The substance of the Remonstrance from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Army under his Command.
Collected and drawn up into sevorall Heads, for satisfaction to the whole Kingdome.
WHen (by the blessing of God upon the endeavours of the army, and other Forces of the parliament) the adverse Forces and Garrisons within this kingdome were diffipated and reduced, a present quiet, and freedome of trade, and all commerce, and businesse restored to all parts of the Kingdome, and an b [...]pefull way made for setling of a sound and lasting peace, on good termes for the interest of the Kingdom, but instead of the hoped fruit of the labours and hazzards of this army, and of the Kingdomes vast expence, immediatly appeared the crosse [Page]workings of a strong and prevalent party in the parliament, City, and Kingdome, (as appeares by the late combination and treasonable Engagement against the Parliament, Army and Kingdome. By which meanes the Speakers of both houses, together with most of the Lords, and a very great number of the most faithfull and unquestioned Members of the house of Commons were driven away, so as they could not with safety attend their service in Parliament, nor with freedome discharge their trust to the Kingdome therin, but were forced to fly to their army for safety. Notwithstanding which, divers Members of both houses, taking this opportunity of time to carry on their Designs, when very few were left but of their own party, did continue to meet in the usuall places at Westminster, and tooke upon them the Name of Both Houses of Parliament: and having chosen a new Speaker, did proceed to vote and act as a Parliament, and adjorned from time to time, and immediatly voted and called in to the service of the house the eleven impeached Members, and also those who upon former Votes of the House were suspended, or [Page]under question to be put out for Delinquencie: With this pretended house of Comons thus composed, and four or five Lords of the same modell, for an house of Peers, they proceed to set up a Committee for sasety; wherof all or most of the said impeached members were a part.
Their pretences were to bring up the King to London with delay, and to stop the neerer approach of the army. Concerning which, the General hath expressed himself very worthily, in behalf of himself and the army, in these words. For our parts wee shall reioyce as much as any, to see the King brought backe to his Parliament, and that not so much in place, as in affection and agreement, on such sound terms and grounds as may render both him and the Kingdom, safe, quiet, and happy, and shall be as ready as any to bring his Majesty to London, when his being there may be likely to produce (not greater Disturbances or Distractions, but) a Peace indeed, and that such as may not be shaped and moulded only to the private advantages of a particular party or faction, but bottom'd chiefly on grounds of common and publike safety
That we have not minded nor bin acting our own workes and interests, but the kingdomes, and every honest mans in it.
And further it is declared, that concerning the just grounds of the armies late advance to the City of London, were an action tending much to the welsare and safety of the Kingdome, in restoring the Parliament to a condition of safety, honour, and freedome, and a further trust hath been thereupon commited to the Generall, sor taking care with his Army to safegua [...]d the parliament.
The Houses being thus restored to a condition of present honour, safety, and freedom two things seeme clearly remaining to bee done, viz. First, to vindicate the honour, fredome and safety of parliament from the like affronts and violence in future, and the army and kingdome from danger of the like disturbances.
And secondly, to proceed unto a speedy settlement of the peace of the Kingdom. It is further declared in these words, That unlesse it should be thought fit to secure the parliament, by keeping the whole Body of the army, or so great a part thereof to remain [Page]continually in and about London, as might be sure to over power any future tumults or Force that may arise out of the City of London, which neither the welfate of the City, and ease of the parts adjacent, nor the safety of the Kingdome, in respect of the prese [...]t posture of Affaires will admit) it is absolutely necessary, that there be sp [...]edy and exemplary justice done upon (at least) the chiese authors or abettors of the late treasonable Engagement, and of the said force done to the parliament, and upon the chiefe actors in maintenance and prosecution thereof, whereby men may be deterred from the like in future.
The particulars of Obstructions.
1. The late Warre intended against the Army, and Kingdome 2. The designes of the Militia 3. The proceedings of the Members, when the Speakers and divers well affected Members were forced to reside with the Army (yet some well affected staid behind, with an eye on the adjourning of the Parliament 4. A charge against divers Members who were active in the late Designe against the Army and Kingdome. 5. That the maior part of the Members that sate at Westminster in the Speakers absence, drove on a treasonable Engagement to destroy the Parliament and Army.
These, with divers other particulars, were assented to, by the Generall and His Councell of warre, which are too large to insert here.