Severall proposals or humble propositions delivered to the commissioners of Parliament residing with the army resolved upon at a generall councell of warre of the army under the command of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, held at Reading, July 17, 1647 : with a letter to the lord maior, aldermen, and Common Councell concerning the disposall of the militia of London / by the appointment of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and his councell of warre ; signed by John Rushworth ...

A LETTER sent from his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX, and the Councel of Warre; to the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of the City of London.

My Lord, and Gentlemen,

IN the carrying on of the great businesse of the Kingdome towards a generall and happy setle∣ment; it hath been a fixed principle with us to make it our first endeavour with the Parliament; that all things tending to the engagement of the Kingdome in a second Warre might be removed, before we could have a confidence to expect a good issue upon a Treaty with their Commissioners: which course of ours, although it might have some appearance of delay, yet by men, that are zealous of the Kingdomes good (we hope no endeavour will be iudged unnecessary, that may secure the Kingdome from the danger of a new embroyle∣ment.

Wee are now come thus farre; that the most materiall particulars which we have in preparation to propose for the generall settlement of the affaires of the Kingdome, have been communicated to the Parliaments Commissio∣ners, and we hope they are satisfyed that they contain in them things tending to a generall good, and to lay an hopefull foundation for a common Right and freedome to the People of this Land in future, and for a lasting peace amongst us.

But before we can securely intend, and without inter∣ruption apply our selves unto the proceeding and dispatch of the Treaty thereupon; wee have addressed some humble desires to the Parliament, which we have delivered into the hands of their Commissioners.

The paper consists of three particulars, the last whereof (which is the Militia of the City) you being most imedi∣ately concerned, to the end you may see, we would aske nothing which relates to you, without giving you a iust

accompt thereof, and all possible fatisfaction therein, we have also given a Copy thereof to your Commissioners to be herewith sent unto you.

We should not desire this or any thing else of that na∣ture, were we not perswaded that what we desire is seaso∣nable and necessary for yours and the Kingdomes good and quiet, and we should willingly have been silent (as to this) but considering the iust iealousies which lye against some persons now authorized in the exercise of that power amongst you, and those attempts which have been made by some who would have engaged your City to a warre, had not your Lordship and the court of Aldermen and Common Counsell by your wisedome prevented it, by getting those Votes which were passed by the Militia, made null; we cannot in a case of this importance but deale freely with you in desiring your concurrence with ours to the Parliaments, that the Militia may be changed into those hands out of which it was taken, of whose care and fidelity to the publique there hath been so long and large experience, as few ages have paralleld. And if the interest we have so long fought for be still the same. let it not seeme strange, that we desire both of the Parlia∣ment and City, that those may be in places of such a trust who have given the best proofe of their courage and con∣stancy in prosecution of the same.

Having thus farre declared our selves withall freedome and clearenesse to you, as we doe not doubt of your good acceptance of our intentions therein, so we desire your forwardnesse in a worke, so much tending to mutuall confidence, and to prevent the designes of any who would be glad to put obstructions in the way to an happy con∣clusion, and envy nothing more then the continuance of a right understanding between you and us.

Reading July 19. 1647.

By the appointment of his Ex∣cellency Sir THOMAS FAIR∣FAX. and his Counsell of Warre.

John Rushworth.