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
Army from al such scandals to cleare our Principles in relation thereunto and in the mean time we do disavow disclaim al purposes or designs in our late or present proceedings to advance or insist upon any such interest neither would we if we might and could advance or set up any other particular party or interest in the Kingdome though imagined never so much our owne but shall much rather as farre as may be within our spheare or power study to promote such an establishment of common and equall right and freedome to the whole as all might equally pertake of but those that do by denying the same to others or otherwise render themselves incapable thereof An humble Representation of the Dissatisfaction of the Army in relation to the late Resolutions for so suddain Disbanding shewing the particulars of their former grievances wherein they did remaine unsatisfied and the Reasons thereof Unanimously agreed upon and subscribed by the Officers and Souldiers of the severall Regiments at the Rendezvous neer Now-Market on Friday and Saturday June 4. and 5. Presented to the Generall to be by him humbly represented to the Parliament WHereas upon the Report made to the House of Commons on Friday May 21. concerning the grievances of the Army that House was pleased to passe severall Votes seeming to tend towards the satisfaction of the Army in some particulars and on the Tuesday following May 25. to passe divers Resolutions upon a Report from the Committee at Derby-House concerning the disbanding of the Foot of this Army each Regiment apart at severall times and places We humbly declare that the said Votes of Friday do come farre short of satisfaction as to the said grievances or to the desires proposed by the Officers in the conclusion of their Narrative And that the latter Votes of Tuesday importing a resolution to disband the Army in part before equall satisfaction be given to the whole in the greivances or so much as any consideration had of some others that are most materiall and also before any effectuall performances of that satisfaction with the Votes of Friday seemed to promise as to some of the Greivances we cannot but be much unsatisfyed and troubled at it as in the particulars following it may appeare we have cause 1. The proportion of but Eight weeks Arrears to be paid at disbanding as it is unreasonably short of what is most due and what we conceive may be paid or might easily have been provided since the Parliament hath so long had the whole Kingdome cleared all trading and commerce opened vast summes of money brought in upon Delinquents Compositions and otherwise and great foundations of security in their hands besides those formerly ingaged for the Scots And as it is but a mean reward for all our labours hardships and hazards in the Kingdoms cause and a very slender supply to carry us to our homes in a condition sutable to the Parliaments honour and our successe and much lesse to enable those that have left good trades or other wayes of livelihood and suffered much in their trades or stocks by so doing to set up again in their former callings and conditions so it is but little if any thing more then what hath been due to us since that time that we first went about to have petitioned for our Arrears and so not to be accounted in satisfaction towards former Arrears which the Petition was meant for 2. In the Orders given for the stating of our Accounts giving Debertures for our Arrears by the Committee of the Army we find no consideration or regard had of our Arrears incurred in former Army or services which to the most of us are much greater then those under the New-Model intended to be stated by the Committee for the Army as the Narrative of the Officers printed by mistake under the name of their Declaration did intimate before 3. We cannot but consider that whatever the Officers expectances upon Debentures may prove the private Souldiers may well make little account of whatever part of his Arrears he receives not before disbanding as the Reasons expresse in the Narrative do shew And whereas we hear of some instruction past man Ordinance for stating of Arrears we understand that they direct 3. s. a week to be abated to Foot-Souldiers for Quarter which being 6 â— or 8 d per diem above the rate they should have paid for themselves if they had timely had Pay wherewithall It seems very hard the poore Souldier should allow interest for the forbearance of his own due The like disproportion we find in the abatements to Serjeants of Foot for their Quarters in the abatement for Quarters to Officers of Horse and Dragoons we find one third part of the whole Pay to them due both for themselves and their Horses is to be defalked though the full pay for their Horses is not allowed in the Account unlesse they make it appeare by Musters that they kept their full numbers and the third part of their full pay amounting to the halfe or near the halfe of their present pay seems an unreasonable allowance for Quarters especially in the case of Captains and Field-Officers We find also no provision made for private Souldiers of Horse or Foot or any Officers in Commission or not in Commission in relation to any Quarters discharged by them but all such are left absolutely to abate the respective Rates for Quarters during their whole time whether they have paid Quarters for any part of the time or no whereas we know assuredly and can make appeare that all of them during their service in this Army and most of them in their service in the former Armyes have really discharged their Quarters for a very great part of the time and many of them for more time then by the proportion of pay received they were bound to have done having without respects to that many times paid freely as farre as their money would hold out partly out of desire not to be burthensome at all to the Countrey as farre as they could and partly upon expectation grounded on the many promises and often renewed of constant pay for time to come that mony would come in time to pay them up and reimburse them their full pay againe without defalcation for Quarters we find is also provided that no Trooper is capable of allowance or debenture for Arrears unlesse he deliver in such Horse and Armes with which he hath served or a Certificate what such Horse and Armes did not appertaine to the State or else was lost in actuall service which extends to the totall taking away from them those Horse and Armes of the Sâ—ates which they have used and preserved in the Service contrary to the favour allowed and never that we knew of denied in the disbanding of any other Army and if that being but a matter of favour the horse-men in this service be thought unworthy of it and must upon account for their Arrears rebate for such
it to be then pass'd accordingly to the great dishonour of the Parliament and their proceedings to the insufferable injury the just provocations discouragement and discontent of the Army to the trouble and danger of the whole Kingdome to the hindring of the reliefe of Ireland and other the evill consequences in the said general Charges expressed 9. That by the same the like false informations Suggestions the said Colonel Harley then still a Member of the Army Sir John Clotworthy Sir VVilliam VValler and the said other persons did shortly after the said Declaration so made as aforesaid procure divers eminent and faithfull Officers of the Army namely Lieutenant General Hamond Colonel Hamond Col. Lilburn Lieut. Col. Pride and others to be sent for from their charges in the Army to appeare at the Bar of the House to make answer in relation to the said Petition against whom when they came thither they could charge or prove nothing at all insomuch as the House thought fit immediately to discharge them And whereas there was a Committee appointed to examine and consider of the truth or falshood of them and the said Members informing were appointed to produce their Proofs and Evidence to the same before the Committee though they have since then been often urged called upon and demanded to produce their Proofs and Evidence thereto if they had any and have been plainly told That if they did not proceed effectually to doe it they should be accounted the Authors and Devisers of the said falshood and reparation would accordingly be demanded against them yet they have not to this day produced any Proofs or Evidence to any of the said Informations or Suggestions whereby the Parliament and the Army were so much abused as before is declared nor could they or any of them be hitherto perswaded to give into the said Committee any Charge against the said Officers of the Army which they have then or since procured to be sent for as aforesaid but have held divers of them in a long and chargeable attendance upon the House without any thing laid to their charge until the House was pleased to discharge them 10. That the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir William Walleâ— Sir John Clotworthy and Major Generall Massey in further pursuance of the Designes mentioned in the generall Heads charged against them have been great instruments in the obstructing the reliefe of Ireland And within the space of two moneths last past did untruly informe the House That by their procurement there were Fifty Companies of Foot and Ten Troopes of Horse of this Army ingaged for Ireland upon the termes and under the conduct then by the Parliament propounded and the more to delude the Parliament therein they or some of them by the combination aforesaid did procure divers Officers then in this Army namely Colonell Butler Lieutenant Colonell Jackson Major Goodday _____ and others to give in their Names as Litting themselves for Ireland on the said termes and conduct propounded when as those Officers did at the same time declare themselves as unwilling thereunto and resolved not to goe serve in Ireland on any termes whatsoever they the said Members underhand assuring them That though they made use of their Names yet they should not goe for the service They have likewise untruly informed the House and given in the Names of many considerable Officers of this Army namely Captaine Pennyfather and Captaine Burges of Colonels Butlers Regiment Captaine Clarke and foure or more Comâ— Officers of Sir Hardres Wallers Regiment and others as having beene subscribed for Ireland who did not so ingage or subscribe nor give any consent thereunto but did then and have ever since utterly disavowed and denyed the same And about the same time they also reported to the House the Name and offer of Lieu. Col. Farrington of this Army and ingaging for himselfe and his Regiment for Ireland whereas the said Farrington had beene cashiered the Army a yeere and a halfe before by which and other their false informations and reports of that nature the Parliament was abused and misled into a conceit confidence of a strength out of the Army then supposed to be engaged and ready for Ireland on their owne termes whereas in truth the same was but a meere delusion and which was so contrived on purpose to occasion a slighting and neglecting of the Army as supposing no further use for them 11. Whereas part of three Regiments of Foot viz. Colonel Harberts Colonel Kemps and Colonel Grays were by order of the House advanced towards the reliefe of Ireland as same as Bromsgrave in the County of Worcester the said Sir Phillip Stapleton Mr. Holles Sir John Clotworthy Sir William