WE having for these severall years since by sad experience , seen how the land of our nativity hath lyen in misery , and almost wasted , doth move us now out of compassion to speak in behalfe of ourselves and the rest of our Nation , which we hope all honest men will adhere to ; For they are not new things that we desire , they are of two years standing , expressed in the Ingagement of the Army at New-mark-heath the 5. of Iune 1647 and by Agreement of the People , offered to the consideration of our foure friends in the Tower of London , as an unparallel'd expedient for the settlement of the Nation . Therefore we doe declare , that we will endeavour to attain the choyce of two Officers & two Souldiers out of every Regiment , according to our fore-said engagement , to be at the Head-quarters of the Army , to act in our own and the Nations behalfe , to accomplish the expectation of the Nation , who wait for freedome but behold bondage , for case but behold oppression as at this time .

We doe declare that we will endeavour to obtaine such sure security to our selves & to the Nation , according to the nature of our fore-said engagement , that we might not be left to the willes of men , to exercise their pleasure on us for things done in relation to the service of the Nation .

We Declare , that we will endeavour to our uttermost to free the Nation from that intollerable burthen of Excise , which eats into the very bones of the Poore people of this Nation , and also that insufferable cut-throat Tythe , which is the fift part of the Nations wealth .

We Declare against the new accustomed way of trying Causes by these corrupt Lawyers , who make a trade of the Peoples ignorance : But that the Law be translated into our own native tongue , that so the Law may be understood : That there may be liberty granted to those to plead their own Cause ( who can ) or to imploy any other friend , who will not for gaine destroy the Nation as many have been by long dependence , it may be two three or foure years , that they having not mony to fee those greedy Catterpillers , they must loose their right .

We doe Declare that we will with our lives and fortunes , stand fast , and joyne with each other for these just and reasonable things now in our thoughts to procure for the Nation , For we doe desire not in the least to set up any particular party or interest , but to obtain good for the whole , that all may injoy benefit . We hope this will not seem strange to you , that we thus present our resolution to you , it is not persons but principles of righteousnesse , that God willing we will set up : we doe it out of a tender regard that we have to the Nation , and to each other of our fellow Souldiers , that we might not plunder and destroy one another , as we have lately had example , and it is now endeavoured by our Officers , which will not in the least grant our just desires , which is , that two Officers and two Souldiers , of every Regiment be admitted to be chosen , to be at the Head-quarters of the Army , to prosecute those things that are not perfected , in our own and the Nations behalfe , but they will not be acquainted with us in such a choyce , which denyall to so just a demand , doth manifest how we are endeavoured to be robd of our open and publike declard rights , as Souldiers & Commoners of the Nation , by particular men , which all men in our condition , can expect no better , it may be worse , ( if possible ) if not in time prevented , by an unanimous consent of all our fellow Souldiers , this is one of the highest acts of slavery that men live under , especially to those who have been faithfull to the death , for our officers to come into our quarters and rifle and take away what they please , which some of us can by experience speak , out of a deep sence of this our miserable condition , we are constrained to trouble you with these few lines , hoping the sence of them will take upon your spirits , so that you will afford us all the help and assistance you can , and not to be imployed as a hired mercenary Army , to cut the throats of your fellow Souldiers . Signed in the behalfe of our selves , and by consent of our fellow Souldiers .