TWO PETITIONS OF The Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of the City of LONDON: Concerning Major Generall SKIPPON WITH The Parliaments Answer thereunto.
Also, the Declaration of the Committee of Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, or the five Reasons of their Armies comming into England.
And the last Newes from the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York.
⟨July 24⟩ London Printed for G. Beal, and are to be sold in the Old-Bayley, and neer Temple Bar, 1648.
A Full Relation of Prince and Duke of Yorke, and of the Prince his going into the North.
THe Duke of Yorke was invited aboard the revolted ships, at Helver sluce, where they gave him the best entertainment they could for him, after the banquet ended, the Duke would depart, but the Seamen perswaded him to the contrary crying him up Lo. high Admirall, his highnesse told them, he was unskilled in Marritainie affairs, and therefore would be evcused in person for staying aboard, then the seamen used more then ordinary importunity, to stay him to which the Duke could not but give way for a time, saying he would give his possitive answer the next day, at which time a petition was presented to his highnesse shewing that they had adventured, their lives and fortunes for the Kings Majesty and h [...]s highnesse, and intended to continue their constant service, in that businesse, and did therefore most humbly beseech [Page 2] his highnesse to continue aboard that fleet which would not onely be a great encouragement unto them but would also be an occasion to some of their fellowes, now absent to come and joyn with them which might be a means, to bring the opposers to comply upon such conditions as were reasonable, the Duke after some pause and advice taken with P. Maurice, Sir Iohn Barkley & others necessaries they wanted and set out with the next wind and the Saylors which run in the full strain of the Officer [...] say that they will lye about the Downes and take Merchants ships as they come in or out.
The P. of Wales crme from Callis into the low Countries in a Holland man of War, and was attended by the L. Gerrard, L. Culpepper, L. Ratham and L. Iermin and about a hundred more Lords and Gentlemen, and their attendrnts most of them will go along with his highnesse another voyage which is reported to be upon the North of England the estates of Holland furnished his highnesse with a gallant man of War for his passage some say they have freely given it him others that he hyers it, and another to attend her.
On Satturday the 22 of this instant July a Petition was presented to the Lords and another to the Commons from the L. Major Aldermen and Common-councell of the City of London; that the Lords was directed thus.
To the Right Honourable the Lords assembled in Parliament.
The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of
London.
SHewing that they acknowledge mans favours, already received from that honorable house and their care to preserve the City in unity and peace for which they return humble thanks to their Lordships, and further setting forth that the Lord Major and Aldermen and Commons in Common-councell assembled on Friday last had a long debate concerning the peace and safety of the City, and did apprehend some eminent dangers by reason of Listing and raising of Forces according to certain votes formerly past that honourable house for giving power to Major General Skippon, and therefore they humbly pray the recalling of the said votes, and that there be no Listing of men o [...] Officers entertained without the advice of the City and consent of the Militia of the City of London. After the Petition was read and debated the petitioners were called into the house, and the Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore gave an answer thus.
‘MY Lords have commanded me to give you thanks for the acknowledgment in the Petition of the care this House hath of the peace and prosperity of the City of London, They have also considered of the incoveniencies mentioned in the petition, in order to the peace and quiet thereof, which inconveniences were not apprehended by that house at the passing of the Votes concerning Major Generall Skippo [...] for listing of Forces, but finding that the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of the City, doe in their petition apprehend such inconveniency thereof, their Lordships will use their best endevours to recall the said Votes, and do as much as in them lies to prevent any thing that may disturbe the peace of the City of London, who have given so much testimony of their fidelity to the Parliament.’
The Declaration of the Commitee of Estates of the Parliament of Scotland was this day extant, in which they declare as followeth:
1. We declare before God and the World, that we are resolved sincerely, really, and constantly to maintain and preserve inviolably with the hazard of our lives and fortunes, and all that is dearest unto us, the Reformation of Religion, in Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, as it is by the mercy of God and his Majesties goodnesse established by law amongst us, and never to suffer it by fraud or force to be taken from us, nor yet to indure the bringing in of Episcopacy, the Book of Common prayer, or any other of these innovasions & superstitions thrown out of this Church, as some have bin so impudent to aver.
We doe also declare, That we will endeavour the rescue of his Maj. person from his base imprisonment, that he may come with honour; freedom and safety to some of his owne houses in or neare London, that the Parl. of both Kingdoms may make their appl cations to him, for obtaining his royall assent to such desires as shall be by them presented unto him, for establishing Religion, and setling a well grounded peace that, so all differences and troubles may end, and the King enjoy his royall Consort and Children, with other contentments, and we after so great distractions and long continued sufferings may reape the blessed fruits of tru h and peace under his Go [...]ernment.
3. That the two houses of Parliament may be restored to their freedome, that all Members who have been faithfull to this cause may freely and safely attend their charges, thot the Parliament being Masters of their own councels and resuits, they may together with the consent and advice of the Kingdom of Scotland conclude in a treaty with his Majesty, all other things expedient to a thorough settlement,
4. That the City of London which hath expended so much in blood and treasure, may have their former propositions, presented to the King at Oxford and Newcastle, and prest as was formerly intended.
5. That the Army of Sectaries, under the command of Thomas L. Fairfax of Camron, be disbanded and none imployed either in relation of the prosecution of the war in Ireland, or the necessary [Page] Garrisons and Forces, but such as have or shall take the Covenant and are well affected to Religion, and Government, that so the people of England may be cased of Taxes, free quarter, and other great impositions, under which they have so long groaned. And although the interest of Religion, the King and Kingdom, and a setling of a solid peace be the cause of this undertaking, yet we doe not doubt, but due regards will be had to the concernments of Scotland, contained in our severall former Demands, b [...]th in relation to what is due to this Kingdom, and their Armies here and in I [...]eland, and also what is necessary for the better safety, union, and Government of the Kingdomes.