Lewis and Major Generall Massey Sir William Waller and Mr. Glyn by combination aforesaid did of their owne accord without the knowledge or direction of the House on the sixt day of Iune last being Sabboth day without summoning a Committee command those forces back againe as farre as Reading with an evill intent to draw forces together to beget a new warre in England 12. That the said Sir John Clotworthy in prosecution of the designes in the said generall charges expressed hath in the year 1642 1643 1644. and since converted severall great summes of money which by severall Orders of Parliament and of the Irish Committee were designed for the reliefe of Ireland to his owne particular use namely the summe of 280. li. which by Order of both Houses dated the eleventh of February 1642. was to be paid for 20. Buts of Sack for Ireland 700. li. which the same day was also Ordered for two thousand swords 300. li. which by Order of the said Irish Committee dated the fifth of Aprill 1643. was designed for 120. paire of Pistols and divers other summes of money upon severall other Orders which he the said Sir John Clotworthy from time to time received for the use and reliefe of Ireland but were not imployed to the uses by the said Orders intended and directed but to his the said Sir John Clotworthies owne private use as aforesaid and that he hath within two yeares last past received severall summes of money Armes and other provisions for a troop of horse which he pretended he had raised in Ireland when as he had not nor did raise or furnish any such Troope as he pretended and that hee the said Sir John Clotworthy for money and other rewards hath preferred John Davis and VVilliam Sommers and others to bee intrusted with the Irish affairs who have kept correspondency with the Enemy and have defrauded the State of other great summes of money and hee hath been privy to and a sharer in such their actions 13. That about November last past the said Sir John Clotworthy being by the Parliament sent a Commissioner with others into Ireland who all had a joynt power and authority to treat with the Earle of Ormond for the space of foure dayes and
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
thought fit to secure the Parliament by keeping the whole body of the Army or so great a part thereof to remain continually in and about London as might be sure to over-power any future tumults or force that may arise out of the City and ease of the parts adjacent nor the safety of the Kingdome in respect of the present posture of affaires will admit It is absolutely necessary that there be speedy and exemplary justice done upon at least the cheif authors or abettors of the said treasonable engagement and of the said force done to the Parliament and upon the chief actors in maintenance and prosecution thereof whereby men may be deterred from the like in future And this is also as necessary to the security of the Army and peace of the Kingdome since it is apparent by all that hath been said and by infinite other evidences too many to recount That both the said ingagement and the force done to the Parliament and the power of the City militia thereby gained and the succeeding votes and orders of the pretended Houses but indeed of that faction that are our professed enemies in maintenance and prosecution thereof and the Forces thereupon levied put under the command of Major Gen. Massey and others our professed adversaries were all designed and directed to the ruine and destruction of this Army and the raising of a new war against us in this Kingdome And having had such experience of their restlesse malice and cruell intentions towards us notwithstanding our tendernesse and lenity towards them and of their treacherous dealing so soon as they thought they had the advantage notwithstanding all their semblances of compliance to a composure what reason is there to expect but that if by our patience and delays they apprehend in future the like or other advantage they will break out againe into the like or worse attempts of violence and war if all escape with impunity for these But as to this point of security by exemplary justice in an ordinary way we see our hopes almost frustrated whilst though our desires and resolutions to that purpose exprest in our late Declaration of the grounds of our advance towards London were then seconded with the declared approbation and concurrent resolutions of the Speakers and Members of both Houses that were driven away to the Army and with their ingagement to live and die with us therein And though in pursuance thereof the Right Honourable House of Peers have since their restitution began and proceeded to declare null and void all that was done in the name of both Houses while they lay under the power of that tumultuous violence and to give their more authentick approbation to our said Declaration made in behalfe of the said Speakers and Members while they were with the Army and in behalfe of the honour and freedome of the Parliament and to give their like approbation to the concurrent Declaration and Engagement of the said Speakers and Members made to us while they were with us yet the House of Commons have not only concurred with the Lords in any of those things but rather seem to have cast them aside and upon the Question concerning those very Votes of July 26. to which the Houses were by the said violence inforced whether they should be declared null and void it was carried in the Negative that the Question should not be put in by the consequences whereof which are many wayes very sad to this poor Kingdome and more then we can recount and by all subsequent proceedings in that House in relation to the whole businesse we clearly find that the Members of that House who after the violence done to it and during the absence of the Speaker and the other Members thereby driven away proceeding in the name of that House as aforesaid procured the pretended powers and did make the pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances aforementioned and many of them were chiefe actors thereupon for the levying of warre in prosecution and maintenance of the aforesaid treasonable Engagement and force done to the Parliament and for the opposing resisting and destroying of this the Parliaments Army in its advance to London for the restitution of the Parliament to its honour and freedome being conscious of their owne guilt and danger thereby yet presuming on their interest in the House and the patience and lenity of this Army do continue to intrude themselves to sit and Vote there and by their present interest in the House do use their utmost eudeavours and very much prevaile to obstruct and avoid the bringing of any to justice who have acted under their pretended authority knowing it to be their owne case and concernement in point of impunity as well as conducency to their faction and interest And for that cause they labour as for life to uphold the things past and done and the authorities given by them and their faction in their and the Apprentices pretended Parliament yea even those very Votes and authorities wrested from the Parliament by that palpable force of July 26. to be good and valid till they be repealed as if past in a free and legall Parliament In which point and all Questions touching upon it we find they presume upon and are strengthened by the concurrence of divers other Members who having perhaps with harmelesse intentions continued to sit with them during the speakers absence as aforesaid though they consented not to any of their mischievous Votes Orders or Treasonable proceedings aforementioned may yet feare themselves to be involved in the same case and danger by having sate with them and thus by the concurrence of these two partyes in the House as to that point and the interest which both these partyes have with others in the House especially upon a matter of saving one another and by the partiall respects of some others in the House for the saving of their friends out of the House who have acted under the authority and for the evill ends aforementioned we find an absolute obstruction to the bringing to justice or questioning of any who have acted in the late levying of warre against us and against the Vindication of the Parliaments freedome or in the said Treasonable ingagements yea or in abetment of the tumultuous violence upon the Parliament it selfe neither can we find or heare of any one person brought to justice or question for my of those things but all seem to be either justifyed or at least protected from Iustice by the power and prevalence of those Members in Parliament who are many of them as we can make appeare equally guilty of and others in some kind obnoxious for the same things and thus not only our just expectations of Vindication to the Parliament and security to our selves and the Kingdome from the like treasonable and turbulent practises in future by Exemplar justice for what hath been so done are frustrated but even the safety and immunitie of the Speakers and those faithfull Members of both
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
endeavoured Can this Irish Expedition be any thing else but a Designe to ruine and break this Army in pieces Certainly reason tells us it can be nothing else otherwise why are not those who have been made instruments in our countries deliverance againe thought worthy to be imployed or why are such who for their miscarriages have been cast out of the Army thought fit to be intrusted and those Members of the Army ingaged and preferred to that Service when they are for most part such as had they considered their just demerrits might rather have expected an ejection then employment We are sensible yea far more sensible of the bleeding condition of Ireland crying aloud for a Brotherly assistance then those forward undertakers in this present Designe manifest themselves to be and shall willingly contribute the utmost of our abilities towards their reliefe when we shall see this to be the onely thing sought after and endeavoured but wee are confident that your Excellencie cannot but perceive this plot is but a meere cloake for some who have lately tasted of Soveraignty and being lifted beyond their ordinary Spheare of servants seek to become Masters and degenerate into Tyrants wee are earnest therefore with your Excellencie to use the utmost endeavour that before any other or future Propositions be sent to us our expectations may be satisfied which if they are not we conceive our selves and our friends as bad as destroyed And shall your Excellency or any other faithfull servant to the State be appointed for the Service of Ireland and accept of that imployment we must of necessity contrary to our desires shew our selves averse to that service until our desires be granted the just Rights and liberties of the Subjects vindicated and maintained Then as God and our owne consciences beare us witnesse we shall testifie to the Kingdome the integrity of our hearts to the service of Ireland and our forward actions in that imployment shall demonstrate the sincerity of our expressions Once more we are earnest with your Excellency for your assistance without which we are like to be wholly ruined and having obtained it may be enabled as in duty we are bound to expresse our selves your Excellencies and the Kingdomes most faithfull and obedient Servants Edward Saxby Tho. Moore Commissioners for the Generalls Regiment Samuel Whiting