THE DECLARATION OF THE ARMY UNDER His Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX, As it was Lately presented at Saffron-Walden in Essex, unto major-general Skippon, Lieutenant-general Cromwell, Commissary-General Ireton, And Colonel Fleetwood, Members of the House of Commons, and Commissioners there for the Parliament, by Colonel Whaley, Colonel Rich, Colonel Hammond, Colonel Lambert, Colonel Okey, Colonel Hewson, And Major Disborow, With the names of two hundred thirty and more Commission-Officers annexed. Which Declaration is to manifest and set forth to them, they being Members of Parliament, and of the Army, the Armies real love and diligent care to discharge that duty for which they were raised, as will manifestly appear in time to all that wish well to Mercy, Peace, and Justice. The time is coming when God will execute justice and judgement on the earth. Printed by the appointment of the Officers, whose names are hereunto subscribed. 1646. To the honourable, Major General Skippon, Field-marshal for Ireland, Lieutenant-generall Cromwell, commissary-general Ireton, and Colonel Fleetwood: The Officers of the Army now convened at Walden, whose names are subscribed, humbly show, THat whereas according to the direction received from you, the two Votes of the honourable House concerning Indemnity and Arrears, have been faithfully communicated to the Soldiery under our respective Commands; and thereupon there have been returns made from the several Regiments, of the grievances that yet stick upon them; out of which there hath been drawn up by the Officers, and consent of private Soldiers (for more brevity) a Summary of all such heads, wherein the returns from all did agree: All which have been presented, and shown unto you; by which it doth appear, that in the Army there are sundry discontents, which we are sorry to see. Now for the clearer discovery (according to our best observations) of the original grounds, together with the rise and growth of these discontents, and the occasions that have happened to increase the same; as also of our own and other Officers proceed, in relation thereunto: We do here humbly tender this faithful and true account, as followeth. THat we have long found our Soldiers and inferior Officers (as we have also been ourselves) generally much troubled, That since the Kingdom was (through the goodness of God) cleared, and free for the Parliament to raise money in, the Army should yet not be supplied with pay to enable them to discharge Quarters, but compelled to be burdensome to friends, beholden to enemies, and oppressive to all, for their necessary subsistence, which, in the way of Freequarter (besides the unequal burden to those parts where the Army hath been occasioned to lie) hath put the Kingdom to almost double the charge, (damage or debt) that it would have been, if n●o●●ys had been timely raised to enable the Soldiers to pay Quarters. And the considerations of this to the Soldiery hath been the more grievous, in regard of the advantage which the envy and malignity of many against this Army hath thereby had to bring the soldiers under scorn, contempt and odium with the Country, and to render the reproaches and calumnies cast upon the Army the better accepted with the people. We have found them also very sensible (both from their own reason and the experience of others) how tedious, chargeable, difficult and uncertain it is for Soldiers after disbanding to get their particular accounts audited, and Debenters for Arrears, and much more to get the money, and therefore having not out of their small wages got money enough before hand to maintain them in prosecution of that business, nor the sum of their Arrears so considerable as to countervail the expense of time and money in their necessary attendance at London or elsewhere about it, every man for himself; they have been apt to account for as good as lost whatever part of their Arrears they should not (before disbanding) either receive or get debenters for, and a certain appointment where and how to have the same. That the many examples before our eyes of bitter and rigorous prosecutions at Law against Soldiers for things done in the War have occasioned us and them with some amazement and anxiety to forethink if the Parliament sitting, and the Army yet standing such things were dared and done, what measure we were like afterwards to find in case (sufficient provision being not made beforehand for indemnity in such things) we should be left to the sense of a Countrey-Jury or Judge at Law concerning the exigence of war and duty of a Soldier, especially considering how many of those under whose verdicts it were like to fall are either Malignants or Newters, and the latter (though in other things indifferent, yet in the matter of the war disaffecting the Parliaments proceed) do distaste none so much as Soldiers looking upon them as their immediate disturbers, and the same consideration makes the Soldiers also fear that upon all future occasions of pressing they shall be most aimed at by dis-affected or maligning Neighbours, if that