TWO SPEECHES: THE FIRST, Spoken by the Kings most Excellent Ma­jesty, to the Commander in chiefe, that con­ducted him from Holdenbie towards the ARMY.

Together with a Reply to His Majesties Speech, by the said Commander.

THE SECOND, By his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, at the head of every Regiment in the Army, concerning the setling of a firme peace and union between the Parliament and the Army, for the good of the whole King­dome.

Also the Souldiers resolution concerning his Ma­jestie, and the bringing of him from Holdenby to Huntington on Friday last.

Published for generall satisfaction to the whole Kingdome.

London, Printed for F. I. Iune the 8. 1647.

A Copy of a Letter sent from an Officer in the Army, to a friend of his in London.

Honoured Sir,

HAving such a faire opportunity, to ex­presse my selfe, and to represent a subject of so great weight and concernment, to view and consideration, I thought it meet and re­quisite to acquaint you with the affaires in these parts, being (indeed) the chiefe currents of the streame, which ebbes and flowes at this present within the bowels of this our na­tive Kingdome, but God grant, that these channels may receive no more additionall waters, but that the small brooks, which now begins to force their passage into great Rivers, may be suddenly effectually stopped, that so the distraction of England may bee happily composed, and the peace and tran­quility [Page] of her poore distressed and languish­ing people, most unanimously and faithfully setled; but because I will not deviate too farr from my intended lines, nor detract time, with too large a Prologue, I shall briefly in­sist upon the main branch, intimating unto you, that, which is most considerable, espe­cially so much desired by all sorts of people viz.

On Tuesday last we received intelligence, that a great party of horse were discovered, betwixt Cambridge and Bedfordshire, & that they had a designe for these parts, which put the Inhabitants hereabouts into a great fear, not knowing their resolutions and intenti­ons: but within a short time, this intelli­gence was confirmed with truth; for upon Thursday morning, newes came to the Mayor of this Towne, that a party of horse lately coming from the Army, had surroun­ded Holdenby, with a resolution to seize up­on the Kings Majesties person, to prevent a designe (as is said) preiudiciall to the King­dome; immediately after come one M. Fur­nace [Page] to my house, who affirmed, that they had entred the House, and repossessed them­selves of the King, without any opposition at all, the souldiers embracing each other, at their first meeting, some ecchoing these words. God forbid that a sword should bee drawn in wrath, or a musquet fired in anger, against those whom we have so often hazar­ded our lives withall, and with whom wee have obtained so many victories (and fight in the banner of Iesus Christ.

But now we heare (for certain) that they are advanced from Holdenby towards New-market in Cambridgeshire, there to side and joyn with the Army; as they returned, they left this Town a little wide of the right hand, sounding their Trumpets, with ecchoes of tryumph: but what their designe is, time (we hope) will bring to light. God grant us a true and lasting peace, and prevent further blood-shed.

The Resolves and humble Advise of the Councel of War, convened at Bury. Satturday May 29. To your Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, Commander in chiefe of the Parlia­ments Forces, in relation to the Votes of Par­liament, communicated to us by your Excellen­cie, and the desires of our advice thereof.

Humbly sheweth,

I.

THat the said distraction, and the jealousies occasi­oned upon the same proceeding, as wee feare, and some effects already appearing do finde, may unhappi­ly produce dangerous disturbances, and tumultuous a­ctings amongst severall parts of the Army, as they now lye dispersed ond remote from the Head quarters, especially amongst those Regiments, whose principall Officers, by neglecting or disserting their souldiers in their necessary concernments or just grievances, have disoblieged their souldiers, and lost their interest with them, in so much as such Officers are forced to with­draw from their charges, and can scarce with safetie come at them, and to prevent the inconveniences or ill consequences which such disturbed or tumultuous actings might produce either to the Countries where the Armie quarters or to the Kingdome.

VVe humbly advise your Excellency without de­lay, to draw the Army unto a closer posture of quar­ters, till upon further satisfaction the Army may be quietly and orderly disbanded.

II.

That upon the same dissatisfaction and jealousie we find an extream earnestnesse, and violent propen­sity among the Soldiers to a generall Randezvouze and wee verily beleeve, that the first attempt to dis­band any one Regiment, before equall satisfaction to all, and assurance against those things they have cause to feare, will occasion them all to draw together, and Kandevouze of themselves, as it were upon an Al­larm &c.

III.

Since that course of disbanding the Army by piece meale, before the satisfaction intended be per­formed equally to the whole, seems somthing strang and unusuall.

IIII.

That they would be pleased to resume the things voted on Tuesday last, as also to resume the grievan­ces of the Army, together with the things proposed in the Narrative from the Officers, and to give satis­faction, or at least some resolution to each of them, and that they would not think it fit to put that tem­tation, those ealousies, and that dishonour upon the Army, as to take it disbanded in scattered pieces, be­fore satisfaction be equally given to the whole.

Friday June 4. the rendevouz of the Army was held neer Kinsford six miles from Burie, seven Regi­ments of Foot, and six of horse, appeared, Col. Wha­leys being before dispatched towards Holdenb [...]e (by the Generals command.) Upon this daies intelligence that our partie of horse had secured his Majestie, the Gen: gave notice of this to the Commissioners, and hath signified the same to both Houses, desiring to know their further pleasure, concerning the disposing of the Kings person, also the reasons of the Troopers for fet­ching the King from Holdenbie. He hath likewise sent them the grounds inclosed in a Letter from the souldi­ers to himself for their undertaking the same of them­selves: which were chiefly, that they had intimation of a designe, which they were able to make good, (of some) to surprise him. Col. Graves is discharged from that employment, and Colonell Whaley in his place. The Gen: went to every Regiment, and exprest himself with much judgement and moderation, assured the Souldiers that the Parliament took notice of their ci­vill and faire demeanour, and had taken a course for sa­tisfying of their arrears, & doubted not but they would answer their other grievances, advised them to mode­ration, and to behave themselves with discretion, &c.

Saturday last newes came to the Armie, that the Committee of Troopers who had secured the King, brought his Majestie Friday night to Huntington (as you had before) the King asked him that commanded in chief among the Troopers for his Commission, the partie replied, his Maj: might look about him and see his Com­mission, meaning 500. Troopers on horseback; saith the King, indeed your Commission hath as faire a character in the frontespiece as ever I did see, meaning the propernesse and comlinesse of the men, the Troopers being of Cap: Knights Troop, and other of Sir Ro­bert Pies Regiment, Col. Rositers and Col. Graves.

Finis

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