Will. Allin Leivtenant Generalls Regiment Anthony Nixon Tho Shepherd Com. Gen. Regiment Wil. Iones Iohn Casby Colonell Fleetwoods Regiment Nich. Lokier Ioseph Foster Colonell Rich his Regiment H. Geathings Edward Starre Colonell Sheffields Regiment Tho. Kendale Iohn Thomas Colonell Whaley his Regiment Elias Box Iohn Willowhy Colonell Butler his Regiment 28. Aprill 1647. A Second Apologie of all the private Souldiers in his Excellencies Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army to their Commission Officers SIRS VVEE your Souldiers who have served under your commands with all readinesse to free this our Native Land and Nation from all Tyrannie and Opressions whatsoever and that by vertue and power derived from this present Parliament given not only to his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax our now present Generall but likewise under all the late Generalls his predecessors under whom wee even the whole Souldery have served both the State and you faithfully and diligently By which meanes God hath been pleased to crowne us with Victorie in dispersing our common adversaries so that we hoped to put an end to all Tyranny and Oppressions so that Justice and Equitie according to the Law of this Land should have been done to the People and that the meanest subject should fully enjoy his Right Libertie and proprieties in all things which the Parliament hath made known to all the world in divers of their Declarations to which they have so often bound themselves to performe by their Oahes Vowes Covenants and Protestations Upon this ground of hope we have gone through all difficulties and dangers that we might purchase to the people of this Land with our selves a plentifull crop and harvest of Libertie and Peace but instead of it to the great greif and sadding of our hearts wee see that oppression is as great as ever if not greater yea and that upon the cordiall freinds to the Parliament and us and to the just Rights and Liberties of this Nation that they with us are slighted abused beaten and dragged to Jayles yea to the utter ruine of their estates and losse of their lives yea the best and most candid intentions and actions of theirs and ours grossely and foulely mis-construed even to such a height as deserving no lesse then to be declared as troublers of and enemies to the State and Kingdome and such as have and are now the enemies of the Parliament and Kingdome are countenanced and honourrd to be in places of greatest trust and are made Judges of them and us for our lives and estates yea and in the great affairs of the Kingdome sitting in the House of Commons though still under Sequestration they are made high Sheriffes Mayors of severall Counties and Townes Commiâ—sioners of Oyer and Terminer as in Cumberland and the countie of Durham c. From whence we beleeve springs all our miseries and that so many of our fellow Souldiers that have been disbanded have been so rigorously dealt withall as * The high Sherife of Kent a man that was in the first Rebellion against the Parliament and by his meanes last Assize indicted a Colonel for taking of Horses Exâ—ter At Northampton Waâ—wick Alisbury And this Assize at Salisbury London condemned All these will be proved with many more instances imprisoned indicted and hanged for things done in time and place of Warre and necessity of the Parliaments service required in their low condition and without which they could not have safely sat in the House of Parliament with their heads on and the reason of all this we judge is because our very Enemies are made our Judges Yea such is our condition though we be oppressed we may not cry as it is too apparent when of late we did in an humble and petitionary way seek to make knowne our grievances to our Generall such was our offence as that we must presently without being heard be declared Enemies to the State though notwithstanding by these our Eâ—emies even such as have bin Cavaliers in Armes have promered and framed divers Remonstrances Petitions and Representations of dangerous consequence to the Parliament and Kingdome and that against their most reall and cordiall friends yet these have bin accepted and great thanks returned them which holds forth to us a cleare designe to enslave all the honest party of this Kingdome and in them wee and you also Therefore brave Commanders the Lord put a spirit of courage into your hearts that you may stand fast in your integrity that you have manifested to us your Souldiers and we do declare to you that if any of you shall not he shall be marked with a brand of infamy for ever as a Traytor to his Country and an
without the Generals privity where he is still kept Prisoner at great expences and not brought to tryall which president may equally extend to any or all in the Army Which said particular bearing with it the face of delay and protraction we cannot but looke upon as a just cause of trouble unto us 4 That whereas we understand that the Parliament hath voted asudden disbanding of the ARMY not having made a sufficient provision for the auditing of our Arrears and stating of our accounts so fully as we may not be liable to future charges concerning them our owne reason and the experience of others doth make us sensible how difficult chargeable and uncerrain the oftaining thereof will be after we are disbanded and dispersed to our severall homes 5 That no provision hath been made for the payment of our dearly earned wages to the expence of our blood and often hazard of our lives saving a Vote of six weeks pay upon disbanding Now at the consummation of our work which is so small that it will inevitably expose us especially the private Souldiers to great extremity being searse sufficient to maintain many of them in their journey to their own homes 6 That nothing as yet hath been perfected for our future security for things done as Souldiers in relation to the warre which the exigency thereof and difficulties therein hath compelled us unto the want whereof we cannot chuse but be very sensible of when we consider the many sad examples of bitter and rigorous prosecutions at Law against Souldiers for acts done in order to the promotion of the Kingdomes service 7 That we stand in feare especially the private Souldiers of being impressed or inforced to serve as Souldiers out of the Kingdome many having spent themselves freely and voluntarily in the publicke service forsaking their trades and friends and livelihoods to which many desire to returne again for their better future subsistance 8 That whereas divers of us especially the private Souldiers who were Apprentices in London or other parts of the Kingdome have voluntarily engaged themselves in this service being incouraged thereunto by the Parliaments Declarations shewing that the time they should so spend in the prosecution thereof should be as effectuall in order to their Freedome as if they had remainened with their severall respective Masters Notwithstanding which many have refused to give us freedome who may justly claim it by the aforesaid Declarations for that purpose 9 That many Souldiers who have lâ—st their lives Widowes their Husbands and Children their Parents in this service and thereby are reduced to great poverty even to beggery are not sufficiently provided for a future livelihood 10 That whereas divers persons both privately and publickly laboured by evill aspersions and false calumnies to render us odious to the Kingdom thereby seeking to alienate their affections from us in order to which they have published many Bookes viz. Ma. Edwards his Gangraena and divers others of that nature and also very lately a report divulged abroad that wee had petitioned his Majesty inviting him to come to the head of the Army and that we would restore him to his Crowne Throne and Dignity A person of eminence averred before a very great and publik convention in the Citie of London that he saw a Copy of that Petition which was delivered to his Majesty And that the Army was no longer a New Modell but had 4000. Cavaliers in it that hee comming from the Fountaines head perceived that the King and Cavaliers have their single and whole dependency upon this Army And others privaâ—ly suggesting the same by dispersing severall copies of the said pretended Petition the severall particulars whereof wee protest against as most false and are most confident that it proceeded not from any probable ground which might argue such an intention in us but singly from the malice of our enemies 11 That notwithstanding the great care of the Committee and Treasurers for the Army and the cheerfull readinesse of the most Counties in paying their Assesments as these where we now quarter generally affirme neverthelesse through want of pay the private Souldiers are necessitated to take free quarter for the present which is very irksome to be so burdensame to the kingdome Having thus according to your commands as fully as we are able accounted unto you what is the true genuine sense of the Army and not their imaginary but reall grievances which inevitably fall upon us except the Parliament in their wisdomes take some effectuall course to prevent them and as we if the time allowed to us by you would permit we could clearly demonstrate unto you we therefore assume the boldnesse to desire you to be sensible with us of what we have offered unto you and to present unto the Parliament the particulars aforesaid in such humble way and manner as you conceive most effectuall to the accomplishment of our future quiet and wel-being That you will doe us right if in case any of our actions be mis-represented to the Parliament That you will do us right if in case any of our actions be mis-represented to the Parliament That you will as farre as justly you câ—â— cover 〈◊〉 weaknesse if any thing of that nature hath slipt us in the transaction of this to weighty and considerable an importance that the integrity of our hearts is not hid from you and which we doubt not but will clearly appeare notwithstanding the malice or secret workings of any person whatsoever seeking to asperse us when our proceedings herein shall be throughly inquired into And if any thing expressed herein may appeare or be understood otherwise by the Honourable Houses of Parliament we desire you will declare the minde and sense of us all which is that we have endevoured to our utmost in all our expressions to avoid things which might offend or in the least manner intrench upon the honour and authority of the Parliament for which we have adventured all we have in this world that is deare unto us But if any reflection may seem to touch upon some particulars our intentions are no other then towards those who have abused the Parliament Kingdome and a faithfull Army A list of the severall respective Officers interested herein Collonells Robert Hammond Jo. Lambert Rich. Engolesby Ed. Whaley Jo. Okey Jo. Hewson Nath. Rich. Lieutenan-Collonels Isaac Ewer Mark Grime Tho. Pride Edw. Salmon Tho. Reade Jo. Jubbs Majors Tho. Smith Wroth Rogers Io. Wade Dan. Axtell Io. Desborough Ad. Scroop Geo. Sedacive Ro. Huntington Thomas Horton Ro Swallow Will. Cowel Captaines Iohn Reynolds Tho. Disney Io. Pitchford I. Carter Hen. Binfield Sam. Grames Dan. Dale Io. Grove Wâ—lliam Rainborough Walter Bethel Tho. Ireton Will. Colâ—man Will Evanson Aâ—ariah Husbands Sam. Gardiner Ben. Burgesse Will. Stâ—eetham Io. Ienkin Hen Pritty Rich. Zanchy Hen. Cannon Tho. Pennifather Io. Spooner Io. Gladman Cap. Lieuten Will. Reade Ro. Kerby Cap. Lieut. Rich. Aske Tobias Bridges Io. Clarke Edm. Rolse Ioseph Blisset Oriell Smith
