Historical Collections: Further Parliamentary proceedings, June 1647

Chap XV. Proceedings in Parliament from June 3, to July 5, 1647.

Monday, June 7, 1647.

The Letter aforesaid, from his Excellency, was this Day read again and debated in both Houses (informing briefly) that

The General's Letter in brief concerning the King s coming to the Army; The Commissioner, refuse to act in disposing the King.

'On Saturday, being June the 5th, at a Rendezvous near Newmarket, with intent to go and quarter about Cambridge, he got knowledge, that the Soldiers at Holmby had, on Friday, brought His Majesty thence by consent; and that He lay at Henching-Brook, near Huntington, at the House of Colonel Montague (a Member of the House of Commons, and of the Army.) The Night following lay there also, and would be at Newmarket the next Day: And that the ground of the Soldiers removing His Majesty was, from an Apprehension of Forces gathering to fall upon them, and force the King out of their hands; and fearing their want of Strength to keep him (not knowing Colonel Whalley was coming towards the King with his Regiment) they secured the King. The General sent Colonel Whalley towards Huntington, with Order, that where-ever he met His Majesty and the Commissioners, to desire them to come no further that way, but rather to return, and suffer him to guard them back to Holmby: After which, for prevention of Danger, two Regiments more were sent towards Evening, to reinforce Colonel Whalley. Colonel Whalley certified the General, That His Majesty was come within four Miles of Cambridge, and not willing to come to Holmby, Quarter was taken up for him at Sir John Cuts' s House at Childersey. Upon this notice, the General sent Sir Hardress Waller, and Colonel Lambert, to desire the Commissioners to think of returning to Holmby; but the Commissioners refused to act in disposing the King. This being the Truth, the General professes for himself, and is confident for the Officers about him, and the body of the Army, that this Remove was without their Desire or Privity.

To secure the King to prevent a new War; That the Army is clear from siding with any Party, Presbyterian or Independent.

'The King not willing to go back, and the Commissioners unwilling to meddle, a Guard of trusty Men are put about His Majesty, under the Command of Colonel Whalley, for which the General will be responsible, that they shall secure His Majesty s Person from Danger, and prevent any Mischief by a new War, and protests it is his Desire, and he finds the same in the Army, viz. to study to settle a firm Peace, and the Liberties of the People cleared and secured, according to the many Declarations by which they were engaged in the late War: And the Parliament s speedy and effectual Application to these, would conduce to a chearful unanimous Disbanding; and whatever may be suggested or suspected, yet he assures, the Sense of the Army is clear from opposing Presbytery, or to have the Independent Government set up, or to hold a Licentiousness in Religion, or to advance any particular Party or Interest, but to leave all such to the Wisdom of the Parliament.

New Commissioners sent to the Army.

The Commons debated this Business of the Army, and at last agreed, that new Commissioners should be sent down to the Army, to acquaint them what the Houses had done further, in satisfaction of their Grievances, and to perswade them to a compliance with the Orders of Parliament; and Instructions were ordered to be drawn up to this purpose: In all which the Lords also concurred, and the Commissioners were dispatched away this Afternoon. The Commissioners are these, viz. the Earl of Nottingham, Lord Delaware, Sir Henry Vane, Junior, Field Marshal General Skippon, Mr. Scowen, Mr. Povey.

Mr. Marshal and Mr. Carryll are discharged of their Attendance upon His Majesty and Commissioners.

A Fast appointed for both Houses only.

Some Debate there was about a Fast for the Members of Parliament only; and accordingly it was ordered by the Commons, that their House set apart next Wednesday for a Day of Humiliation, That God would be pleased to give them one Heart and one Mind in carrying on the great Work of the Lord: And Mr. Marshal, Mr. Strong, and Mr. Whitaker, are appointed to pray and preach with them in their own House. The Lords likewise joined with the Commons in observing this Fast, and appointed other Ministers to preach before their Lordships in their House.

A Petition from the City, delivered by Sheriff Edmunds, which follows at large.

June 8, 1647. A Petition from the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of London was brought down to the House of Commons this Day; and the House being informed thereof, and that the Sheriffs of the City of London, divers Aldermen, and other Citizens of London, were at the Doors, they were called in, and Sheriff Edmunds acquainted the House, that they were commanded by the Lord-Mayor, Court of Aldermen, and Common-Council, to deliver a Petition to the House; the which, the Petitioners being withdrawn, was read, and likewise a printed Ordinance annexed of Jan. 17, 1645. for the raising of Horse for the Defence of the City of London, and for searching and apprehending of Papists, and other ill-affected Persons.

The Petition is as follows, viz.

To the Honourable the House of Commons assembled in High Court of Parliament.

The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-Council assembled.

June 8, 1647. A Petition from the City for the raising of Horse to prevent shedding of Blood.

Humbly Sheweth,
That as your Petitioners acknowledge the Parliament of England to be the supreme Judicature of the Kingdom, from whom the Subjects of this Nation have found Shelter in Danger, and Relief in Distress; so now your Petitioners having (with the whole Kingdom) a great Share and Interest in these Privileges, do therefore at this time humbly, yet earnestly, present these their important Desires to this Honourable House.

First, That all honourable ways and means may be used to prevent the further effusion and shedding of Christian Blood; and to that end, that all just Satisfaction may be given to the Army, and all other Soldiers who have adventured their Lives for the Defence of this Parliament and Kingdom. That though the condition of your Affairs do not enable you to give full Satisfaction at present, yet that their Accompts may be adjusted and put into a certain way of Payment, to the quieting of many thousand discontented Persons, which we humbly conceive will be much to the Glory of God, the Honour of the Parliament, and Quiet of the Kingdom.

Secondly, That according to our Allegiance, the Covenant and Agreement of both Nations, His Majesty's Royal Person may be preserved, and so disposed of, that the Parliament of both Kingdoms may have free Access unto him, that thereby a right Understanding may be obtained between them: And this tottering Church and Kingdom, after all our Fears, Sorrows, and Sufferings, may enjoy the Blessing of a well-grounded and long desired Peace, whereby this Kingdom may be the better enabled to send speedy Relief and Help to miserable bleeding Ireland.

Thirdly, That for the better Defence and Security of the Parliament and City in these tumultuous and troublesome Times, this Honourable House will be pleased to renew so much of an Ordinance of Parliament of the 17th of January, 1645. as concerneth the raising, maintaining, and ordering of Horses, and Power of making Searches (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed) whereby the Committee of the Militia of London, and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortality, may be the better enabled to suppress all tumultuous Assemblies, and to prevent any Dangers that may happen to the Parliament and City.

And as this City, from the beginning of these Troubles, hath faithfully adhered to the Parliament, so we are resolved, by the Blessing of God, never to desert the same, but with the utmost of our Lives and Estates will stand and fall, live and die with the Parliament of England, according to our Covenant.

And the Petitioners shall pray, &c.

Ordinance to that effect.

The House debated this Petition, and voted, That an Ordinance be brought in on Thursday Morning next, according to the Desires of the Petitioners, and it is referred to Mr. Recorder, Mr. Grimstone, Mr. Gott, and Mr. Hill, or any two of them, to prepare and bring in this Ordinance accordingly ; and care of the Business is more particularly referred to Mr. Gott. The Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker, by the Command of the House, expressed to them the true Sense that House had of their constant good Affections for this Parliament, and that no Alteration whatsoever can work any Change in their Duty and Love ; for which he is to give them the heartiest Thanks from this House.

Thanks returned, to the City, for sending a good Guard to the Parliament

That he was further commanded to take notice of the Lord Mayor's, and the Committee of Militia's, ready compliance with the Order of that House in so seasonably sending down a very good Guard, for which he was likewise to return Thanks to the Lord Mayor, and the Committee of the Militia, who are very sensible of the tumultuous and distempered Humours that are now stirred ; and therefore doubts not but of themselves (to whom they do refer it) they will take care that such convenient Guards may be appointed to attend the Houses, as may preserve them from any disturbance or interruption in their Counsels : As to the Request of the Petitioners, touching an Ordinance to the Purposes therein mentioned, they have done something in it, and have put it into a way for further Consideration at their Meeting.

This Day the Declaration passed both Houses for making void the former Declaration of the 30th of March, concerning the Army, which take at large as follows.

Die Martis, 8 Junii, 1647.

A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for making void a former Declaration of the 30th of March, concerning the Army.

June 8.

Whereas the Lords and Commons did, by a Declaration of the 30th of March last, declare their Sense upon a Petition, with the Representation thereunto annexed : And whereas they have been since informed, That the Petitioners intended not thereby to give any Offence to the Parliament ; and calling to mind the great and eminent Service done by the Army to the Parliament and Kingdom, the Lords and Commons being tender of the Honour of the said Army, have thought fit to ordain and declare, and be it declared and ordained by the said Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That she said former Declaration of the 30th of March, be razed and expunged out of the Books of the said Houses, and wholly taken away and made void; and that no Member of the said Army shall receive any Damage, Prejudice, or Reproach for any thing in the said former Declaration.

Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Declaration be forthwith printed and published.

For Recreation of Scholars, Apprentices, and Servants.

The Houses this Day passed an Ordinance for Recreation of Scholars, Apprentices, and Servants; which take at large as follows.

Die Martis, Junii 8, 1647.

Festivals called Holy-Days be no longer observed. June 8; Ordinance of Recreation.

Forasmuch as the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Easter, and Whitsontide, and other Festivals commonly called Holy Days, have been heretofore superstitiously used and observed, Be it ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Feasts of the Nativity of Christ Easter, and Whitsontide, and all other Festival-Days, commonly called Holy-Days, be no longer observed as Festivals or Holy-Days within this Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, any Law, Statute, Custom, or Canon to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding: And to the end that there may be a convenient time alotted to Scholars, Apprentices, and other Servants, for their Recreation, Be it ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That all Scholars, Apprentices, and other Servants, shall, with the leave and approbation of their Masters respectively first had and obtained, have such convenient reasonable Recreation and Relaxation from their constant and ordinary Labours, on every second Tuesday in the Month throughout the Year, as formerly they used to have on such aforesaid Festivals commonly called Holy-Days. And that Masters of all Scholars, Apprentices, and Servants, shall grant unto them respectively such time for their Recreations, on the aforesaid second Tuesday in every Month, as they may conveniently spare from their extraordinary and necessary Services and Occasions. And it is further ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that if any Difference shall arise between any Master and Servant concerning the Liberty hereby granted, the next Justice of the Peace shall have Power to order and reconcile the same.

Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, That this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published.

Reformado Officers and Soldiers Address for Arrears.

A strange Address was made to the House of Commons by Reformado's and common Soldiers within the Line, who block'd up the House of Commons Door about two Hours, refusing to let any Member pass until the House had granted them all their Arrears.

They ordered their Accompts to be audited by Auditor Wilcox, Auditor Board, and another.

Moneys ordered for them.

That 10000 l. more shall be added to the former 10000 l. to be advanced upon the same Security of the Moiety of the Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall.

States Ambassador.

The House ordered that several Members of the House be sent to the States Ambassador, and to excuse all Mistakes, or what else, at his going away, and to desire the Unity and Affection of the two Nations.

That 300 l. was to be paid out of the Revenue, to defray the Charges of the Commissioners that are to go down to the Army.

Mr. Thomas Goodwyn.

That Mr. Thomas Goodwyn be desired to go down to preach before the Commissioners.

A Guard for the Parliament.

That the Militia be desired to send down a Regiment to attend the House to Morrow.

Ireland.

That 10000 l. should be paid out of Weavers-Hall to the Committee of Ireland, to be disposed as that Committee shall think fit, for the Payment of the Forces in Ireland.

That the Forces quartered at Newport-Pagnel, Eversham, and Cambden, that have deserted the Army, be quartered at Worcester.

June 10, 1647. This Morning at a Council of War it was judged inconvenient, and scarce possible, to draw to morrow early enough to dispatch any thing; therefore it is appointed on Thursday Morning at Nine of the Clock; and in regard of His Majestys going to Newmarket; it was thought fit by the Council of War, that the place of Rendezvous might be altered from Newmarket-Heath to Triploe-Heath, five Miles from Cambridge. And this in brief was the Substance of the Intelligence.

Passages between the King, the General, and his Officers.

There came Letters also this Day to the House, from the Commissioners with the King; and also a Narrative of the Passages betwixt His Majesty and his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Commissioners, June 7. at Childerley; the Sum whereof briefly thus, viz.

Cornet Joyce before the King; Passages between the King and Cornet Joyce; The King goes to Newmarket; The General to Cambridge.

The General, Lieutenant General Cromwel, Commissary General Ireton, Lieutenant General Hammond, and divers other Officers of the Army, went to the Lady Cuts's House (according to His Majestys desire, being June 7.) When they came there the King went into the Garden, and the General and his Officers and Commissioners went together, and conferred upon the whole carriage of the business. The Commissioners seem'd to be much unsatisfied: Whereupon the King coming up again, the General and the Commissioners came to him, and also Cornet Joyce (who was the Man that managed that Action of securing the King) was called before them all: the King charged them all, saying, That Joyce said he had the Commission of the whole Army for what he did, and by consequence had the Generals; he being the principal part of the Army. The Cornet replied, and did avow, That he told His Majesty that he had not the Generals Commission, when the King did particularly demand of him: Whereupon the King publickly said to the whole Company, That it was true indeed, he did say so; and it was likewise true, all the Gentlemen that were mounted on Horse-back did cry out, giving their approbation to what he had said; but, faith the King, I was notwithstanding perswaded, that he could not venture to attempt such a thing as to bring me away, for it was Treason, but that he had the countenance of greater Persons. Then it was much pressed by some of the Commissioners against Cornet Joyce, that he deserv'd to lose his Head for what he had done in bringing the King and the Commissioners away, without their consent. Whereupon Cornet Joyce replied, May it please your Majesty, as to the Armies warranting my Proceedings, let it be drawn to a Rendezvous, let me appear there before them, and let the Question be put, whether they approve of my Action in removing His Majesty from Holmby, if three or four Parts of the Army do not approve what I have said, I will be content to be hanged at the Head of the Army. He further added, That the King gave His consent to come, and said, He would go whether the Commissioners would or no. Yea, said the King and the Commissioners, You told us, that we should go, and it was in vain for us not to consent. But, said the King, (Joyce, though it be great Treason in what you have done) yet I will pardon it now I am come: I had the promise of those Gentlemen to be conveyed to Newmarket, and therefore I expect to go to Morrow to Newmarket. Whereupon, after some other Discourse, the General promised he should go. Upon which, His Majesty prepared for Newmarket, and the General went to Cambridge: And accordingly after His Excellency came back to Cambridge, he sent Colonel Whalley (after some debate with the Officers) to guard His Majesty and the Commissioners to Newmarket; and accordingly, His Majesty (June 8.) went from Childerley, but not through Cambridge, but by Trumpington. For some Reasons there was much Preparations for his Majesty, by strewing the Streets, cutting down of Boughs, and preparing for Bonfires.

The Rendezvous of the Army is appointed to be this Day at Triploe-Heath, and not at Newmarket-Heath, by reason of the King's being there.

The Fast kept.

Wednesday, June 9, 1647. This Day both the Lords and Commons kept a solemn Fast in their Houses, and appointed Mr. Arrowsmith, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Vines, and Mr. Herle, to pray and preach in the House of Peers, and Mr. Marshal, Mr. Whitacre, and Mr. Strong, in the House of Commons.

City petition to the Lords.

Thursday, being June 10, 1647. The Common-Council of London presented their Petition to the Lords, the same they did Tuesday before to the Commons, and had Thanks. And their Lordships ordered to take it into speedy Consideration, not doubting but that would be done, which will give Satisfaction. Their Lordships chose a Committee of Lords to consider of all the Grievances of this Kingdom, and present them to the House.

A Conference for Arrears to Officers in the Earl of Essex's Time.

The Lords ordered to desire a Conference with the Commons, to consider of a way for the Payment of such Officers as have served the Parliament formerly, when the Earl of Essex was General, and that have since freely and willingly disbanded, upon the Orders of the House, without care taken for their Arrears; for want whereof divers Officers have perished, not having sufficient Subsistance.

Country Committees.

Their Lordships also ordered to put the Commons in mind of a former Message for the putting down of Country Committees.

Self-denying Ordinance maintained.

The House also this Day re-assumed the Debate of the Self-denying Ordinance, and passed several Votes, to this purpose, viz.

That First, Such Members as having any Office, Place, or Sequestration granted to them by one or both Houses of Parliament, to be void.

Self-denying Members to refund.

Secondly, That the Benefit such Members have received, the same being the first Vote for this Self-denying Ordinance, be paid into the Chamber of London, and disposed as both Houses shall appoint, for the Use of the Common-wealth.

That such Members be referred to the Committee of Accompts, to account for what Benefit they have received.

That the Lands and other Estates of all Members of the House, be liable to the Law for Payment of Debts.

That all Petitions and Informations that shall be preferred against Members of the House, for any Cause whatsoever, be ready on Tuesday next.

They to receive no Reparation till Publick Debts be satisfied.

That no Member shall hereafter receive any Reparation for Damages by these Times, till the publick Debts of the Kingdom be satisfied.

Another Letter of the General's, of His Majesty's going to Newmarket, which is the same in effect as before.

This Day another Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, dated from Cambridge, June 8. was read, the purport is as follows, viz.

Mr. Speaker,
In my last I promised to send you by the next, an Account of the Proceedings and Resolutions of the Army at the late Rendezvous. I have sent you the same in two Papers, unanimously agreed upon there by both Officers and Soldiers. I find in one of them divers things with your later Proceedings, since the Resolution of Disbanding, may have given Satisfaction unto. But the Army having then no Knowledge thereof, it was thus passed, and delivered to me, and I cannot but send it to them : You may see what they then did remain unsatisfied in. Understanding that His Majesty, and your Commissioners were much straitened and discommoded in the House at Childersey, I went thither Yesterday to advise with your Commissioners about the disposal of His Majesty, for more Conveniency to himself and them, than that Place did afford: The Commissioners were pleased wholly to refuse giving of any Advice or Opinion at all in the Business; and therefore the King declaring His Resolution not to go back to Holmby, unless he were forced; yet complaining much of the Inconveniency he suffered where he was, and pressing for a Remove to Newmarket, and your Commissioners not judging it inconvenient for him to he there, I ordered Colonel Whalley this Day to attend His Majesty and the Commissioners thither with a trusty and sufficient Guard of two Regiments of Horse which accordingly was this Day done, and His Majesty, with the Commissioners, gone to Newmarket, but not through Cambridge. This Business taking up the whole time Yesterday, and it being necessary His Majesty should he disposed of before the place of Rendezvous could well be resolved on, this Morning, at a Council of War, it was judged inconvenient, and scarce possible to draw to a Rendezvous to Morrow, early enough to dispatch any thing; therefore it is appointed on Thursday Morning at Nine of the Clock; and in regard of His Majesty's going to Newmarket, it was thought fit by the Council of War, that the place of Rendezvous might be altered from Newmarket-Heath to Triploe-Heath, five Miles from this Town. I shall take care that your Commissioners, if they come to Newmarket, may have notice of this Alteration from the former Appointment. I remain,

Your most humble Servant,
T. Fairfax.

Cambridge, June 8, 1647.

For the Honourable Will. Lenthall, Esq;
Speaker of the House of Commons.

Oatlands.

The Commons had some Debate about joining with the Lords in removing His Majesty to Oatlands, and it was resolved in the Negative.

Indempnity to Soldiers.

A fuller or additional Act of Indempnity was past for the Soldiers of the Army, to save them harmless, by an Act of Oblivion and Pardon, for all things done in the time of this War.

Earl of Dumferling.

The Lords this Day received some Scotch Papers about the Earl of Dumferling's desiring leave to go into France; to which their Lordships concurred.

A Guard for the Parliament

The Lords ordered, That the Committee at Derby-House do take care to secure the Houses of Parliament; and the Lieutenant of the Tower to be careful who he lets pass to the Prisoners.

No Member aiding the King, &c. to sit in the House.

Ordered (upon the Question) by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That no Person that hath been in actual War against the Parliament, or hath acted by the Commission of Array, or voluntarily, either directly or indirectly aided the King in this War against the Parliament, shall presume to sit in this House.

Resolved, &c.

The Votes for Members elected Sep. 1. 1645 to be printed and sent into several Counties.

That this Vote concerning Members, and the former Vote concerning Members to be elected of Primo Septemb. 1645. be forthwith printed together, and sent into the several Counties.

Ordered, by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That these Orders be forthwith printed and published.

Some of the Life-Guard desert the Troop.

Royston, June 10, 1647. This Day Captain Hall, Capt. of the Life-Guard to the General, and Mr. Richard Ward, Mr. Francis Hart, Mr. John Hodges, Mr. Arthur Bury, Mr. James Gouge, Mr. Joseph Garrat, Mr. John Philips, Mr. Peter Bland, and Mr. Richard Goddard (all of the Life-Guard) deserted the Troop, and received Passes for London.

Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk against Disbanding.

The same Day another Petition from many of the Inhabitants of Norfolk and Suffolk, Was presented to the General at Royston, desiring him not to disband until the general Grievances be redrest, and Justice done, &c. The Army advanced this Day nearer London, the Head Quarters to be at St. Albans.

Die Veneris, 11 June, 1647.

Ordinance passed for the Militia to raise Horse.

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the enabling of the Committee of the Militia of the City of London to make Searches and raise Horses

The Ordinance follows here.

