which (without any other Enemy) must unavoidably ruine the Common-wealth
3. That all persons, of what degree of quality soever, who have been employed in publike receipt,
of Money, Pl[unr]te of Goods, and are any way chargeable and accountable to the common-wealth
may be brought to a speedie and exact account; and that persons of known integrity and ability may
be appointed for that purpose, which (we humbly conceive) may be one expedient for the ends as
forelaid.
4. That the many great abuses which the whole Nation, and we in particular daily suffer by clipt
mony, may be speedily redressed, and that all those who make it heir practise to buy up such mony
underhand, and then put it off at a full value, may be brought to exemplary punishment.
5. That the Accounts of all the Officers and Souldiers, who faithfully served, and constantly adhered
to the Common wealth in this or any other Armie. County and Garrison, since the beginning
of this war, may be speedily stated, and Debenters given out, which Debenters we desire may be as
fully allowed of as the mony which hath been lent upon the publike faith of the Nation.
6. That these Accounts so stated, visible security may be given out of Deans and Chapters Lands,
or otherwayes, wherein we refer the way, time and place of payment to be limited and ascertained
by you, and that the Officer or Souldier may not be prejudiced by destructive delays and attendance,
so that the mony due may not satisfie the expences and losse he may be at in procuring the same.
7. That whereas divers Souldiers have (through extraordinary Duty and Service) lost and Spoiled
their Horses, some course may be taken for the Satisfaction of all such whose houses were stain in the
field, or taken in sight in the last summer War upon due proof thereof, and that satisfaction hath
not been already made, and that future provision be made for such horses as shall be so lost in the
service of the Common-wealth.
8. That some effectuall course may be taken for a just and sutable supply to ma[nl]imed souldiers, and
the widdowes of such as have been stain in the service of the parliament. To which end we humbly
propose, that the Rents and Revenues of Suttons Hospitall, and other donations for the like good and
charitable uses may be examined and regulated, and the full improved value may be disposed of to
the ends aforesaid; which we the rather urge, because those Rents have been constantly [unr]reed from
Taxes and Assessements, and yet have (by the corruption of the Officers) been abused and not disposed
of according to the will and intent of the Donors.
9. That the sad and distressed condition of our Brethren in Ireland, may be immediately considered,
and (ere it be too late) Such seasonable supplies sent thither as may regain the English honor
and interest, for which work we humbly offer, and earnestly desire, that such Forces as are already
raised and can be spared, which we conceive will be with some little addition, a considerable strength
may be forth with appointed for that service, with such equall provision for maintenance, as the forces
here shall have provided, and under such conduct and conditions as many incourage faithfull men
for that imployment, by which meanes you will probably in a great measure secure this Nation, in
part case the people of their pressures, and by the blessing of God recover that Kingdome out of the
hands of the Rebels.
10. That divers Gentlemen, Officers, who for their constant fidelity to the publike interest suffered
long imprisonment, losse of great estates and places, and were ejected out of their commands
in Ireland by the persid ous Inchequeen, and are thereby now reduced to miserable extremities, may
have their pinching necessities immediately relieved, least they perish for want of br[nl]ead, which if so,
would tend to the great dishonour of the parliament; The faithfulnesse and worth of these Gentlemen
deserves a speciall eie of regard, and recommends them as most, fit persons for further imployment
in the service of that kingdome, because of their experience in that war.
All which particulars being of so immediate concernment to the publike, we humbly lay
before you, with assurance of a timely and effectuall accomplishment of them, and whatsoever
else you in your wisedomes shall find necessary for the safety and settlement of the Common-wealth.
Signed by the appointment of the said Coucnel of Officers
March 1 1648. John Rushworth Secretary.
Die Veneris 2. Martii 1648.
The Answer of the House delivered by the Speaker.
GEntlemen, The House hath read the Letter of the Generall, and your Petition,
and looked over every part of it: I must needs say (and you would