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.

For the Right Honourable the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Common-Councel of the City of LONDON.

My Lord and Gentlemen,

TO the end we may continue a right understanding betwixt you and us all along in the management of this great businesse with the Parliament, (the happie proceedings thereof so much concerning the safety and peace of this Kingdom) we have given your Commissioners this day the copie of a Paper which we present∣ed to the Commissioners of Parliament residing with us; wherein we take notice of the true rea∣sons of the slowe progresse in the Treaty, and declare where the stop remains. And to the end that nothing may be wanting in us which might work toward the speedie settlement of the quiet of this Kingdom; we have humbly offered what we can say will most effectually tend to remove

those incumbrances and letts which stand be∣tween us and the universal good of the King∣dom; and till that be done, it cannot be expect∣ed that we should procure the Peace of this Kingdom by a Treaty, but rather give occasion and opportunity thereby to others to engage us in a second War, which must necessarily hazard the ruine of this Kingdom, as also the certain de∣struction of Ireland, the relief whereof we shoud most effectually apply unto you, were the af∣fairs of England but once put into an hopeful posture. It is a sudden and substantial settlement of the whole we desire, in a general, safe, and well-grounded Peace, and the establishment of such good Laws, as may duely and readily render to every man their just Rights and Liberties: And for the obtaining of these, not onely our in∣tentions had led us to, but we think that all the Blood, Treasure and Labour spent in this War, was for the accomplishing those very things which are of that concernment both to our selves and posterity, that neither we nor they can live comfortably without them; and thereof we hope your selves will have the same sense, and therefore improve your interest for the obtain∣ing out just Desires in the Proposals now sent unto the Parliament; which being granted, and we secured from the danger of a War, we shall proceed with cheerfulnesse to the Treaty, and doubt not in a short time to see an happie Con∣clusion,

to the satisfaction of all honest mens Expectation, and that in all our undertakings we shall be found men of truth, fully and singly an∣swering the things we have held forth to the Kingdom in our several Declarations and Pa∣pers, without by or base respects to any private end or interest whatsoever.

READING, July 8. 1647.

By the Appointment of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and his Councel of War.

Signed, JO. RUSHWORTH, Secretary.