The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, do hereby declare and ordain, That the Committee of the Militia of London shall have Power, and are hereby authorized by themselves, or such as they shall appoint, to search all Houses and Places within the Lines of Communication, and Parishes mentioned within the Weekly Bills of Mortality, and Hamlets of the Tower, where the said Committee shall have cause to suspect, that any Papists are, or other Persons, who cannot give a good Account of their Business or Abode within the Limits aforesaid; or who have, or shall discover their ill Affection to the Parliament, by any Offence for which they ought to be sequestred or punished by any Ordinance of Parliament; and likewise to search for Arms, Ammunition, and Materials for War, in the Custody of such Persons, and to seize and take away the same and to commit such Person to safe Custody, or to expel them out of the Limits aforesaid, if they shall see cause: And in case of Resistance to command any constable or Constables to break open any House or Place within the said Limits, where any Resistance shall be made. And it is further declared and ordained, That the said Committee shall hereby have Power and Authority to charge such Inhabitants who are constantly dwelling within the Lines of Communication, and Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortality, and Hamlets of the Tower, or such Persons who have any Stocks going in Trade within the Limits aforesaid, and absent themselves (as shall appear to them to be able) to find and maintain Horses, with Riders, and Furniture, at their proper Charge, for the Defence of the City and Parts adjacent (so as no Person shall be charged for the raising and maintaining more than two Horses) to be put under such Commanders and Officers as the said Committee shall think fit. And if any Person or Persons, who shall be charged to find Horses, Riders, and Furniture, as is aforesaid, and shall refuse or neglect to provide the same, within three Days after notice thereof given to them, or left in Writing at their Dwellings, shall forfeit and pay 20l. And if they shall neglect or refuse to send forth their Horse or Horses, with Riders, provided and furnished as is aforesaid, when, and as often as he or they shall be summoned thereunto by the said Committee, or such Commanders or Officers as they shall appoint, in default thereof, that then they shall forfeit and pay 10 s. for every such failing, or suffer four Day's Imprisonment, without Bail or Mainprise, to be inflicted upon every such Offender, in such Manner and Form, and by such Officers and Persons as are appointed for the inflicting of Penalties upon failing of the Foot-Soldiers of the Trained-Bands, expressed in an Ordinance dated the second Day of May, Anno Dom. 1643. and the said Fines to be employed by the said Committee toward the payment of the Commanders and Officers of the said Horse, and for such other Uses as the said Committee shall find necessary for the better carrying on the said Service. And be it hereby further declared and ordained, that for the better executing this present Ordinance, and such former Ordinances, which are now in force concerning the Militia of the City of London, and the Places aforesaid, Power and Authority be hereby given to the said Committee, to make one or more Sub-Committee, or Sub-Committees, within the said Limits, as they shall think fit, for the executing this, and the said former Ordinances. And all Constables, Headboroughs, and other inferiour Officers within the said Limits; and all Commanders and Soldiers of the said Militia are hereby required to obey and execute such Warrants as they from time to time shall receive from the said Committee, or Sub-Committees, for and concerning the Execution of the same accordingly.

And lastly, That no privileged Place or Person, within the Limits aforesaid, shall be exempted from the Power of this Ordinance, except the Peers of this Realm, and the Members of the House of Commons, and Assistants of the House of Peers, and Officers and Attendants of both Houses of Parliament respectively, who shall be exempted from this Ordinance, and all things therein contained, Provided that this Ordinance shall continue for a Month, and no longer.

John Browne, Cler. Parl.

Die Veneris, 11 June, 1647.

June 11. Excise of Flesh taken off.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Excise of Flesh be taken off, from and after the 24th Day of this Instant June, and that from and after the said Day the said Excise cease, and be no longer paid.

John Browne, Cler. Parl

Die Veneris, 11 June, 1647.

Excise of Salt taken off.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Excise of Salt made in this Kingdom be taken off, from and after the 24th Day of this Instant June; and that from and after the said Day the said Excise cease and be no more paid.

John Browne, Cler. Parliarmentorum.

A Committee of Lords and commons to join with the Militia in the arming all Persons with in the Line of Communication; Information of the Armies advance.

The House this Day ordered, that a Committee of both Houses should be appointed to join with the Committee of the Militia of London, to advise and consult concerning the arming of all (within the City of London, Westminster, and Lines of Communication, for the Safety of the Parliament and City) as there shall be occasion. The House was informed, that divers Gentlemen were at the Door, to give Intelligence to the House of some things concerning the Army, they were called in; and their Names were Colonel Sands, Colonel Wiltshire, Colonel Devereux, and others, and acquainting the House, that meeting with a Major, that lately came from the Army, he acquainted them, that the Army was upon their Advance, and the Horse at least-wise would be here to Morrow at Twelve a Clock; and told them, that if they would go to Morrow to the Army, they should be included in the Capitulation with the Army for their Arrears. Hereupon they ordered, that this Major be sent for in safe Custody.

The Committee of Safety revived.

The Committee of Safety was ordered to be revived, and act this Night for the Safety of the Kingdom.

The Sheriffs and Common-Council this Evening came down to the House, and acquainted them with a Letter sent from the Army to them.

A Committee of Parliament sat with the Committee of the militia all Night.

The House debated hereupon, and a Committee of both Houses were ordered to go down to the Militia of London about the same, which they did accordingly, and fate with the Militia in Debate hereof all this Night till Morning. The House of Commons likewise fate very late this Night upon the Business of the Army; and it was ordered, That Letters be sent to His Excellency from both Houses, to desire that the Army might not come within Twenty five Miles of the City.

To the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of the City of London.

The General's Letter to the Lord-Mayor.

Right Honourable and Worthy Friends,
Having by our Letters, and other Addresses, presented by our General to the Honourable House of Commons, endeavoured to give Satisfaction of the Clearness of our just Demands: And also in Papers published by us, remonstrated the Grounds of our Proceedings in prosecution thereof: All which having been exposed to publick View, we are confident have come to your bands, and at least received a charitable Construction from you: The sum of all which our Desires, as Soldiers, are no other, than a desire of Satisfaction to our Demands, as Soldiers; and Reparation upon those who have to the utmost, improved all Opportunities and Advantages, by false Suggestions, Misrepresentations, and otherwise, for the Destruction of this Army, with a perpetual blot of Ignominy upon it, which we should not value, if it singly concerned our own Particulars, being ready to deny our selves in this, as we have done in other Cases for the Kingdom's Good, but under this pretence finding no less involved in it, than the Overthrow of the Privileges both of Parliament and People, wherein rather than they shall fail in their Designs, or we not receive in the Eyes of all good Men what is just, endeavoureth to engage the Kingdom in a new War, and this singly, by those who when the truth of these things shall be made to appear, will be found the Authors of these Evils that are feared, as having no other way to protect themselves from Question and Punishment, but by putting the Kingdom into Blood, under pretences of the Honour of, and their Love to the Parliament; as if that were dearer to them than us or as if they had given greater Proof of their Faithfulness to it than we. But we perceive, that under these Veils and Pretences they seek to interest their Design in the City of London, as if that City ought to make goad their Miscarriages, and should prefer a few self-seeking Men before the Welfare of the Publick; and indeed we have found these Men so active accomplish their Designs, and to have such apt Instruments for their turn in that City, that we have cause to suspect they may engage many therein upon Mistakes, which are easily swallowed in times of such prejudice against them, that have given (we may speak it without Vanity) the most publick Testimony of their good Affections to the Publick, and to that City in particular.

For the thing we insist upon as Englishmen, and surely our being Soldiers hath not stript us of that Interest, Although our malicious. Enemies would have, it so: We desire a Settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom; and of the Liberties of the Subject, according to the Votes and Declarations of Parliament, which, before we took up Arms, were (by the Parliament) used as Arguments and Inducements to invite us, and divers of our dear Friends out; some of which have lost their Lives in this War; which being by God's Blessing finished, we think we have as much Right to demand, and desire to see a happy Settlement, as we have to our Money, and the other common Interest of Soldiers, which we have insisted upon. We find also the ingenious and honest People in almost all the Parts of the Kingdom where we come full of the Sense if Ruin and Misery, if the Army should be disbanded, before the Peace of the Kingdom, and those other things before mentioned, have a full and perfect Settlement.

We have said before, and profess it now, We desire no Alteration of the Civil Government.

We desire not to intermeddle with, or in the least to interrupt the settling of the Presbyterian Government. Nor do we seek to open a way to licentious Liberty, under pretence of obtaining Ease for tender Consciences. We profess as ever in these things, when the State have once made a Settlement, we have nothing to say but to submit or suffer; only we could wish, that every good Citizen, and every Man that walks peaceably in a blameless Conversation, and is beneficial to the Commonwealth, may have Liberty and Encouragement it being according to the just Policy of all States, even to Justice it self.

These, in brief, are our Desires, and the things for which we stand, beyond which we shall not go; and for the obtaining of these things we are drawing near your City; professing sincerely from our Hearts, we intend no Evil towards you, declaring with all Confidence and Assurance, that if you appear not against us in these our just Desires, to assist that wicked Party, that would embroil us and the Kingdom, not we nor our Soldiers shall give you the least Offence: We come not to do any act to prejudice the being of Parliaments, or to the hurt of this, in order to the present Settlement of the Kingdom; We seek the good of all, and we shall here wait or remove to a farther distance, there to abide, if once we be assured that a speedy settlement of Things be in Hand, until they be accomplished; which done, we shall be most ready, either all of us, or so many of the Army as the Parliament shall think fit, to disband, or go for Ireland; and although you may suppose that a rich City may seem an inticing Bait to poor hungry Soldiers to venture far to gain the Wealth thereof, yet, if not provoked by you, we do profess, rather than any such evil should fall out, the Soldiers shall make their way through our Blood to effect it; and we can say this for most of them, for your better assurance that they so little value their Pay, in comparison of higher Concernments to a publick Good, that rather than they will be unrighted in the matter of their Honesty and Integrity which hath suffered by the Men they aim at, and desire justice upon, or want the settlement of the Kingdom's Peace, and theirs, with their Fellow Subjects Liberties, they will lose all; which may be a strong assurance to you, that it's not your Wealth, they seek, but the Things tending in common to your and their Welfare, that they may attain: You shall do like Fellow-Subjects and Brethren, if that you solicite the Parliament for them on their behalf.

If after all this, you, or a considerable part of you, be seduced to take up Arms in opposition to, or hindrance of these our just Undertakings, we hope, by this Brotherly Premonition, to the sincerity whereof we call God to Witness, we have freed our selves from all that Ruin which may befal that great and populous City, having thereby washed our Hands thereof. We rest,

Your affectionate Friends to serve you,

• Tho. Fairfax.
• Oliv. Cromwel.
• Rob. Hammond.
• Tho. Hammond.
• Hardress Waller.
• Nath. Rich.
• Tho. Pride.
• Fra. Ireton.
• Rob. Lilburne.
• John Desborow.
• Th. Rainsborow.
• Lambert.
• Harrison.

Royston, June 10, 1647.

That the Army advance not within 25 Miles of London.

The House of Commons sate very late this Night upon the business of the Army; and it was ordered that Letters be sent to his Excellency from both Houses, to desire that the Army might not come within Twenty five Miles of the City.

Die Veneris, 11 June, 1647.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That all such officers or soldiers, as shall come off, and conform to the Votes sent down to the Army, shall receive the Benefit and Advantage of those votes.

John Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum.

Die Veneris, June 11, 1647.

Reward to Soldiers coming off from the Army.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Sum of 10000l. be paid upon Accompt, by Alderman Bunce, and the rest of the Treasurers at Weavers Hall, to such Person or Persons as the Committee for the Affairs of Ireland at Derby-House and the Committee of the Army, joined as to this business, or any Six of them, shall appoint to receive the same, and issued by Order and Direction of the said Committee so joined, or any Six of them, for the Payment of such Officers or Soldiers as shall come off from the Army, according to the Votes sent last to the Army, touching such as disband or engage for the Service of Ireland, being such of the Army as were mustered the last Muster, before the Votes passed both Houses for disbanding; and that the Acquittance of the Person or Persons appointed by the Committee so joined as aforesaid, or any Six of them, to receive the said 10000 l. shall be a sufficient Discharge to the said Treasurers at Weavers-Hall, for the Payment of the said Sum of 10000l. accordingly.

John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.

From the Army we had further Intelligence, by Letters, to this purpose, viz.

The Army kept a Fast at Cambridge.

Wednesday last there was a Fast kept in St. Mary's in Cambridge, to desire a Blessing upon the present Affairs of the Kingdom. There preached before his Excellency Dr. Hill, Mr. Saltmarsh, Mr. Peters and Mr. Seaman; Providence so ordered it, that they all pitched upon one point, The Reconciliation of things in Love: They performed their Duties with much Zeal and Affection. The Commissioners came that Evening to Cambridge, the General went and waited on them; they communicated to him and his Officers the Votes of both Houses, desiring his Advice for the communicating of them to the Army.

The Army drawing to a Rendezvous; The Votes read unto them; Select Officers return Answer.

Thursday Morning the General and his Officers met, and agreed upon the Way; and accordingly that Afternoon, the Army being drawn up to a Rendezvous, upon a plain Ground within Four Miles of Royston, the Commissioners and the General first riding round the Army, which indeed was a very gallant Body both of Horse and Foot; yet there were Five Regiments of Foot, and 1400 Horse absent: They began first with the General's Regiment of Horse, to whom the Votes were read: Then Major General Skippon made a short Speech to the Regiment, moving, that the Votes might take a deep Impression upon them for the Advantage of the Kingdom. Then an Officer of the Regiment returned this Answer, 'That the Regiment did desire, that there might be an Answer returned, after the perusal of the Votes, by some select: Officers and Agitators, whom the Regiment had chosen; and that it was the Motion of the Regiment.

The Officers desired the General and the Commissioners to give leave to ask the whole Regiment, if this were their Answer? To which the whole Regiment cried, All, All.

A Question proposed; Justice, Justice.

Then he put the Question, That if any Man were of a contrary Mind, they should say No? and not one Man gave his No: The Agitators, on the behalf of the Soldiers, press'd to have the Question put, Whether that Regiment did acquiesce, and were satisfied with the Votes? But in regard the other way was the more orderly, and they might after perusal proceed more deliberately, the Question was laid aside; and indeed had it been put, it would not have received one Voice in the Affirmative such was the Unanimity of the Officers and Soldiers in that Regiment. And this brief Account may serve for the several Regiments, Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, this Day at the Rendezvous. I forgot to tell you, That after the Commissioners had done reading the Votes, and speaking to each Regiment, and received their Answer, the Regiment cried out, Justice, Justice.

Officers and Soldiers who withdrew, refused to be accepted again.

One Passage there was amongst the Dragoons; Some of the Officers who had deserted the Army, made a pretence to go for Ireland, came to the Regiment, desiring to be received again; but the Regiment advised them to withdraw from off the Field, otherwise they would disgrace them in the Face of the whole Army.

This Night the Head-Quarters are at Royston.

Essex Petition not to disband till, &c.

This Day in The Field there was a Petition delivered to the General, in the Name of many well-affected People in the County of Essex, which you may see at large in June Five and Six. In brief, the Purport is, 'That in regard of the present unsettled Condition of the Kingdom, and the design of many to deprive the Subject of their Liberty, they would not consent to the disbanding of the Army, nor any part thereof, till there were a general Settlement of things in the Kingdom.

On pain of Death Trained Bands to their Arms.

Saturday, June 12, 1647. Upon the Rumour of the Armies near approach to the City, the Militia of London ordered all the Trained-Bands to be raised on pain of Death; but upon a further Understanding they were all dismissed again, only strong Guards set about the Line.

A Committee sent from the City to the Army for a right understanding.

An Order likewise was for all within the City to shut up their Shops, which some did for a time, but opened them again, and all things continued very peaceably in the City. And, this Pay the Common-Council of London came to a Resolution to send a Letter to the General and Officers of the Army, in answer to theirs, with the Houses approbation; and also to send down some of their Members to treat with the General and Officers, that a right Understanding, and a fair Correspondence may be between the City and the Army.

The Names of those sent to the Army from the City, are included in the Order of the Common-Council, which follows the Letter now to be mentioned, viz.

To His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight General of the Forces raised by the Parliament, and the rest of the Worthy Commanders.

The Answer of the Lord-Mayor, &c, to the General, &c. June 12, 1467

Right Honourable and Worthy Commanders,
Your Letter dated at Royston, the 10th of this Instant June, We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-Council assembled, have seriously perused, and presented a Copy thereof to each House of Parliament; and for your and our farther Satisfaction, We have sent a Committee of Aldermen and Commons, with this our Answer thereunto; and to prevent all misunderstanding betwixt that so well-deserving Army and this City. We take notice by that Letter, of your drawing near this city with your Army, for the obtaining your Desires as Soldiers, and as Englishmen, and of what you do, and do not intend thereby; more especially, that you come not to do any Act, to prejudice the being of Parliaments, or to the hurt of this, in order to the present Settlement of the Kingdom; and of your Declaration, That if we appear not against you in those your just Desires to assist those that would embroil you and the Kingdom in a new War; that you intend no evil towards the City, nor that you or your Soldiers shall give it the least Offence. But we desire that in regard your Approaches may, contrary to your Intentions, be an occasion to increase the Price of Victual, and to discontented Persons to make fonts ill use thereof in raising of Tumults, That you will be pleased to take it into your further Consideration, and in order to your own Resolution concerning this City's. Safety, to forbear Quartering withing Thirty Miles thereof, which we shall look upon as a special Evidence of the sincerity of your Intentions expressed in your Letter. We cannot pass by that Expression of yours, to hazard your own Blood for our Preservation; nor can we return you more real Thanks for it than this, to declare our Resolutions, that the very thought of engaging this Kingdom in a new War we unanimously detest; and that we intend no evil to you, but only defend the Parliament and our selves against any unlawful Violence for prevention whereof, least it should happen (though you never intended it) we have, by the Direction of Parliament, and for our own Safety, put: our selves in a posture of Defence, but not with the least Intention to do any prejudice to that Army, whom God bath made so eminent an Instrument of our Deliverance and Safety. And we do disavow the raising of any Forces, or taking up of any Arms, in opposition to, or With intent to hinder the obtaining of your just Demands; yea, so far have we been, and shall be from. that, that both before and since the Receipt of your Letter, we have, made our humble Addresses to the Parliament for the obtaining thereof, which we shall not fail to prosecute as occasion shall present; only this Request we earnestly make in the Name of the City, that you will be careful when you descend into Particulars, to desire no more than what shall be just and reasonable and, in such a way as may consist with the Honour, Power, and Privilege of Parliament, Liberty of the Subject, and the Safety of the City and Kingdom; and we shall appeal to God, and to the present and future Generations, to judge of your and our Performance, according to the several Engagements.

By Command of the Mayor, Alermen, and Commons or the City of London, in Common-Council assembled.
Mitchel.

London, July 12, 1647.

June 12.

Die Sabbati, June 12, 1647. The House being informed, That divers Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of London, were at the Door, they were called in, and Mr. Alderman Fowke acquainted the House, 'That they were commanded by the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-Council assembled, to present unto this House their Sense, upon a Matter of very great Importance; they having again considered of the General s Letter unto them, and have made an Answer to it, which they have thought fit to acquaint this House with, and to desire their approbation of sending it to the Army.

The Aldermen and the Gentlemen of the City being withdrawn, the Letter was read.

Resolved, &c.

That this House doth approve of the Cities sending this Letter to the Army in the way they propose.

The Aldermen and Citizens were again called in, and Mr. Speaker, by Command of the House, acquainted them, That the House had considered of their Desires, and of the Letter presented by them, and are very sensible of their good Affections to the Peace, and Good of the Kingdom, and Honour of the Parliament; for which he was commanded to give them Thanks.

H. Elsynge, Cler. Parl. d'Com.

Commune Concilium tenetum in Camera Guild-Hall, Civitatis London, duodecimo die Junii, 1647.

According to an Order of this Court, made this Day, the Committee therein appointed, viz. Mr. Alderman Warner, Mr. Alderman Fowke, Mr. Alderman Gibbs, Mr. Alderman Viner, Christopher Packe, Major, Chamberlain Thomas Noel, Colonel Thomas Player, Major Hitchcocke, Robert Lowther, Richard Waring, and Walter Pell, did present the draught of an Answer to the Letter received from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and other Commanders of the Army, which was here openly read, and after Debate upon every particular Clause therein, the same was approved of by this Court. And thereupon it is ordered, That the said Committee shall make their Addresses forthwith to both Houses of Parliament, and acquaint them with the Common-Council s Intention to send the said Answer unto the said Army, by the said Committee, thereby to prevent all misunderstanding and further effusion of Blood; and that they will vouchsafe to take into their speedy and serious Consideration the just Desires of the Army, and give such fit Remedies thereunto, as in their Wisdoms shall be thought fit. And this Court doth hereby give Power and Authority to the said Committee to repair with all Expedition unto the Army, and present the said Answer unto His Excellency, and to give and receive such further Satisfaction concerning the Matter contained in the said Answer, as occasion shall require, and to present the desire of this Court, that His Excellency, and other the Commanders of the said Army, will have a special care for the Preservation of His Majesty s Royal Person, whilst he remaineth with them.

Mitchel.

The Parliaments Information of the Armies Advance.

The House of Commons this Day read a Letter from their Commissioners in the Army, giving them an Account of their Proceedings, and the Armies Advance near London, and sent likewise inclosed Copies of the Three Petitions from Essex, &c. which is at large in June five and six; the Suffolk and the Norfolk being the twelfth, will be here at large: All presented to the General not to disband the Army, till the general Grievances be redrest; which Petitions were read in the House, and laid aside. The Norfolk Petition is as follows, viz.

To His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight, Captain General of the Parliament Forces.

The humble Petition of the peaceable and well-affected Inhabitants of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, together with the City and County of Norwich, earnestly endeavouring after the Prosperity of the Parliament, and the Peace of the Kingdom.

June 12.

Sheweth,
That whereas your Excellency has been appointed Commander in Chief over these free Commons of England, that have been invited by the Parliament to stand up in, defence of themselves and Fellow-Subjects in time of imminent Danger, against all Arbitrary Government, Tyranny, and Oppression; and that the Parliament has, by divers Declarations, Remonstrances, and Protestations, engaged themselves both to God and the Kingdom, to endeavour to the utmost to maintain the ancient Government of this Kingdom, and to preserve the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects, and to lay hold on the first Opportunity of procuring a safe and well-grounded Peace; notwithstanding all which, there is now an appearance of a most horrid Design to ruin the native Liberties of the Subject, whereby Discontents are fomented in the Hearts of the People, and the Kingdom like to be divided into Factions, to the imminent Danger of embroiling us yet again in Blood: And from the Policy of the Complotters of this Design, we humbly conceive have already proceeded those sad Obstructions of our free Addresses to the Parliament, in representing our Grievances, and making humble Offers to their Wisdom of just Remedies, which have imposed this necessity upon us, humbly to implore

Your Excellency's Assistance to mediate with the Parliament in the behalf of us, and all the free Commons of England, for the speedy and peaceable Establishment of those our native Liberties, which have now cost the Kingdom such vast Expence of Blood and Treasure; That all Obstructions that lay in the way to hinder the Addresses of the free Subjects of England to the Parliament, in representing their Grievances, Fears, Doubts, and Jealousies; as also Offers of Remedy might be so speedily removed, as that a firm Peace and Union might be yet again enjoyed in our distracted Kingdom, according to the Intentions of the Parliament frequently declared, Engagements of the Army, and the ardent Expectations of all the well-affected in the Kingdom.

