Treaty in consideration whereof we have made it our care constantly to tend at the appointed times of meeting and to presse all dispatch therein And we canot but take notice that the proceedings on your part have been and are very slow and that little or nothing hath been done in the Treaty since our entrance thereupon and therefore in discharge of our Duty and the Trust reposed in us we do very earnestly desire that the Treaty may be effectually proceeded on with all expedition and the times for meeting punctually kept there being nothing that shall be wanting in us according to the power given us to further a work of so great importance and which may perfect a right understanding betwixt the Parliament and the Army By the appointment of the Commissioners residing with the Army Reading July 7. 1647. An Answer of the Commissioners of the Army to the Paper of the Commissioners of Parliament about a speedy proceeding BY the last Paper delivered in unto us from your Lordships at Reading July 7. we perceive you find that the Expectation of the Parliament and Kingdome is great upon the speedy progresse and happy issue of this Treaty We answer that we do really apprehend the same things with you neither can we but witnesse that you have constantly attended the appointed times of meeting and prest dispatch therein Neverthelesse we cannot but be very sensible that you seem to reflect upon us further then there is just cause in your taking notice that the proceedings herein should be slow and dilatory on our part as if we should not seem to desire and labour the quick and speedy settlement o the affaires of the Kingdome in a safe and well-grounded Peace as cordially as any persons whatsoever We shall therefore desire you to remember with what forwardnesse we have in the first place presented to you those things which we did in our hearts conceive necessary in order to a Treaty and without which being granted we could not with safety to the Kingdome and satisfaction to our selves proceed in Treaty and further prest you to present them to the Parliament with speed that a quick dispatch might be had therein as being in our thoughts the chiefest and surest way to prevent the engaging this Kingdome in a second War when contrary to our expectation we have found little effectually done in relation to our Desires in those things most concerning the safety and peace of the Kingdome To the end therefore wee may acquit our selves from being guilty of the delay you mention and that it may appeare to all men where the stick is of not proceeding in the Treaty to a settlement of the Peace of the Kingdome so much thirsted after by us all we thought fit to reminde you of these following proposals which we have formerly insisted upon and to which satisfaction is not given I. That there is nothing done with effect notwithstanding the Votes of the House to the dispersing of the Reformado Officers who continue in and about London ready to head Forces to the apparent hazzard of a new Warre II. That notwithstanding the Votes of the House for the speedy sending into Ireland or disbanding those forces which have left the Army and their speciall Order to the Committee at Derby House to take speedy care therein yet they are still continued in bodies in and about London and as we heare are daily listing more Forces pretending the service of Ireland III. That notwithstanding the Votes of the House of the tenth of June and those since of the fifth of July for the present purging of the House yet divers persons comprised in these Votes continue still to sit there So long as we remain unsatisfied in the two first of these particulars we cannot be secured from those doubts we have expressed of the danger of a new Warre especially if it be considered that the end of inviting so many Reformado Officers to London was to lay a foundation of a new Warre and was principally carried on by the designe of some of those Members of the house of Commons we have impeached And likewise that divers of the Officers and Souldiers which left this Army were procured by promises of pay and other ingagements which were likewise designed by the same persons aforementioned if possibly they might thereby have broken this Army And for the last what comfortable effect may we expect of a Treaty so long as the Parliament the supreme Judicatory of the Kingdome is coustituted of some that are men of interests contrary to the common good thereof from whom we can expect nothing but banding and designing to obstruct and frustrate all proceedings contrary to their interest though never so essentiall to the happy settlement of the Kingdome and if a seasonable remedy be not given herein we despaire of any good to the Kingdome by way of Treaty Signed By the appointment of the Commissioners of the Army W. Clerk Secre. Reading 7. July 1647. A PARTICVLAR CHARGE OR IMPEACHMENT In the Name of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX And the Army under his Command against Denzill Holles Esquier Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clothworthy Sir William Waller Sir John Maynard Knights Major Generall Massie John Glynne Esquire Recorder of London Walter Long Esquire Colonel Edward Harley and Anthony Nicoll Esquire Members of the Honorable House of Commons WHereas on the fifteenth day of June last the Heads of a Charge were delivered in the name of the said Army unto the Commissioners of Parliament to bee sent up to the Parliament against the Persons above named Now in prosecution and maintenance thereof and according to the power thereby preserved It is in the Name of the said Army more particularly charged against the said persons as followeth 1. That the said Mr. Denzill Holles during the late Warre in prosecution of the evill designes expressed in the generall Heads or Articles formerly exhibited contrary to the trust reposed in him contrary to his Oath taken in June 1643. and contrary to the Ordinance of Parliament dated in October 1643. hath assisted the King in the late unnaturall Warre and held correspondency and intelligence with the Enemy against the Parliament in manner following viz. He the said Mr Holies being one of the speciall Commissioners for the Parliament to present Propositions of both Houses to the King at Oxford did privately and contrary to his instructions at severall times make his addresses unto the Kings party the â—â—â—â—en in Armes against the Parliament namely unto the Earle of Lyndsey the Earle of Southampton the Lord Savill and others and did secretly plot and advise them against the Parliament and did intimate unto them or one of them that the said Propositions then sent unto his Majesty by the Parliament were unreasonable And the said M. Holles being demanded what Answer he would advise the King to make to the Propositions he the said M. Holles did advise that the King should demand a
Treaty however and then declare how unreasonable the Propositions were and that yet for the peace of the Kingdome his Majesty would Treate upon them but withall wished the said Treaty might be in London whether the King himselfe should come upon security He the said M. Holles adding that there was nothing in the world that the violent party meaning the well-affected party to the Parliament against the Enemy did so much feare as his Majesties comming to London which would be a certaine dissolution of their authority and power And the said Mr. Holles bad those said persons or one of them assure the King that if his Majesty knew as much as hee the said Mr. Holles knew his Majesty would take his Horse and be at London the next day or words to that effect And it being againe demanded whether if the King should be willing to come it would be accepted of He the said Mr. Holles thereto answered that certainely it would bee much opposed but yet hee the said Mr. Holles was confident that he and his party meaning some of the members above named and others should carry it and wished the King to put it upon that triall And the said Mr. Holles was desired by the said Earle of Lindsey Earle of Southampton and Lord Savill or one of them that he would be pleased to draw such an Answer in writing to the said Propositions as he desired the King should send and the said Earle of Southampton who was that night to lye in the Kings Bedchamber would perswade the the King to condiscend unto it and thereupon the said Mr. Hollas withdrew and either the same day or the next day following the said Mr. Holles accordingly carried in his hand unto the said Lords or one of them a paper ready written which as he said was such an Answer to the said Propositions as he had drawne for the King to send to the Parliament which was taken by the said Lords or one of them and carried to the King to be considered of and so much thereof as advised the Kings comming to London was laid by the King fearing to adventure himselfe but the rest of the said Paper the Lord Digby who writ the Kings Answer to the said Propositions made use of in the same words as the said Mr. Holles had set downe And the said Mr. Holles to ingratiate himselfe with the Kings party did about the same time revile the well-affected Members of the House of Commons declaring unto the said Kings party at Oxford or some of them that those well-affected Members which to render them the more odious as he conceived he named the violent Independant party had ill intentions and greater aversenes to Peace and that nothing would bee more pleasing to them then for the King to refuse the Propositions how unreasonable soever the same were and hee also then said that the Commissioners of Scotland were very weary of that violent party and that they being desperate to establish their Presbytery here as in Scotland made their addresses to him the said Mr. Holles and his party All which tended to the protracting of the said late Warr to the hindrance of an happy Peace and the said Mr. Holles did also after that receive from the Earle of Lindsey a letter written in white inke concerning some secret designe and kept it from the knowledge of the House from February till about July after when it was discovered by him that brought it but the Letter it selfe was by Mistris Holles said after hee had read it burnt And the said Earle of Linsey moved the King for a passe for the said Master Holles to goe to Oxford but the King refused to grant it saying that Holles did him better service in the Parliament then he could doe him at Oxford 2. That the said Mr Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton during the said late Warre when the said Earle of Lindsey went from the Tower of London to Oxford sent severall Messages of intelligence to the Earle of Dorset and Lord Digby thereby assuring them that they the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton did better service for the King here in Parliament then they could doe him if they were at Oxford And the said Sir Philip Stapleton desired that the said Earle of Dorset would preserve him the said Sir Philip and his friends in the good opinion of the party at Oxford which was then the Kings Garrison and he the said sir Philip would doe as much for his Lordship and his friends here with the Parliament and the said Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton the more to ingratiate themselves into the favour of the Enemy did of their owne accord without any direction of the Parliament draw up other Propositions then those mentioned in the precedent Articles which they affirmed were in their judgements fit for the King to grant and for the Parliament to desire and being so drawn up sent them privately to his Majestie without any authority of Parliament to warrant the same 3. That the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthie Sir William Waller Sir John Maynard Major generall Massie Mr. Glyn M. Long Colonell Edward Harley and Anthony Nicholls in the Moneths of March Aprill May and June last past and at others times in prosecution of the evill designes in the severall generall heads mentioned have frequently assembled and mett together at the Lady Carliles Lodging in White-Hall and in other places with divers other persons dis-affected to the State without any authority of Parliament for holding correspondencie with the Queene of England now in France and her participants with an intent by such secret and clandestine treaties amongst themselves to put conditions upon the Parliament and to bring in the King upon their owne tearmes and having a great power upon the Treasure of the Kingdome have therewith maintained and encouraged by Pensions and otherwise the Queenes party in France thereby to beget a second and more bloudy Warre in this Kingdome and they or some or one of them assured the Queene 40000. l. per annum if shee would assist them in their designe and that they would doe more for the King then the Army would doe and that they would finde out some meanes to destroy the Army and their friends 4. That in further pursuance of the same evill designes they the said Mr. Hâ—lles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewes Sir John Clotworthie Sir William Waller and Major generall Massey by the combination aforesaid within the space of three monthes last past without any authority of Parliament Invited the Scots and other forraigne forces to come into this Kingdome in a Hostile manner to abett and assist them in the prosecuting and effecting of their said designes And the said Mr. Holles very lately sent to the said Queene of England then and still in France advising her amongst other things speedily to send the Prince into Scotland to march into this
Parliament extraordinary provided it meet above seventie dayes before the next Bienniall day and be dissolved at least sixtie dayes before the same so as the course of Bienniall-elections may never bee interrupted 4. That this Parliament and each succeeding Bienniall-Parliament at or before adjournment or dissolution thereof may appoint Committees to continue during the intervall for such purposes as are in any of these Proposalls referr'd to such Committees 5. That the Elections of the Commons for succeeding Parliaments may be distributed to all Counties or other parts or divisions of the Kingdome according to some rule of equality or proportion so as all Counties may have a number of Parliament Members allowed to their choice proportionable to therespective Rates they beare in the common charges and burthens of the Kingdome according to some other rule of equallity or proportion to render the House of Commons as neere as may be an equall Representative of the whole and in order thereunto that a present consideration be had to take off the Elections of Burgesses for poore decayed or inconsiderable Townes and to give some present addition to the number of Parliament-Members for great Counties that have now lesse then their due proportion to bring all at present as neere as may be to such a rule of proportion as aforesaid 6. That effectuall provision be made for future freedome of Elections and certainty of due returnes 7. That the House of Commons alone have the power from time to time to set downe further orders and rules for the ends expressed in the two last preceding Articles so as to reduce the Elections of Members for that House to more and more perfection of equality in the distribution freedome in the Election order in the proceeding thereto and certainty in the Returnes which orders and rules in that case to be as Lawes 8. That there be a liberty for entering dissents in the House of Commons with provision that no Member be censurable for ought said or voted in the House further then to exclusion from that trust and that onely by the judgement of the House it selfe 9. That the judiciall power or power of small Judgement in the Lords and Commons and their power of Exposition and Application of Law without further appeale may be cleared And that no Officer of Justice Minister of State or other person adjudged by them may be capable of Protection or pardon from the King without their advice and consent 10. That the Right and libertie of the Commons of England may be cleared and vindicated as to a due Exemption from any Judgement Triall or other proceeding against them by the House of Peeres without the concurring Judgement of the House of Commons As also from any other judgement sentence or proceeding against them other then by their equalls or according to the Law of the Land 11. The same Act to provide that grand Jury-men may be chosen by and for severall parts or divisions of each County respectively in some equall way and not remaine as now at the discretion of an under-Sheriffe to be put on or off And that such Grand Jury-men for their respective Counties may at each Assize present the names of persons to be made Justices of Peace from time to time as the Countrey hath need for any to be added to the Commission and at the summer Assize to present the names of three persons out of whom the King may prick one to be Sheriffe for the next yeare II. For the future security to Parliaments and the Militia in generall in order thereunto that is be provided by Act of Parliament 1. That the power of the Militia by Sea and Land during the space of ten yeares next ensuing shall be ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons Assembled and to be Assembled in the Parliament or Parliaments of England or by such persons as they shall nominate and appoint for that purpose from time to time during the said space 2. That the said power shall not be ordered disposed or exercised by the Kings Majesty that now is or by any person or persons by any Authority derived from him during the said space or at any time hereafter by his said Majesty without the advice and consent of the said Lords and Commons or of such Committees or Councell in the intervals of Parliament 〈◊〉 they shall appoint 3. That during the some spâ—â—ce of ten yeares the said Lords and Commons may by Bill or Ordinance raise and dispose of what moneys and for what Forces they shall from time to time finde necessary â—s also for payment of the publick debts and damages and for all other the publick uses of the Kingdome 4. And to the end the temporâ—â—y security intended by the three particulars last precedent may be the better assured it may therefore be provided That no Subjects that have been in Hostility against the Parliament in the late warre shall be capable of bearing any Office of power â—s publick trust in the Common-wealth during the space of five yeares without consent of Parliament or of the Councell of State or to sit as Members or assistants of either House of Parliament untill the second-â—ituniall Parliament be past III. For the present forme of disposing the Militia in order to the peace and safety of this Kingdome and the service of Ireland 1. That there be Commissioners for the Admiralty with a Vice-Admirall and Rereâ— Admirall now to be agreed on with power for the forming regulating appointing of Officers and providing for the Navy and for ordering the same to and in the ordinary service of the Kingdome And that there be a sufficient provision and establishment for pay and maintenance thereof 2. That there be a Generall for command of the Land Forces that are to be in pay both in England Ireland and Wales both for Field and Garrison 3. That there be Commissioners in the severall Counties for the standing Militia of the respective Counties consisting of Trained Bands and Auxiliaries not in pay with power for the proportioning forming regulating training and disciplining of them 4. That there be a Councell of State with power to superintend and direct the severall and particular powers of the Militia last mentioned for the peace and safety of this Kingdome and of Ireland 5. That the same Councell may have power as the Kings privy Councell for and in all forraigne negotiations provided That the making of warre or peace with any other Kingdome or State shall not be without the advice and consent of Parliament 6. That the said power of the Councell of State be put into the hands of trusty and able persons now to be agreed on and the same persons to continue in that power si bene se gesserint for a certain Terme not exceeding seven yeares 7. That there be a sufficient establishment now provided for the salary Forces both in England and Ireland the establishment to continue untill two Moneths after the meeting of
