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         England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I)
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A31965 of text R17824 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing C2420). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
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         A31965
         Wing C2420
         ESTC R17824
         11936259
         ocm 11936259
         51187
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A31965)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51187)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 229:E8, no 26)
      
       
         
           
             The letters from His Maiesty, and from the officers of His Majesties army, to the Earle of Essex at Lestithen, inviting him to peace and his refusall thereof
             England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I)
             Charles I, King of England, 1600-1649.
             Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of, 1591-1646.
          
           [2], 10 p.
           
             Printed by Leonard Lichfield ...,
             Oxford :
             1644.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649.
        
      
    
       A31965  R17824  (Wing C2420).  civilwar no The letters from His Maiesty, and from the officers of His Majesties army, to the Earle of Essex at Lestithen, inviting him to peace, and hi England and Wales. Sovereign 1644    3101 7 0 0 0 0 0 23 C  The  rate of 23 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           LETTERS
           FROM
           HIS
           MAIESTY
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           
             OFFICERS
          
           of
           HIS
           MAJESTIES
           ARMY
           ,
           TO
           THE
           EARLE
           OF
           ESSEX
           at
           LESTITHEN
           ,
           Inviting
           him
           to
           Peace
           ,
           and
           his
           refusall
           thereof
           .
        
         
           OXFORD
           ,
           Printed
           by
           LEONARD
           LICHFIELD
           ,
           Printer
           to
           the
           Vniversity
           .
           
             1644.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           THere
           cannot
           be
           a
           better
           expedient
           for
           removing
           the
           calamities
           and
           miseries
           of
           this
           languishing
           Kingdom
           ,
           then
           cleerly
           and
           plainly
           to
           informe
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Consciences
           and
           understandings
           of
           all
           men
           ,
           who
           they
           are
           that
           will
           not
           suffer
           the
           blessing
           of
           Peace
           to
           returne
           to
           us
           .
           For
           however
           the
           inclinations
           of
           many
           are
           so
           seduced
           ,
           and
           their
           understandings
           so
           corrupted
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           or
           seem
           not
           ,
           to
           be
           convinced
           of
           the
           horror
           and
           odiousnesse
           of
           this
           Rebellion
           ,
           yet
           none
           have
           owned
           so
           much
           blood-thirstinesse
           ,
           so
           much
           folly
           &
           inhumanity
           ,
           as
           to
           declare
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           That
           Peace
           is
           not
           good
           for
           them
           ,
           (
           though
           they
           have
           used
           all
           possible
           designes
           and
           Engines
           of
           Wit
           ,
           Malice
           ,
           and
           Perjury
           ,
           to
           involve
           them
           in
           a
           desperate
           and
           eternall
           Warre
           )
           presuming
           that
           whatsoever
           absence
           there
           is
           of
           courage
           and
           conscience
           ,
           of
           Religion
           and
           Loyalty
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           yet
           too
           wise
           and
           decerning
           in
           their
           own
           interest
           ,
           bare-faced
           to
           affect
           Famine
           ,
           Ruine
           and
           Desolation
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           the
           middest
           of
           their
           blood
           and
           Rapine
           ,
           in
           the
           very
           act
           of
           invading
           and
           infesting
           the
           Kingdom
           with
           forraigne
           Forces
           ,
           and
           basely
           betraying
           the
           Wealth
           ,
           Blood
           ,
           and
           honour
           of
           their
           Country
           to
           strangers
           ,
           they
           would
           
