The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 83
‘All the Regiments here have petitioned my Lord General against the Treaty’ at Newport, ‘and for Justice and a Settlement of the Kingdom. They desired the Lieutenant-General to recommend their Petition; which he hath done in the Letter following’;—which is of the same date, and goes, in the same bag with that to Jenner and Ashe, just given.
FOR HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX,
“AT ST. ALBAN’S: THESE”
My Lord,—I find in the Officers of the Regiments a very great sense of the sufferings of this poor Kingdom; and in them all a very great zeal to have impartial Justice done upon Offenders. And I must confess, I do in all, from my heart, concur with them; and I verily think and am persuaded they are things which God puts into our hearts.
I shall not need to offer anything to your Excellency: I know God teaches you; and that He hath manifested His presence so to you as that you will give glory to Him in the eyes of all the world. I held it my duty, having received these Petitions and Letters, and being “so” desired by the framers thereof,—to present them to you. The good Lord work His will upon your heart, enabling you to it; and the presence of Almighty God go along with you! Thus prays, my Lord, your most humble and faithful servant,
This same day, Monday 20th November 1648, the Army from St. Albans, by Colonel Ewer and a Deputation, presents its humble unanimous ‘Remonstrance’ to the House; craving that the same be taken ‘into speedy and serious consideration.’[2] It is indeed a most serious Document; tending to the dread Unknown! Whereupon ensue ‘high debates,’ Whether we shall take it into consideration? Debates to be resumed this day week. ‘The Army, before this day week, moves up to Windsor; will see a little what consideration there is. Newport Treaty is just expiring; Presbyterian Royalism, on the brink of desperate crisis, adds still two days of life to it.