A most worthy SPEECH SPOKEN By the Right Honourable, and renowned Soldier, Lieutenant General LESLEY, to the Scottish Army, at their marching over Tweed into Scotland, wherein is propounded severall Propositions concerning the Kingdome of England, and the Covenant.
Together, with the gallant Answer of the Officers and Soldiers in the Scottish Army; and their taking of a new Oath, and breaking the Standards of every Regiment, upon their advance into their own Kingdome.
APpointed to be printed, and published for generall satisfaction of the Kingdome ofEngland, Feb. 26.
LONDON Printed for James Douglas. 16 [...]7.
A SPEECH SPOKEN By his Excellency Generall LEVEN, to all his Officers and Souldiers, at the disbanding of his Army
THis I suppose will be the last which I shall give you of intelligence, in Relation to Northern affaires; and blessed bee God, that hath brought things there to so good an issue: Our mourning is now turned [Page] to musick, the voyce of the Turtle is now heard in our Land. God grant we may see the things that belongs to our peace in ths our day.
Thursday the 11. instant, the Rear of the Scotch Army marched over Tweed at Kelsey and Barwick, and the next day the town of Barwick was quitted, and the Garison dismantled, according to agreement: the sixe Regiments of their horse, which were appointed to disband, had their Rendezvouz at Kelsey, where they were required. 1. To deliver up their Armes. 2. To take an oath to this effect: To offer no injury to the Country in their passage to their severall Homes; to bee faithfull to the Covenant and cause of both Kingdoms, and not to ingage with any against them: At first, they refused; but at last were induced to accept of them; partly by the meanes of their Lieut. Gen. David Lesly, and partly by the incitements of their Ministers.
Both of these were necessary, if we consider the constitution of some of those who were disbanded, who resolved to joyne with Kilketto, being much incensed at their proceeding.
[Page]Vpon the taking the Oath, and delivering up their pistols, they had pay upon the place, some one, some two, some 3 moneths pay, according to the yeares of their service. This done, the Lieut. Gen. very nobly & freely required of them, if they had any thing to say of him, or any other of their Officers; they answered no: thereupon they broke the Standards of every Regiment, and so were all dispierced towards their severall homes; except those who were selected for a New Model, who chose the best pistols (of those delivered up) for themselves. Most of these are of the Arguile party, officers and souldiers, yet some of them unwilling to continue in arms.
The new Model is fourteen hundred Horse, and five thousand Foot. The Hamiltonians are much discontented at this.
I might acquaint you with the spoyl and plunder they made in Northumberland, and their not paying of quarters from the comming of the first 100000. l. till this time; but I had rather these and the like complements were buried: there will be disorders in the best governed Bodies, Courts, Camps, City, & [Page] Country, none are exempted: the best Instrument is somtimes out of tune: Love covereth a multitude of sins: its the want of that which first occasions the offence; and then in others raises slanders, whence arise all the clamors and scandals against this Army, but only from want of affections: sure the army hath deserved better from them, and might have had better words a yeare since, when an Enemy was in the field. But now the work is done, how are they slighted: the generall cry is now for a disbanding; and for my part (& I thinke divers others of quality in the Army would be of my mind) it should be the first thing I would petition for, seeing now it is only set up as a marke for every tongue set on fire to dart forth their malice against, and every Malignant Priest, and upstart Levite, to raise and write slanders, to fill Gangrenaes Volumes. Sir, I have no more at present, only I remain,
The Copy of another Letter from Holmby, concerning the proceedings of the Kings Maiesty with the Commissioners.
SInce the coming of the Kings Maiesty to Holmby, there hath been a great dispute between his Maiesty, and the English Divines, strong Arguments were held by the King, in defence of the Liturgie and Episcopal Government; but many gallant Reasons were propounded to his Maiesty, (for convincing of his conscience, and cleering of his Judgment (by that Reverend Divine, Mr. Stephen Marshal; giving many learned and strong Reasons in defence of the Government, now established within the Kingdome of England, by the Authority of both houses of Parliament: But (as yet) the businesse lyes in dispence, and his Maiesty hath further declared, that hee cannot give his Royall assent, for the confirming and enacting of the Presbyteriall Government; until such time, as he hath conferred with some of his own Chaplains, about the same, his Conscience being tender (in every respect) for the preservation of the Protestant [Page] Religion; And to that end, hath sent a Message to the Parliament, to desire a Conference with certain Episcopal Divines, about satisfiing of his Majesty in some scruples about the Presbyterian Government. Divers deep and solid questions the King hath propounded to the Divines at Holmby, but (as yet) not satisfied by them, about some Queries given in by his Majesty to them.
The King continues (still) very pleasant, being very chearful, merry, and familiar, only he desires to come to, or neare the City of London. But he hath gallant quarters, and excellent accommodation, there being plenty of provisions, both for his Maiesty, and his attendants. Sir, no more at present, but that I subscribe my self,