false informations and mis-representations put the Parliament upon such wayes the timely and effectuall reliefe of Ireland seem really to have been intended or rather with the breaking or disbanding of this Army to draw together or raise such other forces and of such a temper as might serve to some desperate and destructive designes in England For which besides the probable suspitions from their carriage of the businesse wee have beforehand in the transaction thereof had more then hints of such a designe by clear expressions to that purpose from many of those Officers of the Army that have been perswaded and appeared most forward to engage as for Ireland on the termes proposed And that such a designe hath all along been driven seemes now too evident by the present disposing of those Forces that have been engaged for Ireland by the endeavours of some to gaine a power from the Parliament of ordering those Forces for some service in England and by the private listings of men for service here without any publike authority of Parliament And all this by the same persons who have all along appeared most active and violent in the late proceedings against the Army As to the just Discontents and Dissatisfactions of the Army in relation to their Grievances and their Non-compliance to the late Orderers for sudden Disbanding by peece-meale before more full and equall satisfaction were given to the whole we desire you to look back to the Papers already published of the grievances themselves the Narrative of the Officers and to the later Papers from the generall Counsell of War at Bury and the late generall Randezvous neer New-Market And we thinke your late resuming the consideration of those things as to a further satisfaction doth much justifie the desires and proceedings of the Army in those past particulars hitherto And though had we upon our first addresses for our undoubted rights and dues c found a free and candid reception with a just consideration and a reasonable satisfaction or at least a free Answer therein we should have been easily perswaded to have abated or forborn much of our dues and not to have enquired into or considered so farre as we have either the possibilities there are for more present satisfaction of Arrears or the credit of future Securities proposed yet since upon these former Addresses we have found such hard dealing as in the said Papers is set forth and those additionall though hitherto but partial satisfactions comming so hardly as they have we find no obliging reasons in the least to decline or recede from what 's our due but rather still to adhere unto our desires of full and equall satisfaction in all the things mentioned in the aforesaid Papers not only in behalfe of our selves and the Army but also of the whole Souldiery throughout the Kingdome who have concurred or shall concurre with us in the same desires And to all our former Desires at Souldiers we cannot but adde this wherein we find our selves so neerly concerned in point of Justice and reputation That more care and a stricter course may be taken for making good all Articles granted upon Surrenders according to the true intent and meaning of them at also for remedy and reparation in case of any breach and this without those delays which divers have found as prejudiciall to them or more then if they had been totally denied the performance of them Nor will it now we hope seem strange or unreasonable to rationall and honest men who consider the consequence of our present case to their own and the Kingdomes as well as our future concernments in point of Right Freedome Peace and safety if from a deep sense of the high consequence of our present case both to our selves in future and all other people we shall before disbanding proceed in our owne and the Kingdoms behalfe to propound and plead for some provision for our and the Kingdoms satisfaction and future security in relation to those things especially considering that we were not a meer mercenary Army hired to serve any Arbitrary power of a State but called forth and conjured by the severall Declarations of Parliament to the defence of our owne and the peoples just Rights and Liberties and so we took up Armes in judgement and conscience to those ends and have so continued them and are resolved according to your first just desires in your Declarations and such principles as we have received from your frequent Informations and our own common sense concerning those our fundamental rights and liberties to assert and vindicate the just power and rights of this Kingdome in Parliament for those common ends premised against all arbitrary power violence and oppression and against all particular parties or interests whatsoever The said Declarations still directing us to the equitable sense of all Laws and Constitutions as dispensing with the very letter of the same and being supreme to it when the safety and preservation of all is concerned And assuring us that all Authority is fundamentally seated in the Office and but ministerially in the Persons Neither do or will these our proceedings as we are fully and in conscience perswaded amount to any thing not warrantable before God and men being thus far much short of the common proceedings in other Nations to things of an higher nature then we have yet appeared to and we cannot but be sensible of the great complaints that have been made to us generally in the Kingdome from the people where we march of Arbitrarinesse and Injustice to their great and insupportable oppressions And truly such Kingdomes as have according both to the law of Nature and Nations appeared to the vindication and defence of their just Rights and Liberties have proceeded much higher as our brethren of Scotland who in the first beginning of these late differences associated in Covenant from the very same grounds and principles having no visible form either of Parliament or King to countenance them And as they were therein justified and protected by their own and this Kingdome also so we justly shall expect to be We need not mention the States of the Netherlands the Portugals and others all proceeding upon the same Principles of right and freedome And accordingly the Parliament hath declared it no resisting of Magistracy to side with the just principles and law of nature and Nations being that law upon which we have assisted you and that the souldiery may lawfully hold the hands of the Generall who will turne his Cannon against his Army on purpose to destroy them the Seamen the hands of that Pilot who wilfully rune the Ship upon a rock as our Brethren of Scotland argued And such were the proceedings of our Ancestors of famous memory to the purchasing of such Rights and Liberties as they have enjoyed through the price of their bloud and we both by that and the later bloud of our deare friends and fellow Souldiers with the hazard of our own do now lay
claim unto Nor is that supreme end the glory of God wanting in these cases to set a price upon all such proceedings of righteousnesse and justice it being one witnesse of God in the world to carry on a Testimony against the injustice and unrighteousnesse of men and against the miscarriage of Governments when corrupted or declining from their Primitive and Originall glory These things we mention but to compare proceedings and to show that we are so much the more justifiable and warranted in what we do by how much we come short of that height and measure of proceedings which the people in free Kingdomes and Nations have formerly practised Now having thus farre cleared our way in this businesse we shall proceed to propound such things as we do humbly desire for the setling and securing of our owne and the Kingdomes common right freedome peace and safety as followeth 1. That the Houses may be speedily purged of such Members as for their delinquency or for Corruptions or abuse to the State or undue Elections ought not to sit there whereof the late Elections in Cornwall Wales and other parts of the Kingdome afford too many examples to the great prejudice of the peoples freedome in the said Elections 2. That those persons who have in the late unjust and high proceedings against the Army appeared to have the wil the confidence credit and power to abuse the Parliament and the Army and endanger the Kingdome in carrying on such things against us while an Army may be some way speedily disabled from doing the like or worse to us when disbanded and disperst and in the condition of private men or to other the free-born people of England in the same condition with us and that for that purpose the same persons may not continue in the same power especially as our and the Kingdome Judges in the highest trust but may be made incapable thereof for the future And if it be questioned who these are we thought not fit particularly to name them in this our Representation to you but shall very speedily give in their names and before long shall offer what we have to say against them to your Commissioners wherein we hope so to carry our selves as that the World shall see we aime at nothing of private revenge and animosities but that justice may have a free course and the Kingdome be eased and secured by dismabling such men at least from places of Judicature who desiring to advantage and set up themselves and their party in a generall confusion have endeavoured to put the Kingdome into a new flame of war then which nothing is more abhorrent to us But because neither the granting of this alone would be sufficient to secure our own and the Kingdoms rights liberties and safety either for the present age or posterity nor would our Proposals of this singly be free from the scandall and appearance of faction or designes only to weaken one Party under the notion of unjust or oppressive that we may advance another which may be imagined more our own We therefore declare That indeed we cannot but wish that such men and such onely might be preferred to the great power and trust of the Common-wealth as are approved at least for morall righteousnesse and of such we cannot but in our wishes preferre those that appeare acted thereunto by a principle of Conscience and Religion in them And accordingly we doe and ever shall blesse God for those many such Worthies who through his providence have been chosen into this Parliament And to such mens endeavours under God we cannot but attribute that Vindication in part of the peoples Rights and Liberties and those beginnings of a just Reformation which the first proceedings of this Parliam appeared to have driven at and tended to though of late obstructed or rather diverted to other ends and interest by the prevailing of other persons of other principles and conditions But yet we are so far from designing or complying to have an absolute or Arbitrary power fixed or setled for continuance in any persons whatsoever as that if we might be sure to obtain it we canot wish to have it so in the persons of any whom we could most confide in or who should appear most of our own opinions and principles or whom we might have most personall assurance of or interest in but we doe and shall much rather wish that the Authority of this Kingdome in Parliaments rightly constituted that is freely equally and successively chosen according to its originall intention may ever stand and have its course And therefore we shall apply