An Humble REPRESENTATION From His excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, AND The council of the army; CONCERNING Their past endeavours, and now small desires for the putting of the soldiery into constant Pay. For the immediate disburthening the Kingdom of free Quarter, the preven●ion of any further increase of Arrears, and in order to the better disbanding of Supernumeraries, and other things concerning the soldiery. Humbly presented to the Right Honourable the Houses of Parliament, by colonel Sir Hardresse Waller, and colonel Whaley, Decemb. 7. 1647. By the Appointment of His excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the council of the Army. Signed Jo▪ R●SHWORTH, Secr. Decemb. 7. Imprimatur Gilbert Mabbott. Printed at London by John Clowes, for George Whit●…ng●on, at the Blue Anchor in Cornhill near the royal Exchange, 1647. An Humble REPRESENTATJON FROM His Excellency, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the council of the Army. SInce, by the blessing of God, the Speakers and Members of both Houses (that had been driven away) were without blood restored, and have been ever since secured to sit and attend their duty in Parliament, with what patience God hath given us to wait for the resolutions of those things we have insi●ted on or offered, tending to the future security of the Parliament, the j●st satisfaction of the soldiery, and the ●ase and settlement of the Kingdom, we need not use many words to set forth; the expense of above 4. months' time, in quiet expectation thereof, with so little satisfaction does sufficiently speak. As to what fruit we have found, in any thing done to any of those ends, we are sorry we can s●y so li●tle thereof, or that we have occasion to say so muc● to the de●a●e●, neglects, and obstructions▪ thereof, as ●ow we are constrain●d to do, But what ever those d●layes or negl●cts have been, o● wherever the fault ha●h been, w● are sure the bla●e thereof hath been laid upon us, almost ●n all han●s, and this is the▪ fruit we have found from the hands of men, of all our patient waiting hitherto. It is not unk●own what reproaches and scan●all, in this ki●d have been cast upon us, and what use and advantage hath been ma●e of those delays, thereby to work up●n the impatience of the soldiers, and Countr●●, to ince●●e 〈◊〉 ●ountrey against the A●my, an● bo●h the Cou●trey and Army against us, as if it had been our fau●t ●●a●on, that no more was do●e. And to what an height of scand●ll a●d discontent against us, the pretence hereof was driven, 〈…〉 hav● been thereupon, to withd●aw th● 〈…〉 (as having betrayed or failed and neglect●d both theirs and t●e kingdom's interest) to divide and distemper the A●my, and to enga●e both the soldiery and many other well affected people (under the same notion and pretence) in way●s of dist●actio● and confusion, and (as we accompt●d the●) o● most i●minent dangers, both to the Parliament, City, and Kingdom, we need not now spend time to express●; We b●li●ve a●l tha● wished w●ll ●o the public were so deeply sensible thereof, as they cannot so suddenly forget it, and others (w●o had any thing to lose or haz●d) though perhaps so far as they had hop●s, the Army might that way have destroyed itself, they might have some secret rejoicing at it, and may now be sorry the business● is so well over without that offer, yea, so far a● they considered t●e bottomless depth and endless danger of it, they could not but b● aff●cted with it, so as we need n●t mention i● save to mind men of what danger and mischief God hath therein d●livered them from, and whence the greatest a●vantage to the rise and growth of it, was (even from delays and flow proceedings in those things which the long expectations of the soldiery and Kingdom have been set upon, and to obs●rve how apt both the soldiery and people through tedious delays in such cases, are to harken to any party, and try any new way propos●d (under the notion of more speedy and eff●ctuall, though perhaps so far from real remedy as that ●● indeed endangers the utter less of their end, with ruin and destruction ●o both. To pr●vent the progress of this growing danger to all; we have lately exposed ourselves to the utmost h●zard, and being act●d therein from some ●●arre●●●n●●● Confer●nces, that the fault of those delays lay not upon us [as wa● s●an alous● suggested] and a co●●; i●nce in God 〈◊〉 would appear, to vindicate ●hat m●asure of 〈◊〉 and integri●y, he had given us i● the thing, though with ma●y fail●●●s and miscarriag●s on our part, we were led forth by him, wi●ho●● any Artifice, whereby to vindicate or ex●use ourselves, nakedly to cast ourselves, and the business upon him, and to his praise w● must speak i●, he hath appeared in an answerab●e 〈◊〉; wher●of the Parliament a●d Kingdom hath had an account, and wherein they may se●, and we wish they may with us ●ake notice and be mindful of, the mercy and goodness of God in our deliverance more added to all the rest, and therein the Army, which in casting of all b●nds of order and government, was like to have been let loose to be a plague and bane both to the Kingdom and itself, once more reduced unto that temper and discipline which may render it, through and under God, a further security and stay to the Kingdom, and in due time bring it to a quiet disbanding, when just satisfaction, with set●lement and safety, shall a●mit. But [as hath in part been done already] we must again mind the Parliament upon what terms this hath been wrought, the general [as we all wit● and under him] stands engaged to the Army, for the lawful prosecution of the soldier's Concernments and some general fundamental things for the Kingdoms and (in confidence of the Parliament good accep●ance of the service thereby done, and of there real intention and promised effectual resolution, to give satisfaction in those things) hath in a manner undertaken for the Parliament therein. We wish we may see a cause to acknowledge a just sense of his excellency; good affection, & service in that business, or at least of their own engagement, or the kingdom's concernment therein, and that we had not cause to apprehend either a strange neglect thereof growing upon many, or rather (in some) the sad symptoms of an evil eye, at the service itself, as if they did regret the happy composure of those distractions begun in the Army and the reuniting of it, or did grudge the good hand of God towards it, and the Kingdom therein, that in