MASTER HENRY PIERCIES LETTER TO THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, and presented to the Parliament, June, 16. 1641.  

1. Concerning the Bishop's functions and votes.  
2. The not disbanding of the Irish Army until the Scots were disbanded too.  
3. The endeavouring to settle his Majesty's Revenue to that proportion was formerly.   
With a true Discovery of the late intended Plot.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

Mr. Henry Percies Letter to the Earl of Northumberland, and presented to the House of Parliament, JUNE 16. 1641.  
WHat with my own innocence, and the violence I hear, is against me, I find myself much distracted, I will not ask your Counsel, because it may bring prejudice upon you, but I will with all faithfulness and truth tell you what my part hath been, that at least it may be cleared by you, whatsoever becomes of me.  
When there was 50000 l. designed by the Parliament for the English Army, there was, as I take it, a sudden demand by the Scots at the same time of 25000 l. of which there was 15000 l. ready, this they pressed with much necessity, as the Parliament, after an order made, did think it fit for them to deduct 10000 pound our of the 50000 l. formerly granted, upon which the soldiers in our house were much scandalised, amongst which I was one, and sitting by Wilmot and Ashburnham, Wilmot stood up and told them, if that of the Scots would procure money, he doubted not but the Officers of the English Army might easily do the like: but the first order was reversed notwithstanding, and 10000 l. given to the Scots, this was the cause of many discourses of dislike amongst us, and came to this purpose, that they were disobliged by the Parliament and not by the King, this being said often to one another, we did resolve that Willmot, Ashburneham, Pollard, Oneale and myself, to make some expressions of serving the King in all things he would command us, that were honourable for him and us, being likewise agreeing to the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, that so far we would live and die with him, this was agreed upon with us, not having any Communication with others, that I am coupled now withal, and further by their joint consent I was to tell his Majesty thus much from them, but withal I was to order the matter so as the King might apprehend this as a great service done unto him, at this time when his affairs were in so ill a condition, and they were most confident, that they would engage the whole Army thus fare, but further they would undertake nothing, because they would neither infringe the liberties of the Subjects, or destroy the Laws, to which I and every one consented, and having their sense, I drew the heads up in a paper, to the which they all approved, when I read it, and then we did by an oath promise one another to be constant and secret in all this, and did all of us take that oath together, than I said; Well Sirs, I must now be informed what your particular desires are, that so I may be the better able to serve you, which they were pleased to do, and so I did very faithfully serve them therein, as fare as I could: this is the truth, and all the truth upon my soul. In particular discourses, after that, we did fall upon the Petitioning to the King and Parliament for moneys, there being so great arrears due to us, and so much delays made in the porcuring of them, but that was never done.  
1. Concerning the Bishop's functions and votes.  
2. The not disbanding of the Irish Army until the Scots were disbanded too.  
3. The endeavouring to settle his Majesty's Revenue to that proportion was formerly.  
And it was resolved by us all if the King should require our assistance in those things, that as fare as we could we might contribute thereunto, without breaking the Laws of the Kingdom. And in case the King should be denied those things being put to them we would not fly from him, all these persons did act and concur in this as well as I, this being all imparted to the King by me from them, I perceived he had been treated with by others concerning some things of our Army, which not agreed with what was purposed by me, but inclined a way more sharp, and high, not having limits either of honour or Law, I told the King he might be pleased to consider with himself, which way it was fit for him to hearken unto, for us we were resolved not to departed from our grounds, we should not be displeased whosoever they were, but the particular of the designs, or the persons we desired not to know, though it was no hard matter to guess at them. in the end I believe the danger of the one, the justice of the other made the King tell me he would leave all thoughts of other propositions but ours as things not practiceable, but desired, notwithstanding that Goring and Jermin who were acquainted with the other proceed should be admitted amongst us, I told him I thought the other Gentry would never consent to it, but I would propose it, which I did, and we were all much against it; but the King did press it so much, as at the last it was consented unto, and Goring and jermin came to my Chamber, there I was appointed to tell them after they had sworn to secrecy, what we had proposed, which I did, but before I go into the debate of the way, I must tell you Jermin and Goring were very earnest Suckling should be admitted, which we did all decline, and was desired by all our men to be resolute in it, which I was, and gave many Reasons: whereupon Mr. Goring made answer, he was engaged with Suckling his being employed in the Army, but for his meeting with us, they were contented to pass it by. Then we took up again the ways which were proposed, which took great debate, and theirs differred from ours in violence and height, which we all protested against and parted, disagreeing totally, yet remitted it to be spoken of by me and Iermin to the King, which we both did, and the King constant to his former Resolutions told him, these ways were all vain and foolish, and would think of them no more, ●…omit one thing of Mr. Goring, he desired to know how the chief Commanders were to be disposed off, for if he had not a condition worthy of him, he would not go along with us, we made answer that no body thought of that, we intended if we were sent down to go all in the same capacity we were in, he did not like that by no means, and by that did work so with Mr. Chidley, that there was a Letter sent by some of the Commanders to make him Lieutenant General, and when he had ordered this matter at London, and Mr. Chidley had his instructions, than did he go to Portsmouth, pretending to be absent when this was a working, we all desired my Lords of Essex and Holland, that if there were a General at Newcastle, they were pleased to give out a report that I should be General of the horse, but I protest neither to the King nor any else, did I ever so much as think of it, my Lord of Holland was made General, and so all things were laid aside, and this is the truth and all the truth, I knew of these proceed, and this I will and do protest unto you upon my Faith, and Willmot, Ashburnham, and Oneale have at several times confessed and sworn, I never said any thing in the business, they did not every one agree unto and would justify: This Relation I sent you rather to inform you of the truth of the matter, that you may the better know how to do me good, but I should think myself very unhappy to be made a betrayer of any body, what concerned the Tower or any thing else, I never meddled withal, nor never spoke with Goring, but that night before them all, and I said nothing but what was consented unto by any party, I never spoke one word with Suckling, Carnarvan, Davenant, or any other Creature, me thinks if my friends and kindred knew the truth and justice of the matter, it were no hard matter to serve me in some measure.  
FINIS.