"Sheweth; That inany of your Petitioners being, in their late desires of petitioning your majesty, denied access, kept back with violence, and receiving great affronts from some that have dependency on your majesty, and others there assembled; yet no provocation could remove them from their patience and duty. These proceedings are taken more to heart, your petitioners conceiving it undeniable that they have an interest in the commonwealth, and are as dutiful and loyal subjects to your maj. as any whomsoever; though divers of them have been since uncivilly pressed by some, in your majesty's name, to subscribe a Paper, stiled, The Auswer to your Majesty's Propositions, and threatened thereto (upon which blows followed); and that, when your majesty's army should be on foot, those should be first pillaged that refused such subscription; which we humbly conceive is positively contrary to your majesty's own expressions, and is to the high dishonour of your majesty, and the great affrightment and disturbance of your majesty's liege people. Therefore your petitioners, baving too just cause to fear your majesty's royal heart is still in danger to be possessed with some distaste of your petitioners, humbly supplicate your maj, to conceive better things of them, and to cast your eye upon the present state of this your kingdom; that, as your maj. hath often declared your affection to this county, so your love might now be expressed in pre serving the peace thereof; and that your maj. would admit of a right information of the clear intentions of your petitioners, who are confident that no so absolute and hearty observance to your majesty's just commands can be demonstrated, as what your maj. in parliament shall declare; which if it be divided, (as God forbid) our hearts even tremble to consider the diminution of the honour and safety of your majesty's posterity, and the dangers the king dom will unavoidably be put upon; since it is clear to every understanding, that it is not a divided part of one, or several counties, that can afford that honour and safety to your maj. as the whole kingdom, which you may command; no ground or fear of danger remaining, if a good confidence were begot betwixt your maj. and the parliament, whose grave and loyal counsels are, as we humbly conceive, the visible way, under God, to put a speedy end to the troubles of Ireland, and establish your throne in righteousness. And, lastly, your petitioners do humbly supplicate, that we may represent our unfitness to become judges betwist your majesty and the parliament in any thing, or dispute the authority of either, which they humbly conceive do fortify each other; it being most unfit for them to act any thag therein but by their prayers for a right understanding between your maj. and them, which long and prosperous reign; and, as we ar we shall heartily do, as also for your majesty's bound by our late Protestation, shall be ready to maintain your majesty's just Rights, the Pr vileges and Power of Parliament, and the lawful Liberties of the Subject." The KING'S ANSWER to the foregoing PETTION of the County, by Mr. Secreta y Nicholas. "His majesty having with some care cos sidered this Petition, being the first of this ture that hath been presented to him, where, any appearing well affected to his service (though he hath heard of many to the contrary have misdemeaned themselves, hath comanded me to give you this Answer: That le doth, totally, disavow the proceedings conplained of in the Petition; and expects that you, and all others his loyal subjects, shall res satisfied with his several gracious Declaratio and constant peaceable practice towards people; and for further assurance, upon ja proof made against any man who hath com ted any violence in words or actions, with a just provocation, full reparation shall be giva to the parties injured.-As for the other pat of this Petition, his majesty saith, That it is confused he does not well know what positi Answer to give to it; and the rather beca s it is grounded upon misinformation both his majesty's proceedings and intentions; in particular, his maj. saith, He never tended to have you to be judges betwixt him and his parliament. For the rest of this Pete tion he refers to his Messages, Declaration That his desire and intention is, only, the and Answers; whereby it will clearly appear serving of the true Protestant profession, laws of the land, the liberty of his people, peace of the kingdom in general, and the peac of this county in particular.” The PROTESTATION of the FREEHOLDEES Yorkshire. "Whereas his majesty was pleased to e summons to the gentry of this county to atte him at his court at York, the 12th of y instant, to advise with him in some partien f concerning the honour and safety of his jesty's person, and the well-being and peace this our county; and in the said summons pleased to omit the freeholders of this county out of a tender respect of putting them to shy extraordinary charge; yet we, conscious of t sincere loyalty to his maj, our gracious sort voted illegal.] This day the lords were in formed of a rumour, That a command was come for removing the next Term to York, which would be very prejudicial to the kingdom; therefore they sent the earl of Essex and he had heard any thing of it. After some other, business done, the two lords returned from the lord keeper, and said, "That his lordship. confessed he had received a Letter from the king, the last night, importing the ad ign, and conceiving ourselves, according to e proportions of our estates, equally intersted in the common good of the county, did ake the boldness to come in person to York, nd were ready to attend his majesty's pleasure ere: And whereas his majesty being pleased | lord Kimbolton to the lord keeper, to know if en to propound several things to the purpose oresaid, at the meeting of the county, to conder a fit Answer to return to his majesty hereupon, the doors of the mecting-house were ut against us, and we utterly excluded; and, à our absence, a referree of knights and gen-journment of the next Term to York, and to emen chosen, without our knowledge or con- order a proclamation and writs out for that ent, to draw up the sa.d Answer: we the purpose: that he was to advise with the Judges eeholders who petitioned his majesty the day concerning the manner of them; and, accordDovesaid, conceiving ourselves abundantly ingly, he had acquainted them with it, but jured in the election of the said referrec, not nobody else; though nothing, as yet, was done nowing any warrant, by writ, or otherwise, in it."-The lords, taking this matter into conor the same; and that we ought not, however, sideration, were of opinion, That it was illegal be concluded by any resolution of theirs to remove the Term, in regard of the late act of ithout our assent in their election, do, abso- parliament for the coutinuance of it: that it tely, protest and declare against the said was contrary to the practice, and inconsistent ection; and, as far as concerns us, disavow with the sitting, of parliament, and to the exhatsoever shall be the result of their consulta- press writs which call assistants to that house. on thereupon; and do desire a new and fair Then the question was put, Whether the king's ection of a referree may be made, we admit- removing the Term to York, from Westminster, d to our free votes in the same, and some one the parliament sitting, was not illegal? It pasmore, to be nominated by us, allowed to de-sed in the affirmative. They further ordered, er our sense for us at another meeting: and at we shall not make good, in the least resct, any thing whatsoever which shall other se be concluded upon." Sir, his majesty had declared himself yesrday, that he would raise that regiment ich was sir Rob. Strickland's, for his footard; but he hath now laid aside that resoluThe freeholders of the county are now aly summoned to attend his majesty about week hence, the three Ridings upon three veral days: but for what service we know t. You have here a large Narrative of the issages at this meeting. What dangers this or country lies under, we humbly refer to u to judge, not taking upon us to deliver any inion. The business lasted so long, that it adered us from given a more speedy account. , this is what, at this time, is sent from Your sured friends and servants, FER. FAIRFAX. C. CHOLMLEY, PHIL. STAPYLTON, HIN. HOLMLEY.-York, May 13. 1612." May 17. A conference was held this day in The intended Removal of the Term to York That the lord keeper should not issue out any writs, or seal any proclamation to that purpose. This vote, &c. to be communicated to the commons, at a conference, and then to be forthwith printed and published. Resolutions against the King's demanding the Attendance of any Subject.] At this conference the commons acquainted the lords with another letter from the king, directed to captain Philip Skippon, captain of the military garden, in St. Martin's in the Fields, London, commanding the said captain's immediate personal attendance on his majesty at York, ou pain of his highest displeasure. On which the commons had passed the following Votes: Resolved, 1. "That for his majesty, at his pleasure, to command any free-born subject to attend his person, not bound thereunto by special service, is against the law of the land. $2. That this command of his majesty, to call captain Philip Skippon, serjeant-major-general of the forces of London, to attend his majesty's person at York, is against the law of the land and the liberty of the subject. 3. That his majesty's commanding captain P. Skippon, to at tend his majesty's person, being employed by both houses to attend their service, without their consent, is against the privilege of parliament. 4. That captain P. Skippon shall continue to attend the service of both houses, according to their former commands." An Order of the said house was also read, importing, That it be referred to the cominittee of lords and cominons, appointed to con This was done accordingly: and from the original edition thereof, printed by A. Norton, for John Frank, in Fleet-street, the foregoing Letter and Papers are copied. 4 K sider of his majesty's last Messages, to make a Remonstrance to him, and shew how much against law, and the liberty of the subject, commands of this nature are; to represent to him the interruption that they cause to the proceedings of parliament, and the affairs of Ireland, with the inconveniences that are like to ensue upon them; and to desire they may be forborne hereafter. Declaration of both Houses against taking Arms by his Majesty's Command.] A Letter, directed to Edw. lord Howard and the Committee at York, was read, with a Declaration of Parliament; the Letter was to no other purpose, than thanking them for their good services, &c. and to order them to deliver the inclosed to the high sheriff, and press the execution of it there, as was intended to be done in the other counties of England. Which Iustrument was in these words: "The lords and comtrons in parliament do declare, That it