THe Gentlemen and Free­holders of this County, having been formerly moved to take into their consideration the Bille­ting and providing for the Kings Troopes of Horse, severally di­spersed into severall parts of this County, how and in what places, and by what [Page 2]means they might best be provided for, with the least trouble or discommodation to the Country.

They met this day at Christ Church be­fore the Lords, and others the Kings Com­missioners; and after some debate with the Lords, and afterwards amongst them­selves, the necessity of the service being considered, and the Kings resolution being declared unto them, that His Majesty would justly satisfy and pay unto them, what the weekly charge should amount unto, according to those proportions which had formerly been propounded.

They returned this answer unto the Kings Commissioners; That as many as were then present did for their own parts, and so much as concerned themselves a­gree, and did believe that those who were absent, would agree likewise, that they would at the generall charge of the Coun­ty provide for such a number of Horse and Horse-men, as were expressed in the Votes delivered unto them, at such rates as should with equality be agreed upon.

But by way of caution for the Kings be­nefit and thrift, as well as for the saving of their own provisions, they did move, that there might be care taken, that the numbers might be completed in every Troop, and that neither they might be forced to pro­vide for, nor the King to pay for, a greater number then in truth were there from time to time in the Kings service. That being admitted,

It was moved on the behalfe of the Country, to the end that this charge upon the whole County might be equally laid, that the same course might be held in lea­vying of these monies, as hath been usually held in the leavying of other publique charges; and that to that purpose the Cleark of the Peace and such others as were best experienced therein, should at­tend the Lord chief-Justice, and some other Gentlemen of the Country, to dispose of the leavy in such equall portions; which was agreed unto on all parts. 7 ^s by the week for a Horse. 3 ^s 6 for a Man. And it was also propounded and agreed unto, that the prices of Hay, Straw, Oates, and other Pro­vender [Page 4]and provisions for the purposes a­foresaid, should be indifferently set and a­greed upon, which being done, the Lords and others the Kings Commissioners did undertake to move the Kings Majesty, that He would be pleased upon a true account to repay these Monies, whatsoever they should amount unto, as soon as monies should come unto Him, either by the Con­tribution of other Counties, or otherwise; and in the mean time to secure the same unto the Country, in such a way, and by such reall and good security, as they should hold themselves well satisfied with; and when the repaiment shall come, it is a­greed that it should be in the same propor­tions to every severall Parish, and divisions in the County as it is disbursed; and to that purpose it is agreed, that such persons shall be trusted on the behalfe of the Country to receive the Kings security, and such to di­stribute the Mony upon the repayment, as any three of the Gentlemen now present being deputed by the rest shall think fit.

It is further agreed, that the Monies thus [Page 5]to be collected, shall be first collected by the Petty-Constables of every Parish for the Inhabitants, and by them be paid over to the High-Constables, and by them paid to such hands for the purposes aforesaid, as the King shall under His hand appoint. And it is farther agreed, that the Inhabi­tants of this County shall not be pressed to send in, or provide more or other sorts or quantity of provisions for the Horse in any part of this County, then they are in truth able to performe, leaving to themselves that proportion, which of necessity they must have for their own stock, to main­tain their Husbandry. And lastly, it is a­greed, that this County performing this with the King as aforesaid, they shall not be urged, to send in or contribute towards any Provisions for the maintenance of any other parts of His Majesties Army, quar­tered at Wallingford, Abingdon, Reading, or other places out of this County.