mercy would not suffer it to run on in these distractions to its own ruin and the Kingdoms. For though it be most evident that had God given up the Army to cast off the reins of Government and order, and to go on in those distracting and confounding ways, (which it was endeavoured to be drawn into) both it and other forces of the Kingdom, were like ere this time to have been engaged in blood, one against another, or else united only in some desperate course of rending and tearing out the bowels and vitals of the Kingdom, and plucking up or endangering all foundations of order, peace and government therein (yea and of all right and property too) yet the envy and malignity of some men's spirits against this Army, and against the interests of good men therein, seems to be such, as if they had rather have seen it so, then that this Army should again be an united piece; and we clearly apprehend the same principles (that swayed heretofore) none again prevailing, as if there were no good so desirable or evil so formidable; which the breaking of this Army (with as much ignominy, and confusion as may be) would not, in their account, countervail; and if such an envious and evil spirit be indeed lodged and working in the hearts of any, we desire God in mercy to convince them of it, lest he confound them for it. For our parts having the witness of God in our consciences that though we are not without weak and frail workings of our fleshly hearts in all our ways (yet for the main) we have in all our Engagements, from the beginning of the war, had the work of God and the Kingdom in our eye, and not our own, and that since the Army (by the oppressive provoking and spiteful proceedings of men acted by the aforesaid envious principles against it) was raised into such resolutions, and driven into such a posture as put it past the power of the Officer to bring it to a quiet disba●ding, without further satisfaction and security; It hath been our main end in continuing with it and almost our whole work, to keep it within compass and moderation, to withhold it f●om extremities of all sorts, and from that mischief to the Kingdom or itself, which our withdrawi●g and taking off our hands from the Gover●ment of it, would have let it lose unto, to make use of it and of the provide●ce that brought it to that pass (if possible) to some good issue for the just liberty, safety and set●lement of the Kingdom, and bring the Army to some bottom of seasonable satisfaction wherein it might acqu●esce, and at last come to a quiet disbanding; and (in ●ransact●on of all this) with all tenderness and patience to preserve [if possible] the authority and peace of the Kingdom, and prevent new broils, which several parti●s and int●rests have been ●o apt unto. Having, we say, the witness of these things within us, when, on the other side, we co●sider ●hat unworthy requitals for all this we meet with from the hands of men, how we are loaded with reproaches for it, and ●●ndered the only disturbers of the K●ngdom, & the Authors of its burdens, as if for private en●s or designs we kept up the Army) & how generally most men [even of the Parliament party, for whose preservation and for prevention of whose ruin amongst others, we have exposed ourselves to all ●azards therein) do either from dis●ff●ction or ●●sign to divide and break the Army, withhold ●r obst●●ct all supplies and satisfaction w●ich might keep it inord●●, uni●n or repu●e; We confess, when we 〈◊〉 these 〈◊〉 we are ready to apprehend tha● God doth herein 〈◊〉 most justly to upbraid cu● ca●e an● 〈◊〉, to ●●eserve a people given up (as we begin to fear) to their ●wn destruction, and which 〈◊〉 to choose it rather, the●●ot to have their own facti●us i●terests or envy fulfilled, rather than to own their preservation, in the least degree, by th●se whom God hath app●ared willing to use for their preservation and deliveran●●. And rather than we would further incur the ●dium and scandal of being the only public disturbers and oppressors (so unworthily cast upon us merely for our goodwill, and endeavours to prevent greater mi●chiefs) we are apt to c●use rather to withdraw from our present station (though wi●h hazard of our personal safeties, and the ●●●e not only of any imagined benefit of fu●ure empl●yment, but even our arrears, for what service we have done) and so leaving all to what ever confusion God in ●is righteous judgement may see good to bring upon the Na●ion, to cast ourselves wholly upon him, to pr●s●rve a●d provide for us in the midst th●●eof, or if God in mercy 〈◊〉 better things to the Kingdom, or hath found 〈◊〉 in us (which we con●●sse he may) r●●d ring us unwor●hy to be any further instruments thereof, we should desir●, with meekness and rejoicing, to see any oth●r whom he finds, or the Kingdom judgeth more wor●hy to take up our present charges: But fi●ding n●t as yet any s●c● c●●●r ●ischarge as would (●o our apprehensions) fully acquit us before God or Man, to leave the Army or kingdom in their present condition, we shall, in discharge of our duty to the u●most, add this one assay more to bring both into a be●ter, if God in mercy see it good: We shall therefore once more beg the Parliament timely to consider and provide effectually for these things expressed in the late Remonstrance published at the several rendezvous of the Army, upon his Excellencies continued conjunction, wherein the disconten●s in the Army were quieted, the distractions composed, and the due order and Discipline of it, recovered and submitted to. And amongst these things, since the greatest and most immediate and pressing evil to the soldiery is want of pay, and to the country, the disorders, exactions, and abuses of the soldiery with the burden & annoyances free quarter (thereby enforced) and which (if once provided for) gives time of consideration for other things, we shall first apply to that either to obtain, a present remedy, or at least, to acquit and discharge ourselves in that point. Of the many evils thereof both to the soldiery and Country we have long been sadly sensible, and many ways and often expressed our sense thereof, but we have been most troubled at it, since that necessity which heretofore enforced it, (viz. the straitness of the Quarters the Parliament had to raise money in) was taken away, and all parts of the kingdom have been cleared from any enemy, and free for the equal levying of money to supply the necessities of the whole; and it seems a matter