Sir Thomas Fairfax's letter from Cornwall relating the whole business in the West with the articles at large concluded upon by His Excellencies commissioners and Sir Ralph Hoptons, and an order of both Houses for a day of thanksgiving for the same.

Author: Fairfax, Thomas Fairfax, Baron, 1612-1671.1646

Sir Thomas Fairfax's LETTER FROM CORNWALL, Relating the whole businesse in the WEST.

WITH The ARTICLES at large, concluded upon by his Excellencies Commissioners and Sir Ralph Hoptons.

And an Order of both Houses for a day of Thanksgiving for the same.

Die Lunae, 23 March. 1645.

ORdered by the Lords Assembled in Parliament, That this Letter with the Articles shall be forthwith printed and published.

J. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum.

LONDON, Printed for John Wright, at the Kings head in the Old-baily. March 24. 1645.

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TO THE HONOVRABLE William Lenthall, Esquire; Speaker of the Honourable House of COMMONS.

SIRs

WHilst I lay at Bodman for the necessary refreshment of the Army, and to block up the passages from Bodman to the North and South Sea, I sent a Summons with Propositions to Sir Ralph Hopton, and the Army under his command: A true Copy whereof I have here inclosed, being encouraged thereunto by some of the enemies Officers and Souldiers, who came in to me, and informed of their inclineablenesse to conditions; and hoping thereby either to bring them to such tearms as should be to your advantage, or would distract and weaken them; and withall understanding by the intercepted Letters I sent you that an Irish Infantry was ready to be shipt for England, I thought fit to try all means which in probability might break their body of Cavalry upon the place: when I had dispatched these Propositions to the enemy, I advanced upon Monday with all the Army from Bodman towards Truro being then the enemies head-quarters, and to Treney, where I quartered that night: Sir Ralph Hopton sent a Trumpeter to me with a Letter, desiring to have Commissioners appointed on both sides, to meet at Tresilian-bridge the next day with power to treat and conclude, which I assented to; The Treaty accordingly began, the Commissioners meeting about four a clocke in the afternoon, and I in the mean time advancing the quarters of the Army to Truro and St. Alan: After some time spent between the Commissioners this agreement was made, a copy whereof I have here also inclosed, and in execution thereof this day we began to disband the French [Page 2]Brigade under Col. Lapland: Tomorrow we proceed with three other Brigades, they having nine in all, and shall endeavour to shorten this work as much as may be. Truly, Sir, this must needs be acknowledged for an admirabled mercy from the same gracious hand of providence, that hath hitherto gone along with you, that so considerable a force as this should be so baffled, first at Torrington, and afterwards should put themselves as it were into a Net; whereby they were necessitated to take terms to the utter ruine of so great a body of Cavalry, which according to all our information, and the confession of our enemies was not lesse at the time of the Treaty then foure thousand five thousand horse: The Articles of agreement will speak the mercy, and needs no comment; yet I hope I may make this observation upon them, that thereby not only so great a body of Cavalry is broken, but so many both officers and souldiers disobliged from taking armes against you, and this at such a season when a forraine aid so ready as the Earle of Glamorgans Letters sent up formerly (and now sent you) speak at large, the timely freeing of us for other services that remaine, with discouragement put upon the enemies garrisons in these parts, which we hope will cause them the more speedily to come in, wee trust will be good consequences of this work: Its the desire of us all, the praise of all may be returned to God, to whom it is only due: The reputation of this hath already produced a surrender of St. Maws Castle, wherein we found about 13 Guns and good proportion of Ammunition, which place gives you a better interest in Falmouth harbour then the enemy hath; for by the advantage hereof you may bring in shipping without hazzard, which they cannot; It hath also occasioned the comming in of between 300 and 400 foot of the enemies with their arms to me, and given the Countries such heart against them, That in Peryn (a Town formerly not very well affected) and in St. Ive they stand upon their guards against the enemy: For further particulars concerning this businesse, I refer you to M. Peters, who since he came into this County (where he was borne) hath very much furthered the service in the bringing of the Country in so freely to the protection of the Parliament, I remain

Your most humble Servant Tho. Fairfax.

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Truro, March 14 16 [...]5.