business be left to their discretion. We have found them also sensible of the neglect appearing in most Countries towards maimed Soldiers and the wives and children of men slain in the war. We have also found in the apprehensions of many some dissatisfaction in relation to those public ends, for which principally both in the Parliaments invitations, and their own intentions, they were induced to engage in this war. In all these respects premised, we have found the Soldiery very earnest to have their grievances and desires in these things represented to the Parliament by way of humble Petition, and (as there is right and reason enough in the things themselves, so) we know nothing that might absolutely debar us, or render it unlawful for them or us to have used that liberty of petitioning which belongs to us in common with all other members of the Commonwealth: But yet considering how subject to ill resentment or misconstruction a Petition from an Army might be, and with what jealousy all our actions and proceed in this Army have by many been looked upon, and how watchful and ready many have been to make misrepresentations and raise misapprehensions of the same. We did apply ourselves to dissuade from petitioning at all, or at least to put it off as long as we could, in expectation of what the Parliament of themselves would do in those things that might prevent the need of petitioning. Thus we delayed so long, till at last the Soldiers grew jealous of their Officers, and began to conceive, that the Superior Officers (their Arrears being more considerable, and more worth their expense of time, and money in attendance for them, and they better able to prosecute the same for themselves, as also to save themselves from molestation or pressing, after disbanding) did neglect their Soldier's concernments and mind only their own, insomuch as having been long put off in their desires of petitioning, the Soldiers of divers Regiments sent some of themselves at the first conveneing of Officers at Walden, to know whether the Officers (having long understood the common grievances before) would effectually fall upon some Petition in their behalves, and to let them know, that otherwise they must speedily fall upon something by themselves to make known their grievances and desires while they had time. Hereupon to prevent the Soldiers acting of themselves in any irregular way, or intermeddling with any thing which might breed offence or inconvenience, finding there had been many draughts of Petitions carried about in the Army which did extend to things of divers natures, and some beyond the proper concernments of Soldiers; the Officers then convened took one draught which they found least obnoxious that way, and leaving out ●●●●ltering such passages as they thought might (for 〈…〉) prove d●●●●stfull or inconvenient, they brought it to 〈…〉 Petition, whereof a copy is hereunto annexed, (not touching 〈…〉 any thing but the due and necessary concernments of Soldiers) and this they directed to the General, so as, if any thing 〈…〉 escaped their consideration, it might through his hand receive a further examen and correction, ere it should come to the Parliament. And thus to concur with the Soldiers in such a Petition, we were induced the rather because (there being illaffected spirits in all places, ready to stir up discontents in the Army against the Parliament) we doubted, that if we did not thus give some vent to their just grievances and desires, in those things which generally concern the Soldiery, such spirits might (upon the Soldier's general discontents therein, and the Officers declining them) have a great advantage to engage the Soldiers, by those things, in an implication of other matters: And we knew no better way to prevent such discontents from being blown up into any mutinous distemper, as by giving timely vent to their common and just desires in a regular way, and thereby to keep them within the bounds of due order and relation to their Officers in all they should do; and we are confident that what was (chief to this end) then agreed on by the Officers in the business of the Petition, if it had been permitted to go on, and not found such an absolute check and restraint as it did, would have proved answerably effectual to have prevented all further inconveniences, and (with a reasonable answer from the Parliament) would have rendered the Soldiers easily satisfiable with what the Parliament would do in the things petitioned, and would have enabled the Officers the better to keep them in all due order. Having upon these grounds agreed upon the said Petition, most of the Officers then at Walden took a copy thereof to their quarters to let the soldiers understand what was agreed upon for their better satisfaction, intending after they had done that, to have presented it to the General, but before that could be done, some that were then at Walden (whom whoever they be, we can judge by the carriage and sequel of the business, to be no better then malicious Incendiaries endeavouring to beget misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament