[1648/3/174]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The estates of parliament, having taken into their grave and serious consideration the motion made by the earl of Leven, lord general, in parliament that he had been employed these nine years bygone as general and commander in chief over the whole forces of horse and foot within and without the kingdom, and that now, by reason of his age and infirmity, he was not able to undergo that charge any longer, although he be still affectionate and willing to hazard his life for religion, king and country, desiring therefore that the parliament would supply that place as they in their wisdom should think fit; the said estates, in respect of the earl of Leven declining the employment by reason of his age and infirmity and not out of any aversions to the service, find that place and charge of general and commander in chief of their forces to be vacant; and herewith also having taken into their consideration the carriage of the said earl of Leven, lord general, as general and commander in chief in his employment above-mentioned, they find that in all and every one of his employments as general (which God has blessed with happy success) he has evidently manifested his grave wisdom, vigilancy and indefatigable pains, constant fidelity, gallant conduct and every gift desirable in a great leader of armies, to the kingdom's great satisfaction and his own perpetual honour, and do therefore hereby grant to the earl of Leven their approbation of his whole carriage and deportment in the aforesaid employment and every passage thereof. And in acknowledgment of thankfulness they ordain £1,000 sterling to be paid to him yearly during his lifetime, and that an effectual course be taken for assuring the payment thereof to him out of the readiest public monies of the kingdom; as also ordain the jewel formerly appointed to be presently provided and given to him as a mark of the parliament's respect for his great and faithful service. And further, in case upon the removal of this army out of the kingdom there shall be occasion to raise any new forces to be employed within the kingdom for its safety and preservation, the estates of parliament nominate, make and constitute the said earl of Leven to be lord general of these forces.