SUNDRY REASONS INDUCING mayor Robert HUNTINGTON to lay down his Commission.  
humbly Presented to the Honourable Houses OF PARLIAMENT.  
 printer's ornament  
LONDON, Printed in the year. 1648.   

Some Animadversions on mayor Huntingtons papers.  
AS mayor huntingdon dealt fast and loose with the earl of Manchester when under him, in hopes of preferment, so now( being out of service and moneys too, in hope of large matters promised) he quarrels with these two eminent Gentlemen, for whom his own conscience calls him the most unworthyest of men, having always not onely complied with, but till now highly applauded their actions above others. It is well known that the first refusing to disband, was concluded by him with others, before either of these knew it. And for the Kings remove by Cornet joice, those private instructions he gave to some Troopers, can witness how far he was engaged in it, before they knew it, which is of more danger then open speeches at a council of War in matters appertaining to souldiers as souldiers. As for their committing of his Majesty, it had been well ●f this mayor, and the rest that had such an influence upon the Agitators, had not hindered that happy agreement which was then so near, that he complained that they complied too much with the Kings desires; and had nor their proceedings been obstructed by him, and the persons aforesaid, the King and Parliament had no doubt agreed. It is well known to how near it was brought, and what affronts, threats and mutenies were by his and other Souldiers against I. Gen. Crumwell, and come. Gen. Ireton about it. And his own conscience must needs tell him, how in all debates they pressed to have their actions grounded upon the Authority of Parliament: And to offer his Majesty chaplains, wife, children, servants, friends and his Revenue, or what may be to a well grounded peace, upon agreement with the Parliament, certainly are no ill principles: nor to make him a glorious Prince upon settling the Subjects just liberties Neither did he himself dislike, but approved the proposals, & other papers all along And( as himself confesseth) he was a great agent in contriving them and carrying them to the King, & had private conference with the king, who did too much insense his Majesty against that happy agreement( then so near) with his Parliament, a thing in which these Gentlemen( & others who laboured for peace) much rejoiced in the hopeful expectation thereof. As for pulling the Members cut by the ears, it is not the L. Gen. Language. But by his own papers you may see how forward this mayor was then to act in the great business with the King in which he did many ill offices, in hindering peace then, whereby many a mans blood since spilled, might have been saved, who having spoken( as his conscience knows) many unbecoming things before his Majesty, now would clear himself, by saying these Gentlemen bad him, as false as the speech he talks on 〈◇〉 the fire side at Kingstou; & other things concerning purging the Houses, & against the Aldermen. That they should be an Army as long as they live; in which, and other things he plainly discovers his malice. Al which he would excuse with an I conceive( at latter end) Now whether this mayor be not one of the most wretched Incendiaries in the kingdom, let any rational man judge.   

Sundry Reasons Inducing mayor Robert huntingdon to lay down his Commission.  
Humbly presented to the Honourable Houses of Parliament.  
HAving taken up arms in Defence of the authority and Power of King and Parliament, under the command of the Lord Grey of work, and the Earl of Manchester, during their several employments with the Forces of the Eastern assotiation, and at the modeling of this Army under the present Lord General, having been appointed by the honourable Houses of Parliament mayor to the Now Regiament of Lieutenant general Crumwell, in each of which employments having served faithfully and constantly answerable to the trust reposed in me, and having lately quit the said employment, and laid down my Commission, I hold myself tied both in duty and conscience to render the true reason thereof, which in the general is briefly this:  
Because the Principles, designs, and actions of those Officers, which have a great influence upon the Army, are( as I conceive) very repugnant and destructive to the Honour and safety of the Parliament and kingdom, from whom they derive their authority, the particulars being abbreviate of my sad observations, will appear in the following Narrative.  