           faine
           be
           thought
           solicitous
           and
           importunate
           for
           Peace
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           this
           ground
           ,
           and
           for
           this
           reason
           (
           how
           perverse
           soever
           the
           hearts
           of
           many
           are
           to
           the
           cleerest
           evidence
           ,
           and
           how
           insolently
           soever
           even
           this
           overture
           was
           entertained
           ,
           and
           since
           scornfully
           commented
           on
           )
           't
           is
           necessary
           to
           publish
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           last
           attempt
           made
           by
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           further
           effusion
           of
           Christian
           English
           Blood
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           circumstances
           both
           of
           the
           sending
           and
           reception
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           may
           see
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           spirit
           and
           temper
           of
           a
           just
           and
           gratious
           King
           ,
           and
           of
           men
           whose
           Pride
           and
           Ambition
           have
           broken
           the
           bounds
           prescribed
           to
           them
           by
           Law
           and
           Religion
           ;
           and
           how
           hard
           it
           is
           for
           Persons
           who
           have
           once
           assumed
           and
           usurped
           a
           power
           too
           great
           for
           them
           ,
           to
           quit
           and
           depart
           from
           that
           power
           ,
           though
           they
           see
           it
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           preservation
           of
           themselves
           and
           their
           Country
           ;
           and
           that
           all
           men
           may
           confesse
           (
           what
           Iudgement
           soever
           it
           shall
           please
           God
           to
           lay
           upon
           this
           miserable
           Kingdome
           )
           that
           he
           ,
           to
           whom
           he
           intrusted
           it
           ,
           left
           no
           means
           unattempted
           ,
           that
           either
           publique
           consultations
           ,
           or
           private
           conjectures
           could
           think
           expedient
           to
           redeeme
           it
           from
           those
           Iudgements
           ;
           and
           that
           himselfe
           descended
           (
           notwithstanding
           the
           greatest
           discouragement
           and
           provocation
           that
           ever
           Prince
           endured
           )
           in
           his
           Princely
           and
           Fatherly
           care
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           to
           all
           imaginable
           Arts
           and
           Offices
           ,
           which
           might
           remove
           the
           present
           ,
           or
           prevent
           the
           growing
           mischiefes
           .
        
         
           His
           Majesty
           having
           alwaies
           principally
           chosen
           (
           though
           he
           hath
           consented
           to
           ,
           and
           embraced
           all
           Councells
           and
           occasions
           that
           looked
           that
           way
           )
           those
           seasons
           to
           desire
           and
           solicite
           for
           Peace
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           might
           be
           understood
           to
           have
           some
           advantages
           in
           Warre
           ,
           (
           witnesse
           his
           Messages
           and
           Declarations
           after
           the
           Battell
           at
           
             Edge-Hill
             ,
          
           after
           his
           taking
           of
           
             Bristoll
             ,
          
           after
           the
           reliefe
           of
           
             Newarke
             ,
          
           )
           no
           sooner
           freed
           himselfe
           from
           the
           attendance
           of
           Sir
           
             William
             Wallers
          
           Army
           (
           having
           routed
           a
           considerable
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           taken
           tenne
           Peece
           of
           Cannon
           ,
           and
           some
           principall
           Officers
           prisoners
           )
           and
           put
           himselfe
           into
           the
           head
           of
           an
           Army
           much
           superior
           in
           common
           understanding
           to
           the
           
           force
           he
           was
           to
           contend
           with
           ;
           then
           he
           considered
           how
           to
           prevent
           that
           effusion
           of
           blood
           ,
           which
           a
           Battell
           would
           produce
           ,
           and
           to
           procure
           such
           a
           Peace
           ,
           as
           seemed
           to
           be
           wished
           by
           those
           ,
           with
           whom
           he
           was
           to
           fight
           ,
           and
           was
           the
           same
           he
           had
           alwayes
           desired
           .
           It
           was
           too
           evident
           upon
           so
           many
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           late
           refusall
           ,
           that
           such
           an
           overture
           would
           meet
           with
           nothing
           but
           scorne
           and
           insolence
           at
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           where
           without
           forme
           or
           Liberty
           of
           debate
           ,
           Councells
           ,
           and
           Resolutions
           are
           imposed
           by
           the
           fury
           and
           violence
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           too
           much
           concerned
           in
           the
           guilt
           and
           benefit
           of
           the
           Rebellion
           ,
           to
           submit
           themselves
           to
           the
           old
           Lawes
           and
           Government
           .
           And
           many
           were
           of
           opinion
           that
           the
           Earle
           of
           
             Essex
          
           himselfe
           was
           so
           conscious
           of
           being
           made
           an
           instrument
           of
           so
           much
           misery
           and
           devastation
           to
           his
           Country
           ,
           so
           sensible
           of
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           Nobility
           ,
           Gentry
           ,
           and
           Commons
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           of
           the
           Religion
           ,
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           by
           this
           Invasion
           of
           the
           
             Scots
             ,
          
           that
           he
           would
           willingly
           embrace
           any
           opportunity
           to
           relieve
           and
           redeeme
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           his
           fellow
           Subjects
           from
           that
           thraldome
           ,
           and
           captivity
           he
           could
           not
           but
           see
           designed
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           the
           Religion
           ,
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           Priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           which
           he
           was
           bound
           and
           trusted
           even
           by
           his
           Commission
           of
           Generall
           to
           defend
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           saw
           without
           a
           speedy
           Peace
           could
           not
           be
           preserved
           .
           Hereupon
           His
           Majesty
           having
           drawne
           His
           Army
           to
           
