The articles and charge of the officers and souldiers in the armie concerning the Kings Majesty, and all persons whatsoever, who shall endeavour to re-inthrone Him, or to act or speak in His Majesties behalf, till he shall be acquitted of the guilt of shedding innocent bloud. And their declaration and proposals, concerning King, Lords, and Commoners; presented to the Lord General Fairfax. With his excellencies letter to the Parliament, concerning the army. Read in the House of Commons on Wednesday last, October 18, 1648.

THE DECLARATION OF THE ARMY Concerning all persons whatsoever, either in Parlia∣ment or else-where, who indeavour the re-in∣throning of the King.

VVEE the Officers and Souldiers under the immediate conduct of his Excel∣lency the Lord Gen. Fairfax, do de∣clare, That we are as desirous of a safe and wel groun∣ded peace, and that a finall end were put to all the troubles and miseries of the Common-wealth, as any sort of men whatsoever: Yet considering,

1 That there is no justice done against the Abettors of the late Rebellion, as Holland, Buckingham, Laughorn, Poyer, and their Accomplices: or of the Confederates

with the Apostate Scots: and indeed little Iustice by the Parliament done upon any Offenders of that kind. By which we have too much cause to fear, that there may be a party in the Parliament abetting and correspoding with (if not guilty of) the same Designs.

2 That notwithstanding the King hath betrayed the trust reposed in him, and raised war against this Nation to inslave it, violating his Oaths, and trampling under∣foot our Laws (then which no Engagement non taken can be more binding:) notwithstanding he is guilty of all the bloud-shed in these intestine wars, as may appear by hie own confession in his late agreeing to the Parl. first propo∣sition: being also a person who was so far concluded un∣capable to govern, that the Parl. voted that no addresse should be made to him. There is yet a prevalent party of his Creatures, who in parliament and else where, act His Design, and are (as we conceive) the Authors of our pre∣sent Distractions.

3 That through the evill designes and practises of the foresaid party, the intollerable burthen of free quarter is continued upon the people notwithstanding the unreaso∣nable taxes daily extorted from them, in the name of pay for the Army: By which means we are not only rendered odious to others, but a burthen to our selves not being able to cloth our selves, shoe our horses, or free our Arms.

We therefore cannot think any thing can be safely done in order to a peace, untill some speedy and effe∣ctuall course be taken, which we humbly desire your Excellency will be pleased to your utmost power, to endeavour, 1. That there may be a strict scrutiny, for the more full discovery of such persons as were con∣trivers or encouragers of the Rebellions aforesaid, and that Justice speedily be executed on them accord¦ing

to the late Orders of Parliament. 2 That impartiall and speedy Justice may be done upon all criminal per∣sons, and especially upon such as have or shal endevor to obstruct the course thereof, or have betrayed their trust, or bin Authors of shedding that innocent bloud, which calls to Heaven for vengeance, that so we may be at peace with God. 3 That the same fault may have the same punishment, in the person of King or Lord, as in the person of the poorest Commoner. 4 That all such may be proceeded against as Traytors, who act or speak in the Kings behalf, 'till he shall be acquitted of the guilt of shedding innocent bloud. 5 That the Army may speedily have their pay, or a present course be taken against those who unjustly with hold it; and that they may have the Arrears due since Ian. 25. be∣fore they be ordered to pay quarters, and effectuall provision made for the payment of former Arreares. 6 That the intollerable oppression of free quarter be immediatly taken off, and that for the time to come whilest there is necessity for an Army, there may be Assignations given to each Regiment, Troop & Com∣pany, which may be cōstant during the establishments of the Army, that the money may not passe from hand to hand till it is half imbezelled, but be paid immedi∣atly from the Countries to the Soldiery, that so all free quarter for ever avoided, it may return from the Souldier to the Country-man again.

And now fearing lest the inveterate malice of our ad∣versaries should asperse us with a design to destroy Magistracy and propriety; we cannot but declare, that we shal constantly indevour to def••nd them both with our lives and fortunes, and in expectation of your Ex∣cellencies favor in the premises, we shall ever pray, &c.

Subscribed in the name of the Officers and Souldiery of Com. G. Iretons Regiment. H. CLARE.