What means Mr. Prin then so violently to inveigh and declare
against the proceedings of the Councells of the Army, and that in
words of so high a Nature, that they are no where to be similed, I
will give you in the first place his Demands to the Lord Generall
&c.
For the Honourable Lord Fairfax Generall of the present Army.
THese are to acquaint your Lordship; That I being a Member of
the Commons House of Parliament, a Freeman of England
a great sufferer for, and an assertor of the Subjects Liberties against
all Regall and Prelaticall Tyranny, and no way Subject to your
own, your Concell of Warres, or Officers Military power or jurisdiction,
going to the House to discharge my duty on the sixt of
this instant December, was on the Staires next the Commons House
doore, forcibly kept back from entring the House, seized on, and
carried away thence, (without any pretex of Lawfull Authorities
or cause assigned) by Col. Pride, and other Officers and Souldiers
of the Army under your Command. And notwithstanding the
Houses demand of my enlargement both by their Serjeant & otherwise,
ever since unjustly detained under your Marshalls Custody,
and tossed from place to place, contrary to the known Priviledges
of Parliament, the Liberty of the Subject, and fundamentall Lawes
of the land, which you are engaged to maintain against all violation.
And therefore do hereby demand from Your Lordship my
present enlargement, and just Libertie, with your Answer hereunto.
From the Kings head in the Strand, Decemb.26. 1648.
William Pryanne;
This was delivered to the Generalls own hands at his House is
Queen-street, about three of the clock, the same day it beares
date; by Doctor Bastwick, who returned this answer by him,
upon the reading thereof: That he knew not, but Mr. Prynne
was already released, and that Hee would send to his Officers
to know what they had against him.
The Protestation that followes this Demand, is so violent and so
mordaciously sharp, that I have been advised to omit it; in the room
whereof take the Petition form the Inhabitants of Nortloke in the
Name of the whole County, which was very gratefully accepted,
and is as followeth.