             Liskard
          
           within
           very
           few
           miles
           of
           the
           Earles
           Forces
           ,
           on
           the
           sixth
           of
           
             August
          
           vouchsafed
           to
           send
           a
           Letter
           ,
           all
           written
           with
           His
           owne
           Royall
           Hand
           ,
           to
           the
           Earle
           of
           
             Essex
          
           (
           then
           at
           
             Listithen
          
           )
           in
           these
           words
           .
        
         
           
             
               ESSEX
               ,
               I
               have
               been
               very
               willing
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               when
               ever
               there
               should
               be
               such
               a
               conjuncture
               as
               to
               put
               it
               in
               your
               power
               to
               effect
               that
               happy
               settlement
               of
               this
               
               miserable
               Kingdome
               ,
               (
               which
               all
               good
               men
               desire
               )
               you
               would
               lay
               hold
               of
               it
               .
               That
               season
               is
               now
               before
               you
               ,
               you
               have
               it
               at
               this
               time
               in
               your
               power
               to
               redeeme
               your
               Country
               and
               the
               Crowne
               ,
               and
               to
               oblige
               your
               King
               in
               the
               highest
               degree
               ,
               (
               an
               Action
               certainly
               of
               the
               greatest
               Piety
               ,
               Prudence
               and
               Honour
               )
               such
               an
               Opportunity
               as
               perhaps
               no
               Subject
               before
               you
               hath
               ever
               had
               ,
               or
               after
               you
               shall
               have
               .
               To
               which
               there
               is
               no
               more
               required
               ,
               but
               that
               you
               joyne
               with
               Mee
               heartily
               and
               really
               ,
               in
               the
               setling
               of
               those
               things
               which
               we
               have
               both
               professed
               constantly
               to
               be
               our
               only
               aimes
               .
               Let
               us
               doe
               this
               ,
               and
               if
               any
               shall
               be
               so
               foolishly
               unnaturall
               as
               to
               oppose
               their
               Kings
               ,
               their
               Countries
               ,
               and
               their
               own
               good
               ,
               we
               will
               make
               'em
               happy
               (
               by
               Gods
               blessing
               )
               even
               against
               their
               wills
               .
               The
               only
               impediment
               can
               be
               want
               of
               mutuall
               Confidence
               ,
               I
               promise
               it
               you
               on
               my
               part
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               endeavour'd
               to
               prepare
               it
               on
               yours
               ,
               by
               my
               Letter
               to
               
                 Hertford
              
               from
               
                 Evesham
                 .
              
               I
               hope
               this
               will
               perfect
               it
               ,
               when
               (
               as
               I
               here
               doe
               )
               I
               shall
               have
               engag'd
               unto
               you
               the
               word
               of
               a
               King
               ,
               that
               you
               joyning
               
               with
               me
               in
               that
               blessed
               worke
               ,
               I
               shall
               give
               both
               to
               you
               and
               your
               Army
               such
               eminent
               markes
               of
               My
               Confidence
               and
               Valour
               ,
               as
               shall
               not
               leave
               a
               roome
               for
               the
               least
               distrust
               amongst
               you
               ,
               either
               in
               relation
               to
               the
               publique
               ,
               or
               to
               your selfe
               ,
               unto
               whom
               I
               shall
               then
               be
            
             
               
                 Liskard
                 
                   AUG.
                   6·
                
              
               
                 Your
                 faithfull
                 Friend
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Jf
                 you
                 like
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 hearken
                 to
                 this
                 bearer
                 ,
                 whom
                 J
                 have
                 fully
                 instructed
                 in
                 particulars
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 will
                 admit
                 of
                 no
                 delay
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           This
           Letter
           was
           delivered
           by
           the
           Lord
           
             Beauchamp
          
           ;
           the
           Earle
           having
           read
           it
           ,
           Master
           
             Richard
          
           (
           who
           attended
           on
           the
           Lord
           
             Beauchamp
          
           )
           told
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           to
           desire
           a
           safe
           passe
           for
           Mr
           
             Harding
          
           to
           come
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           had
           authority
           from
           His
           Majesty
           to
           make
           particular
           Propositions
           in
           order
           to
           Peace
           ;
           his
           Answer
           was
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           permit
           Mr
           
