in His own Palaces wondering they had no more Reverence for Majesty and to beget a belief of this they profess which they would have to be conceived with them was more sacred than any Oaths that they will never part with their Arms till they have made His way to His Throne and rendred the Condition of His Party more tolerable Besides these Promises and Compassions they permit Him the Ministery of His Chaplains in the Worship of God which it is said He took with so great a Joy that He almost believed Himself free and safe it being His most heavy burden while He was the Parliaments Captive the Commerce of Letters with the Queen the Visits of His own Party and the Service of His Courtiers some of whom they also admitted to their Council of War mould Propositions which they will urge in His behalf and alter them to the King's Gust and at His Advice In their publick Remonstrances against the Covetousness Ambition Injustice Cruelty and Self-mindedness of the Parliament they do sometimes obliquely sometimes plainly profess that the King Queen and the Royal Family must be restored to all their Rights or else no hope of a solid Peace but then they would intermix such Conditions as argued they sought Reserves for a perfidious escape For Cromwell did among his Confidents boast of his fine arts and that by these Indulgences was intended nothing but His Destruction By all these Impostures they prevailed nothing upon the Hopes or Fears of the King nor did He commit any thing unworthy His former Fortune and the Greatness of His Integrity and Wisdom or which any of the Disagreeing Factions could use to His reproach But they found another kind of Success upon the Parliament for they sacrificed to the commands of their Stipendiaries eleven Members of the House of Commons and seven of the Peers causing them to forbear sitting among them because they had been accused by the Army in a very frivolous Charge All men wondering at the inequality of those mens Spirits who had so furiously rejected the Articles of their lawful Sovereign against five or six of their Body and yet did now so tamely yield to the slight Cavils and dislike of their Mercenaries above thrice that Number They therefore concluded that neither Religion Justice or the Love of Liberty which are always uniform but unworthy Interests and corrupt Souls which vary with fears and hopes had been the Principles and first Movers of their attempts Besides this they were so prone to Slavery that they had gone on to Vote all the lusts of the Army had not a Tumult their arts being now turned upon their own heads from London stopp'd them in their violent speed and kept the Speaker in his Chair till they had voted more generously that it was neither for their Honour nor Interest to satisfie the demands of the Souldiers and that the King should come to London to treat These contrary desires of the divided Faction which had joyntly oppressed their Sovereign shewed that Ill men will more easily conspire together in War than consent in Peace and that Combinations in Crimes will conclude in Jealousies each Party thinking the advantages of the other too great and that Power is never thought faithful which is accounted excessive Therefore both prepare for War With the 140 Members that sate in Parliament were joyned the City and the cashiered Souldiers and Officers that had served in their pay With the Army were the Speakers of both Houses who had fled to them with about 50 of their Members that projected the Change of Government being either for an Oligarchy or Democracie yet left some of the same judgment behind to betray and disturb the Councils at London To these did adhere the Neighbouring Counties who were cajoled by the splendid Promises of the Army of Restoring the King which they much boasted Dissolving the Parliament and Establishing Peace and Government and they more willingly credited these because they had conceived an hatred of the Parliament and City both for beginning the War and now obstructing Peace The Army intitle their attempts for King and People Their Adversaries for bringing the King to His Parliament The Commanders were greedy of that War which promised an easie Victory and made the poor Souldiers hope for the Plunder of the City For the advantage was clear on the Army's side which consisted of veterane Souldiers united among themselves by a long Converse and known Commanders but the force of the other was made up of a tumultuary Multitude gathered under new Leaders and so had no mutual confidence their meetings were full of doubts and fears none could determine in private nor in publick consult because they dared not trust one another and it was observed that those who were most treacherous talk'd most boldly against the Enemy Therefore in the very beginnings the Parliament and City desert their Enterprise treat with and open their Gates to the Army who march in Triumph through London bringing the Speakers and their Fellow-Travellers to their Chairs seize upon the Tower dismantle the Fortifications pull down all the Chains and Posts of the City send the Lord Mayor and the chief Citizens to the Tower and reduce all the power of the Nation in Obedience to the Commanders For Fairfax is made General of all the Forces both in England and Ireland and Rainsbrough a Leveller and a violent Head of the Democraticks High Admiral The impeached Presbyterians fled beyond Sea others of that Sect drooping complyed with the Fortune of the Conquerours and that which grieved good Men most was a Publick Thanksgiving which is not to be observed but for the happy endeavours of a Nation in their vertuous and glorious undertakings for Liberty and Safety but now was prophaned for our Slavery and Misery to God was appointed for the Army and they were entertained now at a Feast whom before the City would have forced from their Walls While these things were in Motion the King consults Heaven for Direction and His Party modestly abstain from either side thought both to be abhorred and knew that Party would be the worst which should overcome The Army having now the greatest strengths of the Nation the Parliament and City at their Obedience make no mention of their former promises to the King only the Adjutators were fierce for breaking that Parliament and calling another as they call'd it more equal Representative But both their Synagogue and the Council of War being now delivered from fear of the Presbyterians began to contrive the destruction both of the King and Monarchy As for the King whom they had now brought to Hampton-Court some that had before contrived His Death and to murder Him while he was in the Scotch Camp so at once to satisfie their own Revenge and load their Enemies with the Infamy of the Murder yet could not then perform it were now fierce for a speedy and secret Assassination by Pistol or Poison Others would have
upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land service and shall from time to time during the space of ten years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to be raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea service in the Kingdoms Dominions and places aforesaid as in their judgments they shall from time to time during the said spaceof ten years think fit to appoint and that neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any other but such as shall Act by the Authority or approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of ten years exercise any of the powers aforesaid That Monies be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of ten years think fit and appoint and not otherwise That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of ten years be imployed managed ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And the said Lords and Commons or such as they shall appoint during the said space of ten years shall have power 1. To suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them 2. To suppress any foreign Forces who shall invade or indeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them And after the expiration of the said ten years neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission power deputation or authority to be derived from the King His Heirs or Successors or any of them shall without the consent of the said Lords and Commons raise arm train discipline imploy order manage disband or dispose any the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed nor exercise any of the said powers or authorities herein before-mentioned and expressed to be during the space of ten years in the said Lords and Commons nor do any act or any thing concerning the execution of the said powers or authorities or any of them without the consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained And with the same Provisoes for saving the ordinary legal power of Officers of Justice not being Military Officers as is set down in your Propositions and with a Declaration That if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in a warlike manner or otherwise to the number of thirty persons and shall not forthwith disperse themselves being required thereto by the said Lords and Commons or command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person or persons not so dispersing themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of high Treason being first declared guilty of such offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the Great Seal or other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding and he or they that shall so offend herein to be uncapable of any pardon from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors And likewise that it be provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties c. in raising and imploying the Forces of that City in such sort as is mentioned in the said Proposition With these Provisoes following to be inserted in the said Act. First That none be compelled to serve in the War against their Wills but in case of coming in of strange Enemies into this Kingdom And that the powers above-mentioned as concerning the Land-Forces other than for keeping up and maintenance of Forts and Garrisons and the keeping up maintaining and pay of this present Army so long as it shall be thought fit by both Houses of Parliament be exercised to no other purposes than for the suppressing of Forces raised or to be raised without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid or for suppressing of any Foreign Forces which shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms Dominions or places aforesaid And that the Monies be raised by general and equal Taxations saving that Tunnage and Poundage and such Imposts as have been applyed to the Navy be raised as hath been usual And that all Patents Commissions and other Acts concerning the premisses be made and acted in His Majesties name by Warrant signified by the Lords and Commons or such others as they shall authorize for that purpose If it shall be more satisfactory to His two Houses to have the Militia and powers thereupon depending during the whole time of His Majesty's Reign rather than for the space of ten years His Majesty gives them the election Touching Ireland His Majesty having in the two preceding Propositions given His consent concerning the Church and the Militia there in all things as in England as to all other matters relating to that Kingdom after advice with His two Houses He will leave it to their determination and give His consent accordingly as is herein hereafter expressed Touching publick Debts His Majesty will give His consent to such an Act for raising of Monies by general and equal Taxations for the payment and satisfying the Arrears of the Army publick Debts and engagements of the Kingdom as shall be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament and shall be audited and ascertained by them or such persons as they shall appoint within the space of twelve Months after the passing of an Act for the same His Majesty will consent to an Act that during the said space of ten years the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper Commissioners of the Great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports Chancellour of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of England be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England to continue quam diu se bene gesserint and in the intervals of Parliament by such others as they shall authorize for that purpose His Majesty will consent that the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof during the space of ten years may be in the ordering and Government of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in the Common Council assembled or such as they shall from time to
If the time spent in this Parliament be considered in relation backward to the long growth and deep root of those Grievances which we have removed to the powerful supports of those Delinquents which we have pursued to the great necessities and other charges of the Commonwealth for which we have provided or if it be considered in relation forward to many advantages which not only the present but future ages are like to reap by the good Laws and other proceedings in this Parliament we doubt not but it will be thought by all indifferent judgments that our time hath been much better imployed then in a far greater proportion of time in many former Parliaments put together and the charges which have been laid upon the Subjects and the other inconveniences which they have born will seem very light in respect of the benefit they have and may receive And for the matter of Protections the Parliament is so sensible of it that therein they intend to give them whatsoever ease may stand with Honour and Justice and are in a way of passing a Bill to give them satisfaction They have sought by many subtle practices to cause jealousies and divisions betwixt us and our brethren of Scotland by slandering their proceedings and intentions towards us and by secret endeavours to instigate and incense them and us one against another They have had such a party of Bishops and Popish Lords in the House of Peers as hath caused much opposition and delay in the prosecution of Delinquents hindered the proceedings of divers good Bills passed in the Commons House concerning the reformation of sundry great abuses and corruptions both in Church and State They have laboured to seduce and corrupt some of the Commons House to draw them into Conspiracies and Combinations against the Liberty of the Parliament and by their Instruments and agents they have attempted to disaffect and discontent His Majesties Army and to engage it for the maintenance of their wicked and traiterous designs the keeping up of Bishops in their Votes and Functions and by force to compel the Parliament to order limit and dispose their proceedings in such manner as might best concur with the intentions of this dangerous and potent faction And when one mischievous design and attempt of theirs to bring on the Army against the Parliament and the City of London had been discovered and prevented they presently undertook another of the same damnable nature with this addition to it to endeavour to make the Scotish Army neutral whilst the English Army which they had laboured to corrupt and invenome against us by their false and slanderous suggestions should execute their malice to the subversion of our Religion and the dissolution of our Government Thus they have been continually practising to disturb the Peace and plotting the destruction even of all the Kings dominions and have employed their Emissaries and Agents in them all for the promoting of their devilish designs which the vigilancy of those who were well-affected hath still discovered and defeated before they were ripe for execution in England and Scotland only in Ireland which was farther off they have had time and opportunity to mould and prepare their work and had brought it to that perfection that they had possessed themselves of that whole Kingdom totally subverted the Government of it rooted out Religion and destroyed all the Protestants whom the conscience of their duty to God their King and Countrey would not have permitted to joyn with them if by God's wonderful providence their main enterprise upon the City and Castle of Dublin had not been detected and prevented upon the very Eve before it should have been executed Notwithstanding they have in other parts of that Kingdom broken out into open Rebellion surprized Towns and Castles committed murders rapes and other villanies and shaken off all bonds of Obedience to His Majesty and the Laws of the Realm and in general have kindled such a fire as nothing but God's infinite blessing upon the wisdom and endeavours of this State will be able to quench it And certainly had not God in his great mercy unto this Land discovered and confounded their former designs we had been the Prologue to this Tragedy in Ireland and had by this time been made the lamentable spectacle of misery and confusion And now what hope have we but in God when as the only means of our subsistence and power of Reformation is under Him in the Parliament But what can we the Commons without the conjunction of the House of Lords and what conjunction can we expect there when the Bishops and Recusant Lords are so numerous and prevalent that they are able to cross and interrupt our best endeavours for Reformation and by that means give advantage to this malignant party to traduce our proceedings They infuse into the People that we mean to abolish all Church-government and leave every man to his own fancy for the Service and Worship of God absolving him of that Obedience which he owes under God unto His Majesty whom we know to be entrusted with the Ecclesiastical Law as well as with the Temporal to regulate all the members of the Church of England by such rules of order and discipline as are established by Parliament which is his great Council in all affairs both of Church and State We confess our intention is and our endeavours have been to reduce within bounds that exorbitant power which the Prelates have assumed unto themselves so contrary both to the Word of God and to the Laws of the Land to which end we past the Bill for the removing them from their Temporal power and employments that so the better they might with meekness apply themselves to the discharge of their functions Which Bill themselves opposed and were the principal instruments of crossing it And we do here declare that it is far from our purpose or desire to let loose the golden reins of Discipline and Government in the Church to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of Divine Service they please for we hold it requisite that there should be throughout the whole Realm a Conformity to that Order which the Laws enjoyn according to the Word of God and we desire to unburthen the Consciences of men of needless and superstitious Ceremonies suppress innovations and take away the monuments of Idolatry And the better to effect the intended Reformation we desire there may be a general Synod of the most grave pious learned and judicious Divines of this Island assisted with some from foreign parts professing the same Religion with us who may consider of all things necessary for the peace and good Government of the Church and represent the results of their consultations unto the Parliament to be there allowed of and confirmed and receive the stamp of Authority thereby to find passage and obedience throughout the Kingdom They have malitiously charged us that we intend to destroy and discourage
which was so really and so much desired by His Majesty that this Proceeding seems to Him purposely by some intended to divert which it could not do that His Inclination That His Majesty had no intention to master the City by so advancing besides His Profession which how meanly soever they seem to value it He conceives a sufficient Argument especially being only opposed by suspicions and surmises may appear by His not pursuing His Victory at Brainceford but giving orders to His Army to march away to Kingston as soon as He heard that place was quitted before any notice or appearance of farther Forces from London Nor could He find a better way to satisfie them before-hand that He had no such intention but that His desire of Peace and of Propositions that might conduce to it still continued than by that Message of the twelfth For which care of His He was requited by such a reception of His Message and Messenger as was contrary at once both to Duty Civility and the very Customs and Law of War and Nations and such as theirs though after this Provocation hath not found from Him His Majesty wonders that His Souldiers should be charged with thirsting after Blood who took above five hundred Prisoners in the very heat of the Fight His Majesty having since dismissed all the common Souldiers and entertain'd such as were willing to serve Him and required only from the rest an Oath not to serve against Him And His Majesty supposes such most apt and likely to maintain their Power by Blood and Rapine who have only got it by Oppression and Injustice That His is vested in Him by the Law and by that only if the destructive Counsels of others would not hinder such a Peace in which that might once again be the Universal Rule and in which Religion and Justice can only flourish He desires to maintain it And if Peace were equally desired by them as it is by His Majesty He conceives it would have been proper to have sent Him such a Paper as should have contained just Propositions of Peace and not an unjust Accusation of His Counsels Proceedings and Person And His Majesty intends to march to such a distance from His City of London as may take away all Pretence of Apprehension from His Army that might hinder them in all security from yet preparing them to present to Him and there will be ready either to receive them or to end the Pressures and Miseries which His Subjects to His great Grief suffer through this War by a present Battel The Humble Petition of Both Houses of Parliament presented to His Majesty on the 24. of November With His Majesties Gracious Answer thereunto To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament May it please Your Majesty IT is humbly desired by both Houses of Parliament That Your Majesty will be pleased to return to Your Parliament with Your Royal not Your Martial Attendance to the end that Religion Laws and Liberties may be settled and secured by their advice finding by a late and sad accident that Your Majesty is invironed by some such Counsels as do rather perswade a desperate Division than a joyning and a good Agreement with Your Parliament and People And we shall be ready to give Your Majesty assurances of such Security as may be for Your Honour and the safety of Your Royal Person His MAJESTY's Answer to the aforesaid Petition WE expected such Propositions from you as might speedily remove and prevent the Misery and Desolation of this Kingdom and that for the effecting thereof We now residing at a convenient place not far from Our City of London Committees from both Our Houses of Parliament should attend Us for you pretended by your Message to Us at Colebrook that those were your Desires instead thereof and thereby let all the World judge of the design of that Overture We have only received your humble Petition That We would be pleased to return to Our Parliament with Our Royal not Our Martial Attendance All Our good Subjects that remember what We have so often told you and them upon this Subject and what hath since past must with Indignation look upon this Message as intended by the Contrivers thereof for a Scorn to Us and thereby designed by that Malignant party of whom We have so often complained whose Safety and Ambition is built upon the Divisions and Ruines of this Kingdom and who have too great an Influence upon your Actions for a Wall of Separation betwixt Us and Our People We have told you the Reasons why We parted from London how We were chased thence and by whom We have often complained that the greatest part of Our Peers and of the Members of Our House of Commons could not with safety to their Honours and Persons continue and Vote freely among you but by violence and cunning practices were debarred of those Priviledges which their Birth-rights and the Trust reposed in them by their Countries gave them the truth whereof may sufficiently appear by the small number of those that are with you We have offered you to meet both Our Houses in any place free and convenient for Us and them but We never could receive the least satisfaction in any of these particulars nor for those Scandalous and Seditious Pamphlets and Sermons which swarm amongst you That 's all one you tell Us it is now for Our Honour and the Safety of Our Royal Person to return to Our Parliament wherein your formerly denying Us a Negative Voice gives Us cause to believe that by giving your selves that Name without Us you intend not to acknowledge Us to be part of it The whole Kingdom knows that an Army was raised under pretence of Orders of both Houses an Usurpation never heard of before in any Age which Army hath pursued Us in Our own Kingdom gave Us Battel at Keynton and endeavoured to take away the life of Us and Our Children and yet these Rebels being newly recruited and possessed of Our City of London We are courteously invited to return to Our Parliament there that is into the Power of this Army Doth this signifie any other thing than that since the traitourous endeavours of those desperate Men could not snatch the Crown from Our Head it being defended by the Providence of God and the Affections and Loyalty of Our good Subjects We should now tamely come up and give it them and put Our Selves Our Life and the lives liberties and fortunes of all Our good Subjects into their merciful hands Well We think not fit to give any other Answer to this part of your Petition But as We impute not this Affront to both Our Houses of Parliament nor to the major part of those that are now present there but to that dangerous Party We and the whole Kingdom must cry out upon so We shall for Our good Subjects sake and out of Our most tender sense of their
only what in them lieth to preserve and defend themselves their Religion and Laws from the violence of an Army first raised against them which being laid down and disbanded they offer to Disband theirs without any other condition But they are well assured that by this His Majesty's Answer here is not only a requiring of new Laws but a repealing of the old by Arms for His Majesty must have this Parliament adjourned to another place which by a Statute made this present Parliament cannot be done without the consent of both Houses He must have the Members disabled to sit there by the respective judgment of both Houses restored to their former capacity of sitting and voting or He will not consent to Disband And how destructive to the Liberties of the Parliament and dangerous to the Kingdom these Conditions required by His Majesty to precede the Disbanding are any man that hath an eye to see may easily discern As first to satisfie His first Proposition in yielding up the Magazines Ships and Forts into the hands of such persons as His Majesty shall appoint to receive the same without any admission to the two Houses to express their confidence in those persons which being performed were to yield up the principal part if not all the strength they have and expose themselves Religion and the Kingdom to the mercy of a powerful Popish Army raised against them and submit it to them and to the will and pleasure of those Counsellors whose interest with His Majesty hath brought this Kingdom to this desolate condition whether they would Disband or not Secondly to satisfie Him in His Proposition touching His Revenue wherein He demands a restitution of what hath been taken from Him which though it would prove no considerable Summ yet the time that the examination and agreement upon the account would necessarily take up would prove such as might very well make the Kingdom sink under the burthen of two Armies before it came to a conclusion And touching His Majesty's requiring a restitution of the Members to their sitting and Votes it is observable that the Demand is made without distinction of persons or offences so that be the persons never so criminous or the offences never so notorious and so the Judgment never so just yet all must be restored or no consent to Disbanding And the reason and ground of the Demand is as observable because they adhered to His Majesty in these Distractions An Argument they must confess much used by the Earl of Strafford in defence of his Treason who would have justified the most notorious Crimes laid to his charge by Authority and Commands derived from His Majesty and his zeal to advance His Majesty's Service and Profit And no doubt the same reason may be used for the Judges in case of Ship-mony and most of the Monopolists and Projectors who by Letters Patents had not only His Majesty's Command and Authority for the doing what they did but brought in great Summs of Mony to His use and benefit and that perhaps in times of necessity and want thereof and so consequently because these adhered to His Majesty for what they did was for His Profit with the like reason it may be required that all Impeachments and Proceedings against them should be repealed and laid aside And surely nothing can be more destructive and dangerous both to Parliament and Kingdom than the consenting to that Demand for what can be more destructive to both Houses than to restore those persons to have their former suffrage and Votes in Parliament over the Lives and Liberties of the People and the Priviledge of Parliament who have not only deserted the Parliament disobeyed and contemned their Authority neglected the Trust reposed in them by those that sent them thither in whose behalf they were to attend and serve there but by private practices and open hostility have endeavoured to destroy both Parliament and People And it would be an Objection of difficulty to answer whether in giving a consent to this Demand the People who are to chuse these Members should not be deprived of their interest and freedom of choice and election now devolved unto them by putting out the Members already sent And to this they might add the danger of the Precedent and the reflection of dishonour that would fall upon both Houses should they consent to this which would be with the same breath as it were to give and repeal their Judgment and pronounce sentence of injustice and rashness against themselves But they will not insist thereupon in a case otherwise so full of danger and inconvenience to the publick And touching the Proposition of Adjourning the Parliament twenty miles distant from London they shall not need in a case so apparent to spend many words to discover the inconvenience and unreasonableness thereof for should they assent unto it to pass over the inconveniences that would happen to such persons that should have occasion to attend the Parliament by removing it so far from the residency of the ordinary Courts of Justice and the places where the Records of the Kingdom remain whereof there is frequent use to be made it would not only give a tacite consent to those Scandals so often pressed and affirmed in several Declarations that is That His Majesty was forced for the Safety of His own Person heretofore to withdraw and hitherto to absent Himself from the Parliament which both Houses can by no means admit but must still deny but likewise to that high and dangerous Aspersion of awing the Members of this Parliament raised without doubt purposely to invalid the Acts and proceedings thereof and by that engine in case the Popish Army should prevail against the Parliament which they trust God in his goodness will never permit to overturn and nullifie all the good Laws and Statutes made this Parliament And it would give too much countenance to those unjust Aspersions laid to the charge of the City of London whose unexampled zeal and fidelity to the true Protestant Religion and the Liberty of this Kingdom is never to be forgotten That His Majesty and the Members of both Houses cannot with safety to their persons reside there whenas they are well assured that the Loyalty of that City to His Majesty and their Affections to the Parliament is such as doth equal if not exceed any other place or City in the Kingdom And with what safety the two Houses can sit in any other place when even in the place they now reside the House of Commons was in apparent danger of Violence when His Majesty accompanied with some hundreds of armed Men came thither to demand their Members let the World judge And now the Lords and Commons must appeal to the judgment of all impartial men whether they have not used their utmost and most faithful endeavours to put an end to the Distractions of this Kingdom and to restore it to a blessed and lasting Peace and whether their Propositions being
under the Command of Robert Earl of Essex which Army hath not only endeavoured to take Our Life from Us in a set Battel but the same and other Forces raised by the like means have committed all the Acts of Outrage Robbery and Murther upon Our good Subjects throughout the Kingdom and still continue to do the same And though in truth a very small part of that great Councel remain there together yet under pretence of having the countenance of Our two Houses of Parliament some Seditious Persons assume to themselves with the assistance of those Rebellious Armies and of divers mutinous and desperate Brownists Anabaptists and other ill-affected Persons in Our City of London by whose means they awe such Members of both Houses who yet continue amongst them a power to do things absolutely contrary to the Laws of the Land and destructive to Our Rights and to the Liberty and Property of the Subject and to alter the whole frame and Government of this Kingdom disposing of the Lives and Fortunes of Us and Our good Subjects according to their discretion subjecting both to their own unlimited Arbitrary Power and Government We have only accused some particular Persons whom We well knew to be the Authors and Contrivers of these desperate Counsels and Actions and have forborn to censure or charge the whole number of the Members remaining by whose Orders and Authority the evils have been pretended to be done well hoping that the Sense of the miserable Distractions of the Kingdom would at length have brought them to discern where they had erred and Our often Messages and Complaints of the Violence offered to Us and to the Members of both Houses would have procured Justice and Redress and that the Power and Reputation of such amongst them who wished well to the Peace of the Kingdom and Honour and Dignity of Parliaments would at last have so far prevâ—â—â—ed that a right understanding might have been begotten between Us and Our People and all shew of Force and Violence so taken away and suppressed that We might in a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament with the Advice of that Our great Council have so setled the present Distempers that there might be no fear left of the like for the future But finding to Our great grief that the Power of those Seditious Persons who first contrived these desperate and bloody Distractions continues so great That as they have driven and now keep Us and the much greater part of both Houses from being present at that Council so they so far awe those who remain there that they cannot with freedom give their Votes and Resolutions according to their Consciences and the Laws and Constitutions of the Kingdom That the Members of both Houses have been compelled to make Protestations to live and die with the Earl of Essex the General of the Rebellious Army and other unlawful and Treasonable Protestations and that such who have refused to take the said Protestations have been expelled and imprisoned for such their refusal That the great Affairs of the Kingdom are managed â—nd concluded by a private Committee without being ever reported to the Houses contrary to the Laws and Rules of Parliament That the Common-councel of London most of them being Persons factiously chosen out of Brownists Anabaptists and such who oppose the regular wholesome Government of that City and have promised themselves the destruction of the Church are grown the Superintendants over both Houses and obtrude upon them what Conclusions and Resolutions they please That they take upon them to justifie this Rebellion against Us and have presumed under pretence of the Order of both Houses to invite Foreign Forces to invade this Kingdom to send Agents to Foreign Princes to negotiate and treat with them in their own Names to imprison Our good Subjects contrary to Law prohibiting Our Judges to grant Habeas corpus according to Law to introduce a new Clergy throughout the Kingdom by displacing Godly Learned Divines without the least colour of Law or judicial Proceedings and putting ignorant Seditious Preachers in their Places to poison the hearts of the People to countenance the vilifying of the Book of Common-Prayer established by the Law of the Land to seize levy and take away what they please of the Estates and Fortunes of Our Subjects by disposing of the Twentieth Part of their Estates by exhausting them with insupportable Weekly Taxes for the maintainance of their Rebellious Army and by endeavouring to lay odious Excises upon Victuals Goods and Merchandize of Our People for the same purpose whilst they suffer Our poor Protestant Subjects of Our Kingdom of Ireland whose defence was undertaken by Our two Houses and that Army raised for the suppressing that horrid Rebellion to be starved and in danger of disbanding or necessitated to desert that Kingdom for want of Money Victual and such other necessaries as were to be provided for them by Act of Parliament out of those Moneys which they have spent to destroy Us and this Kingdom by exacting from Merchants Tonnage and Poundage and other Impositions upon Merchandizes as well Native as Foreign contrary to an Act made this present Parliament with a penalty of Praemunire on those who shall pay or receive it it And lastly that they have after the breaking of the late Treaty by a peremptory recalling the Committee who in truth during their abode with Us had no Power to Treat by reason of their strict Limitation so far rejected all possible means and Overtures of Treaty and Accommodation that instead of answering our gracious Messages the House of Commons hath imprisoned Our Messenger sent by Us to them to invite both Houses to an Accommodation and especially to move them to take such a course for the freedom of Parliament that We might safely advise with that Our great Council for the setling those miserable Distempers and have maliciously and in contempt of Us and after an attempt to Murther Her at Burlington-Road the place of Her Landing impeached Our Royal Consort of High Treason for assisting Us with Arms and Ammunition to defend Us from this Rebellion 'T is time now to let Our good Subjects know that they may no longer look upon the Votes and Actions of the Persons now remaining as upon Our two Houses of Parliament Freedom and Liberty to be present and of Opinion and Debate there being essential to a Parliament which Freedom and Liberty all Men must confess to be taken away from this Assembly when they remember the great Tumults brought down to awe and terrifie both Houses and that they were then brought down when any great Debate was in either House and not like to be so carried as some Seditious Persons who governed those Tumults did desire that in the greatest heat and fury of those Tumults the principal Governors amongst them directed the unruly People to go to White-hall where Our own Person then was and designed by Force to have surprised the Person of Our
Estates of the Parliament in Scotland or the said Commissioners of that Kingdom whereof they are Subjects and that in those cases of joynt concernment to both Kingdoms the Commissioners to be directed to be there all or such part as aforesaid to act and direct as joynt Commissioners of both Kingdoms 4. To order the War of Ireland according to the Ordinance of the 11 th of April and to order the Militia and conserve the peace of the Kingdom of Ireland XVIII That His Majesty give His assent to what the two Kingdoms shall agree upon in prosecution of the Articles of the large Treaty which are not yet finished XIX That by Act of Parliament all Peers made since the day that Edward Lord Littleton then Lord Keeper of the great Seal deserted the Parliament and that the said great Seal was surreptitiously conveyed away from the Parliament being the 21. day of May 1642. and who shall be hereafter made shall not sit or Vote in the Parliament of England without consent of both Houses of Parliament and that all Honour and Title conferred on any without consent of both Houses of Parliament since the 20. day of May 1642. being the day that both Houses declared That the King seduced by evil Counsel intended to raise War against the Parliament be declared null and void The like for the Kingdom of Scotland those being excepted whose Patents were passed the great Seal before the 4. of June 1644. XX. That by Act of Parliament the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland be nominated by both Houses of Parliament or in the Intervals of Parliament by the Commissioners to continue during the pleasure of the said Houses or in the Intervals of Parliament during the pleasure of the said Houses or in the Intervals of Parliament during the pleasure of the aforementioned Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting And that the Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Commissioners of the great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Chancellors of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Judges of both Benches and of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland be nominated by both Houses of Parliament to continue quamdiu se bene gesserint and in the Intervals of Parliament by the aforementioned Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting The like for the Kingdom of Scotland adding the Justice General and in such manner as the Estates in Parliament there shall think fit XXI That by Act of Parliament the Education of Your Majesty's Children and the Children of Your Heirs and Successors be in the true Protestant Religion and that their Tutors and Governours be of known Integrity and be chosen by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms or in the Intervals of Parliaments by the aforenamed Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Parliaments at their next sitting and that if they be Male they be married to such only as are of the true Protestant Religion if they be Female they may not be marryed but with the advice and consent of both Parliaments or in the Intervals of Parliament by their Commissioners XXII That Your Majesty will give Your Royal Assent to such ways and means as the Parliaments of both Kingdoms shall think fitting for the uniting of the Protestant Princes and for the entire Restitution and Re-establishment of Charles Lodwick Prince Elector Palatine His Heirs and Successors to His Electoral Dignity Rights and Dominions Provided that this extend not to Prince Rupert or Prince Maurice or the Children of either of them who have been the Instruments of so much blood-shed and mischief against both Kingdoms XXIII That by Act of Parliament the concluding of Peace or War with Foreign Princes and States be with advice and consent of both Parliaments or in the Intervals of Parliaments by their Commissioners XXIV That an Act of Oblivion be passed in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively relative to the Qualifications in the Propositions aforesaid concerning the joint Declaration of both Kingdoms with the exception of all Murderers Thieves and other Offenders not having relation to the War XXV That the Members of both Houses of Parliaments or others who have during this Parliament been put out of any Place or Office Pension or Benefit for adhering to the Parliament may either be restored thereunto or otherwise have Recompence for the same upon the humble desire of both Houses of Parliament The like for the Kingdom of Scotland XXVI That the Armies may be Disbanded at such time and in such manner as shall be agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms or such as shall be Authorized by them to that effect XXVII That an Act be passed for the granting and confirming of the Charters Customs Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Non-user Mis-user or Abuser That the Militia of the City of London may be in the ordering and Government of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Major and Sheriffs for the time being to be three And that the Militia of the Parishes without London and the Liberties within the weekly Bills of Mortality may be under Command of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council of the said City to be ordered in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament That the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London and the chief Officer and Governour thereof from time to time be nominated and removable by the Common-Council That the Citizens or Forces of London shall not be drawn out of the City into any other parts of the Kingdom without their own consent and that the drawing of their Forces into other parts of the Kingdom in these distracted times may not be drawn into example for the future And for prevention of Inconveniences which may happen by the long intermission of Common-Councils it is desired that there be an Act that all By-Laws and Ordinances already made or hereafter to be made by the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council assembled touching the calling continuing directing and regulating of the same shall be as effectual in Law to all intents and purposes as if the same were particularly enacted by the Authority of Parliament and that the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council may add to or repeal the said Ordinances from time to time as they shall see cause That such other Propositions as shall be made for the City for their farther Safety Welfare and Government and shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament may be granted and confirmed by Act of Parliament Upon consideration of which Propositions His Majesty sent the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton with this Message of the 13. of December HIS Majesty hath seriously
both Kingdoms and endeavours to bring over more into both of them as also Forces from Foreign parts Your Majesty being in Arms in these parts and the Prince in the head of an Army in the West divers Towns made Garrisons and kept in Hostility by Your Majesty against the Parliament of England there being also Forces in Scotland against that Parliament and Kingdom by Your Majesties Commission the War in Ireland fomented and prolonged by Your Majesty whereby the three Kingdoms are brought near to utter Ruine and Destruction we conceive that until satisfaction and security be first given to both Your Kingdoms Your Majesties coming hither cannot be convenient nor by us assented unto neither can we apprehend it a means conducing to Peace that Your Majesty should come to Your Parliament for a few days with any thoughts of leaving it especially with intentions of returning to Hostility against it And we do observe That Your Majesty desires the Ingagement not only of Your Parliaments but of the Lord Mayor Aldermen Common-Councel and Militia of the City of London the chief Commanders of Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army and those of the Scots Army which is against the Priviledges and Honour of the Parliaments those being joyned with them who are subject and subordinate to their Authority That which Your Majesty against the Freedom of the Parliaments inforces in both Your Letters with many earnest expressions as if in no other way than that propounded by Your Majesty the Peace of Your Kingdoms could be established Your Majesty may please to remember that in our last Letter we did declare that Propositions from both Kingdoms were speedily to be sent to Your Majesty which we conceive to be the only way for the attaining a happy and well-grounded Peace and Your Majesties Assent unto those Propositions will be an effectual means for giving satisfaction and security to Your Kingdoms will assure a firm Union between the two Kingdoms as much desired by each for other as for themselves and settle Religion and secure the Peace of the Kingdom of Scotland whereof neither is so much as mentioned in Your Majesties Letter And in proceeding according to these just and necessary grounds for the putting an end to the bleeding Calamities of these Nations Your Majesty may have the glory to be a Principal Instrument in so happy a Work and we however mis-interpreted shall approve our selves to God and the World to be real and sincere in seeking a safe and well-grounded Peace Westminster 13. Jan. 1645. Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore VVilliam Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons Signed in the Name and by warrant of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Balmerino His MAJESTIES Reply to the Answer of both Houses from Oxford Jan. 17. 1645-46 For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHALLES R. HIS Majesty thinks not fit now to answer those Aspersions which are returned as Arguments for his not admittance to VVestminster for a Personal Treaty because it would inforce a Style not suitable to his End it being the Peace of these miserable Kingdoms yet thus much he cannot but say to those who have sent him this Answer That if they had considered what they had done themselves in occasioning the shedding of so much innocent Blood by withdrawing themselves from their Duty to him in a time when he had granted so much to his Subjects and in violating the known Laws of the Kingdom to draw an exorbitant Power to themselves over their fellow-Subjects to say no more to do as they have done they could not have given such a false Character of his Majesties Actions Wherefore his Majesty must now remember them that having some hours before his receiving of their last Paper of the 13. of Jan. sent another Message to them of the fifteenth wherein by divers particulars He inlargeth himself to shew the reality of his endeavours for Peace by his desired Personal Treaty which he still conceives to be the likeliest way to attain to that blessed End he thinks fit by this Message to call for an Answer to that and indeed to all the former For certainly no rational man can think their last Paper can be any Answer to his former Demands the scope of it being that because there is a War therefore there should be no Treaty for Peace And is it possible to expect that the Propositions mentioned should be the grounds of a lasting Peace when the Persons that send them will not endure to hear their own King speak But whatever the success hath been of his Majesties former Messages or how small soever his hopes are of a better considering the high strain of those who deal with his Majesty yet he will neither want Fatherly bowels to his Subjects in general nor will he forget that God hath appointed him for their King with whom he Treats Wherefore he now demands a speedy Answer to his last and former Messages Given at Our Court at Oxon this 17. of Jan. 1645. His MAJESTIES further Reply to the said Answer of both Houses Jan. 24. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. THE procuring Peace to these Kingdoms by Treaty is so much desired by his Majesty that no unjust Aspersions whatsoever or any other Discouragements shall make him desist from doing his endeavour therein untill he shall see it altogether impossible and therefore hath thought fitting so far only to make Reply to that Paper or Answer which he hath received of the 13. of this instant Jan. as may take away those Objections which are made against his Majesties coming to VVestminster expecting still an Answer to his Messages of the 15. and 17. which he hopes by this time have begotten better thoughts and resolutions in the Members of both Houses And first therefore Whereas in the said last Paper it is objected as an impediment to his Majesties Personal Treaty that much innocent Blood hath been shed in this War by his Majesties Commissions c. He will not now dispute it being apparent to all the World by whom this Blood hath been spilt but rather presseth that there should be no more and to that end only he hath desired this Personal Treaty as judging it the most immediate means to abolish so many horrid Confusions in all his Kingdoms And it is no Argument to say That there shall be no such Personal Treaty because there have been Wars it being a strong inducement to have such a Treaty to put an end to the War Secondly That there should be no such Personal Treaty because some of his Irish Subjects have repaired to his Assistance in it seems an Argument altogether as strange as the other as
two Kingdoms will be careful to maintain him in his Honour and in his just and lawful Rights which is the only way to make a happy Composure of these unnatural Divisions and likewise will think upon a solid way of conserving the Peace between the two Kingdoms for time to come and will take a speedy course for easing and quieting his afflicted People by satisfying the Publick Debts by disbanding of all Armies and whatsoever shall be judged conducible to that end that so all hinderances being removed he may return to his Parliament with mutual Comfort Southwell May 18. 1646. POST-SCIPT His Majesty being desirous to shun the further effusion of Blood and to evidence his real Intentions to Peace is willing that his Forces in and about Oxford be disbanded and the Fortifications of the City dismantled they receiving honourable Conditions VVhich being granted to the Town and Forces there his Majesty will give the like order to the rest of the Garrisons His MAJESTIES Letter to the City of London from Newcastle May 19. 1646. For Our right Trusty and well-beloved the Lord Maior Aldermen and Common-Council of Our City of London CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and VVell-beloved VVe greet you well Having expressed Our Resolution to the two Houses of Our Parliament of England and the Committee of Estates of Our Parliament of Scotland to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdoms VVe have now likewise thought fit to assure the two chief Cities of both Our Kingdoms That nothing is more grievous to Us than the Trouble and Distractions of Our People and that nothing on Earth is more desired by Us than that in Religion and Peace with all the comfortable Fruits of both they may henceforth live under Us in all Godliness and Honesty And this Profession VVe make for no other end but that you may know immediately from Our Selves Our Integrity and full resolution to comply with Our Parliaments in every thing for settling Truth and Peace and Our desire to have all things speedily concluded which shall be found requisite for that end that Our Return to that Our Ancient City may be to the Satisfaction of Our Parliament the good liking of you and all Our good People and to Our own greater joy and comfort VVe bid you heartily farewell From Newcastle the 19 th of May 1646. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Newcastle June 10. 1646. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty looking with grief of heart upon the sad sufferings of his People in his three Kingdoms for some years past and being afflicted with their Distresses and unquiet condition through the Distractions about Religion the keeping of Forces on Foot in the Field and Garrisons the not satisfying of Publick Debts and the fears of the further effusion of Blood by the continuance of an unnatural VVar in any of these Kingdoms or by rending and dividing these Kingdoms so happily united and having sent a gracious Message unto both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland expressing the necessary Causes of his coming from Oxford unto the Scotish Army without any intention to make a division where he is in Freedom and right capacity to settle a true Peace and containing such Offers as he conceived would have been accepted with a general Clause of complying with their desires and being impatient of Delays and not acquainted with the particulars which may give contentment to them his Majesty doth earnestly desire That the Propositions of Peace so often promised and so much expected may be speedily sent unto him That upon consideration of them he may apply himself to give such satisfaction as may be the foundation of a firm Peace And for the better and more speedy attaining thereunto his Majesty doth further propound That he may come to London with Safety Freedom and Honour where he resolves to comply with his Houses of Parliament in every thing which may be most for the good of his Subjects and perfect what remains for settling both Kingdoms and People in a happy Condition being likewise most confident that they according to their re-iterated Declarations and solemn Protestations will be zealous in the maintenance of his Honour and just and lawful Rights And his Majesty desires the Houses of Parliament to disburthen the Kingdom of all Forces and Garrisons in their power except such as before these unhappy times have been maintained for the necessary defence and safety of this Kingdom So he is willing forthwith to disband all his Forces and Garrisons within the same as the inclosed Order herewith sent will evidence And if upon these Offers his Majesty shall have such satisfaction as he may be confident a firm Peace shall ensue thereon his Majesty will then give Order for his Son the Prince his present return Newcastle the 10th of June 1646. His MAJESTIES Letter to the Governours of His Garrisons from Newcastle June 10. 1646. To Our Trusty and VVell-beloved Sir Thomas Glenham Sir Thomas Tildesley Colonel H. Washington Col. Thomas Blagge Governours of Our Cities and Towns of Oxford Litchfield Worcester and Wallingford and all other Commanders of any Towns Castles and Forts in Our Kingdom of England CHARLES R. HAving resolved to comply with the desires of Our Parliament in every thing which may be for the good of Our Subjects and leave no means unassayed for removing all Differences amongst us therefore We have thought fit the more to evidence the reality of Our Intentions of settling a happy and firm Peace to require you upon honourable Terms to quit those Towns Castles and Forts intrusted to you by Us and to disband all the Forces under your several Commands Newcastle the tenth of June 1646. His MAJESTIES Letter to the Marquess of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from Newcastle June 11. 1646. CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and entirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Having long with much grief looked upon the sad Condition Our Kingdom of Ireland hath been in these divers years through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects have ensued thereupon for the setling whereof We would have wholly applied Our selves if the Difference between Us and Our Subjects here had not diverted and withdrawn Us and not having been able by Force for that respect to reduce them We were necessitated for the present safety of Our Protestant Subjects there to give you Power and Authority to Treat with them upon such pious honourable and safe grounds as the good of that Our Kingdom did then require But for many Reasons too long for a Letter We think fit to require you to proceed no further in Treaty with the Rebels nor to engage Us upon any Conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly found such real proofs of your ready
Westminster with that Honour which is due to their Sovereign there solemnly to confirm the same and legally to pass the Acts before mentioned and to give and receive as well satisfaction in all the remaining particulars as likewise such other pledges of mutual Love Trust and Confidence as shall most concern the good of Him and His People Upon which happy Agreement His Majesty will dispatch His Directions to the Prince His Son to return immediately to Him and will undertake for his ready Obedience thereunto Holdenby May 12. 1647. MDCXLVII Jul. The Londoners Petition and Engagement To the Right Honourable the Lord Maior the Right Worshipful the Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in the Common or Guild-Hall of the City of London assembled The Humble Petition of the Citizens Commanders Officers and Soldiers of the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries the Young men and Apprentices of the Cities of London and VVestminster Sea-Commanders Sea-men and Water-men together with divers other Commanders Officers and Soldiers within the Line of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortality Sheweth THat your Petitioners taking into serious consideration how Religion His Majesties Honour and Safety the Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of the Subject are at present greatly endangered and like to be destroyed and also sadly weighing with our selves what means might likely prove the most effectual to procure a firm and lasting Peace without a further effusion of Christian English Blood have therefore entred into a solemn Engagement which is hereunto annexed and do humbly and earnestly desire that this whole City may joyn together by all lawful and possible means as one man in hearty endeavours for His Majesties present coming up to His two Houses of Parliament with Honour Safety and Freedom and that without the nearer approach 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 and that by a Personal Treaty with his two Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland such things as are yet in difference may be speedily settled and a firm and lasting Peace established All which we desire may be presented to both Houses of Parliament from this Honourable Assembly And we shall pray c. A solemn Engagement of the Citizens Commanders Officers and Soldiers of the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries the Young men and Apprentices of the Cities of London and VVestminster Sea-Commanders Sea-men and Water-men together with divers other Commanders Officers and Soldiers within the Line of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bill of Mortality WHereas we have entred into a solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion the Honour and Happiness of the King and the Peace and Safety of the Three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland all which we do evidently 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 Protestations solemnly engage our selves and vow unto Almighty God That we will to the utmost of our power cordially endeavour that His Majesty may speedily come to His two Houses of Parliament with Honour Safety and Freedom and that without the nearer approach 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 and that by a Personal Treaty with His two Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland such things as are yet in difference may be speedily settled and a firm and lasting Peace established For effecting whereof we do protest and re-oblige our selves as in the presence of God the searcher of all hearts with our Lives and Fortunes to endeavour what in us lies to preserve and defend His Majesties Royal Person and Authority the Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of the Subject in their full and constant Freedom the Cities of London and Westminster Lines of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortality and all others that shall adhere with us to the said Covenant Oath of Allegiance Oath of every Freeman of London and VVestminster and Protestation Nor shall we by any means admit suffer or endure any kind of Neutrality in this Common Cause of God the King and Kingdom as we do expect the Blessing of Almighty God whose help we crave and wholly devolve our selves upon in this our Undertaking A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament Die Sabbathi 24. Julii 1647. THE Lords and Commons having seen a printed Paper intituled A Petition to the Right Honourable the Lord Maior the Right VVorshipful the Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in the Common or Guild-Hall of the City of London assembled under the Name of divers Citizens Commanders Officers and Soldiers of the Trained Bands Auxiliaries and others Young men and Apprentices Sea-Commanders Sea-men and VVater-men together with a dangerous Engagement of the same persons by Oath and Vow concerning the King 's present coming to the Parliament upon Terms far different from those which both Houses after mature deliberation have declared to be necessary for the good and safety of this Kingdom casting Reflections upon the Proceedings both of the Parliament and Army and tending to the imbroiling the Kingdom in a new War and the said Lords and Commons taking notice of great endeavours used by divers ill-affected persons to procure Subscriptions thereunto whereby well-meaning people may be misled do therefore declare That whosoever after Publication or notice hereof shall proceed in or promote or set his Name to or give Consent that his Name be set unto or any way joyn in the said Engagement shall be deemed and adjudged guilty of High Treason and shall forfeit Life and Estate as in cases of High Treason accustomed H. Elsynge Cler. Par. Dom. Com. Die Lunae 26. Julii 1647. BE it ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That the Declaration of the twenty fourth of this instant July which declares all those Traitors and so to forfeit Life and Estate who shall after Publication thereof act thereupon to get Subscriptions be Null and Void any thing in the said Declaration to the contrary notwithstanding Joh. Browne Cler. Par. Hen. Elsynge Cler. Par. Dom. Com. Die Lunae 26. Julii 1647. REsolved upon the Question That His Majesty shall come to Londo Die Saturni 31. Julii 1647. Resolved upon the Question That the King's Majesty come to one of His Houses nearer London that Propositions may be sent and Address made to His Majesty from both Houses of the Parliament of England and the Kingdom of Scotland for Peace MDCXLVII His MAJESTIES Declaration and Profession disavowing any Preparations in Him to levy War against His two Houses of Parliament CHARLES R. THere having been many
such others as they shall authorise for that purpose If it shall be more satisfactory to His two Houses to have the Militia and Powers thereupon depending during the whole time of His Majesties Reign rather than for the space of ten years His Majesty gives them the Election Touching Ireland His Majesty having in the two preceding Propositions given His Consent concerning the Church and the Militia there in all things as in England as to all other matters relating to that Kingdom after advice with His two Houses He will leave it to their determination and give His Consent accordingly as is herein hereafter expressed Touching Publick Debts His Majesty will give His Consent to such an Act for raising of Monies by general and equal Taxations for the payment and satisfying the Arrears of the Army Publick Debts and Engagements of the Kingdom as shall be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament and shall be audited and ascertained by them or such persons as they shall appoint within the space of twelve Months after the passing of an Act for the same His Majesty will Consent to an Act that during the said space of ten years the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper Commissioners of the Great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Chancellor of Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolles and Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of England be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England to continue quamdiu se bene gesserint and in the intervals of Parliament by such others as they shall authorise for that purpose His Majesty will Consent That the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof during the space of ten years may be in the Ordering and Government of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in the Common-Councel assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the time being to be three to be imployed and directed from time to time during the said space of ten years in such manner as shall be agreed upon and appointed by both Houses of Parliament And that no Citizen of the City of London nor any of the Officers of the said City shall be drawn forth or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof for Military service without their own free consent That an Act be passed for granting and confirming the Charters Customes Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Nonuser Misuser or Abuser And that during the said ten years the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London and the Chief Officer and Governor from time to time during the said space to be nominated and removable by the Common-Council as are desired in your Propositions His Majesty having thus far expressed His Consent for the present satisfaction and security of His two Houses of Parliament and those that have adhered unto them touching your four first Propositions and other the particulars before specified as to all the rest of your Propositions delivered to Him at Hampton-Court not referring to those Heads and to that of the Court of Wards since delivered as also to the remaining Propositions concerning Ireland His Majesty desires only when He shall come to Westminster Personally to advise with His two Houses and to deliver His Opinion and the reasons of it which being done He will leave the whole matter of those remaining Propositions to the determination of His two Houses which shall prevail with Him for his Consent accordingly And His Majesty doth for His own particular only propose that He may have Liberty to repair forthwith to Westminster and be restored to a condition of absolute Freedom and Safety a thing which He shall never deny to any of His Subjects and to the possession of His Lands and Revenues and that an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity may pass to extend to all persons for all matters relating to the late unhappy Differences Which being agreed by His two Houses of Parliament His Majesty will be ready to make these His Concessions binding by giving them the force of Laws by His Royal Assent Votes concerning His MAJESTIES Propositions and Concessions Die Lunae Octobr. 2. 1648. Resolved by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled THat they are not satisfied in the Propositions made by His Majesty in His Letter And that a Letter be sent to the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight to acquaint them that the Houses do well approve of their proceedings and do give them thanks for their great care and pains in managing of this important and weighty business requiring them still to proceed and act punctually according to their Instructions But upon further Debate in the Treaty some things being yet further cleared and more fully granted by His Majesty out of His earnest desire of Peace they at last came so near to an Agreement that the Lower House after long consultation passed the following Vote Die Martis 5. Decembr 1648. Resolved upon the Question That the Answers of the King to the Propositions of both Houses are a Ground for the House to proceed upon for the Settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom The Chief Heads of the Remonstrance of the Army presented to the House of Commons Nov. 20. MDCXLVII To the Right Honourable the Commons of England Assembled in Parliament The humble Remonstrance of his Excellency the Lord General Fairfax and his General Council of Officers held at St. Albans Thursday the 16. of Novemb. 1648. The Remonstrance it self being very long and serving only to introduce their Propositions in the end we have thought fit to represent only the Propositions themselves as they are contracted in their own Abridgment FIrst That the Capital and grand Author of our Troubles the Person of the King by whose procurement and for whose Interest only of will and power all our Wars have been may be brought to Justice for the Treason Blood and Mischief he is therein guilty of Secondly That a timely day may be set for the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York to come in by which time if they do not that then they may be immediately declared incapable of any Government or Trust in this Kingdom or its Dominions and thence to stand exil'd for ever as Enemies and Traitors to dye without mercy if ever after found and taken therein Or if by the time limited they do render themselves that then the Prince be proceeded with as on his appearance he shall give satisfaction or not and the Duke as he shall give satisfaction may be considered as to future Trust or not But however that the Revenue of the Crown saving necessary allowances for the Children and for Servants and Creditors to the Crown be sequestred and the costly Pomp suspended for a good number of years and that this Revenue be for that time disposed toward publick Charges Debts and Damages for the easing of the
to such as were tendred to them in the name of the King His Majesty seeing and bewailing His Condition that He must still have to do with those that were Enemies to Peace prepares Himself for the War at the approaching Spring and although this Winter was infamous with many losses either through the neglects or perfidiousness of some Officers yet before the season for taking the Field was come His Counsels and Diligence had repaired those Damages In April he sends the Prince to perfect the Western Association An. 1645 and raise such Forces as the necessities of the Crown which was His Inheritance did require with Him is sent as Moderator of His Youth and prime Counsellor Sr Edward Hide now Lord High Chancellor of England whose faithfulness had endeared Him to His Majesty who also judged his Abilities equal to the Charge in which He continued with the same Faith through all the Difficulties and Persecutions of his Master till it pleased God to bring the Prince back to the Throne of His Fathers and Him to the Chief Ministery of State After their departure the King draws out His Army to relieve His Northern Counties and Garrisons But being on His march and having stormed and taken Leicester in His way He was called back to secure Oxford which the Parliament Army threatned with a Siege But Fairfax having gotten a Letter of the Lord Goring's whom a Parliament Spy had cajoled to trust him with the delivery of it to His Majesty wherein he had desired Him to forbear ingaging with the Enemy till he could be joyned with Him he leaves Oxford and made directly towards the King that was now come back as far as Daventry with a purpose to fight Him before that addition of strength and at a place near Naseby in Northampton-shire both Armies met on Saturday June 14. Cromwell having then also brought some fresh Horse to Fairfax whose absence from the Army at that time the King was assured by some who intended to betray Him should be effected Nevertheless the King would not decline the Battle and had the better at first but His vanquishing Horse following the chase of their Enemies too far a fatal errour that had been twice before committed left the Foot open to the other Wing who pressing hotly upon them put them to an open rout and so became Masters of His Canon Camp and Carriage and among these of His Majesties Cabinet in which they found many of His Letters most of them written to the Queen which not contented with their Victory over His Forces they print as a Trophee over His Fame that by proposing His secret Thoughts designed only for the Breasts of His Wife to the debauched multitude and they looking on them through the Prejudices which the Slanders of the Faction had already formed in their minds the Popular hatred might be increased But the publication of them found a contrary effect every one that was not barbarous abhorred that Inhumanity among Christians which Generous Heathens scorned to be guilty of and the Letters did discover that the King was not as He was hitherto characterized but that He had all the Abilities and Affections as well as all the Rights that were fit for Majesty And which is not usual He grew greater in Honour by this Defeat though he never after recovered any considerable power For the Fate of this Battle had an inauspicious influence upon all His remaining Forces and every day His losses were repeated But though Fortune had left the King yet had not His Valour therefore gathering up the scattered remains of His broken Army He marches up and down to encourage those whose Faith changed not with His Condition At last attempting to relieve Chester though He was beset behind and before and His Horse wearied in such tedious and restless Marches yet at first He beat Poyntz off that followed but by being charged by fresh Souldiers from the Leaguer and a greater Number He was forced to retreat and leave some of His gallant Followers dead upon the place After this He draws towards the North-East and commands the Lord Digby with the Horse that were left to march for Scotland and there to join with Montross who with an inconsiderable company of Men had got Victories there so prodigious that they looked like Miracles But this Lord was surprised before he could get out of Yorkshire for His Horse having taken 700 of the Enemies Foot were so wanton with their Success that they were easily mastered by another Party and he himself was compelled to fly into Ireland These several overthrows brought another mischief along with it for the King's Commanders and Officers broke their own Peace and Agreement which is the only Comfort and Relief of the Oppressed and which makes them considerable though they are spoiled of Arms by imputing as it useth to be in unhappy Councils the criminous part of their Misfortunes to one another But many gallant Persons whom Loyalty and Religion had drawn to His Service endured the utmost hazards before they delivered the Holds He had committed to their trust and by that means employing the Enemies Arms gave the King time who was at last returned to Oxford to provide for His Safety Hither every day sad Messages of Ruines from every part of the Nation came which though they seemed like the falling pieces of the dissolved World yet they found His Spirit erect and undaunted For He was equal in all the Offices of His Life tenacious of Truth and Equity and not moveable from them by Fears a Contemner of worldly Glory and desirous of Empire for no other reason but because He saw these Kingdoms must be ruined when He relinquished the care of them But that which most troubled Him were the Importunities of His own disconsolate Party to seek for Conditions of Peace which He saw was in vain to expect would be such as were fit to accept for His former experience assured Him that these Men would follow the Counsels of their Fortune and be more Insolent now than ever And for Himself He was resolved not to Sacrifice His Conscience to Safety nor His Honour to Life This He often told those that thus pressed Him and did profess in His Letter to Prince Rupert who likewise moved Him to the same that He would yield to no more now than what He had offered at Uxbridge though He confessed it were as great a Miracle His Enemies should hearken to so much Reason as that He should be restored within a Month to the same Condition He was in immediately before the Battle at Naseby But yet to satisfie every One how tender He was of the Common Safety He sent several Messages to the Parliament for a Treaty and offers to come Himself to London if He may have security for Himself and Attendants All which were either not regarded or answered with Reproaches And because the people began to murmure at so great an earnestness of the Faction to
came under the Power of the Army who had malicious Designs upon His Person The Commissioners receiving Him convey Him to His own House at Holmeby This was a very curious and stately Building yet was not therefore chosen because it might be a Majestick Prison but because it was within Ken of Naseby which was infamous with His Overthrow that so the Neighbourhood to it might more afflict His grieved Spirit To this unpleasingness of the Place they added other discomforts by making the restraint so strict that they suffered none to come near Him that by owning His Cause were assured of their Welcome yea even His Chaplains which most troubled Him were debarred from their Ministery But God supplied this Want by more plentiful Assistances of His Holy Spirit and made Him like the Ancient Patriarchs both a King and a Priest at least for Himself and here He sacrificed Praises even to that God that hid himself and composed those most Divine Meditations and Soliloquies that are in His Book spending that time in Converse with Heaven which He was not suffered to employ with Men in whom He delighted While the King's Soul was thus winged above the Walls of His Prison and the Fortune of His Enemies they that had put an end to the War yet could not find the way to Peace for their Souls were unequal to the Victory and could not temper their Success the two Sects falling to dissension and turning all their arts and arms one against another The Presbyterians had the richer and more splendid followers but the Independents the most fierce subtle and most strongly principled to Confusion the first was powerful in the Parliament but the latter in the Army After they had a long time practised on one another the very same Methods they had acted against the King and such as favoured Him in the Parliament of which there were always some Number among them the Independents still gained upon their Opposites making the Presbyterians odious by Libels composed to render their Government ridiculous and tyrannical by putting them upon all the most envious Employments as Reforming the Universities and Sequestring Ministers that refused to take the Covenant Not contented thus to deal with their elder Brethren by spoiling them of their Honour they proceeded to strip them of the relicks of their armed Power surprising them in Parliament with a Vote to disband all the Souldiers that were not in Fairfax's Army then the General turns out those Commanders of Garrisons that were any way inclined to them Besides this they either corrupted with Gifts or frighted some of the most busie yet obnoxious Presbyterians either wholly to come over to them or be their Instruments in disturbing and revealing the Counsels of that Party which was done under the Scheme of Moderation and Reconciling the Godly one to another The Presbyterians at last awakened with the daily wounds of their power An. 1647 and the dishonour of their party began now to be more afraid of their Stipendiaries than they were of their Sovereign for they found that they lost all that by the Victory which they sought by the War therefore to break the confidence of the Independents and make themselves free they Vote in the Parliament where they had most Voices That to ease the Commonwealth of the Charges in maintaining the Army 12000 of the Souldiers should be sent over to Ireland and all the rest to be disbanded except 6000 Horse 2000 Dragoons and 6000 Foot who should be disposed in different and distant places in the Nation to prevent any Rising The Commanders and Independents soon discovered the Artifice that it was not to ease the Nation but weaken them therefore they employ the Inferiour Officers being persons that by dissimulation and impudence having accustomed themselves to much speaking did at last imagine their Vices were Gifts of the Holy Ghost and so were fit to disquiet the minds of men to possess the common Souldiers with a fear of Disbanding without their Arrears or else to be sent into that unquiet Island to perish with hunger and cold and the surprises of a treacherous Enemy This presently set the Army to Mutiny which while it was in the Beginnings the Commanders make semblance of Indignation at it seem very busie to compose it and Cromwell to make the Parliament secure calls God to witness that he was assured the Army would at their first Command cast their Arms at their Feet and again solemnly swears that he had rather himself with his whole Family should be consumed than that the Army should break out into Sedition Yet in the mean time he and his Creatures in the Army administer new fuel to the flames of it and when they had raised their Fury to such heat that it was at last concocted to a perfect defection from all obedience to the Parliament they lay aside their disguises and post from London to the Head Quarters where the Synagogue of Agitators was seated and to whom was committed the management of this Conspiracy This Conventicle was made up of two of the most unquiet and factious in every Regiment of Foot and each Troop of Horse their business was to consult the Interests of the whole Army and when they had moulded their Pretences and Arts to their grand Design to instruct the ruder part of it in their Clamours and Injuries and to corrupt all the Garrisons by Emissaries to the same enterprises At last they extended their Cares to the whole British Empire and dictate what their pleasures are concerning England and Ireland Which was in both Kingdoms to establish the Power and Liberty of the People for they openly professed an intent for Democracy And because about an hundred Officers in the Army would not be forward in the Sedition they were by this Committee of Adjutators and the secret intimations of the Commanders cashiered Thus the Counsels of both Parties being directed to overthrow their contrary each thought the Person and Presence of the King would be no vain advantage to their Designs for they would Honest their actions with a care of Him therefore the Presbyterians had it in Consultation to Order Col. Greves who had the Command of the Guard about the King at Holmeby to remove His Majesty to London the Intelligence of which coming to the Army by the treachery of a certain Lord they immediately send a body of Horse to prevent them and to force Him into their own Quarters Thus was that Religious Prince made once more the mock of Fortune and the sport of the Factions and was drawn from His peaceful Contemplations and Prospect of Heaven to behold and converse with men set on Fire of Hell These to tempt Him to a Confidence in their integrity that they might the more easily to His disgrace ruine Him and murder Him by His own Concessions if He would be deluded by them highly pretend to a Compassionate Sense of His Sufferings and complain of the Parliaments Barbarous Imprisoning Him
aforesaid Answer the Propositions for which We shall willingly receive whereever We are and desire if it may be to receive them at Brainford this Night or early to Morrow Morning that all possible speed may be made in so good a work and all inconveniences otherwise likely to intervene may be avoided VII From OXFORD April 12. MDCXLIII At the Close of the Treaty Concerning the Disbanding of all Forces and His Return to the Houses TO shew to the whole World how earnestly His Majesty longs for Peace and that no success shall make Him desire the continuance of His Army to any other end or for any longer time than that and until things may be so setled as that the Law may have a full free and uninterrupted course for the defence and preservation of the Rights of His Majesty both Houses and His good Subjects 1. As soon as His Majesty is satisfied in His first Proposition concerning His own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forts in which He desires nothing but that the Just Known Legal Rights of His Majesty devolved to him from His Progenitors and of the Persons trusted by Him which have been violently taken from both be restored unto Him and unto them unless any just and legal exceptions against any of the persons trusted by Him which are yet unknown to His Majesty can be made appear to Him 2. As soon as all the Members of both Houses shall be restored to the same capacity of sitting and Voting in Parliament as they had upon the first of January 1641. the same of right belonging unto them by their birth-rights and the free election of those that sent them and having been voted from them for adhering to His Majesty in these Distractions His Majesty not intending that this should extend either to the Bishops whose Votes have been taken away by Bill or to such in whose places upon new Writs new Elections have been made 3. As soon as His Majesty and both Houses may be secured from such tumultuous Assemblies as to the great breach of the Priviledges and the high dishonour of Parliaments have formerly assembled about both Houses and awed the Members of the same and occasioned two several complaints from the Lords House and two several desires of that House to the House of Commons to join in a Declaratien against them the complying with which desire might have prevented all these miserable Distractions which have ensued which security His Majesty conceives can be only setled by adjourning the Parliament to some other place at the least twenty Miles from London the choice of which His Majesty leaves to both Houses His Majesty will most cheerfully and readily consent that both Armies be immediately disbanded and give a present meeting to both His Houses of Parliament at the time and place at and to which the Parliament shall be agreed to be adjourned His Majesty being most confident that the Law will then recover the due credit and estimation and that upon a free debate in a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament such provisions will be made against seditious Preaching and Printing against His Majesty and the established Laws which hath been one of the chief causes of the present Distractions and such care will be taken concerning the legal and known Rights of His Majesty and the Property and Liberty of His Subjects that whatsoever hath been published or done in or by colour of any illegal Declaration Ordinance or Order of one or both Houses or any Committee of either of them and particularly the power to raise Arms without His Majesty's consent will be in such a manner recalled disclaimed and provided against that no seed will remain for the like to spring out of for the future to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and to endanger the very Being of it And in such a Convention His Majesty is resolved by His readiness to consent to whatsoever shall be proposed to Him by Bill for the real good of His Subjects and particularly for the better discovery and speedier conviction of Recusants for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion for the prevention of the practices of Papists against the State and the due execution of the Laws and true levying of the penalties against them to make known to all the world how causeless those Fears and Jealousies have been which have been raised against Him and by that so distracted this miserable Kingdom And if this offer of His Majesty be not consented to in which He asks nothing for which there is not apparent Justice on His side and in which He defers many things highly concerning both Himself and People till a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament which in Justice He might now require His Majesty is confident that it will then appear to all the World not only who is most desirous of Peace and whose fault it is that both Armies are not now disbanded but who have been the true and first cause that this Peace was ever interrupted or these Armies raised and the beginning or continuance of the War and the destruction and desolation of this poor Kingdom which is too likely to ensue will not by the most interessed passionate or prejudicate person be imputed to His Majesty VIII From OXFORD May 19. MDCXLIII In pursuance of the former SInce His Majesty's Message of the twelfth of April in which He conceived He had made such an Overture for the immediate disbanding of all Armies and composure of these present miserable Distractions by a full and free Convention in Parliament that a perfect and settled Peace would have ensued hath in all this time above a full month procured no Answer from both Houses His Majesty might well believe Himself absolved before God and man from the least possible charge of not having used His utmost endeavour for Peace yet when he considers that the Scene of all this Calamity is in the Bowels of His own Kingdom that all the bloud which is spilt is of His own Subjects and that what Victory soever it shall please God to give Him must be over those who ought not to have lifted up their hands against Him when He considers That these desperate civil Dissentions may incourage and invite a foreign Enemy to make a prey of the whole Nation That Ireland is in present danger to be totally lost That the heavy Judgments of God Plague Pestilence and Famine will be the inevitable attendants of this unnatural Contention and That in a short time there will be so general a habit of Uncharitableness and Cruelty contracted throughout the Kingdom that even Peace it self will not restore His People to their old temper and security His Majesty cannot but again call for an Answer to that His Message which gives so fair a rise to end these unnatural Distractions And His Majesty doth this with the more earnestness because He doubts not the condition of His Armies in several parts His strength
Lexington Mr Denzil Hollis Mr Pierrepont Mr Henry Bellasis Mr Richard Spencer Sir Thomas Fairfax Mr John Ashburnham Sir Gervas Clifton Sir Henry Vane Junior Mr Robert Wallop Mr Thomas Chicheley Mr Oliver Cromwell Mr Philip Skippon supposing that these are persons against whom there can be no just exception But if this doth not satisfie then His Majesty offers to name the one half and leaves the other to the election of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster with the Powers and Limitations before mentioned Thus His Majesty calls God and the World to witness of His sincere intentions and real endeavours for the composing and setling of these miserable Distractions which he doubts not but by the blessing of God will soon be put to a happy conclusion if this His Majesties offer be accepted Otherwise He leaves all the World to judge who are the continuers of this unnatural War And therefore He once more conjures you by all the bonds of Duty you owe to God and your King to have so great a compassion onthe bleeding and miserable estate of your Country that you joyn your most serious and hearty endeavours with His Majesty to puta happy and speedy end to these present Miseries Given at our Court at Oxford the 26. of Decem. 1645. XVI From OXFORD Dec. 29. MDCXLV In pursuance of the former for a Personal Treaty at Westminster For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. ALthough the Message sent by Sir Peter Killegrew may justly require an expostulatory Answer yet His Majesty lays that aside as not so proper for His present endeavours leaving all the World to judge whether His Proposition for a Personal Treaty or the flat denial of a safe Conduct for Persons to begin a Treaty be greater signs of a real intention to Peace and shall now only insist upon His former Message of the 26. of this December That upon His repair to Westminster He doubts not but so to joyn His endeavours with His two Houses of Parliament as to give just satisfaction not only concerning the business of Ireland but also for the setling of a way for the payment of the publick Debts as well to the Scots and to the City of London as others And as already He hath shewn a fair way for the setling of the Militia so He shall carefully endeavour in all other particulars that none shall have cause to complain for want of security whereby just Jealousies may arise to hinder the continuance of the desired Peace And certainly this Proposition of a Personal Treaty could never have entred into His Majesties thoughts if He had not resolved to make apparent to all the World that the publick good and Peace of this Kingdom is far dearer to Him than the respect of any particular Interest Wherefore none can oppose this motion without a manifest demonstration that he particularly envies His Majesty should be the chief Author in so blessed a work besides the declaring himself a direct opposer of the happy Peace of these Nations To conclude whosoever will not be ashamed that his fair and specious protestations should be brought to a true and publick test and those who have a real sense and do truly commiserate the miseries of their bleeding Country let them speedily and chearfully embrace His Majesties Proposition for His Personal Treaty at Westminster which by the blessing of God will undoubtedly to these now-distracted Kingdoms restore the happiness of a long-wisht-for and lasting Peace Given at Our Court at Oxford the nine and twentieth day of December 1645. XVII From OXFORD January 15. MDCXLV VI. In pursuance of the former Containing His Majesty's Concessions and Offers For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. BUT that these are times wherein nothing is strange it were a thing much to be marvelled at what should cause this unparallel'd long detention of His Majesties Trumpeter sent with His gracious Message of the 26. of December last Peace being the only subject of it and His Majesties Personal Treaty the means proposed for it And it were almost as great a wonder that His Majesty should be so long from enquiring after it if that the hourly expectation thereof had not in some measure satisfied His impatience But lest His Majesty by His long silence should condemn Himself of Carelesness in that which so much concerns the good of all His People He thinks it high time to enquire after His said Trumpeter For since all men who pretend any goodness must desire Peace and that all men know Treaties to be the best and most Christian way to procure it and there being as little question that His Majesties Personal presence in it is the likeliest way to bring it to an happy issue He judges there must be some strange variety of accidents which causeth this most tedious delay Wherefore His Majesty earnestly desires to have a speedy account of His former Message the subject whereof is Peace and the means His Personal presence at Westminster where the Government of the Church being setled as it was in the times of the happy and glorious Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James and full liberty for the ease of their Consciences who will not communicate in that Service established by Law and likewise for the free and publick use of the Directory prescribed and by command of the two Houses of Parliament now practised in some parts of the City of London to such as shall desire to use the same and all Forces being agreed to be disbanded His Majesty will then forthwith as He hath in His Message of the 29. of December last already offered joyn with His two Houses of Parliament in setling some way for the payment of the publick Debts to His Scotch Subjects the City of London and others And His Majesty having proposed a fair way for the setling of the Militia which now by this long delay seems not to be thought sufficient security His Majesty to shew how really He will imploy Himself at His coming to Westminster for making this a lasting Peace and taking away all Jealousies how groundless soever will endeavour upon debate with His two Houses so to dispose of it as likewise of the business of Ireland as may give to them and both Kingdoms just satisfaction not doubting also but to give good contentment to His two Houses of Parliament in the choice of the Lord Admiral the Officers of State and others if His two Houses by their ready inclinations to Peace shall give Him encouragement thereunto Thus His Majesty having taken occasion by His just impatience so to explain His intentions that no man can doubt of a happy issue to this succeeding Treaty if now
