A DECLARATION OF THE ARMIE, Presented to the Kings Majesty in the Isle of Wight; Declaring, their full Resolution touching His Majesties Reign and Government, and we ring the Crown of England; and their Proposals upon what Terms and Conditions they will re-inthrone Him.
With His Majesties Vow and Protestation touching the Army.
Also, the Armies Propositions to the Generall Councel of the Army at St. Albanes, concerning King, Lords, and Commons, debated on Wednesday last, Novemb. 8. 1648.
⟨nou: 9th⟩ London, Printed for C. W. neer the Royal Exchange, 1648.
A DECLARATION OF THE ARMIE SENT To the Kings Majesty in the Isle of Wight, Declaring their Resolution and Intentions touching the Treaty.
VVHereas, the Officers and Souldiery under the immediate conduct of hi [...] Excellency the Lord Generall Fairfax, are possest with divers fears and jealousies, that they cannot be safe for the future, unlesse speedy Iustice be executed [Page 2]upon the capitall Offenders of this Nation; and that this present Treaty may not conclude a peace with his Majesty, without care, taken to preserve the Liberties and Freedomes of the people of this Nation; the which, being granted and confirmed, we do declare, that none shall be more instrumentall for the setling of a safe and well-grounded Peace, then our selves. And that so soon as your Majesty shall be pleased, to enact and make provisions for the free-born people of England, that both we and future Generations may defend our selves against insulting tyranny and oppression; We shall use our utmost endeavours for the re-investing of your Royall person, and making You and Your Posterity happy and glorious throughout all Ages.
This Letter (or Declaration) is said to be sent from divers Officers and Souldiers in the West of England, to his Majesty; for the better expelling of the Cloud of Jealousie, and cleering all doubts and scruples that may arise in his Majesties Royall Breast; And that their actions may appear visible to the World, of their candid Intentions, and unanimous Resolutions for peace, and composing of all differences both in Church and State, the Agents of the severall Regiments have commanded these ensuing Proposals to be forthwith printed and published; a Copy whereof were presented to his Excellency the Lord Gen. Fairfax, and the Generall Councel of the Army on Tursday last, which were as followeth.
- 1 That execution of Iustice may bee done upon those who raised the former and the later warres against the Parliament of England, And that there not be any exemption [Page 3]of persons from Justice, to neither King nor Subject.
- 2 That the Treaty may not conclude a peace with the King and his party, without care taken to preserve the Liberties and Freedomes of the people of this Nation.
- 3 That limits may be set to bind Kings for the future, that they shall not have power to inslave the people by tyranny and oppression, and tryumph upon them as over conquered slaves.
- 4 That provisions be made for the people of England, that both we and future Generations may defend our selves against insulting Kings.
- 5 That there may be some course taken for pay for the Souldiery, that have served and been faithfull to the Parliament. And sufficient security thereunto for them, to guard them in what they have done.
- 6 That these, and such other things as shall be agreed on by the Generall Councell, may be sent to the House of Commons by the Lord Generall, and his Excellency to desire a speedy answer therein.
Some other Proposals were presented to the Generall Councell of the Army, by the Agents of the respective Regiments, Declaring, that there is now a designe on foot to rescue the King from the Isle of Wight, and therefore desire that a sufficient strength may be sent to guard the said Island, and to prevent the resorting of Malignants thither.
These Propositions were presented on Munday last, and debated Tuesday and Wednesday; and there is no doubt but a mutuall concurrence and agreement will attend the close of this happy Meeting, which so much concerneth the good and welfare, both of Religion. King, and Kingdom.
Bloudy Newes from the English Navy.
ON Thursday last being the 2. of this instant Novem. we received an Allarum from Sea, occasioned by certaine ships, who had the Princes colours, and struck sayl within three leagues of Helverd-stuce; whereupon the Lord Admirall sent forth three Frigats, and two of the great Vessels, who chased them, and gave them many a gallant shot, and after few hours dispute, boarded one of them, & sunk another; the Master of the prize which was taken, confessed, that they were bound for the Prince, with a resolution to joyn with him, and to assist his Highnesse against the Parliament.
This Fleet is said to consist of about eleven ships, most of them being men of Warre, and it is rumour'd, that they were most of them Swedish Ships.
But the Princes Fleet hath declared, that they will not be commanded by any strangers, who since the dismissing of the Lord VVilloughby, and Capt. Batten, have made Prince Rupert Lord Admirall; but the Sea-men were so much inraged and troubled thereat, that they began to mutiny, resisted the Command of Pr. Rupert and the rest of the Irish and Dutch Commanders, fell to blowes, killed 3 or 4 eminent Commanders, wounded divers of them, amongst the rest, Prince Rupert hath received a dangerous wound, and its thought mortall. The Conflict being ended, the Mariners of the revolted ships called a Councell amongst themselves, turned out Pr. Rupert, and divers others, and have made choice of new Commanders.
They have sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales, to invite him aboard; but by reason of the weaknesse of his body, occasioned by sudden sicknesse, and a dangerous disease, He cannot answer their expectations.
The Lord Admiral hath again offered them Indemnity, and it is conceived they will embrace the same, for they have protested to his Lordship, never to ingage with the Princes Cavalry.
An Abstract from the King.
FOr the better faciliating the work in hand, we hear that his Majesty hath sent a Message (by the D. of Lenox) to the Aldermen and Common-councell of the City of London, and also to divers members of both Houses, intimating, That He desired a longer time to be added to the Treaty, desiring them to be instrumentall for the re-investing of his Maiesty, and to agitate for his speedy comming to London, with other remarkable Occurrences, which He desires may be cammunicated to his Royall hearted Citizens, and that they may seriously read and peruse the same. It is conceived his Majesty hath some notable design against the Army, for He hath vowed to play a new Game, if the Treaty take not effect. But upon the close of this Letter, here arrived a Post from the Army to Col. Hamond, desiring him to be vigilant for the last 14 dayes added to the Treaty, and to prevent his Maiesties escape, there being a design laid for the conveying of his person away, if [Page 6]he cannot accomplish his desires in the said respit of time. Col. Hamond is extraordinary vigilant in managing the great trust reposed in Him, and hath declared that he will use his utmo [...]t endeavours for the preservation of His Majesties Royall person from the hands of his Enemies, and to protect him from the rage and subtilty of those who seek his Maiesties ruine [meaning the Royall party now resident at his Court] And the Souldiery doe assure him, they will live and die with him therein.
Newport 7 Novemb. 1648.
Letters further from the Isle of Wight, Novemb. 8. advertize, That his Majesty having received intelligence of the new modelling & chusing severall Agents throughout the Army, to act in behalf of their respective Regiments, and of the calling a Generall Councell; as also, that they were possest with feares and jealousies, that his Maiesty had a design to escape from the Isle of Wight, if the Treaty took not effect: Therefore his Maiesty declared (in presence of the Commissioners) That rather then he would stain his honour or be accounted perjur'd, in breaking of his Royall Word or Promise, He would finish His whole Race in prison, and become the most deplorable Obiect of all Christian Princes.