His Majesty's DECLARATION AND PROPOSITIONS Propounded to his Excellence the the Earl of ESSEX; Concerning a Treaty of Peace▪ and a Cessation of A●mes, by both Armies. Given at Our Court at Oxford, Decemb. 19 1642. Also The Earls Answer to the said Propositions. Likewise a True Discovery of the practices of the Lord Shandoice, to betray the City of Gloucester, to the Cavaliers. Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament, that these Particulars be forthwith Printed and published. Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parliamentorum. Decemb. 22. Printed for I. H. and William Anderton, 1642. His Majesty's Declaration and Propositions, to his Excellency the Earl OF ESSEX. CHARLES REX TRusty and wellbeloved Councillor WE greet you well, Where as of late days WE have considered of the present distractions of this Land, and out of our second and mature thoughts arising out of Our Royal Breast, We thought meet to declare Our will and pleasure unto you, that you would forbear to proceed any further in this destructive War, and, We promise on the word of a King, to give you a free pardon for all former Acts, and will no more remember any former passages, even from the first beginning of this disscention betwixt Us and Our Parliament, to the end that a further effusion of blood may be prevented and matters settled, whereby the Kingdom may flourish as it formerly hath done; We likewise desire that certain grave substantial persons, may be chosen to reconcile those differences between Us, and Our two houses of Parliament; WE are likewise resolved to appoint some of equal fidelity and understanding to consult with them about the great affairs, and insupportable pressures and grievances of this Kingdom, and what they shall agree upon WE are willing to ratify, and make good, by consenting to all their Acts, consultatons, and determinations, that so this civil War which hath bred so great a disturbance in this Our Kingdom, may proceed no further, a pacification being made on both sides, to the general content of Our Person and Posterity, and all Our loving Subjects. And We do declare this to be Our earnest desire, it being the most ready way to procure the Peace and happiness of this Our Kingdom, desiring that all grudges may be removed, and all matters well ordered for the good of the Commonwealth, whereupon will follow a clear understanding between Us and Our People, being combined together in a mutual League of dearest affection. Given at Our Court at OXFORD, the nineteenth of December, 1642. The Earls answer to the said propositions. MOst grattious Soveveraigne, I humbly tender my service at your Royal feet, being willing to hazard my Life and fortunes in the defence of your Majesty, where as you have been pleased to declare your resolution concerning a Treaty of Peace, so hath it been my desire ever since the beginning of these differences to embrace the same. But having such a great trust reposed in me & committed to my charge by both Houses of Parliament, and I cannot conceive but that I am bound in conscience according to the Law of God, to discharge that trust which is reposed in me, by your great and Honourable Council, being for the defence of your Majesty's Person, God's true Religion, the Privileges of Parliament, the liberty of the Subject, and the good of the Commonwealth, and if it be the pleasure of that great Council that hath reposed in me, to take the same charge from me again, and to confer it upon some other honourable Person, I shall willingly surrender up my Commission, and be ready to hazard my life and fortunes in your Majesty's Service against any foreign Enemy. Your Majesty's most loyal Subject, ESSSEX. Happy News from the City of Gloucester WOrthy Sir, I am bold to present you with some remarkable passages, being very observable, which happened near Gloucester, on the eighteenth and nineteenth of this instant month, the Lord Shandoice, and divers other Cavaliers, having received information of the proceed of this our County, and that they had divers friends therein, which would be ready to assist them, if they made their approach thereunto, whereupon the aforementioned persons having gathered together a great and mighty strength in other Counties, they advanced near to the said City, where they laboured with all the force and strength they could, to possess themselves of the said County, but he was valiantly opposed, by the Jnhabitants of the said County, who having notice of his coming, set th● men in a fair Battalia, and at his first approach they gave them such a desperate charge, that the Cavaliers soon retreate● but they pursued him very close. by which means they took him, and caused him to deliver up his Commission, and to subscribe under his hand, that he would never by his own power or procurement of others, disturb the Peace of that County, but that he would oppose and hinder it to his power, and that he would maintain the Privileges of Parliament, the Law and Liberty of the Subject, with his life and fortune, all which the said Lord promised to perform. Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament, that these Particulars be printed and published. Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. FINIS.