3000. l in satisfaction of losses they had sustained by the Enemy did pay unto the Wife of the said Mr. Glyn the sume of one hundred pounds as a reward for his said service 19. That the said Mr. Iohn Glyn as he hath beene most active to bring into the Commissioners of Peace and into other places of authority divers notorious Delinquents in North-Wales as aforesaid so hee hath beene as active as much as in him lyes to put out keepe out of the Militia and Common Counsell of London and out of the Commission of the peace for Middlesex many eminent and faithfull men that have laid out their Estates and adventured their lives for the defence of the Parliament and City in the time of their greatest necessity namely Alderman Pennington Col. Tichborne Mr. Eastwick Mr. Moyer and others contrary to the Declaration of both Kingdomes which hath assured all lawfull favour and encouragement to those that have beene faithfull and shall so continue to the Parliament which doings must needs tend to the giving a fresh occasion and power to the Enemy against the Parliaments best friends to the dishonour of the Parliament and endangering of the Kingdome 20. That the said Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Holles and Sir William Lewis have by their power and countenance as Members of the House of Commons both joyntly and severally used meanes to obstruct the course of Justice and have interposed themselves in severall causes and by word of mouth moved and perswaded Judges and other Officers on the behalfe of such as they conceive to be their friends amongst others whereas a great cause was lately depending in the House of Lords betweene Alderman Langham and Captaine Lymery and Counsell was met for the pleading thereof The said Sir Philep Stapleton Mr. Hollis and Sir William Lewis did repaire to the Earle of Rutland about the same and the said Sir P●i●ip Stapleton told the said Earle that they meaning himselfe and the said Mr. Hollis and Sir William Lewis were fully satisfied concerning the justness of Langhams cause and therefore as the said Earl did respect them the said Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. H●llis and Sir William Lewis or expected from them he the said Earl of Rutland should give his Vote for Langham or used words to that effect which also was seconded by the said Master Hollis in words and agreed unto by the said Sir William Lewis as appeared by his presence and ges ure and the said Sir William Lewis did exercise the same power in a cause of Joon Gunter and others 21. That the said Mr. Anthony Nicholls although about 4. years since he was by the Committee of priviledges Voted that he was not a Member sit to sit in the House by reason his election was void yet he the said Mr. Nicholls doth not only sit and Vote there as a Member but by his power and threats in the West-countreyes and by his solicitations and indirect practi●es hath brought in or procured to be brought in about 28.
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 me●● 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 desp●ght and contempt of the Parliament If rather then this sh●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 bi●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
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 si● 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 unset●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