of wonder to us, or an argument of great improvidence (at best) that since that time the soldiery (though much lessened in number) should be no better paid or provided for then before; From the sense of these things we have made frequent addresses to the Parliament, for a sufficient establishment and provision of pay for the Army and other Forces of the kingdom, until they might (with safety to the kingdom, and just satisfaction or security to themselves (in point of Arrears▪ Indemnity &c.) be disbanded or otherwise employed out of the kingdom, We have long waited with patience as aforesaid, for some fruit of our addresses, at least, in this point: But what through the difficulty or delay of getting things past in Parliament to this purpose, or of putting in● execution those Ordinances that have been passed, and the neglect or slowness of Country Committees, Assessors, or Collectors to do their duty therein, what through the Malignancy of some who (in design to break or distract the Army as aforesaid) for want of pay, and to disaffect the Country thereto by necessitated free quarter) do industriously retard all supplies of money, and what through the general backwardness of all (especially in the City of London,) to part with it, we have yet found little fruit of all our addresses, and endeavours in this kind, there being not as yet an establishment of Contribution, for pay of the soldiery, any whit near proportionable to the numbers that are yet kept up, or any effectual execution of the powers already given for raising of the Taxes already charged upon the kingdom, so as we remain yet, as far as ever, from that supply of pay to the army, at other forces; whereby either the burden and grievances of free quarter can be taken off, or the necessity of the soldiery competently supplied o● their discontents in any measure removed or disorder prevented, or good discipline preserved, and (which is most sad) in the Garrisons of the kingdom (and those of most importance) where the soldiery have not, nor can well have that benefit of Quarter for their subsistence (as the Army and field Forces have yet) they have very long been without any supply of pay at all, so as divers poor soldiers in some of them have actually starved, and died for want, in attendance upon their duties, others forced by extremity of want to quit their service, and the rest ready to ●terve or quit the Garrisons to any that will possess them; And as it is most apparent, that the present proportion of Tax (if duly levied) could not competently supply them, and others too (in an equal distribution thereof, considering the number that are yet in being) so the Committees in many Countries (where such Garrisons are, that have engaged with the Army) do refuse to levy those small proportions of money, that have been assigned for the present relief to such Garrisons, but are content to see the aforesaid miseries of the soldiery, and danger to the Garrisons, rather than do their parts, to give the least remedy to either, divers of them telling the soldiers plainly (as we are informed) that if they had declared against the Army, they should not have wanted, but having engaged with it, they must expect neither quarter nor pay, but what they get from the Army. If we or this poor Army have deserved such hatred and despite, (especially from pretending friends to the Parliament, and the kingdom's interest) we would ●aine be plainly told and convinced wherein, otherwise we cannot but account it most unchristian and inhuman dealing, and such as can have no better root, then most envious faction, void of all regard to public Interest; and we would have all such know, that if we had borne the same mind, or could have allowed ourselves by power to pur●ue the ruin of adverse parties by indirect or unchristian ways, or otherwise to set up a party of our own and suppress all others, or if we had not ●ill (according to our first principles) loved much more the ways of Common right and freedom, and the proceeding in all such things by Parliament in order thereunto, or if we had not in the way of ordering our affairs since the army's engagement, consulted mo●e the preserving of Peace in the kingdom, and to prevent the rise of any new war, than our own advantage or security, we could (to speak as men with the power and advantages God hath put into our hands) long ere this time (as yet also we might) have put the Army and all other Forces engaged with it into such a Posture, as to have assured themselves of pay whi●e continued▪ and probably to have made our opposers in the kingdom and City too, willing to have followed us with offers of satisfaction, as to arrears, and other dues that concern the Sould●ery; or we could have told how to prosecute those advantages we have had to the suppression, if not destruction of adverse parties and interests▪ so as they should not (probably) have had those foundations or possibilities to grow up again, to our further trouble or danger (as now they seem to have;) And all this with reason and justice enough too, but that we have studied the preservation, and good of all, without ruin or destruction to any, as far as we could, and have (through God) been acted therein, in some measure, with that mildness, moderation, patience, and love that becomes the name of Christ; And we are yet confident, we shall at last lose nothing by it; But (to return to our purpose, as to the inconveniences and dangers of a new Provision for the Souldery in point of Pay, the Parliament hath had sufficient Cautions and warnings, especially in the late distra●tions; and though, while the danger thereof continued visible, it was largely professed (if that danger could be removed, and the Army reduced into order and discipline) we should have what provision we would with reason in that point, and the same (with much more) upon the first hopes of overcoming that danger, was as largely promised; Yet now the danger is over▪ we see little better care of performance then before. but after many days since elapsed, and some spent in professed consideration of it, the whole care of that business seems to be wrapped up in one Bare vote, viz. [that all supernumerary forces shall be disbanded.] As to which matter of disbanding supernumeraries (so it be with reasonable satisfaction in point of arrears,) we are so far from opposing, or obstructing it, that (for the speedy easing of the kingdom's burdens by it) we shall readily give