A DECLARATION Of The LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament. Concerning his majesty's advancing of his Army towards London, with directions that all the Trained Bands and volunteers be put into a readiness, that so the King's Army may find opposition in every place as they March. Also how Sir John Hinderson urged one David Alexander, a Scotchman, to kill Sir John Hotham, and blow up the Parliaments Magazine, to whom his majesty gave Money, and he received it. And that no man shall presume to wear any colours or marks of Division in the City of London. Whereunto is added several Votes of the Lords and Commons, for the searching of diverse men's houses in the City, and for the staying of the King's Revenue, and all the Bishops, D●anes and Chapters Rents and profits whatsoever. Sabbathi, 15▪ Octob. 1642. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that this Declaration and Votes be forthwith Printed and published. John Browne Cler. Parliam. Octob. 17. London Printed for John Wright. 1642. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament, considering with much tenderness and compassion, the miserable condition of this kingdom, distracted, and distempered with many present evils, & imminent dangers, and brought now to such an height of extremity of misery, that two English Armies are near together, even ready to join in a dreadful and bloody encounter, through the violent and wicked counsel of those, who have captivated both the Person and the power of the King, to their own impious and traitorous designs, do thereupon think good to publish and declare the same to the kingdom, together with some directions and provisions which may prevent that utter desolation and ruin, both of Religion and liberty, already overwhelmed and suppressed in the intention and hope of those Rebels and traitors about the King, to which purpose it is desired by both Houses, that all well-affected Subjects may take notice of these particulars. That the King by the help & assistance of the Papists, the prelatical and corrupt part of the Clergy, the Delinquent Nobility and Gentry, and by the confluence of some notable traitors from beyond the Seas, the Lord Digby, Oneale, and others, and of many desperate mercenary and ill-affected persons from all parts of the kingdom, hath raised an Army, armed, clothed, and fed, for the most part with the spoils of his Subjects, giving them liberty to plunder and rob all sorts of people; to exact money and plate from Corporations, by threatning fire, and sword, if they should refuse it. That this wicked counsel doth not only hinder his Majesty from exercising the justice and protection of a King towards his people, but even that honour which is observed betwixt Enemies; for by a confident instrument of his Majesty, Sir John Hinderson a Papist (as we are credibly informed) one David Alexander was urged to kill Sir John Hotham, telling him it would be a good service both to God and the King, which he refused to do, saying it was the work of a Butcher, and not of a soldier; This Alexander being a Scotchman, of a very poor fortune, and of a mind fit for desperate attempts. The King sent for him 2, while he was at Beverley, and when he came to his presence, he spoke to him publicly in the field, and appointed a sum of money to be given him, which he received. After which another proposition was made to him by the same Sir John Hinderson, that he would put fire to the Magazine of the Army raised by the Parliament, & to gain the better opportunity to effect it, that he should labour to get some employment in the train of artillery, which he accordingly undertook, & endeavoured to obtain; But before he could effect his mischievous intention, he was discovered, apprehended, & examined, and thereupon confessed the practice, and undertaking, the particulars whereof are referred to the examinations thereupon taken. That the King doth send out Letters to borrow great sums, professing that those who will not lend him money, do give him just cause to suspect their duty to his Person, and the peace of the kingdom. And this will be a sufficient reason to make them liable to be plundered and spoiled of all they have; but such is the violence of the King's Army, that their friends are in little better case than they who oppose them, and those who escape best must yet feed and billet the soldiers for nothing. In those places where the trained bands are willing to go forth to serve in his Maj. Army, yet for the most part their arms are taken from them and put upon those who are more mercenary, and less interessed in the Common Wealth, and so likely to be fitter instruments of Rapine and spoil. By these great violences and oppressions they have so exhausted those parts that his Majesty cannot stay long about Shrewsbury, and it is the earnest desire of the Cavaliers that he would march forward towards London, those rich and fruitful Countries in the way being like to yield them a supply of their necessities, and the wealth of London a full satisfaction of their hope, where they likewise think to find a party which upon his majesty's approach may make some disturbance, and facilitate their designs upon the City. That if the King's Army prevail, the good Subjects can expect nothing but that their lives and fortunes will be exposed