THE DECLARATION OF Commissary general BEHR, Against divers slanders and lies spread abroad against him.  
WHereas by some malicious and ill disposed persons several slanders and calumnies have been by Letters and otherwise spread abroad against me and my reputation, in sundry particulars:  
First, that i have said, that in case the Parliament and his Excellency the Earl of Essex should be at variance, i would fight for the Earl against the Parliament.  
Secondly, that i have detracted, by ill Language, from the Honour and reputation of the Scottish Nation in general; and in particular, from the Honour of his Excellency the Lord general Lesley.  
Thirdly, that i have laid base aspersions upon the whole Nation of the English.  
Fourthly, that i have behaved myself so Poultron-like, as that in the head of a Brigade i have suffered myself to be baffled, without offering that just defence appertaining to the reputation of a soldier.  
By the Law of God and nature, and by the particular obligation of Military duty I am forced unto some Apology for myself, albeit it troubleth me to speak for mine own private, when I must be doing for the public. But I will say but little.  
When I first entered into this service, and ever since, I have had no end but unto which I and the rest of the Army were directed by the State for the defence of Religion and Liberty, against the common Enemy: it being impossible that such a mischievous thought should rise in my heart, as what to do in a falling out betwixt the Parliament and the Earl, while the common design of the State is so honourably and faithfully carried on by his Excellency.  
Neither am I guilty to myself of so much barbarity in manners, and perverseness in judgement, as to slander the glory of the Scottish Nation, purchased by them in so many valorous and Noble actions, and attested by the common report and esteem of Europe. And in particular of general Lesley, whose constancy, valour, and fidelity, hath been so highly honoured by the King of Sweden, and of whose actions so good a memory is left in my native country of Germany, I having had the honour not only to be a fellow-soldier and Commander in that Army, but a spectator also, and a witness of his achievements.  
Nor can I discover in myself that height of impudence, as to dare defame the English Nation, which carrieth throughout the World so high a lustre of Glory and renown, especially in this time and occasion, while by this Noble Nation I have the honour done me to be employed in so important a charge, for the defence of the State.  
To the last calumny I can say nothing, but must refer my behaviour unto the report of those Gentlemen and soldiers, who upon our march to and from Gloucester were in the Brigade.  
But of all these calumnies and lies in general I am bound to say, that they are invented, forged, and vented by men ill affected to the common good, who for sinister ends endeavour to sow division, and to rend in sunder the happy union of the two Nations: of which raveling some beginnings are already discovered in divers Commanders who have laid down their Commissions in his excellency's Army, upon no other ground, but that it standeth not with their honour to serve where the robber of their Nations honour is tolerated.  
I protest before the Almighty God, and all men of Honour, that in these particulars, and in any other that may have reference to these, I am maliciously and undeservedly circumvented, basely slandered, and falsely belied. And if any one shall be so forward as to take upon him the maintenance of any of these, I hereby offer myself ready to give him all the satisfaction which with life and honour a soldier and Gentleman is bound to do.  
HANS BEHR. May 1. 1644.