No. 68.

The City's reply to the two preceding letters. Dated 18 June 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 224b.

Yo^r answere of the 14^th and lettre dated the 15^th of this instant June, w^th copies of the papers given into the Parliam^t we the maior aldermen and commons in common councell assembled have received and perused, and by our committee we have ben further informed of them, and of yo^r many seasonable expressions of the reallity of yo^r intencõns to promote the peace and welfare of the Parliam^t and kingdome, and in particuler of this city, w^ch how acceptable it is to us will best appeare by our proceedings thereupon.

We take it very kindely that though you were informed divers souldiers were daily listed under offic^rs in and about the Cities of London and Westm^r and parts thereto adiacent, besides the trayned bands and usuall auxiliaries, yet you conceived (and that most truly) it was w^thout the privity or consent of this Court, and did not suspect the sincerity of our heartes in what by o^r last was represented unto you, wherein for yo^r further satisfaccõn be pleased to take notice that since the returne of our comittee from St. Albans, yo^r said answere and lettre and a narrative of the severall passages twixt you and our committee, and yo^r desire that the citie should use their indeavo^r to prevent all such listings and therein deale soe effectually, as that nothing be for the future done towards such listings or raising any forces, and that those already raised might be forthw^th discharged: and the resolucõn of this court, and the Committee of the Militia of this city and parts adiacent upon the whole being all by our direccõn made knowne to both Houses of Parliam^t they were pleased to make severall votes thereupon; whereunto (as to those thinges) we desire to be referred.

By all which we hope the great desire of this court and citie to cherish a right understanding and keep a good correspondence twixt yo^r Excellencie yo^r Councell of Warr, Armie and this Citie will evidently appeare, and shortly draw from you a more full answere satisfaccõn and assurance, that your army shall noe way preiudice the Parliament (whose power and priviledges are the principall meanes to preserve the liberties of the subiects of this kingdom) nor this Citie (who have lost soe much blood and spent soe much treasure in defence thereof) and in order thereunto that it shalbe forthwith removed to, and contynued at a further distance from London.

London 18 of June 1647.