And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c.

This Petition was presented to His Excellency at St. Albans, the 12th of June present, with the Subscription of Fourteen Hundred of the Inhabitants.

These Petitions aforenamed were read in the House, and laid aside.

Intimation of a design to secure Newcastle against the Parliament.

A Letter from Newcastle, signed Jo. Cosens, directed to Alderman Adams and from him delivered to a Member of the House of Commons, was this Day presented to the House and read, intimating, some Design of a Party in the Town to secure that Town against the present Government. The House, upon Debate hereof, ordered to refer the Letter to a Committee of Safety; and that a Copy of this Letter should be sent to Field-Marshal Skippon, now with the Army.

More Commissioners to go to the Army.

The House further ordered, that Mr. Scowen and Mr. Povey, Commissioners for the Army, should speedily repair down to the Army. And in respect the Desires of the Array are not yet known particularly, or what they intend to insist upon, the House upon serious Debate hereof have ordered to send down more Commissioners to them, and to enlarge their Instructions; and to that purpose they nominated Sir Thomas Widdrington, and Colonel White to be Commissioners to go down to the Army.

To know particularly their Desires.

And an additional Instruction passed the House, that the Commissioners in the Army should use all the bed ways and means they can to know of the Army, what their particular Desires are, and what will give them Satisfaction; and this Additional Instruction was sent to the Lords, and they concurred therein.

An Order was made for fifty Barrels of Powder to be sent to Plimouth, and fifty Barrels more to Pendennis.

Answer to the Army not advancing, to have a Months Pay.

Letters were this Day brought to the House from the General, Sir Thomas Fairfax, one to the Lords, and another to the Commons, giving them to understand, that he had this Day received the Letters from both Houses, concerning not advancing with his Army within forty Miles of London, but that the Army was advanced near St. Albans before the Receipt of that Letter, and doubted not but to give a good Account of the Reasons of their Advance thither, and desired a Month's Pay might be sent down to pay the Army, that they might not be burthensome to the Country, or take Free-Quarter, but there was nothing upon this Letter then done.

The House sate very late this Night, and had presented them a Copy of the Letter to be sent from the City to the General, and Officers of the Army, which they approved of and sent to the Lords for their Concurrence; and after this adjourned, and ordered to sit to Morrow after Evening Sermon.

Lord's-Day, June 13, 1647. Sir Thomas Widdrington and Colonel White, according to the Order of the House, went from London by Three this Morning towards the General at St. Albans.

The House sate after Sermon.

After Evening Sermon both Houses sate a while (as was before ordered) and they received a Letter from the Commissioners at St. Albans, giving to understand, That Sir Thomas Widdrington, and Colonel White were come thither, and had acquainted the General and Officers with the additional Instructions, and that they would give a further Account hereof to the Houses with all speed.

Some of the Militia and Common-Council of London came down to the House also this Evening for their Approbation to the Letter to be sent to the Army, but the House of Peers having adjourned a little before they came, the business was put off till to Morrow.

A Month Pay for the Army.

The Army, we understand, renew their Desire for a Month's Pay, that they may not be burthensome to the Country, and that they will comply with the Votes of the House, not to draw their Quarters nearer London, than twenty Miles, without first giving notice to the Parliament's Commissioners thereof.

The King for certain (whatever other Reports are) is still at Newmarket.

A Declaration in Vindication of the Parliament.

Monday, June 14, 1647. The Lords sent a Message to the Commons, desiring that a Declaration might be drawn up to the Kingdom what the Houses hath done, and what they will do for the further Ease of the Subjects of this Nation; what Satisfaction they intend to give the Soldiery of the Kingdom; and what course they intend for the settling the Peace of the Kingdom.

Their Lordships having appointed a Committee for this purpose, desired a proportion able Number of the House of Commons to join with them therein, which was assented unto.

In what Place it was fit to have the King.

Another Message this Day came from the Lords, desiring that it may be referred to this Committee to draw the forenamed Declaration, to consider what Place is fit and convenient to have the Person of the King to be brought unto, that so they may have the joint compliance of both Kingdoms, for the settling of a safe and well-grounded Peace.

The House had much Debate thereof, and after a long Dispute, it was ordered, that the House would send Answer by their own Messengers.

A Petition of many peaceable Officers; Not to meet in a tumultuous way.

A Message this Day came from the Lords, recommending the Petition of many peaceable Officers, which Petition was read, and much Debate had thereupon; and it was ordered a Declaration should be drawn up to the Kingdom, what Satisfaction they have given to the Soldiers, and what further Satisfaction they intend to give them. And that hereafter none should presume, upon pain of Death, to meet in such a tumultuous way as they have done.

A Committee was appointed on purpose to draw up this Declaration.

The House hereupon appointed several Members of the House to acquaint the Petitioners with the Sense of the House upon this Petition, and what dislike the House hath of the manner of their assembling.

A Guard also for Westminster.

Hereupon it was ordered, that the Militia of the City should be desired to send a considerable Guard to the House.

That Captain Falconbridge, and Captain White, should be required to bring the Trained-Bands of Westminster for the Guard of the House.

City Commissioners.

This Morning early the Commissioners from the Council of the City of London, set out with three Coaches and their Attendants on Horseback towards St. Albans, with the Answer to his Excellency's and the Officers Letters.

Declaration of Vindication.

The House of Peers sent a Message to the Commons for a Committee of both Houses, to consider of a Declaration to be published to the Kingdom what the Army hath demanded, what is offered, &c. to which the Commons concurred, ten Lords and twenty Commoners are of the Committee.

Propositions.

The Lords caused the Propositions to be read in their House, and sent a Message by two Judges to put the Commons in mind of the former Message concerning the King. The House ordered to send Answer by Messengers of their own.

Westminster-Hall and the Palace full of Officers and Soldiers.

The Commons heard the Reports of the Conference with the Scots Commissioners concerning the King, and then being acquainted that there were divers of the Parliament's old Officers and Soldiers in the Hall and Palace, ordered to send to desire them to withdraw.

That the Forces of Kilketto are returned to Ulfter.

Letters from Dublin, June 9. present, give to understand, All or most of that Force late in Scotland with Kilketto, are for certain landed in Ulster: They came in fifteen Vessels, which they run upon the Sands near Cundrum, in the Isle of Lecall, and marched away uninterrupted towards Charlemont, two Boys only were left in the Barque, who say they were 800 in Number. Some Letters speak, that when the Party was defeated, which occasioned the slight of the rest, there were 400 Foot taken, where the greatest part were hanged, which terrified much the rest.

The Commissioners from Parliament, and Forces, landed at Dublin.

The Commissioners landed at 'Dublin, Monday the 7th after four Days plying at Sea; with them, Colonel Jones, Captain Meredith, Captain Parsons, making in all 450 Horse, but all in good Equipage; likewise Colonel Kingston's Regiment of Foot, upwards of 700, which with Captain Row, and Captain Ward's Company, Colonel Moor's, and Colonel Austin's Recruits, made the Foot upwards of 1000; all Were joyfully received by Thousands. The business is followed close by the Commissioners; first with the Marquess, which is near ended; the Punctilio stood upon may suspend, not alter anything. Some of the late-come Soldiers have been unruly in disordering some Mass-Houses, going in triumphant Procession with the Corps and other Trinkets, which much discontented the Papists, caused many of their Clergy to depart with Bag and Baggage: To avoid this, it was moved, that the Soldiers might be drawn to a Rendezvous to Exercise, but that was foreseen; The Field Officers being sent among them they were quiet.

Sir Charles Coote's Success; Want of Provision, &c.

The Defeat given by Sir Charles Coote is confirmed, the number slain was not so many as was expressed, but the Booty greater; yet all agree 600 were slain. The Parliament's Soldiers in Lecall, are in great want of all Things, especially Shoes, Stoekings, and Boots, which are not here to be got for Money.

Lord Taffe and Lord Dig by to break the Independant Army.

The Lord Digby plays least in sight, also the Lord Taffe, their great expectation lies wholly in breaking of the Independant Army (as they call it.)

It appears by Letters intercepted, and after printed by the Irish, the Parliament of Dublin, the Lords Spiritual as well as Temporal, with the Commons, have first decreed, and have bestowed a Visit Congratulatory upon the Commissioners, to welcome their good Arrival.

Lord Inchiqueen's Success.

Letters from Admiral Crowther, now in Waterford-Bay, dated the 7th past, give us notable Service done by my Lord Inchiqueen: The manner thus: 'The Lord President being desirous to take all' Advantages upon the Rebels, sent a Party about 500 to fall in between some Cattle belonging to Waterford, which in the Day time went abroad, at Night were brought into a Peninsula for Safety, which succeeded accordingly; they of Waterford fally out, and are beaten, near 100 Slain and Wounded, many Prisoners; taken, 3000 Head of Cattle, 2000 Sheep. They of Waterford have so smarted by this, that they have made an Act of Common-Council not to sally out any more. This Sea-Town hath no natural Irish in it, nor would admit any during these Troubles. 'The President since took a Town and Castle called Killin Thomas, within three Miles of Waterford.

The Person of the King to be brought to Richmond.

This Day, being June 15, 1647. The House of Commons reassumed the Debate of the further disposal of the King's Person, and some Votes past for his removal to Richmond, to which likewise the Lords concurred; and these ensuing Orders were agreed upon by both Houses, viz.

Die Martis, 15 Junii, 1647.

June 15.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the General be required to deliver the Person of the King to such Persons as both Houses shall appoint, to be placed at Richmond, under such Guards, and in such manner as they shall think fit, to the intent, that the Propositions agreed upon by both Kingdoms may be speedily presented to His Majesty, for the settling of a safe and well-grounded Peace.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Persons to whom the General is required to deliver the Person of the King, to be placed at Richmond, shall be the Commissioners formerly appointed to receive the Person of the King at Newcastle, or to any three of them.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Guards appointed to receive the Orders and Directions of the Commissioners, in attending and guarding the Person of the King, shall be Colonel Rossiter and his Regiment.

Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, That these Orders be forthwith printed and published.

John Browne, Cler. Parl.

Colonel Birch.

The Accounts of Colonel Birch, a Member of this House, was this Day reported to the House, and approved of, and ordered he should have the Publick Faith for Four Thousand Nine Hundred and odd Pounds, in satisfaction of his Demand upon this Account.

The House ordered, That the Officers that have not their Accounts stated, and are in Town, shall have a Month's Pay of their Arrears for their Subsistance.

Soldiers Accounts.

That those in Town, whose Accounts are stated, shall have six Weeks present Subsistance.

Loco & tempore belli. Immunity.

It was referred to the Committee of Indempnity to consider of such Officers as are under restraint for any thing done tempore & loco belli, to discharge them if they see cause, and to discharge such others that shall be Arrested or Imprisoned for the future.

Colonel Graves Forces were ordered this Day a Month's Pay.

Soldiers dissatisfaction.

This Day Letters were read in both Houses from the Commissioners with the Army, thereby giving to understand, That the Votes concerning those that would come away from the Army, did much distaste the Soldiery, and that there would be sudden Answer given by the General and Army to what was contained in their additional Instructions, whereof he would give the House timely notice.

City will raise no Forces against the Army but pray they may withdraw

And accordingly the Commons received a Letter from the Commissioners late at Night, with a Declaration enclosed. The Common-Council had also another brought by their Commissioners, much Love exprest, a good Correspondency desired, no Forces to be raised by the City; and a Copy of the Declaration, which was read in the Court of Common-Council; and a Letter was ordered to be returned by the same Commissioners, with leave from the Houses to assure them of no Forces railing against them; and that they move the Parliament for Moneys to pay the Army, that they may withdraw further from the City. The Declaration is at large as follows, viz.

A Declaration, or Representation from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and of the Army under his Command.

June 14. The Declaration, &c. treats concerning the just and fundamental Rights and Liberties of themselves and the Kingdom, with some humble Proposals, viz. That the House may be purged from Delinquents, &c.; The Armies Declaration at large.

Humbly tendred to the Parliament.

That we may no longer be the dissatisfaction of our Friends, the subject of our Enemies Malice, (to work jealousies and Misrepresentations upon) and the suspicion (if not the astonishment) of many in the Kingdom, in our late or present Transactions and Conduct of Business, we shall in all faithfulness and clearness profess and declare unto you, those Things which have of late protracted and hindred our disbanding, the present Grievances which possess our Army, and are yet unremedied, with our Desires as to the compleat settlement of the Liberties and Peace of the Kingdom, which is that Blessing of God, than which (of all worldly Things) nothing is more dear unto us, or more precious in our Thoughts, we having hitherto thought all our present Enjoyments, whether of Life, or Livelihood, or nearest Relation, a Price but sufficient to the purchase of so rich a Blessing, that we, and all the free-born People of this Nation may fit down in quiet under our Vines, under the glorious Administration of Justice and Righteousness, and in the full possession of those Fundamental Rights and Liberties, without which we can have little hopes (as to humane Considerations) to enjoy either any Comforts of Life, or so much as Life it self, but at the pleasures of some Men ruling meerly according to Will and Power.

It cannot be unknown what hath passed betwixt the Parliament and the Army, as to the Service of Ireland. By all which together, with the late Proceedings against the Army, in relation to their Petition and Grievances, all Men may judge what hath hindered the Army from a ready engagement in that Service, and, without further Account or Apology, as to that particular, than what Passages and Proceedings themselves, already made publick, do afford. We do appeal to your selves, whether those Courses, to which the Parliament hath (by the Designs and Practices of some) been drawn, have rationally tended to induce a chearful and unanimous undertaking of the Army to that Service, or rather to break or pull the Army in pieces with Discontent and Dishonour, and to put such Disobligations and Provocations upon it as might drive it into Distemper; and indeed discourage both this Army and other Soldiers from any further engagement in the Parliament's Service. And we wish all Men would, with us, upon the whole Carriage, seriously consider, whether (in the Intentions of those who have by false Informations and Misrepresentations, put the Parliament upon such ways) the timely and effectual relief 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 Designs in England. For which, besides the probable suspicions from their carriage of the business, we have before-hand, in the transaction thereof, had more than hints of such a Design, by clear Expressions to that purpose, from many of the Officers of the Army, that have been, perswaded, and appeared most forward to engage for Ireland, on the Terms proposed. And that such a Design hath all along been driven, seems now too evident, by the present disposing of those Forces that have been engaged for Ireland, by the endeavours of some to gain a Power from the Parliament, of ordering those Forces for some Service in England: And by the private Listings of Men for Service there, without any publick 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 Orders for sudden disbanding by peace-meal, before more full and equal 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 the late Papers from the General Council of War at Bury, and late General Rendezvous near Newmarket: And we think your late resuming the Consideration of these things (as to a further satisfaction) doth most justifie the Desires and Proceedings of the Army, in the past Particulars hitherto.

And though had we (upon our first Addresses for our undoubted Rights and Dues) found a free and candid Reception, with a just Consideration and 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 inquired into, or considered (so far 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 Paper is set forth, and those additional (though hitherto but partial) Satisfactions coming so hardly as they have, we find no obliging Reasons in the least to decline or recede from what is our due, but rather still to adhere unto our desires of full and equal satisfaction of all the Things mentioned in the aforesaid Papers, not only in behalf of our selves and the Army, but also the whole Soldiery throughout the whole Kingdom, who have concurred, or shall concur with us in the same desires.

And to all our former desires as Soldiers, we cannot but add this (wherein we find our selves so nearly concerned in point of justice and Reputation) that more care, &c. stricter course may be taken for making good all Articles granted upon Surrenders, according to the true intent and meaning of them. As also for remedy and reparation in case of any Breach; and this without those delays which divers have found as prejudicial to them, or more, than if they had been totally denied the performance of them.

Nor will it now, we hope, seem strange or unseasonable to rational and honest Men, who consider the consequence of our present Case, to their own and the Kingdoms (as well as our) future Concernment in point of Right, Freedom, 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 own and the Kingdom's behalf, to propound and plead for some Provision for our and the Kingdom's satisfaction, and future Security, in relation to those things, especially considering, that we were not a meer mercinary Army, hired to serve any Arbitrary Power of a State but called forth and conjured by the several Declarations of Parliament, to the defence of our own and the People's just Rights and Liberties. And so we took up Arms in Judgment 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 Kingdom 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 supream 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 m Conscience perswaded) amount to any thing not warrantable before God and Men, being thus far much short of the common Proceedings m other Nations, to things of a higher nature than we have yet appeared to. And we cannot but be sensible of the great Complaints that have been made generally to us of the Kingdom, from the People where we march, of Arbitrariness and Injustice, to their great and insupportable Oppressions.

And truly such Kingdoms as have, according both to the Law of Nature and Nations, appear'd 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 fame 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 Kingdom also, so we justly shall expect to be.

We need not mention the States of the Netherlands, the Portugals, and others, all proceeding from the same Principles of Right and Freedom: And accordingly the Parliament hath declared it is no resistance of Magistracy to side with the just Principles and the Law of Nature and Nations, being that Law upon which we have assisted you. And that the Soldiery may lawfully hold the Hands of the General, who will turn his Cannon against his Army on purpose to destroy them; the Seamen the Hands of the Pilot, who wilfully runs 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 Blood, and we (both by that, and the later Blood of our dear Friends and Fellow-Soldiers, with the hazard of our own) do now lay claim to.

Nor is that supream End (the Glory of God) wanting in these Cases to set a price upon all such Proceedings of Righteousness and Justice. It being one Witness of God in the World, to carry on a Testimony against the Injustice and Unrighteousness of Men, and against the Miscarriages of Governments, when corrupted or declining from their primitive or original Glory.

These things we mention, but to compare Proceedings, and to shew, that we are so much the more justifiable and warranted in what we do, by how much we come short of that height and measure of Proceedings, which the People in Free Kingdoms and Nations have formerly practised.

Now having thus far cleared our way in this business, we shall proceed to propound such things as we do humbly desire, for the settling and securing of our own and the Kingdom's common Right, Freedom, Peace, and Safety, as followeth.

The Parliament to be purged.

First, That the Houses may be speedily purged of such Members as for their Delinquency, or for Corruptions, or abuse to the State, or undue Elections, ought not to sit there: Whereof the late Elections in Cornwal, Wales, and other parts of the Kingdom, afford too many Examples, to the great prejudice of the People's Freedoms in the said Elections.

A period for their sitting.

Secondly, That those Persons who have in the unjust and high Proceedings against the Army, appeared to have the Will and Confidence, Credit and Power, to abuse the Parliament and the Army, and indanger the Kingdom in carrying on such things against us (while an Army) may be some way speedily disabled from doing the like, or worse to us (when disbanded and disperst, and in the condition of private Men) or to other the free-born People of England, in the same Condition with us; and that for that purpose the same Persons may not continue in the same Power (especially as our and the Kingdom's Judges in the highest Trust) but may be made incapable thereof for the future.

And if it be questioned who these are, we thought not fit particularly to name them in this our Representation unto you, but shall very speedily give in their Names, and before long, shall offer what we have to say against them to your Commissioners, wherein we hope so to carry our selves, as that the World shall see we aim at nothing of private Revenge or Animosities, but that Justice may have a free course, and the Kingdom be eased and secured by disabling such Men (at least) from places of Judicature, who desiring to advantage and set up themselves and their Party, in a general Confusion have endeavoured to put the Kingdom into a new flame of War, than which nothing is more abhorring to us.

But because neither the granting of this alone would be sufficient to secure our own, and the Kingdom's Rights, Liberties and Safety, either for the present Age or Posterity, nor would our proposing of this singly, be free from the scandal and appearance of Faction or Design, only to weaken one Party (under the Notion of unjust or oppressive) that we may advance another (which may be imagined more our own) we therefore declare,

That indeed we cannot but wish, That such Men, and such only, might be preferred to the great Power and Trust of the Common-wealth, as are approved at least for moral Righteousness. And of such we cannot but in our Wishes prefer those that appear acted thereunto by a principle of Conscience and Religion in them.

And accordingly we do, and ever shall bless God, for those many such Worthies, who through his Providence have been chosen into this Parliament; and to such Mens endeavours (under God) we cannot but attribute that Vindication in part of the People's Rights and Liberties, and those beginnings of a just Reformation, which the first Proceedings of this Parliament appeared to have driven at, and tended to, though of late obstructed, or rather diverted to other Ends and Interests, by the prevailing of other Persons, of other Principles and Conditions.

But yet we are so far from designing or complying to have an absolute or arbitrary Power settled, for continuance, in any Persons whatsoever as that (if we might be lure to obtain it) we cannot wish to have it so in the Persons of any whom we could most confide in, or who should appear most of our own Opinions or Principles, or whom we might have most personal assurance of, or interest in : But we do and shall much rather wish, that the Authority of this Kingdom in Parliaments (rightly constituted) that is, freely, equally, and successively chosen, according to its original Intention, may ever stand and have its course : And therefore we shall apply our desires chiefly to such things as (by having Parliaments settled in such a right Constitution) may give most hopes of Justice and Righteousness to flow down equally to all in that its ancient Channel, without any Overture tending either to overthrow that Foundation of Order and Government in this Kingdom, or to engross that Power for Perpetuity into the Hands of any particular Persons or Party whatsoever.

And for that purpose, though (as we have found it doubted by many Men, minding sincerely the publick Good; but not weighing so fully all Consequences of things) it may, and is not unlike to prove, that upon the ending of this Parliament, and the election of a new, the Constitution of succeeding Parliaments, (as to Persons elected) may prove for the worse many ways; yet since neither in the present purging of this Parliament, nor in the election of a new, we cannot promise to our selves, or the Kingdom, an assurance of Justice, or other positive good from the Hands of Men, but : those who for present appear most Righteous, or most for common Good, having in them an unlimited Power fixed in them, during Life or Pleasure, in time may become corrupt, or settle into Parties or Factions. Or on the other side, in case of new Elections, those that should so succeed, may prove as bad or worse than the former.

Parliament be purged; Periods for their fitting.

