The Humble PETITION OF Many Officers lately drawne from the Army for the service of IRELAND, In the behalfe of themselves, and their Souldiers, TO HIS EXCELLENCY Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, Captaine Generall of the Army raised by Authority of both Houses of PARLIAMENT.

Shewing the Reasons why, and how they were drawn off. With a Vindication of them­selves against the scandals raised by some of his Excellencies Army since their drawing off.

Also, a Letter annexed from the Generall to the severall Regiments inducing them to engage in that Honourable and just warre.

⟨July 8 th⟩ LONDON, Printed by E. Griffin. 1647.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, Generall of the Army raised by the Authority of both Houses of PARLIAMENT, The humble Petition of the Officers of the severall Regiments lately drawne off Your Excellencies Army for the service of Ireland: in the behalfe of themselves and their Souldiers.

Sheweth,

THat your Petitioners formerly mem­bers of your Army, by your Ex­cellencies countenance and encou­ragement did draw off and engage our selves and souldiers for the service of Ireland; and since that contrary to our expectation, and as we humbly conceive, your Excellencies knowledge, there hath been very high affronts offered unto us by some of [Page 30]your Excellencies Army that came into our quarters, and by a pretended authority from your Excellency, and a speciall order from some of the chiefe Commanders in your Excellencies Army, as they alledged, did [...]t that time draw away many of our Souldiers, and have by false and scandalous suggestions and misinformation endeavoured to seduce, corrupt, and draw away many more, as doth appeare by the late losse of five Companies, and the great discouragement of all the rest from that service, which your Ex­cellency endeavoured so much to promote, ma­nifested by that never to be forgotten expression which then fell from your Excellency; That rather then the service of Ireland should be neglected or re­tarded, you would willingly traile a Pike your selfe: And whereas it is by some persons or pamphlets spread abroad, declaring that we deserted the Army meerely on purpose to make a party to stand in opposition to the Army, and so to involve and ingage this Kingdome in another bloody warre: which our consciences tell us to the con­trary; and to give your Excellency and the world satisfaction, we call God the sear [...]er of [...]l hearts to witnesse for us, that such a [...] never entered in, or came neere ou [...] [...]ug [...] neither doe we know of any such incli [...]n [...] have had such intimation from any of our superi­ours, or from any others in the whole world.

We therefore make it our humble suite to your Excellency, That as we have all [Page 5]along served your Excellency in your just undertakings for the welfare of this King­dome, with all integrity and fidelity, we may not now be looked upon as enemies, but as well wishers to the peace of this Kingdome; and now ready, if not obstru­cted, with our lives and fortunes to endea­vour the reliefe of bleeding Ireland. And to that purpose we further beseech your Excellency to give command that no in­terception be made, or interruption given to any person or persons imployed to Lon­don or to the Parliament upon our affairs, by any of your Excellencies Army, but that at all times free passage may be allowed to your Petitioners,

And as in duty bound we shall pray for your Excellencies happinesse, &c.
  • VVilliam Harbert, Colonell.
  • John Melvin, Lieut-col.
  • Richard Lundy, Major.
  • Captains.
    • Nathaniel Short
    • Barthol. Helbye
    • John Dunklin
    • Charles Awbery
    • Thomas Morgan
  • VVil. Mathews, Cap. Lieut.
  • Lieut.
    • Thomas Ʋahan
    • VValter Brough
    • VVil. Hodskins
    • Peter VVinchester
    • Richard Onyon
    • Edward Loe
  • Ensignes.
    • James Short
    • VVilliam East
    • VVilliam Hall
    • Thomas Robins
    • John Stampe
    • John VVilliams
    • Math. Maderson
    • Thomas Hodskins
  • [Page 6]Nich. Kempson, Col.
  • Christ. Packham, Lieut. col.
  • Fran. Dormer, Major.
  • Capt.
    • Robert Fish
    • Alexand. Frye
    • Geo. Masters
    • Abrah. Clerke
    • Francis VVels
    • Lindsey Sbarples
    • Stephen Coyne
    • John Bissill
  • Lieut.
    • Robert Dormer
    • Thomas Moone
    • Jarvis Marrey
    • George Hope
    • Timothy Clare
  • Ensignes.
    • Robert Chaffe
    • Andrew Fine [...]
    • Robert Batts
    • Bryan Elton
    • John Mackellan
    • David Hollan
    • Robert Cloake
SIR,

WHereas at the last meeting of the Offi­cers of this Army at Saffron Walden I declared in the presence of the Lords and Commons Commissioners of Parliament to all the Officers then present; as also to such Officers as have since that time come to the Head-quarters, that they should make known to their severall Regiments the intention of the Parliament to send a considerable force of such of their Army that are willing to goe into Ire­land for the reducing of that Kingdome, desi­ring them also to make known my desire to ad­vance that service, and to prevent any hinde­rance thereof; and that if any Officers stand not disposed to engage in person in that imploy­ment, yet that they should promote it, in ma­king known my desire and the Votes of both Houses, for the encouragement of such as should [Page 8]engage in that service: I doe therefore desire you to publish this Letter, together with the said Votes, by reading the same unto your Regi­ment. In expectation whereof I remaine

Walden, April 18. 1648.
Your assured friend, FAIRFAX.
FINIS.

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