A DECLARATION OF HIS EXCELLENCIE THE Lord Generall Fairfax: TO THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of the City of LONDON;
CONCERNING The Military Government of this Kingdom, and the setling of Peace throughout all His Majesties Realmes and Dominions.
WITH His Excellencies Desires to the Citizens, to joyn with Him therein, against all Opposition whatsoever.
PVblished by Authority from His Excellency, the Lord Generall Fairfax.
LONDON: Printed for C. W. and are to be sold at the Royall Exrhange in Cornhill. 1648. ⟨8 ber y e 23 th⟩
THE DECLARATION Of the Lord Generall FAIRFAX: SENT To the Right Honorable, the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of the City of London.
IN the carrying on of the great businesses of the Kingdome towards a general and happy settlement, it hath been a fixed principle with Us, to make it our first endeavour with the Parliament, that all things which threaten an Engagement of the Kingdom in a second War might be removed, before we could [Page 2]have a confident expectation of a good issue: which upon a Treaty with their Commissioners, which course of ours, although it might have some appearance of delay, yet by men that are zealous of the Kingdoms good (we hope) no endeavour will be judged unnecessary, that may secure the Kingdome from the danger of any new embroylments.
We are now come thus far, that the most material particulars which we have in preparation to propose for the generall settlement of the affaires of the kingdom, have been communicated to the Parliament; and we hope they are satisfied, that they contain in them things tending to a generall good, and to lay an hopefull Foundation for Common Right and Freedome to the people of this Land for future, and for a lasting peace amongst us.
But before we can securely intend, and without interruption apply our selves unto the proceedings and dispatch of the Treaty, thereupon we have delivered into the hands of the Commissioners, the paper which consists of three particulars, in the last wherof (which is the Militia of the City) you being most concerned therein, to the end you may see we would ask nothing which relates to you, without giving you a just account thereof, and all possible satisfaction therein. We should not desire this, or any thing else of that nature, were we not derswaded, that what we desire is seasonable, and for yours, and the Kingdomes good and quiet.
And we should willingly have been silent (as to this) but considering the just jealousies which lye against some persons now authorized in the exercise of that [Page 3]power, and those attempts which have been made by some, who would have engaged your City to a War, had not your Lordship, the Court of Aldermen, and Common councell by your wisdome prevented it. We cannot in a case of this importance, but deal faithfully with you, in desiring your concurrence with ours, &c. And that if the interest we have so long fought for be still the same, let it not seem strange that we desire of the Parliament and City, that those may be in places of Trust, who have given the best proofe of their courage and constancy in prosecution of the same. Having thus far declared our selves with all freedom and clearnesse to you, as we do not your good a [...]ceptance of your intention therein, so we desire your forwardnesse in a work so much tending to mutuall confidence, and to prevent the designes of any who would be glad to put obstructions in the way to a happy conclusion, and envy nothing more then the continuance of a right understanding between you and Us.
By the appointment of his Excellency the Lord. Generall Fairfax, and his Councell of War.
This Paper of mutuall Amity and Concord comming to my hands, I thought it requisit to re-publish it again to the world; to the end, that all men whatsoever may cleerly discern the reall and candid intentions of the Army towards this City; who notwithstanding the antiquity thereof (bearing date July 19. 1647.) yet may serve anew (as a Record of same) to witnesse their integrity, and convince all those who endeavour to foment new divisions between the City and Army.
Vale.
The further proceedings of the Army.
VVHereas, we the Officers and Souldiers under the immediate command and conduct of his Excellency the Lord Gen. Fairfax, do declare, That we are as desirous of a safe and wel grounded peace, and that a finall end were put to all the troubles and miseries of the Common-wealth, as any sor [...] of men whatsoever: Yet considering,
1 That there is no justice done against the Abettors of the late Rebellion, as Holland, Buckingham, Laughorn, Poyer, and their Accomplices: or of the Confederates with the Apostate Scots: and indeed little Instice by the Parliament done upon any Offenders of that kind. By which we have too much cause to fear, that there may be a party in the Parliament abetting and correspoding with (if not guilty of) the same Designs.
2 That notwithstanding the King hath betrayed the trust reposed in him, and raised war against this Nation to inslave it, violating his Oaths, and trampling underfoot our Laws (then which no Engagement now taken can be more binding:) notwithstanding he is guilty of all the bloud-shed in these intestine wars, as may appear by his own confession in his late agreeing to the Parl. first proposition: being also a person who was so far concluded uncapable to govern, that the Parl. voted that no addresse should be made to him. There is yet a prevalent party of his Creatures, who in parliament and else where, act His Design, and are (as we conceive) the Authors of our present Distractions.
3 That through the evill designes and practises of the foresaid party, the intollerable burthen of free quarter is continued upon the people notwithstanding the unreasonable [Page 5]taxes daily extorted from them, in the name of pay for the Army: By which means we are not only rendered odious to others, but a burthen to our selves, not being able to cloth our selves, shoe our horses, or free our Arms.
We therefore cannot think any thing can be safely done in order to a peace, untill some speedy and effectnall course be taken, which we humbly desire your Excellency will be pleased to your utmost power, to endeavour, 1 That there may be a strict scrutiny, for the more full discovery of such persons as were contrivers or encouragers of the Rebellions aforesaid, and that Justice speedily be executed on them according to the late Orders of Parliament. 2 That impartiall and speedy Justice may be done upon all criminal persons, and especially upon such as have or shal endevor to obstruct the course thereof, or have betrayed their trust, or bin Authors of shedding that innocent bloud, which calls to Heaven for vengeance, that so we may be at peace with God. 3 That the same fault may have the same punishment, in the person of King or Lord, as in the person of the poorest Commoner. 4 That all such may be proceeded against as Traytors, who act or speak in the Kings behalf, till he shall be acquitted of the guilt of shedding innocent bloud. 5 That the Army may speedily have their pay, or a present course be taken against those who unjustly with-hold it; and that they may have the Arrears due since Ian. 15. before they be ordered to pay quarters, and effectuall provision made for the payment of former Arreares. 6 That the intollerable oppression of free quarter be immediatly taken off, and that for the time to come whilest there is necessity for an Army, there may be [Page 6]Assignations given to each Regiment, Troop & Company, which may be cōstant during the establishments of the Army, that the money may not passe from hand to hand till it is half imbezelled, but be paid immediatly from the Countries to the Soldiery, that so all free quarter for ever avoided, it may return from the Souldier to the Country-man again.
And now fearing lest the inveterate malice of our adversaries should asperse us with a design to destroy Magistracy and propriety; we cannot but declare, that we shal constantly indevour to defend them both with our lives and fortunes, and in expectation of your Excellencies favor in the premises, we shall ever pray, &c.
Subscribed in the name of the Officers and Souldiery of Army, and commanded to be printed, and communicated to the Free-born subjects of England, within the Cities of London and Westminster, the Liberties thereof, and all other Cities, Corporations, and Market Towns, within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales.