TWO LETTERS Of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, SENT To both Houses of PARLIAMENT; With the humble Advice of the Council of War (held at St. edmond's Bury in Suffolk, Saturday 29. May, 1647.) upon the Votes of both Houses, sent to the Army for their disbanding. Also, the Petition of the private soldiery of the Army, both Horse and Foot, presented (to His Excellency at the same Council of War) by their several Adjutators: With the names of the Officers that were then present. Published at the instant desire of the Army, to prevent misunderstandings, and to set forth their candid desire of the peace and welfare of the Parliament, and this Kingdom; as also, concerning the relief of Ireland. LONDON: Printed for George Whittington, at the Blue Anchor in Cornhill, near the Exchange, 1647. A Copy of a Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Right Honourable, the Earl of Manchester. My Lord, YOur Lordship's Letter of the 28. I received yesterday, with the Votes of both Houses enclosed therein. Before the receipt thereof, I had called the Officers unto a general Council of War, to awise concerning the better transaction of the business, and prevention of all inconveniencies thereupon; and when they were in consultation, I communicated your Lordship's Letter, (and the Votes therewith sent) unto them. After much time spent in debate thereof, this enclosed was delivered unto me by the Officers, as the Result of the Council of War; which being of very great concernment, I held it my duty to hasten unto your Lordships. It is no small grief of heart unto me, that there should be any dissatisfactions betwixt the Parliament and the Army, and that the late V●●s did not give satisfaction. I beseech God to direct your Lordships to proceed with wisdom, that things may be determined in love, and this poor Kingdom free from further distraction; which is the earnest desire of Your Lordship's most humble servant T. FAIRFAX. Bury May 30. 1647. For the ri●ht Honourable the Earl of Ma●c●ester, Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore. Mr. Speaker, HAving called the Officers of the Army to St. Edmund's Bury, I communicated unto them yesterday the Votes of both Houses, and a Letter of the House of Peers sent therewith, concerning the disbanding of the Army; After long consultation had thereof, this enclosed was delivered unto me, as the Result of the Council of War (where the Officers were very many and unanimous) which being of importance, I held it my duty to hasten the same unto you, being much perplexed in my thoughts that dis-satisfactions betwixt the Parliament and the Army should rather increase, then lessen; I entreat you, that there may be ways of love and composure thought upon, I shall do my endeavours, though I am forced to yield to something out of order, to keep the Army from disorder, or worse inconveniencies, I desire you to take some speedy resolution for the composing of things, whereby the Kingdom may be happy in a timely deliverance from further distraction: for the effecting whereof, I could be conte●t to be a sacrifice, as the last service you can have from Your most faithful and humble servant, T. FAIRFAX. Bury May 30. 1647. For the Honourable William Lenthal Esquire, Speaker of the honourable House of Commons. To his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, Commander in Chief of the Parliaments Forces. The Opinion and humble Advise of the Council of War, convened at Bury, Saturday 29. May. 1647. In relation to the Votes of Parliament, communicated to us by your Excellency and the desires of our advice thereof. Humbly Sheweth, 1. THat upon the reports come to all quarters of the Army concerning the Votes and proceed of the House May 21. As also of those on Tuesday, May 25. we find the generality of the Army (as we are ourselves) much unsatisfied in the one, and something amazed and startled at the ●ther, the first Votes (of Friday) coming much short of satisfaction as to the grievances of the Army then reported to the House and not taking any notice at all of some that were most material, & the latter (of Tuesday) importing a resolution suddenly to disband the Army by piecemeal, before equal satisfaction be given to the whole in any of the grievances, or so much as any consideration had of some others most material: And also before any effectual performance of that satisfaction with the Votes of Friday seemed to promise as to some of the grievances, all which we shall be ready (upon a little time given us) to represent to your Excellency, more distinctly and in particular. 