governed after the said three years or sooner if differences may be agreed Touching the Covenant His Majesty is not yet therein satisfied and desires to respite His particular Answer thereunto until His coming to London because it being a matter of Conscience He cannot give a resolution therein till He may be assisted with the Advice of some of His own Chaplains which hath hitherto been denied Him and such other Divines as shall be most proper to inform Him therein and then He will make clearly appear both His zeal to the Protestant Profession and the Union of these two Kingdoms which He conceives to be the main drift of this Covenant To the seventh and eighth Propositions His Majesty will consent To the ninth His Majesty doubts not but to give good satisfaction when he shall be particularly informed how the said penalties shall be levied and disposed of To the tenth His Majesty's Answer is That He hath been always ready to prevent the practices of Papists and therefore is content to pass an Act of Parliament for that purpose and also that the Laws against them be duly executed His Majesty will give his consent to the Act for the due observation of the Lord's day for the suppressing of Innovations and those concerning the Preaching of God's Word and touching Non-residence and Pluralities and His Majesty will yield to such Act or Acts as shall be requisite to raise moneys for the payment and satisfying all publick Debts expecting also that His will be therein included As to the Proposition touching the Militia though His Majesty cannot consent unto it in terminis as it is proposed because thereby He conceives He wholly parts with the power of the Sword entrusted to Him by God and the Laws of the Land for the protection and government of His People thereby at once devesting Himself and disinheriting His Posterity of that right and Prerogative of the Crown which is absolutely necessary to the Kingly Office and so weakning Monarchy in this Kingdom that little more than the name and shadow of it will remain yet if it be only security for the preservation of the Peace of this Kingdom after the unhappy Troubles and the due performance of all the agreements which are now to be concluded which is desired which His Majesty always understood to be the case and hopes that herein He is not mistaken His Majesty will give abundant satisfaction to which end He is willing by Act of Parliament That the whole power of the Militia both by Sea and Land for the space of ten years be in the hands of such persons as the two Houses shall nominate giving them power during the said term to change the said persons and substitute others in their places at pleasure and afterwards to return to the proper Chanel again as it was in the times of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed memory And now His Majesty conjures His two Houses of Parliament as they are Englishmen and Lovers of Peace by the duty they owe to His Majesty their King and by the bowels of compassion they have to their fellow-Subjects that they will accept of this His Majesty's offer whereby the joyful news of Peace may be restored to this languishing Kingdom His Majesty will grant the like to the Kingdom of Scotlund if it be desired and agree to all things that are propounded touching the conserving of Peace betwixt the two Kingdoms Touching Ireland other things being agreed His Majesty will give satisfaction therein As to the mutual Declaration proposed to be established in both Kingdoms by Act of Parliament and the Modifications Qualifications and branches which follow in the Propositions His Majesty only professes that He doth not sufficiently understand nor is able to reconcile many things contained in them but this He well knoweth that a general Act of Oblivion is the best Bond of Peace and that after intestine Troubles the wisdom of this and other Kingdoms hath usually and happily in all ages granted general Pardons whereby the numerous discontentments of many persons and families othewise exposed to ruine might not become fuel to new disorders or seeds to future troubles His Majesty therefore desires that His two Houses of Parliament would seriously descend into these considerations and likewise tenderly look upon His condition herein and the perpetual dishonour that must cleave to Him if He shall thus abandon so many persons of condition and fortune that have engaged themselves with and for Him out of a sense of Duty and propounds as a very acceptable testimony of their affection to Him that a general Act of Oblivion and free Pardon be forthwith passed by Act of Parliament Touching the new great Seal His Majesty is very willing to confirm both it and all the Acts done by virtue thereof until this present time so that it be not thereby pressed to make void those Acts of His done by virtue of His great Seal which in Honour and Justice He is obliged to maintain and that the future government thereof may be in His Majesty according to the due course of Law Concerning the Officers mentioned in the 19th Article His Majesty when He shall come to Westminster will gratifie His Parliament all that possibly He may without destroying the alterations which are necessary for the Crown His Majesty will willingly consent to the Act for the confirmation of the priviledges and customs of the City of London and all that is mentioned in the Propositions for their particular advantage And now that His Majesty hath thus far endeavoured to comply with the desires of His two Houses of Parliament to the end that this agreement may be firm and lasting without the least face or question of restraint to blemish the same His Majesty earnestly desires presently to be admitted to His Parliament at Westminster with that Honour which is due to their Sovereign there solemnly to confirm the same and legally to pass the Acts before mentioned and to give and receive as well satisfaction in all the remaining particulars as likewise such other pledges of mutual love trust and confidence as shall most concern the good of Him and His People upon which happy Agreement His Majesty will dispatch His Directions to the Prince His Son to return immediately to Him and will undertake for His ready obedience thereunto Holdenby May 12. 1647. XXX From HAMPTON-COURT Sept. 9. MDCXLVII In Answer to the Propositions presented to Him there For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty cannot chuse but be passionately sensible as He believes all His good Subjects are of the late great Distractions and still languishing and unsetled state of this Kingdom and He calls God to witness and is willing to give testimony to all the World of His readiness to contribute His uttermost endeavours for restoring it to a
time appoint whereof the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the time being to be three to be imployed and directed from time to time during the said space of ten years in such manner as shall be agreed upon and appointed by both Houses of Parliament and that no Citizen of the City of London nor any of the Officers of the said City shall be drawn forth or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof for Military service without their own free consent That an Act be passed for granting and confirming the Charters Customs Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Non-user Mis-user or Abuser And that during the said ten years the Tower of London may be in the government of the City of London and the Chief Officer and Governour from time to time during the said space to be nominated and removeable by the Common Council as are desired in your Propositions His Majesty having thus far expressed His consent for the present satisfaction and security of His two Houses of Parliament and those that have adhered unto them touching your four first Propositions and other the particulars before specified as to all the rest of your Propositions delivered to Him at Hampton-Court not referring to those heads and to that of the Court of Wards since delivered as also to the remaining Propositions concerning Ireland His Majesty desires only when He shall come to Westminster personally to advise with His two Houses and to deliver His Opinion and the reasons of it which being done He will leave the whole matter of those remaining Propositions to the determination of His two Houses which shall prevail with Him for His consent accordingly And His Majesty doth for His Own particular only propose that He may have liberty to repair forthwith to Westminster and be restored to a condition of absolute Freedom and Safety a thing which He shall never deny to any of His Subjects and to the possession of His Lands and Revenues and that an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity may pass to extend to all persons for all matters relating to the late unhappy Differences which being agreed by His two Houses of Parliament His Majesty will be ready to make these His Concessions binding by giving them the Force of Laws by His Royal assent HIS MAJESTIES DECLARATIONS I. His MAJESTIES DECLARATION After the Votes of no further Address Carisbrook Jan. 18. MDCXLVII To all My People of whatsoever Nation Quality or Condition AM I thus laid aside and must I not speak for My self No I will speak and that to all My People which I would have rather done by the way of My two Houses of Parliament but that there is a publick Order neither to make Addresses to or receive Messages from Me. And who but you can be judge of the differences betwixt Me and My two Houses I know none else for I am sure you it is who will enjoy the Happiness or feel the Misery of good or ill Government and we all pretend who should run fastest to serve you without having a regard at least in the first place to particular Interests And therefore I desire you to consider the state I am and have been in this long time and whether My Actions have more tended to the Publick or My own particular good For whosoever will look upon Me barely as I am a Man without that liberty which the meanest of My Subjects enjoys of going whither and conversing with whom I will as a Husband and Father without the comfort of My Wife and Children or lastly as a King without the least shew of Authority or Power to protect My distressed Subjects must conclude Me not onely void of all Natural Affection but also to want common understanding if I should not most cheerfully embrace the readiest way to the settlement of these distracted Kingdoms As also on the other side do but consider the form and draught of the Bills lately presented unto Me and as they are the Conditions of a Treaty ye will conclude that the same Spirit which hath still been able to frustrate all My sincere and constant endeavours for Peace hath had a powerful influence on this Message For though I was ready to grant the substance and comply with what they seem to desire yet as they had framed it I could not agree thereunto without deeply wounding My Conscience and Honour and betraying the Trust reposed in Me by abandoning My People to the Arbitrary and Unlimited Power of the two Houses for ever for the levying and maintaining of Land or Sea Forces without distinction of quality or limitation for Money-Taxes And if I could have passed them in terms how unheard-of a Condition were it for a Treaty to grant beforehand the most considerable part of the subject matter How ineffectual were that Debate like to prove wherein the most potent Party had nothing of moment left to ask and the other nothing more to give so consequently how hopeless of mutual compliance without which a settlement is impossible Besides if after My Concessions the two Houses should insist on those things from which I cannot depart how desperate would the condition of these Kingdoms be when the most proper and approved remedy should become ineffectual Being therefore fully resolved that I could neither in Conscience Honour or Prudence pass those four Bills I onely endeavoured to make the Reasons and Justice of my Denial appear to all the World as they do to me intending to give as little dis-satisfaction to the two Houses of Parliament without betraying My own Cause as the matter would bear I was desirous to give My Answer of the 28 th of December last to the Commissioners sealed as I had done others heretofore and sometimes at the desire of the Commissioners chiefly because when My Messages or Answers were publickly known before they were read in the Houses prejudicial interpretations were forced on them much differing and sometimes contrary to My meaning For example My Answer from Hampton-Court was accused of dividing the two Nations because I promised to give satisfaction to the Scots in all things concerning that Kingdom And this last suffers in a contrary sense by making Me intend to interest Scotland in the Laws of this Kingdom than which nothing was nor is further from my thoughts because I took notice of the Scots Commissioners protesting against the Bills and Propositions as contrary to the Interests and Engagements of the two Kingdomes Indeed if I had not mentioned their dissent an Objection not without some probability might have been made against Me both in respect the Scots are much concern'd in the Bill for the Militia and in several other Propositions and My silence might with some Justice have seemed to approve of it But the Commissioners refusing to receive My Answer sealed I upon the engagement of their and the Governor's Honour that no other use should be made or notice taken of it than as if it had
of Himself and as He believeth of all His good and well-affected Subjects dissolved also although He well knoweth the the calling adjourning proroguing and dissolving of Parliaments being His Great Council of the Kingdom do peculiarly belong unto Himself by an undoubted Prerogative inseparably united to His Imperial Crown of which as of His other Regal Actions He is not bound to give an account to any but to God only whose immediate Lieutenant and Vicegerent He is in these His Realms and Dominions by the Divine Providence committed to His Charge and Government yet forasmuch as by the assistance of the Almighty His purpose is so to order Himself and all His Actions especially the great and publick Actions of State concerning the weal of His People as may justifie themselves not only to His own Conscience and to His own People but to the whole World His Majesty hath thought it fit and necessary as the Affairs now stand both at home and abroad to make a true plain and clear Declaration of the causes which moved His Majesty to assemble and after inforced Him to dissolve these Parliaments that so the mouth of Malice it self may be stopped and the doubts and fears of His own good Subjects at home and of His Friends and Allies abroad may be satisfied and the deserved blame of so unhappy accidents may justly light upon the Authors thereof When His Majesty by the death of His dear and Royal Father of ever-blessed memory first came to the Crown He found himself ingaged in a War with a potent Enemy not undertaken rashly nor without just and honourable grounds but inforced for the necessary defence of Himself and His Dominions for the support of His Friends and Allies for the redeeming of the ancient honour of this Nation for the recovering of the Patrimony of His dear Sister her Consort and their Children injuriously and under colour of Treaties and Friendship taken from them and for the maintenance of the true Religion and invited thereunto and incouraged therein by the humble advice of both the Houses of Parliament and by their large promises and protestations to His late majesty to give Him full and real assistance in those Enterprises which were of so great importance of this Realm and to the general Peace and Safety of all His Friends and Allies But when His majesty entred into a view of His Treasure He found how ill provided He was to proceed effectually with so great an Action unless He might be assured to receive such Supplies from His loving Subjects as might inable Him to manage the same Hereupon His majesty being willing to tread in the steps of His Royal Progenitors for the making of good and wholsome Laws for the better government of His people for the right understanding of their true Grievances and for the supply of moneys to be imployed for those publick services He did resolve to summon a Parliament with all convenient speed He might and finding a former Parliament already called in the life of His Father He was desirous for the speedier dispatch of His weighty affairs and gaining of time to have continued the same without any alteration of the members thereof had He not been advised to the contrary by His Judges and Counsel at Law for that it had been subject to question in Law which He desired to avoid But as soon as possibly He could He summoned a new Parliament which He did with much confidence and assurance of the love of His People that those who not long before had with some importunity won his Father to break off his former Treaties with Spain and to effect it had used the mediation of his now majesty being then Prince and a member of the Parliament and had promised in Parliament their uttermost assistance for the inabling of his late majesty to undergo the War which they then foresaw might follow would assuredly have performed it to his now majesty and would not have suffered him in his first Enterprise of so great an expectation to have run the least hazard through their defaults This Parliament after some adjournment by reason of his majestie's unavoidable occasions interposing being assembled on the eighteenth day of June it is true that his Commons in Parliament taking into their due and serious consideration the manifold occasions which at his first entry did press his majesty and his most important affairs which both at home and abroad were then in action did with great readiness and alacrity as a pledge of their most bounden Duty and Thankfulness and as the first-fruits of the most dutiful affections of his loving and loyal Subjects devoted to his service present his majesty with the free and chearful gift of two entire Subsidies which their gift and much more the freeness and heartiness expressed in the giving thereof his majesty did thankfully and lovingly accept But when he had more narrowly entred into the consideration of his great affairs wherein he was imbarked and from which he could not without much dishonour and disadvantage withdraw his hand He sound that this summe of money was much short of that which of necessity must be presently expended for the setting forward of those great actions which by advice of his Council he had undertaken and were that Summer to be pursued This his majesty imparted to his Commons House of Parliament but before the same could receive that debate and due consideration which was fit the fearful visitation of the Plague in and about the Cities of London and Westminster where the Lords and the principal Gentlemen of quality of his whole Kingdom were for the time of this their service lodged and abiding did so much increase that his majesty without extream peril to the lives of His good Subjects which were dear unto him could not continue the Parliament any longer in that place His Majesty therefore on the eleventh day of July then following adjourned the Parliament from Westminster until the first day of August then following to the City of Oxford and his Highness was so careful to accommodate his Lords and Commons there that as He made choice of that place being then the freest of all others from the danger of that grievous Sickness so He there fitted the Parliament-men with all things convenient for their entertainment and his Majesty himself being in his own heart sincere and free from all ends upon his people which the Searcher of hearts best knoweth He little expected that any misconstruction of His Actions would have been made as He there found But when the Parliament had been a while there assembled and His Majestie 's Affairs opened unto them and a further supply desired as necessity required He found them so slow and so full of delays and diversions in their resolutions that before any thing could be determined the fearful Contagion daily increased and was dispersed into all the parts of this Kingdom and came home even their doors where they were assembled His
and all their Jealousies and apprehensions which may lessen their Charity to each other and then if the Sins of this Nation have not prepared an inevitable Judgment for us all God will yet make Us a Great and a Glorious King over a Free and Happy People MDCXLI To the Kings most Excellent Majesty and the Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament The humble PETITION and PROTESTATION of all the Bishop and Prelates now called by His Majesties Writs to attend the Parliament and present about London and Westminster for that service THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by several and respective Writs and under great Penalties to attend in Parliament and have a clear and indubitate Right to vote in Bills and other matters whatsoever debatable in Parliament by the Ancient Customes Laws and Statutes of this Realme and ought to be protected by Your Majesty quietly to attend and prosecute that great Service They humbly remonstrate and protest before God Your Majesty and the Noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament That as they have an indubitate Right to sit and vote in the House of the Lords so are they if they may be protected from Force and Violence most ready and willing to perform their Duties accordingly and that they do abominate all Actions or Opinions tending to Popery and the maintenance thereof as also all propension and inclination to any Malignant party or any other side or party whatsoever to the which their own Reasons and Consciences shall not move them to adhere But whereas they have been at several times violently Menaced Affronted and Assaulted by multitudes of people in their coming to perform their services in that Honourable House and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives and can find no redress or protection upon sundry complaints made to both Houses in these particulars They likewise humbly protest before Your Majesty and the Noble House of Peers That saving unto themselves all their Rights and Interests of Sitting and Voting in that House at other times they dare not Sit or Vote in the House of Peers until Your Majesty shall further secure them from all Affronts Indignities and Dangers in the premisses Lastly Whereas their Fears are not built upon Phantasies and Conceits but upon such Grounds and Objects as may well terrifie men of good Resolutions and much Constancy they do in all humility protest before Your Majesty and the Peers of that most Honourable House of Parliament against all Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves Null and of none effect which in their absence since the twenty seventh of this instant Month of December 1641. have already passed as likewise against all such as shall hereafter pass in that most Honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence from the said most Honourable House Not denying but if their absenting of themselves were wilful and voluntary that most Honourable House might proceed in all these premisses their Absence or this their Protestation notwithstanding And humbly beseeching Your most Excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation among his Records They will ever pray to God to bless and preserve c. Jo. Eborac Thomas Duresme Rob. Co. Lich. Jos Norwich Jo. Asaphen Guil. Ba. Wells Geo. Hereford Rob. Oxon. Mat. Ely Godfr Glouc. Jo. Peterburg Mor. Llandaff MDCXLI Jan. 3. ARTICLES of HIGH TREASON and other High Misdemeanours against the Lord Kimbolton Mr. Denzil Hollis Sir Arthur Hesilrig Mr. John Pym Mr. John Hambden and Mr. William Stroude I. THAT they have traitorously endeavoured to subvert the Fundamental Laws and Government of the Kingdom of England to deprive the King of His Regal Power and to place in Subjects an Arbitrary and Tyrannical power over the Lives Liberties and Estates of His Majesties Liege People II. That they have traitorously endeavoured by many foul Aspersions upon His Majesty and His Government to alienate the Affections of His People and to make His Majesty odious unto them III. That they have endeavoured to draw His Majesties late Army to disobedience to His Majesties Commands and to side with them in their Traitorous Designs IV. That they have traitorously invited and encouraged a foreign Power to invade His Majesties Kingdom of England V. That they have traitorously indeavoured to subvert the Rights and very Being of Parliaments VI. That for the compleating of their Traitorous Designs they have indeavoured as far as in them lay by force and Terror to compel the Parliament to joyn with them in their Traitorous Designs and to that end have actually raised and countenanced Tumults against the King and Parliament VII That they have traitorously conspired to levy and actually have levied War against the King MDCXLII Jun. 2. PROPOSITIONS made by both Houses of Parliament to the KINGS Majesty for a Reconciliation of the Differences between His Majesty and the said Houses YOUR Majesties most humble and faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament having nothing in their thoughts and desires more pretious and of higher esteem next to the Honour and immediate Service of God then the just and faithful Performance of their Duty to Your Majesty and this Kingdom and being very sensible of the great Distractions and Distempers and of the imminent Dangers and Calamities which those Distractions and Distempers are like to bring upon Your Majesty and Your Subjects all which have proceeded from the subtle Insinuations mischievous Practices and evil Counsels of men disaffected to God's true Religion Your Majesties Honour and Safety and the publick Peace and Prosperity of Your People after a serious observation of the Causes of those Mischiefs do in all humility and sincerity present to Your Majesty their most dutiful Petition and Advice That out of your Princely Wisdome for the establishing Your own Honour and Safety and gracious tenderness of the welfare and security of Your Subjects and Dominioins You will be pleased to grant and accept these their humble Desires and Propositions as the most necessary effectual means through God's blessing of removing those Jealousies and Differences which have unhappily fallen betwixt You and Your People and procuring both Your Majesty and them a constant course of Honour Peace and Happiness I. That the Lords and others of Your Majesties Privy Council and such great Officers and Ministers of State either at home or beyond the seas may be put from Your Privy Council and from those Offices and Imployments excepting such as shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament And that the persons put into the places and imployments of those that are removed may be approved of by both Houses of Parliament And that all Privie-Counsellours shall take an Oath for the due execution of their places in such form as shall be agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament II. That the great Affairs of this Kingdom may not be concluded or transacted by
to Our Assistance and that this wicked Charge of intending to introduce Propery Idolatry and Arbitrary Government laid by Implication upon Us because We defend Our Selves and would recover Our own will be so far from being a Motive against Us that this intolerable Indignity and damnable Scandal so daily and visibly confuted by all Our Professions and Actions will encrease Our good Subjects zeal towards Us and their Indignation against the Contrivers and they will esteem themselves obliged by the Religion of Almighty God to oppose this War so impiously so treasonably and so groundlesly made upon Us their King and His Anointed We therefore require all Our Commissioners of Array Sheriffs and all Our other Officers and Ministers to raise all the Power and Forces of their several Counties to assist the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Northampton the Lord Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Dunsmore the Lord Paulet the Lord Seymour Henry Hastings Esquire Sir John Stawell Sir Ralph Hopton John Digby Esquire and all other in the legal and necessary Execution of Our Commissions of Array and in the raising and conducting of such Horse and Foot as shall be raised by Our Commission and by force of Arms to oppose the Earl of Essex the Lord Say and all other that shall raise or conduct any Forces raised by pretence of Authority of both Houses and the Persons of all such Traitors and their Adherents and Accomplices to Arrest and Imprison to the end they may be brought to a fair and legal Tryal by their Peers and according to the law And this We require from them as they tender the Defence of Our Person the true Religion the Law of the Land the Liberty and Property of the Subject and the true and just Privileges of Parliament And for so doing they shall be defended and secured by Us and by the Law with whom and with which We doubt not but Our Subjects will sooner chuse to live and dye than with the Earl of Essex and his Adherents MDCXLII August 9. By the King A Proclamation for the suppressing of the present Rebellion under the Command of Robert Earl of Essex And the gracious offer of His Majesty's free Pardon to him and all such of his Adherents as shall within six days after the date hereof lay down their Arms. WHereas now at the last those Seditious and Traitorous Counsels and Consultations which have been long in design and which long since We foresaw have produced such manifest and open effects of Treason and Rebellion against Us that there are already great numbers of Horse and Foot Raised Arraied Mustered and Trained under pretence of Authority of Our two Houses of Parliament without and against Our Consent in and about Our Cities of London and Westminster in a warlike manner and there are many more in Raising with speed and Robert Earl of Essex by the said pretended Authority without Our Consent hath been nominated to be Captain General of those Troops and Forces and forgetting the Duty and Allegiance which he oweth to Us his Sovereign hath taken upon him and accepted that Title and Command of Captain General and in that quality appeareth amongst the Souldiers animating and encouraging himself and them in these Traitorous and Rebellious Designs and as it is now notoriously known the said Earl and his Adherents intend speedily to march from thence towards the North where We now reside and in a warlike manner to assail and oppose Us and those who shall attend or assist Us under pretence of defending Our Person and the two Houses of Parliament and prepare traitorously to surprise or besiege Our Town of Portsmouth and to possess themselves thereof with force the same being a Town and Port of great importance in the Western parts of this Kingdom and also to surprise or by force to take and possess themselves of all other Castles Forts and places of strength within this Kingdom and all this to strengthen them and their Party in these their Traitorous and Rebellious Designs all which are not now taken up by Us upon Information of others and by Conjecture but do manifestly appear to the whole World by that insolent and prodigious Commission of Captain General over the whole Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales which in the name of the two Houses of Parliament is granted unto the said Earl but hath indeed been contrived by some few Malignant persons Members of either House whereby they have mentioned to conferr upon him and the said Earl under that colour hath assumed unto himself those Titles and begun to put in execution those Powers and Authorities which are inconsistable with Our Sovereignty all which is so done contrary to all Rules of Religion Laws Allegiance or common Honesty We do now therefore publish and declare by this Our Royal Proclamation That the said publick and notorious Acts and Actions of the said Earl are Acts and Actions of High Treason being a manifest levying of War against his natural Liege Lord and King expresly within the words and meaning of the Statute made in the twenty fifth year of King Edward the Third declaring the same of which in Law there neither is nor can be any doubt and that the said Earl of Essex is a Rebel and Traitour unto Us and to Our Crown and that he and all Colonels Captains and Officers which upon notice hereof shall not immediately quit their Commands under him or any others by the like unlawful and usurped power without and against Us are also guilty of High Treason within that Statute and ought to be adjudged and esteemed and proceeded against as Traitors and Rebels And yet out of Our Grace and Clemency towards such of Our Subjects as have been abused and misled by the said Earl and such others as joyn themselves with him in these desperate Courses and to preserve the Peace of this Kingdom if it be possible and to avoid the shedding of blood We abhorring the name of a Civil War if it can by any good means be avoided do by this Our Royal Proclamation admonish the said Earl and all Our Subjects whom it may concern which are now already joyned or shall joyn themselves to the said Earl in this act of Hostility that forthwith they lay down their Arms as well Horse as Foot and all other preparations for the War and instantly without delay return to their own homes and habitations and there quietly and peaceably imploy and bestow themselves in their proper Vocations and Callings and that hereafter they meddle not or interpose themselves in these or any the like Rebellious and Traitorous Undertakings or Actions Which if the◠do readily and really perform within six days after the date of these presents W◠do hereby promise and undertake in the Word of a King that We will freely extend 〈◊〉 Mercy unto them and grant unto them Our free and full Pardon for all that hath been or shall be committed before that time But if
they were by this Protestation so far from having drawn people into their Combination that in truth all Men conceived that they were even engaged by it against their main Design by promising to defend the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England c. And thereupon some persons of that Faction prevailed that after the Members of the Houses had taken it a Declaration was set forth by the House of Commons That by those words The Doctrine of the Church of England was intended only so far as it was opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations and that the words were not to be extended to the maintainance of the Discipline and Government c. And so under this Explication and Declaration published only by the House of Commons and never assented to by the House of Peers this Protestation was directed to be generally taken throughout England And to that purpose a Bill is drawn passed the House of Commons and sent up to the Lords who at the second reading finding many particulars in it unfit to be so severely imposed upon the Subject absolutely rejected it Upon this ensued a new and unheard-of distemper in the House of Commons as if it had been great presumption in the House of Peers to refuse any Bill sent from them and thereupon a Vote passed in the House of Commons That that House did conceive that the Protestation made by them is fit to be taken by every person that is well-affected in Religion and to the good of the Commonwealth and therefore doth declare That what person soever shall not take the Protestation is unfit to bear Office in the Church or Commonwealth and ordered That the Knights Citizens and Burgesses should send down to the several places for which they serve Copies of that Vote of the House concerning the Protestation and that those Votes should be printed Let all Men judge whether before that time from the beginning of Parliaments the House of Commons had ever presumed to trench so far upon Our Priviledge to make a Declaration so like Law without Us or upon the Priviledge of the Lords to make and publish such a Declaration after they had rejected the Bill and some of them refused to take the Protestation or upon the Liberty of the Subject so far to impose any such thing upon them without consent of Parliament Yet of this We took no notice but pressed still the disbanding of the Armies and interposed and quickned them in nothing else which was again with all earnestness desired by the Scots at Newcastle and pressed by their Commissioners at London But a new Fright was found to startle the People and to bring Us into Hatred or Jealousie with them the general Rumors of Treasons and Conspiracies began to lose credit with all Men who began to consider what they felt more than what others feared and therefore they had now found out a Treason indeed even ready to be put in execution upon the whole Kingdom the Representative body thereof a Plot to bring up the whole Army out of the Northern parts to London A strange Plot indeed which considering the constitution of that time no Man can believe Us guilty of and though they made great use of it to the filling the minds of Our People with fears and apprehensions they seemed not then to charge Us with any knowledge of or privity to it What they have done since all the world knows notwithstanding Our many Protestations in that point And We cannot but say that by those Examinations of Colonel Goring Sir Jacob Ashly and Sir John Conyers and Master Piercy's Letter which is all the Evidence We have seen and by which they seem principally to be guided We cannot satisfie Our own private Conscience that there was ever a resolution of bringing up the Army to London and upon the strictest examination We can make of that business We can find it to be no other than this Observation being made of the great Tumults about Westminster which seemed to threaten the safety of the Members of both Houses at least of those who were known not to agree with the designs of that Faction We have before spoken of and the manner of delivering Petitions by multitudes of people attested or pretended to be so by the hands of many thousands against the known Laws and established Government of the Kingdom which yet seemed to receive some countenance and to carry some Authority as instances of the Affections of so many persons it fell into the thoughts of some Officers of the Army of known and publick Affections to their Country That a Petition of a modest and dutiful nature from the whole Army for the composing and settling all Grievances in the Church and State by Law might for the reason of it prevail with the whole House and coming from such a Body might confirm those who might be shaken with any fears of Power or Force by the Tumults and with this Proposition We being made acquainted gave Our full approbation to it taking great care that no Circumstances in the framing it or delivering it might be any blemish to the matter of it This We call God to witness as We have done before was all We gave Our Consent unto or which We believe was ever intended to be put in practice What attempts other men made to seduce the Affections of the Army from Us is known to many If in the managery of this debate any rash discourses happened of bringing up the Army it is evident whether they were proposed in earnest or no they were never entertained and the whole matter laid aside above two months before any discovery so that that Danger was never prevented by the Power or Wisdom of Parliament And for the Petition it self which hath been so often pressed against Us as a special Argument of Our privity to the bringing up the Army after We have so fully and particularly answered every particular circumstance of that Petition signed with C. R. We have herewith published a true Copy of that Petition that all Our good Subjects may see how justly We have been traduced and judge when Petitions of all natures were so frequently and so willingly received whether such a Petition might not with modesty and duty enough have been presented unto them And if in truth that design of bringing up the Army had been then believed when it was first pretended to be discovered which was about the middle of May they would surely have thought it necessary to have disbanded that Army sooner than August which no pressing of Ours nor of Our Scots Subjects could perswade them to do And We are sure Our Innocence in that matter would soon have appeared if the large time to bring this business to a judicial tryal had been made use of if contrary to all Custom it had not been thought fit to publish Depositions before the parties concerned had been heard to make their Defence or
Parishes first by special Letters and earnest Sollicitations from the prime Leaders of this turbulent Faction after by Orders requiring such Ministers as would not accept their Recommendations to attend and shew cause All licence was given to those leud Seditious Pamphlets which despised the Government both of the Church and State which laid any Imputations and Scorns upon Our Person or Office and which filled the ears of all Our good Subjects with Lyes and monstrous Discourses to make them believe all the ill of the Government and Governors of Church and State Books against the Book of Common-Prayer and the established Laws of the Land suffered without reprehension to be dedicated to both Houses of Parliament whatsoever the Rancour and Venome of any Infamous person could digest published without control and nothing discountenanced and reproached but a dutiful regard of Us and Our Honour and a sober esteem and application to the Laws of the Kingdom This was the condition We found at our return from Scotland besides a strange groundless apprehension of Danger infused generally into the minds of Our good Subjects as if some notable Design were in hand against the Parliament against the City of London against the whole Kingdom of England There fell out an Accident whilest We were in Scotland concerning the Marquesses of Hamilton and Argile Those two Lords upon some information given to them that their Persons were in danger upon a sudden withdrew themselves from the Parliament in Scotland and for some few days removed out of Edenburgh Whatever they had been informed and what ever they suspected the Grounds of both were very fully examined by the Parliament there their Persons being of that quality and estimation in that Kingdom that they were sure of Justice Upon the whole themselves and the Parliament were satisfied that the Information first given to them could not be made good to the proof of any Design to the Danger of these Lords and the Examinations of the whole matter sent by Our direction to Our Parliament here How if all had been true that was imagined this business could so highly and nearly concern the Peace of this Kingdom and the present Safety of both Our Houses of Parliament We cannot imagine Yet upon the first report of it here which was the day before the first Meeting after the Recess without staying to hear the opinion of Our Parliament there who used all diligence in the examination or of Our Parliament here such strange Glosses and Interpretations were made upon that accident not without reflection upon Us and Our Honour as if at the same time there had been such a Design to have been executed here as they had fancied to themselves that to be and a sudden resolution was taken first by the Committee during the Recess after by the Houses to have a Guard for the defence of London Westminster and both Our Houses of Parliament which must needs make a great impression in the minds of Our good Subjects in a time when they were newly freed from the fears of two Armies to be awaked with the apprehension of Dangers of which seeing no ground they were to expect no end Matters being thus stated and all possible skill being used by that Faction and by their Emissaries of the Clergy who at the same time such Clamour was raised of the unlawfulness that the Clergy should meddle in Temporal Affairs were their chief Agents to derive their Seditious directions to the People and were all the week attending the doors of both Houses to be imployed in those errands to infuse the most desperate Fears into the minds of all Men that could be imagined To be sure that the memory of former bitterness might not depart they provide for Our Entertainment against We should come to London to present Us with a Remonstrance as they called it of the State of the Kingdom laying before Us and publishing to all the world all the mistakes and all the misfortunes which had happened from Our first coming to the Crown and before to that hour forgetting the blessed condition notwithstanding the unhappy mixture all Our Subjects had enjoyed in the benefit of Peace and Plenty under Us to the envy of Christendom objecting to Us the Actions of some and the thoughts of others and reproaching Us with matters which indeed never entred into Our thoughts nor to Our knowledge into the thoughts of any other reviling Us to the People and complaining to Us of the House of Peers whose Authority Interest and Privilege was then as much slighted and despised as Ours is since and easily passing over those singular Acts of Our Grace passed by Us this Parliament or ascribing them to their own wisdom in the procurement they concluded against a Malignant Party and that they had no hope of settling the Distractions of the Kingdom for want of concurrence with the House of Peers and that concurrence was desperate by reason of the Prevalency of the Bishops and of the Recusant Lords into which number all those Lords were cast who presumed to dissent from any Propositions made by the House of Commons When this Engine was prepared for the People by the prime Leaders of that desperate Faction it was presented to the House of Commons and the greatest industry and skill used that is imaginable by private Sollicitations Threats and Promises to procure consent that it might be passed by that House and after a long debate longer than ever was known in Parliament till three of the clock in the morning from ten the day before when very many through weariness and weakness were forced to leave the House so that it looked as was well said like the Verdict of the Starved Jury they carryed it by eleven Voices And shortly within very few days after Our return when We had been received with all possible expressions of Joy by Our City of London which was publickly murmured against and the chief advancers of that Duty and Affection discountenanced as if they envied Us the Loyalty of Our People and when it was publickly said in Our House of Commons upon some dispute of a pretended breach of the Orders of the House That their Discipline ought to be severe for the Enemy was in view that Remonstrance was presented to Us at Our Court at Hampton-Court by some Members of the House of Commons with a Petition contracting the sharp Language in the Remonstrance into less room amongst other things That We would concurr with Our People for depriving the Bishops of their Votes in Parliament for which there was no Bill passed both Houses and to employ such Persons about Us as Our Parliament might confide in We received this strange Petition and stranger Remonstrance graciously from the hands of the Presenters promised them an Answer and in the mean time desired that the Remonstrance might not be published to the People the thing it self and the printing any thing of the like nature being never heard of by the
therefore We applied Our self only to the Law hoping that the Insolence and Licentiousness of the People might by Our help be curbed by that Rule The Tumults grew so notorious and so dangerous that they Threatned and Assaulted the Members of both Houses whereupon the House of Peers which it seems the Lords present at the passing of one of their late Declarations wherein they deny there have been any Tumults had forgot at a Conference with the House of Commons twice very earnestly desired that they would for the dignity of Parliaments joyn with them in a Declaration for the suppressing such Tumults But the prevalency of that Faction was so great that though complaint was made by Members in the House of Commons that they had been assaulted and evil-intreated by those people even at the door of their House in stead of joyning with the Lords for the suppressing or punishing them several Speeches were made in justification of them and commending their Affections saying They must not discourage their friends this being a time they must make use of all their friends and Master Pym saying God forbid that the House of Commons should proceed in any way to dishearten people to obtain their just desires in such away which he had good reason to say himself and those other persons whom We afterwards accused of High Treason having by great sollicitation and encouragement caused those multitudes to come down in that manner The Lords having in vain tried this way appoint upon the advice of the Judges that a Writ be directed to the Sheriff and Justices upon divers Statutes which issued accordingly to suppress and hinder all tumultuous resort in obedience to which the Justices and other Ministers appoint the Constables to attend about Westminster to hinder that unlawful Conflux of People This was no sooner done but the Constables and Justices of the Peace were sent for by the House of Commons the setting such a Watch Voted to be a breach of Priviledgâ— and before any Conference with the Lords by whose direction that legal Writ issued out the Watch discharged and one of the Justices for doing his Duty according to that Writ sent to the Tower About the same time there was a Tumultuous Assembly of Brownists Anabaptists and other Sectaries called together by the Sound of a Bell into a place in Southwark where the Arms and Magazine for that Burrough were kept The Constable knowing such Meetings to be unlawful and the Consequences of them especially in such places to be very dangerous came amongst them He was no sooner come but he was reproached with words beaten and dragged in a barbarous manner insomuch as he hardly escaped from them with his life Complaint was made by him to the next Justices and Oath made of the truth of that complaint whereupon a Writ was sent to the Sheriff to impannel a Jury according to the Law for the examination and finding of this Riot This was complained of too and the meeting in how tumultuous and disorderly a manner soever pretended to be only for the drawing of a Petition against Bishops and that the Constable was a friend to Bishops and came to cross them and to hinder Men from subscribing that Petition Hereupon an Order was made in the House of Commons and the under-Sheriff of Surrey by it enjoyned that he should not suffer any proceedings to be made upon any inquisition that might concern any persons who met together to subscribe a Petition to be preferred to that House What Authority the House of Commons had or have to send any such Injunctions We cannot conceive yet by this any disorderly persons let their Intentions and demeanour be never so Seditious are above the reach of the Law and Justice if they please to say they meet to prepare any Petition to the House of Commons And 't is no wonder if after all this care taken to remove all those Obstacles the Law had put in the way to such Tumults all people took upon them to visit Our Parliament in such manner as they thought fit and thereupon great multitudes of mutinous people every day resorted to Westminster threatned to pull down the Lodgings where divers of the Bishops lay assaulted some in their Coaches chased others with Boats by water laid violent hands on the Archbishop of York in his passing to the House and had he not been rescued by force it is probable they had murthered him crying through the Streets Westminster-Hall and between the two Houses No Bishops No Bishops No Popish Lords and misused the several Members of either House who they were informed favoured not their desperate and Seditious ends proclaiming the names of several of the Peers as Evil and Rotten-Hearted Lords attempting the defacing the Abby at Westminster with great Violence and in their return from thence made a Stand before Our Gate at White-Hall said They would have no more Porters-Lodge but would speak with the King when they pleased and used such desperate Rebellious discourse that We had great reason to believe Our own Person Our Royal Consort and Our Children to be in evident Danger of Violence and therefore were compelled at Our great charge to entertain a Guard for securing Us from that Danger And yet all this Danger is so slighted that We are told in the last Declaration after We have so often urged it That it is a Suggestion as false as the Father of Lies can invent These Licentious and unpunished Tumults gave occasion to the Bishops who could not repair to the House without Danger of their Lives to make that their Protestation for the which they were forthwith accused of High Treason by the House of Commons and committed to the Tower by the House of Peers where they continued for the space of four Months at the least That small Guard We had taken for Our necessary Safety and the resort of some Officers who attended both Our Houses of Parliament for Mony due to them by Act of Parliament and upon the publick Faith to Our Court for Our Defence against those Tumults was objected against Us and divers counterfeit Letters were written and sensless Fears infused into the Citizens of London that We had a design of actual Violence upon that City and thereupon they were drawn into Arms and put upon their Guard against Us. So that there was not only no provision made for the suppressing of Tumults but that provision the Law had made against them discountenanced and taken away and We Our Self censured for taking so much strength about Us as might for some time oppose such Force as was like to be offered to Our own Gates What should We do We very well knew the Contrivers of all these Mischiefs who had by their exceeding Industry and Malice wrought this Distraction throughout the Kingdom such a defection of Allegiance in the Common people such a damp of Trade in the City and so horrid a Confusion in the Church and all this to
them a full Narration of what We had done the day before and assured them that We intended no proceedings but such as were most agreeable to the Law of the Land and the Priviledge of Parliament This demeanour of Ours We thought would have given satisfaction to all Our loving Subjects that if in truth We had erred in the form of Our Proceedings yet Our intentions were full of Justice and regard to the general Law of the Land from which We shall never willingly swerve But in stead of any application to inform our Judgment wherein we had erred and how We were to proceed both Our Houses of Parliament under the title of Committees adjourned themselves to the Guild-Hall and afterwards to Grocers-Hall the Persons accused remove themselves into the City as to a Sanctuary and there manage and contrive business to their own ends they cause Discourses to be published and Infusions to be made of incredible danger to the City and Kingdom by that Our coming to the House and Alarm was given to the City in the dead time of the night That We were coming with Horse and Foot thither and thereupon the whole City put in Arms. And however the envy seemed to be cast upon the Designs of the Papists mention was only made of actions of Our own Their seditious Preachers and Agents are by them and their special and particular directions sent into the several Counties to infuse those Fears and Jealousies into the minds of Our good Subjects with Petitions ready drawn by them for the People to sign which were yet many times by them changed three or four times before the delivery upon accidents and occurrences of either or both Houses And when many of Our poor deceived People of Our several Counties have come to Our City of London with a Petition so framed altered and signed as aforesaid that Petition hath been suppressed and a new one ready drawn hath been put into their hands after their coming to Town insomuch as few of the company have known what they petitioned for and hath been by them presented to one or both Houses of Parliament as that of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire witness those Petitions and amongst the rest that from Hartfordshire which took notice of matters agreed on or dissented from the night before the delivery which was hardly time enough to get so many thousand hands and to travel to London in that errand The accused Members to shew how much they were above Us and the reach of the Law march with a Guard of armed Men to the place where the Committee sate sit with them and govern those Counsels First they procure a Declaration to be set forth and printed from the Committee without being reported to the House contrary to all Custom and Priviledge of Parliament and against the Law it self with very strange expressions of Our carriage and upon the matter requiring all people to assist them This they cause to be sent into the City to the common-Councel which by the undue practices of Captain Venne and Master Foulk since made Alderman for his good service their principal Agents they had caused to be altered by putting out the gravest and most substantial Citizens and taking in persons of desperate Fortunes and Opinions who they knew would concur with them in their more desperate Actions the same Design and the same way pursued to make the City of London at their disposal as had been practised in the House of Commons to work upon the whole Kingdom and with this Common-Council Correspondence is kept for the setting of unusual Watches placing of Guards in several places of the City as if some desperate attempt and assault were to be made upon the whole City by Us who were known scarce to have a Guard strong enough to preserve Our own House from Violence A Commander is appointed under the Title of Serjeant-Major-general and as if all Men were now by their new Protestation made Judges of the Priviledges of Parliament and the Breaches thereof and absolved from all Rules of Obedience special provision is made and publick direction is given for drawing down the Trained-bands of Our City of London to Westminster on a day appointed to guard and bring in triumph the persons accused of High-Treason as such worthy Patriots that the Commonwealth it self could not subsist but with reference to them who in their discourses and by their Messages to their Confederates expressed the greatest Scorn of and the most treasonable Reproaches against Us that can be imagined When We understood this horrid preparation made against Us the Power it was evident these persons had to do hurt and the Malice We knew they bore against Our Person which We had too great reason to fear they intended to seize We resolved to yield for the present to this Storm and so the day before their coming to Westminster We withdrew Our Person with Our Royal Consort and Our Children to Our House at Hampton-Court and the rather lest the Courage and Indignation of some of Our good Subjects might how weakly soever yet with the effusion of blood oppose that great scorn intended Us and believing that possibly by Our removing with all such persons whose presence was excepted against and discharging that small Guard which the Tumults had forced Us to take for Our Safety and which was urged as an Argument of Danger and Ground of the general Fears might at least lessen their appearance the next day But these Powerful Persons would by no means conceal their triumph over Us but the next day are guarded from their residence in the City with multitudes of armed Men and Ammunition in a hostile and warlike manner to Westminster The same Care and Industry was used to provoke and incense Our Mariners Masters of Ships and other Seamen who were solicited by the Agents for the accused Persons and by their special direction to express their Affection likewise to the Cause in hand and thereupon near one hundred Lighters and Long-Boats were set out by water laden with Sakers Murthering-Pieces and other Ammunition dressed up with Wast-clothes and Streamers as ready for fight And in this Array these Men by water and the Soldiers by land cried out as they passed by That they would thus Protect and Defend those worthy Gentlemen whom We had accused of High-Treason and as they passed by Our Windows at White-Hall scornfully asked what was become of Vs whither We were gone In this Equipage they came to both Houses where it is no wonder they have been since able to govern having given such testimony of their Power both by land and water Let all the world judge by what Law this Army was raised and whether any Act of Ours against these persons was as unwarrantable as these proceedings We bore all this being so much amazed at these Distractions that We could not easily find what colour the Malice of these Men had found out thus to out-face Us not yet conceiving We
had broke any Priviledge or that the casual breaking of Priviledge could have produced such prodigious Distempers But We were no sooner advertised where Our mistaking was but without recrimination or complaining of the Injuries against Our Self We sent to both Houses on the twelfth and fourteenth of January by Message That in Our proceeding against those Persons We had not the least Intention of violating their Priviledges which We would be willing to assert by any reasonable way We should be advised That We would wave Our former proceedings againsts them and when the minds of Men should be composed would proceed in an unquestionable way in the mean time desired all jealousies might be laid aside and application be made to the publick and pressing Affairs especially to those of Ireland which cried for the utmost of Our Assistance But it concerned those Persons by no means to suffer such a Composition if these Fears and Jealousies were not kept up and inflamed in the People and the Distractions heightned they knew they should not only be disappointed of the Places Offices Honours and Employments they had promised themselves but be exposed to the Justice of the Law and just Hatred of all good Men. Therefore the business of both Kingdoms was not considerable to the Interests of the Six Members who would be thought the Pillars both of Church and State They had now found a danger nearer hand than Ireland and an Army raised by Us in one night at Kingston upon Thames and upon some extravagant Information pretended to be given to a Committee though some of their pretended Witnesses publickly in the House disavowed any such Testimony they procured an Order to be framed and though before the publishing of it they had full and clear evidence to the contrary by Persons come immediately from the place and testifying it to be most quiet and peaceable they yet had power to procure that Order to be published on the thirteenth of January the next day after they had received so gracious a Message from Us declaring that the Lord Digby and Colonel Lunsford the former of which was in the Town only with a Coach and six Horses the other only attended by his Servant and hath been since earnestly pressed by the Serjeant of the House of Commons in whose custody he was to accuse the Lord Digby with promises that thereby himself should be discharged had gathered Troops of Horse and appeared in a warlike manner at Kingston upon Thames being within a Mile of Our Court to the terror and affrightment of Our good Subjects and to the disturbance of the publick weal of the Kingdom and therefore it was ordered That the Sheriff and Justices of the Peace should with the Assistance of the Train-Bands suppress such Assemblies c. And this way they found out to draw that County to affront Us and sent multitudes of mean people under pretence of petitioning Us to shew Us how unsecure Our Residence was like to be there too and so in a short time compelled Us Our Royal Consort and Our Children to remove to Our Castle at Windsor They proceed then by a Close Committee a thing scarce heard of till this Parliament and of dangerous consequence to the fame and reputation of all Men to examine such mean unknown persons as they had by Threats and Promises solicited to that purpose concerning the circumstances of Our coming to the House exhibiting bold and malicious Interrogatories and Questions concerning Our Self and upon such wild Informations of desperate persons contrary to the known truth and concealing other Examinations which they had taken and by which the contrary to what they would have the People believe would have appeared particularly that very full Examination of Captain Ashley wherein Our publick and peremptory Commands against all manner of Violence though provoked are sufficiently manifested they procured an infamous Declaration to be published by the House of Commons for the House of Peers could not be yet prevailed with to joyn in those Extravagancies on the seventeenth of January mentioning Our coming to the House and some rude expressions of some persons who if there were any such persons there We are most confident they were not of Our Train and would infer from some Mens calling for the Word at Our coming out of the House which is a form used in Our Court that those of Our Train who are before may know when and whither they are to go that We had a purpose to have fallen upon the House of Commons and to have cut all their Throats and do therefore declare That Our coming to the House was a traitorous Design against the King and Parliament That Our Proclamation issued out of the Apprehension of them was false scandalous and illegal That it was lawful for all Men to harbour them and that whosever did so should be under the Protection and Priviledge of Parliament with many other expressions of and aspersions upon Us which they hoped would render Us odious to Our good Subjects and force Us for Our safety to submit to such unreasonable Propositions which amongst themselves they had provided to be offered to Us or provoke Us to such Actions as might give them some advantage To keep the People in a continual Alarm and apprehension of Danger few days passed without some pretended Discovery by Sir Walter Earl or other quick-sighted Men of some Treason or Plot against the Parliament the City or the Kingdom and upon every light and impossible Information many of Our Subjects sent for out of several Counties who after chargeable attendance were dismissed without any reparation or reprehension One day the Tower of London is in danger to be taken and Information given That great Multitudes at least a hundred had that day resorted to visit a Priest then a Prisoner there by Order of the Lords and that at the time of the Information above fifty or threescore were then there and a Warder dispatched of purpose to give that notice upon enquiry but four Persons were then found to be there and but eight all that day who had visited that Priest Another day a Tailour in a Ditch in the open fields over-hears two Passengers to plot the death of Mr. Pym and of many other Members of both Houses then Libellous Letters found in the Streets without names probably contrived by themselves and by their Power published printed and entred in their Journals and Intimations given of the Papists training under ground and of notable provision of Ammunition in Houses where upon examination a single Sword and a Bow and Arrows are found a design of the Inhabitants of Covent-Garden to murther the City of London news from France Italy Spain and Denmark of Arms ready to come for England with infinite such ridiculous Discourses which are not only suffered and directed to be Printed but such countenance and credit given to them that thereupon Guards must be doubled Correspondencies and Letters interrupted and broken open even
Members of either of them That some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of the disbanding and that fit Persons may be appointed by His Majesty and the Parliament who may repair to the several Armies and see the disbanding put in speedy execution accordingly That his Majesty do likewise remove the Garrisons out of Newcastle and all other Towns Castles and Forts where any Garrisons have been placed by Him since these Troubles and that the Fortifications be likewise slighted and the Towns and forts left in such state and condition as they were in the year 1636. That all other Towns Forts and Castles where there have been formerly Garrisons before these Troubles be committed to the charge of such Persons to be nominated by His Majesty as the Parliament shall confide in and under such Instructions as are formerly mentioned That if His Majesty shall be pleased to assent to these Propositions concerning the Towns Forts Castles Magazines and Ships that then His Majesty be humbly intreated to name Persons of Quality to receive the charge of the several Offices and Forts Castles and Towns to be forthwith certified to the two Houses of Parliament that thereupon they may express their confidence in those persons or humbly beseech His Majesty to name others none of which Persons shall be removed during three years next ensuing without just cause to be approved by Parliament and if any be so removed or shall dye within the said space the Person to be put into the same Office shall be such as both Houses shall confide in That all Generals and Commanders in any of the Armies on either side as likewise the Lord Admiral of England the Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports all Commanders of any Ships and Commanders of any Town Castle or Fort shall take an Oath to observe these Articles afore-mentioned and to use their uttermost power to preserve the true Reformed Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom against all Forein Force and all other Forces raised without His Majesties Authority and Consent of the two Houses of Parliament You shall move His Majesty that for the better dispatch of the Treaty and the free intercourse of Instructions and Advertisements betwixt the two Houses of Parliament and the Committee there may be a free pass of Messengers to and from the Parliament and the Committee without search or interruption and His Majesty's safe Conduct to be obtained to that effect to such Persons as are or shall be appointed for that service viz. for Master John Rushworth Master Mithael Welden Master John Corbet of Graies Inn and Master James Standish H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. The KING's Message concerning the Cessation 23 Martii 1642. CHARLES R. HIS Majesty hath immediately upon their arrival admitted the Committee sent to Him from both Houses of Parliament as the Messengers of Peace to His Royal Presence and received the Articles of Cessation brought by them which are in effect the same His Majesty formerly excepted to though their expression in the Preface to these Articles of their readiness to agree to those Alterations and Additions offered by His Majesty in such manner as is expressed made Him expect to have found at least some of the real Alterations and Additions made by Him admitted which He doth not discover I. His Majesty desired that Provision might be made and Licence given to His good Subjects for their freedom of Trade Traffick and Commerce though in matters which concerned Himself more immediately as in Arms Ammunition Mony Bullion and Victual for the use of His Army and the Passage of all Officers and Souldiers of His Army He was contented the restraint should be in such manner as was proposed of which His Majesty is so tender that as he hath provided for the same by His gracious Proclamations so He doth daily release and discharge such Merchandize and Commodities as are contrary to those Proclamations stayed by any of His Majesties Forces To this Freedom and Liberty of His good Subjects there is not the least admission given by these Articles so that they have not any ease or benefit by this Cessation which His Majesty desires both Houses to consider of and whether if His Majesty should take the same course to stop and interrupt the Trade of the Kingdom as the other Army doth a general Loss and Calamity would not seize upon His good Subjects II. His Majesty to the end that a full Cessation might be as well at Sea as at Land and He might be secured that the Ships proposed to be set forth for the Defence of His Majesties Dominions should be employed only to that end and purpose desired that they might be put under the Command of Persons to be approved of by His Majesty which is not consented to by these Articles but their former to which His Majesty excepted strictly and entirely insisted on by which besides that part of Hostility remains the conveying of any number of Forces from any part to any other by that means remains free to them III. For the prevention of any Inconveniences which might arise upon real Differences or Mistakes upon the latitude of Expressions as if His Majesty should now consent to these Articles proposed in the Terms proposed He must confess the Army of which He complains to be raised by the Parliament and either Himself to be no part of the Parliament or Himself to have raised that Army and for prevention of that Delay which He foresaw could not otherwise be avoided if upon every Difference the Questions must be remitted to London His Majesty desired that the Committee for whom He then sent a safe Conduct might have liberty to debate any such Differences and Expressions and reconcile the same that all possible Expedition might be used to the main Treaty In this point of so high Concernment no power is given in these Articles and the Committee confessed to His Majesty they have no Power given but are strictly and precisely bound to the very words of the Articles now sent and that before these are consented to by Us they cannot enter into any Treaty concerning the other Propositions IV. His Majesty desired that during the Cessation none of His good Subjects might be imprisoned otherwise than according to the known Laws of the Land This is in no degree consented to but the priviledge and liberty to which they were born reserved from them till the disbanding of both Armies though they are no part of either Army and so have no benefit by this Cessation V. His Majesty desired that during this Cessation there should be no Plundering or Violence offered to any of His Subjects In the Answer to which His desire against Violence is not at all taken notice of nor is His desire against Plundering any ways satisfied His Majesty not only intending by it the robbing of the Subject by the unruliness of the uncommanded Souldier which their Clause of requiring the Generals and
the desire of both Houses of His Majesty's coming to His Parliament which they have often exprest with as full offers of security to His Royal Person as was agreeable to their Duty and Allegiance and they know no cause why His Majesty may not repair hither with Honour and Safety but they did not insert it into your Instructions because they conceived the Disbanding of the Armies would have facilitated His Majesty's Resolution therein which they likewise conceived was agreeable to His Majesty's Sense who in declaring His Consent to the Order of the Treaty did only mention that part of the first Proposition which concerned the Disbanding and did omit that which concerned His coming to the Parliament Oath of Officers They conceive the ordinary Oaths of the Officers mentioned are not sufficient to secure them against the extraordinary causes of Jealousie which have been given them in these troublesome times and that His Majesty's Answer lays some tax upon the Parliament as if defective and thereby uncapable of making such a Provisional Law for an Oath therefore you shall still insist upon their former desires of such an Oath as is mentioned in your Instructions If you shall not have received His Majesty's positive Answer to the humble desire of both Houses in these two first Propositions according as they are exprest in your Instructions before the twenty days limited for the Treaty shall be expired you shall then with convenient speed repair to the Parliament without expecting any further direction Jo. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum CHARLES REX TO shew to the whole World how earnestly His Majesty longs for Peace and that no Success shall make Him desire the continuance of His Army to any other end or for any longer time than that and until things may be so settled as that the Law may have a full free and uninterrupted course for the defence and preservation of the Rights of His Majesty both Houses and His good Subjects 1. As soon as His Majesty is satisfied in His first Proposition concerning His own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forts in which He desires nothing but that the just known Legal Rights of His Majesty devolved to Him from His Progenitors and of the Persons trusted by Him which have violently been taken from both be restored unto Him and unto them unless any just and legal exceptions against any of the Persons trusted by Him which are yet unknown to His Majesty can be made appear to Him 2. As soon as all the Members of both Houses shall be restored to the same capacity of sitting and voting in Parliament as they had upon the first of January 1641. the same of right belonging unto them by their birth-rights and the free election of those that sent them and having been voted from them for adhering to His Majesty in these Distractions His Majesty not intending that this should extend either to the Bishops whose Votes have been taken away by Bill or to such in whose places upon new Writs new Elections have been made 3. As soon as His Majesty and both Houses may be secured from such tumultuous assemblies as to the great breach of the Priviledges and the high dishonour of Parliaments have formerly assembled about both Houses and awed the Members of the same and occasioned two several complaints from the Lords House and two several desires of that House to the House of Commons to joyn in a Declaration against them the complying with which desire might have prevented all these miserable Distractions which have ensued which security His Majesty conceives can be only settled by adjourning the Parliament to some other place at the least twenty miles from London the choice of which His Majesty leaves to both Houses His Majesty will most chearfully and readily consent that both Armies be immediately disbanded and give a present meeting to both His Houses of Parliament at the time and place at and to which the Parliament shall be agreed to be adjourned His Majesty being most confident that the Law will then recover the due credit and estimation and that upon a free debate in a full and peaceable convention of Parliament such provisions will be made against seditious Preaching and Printing against His Majesty and the established Laws which hath been one of the chief causes of the present Distractions and such care will be taken concerning the legal and known Rights of His Majesty and the Property and Liberty of His Subjects that whatsoever hath been publisht or done in or by colour of any illegal Declaration Ordinance or Order of one or both Houses or any Committee of either of them and particularly the power to raise Arms without His Majesty's Consent will be in such manner recalled disclaimed and provided against that no seed will remain for the like to spring out of for the future to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and to endanger the very Being of it And in such a Convention His Majesty is resolved by His readiness to consent to whatsoever shall be proposed to Him by Bill for the real good of His Subjects and particularly for the better discovery and speedier conviction of Recusants for the education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion for the prevention of practices of Papists against the State and the due execution of the Laws and true levying of the Penalties against them to make known to all the World how causless those Fears and Jealousies have been which have been raised against Him and by that so distracted this miserable Kingdom And if this Offer of His Majesty be not consented to in which He asks nothing for which there is not apparent Justice on His side and in which He defers many things highly concerning both Himself and People till a full and peaceable convention of Parliament which in Justice He might now require His Majesty is confident that it will then appear to all the World not only who is most desirous of Peace and whose default it is that both Armies are not now disbanded but who hath been the true and first cause that this Peace was ever interrupted or these Armies raised and the beginning or continuance of the War and the destruction and desolation of this poor Kingdom which is too likely to ensue will not by the most interessed passionate or prejudicate person be imputed to His Majesty His MAJESTY's Questions before the Treaty and the Committees Answers March 25. 1643. Mis MAJESTY desires to be answered these Questions in writing by the Committee of both Houses 1. WHether they may not shew unto Him those Instructions according to which they are to Treat and Debate with His Majesty upon the two first Propositions of which the last Message from both Houses takes notice and refers unto 2. Whether they have power to pass from one Proposition to the other in the Debate before His Majesty have exprest His mind concerning the Proposition first entred into 3. Whether they have power
let the woful experience of these last eighteen years judge where in a time of Peace and Plenty the power of issuing out Commissions to compel Loans a power in the King at His pleasure to impose a Charge upon the People to provide Ships without limitation of time or proportion a power in the Council-Board to commit Men and determine business without distinction of persons or causes the power of laying Impositions both upon Forein and Domestick Commodities and many other Acts of Oppressions was under the name and colour of a Legal Right thereunto practised and put in execution against which the Subject had no help of relief but was necessitated to submit and lie under the burthen And when at any time a Parliament was called being the only cure and remedy for these griefs it could no sooner touch upon these sores but it was dashed in pieces by a sudden Dissolution And now that a remedy is provided for that mischief by the Act for continnance of this Parliament it is attempted by the force and power of an Army to effect that which formerly could have been done with more ease and readiness And now they refer it to the censure of any honest Man whether they have not the warrant of Reason and Necessity to demand some security to enjoy that which His Majesty confesseth to be the Peoples right and in reference to that whether their Demand of having the Forts Castles and Shipping to be put into such hands as both Houses shall have cause to confide in was not both moderate and reasonable And touching their Demand and His Majesty's Answer to the Clause concerning the admission of Forces into those Forts Castles and Towns they must still submit it to all indifferent judgments how much Reason and Justice was comprehended in their Demand and how little satisfaction they received therein His Majesty answers That no Forces raised or brought in contrary to Law should be admitted which they could heartily wish heretofore had or hereafter would be really performed but they desire it may be considered what security this will be to the Kingdom to prevent the raising or bringing in of Forces contrary to law who shall be Judges of the Law when those Forces are once raised and once brought in Surely His Majesty will not acknowledge the two Houses of Parliament to be for His Majesty by several Declarations hath expresly denied them any such Power For contrary to their Declarations fortified with Law and Reason His Majesty published and affirmed the Legality of the Commission of Array and put the same in execution in most parts of the Kingdom hath authorized the Papists of the Kingdom to take Arms to oppose the Parliament and their Proceedings and to rob spoil and deprive the Protestants of this Kingdom of their Estates and lives hath by divers Proclamations and Declarations published the raising of Forces and taking up of Arms by the two Houses of Parliament and such as therein obey their Commands for their own defence and the defence of their Religion and Liberty assaulted by an Army of Papists and their adherents to be Rebellion and Treason and the taking up of Arms by the Papists and their adherents to be acts of Duty and Loyalty and all this urged and pretended to be warranted by the Law of the Land And they do not doubt but by the same Law persons legally impeached and accused in Parliament of high Treason as the Lord Digby Master Percy Master Jermyn Master Oneale and others are by the power of an Army protected from the Justice of the Parliament and yet all this while the People have not only His Majesty's Promise but His Oath to govern and protect them according to the Laws of the Land And now they appeal to the World whether such a general Answer That no Forces raised or brought in contrary to Law without admitting them so much as to declare their confidence in the persons that are to be entrusted with the Power be just or reasonable What is it otherwise in effect than to make those persons that are the Instruments to violate the Law Judges of that Law which to our sad experience is the woful and miserable present condition of this Kingdom And though by what had hitherto passed they had little cause to suspect such a happy issue to the Treaty as they heartily wished and most earnestly laboured for discovering not the least inclination of compliance to their just Demands but all or most of them answered with a Denial and that not without some sharpness and acrimony yet resolving to be wanting in nothing of their parts they enjoyned their Committee to press on the Proposition for Disbanding and humbly desire His Majesty's positive Answer thereunto which if assented unto by His Majesty would though not wholly take away the cause and perfectly cure the Distractions of this Kingdom yet at least take off the smart and pain under which both Church and State do most miserably languish and so better enable them to endure the expectation of a through Cure The Committee applied themselves to His Majesty accordingly and after some endeavour to protract the debate of this Proposition and desire that it might be deferred to the conclusion of the Treaty and that the time of the Treaty might be enlarged His Majesty being earnestly importuned to a positive and speedy Answer to the end the Kingdom might know what they might trust to His Majesty was pleased to return this Answer That as soon as His Majesty were satisfied in His first Proposition concerning His own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forts secondly as soon as all the Members of both Houses shall be restored to the same capacity of sitting and voting in Parliament as they had upon the first of January 1641. not intending to extend it to the Bishops Votes or to such in whose places upon new Writs new Elections have been made thirdly as soon as His Majesty and both Houses might be secured from such tumultuous assemblies as formerly assembled about both Houses which security His Majesty explains can be only settled by adjourning the Parliament to some place twenty miles from London His Majesty would consent that both the Armies should be disbanded and come to the Parliament Which in terms plain enough is as much as to say That until both Houses shall consent to those Demands He will not Disband His Army He will continue the War And what Reason or Justice is either in the matter or manner of those demands or what hope or expectation the People can have to see an end of their present Calamities they leave it to themselves to judge His Majesty in the beginning of the Treaty in His Answer to the Propositions of both Houses was pleased to express how unparliamentary it was by Arms to require new Laws but how to apply that to the two Houses of Parliament they must confess they are to seek they never having demanded any new Laws by Arms endeavouring
Parliament as they had upon the first of January 1641. the same of right belonging unto them by their Birth-rights and the free Election of those that sent them and having been Voted from them for adhering to His Majesty in these Distractions His Majesty not intending that this should extend either to the Bishops whose Votes have been taken away by Bill or to such in whose places upon new Writs new Elections have been made 3. As soon as His Majesty and both Houses may be secured from such tumultuous Assemblies as to the great breach of the Privileges and the high Dishonour of Parliaments have formerly assembled about both Houses and awed the Members of the same and occasioned two several complaints from the Lords House and two several desires of that House to the House of Commons to joyn in a Declaration against them the complying with which desire might have prevented all these miserable Distractions which have ensued which Security His Majesty conceives can be only settled by Adjourning the Parliament to some other place at the least twenty Miles from London the choice of which His Majesty leaves to both Houses His Majesty will most chearfully and readily consent that both Armies be immediately disbanded and give a present meeting to both His Houses of Parliament at the time and place at and to which the Parliament shall be agreed to be Adjourned His Majesty being most confident that the Law will then recover the due credit and estimation and that upon a free debate in a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament such Provisions will be made against Seditious Preaching and Printing against His Majesty and the established Laws which hath been one of the chief causes of the present Distractions and such care will be taken concerning the Legal and known Rights of His Majesty and the Property and Liberty of His Subjects that whatsoever hath been published or done in or by colour of any illegal Declaration Ordinance or Order of one or both Houses or any Committee of either of them and particularly the Power to raise Arms without His Majesty's Consent will be in such manner recalled disclaimed and provided against that no seed will remain for the like to spring out of for the future to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and to endanger the very Being of it And in such a Convention His Majesty is resolved by His readiness to consent to whatsoever shall be proposed to Him by Bill for the Real good of His Subjects and particularly for the better discovery and speedier conviction of Recusants for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion for the prevention of practices of Papists against the State and the due execution of the Laws and true levying of the Penalties against them to make known to all the World how causeless those fears and jealousies have been which have been raised against Him and by that so distracted this miserable Kingdom And if this Offer of His Majesty be not consented to in which He asks nothing for which there is not apparent Justice on His side and in which He defers many things highly concerning both Himself and People till a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament which in Justice He might now require His Majesty is confident that it will then appear to all the World not only who is most desirous of Peace and whose fault it is that both Armies are not now disbanded but who have been the true and first cause that this Peace was ever interrupted or these Armies raised and the beginning or continuance of the War and the Destruction and Desolation of this poor Kingdom which is too likely to ensue will not by the most interessed passionate or prejudicate Person be imputed to His Majesty His MAJESTY'S Message to both Houses May 19. in pursuance of the foregoing Message SInce His Majesty's Message of the twelfth of April in which he conceived He had made such an Overture for the immediate Disbanding of all Armies and Composure of these present miserable Distractions by a full and free Convention in Parliament that a perfect and settled Peace would have ensued hath in all this time above a full Month procured no Answer from both Houses His Majesty might well believe Himself absolved before God and Man from the least possible Charge of not having used His utmost endeavour for Peace Yet when He considers that the Scene of all this Calamity is in the Bowels of His own Kingdom that all the Blood which is spilt is of His own Subjects and that what Victory soever it shall please God to give Him must be over those who ought not to have lifted up their hands against Him when He considers that these desperate civil Dissentions may encourage and invite a Foreign Enemy to make a Prey of the whole Nation that Ireland is in present danger to be totally lost that the heavy Judgments of God Plague Pestilence and Famine will be the inevitable Attendants of this unnatural Contention and that in a short time there will be so general a habit of uncharitableness and Cruelty contracted throughout the Kingdom that even Peace it self will not restore His People to their old Temper and Security His Majesty cannot but again call for an Answer to that His Message which gives so fair a Rise to end these unnatural Distractions And His Majesty doth this with the more earnestness because He doubts not the condition of His Armies in several parts His strength of Horse Foot and Artillery His plenty of Ammunition which some Men lately might conceive He wanted is so well known and understood that it must be confessed that nothing but the Tenderness and Love to His People and those Christian Impressions which always have and He hopes always shall dwell in His heart could move Him once more to hazard a Refusal And He requires them as they will answer to God to Himself and all the World That they will no longer suffer their fellow-Subjects to welter in each others Blood that they will remember by whose Authority and to what end they met in that Council and send such an Answer to His Majesty as may open a door to let in a firm Peace and Security to the whole Kingdom If His Majesty shall again be disappointed of His Intentions herein the Blood Rapine and Distraction which must follow in England and Ireland will be cast upon the Account of those who are deaf to the motion of Peace and Accommodation CHARLES R. May 19. 1643. OUR express Pleasure is That this Declaration of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford be read by the Parson Vicar or Curate in every Church and Chapel within Our Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales MDCXLIV April 15. The Petition of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford Presented to His MAJESTY the day before the Recess And His MAJESTY'S Gracious Answer to the same To the Kings most excellent
offered any such particular Form of Government to us that may inable us to judge thereof and we cannot but observe that the Arguments produced to that purpose were only to prove the same not unlawful without offering to prove it absolutely necessary And therefore we conceive our Answer formerly given to your Lordships concerning that Bill and your Propositions concerning Religion is a just and reasonable Answer After the first three days of the Treaty spent upon the business of Religion according to the Order formerly prescribed the Propositions concerning the Militia were next Treated upon the three days following beginning the fourth of February and the same was after resumed the 14 th of February for other three days Their Propositions touching the Militia 4. February WE desire that by Act of Parliament the Subjects of the Kingdom of England may be appointed to be Armed Trained and Disciplined in such manner as both Houses shall think fit The like for the Kingdom of Scotland in such manner as the Estates of Parliament there shall think fit We desire that an Act of Parliament be passed for the settling of the Admiralty and Forces at Sea and for the raising of such moneys for maintenance of the said Forces and of the Navy as both Houses of Parliament shall think fit The like for the Kingdom of Scotland in such manner as the Estates of Parliament there shall think fit An Act for the settling of all Forces by Sea and Land in Commissioners to be nominated by both Houses of Parliament of Persons of known Integrity and such as both Kingdoms may confide in for their faithfulness to the Religion and Peace of the Kingdom of the House of Peers and of the House of Commons who shall be removed or altered from time to time as both Houses shall think fit and when any shall dye others to be nominated in their places by the said Houses Which Commissioners shall have power 1. To suppress any Forces raised without Authority of both Houses of Parliament or in the Intervals of Parliaments without consent of the said Commissioners to the disturbance of the publick Peace of these Kingdoms and to suppress any Foreign Forces that shall invade this Kingdom And that it shall be high Treason in any who shall levy any Forces without such Authority or consent to the disturbance of the Publick peace of the Kingdom any Commission under the great Seal or other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding and they to be incapable of any Pardon from His Majesty and their Estates to be disposed of as both Houses of Parliament shall think fit 2. To preserve the Peace now to be setled and to prevent all disturbances of the publick Peace that may arise by occasion of the late Troubles So for the Kingdom of Scotland 3. To have power to send part of themselves so as they exceed not a third part or be not under the number of to reside in the Kingdom of Scotland to assist and vote as single persons with the Commissioners of Scotland in those matters wherein the Kingdom of Scotland is only concerned So for the Kingdom of Scotland 4. That the Commissioners of both Kingdoms may meet as a joynt Committee as they shall see cause or send part of themselves as aforesaid to do as followeth 1. To preserve the Peace betwixt the Kingdoms and the King and every one of them 2. To prevent the violation of the Articles of Peace as aforesaid or any Troubles arising in the Kingdoms by breach of the said Articles and to hear and determine all differences that may occasion the same according to the Treaty and to do further according as they shall respectively receive Instructions from both Houses of Parliament in England or the Estates of Parliament in Scotland and in the Intervals of Parliaments from the Commissioners for the preservation of the publick Peace 3. To raise and joyn the Forces of both Kingdoms to resist all Foreign Invasion and to suppress any Forces raised within any of the Kingdoms to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdoms by any Authority under the great Seal or other Warrant whatsoever without consent of both Houses of Parliament in England and the Estates of the Parliament in Scotland or the said Commissioners of that Kingdom whereof they are Subjects And that in those Cases of joynt Concernment to both Kingdoms the Commissioners to be directed to be there all or such part as aforesaid to act and direct as joynt Commissioners of both Kingdoms We desire that the Militia of the City of London may be in the ordering and government of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in Common-Councel assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the time being to be three And that the Militia of the Parishes without London and the Liberties within the Weekly Bills of Mortality may be under the command of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in Common-Councel of the said City to be ordered in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament We desire that the Tower of London may be in the government of the City of London and the chief Officer and Governour thereof from time to time be nominated and removeable by the Common-Councel And that the Citizens or Forces of London shall not be drawn out of the City into any other parts of the Kingdom without their own consent and that the drawing of their Forces into other parts of the Kingdom in these distracted times may not be drawn into example for the future After these Propositions made the King's Commissioners for their Information concerning these Propositions gave in several Papers The King's Commissioners Paper 4. February VVE conceive the Propositions delivered by your Lordships concerning the Militia import very great Alterations in the main foundation of the Frame of Government of this Kingdom taking by express words or by necessary consequence the whole Military and Civil power out of the Crown without any limitation in Time or reparation proposed Therefore we desire to know for what term you intend the Militia shall be settled in such manner as may be a reasonable and full Security which we are ready and desirous to give to preserve the Peace now to be settled and to prevent all disturbances of the publick Peace that may arise by occasion of the late Troubles For the better doing whereof we are ready by Conference to satisfie your Lordships in any particulars Their Answer 4. February OUR Paper given in to your Lordships concerning the Militia doth not contain the Alterations mentioned in your Lordships Answer but desires that which by the Wisdom of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms is judged necessary at this time for the security of His Majesty's Kingdoms and preservation of the Peace now to be settled and until your Lordships shall declare an Assent unto the matter therein expressed we conceive it will not
be seasonable to give any Answer concerning the Time And we are ready to confer with your Lordships upon what shall be offered by you to our Paper concerning the Militia formerly delivered The King's Commissioners Reply 4. February VVE are of opinion that the Propositions in your Lordships Paper contain the Alterations mentioned in the Paper we lately delivered to your Lordships and take by express words or necessary consequence the whole Military and Civil Power out of the Crown which Alterations we are ready to make appear in Debate And the Alterations being so great we have reason to desire to know the limitation of Time the consideration of which makes the Propositions more or less reasonable The King's Commissioners second Paper 4. Feb. VVE desire to know who the Commissioners shall be in whose hands the Forces by Sea and Land shall be entrusted and whether you intend His Majesty shall be obliged to consent to such Persons or whether He may except against them and name others in their places of known affection to Religion and Peace Their Answer 4. February THE Commissioners in whose hands the Forces by Sea and Land shall be entrusted are to be nominated for England by both the Houses of the Parliament of England and for Scotland by the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland as is expressed in our Paper formerly delivered to your Lordships concerning the Militia The King's Commissioners Reply 4. Feb. VVE desire a full Answer to our Paper concerning the Persons to be entrusted with the Militia it being very necessary to know the Persons before consent can be given to the matter and whether His Majesty may except against any such persons and nominate others in their rooms against whom there can be no just exception The King's Commissioners third Paper 4. Feb. VVE desire to know whether your Lordships intend that the Militia of the City of London shall be independent and not subordinate to those Commissioners in whose hands the Forces by Sea and Land shall be entrusted Their Answer 4. Feb. IT appears by the Propositions concerning the Militia of the City of London that the same is to be ordered in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament The King's Commissioners Reply 4. February WE desire an Answer to our Paper concerning the Militia of the City of London whether the same shall be subordinate to the Commissioners in whose hands the Forces by Sea and Land are to be intrusted your Lordships Answer that the same is to be ordered in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament which yet doth not appear by the Propositions being no Answer to the Question The King's Commissioners Paper 5. Feb. HAving with great diligence perused your Lordships Paper concerning the Militia and being very desirous to come to as speedy a conclusion in that Argument as we can we will be ready to morrow to give your Lordships our full Answer which we are confident will give your Lordships satisfaction concerning the matter of the Militia of this Kingdom The King's Commissioners Paper in Answer to the Propositions concerning the Militia 6. February TO suppress any Forces that may be raised to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdom or that shall invade this Kingdom and to preserve the Peace now to be settled and to prevent all disturbances of the publick Peace that may arise by occasion of the late Troubles and that His Majesty and all His People may be secured from the Jealousies and Apprehensions they may have of Danger we do consent that all the Forces of the Kingdom both by Sea and Land shall be put into the hands of Persons of known faithfulness to the Religion and Peace of the Kingdom in such manner and for such time as hereafter mentioned That the number of those Persons be Twenty or if that be not accepted by your Lordships such greater or lesser number as shall be agreed upon between us and that His Majesty may name half the persons to be so entrusted and the two Houses the other half That such Forts and Towns in which Garrisons have been before these Troubles and such other as shall be agreed upon between us to be necessary for a time to be kept as Garrisons shall be entrusted likewise to persons to be chosen by the Commissioners or the major part of them to be subordinate to the said Commissioners and to receive orders from them and no others And all other places which have been fortified since the beginning of these Troubles shall be left as they were before and the Fortifications and Works slighted and demolished and all Forces with all possible expedition to be disbanded that the Kingdom may be eased of that intolerable burthen That an Act of Parliament shall be passed for the raising of such Moneys for the maintenance of the Navy and Sea-Forces as His Majesty and both Houses shall think fit That when any of the said Commissioners shall dye who was nominated by His Majesty His Majesty shall name another and when any shall dye of those named by the two Houses another shall be chosen by them and in the Intervals of Parliament by the major part of the said Commissioners named by the two Houses and neither the one nor the other to be removed but by the joynt consent of His Majesty and both Houses except it shall be desired by your Lordships that His Majesty and the two Houses respectively may remove the respective persons named by them as often as they shall see occasion to which if it shall be insisted on we shall consent These Commissioners or the major part of them or such other number of them as shall be aggreed upon shall have Power by Act of Parliament to suppress any Forces raised sitting a Parliament without the joynt consent of His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament or in the Intervals of Parliament without consent of the said Commissioners or the major part of them to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdom and to suppress any Forces that shall invade the Kingdom And it shall be high Treason in any who shall levy any Forces without such Authority or consent to the disturbance of the publick Peace That they shall have like Power to preserve the Peace now to be settled and to prevent all disturbances of the publick Peace that may arise by occasion of the late Troubles And if any Forces shall be brought into the Kingdom without the joynt Consent of the King and the two Houses of Parliament it shall be lawful for any four of the said Commissioners to levy Forces for the supppressing resisting and destroying of the said Forces so brought in We are content that this Power to such Persons shall continue for the space of three years which we doubt not but by the blessing of God will be abundantly sufficient to secure all Persons from their Doubts and Fears and in which
at Our Court at Tavestock the 8 th of September 1644. The Bill for Abolishing Episcopacy VVHereas the Government of the Church of England by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchy hath by long experience been found to be a great impediment to the perfect Reformation and growth of Religion and very prejudicial to the Civil State and Government of the Kingdom Be it therefore Enacted by the King 's most Excellent Majesty and the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That from and after the fifth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Forty and Three there shall be no Arch-bishop Bishop Chancellor or Commissary of any Arch-Bishop or Bishop nor any Dean Sub-dean Dean and Chapter or Arch deacon nor any Chancellor Chaunter Treasurer Sub-treasurer Succentor or Sacrist of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church nor any Prebendary Canon Canon-Residentiary Petty-Canon Vicar-Choral Choristers old Vicars or new Vicars of or within any Cathedral or Collegiate Church or any other their Officers within this Church of England or Dominion of Wales and that from and afrer the said fifth day of November the Name Title Dignity Jurisdiction Office and Function of Arch bishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Sub-deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons Canons and Prebendaries and all Chaunters Chancellors Treasurers Sub-treasurers Succentors and Sacrists and all Vicars-Choral and Choristers old Vicars and new Vicars and every of them and likewise the having using or exercising of any Power Jurisdiction Office or Authority by reason or colour of any such Name Title Dignity Office or Function within this Realm of England or Dominion of Wales shall thenceforth cease determine and become absolutely void and shall be abolished out of this Realm and the Dominion of Wales any Usage Law or Statute to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And that from and after the said fifth day of November no Person or Persons whatsoever by Virtue of any Letters-Patents Commission or other Authority derived from the King's Majesty His Heirs or Successors shall use or exercise any Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical within this Realm or Dominion of Wales but such and in such manner as shall be appointed and established by Act of Parliament And that all Counties Palatine Mannors Lordships Castles Granges Messuages Mills Lands Tenements Meadows Leasues Pastures Woods Rents Reversions Services Parks Annuities Franchises Liberties Priviledges Immunities Rights Rights of Action and of Entry Interests Titles of Entry Conditions Commons Courts-Leet and Courts-Baron and all other Possessions and Hereditaments whatsoever of what nature or quality soever they be or wheresoever they lie or be other than Impropriations Parsonages appropriate Tithes Oblations Obventions Pensions Portions of Tithes Parsonages Vicarages Churches Chappels Advowsons Nominations Collations Rights of Patronage and Presentation which now are or lately were of or belonging unto any Arch-bishop Bishop Arch-bishoprick or Bishoprick or any of them or which they or any of them held or injoyed in right of their said Arch-bishoprick or Bishoprick respectively shall by the Authority of Parliament be vested adjudged and deemed to be and shall be in the very real and actual possession and seisin of the King's Majesty His Heirs and Successors and He shall have hold possess and enjoy the same to Him His Heirs and Successors without any Entry or other Act whatsoever and that the King's Majesty His Heirs and Successors His and their Lessees Farmers and Tenants shall hold and enjoy the same discharged and acquitted of payment of Tithes as freely and in as large ample and beneficial means to all intents and purposes as any Arch-bishop or Bishop at any time or times within the space of two years last past held or enjoyed or of right ought to have held or enjoyed the same Provided nevertheless and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Leases Grants Gifts Letters-Patents Conveyances Assurances or Estates whatsoever hereafter to be made by the King's Majesty His Heirs or Successors of any the Mannors Lands Tenements Hereditaments which in or by this Act shall come or be limited or disposed of unto His Majesty His Heirs or Successors other than for the Term of One and Twenty years or Three Lives or some other Term of years determinable upon One Two or Three Lives and not above from the time as any such Lease or Grant shall be made or granted whereupon the accustomed yearly Rent or more shall be reserved and payable yearly during the said Term and whereof any former Lease is in being not to be expired surrendred or ended within three years after the making of any such new Lease shall be utterly void and of none effect to all intents constructions and purposes any clause or words of non obstante to be put in any such Patent Grant Conveyance or Assurance and any Law Usage Custom or any thing in this Act to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And be it further Enacted and Ordained That all Impropriations Parsonages appropriate Tithes Oblations Obventions Portions of Tithes Parsonages Vicarages Churches Chappels Advowsons Nominations Collations Rights of Patronage and Presentation which now are or lately were belonging unto any Arch-bishop or Bishop Arch-bishoprick or Bishoprick and all Mannors Castles Lordships Granges Messuages Mills Lands Tenements Meadows Pastures Woods Rents Reversions Services Parsonages appropriate Tithes Oblations Obventions Pensions Portions of Tithes Parsonages Vicarages Churches Chappels Advowsons Nominations Rights of Patronage and Presentation Parks Annuities Franchises Liberties Priviledges Immunities Rights Rights of Action and of Entry Interests Titles of Entry Conditions Commons Courts-Leet and Courts-Baron and all other Possessions and Hereditaments whatsoever of what nature or quality soever they be or wheresoever they lie or be which now are or lately were of or belonging to any Sub-dean Dean Dean and Chapter Arch-deacon Chaunter Chancellor Treasurer Sub-treasurer Succentor Sacrist Prebendary Canon Canon-Residentiary Petty-Canon Vicars Choral Choristers old Vicars and new Vicars or any of them or any of the Officers of them or any of them which they held or enjoyed in right of their said Dignities Churches Corporations Offices or Places respectively shall by Authority of this present Parliament be vested adjudged and deemed to be and shall be in the very real and actual possession and seisin of Sir VVilliam Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John VVollaston John VVarner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Esquire Peter Malbourne Esquire and they shall have hold possess and enjoy the same to them their Heirs and Assigns without any Entry or other Act whatsoever and that for themselves their Lessees Farmers and Tenants discharged and acquitted of payment of Tithes as freely and in as large ample and beneficial manner to all intents and purposes as any of the Persons or Corporations whose Offices or Places are taken away by this Act at
Decemb. 1645. Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore William Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons His MAJESTIES Gracious Answer to both Houses sent by Sir Peter Killegrew December 29. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. ALthough the Message sent by Sir Peter Killegrew may justly require an expostulatory Answer yet His Majesty layes that aside as not so proper for His present Endeavours leaving all the World to judge whether His Proposition for a Personal Treaty or the flat denial of a safe Conduct for Persons to begin a Treaty be greater signs of a real Intention to Peace and shall now only insist upon His former Message of the 26. of this December That upon His repair to VVestminster He doubts not but so to joyn His Endeavours with His two Houses of Parliament as to give just satisfaction not only concerning the business of Ireland but also for the settling of a way for the payment of the Publick Debts as well to the Scots and the City of London as others And as already He hath shewn a fair way for the settling of the Militia so He shall carefully endeavour in all other particulars that none shall have cause to complain for want of Security whereby just Jealousies may arise to hinder the continuance of the desired Peace And certainly this Proposition of a Personal Treaty could never have entred into His Majesties Thoughts if He had not resolv'd to make apparent to all the World that the Publick good and peace of this Kingdom is far dearer to Him than the respect of any particular Interest Wherefore none can oppose this Motion without a manifest demonstration that he particularly envies His Majesty should be the chief Author in so blessed a Work besides the declaring himself a direct opposer of the happy Peace of these Nations To conclude whosoever will not be ashamed that his fair and specious Protestations should be brought to a true and publick Test and those who have a real sense and do truely commiserate the Miseries of their bleeding Countrey let them speedily and chearfully embrace His Majesties Proposition for His Persosonal Treaty at VVestminster which by the blessing of God will undoubtedly to these now distracted Kingdoms restore the Happiness of a long-wish'd-for and lasting Peace Given at the Court at Oxford the 29. day of December 1645. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Oxford Jan. 15. 1645-46 For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. BUT that these are times wherein nothing is strange it were a thing much to be marvelled at what should cause this unparallel'd long detention of His Majesties Trumpet sent with His Gracious Message of the 26. of December last Peace being the only subject of it and His Majesties Personal Treaty the means proposed for it And it were almost as great a wonder that His Majesty should be so long from inquiring after it if that the hourly expectation thereof had not in some measure satisfied His Impatience But lest His Majesty by His long silence should condemn Himself of Carelesness in that which so much concerns the good of all His People He thinks it high time to inquire after His said Trumpeter For since all men who pretend any goodness must desire Peace and that all men know Treaties to be the best and most Christian way to procure it and there being as little question that His Majesties Personal Presence in it is the likeliest way to bring it to a happy Issue He judges there must be some strange variety of accidents which causeth this most tedious Delay Wherefore His Majesty earnestly desires to have a speedy Account of His former Message the subject whereof is Peace and the means His Personal Presence at Westminster where the Government of the Church being setled as it was in the times of the happy and glorious Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James and full Liberty for the ease of their Consciences who will not communicate in that Service established by Law and likewise for the free and publick use of the Directory prescribed and by Command of the two Houses of Parliament now practised in some parts of the City of London to such as shall desire to use the same and all Forces being agreed to be Disbanded His Majesty will then forthwith as He hath in His Message of the 29. of December last already offered joyn with His two Houses of Parliament in setling some way for the payment of the publick Debts to His Scots Subjects the City of London and others And His Majesty having proposed a fair way for the setling of the Militia which now by this long Delay seems not to be thought sufficient Security His Majesty to shew how really He will imploy Himself at His coming to Westminster for making this a lasting Peace and taking away all Jealousies how groundless soever will endeavour upon debate with His two Houses so to dispose of it as likewise of the business of Ireland as may give to them and both Kingdoms just satisfaction not doubting also but to give good contentment to His two Houses of Parliament in the choice of the Lord Admiral the Officers of State and others if His two Houses by their ready inclinations to Peace shall give him encouragement thereunto Thus His Majesty having taken occasion by His just impatience so to explain His Intentions that no man can doubt of a happy issue to this succeeding Treaty if now there shall be so much as a Delay of the same He calls God and the World to witness who they are that not only hinder but reject this Kingdoms future Happiness it being so much the stranger that His Majesties coming to Westminster which was first the greatest pretence for taking up Arms should be so much as delayed much less not accepted or refused But His Majesty hopes that God will no longer suffer the Malice of Wicked men to hinder the Peace of this too much afflicted Kingdom Given at the Court at Oxford the 15. of January 1645. The Answer of both Houses to His MAJESTIES two former Messages of the 26. and 29. of Dec. May it please your Majesty WE your humble and loyal Subjects of both Kingdoms have received your Letters of the 26. and 29. of December last unto which we humbly return this Answer That there hath been no Delay on our parts but what was necessary in a business of so great a consequence as is exprest in our former Letter to Your Majesty Concerning the Personal Treaty desired by your Majesty There having been so much innocent blood of Your good Subjects shed in this War by Your Majesties Commands and Commissions Irish Rebels brought over into
of such late Members of either House of Parliament as sate in the unlawful Assembly at Oxford and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 3. Branch That one full moiety of the Estates of such Persons late Members of either of the Houses of Parliament who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of Decemb. 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 10. Qualification That a full third part on the value of the Estates of all Judges and Officers towards the Law Common or Civil and of all Serjeants Councellors and Attorneys Doctors Advocates and Proctors of the Law Common or Civil and of all Bishops Clergy-men Masters and Fellows of any Colledge or Hall in either of the Universities or elsewhere and of all Masters of Schools or Hospitals and of Ecclesiastical Persons who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and have not rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom That a full sixth part on the full value of the Estates of the Persons excepted in the sixth Qualification concerning such as have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof and are disabled according to the said Qualification to be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 11. Qualification That the Persons and Estates of all common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of England who in Lands or Goods be not worth two hundred pounds Sterling and the Persons and Estates of all common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of Scotland who in Lands or Goods be not worth one hundred pounds Sterling be at liberty and discharged 1. Branch This Proposition to stand as to the English and as to the Scots likewise if the Parliament of Scotland or their Commissioners shall so think fit 2. Branch That the first of May last is now the day limited for the persons to come in that are comprised within the former Qualification That an Act be passed whereby the Debts of the Kingdom and the Persons of Delinquents and the value of their Estates may be known and which Act shall appoint in what manner the Confiscations and Proportions before mentioned may be levied and applied to the discharge of the said Engagements The like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of Parliament or such as shall have power from them shall think fit XVII That an Act of Parliament be passed to declare and make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Conclusions of Peace or any Articles thereupon with the Rebels without Consent of both Houses of Parliament and to settle the Prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by them and the King to assist and to do no Act to discountenance or molest them therein That Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be setled in the Kingdom of Ireland by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses of the Parliament of England have agreed or shall agree upon after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines here That the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland and the Presidents of the several Provinces of that Kingdom be nominated by both the Houses of the Parliament of England or in the Intervals of Parliament by such Committees of both Houses of Parliament as both Houses of the Parliament of England shall nominate and appoint for that purpose and that the Chancellour or Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Commissioners of the great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports Chancellour of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Vice-Treasurer and Treasurers at Wars of the Kingdom of Ireland be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England to continue quam diu se bene gesserint and in the Intervals of Parliament by the fore-mentioned Committees to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting The like for the Kingdom of Scotland concerning the nomination of the Lords of the Privy Council Lords of Session and Exchequer Officers of State and Justice General in such manner as the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit XVIII That the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof may be in the ordering and government of the Lord Maior Aldermen and Commons in Common Council assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Maior and Sheriffs for the time being to be three to be imployed and directed from time to time in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament That no Citizen of the City of London nor any of the Forces of the said City shall be drawn forth or cempelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof for Military service without their own free Consent That an Act be passed for the granting and confirming of the Charters Customs Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Non-user Misuser or Abuser That the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London and the chief Officer and Governour thereof from time to time be nominated and removeable by the Common-Council And for prevention of inconveniences which may happen by the long intermission of Common-Councils it is desired that there may be an Act that all by-Laws and Ordinances already made or hereafter to be made by the Lord Maior Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council assembled touching the calling continuing directing and regulating the same Common-Councils shall be as effectual in Law to all Intents and Purposes as if the same were particularly Enacted by the Authority of Parliament and that the Lord Maior Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council may add to or repeal the said Ordinances from time to time as they shall see cause That such other Propositions as shall be made for the City for their further Safety Welfare and Government and shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament may be granted and confirmed by Act of Parliament XIX That all Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and other things passed under the Great Seal of England in the custody of the Lords and other Commissioners appointed by both Houses of Parliament for the custody thereof be and by Act of Parliament with the Royal Assent shall be declared and Enacted to be of like full force and effect to all intents and purposes as the same or like Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and
but even passing by that which he might well insist upon a Point of Honour in respect of his present Condition thus answers the first Proposition That upon his Majesties coming to London He will heartily joyn in all that shall concern the Honour of his two Kingdoms or the Assembly of the States of Scotland or of the Commissioners or Deputies of either Kingdom particularly in those things which are desired in that Proposition upon confidence that all of them respectively with the same Tenderness will look upon those things which concern his Majesties Honour In answer to all the Propositions concerning Religion his Majesty proposeth that he will confirm the Presbyterial Government the Assembly of Divines at VVestminster and the Directory for Three years being the time set down by the Two Houses so that his Majesty and his Houshold be not hindred from that Form of God's Service which they formerly have And also that a free Consultation and Debate be had with the Divines at VVestminster Twenty of his Majesties Nomination being added unto them whereby it may be determined by his Majesty and the Two Houses how the Church shall be governed after the said Three years or sooner if Differences may be agreed Touching the Covenant his Majesty is not yet therein satisfied and desires to respite his particular Answer thereunto until his coming to London because it being a matter of Conscience he cannot give a Resolution there in till he may be assisted with the Advice of some of his own Chaplains which hath hitherto been denied him and such other Divines as shall be most proper to inform him therein and then he will make clearly appear both his Zeal to the Protestant Profession and the Union of these two Kingdoms which he conceives to be the main drift of this Covenant To the Seventh and Eighth Propositions his Majesty will consent To the Ninth his Majesty doubts not but to give good satisfaction when he shall be particularly informed how the said Penalties shall be levied and disposed of To the Tenth his Majesties Answer is That he hath been always ready to prevent the practices of Papists and therefore is content to pass an Act of Parliament for that purpose and also that the Laws against them be duly executed His Majesty will give his Consent to the Act for the due Observation of the Lord's day for the suppressing of Innovations and those concerning the preaching of God's Word and touching Non-residence and Pluralities and his Majesty will yield to such Act or Acts as shall be requisite to raise moneys for the payment and satisfying all publick Debts expecting also that his will be therein included As to the Proposition touching the Militia though his Majesty cannot consent unto it in terminis as it is proposed because thereby he conceives he wholly parts with the power of the Sword entrusted to him by God and the Laws of the Land for the Protection and Government of his People thereby at once devesting himself and dis inheriting his Posterity of that Right and Prerogative of the Crown which is absolutely necessary to the Kingly Office and so weaken Monarchy in this Kingdom that little more than the Name and Shadow of it will remain yet if it be onely security for the preservation of the Peace of this Kingdom after the unhappy Troubles and the due performance of all the Agreements which are now to be concluded which is desired which his Majesty always understood to be the case and hopes that herein he is not mistaken his Majesty will give abundant satisfaction To which end he is willing by Act of Parliament That the whole power of the Militia both by Sea and Land for the space of Ten years be in the hands of such Persons as the Two Houses shall nominate giving them power during the said Term to change the said Persons and substitute others in their places at pleasure and afterwards to return to the proper Chanel again as it it was in the times of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed memory And now his Majesty conjures his two Houses of Parliament as they are English-men and lovers of Peace by the Duty they owe to his Majesty their King and by the bowels of Compassion they have to their fellow-Subjects that they will accept of this his Majesties Offer whereby the joyful News of Peace may be restored to this languishing Kingdom His Majesty will grant the like to the Kingdom of Scotland if it be desired and agree to all things that are propounded touching the conserving of Peace betwixt the two Kingdoms Touching Ireland other things being agreed His Majesty will give Satisfaction therein As to the mutual Declarations proposed to be established in both Kingdoms by Act of Parliament and the Modifications Qualifications and Branches which follow in the Propositions his Majesty onely professes that He doth not sufficiently understand nor is able to reconcile many things contained in them but this He well knoweth that a general Act of Oblivion is the best bond of Peace and that after Intestine Troubles the Wisdom of this and other Kingdoms hath usually and happily in all Ages granted general Pardons whereby the numerous discontentments of many Persons and Families otherwise exposed to ruine might not become fewel to new Disorders or seeds to future Troubles His Majesty therefore desires that His two Houses of Parliament would seriously descend into these Considerations and likewise tenderly look upon His condition herein and the perpetual dishonour that must cleave to Him if He shall thus abandon so many Persons of Condition and Fortune that have engaged themselves with and for him out of a sense of Duty and propounds as a very acceptable testimony of their Affection to him That a general Act of Oblivion and free Pardon be forthwith passed by Act of Parliament Touching the new Great Seal His Majesty is very willing to confirm both it and all the Acts done by virtue thereof until this present time so that it be not thereby pressed to make void those Acts of His done by virtue of his Great Seal which in Honour and Justice He is obliged to maintain and that the future Government thereof may be in His Majesty according to the due course of Law Concerning the Officers mentioned in the 19. Article His Majesty when He shall come to Westminster will gratifie His Parliament all that possibly He may without destroying the alterations which are necessary for the Crown His Majesty will willingly consent to the Act for the confirmation of the Priviledges and Customs of the City of London and all that is mentioned in the Propositions for their particular advantage And now that His Majesty hath thus far endeavoured to comply with the desires of His two Houses of Parliament to the end that this Agreement may be firm and lasting without the least face or question of restraint to blemish the same His Majesty earnestly desires presently to be admitted to His Parliament at
DIEU ET MON DROIT AETERNITATI SACRUM ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΑ THE WORKS of CHARLES I. with his LIFE and MARTYRDOME Aly diutius Imperium tenucrunt nemo tam Fortiter reliquit Tacit. Hist. Lib. i. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΑ THE WORKS OF King Charles THE MARTYR With a COLLECTION of DECLARATIONS TREATIES and other PAPERS concerning the Differences BETWIXT His said Majesty AND HIS TWO HOUSES of PARLIAMENT With the History of His LIFE as also of His TRYAL and MARTYRDOME The Second Edition LONDON Printed for Ric. Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St Paul's Church-Yard MDCLXXXVII In the first PART from p. 1. to p. 212. inclusively are contained THE LIFE of CHARLES I. p. 1 PAPERS concerning CHURCH-GOVERNMENT V. p. 75 PRAYERS used by His MAJESTY VII p. 93 MESSAGES for Peace XXXVIII p. 97 DECLARATIONS III. p. 130 LETTERS XLII p. 138 SPEECHES LIX p. 159 With the History of His TRYAL and DEATH p. 189 c. In the Second PART from p. 213. to the end inclusively are contained I. HIS MAJESTY's Declarations concerning His proceedings in His Four first PARLIAMENTS p. 217 II. Declarations and Papers concerning the Differences betwixt His MAJESTY and His Fifth PARLIAMENT p. 241 III. Declarations and Papers concerning the Treaty of Peace at Oxford MDCXLII III. p. 325. IV. A Declaration concerning the Cessation in Ireland Also Declarations and Passages of the Parliament at Oxford p. 401 V. Papers and Passages concerning the Treaty of Peace at Uxbridge p. 437 VI. Messages Propositions and Treaties for Peace With divers Resolutions and Declarations thereupon MDCXLV VI. VII VIII p. 547 VII An Appendix containing the Papers which passed betwixt His MAJESTY and the DIVINES which attended the Commissioners of the Two Houses at the Treaty at Newport concerning Church-Government p. 611 VIII ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ p. 647 THE MORE PARTICULAR CONTENTS OF THE FIRST PART Omitting the LIFE THE Papers which passed betwixt His Majesty and Mr Alexander Henderson concerning the change of Church-Government Page 75 His Majesty 's Quaere concerning Easter 91 His Majesty's first Paper concerning Episcopacy ibid. Prayers used by King CHARLES in the time of His Troubles and Restraint I. A Prayer used at His Entrance into Excester after the Defeat of Essex in Cornwall 93 II. A Prayer for a Blessing on the Treaty at Vxbridge ibid. III. A Prayer for a Blessing on the Treaty at Newport ibid. IV. A Prayer for Pardon of Sin 94 V. A Prayer in times of Affliction ibid. VI. A Prayer in time of Captivity ibid. VII A Prayer in time of imminent danger 95 King CHARLES His Messages for Peace XXXVIII 1. His Message from Canterbury January 20. 1641 2. For the Composing of all Differences 97 2. His Message from Huntingdon March 15. 1641 2. In pursuance of the former ibid. 3. His Message from Nottingham August 25. 1642. When he set up His Standard 98 4. His Message from Sept. 5. 1642. In pursuance of the former 99 5. His Message from Sept. 11. 1642. In Reply to the Answer of both Houses to the former ibid. 6. His Message from Brainford Nov. 12. 1642. After the Defeat of the Rebels there 100 7. His Message from Oxford April 12. 1643. For the Disbanding of all Forces and His Return to the Houses ibid. 8. His Message from Oxford May 19. 1642. In pursuance of the former 101 9. His Message from Oxford March 3. 1643 4. For a Treaty 102 10. His Message from Evesholme July 4. 1644. After the Defeat of Waller at Cropredy Bridge ibid. 11. His Message from Tavestock Septemb. 8. 1644. After the Defeat of Essex in Cornwall 103 12. His Message from Oxford Decem. 13. 1644. For a Treaty by Commissioners ibid. 13. His Message from Oxford Decem. 5. 1645. For a safe Conduct for Persons to be sent with Propositions 104 14. His Message from Oxford Decem. 15. 1645. In pursuance of the former ibid. 15. His Message from Oxford Decem. 26. 1645. For a Personal Treaty 105 16. His Message from Oxford Decem. 29. 1645. In pursuance of the former 106 17. His Message from Oxford Jan. 15. 1645 6. In pursuance of the former ibid. 18. His Message from Oxford Jan. 17 1645 6. For an Answer to His former Messages 107 19. His Message from Oxford Jan. 24. 1645 6. In further Reply to their Answer 108 20. His Message from Oxford Jan. 29. 1645 6. Concerning Ireland 109 21. His Message from Oxford Febr. 26. 1645 6. For an Answer to the former 111 22. His Message from Oxford March 23. 1645 6. Concerning his Return to the Houses ibid. 23. His Message from Southwell May 18. 1646. After His departure to the Scots 112 24. His Message from Newcastle June 10. 1646. For Propositions for Peace and a Personal Treaty 113 25. His Message from Newcastle Aug. 1. 1646. For a Personal Treaty upon their Propositions 114 26. His Message from Newcastle Dec. 20. 1646. For a personal Treaty at or near London ibid. 27. His Message from Holdenby Feb. 17. 1646 7. For the Attendance of some of His Chaplains 115 28. His Message from Holdenby March 6. 1646 7. In pursuance of the former 116 29. His Message from Holdenby May 12. 1647. In answer to their Propositions ibid. 30. His Message from Hampton-Court Sept. 9. 1647. In Answer to the Propositions presented to Him there 118 31. His Message left at Hampton-Court Nov. 11. 1647. At His departure from thence 119 32. His Message from the Isle of Wight Nov 17. 1647. For a Treaty With His Propositions 120 33. His Message from Carisbrook Decem. 6. 1647. For an Answer to the former 122 34. His Message from Carisbrook Decem. 28. 1647. In Answer to the four Bills and Propositions 123 35. His Message from Carisbroâ—k Aug. 10. 1648. In Answer to the Votes for a Treaty 124 36. His Letter to the Speakers from Carisbrook Aug. 28. 1648. With the Names of those He desired to attend him at the Treaty 125 37. His Letter to the Speakers From Carisbrook Sept. 7. Concerning the Treaty 126 38. His Message from Newport Sept. 29. 1648. With His Propositions ibid. His MAJESTY's Declarations 1. His Majesty's Declaration after the Votes for No further Address Jan. 18. 1647 8. 130 2. His Majesty's Answer to their Reasons for the Votes for No further Address 132 3. His Majesty's Declaration concerning the Treaty at Newport and the Armies Proceedings 136 4. Quaeries propounded by His Majesty concerning the intended Tryal of His Majesty 137 His MAJESTY's Letters XL. To the Queen XXI p. 138 139 140 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154. The Queen to the King VII 140 141 142 145 146. To the Prince II. 156 158. The Prince to the King 158 To the House of Peers 138 To the Duke of York 156 To the Prince Elector 142 To Prince Rupert 155 To the Duke of Richmond 144 To the Marquess of Ormond IV. 142 144 148 149. To the Earl of Essex 141 To the Lord Mountague 156 To the Lord Jermin 153 To Secretary Nicholas 155 To
The Love of whom the Prince had received by the Eye and She of Him by the Ear. For having formerly received impressions from the relations of His Gallantry when she was told of His passing through Paris She answered as it is reported that if He went to Spain for a Wife He might have had one nearer hand and saved Himself a great part of the labour In the midst of these Preparations for War and Love An. 1625 King James died at Theobalds Sunday March 27. An. 1625. and Prince CHARLES was immediately proclaimed at the Court-Gate King of Great Britain France and Ireland and so throughout all the three Kingdoms with infinite Rejoycings The people expecting all the benefits of the happiest Government under Him whose private and youthful part of Life had been so spent that it had nothing in it to be excused and where the eager Inquisitors for matter of Reproach met with no satisfaction An argument of a solid Vertue that could hold out against all the Vices of Youth that are rendred more impetuous by Flatteries and Plenty which are continually resident in great Courts For had any Debauchery polluted His earlier Days it had been published by those who in scarcity of just Accusations did invent unimaginable Calumnies Nor could it have been hid for in a great Fortune nothing is concealed but Curiosity opens the Closets and Bed-chambers especially of Princes and discovers their closest Retirements exposing all their Actions to Fame and Censure Nor did the King deceive their hopes they being the happiest People under the Sun while he was undisturbed in the administration of Justice His first publick Act was the Celebrating His Father's Funeral whereat He Himself was Chief Mourner contrary to the Practice of His Royal Predecessors and not conformable to the Ceremonies of State Either preferring Piety to an unnatural Grandeur or urged by some secret Decree of Providence that in all the Ruines of His Family He should drink the greatest Draught of Tears or His Spirit presaging the Troubles of the Throne He would hallow the Ascent to it by a Pious Act of Grief When He had pay'd that Debt to His Deceased Father He next provided for Posterity and therefore hastened the coming over of His Dearest Consort whom the Duke of Chevereux had in His Name Espoused at the Church of Nostre-Dame in Paris and He receiving Her at Dover the next Day after Trinity-Sunday at Canterbury began his Conjugal Embraces A Lady of most excellent Endowments who assumed to Her self nothing in His Good Fortune but the Joy and in His Evil bore an equal share for She reverenced Him not His Greatness Thus having dispatched the Affairs of His Family He applies Himself to those of His Kingdoms which too much Felicity had made unmanageable by a moderate Government And He seemed not so much to ascend a Throne as enter upon a Theatre to wrestle with all the difficulties of a corrupted State whose long Peace had softned almost all the Nobless into Court-pleasures and made the Commons insolent by a great Plenty The Rites and Discipline of Religion had been blotted out by a long and uninterrupted Prosperity and Factions crept from the Church into the Senate which were made use of by those that endeavoured the alteration of Government and the Resolves of that Council were the Dictates of some heady Demagogues who fed the Vulgar with hopes of Novelty under the name of Liberty so that the King could not endure their Vices nor they His Vertues whence came all the Obstructions to His Designs for Glory and the Publick Good The Treasury had been exhausted to satiate the unquiet and greedy Scots and the People were taught not to supply it unless they were bribed with the blood of some Minister of State or some more advantages for Licentiousness Each of these single would have ennobled the Care of an Ordinary Prudence to have weathered out but when all these conspired with the Traiterous Projects of Men of unbounded and unlawful hopes they took from Him His Peace and that which the World calls Happiness but yet they made Him Great and affording Exercises for His most excellent Abilities rendred Him Glorious The different states of these Difficulties when like Clouds they were gathering together and when they descended in showres of Blood divide the King's Reign into two parts The first could not be esteemed days of Peace but an Immunity from Civil War The other was when He was concluded by that Fatal Necessity either to part with His Dignity and expose His Subjects to the Injuries of numerous Tyrants or else to exceed the calmer temper of His peaceful Soul and make use of those necessary Arms whereby he might hope to divert if possible the Ruine of Church and State which He saw in projection In the first part He had no Wars at home but what was in the Houses of Parliament which though their first Institution designed for the production of just Counsels and assistances of Government yet through the just Indignation of Heaven and the practices of some unquiet and seditious Persons became the Wombs wherein were first conceived and formed those monstrous Confusions which destroyed their own Liberty caused our Miseries and the King's Afflictions His first Parliament began June 18. At the opening of which the King acquainted them with the necessity of Supplies for the War with Spain which they importunately had through His Mediation engaged His Father in and made it as Hereditary to Him as the Crown His Eloquence gave powerful Reasons for speedy and large summs of Money did also audit to them the several disbursements relating both to the Army and Navy that He might remove all Jealousies of misimployment and give them notice how well He understood the Office He had newly entred upon and how to be a faithful Steward of the Publick Treasure But the Projectors of the alteration of Government brought into Debate two Petitions one for Religion the other for Grievances formed in King James's time which delayed the Succours and increased the Necessities which at last they answered but with two Subsidies too poor a stock to furnish an Army with yet was kindly accepted in expectation of more at the next Session For the Infection seising upon London the Parliament was adjourned till August when they were to meet at Oxford and at that time He passed such Acts as were presented to Him At the next Session he gave a complying and satisfactory answer to all their Petitions and expected a Retribution in larger Subsidies towards the Spanish War But in stead of these there were high and furious Debates of Grievances consultations to form and publish Remonstrances Accusations of the Duke of Buckingham Which the King esteeming as reproaches of His Government and assaults upon Monarchy dissolves that Assembly hoping to find one of a less cholerick complexion after His Coronation This inauspicious Meeting drew after it another Mischief the miscarriage of the Designs upon Spain For
the Dean of Edinburgh while he was performing his Office and after that was done re-inforced their assault upon the Bishops whom the Earls of Roxbrough and Traquaire pretended to protect who indured some affronts that their Patience might provoke a greater rage in the Multitude which a vigorous punishment had easily extinguish'd For they that are fierce in a croud being singled through their particular fears become obedient And that Rabble that talks high against the determinations of their Prince when danger from the Laws is within their ken distrust their Companions and return to subjection But it soon appeared that this was not the bare effort of a mutinous Multitude but a long-formed Conspiracy and to this Multitude whose present terrour was great yet would have been contemptible in a short space there appeared Parties to head them of several Orders Who presently digested their Partisans into several Tables and concocted this Mutiny into a formal Rebellion To prosecute which they mutually obliged themselves and the whole Nation in a Covenant to extirpate Episcopacy and whatsoever they pleased to brand with the odious names of Heresie and Superstition and to defend each other against all Persons not excepting the King To reduce this people to more peaceful Practices the King sends Marquess Hamilton one who being caressed by His Majestie 's Favour had risen to such a degree of Wealth and Greatness that now he dreamed of nothing less than Empire to bring his Power to perfection at least to be Monarch of Scotland to which he had some pretensions by his birth as His Commissioner Who with a species of Loyalty dissembled that pleasure which he took in the opposition of the Covenanters whose first motions were secretly directed by his Counsels and those of his Dependents Traquair and Roxbrough for all his Allies were of that Party contrary to the custom of that Country where all the Members of a Family espouse the part of their Head though in the utmost danger and his Mother rid armed with Pistols at her Saddle-bow for defence of the Covenant By his actings there new seeds of Discontents and War were dayly sown and his Oppositions so faint that he rather encreased than allayed their fury By several returns to His Majesty for new Instructions he gave time to the Rebels to consolidate their Conspiracy to call home their Exiles of Poverty that were in Foreign Armies and provide Arms for open Force By his false representations of the state of things he induced the King to temporize with the too-potent Corruption of that Nation an Artifice King JAMES had sometimes practised and by granting their desires to make them sensible of the Evils which would flow from their own Counsels Therefore the King gave Order for revoking the Liturgy the High-Commission the Book of Canons and the Five Articles of Perth But the Covenanters were more insolent by these Concessions because they had gotten that by unlawful courses and unjust force which Modesty and Submission had never obtained and imputing these Grants to the King's Weakness not His Goodness they proceeded to bolder Attempts Indicted an Assembly without Him in which they abolished Episcopacy excommunicated the Bishops and all that adhered to them Afterwards they seised upon the King's Revenue surprised His Forts and Castles and at last put themselves into Arms. Provoked with these Injuries the King amasses a gallant Army in which was a very great appearance of Lords and Gentlemen and with these marches and incamps within two miles of Berwick within sight of the Enemy But their present Condition being such as could endure neither War nor Peace they endeavoured to dissipate that Army which they could not overthrow by a pretence to a Pacification For which they petitioned the King who yielded unto it out of His innate tenderness of His Subjects Blood So an Accord was made June 17. An. 1639 and the King disbands His Army expecting the Scots should do the like according to the Articles of Agreement But they being delivered from Fear would not be restrained by Shame from breaking their Faith For no sooner had the King disbanded but they protested against the Pacification printed many false Copies of it that might represent it dishonourable to the King retained their Officers in pay changed the old Form of holding Parliaments invaded the Prerogatives of the Crown and sollicited the French King for an aid of Men and Money This perfidious abuse of His Majestie 's Clemency made those that judge of Counsels by the issue to censure the King's Facility Some wondred how He could imagine there would be any Moderation in so corrupt a Generation of Men and that they who had broken the Peace out of a desire of War should now lay aside their Arms out of a love to Quiet That there would be alwaies the same causes to the Scots of disturbing England and opposing Government their unquiet Nature and Covetousness therefore unless some strong impression made them either unable or unwilling to distract our quiet the King was to look for a speedy return of their Injuries Others attributed the Accord to the King's sense that some eminent Officers in his own Camp were polluted with Counsels not different from the Covenanters and that Hamilton His Admiral had betrayed the seasons of fighting by riding quietly in the Forth of Edinburgh and had secret Conference with his Mother the great Nurse of the Covenant on Shipboard But most referred it to the King 's innate tenderness of His Subjects Blood and to His Prudence not to defile His Glory with the overthrow which seemed probable of a contemptible Enemy where the gains of the Victory could not balance the hazards of attempting it While Men thus discourse of the Scots Perfidiousness An. 1640 the King prepares for another Army and in order thereto calls a Parliament in Ireland and another in England for assistances against the Rebels in Scotland The Irish granted Money to raise and pay Eight Thousand Men in Arms and furnish them with Ammunition Yet this Example with the King's account of the Injuries done to Him and this Nation by the Scots and his promise of for ever acquitting them of Ship-money if now they would freely assist Him prevailed nothing upon the English Parliament whom the Faction drew aside to other Counsels And when the King sent Sr Henry Vane to remind them of His desires and to demand Twelve Subsidies yet to accept of Six but he industriously as was collected from his own and his Sons following practices insisted upon the Twelve without insinuation of the lesser quantity His Majesty would be contented with which gave such an opportunity and matter for seditious Harangues that the House was so exasperated as that they were about to Remonstrate against the War with Scotland To prevent this ominous effect of the falseness of His Servant the King was forced to dissolve the Parliament May 5. yet continued the Convocation which granted Him Four Shillings in the Pound for
Patience was not overcome nor his nature changed by the Reproaches of his Accusers answers with so brave a Presence of Spirit such firm Reasons and so clear an Eloquence that he whom the mercenary Tongues of their Lawyers had rendred as a Monster of men could not be found guilty of Treason either in the particulars or the whole So that his Enemies were filled with madness that their Charge of Crimes appeared no other then a Libel of Slanders and the dis-interessed Hearers were besides the pleasure they received to find so great Endowments polluted with no hainous Crimes sensible of the unhappiness of those who are Ministers of State among a Factious people where their prosperous Counsels are not rewarded and unsuccessfull though prudent are severely accused when they erre every one condemns them and their wise Advices few praise for those that are benefitted envy and such as are disappointed hate those that gave them And such seemed the Fate of this Excellent Counsellour whom nothing else but his great Parts his Master's Love and Trust had exposed to this Danger The Faction being obstructed this way by the Earl's Innocency and Abilities from taking away his Life move the House to proceed by a Bill of Attainder to the making a Law after the Fact whereby they Vote him guilty of High Treason yet adde a Caution that it should not be drawn into a Precedent seeking to secure themselves from a return of that Injustice upon themselves which they acted on him intending to prosecute what they falsly charged him with the Alteration of Government Which yet passed not without a long debate and contention for many that had none but honest hopes disdained to administer to the Interest of the Faction in the blood of so much Innocent Gallantry and those that were prudent saw how such an Example opened the avenues to ruine of the best Persons when once exposed to publick hatred Therefore they earnestly disswaded such a proceed And fifty nine of the most eminent openly dissented when it came to the Vote whose Names were afterwards posted and marked for the fury of the Rabble that for the future they might not oppose the designs of the Factious unless they desired to be torn in pieces In two dayes the Lower House past the Bill so swift were the Demagogues to shed blood but the Lords House was a little more deliberative the King having amongst them declared His sense of the Earl's Innocency of whose slow Resolves the Faction being impatient there came a seditious rabble of about 5 or 6000 of the dreggs of the people armed with Staves and Cudgels and other Instruments of Outrage instigated by the more unquiet Members both of the House of Commons and the City to the Parliament doors clamouring Justice Justice and the next day to raise their Fury there was a report spred among them of some endeavours to prepare an Escape for the Lieutenant of Ireland therefore with more fierceness they raised their clamours some objecting Treason to him others their Decay of Trade and each one either as he was instructed for some of the House of Commons would be among them to direct their Fury and to give some order to their Tumult that it might appear more terrible or the sense of his own necessities and lusts led him urged his different motives for Justice and at last heated by their own motion and noise they guard the doors of the House of Peers offer insolencies to the Lords especially the Bishops as they went in and threaten them if their Votes disagree from their clamours And when they had thus made an assault on the Liberty of the Parliament which yet was pretended to be so Sacred they afterward set upon the neighbouring Abbey-Church where forcing open the doors they brake down the Organs spoiled all the Vestments and Ornaments of the Worship from thence they fly to Court and disturb the Peace of it with their undecent and barbarous clamours and at last were raised to that impudency as to upbraid the King who from a Scaffold perswaded them as they passed by to a modest care of their own private affairs with an unfitness to reign When some Justices of the Peace according to the Law endeavoured to suppress those Tumults by imprisoning the most forward and bold Leaders they themselves were imprisoned by the Command of the Commons upon pretext of an injury offered to the Liberties of the Subject of which one was as they then dictated That every one might safely petition the Parliament yet when the Kentish men came to petition for something contrary to the Gust of the Faction they caused the City Gates to be shut upon them and when other Counties were meditating Addresses for Peace by threatnings they deterred them from such honest undertakings And when some prudent Persons minded the Demagogues how dishonourable it was for the Parliament not to suppress such Mutinies they replied that their friends ought rather to be thanked and caressed By these and other Arts having wholly overthrown the freedom of that Council and many withdrawing themselves from such Outrages when scarce the third part of the Peers were present the Faction of that House likewise passed the Bill the Dissenters being out-voted only by seven Voices Yet all this could not prevail upon the King though the Tumults were still high without and within He was daily sollicited by the Lords of his Palace who now looked upon the Earl as the Herd doth on an hurt Deer and they hoped his Blood would be the Lustration of the Court to leave the Earl as a Sacrifice to the Vulgar rage Nor did the King any ways yield till the Judges who were now obsequious to the pleasures of the Parliament declared he might do it by Law and the Earl by his own Letters devoted himself as a Victime for the publick Peace and His Majesty's safety and then overcome with Importunities on all hands and being abused by bad dealing of the Judges as Himself complained to the Bishop of London who answered That if the King in Conscience found him not guilty He ought not to pass the Bill but for matter of Law what was Treason he referred Him to the Judges who according to their Oath ought to carry themselves indifferently betwixt Him and His Subjects but the other four Bishops that were then consulted Durham Lincoln Carlisle and the Archbishop of Armagh were not so free as the Bishop of London was and therefore the King observed a special blessing of God upon him He at last with much reluctancy signed a Commission to some Lords to pass that Bill of Attainder and another for Continuation of the Parliament during the pleasure of the Two Houses The passing of these two Bills as some thought wounded the King's Greatness more than any thing He ever did The first because it cut off a most exquisite Instrument of Empire and a most faithful Servant and none did more make use of this to pollute His
command strict Watches to be kept in all suspected places Beacons to be new set up the Sea-marks to be watched and the Navy to be new rigged and fitted for the Sea New Plots were also discovered and strange and unheard-of Counsels to murder the most Eminent Patriots are brought to light A Taylor in a ditch hears some desperate Cavaliers contriving the Death of Mr. Pym. A Plaister also taken from a Plague-sore was sent into the House to the same person that the Infection first seising on a Member of the quickest senses might thence more impetuously diffuse it self upon all the most Grave Senators Such like plots as these and whatsoever could be devised were published to make the Vulgar think those demands of the Faction seem modest their dangers being so great which were very unjust And lest the King should at His coming into the North make use of that Magazine at Hull which at His own Charges He had provided for the Scotch Expedition for His own defence the Faction to secure that and the Town for their future purposes send down Sir John Hotham without any Order or Commission from either House of Parliament to seise on them This man of a fury and impudence equal to their commands when the King petitioned by the Gentlemen of Yorkshire to employ those Arms and that Ammunition for the Safety and Peace of that County where some of the Factious Members of Parliament had begun to form the like Seditions with those of London An. 1642 would have entred Hull April 23. insolently shut the Gates upon Him and would not permit Him though with but twenty Attendants for He offered to leave the Guard of Noblemen and Gentlemen which followed Him without The King thereupon proclaims him Traitor and by Letters complains of the Indignity and requires Satisfaction But the Faction rendred the Act so glorious that the House of Commons by their Votes approved what he had done without their Command and clamoured that the King had done them an injury in proclaiming so innocent a Member Traitor Ordered the Earl of Warwick to whom they had committed the Command of the Navy to land some men out of the Ships at Hull and to transport the Magazine there from thence to London An Order of Assistance was also given to several of their Confidents as a Committee of both Houses to reside at Hull and the Counties of York and Lincoln were commanded to execute their commands Besides they sent a Commission to Hotham to prosecute the Insolencies he had begun and kindle that War which took fire on the whole Nation and in a short space consumed him and his Son who were executed by the Instructors of his Villany For he fell under the same Fate which attends all the Instruments of Great Crimes to be Odious and suspected by those that made use of them Therefore they gave such a power to the Lord Fairfax in Yorkshire as did conclude the diminution and submission of Hotham to his Commands This caused him to reflect with grief and madness upon his first ministery to the Faction which appeared every day more monstrous to his Conscience being now spoiled of that Grandeur that he hoped would have been its reward and awakened by those Desolations in the whole Kingdom which followed it and were but as the Copies of his Original Treason Therefore he thought to expiate his former guilt by surrendring the Town to Him from whom he had detained it But his practices were discovered to the Faction by One whom they had sent thither in pretence to preach the Gospel but in truth secretly to search into the intrigues of his Counsels so that he perished in his design being neither stout nor wise enough in just enterprises nor of a pertinancy sufficient for a prosperous Perfidiousness And although in his Ruine the King observed how great a draught was offered to the highest thirst of Revenge yet He did truly bewail him and indeed he was so much the more to be pitied because his cruel Masters deluded him to a silence of their black Secrets with a false hope of Life till the Ax was upon his Neck So betraying his Soul to a surprise by his Spiritual enemies as his pretended Spiritual Guides had done his Body to them The Insolency of Hotham who acted according to his Instructions and late Commission beginning acts not usual in Peace nor justifiable by Law for he issued out Warrants for the Trained Bands to march into Hull with their Arms where he forced them to leave them and nakedly return to their homes that so they might be obnoxious to his Violence and the practices of the Committee which were sent down into the North to debauch the People in their Loyalty made the King intend His own Security by a Guard which the Gentry and Commonalty of Yorkshire that were witnesses of the Injury offered to their Prince did willingly and readily make up No sooner had the King expressed His intention of such a Guard but the Faction who were watchful of all opportunities of beginning a War and ingaging those that either through Fear or Weakness had hitherto submitted to their Impostures in a more obliging guilt for now the greatest part of the Peers who were of the most ancient Families and noblest Fortunes and a very great number of the House of Commons Persons of just hopes and fair Estates who perceiving the designs of the Disturbers scorned any longer to be their Slaves yet not thinking it safe to provoke the fury of the Vulgar Tumults by a present opposition had withdrawn from the Parliament to follow the King and His Fortune and every day some more were still falling off took this occasion to commence our Miseries and open those Sluces of Blood which polluted the whole Kingdom For upon the first Intelligence of it they filled the House of Commons and the City with Clamours that His Majesty had now taken Arms to the overthrow of them and the Protestant Religion and that they were not any longer to think the Happiness of the Kingdom did depend upon the King or any of the Regal Branches of that Stock that it would argue no want either of Duty or Modesty if they should depose Him By these Harangues they so heated the Parliament that was now more penurious than before in persons of Honour and Conscience to such a degree of Fury that unmindful how they themselves for eight months before upon impossible Fears and improbable Jealousies had taken a Guard they Resolved upon the Question that the King by taking to himself such a Guard did intend to levy War against the Parliament With an equal fury they issue out Commissions into all parts of the Kingdom and appoint certain days for all the Trained Bands to be put into a posture of War sending down some of their Members to see to the execution of these Commands and to seise on the Magazines in the several Counties To all these their violent and unjust
to single Him out of all the Kings of the Earth as the fittest Champion to wrestle with Adversity and to make Him glorious by Sufferings which being well born truly prove men Great yet would He furnish Him almost by a Miracle likewise with such Advantages in the conduct of which His Prudence and Magnanimity might evidence that He did deserve Propserity and by clearing up even this way His eminent Vertues warn the following Ages from a Credulity to unquiet Persons since the best of Princes was thus infamously slandered From all these concurring Causes each one in their Way and Order did the King's Strength so far increase as that He won many Battles and was not far from Conquest in the Whole War had not God seen fit to afflict this sinful Nation with Numerous and most Impious Tyrants and make us feel that no Oppressions are so unsupportable as those which are imposed by such as have made the highest Pretensions to Liberty of which we had bitter experience after the War was finished that was now begun For there had been some slight Conflicts ere this in the several Countries betwixt the Commissioners of Array and the Militia with various Successes which require just Volumes and compleat Histories to relate and cannot be comprehended in the short View of the King's Life where it is only intended to speak of those Battles in which the King in Person gave sufficient evidence of His Wisdom and Valour The first of which was at Edge-Hill on Oct. 23. For the King had no sooner gotten a considerable Force though not equal to those of His Enemies but He matched towards London and in His way thither met with Essex's Army that were come from thence to take Him The King having viewed their Army by a Prospective-glass from the top of that Hill and being asked afterwards by His Officers what He meant to do To give them battle said He with a present Courage it is the first time I ever saw the Rebels in a Body God and good Mens Prayers to Him assist the Justice of My Cause and immediately prepared for the Fight which was acted with such a Fury that near 6000 were slain according to the common account but some say a far less number were slain upon the place Night concluded this Battle which had comprehended the whole War had not the King 's prevailing Horse preferr'd the Spoils to Victory and left the Enemy some advantage to dispute for her But the King had all the fairest marks of her Favour For though He had lost His General yet he kept the Field possessed the dead Bodies opened His way toward London and in the sight of some part of the Army of Essex who accounted it a Victory that He was not totally routed and killed took Banbury and entred Triumphantly into Oxford which He had designed for His Winter-quarters with 150 Colours taken in fight And having assured that place He advances towards London whither Essex had gotten before Him and disposed his baffled Regiments within 10 Miles of the City yet the King fell upon two Regiments of them at Brainford took 500 Prisoners and sunk their Ordnance From thence intending to draw nearer London He had intelligence that the City had powred forth all their Auxiliaries to re-inforce Essex's Troops to which being unwilling to oppose His Souldiers wearied with their March nor thinking it safe to force an Enemy to fight upon Necessity which inspires a more than Ordinary Fury He retreats to Oxford having taught His Enemies that He was not easily to be overcome For in the management of this Battle He did not only undeceive the abused World of those Slanders which His Enemies had polluted Him with but He exceeded that Opinion His own Party had of His Abilities and though He parted from London altogether unexperienced in Martial Affairs yet at Edge-Hill He appeared a most Excellent Commander His Valour was also equal to His Prudence and He could as well endure Labours as despise Dangers And by a communication of toils encouraged His Souldiers to keep the Field all the Night when they saw He refused the refreshments of a Bed for He sought no other Shelter from the injuries of the Air than His own Coach These Vertues and this Success made such an impression on the Parliament that though they took all courses to hide the Infamy of their worsted Army yet in more humble Expressions than formerly they Petitioned the King for a Treaty of Peace which His Majesty very earnestly embraced But the Faction who were frighted with these Tendencies to an Accommodation cause some of the City to Petition against it and to make proffer of their Lives and Fortunes for the prosecution of the War Encouraged by this they form their Propositions like the Commands of Conquerours and so streighten the Power and time of their Commissioners that the Treaty at Oxford became fruitless which there had taken up all the King's Employment this Winter though abroad His Forces were busie in several Parts of the Nation not without Honour At the Opening of the Spring the Queen comes back to England An. 1643 bringing with Her some considerable Supplies of Men Money and Ammunition and Her coming was entertained with such a Series of Successes that the King that Summer was Master of the North and West except some few Garrisons Which so dismaied the Parliament that very many of them were preparing to quit the Kingdom and had the King followed His own Counsels to march immediately towards London and not been fatally over-born at a Council of War which it is said His Enemies at London did assure their Party would so be first to attempt Gloucester He had in the judgment of all discerning men then finished the War with Glory But here He lay so long till Essex had gotten a Recruit from London and came time enough to Relieve the Town though in his Return the King necessitated him to fight worsted him near Newbery and so bravely followed him the next day that He forced the Parliaments Horse which were left in the Reer to seek their safety by making their way over a great part of their Foot yet lost on His side much Noble Blood as the Earls of Carnarvan and Sunderland and Viscount Falkland This last was lamented by all being equally dexterous at the Pen and Sword had won some Wreaths in those Controversies that were to be managed by Reason and was eminent in all the Generous parts of Learning above any of his Fortune and Dignity After this Encounter the King returns to Oxford to consult with those Members of both Houses that had left the Impostures and Tumults at London to joyn with Him for the Common Benefit who being as to the Peers the far greater and as to the Commons an equal Number with those at Westminster they assumed the Name and Authority of Parliament and deliberated of the ways of Peace and means to prevent the Desolations which the Faction so
and the other hated his Vertues Some censured him of too much Heat and a Zeal for Discipline above the Patience of the Times But his greatest unhappiness was that he lived in a Factious Age and Corrupt State and under such a Prince whose Vertues not admitting an immediate approach for Accusations was to be wounded in those whom He did Caress But when Faction and Malice are worn out by time Posterity shall ingrave him in the Albe of the most Excellent Prelates the most indulgent Fathers of the Church and the most injured Martyrs His blood was accompanied with some tears that fell from those Eyes which expected a pleasure at his Death and it had been followed with a more general mourning had not the Publick Miseries and present fears of Ruine exacted all the Stock of Grief for other objects About this time the Faction clove into two Sects the Presbyterian and Independent which hitherto had been united under one name of Patriots or Godly had joyntly conspired War and disturbed the Peace and by various arts had acted all their lusts under the name and Authority of Parliament For they would either early in the morning before the House was full or late at night when those whose cares were most for the Publick were absent being assured of the Speaker propose and vote what served for their Design IF any thing contrary to it was about to be resolved in a full Assembly they by multitude of Scruples would so disturb the Debates that the determination was deferr'd to a desired Opportunity But if these failed then would they surprise the House with another Vote that should weaken and hinder the Execution of the former When the most consciencious were too numerous for them then would they make necessities to send the less pliant to their wills into the Country Thus the Lesser but more industrious Party did circumvent the Greater that were not so wary nor diligent While they thus joyntly contrive the Publick Ruine they had gotten themselves into the most considerable and profitable Offices of the Kingdom But the Presbyterians having the advantage in Number and Power and the dissension in their Opinions growing still higher by the Animosities of the inferiour and obscurer parts of their Sects there was neither Faith nor Love among them but what Fear and Necessity did force them unto The Independents who comprehended all the several herds of Hereticks Anabaptists Seekers Millenaries c. though they were the Disciples of the other yet excelled their Masters in Art and Industry had their private Junto's and Meetings apart to mould their Projects and assign to each of their Confidents their several Scenes and Methods and by proper Applications to mens several humours had exceedingly encreased their strength in the multitude only they wanted the Power of the Sword and the most useful Offices to perfect their Empire This they effected by those very practices they had learned from the Presbyterians and by procuring the Ordinance of Self-denial as they called it they turned out Essex whom they had before secretly caused to be suspected and who had neither glory in his War nor security or quiet in his Peace from his Generalship and with him also the other Leaders that were favourers of the Presbytery under pretence that it was not fit that any Members of Parliament should be encouraged to a continuance of the War by enjoying the profitable and powerful Offices in the Army to which they would now give a new Module Having by this artifice displaced those whose power they feared they brought in as many Candidates of their own Sect as they could to be Colonels and Sir Thomas Fairfax was appointed General This man both Parties did the more easily consent in because he was known to be of sufficient Personal Valour and of no private Designs obstinate by a natural Melancholy rather than pertinacious in any Interest and rather free from Baseness than ambitious of Vain-glory by all these Qualities they supposed he would be obedient to the Resolves of his Masters But the Independents that were better informed of his ductile Spirit and how easily he might be imposed upon by a Species of Religion got the great Patron of all the wildest and most unreasonable Sectaries Oliver Cromwell at first to be admitted into his Counsels and afterwards to be the Director of all his actions under the Title of Lieutenant General For although he likewise by the Self-denying Ordinance was made incapable of any Office in the Army being a Member of the Parliament yet those Troops of Fanaticks whom he had amassed and formerly lead under the Command of the Lord Grey of Wark and the Earl of Manchester both which he had cast off were instructed to refuse the Conduct of any one but him He was therefore permitted by the Parliament as the General desired for a time to continue in the Army but he never left it till he had changed that ruined the Parliament and turned out the General that thus was the Author of his unlawful Power For this Man having a long time been poor and necessitous the Patrimony that was left him being profusely spent and nothing remaining but the Instruments of his Crimes a bloody and fierce Nature a greedy Soul full of bold and unjust hopes yet able to conceal them with a profession of Modesty a contempt of Religion and Friendship yet highly pretending to both till he had smote under the fifth rib those credulous hearts that trusted him he was fitted for the most impious Enterprises for vexed by a pressing and tedious Poverty he resolved to indeavour the utmost distance from such a Condition though by the greatest wickedness therefore used the Power he had now gotten to overthrow the whole State and establish himself in an absolute and unsupportable Tyranny which is the common issue of assaulting a Just and Lawful Prince with Arms. With these Tragedies and Changes was the Winter spent at London while the King at Oxford waits for the Issue of the Treaty at Vxbridge which as all other Consultations for Peace was vain and fruitless For the Faction would alwaies obstruct those endeavours by their proper Methods If the Condition of their Affairs were prosperous then would they make their Demands like Impositions on conquered Slaves detesting to supplicate that the acquisitions of their Swords and Blood should be confirmed by a worsted Enemy In a more humble fortune they would deprecate their drooping Party not then to think of a Reconciliation which their unprosperous Arms must necessarily render harder than their hopes and that it was not for the Honour of a Parliament to seem to yield to any thing by fear or compulsion Besides these devices many fictitious Letters were composed false Rumours divulged and witnesses suborned to make Men suspect that many dangerous Plots and portentous Designs were disguised in these Overtures of Accord Therefore the Commissioners of Parliament were instructed to offer no Expedient for an Accommodation nor hearken
Him tryed and condemned by their Council of War But the Chiefs thought fit to proceed more artificially in their Crime and when they should get more Authority destroy Him by a Parliamentary way of Justice To bring this about they must proceed to make Him more odious that the People might be patient while they kill Him and undoe them To proceed therefore to their Impiety Cromwell and his Creatures stickle fiercely in the House of Commons and cause the Parliament to send not Conditions of Peace to be treated on but Propositions like Commands that admitted no Dispute which if the King had yielded unto He had despoiled Himself of Majesty and been thought guilty of so much want of Spirit as would conclude an unfitness for Empire besides such a voluntary Diminution would have been equally unsafe as unglorious And if he did not then He was to be esteemed the only Obstacle of the Universal Peace And lest the King should put them to more tedious arts by signing them they themselves to divert Him privately promised to procure more soft Articles and professed to be sorry the Presbyterian Sowreness and Rigour did yet leaven the House which made these Propositions so unpleasant The King could not but perceive the practices of the Army yet being resolved that no Dangers whatsoever should make Him satisfie those unreasonable Demands of the Parliament which granted would have been the heaviest oppression on His Subjects and the greatest injury to His Posterity He could possibly be guilty of For to good Princes the Safety of their People and their own Memory which is built upon the Happiness of Posterity through their Counsels are more pretions than Life and Power and although Providence and the Malice of His Enemies had obstructed His way to Glory by Victories and Success yet He would trace it in the unenvied and unquestionable paths of Constancy and Justice Therefore to make His denial of them advantageous to Himself by a seeming confidence in the Army's proffers thereby to oblige if it were possible those that had no sense either of Faith or Honour or at least to injealous those two Rivals for His Power and commit them the King absolutely rejects the Parliaments Propositions and requires the Demands of the Army as more equal and fit for a Personal Treaty and that the Army also should nominate Commissioners Cromwell and his Complices seemed to be joyful for this Answer of His Majesty which had preferred them before their Competitiors to the Honour of Justice and Moderation in the Eyes of the People but yet secretly did they exasperate the minds of the more short-sighted Commons against the King for this Affront And to the King they profess a shame and trouble upon their Spirits for so they loved to speak that they could not now perform their Promises sometimes they excused themselves by a Reverence to the Parliament at other times by the fierceness of the Adjutators and when by these excuses they had coloured their delayes to some length they began to interpret their sayings otherwise than the King apprehended them to forget what they had assured Him of and at last openly to refuse any performance To all these Perfidies they add other Frauds to beget a fear in Him of the Adjutators and the Levellers who they informed Him meditated His Murder professed they could not for the present moderate their bloody and impetuous Consultations but when they should recover the lost Discipline of their Army then they might easily and speedily satisfie their engagements to Him To give credit to their words the Fury of the Adjutators was blown to a more conspicuous Flame their Papers were published for a change of Government call'd The Case of the Army and The Agreement of the People the animations of Peter's and another of the same Diabolical Spirit saying His Majesty was but a dead Dog were divulged and all were communicated to some Attendants about the King with an Advice from the Chiefs of the Army to escape for His Life for they were unwilling He should be killed while they helplessly look'd on The Fury and Threatnings of Men of such destructive and bloudy Principles who accounted all things lawful that they could do that Providence administring Opportunity did invite and license their Impieties and who imputed all their lusts that had no colour from Justice to the Perswasions of the Holy Spirit were not to be despised nor was the King to abandon His Life if He could without sin preserve it to a longer waiting upon God Therefore with three of His most trusty Attendants in the dark tempestuous and ominous night of Nov. 11. He leaves Hampton-Court some say uncertain where to seek safety others that he intended to take Ship but being disappointed in his Expectation He was at last fatally led into the Power and when He could not escape committed Himself to the Loyalty and Honour of Col. Hammond a Confident of Cromwell's who had been but a little before made Governour of the Isle of Wight for this very purpose and was by him conveyed to Carisbrook Castle the very Pit his Enemies had designed for Him For it was discoursed in the Army above a fortnight before that the King e're long would be in the Isle of Wight and the very night He departed from Hampton-Court the Centinels were withdrawn from their usual Posts on purpose to facilitate His Flight The all-wise God not permitting Him to fly from those greater Trials and more Glorious Acts of Patience He had designed for Him Being here in this false Harbour He minds that business which lay most upon His Heart the Settlement of the Nation He sends Concessions to the Parliament more benign and easie than they could desire or hope together with His Reasons why He could not assent to their Demands and earnestly sollicites them to pity the Languishing Kingdom and come to a Personal Treaty with Him on His Concessions and the Army's Demands But the Conspirators to cut off all hopes of a Treaty take this Occasion to send Four Preliminary Articles which if He would pass as Acts they would treat of the rest These were so unjust that the Scotch Commissioners in the Name of their Kingdom declare against them in publick Writings and following the Messengers of Parliament to the Isle of Wight do in the presence of His Majesty protest against them as contrary to the Religion the Crown and Accords of both Kingdoms The King according to His wonted Wisdom and Greatness of Mind presently returns them an Answer to shew the Injustice of having Him grant the chief things before the Treaty which should be the Subject of it and to give them such an Arbitrary Power to the ruine of all the People This Answer He delivered sealed to their Messengers who desired that they might hear it read and that they might be dealt with as Commissioners not as bare Carriers a greater trust than which their Masters had not committed unto them and promise upon
their Honour that it should not be any prejudice to Him But His Majesty had no sooner read it than they finding it not to the Gust of those that sent them notwithstanding the Faith they had given cause their Just Soveraign to be kept close Prisoner force away His Chaplains Dr. Sheldon now Lord Bishop of London and Dr. Hammond both which He highly valued for their Integrity Wisdom Piety and Learning and His other Servants even those whom the Parliament had placed formerly about Him and in whom His Goodness had wrought both an Affection and Admiration of Him and permit none about him but such as they hoped would be a Watch upon Him and whose barbarous Souls might trample on His Fortune Besides they set strict Guards at His Doors and Windows lest any Letters might come to Him or be sent from Him The like reception His Letter found with the Parliament For Cromwell and his Officers were resolved to go on with their Design and having so long used the Adjutators as served to frighten the King into the Toils they had set they soon quiet them which was not difficult being a Company of hot-headed Fellows that could only talk not form a Counsel or a Party to endure a Storm by executing some of their most pertinacious Leaders and being free of that Care applied their Practices wholly to the Destruction of His Majesty To this purpose they mould the Four Votes for No Addresses to the King but before they bring them into Publick they send into their several Counties about Forty or Fifty of the Principal Members who they thought would oppose them to raise Money for the Souldiers Nevertheless the first of those Votes was contested against so strongly that the Debates lasted from Ten of the Clock in the Morning till Seven in the Evening and though they thus wearied the more Honest Party yet could it not pass till the Conspirators had engaged that no worse thing should be done to the King The remaining Votes were dispatched in half an Hours time when those of the most sober Principles were gone forth to refresh themselves and the Conspirators still kept their Seats The House of Peers were not so hasty in them as the Commons had been and their Debates vexed the Conspirators with Delays till those who were sent by the Army to thank the Lower House for their Consent to these Desires of the Souldiers did also threaten the Upper for their long Deliberations some new Terrors were also added for they quartered two of their Regiments at White-Hall under colour of guarding the Parliament but in truth to work upon the Lords which had its effect for many that had the most Honourable thoughts in this Business forsook the Parliament and then three or four which often was the fullest Number about those times in that House joyn with the Commons in their Votes for no Addresses This prodigious Perfidiousness in Parliament and Army both which had so frequently declared and engaged themselves by Oaths and Promises to preserve the King in his Just Rights fill'd all men with amazement and indignation to see how little they valued their Faith who pretended so high to Religion therefore each of them were put to satisfie the Common Fame Cromwell to some would have cover'd this Impiety with another that as He was praying for a Blessing from God on his Vndertakings to restore the King to His Pristine Majesty his Tongue cleaved to the roof of his mouth that he could not speak one word more which he took as a return of Prayer and that God had rejected Him from being King To others he did impudently assert That it was lawful to circumvent a wicked man with deceit and frauds The Conspirators in the Parliament strove to honest their Proceedings by a Declaration and assign in it for Causes of their Perjuries all the Calumnies that had been raised against the King by His most professed Enemies or from those uncertain Rumours which themselves had invented adding and repeating others which had even in the Parliament House been condemned as Forgeries yet now were used as necessary Veils for a more execrable Falshood Which infamous Libel they caused to be sent to all the Parishes of the Kingdom to be divulged supposing that none did dare to refute their black and most malicious Slanders or that none could publickly do it because they set strict Watches upon all the Printing-Presses They likewise commanded the Curates to read it in their several Churches and commend it to the People And that these might the more readily observe their Orders they at the same time strictly enjoyn the payment of Tithes and Vote that the Dean and Chapiter's Lands which they had designed for profane Uses and never intended they should be for the Emolument of Church-men should be set apart for Augmentations for their Preachers pretending a servent zeal for the propagation of the Gospel when they did most dishonour it By their Agents and the Anabaptists with other Hereticks and Schismaticks they sollicite the unacquainted Rabble to sign to Gratulatory Addresses to approve what they had already done and petition for a speedy progress in the Ruine of His Majesty But all these their cursed Projects failed for several Answers to their Defamations were published One writ by the King Himself another by Sir Edward Hyde and a third by Dr. Bates all which proved the Monstrous Falshoods of their Paper and that the Faction were guilty of what they imputed to the King and this with such Evidence that none of their most mercenary Writers or the most foul-mouthed Conspirators did dare or hope with Success to reply unto The Curates coldly if at all observed their Orders and there came so few Petitions and those signed by such contemptible and lewd persons as they rather loaded the Faction with more hatred than gave them any credit While generally in every place none of the People could contain their Fury against these Impostors but publickly cursed them and their Infamous Adherents For their Miserie 's made them sensible of the want of that Prince whose gentle and just Rule had brought them to such an inebriating Prosperity that they had forgot the Minister of their Happiness But now they found Government when it was out of His hand like Moses's Rod cast on the ground transformed to a Serpent and that those who pretended to free them from Tyranny had deluded them into the most insufferable Slavery wherein they were either totally despoiled of all things that render our Being comfortable or they were not secure in the use of them Religion the Ornament of the present and the Pledge of a future Life was so dishonoured by Schisms and Heresies somented to weaken the People by Divisions to a tameness under their Oppressors by Fasts for the most impious Designs and Thanksgivings for prosperous Crimes that some men concluded it to be nothing else but the Invention of Tyrants and the Disguise of Villains
and therefore did forsake it and turn Atheists Others that did still find the Inward Consolations of it yet feared openly to profess it lest they should be taken for those that pretended a Love to God that they might more securely destroy men Liberty also was now but an empty name for all the Common Prisons were too narrow to receive even those that did not dare to break the Laws so that the Houses of Noble men were converted to Gaols for those that were unfortunate in honest Enterprises where they were to languish with want and sickness and not be called to know their Offence or their Accusers because they had not guilt enough for a publick Condemnation Some were put a Ship-board in the midst of Summer there to contract Diseases Others were sold Slaves to forein Plantations Many to escape such nasty Confinements or an ignominious Torture fled from their Native Soil either to the Neighbouring Countries where they were the Evidences of the Infamy and Barbarousness of our Nation or seeking for Shelter in the Isles and Deserts of America polluted those Rocks and Seas with English Blood Propriety was no longer hedged up by Law but whom the Violence of the Souldier did not impoverish the Frauds of Committee-men would from whose Rapines none were secure that had not been as criminal as themselves and few safe that did not seek their favour and bow down to their Greatness These men taking advantage of the common evils to satisfie either their private revenge or lusts for their Proceedings were not regulated by the known Laws but the secret Instructions of their Masters in Parliament and Army or their own Pleasures were the Rules of administring Justice An honest Fame likewise was a Mark for Ruine for if any by just Arts had got the Esteem of the People and the Affections of His Neighbourhood and did not comply with their Interest first he was vexed with Slanders and Reproaches and afterwards with Sequestration especially if he were a Minister and it was their common Principle that an Honest Cavalier was the worst Enemy and a Cavalier Saint did the most hurt so that both their Vices and Vertues were equally hated Common Converse was dangerous for they had Informers in every place and Spies almost in every Family of Note Servants were corrupted to accuse their Masters and the Differences in Religion did injealous and arm the nearest Relations one against another Men out of a mutual distrust would hasten from Company to consult in private their peculiar Safety for they knew their Words were observed and their Secrets sought after Few Families but had by the Civil War some Loss to bewail some mourned over their disagreeing Members in different Camps and had cause to fear which side soever prospered they must be miserable in some part These and many more Miseries were more highly embittered by the uncertainty of a Remedy For the Parliament that had the name of Government were guilty of all these Reproaches of a Community being Slaves to those whose interest it was to keep us thus miserable and if at any time they were free from the yoke of the Army the two Sects kept them so divided each Party labouring by Votes and Counsels to circumvent the other that they could not mind the Universal Benefit Besides the power they exercised was too much to be well used for they engrossed the Legislative Authority and the Exercise of Jurisdiction So that they would make Laws according to their Interest and execute them according to their Lust this day's Vote should contradict the former day's Order and to morrow we must violate what to day we solemnly swore to observe so that men knew not what to obey nor where to rest Thus all hopes of Liberty and Peace were lost in the Confinement of the King who only was found able and willing to determine our Miseries For His Principles were Uniform and His Endeavours for a Settlement constant besides His Adversities had illustrated if not calcined His Endowments For now when He had no Friends Counsellors or Secretaries His Discourses with Commissioners upon their several Addresses and His Declarations of His own Injuries the Nations Slavery the Injustice of His and their Adversaries were so excellently and prudently managed that they undeceived the greatest part and reconciled many of His bitter Enemies therefore the whole Nation now panted for a Return to the Obedience of such an inestimable Prince These Considerations caused several attempts for His Deliverance some Private and others more Publick The first was managed by those Servants whom the Parliament had placed about Him for these won by His Goodness of which they were daily witnesses twice plotted His Escape and ventured their Lives for His Liberty but failed in both designs and the last being discovered before it could be put into action One Rolfe a bloody Villain that had also endeavoured to poison Him for which though he was publickly accused yet was acquitted by that Judge whom the Conspirators had employed to hear that Cause waited to kill Him as He should descend from His Chamber The more publick was that of the whole Nation An. 1648 for inraged with their own Oppressions and the Miseries of their Prince men in most Counties even of those that had adhered to the Parliament but now vexed that they had been so basely deluded draw up Petitions for a Personal Treaty with the King that the Armies Arrears being paid they should immediately be disbanded that Relief should be sent into Ireland and England quite eased of the Contribution which they could no longer bear To these Petitions there were such innumerable Subscriptions that the Officers of the Army and Parliament were mad to see their Threats of Sequestration Imprisonment and Death to make no Impression and the Promises they likewise made were slighted because discredited by their former Perjuries The first Petitioners were the Essex men who came in such Numbers as had not been seen before as if they would force not intreat for what was necessary After them those of Surrey whom by the command of the Officers and Parliament-men the Souldiers assault at the Parliament-Doors kill some wound more and plunder all and for this brave Exploit upon unarmed Petitioners they have the Thanks of the Commons and a Largess for their Valour that so the People might be affrighted from offering Petitions which before the very same men had declared to be the Birth-right of every English-man While men see and admire the Returns of the Divine Justice and the reciprocal motions of the Popular heat that the very same Parliament that first stirr'd up this way of tumultuary Petitions against the King now complained that the Honour and Safety of Parliaments was indangered by Petitions But all their Tyranny upon the complaining Nation prevailed nothing but to provoke them to a higher Indignation and more frequent Petitions And when they perceived they dealt with men obstinate to their own Interests which were not
and which was a Testimony of the Divine Assistance drew many of the unwilling Commissioners to His own Opinion though their Commission and the danger of their Lives necessitated them contrary to the dictates of their own Consciences to prolong the Debates with a wonderful Lenity proved their Demands unjust yet granted what was not directly against his Honour and Conscience thus devesting Himself of His own Rights He demonstrated that He had those Affections which might justly style Him the Father of His Country For He endeavoured by His own Losses to repair the damages of His People Yet the King saw by the Obstinacy of the most powerful of those He treated with that they intended nothing less than Peace nor any thing more than His Destruction which that it might be adequate to their Malice they would have it accompanied with the damnation of His Soul as He Himself in bitterness complained to One of His Servants pressing Him to do those things which they themselves acknowledged sinful as the Alienation of Church-Lands Although His Majesty was thus sensible of their insatiable thirst for His blood yet because He had passed His Royal Word not to stir out of that Island He did not hearken to the same Servant who perswaded Him to provide for His Safety by flight which He assured Him was not difficult and in administring to which He offered to hazard his own blood But the King always thought His Life beneath the Honour of Faithfulness and would not give His Enemies that advantage over His Fame which their unjust Arms and Frauds had gotten upon His Person chusing rather to endure whatsoever Providence had allotted for Him than by any approach to Infamy seek to protract those days which He now began to be weary of For that life is no longer desirable to Just Princes which their People either cannot or will not preserve And He thought it more Eligible to die by the Wickedness of Others than to live by His own While the Treaty thus preceeded the Army under the Command of the Lord Fairfax and Ireton this last was bold subtle perfidious and active in all designs so that his Soul being congenial with that of Cromwell had been the cause of an Alliance betwixt them for he had married one of Cromwell's Daughters and therefore was left to hover about the General as an evil Genius that he might do nothing contrary to their Impious Design drew towards London and quartered within half a days march from the City that if their Interest did require they might the more suddenly oppress those who were less favourable to their Enterprises The Officers did at first publickly profess a great Modesty as that they would quietly submit to the Orders of the Parliament that they did prefer the Common Peace to their own private Advantages and should be glad to be dismissed from the toyls of War yet in private practised an universal Confusion for mingling counsels with their Factious party in the two Houses they set up again the meetings of their Adjutators framed among themselves Petitions against the Treaty and to require that all Delinquents without difference wherein they included the Person of the King might be brought to Tryal and by their Emissaries abroad drew some inconsiderable and ignominious persons by representing large spoils in the subversion of Monarchy and imaginary advantages by the change of Government to subscribe to them When they thought these practices had produced their desired effect and they had infected most of the Souldiers in the several Garrisons and that more parties of their Army were gathered to their Quarters about London Ireton under pretext of a Contrast betwixt him and Fairfax withdraws himself privately to Windsor-Castle where being met by some of his Complices in the Parliament they joyntly frame a Declaration in an imperious and affected Style Wherein in the name of the Army he maliciously declaims against all Peace with the King and His Restitution to the Government afterwards he impiously demands that he may be dealt with as the Grand and Capital Delinquent with these he mingles some things to terrifie the Parliament some to please the Souldiers and others to raise hopes of Novelty in the Rabble This being prepared and the Treaty now drawing towards an End which those of the Faction had prolonged and disturbed that the Army might have more time to gather together and the Commanders having a perfect Intelligence how all things in the Isle of Wight and in the Parliament did strongly tend to an Accommodation they thought it now seasonable to begin their intended Crime Therefore they speedily call a Council of War at which met the Colonels and other inferiour Officers all men of Mercenary souls seditious covetous and so accustomed to Dissimulation that they seemed to be composed by nature to frame and colour impostures They began their Meeting with Prayers and Fasting pretending to inquire and seek the Will of God concerning the Wickedness they had predetermined to act This is the constant practice of such who would most securely abuse the Patience of the People while they commit the most horrid Crimes For not being able to honest their Iniquities by any colour of Reason or any Command of the known Will of God they pretend to a guidance by Revelation and Returns of Prayer This Imposture they had hitherto successfully used and the credulous Rabble of the common Souldiers were drawn to a perswasion that God did counsel all the Designs of these armed Saints Thus having prefaced their Villany Ireton produces his Remonstrance which being read among them was received by the Souldiers who through a pleasure in blood and hopes of Spoil are used to praise every thing of their Chiefs whether good or bad that tends to disturbance and continuance of War with as great an Applause as if it had been an Oracle from Heaven and to make it the more terrible they styled it the Remonstrance of the Army and order it to be presented to the Parliament in the name of the Army and People of England When this Remonstrance was published the minds of men were variously affected Some wondred that persons of so abject a Condition should dare to endeavour the alteration of an ancient Government an attempt so far above their fortune and to design against the Person of their Sovereign who by the Splendour of His former Majesty and by a continued Descent from so many Royal Progenitors had derived all that challenges the Reverence of the People And they thought the act so full of a manifest Wickedness that the Contrivers could not really intend the Execution but only used it as a Mormo to frighten the King and Parliament to hearken to their Pretensions of a lesser guilt Others considering their former Crimes and Injuries both to King and People and their damnable blasphemies of the Almighty God did truly judge that their preceding Iniquities had now habituated and temper'd them for the extremest mischiefs and that having
