FOR our faithful AND EVER honoured COMMANDERS, THE RIGHT honourable HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR Thomas Fairfax, Major general Skipton, Lieutenant general Cromwell, presented to them in the behalf of eight Regiments of Horse, by three private Soldiers, who were sent from the Quarters by the Soldery of the forementioned Regiments, wherein they manifest to the world their real affections to this commonwealth, and their forward and brotherly assistance, towards the relief of Ireland: If not by some diverted.  
May it please your Honours,  
We who have (for these two years, past) been by your honours conducted through many dangers, and by providence have been hitherto protected, who have often seen the devouring sword of a raging enemy drawn forth against us, threatening destruction to us, and now see them vanquished, and ourselves seemingly settled in peace and safety, are yet sensible of a more dangerous storm hanging over our heads, than ever the malice of our open enemies could have contrived or their fury c●used to fall upon us, which unless diverted, strikes not only at our liberty, but also at our lives. To whom (next to our M●ker) shall we fly for shelter but to your honours, our Patrons, and Protectors, from what secondary means shall we expect our deliverance, but from that hand that hath so often been engaged with us? And from that heart that hath as often been so tender over us; and careful for our securities.  
Can we suffer and you not sympathize? Can we be proclaimed Rebels and your Honours remain secure? Ah, dear Sirs! Let your wonted care for us be further demonstrated, cease not to speak for us, who together with yourselves, and in obedience to your commands, have adventured all that is dear to us, for the kingdom's safety.  
Hath any thing been desired by us that hath not been promised us, or then we have just cause to expect, if there hath, then let it and the authors thereof perish? But can the Parliament upon misinformation pass us for enemies, and we not therein perceive the designs of our Enemies? Can we be satisfied with a compliment, when our fellow Soldiers suffer at every Assize, for acts merely relating to the war? Is it not our lives we seek for? Where shall we be secured, when the mere envy of a malicious person is sufficient to destroy us? Were our Enemies in the field with their swords in their hands, we should expect no more than a bare command, and a divine protection in our endevoures to free ourselves but it is another; and a far worse Enemy that we have to deal with, who like Foxes lurk in their Dens; and cannot be dealt with, though, discovered, being protected by those who are entrusted with the Government of the kingdom; it is the grief of our hearts, that we cannot desire our own security, without the hazard of your Honours, if but in speaking in our behalf: When shall we see Justice dispensed without partiality, or when shall the weal public be singly sought after & endeavoured; can this Irish expedition be any thing else, but a design to ruin & break this Army in pieces, certainly reason tells us it can be nothing else; otherwise, why are not those who have been made instruments in our country's deliverance, again be thought worthy to be employed? Or why are such (who for their miscarriages have been cast out of the Army) thought fit to be entrusted, and those members of the Army encouraged and preferred to that service, when they are for the most part such, as (had they considered their just demerits) might rather have expected an ejection than employment: we are sensible, yea, far more sensible of the bleeding condition of Ireland, (crying aloud for a Brotherly assistance) than those forward undertakers in this present design manifest themselves to be, and shall willingly contribute the utmost of our abilities towards their relief, when we shall see this to be the only thing sought after, and endeavoured; but we are confident, that your Honours cannot but perceive, that this plot is but a mere cloak, for some who have lately tasted of sovereignty, and being lifted beyond the ordinary sphere of Servants, seek to become Masters, and degenerate into Tyrants: We are earnest therefore with your Honours, to use your utmost endeavours, that before any other or further propositions be sent to us, our expectations may be satisfied, which if they are not, we conceive ourselves, and our friends, as bad as destroyed, being exposed to the merciless cruelties of our malicious enemies, and shall your Honour, or any other faithful Servant to the State, be appointed for the Service of Ireland, and accept of that employment, we must of necessity (contrary to our desires) show ourselves averse to that service, until our just desires be granted, the just Rights and liberties of the Subjects of England, vindicated and maintained; (and then) as God and our own consciences bear us witness, shall we testify to the Kingdom the integrity of our hearts to the service of Ireland, and our forward actions shall demonstrate the sincerity of our expressions in reference to that employment, once more we are earnest with your honours for your assistance, without it we are like to be wholly ruined, and having obtained it, may be enabled, as in duty we are bound to express ourselves.  
These three Gentlemen Soldiers whose names are hereto subscribed, delivered the Letter in be half of the whole, Edward Sexby. Will. Allen. Thomas shepherd.  
Your Honours and the kingdoms most faithful and obedient servants, whose names are here to annexed, as agitating in behalf of their several Regiments.