Articles of Agreement concluded betwixt Comissary Gen. Ireton, Col. John L [...]mbert, [...] J [...]hn S. Aubin. Comis [...]ry Gen. Stane, Cap. Edward Herle, and Richard Deane Com [...]r of the Ordnance, Commi [...]si [...]ners app [...]inted on the be [...]a [...]fe of his Excellercy Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, Generall of the Parliaments Army, on the one part: And Col. Ch [...]rles Goring Col. Marcus Trevor, Col. Thomas Panton, Col. Jordan B [...]vill, Mr Richard Prideaux Knight, and Major Goterce▪ Commission [...]s appointed in the behalfe of the right Hon urable the Lord Hopton, Generall of his Majesties Army, on the other part; as followeth:

1. IT is concluded and agreed, That no person in the L. Hoptons army, not formerly by name excepted by the Parliament from pardon shall be excluded from the priviledge of this Treaty, either as beng a Forraigner, or for having formerly served the Parliament; but shall equally have the benefit of what shall upon this Treaty be granted to other persons of that quality that they are of in the army: and for any persons by name excepted by the Parliament, they shall have present liberty (if they desire it) to goe beyond Seas, with like recommendation and equipage, as others of like quality; or if they desire to live at bome in England▪ to make their addresses to the Parliament; for that, or other purpose, they shall have leave and reasonable time so to do, and the Generalls protection to live quietly, and at liberty in any place they shall nominate and chuse within the Parliaments quarters, untill they have received the Parliaments Resolution; And if the Parliament shall not thinke fit to grant such their desires, they shall then have leave and passes to go beyond Sea, as before, or to any of the Kings armies or garisons, as they shall think fit.

2. That the Army and forces under the command of the Lord Hopton shall within six daies after the date hereof be wholly disbanded and discharged [Page 4]by the Lord Hopton, and the Generall Officers, Collonels, and other Officers under his command according to the severall charges in manner hereafter expressed.

3. That all common Troopers, Corporals of Horse, Fariers and Sadlers, that are mounted, being of or belonging to the Forces under the command of the Right Honorable the L. Hopton, shall bring in and deliver up their horses, with their Bridles and Saddles, and all their arms, unto his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax, or unto whom he shal appoint to receive them, in manner, time, and place, as is hereafter exprests Provided, that all Corporals, and such Common Troopers as shall appeare Gentlemen of worth, and such other Troopers as shall go beyond Sea, shall be allowed to keep and carry away with them their Swords.

4. That upon performance hereof they shall receive 20 s. a man, or keep their Horses, and shall have their Passes to go to their homes in England, or beyond Sea with their Bag and Baggage, which they shal have leave to carry with them, or dispose of them as they please; and those to whom Swords are allowed, as before, to passe with their Swords.

5. That the Commission-Officers of Horse under the L. Hopton, for their severall Troops respectively, shall cause the said Horses and Arms to be duely delivered in without changes, spoyling or imbezlement among themselves, according to the effect of the first Article before-going.

6. That this being performed, all the said Commission-Officers of Horse in present command, and all Trumpeters belonging to them, shall have liberty to go away, either to their homes in England, or beyond the Seas with their Bag and Baggages: And also, they shal have such number of Horses, and Equipage as is hereafter allowed, according to their severall qualities: That is to say,

I. For those that shall chuse to go beyond the Seas, the full number of Horses and Fire-arms, if they have so many of their own,

To Trumpeters one Horse a piece, and their Trumpets.
To Quarter-masters, two Horses and one Case of Pistols.
To Corners three Horses and two case of Pistols.
To Lieutenants four Horses and three Case of Pistol,
To Captains, Majors, and Lieutenants-Colonels, six Horses and four Case of Pistols.
To Colonels eight Horses, and six Case of Pistols.
To the Adjutant-Generall six Horses and four Case of Pistols.
[Page 5]To the other Adjutants of Brigades three Horses a piece, and one Case of Pistols.
To the Scout-master-generall six Horses and two Case of Pistols.
To the Quarter-master-generall six Horses, and two Case of Pistols.
To the Martial-generall four Horses and one Case of Pistols.
To the Deputy Quarter-master-generall two Horses.
To the Deputy Scout-master one Horse.
To the Major-generall twelve Horses and six Case of Pistols.
To the Commissary-generall of Horse Provisions th [...]ee Horses and a Case of Pistols.
To the Commissary-Generall of Victuals three Horses one Case of Pistols.
To the Chirurgeon-generall three Horses.
To Quarter-masters of Brigades three Horses one Case of Pistols.
To Chirurgeons of Regements two Horses.
To all these, except Chirurgeons, their defensive Arms, and Swords for themselves and their Servants; and unto every Field-Officer one Carrabine, and Chirurgeons their Swords.

II. To those that shall chuse to abide in England, with the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his protection, and to live at home, shall have their proportions as followeth.

