THE KING'S MAJESTY'S DECLARATION CONCERNING The High and Honourable Court of Parliament; together with His Protestation, for a firm settlement of the true Protestant Religion, the Law, Peace, and prosperity of this Kingdom. As also, two Letters from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Right Honourable William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons. C R depiction of King Charles I 7ber: 6 LONDON, Printed for R. WOOD, 1647. THE KING'S MAJESTY'S DECLARATION To all His Loyal Subjects; Concerning the High and Honourable Court of Parliament. The Preface. WHereas there hath (of late) many Copies of great consequence, (and worthy of the Kingdom's observation and acceptation) happened to my hands, who after perusal of the same, found them very necessary and requisite, to present to the view of the whole Kingdom, for general satisfaction to all, and through the earnestness of my desire to make the said Papers visible, I thought it not amiss to present these ensuing particulars, to all those who desires to be satisfied concerning the present affairs of the King, Parliament, and Army. (VIZ.) First, His Majesty's gracious Declaration, concerning the High and Honourable Court of Parliament, with His Protestation, disavowing any preparations in Him to resist his two Houses of Parliament, but that all His endeavours tends to the firm and constant settlement of the true Protestant Religion, the just privileges of Parliaments, the liberty of the Subject, and the peace and prosperity of this Kingdom; as appeareth more fully, in His Majesty's Declaration, a Copy whereof followeth: The King's Majesty's Declaration, concerning His Two Houses of Parliament. Charles Rex. WHereas there having been many Rumours spread, and informations given, which may have induced many to believe that we intent to make was against our Parliament, We profess before God, and declare to all the world, that we always have, and do abhor all such Designs, and desire all our Nobility and Commons, who are here upon the place, to declare whether they have not been witnesses of our frequent and earnest Declarations and professions to this purpose; Wither they see any colour of preparations or Counsels, that might reasonably beget a belief of any such design. And whither they be not fully persuaded, that we have no such intention, but that all our endeavours (according to our many professions) tend to the firm and constant settlement of the true protestant Religion, the just privileges of Parliaments, the liberty of the Subject, the law, peace and prosperity of this Kingdom. His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax hath lately sent two several Letters to William Lenthal Esq; (Speaker of the House of Common) touching the Lord Lauderdail, and the Scottish Nation, as followeth: SIR, I Received your Letter, and another enclosed from the Commissioners of Scotland, expressing their sense of injuries offered to them by some of the Army. First, to my L. Lauderdail, in denying him access to the King. And 2. to Mr. Cheisly, in detaining him at Newcastle in his passage to Scotland: To both which I thought sit to return this answer; That no man is more unwillieg to suffer any thing to be done by any under my command, that may be dis-satisfaction to that Nation then myself; nor any shall be more willing to do all things which rend to keep a right understanding, and to preserve the happy Union between the two Kingdoms, than I. But I hope, the rudeness of Soldiers disavowed will not be made of Nationall reflection, which is all of the case of the Earl of Lauderdail; And as to that of Mr. Chief, I have sent to the Governor of Newcastle to give him a free passage into Scotland, which (I hope) is done already; for hearing of it, I sent to him to that purpose, and shall in all things be ready to observe your commands, and rest, Your humble servant, T. Fairfax. M. Speaker, Upon consideration of the present advantage that may be made (through the goodness of God of this late success which it hath pleased the Lord to give the Forces in Ireland, I have there upon advised with my Council of war how the forces in this Kingdom might be improved on for that service: and I find that there will be in readiness for that service to the number of 6000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, which if the may have encouragement will be ready to go as soon as you shall be plleased to command them. I do therefore desire you would move the houses to take some effectual course for the providing of moneys and other necessaries. And for the removing of obstructions, and the more clear and quick proceed in this so important a work, I shall appoint a certain number of Officers to wait such as the House shall appoint to consult upon the whole business, if you shall think fit I remain Kingston, Aug. 27. 1647. Your most humble servant, Thomas Fairfax. For the honourable William Lenthall Esq; Speaker of the House of Commons. The proceed of both Houses of Parliament, touching the Kings coming to London. THe House of Peers were acquainted from the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, (to whom the Commissioners of both Houses of the Committee of both Kingdoms at Derby House, had communicated the Votes of both Houses in passing the Propositions for Peace to be sent to the King's Majesty desiring their concurrence) that they had concurred in the said Propositions, with the Amendments as they were presented to them, by the said Members, which their Lordships taking into consideration, made this Vote. Resolved upon the question, by the Lords in Parliament Assembled, That a Message be sent to the Commons to acquaint them with the concurrence of the States Commissioners to the Propositions to be sent to the King's Majesty for Peace. Die Mercurii Septem. 1. 1647. Both Houses of Parliament taking into consideration, the great weight of dispatching the Propositions to be sent to the King's Majesty, to be passed, and made into Acts, for the settling of the Kingdom, and that his Majesty may come to London, and sit with his Parliament, that so the Kingdom may be settled in Peace, The Houses of Parliament desiring that it may be done withal convenient speed, made these ensuing Votes. 1. Resolved upon the question, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That a day be appointed, for the delivering of the Propositions of both Kingdoms to the King's Majesty for a safe and well grounded peace. 2. Resolved upon the question, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That on Tuesday next the said Propositions be presented from both Kingdoms to the King's Majesty. 3, Resolved upon the question, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That the Commissioners of both Houses appointed to attend his Majesty shall deliver the said Propositions to the King's Majesty. 4. Resolved upon the question, by the Lords and in parliament Assembled, That the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland join with the Commissioners of both Houses of the Parliament of England in the delivery of the Propositions to the King's Majesty on Tuesday next. 5. Resolved upon the question, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, That notice be given to the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, at Worcester House, to meet the Commissioners of both Houses to deliver the Propositions to the King's Majesty for a safe and well grounded Peace. From Putney thus. His Excellency being very much wearied and his Spirits spent in his constant labours in the Public affairs of the Kingdom hath been a day or 2 to refresh himself at Chiswick and Turnam green but comes hither again this night to his quarters at the high Sherffes house, the Lieutenant General quarters at Mr. Goodwyns and the Committee sit at Mr. Hubert's Saturday last the Earl of Ormond was with his Majesty and had some conference with him, and from thence came on Monday to visit the General at our head quarters who gave him the civil respect due to a person of Honour. A Letter was Ordered to be sent to the Commissioners with the general requiring them to give the Parliament a further account concerning the 6 thousand Foot and 2 thousand Horse which his Excellency propounds to go for Ireland as also what Reg. they are and under whose conduct they should go and what money and other necessaries of provisions they require. FINIS.