London and the Kingdom - Volume 3 / A History Derived Mainly from the Archives at Guildhall in the Custody of the Corporation of the City of London.

No. 51.

State Papers Dom. Vol. ccxiii. No. 15.

Mr. Quarleis theis are to praie you presentlie to victuall theis shippes hereunder written nowe at the seas w^th my Lo: Admirall w^th one moneths victuall of xxviij daies to begyn the x^th of August 1588 and to end the vij^th of September followinge both daies included Of w^ch monnethes victualls you are to victuall the said Flete for the fyrst xiiij daies at Portesmouth The other xiiij daies the victuall to be sent to Dover. This to be doune with all spede possible and so fare you well from my house at Stroude the xxiiij^th of Julie 1588

No. 52.

State Papers Dom. Vol. ccxxxvii, fos. 15b-16b.

The whole flete sett out in 88 against the Spaniards and w^ch were payed by Q. Eliz: and how many were payed by London and the Porte Townes?

Queene Eliz: whole armye at Sea against y^e Spanish forces in anno 1588.

Shippes set forth and payde upon y^e charge of y^e City of London anno 1588

No. 53.

Journal 26 fo. 75b.

Trustie and welbeloved we greit you hartelly well beinge informed of youre great forduartnes in that iuste and honorable action of proclaminge ws youre Souverane lord and King immediatlye after the deceas oure late darrest Sister the quene, wherin yo^u have gevin a singulare good proufe of your ancient fidelitie, a reputation hereditarie to that oure Citie of Lundon, beinge the Chamber of oure Imperiall crowne and ever free from all shedowes of tumultous and onlawful courses wee could not omitt w^th all the speid possible wee might to give you hereby a teast of oure thankfull mynde for the same and withall assurance that yo^u cannot crave anie thing of ws fitt for the mentenance of yow all in generall and everie one of yow in particulare but it shalbe moast willingly performed by avs whose speciall care shall ever be to provide for the continewance and incresse of your present happines desiringe yow in the meane tyme to goe constantly forduart in doinge all and whatsumer things yow shall find necessary or expedient for the good goverment of oure said Citye in execution of Justice as yow have bene in wse to doe in oure said darrest Sisters tyme, till oure pleasure be knowen unto yow in the contrare This not douting but ye will doe as ye may be fully assured of oure gratious favour towards yow in the hieghest degrie, we bid you hartely farewell Halyrudhous the 28 of Marche 1603.

No. 54.

Id., fo. 76.

To the most high & mighty Prince our most dread & gracious Soveraigne Lord King James y^e First King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland.

Most mighty prince & our most dread & gracious Soveraigne Wee cannot expresse the great comfort and exceeding ioy conceived here for this great blessing of Almighty God in preserving yo^r sacred Ma^tie for this yo^r right and yo^r right for y^u and y^u for us yo^r Liege people of this yo^r Realme w^ch is increased & redoubled by the perfect union and concurrence of all yo^r Ma^ties faithful subjects throughout yo^r Realme especially of this yo^r Highnes City in harty love & loyall affeccõn towards yo^r Highnes a Prince so famous and renowned through the world for yo^r great wisdome piety iustice Magnanimity & other great & princely vertues whereby our selves and all other yo^r Loyall Subjects of this your Land are made assured of y^e continuance and increase of that happy peace holy religion & other great & infinite blessings of Almighty God, which wee have enjoyed soe many yeares by the happy governm^t of o^r late gracious and glorious Queene of famous memory.

What thancks sufficient can wee render to Almighty God for this his mercy and unspeakable goodnes towards this Land whoe hath thus tempered o^r great sorrow w^th a great^r comfort & repaired this o^r great losse of a Mother with the advantage of a greater gain in the succession of yo^r Highnes as a Father which is accompanied w^th the union of both Kingdoms to the great Strengthening of yo^r Highnes and noe lesse terror of y^e Enemies (if any be) of yo^r Highnes person & estate.