all furtherance and assistance to it, and shall (by and by) offer that encouragement thereto, as will demonstrate the same, and on such terms we should ourselves most gladly be of those supernumeraries that should come first to disbanding. But, as to the thought of present disbanding all supernumeraries (according to the Vote) first we cannot but wish it be considered, whether with any respect at all to the service, and relief of Ireland, the Parliament can well disband them all, unto which service (as there might have been a great advancement of assistance long since, but for the prevalence of Faction and design to break that force that might have afforded it, as we have formerly remonstrated) so we have more lately contributed our parts, in the offer and designation of a very considerable force thereunto, and there hath▪ wanted nothing but resolution and money, with expedition to send them over, which was not within our power. But if (with respect to that service and the safety of this kingdom) the Parliament can yet lessen their forces so much, as to bring them near the compass of sixty thousand pounds a months pa●, yet, we wish it be withal, considered how many those supernumeraries are, that must so come to be presently disbanded (which, to bring the residue within that compass, would be little less than twenty thousand of one sort or other) and (if so) how great a sum it would require, to give any reasonable satisfaction to so many in point of arrears in hand; And (by the hardness of getting so much money as to piece up the months pay to the Army) we have much reason to doubt how long the Parliament will be in raising such a sum together, or where they will▪ suddenly find money, to give competent satisfaction to the proportion but of a Regiment or two upon a present disbanding, and unless they be provided with present money, to give reasonable satisfaction to so many at once, as would to that end come to be disbanded, the Parliament must either turn them off presently with extreme dissatisfaction and disobligation (which would render them apt to rise again with any party against the Parliament who would give them hope of better dealing, or but of revenge) or else must continue them until better provided. And though there were money ready for a competent part of arrears in hand, yet it will be necessary however that they be continued some time for the stating of their accounts and giving debentures for the remainder, for (besides the injustice and dissatisfaction of turning the soldiers off without that) we presume the Parliament hath had too much experience already of the bottomless ill consequences of not ascertaining their accounts and arrears before disbanding, and not keeping the same registered together, by the endless clamours and out-cries of particular persons for arrears, and the vast sums expended thereupon without end of satisfaction (the persons or their sta●e of arrears through neglect of taking such accounts before disbanding) having never been certainly known, nor any end either of their number or claims) and the dispatch of such accounts, for those that remain, before disbanding, will certainly take up some time (we doubt) some months; now, if thus any part of the supernumeraries (above what the sixty thousand pounds a month will pay) shall either for the time of stating their accounts or longer (for want of present money to disband withal) be continued, both they and all other soldiers in the kingdom must so long remain without constant pay, and consequently go upon free quarter the while, unless the tax for their pay be (for the mean time) proportionably increased; for the sixty thousand pounds a month, not affording any assignment for such supernumeraries pay, those must of necessity go unpaid the while and consequently upon free quarter, and their going anywhere upon free quarter will hinder the coming in of the contribution of those parts which should be to pay some others, and so they likewise must go upon free quarter the while: which will in like manner hinder the pay and necessitate the like free quartering of others, so as all will that while be equally hindered of constant pa●, and forced to take free quarter still; but (besides these aforementioned certain and visible occasions of delays to the present effect of the vo●e for disbanding all supernumeraries (we doubt it will find many other difficulties and obstructions to the speedy and effectual dispatch thereof, and prove not so easy or so well executed as voted; so that, though we wish that business of disbanding supernumeraries, put into a way of as speedy execution as may be, yet upon all these considerations we cannot imagine that vote to be absolute and sovereign, nor so speedy or timely a Cure of the soldier's wants, and discontents, or the country's grievance in their free quarter, as the nature of the malady and temper of the Patient requires; we shall therefore offer our final advice for some other: First setting down the particulars, and then showing the efficacy and benefit thereof; The particulars (which we have in part heretofore propounded to the Parliament) are these; 1 That the Parliament do forthwith enlarge their monthly contribution for five or six months, to the full proportion of the pay of all the Forces now in being within this kingdom (or at least of so many of them as they are not provided with present money to disband) and to a considerable proportion (viz. about ten thousand pounds a month) over; which (by a near estimate) we conceive would well be by the addition of forty thousand pounds per mensem to the present sixty thousand pounds, and with less we believe it cannot be); And the same Committees to be appointed and to have the same power for the levying of this as for the former sixty thousand pounds, and the same penalties for neglects or defaults therein, as for the arrears of former taxes to the Army, and for more speedy passing of this unless some visible inequality in the rates of Countries could be readily rectified without delay to the passing of it, we wish it might, (being but for that short space) pass according to the same rates as the sixty thousand pounds; and for the kingdom's better sattisfaction herein it may be Resolved and Declared. I. That upon this enlargement and the effectual levying of it in the respective Counties, no free quarter at all shall (from within a month at most after passing the Ordinance) be taken in any County or place where it shall be duly Leavyed and paid. II. That it is intended this enlargement of tax shall not be continued beyond the space of the months limited, and that in the mean time, as the Parliament can find money, and safety to disband and lessen their forces, so (if that lessening be considerable) they nill by degrees lessen the said tax proportionably. 