A LETTER FROM HAMPTON-COURT Containing The substance of His Majesty's most Gracious ANSWER to the Propositions presented to him from both KINGDOMS.  
WITH Twelve Proposals from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Council of his ARMY.  
Concerning the King's Majesty, and his Friends that have adhered to him, which His Majesty doth better approve to treat of.  
AND His Majesty's PROPOSITIONS to the PARLIAMENT therein.  
London printed for V, V and are to be sold at the Exchange, Anno Dom. MDCXLVII.   

A LETTER FROM HAMPTON-COURT, Containing The substance of His Majesty's most Gracious Answer to the Propositions, presented to him from both Kingdoms.  

Right Honourable,  
THE Commissioners of both Kingdoms came hither on Tuesday night last September 7. instant, And delivered a letter to the rest of the Commissioners, whom they found here with His Majesty from both Houses of Parliament, that the said Propositions should be presented to the King that night & that the Scots Commissioners would be there to join with them to present them to His Majesty.  
They also showed the instructions from the Houses to their fellow Commissioners, which were to present them that night, and to certify His Majesty that they were to expect a positive Answer thereunto within fix days. The Scots Commissioners were also here ready to join with ours in presenting them to His Majesty.  
About five of the clock that night they all came to the King, The Prince Elector had been there but was returned to Richmond His Majesty's Children were also there, who had dined with His Majesty that day, and the Countess of Northumberland with them, and they were then with His Majesty being not at that time returned to Stonhouse. And Mr. Maxvill was then come to the Court, who is Chamberline to His Majesty.  
The Commissioners acquainted His Majesty with their Message from both Kingdoms, and desired audience, which His Majesty granted, and presently met them in one of the Chambers where His Majesty was with His Children: And there the Propositions were presented and read; And His Majesty told them that He would give them an Answer as soon as He could.  
Then the King withdrew for some time, so that His Majesty went late to Supper that night, the Commissioners wrote letters to the Houses to acquaine them what was done, and what His Majesty said, and desired that they might all return to the Parliament when His Majesty gave them a dispatch.  
Wednesday September 8. Instant the King was up early in the morning, being very desirous to dispatch the Commissioners with all possible speed, his Majesty walked forth a little before Dinner, and so a little again in the afternoon to refresh himself; Divers came from London, and else where, and some obtained leave to kiss His Majesty's hand.  
Thursday September 9 His Majesty called for the Commissioners and gave an Answer to them, which is to this effect.  
That his Majesty takes notice of these Propositions to be very little differing from the former presented to him at Newcastle, to which his Majesty returned Answer when he came to Holdenby, That his Majesty conceives they cannot but take notice of the Propofals of the Army which all rational men cannot but confess are much more reasonable, and tending to a firm and settled peace, And therefore his Majesty desires that Commissioners from the Parliament, and Commissioners from the Army, may be sent to His Majesty to treat with him upon the Proposals from the Army, That a firm peace may be settled.  
This Thursday the 9 Instant, The Earl of Pembroke, and Major general Browne, returned with his Majesty's Answer betimes in the morning, for it was to late before they could return over night, by reason of some things which were to be done by the Commissioners that night, The letter is directed to the Earl of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore, to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament (The like to the Scots Commissioners) His Majesty is very confident that his Answer will give much satisfaction, And his Majesty doth exceedingly approve of the proceed of the Army.  
Dated at Hampton Court, Septem. 9 1647.   

TWELVE Proposals from his Excellency, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Council of his Army, which his Majesty seems better to approve of, than any thing which hath hitherto been presented to him.  

I.  
AN Act to be passed to take away all coercive power, authority and jurisdiction of Bishops, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers whatsoever, extending to any civil penalties upon any; & to repeal all Laws, whereby the Civil Magistracy hath been, or is bound, upon any Ecclesiastical censure to proceed (ex officio) unto any civil penalties against any persons so censured   

II.  
That there be a repeal of all Acts, or Clauses in any Act, enjoining the use of the Book of Common Prayer, and imposing any penalties, for neglect thereof, as also of all Acts or Clauses in any Act, imposing any penalties for not coming to Church, or for meetings elsewhere, for prayer, or other religious duties, exercises or Ordinances, and some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists, and Popish Recusants, and for disabling of them, and all Jesuities or Priests, from disturbing the State.   

