A CUNNING PLOT TO DIVIDE AND DESTROY, THE PARLIAMENT AND THE CITY OF LONDON. Made known (at a Common Hall) by the Earl of Northumberland, Master Solicitor, and Sir Henry Vane. The Design is fully discovered in the 

Several Examinations and Confessions, of Master RILEY  
Several Examinations and Confessions, of Sir BASILL BROOK  
Several Examinations and Confessions, of Master VIOLET  
Proclamations from his MAJESTY  
Letters from his MAJESTY  
Letters from the Lord DIGBY  
Letters from Colonel READ.    
LONDON, Printed, and are to be sold by Peter Cole at his shop in Cron-Hill, right over against Popes-Head Aily near the Royal Exchange, January 16. 1643.   

The Right Honourable, the Earl of Northumberland his Speech.  
MY Lord Mayor, and you Gentlemen of the City of London, the two Houses of Parliament, have not of late had any occasion to employ us hither, the reason hath been, because that your readiness and your forwardness have upon all occasions prevented any thing that they could ask or desire from you; But now at this time, we come from command of the two Houses to communicate unto you, a discovery that hath been lately made under a fair and specious pretence of desiring peace, to raise divisions, and to make factions here in the City, and between the City and the two Houses of Parliament: What hath already passed, and come to the knowledge of the Houses, they have sent us here to acquaint you with, the Papers and the Examinations will be here read unto you, and likewise the Sense of the two Houses. When you shall hear these read, and consider the Instruments that were the Actors and the Persons employed in this Negotiation, you will be best able to judge of the business; If you please to have the patience to hear these Examinations read, these Gentlemen will read them.   

A Narrative of a Design and Practise upon the City of London, lately discovered, and some Observation upon it by Mr SOLICITOR.  
MY Lord Mayor, and you Gentlemen and worthy Citizens of this City: You have heard by this Noble Lord, that it hath pleased Almighty God, out of his goodness within these few days to make a discovery to both the Houses of an intended practice upon the Parliament and City, and so by consequence upon the whole Kingdom. And in respect, that the Stage whereupon this design was to have been acted, were the Houses of Parliament, and principally this City, and that some of the Actors in that Tragedy (for so I may call it) were members of this City: And likewise in respect of that near Conjunction between the Houses and you, That as Hypocritus twins, they are like to live and die together, Therefore they have commanded me and divers other Gentlemen of the House of Commons to make known unto you, what this design and practice was.  
But before I tell you either what it was, or the dangerous consequence of it, I think it will not be amiss, that you should hear it from one of themselves who was an Actor and projector of it, that is, from the Lord Digby, who in a letter writ to Sir Basil Brooke concerning this business doth profess, That since these troubles did begin, There was no design, nor no practice that was so likely to have taken, that was so likely to have produced that good effect (as they style it) as this.  
You may very well remember the bloody Design upon the Parliament and this City discovered about half a year since: he himself said, That this is above all that hitherto hath been in agitation. This is their sense upon it, that were the Projectors, and were to have been the Actors in it.  
The thing in brief is thus: It was a seditious and jesuitical Practice and Design, under the specious pretence of Peace, to have rend the Parliament from the City, and the City from the Parliament; To have severed and disjoined the Parliament within itself, the City within itself, Thereby to render up both Parliament and City to the Designs of the Enemy, which is not all; for the destruction and nulling of this present Parliament was intended; as likewise the engaging ourselves in a Treaty of Peace without the advice or consent of our Brethren of Scotland, contrary to the late Articles solemnly agreed upon by both Kingdoms, to the perpetual dishonour of this Nation, by breach of our public Faith, engaged therein to that Nation, thereby not only utterly to frustrate our expectation of assistance from Scotland, but which is worse (in all likelihood) to engage the two Nations in broils, if not in a war.  
This in brief was the design, the particulars whereupon it was framed, and the parties that were Actors in it, I shall likewise discover to you.  
There was one Read, who called himself Colonel Read, a man I suppose well known by name to this City: He had been heretofore many years since, a common Agent for the Papists, he was a principal person to whom the Packets and addresses from Rome were made; it was he that did disperse them abroad in the Kingdom, with whom for the advancing of the Popish Cause, continued consultations were held, who for advancing of the Catholic Cause (as they call it) went over into Ireland, there fomented the Rebellion, having been one of the Plotters of it, and was taken Prisoner there and sent hither; This was the man, who was the principal contriver and Actor in the present business.  
Who together with Sir Basil Brooke (a known Jesuited Papist, a great Stickler in all the Popish transactions, and Treasurer of the moneys lately contributed by the Papists in the War against Scotland) both prisoners having laid the design here, Mr Reads enlargement must be procured that he might act his part at Oxford; Sir Basil Brooke must lie ledger here.  
But because so great a business required more managers, therefore one Violet a broken Goldsmith, and a Protestant in show, must be brought in as a fit person to go between these Papists and the parties in the City; Mr Ryley by reason of his place of Scoutmaster of the City, and his reputation amongst the Commoners must be gained, who in these respects might be very useful, both in the way of Intelligence between Oxford and them, as likewise by promoting it with the Citizens; others in the City of principal note amongst the people are dealt withal.  
The first thing Mr Ryley must act, is the exchange of Read (a prisoner for the Treason and Rebellion in Ireland) under the name of Captain Read, taken prisoner at Burleigh House in this Kingdom, for one of no greater rank than a Quartermaster. That being done a Character of Intelligence was agreed on between Read, Ryley, and Violet, Read to be known by the name of Colonel Lee, Ryley by the name of The Man in the Moon, and Violet by the name of James Morton.  
After Reads going to Oxford, the Queen, the Duchess of Buckingham, and the Lord Digby are consulted with; These are the Managers at Oxford with his Majesty's knowledge: Read from Oxford, by Letters to Master Rily by the name of the Man in the Moon assures him, The business goes on well at Oxford; Promises of reward are made to Ryley and Violet: Peace being the pretence; Therefore Propositions are framed and agreed on, fix in number, by Read, Sir Basil Brooke, Ryley, and Violet, and seen by others, and afterwards sent to Oxford. A Petition for Peace being intended, the better to induce that, It was agreed that his Majesty must write a powerful and promising letter to the Lord Major and Citizens, to be read at a Common Hall, and fit Instruments thought upon to be employed to prepare my Lord Major before hand: The Letter was written and agreed uponhere by Sir Basil Brook, Master Ryley and Violet and sent to Oxford, Violet a prisoner by Master Ryleys means was procured to be exchanged, that he might from Oxford bring the letter and advices, for the carrying on of the business: At Oxford the business was so diligently solicited by Read, that at Violets coming, all things were ready, and after three hours' discourse in his Majesty's presence, with the Queen, the Duchess of Buckingham, & the Lord Digby, Violet the same day, (being the Monday before the discovery) dispatched from Oxford with his Majesty's Letter, altered in nothing save the Title, and with another Letter from the Lord Digby to Sir Basil Brooke, whereby the whole managing of the business is entrusted to Sir Basil Brook, and it is wholly left to his Wisdom and Discretion, whither the letter to the City shall be delivered or not.  
Violet brought both the Letters to Sir Basil Brooke the Wednesday after, and one Wood having formerly brought a Letter from Oxford to the City, the same in matter with this that Violet brought, which will be read unto you; Sir Basil Brook delivered the Letter that came last from Oxford to Wood to be delivered to my Lord Major: the next day after which was Thursday, and with direction, That it should have been published on the Friday; The delivery of it to my Lord Major, by the discovery of it the same day was prevented, and Sir Basil Brooke, Ryley and Violet that night were examined.  
Before the Reading of the Examinations, Letters, and Propositions unto you at large, That the main design to be made out by them, as they are conjoined and have relation to the precedent narrative, may be the better understood, I shall in brief touch upon the matter of them, as likewise upon such Conclusions as may necessarily be deduced from them.  
As first, That no Peace was really intended, appears throughout the whole transaction: The propositions, which upon the Supposition that this is no Parliament, if anything, were to have been the groundwork & foundation of it, which upon the reading you will find so flight and frivolous, that no man can conceive that our Peace could have been built upon such a foundation; Nothing so much as spoken of concerning Ireland, or the disengaging of of our ●elves from the Articles of Agreement with our Brethren of Scotland; No provision for Reformation of Religion, or preservation of that we have, or of our Laws and Liberties: But in stead thereof there are quaedam iniqua, the Excise must be continued beyond the war, that out of it the King might have a benefit, and the debts of the Enemies to the Parliament repaid: and the City immediately to be Treated with.  
