THat they have with all fide­lity to the best of their un­derstandings discharged the trust reposed in them by their Country in the service of this House: Yet such hath been their unhappiness, as their persons are become the object of the power of the Army, and that in such a height as no­thing would satisfie but their present suspen­tion from the House, which if not done by the next day, the Army, or Sir Thomas Fairfax in the name of the Army, declared in [Page 4] their Remonstrance of the 23 of June, That they should be enforced to take such courses extraordinary as God should enable and direct them unto, And further pressed it by a Letter to the Commissioners of Parliament, to the same effect, dated the 24. which was the day prefix­ed for our suspention, and al upon pretence of our interest & prevalency in the House to be such, as they could otherwise expect but smal fruit in their other proceeding, which how derogatory to the Parliament and how groundless a suggestion to colour the violence intended, we humbly leave to Your wisdomes to judge, You were pleased hereupon to Declare by Vote the 25. of June That it did not appear that any thing had bin said or done by us within the House touching any matters contained in the Papers sent from the Army, for which you could in Justice suspend us, And that by the Laws of the land no Iudgment could be given for our suspen­tion upon those Papers, before par­ticulars [Page 5] produced and proofs made. Yet preparations were made (as severall in­formations brought it unto us) for part of the Army to march towards Westminster, which was looked upon by Your Petitioners as a thing of most sad Consequence to the Parliament, and their misfortune in it considered, that it should happen upon their occasion, though themselves most innocent of it, And this made them resolve rather to desire your leave to absent themselves, which they knew had been formerly practised by Members in the like manner accused, and inconveniencies thereby prevented, And you at this time in your prudence thought fit to grant it; Which as it was done by them out of their meet zeal to the safety and quiet of the House, so they hope it shall not now be turned to their prejudice and dishonour. For notwithstan­ding many dayes have past since the Army first sent in their generall Charge, and with it a Positive desire of our present suspention, which the House could not give way unto (as is before expressed) and therefore writ to their Commissioners with the Army, declaring their readiness to receive any particulars, and hear any witnesses against us, and if any were [Page 6] to be produced, that they expected them by Monday the 28. instant at farthest; in stead thereof we understand, that a Letter is come from Sir Thomas Fairfax, signifying; That though the particulars and proofs be ready, yet they desire the great busi­nesses may not be interruped by their comming in till a full settlement; By which means your Petitioners may lye a long time under a generall accusation, no­thing instanced in, nothing proved, they not heard, and so neither if innocent cleared, nor condemned if faulty; which, they hope, will not be the pleasure of this Honorable House, as disagreeing from all rules of pro­ceeding in the Way of Justice, where delayes and denyals be alike forbidden.

They therefore humbly pray, the House will be pleased to appoint Sir THO­MAS FAIRFAX and the ARMY a short and peremptory day to send in those particulars and proofs, that a speedy proceeding may be had hereupon, when they doubt not to make their innocency appear: And in case they come not in at the time appointed that you will be pleased [Page 7] to take such course as Your Wisdoms shal think fit, that we may not still be obnoxious to the will and power of others, but that we may have Pas­ses to dispose of our selves, accord­ing to our humble desires represen­ted to the House, when we asked leave to absent our selves.