proceeded thus far they would think their Safety consisted in an accumulation of their Sins Only they admired that these men would discredit their ancient Arts of pretending to God's Direction in which they could not so easily by every Vulgar judgment be deprehended by boasting of the Concurrence of the People which was too evident a Cheat for not one in a thousand through the whole Nation but did abominate their practices But others more Speculative knew it was the accustomed Method of the Subverters of a lawful Magistracy and Invaders of a Tyranny first to seek the favour of the Rabble by high pretences of Liberty and Justice and then to boast of it as though they had it and were entrusted by the People to recover what they presented to their hopes and desires and that these men following the same practices would be the greatest Oppressors of those whom they pretended to vindicate The Parliament though hitherto they had been very obsequious to the Army yet the Members now meeting in greater Numbers than usually and preferring the utmost hazards to a Compliance with this Remonstrance laid it aside and fell to debate the King's Concessions which then lay before them This free and stout Carriage of theirs was much resented by the Souldiers who stormed at the contempt of those whose grandeur depended upon their Arms. And lest they should miscarry in their chief design and lose the Sacrifice to their Ambition they immediately sent a party of their Army into the Isle of Wight to secure the King these laying hold upon Him with a most Insolent Rudeness not permitting the delay of a Breakfast forced Him from the Island into Hurst Castle an unwholesome and sordid place The other part of their Army they cause to march towards London with all the imaginable signs of terror as if they went to sack and plunder an Enemies Town When they had entred they were quartered in those Houses of the King and Nobility which were nearest the Parliament-House hoping by the greatness and nearness of the danger so to affright those Members who were not so wicked as to comply with them that they should voluntarily withdraw and hiding themselves leave the possession to their own scanty party For then the violence would seem less and give more Authority to their unjust Decrees But the honest Members were more in love with Justice and therefore not terrified with the Menaces and Clamours of the Souldiers but as inspired with some unaccustomed Courage at this time and thinking themselves guarded by the Priviledges of Parliament with a greater boldness than usually they did upon just designs they appear in the House Where the Commoners re-assuming the consideration of the King's Concessions continued that Debate till past Midnight the Factious party and the Creatures of the Army still raising new Doubts and Scruples multiplying Cavils and by tedious Harangues wasting the time that the most just party which consisted most of Gentlemen of Fortunes not accustomed to such Watchings and Fastings might be wearied out and leave them to their own Resolves and also that they might give time to the whole Army to march into the City that Night Among the rest Sir Henry Vane who was born to disquiet the World and to be a firebrand of Communities yet still carrying the designs of Confusion under a feigned meekness and simplicity of the Gospel This man in the Isle of Wight had perswaded the King not to be prodigal in His Concessions that He had already yielded more than was fit for them to ask or Him to grant and undertook to make it evident to the whole World yet now did most fiercely and perfidiously inveigh against the Concessions as designed by the King under the species of Peace to ruine the Parliament and Commonwealth Yet at last notwithstanding those terrours without and troubles within the House came to this Resolve that The King's Concessions were a sufficient ground for Peace Which was carried by 200 Voices and there were scarce 60 dissenters The next day the same Resolve was passed by the Lords in the very same terms not one dissenting Who immediately adjourned for a week to wait whether this fury of the Army would spend it self after so generous an opposition And the House of Commons sent some of their own Members to acquaint the Lord Fairfax and his Officers of this their Vote This free and publick detestation of the Crime that was designed did extremely enrage the Projectors of it and the Democratick party in the House mingled Threatnings with their Advices For one of the Chiefs of the Faction could not forbear to assure them that If they continued in this their Resolve they should never after have Liberty of meeting there again Which accordingly was executed for the next day they were to meet there the Colonels had placed a guard of two Regiments of Foot and one of Horse upon the House of Commons who strictly keeping all the Avenues thereto that none might enter without their Licence laid hold upon forty Members that were Persons of the most known Integrity and highest Resolution they denied admission to 150 more and suffered none to enter of whose servile compliance they were not well assured Some that had escaped their observation and got into the House by tickets as from Friends or Servants they invite forth whom being once without doors they violently force away while they in vain pleaded the Priviledges of Parliament The imprisoned Members they vex and torture with great Indignities exposing them to the mockeries and insolencies of the Common Souldiers although there were among them many that had before Commanded Armies Brigades and Regiments in the Parliament's cause against the King and others that had been most importunate assertors of their first injustice to their Prince Those that beheld these vicissitudes wondred and acknowledged the just Judgement of God that had thus visibly and properly punished the Injustice of these men against their Lawful Sovereign by the ministry of their own more vile and mercenary Souldiers and did thus upbraid them with the falseness of their Principles by which they acted against the King the very same now serving to honest this violence that was committed on them for both equally pretended to a Necessity of Reformation and Self-preservation Others were inquisitive for the faith of these men who taking up Arms for the Sacred Priviledges of Parliament had now left nothing but the Walls of that House For the Number that would serve them was not equal to the Name of a Parliament being scarce the eighth part of that Convention and not much above forty in all and others that did abhor the Conditions of sitting there withdrew themselves to their own homes And many of those who formerly deluded by their pretensions to Religion Justice and Liberty had hitherto been of the Faction yet now awakened by these clamorous Crimes forsook their bloody Confederacy Yet did not this contemptible Number of which in most Votes
should get away they would cut you in pieces and therefore would not try their design though it seemed feasible With these arts He did seek to oblige the Community but the Faction's Slanders hindred the Success which they the more easily obstructed because the King never affected Popularity for that consists in an industrious pleasing of the People in minute and ordinary Circumstances but He always endeavoured by a solid Vertue their real Happiness and therefore in confidence of that neglected a specious Compliance with the less beneficial Humours of the Vulgar so that the Multitude who are taken with things of the lightest consideration could not sufficiently value Him being not able to apprehend His Worth for a Statist observes Moderate Princes are always admired but Heroick are never understood On particular Persons if not the sworn creatures of the Conspirators and by Treason made inhumane He feldom failed by conversing to take them His Trophies in this kind even when He was despoiled of means to bribe their hopes were innumerable and those that engaged against Him ere they knew Him after the Knowledge of Him did curse their Credulity and their prosperous Arms. A clear instance of this to mention no more was in Mr Vines one of the Presbyterian Ministers who are conceived to be too tenacious of a prejudice against those that dislike their Government that were sent to dispute against Episcopacy for he admiring the Abilities of the King which He manifested in asserting of it professed to Mr Burroughs one whose Attendance the King required and found him faithful to the extremest dangers in those enterprises in which he several times engaged for His Safety how he had been deluded to unworthy thoughts of the King but was now convinced to an exceeding Reverence of Him and hoped so of others and earnestly solicited those that attended on Him to use all means to rescue Him from the intended Villany of the Army saying Our happiness was great in such a Prince and our Misery in the Loss of Him would be unspeakable Yet He never courted although He won them but His passage to their hearts was through their brain and they first Admired and then Loved Him As He was powerful to gain so He was careful to keep Friends Fidelity to the Publick and Private was His chiefest Care for He knew how necessary it is for Princes to be faithful because it is so much their Interest that others should not be false Though it is a Mystery of Empire with other Kings to proportion their Faith to their Advantage yet He abhorred to promise any thing which He could not Religiously observe Some over-fine Politici would have had Him grant all the Desires of the Faction as the most immediate way to their Ruine for it was supposed they could never agree in dividing the Spoil and their dissensions would have opened a way for the recovery of His abandoned Rights But He was so constant in all that was good that He thought the purchase of Greatness too vile for the breach of His Faith and He hated those acquisitions which would give Him cause to blush This Heroick Expression often fell from Him Leave Me to My Conscience and Honour and let what will befal Me. His Enemies knew this so natural that if they could make their Propositions repugnant to His Conscience they were sure no Peace should obstruct their Designs Nay He was faithful in those Stipulations wherein their first Breach would have justified a departure from His Promise though He saw this Vertue would be rewarded with His Murther For when some of His Attendants at Carisbrook daily importuned Him to provide for His Safety from the perfidious Violence of the Army which every day they had informations of He made this return Trouble not your selves I have the Parliaments Faith and Honour engaged for My remaining here in Honour Freedom and Safety and I will not dishonour My self by Escaping As He was to the Publick so to His Private Obligations No assaults could take the Duke of Buckingham from His Protection for though His forein Enterprises required supplies of Money and the Faction would not let the Bills for Subsidies pass unless they might be gratified with the Dukes blood or Degradation from His Trust the King would not buy them with the Life or Dishonour of His Friend And although he fell afterwards as a Sacrifice to the Common hate for so the Assassinate pretended that he might give a Splendor to his Crime It being more specious to revenge the Publick than private Injuries yet was he not the King 's Offering In the case of the Earl of Strafford this Honour seemed to be clouded But Posterity will see that that Noble Person was rather ravished from Him on design by his Enemies to rob him of the Glory of Fidelity than deserted by Him for He never left him till the Earl did abandon himself And a Penitence for a Submission not Consent to the Rape made a Satisfaction for the Offence and repaired the damage of the Injury For His Majesties Tears over him will emblam and preserve his name and blood to the honur of Following Ages more than the remnant of his days would have administred to his glory It would be an Injury to His other Vertues to mention His Chastity and Temperance because it is an Infamy to be otherwise unless to let Posterity know that no injured Husband nor Dishonoured Family conspired to His Ruine but such who were engaged to Him for preserving all their Rights in those Relations unattempted and securing them by His own example He witnessed His Conjugal Chastity the day before His Death a time not to be spent in falsities which was too little for necessary Preparations to appear before the God of Truth when He commanded the Lady Elizabeth to tell her Mother that His thoughts had never strayed from Her and His Love should be the same to the Last The purity of His Speech likewise testified the Cleanness of His Heart for He did abhor all Obscene and wanton Discourse And He was so far from defiling the Beds that He would not pollute the Ears of His Subjects This Chastity found no Assaults from Intemperance for He never fed to Luxury but Health His strong Constitution required large Meals but His Vertue took care they should not be gluttonous for He delighted not in Sawces or Artifices to please the Palate and raise the Lust but all was sincere and solid and therefore he never was subject to a Surfeit He always mingled Water with His Wine which He never drank pure but when He eat Venison and He was so nice in observing the bounds of Sobriety that most times Himself would measure and mingle both together He did usually at every Meal drink one Glass of Beer another of wine and a third of Water and seldom drank between His Meals These though Ordinary Vertues were yet eminent in Him since they could not be corrupted
as you shall think fit to Treat with the like number of Persons to be appointed by His Majesty upon the said Propositions and such other things as shall be proposed by His Majesty for the preservation and defence of the Protestant Religion with due regard to the ease of tender Consciences as His Majesty hath often offered the Rights of the Crown the Liberty and Property of the Subject and the Priviledges of Parliament and upon the whole matter to conclude a happy and blessed Peace XIII From OXFORD Dec. 5. MDC XLV For a safe Conduct for certain Persons of Honour to be sent with Propositions of Peace For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore CHARLES R. HIS Majesty being still deeply sensible of the continuation of this bloody and unnatural War cannot think Himself discharg'd of the duty He ows to God or the affection and regard He hath to the preservation of His People without the constant application of His earnest endeavours to find some Expedient for the speedy ending of these unhappy Distractions if that may be doth therefore desire That a safe Conduct may be forthwith sent for the Duke of Richmond the Earl of Southampton John Ashburnham and Jeffry Palmer Esquires and their attendants with Coaches Horses and other accommodations for their journey to Westminster during their stay there and return when they shall think fit whom His Majesty intends to send to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland furnished with such Propositions as His Majesty is confident will be the foundation of a happy and well-grounded Peace Given at our Court at Oxford 5. December 1645. XIV From OXFORD Dec. 15. MDCXLV In pursuance of the former For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore CHARLES R. HIS Majesty cannot but extremely wonder that after so many expressions on your part of a deep and seeming sense of the Miseries of this afflicted Kingdom and of the dangers incident to His Person during the continuance of this unnatural War your many great and so often repeated Protestations that the raising of these Arms hath been only for the necessary defence of God's true Religion His Majesty's Honour Safety and Prosperity the Peace Comfort and Security of His People you should delay a safe Conduct to the persons mentioned in His Majesty's Message of the fifth of this instant December which are to be sent unto you with Propositions for a well-grounded Peace A thing so far from having been denied at any time by His Majesty whensoever you have desired the same that He believes it hath been seldom if ever practised among the most avowed and professed Enemies much less from Subjects to their King But His Majesty is resolved that no discouragements whatsoever shall make Him fail on His part in doing His uttermost endeavours to put an end to these Calamities which if not in time prevented must prove the ruine of this unhappy Nation and therefore doth once again desire that a safe Conduct may be forthwith sent for those Persons expressed in His former Message and doth therefore conjure you as you will answer to Almighty God in that day when He shall make inquisition for all the blood that hath and may yet be spilt in this unnatural War as you tender the preservation and establishment of the true Religion by all the bonds of Duty and Allegiance to your King or compassion to your bleeding and unhappy Countrey and of charity to your selves that you dispose your hearts to a true sense and imploy all your faculties in a more serious endeavour together with His Majesty to set a speedy end to these wasting Divisions and then He shall not doubt but that God will yet again give the blessing of Peace to this distracted Kingdom Given at our Court at Oxford the 15. of Decemb. 1645. XV. From OXFORD Dec. 26. MDCXLV For a Personal Treaty For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. NOtwithstanding the strange and unexpected delays which can be precedented by no former times to His Majesties two former Messages His Majesty will lay aside all expostulations as rather serving to lose time than to contribute any remedy to the evils which for the present do afflict this distracted Kingdom Therefore without further preamble His Majesty thinks it most necessary to send these Propositions this way which He intended to do by the Persons mentioned in His former Messages though He well knows the great disadvantage which overtures of this kind have by the want of being accompanied by well-instructed Messengers His Majesty conceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual chiefly for want of Power in those Persons that Treated as likewise because those from whom their Power was derived not possibly having the particular informations of every several debate could not give so clear a Judgment as was requisite in so important a business If therefore His Majesty may have the engagement of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland the Mayor Aldermen Common-Council and Militia of London of the chief Commanders in Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army as also those in the Scots Army for His Majesties free and safe coming to and abode in London or Westminster with such of His Servants now attending Him and their followers not exceeding in all the number of three hundred for the space of forty days and after the said time for His free and safe repair to any of His Garrisons of Oxford Worcester or Newark which His Majesty shall nominate at any time before His going from London or Westminster His Majesty propounds to have a Personal Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland upon all matters which may conduce to the restoring of Peace and happiness to these miserable distracted Kingdoms and to begin with the three Heads which were Treated on at Vxbridge And for the better clearing of His Majesties earnest and sincere intentions of putting an end to these unnatural Distractions knowing that point of security may prove the greatest obstacle to this most blessed work His Majesty therefore declares That He is willing to commit the great trust of the Militia of this Kingdom for such time and with such powers as are exprest in the Paper delivered by His Majesties Commissioners at Vxbridge the sixth of February last to these persons following viz. the Lord Privy Seal the Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hertford the Marquess of Dorchester the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Essex Earl of Southampton Earl of Pembroke Earl of Salisbury Earl of Manchester Earl of Warwick Earl of Denbigh Earl of Chichester Lord Say Lord Seymour Lord Lucas Lord
Authority which is alledged as knowing neither Law nor Practice for it And if the two Armies be He believes it is more than can be parallel'd by any former times in this Kingdom Nor can His Majesty understand how His Majesty's seeking of a Personal security can be any breach of Priviledge it being likely to be infringed by hindring His Majesty from coming freely to His two Houses As for the objection that His Majesty omitted to mention the setling Religion and securing the Peace of His Native Kingdom His Majesty declares that He conceives that it was included in His former and hath been particularly mentioned in His latter Message of the 15. present But for their better satisfaction He again expresseth that it was and ever shall be both His meaning and endeavour in this Treaty desired and it seems to Him very clear that there is no way for a final ending of such Distractions as afflict this Kingdom but either by Treaty or Conquest the latter of which His Majesty hopes none will have the Impudency or Impiety to wish for And for the former if his Personal assistance in it be not the most likely way let any reasonable man judge when by that means not only all unnecessary Delaies will be removed but even the greatest Difficulties made easie And therefore He doth now again earnestly insist upon that Proposition expecting to have a better Answer upon mature consideration And can it be imagined that any Propositions will be so effectual being formed before a Personal Treaty as such as are framed and propounded upon a full debate on both sides Wherefore His Majesty who is most concerned in the good of His People and is most desirous to restore Peace and Happiness to His three Kingdoms doth again instantly desire an Answer to His said former Messages to which He hath hitherto received none Given at our Court at Oxon the twenty fourth day of January 1645. XX. From OXFORD January 29. MDCXLV VI. Concerning the Negotiations in Ireland with His Majesty's further Concessions in order to a Personal Treaty To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty having received information from the Lord Lieutenant and Council in Ireland that the Earl of Glamorgan hath without his or their directions or privity entred into a Treaty with some Commissioners on the Roman Catholick party there and also drawn up and agreed unto certain Articles with the said Commissioners highly derogatory to His Majesty's Honour and Royal Dignity and most prejudicial unto the Protestant Religion and Church there in Ireland whereupon the said Earl of Glamorgan is arrested upon suspicion of high Treason and imprisoned by the said Lord Lieutenant and Council at the instance and by the impeachment of the Lord Digby who by reason of his place and former imployment in these affairs doth best know how contrary that proceeding of the said Earl hath been to His Majesty's intentions and directions and what great prejudice it might bring to His Affairs if those proceedings of the Earl of Glamorgan should be any waies understood to have been done by the directions liking or approbation of His Majesty His Majesty having in His former Messages for a Personal Treaty offered to give contentment to his two Houses in the business of Ireland hath now thought fitting the better to shew His clear intentions and to give satisfaction to His said Houses of Parliament and the rest of His Subjects in all His Kingdoms to send this Declaration to His said Houses containing the whole truth of the business Which is That the Earl of Glamorgan having made offer unto Him to raise Forces in the Kingdom of Ireland and to conduct them into England for His Majesty's Service had a Commission to that purpose and to that purpose only That he had no Commission at all to treat of any thing else without the privity and directions of the Lord Lieutenant much less to capitulate any thing concerning Religion or any propriety belonging either to Church or Laity That it clearly appears by the Lord Lieutenants Proceedings with the said Earl that he had no notice at all of what the said Earlhad treated and pretended to have capitulated with the Irish until by accident it came to his knowledge And his Majesty doth protest that until such time as He had advertisement that the person of the said Earl of Glamorgan was arrested and restrained as is abovesaid He never heard nor had any kind of notice that the said Earl had entred into any kind of Treaty or Capitulation with those Irish Commissioners much less that he had concluded or signed those Articles so destructive both to Church and State and so repugnant to His Majesty's publick professions and known resolutions And for the further vindication of His Majesties Honour and Integrity herein He doth declare That He is so far from considering any thing contained in those Papers or Writings framed by the said Earl and those Commissioners with whom he treated as He doth absolutely disavow him therein and hath given commandment to the Lord Lieutenant and the Council there to proceed against the said Earl as one who either out of Falseness Presumption or Folly hath so hazarded the blemishing of His Majesty's Reputation with His good Subjects and so impertinently framed those Articles of his own head without the consent privity or directions of His Majesty or the Lord Lieutenant or any of His Majesties Council there But true it is that for the necessary preservation of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects in Ireland whose case was daily represented unto Him to be so desperate His Majesty had given Commission to the Lord Lieutenant to treat and conclude such a Peace there as might be for the safety of that Crown the preservation of the Protestant Religion and no way derogatory to His Own Honour and publick professions But to the end that His Majesty's real intentions in this business of Ireland may be the more clearly understood and to give more ample satisfaction to both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland especially concerning His Majesties not being engaged in any Peace or Agreement there He doth desire if the two Houses shall admit of His Majesty's repair to London for a Personal Treaty as was formerly proposed that speedy notice be given thereof to His Majesty and a Pass or Safe-Conduct with a blank sent for a Messenger to be immediately dispatcht into Ireland to prevent any accident that may happen to hinder His Majesty's resolution of leaving the managing of the business of Ireland wholly to the Houses and to make no Peace there but with their consent which in case it shall please God to bless His endeavours in the Treaty with success His Majesty doth hereby engage Himself to do And for a further explanation of His Majesty's
intentions in His former Messages He doth now declare that if His Personal repair to London as aforesaid shall be admitted and a Peace thereon shall ensue He will then leave the nomination of the Persons to be intrusted with the Militia wholly to His two Houses with such power and limitations as are expressed in the Paper delivered by His Majesty's Commissioners at Vxbridge the sixth of February 1644. for the term of seven years as hath been desired to be given immediately after the conclusion of the Peace the disbanding of all Forces on both sides and the dismantling of the Garrisons erected since these present Troubles so as at the expiration of the time before mentioned the power of the Militia shall entirely revert and remain as before And for their further security His Majesty the Peace succeeding will be content that pro hac vice the two Houses shall nominate the Admiral Officers of State and Judges to hold their places during life or quam diu se bene gesserint which shall be best liked to be accountable to none but the King and the two Houses of Parliament As for matter of Religion His Majesty doth further declare That by the Liberty offered in His Message of the 15 present for the ease of their Consciences who will not communicate in the Service already established by Act of Parliament in this Kingdom He intends that all other Protestants behaving themselves peaceably in and towards the Civil Government shall have the free exercise of their Religion according to their own way And for the total removing of all Fears and Jealousies His Majesty is willing to agree that upon the conclusion of Peace there shall be a general Act of Oblivion and free Pardon past by Act of Parliament in both His Kingdoms respectively And lest it should be imagined that in the making these Propositions His Majesty's Kingdom of Scotland and His Subjects there have been forgotten or neglected His Majesty declares That what is here mentioned touching the Militia and the naming of Officers of State and Judges shall likewise extend to His Kingdom of Scotland And now His Majesty having so fully and clearly expressed His intentions and desires of making a happy and well-grounded Peace if any person shall decline that Happiness by opposing of so apparent a way of attaining it he will sufficiently demonstrate to all the World his intention and design can be no other than the total subversion and change of the ancient and happy Government of this Kingdom under which the English Nation hath so long flourished Given at Our Court at Oxon the 29. of January 1645. XXI From OXFORD Feb. 26. MDCXLV VI. For an Answer to the Former For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty needs to make no excuse though He sent no more Messages unto you for He very well knows He ought not to do it if He either stood upon punctilio's of Honour or His Own private Interest the one being already call'd in question by His often sending and the other assuredly prejudg'd if a Peace be concluded from that He hath already offered He having therein departed with many His undoubted Rights But nothing being equally dear unto Him to the preservation of His People His Majesty passeth by many scruples neglects and delayes and once more desires you to give Him a speedy Answer to His last Message for His Majesty believes it doth very well become Him after this very long delay at last to utter His Impatience since the Goods and Blood of His Subjects crie so much for Peace Given at our Court at Oxford the 26. day of February 1645. XXII From OXFORD Mar. 23. MDCXLV VI. Concerning His Return to the Houses For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster CHARLES R. NOtwithstanding the unexpected Silence in stead of Answer to His Majesty's many and gracious Messages to both Houses whereby it may appear that they desire to obtain their ends by Force rather than by Treaty which may justly discourage His Majesty from any more overtures of that kind yet His Majesty conceives He shall be much wanting in His duty to God and in what He oweth to the safety of His people if he should not intend to prevent the great inconveniences that may otherwise hinder a safe and well-grounded Peace His Majesty therefore now proposeth that so He may have the Faith of both Houses of Parliament for the preservation of His Honour Person and Estate and that Liberty be given to all those who do and have adhered to His Majesty to go to their own Houses and there to live peaceably enjoying their Estates all Sequestrations being taken off without being compelled to take any Oath not enjoyned by the undoubted Laws of the Kingdom or being put to any other molestation whatsoever He will immediately disband all His Forces and dismantle all His Garrisons and being accompanied with His Royal not His Martial Attendance return to His two Houses of Parliament and there reside with them And for the better security of all His Majesties Subjects He proposeth that He with His said two Houses immediately upon His coming to Westminster will pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon and where His Majesty will further do whatsoever they will advise Him for the good and Peace of this Kingdom And as for the Kingdom of Scotland His Majesty hath made no mention of it here in regard of the great loss of time which must now be spent in expecting an answer from thence but declares that immediately upon His coming to Westminster He will apply himself to give them all satisfaction touching that Kingdom If His Majesty could possibly doubt the success of this offer He could use many arguments to perswade them to it but shall only insist on that great One of giving an instant Peace to these afflicted Kingdoms Given at our Court at Oxford the 23. of March 1645. XXIII From SOUTHWELL May 18. MDCXLVI With his further Concessions for the obtaining of Peace For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty having understood from both His Houses of Parliament that it was not safe for Him to come to London whither He had purposed to repair if so He might by their advice to do whatsoever may be best for the good and Peace of these Kingdoms until He shall first give His consent to such Propositions as were to be presented to Him from them and being certainly informed that the Armies were marching so fast up to Oxford as made that no fit place for Treating did resolve to withdraw Himself hither only to secure His Own Person and with no
intention to continue this War any longer or to make any Division between His two Kingdoms but to give such contentment to both as by the blessing of God He might see a happy and well-grounded Peace thereby to bring Prosperity to these Kingdoms answerable to the best times of His Progenitors And since the setling of Religion ought to be the chiefest care of all Counsels His Majesty most earnestly and heartily recommends to His two Houses of Parliament all the ways and means possible for speedy finishing this pious and necessary work and particularly that they take the advice of the Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster Likewise concerning the Militia of England for securing His People against all pretensions of Danger His Majesty is pleased to have it setled as was offered at the Treaty at Vxbridge all the persons being to be named for the trust by the two Houses of the Parliament of England for the space of seven years and after the expiring of that term that it be regulated as shall be agreed upon by His Majesty and His two Houses of Parliament And the like for the Kingdom of Scotland Concerning the Wars in Ireland His Majesty will do whatsoever is possible for Him to give full satisfaction therein And if these be not satisfactory His Majesty then desires that all such of the Propositions as are already agreed upon by both Kingdoms may be speedily sent unto Him His Majesty being resolved to comply with His Parliament in every thing that shall be for the Happiness of His Subjects and for the removing of all unhappy Differences which have produced so many sad effects His Majesty having made these offers he will neither question the thankful acceptation of them nor doth He doubt but that His two Kingdoms will be careful to maintain Him in His Honour and in His just and lawful Rights which is the only way to make a happy composure of these unnatural Divisions and likewise will think upon a solid way of conserving the Peace between the two Kingdoms for the time to come and will take a speedy course for easing and quieting His afflicted People by satisfying the publick Debts by disbanding of all Armies and whatsoever else shall be judged conducible to that end that so all hindrances being removed He may return to His Parliament with mutual comfort Southwell May 18. 1646. POSTSCRIPT HIS Majesty being desirous to shun the further effusion of Blood and to evidence His real intentions to Peace is willing that His Forces in and about Oxford be disbanded and the Fortifications of the City dismantled they receiving honorable Conditions Which being granted to the Town and Forces there His Majesty will give the like Order to the rest of the Garrisons XXIV From NEW CASTLE Jun. 10. MDCXLVI For Propositions for Peace and a Personal Treaty For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty looking with grief of heart upon the sad sufferings of His People in His three Kingdoms for some years past and being afflicted with their distresses and unquiet conditions through the distractions about Religion the keeping of Forces on foot in the Fields and Garrisons the not satisfying of publick Debts and the fears of the further effusion of blood by the continuance of an unnatural War in any of these Kingdoms or by rending and dividing these Kingdoms so happily united and having sent a gracious Message unto both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland expressing the necessary causes of His coming from Oxford unto the Scotish Army without any intention to make a Division where He is in freedom and right capacity to settle a true Peace and containing such offers as He conceived would have been accepted with a general clause of complying with their desires and being impatient of delays and not acquainted with the particulars which may give contentment to them His Majesty doth earnestly desire That the Propositions of Peace so often promised and so much expected may be speedily sent unto Him that upon consideration of them He may apply Himself to give such satisfaction as may be the foundation of a firm Peace And for the better and more speedy attaining thereunto His Majesty doth further propound That He may come to London with Safety Freedom and Honour where He resolves to comply with His Houses of Parliament in every thing which may be most for the good of His Subjects and perfect what remains for setling both Kingdoms and People in a happy condition being likewise most confident that they according to their reiterated Declarations and solemn Protestations will be zealous in the maintenance of His Honour and just and lawful Rights And as His Majesty desires the Houses of Parliament to disburthen the Kingdom of all Forces and Garrisons in their power except such as before these unhappy times have been maintained for the necessary defence and safety of this Kingdom so He is willing forthwith to disband all His Forces and Garrisons within the same as the inclosed Order herewith sent will evidence And if upon these offers His Majesty shall have such satisfaction as He may be confident a firm Peace shall ensue thereon His Majesty will then give order for His Son the Prince his present return Newcastle the tenth of June 1646. To Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Thomas Glenham Sir Thomas Tildesley Col. H. Washington Col. Thomas Blagge Governours of Our Cities and Towns of Oxford Lichfield Worcester and Wallingford and all other Commanders of any Towns Castles and Forts in Our Kingdom of England CHARLES R. HAving resolved to comply with the desires of Our Parliament in every thing which may be for the good of Our Subjects and leave no means unassayed for removing all Differences amongst us therefore We have thought fit the more to evidence the reality of Our intentions of setling a happy and firm Peace to require you upon honourable terms to quit those Towns Castles and Forts intrusted to you by Vs and to disband all the Forces under your several Commands Newcastle the tenth of June 1646. XXV From NEWCASTLE Aug. 1. MDCXLVI For a Personal Treaty upon the Propositions sent Him To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. THE Propositions tendered to His Majesty by the Commissioners from the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to which the Houses of Parliament have taken twice so many months for deliberation as they have assigned days for His Majesties Answer do import so great alterations in Government both in Church and Kingdom as it is very difficult to return a particular and positive Answer before a full
Debate wherein these Propositions and the necessary explanations true sense and reasons thereof may be rightly weighed and understood and that His Majesty upon a full view of the whole Propositions may know what is left as well as what is taken away and changed In all which He finds upon discourse with the said Commissioners that they are so bound up from any capacity either to give reasons for the demands they bring or to give ear to such desires as His Majesty is to propound as it is impossible for Him to give such a present Judgment of and Answer to these Propositions whereby He can answer to God that a safe and well-grounded Peace will ensue which is evident to all the world can never be unless the just Power of the Crown as well as the Freedom and Propriety of the Subject with the just Liberty and Privileges of the Parliament be likewise setled To which end His Majesty desires and proposeth to come to London or any of His Houses thereabouts upon the publick Faith and security of the two Houses of Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners that He shall be there with Freedom Honour and Safety where by His Personal presence He may not only raise a mutual Confidence betwixt Him and His People but also have these Doubts cleared and these Difficulties explained unto Him which He now conceives to be destructive to His just Regal Power if He shall give a full consent to these Propositions as they now stand as likewise that He may make known to them such His reasonable demands as He is most assured will be very much conducible to that Peace which all good men desire and pray for by the setling of Religion the just Privileges of Parliament with the Freedom and Propriety of the Subject And His Majesty assures them that as He can never condescend unto what is absolutely destructive to that just Power which by the Laws of God and the Land He is born unto so He will chearfully grant and give His assent unto all such Bills at the desire of His two Houses or reasonable demands for Scotland which shall be really for the good and Peace of His People not having regard to His own particular much less any bodies else in respect of the Happiness of these Kingdoms Wherefore His Majesty conjures them as Christians as Subjects and as men who desire to leave a good name behind them that they will so receive and make use of this Answer that all issues of blood may be stopped and these unhappy Distractions peaceably setled Newcastle August 1. 1646. POSTSCRIPT UPon assurance of a happy Agreement His Majesty will immediately send for the Prince His Son absolutely expecting his perfect obedience to return into this Kingdom XXVI From NEWCASTLE December 20. MDCXLVI For a Personal Treaty at or near LONDON To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesties thoughts being alwaies sincerely bent to the Peace of His Kingdoms was and will be ever desirous to take all ways which might the most clearly make appear the candour of His intentions to His People and to this end could find no better way than to propose a Personal free debate with His two Houses of Parliament upon all the present Differences Yet finding very much against His expectations that this offer was laid aside His Majesty bent all His thoughts to make His intentions fully known by a particular Answer to the Propositions delivered to Him in the name of both Kingdoms the 24. of July last But the more He endeavoured it He more plainly saw that any answer He could make would be subject to mis-informations and misconstructions which upon His own Paraphrases and Explanations He is most confident will give so good satisfaction as would doubtless cause a happy and lasting Peace Lest therefore that good intentions may produce ill effects His Majesty again proposeth and desires again to come to London or any of His Houses thereabouts upon the publick Faith and security of his two Houses of Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners that He shall be there with Honour Freedom and Safety Where by His Personal presence He may not only raise a mutual Confidence betwixt Him and His People but also have those Doubts cleared and those Difficulties explained to Him without which He cannot but with the aforesaid mischievous inconveniences give a particular Answer to the Propositions and with which He doubts not but so to manifest His real intentions for the setling of Religion the just Privileges of Parliament with the Freedom and Property of the Subject that it shall not be in the power of wicked and malicious men to hinder the establishing of that firm Peace which all honest men desire Assuring them as He will make no other Demands but such as He believes confidently to be just and much conducing to the tranquillity of the People so He will be most willing to condescend to them in whatsoever shall be really for their good and happiness Not doubting likewise but you will also have a due regard to maintain the just Power of the Crown according to your many protestations and professions For certainly except King and People have reciprocal care each of other neither can be happy To conclude 't is your King who desires to be heard the which if refused to a Subject by a King he would be thought a Tyrant for it and for that end which all men profess to desire Wherefore His Majesty conjures you as you desire to shew your selves really what you profess even as you are good Christians and Subjects that you will accept this His offer which He is confident God will so bless that it will be the readiest means by which these Kingdoms may again become a Comfort to their Friends and a Terrour to their Enemies Newcastle 20. December 1646. XXVII From HOLDENBY Feb. 17. MDCXLVI VII Desiring some of His Chaplains For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster SInce I have never dissembled nor hid My Conscience and that I am not yet satisfied with the alteration of Religion to which you desire My consent I will not yet lose time in giving reasons which are too obvious to every body why it is fit for Me to be attended by some of My Chaplains whose opinions as Clergy-men I esteem and reverence not only for the exercise of My Conscience but also for clearing of My Judgement concerning the present differences in Religion as I have at full declared to Mr Marshall and his fellow-Minister having shewed them that it is the best and likeliest means of giving Me satisfaction which without it I cannot have in these times whereby the Distractions of this Church may be the better settled Wherefore I desire that at least two of these
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 He 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 affairs than when they were formerly presented unto Him as being destructive to the main principal 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 and with them to be treated on in order to the clearing and securing of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and the setling of a Just and lasting Peace to which Proposals 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 than the Propositions which at this time are tendered unto Him He therefore propounds as the best way in His judgment in order to a Peace that His two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposals upon which there may be a Personal Treaty with His Majesty and upon such other Propositions as His Majesty shall make hoping that the said Proposals may be so moderated in the said Treaty as to render them the more capable of His Majesty's full Concession Wherein He resolves to give full satisfaction to His People for whatsoever shall concern the setling of the Protestant Profession with liberty to tender Consciences and the securing of the Laws Liberties and Properties of His Subjects and all the just Privileges of Parliaments for the future And likewise by His present deportment in this Treaty He will make the World clearly judge of His intentions in matters of future Government In which Treaty His Majesty will be well pleased if it be thought fit that Commissioners from the Army whose the Proposals are may likewise be admitted His Majesty 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 the relief of their present Sufferings and to prevent future Miseries that they will forthwith accept of this His Majesty's offer whereby the joyful news of Peace may be restored to this distressed Kingdom 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 satisfaction to that His Kingdom At Hampton-Court the ninth of September 1647. XXXI From HAMPTON-COURT Nov. 11. MDCXLVII Left on the Table at His departure For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. LIberty being that which in all times hath been but especially now is the common theme and desire of all men common reason shews that Kings less than any should endure Captivity And yet I call God and the world to witness with what Patience I have endured a tedious Restraint which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of My Suffering might conduce to the Peace of My Kingdoms or the hindring of more effusion of bloud I did willingly undergo but now finding by too certain proofs that this my continued Patience would not only turn to my Personal Ruine but likewise be of much more prejudice than furtherance to the publick good I thought I was bound as well by natural as political obligations to seek My Safety by retiring My self for some time from the publick view both of my Friends and Enemies And I appeal to all indifferent men to judge if I have not just cause to free My self from the hands of those who change their Principles with their condition and who are not ashamed openly to intend the destruction of the Nobility taking away their negative voice and with whom the Levellers doctrine is rather countenanced than punished And as for their intentions to my Person their changing and putting more strict Guards upon Me with the discharging most of all those servants of Mine whom formerly they willingly admitted to wait upon Me does sufficiently declare Nor would I have this Retirement mis-interpreted for I shall earnestly and uncessantly endeavour the setling of a safe and well-grounded Peace where-ever I am or shall be and that as much as may be without the effusion of more Christian blood for which how many times have I desired prest to be heard and yet no ear given to Me. And can any reasonable man think that according to the ordinary course of affairs there can be a setled Peace without it or that God will bless those who refuse to hear their own King Surely no. Nay I must further add that besides what concerns My self unless all other chief Interests have not only a hearing but likewise just satisfaction given unto them to wit the Presbyterians Independents Army those who have adhered to Me and even the Scots I say there cannot I speak not of Miracles it being in My opinion a sinful presumption in such cases to expect or trust to them be a safe or lasting Peace Now as I cannot deny but that My Personal security is the urgent cause of this My Retirement so I take God to witness that the publick Peace is no less before Mine eyes and I can find no better way to express this My profession I know not what a wiser may do than by desiring and urging that all chief Interests may be heard to the end each may have just satisfaction As for Example the Army for the rest though necessary yet I suppose are not difficult to content ought in My Judgment to enjoy the Liberty of their Consciences have an Act of Oblivion or Indemnity which should extend to all the rest of My Subjects and that all their Arrears should be speedily and duly paid which I will undertake to do so I may be heard and that I be not hindred from using such lawful and honest means as I shall chuse To conclude let Me be heard with Freedom Honour and Safety and I shall instantly break through this Cloud of Retirement and shew My self really to be Pater Patriae Hampton Court Novemb. 11. 1647. XXXII From the Isle of WIGHT November 17. MDCXLVII For a Personal Treaty with His particular Concessions For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majest is confident that before this time His two Houses of Parliament have received the Message which He left behind Him at Hampton-Court
give way to the sale of Forest-Lands for that purpose this being the publick Debt which in His Majesties Judgment is first to be satisfied And for other publick Debts already contracted upon Church-Lands or any other Ingagements His Majesty will give His Consent to such Act or Acts for raising of monies for payment thereof as both Houses shall hereafter agree upon so as they be equally laid whereby His People already too heavily burthened by these late Distempers may have no more pressures upon them than this absolute necessity requires And for the further securing of all fears His Majesty will consent that an Act of Parliament be passed for the disposing of the great Offices of State and naming of Privy Councellors for the whole term of His Reign by the two Houses of Parliament their Patents and Commissions being taken from His Majesty and after to return to the Crown as is expressed in the Article of the Militia For the Court of Wards and Liveries His Majesty very well knows the consequence of taking that away by turning of all Tenures into common Soccage as well in point of Revenue to the Crown as in the protection of many of His Subjects being Infants Nevertheless if the continuance thereof seem grievous to His Subjects rather than He will fail on His part in giving satisfaction He will consent to an Act for taking of it away so as a full recompence be setled upon His Majesty and His Successors in perpetuity and that the Arrears now due be reserved unto Him towards the payment of the Arrears of the Army And that the memory of these late Distractions may be wholly wiped away His Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament for the suppressing and making null of all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations against both or either House of Parliament and of all Indictments and other proceedings against any persons for adhering to them And His Majesty proposeth as the best expedient to take away all seeds of future Differences that there be an Act of Oblivion to extend to all His Subjects As for Ireland the Cessation there is long since determined but for the future all other things being fully agreed His Majesty will give full satisfaction to His two Houses concerning that Kingdom And although His Majesty cannot consent in Honour and Justice to avoid all His own Grants and Acts past under His great Seal since the two and twentieth of May 1642 or to the confirming of all the Acts and Grants passed under that made by the two Houses yet His Majesty is confident that upon perusal of particulars He shall give full satisfaction to His two Houses as to what may reasonably be desired in that particular And now His Majesty conceives that by these His offers which He is ready to make good upon the settlement of a Peace He hath clearly manifested His intentions to give full security and satisfaction to all Interests for what can justly be desired in order to the future Happiness of His People and for the perfecting of these Concessions as also for such other things as may be proposed by the two Houses and for such just and reasonable demands as His Majesty shall find necessary to propose on His part He earnestly desires a Personal Treaty at London with His two Houses in Honour Freedom and Safety it being in His Judgement the most proper and indeed only means to a firm and settled Peace and impossible without it to reconcile former or avoid future Misunderstandings All these things being by Treaty perfected His Majesty believes His Houses will think it reasonable that the Proposals of the Army concerning the Succession of Parliaments and their due elections should be taken into consideration As for what concerns the Kingdom of Scotland His Majesty will very readily apply Himself to give all reasonable satisfaction when the desires of the two Houses of Parliament on their behalf or of the Commissioners of that Kingdom or of both joyned together shall be made known unto Him CHARLES R. From the Isle of Wight November 17. 1647. XXXIII From CARISBROOK Dec. 6. MDCXLVII For an Answer to His last To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HAD His Majesty thought it possible that His two Houses could be imployed in things of greater concernment than the Peace of this miserable distracted Kingdom He would have expected with more patience their leisure in acknowledging the receipt of His Message of the 17. of November last But since there is not in nature any consideration preceding to that of Peace His Majesty's constant tenderness of the welfare of His Subjects hath such a prevalence with Him that He cannot forbear the vehement prosecution of a Personal Treaty which is only so much the more desired by His Majesty as it is superior to all other means of Peace And truly when His Majesty considers the several complaints He daily hears from all parts of this Kingdom That Trade is so decayed all commodites so dear and Taxes so insupportable that even natural subsistence will suddenly fail His Majesty to perform the Trust reposed in Him must use His uttermost endeavours for Peace though He were to have no share in the benefit of it And hath not His Majesty done His part for it by devesting Himself of so much Power and Authority as by His last Message He hath promised to do upon the concluding of the whole Peace And hath He met with that acknowledgement from His two Houses which this great Grace and Favour justly deserves Surely the blame of this great retarding of Peace must fall somewhere else than on His Majesty To conclude if ye will but consider in how little time this necessary good work will be done if you the two Houses will wait on His Majesty with the same resolutions for Peace as He will meet you He no way doubts but that ye will willingly agree to this His Majesty's earnest desire of a Personal Treaty and speedily desire His presence amongst you where all things agreed on being digested into Acts till when it is most unreasonable for His Majesty or His two Houses to desire each of other the least concession this Kingdom may at last enjoy the blessing of a long-wisht-for Peace Carisbrook-Castle Decemb. 6. 1647. XXXIV From CARISBROOK Dec. 28. MDCXLVII In Answer to the Four Bills and Propositions before the Votes of No address For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. THE necessity of complying with all engaged Interests in these great Distempers for a perfect settlement of Peace His Majesty finds to be none of the least difficulties He hath met with since the time of His Afflictions Which is too visible when
for making War and shall I now be condemned for making Peace Have I not formerly ruled like a King and shall I now be ruled like a Slave Have I not formerly enjoyed the society of My dear Wife and Children in peace and quietness and shall I now neither enjoy them nor Peace Have not My Subjects formerly obeyed Me and shall I now be obedient to My Subjects Have I not been condemned for Evil Counsellors and shall I now be condemned for having no Counsel but God These are unutterable miseries that the more I endeavour for Peace the less My endeavours are respected And how shall I know hereafter what to grant when your selves know not what to ask I refer it to your Consciences whether I have not satisfied your desires in every particular since this Treaty if you find I have not then let Me bear the burthen of the fault but if I have given you ample satisfaction as I am sure I have then you are bound to vindicate Me from the fury of those whose thoughts are filled with blood though they pretend zeal yet they are but Wolves in Sheeps cloathing I must further declare that there is nothing can more obstruct the long-hoped-for Peace of this Nation than the illegal proceedings of them that presume from Servants to become Masters and labour to bring in Democracy and to abolish Monarchy Needs must the total alteration of Fundamentals be not only destructive to others but in conclusion to themselves for they that endeavour to rule by the Sword shall at last fall by it for Faction is the Mother of Ruine and it is the humour of those who are of this Weather-cock-like disposition to love nothing but mutabilities neither will that please them but only pro tempore for the too much variety doth but confound the senses and makes them still hate one folly and fall in love with another Time is the best cure for Faction for it will at length like a spreading Leprosie infect the whole body of the Kingdom and make it so odious that at last they will hate themselves for love of that and like the Fish for love of the bait be catch'd with the hook I once more declare to all My loving Subjects and God knows whether or no this may be My last that I have earnestly laboured for Peace and that My thoughts were sincere and absolute without any sinister ends and there was nothing left undone by Me that My Conscience would permit Me to do And I call God to witness that I do firmly conceive that the interposition of the Army that cloud of Malice hath altogether eclipsed the glory of that Peace which began again to shine in this Land And let the World judg whether it be expedient for an Army to contradict the Votes of a Kingdom endeavouring by pretending Laws and Liberties to subvert both Such Actions as these must produce strange consequences and set open the floud-gates of ruine to overflow this Kingdom in a moment Had this Treaty been only Mine own seeking then they might have had fairer pretences to have stopt the course of it but I being importun'd by My two Houses and they by most part of the Kingdom could not but with a great deal of alacrity concur with them in their desires for the performance of so commodious a work and I hope by this time that the hearts and eyes of My People are opened so much that they plainly discover who are the underminers of this Treaty For Mine own part I here protest before the face of Heaven that Mine own Afflictions though they need no addition afflict Me not so much as My Peoples sufferings for I know what to trust to already and they know not God comfort both them and Me and proportion our Patience to our Sufferings And when the Malice of Mine Enemies is spun out to the smallest thread let them know that I will by the grace of God be as contented to suffer as they are active to advance My sufferings and Mine own Soul tells Me that the time will come when the very clouds shall drop down vengeance upon the heads of those that barricado themselves against the Proceedings of Peace for if God hath proclaimed a blessing to the Peace-makers needs must the Peace-breakers draw down curses upon their heads I thank My God I have armed My self against their fury and now let the arrows of their Envy fly at Me I have a breast to receive them and a heart possest with patience to sustain them for God is My Rock and My Shield therefore I will not fear what man can do unto Me. I will expect the worst and if any thing happen beyond My expectation I will give God the glory for vain is the help of man Queries propounded by His MAJESTY when the Armies Remonstrance was read unto Him at NEWPORT concerning the intended Tryal of His MAJESTY I. WHether this Remonstrance be agreeable to the former Declarations of the Army and if not whether the Parliament would make good their Votes that after He had consented to what they desired He should be in a capacity of Honour Freedom and Safety II. Whether His acknowledgment of the bloud that hath been spilt in the late Wars nothing being as yet absolutely concluded or binding could be urged so far as to be made use of by way of Evidence against Him or any of His Party III. Whether the Arguments that He hath used in a free and Personal Treaty to lessen or extenuate and avoid the exactness of any of the Conditions though in manner and form only might be charged against Him as an act of Obstinacy or wilful persistance in what is alledged against Him in that He goes on in a destructive course of enmity against the People and the Laws of the Land when He hath declared that His Conscience was satisfied concerning divers particulars in the Propositions IV. Whereas by the letter of the Law all persons charged to offend against the Law ought to be tryed by their Peers or Equals what the Law is if the Person questioned is without a Peer And if the Law which of it self is but a dead letter seems to condemn Him by what power shall Judgement be given and who shall give it or from whence shall the administrators of such Judgement derive their power which may by the same Law be deemed the supreme power or authority of Magistracy in the Kingdom HIS MAJESTY'S LETTERS I. To the House of Peers about the Reprieve of the Earl of STRAFFORD Sent by the PRINCE From White-Hall May 11. MDCXLI My Lords I Did yesterday satisfie the Justice of the Kingdom by passing the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford But Mercy being as inherent and inseparable to a King as Justice I desire at this time in some measure to shew that likewise by suffering that unfortunate man to fulfil the natural course of his life in a close Imprisonment yet so that if ever he
42. 17. 25. 27. 39. 21. 66. a. 1. 45. 31. 7. 4. 32. 18. 47. 46. 9. 3. d. 4. g. 4. 46. 35. 67. 48. 7. 40. 5. 43. 74. 3. 41. 7. 33. 62. 8. 63. 68. 50. 64. 34. 9. 51. 45. 69. 46. 37. deer 45. 31. 7. 1. 33. 18. 49. 47. 19. 21. 10. 70. 13. 7. 45. 58. 8. 3. 41. 10. this a. 2. 324. in the mean time 46. 31. 7. 50. e. 3. 20. 3. 6. 8. 48. 75. 41. 9. 2. upon 60. 19. 50. 61. 27. 26. 7. 69. 12. 19. 47. 45. 8. 24. Yesterday there were Articles of a Cessation brought Me from London but so unreasonable that I cannot grant them Yet to undeceive the people by shewing it is not I but those who have caused and fostered this Rebellion that desire the continuance of this War and universal distraction I am framing Articles fit for that purpose both which by My next I mean to send Thee 219. b. 3. 58. 51. 75. 46. 7. 3. 45. 37. 2. 189. 46. 38. 1. g. 1. 173. 131. which I think fit to be done a. 5. 4. 30. 3. n. 5. d. 3. 46. 31. 8. 10. 2. 32. 18. 64. 7. 3. 45. 31. 9. 66. 46. 32. 19. 41. 25. 48. k. 1. e. 4. 67. 69. 63. I am now confident that 173 is right for My Service Since the taking of Cicester there is nothing of note done of either side wherefore that little news that is I leave to others Only this I assure Thee that the distractions of the Rebels are such that so many fine designs are laid open to us we know not which first to undertake But certainly My first and chiefest care is and shall be to secure Thee and hasten our meeting So longing to hear from thee I rest eternally Thine C. R. Oxford 2. 12. March 1642. The last I received of Thine was dated the 16. 6. Feb. And I believe none of My four last are come to Thee Their Dates are 13. 3. 23. 13. 25. 15. Feb. and 20. Feb. or Mar. 2. V. The QUEEN to the KING YORK March 30. MDCXLIII My Dear Heart I Need not tell You from whence this Bearer comes only I will tell You that the Propositions which he brings You are good but 260. I believe that it is not yet time to put them into execution therefore find some means to send them back which may not discontent them and do not tell who gave You this advice Sir Hugh Cholmely is come with a Troop of Horse to kiss My Hands the rest of his people he left at Scarborough with a Ship laden with Arms which the Ships of the Parliament had taken and brought thither so she is ours The Rebels have quitted Tadcaster upon our sending Forces to Wetherby but they are returned with twelve hundred men we send more forces to drive them out though those we have already at Wetherby are sufficient but we fear lest they have all their Forces thereabout and lest they have some design for they have quitted Selby and Cawood the last of which they have burnt Between this and to morrow night we shall know the issue of this business and I will send You an express I am the more careful to advertise You of what we do that You and we may find means to have pass-ports to send And I wonder that upon the Cessation You have not demanded that You might send in safety This shews My Love I understand to day from London that they will have no Cessation and that they treat at the beginning of the two first Articles which is of the Forts Ships and Ammunition and afterwards of the disbanding of the Army Certainly I wish a Peace more than any and that with greater reason but I would the disbanding of the perpetual Parliament first and certainly the rest will be easily afterwards I do not say this of My own head alone for generally both those who are for You and against You in this Country-wish an end of it And I am certain that if You demand it at the first in case it be not granted Hull is ours and all Yorkshire which is a thing to consider of And for My particular if You make a Peace and disband Your Army before there is an end to this perpetual Parliament I am absolutely resolved to go into France not being willing to fall again into the hands of those People being well assured that if the power remain with them it will not be well for Me in England Remember what I have written to You in three precedent Letters and be more careful of Me than You have been or at least dissemble it to the end that no notice be taken of it Adieu The Man hastens Me so that I can say no more York this 30. of March VI. The QUEEN to the KING YORK Apr. 3. MDCXLIII THIS Letter should have gone by a man of Mr Denedsdale who is gone and all the beginning of this Letter was upon this subject and therefore by this Man it signifies nothing But the end was so pleasing that I do not forbear to send it to You. You now know by Elliot the issue of the business of Tadcaster Since we had almost lost Scarborough whilst Cholmely was here Brown Bushell would have rendred it up to the Parliament but Cholmely having had notice of it is gone with our Forces and hath re-taken it and hath desired to have a Lieutenant and Forces of ours to put in it for which we should take his He hath also taken two Pinnaces from Hotham which brought 44. men to put within Scarborough 10 pieces of Cannon 4 Barrels of Powder 4 of Bullet This is all our news Our Army marches to morrow to put an end to Fairfax's Excellency And I will make an end of this Letter this third of April I have had no news of You since Parsons 30 March 3 April VII The QUEEN to the KING NEWARK June 27. MDCXLIII My Dear Heart I Received just now Your Letter by My Lord Savile who found Me ready to go away staying but for one thing for which You will well pardon two days stop It is to have Hull and Lincoln Young Hotham having been put in prison by Order of Parliament is escaped and hath sent to 260. that he would cast himself into His arms and that Hull and Lincoln should be rendred He is gone to his Father and 260. writes for Your answer So that I think I shall go hence Friday or Saturday and shall go lye at Werton and from thence to Ashby where we will resolve what way to take and I will stay there a day because that the march of the day before will have been somewhat great and also to know how the Enemy marches all their Forces of Nottingham at present being gone to Leicester and Derby which makes us believe that it is to intercept our passage As soon as we have resolved I will send you word At this present I think it fit to let You know the state
place I must let you know that I desire nothing more than to be rightly understood of My People and to that end I have of My self resolved to call a Parliament having already given order to My Lord Keeper to issue out the Writs instantly so that the Parliament may be assembled by the third of November next Whither if My Subjects bring the like good affections as I do it shall not fail on My part to make it a happy Meeting In the mean time there are two points to be considered wherein I shall desire your Advice which indeed is the chief cause of your Meeting First What Answer to give to the Petition of the Rebels and in what manner to treat with them Of which that you may give a sure judgement I have ordered that your Lordships shall be clearly and truly informed of the state of the whole business and upon what reasons the Advices that My Privy Counsel unanimously gave Me were grounded Secondly How My Army shall be kept on foot and maintained till the supplies of a Parliament may be had For so long as the Scots Army remains in England I think no man will counsel Me to disband Mine for that would be an unspeakable loss to all this part of the Kingdom by subjecting them to the greedy appetite of the Rebels beside the unspeakable dishonour that would thereby fall upon this Nation XXII To the Lords and Commons at the Opening of His Fifth Parliament at WESTMINSTER November 3. MDCXL MY Lords The knowledge that I had of the Designs of My Scotish Subjects was the cause of My calling the last Assembly of Parliament wherein had I been believed I sincerely think that things had not fallen out as now we see But it is no wonder that men are so slow to believe that so great a Sedition should be raised on so little ground But now My Lords and Gentlemen the Honour and Safety of this Kingdom lying so nearly at stake I am resolved to put My self freely and clearly on the love and affections of My English Subjects as those of My Lords that did wait on Me at York very well remember I there declared Therefore My Lords I shall not mention Mine own Interest or that Support I might justly expect from you till the Common Safety be secured Though I must tell you I am not ashamed to say those charges I have been at have been meerly for the securing and good of this Kingdom though the success hath not been answerable to My desires Therefore I shall only desire you to consider the best way both for the safety and security of this Kingdom wherein are two things chiefly considerable First the chasing out of the Rebels and secondly that other in satisfying your just Grievances wherein I shall promise you to concur so heartily and clearly with you that all the world may see My intentions have ever been and shall be to make this a glorious and flourishing Kingdom There are only Two things more that I shall mention to you The one is to tell you that the lone of Money which I lately had from the City of London wherein the Lords that waited on Me at York assisted Me will only maintain My Army for two months from the beginning of that time it was granted Now My Lords and Gentlemen I leave it to your considerations what dishonour and mischief it might be in case for want of Money My Army be disbanded before the Rebels be put out of this Kingdom Secondly the securing the Calamities the Northern People endure at this time and so long as the Treaty is on foot And in this I may say not only they but all this Kingdom will suffer the harm Therefore I leave this also to your Consideration For the ordering of these Great Affairs whereof you are to treat at this time I am so confident of your love to Me and that your care is such for the Honour and Safety of the Kingdom that I shall freely and willingly leave to you where to begin Only this that you may the better know the state of all the Affairs I have commanded My Lord Keeper to give you a short and free account of those things that have happened in this interim with this Protestation that if his account be not satisfactory as it ought to be I shall whensoever you desire it give you a full and perfect account of every particular One thing more I desire of you as one of the greatest means to make this an happy Parliament That you on your parts as I on Mine lay aside all suspicion one of another As I promised My Lords at York it shall not be My fault if this be not a happy and good Parliament XXIII To the House of Lords at WESTMINSTER Nov. 5. MDCXL MY Lords I do expect that you will hastily make Relation to the House of Commons of those Great Affairs for which I have called you hither at this time and of the trust I have reposed in them and how freely I put My self on their love and affections at this time And that you may know the better how to do so I shall explain My self concerning one thing I spake the last day I told you the Rebels must be put out of this Kingdom 'T is true I must needs call them so so long as they have an Army that does invade us although I am under Treaty with them and under My Great Seal do call them Subjects and so they are too But the state of My Affairs in short is this It 's true I did expect when I did will My Lords and Great ones to be at York to have given a gracious Answer to all their Grievances for I was in good hope by their Wisdoms and Assistances to have made an end of that business but I must tell you that My Subjects of Scotland did so delay them that it was not possible to end there Therefore I can no ways blame My Lords that were at Rippon that the Treaty was not ended but must thank them for their pains and industry And certainly had they as much power as affections I should by this time have brought these distempers to a happy period So that now the Treaty is transported from Rippon to London where I shall conclude nothing without your knowledge and I doubt not but by your approbation for I do not desire to have this great Work done in a corner for I shall lay open all the steps of this Misunderstanding and the causes of the great Differences between Me and My Subjects of Scotland And I doubt not but by your assistance to make them know their Duty and also by your assistance to make them return whether they will or no. XXIV To the Lords and Commons at the Banquetting-House in WHITE-HALL Jan. 25. MDCXL XLI MY Lords and you the Knights Citizens and Burgesses The principal cause of My coming here at this time is by reason of the slow proceedings in Parliament
entred into a Combination to destroy Us. And all this done under pretence of a Trust reposed by the People How far you are from committing any such Trust most of the persons trusted by you and your own expressions of Duty to Me have manifested to all the world and how far the whole Kingdom is from avowing such a Trust hath already in a great measure and I doubt not will more every day appear by the professions of every County For I am wholly cast upon the affections of My People and have no hope but in the blessing and assistance of God the justness of My Cause and the Love of My Subjects to recover what is taken from Me and them for I may justly say they are equal losers with Me. Gentlemen I desire you to consider what course is to be taken for your own security from the excursions from Hull and the violence which threatens you from thence I will assist you any way you propose Next I desire you out of the publick provision or your private store to furnish Me with such a number of Arms Muskets and Corslets as you may conveniently spare which I do promise to see fully repay'd to you These Arms I desire may be speedily delivered to the custody of My Lord Mayor of York for my use principally for those parts which by reason of their distance from Hull are least subject to the fear of violence from thence And whosoever shall so furnish Me shall be excused from their attendance and service at Musters till their Arms shall be restored which may well be sooner than I can promise or you expect I desire nothing of you but what is necessary to be done for the preservation of God's true Religion the Laws of the Land the Liberty of the Subject and the very Being of this Kingdom of England for 't is too evident all these are at stake For the compleating of My Son's Regiment for the Guard of His Person under the Command of my Lord of Cumberland I referr it wholly to your selves who have expressed such forwardness in it XLV To His Army after the Reading of His Orders between Stafford and Wellington September 19. MDCXLII GEntlemen You have heard these Orders read it is your part in your several places to observe them exactly The time cannot be long before we come to Action therefore you have the more reason to be careful And I must tell you I shall be very severe in the punishing of those of what condition soever who transgress these Instructions I cannot suspect your Courage and Resolution Your Conscience and your Loyalty hath brought you hither to fight for your Religion your King and the Laws of the Land You shall meet with no enemies but Traitors most of them Brownists Anabaptists and Atheists such who desire to destroy both Church and State and who have already condemned you to ruine for being Loyal to Us. That you may see what use I mean to make of your Valour if it please God to bless it with success I have thought fit to publish My Resolution to you in a Protestation which when you have heard Me make you will believe you cannot fight in a better Quarrel in which I promise to live and die with you I do promise in the presence of Almighty God and as I hope for His Blessing and Protection that I will to the utmost of My Power defend and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in the Church of England and by the Grace of God in the same will live and die I desire to govern by the known Laws of the Land and that the Liberty and Property of the Subject may be by them preserved with the same care as My own just Rights And if it please God by his blessing upon this Army raised for My necessary Defence to preserve Me from this Rebellion I do solemnly and faithfully promise in the sight of God to maintain the just Privileges and Freedom of Parliament and to govern by the known Laws of the Land to My utmost power and particularly to observe inviolably the Laws consented to by Me this Parliament In the mean while if this time of War and the great necessity and streights I am now driven to beget any violation of those I hope it shall be imputed by God and Man to the Authors of this War and not to Me who have so earnestly laboured for the preservation of the Peace of this Kingdom When I willingly fail in these particulars I will expect no aid or relief from any Man or protection from Heaven But in this Resolution I hope for the chearful assistance of all good men and am confident of God's Blessing XLVI To the Inhabitants of Denbigh and Flint at WREXHAM September 27. MDCXLII GEntlemen I am willing to take all occasions to visit all My good Subjects in which number I have cause to reckon you of these two Counties having lately had a good expression of your Loyalty and Affections to Me by those Levies which at your charge have been sent Me from your parts which forwardness of yours I shall alwayes remember to your advantage and to let you know how I have been dealt with by a powerful Malignant party in this Kingdom whose designs are no less than to destroy my Person and Crown the Laws of the Land and the present Government both of Church and State The Leaders of these men by their subtilty and cunning practices have so prevailed upon the meaner sort of people about London that they have called them up into frequent and dangerous tumults and thereby have chased from thence My self and the greatest part of the Members of both Houses of Parliament Their power and secret Plots have had such influence upon the small remaining part of both Houses that under colour of Orders and Ordinances made without the Royal Assent a thing never heard of before this Parliament I am robb'd and spoiled of my Towns Forts Castles and Goods my Navy forcibly taken from me and imployed against me all my Revenues stopt and seised upon and at this time a powerful Army is marching against me I wish this were all They have yet further laboured to alienate the affections of my good People they have most injuriously vented many false reproaches against my Person and Government they have dispersed in print many notorious false scandals upon my actions and intentions and in particular have laboured to cast upon me some aspersions concerning the horrid bloody and impious Rebellion in Ireland They tell the People that I have recalled two Ships appointed for the Guard of these Seas 'T is true but they conceal that at the same time I sent my Warrants to the Downs commanding four as good Ships to attend that service instead of those should be recalled which Warrant by their means could not find obedience They forget that they then imployed forty Ships many of them my Own and all of them set forth at the
of War And Justice stands a Prisoner at the Bar. This Scene was like the Passion-Tragedy His Saviour's Person none could Act but He. Behold what Scribes were here what Pharisees What Bands of Souldiers what false Witnesses Here was a Priest and that a Chief one who Durst strike at God and His Vicegerent too Here Bradshaw Pilate there This makes them twain Pilate for Fear Bradshaw condemn'd for Gain Wretch couldst not thou be rich till Charles was dead Thou might'st have took the Crown yet spar'd the Head Th' hast justifi'd that Roman Judge He stood And washt in Water thou hast dipt in Blood And where 's the Slaughter-House White-hall must be Lately His Palace now His Calvary Great CHARLES is this Thy dying-place And where Thou wer 't our KING art Thou our MARTYR there Thence thence Thy Soul took flight and there will we Not cease to Mourn where Thou didst cease to Be. And thus blest Soul He 's gone a Star whose fall As no Eclipse proves Oecumenical That Wretch had skill to sin whose Hand did know How to behead three Kingdoms at one blow England hath lost the Influence of her KING No wonder that so backward was her Spring O dismal Day but yet how quickly gone It must be short Our SUN went down at Noon And now ye Senators is this the Thing So oft declar'd is this your Glorious King Did you by Oaths your God and Country mock Pretend a Crown and yet prepare a Block Did you that swore you 'd Mount CHARLES higher yet Intend the Scaffold for His Olivet Was this Hail Master Did you bow the knee That you might murther Him with Loyalty Alas two Deaths what Cruelty was this The Axe design'd you might have spar'd the Kiss London didst thou Thy Prince's Life betray What could Thy Sables vent no other way Or else didst thou bemoan His Cross then ah Why would'st thou be the cursed Golgotha Thou once hadst Men Plate Arms a Treasury To bind thy KING and hast thou none to free Dull beast thou should'st before thy Head did fall Have had at least thy Spirits Animal Did You Ye Nobles envy CHARLES His Crown Jove being fal'n the Puny-gods must down Your Raies of Honour are eclip'st in Night The Sun is set from whence You drew your Light Religion Veils her self and Mourns that she Is forc'd to own such horrid Villany The Church and State do shake that Building must Expect to fall whose Prop is turn'd to Dust But cease from Tears-CHARLES is most blest of men A God on Earth more than a Saint in Heav'n THE END A COLLECTION OF DECLARATIONS TREATIES AND OTHER Principal Passages concerning the DIFFERENCES BETWIXT King Charles I. AND HIS TWO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT Clearly Manifesting The Justice of His Cause His Sincerity in Religion His Constant Endeavours for Peace Bona agere mala pati Regium est LONDON Printed MDCLXXXVII THE PREFACE TO THE NOBILITY and GENTRY OF ENGLAND I Might call this Collection A Complete Body of English Politicks as comprehending both the Duty and the Interest of all true English-men and those largely set forth in some of the most excellent Discourses that were ever written in this kind Which for their own sakes might claim some better respect from the present Age than to be cast aside as out-dated Pamphlets or at the best confusedly scattered like the Leaves of Sibylla without any care of conserving and transmitting them to Posterity The sad Experience of so many years hath taught this Nation to their cost how miserable even the greatest Subjects make themselves by incroaching upon that Soveraignty which alone can protect them from the Injuries and the Scorn of their Inferiours Here you will discover the Arts the Means and the Degrees by which those Mischiefs were attempted and atchieved Which whensoever you see repeated you will know the Plot is as well against your Privilege and the Liberty of your Countrey as the Prerogative of your Prince Indeed If it were as easie to root out the remembrance of the ill Examples as it is to remit the punishment of the Crimes by Acts of Grace and Pardon and Oblivion it were perhaps no Imprudence to let those Mischiefs sleep with their Authors and leave their Memories buried in the Ruines they have made But since many that are content to take the utmost advantage of a Pardon are yet too good to acknowledge they ever stood in need of any since most will remember only What hath been done and few trouble themselves to inquire How or Why it cannot be thought impertinent together with the Actions to represent also the true Causes that have produced such Effects and the Circumstances that attended them which may remain as Marks to warn Posterity of those Errors which have cost the present Age so dear This is here done not from the private phancies or observations of any one Person or Party but from the Publick and Authentick Writings of Both digested in such order that the Reader may compare what both sides had to say for themselves and thereby discern whose Designs and what Counsels tended most to the Peace and Welfare of the Nation A study most proper for those Ranks of men whom the Favour of Princes hath raised above the Common Multitude to this one End that they may assist Them in the administration of Their Government and in keeping Peace and good order in their Countries To have Collected all that passed in these great Contests would have been the Work of many Volumes But the most material and most necessary to carry on the Series of Times and Things which in a manner comprehend the Sum or at least shew the Result of all the rest are here disposed according to their most natural order of time under these few heads I. His Majesties Declarations concerning His Proceedings in His Four first Parliaments p. 217. II. Declarations and Papers concerning the Differences betwixt His Majesty and His Fifth Parliament p. 241. III. Declarations and Paper concerning the Treaty of Peace at Oxford MDCXLII III. p. 325. IV. A Declaration concerning the Cessation in Ireland Also Declarations and Passages of the Parliament at Oxford p. 401. V. Papers and Passages concerning the Treaty of Peace at Vxbridge p. 437. VI. Messages Propositions and Treaties for Peace With divers Resolutions and Declarations thereupon MDCXLV VI. VII VIII p. 547. HIS MAJESTIES DECLARATIONS CONCERNING HIS PROCEEDINGS IN HIS FOUR FIRST PARLIAMENTS A Declaration of the true Causes which moved His MAJESTY to Assemble and after inforced Him to Dissolve the First and Second Meetings in Parliament THE King 's most Excellent Majesty since His happy access to the Imperial Crown of this Realm having by His Royal Authority summoned and assembled two several Parliaments the first whereof was in August last by adjournment held at Oxford and there dissolved and the other begun in February last and continued until the fifteenth day of this present month of June and then to the unspeakable grief
and Innovations as might make them apt to joyn with England in that great Change which was intended Whereupon new Canons and a new Liturgy were prest upon them and when they refused to admit of them an Army was raised to force them to it towards which the Clergy and the Papists were very forward in their Contribution The Scots likewise raised an Army for their defence and when both Armies were come together and ready for a bloody encounter His Majesties own Gracious Disposition and the Counsel of the English Nobility and Dutiful submission of the Scots did so far prevail against the evil Counsel of others that a Pacification was made and His Majesty returned with Peace and much Honour to London The unexpected Reconciliation was most acceptable to all the Kingdom except to the malignant party whereof the Archbishop and the Earl of Strafford being heads they and their faction begun to inveigh against the Peace and to aggravate the proceeding of the States which so incensed His Majesty that He forthwith prepared again for War And such was their confidence that having corrupted and distempered the whole frame and Government of the Kingdom they did now hope to corrupt that which was the only means to restore all to a right frame and temper again To which end they perswaded His Majesty to call a Parliament not to seek counsel and advice of them but to draw countenance and Supply from them and engage the whole Kingdom in their Quarrel and in the mean time continued all their unjust Levies of Money resolving either to make the Parliament pliant to their Will and to establish mischief by a Law or else to brake it and with more colour to go on by violence to take what they could not obtain by consent The ground alledged for the justification of this War was this That the undutiful Demands of the Parliaments of Scotland was a sufficient reason for His Majesty to take Arms against them without hearing the Reason of those Demands And thereupon a new Army was prepared against them their Ships were seized in all Ports both of England and Ireland and at Sea their Petitions rejected their Commissioners refused Audience this whole Kingdom most miserably distempered with Levies of Men and Money and Imprisonments of those who denied to submit to those Levies The Earl of Strafford past into Ireland caused the Parliament there to declare against the Scots to give four Subsidies towards that War and to ingage themselves their Lives and Fortunes for the prosecution of it and gave directions for an Army of eight thousand foot and one thousand horse to be levied there which were for the most part Papists The Parliament met upon the thirteenth of April one thousand six hundred and forty The Earl of Strafford and Archbishop of Canterbury with their Party so prevailed with His Majesty that the House of Commons was prest to yield to a Supply for maintenance of the War with Scotland before they had provided any relief for the great and pressing Grievances of the people which being against the fundamental Privilege and proceeding of Parliament was yet in humble respect to His Majesty so far admitted as that they agreed to take the matter of Supply into consideration and two several days it was debated Twelve Subsidies were demanded for the release of Ship-money alone A third day was appointed for conclusion when the Heads of that Party begun to fear the people might close with the King in satisfying his desire of money but that withal they were like to blast their malicious designs against Scotland finding them very much indisposed to give any countenance to that War Thereupon they wickedly advised the King to break off the Parliament and to return to the ways of Confusion in which their own evil intentions were most like to prosper and succeed After the Parliament ended the fifth of May 1640. this Party grew so bold as to counsel the King to supply Himself out of his Subjects states by His own Power at His own will without their consent The very next day some Members of both Houses had their studies and cabinets yea their pockets searched another of them not long after was committed close prisoner for not delivering some Petitions which he received by authority of that House And if harsher courses were intended as was reported it is very probable that the sickness of the Earl of Strafford and the tumultuous rising in Southwark and about Lambeth were the causes that such violent intentions were not brought to execution A false and scandalous Declaration against the House of Commons was published in his Majesties Name which yet wrought little effect with the people but only to manifest the impudence of those who were Authors of it A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London The Lord Mayor and Aldermen in their several Wards enjoyned to bring in a list of the names of such persons as they judged fit to lend and of the summ they should lend And such Aldermen as refused so to do were committed to prison The Archbishop and the other Bishops and Clergy continued the Convocation and by a new Commission turned it to a Provincial Synod in which by an unheard of presumption they made Canons that contain in them many matters contrary to the Kings Prerogative to the fundamental Laws and Statutes of the Realm to the Right of Parliaments to the Property and Liberty of the Subject and matters tending to Sedition and of dangerous consequence thereby establishing their own Usurpations justifying their Altar-worship and those other superstitious Innovations which they formerly introduced without warrant of Law They imposed a new Oath upon divers of his Majesties Subjects both Ecclesiastical and Lay for maintenance of their own Tyranny and laid a great tax upon the Clergy for supply of his Majesty and generally they shewed themselves very affectionate to the War with Scotland which was by some of them styled Bellum Episcopale and a Prayer composed and enjoyned to be read in all Churches calling the Scots Rebels to put the two Nations into blood and make them irreconcilable All those pretended Canons and Constitutions were armed with the several Censures of Suspension Excommunication Deprivation by which they would have thrust out all the good Ministers and most of the well affected people of the Kingdom and left an easie passage to their own design of reconciliation with Rome The Popish party enjoyned such exemptions from the Penal Laws as amounted to a Toleration besides many other encouragements and Court-favours They had a Secretary of State Sir Francis Windebank a powerful Agent for the speeding of all their desires a Pope's Nuntio residing here to act and govern them according to such influences as he received from Rome and to intercede for them with the most powerful concurrence of the foreign Princes of that Religion By his authority the Papists of all sorts Nobility Gentry and Clergy were convocated after the