to the malice and rapine of those ravenous soldiers, who often talk of cutting the Throats of honest and Religious men, & have long expected their goods & estates▪ as the rewards of their service; the kingdom will again fall under the government of those mischievous counsels, who before this Parliament, had even brought both religion and liberty to ruin; and we shall have no hope left of any more Parliaments, but such as shall beconcurrent and subservient to these ends. The means of curing and preventing these evils and dangers, we conceive to be these. That good provision be made by loan and contribution for the Army raised by the Parliament, under the Lord general the Earl of Essex, which is no whit inferior in Horse and Foot to the King's Army, better armed, full paid, restrained from disorder and Rapine, as much as may be; well provided of all outward necessaries; but above all, well encouraged and instructed in the goodness of the cause, by the labour of many godly and painful Divines. That this Army be always ready to attend the removes of the King's Army, either in one body or divided as there shall be occasion, according to the wise conduct and direction of the Lord general, that so no opportunity of fighting upon advantage be lost, nor the greedy soldiers of the King's Army suffered to range, and spoil the Country at their pleasure. That the Countries through which the King's Army is to pass do associate themselves, and draw all their Forces together, for the mutual defence of their persons and goods from Oppression and spoil. That those Counties be required to send in all their Horses fit for carriage and for dragoons as well for the Assistance of the Lord general, for which in convenient time they shall receive satisfaction, As likewise that by such means these Horses may be kept from being employed by the King's Army. That command and direction be given to all Lieutenants of Counties and deputy Lieutenants, that all the Trained-Bands and all volunteers be put into a readiness to be brought to such rendezvous, and to be obedient to such Commanders in chief as shall be appointed by the Committee for the safety of the kingdom, or by the Lord general, that so the King's Army may find opposition in every place as they pass, and the Inhabitants may have at hand a sufficient protection & defence, and the Lord general may strengthen his own Army with these Forces, as he shall see cause. That Powder, Munition, and Ordnance, with all other necessaries be prepared for these forces, that so without any trouble or confusion, they may be brought together, and fitted for service upon all sudden Occurrents. That all those who in the City of London, or any other place, shall wear any Colours, or other marks of division, whereby they may be distinguished from others and known to be of the malignant Party, shall be examined, searched, and disarmed, as likewise all others, who being able, shall not lend or contribute towards the public safety of the kingdom, in this time of so great and imminent danger. That it be commended to the serious consideration of those in the King's Army, and of all other that intend to assist and succour his majesty in this impious and unnatural war, among whom it may be hoped there are some honest men, and Protestants, what it is that moves them in this quarrel. Is it for fear of some Innovations and alteration? of Religion or Church government? let such as are possessed with this vain and causeless apprehension, know, that nothing is intended or desired, but to take away the government by Bishops, which hath been so constantly, evidently, mischievous, and dangerous to the Church and state; and such other things as shall be found to be justly offensive, and nothing to be settled and Introduced, but by authority of Parliament after consultation first had with an assembly of learned and reverend Divines. Is it to uphold the authority, prerogative, and Honour of the King and to preserve the safety of his royal Person? surely the Parliament is and ever hath been ready to do any thing that belongs to them to secure all these, which they have often testified by many humble petitions to his majesty. If there be no cause for any of these respects, to seek the destruction of the Parliament and the blood and ruin of their kindred, friends and acquaintance, what remains then to be the matter of the quarrel, and the motives of such great combustions, and the effects and consequences of their victory if they should prevail? That Priests, Jesuits, & the Pope's nuntios may domineer & govern in the King's Counsel as heretofore, that the Arch Bishops of Canterbury and York and their Suffragans may suppress diligent and powerful preaching, and banish and oppress all the most pious and best affected subjects of the kingdom, & introduce the Popish Religion under a protestant profession, till they have strength and boldness to cast off the disguise, and openly appear that which indeed they are, and would not seem to be. That the Earl of Bristol, and his Son the Lord Digby, Mr. ●ermin, and other such traitors may possess the great places, and government of this kingdom; and be the arbiters of the affairs of State, and distributers of preferments, and disgraces, to such as shall further or oppose their designs. That the delinquents, oppressors, and