A happy handfull, or Green hopes in the blade; in order to a harvest, of the several shires, humbly petitioning, or heartily declaring for peace.

A DECLARATION OF THE NOBILITY and GENTRY that adhered to the late KING, in and about the City of LONDON.

AFter the miseries of a Civil War, and the many vain and fruitless Attempts toward Settlement up∣on several Interests and Imaginary Forms of Go∣vernment, It having pleased Almighty God by unexpe∣cted and wonderful meanes to give these Nations a Pro∣bable hope of being restored to those Lawes and Privi∣ledges which have been transmitted to them from their Ancestors.

We doe Declare, That we think our selves obliged, next to Divine Providence to attribute this Glorious Work to his Excellency the Lord General MONCK, who as he had the Courage to assert the Publick Liberty, And the Prudence to carry it on against so many difficulties, has also had the happinesse to lead us thus far through the Wilderness of Confusion, without Passing the Red Sea of Blood.

And because the Enemies of the Publick Peace have en∣deavoured to represent those of the KING'S Party as men implacable, and such as would sacrifice the common Good as their private Passions. We doe sincerely profess that we doe reflect upon our past Sufferings from the hand of

God, and therefore doe not cherish any violent Thoughts or Inclinations to have been any way Instrumental in them; And if the indiscretion of any Spirited Persons transports them to Expressions contrary to this our Sense, we utterly disclaim them, And desire that the imputation may extend no farther than the folly of the offenders.

And we farther declare, that we intend by our Quiet and Peaceable behaviour to testifie our Submission to the present Power, as it now resides in the Council of State in expectation of the Future Parliament, upon whose Wisedome and Determinations, we trust God will give such a Blessing, as may produce a perfect Settlement both in Church and State.

And as his Excellency hath not chosen the Sandy Founda∣tion of Self-concernment, but the firm Rock of National Interest, whereon to frame our Settlement: It is our Hope and Prayer that when the Building comes to be raised, it may not like Rome have its beginning in the Blood of Brethren, nor like Babel be interrupted by the Confusi∣on of Tongues. but that we may all speak one Language, and be of one name, That all mention of Parties and Fa∣ctions, and all Rancour and Animosities may be thrown in and buried like rubbish under the Foundation.

Subscribed by

• The Marquiss of Dorchester
• The Earl of Northampton
• The Earl of Devonshire
• The Earl of Barkshire
• The Earl of Dover
• The Earl of Peterborough
• The Earl of Norwich
• The Earl of Corke
• The Earl of Carbery
• The Earl of Desmond
• The Viscount Ogle
• The Viscount Grandison
• The Viscount Lumley
• The Viscount Brounker
• The Lord Lucas
• The Lord Bellasis
• The Lord Loughborough
• The Lord Lexinton
• The Lord Brereton
• Tho. Fuller Bp. of Kerry
• Sir William Compton
• Sir Francis Vane
• ...

• John Russel
• Wil. Ashburnham
• Edward Villers
• Thomas Howard
• Will. Howard
• Sir Jarvis Clifton Knight and Baronet
• Sir Tho. Corbet Bar.
• Sir Tho. Littleton Bar.
• Sir John Greenvil Knight and Baronet
• Sir Wil. Thorold Bar.
• Sir Tho. Prestwich Bar.
• Sir Orlando Bridgman
• Sir Ed. Pie
• Sir Lewis Kirke
• Sir Tho. Smith
• Sir Rob. Stapleton
• Sir Wil. Coney
• Sir Nich. Crisp
• Sir Hugh Cartwright
• Sir Sutton Cony
• Sir Henry Chichley
• Sir Wil. Morton
• Sir Ed. Savage
• Sir Tho. Armstrong
• Sir John Stephens
• Sir Humph. Bennet
• Sir Wil. Howard
• Sir Hen. Wroth
• Sir Wil. Dacres
• Sir Rich. Malevory
• Sir Arthur Gorge
• Sir Anthony Jackson
• Sir Robert Bolles
• George Morley D. D.
• Tho. Warmstry D. D.
• Jer. Taylor D. D.
• Phil. King D. D.
• E. Penrodock
• Will. Legg
• George Penrodock
• Tho. Lower
• Herbert Price
• Tho. Panton
• Robert Ruthen
• Coll. Fretswel
• John Jeffryes
• Adrian Scrope
• Wil. Burgh
• John Mayard
• Ed. Rosecarack

And many others.