is against the laws and liberties of the kingdom, that any of the subjects thereof should be commanded by the king to attend him at his pleasure, but such as are bound thereunto by special service: and that whosoever, upon pretence of his majesty's command, shall take arins, and gather together with others, in a warlike manner, to the terror of the king's people, shall be esteemed disturbers of the public peace; and to do that which may introduce a precedent of very dangerous consequence for the future, and may produce most mischievous effects for the present; considering the great distempers of the kingdom, and what pernicious counsellors and incendiaries are now about the king; and how desperate and ill-affected divers persons, attending upon his majesy, have shewed themselves to the parliament and to his other good subjects, threatening and reproaching them publickly, even in his majesty's presence. For preventing and avoiding such great mischiefs as may thereupon ensue, it is Ordered and Ordained by both houses of parliament, That if the Trained-Bands, or any other his majesty's subjects, shall, upon pretence of any such command, be drawn together and put into a posture of war, the sheriff of that county where there shall be such raising or drawing together of armed inen, do forthwith raise the power of the county to suppress the same, and to keep his majesty's peace according to law. And that the lord lieutenants, deputy lieutenants, justices of the peace, and all other his majesty's subjects, be aiding and assisting to the several and respective sheriffs in performance hereof, as they will answer the contrary at their peril." Farther Orders for the Security of Hull.] May 18. The lord admiral acquainted the lords, That he had received a Letter from Hull, from some captains, sent with their ships there, by order of parl. to bring away the Magazine, alledging, that they had received a command from the king, dated at York, the 10th of May, upon their allegiance, not to put on board any part of that Magazine, &c. they therefore desired their lordships to take some course for their indemnity in obeying the commands of this house. Then the lord admiral's Letter and the king's Warrant for stoppage were read; and a conference being held upon it, some more hints were communicated by the commons, concerning the safety of Huli; as, That sir J. Hotham complained he wanted a committee, of reputation, to assist him: that he found the townsmen false: that he wanted mills to grind corn: and that the committee sent thither, some time since, were coming away. To remedy all which, the commes had prepared the Form of a Letter to be sert down to Hull, with an Order; also they had appointed another committee to go thither, and desired to know if their lordships would appoint any of their house for that purpose.The lords agreed to this in every particular, and the lord Willoughby of Parham was named as a commissioner from that house. The Speaker's Letter to Sir J. Hotham there upon.] The Letter to sir J. Hotham, with the Order of parliament, was then read, as i lows: Sir; Your letter of the 16th of May I ceived this morning, and forthwith commun cated it to the house; who do very much ap prove your diligent and prudent carriage discharge of the great trust reposed in you st much concerning the peace and safety of the whole kingdom; and thank you for the sara If the house had sooner known of the comp away of the committee, and of the great re cessity that some such assistance should t there, they would sooner have provided t have had their absence forthwith supplied g others; for which purpose they have now re solved of seven more of this house to be adde to the former committee, as you may perce by the Order inclosed, whercof they inte. 1 that four shall always be resident with y there.-According to your desire, you reco an Order of both houses for the Encourag ment and Indemnity of the captains and m ters of the ships, of whose obedience there we are assured, by their profession in their own letters to the lord admiral, That what bes houses of parliament shall order, they sh with their utmost endeavours perform, for > majesty's safety and the good of this state; f which, being an expression of so good affect, a to the service of the parliament, this out takes especial notice; and desires you to gi them thanks in their name, as also to the mar ners, of whose forwardness in this service they are also informed.-The house doth also require, That the Magazine, that is already stip ped, may be sent with all convenient speee, with perfect inventories of what is in every ship; and what you have kept behind, to re main there, for the defence of the place, " there be occasion; two of the ships of war are designed for the convoy of the Magazine; the other two shall be appointed to attend in that harbour, for the better security of that tow, 1 same, notwithstanding any command to them directed to the contrary. And for the indemuity of captains Driver, Swarly, Moyers, and Piggot, and such other captains, lieutenants, masters, officers, mariners, and all other persons, which have done or shall do any thing according to the said Ordinance of both houses of parliament, or in execution thereof, touching the removing, shipping or transporting the said Magazine, or any part thereof from Hull, to the Tower of London as aforesaid: It is declared and ordered, by both houses of parliament, That they, and every of them, shall have the assistance of both the said houses against any inconveniency which may happen to them, or any of them, by or for obeying the said commands in this so necessary and important service." Lord Savile's Letter upon refusing to attend the Parliament. May 19. The earl of Holland acquainted the lords that he had received a Letter from the lord Savile, at York, which was read as followeth : till there shall be further order.