We therefore humbly conceive, that of two Inconveniencies the less being; to be chosen, the main thing to be intended in this case (and beyond which humane Providence cannot reach, as to any assurance of positive Good) seems to be this, viz., to provide, That however unjust or corrupt the Persons of Parliament Men, in present or future, may prove, or whatever ill they may do to particular Parties (or to the whole in particular things) during their respective Terms or Periods, yet they shall not have the Temptation or Advantage of an unlimited Power fixed in them, during their own pleasure, whereby to perpetuate Injustice or Oppression upon any, without end or remedy, or to advance or uphold any one particular Party, Faction, or Interest whatsoever, to the oppression or prejudice of the Community, and the enslaving of the Kingdom to all Posterity , but that the People may have unequal hope or possibility, if they have made an ill choice at one time, to mend it in another. And the Members of the House themselves may be in a capacity to taste of Subjection as well as Rule, and may be enclined to consider of other Mens Cases, as what may come to be their own. This we speak of in relation to the House of Commons, as being entrusted on the Peoples behalf for their Interest in that great and supream Power of the Common-wealth, viz. the Legislative Power, with the Power of final Judgments which being in its own Nature so arbitrary, and in a manner so unlimited, unless in point of time, is most unfit and dangerous (as the People's Interest) to be fixt in the Persons of the same Men, during Life, or their own pleasures : Neither by the original 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 than a Tyranny, or the People subjected to it any better than Vassals. But in all States where there is any face of common Freedom, and particularly in this State of England, (as is most evident both by many positive Laws and ancient constant Custom) the People have a Right to new and successive Elections, unto that great and supream Trust, at certain periods of Time, which is so essential and fundamental to their Freedom, as it cannot or ought not to be denied them, or with-holden 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 misunderstood in the least, to blame those Worthies of both Houses, whose Zeal to vindicate the Liberties of this Nation, did procure that Act for the continuance of this Parliament, whereby it was secured from being dissolved at the King's pleasure, as former Parliaments had been, as reduced to such a certainty as might enable them the better to assert and vindicate the Liberties of this Nation, immediately before so highly invaded, and then also so much endangered. And this we take to be the principal Ends and Grounds for which in that exigency of Time and Affairs it was procured, and to which we acknowledge it hath happily been made use of; but we cannot think it was by those Worthies intended or ought to be made use of to the perpetuating of that supream Trust and Power in the Persons of any, during their own pleasures, or to the debarring of the People from their Right of Elections, totally now, when these Dangers or Exigencies were past, and the Affairs and Safety of the Common-wealth would admit of such a Change.

Having thus cleared our Gounds and Intentions, as we hope, from all Scruples and Misunderstandings, in what follows we shall proceed further to propose what we humbly desire, for the settling and securing of our own and the Kingdom's Rights and Liberties, (through the Blessing of God) to Posterity; and therefore upon all the Grounds premised, we further humbly desire as followeth.

Thirdly, That some determinate period of Time may be set for the continuance of this and future Parliament, beyond which none shall continue and upon which new Writs may of course be issued out, and new Elections successively take place, according to the intent of the Bill for Triennial Parliaments.

And herein we would not be misunderstood to desire a present or sudden Dissolution of this Parliament, but only, as is express'd before, that some certain Period may be set for the determining of it, so as it may not remain, as now, continuable for ever, or during the pleasure of the present Members; and we should desire that the Period 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 settling the Peace of the Kingdom: In order to which we further humbly offer.

Parliaments not to be dissolved at the King's Pleasure.

Fourthly, That secure Provision may be made for the continuance of future Parliaments, so that they may not be Adjournable or Dissolvable at the King's pleasure, or any other ways, than by their own Consent, during their respective Periods, but at those Periods each Parliament to determine of course as before. This we desire may be now provided for, if it may be, so as to put it out dispute for future, though we think of Right it ought not to have been otherwise before.

And thus a firm Foundation being laid, in the Authority and Constitution of Parliaments, for the Hopes at least of common and equal Right and Freedom to our selves, and all the free-born People of this Land. We shall hereby, for our part, freely and chearfully commit our Stock or Share of Interest in this Kingdom, into this common Bottom of Parliaments. And though it may, for our Particulars, go ill with us in the Voyage, yet we shall thus hope, is Right be with us, to fare better.

These things we desire may be provided for by Bill or Ordinance of Parliament, to which the Royal Assent may be desired; and 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 settling the Militia, and Peace of the Kingdom, shall have given his Concurrence to put them past dispute, we shall then desire, that the Rights of His Majesty, and his Posterity may be considered of, and settled in all things, so far as may consist with the Right and Freedom of the Subject, and with the Security of the same for the future.

Fifthly, We desire, that the Right and Freedom of the People, to represent to the Parliament, by way of humble Petition, their; Grievances (in such things as cannot otherwise be remedied than 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 equitable and speedy way to be heard, examined, and redressed, if they appear real, and that in such things for which Men have remedy by Law, they may be freely lest to the Benefit of the Law, and the regulated course of Justice, without interruption or check from the Parliament, except in case of things done upon the exigency of War, or for the Service and Benefit of the Parliament and Kingdom, in relation to the War, or otherwise, in due pursuance and execution of Ordinances of 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 Tryal, and such as shall appear 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.

Powers to Committees and Deputy-Lieutenants to be regulated.

Sixthly, That the large Powers given to Committees, or Deputy. Lieutenants, during the late time of War and Distraction, may be speedily taken into Consideration; that such of those Powers as appear not necessary to be continued, may be taken away, and such of them as are necessary may be put into a regulated way, and lest to as little Arbitrariness as the nature and necessity of the. things wherein they are conversant will bear.

Accounts.

Seventhly, We could wish that the Kingdom might both be righted and publickly satisfied in point of Accounts for the vast Sums that have been levied and paid; as also in divers other things wherein the Common-wealth may be conceived to have been wronged and abused; But we are loath to press any thing that may tend to lengthen out future Disputes or Contestations, but rather such as may tend to a speedy and general Composure and quieting of Mens Minds, in order to Peace, for which purpose we further propose.

Publick Justice and Oblivion.

Eighthly, That publick Justice being first satisfied by some few Examples to Posterity, out of the worst of excepted Persons, and other Delinquents, having past their Composition, some course may be taken by a general Act of Oblivion, or otherwise, whereby the Seeds of future War or Fears, either to the present Age or Posterity, may the better, be taken away, by easing that Sense of present, and satisfying those Fears of future Ruin or Undoing to Persons or Families, which may drive Men into any desperate Ways for Self-Preservation or Remedy; and by taking away the private Remembrances and distinction of Parties, as far as may stand with Safety to the Rights and Liberties we have hitherto fought for.

There are, besides these, many particular things which we would with to be done, and some to be undone, all in order still to the same Ends of common Right, Freedom, Peace and Safety, but these Proposals aforegoing being the principal things we bottom and insist upon, we shall, as we have said before, for our parts, acquiesce for other Particulars in the Wisdom and Justice of Parliament. And whereas it has been suggested or suspected, That in our late or present Proceedings, our design is to overthrow Presbytery, or hinder the settlement thereof, and to have the Independant Government set up, we do clearly disclaim and disavow any such design. We only desire, that according to the Declarations (promising a provision of tender Consciences) there may be some effectual course taken, according to the intent thereof, and that such who upon, Conscientious Grounds may differ from the established Forms, may not for that be debarred from the common Rights, Liberties, or Benefits belonging equally to all, as Men and Members to the Common-wealth, while they live soberly and inoffensively towards others, and peaceably and faithfully towards the State.

We have thus freely and clearly declared the depth and bottom of our Hearts and Desires, in order to the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom, wherein we appeal to all Men, whether we seek any thing of advantage to our selves, or any particular Party whatever, to the prejudice of the whole; and whether the Things we wish and seek, do not equally concern| and conduce to the Good of others in common with our selves, according to the sincerity of our Desires and Intentions, wherein, as we have already found the concurrent Sense of the People in divers Counties, by their Petitions to the General, expressing their deep resentment of these Things, and pressing us to stand for the Interest of the Kingdom therein, so we shall wish and expect to find their unanimous Concurrence of all others who are equally concerned with us in these Things, and wish well to the Publick.

And so trusting in the Mercy and Goodness of God, to pass by and help any Failings and infirmities of ours in the Carriage or Proceedings hereupon, we shall humbly cast our selves and the business upon his good pleasure, depending only on his Presence and Blessing for a happy Issue to the Peace and Good of this poor Kingdom; in the accomplishment whereof, we desire and hope, that God will make you blessed Instruments.

By the Appointment of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, with the Officers of his Army.

Signed, June 14, 1647.

June 16, 1647. This Day came to the Houses of Parliament, from his Excellency and the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, a Charge against the Eleven Members of the Commons House, whereby they are charged with obstructing the business of Ireland, to have been Actors against the Army, and against the Laws and Liberties of the Subject, and obstructing of Justice. The Members charged here with, are these following, Denzil Hollis, Esq; Sir Philip Stapleton, Sir William Lewis, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir William Waller, Sir John Maynard, Knights, Major General Massey, Mr. Glynn, Recorder of London, Colonel Walter Long, Colonel Edward Harley, and Anthony Nichols, Esq; Members of the House of Commons.

The Charge follows at large, viz. With a Paper annexed from the General, &c. to the Commissioners of Parliament, of their further Proposals to the House.

June 16, 1647.

June 14; 11 Members Impeached.

The Heads of a Charge delivered in the Name of the Army, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax Unto the Commissioners of Parliament, now with the Army at St. Albans, to be by them sent up to the Parliament against Denzil Hollis, Esq; Sir Philip Stapleton, Sir William Lewis, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir William Waller, Sir John Maynard, Knights, Major General Massey, Mr. Glynn, Recorder of London, Colonel Walter Long, Colonel Harley, and Anthony Nichols, Esq; Members of the House of Commons, jointly or severally as followeth.

First, That contrary to the Trust reposed in them, the Persons above-named, Members of the House of Commons, have jointly or severally, invaded, infringed, or endeavoured to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the Subject of this Nation, in arbitrary, violent, oppressive ways, (and in this case where no pretence was, or could be of the exigence of War, or other necessity, which might justifie or excuse the same) and they have likewise endeavoured by indirect and corrupt Practices to delay and obstruct Justice, to the great damage and prejudice of divers of the poor Commons of England, petitioning for the same.

Secondly, That this Army being, until the middle of Match last, in a quiet and orderly condition and posture, free from any colour or appearance of Distemper or Disorder, or from Offence to any, and ready (upon reasonable satisfaction in their necessary Dues for Service past) either quietly to have disbanded, or else to have engaged in the Service of Ireland, the Persons above-named have jointly or severally, endeavoured by false Informations, Misrepresentations, or scandalous Suggestions against the Army, to beget Misunderstandings, Prejudices, or Jealousies in the Parliament against the Army; and by deluding, surprising, or otherwise abusing the Parliament, to engage the Authority of Parliament to such Proceedings, as to put insufferable Injuries, Abuses, and Provocations upon the Army, whereby to provoke and put the Army into a Distemper, and to disoblige and discourage the same from any further engagement in the Parliament's Service. By all which, and other the like Particulars and Proceedings of theirs, the Peace of the Kingdom hath been imminently endangered, and the Relief of Ireland retarded.

Thirdly, That whereas the Parliament might other wise have had, out of this Army, an intire Force, and answerable to their proportion designed to have engaged for Ireland as aforesaid, under their old Officers and Conduct, the Persons above-named, for advancement of their own Ends, Faction, and Design, to the prejudice of the Publick, have jointly or severally, under pretence of the Service of Ireland, endeavoured, by such evil Practices as before, to break and pull this Army in pieces, to the weakning of the Power, and endangering of the Safety of Parliament and Kingdom, and have likewise endeavoured to put the Parliament and Kingdom to the trouble, hazard, delay, and vast expence of raising a new Force as for that Service.

Fourthly, That with the breaking of this Army as aforesaid, they have in the like manner endeavoured, under the pretence of the Service of Ireland, to raise a new Force, as before, to advance and carry on desperate Designs of their own in England, to the prejudice of the Parliament and Publick; and In. pursuance of the same, have endeavoured to divert the Forces engaged as for Ireland, and unto such their purpose as aforesaid here in England; and have in like manner endeavoured to have gained a Power from the Parliament, for themselves, or some of them, of diverting and misimploying those Forces aforesaid, and to raise new Forces under pretence to guard the Parliament; and (not having obtained that) have in like manner endeavourd privately to lift and engage Officers and Soldiers, or procure them to be listed, and engaged without the Authority of Parliament, for the raising of and embroiling the Kingdom in a new and bloody War, and to interrupt and hinder the settling and securing the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom, and for the settling, upholding, and protecting of themselves and their Accomplices, in their unjust, oppressive and factious Designs and Proceedings.

Fifthly, That they have jointly or severally invited, encouraged, abetted, Or countenanced divers Reformado's and other Officers and Soldiers, tumultuously and violently to gather together at Westminster, to affright and assault the Members of Parliament in passage to and from the House, to offer Violence to the House it self, and by such Violence, Outrages, and Threats, to awe and inforce the Parliament.

The several Heads of Charge the Army will, by such Soldiers as they shall appoint (when the House of Commons shall admit thereof) make good in Particulars each Head against some of the Persons, and some one Head or more against each of the Persons; and: shall shortly give in the several particulars against each Person respectively, which shall be made good by Proofs, the Army desiring to save and reserve to themselves the liberty of Exhibiting any further Charge against all or any of the said Persons.

A Paper delivered to the Right Honourable the Commissioners of Parliament, now with the Army at St. Albans, June 15, 1647. from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Army under his Command.

Further Proposals from the Army.

Shewing,
First, That in pursuance of the Representation delivered in, we have prepared the Heads of a Charge against divers Persons, Members of the House of Commons (to whom many Passages in the said Representation do relate) which we have delivered in to be speeded to the Parliament, and shall (when the Parliament shall have admitted thereof) appoint fit Persons on our and the Kingdom's behalf, to prosecute and make good the same.

Secondly, That if the Parliament shall be pleased to admit these things into Debate and Consideration, at the desire of the Army, in the behalf of themselves and the Kingdom, and to proceed thereupon for a general Satisfaction therein; We shall then desire,

I. That the Persons Impeached in the said Charge may be forthwith suspended from fitting in the House, without which we cannot reasonably expect such a Proceeding upon any the things we have proposed, as may probably bring the same to an happy or timely Issue to the Kingdom or our selves, or as may prevent the present Designs and Practices, so imminently indangering the Peace of this Nation, if those same Persons (who have notoriously appeared most active in all the late Proceedings, to the prejudice and provocation of the Army, and hazarding thus far the Peace of the Kingdom) shall continue in the same Power, judges of those things relating to the Armies Satisfaction, and Peace of the Kingdom.

II. That there maybe a Month's Pay immediately sent down to the Army, for a present Supply, out of which the Army shall pay fourteen Days Quarter for time to come, and the other fourteen Days Pay shall be accompted as part of Arrears. And to this we must desire a present Resolution to be with us on Thursday next by Noon at farthest.

III. That if the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, who have engaged for Ireland, or those who have deserted the Army and come to London, have since then received more than a Month's Pay, there may be so much more Money sent down to the Army (above the Month's Pay aforementioned) as may make up that Month's Pay to the Army equal to what such Officers and Soldiers have so received at London or elsewhere.

IV. That no Officers or Soldiers who have so deserted the Army, shall have any more paid them as for Arrears, until the rest of the Army shall first be satisfied in point of Arrears.

V. Whereas there have been several Designs and Endeavours, without Authority from the Parliament, to raise and list new Forces within this Kingdom, to draw together the Forces engaged for Ireland, and march them towards London; and other secret Practices to engage the Kingdom in a second War. We further desire, That during the Debate and Transaction of this business betwixt the Parliament and the Army, the Parliament would not suffer any new Forces to be raised within this Kingdom, or any Forces to be invited or admitted out of any other Kingdom to this; or any thing else to be done, that may carry the face of a new War, or Preparations thereunto, which may endanger or interrupt the present Proceedings to the settlement of the Liberties and Peace of this Kingdom.

VI. That the Parliament would be pleased, without delay, to put the things contained in our several Representations and Papers already given in, into a speedy way of Resolution and Dispatch, the present posture and condition of the Kingdom and Army; as also of His Majesty himself, not admitting delays.

By the Appointment of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Soldiers of the Army under his Command.

Signed St. Albans, June 17, 1647.

They speak for themselves in the House.

After the reading of the Charge, &c. the Members severally made some Defence thereunto, and desired it might be put into a speedy way of Tryal, the further Consideration thereof was put off till another Day.

The City Commissioners are returned from the Army, and give an Account to the Parliament.

The House then also understood, that the Commissioners for the City of London were returned from St. Albans, and that a Committee from the Common-Council were come to the House, to acquaint them what was done; whereupon they were called in and related to the House the whole Transaction betwixt the General and Commissioners for the City; and also that the Common-Council had appointed further to be done in the same; all which was well approved of by the House, and Thanks returned them, desiring them to go on in this great business of Mediation betwixt the Army, Parliament, and City.

This Day at St. Albans two Petitions were presented to the General, from the Counties of Bucks and Hertford; that of Bucks being accompanied with a Hundred of the Petitioners, and above a Thousand Subscriptions, at the delivery whereof, the Presenter made a Speech to his Excellency, which is annexed to the Petition. See them both at large, as follows, viz.

To his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight, Captain-General of the Forces raised for defence of the Kingdom.

The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Bucks.

June 15. Bucks Petition to the General, against disaffected Persons to the Army, who are for disbanding.

May it please your Excellency,
We bless God for you, as the Instrument whom he hath raised up, and made eminent in putting an end to the sad and dreadful War, wherein this Kingdom was involved not many Months since. Our Byes are still upon you, and our Prayers for you, That God would crown your Labours with an happy Period of our Miseries, ending in the enjoyment of our native Liberties, which are the things we have chosen our Fellow-Subjects, serving in Parliament to obtain for us. They are the Things for which we have adventured our Lives and Estates freely, being the first County that appeared for them.

They are the Things we have so often petitioned for, and could not have so much as expected a delay of Answer to these our just Desires.

But to our Grief we speak it, we have been rejected, and are become hopeless of Satisfaction, by some Men who have not only prevailed, in discountenancing our just Petitions (the proper way of the Subjects Address) but have almost made it a Fault for the Subjects to petition even for things that are due to them, by common Birth-right and the Law of the Kingdom, and which frequently have been confirmed unto us by several Ordinances and Declarations of Parliament. We are not ignorant, that even some Men amongst them, whom in due time we shall not stick to name, are such as by their subtle flights have endeavoured to render your Army odious to the Parliament and Kingdom, which, rather than they shall not obtain, they will not stick to enflame the Kingdom in a second unnecessary and unjust War; that being the only obstacle to their wicked Designs and the only help under God left us of having a firm Peace settled in this Kingdom.

These things being come to this pass, we take upon us the boldness to beseech your Excellency, you being a Person whom your Justice, Courage, Fidelity, and Zeal for the common Good, have made eminent, and given so great an Interest in the Hearts and Affections of all Men, who have any sense of their common Good and just Liberties; that you will be pleased to mediate on our behalf to the Honourable Court of Parliament, for the obtaining of our so dear and near Concernments, without the Enjoyment whereof even our Lives will be uncomfortable to us.

And although this our Address may seem strange or hazardous unto you yet we doubt not but the Justice of our Desires will preserve you. As for our own parts, we are resolved in the Mediation thereof, to assist you to the utmost of our Powers, &c.

This Petition of the County of Buckingham was presented to his Excellency at St. Albans, the 15th of June present, by about one hundred of the Petitioners, with the Subscription of about one thousand of the Inhabitants of that County thereunto. At the delivery whereof the Presenter expressed himself to His Excellency as followeth.

The Presenter's Speech to the General at the Delivery of Bucks Petition against Disbanding.

May it please your Excellency,
Apprehending a necessity for the sudden furtherance of all lawful means, which may conduce to the removing our Counties and the Kingdom's Grievances, this our present Address unto your Excellency is not so general as otherwise it might esteem of your unwearied and faithful Endeavours for the Kingdom's Peace. And if your Excellency shall further please to improve your utmost Interest in the Honourable Court of Parliament for the crowning of your former Atchievements with the future freedom of our Nation, we and our Posterities shall acknowledge you And if any disaffected to the common Good shall endeavour, by means hereof to render your Person and Army odious to the Parliament, or Kingdom, we cannot but look upon that as an Injury of common Concernment, and them as Enemies to the publick Peace And none shall be more ready to bring such to the legal and just deserved Censures than we, who have in this Petition, which we humbly present unto you, subscribed by our selves, yours and the Kingdom's faithful Servants.

Listing to raise Forces annulled.

Die Mercuri, 16 Junii, 1647.

June 16; Votes to draw Forces together made void.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the several Orders made by the Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Safety of the Kingdom, for the listing and drawing together of any of the Forces of the. several Counties, be and are hereby annulled and made void.

Parliament's Militia made void; and their Orders to list Forces made void.

Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Order of the Committee of Lords and Commons, and of the Committee of the Militia of the City of London, of the, Twelfth of this Instant June 1647 desiring Colonel Dalbeere, and some other Colonels, to bring in Lists of the Names and Qualities of such Gentlemen and Reformado Officers as they shall find willing to engage in the Service of the Parliament, be and is hereby annulled and made void.

Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, That, these Orders be forthwith printed and published.

June 16. Scots Commissioners to go to the King.

A Letter this Day came from the Scots Commissioners, desiring: that some of them may have the Pass of both Houses to go to His Majesty, which was assented unto. The Lord Lauderdale in particular was ordered to have the Speaker's Pass, with his Retinue, to go to the King.

A Months Pay for the army.; Removing 40 Miles distance, and 3 Months at disbanding.

The Question was put, that His Excellency's Army shall have a Month's Pay, in part of three Months Pay, for disbanding or engaging the Army for Ireland.

A Letter was ordered to be sent to the General, to require him to retreat forty Miles from the City of London with his Army.

A Letter was ordered to be sent to the Parliament's Commissioners in the Army, to acquaint them, that the House had ordered a Month's Pay to his Excellency's Army as aforesaid.

Sir Rob. Pye's Troops in Kent disorderly.