Touching o^r selves to whom the Charge & preservacõn of this yo^r Chamber and principall City is comitted as wee have endeavored with all o^r powers to advance yo^r Highnes most iust clayme and rightfull title to the Succession of this yo^r Kingdome soe o^r future care & indeavour shall extend it selfe to y^e very uttermost of our witts & power to preserve y^e same w^th all humble duty & circumspeccõn for yo^r Highnes use ag^t all power & opposicõn both of this Land (if any happen as God forfend) and the whole world. For assurance of w^ch o^r Loyalty & devoted loves towards yo^r Highnes Wee have sent unto y^u o^r speciall Messenger to witt o^r Secretary & Remembrancer Mr. Doctor Fletcher a man (wee heare) non unknowne unto yo^r Highnes As alsoe to returne unto us the Significacõn of yo^r Highnes pleasure and direccõn in such matters as shall conduce to the well ordering of this yo^r Chamber W^ch wee humbly pray Almighty God & intreate yo^r Highnes for yo^r owne and yo^r peoples sake may be accelerate w^th all safety and due caucõn of yo^r person to the publique ioy both of o^r selves and yo^r whole Realme From London this xxix^th of March 1603.

• Robert Lee Maior
• John Hart
• John Spencer
• Stephen Slaney
• Henry Billingsly
• Stephen Soame
• John Garrard
• Jo: Croke Recorder
• Tho: Bennett
• Tho: Lowe
• W^m Glover
• W^m Romeney
• Leonard Halliday
• John Watts
• Rich. Goddard
• Henry Rowe
• Edw. Holmden
• John More
• Robt. Hampton
• Roger Larke
• Humf. Weld
• Tho: Cambell
• W^m Craven
• Henry Anderson
• James Pemberton
• Jo: Swinarton, Sherriffe

No. 55.

Journal 26, fo. 80.

JAMES R.

Right trustie and welbeloved wee greet you well Althoughe before the Comeynge of yo^r Lettres and this gentleman sente unto us wee had w^th greate Contentment by Comon reporte understood of your forwardnes in Joyninge w^th y^e nobillitie of this our Realme in the publishinge of oure righte to the succession of this Crowne. Yet weare wee not a little gladd to finde y^e same confirmed by soe honeste and diutifull a testimonie thereof under yo^r owne handes and by y^e speeche of a persone of soe greate truste w^th you and chieflie that you are not lead into this devosion onlie by the undoubted belief of oure righte, but alsoe for y^e assurance you have of oure zeale to y^e preservacõn of Religion for that wee have alwaies accompted those accõns that aryse oute of religious groundes to be the beste founded. And as wee doubte not but that in that poynte we shall give you and y^e reste of o^r people satisfaction. Soe maie you be assured that in all other thinges, wherein wee shall understande that anie breache or wronge hath bene done to y^e liberties and priviledges of that o^r Cittie wee wilbe readie to restore whatsoever shalbe justelie expected of us as we have more at lardge spoken to this gentleman and will by oure actes when wee shalbe amongest you make knowne to yo^r selves esteeminge yo^u worthie to be helde in noe lesse accompte of us then you have byne to anie of o^r progenitors whoe esteemed you moste. Given under o^r Signet at o^r Towne of Newcastle y^e xj^th daie of Aprill 1603 in y^e firste yeare of o^r raigne of England.

No. 56.

Transcripts, &c., Irish Government (Public Record Office), Vol. I, fo. 500.