That no Peace was intended, appears further from the L: Digbies Letter (written within a day or two of that to the City) to the Ki: Agent at Brussels, who writes that the French Treaty was at an end, because the Parliament must not be acknowledged to be a Parliament, that as the King for a long time had taken that for a ground, so he held the same resolution still, being thereunto advised by all his Lords at Oxford; and by his resolution of holding a Great Counsel in the nature of a Parliament at Oxford the 22. of this Month. And when his Majesty's Letter shall be read, you will find no particulars whereupon a Peace should have been built, save only kind words in generals.  
This further appears from the persons who were the first Designers and Contrivers, and were to have been the chief managers from first to last of the business, Read and Sir Basil Brook known jesuited Papists, and always active in promoting Popish practices; This Peace must have been such as these persons shall contrive; The prayer for our deliverance from the Gun powder Treason agreed upon in Parliament, saith, That the Faith of such Papists is faction, Their practices, the murdering of the souls and bodies of men; Read he hath been a Contriver and prosecutor of the bloody Tragedies of the Protestants in Ireland; the other not without suspicion to have had his hand in it; what is said concerning the Queen in that particular, is set forth by the Declaration of both or one of the Houses, and the Articles of her Impeachment, the Countess of Buckingham (beside that her husband hath appeared visibly in that Rebession) is not free of other cause of suspicion: These as was said before, assisted with the Lord Digby, must be the Instruments of this Peace; which as it is set forth in his Majesty's Letter, must be such as that whereby the true Protestant Religion, the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom must be maintained.  
These Papists you see, who had done so good service for the Protestant Religion in Ireland, must lay the foundation for the preservation of it here.  
Sir Basil Brook, and Read, well knew that the Pope and and Popery have been banished this Kingdom by the Parliaments of England, and that the succeeding Parliaments to this time have always endeavoured the suppression of popery, and therefore Degenerating from their Predecessors, who in the Gunpowder Treason endeavoured for that cause to have blown up the parliament, They must now endeavour the Preservation of the Parliament, and the Laws and the Liberties of the Kingdom.  
The things which from this brief Narrative, the reading of the Examinations, Propositions, and Letters, will appear to have been designed, are these;  
First the dividing the Parliament from the City, and the Parliament and the City within themselves.  
First in respect that this Treaty of Peace was to have been immediately between the King and the City, and that whereupon the Peace of the whole Kingdom should have been settled, as appears by his Majesty's Letter, what wide rends such a Treaty must have produced between the City and Parliament is obvious. Again, for the prosecution of the Treaty when entertained by the City; safe conducts were to have been granted, not only to those of the City, but to such of the Members of either House, as would have repaired to Oxford for that purpose; Every man sees by this, what division and confusion would have followed both in City and Parliament. The Projectors were well acquainted with Machivels' maxim, divide & impera.  
The second was no less than the utter destruction, the nulling and making void of this present Parliament, as will appear by the Lord Digbyes letter to De vic, and the summoning of the great Council or Parliament at Oxford compared with the third of these Propositions. By the letter to De vic this Parliament, as the resolution than was at Oxford, must not be acknowledged; and by this third Proposition for that very cause, the Parliament must be waved, and the Treaty must be immediately between the King and City. The consequence whereof had been no less than the rendering of the Kingdom for ever uncapable of having any more Parliaments; This Parliament, It was called and continued according to the known Laws and Usages of the Kingdom, was afterwards by an Act of Parliament, assented unto by his Majesty, so acknowledged, and made indissolvable without its own consent; (a greater Testimony of the validity of this Parliament, than I think was ever given to any:) If neither the Common Laws and usages of this Kingdom, nor the concurrent Authority of an Act Parliament be able to support this Parliament, when his Majesty shall declare the contrary, I shall without more words leave to your judgements, whether this doctrine doth not at once blow up the fundamentals of all Parliaments, Laws of the Kingdom, Liberty of the Subjects, and of the whole policy and Government of this Kingdom, which being destroyed, what security you could have devised for the maintaining of the Religion, Laws, and Liberties of the Kingdom, as is promised you in his Majesty's letter, I know not.  
3. The third was not only the preventing of the assistance of our Brethren in Scotland; But that which is worse, and must have necessarily followed thereupon, the embroiling of both the Nations in divisions, in all likelihood fat all unto both; this will appear by putting together what hath been done by the Parliament, those at Oxford, and the transactions in this design.  
The Parliament long since have invited that Nation to our assistance in this common cause upon weighty considerations.  
As first, conceiving that by this means through God's blessing, this great cause which concerns our Religion, Laws, Liberties, and all we have, would be assured, and the event of the War, otherwise doubtful, made more certain.  
2. Secondly, that by their assistance the war might be the sooner ended, and so by consequence the calamities which of necessity must accompany it, their assistance adding so considerable a strength to our party, besides the reputation which the concurrence of a whole Nation with us, will add to the justness of the cause.  
3. And thirdly, that as in likelihood by their joint concurrence, a better Peace for present might be procured, so in all probability what shall be agreed upon would be the more lasting and durable, both Nations being equally interested in what should be agreed upon.  
Besides the Covenant maturely sworn and agreed upon by both Nations for the maintenance and defence of Religion, and of the mutual Laws and Liberties of each Kingdom, a solemn league and Treaty hath likewise been mutually agreed upon between the Parliament here and that Kingdom, concerning the manner of their assistance (and great sums of money have been thereupon sent unto them.) In which Treaty one Article is, That neither Nation shall entertain any Treaty of Peace, without the advice and consent of the other. This in brief contains the transactions between that Nation and the Parliament. At Oxford by papers in the form of Proclamations, they have styled this assistance, an Invasion of the Kingdom, and one end of the calling of that great Council or Parliament is for opposing of the same.  
In the carriage of the present design, by one of Reads letters to Ryley he saith, That a door is open by the coming in of the Scots for the destruction of this Kingdom; That therefore this Peace must presently be concluded. That all is lost unless it be done speedily. The main intent of the letter is for the speeding of it to that end. The Lord Digbyes letter to Sir Basil Brooke, referring the delivering of his Majesty's letter to my Lord Mayor to his discretion, he forthwith delivers it to Wood, to be the next day delivered to my Lord Mayor, and he next day after the delivery to be by him published; He saw it necessary, and so resolved at Oxford, That we must speedily break with the Scots.  
Their assistance, how necessary, and by God's blessing how beneficial it is like to be unto us, I think you see, but this must be prevented; The honour and public faith of Nations how Sacred it is, and from the rules of Religion and common policy, how tenderly to be preserved each man knows; But this design must violate and stain our honour in the highest: For contrary to the Article before mentioned, this Treaty must presently be set on foot without them; such violations are always deeply resented by the parties injured: how dangerous therefore the consequence must needs have been, he that runs may read.  
This was the Design: It was too Ugly, It was too Black, Bore faced, to have been presented to your view, and therefore it must be masked; This hook must be baited with the sweet word Peace; It hath been long since observed from the Ecclesiastical proceed of the Romish Church. That in nomine Domini Incipit omne malum, The Holy Name of God must bear out all their Spiritual wickednesses: The end of all Civil Policy is the preserving of just and Honourable Peace; and therefore these men when Divisions, Violence, and what is most contrary to Peace is intended, yet for the compassing of these ends, Peace must be pretended. So was it by many of them about this time twelve month Designed in their Petition to the Parliament for a Peace, and so was it in the bloody plot upon the City, and divers Members of both Houses discovered the last Summer. For upon the examinations of divers of them, It appeared that the ground of that plot was laid in the first Petition, and that the second was to have been guilded over with a Petition for Peace.  
These men, (I speak of these designs) they cry Peace, Peace, that destruction might have come upon you as an armed man: You shall now hear the examinations and other things read at large unto you.   