our desires chiefly to such things as by having Parliaments setled in such a right Constitution may give most hoâ—es of Justice and Righteousnesse to flow downe equally to all in that its ancient Channell without any Overtures tending either to overthrow that foundation of Order and Government in this Kingdome or to ingrosse that power for perpetuity into the hands of any particular persons or party whatoever And for that purpose though as we have found it doubted by many men minding sincerely the publick good but not weighing so fully all consequences of things it may and is not unlike to prove that upon the ending of this Parliament and the Election of New the Constitution of succeeding Parliaments as to the persons Elected may prove for the worse many wayes yet since neither in the present purging of this Parliament nor in the Election of New we cannot promise to our selves or the Kingdome an assurance of Justice or other positive good from the hands of men but those who for present appeare most righteous and most for common good having an unlimited power fixed in them during life or pleasure in time may become corrupt or settle into parties or factions or on the other side in case of new Elections those that should so succeed may prove as bad or worse then the former We therefore humbly conceive that of two inconveniences the lesse being to be chosen the maine thing to be intended in this case and beyond which humane providence cannot reach as to any assurance of positive good seemes to be this viz. to provide that however unjust or corrupt the persons of Parliament-men in present or future may prove or whatever ill they may do to particular parties or to the whole in particular things during their respective terms or periods yet they shall not have the temptation or advantage of an unlimited power fixt in them during their owne pleasures whereby to perpetuate injustice and oppression upon any without end or remedy or to advance and uphold any one particular party faction or interest whatsoever to the oppression or prejudice of the Communitie and the enslaving of the Kingdome unto all posterity but that the people may have an equall hope or possibility if they have made an ill choice at one time to mend it in another and the members of the House themselves may be in a capacity
sequestred the House 5 That those that have deserted the Army may be instantly discharged and dispersed and receive no more of their Arrears till the Army be first satisfied 6 That both Parliament and City may be speedily and effectually freed from those multitudes of Reformadoes and Souldiers before mentioned that flock together about London by a speedy dispatch and discharging of them from the City 7 That all such listings or raising of new forces or drawing together of any before mentioned and all preparations towards a new warte may be effectually declared against and suppressed as also all invitations or indeavours to draw in forraigne forces 8 That the present perplexed affaires of the Kingdome and those concerning the Army as also all the things desired in our late representation in behalfe of the Kingdome may be put into some speedy way of settlement and composure St. Albans June 23. 1647. By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre John Rushworth Secretary A Manifesto from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army under his command c. With seven Propositions for the present Peace and settlement of the Kingdom which being granted they assure the Parliament to draw back June 27. WHereas the Right Honourable Commissioners of Parliament have desired to know from us what things we do desire to be granted before our drawing back the Quarters of the Army to a further distance from London upon the granting whereof we will ingage to draw back We do in answer thereunto humbly propose these particulars following as what are of present necessity to us and we do desire at present to be granted in order to the Armies and Kingdoms present safety in the further debate transaction and settlement of those other things contained in our former representations and Papers which will require and may admit more time Upon the granting of which things we shall willingly draw back as is desired to have those other mattere debated and transacted at a further distance with deliberation answerable to the nature and weight of them I. That the Parliament would be pleased to recall the Declaration inviting men to desert the army and promising their arrears in ease they do so and to declare for future that whoever shall desert their Cullors or charges in the army without the Generals particular licence and discharge shall not have any of their Arrears paid them II. That the army may be paid up equally to those that have deserted it This we desire may be immediately granted or resolved before we draw back and to be performed at least to the private Souldiers fully and in part to the Officers with all speed convenient III. That those that have deserted the army may be instantly discharged and dispersed and receive no more of their arrears till the army may be first satisfied IV. That both Parliament and City may be speedily and effectually freed from the multitude of reformadoes and other Souldiers before mentioned that flock together in or about London by a speedy dispatch and discharging of them from the City V. That all such listings and raisings of new forces or drawing together of any as in our Remonstrance and all our Papers are exprest and all preparations towards a new warre may be effectually declared against and supprest as also all invitations and indeavours to draw in forraigne forces either from Scotland or other forraigne parts IV. That the continuation of the army in the pay of the State for some competent time while the matter in debate relating both to the army and Kingdome may be concluded and sitled be at present ordered and declared for before our drawing back and the some with all speed to be effectually put into one established may that the army may be inabled to pay Quarters for the ease of the Countrey where it must lie and the Souldiery the better kept from abuse to the Countrey and reduced to that good order and discipline which hath formerly been happily kept in this arâ—y though of late through want of pay and other just discontents which the latâ— provocations put upon them unhappily interrupted VII That during the same space the Parliament would resolve not to propose any Place for his Majesties residence nearer to London then they will allow the Quarters of the army to be NOw for our former desire of present suspending the impeached Members from sitting in the House 1. Whereas we understand the House hath voted that it doth not appeare that any thing hath been said or done by them within the House touching any matter contained in the Papers from the Army for which the House can in Justice suspend them though if way were given and opened without breach of Priviledge for us to charge them with and for others to be examined freely to testifie unto such things we should not doubt to make such proceedings and Practises of theirs in the House to appeare for which according to former Presidents they justly might and ought to be suspended yet we are so render of Parliament Priviledges as that we shall at present for beare to reply or presse further upon that point for the houses proceedings therein upon their owne cognizance 2. Whereas the house of Commons hath voted that by the Lawes of the Land no Judgement can be given to suspend those Members from sitting in the House upon the Papers presented by the Army before particulars produced and proofes made though we thinke good reasons may be given and presidents found to the contrary even in the Proceedings of this Parliament as in the case of the Earle of Strafford the Arch-bishop of Canterbury the L. Keeper Finch and others Yet we do declare that we have both particulars and proofes against them ready to produce but considering that the proceedings thereupon will probably take up much time and the present unsetled affaires of the Kingdome in relation to those greater matters proposed by us do require a speedy consideration We shal be willing that those greater and more generall matters of the Kingdome be first considered of and setled before the Cesure of those Members be determined and therefore because they mâ—â—â— apprehend it some prejudice to them to have their particular charges given in and lye upon them so long undetermined we shall be willing to forbear the giving in of the particulars against them till they may without interruption to the generall affairs be immediately proceeded upon but if the house do thinke fit the particulars against them be first delivered in we shall be ready to do it 3. Whereas we understand that the Members charged have desired leave from the houses to withdraw themselves We cannot but take notice of the modesty thereof so farre as that we are contented therewith for the present more quiet proceeding to sâ—ule the perplexed affairs of the Kingdome which without any private animosities against persons is our greatest end in what we do only we declare that as
we suppose the Gentlemen themselves from the same grounds that induced them to offer this will still forbeare to offer the contrary till the matters concerning them be heard and determined or to make any new interruption or disturbance to the proceeding upon or settlement of the generall affaires of the Kingdome So we hope and shall confidently expect that the wisedome and justice of the House will not admit any thing to the contrary or leave it to an hazard thereof but will use sufficient care and caution against such things and for the bringing of those Members to tryall when the House shall judge it more seasonable and safe as before exprest By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge June 27. 1647. WHereas without Order from the Generall or the Councell of War Nicholas Cowley Commissary Generall of provisions hath issued out Warrants to some Hundreds within lesse then a mile of London to bring provisions from thence into the Army which he pretended to be Randezvouzed between London and Vxbridge Whereas there was no such thing ordered by the Generall or his Councell of War It is therefore this day ordered by the Generall and his Councel of warre that the said Commissary Cowley shall stand committed and he is thereby committed to the Marshall from whence he is not to be discharged untill he hath given satisfaction to the Commissioners for the City of London residing at Vxbridge By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge Junii 27. The Kings Majesties most gracious Letter to his Son his Highnesse James Duke of York written with his Majesties own hand read in both Houses of Parliament C. R. IAmes I am in hope that you may be permitted with your Brother and Sister to come to some place betwixt this and London where I may see you To this end therefore I command you to aske leave of the two Houses to make a journey if it may be for a night or two But rather then not to see you I will be content that yee come to some convenient place to dine and go back at night And foreseeing the feare of your being brought within the power of the Army as I am may be objected to hinder this my desire I have full assurance from Sir Thomas Fairfax and the chiefe Officers that there will be no interruption or impediment made by them for your returne how and when you please So God blesse you Your loving Father Charles Rex Casam July 4. 