AS in all our endeavours since this Par­liament began, we intended wholly the advancement of His Majesties honour and safety, and the regainment of the ancient (though of late yeers much in­vaded) Rights, Laws, and Liberties, be­ing the birthright of the Subjects of this Land, and set­ling of the true Protestant Religion (the glory of our Nation) in peace and purity; so did we no lesse hope for, and expect His Majesties concurrence in those par­ticulars, they being the very foundation of His Maje­sties present honour and greatnesse, and the fountain of perfect and future blisse to himself, and all His loyall Subjects, which too evidently we see our selves (by the wicked Councellors now unmasked about his Majesty) not only deprived of, but insted thereof open war decla­red, and prosecuted against his Majesties loyall Subjects of Hull, and elswhere in this Kingdom, far unsutable to such Declarations of love and peace as His Majestie hath frequently promised and published to the King­dom; and in particular to the County of York, with sol­lemne protestations that He would not; nor had it en­tred His thoughts to make war against His Parliament, which how agreeable they are to the present courses of his Majesty & Councellors, specially since frō his agents abroad He received provisions fit for war, which im­mediately [Page 4] have been put on for execution, we referre to the whole world to judge of.

But however those promises and protestations have been no sooner made, but broken, and our hope of peace and safety thereby wholly disappointed. Yet that it may appeare to all Ages to come, that as in duty we are bound (the Kingdom having intrusted us) so we have not, nor will be found wanting in the least degree of our care and providence (God assisting us) for the preserva­tion of the whole Kingdom, and the Town of Hull, and the Inhabitants thereof from violence, and ruine, though for the effecting thereof His Majestie hath proceeded to many hostile preparations and acts, by having got di­vers Pieces of great Ordnance, and other warlike provi­sions both of horse and foot, for the taking in of the said Town, and His other designes; and by cutting off their fresh-water, intercepting and restraining of victualls and other necessaries for their subsistance and live­lihood, as if to obey the Parliaments Commands (that being Sir John Hothams Crime) though never so much for the safety of the whole Kingdom, were so capitall an offence, as nothing but death, ruine, and destruction could expiate.

Wherfore we the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled have thought fit, and do hereby declare, That whereas Sir John Hotham Governour of Hull, by the speciall order of the Parliament appointed for that ser­vice, hath been forced for the prevention of the sudden surprisall, and destruction of the Town, and the Inha­bitants thereof, to let in some Tydes from Humber upon the grounds adjoyning to the said Town, which for pre­sent could not otherwise have been secured; We do [Page 5] therefore hereby promise and assure al land every such person and persons whatsoever, either the Owners, or Farmers of any the said grounds which shall be impair­ed by this overflowing of the water, full and ample sa­tisfaction for all such losse as they or any of them shall thereby sustaine (except such persons only) as formerly have been, now are, or hereafter shall be found the stir­rers up, Abbettors, or furtherers of any such way, or meanes as have, or may conduce to the endangering, or annoyance of the said Town of Hull, or the Governour thereof in his service and duty therein, or shall any way disturb the peace and safety of the said Town, or any the Inhabitants thereof, who stand well affected thereto. And we do also declare, That We the Lords and Com­mons in Parliament assembled, will not onely protect, secure, and save harmlesse all and every such person, and persons whatsoever, as have or shall either by Sea, or Land provide, furnish, or deliver any provision of vic­tuall, beere, or other thing whatsoever for the relief and safety of the Garrison of Hull, but shall also make good payment for the same, and thankfully accept thereof, as good service done to the Kingdom, any pretended war­rant issued, or hereafter to be issued out under the co­lour of any name or authority whatsoever to the contra­ry notwithstanding: And for as much as we are informed that some of the Inhabitants of Hull stand firmly resol­ved in their good affections to the service, and safe kee­ping of the said Town, for the good of the King and Kingdom, We thought fit also to declare, That all such of the Inhabitants thereof as shall continue well affected to the said service, and stand close in their fidelitie and assistance to the Governour thereof; we do hereby as­sure [Page 6] and promise them, that they shall receive from us protection and encouragement answerable to such a ser­vice, as will be very acceptable unto us, in respect of the importance of it for the preservation of Religion and safety of this Kingdom. And lastly, We do declare our acknowledgement, acceptance, and approbation of that prudent valour, vigillancy and faithfullnesse of the Governour; Officers and Souldiers imployed in the said Town, both for the discovery of plots formerly contrived for the betraying of the said Town, and their undaunted resolutions to keep the same against whom­soever for the service of His Majestie and Kingdom; And do promise and assure them, that every particular good service done or to be done by any Commander or Souldier serving, or to serve therein, shall be rewarded as shall answer the greatnesse of this Kingdom, and the qualitie of the service.

IT is this day Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That in case any force be brought out of one Coun­ty into any other County of this Kingdom, to disturb the peace thereof; That the Lord Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants of the Counties adjoyning upon notice given unto them of such disturbance, by the Lord Lieutenants or Deputy Lieutenants where such distur­bance is made, be hereby required to give aid and assis­tance to the said other Lord Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants or any of them, so requiring the same, for the present suppressing of such force and disturbers of the peace, by Voluntiers, and such of the Trained Bands of their severall Counties that shall voluntarily go to give their assistance.