THE DECLARATION Of the Citizens of LONDON, In Answer To the Demands and Proposals of the Committee of the House of COMMONS, concerning a Personal Treaty with the KING'S MAJESTY. And their Resolution touching the disposing of H●● MAJESTY'S Royal Person, in case the King and Parliament doth not agree. Likewise, the Acts and Resolutions of the Honourable Cou●t a● Guild-hall, concerning the City's Engagement to preserve and defend the King's Majesties Royal Person. REad in the Honourable Court at Guild-Hall, and appointed to be forthwith printed and published. MICHAEL. blazon of the City of London, consisting of a shield bearing the cross of St. George (patron saint of England) with a sword (emblem of the martyrdom of St. Paul, patron saint of London) in the first quarter of the shield July 15 London, Printed for G. HORTON, MDCXLVIII. The Declaration & Propositions in the name of the Commons of England, to the Committee of the Common-council of the City of London, concerning an Agreement between the King, Parliament, City, and Kingdom. THe Commons of England assembled at Westminster, having received several Petitions from the City of London, and the Counties adjacent, for a safe and wel-grounded peace between the King and His People; for the effecting whereof a Committee was appointed to treat with a Committee of the Common-council of the City of London, for bringing of the King's Majesty to a Personal Treaty, to the end, that all differences may be composed, and this distracted and languishing kingdom, settled in a peaceable and flourishing condition; the Debates, Results, and proceed at Guildhall, between the Members of the House of Commons, and the Common-council of the City of London, are here inserted verbatim, Viz. The said honourable Committee did desire that the Military Forces, and the Court of Common-Councel, would satisfy them what they intent and mean by those words in the Petition of the Military-Officers, wherein the petition of the Common council to the Parliament do concur, viz. That the King and Parl. may meet and treat with honour, freedom honour, and safety, according to the ancient fundamental constitutions of this Kingdom. To this the Committee of the Common council made answer as followeth, viz. By these words, we m●an, That the King and Parliament may meet and treat free from force or violence, which we conceive to be according to the ancient Fundamental constitutions of this kingdom. The said honourable Committee did further desire, that ●he Committee of Common council would satisfy them, what is meant by these words, viz. That they will defend His Maj. Royal Person and the Parl. during the Treaty, according to the Covenant. The Committee of Common council did give Answer thereunto as followeth, viz. By those words To defend the King and Parl. according to the Covenant) we mean, That during the Treaty, we will defend the King and Parliament (as much as in us lieth free from all force and violence. The said honor●bl● Committee did further desire, that the Committee of Common counceil should satisfy them what they intent and m●an in the petition of the Military Officers, by the word [Freedom] in the last clause, and likewise what they mean by these words otherwise interrupt.) To this the Committee of the Common council gave the several answers following, viz. By the word (Freedom) we understand free from force and violence, and by the words (otherwise interrupt) we mean all hostile forces what; soever; the which answers were approved of by this Court. The said honourable Committee did further propound, that in case the Parliam. shall make choice of this City to be the place of the Treaty, and that the Common council on the behalf of the City, do engage themselves to defend both King and Parl. from violence during the Treaty, Whether the City will maintain their Guards at their own charge. To which the Committee of Common-council did answer, that the same being a matter of charge, must be resolved by Common council, and that they would acquaint the Common-council therewith; concerning this question, this Court did take the same into their serious consideration, and after some debate had thereupon, this Court declared, that if the said intended Treaty be in London, that then the City will for the present defray the charge for the maintaining of the Military Guards for the purpose aforesaid, du●ing the Treaty, and afterwards refer themselves to the King and Parliament for satisfaction thereof. The said Honourable Committee did further propose, that in case the King shall not consent and agree to such things as shall be propounded and insisted on by both Houses of Parliament, in this Treaty for a sa e and well grounded Peace, [whether they will undertake and engage that the Person of the King shall be disposed of, as both Houses of Parliament shall think fit.] To which the said Committee of Common Council did answer