The manner of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Officers of His Armie sitting in COVNCELL A DECLARATION OF THE Engagements Remonstrances Representations Proposals Desires and Resolutions from His Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the generall Councel of the Army For setling of His Majesty in His just Rights the Parliament in their just Priviledges and the Subjects in their LIBERTIES and FREEDOMES With papers of Overtures of the Army with the Kings Majesty the Parliament the Citie and with the Souldiery amongst themselves Also Representations of the grievances of the Kingdome and remedies propounded for removing the present pressures whereby the Subjects are burthened And the resolutions of the Army for the establishment of a firme and lasting Peace in Church and KINGDOME Die Lunae 27. Seytembris 1647. WHereas Math Simmons hath beene at great charges in Printing the Declarations and Papers from the Army in one Volume It is ordered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that the said Math Simmons shall have the Printing and publishing thereof for the space of one whole yeare from the date hereof And that none other shall re-print the same during that time John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons in Aldersgate-street 1647. To His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of the PARLIAMENTS Forces The humble Petition of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army under your Command SHEVVETH THat ever since our first ingaging in this service for preserving the power of this Kingdome in the hands of the Parliament we have in our severall places served them with all faithfulnesse And although we have layn under many discouragements for want of pay and other necessaries yet have we not disputed their commands disobeyed their orders nor disturbed them with Petitions nor have there any visible discontents appeared amongst us to the incouragement of their Enemies and the impediment of their affaires but have with all chearfulnesse done Summer services in Winter seasons improving the utmost of our abilities in the advancement of their service And seeing God hath crowned our indeavours with the end of our desires viz. the dispersing of their publike Enemies and reducing them to their obedience The King being now brought 〈◊〉 our Brethren the Scots satisfied and departed the Kingdome all dangers seemingly blown over Peace in all their Quarters We imboldned by their manifold promises and Declarations to protect and defend those that appeared and acted in their service herewith humbly present to your Excellency the annexed Representations of our desires which we humbly beseech your Excellency to recommend or represent in our behalfe to the Parliament And your Petitioners shall ever Honour and Pray for your Excellency c. The humble Representation of the Desires of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army under the Command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Presented first to his Excellency to be by him represented to the Parliament 1. FIrst whereas the necessity and exigencie of the War hath put us upon many actions which the Law would not warrant nor we have acted in a time of setled peace we humbly desire that before our disbanding a full and sufficient provision may be made by Ordinance of Parliament to which the Royall assent may be desired for our indempnity and security in all such cases 2. That Auditors or Commissioners may be speedily appointed and authorized to repaire to the head quarter of this Army to audite and state our accompts as well for all former services as for our services in this Army and that before the disbanding of the Army satisfaction may be given to the Petitioners for their arreares that so the charge trouble and loss of time which we must otherwise necessarily undergoe in attendance for the obtaining of them may be prevented we having had experience that many have been reduced to miserable extreamities even almost starved for want of reliefe by their tedious attendance And that no Officer may be charged with any thing in his accompt that doth not particularly concern himselfe 3. That those who have voluntarily served the Parliament in the late Warrs may not hereafter be compelled by press or otherwise to serve as Souldiers out of this Kingdome Nor those who have served as Horsemen may be compelled by press to serve on Foot in any future case 4. That such in this Army as have lost their limbs and the wives and Children of such as have been slain in the service and such Officers or souldiers as have sustained losses or have been prejudiced in their estates by adhering to the Parliament or in their persons by sickness or imprisonment under the Enemy may have such allowances and satisfaction as may be agreeable to Iustice and equity 5. That till the Army be disbanded as aforesaid some course may be taken for the supply thereof with moneys whereby we may be enabled to discharge our quarters that so we may not for necessary food be beholding to the Parliaments Enemies burthensome to their friends or oppressive to the country whose preservation we have alwayes indeavoured and in whose happiness we should still rejoyce The Officers present at the Debates following Viz. Liuet Gen. Hamond Commissary Ireton Col Hamond Col. Harley Col. â—ngoldesby Col. Whaley Col. Fortescue Col. Rich. Col. Butler Col. Hewson Col Lilburne Col. Okey Liuet Col. Jackson Lieutenant Colonell Pride Liuet Col Grimes Major Fincher Major Swallow Major Huntington Major Cowell Major Ducket Major Sedascue Major Waade Captain Brown Captain Groves Capt. Lawrence Capt. Jenkins Capt Morgan Capt Farre Captain Goff Capt. Reynolds Capt. Nevill Capt Pretty Capt. Ohara Capt Leigh Capt Coleman Capt. Young Capt. cannon capt Wallington capt Lieut Audley capt Liut Gladman capt Lagoe Lieut Lloyde Lieut Scottin cor Spencer At the Convention of Officers before his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax at Saffron Walden March 21 1646. THe two Letters from the Committee of Lords and Commons for Irish affaires sitting at Derby-House the one dated the 17. the other the 18. of March instant and the severall votes of the House of Commons there inclosed concerning the sending of seven Regiments of Foot and four Regiments of Horse out of this Army into Irel. for the service of that Kingdom were read Whereupon his Excellency proposed unto the Oâ—ficers this Qestion ensuing viz. Quest Whether they were willing with those under their Commands to ingage for the service of Ireland in the number of Horse Foot and Dragoons now proposed to be sent In order to which after some debate the first Quaerie propounded amongst the Officers was 1. Whether they were prepared at present to give a certain resolution to that Question Resolved Negatively Nemine contradicente 2 It was resolved and declared by all That whether they shall finde cause to ingage themselves personally in that service or no they shall in their severall places be ready to further and advance it amongst those under their respective commands Next there were severall things propounded by severall Officers
Rich. Hodden Ro. Gibbon Hen. Davis Lewis Awdeley Cap. Lieut. Io. Wallington Cap. Lieut. Edw. Orpin Ro. Anderson Tho. Haws Cap Lieu. Giles Sanders Rich. Sanders Io. Shrimpton Cap. Lieut. Francis-Allen Io. Grime Ia. Iermin Tho. Price Fra. Hawes Will. Arnop Cap. Lieu. Mat. Cadwell Io. Biscoe Sam. Rose Wil. Weare Cap. Lieu. Ro. Read Io. Toppenden Alex. Brafield Wil. Goffe Tho. Patsons George Gregson Roger Alsop Io. Salkeild Waldoffe Lagoe Io. Mason Hen. Lilburn Abra. Holmes Ier. Iolchurse Amos Stoddar Lieutenants Griffith Lloyde Edw. Scotton Tho. Sheares Nâ—t Wight Ben. Gifford Sampson Toogood Hen. Johnson Ioh. Merriman Hen. Martin Edm. Ch llenden George Ensor George Elsemore Tho. Aldridge Io. Peck Io. Frank Gelm Taylor Stephen White Io. Barrow Rich. Kemp Rich. Mosse Ralph Parker Martin Iubbs Tho. Ellis Phil. Price Jo. Hawes Io. Clark Ro. Taylor Io. Friend Rich. Tompson Io. Savage Tho. Camberlain Geor. Smith Ralph Galo Nat. Chasse Ralph Wilson Io. Watson Io. Filkins Lewis Noreot William Farley Brian Smith Alex Davis Ro. Lewis Io. Toppen Hugh Ienkin Io. Nichola Edward Dornay Io. Miller Ia. Clark Edw. Farmer Tho. Day Randol Warner Wil-Giuge Wil. Skelley Ethel Morgan Adrian Arwood Ienken Bevon George Ienkin Wil. Hill Io. Ward Tho. Barker Ed. Singleton Io. Friend Rich. Tompson Tho. Cossinghurst And. Edwards Sam Axtel Fran. Wheeler Io. Petter Cornets Wil. Barrington Io. Fox Rich. Southwood Tho. Barkley Edm. Winstanly Wil. Whittington Io. Sabberton George Ioyce Chry. Kember Io. Corde Geor. Tracy Wil. Beuck Io. Clark Wil. Leadbrook Pet. Wallis Sam. Packer Hen. Mills Io. Southwood Ja. Wilson Io. Spencer Rich. Webb Cha. Whitehead Abel Warren Anth. Lacon Wil. Lurna Sam. Boalley Ensignes Cha. Bolton Rob. Smith Geo. Clark Willi. Iones Ier. Hand Sam. Bince Ro. Beldea Tho. Rawlins Ier. Camfield Tho. Newman Evan Iones Hen. Cedwath Fardinando Green Geor. Neckthey Francis Farmer Hen. Williams Tho. Lewis Rich. Bourn Will. Ioyce Wil. Galhampton Rob. Banning VVil. Everard Io. Mason VVil. Cooper Downhalt Gregory Abinam Spooner Wil. Beard Sam. Chase Edw. Evans Io. Bishop Fra. Litler Wil. Disney Io. VVard Rich Essex Tho. Chambers Io. Bret Abel VVarren Quartermasters Wil. Williams Io. Goodwir Cales Leigh Wil. Miller George Sanders Rich. Slaynor Ed. Warren Tho. Savage Nath. Chedis Philip Ramsey Tho. Stewars Io. Ads Ro. Agard Io. Kennet Hen. Ward Io Due Tho. Ward Phil. Ioanes Rich. Hunt A Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to both Houses of Parliament concerning the Kings being brought from Holdenby towards the Army Mr. Speaker BY my last of Friday the 4 instant I gave you account of what I understood from Holmby concerning the undertaking of some Souldiers on Wednesday last to secure the King from being secretly conveyed away and that Col. Graves being thereupon secretly slipt away I had sent Col. Whaley with his Regiment to attend the Commissioners and take charge of the Guards there On Saturday morning being at a Randezvouze beyond Newmarket and advancing the Army this way in order to quarter about Cambridge I received advertisement That the Souldiers of Holmby had upon Friday morning with his Majesties consent brought him away from thence together with your Commissioners That they lay at Hinchingbrook near Huntingdon on Friday night and would be at Newmarket that day The ground of this remove was alledged to be an apprehension in the Souldiers of some Forces gathering towards that place suddenly to fal upon them forâ—e the Kâ—out of their hands to withstand which they thought they might bâ—â—â—o weak having then no notice of Col. Whaleys comming with his Regiament upon this immediately I sent after Col. Whaley to advertise him thereof with order to direct his course towards Huntingdon and where ere he met his Majesty and the Commissioners to desire that they would come on no further this way but rather to return and suffer him to guard them back And to prevent any danger imaginable therein I sent off from the Rendezvouz two Regiments of Horse more to march after Col. Whaley towards Huntingdon and so on towards Holdenby to be assistant to him in the Guards about his Majesty iâ— it should be found needfull And thus I held on the motion of the rest of the Army this way Towards Evening a fâ—â—t the Quarters of the Army were assigned and taken up hereabouts and the Regiments marching off towards their severall Quarters I understood from Collonel Whaley that meeting the King and your Commissioners upon their way from Huntington towards New-market about foure miles short of Cambridge they had forborn to come on any further but his Majesty being not willing to return back for Holdenby they had taken up his Quarter for present at Sir John Cuts his house at Childerley being the next house of any conveniency to the place where we met them Hereupon I sent thither Sir Hardres Waller and. Col. Lambert to informe the Commissioners of my comming to Cambridge and the Armies quartering hereabouts and to desire that they would think of returning back with his Majesty to Holdenby and because there might bee many inconveniencies in delay that they would not make any stay where they were but remove back that way next morning though it were the Lords day the Commissioners refused to act or meddle any otherwise in disposing the King then by their Answer to me whereof I have sent you a Copy here inclosed you see And his Majesty declares himselfe very unwilling to goe back to Holdenby I have thus given you a true and faithfull account how his Majesty came to the place where he is and how the Quarters of the Army have fallen out to be so neare him What ever by the concurrence of events to make it thus may be suspected of designe therein This is the exact truth of the businesse and I can clearly professe as in the presence of God for my self and dare be confident of the same for all the Officers about me and body of the Army that this remove of his Majesty from Holdeâ— by was without any designe knowledge or privity thereof on our parts and a thing altogether unexpected to us untill the notice of it came upon the Randezvouz as before neither the Randezvouz or comming hither to quarter with the Army from any purpose or with any expectation to be so neere His Majesty as it happens But the effect is so farre meerly providentiall and to us accidentall but the case being as it is your Commissioners refusing to intermeddle as before and the King to goe back I have placed and shall continue about his Majesty such a Guard of trusty men and under such command Collonell Whaley being chiefe in the charge as I may be responsall for to the Parliament and Kingdome so farre as can reasonably be expected from me by the blessing of God to secure his Majesties person from danger and prevent any attempts of such as may designe by that advantage of his Person the best to raise any new Warre in this Kingdome And truely
false informations and mis-representations put the Parliament upon such wayes the timely and effectuall reliefe of Ireland seem really to have been intended or rather with the breaking or disbanding of this Army to draw together or raise such other forces and of such a temper as might serve to some desperate and destructive designes in England For which besides the probable suspitions from their carriage of the businesse wee have beforehand in the transaction thereof had more then hints of such a designe by clear expressions to that purpose from many of those Officers of the Army that have been perswaded and appeared most forward to engage as for Ireland on the termes proposed And that such a designe hath all along been driven seemes now too evident by the present disposing of those Forces that have been engaged for Ireland by the endeavours of some to gaine a power from the Parliament of ordering those Forces for some service in England and by the private listings of men for service here without any publike authority of Parliament And all this by the same persons who have all along appeared most active and violent in the late proceedings against the Army As to the just Discontents and Dissatisfactions of the Army in relation to their Grievances and their Non-compliance to the late Orderers for sudden Disbanding by peece-meale before more full and equall satisfaction were given to the whole we desire you to look back to the Papers already published of the grievances themselves the Narrative of the Officers and to the later Papers from the generall Counsell of War at Bury and the late generall Randezvous neer New-Market And we thinke your late resuming the consideration of those things as to a further satisfaction doth much justifie the desires and proceedings of the Army in those past particulars hitherto And though had we upon our first addresses for our undoubted rights and dues c found a free and candid reception with a just consideration and a reasonable satisfaction or at least a free Answer therein we should have been easily perswaded to have abated or forborn much of our dues and not to have enquired into or considered so farre as we have either the possibilities there are for more present satisfaction of Arrears or the credit of future Securities proposed yet since upon these former Addresses we have found such hard dealing as in the said Papers is set forth and those additionall though hitherto but partial satisfactions comming so hardly as they have we find no obliging reasons in the least to decline or recede from what 's our due but rather still to adhere unto our desires of full and equall satisfaction in all the things mentioned in the aforesaid Papers not only in behalfe of our selves and the Army but also of the whole Souldiery throughout the Kingdome who have concurred or shall concurre with us in the same desires And to all our former Desires at Souldiers we cannot but adde this wherein we find our selves so neerly concerned in point of Justice and reputation That more care and a stricter course may be taken for making good all Articles granted upon Surrenders according to the true intent and meaning of them at also for remedy and reparation in case of any breach and this without those delays which divers have found as prejudiciall to them or more then if they had been totally denied the performance of them Nor will it now we hope seem strange or unreasonable to rationall and honest men who consider the consequence of our present case to their own and the Kingdomes as well as our future concernments in point of Right Freedome Peace and safety if from a deep sense of the high consequence of our present case both to our selves in future and all other people we shall before disbanding proceed in our owne and the Kingdoms behalfe to propound and plead for some provision for our and the Kingdoms satisfaction and future security in relation to those things especially considering that we were not a meer mercenary Army hired to serve any Arbitrary power of a State but called forth and conjured by the severall Declarations of Parliament to the defence of our owne and the peoples just Rights and Liberties and so we took up Armes in judgement and conscience to those ends and have so continued them and are resolved according to your first just desires in your Declarations and such principles as we have received from your frequent Informations and our own common sense concerning those our fundamental rights and liberties to assert and vindicate the just power and rights of this Kingdome in Parliament for those common ends premised against all arbitrary power violence and oppression and against all particular parties or interests whatsoever The said Declarations still directing us to the equitable sense of all Laws and Constitutions as dispensing with the very letter of the same and being supreme to it when the safety and preservation of all is concerned And assuring us that all Authority is fundamentally seated in the Office and but ministerially in the Persons Neither do or will these our proceedings as we are fully and in conscience perswaded amount to any thing not warrantable before God and men being thus far much short of the common proceedings in other Nations to things of an higher nature then we have yet appeared to and we cannot but be sensible of the great complaints that have been made to us generally in the Kingdome from the people where we march of Arbitrarinesse and Injustice to their great and insupportable oppressions And truly such Kingdomes as have according both to the law of Nature and Nations appeared to the vindication and defence of their just Rights and Liberties have proceeded much higher as our brethren of Scotland who in the first beginning of these late differences associated in Covenant from the very same grounds and principles having no visible form either of Parliament or King to countenance them And as they were therein justified and protected by their own and this Kingdome also so we justly shall expect to be We need not mention the States of the Netherlands the Portugals and others all proceeding upon the same Principles of right and freedome And accordingly the Parliament hath declared it no resisting of Magistracy to side with the just principles and law of nature and Nations being that law upon which we have assisted you and that the souldiery may lawfully hold the hands of the Generall who will turne his Cannon against his Army on purpose to destroy them the Seamen the hands of that Pilot who wilfully rune the Ship upon a rock as our Brethren of Scotland argued And such were the proceedings of our Ancestors of famous memory to the purchasing of such Rights and Liberties as they have enjoyed through the price of their bloud and we both by that and the later bloud of our deare friends and fellow Souldiers with the hazard of our own do now lay
