HIS majesty's most Gracious DECLARATION From the Isle of wight, concerning the settling of a general peace, the safety of his person, His Engagements with the Army, And for free intercourse between himself and the PARLIAMENT. And Col. Hammond's Letter sent to the Parliament, concerning Mr. Ashburnham, and the rest of the Gentlemen attending His Majesty, that were sent for to be brought up PRISONERS. With His desires to both Houses of Parliament, concerning the King's Majesty. royal blazon or coat of arms C R HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT London, Printed by Robert Ibbitson in Smithfield, 1647. The copy of a Letter sent from the Isle of Weight. Honoured Sir, I Have sent you here enclosed the copy of a Letter which colonel Hammon our governor hath sent to the House of peers, and the like to the House of Commons, And also a Declaration by His Majesty since His coming hither, mentioned in the said Letter, which Papers will inform you of the state of things here, from Your honour's most Humble servant, WILL. GROSSE. royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENSE THE King's majesty's DECLARATION At the Isle of wight Novemb. 19 1647. C. R. HIs Majesty doth Declare, That he came from Hampton-Court, for no other cause, but for the preservation of his person. which was (as he apprehended) in such danger, that he could not with safety continue longer there. That if he could have been there with safety, he would not have departed thence, nor from the Army: And that he chose this place rather than any other (when he was at liberty to have gone whether he pleased) that he might still continue under the protection of the Army: (Coll: Hammond being a Member thereof) and that he might have conveniency of free intercourse, between himself and the Parliament, for the settlement of a general peace, to which he professes a very great inclination and desire; And that there shall be nothing wanting on His part, that may be reasonably expected from Him. And His Majesty doth further Declare, That in case these Gentlemen be taken from Him, and punished as evil doers, for councelling Him not to go out of the Kingdom, but rather to come to the place where he now is, for the ends aforesaid; and for their endeavouring accordingly, in attending Him hither: He cannot but himself expect to be dealt with accordingly, His case being the same. Carisbrooke Castle, November 19 1647. For the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of peers pro tempore. My Lord, THis morning I received, by the hands of a messenger from the general, a paper of Votes and Resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, bearing date Die Martis, 16. November, 1647. relating to the security of His majesty's person, which although they came not to me with directions from the Houses, yet I thought it my duty to take notice of them (by what hand soever received) as their commands, and accordingly to see them put in execution. As concerning that Vote, not permitting such as have been in arms, or assisted against the Parliament, to come into this Island, it tending much to the security of His majesty's person, and the preserving the peace of the Island, I have (as I acquainted your Lordships in my last letters, before I received these Votes) given orders to that effect (which are carefully put in execution) commanding all masters of Boats belonging to Hampshire and this Island, that they land neither persons nor goods, in any part of this Island, save only at Yarmouth Castle, Cowes Castle, and ride: at which place I have also appointed a guard, to whom order is given (as to the other two Castles) for the examining of all persons so landing, and to detain and secure any that cannot give a very good account of themselves and their business. As concerning your Lordships other Votes (now they are come to my hands) I shall with the best of my endeavours see them put in execution. My Lord, Yesterday there came to me an Officer, belonging to the sergeant of the House of Commons, with particular warrants for the apprehending and bringing up in safe custody the persons of Mr. John Ashburnham, Mr. William Leg, and Sir John Barkley, who came hither with the King. The said warrants requiring my assistance to him in the execution of them, but with no order to me from either or both Houses to that purpose. And finding the matter to be of every great importance, I have desired the messenger to forbear the execution of his said warrants till I have given the Houses to understand that in case the said warrants should be served and put in execution, it would be impossible for me to answer the expectations and commands of Parliament in preserving the person of the King in security to be disposed by them, unless I should keep him close prisoner, which is a business of that nature, that it is neither fit nor safe for me to do, espeeially of myself. The grounds from whence I gather this, are plainly thus: The King hath declared himself to me, That he came from Hampton-Court for no other cause but for the preservation of his person, which was (as he apprehended) in such danger, that he could not with safety continue longer there: That if he could have been there with safety, he would not have departed thence, nor from the Army: And that he chose this place rather than any other (when he was at liberty to have gone whither he pleased) that he might still continue under the protection of the Army (my self being a member thereof) and that he might have conveniency of free intercourse between himself and the Parliament for the settlement of a general peace, to which he professes greater inclinations and desires then ever, and that there shall be nothing wanting on his part, that may be reasonably expected from him. He further saith, that in case these Gentlemen be taken from him, and punished as evil doers, for councelling him not to go out of the kingdom, but rather to come to the place where he now is, for the ends aforesaid, and for their endeavouring accordingly in attending him hither; he cannot but himself expect to be dealt with accordingly; his case being the same. And from such apprehensions your Lordships may easily judge, what he will do, by his former actings: He having that liberty which hath ever been allowed him since he hath been disposed of by the Parliament. My Lord, I shall further let you know, that besides the care I shall always have of these gentlemen, they have engaged their honours, not to depart from me, so that I am most confident of their security. And truly were not their ends the same with their pretences (in relation to the peace of this kingdom) I am confident they would never have advised nor conducted the King to this place. Besides, were they at this time removed from the Kingâ–Ş there would be none left for his attendance, which (besides the offence) how great the inconvenience would be to him, your Lordships cannot be ignorant. And further give me leave to add (if so unworthy a servant of your Lordships as I am (and that which concerns my honour were at all worthy your consideration) whither it would not much reflect upon me in case these gentlemen should be thus removed from hence: The King and themselves having freely thrown themselves upon me for safety upon confidence (as they please to say) of my honour and honesty, and the satisfaction they expect it would have given the Parliament, The King being necessitated to remove. My Lord, My duty to you and the kingdom (whose good and peace I most desire and shall most faithfully endeavour) calls for this account, which (with myself and these gentlemen) I leave to your lordship's consideration with this conclusion; That whatever is commanded by Authority (especially that of Parliament) though never so contrary to my sense or honour, shall never be disobeyed by. My Lord, Your lordship's most faithful and humble Servant RO. HAMMOND. Carisbrooke Castle, Nov. 19 1647. My Lord, Since the conclusion of my letter, I received the letter, and Votes of both Houses, of the 16. present, which shall be carefully put in execution by, Your lordship's most faithful and humble servant RO. HAMMON. Novemb 24. 1647. Imprimatur Gilb. Mabbott.