A Letter this Day came from Colonel Blunt, at Midnight, from Deptford, complaining much of some Misdemeanors of Colonel Sir Robert Pye's Forces in the County of Kent; which was read this Day, and ordered, that these Misdemeanors should be referred to a Committee, who were to give Order to punish the Offenders, and to take care these Forces be quarter'd in that County for the best ease thereof.

Indempnity to Deserters of the Army.

An Ordinance was read for the Indempnity of those Forces that have desertcd the Army, and upon the Question was assented unto.

Pay to Colonel Rossiter's Regiment.

Colonel Rossiter's Regiment was ordered to have their Monthly Pay to the Army to be paid by other Hands, and not sent down with the Armies Pay.

Newcastle and Tinmouth

That the Forces at Tinmouth and Newcastle shall have a Month's Pay in like manner as the Army hath.

The Declaration and Charge of the Army were read again this Day, and ordered to be read again to morrow Morning.

This Day also another Petition was presented to the General at St. Albans, from the County of Hertford, which follows at large, viz.

To the Right Honourable His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Captain-General of the Forces raised for the Preservation of the Kingdom.

The Humble Petition of divers Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants of the County of Hertford.

June 16.

May it please your Excellency,
We do, with much Thankfulness, acknowledge the great Care and Pains that have been undergone by those our Faithful and well-betrusted Worthies of Parliament, who even in the saddest of Times, when deserted by many of their own Members, have not spared the hazard of their Lives, Estates, and Fortunes, for the preservation of the just Liberties, Immunities and Franchises of the Free-born Subjects of this Kingdom, being desperately and strongly invaded by a powerful and malignant Party; and have also made many solemn Protestations and Declarations of their Aims, Intentions, and Purposes, whereby we have been greatly encouraged to yield all chearful and due assistance in so necessary a Work; yet now, to our great Grief, observing, by reason (as we conceive) of the Machinations and Contrivances, of some desperately disaffected to the Weal and Quiet of the Publick in general, and to the Honour of your ever honoured Army in particular, many Obstructions do daily intervene and fall in, whereby both they and we, notwithstanding the still real Intentions of our forenamed Worthies, there is yet clearly debarred the fruition of those our often promised, much wished for, pray'd for, fought for, Rights and Privileges, whereof we had well-hoped long since to have been Partakers.

Wherefore we your said Petitioners do most humbly intreat and beseech your Excellency (whom God hath eminently and highly honoured, and we well know to have a tender and compassionate Care over the distressed of this miserabe afflicted Kingdom) to use your utmost endeavours, and with all expedition before the disbanding of the Army now under your Excellency's Command, those Firebrands and Incendiaries who have endeavoured to raise new Divisions in the Kingdom, or by their slanderous Tongues to fix undeserved Reproaches on the Army, may be brought to condign Punishment; and that we your Petitioners, with the rest of your faithful Brethren in the Kingdom, may have a certain Relief in our Grievances hereunto annexed.

And as in Duty bound we shall not fail to yield our best Assistance, with our Persons, Purses, and Prayers, &c.

First, That divers Counties and Corporations in this Kingdom, viz. Devon, Cornwal, Wales, &c. formerly in open Hostility, and for the present, wholly disaffected to the Proceedings of Parliament, have notwithstanding retained equally, with the most cordial to the State, their Privileges of electing Members, a Thing very destructive to the Safety of the Common-wealth, which is the chief end of Parliaments, and one main cause of many present Grievances; whereof we desire, that such Elections may be revoked, and the Places declared uncapable of any such Privilege during the sessions of this Parliament, or until such time as it shall appear, that their former Enmity and Rancour against the Parliament be laid aside.

Secondly, That whereas the Honourable Houses have raised up the Expectations of the Well-affected, by promising the Improvement of their Time and Care, to apply Remedies against the oppressing Evils as appears more fully in their Declaration of the 17th of April, 1646. yet the said Commons have, to their great Grief, been frustrated of their hopes; and instead of being relieved, have (to their great Grief) been vexed, imprisoned, and otherways molested.

Thirdly, Our Petitions to the Parliament are not as in former Times either received or answered, whereby no Redress can be had to our pressing Grievances, as in particular those against Tythes: That for the Enlargement of our Fellow-Commoners, long (and as we humbly conceive) unduly detained in Prison.

Fourthly, The putting in of the malignant Neuters, and Persons who have not shewn any Affection, or done any Service for the Parliament during these Troubles that have lain upon the Kingdom, into Places of Honour, Trust, and Profit; as Governours of Towns, Forts, Justices of Peace. Commissioners of Excise, Committees of Accompts, &c. whereby the most cordial Friends of the Parliament are slighted, disregarded, and upon very slender Causes Indicted, Committed, Imprisoned.

Fifthly, That the Body of the Kingdom consisting much of Copyholders, who have for the most part been very cordial and faithful to the Parliament, may not now be left finable at the Will of the Lords, in regard the generality of them have been very Malignant, and much disaffected to Parliamentary, or thorough Reformation, and from whom they cannot but expect very severe Dealing.

Sixthly, That all Men who have received any State Moneys, as well Parliament-Men as others, may be called to an account for such Moneys, and that, Committees, not as now for the most part Neuters and Malignants, but of approved Fidelity, may be elected for that purpose.

Seventhly, That one Cordwell, a Man of a most notorious lewd Life and Conversation, and withal, a most desperate Malignant, did procure a Warrant for the apprehending three Soldiers, under the Command of Colonel Alban Cox, brought them before one King of St Albans, a Justice of Peace, where their said Colonel did appear with them, and made it very clear and apparent to the said Justice, That, what they did was by Command from their Captain; and no more than what was expresly contained within their Ordinances, which the said Justice did acknowledge, and was fully satisfied in their Ordinances authorising them thereunto; yet notwithstanding the said King would have committed them to Hertford Goal, had not their said Colonel became bound for their appearing the next Sessions; and the said Cordwell did prefer a Bill of Indictment against them; and had it not been for two or three honest Men that served of the Grand-Jury, the said Bill had been found, to the great peril of their Lives, there being but little Favour or Mercy to be had for poor Soldiers, by the Justices of our County, &c.

This Petition of the County of Hertford was presented to his Excellency at St. Albans, the 16th of June present, by above two hundred Knights, Gentlemen, and Freeholders of the County of Hertford, with the Subscription of above one thousand two hundred of the Inhabitants.

June 18, 1647. This Day Mr. Blackwell, and Mr. Ashburst were ordered to be added to Mr. Greenhill and Mr. Pocock, for the receiving and issuing of the Monies appointed for the Officers now in Town.

Treasurers added to pay the Soldiers.

That Colonel Gore, Mr. Arthur Bickerstaffe, Mr. James Story, and Mr. Maximilian Bard be appointed Treasurers for receiving and issuing out the Monies to the common Soldiers.

That one Peny in the Pound be allowed to the Treasurers, for receiving and issuing out these Monies.

That the Field-Officers appointed by the House, or any three of them, and the three Auditors, or any one of them, shall have Power to sign the Warrants for Officers.

A Guard for the Treasurers.

That the Militia of the City of London should be desired to appoint two Companies of the Trained-Bands, to guard the Treasurers for issuing and paying the Monies to the Officers and Soldiers aforesaid

A Letter this Day came from the Commissioners of Parliament at St. AIbans, with two Petitions inclosed, the one from the County of Bucks, and another from the County of Hertford, which were presented on Wednesday and Thursday last to His Excellency, the effect whereof we gave you before.

City's Letter to the General, not approved of by the House.

The House was informed, That many of the Commons-Council of the City were at the Door, they were called in, and presented a Letter to the House for their Approbation, to be sent to Sir Thomas Fairfax. The House had much Debate thereof, and some part thereof the House approved not of; therefore ordered, that some Members of the House should go out to the Petitioners, and acquaint them that the House cannot approve of the sending this Letter.

City sends another Letter to the Army.

June 19. The Common-Council of London came down again to the House of Commons, and desired their Approbation to a second Letter to the Army. This Business took up much Dispute, and was the Business of the whole Day; and at last it was ordered, that the Common-Council of the City of London should be left to themselves, to give what Answer, and write what Letters they think fit to Sir Thomas Fairfax, giving an Account thereof to the Houses.

The Common-Council accordingly agreed on a further Letter, and sent it to the General and Officers, by their Commissioners, to St. Albans, this Afternoon.

The King to be removed to Richmond.

A Letter this Day came from the Commissioners attending His Majesty, that they had sent to Sir Thomas Fairfax, to know his Answer to the Votes of both Houses, concerning the disposal of the Person of his Majesty to Richmond, which was communicated by a Message from the Lords, to the House of Commons.

Pay for Officers omitted out of the List.

A List of additional Officers that are to receive the Benefit of the monthly Pay, which was omitted out of the former List, was this Day ordered to be approved of, and to receive the Benefit of the general Order.

Lord-Mayor to suppress Tumults.

The Lord-Mayor of London, with the Concurrence of the Aldermen and Common-Council, published an Order this Day to command the Trained-Bands and Auxiliaries to appear punctually at their Colours (taking notice of their former backwardness) for the suppressing of Tumults, or other unlawful Assemblies in the City.

Army at St. Albans.

The Head Quarters of the Army is still at St. Albans, and the General. There's no talk of drawing to a Rendezvous nearer London, as some would have it; all is very peaceable in the Army, and the Unanimity betwixt Officers and Soldiers to be admired; nor any stop of Trade or Traffick to or from the City of London, in any part of the Army, in any kind, as some have suggested. The Month's Pay promised the Army is much wanted, but it was this Day sent from London to St. Albans.

The King at Newmarket.

The King is still at Newmarket, very pleasant and chearful, and takes his Recreation daily at Tennis; His Majesty seems to delight much in the Company and Discourse of Cornet Joyce, who brought him from Holmby, and sent a Messenger to St . Albans on purpose for Cornet Joyce to come to Newmarket.

Mr. Petersdiscoursed with the King.

Mr. Peters. likewise was at Newmarket,, and had much Discourse with His Majesty; His Majesty told Mr. Peters, that he had often heard talk of him, but did not believe he had that Solidity in him he found by his Discourse, that he would have further Conference with him another time. Mr. Peters moved His Majesty to hear him preach, but His Majesty refused.

Major Bosvil's escape in a Woman's Apparel.

Major Bosvil that brought the Letters to the King from France, and was apprehended at Holmby, and brought up Prisoner to Newgate, and escaped thence in Womens Hobit, came this Week to St. Albans, and was not at first known or discovered; but upon some intimation who he he was, Guards were set, and watch laid for him, but he got away privately and escaped.

The Heads of the present Grievances if the County of Glamorgan, declaring the cause of their late Rising and taking up Arms.

Published for the Satisfaction of all other Counties of England Wales, who groan under the same, or like burthens of Oppression and Tyranny, now exercised by that Arbitrary Tower and Authority pretended to be deprived from the Two Houses of Parliament, throughout all His Majesty's Dominions, by those who stile themselves Committees, contrary to Justice, and the known Laws of the Land, viz.

June 16.

First, That their Rising was against all Committees, not as being Invested with a Power from the Parliament, but as abusing that Power and Trust in them reposed by the Parliament, to the prejudice of this County in particular, and His Majesty's Subjects in general, contrary to the known Laws of the Kingdom.

Secondly, By making all Men of considerable Estates Delinquents, after an arbitrary and illegal manner, bringing others out of other Countries, meerly out of Faction to out-vote the rest of the Gentlemen, who out of a just sense of our Sufferings, desire to spare their almost undone Country.

Thirdly, In that they being desired to give an account of a vast Sum of Money raised from the Country, the same was denied; and if any presumed to speak to them in the behalf of the oppressed Country, they were presently made Delinquents, and their Designs voted Scandalous and Malignant; by which we loft all our Liberty of free-born Subjects.

Fourthly That they, after the arbitrary way, have continued Garisons and Contributions to their own private Ends, contrary to past Ordinances of Parliament. That they have renewed an old Order, which was for the 25th part, for the Relief of Ireland, intended but for one. Year, and was expired before the Reducement of this Country, converting the Money thus raised to their own private Uses.

Fifthly, That the Committees have set an Order on foot, with Warrants directed forth for the Levying of 500 l. and odd Money, pretended to be for the Loss in Ireland; which was converted to their own Use.

Sixthly, That they, in all their Sequestrations made in the Name, and to the Use of the State, having sequestred the Estates of most of the chief Gentlemen of that County, have not only enriched themselves thereby, but their Servants and Retainers, who, as well as their Masters, insult over the Gentry. The Committees having never returned one Peny to the Parliament or State, out of all Sums they received.

Seventhly, They have committed some of the Clergy, and have sequestred and forbidden to pay Tythes to all the ablest and sufficientest Divines in the County, for no other Cause, but that they out of their tender Consciences, refused to take such Oaths as were tendred them. And the Committees did not provide any other to discharge their Cures and Places.

Eighthly, The Committees have often given out in Speeches, That if they saw any likelihood of any Power to come against them, they would be sure to secure the Persons of all the Gentry, that they thought would be active, and send them on Ship-board, a Prison (as they use it) as bad as the Spanish-Inquisition, and at that present there were private Warrants issued for the seizing on the Persons of some of the Gentry, and Horse and Foot employed for that purpose.

Ninthly, The Gentry sent a Letter unto Major-General Langhorne, by Major Weekes, expressing these their Grievances, and their readiness to pay One Thousand Three Hundred Pounds per Month, for the maintenance of his soldiers, as they had formerly done; and that their Rising was not to oppose him or his Army, but only to free themselves from the servile Yoke of the Committees, and for the Security of their Persons. Instead of Answer to this Letter, Major-General Langhorne clapt up the Gentleman, and detains him yet Prisoner.

Tenthly, The Committees did exact as a Bribe, Twenty Pounds of a Reverend, Learned, and painful Divine, for sparing to make him a Delinquent. And the Committees did threaten a Lunatick Man's Wife, to make her Husband a Delinquent, unless she would give them Thirty Pounds; which the Gentlewoman gave, left her Husband should be troubled in that Case. And another Man but saying, I pray God mend these Times, was threatned to be made a Delinquent.

Eleventhly, And those who were sequestred, if their Rents were not punctually paid on the Day they became due, the Committee would send their Agents with a Guard of Musqueteers, and there leave them at Free-Quarter

The several particular Grievances before-mentioned, and many others of the like nature, the Gentlemen will make good, by sufficient credible Witnesses upon Oath.

A rising in Arms in Glamorganshire, for the King and Sir Thomas Fairfax.

This Day, being Monday, June 21. in the House of Commons Letters were read from Major General Langhorne, Concerning divers that rise in Glamorganshire, and other Parts of Wales, whodeclare themselves for the King and Sir Thomas Fairfax; the chief Promoters whereof are said to be Sir Edward Thomas, Baronet, Sir Richard Basset, Sir Henry Stradling, Major-General Stradling, Colonel Kames, and others, who rumour their Forces to be about a Thousand in all Wales, ready to join, but Major-General Langhorne is drawing Forces to suppress them in Glamorganshire, with those Foot that he hath, and intended speedily to march to them with about Six Hundred Horse. These Letters were ordered to be taken into Consideration the next Day.

Mutiny in Yorkshire.

Another Letter was read from Major-General Poyntz, from York, desiring larger Commission to stop the Mutinying of the Soldiers, and advertising what Engagements he had undertaken to satisfie them, and desiring Monies: Which Was also ordered to be taken into Consideration the next Day.

Votes for the King's going to Richmond.

A Letter was agreed upon this Day, and sent by Sir Peter Killegrew to the Commissioners at Newmarket; and a Letter to the King, with the Votes inclosed for his going to Richmond.

Undue Elections and their Qualifications voted.

The Representation of the Army was again read, and the House of Commons insisted upon the first Branch, viz. That the Houses may be speedily purged of such Members, as for their Delinquency, or for Corruptions, or abuse to the State, or. undue Elections, ought not to sit there; whereof, as was said, the late Elections in Cornwal, Wales, arid other Parts of the Kingdom afford many Examples.

This Branch the House went wholly through, and made several Votes, as followeth.

• 1. That no Person that hath been in actual War against the Parliament, or hath acted by the Commission of Array, or voluntarily, either directly or indirectly aided the King in this War against the Parliament, or received Pardon from the King, shall presume to sit in the House.
• 2. That if any such shall presume to sit in the House after this Day, who know themselves to be guilty, they shall incur the Displeasure of the House.
• 3. That the Committee for examining of such Cases be revived which was compleated to a greater Number.
• 4. That a Declaration be brought in to publish to the Kingdom, for all such who have any suck. Charge against any Members, to come in and be heard, and the Committee to report it.
• 5. That the said Committee bring in their Reports, on Friday next, concerning the Examination of those Charges of Delinquency against those Members which they were appointed to examine.
• 6. That Sir Robert Harlow, and the other Committee for examining of Elections committed to them, bring in their Reports on Monday next.

Ordered all Officers who give false Certificates for their Arrears, shall forfeit the whole.

That 10000 l. borrowed of the Treasurers at Weavers-Hall, be paid to the common Soldiers, to be repayed out of the Moiety at Goldsmiths-Hall (where formerly ordered with all speed.

The General consents to the King's removal to Richmond.

A Letter was read in the House from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, about the King's Removal from Newmarket to Richmond, according to the Votes of the House, whereunto his Excellency willingly submitted.

Another Letter was likewise read from the Commissioners with His Majesty at Newmarket, about the same business, of the King's Removal, whereunto (they said) His Majesty had also condescended, and named Thursday Morning next to remove from Newmarket towards Richmond.

Both Houses ordered the speedy fitting and preparing of Richmond, for His Majesty's Entertainment and Accommodation.

Agitators to the Trinity-House.

A Letter was also read in the House from the Agitators of the Army, to the Society of the Trinity-House, concerning the Navy; and of their verbal Answer to them.

Sir Rob. Pye his Troop.

Ordered that Sir Robert Pye's Troop do not remove their Quarters, or return to the Army, without the Order of both Houses.

General's Proclamation against molesting the Country

We had this Day from Sr. Albans (as yet the General's Head-Quarters) the Copy of a Proclamation by the General, that no Soldier molest any Country-man, their Persons or Goods, in their Marches: And for better Satisfaction we will give you the Proclamation it self, as followeth.

Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight, Commander in Chief of the Forces raised by the Parliament.

Whereas divers Complaints have been made of several Abuses, Disorders, and Misdemeanors lately committed by some Soldiers of this Army, both in their Quartets, and in their Marches through the Countries respectively, contrary to the Laws of War, and tending much, to the Dishonour and Prejudice of the: Army; they taking liberty thereunto, under pretence of want of Pay: For prevention of the like, and all other Disorders and Abuses that may hereafter happen, to be committed under the same, or any other pretence, 1 do hereby strictly charge and command all Soldiers of the Army, Horse and Foot, and all others whom it may concern, not to offer any Violence, or do any Prejudice at all to any Country-man, or any other whomsoever (in their Person or Goods) either in their Quarters, or upon their March through the Countries respectively, as they tender the Honour of the Army, and as they tender the avoiding of the severest Punishment the may be inflicted upon such Offenders by Council of War. And I do hereby further charge and require all Officers of the Army, both Horse and Foot, to use their utmost Endeavours to prevent the respective Soldiers under their Commands, from committing any such Disorders, and to question such Soldiers as mail speak any thing in derogation to the Authority of the Parliament, and to bring all such as are Offenders to condign Punishment for the same.

To the Martial general, to be published at she Head of every Regiment, both of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, by beat of Drum and found of Trumpet.

Tho Fairfax.

This, Day, being June 22. more Letters were read to both Houses, from the General, and Parliament's Commissioners at St. Albans, giving to Understand, that the Monthly Pay for the Army came thither Saturday Night late.

To remove 40 Miles from London.

The same Day also came the Commissioners for London, and presented a Letter to the General, the Votes of both houses, for the Armies removing Forty Miles from London: His Excellency hath received and returned Answer, that he should very shortly have a Counsel of War about the same, and would then return a positive and satisfactory Answer.

Judge Jenkins.

The House this Day had Debate of the Business against Judge Jenkins, Prisoner in the Tower, and appointed Mr. Solicitor St. Johns to prosecute against them in the King's-Bench, according to Law, this Term, and the Publishers of his Books. And Mr. Sergeant Jermin, Mr. Bradshaw, and Mr. Pryn, ordered to prepare the Matter of Fact against him, and Mr. Beck to be the Solicitor.

A Months Pay for the Northern Forces.

The Letters from Major-General Poyntz were again read, and ordered thereupon that 10000l. be paid out of the Monies in Weavers-Hall, towards the Payment of a Month's Pay to the Forces of the Northern Association: And that so much as will make up this 10000 l. a Month, may be advanced by the Committee of the North, out of the Northern Sequestrations.

That Major-General Poyntz do secure the Persons of such as shall come into those Parts for the disturbance of his Forces. And that he take care for the quieting of his Regiments of Horse.

Glamorganshire.

The Letters from Major-General Langhorne were likewise resumed, and ordered that some Members of the House should give in the Names of such of the Insurrectors as are Justices of the Peace, to the Commissioners of the Great Seal, that they may be put out.

Major General Langhorne.

That a Copy of Major-General Langhorne's Letters be sent to the General, of whose Care to prevent such Distempers we understood further thus much, That his Excellency had writ Letters and sent to Glamorganshire, desiring them to return to their Homes, and lay down their Arms, expressing further his great Dislike of such Risings.

Provisions of War for Wales

The House ordered twenty Barrels of Powder, Match, and Bullet, proportionable for the Supply of Cordiffe-Castle. And twenty Barrels of Powder, with Match and Bullet, for Major-General Langhorne's Forces.

Ordinance for 60000 l. per Mensem.

Both Houses this Day passed the Ordinance for raising 60000 l. [per] Mensem towards the maintenance of the Forces in this Kingdom, and for the Service of Ireland.

The Proportion for every County.

