A DECLARATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY Sir Thomas Fairfax, AND HIS council OF war, ON behalf OF THEMselves and the whole Army, showing the grounds of their present advance towards the City of LONDON.  
OXFORD, Printed by J. HARRIS, and H. HILLS, Printers to his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX, Ann. Dom. 1647.   

A DECLARATION Of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX, and his council of war, on behalf of themselves and the whole Army, showing the grounds of their present advance towards the City of LONDON.  
WHen this Army was formerly led, by the manifold dispensations of God's providence, and the grounds then declared to advance towards the City of London, we held it our duty to yield the kingdom the some of these desires, which we had to propose, on behalf of it and ourselves, where in we should acquiesce: And having received from the Parliament some hopes of due satisfaction therein, and some assurance from the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and common-council of the City of London, of their ready concurrence with us in those things: And also great resolutions professed by them of their care and tenderness, to preserve all the rights and privileges of Parliament safe. free, and inviolate from attempts of all kinds; we do appeal to Cod, to the City, and to all men, what a speedy compliance their desires for our removal to a further distance found in this Army: For preventing all fears, jealousies, and other inconveniences to the City, and to give clear testimony that we had nothing in our breasts but thoughts of peace, and the good and welfare both of Parliament, City and kingdom; notwithstanding many false and scandalous reports raised, that we saught ourselves, that we had vile and wicked ends, and that nothing would satisfy the soldiers but the plunder of the City, and contrary whereof did manifestly appear, when they so readily marched back upon hopes of satisfaction in their desires of public concernment.  
Having then upon the aforesaid confidence so withdrawn, and out of a just sense of the Countries suffering (by quartering) removed the head quarter of the Army above forty miles from London, and dispersed the rest well nigh two hundred miles, for the more ease of all parts; and that we might give the better satisfaction to the kingdom; and being in this secure way, and labouring after the sudden settlement of the kingdom, we had even brought to perfection the particular proposals, (included in the generals of our first Representation) to be sent to the Parliament for a final conclusion of all our troubles; and also had made good progress towards the present relief of distressed Ireland, by assigning a competent force both of horse and foot forthwith to have advanced for that service.  
But the kingdoms and our enemies being most vigilant and active to prevent and frustrate those good intentions and endeavours of ours (that they might carry on their former evil designs, and underhand practices, & also preserve themselves from the hands of Justice) they have endeavoured to cast the kingdom into a new and bloody war, and for that end have procured the underhand listing of several Reformadoes and others: Have contrived, promoted, and caused to be entered into by several persons, a wicked and treasonable combination, as is sufficiently manifested by a Declaration passed thereupon by both Houses of parliament the three and twenteth of July last, for prevension of the disturbances that were like to ensue thereupon: From which kind of disorders, the City had been well preserved during the space of almost four years, whilst the Militia was in the hands of the old Commissioners) whereby it appears there was cause for the Army to entreat the Parliament that the Militia might be returned into the hands it was in before, as also for divers other good reasons.  
First, the old Commissioners of the Militia (that have been since left out) were not only persons without all exception, having been formerly chosen and approved by the Parliament, and City, but also men of whom the City, Parliament and kingdom, have had above four years' experience in the faithful discharge of their trust; men that ever from the beginning, in the worst of times, and in the occasions of greatest difficulty, had faithfully and constantly engaged for and with the Parliament in this cause: Men that were always most desirous of peace, but of a safe and well grounded one, and that had always testified a great ●are to prevent all occasions of embroiling the kingdom in a new War; Now that on a sudden this Trust which they had faithfully discharged so long, should be taken out of their hands, and put into the hands of others, some whereof (at the best) have been very cool in the service of the Parliament at the beginning of this War; That this should be pressed, and in a manner forced upon the Parliament, with such importunity from the Common council, that some out of every Ward should be appointed to solicit the Members of the House of Commons every day as they went in and out at the House, with Professions, that they would never leave the door of the House, till they were satisfied