as followeth, viz. U●der the favour of this Honourable Committee, we cannot understand by the Order of the Honourable H●use of Commons, which was delivered unto us for this Treaty that there is any thing therein mentioned, tending to that which is by this Honorabl● Committee propounded, concerning the delivery up of the King in case the King and Parliament did not agree. And the said Honourable Committee did further declare, That they were not satisfied with this answer concerning the disposing of the King's person in case the King and Parliament did not agree; and did expect a further answer. To which the Committee of Common council did answer and say, That they would acquaint the Common council therewith; concerning which proposition, this Court did take the same into their serious consideration, and upon a full and large debate thereupon, did declare, that in case the said intended Treaty shall be in Lo●don, and that His Majesty and His Parliament should not agree (which God forbidden) than they conceive themselves bound to submit to the wisdom of both Houses of Parliament. The said honourable Committee did likewise desire, That the Committee of Common Council, and the Military Officers, should satisfy them in what manner, and by what means they will make good their engagement, by defending the King and Parliament against all violence. To which the Committee of Common-council made answer and propoundeth as followeth, viz. We do declare, & we are ready according to our Engagement, (as much as in us lieth) by the Trained Bands of the City, and the late Lines of Communication to guard and defend the King and Parliament from all force and violence. And to the end that we may be enabled to perform the same, we do humbly offer, That the Ordinance for the uniting of the Military Forces within the late Lines of Communication, and the Parishes of the Weekly Bills of Mortality, to the Forces of the City, to be one entire Militia, may be speedily passed. That the Militia may be enabled to raise such other forces as they shall find needful, to carry them through this service; And that no other forces may be raised, or made use of within this City and late Lines of Communication, but by Authority of the said Militia by consent of Common-council. To consider that our dangers are either from without or within, and therefore propounded, viz. For those without, that for our better security in guarding the King and Parliament, we desire that some course may be taken as shall be thought fit by Wisdom of Parliament, that no Forces in Arms may come within 30. miles of London during the time of the Treaty; And for those within, that what p●rson or persons soever shall make any Tumult, Insurrect on or disturbance, during the time of this Treaty, after Proclamation made, it shall be death. That if the wisdom of Parliament shall think fit, that none that have born Arms against the Parliament, or have or shall contribute thereunto, shall be permitted during the said Treaty to come within 30. miles of London, without leave of the Parliament had or to be had. Concerning this desi●e or proposition of the said Honourable Committee, this Court doth approve of the Answers thereunto and Propositions made touching the same, And this Court doth Order that the said Committee of Common council shall communicate unto the said Honourable Committee, the aforesaid Answers and Propositions of this Court to be by them presented unto both Houses of Parliament. And also to declare unto them, that it it is the humble desire of this Court, that the said Treaty may be with all expedition, for the preventing of further inconveniencies. And likewise that this Court will do their endeavours (if the s●id Treaty be in London) for the finding out of some convenient place within the City for that purpose, and such other accommodations as shall be fitting. It is ordered by this Common council, That the Common-councel-men and Commanders, or such as they shall appoint, shall within their several Precincts, either by calling all the Inhabitants before them, or by going from hou●e to house receive their concurrence to the said Engagement by subscription of their Names. MICHAEL. Commune Concilium tent. in camera Guildhald. civet. London, duodecimo die Julii, 1648. Annoque Regni Domini nostri Caroli nunc Regis Angliae, etc. Vicesimo quarto. IT is Ordered by this Court, That the Committee appointed by the Common Council the 6 day of this instant Ju●y, to confer with the Commit●●e assigned by Order of the House of Commons, concerning the engagement of this City for the safe●y of King and Parliament, during the intended Treaty, shall forthwith take care to disperse unto the Aldermen, Deputies, Common-council men, and Commanders in the respective Wards within this City, the Acts and Resolutions of this Court touching the same Engagement passed the 11. day of this Month, etc. Michael. FINIS.