THat at the last Assizes they with all Loyall Dutie presented a Petition to your Majestie, and another to the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, containing their humble requests for the declaration of such meanes as might take away all distan­ces, and produce a blessed Union most necessary to this afflicted Kingdome which then was, and we are confident yet is the earnest Prayer and desire of all in this Countie who are well affected to your Majestie, the true Protestant Religion, and the peace of your Dominions. And since by a Letter from the Speaker of the House of Commons di­rected to the Sheriffe wee are assured that we are accordingly framing their humble desires to your Maje­stie, such as chiefly tend to the honour of God, the greatnesse and prosperitie of your Majestie, and the pub­lique good of the Common-wealth. Yet since (most gracious Soveraigne) with much sorrow of heart wee understand that a few Gentlemen of this Countie have taken upon them to anticipate these demonstrations of Dutie, which both Houses are preparing, and your Majesties gracious resolution thereupon in the name of the Gentry and Commons of the Countie of Yorke; whereas (indeed) they were a very small part of the Gentry onely, as we are informed in a Petition to your Majestie directly opposite to the Petition of both Houses of Parliament concetning the removing of the Magazine at Hull, tending to foment divisi­on betwixt your Majestie, and your great Councell.

We therefore encouraged by that expression from your Majesties owne mouth concerning other Peti­tioners that you had not gone about to discourage them from petitioning in an humble way, and being most assured that our loyall affections to your Majestie, your Crowne and Dignitie are not inferiour to any of your Subjects whatsoever, and that wee have better ground and warrant to represent the sense of the Gentry and Commons of Yorkshire then those few Petitioners had; yet are we not possessed with so much arrogancie as to beleeve that a few amongst us, or all the Countie together can judge of the fitnesse where to dispose that Magazine, or of the state and safetie of this Kingdome and of your Majesties Person so well as your great Counsell, whose judgement we are bound to preferre before all private Counsells, and whose endeavours have given us much assurance of their care and fidelitie to the publique, which we doubt not all tend to the honour, satisfaction and greatnesse of your sacred Majestie and Royall Posterity.

And that your Majestie would graciously apply your selfe to all good meanes of Union, that those Duties which by the Lawes of God and men wee owne (expressed in our late Protestation) may not be­come a divided Proposition since the defence of your Majesties Royall Person, Honour and Estate; the power and Priviledges of Parliament, and the lawfull Right and Liberties of the Subject taken joyntly, doe all serve to strengthen each other, which wee shall equally labour to preserve to the utmost of our Lives, power and Estate.