in their desires; That they would not be contented with the Militia of the City of London only, unless they might have power over that of the Suburbs and outparts; and all this before the peace of the kingdom was settled, or the propositions sent to the King for that purpose. These things ministered great cause of suspicion, that this alteration of the Militia was in order to a design, and to make the terms of the peace and agreement with the King (on which the security of the whole kingdom and their posterity is to be bottomed) more suitable to the private bargainings and undertakings of some men, then to the public welfare of the whole kingdom in its security and prosperity, for the present and in future times. But this design discovered itself more clearly by such things as accompanied the pursuit of this alteration of the Militia, and ensued upon the obtaining thereof; At the same time that the alteration of the Militia was set on foot, the same persons with as much earnestness pressed for the disbanding of this Army, before any thing was settled for the security and liberties of the kingdom. At the same time the Common council was new modelled, and a Lord Major chosen that might suit with the present design in hand; At the same time (in colour of difference● in some circumstances of Church Government) it was earnestly endeavoured that such as had been constantly true and most faithful to the interest of this kingdom, should be disabled to have any employment in Church or Commonwealth either in England or Ireland; And without any such colour or pretence, divers persons were left out of the Common council, and Militia, of eminent dese●●● and fidelity, and others brought into their rooms, that had either testified an ill ●ffection, or little ●ffection to the Parliament and their Cause; And such as seemed to withdraw themselves from all employment in the beginning of this war, now at the winding up thereof, are ambitious to thrust themselves into employments, with a design (as may justly be suspected) to frustrate and overthrow and overthrow in the Close of all the fruit and effect of all the cost and blood that hath been spent and spilled in this Cause. And after that with difficulty, and not without reluctancy in the Houses of Parliament, they had obtained the power of the Militia in the City of London, and also in the outparts for the space of one year: Many chief Officers and under Officers in the Trained bands of known trust and fidelity were displaced, and others of more doubtful affection placed in their rooms; little ear was taken of the honour of the Parliament, which was continually trampled under foot, and their authority affronted by every rabble of Women, Apprentices, Reformadoes & soldiers; which latter sort of persons were thereby so encouraged to rise higher and higher in their tumultuous carriages against the Houses, till at length it is risen to the height of barbarous and monstrous violence against the Parliament, that they might set themselves on works, and the kingdom on fire again: And now at length the design appears open faced, and though the Militia be made as the principal ground of the quarrel, yet by the late vow and engagement set on foot before any alteration of the Militia; and the pressing so much the Message of the 12 of May, and the Kings coming to London to confirm the same, show, that the Militia is desired but in order to that design, and to force the Parliament (being wholly in their power) to such terms of peace as they pleased.  
In the next place, when the interest of the Common council in their change of the Militia shall be claimed as the birthright of the City of London (which they never had any colour to pretend to) swing by the indulgency of the Parliament unto them since this Parliament, in respect of the great use they have had of them, and the many good servites they have received from them) it is time for all the kingdom to look to their birth-rights, if such a claim shall be help up against both Houses of Parliament: That upon no occasion whatsoever, nor in no time of danger and distraction whatsoever, they may appoint these that shall have the power of the Militia of London without the consent of the Common council especially, when as the Houses shall sit under their power; The late example may evidence to all the world who shall be Masters of the Parliaments freedom and resolutions: And Common Reason will teach every man who shall be Masters of their birth-rights of the whole kingdom, when there shall be no Army on foot, when they have the confidence to dispute for the Mastery, notwithstanding such an an Army as this to check and balance them in behalf of the kingdom and Parliament.  
Lastly. The Army discerning how intimate some of the new Militia were with some of the eleven accused Members; how forward they were to comply and act with them in their endeavours to raise a new a new war; how they made eighteen or nineteen votes in order thereunto together with them, in one night; All which the Common council and Parliament disliked and revoked, how notwithstanding they secretly promoted their designs by private Listings, which now appears to have been still working under ground.  
