Wheras we have bin long sensible of the just complaints and great Burdens of Our Sub­jects in these Northern parts, by occasion of the Garrison in Our Town of Hull; And wheras we were upon Friday the 22. of this Month petitioned by divers of the Gentry, and others, Inhabitants of this County, That the Munition at Hull might remain in the Magazine there, for the security of Our person, and of all these Northern parts, their Fear, being much grounded upon the Parliaments Relations of forreign Invasions: Vpon which, the more to expresse our care of Our peoples safety, We did Our Self go in person to that Our Town, that upon our own view, we might consult what proportion of it might bee fitly removed vpon any pressing occasion, having a respect to the pro­mised supply for Scotland, the necessary use of Arms for Ireland, as well as for the safeguard and satisfaction of these Northern parts: But much contrary to Our ex­pectation, [Page] and the Duty and Allegeance of Our Sub­jects, We found the Gates of that Our Town shut, & the Bridges drawn up against Vs; and though Wée came in a peaceable way, reposing the greatest confi­dence in the Love and Loyalty of Our People, by offe­ring (as we did) to put Our own Person, and Our two Sons, but with twenty Horse, into that Town, there being in it a Garrison of about eight hundred Souldiers; Yet We were not denied entrance, but in a warlike manner opposed by Sir Iohn Hotham, the armed men being placed in all the Ports, and about all the Wals of the town, alleadging (though falsly) sor his excuse, the Command of the Parliament, and being pressed by Vs to shew such an Order in writing, he could not do it; for We were ever very confident that there was never any publike Order of theirs, that could so much as imply a denial to Our admission; We knowing well enough, that he was entrusted by them for a Guard and Security of that place against for­raign Enemies; or those at home who are dis-affected in Religion, and not against His naturall Soveraign, which hostile Opposition and actuall Levying of War against Our Person being by the Statute of 25. Edw. 3. enacted High Treason: Which Statute con­sidered, and that for the avoyding of all Iealousies, as We have said; We were content to have béen admit­ted with so very smal a number Our in Company, We were thereupon constrained to proclaim the said Sir Iohn Hotham, and all those that shall adhere to assist him Traytors▪ Of all which aforeesaid passages, We have acquainted Our Parliament demanding Iustice to be done upon him, that they might therby have op­portunity to vindicate the imputation laid on them by Sir John Hotham and We the easier way to chastize according to the Law [...] so high a Treason. And lest a mis-understanding of Our intentions, or of the Law may misguide any of Our loyall and wel-affected sub­jects, [Page] the Inhabitants, Captains, Officers, or Souldi­ers in that Town, We have thought fit to commend to your consideration the afore named Statute, with that of the 11. of Hen. 7. Cap. 1.

Wherein it is declared, by the unanimous Assent of Parliament, ‘That the Subjects of this Realme are bound, by the duty of Allegiance, to serve the King, for the time being, for the defence of his person and the Land, against every Re­bellion, Might, or Power raised against him, and with his Majesty to enter or abide in Service in Battle, if cause so re­quire.’ And it was therfore then enacted, ‘That from hence­forth no person whatsoever that shall attend upon the King, or be in place, by his command, within or without the Land, That for the same deed and true service of Allegeance, he, and they be no ways attaint or convict of high Treason, or of other offen­ces for that Cause, by any Processe of Law, wherby he, or any of them shall lose or forfeit Lives, Lands, Tenements, Goods, or a­nything; but be, for that Deed and Service utterly discharged of any vexation, trouble, or losse; And if any Act or Acts, or other Processe of Law therupon for the same happen to be made contrary to this Ordinance, that then that Act or Acts, or o­ther Processe of the Law whatsoever they shall be, stand and be utterly void.’

All which, together with the Copies of our Message and Petition (which We send here inclosed) We require you to publish to the Inhabitants, and all such Comman­ders and Souldiers as will hear them: That knowing both the perill of the Law on the one side, and the securi­ty of such as shall adhere to Vs on the other, they bee not misled (through ignorance) to decline their Allegiance; and that the Souldiers may lay down their Arms, and admit Our entrance in a peaceable way. In so doing, you shall both discharge your duties, and those that shall have néed, be assured to find (upon such their submission) Our ready Mercy and Pardon. And wee do likewise require and charge all you, the Inhabitants (as well Souldiers as others) upon your Allegiance, That you permit not a­ny [Page] part of our Magazine or Munition so be removed or transported out of that town, vnder any pretence of Or­der or power whatsoever, without our Royall Assent in writing under Our hand. Assuring you, that it will bee much more pleasing to Vs to have Occasion administred by the fidelity of the Inhabitants to enlarge those Gra­ces and Immunities granted to that town by Our pre­decessors, then to have any occasion to question your Charter.

Given at Our Court at York the 25. of April, 1642.