A DECLARATION OF Vice-Admiral John lawson; Commander in Chief of the Fleet in the narrow Seas, by Authority OF PARLIAMENT: With the Commanders of the several ships now with him in the downs, in order to the Removal of the Interruption that is put upon the Parliament, the 13th. of October last.  
WHereas on the ninth instant there was a Letter, from the Lord Fleetwood, came on board the Ship James, directed to the vice-admiral, in which he desired, that he, and those concerned, might give the freedom of their thoughts touching a Government for the commonwealth: In Answer to the which was returned by the Vice-Admiral, and all the Commanders present, That being burdened in Spirit, at the sense of the unhappy breaches and distractions amongst the good people in the Nation; it was their humble apprehension, that the hopefullest ways and means to make up the breaches and divisions, was a happy composure betwixt the Parliament and Army, and that the Parliament might return to their Trusts, which when the Lord please to Grant, they could heartily join with any in Petitioning, that all words spoken, or things done by any person whatsoever, concerned in the difference betwixt the Parliament and Army, since the 13th of October 1659. might be for ever obliterate.  
Now forasmuch as the same burden lies upon our Spirits still, in the Apprehension of the sad Consequences that are like to ensue; for that We do not hear of any Composure, but that the Breach grows wider, thereby eminently threatening the loss and utter ruin of the Cause and Interest of Christ and His People, which for so many years hath been so contested for, and cost much Blood and Treasure, both by Sea and Land. We apprehending still that there's no other Visible means under Heaven to heal the Breaches, and secure the N●tion from the Common Enemy; Do Declare, That through the Lord's Assistance, We shall in all Christian ways and means, Endeavour the begetting aright Understanding betwixt the Parliament and Army, and a happy Composure (if it may be) without bloodshed: But if there be ye● an Endeavour by Force to hinder the Parliament, That was Interrupted the 13th of October (1659.,) from returning to the Exercise and Discharge of their Trust; Who have so often been Declared the supreme Authority of these Nations, That then We shall to the utmost of our Power, with our Lives, and all that is Dear to Us, use our whole Interest for the Removing of that Force, and restore Them to their Freedom and privileges.  
And we do further Declare, (as in the presence of the Lord) that we have no aim nor Ends to Advance particular Interests, but the Interest of Christ, and the Good and Weal of all the People of God; in their Rights, Civil, and Religious; and of our poor suffering Nations in General. And do utterly disclaim the Interest of Charles Stuart, and all His Adherents, or the Interest of any Single Person whatsoever, or House of Lords; Therefore We doubt not but to find the Concurrence and Assistance of all the_____ and upright-hearted in the Land. For whose sakes, next to the Cause of Christ, (God being our Witness) We have Engaged.  
And We therefore Invite all our Brethren of the Churches, Army, Navy, and Militia of the City of London and Country, and all that profess Love to God, and His People, to join with Us, and give Us their Christian aid and Assistance in the performance of the Premises, whereunto We are persuaded the Lord hath Called Us; lest when too late, They and Us have Cause to lament the non-Improvement of the Opportunity that God hath put into our Hands, once more to Assert the privileges of Parliamen●, and Liberty of the good People of this Nation.  
And that it may appear to all People, That We have no rancour or Malice against the Persons of any, or thirst after Blood: We do Resolve, when the Lord shall please to Restore the Parliament to the Exercise of their Trust; Humbly to Petition Them, according to the Heads following, Viz. 

1. That indemnity and Oblivion may be Granted to every Person and Persons, that have acted in the late unhappy differences, betwixt the Parliament and Army, since the 13th of October, 1659. that shall not further persist in Obstructing their return to their Trust.  
2. That the Interest of Christ may be advanced in Justice and uprightness; that the Government of the Nations may be settled upon these Foundations, and that all Laws not agreeable to the Word of God, may be repealed, and all Laws that shall be enacted, may be Consonant to the Word of God.  
3. That all people of God, may be preserved in their Liberty to Worship God, as the Lord Jesus shall lead them out, so that they make not use of this to the prejudice of others. And that Superstition, and Idolatry, and profaneness, be not Countenanced.  
4. That care be taken for the maintenance and encouragement of pious and learned Godly Ministers within the Nation, otherwise then by the way of tithes.  
5. That all possible encouragement may be given to Navigations, and the much decayed Trade of the Nation; and to that end, as soon as possible, those great Impositions (as Excise, and other new Imposts,) may be taken off, and some other way found for defraying the Charge of the Nation.  
6. That no man be impressed, or forced, to serve in any Military Employment either by Land or Sea, otherwise than in the defence of his Country; and that the seamen might be paid every 10 or 12 Months, at the farthest, to Them or their certain Attorney.  
7. That a comfortable Provision may be made for any man that serves at Sea, that shall be maimed or dismembered, and to the widow and Orphans of such as shall be slain, which may be out of the Chest, and prize-money, which is the price of their Blood.  
8. That some way and means may be found out for the Employment of the poor of the Nation, that are able; and such as are impotent and lame may have a Maintenance for their subsistence,    
Signed on board the James in the downs, the 13th of December, 1659.