THE proposals DELIVERED TO THE Earl of Nottingham, and the rest of the Commissioners of Parliament, residing with the Army, from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Army. Resolved upon at a general council of war held at Reading July 17. 1647.  
With a Message sent by the Lord Wharton to the Parliament: And a Letter to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common council, concerning the disposal of the Militia of London into the former hands.  
By the appointment of his Excel. Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the council of war.  
Signed John Rushworth Secre.  
LONDON; Printed by Matthew Simmons for John Pounset, and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the hand and Bible, at the lower end of Budgerow near Dowgate. 1647.   

These several ensuing particulars, being considered, debated, and resolved upon at a general council of war (his Excellency being present) we the Commissioners of the Army were appointed (in the name and behalf of them) to present the same to your Lordships, and the Commissioners to be tendered with all speed to the Parliament; which we accordingly offer and desire your speedy care therein; That so an Answer (according to the desire and expectation of the Army) may be speedily returned to these Particulars.  
1. THat there be an effectual Declaration forthwith published to the whole kingdom, against the inviting, bringing or coming in of any foreign Forces, under any pretence whatsoever.  
2. That the Army may be paid up equal with the Desertors thereof, according to the late Votes of Parliament: And that the Army may forthwith be put into a constant course of pay, that they may not be so burdensome and oppressive to the country; for the more speedy performance whereof; we desire, That the House of Peers would be pleased to concur with the desires of the House of Commons, (so often proposed to them) for the reviving of the Committee for the Army, that so the assessments and great sums in arrears, both in the city and eswhere, may be by their endeavour collected for the speedy and necessary supply of the Army: And also, That the Treasurers, and the Committee of Weavers-Hall, may be speedily called to account, in what manner, and by what Warrant the two hundred & thirty thousand pounds, lately entrusted in their hands, have been in so short a time consumed.  
3. That the Militia of the City of London, and the Committee of the same, may consist of such persons, & speedily be returned into those hands, who formerly during the worst of times, have therein given large Testimonies of their fidelity to the Parliament and kingdom: which besides the real security, will be to the Parliament and kingdom in preventing of dangers repreparing towards a new war, would conduce so much to the removing of jealousies, and give such a ground of confidence to the Army, as that we might the better dispose it to larger Quarters in several parts, for the ease of the country.  
Reading 18. July 1647. By the Appointment of the Commissioners for the Army. William Clarke.   

According to and in pursuance of the particular mentioned under the fifth Head of the Representation of the Army, we do earnestly desire:  
THat all persons imprisoned in England, or Dominion of Wales, (not for Delinquency in relation to the late war, but for other pretended misdemeanours) and whose imprisonment is not by the Regulated Course of Law, but by Order from either Houses of Parliament, (or of Committees flowing from them) may be put into a speedy Regular and equitable way of trial, or (if the necessity of settling the general affairs of the kingdom admit not their present trial) than they may have present liberty (upon reasonable security) for their appearance at a certain day, to answer what shall be charged against them in a legal way. And that when they shall be tried, if they appear wrongfully, or unduly imprisoned, they may have reparation according to their sufferings.  
In particular, we desire this may be done in behalf of lieutenant colonel John Lilbourne, Mr Musgrave, Mr Overton, and others (in their Condition) imprisoned in and about London.  
Reading July 18. 1647. By the Appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and his council of war. Signed, John Rushworth.   

A Letter to the Lord Major, Court of Aldermen, and common-council, of the City of LONDON.  
My Lord and Gentlemen;  
IN the carrying on of the great businesses of the Kingdom towards a general and happy settlement, it hath been a fixed principle with us to make it our first endeavour with the Parliament, that all things which threaten an engagement of the Kingdom in a second war, might be removed before we could have a confident expectation of a good issue; upon a Treaty with their Commissioners, which course of ours, although it might have some appearance of delay: yet by men that are zealous of the kingdom's good (we hope) no endeavour will be judged unnecessary, that may secure the Kingdom from the danger of any new embroilments.  
We are now come thus far, that the most material particulars which we have in preparation to propose, for the general settlement of the affairs of the Kingdom, have been communicated to the Parliaments Commissioners; and we hope they are satisfied, that they contain in them things tending to a general good, and to lay an hopeful Foundation for common Right, and Freedom, to the people of this Land for future; and for a lasting peace amongst us. But before we can securely intend and without interruption apply ourselves, unto the proceedings and dispatch of the Treaty, there upon we have delivered into the hands of their commissioners, the Paper which consists of three particulars, in the last whereof (which is the Militia of the City) you being most immediately concerned, to the end you may see we would ask nothing which relates to you, without giving you a just account thereof, and all possible satisfaction therein; we have also given a copy thereof to your Commissioners, to be here with sent unto you. We should not desire this, or any thing else of that nature, were we not persuaded, that what we desire is seasonable, and for yours and the kingdoms good and quiet. And we should willingly have been silent (as to this:) but considering the just jealousies which lie against some persons, now authorized in the exercise of that power amongst you, and those attempts which have been made by some, who would have engaged your City, to a war, had not your Lordships and the Court of Aldermen and common-council, by your wisdom prevented it, by getting those Votes which were passed by the Militia, made Null; we cannot in a case of this importance but deal freely with you, in desiring your concurrence with ours to the Parliament; that the Militia may be changed into those hands, out of which it was taken, of whose care and fidelity to the public, there hath been so long and large experience, as few ages have paralleled. And if the interest we have so long sought for be still the same, let it not seem strange that we desire both of the Parliament and City, that those may be in places of such a Trust, who have given the best proof of their courage and constancy in prosecution of the same.  
Having thus far declared ourselves with all freedom and clearness to you, as we do not doubt of your good acceptance of our intention therein, so we desire your forwardness in a work so much tending to mutual confidence; and to prevent the designs of any who would beglad to put obstructions in the way to a happy conclusion, and envy nothing more than the continuance of a right understanding between you and us.  
Reading July 19 1647. By the appointment of his excel. Sir Thomas Fairfax and the counsel of war. Signed Jo: Rushworth Secret.   

May it please your Lordship;  
We made a dispatch unto you last night very late, by the Post, and gave you then a general account of our proceedings.  
And after the reading of the Proposals mentioned in that dispatch; had some papers brought unto us, by Sir Hardres Waller, and other officers, containing some desires of the Army, in order to their present security: which papers, before they were transcribed, were sent for back again.  
We expect the return of them this day, and shall thereupon transmit them to your Lordship with all speed.  
In the mean time, it was held fit to desire the L. Wharton to come up to you, for your more perfect knowledge in any thing that may relate to our former dispatches, and that nothing may be wanting on our parts in discharge of the trust reposed in us. Who are  
Redding July 19 1647. Your lordship's humble servants NOTTINGHAM.  
Since the writing of this Letter, these enclosed papers have been brought unto us by some of the Officers of the Army, which we held our duty immediately to send to you.  
FINIS.