A DECLARATION FROM Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice, Directed to both Houses of PARLJAMENT, With their intentions: AS ALSO Their Desires to the Parliament. Sent from oatland's, and delivered on Tuesday last, the 30. of June. 1646. These are true Copies, and printed and published according to Order. july 4. 1646. LONDON, Printed by Jane Coe. 1646. A Declaration from Prince RUPERT and Prince MAURICE. SIR, WE received upon Saturday, the 27. of this month, two votes passed by the House of Commons, the one, a Declaration, that we had broken the Articles upon the surrender of Oxford. The other, that we should within ten days repair to the Sea side, and forthwith departed the Kingdom. Our desire to you is, that you would be pleased to acquaint the House with this our clear profession, That we were very far from any intention in our coming to, or being in this place, of giving offence to the Parliament, with whom we intended and hoped by the best means we could possibly use, to be better understood. And, Sir, we were very far from any thought that by our coming hither, we should break and lose the benefit of those Articles, by which we conceived we had good furtherance and access, for the gaining that peace we much desired. Our apprehension concerning our liberty by those Articles, stood thus. The third Article particularly naming us, gives us, in the former part thereof, a liberty of repairing towards London: but with a limitation of not coming within 20 miles of the same: and the later part of that Article gives us the benefit of the ensuing Articles that may concern us. The limitation in the former part of the Article, was set down when it was not known what liberty would be given to other persons: and because it was foreseen, that possibly a further liberty, and other benefit might be obtained in the following Articles, (which after came to pass) this clause was asked and granted, That we should have the same liberty and benefit with others. And we are confident there was not an expression or thought, of putting us into a worse condition than all others: but we are sure of very many expressions to the contrary. And therefore, Sir, looking upon the 11. Article, whereby all persons in Oxford are comprised in this capitulation, (saving persons excepted) having estates real or personal liable to sequestration, shall have liberty and the Generals Pass and protection, to go to London, to attend their compositions; or elsewhere upon their necessary occasions. And upon the twelft, that no persons included in this capitulation, (except persons before mentioned to be excepted) shall be molested or questioned for any thing said or done, concerning this war, submitting to composition: and the persons excepted shall have the benefit of this Article during six months; and after, if they be admitted to, and agree for composition. And upon the thirteenth, That the persons excepted shall have liberty to repair to London, to make their peace. And upon the ninth Article, if we should be looked upon as strangers, we are to have the benefit of the Articles. And upon our Pass from the General, giving express liberty to any place without any Limitation, or Restraint, we did not doubt but that we had the liberty of this place: the benefit of our accommodation for the Ho●se, came more into our thoughts, th●n the distance or number of miles from London, of which we had no doubt at all. Sir, our earnest desire is, we may be understood to off●r all this, not by way of disputing with the Parliament, but as a most clear evidence, that the uttermost of what we have done in this, is very far from any wilfulness or purpose to offend the Parliament, & from any thought that we could thereby have prejudiced ourselves, having firmly resolved to our best power to assist and advance the peace of this kingdom, and to give that regard that is just and due, to those that represent it. Having thus truly represented our own apprehensions, & not knowing the motives that induced the Parliament to those votes, we are not able (to our trouble) to know the way to give them further satisfaction; until they be pleased to give us time and means that we may endeavour it; which we cannot doubt to find from them that never failed to hear, before they finally judge, if they be asked it. Sir, you will do us a favour, if you will let us hear timely of this, being resolved not to cont●nue where the Parliament may have any thought we should not be longer, than the first minute of our possible removing. This Bearer will convey your favour unto us. Your lovind friends, RUPERT, MAURICE. A Declaration from Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice. My Lord, OUR earnest desire to your Lordship is, that you will be pleased to represent the House of Lords, that upon the clear apprehension that we had of the sense of the Articles, concerning the surrender of Oxford, and our Pass from the General; we repaired to oatland's, as in our way, and for some time, a convenient distance for our address to the Parliament. That as soon as we had received the Votes of the House of Commons, declaring that by our coming thither, we had broken the Articles, and commanding us within 10. days to repair to the Sea side, and forthwith to departed the Kingdom, we did instantly resolve to remove from this place as soon as in any possibility we could, and to apply ourselves to give them satisfaction concerning our coming thither, we beseech your Lordship to make it known to the Lords in Parliament that if we could have conceived it would have given any offence, we would not have come thither, and now upon knowledge that it hath, we are removiing, though we do not know whither; your Lordships have taken our coming thither into consideration, yet have we ventured to offer your and their Lordships this trouble for prevention of any apprehension they may have of any thoughts in us to do any thing that we could conceive might offend the House of Parliament, or hinder ourselves from the happiness of receiving benefit or favour from them, which we value too much to lose, and which we will not fail to keep, by our utmost best endeavours▪ my Lords we are Your Lordships Rupert. Maurice.