THE ANSWER OF THE Right Honourable the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-council assembled.  
TO A LETTER SENT Unto them from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and other of the Chief Officers in that ARMY.  
With the Answer of the Commons in Parliament assembled, to the Committee of Aldermen and common-councel-men appointed to present the said Answer unto them.  
As also an Act of Common-council authorising the said Committee to present the Answer of the said Letter to his Excellency.  
Printed by Richard Cotes, Printer to the Honourable, City of LONDON, 1647.   

For his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight General of the Forces raised by the Parliament, and the rest of the Worthy Commanders.  
Right Honourable and Worthy Commanders,  
YOur Letter dated at Royston the 10. of this instant June, we the Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-council assembled, have seriously perused, and presented a Copy thereof to each House of Parliament, and for your, and our farther satisfaction we have sent a Committee of Aldermen and Commons with this our answer thereunto; & to prevent all misunderstanding betwixt that so well-deserving Army and this City: we take notice by that Letter, of your drawing near this City with your Army, for the obtaining your desires as Soldiers, and as English men, and of what you do, and do not intent thereby; more especially that you come not to do any Act to prejudice the being of Parliaments, or to the hurt of this in order to the present settlement of the Kingdom, and of your Declaration, that if we appear not against you in those your just desires to assist those that would embroil you and the Kingdom in a new War, that you intent no evil towards this City, nor that you or your Soldiers shall give it the least offence. But we desire that in regard your approach may, contrary to your intentions be an occasion to increase the price of victual, & to discontented persons to make some ill use thereof in raising of tumults, that you will be pleased to take it into your further consideration, and in order to your own resolution concerning this City's safety, to forbear quartering within thirty miles thereof, which we shall look upon as a special evidence of the sincerity of your intentions expressed in your Letter. We cannot pass by that expression of yours, to hazard your own blood for our preservation, nor can we return you more real thanks for it then this, to declare our resolutions that the very thought of engaging this Kingdom in a new War, we do unanimously detest, and that we intent no evil to you, but only to defend the Parliament and ourselves against any unlawful violence; for prevention whereof, lest it should happen (though you never intended it) we have by the direction of Parliament and for our own safety put ourselves in a posture of defence; but not with the least intention to do any prejudice to that Army, whom God hath made so eminent an instrument of our deliverance and safety. And we do disavow the raising any forces, or taking up of Arms in opposition to, or with intent to hinder the obtaining of your just demands; yea, so far have we been and shall be from that, that both before, and since the receipt of your Letter, we have made our humble addresses to the Parliament for the obtaining thereof, which we shall not fail to prosecute as occasion shall present; only this request we earnestly make in the name of this City, that you will be careful when you descend to particulars, to desire no more than what shall be just and reasonable, and in such a way as may consist with the honour, power and privilege of Parliament, liberty of the Subject, and safety of this City and Kingdom; and we shall appeal to God and to the present and future generations, to judge of your and our performance according to the several engagements.  
London 12. Junii 1647. By command of the Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-counsel assembled. Michael.   

Die Sabbathi, 12. Junii, 1647.  
THE House being informed that divers Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of London were at the door they were called in, and Mr. Alderman Fowke acquainted the House, That they were commanded by the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-council assembled, to present unto this House their sense upon a matter of very great importance.  
They have again considered of the General's Letter unto them, and have made an Answer to it, which they have thought fit to acquaint this House with, and to desire their approbation of sending it to the Army.  
The Aldermen and the Gentlemen of the City being withdrawn, the Letter was read.  
Resolved, etc.  
That this House doth approve of the Cities sending this Letter to the Army in the way they propose.  
The Aldermen and Citizens were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by the command of the House, acquainted them, that the House had considered of their desires, and of the Letter presented by them, and are very sensible of their good affections to the Peace and good of the Kingdom, and Honour of the Parliament, for which he was commanded to give them Thanks.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

Commune Concililum tentum in Camera Guild-hall Civitatis London, duodecimo die Junii, 1647.  
ACcording to an Order of this Court, made this day the Committee therein appointed, viz. Mr. Alderman Warner, Mr. Alderman Fowke, Mr. Alderman Gibbs, Mr. Alderman Viner, Christopher Pack, Major Chamberlain, Thomas Noel, Col. Tho. Player, Major Hitchcock, Robert Lowder, Richard Waring, and Walter Pell, did present the draught of an Answer to the Letter received from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and other Commanders of the Army, which was here openly read, and after debate upon every particular clause therein, the same was approved of by this Court. And thereupon it is ordered that the said Committee shall make their addresses forthwith to both Houses of Parliament, and acquaint them with the Common-Councells intention, to send the said Answer unto the said Army by the said Committee, thereby to prevent all misunderstanding and further effusion of blood; And that they will vouchsafe to take into their speedy and serious consideration, the just desires of the Army, and give such fit remedies thereunto as in their wisdoms shall be thought fit. And this Court doth hereby give power and authority to the said Committee to repair with all expedition unto the Army, and present the said Answer unto his Excellency; and to give and receive such further satisfaction concerning the matter contained in the said Answer as occasion shall require, and to present the desire of this Court, that his Excellency and other the Commanders of the said Army will have a special care for the preservation of his Majesty's royal person whilst he remaineth with them.  
Michael.