III.  
That the taking of the Covenant be not enforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusers, whereby men might be constrained to take it against their judgements, or consciences, but all Orders or Ordinances tending to that purpose to be repealed.   

FOUR  
That (the things here before proposed, being provided, for settling and securing the Rights, Liberties, Peace, and safety of the Kingdom,) his Majesty's person, his Queen, and Royal issue, may be restored to a condition of safety, Honour, and freedom in this Nation, without diminution to their personal Rights, or further limitation to the excercise of the Regal power then according to the particulars aforegoing.   

V  
That a less number out of the persons excepted in the two first qualifications not exceeding five for the English) being nominated particularly by the Parliament, who (together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion, in the third qualification,) may be reserved to the further judgement of the Parliament, as they shall find cause, All other excepted persons may be remitted from the exception, and admitted to Composition.   

VI  
That the rates for all future Compositions may be lessened and limited, not to exceed the several propo rtions hereafter expressed respectively: That is to say. 1. For all persons formerly excepted, not above a third part. 2. For the late members of Parliament, under the first branch of the fourth qualification in the Propositions, a fourth part. 3. For other Members of Parliament, in the second and third branches of the same qualification a sixth part. 4. for the persons nominated in the said fourth qualification, and those included in the tenth qualification, an eighth part. 5. For all other included in the sixth qualification, a tenth part. And that real Debts, either upon Record, or proved by witnesses, be considered and abared in the valuation of their estates in all the cases aforesaid.   

VII.  
That those who shall hereafter come to compound, may not have the Covenant put upon them, as a condition without which they may not compound, but in case they shall not willingly take it, they may pass their compositions without it.   

VIII.  
That the persons and Estates of all English, not worth two hundred pounds in Lands or Goods, be at liberty and discharged: And that the King's menial Servants, that near took up Arms, but only ettended his Person, according to their Offices, may be freed from Composition, or to pay (at most) but the proportion of one years' Revenue, or a twentyeth part.   

IX.  
That in Order to the making and perfecting of Compositions at the rates aforesaid, the Rents, Revenues, and other Deuce, and Profits of all sequestered Estates whatsoever (except the Estates of such persons, who shall be continued under exception as before) be from henceforth suspended and detained in the hands of the respective tenants, occupants, and others, from whom they are due, for the space of six months following.   

X.  
That the Faith of the Army, or other sources of the Parliament given in Articles upon surrenders to any of the King's party, may be fully made good, and where any breach thereof shall appear to have been made, full reparation and satisfaction may be given to the parties injured, and the persons offending (being found out, may be compelled thereto.   

XI.  
That there may be a general Act of Oblivion to extend unto all (except the persons to be continued in exception as before) to absolve from all Trespasses, Misdemeanours, etc. done in prosecution of the War, and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same, and to restore them to all privileges, etc. belonging to other Subjects, provided, as in the fourth particular under the second general head aforegoing concerning security.   

XII.  
And whereas there have been of late strong endeavours & practices of a factious and desperate party, to embroil this kingdom in a new war, and for that purpose to induce the King, the Queen, and Prince, to declare for the said party, and also to excite and stir up all those of the King's late party to appear and engage for the same, which attempts and designs, many of the King's party, (out of a desire to avoid further misery to the Kingdom,) have contributed their endeavours to prevent, (as for divers of them we have had particular assurance, (we do therefore desire, that such of the King's party who shall appear to have expressed, and shall hereafter express that way their good affections to the peace and welfare of the Kingdom, and to hinder the embroiling of the same in a new war, may be freed and exempted from compositions, or to pay but one years' Revenue or a twentieth part    
FINIS.