THE LEVELLERS REMONSTRANCE, Concerning the Parliament and Army; and their proclamation to be published throughout the Counties o● Oxford, Gloucester, Worcester, Warwick, and Hartford-shire; With their present Design touching the Cities of London, York, bristol, Chester, and several other places in the west of England, a new Standard to be erected, and a place of Randezvouz determined.  
Together with the said Levellers proposals, to the general council of the Army.  
 woodcut of man on horse  
Imprinted at London, for R. W. May 10. 1649.   


THE LEVELERS New Declaration to the people of ENGLAND Concerning The Parliament and Army; and their Resolution to randezvouz, and set up their Standard of Sea-green Colours; with their proclamation touching their Design.  
SIR,  
IN the midst of all our calamities and distractions, great are the differences in these parts; new coals are even now kindling, and the turbulent spirits and affections of men be●●n to break forth in a most violent and visible flamme; for the common people flight the authority of Magistracy, and say they will no longer walk under the veil and shadow of reformation, but endeavour the speedy reforming thereof; and in order thereunto, many have declared, that they will join with the Levellers, for the restauration of the peoples freedoms to its just splendour and propriety, &c. The foundation whereof, takes its first Rise from the present actings of certain troopers in this county, who have declared, and remonstrated to the people, That the present transa●●ion of affairs, are both arbitrary and tyrannicall, and that they will have a new Parliament, in the diss●lving whereof, an equal Representative shall be freely chosen and elected: But it is hoped that all these vapours will be soon expelled & blown over: For some discoveries are already made, That they had a design to surprise the Cities of york, Oxford, Bristol, Gloucester, and many other places in the West of England, and that they had an intent to draw into a body and randezvouz, where they resolved to set up a standard of Sea-green Colours; they declare, that they have a great influence in divers Regiments of the Army; but care is taken to prevent their D●signs, and it is not doubted but the well affencted of Col. Scroops Regiment, Col. Harrisons, and divers others wherein they bustle, will be undeceived, for many thousands have declared against their present actings, and are r●solved to sacrifice lives and fortunes for the Parliament against all opposition whatsoever.  
But yet notwithstanding all opposition, they are resolved to proceed, and to insist upon further particulars, a breviate whereof I shall here insert, according to the full demonstration thereof, viz.  
How happy were England were mens designs of enslaving here at an end, how gladly should we here break off, and praise the Lord for his goodness to England? but alas the peoples hearts, are full of grief, and their eyes are full of tears, as ever, they cry out, they are deceived, their expectations is frustrated, and their liberty betrayed; they take up Davids complaint it is not an open enemy that enslaves them, not damme Cavaliers, nor rigid enviou● and surly Presbyters, but Religious and Godly friends, that have prayed, declared and fought together for freedom with them, that with their swords have cut in sunder the chains of other Tyrants, and yet now are become the greatest Tyrants over their brethren themselves, which when they can refrain from sighing & sob●●●g, they in their broken and rustic language thus expatiates: all the form of Government being corrupted and abused, the Law and administration perverted, and the peoples liberties betrayed; it was promised that a new foundation should be l●yd by an agreement of the people, to such rig●●eous Principles of Justice and common right, that as to human reason it should be impossib for any Tyrants in this or future generations to introduce bondage upon the people.  
Proclamation hath been lately made in the name of the Levellers, throughout the Counties of Oxford, Gloucester, Worcester, &c. for all free born people to come in to their assistance; the digestion whereof is very hard, & few have little appetite to that engagement.  
Abbington 8 May, 1649.   

Right Honoured,  
THe Princes Fleet being divided into three Squadrons, Captain Moulton took Time by the fore-top, and embraced an opportunity to dispute the Western point with a Squadron of the said ships, commanded by Prince Maurice, the manner thus, viz.  
The said Capt. molten Vice-Admiral of the Irish Seas for the Parliament of England, having received certain intelligence of the present motion of the afore said Squadron, immediately hoisted sail, and with the Leopard, and five more ships hastened towards them, who coming within two leagues one of the other, both parties hung forth their colours, opened the Port-holes, and when they came ●●thin musket shot, several great volleys were exchanged, and a hot conflict began, which continued for the space of an hour, the fight being disputed with great gallantry on both sides; but the Princes having not long before their engagement, possessed themselves of rich Prizes, invited our Mariners to a bold attempt; insomuch, that the Leopard boarded the James, but were the first and second time repulsed and beaten off, by reason of the enemies small shot which flew so violently from the mortar pieces above Decks; but the third time, they assailed so far, that after a short dispute with their half pikes, and other weapons, they forced the enemy under Decks, where the Captain of the said ship desired a parley, otherwise they were resolved to sink the ship, and sacrifice their lives in the merciless Seas; which being granted, they desired quarter, and freely resigned themselves up to the mercy of Parliament. During which conflict between the Leopard and the James, the rest of the ships were not idle, each party striving for victory, but so soon as they perceived that the James was taken, immediately hung forth a white flag, and sounded a parley, which being likewise granted, they also bequeathed themselves to the mercy of Parliament: so that with the loss of about 50 men, they possessed themselves of the whole Squadron, being seven in number, wherein was above 150 pieces of Ordnance, and about 500. Mariners, with great store of provision, ammunition, match and bullet, with other rich prizes which they had taken at Sea. These ships are now all brought into this Harbour, and the Captains, and others, committed to safe custody. Many of the Princes men are sore wounded, so are divers of ours; but in the engagement they lost above 100 men. Prince Maurice escaped narrowly, but by the swift sailing of the charles got safe to the Isle of Scilley; from whence he wrote a Letter to the prince of Wales, intimating, That if speedy supplies of men, money, and shipping be not sent unto him, the royal ●ame will be soon lost at Sea.  
Plymouth 5 May, 1649.   

May 8. By an express from the North it is advertised, that the Gourdens, Oglebies, and Middletons are gathered to a great head, and have great Bodies togegether; and whereas formerly they did intend a parley now they reject and cast all aside they begun or intended with Lesiey, they are grown to such a height, that Lesley is enforced to withdraw his number of forces, in any measure not able to engage with theirs.  
The parliament of England have ordered that a letter be forthwith drawn up, to be sent to the several and respective ambassadors and Agents from foreign States, signifying, That they are resolved to seize on all ships whatsoever, belonging to any King or State, that have prince Charles his Commission, or shall be designed against the Common-wealth of England, and in order thereunto, are drawing up an Act for the same purpose, which may prove instrum●ntall for the preventing of foreign Engagements against this Nation.  

The Levellers ' proposals to the General council of the Army.  
First, That honesty is the best policy: the deep plots and witty contrivances of men in power, when inconsistent with the will of God, requiring them to do Judgement and Justice, and to take the yolks from the oppressed, have alway been abortive, for God will not be mocked; and experience tells us, that self-seekers though otherwise Godly and gallant men, yet are and shalbe saved as by fire; witness many worthy members of Parliament, who endeavouring by a Treaty to secure themselves, are by the Lord with disgrace laid aside; he thereby no doubt intending much good to their souls, Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum, he is a happy man that takes warning by other mens h●rms.  
Secondly, Carnal mixtures with corrupt interests, are destructive to them that mak● them.    
FINIS.