             Harding
          
           to
           come
           to
           him
           ,
           neither
           would
           he
           have
           any
           Treaty
           with
           the
           King
           ;
           whereupon
           Mr
           
             Richard
          
           replyed
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           commanded
           from
           His
           Majesty
           to
           let
           him
           know
           his
           very
           earnest
           desire
           of
           Peace
           ,
           to
           prevent
           that
           ruine
           and
           desolation
           which
           would
           inevitably
           ensue
           this
           unnaturall
           Warre
           ;
           that
           the
           Peace
           His
           Majesty
           desired
           ,
           should
           be
           established
           by
           the
           settlement
           of
           the
           true
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           the
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Subject
           and
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Earle
           might
           be
           assured
           that
           this
           was
           His
           Majesties
           Reall
           Intention
           ,
           His
           Majesty
           would
           give
           any
           security
           He
           
           could
           propose
           ,
           as
           well
           by
           the
           Trust
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           Confidence
           he
           would
           put
           in
           himselfe
           ,
           as
           by
           any
           other
           the
           most
           solemne
           way
           of
           engagement
           that
           could
           be
           devised
           .
           The
           Earle
           seeming
           not
           moved
           with
           what
           was
           said
           to
           him
           ,
           was
           then
           desired
           to
           returne
           an
           Answer
           to
           His
           Majesties
           Letter
           ,
           he
           replyed
           he
           would
           make
           none
           ,
           and
           so
           turned
           away
           .
        
         
           This
           strange
           neglect
           of
           His
           Majesty
           and
           His
           Message
           ,
           produced
           no
           other
           effect
           with
           His
           Majesty
           then
           an
           opinion
           ,
           that
           there
           could
           be
           no
           reason
           ,
           for
           a
           man
           to
           refuse
           all
           that
           he
           pretended
           to
           desire
           ,
           but
           onely
           a
           doubt
           in
           the
           security
           of
           the
           promise
           ,
           which
           no
           man
           could
           so
           well
           aske
           ,
           as
           His
           Majesty
           himselfe
           could
           offer
           ,
           and
           therefore
           His
           Majesty
           was
           pleased
           ,
           that
           they
           by
           whose
           assistance
           he
           was
           principally
           to
           manage
           the
           Warre
           ,
           should
           be
           his
           security
           for
           a
           Peace
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           next
           day
           after
           His
           Majesty
           understood
           what
           reception
           his
           Letter
           had
           ,
           this
           other
           ,
           under
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           chiefe
           Officers
           of
           His
           Army
           ,
           was
           sent
           to
           the
           Earle
           of
           
             Essex
             ,
          
           in
           these
           words
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 MY
                 LORD
                 ,
              
            
             
               WEE
               having
               obtained
               His
               Majesties
               leave
               to
               send
               this
               to
               your
               Lordship
               ,
               shall
               not
               repeat
               the
               many
               gratious
               Messages
               ,
               Endeavours
               and
               Declarations
               which
               His
               Majesty
               hath
               made
               ,
               and
               have
               been
               so
               solemnly
               protested
               in
               the
               Presence
               of
               God
               and
               men
               ,
               That
               we
               wonder
               how
               the
               most
               scrupulous
               can
               make
               any
               doubt
               of
               the
               reall
               ,
               and
               Royall
               Performance
               of
               them
               .
               But
               we
               must
               before
               this
               approaching
               Occasion
               tell
               your
               Lordship
               ,
               that
               we
               bear
               Armes
               for
               this
               end
               only
               ,
               to
               defend
               His
               Majesties
               knowne
               Rights
               ,
               the
               Lawes
               of
               the
               Kingdome
               ,
               the
               Liberty
               of
               the
               Subject
               ,
               the
               Priviledge
               of
               the
               Parliament
               ,
               and
               the
               true
               Protestant
               Religion
               against
               Popery
               and
               Popish
               Innovations
               ▪
               And
               this
               being
               the
               
