No. 71.

Letter from Fairfax to the City notifying the removal of the army to Uxbridge. Dated Berkhamstead, 25 June, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 230.

Wee have in all things dealt cleerly and plainely w^th you, and hope wee shall still continue to doe so. As soone as the worthy alderman and the other two gent^s yo^r cõm^rs came the last night to us, we acquainted them w^th our purpose to draw the head quarter to Uxbridg That soe we might contract our quarters w^ch have hitherto lyen scattered. At which place we hope to receive that w^ch wilbe satisfaccõn to the kingdome and will remove obstruccõns out of the way of justice, wherein if right were done, wee should let you and all the world see that we would be soe farr from pressing neere yo^r citie of London, it should be indifferent to us to march not only to the distance already prescribed, but to any part of the kingdome we should be commanded to by the Parliament. Wee have asked nothinge hitherto but right in the things that are knowne, as if they were proved an hundred times before them from whome wee have sought them, w^ch if graunted would not only be a justice to the armie, but would lett the kingdome see the ffountayne in a way to be cleered without w^ch nothing of force or power would be a securitie to any man. We wish the name of priviledges may not be in the ballance w^th the safetie of a kingdome, and the reality of doing justice, w^ch as we have said too often, we cannot expect whilest the persons we had accused are the kingdomes and our judges. A little delay will indanger the putting the kingdome into blood, notwithstanding what hath bin said, if it be considered that in Wales (besides underhand workings in yo^r citie) and other places men are raised and that in noe small nombres. And are not those men in the Parliam^t who have contynued faithfull to the principles of common interest from the beginning of the Parliam^t to this very day still awed by the concourse of Reformadoe offic^rs and others to their doores. Expence of time will be their advantage only who intend to bring evill purposes to passe. We have written this to you for yo^r satisfaccõn that soe nothinge may be done without giving you a perfect account of our intencõns and ends. And still to contynue our assurance to you, that should necessity bring us neerer to the citty our former faith given you shall be observed inviolably, there being nothing more (next the good of the kingdome) in our thoughts and desires than the prosperitie of yo^r citty.

Barkhamsteed June 25 1647.