FOUR PROPOSITIONS PROPOUNDED. By the ROYALISTS in the City OF OXFORD TO The Officers and Soldiers under command of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX. concerning their proceed in this present Design. Together with the Resolution of the said Army towards the City of London, and their further Desires concerning the King's Majesties Royal Person. London Printed for G. Cotton, 1647. NEWS FROM THE ARMY SIR, IN my last I promised to send you by the next an account of the proceed and resolutions of the Army, together with their intention and determination concerning their nearer approach towards your City: I have here sent you an exact Narrative of the whole business, viz. The General hath declared to the London Committee, that the Army intends no evil against that renowned City, no violation to the privileges of Parliament, nor to be Agitators in any thing which may prove prejudicial to the City, but desire that their grievances formerly declared may be speedily redresled, justice executed, and the Kingdom settled, and upon Monday last in the afternoon the Committee of Aldermen and Common council returned with an Answer from the Officers and Soldiers in the Army, to a Letter sent from the Lord Mayor and Aldermen by the said Committee, which was to this effect, That they may no longer be the dis-satisfaction of friends, nor the subject of their enemy's malice. They as formerly, relate the cause of their not disbanding, and going for Ireland. 1. That the houses be speedily porged. That those that have wronged them and the Kingdom may speedily be brought to a trial, and justice executed upon them. Declaring, that very speedily they will nominate some members in the House of Commons, who have unjustly scandalised the Army, & that they will proceed to particulars, in relation to their former actions. They further desire, that the King's Majesty and his Royal posterity may be considered in their rights, declaring also, that they shall be careful of the preservation of His Majesty's Royal person. This is the effect of the answer returned by his Excellency for Thomas Fairfax, to the Committee of Aldermen and Common-council of London. I shall now give you a hint or two of the present actions of the army, by setting forth their fair usage to the Country people, and their gallant demeanour to all passengers whatsoever. One thing I had almost forgot (being a passage very remarkable) some particulars have been intimated for tender consciences, without any licentious liberty to those who live civil. His Excellency hath also declared that he cannot well remove his quarters 40 mile's distance from London. Por the rest, I refer you to the enclosed. SIR, UPon the close of the fore going paper, I received a Copy of some certain propositions, dispersed amongst the Soldiery, which came from Oxford (as some say) but not subscribed by any hand or name a Copy of which I shall here present unto you as followeth: Certain Propositions proposed by divers Royalists within the City of Oxford, to the Soldiery under command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, concerning their present design against the City of London. 1. That you will be pleased to take it into serious considerrtion, the great danger that is likely to befall this poor Kingdom, if once (again) involved in a second war, the sword bath of late been (almost drunk in blood, which if once drawn again would have its full fill. 2. That some means may be used for a happy composure of all differences, now in dispense betwixt the Honourable Houses of Parliament assembled at Westminster, and the Soldiery under command of his Excellency sir Thomas Fairfax. 3. Experience may tell you (if you do not know it) that wars are quickly begun, but not so soon ended, that it is dangerous to begin a new war, especially with those who have assisted you in the late war against the common-enemy of the Kingdom. But (indeed) it is said, that the army will not sight against the City, unless it first begin with them: if the City begin the Fight the City is undone: if the Army begin the Fight they are undone. For certainly, revenge will fall from Heaven, upon that party that shall do so wickedly as to begin a new war. But it is hoped, (by us who pray for the welfare of our King and Country, and the peace and tranquillity of this our Native Kingdom) that if the City and the Army should be in the field near each other, that they will be so wise as not to fight, but as friends to salute and embrace each other. 4. Consider what a long and chargeable war the last was, with the loss of many thousands of innocent souls, and yet few the better, but all the whole Kingdom much the worse Certainly no trueborn Englishman (that wishes well to the peace and welfare of his King and Country) would be so void of reason, as to be Instruments to involve their native Country in a second war, but such as have gotten by the old. Thus have I given you an exact account of the present proceed in the Army, and one thing I can assure you, that the Soldiery are very unwilling to engage in a new war; so that I hope, there will be a gallant composure of things betwixt the Parliament, City, and Army. But time calling me to a period, I remain Your affectionate friend, R. Neale. Dunstable June 17. 1647. FINIS.