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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A82141	A declaration of the engagements, remonstrances, representations, proposals, desires and resolutions from His Excellency Sir Tho: Fairfax, and the generall councel of the Army. For setling of His Majesty in His just rights, the Parliament in their just priviledges, and the subjects in their liberties and freedomes. With papers of overtures, of the army with the Kings Majesty, the Parliament, the citie, and with the souldiery amongst themselves. Also representations of the grievances of the Kingdome, and remedies propounded, for removing the present pressures whereby the subjects are burthened. And the resolution of the army; for the establishment of a firme and lasting peace in Church and Kingdome. Die Lunæ, 27. Septembris, 1647. Whereas Math: Simmons hath beene at great charges in printing the Declarations and Papers from the Army in one volume. It is ordered by the Lords in Parliament assembled, that the said Math: Simmons shall have the printing and publishing thereof for the space of one whole yeare from the date hereof. And that none other shall re-print the same during that time. John Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum.	Fairfax, Thomas Fairfax, Baron, 1612-1671.	1647 (1647)	Wing D664; Thomason E409_25; ESTC R204445	144,071	176

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

Parliament extraordinary provided it meet above seventie dayes before the next Bienniall day and be dissolved at least sixtie dayes before the same so as the course of Bienniall-elections may never bee interrupted 4. That this Parliament and each succeeding Bienniall-Parliament at or before adjournment or dissolution thereof may appoint Committees to continue during the intervall for such purposes as are in any of these Proposalls referr'd to such Committees 5. That the Elections of the Commons for succeeding Parliaments may be distributed to all Counties or other parts or divisions of the Kingdome according to some rule of equality or proportion so as all Counties may have a number of Parliament Members allowed to their choice proportionable to therespective Rates they beare in the common charges and burthens of the Kingdome according to some other rule of equallity or proportion to render the House of Commons as neere as may be an equall Representative of the whole and in order thereunto that a present consideration be had to take off the Elections of Burgesses for poore decayed or inconsiderable Townes and to give some present addition to the number of Parliament-Members for great Counties that have now lesse then their due proportion to bring all at present as neere as may be to such a rule of proportion as aforesaid 6. That effectuall provision be made for future freedome of Elections and certainty of due returnes 7. That the House of Commons alone have the power from time to time to set downe further orders and rules for the ends expressed in the two last preceding Articles so as to reduce the Elections of Members for that House to more and more perfection of equality in the distribution freedome in the Election order in the proceeding thereto and certainty in the Returnes which orders and rules in that case to be as Lawes 8. That there be a liberty for entering dissents in the House of Commons with provision that no Member be censurable for ought said or voted in the House further then to exclusion from that trust and that onely by the judgement of the House it selfe 9. That the judiciall power or power of small Judgement in the Lords and Commons and their power of Exposition and Application of Law without further appeale may be cleared And that no Officer of Justice Minister of State or other person adjudged by them may be capable of Protection or pardon from the King without their advice and consent 10. That the Right and libertie of the Commons of England may be cleared and vindicated as to a due Exemption from any Judgement Triall or other proceeding against them by the House of Peeres without the concurring Judgement of the House of Commons As also from any other judgement sentence or proceeding against them other then by their equalls or according to the Law of the Land 11. The same Act to provide that grand Jury-men may be chosen by and for severall parts or divisions of each County respectively in some equall way and not remaine as now at the discretion of an under-Sheriffe to be put on or off And that such Grand Jury-men for their respective Counties may at each Assize present the names of persons to be made Justices of Peace from time to time as the Countrey hath need for any to be added to the Commission and at the summer Assize to present the names of three persons out of whom the King may prick one to be Sheriffe for the next yeare II. For the future security to Parliaments and the Militia in generall in order thereunto that is be provided by Act of Parliament 1. That the power of the Militia by Sea and Land during the space of ten yeares next ensuing shall be ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons Assembled and to be Assembled in the Parliament or Parliaments of England or by such persons as they shall nominate and appoint for that purpose from time to time during the said space 2. That the said power shall not be ordered disposed or exercised by the Kings Majesty that now is or by any person or persons by any Authority derived from him during the said space or at any time hereafter by his said Majesty