MORE HEARTS and HANDS Appearing for the WORK.  
Being two LETTERS, The one sent from Colonel Robert Overton, Governor of Hull, to his Excellency the Lord General CROMWELL.  
The other from him, and the Officers of the said Garrison, to the COUNCIL OF OFFICERS, sitting at WHITEHALL.  
Wherein their real and large affection is declared toward the Armies happy proceeding; showing withal, the Justness of it, and their readiness to serve them, and the Commonwealth, in prosecuting so good a work, to their utmost power.  
WITH, A modest and humble desire, that just and good things may be done.  
LONDON: Printed by M. Simmons, next door to the gilded Lion in Aldersgate-street, 1653.   

May it please Your Excellency;  
I Make bold herein to in close, and humbly present, the Concurrence of the Officers of this Garrison, with what Your Lordship, & Your Council of Officers have done and declared, upon the dissolution of the late Parliament: Herein it is a duty incumbent upon us, to bless Almighty God on your behalves, who hath, we trust, stirred You up to those Undertake, wherein we witness with You to the world, our independence to all unjust Powers, and in the opposition whereof, the Laws of Nature and Nations, are no less pendant, then perpetual.  
Your Actions past and present have dared to declare as much, and no doubt all lovers of Truth, Righteousness, and Freedom, will be really ready to further and follow Your Excellency and Honour therein, to do other ways were a crime inexcusable. This Nation hitherto for many years, patiently expected what the late Masters of our Vineyards would do, and seeing now the Lord hath put their power upon You, we doubt not but You will so wisely & worthily dispose thereof, as it may appear You are the persons appointed to perfect that work, for neglect whereof the late Parliament was laid aside. If herein the Lord shall please to honour Your Excellency, and the Army, I doubt not but Religion and Liberty shall again flourish, whilst Tyranny and Oppression, like a desolate woman, shall die Childless; Thus to see our patiented abiding bring forth the quiet fruits of peace and righteousness, would task all tongues and hearts, who have prayed for You, to praise God with You, so to do is undoubtedly neither treason nor tumult; however if the issue of our endeavours here do not justify us, our Consciences will, and with this resolution I beg here amongst the rest, to remain  
Your Excellencies and Honours humble and assured Servant, R. O.   

To his Excellency, and his General Council of Officers.  
WE the Officers and Soldiers in the Garrison of Kingston upon Hull, humbly Remonstrate our free and hearty Concurrence with the Reasons given for Your dissolution of the late Parliament; whereby we suppose, so plain a pathway is made for the propagation of Piety, suppressing all unjust Powers, and thereupon so good grounds laid down for the vindication of Public Liberty, as had we not seen the Declaration of our Comrades in Scotland, to that effect, we should not at this have time thought it necessary thus publicly to have appeared.  
But seeing that Unity and Resolution, are two great links in the chain of Government, and it being no less praise actively and unanimously to prosecute, then resolutely to undertake, though we by our worthless influence cannot at all strengthen Your hands, yet we hope hereby we may show our hearts and affections, which for the furtherance thereof should we not do, we might occasion a question to be made of our integrity to the present undertake, for the making good of our former engagements to God and men, or render ourselves not unlike the Carter, who was said to pray in vain, because he put not his shoulder to the wheel. And though it become not us to be over prodigal in breaking the ice to others, yet if we follow our leaders herein, as faithfully, as formerly others have done, we doubt not but like indulgent Parents you will accept of our good will how weakly soever executed. We need not as we suppose, at this distance promise more than what our prayers and integrity to our particular trustties us to: we likewise believe the Lord our God will give you an active and excellent spirit, to cast out every accursed thing, and to go on in the establishment of Justice and Righteousness to the Nation; in the pursuance whereof, we suppose no public spirits will prove sick of Your superiority, or fall into an emulating Fever, for Your putting a period to the late Parliament, some whereof were grown so dainty of their duties, and deaf to our Complaints, as if they had resolved to live idly, and laugh at our distresses; we hope the People may expect better fruits from your Endeavours, who well know upon what terms You stand. Your Excellency and Honours, have been necessitated to take much upon You, for which much will be Expected from You, and we hope in the best sense, much ascribed to You, otherwise all Your undertake like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish, or as the Apples of Sodom, will consume untouched or tasted. It would be needless to such asserters of public liberty, to say much of the popular supremacy, which hath occasioned the great Conquests and Controversies of the world: Your Excellency well know▪ how this Fortification hath stood strengthened against time, and Nature in this point jealous of her own interest, hath even in ordinary spirits amongst us and others, opposed oppression. But we believe we shall have cause to bless Almighty God for these mild and just Administrations of present and expected Power, wherein piety, may prevail above reason or policy, and prudence so moderate Authority, as that it may both guard greatness, and make goodness more good and great.  
We are not able to offer much toward the modelling of a new and necessary Representative, for the establishment of a good and happy Government. It's true popular place fits men for fame and business, but such have neither freedom in person, act, or time, and have only an opinionative felicity, consisting in much veneration and little rest; yet we deny not, but the discharge of duty is the end of all things, and persons qualified with parts and piety, put in great places or power, like heavenly bodies, aught to have influence over us, and can cause good or evil times, as God gives a gift, or gives not the grace.  
Indeed Ambition make some set themselves to action or consultation, yet such if they rise not with their service, do often make their service fall with them. But those who seek business upon Conscience, rather than for credit or profit, can easily discern a busy nature, from a willing mind, & will be active or passive, according to appointment and opportunity, rather out of duty, than design.  
We wish at this distance we were able to propose or present any new Remedies for old Evils, but as one said, It's not good meddling with State-masters, all the Acts thereof are like a Paracelsian Plaster, dangerous; yet we find a froward retention of custom is more troublesome to these times, then innovation; for although unnecessitated experiments in States are difficult, yet where Reformation draws an acting (so desire of Change, pretended Reformation) all may do well; for self-preservation (if necessitated) is no less prudent than just, how irregular soever. But we deny not it is unsafe sometimes to over-chiminize a State, whereby the reverence of Government may be either lost or laid aside, yet in this respect our fears may o're-fathom our feeling: we may, to make the Sheep-pasture in peace, hunt away the Wolves from the fold by force. Take away Taxes, propagate Piety, regulate the Laws, redress Grievances, pay the Public Debts, squeeze Spongy Oppressors, and Unworthy persons preferred, and how extrajudicial soever you are herein, you may expect a Well done good and faithful Servants, when all is ended.  
But all we can add, is, to beg wisdom and council on your behalves, that as your Excellency and Honours have undertaken much, so you may have much religion, reason, and resolution, to discharge those undertake, that all your attempts may end in such attainments, as may augment the lustre of your former actings, that so all our hearts and hands may be tied unto you, and strengthened for you; that piety, peace, and prosperity may be promoted, afflicted virtue comforted, righteousness, and righteous men cherished, all other good things assured, and ascertained. Upon this account and score, we unanimously declare our real readiness to live and die with you in the opposition of all unjust power, or practices, whether Marshal, Ecclesiastical, or Civil, whether Regal, Royal, or Parliamentary.  
FINIS.