THE PETITION OF THE General Council OF OFFICERS Under the Command of His Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax, To the Right Honourable the COMMONS of ENGLAND assembled in PARLIAMENT, For the total and universal taking away of Freequarter, and other burdens of the Commonwealth, ●nd for the Relief of Ireland. Together with the ANSWER and several VOTES of the Parliament to the same. Also a List of all the Officers at the General Council when the Petition was read and approved of. SIgned by the Appointment of the General Council of Officers of the Army, JOHN RUSHWORTH, Sect ' London, Printed for John. Playford, and are to be sold at his shop in the Inner-Temple, March 3. 1649. Mr Speaker, THe Petition herewith sent, being unanimously agreed unto by the Council of Officers of the Army under my Command, and finding the things therein to be just and necessary, in order to public good, I thought fit (with my concurrence in it) to present it to you, desiring you would take the particulars into a speedy and effectual Consideration; I remain, Your most humble Servant, Tho. Fairfax. Queen-street, 2. Mar. 1648. For the honourable William Lenthall Esq Speaker of the Right Honourable the Commons of England assembled in Parliament. To the right honourable the Commons of England assembled in Parliament; The humble Petition of the General Council of Officers of the Army under the Command of his Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax. HAving observed (with much satisfaction) how God hath disposed your hearts to accomplish divers things (of greatest consequence in reference to his glory and the public good of this Nation) for which we have long waited; and that himself hath also owned you therein, which we do with all humility and thankfulness acknowledge: And having had a due and serious regard to the greatness of those works you are now about, and a care also, lest we might seem unthankful, or impatient, upon endeavours so constant and eminent; And being (indeed) most desirous, that those things which relate unto ourselves (although very nearly) should yet bring up the rear of our desires to you: We have hitherto been very tender in re-minding you of any further particulars in order to the Peace and Settlement of the Commonwealth, or Army, lest by that means we should either hinder or distract your Proceed. But whilst matters of public Justice and near concernment to the Nation, have been put in execution by you, we conceived that we should be much indebted to the duty we own unto God, and our native Country, if we should neglect the consideration of some things (comparatively) more remote, yet of much concernment also: Now, as we humbly conceive those things that are most necessary for the easing and removing the present burdens of the Commonwealth, and for the satisfaction of those that have served you faithfully, are most properly, safely, and satisfactorily to be provided for by you, who are the supreme Authority of the Nation; so we could not find any way to avoid the imputation which might justly be cast upon us, if (by our neglect, and omission of any things necessary for us to represent) any ill consequence should have followed; We therefore humbly offer these following particulars to your serious consideration. 1. That Freequarter may forthwith be totally and universally taken away. 2. That a speedy and effectual provision may be made of constant pay for the Army (whilst they are kept up,) whereby the Soldiery may be enabled to live upon their pay, and avoid that pest of Freequarter, which (without any other Enemy) must avoidable ruin the Commonwealth. 3. That all persons, of what degree or quality soever, who have been employed in public Receipts of Money, Plate, or Goods, and are any way chargeable and accountable to the Commonwealth, may be brought to a speedy and exact Account; and that persons of known integrity and ability may be appointed for that purpose, which (we humble conceive) may be one expedient for the ends aforesaid. 4. That the many great abuses which the whole Nation, & we in particular daily suffer by clipped money, may be speedily redressed, and that all those who make it the practice to buy up such money underhand, and then put it off at the full value, may be brought to exemplary punishment. 5. That the Accounts of all the Officers and Soldiers, who faithfully served, and constantly adhered to the Commonwealth in this or any other Army, County and Garrison, since the beginning of this War, may be speedily stated, and Debenters given out, which Debenters we desire may be as fully allowed of as the money which hath been lent upon the Public Eaith of the Nation. 6. That these Accounts so stated, visible security may be given out of Deans and Chapters Lands, or otherways, wherein we refer the way, time and place of payment to be limited and ascertained by you, and that the Officer or Soldier may not be prejudiced by destructive delays and attendance, so that the money due may not satisfy the expenses and loss he may be at in procuring the same. 7. That whereas divers Soldiers have (through extraordinary Duty and Service) lost and spoiled their horses, some course may be taken for the satisfaction of all such whose horses were slain in the field, or taken in fight in the last Summer's War upon due proof thereof, and that satisfaction hath not been already made, and that future provision be made for such horses as shall be so lost in the Service of the Commonwealth. 