without the advice and consent of the said Lords and Commons or of such Committees or Councell in the intervals of Parliament 〈◊〉 they shall appoint 3. That during the some sp●●ce of ten yeares the said Lords and Commons may by Bill or Ordinance raise and dispose of what moneys and for what Forces they shall from time to time finde necessary ●s also for payment of the publick debts and damages and for all other the publick uses of the Kingdome 4. And to the end the tempor●●y security intended by the three particulars last precedent may be the better assured it may therefore be provided That no Subjects that have been in Hostility against the Parliament in the late warre shall be capable of bearing any Office of power ●s publick trust in the Common-wealth during the space of five yeares without consent of Parliament or of the Councell of State or to sit as Members or assistants of either House of Parliament untill the second-●ituniall Parliament be past III. For the present forme of disposing the Militia in order to the peace and safety of this Kingdome and the service of Ireland 1. That there be Commissioners for the Admiralty with a Vice-Admirall and Rere● Admirall now to be agreed on with power for the forming regulating appointing of Officers and providing for the Navy and for ordering the same to and in the ordinary service of the Kingdome And that there be a sufficient provision and establishment for pay and maintenance thereof 2. That there be a Generall for command of the Land Forces that are to be in pay both in England Ireland and Wales both for Field and Garrison 3. That there be Commissioners in the severall Counties for the standing Militia of the respective Counties consisting of Trained Bands and Auxiliaries not in pay with power for the proportioning forming regulating training and disciplining of them 4. That there be a Councell of State with power to superintend and direct the severall and particular powers of the Militia last mentioned for the peace and safety of this Kingdome and of Ireland 5. That the same Councell may have power as the Kings privy Councell for and in all forraigne negotiations provided That the making of warre or peace with any other Kingdome or State shall not be without the advice and consent of Parliament 6. That the said power of the Councell of State be put into the hands of trusty and able persons now to be agreed on and the same persons to continue in that power si bene se gesserint for a certain Terme not exceeding seven yeares 7. That there be a sufficient establishment now provided for the salary Forces both in England and Ireland the establishment to continue untill two Moneths after the meeting of

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

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 Commi●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 Ex●ter At Northampton Wa●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 E●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

Enemy to his Army Read and consider was there ever such things done by a Parliament to proclaime us Enemies to the State as they have done about the late Petition the Lords and they could quickly agree to this though they will be very tedious when any thing is offered that is for the good of the common-wealth and to keep the hirelings * As that of 26. moneths the Horse are behind 13 Moneths pay and now to have but two Moneths pay judge Heaven and free people God be judge of this great evill Wages and not to give them that which they have so dearely bought with their blouds and lives even his pay and not only so but to leave them to the mercilesse malice of their wicked Enemies It is not better to dye lke men then to be enslaved and hanged like Dogs which must and wll be yours and our portion if not now looked unto even before our disbanding so you may plainly see by this their malice is great yea against our most honoured Generall as that in the Lords House they did more then whisper he was a Delinquent If they do so now and that to him what will they not doe not only to him but to you if a course be not taken for our and your security before wee be disbanded wee leave to you to judge We have been quiet and peaceable in obeying all Orders and commands yet now we have a just cause to tell you if we be not relieved in these our grievances wee shall be forced to that which we pray God to divert and keep your and our hearts upright desiring you to present these things to the Generall as our desires 1. THat the honour of this Army may be vindicated in every particular especially about the late Petition and reparations given and justice done upon the fomenters 2. That an Act of indempnity may be made for all things done in time and place of Warre 3. That the Wives and children of those that have been slaine in the service and maimed Souldiers may be provided for 4. Our Arreares under this Generall to be paid us our Arrears under other Generalls to be audited and stated and security given for the payment 5. That we that have served the Parliament freely may not be pressed out of the Kingdome 6. That the Liberty of the Subject may be no longer inslaved but that Iustice and Iudgement may be dealt to the meanest Subject of this Land according to old Law Now unlesse all these our humble requests be by you for us your Souldiers and your selves stood for to be granted it had better we had never been born or at least we had never beene in Armes but that we had by the Sword been cut off from the misery we and you are like