The Kings MAJESTIES Desires and Propositions To His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, concerning the preservation and safety of His Majesties Royall Person.
HAving by my last intimated unto you the resolution and desires of the Army, being the chiefest particulars upon which we then insisted, I shall breviate my self (at this instant) in those occurrents, & (briefly) instance the late actions and proceedings of the Armie, touching their just Rights and Fundamentall Liberties of themselves and the Kingdome, to the Honourable Houses of Parli [...]ment assembled at westminster; [Page] but before I proceed to the main branch, bee pleased to take notice of one thing very remarkable, which I will remonstrate unto you, as followeth.
On Munday night about eight of the clock, we were advertised, that his Majesty had lately sent a message to the Generall, desiring, First, that Hee may reside at Newmarket Secondly, That all differences may be composed in love, without any more bloud-shed. A [...]d thirdly, that His Royall Person may bee preserved with honour and safety.
His Majestie remaines (as y [...]t) at Newmarket, u [...]der the same command as formerly, Col Whalley commanding in chiefe, but some flying rumours, with unfortunate wings, doth daily make their approach within our Campe, insomuch that divers of the Souldierie (both Horse and Foot) are much perplexed, to see and behold the incre [...]se of division and discord, in the hearts of those, who formerly were united as one man, with one heart and one mind, For some part of the Souldiery desires that all things may be composed in love, and that his Majesty may reside and bee disposed of, according to the wil and pleasure of both houses of Parliament. But the major part are likely to prevaile in that particular. God grant that all differences may be speedily composed, and the Kingdome set, that so Peace and Truth may flourish within this distressed and languishing Kingdome.
But to be briefe (Time drawing to a period) I shall now insist upon the Resolution and Representation of the Armie, drawn up into eight Heads, and to be communicated to the Honourable Houses of Parliament which are as followeth:
The last Propositions, proposed by his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, to both houses of Parliament.
I. THat the Houses may be speedily purged of such members, as for their Delinquencie, or for Corruptions, or abuse to the State, or undue elections, ought not to sit there; whereof the late elections in Cornwall Wales, & other parts of th [...] Kingdome afford to many examples, to the great prejudice of the peoples freedome in the said Elections.
II. That those persons who have in the unjust and high proceedings against the Army appeared to have the will, t [...]e confidence, credit, and power, to abuse the Parliament and Army, & indanger the Kingdom in carrying on such things against us (while an Army) may be some way speedily disabled from doing the like or worse to us (when disbanded, & dispier [...]ed, and in the condition of private men) or to other the free born people of England in the same condition with us, and that for that purpose, the same persons may not continue in the same power (especially as our and the Kingdomes Ju ges in the highest trust) but may be made incapable thereof for future.
III. That some determinate period of time may be set, for the continuance of this and future Parliaments, beyond which, none shall continue, and upon which new writs may of course issue out, and new elections successi [...]ely take place, according to the intent of the Bill for Triennall Parliaments.
IV. That secure provision may be made for the continuance of future Parliaments: so that they may not be adjournable or dissolvable at the Kings pleasure, or any other wayes, then by their own consent during their respective periods, b [...] at those periods each Parliament to determina of course as before. This we desire may be [...]ow provided for (if it may be) so as to put it out of all dispute for future, though we think of right it ought not to have been otherwise before. And thus a firme foundation being laid in the authority and constitution of Parliaments for the hopes, at least, of common and equall right, and freedome to our selves, and all the free born people of this Land, we shall hereby for our parts freely and cheerfully commit our stocke or share of interest in this Kingdome, into this common bottome of Parliaments. And though it may (for our particulars) go ill with us in the voyage, yet we shall thus hope (if right be with us) to fare better in another.
V. That these things may be provided for by Bill, or Ordinance of Parliament, to which the Royal ascent may be desired, and when his Majesty in these things, and what else shall be proposed by the Parliament necessary for securing the rights and liberties of the people and for setling the Militia and peace of the Kingdome, shall have given his concurrence to put them past dispute we shall then desire that the Rights of his Maiesty and his Posterity may be considered of, and setled in all things, so farre as may consist with the right and freedome of the Subject, and with the security of the same for future.
VI. We desire that the right & freedome of the people to represent to the Parl by way of humble petition, their grievances (in such things as cannot otherwise be remedied then by Parliament) be cleered and vindicated: That all such grievances of [...]he people may be received, and admitted into consideration, and put into an equitable and speedy way, [Page] to be heard, examined, and redressed (if they appeare reall) and that in such things for which men have remedy by law, they may be freely left to the benefit of Law, and the regulated course of Justice without interruption or checke from the Parliament, except in case of things done upon the exigency of war, or for the service and benefit of the Parliament and Kingdom in relation to the war, or otherwise in due pursuance, and execution of Ordinances, or Orders of Parliament.
VII. More particularly we desire, that all such as are imprisoned, for any preten [...]ed misdemeanour, may be put into a speedy way for a just hearing and tryall, and such as shall appear to have been unjustly, and unduly imprisoned, may (with their liberty) have some reasonable reparation according to their sufferings, and the demerit of their oppressors.
VIII. That the large pow [...]rs given to Committees, or Deputy Lieutenants during the late times of war and destraction, may be speedily taken into consideration.
IX. We could wish that the Kingdome might both be righted and publikely satisfied in point of accounts for the vast sums that have been levyed and paid, as also in divers other things, wherein the Common-wealth may be conceived to have been wronged or abusen; but wee are loath to presse [...]ny thing, that may tend to lengthen our future disputes or contestations: but rather such as may tend to a speedy and generall composure, and quieting of mens minds, in order to peace, for which purpose we further propose.
X. That publike Justice being first satisfied by some few examples to posterity, out of the worst of excepted persons, some course may be taken by a generall act of oblivion, &c. Thus (for the present) I remain
It is ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parl. That the Generall be required to deliver the person of the King to such persons as both houses shall appoint, to bee placed at Richmond, under such guards, and in such manner, as they shall think fit, to the intent that the Propositions agreed upon by both Kingdomes, may be speedily presented unto his Majesty for the setling of a safe and well grounded Peace.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the persons to whom the General is required to deliver the Person of the King to be placed at Richmond, shall be the Commissioners formerly appointed to receive the Person of the King at Newcastle, or any three of them.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Guards appointed [...]o r [...]ceive the Orders and directions of the Commissi [...]ners in attending and guarding the Person of the King, shall be Col. Rosstter and his Regiment.
These are the desires of both houses of Parliament, which if effected, its hoped will prove a speedy way to compose all differences whatsoever.