1647. Two Letters from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax One to both Houses of Parliament giving an accompt of what Transactions and Proceedings have been betwixt the Kings Majesty and the Army since his coming into their Quarters With some farther Proposals in relation to his Majesty and the speedy settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom c. Master Speaker I Was sent unto by the King on Friday last to desire the Parliament to give way to Him to see his children and that they might for that purpose be sent to Him If I may be bold humbly to offer my Opinion I thinke the allowance of such a thing may be without the least prejudice to the Kingdome and yet gain more upon his Majestie then denying it and if it be in the prayers of every good man that his heart may be gained the performance of such civilities to him is very surable to those Desires and will heare well with all men who if they can imagine it to be their own case cannot but be sorry if His Majesties naturall affections to His Children in so small a thing should not be complyed with and if any question should be concerning the assurance of their returne I shall ingage for their return within what time the Parliament shall limit Upon this occasion give me leave I beseech you to take notice of some reports spread abroad as if my selfe and the Officers of the Army were upon some under-hand Contract or Bargaine with the King and from thence occasion is taken to slander our Integrities and endeavour a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army the fidelity of which to the Parliament and Kingdome and their affection to it are the great objects of many mens Envies because they see nothing so likely to settle Right and Freedome with Truth and Peace to us and Posterity and to hinder their Designs against the same as an Harmony or good accord between the Parliament and Army which is the joy of good men and it shall be our study to preserve against all Designes and Designers to the contrary To prevent therefore all misunderstandings of that kinde I thought fit with all clearnesse to declare unto you That we have done nothing nor shall do any thing which we desire to hide from you or the world or shall not avow to the faces of our greatest Adversaries Our Desires concerning a just consideration and settlement of the Kings Rights His Majesty first giving His concurrence to settle and secure the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome We have already publickely declared in our Representation and Remonstrance Since the first of those Papers sent to the Parliament there have been severall Officers of the Army upon severall occasions sent to His Majesty the first to present to Him a Copy of the Representation and after that some others to tender Him a copy of the Remonstrance upon both which the Officers sent were appointed to clear the sence and intention of any thing in either Paper whereupon His Majesty might make any question Since then there have also been some Officers at severall times sent to His Majesty about His remove from Hatfield to disswade if possibly from Windsor or any place so near London to some place of further distance answerable to what we had desired of the Parliament In all which addresses to his Majesty we care not who knowes what hath been said or done for as we have nothing to bargaine for or to ask either from His Majesty or the Parliament for advantage to our selves or any particular party or interest of our own so in all those Addresses to His Majesty we have utterly disclaimed and disavowed any such thing or any Overtures or Thoughts tending that way but the only intent and effect of those our Addresses hath been to desire and endeavor His Majesties free concurrence with the Parliament for establishing and securing the common Rights and Liberties and setling the peace of the Kingdome And to assure Him That the publick being so provided for with such His Majesties concurrence it is fully agreeable to all our Principles and should be our desires and indeavour That with and in such setling of the Publick the Rights of His Majesties Royall Family should be also provided for so as a lasting Peace and Agreement might be setled in this Nation And that as we had publickly
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
Treaty however and then declare how unreasonable the Propositions were and that yet for the peace of the Kingdome his Majesty would Treate upon them but withall wished the said Treaty might be in London whether the King himselfe should come upon security He the said M. Holles adding that there was nothing in the world that the violent party meaning the well-affected party to the Parliament against the Enemy did so much feare as his Majesties comming to London which would be a certaine dissolution of their authority and power And the said Mr. Holles bad those said persons or one of them assure the King that if his Majesty knew as much as hee the said Mr. Holles knew his Majesty would take his Horse and be at London the next day or words to that effect And it being againe demanded whether if the King should be willing to come it would be accepted of He the said Mr. Holles thereto answered that certainely it would bee much opposed but yet hee the said Mr. Holles was confident that he and his party meaning some of the members above named and others should carry it and wished the King to put it upon that triall And the said Mr. Holles was desired by the said Earle of Lindsey Earle of Southampton and Lord Savill or one of them that he would be pleased to draw such an Answer in writing to the said Propositions as he desired the King should send and the said Earle of Southampton who was that night to lye in the Kings Bedchamber would perswade the the King to condiscend unto it and thereupon the said Mr. Hollas withdrew and either the same day or the next day following the said Mr. Holles accordingly carried in his hand unto the said Lords or one of them a paper ready written which as he said was such an Answer to the said Propositions as he had drawne for the King to send to the Parliament which was taken by the said Lords or one of them and carried to the King to be considered of and so much thereof as advised the Kings comming to London was laid by the King fearing to adventure himselfe but the rest of the said Paper the Lord Digby who writ the Kings Answer to the said Propositions made use of in the same words as the said Mr. Holles had set downe And the said Mr. Holles to ingratiate himselfe with the Kings party did about the same time revile the well-affected Members of the House of Commons declaring unto the said Kings party at Oxford or some of them that those well-affected Members which to render them the more odious as he conceived he named the violent Independant party had ill intentions and greater aversenes to Peace and that nothing would bee more pleasing to them then for the King to refuse the Propositions how unreasonable soever the same were and hee also then said that the Commissioners of Scotland were very weary of that violent party and that they being desperate to establish their Presbytery here as in Scotland made their addresses to him the said Mr. Holles and his party All which tended to the protracting of the said late Warr to the hindrance of an happy Peace and the said Mr. Holles did also after that receive from the Earle of Lindsey a letter written in white inke concerning some secret designe and kept it from the knowledge of the House from February till about July after when it was discovered by him that brought it but the Letter it selfe was by Mistris Holles said after hee had read it burnt And the said Earle of Linsey moved the King for a passe for the said Master Holles to goe to Oxford but the King refused to grant it saying that Holles did him better service in the Parliament then he could doe him at Oxford 2. That the said Mr Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton during the said late Warre when the said Earle of Lindsey went from the Tower of London to Oxford sent severall Messages of intelligence to the Earle of Dorset and Lord Digby thereby assuring them that they the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton did better service for the King here in Parliament then they could doe him if they were at Oxford And the said Sir Philip Stapleton desired that the said Earle of Dorset would preserve him the said Sir Philip and his friends in the good opinion of the party at Oxford which was then the Kings Garrison and he the said sir Philip would doe as much for his Lordship and his friends here with the Parliament and the said Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton the more to ingratiate themselves into the favour of the Enemy did of their owne accord without any direction of the Parliament draw up other Propositions then those mentioned in the precedent Articles which they affirmed were in their judgements fit for the King to grant and for the Parliament to desire and being so drawn up sent them privately to his Majestie without any authority of Parliament to warrant the same 3. That the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthie Sir William Waller Sir John Maynard Major generall Massie Mr. Glyn M. Long Colonell Edward Harley and Anthony Nicholls in the Moneths of March Aprill May and June last past and at others times in prosecution of the evill designes in the severall generall heads mentioned have frequently assembled and mett together at the Lady Carliles Lodging in White-Hall and in other places with divers other persons dis-affected to the State without any authority of Parliament for holding correspondencie with the Queene of England now in France and her participants with an intent by such secret and clandestine treaties amongst themselves to put conditions upon the Parliament and to bring in the King upon their owne tearmes and having a great power upon the Treasure of the Kingdome have therewith maintained and encouraged by Pensions and otherwise the Queenes party in France thereby to beget a second and more bloudy Warre in this Kingdome and they or some or one of them assured the Queene 40000. l. per annum if shee would assist them in their designe and that they would doe more for the King then the Army would doe and that they would finde out some meanes to destroy the Army and their friends 4. That in further pursuance of the same evill designes they the said Mr. Hâ—lles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewes Sir John Clotworthie Sir William Waller and Major generall Massey by the combination aforesaid within the space of three monthes last past without any authority of Parliament Invited the Scots and other forraigne forces to come into this Kingdome in a Hostile manner to abett and assist them in the prosecuting and effecting of their said designes And the said Mr. Holles very lately sent to the said Queene of England then and still in France advising her amongst other things speedily to send the Prince into Scotland to march into this
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
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 Pâ—iâ—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. Hâ—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 practiâ—es hath brought in or procured to be brought in about 28.