Husband for Our Daughter in which the Protestant Religion was Our principal Consideration We conceived We had reason to expect your present thanks and the increase of your future trusts We suppose these Demands by this time to appear such as the Demanders cannot be supposed to have any such real fear of Us as hath been long pretended they are too much in the style not only of Equals but of Conquerours and as little to be intended for removing of Jealousies for which end they are said to be asked and that is not as Merchants ask at first much more then they will take but as most necessary to effect it which if they be God help this poor Kingdom and those who are in the hands of such persons whose Jealousies nothing else will remove which indeed is such a way as if there being differences and suits between two persons whereof one would have from the other several parcels of his ancient Land he should propose to him by way of Accommodation that he would quit to him all those in question with the rest of his Estate as the most necessary and effectual means to remove all those suits and differences But We call God to witness that as for our Subjects sake these Rights are vested in Us so for their sakes as well as for Our own We are resolved not to quit them nor to subvert though in a Parliamentary way the ancient equal happy well-poised and never-enough-commended Constitution of the Government of this Kingdom nor to make Our Self of a King of England a Duke of Venice and this of a Kingdom a Republick There being three kinds of Government amongst men absolute Monarchy Aristocracy and Democracy and all these having their particular conveniences and inconveniences the experience and wisdom of your Ancestors hath so moulded this out of a mixture of these as to give to this Kingdom as far as humane Prudence can provide the conveniences of all three without the inconveniences of any one as long as the Balance hangs even between the three Estates and they run joyntly on in their proper Chanel begetting Verdure and Fertility in the Meadows on both sides and the overflowing of either on either side raises no Deluge or Inundation The ill of absolute Monarchy is Tyranny the ill of Aristocracy is Faction and Division the ills of Democracy are Tumults Violence and Licentiousness The good of Monarchy is the uniting a Nation under one Head to resist Invasion from abroad and Insurrection at home the good of Aristocracy is the Conjunction of Counsel in the ablest Persons of a State for the publick benefit the good of Democracy is Liberty and the Courage and Industry which Liberty begets In this Kingdom the Laws are joyntly made by a King by a House of Peers and by a House of Commons chosen by the People all having free Votes and particular Privileges The Government according to these Laws is trusted to the King power of Treaties of War and Peace of making Peers of chusing Officers and Counsellours for State Judges for Law Commanders for Forts and Castles giving Commissions for raising men to make War abroad or to prevent or provide against Invasions or Insurrections at home benefit of Confiscations power of Pardoning and some more of the like kind are placed in the King And this kind of regulated Monarchy having this power to preserve that Authority without which it would be disabled to preserve the Laws in their force and the Subjects in their Liberties and Proprieties is intended to draw to Him such a Respect and Relation from the Great ones as may hinder the ills of Division and Faction and such a Fear and Reverence from the People as may hinder Tumults Violence and Licentiousness Again that the Prince may not make use of this high and perpetual Pow'r to the hurt of those for whose good He hath it and make use of the name of publick Necessity for the gain of His private Favourites and Followers to the detriment of His People the House of Commons an excellent Conserver of Liberty but never intended for any SHARE in GOVERNMENT or the chusing of them that should GOVERN is solely intrusted with the first Propositions concerning the Levies of Monies which is the sinews as well of Peace as War and the impeaching of those who for their own ends though countenanced by any surreptitiously-gotten Command of the King have violated that Law which He is bound when He knows it to protect and to the protection of which they were bound to advise Him at least not to serve Him in the contrary And the Lords being trusted with a Judicatory power are an excellent Screen and Bank between the Prince and People to assist each against any Incroachments of the other and by just Judgments to preserve that Law which ought to be the Rule of every one of the Three For the better enabling them in this beyond the Examples of any of Our Ancestors We were willingly contented to oblige Our Self bouth to call a Parliament every three years and not to dissolve it in fifty days and for the present Exigent the better to raise Money and avoid the pressure no less grievous to Us then them Our People must have suffered by a longer continuance of so vast a Charge as two great Armies and for their greater certainty of having sufficient time to remedy the inconveniences arisen during so long an absence of Parliaments and for the punishment of the Causers and Ministers of them We yielded up Our Right of dissolving this Parliament expecting an extraordinary moderation from it in gratitude for so unexampled a Grace and little looking that any Malignant Party should have been encouraged or enabled to have perswaded them first to countenance the Injustices and Indignities We have endured and then by a new way of Satisfaction for what was taken from Us to demand of Us at once to confirm what was so taken and to give up almost all the rest Since therefore the Power Legally placed in both Houses is more then sufficient to prevent and restrain the power of Tyranny and without the Power which is now asked from Us We shall not be able to discharge that Trust which is the End of Monarchy since this would be a total Subversion of the Fundamental Laws and that excellent Constitution of this Kingdom which hath made this Nation so many years both Famous and Happy to a great degree of Envy since to the power of Punishing which is already in your hands according to Law if the power of Preferring be added We shall have nothing left for Us but to look on since the incroaching of one of these Estates upon the power of the other is unhappy in the effects both to them and all the rest since this power of at most a joynt-Government in Us with Our Counsellors or rather Our Guardians will return Us to the worst kind of Minority and make Us despicable both at home and abroad
Our Court at York this 15. of June 1642. The Declaration and Profession of the Lords now at York and others of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council disavowing that they see any apparence of Preparations or Intentions in His Majesty to levy War against the Parliament WE whose names are under-written in Obedience to His Majesty's Desire and out of the Duty which we owe to His Majesty's Honour and to Truth being here upon the place and witnesses of His Majesty's frequent and earnest Declarations and Professions of His abhorring all Designs of making War upon His Parliament and not seeing any colour of Preparations or Counsels that might reasonably beget the belief of any such Design do profess before God and testifie to all the World that we are fully perswaded that His Majesty hath no such Intentions but that all His Endeavours tend to the firm and constant settlement of the true Protestant Religion the just Privileges of Parliament the Liberty of the Subject the Law Peace and Prosperity of this Kingdom York June 15. 1642. Subscribed by Lord Keeper L. D. of Richmond L. Marquess Hartford L. Great Chamberlain E. of Cumberland E. of Bath E. of Southampton E. of Dorset E. of Salisbury E. of Northampton E. of Devon E. of Cambridge E. of Bristol E. of Clare E. of Westmorland E. of Berkshire E. of Monmouth E. of Rivers E. of Dover E. of Carnarven E. of Newport L. Mowbray Maltravers L. Willoughby L. Grey of Ruthen L. C. Howard Andover L. Lovelace L. Paget L. Falconberge L. Rich. L. Paulet L. Newark L. Coventry L. Savile L. Mohun L. Dunsmore L. Seymour L. Capel L. Falkland Mr. Comptroller Mr. Secretary Nicholas Mr. Chancel of the Exchequer L. Chief Justice Banks MDCXLII June 8. By the King A Proclamation forbidding all Levies of Forces without his MAJESTY's express Pleasure signified under His Great Seal and all Contributions or Assistance to any such Levies WHereas under pretence that We intend to make War against the Parliament the contrary whereof is notoriously known to all that are here and as We hope by this time apparent to all other Our Subjects as well by Our Declaration of the sixteenth of June as by the Testimony of all Our Nobility and Council who are here upon the place and by colour of the Authority of both Houses of Parliament a major part whereof are now absent from London by the contrivance of some few evil persons disguising and colouring their pernicious Designs and hostile Preparations under the plausible names of the preservation of publick Peace and defence of Vs and both Houses of Parliament from Force and violence it hath been endeavoured to raise Troops of Horse and other Forces And for that purpose they have prevailed not only to prohibit Our own Moneys to be paid to Us or to Our use but by the Name and Authority of Parliament to excite Our Subjects to contribute their Assistance to them by bringing in Moneys Plate or under-writing to furnish and maintain Horses Horsemen and Arms and to that purpose certain Propositions or Orders as they are styled by them have been printed whereby they have endeavoured to engage the Power and Authority of Parliament as if the two Houses without Us had that Power and Authority to save harmless all those that shall so contribute from all Prejudice and Inconvenience that may befall them by occasion thereof And although We well hope that these Malignant persons whose Actions do now sufficiently declare their former Intentions will be able to prevail with few of Our good People to contribute their Power or Assistance unto them Yet lest any of Our Subjects taking upon trust what those men affirm without weighing the grounds of it or the danger to Us themselves and the Commonwealth which would ensue thereupon should indeed believe what these persons would insinuate and have them to believe that such their Contribution and Assistance would tend to the preservation of the publick Peace and the Defence of Us and both Houses of Parliament and that thereby they should not incur any danger We that We might not be wanting as much as in Us lyeth to foreshew and to prevent the danger which may fall thereupon have hereby thought good to declare and publish unto all Our loving Subjects That by the Laws of the Land the power of raising of Forces or Arms or levying of War for the defence of the Kingdom or otherwise hath always belonged to Us and to Us only and that by no Power of either or both Houses of Parliament or otherwise contrary to Our personal Commands any Forces can be raised or any War levied And therefore by the Statute of the seventh year of Our famous Progenitor King Edward the First whereas there had been then some variances betwixt Him and some great Lords of the Realm and upon Treaty thereupon it was agreed that in the next Parliament after provision should be made that in all Parliaments and all other Assemblies which should be in the Kingdom for ever every man should come without Force and Armour well and peaceably yet at the next Parliament when they met together to take advice of this Business though it concerned the Parliament it self the Lords and Commons would not take it upon them but answered That it belonged to the King to defend force of Armour and all other force against the Peace at all times when it pleased Him and to punish them which should do contrary according to the Laws and Usages of the Realm and that they were bound to aid Him as their Sovereign Lord at all seasons when need should be And accordingly in Parliament in after-times the King alone did issue His Proclamations prohibiting bearing of Arms by any person in or near the City where the Parliament was excepting such of the Kings Servants as He should depute or should be deputed by His Commandment and also excepting the Kings Ministers And by the Statute of Northampton made in the second year of King Edward the Third it is enacted That no man of what condition soever he be except the Kings Servants in His presence and His Ministers in executing the Kings Precepts or of their Office and such as be in their company assisting them go nor ride armed by night or day in Fairs Markets nor in the presence of the Justices or other Ministers nor in no part elsewhere And this power of raising Forces to be solely in the King is so known and inseparable a Right to the Crown that when in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth there being a sudden Rebellion the Earl of Shrewsbury without Warrant from the King did raise Arms for the suppression thereof and happily suppressed it yet was he forced to obtain his Pardon And whereas the Duke of Gloucester and other great Lords in the eleventh year of King Richard the Second upon pretence of the good of the King and Kingdom the King being then not of age and led away as
the eighteenth day of June in the eighteenth year of Our Reign 1642. Votes of the Lower House for raising an Army against the KING Die Martis 12 Julii 1642. Resolved upon the Question THAT an Army shall be forthwith raised for the Safety of the King's Person defence of both Houses of Parliament and of those who have obeyed their Orders and Commands and preserving of the true Religion the Laws Liberty and Peace of the Kingdom Resolved upon the Question That the Earl of Essex shall be the General Resolved upon the Question That this House doth declare that in this Cause for the Safety of the King's Person defence of both Houses of Parliament and of those who have obeyed their Orders and Commands and preserving of the true Religion the Laws Liberty and Peace of the Kingdom they will live and die with the Earl of Essex whom they have nominated General in this Cause MDCXLII Aug. 8. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons for raising of Forces against the KING Together with His MAJESTY'S Declaration in Answer to the same A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the raising of all Power and Force as well Trained Bands as others in several Counties of this Kingdom to lead against all Traitors and their Adherents and them to Arrest and Imprison and to Fight with Kill and Slay all such as shall oppose any of His Majesty's loving Subjects that shall be imployed in this Service by either or both Houses of Parliament WHereas certain Information is given from several parts of the Kingdom That divers Troops of Horse are imployed in sundry Counties of the Kingdom and that others have Commission to raise both Horse and Foot to compel His Majesty's Subjects to submit to the Illegal commission of Array out of a Traiterous intent to subvert the Liberty of the Subject and the Law of the Kingdom and for the better strengthening themselves in this wicked attempt do joyn with the Popish and Jesuitical Faction to put the Kingdom into a Combustion and Civil War by levying Forces against the Parliament and by these Forces to alter the Religion and the Antient Government and lawful Liberty of the Kingdom and to introduce Popery and Idolatry together with an Arbitrary Form of Government and in pursuance thereof have Traitorously and Rebelliously levied War against the King and by force robb'd spoil'd and slain divers of His Majesty's good Subjects travelling about their lawful and necessary occasions in the King's Protection according to Law and namely that for the end and purpose aforesaid the Earl of Northampton the Lord Dunsmore Lord Willoughby of Eresby Son to the Earl of Lindsey Henry Hastings Esquire and divers other unknown persons in the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham Leicester Warwick Oxford and other places the Marquess of Hartford the Lord Paulet Lord Seymour Sir John Stawel Sir Ralph Hopton John Digby Esquire and other their Accomplices have gotten together great Forces in the County of Somerset The Lords and Commons in Parliament duly considering the great Dangers which may ensue upon such their wicked and traitorous Designs and if by this means the Power of the Sword should come into the hands of Papists and their Adherents nothing can be expected but the miserable ruine and desolation of the Kingdom and the bloody massacre of the Protestants they do Declare and Ordain That it is and shall be lawful for all His Majesty's loving Subjects by force of Arms to resist the said several Parties and their Accomplices and all other that shall raise or conduct any other Forces for the ends aforesaid and that the Earl of Essex Lord General with all his Forces raised by the Authority of Parliament as likewise the Lord Say Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Earl of Peterborough Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Lord Wharton Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Earl of Stamford Lieutenant of Leicestershire Earl of Pembroke Lieutenant of Wiltshire and Hampshire Earl of Bedford Lieutenant of Somersetshire and Devon Lord Brook Lieutenant of Warwickshire the Lord Cranborne Lieutenant of Dorsetshire the Lord Willoughby of Parham Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and all those who are or shall be appointed by Ordinance of both Houses to perform the place of Deputy-Lieutenants and their Deputy-Lieutenants respectively Denzil Hollis Esquire Lieutenant of the City and County of Bristol and the Mayors and Sheriffs of the City and Deputy-Lieutenants there and all other Lieutenants of Counties Sheriffs Mayors Deputy-Lieutenants shall raise all their Power and Forces of their several Counties as well Trained Bands as others and shall have power to conduct and lead the said Forces of the said Counties against the said Traitors and their Adherents and with them to fight kill and slay all such as by force shall oppose them and the Persons of the said Traitors and their Adherents and Accomplices to Arrest and Imprison and them to bring up to the Parliament to answer these their Traiterous and Rebellious Attempts according to Law and the same or any other Forces to transport and conduct from one County to another in aid and assistance one of another and of all others that shall joyn with the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the defence of the Religion of Almighty God and of the Liberties and Peace of the Kingdom and in pursuit of those wicked and Rebellious Traitors the Conspirators Aiders and Abettors and Adherents requiring all Lieutenants of Counties Sheriffs Mayors Justices of Peace and other His Majesty's Officers and loving Subjects to be aiding and assisting to one another in the Execution hereof And for so doing all the parties above-mentioned and all others that shall joyn with them shall be justified defended and secured by the Power and Authority of Parliament Die Lunae Aug. 8. 1642. Ordered that this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published Hen. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. His MAJESTY's Declaration in Answer to a Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the raising of all Power and Force as well Trained Bands c. AS much experience as We have had of the inveterate Rancour and high Insolence of the Malignant Party against Us We never yet saw any expression come from them so evidently declaring it as the Declaration entituled A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the raising of all Power and Force as well Trained Bands as others in several Counties of this Kingdom to lead against all Traitors and their Adherents c. In which that Faction hath as it were distilled and contracted all their Falshood Insolence and Malice there being in it not one period which is not either Slanderous or Treasonable And nothing can more grieve Us than that by their infinite Arts and Subtilty employed by their perpetual and indefatigable Industry and by that Rabble of Brownists and other Schismaticks declaredly ready to appear at their Call they should have been able so to draw away some and drive away others of Our good Subjects from Our
they shall neglect this Our Grace and Favour now extended unto them and persist in any acts of Hostility against Us or not disband upon notice of this Our Proclamation We shall esteem of them as Rebells and Traitors to Us and to Our Crown and as publick Enemies to the happy Peace of this Kingdom and that from thence We shall proceed against them and deal with them as Rebels and Traitours and by the blessing of God in whom We put Our confidence and by the assistance of Our faithful and good Subjects upon whose Fidelity and Affections We rely We doubt not but We shall so prevail against all their Traitorous Conspiracies and Rebellious Machinations as shall vindicate Our Honour and the Honour of Our Crown preserve Our good and loyal Subjects from their Malice and Fury and restore and settle the Peace of this Kingdom and make the Delinquents so exemplary as shall deterr others from ever attempting the like Insolencies And We hereby require and command all Our Commissioners of Array Lieutenants Deputy-Lieutenants Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors and all other Our Officers Ministers and loving Subjects that they and every of them in their several places do there best and uttermost endeavours to resist and subdue the said Earl and his Adherents and those who shall assist them or any of them and to apprehend or otherwise to destroy them and every of them that so they may receive condigne punishment for their Disloyalty and that they be ready according to their Duties and Allegiance to assist Us and those Our good Subjects who do adhere unto Us according to Our just Commands in or concerning the Premisses And more particularly We require and command Our Commissioners of Array Lords Lieutenants Deputy-Lieutenants Captains and Officers of Our Trained Bands of or in Our Counties of Southampton Sussex and Surrey that so many of them as to that purpose Colonel Goring shall call to his aid as he shall see cause shall with such Forces as are under their command repair unto Our said Town of Portsmouth to assist the said Colonel George Goring Our Captain and Governour of the said Town for the defence of the said Town and to Oppose Resist and Destroy all those who under the command of the said Earl of Essex or any other shall attempt any Violence against the said Town And We do further require and command Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Couzin and Counsellor William Marquess Hartford that with all speed he raise all the Forces he can within all or any the Counties contained within that Commission We have given unto him whereby he is made Our Lieutenant General of all Our Forces within Our Counties of Devon Cornwal Somerset Dorset Wilts Southampton Gloucester Berks Oxford Hereford Monmouth Radnor Brecknock Glamorgan Carmarthen Pembroke Cardigan Our Cities of Excester Bristol Gloucester Oxford Bath and Wells new Salisbury and Hereford and the Counties of the same the Towns of Pool and Southampton and Haverford-West and the Counties of the same and with the Trained Bands of those Counties and others who shall voluntarily offer their Service to march against the said Earl or any others under his command or under the command of any others not authorized by Us and them to Resist Oppose and Subdue and especially for the defence of the said Town of Portsmouth and for the Isle of Wight in Our County of Southampton as there shall be occasion And We do hereby desire and require Our loyal and loving Subjects of and within the said Counties being of the Trained Bands or voluntary Levies within the said Commission to repair with their Horse and Foot well Armed Arrayed and Furnished to such place or places as the said Marquess shall appoint and that they and all other Our good and loving Subjects within this Realm shall according to such Directions as We shall give to that purpose repair to Us at such place where We shall pitch and set up Our Royal Standard and where We purpose in Our own Person to be present and there and in such places whither We shall conduct them or cause them to be conducted to serve Us for the Defence of Us and of Our Kingdom and of the true Protestant Religion and the known Laws of the Land and the just Liberties of Our Subjects and the just Privileges of Parliament and to suppress the notorious and insolent Rebellion of the said Earl and his Adherents and reduce them to their due Obedience and for re-setling of the happy Peace of this Kingdom And in this time of urgent Necessity which so much importeth the Safety and even the very Subsistence of Us and Our Good People We shall take it as an acceptable Service to Us and much conducing to the Peace of Our Kingdom if Our loving and well-affected Subjects within Our said Counties contained within Our Commission granted to the said Marquess do and will chearfully and voluntarily contribute unto Us and give unto Us such assistance in Money or Plate as they shall think fit by loan or otherwise to be delivered to the hands of the said Marquess or of the Commissioners of Array for those several Counties respectively to be disposed of to this publick use and not otherwise and that Our loving and well-affected Subjects of all other the Counties of this Kingdom will to the same use and not otherwise contribute unto and assist Us in like manner such Contribution and assistance to be paid and delivered to Our use into the hands of Our Commissioners of Array for those other Counties respectively or to such of them as they shall nominate and appoint to that purpose And lastly in all these Our just and necessary Commands We require that ready Obedience from all Our Commissioners Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors Constables and other Officers and loving Subjects in their several and respective places which appertaineth to their several Duties as they tender Our Honour and Safety and the Honour Safety Peace and Prosperity of the Church and Kingdom of England and as they will answer their neglects at their uttermost perils Given at Our Court at York the ninth day of August in the eighteenth year of Our Reign 1642. By the KING A Proclamation by His MAJESTY requiring the Aid and Assistance of all His Subjects on the North side Trent and within twenty Miles Southward thereof for the suppressing of the Rebels now marching against Him WHereas divers Persons bearing an inward Hatred and Malice against Our Person and Government and ambitious of Rule and places of Preferment and Command have raised an Army and are now Traitorously and Rebelliously though under the specious pretence of Our Royal Name and Authority and of the defence of Our Person and Parliament marching in battel-array against Us their Liege-Lord and Sovereign contrary to their Duty and Allegiance whereby the common Peace is like to be wholly destroyed and this flourishing Kingdom in danger to perish under the miseries of a Civil War
that no alteration could produce that Happiness they imagined and if their natures were capable of such Trusts to take some of the chief of them so near Us that they might be witnesses of Our Actions and privy to Our Counsels that either Ingenuity or Gratitude might recover them from their desperate Inclinations Hereupon because most of the Grievances of Our People were conceived to proceed from the great liberty of Our Council-board or from some Orders and Directions from them We admitted to Our Privy Council seven or eight of those Lords who were eminently in esteem with Our People for their reputation of Honour and Justice some of whom We knew to be most passionately dis-inclined to the present managery of Civil affairs and to the Government of the Church and hoped that by a free communication of their Doubts Opinions and Counsels they would have received that satisfaction that they would have been excellent Instruments of a blessed Reformation and Confirmation in Church and State Having begun with this foundation of Confidence in Our Court by electing such Persons We made the same hast to apply particular Remedies to the visible known Diseases resolving those Remedies should be proportioned to the Counsel and Desires of both Houses which We thought the surest way to win at least a major part to the confession and acknowledgment of Our Justice and Affection The Star-Chamber had in the excess of Jurisdiction or tediousness and charge of Proceedings or measure and severity of Punishment invaded the Laws of the Land and Liberty of the Subject by the exercise of an Arbitrary Power We pressed not the Reformation of this Court though erected or setled by Act of Parliament in a wise time but at the instance of both Houses consented to the Abolition of it The High Commission Court had proceded with too much strictness in many cases where the Tender Consciences of many of Our weak Subjects were concerned and had so far out-grown the power of the Law that it would not be limited and guided by it but censured fined and imprisoned Our People for matters unpunishable by the Law We pressed not the Review of that Statute by which that Court was erected that such power might be qualified and provisions altered as had been grievous to the Subject nor desired that any other care might be taken for the upholding the Ecclesiastical Discipline than what the wisdom and piety of both Houses should think necessary but in compliance to the sufferings of Our People and the desires of both Houses consented to the Repeal of that branch of that Statute The Writs for Ship-mony whereby several summs of mony had been received from Our good Subjects for defence and safeguard of the Kingdom had lain heavy upon Our People yet were judged to be Legal Both Our Houses of Parliament declared that the grounds and reasons of that Judgment being That when the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and that the whole Kingdom is in Danger We might compel our Subjects to provide Ships Men and Victuals for the defence and safeguard of the Kingdom and that We were the sole Judge of that Danger and how the same might be prevented were contrary to and against the Laws and Statutes of this Realm the Property and Liberty of the Subject and to the Petition of Right without disputing our Right We were contented that all the proceedings in that business should be adjudged void and disannulled and the Judgments Enrolments and Entries thereupon should be vacated and cancelled in such manner as was desired Under colour of executing the Forrest-Laws and of keeping the Justice in Eyres Seat very many Persons had been grieved and vexed by Presentments Fines Judgments and Imprisonments the Meets Limits and Bounds of Forrests extended and some endeavours been made to set on foot Forrests where in truth none had been We no sooner received complaint of this but We passed an Act for the certainty of the Meets Limits and Bounds of all the Forrests in England with such further Provisions for the ease of Our Subjects as were desired at Our hands If by the negligence or wilfulness of persons trusted by Us any Grievance or inconvenience had been contracted in any part of Our Kingdom which seemed not to have so general an influence upon the whole upon the first clear Information We did Our part for the easing of them and therefore We passed for the benefit of Our good Subjects of Devon and Cornwall an Act against divers Incroachments and Oppressions in the Stannary-Courts And We were so confident this way to win the Hearts and Affections of all Our good Subjects and that both Our Houses of Parliament would at last find a time to give too that We made their Asking the only Rule to Our Grants and parted with any thing they desired Us to relinquish So in the Preamble to the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage We parted with Our Title of Imposing a Power adjudged good and exercised by Our Ancestors and though disputed never resolved against by Judgment in Parliament So in the Act for regulating the Office of Clark of the Marker because the undue execution thereof had been grievous to many of Our loving Subjects We consented that no Clark of the Market of Our House shall hereafter execute His Office in any part of Our Kingdom but only within the verge of Our Court and granted the Execution of that Office to the Mayors and Bayliffs of Towns Corporate and to the Lords of Liberties and Franchises and to their Deputies So because about the beginning of Our Reign several Writs had issued out of Our Court of Chancery in the business of Knighthood and been transmitted with their Returns into Our Court of Exchequer where the proceedings were not fit and warrantable We were contented by the Act for the prevention of vexatious proceedings touching the Order of Knighthood absolutely to part with and discharge a Right and Duty as unquestionably due to Us by the Law as any Service We can challenge So which is the highest instance of Trust that ever King gave His Subjects upon Information that Credit could not be obtained for so much Mony as was requisite for the relief of Our Army and People in the Northern parts for preventing the imminent Danger the Kingdom was in and for supply of Our present and urgent Occasions for fear the Parliament might be dissolved before Justice should be done upon Delinquents publick Grievances be redressed a firm Peace between the two Nations of England and Scotland concluded and before provision should be made for the repayment of such Monies as should be so raised though We knew what power We parted from and trusted Our Houses with by so doing and what might be the Consequence of such a Trust if unfaithfully managed We neglected all such suspicions which all Men now see deserved not to be slighted and We willingly and immediately passed that Act for the continuance of this
Witnesses cross-examined though they attended above twelve months to do it and if some men had not believed that their general and violent expressions affirming this to be a Plot equal to that of the Gun-powder-Treason would sooner be believed if it were not publickly discussed but left to every mans fancy to heighten according to his own Inclinations and had not feared that if the whole Examinations taken and not such only as they pleased to select had come to light it would have appeared by the Examination of Master Goring purposely supprest with what intention that mention of bringing up the Army was made with what earnestness it was opposed and with what suddenness it was deserted and many extenuations of and many other contradictions to what is now published would have appeared and this impossible Stratagem with which they have so much disturbed Our Subjects and reproached Us could never have been made so much use of After all this readiness in Us to do whatsoever they desired of Us and patience in suffering them to do whatsoever they pleased to Us We gave them warning that if there were any more good Bills which they desired might pass for the benefit of Our Subjects We wished they might be made ready against such a time when We resolved according to Our Promise to Our Scots Subjects with which they were well acquainted to repair into Our Kingdom of Scotland to settle the unhappy Differences there Upon this We were earnestly desired by both Our Houses of Parliament to deferr Our Journey thither as well upon pretence of the Danger if both Armies were not first disbanded as that they had many good Laws in readiness for the settling the Differences here We were by their entreaty perswaded to deferr Our Journey to a day agreed on by themselves assuring Our Self that they would think themselves obliged against that time not only to disband Our Armies but so to prepare and digest the business of Parliament that We might have made a Session before Our going But that Malignant Faction was so prevalent that the debate of the Bishops Bill took up most of their time so that neither any care was taken for the disbanding the Army nor any thing done that had any reference to the publick benefit and when the time of Our stay was expired and even the day come themselves had appointed a new Address was made unto Us for a longer stay of fourteen days because the Treaty was not concluded nor the Armies disbanded which was the main ground of Our deferring it before This Suit which was the first We denied them We could not grant there being that necessity with reference to Our Promise and to the expectation of Our Subjects of Scotland that it was not in Our power to satisfie them as We informed both Houses Our self at a Conference and according to that necessity We undertook that Journey not doubting but that when We should have dispatched the Affairs of that Kingdom which We hoped speedily to do and both Our Houses of Parliament should have refreshed themselves in the Visitation of those for whom they had so well provided by Our Favour We should meet again with mutual Confidence one in another and that it would be Our turn then to receive such Testimonies of that Confidence and Affection as We had deserved But the mischievous and indefatigable industry of that Malignant party which had before Our going interrupted that Correspondence which We deserved from Our People had with no less Malice provided for Our reception at Our Return instead of reducing business to that head that the Distractions of the Kingdom might be composed by the due observation and execution of the Laws We found things far more out of order than We left them and Our good Subjects more puzzled to know their Duties Orders had been made in the House of Commons and published in derogation of the Book of Common-Prayer and for suspension of those Laws in force which concerned the Government of the Church and though another Order of the Lords was likewise published according to Law for the due observation of the Laws established and for suppressing those Disorders which were every day breaking out by the faction of mean loose persons against the Divine Service appointed by Law the House of Commons took upon them publickly to declare against that Order because it was only made with the consent of eleven Lords and that nine other Lords did then dissent from it whereas in truth the said Order was made in a full House in January before and only Ordered then by that difference of number to be printed after the House of Commons had made in a very thin House and after it had been rejected by Vote that illegal Order for such alteration in the Church and if in truth it had been then made and but by the odds of two Voices being in pursuance of the Law all men will think it of much more validity than any Order of the House of Commons against the Law which in truth hath no Authority to make any Orders in business of that nature And therefore the publishing of that Order and Declaration of the ninth of September must be confessed by all men to be such a breach and violation of the Privilege of the Peers House besides the Affront offered to Us and injury to Our good Subjects and to the Law by it that before this Parliament was never heard of and was an apparent evidence that they meant the whole Managery of the Kingdom and the Legislative power should be undertaken by the House of Commons without the Consent either of Us or Our Nobility Yet the Execution of this Order was with great Diligence and Animosity pressed upon Our good Subjects and many troubled and imprisoned for not submitting thereunto When they had made this breach upon the Ecclesiastical State they took care under pretence of encouragement of Preaching to erect Lectures in several Parishes and to commend such Lecturers as best suited with their Designs men of no learning no Conscience but furious Promoters of the most dangerous Innovations which were ever induced into any State many of them having taken no Orders yet recommended by Members of either House to Parishes as at Leusham in Kent and many other places And when Mechanick persons have been brought before them for Preaching in Churches and confessed the same the power of these Grand Reformers hath been so great that they have been dismissed without Punishment hardly with Reprehension All persons of Learning and eminency in Preaching of sober and vertuous Conversations and great Examples in their Lives even such as amongst these Men had been of greatest estimation and suffered somewhat for them were discountenanced and such Men principally cherished who boldly and seditiously preached against the Government of the Church against the Book of Common-Prayer against Our Kingly lawful Power and against Our Person many of which were commended to if not imposed upon
satisfie their own private Ends and Ambition for themselves know what overtures have been made by them and with what importunity for Offices and Preferments what great Services should have been done for Us and what other undertakings were even to have saved the Life of the Earl of Strafford if We would confer such Offices upon them We were sure We could make such particular proofs against them of a solemn Combination entred into by them for altering the Government of the Church and State of their designing Offices to themselves and other Men of their solliciting and drawing down the Tumults to Westminster and of their bidding the People in the height of their rage and fury to go to White-Hall of their scornful and odious mention of Our Person and their design of getting Our Son the Prince into their hands of their treating with Foreign Power to assist them if they should fail in their enterprises Yet we saw too that their Interest and reputation was so great with many of both Houses of Parliament their Power so absolute with a multitude of Brownists Anabaptists and other Sectaries about London who were ready to appear in a body at their command that it would be a hard matter to proceed against them In this streight We resolved to do Our part in both to give Our People a clear satisfaction of Our upright Intentions to the publick whereby they should find their Happiness did not at all depend on such Instruments and to proceed against the Persons of the other in a legal way that all the world might see what Ambition Malice and Sedition had been had under the Vizour of Conscience and Religion Hereupon We prepared an Answer to the Remonstrance the House of Commons had before published to the People of the State of the Kingdom wherein without taking notice of the uncomely Language in and the Circumstances of that Remonstrance We declared with as gracious and full Expressions as We could make Our earnest Resolutions for the maintenance of the true Protestant Religion the Liberty and Property of the Subject and the Law of the Land and made no less gracious offers to consent to any Act that should be offered for the ease of tender Consciences in matters indifferent and very earnestly desired that the same might be provided and whatever else should be thought necessary for the Peace and Security of Our People And then that We might likewise manifest the Actions of that Malignant Party which had done so much mischief and intended so much more We resolved to accuse the Lord Kimbolton Master Hollis Master Pym Master Hampden and Master Stroud who had so maliciously contrived the Ruine of Our Self and the established Government of this Church and Kingdom and Sir Arthur Hesilrigge who had been made their Instrument to obey and execute their bold and wild designs of High Treason as We had great reason to do hoping that their Duty due to Us and the Obligations We had put upon Our People this Parliament would never suffer the Interest and reputation of these Men to be laid in the scale and to over-weigh Our Regal Authority and the Law of the Land but that We should have found a way open to a fair and Legal Trial of them which was all We desired How our proceeding was in that business and Our managery of it We have truly and at large set forth in Our Answer to the Declaration of both Houses of the nineteenth of May That what We did first in acquainting the House of Commons with Our Accusation by Our Serjeant at Arms was in Correspondence and out of regard to that House that We might rather have them delivered to the hands of Justice by them than apprehend them by an ordinary Minister of Justice which We were and are assured whatever Doctrine is preached to the contrary We might well have done in the case of Treason otherwise that Maxime in the Law acknowledged in a Petition of both Houses to Us in the beginning of Our Reign in the Case of the Earl of Arundel That in case of Treason Felony and breach of Peace Priviledge of Parliament doth not extend is of no signification The words are They find it an undoubted Right and constant Priviledge of Parliament That no Member of Parliament sitting the Parliament or within the usual times of Priviledge of Parliament is to be imprisoned or restrained without Sentence or Order of the House unless it be for Treason Felony or for refusing to give Sureties for the Peace In those Cases 't was then thought a Member of either House was not to be distinguished from another Subject and why We might not as well have expected that upon Our Articles not so general as a meer verbal Accusation of High Treason either House would have committed their several Members as they had done so many this Parliament and about that time Twelve together upon a confessed ground which every Man there who knew what Treason was knew that fact to be none meerly because they were accused and as the House of Peers had formerly done a Member of that House the Earl of Bristol accused in the same manner most of the good Lords being then Judges We neither could then nor can yet understand That Our own coming to the House was to prevent that shedding of blood which in all possibility was likely to follow that Order made the night before for resisting all such Officers who endeavoured upon how legal Warrant soever to arrest any Members of either House an Order much more unjustifiable by any Rule of Law and Justice by which Orders or Acts are to be examined than any thing We have done or any body by Our Authority That Our purpose was no other but to acquaint that House with the matter of Our Accusation to desire their Persons might be secured and without any thought of the least violation of their Priviledges This is that which We did Examine now their part and their progress since and then judge whose Priviledges have been invaded and with how good a mind to the Common-wealth they have proceeded We were no sooner gone but the House adjourned it self with some unusual expressions of offence and We were speedily informed that some Reports and Scandals were raised against Us in Our City of London That We had offered Violence to Our House of Commons come thither with force to murther several Members and used threatning Speeches there against Our Parliament and that this was but a Preface to an attempt We meant to make against and upon the City Whereupon We resolved the next day to go to the Guild-Hall and to shew the great Confidence We had in the affections of Our said City which We expected should have begot a proportionable Confidence from them in Us We went attended with very few of Our own Servants and then in the presence of the Lord Mayor the Aldermen and a very great assembly of the chief Citizens and others We made
of Commons and the House of Peers presumed to make Laws without Our Consent as they have done in the business of the Militia of Hull in the behalf of their Champion Serjeant Major General Skippon of the Earl of Warwick of their new General the Earl of Essex with whom they will live and dye and many other Cases Where was that Freedom and Privilege when Alderman Pennington and Captain Venne brought down their Myrmidons to assault and terrifie the Members of both Houses whose faces or whose opinions they liked not by that Army to awe the Parliament when those rude Multitudes published the names of the Members of both Houses as Enemies to the Commonwealth who would not agree to their frantick Propositions when the names of those were given by Members of the House that they might be proscribed and torn in pieces by those multitudes when many were driven away for fear of their Lives from being present at those Consultations and when Master Hollis required the names of those Lords who would not agree with the House of Commons Lastly where was that Freedom and Privilege of Parliament when Members of the one House that had been questioned for words spoken in the House and one freed the other but reprehended by Vote of the major part were again questioned by the other House and a charge brought against them for these words Is Honour Reputation Freedom and Civility to be esteemed What causeless Defamations have been raised and entertained upon Persons of quality and unblemished estimation upon no grounds or appearance of reason but because their opinions ran not with the Torrent What caresses have been and are made to persons loose vicious and debauched of no Vertue no Religion no Reputation but of Malice and Ingratitude to Us Their names will be easily found out by all Mens observation and their own blushes though they shall not have the honour of Our mention How have the Laws of Hospitality and Civility been violated the freedom and liberty of Conversation the pleasure and delight of life been invaded by them the discourses at Tables whispers in Gardens and Walks examined and of persons under no accusation Letter broken up Our own to Our dearest Consort the Queen not spared read publickly and commented upon with such Circumstances as make Christendom laugh at Our follies and abhorr Our correspondence Is Peace and tranquillity dear to Our Subjects To shew that We have left no way to that not destructive to Honour and Justice unattempted We offered to lay down Our Arms upon no other Reparations for all the Indignities multiplied upon Us than these That they should lay down theirs so unjustifiably taken and We have Our own Town Goods and Navy taken and kept by violence from Us to be peaceably restored to Us and the Power of making Laws without Us by the way of Ordinances which implies a power by Ordinance to depose Us and that in particular concerning the Militia to be disavowed and a safe place to be agreed on where We might be present with Our great Council for the composing of all Mis-understandings and making this Kingdom happy Which Offers not only were not accepted but not so much as any Answer directed immediately to Us somewhat only sent down by their under-Clerk which with their first Petition and Our Answer We are much pleased to hear are ordered to be printed and read in all Churches We desire no better evidence than Our and their Writings and Actions and no better Judges and Witnesses than Our People of Our love to Peace And even before this kind of Answer came to Us whilest We with patience and hope expecting such a return as We desired forbore any action or attempt of Force according to Our Promise Sir John Hotham sallied out in the night and murthered the persons of his fellow-Subjects and ever since in this Quarrel they labour to increase their Army the very levying of which is Treason and are ready to march against Us. Lee all the world judge who are lovers of the Peace Lastly Is the Constitution of the Kingdom to be preserved and Monarchy it self upheld Can any thing be more evident than that the End of these Men is or the Conclusion which must attend their Premisses must be to introduce a Paricy and Confusion of all degrees and conditions Are not several Books and Papers such as the Observations upon parts of Our Messages published by their direction at least under their countenance against Monarchy it self Is it possible for Us to be made vile and contemptible and shall Our good Subjects continue as they are Can Our just Power be taken from Us and shall they enjoy their liberty Whosoever is a friend to the constitution of the Kingdom must be an enemy to these Men. How the benefit advantages and hopes of the Kingdom have been and are advanced and promoted by these Men all good Men see and discern Let Us consider now whether all those Grievances and Pressures which Our Subjects have heretofore suffered under and of which Our Justice and Favour hath eased them be not by the Faction and Tyranny of these Men redoubled upon Our People Were the Consciences of Men grieved and scandalized at the too much Formality and circumstances used in the exercise of Religion and are they not equally concerned in the Uncomeliness Irreverence and Prophaneness now avowed to the dishonour of Christianity Were they troubled to see the Pulpit sometimes made a Barr to plead against the Liberty and Property of the Subject and are they not more confounded to see it so generally made a Scaffold to incite the People to Rebellion and Sedition against Us Have Our People suffered under and been oppressed by the exercise of an Arbitrary Power and out of a sense of those Sufferings have We consented to take away the Star-Chamber the High-Commission Courts to regulate the Council-Tables and to apply any remedies have been proposed to Us for that disease and have not these Men doubled those Pressures in the latitude and unlimitedness of their proceedings in their Orders for the Observation of the Law as they pretend and then punishing Men for not obeying those Orders in a way and a degree the Law doth not prescribe in their sending for Our good Subjects upon general informations without proof and for Offences which the Law takes no notice of in declaring Men enemies to the Commonwealth fining and imprisoning them for doing or not doing that which no known Law enjoyns or condemns Were the Pursuivants of the Council-Table the delay and attendance there or at the High-Commission Court the Judgements and Decrees of the Star-Chamber more grievous grievous to more persons more chargeable more intolerable than the Serjeants and Officers Fees the Attendance upon the Houses and upon Committees or than the Votes and Judgments which have lately passed in one or both Houses Let all the Decrees Sentences and Judgments of the high-Commission Court and Star-Chamber be examined
do most concern Our Rights Our Quarrel is not against the Parliament but against particular Men who first made the Wounds and will not now suffer them to be healed but make them deeper and wider by contriving fostering and fomenting Mistakes and Jealousies betwixt Body and Head Us and Our two Houses of Parliament whom We name are ready to prove them guilty of High Treason We desire that the Lord Kimbolton Mr. Hollis Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden Sir Arthur Hesilrigge Mr. Stroud Mr. Martin Sir Henry Ludlow Alderman Pennington and Captain Venn may be delivered into the hands of Justice to be tried by their Peers according to the known Law of the Land if we do not prove them guilty of High Treason they will be acquitted and their Innocence will justly triumph over Us. Against the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Essex Earl of Stamford Lord Brook Sir John Hotham Serjeant Major General Skippon and those who shall henceforth exercise the Militia by virtue of the Ordinance We shall cause Indictments to be drawn of High Treason upon the Statute of the 25. year of King Edward the Third Let them submit to the Trial appointed by Law and plead their Ordinances if they shall be acquitted We have done And that all Our loving Subjects may know that in truth nothing but the preservation of the true Protestant Religion invaded by Brownisme Anabaptisme and Libertinisme the Safety of Our Person threatned and conspired against by Rebellion and Treason the Law of the Land and Liberty of the Subject oppressed and almost destroyed by an Usurped Unlimited Arbitrary Power and the Freedom Priviledge and Dignity of Parliament awed and insulted upon by Force and Tumults could make us put off Our long-loved Robe of Peace and take up defensive Arms We once more offer a free and a gracious Pardon to all Our loving Subjects who shall desire the same except the persons before named and shall be as glad with Safety and Honour to lay down these Arms as of the greatest Blessing We are capable of in this World But if to justify these Actions and these Persons our Subjects shall think fit to engage themselves in a War against Us We must not look upon it as an Act of Our Parliament but as a Rebellion against Us and the Law in the behalf of these Men and shall proceed for the suppressing it with the same Conscience and Courage as We would meet an Army of Rebels who endeavour to destroy both King and People And We will never doubt to find honest Men enough of Our minds MDCXLI April ¶ The true Copy of the Petition prepared by the Officers of the late Army and subscribed by His Majesty with C. R. To the KING' 's most Excellent Majesty the Lords Spiritual and Temporal the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the High Court of Parliament The Humble Petition of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army Humbly sheweth THat although our Wants have been very pressing and the Burthen we are become unto these parts by reason of those Wants very grievous unto us yet so have we demeaned our selves that Your Majesty's great and weighty Affairs in this present Parliament have hitherto received no interruption by any Complaint either from us or against us A temper not usual in Armies especially in one destitute not only of Pay but also of Martial Discipline and many of its principal Officers That we cannot but attribute it to a particular blessing of Almighty God on our most hearty affection and zeal to the Common good in the happy success of this Parliament to which as we should have been ready hourly to contribute our dearest blood so now that it hath pleased God to manifest his blessing so manifestly therein we cannot but acknowledge it with thankfulness We cannot but acknowledge his great Mercy in that he hath inclined Your Majesties Royal heart so to co-operate with the wisdom of the Parliament as to effect so great and happy a Reformation upon the former Distempers of this Church and Commonwealth As first in Your Majesties gracious condescending to the many important Demands of our neighbours of the Scotish Nation secondly in granting so free a course of Justice against all Delinquents of what quality soever thirdly in the removal of all those Grievances wherewith the Subjects did conceive either their Liberty of Persons Propriety of Estate or Freedom of Conscience prejudiced and lastly in the greatest pledge of security that ever the Subjects of England received from their Soveraign the Bill of Triennial Parliaments These things so graciously accorded unto by Your Majesty without bargain or compensation as they are more than expectation or hope could extend unto so now certainly they are such as all Loyal hearts ought to requiesce in with thankfulness which we do with all humility and do at this time with as much earnestness as any pray and wish that the Kingdom may be settled in peace and quietness and that all Men may at their own homes enjoy the blessed fruits of Your Wisdom and Justice But may it please Your Excellent Majesty and this High Court of Parliament to give us leave with grief and anguish of heart to represent unto You that We hear that there are certain persons stirring and practical who in stead of rendring Glory to God Thanks to his Majesty and acknowledgment to the Parliament remain yet as unsatisfied and mutinous as ever who whilest all the rest of the Kingdom are arrived even beyond their wishes are daily forging new and unseasonable demands who whilest all Men of Reason Loyalty and Moderation are thinking how they may provide for your Majesties Honour and Plenty in return of so many Graces to the Subject they are still attempting new Diminutions of Your Majesty's just Regalities which must ever be no less dear to all honest Men than our own Freedoms in fine Men of such turbulent Spirits as are ready to sacrifice the Honour and Welfare of the whole Kingdom to their private fancies whom nothing else than a subversion of the whole frame of Government will satisfie Far be it from our thoughts to believe that the Violence and Vnreasonableness of such kind of persons can have any influence upon the Prudence and Justice of the Parliament But that which begets the trouble and disquiet of Our Loyal hearts at this present is That we hear those ill-affected persons are backed in their Violence by the Multitude and the power of raising Tumults that thousands flock at their call and beset the Parliament and White-Hall it self not only to the prejudice of that freedom which is necessary to great Councils and Judicatories but possibly to some personal danger of Your Sacred Majesty and Peers The vast consequence of these Persons Malignity and of the Licentiousness of those Multitudes that follow them considered in most deep care and zealous affection for the safety of Your Sacred Majesty and the Parliament Our Humble Petition is that in Your
by these Men is not less the Argument of Our present Quarrel and Undertaking than Our own Honour Interest and Safety those being no way so securely to be preserved as by preserving Parliaments and their just Priviledges Neither is there any Protestation to Our knowledge published in Our name of Our tenderness of the Miseries of Ireland and Our Resolution to maintain the Protestant Religion and Laws of this Kingdom that is not the Protestation of Our Soul and manifested in all Our Actions and We hope that false Scandal that divers of the Irish Traitors and Rebels the known Favourers of them and Agents for them are admitted to Our presence with favour and imployed in Our Service will gain no credit with good Men who remember well the notorious imputation so confidently and groundlesly heretofore cast on Us by Mr. Pym of which as there could never be the least Proof so We could never receive any satisfaction for that high Injury which might have been a warning to them to have published no more such Untruths if they had not found that Truth and their Ends cannot meet together For the Horses taken for Our Service which were provided for the Service of Ireland 't is true We were compelled for the bringing Our own Waggons from Chester for the Carriage of Our Munition to make use of them being few in number and of small value after they were certified to be of no use for the Service for which they were provided And for the Clothes upon enquiry We find that some few were taken by Our Soldiers but without any Order from Us going to Coventry and as was probably believed for the relief of that place then in actual Rebellion against Us. But how far We have been and are from diverting any of those Provisions made for the Relief of that poor Kingdom the thought of whose miserable Condition makes Our heart bleed may appear by Our express Command given for the speedy transportation of 3000 Suits of Clothes which We found provided at Chester but neglected to be sent and which no necessity of Our own Army here could prevail with Us to seize And how bold soever the Reproaches of that kind have been upon Us We are confident Malice it self cannot lay the least probable imputation upon Us for the neglect of Our Duty towards that Kingdom What one thing in Our power have We neglected or omitted which might contribute to the assistance or ease of Our poor Protestant Subjects there We first recommended the care of that business to both Our Houses of Parliament We consented to all Propositions made on the behalf offered to raise 10000 Voluntiers which if then accepted had shortned that Work offered to venture Our own Person in the Service what interpretation that Offer of Ours found is known to all the World We parted with Our Interest in the Land of the Rebels to encourage such who were willing to adventure in that business and when Mony is raised by Our Consent for that sole purpose they have at once seized on a hundred thousand pound particularly appointed by Act of Parliament for the relief of Ireland Our Army being ready to perish for want of it and imployed it to maintain this unnatural Civil War at home They have levied Men and entertained Commanders for that Service and then compelled them to joyn in this Rebellion and to march against Us. And though they have complained of Our keeping the Lieutenant of Ireland some weeks with Us when in truth it was a season of extraordinary business after We had in vain for many months pressed his dispatch yet themselves now detain him when his going is so necessary for the Preservation of that Kingdom And no doubt these Men and these alone by begetting this miserable Distraction of England are guilty before God and Man of all the insupportable Calamities that Our Kingdom of Ireland endures Let all the World judge where the desire of Peace is and upon whose account the Blood and Confusion which hath been shed and must follow shall be cast and whether the several Proclamations and Declarations published by Us have not been extorted from Us by such unheard-of Insolencies and Injuries which no former times ever produced Neither can any sober Man wonder when We are publickly reproached traduced and reviled to Our People a practice never known till this Parliament that We endeavour by a true Relation and Declaration of Our Actions and Intentions and of their Conspiracies who have vowed Our Destruction to inform Our good Subjects of the Cunning and Malice they are to encounter with and when a Combination is entred into to destroy Us and to alter the Religion and Law of the Kingdom and to that purpose an Army raised and marching against Us that We proclaim the General of that Army and such who shall assist him in levying a War against Us to be Traitours and have set up Our Royal Standard and required all Our good Subjects to come to Our defence And yet both in that Proclamation and in all Our Declarations We have never accused Our Parliament but such factious seditious Members of both Houses whom We have named and whom We are ready to prove according to the Rules of the known Law to be guilty of High Treason We well know and all the Kingdom knows that of near 500. Members which the House of Commons contains there remains not now there 100. neither hath above such a number consented almost to any thing of which We have ever complained the rest have either been driven away by Tumults and Threats of the Persons whom We have accused or out of Conscience withdrawn themselves from their desperate Consultations and of about 100. Peers of the Realm there are not above 15. or 16. who concurre in these miserable Resolutions which disturb the publick Peace many of which being of desperate fortunes have no other support than the Commands now given them to make War upon Us and now these Men must sit upon the Lives and Fortunes of all the Nobility Gentry and Commons of England and because We will not put Our Self into the hands Government and disposal of them all Our good Subjects are invited and encouraged to Rebel against Us. Yet We have been and are still far from accusing all that small number of both Houses who are yet left together We believe many of them are misled by the Cunning and Malice and frighted by the Power of those Men whom We have accused against every one of whom We have evidence of matter of Fact that the known Law of the Land determines to be High Treason And now that all Our good Subjects may see how desirous these Men and their Adherents are to prevent the effusion of blood and the lasting Miseries of a Civil War they will make themselves so considerable that except We will recall Our Proclamations and Declarations whereby those Persons particularly named for particular Actions which the Law hath defined to
be Treason are so accused and others warned from involving themselves in their Guilt and except We will take down Our Standard that Our good Subjects may not repair to Us for Our Defence when so many Armies are raised against Us in several parts of the Kingdom and ready to destroy Us and such of Our good Subjects who dare continue loyal to Us and except We will return to London from whence with Violence We have been driven We must not be treated with or receive any Answer to so gracious a Message It can no longer be doubted by any Man who hath not wilfully forsaken his Understanding that it is no more a Quarrel undertaken by the Parliament but contrived and somented by the persons We have named and now continued solely in their defence to whose Ambition Faction and Malice the true Reformed Protestant Religion the just Right Honour Safety and Life of Us and Our Posterity the Law of the Land which hath so long preserved this Nation Happy the Liberty of the Subject established by that Law and the glorious Frame and Constitution of this Kingdom must be sacrificed But as We have hitherto left no Action unperformed which in Honour Justice and Conscience We were obliged to do or in Christian Policy and Prudence We could conceive might probably prevent these Calamities so We thank God he hath given Us a full Courage and Resolution to run the utmost hazard of Our Life for the suppression of this Horrible Rebellion in the which no disproportion of Power Arms or Money shall discourage Us. And We hope that all Our good Subjects besides by the common Duty of Allegiance will be stirred up for their own sakes for the preservation of the blessed Protestant Religion and for the upholding this whole admirable Frame of Government which being dissolved all their private and particular Rights and Interests must be immediately confounded to bring in their utmost power and Assistance unto Us in this desperate Exigent And We do declare that whosoever shall lose his life in this Service for Our defence the Wardship of his Heir shall be granted by Us without Rent or Fine to his own use and We shall hold Our Self obliged to take all possible care for the support relief and protection of all their Wives and Children who shall have the hard fortune to dye in this Service CHARLES R. Our express pleasure is That this Our Declaration be published in all Churches and Chappels within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales by the Parsons Vicars or Curates of the same MDCXLII His MAJESTY's Declaration to all His loving Subjects after His late Victory against the Rebels on Sunday the 23. of October AS We must wholly attribute the Preservation of Us and Our Children in the late bloody Battel with the Rebels to the Mercy and Goodness of Almighty God who best knowing the Justice of Our Cause and the Uprightness of Our Heart to his Service and to the good and welfare of Our People would not suffer Us and this whole Kingdom to be made a Prey to those desperate Persons so We hold it Our Duty still to use all possible means to remove that Jealousie and Mis-understanding from Our good Subjects which by the Industry and Subtilty of that Malignant Party which hath brought this Mischiefand Confusion upon the Kingdom hath been infused into them and to that purpose thugh even those Scandals are sufficiently answered by many of Our Declarations and Messages and by Our late Protestation made in the head of Our Army which We shall always by the help of God stedfastly and solemnly observe We shall take notice of those subtile Insinuations by which at this present according to that observation We can make and Information We can receive they endeavour to poyson the hearts and corrupt the Allegiance of such of Our good Subjects who cannot so clearly discern their Malice and Impostures First by urging and pressing that false groundless Imputation of Our favouring Popery and Our imploying many of that Religion now in Our Army secondly by seducing Our good People to believe that this Army raised and kept for Our necessary Defence and without which in all probability the Malice of these Men had before this taken Our Life from Us is to fight against and subdue the Parliament to take away the Privileges thereof and thereby to root out Parliaments If either of which were true We should not have the courage with an Army much greater than Ours to hope for success For the First for Our Affection to that Religion Our continual Practice Our constant Profession and several Protestations will satisfie all the World against which Malice and Treason it self cannot find the least probable Objection We wish from Our heart the zeal and affection of these Men to the true Protestant Religion were as apparent as Ours For the imploying Men of that Religion in Our present Service in the Army whosoever considers the hardness and streights the Malice and Fury of these Men have driven Us to their stopping all passages and ways that neither Men nor money might come to Us their declaring all such to be Traitours who shall assist Us their entertaining Men of all Countries all Religions to serve against Us would not wonder if We had been very well contented to have received the service and assistance of any of Our good Subjects who had Loyalty enough whatsoever their Religion is to bring them to Our Succour All Men know the great number of Papists which serve in their Army Commanders and others the great Industry they have used to corrupt the Loyalty and Affection of all Our Subjects of that Religion the private Promises and Undertakings they have made to them that if they would assist them against Us all the Laws made in their prejudice should be repealed yet neither the weakness of Our own condition nor the other Arts used against Us could prevail with Us to invite those of that Religion to come to Our succour or to recal Our Proclamation which forbad them to do so And We are confident though We know of some few whose eminent Abilities in Command and Conduct and moderate and unfactious Dispositions hath moved Us in this great Necessity to imploy them in this Service that a far greater number of that Religion is in the Army of the Rebels than in Our own And We do assure Our good Subjects though We shall always remember the particular services which particular Men have or shall in this Exigent of Ours perform to Us with that Grace and Bounty which becomes a just Prince yet We shall be so far from ever giving the least countenance or encouragement to that Religion that We shall always use Our utmost endeavour to suppress it by the execution of those good and wholsome Laws already in force against Papists and concurring in such further Remedies as the care and wisdom of Us and both Houses of Parliament shall think most necessary for the
Advancement of God's Service For the Second of Our Intention to make War upon Our Parliament and so to root out Parliaments the Scandal is so senseless when Our Accusation of a few particular Persons for particular Crimes notoriously committed adjudged by the known Laws of the Land to be Treason is evident that no Man can be moved with it who doth not believe a dozen or twenty Factious Seditious Persons to be the High Court of Parliament which consists of KING Lords and Commons And for the Privileges of it whoever doth not believe that to raise an Army to murther and depose the King to alter the whole frame of Government and established Laws of the Land by extemporary extravagant Votes and Resolutions of either or both Houses to force and compel the Members to submit to the Faction and Treason of a few and to take away the Liberty and Freedom of consultation from them be the Privileges of Parliament must confess that the Army now raised by Us is no less for the Vindication and Preservation of Parliaments than for Our own necessary Defence We have often said and We still say that We believe many Inconveniences have grown upon this Kingdom by the too long intermission of Parliaments that Parliaments are the only necessary sovereign Remedies of the growing Mischiefs which Time and Accidents have and will always beget in this Kingdom that without Parliaments the Happiness cannot be lasting to King or People We have prepared for the frequent assembling of Parliaments and will be always as careful of their just Privileges as of Our Life Honour or Interest But that those Privileges should extend so far as hath been lately declared that it should not be lawful for Us to apprehend the Lord Saint-John Captain Wingate or Captain Walton when they came to destroy Us because they were Members of Parliament without the consent of that House of which they were Members is so ridiculous that there need no more to be said in this Argument than the giving these instances In a word as whoever knows in what Danger Our Person was on Sunday the 23. of October can never believe that the Army which gave Us Battel was raised for Our Defence and Preservation so when they consider how much the Liberty of the Subject is invaded by their Rapine and Imprisoning and that four parts at the least of five of the Members of both Houses are by Violence driven from being present in that Council that the Book of Common-Prayer is rejected and no countenance given but to Anabaptists and Brownists they will easily find the pretences of care of the Protestant Religion the Liberty of the Subject and of the Privilege of Parliament to be as vain and pretended as those which refer to the Safety of Our Person and preservation of Our Posterity We cannot omit the great pains and endeavours these great pretenders to Peace and Charity have taken to raise an implacable Malice and Hatred between the Gentry and Commonalty of the Kingdom by rendring all Persons of Honour Courage and Reputation odious to the Common People under the style of Cavaliers insomuch as the High-ways and Villages have not been safe for Gentlemen to pass through without Violence or Affronts and by infusing into them that there was an intention by the Commission of Array to take away a part of their Estates from them a Scandal so senseless and impossible that the Contrivers of it well know that they might with equal Ingenuity have charged Us with a purpose of introducing Turcisme or Judaisme amongst them and We hope when Our good Subjects have well weighed the continual Practices of these Men to reject all offers of Treaty and to suppress Truth and to mislead them by bold and monstrous Falsehoods they will not think such arts and ways to lead to Peace and Unity And We desire Our good Subjects of all Conditions to believe that We hold Our Self bound no less to defend and protect the meanest of Our People who are born equally free and to whom the Law of the Land is an equal Inheritance than the greatest Subject and that as the Wealth and Strength of this Kingdom consists in the Number and Happiness of Our People which is made up of Men of all Conditions so We shall to the utmost of Our Power endeavour without distinction to give every one of them that Justice and Protection which is due to them and We do exhort them all to that charitable and brotherly Affection one towards another that they may be reconciled in a just Duty and Loyalty to Us which may enable Us for that Protection To conclude We would have all the World know that We shall never forget the Protestations and Vows We have made to Almighty God in Our several Declarations and Messages to both Our Houses of Parliament And We are too much a Christian to believe that We can break those Promises and avoid the Justice of Heaven CHARLES R. Our express pleasure is That this Our Declaration be published in all Churches and Chappels within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales by the Parsons Vicars or Curates of the same DECLARATIONS and PAPERS Concerning the TREATY of PEACE AT OXFORD MDCXLII III. MDCXLII Novemb. His MAJESTY's Declaration to all His loving Subjects of His true Intentions in advancing lately to Brainceford THough Our Reputation be most dear to Us and especially in those cases wherein the truth of Our most solemn Professions and by consequence of Our Christianity is questioned yet it is not only for the Vindication of that and to clear Our self from such Aspersions but withal to preserve Our Subjects in their just Esteem of and Duty to Us and from being engaged into Crimes and Dangers by those malicious Reports so spightfully framed and cunningly spread against Us concerning Our late advancing to Brainceford that We have resolved to publish this Our following Declaration AT Colebrook on Friday the 11. of November We received a Petition from both Our Houses of Parliament by the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery the Lord Wenman Master Pierrepont and Sir John Hippesly And indeed We were well pleased to see it so much liker a Petition than the other Papers We had often of late received under that name and return'd to it the next day so gracious an Answer that We assure Our selves could not but be very satisfactory to all that were truly lovers of Peace The Copies of both do here follow To the KING 's most Excellent MAJESTY The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament WE Your Majesty's most loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled being affected with a deep and piercing sense of the Miseries of this Kingdom and of the Dangers to Your Majesty's Person as the present Affairs now stand and much quickned therein with the sad consideration of the great effusion of Blood at the late Battel and of the loss of so
many eminent Persons and further weighing the addition of Loss Misery and Danger to Your Majesty and Your Kingdom which must ensue if both Armies should again joyn in another Battel as without God's especial Blessing and Your Majesty's Concurrence with Your Houses of Parliament will not probably be avoided We cannot but believe that a suitable Impression of Tenderness and Compassion is wrought in Your Majesty's Royal Heart being Your Self an eye-witness of the bloody and sorrowful destruction of so many of Your Subjects and that Your Majesty doth apprehend what dimination of Your own Power and Greatness will follow and that all Your Kingdoms will thereby be so weakned as to become subject to the Attempts of any ill-affected to this State In all which respects we assure our selves that Your Majesty will be inclined graciously to accept this our humble Petition that the Misery and Desolation of this Kingdom may be speedily removed and prevented For the effecting whereof we most humbly beseech Your Majesty to appoint some convenient place not far from the City of London where Your Majesty will be pleased to reside until Committees of both Houses of Parliament may attend Your Majesty with some Propositions for the removal of these bloody Distempers and Distractions and settling the state of the Kingdom in such a manner as may conduce to the Preservation of God's true Religion Your Majesty's Honour Safety and Prosperity and to the Peace Comfort and Security of all Your People His MAJESTY's Answer to the aforesaid Petition WE take God to witness how deeply We are affected with the Miseries of this Kingdom which heretofore We have stroven as much as in Vs lay to prevent it being sufficiently known to all the World that as WE were not the first that took up Arms so We have shewed Our readiness of Composing all things in a fair way by Our several Offers of Treaty and shall be glad now at length to find any such Inclinations in others the same Tenderness to avoid the Destruction of Our Subjects whom We know to be Our greatest Strength which would always make Our greatest Victories bitter to Vs shall make Vs willingly hearken to such Propositions whereby these bloody Distempers may be stopped and the great Distractions of this Kingdom settled to God's Glory Our Honour and the Welfare and flourishing of Our People and to that end shall reside at Our own Castle at Windsor if the Forces there shall be removed till Committees may have time to attend Vs with the same which to prevent the Inconveniences that will intervene We wish may be hastened and shall be ready there or if that be refused Vs at any place where We shall be to receive such Propositions as aforesaid from both Our Houses of Parliament Do you your Duty We will not be wanting to Ours God of his mercy give a Blessing But the same night after the Messengers were gone certain Information was brought unto Us that the same day the Earl of Essex had drawn his Forces with great store of Ordnance out of London towards Us upon which a Council of War being present and We having there considered upon debate Our present Condition That being already almost surrounded by his Forces some at Windsor some at Kingston and some at Acton if We suffered the Remainder to possess Brainceford We should be totally hemm'd in and Our Army deprived of all convenience of either moving or subsisting yet how necessary soever it appeared We could not obtain Our own Consent to advance towards Brainceford and either prepossess it or dispossess them of it till We had satisfied Our Selves that it was as lawful as necessary and fully weighed all that not only Reason but Malice it self which We knew to be very watchful upon Our Actions could object against it We considered first that it could not reasonably be esteemed an Aversion from Peace and an Intention to interrupt the Treaty than in expectation since on the other side We had cause to believe by the former rejection of Our offers of Treaty when We were supposed to be in no condition of strength that if We would not thus preserve Our Selves from being so encompass'd as to come into their Powers the very possibility of a Treaty would immediately vanish We considered next that much less could it be interpreted any breach of Faith since willingness to receive Propositions of Treaty was never held to amount to a suspension of Arms since otherwise We must because mention of a Treaty had been once made by the same Logick have been bound not to hinder them to encompass Us on all parts to Colebrook Towns-end since no word to that purpose of any suspension was in Our Answer nay since in that by wishing their Propositions might be hastned to prevent the Inconveniences which would intervene We implied that by this Arms were not suspended and since their own Votes of proceeding vigorously notwithstanding the Petition and their own actions in sending after their Messengers great store of Forces with Ordnance so near to Us having before girt Us in on all other parts and sent Men and Ordnance to Kingston after the safe Conduct asked of Us implied the same Being resolved upon these Reasons that this Advancing was necessary and just We were not yet satisfied till We had endeavoured the same day though the interruptions of shooting stopt the way till the next to satisfie Our Parliament and People of the same and that Peace was still Our desire We to that end directed a Message by John White Esquire which was so received that his danger of being put to death for bringing it and the Imprisonment of him and the Trumpeter that went with him in the Gate-house shew'd that the Law of Nations was by some no more considered than all other Laws had been before A Copy of which Message hereafter follows to shew how little temptation the matter of that gave them for such an usage His MAJESTY's Message of the twelfth of November WHereas the last night being the eleventh of November after the departure of the Committee of both Our Houses with Our gracious Answer to their Petition We received certain Information having till then heard nothing of it either from the Houses Committee or otherwise That the Lord of Essex had drawn his Forces out of London towards Vs which hath necessitated Our sudden Resolution to march with Our Forces to Brainceford We have thought hereby fit to signifie to both Our Houses of Parliament That We are no less desirous of the Peace of the Kingdom than We exprest in Our aforesaid Answer the Propositions for which We shall willingly receive where-ever We are and desire if it may be to receive them at Brainceford this night or early to morrow morning that all possible speed may be made in so good a Work and all Inconveniences otherwise likely to intervene may be avoided And to justifie yet further that Our Intention was no other than was here profest
as soon as We were informed that the Earl of Essex his Forces were departed from Kingston before any appearance or notice of further Forces from London Our end of not being inclosed being obtained We gave orders to quit Brainceford and to march away and possess that place We cannot but make one Argument more of the truth of Our Profession that this was all Our end and that We had not the least thought by so advancing to surprise and sack London which the Malignant party would infuse into that Our City and that is That probably God Almighty would not have given such a Blessing to Our Journy as to have assisted Us so both by Land and Water as with less than a third part of Our Foot and with the loss but of ten Men to beat two of their best Regiments out of both Braincefords for all the great advantage of their Works in them to kill him who commanded in chief and kill and drown many others to take five hundred Prisoners more Arms eleven Colours and good store of Ammunition fifteen Pieces of Ordnance whereof We sunk most that We brought not away and then unfought with and unoffer'd at nearer than by Ordnance to march away notwithstanding the great disadvantage of Our Forces by the difficulties of the Passages if He who is the Searcher of all Hearts and Truth it self had not known the truth of Our Professions and the Innocence of Our Heart and how far We were from deserving those horrid Accusations of Falshood and Treachery cast so point-blank upon Our own Person that it would amaze any Man to see them suffered to be printed in Our City of London if any thing of that kind could be a wonder after so many of the same and how really they desire Accommodation who have upon this voted they will have none These Our Reasons for this Action this Our satisfaction sent for it and this Blessing of God's upon it will We doubt not clear Us to all indifferent persons both of the Jesuitical Counsels and the Personal Treachery to which some have presumed so impudently to impute it And God so bless Our future Actions as We have delivered the truth of this The Answer of both Houses of Parliament to His Majesty's Message of the 12 of Nov. With his Majesty's Reply thereunto The Answer of both Houses of Parliament to His Majesty's Message of the 12 of November TO Your Majesty's Message of the 12 of this Month of November we the Lords and Commons in Parliament do make this humble Answer That this Message was not delivered to us till Monday the 14. We thought it a strange Introduction to Peace that Your Majesty should send Your Army to beat us out of our Quarters at Brainceford and then appoint that place to receive our Propositions which yet it plainly appears Your Majesty intended not to receive till You had first tried whether You could break through the Army raised for Defence of this Kingdom and Parliament and take the City being unprovided and secure in expectation of a fair Treaty made to secure the City If herein Your Majesty had prevailed after You had destroyed the Army and mastered the City it is easie to imagine what a miserable Peace we should have had and whether those Courses be suitable to the Expressions Your Majesty is pleased to make in Your Answer to our Petition and of Your Earnestness to avoid any further Effusion of blood let God and the world judge As for our Proceedings they have in all things been answerable to our Professions we gave directions to the Earl of Essex to draw the Army under his Command out of the City and Suburbs before we sent any Message to Your Majesty so that part of it was inquartered at Brainceford before the Committee returned with Your Answer and immediately upon the receit thereof that very morning order was taken that the Soldiers should exercise no Act of Hostility against any of Your Majesty's People We sent a Letter by Sir Peter Killegrew to know Your Majesty's Pleasure whether You intended the like forbearance of Hostility but the fury of your Souldiers thirsting after blood and spoil prevented the delivery of the Letter for coming upon Saturday in his way towards Your Majesty as far as Brainceford he found them in fight there and could pass no further God who sees our Innocency and that we have no Aims but at his Glory and the publick good will we hope free Your Majesty from those destructive Counsels who labour to maintain their own Power by Blood and Rapine and bless our Endeavours who seek nothing but to procure and establish the Honour Peace and Safety of Your Majesty and Kingdoms upon the sure foundation of Religion and Justice MDCXLII Nov. 18. To the Answer of both Houses of Parliament to His Majesty's Message of the 12 of November His MAJESTY makes this Reply THat His Message of the twelfth though not received by them till the fourteenth was sent to them first upon the same day upon which it was dated and meeting with stops by the way was again sent upon the 13 and taken upon that day at ten in the morning by the Earl of Essex and though not to him directed was by him opened so the slowness of the Delivery is not so strange as the stop of the Letter said to be sent by Sir Peter Killegrew which His Majesty hath not yet received but concludes from the matter expressed to have been contain'd in that Letter to wit to know His Pleasure whether He intended the forbearance of Hostility and by the Command of such forbearance said to be sent to the Lord of Essex his Army that no such forbearance was already concluded and consequently neither had His Majesty cause to suppose that He should take any of their Forces unprovided and secure in expectation of a fair Treaty neither could any Hostile Act of His Majesties Forces have been a course unsuitable to His Expressions much less could an endeavour to prepossess for so He hoped He might have done that Place which might have stopt the farther march of those Forces towards Him which for ought appeared to Him might as well have been intended to Colebrook as to Brainceford and by that the further effusion of blood deserve that style His Majesty further conceives that the Printing so out of time of such a Declaration as their Reply to His Answer to theirs of the 26. of May but the day before they Voted the Delivery of their Petition and the March of the Earl of Essex his Forces to Brainceford so near to his Majesty when the Committee at the same time attended Him with a Petition for a Treaty the Earl of Essex being before possest of all the Avenues to his Army by his Forces at Windsor Acton and Kingston was a more strange Introduction to Peace than for His Majesty not to suffer Himself to be coopt up on all sides because a Treaty had been mentioned
Miseries and the general Calamities of this Kingdom which must if this War continue speedily overwhelm this whole Nation take no Advantage of it But if you shall really pursue what you presented to Us at Colebrook We shall make good all that We then gave you in Answer to it whereby the hearts of Our distressed Subjects may be raised with the Hopes of Peace without which Religion the Laws and Liberties can no ways be settled and secured Touching the late and sad Accident you mention if you thereby intend that of Brainceford We desire you once to deal ingenuously with the People and to let them see Our last Message to you and Our Declaration to them concerning the same both which We sent to Our Press at London but were taken away from Our Messenger and not suffered to be published and then We doubt not but they will be soon undeceived and easily find out those Counsels which do rather perswade a desperate Division than a good Agreement betwixt Us Our two Houses and People MDCXLII III. The Proceedings in the late Treaty of Peace Together with several Letters of His MAJESTY to the Queen and of Prince Rupert to the Earl of Northampton which were intercepted and brought up to the Parliament With a Declaration of the Lords and Commons upon those Proceedings and Letters The humble Desires and Propositions of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled tendred unto His Majesty Feb. 1. 1642. WE Your Majesty's most humble and faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled having in our thoughts the Glory of God Your Majesty's Honour and the Prosperity of Your People and being most grievously afflicted with the pressing Miseries and Calamities which have overwhelmed Your two Kingdoms of England and Ireland since Your Majesty hath by the perswasion of evil Counsellors withdrawn Your Self from the Parliament raised an Army against it and by force thereof protected Delinquents from the Justice of it constraining us to take Armes for the defence of our Religion Laws Liberties Privileges of Parliament and for the sitting of the Parliament in safety which Fears and Dangers are continued and increased by the raising drawing together and arming of great numbers of Papists under the command of the Earl of Newcastle likewise by making the Lord Herbert of Ragland and other known Papists Commanders of great Forces whereby many grievous Oppressions Rapines and Cruelties have been and are daily exercised upon the persons and estates of Your People much innocent blood hath been spilt and the Papists have attained means of attempting and hopes of effecting their mischievous Design of rooting out the Reformed Religion and destroying the professors thereof in the tender sense and compassion of these evils under which Your People and Kingdom lie according to the duty which we owe to God Your Majesty and the Kingdom for which we are intrusted do most earnestly desire that an end may be put to these great Distempers and Distractions for the preventing of that Desolation which doth threaten all Your Majesties Dominions And as we have rendred and still are ready to render to Your Majesty that Subjection Obedience and Service which we owe unto You so we most humbly beseech Your Majesty to remove the Cause of this War and to vouchsafe us that Peace and Protection which we and our Ancestors have formerly enjoyed under Your Majesty and Your Royal Predecessors and graciously to accept and grant these most humble Desires and Propositions I. That Your Majesty will be pleased to disband Your Armies as we likewise shall be ready to disband all those Forces which we have raised and that You will be pleased to return to your Parliament II. That You will leave Delinquents to a Legal Trial and Judgement of Parliament III. That the Papists may not only be disbanded but disarmed according to Law IV. That Your Majesty will be pleased to give Your Royal Assent unto the Bill for taking away Superstitious Innovations to the Bill for the utter abolishing and taking away of all Archbishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Subdeans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Canons and Prebendaries and all Chanters Chancellors Treasurers Subtreasurers Succentors and Sacrists and all Vicars Choral and Choristers old Vicars and new Vicars of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church and all other their under-Officers out of the Church of England to the Bill against Scandalous Ministers to the Bill against Pluralities and to the Bill for Consultation to be had with godly religious and learned Divines That Your Majesty will be pleased to promise to pass such other good Bills for settling of Church-Government as upon consultation with the Assembly of the said Divines shall be resolved on by both Houses of Parliament and by them be presented to your Majesty V. That Your Majesty having exprest in Your Answer to the Nineteen Propositions of both Houses of Parliament a hearty affection and Intentions for the rooting out of Popery out of this Kingdom and that if both the Houses of Parliament can yet find a more effectual course to disable Jesuits Priests and Popish Recusants from disturbing the State or eluding the Laws that You would willingly give Your Consent unto it That You would be graciously pleased for the better discovery and speedier conviction of Recusants that an Oath may be established by Act of Parliament to be administred in such manner as by both Houses shall be agreed on wherein they shall abjure and renounce the Popes Supremacy the doctrine of Transubstantiation Purgatory worshipping of the consecrated Hoast Crucifixes and Images and the refusing the said Oath being tendred in such manner as shall be appointed by Act of Parliament shall be a sufficient Conviction in Law of Recusancy And that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to give Your Royal Assent unto a Bill for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion That for the more effectual execution of the Laws against Popish Recusants Your Majesty would be pleased to consent to a Bill for the true levying of the Penalties against them and that the same Penalty may be levyed and disposed of in such manner as both Houses of Parliament shall agree on so as Your Majesty be at no loss and likewise to a Bill whereby the practice of Papists against the State may be prevented and the Laws against them duly executed VI. That the Earl of Bristol may be removed from Your Majesty's Counsels and that both he and the Lord Herbert eldest Son to the Earl of Worcester may likewise be restrained from coming within the verge of the Court and that they may not bear any Office or have any imployments concerning the State or Commonwealth VII That Your Majesty will be graciously pleased by Act of Parliament to settle the Militia both by Sea and Land and for the Forts and Ports of the Kingdom in such a manner as shall be agreed on by both Houses VIII That Your Majesty will be pleased
by Your Letters Patents to make Sir John Brampston Chief Justice of Your Court of Kings Bench William Lenthal Esquire the now Speaker of the Commons House Master of the Rolls and to continue the Lord Chief Justice Banks Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and likewise to make Master Serjeant Wilde Chief Baron of Your Court of Exchequer and that Master Justice Bacon may be continued and Master Serjeant Rolls and Master Serjeant Atkins made Justices of the Kings Bench that Master Justice Reeves and Master Justice Foster may be continued and Master Serjeant Phesant made one of Your Justices of Your Court of Common Pleas that Master Serjeant Creswel Master Samuel Brown and Master John Puleston may be Barons of the Exchequer and that all these and all the Judges of the same Courts for the time to come may hold their places by Letters Patents under the great great Seal quamdiu se bene gesserint and that the several persons not before named that do hold any of these places before mentioned may be removed IX That all such persons as have been put out of the Commissions of Peace or Oyer and Terminer or from being Custodes Rotulorum since the first day of April 1642. other than such as were put out by desire of both or either of the Houses of Parliament may again be put into those Commissions and Offices and such that persons may be put out of those Commissions and Offices as shall be excepted against by both Houses of Parliament X. That Your Majesty will be pleased to pass the Bill now presented to Your Majesty to vindicate and secure the Privileges of Parliament from the ill consequence of the late Precedent in the Charge and Proceeding against the Lord Kimbolton now Earl of Manchester and the five Members of the House of Commons XI That Your Majesty's Royal Assent may be given unto such Acts as shall be advised by both Houses of Parliament for the satisfying and paying the Debts and Damages wherein the two Houses of Parliament have ingaged the Publick Faith of the Kingdom XII That Your Majesty will be pleased according to a Gracious Answer heretofore received from You to enter into a more strict Alliance with the States of the United Provinces and other Neighbour Princes and States of the Protestant Religion for the defence and maintenance thereof against all designs and attempts of the Popish and Jesuitical Faction to subvert and suppress it whereby Your Subjects may hope to be free from the mischiefs which this Kingdom hath endured through the power which some of that Party have had in Your Counsels and will be much encouraged in a Parliamentary way for Your Aid and Assistance in restoring Your Royal Sister and the Prince Elector to those Dignities and Dominions which belong unto them and relieving the other distressed Protestant Princes who have suffered in the same Cause XIII That in the General Pardon which Your Majesty hath been pleased to offer to Your Subjects all Offences and Misdemeanours committed before the tenth of January 1641. which have been or shall be questioned or proceeded against in Parliament upon complaint in the House of Commons before the tenth of January 1643. shall be excepted which offences and misdemeanours shall never the less be taken and adjudged to be fully discharged against all other inferiour Courts That likewise there shall be an exception of all Offences committed by any person or Persons which hath or have had any hand or practice in the Rebellion of Ireland which hath or have given any counsel assistance or encouragement to the Rebels there for the maintenance of that Rebellion as likewise an exception of William Earl of Newcastle and George Lord Digby XIV That Your Majesty will be pleased to restore such Members of either House of Parliament to their several places of Services and Imployment out of which they have been put since the beginning of this Parliament that they may receive satisfaction and reparation for those places and for the profits which they have lost by such removals upon the Petition of both Houses of Parliament and that all others may be restored to their Offices and Imployments who have been put out of the same upon any displeasure conceived against them for any Assistance given to both Houses of Parliament or obeying their Commands or forbearing to leave their Attendance upon the Parliament without licence or for any other occasion arising from these unhappy Differences betwixt Your Majesty and both Houses of Parliament upon the like Petition of both Houses These things being granted and performed as it hath always been our hearty Prayer so shall we be enabled to make it our hopeful Endeavour That Your Majesty and Your People may enjoy the blessings of Peace Truth and Justice the Royalty and Greatness of Your Throne may be supported by the Loyal and bountiful Affections of Your People their Liberties and Privileges maintained by Your Majesty's Protection and Justice and this publick Honour and Happiness of Your Majesty and all Your Dominions communicated to other Churches and States of Your Alliance and derived to Your Royal Posterity and the future Generations in this Kingdom for ever H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. His MAJESTY'S Answer to the Desires and Propositions of both Houses February the third 1642. Received at a Conference with the Lords February the sixth 1642. IF His Majesty had not given up all the faculties of His Soul to an earnest endeavour of a Peace and Reconciliation with His People or if He would suffer Himself by any Provocation to be drawn to a sharpness of Language at a time when there seems somewhat like an Overture of Accommodation He could not but resent the heavy charges upon Him in the Preamble of these Propositions and would not suffer Himself to be reproached with protecting of Delinquents by force from Justice His Majesty's desire having always been that all Men should be tryed by the known Law and having been refused it with raising an Army against His Parliament and to be told that Arms have been taken up against Him for the defence of Religion Laws Liberties Privileges of Parliament and for the sitting of the Parliament in safety with many other Particulars in that Preamble so often and so fully answered by His Majesty without remembring the world of the time and circumstances of raising those Arms against Him when His Majesty was so far from being in a condition to invade other mens Rights that He was not able to maintain and defend His own from violence and without telling His good Subjects that their Religion the true Protestant Religion in which His Majesty was born hath faithfully lived and to which He will die a willing Sacrifice their Laws Liberties Priviledges and safety of Parliament were so amply settled and established or offered to be so by His Majesty before any Army was raised against Him and long before any raised by Him for His defence that if nothing had