SIR HENRY VANE JUNIOR, His Introduction to the Reading the several Examinations taken in this business, Together with several Observations, delivered by him, upon occasion thereof.  
GENTLEMEN,  
YOU have heard very fully the State of this busines, by what the Persons that have already spoken, have opened to you in general; that which you are now in the next place to have communicated to you, are the Examinations, as they proceeded from the mouths of the Parties themselves, that you may see the Design in its lively colours, and that as you have had it summarily presented to you from this Noble Lord and worthy Gentleman; you may now hear the parties themselves speak.  

The first Examination that was taken, was the 4. of Jan. 1643. and it was the Examination of Theophilus Reyley,  
Who saith:  
THat since Newberry fight, one Pitsons wife (whose Husband was taken at Newberry fight, was a Quartermaster, and formerly employed by this Examinant, as an Intelligence) did move this Examinant to speak to Colonel Harvey, for some way to get her husband to be released, who replied, He would do what he could, but conceived the best way was to apply herself to Col. Harvey, who could do it, having Interest in my Lord General.  
VUpon this occasion, it is necessary for me to give you this account likewise of this exchange, that it is very true, Colonel Harvey did hereupon move his Excellency (that is now here present with you) but it was so conveyed, as it seems to Col. Harvey (whose merit is known very well among you, and how well he hath deserved of the Commonwealth) that he did acquaint my Lord General with it, under the Notion of a person called Cap. Read, that should be taken at Burlee Castle, in a fight here in the Wars in England, thereby to disguise him to his Excellency, that so he might be induced to grant this Exchange, and by this handsome shift, it should seem (as you will hear by and by) that this warrant was procured from his Excellency, who had he known it, as he was not bailable by the law, so his Excellency, from the tenderness he had to the good of the Commonwealth, he would have had a care to have prevented it, but by this shift it was gotten.  
Whereupon a warrant was procured from my L. Gen. for the release of Col. Read, in exchange for James Pitson, and the said Col. Harvey did write a letter to this Examinant to take security of Col. Read for the exchange aforesaid, and directed him to call for the Warrant which Pitsons wife, by the direction of this Examinant, did fetch from Col. Harveys wife, and brought the warrant to this Examinant, who thereupon did proceed as he was directed, to take security from Colonel Reade, by which occasion this Examinant began to be acquainted with the said Read, who said that now he was released, he protested to God, no man was more wronged than he, that he had never born arms, that none wished happier to the State, for a good Peace, than he; and that he would, upon his going to Oxford, make it appear, and endeavour the procuring of a Peace, at which time Master Violet a Goldsmith was present, who said, That the said Reade would be found to be as likely a man to procure Peace, as any in England, the security being given, the said Reade went to Oxford, and about a fortnight after, Violet came to this Examinants' house, and desired to speak with him; for he had heard from Reade, and that he should see the said Read would be a good Instrument for procuring of Peace, at which time Violet produced a Paper of Propositions for Peace, and asked his opinion, how they would relish with the Parliament, who replied, That he did verily think that the Parliament would not agree unto them all, in his opinion; the particulars this Examinant doth not well remember: that during the imprisonment of the said Violet, the said Violet came Two times to this Examinant, and told him, That Reade would work the Queen to a Peace, as he should see shortly, this Examinant further saith, That upon the news of Sir. Arthur Haselrigs kinsman-being taken Prisoner at Beaver by the Enemy, this Examinant coming to my Lady Haselriggs, she (speaking of Pitson) said, She would be glad this Examinant would think of somebody for the exchange of her Kinsman, to which this Examinant than replied nothing: but after that, the said Violet coming to him, he demanded of Violet, if he could think of any one to be exchanged for Sir Arthars' kinsman, who replied to this Examinant, Do you think I might be exchanged for him, or to that effect, to which this Examinant answered, He would speak to Sir Arthur Haselrigge concerning him, who did so accordingly, and Sir Arthur Haselrigge prayed this Examinant to send Violets name, which this Examinant did; and thereupon by Order of the House, this exchange was appointed between Sir Arthur Haselriggs kinsman and Violet, and security taken accordingly, and the Bonds left at this Examinants' house. Upon Saturday night last, Violet came to this Examinants' house, to know if the said warrant were obtained from my Lord General, for his release, and this Examinants' man told him it was. the said Violet, upon taking his leave of this Exam. told him he would be back with him within three or four days, and bring the Discharge of Sir Arthur Haselrigs Kinsman, and that there was a Letter already agreed upon at Oxford, to be written from the King to the City, about Petitioning him, and that it would be here on Newyears day, and that accordingly the said Violet yesterday returned from Oxford, and this morning told this Examinant, That he had brought a Letter and a Message to Master Alderman Gibbs, and the Lord Major, and appointed him to meet with him again to morrow at Nine of the Clock, the Examinant being then very busy.  
THEOPHILUS RILY.   
This is the examination that was first taken of Master Riley, and at the same time when the Committee finished this examination, there chanced to fall from Master Riley, without any observation at that time by the Committee a paper upon the room, which afterward the Comnsittee also by accident, hardly observing what it should be, took up; and found it to be the Letter as was afterward confessed from Read at Oxford to Master Riley, which Letter you shall now hear read, and in the second place Master Riley his confession that this letter was directed to him, and was the letter of Read to him; the letter is directed on the back of it for the man in the Moon, for when Master Read left this town, there was a threefold character agreed upon for intelligence between Master Read, Violet, and Master Riley, Master Riley was to be called the man in the Moon, Master Violet to be called James Morton, and Colonel Read to be called Colonel Lee, so according to this threefold character, Master Riley himself acknowledged this was that which was to be applied to him, the letter ye shall now hear read.  
Sir,  
I Wrote to you formerly but never had any answe, I assure you faithfully I have not been wanting to do what you desired (as you may perceive by the effects) and if you have not your desire blame yourself, but give me leave to tell you that if you neglect the opportunity now offered to you, it may be you shall never have the like again, for I have made those whom you have given just occasion to be your worst friends to be your best, and the only instrument to procure what here is sent you, and be you confident she shall still be so, provided you do your part; consider I beseech you what a gap is opened by bringing in of the Scots for the destruction of this Kingdom if there be not a peace, (which I pray God almighty to send speedily) you must expect armies of strangers from several places, who are now preparing, who certainly at their coming in will overrun the whole Kingdom, and when it is past remedy, you will see your own errors, and therefore to prevent more misery than I am able to express to this deplorable Kingdom, and the effusion of the blood of millions of men, women, and children which must inevitably be this summer, apply yourselves in a humble and submissive way to his Majesty, whom I know you will find ready with arms cutstretched to receive you to favour and mercy, and grant you favours even beyond your expectation, defer no time (for God's sake) and what you will do; do it speedily, I say again do it speedily and lose no time, for reasons I may not write.  
The direction of the letter by the same hand that it is written within, is for the man in the Moon, without date.  
Upon the falling down of this note to the ground we examined Master Riley upon it, who did protest to us clearly he did not know he had this note about him, who did thereupon declare as you shall hear, that the note directed upon the backside to this examinant to the man in the Moon, he confesseth to be sent him a fortnight since from Colonel Read, & that he received another to this effect before, which is also here, & shall be read unto you. The inscription upon the back of this letter is for the man in the Moon.  
Sir,  
I Assure you I have not been wanting to further your good desires, and if it be not your own faults I make doubt but things will have a happy issue, for I find those that are most concerned in it forward enough, reflect now upon the misery of the times, & upon the groans and sufferings of those you see not, which yet have been nothing to what they will be if not speedily prevented by a Peace; which to obtain, I beseech you, let it not only be your own care but the care of all those you love, or have power with; otherwise be confident of a general ruin; which certainly will be inevitable both to yourselves and posterity; and therefore take it into your serious consideration, and let not causeles●e jealousies hinder you to apply yourselves in a humble submissive manner to his Majesty, who I am sure will yet look upon you with a gracious eye, lose no time, for the longer you delay, it may prove more difficult, no doubt.  
TThe former of these letters in this examination which is sign dwith his own hand, he doth acknowledge, this letter which hath been first read: we shall read you his other examination wherein he likewise acknowledgeth this letter which hath been since read, and you may observe upon these letters that this Gentleman Colonel Read (who as was told you, is a famous lesuit) hath been the Ringleader in the rebellion of Ireland, O how tender hearted he is now to the Peace and liberty of this Kingdom, he hath there in Ireland kindled a flame, & raised a rebellion to hinder the good endeavours of this Parliament, which if it had not been, you might have enjoyed your liberties without this war and blood that hath been since spilt, and now he returns a preacher here to exhort Mr. Riley for fear of this ruin which himself hath caused for to come to a Peace now, upon Propositions of his own contriving, which are nothing else but a delivering yourselves up to the designs of these Jesuits and Papist, who would in the same manner bring our Protestant blood to be spilt here in England, which with out mercy they have already done in Ireland, I only tell you this by way of Observation.  
Gent. This paper which was first read to you, confessed by Mr. Riley to be sent him from Col. Read, falling thus strangely into our hands, who knew nothing of it, nor knew nothing at all of this conspiracy, we did thereupon tell M. Rily, that he could not but take notice of the finger of God, that would bring the same to light, and though from our tenderness and respect to him before, we would not examine him of his papers that were about him, we now did desire he would pull out his papers from his pocket, to let us see what he had beside, having done so, here is another paper directed like wise to M Theophitus Riley, and it is but of four lines, but that which did like wise discover another person that we knew not of, to be interested in the business, and that is Sir Bafil Brook, It is directed for M Riley, and it runs thus; Good Mr. Riley, these are to let you know, that I am returned from Oxford, with good sirccesse in my business, and perceiving that you have appointed to meet B. B. at 9 of the Clock, I pray without fail, be here at the Eyon in South work before 8. of the clock to morrow morning. It is subscribed T. V that is, Tho. Violet, and dated Wednesday. 3. Jan. 1643. which was the day Mr. Violet returned from Oxford: was this good success as he wrote here in the note, and the next morning it seems, Mr. Riley and Sir Basil Brooke appointed to meet at 9 of the Clock, and he desired him to meet an hour before, and M. Riley upon the examination coufest this B. B. was Sir Basil Brooke.  

The further Examination of Theophilus Riley, 4. januar. 1643.  
This Examinant being further demanded concerning a Letter directed for Master Theophilus Riley, and subscribed T. V (which was the Letter last read to you) confesseth the said Letter was written to himself from Thomas Violet, and sent to him this morning; that B. B. mentioned in the Letter, is Sir Basil Brooke, as he conceives: that he hath twice had conference with Sir Basil Brook at the three Cranes in the Vintrey, which time the said Thomas Violet was also there, this Examinant being brought thither by the said Violet, where they had discourse about the Treaty to be transacted by Colonel Read: that Sir Basil Brooke sent for this Examinant on Tuseday last to the three Cranes, where he told this Examinant, a Letter of grace and favour would be sent from the King to the Lord Major, that his Majesty would be willing to receive a Petition from the City: Then Sir Basil Brooke shown to this Exaninant a copy of the King's letter, which was to this effect as he remembers: That whereas this City had been famous for their loyalty to the King, and that they had of late been disobedient, yet if they would petition to him, he would lovingly receive them, and protested how he had ever endeavoured to maintain the true Protestant Religion, Privileges of Parliament, and liberties of the Subject: that there was a Messenger come already about this business; that Violet would return within three of four days, and upon that appointed another meeting upon Friday at nine of the clock, in expectation of Violets return. He further saith, that the like note to this shown him, directed to the Man in the moon, was delivered to him by Violet about a fortnight since, and this Note was delivered to him by Sir Basil Brook at the three Cranes on Monday or Tuseday last, both of them coming from Colonel Read.  
T. Riley.   
So there he acknowledgeth both these Letters, the one to be delivered him by this Violet, the other by Sir Basil Brooke.  

He further saith, that the said Violet delivered this Examinant a paper of Propositions, demanding this Examinants' opinion; who told him which he thought would be consented to by the Parliament, and which not: That the said Violet also asked this Examinant, whether there might not be thought on some Propositions that might please the King and Parliament.  
Theophilus Riley.   
Having proceeded to examine Master Riley thus fare, the Committee did likewise send for Sir Basil Brooke, who was Prisoner in the King's Bench, and his Examination is that which is next to be read to you, and is the fifth of january 1643.  