and their Army) having surreptitiously got a copy of the Petition intended, did unseasonably propossesse the Parliament therewith, and that (as we cannot but imagine by the effect) with such misrepresentations of our intentions and proceed therein, as to delude the Parliament into high suspicions of some dangerous design in it, insomuch as the honourable House of Commons was induced first to send order to the General for suppressing the Petition, and to summon divers ominent Officers of the Army to appear at their Bar about it, and after that a Declaration in the name of both Houses against all that should proceed therein, was sent down, with order to the General for the publishing of it through the Army, of which Declaration here is also a copy annexed. The said Declaration censuring the Petition as dangerous, tending to put the Army into distemper and mutiny, to obstruct the relief of Ireland, and to put conditions upon the Parliament, and declaring the Petitioners if they should proceed therein no less than enemies to the State and disturbers of the public peace; we confess, both we and our soldiers could not but look upon it with great trouble and amazement, we could not apprehend or imagine wherein the Petition tendded to put the Army into mutiny or distemper (being by us intended and conceived as the surest way to prevent the same for the reasons before expressed) nor wherein it tended to obstruct the relief of Ireland, being rather the way, as we conceived, of gaining that just satisfaction to the soldiery which might encourage both this Army more unanimously, and all other soldiers more cheerfully to engage in any future service for the Parliament, when they should find a due consideration in the Parliament as fare as they were able, for services past; nor wherein it tended to put conditions upon the Parliament, when as the things it desired were such as the Parliament had long since voluntarily (without any body's capitulation) promised and offered to all that should engage in their service or else declared to be a general right, neither could we understand why our desiring of things (though not due, if yet they were but reasonable, and offered by way of humble Petition, with submission and reference of it to the Parliament, as we profess our desires were) should be apprehended as a putting of conditions upon the Parliament, more than all other Petitions have been, from Counties, from Corporations, and especially from the City of London, being a Body more numerous, more closely compacted, more near to the Parliament, and more plentifully furnished with money, and all things else to back and carry on their desires, than the Army is: neither could we bethink ourselves of any passage in the Petition that might be any ground of offence, except that clause concerning the Royal Assent; for which we clearly profess, that the assurance we desired for indemnity, was an Ordinance of Parliament, and our intention in that claus● was but this, That what Ordinance should be passed for indemnity, might be proposed amongst those other things, to which the Parliament would of themselves desire the Royal Assent; and that being denied, we should and shall acquiesse in the authority of Parliament for that, as we suppose the Parliament also will for those other things. And we could not see, how that clause (weighed as it stands) can reasonably be understood to import any more. Nevertheless we have that honourable esteem of the wisdom and gravity, and that regard to the authority of the Parliament, as that though we (looking only upon th●●●●●tion censured, and upon our own clear intentions in it) cannot see the ground of suppressing the Petition, or passing such a censure upon it, yet we are induced to believe, that the Parliament either had such misrepresentations of our carriage about it, and suggestions of dangerous designs therein as (if true) might justly raise them into an high resentment thereof, and jealousies thereupon, or else were some other way abused or surprised in the proposal or passing of such a Declaration against it: But since the Parliament hath not, either in the Order for suppressing it, or in the Declaration, expressed any particular ground of their 〈◊〉 and censure, either from any passage in the Petition itself, or from their informations concerning the carriage of it; we find, that both common Soldiers, and other that look singly upon the said Order and Declaration as they stand directed against the Petition itself, the matter whereof they account to be undeniably just and due, are carried away with this apprehension, that in the one they are denied and debarred the common liberty of petitioning, and in the other are judged no better than traitors, for but going about to desire what they conceive their due, and dearly earned; and are apt to include themselves in a bondage below an equal to the worst of ●●●ives, if in any case whatsoever they have no way left or allowed to represent to their Officers, and by them to their General, their grievances and desires in 〈◊〉 concerns them