a more full relation of my principles with indeavours to cleare the same Your demands were thus that seeing I affirme there is no visible superintendent authoritie in the Kingdome but what is exercised by the power and force of the Sword you desire to know under what authority I stand in this Regiment as Major I answered you That I was made Major of the Generalls Regiment by Commission from himselfe before we had repelled the power which the City and Parliament had raised against the Army but after the authority of the Parliament was disobeyed the power they could procure against us theirs the peoples best friends repelled and yet those Members that acted or voted against us sitting in Parliament as ours and the Kingdomes judges I acted no more under that account to the Parliament but only under the authority of the Generall by vertue of the Solemn Engagement of the Army and by the approbation and consent of the Regiment not one man denying when J presented my selfe their Major J also said that the Army was the highest power now visible in this kingdome and the Generall in chiefe authority and a man whom J would obey in all commands from him that I did receive which were just and honest according to my understanding and that if he commanded me any injust thing J would not observe it nor act therein J affirming that all authority is but ministeriall in the persons and that neither God nor the people hath given them authoritie to doe any unjust thing neither will any people willingly be oppressed with injustice and that the commands of a Superior Authoritie doe not justifie the inferior in unrighteous actions J further declare that whatsoever action is set for ward by vetrue of authoritie that is unjust and pressed by power of stronger power may resist and suppresse their power and the authorities also if they persist in the prosecutiof it It is the equitie of a thing that maketh it lawful I know the strong man armed keepeth his house till a stronger then he commeth I have well confidered the words of the Apostle Romans the 13. saying Let every soule be subiect to the higher powers For there is no power but of God the powers that be we ordained of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation For rulers are not a terror to good workes but to evill wilt thou then not be afraid of the power doe that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the samâ— Here the case is cleare the powers that be are of God even all powers in the world now J affieme that that is properly power that is able to act whersoever it is and may resist the uniust commands of authoritie and if the authoritie doe gather strength to inforce their uniust commands then may the power iustly cast of obedience and defend themselves and repell their strength by force this principle must of necessitie be granted or else all warre either offensive or defensive is unlawfull and we have done evill in fighting against the Kings force and likewise in suppressing those powers raised in London by the Parliament J acknowledge the Parliament if once purged of those Members that assisted the King in the former warre and of those that voted the raising of a new warr to be the most legall and supreame authority of this Nation though not so legall as it ought to be And J affirme the Army the highest visible power and to be commanded and directed by the Parliament and bound to obey all things iust which are commanded by them it is cleare to me the Maior part in them oft visible capacitie to act is the highest power and he that resisteth them is culpable of the breach of this Scripture laid down be the Apostle only observe this every gainesaying is not resisting and J will never resist any power unlesse J thought J sinne if J did not But if a Maior in a Nation rise up to procure iustice and supp esse the Minor it is cleare to me they are the highest power and may iustly appoint authority over themselves and all that shall concurre with them or consent thereto for their well being and safety and may not be charged of resisting the highest power There is no forme of government by divine appointment but the voice of the people is the voice of God as much for one as another and that is the most legall and iust authoritie which is set up by consent and that legally by judging but to the generation that appointed it For the father hath not power to ingage the sonne bus by consent and may not iustly make him a slave Children are only to obey their parents in the Lord that authority that is set up by force is to be obeyed in all just things but if it grow corrupt and depart from the wayes of iustice and righteousnesse then may a people iustly deliver themselves from their oppressors and repell their power by force I tooke up armes at the first in iudgement and conscience against the Kings power to procure deliverance for this people and Nation of my nativitle from the oppression and iniustice that was exercised by the King and his Ministers and likewise opposed the Parliament upon the same grounds and shall againe with heart and hand oppose tyranny and iniustice whersoever J