After o^r very harty comendacõns to yo^r Lp. we have written unto yo^ur Lp. and the Counsell there a letter wherein we have in generall recommended certaine cittizens appointed by the Citty of London to view the Derrye and Colrane and the cuntrie between them; And in this have thought it expedient to declare o^r minde somewhat more particulerly, because we shoulde be sorry that any endeavo^r or informacõn should be lacking that might either satisfie or encourage them For when we consider how slowly this busines hath yet gon forward since it was first intended, how fit & able the Citty is for a work of y^t importaunce, of what good use their example wilbe to draw on others and lastly what reputacõn it will give both abroad and at home to y^e action y^t is like really to be effected we are moved to recommend them the more earnestly unto yo^r Lp. to take order that all occasions of discouragement may be prevented which som indiscreete persons may unprovidently suggest, if choice be not made of such to conduct and accompany them, who for their experience and understanding shalbe able both by discourse and reason to controule whatsoever any man shall reporte, either out of ignorance or mallice, and to give the undertako^rs satisfaccõn when they shalbe mistaken or not well informed of any particuler. For which purpose the conductors must have care to lead them by the best waies and to lodge them in their travaile, where if it be possible, they may have English entertainement in Englishmens howses. And howsoever we have had the opportunitye heere to lay the first hand upon this offer, and to make the project unto the Cittie thereby to drawe them on to entertaine the same for an entraunce into the business yet that it may be both begun and well followed we send the same here inclosed and must leave it to your lordship to perfect. Wherein we thinck it fit. That those y^t be sent in their company be so well prepared before hand to confirme and strengthen every part thereof by demonstracõn as they may plainely apprehend & conceive the comodities to be of good use and profit; on the other side, that matters of distast as feare of the Irish, of the souldiers, cess and such like be not so much as named, seeing you knowe that discipline and order will easilie secure them. And if there be any thing conteyned in the Project, whether it be the Fishing, the Admiralty or any other particuler w^ch may serve for a motyve to enduce them; Although yo^r lordship or any other have interest therein yet you shall make no doubt but his Ma^ty will have such consideracõn thereof that no man shalbe a looser in y^t w^ch he shall parte w^th for the furtheraunce of this service. And thus not doubting of yo^r L^ps discreete carriadge of this busines y^t cannot besides your generall dutie but be glad in your owne particuler to have so good neighbo^rs to yo^r plantacõn we byd yo^r Lp. very hartely Farewell. From Whitehall the third of August 1609.

No. 57.

Journal 39, fo. 167.

My Lord,

The greate necessetie of supplyinge the Kinges Army and providinge for the Northen Counties without which the peace of the Kingdome wilbe much endangered is such that the Howse of Commons is inforced to thinke upon a more present way of raysinge moneyes then can bee effected in the Course of Subsidies. Whereupon they have directed mee to pray your Lorpp. to call a Cõmon Hall with as much speede as conveniently you may and to comend to the Cittizens of London the Loane of £60000 by such as shall freely and willingly contribute thereunto. Which they intende not as any burthen unto them, but as an occasion of further expressinge of theire good affeccõns to the publiq. Whereof they have soe often had experience and they will soe provide that the Sũme now desired to bee lent shalbe truly repaide out of the Subsedies w^th interest for the time it shalbe forborne wherein not doubtinge of yo^r Lopp^s Care in the best way you may to further this request for y^e Cõmon safetie of the Kingdome and to receyve an answer as speedily as the bussines will permitte, ffrom my house in Covent Garden this instant 15^th of Januarij 1640.

I rest Your Lopp^s. verie loveinge ffreind
W^m Lenthall, Speaker.

No. 58.

Id. ibid.

My Lord,

The present necessity requiringe the sũme of £60000 for the good of the Kingdome to be advanced sooner then by way of subsidies it can be levied as hath bin formerly signified vnto yo^r Lo^rpp. by Ald̃ran Pennington. The house hath commaunded me this day againe to intimate unto you their desire that w^th the help of such Citizens as are willing to lend particuler sumes you will take such Course that £60000 may presently be paid into the Chamber of London that soe it may be disposed of as the house shall direct. Wherein not doubting of yo^r Lo^rpps care I rest from my house in the Coven garden the sixth of ffebruary 1640.

Yo^r Lo^rpps very loving freind
W^m Lenthall, Speaker.

No. 59.

Journal 39, fo. 180.

My very good Lord and Gentlemen,

I have formerly by my lrēs directed by order of the house of Cõmons vnto yo^r Lo^rpp signified their desire to borrow of the City sixty thousand pounds for the presente supply of the Kings Army and releif of the Northern partes conceived to tend principally to the gen'all safety of the whole kingdome.

