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.

XXX. From HAMPTON-COURT, Sept. 9. MDCXLVII. In Answer to the Propositions presented to Him there.

For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore, to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, and to the Commissioners of the Parlia∣ment of Scotland.

CHARLES R.

HIS Majesty cannot chuse but be passionately sensible (as He believes all His good Subjects are) of the late great Distractions, and still languishing and unsetled state of this Kingdom; and He calls God to witness, and is willing to give testimony to all the World of His readiness to contribute His uttermost endeavours for restoring it to a happy and flourishing condition. His Majesty having perused the Propositions

now brought to Him, finds them the same in effect which were offered to Him at New∣castle: To some of which as He could not then consent without violation of His Con∣science and Honour; so neither can He agree to others now, conceiving them in ma∣ny respects more disagreeable to the present condition of affairs than when they were formerly presented unto Him, as being destructive to the main principal Interests of the Army, and of all those whose affections concur with them. And His Majesty ha∣ving seen the Proposals of the Army to the Commissioners from His two Houses resi∣ding with them, and with them to be treated on, in order to the clearing and securing of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom, and the setling of a Just and lasting Peace: to which Proposals as He conceives His two Houses not to be strangers; so He believes they will think with Him, that they much more conduce to the satisfacti∣on of all Interests, and may be a fitter foundation for a lasting Peace, than the Pro∣positions which at this time are tendered unto Him: He therefore propounds (as the best way in His judgment in order to a Peace) that His two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposals upon which there may be a Personal Treaty with His Majesty, and upon such other Propositions as His Majesty shall make; ho∣ping that the said Proposals may be so moderated in the said Treaty, as to render them the more capable of His Majesty's full Concession: Wherein He resolves to give full satisfaction to His People, for whatsoever shall concern the setling of the Protestant Profession, with liberty to tender Consciences, and the securing of the Laws, Liber∣ties and Properties of His Subjects, and all the just Privileges of Parliaments for the fu∣ture: And likewise by His present deportment in this Treaty, He will make the World clearly judge of His intentions in matters of future Government. In which Treaty His Majesty will be well pleased (if it be thought fit) that Commissioners from the Army (whose the Proposals are) may likewise be admitted. His Majesty therefore conjures His two Houses of Parliament by the duty they owe to God and His Majesty their King, and by the bowels of compassion they have to their fellow-Sub∣jects, both for the relief of their present Sufferings and to prevent future Miseries, that they will forthwith accept of this His Majesty's offer, whereby the joyful news of Peace may be restored to this distressed Kingdom. And for what concerns the King∣dom of Scotland mentioned in the Propositions, His Majesty will very willingly Treat upon those particulars with the Scotch Commissioners, and doubts not but to give reason∣able satisfaction to that His Kingdom.

At Hampton-Court, the ninth of September, 1647.