London and the Kingdom - Volume 3 / A History Derived Mainly from the Archives at Guildhall in the Custody of the Corporation of the City of London.

by Reginald R. Sharpe

Wee (upon the whole matter) offer to yours, and all mens consideracõns, whether with yo^rs ours or the publique safetie we can remove further backward, untill upon yo^r and our ioynt indeavo^rs with the Parliament, those things of imediate and pressinge necessitie be provided for, which wee desired in our paper last given in to the Parliam^ts Comissioners in order to the better proceedinge upon the heads of the Representacõn and Charge, with more hopes of safetie, and of a timelie and happie issue to our selves, and the kingdome (viz^t.) That the persons impeached by us may not continue in power and capacitie to obstructe due proceedings against themselves; And for their owne escape from justice to threaten ruine to the whole nation.

That all fforces latelie raised or listed in or aboute the cittie may be forthwith discharged except the usuall nomber of trained bands and auxiliaries and that all endeavo^rs publiquely or privatlie to rayse anie further forces may cease and be supprest.

And that the same measure maybe allowed to this armie in payinge them upp to the same ffoote of accompte as is alreadie given to those who have diserted the same.

And for the things exprest in our Representation though of weightie importance yet because they will require time they shalbe noe occasion to impead our remove, and in the meantime both by Proclamacõn from his Excellencie and all other waves wee shall indeavo^r, that the accustomed supplies to yo^r cittie may be freelie sent up.

To conclude, wee say from o^r hearts that as oure espetiall ends are the glorie of God, and the good of this whole land, soe our indeavo^rs shalbe to prosecute the same without preiudice to the beinge or welbeinge of Parliaments in generall, (the mayntenance whereof wee value above our owne lives) or (as wee have formerlie said) of this Parliament in particular, but altogeather in order to the good and peace of this nation, and with a most tender regard to yo^r cittie to which wee professe we shall by all actions make good all ingagements tending to the securitie thereof in what way yo^rselves shall desire consistinge with the good of the whole kingdome you makeinge good your mutuall correspondencie with us not doeing anie thinge to our preiudice in the prosecucõn of our iust desires, and endeavo^rs.

St. Albans June 21, 1647.

Wee heare (even now) since the writinge of this letter, that (yesterday) divers of the Reformadoes came againe (in a threatninge manner) to Westm^r the house of Commons then sittinge to the greate affrightment and terror of divers faithfull members then present, and to discouragement of others from their attendance there, soe that we cannot but perceive, that the freedome of this Parliament is noe better then that those members who shall accordinge to their consciences endeavo^r to prevent a second warre, and acte contrarie to their wayes, who, (for their own preservacõn) intend it they must do it with the hazard of their lives: which indeed is a thinge soe destructive to Parliamen^ts and freedome that we conceive our selves in dutie bound, to endeavo^r to the utmost to procure redresse therein.

June 22^th 1647.

No. 70.

Letter from the City to Fairfax in reply to recent letters and informing him that Commissioners had been despatched to remain with the army at head-quarters. Dated 25 June, 1647.