A LETTER FROM THE COMMANDERS AND OFFICERS OF THE FLEET Of this COMMONWEALTH, Unto General MONK in SCOTLAND. Dated the 4th. of November 1659. LONDON, Printed by Sarah Griffin for Thomas Hewer, and are to be sold at her house in eliot's Court in the little Old Bailie, 1659. A LETTER FROM THE COMMANDERS AND OFFICERS of the FLEET of this COMMONWEALTH, un to General Monck in SCOTLAND THE deep sense we have of the duty incumbent on us in this day of England's fears, trials and temptations, puts us upon this Application to your Honour unto whom not long since most of us had a more immediate relation, and the experience we had then of your readiness to receive and grant our just desires, gives us encouragement to believe this present tender will have the like Resentment. As private Members of this Commonwealth, we cannot but take notice of, and in secret bewail before the Lord, the intestine divisions that are amongst us at this day; and the dreadful consequence likely to ensue thereupon, when duly pondered, do exceedingly afflict, and even break our hearts. All the force, that the common Enemy, (whilst in his strength) were able to muster up against the good people of this Nation, either at home or from abroad, could never raise such clouds of fears, nor impress those terrors on our hearts, as we nowly under from the apprehension of that evil which attends that distance, which is between you, and the Army in England, which being manifested to us by a declaration lately sent from Scotland, and published by your Command and resolutions therein expressed, of your vindicaing the late Parliament in opposition to the general proceeding of the General Councils of Officers here. We have taken the boldness not only as private Christians, but in our public capacity as Officers of the Fleet to beseech you (in the bowels of mercy and compassion to this your native Country, and especially to all the Lords people therein, whose interest we remember hath formerly been precitious to you.) seriously to consider. 1. Whether the undertaking you are engaged in, will not make the hearts of the righteous in these Nations sad, whom the Lord hath not made sad, and strengthen the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way; It being obvious to us where ever we come, that few or none take pleasure in your proceed but the Cavaliers, who make their boast of you, & place their confidence in you, which as it is irksome to us to hear, so we trust, and shall pray, that the Lord will preserve you from such a defection, as knowing that never any prospered that helped them. 2. Whether this sudden Resolution against your Brethren of the Army on account of their late transactions, have not some proportion with what the Israelites intended against the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseth, when they had built an Altar of Memorial on this side Jordan, and whether the same means, (if used by you for information of matter of fact as by them) might not through the Lord's blessing have the same effect, and thereby not only bloodshed be prevented, but the work of Reformation carried on. And truly though we shall not undertake to justify the Army in their late Action, as being very unable to judge of such important affairs, (not having been of their Council (yet we hope that in the integrity of their heart, and innocency of their hands, they have done this thing which we apprehend to be the ground of your dissatisfaction; And on this occasion we crave leave to remind you, that as you were satisfied with the former dissolution of this very Parliament in the year 1653. and were pleased to continue your command at Sea in that Juncture, (when as the undertaking of the late Lord General Cromwell was not so clear to others) and through the blessing of God obtained two signal Victories against the Dutch, even in that Interregnum, so we earnestly desire you will hearken unto, and receive satisfaction from, the Officers of the Army, in what they have to offer in this particular. 3. We humbly offer to consideration, whether in your own Observation, it be not apparent, that this Army have in their actings hitherto Cordially designed the advancement of God's glory, and the promoting and encouragement of godliness and virtue though in persons of different judgements, and persuasions, and whether the cause of God, and his people hath not hereby been preserved, and maintained against all opposition. 4. Whether by such an undertaking (if prosecuted,) the Common Enemy in Scotland will not soon recover strength, and become as obnoxious to England, as in former times, though of late through your singular prudence industry and care they have been kept under. And whether the espousing of an interest (distinct from your brethren of the Army in England as is reported) contrary to those righteous principles, that have hitherto been contended for, will not (instead of purchasing our desired Liberties) render the good people of these Nations to a condition of perfect thraldom, & bondage. The state of Affairs being such in our weak apprehensions we have taken this freedom to unbosom our hearts to your Honour, and shall earnestly pray they may take some place with you, in order to the begetting of a good Understanding, and agreement between yourself, and your brethren here, that both you and they, as also ourselves in our several stations by Land and Sea, may with one heart, and consent be found doing the Lords Work in this present Generation, in opposition to all Corrupt interests whatsoever; In attending whereunto, a blessing may be expected from the Lord; In him we are Nou. 4th. 1655. Your Honour's humble Servants Rich. Stayner. John Lambert. Tho. Lunn. John Bourne. Robert Clark Tho. Sparling. Bartho. Ketcher Charles Wager. Rich. Newberry. Henry Fenn. Fran. Allen. Nath Browne. Peter Bowen. William Go●●●an Ju●● Stoakes. Anth. ●●vning. Robert Story. Henry Pack. Ja● Grove. Edw.. Witheridge. Rich. H●lb●●k. Christoph. Myngs.