The rest of the Souldiers being for the generality by much utterly seduced in
to this evil, having as before restified to deep a sence of their miscarriage, and
professing a resolution with all faithfulness to serve the Parliament with their
lives and utmost abilities, us it was thought too hard presently to dismiss them
in that poor condition to seek their living, being stript of all they had, though
through their own folly and ebstmacy; so it was judged too much, and if not
too difficult immediately to restore them to their former condition, therefore
they were appointed to quarter under their officers at the Devizes, and to be allowed
12d. the day to discharge their quarters, until the Parliaments pleasure.
be known, or further order from his Excellency. They thankfully acknowledge
the mercy extended to them, and it is confidently beleeved, that they will faithfully
serve the State for time to come, the proserpina of their resolution being so
full, to do so, and they continuing so sensible of their late miscarriage.
To his Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax, Lord General of
all the Parliaments Forces:
The humble Petition of the sad and heavy-heated Prisoners
remaining in the Church of Burford;
To all humbleness sheweth,
THat Your Petitioners are very sensible of the odious wickedness
of their fact, how liable it renders them to the wrath and displeasure
of God, how destructive the same might have been to the Being
of this Nation, and the good and welfare of the other two, and therefore:
cannot but acknowledge the Sentence of Death past upon them by
Your Excellency and the Counsel of War, very just and equal.
Your Petitioners nevertheless do most earnestly and heartily beg and
implore Your Mercy towards them, by omitting the severity and strictness
of their just deserved Sentense, and let the same be what Your
Excellency please, so not to Death : and the rather because Your Petitioners
have, for these many years last past, faithfully served and obeyed
Your Excellency and the Parliament with their lives and fortunes;
never before this time giving the least occasion of distaste or
offense, nor disclaiming or denying any Your Excellencies or our chief
Officers Commands.
Your Poor distressed Petitioners once more most earnestly intreat
Your Excellency to axtend the bowels of your tender Compassion towards
shem by omitting the execution of Your just Sentence, and inflicting
such other punish ment upon them which they are able to bear, which
as it will very much magnifie Your Excellencies Christian temper, in
receiving such detestable Offendors to Mercy, So it will ever engage
and Indear us to Your Excellencies and the Commonwealths Service.
And Your poor heavy-hearted Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall dayly
pray for Your Excellency.