several LETTERS TO THE HONOURABLE William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons; And to the Committee of both Kingdoms, concerning the State of Sir Tho. Fairfax Army.  
showing the obedience of the Souldiers, which were mutineers to the Commands of the Parliament, and their readiness to serve the State, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
Together with Sergeant-Major▪ general Skippons SPEECH, to all the Officers and Souldiers, and their concurrence thereunto.  
With a Letter of privy-councillor Skippons, showing the readiness of the Souldiers, to go on in this expedition.  
ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, that these Letters be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H: elsing, clear. Parl. D. come.  
London, Printed for Edward Husbands. 1645.   

To the Right worshipful, Sir John Evelyn, Sir Henry Vane▪ junior; Master solicitor, or either of them.  
Honoured Sir,  
WE being desired to further the service of the State; And having seen very much of Gods over-ruling-Providence upon the Spirits both of Commanders, and Souldiers, in our entrance upon that great work at Reading, where our presence and assistance was desired by the mayor▪ general; who on Friday night, so soon as ever we came into the Garrison, gave order to draw out the five Regiments, formerly under the Command of his excellency, the Earl of Essex▪ and five Companies of my Lord Roberts, into the field on the next morning: We thought it our duty to acquaint you with the proceedings at that meeting. The Regiments and Companies aforesaid, being drawn up according to Order; The M●jor general marched in the head of all the Regiments, being accompanied with us, and the Commissioners in the Army, who were received with a general shout and acclamation of the souldiers: The compliment of the field being over, each Regiment was drawn apa●t; And then the Major-Generall applied himself, First, to his Excellencies regiment,& there commanded all the Officers to draw together to the head of the Regiment, and the●e expressed himself with much gravity, and sweetness of spirit, to the Officers and Souldiers of that Regiment, to this effect:( I think we may say verbatim) as is expressed in the enclosed: The like to all the rest with some little variations: Upon the close of his Speech to each Regiment, both the Officers to be co●tinued, and those that were to be dismissed, did witness much readiness to obey the Commands of Parliament; and likewise very much civility to the mayor▪ general: And the Souldiers they generally expressed their joy at the close of every Speech, without any reluctancy in any of them; declaring, that now they hoped( ere long) they should be in action. And farther, Whereas divers inferior Officers went off upon the Reducement, they have listed themselves as common Souldiers: So that we trust, you will have such an account of this business, as that you could not desire a better. The inhabitants of this▪ Garrison, who have been witnesses of their former mutinous dispositions, do very much wonder at so great a change in the same; and truly, the mighty hand of God was very visible in the work. We are sorry that we have troubled you with so long a scribble, the rather because we have an intimation, that the Commissioners here have written to Master Speaker, touching these Affairs: however, lest they should omit what to our apprehensions was most remarkable, we have taken the boldness to give you this trouble: From,  
Reading, this 6. of April. 1645. Sir, Your most humble Servants, 

Francis Allein.  
John Dethick.     

The enclosed Speech of Serjeant-Maior-Generall Skippon.  
Gentlemen, and fellow Souldiers all,  
I am now to acquaint you with the Commands of Parliament; to which in conscience to God, and love to our Country, we are bound to give all ready and cheerful obedience. There is a necessity lies upon us( since three Armies are to be reduced into one) that some Commanders and Officers must go out of their employments, wherein they now are. It is not out of any personal dis-respect to any of you that shall now go off; Therefore I hope you will behave yourselves accordingly. I have received Order from the House of Commons, to take notice what the comportment sh●ll be of those who must now go off; and to certify it unto them. I know you will behave yourselves like men of Honour and honesty( as indeed you are) and that I shall have no cause, but to make a good report of you; which I shall do, according to your carriage in this Reducement, both to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons, and to the Committee of both Kingdoms, and that particular Committee which are appointed to take you into consideration, and to take in your accounts, and pay you part of your arrears at present, and for the rest, you are to have a Debenter upon the Publique-Faith of the Kingdom. But if there shall be any among you, who out of any personal respect, or private discontent, shall make any disturbance in this Reducement; so as to obstruct or hinder a work of so public concernment; I shall not fail to give him his true Character to the State, without personal respect to any. And therefore let no man deceive himself; for although he may perhaps occasion some trouble in the present business, yet in the Issue, the greatest mischief will fall upon himself: But I hope I shall find none such here. There is( at present) a fortnights pay to be paid to such Officers as shall go off; which they shall presently have upon their Muster: And as for the Officers, ●nd Souldiers that are continued,( as soon as they shall be Mustered and Listed) they also shall h●ve a fortnights pay; and there are Clothes come down for the Souldiers already in part; and I assure you, That upon my Life and Honour, there are more providing, and you shall be all furnished with Coats, Breeches, Shirts, stockings, shoes, and such arms as you shall stand in need of; with all good usage and constant pay. And that as I have been with you hitherto, so upon all occasions of service to my God and Country, I shall by the help of God, be willing to live, and die with you.   

