A DECLARATION OF The proceedings of the ARMY.  
BEING several Papers delivered to the Commissioners of the Parliament & city, from the general and his council of war, at Alisbury July 23. 1647.  
ALSO, A Petition and engagement, drawn up in the name of the Citizens Commanders, Officers and soldiers of the Trained Bands, and Auxiliaries; and Apprentizes of the Cities of London and Westminster: Sea Commanders, Officers, seamen, and Watermen: with diverse others, &c.  
Whereunto is annexed a PROCLAMATION from his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX Against the entertainment of cavaliers in the Army.  
By the appointment of the general, and his council of war.  
Signed John RUSHWORTH.  
OXFORD, Printed by ●. and H. and published for the satisfaction of the kingdom, 1647.   

A PAPER FROM THE ARMY, DELIVERED in TO THE Commissioners of the Parliament and City, at Alisbury. July 23. 1647.  
My Lords and Gentlemen.  
We received this enclosed paper the last night, from the hand of a very well ●ffect●d Citizen, It was delivered him by an Officer of the city Militia, who being invited to meet some Citizens at skinner's Hall upon Wednesday last, with divers others to sign the same, and offering to dispute against the matter of it, and to show how dangerous and illegal it was, was silenced, and told that that it was not to be disputed, but to be signed and joined in: there being divers Citizens and others at the same place for that purpose, which when he understood he took this printed copy away with him.  
By the contents of which when you read it, you will easily perceive what it tends to, and how desperate and dangerous it is to the hazard of the whole kingdom, and to frustrate all those endeavours of the Parliament, the Army and kingdom for a happy settlement: And likewise to precipitate all into a new and bloody war. We cannot therefore but acquaint you that we look at this as a business set on foot, by the malice of some desperate minded men, this being their last engine for the putting all into confusion, when they could not accomplish their wicked ends by other means. To this have all secret listings tended, and we with that th●t needless and superfluous listing of Auxiliaries, and co●●●●ance at the continuance of the Reformadoes about the Cities of London and Westminster, have not had the same aim, and by this we hope it will appear that our jealousies and fears of some such desperate designs to be hatched in and about the City (considering the temper of men there) have not been groundless, nor our desires to draw near the City of London with the Army to disappoint and break all such plots, and to free the Parliament from the violence of them, have not been without just cause: And we desire all indifferent men to judge, whether our withdrawing from the City in obedience to the Parliaments command, was for their and the kingdom's security or not?  
We wonder that divers men did calumniate that our marching so near the City, and put so bad representations upon it, 〈◊〉 that it tended to force the Parliament, or 〈◊〉 plunder the City, seeing our doing so was to break that black d●●gre which now begins to show itself in its colour●. Whereas indeed our consciences witness with 〈◊〉, that our aim were clear and honest, tending to restore the Parliament into its just liberty which was much abated in the eyes of all the kingdom, and no doubt by the authors and contrivers of this new Covenant and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof have been so far from assisting to put the Reformadoes, and other dangerous persons out of the lines▪ that now they have called them to join in the conspiracy.  
We entreat you to give the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 representation of these things, which that you may do, we have sent you the papers ●ogether with such information as may give them an opportunity to discover the bottom of this business. We were marching from London when we received this information in obedience to the Parliament, and to give the City more content and to stop the mouth of slanderers.  
But if such designs so destructive to the Parliament, and the work in hand be suffered to go on, or that the Parliament be interrupted in the freedom of their debates and proceedings as we hear within this few days, they were by those that are invited in this confederacy, We beg it of the Parliament, as they tender their own safety, the peace of the kingdom, and preventing of a second war, as they would not have the kingdom lose the fruit and benefit of all that blood and treasure that hath been spent in this cause that they do not suffer their freedom and liberty to be endangered by such designs as these, they having an Army, which by the blessing of God in spite of all that their and the kingdom's enemies can do, will stand and fall with them, and be found faithful and obedient to them in all things, and as ready to relieve Ireland when the peace and right of this kingdom are settled.  
We write not this to desire the Parliament to invite us to march up to them, we care not how great a distance we are from London, if it be the Parliaments pleasure, and consists with their security, and the breaking of those combinations which are hatched in the bowels of that City.  
We are hastening our proposals which are for the general settlement, and which we are confident will satisfy all that love truth and peace. But we see plainly, we need more to intend security, then have cause to expect to bring things to a happy issue by treaty, whilst such designs are on foot. We pray you therefore that the Parliament would speedily and throughly inquire into, and break these designs, wherein as in all things else we shall be ready to serve them, as they shall judge it needful, and when they shall command us.   