               professed
               Cause
               of
               your
               Lordships
               taking
               Armes
               ,
               We
               are
               confident
               ,
               that
               concurring
               in
               the
               same
               Opinions
               and
               Pretences
               ,
               We
               shall
               not
               by
               an
               unnaturall
               Warre
               weaken
               the
               maine
               strength
               of
               this
               Kingdome
               ,
               and
               advance
               the
               Designe
               of
               Our
               common
               Enemies
               ,
               who
               long
               since
               have
               devoured
               Vs
               in
               their
               hopes
               .
               My
               Lord
               ,
               the
               Exigent
               of
               the
               time
               will
               not
               suffer
               Vs
               to
               make
               any
               laboured
               Declarations
               of
               Our
               Intentions
               ,
               but
               onely
               this
               ,
               That
               on
               the
               Faith
               of
               Subjects
               ,
               the
               Honour
               and
               Reputation
               of
               Gentlemen
               and
               Souldiers
               ,
               We
               will
               with
               Our
               Lives
               maintaine
               that
               which
               His
               Majesty
               shall
               publiquely
               Promise
               in
               order
               to
               a
               bloodlesse
               Peace
               ,
               nor
               shall
               it
               be
               in
               the
               Power
               of
               any
               private
               Person
               to
               divert
               this
               Resolution
               of
               Ours
               ,
               and
               the
               same
               We
               expect
               from
               you
               ;
               And
               now
               We
               must
               take
               leave
               to
               protest
               ,
               That
               if
               this
               Our
               Proffer
               be
               neglected
               ,
               (
               which
               We
               make
               neither
               in
               feare
               of
               your
               Power
               ,
               nor
               distrust
               of
               Our
               owne
               ,
               but
               onely
               touched
               with
               the
               approaching
               miseries
               of
               Our
               Nation
               )
               That
               what
               Calamities
               shall
               oppresse
               Posterity
               ,
               will
               lie
               heavy
               on
               the
               Soules
               and
               Consciences
               of
               those
               that
               shall
               decline
               this
               Overture
               ;
               which
               We
               cannot
               hope
               so
               seasonably
               to
               make
               againe
               ,
               if
               this
               Conjuncture
               be
               let
               goe
               ;
               And
               therefore
               it
               is
               desired
               that
               your
               Lordship
               ,
               and
               six
               other
               Persons
               may
               meet
               Our
               Generall
               to
               morrow
               (
               at
               such
               an
               indifferent
               Place
               as
               you
               shall
               think
               fit
               )
               attended
               with
               as
               many
               ;
               or
               if
               you
               shall
               find
               That
               any
               way
               inconvenient
               ,
               to
               come
               in
               Person
               ,
               That
               then
               your
               Lordship
               will
               appoynt
               such
               or
               so
               many
               to
               meet
               with
               the
               like
               number
               from
               hence
               ,
               that
               may
               consider
               of
               all
               means
               possible
               to
               reconcile
               these
               unhappy
               differences
               and
               misunderstandings
               that
               have
               so
               long
               afflicted
               the
               Kingdome
               .
               And
               for
               the
               Security
               of
               your
               Lordship
               ,
               and
               those
               that
               shall
               come
               with
               ,
               and
               be
               employed
               by
               your
               Lordship
               ,
               We
               doe
               engage
               our
               Faith
               and
               Honour
               ,
               and
               doe
               expect
               the
               same
               from
               your
               
               Lordship
               ,
               desiring
               withall
               your
               very
               speedy
               Answer
               ,
               which
               must
               be
               a
               guide
               to
               our
               Proceedings
               .
               Concluding
               ,
               that
               if
               this
               shall
               be
               refused
               ,
               we
               shall
               hold
               our selves
               justified
               before
               God
               and
               Men
               ,
               whatsoever
               shall
               be
               the
               successe
               ,
               so
               we
               rest
            
             
               
                 From
                 the
                 Army
                 
                   the
                   8.
                   of
                   
                     August
                     .
                  
                   1644.
                   
                
              
               
                 Your
                 Lordships
                 humble
                 servants
                 
                   
                     MAURICE
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Wentworth
                     .
                  
                   
                     Lindsey
                     .
                  
                   
                     Lo.
                     Hopton
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Northampton
                     .
                  
                   
                     Cleveland
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Blagge
                     .
                  
                   
                     Joseph
                     Bamfeild
                     .
                  
                   
                     Anth.
                     Thelwell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Joh.
                     Owen
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Stradling
                     .
                  
                   
                     Robert
                     Howard
                     .
                  
                   
                     John
                     Stocker
                     .
                  
                   
                     Edw.
                     Porter
                     .
                  
                   
                     Gil.
                     Armestrong
                     .
                  
                   
                     Rich.
                     Nevell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Pigat
                     .
                  
                   
                     Jo.
                     Browne
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ad.
                     Scroope
                     .
                  
