Robert Reynolds. All persons who have any thing to other either for or
gainst it, are to be admitted to be heard in what they have to say in order
to the amendments of the said Act.
There was a Petition this day delivered declaring the Integrity and Resclution
of the officers and Souldiers under the Command of Major
Generall Skippon which Followeth in these words.
Our ingagements have been as much, and we trust our apprehension of
the sad condition of this Nation, for which we have ingaged, are as
serious as others, and our hearts are drawne forth with strong desives after
its full redemption, waiting with fervent expectations, when the Jubilee
triumph of true liberty, and freedoms (ever promised) will be blows
and indeed Sir we cannot but be sensible with much thankefulnesse, and
acknowledge that through the abundant blessing of God, upon many carefull
and hazardous indeavours, in which your Excellency hath the least
share, the dawning of this wished day began to glimmer chearfully upon
us, and we cannot but perceive much of ours and the peoples desires to be
accomplished in sever all particulars, mentioned in your last Declar ation
of the 12. of May, 1649.
And therefore we are much troubled that some of or Friends who have
in the greatest difficulties attended Englands liberty against oppressem
(should now in the day of its birth) we feare effecting either demination
or revenge (and some misled with pretences) use their utmost inde[unr]
not only to strangle it in the wombe, but by walking contrary to all rules
of discipline, to bring forth blood and new disturbances: And where in
severall papers, we have been reported Affectors and Abettors of those
irregularities, by what means we know not, unlesse occasioned by some of
our bands put to a late petition, (never presented) In which our arise was
only to desire honest things, and to acquiesce in the presentation of it, to free
our selves from guilt, and your Excellency and Councell from suspition, have
thought it though take, yet not altogether unseasonable (it especially being
in our hearts long before to declare that we have not, nor doe owne any such
actions: But as we have formerly, so, we shall still readily observe such Commands
as we shall still receive from your Excellency, according to our Commission
and dnties, and shall stand by your Excellency in all your just
undertakings, which may conduce to the Peace and Welfare of this Nation.
Signed by all the Commiseration Officers here present with the
consent of all Inferiour Officers and Souldiers.
Collonel Popham, one of the Generalls of the Navy came this day
to the House with Letters from the Commissionrs, which were read. And
those letters together with his owne reports to the House, was to this effect.