THE ANSVVER OF THE Right Honourable the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-Councell assembled.
TO A LETTER SENT Vnto them from his Excellency Sir
Thomas Fairfax, and other of the Chief Officers in that ARMY.
With the Answer of the Commons in Parliament assembled, to the Committee of Aldermen and Common-councell-men appointed to present the said Answer unto them.
As also an Act of Common-Councell authorizing the said Committee to present the Answer of the said Letter to his Excellency.
Printed by
Richard Cotes, Printer to the Honourable, City of LONDON, 1647.
For his Excellency Sir
Thomas Fairfax, Knight Generall of the Forces raised by the Parliament, and the rest of the Worthy Commanders.
Right Honourable and Worthy Commanders,
YOur Letter dated at
Royston the 10. of this instant
June, wee the Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-Councell assembled, have seriously perused, and presented a Copy thereof to each House of Parliament, and for your, and our farther satisfaction we have sent a Committee of Aldermen and Commons with this our answer therunto; & to prevent all misunderstanding betwixt that so wel-deserving Army and this City: we take notice by that Letter, of your drawing neere this City with your Army, for the obtaining your desires as Souldiers, and as English men, and of what you doe, and doe not intend thereby; more especially that you come not to doe any Act to prejudice the being of Parliaments, or to the hurt of this in order to the present settlement of the Kingdom, and of your Declaration, that if we appeare not against you in those your
[Page 2] just desires to assist those that would imbroyle you and the Kingdome in a new War, that you intend no evill towards this City, nor that you or your Souldiers shall give it the least offence. But we desire that in regard your approach may, contrary to your intentions be an occasion to increase the price of victuall, & to discontented persons to make some ill use thereof in raising of tumults, that you wil be pleased to take it into your further consideration, and in order to your owne resolution concerning this Cities safety, to forbeare quartering within thirty miles thereof, which we shall looke upon as a speciall evidence of the sincerity of your intentions expressed in your Letter. We cannot passe by that expression of yours, to hazard your owne blood for our preservation, nor can wee returne you more reall thankes for it then this, to declare our resolutions that the very thought of ingaging this Kingdome in a new Warre, wee doe unanimously detest, and that wee intend no evill to you, but only to defend the Parliament and our selves against any unlawfull violence; for prevention wherof, least it should happen (though you never intended it) we have by the direction of Parliament and for our owne safety put our selves in a posture of defence; but not with the least intention
[Page 3] to do any prejudice to that Army, whom God hath made so eminent an instrument of our deliverance and safety. And we do disavow the raising any forces, or taking up of Armes in opposition to, or with intent to hinder the obtaining of your just demands; yea, so far have we been and shal be from that, that both before, and since the receipt of your Letter, we have made our humble addresses to the Parliament for the obtaining thereof, which we shall not fail to prosecute as occasion shall present; only this request we earnestly make in the name of this City, that you wil be careful when you descend to particulars, to desire no more than what shall bee just and reasonable, and in such a way as may consist with the honour, power and priviledge of Parliament, liberty of the Subject, and safety of this City and Kingdom; and we shall appeale to God and to the present and future generations, to judge of your and our performance according to the severall engagements.
London
12.
Junii 1647.
By command of the Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of
London in Common-Counsell assembled.
Michel.
Die Sabbathi, 12. Junii, 1647.
THE House being informed that divers Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of
London were at the door they were called in, and Mr. Alderman
Fowke acquainted the House, That they were commanded by the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-councell assembled, to present unto this House their sense upon a matter of very great importance.
They have again considered of the Generalls Letter unto them, and have made an Answer to it, which they have thought fit to acquaint this House with, and to desire their approbation of sending it to the Army.
The Aldermen and the Gentlemen of the City being withdrawn, the Letter was read.
Resolved, &c.
That this House doth approve of the Cities sending this Letter to the Army in the way they propose.
The Aldermen and Citizens were againe called in, and Mr. Speaker by the command of the House, acquainted them, that the House had considered of their desires, and of the Letter presented by them, and are very sensible of their good affections to the Peace and good of the Kingdome, and Honour of the Parliament, for which hee was commanded to give them Thanks.
H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com.
Commune Concililum tentum in Camera
Guild-hall Civitatis
London, duodecimo die Junii,
1647.
ACcording to an Order of this Court, made this day the Committee therein appointed,
viz. Mr. Alderman
Warner, Mr. Alderman
Fowke, Mr. Alderman
Gibbs, Mr. Alderman
Viner, Christopher Packe, Major
Chamberlin, Thomas Noel, Col.
Tho. Player, Major
Hitchcock, Robert Lowder, Richard Waring, and
Walter Pell, did present the draught of an Answer to the Letter received from his Excellency Sir
Thomas Fairfax and other Commanders of the Army, which was here openly read, and after debate upon every particular clause therein, the same was approved of by this Court. And thereupon it is ordered that the said Committee shall make their addresses forthwith to both Houses of Parliament, and acquaint them with the Common-Councells intention, to send the said Answer unto the said Army by the said Committee, thereby to prevent all misunderstanding and further effusion of blood; And that they will vouchsafe to take into their speedy and serious consideration, the just desires of the Army, and give such fit remedies thereunto as in their wisedomes shall be thought fit. And this Court doth hereby give power and authoritie to the said Committee to repair with all expedition unto the Army, and present the said Answer unto his Excellency; and to give and receive such further satisfaction concerning the matter contained in the said Answer as occasion shall require, and to present the desire of this Court, that his Excellencie and other the Commanders of the said Army will have a speciall care for the preservation of his Majesties royall person whilst he remaineth with them.