A LETTER FROM HAMPTON-COVRT Containing The substance of His Majesties most Gracious ANSWER to the Propositions presented to him from both KINGDOMES.
WITH Twelve Proposals from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Councell of his ARMY.
Concerning the Kings Majesty, and his Friends that have adhered to him, which His Majesty doth better approve to treat of.
AND His Majesties PROPOSITIONS to the PARLIAMENT therein.
London printed for V, V. and are to be sold at the Exchange, Anno Dom. MDCXLVII.
A LETTER FROM HAMPTON-COƲRT, Containing The substance of His Majesties most Gratious Answer to the Propositions, presented to him from both Kingdomes.
THE Commissioners of both Kingdomes came hither on Tuesday night last September 7. instant, And delivered a letter to the rest of the Commissioners, whom they found here with His Majesty from both Houses of Parliament, that the said Propositions should be presented to the King that night & that the Scots Commissioners would be ther to joyn with them to present them to His Majesty.
They also shew'd the instructions from the Houses to their fellow Commissioners, which were to present them that night, and to certifie His Majesty that they were to expect a positive Answer thereunto within fix days. The Scots Commissioners were also here ready to joyn with ours in presenting them to His Majesty.
About five of the clock that night they all came to [Page 2]the King, The Prince Elector had been there but was returned to Richmond His Majesties Children were also there, who had dined with His Majesty that day, and the Countesse of Northumberland with them, and they were then with His Majesty being not at that time returned to Ston-House. And Mr. Maxvill was then come to the Court, who is Chamberline to His Majesty.
The Commissioners acquainted His Majesty with their Message from both Kingdomes, and desired audience, which His Majesty granted, and presently met them in one of the Chambers where His Majesty was with His Children: And there the Propositions were presented and read; And His Majesty told them that He would give them an Answer as soone as Hee could.
Then the King withdrew for some time, so that His Majesty went late to Supper that night, the Commissioners wrote letters to the Houses to acquaine them what was done, and what His Majesty said, and desired that they might all returne to the Parliament when His Majesty gave them a dispatch.
Wednesday September 8. Instant the King was up early in the morning, being very desirous to dispatch the Commissioners with all possible speede, his Majesty walked forth a little before Dinner, and so a little againe in the after-noone to refresh himselfe; Divers came from London, and else where, and some obtained leave to kisse His Majesties hand.
Thursday September 9. His Majesty called for the Commissioners and gave an Answer to them, which is to this effect.
That his Majesty takes notice of these Propositions to be very little differing from the former presented to [Page 3]him at Newcastle, to which his Maiesty returned Answer when he came to Holdenby, That his Maiesty conceives they cannot but take notice of the Propofals of the Army which all rationall men cannot but confesse are much more reasonable, and tending to a firme and settled peace, And therefore his Maiesty defires that Commissioners from the Parliament, and Commissioners from the Army, may be sent to His Majesty to treat with him upon the Proposals from the Army, That a firme peace may be settled.
This Thursday the 9. Instant, The Earle of Pembrooke, and Major generall Browne, returned with his Maiesties Answer betimes in the morning, for it was to late before they could returne over night, by reason of some things which were to be done by the Commissioners that night, The letter is directed to the Earle of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore, to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament (The like to the Scots Commissioners) His Maiesty is very confident that his Answer will give much satisfaction, And his Maiesty doth exceedingly approve of the proceedings of the Army.
Dated at Hampton Court, Septem. 9. 1647.
TWELVE Proposalls from his Excellency, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Councell of his Army, which his Majesty seems better to approve of, then any thing which hath hitherto been presented to him.
I.
AN Act to be passed to take away al coercive power, authority and jurisdiction of Bishops, and all [Page 4]other Ecclesiasticall Officers whatsoever, extending to any civill penalties upon any; & to repeal al Laws, wherby the Civil Magistracy hath been, or is bound, upon any Ecclesiasticall censure to proceed (ex officio) unto any civil penaltys against any persons so censured
II.
