WHereas the late surprisall of the Garrison of Crowland in the coun­tie o [...] Lincolne by the forces rai­sed in opposition to the King and Parli­ament is very prejudit [...]all and of ill con­sequence to the severall counties associa­ted under the command of the Earle of Manchester, as also to great part of the of the Countie of Northampton next adjoyning to the same, and by reason of the unseasonablenesse of the weather the approaches to the said Garrison are [Page 4] become so unaccessable, that though for­ces were drawne downe to reduce the same, it cannot now possibly be done without much charge and difficulty; and whereas the best meaner to prevent the Inroads, plunderings and other out­rages of the said Garrison, and also to hinder the same from provisions of corn and other supplies is advised to bee by by erecting and furnishing of three se­verall Forts, or Sconces, the tharge of which will amount to neere about Six hundred pounds. One neere a place called Brother House in the County of Linc [...]lne, Another upon Dowsdale banck in the said County, And a third upon Burrowe Bancke in the County of Northampton, Each of which is to bee Manned with fifty men or thereabouts and to haue attending to the same one [Page 5] Boate of defence to be Contrived and Builte by the Direction of the Com­mander in chiefe of the said several For­ces. Bee it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Par­liament, and by the authoritie of the same, That the said three severall Forts or Sconces be Raised and Erected in the Place aforesaid, as by the aduice of the Commander in cheife of the said Forts shalbe thought most convenient, and advantagious for the ends and causes heretofore expressed, Two of the which said Forts or Sconces in the County of Lin­colne together with two such Boats as a­foresaid to be Erected, Framed, Manned and furnished with armes, ammunition, victuall and all other things necessary for the defence and maintainance of the same. And the said men to bee paid du­ring [Page 6] the time they shall continue in the said service at the proper costs and char­ges of the said association, The other Forte in the County of Northampton together with one such Boate as afore­said, Erected, framed Manned and furnished with Armes, Ammunition, Victuall and all other Provisions, and things necessary for the defence & main­tenance of the same; And the said men to be paid duering the time they shall Continue in the said Service, at the pro­per coste and charge of the said County of Northampton, by the direction and appointment of the Committee for the said county whoe hereby shall have full power and Authority to Taxe and Rate the said county for the Raising erecting and maintaining of the said Forts, boats and Forces, and whereas by Reason of [Page 7] the divers and various creekes, and dranes in the severall [...]enns wherewith the said Garrison of Crowland is invironed, the said Forts or sconces though happily they may stop and hinder the principall and ordinary passages and accesses to the said Garrison, yet they cannot possibly pre­vent the Issuing out of small Boates with parties to the Townes and Villages ad­jacent. And be it further ordained, that sixscore of Horse and Dragoones main­tained by the association shall be sent & imployed in those parts for the securing of the said associated Counties, & bloc­king up of the said Garrison of crowland; & that threscore of the horse & dragoons maintained by the county of Northamp­ton shall be sent and imployed in those parts for the securing of the said county and blocking upp of the said Garrison of Crowland.

And bee it further ordained that the Earl of Manchester do nominate and ap­point a commander in cheife, to com­mand the said Forces, Forts and Sconces.

And be it lastly Ordained, that they shall have power to Raise the said Forts or Sconces in the places aforesaid, or in a­ny other place by and with the advice of the committee for the said association.