Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

XXII. From OXFORD, Mar. 23. MDCXLV, VI. Concerning His Return to the Houses.

For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore, to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster.

CHARLES R.

NOtwithstanding the unexpected Silence in stead of Answer to His Majesty's ma∣ny and gracious Messages to both Houses, whereby it may appear, that they desire to obtain their ends by Force rather than by Treaty, which may justly discou∣rage His Majesty from any more overtures of that kind; yet His Majesty conceives He shall be much wanting in His duty to God, and in what He oweth to the safety of His people, if he should not intend to prevent the great inconveniences that may o∣therwise hinder a safe and well-grounded Peace. His Majesty therefore now propo∣seth, that so He may have the Faith of both Houses of Parliament for the preservati∣on of His Honour, Person and Estate; and that Liberty be given to all those who do and have adhered to His Majesty to go to their own Houses, and there to live peace∣ably enjoying their Estates; all Sequestrations being taken off, without being compelled to take any Oath not enjoyned by the undoubted Laws of the Kingdom, or being put to any other molestation whatsoever; He will immediately disband all His Forces, and dismantle all His Garrisons, and being accompanied with His Royal, not His Mar∣tial Attendance, return to His two Houses of Parliament, and there reside with them. And for the better security of all His Majesties Subjects, He proposeth that He with His said two Houses immediately upon His coming to Westminster will pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon, and where His Majesty will further do whatsoever they will advise Him for the good and Peace of this Kingdom.

And as for the Kingdom of Scotland, His Majesty hath made no mention of it here, in regard of the great loss of time which must now be spent in expecting an answer

from thence, but declares that immediately upon His coming to Westminster, He will apply himself to give them all satisfaction touching that Kingdom.

If His Majesty could possibly doubt the success of this offer, He could use many ar∣guments to perswade them to it; but shall only insist on that great One, of giving an instant Peace to these afflicted Kingdoms.

Given at our Court at Oxford, the 23. of March, 1645.