That there be a repeale of all Acts, or Clauses in any Act, enjoyning the use of the Book of Common Prayer, and imposing any penalties, for neglect therof, as also of all Acts or Clauses in any Act, imposing any penalties for not comming to Church, or for meetings elsewhere, for prayer, or other religious duties, excercises or Ordinances, and some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists, and Popish Recusants, and for disabling of them, and all Jesuities or Priests, from disturbing the State.
III.
That the taking of the Covenant be not inforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusers, whereby men might be constrained to take it against their judgements, or consciences, but all Orders or Ordinances tending to that purpose to be repealed.
IIII.
That (the things here before proposed, being provided, for setling and securing the Rights, Liberties, Peace, and safety of the Kingdome,) his Majesties person, his Queen, and Royall issue, may be restored to a condition of safety, Honour, and freedome in this Nation, without diminution to their personall Rights, or further limitation to the excercise of the Regall power then according to the particulars aforegoing.
V.
That a lesse number out of the persons excepted in the two first qualifications not exceeding five for the English) being nominated particularly by the Parliament, who (together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion, in the third qualification,) may be reserved to the further judgement of the Parliament, as they shall finde cause, All other excepted persons may be remitted from the exception, and admitted to Composition.
VI.
That the rates for all future Compositions may be lessened and limitted, not to exceed the severall propo rtions hereafter exprest respectively: That is to say. 1. For all persons formerly excepted, not above a third part. 2. For the late members of Parliament, under the first branch of the fourth qualification in the Propositions, a fourth part. 3. For other Members of Parliament, in the second and third branches of the same qualification a sixth part. 4. for the persons nominated in the said fourth qualification, and those included in the tenth qualification, an eighth part. 5. For all other included in the sixth qualification, a tenth part. And that reall Debts, either upon Record, or proved by witnesses, be considered and abared in the valuation of their estates in all the cases aforesaid.
VII.
That those who shall hereafter come to compound, may not have the Covenant put upon them, as a condition without which they may not compound, but in case they shall not willingly take it, they may passe their compositions without it.
VIII.
That the persons and Estates of all English, not worth two hundred pounds in Lands or Goods, be at liberty and discharged: And that the Kings meniall Servants, that neer took up Armes, but onely ettended his Person, according to their Offices, may be freed from Composition, or to pay (at most) but the proportion of one years Revenue, or a twentyeth part.
IX.
That in Order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the rates aforesaid, the Rents, Revenues, and other Dues, and Profits of all sequestred Estates whatsoever (except the Estates of such persons, who shall be continued under exception as before) be from henceforth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective tenants, occupants, and others, from whom they are due, for the space of six moneths following.
X.
That the Faith of the Army, or other sorces of the Parliament given in Articles upon surrenders to any of the Kings party, may be fully made good, and where any breach thereof shall appeare to have been made, full reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured, and the persons offending (being found out, may be compelled thereto.
XI.
That there may be a generall Act of Oblivion to extend unto all (except the persons to be continued in exception as before) to absolve from all Trespasses, Misdemeanors, &c. done in prosecution of the War, and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same, and to restore them to all priviledges, &c. belonging to other Subjects, provided, as in the fourth particular under the second generall head aforegoing concerning security.
XII.
And whereas there have been of late strong indevours & practices of a factious and desperate party, to imbroyle this kingdome in a new war, and for that purpose to induce the King, the Queen, and Prince, to declare for the sayd party, and also to excite and stirre up all those of the Kings late party to appeare and ingage for the same, which attempts and designes, many of the Kings party, (out of a desire to avoyd further misery to the Kingdome,) have contributed their indevours to prevent, (as for divers of them we have had particular assurance, (we doe therefore desire, that such of the Kings party who shall appeare to have expressed, and shall hereafter expresse that way their good affections to the peace and welfare of the Kingdome, and to hinder the imbroyling of the same in a new warre, may bee freed and exempted from compositions, or to pay but one years Revenue or a twentieth part