THE COLLECTION OF ALL THE PARTICULAR PAPERS that passed between HIS MAJESTY, BOTH HOUSES, AND THE COMMITTEE, Concerning the late TREATY. Printed by His MAJESTIES Command AT OXFORD, By LEONARD LICHFIELD, Printer to the university. 1643. HIS majesties questions Before the Treaty, and the COMMITTEES Answers, March. 25. 1643. His majesty desires to be answered these Questions, in writing, by the COMMITTEE of both Houses. 1. WHETHER they may not show unto Him those Instructions( according to which they are to Treat and debate with His majesty upon the two first Propositions) of which the last Message from both Houses to His majesty takes notice, and refers unto? 2. Whether they have power to pass from one Proposition to the other, in the debate, before His majesty have expressed His mind concerning the Proposition first entred into? 3. Whether they have power to give an entire Answer to His Majesties first Proposition, before His Majesties Reply to any part thereof, or to pass from one part of that Proposition to another part of the same, before His majesty have given a Reply concerning that part? 4. Whether in case His Majesties Answer or Reply to any part of either Proposition do not satisfy them, they have power to sand up that His Answer or Reply to both Houses, and proceed upon the debate of another part of the same? 5. Whether they have power to conclude those two Propositions? 6. Whether they have Power to press or consent unto the execution of either of these two Propositions, or any part of them, till the whole Treaty be agreed upon? THE COMMITTEE OF LORDS& COMMONS appointed to attend His majesty upon the Treaty, do humbly return these Answers to the Questions propounded by His majesty. March, 25. 1643. To the first. THEY are enjoined not to show or discover their Instructions, or to give any copy of them. To the second. Concerning His Majesties first Proposition, and the first Proposition of both Houses of Parliament, they humbly conceive they may pass from the one Proposition to the other after that His majesty hath given His Answer to the particular part of either Proposition that shall be in debate. To the third. They humbly conceive, That they are to receive His Majesties reply to that part of the Proposition to which they give their Answer, before they proceed to any other part of either Proposition. To the fourth. They humbly conceive, That when they have received His Majesties Answer or Reply to any part of either Proposition, wherein they are not satisfied, they are to sand that His Majesties Answer, or Reply to both Houses, and in the mean time may proceed to another part of either Proposition. To the fifth. They humbly conceive they may conclude these two Propositions if they be agreed unto according to their Instructions. To the sixth. They humbly conceive they may press and consent unto the execution of the two Propositions, according to their Instructions, before the whole treaty be agreed upon. THE PAPERS CONCERNING leave to repair to his majesty. March. 27. 1643. WHereas we humbly presented to Your majesty several Answers to Your Majesties demands in your first Proposition, and in reply to those answers, we have received several Papers from Your majesty. Our humble desires are that Your majesty would be pleased to give us leave to repair unto you, for our farther satisfaction upon any doubts which shall arise amongst us in those Papers we have already received, or any other which we shall hereafter receive from Your majesty, before such time as we shall transmitt them to both Houses of Parliament. Northumberland John Holland. Will. Peirrepoint. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. March. 28. 1643. HIS majesty is pleased, that the Committee of both Houses repair unto Him for their further satisfaction upon any doubts which shall arise amongst them, in the Papers they have already received, or any other which they shall hereafter receive from His majesty,& to which they shall not have acquiesced, before they transmitt them to both Houses of Parliament. FALKLAND. THE PAPERS CONCERNING the REVENUE. March. 26. 1643. To that part of Your majesties first Proposition concerning Your majesties own Revenue, wee give this answer. THE two Houses of Parliament have not made use of Your majesties own Revenue, but in a very small proportion, which for a good part hath been employed in the maintenance of Your majesties Children, according to the allowance established by yourself. And the two Houses of Parliament will satisfy what shall remain due to Your majesty of those sums received out of Your majesties own Revenue. And will leave the same to Your majesty for the time to come. Wee likewise humbly propose to Your majesty, that You will restore what hath been taken for Your majesties use, upon any of the Bills assigned to other purposes, by several Acts of Parliament, or out of the provision made for the war of Ireland. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armine. B. Whitelocke. March. 26. 1643. HIS Majesty knows not what Proportion of His Revenue hath been made use of by His two Houses of Parliament, but He hath Reason to believe, that if much of it hath not been used, very much remaines still in their hands, His whole Revenue being so seized and stopped by the orders of one or both Houses, even to the taking away of His Money out of His Exchequer and Mint, and Bonds( forced from His Cofferers Clerks) for the Provision of His Majesties household, that very little hath come to His Majesties use for His own support. He is well contented to allow whatsoever hath been employed in the maintenance of His Children, and to receive the arrears due to himself, and to be sure of His own for the future. He is likewise willing to restore all Moneys taken for His Majesties use by any Authority from Him, upon any Bills assigned to other purposes; His Majesty being assured He hath Received very little or nothing that way, and expects that satisfaction be made for all those several vast sums received& diverted to other purposes, by orders of one or both Houses, which ought to have been paid upon the Act of Pacification to His Subjects of Scotland, or employed for the discharge of the Debts of this kingdom, and by other Acts of Parliament for the relief of His poor Protestant Subjects of Ireland. FALKLAND. March. 27. 1643. HIS Majesty desires to be resolved by the Committee from both Houses, whether their Proposition to His Majesty to restore what hath been taken for His Majesties use upon any of the Bills, &c. be a new demand, or a condition upon which only that is granted which goes before? FALKLAND. March 27. 1643. WHereas Your Majesty desired to be resolved by us, whether the Proposition to Your Majesty to restore what hath been taken for Your Majesties use upon any of the bills &c. be a new demand, or a Condition upon which only that is granted which goes before. We humbly conceive it to be no new demand, but whether it be such a Condition upon which only that which goes before is granted we are not able to resolve. Northumberland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. I. Holland. B. Whitelocke. March 27. 1643. Whereas we have received Your Majesties Answer of the 26. of this instant to ours of the same date, concerning Your Majesties own Revenue. WE humbly desire to know of Your Majesty, if You will not account Your own Revenue to be sure for the future, if both Houses of Parliament do leave it in the same way as it was before these troubles did begin. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. B. Whitelocke. March. 27. 1643. HIs Majesty did intend in his former Answer by those words( of being sure of His own for the future) that no restraints or Interruption should be made by one or both Houses in and upon His Majesties Revenue, but that it should be left in the same way it was before these troubles did begin. FALKLAND. March. 28. 