A DECLARATION OF The Right Honourable the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-council of the City of LONDON, CONCERNING The great and apparent danger of the said City, and the Desires and proceed of the common-councel-men therein, in behalf of the Citizens. ALSO, Their present Summons and Directions (in His Majesty's Name) to the Trained Bands and Citizens, touching the preservation of the Peace, defence of themselves, the City, and the Magistrates thereof. AGreed upon by the Honourable Court at Guild-Hall, on Tuesday last, April 25. 1648. MICHAEL. blazon of the City of London LONDON: Printed for R. W. MDCXLVIII. A DECLARATION OF The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Common-Councel of the City of LONDON: IN The Name of the Kings most Excellent Majesty; c●nceming their present Resolution to preserve and defend the said City and Inhabitants. Upon the 24. and 25. of this in stant April, 1648. the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Common-council of the City of London, had a general meeting at Guild-Hall where they spent much time, upon debates and consultations touching the preservation of the peace, defence of themselves, the City, and the Magistrates thereof; as also concerning the apparent danger, that the city is now in at the present. Therefore, according to the desire, and direction of the said Court, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor agreed upon this ensuing Declaration, and ordered that it should be printed and published, to the end, that all upon sight thereof, do so order and dispose of their servants, and all others under their charge, that they be not only kept from committing any outrage or misdemeanour; but that they and their servants be in a readiness according to their several capacities, with Arms, Weapons, and Ammunition, for preservation and defence of the said City; a Copy of the said Declaration I shall here give you verbatim. BY THE MAJOR. FOrasmuch, as it is conceived and apprehended by the Common-council, that the City at the present is in great danger; These are therefore, according to the Desire and Direction of the said Court to will and require you in his Majesty's Name, That presently upon sight hereof, you respectively, with the Constables of your several Precincts, do repair to every Housholder within the same, and give them strict charge and command, that at their perils, they do so order and dispose of their Servants, and all others under their charge, that they be not only kept from committing any outrage or misdemeanour; But that they and their servants from time to time be in readiness, according to their several capacities▪ with Arms, Weapons, and Ammunitions for preservation of the Peace, defence of themselves, the City, and the Magistrates thereof: And also, that all Persons who are of the Trained Bands of this City, Do from time to time upon the beat of the Drum, repair with all speed to their Colours: And therein demeasn themselves as may conduce to the safety and welfare of this City. And that you do from time to time certify unto me, or some other of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, the Names of such Constables, and others, as you shall find to be remiss or negligent in the performance of their respective Duties in this behalf, to the intent, that they may be punished according to the same. And hereof fails you not, as you tender the safety of yourselves and the City, and will answer the contrary at your peril. This 25. of April, 1648. MICHAEL. To the Deputy, common-councel-men, and Constables in the Ward of BY Letters from Scotland it is further certified, That at Edinburgh the expectation of the malignants are great, and reports variable, but little concluded on: only we hear that they are resolved, that an army shall be sent into England, and although many will not be persuaded to believe it, yet it may now more easily be gathered, that such a thing is intended, and will speedily be effected, if not prevented; for the Scots army draws Southward, and many of them are ordered to be quartered near the Borders, the Lord Belcarouse Troop have taken up their quarters within five miles of Berwick, having order so to do. Many other Troops have quarters assigned them in the South of Scotland, and especially in the Towns and Villages nrer adjoining to England; also from other parts of Scotland we perceive the Scots Forces to creep Southward, but they are wary, and do it by little and little, the better to avoid suspicion, but if their intents are, as is suspected, England may chance to frustrate their designs, and the Scots after all their juggling be deceived of their expectations. The Parliament of Scotland have given answer to the English Commissioners papers, but it is said to be very unsatisfactory▪ and that they refer the substance of all to their own Commissioners who are coming into England, of whom the Lord Lec is one to treat with the Parliament, and have Propositions and instructions given them, to treat about settling Religion according to the Covenant for the King his removal to one of his houses, and a personal treaty with him; as also for disbanding the Army, and other Propositions that I have not as yet; the certainty of the difference between the Clergy and state is as great as ever, they will by no means consent to the raising of men, although listing in divers parts of this Kingdom; 'tis supposed 'twill be speedily effected; and because many of the Commanders of the standing Forces of this Kingdom do not concur with them in this design, those Forces are to be disbanded, and the Earl of Calender is to be General of their new Model; insomuch, that the Cavees and English Fugitives grow very high, treating ruin and destruction to the Parliament and their Adherents. But indeed, some days there are great hopes of an agreement, and other days the distance is so fare, as scarce any man shall know how near they are to have an Army: many English men are at Edinburgh, and they do daily increase. Another great ship came to Leeth Road on Friday night last; what she is, is not yet known, but a flying Report of the Prince being in her, but no certainty. Some Irish Rebels are come into some of the Scots Islands, and the Marq. of Argyles Regiment are directed, with some others, to march towards them. This is all, I earnestly request a correspondency weekly, and where I shall direct my Letter unto you, that I may take the occasion to subscribe myself. Your obliged servant, R. V. Barwick 19 April, 1648. SIR, Since the writing hereof we hear that the Parliament of Scotland have given an answer to our Commissioners papers, but it is said to be very unsatisfactory, and that they refer the substance of all to their own Commissioners which are coming into England to treat with the Parliament. IN the Marq. of Argyles Country, there is risen up in Arms one commonly called Kolkittoh, which hath caused some of the Forces that lay in the South of Scotland to march Northward for the suppression of them, all the Officers in the standing Army of Scotland except Lieutenant General Middleton) have petitioned to the Parliament, and presented these Proposals, viz. 1. That they will be pleased to consult with the Ministers of the Kirk, in relation to their proceed touching the Kingdom of England. 2. That they will be pleased not to engage in a War against England, unless the Kirk of Scotland do concur therein. yours, etc. Sir, Since my last, we have received further intelligence from South-wales, that Col. Horton, and Col. Lewis with their Forces have straightened the enemy's quarters, & forced them to a narrower distance, but not without some blows; for, as it is said, they have had a very hot skirmish, and resolutely maintained by both parties, upon several charges and conflicts; and afrer some dispute Poyers party retreated, our men pursues; some are wounded, but no great hurt done. Col. Fleming hath lately fell upon the enemy, & took divers prisoners. Col. Okeys Dragoons are joined with Col. Horton, they have had a hot skirmish with the enemy. By the next you shall hear further, from Your most affectionate friend, T H. Carmarthen 19 April 1648. Imprimatur G. M. FINIS.