VVE conceive that the substance of his Majesties proposition unto us the 30 of April consisted in these two particulars. First, to know whether we would defend his Majesties royall Person from vi­olence, or no, according to our duties. Secondly, to have our advice concerning his Majestie not being admitted into his Town of Hull, and how his Majesty may be vindicated in his Honor for that affront, and how he may be put into the possession of his own.

Whereas We understand, that Sir Iohn Hotham takes upon him (without a­ny legall Authority or Power) to issue warrants to Constables, and other Our Officers, to raise divers of Our Tranled bands of this Our County, and requires them to march wiht their Armes, and come into Our Town of Hull, where he hath disarmed divers of them, keepes their Armes, and discharges the men: And whereas Wee are cre­dible in [...]ormed, that divers persons, who were lately Colo­nels, Lievetenant Colonels, Captaines and Officers of the trained Bands of this Our County, intend shortly to summon and indeavour to Muster the forces of this Our County: For as much as by the Law of the Land, none of Our Trained Bands are to be raised or mustered, upon any pretence or au­thority whatsoever, but by speciall warrant under Our owne hand, or by a legall Writ directed to the Sheriffe of the County, or by warrant from the Lord Lievetenant, or Depu­ty-Lievetenants of the County, appointed and authorized by Commission under our great Seale. And whereas at pre­sent there is no Lord Lievetenan or Deputy-Lievetenant le­gally authorised to command the Forces and trained Bands of this our County of Yorke, and the Commissions, to com­mand, and power of all Colonells, Lievetenant-Colonells, Captaines and Officers of Our trained Bands, (which were derived from the Commission and Power of the Lord Lieve­tenant only, are now actually voyd, and of no force and Au­thority. Our will and Command therefore is, that you forth­with [Page 4]issue Warrants under yourhand, to all the late Coloness. Leivetenant-Colonell, Captaines and Officers, (who whiles the Lord Lievetenants Commission was in force) had com­mand of the trained Bands of this Our County: And also to all High and Petty Constables, and other our Officers, in this Our County, whom it may concerne, charging & comman­ding them, and every of them, in Our Name, and upon their Allegiance, and as they tender the Peace of this Our King­dome, not to Muster, Levie, or Raise, or to Summon, or warn (upon any pretence or Directions whatsoever) any of Our trained Bands to Rise, Muster, or March, without expresse Warrant under Our Hand, or Warrant from you Our She­riffe grounded upon a particular writ to that purpose; which we also command you, not to put in Execution without Our privity and Allowance, whiles wee shall reside in this Our County.

And in case any of our trained bands shall rise, or gather, contrary to this Our command, Then Wee will and com­mand you to charge and require them to dissolve, and retire to their dwellings. We will and command you upon your Al­legiance, as you tender the peace and quiet of this Our King­dome, to raise the power of the county, and suppresse them by force, as the Law hath directed & given you power to doe. And to the end that this Our expresse command may be no­tified to all Our good subiects in this Our county, so as none may pretend hereafter to have beene misled through Igno­rance, We require you to cause these Our Letters to be forth­with read, and published openly in all Parish Churches in this our County Herein you may not faile, as you tender the safe­ty and Honour of Our Person, the good and peace of this our Kingdome, and will answer the contrary at your perill. For which this shall be your sufficient Warrant.

Given at Our Court at Yorke the fifth day of May, in the Eighteenth yeare of Our Reigne, &c.

NOw (if ever) stand fast, quit you selves as Fathers of your Countrey, let it appeare before God and all the world, that truly generous blood runnes in your veines; Evidence in Gods name, your heartiest loyallty and dearest affections to his most sacred Majesty. But while you remember the King, forget not the Kingdome for the Lords sake; put not assunder those things which God hath so neerly joyned together, on confider the Honour, the cause of God, the good successe of this present Parliament, your lives, lawes, liberties, your temporall, your spirituall Welfare lye all bleeding this day at your owne feete, and earnestly sup­plicate your best assistance.

Tell us we beseech you; shall we die and you live? Can it possibly goe well with you, while ill with us? Is it not your owne case and quarrell? Nay, Gods and the Kings which we mainetaine? Stand you not as much interested, and as deepe­ly ingaged to appeare, for God and the Kings Honour as we our selves? Were we disposed to Recriminate, we could Ana­thomize before God and man the worthlesnesse of those un­reasonable men, who such the Zealots, not onely for the ru­ine, but the Eclipsing of the Glory of this blessed Parliament.

But our intent onely is, to beg that at your hands which in justice you dare not, and in charity you, (we are sure) ought not to deny us, and that's helpe and utmost indeavours in this Nicke of our (we had almost said your) great necessity. Bee assured there was never a greater prize in your hands then at this time. In poore Hull are imbark'd two of the richest jew­ells in the world. Gods Truth, and Christendomes Peace: each of which in valuation farre exceede a Kings Ransome. Wee delight not in a needlesse and supurflous expence of words, and therefore we shall in short tell you, what wee, or rather God expects this day at all your hands. viz. That you (and that with instance) Petition His most Excellent Majestie, to vouchsafe the influence of his Royall favour and gratious presence to His Great Councell, the High Court of Parlia­ment, the onely way, (in humane apprehention) to stanch the bleeding wounds of Ireland and distressed England.

That you now helpe the Lord against the mighty.

That with as humble boldnesse you manifest your extreme unwillingnesse to come in an hostile way against us, least you bring guiltlesse blood upon your owne heads, and kindle such a fire in England, as will never bee quenched: Assure your selves, that without much caution and greatest circumspecti­on, you may raise up such a spirit as will not be Conjured downe againe in hast. Worthies, Ponder we beseech you our present but sad condition, set your selves before Gods awefull barre, make our case your owne.

Let your Consciences speake: Would you betray so great a trust committed to you, by so great a Co [...]? Would you that we should wound through your sides Hea­ven and Earth? What you shall attempt against us, will in will in the reflection result upon God the King, the Chu [...]h the State your selves; Would you tosatisfie a good King set open the Gates, and with the same cour [...]esie grati [...] a very bad company, who seeke nothing lesse then [Page 7]either the safety of His Majesties royall Person and Posterity, or the security of His Dominions and Liege-people. Would you have us wash our hands in your dearest bloud? In sum, would you have us render you the people of the Kings wrath? We are confident you would not; Do then (according to the primordiall Law) as you would be done unto. Strike in we beseech you effectually whilest you have time, put not God upon another course of deliverance, least the Honor of Yorkeshire be layd in the dust forever.

Oh! Give us in this great straight, reall testimony of your affections, and you shall for ever have the acknowledgement of the reall obligations of all