THE HEADS Of the great CHARGE PRESENTED To the Honourable House of Commons, against the eleven impeached Members, BY Colonel Scroop. Colonel Okey. Colonel Hewson. Colonel Pride. Lieut. Col. Bowen. Lieut. Col. Goffe. Major rainbow. Capt. Berry. Capt. Glarke. Capt. Carter. Capt. Roase. Master Sexby Master Gettings. AS ALSO, Certain Papers from the Army, setting forth the gallant proceed of the Commissioners, in their present Treaty at Wickham. London, Printed for R. Walton, July 8. 1647. The proceed of the late Treaty, betwixt the Parliaments Commissioners, and the Army. THere came Letters also to the House, from the Commissioners with the Army, and tharein enclosed two letters from the General dated july first at Wickam, whereof one of them gave to understand that the General had that day appointed Lieutenant General Crumwell, Commissary Gen. Ireton, Col. Fleetwood, Col. Rainsborow, Col. Harrison, Colonel Sir Hardresse Waller, Col. Rich, Col. Lambert, Col. Hammond, and Major Rainsborow; these or any five of them, of which the Major part to be of the five last to treat and debate with the Commissioners of Parliament upon the papers, and desires sent from the army to the Parliament, and the Votes sent to the army according to the Order of both Houses of the 26 of june, 1647. And the other letter was in answer to the Vote of the House on Tuesday last, that a particular charge should be delivered into the House against the 11 Members by this day, the General returning this answer thereunto, That as he finds a great willingness in his council of war, to answer the expectation of the house in all things so in this particular but the things being of that importance to the Kingdom and the persons charged so many in number 〈◊〉 taken up more time than was expected, and therefore desire that it may be respited until Tuesday next, at which time they will not fail to bring it in, and that the Kingdom shall then see they have not impeached the Gentlemen out of any private respects but in affection, and duty to the public. There was further also a Proclamation from the General, forbidding any abuse or obstruction to be offered to any Officers of Parliament in levying the Excise or other assessments. From the army came further this evening, that His Majesty one Thursday from Hatfield toward winsor where he expected to see his children, of which he was very desirous, but intended not to stay there above a day or tsio, but remove some further distance from London. The treaty with the Parliaments Commissioners, and Commissioners from the Army began this morning, as was appointed, the head quarters of the army it is supposed will be removed Saturday to Reading. The house had some debate of the Prince Electors desires, and ordered to leave it to his own pleasure. A letter was read in the house from the Commissioners with the army, giving to understand their entering upon treaty with the army, & the manner of their proceed. The house upon debate approve of the Commissioners proceed therein. The head quarters of the army it is certified were removed this day to Reading and his Majesty was gone back from Windsor to the Lord Cravens house near Causum. 〈◊〉 Friday july 2. His Excellency appointed, these Officers of the Army to treat with the Commissioners from the Parliament in these words: I Do hereby appoint Lieutenant General Cromwell. Commissary General Ireton, Colonel Fleetwood, Colonel Rainsborough, and Colonel Harrison, Colonel Sir Hardres Waller, Colonel Rich, Colonel Lambert Colonel Hammond and Major Disborough; These ten or any five of them (of which the major part to be of the five last) to Treat and Debate with the Right Honourable, The Commissioners of Parliament residing with the Army, upon the Papers and Desires sent from the Army to both Houses, and the Votes sent to the Army, according to the effect of the Order of both Houses, dated the 26 of June, 1647. And for that purpose to attend the Comissioner; at their lodging at the Katherine wheel tomorrow morning by eight, of the clock and so from time to time, and place to place as shall be mutually agreed on. Given under my Hand and Seal at Wickham, the first day of July, 1647. His Excellency having also received certain votes of the house touching the eleven members impeached, sent this ensuing letter in answer thereto. To the Right Honourable the Commissioners of Parliament now residing with the Army. My Lords and Gentlemen, HAving with my Council of War considered of the Votes of the House of Commons, june 29. which you sent me, for the bringing in the particlar charge and proofs against the Members charged by the Army, by Friday next at farthest: As I find a great willingness in them to answer the expectations of the House in all things, so in particular, but the things being of that importance to the Kingdom, and the persons charged so many in number, hath taken up more time than was expected; We desire therefore, That it may be respited until Tuesday next at which time we shall not fail to bring it in; although we could wish that no time might be lost therein which might be improved for the present settlement of the affairs of this Kingdom, and that the Kingdom shall then see, we have not impeached the Gentlemen out of any private respects, but in affection and duty to the Public. I remain Wickham, july 1. 1647. Your very affectionate. Friend and Servant, Tho: Fairfax. At a council of of war at the General's quarters at Reading yesterday being the 5 day of july, 1647. It was ordered as followeth. Ordered by his Excellency and the Council of war, that the Officers and Soldiers under mentioned, do re-repaire to London, for presenting of the Charge against the 11 members to the house of his Excellency and the whole Army. At the making of this order, was a very great Council of war, consisting of eleven Col. seven Lieutenants Col. and Majors, with a great number of Captains. The names of the officers aforesaid mentioned, appointed to present the charge against the eleven members are as followeth. Col. Scroop, Col. Okey, Col. Hewsou, Col. Pride, Lieut. Col. Bowyer, Lieut. Col. Goffe.. Maj. Raignbow, Cap. Berry, Cap. Clarke, Cap. Roafe, Mr. Sexby, and Mr. Getting. According to the Order of the Council of War before recited, the Commanders thereby nominated, for presenting the Charge against the eleven Members, came to London to deliver the particular Charge to the House. The Charge itself contains, more than one sheet; therefore of necessity must here be omitted. Thursday july 1. SIR, The General advanced this day to Wickham, and the King's Majesty came from Hatfield, dined at Moore-Park near Watford, and thence road to Windsor; but his Majesty finding his desires not answered, so as to have the opportunity of rejoicing in the society of his Children there, he left the place the next day, and went to Winchomb house, near Reading. In this his Majesty's progress, the Country flocked together to see him; before him road a Trumpeter, than some Persons of Honour bore headed; after this came his Majesty attended by the Commissioners, and about a mile behind them marched a Regiment of Horse. The last Lord's day, Master Crofts preached before the King in the presence chamber, at the Lord Cravens house near Causum bridge, in the fornoone, and Master Peter below in the Hall, and in the afternoon the King heard divine service only. The Headquarters continue at Reading; some complaints have been made to the General, of abuses committed by divers Soldiers; and for prevention thereof for the future, his Excellency set forth a Proclamation, charging and requiring all Soldiers whatsoever, to forbear taking of horses from any person whatsoever, without sufficient Warrant or to compel any Person where they quarter to give them any money, and in further pursuance thereof, his Excellency granted Commission to the Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, or Major of every Regiment, for punishing of offences by a Council of War in each Regiment, a copy whereof followeth: 〈…〉 The heads of the Charge preserted to the House of Commons, July 6. FIrst, that they have endeavoured to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and to stand in opposition against the true course of Justice, etc. 2. That by false informations, and evil suggestions, they have used their utmost endeavours to raise a misunderstanding betwixt the Parliament, and Army. 3. That they have been obstructive instruments in the service of Ireland, and hath showed themselves very forward for the obstructing of that Design. 4. That they have endeavoured to set an Army on foot within this Kingdom, and have also endeavoured to carry on many desperate designs within this Realm. It is said, that the Army doth intent to proceed against some of the impeached Members first, and so to the next by degrees. The Charge was read in the Honourable House of Commons upon Tuesday last, and after some debate thereupon, the further result thereof was put off till Friday following. FINIS.