The respective Sums charged upon each County by the said Ordinance to be paid monthly is as followeth, viz. upon the County of Bedford, the monthly Sum of 673 l. 13 s. 11 d. 3 q. upon the County of Berks, the monthly Sum of 683 l. 15 s. 9 d. upon the County of Buckingham, the monthly Sum of 815 l. 8 s. upon the County of Cambridge, the monthly Sum of 1462 l. 16 s. 6 d. 1 q. upon the Isle of Ely the monthly Sum of 490 l. 18 s. 1 q. upon the County of Chester, the monthly Sum of 345 l. 4 s. 11 d. 1 q. upon the City and County of Chester, the monthly Sum of 39 l. 13 s. 11 d. upon the County of Cornwall, the monthly Sum of 1228 l. 5 s. 6 d. 1 q. upon the County of Cumberland, the monthly Sum of 342 l. 9 s. 4 d. upon the County of Devon, the monthly Sum of upon the City and County of Exon, the monthly Sum of 117 l. 9 s. 2 d. 1 q upon the County of Dorset, the monthly Sum of 935l. 10 s. 10 d. 3 q upon the Town and County of Pool, the monthly Sum of 9 l. 16 s. 7 d. upon the County of Durham, the Sum of 159 l. 2 s. upon the County of York, the monthly Sum of upon the County of Kingston upon Hull, the monthly Sum of 50 l. 18 s. 9 d. upon the County of. Essex, the monthly Sum of 4547l, 9 s. 5 d. upon the County of Gloucester, the monthly Sum of 1212 l. 3 s. 5 d. upon the City and County of Gloucester, the monthly Sum of 134 l. 13 s. 9 d. upon the County of Hertford, the monthly Sum of 168 l. 2 s. 3 d. upon the County of Hertford, the monthly Sum of 1638 l. 15 s. 5 d. 3 q. upon the County of Huntington, the monthly Sum of 687 l. 3 s. 5 d. 3 q. upon the County of Kent, with the City and County of Canterbury, and the Cinque-Ports within the County of Kent, the monthly Sum of 4763 l. 1 s. 1 d. upon the County of Lanoaster, the monthly Sum of 529 l. 3 s. 2 d. upon the County of Leicester, the monthly Sum of 467 l. 9 s. 10 d. ob. Upon the country of Lincoln, the monthly Sum of 153 l. 8 s. 1 d. ob upon the City and country of Lincoln, the monthly Sum of 64 l. 12 s. 9 d. ob. Upon the city of London, the monthly Sum of 3907 l. 19 s. 2 d. 3 q. upon the County of Middlesex, City and Liberty of Westminster, the monthly Sum of 1521 l. 17 s. 9 d. upon the country of Monmouth, the monthly Sum of 192 l. 19 s. 1 d. upon the country of Northampton, the monthly Sum of 591 l. 11 s. 11 d. 1 q. upon the County of Nottingham, the monthly Sum of 353 l. 19 s. 3 d. upon the Town and County of Nottingham, the monthly Sum of 11 l. 14 s. 6 d. upon the County of Norfolk, the monthly Sum of 4763 l. 1 s. 1 d. upon the city and county of Norwich, the monthly Sum of 246 l. 11 s. 5 d. 1 q. upon the county of Northumberland, the monthly Sum of 100 l. 16 s. 10 d. 1 q. upon the Town of Newcastle, the monthly Sum of 29 l. 17 s. upon the County of Oxford, the monthly Sum of 779 l. 13 s. 11 d. 1 q. upon the County of Rutland, the monthly Sum of 128 l. 1 s. 1 q. upon the County of Stafford, the monthly Sum of 454 l. 15 s. 4 d. 3 q. upon the Town of Litchfield, the monthly Sum of 10 l. 14 s. 8 d. upon the County of Somerset, the monthly Sum of 2050 l. 11 s. 5 d. upon the City and County of Bristol, the monthly Sum of 112 l. 12 s. 10 d. ob. Upon the County of Southampton, the monthly Sum of 1514 l. 4 s. 5 d. 1 q. upon the Town and County of Southampton, the monthly Sum of 62 l. 8 s. 8 d. 1 q upon the Isle of Wight, the monthly Sum of 208 l. 2 s. 6 d. 1 q. upon the country of Suffolk, the monthly Sum of 4763 l. 1 s. 1 d. upon the County of Surry, with the Borough of Southwark, the monthly Sum of 1347 l. 8 s. upon the country of Sussex, and the Parts within the County of Sussex, the monthly Sum of 2646 l. 2 s. 9 d. 3 q. upon the county of Warwick, the monthly Sum of 621 l. 3 s. ob. 1 q. upon the City and county of Coventry, the monthly Sum of 679 l. 10 s. upon the County of Worcester, the monthly Sum of 704 l. 18 s. ob. upon the City of Worcester, the monthly Sum of 43 l. 5 s. 6 d. 1 q. upon the county of Wilts, the monthly Sum of 1421 l. 18 s. 9 d. 3 q. upon the County of Westmorland, the monthly Sum of 66 l. 9 s. 2 d. ob. upon the Isle of Anglesey, the monthly Sum of 50 l. 17 s. 10 d. upon the County of Cardigan, the monthly Sum of 122 l. 9 s. 10 d. 3 q. upon the County of Carmarthen, the monthly Sum of 100 l. 15 s. 6 d. upon the County of Carnarvan, the monthly Sum of 42 l. 6 s. 5 d. 3 q. upon the County of Denbigh, the monthly Sum of 33 l. 9 s. 4 d. ob. upon the County of Glamorgan, the monthly Sum of 131 l. 15 s. 10 d. upon the County of Merioneth, the monthly Sum of 31 l. 11 s. 6 d. upon the County of Montgomery, the monthly Sum of 123 i. 2 s. 8 d. 1 q. upon the County of Pembroke, the monthly Sum of 116 l. 4 s. 7 d. 1 q. upon the County of Radnor, the monthly Sum of 73 l. 2 s. 7 d. ob. upon the Town of Hereford West, the monthly Sum of 10 l. 2 s. 6 d. 3 q.

And this Ordinance is to continue for a Year ensuing, viz. From the 25th of March last, to the 25th of March, 1648.

On June 23, 1647. The Commons received a Letter from Colonel Birch, a Member of their House, that in his passage towards Hereford, he sell into the Quarters of some of Colonel Rainsborough's Forces, and (upon an Order to stop Officers in Commission that pass the Guards) be was sent to the General.

Colonel Birch staid and released.

The House debated the Business, and appointed a Letter to be sent from the House to his Excellency, that if he was not freed, he might be forthwith discharged, to prosecute the Business in Ireland; and not long after this we understand that Colonel Birch was discharged by the General, and used with great Respect.

Debate about the 11 Members.

The Commons this Day went on upon the Representation of the Army, and insisted upon the second Branch; in which fell the Charge against the Eleven Members of their House; it took up a long Debate.

Some Motions were made, about sending Commissioners to the Army about it: Other Motions about a Letter to be sent to the General; and at last it was resolved upon the Question, That the House adjourn for an Hour; and a Committee in the mean time to draw up a Letter to be sent to his Excellency, that the House is ready to receive from him any particular Charge against the said Members: And accordingly a Letter was brought in, passed, and sent to his Excellency, That what shall be particularly charged against their Members, with Testimony and Witnesses, shall be received, and the House to proceed in a legal way therein.

The Question was put, whether to Morrow Morning the House should debate the third Proposition thereof, and it passed in the Negative.

The fourth Proposition was carried also in the Negative.

And the fifth Proposition was ordered to be debated to Morrow.

The Army's real Intentions to the City.

The Committee of Common-Council returned this Night from the Army, and brought a Letter from the General further no satisfie the City of the real Intentions of the Army towards them.

City to send to the General for a good Correspondence.

June 24, 1647. The Common-Council of this City came this Day to the House, and acquainted them with a Remonstrance and a Letter sent from his Excellency's Army; and in prosecution thereof they desired, 1st. That they may have further leave to send some of their Members again to the Army, to hold a good Correspondence, as Commissioners for the City, with them.

2. That all Forces listed by Order of the Committee of Safety and the Committee of the Militia, may be discharged.

3. That the discontented reduced Officers and Soldiers may be put out of the Lines of Communication.

The two first the House upon some Debate agreed.

To the last they ordered, That they had put it into such a way, as they in their Judgments had thought fit.

The Letter from the General, another from the Commissioners of the Army, and the Remonstrance from the Army, were all this Day read and debated. The Remonstrance follows at large, viz.

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 the Kingdom;

with their Desires and present Resolutions thereupon.

Presented to the Commissioners at St. Albans, to be by them humbly represented to the Parliament.

Our Desires, as Soldiers, in behalf of our selves and other Soldiers that have faithfully served the Parliament in this Kingdom, as also our remaining Dissatisfactions in relation thereunto, may be clearly collected out of our severa1 Papers that have been formerly presented to the Parliament concerning the same; to which Particulars we have not yet received any further Satisfaction.

In our last Representation it may appear what our Desires are as Members of the Common-wealth, in behalf of our selves and all others, for the clearing, settling, and securing of the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom, for the Justness, Reasonableness, Necessity, and common Concernment whereof unto all, we dare appeal to the whole Kingdom, and the World; yet we have hitherto received no Answer thereunto, nor can hear of no Consideration taken thereupon, to put the things contained therein into any way, of Resolution or Dispatch.

We have since that, in pursuance of the first and second Heads of our Desires in the said Representation, delivered in a Charge against divers Members of the House of Commons, for divers Designs and Practices to the Abuse and Dishonour of the Parliament, the insufferable Injury of the Army, the Infringement of the Rights and Liberties both of Soldiers and Subjects, the breach or hazard of the Peace of this Kingdom, and the hindring of the Relief of Ireland, &c. Upon which, though the main things charged, with the mischievous Designs, and further dangerous Consequences of them; as also the constant and continued Activity of all or most of the Persons charged in relation to those things, be for the most part sufficiently and notoriously known, especially to the Parliament it self; yet we find neither any thing done, upon what is so known, nor any way resolved on, or admitted by the Parliament, for the examination or discovery of what is less evident unto them: But rather (as if neither the things charged nor the present sad Effects, nor future ill Consequences thereof, were at all considerable) the whole business seems to be slighted, past over, or set aside.

Lastly, We did with these deliver in another Paper (whereof here is a Copy annexed) containing divers just and necessary things, which we did desire might be provided for, and done for the better proceeding in the Premises, with more safety to our selves and the Kingdom, and with more assurance or hopes of a timely and happy Issue.

To which things desired (which we think all Men will judge reasonable, just, and necessary) we have yet received no Answer, or Resolution, nor can find any Consideration at all had of them, save that a Month's Pay is sent down for the Army, (whilst those that have deserted the Army, receive at London much more) and that some Votes have been passed for annulling the Orders of the Committee (pretended) for Safety, about Listing of Men, and drawing of Forces together; which Votes we find rendred but vain and illusive, by the continued under-hand Practices of those whom we have charged, and their Accomplices, in listing and engaging Men for a new War; and by a later Day's Votes, not admitting that the Forces so listed or engaged, should by publick Order be dismissed or discharged, which, with other things, we cannot but attribute chiefly to the prevalent Instance of the same Persons.

Now whereas we find that our first Desire in the Paper last mentioned (for present suspending the Persons impeached from sitting in the House) is judged by some to be against the Course and Privilege of Parliament, or of ill consequence in the precedent of it, the Charge being but general, and no particular Proof as yet produced to render the Proceedings Legal, we cannot but remind the Parliament,

1. That as the most and many things charged (with the sad Effects and Consequences of them) so the constant and continued activity of all or most of the Persons charged in relation thereunto, in misinforming, deluding, abusing, or surprising the House, and otherwise, are sufficiently known to the Parliament it self, so as the House might upon their past and present Cognisance of the same, most justly proceed to suspend them, as in many other Cases upon far less occasions, (which never could have produced such sad effects to the Kingdom) they have done many other of their Members, meerly for Words spoken, or things moved in the House (alledged to be but against Order or Custom of the House) and this without any Tryal, Proof, or Charge, but meerly upon the Houses own Cognisance of the things, as we could instance in many Cases since the Parliament began.

2. Whereas many of the things to which the Charge relates, are things spoke, moved, or done in the House, so as we have yet no clear way opened, particularly to charge or mention them, or to produce Proofs to them, without some pretence against us of breach of Privilege; and therefore (though we think no Privilege ought to protect evil Men in doing Wrong to Particulars, or Mischief to the Publick, yet) we have been hitherto so tender of Parliament Privileges, as that we have only remonstrated the evil of such things done; and supposing the House to have been (as we did and do believe, and if the way were open, without breach of Privilege, Should not doubt to prove it was) someways misinformed, deluded, surprised, or otherwise abused, in those things by evil Members, we have frequently, in former Papers (before the Charge) put the Parliament upon it, (who without colour of breach of Privilege might do it) to find out and discover who they were that had so abused them, and to disengage the Honour of Parliaments from the evil Practice, arid Designs of such Incendiaries.

Now since the same Difficulties or Prejudices be yet in our way (as to the particular Charge or Proof of those things against the Members and the Parliament) though so often put upon it in our former Papers, yet through the powerful Interest of the Persons guilty, hath not taken any cognisance what Members or others have so abused them, to draw the Parliament to such Dishonour and Inconveniencies, we, cannot but again more fully and clearly assert,(as we have in former Papers, and mall yet more particularly, if need be, remonstrate) That divers things lately done and passed from the Parliament against this Army, as particularly the Order for suppressing the Petitioners, that high Declaration against it, and against all that should proceed in it, putting the faithful Servants of the Parliament and the Kingdom out of the protection of the Law, and exposing them as Enemies to the State, &c. to the forfeitures of the Estates, Liberties, Life and all, but for going about in an humble, peaceable, and inoffensive way, to desire what was undeniably their due, and dearly earned; and many other such like Proceedings both against the Army and others, do carry with them such a face of Injustice, Oppression, Arbitrariness, and Tyranny, as we think is not to be parallel'd in any former Proceedings of the most arbitrary Courts, against any private Men, but hath brought in insufferable dishonour upon the Parliamentary Authority and Proceedings, (which we are, and others ought to be, deeply sensible of) hath tended to disoblige all Men, especially Soldiers, from the same, to destroy all just Freedom, either of Soldiers or Subjects, and hath conduced to all other the sad Effects, and worse Consequences, expressed in the Charge, and gives us and others cause to conclude, That those Worthies who have formerly acted, and carried on things in Parliament for publick Good, Right, and Freedom, are now awed or over-born by a prevailing Party of Men, of other private Interests, crept in, and that neither we, nor any other can reasonably expect Right, Freedom, or Safety, (as private Men) or to have things acted in Parliament for publick Good, while the same Parties continue there in the same Power, to abuse the Name and Authority of Parliaments, to serve and prosecute their private Interests and Passions, and, under the Privilege of Parliaments, to shelter themselves under the worst of Evils or Mischiefs they can do, though to the Ruin of the Kingdom.

We are in this Case forced (to our great grief of Heart) thus plainly to assert, The present Evil and Mischief, together with the future worse Consequences of the things lately done, even in the Parliament it self (which are too evident and visible to all) and so in their proper Colours, to lay the same at the Parliament's Doors, until the Parliament shall be pleased, either of themselves to take notice, and rid the Houses of those that have any way misinformed, deluded, surprised, or otherwise abused the Parliament, to the vehement pressing and passing of such foul things there; or shall open to us and others, some way how we may regularly, and without the scandal of breaking Privileges, come to charge and prosecute those particular Persons, that (in truth) have so abused the Parliament (as well as our selves) even for those Misinformations, and other evil and indirect Practices or Proceedings in Parliament, whereby they have abused the same, as in our said Charge and former Papers is set forth. And here, if we may, we should humbly offer it to consideration, whether it were not a necessary Expedient, for prevention or remedy of such Evils in future, that in things so clearly destructive to the common Right and Liberties of the People, and the Safety of the Kingdom, there should be a liberty for Dissenting Members in the House of Commons (as it is allowed in the House of Peers) to enter their Dissent, and thereby acquit themselves from the guilt or blame of what Evils may ensue; that so the Kingdom may regularly come to know who they are that perform their Trust faithfully, and who not. And this Provision for future, as also our desires for Remedy in the present Cases, as it were clearly good and necessary in the respects premised, so we think the same may well be without further prejudice or discouragement in any other respects to succeeding Members of Parliament; Provided always, That no Man shall be questioned or censured for any thing said or done in Parliament, any further than to exclusion from that Trust; which is all that in the present case we should desire upon any such Grounds.

And that future liberty of entering the Sense, we do not here propose as a thing we any way insist on to the prejudice of Parliament Privileges, we only offer that to Consideration, and that from good Wishes to the Privileges of Parliament, to render them more lasting, by being less innocent; and indeed, whoever most adores or tenders those Privileges, will best express his Zeal towards them, in taking care they be not abused or extended to private Wrongs or publick Mischief; for we clearly find, and always Men may see it, That Parliament Privileges, as well as Royal Prerogatives, may be perverted and abused, or extended to the destruction of those greater Ends for whose Protection and Preservation they were admitted or intended, viz. the Rights and Privileges of the People, and Safety of the whole; and in case it be so, the abuse, evil, or danger of them is no less to be contended against; and a remedy thereof no less to be endeavoured than of the other.

And whereas the Injustice in that particular, of the Declaration against the Army, for their just and innocent Petition, may seem to have been recompensed in the late expunging thereof out of the Journal Books, we confess that hath been so in great measure, as to the present or particular Injury unto the Army therein; and we cannot but acknowledge so far, That the Justice that lies in those Votes, for expunging thereof, and for their own and the Armies particular reparation, we should never with more, nor scarce have insisted on so much to any dishonour of Parliament in future; we should rather have been satisfied with the Parliament's declaring, how, and by whom they had been misinformed, surprised, and otherwise abused, in the framing, proposal, or passing thereof as it was; but as to that particular, or any other of that Nature, we say as followeth, viz.

1. We never did nor do value or regard our own Injury or Reparation, in any comparison to the consequence of the one, to the prejudice of the other, or to the future security of the common Right and Freedom of this Nation; and accordingly, we do not account any Reparation considerable, that extends but to our selves in the present Cases, and does not in some sort secure our selves, and all others, from danger of the same, or worse Injuries or Oppressions (as private Men) from the Wills or Passions of the same Persons that have offered and acted such things against us, while an Army.

2. We cannot but imagine and consider (according to general report) how the expunging of that Declaration was carried and obtained; and upon what Grounds and Intentions it was given way to; but had those that procured it, been all for expunging it, and that freely, yet how can we expect better, but that the same Men, who at one time carried such a Declaration, and another time expunged it, may the next Day obtain the like or worse (upon any occasions wherein it may serve their private Ends or Interests) if they continue in the same Power and Sway, and be let pass in deluding and surprising the Parliament, as they have done in the past Particulars.

3. The apparent dishonour and prejudice brought upon the parliament, in having such a Declaration so past, as they should soon after (without any alteration in the pretended Ground of it) find cause,(for shame of the World) to expunge, we think, should engage those Members in point of Honour, to find out and discover how and by whom the Parliament had been abused, or otherwise brought into such an Inconveniency; and the Parliament may in this see the Temper, as by-standers do the Prevalence, of those Members that abused the Parliament in that Declaration, who will and can make the Authority of Parliament to lie under the Dishonour of it, in a bare expunging or retracting, rather than admit of any Consideration to acquit the Authority of Parliament, that will tend to fix the blame on those particular Members that had deserved it; and this certainly would be admitted, and done, rather than to slight it over with a bare expunging, were not some Men more tender of, and more swayed with such Considerations and Consequences as may tend to the prejudice of Persons, than such as tend to the general prejudice and dishonour of Parliaments.

4. As to those Particulars included in our Charge, which depend on things done without the Parliament, we are ready, and should most willingly proceed to the particular charging and proving thereof, if first (from the justice of the House in a present Proceeding against the Persons charged for those things that are already known to the House, being done in it) we could find encouragement to expect any good issue upon those other things, and did we not, on the contrary, find that notwithstanding what is so known to the House, as before express'd, the same Persons continue in such Power and Prevalency, both in the House, and in all the Committees of the highest Trust as leaves little hopes of Right or Satisfaction to the Army or Kingdom in other things, and much less in any just Proceedings against themselves, while they continue Judges of their own and our Concernments, so as we cannot (while they remain in the same Power,) expect any thing but a continued perverting and making advantage of all things, and especially of those delays which a regular Proceeding against them would necessarily endure, altogether to our own and the Kingdom's prejudice and danger, to disable or weaken us for those things, which the safety and settling the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom requires, and to strengthen themselves by underhand Practices and Preparations at home and abroad, the better to oppose us, and to engage the Kingdom in a new War, thereby to accomplish their Desires, or at least to save themselves from Justice in a common Confusion. We say, were it not for these and such other Considerations, that leave little hopes of Justice to our selves or the Kingdom, while they continue in the same Power, and render all delays dangerous and destructive to our selves. and the peace of the Kingdom, we should be contented that the business concerning the Members we have charged should be laid aside, till those other things were first settled which our Declaration does propound, for the common Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom.

But finding things still so carried, and that while they were Judges in their own Causes, they (with that Party which they make) will do what they please, and yet render it a Breach of Privilege to be accused for it as they are, as we have before express'd, we cannot, upon all these Considerations, and for all the Reasons before express'd, but insist upon it, that the Members charged may first be forthwith suspended from sitting in the House, otherwise we cannot expect any fair proceeding against them upon a more particular Charge, nort hink there is any good intended to our selves or the Kingdom.

As to our desires of having the Army presently paid up equally with those that have deserted it, we appeal to all Men, for the justice, Reasonableness, and Necessity thereof: The Justice, in that the former Service (for which those Arrears are due) hath been, at least, as faithfully and diligently performed by the Army, as by those late Deserters of it: And in our present posture (though they have appear'd indeed more officious or serviceable to the Persons or Wills of particular Men, than we, yet) we are sure the Army is, and, we hope, will at last appear to be more faithful to the true Interest of Parliaments and the Kingdom (which we were at first called out and engaged for) than they in deserting the Army have hitherto appeared. For the reasonableness of our Desires, though we have grounds to claim more than they, or rather that they, or some of them, should forfeit their Arrears, yet we ask for present but equal; nor should we at present insist on that so much (as to the Officers) if our Soldiers were but first paid up. Our necessity to insist on that is obvious to every Man; and therefore, unless we should betray our own and the Kingdom's Cause, we cannot but positively insist upon it, that the Army should forthwith be paid up, at least, equally to those Deserters of it, which if denied or delayed, we shall be thereby enforced upon present ways of Remedy, and Right to the Army therein.