meetly as Soldiers, though it be at a seasonable time, when there is not present action to impede or disturb thereby, and though in a regular, quiet and submissive way, as this in their conceptions and intentions was: These last particulars (ere we pass them over) we cannot but denote, as being, to our best observations, the main root and bottom of what later discontents, or unusual proceed have since appeared amongst the Soldiers; to give account whereof, we shall in discharge of our duties, clearly proceed as followeth. The Soldiers (as is premised) finding, o● at least conceiving themselves debarred from the usual and regular ways of making known their grievances and desires, and finding the Officers generally discouraged from acting or meddling any further for them in that way, have fallen into other ways of correspondence and agreement amongst themselves, for promoting, as they conceive, their just and necessary desires, and for their vindication in what they had formerly done, as they thought, upon just grounds; and have to that purpose appointed, or chosen, out of themselves, a certain number for every Regiment, or Troop and Company, to agitate for those ends, in behalf of them all. And thus in pursuance of those grounds (which they thought just & necessary) many things have been proposed amongst them, written and done, which to others may appear irregular: and particularly we find, there was indeed such a letter (as the Parliament has had notice of) sent to the General, Major General, and Lieu. General, from the Soldiers of eight Regiments of Horse; but we cannot find, that that, or aught else has been done by those their agents which hath not been with the consent or allowance, or approbation of the generality of the Soldiers. And we find it hath been also agreed and resolved amongst them, to send up to the Parliament by their said Agents, all the heads of the former Petition already; only in form (directing the same immediately to the Parliament) and we perceive there have not wanted some in all quarters (upon their dissatisfaction in those things) ready to engage them in an implication of things of other nature, which though not evil in themselves, yet did not concern them properly, as Soldiers.) And that purpose of sending up their desires to the Parliamiament, had (as we find) been done or attempted ere now, but that (upon the sending down of yourselves from the House of Commons, to quiet distempers in the Army) those appointed to go up, were stopped, upon expectation of what you might bring down from the House towards their satisfaction; or, in hope, at least, to have their grievances and desires in reasonable things again admitted into some regular way of being made known, and that with clearness, and candid deal on your parts, and without such misrepresentation, as by others (the precedent officious informers) had formerly been put upon them. And since this expectation bred amongst them, we have not found any proceed amongst them in other ways, that might be counted disorder or distemper. Now for the effect of those two votes of the House on Friday, April 30. sent down by your hands, which according to our duty have been faithfully imparted to our several Troops and Companies, we generally find as followeth. 1 That the Ordinance for indemnity (mentioned in the first Vote) will clearly satisfy as to that point, if once past and full to the purpose, as we presume it will be. 2 That upon the second Uote concerning arrears, we cannot find or expect the like effect, and that amongst divers other reasons) principally for this; because all the assurance the Uote gives concerning arrears to be paid at disbanding is this, viz [That the house has resolved that a considerable part of the arrears, shall be paid at disbanding] and no mention being made what proportion; but those words, [the house has resolved] seeming to refer to some proportion formerly resolved; It is generally understood to employ any other then that of six week's pay. Now that Uote for six week's pay at disbanding, as it came forth at a time of much disadvantage in respect of the discontents preceding, so in the effect and circumstances of it, It conduced much to heighten increase and fix the same; the sum being generally looked upon as very inconsiderable, in relation to the great arrears incurred, not under the new Model alone, but also in former Armies and services of the Parliament. For the Officers of this Army generally, and amongst the horse, most of the Soldiers and very many of the foot are such, as have been engaged for the Parliament on where or other from the beginning of the war, and have their arrears incurred under the Model, superadded to what arrears all former Armies and forces (where they have served) were in, at their several reducements or disbandings. And that ground which moved the Soldiery from affection to the cause, to be content with less of arrears upon former reducements in times of necessity, viz. (because the Parliament could then do no more,) that ground (we say) doth with some, seem now to be something impaired