2. That the said distraction, and the jealousies occasioned upon the same proceeding, as we fear, and some effects already appearing do find, may unhappily produce dangerous disturbances and tumultuous actings amongst several parts of the Army, as they now lie dispersed and remote from the Head quarters, especially amongst those Regiments whose principal Officers, by neglecting or disserting their Soldiers in in their necessary concernments or just grievances, have disobleiged their Soldiers, and lost their interest with them in so much as such Officers are in some sort forced to withdraw from their charges, and can scarce with safety come at them, & to prevent the inconveniencies or ill consequences which such disturbed or tumultuous actings might produce either to the countries where the Army quarters or to the kingdom, We humbly advise your Excellency without delay, to draw the Arm (or at least those parts thereof that are not fixed to certain Quarters upon particular du●y) unto a closer posture of Quarters, so as each Regiment, Troop, and Company, may lie under the view, and oversight of their respective Officers that are left with them, and all of them under a nearer view of, and correspondency wi●h the Head-quarter, which may thus have a readier influence upon all, for the better preserving of good Order, and prevention of inconveniences, and in such posture for the Country's ease, to remove and shift the whole Quarter one a week at least, till up●n further satisfaction, ●●e Army may be quietly, and orderly disbanded. 3. That upon the same dissatisfaction and jealousies we find an extreme earnestn●l, and violent propers●● among the soldiers to a general Randezvorz▪ and we verily believe, that the fi●st attempt to d●b●nd any one Re●●ment, b●fore equal satisfaction to all, and assurance against th●se things they have cause to fear, will 〈◊〉 them all to draw together and Randezvouz of themselves, as it were upon in Alarm. And to prevent the into ve●●●nc●s or i'll consequences bo●h to these Countries and 〈◊〉 Kingdom, of any such tumultuous or confused drawing to a Randezvouz without order, we humbly advise your Excellency without delay, after the contracting of quarters, to order a general Randezvouze for those parts of the Army, whose quar●ers shall b● so contracted: And this we advise and desire the rather because of the scandalous suggestions of some, importing as if the late discontents appearing in the Army, and the representations of grievances from the Army, were not really in or from the body of the Soldiery, but a myere delusion or appearance made by the contrivance and artifice of some factious Officers, or other persons in the Army, the tru●h and falsehood whereof, as also the true temper and disposition of the Army, your Excellency, and all other, may most clearly discover ●●y such a general Randezvouz (without the delay or trou●●e of going to every Regimen a part as they now lie) the ●●my may more certainly understand what they may expect from the Parliament, and both Parliament and Kingdom what to judge and trust to, concerning the Army, and to that purpose at such a Randezvouz, we sha●l (we hope through the grace of God) discharge our 〈◊〉 to the Parliament and Kingdom, as well as to your Excellency and the Army, and demonstrate that the good and quiet of the kingdom, is much dearer to us then any particular concernment of our own. These two last things we humbly advise and desire may be done without delay, or that otherwise me may be held acquitted from all inconveniencies that may ensue in our several charges. 4. Since (besides the dissatisfaction to the Army hitherto, in the points of grievances, and the defect of assurance, as to several of these things promised for our satisfaction, and besides the jealousies occasioned upon the Votes of Tuesday last and a●l held consequences which may follow in proceeding thereupon) That course of disbanding the Army by piecemeal before the satisfaction intended, be performed equally to the whole, seems something strange and unusual (not practised in disbanding of other Armies, as Major Gen. Massies Brigade, he Scots Army etc. or used that we have heard of, by any States towards any Army that was ever accounted faithful; We humbly desire your Excellency by an effectual Letter to move the Parliament for this, as that which we humbly offer & do beg at them, both for their own honour, in rela●ion to wha● future Armies they may have occasion to employ, for the reputation of your Excellency, and this Army, as well as for its better satisfaction, and as they render the good and assured quie● of his Kingdom, or the effectual relief and saving of Ireland, That they would be pleased to resume the consideration of things voted on Tuesday last, and to suspend any present proceeding thereupon; as also to resume the grievances of the Army, together with the things proposed in the conclusion of the Narrative from the Officer, and to give satisfaction, or at least some resolution to each of them, ●nd that they would not think it fit to put that temptation, those jealousies, and that dishonour upon the Army▪ Whereas, what we here desire your Excellency to move may be said, if admitted into consideration, to tend to delay the relief of Ireland. 1. We find most clearly, that the great hopes suggested to the Parliament, of the supply of that service in that way at present intended, will prove as to any further expectation out of this Army, but vain and delusive, as the loud noise of so many powerful Officers, with 50 Companies of Foot, & ten of horse, so long since engaged for that service have already proved, and if herein our judgement be not credited, we have yet discharged our duty to the Parliament, and both Kingdoms in declaring it. 2. We cannot but for our own, and the Armies further discharge, and clearing, declare, That if the Parliament had not been abused by many of those they have employed, and entrusted for the promotion of that service, and had not been by such men's false informations, or misrepresentations concerning the Army, or otherwise diverted from the consideration of or from giving reasonable satisfaction to the Army in these things proposed by the generality of the Officers at the first meeting at Walden in March last, in order to that service, and had not by like mischievous practices of such incendiaries been since then moved and drawn to such things, and in such a series and succession, as have conduced to multiply discontents, disobligations, and provocations upon the Army, (we say had it not been for such persons and such things) we are confident might have had (if they had pleased) an Army entire, and ready form under their old Officers, and Conduct, to have engaged for that service, having found a just consideration for the services past, and assurance of pay and subsistence in that to come. Saturday the 29 of May 1647. At A Council of War held at St. Edmund's Bury, there were present Commissary General Ireton. Col. Whaley, Col. Rich. Coll. Sir Hardresse Waller Col. Hughson. Col. Ok●y. Col. Lilburn Lieu. Col. Jackson. Lieu. Colonel Pride, Lieu. Col. Read. L. Col. Salm●n. L. C. jubs, Major Di●borow. Major R●ad, Maj. Huntingdon. Ma. Tomlinson. Maj. Swallow. Maj. Horton. Maj. Goodday. Maj. Smith. Maj. Cow●●. Maj. Wade. Cap. Jenkin. Cap. Lilborn. Cap. Pretty. Cap. Morgan. Cap. Grove Cap. Cannon. Cap. Piteford. Cap. Dale Cap. H 〈…〉 Cap. Hawes. Cap. Bethel. Cap. Coleman. Cap. Laton. Cap. White. Cap. Highfield. Cap. Rainborow. Cap. Lee, Cap. Rolph. Cap. Spooner. Cap. Orpin. Cap. Clark. Cap. Hoddin. Cap. Stodder. Cap. Ask, Cap. Holmes. Cap. Tolhurst. Cap. Gougff. Cap. Grigson. Cap. Lago. Cap. Davies. Cap. Toppington. Cap. Brafield. Cap. Lieu. Kirby. Cap. L. W●●●ington. Cap. L. A 〈…〉. Cap. L. Howes. Cap. L. Knight. Cap. L. Arnop. Lieu. Scotton. L. Cowel. L. should 〈…〉. L. Enser. L. Barton, L. Hooker. L. Miller. L. White. L. Heydon. L. Phillips. L. Wheeler. L. Singleton. L. Gough L. Morgan L. Topping L. Erwood L. Hawes L. Axiell L. Baber, Cornet Moor. C. Southwood C. Baker C. jenning's C. Bush C. Warren C. Gr 〈…〉 e C. Essex. Ensign Pearth▪ ●. Wright E. Gregory E. Campfield E. ●●wlins E. Nicolas. Quartermaster Savage, Q. Warren Q. Hunt Q. Sanders Quartermaster Arch●. To