Who saith,  
That he knows Colonel Read; that he was the man (as he thinks) did design the Treaty of peace, now in agitation between the King and the City: That he knows Thomas Violet; that he acquainted this Examinant with Propositions, which he knows not whether himself drew, or that he did it with the assistance of others: Who further saith, that Master Violet told this Examinant, that he thought all those in the City that formerly shown themselves for peace, would do so now; among which was Alderman Gibbes, who had made a Speech tending that way in the house of Commons: that he knows Master Riley, upon occasion of this business, and hath met with him at the three Cranes in the Vintrey two several times, where he desired to know of the said Riley, whether if that a Letter came from the King, it might be a means to procure the City to move the Parliament for the procuring of a Treaty of peace? To which Master Riley replied, he thought the Lord Major and Common Council would acquaint the Parliament with it and that it was probable thereupon Propositions might be thought upon, and a peace might ensue. This Examinant being showed the note directed to the Man in the moon, did confess he received it from Master Read by Wood, and that he delivered it with his own hands to Master Riley at the three Cranes at their second meeting, and saith that Violet told him this, that by the Man in the moon was meant Master Riley. This Examinant further saith, that in less than a fortnight one Wood brought several Letters from Oxford; one from his Majesty, to the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and well-affected Citizens; another from the Lord Digby to this Examinant, and a Copy of the King's Letter: That Thomas Violet returned from Oxford on Wednesday night, and brought with him Letters also from his Majesty, to the Mayor, aldermans, and Common Council, a Letter from the Lord Digby to this Examinant, and a copy of his Majesty's Letter; that the later of the King's Letters is in the hands of the said Wood, and that the said Letter was given him on Thusday night, with direction to deliver it to the Lord Mayor: the rest of the Letters this Examinant hath in his power, and undertakes to deliver them to this Committee, and knoweth who hath the charge of them; that the King's Letters differed very little, and were to this effect.  
That the City had showed great loyalty to the King's predecessors, and had received great favours from them, and that he doubted not that he had many good subjects in the City that did desire Peace, and were weary of their misery; that he had sent these Letters to let them know he would confirm the Protestant Religion, and the liberties of the subjects, in any way they should devise, and that he would be ready to receive their petition, if they presented any to him, and give safe conduct to them they should send with their Petition.  
That the substance of the Lord Digbies Letter was to direct him to deliver the King's Letter, or to forbear, according as he found it probable the City were inclinable thereunto. That Violet did tell this Examinant, that he conceived the City would be very well inclined to that the King expressed in his Letters, and thereupon would acquaint the Parliament with it.  
That Violet told this Examinant he had spoken with Alderman Gibbes and Master Riley since his return from Oxford, and acquainted them that he had brought a Letter from the King, and though Alderman Gibbes refused to have any thing to do in the business but in a public way, yet he was conceived by Violet notwithstanding to be the same man he was before, inclinable towards peace: He further saith, that he desired Mr. Riley to promise him secrecy in what he delivered to him, which he did. That Violet told this Examinant, that the King promised him to requite him well if the business succeeded; Riley also should be well requited if a peace did follow. That at the meetings between this Examinant and Master Riley, at the three Cranes, the said Riley told him he thought the said Alderman Gibbes, and divers others in the City, would be for peace; and that he thought that the Cities declaring for Peace, would be the most probable and best way to draw the Parliament to join, and so to effect it.  
Basil Brooke.   
The next Examination which shall be read to you, is the Confession of Violet, written with his own hand.  

Tho. Violet saith, that he being aboard the Ship called the Prosperous Sarah, for his twentieth part, he did write two Letters, to my Lord Mayor and Alderman Gibbes, to entreat their assistance for bringing him on shore; which was done within four or five days, and he was committed to the prison of the King's Bench.  
That about ten days after, Master John Read was remanded from the aforesaid Ship to the prison of the King's Bench, and lay in the same house part of the time of his stay in prison, where he procured to be exchanged for one that was taken by the King's forces, and carried to Oxford; and understanding by Master john Read that the Warrant for the exchange was in Master Rileys' hands to take the security, he went twice over with Master Read, to have the security taken; and Master Read then telling Master Riley, that if there were not a Peace, there would needs come a great destruction upon this Kingdom; that he would be a blessed Instrument that could procure peace, which Master Riley seconded.  
Thereupon Mr. Read told Mr. Riley and me, that when he came to Oxford he would intimate how he found things to incline to a peace, and protested he would to the utmost of his power do good offices in that behalf, and that he would signify how he found things to stand: Whereupon he sent a small note to me, that I should tell Master Riley, he had moved him that was most concerned in the business, and that he found him very willing to embrace any occasion to have these differences reconciled. And another Note he sent me, to go to Master Riley, with a Superscription, To the Man in the Moon, in which he pressed earnestly, that if they would take into their consideration the groans and sufferings of them they see not, and keep ruin from themselves and posterities, the likeliest way was to petition his Majesty, that so these great mischiefs might be removed, and things brought to a good end between the King and Parliament; which Note I delivered to Master Riley.  
Within a week after there was a Paper left at my Lodging, wherein were about ten Questions propounded, two of them I had formerly spoken of to Colonel Read, which was, That his Majesty would be pleased to pass an Act of Oblivion: And that, if his Majesty would come and fit with his Parliament, there was revenue enough to satisfy all demands in a peaceable way by the Excise, both for the King and Parliament. But finding divers other Questions in the Paper, I went to Master Riley, who upon perusal usall of the Paper, told me, that some three or four of them he did conceive might very well be taken into consideration: and he did often desire before me, that some course might be taken that his Majesty would signify to the Parliament or City, that he would come up to the Parliament, and that the City would petition him in that behalf.  
Whereupon I went to Sir David Watkins, and knowing that he was a man zealous for the Parliament and Commonwealth, I told him.  
Sir, I am come to you, to ask your advice in a business of great concernment, and if I did think there were any danger in the doing of it, I would not meddle with it: and therefore I am come to you to desire your opinion in these things I present to you, and what you advise to do in it. Whereupon I shown him the paper wherein the Questions were. He asked me where I had them: I told him, I did conceive they came from Master Read, and declared to him most of the foresaid passages, but some of them I told him I had in the way of discourse spoken of to Master Read, but for the greatest part, I know nothing of it.  
Sir David Watkins told me, if I would leave the Papers with him, he would ask a friend of his, and take advice; the next day I brought them to him, and he told me he did conceive many of the questions were good ways for a Peace, and that the Parliament and City must first be moved in it, and for the present he would not do any thing in it; but would not speak of it to any one, but wished it might bring a good peace, and said the Excise would give content to both. Whereupon I told Mr Riley, that I would desire Sir Basil Brook to see if he could procure his Majesty's Letters to the Parliament or City, to desire an Accommodation: And thereupon Sir Basil Brooke, before he did write any thing, desired to speak with Master Riley himself, to know what he did esteem the Excise to be worth, and what way he desired to be taken concerning the Debts of the Public Faith; and how the King's engagements might be satisfied, and what ground he had for what he should speak; and what he conceived the Excise to be worth a year, if the times were settled.  
Whereupon Master Riley replied, he did esteem it to be about three millions a year, if the times were quiet, which would quickly satisfy the debts on both sides: and afterwards a proportion of what should be agreed on might go for the increasing of his Majesty's revenue.  
Their meeting was at the three Cranes in the Vintrey, about a month ago, and what assurance was spoken of, if the King would assent to come to his Parliament, he should have. Sir Basil Brook told Master Riley, that though he were a Papist, he suffered as much by the war as any other; for he could not receive his rents, and Soldiers were billeted in his house, and therefore it concerned him to look after peace as well as any other; and he would thank God, if he could be an instrument to bring a lasting and good Peace about.  
Master Riley told him, there was no Question to be made but if the King would send a Letter to the Militia to that effect as this which his Majesty hath sent, they would petition the House about it; for without their consent they could not meddle in any thing: Which Sir Basil Brook told him he never expected or thought otherwise; and to this effect was their discourse. Whereupon he told Master Riley, he would take some course to see if he could persuade the King, by such friends as he had about him, to send a Letter to the Parliament, or the City of London, to signify the desire he had for Peace and unity with all his subjects. Thereupon they parted, and the next morning Sir Basil Brooke spoke to me, that he would write to my Lady Duchess of Buckingham to be a means to persuade the Queen, to be a visible actor to procure a peace, and that by that means she would procure the love of the people; and that she would procure his Majesty to give an exchange for me, and that if I could have his Majesty's Warrant to come to Oxford; which when he told me of, he had written, though I did not see it: I made my petition to the Militia, my Lord Mayor, and Alderman Gibbes. I writ a letter, and desired Master Riley to deliver it to them; desiring them to move the Militia that I might have liberty to go to Oxford, upon putting in bail to pay 70. li. or to return to London within 20 days, which was not granted: Then I desired Mr Riley to find me an exchange, which he did, and I am now again returned with the King's pleasure in that business concerning my exchange. There was a Letter sent down by Sir Basil Brook, by Wood, concerning what was desired, but the King would not send it to the Parliament, but writ the Letter as it is come up, and in Sir Basil Brooks custody, with a power in him only, from my L. Digby, to deliver it, if he thought it would work the effect of a blessed peace: and upon my salvation never any thing entered into my heart, but to do all things for the honour of the Parliament, and good of the common wealth, to my power. When I came to Court, on Tuseday morning, I found the King in the garden, and Read took me a way and brought me to the L. Digby, and presently my L. Digby told me he had sent up the King's letter by one Wood, to the Lo. Mayor, aldermans, and common Council, which was delivered to Sir Basil Brook, to which letter I humbly refer myself: and another letter was sent up to Sir B. Brook, if he saw good to deliver the letter, under the L. Digbies hand, which letter I brought up, and delivered it to Sir Basil Brook, and that was not to be delivered unless Sir Basil Brook saw good, and that it would be a means to work a blessed peace: since I came to Town I told Sir David Watkins, Alderman Gibs, Rily, Joseph Alderman Gibs his man, and some others, that there was hope of a blessed peace: all which I humbly submit to your grave wisdoms. That I was to tell my L. Major, the King had directed his letter to him Lord Major of London, which (Read told me) was his Majesty's pleasure, which he did, hearing he was a moderate man in his place: and for Alderman Gibs, his Majesty did recommend it to his care, that he would further the business, as he should think best (according to the Letters) for accomplishing a happy peace.  
M. Ryley told me that it could be no trouble to me to bring up these Letters, for when they have brought up any Message to the Lord Major and Common-council, they will do nothing in it till they have acquainted the Parliament, and receive their direction what answer to give. Sir David Watkins told me, that after it was recommended to the houss, be would affist it both by himself and friends to the uttermost of his power for a peace; and the reason he gave me, was, that if a peace was concluded, he hoped to be reimbursed the money he hath laid our, and that the Parliament would look well to the keeping of the Covenant; the reason M. Ryley gave, that the Letters should be directed to the City, was, that he did believe, if the King did write to them he would not touch upon any thing of the differences between King & Parliament, but leave it to the City to Petition the Parliament, without whose consent and privity he and Sir D. Watkins could or would do nothing, for it was resolved the House should know and give their directions for every thing. Besides Sir B. B. in his directions from the King, was to be assured that this Letter would be a means to work a blessed peace, or else to forbear the delivery, and afore Sir B. B. wrote about it, he did speak to M. Ryley to know how he should be assured of the good inclination of the City for a Peace, to whom M. Ryley replied, there was no question of it but it would, and it was resolved that ●int and request of the Militia for a peace to the houses, was ground enough for the King to take notice of, the inclination of many of his Subjects in London for a peace. And to this last, when I told Sir D. Watkins of the way which was intended, the King would take notice of the inclination, by that message he did approve of it, that M. Ryley meeting at the Tavern in Cheapside, the sign of the man in the moon, did give order to Read when he writ to him to write by that name, Reads name was to be known by M. Lee, and Thomas Violets name by Morton, but that I never received any note from Read, other than I have declared.  
Tho. Violet.   
You shall hear now a further Examination of Tho. Violet, who being showed a note, beginning; Sir, I assure you, an ending may prove the more difficult, which was the former note I read that was delivered to M. Ryley, by Violet himself. He accknowledgeth he received this note from one Wood, who told this Examinat, it came from one Colonel Read, whose hand writing he conceived it was, but it was to be delivered to M. Ryley, which this Examinat did accordingly, in a day or two after his receipt, by occasion of meeting the said M. Ryley, and M. Ryles enquiring of him what Read had done in the business of Peace.  
He saith, that Sir Bazill Brooke wished him to tell the Queen (which he did) that if she would be a mediator in this peace, she would make herself very famous and glorious, and get the love again of all the people, and that there would be enough as he did conceive out of the Excise to satisfy all Public debts. And that he should acquaint the Queen that M. Ryley had told him, that as soon as the King's Letter was brought up, it should be communicated to the Common-council, and from thence to the house, which in all probability would be a certain way for peace.  
The Queen hereupon replied, that she would be glad with all her heart to be a mediator between the King and his people, and that this Examinat should deserve very well in promoting this work, and took it very kindly from this Examinat, and Sir Bazill Brooke; and that she would study to requite it.  
That the same Message that this Examinant delivered to the Queen, he presented also to the King, who expressed a good acceptance of the business.  