to tast of subjection as well as rule and may so be inclined to consider of other mens cases as what may come to be their owne This we speak of in relation to the House of Commons as being entrusted on the peoples behalfe for their interest in that great and supreame power of the Common-wealth viz. the Legislative power with the power of finall judgement which being in its owne nature so arbitrary and in a manner unlimited unlesse in point of time is most unfit and dangerous as to the peoples interest to be fixt in the persons of the same men during life or their owne pleasures Neither by the originall Constitution of this State was it or ought it to continue so nor does it where ever it is and continues so render that State any better then a meere Tyranny or the people subjected to it any better then Vassals But in all States where there is any face of common freedome and particularly in this State of England as is most evident both by many positive Lawes and ancient constant custome the people have a right to new and successive Elections unto that great and supreme trust at certaine periods of time which is so essentiall and fundamentall to their freedome as it is cannot or ought not to be denied them or with-held from them and without which the House of Commons is of very little concernment to the interest of the Commons of England Yet in this we would not be mis-understood in the least to blame those Worthies of both Houses whose zeale to vindicate the Liberties of this Nation did procure that Act for continuance of this Parliament whereby it was secured from being dissolved at the Kings pleasure as former Parliaments had been or reduced to such a certainty as might enable them the better to assert and vindicate the Liberties of this Nation immediatly before so highly invaded and then also so much endangered And these we take to be the principall ends and grounds for which in that exigency of time and affaires it was procured and to which we acknowledge it hath happily been made use of but we cannot thinke it was by those Worthies intended or ought to be made use of to the perpetuating of thai supreme trust and power in the persons of any during their owne pleasures or to the debarring of the people from their right of Elections totally new when those dangers or exigencies were past and the affaires and safety of the Common-wealth would admit of such a change Having thus cleared our Grounds and Intentions as we hope from all scruples and misunderstandings in what followes we shall proceed further to propose what we humbly desire for the setling and securing of our owne and the Kingdomes Rights and Liberties through the blessing of God to posterity and therefore upon all the Grounds premised we further humbly desire as followeth 3. That some determinate period of time may be set for the continuance of this and future Parliaments beyond which none shall continue and upon which new Writs may of course issue out and new Electionâ— successively take place according to the intent of the Bill for Tricaniall Parliaments And herein we would not be misunderstood to desire a present or suddaine dissolution of this Parliament but only as is exprest before that some certaine period may be set for the determining of it so as it may not remaine as now continuable for ever or during the pleasure of the present Members And we should desire that the Period to be now set for ending this Parliament may be such as may give sufficient time for provision of what is wanting and necessary to be passed in point of just Reformation and for further securing the Rights and Liberties and setling the peace of the Kingdome In Order to which we further humbly offer 4. That secure provisions may be made for the continuance of future Parliaments so as they may not be adjournable or dissolveable at the Kings pleasure or any other wayes then by their owne consent during their respective periods but at those periods each Parliaments to determine of course as before This we desire may be now provided for if it may be so as to put it out of all dispute for future though we thinke of right it ought not to have been otherwise before And this a firme foundation being laid in the authority and constitution of Parliaments for the hopes at least of common and equall right and freedome to our selves and all the free-born people of this Land we shall for our parts freely and chearfully commit our stock or share of Interest in this Kingdome into this common bottome of Parliaments and though it may for our particulars go ill with us in one Voyage yet we shall thus hope if right be with us to fare better in another These things we desire may be provided for by Bill or Ordinance of Parliament to which the Royall assent may be desired when his Majesty in these things and what else shall be proposed by the Parliament necessary for securing the Rights and Liberties of the people and for setling the Militia and peace of the Kingdome shall have given his concurrence to put them past dispute We shall then desire that the Rights of his Majestie and his Posterity may be considered of and setled in all things so farre as may consist with the Right and Freedome of the Subject and with the security of the same for future 5. We desire that the right and freedome of the People to represent to the Parliament by way of humble Petition their grievances in such things as cannot otherwise be remedied then by Parliament may be cleared and vindicated that all such grievances of the people may be freely received and admitted into consideration and put into an eqâ—itable and speedy way to be heard examinâ—d and redressed I if they appeare reall and that in such things for which men have remedy by lâ—w they may be freely left to the benefit of law and the regulated course of Justice without interruption or check from the Parliament except in case of things done upon the exigency of Warre or for the service and benefit of the Parliament and Kingdome in relation to the Warre or otherwise in due pursuance and execution of Ordinances or Orders of Parliament More particularly under this head we cannot but desire that all such as are imprisoned for any pretended misdemeanor may be put into a speedy way for a just hearing and triall and such as shall appeare to have been unjustly and unduly imprisoned may with their liberty have some reasonable reparation according to their sufferings and the demerit of their oppressors 6. That the large powers given to the Committees or Deputy Lieutenants during the late times of warre and distraction may be speedily taken into consideration That such of these powers as appeare not necessary to be continued may be taken away and such of them as are necessary
the common interest from the beginning of the Parliament to this very day still awed by the concourse of Reformado Officers and others to their doores Expence of time will be their advantage only who intend to bring evill purposes to passe we have written this to you for your satisfaction that so nothing may be done without giving you a perfect account of our intentions and ends And still to continue our assurance to you that should necessity bring us neerer to the City our former faith given you shall be observed inviolably there being nothing more next the good of the Kingdome in our thoughts and desires then the prosperitie of your City By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Counsell of Warre Signed Jo. Rushworth Barkehamstead June 25. 1647. For his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight Generall of the Forces raised by the Parliament and his Honorable Councell of Warre May it please your Excellency and the honorable Councel of War WE the Major Alder. and CoÌ„mons in Common-Councel assembled having received yours to us of the 21. and 22. and your Excellencies to our Committee of the 23. instant with a Copy of a Remonstrance directed to the Parliament did send three of that number yesterday to acquaint you with our resolutions thereupon since which we have caused Copies of those Letters to be presented to both Houses desiring their direction concerning the residing of some of that Committee continually with you in the head Quarter and that according to our former requests the Reformadoes and other Officers and Souldiers raised for the service of the Parliament might be required forthwith to repaire into their severall Counties there to receive such satisfaction as is or shall be appointed by Parliament and that if any Souldiers be listed upon the Votes of the Committee of Lords and Commons and Committee of the Militia that they may be forthwith discharged Whereupon severall Votes were made unto which we desire to be referred We have also taken those Letters with another received from those we sent yesterday and a Copie of a Letter dated the 24. instant delivered to the Commissioners of Parliament and yours of the 25. instant into further consideration thereby observing the constancie of your expressions to doe nothing in prejudice either of the Parliament or the City and of your purpose by Proclamation and otherwise to endeavour that the accustomed supplies of this City may be freely sent up all which we do with all due thankfulnesse acknowledge and to preserve a right understanding with you we have appointed the said Committee or six of them at the least continually to reside in your head Quarter and do intend to make it our request to the Parliament that whoever have or shall endeavour to raise any forces to ingage this Kingdome in a new War may be discovered and prevented therein and that you may receive satisfaction equall to those that have left the Army so soone as it is possible for the Parliament to performe the same relying upon the assurance you have given us that your speciall ends are the glory of God the good of this whole land and the safety of Parliament and City To conclude the neer approach of your Army to this City causeth us once more to desire you to take it into your most serious consideration for albeit you doe not come to offer any violence to us yet we have and shall suffer very much in our trade and price of Victuals by reason thereof which we hope you will be so sensible of as to prevent it in the future by removing further off and by taking such a course that we may receive no further prejudice either in the one or the other which is our earnest desire and that in your indeavors to save the Kingdome from ruine you doe not overthrow the fundamentall constitution of Parliament which is essentiall to the well-being thereof By command of the Major Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled Michel London 25. June 1647. To the Right honorable the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London IT was last night resolved by the Generall and Councell of War for present not to Advance any of the Army neerer London but whereas the Foot being all quartered then at Watford Vxbridge and Colebrooks were very troublesome and burthensome to those places It was only Ordered that the Quarters of the Foot should be inlarged for the ease of those places whereupon by a mistake of that Resolution in the setting out of quarters some Regiments had quarters assigned for inlargement at places lying much forwarder towards London as farre as Harrow on the Hill Hayes Cranford Harlington Bedfont Feltham and Hanworth This morning so soone as this was understood by the Generall and the Officers there were Orders immediately sent out to stop the Regiments and now none quartered nearer London then Watford Rislip Ikeham Hellindon Cowley Drayton Hamsworth Stanwell and Stanes which make a line about fifteen or sixteen miles distance from London And to avoid any disquieting to the Parliament or City upon future apprehensions His Excellency and his Officers do promise That there shall be no further Advance either of the Army or any quarters of it any nearer to London without timely notice thereof and of the Reasons of it to the Parliament and City By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre John Rushworth Uxbridge June 26. 1647. An humble Remonstrance from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Army under his Command concerning the present State of affairs in relation to themselves and and the â—â—â—gdom with their desires and present Resolutions thereupon Presented to the Commissioners at S. Albans June 23. 1647. to be by them humbly presented to the Parliament Present his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax LIeutenant General Cromwel Lieut. Gen. Hamond Com. Gen. Ireton Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Lambert Col. Rich. Col. Lilburn Col. Okey Col. Hewson Col. Scroope Col. Harrison Col. Tomlinson Col. Horton Col. Pride Quarter Master Gen. Grosvenor Scout Mr. Gen. Watson Adjutant Gen. Deane Lieutenant Col. Jubbs Lieut. Col. Cobbet Lieut. Col. Ewers Lieut. Col. Salman Lieut. Col. Goffe Major Barton Major Rogers Major Sanders Capt. Cannon Capt. Husbands Capt. Disney The Remonstrance of the Army was this day read and after debate thereof by the Councell of War was agreed unto and afterwards by direction of the Generall and Councell of Warre was delivered unto the Commissioners of Parliament residing at St. Albans by the hands of Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Rich and Col. Tomlinson OUr Desires as Souldiers in behalfe of our selves and other Souldiers that have faithfully served the Parliament in this Kingdome as also our remaining dissatisfactions in relation thereunto may be clearly collected out of our severall Papers that have formerly been presented to the Parliament concerning the same to which particulars we have not yet received any further
we suppose the Gentlemen themselves from the same grounds that induced them to offer this will still forbeare to offer the contrary till the matters concerning them be heard and determined or to make any new interruption or disturbance to the proceeding upon or settlement of the generall affaires of the Kingdome So we hope and shall confidently expect that the wisedome and justice of the House will not admit any thing to the contrary or leave it to an hazard thereof but will use sufficient care and caution against such things and for the bringing of those Members to tryall when the House shall judge it more seasonable and safe as before exprest By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge June 27. 1647. WHereas without Order from the Generall or the Councell of War Nicholas Cowley Commissary Generall of provisions hath issued out Warrants to some Hundreds within lesse then a mile of London to bring provisions from thence into the Army which he pretended to be Randezvouzed between London and Vxbridge Whereas there was no such thing ordered by the Generall or his Councell of War It is therefore this day ordered by the Generall and his Councel of warre that the said Commissary Cowley shall stand committed and he is thereby committed to the Marshall from whence he is not to be discharged untill he hath given satisfaction to the Commissioners for the City of London residing at Vxbridge By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of War Signed John Rushworth Secr. Vxbridge Junii 27. The Kings Majesties most gracious Letter to his Son his Highnesse James Duke of York written with his Majesties own hand read in both Houses of Parliament C. R. IAmes I am in hope that you may be permitted with your Brother and Sister to come to some place betwixt this and London where I may see you To this end therefore I command you to aske leave of the two Houses to make a journey if it may be for a night or two But rather then not to see you I will be content that yee come to some convenient place to dine and go back at night And foreseeing the feare of your being brought within the power of the Army as I am may be objected to hinder this my desire I have full assurance from Sir Thomas Fairfax and the chiefe Officers that there will be no interruption or impediment made by them for your returne how and when you please So God blesse you Your loving Father Charles Rex Casam July 4. 1647. Two Letters from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax One to both Houses of Parliament giving an accompt of what Transactions and Proceedings have been betwixt the Kings Majesty and the Army since his coming into their Quarters With some farther Proposals in relation to his Majesty and the speedy settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom c. Master Speaker I Was sent unto by the King on Friday last to desire the Parliament to give way to Him to see his children and that they might for that purpose be sent to Him If I may be bold humbly to offer my Opinion I thinke the allowance of such a thing may be without the least prejudice to the Kingdome and yet gain more upon his Majestie then denying it and if it be in the prayers of every good man that his heart may be gained the performance of such civilities to him is very surable to those Desires and will heare well with all men who if they can imagine it to be their own case cannot but be sorry if His Majesties naturall affections to His Children in so small a thing should not be complyed with and if any question should be concerning the assurance of their returne I shall ingage for their return within what time the Parliament shall limit Upon this occasion give me leave I beseech you to take notice of some reports spread abroad as if my selfe and the Officers of the Army were upon some under-hand Contract or Bargaine with the King and from thence occasion is taken to slander our Integrities and endeavour a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army the fidelity of which to the Parliament and Kingdome and their affection to it are the great objects of many mens Envies because they see nothing so likely to settle Right and Freedome with Truth and Peace to us and Posterity and to hinder their Designs against the same as an Harmony or good accord between the Parliament and Army which is the joy of good men and it shall be our study to preserve against all Designes and Designers to the contrary To prevent therefore all misunderstandings of that kinde I thought fit with all clearnesse to declare unto you That we have done nothing nor shall do any thing which we desire to hide from you or the world or shall not avow to the faces of our greatest Adversaries Our Desires concerning a just consideration and settlement of the Kings Rights His Majesty first giving His concurrence to settle and secure the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome We have already publickely declared in our Representation and Remonstrance Since the first of those Papers sent to the Parliament there have been severall Officers of the Army upon severall occasions sent to His Majesty the first to present to Him a Copy of the Representation and after that some others to tender Him a copy of the Remonstrance upon both which the Officers sent were appointed to clear the sence and intention of any thing in either Paper whereupon His Majesty might make any question Since then there have also been some Officers at severall times sent to His Majesty about His remove from Hatfield to disswade if possibly from Windsor or any place so near London to some place of further distance answerable to what we had desired of the Parliament In all which addresses to his Majesty we care not who knowes what hath been said or done for as we have nothing to bargaine for or to ask either from His Majesty or the Parliament for advantage to our selves or any particular party or interest of our own so in all those Addresses to His Majesty we have utterly disclaimed and disavowed any such thing or any Overtures or Thoughts tending that way but the only intent and effect of those our Addresses hath been to desire and endeavor His Majesties free concurrence with the Parliament for establishing and securing the common Rights and Liberties and setling the peace of the Kingdome And to assure Him That the publick being so provided for with such His Majesties concurrence it is fully agreeable to all our Principles and should be our desires and indeavour That with and in such setling of the Publick the Rights of His Majesties Royall Family should be also provided for so as a lasting Peace and Agreement might be setled in this Nation And that as we had publickly
