A COPY OF A LETTER FROM The Generals Excellency Sir Thomas Fair fax his Quarrers; Concerning the A [...]mies not disbanding; the Votes of the Councell o [...] War, And the proceedings of t [...]e Committees o [...] the Souldiers.
With the Answer to the Parliame [...]ts Message of sending f [...]r the Monies [...]ac [...] again: And the proceedings of the Committee o [...] Lord and Commons with the ARMY.
⟨June 30⟩ London Printed for R S [...]mpson, 1647.
NEVVES FROM THE ARMY
I Am much sadded to view the present affaires of England. Have we not had bloud enough, yet I feare there are Horse leaches in England, that will never be satisfied, till they see fresh [Page] broyles (which God forbid) Have we oney sheathed the sword to draw it againe in a field of bloud? Must we needs run all madding to spill more, when every family (almost) is still uncured of the former sores, in one relation, or other.
Oh that a wise man could be found to save this poor (nay all these three sad) gasping Kingdomes.
But why should English people be still discontented under so many mercies. Hath not God subdued the common Enemy? why then are we not satisfied? Hath not God given us peace, why then should we go about new proyles? Hath not God delivered us from the pestilence, why should we goe about to bring a plague upon our selves? Hath not the Lord kept us from the Famine why should we seek to devour one another? Hath not the Lord spared a remuant of Us, why should we that are left (to praise God for his mercies) bring judgments upon our heads: the Lord settle us in a firme and lasting peace.
For newes thus:
[Page] ON Tuesday May 25, 1647. his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax came hither to Bury from Saffoin walden to order and settle things, it being the chiefe place where the grand Committee of the Souldiers met, which meetings, as also other meetings of sub Committees, and others, in this kind) his Excellency hath endeavoured to prevent, and field Marshal Generall Skippon, and others have laboured what they can to satisfie the souldiers of the good affections of the [...]arliament towards them.
Wdnesday May 26, his Excellency made inquirey into the state of things here, and after what condition the souldiers were in, and finding them very high upon termes & pleading to be much unchtisfied, his Excellency considered with some of his chiefe officers, what course to take; for the composing of those differances, and discontents, so much as possibly he could, and then advice had with his Officers, his Excellency seriously considering the great weight of the businesse resolved to call a Councell of War of all his Officers in Commission to [Page] consider what to doe there.
Thursday May 27, his Excellency summoned his Officers to meet at Bury, at a Councell of Warre, and by this time the votes of the houses were come to the Army, for their disbanding, at the severall places of their severall Regiments of foot as is exprest in the said votes.
Fryday May 28, divers of the Officers came to the generalls quarters, and that night, they had notice that Commissioners were comming down from both houses of Parliament, with monies and Instructions for their disbanding, and that they were about to goe to Chelmsford, to disband the generalls owne Regiment there; but they stayed not, declaring much dislike to be so disbanded; saying, that they expected their Arrears to be payd; answer was made that care was taken to secure their arrears.
Saturday May 29. the Councell of Warre met and sat here at Burey very late that day, and considred of all the proceedigns of the souldiers in general & compared them with what they are commanded by both houses [Page] Parliament, and the Councell of war made severall votes the Copies whereof are sent to both the Speakers of the two houses of Lords and Commons in Parliament, with a letter from the generals Excellency advertising of the state of the armyes & disbanding that some things therein mentioned may be taken into consideration, before the disbanding.
For the Souldiers are generally against disbanding, thus pleading for vindication, monies, and other things expressed in their desires, God grant that this great differance be composed in a settled, and sure Peace.
Munday 31, the Commissioners from the Paliament, viz. the E. of Warwick, and the rest of the Commissioners came to Chelmsford, intending according to their instructions, to disband the Gen. Regiment there, & so from thence to proceed to disband Col. Hewsons, &c. But the Comis. found not only that Regiment, bue the whole Army in a condition not to disband, the monies was also brought by Capt. Blackwell.
The Gen. Excellency hath resolved to have a generall Kandezvouz of his whole Army, and to impart to them his mind, &c.
Yesterday being Iune the 1, F. M. Gen. Skippon received orders to return to the Parliament and Capt. Blacswell received order to send back the monies.
And this present wednsday Iune 2, F. M. Gener [...]l Skippon is gone to London accordingly as Capt. Blackwell is sending of the monies back againe, the so [...]ldiers none of them (let me say that for them) so much as offering to meddle with any of it, but as they let it come, so they let it be carried quietly back againe.
The Generall will sudenly have a randezvouse and every chiefe Officers (as take i) wil have instructions for the moving of the Regiments to Conply with the Parliament orders and disband.
God grant that these differences may be soon composed and that we may all apply our selves to peace, and unity, & lay bitternesse of speare aside so prayes,