THE DECLARATION OF COL: Edwin SANDYS, In Vindication of himself from those calumnious Aspersions cast upon him by the Lord Falkland and Secretary Nicholas: Published and subscribed with his own hand at the rendezvous at Worcester, Octob. 11. 1642. in the presence OF Sergeant Major Berry: Thomas Cox, Doctor of physic: Captain Walter Long: Captain Robert Long: Lionel Copeley, Mustermaster general: John Rushworth Clerk, Assistant to the Commons House of Parliament. Die Sabbathi, 15. Octob. 1642. IT is this day Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament, That this Declaration of colonel Sandys, to vindicate himself from the Imputation laid upon him by the Letters of the Lord Falkland and Secretary Nicholas, shall be forthwith Printed and published: H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. Printed for E. Husbands and I. Frank. Octob. 17. 1642. The Declaration of Col Edwin Sandys, in Vindication of himself from those calumnious Aspersions cast upon him by the Lord Falkland and Secretary Nicholas. IT pleaseth God yet to detain me in that condition, that my pen, and not my sword must vindicate me from the aspersions, which the Letters of the Lord Falkland and Secretary Nicholas, have cast on my Reputation, and fidelity in that cause in which I was lately, & still stand engaged. Both these persons charge me that I should say, That death did not so much trouble me, as that I had endeavoured to defend so bad a Cause, which I was drawn unto, as well by my own Ambition, as by persuasion of other men; and that I wished that all the Actions of the Parliaments Forces might hereafter be unsuccessful; and especially that I should desire God and the King to forgive me this great sin of Rebellion, &c. They that know me well, know that I have not so much vanity, as to think any discourse necessary for my defence in this case; yet that I may stand clear, as well in the thoughts of strangers as of my friends, I thought fit to render this account to the world. The apprehension of death never hitherto so nearly touched me, but that if God shall once restore me to my former strength, I shall by his help with as much alacrity, and I hope courage, endeavour to defend and maintain with my dearest blood, this so good a cause, as ever I was at first engaged in it. Not my Ambition prompted me unto it, but a legitimate and ardent desire of advancing that cause, which I conceive honours the meanest of them that are employed therein; nor was I drawn into this business by any persuasions, but such as were backed by the best of Arguments, the maintaining of the true Religion, the honour and security of my Prince, the Rights and privileges of the Parliament, and the whole Kingdom; Such a success I pray for to the designs of the Parliament, and in particular to this Army under the Command of his excellency the Earl of Essex, as by the best of men can possibly be desired, both on His majesty's Person, and this whole Kingdom. And lastly, I profess to the whole World, that my conscience did when I was in the greatest danger of death, and doth still clear me from the guilt of rebellious or tumultuous thoughts and that the most puissant motive which carried me on to this Action, was, loyalty to my sovereign, and love to my Religion and country: They certainly thought me dead when they writ these Letters, and by this means hoped to have served their ends, upon some feeble unresolved spirits. But I wonder they should write there are so many hundreds of our men slain, when it is most apparent, that the number both of them that died in the place, and since, never amounted to thirty persons; and their loss no way inferior to ours, considering their great advantage of place, and that they were at least double for number. There was indeed a Divine, who I think was the Dean of Worcester, who came to me to the house where I was first taken up, and accompanied me to the place where I now lie, he continually urged and pressed my conscience, how great a sin I was guilty of in taking up Arms against my sovereign, I was not then in case to entertain him in discourse, only at last answered him, I never had, nor ever would take up Arms against my sovereign, but ever should be ready to lay my life and whatsoever was dear unto me at His feet: of this judgement and resolution I still am, and solemnly make this Protestation in the same sense I have here already declared, & according to the sense of the Parliament in all their Declarations, of which I hope with God's blessing upon my recovery, to give further testimony to the World, by the continued engagement of my life and fortune, in this so just and honourable a cause. Edwin Sandys. At the rendezvous at Worcester, the 11 of October, 1642. Subscribed and published in the presence of Sergeant Major Berry: Thomas Cox, Doctor of physic, Captain Walter Long: Captain Robert Long: Lionel Copley Mustermaster general. John Rushworth Clerk, Assistant to the Commons House of Parliament. FINIS.