LAst weeke I had not leisure to in­large my selfe, and apprehending yesterday by your Friends dis­course, that it were a matter of charity to settle your opinions, take what I write for certaine: Yesterday the Generall removed from Uxbridge to wickham. This Retreat staggers many Roy­allists, who (for the most part) expected and wished for an immediate in-rode to the City, with a present dissolution of this Parliament, and makes them feare, as if the Army meant to give over those Resolutions, which assure your selfe they will maintaine to a tittle, and imme­diately settle the Kingdome. Give me leave to state the policie of proceedings unto you, thus:

The Army having declared and remonstrated highly against a prevailing Faction (which is indeed the Scottish-Presbyteriall Partie, and drive on their Interest in this Nation, to the prejudice of the Publike, for their owne pri­vate ends, under a pretence of Reformation) in the House; and having impeached the Heads of that Party in a publike Charge, it was ne­cessary they should appeare resolute in Action, as well as Declaration; and therefore thought the onely expedient to quicken things to a pe­riod, was an approach to the City, (not to enter it, or prejudice it in the least measure, onely to lye about it at a competent Neigh­bourhood) till satisfaction were given in all particulars, or (at least) things put in a way conducing thereto.

This Resolution certified by Letters from the Councell of Warre, dated from Saint Al­banes to the Parliament and City, rang an A­larm in every corner; and that very afternoon the Lord Maior summoning a Common Coun­cell, it was unanimously agreed by the whole Heard (though all Presbyters) to act nothing that might represent the face of a New Warre, in opposition to the Army, but rather to comply with them in all respects; and to that purpose they went and desired the Houses to give them leave to stand noutrall, and become Mediators with the Army; which being assented to, they dispatched away Commissioners of their owne, [Page 3]to lye Leiger with the Generall, where they still remaine.

The City thus leaving the Faction in the lurch (like Covenant-breakers, say our State Divines in every Pulpit) it was time for the Impeached Members to adjourne; but unwil­ling to have an inglorious Exit, they resolved upon one maine lift ere they parted, to over­throw the Designe of the Army; for, knowing well (howsoever they and their Priests pretend the Proceedings of the Army as Anti-Parlia­mentary to the people) that the Armies ay me is not to goe against this Parliament by closing with the King without Them (which would sound ill in History hereafter, being they were an Army first raised by Them;) but first to make termes with the Parliament, in behalfe of the King, Themselves and the King­dome (which will now be freed from all Scottish Incroachments under pretence of Reforming,) and then to carry the King into his Throne, through Parliament, upon their owne shoul­ders: Those Impeached Grandees (I say) know­ing this, indeavoured with all their might in the House (if possible) to adjourne or dissolve the Parliament by Vote; and so besides an im­pediment to the Designe of the Army, hoped to leave the scandall of it upon the Army, by pretending it was occasioned for feare of Them.

But this Plot not taking, they thought meet in the close of the day to bid good night; which Hollis did first to this sence, that rather then he would betray himselfe to a suspition of guilt, by standing out upon a Plea of Parliamentarie Pri­viledge against the impeachment, he did willing­ly consent (according to the demand of the Ar­my) that himselfe and partners might refraine from the House, and come to a Tryall; which they would attend a moneths space in expecta­tion here to acquit themselves; and if it were not effected in that time, that then the House would be pleased to permit them to travell. According to this they have all agreed and ab­sented themselves ever since, lurking still in Towne for a good houre: But so sharp an accu­sation is drawne by the Army in particulars (which will be punctually proved) to manage the Tryall, that I suppose as soone as it comes in at one Court of Guard, they will out at a­nother to take the Aire beyond Berwick: So that now the Faction being flat, the Votes begin alrea­dy to shrinke to the other side, insomuch as it is resolved by both Houses, that they doe owne the Army as Theirs, and will take care that they be provided for, and paid from time to time.

Now, things standing thus, that the Army hath brought the City to their owne Bow, quelled the adverse partie, hush't all preparati­ons or thought of a new Warre, and all this by the meere noise of an approach, and having all [Page 5]parts (and most hearts) of the Kingdome be­sides, firmly devoted to them, they judged it convenient so farre to comply both with the Parliament and City, who have thus fairly com­plyed with them, as to remove at more distance, that they may lessen all Jealousies, and not be burthensome by raising the price of Victuall in London; and also to Parle of such expedients, as may tend to a speedie Allay of all distem­pers, by setling the King in his just Rights, the Subject in due Libertie, and the whole King­dome in Tranquillity and Vnity.

Let this be one Argument to confirm you in an opinion of their well meaning toward the King, because they can have no lasting assu­rance of what they aime at, without the Royall Assent in Parliament: And also it highly con­cernes them to see him re-instated with Free­dome, Honour, and full Authority that the grea­ter reverence may be given to those Acts, which shall be provided for, in behalfe of themselves and the whole People.

And thus (Sir) because you are my Father, I have adventured (though in haste. cursorily) to give you a Breviat of the whole scope of Affaires, for the satisfaction of your selfe and friends.

The King was Voted back againe to Holdenby (which very Vote breeds all this Jealousie of the Armies deserting Him;) but he being un­willing that way, Windsore Castle was judged [Page 6]most convenient (according to the Kings de­sire) if so bee His Majesty conceived that the very name of a Castle would not cause scandall, and create a new Jealousie. Howsoever the King lodges this night at Windsor, and Commissio­ners both from the Parliament and Army, are met together at Uxbridge, to draw things to particular Heads, in order to a composure of all differences, and a speedy setling the Peace of the Kingdome.