Kingdome in an head of an Army And did send a speciall Messenger to her for such ends and purposes And the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthy Sir William Waller Sir John Maynard Mr. Glin Major generall Massey Mr. Long Colonel Edward Harley and Anthony Nicholls have under-hand of their owne accord without authority of Parliament listed or caused or procured to be listed divers Commanders and Souldiers endevouring thereby to leavy and raise a new Warre in this Kingdome to protect themselves in their unjust oppressions and factions designes and have at severall times within the space of two Monethes last past invited incouraged abetted and councelled multitudes of reformado-Officers and Souldiers and other rude persons tumultuously and violently to gather together at Westminster to affright and assault the members of Parliament in their passage to and from the house to offer violence to the house it selfe locking the doore thereof upon them and so imprisoning them and by such violences out rages and threates to awe and enforce the Parliament 5. That the said Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton and M. Glyn have been and are obstructers and prejudgers of severall Petitions to the Parliament for redresse of publique grievances And the said Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton in the Moneth of May last past did abuse and affront divers Petitioners who in a peaceable manner then attended the Committee whereof Colonel Lee was Chaireman not onely reviling and reproaching them but violently haling and boisterously assaulted them and offered to draw their Swords upon Major Tuleday and others of the said Petitioners and without any power or authority committed Nicholas Tew one of the said Petitioners And soone afterwards by the procurement of the said Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton and upon their misinformation to the House the said Major Tuleday and Nicholas Tew were imprisoned not being permitted to speake for themselves And the said Mr. Glyn about three Moneths since caused the said Nicholas Tew to be imprisoned in Newgate and to be detained a long time there for no other cause but for having a Petition about him which was to be presented to the House 6. That the said Sir John Clotworthy Sir William Waller and Major generall Massey have lately in prosecution of the said designes in the said general Heads mentioned against the Lawes of this Realme and Rules and Articles of Warre made by the Parliament by an Arbitrary Power imprisoned some Members of the Army without any authority particularly Ensign Nichols whose pockets they without authority caused to be searched and severall papers to be taken from him contrary to the liberty of every Subject and caused him to be sent a prisoner from the Head-quarters to London without the authority or privity of the general or the chiefe Officers of the Army commanding in his absence 7. That in or about the Moneth of Marth last there being a Petition intended from the Officers Souldiers of the Army to their General for such things only as were justly due unto them and concerning them meerly as Souldiers the said Sir William Waller Sir John Clotworthy and Colonel Edward Harley a Member of the Army having gotten into their hands a Copy of the said Petition by combination with the other Members above mentioned and with an intent to abuse the Parliament into prejudices and jealousies against the proceedings of the Army concerning the said Petition they well knowing that the said Army stood in their way and hindred them from bringing to passe the designes in the said general Charges expressed did untruly and maliciously informe the House That the said Petition was contrived and promoted to debauch and disoblige the Army from the Parliament and that it was managed and carried on by divers principal Officers in the Army that Orders were given out for reading of it in every Regiment and whosoever would not subcribe it should be put out of their Musters and cashiered the Army and by those and other aggravations did represent it to the House as a Designe against the Parliament further adding That some Regiments which were remote were sent for to joyne with the rest of the Army for that purpose by which misinformations they the said Members did the same day procure a peremptory Order to the Generall to suppresse the said Petition 8. That some few dayes after Colonel Edward Harley by the combination aforesaid and in pursuance of the same Designes did procure to the House a Letter supposed to be written from within the Quarters of the Army to him the said Colonel Harley by a person not named whereby it was informed that Colonel Harley's Lieutenant Colonel had drawn his Râ—giment to a Rendevouz and had caused the said petition to be read at the head of it and that he threatned to cashier and put out of the Musters all that would not subscribe it and that the designe of the Army therein was to enslave the Parliament and King if the Parliament proceeded not to some high Resolutions or to that effect as by the said Letter relation being thereunto had may appeare And although the substance of the said Letter was most untrue and no Author thereof appeared nor could be produced although a Committee was appointed for examination thereof and it was much pressed the Author should be discovered yet the said Colonel Harley Sir John Clotworthy and Sir William Waller did so avow the reality of the said Letter and that the contents thereof would be made good as that thereby and by other false Suggestions of theirs against the Army they procured the House upon a long Debate which held till about Eight of the clock at night to Order That a Committee of five Members whereof the said Mr. Holles was one should prepare a Declaration to be brought into the House the next morning signifying the Houses dislike of the proceedings of the Army upon that Petition as by the said ORDER dated the _____ day of _____ last may appeare Upon which settling of the said businesse for that night most of the Members departed as conceiving nothing would be done thereupon till the next day and that then they might have a free Debate concerning the same but the House still continuing to sit upon dispatch of some Letters formely Ordered the said Mr. Holles by the same combination and in farther prosecution of the said evill Designes having of himselfe without the Committee prepared a Declaration against the Petition is selfe contrary to the intention and direction of the said Order and contrary to the Rules of Justice and usual course of Parliament did the same night about Ten of the clock on purpose to surprise the House present the same Declaration to the House whereby the said Petitioners were without being heard declared Enemies to the State and Obstructers of the relief of Ireland if they still persisted therein as by the same Declaration relation being thereunto had may appeare and did procure
no more he the said Sir John Clotworthy contrary to the speciall trust reposed in him held secret intelligence with the said Earle of Ormond by Cypher or Character without the consent or knowledge of those others in commission with him and many weeks after the time so limited was expired and about the same time hee the said Sir John Clotworthy held secret intelligence with George Lord Digby then in Ireland beyond the time prefixed and without the consent of the said other Commissioners and in order thereunto the said Ormond and Digby lately imployed one Slingsby to come into this Kingdome about a designe concerning the Prince as he pretendeth 14. That the said Sir John Clotworthy Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton by combination with the rest of the Members before named in further prosecution of the designes before mentioned well knowing that the Lord Lyle late President of Ireland was both faithfull and vigilant while he was trusted in the same Kingdome and had now this last spring made provisions ready to march into the field that the Lord Baron of Brohill Generall of the Parliaments Horse in Munster Col. Sir Arthur Loftus persons of honour and reputation of great fortunes in the said Kingdome lately came purposely into this Kingdome to exhibite and did exhibit many Articles of high treason against the Lord Inchiquin for betraying the Parliaments Army to the enemy as formerly he had done yet by the great power and violent interposition of the said Sir Clotworthy Mr. Holles Sir Philip Stapleton by the practice and combination aforesaid the said Articles have been obstructed and the businesse not suffered to come to a hearing and the said Lord Lisle hastily called out of Ireland and the power and command of the Parliaments forces in that Kingdome committed to the said Lord Inchiquin to the losse of this summers service and the expence of much treasure to make new preparations and whereas the said Lord Lisle being so suddenly called from thence as aforesaid did designe and depute Sir Hardres VValler Knight Major General of the forces there a man of known integrity and courage both for his service in England and Ireland and of considerable Fortunes there to take care of the said Lord Lisles Forces till the pleasure of the Parliament may be further known but the said Lord Inchequin upon the receite of a Letter from the said Sir John Clotworthy Mr. Holles and Sir Philip Stapleton or one of them or from some other person by their or one of their direction privity or procurement did expresse that hee had order or direction from London that no man that favoured the Independents under which name the said Lord of Inchequin hath comprehended all men that have shewed themselves opposite to Tyranny and Arbitrary government should have any trust or command there Nay although they were of another judgement yet if they would not prosecute the Independents they should not bee imployed there or words to that effect And under colour thereof the said Sir Hardres Waller and all others that had their Commissions from the said Lord Lisle while hee commanded were displaced to the discouragement of those and other faithfull persons to the Parliament and to the great dis-service and hazard of the losse of that Kingdome 15. That whereas a Committee of the House of Commons hath been lately appointed by the Parliament to consider of Propositions for the settling and preservation of Wales whereof the said Sir William Lewes and Mr. Glyn were and are Members and to report the same to the House They the said Sir William Lewes and Master Glyn with others of the said Committee did on the thirtieth day of April now last past without any authority of Parliament before any report made to the Houses of their owne accord in stead of settling and preserving Wales order that all Committees for Sequestrations should forbeare all proceedings of Sequestrations against all or any the Inhabitants of Wales And although some few persons were upon generall heads excepted yet by vertue of that illegall Order all the Commissioners of peace Commissioners of Association though never so active in pressing men and raising money for Forces against the Parliament all the Commissioners of Array that did or should at any time come in and submit to the Parliament or their Commanders in cheife all that had born armes against the Parliament unlesse they were Governours or other Officers of Warre that held some Towne Castle or Fort against the Parliament all disaffected and scandalous Miniâ—ters though in their Sermons they usually reviled and scandalized the Parliament and their proceedings calling them Rebels and Traitours and not onely incensing the people against the Parliament but usually taking up Armes and leading their Parishioners in armes upon any Alaram against the Parliament and many other desperate Delinquents have been and still are taken off and freed from sequestration and the said Order was sent to every severall Committee in Wales in severall Letters from the said Committee contrary to severall Orders and Ordinances of Parliament and contrary to the Rules of justice and equity which should impartially be administred as well in Wales as in other places of this Kingdome whereby the ill-affected Gentry and Ministery of that Country are growne so high insolent that honest men dare scare live amongst them so as that which was intended by the Parliament to settle and preserve Wales is by the practice of the said Sir William Lewes and Master Glyn perverted to the danger and destruction of it 16. That the said Sir William Lewis and Master Glyn have further ingratiated themselves with the Delinquents of Wales and prepared them for their said designes in manner following viz. hee the said Sir William Lewis hath within two yeares last past countenanced and protected many of the most notorious and dangerous Delinquents within the severall Countries of Southwales namely the Lord of Carbery and others in Carmarthinshire Master Crane and others in Glamorganshire Master Morgan late Knight of the shire Master John Herbert and others in Bâ—ecknockshire Master Gwin Master Lewis and divers others in Radnoâ—shire by freeing some of them altogether from compositions though sequestred by labouring divers Members of the House and of Committees to be favourable in compounding with others and to admitt of such to their compositions as were uncapable thereof And the said Sir William Lewis hath animated and incouraged some of the said persons to continue their fidelity unto the Kings cause promising them That if they would be friends with the King for him hee and his would be their friends in the Parliament in so much as his friends the Delinquents in those parts have lately looked upon him as a rising man when the King shall come to London which hath lately been their constant boasting And the said Sir William Lewis hath within two yeares last past caused divers that had been Commissioners for the King and had prest men and raised
monyes to promote the late Warre against the Parliament namely his Brother Master Thomas Lewis Master Gwyn Master Charles Walbiffe Master Meridith Lewis Master Edward Williams and many others to be Commissioners of the peace and Committee men for the said County of Brecknoc insomuch as those that have been most active and faithfull to the Parliament have been and still are outvoted in those places and can doe no considerable service for the Parliament and the rather for that the said Sir William Lewis hath also procured one Edward Williams his owne kinsman and one much disaffected to the Parliament to be Solicitor of Sequestrations in that County who is and hath been very remisse and corrupt therein And the said Sir William Lewis hath by the meanes aforesaid lately procured Master Edward Lewis his sonne though unfit for that imployment to be chosen and returned Burgesse for Brecknoc which that hee might the better effect he kept the Writ for election of the said Burgesse above eight months in his owne custodie before it was delivered to the Sheriffe of the said County And likewise that the said Master John Glyn within two yeares last past hath procured severall persons that have lately been Commissioners of Array and in Arms against the Paliament in Northwales viz. _____ and others to be named in the Commission of the peace for the Counties of Denbigh and Carnarvan and other Counties there and to be put in other great places of Trust and command there and amongst others Colonel Glyn his Brother who was lately a Colonel in the Kings Army is by the said Master Iohn Glyns procurement become Governour of the Town Castle of Carnarvan Admirall or Vice-Admirall of the Irish Seas to the endangering of those countries lying upon the Coasts towards Ireland and to the feare and discouragement of the well-affected inhabitants of those places 17. That the said Sir VVilliam Lewis being heretofore during these troubles Governour of Portsmouth a Garrison for the Parliament in which time he received much of the publike treasure for which hee hath not yet given an accompt did while he was Governour there frequently hold correspondence and intelligence with the Kings party about the delivery up of the said Garrison insomuch as although Sir VVilliam VValler divers others in that Garrison were proclaimed Traytors to the King yet he by the Kings speciall command was spared the King affirming that the said Sir VVilliam Lewis was his friend and that he was confident he would doe him good service or to that effect and although he then was a Parliament man and Governour of Portsmouth as aforesaid and his estate in the said County of Brecon being of the value of above sixe hundred pounds per an was three yeares in the Kings quarters yet the same was never sequestred And since the Parliament hath prevailed Colonell Harbert Price Esquir having beene Governour of Brecknock for the King against the Parliament being sequestred the said sir Williem Lewis by his solicitations to the Committee