We could not but take notice of the forwardnes of the Citty to comply and albeit there hath bin some protraccõn, yet we now expect the expression of it in a speedie payment. I am therefore required by the house of Commons to desire yo^r Lo^pp forthw^th to call a Comon Hall, and in that to signifie unto them our desires, Their former ingagement by promise and the expectacõn of the present performance the urgent and instant necessity of the Kingdome admitting of no delay w^thout great hazard of insueing danger to us all w^ch we desire may be prevented.

We have taken care for the secure payment of this £60000 by the bill of subsidies already passed whereof I thought it fitt to Certifie yo^r Lorpp resting

Yo^r Loving faithfull friend to serve you
W^m Lenthall, Speaker

from my house at Charing
Crosse 19 ffebruarij 1640.

No. 60.

Journal 40, fo. 38.

My lord and gentlemen I receaved so great expressions of affeccõn both to y^e cause, and to myselfe from y^e cittye of London at my departure from you, that I cannot dispaire but to obtayne any suite from you that shalbee an advantage to y^e Comon wealth Upon a true judgment of y^e condicõn of our affaires and of that of y^e enemye, I am confident that wee may bringe this business to a quick and happy conclusion God doth blesse us w^th so good successe dailey & the other parte by their plundring and burninge of townes and houses grow so odious, that they grow weaker wee stronger everywhere. Yet are wee in one great straight, and such a one as if it bee not speedily remedyed, may quash all our hopes, and endanger that peace, and libertie which wee so much strive for. Our treasure w^ch must maintayne y^e army grows neere an ende, and yo^u well know our army consists of such as cannot bee kept one day togeather w^thout pay, what a ruine it would bringe uppon us all if a disbandinge should happen I leave to your judgments. My desire unto yo^u is that yo^u would supply us w^th the speedy loane of one hundred thousand pounds which I am confident would w^th Gods blessinge bringe these unhappy distraccõns to an ende quickly. Vour citty hath hitherto had y^e honor (next to God) to bee the chiefest safetye of the Kingdome and Parlyament. This will render yo^u to all posterity the ffinishers of this great worke. If any thinge of particuler love or respect to mee may bee any argument herein I shall take it for y^e greatest honor that hath befalne mee and will oblige myselfe to acknowledge it by the utmost and most faithfull indeavors of your ffaithfull ffriend Essex. From the rendezvous att Northampton 13^o Sept. 1642.

No. 61.

Journal 40, fo. 41b.

My lord and gentlemen. Havinge a due regarde both to the publique trust and to the good and wellfare of the cittye of London I have made choice of Serjeant Major Skippon to bee Serjeant Major Generall of the army under my comaund beinge well assured of his fidellïtye and abillity to discharge that trust. And yet knowinge of what concernement his present imployment in y^e citty may be I have thought fitt to give your Lor^pp and yo^u gentlemen notice hereof w^th this assurance that in this choice I have had a speciall regard as to the publique so particulerly to the securetye of the cittye of London. And that in it I do not intende wholy to deprive yo^u of him but so as his service may be rendered usefull both to this armye and to your cittye whose good and wellfare I shall carefully provide for y^e uttmost of my power and do rest your ffaithfull ffriend Essex. From my quarter at Hammersmith this 16th day of November 1642.

No. 62.

Journal 40, fo. 52.

