Articles exhibited against the King, and the charge of the Army, against His Majesty; drawn up by the Generall Councell of Officers, for the speedy executing of impartiall justice upon his person; and the time, place, and manner of his tryall. Also, a message to His Majesty concerning the same; and his declaration and proposals touching the Crown of England, and the government thereof; and the resolution of the Army in order thereunto. Likewise, the declaration of the citizens of London, concerning the tryall of the King; and proposals to the Lord Gen. Fairfax, for liberty and freedom. With a joyfull and satisfactory answer thereunto.

The gallant RESOLVTION Of the Lord Generall FAIRFAX Concerning The speedy re-investing of His Majesties Royall Person, the time appointed, and the manner how He shall be established: With the Proposals of the Army, for the present setling of the peace of the Kingdom.

HIs Excellency the Lord Gen. Fairfax, Lieuten. General Crumwell and the rest of the Coun∣cell of Officers, have seriously debated the Remonstrance and Proposals of the Army, for the speedy setling of the peace of the King∣dome,

and executing of impartiall Justice upon all Offen∣ders whatsoever; and to that end, have drawn up a Charge against the King, which containeth these particulars, viz.

1 That Charles Steward hath acted contrary to his trust, in departing from the Parliament.

2 That the said Charles Steward hath forfeited his trust reposed in him by the people, by setting up his Standard, making a war against them, and thereby been occasion of much bloudshed and misery to the people whom hee was set over for good.

3 That the said Charles Steward hath been the chiefe In∣strument of augmenting and promoting a second War, by granting Commissions to Incendiaries and Malignants, and inviting them thereunto.

4 That the said Charles Steward hath acted contrary to the Liberties of the Subject, and tending to the destruction of the fundamentall Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome; all which amounts to a forfeiture of the said trust reposed in him by the People at his Coronation, with much more to this effect.

The Councel of War (who now manage businesse, as in relation to him have to ordered the way of State and Majesty observed about him, as to persons and manner, viz. that no∣thing be done upon the knee, in reference to his tryall, who (as is said) will receive it at Windsor about the 6. day of the next moneth. And it is said, that his Maj. upon the receipt hereof, declated, That though he could have no restaurati∣on to his right, priviledges, and Crown, and had participa∣ted of far more trouble and misery in this world, than any of his (late) Predecesors, yet he doubted not, but in the world to come, to receive an everlasting Crown of glory.

His Majesties Proposals touching the Crown of England.

FIrst, That no Law can judge a King, or make him rightly to suffer death by any power. 2 That though Hee suffers under them by restraint, yet his Irish Sub∣jects will come in their time and rescue Him. 3 That all men when they find that great decay of trade, which will be, if the Kingdome be not setled by him, they will rescue him. 4 That He knowes what an influence is from the peo∣ple upo him; That, that if he be not restored, they will not be satisfied. 5 That the kingdome is generally well pleased with what he condescended to, as very great on his part, at the Treaty with the Parliament. 6 That the City of Lon∣don are of great power both in purse and strength, and will oppose any that shall seek to destroy him. 7 That reliefe will come to him from severall parts of Christendome. 8 That his Sonne Prince Charles is able to raise a good strength in France and Holland.

Answer.

1 That there is not only example hereof in other parts, but in Scotland, yea, and England also, of the 35 last Kings, above twenty were imposed and deposed by power. 2 That nothing will ruine his Majesty more, than joyning with the Irish against his Protestant Subjects. 3 That there will be a sudden course taken for setling of trade, and inriching the kingdome. 4 That Law and Justice being executed, it will render great satisfaction to the people. 5. That the kingdom cannot be satisfied with Ormonds negotation with the Re∣bels in Ireland. 6 That the City of London will bee new modelled, and begins to be framed to a pretty good order, and temper, since the putting of Malignants our of power and authority. 7 That forreign forces cannot daunt the spi∣rits of the Souldiery of England. 8 That the French have troubles enough at home, by the present distractions in the City of Paris, and that the Prince wants money for facilita∣ting his design in Holland.