A PAPER DELIVERED TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE city.  
BY a Printed Paper come to our hands this day, (a Copy whereof you receive herewith) we still f●nd▪ and clearly perceive that some evil Spirits within the City of London maliciously disaffected to the Peace of the kingdom; do secretly and wickedly endeavour to bring about that mischief upon the kingdom, which we have so much feared; and by all our addre●●●s unto you sought to prevent; which indeed are of that dangerous consequence, as we can expect no other issue from, than the unavoidable engaging of the kingdom in a second war; if not timely and effectually prevented by your wisdom and diligence: we must further observe unto you, that whatsoever design is intended in the foresaid Paper, it is contrary to the Authority of Parliament and direct opposite to the proceedings of the Army, which the two Houses have owned as theirs, and approved of their fidelity, by committing the Forces of the kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, and Islands of Garnsey, and Jersey under the general's care▪ and command▪ and therefore cannot be effected but by force of arms against the Parliament and their Armies, which in probability may involve the whole kingdom in blood, but must necessarily begin within your own bowels, and draw the seat and misery of war upon you and your City.  
Also we desire you would consider whether we have not just cause to suspect, that an evil party lurks within the City ready to distemper it, and the whole kingdom upon every occasion, and whether it be probable such persons desire a happy close between the King and his Parliament (at least such as will be for the kingdom's good) which take upon them the boldness to make new offers to his Majesty, with solemn engagements to make good the same during the time that the Parliament, hath given us leave to make tender of and treat with their Commissioners about those things which tend to a general ●ettlement, and therefore we cannot but desire that you would take a speedy course timeously to suppress this great evil, and to prevent all of this nature for the fu●ure, by making some of those examples, who have been active to carry on this business, we have not had time to inquire into particulars, but shall give you only one instance of a meeting at skinner's Hall concerning this business, where some persons have been very active, the names of some of whom we have given to your Commissioners, and also the names of other citizens who will testify their carriage there.  
Lastly, We cannot but desire your concurrence in our desire to the parliament to put the Militia into the hands of those that had it before, without which we can have no assurance that your City will be free from designs of this nature, nor can we expect to see a happy close.  
Alsbury July 23. By the appointment of His Excellency Sir THOMAS FAJRFAX, and his counsel of war. John Rushworth.   

TO THE RIGHT honourable THE LORD MAJOR, THE RIGHT worshipful THE ALDERmen and common-council of the City of London, in the Common or Guild-Hall of the Gity of London assembled.  
The Humble Petition of the Citizens, Commanders, Officers and Soldiers of the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries, the young men Apprentices of the Cities of London and Westminster, Sea-Commanders, Sea-Officers, seamen, and watermens, together with divers other Commanders, Officers and Soldiers within the line of Communication, and parishes mentioned in the weekly bills of mortality.  
Showeth,  
THat your Petitioners (taking into serious consideration, how Religion, his majesty's honour and safety, the privileges of Parliament, and Liberties of the Subject are at present greatly endangered, and like to be destroyed. And also weighing with ourselves what means might likely prove effectual to procure a firm and lasting peace, without a further effusion of Christian blood; have therefore entered, into a solemn engagement, which is hereto annexed, and do humbly and earnestly desire, that this whole City may join together by all lawful means as one man in hearty endeavours for his majesty's present coming up ●o his two Houses of Parliament, with honour, safety and freedom, (and that without the nearer approach of the Army) and to confirm such things as he hath granted in his Message of the 12. of may, last, in answer to the propositions of both kingdoms, that by that personal Treaty with his two Houses of Parliament, and the Commissioners of the kingdom of Scotland▪ such things as yet are in difference may be speedily settled and a firm and lasting peace established. All which we desire may be presented to both Houses of Parliament, by this honourable Assembly.   

A solemn engagement OF THE CJTJZENS COMmanders, Officers and Soldiers of the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries, the young men and Apprentices of the Cities of London and Westminster, Sea-commanders, seamen and watermen. Together with divers other Commanders, Officers and Soldiers within the Lines of Communication, and Parishes mentioned in the weekly Bill of mortality.  
WHereas we have entered into a solemn League and Covenant for Reformation▪ and defence of Religion; the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, all which we do eminently perceive not only to be endangered but ready to be destroyed: We do therefore in pursuance of our said Covenant, Oath of Allegiance, Oath of every freeman of the Cities of London and Westminster, and Protestatic as solemnly engage ourselves, and vow unto almighty God, that we will to the utmost of our power, cordially endeavour that his Majesty may Speedily come to his two houses of Parli●ment▪ with honour safety and freedom (and that without the nearer approach of the Army) there to confirm such things as he hath granted in his message of the 12. of May last. In answer to the Propositions of both kingdoms, and by a personal Treaty with his two houses of Parliament, and the Commissioners of the kingdom of Scotland, such things as are yet in difference may be speedily settled, and a firm and lasting peace established: for the effecting hereof, We do protest and reoblige ourselves as in the presence of God the searcher of all hearts, with our lives and fortunes, to endeavour what in us lies to preserve and defend his majesty's royal person and authority, the previledges of Parliament, and liberties of the Subject in their full and constant freedom, the Cities of London and Westminster, Lines of Communication, and parishes mentioned in the Weekly bills of Mortality, and all other that shall adhere with us to the said Covenant, Oath of Allegiance, Oath of every free man of London and Westminster, and Protestation, nor shall we by any means admit, suffer or endure any kind of neutrality in this common cause of God, the King and kingdom, as we do expect the blessing of Almighty God, whose help we crave, and wholly devolve ourselves upon in this our undertaking.   

A PRCOLAMATION, From his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAJRFAX, concerning the putting Cavaliers out of the Army.  
I do hereby require the chief officer present with every Troup, and Company, to make strict enquiry what Cavaliers have been listed and entertained in their troops and Companies, since the Muster preceding the last muster; and that all such chief Officers shall presently upon such enquiry as before, put them forth of troops and Companies from such Muster as befo●e: and that before they receive any pay upon this last Muster, they shall expunge the names of all such Cavaliers out of their Muster-rolls, as they shall have put out of their troops and Companies: and if it shall hereafter appear that any chief Officer present with their troops or Companies, shall neglect to put forth, or cashier such Cavaliers in manner as before; or receive any for the time to come; upon proof made thereof, he shall be liable to a council of war, and be proceeded against accordingly.  
Given unde● my hand, July 23. 1647. FAJRFAX.