This Examinant further saith, that for the better effecting of the peace desired, it was thought fit by consent of Sir Bazill Brooke, and M. Ryley, that this Examinat should prepare a rough draught of a Letter for the King to write to the City, which was by this Examinat after it was drawn by himself to be communicated to M. Ryley, and Sir Bazill Brooke, for their advice concerning the same, which was accordingly done by this Examinat, and thereupon the said Sir Bazill Brook in the first place did polish and amend the rough draught framed by this Examinat, and M. Ryley after him did also make some alterations, which done, this Examinat did then communicate it to Sir David Watkins, who approved thereof, and thereupon this frame of the Letter was sent to Oxford by one Wood, about fourteen days since, and was delivered by Wood to Col. Read, who procured the King's Letter accordingly with some alterations, in form, but little in substance, which was brought to Sir B. B. by Wood upon monday last, being the first of this instant january, to present to the Lord Major, Court of Aldermen, and Common-council, and from thence to Communicate it to the House of Parliament.  
Tho. Violet.   

The further Examination of Sir Bazill Brooke, who saith, that M. Violet did frame the rough draught of the Letter for his Majesty to write to the Guy, that when it was communicated by the said Violet to this Examinat, he did polish and mend the English of it, that afterward the said drought of the Letter was sent to Oxford about 14 days since or thereabouts, and delivered by one John Wood to Colonel Read, who procured the King's Letter accordingly in substance, though with some alterations in form; which Letter was brought under the King's band & Signet to Sir B. B. upon monday last being the first of this instant, to present it to the L. Maior, Court of Aldermen, and Common-council, and from them to be communicated to the Houses of Parliament.  
Bazill Brook.   
In this Examination observe only thus much, That whatever pretence there was of having the grace and favour of the King, to be communicated in his gracious Letter, that this grace and favour was of the coutrivement of Sir B. B. or M. Ryley, and M. Violet here in this City before hand, and that they gave reasons and arguments to the Court afterward, why they should send it. And in it Sir David Watkins that is named in this, is a party, it is true he was acquainted with this business, but did discover it in part ten days before it came to light, to some Members of the house of Commons, and did freely come himself before he was sent for to the Committee, and desired that it might be found out and searched.  
This is the last Examination we shall read in this business, after which you shall hear the Letters themselves, of the Lord Digby and his Majesty, the 7 of january, 1643.  

The further Examination of Sir Bazill Brooke.  
That George Wood, mentioned in his former Examination, is called john Wood, who was an Apprentice to a Merchant in the City, and recommended by Read to this Examinat, as a fit man to be trusted to carry Letters between Oxford and this placo in this business. That Violet with the advice of of M. Ryley as this Examinat believeth, framed some Propositions, about 12 or 14 in number, which were brought to this Examinat by Violet, which mended the English of them; which Propositions were reduced afterward to six by Violet, Ryley, or both, and afterward was with the approbation of this Examinat.  
That this Examinat at the three Cranes in the Vintry, did meet with M. Ryley and Violet, to confer upon the said Propositions, and to consider of the probability of them to please this City and Parliament, which afterward were carried to Oxford, by the said Wood to Colonel Read, who returned an answer, that he thought the King would approve of them upon a Treaty, which might be between the City and some Parliament men joined with them.  
That Wood also, when he dwelled with his Master near the Stocks, and was employed about taking up the exchange of moneys, and since that time the Examinat saith, the said Wood told him he served in the wars, particularly he served in the Battle at Newbury, and being asked, whether he knew the usual abode of the said Wood, or how to find him out upon occasion, he saith he doth not know.  
That the Propositions formerly mentioned, this Examinat remembreth to be these, or to this effect.  
1. That the City might be satisfied, that the King would settle the Protestant Religion, for without that neither the Parliament nor City would admit any Treaty.  
2. That the debts contracted upon the Public Faith, on either side by King or Parliament, should be satisfied: and the most likeliest way for the doing thereof was to settle the Excise for those purposes.  
3. That it was conceived, that in respect of the King's Declaration, that the Parliament was no Parliament, and that therefore the King could not Treat with them any more, this Treaty was to be immediately between the King and the City, and the City was to be the medium between the King and Parliament.  
And this Examinat further saith, That the said Wood told the Examinat; that if any Parliament men would join with the City in this Treaty, they also might come with them to Oxford, under the safe conduct granted to the City, though it were not expressed in the King's Letter; and that the said Wood received directions at Oxford, for this Examinat to declare so much to whom he should think fit.  
4. That there must be an Act of oblivion for all parties and Delinquents whatsoever, and a general pardon, that no Cessation should be expected during the Treaty, if there had been any: That no mention was made in all these Propositions, either of Scotland or Ireland.  
That this Examinat doth remember. That M. Alderman Gibs and M. Ryley, were thought upon as fit men to be sent to Oxford about the Treaty, as being persons inclined to the furtherance of Peace. That Wood told this Examinat, that it was wished from Oxford that the said parties might be employed in this Treaty, that Read being to procure his release, first made a Petition to the Militia, by the Name of john Read Gent. to secure his quality as Colonel, under pretence that he was a poor man, and had children in great want; in which business the said Read made use of some Citizens to promote this Petition. That M. Ryley told the said Read, when his release was obtained, that he might perceive notwithstanding he might have been h●ndred from his enlargement, but that he said he knew no opposition, and therefore he wished him to labour to requite this courtesy, by endeavouring a peace between the King and City when he came to Oxford, which he said he would do.  
Bazill Brooke.   
Upon this examination you may observe that which will give you most light in this design, it was made so plausible, not only under the name of Peace, but it must be that which must answer all men's expectations, and that which most pinched, which was that the debts of the Public Faith should be paid by these propositions, by the settling of the Excise when all things should be established, that very thing which the Parliament in their wisdom and care, would prevent that when your laws have their freedom, and when you enjoy your liberties, you should have no such extraordinary courses now on foot only for this extraordinary occasion, this must be the way and the means when your liberties are settled, to bring you under the greatest slavery that is, to bring thosethings upon, you that when you have said all, that must not only pay you that have borne the brunt here, but satisfy all the Delinquents on the King's side also.  
And secondly you may observe clcerely that now the Parliament must sit under a cloud by his treaty it must be by the King and the City, the Parliament: must be wholly obscured and waved: The King's Proclamation which is but a Paper and form of a Proclamation, must have authority to abolish a Parliament settled by an Act of Parliament, and that is the end, that while you had a bait laid you for your liberties and peace to be settled you might have made such a precedent as never to have recovered a Parliament again, but in stead of that Act of Oblivion, you might have made an Act for to have buried all Parliaments in Oblivion; this was the right state of this Design.  
This Letter, Gentlemen, was directed to Sir Bazill Brooke, in an outward Cover.  