1643. we shall transmit Your Majesties answer, to that part of Your Proposition concerning Your Revenue, to both Houses of Parliament, without farther Reply. Northumberland John Holland. Will. Peirrepont. Will. Armyne, B. Whitelocke. THE PAPERS CONCERNING the Magazines. March. 26. 1643. To that part of Your Majesties first Proposition concerning Your Magazines, we humbly give this Answer. THat all the arms and Ammunition, taken out of Your Majesties Magazines, which shall remain in the hands of both Houses of Parliament, shall be delivered into Your Stores,& whatsoever shall be wanting they will in convenient time supply in kind, according to the Propositions which they have received. We likewise humbly propose unto your Majesty, that the persons to whose charge those public Magazines shall be committed, being nominated by Your Majesty, may be such as the two Houses of Parliament shall confided in. And that Your Majesty will restore all such arms and Ammunition as have been taken for Your Majesties use from the several Counties, Cities and towns. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. B. Whitelocke. March. 27. 1643. HIs Majesty is content that all the arms and Ammunition taken out of His Magazines, which do now remain in the hands of both Houses, or of Persons employed by them, be forthwith delivered into such of His Stores as His Majesty shall appoint, and that whatsoever shall be wanting of the Proportions taken out from thence by them, be supplied by them with all convenient speed in kind. Which shall be committed to, and continued in the custody of the sworn Officers, to whose Places the same belongs. And if any of the said Officers shall have forfeited, or shall forfeit that trust by any Misdemeanours, His Majesty will by no means defend them from the Iustice of the Law. For the restoring all such arms and Ammunition as have been taken for His Majesties use from the several Counties, Cities and towns, His Majesty being compelled to take them, His own being taken from Him, did it always with this Caution and Promise to the Places from whence He took them, that He would, by the blessing of God, restore them again, and make recompense out of His own Stores, as soon as it should be in His Power; which Promise He will make good to them; expecting that such arms and Ammunition as have been taken from the several Counties, Cities and towns, for the use of the Armies under the Command of the earl of Essex, be likewise restored to them. FALKLAND. March 28. 1643. Whereas we have received Your Majesties answer of the 27. of this month, to ours of the 26. of this instant, concerning Your Majesties Magazines. we humbly desire to know of Your majesty what time you intend, by the expression in the words( be forthwith delivered.) We likewise humbly desire to know in what places Your Majesty would have Your Stores, and who are the sworn Officers Your Majesty intends, that according to our Instructions we may transmit their names to both Houses of Parliament. Northumberland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. I. Holland. B. Whitelocke. March 28. 1643. HIs Majesty intended by that Expression( be forthwith delivered) as soon as the Treaty shall be concluded, and agreed on. FALKLAND. March 29. 1643, THe place of Store into which His Majesty is content that the arms and Ammunition, taken out of His Majesties Magazines, be delivered, is His Tower of London; and the Officers He intends, are such as by Patent ought to receive and keep the same. FALKLAND. March 29. 1643. we humbly desire according to our Instructions, that the persons to whose charge the public Magazines should be committed, being nominated by Your Majesty, should be such as the Lords and Commons should confided in. We, not knowing whether the two Houses will confided in the Persons Your Majesty mentions, must transmit their names to both Houses of Parliament to receive their farther Instructions. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 5. 1643. HIS Majesty conceives His Answer concerning the Persons to whose custody His Magazines shall be committed, to be very clear and sufficient, and shall forbear any more particular Nomination of them, the two Houses well knowing whether they have any just exceptions to make against any of them, which if they have, His Majesty will leave them to the due course of Iustice. FALKLAND. April. 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament, we are commanded humbly to desire your Majesty to make a further Answer to that clause of the first Proposition which concerns the Magazines; and we are humbly to acquaint Your Majesty, that the two Houses of Parliament do not think fit to enlarge the time of the Treaty beyond the twenty dayes, formerly limited, to be reckoned from the five and twentieth of March last, which can admit of no alteration or enlargement without manifold prejudice and danger to the whole kingdom. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armine. B. Whitelocke. April. 14. 1643. HIS Majesty having made several Answers to that Clause of the first Proposition, which concerns the Magazines, knows not what Answer to make further, except He were informed what part of the Propositions made to Him was not clearly answered, or had Reasons given Him to change and alter the Answer already made; neither of which is yet done. And He is very sorry that both Houses of Parliament have not thought fit to enlarge the power of the Committee,( whereby less time would have served for the Treaty)& are so absolutely resolved not to enlarge the time of the Treaty beyond the twenty dayes which( by Messages and attending the Instructions of the House) are so near spent, notwithstanding all possible readiness in His Majesty,& which in truth might have ended all the Propositions, if sufficient authority had been given to the persons employed to debate and conclude: neither can His Majesty understand why an Alteration or enlargement, in the point of time, cannot be admitted without manifold prejudice and danger to the whole kingdom. He prays to God, that an averseness to such an alteration and enlargement may not prove an unspeakable prejudice and danger to the whole kingdom. FALKLAND. THE PAPERS CONCERNING the towns, Forts, Cinque-Ports, &c. March. 27. 1643. To that part of Your Majesties first Proposition, which concerns Your majesties towns and Forts, We humbly give this Answer. 1. THat the two Houses of Parliament will remove the Garrisons cut of all towns& Forts in their hands, wherein there were no Garrisons before these troubles, and slight all Fortifications made since that time, and those towns and Forts to continue in the same condition they were in before, and that those Garrisons shall not be renewed, nor the Fortifications repaired, without consent of Your Majesty and both Houses of Parliament. 2. That for those towns and Forts which are within the jurisdiction of the Cinque-Ports, they shall be delivered up into the hands of such a Noble Person as Your majesty shall appoint to be Warden of the Cinque-Ports, being such a one as they shall confided in. 3. That the town of Portesmouth shall be reduced to the number of the Garrison as was at the time, when the Lords and Commons undertook the custody thereof; and such other Forts, Castles and towns as were formerly kept by Garrisons, as have been taken by both Houses of Parliament into their care and custody, since the beginning of these troubles, shall be reduced to such proportion of Garrison as they had in the year 1636. And shall be so continued. And that all the said towns, Forts, and Castles shall be delivered up into the hands of such persons of quality and trust, to be likewise nominated by Your Majesty, as the two Houses of Parliament shall confided in. 4. That the Warden of the Cinque-Ports and all Governors and Commanders of towns, Castles, and Forts, shall keep the same towns, Castles and Forts respectively for the service of Your Majesty, and the safety of the kingdom; and that they shall not admit into any of them any foreign Forces, or any other Forces raised without Your Majesties Authority, and consent of the two Houses of Parliament; and they shall use their utmost endeavours to suppress all Forces whatsoever, raised without such authority and consent; and they shall seize all arms and Ammunition provided for any such Forces. 