2 we desire that for the more sure and effectual levying of the whole tax, the general and Committee of the army, or one of them may have power (in case of any County Committees neglect or failing therein) to add new men to any the respective Committees who (thereupon) to have the same power as the Committees named in the Ordinance have. 3. That for more sure and ready payment of the soldiery out of this, the forces which cannot, or are not provided for to be forthwith disbanded, may be immediately assigned to several Counties or Associations of Counties, out of whose taxes they shall be paid, and that the general may have power accordingly to make such distribution & assignments giving notice and account thereof to the Committee of the Army, and they thereupon to take order for the payment of the forces so assigned, immediately out of the Counties or Associations to which they are Assigned, and that the payment be made according to due Musters and according to the last establishment (as to the rate of each officers pay) and the surplusage of any Counties Taxes above the due pay of their Forces so assigned to be paid out of them, to be (at the care and oversight of the same Committee for the Army) called for and paid into the Common Treasury, for such general uses as shall be found necessary relating to the forces and service within this Kingdom, by warrant from the general or Committee for the Army according to the usual course of limitations heretofore; and the remainder or surplusage of the said Taxes of the whole kingdom (above the uses aforesaid) to be for the supply and relief of the forces already in Ireland, or other public uses as the Parliament shall think fit; And the same Committee likewise, with the Treasurers, to take care for the methodizing, and balancing of the whole accounts, and to have power for the employing of Officers needful for the dispatch and accommodation of this service, and to make allowance of salaries to them, (within some reasonable limitation) particularly that there be allowances for so many Deputy Commissaries of Musters as upon the practic of this distribution, the general and Committee shall find needful; And the Treasures general out of their salary (in regard of this accession to it) to maintain so many Deputy Treasurers as the general and Committee of the Army shall find needful to be employed, and reside in such several parts of the Kingdom as the general shall find convenient for that service. 4. That the security for arrears being settled as hath been already and is again hereafter propounded, the Parliament would speedily send down Commissioners to the Army, and appoint the like for other forces of the kingdom, to state accounts and give debenturs, whereby the soldier may before disbanding, have his arrears ascertained to him, as a clear debt to be paid him out of that security; And that one Office or Registry may be appointed into which all accounts so taken may be returned, and all the arrears registered to be paid in order, as is hereafter expressed, and for this office we offer that two Registers, with four clerks may be allowed to have reasonable Salaries out of the Revenue issuing out of the said security, and this we desire may be hastened for the speedier preparation to the work of disbanding; that such as are to be disbanded may be ready for it, by that time the Parliament can provide money wherewith to disband any of them, and that so by disbanding the supernumeraries as fast as may be, way may be made for the speedier lessening and taking off the Taxes by degrees. Now, for the advantage and benefit of the things here propounded, they will appear as followeth, viz. Whereas upon the former supposition (that the putting off the Soldiery that are to be continued into a way of constant pay, do depend only upon the disbanding of all supernumeraries, whom the present Tax will not extend to pay) It's most evident (as before demonstrated) that none can be put into present pay, but all must go on upon free quarter, so long as until every one of the said supernumeraries be disbanded (which what ever may be imagined) though no other difficulties or obstructions should happen then what are now visible, as before mentioned, would not be effected, nor (we doubt) provided for in three or four months' time, we wish it prove so soon: but we much fear interruptions, or delays, will happen to make it much longer, and all that while (free quarter continuing as before) the burden thereof (besides the anoyances) though it fall more lightly upon some parts and heavier upon others, yet in the whole it damnifies the Kingdom as much as the said increased contributions come to. The Soldiers also must have (besides his quarters) some pay in hand the mean while (otherwise he can neither subsist nor be kept in order) yet still he accounts (at least) half of his pay for the remaining time, in arrear to him, so as that further debt doth also grow upon the kingdom's score; Now contrariwise (the things we have propounded being granted) that bare contribution answers all; for we dare under take, within a fortnight after granting of them, all the forces of the Kingdom shall be assigned where, & how to receive their pay constantly, till disbanded; & so no more freequarter shall henceforth be taken, no part of the Kingdom any more unequally oppressed thereby, nor any further debt of arrears hence forth incurred upon the Kingdom, and the work of disbanding supernumeraries not at all hindered, but much facilitated thereby, and as the Parliament finds money and safety to disband any of them, they may by the same degrees either lessen the tax proportionably, or will have so much more surplusage thence from, towards relief of Ireland, or towards disbanding of others, or any other public uses. And now for furtherance and encouragement in the matter of d●sbanding (those things afore mentioned being granted) we shall (for the army and other Forces engaged with it) offer and agree to these rules following, 1. That such of the said forces as shall come to be disbanded as supernumeraries, shall (out of the moneys to be raised upon the security for arrears) have the full moiety of their arrears first made good to them, as moneys come in hereupon, before those which fall out to be continued shall receive any part of theirs, and after that (when those that continue, shall have received the like proportion of theirs then) these that shall be disbanded to receive the other moiety or full remainder of their arrears, before these that continue any more. 2. That those of them which shall disband, shall (as moneys come in upon the said security) receive their proportions of arrears in the same order and course as they disband, (of which order and course a remembrance to be entered and kept in the aforesaid Regestry of these accounts) the persons of the Regiment, troop, or Company first disbanding, and so the rest in course, to receive first what was due to them at disbanding (to make up their first moiety) by two equal portions, and likewise to receive their second moiety at twice, by equal portions, in the same course as they disband. Now for our desire in the first proposition aforegoing, (to have the increase of Contribution extended to the proportion of ten thousand pounds a month (by estimate) over & above what we think the just pay for the soldiery now in being in the kingdom, and not ready for present disbanding will come to: the reason is, partly, that there may be (Certain) some present supply out of it for the Force in Ireland, and partly because, if the contribution should be set scant of, or but just answerable to the pay of the soldiery, the many Contingences and acc●ssary Charges (not to be foreseen, and the probable failings of full levying the Contribution in some parts, would necessitate the going of some upon free Quarter, (which would disturb the order, and constant pay of the whole) and it would also r●q●ire much time to proportion the Forces, to be assigned upon the several Counties exactly to the contributions of them, which would make it long e'er free Quarters could be taken off, since none could be assigned where to be paid, until the pay of each part of the soldiery were exactly computed, and all of them as exactly distributed according to each Counties tax;) Whereas the taxes being laid to a sufficient proportion above the just pay, we can immediately make distributions and Assignments lie estimate, so as to be sure the taxes of each County exceed the pay of the soldiers assigned to it, and though so, one County have more, and another fewer soldiers assigned to them then (upon an exact distribution according to the number and pay of the soldiery) their just proportion would come to, yet none having so many, but that their taxes will do more than pay them, no part will bear above its due proportion of charge, and those parts which have least numbers of soldiers assigned upon them, yet will bear their due proportion of charge, either in pay to the soldiers, or in the surplusage of their tax above it; which, being collected into the Common Treasury, will be for relief to Ireland, or other public uses, so as the surplusage (either in particular Counties above their particular Assignments, or of the whole kingdom's taxes, above the pay of the whole soldiery in i●) will be no loss; but (as to some present and certain relief for Ireland out of it, upon supposition of the hundred thousand pounds a month) we shall (besides the surplusage of every Counties tax above the pay of the soldiers to be assigned to it) forecast in the Distributions and Assignments, to leavye the taxes of some Counties, (and that as many as may be) to come entirely into the common Treasury for the relief of Ireland, without assaying any of the Forces in England to be paid out of them. And for that power desired for making such Distributions and Assignments, the advantages and benefits of that way of repartition (as to the more sure and ready payment of Soldiers) are sufficiently known and tried: and it is most evident, that without it, (if no soldiers be paid before the moneys be first Collected in the several Counties, and then sent into the Common Treasury for all the kingdom, and then sent to the Head Quarters, or thence distributed to the several Forces within the kingdom, it is in vain to think that the soldiers can be supplied with money aforehand, or timely enough to make him pay Quarters, and 'tis as good (almost) not at all, as not in time. We have thus propounded a way whereby all the soldiery of the kingdom may be instantly put in a condition of constant pay (while continued) and thereby be kept in order and discipline, all free quarter (with the abuses, exactions, annoyances, and unequal pressures that accompany it) immediately taken off, no further debt of arrears incurred upon the kingdom, and that which is already incurred, put in a way to be recovered and overcome in time, and whereby the supernumerary forces may shortly be disbanded by degrees (as the Parliament can find money to do it) and will be satisfiable to disband, with less money in hand, without danger of disobligation therein, and whereby also the additional charge (now propounded) with other burdens of the kingdom may by the same degrees be lessened and eased with safety and satisfaction, until all can be taken off. And as it is evident, that if such a course as this had been taken sooner, and the Parliament (as they found the several parts of the kingdom cleared from the enemy, and eased of the oppressions they suffered under them) had by degrees extended an equal contribution over all parts in a proportion sufficient to have paid all their forces (while they continued them) the kingdom had been eased of free quarter, and no further debt of arrears to the Soldiery incurred upon it, for (at least) a year and half ago, those that have been disbanded had not been put off with so much disobligation (as some have been) nor had their claims and endless demands since brought such troubles upon, or drawn such vast arrears from the Parliament and kingdom, and those that now remain to be disbanded had been much easier satisfyable and more readily disbanded; So if such a course (as is here propounded) be not speedily taken, but the putting off the Soldiery into a way of pay be left to depend only, upon the disbanding of all supernumeraries (and that so unprovided for) or so uncertainly and slowly provided for, and proceeded in (as without this course) it is like to be) it is most evident (besides