THE PETITION of the MEMBERS of the House of Commons, Who are accused by the ARMY.  
Presented to the House upon Tuesday the 29. of June. 1647.  
Expressing their grounds for desiring leave to absent themselves from the HOUSE, and their earnest desire for a speedy day to be given unto Sir Thomas Fairfax and the ARMY To send in what particulars they pretend to have against them; that so a way may be open for them to Vindicate their Honour and Innocency.  
London, Printed for Ralph Smith, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the Bible near the Royal Exchange, in Cornhill, 1647.   

TO The Honourable the House of COMMONS. The humble Petition of the Members charged by the Army, who have subscribed their names.  
Shows,  
THat they have with all fidelity to the best of their understandings discharged the trust reposed in them by their Country in the service of this House: Yet such hath been their unhappiness, as their persons are become the object of the power of the Army, and that in such a height as nothing would satisfy but their present suspension from the House, which if not done by the next day, the Army, or Sir Thomas Fairfax in the name of the Army, declared in their Remonstrance of the 23 of June, That they should be enforced to take such courses extraordinary as God should enable and direct them unto, And further pressed it by a Letter to the Commissioners of Parliament, to the same effect, dated the 24. which was the day prefixed for our suspension, and all upon pretence of our interest & prevalency in the House to be such, as they could otherwise expect but small fruit in their other proceeding, which how derogatory to the Parliament and how groundless a suggestion to colour the violence intended, we humbly leave to Your wisdoms to judge, You were pleased hereupon to Declare by Vote the 25. of June That it did not appear that any thing had been said or done by us within the House touching any matters contained in the Papers sent from the Army, for which you could in Justice suspend us, And that by the Laws of the land no judgement could be given for our suspension upon those Papers, before particulars produced and proofs made. Yet preparations were made (as several informations brought it unto us) for part of the Army to march towards Westminster, which was looked upon by Your Petitioners as a thing of most sad Consequence to the Parliament, and their misfortune in it considered, that it should happen upon their occasion, though themselves most innocent of it, And this made them resolve rather to desire your leave to absent themselves, which they knew had been formerly practised by Members in the like manner accused, and inconveniencies thereby prevented, And you at this time in your prudence thought fit to grant it; Which as it was done by them out of their meet zeal to the safety and quiet of the House, so they hope it shall not now be turned to their prejudice and dishonour. For notwithstanding many days have past since the Army first sent in their general Charge, and with it a Positive desire of our present suspension, which the House could not give way unto (as is before expressed) and therefore writ to their Commissioners with the Army, declaring their readiness to receive any particulars, and hear any witnesses against us, and if any were to be produced, that they expected them by Monday the 28. instant at farthest; in stead thereof we understand, that a Letter is come from Sir Thomas Fairfax, signifying; That though the particulars and proofs be ready, yet they desire the great businesses may not be interruped by their coming in till a full settlement; By which means your Petitioners may lie a long time under a general accusation, nothing instanced in, nothing proved, they not heard, and so neither if innocent cleared, nor condemned if faulty; which, they hope, will not be the pleasure of this Honourable House, as disagreeing from all rules of proceeding in the Way of Justice, where delays and denials be alike forbidden.  
They therefore humbly pray, the House will be pleased to appoint Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX and the ARMY a short and peremptory day to send in those particulars and proofs, that a speedy proceeding may be had hereupon, when they doubt not to make their innocency appear: And in case they come not in at the time appointed that you will be pleased to take such course as Your Wisdoms shall think fit, that we may not still be obnoxious to the will and power of others, but that we may have Passes to dispose of ourselves, according to our humble desires represented to the House, when we asked leave to absent ourselves.  
And we shall pray, etc. 

Denzel Holles.  
Philip Stapilton.  
William Lewis.  
William Waller.  
John Clotworthy.  
John Maynard.  
Edward Massye.  
Edward Harley.  
Walter Long.  
Anthony Nichols.    
FINIS.