8. That some effectual course may be taken for a just & suitable supply to maimed soldiers, & the widows of such as have been slain in the service of the Parliament. To which end we humbly propose, that the Rents and Revenues of SUTTONS Hospital, and other donations for the like good and charitable uses may be examined and regulated, and the full improved value may be disposed of to the ends aforesaid; which we the rather urge, because those Rents have been constantly freed from Taxes and Assessments, and yet have (by the corruption of the Officers) been abused, and not disposed of according to the will and intent of the Donors. 9 That the sad and distressed condition of our Brethren in Ireland, may be immediately considered, and (ere it be too late) such seasonable supplies sent thither as may regain the English honour and interest, for which work we humbly offer, and earnestly desire, that such Forces as are already raised and can be spared, which we conceive will be, with some little addition, a considerable strength, may be forthwith appointed for that service, with such equal provision for maintenance, as the Forces here shall have provided, and under such Conduct and conditions as may encourage faithful men for that employment, by which means you will probably in a great measure secure this Nation, in part ease the people of their pressures, and, by the blessing of God, recover that Kingdom out of the hands of the Rebels. 10. That divers Gentlemen, Officers, who for their constant fidelity to the public interest suffered long imprisonment, loss of great estates, and places, and were ejected out of their commands in Ireland by the perfidious INCHIQUIN, and are thereby now reduced to miserable extremities, may have their pinching necessities immediately relieved, lest they perish for want of bread, which if so, would tend to the great dishonour of the Parliament: The faithfulness and worth of these Gentlemen deserves a special eye of regard, and recommends them as most fit persons for further employment in the service of that Kingdom, because of their experience in that War. All which particulars being of so immediate concernment to the public, we humbly lay before you, with assurance of a timely and effectual accomplishment of them, and whatsoever else you in your wisdoms shall find necessary for the safety and settlement of the Commonwealth. March 1. 1648. Signed by the appointment of the said Council of Officers, Joh. Rushworth Secretary Present at the general Council of Officers held at White-Hall, when this Petition was read and approved of, March 1. 1648. The Lord General Fairfax. Sir Hardresse Waller. Col. whaley. Col. Hewson. Col. Barkstead. Col. Twistleton. Col. Okey. Col. Desborough. Col. Horton. Col. Reynolds. Col. Goffe.. Col. George Twistleton. Lieut. Col. Venables. Lieut. Col. Bowen. Lieut. Col. Cobbet. Major Blackmore. Major Swallow. Major Barton. Major Browne. Major Coleman. Major White. Major Haynes. Major Berry. Major Audley. Major Creed. Major Disney. Capt. Browne. Capt. Pretty. Capt. Wolf. Capt. Drury. Capt. White. Capt. Penyfather. Capt. Disher. Capt. Winthorpe. Capt. Messervey. Capt. Smith. Capt. Barrow. Capt. Goddard. Capt. Affirm. Capt. Clark. Capt. Scotten. Capt Billers. Capt. Laurence. Capt. Banes. Capt. percival. Lieutenant Chillenden. Lieut. Newman. Lieut. Lloyd. Lieut. Frank. Lieut. Southwell. Lieut. Deane. Lieut. Byfield. Lieut. Comes. Lieut. Owen. Cornet Wallis. Cornet Tracy. Cornet Lewis. Cornet Lockyer. Cornet Thompson. Cornet Melling. Ensign Gravey. Quartermaster Emerson. Quartermaster Cook. Quartermaster Antrobus. Quartermaster Salter. Quartermaster Whiteing. Die Veneris 2. Martii 2648. THe House being informed, that there were divers Officers of the Army at the door, they were called in, and Colonel whaley told Mr. Speaker, that the General Council of the Officers of the Army had sent these Gentlemen and himself to present the House with this Petition, which the General had likewise recommended by his Letter; & that it is their desire, that the House would take it into their serious, effectual and speedy consideration. The Petitioners being withdrawn, the Letter from the General dated 2. Martii 1648. and the said Petition were read. Resolved upon the Question by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that the matters contained in the said Petition presented from the General Council of the Officers of the Army, be taken into immediate consideration. Resolved, etc. That Mr. Speaker do return thanks to the Petitioners. The Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer. Gentlemen, The House hath read the Letter of the General, and your Petition, and looked over every part of it: I must needs say (and you would wonder at it I should tell you so) This day will be a day of much discontent, I mean to all the common Enemies of you and us: But as to all good men that have engaged to carry on the good of the Kingdom with us, it will be a great rejoicing and satisfaction by this your modest and discreet Petition; and as in yourselves it shows your moderation, so all those whose mouths are open to malice and detraction, will see that both the Army and Parliament are so unanimous in promoting the public good. The things themselves they consider as matters of great concernment, and intent, and have resolved to take them into immediate consideration. And as you have showed yourselves in former services (for all that you and we do is but service) forward and faithful, so for these your discreet and and serious Representations, they have commanded me to return you the heartiest thanks I can; and accordingly I do give you the hearty thanks of this House, and desire you likewise to return the like hearty thanks from this House to the General, and to the whole General Council of the Army. Hen. Scobell Cler. Parliament. FINIS.