First, that upon the Orders of Parliament for Disbanding this Army, Lieutenant general cronwell, and Commissary general Ireton were sent Commissioners to Walden, to reduce the Army to their obedience, but more especially in Order to the present supply of Forces for the service of Ireland  
But they contrary to the trust reposed in them, very much hindered that service; not onely by discountenancing those that were obedient, and willing, but also by giving encouragement to the unwilling, and disobedient: Declaring that there hath lately been much cruelty and injustice in the Parl. proceedings against them( meaning the Army) and Commissary general Ireton in further pursuance thereof framed these Papers and Writings then sent from the Army to the Parliament and kingdom, saying also to the Agitators that it was then lawful and fit to deny Disbanding till we had received equal and full satisfaction for our past service, Lieutenant general Crumwell further adding, that were in a double capacity as Souldiers, and as Commissioners, and having our pay as Souldiers, we had something else to stand upon as Commissioners.  
And when upon the handkerchief at Trypple Heath the Commissioners of the Parliam. according to their Orders acquainted every Regiament with what the Parliament had already done, and would further do in Order to the desire of the Army: the soldiery being before prepared, and notwithstanding any thing that could be said or offered to them by the Commissioners, they still cried out for Justice, Justice. And for the further effecting of their purposes, advice was given by Lieutenant general Crumwell, and Commissary general Ireton to remove the Kings person from Holdenby, or to secure him there by other guards then those appointed by the Commissioners of Parliament, which was thought most fit to be carried on by the private soldiery of the Army, and promoted by the Agitators of each Regiament, whose first business was to secure the Garrison of Oxford, with the guns and Ammunition there, from thence to march to Holdenby in prosecution of the former advice which was accordingly acted by Cornet Ioyce, who when he had don the business sent a Letter to the general then at Kienton acquainting his Excellency that the King was on his march towards New-Market: The general being troubled thereat  told commissary general Ireton that he did not like it, Demanding withall who gave those Orders, he replied that he gave Orders onely for securing the King there, and not for taking him away from thence, Lieut. Gen. Crumwnll coming then from London, said, that if this had not been done, the King would have been fetched away by Order of Parliament, or else Col. Graves by the advice of the Commissioners would have carried him to London, throwing themselves upon the favour of the Parliament for that service: The same day Cornet Ioyce being  told that the General was displeased with him for bringing the King from Holdenby, he answered that Lieutenant general Crumwell gave him Order at London to do what he had done both there and at Oxford.  
The Person of the King being now in the power of the Army, the business of Lieut. Gen. Crumwell was to Court His Majesty, both by Members of the Army, and several Gentlemen formerly in the Kings service, into a good opinion and belief of the proceedings of the Army, as also into a dis-affection and dislike of the proceedings of the Par. pretending to show that His Majesties interest would far better suite with the principles of Independency then of Presbytery, and when the King did allege( as many times he did) that the power of Parliament was the power by which we fought, Lieut. Gen. Crumwell would reply that we were not onely Souldiers but Commissioners, promising that the Army would bee for the King, in the settlement of his whole business, if the King and His Party would sit still, and not declare against the Army, but give them leave only to manage the present business in hand.  
That when the King was at New-Market the Parliament thought fit to sand to His Majesty, humbly desiring that in Order to His safety and their addresses for a speedy settlement, He would be pleased to come to Richmond: Contrary hereunto, Resolution was taken by the aforesaid Officers of the Army, if the King could not bee diverted by persuasion, to which His Majesty was very opposite; that then they would stop him by force at Royston where his Majesty was to lodge the first night, keeping accordingly continual Guards upon him against any power that should be sent by Order of Parliament to take him from us, and to this purpose Out guards were also kept to prevent his escape from us with the Commissioners, of whom we had special orders given to bee careful, for that they did daily show dislike to the present proceedings of the Army against the Parliament, and that the King was most conversant and private in discourse with them, his Majesty saying, that if any man should hinder his going, now his two Houses had desired him, upon his late Message of the 12 of May, 1647. it should be done by force, by laying hold of his bridle, which if any were so bold to do, he would endeavour to make it his last. But contrary to his Majesties expectation, the next morning when the King and the Officers of the Army were putting this to an issue came the Votes of both Houses to the King, of their compliance with that which the Army formerly desired. After which his Majesty did incline to harken to the Desires of the Army and not before, whereupon at Caversham the King was continually solicited by Messengers from Lieutenant general cronwell, and Commissary general Ireton, proffering any thing his Majesty should desire: As Revenues, Chaplains, Wife, Children, Servants of his own, Visitation of Friends, access of Letters,( and by come. General Ireton) that his Negative voice should not be meddled withall. And that he had convinced those that reasoned against it in the general council of the Army, and all this they would do that his Majesty might the better see into all our actions, and know our principles which led us to give him all these things out of conscience, for that wee were not a people hating his Majesties person, or Monarchical Government, but that we liked it as the best, and that by This King. Saying also that they did hold it a very unreasonable thing for the Parliament to abridge him of them. Often promising that if his Majesty would sit still, and not act against them, they would in the first place restore him to all these, and upon the settlement of our own just rights and liberties make him the most glorious Prince in christendom.  