find it 〈◊〉 shall inable me and make me a cleare way and call thereunto J know theâ—e is a divine power over all the creatures in the world and God suffereth the Divell to deceive men so that out of zeale toward God they thinke they doe him service to distroy the Persons of his people and seeing there is such actings to distroy honest people J account it my duty towards God and the people to indeavour by all meanes to preserve them and my self knowing that if J doe not use what meanes God giveth to preserve naturall life J am accessary to my own ruine and become a self murtheter Jt is not difficult to be understood that the authority and government of this kingdome was set up by force by the Norman Conquerer and by policie and force fastned by his successors to these times winding in the people into snares by craft imposing oaths of Alleagence and Supremacie c. setting up a publique ministrie to preach up the authoritie divine and to be accountable to God only strengthning it by the Gentry which receive honour one of another the King being the fountaine of thâ—s honour and all Lawyers having dependance on the King plead his interest and likewise the Law forfitting him as much as the invention of man can imagine But what reason can be given that one mans wit should contradict the wisedome of 400 the wisest men that can be chosen in a Nation I know not or that all lawes that a people shall chuse for their well being and safety should be accounted of as acts of grace and favour from a single
desire that honour may be given to whom honour is due and here is no man living more honourable in my account then your selfe it would be an injuri us thing to detract from you where in you have merâ—itted in the deliverance of this people so farre as now is But seeing the end is not accomplished nor yet in a visible way for compleat deliverance give me leave to plead with your Excellency in the behalfe of my selfe and the people and to tell you that your Excellency and the Army are bound in duty towards God and this Nation to endeavour a perfect deliverance in as much as humaine providence can provide for the setting the people free which was the moving cause of our first taking up Arms and seeing the Parliament which was the authority by whom we were directed and were noâ— properly the judges of the peoples freedome did endeavour the continuance of more servill bondage being perswaded thereunto by the prevailance of the Presbyterian faction of this kingdome and of Scotland who made it the end of their desires only to unsadle the Bishops and bring in the King to confirme the Presbyterie and to make their faction most prevalent in Courts with little care to gratifie the exhausted Commons for the expence of so much 〈◊〉 blood we waited long after the subduing of our enemies power For the Parliaments setling the Kingdom in peace freedom but contrary to our and the peoples expectations we were provoked to resist their authoritie and to repell all power they could procure against us theirs and the kingdomes best friends without asking who should be judge of the justnesse thereof they or the Army it is easie when the sun shinoth for men to tell whether it be light or darke And if any power now remaining shall proceed in wayes of injustice to support their selfe interest by the helpe of a publique ministry crying up authoritie to maintaine their greatnesse it will be in vaine to imagine the continuance thereof certainly the highest and most legall authority in this king come will appeare to be the Commons in Parliament yet now I dare with confidence speake it they are not the highest power That is properly the highest power that is best able to act and that only the power of God among men so long as they doe what is just and are a terrour to evill workes the Army now at your and his command in all just things is the highest power visible in this Kingdome and if you see not a good Government established for the weale of the people according to equity and reason it will lye upon your Excellencies and the Armyes account Now whether it be safe for the Army and people to set up the King by an act of Oblivion and generall pardon and to give him a neggative voyce by consent which before hath beene in dispute I leave your Excellency to judge seeing no Ordinances of Paliament can be made Lawes upon this account but by his consent it will be of little worth to the people to have 〈◊〉 perpetuall Parliament or a Bieniall which you please it is a vaine thing for any to flatter themselves with the advantage of the command of the Melitia by sea and land for ten yeares when all the Judges of the Land are corrupt and plead the Kings interest and bound to it by oath and the Lawes of the Land and no way left for defence but the Sword which will prove but little succour to a poore man especially Whether we have any reason to set up the King upon those teaâ—mes seeing how cloose he sticks to his own partie or whether he will not in seaven yeares in all likely hood by pollicie be a greater Conquerer then he could have beene by the Sword I leave it to your Excellency and all wise