That a small fort conteyning one bulwark and halfe and a battery in the reare of the flanck be made at Gravell lane end. A horne worke w^th two flanckers be placed at Whitechapell windmills. One redoubt w^th two flanckers betwixt Whitechapell church and Shoreditch. Two redoubts with flanckers neere Shoreditch church w^th a battery. At the windmill in Islington way, a battery and brestwork round about. A small redoubt neere Islington pound. A battery and brestwork on the hill neere Clarkenwell towards Hampstead way. Two batteries and a brestworke at Southampton house. One redoubt w^th two flanckers by S^t Giles in the Feilds, another small work neere the turning. A quadrant forte w^th fower halfe bulwarks crosse Tyborne high way at the second turning that goeth towards Westminster. At Hide parke corner a large forte w^th flanckers on all sides. At the corner of the lord Gorings brick wall next the fields a redoubt and a battery where the court of Guard now is at the lower end of the lord Gorings wall, the brestwork to be made forwarder. In Tuttle feilds a battery brestworke, and the ditches to be scowred. That at the end of every street w^ch is left open to enter into the suburbs of this citty defenceable brestworkes be made or there already erected repayred w^th turnepikes muskett proof, and that all the passages into the suburbs on the northside the river except five viz^t. The way from St. James towards Charing Crosse, the upper end of Saint Giles in Holborne, the further end of St. John Street towards Islington Shoreditch church and Whitechappell be stopped up. That the courtes of guard and the rayles or barrs at the utmost partes of the freedome be made defensible and turnepikes placed there in lieu of the chaynes all muskett proof. And that all the shedds and buildings that joyne to the outside of the wall be taken downe. And that all the bulwarkes be fitted at the gates and walls soe that the flanckes of the wall and streets before the gates may be cleared and that the gates and bulwarks be furnished with ordnance.

No. 63.

Journal 40, fo. 132.

When we were in suche distresse by a close seige, that our freindes held our condicõn desperate, and our enimies did assure themselves of prevailing over us; by Gods providence we had reasonable releif from your famous and ever renowned citie w^ch doth now embolden us to present unto you our present estate, which is in breife. That our heartes w^th the heartes of the country in generall are surrounded w^th feare and greife for the removall of Collonell Massey from us, whose endeavors amongst us God hath soe wonderfullie prospered. Wee represented our sadd sense thereof and our reasons in particuler by peticõn to the hono^ble houses of parliament, but such meanes was used by some for the accomplishment of their owne ends therein that our peticõn was not read in the howses. So that wee are like to be deprived of him, and thereby much distraccõn, if not confusion sorely threatned to us and this countrey, thereby to the encouragement of the enimy and discouragement of o^r friends. Therefore we doe humbly apply ourselves unto you desiring you to interpose for us to the Parliament for his contynuance w^th us. Wherein you will not only doe us a singuler favour, but we are confident much further the publique service thereby, and which shalbe most gratefully acknowledged by

Your humble Servants
Luke Nurse Maior
[and seven others.]
Gloucester 29 of May 1645.

No. 64.

Journal 40, fo. 144b.

The greate zeale you have ever manifested for the good of the kingdome, and the forwardnes you shewed to contribute your assistance to us upon all occacõns doth imbolden us at this tyme of our extremity to beseech you to stretch out yo^r helping hand to us you know we have bin long beseiged, and we have often moved the Parliam^t, the Committee of the West, and the Generall for releif, and all this summer it hath bin promised, but o^r hopes are hitherto frustrate. We have therefore sent the peticõn (whereof the enclosed is a copie) to Sir John Young and Mr. Waddon Burgesses for this towne, and indeed this is the last and only visible meanes that unde God is left us. We beseech you that you wilbe pleased to second our peticõn by your owne desires in our behalf. And wee shall not cease to pray for the contynuance of yo^r peace and encrease of all other blessings and rest

Yo^r most humble servants
Justinian Pearde Maior
[and four others.]

Plymouth at the Committee
for Goverm^t,
5 Sept. 1645.

No. 65.

Id., fo. 187.

Most humbly acknowledging the speciall grace and favour of yo^r ma^tie in condescending soe particulerly to communicate unto this city yo^r royall and pious resolucons to comply w^th your Houses of Parliament for setling of truth and peace in this distracted kingdome signified by yo^r late gratious lettre of the 19^th of May last to the representative body thereof. In w^ch as the pet^rs cannot but see the speciall hand of Almighty God soe they must and doe from the bottome of their hearts blesse his holy name that at length he hath opened such a dore of hope by enclyning your ma^ties heart to looke downe upon the affliccõns of yo^r people and from thence take comfort to themselves that he will confirme and increase those good resolucons in yo^r ma^tie.

