THE DECLARATION Of lieutenant-general CROMWELL CONCERNING The King's Majesty, and the Citizens of London, and his Pretestation for peace, and re-inthroning of the King: Together with his Propositions to the Army, and their resolution thereupon. Likewise three Letters from the said Lieutenant General, to the King's Majesty, the Prince of Wales, and the Trained Bands of the City of London: and his Demands to all those who are enemies to the King, and the peace of the Kingdom. Signed O. CROMWELL. depiction of a man on horseback Printed in the Year of joy, Novemb. 17. 1648. THE DECLARATION Of lieutenant-general CROMWELL CONCERNING The King's Majesty, and the Citizens of London, and his Protestation touching the Prince of WALES. Right Honourable, LIeutenant General Crumwell, and divers other Officers of the Army, upon a General council held the 11. of this instant November, debated the Proposals of the Army, in reference to the Resentments, touching the King and his Representments; and after some dispute in an Argumentary way, they unanimously declared their resolutions to adhere thereunto, and to live and die, and stand and fall with the Army in the South, for preservation of the Rights and Liberties of the Freeborn people of England, and the establishing of the Laws of the Land, and confirming of certain Rules for the execution thereof between the people and their Representatives. And upon the close of their consultations, the Lieutenant General further demonstrated, that he thought it requisite, that all possible means should be used for the faciliating and obtaining a speedy grant and condescension to the Desires of the Army, both from King and Parliament; and that a Letter be drawn up, and expedited to his Majesty, to desire his Gracious condescensions to the Desires of his two Houses, for the settling of a safe and well-grounded peace; as also pressing his Majesty to take the Covenant, and to sign the Propositions. These Proposals were with much alacrity and amity embraced, and a Letter is said to be forthwith drawn up, to be presented to his Majesty, together with a Declaration and Representation in behalf of the Army. The Lieutenant Gen. hath declared his resolution to the Governor of Pontefract, and hath sent this ensuing Message (or Summons) for the surrender thereof, viz. Sir, Being come hither for the reduction of this place, I thought fit to summon you, to deliver your Garrison to me for the use of the Parliament: those Gentlemen and Soldiers with you may have better terms, then if you should hold it to extremity, I expect a speedy answer, and rest Yours etc. O. CROMWELL. But notwithstanding the said Demands, the King's party hath returned a very peremptory answer, and are resolved to oppose us. Pontefract 14. Novemb. 1648. By Letters from the Isle of Wight it is advertized, That his Majesty hath sent a Letter to Gen. Fairfax, intimating, His earnest desires for peace, requiring his Excellency, and the Council of the Army to be instrumenall therein, promising upon his Royal Word to satisfy all things by them desired, and to enact and make proclamation thereupon, throughout all Cities, Counties, and Market towns, within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales. And it is further demonstrated, that his Majesty hath promised on his Royal Word to grant power to His two Houses (by an Act) to nominate Officers of State for 20 years. As also to grant an Act to confirm the lesser Catechism, (agreed upon by both Houses) to be read and published in all Churches throughout the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and Dominion of Wales .. The Army's Representation. Gentlemen, and Fellow-Commoners, Whereas there are many false suggestions and evil aspersions cast upon the Army, by the insolent and corrupted Spirits of the adverse party, and their Abettors, and whose hearts are still inflamed, against all those who countenance or embrace our Cause, as is plainly evidenced by their late Designs throughout the City and Kingdom, and their spreading of the black and dismal Cloud throughout all the corners of the Nation, for the making of the Army odious to the sight and judgement of all men; as also their present drawing of the Curtain, to make vent and way for the uttering of their false and abominable caluminations against us, in saying that our counsels and consultations tends to nothing else, but the utter subversion of all Kingly and Monarchical Government, and that our endeavours are for the obstructing of the Treaty, and ruling the Kingdom by the power of the Sword. Therefore, for vindication of the Army from these unparaleld calumniations, we do demonstrate and declare, that our hearts are free from the least thought or action for the subversion of Authority or Government. Protesting to live and die in the true maintenance and preservation of the same. And as we have heretofore demonstrated our great and earnest desires for peace, so we do again declare, that nothing shall be wanting in Us, for the promoting of the said happy and blessed work; and that notwithstanding all aspersions whatsoever) we shall use our utmost endeavours for the accomplishing of a true & lasting peace, which wce have so dearly bought by the price, and ransom, of so many thousand innocent and precious souls, who have sacrificed their lives in these eight year's wars. And as for the present Treaty in hand between the King and Parliament, we do declare that we shall not obstruct the same, nor meddle therein; provided, that we may be assured of security for the future, our arrears paid, the great burden of the Kingdom removed and taken off, Religion settled, and the Subject freed from all tyranny and oppression either from Prince or Representatives. These things being enacted, and confirmed to all future Generations, we do unanimously declare, that none shall be more willing to enjoy that which we have so dearly purchased then ourselves; and that we shall endeavour the re-inthroning of our Sovereign, the calling home the Prince and the Duke of York, and the composing of all other differences, in Church and State. Signed by divers Agents of the Army, in the Name of themselves, and all the freeborn people of England, and commanded to be forthwith printed and published. This day divers of the Officers of the Army met at the Bullhead, where they debated many excellent things tending to peace; and upon the close of their consultations declared their most pious and unanimus resolutions for peace, referring the further results thereof till Thursday. St. Alban 16 Novemb. 1648. Sir, We hear that Lieutenant General Cromwell hath sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales, dehorting his Highness to come in to the Parliament, and to mediate with his Royal Father for a speedy union and compliance with his two Houses, etc. The Lieutenant General hath further declared, that he will leave no means unassayed, for the composing of all differences between the King and people; and for the better effecting thereof, hath sent a Message to the Citizens of London, purporting his earnest Desires for peace, and re-inthroning of the King, and that future provision be made for the people of England, to preserve them from tyranny and oppression, requiring them to be instrumental therein, which Letter is said to be signed O. CROMWELL. FINIS.