men to judge if your Excellency shall be pleased to consider these things with candid interpretation of my former actions knowne to your selfe it will appeare that with integritie I have sought no other interest then the generall freedome of the people and that which I spake in Counsell or else where for which I was expelled and made uncapable of discharging that trust I can make manifest to be most true only a judged unseasonable to crosse the Byas of some mens affections which we may have cause to wish a remedie for when the oppertunitie is past it will appeare no weakning of your authority by indeavouring to prevent the faltering your negative voyce over the grand Councell of the Army who are to judge of satisfaction and securitie in relation to dividing or disbanding or to declare any thing to the Kingdome in the name of the Army this no way altereth the conduct as a Army acting in this capacity It is farre from my heart to desire the seting up the power and force of the for continuance though I affirme as the condition of the Kingdome now is there is no superintendent authoritie but what is exercised by the power and force of the Sword and of necessitie for some time must be so if we immediately give up ourselves to the authority of Parliament I know not but that all those which have been our opposers not exempted may soon appeare too numerous for them that came to the Army and the Minor glad to call for our helpe againe as was the saying of one soon after our re-instating them that they were not able to carrie on the businesse without our helping them I know the people have cause to blesse God that the swords is in the hands of men of such integritie to the publique that desire the continuance of the same no longer then all a happie government be established wherein there needs no such pollicle to be used as the making use of a publique ministrie to preach up a states designe but that is may be fiâ—me distinct from the Clergie and all men to receive justice in what capacitie soever to tast of subjection as well as diâ—soveraignity which is impossible to be brought to passe without establishing the supreame law making power in the Commons in Parliament and that changable successively by an indubâ—tate Right as in reason it should be so to the people there is no friend to Englands freedome will oppose this in the restoring the kingdome to its antient Liberties as before the Conquest and if your Excellencie will with courage as hath been never wanting make this your worke you will never want the assistance of hands and heart of the people Now I shall only crave pardon for my troubling your Excellencie and remaine your Excellencies servant in the recovering of Englands freedome From Rygate in Surrey Septemb. 23. 1647. Francis White An Account to the Officers of the Generalls Regiment intended for satisfaction to their demands Sirs YOu being unsatisfied in what I had delivered at the Generall Councell of the Army I gave you some account But seeing it was not satisfactory I proceed to give you
Lord Major by flatterie and the helpe of his agents gaineth the Major part of that Councell which directed the Commons the Councell plead his interest and seeke to put insufferable abuses upon the power that did preserve them and those that were most faithfull they reproach and contemn and seeke to put inâ—amie upon them the powers beate long with much parience but when they see no way but ruine designed them they refuse the commands of this authority that commanded them and seek to deliver themselves and their friends from apparent ruine and are cleare and justifiable in the suppressing the injustice of their authority after which the said Lord Major corrupteth some of the leaders of that power and by the assistance of all his former parties that feare justice or are ambitious or coveteous for profit or honour he is in a faire way with a little losse to gaine the day whether the power remaining being the highest visible in order may not preserve themselves I leave you to judge when those that have acted against this power and are declared enemies to this power and that they will not suffer those usurpers and intruders to sit as their and the rest of the Commons Iudges where then is the visible super-intendent authority I beseech you resolve me it needs no applycation I am sure that it is power that first maketh authoritie to command in just things God himselfe had not authority over any thing tell he had made some thing by his power to be at his command it is evident that power setleth authoritie as in most kingdomes of the world the authority and government hath been established by the power and force of the sword and the people made subject to evill for feare which I desire may not be so with us For my own part I doe not stand in feare of the power when I doe what is just by the testimony of a good conscience I feare not them that kill the body only and can doe no more I will be accountable for all actions to the highest power and if I cannot justifie my selfe I will aske God and man forgivenesse or suffer what God shall permit with joy J know