All in an Epistle. OR, A LETTER From a Gentleman to his Father, upon Occasion of the Army's Retreat to WICKHAM.  
Calculated for a private Meridian at first, but (in a way of Satisfaction) may serve Indifferently for the whole KINGDOM.  
Printed in the Year, 1647.   

A Letter from a Gentleman to his Father, upon occasion of the Army's Retreat to Wickham.  
Dear Sir,  
LAst week I had not leisure to enlarge myself, and apprehending yesterday by your Friend's discourse, that it were a matter of charity to settle your opinions, take what I writ for certain: Yesterday the General removed from Uxbridge to wickham. This Retreat staggers many Royalists, who (for the most part) expected and wished for an immediate inroad to the City, with a present dissolution of this Parliament, and makes them fear, as if the Army meant to give over those Resolutions, which assure yourself they will maintain to a tittle, and immediately settle the Kingdom. Give me leave to state the policy of proceed unto you, thus:  
The Army having declared and remonstrated highly against a prevailing Faction (which is indeed the Scottish-Presbyteriall Party, and drive on their Interest in this Nation, to the prejudice of the Public, for their own private ends, under a pretence of Reformation) in the House; and having impeached the Heads of that Party in a public Charge, it was necessary they should appear resolute in Action, as well as Declaration; and therefore thought the only expedient to quicken things to a period, was an approach to the City, (not to enter it, or prejudice it in the least measure, only to lie about it at a competent Neighbourhood) till satisfaction were given in all particulars, or (at least) things put in a way conducing thereto.  
This Resolution certified by Letters from the Council of War, dated from Saint Albans to the Parliament and City, rang an Alarm in every corner; and that very afternoon the Lord Maior summoning a Common Council, it was unanimously agreed by the whole Herd (though all Presbyters) to act nothing that might represent the face of a New War, in opposition to the Army, but rather to comply with them in all respects; and to that purpose they went and desired the Houses to give them leave to stand noutrall, and become Mediators with the Army; which being assented to, they dispatched away Commissioners of their own, to lie Leaguer with the General, where they still remain.  
The City thus leaving the Faction in the lurch (like Covenant-breakers, say our State Divines in every Pulpit) it was time for the Impeached Members to adjourn; but unwilling to have an inglorious Exit, they resolved upon one main lift ere they parted, to overthrow the Design of the Army; for, knowing well (howsoever they and their Priests pretend the Proceed of the Army as Anti-Parliamentary to the people) that the Armies ay me is not to go against this Parliament by closing with the King without Them (which would sound ill in History hereafter, being they were an Army first raised by Them;) but first to make terms with the Parliament, in behalf of the King, Themselves and the Kingdom (which will now be freed from all Scottish Encroachments under pretence of Reforming,) and then to carry the King into his Throne, through Parliament, upon their own shoulders: Those Impeached Grandees (I say) knowing this, endeavoured with all their might in the House (if possible) to adjourn or dissolve the Parliament by Vote; and so besides an impediment to the Design of the Army, hoped to leave the scandal of it upon the Army, by pretending it was occasioned for fear of Them.  
But this Plot not taking, they thought meet in the close of the day to bid good night; which Hollis did first to this sense, that rather than he would betray himself to a suspicion of guilt, by standing out upon a Plea of Parliamentary Privilege against the impeachment, he did willingly consent (according to the demand of the Army) that himself and partners might refrain from the House, and come to a Trial; which they would attend a month's space in expectation here to acquit themselves; and if it were not effected in that time, that then the House would be pleased to permit them to travel. According to this they have all agreed and absented themselves ever since, lurking still in Town for a good hour: But so sharp an accusation is drawn by the Army in particulars (which will be punctually proved) to manage the Trial, that I suppose as soon as it comes in at one Court of Guard, they will out at another to take the Air beyond Berwick: So that now the Faction being flat, the Votes begin already to shrink to the other side, insomuch as it is resolved by both Houses, that they do own the Army as Theirs, and will take care that they be provided for, and paid from time to time.  
Now, things standing thus, that the Army hath brought the City to their own Bow, quelled the adverse party, hushed all preparations or thought of a new War, and all this by the mere noise of an approach, and having all parts (and most hearts) of the Kingdom besides, firmly devoted to them, they judged it convenient so fare to comply both with the Parliament and City, who have thus fairly complied with them, as to remove at more distance, that they may lessen all Jealousies, and not be burdensome by raising the price of Victual in London; and also to Parley of such expedients, as may tend to a speedy Alloy of all distempers, by settling the King in his just Rights, the Subject in due Liberty, and the whole Kingdom in Tranquillity and Unity.  
Let this be one Argument to confirm you in an opinion of their well meaning toward the King, because they can have no lasting assurance of what they aim at, without the Royal Assent in Parliament: And also it highly concerns them to see him reinstated with Freedom, Honour, and full Authority that the greater reverence may be given to those Acts, which shall be provided for, in behalf of themselves and the whole People.  
And thus (Sir) because you are my Father, I have adventured (though in haste. cursorily) to give you a Breviat of the whole scope of Affairs, for the satisfaction of yourself and friends.  
The King was Voted back again to Holdenby (which very Vote breeds all this Jealousy of the Armies deserting Him;) but he being unwilling that way, Windsor Castle was judged most convenient (according to the King's desire) if so be His Majesty conceived that the very name of a Castle would not cause scandal, and create a new Jealousy. Howsoever the King lodges this night at Windsor, and Commissioners both from the Parliament and Army, are met together at Uxbridge, to draw things to particular Heads, in order to a composure of all differences, and a speedy settling the Peace of the Kingdom.  
Your most Obedient Son. London, july. 3. 1647.  
FINIS.