March 27. 1643.
TO that part of Your Majesty's first Proposition which concerns Your Majesty's Towns and Forts, we humbly give this Answer;
That the two Houses of Parliament will remove the Garrisons out of all Towns and 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.
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 con∣fide in.
That the Town of Portsmouth 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 ta∣ken by both Houses of Parliament into their care and custody since the beginning of these Troubles, shall be reduced to such proportioon 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 nomi∣nated by Your Majesty, as the two Houses of Parliament shall confide in.
That the Warden of the Cinque-ports, and all Governours 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 forein Forces, or any other Forces raised without Your Ma∣jesty's 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.
They likewise humbly propose to Your Majesty, that you would remove the Gar∣risons out of Newcastle, 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 in the year 1636.
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 nomina∣ted by Your Majesty, as both Houses of Parliament shall confide in, and under such Instructions as are formerly mentioned.
And that those new Garrisons shall not be renewed, nor their Fortifications repaired, without Consent of Your Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament.