THE CHARGE OF THE ARMY, Against Major Generall Massey, Sir VVilliam VValler, Col. Hollis, Col. Copley, and the rest of the Parliamen men, who was impeached and taken into custody on VVednesday 6 Decemb. 1648.
I.
THat whereas Denzil Hollis Esq Lionel Copley Esq Maj. Gen. Massy, and others of your members, were in the year 1647. impeached by your selves for [Page 2] treason, or for high crimes and misdemeanours, in relation to the treasonable Engagement of the city of London, &c. and upon cleer proofs against them, were by your censure expelled the House; yet by the prevalency of their Faction the same persons were afterwa [...]ds readmitted to sit in the House, and vote as formerly, without any tryall or satisfaction in the things whereof they were accused: We demand that all those members so impeached may be forthwith secured, to be brought to justice or tryal for their said crims, and that such others of their faction, may be secluded from the House, &c.
II.
That whereas by the confederacy of Major Gen Browne (now Sheriff of London) with the said impeached members, and others, the Scots were invited and drawn in to invade this Kingdom the last Summer, insomuch as when upon the actuall In [...]asion the House proceeded to declare them enemies, and th [...]se that a [...]h [...]e to them traytors; yet the said confederates and other treacherous members (to the number of ninety and odd, as u [...]on the division of the House appeared) did by their Councels and Votes endeavour to hinder the house from declaring against their confederate inva [...]ers; We desire, that the said M.G. Brown may bee also secured and brought to judgment, and that the rest of the ninety and odd persons dissenting in the said vote, may bee excluded the house, and not trusted further in your Councels.
III.
That whereas in a continued Series of your proceedings for many moneths together, we have seen the prevalence of [Page 3] the same treacherous corupt, and divided councels, through factions and private interests, and in their late Votes declaring the Kings past concessions to be a ground for the house to proceed upon for the settlement of the peace of the kingdom, notwithstanding the visib [...]e insufficiency and defects of them in things essentially concerning the publike interest & liberties of the Kingdome▪
IV.
That such as by faithfulnesse have retained their trust, being set in a condition to pursue and perform the same, with out such interruptions, diversions and depravations of councels, as formerly. We shall desire and hope you will speedily nnd vigorously proceed, 1 To take order for the execution of Justice, 2 To set a short period to your own power, 3 To provide for a speedy succession of equall Representatives, according to our late Remonstrance, wherein differences in the kingdom may be ended, and we and others may comfortably acquiese; as (for our parts) we hereby ingage, and assure you we shall.
The Articles and Proposals.
1 By what evidences and proofes, or upon what Reasons and grounds the King stands acquitted of the charge of the Houses against him, in their late Declaration to the Kingdom.
2 What persons especially what members of either Houses have plaid the Traytors, by inviting the Scots to invade this Kingdome, or gave them countenance, or incouragement in that perfidious attempt.
[Page 4]3 That the promoters of the first and second war bee brought to Justice.
4 That the arrears and debts of the Kingdom be secured and satisfied, and that the publike faith be not made a publike fraud to the Kingdom,
5 That the Court of Wards be abolished without exacting satisfaction for the same.
6 That the Consciences of men be not cruelly and vnconscionably shipwracked.
7 That the cunning device upon the Army for hatefull free quarter, and the contrivers thereof be discovered, and the Mariners and Army vindicated from the slander thence raised upon it.
8 That the Orders for reducing any of the Souldiers or Sea men either by Sea or Land may be suspended, untill the Commonwelth be setled, and the enemies thereof brought to justice. That these and the like things being satisfied and secured to the Kingdome, your Excellency and your Army may return from this present imployment in honour and good conscience, as faithfully discharging the Armies ingagement to the Kingdom, and not beare the shame and reproach of men that only acted for hire, and so that base scandall, so much in the mouths of your and our treacherous enemies, will not be justified in the hearts of our friends: for the effectuall obtaining of these good things, wee shall really adhere to your Excellency to our utmost ability.
By His Excellency the Lord Generall Fairfax.
THese are to require all Officers and Souldiers of Horse and Foot who shall quarter in and about the City of London and Suburbs thereof, that they behave and demean themselves and peaceably towards all sorts of people, not giving any just cause of offence, or provocation by language, or otherwise, upon pain of such severe punishment as to a Court Martiall shall be thought meet, and not do any unlawfull violence to the person or goods of any, either in their quarters or elsewhere, upon pain of death: And for the more due execution hereof, all Commanders and Officers are hereby required not to be absent from their severall and distinct charges, without leave first had from their superiours▪ upon pain of such [Page 5] punishment as the party injured shall sustain, and such further censure as to justice shall be thought fit.
FOrasmuch as divers ill-affected persons have of late made their Resort to the City of London, the Subburbs, and places adjoyning, with Designe (as there is cause to believe upon Grounds more then probable) to imbroile this Kingdome in further troubles: and whereas by Ordinance, or Order of Parliament, such resort hath been prohibited, and the departure of such persons enjoyned; these are therefore to require all persons that have engaged for the King in the first or latter War, or have adhered unto, or assisted him or his party therein, and are now residing in London, or within ten miles distant there from, that within twenty foure hours, after publication hereof, they depart from the said City and Subburbs, and all places within ten miles distance thereof, and not to return for the space of one month, next ensuing the publication hereof, if the Head-quarters shall continue here so long: and who ever shall be found and taken, contrary hereunto, they shall be dealt withall as Prisoners of War, except such of them as have perfected their Compositions, and not engaged again in the latter War.
By His Excellency the Lord Generall Fairfax.
WHereas it is informed, that many Souldiers and others of the Army going without leave of their Officers from the places where they are quartered, do straggle about the City of London and Subburbs, contrary to Orders in that behalf given; I do hereby require and command all such Souldiers and others of the Army, forthwith upon publication hereof, to repair to their several Quarters upon pain of being strictly proceeded against according to the said Orders and the Generall Articles of War. And whereas it is informed, that divers loose persons going about the City under the name and in the Garb of Souldiers, have been very abusive in language, and otherwise, to the injury of some Inhabitants, and just offence of others; I do hereby desire, that if any such be hereafter [Page 6] found going about without order, or Off [...]cers to govern them, whether they be indeed souldiers or no, and committing any such abuses, they may be apprehended by the next Constables and sent to White Hall, there to be delivered as prisoners to the Marshall generall, together with what information and evidence there is against them by a Councel of War, to the due punnishment of those that shall be offended, and to the just satisfaction of the per [...]ons injured, and if any of the Souldiers going about with their off [...]cers, shall be so abusive, in case their Officers shall not restrain them, such Officer being complained of, shall himself be punished, and give satisfaction to the parry injured.
Col. Pride having received Orders from the Generall, to secure a certain number of the Parliament, on Wednesday last marched with his Regiment to Westminster, and took divers of them into custody, viz. Sir William VValler, Major Gen. Massey, Sir Benjamin Rudyard, Col. Hollis, Col· Fines, and about 20 more, who are committed to safe custody, and whether they shall have their inlargment upon paroll, or be continued prisoners is uncertain.