Two letters from His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax one to both Houses of Parliament, giving an accompt of what transactions and proceedings have been betwixt the Kings Majesty and the Army, since his coming into their quarters : with some proposals in relation to His Majesty, and the speedy settlement of the peace of the Kingdom : the other a letter to the Lord Major, aldermen and Common-Councel of the city of London : with some papers of the proceedings of the treaty with the Army.

Mr. Speaker,

I Was sent unto by the King on Friday last, to desire the Parliament to give way to Him to see His Children; and that they might for that purpose be sent to Him: If I may be bold humbly to offer my Opinion, I think the allow∣ance of such a thing may be without the least pre∣judice to the Kingdom, and yet gain more upon His Majesty then denying it; and if it be in the prayers of every good man, That His heart may be gained, the performance of such civilities to Him is very sutable to those Desires, and will hear well with all men, who (if they can imagine it to be their own case) cannot but be sorry, if His Ma∣jesties natural affections to His Children, in so small a thing should not be complyed with; and if any question should be concerning the assurance of their return, I shall ingage for their return with∣in what time the Parliament shall limit.

Upon this occasion give me leave, I beseech you, to take notice of some Reports spread abroad, as if my self and the Officers of the Army were up∣on some underhand Contract or Bargain with the King; and from thence occasion is taken to slan∣der our Integrities, and endeavor a misunderstand∣ing betwixt the Parliament and their Army, the fidelity of which to the Parliament and Kingdom, and their affection to it, are the great objects of ma∣ny

mens Envies, because they see nothing so likely to settle Right and Freedom, with Truth and Peace to us and posterity, & to hinder their Designs against the same, as an Harmony or good accord between the Parliament and Army, which is the joy of good men, and it shall be our study to preserve against all Designs and Designers to the contrary.

To prevent therefore all misunderstandings of that kinde, I thought fit with all clearness to de∣clare unto you, That we have done nothing, nor shall do any thing which we desire to hide from you or the world, or shall not avow to the faces of our greatest Adversaries.

Our Desires concerning a just consideration and settlement of the Kings Rights (His Majesty first giving, His concurrence to settle and secure the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom) We have already publiquely declared in our Representation and Remonstrance. Since the first of those Papers sent to the Parliament, there have been several Of∣ficers of the Army upon several occasions sent to His Majesty, the first to present to Him a copy of the Representation, and after that some others to tender Him a copy of the Remonstrance; upon both which, the Officers sent were appointed to clear the sence and intention of any thing in either Paper, whereupon His Majesty might make any question. Since then, there have also been some Officers at several times sent to His Majesty about

His remove from Hatfield, to disswade (if possibly) from Windsor or any place so near London, to some place of further distance, answerable to what we had desired of the Parliament.

In all which addresses to His Majesty, We care not who knows what hath been said or done; for as We have nothing to bargain for or to ask, either from His Majesty or the Parliament, for advantage to our selves, or any particular party or interest of our own; so in all those Addresses to His Majesty We have utterly disclaimed and disavowed any such thing, or any Overtures or Thoughts tending that way; But the onely intent and effect of those our Addresses hath been, to desire and endeavor His Majesties free concurrence with the Parlia∣ment, for establishing and securing the common Rights and Liberties, and settling the peace of the Kingdom; and to assure Him, That (the Publique being so provided for, with such His Majesties con∣currence) it is fully agreeable to our Principles, and should be our desires and endeavor, That (with, and in such settling of the Publique) the Rights of His Majesties Royal Family should be also provi∣ded for, so as a lasting Peace and Agreement might be settled in this Nation: And that, as We had publiquely declared for the same in general terms, so (if things came to a way of settlement) We should not be wanting (in our sphaeres) to own that general Desire, in any particulars of natural or ci∣vil right to His Majesties Person or Family, which

might not prejudice or again indanger the Pub∣lique: and in the mean time, That His Majesty should finde all personal civilities and respects from us, with all reasonable freedom that might stand with safety, and with the trust or charge lying upon us concerning His Person.

You have here the utmost sum of what hath pass'd from us to His Majesty; and We could wish all men did rightly understand (without misrepre∣sentations) every particular wherein (as We know nothing not agreeable to Reason, Justice, Honesty or Conscience, so) We thought our selves con∣cerned the rather to say and do, as We have to∣wards His Majesty since He came within our quar∣ters, because of those common prejudices suggest∣ed against us, as if We were utter Enemies to Mo∣narchy, and all Civil Order or Government.

And for that particular of the Duke of Richmond and the Two Chapleins lately permitted to attend His Majesty, It was not done without much relu∣ctancy, because therein We doubted We might be misunderstood by the Kingdoms best friends.

But upon His Majesties continuing importunity for it (as a thing very nearly concerning His pre∣sent inward and outward contentment; and con∣ceiving those persons such (as we hoped) would not do ill offices to prejudice the Peace of the Kingdom, We did give way to it, and the persons (before they came) had notice of the permission: And as We then thought, so We still do think,

That to allow him some such company of persons least dangerous, whom former acquaintance may make him take pleasure in; and the allowance of some such Chapleins of His own, are things both reasonable and just; and the debarring of that li∣berty in the latter (We doubt) will but make Him more prejudiced against other Ministers.

In general, We humbly conceive, that to avoid all harshness, and afford all kinde usage to His Ma∣jesties Person, in things consisting with the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom, is the most Christian, Honorable and Prudent way: And in all things (as the Representation and Remonstrance of the Ar∣my doth express) We think that tender, equitable and moderate dealing, both towards His Majesty, His Royal Family, and His late party (so far as may stand with safety to the Kingdom, and secu∣rity to our common Rights and Liberties) is the most hopeful course to take away the seeds of War or future Feuds amongst us for posterity, and to procure a lasting Peace and Agreement in this now distracted Nation; To the effecting and set∣ling whereof (with a secure provision first to be made for the common Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom, and a due care to preserve and propagate the Gospel of Truth & Peace amongst us) we shall hope that neither the Parliament nor His Majesty will be wanting: And if God shall see it good to make us any way instrumental thereunto or that We may otherwise see the same accomplisht, We

shall then think our selves indeed discharged from the publique ingagements We have been called out unto, more clearly and effectually then (before such things were settled) We could have thought our selves to be, and (to demonstrate our clearness from seeking self-advantages in what We did) We shall thenceforth account it our greatest happiness and Honor (if God see it good) to be disingaged and dismist, not onely from our Military charges, but from all other matters of Power or publique imployment whatsoever.

I have in these things spoke, not in my own Name alone, but in the Name (because I finde it to be the clear sence of the generality, or at least of the most considerable part) of the Army, and I am confident you and the Kingdom will never finde it other∣wise: I shall leave it to your favorable constru∣ction, and commit all to the goodness of God for an happy issue. I remain

Reading, July 8. 1647.

Your most humble Servant, T. Fairfax.

For the Right Honorable, The Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.