unforeseen dangers of discontent both in the Soldiery and Country of difficulties to disband, or interruptions and dissatisfactions in it) that the non-disbanding of some will so long occasion the nonpayment of all, and continue free quarter, with the inconveniences thereof upon all, and the nonpayment of all may hinder the disbandin● of any, and so both debts and discontents grow upon the Soldiery and kingdom, (perhaps) till it pass the power either of the general and Officers, to compose the one, or the Parliament and kingdom to satisfy the other. Having therefore thus sufficiently d●scharged ourselves in this point, so as we shall (we hope) stand acquitted before God and men from whatever evils ensue upon any further neglect thereof; We must now declare, That we find the just expectations of the Army herein (especially since the general's late Eengagement or undertakings at the rendezvous) are so great and earnest, the clamours & outcries to us from other forces, & Garrisons of the kingdom engaged with the Army (for their extreme necessity, and our apprehend neglect of equal provision for them) are so sad and pressing, the discontents of the Country (from the oppressions of free quarter) are so full and yet growing, and almost desperate, and the distempers distractions, and dangers threatened by all these are so vast and eminent, as we can no longer stand and under the burden or blame of them. But if the things here before propounded be not granted and passed effectually (or a certain course settled according to the eff●ct of them) by the end of this present week; we can no longer give account of the Army or other forces in a regular way; but unless we find satisfaction in our judgements, to take some extraordinary ways of power; We must let the Soldiery and K●ngdome know, that we cannot satisfy their just expectation, and thereupon desire that the charge of the Soldiery may be transmitted to others; If the Parliament shall approve, and pass what we have here propounded, we must (for the better prosecution and effecting thereof) add, that the superlative backwardness and obstinacy, or disaff●ction rather of those within the City, who have thus long withheld their arrears of Taxes, (so long since due to the Army) may not escape either with v●ctory therein, or without exemplary suffering (at least) by strict and speedy levying as well the penalties, as the arrears themselves, and (for that purpose) that the Parliament would reassume the consideration of the general's late Letters about that business, to the Committee of the Army, and review that to the Lord Majo● and common council, wherein the ill consequences both of the wilful neglect of the thing, and of the Armies withdrawing to a further distance before it be done, or of its continuing longer here abouts, in the delatory (and perhaps) frui●l●sse expectation thereof from the Cities own actings therein may sufficiently appear. To which we add, that till it be done effectually (and sharply to some) the distribution of the forces to several Committees to be paid (according to what is before propounded) can neither be effectual nor safe; And we must therefore desire that unless it be thought fit, that the whole kingdom should groan still under the oppressions of free quarter, and these adjacent Counties be undone chiefly while those of the City (that occasional) sit free from any taste of it, there may be no longer stop to the drawing in of the Army, or a considerable part of it to quarter upon them in the City (who had not paid before the said letters, until they shall have paid both the Arrears and full penalties; And though our tenderness of that city's safety & welfare, and our clearness from the least thought of evil towards it, or any base design to make the least advantage to ourselves, or the army by it hath sufficiently appeared, as in all our former demeanments, so in our carriage of the business upon our late advance towards it (notwithstanding the just occasions, & great provocatitions thence so newly given) as also in our innocent march through it, and quiet and patient waiting about it for those long-due arrears, without quartering any soldiers in it; Yet now, in Justice, we cannot but desire that, (besides the levying of the arrears at last (for which we have been put to stay so long) there may now likewise some reparation be thought on from the City to the parts adjacent for above one hundred thousand pounds' damage sustained through the army's attendance here on the city's defaults and delays; which reparation, we (if necessitated thereto, or called upon by the country) must in their behalf demand from the City to the full; and now also (the rather in order to that) we must earnestly desire that the proceedings against those Citizens and others lately impeached may be hastened, and out of their fines or confiscations, some part of reparation may be made to the country's adjacent for the aforesaid damages which the crimes of those persons and others in the City did first bring upon them; And indeed, without something done against those persons, for example to others, before the Armies with drawing, we do not see (when it shall withdraw) with what safety or freedom the Parliament can sit longer at Westminster, especially when we find the Common council (through the Parliaments and Armies lenity) to take the boldness already (in the face of both) to intercede for the release and acquittal (or rather justification) of those impeached persons, (who indeed are but fellow-delionuents (We doubt) to most of that council) as if that so actual, immediate, and horrid a force upon both and the whole Houses of Parliament, and the levying of war in abettment and prosecution thereof, and of that concurrent Treasonable engagement, were already forgotten by them to have been any crime; the consideration whereof, and of the renewed confidence of Master Gewen and some other Members of Parliament, (Known to have been partakers, if not principals in the same things) who yet presume, and are suffered to appear again in the House (as if in those things there had not been so much fault, as to render them less worthy of continuing in that highest trust) makes us begin to fear, that, while so much of the same leaven (through lenity and moderation) is left behind, it may shortly spread, till even the worst of the eleven Members (notwithstanding their doubled crimes) be again called for in, unless the House (by some