A DECLARATION FOR THE KING From divers of His Majesties loyall Subjects in both Houses of Parliament, and the Citizens of LONDON.
The Honourable Court of Parliament having received a Remonstrance, or Declaration, from the Army, containing divers Proposals exceeding high and of great consequence; and upon debate thereof, divers of the dis-as senting Members declared a great dislike thereof, and his Majesties moderate [Page 2]friends desired it might be laid a side for some certain dayes others moved that it might be ejected; and in the conclusion, after they had sufficiently declared their full sense touching the Desires of the Army, they resolved to lay it aside till Munday next.
After reading the said Remonstrance, Mr. Pryn made a very learned Speech, concerning the Demands of the Army, his expressions tending much to the dishonour of them, who argued very stifly against the unlawsulnesse of their Demands.
Divers other Members seconded him, and desired to insist no further thereon, but to wave their Proposals for a time.
Yet notwithstanding the said Arguments and Desires, the well affected party declared a great unwillingnesse to dispense with any time, but to insist thereon immediatly, and to endeavour to give all speedy & possible satisfaction to them in all things by them desired.
The Declaration of the Citizens of London, concerning the Demands of the Army.
VVHereas wee have lately received a Paper intituled the Remonstrance or Declaration of the Army, We do unanimously declare, That We shall willingly and freely comply with them therein, for the executing exemplary Justice upon all capitall Off [...]nders, and endeavour the restitution of the Freeborn people of England to their common Rights, Liberties, [Page 3]and Freedoms, protesting to live and dye with them therein, for obtaining, effecting, and making future provision for the same.
Signed by many thousands of the well-affected party in and about the City of London.
These mutuall expressions are said to proceed from those Citizens, who are known and distinguished by the Badge of Independency; But it is said, that the Presbyterian party, and others, are resolved to thwart them in their Engagement, and to declare against some particular Domands of the Army, whom they conceive to be too high and unreasonable.
But concur with them in their Proposition for the executing of Justice upon the visible enemies of peace provided a favourable construction may be had on his Majesties former actions and proceedings, and that they may bee weighed in the Ballance of Equity and Compassion.
Mr. Speaker, The Generall Councell of Officers at their late meeting here have unanimously aagreed upon a Remonstrance, to be presented to you and in regard it concernes matters of highest and present importance to your selfe, to Us▪ and the whole Kingdom; I do, at the desire of the Officers, and in the behalf of them, and my self most earnestly intreat that it may have a present reading, and the things propounded therein may be timely considered.
The Charge and Proposals of the Army.
1 That the capitall and grand Authors of onr troubles, the person of the King may be speedily brought to Justice, for the Treason, bloud, and mischief he is already guilty of. 2 That a timely and peremptory day may be set for the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York to come in, and render themselves, by which time if they do not, that then they may be immediatly declared incapable of any government or trust whatsoever, and to stand exild for ever, as enemies and traytors, to dye without mercy, if ever after taken. And if they or either of them, renders themselves within the said time, that then the Prince for his capitall delinquency (being in appearance next to his Fathers) and himselfe and the Duke to be proceeded against in Justice, or remitted according as they shall give satisfaction. But however that the Estate and Revenue of the Crown may be sequestred, and all the matter of costly pomp suspended for a good number of yeers, while the desolations and spoyles of the poor people may be repaired for ease of the peoples contributions, 3 That Justice bee executed on a competent number of his chiefe Instruments that are in the power of the Parl. so that their exemption from pardon may not bee a mockery of Justice in the face of God & Man. 4 that the rest of the Delinquents (English) may upon rendition of themselves to Justice, have mercy extended to them for their lives, and fines set upon them with moderation, and those that have compounded, to bee freed from Suits, Arrests, &c. Now after Justice thus done upon the forementioned particulars, we propound [Page 3]further for setling of the peace of the Kingdoms, viz.
1 That a speedy period may be put to this Parl. and teat the power thereof may again return to the people, by, and whom it was first constituted, and provision for future, Annuall or Biennial, upon grounds of common right freedom, and safety.
2 That no Delinquents may elect or be elected, at least for some time, and that there may be a certainty of their sitting, meeting, and ending.
3 That it be declared, that as to the whole interest of the Commons of England; they are the supream power, for the making, clearing, or repealing Lawes; for making War or Peace, and for finall iudgment in civil things without further appeale; and that all the Commons of England, and all Officers of Justice, and Ministers of State, shall for the outward man, and outward things be concluded thereby; provided, these things be reserved from, and not intrusted in the said Representatives.
1 The questioning or censuring of any man, for any thing said or done, in relation to the late wars, but such cases as before mentioned.
2 The rendring up, or giving, or taking away of any of the Foundations of Right, Liberty, and safety to the People, contained in a settlement and agreement; which to be above Law, and to bee signed unto by the People.
That no King; or other publike Officer be hereafter admitted, without subscribing to his settlement.
Novemb. 22. Letters from the Isle of Wight say, That his Majesty begins to grow exceeding discontented and melancholy, and feareth much the present Overtures of the Army, touching their seizing on his Royall person, which hath occasioned many sundry contemplative expressions from his Majesty, who saith, that if they execute their wills on Him, by spilling of his Royall bloud, He feareth divers more will follow. These dismall Representations causeth much sadnesse and mourning throughout severall corners of the Nation. But it is thought that some new addresses will be made from the severall Counties, to the Parliament and Army, in behalf of their dread Soveraign the King. And a Declaration is supposed to be immediatly set forth by his Majesty, concerning the Armies Proceedings by way of Charge against His Royall person.