HIS majesties MOST GRACIOUS DECLARATION, Left by Him on His Table, at Hampton-Court, 11. Novemb. 1647. And directed to be communicated to the Speaker of the House of Lords pro tempore, and to be communicated unto the Lords and Commons in Parl. of England, at Westm. and the Commis. of the Parl. of Scotland, & to his other Subjects, of what degree, condition, or calling whatsoever. Together with a true Relation of His Majesties private departure, and the Houses Proceedings and Resolutions thereupon.  
 blazon or coat of arms of the British royal family 
dieu ET MON DROIT  
C. R.  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   
Printed for Richard Royston, at the Angel in ivy-lane.  
M DC XLVII.   

HIS majesties MOST GRAGIOVS DECLARATION, Left by him on his Table at Hampton-Court, 11. Novemb. 1647. &c.  
LIberty being that which in all times hath been, but especially now is the common theme and desire of all men; common Reason shows, that Kings less then any should endure captivity. And yet, I call God and the world to witness, with what patience I have endured a tedious restraint: which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my suffering might conduce to the peace of my Kingdoms, or the hindering of more effusion of blood, I did willingly undergo: but now finding by too certain proofs, that this my continued patience would not onely turn to my personal ruin, but likewise be of much more prejudice, then furtherance to the public good; I thought I was bound as well by natural, as political obligations, to seek my safety, by retiring myself, for some time, from the public view both of my friends and enemies: And I appeal to all indifferent men, to judge, if I have not just cause to free myself from the hands of those, who change their principles with their condition; and who are not ashamed openly to intend the destruction of the Nobility, by taking away their Negative Voice; and with whom, the Levellers doctrine, is rather countenanced then punished: And as for their intentions to my Person, their changing, & putting more strict Guards upon me, with the discharging most of all those servants of mine, who formerly they willingly admitted to wait upon me, does sufficiently declare. Nor would I have this my retirement mis-interpreted; for I shall earnestly and uncessantly endeavour the settling of a safe and well-grounded Peace, where ever I am or shall be; and that( as much as may be) without the effusion of more Christian blood: for which how many times have I desired, prest to be heard, and yet no care given to me? And can any reasonable man think, that( according to the ordinary course of affairs) there can be a settled Peace without it? Or that God will bless those, who refuse to hear their own King? Surely no. Nay I must farther add, that( besides what concerns myself) unless all other chief interests, have not onely a hearing, but likewise just satisfaction given unto them,( to wit, the Presbyterians, Independents, Army, those who have adhered to me, and even the Scots) I say there cannot( I speak not of Miracles, it being in my opinion, a sinful presumption, in such cases, to expect or trust to them) be a safe or lasting Peace.  
Now as I cannot deny, but that my personal security is the urgent cause of this my retirement; so I take God to witness, that the public Peace is no less before my eyes: and I can find no better way to express this my profession( I know not what a wiser man may do) then by desiring and urging that all chief Interests may be heard, to the end each may have just satisfaction: As for example, the Army,( for the rest, though necessary, yet I suppose are not difficult to content) ought( in my judgement) to enjoy the liberty of their consciences, have an Act of Oblivion or indemnity( which should extend to all the rest of my Subjects) and that all their arrears should be speedily and duly paid; which I will undertake to do, so I may be heard, and that I be not hindered from using such lawful and honest means as I shall choose. To conclude, let me be heard with freedom, Honor and Safety, and I shall instantly break through this Cloud of Retirement, and show myself really to be Pater Patriae.  
For the Speaker of the Lords pro tempore, to be communicated unto the Lords & Commons in Parliament of England, at Westminster, and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland; and to all my other Subjects, of what Degree, Condition, or Calling whatsoever.   

A true Relation of His Majesties private departure from Hampton-Court, the 11. of November, about 5. of the Clock in the Afternoon.  
Novemb. 12. 1647.  
THis morning Sir John Cook and Master Crew, two of the Commissioners, came to the House, and delivered the particulars thus: Yesterday in the afternoon, His Majesty shut himself up in his Chamber, and commanded that no body should come to him: When it grew dusk, he called for a Candle, and afterwards for Snuffers; he came not out to Prayers, as he was accustomend; which after some time, bread a mistrust: Then one of the Commissioners knocked at his Chamber door, & no answer being made, went in, and found no body there, the back-door open, & His Majesties Cloak lying in the midst of the room on the floor, which for the present caused some fear, that somewhat had been attempted on His Person; but looking farther, found three Letters upon the Table, written with His Majesties own Hand, which argued that he was well. The first was the Declaration or Remonstrance, which you have heard before.  
The second Letter was to my Lord Montague, and the rest of the Commissioners, to give them thanks for their civilities to him, since his coming to Hampton-Court.  
The third, to Col: Whaley of thanks likewise for his civilities, for he had that morning given charge to the Guards and others to have a care of His Majesty, having likewise had some intimation of an intended attempt that day upon His Majesties Person.  
A fourth Letter was found upon His Majesties Table, subscribed For His Majesty, without any name to it more then two Letters. In this Letter His Majesty was earnestly beseeched to retire to some place of privacy for a time, and Broad-street in London was proposed as a place of security; for that the Levellers, or some of that faction, had an intent speedily to murder His Majesty, and that Master Peters had lately expressed as much, saying, he valued the King no more than a dead dog, &c.  
The Commissioners could make no probable conjecture as then, whither His Majasty should be gone; the Scotch Commissioners had been there the day before, but were yesterday come for London, and from thence are gone towards Scotland. Hereupon the House Ordered a Committee, to examine the whole business, and the neglect of those that guarded him; and likewise ordered a stop of all the Ports, and a search to be made in some parts of London for him.  

Novemb. 13.  
THis day the House of come. sate till 7. at night. Col: Whaley was called into the House, and examined, he confessed he had received a Letter from Lieutenant Gen: cronwell the day before, which he produced, and was red, to this effect:  

dear Cos. WHALEY,  
There are rumors abroad of some intended attemption His Majesties Person, therefore I pray have a care of your Guards; for if any such thing should be done, it would be accounted a most horrid act, &c.  
Yours.   
Col: Rainsborough was present in the House, and made some hot expressions against cronwell and Ireton both, he supposed the King might still be in some part of Hampton-Court,( being a great house) there to be ready to act some great design,( they are his own words.) Thereupon the house was ordered to be strictly preached.  
Col: Rainsborough also  told the House what danger there might be in the Rendevouz's, there being no money ready to pay the Soldiers: whereupon the House had debate, about deferring thereof, but could not, in regard the soldiers were upon their march.  
Afterwards the House voted it high Treason, and loss of life and estate, for any person to harbour His Majesty: but in this the House was divided, 50. Members who were for the Negative stayed within, and 70. for the Affirmative went forth.  
Ordered likewise that the E. of Northumberland have a care of the Duke of York, lest he be conveyed away too.  
To conclude, the House at their rising on saturday night late had no information where His Majesty was, but many did believe he would appear at the rendezvouz, which holds on Monday, Tuseday, and Wednesday next.   
THE END.