Members more out of Cornwall on purpose to carry on the designes and practises before mentioned and to make a faction in the said House And notwithstanding the selfe-denying Ordinance hee the said Mr. Nicholls doth still hold a place in the Tower formerly conferred upon him by the House and receiveth the profits thereof to his owne use 22. That the said Mr. Nicholls hath since his sitting in the House as aforesaid taken rewards for his service done there namely whereas Sir William Vvedall Knight for deserting the Parliament and going to Yorke with the King was suspended the House He the said Mr. Nicholls for the sum of one hundred pounds or an hundred fifty pounds paid unto him or to his use by the said Sir William Vvedall or some for him did by misinformations to the House procure the said sir William Vvedall to be re-admitted a Member of the said House And the said Mr. Nicholls while he was a Member of the Committee for safety he others of the said Committee having issued forth a warrant for searching Greenwich house he the said Master Nichols did under-hand acquaint one of the Queens Officers therewith and thereby prevented the Designe of the said Committee to great disservice of the Parliament and Kingdome 23. That the said Mr. Long at the beginning of the late Wars not having courage sufficient to performe his duty in Militia affairs did out of covetousnesse or other unworthy end procure a command of a Troope of horse under his Excellency the late Lord Generall the Earle of Essex but when ever his said Troope came upon any service he the said Master Long out of feare or treachery unworthily absented himselfe and never was seene or known to charge the Enemy in person though his Troope often engaged namely at the Battail of Edge-hill when he saw there were like to be blows he the said Mr. Long left the field and never charged before his Troop and at the Battail or fight at Brainford though his troop were there yet he staid at London till the danger was past and fighting done And when his Troop was sent into the West he took no other notice of it but to receive his pay and in the meane while he repaired into the County of Essex and procured a commission to be a Colonel of Horse and in stead of fighting against the Parliaments enemies he betooke himselfe to plunder and oppresse the Parliaments friends there and contrary to Order and without any authority or exigencies of Warre compelling him thereunto enforced great sums of money and many Horses and other provisions from the country namely from Mr. Thomas Manwood a man well affected who had the Generalls protections and whose horses were taken from his plow and others to the great losses and oppression of the people and to the great dishonour of the Parliament whose service he neverthelesse neglected and hath not hither to given an accompt of the great sums of money and other things that he so exacted of the countrey as afore-said 24. That the said Master Long afterwards upon pretence of some losses sustained by the enemy and some great service he had done for the State did procure of the House a great office in the Chancery namely to be the chiefe Register of that Court wherein his skill was little and whereof he was and still is altogether uncapable and although for a time upon the selfe-denying Ordinance he was displaced yet upon the motion or by the power and meanes of the said Master Hollis he hath obtained the same office againe to the great prejudice of skilfull Clerkes that have beene bred up in the said Court to the disservice of the common-wealth and the dishonour of the House 25. That the said Master Long on purpose to drive on the designes in the said severall charges expressed hath for the space of two yeares last past usually pressed and urged severall members to give their votes such wayes as he pleased and to that end and purpose doth constantly place himselfe neare the doore of the House that when any debate is concerning any designe wherein his party is engaged he the said Master Long hath used much tampering and violence to such of his owne party as would goe out of the House and hath perswaded them to continue there for their Votes and he the said Mr. Long in case any such have gone out of the House hath been very inquisitive where they might be found that so he may goe for them when the businesse in debate comes neer to be put to the Vote and if they come not according to his expectation doth ordinarily and speedily run out of the House himselfe to call them drive them in again that he hath been commonly called by those that are without the House and have taken notice of his actions the Parliament Driver whereby the freedome of the Members is taken from them the manner of Parliaments proceedings much scandalized and many times evill and dangerous designes drove on in a faction by Votes to the great prejudice of the Common-wealth All which matters and things the said Army shall and will be ready in convenient time to make good by proofe upon Oath as this Honourable House shall direct And for that by reason of the straitnesse of time and other more weighty affaires of the Army they could not so fully finish and accomplish the said Articles therefore the said Army still reserves further liberty to adde other Articles against the said Members or any of them at any time before their Tryall as occasion shall serve BY the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Counsell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Secr. Mr. Speaker HAving this day received papers from the Northern Forces under Col. Gen. Pointz his command with some other papers from Col. Thornhaghs Regiment which is already marcht up to Buckingham wherein they expresse their resolutions to associate themselves with this Armie for the more speedy and happy effecting of a true lasting and wel grounded Peace to the King Parliament and Kingdome and in order to that have delayed obedience to the command of many of their Officers who for some reasons best known to themselves have refused to joyne with them in their just desires and have also as formerly now againe petitioned mee to exempt them from further obedience to any other command then what may conduce for the obtaining of the just desires and establishment of the peace of the Kingdome as in the inclosed papers is more fully exprest and further desiring to march up speedily to the Army All which being of so great concernment to the Kingdome and not well admitting delay thought fit to represent unto you with speed their severall Papers and Desires that I might receive your pleasure concerning the things they desire your commands for their present disposall to the end they may be better kept in Discipline and obedience and such disorders prevented as by reason
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
for divers of them wee have had particular assurance we doe therefore desire that such of the Kings party who shall appeare to have expressed and shall hereafter expresse that way their good affections to the peace and welfare of the Kingdome and to hinder the imbroyling of the same in a new Warre may be freed and exempted from compositions or to pay but one yeares Revenue or a twentieth part These particulars fore-going are the Heads of such proposalls as wee have agreed on to tend in order to the setling of the peace of this Kingdome leaving the Termes of peace for the Kingdome of Scotland to stand as in the late propositions of both Kingdomes untill that Kingdome shall agree to any alteration Next to the Proposalls aforesaid for the present setling of a peace wee shall desire that no time may be lost by the Parliament for dispatch of other things tending to the welfare ease and just satisfaction of the Kingdome and in speciall manner 1. That the just and necessary liberty of the people to represent their grievances and desires by way of Petition may be cleared and vindicated according to the fift Head in the late Representation or Declaration of the Army sent from St. Albans 2. That in pursuance of the same Head in the said Declaration the the common grievances of the people may be speedily considered of and effectually redressed and in particular 1. That the Excise may be taken off from such Commodities whereon the poore people of the Land doe ordinarily live and a certaine time to be limitted for taking off the whole 2. That the oppressions and incroachments of Forrest-Laws may be prevented for future 3. All Monopolies old or new and restraints to the freedome of trade to be taken off 4. That a course may be taken and Commissioners appointed to remedy and rectifie the inequallity of rates lying upon severall Counties and severall parts of each County in respect of others and to settle the proportions for Land rates to more equallity throughout the Kingdome in order to which wee shall offer some further particulars which wee hope may be usefull 5. The present unequall troublesome and contentious way of Ministers maintenance by Tythes to be considered of and some remedy applyed 6. That the rules and course of Law and the Officers of it may be so reduced and reformed as that all suits and questions of Right may be more cleare and certaine in the issues and not so tedious nor chargeable in the proceeding as now in order to which wee shall offer some further particulars hereafter 7. That Prisoners for Debt or other Creditors who have estates to discharge them may not by imbracing imprisonment or any other wayes have advantage to defraud their Creditors but that the Estates of all men may be some way made liable to their Debts as well as Tradesmen are by Commissions of Bankrupt whether they be imprisoned for it or not And that such Prisoners for Debt who have not wherewith to pay or at least doe yeeld up what they have to their Credâ—tors may be freed from imprisonment or some way provided for so as neither they nor their Families may perish by their imprisonments 8. Some provision to be made that none may be compelled by penalties or otherwise to answer unto questions tending to the accusing of themselves or their neerest relations in criminall causes And no mans life to be taken away under two witnesses 9. That consideration may be had of all Statutes and the Laws or Customes of Corporations imposing any Oathes either to repeale or else to qualifie and provide against the same so farre as they may extend or be construed to the molestation or ensnareing of religious and peaceable people meerly for non conformity in Religion 3. That according to the sixt Head in the Declaration of the Army the large powers given to Committees or Debuty Lieutenants during the laâ—e times of warre and distractioâ— may be speedily taken into consideration to be recalled and made void and that such powers of that nature as shall appeare necessary to be continued may be put into a regulated way and left to as little Arbitrarinesse as the nature and necessity of the things wherein they are conversant will beare 4. That according to the seventh Head in the said Declaration an effectuall course may be taken that the Kingdome may be righted and satisfied in point of Accounts for the vast summes that have been levyed 5. That provision may be made for payment of Arreares to the Army and the rest of the Souldiers of the Kingdome who have concurred with the Army in the late desires and proceedings thereof And in the next place for payment of the publicke debts and dammages of the Kingdome and that to be performed first to such persons whose debts or dammages upon the publicke Account are great and their estates small so as they are thereby reduced to a difficulty of subsistance In order to all which and to the fourth particular last preceding wee shall speedily offer some further particulars in the nature of rules which wee hope will be of good use towards publick satisfaction Signed by the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre Jo. Rushworth Secret August 1. 1647. A DECLARATION From his Excellency S ir THO FAIRFAX And his Councell of VVarre WHen this Army was formerly led by the manifold dispensations of Gods providence and the grounds then declared to advance towards the Citie of London wee held it our duty to yeeld the Kingdome the sum of those desires which we had to propose on behalf of it and our selves wherein we should acquiesce And having received from the Parliament some hopes of due satisfaction therein and some assurance from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London of the ready concurrence with us in those things and also great resolution professed by them of their care and tendernesse to preserve all the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament safe free and inviolated from attempts of all kinds wee doe appeale to God to the City and to all men what a speedy compliance to their desires for our removall to a further distance found in this Army for preventing all feares jealoufies and other inconveniences to the Citie and to give cleare testimony that wee had nothing in our breasts but thoughts of peace and the good and welfare both of Parliament City and Kingdome notwithstanding many false and scandalous reports raised that we sought our selves that we had vile and wicked ends and that nothing would satisfie the Souldier but the plunder of the City the contrary whereof did manifestly appeare when they readily marched back upon hopes of satisfaction in their desires of publique concernment Having then upon the aforesaid confidence so withdrawne and out of a just sense of the Countries suffering by quartering removed the Head-quarter of the Army above forty miles from London and dispersed the rest well
