THE ANSWER Of His Excellency S it THOMAS FAIRFAX, (in behalf of the whole Army) TO THE VOTES and DESIRES of Both Houses OF PARLIAMENT, Concerning the resigning up of His Majesty's Royal Person. Wherein he Declares, I. The Reasons of His advance nearer to the City of London. II. The Army's Resolution to secure the King's Person. III. Their charging of a party within the City, for raising a new Army (against them, as they suppose) which should rendezvous near the City of Worcester. iv And lastly, The Army's Protestation towards the Citizens of London; With their Propositions, concerning the bringing of His Royal Majesty to Whitehall. Sent from the Army by the Commissioners, june 23. London, Printed for Robert Williamson. 1647. SEVERAL HEADS OF THE DECLARATION, Sent from the Army by the Commissioners, on Wednesday the 23. of June, 1647. Kind Sir, HAving by your last Letter, dated the 22. of this instant, received several papers enclosed therein, touching your present proceed at London; all which I have seriously perused, and do render you many thanks for the same. And because I am loath to show myself too much ungrateful, and leave you unsatisfied in your present expectation, I shall here, as briefly as possibly I can, represent unto you some small collections, which I have lately drawn up, proceeding from the great and grand Declaration of the Army, assented to by the Officers and soldiers under command of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and sent up to London by the Commissioners, June 23 to be communicated to the Honourable Houses of Parliament assembled at Westminster, and the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen of the City of London. Wherein is declared, First, the gallant expressions of the General in the said Declaration, showing the Reasons of their nearer approach towards the City of London, and that the Army hath voted (with one unanimous consent) to have the King's Majesty conducted with honour and safety to Richmond, together with the Commissioners, and the rest of the Attendants about the King; but hath declared against those persons, expressed in the Votes of both houses of Parliament, for guarding of his Majesty's person. Secondly, that having been lately informed of a malignant party within the City, whose endeavours tended only for the fomenting of discord, casting false suggestions and aspersions upon the Army, and endeavouring to make them odious to the people, etc. Thirdly, that being sensible of the subtlety of the aforesaid party, and having perfectly discovered their private actions for contriving of a new war against this Army, who (by the Power of Heaven) hath been the chief and instrumental means of delivering the people of England from perpetual flavery; therefore, for the preventing of all conspiracies and dangers that may arise, tending to the prejudice of the Peace of this Kingdom, it is declared in the name of the whole army, that they cannot condescend or yield to the votes of both Houses of Parliament, touching the Guard expressed therein, but shall with all faithfulness and diligence endeavour to preserve his Majesty's Royal person from danger, and to that end hath appointed a competent number of faithful, zealous, and religious men, chose out of several Regiments in the army, to guard and secure his Majesty's person at his Court at Richmond. Fourthly, that the army is sensible of the great malice and inveteracy of divers persons against them, who endeavour to involve and embroil this Nation in a new war, by which means, if once effected, would prove prejudicial and destructive to the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom, & the liberty and propriety of the Subject. Fifthly, that they have been very active in several parts of the Kingdom, to raise forces and to that end hath endeavoured to repossess themselves of divers strong Holds, throughout this Realm; as also their endeavours, to raise a division in the army, and to withdraw the hearts of the soldiers from the Officers, which indeed is a thing impossible for thousands to do, their hearts being so firmly knit and united together. Sixthly, that so soon as they could have accomplished their wicked design, for setting of an Army on foot, their intents were to randezvouz near the City of Worcester. Seventhly, they further desire that the King's Majesty may be restored to his former Rights, and triumphantly brought to his Royal Palace at Whitehall. Lastly, they profess and declare to the Citizens of London, that they have no evil intent against them, neither will they injure any, either by stopping of provision, or hindering of traffic, unless ehey be forced & constrained thereunto. All which fore going Reasons are declared to be the chief cause of the Armies near approach towards the City of London Dizers other particulars were propounded, viz. 1. That they have not received a satisfactory answer, touching their former Papers and Representations, humbly proposed to the honourable Pouses of Parliament. 2. That Justice may be executed, and a legal trial appointed for the Eleven Members, which now stands charged by the army, And thirdly, touching some soldiers belonging to Sir Robert Pies Regiment. Divers Regiments of the army are upon their march towards Uxbridge, and so either to Kingston or Windsor for a Head-quarter. God grant a happy conclusion of England's distractions, and a good correspondency betwixt the Parliament, City, and army, that so Peace and truth may flourish within his Majesty's Realms and Dominions, which is the earnest desire of him, who remains Yours, to serve you, E. LINFIELD St. Albans June 23. 1647. FINIS.