since the Parliament hath had the Kingdom now a good while wholly under their power. We find some other things that have concurred not a little to increase discontents, from the carriage of some of the Commissioners that came down hither for the Irish service; as particularly their imprisoning and sending up to London a Commission-Officer of the Army, (Ensign Nichols) which (whatever the ground may be) yet being without any concurrence of the General, or those left to command in his absence, and their own authority not appearing, nor any produced by them) seems an absolute breach both of the subjects liberty, and Soldiers usual right, and an affront to the authority apppointed by the Parliament over the Army. And this particular, together with many other carriages of some of them, seeming to concur all to one end, viz. the pulling of the Army in pieces, and provoking it to distempers by their violent ways, rather than the service of Ireland should be supplied, or the quiet of this Kingdom assured in any other way, wherein this Army might pass without a dishonour. Lastly, we find that discontents, discouragements, and some animosities, have been much occasioned and increased in the Army by the high indignities, the manifold reproaches and calumnies of all sorts most unworthily cast upon the Army, in false reports raised, and industriously divulged in Sermons, in printed books, (licenced and passing without check to be published through the world) and in petitions accepted, (most of them) with thanks. And here we cannot but take notice of the ingratitudes & unworthy requitals appearing especially from a great party in that City (whose Trade since this Army began to open it) hath been advantaged above a million thereby; and yet they have not only long withheld their contributions apppointed by the Parliament for this Army, (which hath occasioned a great part of its arrears:) but have in all other ways indeed contributed their endeavours, to have it paid with dishonour, and unworthily turned off. And though all reproaches and indignities have been born by the Army with patience and absolute silence hitherto, (not to be exampled, we think, in other armies; yet it cannot but trouble men, when they have followed the work of the kingdom with diligence and faithfulness; and have (at least) endeavoured to do the whole Kingdom good, and to do no man any wrong or damage where ere they have come (that the Being of an Army could avoid;) they should yet by spite and falsehood (even from that party that reaps the advantange of all what they have done) be rendered the scorn and hate of men, while (to avoid the Kingdom's disquiet) they have been silent in their own behalf. We have thus (we hope) discharged our duty in a faithful & clear account of the general discontents (not to trouble you with the numerous particularities) that we find in the Army, together with the grounds, occasions, and growth of them, and of our own proceed in relation to them, we hope the full discovery of the bottom, if the sore may give the least advantage to the cure: towards which, if we may offer any thing as we have done for the other: we humbly conceive that nothing can so fully reach, and surely remove the ground of those discontents, and prevent all further inconveniencies hereupon, as these things following. That if the order for suppressing the Petition, or the censure passed in the declaration against it were not (in the Parliaments sense and intention) merely in relation to the act of petitioning, or the matter petitioned, but chief upon information of ill carriages, or suggestions of some design in the managing of it; The Parliament would be pleased to declare so much, and to clear their own sense and intentions, as to the just liberty of Soldiers in representing their grievances and desires (as Soldiers) to their officers, and by them to their General, in a quiet and regular way, and also as to the right or reasonableness of the things petitioned. 2 That if the Parliament have been by false informations abused, or otherwise surprised, or indirectly dealt withal by any persons whatsoever, in what hath there passed in relation to that business, they would be pleased to vindicate a●d clear the ho●o● of the Parliament from the evil practices and destructive designs of a●l such men & cause them to be discovered and deal withal according to their demerits. 