ON Saturday last his Majesty arrived, being guarded by Coly Harison, and ten Troops of Horse, who upon their coming, a great influence of people resorted to the Towns∣end, and upon his Majesties passing by, a great eccho arose, from the voyce of the people, crying, God blesse your Majesty and send you long to reign. And after that his Royal person were conducted to the Castle, and the dark Curtain from the Canopy of Heaven being drawn, the Royalits (in seve∣rall places throughout the town) began to drink a carouse to their dread Soveraign; but with an Eagles Eye being dis∣cern'd, they were soon taken off from that Ceremonial and Court-like action; for notice thereof being given to the Capt. of the Guard, several sides of musquetiers were com∣manded forth for the securing of them, but upon their ad∣vance towards the place of sanctuary, they found Bacchus in the posture of Mars to receive them, the Royalists stan∣ding in a posture of defence, and would not give admittance: whereupon, the Soldiery forced their passage, broke in upon them, wounded divers, killed three, and secured the rest, who are now committed to safe custody, to answer their high in∣surrection and commotion before a Councel of War.

VVindsor 28. Decemb. 1648.

And Letters further from Windsor intimates, that his Ma∣jesty is very pleasant and meery, since his comming thi∣ther, and takes much delight in disputing the case of the at∣my: further purporting, that his Maj. is determined to draw up a Message to be sent to the Lord Gen. Fairfax, by way of gra••ulation, for his present accommodation, and that He may be admitted to London, to confer with his Excellency about some things of weighty importance, in relation to the unanimous establishing of his bleeding Kingdoms, prote∣sting to make future provision for the Souldiery, and to give all due and lawfull satisfaction in all things desired by the Army.

Decemb. 26. Letters from the Navy say, That there hath bin a bloudy Fight at Sea between the English & the Irish, and thta the Irish have obtained the Conquest, and taken 14 Marchants ships, and others, 40 piece of Ordnance, and o∣ther rich booty and prize. A speedy course will be taken for subduing the said Rebels.

The Lord Gen. Fairfax, and Lieut Gen. Crumwell, hath gi∣ven the Lord Admirall a visit, where they congratulated each others good successes, and at a Conference, professed joynt concurrence, in what might make the kingdome hap∣py: some disputation hapned, in reference to the King, and setling of the Kingdom.

A Remonstrance from Gloucester-shire.

1 We do seriously profess, that though your former proce∣dings against that Generation were exceedingly prospered, beyond the parallell of former ages, and had engraven upon them the kindnesse of God to a distressed people; yet they had but served to make us more exquisitly miserable, if your former Conquests should have acquiesced in the acti∣ons of that House; who were bringing your conquered pri∣soner with honour and safety to sit upon his Throne of po∣wer, Majesty, and Greatnesse, without satisfaction for the bloud that hath been spilt both by Sea and Land, or suffici∣ent provision made for the security of the liberties of Eng∣land.

2 We were filled with sorrow when we saw the abomi∣nable Apostacy, and degenerated actings of the majority of the House of Commons, who after we had bought their se∣curity with our most precious bloud and treasure, should by treating with the King, so cruelly sell us into the bloud and revenge of him, and his confederats, so contrary to their first principles and Declarations; the consideration where∣of,

as it filled us with amazement, so it drew from us thre∣of a mutual Remonstrance, to live and dy, and stand and fall with your Excellency, for the establishing of peace and righteousnesse, in our native, bleeding, and languishing King∣dome.

The well affected party within the City of London, have declared their unanimous resolutions, to live and die with the Army, in the speedy and impartial executing of Justice, upon the grand Delinquents of this Kingdom, which is wel taken and rescented by the Councel of Officers.

The work goes on, about the chusing of Common coun∣cel men, and it is said, there are as many soldiers made choise of, as may almost serve for a Councel of War.

Yesterday 16 of the restrained members were sent for to the Gen. quarters, and told, that if they would promise to act nothing against the army, they might have their liberty: whereupon they desired, 1 To know if that was the Generals pleasure, 2 To know if they might not have their liberty without any engagement, and it was permitted them, their names are, Lord Weinman, Sir VValter Earl, Sir Robert Pye, Sir Samule Luke, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Thomas Somes, and the rest. As for the fore-going Charge against the King, it is said, the army are resolved to try him very speedily, and that if he can acquit himself of the guilt thereof, that then hee shall be re-invested, and restored to his just Rights and Dignities.

FINIS.