And whereas the Parliament hath lately ordered, and publickly declared, That all that shall desert the Army, shall have present satisfaction in their Arrears (the Officers three Months Pay, the Soldiers all their Arrears, deducting for Free-Quarter) which still continues unrecall'd, we cannot but look upon it as a most clear evidence of the continuing Malice and Prevalence of ours and the Kingdom's Enemies; and we must and do insist upon it, that that Order or Declaration may forthwith be publickly recalled, otherwise we cannot believe that any thing but ruin and destruction is designed to our selves, and all other in the Kingdom, who every where call upon us not to disband, till we see the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom settled, according to the many Declarations by which we were first called forth and invited to engage in the late War.

Next we cannot but take notice, that instead of granting or answering our desires in the last Paper, in order to the better and more safe proceeding to a Composure and Settlement of all things, for the good and peace of the Kingdom, and for prevention of any new War, the Army being first commanded to forty Miles distance from London, His Majesty's Person is demanded immediately to Richmond House, within eight Miles of London, which, as we cannot but impute it to the prevailing Interest of the same Enemies to our and the Kingdom's Peace, so all Men may easily discern with us, how directly it tends (in pursuance of their former private Designs upon the King, e're he came from Holmby) to put His Majesty within reach of those Mens Power, who have under-hand listed about London already, a very considerable number both of Horse and Foot, and are daily listing and engaging more, both there, and in many Parts of the Kingdom, to serve their Designs; and therefore we appeal to all unengag'd Men, whether we can in this give way to have the King put so far within those Mens Power, without giving them the long sought for advantage of his Majesty's Person, whereby to embroil this Kingdom in a new and bloody War, and strengthen themselves in their mischievous Designs, the better to uphold and establish their Faction and intended Domination: So that in this case we cannot but importune the Parliament (as they tender the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom, and the avoiding of Jealousies or worse Inconveniencies in the Army) that they would assume the consideration of that business concerning the Person of the King, and not propose any place for him nearer to London, than they would have the Quarters of the Army to be.

And whereas (by the procurement of the same Persons, or others of their Party) there have been scandalous Informations presented to the Houses, and industriously published in Print, importing, as if his Majesty was kept a Prisoner amongst us, and barbarously and uncivilly used, we cannot but declare, that the same, and all other Suggestions of that Sort, are most false and dangerous, and absolutely contrary, not only to our declared Desires, but also to our Principles, which are most clearly for a general Right and just Freedom to all Men; and therefore upon this occasion we cannot but declare particularly, that we desire the same for the King and others of his Party so far as can consist with common Right or Freedom , and with the security of the same for future. And we do clearly profess, we do not see how there can be any Peace to this Kingdom, firm or lasting without a due consideration of Provision for the Rights, Quiet, and Immunity of His Majesty, His Royal Family, and His late Partakers and herein we think, that tender and equitable dealing (as supposing their Cases had been ours) and a Spirit of common Love and Justice diffusing it self to the good and preservation of all, will make up the most glorious Conquest over their Hearts (if God in Mercy see it good) to make them and the whole People of the Land lasting Friends.

To draw to a Conclusion, since we can yet obtain no Satisfaction or Answer to the things desired, as before, but contrariwise find all things carried on by the prevailing Interest of those our Enemies, to the prejudice and danger of our selves and the Kingdom, since (notwithstanding some Votes of Parliament against the late Orders of the Committee of Safety for listing of Forces, and notwithstanding the earnest Desires and Endeavours of the City, concurrent with our own, to have the same prevented and remedied yet) the said Committee of Safety being continued still in the same Power, we find that by the appointment or contrivance, and under the Protection or Countenance of the same Persons whom we have charged, and their Accomplices, there are still manifold Practices, under-hand, to lift and raise new Forces, and, notwithstanding the discovery thereof to the Parliament, from the City, yet the same Persons have prevailed so far in the House as not to admit the Question for discharging of them, but the same Practices still continue, and with double diligence are enforced; since also divers Forces (pretended to have been engaged for Ireland) are by the same Persons ordered to rendezvous about Worcester, there to lay the Foundation of a new Army; and to that purpose, their Emissaries and Correspondents in all Counties are busie and active to raise Forces for them: And though for these things the Actors of them have no present publick Authority, yet they have some way such Countenance, and assurance to be justified in Parliament (if question'd for it) as that they have the Confidence to act openly: Since they have like wise their Emissaries or Agents in Scotland, France, and other Countries, very active to draw Foreign Forces for their Assistance: Since in the mean time they are endeavouring by Spies, and secret Agents in all our Quarters, to inveigle and invite the Soldiers of this Army to desert their Officers, and come to London, and for that purpose do improve the Advantage of that Order or Declaration of Parliament aforementioned, for satisfaction of Arrears to such as shall desert the Army; and we find they have the publick Purse so much at their disposal, as to make good that and other of their Undertakings of that Nature; and yet such as have so deserted the Army, and received their Arrears, are not discharged or dispers'd, but continued together in Bodies, and under Command in and near the City; as in particular, same of Sir Robert Pye's Men, Colonel Gervis's, Captain Farmer's, and others, still quartered upon Kent: Since likewise they have their Agents and Correspondents labouring with the King, to make Contracts with him, to engage and declare for them, or at least to declare himself a Prisoner amongst us, whereby to stir up and engage his Party against us: Since in all these respects we find all dilatory ways (which they industriously devise) to be designed and made use of only to our disadvantage, weakning, and ruin, to the Kingdom's prejudice, and to their own advantage, and strengthening their Designs, the better to prepare for a new War.

And lastly, considering the multitudes of Reformado's, and other Soldiers swarming about the City (whom the Persons we have charged, and their Accomplices, have at their beck, to bring up to Westminster when they please) and that by their frequent tumultuous Confluences thither (besetting and Sometimes blocking up the Parliament-Doors, threatning and offering Violence to the Persons of the most faithful Parliament-Men) the just Freedom of Parliament seems to be taken away, or at least for the present abridged; insomuch as those Members who have served the Kingdom hitherto, with most Faithfulness, Diligence, and Integrity, for the Publick Good, many of them dare scarce come to the House, or if they do, they come in fear and peril of their Lives; and when they are there, are awed, discouraged, or disabled from discharging their Consciences, or doing their Duties to the Kingdom.

Upon all these Considerations, we are clearly convinced and satisfied, That both our Duty and Trust for the Parliament and Kingdom, calls upon us and warrants and an imminent necessity for our own and the Kingdom's Safety, and Preservation from a new War, enforceth us to make or admit no. longer delays, but upon those Foundations God hath given us, with vigour and speed, to endeavour in some extraordinary way, the vindicating of Parliament Freedom from tumultuous Violence, the breaking of those Designs and Preparations, that otherwise threaten a present embroilment of the Kingdom in more Blood and War, and a future perpetual enslaving of it under Faction and Tyranny; and so if God see it good, to put the Parliament into a Freedom and Capacity, with His Majesty's wished and hoped concurrence, to settle the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of the Kingdom.

Upon all these Grounds, and for all these Ends premised, we shall be enforced to take such Courses, extraordinary, as God shall enable, and direct us unto, to. put things to a speedy Issue, unless by Thursday Night next we receive assurance and security to our selves and the Kingdom, for a more safe and hopeful Proceeding in an ordinary way, by having those things granted, which, in order thereunto, we have before insisted upon; and shall here, for more brevity and clearness, express our selves as followeth.

• 1. That the Declaration, inviting Men to desert the Army, and promising their Arrears in case they do so, be recalled and annulled.
• 2. That the Army may be presently paid up, equally to those that have deserted it.
• 3. That His Majesty's coming to Richmond may be suspended until things be better settled and composed; and in the mean time no place may be appointed for His Majesty's Residence, that may be any nearer to London, than the Parliament will allow the Quarters of the Army to be.
• 4. That the Members charged may be forthwith suspended, or sequestred the House.
• 5. That those that have deserted the Army, may be instantly discharged and dispers'd, and receive no more of their Arrears till the Army be first satisfied.
• 6. That both Parliament and City may be speedily and effectually freed from those multitudes of Reformado's and other Soldiers before mentioned, that flock together about London, and a speedy dispatch and discharging of them from the City.
• 7. That all such Listings of Raisings of new Forces, or drawing together of any, as is before-mentioned, and all Preparations towards a new War, may be effectually declared against and supprest; as also all Invitations or Endeavours to draw in Foreign Forces.
• 8. That the present perplexed Affairs of the Kingdom, and these concerning the Army as also all the things desired in our late Representation, in behalf of the Kingdom, may he put into some speedy way of Settlement and Composure.

Signed by the Appointment of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Council of War.

St. Albans, June 23, 1647.

At a Council of War at St Albans, June 23, 1647. Present,

The Remonstrance was agreed on by the Officers aforesaid; and afterwards, by Direction from the General and Council of War delivered to the Parliament by Colonel Sir Hardress Waller, Colonel Rich, and Major Tomlinson.

Parliament's Defires.

An Ordinance for giving a Day of Relaxation to Apprentices was read, and upon the Question committed.

The King to Stay his Journey to Richmond.

A Message from the Lords, desiring the Commons Assent to a Letter to His Majesty that by reason of some late Accident, humbly to intreat His Majesty either to stay at Royston, where He appointed to lie this Night, and to Morrow at Theobalds, or return to Newmarket.

The Commons concurred therein, and a Letter was sent accordingly.

A Copy of this Letter to His Majesty was ordered to be sent inclosed in a Letter to His Excellency, and another Copy to the Commissioners in the Army.

The Consideration of the Eleven Members were ordered to be resumed to Morrow.

Parliament against suspending the eleven Members.

The House this Day, June 25. resumed this Debate, and after much time spent, ordered, that by the Law of the Land no Judgment can be given to suspend these Members, or any of them, from sitting in the House, upon the Papers presented from the Army, before the Particulars be produced, and Proofs made.

Resolved further upon the Question, that it doth not appear, that any thing hath been said or done, within the Commons House, by any of the Members in question, touching any Matters contained in the Papers sent from the Army, for which the House can in justice suspend them.

The Excise House for Flesh to be pulled down.

This Day Order was given for the pulling down the lately erected Excise-House in Smithfield the Excise of Flesh ending Wednesday last, for which many in London made Bonfires; the Officers and Work-men coming to take down the House, a great number of the common People, in a short time, came about them, and fell to sharing, the Materials, some carried away pieces of Timber, others the Glass-Windows, and others the Bricks, and what else they met withal.

Barkhamstead the Head-Quarter.

From the Army there came Intelligence, that Yesterday the General removed his Head-Quarters from St. Albans to Barkhamstead, twenty seven Miles from London where they expect the Result of the Parliament concerning their Desires; and accordingly either remove further, or approach nearer to London. His Majesty came that Night to Royston; the House have sent to His Majesty to stay at Royston, or go back to Newmarket, but His Majesty, 'tis said, is not willing to go back.

The King stays at Royston.

A Letter was read in the House from His Majesty, that according to the Order of both Houses, he would stay at Royston that Night, and give them a further Account of his Removal when it shall be.

Four full Companies to guard the Parliament. The Army advances towards London again, but declares not, to the Terror of Parliament or City.

An Order was made by the House, giving Power to the Commissioners of Parliament in the Army, to confer with the Commissioners from the City in the Army.

The Militia of London were desired to send Four full Companies for the Guard of the Houses to Morrow.

This Day, being June 26. Letters were read from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and others, from the Parliament's Commissioners in the Army, giving an Account of the Armies near Advance towards London, the Grounds thereof, and that they intend not thereby any wise to awe the Parliament, or be a Terror to them or the City; and renewed their Desires, That the Members charged by them may be suspended the House; and that then they will give in a more particular Charge, with the Proofs and Attestations to make good the same.

A Letter from the General to the City, not to advance nearer than Uxbridge.

There came likewise a Letter from the General, and Officers of the Army, to the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of London, to satisfie them of their nearer advance toward London, and to assure them, that as they desire in all things a right understanding betwixt the Parliament, City, and Army, they will inviolably keep and observe their Faith and Promise to the City; and that they intend not in this their Approaches any prejudice to the City, but will be ever tender of their Peace and Welfare as their own, their only Aims being to obtain a firm Peace, and not a new War.

The Head-Quarter of the Army, this present Saturday, is at Uxbridge, where also the General is: It was agreed by a Council of War, the last Night, the Army should not advance nearer London than Uxbridge.

The King at Hatfield.

His Majesty is at the Earl of Salisbury's House at Hatfield, whither he came this Day from Royston

The 11 Members withdraw

The House had much Debate this Day upon a Motion from the Eleven Members charged by the Army, that they might have liberty to absent themselves from the House; and it was at last condescended unto, and the Members accordingly all of them left the House this Day.

To hasten the Treaty with the Army.

A Letter was agreed upon by both Houses to be sent to their Commissioners in the Army, desiring them to improve their additional Power with Fidelity and Expedition in treating with the Army.

List of Officers.

An additional List of Officers were presented to the House, and ordered thereupon they should have the benefit of the 25000 l. with the rest.

A Day of Recreation.

The Ordinance with the Amendments, for the Day of Relaxation to Scholars and Apprentices, this Day passed the House.

We had further, by Letters this Day from Uxbridge, to this purpose.

Intelligence; By a mistake soldiers quarter nearer London than the distance of Uxbridge.

'The General removed from Barkhamstead to this Place yesterday. The Head Quarters is like to be here till Monday or Tuesday. His Majesty removed from Royston to Hatfield this Day. To Morrow we shall hear what Entertainment his two Chaplains, Dr. Hammond, and Dr. Shelden, either afford to him, or receive from him, who went Yesterday to Royston to His Majesty. A Council of War sat at Uxbridge all the last Night, and understanding that through a Mistake some Regiments had enlarged their Quarters nearer London than was intended, viz. as far as Harrow on the Hill, Hayes, Brentford, Harlington, Feltham, and Hanworth, there were Orders immediately sent to stop the Regiments, and to bring them to quarter in Line about fifteen or sixteen Miles distant from London, and the General and Officers have resolved, that there shall be no further advance of the Army, or any Quarters of it nearer London, before notice thereof given to the Parliament and City.

Uxbridge, June 26, 1647.

June 28, 1647. This Day Letters were read in both Houses from the Commissioners with the King, giving to understand, that the Duke of Richmond was come to His Majesty to Hatfield, Dr. Shelden, Dr. Hammond, and some others, &c

Duke of Richmond, &c. to be removed from the King; and the King to go to Holmby.

The Houses debated this business, and ordered, that His Majesty should be desired from both Houses to remove from Hatfield back to Holmby.

That the Commissioners attending His Majesty do remove the Duke of Richmond, Dr. Shelden, Dr. Hammond, and all other Persons that ought not to come near the King, according to their Instructions.

To keep Malignants from the King.

That a Letter be writ to the General, to give order, that the Guards attending His Majesty be observant to the Commands of the Commissioners, in relation to their Instructions, and in keeping Malignants from His Majesty.

The House of Commons received Letters from the Army, of what they desire further, in relation to the Safety of the Kingdom, which Desires were as followeth.

The desires of the Army to the Parliament, in reference to the 11 Members, and Privilege of Parliament.

Whereas we understand the House hath voted, that it doth not appear, that any thing hath been said or done by the Eleven Members within the House, touching any Matter contained in the Papers from the Army, for which the House can in Justice suspend them, though if way were given and opened, whithout breach of Privilege, for us to charge them with, and for others to be examined freely, to testifie unto such things, we should not doubt to make such Proceedings, and Practices of theirs in the House to appear; for which, according to former Precedents, they justly might and ought to be suspended, yet we are so tender of Privileges of Parliament, as that we shall at present forbear to reply, or press further upon that Point for the Houses Proceedings therein, upon their own Cognizance.

2. Whereas the House of Commons hath voted, That by the Laws of the Land, no Judgment can be given to suspend those Members from sitting in the House, upon the Papers presented by the Army, before Particulars produced and Proofs made, though we think good Reasons may be given, and Precedents found to the contrary, even in the Proceedings of this Parliament; as in the Case of the Earl of Strafford, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord-Keeper Finch, and others. Yet we do declare, that we have both Particulars and Proofs against them ready to produce, but considering that the Proceedings thereupon will probably take up much time; and the present unsettled Affairs of the Kingdom, in relation to those great Matters proposed by us, do require a speedy Consideration, we shall be willing that these greater and more general Matters of the Kingdom be first considered of and settled, before the Censure of those Members be determined; and therefore because they may apprehend it some prejudice to them to have their particular Charges given in, and lie upon them so long undetermined, we shall be willing to forbear the giving in of the Particulars against them, till they may, without interruption to the general Affairs, be immediately proceeded upon: But if the House do think fit the Particulars against them be first delivered in, we shall be ready to do it.

3. Whereas we understand, that the Members charged have desired leave from the Houses to withdraw themselves, we cannot but take notice of the Modesty thereof so far, as that we are contented therewith, for the present more quiet proceeding to settle the perplexed Affairs of the Kingdom (which, without any private Animosities against Persons is our greatest End in what we do, only we declare, that) as we suppose the Gentlemen themselves, from the same Grounds that induced them to offer this, will still forbear 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 general Affairs of the Kingdom; so we hope, and shall confidently expect that the Wisdom and Justice of the House will not admit any things to the contrary, or leave it to an hazard thereof, but will use sufficient Care and Caution against such things, and for the bringing those Members to Trial, when the House shall judge it seasonable and safe, as before express'd.

By the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and his Council of War.

Signed, John Rushworth.

Uxbridge, June 27, 1647.

Votes of Parliament in favour of the Army.

The House debated these Desires, and, in answer to part of them passed these Votes, That they do declare, That no Officer or Soldier of the Army, from and after the publication of this Order in the Army, shall leave the Army without the particular license and discharge of the General.

That they do declare, That they do own this Army as their Army, and will make provision for their maintenance; and will take order, that so soon as Money can be conveniently raised, they shall be paid up equally with those that have left the Army.

Resolved, &c.

That it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to take into Consideration, how provision may be made for the Army, in pursuance of the Votes this Day passed.

Resolved, &c.

That it be referred to the Commissioners with the Army, to be very earnest with the General, That no discouragement or obstruction may be given by the Soldiery, to the due levying and bringing in the Excise, and other Assessments and Payments to the Parliament.

An Ordinance was read in the House for saving harmless all well-affected Persons from Bonds or Bills, or other Engagements extorted from them by the Enemy in the time of this War.

The House considered of appointing Circuits of Assize in England and Wales for this Summer, and referred it to the Commissioners of the Great Seal, to bring in a List of the Judges for this next Circuit.

Isle of Scilly.

June 29. A Message came from the Lords, with an Ordinance and some Amendments, it came first from the House of Commons, and was for appointing Colonel Butler Commander in Chief of the Isle of Scilly. The Commons agreed to the Amendments, and then the Ordinance past.

Eleven Members.

A Petition was presented to the House of Commons, in the Name of the Eleven Members Impeached, all but Recorder Glyn, desiring to come to a speedy Trial.

The House Ordered, that by Friday next at furthest, the particular Charge of the Army against the Eleven Members, shall be brought into the House.

Colonel Graves Colonel Sir Ro. Pye.

The Accounts of Colonel Graves and Colonel Pye (upon their Petition) was ordered to be referred to the Committee of Accounts.

That those that come off from the Army, advance for Ireland.

The Houses ordered, that all Officers and Soldiers that are come off from the Army, and engaged for Ireland, shall forthwith advance for the Service of Ireland, or else be immediately disbanded.

Against tumultuous meetings of Officers and Soldiers.

An Ordinance was this Day read, prohibiting all tumultuous Assemblies of any Officers or Soldiers about the two House at Westminster, or in the City of London, and commanding such of them as are not Inhabitants and House-keepers in the Cities of London and Westminster, or Lines of Communication, to depart and withdraw themselves out of the said Lines, within Ten Days after notice and publication of this Ordinance. And such as shall be found after the Ten Days Publication, contrary to this Ordinance, shall lose their Arrears. This Ordinance was read the first time, and committed to a Committee.

Court of Admiralty; Dutch Ambassadors for a Pass.

The Commons received further this Day, a Message from the Lords, to acquaint them with divers Complaints from Foreign Ambassadors and Strangers, who suffer much for want of a Court of Admiralty, which the Lords think fit should be speedily settled, and which the Commons ordered to take into Consideration. Also to acquaint them with the Dutch Ambassador's Letter, and the Lords Votes, that they think sit to grant him a Pass (desired as) to go to His Majesty, and another to return to his own Country, with his Retinue, Six Horses, and other Necessaries, and Security for his Family, which he leaves here. To which the Commons concurred.

Fast-Day.

This Day, June 30. being the Fast, Dr. Smith and Dr. Rainbow preach before the Lords, and Mr. Ward and Mr. Mainton before the Commons, who had Thanks, and ordered to print their Sermons, save only Mr. Ward, who gave Offence. Mr. Whitchcot, and Mr. Jagger are desired to preach before the Commons next Fast-Day.

A Committee was appointed to consider how the Church of Torrington may be re-edified.

Accommodation in Religion.

A Committee was appointed to propose godly and able Persons to consider of the Matters of Accommodation in Religion, and to present their Names to the House.

Observation of the Lord's Day

It was this Day referred to the Lord-Mayor, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and Constables, within the Lines of Communication, to be very careful in putting the Ordinance for the better observation of the Lord's-Day, and Fast-Days, into execution. The Defects of these two Ordinances Were ordered to be referred to a Committee.

Malignant Ministers.

Ordered, that it be referred to a Committee to make enquiry what malignant Ministers have been admitted, by the Committee of Plundered Ministers, into Livings, contrary to the Order of the House, and to report the Names of such to the House, and a Committee was appointed for that purpose.

The Army Draws back.

Letters came this Day to the House from the Commissioners with the Army, and a Letter from the General and Council of War, of the Armies drawing further back from the City of London, removing their Head-Quarters from Uxbridge to Wickham.

The General's Letter was as followeth.

The General's Letter.

My Lords and Gentlemen,
By the Votes you pleased to communicate to me this Mornings, I find the Parliament hath taken into their Considerations those Propositions of the Army which necessarily craved some satisfaction before the withdrawing of it. And that their Progress already made (though but in part) meets with such a Compliance in my Council of War, that it begets in them a general Confidence of the Houses speedy and full Answer to the remaining Proposition. And therefore to testifiy the readiness of this Army to observe the Commands of Parliament,

The Head-Quarters at Wickham.