The Letter here which is for Sir Bazill Brooke; it is under my Lord Digbies own hand, it is the Letter which Wood brought to Town on Monday night last.  
Oxford 29. Decemb. 1643. Your affectionate Servant George Digby.   

SIR,  
THe King and Queen have both commanded me, to give you thanks in their Name for your care and diligence in their service; and His Majesty hath so much confidence in your discretion, and wariness not to be deluded, that in the hopes of the good effects towards a happy peace, which you seem to promise yourself from this negotiation, His Majesty is pleased to descend very far in writing so gracious a Letter to those who may seem to have deserved so ill of him.  
I send you herewithal a copy of the Letter itself, which varies only in stile, not in matter, from that draught which was sent down hither, which if you like and continue your confidence that it might be effectual to so blessed an end, as peace and union: you are to deliver to those parties seconded with assurance of his Majesty's most gracious and sincere inclinations, to give them full satisfaction in all their reasonable desires; but if you shall find cause to lessen the belief of a powerful effect by this Letter of His Majesties; It is then recommended to your discretion to forbear the delivery of it, since it would be a very unfit thing, to expose so great a grace, and condescending of his Majesty to hazards of being made frustrate and contemned. God send you happy success in this great undertaking: I profess it is that whereth with my belief and reason go along more comfortably, then with any thing I have known in projection since these troubles; But it is not fit to ravel further into the business this hazardous way, and therefore I shall add no more, but I am  
Oxford 29. Decemb. 1643. Your very affectionate Servant GEORGE DIGBY.   
GENTLEMEN,  
If there had been no Comment made upon this business, this Letter would have been enough. This Letter acknowledgeth the draught that was sent from the City of London, from those that had contrived it here, and that it was passed the Court at Oxford, without any material alteration, this Letter likewise acknowledgeth so much wisdom, so much caution in Sir Bazill Brooke that known lesuited Papist, as hath been told you before, so much tenderness of his Majesty's Honour to be in him, that all is left to his discretion, as he thinks fit of: If he find the Temper of the City to be right, to be delivered, it is left to his caution, to his wariness, to his sense and measure of his Majesty's honour, to do in it as he pleaseth: there is likewise held forth unto you, that in his opinion (which is my Lord Digbies opinion) there was nothing that ever he observed of any projection (It is his own word, and therefore you may the better observe it) that he never observed any thing in projection, or in design all this Parliament, tending this may, that was more likely and probable to bring the King's ends about: And if you remember this till you hear another Letter of his read by and by, which there declares plainly that the King's end in his Counsels now about him, is never to acknowledge this to be a Parliament: Compare that with this here, and then you may understand what a project this was.  
In the last place you may observe that the Lord Digby his great inclinations as well as Sir Bazill Brookes, for a blesled peace, and a blessed union in this Kingdom, when you know very well there hath not been a more unhappy instrument to blow up jealousies and misunderstandings between his Majesty and his People, and that durst not stand the justice of Parliament, but was fain to fly out of the Kingdom for it, and at the beginning of these unhappy distraction he advised his Majesty to retire into some strong place, the better to engage him in a war upon his Subjects. And yet no other phrase in his mouth but a happy peace, and a blessed union, to cousin poor people, to lead them into snares.  
This Letter on the outside is thus directed,  

To Our Trusty and well-beloved, Our Lord Major and Aldermen of Our City of London, and all other our well affected Subjects of that City. It is Superscribed, Charles Rex. And beneath, By His Majesty's Command, George Digbie.   

TRusty and well-beloved, We greet you well. When We remember the many Acts of Grace and favour We & Our Royal Predecessors have conferred upon that Our City of London, and the many Examples of eminent Duty and Loyalty, for which that City hath been likewise famous, We are willing to believe, notwithstand-the great defection We have found in that place, that all men are not so far degenerated from their Affection to Us and to the Peace of the Kingdom, as to desire a continuance of the miseries they now fell; and therefore being informed, that there is a desire in some principal Persons of that City to present a petition to Us, which may tend to the procuring a good understanding between Us and that Our City, whereby the peace of the whole Kingdom may be procured: We have thought fit to let you know, That We are ready to receive any such Petition, and the Persons who shall be appointed to present the same to Us, shall have a safe Conduct; And you shall assure all Our good Subjects of that Our City, whose hearts are touched with any sense of duty to Us, or of Love to the Religion and Laws established, in the quiet and peaceable Fruition whereof they and their Ancestors have enjoyed so great Happiness, That We have neither passed any Act, nor made any Profession or Protestation for the maintenance and Defence of the true Protestant Religion, and the Liberties of the Subject, which We will not most strictly and Religiously observe; and for the which we will not be always ready to give them any security can be desired. And of these Our Gracious Letters We expect a speedy Answer from you. And so We bid you farewell.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford, in the 19 year of Our Reign: 26. Decemb. 1643.   
GENTLEMEN, In this Letter also you may observe some few particulars upon the reading of it over:  
First, the good informations his Majesty hath of the inclinations of his people here, how that some principal men in this City, as it seems; was informed him, were very willing for to petition him to peace, the grounds of this you know, upon what hath been offered already, how they came to be presented to him, and that by expressing of it here in his Letter, it was rather to win your affections to it, under these plausible pretences, then that he had any real or solid ground for any such thing.  
In the second place you may observe thus much, as hath been told you already, that his Majesty's scope in this Letter, and the design of the Counsel about him, is to invite you of this City to be his interposers for the peace of the whole Kingdom, as if there were no Parliament sitting, or as if you had quite forgot the trust that yourselves have reposed in this present Parliament; for he faith he understands, that you have a mind to petition him for a peace, that by that means the peace of the whole Kingdom may be effected; and if you will fend him such a Petition, he will then very willingly receive it.  
The third thing is this, That his Majesty declares, that there is no art he hath hitherto passed in Parliament, but he will be most willing to confirm, a Declaration that is renewed; upon all occasions, but never otherwise observed than it is now: for in the mean time that act whereby this Parliament is a Parliament, whereby all other acts of Parliament, and the whole frame of the Laws of this Kingdom are confirmed and preserved, that very act in this design is to be laid aside, and utterly to be destroyed. And this Treaty is brought about for no other ends, but to destroy that; so that you may plainly see upon what ground these things are got from his Majesty, and upon what counsels; and withal, consider what colour of ground you can have to receive any fruit from any such Declarations and Protestations as these are, when they must only serve to amaze you, till this Parliament, and in this all Parliaments are for ever rooted out, and destroyed.  
The next Letter that is to be offered to you, is the Letter of the Lord Digby, upon another occasion, which was presented to the Houses by a Noble Lord that is here present, his Excellency, my Lord General, who intercepted it, going beyond Sea: you shall understand there yet more clearly what manner of counsels his Majesty is now upon at Oxford, which Letter shall be now read unto you.  

For my very worthy Friend, Sir Henry De Vic.  
From Oxford the 27. Decemb. 1643. Your very effectionate Friend and Servant, George Digby.   