to undergoe So we rest in hopes of your faithfulnesse Your Souldiers A Copy of a Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Right honourable the Earl of Manchester My Lord YOur Lordships Letter of the 28 I received yesterday with the Votes of both Houses inclosed therein Before the receipt thereof I had called the Officers unto a generall Councel of Warre to advise concerning the better transaction of the businesse and prevention of all inconveniences thereupon and when they were in consultation I communicated your Lordships letter and the Votes therewith sent unto them After much time spent in debate thereof this inclosed was delivered unto me by the Officers as the Result of the Councell of War which being of very great concernment I held it my duty to hasten unto your Lordships It is no small griefe of heart unto me that there should be any dissatisfactions betwixt the Parliament and the Army and that the late votes did not give satisfaction I beseech God to direct your Lordships to proceed with wisdome that things may be determined in love and this poore Kingdome free from further distraction which is the earnest desire of Your Lordships most humble servant T. FAIRFAX Bury May 30. 1647. For the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore Mr. SPEAKER HAving called the Officers of the Army to Saint Edmunds Bury I communicated unto them yesterday the Votes of both Houses and a Letter of the House of Peeres sent therewith concerning the disbanding of the Army After long consultation had thereof this enclosed was delivered unto me as the Result of the Councell of Warre where the Officers were very many and unanimous which being of importance I held it my duty to hasten the same unto you being much perplexed in my thoughts that dis-satisfactions betwixt the Parliament and the Army should rather increase then lessen I intreat you that there may be wayes of love and composure thought upon I shall doe my endeavours though I am forc'd to yeeld to something out of order to keep the Army from disorder or worse inconveniences I desire you to take some speedy resolution for the composing of things whereby the Kingdome may be happy in a timely deliverance from further distraction for the effecting whereof I could be content to be a sacrifice as the last service you can have from Your most faithfull and humble servant T. FAIRFAX Burie May 30. 1647. For the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons To his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight Commander in Chiefe of the Parliaments Forces The Opinion and humble Advise of the Councell of Warre convened at Bury Saterday 29. May. 1647. In relation to the votes of Parliament communicated to us by your Excellency and the desires of our advice thercon Humbly Sheweth 1. THat upon the reports come to all quarters of the Army concerning the Votes and proceedings of the House May 21. As also of those on Tuesday May 25. we find the generallity of the Army as we are our selves much unsatisfied in the one and something amazed and startled at the other the first Votes of Friday coming much short of satisfaction as to the greivances of the Army then reported to the House and not taking any notice at all of some that were most materiall and the latter of Tuesday importing a resolution suddenly to disband the Army by peace-meale before equall satisfaction be given to the whole in any of the greivances or so much as any consideration had of some others most materiall And also before any effectuall performance of that satisfaction which the Votes of Friday seemed to promise as to some of the grievances all which we shall be readie upon a little time given us to represent to your Excellency more distinctly and in particular 2. That the said distraction and the jealousies occasioned upon the same proceedings as we feare and by some effects already appearing do find may unhappily produce dangerous disturbances and tumultuous actions amongst severall parts of the Army as they now lie dispersed and remote from the Head-quarters especially amongst those Regiments whose principall

shall hereafter intrude themselves to sit in Parliament before they shall have given satisfaction to the respective Houses wherefore they are concerning the grounds of their said sitting at Westminster during the absence of the said Speakers shal have acquitted themselves by sufficient evidence That they did not procure or give their consent unto any of those pretended Votes Orders or Ordinances tending to the raising and levying of a war as is before declared or for the Kings comming forth-with to London we cannot any longer suffer the same but shall doe that right to the Speakers and Members of both Houses who were driven away to us and to our selves with them all whom the said other Members have endeavoured in an hostile manner most unjustly to destroy and also to the Kingdome which they endeavoured to embroyle in a new War as to take some speedy and effectuall course whereby to restrain them from being their owne ●urs and the Kingdomes Judges in those things wherein they have made themselves parties by this meanes to make way that both they and others that are guilty of and parties to the afore-said treasonable and destructive practises and proceedings against the freedome of Parliament and peace of the Kingdome may be brought to condigne punishment and that at the judgment of a free Parliament consisting duely and properly of such Members of both Houses respectively who stand cleare from such apparant and treasonable breach of their trust as is before expressed By the appointment of his Excellency and the Generall Councell of his Army Signed John Rushworth Secr. At the head quarters at Kingston upon Thames Aug. 18. 