                   
                     Amy
                     Pollard
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ia.
                     Hamilton
                     .
                  
                   
                     Rich.
                     Thornhill
                     .
                  
                   
                     Io.
                     Topping
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ja.
                     Dundasse
                     .
                  
                   
                     Giles
                     Strangewayes
                     .
                  
                   
                     R.
                     Smith
                     .
                  
                   
                     Iames
                     Cary
                     .
                  
                   
                     Brainford
                     .
                  
                   
                     Percey
                     .
                  
                   
                     Jacob
                     Asteley
                     .
                  
                   
                     Rich.
                     Cave
                     .
                  
                   
                     Bar.
                     Stewart
                     .
                  
                   
                     Barnard
                     Asteley
                     .
                  
                   
                     Theo.
                     Gilby
                     .
                  
                   
                     Will.
                     Leighton
                     .
                  
                   
                     Will.
                     Murrey
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Blackwell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Bellingham
                     .
                  
                   
                     Richard
                     Page
                     .
                  
                   
                     Bar.
                     Jenckes
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hen.
                     Miller
                     .
                  
                   
                     Rich.
                     Fielding
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Weston
                     .
                  
                   
                     Paul
                     .
                     Smith
                     .
                  
                   
                     G.
                     Mouldsworth
                     .
                  
                   
                     Phil.
                     Honywood
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Culpeper
                     .
                  
                   
                     William
                     Leake
                     .
                  
                   
                     Jo.
                     Luntler
                     .
                  
                   
                     Io.
                     Monck
                     .
                  
                   
                     Cha.
                     Fawlke
                     .
                  
                   
                     Rich.
                     Samuell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Arth.
                     Slingsby
                     .
                  
                   
                     Geo.
                     Goring
                     .
                  
                   
                     Joseph
                     Wagstaffe
                     ▪
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Basset
                     .
                  
                   
                     Char.
                     Lloyd
                     .
                  
                   
                     Geo.
                     Lisley
                     .
                  
                   
                     Will.
                     Saint
                     Leger
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hen.
                     Lunde●ford
                     .
                  
                   
                     Barth.
                     Fell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Hen.
                     Shelley
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Paulet
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thom.
                     Kyrton
                     .
                  
                   
                     Anth.
                     Brochet
                     .
                  
                   
                     Devery
                     Leigh
                     .
                  
                   
                     David
                     ▪
                     Stringer
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ja.
                     Mowbray
                     .
                  
                   
                     Cha.
                     Compton
                     .
                  
                   
                     Ed.
                     Nott.
                     
                  
                   
                     Alex.
                     Standish
                     .
                  
                   
                     Io.
                     Ridech
                     .
                  
                   
                     Io.
                     Steward
                     .
                  
                   
                     Io.
                     Gambling
                     .
                  
                   
                     Io.
                     Grienvile
                     .
                  
                   
                     Arth.
                     Heningh●●
                     .
                  
                   
                     Iames
                     Haswell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Will.
                     Maxwell
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
         
           This
           indeed
           procured
           an
           answer
           ,
           (
           which
           His
           Majesties
           could
           not
           )
           but
           such
           a
           one
           as
           would
           not
           suffer
           the
           bleeding
           wounds
           of
           this
           poore
           Kingdome
           to
           be
           closed
           up
           :
           the
           Earle
           hath
           onely
           power
           to
           kill
           ,
           murder
           ,
           and
           destroy
           :
           none
           to
           save
           ,
           cherish
           ,
           and
           protect
           ,
           or
           to
           joyne
           with
           those
           that
           can
           .
           The
           Answer
           was
           this
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 MY
                 LORDS
                 ,
              
            
             
               IN
               the
               beginning
               of
               your
               Letter
               you
               expresse
               by
               what
               Authority
               you
               send
               it
               .
               I
               having
               no
               Power
               from
               the
               Parliament
               (
               who
               have
               employed
               me
               )
               to
               Treat
               ,
               cannot
               give
               way
               to
               it
               without
               breach
               of
               Trust
               .
               My
               Lords
               ,
               I
               am
               ▪
            
             
               