As for this city the pet^rs esteeme it their duty now againe as they have formerly done to declare unto yo^r royall mat^ie and the whole world, that, according to their Protestacõn and Covenant they have alwayes, and doe still reteyne the same loyall thoughts towards yo^r ma^tie as ever and as becometh subiects to doe from which they shall never recede.

And as next unto the good guidance of Almighty God they doe humbly comitt and submitt the meanes and maner of their future peace and happines unto yo^r ma^ts great and faithfull Councell the two Houses of Parliament.

So they shall contynue their instant prayers to the Throne of all Grace to dispose yo^r ma^ties royall heart to comply with such proposicõns as from them shalbe represented unto yo^r ma^ty for the settlement of true religion and peace in all yo^r kingdomes and the mainteynance of the union betweene the two nations. And then the pet^rs shall not doubt but yo^r ma^tie (w^ch is their earnest prayer) will with honor and joy returne unto this yo^r antient city, and that yo^r throne shall in yo^r royall selfe and your posterity be established in all yo^r kingdomes to the great honour of yo^r mat^ie and to the comfort of all yo^r good subiects amongst whome the peticõn^rs shall alwayes strive to approve themselves inferiour to none in loyalty and obedience.

And as in dutie bound shall pray &c.

No. 66.

Journal 40, fo. 222.

Being informed that divers souldiers are daily listed under offic^rs, in and about the cities of London and Westm^r, and parts thereto adiacent, besids the trayned bands and usuall auxiliaries. We strongly apprehend that (notwithstanding all your desires and labour of peace) the kingdome is like to be precipitate by some persons into a new warr. Therefore (before we can answere that part of yo^r cities lettre to remove to 30 miles distance from London) we desire the citie would use their indeavo^rs, to prevent all such listings, and therein deale soe effectually as that nothing be for future done towards such listinge or raising any forces, and those already raised may be forthwith discharged. But if this cannot be done, we shalbe forced by an unwilling necessitie to apply our indeavo^rs to breake all designes of that kinde. And therein we hope to receive the concurrance of yo^r citie, professing, we have nothing else in our eye, but yo^rs our owne, and this poore kingdomes good and quiett.

Hereof we desire to here speedily from you, but so from time to tyme, as oft as may be, which we shall owne as a seale of that reciprocall love, w^ch the cities lettre purports to this army, and shall on our part be most earnestly endeavoured to be maynteyned.

June 14^th 1647.

No. 67.

Journal 40, fo. 222b.

We are very glad our lettre from Royston of the tenth of this instant June had soe good a recepcõn w^th you: whereof you have given us assurance by yo^r lettre of the twelfth of this instant,[852] and by those worthy aldermen and others the members of yo^r citie whome you sent unto us, to whose hands we yesterday returned such answere (to that part of yo^r lettre for our removal to thirty miles distant from London) as the present exigence of affaires could possibly admitt. To w^ch we add this sincere assurance that soe soone as we shall receive the next resolucõn from the Parliament in relacõn to the proceedings upon the papers nowe given in unto them (whereof likewise yo^r comissioners have received a coppie from us). We shall then imediately give you such further answere and satisfaccõn to that particuler, as the nature of those results will permitt, w^th respect only had to the necessary prosecution of those pressing concernements of the kingdome, comprized in those papers (whereunto) (for) the iustnes and reasonablenes of our desires, and their consistance w^th the true honour, iust power and priviledges of parliament, the liberty of the subiect and safety of yo^r citie and kingdome we do referr you.