SIr: My indisposition the last week fore'st me to refer you to my Secretary for an account of what Occurrences that offorded: This week hath been so little productive of any thing Considerable, that when I shall have told you of taking of Beston Castle in Cheshire, by his Majesty's Forces under the Lord Byron, a place of huge Importance, both for strength and Command of all those countries of Cheshier, Lancashire, and some parts of Stafford, and Derbyshire, I shall have told you all, the marquis of New castle having attempted nothing since the taking of Winckfield Manor: Plymouth remaining still in its former condition besieged, and there having been nothing done between my Lord Hopton and Sir Walliam Waller, since the unlucky beating up of one of our Quarters at Alton; But we are in daily expectation of a critical Blow between them: The Lord Wilmot being now joined with the Lord Hopton, with a fresh strength of a thousand Horse, and both being under march to attain Waller, who hath possessed himself of Arundell-Town, we having a strong Garrison in the Castle, and it is probably hoped, he cannot avoid fight with him upon disadvantage: Thus much for the Military part. The Prince de harcourt's Negotiation, by way of Intermise for an Accommodation, is well nigh at an end, as I believe, for that the pretended Parliament will not hearken to any Propositions from him, in any other way, then of an avowed address, by which they might seem either to be owned by him as a Parliament, and applied to by him as an Ambassador; or else to be admitted by the King, for somewhat more considerable, than He hath in a long time owned them for: A point which His Majesty may not suffer them to gain without subverting the grounds & Maxim of all his late proceed against them, and that which He now goes upon by the advice of all his Nobility here, as you will perceive by this enclosed Proclamation, upon the effects thereof all the Eyes of the Kingdom are now fixed, God send them to be as good actuated, as they are in speculation, for I am confident that in reason it carries Probability, of the surest and readiest way to the reestablishment of His Majesty, and his Just Rights and powers, of any course that hath been yet attempted: This is all, more than the heartiest respects of  
Your affectionated Servant: George Digby.  
I have received yours of the 19 and will by the next give you an account of that particular in it, that concerns yourself.   
GEntlemen, this letter for what concerneth the Military part of it, I believe your own knowledges are able to give yourselves the best judgement, how that that Critical blow that he there sperketh of is now fallen in great part upon their own heads, and that thanks be to God Sir William Waller being now in the Castle of Arundel, having taken above 1000 or 1200. prisoners, and some 100 and odd Officers, with all other things delivered to him, we see which way the Critical blow is fallen: for which we have all cause to acknowledge the goodness of Almighty God. The second part declareth to your consideration, that boldness and confidence, which breaks forth in the Lord Digbyes Pen, that it seemeth he hath forgotten he hath been a Parliament man, he calleth that Parliament which is settled by Act of Parliament, the very name whereof ought to be sacred to the ears of all true English men and lovers of their Country, he calls a pretended Parliament. That which durst never be called, said, or written at any time heretofore in England by any whatsoever.  
The second thing you may observe is this,  
That that council of Nobility which you will hear of by and by in a Proclamation, must now not only be of a Council of Nobility there, but of all those that have been likewise expelled out of the house of Commons or house of Peers, or withdrawn themselves from their duty, and the trust put in them by their Country: all these now must assemble together. and what to do? To settle his Majesty's just rights and Power; and this just right and power is to make this Parliament, though settled by an Act of Parliament, a pretended Parliament, or in a word to give our laws, liberties, or rights a being or not a being solely in his Majesty's pleasure; how just that is, you yourselves may easily discern, and how destructive it would be to you. A third thing considerable in this letter is, that though his Majesty should have any inclination to do his Parliament right, to acknowledge them a Parliament, yet my Lord Digby saith it is a point that must not be suffered. It is a point which his Majesty must not permit to be gained, though it be but to do the Parliament that right, as to acknowledge what they are by Act of Parliament, his faithful and Supreme Council. But in stead of this, as you will hear by a Proclamation of the 22. of December; All the members of both Houses that have forsaken their Country, deserted the cause, contributed to undermine the State and Kingdom, and expose them to the prey of the Irish Rebels. This must be the wholesome advice about his Majesty, and this wholesome advice must beheld up, though with the unnatural ruin of this Parliament, which must not be acknowledged; but another thing, set up in form of a Parliament, somewhat like a Parliament thereby to delude simple people, if it were possible that might take place, to subvert the Laws of this Kingdom, and subject all our liberties to an arbitrary power, under pretence of Law, to the worst of all evils. By this you may easily understand the drift of the Counsels that are at Oxford, and this use we ought to make of it, to unite ourselves with more strong resolutions and unwearied affections then ever, with our purses, lives, and estates, to labour to redeem ourselves from this misery and thraldom that is threatened us, and now appearing in more clear Demonstrations than ever yet it hath.  
You shall now hear the Proclamation itself read; this Paper that is now to be read to you, is that which cometh in the form of a Proclamation: for as you well know, the great Seal of England is now with the Parliament, and the other great Seal by the Ordinance is made void: and such is the confidence they have of this good doctrine of theirs, and to set up another Parliament in the room of it, and to proceed upon these principles and grounds, they think it necessary to send it beyond sea, hoping hereby to unite all Popish Princes upon this point, who know very well, the true Protestant Religion must inevitably be rooted out, if this Protestant Parliament be made no Parliament or destroyed, in which all our other Laws at the same time, and upon the same grounds are no Laws, but must perish also.  

By the King  
A Proclamation for the Assembling the Members of both Houses at Oxford, upon occasion of the Invasion by the Scots.  
Whereas we did by Our Proclamation, hearing date the twentieth day of June last, upon due consideration of the miseries of this kingdom, and the true cause thereof, warn all Our good Subjects no longer to be miss by the Notes, Divers, and pretended Ordinances of One or Both Houses, by reason the Members do not enjoy the freedom and Liberty of Parliament, which appears by several instances of Force and Violence, and by the course of their proceed mentioned in Our said Proclamation, and several of Our Declarations: since which time Our Subjects of Scotland have made great and Warlike preparations to enter and inhave this Kingdom with an Army, and have already actually invaded the same, by possessing themselves, by force of Arms, of Our Town of Barwick, upon presence that they are invited thereunto by the desires of the two houses; the which as we doubt not all Our good Subjects of this kingdom will look upon as the most insolent Act of ingratitude and dissoyalty, and to the apparent breach of the late Act of Pacification so solemnly made between the Kingdoms, and is indeed no other than a design of Conquest, and so impose new Laws upon this Nation, they not so much as pretending the least probecation or violation from this Kingdom: so We are most assured that the Major part of both Houses of Parliament, do from their souls abhor the least thought of introducing that for reign Power, to increase and make desperate the mile, miseries of their unhappy Country. And therefore that it may appear to all the world how far the Mayor part of both Houses is from such Actions of Treason and disloyalty, and how grossly those few Members remaining at Westminster have and do impose upon Our People; We do Will and require such of the Members of both Houses, as well those who have been by the faction of the Malignant Party expelled for performing their duty to Us, and into whose rooms no Persons have been since chosen by their Country, as the rest who have been driven thence, and all those who being conscious of their want of freedom, now shall be willing to withdraw from that Rebellious City, to assemble themselves together at Our City of Oxford, on Monday the twenty second day of January, where care shall be taken for their several Accommodations. and fit places appointed for their meeting, and where all Our good Sujects shall see how willing We are to receive Advice for the preservation of the Religion, Laws and safety of the kingdom, and, as far as in Us lies, to restore it to its former Peace and Security (Our chief and only end) from those whom they have trusted, though We cannot receive it in the place where We appointed. And for the better encouragement of those Members of either House to resort to us, who may be conscious to themselves of having justly incurred Our displeasure by submitting to, or concurring in unlawful actions; And that all the World may see how willing and desirous We are to forget the Injuries and Indignities offered to Us, and by an Union of English hearts, to prevent the lasting miseries which this foreign Invasion must bring upon this kingdom, We do offer a free and General Pardon to all the Members of either House, who shall at, or before the said twenty second day of January appear at Our City of Oxford, and desire the same, without Exceptions; which considering the manifest Treasons committed against Us, and the condition We are now in, improved by God's wonderful blessing to a better degree than We have enjoyed at any time since these Distractions, is the greatest instance of Princely and fatherly Care of Our People that can be expressed, and which Malice itself cannot suggest to proceed from any other ground. And therefore We hope, and are confident, that all such who upon this Our gracious Invitation will not return to their duty and Allegiance, shall be no more thought Promoters of the Religion, Laws and Liberty of the Kingdom (which this way may be, without doubt, settled and secured) but Persons engaged from the beginning, out of their own Pride, Malice, and Ambition, to bring confusion and desolation upon their Country, and to that purpose (having long once contrived the Design) to invite and join with a foreign Nation to ruin and extinguish their own, and shall according be pursued as the most desperate and malicious Enemies of the kingdom. And Our Pleasure is, That this Our proclamation be read in all Churches and Chappells within this Our kingdom, and Dominion of Wales.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford, the 22th day of December, in the Nineteenth year of Our Reign. 1643.  
God save the King.   
GENTLEMEN, I believe upon the reading of this Paper, which is put forth in the form of a Proclamation, you cannot but discern a great affinity in it to this present business that is now before you; which is to occasion division between the City and the Parliament, to raise factions in both, and to say open as much as possible may be to the power and malice of their enemies, howsoever they cover themselves under these fair and specious expressions, which you have heard before.  
This Proclamation doth very ill agreed with his Majesty's Letter; here it is called the disobedient and Rebellious City, in this Proclamation; and here the Parliament is endeavoured to be brought from you, though before you are the only darlings in his Majesty's eye; whereby they might have served their turns and their ends of you: In that therefore you must have as fair and good words as possible may be. But now in this on the contrary side, when it is to work upon the Parliament, than you must be called an odious and rebellious City, to draw them from you to Oxford. This sufficiently discovers how palpable and gross they are, that all this fair and foul weather is made up only to shift hands to work the same design of sowing division and dissension among us, that so their party might prevail: you may likewise observe from the title of this Proclamation, which is by occasion of the invasion of the Scots, that they, themselves have forgotten the cessation of Ireland; whereby they have let lose worse than a foreign nation, a nation imbrued in the Protestant blood, and settled upon principles, for the utter destruction of the Religion and Laws of this Kingdom: I say you may discern thereby how far forth the cessation of Ireland is forgotten, that complyes with all this: For after they had murdered almost all the Protestants there, and after they have laid that Kingdom waste, they must have an opportunity to be let into this Kingdom, and no council called about it to hinder them; but rather the council to bring them over; and the princiall actors in that rebellion must be nearest his Majesty's heart. For the coming of the Scots, I believe you all know very well, that the Parliament did think fit, finding how near the interest of these two Nations were conjoined in one, finding the constant love and amity of that Kingdom to this, and how in its greatest extremity it was very punctual to it; how that the last time it was here, it was very punctual and careful to observe all conditions, and at the desire of the Parliament, return back again according to their promise: they thought it fit to enter into a Treaty with them in a solemn Covenant, which Treaty is now solemnly ratified by both Kingdoms; yet this must be called an Invasion. When they were last in the Kingdom, if they would have joined with that Army, to have come up against the Parliament, they might have had very large conditions, but that is now forgotten; the offers that were then made to them, I believe you have heard of already, which was, that they should have the four Northern Counties, formerly esteemed their ancient bounds; that they should have three hundred thousand pounds in money paid them down at Newcastle; that they should have the plunder of the City of London, and that all manner of grace or honour that his Majesty could bestow upon particular persons: this is that which those that have been in Scotland know was then sent by way of Proposition, by Sir john Hinderson, who is now at Oxford; they than rejected those with scorn, and did refuse to make an Invasion upon this Parliament, but kept true and faithful to the Parliament. And upon this experience the Parliament thought fit to make use of them again, against the public danger, against the ruin of the Protestant Religion, which is threaned in all his Majesties three Dominions; and therefore, as for that point, though for the present we cannot give you the full and large Declaration, as hereafter will come forth from both Houses; yet it is necessary to acquaint you with thus much, that you may not be amazed by any such printed Papers as these are.  
Here is a second paper in the form likewise of a Proclamation, whereby you shall see the unevenness, and unsteddinesse of His Majesty's Counsels, at least in appearance; for though they be steady and united in that which is to bring destruction, and ruin upon the Parliament and Kingdom; yet you may see them halt in their expressions: Before you were called a famous City, you had deserved so well, and had all encouragements offered you; here on the contrary you shall see what language is given you, and because the welfare of this City consists much in the residence of this Parliament, and Courts of justice that are here; And of such persons of quality, as are necessarily attendant thereupon. It is not now only thought fit to call away the Parliament from you, but the Courts of justice, that so you might be left a miserable confused City; notwithstanding all the fair words and promises that have been given you.  