                 Lestithen
                 ,
                 
                   
                     Aug.
                     10.
                     1644.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 Your
                 humble
                 servant
                 ,
                 ESSEX
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 his
                 Highnesse
                 Prince
                 MAURICE
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Earle
                 of
                 FORTH
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           Let
           the
           World
           now
           Judge
           ,
           without
           looking
           back
           upon
           that
           blessed
           flourishing
           condition
           this
           Kingdome
           enjoyed
           ,
           before
           these
           men
           frighted
           our
           Peace
           from
           us
           ,
           at
           a
           time
           when
           we
           wanted
           nothing
           but
           gratitude
           to
           God
           and
           the
           King
           ,
           to
           acknowledge
           the
           fullest
           measure
           of
           happinesse
           that
           ever
           Nation
           was
           possessed
           of
           ;
           onely
           reviewing
           those
           very
           gratious
           Messages
           and
           Sollicitations
           on
           His
           Majesties
           part
           for
           an
           Accommodation
           from
           that
           at
           
             Nottingham
          
           to
           this
           present
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           let
           the
           World
           Iudge
           who
           they
           were
           that
           procured
           this
           
           Warre
           ,
           and
           who
           they
           are
           that
           will
           not
           suffer
           the
           Warre
           to
           have
           an
           end
           ;
           who
           it
           is
           that
           endeavours
           and
           desires
           to
           preserve
           the
           true
           Reformed
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           and
           who
           to
           confound
           and
           destroy
           it
           with
           all
           Licence
           ,
           Impiety
           ,
           and
           Prophanation
           ;
           who
           it
           is
           that
           would
           maintaine
           and
           defend
           the
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Liberty
           and
           Property
           of
           the
           Subject
           is
           established
           ,
           and
           who
           it
           is
           that
           cancells
           all
           those
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           subject's
           the
           freeborne
           Subjects
           to
           the
           most
           unlimited
           ,
           lawlesse
           ,
           arbitrary
           power
           and
           servitude
           that
           ever
           Christian
           State
           groaned
           under
           ;
           lastly
           who
           it
           is
           that
           labours
           to
           uphold
           and
           vindicate
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           who
           to
           dissolve
           and
           pull
           up
           Parliaments
           by
           the
           rootes
           ,
           by
           usurping
           an
           unnaturall
           power
           not
           belonging
           to
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           confounding
           that
           power
           which
           in
           truth
           doth
           belong
           to
           them
           ,
           with
           admission
           of
           Forreigners
           and
           Strangers
           ,
           and
           abridging
           themselves
           of
           their
           owne
           Rights
           ,
           by
           which
           onely
           Parliaments
           can
           consist
           .
           If
           there
           be
           Courage
           and
           Conscience
           enough
           to
           take
           these
           things
           to
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           preservation
           of
           these
           be
           indeed
           the
           end
           and
           resolution
           of
           all
           good
           men
           (
           and
           without
           the
           preservation
           of
           them
           no
           happinesse
           is
           to
           be
           hoped
           for
           )
           they
           will
           in
           a
           peremptory
           and
           constant
           love
           of
           Peace
           joyne
           with
           those
           who
           endeavour
           Peace
           ,
           and
           not
           suffer
           men
           who
           grow
           fat
           ●nd
           rich
           with
           the
           blood
           and
           spoiles
           of
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           whose
           greatnesse
           and
           authority
           cannot
           be
           preserved
           but
           by
           these
           distractions
           ,
           to
           sacrifice
           their
           poor
           Country
           to
           their
           owne
           Pride
           ,
           
           Covetousnesse
           and
           Ambition
           .
           However
           let
           the
           Contrivers
           of
           this
           most
           unnaturall
           and
           unparalelld
           Rebellion
           assure
           themselves
           ,
           however
           God
           may
           permit
           them
           to
           be
           instruments
           of
           his
           Vengeance
           upon
           this
           unhappy
           Kingdome
           ,
           that
           as
           he
           hath
           already
           shewed
           his
           Iudgements
           in
           a
           very
           exemplary
           manner
           upon
           many
           of
           the
           principall
           of
           them
           ,
           so
           he
           will
           not
           suffer
           one
           of
           them
           to
           live
           to
           receive
           the
           fruit
           and
           benefit
           of
           his
           prosperous
           wickednesse
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A31965e-90
           
             Lord
             
               Brook
               .
            
             Sir
             
               Iohn
               Hotham
               .
            
             M.
             
               Hambden
               .
            
             M.
             
               Pym
               .
            
             M.
             
               Fiennes
               .
            
             M.
             
               Arthur
               Goodwin
               .
            
             M.
             
               Iohn
               Hotham
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
        
      
      
  