my own infirmities passion and weaknesse I know my own heart is deceitfull yet if men and Diveâ—s prosecute me I shall appeare righteous and just through Christ before God my father in whom I have my inioyment peace reconciliation union and comfort which maketh my heart more glad then any worldly man is in the increase of his treasure Now if there be any thing here written which appears to you errors I desire you to endeavour to convince me and I shall renounce the same I leave it to your understanding and to the God that giveth wisedome I shall pray both for you and my selfe that he will give us wisedome and teach us love and meeknesse that we may live together in peace and happinesse and keep union in the wayes of righteousnesse which is the desire of him who hath is and shall be tell death a servant to you and the Commons of England Presented to the Officers the Regiment at Ware Munday Octob. 16 1647. Francis White I Did nâ—â— seeke occasion to publish these seaven heads ensuing which were extracted out of many more which the Officers of the Gen. Regiment had drawn up as a charge against me and likewise backing the same with a decâ—â—â—ation against the Case of the Army and the Agents of the five Regiments of Horse promising the Generall their assistance to suppresse such principles as I held forth and likewise to suppresse those persons that had published that book in the name of five Regiments which they said were not 15. men I little expected such proceedings from those that had declared themselves so much my friends and said my heart is as your heart and we will stand and fall together One Friday the 13. October when all the Officers were appointed to attend at the Head Quarters of the Regiment as is our custome once a weeke they then made their demands whâ—ch I told them I was not bound to give them account after ouâ— meeting they come all to my Quarters and desires in away of love to be satisfied in my principles but Juâ—â—â—s like with a kisse to betray me they drew up their Articles from the tenor of my discourse in the garden but the Lord reward them I shall endeavour to doe them a courtesie for the same desiring not to be overcome with evill but to overcome evill with good I would have read this paper of my account to them before they presented their Articles and Declaration but they desired me to read it to them afterward which J did yet notwithstanding some would not heare with affection nor consider but proceed with their businesse and after my extracting them into seaven heads they alâ—ered their Declaration and desired me to signe it which wouâ—d have been rediculous I refused it and three Captaines there present and some Lievtenants and Ensignes There being divers Articles drawn up by some Officers of the Gen. Regiment which they brought to me desiring to know of me whether I would own them as my principles is they charged them I finding them imperfect to what I had spoken drew up these ensuing as followeth and signed them with my own hand 1. That there is no superintendent Authority in this Kingdome but what is exercised by the power and force of the sword 2. That the whole government of the kingdome undâ—r all the lawes that have been since the Conqueâ— is or ought to be made null that are contrary to equitie and such 〈◊〉 government to be established that all persons may taâ—â— of subjection as well as rule which is impossible to be brought to passe without establishing the supream law making power in the representative of the people and that changeable 3. That the Generall doth not stand so strong by vertue of his Commission from the Parliament as he doth by vertue of the solemn Engagement of the Army 4 That whatsoever commands I shall receive from the Generall I will obey if just and if in my approbation they appeare not just I will not obey them And if there be prosecution to distroy me for refusing unjust commands I will preserve my selfe by power if I can and this libertie I conceive every person in the kingdome ought to have 5. That the Maior part in the most visible capacitie to act is the highest power and may refuse the injust commâ—nds of superior authority 6 That the Parliament men that sate with Mr. Pellam were as much a Parliament as those that sate when the Members went to the King and unlesse the House be purged of those persons that are unduly elected and likewise of those persons that voted the raising a â—ew warre declared usâ—â—â—ers and intruders by the Army the Parliament is no Parliament and ought not to be the Army and kingdoms Iudges 7. That the lawes of