That to this purpose for a settlement they were making several Proposals to be offered to the Commissioners of Parli. then sent down to the Army, which should be as bounds for our party as to the Kings business. And that his majesty should have liberty to get as much of those abated as he could, for that many things therein were proposed only to give satisfaction to others, who were our friends, promising the King that at the same time the Commissioners of Parliament should see these proposals, his Majesty should have a copy of them also, pretending to carry a very equal hand between King and Parliament, in order to the settlement of the kingdom by him; which, besides their own judgements and conscience, they did see a necessity of it, as to the people. Commissary general Ireton further saying, that what was offered in these proposals, should b●e so just and reasonable, that if there were but six men in the kingdom, that would fight to make them good, he would make the seventh against any power that should oppose them.  
The Head-quarters being removed from Redding to Bedford, His Majesty to Wooburne, the Proposals were given to me by Comis. Gen. Ireton to present to the King, which His Majesty having red,  told me that he would never treat with the Army nor the Parliament, upon these Proposals as he was then minded, but the next day His Majesty understanding that a Force was put upon His Houses of Parliament by a tumult, sent for me, and said unto me, go a long with Sir John Barkeley to your general, and Lieut. Gen. and tell them, that, to avoid a new war I will now treat with them upon their proposals, or any thing else, in order to a Peace, onely let me be saved in Honour, and Conscience, Sir John Barkley falling sick by the way, I delivered this Message to the Lieut. general, and to Commis. Gen. Ireton, who advised me not to acquaint the general with it till 10 or 12 Officers of the Army were met together at the Generalls Quarters, and then they would bethink themselves of some persons to be sent to the King about it, and accordingly come. Gen. Ireton, Col. Rainsborough, Col. Hammond and Col. Rich attended the King at Wooburne for three houres together, debating the whole business with the King upon the Proposals, upon which Debates, many of the most material things the King dis-liked were afterwards struck out, and many other things much abated by promises: whereupon his Majesty was satisfied, within a day or two after this, his Majesty removed to Stoke, and there calling for me,  told me, He feared an engagement between the City and the Army, saying he had not time to writ any thing under His hand, but would sand it to the general after me, commanding to tell come. Gen Ireton with whom he had formerly Treated upon the Proposals, that He would wholly throw himself upon us, and trust us with the settlement of the kingdom as we had promised; saying, if wee proved honest men, we should without question make the Kingdom happy, and save much shedding of blood, this Message from His Majesty I delivered to come. Gen. Ireton in colebrook, who seemed to receive it with joy, saying that we should be the veriest knaves that ever lived, if in every thing wee made not good whatever wee had promised, because the King by His not Declaring against us, had given us great advantage against our adversaries.  
After our marching through London with the Army, His Majesty being at Hampton Court Lieut. Gen. Crumwell and come. Gen. Ireton sent the King word several times, That the Reason why they made no more hast in his business; was, because that that Party which did then sit in the House while Pelham was speaker, did much obstruct the business, so that they could not carry it on at present Lieut. Gen. often saying that Really, they should bee pulled out by cares, and to that purpose caused a Regiment of Horse to Randezvouze at Hide-Parke to have put that in execution as he himself expressed, had it not been carried by Vote in the House that day as he desired.  
