The Declaration & Propoſitions in the name of the Commons of England, to the Com­mittee of the Common-Councell of the Ci­ty of London, concerning an Agreement between the King, Parliament, City, and Kingdome.

THe Commons of England aſſembled at Weſt­minſter, having received ſeveral Petitions from the City of London, and the Counties adjacent, for a ſafe and wel-grounded peace between the King and His People; for the effecting whereof a Committee was appointed to treat with a Committee of the Common-Councell of the City of London, for bringing of the Kings Majeſty to a Perſonall Treaty, to the end, that all differences may be compoſed, and this diſtracted and lan­guiſhing kingdom, ſetled in a peaceable and flouriſhing con­dition; the Debates, Reſults, and proceedings at Guild-hall, between the Members of the Houſe of Commons, and the Common-Councell of the City of London, are here inſerted verbatim, Viz.

The ſaid honourable Committee did deſire that the Mili­tary Forces, and the Court of Common-Councel, would ſa­tisfie them what they intend and meane by thoſe words in the Petition of the Military-Officers, wherein the petition2 of the Common councel to the Parliament do concur, viz. That the King and Parl. may meet and treat with honour, freedom honour, and ſafety, according to the ancient fundamentall conſti­tutions of this Kingdome.

To this the Committee of the Common councel made an­ſwer as followeth, viz. By theſe words, we m•an, That the King and Parliament may meet and treat free from force or violence, which we conceive to be according to the ancient Fundamental conſtitutions of this kingdom.

The ſaid honorable Committee did further deſire, that•he Committee of Common councel would ſatisfie them, what is meant by theſe words, viz. That they wil defend His Maj. Royal Perſon and the Parl. during the Treaty, according to the Covenant.

The Committee of Common councell did give Anſwer thereunto as followeth, viz. By thoſe words To defend the King and Parl. according to the Covenant) we meane, That during the Treaty, we will defend the King and Parliament (as much as in us lieth free from all force and violence.

The ſaid honor•bl•Committee did further deſire, that the Committee of Common counce•l ſhould ſatisfie them what they intend and m•an in the petition of the Military Offi­cers, by the word [Freedom] in the laſt clauſe, and likewiſe what they mean by theſe words otherwiſe interrupt.)

To this the Committee of the Com•on councell gave the ſeverall anſwers following, viz. By the word (Freedome) we underſtand free from force and violence, and by the words (otherwiſe interrupt) we mean all hoſtile forces what; ſoever; the which anſwers were approved of by this Court.

The ſaid honorable Committee did further propound, that in caſe the Parliam. ſhall make choice of this City to be the place of the Treaty, and that the Common councell on the behalf of the City, do ingage themſelves to defend both King3 and Parl. from violence during the Treaty, Whether the City will maintain their Guards at their own charge.

To which the Com•ittee of Common-councel did an­ſwer, that the ſame being a matter of charge, muſt bee reſol­ved by Common councel, and that they would acquaint the Common-councell therewith; concerning this queſtion, this Court did take the ſame into their ſerious conſiderati­on, and after ſome debate had thereupon, this Court decla­red, that if the ſaid intended Treaty be in London, that then the City will for the preſent defray the charge for the main­taining of the Military Guards for the purpoſe aforeſaid, du•ing the Treaty, and afterwards refer themſelves to the King and Parliament for ſatisfaction thereof.

The ſaid H•nour•ble Committee did further propoſe, that in caſe the King ſhall not conſent and agree to ſuch things as ſhall be propounded and inſiſted on by both Houſes of Par­liament, in this Treaty for a ſa e and wel grounded Peace, [whether they will undert•ke and engage that the Perſon of the King ſhall be diſpoſed of, as both Houſes of Parliament ſhall think fit.]

To which the ſaid Committee of Common Councel did anſwer as followeth, viz. U•der the favour of this Honoura­ble Committee, we c•nnot underſtand by the Order of the Honorable H•uſe of Commons, which was delive•ed unto us for this Treaty that there is any thing the•ein men•ioned, tending to that which is by this Honorabl•Committee pro­pounded, concerning the delivery up of the King in caſe the King and Parliament did not agree.

And the ſaid Honorable Committee did further declare, That they were not ſatisfied with this anſwer concerning the diſ­poſing of the Kings perſon in caſe the King and Parliament did not agree; and did expect a further anſwer.

To which the Committee of Common councel did an­ſwer4 and ſay, That they would acquaint the Common coun­cell therewith; concerning which prop•ſi•ion, this Court did take the ſame into their ſerious conſideration, and upon a full and large debate thereupon, did declare, that in caſe the ſaid intended Treaty ſhall be in Lo•don, and that His Majeſty and His Parliament ſhould not agree (which God forbid) then they conceive themſelves bound to ſubmit to the wiſ­dom of both Houſes of Parliament.

The ſaid honorable Committee did likewiſe deſire, That the Committee of Common Councell, and the Military Officers, ſhould ſatisfie them in what manner, and by what meanes they wil make good their engagement, by defending the King and Parlia­ment againſt all violence.

To which the Committee of Common-councel made an­ſwer and propoundeth as followeth, viz. We do declare, & we are ready according to our Engagement, (as much as in us lyeth) by the Trained Bands of the City, and the late Lines of Communication to guard and defend the King and Par­liament from all force and violence. And to the end that we may be inabled to perform the ſame, wee do humbly offer, That the Ordinance for the uniting of the Military Forces within the late Lines of Communication, and the Pariſhes of the Weekly Bills of Mortality, to the Forces of the City, to be one intire Militia, may be ſpeedily paſſed.

That the Militia may be enabled to raiſe ſuch other for­ces as they ſhall find needfull, to carry them through this ſervice; And that no other forces may be raiſed, or made uſe of within this City and late Lines of Communication, but by Authority of the ſaid Militia by conſent of Common-Councell.

To conſider that our dangers are either from without or within, and therefore propounded, viz. For thoſe without,5 that for our better ſecurity in guarding the King and Parlia­ment, we deſire that ſome courſe may be taken as ſhall be thought fit by Wiſdom of Parliament, that no Forces in Armes may come within 30. miles of London during the time of the Treaty; And for thoſe within, that what p•rſon or perſons ſoever ſhall make any Tumult, Inſurrect on or diſturbance, during the time of this Treaty, after Proclama­tion made, it ſhall be death.

That if the wiſdom of Parliament ſhall think fit, that none that have born Armes againſt the Parliament, or have or ſhall contribute thereunto, ſhall be permitted during the ſaid Treaty to come within 30. miles of London, without leave of the Parliament had or to be had.

Concerning this deſi•e or propoſition of the ſaid Honou­rable Committee, this Court doth approve of the Anſwers thereunto and Propoſitions made touching the ſame, And this Court doth Order that the ſaid Committee of Com­mon councell ſhall communicate unto the ſaid Honorable Committee, the aforeſaid Anſwers and Propoſitions of this Court to be by them preſented unto both Houſes of Parlia­ment. And alſo to d•clare unto them, that it it is the humble deſire of this Court, that the ſaid Treaty may be with all ex­pedition, for the preventing of further inconveniencies. And likewiſe that this Court will do their endeavours (if the ſ•id Treaty be in London) for the finding out of ſome conveni­ent place within the City for that purpoſe, and ſuch other ac­comodations as ſhall be fitting.

It is ordered by this Common councel, That the Com­mon-councel-men and Commanders, or ſuch as they ſhall appoint, ſhall within their ſeveral Precincts, either by calling all the Inhabitants before them, or by going from hou•e to houſe receive their concurrence to the ſaid Engagement by ſubſcription of their Names.