HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS MESSAGE TO THE Speaker of the House of Peers: To be communicated to both Houses of Parliament, and to the Scots Commissioners. ALSO, Colonel Hammonds Declaration concerning the King's Majesties coming into the Isle of Wight, and for those which shall come thither from foreign parts. TOGETHER, With His Majesty's Speech and Propositions, at His coming into the said Island, several conferences between His Majesty, Colonel Hammond, and others. Certified in a Letter, sent from an Officer out of the said Island.  
Imprimatur,  
Gilbert Mabbot.  
LONDON, Printed by Bernard Alsop, and are to be sold at the royal Exchange in Cornhill. 1647.   

A Letter From a chief Officer in the Isle of Wight concerning the passages between the King and Colonel Hammond since his Mejesties' coming thither.  
Sir,  
YEsterday the Governor of this Isle Colonel Hamond, dispached a second messenger to the Parl. with letters, by whom I thought to have sent this enclosed; which nevertheless I hope will come as seasonable to you now, only I shall come short in this, that will not come time enough to bring the first intelligence of the Kings coming hither; which I dare aver to be altogether unexpected by the Governor or any others here, and the manner as strange unto us; for as Colonel Hamond was going from Carisbrook Castle to Newport, where he was to meet divers Officers and Gentlemen of the Isle, Sir john Barkley and M. Ashburnham came riding suddenly to him, and acquainted him that his Majesty had an apprehension that he could not stay at Hampton-Court, without apparent hazard to His Royal Person, as His Majesty was credibly informed; and therefore thought good to come away from thence, and had made choice of that place, desiring to put himself into his hands for protection and safety, which His Majesty was the rather moved to do, for that he was a member of the Army, from which he had not withdrawn himself, if he had not understood that some did plot and combine against him to take away his life: And after some other discourse between M. Ashburnham and Colonel Hamond, the Colonel desired to know where His Majesty was at that time in Person, and M. Ashburnham and Sir john Barkley did both affirm that they left His Majesty at a place called Stichfield, near the waterside in Hampsheir, whereupon the Governor told them that if His Majesty were pleased to come over into that Island, he would undertake to protect him from violence, and do his best endeavour to preserve his Royal Person in honour, safety, and freedom: Then Colonel Hamond sent for Colonel Basket the Governor of cause Castle, who with some other officers attended the Governor over the water; and when they came to His Majesty, the Governor and the rest first kissed his hand, and then His Majesty spoke to him to this effect.  
Hamond, after an intolerable restraint to my Person at Hampton Court, I found there was a further design against my Person, by some which insinuated themselves into divers Regiments of the Army, and having an earnest desire of the serling of the Kingdom in such sort as might best conduce to a lasting Peace throughout my Dominions; and not to be an instrument of stirring up a new war; I have thought good to come in this place with confidence of your fidelity in protecting my Person from danger, until by such addresses as shall be made unto us by the Parliament, there be a mutual agreement concluded, and our Kingdom settled.  
To which Colonel Hamond declaring that he tendered His Majesty's Person above his own life, and would not fail in doing his utmost in fulfilling His Majesty's just desires (in relation to the orders and directions which he should receive from the Parliament:) So His Majesty attended by the Governor Colonel Hamond, Sir john Barclus, M. Ashburnham, and the other officers of the Isle came over the water, and went to Cawse-Castle, when according to the time there was to prapare, he was as Royally entertined as the Isle could afford.  
Since which time his Majesty hath road abroad a hunting in the Park, which is very plentifully stored with Deer, and his Majesty is gallantly accommodated with all things, which is done with the more conveniency and better facility, for that the Govern. had newly settled his house, and (though a Bachelor) had placed his household officers fit for his part and place; he hath also sent for his mother which lives at Cherse, and is expected here the next week; he hath also written several letters to the Parliament, not only to acquaint them of the manner of the Kings coming hither, but also for to understand their pleasure therein, and for provision of money and such persons, he decides about His Majesty as may be most for his honour and content; to which end at least some Divines, and three or four of the bedchamber which attended at Hampton-Court are desired, as also some Commissioners from the Parliament, for the better carrying on of things so as may be most acceptable and bestwarranted: In the mean time the Governor hath a special care to keep Delinquents of that Isle from having any free converse to his Majesty, and it is declared at all the Ports, that none shall be admitted the Isle to come to His Majesty from foreign parts, without approbation from the Parliament of one or both Kingdoms: The other day as His Majesty was walking abroad, he asked the Governor certain questions concerning the strength of the Isle, and the number of inhabitants etc. to all which the Governor gave His Majesty satisfaction; and truly I must confess ingeniously, I think here are men sufficient with the benefit of (the inacessablenesse to the place by nature) to preserve and defend it against all attempts whatsoever, but as yet the Governors' Regiment is not come thither: I the rather make mention of the strength of this place to give satisfaction to that which may be infused by some to breed further fears in those whom they would persuade to believe that his Majesty is in danger of a foreign Nation which indeed is so frivalous an objection, that it scrace deserves the remembrance much less the answering.  
It is said that the Kins goes to morrow to Newport being the chief town about the midst of the Isle but returns again to cause Castle, Our expectations are now to hear what the Parliament will order concerning him, The first messenger is returned and reports that they have voted that his Majesty shall reside here a time for safety, which we are very glad to hear of, for surely he cannot be in a safer place, nor more convenient, as affairs of the Kingdom now stand, where a free intercourse may be had between him and the Parliament, his residing here, may also hinder the raising of any new parties, and frustrate the designs which were hatching by some, so that the like opportunity for settling the Kingdom's peace, to the satisfying of all parts is without the danger of a new war, is not thought to have been yet offered unto us, for a blessing on which is the prayers of  
Your assured friend, H. Tracey. cause Castle, Nou. 17. 1647.   

Postscript.  
Sir  
SInce the writing hereof there hath been some means used for Mr. Maull and others to be admitted to attend his Majesty, which I understand the Governor will readily allow of, so soon as the pleasure of the house is known, touching which business be hath sent to the Parliament already. This morning there was overtaken, which was landed here, one who is suspected to be a person not fit to reside here: for that he seemed not to be able to give a good account of his coming hither, or fidelity to the Parliament; he is to be examined by the Governor, and then unless he can show a just cause for his coming hither, he will be forced to departed again; for Colonel Hammond as he declares himself that he will protect his Majesty's person doth likewise declare his realty to the Cause in which he hath engaged in behalf of the whole Kingdom, and assure yourself will in this business approve himself a gentleman which will not reside from his former principles, but a man full of integrity, and looks more on the settling of this distracted Kingdom then on any private interest, which if God be pleased to make him an Instrument of, he desires it may redound to the praise of him by whose providence his Majesty came hither.  
Novemb. the 17. His Majesty sent a Letter to the house of Peers directed to the Speaker of the Lords house pro tempore, to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament, and to the Scots Commissioners. His Majesty in the said letter expresseth much affection towards the settling of the Kingdom's Peace. Also His Majesty desires both Houses, that they would effectually proceed on in sending the Propositions to him; and withal that he might have admittance to come to London to treat with his Parliament, and His Majesty will give ample satisfaction for the settling of a firm and well grounded Peace. This for certain is the effect of His Majesty's letter, which was dated in this Island of Wight, and  
Signed CHARLES REX. Novemb. 17 1647.