A LETTER Of General GEORGE MONCK'S, Dated at Leicester 23 Ian. and directed unto Mr. Rolle to be communicated unto the rest of the Gentry of Devon: occasioned by a late Letter from the Gentry of Devon dated at Exeter 14 Ian. and sent by Mr. Bampfield to the Speaker to be communicated unto the Parliament.  
Read in Parliament Ian. 26.  
London, Printed by John Redmayn in Levels Court in Pater noster row. 1660.   

Most honoured and dear Friends,  
MEeting with a Paper dated at Exon the 13 instant, directed to W. Lenthal Esq Speaker of the Parliament, and subscribed by divers of my friends and relations, purporting the recalling the Members secluded 1648, as the best expedient for establishing these Nations upon a foundation of lasting peace. I have taken the boldness from my relation to some of you as allied, and my affectionate respects to all of you as dear friends and countrymen, to represent to your consideration my present apprehensions of the State of Affairs here, in order to all our better satisfactions; wherein I humbly crave your leave of freedom without prejudice. Before these unhappy Wars the Government of these Nations was Monarchical in Church and State: these Wars have given birth and growth to several Interests both in Church and State heretofore not known, though now upon many accounts very considerable, as the Presbyterian, independent, Anabaptist and Sectaries of all sorts as to ecclesiastics, and the purchasers of the Kings, Queens, Princes, Bishops, Deans and Chapters, and all other forfeited Estates, and all those engaged in these Wars against the King as to civils. These Interests again are so interwoven by purchases and intermarriages, & thereby forfeited; as I think upon rational grounds it may be taken for granted, That no government can be either good, peaceful or lasting to these Nations, that doth not rationally include and comprehend the security and preservation of all the foresaid Interests both Civil and Spiritual, I mean so far as by the word of God they are warranted to be protected & preserved. If this be so, Then that Government under which we formerly were both in State and Church, viz. Monarchy, cannot possibly be admitted for the future in these Nations, because its support is taken away, and because it's exclusive of all the former Interests both Civil and Spiritual, all of them being incompatible with Monarchical uniformity in Church and State thus expired. That Government then that is most able to comprehend and protect all Interests as aforesaid must needs be republic. Wherefore to me it's no small doubt, if upon the Premises to admit of the Members secluded 1648, were not to obstruct our peace and continue our War, rather than establish the one, and end the other; in that very many of those Members assert the Monarchical Interest, together with the abolition of all laws made since their seclusion, Which I fear upon account of self-preservation both of Life and Estate as well as Spiritual liberty, will immediately involve all these Nations in most horrid and bloody War afresh; the very apprehensions whereof, I confess, I do infinitely dread, and submit the dangerous consequence thereof to your prudent considerations, and the rather, seeing the Army also will never endure it. Having thus briefly laid before you the present condition of affairs, let me now entreat you to consider whither it were not better to desist from that Paper, and submit to the Proceedings of this Parliament, who have resolved to fill up their House, determine their sitting, & prepare a way for future successions of Parliament; by which means being full, & thereby comprehending the whole Interest of these Nations, they may through God's Mercy & all our patiences establish such a Government in the way of a commonwealth as may be comprehensive of all Interests both Spiritual and Civil, to the glory of God and the weal and Peace of the whole. But if by your impatiencies they be obstructed, our Peace will be so much the longer a stranger to us, and we thereby a Prey to ourselves and all foreign Enemies. Wherefore humbly pressing these upon your serious considerations with all the friendly and affectionate respects and service to you all, I remain  
Dearest Friends Your very humble and affectionate Servant, GEORGE MONCK. Leicester, 21. Ian. 1659.  
For the honoured Robert rolls Esq to be communica-to the Gentlemen of Devonshire, who signed the late Letter to the Speaker of the Part of the Commonwealth of England.