1647. A Declaration from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax concerning the Excise WHereas it hath pleased the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled in and by their Declaration of the 28. of August last concerning the Excise to appoint me to order and enjoyne all Colonels Captaines Officers and Souldiers under my command upon application made to them or any of them speedily to suppresse all tumults ryots and unlawfull assemblies which shall be attempted or acted in opposition against the Commissioners of Excise their Sub-commissioners Collectors or Officers in execution of the Ordinances of Parliament for the Excise and to apprehend all such ryoters and tumultuous persons that they may be proceeded against according to law In pursuance wherof I doe hereby require all Colonels Captaines Officers and Souldiers under my command upon application from time to time of the said Commissioners of the Excise their sub-commissioners collectors or officers unto them or any of them to be ayding and assisting as well in preventing of such tumults and ryots as in the suppressing thereof Given under my hand and seale the fourth day of Septemb. 1647. Tho Fairfax A Letter from Hampton-Court containing the substance of His Majesties most Gracious Answer to the Propositions presented to him from both Kingdomes Right Honourable THe Commissioners of both Kingdomes came hither on Tuesday nigh● last September 7. instant delivered a Letter to the rest of the Commissioners whom they found here with His Majesty from both Houses of Parliament that the said Propositions should be presented to the King that night and that the Scots Commissioners would be there to joyn with them to present them to his Majesty They also shewed the instructions from the Houses to their fellow-Commissioners which were to present them that night and to certifie His Majesty that they were to expect a positive Answer thereunto within six days The Sc●ts Commissioners were also here ready to joyne with our in presenting them to His Majesty About five of the clock that night they all came to the King The Prince Elector had been there but was returned to Richmond His Majesties children were also there who had dined with His Majesty that day and the Countesse of Northumberland with them and they were then with his Majesty being not at that time returned to Sion House And Mr. Maxvill was then come to the Court who is Chamberlain to his Majesty The Commissioners acquainted his Majesty with their Message from both Kingdomes and desired audience which his Majesty granted and presently met them in one of the chambers where His Majesty was with his Children and there the Propositions were presented and read and his Majesty told them that hee would give them an Answer as soone as he could Then the King with-drew for some time so that His Majesty went late to Supper that night The Commissioners wrot● letters to the Houses to acquaint them what was done and what his Majesty said and desired that they might all returne to the Parliament when his Majesty gave them a dispatch Wednesday Septemb. 8. instant the King was up early in the morning being very desirous to dispatch the Commissioners with all possible speed his Majesty walked forth a little before Dinner and so a little againe in the after-noone to refresh himselfe Divers came from London and elsewhere and some obtained leave to kisse his Majesties hand Thursday Sept. 9. His Majesty called for the Commissioners and gave an Answer to them which is to this effect That His Majesty takes notice of these Propositions to be very little differing from the former presented to him at Newcastle to which his Majesty returned Answer when he came to Holdenby That his Majesty conceives they cannot but take notice of the Proposalls of the Army which all rationall men cannot but confesse are much more reasonable and tending to a firme and setled Peace And therefore his Majesty desires that Commissioners from the Parliament and Commissioners from the Army may be s●n● to His Majesty to treat with him upon the Proposalls from the Army that a firm Peace may be setled This Thursday the 9. instant the Earl of P●mbrooke and Major Generall Browne returned with his Majesties Answer bet●mes in the morning for it was toolate before they could return over night by reason of some things which were to be done by the Commissioners that night The Letter is directed to the Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament the like to the Scots Commissioners His Majesty is very confident that his Answer will give much satisfaction and His Majesty doth exceedingly approve of the proceedings of the Army Dated at Hampton-Court Sept. 9. 1647. Twelve Proposalls from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of his Armie which His Majesty seemes better to approve of then any thing which hath hitherto been presented to Him 1. AN Act to be passed to take away all coersive power authority and jurisdiction of Bishops and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers whatsoever extending to any civill penalties upon any and to repeal all Laws whereby the civill Magistracy hath been or is bound upon any Ecclesiasticall censure to proceed exofficio unto any civill penalties against any persons so censured 2. That there be a repeale of