5. They likewise humbly propose to Your Majesty, that You would remove the Garrisons out of New-Castle, and all other towns, Castles, and Forts, where any Garrisons have been placed by Your Majesty since these troubles, and that the Fortifications be likewise slighted, and the towns and Forts left in such State and condition as they were in the year 1636. 6. That all other towns, Forts, and Castles, where there have been formerly Garrisons before these troubles, may be committed to the charge of such persons to be nominated by Your Majesty, as both Houses of Parliament shall confided in, and under such Instructions as are formerly mentioned. 7. And that those new Garrisons shall not be renewed, nor their Fortifications repaired without consent of Your Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. March. 28. 1643. HIS Majesty is content that all the Garrisons in any towns and Forts in the hands of any Persons employed by the two Houses of Parliament, wherein there were no Garrisons before these troubles, be removed, and all Fortifications, made since that time, may be slighted, and those towns& Forts shall, for the future, continue in the same condition they were in before. 1. For the Cinque-Ports, they are already in the Custody of a Noble Person, against whom His Majesty knows no just exceptions, and who hath such a legal Interest therein, that His Majesty cannot with Iustice remove Him from it, until some sufficient Cause be made appear to him; but is willing if he shall at any time be found guilty of any thing that may make him unworthy of that Trust, that he may be proceeded against according to the Rules of Iustice. 2. The town of Portesmouth, and all other Forts, Castles and towns, as were formerly kept by Garrisons, shall be reduced to their ancient proportion, and the Government of them put into the hands of such Persons against whom no just exceptions can be made, all of them being before these troubles by Letters Patents granted to several Persons, against any of whom His Majesty knows not any Exceptions, and who shall be removed if just cause shall be given for the same. 3. The Warden of the Cinque-Ports, and all Governors and Commanders of towns, Castles, and Forts, shall keep the same towns, Castles, and Forts, as by the Law they ought to do, for His Majesties service, and the safety of the kingdom; and they shall not admit into any of them any foreign Forces, or other Forces raised or brought in contrary to the Law, but shall use their utmost endeavour to suppress all such Forces, and shall seize all arms and Ammunition, which by the laws and Statutes of the kingdom they ought to seize. 4. The Garrisons of New-Castle, and all other towns, Castles, and Forts, in which Garrisons have been placed by His Majesty since these troubles, shall be removed, and all the Fortifications shall be fleighted, and the towns and Forts left in such state and condition as they were in the year, 1636. All other towns, Forts, and Castles, where there have been formerly Garrisons before these troubles, shall be committed to the charge of such Persons, and under such cautions and limitations as His Majesty hath before expressed. And no new Garrisons shall be renewed, nor their Fortifications repaired, otherwise then as by the laws and Statutes of the Kingdom, they may or ought to be. FALKLAND. March. 29. 1643. COncerning the appointing of the Warden of the Cinque-Ports, and Governors of Your Majesties towns, Castles, and Forts, we humbly desire to know if Your Majesties Reply doth intend, that both Houses of Parliament may express their confidence of the persons to whose trust those places are to be committed, for that we are directed by our Instructions, that if Your Majesty be pleased to assent thereunto, that You would nominate Persons of Quality to receive the charge of them. That we may forthwith certify both Houses of Parliament, that thereupon they may express their confidence in those persons, or humbly beseech Your majesty to name others; none of which persons to be removed, during three yeares next ensuing, without just cause to be approved by both Houses of Parliament, and if any be so removed, or shall die within the said space, the persons to be put in the same offices shall be such as both Houses shall confided in. Wee humbly desire to know if Your majesty intends the Garrison of Portesmouth, to be of such a proportion, as it was about the year 1641. about which time a new supply was added to the former Garrison to strenghen it, which both Houses of Parliament think necessary to continue. We humbly desire Your Majesty would be pleased to give a more full answer to this clause, that they should not admit into them any foreign or other Forces, Raised without Your Majesties authority and consent of the two Houses of Parliament, and that they shall use their utmost endeavours to suppress all Forces whatsoever, Raised without such Authority and Consent, and that those Garrisons should not be renewed, or their Fortifications repaired without consent of Your Majesty and both Houses of Parliament. Northumberland. I. Holland. B. Whitelocke. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. April. 5. 1643. HIs Majesty doth not intend that both Houses of Parliament shall express their Confidence of the Persons to whose trust the Cinque-ports, or other His Majesties towns, Castles and Forts now are or shall be committed, but only that they shall have liberty upon any just Exceptions to proceed against any such Persons, according to Law; His Majesty being resolved not to Protect them against the public Iustice. And well knowing that when any of those places shall be void, the Nomination and free Election is a Right belonging to, and inherent in His Majesty. And having been enjoyed by all His royal Progenitors, His Majesty will not believe that His well-affected Subjects will desire to limit Him in that Right. His Majesty intends the Garrison of Portsmouth to be of such a Proportion as it was in the year, 1641. Except He finds good cause to enlarge or diminish that Proportion. His Majesty cannot give a more full Answer to that Clause concerning the Admission of Forces into any of His Forts, Castles and towns, then He hath already given, His Majesty having therein made the laws and Statutes of the Kingdom the Rule of what is, or what is not to be done, Which will be always the most impartial judge between Him and His People. FALKLAND. April. 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament, we are commanded humbly to desire another answer from Your Majesty concerning the Cinque-ports, towns, Forts and Castles, Your Majesties former answers concerning them being, in the most material points, express denials, as both Houses of Parliament understand them. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. B. Whitelocke. April. 14. 1643. HIs Majesty will not at this time Remember the many Acts of Grace and Favour He hath passed this Parliament for the good of His People; But He must say, He hath not denied any one thing proposed to Him by both Houses, which in Iustice could be required of Him, or in reason expected; and He hath been and is still so unwilling to give a denial to both His Houses, that as they shall be sure to receive none to any Proposition they shall make of Right, so in matters of Grace and favour, he shall be willing to receive any Information and Reason, which at any time may invite Him to Consent, and therefore will gladly receive any reason from the Committee, or both Houses, which may induce His Majesty to give another Answer, then what He hath already given in the point of the Cinque-Ports, Forts and Castles; but till such be given, He cannot consent to dispossess any of His Servants of what they are legally possessed, without a just Cause expressed, or to quit His own Right of sole disposing of their commands, no other causes yet appearing to Him, then that the places they command have been taken from Him. FALKLAND. april 14. 