of Glocester Bristol and the Castle and Town of Berkley shall be guided by the Rule exprest in the later part of the precedent Article V. That in case it be pretended on either side that the Cessation is violated no act of Hostility is immediately to follow but first the party complaining is to acquaint the Lord General on the other side and to allow three days after notice given for satisfaction and in case satisfaction be not given or accepted then five days notice to be given before Hostility begin and the like to be observed in the remoter Armies by the Commanders in chief VI. That all other Forces in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales not before-mentioned shall remain in the same Quarters and places as they are at the time of publishing this Cessation otherwise than in passage and communication between their several Quarters as is mentioned in the latter part of the third Article and that this Cessation shall not extend to restrain the setting forth or imploying any Ships for the defence of His Majesty's Dominions provided that His Majesty be first acquainted with the particulars and that such Ships as shall be set forth be commanded by such persons as His Majesty shall approve of VII Lastly that during the Cessation none of His Majesty's Subjects be imprisoned otherwise than according to the known Laws of the Land and that there shall be no plundring or violence offered to any of His Subjects And His Majesty is very willing if there be any Scruples made concerning these Propositions and Circumstances of the Cessation that the Committee for the Treaty nevertheless may immediately come hither and so all matters concerning the Cessation may be here settled by them H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. Mis MAJESTY's Answer to the Articles of Cessation sent to His Majesty HIS Majesty hath sent a safe Conduct for the Earl of Northumberland Mr. Pierrepont Sir William Armyne Sir John Holland and Mr. Whitelocke but hath not admitted the Lord Say to attend Him as being excepted against by name in His Proclamation at Oxford of the third of November and by Writ to the Sheriff proclaimed then in that County in which His Majesty's Intention is declared to proceed against him as a person guilty of High-Treason and so falling to be within the case of Sir John Evelin who upon the same Exception was not admitted to attend His Majesty with the rest of the Committee at Colebrook in November last But His Majesty doth signifie that in case the House shall think fit to send any other person in the place of the Lord Say that is not included in the like Exception His Majesty hath commanded all His Officers Soldiers and other Subjects to suffer Him as freely to pass and repass as if His Name had been particularly comprised in this safe Conduct His Majesty is content that His Proposition concerning the Magazines Forts Ships and Revenue and the Proposition of both Houses for the disbanding of the Armies shall be first Treated of and agreed of before the proceeding to treat upon any of the other Propositions and that after the second of His Majesty's and the second of theirs be treated on and agreed of and so on in the same order and that from the beginning of the Treaty the time may not exceed Twenty days in which He hopes a full Peace and right understanding may be established throughout the Kingdom H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. The last Articles of Cessation now sent to His MAJESTY THE Lords and Commons in Parliament being still carried on with a vehement desire of Peace that so the Kingdom may speedily be freed from the Desolation and Destruction wherewith it is like to be overwhelmed if the War should continue have with as much expedition as they could considered of the Articles of Cessation with those Alterations and Additions offered by His Majesty unto which they are ready to agree in such manner as is exprest in these ensuing Articles viz. I. That all manner of Arms Ammunition Victual Mony Bullion and all other Commodities passing without a safe Conduct from the Generals of both Armies as well of His Majesty 's as of the Armies raised by the Parliament may be stayed and seized on as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all II. That all manner of persons passing without such a safe Conduct as is mentioned in the Articles next going before shall be apprehended and detained as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all III. That His Majesty's Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer to Windsor than Wheatly and in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Ailesbury than Brill and that in Berkshire the Forces respectively shall not advance nearer the one to the other than they shall be at the day to be agreed on for the Cessation to begin and that the Forces of the other Army raised by the Parliament shall advance no nearer to Oxford than Henley and those in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Oxon than Ailesbury and that the Forces of neither Army shall advance their Quarters nearer to each other than they shall be upon the day agreed on for the Cessation to begin IV. That the Forces of either Army in Gloucestershire Wilts and Wales as likewise in the Cities of Gloucester and Bristol and the Castle and Town of Berkly shall be guided by the Rule exprest in the latter part of the precedent Article V. That in case it be pretended on either side that the Cessation is violated no act of Hostility is immediately to follow but first the party complaining is to acquaint the Lord General on the other side and to allow three days after notice given for satisfaction and in case satisfaction be not given or accepted then five days notice to be given before Hostility begin and the like to be observed in the remoter Armies by the Commanders in chief VI. That all other Forces in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales not before mentioned shall remain in the same Quarters and places as they are at the time of the publishing of this Cessation and under the same Conditions as are mentioned in the Articles before and that this Cessation shall not extend to restrain the setting forth or employing of any Ships for the defence of His Majesty's Dominions VII That as soon as His Majesty shall be pleased to disband the Armies which both Houses earnestly desire may be speedily effected and to disarme the Papists according to Law the Subjects may then enjoy the benefit of Peace in the liberty of their Persons Goods and Freedom of Trade in the mean time the Generals and Commanders of the Armies of both sides shall be enjoyned to keep the Souldiers from plundering which the two Houses of Parliament have ever disliked and forbidden And for the speedy settling of this so-much-desired Peace they have thought good to send their Committees with Instructions that if His Majesty be pleased to consent to a
agreed upon by the Lords and Commons in Parliament for Algernon Earl of Northumberland William Viscount Say and Seal William Pierrepont Esque Sir William Armyne Bar. Sir John Holland Bar. and Bulstrode Whitelocke Esq Committees attending His Majesty upon the Cessation and Treaty YOu shall alter the words mentioned in his Majesty's third Article in this manner leaving out the words The Army raised by the Parliament and putting in these words The Army raised by both Houses of Parliament You shall humbly present to His Majesty the Reasons herewithal sent from both Houses for their not assenting to those Alterations and Additions to the Articles of Cessation offered by His Majesty You shall press the force of those Reasons or any other as there shall be occasion in the best manner you may to procure His Majesties assent to those Articles of Cessation which if you shall obtain within two days after the day of the receit hereof you shall in the name of both Houses of Parliament agree and conclude upon the Cessation to continue to the end of twenty days to be reckoned from the twenty fifth of March and upon a day certain as soon as may be when the same shall first begin and be of force within which time notice is to be given as well by His Majesty as by the Lords and Commons to the several Generals Commanders and Souldiers respectively to observe the same Cessation as it is qualified and limited in those Articles And after such conclusion made you shall take care that those Articles be past under the Great Seal in a fitting and effectual manner and speedily sent up to the Lords and Commons in Parliament with four Duplicates of the same at least If His Majesty shall please to agree upon the two Propositions concerning His own Revenues Towns Forts Magazines and Ships and the disbanding of the Armies you are then authorized fully to agree and conclude upon those Propositions according to your Instructions and you shall desire His Majesty that the same may be forthwith put in execution according to the Instructions formerly given in that behalf and the two Houses will be ready to put in execution what is to be performed on their part of which you have hereby power to assure His Majesty And if His Majesty shall not be pleased to agree upon those two Propositions within the time of four days you shall then speedily give advertisement to the two Houses of Parliament that thereupon they may give such further direction as to them shall seem fit Josh Brown Cler. Parliamentorum Reasons for the Committee Martii 27. 1643. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do with all humble thankfulness acknowledge Your Majesty's Favour in the speedy admission of their Committee to Your Royal Presence and the expedition of Your Exceptions to their Articles that so they might more speedily endeavour to give Your Majesty satisfaction and although they were ready to agree to the Articles of Cessation in such manner as they exprest in their Preface they cannot agree to the Alteration and Addition offered by Your Majesty without great prejudice to the Cause and danger to the Kingdom whose Cause it is The reasons whereof will plainly appear in the Answer to the particulars prest by Your Majesty I. They do deny that they have restrained any Trade but to some few of those places where Your Majesty's Forces are inquartered and even now in the heat of War do permit the Carriers to go into all the parts of the Kingdom with all sorts of Commodities for the use of the Subjects except Arms Ammunition Mony and Bullion But if they should grant such a free Trade as Your Majesty desired to Oxford and other places where Your Forces remain it would be very difficult if not impossible to keep Arms Ammunition Mony and Bullion from passing into Your Majesty's Army without very strict and frequent Searches which would make it so troublesome chargeable and dangerous to the Subjects that the question being but for twenty days for so few places the Mischiefs and Inconveniences to the whole Kingdom would be far greater than any Advantage which that small number of Your Subjects whom it concerns can have by it The case then is much otherwise than is exprest by Your Majesty's Answer for whereas they are charged not to give the least admission of this liberty and freedom of Trade during the Cessation the truth is that they do grant it as fully to the benefit of the Subject even in time of War and that Your Majesty in pressing this for the Peoples good doth therein desire that which will be very little beneficial to the Subjects but exceeding advantagious to Your Majesty in supplying Your Army with many necessaries and making Your Quarters a staple for such Commodities as may be vented in the adjacent Counties and so draw Mony thither whereby the Inhabitants will be better enabled by Loans and Contributions to support Your Majesty's Army And as Your Majesty's Army may receive much Advantage and the other Army much Danger if such freedom should be granted to those places so there is no probability that the Army raised by the Lords and Commons shall have any return of Commodities and other Supplies from thence which may be useful for them And they conceive that in a Treaty for a Cessation those demands cannot be thought reasonable which are not indifferent that is equally advantagious to both parties As they have given no interruption to the Trade of the Kingdom but in relation to the supply of the contrary Army which the reason of War requires so they beseech Your Majesty to consider whether Your Souldiers have not robbed the Carriers in several parts where there hath been no such reason and Your Ships taken many Ships to the great damage not only of particular Merchants but of the whole Kingdom and whether Your Majesty have not declared Your own purpose and endeavoured by Your Ministers of State to embarque the Merchants goods in Forein parts which hath been in some measure executed upon the East-land Merchants in Denmark and is a course which will much diminish the Wealth of the Kingdom violate the Law of Nations make other Princes Arbiters of the Differences betwixt Your Majesty and Your People break off the intercourse betwixt this and other States and like to bring us into quarrels and dissentions with all the neighbour-Nations II. To demand the approving of the Commanders of the Ships is to desire the strength of one party to the other before the difference be ended and against all Rules of Treaty To make a Cessation at Sea would leave the Kingdom naked to those Forein Forces which they have great cause to believe have been sollicited against them and the Ports open for such supplies of Arms and Ammunition as shall be brought from beyond the Seas But for conveying any number of Forces by those means from one part to another they
shall observe the Articles of the Cessation by which that is restrained III. As for the expression of the Army raised by the Parliament they are contented it should be altered thus raised by both Houses of Parliament as not desiring to differ upon words But to give any conclusive Power in this case to the Committee upon such Differences as may arise wherein the Houses have given no express direction is neither safe for the Committee to undertake nor fit for the two Houses to grant yet to debate and to press the reason of their desires whereby an Agreement from Your Majesty may be procured is granted to them And although the two Houses did think it most proper the Cessation should be first agreed on and that it was unfit to Treat in blood yet to satisfie the World of their earnest longing after Peace they have given power to the Committee to enter into the Treaty upon the two first Propositions notwithstanding the Cessation be not yet assented to and those being agreed they hope the foundation will be laid not only of a suspension but a total abolition of all Hostility in the Kingdom IV. If the nature of War be duly considered it must needs be acknowledged that it is incompatible with the ordinary rules of a peaceable Government Your Majesty would have them commit none but according to the known Laws of the Land whereby they conceive Your Majesty understands that it must be by the ordinary Process of Law which being granted it will follow that no man must be committed by them for supplying Your Majesty with Arms Powder Ammunition for by the Law of the Land the Subjects may carry such goods from London or any other place to Oxford the Souldiers must not be committed if they run from their Colours and refuse any duty in the Army no man shall be committed for not submitting to necessary supplies of Mony So that if this be yielded in Your Majesty's sense they shall be disabled to restrain supplies from their Enemies and to govern or maintain their own Souldiers It cannot be thought reasonable that under the disguise of a Cessation they should admit that which will necessarily produce the dissolving of the Army and destruction of the Cause It seems not probable that Your Majesty doth intend that if any be taken with supplies for this Army or mutining in Your own such persons shall not be committed but according to the known Laws of the Land that is by process of Law but rather that Your Majesty will so interrupt this limitation of known Laws that though it lays streight bonds upon the two Houses yet it leaves Your Generals as much liberty as before For it hath been denied by Your Majesty that these known Laws give any Power to the two Houses of Parliament to raise Arms and so consequently their General cannot exercise any Martial Law in those cases and it is not unlike but that it will be affirmed that the Generals constituted by Your Majestys Commission have that power by the same known Laws So that this Article under the specious shew of Liberty and Law would altogether disable them to defend their Liberties and Laws and would produce to Your Majesty an absolute Victory and Submission under pretence of a Cessation and Treaty V. Being by necessity inevitable on their part enforced to a defensive War in this unhappy Breach between Your Majesty and them and that they are therein warranted both by the Laws of God and Man it must needs follow that by the same Law they are enabled to raise means to support that War and therefore till it shall please God to incline Your Majesty to afford them such a Peace as may secure them they cannot relinquish the power of laying Taxes upon those who ought to joyn with them in that Defence and the necessary ways of levying those Taxes upon them in case of refusal for otherwise their Army must needs be dissolved But if Your Majesty shall consent to disband the Armies the Cause of the War being taken away the Consequences will likewise be removed and the Subject restored to the benefit of those Laws which the necessity of Arms hath in such cases suspended VI. They deny any pretence of consenting to those Alterations and Additions offered by Your Majesty only in the Preamble they say they have considered of those Articles with such Alterations and Additions unto which Articles they profest they were ready to agree not as they were accompanied with those Alterations and Additions but in such manner as they expressed As for the Clause left out in the third Article it implyed a freedom of passage and communication of Quarters which is contrary to the nature of a Cessation whereby matters should be preserved in the state they are and neither party have liberty so much to advantage himself as it is evident Your Majesty might do if your Forces in the North and West might joyn with those at Oxford and bring those supplies of Treasure or Arms thither which were brought out of Holland or at least it should be so indifferent as to give a proportionable advantage to the other side which this doth not For the Forces under the power of both Houses are so disposed that they have an easie passage from one to the other but Your Majesty's Forces are severed the one from the other by many large Counties strong Passes and competent Armies and if they had admitted this Clause they had bereaved themselves of one of the greatest Advantages and freed Your Majesty's party of one of the greatest Inconveniences which Your Majesty or they have in this War For the Reasons already alledged they cannot agree to the alterations and enlargements of the Cessation propounded or to transfer any such power to the Committee of treating debating and agreeing upon those Articles in any other manner than the Houses have directed but that a fair and speedy passage may be opened to a secure and a happy Peace they have enabled their Committees to treat and debate upon the two Propositions concerning His Majesty's own Revenue the delivery of His Towns Castles Magazines and Ships and the disbanding of the Armies which being agreed upon a present Peace and Security will follow and the Treaty upon the other Propositions be facilitated without fear of interruption by the confusion of War or exasperation of either party by the bloody effects thereof In which Treaty the two Houses will desire and expect nothing but what doth stand with Your Majesty's Honour and the Trust reposed in You and is necessary for your Majesty's good Subjects that they may enjoy the true Religion and their Liberties and Privileges and that they may freely and in a Parliamentary way concur with Your Majesty in those things which may conduce to the Glory of God the Safety and Happiness of Your Majesty and Your Posterity and People and preventing the like miserable effusion of English blood for the time to come For the
undoubted Rights doth oblige Him to insist And when His Majesty shall think fit to make an Admiral as near as He can He shall be such an one against whom no just Exception can be made and if any shall be offered He will readily leave him to the tryal of the Law Falkland The Papers concerning an Oath for Officers March 29. 1643. WE are humbly to desire Your Majesty that all Generals and Commanders in any of the Armies on either side as likewise the Lord Admiral of England the Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports all Commanders of any Ships and Commanders of any Town Castle or Fort may take an Oath to observe the Articles formerly mentioned and to use their utmost power to preserve the true Reformed Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom against all Foreign Forces and all other Forces raised without Your Majesty's Authority and Consent of the two Houses of Parliament Northumberland W. Pierrepont W. Armyne J. Holland B. Whitelocke April 5. 1643. HIS Majesty conceives the Oaths which all those Officers are already by Law obliged to take to be very fully sufficient But if any thing shall be made appear unto Him necessary to be added thereunto when there shall be a full and peaceable Convocation in Parliament His Majesty will readily consent to an Act for such an addition Falkland April 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament we are commanded humbly to inform Your Majesty that both Houses of Parliament conceive the ordinary Oaths of the Officers mentioned in Your Answer concerning the same are not sufficient to secure them against the extraordinary causes of Jealousie which have been given them in these troublesome times and that Your Majesty's Answer lays some tax upon the Parliament as if defective and thereby uncapable of making such a provisional Law for an Oath Therefore we are humbly to insist upon our former desires for such an Oath as is mentioned in those Papers which we have formerly presented to Your Majesty concerning this matter Northumberland John Holland W. Armyne W. Pierrepont B. Whitelocke April 14. 1643. HIS Majesty did not refuse by His former Answer to consent to any such Oath as shall be thought necessary though He did and doth still conceive the Oaths already settled by Law to be sufficient neither did He ever suppose the Parliament incapable of making a provisional Law for such an Oath but as He would be willing to apply any proper remedy to the extraordinary causes of Jealousies if He could see that there were such causes so He will be always most exact in observing the Articles agreed on in preserving the true Reformed Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom against Foreign Forces and other Forces raised or imployed against Law And when both Houses shall prepare and present such an Oath as they shall make appear to His Majesty to be necessary to those ends His Majesty will readily consent to it Falkland The Papers concerning the Disbanding of the Armies March 28. 1643. His MAJESTY's Answer to the first Proposition of both His Houses of Parliament HIS Majesty is as ready and willing that all Armies be disbanded as any person whatsoever and conceives the best way to it to be a happy and speedy conclusion of the present Treaty which if both Houses will contribute as much to it as His Majesty shall do will be suddenly effected And that this Treaty may the sooner produce that effect His Majesty desires that the time given to the Committee of both Houses to treat may be enlarged And as His Majesty desires nothing more than to be with His two Houses so He will repair thither as soon as He can possibly do it with His Honour and Safety Falkland March 29. 1643. WE are directed by our Instructions humbly to desire Your Majesty's speedy and positive Answer concerning the Disbanding of the Armies to which if Your Majesty be pleased to assent we are then to beseech Your Majesty in the name of both Houses that a near day may be agreed upon for the Disbanding of all the Forces in the remote parts of Yorkshire and the other Northern Counties as also in Lancashire Cheshire and in the Dominion of Wales and in Cornwall and Devonshire and they being fully disbanded another day may be agreed on for the Disbanding of all Forces in Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Leicestershire and all other places except at Oxford and the Quarters thereunto belonging and Windsor and the Quarters thereunto belonging and that last of all a speedy day may be appointed for the Disbanding of those two Armies at Oxford and Windsor and all the Forces members of either of them That some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of the Disbanding and that fit persons may be appointed by Your Majesty and both Houses of Parliament who may repair to the several Armies and the see Disbanding put in speedy execution accordingly Northumberland W. Pierrepont J. Holland W. Armyne B. Whitelocke March 29. 1643. COncerning Your Majesty's Answer to the Proposition of both Houses for Disbanding of the Armies We humbly desire to know if by the words By a happy and speedy Conclusion of the present Trevty Your Majesty do intend a Conclusion of the Treaty on Your Majesty's first Proposition and their Proposition for Disbanding the Armies or a Conclusion of the Treaty in all the Propositions of both parts We have given speedy notice to both Houses of Parliament of Your Majesty's desires that the time given to the Committee of both Houses to treat may be enlarged To the last Clause we have no Instructions Northumberland Will. Pierrepont Will. Armyne Joh. Holland B. Whitelocke April 5. 1643. HIS Majesty intended by the words By a happy and speedy Conclusion of the Treaty such a Conclusion of or in the Treaty as there might be a clear evidence to Himself and His good Subjects of a future Peace and no ground left for the continuance or growth of these bloody Dissentions which He doubts not may be obtained if both Houses shall consent that the Treaty may proceed without further interruption or limitation of days Falkland April 5. 1643. WHEN the time for Disbanding the Armies shall be agreed upon His Majesty well approves that some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of Disbanding and that fit persons may be appointed by His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament who may repair to the several Armies and see the Disbanding speedily put in execution accordingly Falkland April 6. 1643. WE humbly desire to know if by the words By a happy and speedy conclusion of the present Treaty Your Majesty intends a Conclusion of the present Treaty on Your Majesty's first Proposition and the Proposition of both Houses for Disbanding of the Armies or a Conclusion of the Treaty on all the Propositions of both parts And what Your Majesty intends to be a clear evidence to Your Self and Your good
to judge whether their Demands were not such and so moderate as was fit and necessary for them to make and just and reasonable for His Majesty to assent unto wherein they may be pleased to consider that this was a Treaty for the disbanding of two Armies and Forces raised in opposition each to other that the Towns Forts and Ships are a great part of these Forces and of the strength of that side that possesseth them that for any one side to demand the possession and power thereof and the other side to disband their Forces and quit themselves of all their strength is in effect a total disbanding of that side and a continuing the Forces of the other which must be granted to be most unequal and therefore the Lords and Commons did think it just and honourable that the remaining strength should be put into such hands as both sides might trust Secondly That their demand to have the Forts and Castles into the hands of such persons as both Houses should confide in was a Proposition warranted by the frequent Precedents of former times whereby it appeareth that many other Parliaments have made the like and greater demands and His Majesty's Predecessors have assented thereunto Thirdly It was a Proposition which His Majesty Himself in several Declarations of His own affirmed to be reasonable and just for in His Majesty's Answer to a Petition of the House of Commons January 28. 1641. He expresseth thus For the Forts and Castles of the Kingdom His Majesty is resolved they shall be in such hands and only in such as the Parliament way safely confide in c. And in another Answer to two Petitions of the Lords and Commons delivered the second of February 1641. His Majesty useth these words That for the securing you from all Dangers or Jealousies of any His Majesty will be content to put in all the places both of Forts and Militia in the several Counties such persons as both Houses of Parliament shall either approve or recommend unto Him so that you declare before unto His Majesty the names of the persons whom you approve or recommend unless such persons shall be named against whom He shall have just and unquestionable exception Which being declared by His Majesty Himself they had no cause to suspect a Denial being confident that His Majesty did intend what He spoke and if any ill Counsel could prevail to make Him recede from His Word it must be admitted the Kingdom hath more cause to be further secured Fourthly For that to our sad experience it is well known that His Majesty's Power in this and other things is too much steered and guided by the advice of these secret and wicked Counsellors that have been the Instruments of our present Miseries and though His Majesty carrieth the Name yet they will have the disposing of those places And the Lords and Commons thought it the more reasonable and necessary to insist thereupon because that in the time when they were preparing their Propositions to His Majesty it did appear unto them by a Letter written by His Majesty to the Queen which they have caused to be herewith Printed that the great and eminent places of the Kingdom were disposed by Her Advice and Power and what Her Religion is and consequently how prevalent the Counsels of Papists and Jesuites will be with Her may be easily conjectured and it is to be observed who the Persons designed for preferment were even during the sitting of a Parliament the Lord Digby impeached in Parliament for High Treason and most if not all the rest impeached in Parliament and such as bear Arms against them Lastly admitting that these demands touching the Ships and Forts had been made even in a time of Peace and Tranquillity yet considering the attempts of Force and Violence made and practised against the Kingdom and this present Parliament as the Designs many years since to bring to this Kingdom the German Horse to compel the Subject to submit to an arbitrary Government the endeavour to bring up the late Northern Army by force and violence to awe the Parliament His Majesty's coming in person to the House of Commons accompanied with many Armed Men to demand their Members to be delivered up and the Treason of the Earl of Strafford to bring over the Irish Popish Army to conquer the Kingdom they might very well justify nay they were in duty bound in discharge of the trust reposed in them by the Commonwealth to make that demand and expect the performance thereof to the end the People might be secured from any such Violence hereafter Yet to their inexpressible sorrow they must speak it neither the Reasonableness the Moderation or Justness of the Request nor the Peace of the Kingdom which probably would ensue thereupon could be Arguments prevalent enough to induce His Majesty's Consent thereunto And His Majesty's offer of those Commanders that shall offend to leave them to Justice and Trial of the Law is an Answer more to shew His Power to protect Delinquents than satisfaction to a Parliament being the due and right of the meanest Subject and yet intituled here as a Favour done to both Houses of Parliament And though His Majesty is pleased to justifie His Denial with the Allegation That it is His Right by Law they must appeal to the judgment of all indifferent Men whether that be a satisfactory ground of refusal for admitting His Majesty's Power of disposing the Ships Forts and Castles and committing them into what hands He please to be by Law absolutely vested in His Majesty which they by no means can admit He being only trusted with them for the Defence and safety of the Kingdom as He Himself is pleased to assume yet would that be no ground or reason for the King to refuse His Consent to alter that Law when by circumstance of time and affairs that Power becomes destructive to the Commonwealth and safety of the People the preservation whereof is the chief end of the Law And though the two Houses of Parliament being the Representative Body of the Kingdom are the most competent Judges thereof yet in this Cafe they do not proceed only upon an implicite Faith but demonstrate it both by Reason and Experience That their Demand is not only necessary to secure the Kingdom from Fear and Jealousie but to preserve it even from Ruine and Destruction And surely had this Argument of being Their Right by Law been prevailing with His Majesty's Predecessors this Nation should have wanted many an Act of Parliament which now they have that was necessary for thier being and subsistence And they could heartily wish that the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom might be The Rule of what is and what is not to be done acknowledging with His Majesty that the same is the only Rule between Him and His People the assurance of the free enjoyment whereof is their only aim but how little fruit the People hath gathered from this tree
Propositions could be more unreasonable than those Fourteen except the former Nineteen To pass by the Preamble in which most unnecessarily they lay most heavy and most unjust Charges upon His Majesty and yet draw an Argument of His Aversion to Peace from those known Truths which either His defence or the matter in question Crimes being impossible to be spoken of but as Crimes did after extort from Him would not any man have expected that had observed with what violence this War was begun and prosecuted against His Majesty to have found in the Propositions for Peace the Demand of at least some and those very important Rights which were withheld from them before the War and so had given some colour for it But of these there appears not so much as one and yet till all these are granted and performed they do as much as say in Terms plain enough in their Conclusion that they have not any hope nor will use any endeavours that His Majesty and His People may enjoy the Blessings of Peace and Justice which was certainly by terrour of Arms to demand new Laws and as great a Proof that they did so as they seem to confess it unparliamentary if they had done it Is not the taking away of the Bishops Deans and Chapters and indeed the whole establisht Ecclesiastical frame of Order and Government a new Law yet unless His Majesty will yield to take it away though there were but five Lords present when the Bill past and though no other form be yet offered or shewed to Him but the Presbyterians and Independents are left to fight it out among themselves what shall succeed in the place His Majesty is told He must not hope for Peace And the division likely to ensue between different Parties what shall after be introduced shews sufficiently what hope there should be of Peace if He should pass it Are not the Bill against Scandalous Ministers in which most of their own Faction are appointed Commissioners that they may make way for and introduce a new Clergy of their own the Bill against Pluralities which makes no difference of conditions or merits of Persons or of value of Livings and looks not only forwards but extends to the immediate dispossessing of present Incumbents of what is vested in them for their Lives by the Law of the Land the Bill for the Consultation of Divines Persons of their own choice and most of them of their Faction and of no esteem but with themselves hardly at all bounded as to the matter and absolutely unlimited as to the time of their consultation all news Laws Is not the settling of the Militia both by Sea and Land and the Forts and Ports in such a manner as shall be agreed on by both Houses in which His Majesty is expected with a blind implicite Faith to trust them with the whole Power of the Kingdom and with His only means of defending Himself and protecting His Subjects though into what hands or for what time or in what manner they will order or dispose of it is so far from appearing to Him that it doth not yet appear that both Houses know themselves and how they have already used that Power is known to all the World both a new and a strange Demand Are the Earl of Bristoll's Removal and Exclusion from all possibility of Employment a Person uncondemned unimpeacht and unsummoned no crime or error either proved or but named against him or the choice of the Judges and Master of the Rolls the change of Commissioners of the Peace and Oyer and Terminer or the restoring of Members of the Houses even to such menial places of Service as required a personal attendance and who had yet refused to attend upon command or the assenting to whatsoever Acts He shall be advised for paying of Debts contracted upon the publick Faith that is by the Authority of both Houses by which His Majesty must allow Himself to be no no part of the publick and must directly allow and as it were ratifie that Rebellion which this Money was raised to foment either due to them by Law or reasonable in themselves Doth the directing His Majesty with whom and how far to make Alliances belong to them or was that at all necessary His inclination to the strictest bands with Princes and States of the Protestant Religion being by the Match of His Daughter sufficiently expressed And yet till all this be done and unless He will pardon all that have born Arms against Him and leave those that have assisted Him to their Mercy who have none they will not promise any hopeful endeavours for Peace and Justice But is there any thing else that is due by Law which was before denied and is here demanded that can in any degree justifie or extenuate that ever Peace was broken and Justice destroyed Not so much as one tittle Did His Majesty give any Commission till they had mustered many men Or did He so much as take any Guard to Him till both they had a much greater many months and had of their own Authority ordered a Serjeant-Major-General of their City Forces and till His Magazine and Town were by Arms kept against Him though He were provoked to it before by all the other Indignities and Injuries which Insolence and Injustice could devise Was not Sir John Hotham for all his known Treason refused to be left by them to Justice and the trial of the Law before ever any that was but call'd a Delinquent was protected by His Majesty And was not His Majesty then denied that which themselves confess to be the due and right of the meanest Subject and do so far expect as to look upon it rather as a scorn than a satisfaction now His Majesty offers it to them Was any one Papist armed by His Majesty before many of that Religion and multitudes of persons against whose Recusancy the Law is as severe as against theirs were armed against Him or than either until their mere being of that Religion made them without colour of Law be plunder'd and imprison'd in all parts and some of them fly into His Army for protection Did not His Majesty before of himself often offer to vindicate the Privileges of Parliament from any imaginable breach of them in the business of the Lord Kimbolton and Five Members and did He not offer to wave their Charge willingly submitting it to the publick Peace So that the obtaining that demand or the disbanding of the Army or the disarming of Papists or the trial of Delinquents though they make some such shew as they are set in this place yet not any of them were any grounds of this their War And all that is due in these Demands having been offered before the War or occasioned or necessitated by it and being still to be had without it the whole People cannot but see that nothing but Fears and Jealousies have been the fumes with which they have so intoxicated His seduced Subjects
must He must neither be able to discharge His Duty to Himself by His own Defence nor make good His Oath by the protecting of his Subjects against any sudden dangerous Rebellion or Invasion or the Commanders of all His Ships Towns Forts and Magazines and all the Commanders of both Armies that is the most considerable Militia of England must according to this new Oath oppose any opposition He shall make and must be equally obliged by it to fight against His Forces as against those of the Rebels or Invaders Fifthly because if He should give them so a great a Prerogative for so long a time as this share in the choice of men to places of so high Power and Trust the Dependance of Subjects upon the Crown would be much diverted and He could never expect to be faithfully served when no other Crime of theirs appearing to Him He should so farr devest the present Proprietaries of their legal Right as to submit it a new to the Arbitrariness of their Confiding who have given His Majesty no greater Cause to confide in their Choice Sixthly and lastly because if He should allow them that power for that time upon that Reason He cannot doubt but against that time were ended the Sweetness of Power being once tasted they would be so unwilling to quit it that the same powerful violent party would not want the like Fears to beget the like Demands of the same or greater interest in the choice of the same or greater Places and the same Consequences would not likewise fail to follow if these Demands were not consented to and even His good Subjects seeing it the most prosperous might be induced to think Faction and Sedition the wisest Course and when they saw His Majesty give such an Encouragement to Rebellion might think it pity He should ever be without one And His Majesty conceives Fear and Jealousie may be a good reason to make Him cautious how He parts with His Right though a very insufficient justification of their forcing that from Him to which they could pretend none But still His Majesty hoped that they only insisted upon such Limitations of his Proposition till they saw what Limitations he would offer to theirs and therefore to reduce them to Moderation by His Example He proposes to the Houses for the Committee had no Power or Instruction to treat of the principal point of it no other Limitations than were both due by Law and necessary in themselves and offers as soon as he was satisfied in His first Proposition to which if they would have put Him in mind of any such Objection in the Treaty He would never have required that the exact Computation of his Revenue taken from Him should be agreed on before Disbanding which is now objected to Him not as an Injustice but as a purposed Delay as soon as the Houses were restored to that Condition in which they were before the Tumults and these Distractions forced the Members from thence and as soon as He and those Houses were secured from Tumults only adding His own opinion That adjourning twenty miles from London could only effect it and offering them the choice of any place at that distance in His whole Kingdom He would immediately disband and return to His Parliament and expected much more that this Message when it was received at London should have met with Bells and Bone-fires than have received neither Approbation nor Answer But that violent Party which looks upon Peace like a Monster fearing lest if the Treaty should any longer continue so fair an approach to Peace might by degrees steal it on upon them before they were aware prevail to return no other Answer than immediately to send for their Committee from Oxford and to send the Lord of Essex to Reading His Majesty waits awhile and again in a Message He had occasion to send to the Houses concerning Ireland He takes occasion to put them in mind of that former Message and to renew the expressions of His Desire of Peace But this Message had no better luck than the other for no Answer hath been sent to it only in stead of an Answer the same violent Party makes a shift to go a step or two higher and to prevail in the House of Commons to vote Excises upon Commodities and the making of a new Great Seal though the making of it will be Treason by the Statute of the five and twentieth of Edward the Third and an Order of the House of Commons will be but an insufficient Plea against that Statute and though they might have remembred that it is by the old one that both most of them hold their Lands and all of them are called to that House But since His Majesty would not allow them a share in making of Peers as they ask'd him in their Nineteen Propositions nor allow of their choice of Justices of the Peace as they ask'd Him in their Fourteen and did still pretend to making of Sheriffs which they have denied Him by their Votes it seems they thought it necessary to make that which if it could be made legal by Voting would make all those and to end the Dispute about His Majesty's Negative Voice by passing by Commission what new Bills they pleased and so to obtain as absolutely an unlimited Power over their fellow-Subjects as over their Sovereign Himself Yet His Majesty would take no notice of all this but sends once more a third Message to desire an Answer to His first which had then lain in their hands above a Month. This pressing for Peace appears so intolerable to them that the House of Commons as the best way to make a final end of all such Messages and indeed to cut off all Entercourse is prevailed with by these men to commit the Messenger and the next day to impeach His Majesties Royal Consort of High Treason as if they would give Him a fair warning how He trouble them about Peace again lest His turn be next and they impeach him too But though they vouchsafe His Majesty no Answer yet the People is still thought worthy of some satisfaction and that produces this Declaration which pretends fully and sufficiently to shew that in the Treaty their Demands were such and so moderate as was fit and necessary for them to make and just and reasonable for His Majesty to assent unto and His Majesty's were such as had neither Reason nor Justice either in the matter or manner of them and such as left the People no hope or expectation to see an end of their present Calamities and charge the King through His Councellors in many Circumstances before it and during it to have laboured to interrupt the Treaty and to have appeared averse to Peace and in this Question His Majesty is content to accept of the Arbitrator they themselves have chosen and to refer it to the People to judge Their First Argument is That this Treaty is for the disbanding of the Armies
which seems to prove the contrary to that which by this they intend to prove Fourthly That of the Persons there named there is not one that either is a Papist or so like one that a Jesuit may be thought to have recommended him nor any one except the Lord Digby that was either impeacht or otherwise taxt or that could appear to His Majesty to have ever been in any degree dislik'd by both or either House before assisting His Majesty against a Rebellion did lately become Treason and whoever considers the Time and other Circumstances even of that Impeachment and that their Eyes were then so dazled with Fears and Jealousies as to take a Coach and six Horses for an Army raised against them will hardly look upon that Impeachment with that reverence which hath usually been paid to Accusations of that kind And for their bearing of Arms in such a Time wherein all His Majesty's Subjects do either bear or assist Arms either for or against Him He supposes that it will not be thought strange if He chuse Persons for such Places as are in His own Disposal rather out of the first Sort than out of the second And as His Majesty hath fully answered their Observations upon His Letters so He believes that one thing more though unobserved by this Declaration cannot but be observed out of them by His People and that is That in His Majesty's most private Letters to the Person nearest to Him wherein He cannot as by some in His publick Declarations He is be suspected to say any thing out of Design or Policy His own clear perswasion that the Rebels and not He have been the cause and are the fosterers of this War and universal Distraction and His Sense of it and His Desire of the end of it are so plainly exprest that they will by this Accident be much satisfied with His Majesty's Innocence and Reality and believe that the reading this in such a Letter is the very next Degree to reading it in His Heart Their fifth and last Argument is The attempts of Force and Violence against the Kingdom and this Parliament and they instance in four The first is a Design many years since to bring into this Kingdom the German Horse to compel the Subjects to submit to an Arbitrary Government And to this His Majesty replies That He esteems His Condition more miserable than that of any of His Subjects when He sees a few Factious persons have obtained that power as to be able to publish to all His People in the name of both Houses a Charge which coming forth with the semblance of such Authority may much work with them against Him and yet do not which is certainly because they cannot tell any one proof or particular either whence whether when by whom or by whose Design these Horse should have been brought They confess it is many years since and it seems it is so many that these particulars are all worn out of the memory of man The second is the endeavour to bring up the Northern Army by Force and Violence to awe the Parliament To this His Majesty hath so often answer'd and received so little Reply that He will only now briefly say that according to the Evidence they have publish'd themselves and that before hearing the persons concern'd in it after so long a time of the Houses leisure and their attendance whose Answer it was perhaps feared would have cleared it more it doth not appear that there was ever any Endeavour used in it nor any thing further than a mere motion which died as soon as it was conceived and it doth appear that His Majesty absolutely dislik'd it as soon as by way of Discourse it was but named to Him But if it had been really endeavoured it had been but an Endeavour towards that which was directly put in Execution by the Tumults and those countenanc'd by the Refusal of the House of Commons not only to punish them but so much as to joyn with the Lords in a Declaration against the like for the future and by the stopping the legal Proceedings against Riots by a single Order of the House The third is His Majesty's coming in Person to the House of Commons with many armed men to demand their Members to be delivered up His Majesty confesseth He came He denies that to His knowledge He came accompanied with any men otherwise armed than with His Guard and Pensioners in the same manner as He usually came to the House of Lords and with some Gentlemen as His Train when He goes to any publick place is always so waited on with their usual Weapons their Swords And if they had been as careful to publish what Persons of Quality as Serjeant-Major Ashly for one testified upon their knowledge and Oath as what mean unknown and unsworn Persons delivered upon their bare Credit or upon hear-say it would have appeared to His People how little Violence was intended by any who came with Him however armed and what Care He took and what Orders He gave to be sure to prevent any that possibly might have happened His Majesty likewise confesses that He demanded the Members He had accused of High Treason but puts them withal in mind that the House of Commons had hardly left him any other Course having by their single Order the night before intercepted all ordinary proceedings of Justice against them forbidding all Officers to attach any Member for any Crime without the Consent of the House and encouraging the People in that case to assist them against any Officer though their Privileges had been confess'd by a late Petition of both Houses not to extend to Treason and though this Order were as illegal and unjustifiable as not only His Majesty's coming to the House but even as any thing they would have had the People believe that He intended when He came But whatever Breach of Privilege there was in this His Majesty did not offer to justifie it by their preceding breach of Law but offered them often Reparation and Satisfaction for it but it seems nothing but the Ships Forts Ports Magazine and Militia of the whole Kingdom would appear to them a Reparation for a single and this Circumstance considered perhaps a disputable Breach of Privilege The Fourth is the Treason of the Earl of Strafford to bring over the Irish Popish Army to conquer the Kingdom To this His Majesty replies That whatever the Earl of Strafford could have said for this Army He is sure was never brought nor that He ever heard was ever endeavoured to be brought over either to that or any other purpose His Majesty cannot see why it might not have remained buried with him or why any other satisfaction should be given for it or other security against the like than the Punishment he hath already undergone Having given what Reasons they can to justifie their Limitations of His Majesty's Propositions this Declaration in the next place attempts to satisfie that
heartily to wish that the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom may be the Rule of what is or what is not to be done but how little fruit hath been gathered from this Tree they say let the Experience of the last Eighteen years judge To this His Majesty replies That it is true in some sense they are willing these Laws should be His Rule that is that He go no farther though they will by no means allow Him to go near so far but almost all their Actions and most of their Demands and particularly these do sufficiently shew that they will not admit of these Laws and Statutes to be any Rule to them And how much better fruit they have graffed than they found growing and whether they have not made use of the Cure and Remedy of Grievances a Parliament to impose more of all kind of Grievances upon the People in eighteen Months than can be objected to his Majesty or Ministers upon the breach and in the Intermission of Parliaments during those eighteen years let Experience be Judge And it cannot but appear strange to His Majesty if any thing could still appear strange to Him that the Illegalities under which His Subjects suffered by some of His Ministers in some part of His Reign should be now and by them laid as a Charge upon Him when not only the People have suffered far greater Illegalities and Pressures upon the same if not less pretences by those who charge Him with them but when He hath by His Acknowledgments by His ample Satisfactions by the submitting the Offenders to Punishment how great or near so ever to Him and by His many and solemn Protestations given security to His People that they shall never suffer the like under Him and when they on the other side as good as profess to the People that they think themselves obliged to maintain and consequently are likely to continue what they have done because they have done it and that their Actions shall not be retracted lest some reflection or dishonour fall upon both Houses and lest they may seem to pronounce a sentence of injustice and rashness against themselves This being one of the Reasons given by them why they cannot re-admit the Members they have expelled And His Majesty is confident that His People when they shall consider both His Ministers Actions and theirs and after compare His Ingenuity with their Principles will easily conceive under whose Government they are most likely to return to the known Rule of the Law and to find that ease and to be continued in those Rights in and to which they were born and of the Exorbitance of whose Power they have most reason to have any Fears and Jealousies and against whom they have most reason to desire to be secured that they shall enjoy their Rights Nor do they with more colour oppose His Majesty's Limitations and Conditions than they defend their own They object against His Majesty's Demand or Limitation of being satisfied in His first Proposition That if His Ships Forts c. were to be delivered before disbanding it must after be left to the pleasure of the Papists and other evil Councellors about His Majesty whether thay would disband or not But His Majesty replies That He made not His Limitation in these terms As soon as His first Proposition should be wholly granted to Him but As soon as He should be satisfied in His first Proposition which left room enough upon debate to have agreed either upon the time of delivery or upon sufficient caution that after the delivery the disbanding should unavoidably follow Nor can His Majesty look upon this Objection otherwise than as a jest since if after the performance of part of the Conditions He had refused to perform the rest He is perswaded that so open a breach of Faith would have given them a far greater strength than they had parted with in the Ships and Forts and have raised against Him a far greater Army than He should have refused to disband They object against His Demand of the restitution of Members that in His Demand no distinction is made of Persons or Offences when the reason thereof is that really no distinction can be made they being all equally innocent and all equally injuriously expelled not only for committing no Crime but for that Duty and Loyalty which deserves both approbation and reward And if they could make any distinction in this point or any Objection in any other which might possibly have satisfied His Majesty why did they not continue the Treaty and there offer it to and debate it with His Majesty rather than break off the Treaty without giving any Answer to any part of His Majesty's Message and to turn themselves wholly to the People from whom no return could possibly be made that might be in order to Peace They object against the Reason of this Demand That these Members have been expelled only for adhering to His Majesty That the same Reason may be used for the Judges who adhered to Him by furnishing Him with great Sums by Illegal Judgments about Ship-Money and Monopolies and that He may as well require the Houses to repeal the Impeachments and Proceedings against them To which His Majesty replies That by never having appeared at all in the favour excuse or extenuation of the fault of those Judges who are to answer for any unjust Judgment in all which His Majesty left them wholly to their Consciences and whensoever they offended against that they wronged His Majesty no less than His People and by His being yet so careful of these Lords and Gentlemen it may appear that His Majesty conceives that those only adhere to Him who adhere to Him according to Law And whether the remaining part of the Houses be not more apt to repeal their own Impeachments and Proceedings against those Judges if they conceive they may be made of use and brought to adhere to them then His Majesty is to require they should may appear by their requiring in their Fourteen Propositions that Sir John Brampston impeacht by themselves of so gret Misdemeanors may be made Chief Justice and by their freeing and returning Justice Barkley accused by themselves of High Treason to sit upon the Bench rather than free and imploy Justice Mallet who was not legally committed at first but fetcht from the Bench to Prison by a Troop of Horse and who after so many Months Imprisonment remains not only unimpeacht but wholly without any knowledge of what Crime he is suspected They next object against the Persons in whose behalf the Demand is made And to this His Majesty replies That to shew how far He was from having raised this Army or from intending to imploy it to destroy this Parliament or the Act for the continuance thereof as is falsely and maliciously charged upon him to avoid the Objection made against him as if He only pretended to desire to rule by Law but would really be the only Judge of
say they endeavour to take His Life who have shot at Him as often as He hath come within Cannon-shot of them and that the Treaty should not oblige them from taking any Town or Castle of His Majesty 's from Him and yet His Majesty be obliged by it neither to regain any of His Towns nor receive any of His own Castles that Sir William Waller may really take Malmesbury and Tukesbury and His Majesty must not so much as think of Scarborough or Bristol upon which City as His Majesty doth avow to have had a Design to recover it from the Rebels so He absolutely denies it to have been either bloody or barbarous Epithets which they are pleased to give it but for what reason He cannot imagine His Majesty abhorring all thought of what is printed at London That it was intended Man Woman and Child should have been all killed in that Town that had not such a Word or wore not such a Ribband though some Word or Mark might well be agreed on not with intention to kill all that had it not but that more particular care might be taken of their protection that had it not only from all danger but from all disrespect But the execution upon cold blood of some of the principal Citizens of that City for their Loyalty to His Majesty upon a single Order without the least colour of any Legal proceedings will appear to all men most barbarous and bloody and such a Murther as His Majesty must not leave unrevenged nor can His Subjects look upon otherwise than as purposely now committed to make Peace yet more impossible and as an earnest of that intolerable Arbitrary Government which they must always expect to suffer under if that Violent party should prevail Since therefore notwithstanding these frivolous Objections His Majesty's Desire of Peace by His earnestness for it both before and during and after the Treaty doth so fully appear and since their inclination to the contrary by their most earnest and utmost endeavours to hinder both the beginning continuance and renewing of the Treaty is no less evident since in the Treaty His Majesty's main aim was the immediate disbanding of the Armies and that Differences might be debated in a full and free Convention in Parliament and that to that end the Parliament might be restored to the natural and genuine Condition and all things only restored into that state wherein they were when the Houses were full and free since His Majesty ask'd nothing that they could deny to be due to Him by Law and His Majesty denied nothing that themselves could claim by Law to belong to them nor any one thing of that publick necessity or value as deserves the shedding of one drop of that Sea of Blood which will be spent in this unnatural natural Quarrel since His Majesty made the last most reasonable Proposition and they will never suffer it to be granted nor debated and three Messages of His Majesty's cannot obtain one Answer His Majesty hopes that the scales will now fall from the eyes of His most blindly-seduced Subjects and they will now be able do discern both their Duty and their Interest by so clear a Light that it will be no longer in the power of this Violent party to ingage them to be Wicked that they may be Miserable and by opposing Justice to destroy Peace And His Majesty doth most earnestly conjure those whose fault hath hitherto proceeded rather from want of heat than want of light who out of too much care of their private safety have been either lookers on or have at once dislik'd and countenanc'd these Courses that they at last rouze up their Courage to take part with their Conscience and fear to be Damned more than to be Plundred and consider that if they will desert and oppose that Party whom their Tameness only makes considerable and unite themselves with but half that industry to defend His Majesty and the Religion and Law establisht which the others use to destroy them all they may avoid the One and be in no danger of the Other their numbers being such that if they once but knew one another by meerly joyning to appear to think as they do they might speedily end this truly styled by them the worst kind of War both as it is of English against English and of Subjects against their Prince But if they shall still suffer themselves to be carried away with the Stream they will by that suffer the Power of the Violent party to take so deep a root by being seized of all the Arms Ships and strong places of the Kingdom that if they should happen to prevail in this War against His Majesty they will in despight not only of them but of their present Rulers if they should be willing to divert them extirpate the Law Root and Branch alter the whole frame of Government introduce Democracy Independence and Parity and leave neither King Church nor Gentleman And besides that they will then appear to themselves guilty of this intolerable Innovation which they have not timely enough opposed this Party will then forget that they did not oppose them at all and remember that they did assist them but a little will distinguish between those who assisted them out of Zeal and out of fear and who are now call'd Moderate they will then call Malignant and the Inequality Injustice and Oppression they will then indure will too late discover to them to their Costs that they have undone themselves with too much Discretion and obtain'd nothing by their unjustifiable cautious Compliance but to be destroyed last By the King A Proclamation warning all His MAJESTY'S good Subjects no longer to be misled by the Votes Orders and pretended Ordinances of one or both Houses by reason the Members do not enjoy the Freedom and Liberty of Parliament With His MAJESTY'S gracious offer of Pardon to the Members of both Houses and of Protection to such of them as shall repair to Him WHereas We have been long since driven by Force and Violence from Our Palace at Westminster the place of sitting for Us and Our two Houses of this Parliament so that We could not with safety of Our Life be present with Our great Council and much the greater part of the Members of both Houses of Parliament have been likewise driven by Tumults and Force for their safety from their Attendance upon that Council the said Members having been threatned and assaulted for delivering their Opinions freely in the Houses or have out of Conscience and Duty withdrawn themselves from being present at the Debates and Resolutions which they have well known to be so contrary to their Duty and Allegiance or for so withdrawing or for freely speaking in the Houses have been expelled or suspended from being Members of that Council contrary to the ancient Practice and just Privileges of Parliament since which time and by which means a great and Rebellious Army hath been raised against Us
Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons a Copy of which was sent to Us were forthwith sent to them That Our Army would be forced through wants to disband or depart the Kingdom and that there would be nothing to be exspected there but the instant Loss of the Kingdom and the destruction of the remnant of Our good Subjects yet left there In stead of any redress or relief according to these Letters such Ships as were by the care and charity of well-affected Persons provided to transport Cloths and Victual to them were in their Voyage thither seized and taken by the Ships under the Command of the Earl of Warwick and in stead of endeavours to send more Forces thither attempts were made to draw the Scotch Forces from thence into this Kingdom So that We thought Our Self bound in Duty and Conscience since it was not in Our power otherwise to preserve that Kingdom from utter Ruine at least to admit any Expedient which with God's blessing might be a means to preserve that People and therefore We directed the Lord Marquess Ormond whom for his Courage Affection and Loyalty We had made Our Lieutenant-General of that Our Army and who having gotten so many notable Victories upon the Rebels was very well approved of by the two Houses of Parliament to agree on Our behalf to such a Cessation of Arms with the Rebels as upon his understanding and knowledge of the condition of Our affairs there should be thought reasonable This Cessation was concluded on the 15. day of September for one whole year and the Articles thereof printed at Dublin were sent to Us by Our Lords Justices and Council and arrived here on Saturday last with a Letter from them to one of Our Secretaries expressing the great sufferings of Our Army there through want of relief out of England We have thought fit with this true and plain relation to publish the said Articles according to the Copy sent Us that all Our good Subjects may see how We have proceeded herein What opinion the principal Persons as well of Our Council as the Officers of Our Army there have of this Cessation may appear by the Testimony which We have caused to be Printed after the Articles with their names who have set their hands to the same And let all Our good Subjects be assured that as We have for these Reasons and with this Caution and deliberation consented to this Preparation to Peace and to that purpose do continue Our Parliament there so We shall proceed in the accomplishing thereof with that care and circumspection that We shall not admit even Peace it self otherwise than as it may be agreeable to Conscience Honour and Justice By the Lords Justices and Council Jo. Borlase Hen. Tichborne UPON consideration had of the annexed Articles of Cessation of Arms whereby it is concluded and accorded that there be a Cessation of Arms and of all Acts of Hostility for one whole year beginning the fifteenth day of September Anno Domini one thousand six hundred forty three at the hour of twelve of the Clock of the said day We the Lords Justices and Council according to His Majesty's Letters of the one and thirtieth of July last do by this Proclamation in His Majesty's Name ratifie confirm and publish the same and do require all His Majesty's Subjects whom it may concern by Sea and Land to take notice thereof and to yield all due Obedience thereunto in all the parts thereof Given at His Majesty's Castle of Dublin the 19th day of September 1643. R. Bolton Canc. Roscomon Cha. Lambart Tho. Rotherham Tho. Lucas La. Dublin Edw. Brabazon Geo. Shurley Ormonde Ant. Midensis Gerard Lowther Fr. Willoughby Ja. Ware God Save the KING ARticles of Cessation of Arms agreed and concluded on at Singingstown in the County of Kildare the 15. day of September in the nineteenth year of His Majesty's Reign by and between James Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant-General of His Majesty's Army in the Kingdom of Ireland for and in the Name of Our Gracious Sovereign Lord CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland c. by virtue of His Majesty's Commission bearing date at Dublin the last of August in the said nineteenth year of His Majesty's Reign of the one part and Donnogh Viscount Muskery Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Nicholas Plunket Esquire Sir Robert Talbot Baronet Sir Richard Barnewell Baronet Torlogh O-Neal Geffry Brown Ever Mac-Gennis and John Walsh Esquires authorized by His Majesty's Roman Catholick Subjects of whose party they are and now in Arms in the said Kingdom c. to treat and conclude with the said Marquess for a Cessation of Arms by virtue of an Authority given unto them bearing date at Cashel the 7. day of September in the said nineteenth year of His Majesty's Reign of the other part FIrst It is concluded and accorded that there be a Cessation of Arms and of all Acts of Hostility between His Majesty 's said Roman Catholick Subjects who are now in Arms c. in this Kingdom and their Party and all others His Majesty's good Subjects for one whole year to begin the fifteenth day of Septemb. Anno Dom. 1643. at the hour of 12. of the clock of the said day Item It is concluded and accorded that free passage Entercourse Commerce and Traffick during the said Cessation shall be between His Majesty 's said Roman Catholick Subjects who are now in Arms c. and their Party and all others His Majesty's good Subjects and all others in League with His Majesty by Sea and Land Item It is concluded and accorded and the said Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named Persons do promise and undertake for and in the behalf of those for whom they are authorized to treat and conclude as aforesaid that all Ships Barques and Vessels which shall bring Provisions to any Harbour in this Kingdom in the hands or possession of such as shall obey the Articles of this Cessation from Minehead and White-haven and from all the Ports between on that side where Wales is situate so as they be Ships belonging to any of the said Ports and do not use any Acts of Hostility to any of the said Roman Catholicks who are now in Arms c. or to any of their Party or to any who shall be waged or employed unto or by them shall not be interrupted by any of their Party nor by any Ships or other Vessels of what Country or Nation soever under their Power or Command or waged employed or contracted with on their behalf or by any Forts Garrisons or forces within this Kingdom under their power in their coming to this Kingdom or returning from thence Item It is concluded and accorded and the said Lord Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named parties do promise and undertake for and in the behalf of those for whom they are authorized as aforesaid that all Ships Barques and Vessels which shall bring
what business soever without leave from the Earl of Essex in pursuance of which Order though the same passed only the Commons a sworn Messenger of His Majesty's hath been barbarously put to death for carrying a Legal Writ to London we thought any address for Peace would most successfully pass through His hands and that when we had considered how unhappily he had been made an Instrument of so much Blood and Devastation he would with great chearfulness have interposed in a business of Reconciliation and at least have met us half way in so blessed a Work and therefore with His Majesty's leave which He most readily and graciously gave us and for which we doubt not He shall receive the Thanks and Prayers of all His good Subjects we direct a Letter to that purpose to him signed under our hands Whosoever reads that Letter and we hope it will be read by all men will bear us witness and it will be a Witness against those who have rejected it that we have done our parts In stead of vouchsafing us any Answer or proposing us any other way towards Peace if that which we proposed was not thought convenient he writes a short Letter to the Earl of Forth General of His Majesty's Army acknowledging the receipt of ours but saying that it neither having Address to the two Houses of Parliament nor therein there being any acknowledgement of them he could not Communicate it to them whereas the Address was in the way prescribed prescribed under pain of Death no Address being allowed as aforesaid but by the Earl of Essex and he being desired to represent to and promove with those by whom he is trusted our most sincere and earnest desire of a Treaty so that if there had been the least inclination to or enduring of an Overture of Peace he might have as easily communicated it to all those by whom he is instrusted as to a Committee by whose Advice 't is well known his Answer was sent and with it and as part of it a Paper intituled The Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland and A Declaration of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and another A solemn League and Covenant the Declarations and Covenant being against the King of both Kingdoms without the consent of and against the major part of the Nobility and we are confident the Gentry and Commonalty of This. And if his Lordship would make good his own Letter and spend his Blood or but use his endeavour for the maintenance of the Parliament of England being indeed the foundation whereupon all Our Laws and Liberties are supported we should not Treat at this distance at least a Treaty would not have been rejected We suffered not Our Selves to be discouraged with this refusal but a safe Conduct was desired for two Gentlemen against whom there neither was nor could be the least exception to go to Westminster to present such Propositions as might best conduce to the Peace of the Kingdom conceiving that by such means our meaning and intentions might best appear and all formalities and unnecessary insisting and mistakes upon words might be removed This safe Conduct which hath never been denied by His Majesty or His Generals to any person who hath desired to have admittance to Him was likewise absolutely refused by the Earl of Essex yet with some expressions That if any Propositions should be sent to those by whom he was intrusted he would use his utmost endeavours to advance the Peace which though it seem'd nothing agreeable to his former Answers obtained yet so much credit with us that we besought His Majesty once more in His own Royal Name to press and desire a Treaty and to direct His Message under such a Title that they who call themselves the two Houses of Parliament could not take any Exception but should be compelled to return some Answer or other And an Answer it hath drawn from them but such an one as will sufficiently inform the World if there could yet have remained any doubt of it how much they are Enemies to Peace Those Answers Declarations and that Covenant are likewise publick to all men God and the World must judge between us In the mean time we must without bitterness or sharpness of Language to which neither example or provocation shall transport us tell these men That most of us are too well known even to themselves to be suspected to incline to be either Papists or Slaves or that we can possibly be made Instruments to advance either Popery or Tyranny And since the defence of the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom seems to be and in truth is on our part the Argument of this bloody Contention and that we are endeavouring all ways to destroy one another in the behalf of that we all do or all pretend to desire we think our selves obliged to Truth to the present Age and to Posterity to let the World know That as we are much more tender of the Religion Laws and Liberty of the Kingdom than of our Lives and Fortunes so the uneasie Condition wherein we are and the heavy Judgments and Proscriptions imposed on us by our Equals have proceeded and been caused from that Conscience Loyalty and Duty in which we have been Born and Bred and from which we could not swerve without the manifest breach of our Allegiance and those civil Oaths we are obliged by As we hope will appear to all men by this our ensuing Declaration We shall pass over only acknowledging His Majesty's abundant care and favour to His People those excellent Laws made this Parliament for the vindication and removal of those Mischiefs and Inconveniences which seemed to threaten our Rights and Liberty to all which there are very few amongst us who concurred not fully however we are now traduced with the negligence of both and that most gracious Offer of His Majesty to consent to an Act for the ease of tender Consciences in matters indifferent which if it had been accepted would have prevented many of the Miseries have since besallen this poor Kingdom And because the Name and Privilege of Parliament is pretended in defence of those Actions which are done contrary to the known Laws by which only Right and Wrong can be measured and determined and by that venerable Name many of our Companions and Friends have been led into unwarrantable Actions before we come to consider the state and condition of the Religion Laws and Liberty of the Kingdom by these Distractions we shall let the World know how much the inherent and essential Privileges of Parliament have been violated how we being called by His Majesty and trusted by our Country with their Suffrages in that Council hath been driven and are now kept from the place whither we were first called by His Majesty and where some Members still sit and lastly how far this miserable and to say no more this unjustifiable Civil War and this desperate and odious Invasion of a
County of Surrey directed to the House of Peers concluded with this close That they should be in duty obliged to mantain their Lordships so far as they should be united with the House of Commons in their just and pious proceedings sufficiently intimating that if they joyned not with the House of Commons they then meant as much as others had plainly professed About the same time a Citizen saying at the Bar of the House of Commons That they heard there were Lords who refused to consent and concur with them and that they would gladly know their names or words to that effect a Petition in the name of many thousand poor People in and about the City of London was directed to the House of Commons taking notice of a malignant Faction that made abortive all their good motions which tended to the Peace and Tranquillity of this Kingdom desiring that those noble Worthies of the House of Peers who concurred with them in their happy Votes might be earnestly desired to joyn with that Honourable House and to sit and Vote together as one entire body and professing that unless some speedy remedy were taken for the removing all such Obstructions as hindred the happy progress of their great Endeavours their Petitioners should not rest in quietness but should be forced to lay hold on the next remedy which was at hand to remove the disturbers of the Peace and Want and necessity breaking the bounds of Modesty not to leave any means unessayed for their relief lastly adding that the cry of the poor and needy was that such Persons who were the obstacles of their Peace and the hinderers of the happy proceedings of this Parliament might be forthwith publickly declared whose removal they conceived would put a period to those Distractions And this Petition was brought up to the House of Lords by the House of Commons at a Conference And after the same day Master Hollis a Member of the House of Commons in a Message from that House pressed the Lords at their Bar to joyn with the House of Commons in their desire about the Militia and farther with many other expressions of like nature desired in words to this effect That if that desire of the House of Commons were not assented unto those Lords who were willing to concur would find some means to make themselves known that it might be known who were against them and they might make it known to those that sent them After which Petition so strangely framed countenanced and seconded many Lords thereupon withdrawing themselves the Vote in order to the Militia twice before rejected was then passed After these and other unparliamentary Actions many things rejected and settled upon solemn debate were again after many Threats and Menaces resumed altered and determined contrary to the Custom and Laws of Parliament And so many of us withdrew our selves from thence where we could not Sit Speak and Vote with Honour Freedom and Safety and are now kept from thence for our Duty and Loyalty to our Sovereign And though some of us Sate and continued there long after this hoping that we might have been able to have prevented the growth and progress of farther Mischief yet since the Privilege of Parliament is so substantial and entire a Right that as the Invasion of the Liberties of either House is an injury to the other and the whole Kingdom so the Violence and Assaults upon any of our fellow-Members for expressing their opinions in matters of debate were instances to us what we were to look for when we should be known to dissent from what was expected and under that consideration every one of our just Liberties suffered violation Many of us for these and other reasons after His Majesty Himself was by many Indignities and Force driven from Westminster have been contrary to the Right and Freedom of Parliament Voted out of the House without committing any Crime and some of us without hearing or so much as being summoned to be heard and so our Countries for which we were and are trusted have been without any Proxies or Persons trusted on their behalf An Army hath been raised without and against His Majesty's Consent and a Protestation enjoyned to live and die with the Earl of Essex their General of that Army and a Member now amongst us refusing to take that Protestation was told That if he left not the Town speedily he should be committed to the Tower or knocked on the head by the Souldiers All Persons even the Members of both Houses have been and now are forced or injoyned to contribute for the maintenance and support of that Army A trayterous Covenant is since taken by the Members who remain and imposed upon the Kingdom That they will to their power assist the Forces raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament against the Forces raised by the King with many other Clauses directly contrary to their Allegiance and another for the alteration of the Covenant of the Church established by Law and such Members as have refused according to their Duty and Conscience to take those Covenants have been imprisoned or expelled so as they have suffered none to reside with them but those who are engaged with them in their desperate courses The whole Power and Authority of both Houses is delegated against the Law and nature of Parliament to a close Committee which assumes and usurps the Power of King Lords and Commons disposes of the Persons Liberties and Estates of us and our fellow-Subjects without so much as communicating their Resolutions to those that sit in the Houses And when an Order hath been reported to be confirmed by them it hath been only put to the Question no debates being suffered it having been said in the House where the Commons sit to those who have excepted against such an Order when presented That they were only to Vote not to dispute and thereupon all Argument and contradiction hath been taken away And to shew how impossible it is to contain themselves within any bond of civility and humanity when they have forfeited their Allegiance after the attempt in a most barbarous manner to murther the Queens Majesty at Her landing at Burlington by making many great shot at the house where She lodged for Her repose after a long Voyage by Sea where by God's blessing it was disappointed they impeached Her of High Treason for assisting the King Her Husband and the Kingdom in their greatest necessities All Petitions and Addresses for Peace have been with great Art and Vehemence discountenanced and suppressed whilst others for Sedition and Discord have with no less industry and passion been promoted And when the Members of the House of Commons in August last had agreed upon a long and solemn debate to joyn with the Lords in sending Propositions of Peace to His Majesty the next day printed Papers were scattered in the Streets and fix'd upon the publick places both in the City and Suburbs requiring all Persons
the present Rebellion raised in this Kingdom against His Majesty and that all His Majesty's Subjects are bound by their natural Allegiance and the Oaths lawfully taken by them to the utmost of their power to resist and repress the same and particularly the Army now under the Command of the Earl of Essex and all other Armies raised or to be raised without His Majesty's Consent under pretence of the two Houses of Parliament And we do disclaim all Votes Orders and Declarations in countenance or maintenance of the said Armies and Declare That no Oath or Covenant voluntarily taken or inforced doth or can bind or dispense with the breach of those other Oaths formerly and lawfully taken to His Majesty and that all those who aid assist or abett this horrid and odious Rebellion are and ought to be accounted and pursued as Traitors by the known Laws of the Land That we utterly detest and disclaim the Invitation which hath been made to His Majesty's Subjects of Scotland to enter this Kingdom with an Army the same being as much against the Desires as against the Duty of the Lords and Commons of England and all true-hearted English-Men And we do Declare and publish to the World That as any such Invasion or Hostile entry into the Kingdom by the Rebellious Subjects of Scotland is a direct and peremptory breach of the late Act of Pacification between the two Kingdoms so that we and all the Subjects of this Kingdom are bound by our Allegiance and by that very Act to resist and repress such Invasion And whosoever is or shall be abetting aiding or assisting to those of Scotland in their Hostile Invasion of this Kingdom ought to be looked upon as betrayers of their Country and are guilty of High Treason by the known Laws of the Kingdom And that our weak misled and seduced Country-men may no longer pay an implicite regard and reverence to the abused name of Parliament which these guilty Persons usurp to themselves and so submit to those Actions and Commands which two Houses of Parliament never so legally and regularly constituted have not Authority to require or enjoyn and since these Men will not suffer their poor Country to be restored by a Treaty to the benefit of a Parliament which would with Gods blessing easily remove these Miseries and prevent the like for the time to come we must and do declare to the Whole Kingdom That as at no time either or both Houses of Parliament can by any Orders or Ordinances impose upon the People without the Kings Consent so by reason of the want of Freedom and Security for all the Members of Parliament to meet at Westminster and there to Sit Speak and Vote with Freedom and Safety all the Actions Votes Orders Declarations and pretended Ordinances made by those Members who remain still at Westminster are void and of none effect and that as many of the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster as have at any time consented to the raising of Forces under the Command of the Earl of Essex or to the making and using of the new Great Seal or to the present coming of the Scots into England in a warlike manner have therein broken the Trust reposed in them by their Country and are to be proceeded against as Traitors And yet we are far from dissolving or attempting the dissolution of this Parliament or the violation of any Act made and confirmed by His Majesty's Royal Assent this Parliament which we shall always maintain and defend Acts of Parliament are only in danger to be destroyed by those who undervalue and despise the Authority and Power of Acts of Parliament who therefore deny the Kings Negative Voice and neglect His Concurrence that their own Resolutions may be reputed as Acts of Parliament to the Ruine and Confusion of all Laws and Interest It is our grief in the behalf of the whole Kingdom that since the Parliament is not dissolved the Power thereof should by the Treason and Violence of these Men be so far suspended that the Kingdom should be without the fruit and benefit of a Parliament which cannot be reduced to any Action or Authority till the Freedom and Liberty due to the Members be restored and admitted and they who oppose this must be only looked upon as the Enemies to Parliament In the mean time we neither have nor shall attempt any thing for the Adjourning Dissolving or Proroguing thereof otherwise than as it may stand with the Act in that case provided Lastly we Declare That our endeavours actions and resolutions tend and are directed and shall always be directed to the maintenance of God's true Religion established by Law within this Kingdom to the defence of His Majesty's Sacred Person His Honour and just Rights to the preservation of the Liberty and Property of the Subject settled and evident by the Laws Statutes and Customs of the Realm and the just Freedom Liberty and Privilege of Parliament and that what we shall do for the defence and maintenance of all these proceeds from the Conscience of our Duty to God our King and Country without any private and sinister ends of our own and out of our sincere love to Truth and Peace the which as we have so we shall always labour to procure as the only blessed End of all our Labours And we do therefore conjure all our Country-Men and fellow-Subjects by all those precious obligations of Religion to God Almighty of Loyalty towards their Soveraign of Affection towards one another and of Charity and Compassion towards their bleeding Country to assist and joyn with us in the suppressing those Enemies to Peace who are so much delighted with the Ruine and Confusion they have made that they will not so much as vouchsafe to Treat with us that all specious Pretences might be taken away and the grounds of this bloody Contention clearly stated to the World If these Men with a true sence and remorse of the ill they have done shall yet return to their Duty and Loyalty they shall God willing find us of another temper towards them than they have been towards us And if the Conscience of their Duty shall not draw all our fellow-Subjects and Country-Men to joyn with us in assisting His Majesty we hope that the prudent consideration That 't is impossible to Reason for our miserable Country ever to be restored to Peace and Happiness but by restoring all just and legally-due Power and Authority into His Majesty's hands again will direct them what is fit to be done by them And if any yet shall be so unskilful and to say no worse vulgar-spirited to hope by a Neutrality and odious Indifferency to rest secure in this Storm though we shall not follow the examples of other Men in telling them that their Estates shall be forfeited and taken from them as pernicious and publick Enemies God be thanked the Law is not so supprest but that it proceeds in Attainders and Forfeitures and all Men
know an Estate escheated to His Majesty by High Treason is as much as legally His Majesty's or his to whom His Majesty grants it as ever it was the unhappy Persons who hath so forfeited it yet we must let them know that their Condition is like to be very dangerous and that as they for resistance of whom His Majesty's Armies are raised have declared to them what they are to expect at their hands that is to be dealt with as pernicious and publick Enemies so they have reason to believe that His Majesty cannot look upon them as Persons who have performed that Duty they are obliged by their natural Allegiance and their Oaths enjoyned by Law which is to defend the King to the utmost of their Power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against His Majesty's Person His Crown and Dignity and to do their best endeavours to disclose and make known to Him all Treasons and Conspiracies which shall be against Him to their power to assist all Jurisdictions Privileges Preheminencies and Authorities belonging to Him or united to the Imperial Crown of this Realm The just and pious consideration and weighing of which Oath and Obligation must stir up all Men of Loyalty and Conscience to be industrious and active on His Majesty's behalf against this horrid and odious Rebellion and against the Authors and Fomenters of the same And we are confident it will not a little encrease the Indignation of all good true English-Men to find these Disturbers of their Peace who have so speciously pretended the defence of the Rights and Privileges of Parliament unite themselves with and govern their Actions by the concurrent Advice and Consent of Commissioners of another Kingdom whose business is to alter our Laws and confound our Government And if all the other particulars so plainly set down in this Declaration and so publickly known to most Men were wanting there could not be a greater instance of deserting the Dignity and Right and as much as in them lies cancelling all the Liberties and Privileges of Parliament than for these Men to break the Trust reposed in them by their Country and to submit themselves to the Advice and oblige themselves to the Consent of Agents of another Kingdom who have cast off their Allegiance and united themselves together against their natural and native King and against the Laws of both Kingdoms and have given an ample testimony to all those they have misled how far they are from submitting or intending to be governed by Parliament or by those who would yet be thought the two Houses of Parliament by joyning four Scotch-Men Agents for the Rebellious Army which hath invaded this Kingdom in equal Power and Authority with seven Lords and fourteen Commons by whose sole and uncontrolled managery and consent all business of Peace and War which doth or may concern this languishing Kingdom must be governed And yet these Men take it very heinously that His Majesty should move them in order to Peace to agree that all the Members of both Houses may securely meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament because they say from thence no other Conclusion can be made but that this present Parliament is not a full nor free Convention and that to make it such the presence of us is necessary We must appeal to all the World whether in truth that Conclusion be not very apparent from the truth of their Proceedings and even to the Consciences of these Men themselves whether whilst we were amongst them we enjoyed that Liberty and Freedom which was due to us and whether if there were no danger or breach of Duty in being willingly and constantly present where Actions of Treason are plotted and concluded we could now be with them without engaging our selves in that Covenant which as it takes away all freedom and liberty of Council so cannot be taken without the violation of our Duty and Allegiance For the deserting the great Trust reposed in us we cannot with the least colour be accused we wish it had not been or were not now broken on their parts on ours we are sure it is not except observation of our Oaths lawfully taken and enjoyned and submission to the known established Laws of the Land the preservation of which is our greatest Trust be to desert the Trust reposed in us What they have done who have broken through all these and will not at last consent to the binding up the wounds they have made we must leave to the World to judge In the mean time since 't is apparent they use their utmost endeavours to make Peace impossible and having enriched themselvâ—â— by these publick Calamities and impoverished their Country by the transportation of â—he Wealth thereof into Foreign parts have left themselves no other means to repay those vast Sums they have extorted from the People upon that they call Publick Faith â—ut out of the Estates of those who have preserved their Duty and Loyalty entire and at the price of their Religion and Laws intend to establish a Government and Empire to themselves all good Men who desire Peace will joyn with us in the suppressing these Enemies of Peace and by a resolute and unanimous Declaration of themselves rise as One Man in the assistance of His Majesty with their Persons and their Fortunes which is the only means with God's blessing to restore and preserve the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom and the very Being of Parliaments The which if these Men have any mind to do it being not so easily to be done any other way they will at last be willing that all the Members of both Houses may meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament which we have always desired and shall be always ready to do His MAJESTY's Message to both Houses April 12. 1643. Concerning Disbanding of both Armies and His MAJESTY'S Return to both Houses of Parliament TO shew to the whole World how earnestly His Majesty longs for Peace and that no success shall make Him desire the continuance of His Army to any other end or for any longer time than That and until things may be so settled as that the Law may have a full free and uninterrupted course for the defence and preservation of the Rights of His Majesty both Houses and His good Subjects 1. As soon as His Majesty is satisfied in His First Proposition concerning His own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forts in which He desires nothing but that the Just Known Legal Rights of His Majesty devolved to Him from His Progenitors and of the Persons trusted by Him which have violently been taken from both be restored unto Him and unto them unless any Just and Legal Exceptions against any of the Persons trusted by Him which are yet unknown to His Majesty can be made appear to Him 2. As soon as all the Members of both Houses shall be restored to the same capacity of Sitting and Voting in