They have resolved to remove the Army to a farther distance, and the Head-Quarters to be this Night at Wickham, believing that this forwardness on their part, to satisfie both the Parliament and City, will not retard but hasten the Resolutions of the Houses, With a full Satisfaction to the Particulars not yet answered; and also acquit this Army of many Jealousies and unjust Aspersions cost upon it.

To the Right Honourable Lords and Commons,
Commissioners for the Parliament in the Army,
to be communicated to both Houses of parliament.

The Army desire to speed the Treaty with Parliament's-Commissioners.

This Day likewise the General and Council of War at Wickham sent a Paper to the Commissioners, in answer to one from them the Day before, signifying, that they were very sensible of the many lnconveniences, which delay (in the speedy settlement of the Affairs of the Kingdom) may produce, and therefore were ready, according to the Parliament's desire, to appoint Officers to treat with them, that delay might not rest on their Parts; and withal further intimated, that the Army is not satisfied, and do conceive themselves and the Kingdom unsafe, until the last Propositions delivered in unto the House be fully answered. And therefore desire to know their pleasures concerning them, before they proceed to a Conclusion in any thing upon the Treaty.

A Months Pay.

July 1, 1647. Referred to the Committee of the Army, to consider how a Month's Pay may be speedily advanced to the Army.

Ordered, that it be referred to the Committee of the Army, to consider how the Arrears due upon the Ordinance of Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army may be speedily collected for them.

King's Residence.

Ordered, that His Majesty's Person shall reside no nearer the City of London, than the Quarters of the Army may be born.

Accommodation in Religion.

It was ordered, that the Committee formerly appointed to consider of an Accommodation in Matters of Religion should meet, and to report their Opinion with all convenient speed.

Some endeavour to bring in the Scots Army.

An Information was given of Alderman Cousins of Newcastle upon Tine, and others, their being now in Scotland, in nature of Agents for Presbytery, endeavouring to bring the Scots into this Nation. This was referred to Examination of the Committee of the North.

Ordered, that the Lords be desired to expedite the Proposition to be sent to the King.

To put Officers and Solders out of the Line.

The Ordinance for putting Officers and Soldiers out of the Line, Was read the second time and recommitted.

July 2, 1647. This Day a Petition was presented to both Houses, from the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of the City of London, which take as follows at large, viz.

To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in High Court of Parliament.

The humble Petition of the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Council assembled.

Humbly Sheweth,
That the Petitioners cannot but call to mind the deliverance which they and the whole Kingdom did justly expect from this Parliament, after so many Years suffering under the Power of an Arbitrary Government, both in their Spiritual and Temporal Concernments; and they do humbly acknowledge, that this Parliament hath removed many Obstacles, and are confident would, by this time, with God's Blessing, have restored the Kingdom to its just Liberties, and settled a sure Foundation for its future Happiness, if they had not been diverted by the great Contrivers of the Kingdom's Slavery, who, rather than submit to the Justice of this High-Court, have raised and maintained a bloody, unnatural, and long War against the Parliament of England. In the suppression whereof, as much Blood hath been spilt, so a great Treasure hath been spent, and the Kingdom is still left involved in many Engagements and Debts, both to their Brethren of Scotland, (who, like true Christian Brethren, came in to its Aid against the common Enemy) and also to a multitude of Officers, Soldiers, and others the well-affected People of this Land, who did engage in the defence and support thereof And although the Petitioners, in the Obligation which the Cause of God, and the publick Safety did cast upon them, have all this time both freely contributed and chearfully submitted to many great and unusual Assessments, which also could not be levied but in an extraordinary way; yet they cannot not be unsensible how much arbitrary Power hath been, during these Distempers, exercised by Committees, and others, by whom the good Subject hath been oftentimes more oppressed, than the Delinquent suppressed, and who have managed the Receipts and Revenues which were designed to maintain the publick Charge, so disorderly and ineffectually, that the Kingdom cannot but be unsatisfied concerning the due employment thereof, and doubt that much of the publick Money hath been employed to private Ends, and remains obscured in the Hands of such as were intrusted with the Collection of those Assessments, and the Improvement of all Sequestration to the publick and best advantage. And indeed, the Petitioners have reason to attribute much of the late Discontent and Disorders of divers Officers and Soldiers, unto the want of such Monies, as if duly collected and faithfully managed might have in good part, if not fully satisfied the Soldiery; and do humbly conceive, that the Parliament hath so much the more reason to enquire into the same, because that from this defect, hath risen those late Attempts of some of the Soldiery; and there is such use made of the Vote passed by the Parliament, for their Satisfaction, to invite and draw together very great numbers of Officers and Soldiers from all Parts of the Kingdom, under pretence of sharing the Money so obtained, that it may very much endanger the Peace and Safety of the City.

The Petitioners therefore, for remedy of the said Grievances, and prevention of those Dangers which otherwise may be feared, and for settlement of this miserable and distracted Kingdom, do humbly pray,

1. That present Command be given, that no Officer of War, or Soldier, other than such as are already come in, do enter the Line of Communication, under any pretence to share in the Moneys lately appointed by Parliament, towards the Satisfaction of any Arrears.

2. That such Officers and Soldiers who are already paid according to the late several Ordinances of Parliament in this behalf made, if their usual Habitation and Employment have been within the Line, be enjoyned forthwith to betake themselves to their Calling, or some honest Condition of Living, and be prohibited from their looser and tumultuous wandering and meeting within this City, and other Places adjacent, under Penalty of losing their Arrears, And that such Officers and Soldiers as have Dwellings or other Relations in the Country, be required to depart the Line within two Days after Publication, and to return to their Homes or Habitations, and there to apply themselves to their several Callings, upon the like forfeiture of their Arrears except such whose present and lawful Occasions may require their continuance, to be approved of by a Committee for that purpose to be appointed. And that the Parliament would please to make some speedy and certain Provision for the satisfying of all Arrears unto the Soldiery who have served the Parliament, within some short and convenient time to be paid in the several Counties and Places of their Abode, according to the Conditions of their Entertainments.

3. That all Officers and Soldiers who have been in Arms against the Parliament, or others who have assisted or contributed thereunto, be enjoined upon pain of Imprisonment, within twenty four Hours after publication, to repair to their several Habitations, and fall to their lawful Callings; and that such Officers, Soldiers, and others, as have no Habitations nearer, be commanded forthwith to withdraw themselves, and to continue, at least, twenty Miles from London, for the space of forty Days, except such as by a Committee authorised and appointed to that purpose, shall have License, upon just Cause by them allowed, to remain in or near London, so long time until they have dispatched such businesses as they shall have in or near the City; which ended, then presently to retire twenty Miles from the City, upon pain of Imprisonment, as aforesaid.

4. That such Commanders and Soldiers as according to former Orders of the Parliament have come in from the Army, having received their Monies, may be otherwise disposed of as the Parliament shall think fit.

5. That all Persons whatsoever, that are possessed of any Monies or Goods belonging to the Publick, may be injoined to bring the same within one Month after Publication, into such publick Treasury as is or shall be appointed for that purpose, under Penalty to forfeit treble the Value, which shall be duly proved to be so concealed, the half of the Forfeiture to be given to such Persons as shall make proof of such Concealment, and the other half to be applied to the Service of the State.

6. That all Revenues (as well such as are due by Sequestration or otherwise) be managed under such Commissions, and by such Persons, as notwithstanding any Privilege of Parliament, or otherwise, may be held to such Rules as are or shall be prescribed therein, by Ordinance of Parliament, and be liable (for breach thereof) to answer the same in due course of Law, and that no arbitrary Power may be exercised to the contrary by any Person whatsoever.

7. That the Parliament would for the present please to lay aside all businesses of lesser Consequence, of private Concernment, and improve their Time and utmost Endeavour, that such Laws may be prepared for His Majesty's Royal Concurrence, as may settle the Government of the Church, secure the People from all unlawful and arbitrary Power whatsoever in future, and restore His Majesty to his just Rights and Authority, according to the Covenant; without all which the Petitioners can never expect any lasting establishment; that so this long divided and distracted Kingdom may attain to the Blessings of Peace and Unity in Church and Common-wealth.

8. And that the People may be the better secured to enjoy the intended Effects of such Laws, as shall be so made with the Royal Assent, that especial care be taken that all Officers of State, and other Ministers of Justice, may be Persons of Honour, of considerable Interest, and of known Integrity to the Parliament and Kingdom.

9. That the Parliament would please to provide for the carrying on of the Affairs in Ireland, by a speedy transporting the Forces which lie ready on the Sea-side, and such others as shall be willing to engage in that Service, and by such continual Supplies as are requisite to reduce that Kingdom to the Obedience of the Crown of England, and rescue the good Party left there, out of the bloody Hands of those barbarous Rebels. And for the better encouragement of the Subjects of this Kingdom to continue their Supplies for that Service, that with as much speed as conveniently may be, the Parliament will please to take care that the People be eased of such extraordinary Charges and Burthens as have long lain, and still remain upon this Kingdom.

10. That by just and good means the Correspondence with our Brethren of Scotland, may, according to the National Covenant, be maintained and preserved.

11. That this Honourable House would please to give Order for a speedy Examination of all unlawful Elections and Returns of the Members thereof, and purge the House of all such as have been unduly chosen, or have been in Arms or in Action against the Parliament, and provide for the supply of their Rooms, according to the Laws of the Land.

12. That some speedy course may be taken for the deciding of all Causes formerly determinable in the Court of Admiralty, the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom, and the Correspondence with Foreign Nations being very much prejudiced, disturbed, and endangered for want of due provision herein, as hath formerly been at large represented unto the Honourable House.

13. And lastly, That Satisfaction being made by Delinquents, according to the Wisdom of Parliament, an Act of Oblivion may be passed for an utter Abolition and final Reconcilement of all Parties and Differences; and for the quiet settling of Peace, Love, and Unity among the Subjects of this Kingdom.

All which the Petitioners submit unto the Wisdom of this Honourable House.

Answer to the City Petition.

This Petition was read in both Houses, and the Presenters had Thanks for their constant and good Affections to the Parliament, with this further Answer, that the Particulars of the Petition were many and long, and a great part thereof under Consideration already, and the rest they would speedily consider on.

A Petition of Chester to pay off the Garrison

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Chester was read, and ordered, that it be referred to the Committee of Chester to advance so much Money upon the Credit of the Ordinance for 60000 l. per Mensem, as will pay the Arrears of the Soldiery of the Garrison of Chester since the 25th of March last, to be paid to the Soldiery of the Garrison, that they may consider of lessening that Garrison; and the Petitions then tendered from the said County be referred to this Committee.

Several Orders were then also made in reference to the Affairs of Ireland, viz. That 2600 l. be paid out of Weavers-Hall, to the Lord of Ormond, being part of the Moneys formerly ordered him out of Goldsmiths-Hall.

That 7000 l. be paid out of Weavers-Hall, for the transporting of the Regiment of Horse of Colonel Ponsonby's into Ireland, and for Provision and Arms for them before their Transportation.

Soldiers come off from the Army, to be reduced into Regiments for Ireland.

That the Forces that are come off from the Army be mustered, and speedily advance for Ireland, and that they be reduced into Regiments, according to the numbers the Regiments for Ireland are to consist of, and herein they are to have respect to the Colonels that have the most Forces in their Regiments.

Receive a Months Pay in part.

That those Forces drawn off from the Army, and engaged for Ireland, shall have a Month's Pay, as part of the Arrears due to the Forces of the Army, that are drawn off, out of the 10000 l. formerly appointed for such as did draw off from the Army.

That after the Receipt of this Month's Pay, the several Forces for Ireland, are to march to the Sea-side, where they shall receive Conditions promised by former Vote: And the Committee of Ireland is to see this performed accordingly.

Commissioners for Munster.

That three Commissioners be sent into Munster, and referred to the Committee of Irish Affairs to consider of fit Persons.

A Petition from Essex.

One of the Knights of the Shire of the County of Essex, presented a Petition this Day to the House, of the Gentry and others of the Division of Lexon in Essex, and Parts adjacent, the Gentlemen who brought the Petition were called in, and were acquainted that the House did take notice of delivering it, which was very Parliamentary; that the Petition was very Modest, and full of good Intentions and Expressions to the Publick; for which, and all the constant good Affections, they had the hearty Thanks of the House given them.

The Petition from Norfolk and Suffolk was likewise presented to the House, and ordered, that when the Generals therein shall be reduced to Particulars, and tendered to the House, they will consider of them, and do Justice upon whomsoever they concern. The Petition follows at large, viz.

The Humble Petition of the peaceable and well affected Inhabitants of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, together with the City and County of Norwich, earnestly endeavouring after the Prosperity of this our High Court of Parliament, and the speedy Establishment of the Peace, Liberties, and Freedoms of the Kingdoms; presented to the Honourable House of Commons, upon Friday, July 2.by above a hundred Gentlemen and Free-Commoners, in the Name of many Thousands that did subscribe it. With the Resolutions of the House of Commons thereunto annexed.

To, the Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament.

The Humble Petition of the peaceable and well-affected Inhabitants of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, together with the City and County of Norwich.

Sheweth,
That your Petitioners cannot but with all Thankfulness acknowledge the great Goodness of God in casting our Lot in a free Nation, wherein so high and honourable a Court as a Parliament is appointed to interpose between the People and all Tyranny and Oppression, and the special manifestation of this Goodness, in calling together this Parliament in a time of such imminent danger of the loss of all the Subjects Liberties; and likewise we cannot but be sensible of the special concurrence of the Divine Power with your Counsels, Endeavours, and Agents, whereby many Grievances were redressed, Burthens removed, and the decays of our Nation began to be repaired, and the Hearts of all the well-affected filled with large hopes of beholding again the Glory of the Free-born English Nation. But with grief of Heart we are constrained to declare to this Honourable Court, that our living Hopes begin to fade, and are almost exchanged into dying Fears, while we sadly behold the same Corruptions in the Courts of Judicature still remaining, that the Subjects have for many Years groaned under; the displacing of many Men of known Fidelity, in their engagement for the preservation of the Subjects Liberties, out of the Militia of the great City of our Kingdom, and the undermining the fundamental Liberties of our Nation, by discouraging of the Free-Commons of England from presenting, in the most humble way, their Grievances; all which we humbly conceive to proceed from some Members sitting in this Honourable House, against whom the Free-Commons of England have not had Liberty to bring in their Accusations and Charges. Wherefore while we are groaning under afflicting Fears, that the sad Apprehensions of those growing Miseries should so foment Jealousies in the Peoples Hearts, that the old design against the Kingdom's Liberties in now acted and managed in a new Form, that thereby the distraction of the Kingdom should be augmented, and the Subjects prevented of their enjoyment of a safe, well-grounded, and long-expected Peace. We cannot but humbly implore this Honourable House,

That the Corruption in the Courts of Judicature might be speedily considered by this Honourable House. That the Places of Trust in our yet distracted Kingdom might be committed to those who have faithfully interested themselves in the common Cause of preserving the Subjects Liberties. And that the removal of every such Person or Persons out of any Places of Trust whatsoever might be speedily debated and determined. That a Declaration be forthwith published to the Kingdom, to declare the Liberty and Duty of all and every the Free-Commoners, to present to you all manner of Grievances whatsoever, with such Offers of Remedy as the Wisdom of God shall direct them to profound, as also the Liberty of every Free-Commoner to repair freely to this Honourable House, with all Accusations and Charges against any Member whatsoever sitting in Parliament. And that every Member remaining under any Charge (either of Incapacity of admission into the House, or unfaithfulness in his Trust) might immediately be suspended from acting in the Affairs of the Kingdom (wheresoever Proofs of any such Charge be offered) till he be either judged or acquitted; that hereby every Subject's Heart and Mouth might be void of all exceptions against this Honourable House, that so all Misunderstandings between you and your Army might be prevented, and the hopes of all those utterly frustrated, that under any pretence whatsoever (to maintain their own Interests) would foment Divisions between you and them, to the embroiling the Kingdom again in Blood; that then a happy Peace might be built upon the Foundations of Judgment, Justice, and Righteousness, and the Glory, Freedom, and Happiness of our Nation, may countervail all the Blood and Treasure that hath been expended in their just Prosecution.

And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c.

Die Veneris, 2 Julii, 1647.

A Member of the House did tender a Petition to the Consideration of the House, entituled, The humble Petition of the peaceable and well-affected Inhabitants of the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, together with the City and County of Norwich; the which was read.

Resolved, &c.

That an Answer be returned to this Petition.

Resolved upon the Question, by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that this shall be the Answer.

That when the Generals shall be reduced to Particulars, and tendered to the House, they will take them into due, Consideration, and do Justice upon them whomsoever they concern.

Mr. Gourdon and Mr. Heveringham are appointed to deliver the Petitioners this Answer.

A Pamphlet disclaimed as followeth.

Letters came this Day from the General's Head-Quarters at Wickham, whereof one was a Paper, or Declaration of the General and Council of War, disclaiming a scandalous Pamphlet, intituled, Heads presented by the Army to the King's Majesty, the 19th of June last; and another scandalous Paper. Their Answer thereunto is as followeth, viz.

This Day was read a Paper delivered to the Commissioners for the City of London, July 1. from the General and Officers of the Army, disclaiming a Pamphlet, intituled, Heads presented by the Army to the King's Majesty, on Saturday, June 19, 1647.

Whereas we find a Pamphlet lately printed and published, bearing the Title of Heads presented by the Army to the King's Majesty, on Saturday June 19, 1647. though we think it will, of it self, appear a confused, heedless Piece; so surreptitiously crept forth, and in such a pure Pamphlet-Dress, as we hope it will gain little belief to our prejudice; yet to avoid any Jealousies or doubtful Thoughts, which it might possibly breed in any honest Mind, we cannot but take notice of it; and for vindication of the Army; we do hereby declare, That the said printed Pamphlet is most false, scandalous, and injurious to us and this Army, neither hath there been any such Paper presented to His Majesty by or from this Army: And the same we profess and declare, with great detestation, concerning another written Paper, whereof we had a Copy shewed to us Yesterday by the Commissioners of the City, intituled, Articles agreed upon between the King and the Army, the 16th of June. And we desire all that wish well to the Army, or the King, or Peace of this Kingdom, that they would do their best to find out and discover the Authors and Publishers of the said Papers and Pamphlets, or any thing else of that Nature that may be divulged concerning the Army, to interrupt or prejudice the present settling and composure of Affairs. And we hope it will not be further needful or expected from us, that we should give particular Answer to every such scandalous Paper, which the Malice of our Enemies may forge against us but that what we have published to the World in our Representation and other Papers avowed by us, may serve to clear our Intentions, until we shall appear to act something to the contrary.

By the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and his Council of War.
Jo. Rushworth.

Signed, Wickham, July 1, 1647.

The Army appoints Officers to treat with the parliament's Commissioners upon the Desires of the Army.

There came Letters also to the House, from the Commissioners with the Army, and therein inclosed two Letters from the General, dated July the first, at Wickham, whereof one of them gave to understand, that the General had that Day appointed Lieutenant-General Cromwel, Commissary-General Ireton, Colonel Fleetwood, Colonel Rainsborow, Colonel Harrison, Colonel Sir Hardress Waller, Colonel Rich, Colonel Lambert, Colonel Hammond, and Major Rainsborow, to treat and debate with the Commissioners of Parliament, upon the Papers and Desires sent from the, Army to the Parliament, and the Votes sent to the Army, according to the Order of both Houses, of the 26th of June, 1647. And the other Letter was in Answer to the Vote of the House on Tuesday last, that a particular Charge should be delivered into the House against the Eleven Members by this Day: The General returning this Answer thereunto, That as he finds a great Willingness in his Council of War, to answer the Expectation of the House in all things, so in this Particular, but the things being of that Importance to the Kingdom, and the Persons charged so many in number, hath 'taken up more time than was expected; and therefore desire that it may be respited until Tuesday next, at which time they will not sail to bring it in; and that the Kingdom shall then see they have not impeached the Gentlemen out of any private Respects, but in Affection and Duty to the Publick.

Excise

There was further also a Copy of a Proclamation from the General, forbidding any Abuse or Obstruction to be offered to any Officers of Parliament, in levying the Excise, or other Assessments.

The King removed from Hatfield to Windsor.

From the Army came further this Evening, That His Majesty went on Thursday from Hatfield towards Windsor, where He expected to see his Children, of which He was very desirous, but intended not to stay there above a Day or two, but remove some further Distance from London.

The Treaty begun with the Parliament's Commissioners.

The Treaty with the Parliament's Commissioners, and the Commissioners from the Army, began this Morning, as was appointed. The Head-Quarters of the Army it is supposed will be removed on Saturday to Reading.

A high Mutiny by the Soldiers in Chester.

Saturday, July 3. A Letter was this Day read in the House of Commons, which came from Chester, giving to understand a late Mutiny of the Soldiers there, in a very high manner, and the strange Courses they took.

Order for Pay.

The House ordered, that 2000 l. more should be added to the former Sum, for the Payment of them, and that it should be referred to the Committee of Chester to consider of this high Mutiny, and of reducing the Number of that Garrison.

Petition by Mr. Good-wine, a Minister, who spoke scandalously of Members.

A Report was made to the House concerning a Petition formerly referred, of one Mr. Goodwine a Curate, who used very scandalous and uncivil Terms to many Members of the House, for an Answer of that Petition. The Petition was reported to the House, and ordered thereupon, that the Petitioner hath no cause of Complaint, that the Petition is scandalous, and that he deserves to be punished for his Incivilities.

A Month's pay for Soldiers in the North.

An Ordinance was this Day read, forgiving the Forces of the Northern Association a Month's Pay, which was assented unto.

Ordered likewise, that the Committee of Sequestrations of Kent, do pay six Month's Pay to the Garrison of Dover.

Prince Elector to visit His Majesty.

A Letter was this Day read in the House of Commons from the Prince Elector, intimating his Desires and Intention to attend upon His Majesty, whom he understood was come as far as Windsor, to give a Visit to his Children. The House had some Debate of the Prince Elector's Desires, and ordered to leave it to his own Pleasure.

The Treatyenter'd upon with the Army.

A Letter was read in the House from the Commissioners with the Army, giving to understand, their entering upon Treaty with the Army, and the manner of their Proceedings therein.

The Army at Reading.; The King at Causum.

The Head-Quarters of the Army it is certified were removed this Day to Reading; and His Majesty was gone back from Windsor to the Lord Craven's House near Causum.