NEVVES FROM THE ARMIE
SInce my laſt unto you, dated the 18. of this inſtant moneth, We have received further Orders from the General, for removall of our quarters towards the Weſterne Road, which was accordingly done, ſeverall Regiments being now quartered about Reading, Windſor, and the reſt of the adjacent townes. Our trayn of Artillery is come from Oxford to the Generals head-quarters, and divers ſouldiers deſigned for Ireland•re again joyned with us. Some rumors in the army of high particulars, but I will wave them, and rather clip the wings of ſuch ſuggeſtions, then to have them diſpierced for advancing of diſcord But I truſt to the great Jehovah of Heaven, that if a further breach doth ariſe betwixt the Parliament, City, and Army, that He will be pleaſed to cloſe it up againe, and firmly knit the hearts of all in thoſe ſilver thrids of amity, that ſo the glory of God may be exalted, His Royall Majeſty advanced into his throne, and peace & truth eſtabliſhed within his Majeſties Realm and Dominion.
We have received advertiſement at the Head quarters, that a party of horſe are advanced neerer towards your City; but (I ſay now, as I ſaid before) I hope with no evill intent; Our agitators ſits cloſe (being two out of every Regiment) and what ever they conclude upon, the army gives their whole aſſent.
We have received ſome advertiſement of a Letter ſent to the Generall, from both houſes of Parliament, to require him to deliver the King, to the Commiſſioners now reſident with his Majeſty, and ſo to be conducted to Richmond, and to require him to withdraw his Army forty miles from London, to forbear recruiting his Army, or to poſſeſſe any new townes, Caſtles, or Fortifications; but the army hath declared their unwillingneſſe to reſign up the King, untill ſuch time that they have received ſatisfaction and redreſs of their former grievances propoſed to the honourable houſes of Parliament; yet thus much I dare preſume to ſay, that his Maieſties reſidence in the protection and power of the Army, doth not a little embolden them in their preſent deſign, but it doth alſo promp them up to high conditions.
For other particulars, I ſhall refer you to the incloſed, and remain
Your affectionate friend, T. Nichols.
RedburnJune 21. 1647.
Poſtſcript.
UPon the cloſe of this Letter, I received information of a Meſſenger arrived at St. Albanes, ſent by the Parliaments Commiſſioners from Newmarket, with Propoſitions to the Generall. 1. To know his anſwer to the Votes of both Houſes, concerning the diſpoſall of his Maieſties Royall Perſon to Richmond. And ſecondly, that He would be pleaſed to ſend them a ſpeedy anſwer, for further ſatisfaction therein. The ſaid Meſſenger further intimated, that there was a late conference betwixt his Majeſty, and Mr. Peters the Miniſter; at which conference, his Majeſty told the ſaid Mr. Peters, that he had often heard talk of him, but did not believe he had that ſolidity in him he found by his diſcourſe, after his Majeſty had ended his diſcourſe, Mr. Peters began with theſe expreſſions. Humbly deſiring his Maieſty that He would be pleaſed to heare him preach; his Majeſty replyed, no, not as yet, but he would have a further Conference with him another time, and ſo Mr. Peters withdrew.
A Declaration ſet forth by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, concerning the Trayned Bands, and Auxiliaries, belonging to the ſaid City.
Theſe are to declare and make knowne unto all, that in the beating up of the drum and ſounding of the trumpet, the intention is, for the ſuppreſſing of tumults and outrages (ſuch as are and may be committed, for the preſervation of the peace, and for the defence of the Parliament and City. Wherfore theſe are earneſtly to exhort & require all perſons lifted for the Trayned Bands and Auxiliaries within this City and Liberties, as they tender and wiſh the good of themſelves, their wives, children, & families, preſervation of the peace and ſafety of the Parliament and City, That immediatly uppon beat of the Drum, or ſound of the trumpet, they, and every of them, under conduct of their ſeverall and reſpective Captaines and Commanders, will with all readineſſe and alacrity repair to their Colours (as oft as occaſion may require) for the cauſe and purpoſe aforeſaid.
And all Conſtables and Officers within this City and Liberties are hereby ſtraightly charged and commanded to do and performe their reſpective duties with all readineſſe, for conſervation of the peace, and therein to be from time to time ayding & aſſiſting vnto the ſaid trayned Bands and Auxiliaries, and the Commanders of them, as they, and every of them will anſwer the contrary for their neglect and remiſneſſe.
FINIS.