The Army, we say, observing this, and having nothing more in their thoughts & desires, then to settle a speedy safe and well grounded peace, and to prevent a new War, found it necessary to desire, that the Militia might be put into the hands wherein it was formerly, who had approved themselves both to the Army, Parliament, and kingdom, to be sober minded men, and not given to any practices whereby a new war might be kindled; to the intent, that the Army being secured by that means from that danger, might with the more confidence retire farther from the City: enlarge their Quarter for the greater ease of the kingdom: and intend wholly the settling of a sure peace in this kingdom, and a speedy and effectual relief of Ireland; which was almost brought to a period, and nothing in the sight of man could have hindered, but the cursed violence upon the Parliament under pretence of the Militia; which according to our desire being restored again into the hands of the Old Commoners by an Ordinance of both Houses dated July the 23. (in pursuance of the aforesaid reasonable combination) several Petitions were presented to the Common council and City of London in the name of the Apprentices and others, importing their desires, That the Militia of the City might continue in the hands of the former Commoners according to the Ordinance of the 4 of May last. Whereupon Monday July the 26. the Common council of the City presents their petitions to both Houses for changing the Militia; wherein the House of Lords refuse to alter their resolutions, the House of Commons answered they would take it into consideration the next morning; Notwithstanding which, the City and kingdom cannot be ignorant with what rage and insolency the tumult of Apprentices the same day forced both Houses; They blocked up their doors; swearing they would keep them in till they had passed what votes they pleased. They threatened the Houses if they granted not their desires: knocking, hooting and hollowing so at the Parliament doors, that many times the Members could not be heard to speak or debate; not suffering the House of Commons to divide for determining such questions as were put, crying out that those that gave their votes against them should be sent out to them; very often and loudly crying, Agree, Agree, Dispatch, we'll wait no longer; and in this outrageous manner they continued at the House above eight hours together, the City guards there present, nor the City relieving them; by reason whereof the House was forced to vote what that rude multitude would demand, and then adjourned the House till the next morning▪ After which the Speaker rising, the Speaker and many of the Members going out of the House, they force them back again into the House; many of the Apprentices pressing in with them, where they stood with their hats on their heads, and compelled the Speaker to take the chair, and the House to vote in their presence what they pleased, committing many other insolences, as is published by the Speaker of the House of Comons in his Declaration▪ and is too well known by all then●●e sen● And during the time of this excerable violence done by the said Apprentices, Westminster Hall, and the palace yard was filsed with Reformadoes, and other ill-affected persons designed to back them. After this the Houses being adjourned till Friday following, upon the Thursday the Apprentices printed, and posted a paper in several places of the City, requiring all their fellows to be early at the Parliament the next morning, for that they intended to adjourn by seven of the clock, and that for a Month.  
Thus the Speakers with many of the Members of both Houses were driven away from the Parliament.  
This being the true state of things as they have broke forth within these few days, (which are so contrary to all those pretences of Peace, and detestation of a new war of late so frequently held forth on all sides) all men may observe to what maturity the long projected design of some men, (of whom are those that are impeached by us) is now brought and may be traced in the several steps thereof, as it hath tended to the enslaving this kingdom, and the destruction of all such well-aff●cted people, who would not comply with them therein; so as by what now is come to light the justness of that Cause this Army had engaged themselves in, and the great and wonderful Mercy of God, in continuing them together, we assure ourselves doth now clearly appear, to all men's eyes and apprehensions, and will every day more and more be acknowledged, even by those that have heretofore made a question of it.  
And if when this kingdom hath spent so much of its blood and Treasure, hath past through such unheard of dangers, and overcome such Difficulties, so many years together, All that they must now hope for, and rest in, must only be what the King grants in his Message of the 12. of May last▪ And if this must be imposed upon men's judgements and Consciences by an Oath and vow, entered into in a tumultuous and unlawful way, and by outrage maintained in despite and contempt of the Parliament: If rather than this should not be accomplished, the Parliam●nt itself must be violated and forced into the hands of such of the Members thereof, as have secretly fomented and abetted these practices to that end, That these hidden counsels, and works of darkness, might, when they come to their full birth, have the Image of highest authority in the face of them, the better to gain credit thereunto, and s●cure the Authors of them from punishment; For the evidence of all which, we refer ourselves to the particulars in our charge against the eleven Members, compared with those passages of late broke forth, before rehearsed: unto which we shall now only add, (and leave it to the consideration of all wise and good men) with what Artifice and boldness these Members have served themselves of those horrid tumults and violences of their own creating, (in stead of showing their detestation of them) again to intrude themselves into the public managing of affairs, and inevitably to embroil the kingdom in a new war: which their own revenge, and the compassing of their former plots and designs makes them so greedily thirst after. If these things (we say,) must be the end and upshot of all, what then remains to this poor kingdom, and all true hearted Englishmen, but to join together as one man with their counsels, Estates, and Lives in this way, as our last refuge under God: which he by his wise and gracious providence hath provided and reserved, and keeping up this Army even to a Miracle, so to prevent the aforesaid evils, and to procure to this dying kingdom, yet a settled Peace and happiness if it be his blessed will?  