The day before the Parliament Voted once more the sending up of the Propositions of both kingdoms to the King, by the Commissioners of each Kingdom at Hampton-Court, Commis. Gen. Ireton bad me tell the King that such a thing was to be done to morrow in the House, but His Majesty need not be troubled at it: For that they intended it to no other end, but to make good some promises of the Parliament which the Nation of Scotland expected the performance of, & that it was not expected or desired his Majesty should either sign or treat upon them, for which there should be no advantage taken against the King; upon the delivery of which message, his Majesty replied, He knew not what answer to give to please all, without a Treaty.  
Next day after this Vote passed, Lieu. general asked me hereupon, if the King did not wonder at these Votes: I  told him no: for that come. Gen. Ireton had sent such a message by me the day before the Vote passed, to signify the reason of it; the lief. general replied, that really it was the truth, and that we,( speaking of the Parliament) intended nothing else, but to satisfy the Scot, which otherwise might bee troublesone. And the lief. general, and come. general, inquiring after his Majesty answered to the Proposition, and what it would be, it was shewed them both privately in a Garden-house at Putney, and in some part amended to their own minds. But before this, the King doubting what answer to give, sent me to lief. general Crumwell as unsatisfied with the proceedings of the Army, hearing they intended not to make good what they had promised, and the rather because his Majesty understood that lief. general Crumwell, come. general Ireton agreed with the rest of the House in some late Votes that opposed the proposals of the Army: They readily replied, that they would not have his Majesty mistrust them, for that since the House would go so high, they onely concurred with them, that their unreasonableness might the better appear to the kingdom; and lief. general bad me further assure the King, That if the Army remained an Army, his Majesty should trust the proposals, with what was promised to be the worst of his condition, which should bee made for him. And then striking his hand on his heart in his chamber at Putney, bad me tell the King, he might rest confident and assured of it; and many times the same message hath been sent to the King from them both, but with this addition from come. Gen. Ireton, That they would purge, and purge, & purge, and never leave purging the Houses, till they had made them of such a temper as should do his Majesties business, and rather then they would fall short of what was promised, he would join with French, Spaniard, Cavalier, or any that would join with him to force them to it, upon the delivery of which message, the King made answer, That if they do, they would do more then he durst do.  
After this, the delay of the settlement of the kingdom, was excused upon the commotions of Col. Martin, and Col. Rainsborough, with their adherents, the lief. general saying, That speedy course must be taken for outing of them in the House and Army, because they were now putting the Army into a muteny, by having hands in publishing several Printed papers, calling themselves the Agents of five, and the agreement of the people, although some men had encouragement from lief. general Crummell for the prosecution of those papers; and he being further prest to show himself in it, desired to be excused at present, for that he might show himself better for their advantage hereafter, though in the company of those men which were of different judgements, he would often say, that these people were a giddy headed party, and that there was no trust or truth in them. And to that purpose wrote a letter to Col. Whaley that day the King went from Hampton Court, intimating doubtfully that his Majesties person was in danger by them. And that he should keep Out-guards to prevent them, which was presently shewed the King by Col. Whaley.  
That about six dayes after it was fully known by the Parliament and Army, that the King was in the Isle of Wight, Commissary general Ireton standing by the fire side at his Quarters at Kingston, and some speaking of an agreement likely to be made between the King and Parliament, now the person of the king was out of the power of the Army; come. general Ireton replied with a discontented countenance, That he hoped it would be such a peace as we might with a good conscience fight against them both.  
