A letter of His Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax, to the Right Honorable, the Lord Major of the City of London, for the better preserving a right understanding between the City and Army. With an order of His Excellency to Col: Dean, to march into the City of London, and seize the publike treasuries of Goldsmiths, Weavers, and Haberdashers-Hall, that thereby they may be supplied with moneys to pay quarters, and free the countreys from that grievous burthen of free-quarter. By the appointment of His Excellency the Lord Fairfax Lord General, and his General Councel of Officers. Dec. 8. 1648. Signed, John Rushvvorth Secr'

For the Right Honorable, The Lord Major of the City of London.

My Lord,

I Have given Order to Col: Dean and some others, to seize the Treasuries in Gold∣smiths-Hall and VVeavers-Hall, that by the said Moneys I may be in∣abled to pay quarters whilest we lie hereabouts; having also Ordered Re∣ceipts and Assurance to be given to the Trersurers of the said moneys, that they should be fully reimburst for the said sums, out of the Assessments of the City due to the Army, and out of other Assessments thereunto belong∣ing; and indeed, although I am un∣willing to take these strict courses, yet having sent so often to you for the said Arrears, and desired sums of money to be advanced by you, far short of the

sums due from you, yet I have been delayed and denyed, to the hazard of the Army, and the prejudice of others in the Suburbs upon whom they are quartered; wherefore I thought fit to send to seize the said Treasuries, and to send some Forces into the City to quarter there, until I may be satisfied the Arrears due unto the Army: and if this seem strange unto you, 'tis no less then that our Forces have been Ordered to do by the Parliament, in the several Counties of the Kingdom where assessments have not been paid, and there to continue until they have been paid: And here give me leave to tell you, the Counties of the King∣dom have born Free-quarter, and that in a great measure, for want of your paying your Arrears equally with them; wherefore these ways, if they

dislike you, yet they are meerly long of your selves, and are of as great regret to me and to the Army, as to your selves, we wishing not onely the good and prosperity of your City, but that things may be so carried towards you, as may give you no cause of jealousie: I thought fit to let you know, That if you shall take a speedy course to sup∣ply us with 40000 l. forthwith, ac∣cording to my former Desire, and pro∣vide speedily what also is in Arrear, I shall not onely cause the moneys in the Treasuries to be not made use of, but leave them to be disposed of as of right they might, and also cause my Forces to be withdrawn from being in any sort troublesom or chargeable to the City; And let the world judge whether this be not just and equal dealing with you. I rest, My Lord,

Your affectionate Servant, T. FAIRFAX.

Westminster, 8 Dec. 1648.