To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the Commons House of Parliament, Assembled at Westminster.  
Right Worthily Honoured Sir,  
YEsterday by Gods e●peciall bl●ssing upon my poor endeavours, the work of Reducement here, is quietly, and( I hope) thoroughly settled, both Officers and Souldiers demeaning themselves with all ready obedience to the Commands of Parliament. As soon as I can ge● an exact list of the officers that are gone off, I shal●( God willing) wi●h all humblen●ss●, sand the s●me to this Honourable House; that( as shall seem best unto you) they may be taken into your further consideration. I in●end( by Gods assistance) to prosecu●e this business of Reducing the rest in other places, with all possible diligence and faithfulness; hoping by Gods further favour, in a short time to bring the same to a wished ●ssue; whereof I shall( by Gods help) from time to time give you a true account. Onely I most humbly beseech you, that clothes and arms may be suddenly sent to Windsor, for their further supply and encouragement: as also for the spe●dier fi●ting them for the public service, the advancement whereof we hearty long after; and I hope in the strength of the Almighty shall with the uttermost hazard of our lives endeavour: may it please you( if it be not done already) to take some speedy▪ and certain course for money to pay those Horse that were of His Excellencies and Sir William Balfores Regiments, equal with the rest of the Horse that were of His Excellencies Army, that the Reducing of them may not be hindered or prejudiced. Mr. Allein. and Mr. Det●ick, now the present Treasurers of the Army here; as also th● Commissioners appointed by Parliament, have with all love, care and industry, furthered this great work: which let it please you to take notice of, being a very good and seasonable service to the State. I humbly crave pardon for my great boldness, and ever remain,  
Reading, the 6. of april, 1645. 11. at Night. Honoured Sir, Your Obliged faithful Servant, Ph: Skippon.   

To the Honourable, William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker to the House of Commons.  
Honourable Sir,  
HAving lately prest upon the distemperatures of this Garrison( occasioned principally from the tottering condition of such Officers as were to be reduced, whence undoubtedly grew their discontents, and by whose influence, the Mutinies of the soldier took rise, as appeared to us from more then common observation, which according to our duty( though to our hazard) we have both laboured to suppress, to qualify at least, and to present you the Intelligence:) We proceed to acqu●int you; Th●t upon the happy coming down of sergeant mayor general Skippon, the work we so long so earnestly desired, and so much feared, was yesterday by the great blessing of God happily accomplished. Upon Friday, towards night, Major-Generall was welcomed here, with acclamations of joy, serving as a good Omen, and encouragement, to the next dayes business. That night the Officers coming to welcome him, received much satisfaction, b● understanding from him the providential care the Parliament had of them, by ordering a Committee to receive the Major-Generalls Character, touching the merit, or demerit, of such as were designed to be laid aside, ti●l some other opportunity for employment; as also, to order the auditing their Debenters▪ promoting some part of their Arrer●s, and promising Publique-Faith for the rest. This not only calmed them for that night, brought them in due time next day to observe their Orders for drawing the five Regiments into the Forebury, but won them( after his public signification in the head of every Regiment, touching the Parliaments respects to the reduced Officers, as also their extraordinary provisions of Pay and apparel for the Private Souldiers, who had liberty offered to choose their Commanders, after the four standing Captains of his Excellenlencies Regiment were recruited) to deliver up their men to such as stood, in such a method, and with such discretion and obedience to your Commands, that not a dissenting soldier, nor discontented countenance, could well be discovered; so as they orderly marched thence in three reduced Regiments, cheerfully into three Churches, where we forthwith enrolled every Officer and soldier, as they entred the new List, closed the Books that evening, and with like diligence see the Private soldier paid, and most of the reduced Officers. In this action( though the work speak it, yet) cannot we pass by the Major-Generals great pains, and excellent way of invitation, without a deserved Emphasis, and Commemoration. To morrow( by Gods assistance) we shall finish the rest: That done, proceed to the Reducement elsewhere, and what other Rules the Major-Generall shall give us to walk by▪ nevertheless, clothing, and complete arming, requires speedy accomplishment, the season inviting, and Major-Generall having by promise engaged himself to them, unto that purpose. In these Affairs( if with modesty we may speak it) we have expressed what might with advantage conduce to make the work prosperous, and go on with such alacrity, and caution, as may worthily render us serviceable, and answerable to the trust reposed in us: which especially adds the interest of being  
Reading 6. April. 1645. Sir, Your Honours most faithful and obedient Servants, 

Martin Pyndar.  
H. Leighton.  
Tho. Herbert.  
Jo. Potter.    
FINIS.