A DECLARATION OF THE TREATY AT Newport in the Isle of VVight, between the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the Commissioners, declaring their unanimous and joyfull proceedings for peace, His Majesties signing the Propositions, and Knighting of Mr. Denzill Hollis, and Mr. Iohn Glyn, Recorder of the City of London. With the Earl of Northumberlands Declaration to the King, and His Majesties Propositions in Answer thereunto, and Declaration concerning the Levellers of England.
Peace
Imprinted at London, for R. VVilliamson, 1648. ⟨Sept ye 25 th⟩
A DECLARATION Of the proceedings of the TREATY AT Newport in the Isle of wight; declaring, the happy Agreement and concurrence of the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the Commissioners on both sides, to the two first Bils, and his Majesties signing them.
HEre hath been great disputations between the Commissioners, touching the first Bill in the Proposals, of recalling all Declarations, and [Page 2] Proclamations, published in his Majesties name against the Parliament; which was debated Munday and Tuesday last, and much time spent therein; but upon Wednesday morning (we hear) that his Majesty gave his Royall assent to the said Bill, and signed it, as also the Bill for Church-government, promising upon his Royall Word, to leave no means unattempted that may conduce to the peace and welfare of his liege people, and sheathing the bloud-thirsty and devouring Sword, which for these seven yeers hath bin drunk with the bloud of his innocent subjects.
The Commissioners proceed on to the rest of the Propositions, according to their Instructions, and it his hoped there will be a mutual concurrence therunto.
His Majesty shewes great willingnesse to comply with them in all things propounded, so far as it may tend to the safety and preservation of the Laws of the Land, the Discipline of the Church, and the peace and tranquility of his languishing, and distressed Kingdoms.
And hath likewise declared his uncessant Desires for peace, and that for the perfecting of the Treaty, he would grant a generall pardon to all person or persons whatsoever, that hath assisted the Parliament in the late unnaturall war, except those under the present conduct of Col. Martin; yet rather then the treaty should be obstructed, and the peace of the kingdom unferled, he would freely and really forgive them also.
The right Honorable the Earl of Northumberland, as a testimony of his loyalty and fidelity both to [Page 3] King and Kingdom, on VVednesday last declared to his Majesty his sense and resolution for peace, which followeth in these words.
The Earl of Northumberlands Declaration to the Kings Majesty for Peace.
That the honourable Houses of Parliament being deeply moved with the great sufferings and oppressions of this languishing Kingdom, occasioned by the new Commotions and Risings within severall parts thereof, had commanded his Lordship, and the rest of the honourable Commissioners, to attend his royal person and to treat with his Majesty, and the Lords and Gentlemen on his part, for a lafe and well-grounded peace.
Further declaring, That none could desire peace more then his Lordship, and that to his uttermost he would labour a conclusion of peace by the Treaty.
That he had wronged no man, but would labour to be a friend to all in the common peace ot this Kingdom.
His Lordship having thus declared himself, the King replied,
That nothing should be wanting in him, for promoting so great and good a worke, desiring a blessing from Heaven upon this present Treaty, begun for the establishment of an happy peace, &c.
Newport 22 Septem. 1648.
Other Letters say as followeth.
THe Treaty goes on very succesfully (as yet) and it is hoped a good end will follow so happy a beginning, his Majesty doth very wel approve of the Propositions of both Houses, and so doth the Lords and Gentlemen attending his Royall person, here is a fair correspondency between the Commissioners on both sides, and great hopes of a happy reconciliation.
They have made some progresse into the two first Proposals, viz. Religion, and recalling of his Majesties Declarations, &c. and seem to go hand in hand, in a mutuall compliance and concurrence, for a finall composure of all distractions in these his Majesties distressed Realms and Dominions.
And for the better effecting thereof, and removing of all jealousies, his Majesty hath declared his gracious will and pleasure to the Commissioners, touching all his subjects in generall, viz.
His Maiesties Declaration to the Commissioners.
That none could have more hearty desires of peace then he. How he had nothing of ill will to any, but indeed was, and would to the utmost, endeavour to appear a friend to all, especially to the languishing kingdom.
His Majesty and the Commissioners have sate close these two dayes, severall Objections and Queries are [Page 5] proposed by the Councell on both sides, treat moderatly, and with much amity. Mr. Palmer (one of His Majesties Councell) is much applauded for the beauty of his excellence, by endeavouring to cleere all scruples.
Great is our expectations in these parts, touching the event of the Treaty, the whole face of this Island being fixed thereon for peace, and the prayers of each true subject eccho'd up to Heaven for a blessing therupon.
All their proceedings (as yet) tendeth to Unity, in the beginning of this their first part of the Treaty, and it is hoped their future consultations will satisfie all our doubts and desires, and that the great Jehovah of Heaven will be pleased to crowne their endeavours with blessings of Peace, that so all the sad differences between the King and his People may be removed, and the Head and the Members firmly united, which God grnat, and bring to a sudden perfection, that we may see sweet and comfortable dayes once again, by the happy enjoyment of a finall and everlasting peace.
There was a generall report this day throughout Newport, and other places, that there was great hopes of his Majesties signing to the four first Bills, namely, the recalling of his Proclamations and Declarations, Church government, Militia, and the businesse of Ireland; these foure are the first which they insist and treat upon, and it is hoped few dayes will produce the hapyy event and successe therof; which is the constant prayer of
By an Expresse further from the Isle of Wight it is advertized, That the King and the Commissioners are exceeding unanimous, concurring with each other, in the two first Bils; and it is said that his Majesty hath signed them; the one, for setling Religion; the other, for recalling all Declarations, and Proclamations, against his two Houses. The two chief Bils which they now insist on, is the businesse of Ireland, and the Militia.
It is reported, that the King hath knighted two of the Parliaments Commissioners, viz. Mr. Denzill Hollis Esquire, a member of the House of Commons, and Mr. Iohn Glin Recorder of the City of London.