procured the personall estate of the said Colonell Price which the Committee of the County had found out and caused to be brought to Morgan Aubreyes house in Brecon to bee restored unto him without any satisfaction to the State and hath procured his the said Colonell Prices Lands in the said County of Brecon being worth about three hundred pounds per annum to be let to a friend of the said Col. Prices to his wives use at 50 pounds per annum contrary to the directions of severall Ordinances of Parliament made in that behalfe 18. That the said Mr. Iohn Glyn or some other person or persons by his direction consent or privity or to his use hath during his being a member of the House of Commons taken rewards of severall persons for service done them in the House as namely amongst others drivers Drovers from VVales who by his meanes and procurement had an allowance by order of the House for 3000. l in satisfaction of losses they had sustained by the Enemy did pay unto the Wife of the said Mr. Glyn the sume of one hundred pounds as a reward for his said service 19. That the said Mr. Iohn Glyn as he hath beene most active to bring into the Commissioners of Peace and into other places of authority divers notorious Delinquents in North-Wales as aforesaid so hee hath beene as active as much as in him lyes to put out keepe out of the Militia and Common Counsell of London and out of the Commission of the peace for Middlesex many eminent and faithfull men that have laid out their Estates and adventured their lives for the defence of the Parliament and City in the time of their greatest necessity namely Alderman Pennington Col. Tichborne Mr. Eastwick Mr. Moyer and others contrary to the Declaration of both Kingdomes which hath assured all lawfull favour and encouragement to those that have beene faithfull and shall so continue to the Parliament which doings must needs tend to the giving a fresh occasion and power to the Enemy against the Parliaments best friends to the dishonour of the Parliament and endangering of the Kingdome 20. That the said Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Holles and Sir William Lewis have by their power and countenance as Members of the House of Commons both joyntly and severally used meanes to obstruct the course of Justice and have interposed themselves in severall causes and by word of mouth moved and perswaded Judges and other Officers on the behalfe of such as they conceive to be their friends amongst others whereas a great cause was lately depending in the House of Lords betweene Alderman Langham and Captaine Lymery and Counsell was met for the pleading thereof The said Sir Philep Stapleton Mr. Hollis and Sir William Lewis did repaire to the Earle of Rutland about the same and the said Sir Pâ—iâ—ip Stapleton told the said Earle that they meaning himselfe and the said Mr. Hollis and Sir William Lewis were fully satisfied concerning the justness of Langhams cause and therefore as the said Earl did respect them the said Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Hâ—llis and Sir William Lewis or expected from them he the said Earl of Rutland should give his Vote for Langham or used words to that effect which also was seconded by the said Master Hollis in words and agreed unto by the said Sir William Lewis as appeared by his presence and ges ure and the said Sir William Lewis did exercise the same power in a cause of Joon Gunter and others 21. That the said Mr. Anthony Nicholls although about 4. years since he was by the Committee of priviledges Voted that he was not a Member sit to sit in the House by reason his election was void yet he the said Mr. Nicholls doth not only sit and Vote there as a Member but by his power and threats in the West-countreyes and by his solicitations and indirect practiâ—es hath brought in or procured to be brought in about 28.
we intreat you to give the Parliament a full representation of these things which that you may do we have sent you the Papers together with such informations as may give them an oportunity to discover the bottom of this business we were marching from London when wee received this information in obedience to the Parliament and to give the City more content and to stop the mouths of slanderers But if such Designs so destructive to the Parliament the work in hand be suffered to goe on or that the Parliament be interrupted in the freedom of their debates and proceedings as we hear within these few daies they were by those that are invited to partake in this confederacy We beg it of the Parliament as they tender their own safety the peace of the Kingdom and preventing of a second Warre as they would not have the Kingdome lose the fruit and benefit of all the bloud and treasure that hath been spent in this cause that they would not suffer their freedome and liberty to be endangered by such designs as these they having an Army which by the blessing of God in spight of all that theirs and the Kingdomes enemies can do will stand and fall with them and be found faithfull and obedient to them in all things and as ready to relieve Ireland when the Peace and rights of this Kingdome are setled We write not this to desire the Parliament to invite us to march up to them wee care not how great a a distance we are from London if it be the Parliaments pleasure and consists with their security and the breaking of those combinations which are hatcht in the bowels of the City wee are hastening our Proposalls which are for the generall settlement and which we are confident will satisfie all that love truth and peace but wee see plainly wee need more to intend security then have cause to expect to bring things to an happy issue by Treaty while such designs are on foote Wee pray you therefore that the Parliament would speedily and throughly enquire into and break these designes wherein as in all things else we shall be ready to serve them as they shall judge it needfull and when they shall command us By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Secr. Alisbury July 23. 1647. BY a printed paper come to our hands this day a Copie whereof you receive herewith we still find and clearly and evidently perceive that some evill spirits within the City of London maliciously dis-affected to the peace of this Kingdom doe secretly and wickedly endeavour to bring about that mischief upon the Kingdom which we have so much feared and by all our severall addresses unto you sought to prevent which indeed are of that dangerous consequence as we can expect no other issue from then the unavoydable engaging the Kingdom in a second Warre if not timely and effectually prevented by your wisedome and diligence Wee must further observe unto you that whatsoever designes intended in the fore-said paper is contrary to the authority of Parliament and indirect opposition to the proceedings of the army which the two Houses have owned as theirs and approved of their fidelity by committing the forces of the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales and Islands of Garnsey and Jersey under the Generalls care and command and therefore cannot be effected but by force of armes against the Parliament and their Armies which in probability may involve the whole Kingdome in bloud but must necessarily begin within your own bowels and draw the Seate and misery of war upon you and your City Also we desire you would consider whether wee have not just cause to suspect that an evill party lurkes within the City ready to distemper it and the whole Kingdom upon every occasion and whether it be probable such persons desire a happy close between the King and the Parliament at least such as will be for the Kingdoms good when they take upon them the boldnesse to make new offers to his Majesty with solemne engagements to make good the same during the time that this Parl. had given us leave to make tender of and treate with their Commissioners about those things which tend to a general settlement And therfore we cannot but desire that you would take a speedy course timely to suppresse this great evill and to prevent all of this nature for the future and by making some of those examples who have been active to carry on this businesse wee have not had time to enquire into particulars but shall give you only one instance of a meeting at Skinners Hall concerning this businesse where some persons have been very active the names of some of whom we have given to your Commissioners and also the names of other Citizens who will testifie their carriage there Lastly we cannot but desire you to concur with us in our desires to the Parliament to put the Militia into the hands of those that had it before without which wee can have no assurance that the City will be free from designs of this nature nor can we expect to see a happy Close By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Signed John Rushworth Alisbury July 23. 1647. To the Right Honourable the Lord Major the right Worshipfull 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 Souldiers of the Trained Bands and Auxiliaties the young men and Apprentices of the Cities of London and Westminster Sea-Commanders Sea-men and Watermen together with with divers other Commanders Officers and Souldiers within the Line of Communication and Parishes mentioned in the Weekely Bill of Mortality SHEWETH THat your Petitioners taking into serious consideration how Religion his Majesties Honour safety the priviledges of Parliament liberties of the Subjects are at present greatly endangered and like to be destroyed and also sadly weighing with our selves what meanes might likely prove the most effectuall to procure a firme and lasting Peace without a further effusion of Christian English bloud have therefore entred into a solemne engagement which is hereunto annexed and do humbly and earnestly desire that this whole City may joyne together by all lawfull and possible meanes as one man in hearty endeavours for his Majesties present comming up to his two Houses of Parliament with Honour safety and freedome and that without the neerer approach of the Army there to confirme such things as he hath granted in his Message of the twelfth of May last in answer to the Propositions of both Kingdomes and that by a Personall Treaty with His two Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Kingdome of Scotland such things as yet are in difference may be speedily setled and a firme and lasting Peace established All which we desire may be presented to both
sent to the Common-Councell and have accordingly given order for 3. Regiments of Foot and two of Horse to possesse those Forts you mentioned in your last and to lie thereabouts I am with the rest of the Army marched up to Hammersmith in order to the security of the Lords and Commons who I suppose will to morrow sit in Parliament the preserving of their priviledges and securing them from violence that with freedome they may sit to discharge their trusts hath been the cause of my neer approach to your Citie And whereas you are pleased to expresse your hopes of preservation from violence you may be confident nothing shall passe from this Armie but what shall be for the safety of your City And I doubt not though some dis-affected persons to the peace of this Kingdom have endeavoured to beges a misunderstanding betweene this Army and the City hoping thereby to embroyle the Kingdome in new troubles Yet that this Army may always behave themselves as to witnesse to the world the integrity of their hearts in having no other design but the quiet and happy settlement of a firm and lasting peace wherein both the whole Kingdom and your Citie in particular wil have cause to rejoyce in the goodnesse of God the accomplishment whereof will truly glad the hearts of this Army and in particular of Your most humble Servant Tho Fairfax August 5. 1647. A Declaration from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his Councell of Warre Concerning the Proposalls of the Armie for setling of a Peace and the grounds of publishing the heads thereof SInce our drawing back to Reading we have applyed our selves with all diligence to frame and hasten an intire body of all the particular proposals which we would tender to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army to be treated on in pursuance of those generall desires exprest in our former Declarations Papers for the securing of the common rights and liberties and a present setling of the peace of the Kingdom In which businesse notwithstanding the many interruptions and disturbances with daily advertisements of the indirect and treacherous practises and preparations of the Committee of Militia and others in and about the City of London and else-where tending to a new War have occasioned to the diverting or retarding of our proceeding therein yet we have made a progresse as speedy as the nature and weight of such a work would admit and having finished the same we have delivered in an abstract of the Heads thereof unto the said Commissioners of Parliament to be treated upon But the late pernicious Engagement for on â—â—oâ—â— in the 〈◊〉 aâ—d much more that prodigious violence doâ—e to both Houâ—◠〈…〉 on Munday last having wholly taken us off for present and rendred all proceeding in the way of Treaty thereupon nâ—â—erely vaine and hopelesse untill it shall please God the Parliament be righted and vindicated against that violation done to it and restored into a condition of freedome so as the unquestioned Members of it may repaire together with safetie and proceed according to their just freedome Wee have thought good in the meane time to make this publique tender of the Heads of the Proposalls to the Consideration of the whole Kingdome wherein though all circumstances requisite to be determined in an actuâ—ll settlement â—e not so fully and perfectly expressed as upon the Treaty intended if not interrupted as before they might speedily have been yet all men may see and understand in these the effect and bottome of our desires whereupon wee have sincerely studied that a present peace might be satled which same thing with and after such vindication of the Parliament as may againe render it into a capacitie to establish the same wee shall still faithfully endeavour to the utmost of our powers and accordingly shall expect the chearfull and hearty concurrence of all those who are or shall be satisfied concerning the integrity of our intentions to the peace and welfare of the Kingdome in these Proposalls or who shall for the maine desire or approve of the same things with us in order to a settlement And to these Proposalls which wee here first tender as necessary to a Peace and upon which wee desire the seale of peace in the restitution of his Majesty and others to their Rights and in an Act of Oblivion to be past wee cannot but adde the further expression of our desires in some other particulars which though not so essentiall to peace as necessarily to precede the setling of it yet being matters of very publique and most of them of generall grievance to the Kingdome which wee every where finde the Out-cryes of and being contained in or pursuance of the same things expressed in our former Representations and Papers Wee shall desire that the Parliament being set free no time may be lost for a speedy Consideration of them so as the former things for the present setling of peace be not delayed thereby Signed by the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of Warre Jo Rushworth Secretary Colbrooke August 2. 1647. The Heads of the PROPOSALLS agreed upon by his Ex cie Sir THO FAIRFAX and the Councell 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 Libertles of the Kingdome and the setling 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 necessary pursuance of their former Representations and Papers appointed to be Treated upon 1. 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 yeare 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 Blennially be called and meet at a certain day with such provision for the certainty thereof as in the late Act was made for Trienniall-Parliaments and what further or other provision shall be found needfull by the Parliament to reduce it to more certainty and upon the passing of this the said Act for Trienniall-Parliaments to be repealed 2. Each Bienniall Parliament to sit 120. dayes certain unlessâ— adjourned or dissolved sooner by their own consent afterwards to bâ— adjournable or dissolveable by the King and no Parliament to sit past 240. dayes from their first meeting or some other limited number of dayes 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 Councell of State in the intervalls bewixt bienniall-Bienniall-Parliaments to call a
the first Bienniall Parliament IV. That an Act be passed for disposing the great Offices for ten years by the Lords and Commons in Parliament or by such Committees as they shall appoint for that purpose in the intervalls with submission to the approbation of the next Parliament and after ten yeares they to nominate three and the King out of that number to appoint one for the succession upon any vacancy V. That an Act be passed for restraining of any Peers made since the 21. day of May 1642. or to be hereafter made from having any power to sit or Vote in Parliament without consent of both Houses VI. That an act be passed for recalling and making voyd all Declarations and other proceedings against the Parliament or against any that have acted by or under their authority in the late Warre or in relation to it And that the Ordinances for indempnity may be conffirmed VII That an Act be be passed for making voyd all Grants c. under the Great-Seale that was conveyed away from the Parliament since the time it was so conveyed away except as in the Parliaments Propositions and for making those valid that have been or shall be passed under the Great-Seale made by the authority of both Houses of Parliament VIII That an Act be passed for confirmation of the Treaties betweene the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland and for appointing Conservators of the peace betwixt them IX That the Ordinance for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries be confirmed by Act of Parliament Provided his Majesties Revenue be not damnified therein nor those that last held Offices in the same left without reparation some other way X. An Act to declare void the Cessation of Ireland c. and to leave the prosecution of that Warre to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England XI An Act to be passed to take away all coercive power authority and jurisdiction of Bishops and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers whatsoever extending to any civill penalties upon any and to repeale all Laws whereby the Civill Magistracy hath been or is bound upon any Ecclesiasticall censure to proceed ex officio unto any civill penalties against any persons so censured XII That there be a Repeale of all Acts or Clauses in any Act enjoyning the use of the Booke of Common-Prayer and imposing any penalties for neglect thereof as also of all Acts or Clauses in any Act imposing any penaltie for not comming to Church or for meetings elsewhere for Prayer or other religious duties excercises or Ordinances And some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists and Popish Recusants and for disabling of them and of all Jesultes or Priests from disturbing the State XIII That the taking of the Covenant be not inforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusers whereby men might be constrained to take it against their judgements or consciences but all Orders or Ordinances tending to that purpose to be repealed