A JOYFULL MESSAGE For all Loyall SUBJECTS: SENT From the Kings Majesties Royall Court at Causam, touching divers great and Remarkable Passages herein contained.
TOGETHER, With the Armies Propositions, concerning the raising of Forces, and continuing of Bodies, to the apparant hazard of a new Warre.
AS ALSO, His Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax's Proclamation concerning the raising of new Forces.
London, Printed for Iohn Terrie, Anno Dom. 1647.
The last NEWES From the Kings Majesties Royall Court at Cawsam; Sent in a Letter from a Gentleman residing at the Court, to his friend in London.
YOur last I have received, dated July 10 wherein I find many earnest expressions, touching the proceedings of this present Treaty. And whereas you desire to be a partaker of our intelligence in these parts, I shall here faithfully impart unto you, that [Page] which is of greatest concernmene, and most desired by the whole Kingdome, viz.
The Kings Majesty doth not seeme (as yet) to alter His Resolution, or to remove His Court from Causam, but is resolved to stay there some certaine dayes longer, in expectation and hopes of having the Duke of Yorke, and the rest of His Children sent down to Him, for the obtaining of which, the Generall hath sent a Letter to the Honourable Houses of Parliament assembled at Westminster, intimating the earnest desires of his Majesty therein; but (as yet) I do not heare what answer hath been returned, concerning the said Desires, expressed in his Excellencies Letter.
But this much I can assure you, that the whole Court in generall are prompt up with much confidence, and do absolute believe, that his Majesties Desires will bee satisfied, and that his Children (whom he so earnestly desire to see) will be speedily sent to him. Yet it is rumoured here, that the Parliament desires a convenient place may be appointed neerer London, to the intent, His Majesty may advance thither, for the visiting of his Children.
But his Majesty resides here as yet, being gallantly accomadated, in all respects whatsoever, which gives great satisfaction and contentment to his Majesty, occasioned by the civill behaviour, and gallant expressions of divers loyall and faithfull Subjects now attending his Royall Person; for seldome hath it [...]in seen, (of late dayes) that his Majesty was ever more mery or lightsome then now, being joyfull to see his Subjects flock about Him, and doth not deny any one to salute his Hand.
[Page] Here is much resorting to the Court, both from City, Towne, and Country, and many desires to kisse His Majesties Hand: Divers are admitted into His Majesties Chamber, and presenting themselves before him, he puts forth his hand for them to kisse.
His Majesty is very courteous and respective to all that comes neer him, which causeth great tryumph and joy throughout the whole Counties adjacent. He hath within few dayes, touched abundance for the Kings Evill, and cured many.
His Majesty betakes himself much to Reading and Study, and oftentimes confers with his two Chaplains Doctor Hammond, and Doctor Shelden, who gives him great satisfaction in many quaeries and Proposals, propounded by his Majesty.
As also, concerning divers scruples and objections, touching the present Government of the Church of England.
The Duke of Richmond behaves himself very gallantly here, and the King takes great delight in his company. And therefore for his Excellencies assenting & permition to have the said Peer and two Chaplains come to the Court (according to his Majesties desire) was a a very honourable and prudent way: And according to his Excellencies own words; That a moderate dealing towards His Majesty, His Royall Family, and His late Party, so farre as may stand with security of common Rights, is the most hopefull course to take away the Seeds of Warre amongst Us for Posterity, and to procure a firme and lasting Peace; for the effecting whereof, and for the propagation of the Gospell of Truth and Peace, it is hoped that neither the hearts of Soveraign and Subjects will be wanting therein.
[Page] Thus having given you a just Account (as neare as I can) of the proceedings here at Court, touching the Kings Majesty, I shall in the next place present to you the Copy of a Proclamation, set forth by his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, as followeth.
A Proclamation of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, to prevent tumultuous and unlawfull Assemblies of Persons disaffected to the Publique Peace.
WHereas I am informed, that divers ill-affected to the Parliament and peace of this Kingdome, have taken and do take upon them to raise Forces, and with high threats and menaces terrifie the peaceable people, and such as are well-affected to the Parliament, who have in all these warres stood firme to the common interest of this Kingdome and do further in a violent manner offer to displace divers honest and godly Ministers setled by the Parliament with very much other unwarr [...]ntable practises and all under the name and pretence of doing service to this Army.
Now forasmuch as it is manifest these things are done by such men who are ready to take all advantages (notwithstanding any pretence whatsoever) of the present unsettlement of affaires to cast the Kingdome into new troubles. I do hereby declare my utter dislike of all such attempts and practises; and that if hence-forward any such persons shall presume to attempt the disturbance of the peace of this Kingdome, I shall endeavour by all good meanes to prevent and suppresse the same.
And furthermore, that I will assist and stand by those who are really affected to the peace and weale of the Kingdome, to protect and defend them from the violence and wrong that may be offered to them by any persons as aforesaid. Given under my Hand at Reading the 7. of July, 1647.
A Declaration or Representation sent to His Excellency Sir T. Fairfax by the Agitators for the Northern Army.
THat whereas your Excellencies Petitioners having for some few yeares past served the Parliament and Kingdome in the late unnaturall warres, and having undergone the same with all cheerfulnesse and read [...]nesse: notwithstanding the sad discontentment & sad sufferings which we have undergone being not at all so thereby discouraged as to manifest any visible distemper, or unwillingnesse unto the aforesaid Service, our conditions being at present so uncertain, that we know not to whom to repair as our chiefe Conductor and by reason of the same, we are exposed to an incapacity of being made partakers of the fruits of our wearied travels and dangerous services, out of the experience that we had of your Excellencies care for the satisfaction and preservation both of Souldiers and Subjects, we are emboldned to present these as followeth.
That your Excellency would be pleased to make our satisfaction and preservation, the object of your Excellencies care together with the Army at present under your Excellencies command and resident with you.
That to the end we may be exempted from further obedience to any other command then what may conduce for the obtaining of our just dues and priviledges the establishing of the peace of the Kingdome, and with which your Excellencies advice and approbation shall concur.
That your Excellency would be pleased to recommend this annexed Representation of our Desires to the Parliament, to prevent misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and the Souldiers of this Kingdome, for the obtaining of their just desires, and putting an end to these present distractions.
Assented to by each severall and respective Regiment throughout the whole Army.
The Armies new Propositions.
FIrst, that there is nothing done with effect, notwithstanding the Votes of the House to the dispiersing of the Reformado-Officers, who still continue in and about London, ready to head Forces to the apparent hazard of a new Warre.
2. That notwithstanding the Votes of the House for the speedy sending into Ireland, or disbanding those Forces which left the Army, and their speciall order to the Committee at Derby house to take speedy care therein, yet they are still in continued Bodies in & about the City of London, and as it is said, more Forces are dayly listing, pretending the service of Ireland.
3. That notwithstanding the Votes of the House of the tenth of June, and those since of the 5. of July, for the present purging the House, divers persons comprised, in those Votes, continue still to sit there. Thus having given you a satisfactory answer, according to your Request, I remain.