1643. YOur Majesty, in one of Your papers this day delivered unto us, mentions that You would gladly receive any reason from both Houses, or their Committee, which may induce Your Majesty to give another answer then what You have already given in the point of the Cinque-ports, Forts, Castles, and Magazines. We did according to our Instructions, Humbly desire Your Majesty that the Cinque-ports, Forts and Castles might be put into the hands of such Noble Persons, and Persons of Quality and Trust, to be nominated by Your Majesty, as the two Houses of Parliament should confided in, and to be kept for Your Majesties service, and the safety of the Kingdom, that no foreign Forces, or other Forces, raised without Your Majesties authority, and consent of the two Houses of Parliament, should be admitted into any of them, and the Commanders to use their utmost endeavours to suppress all Forces raised without such authority and consent, and to seize all arms and Ammunition provided for any such Forces. unto which we humbly desire Your Majesties gracious assent,& to our other desires concerning Your Majesties first Proposition,& the first Proposition of both Houses of Parliament, for that we humbly conceive Your consent thereunto will be the best means for such a Peace to be made, as will be safe firm& lasting, the which is not to be hoped for, except there be a cure for fears and jealousies, for which an apparent remedy is to disband all Forces, and the same to be so mutually done, as neither part to have any force remaining, of which the other may be jealous or in fear, but if for other causes, not concerned in these unhappy differences, Forces are to be retained, as in the Cinque-ports, and in some Forts, towns, and Castles for the defence of the whole Kingdom against foreign Enemies, that then the same may remain in the hands of such Persons, with such Powers, as both parts might believe themselves secure; for if the same places were considered in relation only to these unnatural distempers, and to the settling thereof, the Forces in them were likewise to be disbanded. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 15. 1643. AS His Majesty was and is very desirous to receive any Reason from both Houses, or their Committee, which might induce His Majesty to give other Answers, if what He hath or shall give do not satisfy, so He rather expected those reasons should have had their foundation in the Law of the Land, and have shewed Him that by Law He had not the Right He pretended, or that by that, or by some fundamental Law, they had a Right superior to His in what was now in Question, Or have shewed Him some legal Reason why the Persons trusted by Him were uncapable of that Trust, then only have insisted upon fears and jealousies, of which as he knows not the ground, so He is ignorant of the Cure. But this His Majesty knows, that if readiness to aclowledge, retract and provide against for the future any thing of error that had happened against Law, and having actually passed more important Bills, and partend with more of His known Rights for the satisfaction of His Subjects, then not only any one but all His Predecessors, would have been thought a sufficient Remedy for Fears and jealousies, the Kingdom might still have enjoyed a safe, firm and lasting Peace, and those would not first have been made a Reason to seize upon His Rights, and then after have been made an Argument to persuade Him to part with them. And His Majesty wonders the Committee should not see, that this Argument might extend to the depriving Him of, or at least sharing with Him in, all His just Rigall Power( since Power as well as Forces may be the object of fears and jealousies, and there will be always a Power left to hurt, whilst there is any left to protect and defend;) And that if those Rights which He received from His Predecessors were really so formidable, That would have been more feared before, which is now feared so much, and His Forts and Castles would either not have been attempted, or at least have enabled Him to defend and keep them, and have kept this from being a Question now between them. Which since they could not do, His Majesty( if He had as much inclination, as He hath more Right, to fears and jealousies) might have more reason to insist upon some Addition of Power, as a Security to enable Him to keep His Forts, when He hath them, then they to make any Difficulty to restore them to Him in the same condition they were before. But as His Majesty contents himself with, so, He takes God to witness, His greatest desire is always to observe and main- the Law of the Land, and expects the same from His Subjects, and believes the mutual observance of that Rule, and neither of them to fear what the Law fears not, to be on both parts a better Cure for that dangerous Disease of Fears and jealousies, and a better means to establish a happy and a perpetual Peace, then for His Majesty to divest himself of those Trusts which the Law of the Land hath settled in the crown alone, to preserve the Power and Dignity of the Prince, for the better Protection of the Subject, and of the Law, and to avoid those dangerous Distractions, which the interest of any Sharers with Him would have infallibly produced. FALKLAND. THE PAPERS CONCERNING the ships. March 27. 1643. To that part of Your Majesties first Proposition, which concerns Your Ships, we humbly give this Answer. THat the Ships shall be delivered into the charge of such a Noble person as Your Majesty shall nominate to be Lord High admiral of England, and the two Houses of Parliament confided in, who shall receive the same Office by Letters Patents, quàm diu se been gesserit, and shall have power to nominate and appoint all subordinate Commanders and Officers, and have all other powers appertaining to the Office of high-admiral, which Ships he shall employ for the defence of the Kingdom against all foreign forces whatsoever, and for the safeguard of Merchants, securing of Trade, and the guarding of Ireland, and the intercepting of all supplies to be carried to the Rebells, and shall use his utmost endeavour to suppress all forces which shall be raised by any Person without Your Majesties authority, and consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and shall seize all arms and Ammunition provided for supply of any such Forces. Northumberland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. I. Holland. B. Whitelocke. March. 28. 1643. HIs Majesty expects that His Own Ships be forthwith delivered to Him, as by the Law they ought to be. And when He shall please to nominate a Lord high-admiral of England, it shall be such a Noble Person against whom no just exception can be made, and if any shall be, His Majesty will always leave him to his due trial and examination, and shall grant His Office to him by such Letters Patents as have been used; In the mean time His Majesty will govern the said Admiralty by Commission as in all times hath been accustomend. And whatever Ships shall be set forth by His Majesty, or His Authority, shall be employed for the defence of the Kingdom against all foreign Forces whatsoever, for the safeguard of Merchants, securing of Trade, guarding of Ireland, and the intercepting of all supplies to be carried to the Rebells, and shall use their utmost endeavours to suppress all Forces which shall be raised by any Person whatsoever, against the laws and Statutes of the kingdom, and to seize all arms and Ammunition provided for the supply of any such Forces. FALKLAND. March 29. 