XIV That the things here before proposed being provided for setling and securing the Rights Liberties Peace and safety of the Kingdome his Majesties person his Queen and Royall issue may be restored to a condition of safety Honour and freedome in this Nation without diminution to their personall Rights or further limitation to the exercise of the Regall power then according to the particulars aforegoing XV. For the matter of Compositions 1. That a lesser number out of the persons excepted in the two first qualifications not exceeding five for the English being nominated particularly by the Parliament who together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion included in the third qualification may be reserved to the further judgement of the Parliament as they shall finde cause All other excepted persons may be remitted from the exception and admitted to Composition 2. That the rates for all future Compositions may be lessened and limitted not to exceed the severall proportions hereafter exprest respectively That is to say 1. For all persons formerly excepted not above a third part 2. For the late Members of Parliament under the first branch of the fourth qualification in the Propositions a fourth part 3. For other Members of Parliament in the second and third branches of the same qualification a sixth part 4. For the persons nominated in the said fourth qualification and those included in the tenth qualification and eight part 5. For all others included in the sixth qualification a tenth part And that reall debts either upon record or proved by witnesses be considered and abated in the valuation of their estates in all the cases aforesaid 3. That those who shall hereafter come to compound may not have the Covenant put upon them as a condition without which they may not compound but in case they shall not willingly take it they may passe their Compositions without it 4. That the persons and estates of all English not worth two hundered pounds in Lands or Goods be at liberty and discharged And that the Kings meniall Servants that nere tooke up Armes but onely attended his person according to their Offices may be freed from Composition or to pay at most but the proportion of one yeares Revenue or a twentieth part 5. That in Order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the rates aforesaid the Rents Revenues and other Duties and Profits of all sequestred Estates whatsoever except the Estates of such persons who shall bee continued under exception as before be from hence forth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective tenant occupants and others from whom they are due for the space of six moneths following 6. That the Faith of the Army or other foroes of the Parliament given in Articles upon surrenders to any of the Kings party may be fully made good and where any breach thereof shall appeare to have been made full reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured and the persons offending being found out may be comeplled thereto XVI That there may be a generall Act of Oblivion to extend unto all except the persons to be continued in exception as before to absolve from all Trespasses Misdemeanours c. done in prosecution of the Warre and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same after their compositions past and to restore them to all priviledges c. belonging to other Subjects provided as in the fourth particular under the second generall Head affore-going concerning security And whereas their have been of late strong indeavours and practises of a factious and desperate party to imbroyle this Kingdome in a new War and for that purpose to enduce the King the Queene and Prince to declare for the said party and also to excite and stirre up all those of the Kings late party to appeare and engage for the same which attempts and designes many of the Kings party out of their desires to avoid further misery to the Kingdome have contributed their indeavours to prevent as
nigh two hundred miles for the more ease of all parts and that wee might give the better satisfaction to the Kingdome And being in this secure way and labouring after the suddain settlement of the Kingdome we had even brought to perfection the particular Proposals included in the generals of our first Representation to be sent to the Parliament for a finall conclusion of all our troubles And also had made good progresse towards the present reliefe of distressed Ireland by assigning a competent force both of horse and foot forthwith to have advanced for that service But the Kingdomes and our Enemies being most vigilant and active to prevent and frustrate those good intentions and endeavours of ours that they might carry on their former evill designes and under-hand practises and also preserve themselves from the hand of justice they have endeavoured to cast the Kingdome into a new and bloudy warre And for that end have procured the under-hand-listing of severall Reformadoes and others have contrived promoted and caused to be entred into by severall persons a wicked and treasonable combination as is sufficiently manifested by a Declaration passed thereupon by both Houses of Parliament the 23. of July last for the prevention of the disturbances that were like to ensue thereupon from which kinde of disorders the Citie had been well preserved during the space of almost foure yeares whilest the Militia was in the hands of the old Commissioners whereby it appeares there was cause for the Army to intreat the Parliament that the Militia might be returned into the hands it was in before as also for divers other good Reasons 1. The old Commissioners of the Militia that have been since left out were not onely persons with out all exception having been formerly chosen and approved by the Parliament and Citie but also men of whom the City Parliament and Kingdome have had above foure yeares experience in the faithfull discharge of their trust men that ever from the beginning in the worst of times and in the occasions of greatest difficultie had faithfully and constantly ingaged for and with the Parliament in this cause Mâ—n that were alwayes most desirous of a Peace but of a safe and well grounded one and that had alwaies testified a great care to prevent all occasions of embroyling the Kingdome in a new Warre Now that on a suddain this trust which they had so faithfully discharged so long should be taken out of their hands and put into the hands of others some whereof at the best have been very coole in the service of the Parliament at the beginning of this Warre That this should be pressed and in a manner forced upon the Parliament with such importunitie from the Common-Councell that some out of every Ward should be assigned to sollicite the Members of the House of Commons every day as they went in and out at the House with professions that they would never leave the doore of the House till they were satisfied in their desires That they would not be contented with the Militia of the City of London onely unlesse they might have power also over that of the Suburbs and and out parts and all this before the peace of the Kingdome was setled or the Propositions sent to the King for that purpose These things ministred great cause of suspition that this alteration of the Militia was in order to a designe and to make the tearmes of the Peace and agreement with the King on which the security of the whole Kingdome and their posterity is to be bottomed more sutable to the private bargainings and undertakings of some men then to the publique welfare of the whole Kingdome in its security and prosperity for the present and in future times But this designe discovered it selfe more cleerely by such things as accompanied the pursuit of this alteration of the Militia and ensued upon the obtaining thereof At the same time that the alteration of the Militia of London was set on foot the same persons with as much earnestness pressed for the disbanding of this Army before any thing was setled for the security and liberty of the Kingdome At the same time the Common-Councell was new modulized and a Lord Mayor chosen that might suite with the present designe in hand At the said time under colour of differences in some circumstances of Church-Government it was earnestly endeavoured that such as had been constantly true and most faithfull to the interest of the Kingdome should be disabled to have any imployment in Church or Common-wealth either in England or Ireland and without any such colour or pretence divers persons were left out of the Common-Councell and Militia of eminent deserts and fidelity and others brought into their roomes that had either testified an ill affection or little affection to the Parliament and their cause and such as seeking to withdraw themselves from all imployment in the beginning of this Warre now at the winding up thereof are ambitious to thrust themselves into imployment with a designe as may justly be suspected to frustrate and overthrow in the close of all the fruit and effect of all the cost and bloud that hath been spent and spilt in this cause and after that with difficulty and not without reluctancy in the Houses of Parliament they had obtained the power of the Militia in the Citie of London and also in the out parts for the space of one yeare Many Officers and under Officers in the Trained Bands of known trust and fidelity were displaced and others of more doubtfull affections placed in their roomes little care was taken of the honour of the Parliament which was continuâ—lly trampled under-foot and their authority affronted by every rabble of Women Apprentices Reformadoes and Souldiers which latter sort of persons were thereby so incouraged to rise higher and higher in their tumultuous carriages against the House till at length it is risen to that height of barbarous and monstrous violence against the Parliament that they might set themselves on worke and the Kingdome on fire againe And now at length the designe appeares open faced and though the Militia be made as the principall ground of the quarrell yet by the late vowes and engagements set on foote before any alteration of the Militia and the pressing so much the Message of the 12. of May and the Kings comming to London to confirme the same shew that the Militia is desired but in order to that designe and to force the Parliament being wholly in their power to such Termes of peace as they pleased 2. In the next place when the interest of the Common Councell in their change of the Militia shall be claimed as the Birth-right of the City of London which they never had any colour to pretend to saving by the indulgency of the Parliament unto them since this Parliament in respect of the great use they have had of them and the many good services they have received from them It is time for
all the Kingdome to look to their Birth-rights if such a claime shall be held up against both the Houses of Parliament That upon no occasion whatsoever nor in no time of danger and distraction whatsoever they may appoint those that shall have the power of the Militia of London without the consent of the Councell especially when as the Houses shall sit under their power The late Example may evidence to all the World who shall be Masters of the Parliaments freedome and Resolutions And common reason will teach every man who shall be Masters of the Birth-rights of the whole Kingdome when there shall be no Army on foots when they have the confidence to dispute for the Mastery notwithstanding such an Army as this to checke and ballance them in behalfe of the Kingdome and Parliament 3. Lastly The Army discerning how intimate some of the new Militia were with some of the 11. accused Members how forward they were to comply and act with them in their endeavours to raise a new Warre how they made 18. or 19. Votes in order thereunto together with them in one night All which the Common-Councell and Parliament disliked and revoked how notwithstanding afterwards they secretly promoted their Designes by private Listings which now appeare to have been still working under ground The Army wee say observing this and having nothing more in their thoughts and desires then to settle a speedy safe and well-grounded peace and to prevent a new Warre found it necessary to desire That the Militia might be put into the hands wherein it was formerly who had approoved themselves both to the Army Parliament and Kingdome to be sober-minded men and not given to any practise whereby a new Warre might be kindled To the intent that the Army being secured by that meanes from that danger might with the more confidence retire further from the City enlarge their Quarter for the greater ease of the Kingdome and intend wholly the setling of a sure peace in this Kingdome and a speedy and effectuall reliefe of Ireland which was almost brought to a period and nothing in the sight of man could have hindred but this cursed practice of violence upon the Parliament under pretence of the Militia which according to our desire being restored againe into the hands of the old Commissioners by an Ordinance of both Houses dated the 21. of July in pursuance of the aforesaid treasonable combination severall Petitions were presented to the Common-Councell of the City of LONDON in the name of the Apprentices and others importing their Desires that the Militia of the City might continue in the hands of the former Commissioners according to the Ordinance of the 4. of May last Whereupon Monday July the six and twentieth the Common-Councell of the City presents their Petitions to both Houses for changeing the Militia wherein the House of Lords refuse to alter their resolutions the House of Commons answered they would take it into consideration the next morning Notwithstanding which the City and Kingdome cannot be ignorant with what rage and insolency the tumult of Apprentices the same day forced both Houses They blockt up their doores swearing they would keepe them in till they had passed what Votes they pleased they threatened the Houses if they granted not their desires knocking hooping and hallowing so at the Parliament-doores that many times the Members could not be heard to speake or debate not suffering the House of Commons to divide for determining such Questions as were put crying out That those that gave their Votes against them should be sent out to them very often and loudly saying Agree agree dispatch wee 'l wait no longer and in this outragious manner they continued at the House doore above eight houres together the City-Guards there present nor the City relieving them by reason whereof the House was forced to Vote what that rude multitude would demand and then adjourned the House till the next morning After which the House rising the Speaker and many Members going out of the House they forc'd them back againe into the House Many of the Apprentices pressing in with them where they stood with their hats on their heads and compelled the Speaker to take the Chaire and the House to Vote in their presence what they pleased committing many other insolencies as is published by the Speaker of the House of Commons in his Declararation and is too well known by all then present And during the time of this execrable violence done by the said Apprentices Westminster-Hall and the Pallace-yard was sild with Reformadoes and other ill-affected persons designed to back them After this the Houses being adjourned till Friday following upon the Thursday the Apprentices printed and posted a paper in severall places of the Citie requiring all their fellowes to be early at the Parliament the next morning for that they intended to adjourne by seven of the clock and that for a moneth Thus the Speakers with many of the Members of both Houses were driven away from the Parliament This in briefe being the true state of things as they have broke forth within these few dayes which are so contrary to all those pretences of Peace and detestation of a new Warre of late so frequently held forth on all sides all men may observe to what maturity the long projected Designe of some men of whom are those that are impeached by us is now brought and may be traced in the severall steps thereof as it hath tended to the enslaving this Kingdome and the destruction of all such well-affected people who would not comply with them therein so as by what now is come to light the justnesse of that cause this Army had engaged themselves in and the great and wonderfull mercy of God in continuing them together we assure our selves doth now clearly appeare to all meâ—â— eyes and apprehensions and will every day more and more be acknowledged even by those that have heretofore made a question of it And if when this Kingdome hath spent so much of its bloud and treaure hath past through such un heard of dangers and overcome such difficulties so many yeares together All that they must now hope for and rest in must only be what the King grants in his Messege of the 12 of May last And if this must be imposed upon mens judgements and consciences by an oath and now entred into in a tumultuous and unlawfull way and by outrage maintained in despâ—ght and contempt of the Parliament If rather then this shâ—uld not be accomplished the Parliament it selse must be violated and forced into the hands of such of the Members thereof as have secretly abetted and fomented those practises to that end That these hidden counsels and works of darknesse might when they come to their full biâ—th have the image of highest authority in the face of them the better to gaine credit thereunto secure the Authors of them from punishment For the evidence of all which wee
