The King's Majesty's SPEECH TO The Commissioners at Nottingham, on Saturday the 13. of February, In the praise of Sir Thomas Fairfax, concerning the Trust which was reposed in him by the Parliament. And his fidelity to His Majesty.  
With divers Questions propounded by His Majesty to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
And Sir Thomas Fairfax his Answer to His Majesty again concerning them.   Charles I's royal blazon 
C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE 
London, Printed for E. H. February 19 1647.   

The Kings Majesty's SPEECH TO The Commissioners at Nottingham in the praise of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIREFAX, in divers reasons which he shown to them.  
ON Saturday February 13. his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX having his head quarters in Nottingham, to which His Majesty was to come, attended by the Parliaments Commissioners from Mansfield, and not by Newark, as was first intended, was in a straight, how he should deport himself towards his Majesty, being General for the Parliament, and was like to undergo the censures of divers spirits, whether way soever he moved, but at last, concluded it were better for him to suffer for civilities, than the contrary: he commanded that certain of his Officers should prepare themselves to attend him, to meet his Majesty and wait upon him, which was accordingly: few that were inferior to Captains went: these marched near two miles, met his Majesty; His Majesty after some space, perceived who it was, and casting his eye upon the General, the General alighted and kissed his Majesty's hand, aid after mounting, conducted him into the Town, and to his lodging.  
His Majesty as it is said, asked the General, what Foe ces were gone for Ireland, and of my Lord Lisle; to which the General gave answer, purporting the Parliaments care, and strong intentions for a speedy reducing that Kingdom.  
His Majesty hath moved every day save the Sabbath, notwithstanding the badness of the weather, being snowy and stormy; when his Majesty passed from Leeds the people more than 5000. appeared, crying, a King, a King.  
His Majesty still refuses to hear the Commissioners Ministers Preach or pray, resolving, first to have satisfaction to his objections, and give his consent to the establishment of Presbytery a King, before he acts in it.  
Upon the 13. of February being Saturday, The King's Majesty about seven of the clock in the morning went out of Nottingham, attended by the General with his Officers, and after leave taken departed.  
His Majesty after the General was gone, said to some of the Commissioners as followeth, which is in praise of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
His Speech is this,  
THat the General was a person of Honour, Faithful to his trust, and one, that ever kept his word with him, that is, in keeping promises and Articles of War, and in using prisoners, with such respect, as was fit for men in that condition, and as he would expect in such a condition.  
A Letter sent from Nottingham, to his loving friend in London.  
Noble Sir,  
I Thank you for your last, you need not conjecture that there is any excommunication between our pens, yesterday his Majesty came from Mansfield, the General's Excellency had notice of his Majesty's coming hither that day, and therefore went to meet him.  
His Excellency with the chief Officers (none under Captains) went from hence towards Bescot Park, and about 2. miles of, met the King near Bescot, who was then coming hither with the Commissioners and Gentlemen.  
The King made a stop, when the General came to him, and his Excellency alighting, his Majesty gave him his hand to kiss. But his Majesty spoke not one word to the General, neither did the General speak any thing to his Majesty.  
His Majesty looking very earnestly on all our Officers, but said nothing to them, only rid cheerfully along till they came hither.  
The General waited on the King to his lodging; and went with his Majesty to the Privy-Chamber-doore, but went not in with the King, nor afterwards to his Majesty that night.  
The next morning the General waited on his Majesty again, and then the King had much more discourse with the General, than he had the day before. Wherein his Majesty propounded divers questions to the General, concerning the affairs of Ireland, and divers other reasons, and was discreetly and wisely answered again by his Excellency the General.  
His Majesty again enquired much after the Lord Lisle, and concerning the business of Ireland and the Forces desired for that service, and many other things in relation to preparations, and prosecutions of that War.  
The General likewise gave his Majesty exceeding wise and discreet Answers: As becometh a Person of honour, and yet so reserved, that his Majesty had little from his Excellency that could add to his Majesty by way of information, the gallant and discreet Answers which he made to his Majesty was admitted, the noble and faithfulness of this valiant General hath been so spread abroad, that all the Christian World will love him, for the favour and mercy which he hath showed to his Enemies, and so he hath gotten the love of his King, Parliament, and Country even to his dying day.  
His Majesty with the Commissioners intended to lie that night at Leicester, and stay there the Lords day, and that night, and then to go for Holmby on Monday, to be there Monday night, Sir this is all at this time from  
Nottingham this 13. of February, 1646. Your humble servant W. Smith.  
The Earl of Stamford. Mr. Ashurst, and M. Goodwin, went from hence yesterday to Morpith, farther North.  
His Excellency General Leven came into the town of Barwick with a small retinue of his Officers and Gentlemen, and lodged there all night.  
The next morning his Excellency with his attendants went from hence into Scotland, and so to go on toward Edinburgh, having left instructions with his Officers what to do in the managing of the Scots soldiers through their Town, out of England into Scotland.  
It is reported by some that came out of Scotland, that have been at Edinburgh, who say that Kolkittoth with his Forces, is within thirty miles of Edinburgh: the truth thereof, I do not certainly know, but it seems that either he or some of his party have given them an alarm above Edinburgh, but ere long I make no question, but you will hear of some passages between them and the Scots Forces when they are come into Scotland, and begin to draw a little nearer to them.  
The Parliament of Scotland have had their several debates of late, about their joining with the Parliament of England, in sending Commissioners to his Majesty, to press him to take the Covenant, and sign the Propositions. They have received Letters from the General Assembly of the Kirk about it.  
The fair correspondence with the Parliament of England and Scotland doth much encourage the hearts of all truehearted Subjects in both Kingdoms, and the gallant usage of his Majesty at Holmby, that there is no fear or Jealousies any more in both Kingdoms, and I make no doubt, but that God will ere long, so work it in his Majesty's heart, that he will be willing to take the Covenant and sign the Propositions, to the joy of all his loving Subjects, and the good of himself and his posterity hereafter.  
FINIS.