-We under-ed and enjoined, forthwith, to perform the stand the proceedings in Yorkshire; and, though there be some disaffected, yet there appears so great a part of the county to be well disposed to the peace of the kingdom, that it is hoped they will so over-awe the other party, as to keep them quiet. I send you inclosed a copy of the Order of both houses, which was yesterday sent to the committees at York, to be delivered to the sheriff; who hath carried himself so worthily and faithfully, that there is no doubt whatsoever of him. Mr. Hilliard's report is, That he will do his duty in obeying the authority and directions of parliament, for preserving this kingdom from the miseries and calamities of a civil war; which is earnestly endeavoured to be kindled by some evil counsellors about the king, who can find no way to escape the punishment of their own wickedness, but by the confusion of the whole state. -It is much wondered that there should be any in that town so blind, as not to discern the mischief intended to the common-wealth, if Hull had not, by the wisdom of the parliament, been secured from the Malignant Party; or so disaffected as not to concur in the furtherance of that which is necessary for the public good, wherein the safety of that town and their own nterests are involved: but as their perverseness will make you more watchful, so your watchfulness will make them less hurtful; and it is hoped the proceedings in Yorkshire will every lay more open their eyes to see the dangers and miseries like to overwhelm those parts, if honest, well-affected people do not join with the parliament to prevent the same.-The house means to send away two of the committee forthwith; and, when they have been more fully informed, by sir Christ. Wray, of those matters which you write they shall understand by him, it is resolved to send to you again. And I am commanded to tell you, that you may rest assured, as you have the authority of parliament, and the strength of the greatest and best part of the kingdom; so you shall have the prayers of all that truly affect the prosperity and peace of this church and state concurring with you, to which I add the good respect and best wishes of Your most ready friend and humble servant, W. LENTHALL.” "My Lord; Yesterday there came hither a mean base fellow, with an order, process, or warrant, for I know not what to call it, to attach divers of the peers and some others, and amongst the rest myself; for coming away without leave, as I imagine, for I know no other guilt that I can pretend to; though there was no cause, so much as in general, expressed in the warrant, according as, by the law of the land, and Petition of Right, is required. When he delivered me his warrant I was going with your brother Newport to Galtres Park, to take the air; and, at my return, found the messenger committed for some offence, which, it seems, they did lay to his charge; and the king, calling all the company about him, charged me, upon my allegiance, not to depart the town without his consent. I saw great joy in many to see me herein so used in the face of my country; to be arrested by such a fellow, for a crime so small, as for the safety of my life, after so long an attendance, to go to my own house; and at a time when all cursed me for the good offices I did contrary to their designs; as I shall report to your commissioners here, who know much of my ways. So, my lord, I am, as you imagine, in a great distraction; but of this I am certain that no private spleen shall debar me from doing my poor endeavours for the public, so far as it is now fit for me to appear. I pray God that things be not so carried as suddenly to endanger the peace of Us all. My lord, I am, &c. York, May 14, 1642. "SAVII E." The ORDER inclosed was as follows: "Whereas the lords and commons in parliament thought fit and necessary, for the safety of the king and kingdom, That the Magazine of Arms and Ammunition, at Kingston upon Hull, should be removed from thence to the Tower of London, and did order the same accordingly; and have appointed several ships Another Letter from the Committee at York, for the transporting and wafting thereof, relating to the King's raising a Guard.] Next which are ready at Hull, for that service: It is was read a Letter from the lord Howard, one ordered, by both houses of parliament, That of the Committee at York, to the lord keeper, the said Magazine and Arms shall be forth-containing a further account of the king's prowith removed, and brought away from Hull to ceedings in that city, which was in these words: the Tower of London; and the captains, lieutenants, masters and other officers and companies of the said ships are hereby requir "My lord; Yesternight, somewhat late, there came to our hand this printed Paper enclosed: By the King: C. R. Whereas, upon sum mons from us, divers gentlemen of this our county of York did attend us on Thursday the 12th day of this instant May, when we declared our Resolution, for the reason then delivered by us, to have a Guard to secure and defend our person; and desired therein the concurrenee and assistance of the gentry of this county and whereas divers gentlemen