exclusive resolutions and proceedings) do timely prevent the same; we hope therefore the Parl. will weigh these things, and speedily (ere it be too late) consult (at least) their own safety and the kingdoms, if not ours and the Armies, their poor servants, and something concerned with them (especially) in that affair. Next, we again more importunately desire, that those other so near concernments of the soldiery (Expressed in the general's late Remonstrance at the Rendezvouz) may be speedily considered, and fully & effectually provided for; In order to which we shall here more particularly propound as followeth. First, as to the security for Arrears, whereas (in the late Votes or Proposition intended for that purpose) the two thirds of the Lands or Compositions of certain Delinquents assigned towards the said Security, is only of the Delinquents within the three first Qualifications of the 16th Proposition; We desire that may be altered so, as to be two Thirds of the Lands or Compositions of all the Delinquents that have not yet compounded. And next we must desire, that Deans and Chapters Lands may be added (with Proviso for reasonable satisfaction or maintenance to such persons, as, having a present lawful Interest in any the Revenues thereunto belonging, have not forfeited the same by delinquency). These Additions are desired, because the Security as yet Voted is justly estimated not to be sufficient, and since all that is propounded is but for Security, if the Security prove to exceed the Arrears really due, the surplusage will be free for any other public use, so as the State will not be damnified by these Additions to the Security. Lastly, (as to this business) we desire, that the matters of Security (being resolved on as desired) may be past into Ordinance, and thereby put into a speedy and effectually way of raising Moneys thereupon. Secondly, for matter of Indemnity, that if no Indemnity more absolute can be provided, (to free the soldiery from all question for things done in the War) but that they must (in case of question at Law) fly to some Committee or Commissioners for relief; It may be provided for the ease of all, that (either under the Grand Committee for Indemnity, or otherwise by the immediate appointment of Parliament) there may be Commissioners in each County impowered to give relief in such Cases, as the Grand Committee now are▪ And those Commissioners to be such as ordinarily reside in the respective Counties, and mixed of such as have been Military Officers to the Parliament, together with such Inhabitants as have appeared active and faithful for the Parliament in the late War; for which purpose we shall (if admitted) offer names; and that there may be a severe Penalty laid upon Judges, or other Officers of Justice, in case they shall proceed against any contrary to the Ordinance for Indemnity. Thirdly, that sufficient Provision be made in a certain, and no dishonourable way, for the relief and support of maimed soldiers, and the Widows and Orphans of men that died in the Service, to continue during the lives of the maimed, and widows, and during the minority of their O●phans; And that the same Commissioners (to be appointed in each County for Indemnity as aforesaid) or others in like manner mixed, may be impowered for this purpose also; And in case of the death of any such Commissioner, or their departure out of their respective Counties, those that survive, or remain, may choose new ones to fill up the number. 4. Thus for the Just freedom of Apprentices, who have served the Parliament, there may be a sufficient penalty laid upon Masters refusing or delaying to give the same, when their times are out, accounting the time they have served in the war as part. And that the apprentice may have his Action at law for that penalty. 5. For freedom from impresting, that (as no freeman of England, may be imprested for any foreign service, or other then for the immediate defence of it, so) no soldier that hath voluntarily served the Parliament in the late war, for the liberties of the Kingdom, may be liable to be pressed, for any Military service at all: and that it may be promised, that a Certificate of his said service as a Voluntier, under the hand and seal of his colonel, or other Field Officer, under whom he hath served, may be a sufficient Protection and discharge to him, from any such impresting. Having thus discharged ourselves, in those matters which are our most proper, and immediate business (the concernments of the soldiery) and for which we redouble our desires, that the two first (concerning the putting them into constant pay while continued, and Provision for their arrears) may be first considered, and immediately settled before any other business, and then that the rest of them may also be provided for, as soon as may be. Now though the two first of these, want not their equal concernments to the Kingdom, (in the present taking of the oppression of freequarter, preventing the increase of Arrears, and providing or preparing for the more easy and satisfactory disbanding of supernumeraries, and thereby the better easing of the Kingdoms burdens by degrees) Yet we cannot in any of our addresses of this kind, so far forget those things we have formerly declared concerning (more purely) the public interest of the Kingdom and ourselves, as members of it, but we must herewith renew our humble and earnest desires, that no time may be lost by the Parliament for the just consideration and dispatch of these things, both for the redress of Common greivances, relief of the oppressed▪ and for the liberty, security, quiet and some safe settlements of the kingdom; and more especially, that these things of this nature, expressed in the late Remonstrance at the Rendezvous, may in such settlement be fully and effectually provided for, (and that) with as much expedition as may be. And it is our heart's desire and hope, that herein the proceedings and resolutions of the Parliament may be such, and so timous, as that we may not need any more to remind the Parliament in any of those things which (as far as with truth or any safety to that most obliging interest of the public, and to those that have engaged for it, we may forbear) we are most unwilling and take no pleasure to meddle in. Windsor. 5. Decem. 1647. By the appointment of his Excellency, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the council of the Army. John Rushworth Secretary. FINIS.