being duly setled we shall be as ready also to assure unto the King his just Rights and authority as any that pretend it never so much for the better upholding of an ill cause and the countenance of tumultuous violence against the Parliament the which our honest just and necessary undertakings as we are resolved to pursue with the utmost hazzard of our lives and fortunes so wee doubt not but we shall find Gods accustomed goodnesse and assistance with as therein till wee have brought them to a good and happy conclusion for this poore distracted and languishing Kingdome A REMONSTRANCE From his Excellency S ir THO FAIRFAX And the Army under his Command WHen by the blessing of God upon the endeavours of this Army and other forces of the Parliament the adverse forces and Garrisons within this Kingdome were dissipated and reduced a present quiet and freedome of Trade and all Commerce and businesse restored to all parts of the Kingdome and an hopefull way made for setling of a sound lasting Peace on good termes for the Interest of the Kingdome instead of the hoped fruit of our labours and hazzards and of the Kingdomes vast expence in the dispensing of Justice and Righteousnesse and the setling and upholding of common Right and freedome to the Subjects of this Nation we found immediately the crosse-workings of a strong and prevalent Partie in the Parliament and Kingdome who walking under the maske of the Parliaments friends but being in truth men of corrupt and private ends and Interests different from and destructive to the reall and common Interest of the Kingdome made use of their power to obstruct and pervert Justice to injure oppresse and crush the peaceable and well-affected people of the Kingdome to abridge and overthrow all just freedome and libertie and drive on designes to set up a Party and faction in the Parliament and Kingdome and by the advantage of a perpetuall Parliament to domineere over and inslave the Kingdome to posteritie And for that end to make such a Peace with the King if any as without any just provision for the common and true Interest of the people and the securitie thereof for future would serve onely to make up and establish their own greatnesse and the affected domination of themselves and their Partie over all others To all which ends as before this Parliament the ignominious names of Puritan and Non-conformist and the specious pretences for setling of Order Decencie and Uniformity in Religion were made use of to the prejudice trouble and suppressing of all that appeared either for the Truth and power of Religion or for the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and towards the advancing at once both of an Ecclesiasticall and Civill tyranny So this generation of men in the application of the Parliaments Power succeeding the former in the exercise of the Kings have made use of the odious names of Brownists Anabaptists Independents Hereticks Schismaticks or Sectariâ—s of one sort or other to blast such men in whom the Truth and power of Religion or a just sense of the common Interest of the Kingdome hath appeared and have held forth the pretences of Reformation and Uniformity to colour and countenance their Designes of setting up their owne irreligious or pharisaicall domineering faction to the oppression of all other people And herein they have had a great advantage to further their aforesaid Designes by reason of the jealousies which many Conscientious men of the Presbyterian Judgement have enterrained concerning this Army and concerning divers other eminent and worthy Instruments of the Kingdomes good who being in places of publick trust and power were supposed to be of the Independent way In pursuance of their aforesaid designeâ— they endeavoured and by their power and influence upon the Parliament and the advantage of such pretences as aforesaid very much prevailed to put out of all places of power or publick trust the most sobâ—â— and coâ—sciencious men and such as had approved themselves faithfull to the publick interest throughout all the late troubles and to put in debauched and dissolute men or such as would for advantage serve their prevate interests and for that end in cases where they could not otherwise prevaile procured such Garrisons to be slighted and such powers to be recalled though more necessary to have been continued which they found in the hands of persons of the former sort and such to be continued though lesse necessary as they found in the hands of the later And the better to strengthen themselves in their designes closing with a very poâ—â—â—â—ul party in the Citie of London they first with much activitie endeavoured and prevailed to new modell the Common-Councell and forme the same to their own party and then stirred them up to Petition amongst other things concurrent to their ends for the alteration of the City Militia who by their continuall violent and pressing Importunitie at the Parliaments doores wrung from the Parliament an Ordinance for that purpose whereby they procured the power of that Militia the speciall influence whereof upon the Citie and Kingdome and upon the Parliament it selfe being the onely guard they had for their safe sitting is evident to all men to be taken out of those hands in which it had been continued without out prejudice and with great and known security and advantage both co the Parliament City and Kingdome throughout the late troubles and this without any exception either then or since made against them and to be put into the hands of such others as were at best of doubtfull affections to the interest of the Parliament and Kingdome but indeed men given up and ingaged to the private interests and designes of the said factious party as hath since too evidently appeared and as in the late Declaration of the Army concerning the grounds of our advance towards London is more fully remonstrated And finding this Army not for their turnes they made it their maine worke to dis-band or breake it in pieces even before the reliefe of Ireland were provided for or the peace of this Kingdome setled And though all this went under the pretence of easing the present burthenâ— of the Kingdome yet at the same time they designed and went about to put the Kingdome to the expence and trouble of raising and forming a new force under pretence as for the service of Ireland but evidently designed and so framed as to serve their own ends and purposes aforesaid in England And being many of them filled and acted with personall envy and others with malignity of principles and interests against this Army and the worke of God by it It would not serve their turne to breake or dis-band it but it must be with all possible dishonour injury oppression and provocation that they could put upon it And it was too evident that their endeavour was not onely to put it off without the honour or satisfaction due to it for the service it had done but to
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
with Francis Wade and Robert White by Serjeant Creswell to forfeit their whole estates and remaine prisoners during the Kings pleasure Francis Wade being urged to drinke the Kings health denyed it saying that King James said That the King which ruled not according to his Lawes is no longer a King but a Tyrant and that the King had put the Parliament out of his protection and in them the whole Kingdom Therefore no King Robert White having been a souldier in the Parliaments service was demanded upon his return what he would have done to the King had he met him in the head of his Army answered he would as soone have killed him as another man Roger Crabb for comparing the King to the golden Calfe which the Israelites worshipped or words to that purpose stands convicted by Justice Bacon since July 1646. and fined at an hundred marks to lye in Gaole till payment James Simball being at this instant a prisoner and in Irons at the said Gaole was indicted by one Wimball formerly a Cavallier sonne in law and partner to Richardson Keeper and Bailiffe of the prison called the Clinke now under sequestration and they keepers for the State the said Symbals goods being within their liberty as aforesaid have seized and made stay thereof as being confiscated to the King The said Richardson and Windball commencing suites in their owne Court for that the said Symbals brother defending part of the said goods in right of himelfe having formerly lent them to the said James his brother Francis Wade Robert White and Roger Crab are return'd as prisoners in the Kalender to the White Lion by Justice Bacon who fined Mr. Devinish late Keeper of the said County Gaole threescore pounds for suffering the said prisoners to have some liberty In Crabs case the Jury brought him guilty of the words spoken by him but they were neither seditious scandalous nor pernitious Justice Bacon used much Argument to perswade the Jury to finde the judgement they having formerly twice returned him And caused the said Jury to be locked up all night without meate drinke fire or candle untill they had returned him as he stood indicted The Explanation or Declarations of the sence of His Excellency and the generall Councell of the Army upon severall particulars in the Proposalls afore-going in answer to certain Queries thereupon made by the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army agreed upon at the generall Councel held at Putney on Thursday Septem 16. 1647. 1. Vpon the first generall Head TO the Quere concerning the time of commencement of the yeare within which a period to this Parliament is desired The explanation was thought fit to be suspended untill it should appear what expedition will be made in the settlement of the things proposed 2. Vpon the first particular under the first generall Head To the Quere Whether not rather Trienniall Parliaments and the act for that purpose to be continued with supplementall additions according to the effect of the particulars contained under this generall Head Resolved That as to the circumstance of time we are satisfied with either Bienniall or Trienniall Parliaments provided that in case Triennialls be prefer'd there be a proportionable addition to the time for the certainety of their sitting to viz. to be at least for six or eight monthes 3. Vpon the second particular under the first generall Head To the Quere concerning the prejudice of laying a limitation upon Parliaments not to sit past 240. dayes Resolved That that limitation is to be understood with this exceptions viz. unlesse any Parliament shall find it necessary for the safety of the Kingdome to sit longer but still with this proviso That each Parliament shall dissolve of course at least 80. dayes before the next Bienniall or Trienniall if not otherwise dissolved sooner so as that course of new Elections may never be interrupted 4. Vpon the eighth particular under the first generall Head To the Quere concerning the prejudice to Parliament freedom which this particular might induce Resolved That the liberty of entring dissents is not desired but in case where the major vote may bee to the destruction or prejudice of the Common Right or liberty of the Subject 5. Vpon the first particular under the second generall head viz. concerning the Militia To the Quere concerning what 's ment by the power of the Militia Resolved That by these words the power of the Militia is meant the power of raising arming c. according to the expressions used in the Proposition of both Kingdoms concerning the Militia 6. Vpon the third particular under the same Head To the Quere concerning the expressing of that power of raising disposing moneys by both Houses Resolved That we are well satisfied in the expressions thereof used in the Propositions of both Kingdoms concerning that matter 7. Vpon the fourth generall Head To the Quere what great Officers are meant Resolved The same that are named in the Proposition of both Kingdoms together with the office of High Admiral or Commissioners for the Admiall 8. Vpon the fourteenth Head concerning the King To the first Quere concerning the extent of these words without diminution to their personall rights Resolved That those words were not intended to extend to any part of the Revenues that have come or shall become due before the settlement so as to invalid or question any disposure thereof made by the Houses of Parliament or by authority derived from them To the second Quere upon the same head concerning the extent of these word without further limimitation to the exercise of the Royall power Res That these words are intended only as exclusive to any farther new limitations not to any that have been made heretofore by the Laws of the Land Putney 16. Septemb. 1647. By the appointment of His Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the generall Councell of the Army A Declaration from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the generall Councell of the Army held at Putney on Thursday Sept. 11. 1647. THe extream wants of the Souldiery both of the Army and other Forces and Garrisons that have concurred with us as also the sufferings of the Countries in respect of free Quarter and the necessities of the Kingdome for a speedy supply of money in relation to the disbanding of superfluous forces the sending over of others for the reliefe of Ireland and for the supplying of those Forces that are there already so as to prevent the danger of those distempers lately raised amongst them are such as we are and have been very sensible of and exceedingly pressed with the consideration of them Yet the care the Houses have so many wayes exprest for providing a present supply of monies in relation to all these affaires have made us hitherto silent as to that point in expectation to have found ere this time an answerable effect thereof in actuall supplies But finding that notwithstanding all their care yet through the neglect or delay of those