These things being seriously considered by us, we have thought fit in the name of the Army to declare, that all such Members of either, House of Parliament, as are already with the Army, or for the securing of their Persons, and for the ends aforesaid, are forced to absent themselves from Westminster, that we shall hold and esteem them, as Persons in whom the public trust of the kingdom is still remaining, though they cannot for the present fit as a Parliament with freedom and safety at Westminster: And by whose advice and Counsels we desire to govern ourselves, in the managing these weighty affairs: And to that end we invite them to make repair to this Army, to join with us in this great Cause, we being resolved; and do hereby faithfully oblige ourselves to stand by them therein, and to live and die with them against all opposition whatsoever. And in particular, we do hold ourselves bound to own that honourable Act of the Speaker of the House of Commons, who upon the grounds he himself expressed in his Declaration sent unto us, hath actually withdrawn himself; And hereupon we do further engage to use our utmost and speedy endeavours, that he and those Members of either House that are thus enforced away from their attendance at Westminster, may with freedom and security sit there, and again discharge their trust as a free and legal Parliament. And in the mean time, we do declare against that late choice of a New Speaker by some Gentlemen at Westminster, as contrary to all Right, Reason, Law, and custom; And we profess ourselves to be most clearly satisfied in our judgements, and are also confident, the Kingdom will herein concur with us, that as things now stand there is no free nor legal Parliament sitting, being through the aforesaid violence at present suspended. And that the Orders, Votes, or Resolutions forced from the Houses on Monday the 26, of July last, as also all such as shall pass in this assembly of some few Lords and Gentlemen at Westminster under what pretence and colour soever are void and null, and ought not to be submitted to by the freeborn subjects of England: And that we may prevent that slavery designed upon us and the Nation, and that the Kingdom may be restored to the happy state of a visible Government now eclipsed and darkened, we hold ourselves bound by our duty to God and the Kingdom, to bring to condign punishment the Authors and promoters of that unparalleled violence, done to the Parliament, and in that to all the freeborn subjects of England, that are or hereafter shall be; And therefore we are resolved to march up towards London, where we do expect that the welaffected people of that City, will deliver up unto us, (or otherwise put into safe Custody, so as they may be referred to a legal trial) the eleven impeached Members, that have again thrust themselves into the management of public affairs by this wicked design; And that all others will give us such assistance therein that the Members of both Houses may receive due encouragement to return to Westminster, there to sit with all freedom, and so to perform their trust, as shall conduce to the settlement of this distracted Kingdom; And to inflict such punishment upon those late offenders, as shall deter any for the future to make the like attempt.  
We appeal to all the Kingdom, if we have not had a very tender care of the City of London, there Commissioners will witness it; Our lives have not been dear unto us for the public good; And being now resolved by the assistance of God to bring these Delinquents to their deserved punishment as that, than which there cannot be any thing of more public concernment to the Kingdom, we trust (if it shall come to that) our blood shall not be accounted too dear a price for the accomplishment of it; And if any in the City will engage themselves against us to pretect those persons, and so put the Kingdom again into a new and miserable war, the Blood must be laid to the Account of such persons as the Authors thereof.  
And Lastly, because it is the main Engine, of ours and the kingdom's enemy, to render us odious, by possessing the minds of men that we gape only after the plunder of this Great and wealthy city: As the experience of the contrary carriage in all towns, that we have taken, yieldeth unto us a Testimony beyond the example of any Army, so we do from our hearts declare, that we abhor the thought thereof: And we doubt not but the World shall see our actions answerable to our professions, and that we shall not cause any man to suffer but by his own default, And that God will manifest, we have only in our eyes that justice may have a free course, the Parliament a free Sitting and Voting, and a full vindication of the late violence done to them.  
And as for the city of Westminster, the Borough of Southwark▪ the Hamlets, and the rest of the Suburbs and out Parts, as we are informed. That they are not so ready to engage themselves in a new war as some would have them, so we are sensible of the hard condition that they are brought into, even by them that claim a Right against both Houses of Parliament, (a strange claim against a Parliament, though more reasonab●●●gainst others) not to be subjected to a Militia without their own co●●●t, and yet will not be contented unless they may have others subject●… unto them, and lay what burdens they please upon them without ●●●…owing them any part of Vote or consent with them; In which point of Common Right and Equity we shall not be wanting (in a due way) to assist them for the obtaining of their just desires and immunities: It being our chief aim to settle Peace with Truth and righteousness throughout the kingdom; And that none may be oppressed in his just freedom and liberties, much less the Parliament itself. Which being duly settled, we shall be as ready also to assure unto the King his just Rights and Authority, as any that pretend it never so much, for the better upholding of an ill cause, and the Countenance of tumultuous violence against the Parliament. The which our honest just and necessary undertakings, as we are resolved to pursue, with the utmost h●zard of our lives and fortunes, so we doubt ●ot but we shall find, God's accustomed goodness and assistance with us therein, till we have brought them to a good and happy conclusion for this poor distracted and languishing kingdom.  
By the Appoyntment of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX and his council of war. Colebrook Aug. 3. 1647. JO. RUSHWORTH. Secretary.