The Trumpeters one Horse a piece, and their Trumpets.
To Quarter-masters one horse a piece.
To Cornets and Lieutenants two Horses a piece and one Case of Pistols.
To Captains three Horses a piece and one Case of Pistols.
To Majors four Horses a piece and one Case of Pistols.
To Lieut. Colonels five Horses a piece, one case of Pistols.
To Colonels six horses a piece, and two case of Pistols.
To the Major-generall ten Horses, three case of Pistols.
To the Adjutant-generall six Horses, one case of Pistols.
To the Adjutants of Brigades one Horse a piece and one case of Pistols.
To the Quartermaster-generall six Horses, and one case of Pistols.
To the Marshall-generall three Horses, and one case of Pistols.
To the Deputy Quartermaster-generall two horses.
To the Scoutmaster-generall four Horses and one case of Pistols.

All these to have Swords for themselves and their servants.

To the Commissary of Horse Provision, two Horses and a case of Pistols.
To the Commissary of victuals two horses and a case of Pistols.
To the Deputy Scout-master one horse.
[Page 4]To the Quartermasters of Brigades two Horses.
To the Chirurgion-generall two Horses.
To Chirurgeons of Regiments one horses.
To Chaplains two Horses.

All these, except Chaplains, to have Swords for themselves and their servants.

7. That the precedent Articles concerning the surrender of Troopers horses, &c. being performed; if any Officer in Command, that chuseth to live at home shall appeare to have more horses of his own, then what he is before allowed by the last precedent Article; the Commissioners of Sir Thomas Fairfax his part will recommend it to his Excellencies favour, That they may enjoy the benefit of such horses of their owne to the same number as Officers of like quality that are to goe beyond Sea.

8. That of the Reformadoe Officers that chuse to live at home in England, Reformodoe Quarter Masters shall have the same conditions as Corporalls in Command; Coronets and Lieutenants shall goe away with one horse a peece, Captains, Majors and Lievtenant-Collonels, with two horses a peece, and Collonels with three horses a peece, if they have so many of their owne, and one case of pistolls; those Reformadoes that desire to goe beyond Seas to have halfe the proportion of horses & armes allowed in that case to Officers of the like quality in present Command if they have them of their owne, and all of them to goe with Swords, Bag and Baggage, or dispose thereof at pleasure.

9. That all Gentlemen of quality in Armes or not in Armes, hut living under the protection of the said Army, shall have liberty either to goe to their owne houses, or beyond the Seas, with Bag and Baggage, and Equipage according to their severall qualities, as followeth, That is to say:

A Knight with four horses, three servants, one case of Pistols, and their Swords.
An Esquire with three horses, two servants, one case of Pistols, and their Swords.
A Gentleman with two horses, one servant, one case of Pistols, and their Swords.
A Gentleman of lowest ranke with one horse for himselfe, and a Sword.
Schollers and Clergymen to have one horse at the least, or more according to their different degrees at the Generals discretion.

10. That to all those who according to the effect of these Articles shall choose to goe beyond the Sea, passes shall be granted from [...] [Page 7]the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax accordingly, and to those who being English shall choose to live at home, passes for that purpose and protections for their liberty of their persons, and also for the freedom of their estates from all pl [...]nder and violence of souldiers, and that such Gentlemen or others that have considerable estates, may have the Generals Letters of recommendation to the Parliament (if desired) for their moderate composition.

XI. That after the performance of these Articles so far to disbanding and delivering up of what is to be delivered: All Officers and Souldiers that shall according to these Articles chuse to go beyond the Seas, shall have sufficient quarters assigned them by Sir Thomas Fairfax, near convenient Ports for their transportation, and that they shall have twenty eight daies allowed to stay in England, from the day of their severall disbanding, and that the charge of quartering their horses be discharged by themselves after the first fourteen daies for the time of their further stay, That the Generall will appoint men to take care that shipping shall oec provided for transporting the thh persons, Armes Bag and Baggage, they paying the accustomed rates.

XII. That acertain number of Officers of the L. Hoptons Army not exceeding forty upon the Lord Hoptons Commissioners request shall be permitted to have passes for themselves, and their servants horses and necessaries to go to Oxford, provided that their servants exceed not the number of two, their horses three, to everie one respectively.

XIII. That the Lord Hopton shall be allowed for his own use all his horses, provided they exceed not the number of forty, and Armes for himselfe and twelve men; And that the Lord Wentworth shall have all his horses, provided they exceed not five and twenty, and arms for himself and eight men, and places assigned them for conveniency of Quarters.