his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight, Captain, General of the forces raised by the Authority of Parliament. The humble Petition of the Soldiers of the Army, presented to his Excellency at a Council of War, held at St. Edmunsburye on Saturday 29 May 1647, Humbly Sheweth, THat we your Petitioners considering the late Orders for disbanding the Army without redresing our grievances, vindicating the Army, or calling to account such persons who have been intenders contrivers, and promoters of our destruction which (being but reasonable) we humbly conceive we may justly expect and should not be denied before our disbanding, considering also the strange unheard of, and unusual way of disbanding us a part one Regiment from another contrary to the examples of other Armies, disbanding in this kingdom: which posture renders us suspisious to the kingdom to whom for some of our Accounts (though humble and just) we have already been declared enemies, and to whom (for aught we know) the rest of our doing, may be presented with the same constiructions. We your Petitioners humbly beseech your Excellency, you would be pleased to appoint a Randezvouze speedily for the Army, and also to use your utmost endeavours that it be not disbanded, before our ●ad and pressing grievances be heard and fully redressed; which if not done before disbanding▪ we humbly conceive we shall be enforced upon many inconvenienc 〈…〉, which will (of necessity) arise, when we (though unwilling) shall be necessitated (for avoiding of destruction like to fall or the whole Army, if not prevented) to do such things ourselves which if your Excellency (out of your wisdom and prudence) shall prevent, by granting our just desires in a way of Order we shall abundantly rejoice in it, and be (with cheerfulness) enabled by it to subscribe ourselves, Your Excellencies and the Kingdom's innocent and faithful servants, whose names are hereunto annexed, being Agitators in behalf of the several Regiments. Edward Sexby. Adjutators of the General's Regime of Horse. Edward Taylor. Adjutators of the General's Regime of Horse. William Allen Lieutenant General's Regiment, Sam: whiting. Lieutenant Generals Regiment, Tho: Shepheard, Commissary General's Regiment. Anth. Nickson, Commissary General's Regiment. Edward Twig, Colonel Fleetwoods' Regiment. Thomas Jones, Colonel Fleetwoods' Regiment. Thomas Kendal, Colonel Whaleyes Regiment. William Young, Colonel Whaleyes Regiment. Edward Star, Colonel Sheffields' Regiment, Edward Gethings Colonel Sheffields' Regiment, John Willoughby, Colonel Butler's Regiment, Tobias Box, Colonel Butler's Regiment, Thomas Brown, Colonel Sir Robert Pies Regiment, Barth W●llock. Colonel Sir Robert Pies Regiment, George Steuson, Colonel Graves his Regiment. Richard Salter. Colonel Graves his Regiment. Nicholas Lockyer, Colonel Riches Regiment. John Braman, Colonel Riches Regiment. Edward Vaughan, Of the Generels Regiment of Foot. John Newson, Of the Generels Regiment of Foot. Robert Mason, Colonel waller's Regiment, Henry Anderton, Colonel waller's Regiment, Nicholas Andrews Colonel Harlowes Regiment. Ralph Apprentice, Colonel Harlowes Regiment. Herbert Field Colonel Lilburnes Regiment. Thomas Walston, Colonel Lilburnes Regiment. Edward Garn, Colonel Hewsons' Regiment. Daniel Hincksman Colonel Hewsons' Regiment. William Baker, Colonel Lambarts Regiment. Courteous Reader, IN the behalf of the Army, I have some things to say to thee: There hath been many false reports made of them, concerning the Money and Commissioners that were sent to Chel 〈…〉 ford to disband them, how that they had seized on the money and kept the Commissioners prisoners and used them coursely: But how false this is, the Commissioners themselves can testify, and the city of London, that with their own eyes have seen the 〈◊〉 and Commissioners safely returned again; and I hope that the just and honest dealing of this Army, not only in this, but in all other of their actions, will in time open all the Kingdom's Eyes, to see the reality of their intentions, that they mind not themselves, but the good of the Parliament and Kingdom, which will be sufficient to stop the wide 〈◊〉 of Envy itself that hath cost so many false aspersions on them. So I rest, thine and the Kingdom's servant, E, C. Lieutenant.