TO cleare you from the misre­ports of our County of Lincolne, I send you this as a true, and unpartiall relation of what hath passed in it since the Kings be­ing here.

The greatest part of the considerable Gen­try then grounding their Actions upon the two Houses of Parliament, Voteing the ne­cessity of putting the Kingdome into Po­sture, and encourraged by their example, did subscribe to maintaine some Horses for three Monethes, to be in redinesse for the defence of His Majesties just Prerogative, [Page 4] the Protestant Religion, the Libertie, and propriety of the Subject, with the just Pri­veledges of Parliament, and peace of this Countie; And have now sent those Horses to Lincolne (the Ceate of the Countrey) as a guard for those parts, and fittest place to give reliefe to and present the rest in peace, which (through Gods blessing) might bee effected (were it not for some strange insolencies by men of despicable condition) with as great a calme as can be wished, there having been nothing acted, or attempted by any of the Commissioners of Array which can be con­strued a disturbance, but on the contrary, they have declind the contention for the publique Magazen, which hath beene the first blowne sparke in other Counties. And I am confident their future endavours will bee onely the preservation of peace within themselves, in that they resolve (having thus farre discharged their duties both to the King, and the two Houses of Parliament) not to embarque further by sending any Forces out of the County to aide either side, but as much as in them lies; to indeavour Ac­commodation, [Page 5] This (being conversant with the professons of them all) I am able know­ingly to averre, and withall to give assurance that they would not have drawne their Horses together but for these reasons, which I collected at their debates.

I. That in so great a County, They would not exercise and make them fit for Service, as in other places; where they meet with conveniency of re­turning to their houses when called to that duty.

II. For that some in this County have had Actuall violences offered upon them, by some of Sir Iohn Hothams Souldiers; And others have beene threat­ned to have their Houses burnt by them: inso­much as the People of those Parts that lye upon, and about Humber, are in continuall Feares, and readie to leave their dwellings; if they have not the countenance of some little Fort to defend them.

III. The reine of Governement hath beene of slack­ned, as now tis cutt in peeces amongst us, many [Page 6] men of desperate Fortunes, and more wicked re­solutions live to geather, without the acknowledg­ment of any Law, so as no Legall presse can be at­tempted to be served upon them; But they resist it in a Warlike maner, accumulating all maner of Insolencies, by adding to their Rebelion, violences upon mens Houses, goods, and Lands, Burning Stealing, and devastating of them, so as the men of Fortunes had need serve them against such Spirits.

IIII. This being a Maritine Countie, and so expo­sed to the impressions of Forces from a broad, as well as to dangerous consequences of Tumults, and Insurrections from within, and not able so­dainely to gather any power to resist the one, or suppresse the other (it being so large, and unpeo­pled a Countrey) there seemes a kinde of neces­sity (in these times of distraction, and threatning mischeifes) to have some in a continuall readinesse.

V. Most of the adjacent. Counties being full of Souldiers, they may attempt such outrages upon us, as will call for a present rescue and help.

Upon all which the Gentlemen conceive them­selves not onely invited, but necessiated, to what they have done, with a hope it will receive good [Page 7] approbation from all others, that are not some way malignants either against the King or Par­lament, From which number I accquitt you, and (for my owne particular) do wish from my Soule, Reformation; or Ruine to him that is not desirous (by all Iust and Honourable wayes,) to advance the Prosperity of both. So concludes and rests,