Thus they who at the first taking the King from Holdenby into the power of the Army, cried down Presbyterian government, the proceedings of this present Parliament, and their perpetuity, and instead thereof, held forth an earnest inclination to a moderated Episcopacy, with a new election of Members to sit in Parliament for a speedy settlement of the kingdom. And afterwards when the eleven Members had left the House, and the marching through London with the Army, the seven Lords impeached, the four Aldermen of London committed to the Tower, and other Citizens committed also; then again they cried up Presbyterian government, the perpetuity of this present Parliament: lief. Gen. Crumwell further pleasing himself with the great sums of money which were in arrear from each County to the Army, and the tax of 60000 li. per month for our maintenance, Now( saith he) we may be for ought I know, an Army as long as we live. And since the sending forth the Orders of Parliament for the calling of the Members together, lief. general Crumwel perceiving the Houses will not answer his expectation, he is now again uttering words persuading the hearers to a prejudice against the proceedings of Parliament; again crying down Presbyterian government, setting up a single interest, which he calls an honest Interest, and that we have done ill in forsaking of it.— To this purpose it was lately thought fit to put the Army upon the choosing new Agitators, and to draw forth of the Houses of Parliament 60 or 70 of the Members thereof, much agreeing with his words he spake formerly at his chamber in Kingston, saying, What a sway Stappleton, & Hollis had heretofore in the kingdom, and he knew nothing to the contrary, but that he was as well able to govern the kingdom as either of them: so that in all his discourse nothing more appeareth then his seeking after the government of King, Parliament, City and kingdom; for the effecting whereof, he thought it necessary, and delivered it as his judgement, that a considerable party of the chief Citizens of London, and some of every County be clapped up in Castles and Garrisons for the quiet and submissive carriage of every place to which they belong. Further saying, that from the raising of the late tumult in London, there should be an occasion taken to hang the Recorder and Aldermen of London then in the Tower, that the City might see the more they did stir in opposition, the more they should suffer: Adding that the City must first be made an example. And since that Lieut. Gen. Crúmwell was sent down from the Parliament: for the reducing of the Army to their obedience, he hath most frequently in public and private delivered these ensuing heads as his principles from whence all the aforegoing particulars have ensued being fully confirmed( as I humbly conceive) by his practise in the Transactions of his last years business: as,  
1 That every single man is judge of Just and Right as to the good or ill of a Kingdom.  
2 That the Interest of honest men is the Interest of the Kingdom, and that those only are deemed honest men by him, that are conformable to his judgement and practise, as may appear in many particulars, to instance but in one: In the choice of Col. Rainsborough to be Vice-Admirall, Lieut. Gen. Crumwell being asked how he could trust a man whose interest was so directly opposite, and what he had professed, and one whom he had lately aimed to remove fromal places of trust, he answered, that he had now received particular assurance from Col. Rainsborough( as great as could be given by man) that he would be conformable to the judgement and direction of himself and come. G. Ireton for the managing the whole business at Sea.  
3 That it is lawful to pass through any forms of government for the accomplishing his ends, and therfore either to purge the Houses, and support the remaining party by force everlastingly, or to put a period to them by force, is very lawful and suitable to the interest of honest men.  
4 That it is lawful to play the knave with a knave.  
These Gent. aforesaid( in the Army) thus principled, & as by many other circumstances might appear acting accordingly give too much cause to believe that the success which may be obtained by the Army, except timely prevented by the wisdom of the Parl. will be made use of to the destroying of all their power for which wee first engaged, and having for above these 12 monthes past sadly and with much reluctance observed these several passages aforesaid yet with some hopes that there might be a returning to the obedience of the Parliament, and contrary thereunto knowing that Resolutions were taken up that in case the power of Parliament cannot be gained to countenance their design, then to proceed without it.  
I therefore choose to quit myself of my command wherein I have served the Parliament for these five yeares last past, and put myself upon the greatest hazards, by discoverning these truths, rather then by hopes of gain, with a troubled mind, continue an Abetter or Assistant of such as give affronts to the Parliament and kingdom, by abusing the Power and authority, to carry on their particular designs. Against whom in the midst of danger, I shal avow the truth of this narrative: And myself to be a constant, faithful, and obedient Servant to the Parliament of England.  
August 2. 1648. Robert huntingdon.