have said in that Protestation you mention and We thank you for being satisfied with it in which God knows Our Resolution to be so firm and stedfast that We will give any Security under Heaven for the observation of it And as Our greatest desire at this present is to meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament which We are confident would quickly put an end to all these Troubles So when it shall please God to restore that Blessing to Us We shall value and esteem that Council and frequently consult with it and be advised by it as the best means to make both King and People truly happy and We shall then by an Act given wipe out the footsteps of these extraordinary Supplies which nothing but this real visible Necessity which oppresses us all could have compelled Us to make use of and which shall never be mentioned or remembred by Us to the least Prejudice of your Rights and Liberties And in the mean time We shall leave nothing undone for the preservation of particular Contracts and prevention of the disorder and licence of the Souldier which is in Our Power to do no particular Person enduring half that sadness of heart for those Breaches and Pressures which We Our Self do For the prevention and suppression whereof We shall proceed with all Rigour and Severity Lastly as the support and maintenance of the Religion Laws and Privileges of Parliament is as you well know the only Argument of Our defensive Arms so those being secured We shall with all imaginable Joy lay down those Arms And as you have been Our Witnesses and Our Assistants in Our earnest desires of Peace so We promise you We shall not only with the same earnestness always embrace it if it shall be offered but pursue and press it upon the least likelihood of Opportunity And this Our Resolution by God's Blessing shall never be altered by any Advantages or prosperous Success His MAJESTY'S Protestation I DO Promise in the presence of Almighty God and as I hope for his Blessing and Protection That I will to the utmost of My Power defend and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in the Church of England and by the Grace of God in the same will live and die I desire to Govern by the known Laws of the Land and that the Liberty and Property of the Subject may be by them preserved with the same care as My own just Rights And if it please God by His blessing upon this Army raised for My necessary defence to preserve Me from this Rebellion I do solemnly and faithfully Promise in the sight of God to maintain the just Privileges and Freedom of Parliament and to govern by the known Laws of the Land to My utmost Power and particularly to observe inviolably the Laws consented to by Me this Parliament In the mean while if this time of War and the great necessity and streights I am now driven to beget any violation of those I hope it shall be imputed by God and Man to the Authors of this War and not to Me Who have so earnestly laboured for the preservation of the Peace of this Kingdom When I willingly fail in these particulars I will expect no Aid or Relief from any Man or Protection from Heaven But in this Resolution I hope for the chearful Assistance of all good Men and am confident of God's Blessing MDCXLIV The Declaration of the most Excellent and Potent Prince CHARLES King of Great Britain sent to the Protestant Churches beyond the Seas CHARLES by the Providence of Almighty God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith To all those who profess the true Reformed Protestant Religion of what Nation degree and condition soever they be to whom this present Declaration shall come Greeting Whereas We are given to understand that many false Rumors and Scandalous Letters are spread up and down amongst the Reformed Churches in Foreign parts by the politick or rather the pernicious industry of some ill-affected Persons that We have an inclination to recede from that Orthodox Religion which We were born baptized and bred in and which We have firmly professed and practised throughout the whole course of Our Life to this moment and that We intend to give way to the introduction and publick Exercise of Popery again in Our Dominions Which Conjecture or rather most detestable Calumny being grounded upon no imaginable foundation hath raised these horrid Tumults and more than barbarous Wars throughout this flourishing Island under pretext of a kind of Reformation which would not only prove incongruous but incompatible with the Fundamental Laws and Government of this Kingdom We desire that the whole Christian World should take notice and rest assured that We never entertained in Our Imagination the least thought to attempt such a thing or to depart a jot from that holy Religion which when we received the Crown and Sceptre of this Kingdom We took a most Solemn and Sacramental Oath to profess and protect Nor doth Our most constant practice and quotidian visible presence in the exercise of this sole Religion with so many Asseverations in the head of Our Armies and the publick Attestation of Our Barons with the circumspection used in the Education of Our Royal Off-spring besides divers other undeniable Arguments only demonstrate this but also that happy Alliance of Marriage We contracted betwixt Our Eldest Daughter and the Illustrious Prince of Orange most clearly confirms the reality of Our Intentions herein by which Nuptial Engagement it appears further that Our endeavours are not only to make a bare Profession thereof in Our Own Dominions but to inlarge and corroborate it abroad as much as lyeth in Our Power This most holy Religion of the Anglicane Church ordain'd by so many Convocations of Learned Divines confirm'd by so many Acts of National Parliaments and strengthned by so many Royal Proclamations together with the Ecclesiastick Discipline and Liturgy thereunto appertaining which Liturgy and Discipline the most eminent of Protestant Authors as well Germans as French as well Danes as Swedes and Switzers as well Belgians as Bohemians do with many Elogies and not without a kind of envy approve and applaud in their publick Writings particularly in the Transactions of the Synod of Dort wherein besides other of Our Divines who afterwards were Prelates one of Our Bishops assisted to whose Dignity all due respects and precedency was given this Religion We say which Our Royal Father of blessed Memory doth publickly assert in that His famous Confession address'd as We also do this Our Protestation to all Christian Princes this this most holy Religion with the Hierarchy and Liturgy thereof We solemny protest that by the help of Almighty God We will endeavour to Our utmost Power and last period of Our Life to keep entire and inviolable and will be careful according to Our duty to Heaven and the tenor of the aforesaid most sacred Oath at Our
considered your Propositions and finds it very difficult in respect they import so great an Alteration in Government both in Church and State to return a particular and positive Answer before a full debate wherein those Propositions and all the necessary Explanations and Reasons for assenting dissenting or qualifying and all inconveniences and mischiefs which may ensue and cannot otherwise be so well foreseen may be discussed and weighed His Majesty therefore proposeth and desireth as the best Expedient for Peace That you will appoint such a number of Persons as you shall think fit to Treat with the like number of Persons to be appointed by His Majesty upon the said Propositions and such other things as shall be proposed by His Majesty for the preservation and defence of the Protestant Religion with due regard to the ease of tender Consciences as His Majesty hath often offered the Rights of the Crown the Liberty and Property of the Subjects and the Privileges of Parliament and upon the whole matter to conclude a happy and blessed Peace Unto which Message this Answer of the 27. of December was returned to His Majesty May it please Your most Excellent Majesty VVE Your Majesty's humble and Loyal Subjects of both Kingdoms have considered of Your Majesty's Message of the 13. of December 1644. sent by the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton directed to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland now at London and do in all humbleness return this Answer That we do consent there be a Treaty for a safe and well-grounded Peace but find that it will require some time to resolve concerning the Instructions and manner of that Treaty and therefore that Your Majesty might not be held in suspence touching our readiness to make use of any opportunity for attaining such a blessed and happy Peace in all Your Majesty's Dominions we would not stay Your Majesty's Messengers till we did resolve upon all those particulars which we will take into our serious consideration and present our humble desires to Your Majesty with all convenient speed Westminster the 20. of December 1644. Signed in the name and by warrant of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Lowdon Gray of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore William Lenthal Speaker of the Commons House assembled in Parliament And afterwards upon the 18th of January following Sir Peter Killegrew brought this farther Answer to His Majesty May it please Your most Excellent Majesty VVE Your Majesty's humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland do make our further Answer to Your Majesty's Message of the 13 th of December last 1644. concerning a Treaty for Peace as followeth We do consent that there be a Treaty for a safe and well-grounded Peace between Your Majesty and Your humble and Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliament of both Kingdoms and for the present have appointed Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Basil Earl of Denbigh Thomas Lord Viscount Wenman Denzill Hollis William Pierrepont Sir Henry Vane junior Oliver St. John Bulstrode Whitelock John Crew Edmund Prideaux for the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and John Earl of Lowdon Lord Chancellor of Scotland Archibald Marquefs of Argyle John Lord Maitland John Lord Balmerino Sir Archibald Johnston Sir Charles Erskin George Dundas Sir John Smith Master Hugh Kennedy and Master Robert Barclay for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland together with Master Alexander Henderson upon the Propositions concerning Religion Who or any Ten of them there being always some of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms are appointed and authorized to meet at Vxbridge on what day Your Majesty shall be pleased to set down before the last day of this present January with such persons as Your Majesty shall appoint under Your Sign Manual for that purpose and the number of the persons to Treat not to exceed Seventeen on either part unless the persons named for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland now not here or any of them shall come and then Your Majesty may have the like number if You please there to Treat upon the Matters contained in the Propositions we lately sent unto Your Majesty according to such Instructions as shall be given unto them and the Propositions for Religion the Militia and for Ireland to be first Treated on and agreed and the time for the Treaty upon the said Propositions for Religion the Militia and for Ireland not to exceed Twenty days And for the things mentioned in Your Message to be propounded by Your Majesty when the Persons sent by Your Majesty shall communicate the same to the Committees appointed by us as aforesaid we have directed them to send the same to us that they may receive our Instructions what to do therein And to the end that the Persons that are to be sent from Your Majesty and from us with their Retinue not exceeding the number of one hundred and eight on either part may repair to Vxbridge stay there and return at their pleasure without interruption that mutual safe Conducts be granted to the said Persons according to the several Lists of their Names Signed by Order of the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster Signed in the name and by warrant of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland Lowdon Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore William Lenthall Speaker of the Commons House in the Parliament of England Whereunto His MAJESTY returned an Answer inclosed in a Letter from Prince Rupert to the Earl of Essex dated the 21 of January which Letter and Answer were as followeth The Letter My Lord I Am commanded by His Majesty to return this His Answer to the Message lately sent Him from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland by Sir Peter Killegrew I have likewise sent your Lordship His Majesty's safe Conduct for the persons desired and also a List of the names of those His Majesty hath appointed to Treat for whom together with their Retinue His Majesty hath desired a safe Conduct The Answer inclosed HIS Majesty having received a Message by Sir Peter Killegrew from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland concerning a Treaty returns this Answer That His Majesty doth very willing consent that there be a Treaty upon the Matters contained in the Propositions lately sent unto Him in such manner as is proposed and at the place appointed in the said Message and to that purpose His Majesty will send the Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of
from His Majesty's Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliaments of both His Kingdoms are mentioned to be sent to His Majesty from the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster and upon His Majesty's Answers Messages and Propositions to them and their Returns to His Majesty that a Treaty is to begin and wherein we also observe you have no Power thereby to Treat upon the Propositions sent to His Majesty from His humble and Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms and the Answers Messages and Propositions sent from His Majesty to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland then at London and their Returns to His Majesty We desire those defects may be cleared and speedily amended The King's Commissioners Answer 31. January VVE conceive our Power being to Treat upon the Propositions brought by the Earl of Denbigh and others and those Propositions being sent from the Parliaments of both Kingdoms there need no mention of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms in that place but that our Power is ample to Treat with your Lordships upon the whole both by express words and by other general words in the Commission which give power to Treat upon those Propositions or any other which general words are not observed by your Lordships in your Paper and our Power is to Treat with the Lords and others authorized for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland by name yet since you insist upon it it shall be altered by Tuesday next And in the mean time if your Lordships please we desire the Papers promised yesterday in the Paper delivered by the Earl of Northumberland may be delivered unto us that there may be as little loss of time as may be Their Reply 31. January IN Answer to your Lordships Paper concerning your power to Treat we are content to proceed in the Treaty with your Lordships in expectation that the Defects mentioned by us in our Paper shall be supplied by Tuesday next On Munday the third of February the King's Commissioners did deliver their Commission renewed as followeth CHARLES R. VVHereas certain Propositions were sent unto Us from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland which were brought unto Us at Oxford in November last by the Earl of Denbigh and others and upon Our Answers c. as followeth verbatim in His Majesty's former Commission Touching the Manner of the Treaty The King's Commissioners Paper 31. January WE desire to the end there may be a greater freedom in debate which we conceive will much conduce to the happy conclusion of this Treaty that nothing may be understood to be concluded on either side but what is delivered in writing according as your Lordships have begun And we declare That what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition is not to be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off upon any other Proposition or part of any other Proposition Their Answer 31. Jan. WE shall deliver our demands and Answers in writing and desire your Lordships to do the like The King's Commissioners Reply 1. February WE desire a full Answer of our Paper that nothing shall be taken as agreed upon but what is put in writing and your Concurrence in declaring That what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition shall not be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off Their further Answer 1. February ACcording to our former Paper we shall deliver our Demands and Answers in writing and we desire your Lordships to do the like and nothing shall be taken as agreed upon but what is put in writing And we shall acquaint the Houses of Parliament that you have declared what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition is not to be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off 3. February IN Answer to Your Lordships Paper formerly delivered we do declare that what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition is not to be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off upon any other Propositions or part of any Proposition Touching the Seditious Sermon The King's Commissioners Paper 31. January WE have certain Information from divers Persons present in Vxbridge Church yesterday that there was then a Sermon preached by one Mr. Love in which were many passages very Scandalous to His Majesty's Person and derogatory to His Honour stirring up the People against this Treaty and incensing them against us telling them That we come with hearts full of Blood and that there is as great distance between this Treaty and Peace as between Heaven and Hell or words to that effect with divers other Seditious passages both against His Majesty and this Treaty We know His Majesty's hearty desire of a happy and well-grounded Peace such as may be for Gods Honour and the good of all His Subjects as well as Himself and we that are entrusted by His Commission come with clear Intentions to serve Him in it according to our Consciences and the best of our Judgments And this being preached in your Quarters where we are now under safe Conduct we desire your Lordships to consider how much this may reflect upon our Safety how much it may prejudice and blast the blessed hopes of this Treaty and how just offence and distrust it may beget in His Majesty And therefore we desire Justice against the Man that he may have exemplary Punishment Their Answer 31. Jan. TO the Paper delivered in by your Lordships this day concerning the Information received of several Scandalous passages preached in a Sermon in Vxbridge Church by one Master Love we do return this Answer That the said Master Love is none of our Retinue nor came hither by any privity of ours That we conceive it most reasonable and agreeable to the business we are now upon that all just occasions of Offence on either part be avoided and as it hath been our desire so it shall be our endeavour to take the best care we can to prevent all prejudices upon the present Treaty which may blast the blessed hopes thereof or may beget any just offence and distrust in His Majesty and shall be as tender of the Safety of your Lordships Persons according to the safe Conduct as of our own We shall represent your Lordships Paper concerning this business if your Lordships so desire unto the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England who will proceed therein according to Justice The King's Commissioners Reply 1. February VVE insist upon our former desire concerning the Sermon preached by Mr. Love and must refer the way of doing Justice to your Lordships and if
refused to consent to the Bill presented to His Majesty after this for the levying more Money for Ireland justly fearing that the same might be used as the former had been And for the few Cloaths for there were no Moneys intercepted by his Majesties Souldiers in His Majesties Quarters which are said to be intended for Ireland the same were intercepted near Coventry and going thither after that City had refused to receive His Majesty though at the Gates But His Majesty never refused to give any safe Pass through His Quarters for any Goods or Provisions which were intended or prepared for Ireland neither was the same ever desired For the Extracts and Copies of the Letters delivered by us to your Lordships from the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland and the Officers of the Army we have been and are willing that your Lordships should compare them with the Originals but for your having the Names of the Persons who writ the same since there can be no doubt of the truth of our Assertions we conceive it not reasonable to desire the same not knowing what inconvenience any of them since you seem not to like that Advice might incur if at any time they should be found within your Quarters And having now satisfied your Lordships in the matter of the Cessation we shall gladly proceed in the Treaty with your Lordships upon any thing that may be apparently good for His Majesties Protestant Subjects there and the re-setling of that Kingdom in His Majesties Obedience Their Reply 18. Feb. WE do conceive that the Arguments used by us might have fully satisfied your Lordships against His Majesties Power to make a Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland having answered whatsoever your Lordships have hitherto alledged to the contrary and offered if any other Doubts yet remain by Conference to clear them which still we are ready to do and we have heard nothing just or reasonable for that Cessation It will be made evident that the Necessities which by your Lordships were made Excuses for the Cessation were created on purpose to colour the same and we are compelled by your Lordships Paper to let you know that the Committees of Parliament sent into Ireland to endeavour to supply their Necessities were discountenanced by the principal Instruments for that Cessation and when they had taken up 2000 l. upon their personal security for the Army there they were presently after commanded from the Council by a Letter brought thither from His Majesty by the Lord Ormond's Secretary and when the Officers of the Army were contented to subscribe for Land in satisfaction of their Arrears it was declared from His Majesty that He disapproved of such Subscriptions whereby that course was diverted And we do affirm that whatever Sums of money raised for Ireland were made use of by both Houses of Parliament were fully satisfied with advantage and as we are informed before the Bill mentioned in our former Paper was refused by His Majesty And for the Regiments of Horse and Foot mentioned by your Lordships to be raised for Ireland and imployed otherwise by the Houses of Parliament it is true that Forces were so designed and when the Money Arms and other Provisions were all ready and nothing wanting but a Commission from His Majesty for the Lord Wharton who was to command them the same could not be obtained which was the cause those Forces did not go thither and when twelve Ships and six Pinnaces were prepared with a thousand or more Land-Forces for the Service of Ireland and nothing desired but a Commission from His Majesty the Ships lying ready and staying for the same were three Weeks together at three hundred Pound a day charge yet the same was denyed though often desired And where your Lordships seem to imply that the Provision seized by His Majesties Forces were going for Coventry it was made known to His Majesty that the same were for Ireland And your Lordships must needs conceive that the Papers you delivered to us being but Extracts and for that you deny us so to compare them with the Originals as to have the Names of the Persons by whom they were written it is altogether unreasonable for us to give any credit to them it being manifest by this and our former Papers and Debates that the Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland is both unjust and unlawful We therefore insist on our Demands concerning Ireland as apparently good for His Majesties Subjects there and for reducing that Kingdom to His Majesties Obedience Before His Majesties Commissioners gave Answer to this last Paper they being also to answer the rest of the Demands concerning Ireland for their necessary Information touching some Doubts that did arise upon those Demands and the Articles of the Treaty of the 6 th of August concerning Ireland and Ordinances delivered with them the King's Commissioners gave in these several Papers The King's Commissioners First Paper 19. Feb. IN the eighth Article of the Treaty for the coming of the Scots Army into England dated 29. Novemb. 1643. at Edenburgh delivered to us by your Lordships among the Papers for Ireland and desired by the twelfth Proposition to be confirmed by Act of Parliament It is agreed that no Cessation nor any Pacification or Agreement for Peace whatsoever shall be made by either Kingdom without the mutual advice and consent of both Kingdoms or the Committees in that behalf appointed who are to have full power for the same in case the Houses of the Parliament of England or the Parliament or Convention of Estates in Scotland shall not sit We desire to know whether that Article extend to any Cessation Pacification or Agreement in Ireland Their Answer 19. Feb. WE did in Answer to your Lordships Paper of the first of February upon the Propositions concerning Religion deliver the Treaty of the 29. of November 1643. mentioned by your Lordships and not among the Papers for Ireland to which it hath no relation The King's Commissioners Reply 20. Feb. YOur Lordships did deliver the Treaty of the 29. of November 1643. to us with the Papers concerning Ireland and on the 7. day of this instant February and not upon the first of February upon the Propositions concerning Religion Their Answer 20. Feb. WHen your Lordships peruse your Papers you will rest satisfied with our Answer of the 19. of this instant to your first Paper that day given to us for it will appear appear by your Lordships third Paper of the first of February and our Paper given to your Lordships in answer of it that the Treaty of the date at Edenburgh 29. Novemb. 1643. was delivered to your Lordships on the first of February upon the Proposition of Religion and not upon the third of February with the Papers concerning Ireland The Article of the Treaty of the 29. of November 1643. which occasioned these Papers being by their Papers thus acknowledged not to concern Ireland and so not pertinent to that Subject the Kings
a Kingdom left in the store when the out-Garrisons as they were to be instantly were supplied and that remainder according to the usual necessary expence besides extraordinary accidents would not last above a Month. And in that Letter they sent a Paper signed by sundry Officers of the Army delivered to them as they were ready to sign that Dispatch and by them apprehended to threaten imminent Danger which mentioned That they were brought to that great exigence that they were ready to rob and spoil one another that their Wants began to make them desperate that if the Lords Justices and Council there did not find a speedy way for their preservation they did desire that they might have leave to go away that if that were not granted they must have recourse to the Law of Nature which teacheth all men to preserve themselves And by a Letter of the 11. of May following a Copy whereof we have also delivered to your Lordships the Lords Justices and Council there did advertise his Majesty That they had no Victual Cloaths or other Provisions no Money to provide them of any thing they want no Arms not above 40. Barrels of Powder no strength of serviceable Horse no visible means by Sea or Land of being able to preserve that Kingdom and that though the Winds had in many days and often formerly stood very fair for accessions of Supplies forth of England the two Houses having then and ever since the full Command of those Seas yet to their unexpressible grief after full six months waiting and much longer patience and long suffering they found their expectations answered in an inconsiderable quantity of Provisions viz. 75 Barrels of Butter and 14 Tun of Cheese being but the fourth part of a small Vessels-loading which was sent from London and arrived there on the fifth of May which was not above 7 or 8 days Provisions for that part of the Army in and about Dublin no Money or Victuals other then that inconsiderable proportion of Victuals having arrived there as sent from the Parliament of England or from any other forth of England for the use of the Army since the beginning of November before And besides these whereof we have Copies to your Lordships it was represented to His Majesty by Petition from that Kingdom That all means by which comfort and life should be conveyed to that gasping Kingdom seemed to be totally obstructed and that unless timely relief were afforded His Loyal Subjects there must yield their Fortunes for a Prey their Lives for a Sacrifice and their Religion for a Scorn to the merciless Rebels Upon all which deplorable passages represented by Persons principally interessed in the managing of the affairs of that Kingdom and the War there in which number were Sir William Parsons Sir John Temple Sir Adam Loftus and Sir Robert Meredith Persons of great estimation with your Lordships to which we could add many other Advices and Letters from several men of Repute and Quality but that we will not trouble your Lordships with Repetition of private Advices we cannot think but your Lordships are now satisfied that the Necessities of that Kingdom which were the ground of the Cessation there were real and not pretended and therefore for Excuses we leave them to them who stand in need of them and we desire your Lordships to consider as the distracted condition of this Kingdom was what other way could be imagined for the Preservation of that Kingdom than by giving way to that Cessation And though it is insisted on in your Lordships Paper that some Protestants in Vlster Munster and Connaught who have refused to submit to that Cessation have yet subsisted yet your Lordships well know these were generally of the Scotish Nation who had strong Garrisons provided and appointed to them and were in those parts of Ireland near the Kingdom of Scotland whence more ready supplies of Victuals might be had than the English could have from England and for whose Supply as His Majesty hath been credibly informed and we believe that your Lordships know it to be true special care was taken when the English Forces and other English Protestant Subjects there were neglected whereby they were exposed to apparent Destruction by Sword and Famine And we cannot but wonder at the Assertion That His Majesties Forces have as much as lay in them endeavoured to prevent those Supplies for Ireland and at the mention of the intercepting those Provisions near Coventry with His Majesties own knowledge and direction whereas as we have formerly acquainted your Lordships it was not known to His Majesty that those Provisions which were taken near Coventry going thither when His Majesties Forces were before it were intended for Ireland till after the seisure thereof when it was impossible to recover them from the Souldiers which might have been prevented if a safe Conduct had been desired through His Majesties Quarters which we are assured he would have readily granted for those or any other Supplies for that Kingdom but was never asked of him And as there is no particular Instance of any other Provisions for Ireland intercepted by His Majesties Forces but those near Coventry which were considerable so we can assure your Lordships that when His Majesty was in the greatest wants of all Provisions and might have readily made use of some provided for Ireland lying in Magazines within His Quarters yet he gave express Order for the sending them away which was done accordingly and would have supplyed them further out of His own Store if He had been able And no man can be unsatisfied of His Majesties tender sense of the Miseries of His Protestant Subjects in Ireland when they shall remember how readily He gave His Royal Assent to any Proposition or Acts for raising of Men Moneys and Arms for them that He offered to pass over in Person for their Relief which His Majesties Subjects of Scotland approved and declared it to be an Argument of Care in His Majesty and if that had proceeded it might in possibility have quenched the flames of that unhappy Rebellion as long before it might probably have been prevented if the Army of Irish Natives there had been suffered to have been transported out of that Kingdom as was directed by His Majesty What Provisions are lately sent or are now sending to Ireland from the two Houses we know not but His Majesty hath been informed that even those Provisions are designed in pursuance of the late Treaty concerning Ireland made with His Subjects of Scotland without His Majesties consent and only for such who have declared themselves against His Majesties Ministers and in opposition to that Cessation to which many of them had formerly consented though they have since upon private Interest and the Incouragement and Solicitations of others opposed the same and therefore His Majesty cannot look upon those Supplies as a Support for the War against the Irish Rebels or as a Repayment of those Moneys which being raised
your Lordships having proposed many important things in the said several particulars to be framed settled and disposed by the Two Houses before a full Agreement can be established we propose to your Lordships whether the two days remaining may not be best spent towards the satisfying your Lordships in those three Propositions and the procuring a speedy blessed Peace upon finding out some expedient for His Majesties repair to Westminster that so all Differences may be composed and this poor Kingdom be restored to its ancient Happiness and Security and to that purpose if your Lordships shall think fit we are willing to Treat with your Lordships concerning the best means whereby all Armies being first disbanded His Majesty may with Honour Freedom and Safety be present with his two Houses of Parliament at Westminster To which two particulars that is first concerning the Disbanding all Armies and then for His Majesties speedy repair and residing at Westminster with Honour Freedom and Safety we shall if your Lordships think fit apply our selves and accordingly to morrow will be ready to deliver to your Lordships some Propositions upon that Subject And if your Lordships shall concur with us herein we hope it will be a good inducement to procure an addition of time to this Treaty according to His Majesties Proposition in his late Letter to us which we delivered to your Lordships Their Paper 20. Feb. VVE shall according to mutual agreement between His Majesty and the two Houses of the Parliament of England and the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland Treat these two remaining days upon the three Propositions for Religion the Militia and Ireland and shall be glad to receive satisfaction in them from your Lordships as the best expedient for procuring a speedy and blessed Peace that the Armies may be disbanded and the Happiness of His Majesties Presence may again be enjoyed by those who have nothing more in their Prayers and endeavours then by His Majesties Conjunction with his Parliament to see all these sad Differences composed and these distracted Kingdoms restored to thein Ancient Happiness and Security Accordingly we shall be ready to begin again to morrow upon the Propositions for Religion and receive what your Lordships will propose and being satisfied upon that and the other two Propositions we are confident we shall have further time given us to Treat upon such other particulars as shall be necessary for the attaining of those ends we all desire There was no other Answer given concerning His Majesties Commissioners desire to Treat touching His Return to Westminster and Disbanding Armies whereupon His Majesties Commissioners delivered this Paper 20. February VVE conceive that the Reasons why your Lordships do not give us any Answer to our Paper concerning the Treating for the Disbanding all Armies and for His Majesties coming to Westminster may be because you have no Authority by your Instructions so to do though we proposed the same to your Lordships and do still conceive it most conducing to the conclusion of the Propositions upon Religion the Militia and Ireland upon which we have Treated and we therefore desire your Lordships that you will endeavour to have your Instructions so enlarged that we may Treat upon so important and necessary an Expedient for the publick Peace In the mean time we shall be ready to receive whatsoever your Lordships please to propose in the business of Religion presuming that if your Lordships are not satisfied with our Answer therein in which we have applied Remedies to whatsoever hath ever been complained of as a Grievance in the present Government of the Church that your Lordships will make it appear that the Government by Bishops is unlawful or that the Government you intend to introduce in the room thereof is the only Government that is agreeable to the Word of God either of which being made evident to us we shall immediately give your Lordships full satisfaction in that you propose The King's Commissioners Paper 22. Feb. BY our Paper delivered to your Lordships 1. February we did desire to know whether your Lordships have any Instructions concerning his Majesties Propositions for settling a safe and well grounded Peace and by our Paper of the third of Feb. we did desire to know whether your Lordships had received any Instructions concerning that Proposition of His Majesties for a Cessation and if your Lordships had not received any that you would endeavour to procure authority to Treat thereupon and by our Paper of the Tenth of Feb. we did desire to know whether your Lordships had received any Instructions concerning His Majesties Propositions that we might prepare our selves to treat upon them when your Lordships should think fit and by our Paper delivered to your Lordships 14. Feb. we moved your Lordships upon Directions received from his Majesty that you would endeavour to procure an addition of time for this Treaty after the expiration of the days limited for the same upon the Reasons mentioned in his Majesties Letter which Letter we then delivered to your Lordships and by our Paper delivered to your Lordships the twentieth of this Month we moved your Lordships to endeavour an addition of time for this Treaty after the expiration of the days limited for the same upon the Reasons mentioned in his Majesties said Letter to which we have not yet received full Answer nor have we yet had any notice from your Lordships whether the Two Houses of Parliament have given any further time for this Treaty and having hitherto according to the order prescribed us Treated only upon the three first heads of Religion the Militia and Ireland and the Twenty days expiring this day we again desire to know whether there is any addition of time granted for this Treaty our Safe-Conduct being but for two days longer Their Answer 22. Feb. YOur Lordships Papers of the first third and tenth of February whether we had any Instructions concerning his Majesties Propositions and power to Treat for a Cessation as also your Papers of the 14 th and 20 th of Feb. concerning his Majesties Letter for an addition of time to this Treaty with your Lordships desire thereupon have been by us sent up to both Houses of Parliament from time to time as we received them together with our Answer given to them and in our Answers we have from time to time declared to your Lordships that when the Houses shall be satisfied in the good progress of the Treaty upon their Propositions concerning Religion Militia and Ireland they will give an addition of time for the Treaty And we do conceive that if your Lordships Answers to our Demands concerning Religion the Militia and Ireland had been such as to have given satisfaction in the good progress of this Treaty mutually consented to for twenty days upon the said Propositions we should have before this been enabled with power to continue the Treaty as well upon his Majesties as the rest of the Propositions But your Lordships having
not given full and satisfactory Answers concerning Religion the Militia and Ireland you cannot for the Reasons above mentioned expect an addition of time neither have we received any Instructions to continue this Treaty longer than the twenty days of which this is the last And as for your Lordships Safe-Conduct we conceive the Three Sundays last past being not accounted any days of the Treaty so this next Sunday is not to be esteemed one of the two days allowed after the Treaty in your Lordships Safe-Conduct but your Lordships are to have two days besides this next Lords day The King's Commissioners Reply 22. February WE cannot express the great sadness of our hearts that all our earnest endeavours to give your Lordships satisfaction in all particulars of this Treaty have produced no better effects towards a blessed Peace which his Majesty and we who are trusted by him do so heartily pray for and that so many and great Offers made by us to your Lordships in the particulars we have Treated upon should not be thought a good progress on our part in the said Treaty as we find by your Lordships last Paper to our great grief they are not and therefore that this must be the last day of the Treaty We desire your Lordships to consider that we being intrusted by his Majesty to Treat with your Lordships for a safe and well grounded Peace have upon the matter of your Lordships Propositions consented to so many particulars and alterations of very great importance and that your Lordships who were to Treat with us have not abated one tittle of the most severe and rigorous of your Propositions saving what you were pleased the last Night to propose in the point of Time concerning the Militia which though it seems to be limited to seven years in truth leaves it as unlimited as it was before in your-Propositions for at the end of seven years it must not be exercised otherwise than shall be settled by his Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament so that all the Legal Power now in his Majesty is taken away and not restored after the seven years expired Neither is there a full consent to that limitation offered by your Lordships the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Nor have your Lordships offered to us any prospect towards Peace other than by submitting totally to those Propositions the which if we should do we should consent to such Alterations as by Constructions and Consequences may dissolve the whole frame of the present Government both Ecclesiastical and Civil in this Kingdom And though the particulars proposed by your Lordships have by Debate appeared not only evidently unreasonable but literally considered to comprehend things to be extended to Powers not intended by your selves yet your Lordships have not been pleased either to restrain or interpret any particular in any other manner than as is set forth in the said Propositions In the matter of Religion we have offered all such Alterations as we conceive may give satisfaction to any Objections that have been or can be made against that Government and have given your Lordships Reasons not onely why we cannot consent to your Lordships Propositions but that even those Propositions if consented to could not be in order to a Reformation or to the procuring the publick Peace And we must desire your Lordships to remember that though you do not onely in your Covenant which you require may be taken by his Majesty and enjoyned to be taken by all his Subjects undertake the Reformation in point of Government but even in point of Doctrine too thereby laying an imputation upon the Religion it self so long professed in this Kingdom with the general approbation of all Reformed Churches yet your Lordship have not given us the least Argument nor so much as intimated in your Debate the least Prejudice to the Doctrine of the Church of England against which we presume you cannot make any colourable Objection nor have you given us the view in particular of the Government you desire should be submitted to in the place of that you propose to be abolished and therefore we propose to your Lordships if the Alterations proposed by us do not give your Lordships satisfaction that so great an Alteration as the total Abolition of a Government established by Law may for the Importance of it and any Reformation in Doctrine for the Scandal of it be suspended till after the Disbanding of all Armies his Majesty may be present with the Two Houses of Parliament and calling a National Synod may receive such Advice both from the one and the other as in a matter of so high concernment is necessary and we are most confident that his Majesty will then follow the Advice which shall be given him And as any Reformation thus regularly and calmly made must needs prove for the singular Benefit and Honour of the Kingdom so we must appeal to your Lordships whether the contrary that is an Alteration even to things though in themselves good can by the Principles of Christian Religion be enforced upon the King or Kingdom In the business of the Militia though your Lordships do not deny that the Jealousies and apprehensions of Danger are mutual and that the chief end of depositing the Militia in the hands of certain Persons is for security against those Jealousies and possible Dangers yet your Lordships insist That all those Persons to be entrusted shall be nominated by the Two Houses of Parliament in England and the Estates of the Parliament in Scotland and that the time for that great general and unheard-of Trust shall be in such manner that though it seem to be limited to seven years yet in truth by declaring that after those seven years it shall not be otherwise exercised than His Majesty and the Two Houses of Parliament shall agree His Majesty may thereby be totally and for ever devested of the power of the Sword without which He can neither defend Himself against Foreign Invasions nor Domestick Insurrections nor execute His Kingly Office in the behalf of His Subjects to whom He is sworn to give protection And to both these your Lordships add the introducing a Neighbour-Nation governed by distinct and different Laws though united under one Sovereign to a great share in the Government of this Kingdom In stead of consenting to these Changes we have offered and proposed to your Lordships That the Persons to be trusted with the Militia of the Kingdom may be nominated between us or if that were refused that an equal number shall be named by you and the other number by his Majesty and that half the Forts and places of Strength within the Kingdom shall be in the Custody of those whom you think fit to be trusted therewith and the other half in such hands as his Majesty pleases to commit the same to and all persons as well those nominated by your Lordships as by his Majesty to take an Oath for the due discharge
both Houses of the Parliament of England having Power and Commission from the said Honourable Houses and the Commissioners of the Convention of the Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland authorized by the Committee of the said Estates concerning the solemn League and Covenant and the Assistance demanded in pursuance of the Ends expressed in the same WHereas the two Houses of the Parliament of England out of a just and deep sense of the great and iminent Danger of the true Protestant Religion in regard of the great Forces of Papists Prelates Malignants and their Adherents raised and imployed against the constant Professors thereof in England and Ireland thought fit to send their Commissioners unto the Kingdom of Scotland to Treat with the Convention of Estates and general Assembly there concerning such things as might tend to the preservation of Religion and the mutual good of both Nations and to that end to desire a more near and strict Union betwixt the Kingdoms and the Assistance of the Kingdom of Scotland by a considerable Strength to be raised and sent by them into the Kingdom of England and whereas upon a Consultation held betwixt the Commissioners of the Parliament of England the Committees of the Convention of Estates and General Assembly no means was thought so expedient to accomplish and strengthen the Union as for both Nations to enter into a solemn League and Covenant and a form thereof drawn and presented to the two Houses of Parliament of England the Convention of Estates and General Assembly of Scotland which hath accordingly been done and received their respective Approbation and whereas the particulars concerning the Assistance desired by the two Houses of the Parliament of England from their Brethren of Scotland were delivered in by the English Commissioners August the 19. to the Convention of Estates who did thereupon give power to their Committee to consider and debate further with the English Commissioners of what other Propositions might be added or concluded whereby the Assistance desired might be made more effectual and beneficial and in pursuance thereof these Propositions following were considered of and debated by the Commitee and Commissioners aforesaid to be certified with all convenient speed to the two Houses of the Parliament of England and the Convention of Estates of Scotland by their respective Committees and Commissioners to be respectively taken into their consideration and proceeded with as they should find cause which being accordingly done and these ensuing Propositions approved agreed and concluded of by the Houses of the Parliament of England and the Committee of the Estates of Scotland respectively and power by them given to their respective Committees and Commissioners formally to agree and conclude the same as may appear by the Votes of both Houses dated the first of November and the Order of the Committee bearing date the seventeenth of November We the said Commissioners and Committees according to their Votes and Orders do formally conclude and agree upon these Articles following and in confirmation thereof do mutually subscribe the same 1. It is agreed and concluded that the Covenant represented to the Convention of Estates and General Assembly of Scotland and sent to both Houses of the Parliament of England in the same form as it is now returned from the two Houses of the Parliament of England to their Brethren of Scotland and allowed by the Committee of Estates and Commissioners of the General Assembly be sworn and subscribed by both Kingdoms as a most near Tye and Conjunction between them for their mutual defence against the Papists and Prelatical Faction and their Adherents in both Kingdoms and for pursuance of the Ends expressed in the said Covenant 2. That an Army to this purpose shall be levied forthwith consisting of Eighteen thousand Foot effectivè and Two thousand Horse and One thousand Dragooners effectivè with a suitable Train of Artillery to be ready at some general Rendezvous near the Borders of England to march into England for the purposes aforesaid with all convenient speed the said Foot and Horse to be well and compleatly Armed and provided with Victuals and Pay for forty days and the said Train of Artillery to be fitted in all points ready to march 3. That the Army be commanded by a General appointed by the Estates of Scotland and subject to such Resolutions and Directions as are and shall be agreed and concluded on mutually between the two Kingdoms or by Committees appointed by them in that behalf for pursuance of the Ends above-mentioned 4. That the Charge of levying arming and bringing the said Forces together furnished as also the fitting the Train of Artillery in readiness to march be computed and set down according to the same Rates as if the Kingdom of Scotland were to raise the said Army for themselves and their own Affairs All which for the present is to be done by the Kingdom of Scotland upon Accompt and the Accompt to be delivered to the Commissioners of the Kingdom of England and when the Peace of the two Kingdoms is settled the same to be repay'd or satisfied to the Kingdom of Scotland 5. That this Army be likewise pay'd as if the Kingdom of Scotland were to imploy the same for their own occasions and toward the defraying thereof it not amounting to the full Months pay shall be Monthly allowed and pay'd the sum of Thirty thousand Pounds sterling by the Parliament of England out of the Estates and Revenues of the Papists Prelates Malignants and their Adherents or otherwise and in case the said Thirty thousand Pounds Monthly or any part thereof be not pay'd at the time when it shall become due and payable the Kingdom of England shall give the Publick Faith for the paying of the remainder unpay'd with all possible speed allowing the rate of Eight Pounds per centum for the time of the performance thereof And in case that notwithstanding the said Monthly sum of Thirty thousand Pounds pay'd as aforesaid the States and Kingdom of Scotland shall have just cause to demand further satisfaction of their Brethren of England when the Peace of both Kingdoms is settled for the pains hazard and charges they have undergone in the same they shall by way of Brotherly assistance have due recompence made unto them by the Kingdom of England and that out of such Lands and Estates of the Papists Prelates Malignants and their Adherents as the two Houses of the Parliament of England shall think fit and for the assurance thereof the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of England shall be given them 6. And to the end the said Army in manner aforesaid may be enabled and prepared to march the Kingdom of England is to pay in ready Money to their Brethren of Scotland or such as shall have power from the Estates of that Kingdom the sum of One hundred thousand Pounds sterling at Leith or Edenburgh with all convenient speed by way of advance before-hand which is to be discounted back again
unto the Kingdom of England by the Kingdom of Scotland upon the first Monthly allowance which shall grow due to the Scotish Army from the time they shall make their first entrance into the Kingdom of England 7. That the Kingdom of Scotland to manifest their willingness to their utmost ability to be helpful to their Brethren of England in this common Cause will give the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland to be joyntly made use of with the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of England for the present taking up of Two hundred thousand Pounds sterling in the Kingdom of England or elsewhere for the speedy procuring of the said Hundred thousand Pounds sterling as aforesaid as also a considerable sum for the satisfying in good proportion the Arrears of the Scotish Army in Ireland 8. That no Cessation nor any Pacification or Agreement for Peace whatsoever shall be made by either Kingdom or the Armies of either Kingdom without the mutual Advice and Consent of both Kingdoms or their Committees in that behalf appointed who are to have full Power for the same in case the Houses of the Parliament of England or the Parliament or Convention of Estates of Scotland shall not sit 9. That the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland shall be given to their Brethren of England that neither their entrance into nor their continuance in the Kingdom of England shall be made use of to any other ends then are expressed in the Covenant and in the Articles of this Treaty and that all matters of difference that shall happen to arise between the Subjects of the two Nations shall be resolved and determined by the mutual Advice and Consent of both Kingdoms or by such Committees as for this purpose shall be by them appointed with the same Power as in the precedent Article 10. That in the same manner and upon the same conditions as the Kingdom of Scotland is now willing to aid and assist their Brethren of England the Kingdom of England doth oblige themselves to aid and assist the Kingdom of Scotland in the same or like cases of streights and extremities 11. Lastly it is agreed and concluded that during the time that the Scotish Army shall be imployed as aforesaid for the defence of the Kingdom of England there shall be fitted out as Men of War eight Ships whereof six shall be of Burthen betwixt One hundred and Twenty and two hundred Tun the other between three and four hundred Tun whereof two shall be in lieu of the two Ships appointed by the Irish Treaty all which shall be maintained at the charge of the Kingdom of England to be imployed for the defence of the Coast of Scotland under such Commanders as the Earl of Warwick for the time of his being Admiral shall nominate with the approbation of the Committees of both Kingdoms which Commanders shall receive from the said Earl general Instructions that they do from time to time observe the Directions of the Committees of both Kingdoms The Ordinance for calling the Assembly of Divines An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the calling of an Assembly of Learned and Godly Divines and others to be consulted with by the Parliament for the settling of the Government and Liturgy of the Church of England and for vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the said Church from false Aspersions and Interpretations WHereas amongst the infinite Blessings of Almighty God upon this Nation none is or can be more dear unto us than the purity of our Religion and for that as yet many things remain in the Liturgy Discipline and Government of the Church which do necessarily require a further and more perfect Reformation than as yet hath been attained and whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that the present Church-government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchy is evil and justly offensive and burthensom to the Kingdom a great impediment to Reformation and growth of Religion and very prejudicial to the State and Government of this Kingdom and that therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away and that such a Government shall be settled in the Church as may be most agreeable to Gods Holy Word and most apt to procure and preserve the Peace of the Church at home and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland and other reformed Churches abroad and for the better effecting hereof and for the vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the Church of England from all false Calumnies and Aspersions it is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of Learned Godly and Judicious Divines who together with some Members of both the Houses of Parliament are to consult and advise of such matters and things touching the Premisses as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament and to give their Advice and Counsel therein to both or either of the said Houses when and as often as they shall be thereunto required Be it therefore ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled That all and every the Persons hereafter in this present Ordinance named that is to say Algernon Earl of Northumberland William Earl of Bedford Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Henry Earl of Holland Edward Earl of Manchester William Lord Viscount Say and Seal Edward Lord Viscount Conway Philip Lord VVharton Edward Lord Howard of Escr John Selden Esquire Francis Rous Esquire Edmund Prideaux Esquire Sir Henry Vane Knight senior John Glyn Esquire Recorder of London John VVhite Esquire Bulstrode VVhitelock Esquire Humphry Salway Esquire Mr. Serjeant VVild Oliver Saint-John Esquire His Majesties Sollicitor Sir Benjamin Rudyard Knight John Pym Esquire Sir John Clotworthy Knight John Maynard Esquire Sir Henry Vane Knight junior VVilliam Pierrepont Esquire William VVheeler Esquire Sir Thomas Barrington Knight VValter Young Esquire Sir John Evelin Knight Herbert Palmer of Ashwel Batchelor in Divinity Oliver Bowles of Sutton Batchelor in Divinity Henry VVilkinson of VVaddesdon Batchelor in Divinity Thomas Valentine of Chalfont-Giles Batchelor in Divinity Doctor VVilliam Twisse of Newbury VVilliam Raynor of Egham Master Hannibal Gammon of Maugan Mr. Jasper Hicks of Lawrick D. Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin in Ireland VVilliam Bridges of Yarmouth Thomas VVincop of Ellesworth Doctor in Divinity Thomas Goodwin of London Batchelor in Divinity John Ley of Budworth in Cheshire Thomas Case of London John Pyne of Bereferrers Master VVhidden of Mooreton D. Richard Love of Ekington D. VVilliam Gouge of Blackfriers London D. Ralph Brownrigge Bishop of Exceter D. Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Colledge John White of Dorchester Edward Peal of Compton Stephen Marshall of Finchingfield Batchelor in Divinity Obadiah Sedgewick of Cogshall Batchelor in Divinity M. Carter Peter Clark of Carnaby William Mew of Estington Batchelor in Divinity
being to that purpose Fourthly it is agreed That there shall be levied and furnished by the Kingdom of England Ten Troops of sufficient and well armed Horse-men consisting of sixty in a Troop besides the Officers and that there shall be a Commissary General a Serjeant-Major and a Quarter-master appointed over them which shall joyn and remain with the Body of the Scotish Foot and shall receive and obey the Orders and Instructions of the Commanders of the Scotish Army and that there shall be presently advanced the sum of Twelve hundred Pounds sterling for the levying of a Troop of one hundred Horsemen in Scotland besides the Officers to be a Guard to the General of the Scotish Army Fifthly it is agreed That the Commanders and Soldiers of the Scotish Army shall have such Pay respectively as the Commanders and Soldiers of the English Army have according to a List presently agreed upon by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms as also that the Officers of that Army shall have such allowance for their Wagons as is contained in the said List Sixthly it is agreed That the Towns and Castle of Carickfergus and Colrane shall be put into the hands of the Scotish Army to be places for their Magazines and Garrisons and to serve them for Retreat upon occasion and that the Magistrates and Inhabitants thereof shall be ordained to carry themselves to the Commanders of the said Army as is fitting and ordinary in such Cases and that the said Towns and Castle shall remain in the Scots hands until the War shall end or that they shall be discharged of that service Like as the Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scotland do promise in the Publick Faith of that Kingdom to re-deliver the said Towns and Castle to any having Commission from the King and Parliament of England as also the Commissioners for the Kingdom of England do promise in the name and on the Publick Faith of that Kingdom that Payment shall be made to the Kingdom of Scotland and their Army of all dues that shall arise upon this present Treaty and that when the Scotish Army imployed in the service of Ireland shall be discharged they shall be disbanded by Regiments and no lesser proportions and so many of them payed off as shall be disbanded and the residue kept in pay till they be disbanded Seventhly it is agreed That the Towns of Carick fergus and Colrane shall by the Kingdom of England be with all expedition provided with Victuals necessary for Soldiers either in Garrisons or Expeditions according to a List to be agreed on and subscribed by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms and that such quantities thereof as the Scotish Army shall have occasion to use shall be sold unto them and bought by them at the several Prices contained in the aforesaid List and also that the said Towns of Carickfergus and Colrane shall be provided by the Kingdom of England with Powder Ball Match and other Ammunition for the service of the said Army conform to the particular List to be condescended unto by both Commissioners and that Carts and Waggons shall be provided by the Kingdom of England for carrying of Ammunition for the use of the said Army in Marches as also that there shall be Gun-Smiths Carpenters and one or two Enginers appointed to attend the Army and that hand-Mills shall be provided to serve the Companies in Marches Eighthly it is agreed That the Kingdom of England shall deposite two thousand Pounds English Money in the hands of any to be appointed by the Scotish Commissioners to be disbursed upon accompt by warrant of the General of their Army upon Fortifications Intelligences and other Incidents so that there be not above the sum of two thousand Pounds in a year imprested upon these occasions without particular and special Warrant from the Parliament of England as also that there shall be deposited Two thousand and five hundred Pounds English to be disbursed upon Accompt for the providing of a thousand Horses for the Garriage of the Artillery the Baggage and Victual of their Army and for Dragooners upon occasion and likewise that the Scotish Army during the time of the War shall have power to take up such Horses in the Country as be necessary for the uses aforesaid Ninthly it is agreed That the Inhabitants of the Towns and Villages in the Province of Vlster and in any other Province of Ireland where the Scotish Army shall be by it self for the time shall receive Orders from the Scotish Commanders and shall bring in Victuals for Money in an orderly way as shall be directed by them with Provision of Oats Hay and Straw and such other Necessaries and that the Countrey People shall rise and concur with the Scotish Troops when the Commanders thereof shall find it for the good of the Service and shall receive Orders and Directions from the said Commanders of the Scotish Army Tenthly it is agreed That the said Ten thousand Men to be sent out of the Kingdom of Scotland shall go in the way and order of an Army under their own General and subaltern Officers and the Province of Vlster is appointed unto them wherein they shall first prosecute the War as in their Judgment they shall think most expedient for the Honour of the King and Crown of England and that the Commanders of the said Army shall have power to give Conditions to Towns Castles and Persons which shall render and submit themselves as shall be most expedient for the Service according to the course of War Provided no Toleration of the Popish Religion be granted nor any condition made touching or concerning any of the Rebels Lands and that the Commanders of the Scotish Army shall be answerable for their whole deportment and proceedings to His Majesty and the two Houses of the Parliament of England only but shall from time to time give an accompt thereof to His Majesty the two Houses of the Parliament of England and to the chief Governour or Governours of Ireland for the time being That such Towns and Places as shall be recovered from the Rebels by the Scotish Army shall be at the diposing of the Commanders thereof during their abode for that Service in those parts where such Towns and Places are And if it shall be found for the good of the Service that the Scotish Army shall joyn with the Kings Lieutenant of Ireland and his Army in that case the General of the Scotish Army shall only cede to the Kings Lieutenant of Ireland and receive in a free and honourable way Instructions from him or in his absence from the Lord Deputy or any other who shall have the chief Government of that Kingdom for the time by Authority derived from the Crown of England and shall precede all others and that he only shall give Orders to the Officers of his own Army and that the Armies shall have the right and left hand Van and Reare Charge and Retreat successively and shall not mix in
Quarterings nor Marchings and when it shall be found fit to send Troops out of either Army that the Persons to be sent out of the Scotish Army shall be commanded out by their own General the Lieutenant of Ireland prescribing the number which shall not exceed the fourth part of the whole Foot of the Scotish Army nor of the Horse appointed to joyn therewith whereunto they shall return when the Service is done And that no Officer of the Scotish Army shall be commanded by one of his own Quality and if the Commanders of the Troops so sent out of either Army be one of Quality that they command the Party by turns And it is nevertheless provided that the whole Scotish Army may be called out of the Province of Vlster and the Horses appointed to joyn with them by His Majesties Lieutenant of Ireland or other chief Governour or Governours of that Kingdom for the time being if he or they shall think fit before the Rebellion be totally suppressed therein Eleventhly it is agreed That the Scotish Army shall be entertained by the English for three Months from the twentieth of June last and so along after until they be discharged and that they shall have a Months Pay advanced when they are first mustered in Ireland and thereafter shall be duely paid from Month to Month and that there shall be one Muster-master appointed by the English Muster-master General to make strict and frequent Musters of the Scotish Army and that what Companies of Men shall be sent out of Scotland within the compass of the Ten thousand Men shall be paid upon their Musters in Ireland although they make not up compleat Regiments Twelfthly it is agreed That the Scotish Army shall receive their discharge from the King and Parliament of England or from such Persons as shall be appointed and authorized by His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament for that purpose and that there shall be a Months warning before-hand of their disbanding which said discharge and Months warning shall be made known by His Majesty and them to the Council of Scotland or the Lord Chancellor a Month before the discharging thereof and that the Common Souldiers of the Scotish at their dismission shall be allowed fourteen days Pay for carrying of them home Thirteenthly it is provided and agreed That at any time after the Three Months now agreed upon for the entertainment of the Scotish Army shall be expired and that the Two Houses of Parliament or such persons as shall be authorized by them shall give notice to the Council of Scotland or to the Lord Chancellor there that after one Month from such notice given the said Two Houses of Parliament will not pay the said Scotish Army now in Ireland any longer then the said Two Houses of Parliament shall not be obliged to pay the said Army any longer then during the said Month any thing in this Treaty contained to the contrary notwithstanding The Ordinances of the 9. of March and 11. of April Die Sabbati 9. Martii 1643-44 Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled THat he who doth or shall command in chief over the said Army by joynt Advice of both Kingdoms shall also command the rest of the British Forces in Ireland and for the further managing of that War and prosecuting the Ends expressed in the Covenant that the same be done by joynt Advice with the Committees of both Kingdoms Die Jovis 11. April 1644. Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled THat the Earl of Leven Lord General of the Scots Forces in Ireland being now by the Votes of both Houses agreed to be Commander in chief over all the Forces as well British as Scots according to the Fourth Article of the result of the Committees of both Kingdoms passed both Houses be desired with all convenient speed by the Advice of the said Committees to appoint and nominate a Commander in chief under his Excellency over the said Forces to reside with them upon the place Resolved c. THat Committees be nominated and appointed by the joynt Advice of both Kingdoms of such Numbers and Qualities as shall be by them agreed on to be sent with all convenient speed to reside with the said Forces and enabled with all ample Instructions by the joynt Advice of both Kingdoms for the Regulating of the said Forces and the better carrying on of that War The Letter of the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland to the Speaker of the House of Commons in England 4. April 1643. a Duplicate whereof the Original being sent to VVestminster was by them sent to Master Secretary Nicholas for His Majesty SIR OUR very good Lord the Lord Marquess of Ormond having in his March in his last Expedition consulted several times with the Commanders and Officers of the Army in a Council of War and so finding that subsistence could not be had abroad for the Men and Horses he had with him or for any considerable part of them it was resolved by them that his Lordship with those Forces should return hither which he did on the six and twentieth of March. In his return from Rosse which in the case our Forces stand he found so difficult to be taken in as although our Ordinance made a breach in their Walls it was found necessary to desert the Siege he was encountred by an Army of the Rebels consisting of about six thousand Foot and six hundred and fifty Horse well armed and horsed yet it pleased God so to disappoint their counsels and strength as with those small Forces which the Lord Marquess had with him being of fighting men about two thousand five hundred Foot and five hundred Horse not well armed and for the most part weakly horsed and those as well Men as Horses much weakned by lying in the Fields several Nights in much Cold and Rain and by want of Mans-meat and Horse-meat the Lord Marquess obtained a happy and glorious deliverance and Victory against those Rebels wherein were slain about three hundred of them and many of their Commanders and others of Quality and divers taken Prisoners and amongst those Prisoners Colonel Cullen a Native of this City who being a Colonel in France departed from thence and came hither to assist the Rebels and was Lieutenant-General of their Army in the Province of Leimster and the Rebels Army were totally routed and defeated and their Baggage and Munition seized on by His Majesties Forces who lodged that Night where they had gained the Victory and on our side about twenty slain in the fight and divers wounded We have great cause to praise God for magnifying his Goodness and Mercy to His Majesty and this His Kingdom so manifestly and indeed wonderfully in that Victory However the Joy due from us upon so happy an occasion is we confess mingled with very great Distraction here in the apprehension of our Unhappiness to be such as although the
Rebels are not able to overcome His Majesties Army and devour His other good Subjects here as they desire yet both His Army and good Subjects are in danger to be devoured by the wants of needful Supplies forth of England For as we formerly signified thither those Forces were of necessity sent abroad to try what might be done for sustaining them in the Countrey so as to keep them alive until Supplies should get to us but that design now failing those our hopes are converted into astonishment to behold the unspeakable Miseries of the Officers and Soldiers for want of all things and all those Wants made the more unsupportable in the want of Food whilst this City being all the help we have is now too apparently found to be unable to help us as it hath hitherto done and divers Commanders and Officers in the Army do now so far express their sense of their Sufferings which indeed are very great and grievous as they declare that they have little hope to be supplied by the Parliament and press with so great importunity to be permitted to depart the Kingdom as it will be extream difficult to keep them here By our Letters of the three and twentieth of March we signified thither the unsupportable burthen laid on this City for Victualling those of the Army left here when the Lord Marquess with the Forces he took with him marched hence which burthen is found every day more heavy than other in regard of the many House-keepers thereby daily breaking up house and scattering their Families leaving still fewer to bear the burthen We also by those Letters and by our Letters of the five and twentieth of February advertised thither the high danger this Kingdom would incur if the Army so sent abroad should by any distress or through want be forced back hither again before our relief of Victuals should arrive forth of England When we found that those men were returning back hither although we were and are still full of Distraction considering the dismal consequences threatned thereby in respect of our Wants yet we consulted what we could yet imagine feasible that we had not formerly done to gain some Food for those men and found that to send them or others abroad into the Countrey we cannot in regard we are not able to advance Money for procuring the many Requisites incident to such an Expedition In the end therefore we were enforced to fix on our former way and so to see who had any thing yet left him untaken from him to help us and although there are but few such and some of them poor Merchants whom we have now by the Law of Necessity utterly undone and disabled from being hereafter helpful to us in bringing us in Victuals or other needful Commodities yet were we forced to wrest their Commodities from them And certainly there are few here of our selves or others that have not felt their parts in the enforced Rigour of our proceedings towards preserving the Army so as what with such hard dealing no less grievous to us to do than it is heavy to others to suffer and by our descending against our hearts far below the Honour and Dignity of that Power we represent here under His Royal Majesty we have with unspeakable difficulty prevailed so as to be able to find Bread for the Soldiers for the space of one Month. We are now expelling hence all Strangers and must instantly send away for England Thousands of poor despoiled English whose very eating is now unsupportable to this place And now again and finally we earnestly desire for our Confusions will not now admit the writing of many more Letters if any that His Majesty and the English Nation may not suffer so great if not irrecoverable Prejudice and Dishonour as must unavoidably be the consequence of our not being relieved suddenly but that yet although it be even now at the point to be too late supplies of Victuals and Munition in present be hastened hither to keep life until the rest may follow there being no Victual in the store nor will there be a hundred Barrels of Powder left in the store when the out-Garrisons as they must be instantly are supplied and that remainder according to the usual necessary expence besides extraordinary accidents will not last above a month And the residue of our Provisions must also come speedily after or otherwise England cannot hope to secure Ireland or secure themselves against Ireland but in the loss of it must look for such Enemies from hence as will perpetually disturb the Peace of His Majesty and His Kingdom of England and annoy them by Sea and Land as we often formerly represented thither which mischiefs may yet be prevented if we be yet forthwith enabled from thence with means to overcome this Rebellion We hope that a course is taken there for hastening hither the Provisions of Arms and Munition mentioned in the Docquet sent with our Letters of the twentieth of January and the six hundred Horses which we then moved might be sent hither for Recruits and that the seven thousand eight hundred fourscore and thirteen pounds three shillings for Arms to be provided in Holland besides those we expect in London hath been paid to Anthony Tierens in London or to Daniel Wibrants in Amsterdam and if that Sum had been paid as we at first desired we might well have had those Provisions arrived here by the tenth of March as we agreed however we now desire that that Money if it be not already pay'd may be yet pay'd to Mr. Tierens in London or Mr. Wibrants in Amsterdam that so those Provisions may arrive here speedily which considering that Summer is now near at hand will be very necessary that when our Supplies of Victuals Munition Cloaths Money and other Provisions shall arrive we may not in the publick Service here lose the benefit and advantage of that season And so we remain from His Majesties Castle of Dublin 4. April 1643. POSTSCRIPT As we were ready to sign this Dispatch we received at this Board a Paper signed by sundry Officers of the Army now here at Dublin which is in such a Stile and threatens so much Danger as we hold necessary to send a Copy thereof here inclosed whereby still appears the high Necessity of hastening away Money for them and the rest of the Officers and Victuals for the Soldier without which it will be impossible to contain them from breaking out into mutiny The Letter inclosed My Lords AT our first entrance into this unhappy Kingdom we had no other Design than by our Swords to assert and vindicate the Right of His Majesty which was here most highly abused to redress the Wrongs of His poor Subjects and to advance our own particulars in the prosecution of so honest undertakings And for the first of these we do believe they have since our coming over succeeded pretty well but for the last which concerns our selves that hath fallen out so
contrary to our expectations that instead of being rewarded we have been prejudiced instead of getting a Fortune we have spent part of one and though we behave our selves never so well abroad and perform the actions of honest men yet we have the reward of Rogues and Rebels which is Misery and Want when we come home Now my Lords although we be brought to so great an exigence that we are ready to rob and spoil one another yet to prevent such outrages we thought it better to try all honest means for our subsistence before we take such indirect courses Therefore if your Lordships will be pleased to take us timely into your considerations before our urgent Wants make us desperate we will as we have done hitherto serve your Lordships readily and saithfully But if your Lordships will not find a way for our Preservations here we humbly desire we may have leave to go where we may have a better Being and if your Lordships shall refuse to grant that we must then take leave to have our recourse to that first and primary Law which God hath endued all men with we mean the Law of Nature which teacheth all men to preserve themselves The Letter of the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland to His MAJESTY of the 11. of May 1643. May it please your most Excellent Majesty AS soon as we Your Majesties Justices entred into the charge of this Government we took into our consideration at this Board the state of Your Army here which we find suffering under unspeakable Extremities of Want of all things necessary to the support of their Persons or maintenance of the War here being no Victuals Cloaths or other Provisions requisite towards their sustenance no Money to provide them of any thing they want no Arms in Your Majesties Stores to supply their many defective Arms not above Forty Barrels of Powder in Your Stores no strength of serviceable Horses being now left here and those few that are their Arms for the most part lost or unserviceable no Ships arrived here to guard the Coasts and consequently no security rendred to any that might on their private Adventures bring in Provisions of Victuals or other necessaries towards our subsistence and finally no visible means by Sea or Land of being able to preserve for You this Your Kingdom and to render deliverance from utter Destruction to the remnant of Your good Subjects yet left here We find that Your Majesties late Justices and this Board have often and fully by very many Letters advertised the Parliament in England of the extremities of Affairs here and besought Relief with all possible importunity which also have been fully represented to Your Majesty and to the Lord Lieutenant and Mr. Secretary Nicholas to be made known to Your Majesty and although the Winds have of late for many days and often formerly stood very fair for Accessions of Supply forth of England hither and that we have still with longing expectations hoped to find Provisions arrive here in some degree answerable to the Necessities of Your Affairs yet now to our unexpressible grief after full six months waiting and much longer patience and long suffering we find all our great Expectations answered in a mean and inconsiderable quantity of Provisions viz. threescore and fifteen Barrels of Butter and fourteen Tun of Cheese being but the fourth part of a small Vessels loading which was sent from London and arrived here on the fifth day of this month which is not above seven or eight days Provision for that part of the Army which lies in Dublin and the out-Garrisons thereof no Money or Victuals other than that inconsiderable proportion of Victual having arrived in this place as sent from the Parliament of England or from any other forth of England for the use of the Army since the beginning of November last We have by the Blessing of God been hitherto prosperous and successful in Your Majesties Affairs here and should be still hopeful by the mercy of God under the Royal Directions of Your Sacred Majesty to vindicate Your Majesties Honour and recover Your Rights here and take due Vengeance on these Traitors for the innocent Blood they have spilt if we might be strengthened and supported therein by needful Supplies forth of England but these Supplies having hitherto been expected to come from the Parliament of England on which if Your Majesty had not relied we are assured You would in Your high Wisdom have found out some other means to preserve this Your Kingdom and so great and apparent a failer having hapned therein and all the former and late long continuing Easterly Winds bringing us no other Provisions than those few Cheeses and Butter and no Advertisements being brought us of any future Supply to be so much as in the way hither whereby there might be any likelihood that considerable means of support for Your Majesties Army might arrive here in any reasonable time before we be totally swallowed up by the Rebels and Your Kingdom by them wrested from you we find our selves so disappointed of our hopes from the Parliament as must needs trench to the utter loss of the Kingdom if Your Majesty in Your high Wisdom ordain not some present means of preservation for us And considering that if now by occasion of that unhappy and unexpected failing of support from thence we shall be less successful in Your Services here against the Rebels than hitherto whilst we were enabled with some means to serve You we have been the shame and dishonour may in common construction of those that know not the inwards of the cause be imputed to us and not to the failings that disabled Us and considering principally and above all things the high and eminent trust of your Affairs here deposited with us by Your Sacred Majesty we may not forbear in discharge of our Duty thus freely and plainly to declare our humble apprehensions to the end Your Majesty thus truly understanding the terribleness of our Condition may find out some such means of support to preserve to Your Majesty and Your Royal Posterity this Your Ancient and Rightful Crown and Kingdom and derive Deliverance and Safety to the Remnant of Your good Subjects yet left here as in Your Excellent Judgment You shall find to be most for Your Honour and Advantage And so praying to the King of Kings to guide and direct You for the best in this high and important Cause and in all other Your Counsels and Actions we humbly remain from Your Majesties Castle of Dublin the 11 th Day of May 1643. Your Majesties most Loyal and most Faithful Subjects and Servants His MAJESTIES Answers to certain Papers delivered in to His Commissioners at Uxbridge upon the Close of the Treaty one concerning the Militia and two concerning Ireland To which being long and coming in so near the breaking up of the Treaty no Answers could then be given HAving received an account of the Passages of the late
Treaty from Our Commissioners We caused a Narrative thereof to be made and published wherein besides the necessary Connexions there is nothing set down but what passed in Writing But because their last Paper upon the Subject of the Militia and two last Papers concerning Ireland were delivered upon the Close of that Treaty although We conceive the Answers given in the Papers formerly delivered by Our Commissioners are abundantly sufficient to give satisfaction to those also yet because there may be a want of memory in some and of observation in others who shall read that Narrative to bring home and apply the former Answers of Our Commissioners to those Papers and because they seem to expect Answers which the Treaty being determined cannot be given by Our Commissioners and to vindicate Our Self from many Passages scattered in those Papers particularly reflecting upon Our Person and Royal Authority We have thought fit for the further satisfaction of all Our good People to make these ensuing Answers And first to that Paper concerning the Militia WHosoever shall observe the passionate expressions in the close of this Paper wherein they do most earnestly desire Our Commissioners as they tender the deplorable Estate of these bleeding Kingdoms the settling Religion Our Honour and the composing these miserable Distractions to give full and clear Answers to the Demands concerning the Militia might very well believe that they who so importunately demanded would as willingly have received an Answer But when it shall be considered that this Paper was not delivered in till after two of the Clock in the morning upon the breaking off the Treaty when they had denied any further time to treat or to receive any Papers dated as within the time of the Treaty as formerly was mutually done and this very Paper of theirs delivered in truth upon the 23. was received as dated the 22. of February it will be most apparent they kept it as a Reserve to be purposely and by design delivered so as it should remain unanswered For the matter of that Paper They say they have by their Answers satisfied the several Questions proposed to them by Our Commissioners touching the Militia It was necessary they should have done so that it being proposed to Us to part with so great a Trust as the Power of the Sword and to put it wholly out of Our own hands We might know how and to whom and for what time and upon what terms We parted with it But We will look back upon some of their Answers that it may appear what they are Our Commissioners desired to know who the Commissioners should be in whose hands the Forces both by Sea and Land should be entrusted and whether We might except against such Persons and name others in their Places of known Affections to Religion and Peace To that part of the Question Whether We might except against the Persons they made no Answer To the other part requiring who the Commissioners should be they answered That the Commissioners were to be named for England by the two Houses and for Scotland by the Estates of the Parliament there whereas the Question was not Who should name those Commissioners but Who they were that should be named a thing most necessary for Us to know before We entrusted them with so great a Power Our Commissioners desired to know Whether the Militia of London should be independent and not subordinate to those Commissioners They answered It appeared by the Propositions the same was to be ordered in such manner as should be agreed on by both Houses Which was no Answer to the Question though likewise necessary to be known the Militia of London being so great and of such importance Our Commissioners desired to know What Authority the Commissioners nominated by the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland were to have in the Militia and settling of all Forces by Sea and Land in this Kingdom and what influence the Advices and Orders from the Estates of that Parliament should have upon this Kingdom They answered That might be fully satisfied by the Propositions concerning the Militia And though Our Commissioners desired it they could get no other Answer from them in writing Our Commissioners desired to know What Jurisdiction they intended the Commissioners of both Kingdoms should have by the power given to them to hear and determine all differences that might occasion the breach of the Articles of the Peace and by what Law they should proceed to hear and determine the same They answered That the Commissioners were to proceed in such manner as was expressed in the Propositions Whereas the Propositions express no more than what is contained in the words of the Question And being further pressed to an Answer they answered That the matter of the Jurisdiction of the Commissioners was expressed in the Propositions and for the manner of exercising of it and by what Law they should proceed The same was to be settled by the two Houses of the Parliament of England and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland respectively This being no Answer and a full and direct Answer being required to these Questions the Answer given was That they referred themselves therein to their former Answers Our Commissioners desired to see the Act of the late Treaty for the settling of the Garrison of Barwick of the 29. of November 1643. being made betwixt the two Houses and those of Scotland without Our Privity as relating to the business of the Militia They answered It was not then to be treated on but was reserved to its proper time and Our Commissioners could never see it Our Commissiones desired to know Whether by the joynt Power mentioned in the Propositions to be given to the Commissioners for both Kingdoms to preserve the Peace between the Kingdoms and the King and every one of them they intended any other than Military Power for suppressing Forces only which Question was asked because in the Proposition there are two distinct Clauses one whereby they have that Power to preserve the Peace the other whereby they have Power to suppress Forces In answer to this they refer Our Commissioners to the Propositions That these Answers though made to Questions arising upon the doubtful Expressions in their Propositions referring to the Propositions themselves or to what was not then but was after to be settled by the two Houses are not satisfactory Answers to those Questions is most evident But we do not wonder they were unwilling We should see the clear drift of those Propositions the ill consequence whereof which hereafter appears We are willing to believe most of those who agreed unto them did not at first apprehend They say They marvel why it should be insisted on that the Commissioners for the Militia should not be nominated by the two Houses only and that we who were to be equally secured should name none since this Power was
will answer to Almighty God in that Day when He shall make inquisition for all the Blood that hath and may yet be spilt in this unnatural War as you tender the preservation and establishment of the true Religion by all the Bonds of Duty and Allegiance to your King or Compassion to your bleeding and unhappy Country and of Charity to your selves that you dispose your hearts to a true sense and imploy all your faculties in a more serious Endeavour together with His Majesty to set a speedy end to these wasting Divisions and then He shall not doubt but that God will yet again give the Blessing of Peace to this distracted Kingdom Given at the Court at Oxford the fifteenth of December 1645. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses with Propositions From Oxford Dec. 26. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. NOtwithstanding the strange and unexpected Delays which can be precedented by no former times to His Majesties two former Messages His Majesty will lay aside all Expostulations as rather serving to lose time than to contribute any remedy to the evils which for the present do afflict this distracted Kingdom Therefore without further Preamble His Majesty thinks it most necessary to send these Propositions this way which He intended to do by the Persons mentioned in His former Messages though He well knows the great disadvantage which Overtures of this kind have by the want of being accompanied by well instructed Messengers His Majesty conceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual chiefly for want of Power in those Persons that Treated as likewise because those from whom their Power was derived not possibly having the particular informations of every several Debate could not give so clear a Judgment as was requisite to so important a business if therefore His Majesty may have the engagement of the two Houses at Westminster the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland the Mayor Aldermen Common-Council and Militia of London of the chief Commanders in Sir Fairfax's Army as also of those in the Scots Army for His Majesties free and safe coming to and abode in London or Westminster with such of His Servants now attending Him and their Followers not exceeding in all the number of 300. for the space of forty days and after the said time for His free and safe repair to any of His Garrisons of Oxford Worcester or Newark which His Majesty shall nominate at any time before His going from London or Westminster His Majesty propounds to have a Personal Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland upon all matters which may conduce to the restoring of Peace and Happiness to these miserably-distracted Kingdoms and to begin with the three Heads which were Treated on at Vxbridge And for the better clearing of His Majesties earnest and sincere intentions of putting an end to these unnatural Distractions knowing that point of security may prove the greatest obstacle to this most blessed Work His Majesty therefore declares That he is willing to commit the great Trust of the Militia of this Kingdom for such Time and with such Powers as are exprest in the Paper delivered by His Majesties Commissioners at Vxbridge the sixth of February last to these Persons following viz. the Lord Privy-Seal the Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Marquess of Dorchester the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Essex Earl of Southampton Earl of Pembroke Earl of Salisbury Earl of Manchester Earl of Warwick Earl of Denbigh Earl of Chichester Lord Say Lord Seymour Lord Lucas Lord Lexington Mr. Denzill Hollis Mr. Pierrepont Mr. Henry Bellassis Mr. Richard Spencer Sir Thomas Fairfax Mr. John Ashburnham Sir Gervase Clifton Sir Henry Vane junior Mr. Robert Wallop Mr. Thomas Chichely Mr. Oliver Cromwell Mr. Philip Skippon supposing that these are Persons against whom there can be no just exception But if this doth not satisfie then His Majesty offers to name the one half and leave the other to the election of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster with the Powers and Limitations before mentioned Thus His Majesty calls God and the World to witness of His sincere Intentions and real Endeavours for the composing and settling of these miserable Distractions which He doubts not but by the Blessing of God will soon be put to a happy Conclusion if this His Majesties offer be accepted otherwise He leaves all the World to judge who are the continuers of this unnatural War And therefore He once more conjures you by all the bonds of Duty you owe to God and your King to have so great a Compassion on the bleeding and miserable estate of your Country that you joyn your most serious and hearty endeavours with His Majesty to put a happy and speedy end to these present Miseries Given at the Court at Oxford the 26. of December 1645. The Answer of both Houses to His MAJESTIES two former Messages of the 5. and 15. of Decemb. brought by Sir Peter Killegrew Decemb. 27. May it please your Majesty THE Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster have received Your Letters of the fifth and fifteenth of this instant December and having together with the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland taken the same into their serious consideration do humbly return this Answer They have in all their Actions manifested to Your Majesty and the World their sincere and earnest desires that a safe and well-grounded Peace might be settled in Your three Kingdoms and for the obtaining so great a Blessing shall ever pray to God and use their utmost endeavours and beseech Your Majesty to believe that their not sending a more speedy Answer hath not proceeded from any intention to retard the means of putting an end to these present Calamities by a happy Peace but hath been occasioned by the Considerations and Debates necessary in a business of so great importance wherein both Kingdoms are so much concerned As to Your Majesties desire of a safe Conduct for the coming hither of the Duke of Richmond the Earl of Southampton John Ashburnham and Jeffrey Palmer Esquires with Propositions to be the foundation of a happy and well-grounded Peace they finding that former Treaties have been made use of for other Ends under the pretence of Peace and have proved dilatory and unsuccessful cannot give way to a safe Conduct according to Your Majesties desire But both Houses of the Parliament of England having now under their Consideration Propositions and Bills for the settling of a safe and well grounded Peace which are speedily to be communicated to the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland do resolve after mutual agreement of both Kingdoms to present them with all speed to Your Majesty Westminster the 25.
