with discontented parties abroad) in whose hands there was found a scandalous
Pamphlet, called the Ontery of the Apprentices, and some other Papers; some
written of the Same na ure, which gave a full discovery of Some designe intended,
Whereupon perceiving the Souldiers distempers to encrease, they were Called to a
Rendezvouz on Wednesday last, where was offered them (by the Officers) a Declaration
as to have undeceived them touching those scandalous papers, with certain
grievances, which we conceived to be of the most publique concernment, and tending
to a generall remedy both of their grievances and ours. But their distempers appeared
so great and violent, waving all manner of discourse, and exprest nothing but
the choosing of Agents to make Known the cause of their dis-satisfactions to us:
We told them, that in respect my Lord Generall and a Generall Councell of the
Army had formerly dissolved Such Kind of actings, yet being willing to understand
the grounds of their present distempers, we told them that for this businesse we would
be content to receive it by any they Should Chuse for that purpose, the next morning
which accordingly they did, and so marched out of the field with their Officers backe
to their quarters orderly; but the next morning (hoping to have had their Agents
according to appointment, come to debate with us) they Sent back our paper by one
of themselves, expressing a dislike of it, with a paper of their own, principally consisting
of their desires, which was to have a generall Councell of the Army, Consisting
of two Private Souldiers and two commission Officers of each Regiment, with the
generall Officers, for the prosecution of the Engagement of the Army at Newmarket
and Triple Heath, as the Onely means of feeling the Nation in Freedom and liberty.
But being disappointed of our ends, of having a free debate with them, as concerning
that very necessary for the begetting of a right understanding between us, we sent two
or three messengers to them again, desiring them to come to us which at last they did;
but when they were Come we saw a very great indisposition in them to debate any
thing with us, telling us that they found us so often breaking our engagements with
them, that they were unwilling to come to us. We desired to Know of them, in what
particulars we had failed with them, and they answered us in that of the engagement
of the Army. But after many arguments, and perswading them to prosecute their
desires with us joyntly and orderly, we prevailed with them so as to draw up with
us some heads of their grievances, in which (I am Sorry to speak it) they said they
could not tell how to apply themselves to the Parliament, but to the Lord Generall,
as the onely means of redresse. Their grievances and Petition was thus in debate by
us from Thursday until Saturday, we hoping that by offering to joyn with them
in the prosecution of just and reasonable things, it would have satisfied them. But
finding in the issue their desires unreasonable, we declared we could not agree unto
them, yet telling them (though we Should be sorry to see it,) they might have liberty
to present them to the Lord Generall. The main of those particulars wherein we did
disagree with them, were these, viz.
1. Against a generall Councell so Constituted, yet telling them we would petition for
a generall Councell of the Army, and that no lawfull means might be left unassayed
by them for the full accomplishment of both our desires.
2. That Tithes may not be taken away, before there be Some other maintenance provided for
a godly Ministery.