3. That, next, since the Pa●l●a●ent is already (though by some anticipation) possessed with the effect of the petition they would be pleased to take the matter of it into timely consideration, and give therein what satisfaction they may. 4. That the Parliament would discountenance all unjust calumnies against the Army, and give way, that before it be disbanded, and dispersed, the army may agree upon, and publish a sober and temperate vindication of themselves, from the many scandals cast upon them, first presenting and submitting the same to the Parliaments approbation. And thus, notwithstanding all discontents, and past provocations, we dare be confident for our Soldiers, and the body of the Army, that they will be swayed and satisfied with justice and reason, will suffer much in their own particulars for the quiet and w●ale of the public, and will be ever faithful and serviceable to Parliament and Kingdom. We have in all this discharged our consciences and duties to God, the Parliament and Kingdom, as well as to the Army, for the prevention of any further inconvenience on all hands. And the Lord is whose hands all issues are, direct all counse●s hereupon for the best. A List of the several respective Officers interested herein. Field-officers. joh. Hammo●d Colonel. john Lambert Colonel. john Hewson Colonel Richard Englesby Colonel Edward W●aley Colonel. john O●●● Colonel Nicholas Cowley C●m: General. viz, Lieutenant Colonel's. Izick Ewers Lieutenant Coll: Thomas Pride Li●ut: Col: john Iubbe● Lieu: Col: Mark Gr●ms Lieut. Col. Edward Salm●n Li●ut: Col. Thomas R●a●e Lieu: Col: Robert Huntingdon Major. john Disbrow Major. Thomas Horten Major. G●orge Sedasive Maj. Captain Lawrence Marshal of Horse. A●l these Field Officers. Wr●th Roger's Major. William Cowel Maj●r. Thomas Smith Maj. Dani●ll Ax●il Major john Wade Major. Horse. john Reynolds Captain. Azaliah Husband's Captain Richard Sand Captain Robert Gibhouse Captain. Robert Kirkby Capt. Lieutenant I●seph Wa●ento● Cap. Lieutenant Tobias Bri●g●s Captain. S●muel Gar●ner Cap. Jose●● Bl●sse Cap. Lieutenant. Io●n Pit●hfo●● Captain. W●●liam Ev●ns●n Cap. Adam Lawrenes Cap. john Gladman Cap. Lieutenant. Thomas Ireton Cap. john G●ve Capt. Wi●liam Rain●borough Cap. Thomas Pennef●her Cap. H●nry Can●n Cap. Generals. Francis Wh●te Cap. W●lliam L●●g● Cap. L●wis Audl●y Cap. Lieutenant. Ho●se. B●ng. Burgess Cap. Francis Haw●e● Cap. I●mes L●ughton Cap. Daniel Dale Cap. Lieutenant. William Colm●n Capt. John Ien●in● Cap. Walth●r Bethel Cap Henry Pretty Cap. hamond's. Thomas Disney Cap. William Siraton Cap. john Boyce Cap. Edmona Ralph Cap. Israel Smith Cap. john Puckell Cap. Edward Humphrey Cap. Lieu. waller's. William Goffe. Cap. George Griphin Cap. john Mason Cap. Waldine L●goe Cap. Thomas Pasons Cap. Roger Alsop Cap. Ios●ph Sallile Cap. Lieut. La●b. john B●sco Cap. Matthew Ca●well Cap. William Disney Cap. Gul. Sands Cap. John Grims Cap. Robert Read Cap. John Sp●uer Cap. Edward Ouphen Cap. ●sae●ll Smith Cap. William Wear Cap Lieut. Robert Anderson Cap. Samuel Ro●e Cap. Lieut. Hurons J●h● Carter Cap. Sa●u●l Grimes Cap. Thomas Price Cap. John Tappildi Cap. Henry Davi● Capt. Alexander B●●fie●d Cap. Thomas Atkinson William Arnop Jeremy Tolherst Abraham Hopkins Henry Lilbron Cap. Captain Deslodden. John Clock. Horse lieu, Edward Sooten James Flood Thomas Shears Henry Johnson Feorge Enson Nathaniel White Griffith Looyd Samson Twogoed Benjamin Giffard Stephen White john Frank Lieu. Philip Prine john Merryman Thomas Johnson Henry Barton Lieu. Samuel Axtill George Elsemore Edmond Chillenden Tho. Chamberland john Savedge Thomas Alridge john Perk Foot. Lewis Nothcut john Filkens Nathaniel Chats Briant Smith William Ward Gabrell Earwood Ethelbert Morgan John Topping Roger Lewis Ralph Wilson john Watson john Nich●las Henry Dorney Edward Turner Francis Clerk Abraham Davis Thomas day Lieu. George Smith William Hill Lieu. Thomas Baker William Shelley Edmond Singleton Ran: Warner William Gougha● Andrew Edwards Jenken Benam john Beab George Jeckes William Farly Heugh Jenkins john Miller Thomas Casinghurst, john Potter Mar: Jubbs Cornets. Peter Wallis Cornet Wig. Barrington, John Spenser. Thomas Euse Will. Whittington Richard Winstanley Thomas Barker William Quints James Wilson Christopher Kemer john Clarke Samuel Parker john Fox john Ledbrooke. Richard Essex Abel Warren. Charles Whitehead john Ward john Southwood Henry Miles Ios. Saberion William Cob. Richard Weeb. john Chyman. Sammuell Balls, William Rance, Quarter-masters. James Goodwen Thomas Savedge. Edward Waren Henry Ward Robert Stanard. Will. Williams Caleb Lee Nath. Philip's Paul Chrisine George Sanders. Q. Hurd John Due W. Miler John Kennet. Will. Wilmate. Rob. Agur●d. Ensigns of Foot. Charles Bolton, Ensign to his Excel. Robert Smith, Ensign George Clerk. Sam. Wise. Henry Williams. Joseph Grovey. Tho. Rawlins. Thomas Lewis. jer. Camfield Lisle Thomas, Wil Bird Sam. Chase. Will. Ererrard. john Mason Rob. Besdin Will. Jones. Evan Jones Tho. Newman. Morgan Portree. John Davis Richard Bourn William Jayse Ferdinando Green. Francis Farmer Henry Hoadworth. Edward Hour. Morgan Portree. Tho. Newman. John Davis Robert Muning Edward Evans. Wil Allen. Morgan Porter. The Army's Petition. To his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, General for the Parliaments forces. The humble Petition of the Officers and Soldiers of the Army under your Command. Shows, THat ever since our first engagement in the service for the preserving the power of this Kingdom in the hands of the Parliament, we have in our several places served them with all faithfulness, and although we have lain under many discouragements, for want of pay and other necessaries, yet have we not despaired their Commands disobeyed their Orders, nor disturbed them with