the Kingdome that were imposed or setled by policie and strength from the Conquerer and his successors which are adjudged preiudiciall to the people by the Commons may be adhered and that the Army are bound in duty and conscience to God and the people to see it performed Francis White Thâ—se things before written containing matters of such great importance of such generall concernment to all the Commons of England and the heads drawn up with a Declaration in relation to my selfe and others by some Officers of the Gen. Regiment being sent unto the Generall I have therefore thought fit to publish the whole for in relation of what hath passed in relation to the matter for which I was expunged the Generall Councell of the Army that those whom in concernes may rightly understand what interest I have prosecuted and if it be not iust and that which God and good people will own I desire I may be convinced and I shall aske God and man forgivenesse till which I shall prosecute the same till I dye or am in bonds I feare not the power of the world in well doing for I know where justiceâ—s God is and his divine omnipotencie will subdue them all Christ is my rock on whom my refuge is grounded and in whom I trust and whiles I walke under his banner I am sure I shall never be confounded if I swarve from the wayes of iustice and righteousnesse I doe not expect protection but desire the God of heaven and earth to give up my body to distruction yet I am sure my redeemer liveth and my spirit shall be at rest The supreame end of all actions ought to be the glory of God the second end the safety of the people the foundation of which is laid in righteousnesse and iustice which are concommitants with the former But seeing every man will pretend the safetie of the people in his own way it is of necessitie there be something to bottome upon for finall determination what is the safety of the people and who shall be iudges thereof I say not the King not this Parliament so unequally chosen and so mixed not the Army upon â—â—â—tearmes but a free Parliament equally chosen with every free man of age having his voice and that Parliament to have its bounds sit how long to continue and so to have Parliaments successively once a yeare or every two year at most to whom all Officers of what quallity soever shall give an account till which be accomplished I shall never willingly aqui esse But seeing this is a great worke in which we shall find opposition it is of necessitie that the Soldery be preserved and kept in constant pay to prevent free quarter that great burthen which will make the people hate them Then for the gaining and retaining the affections of the people the prisoners must be pittied and delivered And the Excise of all English commodities taken of and a period set for the dissolution of the whole That there be a redresse in that great grievance of Tythes that the wages of the hirelings labour be raised according to the rates of provisions That wiâ—owes criples mainted Soldiers and fatherlesse children may be effectually provided for That the people may be righted in point of accounts that the wages of all Officers of publike imployment may be abated that they may not be bought and sold nor coveted after And that the wages of all field Officers of the Army made lesser and the foot Soldiers raised to 12. d. per diem and the horse according to their equipage That the businesse for Jreland be prosecuted as soone as we are in a visibâ—e securitie here otherwise we may send over Soldiers that will goe only for profit and honour which will hardly prove true to the principles of righteousnesse and justice but turne againe to cut our throats as some have done before That no men be prosecuted with revenge for evill done out of their zeale according to their judgement and conscience If the people once see this the worke of the Parliament and Army and that they doe not dealeâ— deceitfully with them they will never want their affections nor purses to the consumation of the worke Now if this writing speaking and acting in truth and the wayes of iustice be accounted vile I shall as David said be yet more vile Francis White FINIS
person unless it were in his power to consum them or they in his hands as the clay in the hands of the potter It is beyond my capacitie to conceive the equitie thereof this is no other but the adoring that image spoken of in Daniell the second which shall be as châ—ffe before the threshing flowre verse 26. Now that the Armie Parliament and Citie and Commons of the Land which have ioyned with them should aske the King an act of oblivion and generall pardon after they have conquered his power is most preposirous and ignorane and will clearly in my judgement through the guilt of blood which is little thought of upon themselves and make him meerly passive which hath been most active Now for the prevention of those mischiefes that may fall upon us and for the setling a firme peace for the safety of the whole J see no other way but to stand to the House of Commons who first called us together and with the consent of the people establish the supreame law making power in their House which are the most proper representative of the people and to procure that changeable and equally chosen for the future by an indubitatâ— right J am sencible that if we should receive an act of oblivion from the King which I never will accept of yet may the next King call us 〈◊〉 account or if he will nor yet the law will which is a written setter and will â—ill us and hang the Iudges if prosecuted which shall give sentence contrary thereto we have some experience hereof in the case of Iames Symballs Crab White