considering any thing contained in those Papers or Writings framed by the said Earl and those Commissioners with whom he Treated as he doth absolutely disavow him therein and hath given Commandment to the Lord Lieutenant and the Council there to proceed against the said Earl as one who either out of falseness presumption or folly hath so hazarded the blemishing of his Majesties Reputation with his good Subjects and so impertinently framed those Articles of his own head without the Consent Privity or Directions of his Majesty or the Lord Lieutenant or any of his Majesties Council there But true it is that for the necessary preservation of his Majesties Protestant Subjects in Ireland whose Case was daily represented unto him to be so desperate his Majesty had given Commission to the Lord Lieutenant to Treat and conclude such a Peace there as might be for the safety of that Crown the preservation of the Protestant Religion and no way derogatory to his own Honour and publick Professions But to the end that his Majesties real Intentions in this business of Ireland may be the more clearly understood and to give more ample satisfaction to both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland especially concerning his Majesties not being engaged in any Peace or Agreement there he doth desire if the two Houses shall admit of his Majesties repair to London for a Personal Treaty as was formerly proposed that speedy notice be given thereof to his Majesty and a Pass or safe Conduct with a Blank sent for a Messenger to be immediately dispatched into Ireland to prevent any accident that may happen to hinder his Majesties Resolution of leaving and managing of the business of Ireland wholly to the two Houses and to make no Peace there but with their Consent which in case it shall please God to bless His endeavours in the Treaty with success His Majesty doth hereby engage himself to do And for a further explanation of his Majesties Intentions in his former Messages he doth now Declare That if his Personal repair to London as aforesaid shall be admitted and a Peace thereon shall ensue he will then leave the Nomination of the Persons to be entrusted with the Militia wholly to his two Houses with such Power and Limitations as are expressed in the Paper delivered by his Majesties Commissioners at Vxbridge the 6. of Febr. 1644. for the term of seven years as hath been desired to begin immediately after the Conclusion of the Peace the disbanding of all Forces on both sides and the dismantling of the Garrisons erected since these present Troubles so as at the expiration of the time before mentioned the Power of the Militia shall entirely revert and remain as before And for their further security his Majesty the Peace succeeding will be content that pro hac vice the two Houses shall nominate the Admiral Officers of State and Judges to hold their places during Life or quamdiu se bene gesserint which shall be best liked to be accomptable to none but the King and the two Houses of Parliament As for matter of Religion his Majesty doth further Declare That by the Liberty offered in his Message of the 15. present for the ease of their Consciences who will not communicate in the Service already established by Act of Parliament in this Kingdom he intends that all other Protestants behaving themselves peaceably in and towards the Civil Government shall have the free exercise of their Religion according to their own way And for the total removing of all Fears and Jealousies His Majesty is willing to agree That upon the Conclusion of Peace there shall be a general act of Oblivion and Free Pardon past by Act of Parliament in both his Kingdoms respectively And lest it should be imagined that in the making these Propositions his Majesties Kingdom of Scotland and his Subjects there have been forgotten or neglected his Majesty Declares That what is here mentioned touching the Militia and the naming of Officers of State and Judges shall likewise extend to his Kingdom of Scotland And now his Majesty having so fully and clearly expressed his Intentions and Desires of making a happy and well-grounded Peace if any person shall decline that Happiness by opposing so apparent a way of attaining it he will sufficiently demonstrate to all the World his intention and design can be no other then the total subversion and change of the ancient and happy Government of this Kingdom under which the English Nation hath so long flourished Given at the Court at Oxford the 29. of January 1645. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Oxford Feb. 26. 1641. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty needs to make no excuse though he sent no more Messages unto you for he very well knows he ought not to do it if he either stood upon punctilioes of Honour or his own private Interest the one being already call'd in question by his often sending and the other assuredly prejudic'd if a Peace be concluded from that He hath already offer'd He having therein departed with many of his undoubted Rights But nothing being equally dear unto Him to the preservation of His People His Majesty passeth by many scruples neglects and delays and once more desires you to give Him a speedy Answer to His last Message For His Majesty believes it doth very well become Him after this very long Delay at last to utter His Impatience since that the Goods and Blood of His Subjects cries so much for Peace Given at the Court at Oxford the 26 th of Febr. 1645. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Oxford March 23. 1645-46 For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster CHARLES R. NOtwithstanding the unexpected silence instead of Answer to His Majesties many and gracious Messages to both Houses whereby it may appear that they desire to attain their ends by Force rather than Treaty which may justly discourage His Majesty from any more Overtures of that kind yet His Majesty conceives He shall be much wanting to His Duty to God and in what He oweth to the Safety of His People if He should not intend to prevent the great inconveniences that may otherwise hinder a safe and well-grounded Peace His Majesty therefore now proposeth That so He may have the Faith of both Houses of Parliament for the preservation of His Honour Person and Estate and that liberty be given to all those who do and have adhered to His Majesty to go to their own Houses and there to live peaceably enjoying their Estates all Sequestrations being taken off without being compelled to take any Oath not enjoyned by the undoubted Laws of the Kingdom or being put to any other molestation whatsoever He will
immediately disband all His Forces and dismantle all His Garrisons and being accompanied with His Royal not His Martial Attendance return to His two Houses of Parliament and there reside with them And for the better security of all His Majesties Subjects He proposeth That He with His said two Houses immediately upon His coming to Westminster will pass an Act of Oblivion and Free Pardon and where His Majesty will further do whatsoever they will advise Him for the good and Peace of this Kingdom And as for the Kingdom of Scotland his Majesty hath made no mention of it here in regard of the great loss of time which must now be spent in expecting an Answer from thence but declares That immediately upon his coming to Westminster he will apply himself to give them all satisfaction touching that Kingdom If his Majesty could possibly doubt the success of this Offer he could use many Arguments to perswade them to it but shall only insist on that great One of giving an instant Peace to these afflicted Kingdoms Given at Our Court at Oxford the 23 d of March 1645. His MAJESTIES Letter to the Marquess of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from Oxford April 13. 1646. CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and entirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellour We greet you well Having used all possible and Honourable means by sending many gracious Messages to the two Houses of Parliament wherein We have offered them all they have heretofore desired and desire from them nothing but what they themselves since these unhappy Wars have offered to procure Our Personal Treaty with them for a safe and well-grounded Peace and having instead of a dutiful and peaceable return to Our said Messages received either no Answer at all or such as argues nothing will satisfie them but the Ruin not onely of Us Our Posterity and Friends but even of Monarchy it self and having lately received very good Security that We and all that do or shall adhere to Us shall be safe in Our Persons Honours and Consciences in the Scotish Army and that they shall really and effectually joyn with Us and with such as will come in unto Us and joyn with them for Our Preservation and shall imploy their Armies and Forces to assist Us to the procuring of an happy and well-grounded Peace for the good of Us and Our Kingdoms in the recovery of Our just Right We have resolved to put Our selves to the hazard of passing into the Scots Army now lying before Newark and if it shall please God that We come safe thither VVe are resolved to use Our best endeavour with their Assistance and with the conjunction of the Forces under the Marquess of Montrosse and such of Our well-affected Subjects of England as shall rise for Us to procure if it may be an honourable and speedy Peace with those who have hitherto refused to give ear to any means tending thereunto Of which Our Resolution We held it necessary to give you this Advertisement as well to satisfie you and Our Council and Loyal Subjects with you to whom We will that you communicate these Our Letters that failing in Our earnest and sincere endeavours by Treaty to put an end to the Miseries of these Kingdoms We esteemed Our self obliged to leave no probable Expedient unattempted to preserve Our Crown and Friends from the Usurpation and Tyranny of those whose Actions declare so manifestly their Designs to overthrow the Laws and happy astablished Government of this Kingdom And now we have made known to you Our Resolution We recommend to your special care the disposing and managing of Our Affairs on that side as you shall conceive most for Our Honour and Service being confident the course VVe have taken though with some hazard to Our Person will have a good influence on that Our Kingdom and defer if not altogether prevent the Rebels transporting of Forces from them into that Kingdom And VVe desire you to satisfie all Our well-affected Subjects on that side of Our Princely Care of them whereof they shall receive the effect as soon as God shall enable Us. VVe desire you to use some means to let Us and Our Council at Oxon hear frequently from you and of your Actions and Condition there And so God prosper your Loyal Endeavours Given at Our Court at Oxon the 13 th of April 1646. By His Majesties Command Edward Nicholas His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Southwell May 18. 1646. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty having understood from both his Houses of Parliament that it was not safe for him to come to London whither he had purposed to repair if so he might by their Advice to do whatsoever may be best for the good and Peace of these Kingdoms until he shall first give his Consent to such Propositions as were to be presented to him from them and being certainly informed that the Armies were marching so fast up to Oxford as made that no fit place for Treating did resolve to withdraw himself hither only to secure his own Person and with no intention to continue this VVar any longer or to make any Division between his two Kingdoms but to give such contentment to both as by the blessing of God he might see a happy and well-grounded Peace thereby to bring Prosperity to these Kingdoms answerable to the best times of his Progenitors And since the settling of Religion ought to be the chiefest care of all Councils his Majesty most earnestly and heartily recommends to his two Houses of Parliament all the ways and means possible for speedy finishing this pious and necessary VVork and particularly that they take the Advice of the Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at VVestminster Likewise concerning the Militia of England for securing his People against all pretensions of Danger his Majesty is pleased to have it settled as was offered at the Treaty at Vxbridge all the Persons being to be named for the Trust by the two Houses of the Parliament of England for the space of seven years and after the expiring of that term that it be regulated as shall be agreed upon by his Majesty and his two Houses of Parliament And the like for the Kingdom of Scotland Concerning the VVars in Ireland his Majesty will do whatsoever is possible for him to give full satisfaction therein And if these be not satisfactory his Majesty then desires that all such of the Propositions as are already agreed upon by both Kingdoms may be speedily sent unto him his Majesty being resolved to comply with his Parliament in every thing that shall be for the happiness of his Subjects and for the removing of all unhappy Differences which have produced so many sad effects His Majesty having made these Offers he will neither question the thankful acceptation of them nor doth he doubt but that his
other things under any Great Seal of England in any time heretofore were or have been and that for time to come the said Great Seal now remaining in custody of the said Commissioners continue and be used for the Great Seal of England and that all Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and other things whatsoever passed under or by authority of any other Great Seal since the two and twentieth day of May Anno Dom. 1642. or hereafter to be passed be invalid and of no effect to all intents and purposes except such Writs Process and Commissions as being passed under any other Great Seal than the said Great Seal in the Custody of the Commissioners aforesaid on or after the said two and twentieth day of May and before the 28. day of November Anno Dom. 1643. were afterward proceeded upon returned into or put in ure in any the Kings Courts at VVestminster and except the Grant to Master Justice Bacon to be one of the Justices of the Kings Bench and except all Acts and Proceedings by virtue of any such Commissions of Gaol-delivery Assize and Nisi prius or Oyer and Terminer passed under any other Great Seal than the Seal aforesaid in custody of the said Commissioners before the first of October 1642. And that all Grants of Offices Lands Tenements or Hereditaments made or passed under the Great Seal of Ireland unto any Person or Persons Bodies Politick or Corporate since the Cessation made in Ireland the fifteenth day of September 1643. shall be null and void and that all Honours and Titles conferred upon any Person or Persons in the said Kingdom of Ireland since the said Cessation shall be null and void His MAJESTIES Answer to the Propositions of both Houses Newcastle Aug. 1. 1646. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster CHARLES R. THE Propositions tendered to his Majesty by the Commissioners from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at VVestminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to which the Houses of Parliament have taken twice so many Months for deliberation as they have assigned Days for his Majesties Answer do import so great Alterations in Government both in the Church and Kingdom as it is very difficult to return a particular and positive Answer before a full Debate wherein these Propositions and the necessary Explanations true sense and Reasons thereof be rightly weighed and understood and that his Majesty upon a full view of the whole Propositions may know what is left as well as what is taken away and changed In all which he finds upon discourse with the said Commissioners that they are so bound up from any capacity either to give Reasons for the Demands they bring or to give ear to such Desires as his Majesty is to propound as it is impossible for him to give such a present judgment of and Answer to these Propositions whereby he can answer to God that a safe and well-grounded Peace will ensue which is evident to all the World can never be unless the just Power of the Crown as well as the Freedom and Propriety of the Subject with the just Liberty and Priviledges of the Parliament be likewise setled To which end his Majesty desires and proposeth to come to London or any of his Houses thereabouts upon the Publick Faith and security of the two Houses of Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners That he shall be there with Freedom Honour and Safety where by his Personal Presence he may not only raise a mutual Confidence betwixt him and his People but also have these Doubts cleared and these Difficulties explained unto him which he now conceives to be destructive to his just Regal Power if he shall give a full Consent to these Propositions as they now stand As likewise that he may make known to them such his reasonable Demands as he is most assured will be very much conducible to that Peace which all good men desire and pray for by the settling of Religion the just Priviledges of Parliament with the Freedom and Propriety of the Subject and his Majesty assures them that as he can never condescend unto what is absolutely destructive to that just Power which by the Laws of God and the Land he is born unto so he will chearfully grant and give his Assent unto all such Bills at the desire of his two Houses or reasonable Demands for Scotland which shall be really for the good and peace of his People not having regard to his own particular much less of any body 's else in respect of the Happiness of these Kingdoms Wherefore his Majesty conjures them as Christians as Subjects and as men who desire to leave a good name behind them that they will so receive and make use of this Answer that all issues of Blood may be stopped and these unhappy Distractions peaceably setled Newcastle August 1. 1646. POST-SCRIPT Upon assurance of a happy Agreement his Majesty will immediately send for the Prince his Son absolutely expecting his perfect Obedience to return into this Kingdom His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Newcastle Dec. 20. 1646. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland at London CHALLES R. HIS Majesties thoughts being always sincerely bent to the Peace of his Kingdoms was and will be ever desirous to take all ways which might the most clearly make appear the Candor of his Intentions to his People and to this end could find no better way than to propose a Personal free Debate with his two Houses of Parliament upon all the present Differences yet finding very much against his expectations that this Offer was lay'd aside his Majesty bent all his thoughts to make his Intentions fully known by a particular Answer to the Propositions delivered to him in the name of both Kingdoms 24. July last But the more he endeavoured it he more plainly saw that any Answer he could make would be subject to misinformations and mis-constructions which upon his own Paraphrases and Explanations he is most confident will give so good satisfaction as would doubtless cause a happy and lasting Peace Lest therefore that good Intentions may produce ill Effects His Majesty again proposeth and desires again to come to London or any of his Houses thereabouts upon the Publick Faith and Security of his two Houses of Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners that he shall be there with Honour Freedom and Safety where by his Personal Presence he may not only raise a mutual Confidence betwixt him and his People but also have those Doubts cleared and those Difficulties explained to him without which he cannot but with the aforesaid mischievous Inconveniencies give a particular Answer to the Propositions and with which he doubts not but so
Rumors spread and Informations given which may have induced many to believe that We intend to make War against Our Parliament We Profess before God and Declare to all the World That We always have and do abhor all such Designs and desire all Our Nobility and Commoners who are here upon the place to declare Whether they have not been Witnesses of Our frequent and earnest Declarations and Professions to this purpose whether they see any colour of Preparations or Counsels that might reasonably beget a belief of any such Design and whether they be not fully perswaded that We have no such intention but that all Our Endeavours according to Our many Professions tend to the firm and constant settlement of the true Protestant Religion the just Priviledges of Parliaments the Liberty of the Subject the Law Peace and Prosperity of this Kingdom MDCXLVII Aug. 1. The Heads of the Proposals agreed upon by his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX and the Council of the Army to be tendred to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army and with them to be treated on by the Commissioners of the Army Containing the particulars of their Desires in pursuance of their former Declarations and Papers in order to the clearing and securing of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and the settling a just and lasting Peace To which are added some further particular Desires for the removing and redressing of divers present pressing Grievances being also comprized in or in necessary pursuance of their Former Representations and Papers appointed to be Treated upon I. THat the things hereafter proposed being provided for by this Parliament a certain period may by Act of Parliament be set for the ending of this Parliament such period to be within a year at most and in the same Act provision to be made for the succession and constitution of Parliaments in future as followeth 1. That Parliaments may Biennially be called and meet at a certain day with such provision for the certainty thereof as in the late Act was made for Triennial Parliaments and what further other provision shall be found needful by the Parliament to reduce it to more certainty And upon the passing of this the said Act for Triennial Parliaments to be repealed 2. Each Biennial Parliament to sit 120. days certain unless adjourned or dissolved sooner by their own Consent afterwards to be adjournable or dissolvable by the King and no Parliament to sit past 240. days from their first meeting or some other limited number of days now to be agreed on upon the expiration whereof each Parliament to dissolve of course if not otherwise dissolved sooner 3. The King upon Advice of the Council of State in the Intervals betwixt Biennial Parliaments to call a Parliament extraordinary provided it meet above seventy days before the next Biennial day and be dissolved at least sixty days before the same so as the course of Biennial Elections may never be interrupted 4. That this Parliament and each succeeding Biennial Parliament at or before adjournment or dissolution thereof may appoint Committees to continue during the Interval for such purposes as are in any of these Proposals 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 Kingdom 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 the respective Rates they bear in the common Charges and burthens of the Kingdom according to some other Rule of equality or proportion to render the House of Commons as near as may be an equal Representative of the whole and in order thereunto that a present consideration be had to take off the Elections of Burgesses for poor decayed or inconsiderable Towns and to give some present addition to the number of Parliament-Members for great Counties that have now less than their due proportion to bring all at present as near as may be to such a Rule of proportion as aforesaid 6. That effectual provision be made for future freedom of Elections and certainty of due Returns 7. That the House of Commons alone have the power from time to time to set down 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 Freedom in the Election Order in the proceeding thereto and Certainty in the Returns which Orders and Rules in that case to be as Laws 8. That there be a Liberty for entring Dissents in the House of Commons with provision that no Member be censurable for ought said or voted in the House further than to exclusion from that Trust and that onely by the judgment of the House it self 9. That the Judicial Power or power of final Judgment in the Lords and Commons and their power of Exposition and Application of Law without further Appeal 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 Liberty of the Commons of England may be cleared and vindicated as to a due Exemption from any Judgment Trial or other Proceeding against them by the House of Peers without the concurring Judgment of the House of Commons as also from any other Judgment Sentence or Proceeding against them other than by their Equals or according to the Law of the Land 11. The same Act to provide that Grand-Jury-men may be chosen by and for several parts or divisions of each County respectively in some equal way and not remain as now at the discretion of an Under-Sheriff 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 County 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 Sheriff for the next year II. For the future security to Parliaments and the Militia in general in order thereunto that it be provided by Act of Parliament 1. That the power of the Militia by Sea and Land during the space of Ten years 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 King's 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
same Qualification a sixth part 4. For the persons nominated in the said fourth Qualification and those included in the tenth Qualification an eighth part 5. For all others included in the sixth Qualification a tenth part And that real Debts either upon Record or proved by Witnesses be considered and abated in the valuation of their Estates in all the cases aforesaid 3. That those who shall hereafter come to Compound may not have the Covenant put upon them as a Condition without which they may not Compound but in case they shall not willingly take it they may pass their Compositions without it 4. 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 King 's menial Servants that never took up Arms but only attended His Person according to their Offices may be freed from Composition or to pay at most but the proportion of one years Revenue or a twentieth part 5. That in order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the Rates aforesaid the Rents Revenues and other Dues and Profits of all sequestred Estates whatsoever except the Estates of such persons who shall be continued under exception as before be from henceforth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective Tenants Occupants and others from whom they are due for the space of six months following 6. That the Faith of the Army or other Forces of the Parliament given in Articles upon Surrenders to any of the King's Party may be fully made good and where any breach thereof shall appear to have been made full reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured and the persons offending being found out may be compelled thereto XVI That there may be a general 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 after their Compositions past and to restore them to all Priviledges c. belonging to other Subjects provided as in the fourth particular under the second general Head aforegoing concerning Security And whereas there have been of late strong endeavours and practices of a factious and desperate party to embroil this Kingdom in a new War and for that purpose to induce the King the Queen and Prince to declare for the said Party and also to excite and stir up all those of the King 's late Party to appear and engage for the same which Attempts and Designs many of the King's Party out of their desires to avoid further Misery to the Kingdom have contributed their endeavours to prevent as for divers of them we have had particular Assurance we do therefore desire that such of the King's Party who shall appear to have expressed and shall hereafter express that way their good Affections to the Peace and Welfare of the Kingdom and to hinder the imbroiling of the same in a new War may be freed and exempted from Compositions or to pay but one years Revenue or a twentieth part These Particulars aforegoing are the Heads of such Proposals as we have agreed on to tend in order to the settling of the Peace of this Kingdom leaving the Terms of Peace for the Kingdom of Scotland to stand as in the late Propositions of both Kingdoms until that Kingdom shall agree to any alteration Next to the Proposals aforesaid for the present settling of a Peace we 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 Kingdom and in special manner I. 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 fifth Head in the late Representation or Declaration of the Army sent from St. Albans II. That in pursuance of the same Head of the said Declaration 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 poor people of the Land do ordinarily live and a certain time to be limited for taking off the whole 2. That the Oppressions and Incroachments of Forest Laws may be prevented for future 3. All Monopolies old or new and Restraints to the freedom of Trade to be taken off 4. That a course may be taken and Commissioners appointed to remedy and rectifie the inequality of Rates lying upon several Counties and several parts of each County in respect of others and to settle the proportions for Land rates to more equality throughout the Kingdom in order to which we shall offer some further particulars which we hope may be useful 5. The present unequal troublesome and contentious way of Ministers maintenance by Tithes to be considered of and some Remedy applied 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 clear and certain in the issues and not so tedious or chargeable in the proceedings as now in order to which we shall offer some further particulars hereafter 7. That Prisoners for Debt or other * Creditors who have Estates to discharge them may not by embracing Imprisonment or any other ways 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 do yield up what they have to their Creditors 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 nearest Relations in Criminal Causes and no man's life to be taken away under two Witnesses 9. That consideration may be had of all Statutes and the Laws or Customs of Corporations imposing any Oaths either to repeal or else to qualifie and provide against the same so far as they may extend or be construed to the molestation or ensnaring of religious and peaceable people meerly for non-conformity in Religion III. That according to the sixth Head in the Declaration of the Army the large powers given to Committees or Deputy-Lieutenants during the late times of War and Distraction may be speedily taken into consideration to be re-called and made void and that such powers of that nature as shall appear necessary to be continued may be put into a regulated way and left to as little Arbitrariness as the nature and necessity of the things wherein they are conversant
will bear IV. That according to the seventh Head in the said Declaration an effectual course may be taken that the Kingdom may be righted and satisfied in point of Accounts for the vast sums that have been levied V. That provision may be made for payment of Arrears to the Army and the rest of the Soldiers of the Kingdom who have concurred with the Army in the late Desires and Proceedings thereof and in the next place for payment of the Publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom and that to be performed first to such persons whose Debts or Damages upon the Publick Account are great and their Estates small so as they are thereby reduced to a difficulty of subsistence In order to all which and to the fourth particular last preceding we shall speedily offer some farther particulars in the nature of Rules which we hope will be of good use towards publick satisfaction August 1. 1647. Signed by the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Council of War Jo. Rushworth Secret Propositions presented to His MAJESTY at Hampton-Court upon Tuesday the seventh of September 1647. by the Earls of Pembroke and Lauderdale Sir Charles Erskin Sir John Holland Sir John Cooke Sir James Harrington Mr. Richard Browne Mr. Hugh Kenedy and Mr. Robert Berkley in the names of the Parliament of England and in behalf of the Kingdom of Scotland May it please your Majesty WE the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdom of Scotland do humbly present unto Your Majesty the humble Desires and Propositions for a safe and well grounded Peace agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively unto which We do pray Your Majesties Assent and that they and all such Bills as shall be tendred to Your Majesty in pursuance of them or any of them may be established and Enacted for Statutes and Acts of Parliament by Your Majesties Royal Assent in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively Heads of the Propositions presented to the King's Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace 1. His Majesty to call in his Declarations and Proclamations against the Parliaments of both Kingdoms 2. His Majesty to sign the Covenant 3. To pass a Bill for abolishing Bishops 4. To pass a Bill for Sale of Bishops Lands 5. To confirm the sitting of the Assembly 6. Religion to be reformed as the Houses agree 7. Such Vniformity of Religion to be passed in an Act. 8. An Act passed against Popish Recusants 9. For Education of the Children of Papists 10. For laying Penalties upon Papists 11. An Act for prevention of Popish practices And the like for the Kingdom of Scotland 12. For the Royal Assent to Acts for the Lords day for preaching against Innovations regulating Colledges and for publick Debts and Damages The like for Scotland 13. to pass the settling of the Militia and Navy 14. To null the old Great Seal 15. For settling of Conservators for the Peace of the Kingdoms 16. The joynt Declarations and the Qualifications against Malignants 17. An Act to be passed to declare and make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Conclusions of Peace with the Irish Rebels 18. The settling of the Militia of the City of London 19. The Great Seal with the Commissioners of Parliament and all Acts by it to be made good His MAJESTIES Answer to the Propositions of both Houses 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 CHARLES R. HIS Majesty cannot chuse but be passionately sensible as he believes all his good Subjects are of the late great Distractions and still languishing and unsetled State of this Kingdom and he calls God to Witness and is willing to give testimony to all the World of his readiness 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 he 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 Affairs then when they were formerly presented unto him as being destructive to the main principal 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 and with them to be Treated on in order to the clearing and securing the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and the setling of a just and lasting Peace to which Proposals 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 than the Propositions which at this time are tendered unto him He therefore propounds as the best way in his Judgment in order to a Peace that his two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposals upon which there may be a Personal Treaty with his Majesty and upon such other Propositions as his Majesty shall make hoping that the said Proposals may be so moderated in the said Treaty as to render them the more capable of his Majesties full Concession wherein he resolves to give full satisfaction unto his People for whatsoever shall concern the setling of the Protestant Profession with Liberty to tender Consciences and 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 judge of his Intentions in matter of future Government In which Treaty his Majesty will be well pleased if it be thought fit that Commissioners from the Army whose the Proposals are may likewise be admitted His Majesty 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 the relief of their present Sufferings and to prevent future Miseries that they will forthwith accept of this his Majesties Offer whereby the joyful news of Peace may be restored to this distressed Kingdom 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 satisfaction to that his Kingdom Given at Hampton-Court the ninth of September 1647. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses left by Him on His
Distempers concerning Church-Discipline and that the Presbyterian Government is now in practice his Majesty to eschew Confusion as much as may be and for the satisfaction of his two Houses is content that the said Government be legally permitted to stand in the same condition it now is for three years provided that his Majesty and those of his Judgment or any other who cannot in Conscience submit thereunto be not obliged to comply with Presbyterial Government but have free practice of their own Profession without receiving any prejudice thereby and that a free Consultation and debate be had with the Divines at Westminster twenty of his Majesties nomination being added unto them whereby it may be determined by his Majesty and the two Houses how the Church-Government after the said time shall be settled or sooner if Differences may be agreed as is most agreeable to the Word of God with full Liberty to all those who shall differ upon conscientious grounds from that settlement always provided that nothing aforesaid be understood to tolerate those of the Popish Profession nor the exempting of any Popish Recusant from the penalties of the Laws or to tolerate the publick profession of Atheism or Blasphemy contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostles Nicene and Athanasian Creeds they having been received by and had in reverence of all the Christian Churches and more particularly by this of England ever since the Reformation Next the Militia being that Right which is inseparably and undoubtedly inherent in the Crown by the Laws of this Nation and that which former Parliaments as likewise this hath acknowledged so to be his Majesty cannot so much wrong that Trust which the Laws of God and this Land hath annexed to the Crown for the Protection and Security of his People as to devest himself and Successors of the power of the Sword yet to give an infallible evidence of his desire to secure the performance of such Agreements as shall be made in order to a Peace his Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament that the whole Power of the Militia both by Sea and Land for and during his whole Reign shall be ordered and disposed by his two Houses of Parliament or by such persons as they shall appoint with Powers limited for suppressing of Forces within this Kingdom to the disturbance of the publick Peace and against foreign Invasion and that they shall have Power during his said Reign to raise moneys for the purposes aforesaid and that neither his Majesty that now is or any other by any Authority derived only from him shall execute any of the said Powers during his Majesties said Reign but such as shall act by the consent and approbation of the two Houses of Parliament Nevertheless his Majesty intends that all Patents Commissions and other Acts concerning the Militia be made and acted as formerly and that after his Majesties Reign all the Power of the Militia shall return intirely to the Crown as it was in the times of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed memory After this Head of the Militia the consideration of the Arrears due to the Army is not improper to follow for the payment whereof and the ease of his People his Majesty is willing to concur in any thing that can be done without the Violation of his Conscience and Honour Wherefore if his two Houses shall consent to remit unto him such benefit out of Sequestrations from Michaelmas last and out of Compositions that shall be made before the concluding of the Peace and the Arrears of such as have been already made the assistance of the Clergy and the Arrears of such Rents of his own Revenues as his two Houses shall not have received before the concluding of the Peace his Majesty will undertake within the space of eighteen Months the payment of four hundred thousand pounds for the satisfaction of the Army and if those means shall not be sufficient his Majesty intends to give way to the sale of Forest Lands for that purpose this being the Publick Debt which in his Majesties Judgment is first to be satisfied and for other publick Debts already contracted upon Church-Lands or any other Ingagements his Majesty will give his consent to such Act or Acts for raising of moneys for payment thereof as both Houses shall hereafter agree upon so as they be equally laid whereby his People already too heavily burthened by these late Distempers may have no more Pressures upon them than this absolute necessity requires And for the further securing of all Fears his Majesty will consent that an Act of Parliament be passed for the disposing of the great Offices of State and naming of Privy Councellors for the whole term of his Reign by the two Houses of Parliament their Patents and Commissions being taken from his Majesty and after to return to the Crown as is exprest in the Article of the Militia For the Court of Wards and Liveries his Majesty very well knows the consequence of taking that way by turning of all Tenures into common Soccage as well in point of Revenue to the Crown as in the Protection of many of his Subjects being Infants nevertheless if the continuance thereof seem grievous to his Subjects rather then he will fail on his part in giving satisfaction he will consent to an Act for taking of it away so as a full recompence be settled upon his Majesty and his Successors in perpetuity and that the Arrears now due be reserved unto him towards the payment of the Arrears of the Army And that the memory of these late Distractions may be wholly wiped away his Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament for the suppressing and making null of all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations against both or either House of Parliament and of all Indictments and other proceedings against any persons for adhering unto them and his Majesty proposeth as the best Expediment to take away all seeds of future Differences that there be an Act of Oblivion to extend to all his Subjects As for Ireland the Cessation there is long since determined but for the future all other things being fully agreed his Majesty will give full satisfaction to his Houses concerning that Kingdom And although his Majesty cannot consent in Honour and Justice to avoid all his own Grants and Acts past under his Great Seal since the two and twentieth of May 1642. or to the confirming of all the Acts and Grants passed under that made by the two Houses yet his Majesty is confident that upon perusal of particulars he shall give full satisfaction to his two Houses to what may be reasonably desired in that particular And now his Majesty conceives that by these his Offers which he is ready to make good upon the settlement of a Peace he hath clearly manifested his intentions to give full security and satisfaction to all Interests for what can justly be desired in order to the future Happiness of his People And for the
perfecting of these Concessions as also for such other things as may be proposed by the two Houses and for such just and reasonable demands as his Majesty shall find necessary to propose on his part he earnestly desires a Personal Treaty at London with his two Houses in Honour Freedom and Safety it being in his Judgment the most proper and indeed only means to a firm and settled Peace and impossible without it to reconcile former or to avoid future misunderstandings All these things being by Treaty perfected his Majesty believes his two Houses will think it reasonable that the Proposals of the Army concerning the Succession of Parliaments and their due Elections should be taken into consideration As for what concerns the Kingdom of Scotland his Majesty will very readily apply himself to give all reasonable satisfaction when the Desires of the two Houses of Parliament on their behalf or of the Commissioners of that Kingdom or of both joyned together shall be made known unto him From the Isle of Wight Novemb. 17. 1647. His MAJESTIES Declaration at the Isle of VVight Novemb. 19. 1647. CHARLES R. HIS Majesty doth declare That he came from Hampton-Court for no other cause but for the preservation of His Person which was as He apprehended in such danger that He could not with Safety continue longer there That if He could have been there with Safety He would not have departed thence nor from the Army And that He chose this place rather than any other when He was at liberty to have gone whither He pleased that He might still continue under the protection of the Army Colonel Hammond being a Member thereof and that He might have conveniency of free intercourse between Himself and the Parliament for the settlement of a general Peace to which He professes a very great inclination and desire and that there shall be nothing wanting on His part that may be reasonably expected from Him And His Majesty doth further Declare That in case these Gentlemen be taken from Him and punished as evil doers for counselling Him not to go out of the Kingdom but rather to come to the place where He now is for the ends aforesaid and for their endeavouring accordingly in attending Him hither He cannot but Himself expect to be dealt with accordingly His case being the same Carisbrooke Castle Novemb. 19. 1647. His MAJESTIES Letter to Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX from Carisbrooke Novemb. 26. 1647. For Sir Thomas Fairfax General CHARLES R. HAving left Order at Our remove from Hampton-Court that a Copy should be given you of what We had then written to both Houses of Parliament touching the causes of Our withdrawing and the continuance of Our Resolutions to improve every occasion of the satisfaction of all chief Interests that so a happy Peace may be settled in Our Dominions in pursuance whereof We have lately sent a Message to both Houses from this place and a Copy of it to you and being desirous in order to that blessed Work to give you Our present sense upon the condition of Affairs as they now stand We have thought fit to appoint Sir John Barkley to repair unto you and to communicate the same to you and We shall be glad by him to receive a mutual communication of your sense also upon this Subject not doubting but you easily perceive by the late Disorders into what a depth of Confusion the Army and the Nation will fall if timely and effectual preventions be not used And therefore We have now again proposed as the only Expedient a Personal Treaty for the composing of all differences and fulfilling the desires of all Interests to which if you will imploy your Credit as you cannot but expect the Blessings of God upon your endeavours therein so you may justly look for the best return that ever Our Condition shall be able to make you Given at Carisbrooke Castle the 26. day of Novemb. 1647. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Carisbrook Castle Dec. 6. 1647. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HAD His Majesty thought it possible that His two Houses could be imployed in things of greater concernment than the Peace of this miserable distracted Kingdom He would have expected with more patience their leisure in acknowledging the receit of His Message of the 16. of November last But since there is not in nature any consideration preceding to that of Peace His Majesties constant tenderness of the welfare of His Subjects hath such a prevalence with Him that He cannot forbear the vehement prosecution of a Personal Treaty which is only so much the more desired by His Majesty as it is superior to all other means of Peace And truly when His Majesty considers the several complaints He daily hears from all parts of this Kingdom that Trade is so decayed all Commodities so dear and Taxes so insupportable that even natural subsistence will suddenly fail His Majesty to perform the Trust reposed in Him must use His uttermost endeavours for Peace though He were to have no share in the benefit of it And hath not His Majesty done His part for it by devesting Himself of so much Power and Authority as by His last Message He hath promised to do upon the concluding of the whole Peace And hath He met with that Acknowledgment from his two Houses which this great grace and favour justly deserves Surely the blame of this great retarding of Peace must fall somewhere else than on His Majesty To conclude If ye will but consider in how little time this necessary good Work will be done if you the two Houses will wait on His Majesty with the same Resolutions for Peace as He will meet you He no way doubts but that ye will willingly agree to this His Majesties earnest desire of a Personal Treaty and speedily desire His presence amongst you where all things agreed on being digested into Acts till when it is most unreasonable for His Majesty or His two Houses to desire each of other the least Concession this Kingdom may at last enjoy the blessing of a long-wisht-for Peace From Carisbrook Castle Decemb. 6. 1647. MDâ—XLVII Dec. 24. The Four Bills sent to the King to the Isle of VVight to be passed Together with the Propositions sent unto Him at the same time which upon the passing of those Bills were to be Treated upon THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament have commanded us to present to Your Majesty these Four Bills which have passed the two Houses of Parliament thus severally Entituled viz. An Act concerning the raising settling and maintaining Forces by Sea and Land within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed An Act for justifying the Proceedings of Parliament in the late War and for declaring all Oaths Declarations
reforming both Universities and the Colleges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton His Majesty will consent to an Act for the better discovery and speedy conviction of Popish Recusants as is desired in your Propositions and also to an Act for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion As also to an Act for the rrue levying of the Penalties against Papists to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on and as is proposed on His Majesties behalf And also to an Act to prevent the practises of Papists against the State and for putting the Laws in execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Mass But as to the Covenant His Majesty is not yet therein satisfied that He can either sign or swear it or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others nor doth conceive it proper or useful at this time to be insisted on Touching the Militia His Majesty conceives that your Proposition demands a far larger power over the Persons and Estates of His Subjects than hath ever hitherto been warranted by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm yet considering the present Distractions require more and trusting in His two Houses of Parliament that they will make no further use of the Power therein mentioned after the present Distempers setled than shall be agreeable to the Legal exercise thereof in times past or just necessity shall require His Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England now assembled or hereafter to be assembled or such as they shall appoint during the space of ten years shall Arm Train and Discipline or cause to be Armed Trained or Disciplined all the Forces of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersy and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land-service and shall from time to time during the space of ten years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to de raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea-service in the Kingdoms Dominions and places aforesaid as in their judgments they shall from time to time during the said space of ten years think fit to appoint And that neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any other but such as shall act by the Authority or approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of ten years exercise any of the Powers aforesaid That Moneys be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of ten years think fit and appoint and not otherwise That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of ten years be imployed managed ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And the said Lords and Commons or such as they shall appoint during the said space of ten years shall have power 1. To suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without Authority and Consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the Publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed or any of them 2. To suppress any Foreign Forces who shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed or any of them And after the expiration of the said ten years neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission Power Deputation or Authority to be derived from the King His Heirs or Successors or any of them shall without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons raise arm train discipline employ order manage disband or dispose any the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed nor exercise any of the said Powers or Authorities herein before mentioned and expressed to be during the space of ten years in the said Lords and Commons nor do any act or any thing concerning the execution of the said Powers or Authorities or any of them without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained And with the same Provisoes for saving the ordinary Legal Power of Officers of Justice not being Military Officers as is set down in your Propositions And with a Declaration That if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in a Warlike manner or otherwise to the number of thirty persons and shall not forthwith disperse themselves being require thereto by the said Lords and Commons or command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person or persons not so dispersing themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of High Treason being first declared guilty of such offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the Great Seal or any other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding And he or they that shall so offend herein to be uncapable of any Pardon from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors And likewise that it be provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties c. in raising and imyloying the Forces of that City in such sort as is mentioned in the said Proposition With these Provisoes following to be inserted in the said Act. First That none be compelled to serve in the Wars against their wills but in case of coming in of strange Enemies into this Kingdom And that the Powers above mentioned as concerning the Land-Forces other than for keeping up and maintenance of Forts and Garisons and the keeping up mantaining and pay of this present Army so long as it shall be thought fit by both Houses of Parliament be exercised to no other purposes than for the suppressing of Forces raised or to be raised without Authority and Consent of the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid or for suppressing of any Foreign Forces which shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms Dominions or places aforesaid And that the Monies be raised by general and equal Taxations saving that Tonnage and Poundage and such Imposts as have been applyed to the Navy be raised as hath been usual And that all Patents Commissions and other Acts concerning the Premisses be made and acted in His Majesties Name by Warrant signified by the Lords and Commons or
People so as the Estates neither of Friends to publick Interest nor alone of inferior Enemies thereto may bear wholly the burthen of that loss and charge which by and for that Family the Kingdom hath been put unto Thirdly That Capital punishment be speedily executed upon a competent number of his chief Instruments also both in former and later Wars and that some of both sorts be pitcht upon as are really in your hands or reach Fourthly That the rest of the Delinquents English may upon rendring themselves to Justice have mercy for their Lives and that only Fines be set upon them and their persons declared incapable of any publick Trust or having any voice in Elections thereto at least for a good number of years And that a short day may be set by which all such Delinquents may come in and for those who come not in by that day that their Estates be absolutely confiscate and sold to the publick use and their persons stand exil'd as Traitors and to die without mercy if ever found after in the Kingdom or its Dominions Fifthly That the satisfaction of Arrears to the Soldiery with other publick Debts and competent reparations of publick Damages may be put into some orderly way And therefore that the Fines and Compositions of Delinquents be disposed to those uses only as also the Confiscations of such who shall be excluded from Pardon or not come in by the day assigned Now after publick Justice thus far provided for we proceed in order to the general satisfaction and settling of the Kingdom First That you would set some reasonable and certain period to your own Power Secondly That with a period to this Parliament there may be a settlement of the Peace and future Government of the Kingdom First That there may be a certain succession of future Parliaments Annual or Biennial with secure provision 1. For the certainty of their sitting meeting and ending 2. For equal Elections 3. For the Peoples meeting to elect provided that none engaged in War against the Kingdom may elect or be elected nor any other who oppose this Settlement 4. For clearing the future power of Parliaments as supreme only they may not give away any Foundation of Common Right 5. For liberty of entring Dissents in the said Representatives that the People may know who are not fit for future Trusts but without any further penalty for their free judgements Secondly That no King be hereafter admitted but upon Election of and as upon Trust from the People by such their Representatives not without first disclaiming all pretence to a Negative Voice against the determinations of the Commons in Parliament and this to be done in some form more clear than heretofore in the Coronation Oath These matters of general Settlement we propound to be provided by the Authority of the Commons in this Parliament and to be further established by a general Contract or Agreement of the People with their Subscriptions therunto And that no King be admitted to the Crown nor other person to any Office of publick Trust without express Accord and Subscription to the same Four Queries propounded by His MAJESTY when the Armies Remonstrance was read unto him at Newport concerning the intended Trial of His MAJESTY 1. WHether this Remonstrance be agreeable to the former Declarations of the Army and if not whether the Parliament would make good their Votes that after He had consented to what they desired He should be in a capacity of Honour Freedom and Safety 2. Whether His acknowledgement of the Blood that hath been spilt in the late Wars nothing being as yet absolutely concluded or binding could be urged so far as to be made use of by way of Evidence against Him or any of His Party 3. Whether the Arguments that He hath used in a free and Personal Treaty to lessen or extenuate and avoid the exactness of any of the Conditions though in manner and form only might be charged against Him as an act of Obstinacy or wilful persistence in what is alledged against Him in that He goes on in a destructive course of Enmity against the People and the Laws of the Land when He hath declared that His Conscience was satisfied concerning divers particulars in the Propositions 4. Whereas by the Letter of the Law all persons charged to offend against the Law ought to be tried by their Peers or Equals what the Law is if the Person questioned is without a Peer And if the Law which of it self is but a dead Letter seems to condemn him by what power shall Judgement be given and who shall give it or from whence shall the administrators of such Judgement derive their power which may by the same Law be deemed the supreme Power or Authority of Magistracy in the Kingdom His MAJESTIES Declaration concerning the Treaty and His dislike of the Armies Proceedings Delivered to one of His Servants at His Departure from the Isle of Wight and commanded to be published for the satisfastion of all His Subjects WHen large pretences prove but the shadows of weak performance then the greatest labours produce the smallest effects and when a period is put to a work of great concernment all mens ears do as it were hunger till they are satisfied in their expectations Hath not this distracted Nation groaned a long time under the burthen of tyranny and oppression And hath not all the blood that hath been spilt these seven years been cast upon My Head Who am the greatest Sufferer though the least guilty And was it not requisite to endeavour the stopping of that flux which if not stopt will bring an absolute Destruction to this Nation And what more speedy way was there to consummate those Distractions than by a Personal Treaty being agreed upon by My two Houses of Parliament and condescended to by Me And I might declare that I conceive it had been the best Physick had not the operation been hindred by the interposition of this imperious Army who were so audacious as to style Me in their unparallel'd Remonstrance their Capital Enemy But let the world judge whether Mine endeavours have not been attended with reality in this late Treaty and whether I was not as ready to grant as they were to ask and yet all this is not satisfaction to them that pursue their own ambitious ends more than the welfare of a miserable Land Were not the dying hearts of my poor distressed People much revived with the hopes of a Happiness from this Treaty and how suddenly are they frustrated in their expectations Have not I formerly been condemned for yielding too litte to My two Houses of Parliament and shall I now be condemned for yielding too much Have I not formerly been Imprisoned for making War and shall I now be condemned for making Peace Have I not formerly ruled like a KING and shall I now be ruled like a Slave Have I not formerly enjoyed the society of my dear Wife and Children in peace
great offence of enacting any thing against my Conscience and especially from consenting to Sacrilegious Rapines and spoilings of thy Church If Thou wilt restore Me to a capacity to glorifie Thee in doing good both to the Church and State Then shall my Soul praise Thee and magnifie thy Name before my People Then shall thy Glory be dearer to Me than my Crowns and the advancement of true Religion both in purity and power be my chiefest care Then will I rule My People with Justice and My Kingdoms with Equity To thy more immediate hand shall I ever owe as the rightful Succession so the merciful Restauration of My Kingdoms and the glory of them If Thou wilt bring Me again with Peace Safety and Honour to my chiefest City and My Parliament If Thou wilt again put the Sword of Justice into My hand to punish and protect Then will I make all the world to see and my very Enemies to enjoy the benefit of this Vow and Resolution of Christian Charity which I now make unto Thee O Lord. As I do freely pardon for Christ's sake those that have offended Me in any kind so my hand shall never be against any man to revenge what is past in regard of any particular injury done to Me. We have been mutually punished in our unnatural Divisions for thy sake O Lord and for the love of my Redeemer have I purposed this in my heart That I will use all means in the ways of Amnestie and Indemnity which may most fully remove all Fears and bury all Jealousies in forgetfulness Let thy Mercies be toward Me and Mine as my resolutions of Truth and Peace are toward my People Hear my Prayer O Lord which goeth not out of feigned lips Blessed be God who hath not turned away my Prayer nor taken his Mercy from Me. O my Soul commit thy way to the Lord trust in him and he shall bring it to pass But if Thou wilt not restore Me and Mine what am I that I should charge Thee foolishly Thou O Lord hast given and thou hast taken Blessed be thy Name May my People and thy Church be happy if not by Me yet without Me. XXVI Vpon the Armies Surprizal of the KING at Holdenby and the ensuing Distractions in the Two Houses the Army and the City WHat part God will have Me now to act or suffer in this new and strange scene of affairs I am not much solicitous some little practice will serve that man who only seeks to represent a part of Honesty and Honour This surprize of Me tells the world that a KING cannot be so low but he is considerable adding weight to that Party where he appears This motion like others of the Times seems eccentrick and irregular yet not well to be resisted or quieted Better swim down such a stream than in vain to strive against it These are but the struglings of those Twins which lately one Womb enclosed the younger striving to prevail against the elder what the Presbyterians have hunted after the Independents now seek to catch for themselves So impossible is to for lines to be drawn from the Center and not to divide from each other so much the wider by how much they go farther from the point of union That the Builders of Babel should from Division fall fall to Confusion is no wonder but for those that pretend to build Jerusalem to divide their tongues and hands is but an ill omen and sounds too like the fury of those Zealots whose intestine bitterness and divisions were the greatest occasion of the last fatal destruction of that City Well may I change My Keepers and Prison but not my captive Condition only with this hope of bettering that those who are so much professed Patrons for the Peoples Liberties cannot be utterly against the Liberty of their KING What they demand for their own Consciences they cannot in reason deny to Mine In this they seem more ingenuous than the Presbyterian Rigor who sometimes complaining of exacting their conformity to Laws are become the greatest Exactors of other mens submission to their novel injunctions before they are stamped with the Authority of Laws which they cannot well have without My Consent 'T is a great argument that the Independents think themselves manumitted from their Rivals service in that they carry on a business of such consequence as the assuming My Person into the Armies custody without any Commission but that of their own Will and Power Such as will thus adventure on a KING must not be thought over-modest or timorous to carry on any design they have a mind to Their next motion menaces and scares both the Two Houses and the City which soon after acting over again that former part of tumultuary motions never questioned punished or repented must now suffer for both and see their former Sin in the glass of the present Terrors and Distractions No man is so blind as not to see herein the hand of Divine Justice they that by Tumults first occasioned the raising of Armies must now be chastened by their own Army for new Tumults So hardly can men be content with one sin but add sin to sin till the latter punish the former Such as were content to see Me and many Members of both Houses driven away by the first unsuppressed Tumults are now forced to fly to an Army or defend themselves against them But who can unfold the riddle of some mens Justice The Members of both Houses who at first withdrew as My self was forced to do from the rudeness of the Tumults were counted Desertors and outed of their Places in Parliament such as stayed then and enjoyed the benefit of the Tumults were asserted for the only Parliament-men Now the Fliers from and Forsakers of their Places carry the Parliamentary power along with them complain highly against the Tumults and vindicate themselves by an Army such as remained and kept their stations are looked upon as Abettors of tumultuary insolencies and betrayers of the freedom and honour of Parliament Thus is Power above all Rule Order and Law where men look more to present Advantages than their Consciences and the unchangeable rules of Justice while they are Judges of others they are forced to condemn themselves Now the Plea against Tumults holds good the Authors and Abettors of them are guilty of prodigious Insolencies whenas before they were counted as Friends and necessary Assistants I see Vengeance pursues and overtakes as the Mice and Rats are said to have done a Bishop in Germany them that thought to have escaped and fortified themselves most impregnably against it both by their Multitude and Compliance Whom the Laws cannot God will punish by their own Crimes and hands I cannot but observe this Divine Justice yet with sorrow and pity for I always wished so well to Parliament and City that I was sorry to see them do or suffer any thing unworthy such great and considerable Bodies in this Kingdom I was glad to
Cessation so limited and qualified they may forthwith proceed to treat upon the Propositions and because the time is so far elapsed in these preparations they desire the Cessation may begin the five and twentieth of this instant March or sooner if it may be and in the mean time notice to be given to all the Forces in the several and remote parts and the Commanders Officers Souldiers are enjoyned to observe this Cessation accordingly to which they hope and pray that God will give such a blessing that thereupon Peace Safety and Happiness may be produced and confirmed to His Majesty and all His People H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. Dom. Com. INSTRUCTIONS agreed on by the Lords and Commons in Parliament for Algernon Earl of Northumberland William Lord Viscount Say and Seal William Pierrepont Esq Sir William Armyne Bar. Sir John Holland Bar. and Bulstrode Whitelocke Esq Committees appointed to attend His MAJESTY upon the Propositions made by His Majesty to the Parliament and likewise upon the other Propositions humbly presented from them to His Majesty I. YOU shall present to His Majesty the Articles agreed on for the Cessation of Arms humbly desiring His Majesty to ratifie and confirm the same under the Great Seal which being obtained you are to send it up to the Parliament with all possible speed and shall likewise beseech the King to dispatch away Messengers to the Generals Commanders and Soldiers of all His Armies and Forces with a strict Command Injunction that they observe those Articles of Cessation according as they are agreed upon as the two Houses likewise intend to give the like direction to the Lord General of the Armies raised for their Defence II. After His Majesty hath declared and ratified the Cessation you shall then proceed to the Treaty beginning with the first Proposition on His Majesty's behalf concerning His Majesty's own Revenue his Magazines Towns Forts and Ships and thereunto make this Answer You shall declare That the two Houses of Parliament have not made use of His Majesty's own Revenue but in a very small proportion which for a good part hath been employed in the maintenance of His Majesty's Children according to the allowance established by Himself and they will satisfie what shall remain due to His Majesty of those Sums received out of His Majesty's own Revenues and shall leave the same to His Majesty for the time to come And you likewise shall propound to His Majesty that He will restore what hath been taken for His use upon any of the Bills assigned to other purposes by several Acts of Parliament or out of the provision made for the War of Ireland That they will remove the Garrisons out of all Towns and Forts in their hands wherein there were no Garrisons before these Troubles and slight all Fortifications made since that time which Towns and Forts it is to be agreed on both parts shall continue in the same condition they were in before and that those Garrisons shall not be renewed nor the Fortifications repaired without Consent of His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament That for those Towns and Forts which are within the Jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports they shall be delivered up into the hands of such a Noble person as His Majesty shall appoint to be Warden of the Cinque-Ports being such a one as they shall confide in That the Town of Portsmouth shall be reduced to the number of the Garrison as was at the time when the Lords and Commons undertook the custody thereof and such other Forts Castles and Towns as were formerly kept by Garrisons as have been taken by them into their care and custody since the beginning of these Troubles shall be reduced to such proportion of Garrison as they had in the year 1636 and shall be so continued and that all the said Towns Forts and Castles shall be delivered up into the hands of such persons of Quality and Trust to be likewise nominated by His Majesty as the two Houses shall confide in That the Warden of the Cinque-Ports and all Governours and Commanders of Towns Castles and Forts shall keep the same Towns Castles and Forts respectively for the Service of His Majesty and the Safety of the Kingdom and that they shall not admit into any of them any Forein Forces raised without His Majesty's Authority and Consent of the two Houses of Parliament and they shall use their uttermost endeavours to suppress all Forces whatsoever raised without such Authority and Consent and they shall seise all Arms and Ammunition provided for any such Forces That the Ships shall be delivered into the Charge of such a Noble person as His Majesty shall nominate to be Lord High-Admiral of England and the two Houses of Parliament confide in who shall receive the same Office by Letters Patent quamdiu bene se gesserit and shall have power to nominate and appoint all subordinate Commanders and Officers and have all other powers appertaining to the Office of High-Admiral which Ships he shall employ for the defence of the Kingdom against all Forein Forces whatsoever and for the safeguard of Merchants securing of Trade and the guarding of Ireland and the intercepting of all Supplies to be carried to the Rebels and shall use his uttermost endeavour to suppress all Forces which shall be raised by any person without His Majesty's Authority and Consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament and shall seise all Arms and Ammunition provided for supply of any such Forces That all the Arms and Ammunition taken out of His Majesty's Magazines which shall remain in their hands shall be delivered into His Stores and whatsoever shall be wanting they will in convenient time supply in kind according to the proportions which they have received and that the Persons to whose charge those publick Magazines shall be committed being nominated by His Majesty shall be such as the Lords and Commons shall confide in And you shall propound to His Majesty that He will restore all such Arms and Ammunition as have been taken for His use from the several Counties Cities and Towns To the Proposition made by the two Houses concerning the disbanding of the Armies you shall humbly desire His Majesties speedy and positive Answer unto which if He shall be pleased to give His Assent you shall then beseech His Majesty in the name of both Houses that a near day may be agreed upon for the disbanding of all the Forces in the remote parts of Yorkshire and the other Northern Counties as also in Lancashire Cheshire and in the Domiion of Wales and in Cornwal and Devon and they being fully disbanded another day may be agreed on for the disbanding of all Forces in Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Leicestershire and all other places except at Oxford and the Quarters thereunto belonging and Windsor and the Quarters thereunto belonging and that last of all a speedy day be appointed for the disbanding those two Armies at Oxford and Windsor and all the Forces