I Was sent unto the King on Fryday last, to desire the Parliament to give way to him to see his Chil­dren; And that they might for that purpose be sent to him, If I may be bold humbly to offer my opinion, I think the allowance of such a thing may be without the least prejudice to the Kingdom, and yet gain more upon his Maj. then denying it; and if it be in the pray­ers of every good man, that his heart may be gained, the performance of such civilities to him is very suta­ble to those desires, and will hear well with all men, who (if they can imagine it to be their own case) can­not but be sorry, if his Maj. naturall affection to His Children, in so small a thing should not be complyed with; and if any question should be concerning the as­surance of their return, I shall ingage for their return within what time the Parliament shall limit.

Upon this occasion, give me leave, I beseech you, to take notice of some reports spread abroad, as if my selfe, and the Officers of the Army were upon some under hand contract, or bargain with the King; and from thence occasion is taken to slander our integri­ties, and endeavour a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army, the fidelity of which to the Parliament and Kingdom, and their affection to it, are the great objects of many mens Envies, because they see nothing so likely to settle Right and Freedom with Truth and Peace to Us and Posterity, and to hin­der their Designes against the same, as an harmony or good accord between the Parl. and Army, which is the joy of good men, and it shall be our study to pre­serve against all Designs and Designers to the contra­ry. To prevent therefore all misunderstandings of that kind, I thought with all clearnesse to declare unto you, That we have done nothing, nor shall doe any thing, which we desire to hide from you or the world or shall not avow to the faces of our greatest Adver­saries. Our Desires concerning a just consideration or settlement of the Kings Rights (his Majesty first gi­ving his concurrence to settle and secure the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome) we have already pub­likely declared in our Representation and Remon­strance. Since the first of those Papers sent unto the Parl. there haue been severall Officers of the Army upon several occasions sent to his Majesty, the first to present to him a Copy of the Representation, and af­ter that some others to tender him a Copy of the Re­monstrance; upon both which, the Officers sent were appointed to clear the sence and intention of any thing in either Paper, whereupon his Maj. might make any [Page]question. Since then, there have also been some Offi­cers at severall times sent to his Majesty about His remove from Hatfield, to disswade (if possibly) from Windsor, or any place so neare London, to some place of further distance, answerable to what we had desi­red of the Parliament.

In all which addresses to his Majesty, We care not who knowes what hath bin said, or done; for as We have nothing to bergain for or aske, either from His Majesty or the Parl. for advantage to our selves, or a­ny particular party or interest of our own, so in all those addresses to his Majesty, we have utterly dis­claimed and disavowed any such thing, But the onely intent and effect of those our addresses hath beene, to desire his Maj. free concurrence with the Parlament, for establishing and securing the common Rights and Liberties, and setling the Peace of the Kingdom; and to assure him, that (the Publique being so provided for, wi [...]h such his Maj. concurrence) it is fully agree­able principles, and should be desirous and endevour, That (with and in such setling of the Publique) the Rights of his Majesties Royall Family should be also provided for, so as a lasting peace might be setled in this Nation. And that as we had publikely declared for the same in generall termes, so (if things came to a way of settlement we should not be wanting (in our sphaeras) to one that generall desire, in any particu­lars of naturall or civil right to his Maj. Person or Family, which might not prejudice, or again indanger the Publique: and in the mean time, that his Majesty should find all personall civilities and respects from us, with all reasonable freedom that might stand with safety, and with the trust or charge lying upon us concerning his person.

You have here the utmost fum of what hath passed from us to his Majesty; and we could wish all men did rightly understand (without misrepresentation) e­very particular wherein (as we know nothing not a­greeable to Reason, Justice, Honesty or Conscience, so we thought our selves concerned the rather to say & do, as we have towards his Majesty since he came within our quarters, because of those common pre­judices suggested against us, as if we were utter Ene­mies to Monarchy, and all civill Order of Govern­ment.

And for that particular of the Duke of Richmond, and the two Chaplaines lately permitted to attend his Majesty, it was not done without much reluctancy, because therein we doubted we might be misunder­stood by the Kingdoms best friends.

But upon his Majesties continuing importunity for it (as a thing very nearly concerning his inward & outward con­rentment; and conceiving those persons su [...] (as we hoped) would not doe ill Offices to prejudice the Peace of the king­dome, we did give away to it, and the persons (before they came had notice of the permition: And as we then thought so we still doe think that to allow him some such [...] any of persons least dangerous, whome former accquaintance make him take pleasure in, and the allowance of some such Chaplains of his own, are things both reasonable and just; and the debarring of that liberty in the latter) We doubt wil but make him more prejudiced against other Ministers.

In generall Wee humble conceive, that to avoid al harsh­nesses and afford all kinde usage to his Majesties Person in things consisting with the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom is the most christian Honourable and prudent way, Wee think that tendor equitable and moderate dealing both to­wards his Majestie, his Royall Family, and his late party, [Page][so far as may stand with safety to the Kingdome and se­cureity to our common Rights and Liberties] is the most hopefull course to take away the seedes of war, or future Fends amongst us for posterity, and to precure a lasting Peace and Agreement in this now distracted Nation,

Thus have I given you the utmost summe of what hath passed betwixt the Kings most excellent Majesty, and his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, concerning his Majesties Desires touching the coming downe of His Children, being very importinant to see them, and it is hoped it will not be denyed, by reason that the Generall hath engaged for their safe return. Here is a gallant Court, and his Majesty very cheerfull, being attended with many brave gallants. The Duke of Rich mond behaveth himself with much civility, and in great favour with the King.

Thus for the pres [...]ur, I remain