and proposals," which were deemed of too

tice given them, by Fleetwood, of the declaration of the house, and the censure passed on their proceedings, presented, what they called, "The humble representation and petition of the officers of the army, to the parliament of the commonwealth of England," by the hands of Disbrowe, accompanied with others of his brethren. This petition sets out very modestly, and is couched in terms of respect. It, however, asserts their good intentions with respect to the commonwealth; and attempts to vindicate the innocency of such officers as had signed the petition and proposals of the northern brigade. They afterwards say,

We cannot but esteem ourselves unhappy to have been so misrepresented to the parliament, as should occasion such a publicke admonition upon record: and considering what evil use may be made of these things by the publicke enemy, and to the end they may be disappointed of their hopes, and all such persons discouraged as shall go about for the future to promote jealousies, or by misinformation to beget divisions betwixt the parliament and their faithful servants the army, and that a good understanding may be preserved between them, we humbly pray,

"1. That the officers of the army, and particularly those who have reason to bear the marks of your favour for their faithfulness in the late northern expedition, may stand right in your opinion, and have your

countenance.

"2. That whatsoever person or persons shall, for the future, groundlesly and causelesly inform the house against your servants, thereby creating jealousies, and casting scandalous imputations upon them, may be brought to examination, justice, and condign punishment.

dangerous a nature to be complied with by the parliament, who therefore were

"3. That it being an undoubted right of the people to have a liberty, in a peaceable and submissive way, to petition the supream authority, which liberty hath been by yourselves asserted, allowed, and approved of, we cannot also but assert the said liberty, and humbly conceive, that your faithful servants of the army have no way forfeited their rights as freemen: and that therefore they hope it will be no offence for them to submit their humble desires unto the parliament. And we hope and pray, you will not discourage them for so doing.

"4. That you will be pleased to take into your serious consideration the necessitous condition of the poor soldiers of your armies.

66

5. That such as owned and stood by you in the late insurrection, may have your encouragement, and be employed in places of trust and command.

"6. That (it being a thing granted by all, that without due execution of martial discipline, the peace, union, and good government of an army cannot be preserved) the discipline of the army may be preserved inviolable; and, in particular, that no officer or soldier of your army may be cashiered, or dismissed from their places, without a due proceeding at a court martial, or by his own consent, except in cases of reducement or disbandings.

"7. That (it being judged necessary by the parliament for the keeping of the army under such a conduct as may render the same serviceable to the commonwealth, to appoint a committee of nomination, for the proposing officers to the parliament for their approbation) we humbly pray, that no officers may be brought

judged foes, and as such treated by the

army.

into the army, but such as shall come under the consideration of the said committee, and be by them presented.

"8. The office of the commander in chief of the army, being of so great concernment to the peace of this commonwealth, and his commission at present (as we conceive) expiring within a few months; we humbly pray, that the consideration of that matter may come before you, and some such effectual course taken herein, as may prevent our fears, and the hazard of leaving the army in confusion.

❝9. And that you would retain a good opinion of your army, and against all discouragements whatsoever, proceed in the carrying on of that work intrusted in your hands, for the glory of God, and advantage of these nations. In the prosecution whereof, through the help of our God, we shall be found (notwithstanding all endeavours to the contrary) faithful to you and this commonwealth."The parliament, by their speaker, gave the petitioners civil words; and let them know the care they had taken already of what concerned the soldiery, and their intentions of considering the other matters in their petition on a day mentioned. Accordingly, on the 9th of October, and the following days, the house resolved that the answers to the proposals of the army should be, "That the officers of the army have received, and from time to time shall receive, marks of the favour of the parliament, and

a True Narrative of the Proceedings in Parliament, Council of State, General Council of the Army, &c. Published by special order. Quarto. Lond. 1659. Printed by John Redmayne.

Many officers of note, however, remained

countenance answerable to their merit.- -That it is the duty of all persons, especially of the members of parliament, to inform the house of any thing which, in their apprehension, may concern the public safety: and it is the undoubted right of the parliament, to receive and debate those informations; and to resolve what they think fit thereupon. That every member of the army, as freemen of England, have right of petitioning the parliament; but thinks fit to let them know, that the petitioners ought to be very careful, both in the manner and in the matter of what they desire; that the way of promoting and presenting the same may be peaceable; and the things petitioned for not tending to the disturbance of the commonwealth, nor to the dishonor of the parliament: and that it is the duty of petitioners to submit their desires to the parliament, and acquiesce in the judgment thereof.

-That two months pay be forthwith paid to the officers and soldiers of the armies in England, Scotland, and Ireland. That such persons as have been faithful and active for the parliament, in the late insurrection, the parliament will take care to give them all due encouragement."-Thus far the house proceeded on the 11th of October, and on the same day passed a bill, which made it treason to tax or assess the people without common consent in parliament; and that immediate notice might be taken · of it, it was, at the same time, ordered to be printed, and published. During these transactions, in order to awe the house into a proper compliance, the general officers of the army sent the representation and

* Journal.

firm to them; and failed not to put their

proposals abovementioned to the several regiments of the army, to be signed by the officers thereof. As this could not be long a secret, a letter, directed for Colonel Okey, and signed by the principal officers for this purpose, was produced in parliament the next day; which caused the following resolutions: "That the several commissions of these several persons; viz. colonel John Lambert, colonel John Disborough, colonel James Berry, colonel Thomas Kelsy, colonel Richard Ashfield, colonel Ralph Cobbett, Major Richard Creed, colonel William Packer, and colonel Robert Barrow, who have subscribed the said letter, shall be, and are hereby, made void and null; and they, and every of them, be, and are hereby, discharged from all military employments." It was resolved also, that the army should be governed by commissioners; and that some regiments, which they thought trust-worthy, should guard the parliament that night. It was easy enough to vote and order all this in the house: but the chief officers loved too well their power, and their pay, to resign in consequence of it. And to let the house and the world see that they would not be controuled, on the following day, "the late principal officers of the army," says the Journal, "whose commissions were vacated, drew up forces in and about Westminster, obstructed all passages both by land and water, stopped the speaker in his way, and placed and continued guards upon and about the doors of the parliament-house; and so interrupted the members from coming to the house, and attending their service there."This interruption continued till the 26th of December following. The army, having now the power, constituted Fleetwood again commander in