THE DECLARATION Of Lieutenant-Generall CROMWEL CONCERNING The Kings Majesty, and the Citizens of London, and his Pretestation for peace, and re-inthroning of the King: Together with his Propositions to the Army, and their resolution thereupon.
Likewise three Letters from the said Lieutenant Generall, to the Kings Majesty, the Prince of Wales, and the Trayned Bands of the City of London: and his Demands to all those who are enemies to the King, and the peace of the Kingdom.
Signed O. CROMWELL.
For PEACE
And TRVTH
Printed in the Year of joy, Novemb. 17. 1648.
THE DECLARATION Of Lieutenant-Generall CROMWEL CONCERNING The Kings Majesty, and the Citizens of London, and his Protestation touching the Prince of VVALES.
LIeutenant Generall Crumwell, and divers other Officers of the Army, upon a Generall councel held the 11. of this instant November, debated [Page 2]the Proposals of the Army, in reference to the Resentm nts, touching the King and his Representments; and after some dispute in an Argumentary way, they unanimously declared their resolutions to adhere thereunto, and to live and dye, and stand and fall with the Army in the South, for preservation of the Rights and Liberties of the Free-born people of England, and the establishing of the Laws of the Land, and confirming of certain Rules for the execution thereof between the people and their Representatives.
And upon the close of their consultations, the Lieutenant Generall further demonstrated, that he thought it requisite, that all possible meanes should be used for the faciliating and obtaining a speedy grant and condescension to the Desires of the Army, both from King and Parliament; and that a Letter be drawn up, and expedited to his Majesty, to desire his Gracious condescensions to the Desires of his two Houses, for the setling of a safe and well-grounded peace; as also pressing his Majesty to take the Covenant, and to signe the Propositions.
These Proposals were with much alacrity and amity embraced, and a Letter is said to be forthwith drawn up, to be presented to his Majesty, together with a Declaration and Representation in behalfe of the Army.
The Lieutenant Gen. hath declared his resolution to the Governour of Pontefract, and hath sent this ensuing Message (or Summons) for the surrender thereof, viz.
Sir, Being come hither for the reduction of this place, I thought fit to summon you, to deliver your [Page 3]Garrison to me for the use of the Parliament: those Gentlemen and Souldiers with you may have better termes, then if you should hold it to extremity, I expect a speedy answer, and rest Yours &c.
But notwithstanding the said Demands, the Kings party hath returned a very peremptory answer, and are resolved to oppose us.
By Letters from the Isle of Wight it is advertized, That his Majesty hath sent a Letter to Gen. Fairfax, intimating, His earnest desires for peace, requiring his Excellency, and the Councell of the Army to be instrumenall therein, promising upon his Royall Word to satisfie all things by them desired, and to enact and make proclamation thereupon, throughout all Cities, Counties, and Market townes, within the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales.
And it is further demonstrated, that his Majesty hath promised on his Royall Word to grant power to His two Houses (by an Act) to nominate Officers of State for 20 years. As also to grant an Act to confirme the lesser Catechism, (agreed upon by both Houses) to be read and published in all Churches throughout the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and Dominion of Wales..
The Armies Representation.
VVHereas there are many false suggestions and evill aspersions cast upon the Army, by the insolent and corrupted Spirits of the adverse party, and their Abettors, and whose hearts are still inflamed, against all those who countenance or embrace our Cause, as is plainly evidenced by their late Designes throughout the City and Kingdom, and their spreading of the black and dismall Cloud throughout all the corners of the Nation, for the making of the Army odious to the sight and judgment of all men; as also their present drawing of the Curtain, to make vent and way for the uttering of their false and abominable caluminations against us, in saying that our counsels and consultations tends to nothing else, but the utter subversion of all Kingly and Monarchical Government, and that our endeavours are for the obstructing of the Treaty, and ruling the Kingdom by the power of the Sword.
Therefore, for vindication of the Army from these unparaleld calumniations, we do demonstrate and declare, that our hearts are free from the least thought or action for the subversion of Authority or Government.
Protesting to live and dye in the true maintenance and preservation of the same.
And as we have heretofore demonstrated our great and earnest desires for peace, so we do again declare, that nothing shall be wanting in Us, for the promoting of the said happy and blessed work; and that notwithstanding all aspersions whatsoever) we shall use our [Page 5]utmost endeavours for the accomplishing of a true & lasting peace, which wce have so dearly bought by the price, and ransome, of so many thousand innocent and precious soules, who have sacrificed their lives in these eight yeers wars.
And as for the present Treaty in hand between the King and Parliament, we do declare that we shall not obstruct the same, nor meddle therein; provided, that we may be assured of security for the future, our arrears paid, the great burthen of the Kingdom removed and taken off, Religion setled, and the Subject freed from all tyranny and oppression either from Prince or Representatives.
These things being enacted, and confirmed to all future Generations, we do unanimously declare, that none shall be more willing to enjoy that which we have so dearly purchased then our selves; and that we shall endeavour the re-inthroning of our Soveraign, the calling home the Prince and the Duke of Yorke, and the composing of all other differences, in Church and State.
Signed by divers Agents of the Army, in the Name of themselves, and all the free-born people of England, and commanded to be forthwith printed and published.
This day divers of the Officers of the Army met at the Bull-head, where they debated many excellent things tending to peace; and upon the close of their consultations declared their most pious and unanimus resolutions for peace, referring the further results thereof till Thursday.
St. Albans 16 Novemb. 1648.
Sir, We hear that Lieutenant Generall Cromwell hath sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales, dehorting his Highnesse to come in to the Parliament, and to mediate with his Royall Father for a speedy union and compliance with his two Houses, &c.
The Lieutenant Generall hath further declared, that he will leave no meanes unassayed, for the composing of all differences betweene the King and people; and for the better effecting thereof, hath sent a Message to the Citizens of London, purporting his earnest Desires for peace, and re-inthroning of the King, and that future provision be made for the people of England, to preserve them from tyranny and oppression, requiring them to be instrumentall therein, which Letter is said to be signed