PAPERS OF THE TREATIE, AT A great Meeting of the Generall Officers of the Army, at the Head-quarters at Putney, in behalf of the whole Kingdome of England, and concerning the Kings most excellent Majesty. With the severall speeches at the Councell-Table, and His Majesties Resolution concerning the Protestant Profession, and Liberty of Conscience.
Die 20. Septemb. 1647. Printed for R. V. and are to be sold neer Temple Barre, 1647.
THE KINGS MAJESTIES RESOLUTION Concerning the Army under command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and how far He decIares himselfe for them.
THe Kings Majesty doth very much approve of the proceedings and actions of the Army, and doth confide and adhere to their Proposals, thinking them to be the readiest way (in order to Peace) for setling of this poor languishing Kingdome, and hath also declared his gracious will and pleasure concerning the said Proposals, expressing his Resolution concerning the same, & his earnest desire to give full satisfaction unto all his Loyal Subjects, throughout his Majesties Realmes and Dominions, both concerning [Page] the setling of the Protestant Profession, and liberty to tender Consciences; as appeares more fully by the ensuing Proposals, viz.
His Majesties last Proposals, intimatting his resolution and desires touching the Army.
His Majesty propounds (as the best way in His judgment in order to Peace) that his two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposals upon which there may be a personall treaty with his Majesty, and upon such other Proposalls as his Majesty shall make, hoping that the said Proposals may be so moderated in the said treaty, as to render them the more capable of his Majesties full concessions, wherein hee resolves to give full satisfaction to his People for whatsoever shall concerne the setling of the Protestant Profession, with liberty to tender Consciences, and the securing of the Lawes, Liberties, and properties of all his Subjects, and the just priviledges of Parliament for the future.
The Proposals of the Army have given great satisfaction to his Majesty; insomuch, that he hath declared, that he conceives, they much more conduce to the satisfaction of all interests, and may be a fitter foundation for a lasting peace, then the Propositions, sent from both Houses of Parliament, to his Majesty. Therefore his Majesty desires, that the said Proposals may be forthwith treated upon, &c.
We desire much to hear of the comming downe of the Commissioners, that so the Treaty may goe on more effectually, and all differences brought to a speedy composure.
Neverthelesse, the Generall, and the Officers of the Army, leaves no meanes unattempted for the effect of the great worke of the Kingdome, viz. to settle peace, but embraces all opportunities, as is evidently manifested by the enclosed paper. For his Excellency gave order, that notice should bee given to the Officers of each respective Regiment in these parts, to give their attendance, and bee ready at the Head-quarters, upon Thursday last, being the 16. of this instant, there to consult, treat, and debate, upon the speedy settlement of the affaires of this Kingdome, and better regulating and ordering of such things which are destructive to this Nation, at which summons, most of the Officers in generall met at the place appointed, where they began to treat upon the things before specified; the result of some particulars, I shall here insert, as appeares mere fully by the enclosed papers.
The proceedings of the Generall Officers of the Army at the treaty at Putney, touching the setling of a firme peace, within his Maiesties Realmes and Dominions.
UPon Thursday last, being the 16. of this instant, his Exccllency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the generall Officers of the army, had a great meeting at Putney, where they spent much time, in debating upon the present affaires of the Kingdom, and upon many great and weighty matters, exceedingly materiall towards the setling of a firme peace and union. During which time of consultation, in debate thereof, many worthy and excellent speeches were made at the Councell table, in the presence of the Generall, Lieutenant Generall, and the rest of the Officers assembled together, by certain Colonels of the Army, which was to this effect, viz.
That they desired nothing so much, in respect of their own particulars, as to see this languishing [Page] and tottering Kingdome, restored to a happy and flourishing condition, that so the pure light of the Gospell may shine forth in abundance, and appeare in its full lustre throughout all darke and obscure corners of the Kingdom, and that the joyfull newes of Peace may have its full Eccho and tryumphant sound througbout all his Maiesties Realmes and Dominions, and that the hearts both of King and People may be firmly knit and united together, &c. With many other worthy expressions and protestations, touching the setling of a firme peace.
Much time were spent, touching divers weighty businesses in behalfe of the whole Kingdome, concerning the peace, and future safety; as also some things debated upon in reference to the Proposalls, that after the Rights, Liberties, Peace and safety of the Kingdome being provided for, the Kings Majesties Royall person, his Gonsort the Queena, their Highnesses, Charles Prince of Wales, James Duke of Yorke, and the rest of the Royall Issue, may be restored to a condition of safety, honour, and freedome in this Nation, without diminution to their personall [Page] Rights, or further limitation to the exercise of the Regall power, &c.
No wayes are left unassayed, for the obtaining of a speedy settlement of the Kingdome, and establishing of his Maiesty and his Royall posterity in their full Rights & Freedomes, so that there is great hopes of a happy and mutuall concurrence, betwixt the King and his great Councell. The Generall Councell goes on unanimously in all their Undertakings, and not so much as one dissenting Member amongst them; and that they may still prosper in all their Debates and oonsultations, is the prayers, of