As to yo^r desire (expressed in the instruccõns to yo^r comissioners) of o^r care for the safetie of his ma^ties person, while amongst us. We had upon his first comeing into our quarters assigned, and have since contynued in attendance about his ma^ty, a guard of two regim^ts of horse, of as faithfull men, and under as trustie a commaund as this army doth affoard, neyther shall our future care be wantinge in any further provision necessary for the safetie of his royall person. And nowe we cannott but take notice, as of the past, most free and forward ingagem^ts of yo^r famous citie in the same cause, w^ch we are now desiring to see a period to, and accomplishment of, soe of yo^r contynued readines to close w^th us in our iust and necessary desires to the same ends: as alsoe of yo^r present professed averssenesse to ingage in any thing that may tend to any further warr or distraccõn in this kingdome. For all w^ch we cannott but returne (after our praises to God) thankes to you and yo^r citty. And we assure you that the sence thereof hath a deep impression in our spiritts to find (as we doe hitherto) the hand of God working all mens hearts to go cleere, and unanimous concurrence w^th our owne, in our desires for the present setling and securing the rights liberties and peace of the kingdome, beyond w^ch we have noe aymes or ends of our owne.

St. Albans June 15^th 1647.

No. 68.

Journal 40, fo. 224b.

Yo^r answere of the 14^th and lettre dated the 15^th of this instant June, w^th copies of the papers given into the Parliam^t we the maior aldermen and commons in common councell assembled have received and perused, and by our committee we have ben further informed of them, and of yo^r many seasonable expressions of the reallity of yo^r intencõns to promote the peace and welfare of the Parliam^t and kingdome, and in particuler of this city, w^ch how acceptable it is to us will best appeare by our proceedings thereupon.

We take it very kindely that though you were informed divers souldiers were daily listed under offic^rs in and about the Cities of London and Westm^r and parts thereto adiacent, besides the trayned bands and usuall auxiliaries, yet you conceived (and that most truly) it was w^thout the privity or consent of this Court, and did not suspect the sincerity of our heartes in what by o^r last was represented unto you, wherein for yo^r further satisfaccõn be pleased to take notice that since the returne of our comittee from St. Albans, yo^r said answere and lettre and a narrative of the severall passages twixt you and our committee, and yo^r desire that the citie should use their indeavo^r to prevent all such listings and therein deale soe effectually, as that nothing be for the future done towards such listings or raising any forces, and that those already raised might be forthw^th discharged: and the resolucõn of this court, and the Committee of the Militia of this city and parts adiacent upon the whole being all by our direccõn made knowne to both Houses of Parliam^t they were pleased to make severall votes thereupon; whereunto (as to those thinges) we desire to be referred.

By all which we hope the great desire of this court and citie to cherish a right understanding and keep a good correspondence twixt yo^r Excellencie yo^r Councell of Warr, Armie and this Citie will evidently appeare, and shortly draw from you a more full answere satisfaccõn and assurance, that your army shall noe way preiudice the Parliament (whose power and priviledges are the principall meanes to preserve the liberties of the subiects of this kingdom) nor this Citie (who have lost soe much blood and spent soe much treasure in defence thereof) and in order thereunto that it shalbe forthwith removed to, and contynued at a further distance from London.

London 18 of June 1647.

No. 69.

Journal 40, fo. 225b.

Wee received yo^rs of the eighteenth of this instant, whereof though all passages were not soe answearable to our expectacõn as wee hoped yet we apprehend the same good affeccõn in you towards this armie as was expressed in yo^r former letter. And that not onelie from the assureance of the worthy gentlemen, (yo^r comissioners) againe sent to us, But alsoe from that informacõn we have received of yo^r extraordinarie indeavo^rs, to procure monie for the armie; To prevent further raysinge or listinge of souldiers and to procure those alreadie listed to be disbanded, (some persons of yo^r militia onelie, haveinge bin active for the raysinge of them without yo^r privitie). As likewise from that letter (fild with respecte) which you prepared and intended to us, And beinge sent to the Parliament was obstructed by some persons, who (labouringe to imbroyle the kingdome in a new warre) would not have the fforces alreadie raised to be disbanded who excepted against yo^r discoverie to the House, That some persons onelie of the militia had ioyned in the raysinge of the new forces, who alsoe would prevent a right understandinge betweene yo^r cittie, and this armie, knowinge a firme corrospondence betweene them would make the designes of all such men hopeles, And though our takinge notice of these thinges seemes not regular, yet beinge soe publiquelie done, we thought fitt to mind you of them.