being duly setled we shall be as ready also to assure unto the King his just Rights and authority as any that pretend it never so much for the better upholding of an ill cause and the countenance of tumultuous violence against the Parliament the which our honest just and necessary undertakings as we are resolved to pursue with the utmost hazzard of our lives and fortunes so wee doubt not but we shall find Gods accustomed goodnesse and assistance with as therein till wee have brought them to a good and happy conclusion for this poore distracted and languishing Kingdome A REMONSTRANCE From his Excellency S ir THO FAIRFAX And the Army under his Command WHen by the blessing of God upon the endeavours of this Army and other forces of the Parliament the adverse forces and Garrisons within this Kingdome were dissipated and reduced a present quiet and freedome of Trade and all Commerce and businesse restored to all parts of the Kingdome and an hopefull way made for setling of a sound lasting Peace on good termes for the Interest of the Kingdome instead of the hoped fruit of our labours and hazzards and of the Kingdomes vast expence in the dispensing of Justice and Righteousnesse and the setling and upholding of common Right and freedome to the Subjects of this Nation we found immediately the crosse-workings of a strong and prevalent Partie in the Parliament and Kingdome who walking under the maske of the Parliaments friends but being in truth men of corrupt and private ends and Interests different from and destructive to the reall and common Interest of the Kingdome made use of their power to obstruct and pervert Justice to injure oppresse and crush the peaceable and well-affected people of the Kingdome to abridge and overthrow all just freedome and libertie and drive on designes to set up a Party and faction in the Parliament and Kingdome and by the advantage of a perpetuall Parliament to domineere over and inslave the Kingdome to posteritie And for that end to make such a Peace with the King if any as without any just provision for the common and true Interest of the people and the securitie thereof for future would serve onely to make up and establish their own greatnesse and the affected domination of themselves and their Partie over all others To all which ends as before this Parliament the ignominious names of Puritan and Non-conformist and the specious pretences for setling of Order Decencie and Uniformity in Religion were made use of to the prejudice trouble and suppressing of all that appeared either for the Truth and power of Religion or for the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and towards the advancing at once both of an Ecclesiasticall and Civill tyranny So this generation of men in the application of the Parliaments Power succeeding the former in the exercise of the Kings have made use of the odious names of Brownists Anabaptists Independents Hereticks Schismaticks or Sectariâ—s of one sort or other to blast such men in whom the Truth and power of Religion or a just sense of the common Interest of the Kingdome hath appeared and have held forth the pretences of Reformation and Uniformity to colour and countenance their Designes of setting up their owne irreligious or pharisaicall domineering faction to the oppression of all other people And herein they have had a great advantage to further their aforesaid Designes by reason of the jealousies which many Conscientious men of the Presbyterian Judgement have enterrained concerning this Army and concerning divers other eminent and worthy Instruments of the Kingdomes good who being in places of publick trust and power were supposed to be of the Independent way In pursuance of their aforesaid designeâ— they endeavoured and by their power and influence upon the Parliament and the advantage of such pretences as aforesaid very much prevailed to put out of all places of power or publick trust the most sobâ—â— and coâ—sciencious men and such as had approved themselves faithfull to the publick interest throughout all the late troubles and to put in debauched and dissolute men or such as would for advantage serve their prevate interests and for that end in cases where they could not otherwise prevaile procured such Garrisons to be slighted and such powers to be recalled though more necessary to have been continued which they found in the hands of persons of the former sort and such to be continued though lesse necessary as they found in the hands of the later And the better to strengthen themselves in their designes closing with a very poâ—â—â—â—ul party in the Citie of London they first with much activitie endeavoured and prevailed to new modell the Common-Councell and forme the same to their own party and then stirred them up to Petition amongst other things concurrent to their ends for the alteration of the City Militia who by their continuall violent and pressing Importunitie at the Parliaments doores wrung from the Parliament an Ordinance for that purpose whereby they procured the power of that Militia the speciall influence whereof upon the Citie and Kingdome and upon the Parliament it selfe being the onely guard they had for their safe sitting is evident to all men to be taken out of those hands in which it had been continued without out prejudice and with great and known security and advantage both co the Parliament City and Kingdome throughout the late troubles and this without any exception either then or since made against them and to be put into the hands of such others as were at best of doubtfull affections to the interest of the Parliament and Kingdome but indeed men given up and ingaged to the private interests and designes of the said factious party as hath since too evidently appeared and as in the late Declaration of the Army concerning the grounds of our advance towards London is more fully remonstrated And finding this Army not for their turnes they made it their maine worke to dis-band or breake it in pieces even before the reliefe of Ireland were provided for or the peace of this Kingdome setled And though all this went under the pretence of easing the present burthenâ— of the Kingdome yet at the same time they designed and went about to put the Kingdome to the expence and trouble of raising and forming a new force under pretence as for the service of Ireland but evidently designed and so framed as to serve their own ends and purposes aforesaid in England And being many of them filled and acted with personall envy and others with malignity of principles and interests against this Army and the worke of God by it It would not serve their turne to breake or dis-band it but it must be with all possible dishonour injury oppression and provocation that they could put upon it And it was too evident that their endeavour was not onely to put it off without the honour or satisfaction due to it for the service it had done but to
space prepared and ordered a considerable force no lesse then 4000. horse and foot as Sir Thomas Temple employed from the Parliament about that businesse to us can testifie for a present reliefe thereunto But the restlessâ— and treacherous malice of the enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace taking their supposed advantage of our distance and dispersed posture which their faire pretences of peaceable intentions had induced us into first they did without all colour of authority contrive and set on foot in the City and many of them entred into a mischievous and desperate now and ingagement tending to the subversion of the freedome of Parliament and the liberties of this Nation to the frustrating of those just and publick ends for which so much bloud and treasure hath been spilt and spent in the late Warres and to the raising of a new Warre against the Parliament and their Army which said ingagement both Houses of Parliament did by their Declaration of the 23. of July adjudge and declare to be high Treason in all that should promote or abet the same and within a few dayes after to wit on Monday July 26. there was a Petition brought to the Parliament by the Sheriffes and some Aldermen and Common-Councell-men in the name of the City of London for the recalling of the said Ordinance of the 23. of July concerning the Militia and the returning of the Militia into those hands in which it was put by the Ordinance of the 4. of May which Petition was immediately followed and backed with a tumultuous confluence of Apprentices and other dissolute and desperate persons who committed most horrid and unheard of violence upon both Houser inforcing them to recall both the said Declaration of the three and twentieth day of July concerning the said engagement and also the said Ordinance of the same date concerning the Militia and compelling the Speaker of the House of Commons to resume the Chaire after the House was adjourned and the House to passe such further Votes concerning the Kings present coming to London c. as the said Rioters did please neither the Guard from the City that then attended the Houses nor the Lord Mayor Sheriffes or any Authority in the City though sent to for that purpose taking any course to suppresse the said tumult or relieve the Parliament against that violence though it was continued for the space of eight or ten houres And the Houses having next day adjourned till Friday July 30. There were printed Tickets fixed upon posts in and about the City the day before inviting the same persons to the like confluence at Westminster against the House next meeting all which hath been more fully and more assuredly made known by the Declaration of the Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the same By this meanes the Speakers of both Houses together with most of the Lords and a very great number of the most faithfull and unquestioned Members of the House of Commons were driven away so as they could not with safety attend their service in Parliament nor with freedome discharge their trust to the Kingdome therein but were forced to fly to their Army for safety so as there was not nor could then be and free meeting or legall proceeding of a Parliament Notwithstanding which divers Members of both Houses who by the carriage and sequell of the businesse will appeare to be of the same party and confederacy with the aforesaid Enemies to our and the Kingdomes peace and with the Authors and Actors both of the said treasonable ingagement and the tumoltuous force upon the Parliament Taking this opportunitie of time to carry on their designes when very few were left but of their owne party did continue to meet in the usuall places in Westminster And having under pretence of a necessity for continuing the Parliament by adjournement they drawn in some few well-minded Members to sit with them out of a scruple least the Parliament should fall for want of adjournement took upon them the name of both Houses of Parliament And having on Friday July 30. chosen a new Speaker did proceed to Vote and Act as a Parliament and adjourned from time to time But of what party and confederacy the most of them were and to what ends and interests they acted will appeare by what they did whereof we shall for present give a taste in some particulars hoping that shortly the whole Journall of their proceedings may be made publick First the said Members of the House of Commons conveening as aforesaid immediately Voted and called in as to the service of the House the Eleven impeached Members And also those who upon former Votes of the House were suspended or under Question to be put out for Delinquency and had put in their cases with this pretended House of Commons thus composed and foure or five Lords of the same Modell for an house of Peares they proceed to set up a Committee for safety whereof almost all of the said impeached Members were apart this Committee they appointed to joine with that same pretended Committee of the City Militia whose power was obtained only by the tumultuous force and violence aforesaid To these Committees the most or many of their proceedings referre and by divers pretended Votes Orders and Ordinances procured in the name of one or both Houses of Parliament large powers were given to these two Committees for raising of Forces appointing chiefe Commanders and other Officers and other vast unlimited and unusuall powers were given them all tending to the raising and levying of a new Warre within this Kingdome upon which many forces both of Horse and Foot were actually levyed and other preparations of Warre made all which that they were intended and designed in Justification prosecution and maintenance of the aforesaid treasonable engagement and of the said force and violence done to the parliament or of the very same ends and interests and to oppose and hinder the restitution of the Houses of Parliament to their honour and freedome and the advance of this their Army for that purpose being then upon a March Besides the consideration of the persons into whose hands these powers were committed It is abundantly evident many other wayes but especially by that Declanation of the Lord-Mayor Aldermen and Common-councell of London which was first by that pretended Committee of safety ordered and then by the pretended Houses without reading a word of it approved to be published in the Parish Churches with an exhortation to the people to take up Armes in maintenance of the ends therein expressed which though the pretence were for the defence of the King Parliament and City then alledged to be in great danger when as indeed none were in danger but only the Authors Actors and Abettors of the traiterouâ— practises aforesaid yet the true ends thereof appeare clearely to be the same with the said treasonable ingagement and tumult against the Parliament all of them concentring as in other things so
especially in this viz. To have the King brought up to London without delay or any nearer upproach of the Army And to all these the succeeding Votes of the pretended Houses for the same thing did speedily eccho the same note Concerning which matter not to examine the alteration of the case since both Houses and both Kingdomes also of England and Scotland resolved that it was not safe the King should come to London untill he had given satisfaction and secutity to his people in relation to those publick ends for which so much bloud and treasure had been spent we shall only say thus much to those mens intentions and designes in the businesse That had the King come up to London as they have so oft desired and attempted it is apparent they intended and would have made use of it rather to lay the stronger foundations of a new Warre upon the ruines of that publick interest contended for in the former and of all those that had with most candor clearenesse and simplicity of heart appeared and acted for the same then any way to settle thereby a safe and well-grounded peace And since they could not rationally expect so easie an obtaining of the Kings person to London upon such a pretended Vote or Declaration of their desire thereof it is as evident that they could intend nothing thereby but a more plausible pretence and foundation of quarrell against this Army whereby to ingage or incline to their assistance the Kings party and such others who might be catcht with the apprehension thereof as a speedy way to Peace the thing so generally longed for and by such assistance gained the better to ruine this Army and those faithfull Members of Parliament who were retired to it For our parts we shall rejoice as much as any to see the King brought back to his Parliament and that not so much in place as in affection and agreement on such sound termes and grounds as may render both Him and the Kingdome safe quiet and happy and shall be as ready as any to bring his Majesty to London when his being there may be likely to produce not greater disturbances but a Peace indeed And that such as may not with the shipwrack of publick interest be shaped and moulded only to the private advantages of a particular party or faction But bottomed cheifly on grounds of common and publick welfare and security And if without regard to these considerations we would have brought his Majesty with us to London in our late advance thither which our enimies could not hinder or prejudice us in we had no cause to doubt but as to men we might have had all the advantages which our adversaries promised to themselves thereby added to the strength and interest of the Army and have inverted the disadvantages upon them that they intended against us thereby so as his Majesties so much desired to come to London might have been much to their prejudice and our advantage and security if we had regarded only our owne particulars But as at present our consciences beare cleare witnesses to our selves so we hope God will in the issue make it cleare to others that we have not minded nor been acting our owne workes or interests but the Kingdomes and every honest mans in it Mean while to return to our purpose we thinke it is sufficiently cleared that the proceedings of those members or the major part of them that continued to sit at Westminster during the absence of the Speakers the powers by them given the forces thereupon levied and other preparations of Warre thereupon made were all designed and driven on in prosecution and maintenance of the said treasonable ingagement and of the force done upon the Parliament or for the same ends and interest with them and to oppose the advance of this Army towards London for restitution of the Parliament to honour and freedome and indeed to raise a new warre in the Kingdome against the Parliament and their Army for the destruction thereof And the same may yet further appear by this that those very Appentices Reformadoes and others about the City who were the cheife actors in the said ingagement and tumult were afterwards most trusted and imployed and most active in their preparations for War By what we have here said and what hath been declared and published from us and from the Speakers and aforesaid Members of both Houses and by the whole series of our owne and our enemies actions and carriages compared together it may appeare how tender we have been not only of the authority and just Priviledges of Parliament and of the safety peace and welfare both of the Kingdome and the City but even towards those our enemies themselves seeking only things necessary for the common good of the whole and that if possible without ruine or hurt to any and yet how maliciously and unworthily we have that while been dealt withall by those our enemies and by a factious and powerfull party especially in Parliament and City combining with them And what cleare cause we have had both for all that we have formerly desired or done in prevention of our owne ruine and the Kingdomes disturbance and also what just grounds for our late advance to London The good service whereof especially in restoring the Parliament into a condition of safety honour and freedome thereby hath been without any seeking of ours acknowledged by both Houses with thankes to us and publick thankesgiving to the Almighty for it And a further trust hath been thereupon committed to the Generall for taking care with his Army to safe-guard the Parliament The Houses being thus restored to a condition of present safety honor and freedome Two things seem clearly remaining to be done which our owne and most mens expectations are most set upon viz. First to vindicate the honour freedome and safety of Parliament from the like affronts or violences in future and the Army and Kingdome from danger of the like disturbances whilst things shall be in a debate or treaty for a settlement and then to proceed unto a speedy settlement of the peace of the Kingdome The latter of these is first in our intentions being nearest to the ultimate end And we shal earnestly desire in order therunto the proposals of the Army whereof the heads are published may be speedily considered and brought to a resolution But considering that the debates of them may take up some time ere they be agreed on all hands and the framing of them into Bils and perfecting of the same will require much more Something must first be done in the former for a present security to the Parliament from like affronts or violence and to the Army and Kingdome from the like disturbances to the peace thereof by any farther advantage which the time like to be spent in the setling of peace may afford to our watchfull restlesse and we doubt implacable enemies First therefore to those ends unlesse it should be