destroyers of the kingdom, may not only escape the justice of the parliament, but triumph in the spoils of all honest men, good Patriots; and that through out troubles, and divisions, the Rebels in Ireland may prevail; that we may cease to be a free Nation, and become the object of cruelty and oppression at home, and of scorn and infamy abroad. And if there can be no other fruit of their hazard and endeavours on that side, let them then consider, whether by adhering to the Parliament, they may not expect effects more suitable to the desires of honest men, The glory of God, in the preservation of his Truth, The peace of the Church, by securing it against the pride, avarice, and ambition of the Clergy, The honour greatness and security of the King, by freeing him from false and traitorous counsels, and establishing him in the hearts and affections of his people, the prosperity of the whole kingdom by the blessing of good laws and a righteous government. Die Sabbathi 15. Octob. 1642. Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament. THat such persons as shall not Contribute to the charge of the Common wealth in this time of imminent necessity, shall be held fit to be secured. Resolved upon the Question &c. That such persons as shall not contribute to the charge of the commonwealth in this time of imminent necessity, shall be held fit to be Disarmed. Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the Lord Major & sheriffs of the City of London shall forthwith search the houses and seize the arms belonging unto M. Nathaniel Jefferson, M. Austin, M. John Bedle, M. John Batty, M. Ralph Long, and M. Robert Lewis, all of Broadstreet Ward, M. John Blunt, of Limestreet Ward, M. Ald. Wright of Colemanstreet Ward, M. Roger Drake, M. John Walther, of Faringdon within, for that as it appears by the report from the Committee they have not Contributed as they ought to the charge of the commonwealth, in this time of imminent necessity. Resolved upon the Question &c. That the fines, Rents, & profits of archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Deans and Chapters, and of such notorious Delinquents who have taken up arms against the Parliament, or have been active in the Commission of Array, shall be sequestered for the use and service of the Common wealth. Resolved upon the Question &c. That the King's Revenue arising out of Rents, Fines in Courts of Justice, Compositions for Wards, & the like, & all other his majesty's Revenue, shall be brought into the several Courts and other places where they ought to be paid in, and not Issued forth or paid out, until further order shall be taken by both Houses of Parliament. The manner of sequestration is referred to a Committee. FINIS The Examination of David Alexander, taken Octob. 6. 1642. He saith, wheu the King went towards the North, at Newmarket he came to the Court, and followed the King to York and stayed at York, wh●n the King first went to Kingston upon Hull, and came back to York, and after the Kings return Sir John Hinderson told him it was a good service to God and the King to kill Sir John Hotham, and he refused to do it; and that he said he would rather venture upon an Army, and then the King went to Beverly, and the Postmasters boy brought him word from Sir James Hamilton he should come to Beverly, and should be made corporal of the field, which he slighted, and said he was an old man, and could no ride, and then Sir James Hamilton sent to him to meet him at the posthouse, which he did, and Sir James told him if he came not the next day, he would lose his place, he told him he had no money, and he gave him ten shillings, and with that he hired horse and went thither, and that he came to the Lord Lindsey, general, which said he was welcome▪ and bid him go to the King▪ and told him the King had sent twice for him, and the next day, which was the day wherein the Earl of Holland, &c. had his audience, the King being in the field spoke to him, and bid him go to my L. general who gave order to Sir John Culpepper, to give him ten pounds, which he received▪ and my Lord general told him Master Slingsby and an other Knight were about a Mine which failed, and the siege raised, and afterward he went to Nottingham, and there Sir John Hinderson said to him, he should do good service if he would set the Magazine on fire, and that he undertook to do, and he told him it would be well, if he could get a service in the train of Artillery, and often spoke to him about that action, and said he should he highly recompensed: and thereupon he came to London on Tuesday was five or six we●kes; and he was with Sir William Balfore, and made means to go into Ireland: and that he confessed to Sir Balthazar Gerbier upon Monday last, all the passages betwixt him and Sir John Hinderson, and to nobody else but he spoke to Sir John Mildram to get him a place in the Irish Wars, and Sir John promised to speak with the Irish Committee for him: he said Sir John Hinderson told him the King was acquainted with this proposition of firing the Magazine diverse times: and this examinant told him that he had spoken to Sir Balthazar Gerbier to tell the King that he could not perform it, and he denied that ever he had laboured for any place in this Army. David Alexander. The Examination of Sir Balthasar Gerbier, taken the 8. of