BY THE KING.  
A Proclamation for the removing of the Courts of Kings-Bench, and of the Exchequer, from Westminster to Oxford.  
WHereas the sole power of appointing the Place or Places, in which Our Great Courts of justice shall be kept, and of removing them from one place to another, as urgent occasion shall move Us, by the Laws of this kingdom is inherent in Our Royal Person. And whereas it is of great importance to Our service in these times of difficulty and distraction, to have Our judges of Our said Courts to attend near unto Us, by whose advice We may the better proceed in in all those Cases wherein the judgement and knowledge of the Laws is required. And whereas more especially the Chancellor, or Lord keeper of the Great Seal of England, and the judges of Our Court, called the Kings-Bench, were and are to follow the King; and Our Court of Exchequer, being the proper Court of Our Revenue, aught to attend Us as We shall appoint. And whereas Our Cities of London and Westminster have been, and yet are, the chief Causers, and Maintainers of this present Rebellion against Vs. And We taking into Our serious consideration, that while Our Courts of Kings-Bench, Common-Pleas, and of Our Exchequer, are kept at Westminster, many of Our good and Loyal Subjects might be compelled or enjoined, by Process in Our name, to make their appearance there, which they could not do without hazard of Imprisonment, or other damage or violence from the fomentors of this Rebellion; and many might suffer prejudice by Verdicts and judgements had and obtained against them by default or otherwise, when they could not with safety come to make their just defences: thereupon We did re●olve to remove those Courts from Westminster to Our City of Oxford, whether other of Our Courts of justice hath been and are already removed by Our former Proclamation. And to the end that there might not be any prejudice to any of Our Subjects, by discontinuance of their Suits in those Courts or otherwise, We did send Our several Writs of Adjournment, directed to Our judges of Our said Courts of Kings-Bench and Common-pleas, and to Our Barons of Our Exchequer, thereby commanding and giving Warrant and authority to them respectively, to adjourn all Pleas and Process depending before them, in and from the Two and Twentieth day of November last passed, to the first return of Hillary Term next, commonly called Octabis Hillary, to be holden then at Our City of Oxford. But our Messenger sent with those Writs (as We have been informed) for no other cause but for doing his duty in carrying and delivering those Writs, was imprisoned, and in an unjust and illegal way Sentenced to die, and brought to a place of execution, and threatened to be Hanged, as at that time another of Our Messengers for no other cause then for doing his duty in the like kind, in carrying Our Proclamations to London, was then shamefully Hanged and Murdered, (an Act so Barbarous as no former age can parallel) and We have not yet received any certain and particular information touching the execution of those Writs. In pursuance therefore of Our former resolution of removing those Courts from Westminster to Our City of Oxford, We do for the present by this Our Proclamation, authorized under Our Great Seal of England, Ordain and appoint, and by these presents publish and Declare Our Will and Pleasure to be, that Our said Courts of Kings-Bench and Exchequer, shall for the next Hillary Term, at the usual and accustomed time for holding of the same, be holden and kept at Our said City of Oxford, and not at Westminster, and shall be continued and kept there during that whole Term, and afterwards at the several times and Terms for holding and keeping of those Courts, until Our further pleasure be known and published for removing them from Oxford. And We do hereby straightly charge, and Command all Our judges of Our said Court of Kings-Bench, and Our Barons of Our Exchequer, and all Officers, Prethonotaries, Clerks, and Ministers of or belonging to either of those Courts, or which are or aught to do or perform any duty or service in either of them, That they according to their several places and duties, give their several and respective attendances at our said City of Oxford, and there do and perform their respective Offices and Duties, during the Term and time aforesaid, at Our said City of Oxford and not elsewhere: And that all such as have any Suit or other occasion to attend in either of Our said Courts, in the said Term of Saint Hillary next coming, or which have any cause or command to appear then in either of the said Courts, do give their attendances, and make their appearances respectively in the said Courts at Our said City of Oxford, and not elsewhere. And We do hereby farther straightly Charge and Command all Our judges of our said Court of Kings-Bench, and our Barons of the Exchequer, and all officers, Prothonotaries, Clerks, Ministers, and Attorneys, of or belonging to either of the said Courts, that they presuine not, contrary to this Our command, in any sort, to meet, sit, or attend at Westminster, or elsewhere, then at Our said City of Oxford, for the holding or keeping, or upon pretence or colour of holding, or keeping of either of the said Courts for the Term and time aforesaid, or any part thereof, or in any sort to proceed in any Action Suit, or Plaint, or Award, make or issue out any Process, or do any Act or thing whatsoever, proper or belonging to the said Courts, or either of them, in any other place then at Our said City of Oxford, or where We shall hereafter appoint the same, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perils. And We do hereby likewise charge and Command all Sheriffs, Bailiffs and others, that have to do in the execution or return of any Writs, Precepts, Warrants, or Process, that for such Writs, Precepts, Warrants, or process, as have issued out of either of our said Courts of Kings-Bench or the Exchequer, and are not yet returned, they make their several Returns of the same into the said Courts respectively, at Our said City of Oxford, and not at Westminster. And that they presume not in any sort, to obey or execute any Writ, Precept, Warrant, or Process, which shall hereafter be awarded, made or issued, contrary to the Tenor and effect of this Our Proclamation, as they will answer the contrary at their Perils.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford, the first day of january, in the nineteenth year of Our Reign. 1643.  
GOD SAVE THE KING.   
GEntlemen, you may remember, that the King's Letters that hath been read to you, was dated the 26. of Decem. the later of them was dated the second of january, and notwithstanding all those expressions that were there given you, the Cities of London and Westminster, are in this Proclamation of the second january (as if that they had forgot what they had set out before, they are here) called the principal Maintainers, and Causers of this Rebellion; but not only so, but (as was told you before) an endeavour used to lay this City, as much as in them lay, desolate; desolate from all traffic, as you have had it before by Proclamation, desolate from the great Council of the Kingdom, which is the Parliament, by carrying it to Oxford, desolate now of the Cours of Justice, that should be here the life and preservation of all your affairs and businesses; and yet this is that which in his Majesty's letter, you have so many fair expressions of affection and good inclination to settle your peace; It is not to be doubted, but upon the whole matter, you will hereafter learn, to understand all such Compliments as these are, and know how to manage your Counsels, and to express your affections, according to the advice of the two Houses; wherein as the Houses are to acknowledge your faithfulness, and readiness to comply with them; so they, likewise have been willing to expose their lives, estates and pains; and all that lies in them, to go before you, in that which may be for your preservation. In the former Proclamation there was notice taken, that the Major part of the two Houses were of the opinion (or would be, in all likelihood) with the King at Oxford thus much we can declare to you, that there is above 200. (as I remember 13. score) that have already solemnly taken the Covenant with us here, and which we are confident of will be so tender of the honour of God, and their own honours, and what they have promised in the Covenant, that they will pursue that interest they have expressed; and that they remaining here, make the Major part, you may easily judge. And for this Proclamation, we have Authority to declare to you, that such is the care of the two Houses, and such is their affection to yourselves, that they are resolved to establish the Courts of Justice here, with fuller power than hitherto they have been, that is, they will fill the Judges upon the Benches, and take care to have all the Courts settled here, in a steady way: And all those that shall go to Oxford, in compliance with this Proclamation, they shall have their estates confiscate, and they will proceed in such a course, as you shall see the natural care they have to preserve you in following their advice, which all of us by the fundamental laws of this Kingdom are bound to do; and thus much we have authority to declare unto you.  
There is only one thing more in this Proclamation, which is only a particular by the buy, that gives you notice of that barbarous and unheard of usage of a spy that was here justly condemned, by a Council of war at the instance of the Houses of Parliament, by Command from his Excellency; it is told you, such a murder was never heard of; the murder must now be put upon this, when you may very well remember, in your own case, how an honest Citizen at Reading was proceeded against, with an unheard of murder indeed, this being nothing but that necessary Justice which in times of war is to be expected in all such cases.   

The Right Honourable, the Earl of Northumberland his Speech.  
MY Lord Major, and you Gentlemen of the City of London, you have fully heard delivered by these Gentlemen, all the proceed, in their late discovery; You are now well able to make a right judgement upon the whole matter; I am commanded in the name of both Houses to read unto you here, their Opinions, and the sense that they have delivered, and resolved of among themselves;  
That the matter of this report, containeth a seditious and Jesuitical practice and Design, under the fair and Specious pretence of Peace, having its rise and fountain from known jesuites and Papists, to work Divisions between the Parliament and City of London, to raise Factions in both, thereby to render them up to the Designs of the Enemy; and tending also to the breach of the Public faith of this Kingdom, unto our Brethren of Scotland, engaged by the late solemn Covenant and Treaty, entered into by both Nations, thereby not only to weaken us in our united force against our Popish and Common Enemies, but to embroil the two Nations in unhappy divisions.   
FINIS.