WEE received upon Sa­turday, the 27. of this month, two votes pas­sed by the House of Commons, the one, a Declaration, that we had broken the Arti­cles upon the surren­der of Oxford. The o­ther, that wee should within ten dayes repair to the Sea side, and forthwith depart the Kingdome. Our desire to you is, that you would be pleased to acquaint the House with this our clear profession, That we were very far from any intention in our coming to, or being in this place, of giving offence to the Parliament, with whom we in­tended and hoped by the best means we could possibly use, to be better understood. And, Sir, we were very far from any thought that by our coming hither, we should break and lose the benefit of those Articles, by which we conceived we had good furtherance and ac­cesse, for the gaining that peace we much desired. Our apprehension concerning our liberty by those Articles, stood thus. The third Article particularly naming us, gives us, in the former part thereof, a liberty of repai­ring towards London: but with a limitation of not [Page]coming within 20 miles of the same: and the later part of that Article gives us the benefit of the ensuing Ar­ticles that may concern us. The limitation in the for­mer part of the Article, was set down when it was not known what liberty would be given to other per­sons: and because it was fore-seene, that possibly a fur­ther liberty, and other benefit might be obtained in the following Articles, (which after came to passe) this clause was asked and granted, That wee should have the same liberty and benefit with others. And wee are confident there was not an expression or thought, of putting us into a worse condition then all others: but we are sure of very many expressions to the contrary. And therfore, Sir, looking upon the 11. Article, where­by all persons in Oxford are comprised in this capitula­tion, (saving persons excepted) having estates reall or personall liable to sequestration, shall have liberty and the Generals Passe and protection, to go to London, to attend their compositions; or elswhere upon their ne­cessary occ [...]sions. And upon the twelft, that no per­sons included in this capitulation, (except persons be­fore mentioned to be excepted) shall bee molested or questioned for any thing said or done, concerning this war, submitting to composition: and the persons ex­cepted shall have the benefit of this Article during six months; and after, if they be admitted to, and agree for composition. And upon the thirteenth, That the per­sons excepted shall have liberty to repaire to London, to make their peace. And upon the ninth Article, if we should be looked upon as strangers, we are to have the benefit of the Articles. And upon our Passe from the Generall, giving expresse liberty to any place with­out any Limitation, or Restraint, wee did not [Page]doubt but that we had the liberty of this place: the be­nefit of our accommodation for the Ho [...]se, came more into our thoughts, th [...]n the distance or number of miles from London, of which we had no doubt at all. Sir, our earnest desire is, we may be understood to off [...]r all this, not by way of disputing with the Parliament, but as a most cleare evidence, that the u [...]termost of what wee have done in this, is very far from any wilfulnesse or purpose to offend the Parliament, & from any thought that we could thereby have prejudiced ourselves, ha­ving firmly resolved to our best power to assist and ad­vance the peace of this kingdome, and to give that re­gard that is just and due, to those that represent it. Ha­ving thus truly represented our own apprehensions, & not knowing the motives that induced the Parliament to those votes, we are not able (to our trouble) to know the way to give them further satisfaction; untill they be pleased to give us time and means that we may en­deavour it; which we cannot doubt to find from them that never faild to heare, before they finally judge, if they be asked it. Sir, you will do us a favour, if you will let us heare timely of this, being resolved not to cont [...]nue where the Parliament may have any thought we should not bee longer, then the first m [...]nute of our possible remov [...]ng. This Bearer will conveigh your favour unto us.

OVR earnest desire to your Lordship is, that you will be pleased to represent the House of Lords, that upon the clear apprehension that we had of the sense of the Articles, concerning the surrender of Oxford, and our Passe from the Generall; we repaired to Oatlands, as in our way, and for some time, a convenient distance for our ad­dresse to the Parliament. That as soone as we had received the Votes of the [Page]House of Commons, declaring that by our coming thither, we had broken the Articles, and commanding us within 10. dayes to repaire to the Sea side, and forthwith to depart the Kingdome, we did instantly resolve to remove from this place as soone as in any possibility we could, and to apply our selves to give them satisfaction concerning our coming thither, we beseech your Lord­ship to mak it knowne to the Lords in Parliament that if we could have con­ceived it would have given any of­fence, we would not have come thi­ther, and now upon knowledge that it hath, we are removiing, though we do not know wheither; your Lordships have taken our coming thither into consideration, yet have we ventured to offer your and their Lordships this trouble for prevention of any appre­hension [Page]they may have of any thoughts in us to do any thing that we could conceive might offend the House of Parliament, or hinder our selves from the happinesse of re­ceiving benefit or favour from them, which we value too much to loose, and which we will not faile to keepe, by our utmost best en­deavours▪ my Lords we are