XIIII. That such English men as shall chuse to abide in England at their homes, and all Forraigners of the said Army, shall ingage themselves by promise in such forme as is herewith agreed on, not to bear Arms any more against the Parliament of England nor to act any thing wilfully, prejudicial to the Parliaments affairs without first rendring, themselves prisoners to the Parliament; And likewise all such English as shall chuse to go beyond Sea, shall [Page 8]ingage themselves in the like promise for three yeeres next insuing the date hereof or otherwise shall lose the benefit of these Articles excepting the Lord Hopton and Lord Wentworth, and the number of Officers allowed to go to Oxford in the twelfth Article before-going, who are by the intention of these Articles left free from such ingagement.

XV. That all Horses, Arms, and furniture of warre belonging to, or in the hands of any person, of the said Armie, not allowed in the precedent, or subsequent Articles, to be carried away shall be dilivered up to such persons, and at such places near Truro, or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head quarters, as his Excellency shall appoint, within six daies after the date hereof without spoile or imbezelment; At the care aswell of the Geeneralls Officers of the said Army, and all Commanders in their severall charges, as by the persons themselves, to whom such Armes or Furniture of warre doe belong, or in whose custody they were.

XVI. That whosoever shall after the conclusion of this Treaty, purposely break, spoile, or imbezell any of the armes horses or furniture agreed and concluded to be delivered up in this Treaty, shall forfeit the benefit due unto him by any article in the Treaty. And if any of the said army after the conclusion of this Treaty, shall plunder or wilfully doe any violence unto any Inhabitants of the Countrey, he shall give satisfaction unto the persons so wronged, or lose the benefit of the Treaty, and that the Commissioners of both parties, or any three of them, whereof one or more to be of Sir Thomas Fairfax his party, and one or more to be of the Lord Hoptons, shall have power to heare and determine all such cases accordingly.

XVII. That the said army and forces under the command of the Lord Hopton, from the time of the conclusion of this Treaty, untill the time of their drawing out to be disbanded as in the ensuing articles, shall bee quartered in such places Westward from Truro as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint, which shall be large enough for their accommodation, and that the Cessation of armes, and of all acts of hostility betwixt the two armies, shall continue unto the time of the compleat disbanding of the Lord Hoptons army.

[Page 9] XVIII. That for the disbanding of the said Forces, and delivering up of Horses, Armes, &c. in performance of the precedent Articles, Every Brigade and Regiment under the Lord Hoptons command, shall by their respective Commanders he drawne out into such places of Rendezvouz, within two miles of Truro, or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head-Quarters, And upon such dayes as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall for them joyntly or severally appoint, notice of the same being given to his Excellency in writing sixteen houres before-hand, under the Commissioners of the Lord Hoptons part, or any of them, two or more of whom shall for that and other purposes continue at Sir Thomas Fairfax his head-Quarters, untill the disbanding be finished, and that the Quartermaster-generall, or Adjutant of the Lord Hoptons with one horseman from every Brigade, shall also be th [...]re with them, and that none of the said Brigades or Regiments shall be drawn out of their Quarters, (which shalbe assigned to them as afore) otherwise then upon, and according to such notice from Sir Thomas Fairfax as before, except to and for their ordinary Guards.

XIX. That to or before the drawing out of the severall Brigades or Regiments such Rendezvouz as before, the chief Commanders of them respectively shall deliver, unto whom Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint, a true and perfect List of the Regiments and Troopes in the severall Brigades, and of all Officers and Souldiers in their severall Troupes, expressing by name which of them do choose to go beyond sea, and which doe goe to live at home; or also who are Reformadoes, and in what degree of command they have served: and that at the same times and places the Horses, Armes, and furniture by vertue of the precedent Articles to be delivered up, shall be delivered up accordingly; and all the Officers and Souldiers disbanded and discharged, and there shall receive their Passes with Warrants for quarters by the way for one night in a place, and be conve [...] [Page 10]towards their severall homes, as farre as Chard, if they go so farre, or unto Quarters assigned them for their transportation according to the preceding Articles.

That for the further performance of these Articles, two Colonels of each Army shall be mutually delivered and kept as Hostages.

H. Ireton.
Jo. Lambert.
Jo. S. Aubin.
William Stane.
Edward Herle.
Richard Deane.
Charles Goring.
Marcus Trevor.
Thomas Panton.
Jordan Bovill.
Richard Prideaux.
Jean Goteere.

Die Lunae, 23. Martii. 1645.

ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That Thursday sevennight be set apart for a day of publique Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the great successe of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall, against the enemy in the West, in breaking and destroying their Armies, and giving them up into the hands of the Parliament; to be observed and kept in all the Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Liberties thereof, and Lines of Communication, and ten miles about, and that the Lord Mayor be desired to take care, that the respective Ministers within the Limits aforesaid may have timely notice hereof.

Jo. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.

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