Now although wee have confidence of the reall and cleare intentions of yo^r lor^pp and ald̃ren, and the commons of yo^r cittie to promote the peace of this kingdome, and the iust desires of this armie, alsoe to prevent all tendencies to a new warre, or anie further blood, and therefore hold our selves obliged to yeeld all possible compliance to what you desire of us, yet addinge to the former grounds the manie informacõns which daylie come to us of the continued underhand workings of some persons still to list men, that divers agents are sent into severall parts of the kingdome to leavie forces and Worcester the place appointed for a generall randezvouz, whither the fforces designed for Ireland (that were parte of this armie) are by some of the committee at Darbie House[853] ordered to march: And severall of those companies who went out from us for the service of Ireland, havinge it intimated to them, and by divers carriages perceiveinge they were intended a foundacõn for a new armie and a new warre, they so much abhorred the thoughts of it as both the officers and souldiers of divers companies are of late entirelie returned to us: likewise that noe meanes is lefte unattempted to bringe in fforces from Ireland, France and Scotland against the peace of this poore kingdome.

Wee (upon the whole matter) offer to yours, and all mens consideracõns, whether with yo^rs ours or the publique safetie we can remove further backward, untill upon yo^r and our ioynt indeavo^rs with the Parliament, those things of imediate and pressinge necessitie be provided for, which wee desired in our paper last given in to the Parliam^ts Comissioners in order to the better proceedinge upon the heads of the Representacõn and Charge, with more hopes of safetie, and of a timelie and happie issue to our selves, and the kingdome (viz^t.) That the persons impeached by us may not continue in power and capacitie to obstructe due proceedings against themselves; And for their owne escape from justice to threaten ruine to the whole nation.

That all fforces latelie raised or listed in or aboute the cittie may be forthwith discharged except the usuall nomber of trained bands and auxiliaries and that all endeavo^rs publiquely or privatlie to rayse anie further forces may cease and be supprest.

And that the same measure maybe allowed to this armie in payinge them upp to the same ffoote of accompte as is alreadie given to those who have diserted the same.

And for the things exprest in our Representation though of weightie importance yet because they will require time they shalbe noe occasion to impead our remove, and in the meantime both by Proclamacõn from his Excellencie and all other waves wee shall indeavo^r, that the accustomed supplies to yo^r cittie may be freelie sent up.

To conclude, wee say from o^r hearts that as oure espetiall ends are the glorie of God, and the good of this whole land, soe our indeavo^rs shalbe to prosecute the same without preiudice to the beinge or welbeinge of Parliaments in generall, (the mayntenance whereof wee value above our owne lives) or (as wee have formerlie said) of this Parliament in particular, but altogeather in order to the good and peace of this nation, and with a most tender regard to yo^r cittie to which wee professe we shall by all actions make good all ingagements tending to the securitie thereof in what way yo^rselves shall desire consistinge with the good of the whole kingdome you makeinge good your mutuall correspondencie with us not doeing anie thinge to our preiudice in the prosecucõn of our iust desires, and endeavo^rs.

St. Albans June 21, 1647.

Wee heare (even now) since the writinge of this letter, that (yesterday) divers of the Reformadoes came againe (in a threatninge manner) to Westm^r the house of Commons then sittinge to the greate affrightment and terror of divers faithfull members then present, and to discouragement of others from their attendance there, soe that we cannot but perceive, that the freedome of this Parliament is noe better then that those members who shall accordinge to their consciences endeavo^r to prevent a second warre, and acte contrarie to their wayes, who, (for their own preservacõn) intend it they must do it with the hazard of their lives: which indeed is a thinge soe destructive to Parliamen^ts and freedome that we conceive our selves in dutie bound, to endeavo^r to the utmost to procure redresse therein.

June 22^th 1647.

No. 70.