shall hereafter intrude themselves to sit in Parliament before they shall have given satisfaction to the respective Houses wherefore they are concerning the grounds of their said sitting at Westminster during the absence of the said Speakers shal have acquitted themselves by sufficient evidence That they did not procure or give their consent unto any of those pretended Votes Orders or Ordinances tending to the raising and levying of a war as is before declared or for the Kings comming forth-with to London we cannot any longer suffer the same but shall doe that right to the Speakers and Members of both Houses who were driven away to us and to our selves with them all whom the said other Members have endeavoured in an hostile manner most unjustly to destroy and also to the Kingdome which they endeavoured to embroyle in a new War as to take some speedy and effectuall course whereby to restrain them from being their owne â—urs and the Kingdomes Judges in those things wherein they have made themselves parties by this meanes to make way that both they and others that are guilty of and parties to the afore-said treasonable and destructive practises and proceedings against the freedome of Parliament and peace of the Kingdome may be brought to condigne punishment and that at the judgment of a free Parliament consisting duely and properly of such Members of both Houses respectively who stand cleare from such apparant and treasonable breach of their trust as is before expressed By the appointment of his Excellency and the Generall Councell of his Army Signed John Rushworth Secr. At the head quarters at Kingston upon Thames Aug. 18. 1647. A Declaration from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax concerning the Excise WHereas it hath pleased the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled in and by their Declaration of the 28. of August last concerning the Excise to appoint me to order and enjoyne all Colonels Captaines Officers and Souldiers under my command upon application made to them or any of them speedily to suppresse all tumults ryots and unlawfull assemblies which shall be attempted or acted in opposition against the Commissioners of Excise their Sub-commissioners Collectors or Officers in execution of the Ordinances of Parliament for the Excise and to apprehend all such ryoters and tumultuous persons that they may be proceeded against according to law In pursuance wherof I doe hereby require all Colonels Captaines Officers and Souldiers under my command upon application from time to time of the said Commissioners of the Excise their sub-commissioners collectors or officers unto them or any of them to be ayding and assisting as well in preventing of such tumults and ryots as in the suppressing thereof Given under my hand and seale the fourth day of Septemb. 1647. Tho Fairfax A Letter from Hampton-Court containing the substance of His Majesties most Gracious Answer to the Propositions presented to him from both Kingdomes Right Honourable THe Commissioners of both Kingdomes came hither on Tuesday nighâ— last September 7. instant delivered a Letter to the rest of the Commissioners whom they found here with His Majesty from both Houses of Parliament that the said Propositions should be presented to the King that night and that the Scots Commissioners would be there to joyn with them to present them to his Majesty They also shewed the instructions from the Houses to their fellow-Commissioners which were to present them that night and to certifie His Majesty that they were to expect a positive Answer thereunto within six days The Scâ—ts Commissioners were also here ready to joyne with our in presenting them to His Majesty About five of the clock that night they all came to the King The Prince Elector had been there but was returned to Richmond His Majesties children were also there who had dined with His Majesty that day and the Countesse of Northumberland with them and they were then with his Majesty being not at that time returned to Sion House And Mr. Maxvill was then come to the Court who is Chamberlain to his Majesty The Commissioners acquainted his Majesty with their Message from both Kingdomes and desired audience which his Majesty granted and presently met them in one of the chambers where His Majesty was with his Children and there the Propositions were presented and read and his Majesty told them that hee would give them an Answer as soone as he could Then the King with-drew for some time so that His Majesty went late to Supper that night The Commissioners wrotâ— letters to the Houses to acquaint them what was done and what his Majesty said and desired that they might all returne to the Parliament when his Majesty gave them a dispatch Wednesday Septemb. 8. instant the King was up early in the morning being very desirous to dispatch the Commissioners with all possible speed his Majesty walked forth a little before Dinner and so a little againe in the after-noone to refresh himselfe Divers came from London and elsewhere and some obtained leave to kisse his Majesties hand Thursday Sept. 9. His Majesty called for the Commissioners and gave an Answer to them which is to this effect That His Majesty takes notice of these Propositions to be very little differing from the former presented to him at Newcastle to which his Majesty returned Answer when he came to Holdenby That his Majesty conceives they cannot but take notice of the Proposalls of the Army which all rationall men cannot but confesse are much more reasonable and tending to a firme and setled Peace And therefore his Majesty desires that Commissioners from the Parliament and Commissioners from the Army may be sâ—nâ— to His Majesty to treat with him upon the Proposalls from the Army that a firm Peace may be setled This Thursday the 9. instant the Earl of Pâ—mbrooke and Major Generall Browne returned with his Majesties Answer betâ—mes in the morning for it was toolate before they could return over night by reason of some things which were to be done by the Commissioners that night The Letter is directed to the Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament the like to the Scots Commissioners His Majesty is very confident that his Answer will give much satisfaction and His Majesty doth exceedingly approve of the proceedings of the Army Dated at Hampton-Court Sept. 9. 1647. Twelve Proposalls from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of his Armie which His Majesty seemes better to approve of then any thing which hath hitherto been presented to Him 1. AN Act to be passed to take away all coersive power authority and jurisdiction of Bishops and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers whatsoever extending to any civill penalties upon any and to repeal all Laws whereby the civill Magistracy hath been or is bound upon any Ecclesiasticall censure to proceed exofficio unto any civill penalties against any persons so censured 2. That there be a repeale of
sword We therefore the said Generall Councell to testifie how far our hearts and minds are from any design of setting up the power of the sword above or against the fundamentall authority and government of the Kingdome And our readinesse to maintaine and uphold the said authority Have by a free Vote in the said Councell no man contradicting judged the said Member To be expelled the said Councell Which we hereby thought fit to publish as a cleare manifestation of our dislike and disavowing such principles or purposes Putney Septemb. 9. 1647. By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Generall Councell of his Army Signed John Rushworth Secretary His Majesties Message in Answer to the Propositions presented to him at Hampton-court Sept. 7. 1647. by the Earls of Pembrook and Lauderdale Sir Charls Erskin siâ— John Holland sir John Cooke sir James Harrington Mr. Richard Brown Mr. Hugh Kenedy and Mr. Robert Barkley In the names of the Parliament of England and in behalfe of the Kingdome of Scotland Charles Rex HIs Majesty cannot choose but be passionately sensible as hee believes all his good Subjects are of the late great distractions and still languishing and unsetâ—ed State of this Kingdom and he calls God to witnesse and is willing to give testimony to all the world of his readinesse to contribute His utmost endeavours for restoring it to a happy and flourishing condition His Majesty having perused the Propositions now brought to Him finds them the same in effect which were offered to him at Newcastle To some of which as Hee could not then consent without violation of His conscience and honour so neither can he agree to others now conceiving them in many respects more disagreeable to the present condition of affaires then when they were formerly presented to Him as being destructive to the main and principall interests of the Army and of all those whose affections concur with them And His Majesty having seen the Proposals of the Army to the Commissioners from His two houses residing with them with them to be treated on in order to the clearing and securing the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and the setling a just and lasting peace To which Proposalls as he conceives His two Houses not to be strangers so he believes they will think with him that they much more conduce to the satisfaction of all interests and may be a fitter foundation for a lasting peace then the Propositions which at this time are tendred unto Him Hee therefore propounds as the best way in his judgment in order to peace that His two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposalls upon which there may be a personall Treaty with His Majesty and upon such other Propositions as His Majesty shall make hoping that the said Proposalls may be so moderated in the said Treaty as to render them the more capable of his Majesties full concessions wherein He resolves to give full satisfaction unto his people for whatsoever shal concern the setling of the Protestant profession with liberty to tender consciences the securing of the Laws Liberties and properties of all His Subjects and the just priviledges of Parliament for the future And likewise by His present deportment in this Treaty He will make the world clearly judg of His intentions in matter of future government In which Treaty His Majesty wil be well pleased if it bee thought fit that Commissioners from the Army whose Proposals are may likewise be admitted His Majestie therefore conjures his two houses of Parliament by the duty they owe to God and His Majesty their King and by the bowels of compassion they have to their fellow-Subjects both for reliefe of their present sufferings and to prevent future miseries that they will forthwith accept of His Majesties offer whereby the joyfull news of peace may be restored to this distressed Kingdome And for what concerns the Kingdom of Scotland mentioned in the Propositions His Majesty will very willingly treat upon those particulars with the Scotch Commissioners and doubts not but to give reasonable satisfafaction to that His Kingdome Given at Hampton-Court Sept. 9. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of the Parliament of England and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland Master Speaker THe sad condition and sufferings of divers well-affected to your affaires in the Kingdom is very grievous particularly the cases of James Simbal Francis Wade Robert White and Roger Crab as they are presented unto me which hath induced me to present the inclosed paper to your consideration wherein you may see the manner nature and pretences of their sufferings as presented and withall the exorbitancies of some in places of Judicature towards such who in the worst of times exprest much affection and reality to your proceedings And I humbly desire you to move the House to take their condition into consideration if they be committed meerly for speaking words against the King in time of War which thing I in no sort approve of yet it would doe well if the men might have some enlargement so as they may not perish by a languishing imprisonment such cruell usage as some of them suffer especially considering the offences for which they suffer were but in expresse of zeale for your Cause and that upon apparent provocation from such as I am informed as were your professed enemies With all due submission to you I desire their speedy enlargement and freedome of their Estate Your humble Servant Tho Fairfax Putney Sept. 12. 1647. For the Honourable Will Lenthall Esq Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons The particular cases of severall prisoners returned in the Kalender to the County Gaol at the White Lyon in Southwark the last Assizes held at Darking for the County of Surrey Represented by his Excellency to the Parliament IAmes Simball Deputy Keeper of Winchester house lying sicke hearing a Cavallier there a prisoner then say That the Parliament were Rebells and Traytors and that if the King came to London with his Army hee would make the Parliament a poore Parliament and Exemplary for their Rebellion by chopping off their heads at the doore The said Cavallier neer two years after boasting of a designe intended against the Parliament and being questioned for the same by the said Simball out of malice did accuse him for speaking against the King in these words viz. That he the said Simball hoped to see the Kings head upon the Tower blocke When indeed the said words were spoken in Answer to those above mentioned upon these conditions That if the King had any such intention then he the said Simball hoped as afore-said and thus much the said Cavalier himselfe did confesse but afterwards denyed Now the said Simball being indicted without any cognizance taken of these circumstances stands convicted by the only testamony of the said Cavallier ever since the Assizes held in March last and adjudged
with Francis Wade and Robert White by Serjeant Creswell to forfeit their whole estates and remaine prisoners during the Kings pleasure Francis Wade being urged to drinke the Kings health denyed it saying that King James said That the King which ruled not according to his Lawes is no longer a King but a Tyrant and that the King had put the Parliament out of his protection and in them the whole Kingdom Therefore no King Robert White having been a souldier in the Parliaments service was demanded upon his return what he would have done to the King had he met him in the head of his Army answered he would as soone have killed him as another man Roger Crabb for comparing the King to the golden Calfe which the Israelites worshipped or words to that purpose stands convicted by Justice Bacon since July 1646. and fined at an hundred marks to lye in Gaole till payment James Simball being at this instant a prisoner and in Irons at the said Gaole was indicted by one Wimball formerly a Cavallier sonne in law and partner to Richardson Keeper and Bailiffe of the prison called the Clinke now under sequestration and they keepers for the State the said Symbals goods being within their liberty as aforesaid have seized and made stay thereof as being confiscated to the King The said Richardson and Windball commencing suites in their owne Court for that the said Symbals brother defending part of the said goods in right of himelfe having formerly lent them to the said James his brother Francis Wade Robert White and Roger Crab are return'd as prisoners in the Kalender to the White Lion by Justice Bacon who fined Mr. Devinish late Keeper of the said County Gaole threescore pounds for suffering the said prisoners to have some liberty In Crabs case the Jury brought him guilty of the words spoken by him but they were neither seditious scandalous nor pernitious Justice Bacon used much Argument to perswade the Jury to finde the judgement they having formerly twice returned him And caused the said Jury to be locked up all night without meate drinke fire or candle untill they had returned him as he stood indicted The Explanation or Declarations of the sence of His Excellency and the generall Councell of the Army upon severall particulars in the Proposalls afore-going in answer to certain Queries thereupon made by the Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army agreed upon at the generall Councel held at Putney on Thursday Septem 16. 1647. 1. Vpon the first generall Head TO the Quere concerning the time of commencement of the yeare within which a period to this Parliament is desired The explanation was thought fit to be suspended untill it should appear what expedition will be made in the settlement of the things proposed 2. Vpon the first particular under the first generall Head To the Quere Whether not rather Trienniall Parliaments and the act for that purpose to be continued with supplementall additions according to the effect of the particulars contained under this generall Head Resolved That as to the circumstance of time we are satisfied with either Bienniall or Trienniall Parliaments provided that in case Triennialls be prefer'd there be a proportionable addition to the time for the certainety of their sitting to viz. to be at least for six or eight monthes 3. Vpon the second particular under the first generall Head To the Quere concerning the prejudice of laying a limitation upon Parliaments not to sit past 240. dayes Resolved That that limitation is to be understood with this exceptions viz. unlesse any Parliament shall find it necessary for the safety of the Kingdome to sit longer but still with this proviso That each Parliament shall dissolve of course at least 80. dayes before the next Bienniall or Trienniall if not otherwise dissolved sooner so as that course of new Elections may never be interrupted 4. Vpon the eighth particular under the first generall Head To the Quere concerning the prejudice to Parliament freedom which this particular might induce Resolved That the liberty of entring dissents is not desired but in case where the major vote may bee to the destruction or prejudice of the Common Right or liberty of the Subject 5. Vpon the first particular under the second generall head viz. concerning the Militia To the Quere concerning what 's ment by the power of the Militia Resolved That by these words the power of the Militia is meant the power of raising arming c. according to the expressions used in the Proposition of both Kingdoms concerning the Militia 6. Vpon the third particular under the same Head To the Quere concerning the expressing of that power of raising disposing moneys by both Houses Resolved That we are well satisfied in the expressions thereof used in the Propositions of both Kingdoms concerning that matter 7. Vpon the fourth generall Head To the Quere what great Officers are meant Resolved The same that are named in the Proposition of both Kingdoms together with the office of High Admiral or Commissioners for the Admiall 8. Vpon the fourteenth Head concerning the King To the first Quere concerning the extent of these words without diminution to their personall rights Resolved That those words were not intended to extend to any part of the Revenues that have come or shall become due before the settlement so as to invalid or question any disposure thereof made by the Houses of Parliament or by authority derived from them To the second Quere upon the same head concerning the extent of these word without further limimitation to the exercise of the Royall power Res That these words are intended only as exclusive to any farther new limitations not to any that have been made heretofore by the Laws of the Land Putney 16. Septemb. 1647. By the appointment of His Excellency Sir Tho Fairfax and the generall Councell of the Army A Declaration from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the generall Councell of the Army held at Putney on Thursday Sept. 11. 1647. THe extream wants of the Souldiery both of the Army and other Forces and Garrisons that have concurred with us as also the sufferings of the Countries in respect of free Quarter and the necessities of the Kingdome for a speedy supply of money in relation to the disbanding of superfluous forces the sending over of others for the reliefe of Ireland and for the supplying of those Forces that are there already so as to prevent the danger of those distempers lately raised amongst them are such as we are and have been very sensible of and exceedingly pressed with the consideration of them Yet the care the Houses have so many wayes exprest for providing a present supply of monies in relation to all these affaires have made us hitherto silent as to that point in expectation to have found ere this time an answerable effect thereof in actuall supplies But finding that notwithstanding all their care yet through the neglect or delay of those