AN EXCELLENT SPEECH Spoken by His Highness JAMES DUKE OF YORK TO ENGLAND'S renowned General, His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, at the King's Majesties Royal Court at Causam. TOGETHER, With His Excellencies Answer to the said Speech, concerning the King's Majesty, and His Royal Posterity. Also the chief Heads of the Armies new Declaration concerning the King's Parliament, and Kingdom. With a Message from the General to the Citizens of LONDON. Printed at Oxford for Edward Benington, for the public use of Great Britain, Anno 1647. THE COPY OF LETTER FROM The General's Headquarters at Redding, to the Citizens of London. Gentlemen, THe particulars which I have to represent unto you at this present, are things very remarkable and of great consequence, being of ripeness and maturity, both for the view of your Metropolis, and the whole Kingdom also: Therefore, for satisfaction of yourselves, and the rest of your Fellow Commoners, I shall here communicate unto you, a Copy of the General's Declaration to the Lord Mayor and Citizens of London; together with another Paper of great consequence, agreed upon by his Excellency, and the Council of War, concerning the Freeborn Subje&ss of this Nation; both which, I shall here infer verbatim. A Copy 〈◊〉 the Declaration sent from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, to the Lord Mayor and Citizens of London. Whereas in the carrying on of the great businesses of the Kingdom towards a general and happy settlement, it hath been a sixed 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 affaries 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 intent and without interruption apply ourselves, unto the proceed 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 and thing else of that nature were we persuaded, that what we desire is seasonable, and for yours and the Kingdom's 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 powea amongst you, and those attempts which have him made by some, who would have engaged your city, to a war, had not your Lordships and the court of Aldermen and Commen-Councell 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 fought 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 be glad to put obstructions in the way to a happy conclusion, and envy nothing more than the continuance of a aight understanding between you and us. Redding july 18. 1647. By the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and his Council of War. Signed, john Rushworth, Secre. A Copy of another Paper from the Army, concerning the Freeborn People of England. HIs Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax hath writ to the parliament in t●e●e words, That all persons imprisoned in England, or Dominion of Wales (not for Delinquency in relation to the late war) may be brought to a speedy trial, and if they appear wrong fully, or unduly imprisoned, they may have reputation according to their sufferings. And in particular, it is desired that this may be done in behalf of Lieutenant Col. Lilburn, M. Musgrave, M. Overton, and others (in their condition) imprisoned about London. SIR, Upon the close of this Letter, a Gentleman residing near the Court, intimated unto me, that when His Majesty's Children were at Causam, his Excellency Sir T. Fairfax came also ●hither, and presenled himself before the two Dukes, and the Princess; to whom the Duke of York made this ensuing Speech. Renowned General, We hearty thank you for the great happiness we now enjoy by the sight of Our dear Father, the effecting whereof, we cannot but attribute wholly to your industry and engagement; and as it is a great favour to Us, so shall it be no prejudice to you: Pray accept of this Our acknowledgement, as the first part of requital, being all we are able to do at present; but if ever it lies in our power, it shall 〈◊〉 ●etter requited. To which his Excellency replied, That it was the least of those duties wherein he was obliged to serve his Ma●●●●, and his Royal Posterity. But by reason of our motion Northward, I dare not detract too much time, but must of necessity draw to a period; only (in brief) I shall give you some of the chief Heads concerning the Armies grand Declaration, now speedily 〈◊〉 be presented to both Houses of Parliament, VIZ. 1. That a Council of State consisting of 21. may have the ordering of the Militia, and power to treat with foreign States. 2. That a period be set to this Parliament. 3. That some penal Statutes be repealed. 4. An Act of Oblivion past, and the future Parliaments biennuall. 5. Something concerning the King, touching Parliaments. 6. Concerning liberty of Conscience. Thus having given you a brief account, I remain Yours to serve you, William S●n●ers. Redding 22 of July 1947.