of this county, for many reasons and occasions, could not then appear to receive our pleasure on that behalf, whereunto divers have subscribed: we have therefore thought good hereby to give notice, as well to those gentlemen who were not theu present, as to those who did then attend us, that our command is, That as well those gentlemen who are charged with horse, as others, appear at York upon Friday the 12th day of this month, in such manner and equipage as will be convenient for the Guard of our person: and we require and command, That, in the interim, no other warrant, order, or command whatsoever, shall distract or hinder this our service and we further will and command, That this our Or ler be forthwith published by the sheriff of this our county, for which this shall be his suffic eat warrant. Given at our Court at York, May 14, 1642.' My lord; We conceiving the above Paper to be illegal, wa.ted on the king in the morning, telling him, We thought it our duty to represent to his majesty, of what dangerous consequence it was to command the whole county to bring in their horse, which would be occasion of great jealousies, and might breed great distractions. His majesty's Answer was, That howsoever it was expressed, yet he never intended to have any come in but voluntarily.' We replied, That this bore another sense, and that it would be our duty to give notice of it to the parl ament.' When we were gone, the marquis of Hertford, the lord Savile, and lord chief justice Bankes, repaired to the king, and soon after brought us the following Paper in Answer to what we had said to his majesty; with a command to write up the substance of it to your lordship: but thinking it not fit to take upon us to write his majesty's sense, lest we should be mistaken, I have lieie sent you the very Paper it-elf, as we had it from the lords before-mentioned. "My lord, these lords do, every one of them, protest, That they never knew any thing of this printed Paper till we shewed it to them. I acquainted your lordship, in my last letter, That his majesty had laid aside the resolution of raising that regiment which was sir Robert Strickland's; but, this afternoon, we understand it is to meet to-morrow by warrants from his majesty; a copy of one of them I send your lordship here inclosed; as also a Letter from his majesty to the gentry of Yorkshire. The WARRANT : To the Constables of Newton and Benningborough. 6 By virtue of a Warrant from his majesty, to me directed, his will and command is to give order to all the several petty constables, Trained bands and Soldiers of sir Rob. Stres within this division or hundred, to cause all the land's regiment, with their officers and arts, to meet at Sutton in the Forest, on Tuesdat next, the 17th of this instant May, by 8 in the commands and directions by the colonel inorning; where they shall receive further serjeant-major of the said regiment. Failing at your peril.'-T. GRO-VENOR. May 15, 101. The KING'S LETTER. Wel To our trusty and well-beloved the gentry of Yorkshire, and others of this our county 4 York, whom it doth or may concern; have, with great contentment, considered your dutiful and affectionate Answer to our Prepsition concerning the unsufferable affront whit we received at Hull. We have not been de ceived in that confidence we had in your 2> fection, wherefore we desire you to assure the rest of your countrymen, who, through neg gence, were omitted to be summoned, that shall never abuse your love, by any powe wherewith God shall enable us, to the least violation of the least of your liberties, or the diminution of those immunities, which we here granted you this parliament; (though they be beyond the acts of most, if not of all, our predecessors) being resolved, with a constant an firm resolution, to have the law of this lace duly observed; and shall endeavour only so t preserve our just royal rights, as may enable as to protect our kingdom and people, according to the antient honours of the kings of Engla My Lord; We waited, this day, upon his and according to the trust which, by the las majesty, concerning a printed Summons pub- of God and this land, is put into the crown. lished the 14th of this instant May, humbly to being sufficiently warned, by the late affront & know his majesty's meaning therein; at which Hull, not to transfer the same out of our power, time he was graciously pleased to signify his concerning which affront we will take som intention unto us, That his meaning was, time to advise which way we may usefully in thereby, to accept of the voluntary offers of ploy your affections: in the mean time we sha those gentlemen, who had, or should, tender take it well from all such as shall personaly their services unto him for the Guard of his per- attend us, so followed and provided as they son: and, out of that number that should ap- shall think fit, for the better safety of our per pear before him, at the time prefixed, he would son; because we know not what sudden vo chuse such a competent number as might serve lence or affront may be offered unto us, having for the safeguard of his royal person; likewise lately received such an actual testimony of retelling us, That he had declared to those gen-bellious intentions from sir J. Hotham at Hull. tlemen, who did attend him at the last meet- Being thus secured by your affections and as ing, that he no ways intended hereby to in-sistance, we promise you our protection against crease the number of the Trained Bands. any contrary power whatsoever; and that you 6 |