October 1642. He says, he knows one David Alexander a Scotchman, and hath known him long, and has had discourse lately with him. He says, the said David Alexander said he had a proposition made to him to kill some body, but none named to this examinant, he answered, that to kill a man was fit for a hangman, but any generous act befitting a soldier he would do. The said Alexander, said that colonel Hinderson made this proposition at the Court, he says that act was proposed; That another proposition was made by the same person that he should get a place in the train of Artillery, and getting knowledge where the Magazine was, to do his best to fire it, and this he entertained, and was received, and had money given him, and besides colonel Hinderson, and Master Endymion Porter spoke also concerning the same business to him. This Examinant says, he knows not whether Alexander, Hinderson, and M. Endymion Porter spoke of the same at the same time, nor did he tell him what sum of Money he received, nor did he speak of any other Promises: upon the third of this Instant, at nine of the clock this discourse was, which he noted in his table-book. Then desiring to look in his table-book, the Examinant further related; That he having occasion to use some man's service to the Court, with the Venetian ambassador, according to his place, he sent to this David Alexander, to know if he would go along with him, the said David told him he could not go; the Examinant wondered at it, knowing his poverty, and asked the reason, the reupon he said he had some service to do, and the Examinant being his old friend, he would deal plainly with him, and tell him, and said it was of that nature, that it was as much worth as his life to discover, the Examinant wondered at it, and made some difficulty to know it; but he answered that in the Lord Buckingham's time he had been his friend, and therefore to him he would tell it, and put his life into his hands: The Examinant said, why wilt thou put thy life into such danger? then he said he was dispatched and had received money for it to apply himself to the Army, and to endeavour to get a place about the Artillery, to the end to take a time to fire the Magazine; which he said you know I can do by an instrument made like a watch, which having gone for so many hours than strikes fire, he said he had applied himself to Sir William Balfore to be recommended by him, but was put off, only had offered to him 14 s. per diem for a sergeant major's place of Dragooners, or some service for Ireland; but he refused it, as not fit for him, saying, that he was more proper for fire works and Artillery, &c. He said further, that meeting Dulbier, he told him, how now David, thou dost not come hither for the service against those from whence you come, he said no; and then resolved to apply himself to Sir John Meldram, by whom he was to be presented to the house the third of this instant: he desired this Examinant to take this relation from him and to acquaint the King with it, to whom it would be acceptable to know what was become of him, & he could not write it himself, and therefore wished this Examinant to write it in his Table. book: This Examinant said he would put it into his table-book, and said how should I venture to tell this to the King, or know it to be true; and he said the King would soon know that, and it will be an honour to you to be so trusted, so he concluded his discouse with presenting a Scotchman to this Examinant in his journey, the Scotchman was his companion, and a Solicitor here for one Gordan the King's Agent at Hamburgh; but this Examinant took only his name, and liking not his aspect, promised to send him some other time. Balthazar Gerbier. THe same Examinant, upon the 7 day of Octob, doth confirm all the particulars aforementioned: and further saith, that the reason why he told Sir Balthazar Gerbier of this business, was to desire him to tell the King that he could not as yet perform it; and he thinks that the King and Sir John Hinderson, do believe that he is in my Lord of Essex Army; and that he doth intend to perform his promise. Taken the ●0 of October. David Alexander. THis Examinant told Sir Balthazar Gerbier the 3 of Octob. last, I cannot go with you, because I have undertaken to fire the Ammunition in the Army of Parliament, and tell the King or Sir John Hinderson I have not effected it; but I am going to Sir John Mildram at 9 of the clock this morning, to bring me to the Parliament, to get employment in the Artillery belonging to the Parliament; and that I might have had 14 shillings a day to be a Major in a Regiment of Dragooners with the Parliament, and refused it; which he desired the King might know. David Alexander. October 10. 1642. THe said David Alexander further acknowledgeth, that he offered to tell Sir Balthazar Gerbier, what the great business was which did hinder him from going with him, and what he had said was as much as his life was worth to discover: that Sir Balthazar Gerbier did refuse to hear it; but this Examinant did very earnestly press to hear what it was. David Alexander. ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that this Declaration, Depositions, and Votes thus amended be forthwith Printed and published John Browne Cler. Parliam●… FINIS. Octob. 20. London Printed for John Wright.