and Ward which were all sentenced to the confiscation of their estates and to imprisonment during the Kings pleasure for speaking words against the King in the time of the late wars and at the Armies marching through London some of them had inlargement by Mr. Devenish for which he was fined 60. l. to the King and some remaine in prison at this day notwithstanding iâ— hath been insisted upon by the Armie for their inlargement The like example of a Soldier of Col. Rocestors Regiment sentenced by Iudge Reeves and Bacon contrary to the Law of Arms notwithstanding the Parliament gave them instructions not to meddle in matters of the Military affaires and the Generall sent his letter to them desiring he might be sent to the Army to be tryed at the Martiall-law as a Soldier ought to be For all this the Iudges writ to the Generall which letter I red signed with their names that they could not doe it and in another letter from Col. Twisselton then Major informing that the Iury brought in verdict not guilty yet the Iudges sent them backagaine tell they brought in their verdict for man slaughter and then the Souldier was burned in the hand If such affronts and sufferings may be put upon an Army in full power and strength I know not what may our mischiefes nor where or when our miseries may end if we have not sure securitie before the power of the Army be scattered and before I would be so regardlesse of those Soldiers that had acted in this imployment I would sacrifice my life in pleading for their deliverance I see no sufficient securitie but by turning the currant of the lawes to run in the name of the Commons of England which will be for the generall safetie which is the ground and primitive end of all law Deare Sir ny heart is towards you and all men with affection and love even to the most bitter enemie I have and I speak it in the presence of God J know no desire of my heart running after profit or honour or with any aâ—â—imossitie against any mans person or generall partie but desire that pure justice may be exercised which is part of the image of the diety if not part of the essence I desire that the poore of this people may be raised to a condition of livelyhood and subsistance and that prisoners may be executed judged or restored and not have their prisons made places of execution which were never ordained to that end but to keep persons in custodie tell time of tryall I desire not a dissolution of all government or a partie that hath been retorted For I know so long as there is corruption among men there must be government to suppresse licentiousnesse and wrong and to incourage godlinesse and honesly according to the light of God manifest It would be no difficult thing to cleare these principles from the law of nature Scripture and Reason It is farre of my thoughts for promoting any design for a partie or to procure the alteration of the conduct of the Army either in whole or in part or particular person for I thinke the Officers to be the creame of the Army and the Army such as is not parralell in the world and if their judgements be convinced and their way cleare for action I am confident they would not feare the power of the earth it is wicked pollicie will be their greatest mischiefe We have had to much experience of former declarations Protestations and promises and though the parties meane really to performe them yet one party may turn over another and they may be easily trampled upon and soone forgotten therefore what reason have we to trust the King or any other for our future security I know not J am sure that if the King be set up without further diminition of the regall power then is provided in the proposalls of the Army we shall never want subtill tormentors J admire what stupiditie it is that lyeth upon the spirits of gallant men that doe not feare the lookes of the most daring enemie in the field and yet their hearts faile them when they looke upon a single person But for a little the more cleare illustration of the maine subiect of the inperintendent authoritie J state a case parralell thus The Lord Maior of London hath the command of the Militia he hath likewise the Regall Authority for administration of iustice he calls a Councell of Aldermen and Common Councell men to consider of some weighty affaires and to determine of things for the weale of the City there ariseth a great difference among the Councell in matters of great importance to the City the Lord Maior and part of the Aldermen and Common Councell will have it one way the Maior part will have it another way The difference causeth a breach the Lord Maior pleadeth the Royaltie of the command of the Malitia to force them to his and his parties prerogative principles he calleth in the corrupt partie to his assistants many â—ich Marchants Monopolizers with all his officers that aâ—ecotrupt and all such as feare justice the Major part of the Councell call in the trades men and all the free Commons of the City to defend their just rights and liberties who willinglie assist them and by whose meanes and helpe they subdue the Lord Major and his partie after which the