Heads of the charge against the King, drawn up by the Generall Councell of the Armie. Also His Majesties speech to Major Rolph, and Col. Ewers, concerning the present condition of himself, and his three kingdomes, and certain rules set down by him for settlement thereof. An ordinance of Parliament concerning the City of London: and the Lord Mayors proclamation concerning those who have ingaged in the first or second warre, or had a hand in obtaining the late treaty with the King. Taken out of the originall papers, and published for generall satisfaction.

The Heads of the Charge against the King, drawn up by the Generall Coun∣cell of the Army, and the way that is pro∣pounded for his triall.

THe King is much daunted at his removall from Hurst-Castle, although he had no great cause to joy in coming thither at all, he wisheth that he had not spent so much time in the Treaty, but had without question granted all that was required at once, yet doth in severall Speeches by way of discourse, urge how farre he condescended in the Treaty, saying further, that he can propound a way to prevent the decay of Trade, recover Ireland, and to do much more to that purpose.

His Majestie seems to relie much upon the hopes he hath of the Prince, and expected the mouldring away of the revolted Ships for want of money, the Prince is yet at the Hague, but is shortly to returne to his Queen-Mother in France. Having thus farre shewed how the case stands with the King and the Prince in relation to their owne wayes and apprehensions, it is necessary that there should be somwhat said on the o∣ther part, and how the Parliament and Army act and move for a speedy settlement of the Kingdome either against the King, or without him.

In doing whereof it is first observable, that there is a Declaration brought in and will shortly passe the House, with many grounds and reasons to shew that

His Majesties Concessions in the Treaty are unsatisfa∣ctory, and no grounds for a setled peace in this King∣dome: And to prevent delayes in what shall follow, and that the House may be unanimous, and proceed with one joynt consent, none are to be admitted to sit in the House, but such as do attest this Declaration; and as it is necessary for the carrying on of this great worke, that there should be no sidings in Parliament, so is it likewise in all other Councells, and amongst publike Officers in Cities and Corporations: and for∣asmuch as this is a time of the yeare for electing seve∣rall Officers, the Parliament set forth this ensuing Or∣dinance.

Die Mercurii, 20. Decemb. 1648.

VVHereas there is an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, bearing date the 18. December, 1648. for the choosing of Common Councell-men, and other Officers with∣in the City of London and Liberties thereof for the yeer ensuing, the said Lords and Commons do further de∣clare and ordaine, and be it hereby ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that no person whatsoever that subscribed, promoted, or abetted any engage∣ment in the yeare 1648. relating to a personall Treaty with the King at London, shall be elected, chosen, or put into any of the Offices or places expressed in the aforesaid Ordinance under the penalty contained in the same, upon the other excepted persons, and to be levyed according to the provision of the said Ordi∣nance, and the Lord Mayor for the time being is here∣by

required, that this Ordinance with the other be published at all Elections, and strictly and punctually observed, according to the true intent and meaning hereof.

Jo. Brown Cleric Parliamentorum.

Upon the Receipt of this Ordinance the Lord May∣or caused to bee published this Proclamation or E∣dict.

THese are to require you to publish this Ordinance with the other, da∣ted the 18. of this instant moneth at your Elections, and that the same be strictly and punctually observed, according to the true intent and meaning of the same, this 20. day of December, 1648.

To the Alderman, or De∣puty of the Ward of Michel.

Having already given you truly and briefly the present condition of the King, the acti∣ons of the Parliament, and the consent of, the

City, it remaines that I should conclude with the proceedings of the Generall Councell of the Army in relation to his Majesty, and set∣ling the Kingdome, the said Councell being drawing up a charge against him, consisting of severall heads, wherein these following are chiefly insisted on.

Matters charged against the Kings Ma∣jesty by the Generall Councell of the Army.

1. That his Majesty being trusted with a limited power to rule according to Law, and by expresse Covenant and Oath obliged to preserve and protect the Rights and Li∣berties of the People, for and by whom he was intrusted, hath perverted that trust and a∣bused that power, to the hurt and prejudice of the generality, and to the oppression (if not destruction) of many of them, and hath raised and assumed that hurtful power which was never committed to him, to the taking

away all those foundations of Right and Li∣berty, which the people had reserved from him, and to swallow up all into his owne will and power, to impose or take away, yea to destroy at pleasure, and declining all ap∣peal herein to the establishment of equall judgement, raised force upon his trusting people, and attempted by it to uphold and establish himself in that absolute tyrannicall power so assumed over them, and exercising thereof at pleasure: which evills being acted a∣gainst the publique interest, have been ad∣judged capitall in severall of his Predecessors.

2. That the King hath granted Commissi∣ons to the Prince, as also to ORMOND and his associate Irish Rebells, which are not recalled to this day.

3. That this capitall and grand of∣fender and author of our troubles the person of the King, by whose Com∣missions, Commands, or procurement, and in whose behalfe, and for whose interest only of will and power all our warres and troubles have been, with

all the miseries attending them, is guilty of all the trouble, losse, hazzard, and expence of the blood and mischiefes that have happened by the late wars in this Kingdome.

4. That the King raised severall Armes to the spoile and neer desolati∣on of the Kingdome: and in the raising and having raised that force, he did by it assume and exercise all kind of abso∣lute and arbitrary power at his owne will alone without Parliament.

These being the grand matters in charge against the King, (amongst others) they are to be put into forme, and then if if they proceed to triall, it will be in a Par∣liamentary way, and the Army are to ma∣nage the proofs.

FINIS.