Petitions, nor have their any visible discontents appeared amongst us, to the encouragement of the enemy, and the impediment of their affairs, but have with all chieerfulness, done Summer service in Winter seasons, improving the utmost of our abilities, in the advancement of their service, and seeing God hath Crowned our endeavours with the end of our desire (viz. the disperseing of the public enemy, and reducing them to their obedience) the King being now brought in, our brethren the Scots now satisfied and departed the Kingdom, all danger seemingly blown over and peace in all their quarters. We (emboldened by the manifold promises and Declaration, to defend and protect those that appeared and acted in the service) do herewith humbly present to your Excellency, the annexed representation of our desires, which we humbly beseech your Excellency to recommend or represent in our behalf unto the Parliament, and your Petitioner shall ever honour and pray for your Excellency, etc. The humble Representation of the desires of the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, under the Command of his Excellency Sr. Thomas Fairfax presented first to his Excellency, to be by him represented to the Parliament. 1. Whereas the necessity and exigency of the War hath put us upon many actions, which the Law would not warrant, nor we have acted in a time of settled peace, we humbly desire that before our disbanding, a full and sufficient provision may be made by Odinance of Parliament (to which the Royal assen: may be desired) for our indemnity and security in all such cases. 2. That Audicers and Commissioners may be speedily appointed and authorized to repair to the head quarters of this Army, to audite and state our accounts, as well for our former, service as for our service in this Army, and that before the disbinding of the Army, satisfaction may be given to the Petitioners for their arrears, that for the charge, trouble and loss of time, which we must otherwise necessarily undergo in attendance for obtaining of them may be prevented, we having had experience that many have been reduced to miserable extremity, even almost starved for want of relief, by their tedious attendance, and that no Officer may be charged with any thing in his accounts, that doth not particularly concern himself. 3 That those who have voluntarily served the Parliament in the late war, may not hereafter be compelled by press or otherwise, to serve as Soldiers out of this Kingdom, nor those who have served as Horsemen, may be compelled by press, to serve on foot in any future case. 4 That such in this Army, as have lost their lives, and the wives and children of such as have been slain in the Service, and such Officers and Soldiers as have sustained losses, or have been prejudiced in their estates, by adhering unto the Parliament, or in their persons by sickness or imprisonment under the enemy, may have such allowance, and satisfaction, as may be agreeable to justice and equity, 5. That till the Army be disbanded as aforesaid, some course may be taken for the supply thereof with money, whereby we may be enabled to discharge our quarters, that so we may not for necessaries forced to be beholding to the Parliaments enemies, burdensome to their friends; or oppressive to the Country, whose preservation we have always endeavoured, and in whose happiness we shall still rejoice. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, Die Martis 30. Martii 1647. THat the 2. Houses of parliament having received information of a dangerous Petition, with representations annexed, tending to put the Army in a distemper and mutiny, to put conditions upon the Parliament, and obstruct the relief of Ireland, which hath been contrived and promoted by some persons in the Army They do declare their high dislike of that Petition, their approbation and esteem o their good service who first discovered it, and of all such Officers and Soldiers as have refused to join in it, and that for such as have been abused, and by the persuasion of others drawn to subscribe it; if they shall for the future manifest their dislike of what they have done, by forbearing to proceed any further in it, it shall not be looked upon as any cause to take away the remembrance and sense the Houses have of the good service they have formerly done; but they shall still be retained in their good opinion, and shall be cared for with the rest of the Army in all things necessary and fitting for the satisfaction of Persons that have done so good and faithful service, and as may be expected from a Parliament, so careful to perform all things appertaining to Honour and justice; as on the other side it is declared, that all those who sha' l continue in their distempered condition, and go on in advansing and promoting that Petition, shall be looked upon and proceeded against as enemies to the State, and disturbers of the public Peace. Die Martis 30. Martii 1647. Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, that this Declaration be forthwith printed and published, john Browne Cler: Parliamentorum. FINIS.