1643. we humbly desire Your Majesty would be pleased to give a more full answer to the clause, for the Ships to be delivered into the charge of such a Noble Person, as Your Majesty shall nominate to be Lord high-admiral of England, and the two Houses of Parliament confided in, who shall receive the same Office by Letters patents Quàm diu se been gesserit. And to that clause, to suppress all forces which shall be raised by any person without Your Majesties authority, and consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament. Whereunto if Your Majesty shall please to give Your assent, we conceive we are then directed by our Instructions, humbly to desire Your Majesty to nominate such a noble person to be Lord high-admiral of England, that we may forthwith certify both Houses of Parliament; that thereupon they may express their confidence in that Person, or humbly beseech Your Majesty to name another, and that in case such Noble Person, who shall be appoynted to be Lord high-admiral of England, shall be removed, or shall die within the space of three Years next ensuing, that the Person to be put in the same Office shall be such, as both Houses shall confided in. Northumberland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. I. Holland. B. Whitelocke. april 5. 1643. HIs Majesty conceives His former Answer of the 28. of March, concerning His Ships, to be so full, that He can add nothing thereunto in any part of it. His Majesty conceiving it all the Iustice in the World for Him to insist, that what is by Law His own, and hath been contrary to Law taken from Him, be fully restored unto Him, without conditioning to impose any new Limitations upon His Majesty or his Ministers, which were not formerly required from them by Law, and thinking it most unreasonable to be prest to diminish His own just Rights himself, because others have violated and usurped them. FALKLAND. April. 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament, we are commanded humbly to insist upon the desires of both Houses expressed in our former papers concerning the Ships. And both Houses of Parliament do observe in your Majesties Answer, not only a denial to all their desires, but likewise a censure upon their proceedings. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. Joh. Holland. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 14. 1643. HIS Majesty for the present forbears any farther Answer touching His Ships, desiring first to receive the Answer of both Houses, to His Message of the twelfth of this month; But His Majesty will howsoever, before their departure hence, give them a further Answer. FALKLAND. April. 15. 1643. HIS Majesty gave so clear a Reason to justify what He insisted upon in the point of the Ships, that He cannot but wonder to see the same again prest to Him, and yet both the Reason He gave left unanswered, and no other Reason opposed to weigh against it. His Majesties end in this, was not to lay any censure upon their proceedings, but it being necessary to the matter in question, for His Majesty to say what had been done, and the matter of fact being such as it seems could not be repeated, but it must appear to be censured, His Majesty did not think himself bound to be so tender of seeming to censure their proceedings, as by waving His own true reasonable justifications to leave. His own naked and exposed to a general censure. And His Majesty hopes that since they esteem his saying, that they have taken His Ships from Him contrary to Law, to be a Censure, they will either produce that Law by which they took them, or free themselves from so just and unconfutable a Censure, by a speedy and unlimited restoration. Upon which demand His Majesties Care of His ancient and undoubted Rights doth oblige Him to insist. And when His Majesty shall think fit to make an admiral, as near as He can, he shall be such an one against whom no just exception can be made, and if any shall be offered, He will readily leave him to the trial of the Law. FALKLAND. THE PAPERS CONCERNING an Oath for Officers. March. 29. 1643. we are humbly to desire your Majesty, that all Generalls and Commanders in any of the Armies on either side, as likewise the Lord admiral of England, the Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports, all Commanders of any Ships,& Commanders of any Town, Castle, or Fort, may take an oath to observe the Articles formerly mentioned, and to use their utmost power to preserve the true reformed Protestant Religion, and the Peace of the Kingdom, against all foreign Forces, and all other Forces raised without Your Majesties authority, and consent of the two houses of Parliament. Northumberland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. J. Holland. B. Whitelocke. April. 5. 1643. HIS Majesty conceives the oaths, which all these Officers are already by Law obliged to take, to be very fully sufficient; But if any thing shall be made appear unto Him necessary to be added thereunto, when there shall be a full and Peaceable Convention in Parliament, His Majesty will readily consent to an Act for such an Addition. FALKLAND. April. 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament, We are commanded humbly to inform Your Majesty, That both Houses of Parliament conceive your ordinary oaths of Your Officers, mentioned in Your Answer concerning the same, are not sufficient to secure them against the extraordinary Causes of iealousy, which have been given them in these troublesone times. And that Your Majesties Answer lays some tax upon the Parliament, as if defective, and thereby uncapable of making such a provisional Law for an Oath. Therefore we are humbly to insist upon our former desires for such an Oath, as is mentioned in those papers, which we have formerly presented to your majesty concerning this matter. Northumberland. J. Holland. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. B. Whitlocke. April. 14. 1643. HIS Majesty did not refuse, by His former Answer, to consent to any such Oath as shall be thought necessary, though He did, and doth still, conceive the oaths already settled by law to be sufficient; neither did he ever suppose the Parliament incapable of making a provisional Law for such an Oath; but as He would be willing to apply any proper Remedy to the Extraordinary Causes of jealousies, if He could see that there were such causes, so he will be always most exact in observing the Articles agreed on, in preserving the true Reformed Protestant Religion, and the Peace of the Kingdom against foreign Forces, and other Forces raised or employed against Law. And when both Houses shall prepare and present such an Oath, as they shall make appear to His Majesty to be necessary to those Ends, his Majesty will readily consent to it. FALKLAND. THE PAPERS CONCERNING Disbanding the Armies. March. 28. 1643. His Majesties Answer to the first Proposition of both His Houses of Parliament. HIS Majesty is as ready and willing, that all Armies be disbanded as any Person whatsoever, and conceives the best way to it, to be a happy and speedy conclusion of the present Treaty, which( if both Houses will contribute as much to it, as His Majesty shall do) will be suddenly effected. And that this Treaty may the sooner produce that effect, His Majesty desires that the time given to the Committee of both Houses to Treat may be enlarged. And as His Majesty desires nothing more then to be with His two Houses, so He will repair thither as soon as He can possibly do it with His Honour& Safety. FALKLAND. March. 29. 1643. Concerning Your Majesties Answer to the Proposition of both Houses for disbanding of the Armies. we humbly desire to know, if by the words, By a happy and speedy Conclusion of the present Treaty, Your Majesty do intend a conclusion of the Treaty on your Majesties first Proposition, and their Proposition for disbanding the Armies, or a conclusion of the Treaty in all the Propositions of both parts. Wee have given speedy notice to both Houses of Parliament of your Majesties desires, that the time given to the Committee of both Houses to treat may be enlarged. To the last Clause we have no Instructions. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 4. 1643. we humbly acquaint your Majesty, that we received this morning the resolution of both Houses of Parliament, whereby farther time is given to us to treat upon the two first Propositions, viz. The first Proposition of your Majesties, and the first Proposition of both Houses. And that the time prescribed for the Treaty upon the two first Propositions, shall be until friday night. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armine. B. Whitelocke. April. 5. 1643. HIS Majesty intended by the words, By a happy and speedy Conclusion of the present Treaty, such a Conclusion of or in the Treaty, as there might be a clear evidence to himself and his good Subjects of a future Peace, and no ground left for the continuance or growth of these bloody dissensions; which, He doubts not, may be obtained, if both Houses shall consent, that the Treaty may proceed without further Interruption or limitation of dayes. FALKLAND. March 29. 1643. we are directed by our Instructions humbly to desire your Majesties speedy and positive answer concerning the disbanding of the Armies, to which if your Majesty be pleased to assent, we are then to beseech your Majesty in the name of both Houses, that a near day may be agreed upon for the disbanding of all the Forces in the remote parts of yorkshire, and the other Northern Counties, as also in Lancashire, Cheshire, and in the Dominion of Wales, and in cornwall, and Devonshire. And they being fully disbanded, another day may be agreed on for the disbanding of all Forces in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and all other places, except at Oxford and the Quarters thereunto belonging, and Windsor and the Quarters thereunto belonging. And that last of all, a speedy day may be appointed for the disbanding of those two Armies at Oxford and Windsor, and all the Forces Members of either of them. That some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of the disbanding, and that fit persons may be appointed by your majesty, and both Houses of Parliament, who may repair to the several Armies, and see the disbanding put in speedy execution accordingly. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. B. Whitelocke. April. 5. 1643. WHen the time for disbanding the Armies shall be agreed upon, His Majesty well approves that some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of disbanding, and that fit Persons may be appointed by His Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament, who may repair to the several Armies, and see the disbanding speedily put in execution accordingly. FALKLAND. April. 6. 1643. WE humbly desire to know, if by the words ( By a happy and speedy conclusion of the present treaty) Your Majesty intends a conclusion of the present treaty on Your majesties first Proposition, and the Proposition of both Houses for disbanding of the Armies, or a conclusion of the Treaty on all the Propositions of both parts. And what your majesty intends to be a clear evidence to yourself, and your good Subiects, of a future Peace, and no ground left for the continuance or growth of these bloody dissensions. Northumberland. Will. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 6. 1643. HIS Majesty desires to know from the Committee of both Houses, whether they acquiesce with His Majesties Replies to their Answers concerning His first Proposition, which yesterday they received from Him, and to which they have yet made no return. His Majesty likewise desires to know, whether they have yet received power and Instructions to Treat with His Majesty concerning His return to His two Houses of Parliament, which is a part of the first Proposition of both Houses. FALKLAND. April. 6. 1643. we shall transmit Your Majesties Replies to our Answers, concerning Your first Proposition, to both Houses of Parliament, without farther reply. We likewise humbly answer, that we have not received any power or Instructions to treat with Your Majesty concerning Your return to Your two Houses of Parliament; but We assure ourselves they will give Your Majesty satisfaction therein. Northumberland John Holland. Will. Peirrepont. Will. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. april 7. 1643. HIs Majesty conceives His Answers already given( for He hath given two) to be very clear and significant. And if the conclusion of the present Treaty on His Majesties first Proposition, and the Proposition of both Houses, shall be so fully and perfectly made, that the Law or the Land may have a full, free, and uninterrupted Course, for the defence and preservation of the Rights both of His Majesty, both Houses, and His good Subjects, there will be thence a clear evidence to His Majesty and His good Subjects of a future Peace, and no ground left for the continuance and Growth of these bloody dissensions, and it will be such a conclusion as His Majesty intended. His Majesty never intending that both Armies should remain undisbanded until all the Propositions of both sides were fully concluded. But His Majesty is very sorry that in that point of the first Proposition of both Houses, which hath seemed to be so much wished, and which may be so concluded as alone much to conduce to the evidence desired,( viz. His return to both Houses, to which His Majesty in His Answer hath expressed himself to be most ready, whensoever. He may do it with Honour and safety) they have yet no manner of Power nor instructions so much as to treat with His Majesty. FALKLAND. April. 7. 1643. WEE have not transmitted Your Majesties answer to the Proposition of Disbanding, wherein Your Majesty mentions yourself to be most ready to return to both Your Houses of Parliament, whensoever You may do it with Honour and safety, for that we humbly conceive, we were to expect Your Majesties answer to that Proposition this day received, before we could give a due account thereof to both Houses of Parliament, the which wee will presently sand away without farther reply. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Armyne. W. Pierrepont. B. Whitelocke. April. 8. 1643. BY Instructions this day received from both Houses of Parliament, we humbly conceive that we are to acquaint Your Majesty, that they have taken into consideration Your Majesties answer to their reasons concerning the Cessation, wherein there are divers expressions which will occasion particular replies, which at this time they desire to decline, their wishes and endeavours being earnestly bent upon the obtaining a speedy Peace, for which cause they do not think good to consume any more of the time allowed for the Treaty, in any farther debates upon the Cessation, concerning which they find Your Majesties expressions so doubtful, that it cannot be suddenly or easily resolved, and the remainder of the time for the whole Treaty, being but seven daies, if the Cessation were presently agreed, it would not yield any considerable advantage to the Kingdom. Wherefore we are required to desire Your Majesty to give a speedy and positive answer to the first Proposition concerning the Disbanding, that so Your Subjects may not only have a shadow of Peace in a short time of Cessation, but the substance of it in such manner as may be a perpetual blessing to them, by freeing the Kingdom from those miserable effects of war, the effusion of English blood, and desolation of many parts of the Land. Northumberland. I. Holland. W. Pierrepont. W. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. HIS majesties gracious Message to both Houses, in Answer to the foregoing Paper. IF the Committee, according to His Majesties Desire, had had but Power to agree in the wording of Expressions in the Articles of Cessation, His Majesties( which are as clear as the matter would bear, and as He could make them) had not appeared so doubtful to any, but that the Cessation might have been suddenly and speedily resolved, and that long before this time. And if the Expressions of both Houses in their Reasons had not necessitated His Majesty in His own Defence, to give such Answers as could not upon those points deliver Truth without some show of sharpness, no expression of that kind in His Majesties Answer had given any pretence for the Rejection of, or refusing so much as to Treat upon the Cessation; Which( though it were at present for no long time, yet) was from the day name by themselves the 25. of March. Whereas His Majesty first moved for a Cessation and Treaty without any Limitation at all in the time of either; and His Majesty was most ready to have enlarged the time( so that in the mean while the point of Quarters might be so settled, as that His Armies might subsist,) and which might have been( if they had pleased) a very good and promising earnest and Forerunner of that great Blessing of Peace; for the obtaining of which the wishes and endeavours of all good men being earnestly bent, a farther debate in order to so great a benefit did not deserve to be styled a Consumption of time. And His Majesty cannot but conceive himself to be in a strange Condition, if the doubtfulness of Expressions,( which must always be, whilst the Treaty is at such a distance, and power is denied to those upon the place to help to clear and explain) or His necessary Replying to Charges laid upon Him,( that He might not seem to aclowledge what was so charged) or the Limitation of the time of seven dayes for the Treaty( which was not limited by his Majesty, who ever desired to have avoided that and other Limitations, which have given great interruptions to it) should be as well believed to be the Grounds, as they are made the Arguments of the Rejection of that, which( next to Peace itself) His Majesty above all things most desires to see agreed and settled, and which His Majesty hopes( if it may be yet agreed on) will give His People such a taste of such a Blessing, that after a short time of consideration and comparing of their several Conditions in war and Peace, and what should move them to suffer so much by a Change, they will not think those their Friends that shall force them to it, or be themselves ready to contribute to the renewing of their former miseries, without some greater evidence of Necessity then can appear to them, when they shall have seen( as they shall see, if this Treaty be suffered to proceed) that His Majesty neither asks nor denies any thing, but what not only according to Law He may, but what in Honour and Care of His People He is obliged to ask or deny. And this alone( which a very short Cessation would produce) His Majesty esteems a very considerable Advantage to the Kingdom; and therefore cannot but press again and again, that whatever is thought doubtful in the Expressions of the Articles, may( as in an hour it may well be done) be expounded, and whatsoever is excepted at may be debated and concluded, and that Power and Instructions may be given to the Committee to that end, that the miserable effects of war, the effusion of English blood, and desolation of England( until they can be totally taken away) may by this means be stayed and interrupted. His Majesty supposes, that when the Committee was last required to desire His Majesty to give a speedy and positive Answer to the first Proposition concerning disbanding, His answers in that point( to which no reply hath been made, and which He hopes by this time have given satisfaction) were not transmitted and received, but wonders the Houses should press His Majesty for a speedy and positive Answer to the first part of their first Proposition concerning disbanding, when to the second part of the very same Proposition, concerning His return to both Houses of Parliament, they had not given any Power or instructions to the Committee, so much as to Treat with His Majesty; And when His Majesty( if His desire of Peace and of speeding the Treaty in order to that had not been prevalent with Him) might with all manner of Iustice have delayed to begin to Treat upon one part, until they had been enabled to Treat upon the other; In which point, and for want of which Power from them, the only stop now remaines, His Majesties Answers to both parts of their first Proposition, being given in, transmitted, and yet remaining unanswered. To which, until the Houses shall be at leisure to make answer, that as little delay in this Treaty, as is possible, may be caused by it, His Majesty desires likewise, That the Committee may be enabled to Treat upon the following Propositions in their several orders. April. 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament, we are commanded humbly to insist upon that part of the first Proposition of both Houses of Parliament, concerning the disbanding, according to the papers we have formerly presented to your Majesty thereupon. And we are humbly to acquaint your Majesty, that both Houses of Parliament do conceive your Majesties Answer concerning the disbanding to be in effect a denial, unless they dissert all those Cautions and limitations, which they have desired in their answer to your Majesties first Proposition. Northumberland. W. Peirrepoint. joh. Holland. W. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 10. 1643. BY Instructions from both Houses of Parliament yesterday received, we are commanded to declare unto your majesty the desire of both Houses for your majesties coming to your Parliament, which they have often expressed with full offers of security to Your royal Person, agreeable to their duty and allegiance, and they know no cause why your majesty may not return thither with Honour and safety, but they did not insert it into our Instructions, because they conceived the disbanding of the Armies would have facilitated your majesties resolution therein, which they likewise conceived was agreeable to your majesties sense, who in declaring your consent to the order of the Treaty, did only mention that part of the first Proposition which concerned the disbanding, and did omit that which concerned your majesties coming to both Houses of Parliament. Northumberland. W. Pierrepont. joh. Holland. W. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 14. 1643. HIS Majesty had great reason to expect, that as He answered to every part of the first Proposition of both Houses, so the Committee should likewise have had power and Instructions to Treat with His Majesty concerning both parts of the same; nor had the Houses any Reason to suppose this course agreeable to His Majesties sense, for His Majesty in declaring his Consent to the order of the Treaty, indeed mentioned their first Proposition by the style of the first Proposition which concerned disbanding, but did not style it that part of the first Proposition which concerned disbanding, as if He had meant to have excluded any part of that Proposition from being treated on, He would& ought to have done, but though his Majesties Answers in the point of disbanding and return to His Parliament were as particular and as satisfactory as His Majesty had cause to make, or could well give, till this latter part were consented to be Treated upon, yet out of His great desire of Peace, and of complying with both Houses, His Majesty hath made a full and particular answer and offer to both Houses, concerning as well the first part of their first Article, upon which He hath reated with the Committee, as that upon which they have yet no power to treat, though His Majesty hath prest that such power might be given to them. FALKLAND. April. 14. 1643. we received Instructions from both Houses of Parliament the ninth of this present April, and in pursuance thereof, we humbly presented a paper to Your Majesty upon the tenth of this instant, wherein those Instructions were expressed, and the desire of both Houses concerning your Majesties return to Your Parliament. Northumberland. W. Peirrepont. joh. Holland. W. Armyne. B. Whitelocke. April. 15. 1643. HIS Majesty doth aclowledge to have received a Paper from the Committee upon the tenth of April, expressing, That they had received Instructions, to declare unto His Majesty the desire of both Houses for His Majesties coming to His Parliament, which they had often expressed with full offers of security to His royal Person, agreeable to their Duty and Allegiance; and that they knew no cause why His Majesty might not return thither with Honour and Safety. But as the Committee had before acknowledged in a Paper of the fixth of April, not to have any power or Instructions to treat with His Majesty concerning His return to His two Houses of Parliament, and as this Paper mentioned no Instructions to treat, but onely to deliver that single Message concerning it, so His Majesty took it for granted that if they had received any new power or Instructions in that point, they would have signified as much to Him, and therefore conceiving it in vain to discourse, and impossible to treat upon that, with those, who had no power to treat with Him, His Majesty addressed that Answer concerning that point to both Houses, of which his Majesty took notice to the Committee in a Paper of this fourteenth of April, and which was shewed to them before He sent it. And if both Houses will upon it but consent, to give his Majesty such security as will appear to all indifferent Persons to be agreeable to their Duty and Allegiance( those Tumults which driven Him from thence, and what followed those Tumults being a most visible and sufficient Reason why He cannot return thither with His Honour and Safety, without more particular offers of Security, then as yet they have ever made Him) all Disputes about that point between them will be soon ended, and His Majesty speedily return to them, and His whole kingdom to their former Peace and happiness. FALKLAND. HIS MAJESTIES MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES, CONCERNING DISBANDING OF both ARMIES, AND HIS MAIESTJES return TO BOTH Houses of PARLIAMENT, Mentioned in HIS MAJESTIES two last Papers. OXFORD 12. April. 1643. Printed, by His MAJESTIES Command, AT OXFORD, By LEONARD LICHFIELD Printer to the university. 1643. HIS majesties MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES, &c. OXFORD, April. 12. 1643. TO show to the whole World how earnestly His Majesty longs for Peace, and that no success shall make Him desire the continuance of His Army to any other end, or for any longer time then That, and until things may be so settled, as that the Law may have a full, free, and uninterrupted course, for the defence and preservation of the Rights of His Majesty, both Houses, and His good Subjects. 1. As soon as His Majesty is satisfied in His first Proposition concerning His own Revenue, Magazines, Ships, and Forts, in which He desires nothing but that the just, known, legal Rights of His majesty( devolved to Him from His Progenitors) and of the Persons trusted by Him, which have violently been taken from both, be restored unto Him and unto them, unless any Just and legal exceptions against any of the Persons trusted by Him( which are yet unknown to His majesty) can be made appear to Him. 2. As soon as all the Members of both Houses shall be restored to the same Capacity of Sitting and Voting in Parliament, as they had upon the first of january, 1641. the same of right belonging unto them by their birthrights, and the free Election of those that sent them, and having been Voted from them for adhering to His majesty in these distractions. His majesty not intending that this should extend either to the Bishops, whose Votes have been taken away by Bill, or to such in whose places upon new Writs new elections have been made. 3. As soon as His Majesty and both Houses may be secured from such tumultuous Assemblies, as, to the great breach of the privileges, and the high dishonour of Parliaments, have formerly assembled about both Houses, and awed the members of the same, and occasioned two several Complaints from the Lords House, and two several desires of that House to the House of Commons, to join in a Declaration against them, the complying with which desire, might have prevented all these miserable distractions, which have ensued. Which security His Majesty conceives can be only settled by adjourning the Parliament to some other place, at the least twenty miles from London, the choice of which His Majesty leaves to both Houses. His Majesty will most cheerfully and readily consent that both Armies be immediately disbanded, and give a present meeting to both His Houses of Parliament at the time and place at and to which the Parliament shall be agreed to be adjourned. His Majesty being most confident, that the Law will then recover the due credit and estimation, and that upon a free debate in a full and peaceable convention of Parliament, such provisions will be made against seditious Preaching and Printing against His Majesty, and the established laws, which hath been one of the chief causes of the present distractions; and such care will be taken concerning the legal and known Rights of His Majesty, and the Property and Liberty of His Subjects, that whatsoever hath been published or done in or by Colour of any illegal Declaration, Ordinance or Order of one or both Houses, or any Committee of either of them, and particularly the power to raise arms without His Majesties consent, will be in such manner recalled, disclaimed and provided against, that no seed will remain for the like to spring out of for the future, to disturb the peace of the Kingdom, and to endanger the very being of it. And in such a Convention His Majesty is resolved by His readiness to consent to whatsoever shall be proposed to Him by Bill for the real good of His Subjects,( and particularly for the better discovery and speedier Conviction of Recusants, for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion, for the prevention of practices of Papists against the State, and the due execution of the laws, and true levying of the penalties against them) to make known to all the World, how causeless those fears and Jealousies have been which have been raised against Him, and by that so distracted this miserable Kingdom. And if this offer of His Majesty be not consented to,( in which He asks nothing for which there is not apparent Iustice on His side, and in which He defers many things highly concerning both himself and People, till a full and peaceable convention of Parliament, which in Justice He might now require) His Majesty is confident, that it will then appear to all the World, not only who is most desirous of Peace, and whose fault it is that both Armies are not now disbanded, but who have been the true and first cause that this Peace was ever interrupted, or these Armies raised; and the beginning or continuance of the war, and the destruction& desolation of this poor Kingdom( which is too likely to ensue) will not, by the most interested, passionate, or prejudicate Person, be imputed to His Majesty. TO this gracious offer of His Majesties, by which His great desire of Peace, and readiness to disband His Army, and return to His Parliament( so He and His Parliament may be secured from Tumults and violence) are made visible to all the World, not so much as any Answer hath yet been returned from both Houses, but upon the receipt thereof( as fearing perhaps least any continuance of the Treaty upon so reasonable an Offer, might unavoidably produce a Peace) The Committee of both Houses were immediately recalled by new orders, and that of the House of Commons commanded to hasten their return in most strict and unusual terms. FINIS.