WE the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, taking into serious considera­tion the means of composing the great distempers and combustions begun in this Kingdome, which threaten the destruction & ruine of it, & of all other Protestant Princes and States, have thought good to make this Declaration to the high and mighty Lords, the States of the Vnited Provinces, That wee understand by a Letter of the Lord Digby, a person fled out of this Kingdome for high Treason: That as he often endeavoured by his wicked and malici­ous Counsels to make division between his Majesty and the Parliament, and hath been in great part the cause of that miserable and unnaturall warre which is made against us by his Majestie, so he hath labou­red by all means in the Vnited Provinces to provide Armes, powder, and Amunition for the fomenting of that war, and making it more dangerous to this Kingdome; And for this purpose did addresse him­selfe to the Prince of Orange by whose countenance and help (as we are informed by the Lord Digbyes own Letters) he hath made provision of great quan­tities of Ordnance, powder, Armes, and divers o­ther sorts of warlike provision.

And we are further informed by credible adver­tisement, that the Prince of Orange in favour of the Lord Digby, and those other wicked Counsellours & incendiaries, who being joyned together in these mischievous practises against the peace of this King­dome, hath not only licenced, but the better to en­courage [Page 3] divers Commanders, experienced Offi­cers, and Souldiers to resort into this Kingdome in aid of them against the Parliament, hath promi­sed to reserve their places for them in their ab­sence, and doth cause other provision of the same kind to be made and prepared to bee sent over for their supply, to the great hurt of this Kingdome, and the danger of interrupting the most necessary, profitable, and long continued amity between the two States.

We further desire to let them know that we can­not believe that this is done by any authority or di­rection from their Lordships, considering the great help that they have received from this Kingdome, when heretofore they lay under the heavy oppres­sion of their Princes, and how conducible the friendship of this Nation (concurring with the wisdom, valour and industry of their owne peo­ple) hath bin to the greatnesse and power which they now enjoy.

Neither can we think that they will be forward to help to make us slaves who have bin usefull and assistant in making them freemen.

Or that they will forget that our troubles and dangers issue from the same fountaine with their own, and that those who are set a worke to under­mine Religion and Liberty in the Kingdome are the same, which by open force did seek to bereaue them of both.

It cannot be unknown to that wise State, that it is the Jesuiticall faction here, that hath corrupted the Counsels of our King, the consciences of a [Page 4] great part of our Clergy, which hath plotted so many mischievous Designes, to destroy the Par­liament, and still endeavoureth to divide Ireland from this Kingdome, by a most wicked and cruell Rebellion there, and to divide the King from his Parliament and People here, and by false slanders, and imputations of things never done nor intend­ed by us, hath incensed his Majesty so as that after many bitter invectives published against us with­out any just cause given, he hath now at last resol­ued to set up his Royall Standard, and draw his sword for the destruction and ruine of his most faithfull and obedient people, whom by the Laws and Constitutions of this Kingdom hee is bound to preserve and protect.

The Cases and the Fortunes of both Estates being so involved and united, wee cannot expect to be hindred by them in our just defence, or that they will doe any thing, to aggravate the miseries and troubles of this Kingdome, in the peace and happinesse whereof they have found much advan­tage, and by such unfriendly and unseasonable sup­plyes of our common Enemies, make a way to their own aswell as our ruine.

Wee therefore desire they may betimes looke into this mischief, and having searched it into the bottom to stop the farther progresse of it, That they will not suffer more Ordnance, Armour, or any other like warlike provision to be brought o­ver to strengthen those, who assoone as they shall prevail against the Parliament (according to their principles and interests by which they are guided) [Page 5] will use that strength to the ruine of those from whom they have had it.

VVe desire they would not send over any Coun­trymen to further our destruction, who were sent to them for their preservation, That they will not anticipate the spilling of English blood in a [...] unnaturall Civill VVar, which hath been so cheer­fully and plentifully hazarded and spent in that just and honorable VVar by which they have been so long preserved, and to which the bloud of those persons, and many other Subjects of this King­dome is still in a manner dedicated, but rather that they will cashiere and discard from their employ­ment those that will presume to come over for that purpose.

And in satisfying these our reasonable and ne­cessary desires, they shall thereby not only secure us but themselves, yea, they shall most of all ad­vantage his Majesty, for whose service those things are pretended to be done.

The question betweene his Majesty and Par­liament is not, whether hee shall enjoy the same prerogative and power which hath belonged to our former Kings, his Majesties Royall Predeces­sours, but whether that prerogative and power should be employed to our defence, or to our ruine.

VVe expect nothing from him but security and protection from those mischievous designes which have bin so often multiplyed and renewed against us, though hitherto (through Gods providence) as often frustrated.

It cannot be denyed by th [...]se who look indiffe­rently [Page 4] on our proceedings and affairs, but that it will be more honour and wealth, safety and great­nesse to his Majesty in concurring with his Parlia­ment, then in the course in which hee now is: But so unhappy hath his Majesty and the Kingdome bin in those, who have the greatest influence upon his Counsels, that they look more upon the pre­vayling of their owne party, then upon any those great advantages both to his Crowne and Royall person which he might obtain by joyning with his people. And so cunning are those Factors for po­pery, in prosecution of their own aymes, that they can put on a counterfeit visage of honour, peace, & greatnesse upon those courses and counsels, which have no truth and reality, but of weaknesse, disho­nour, and miseries to his Majesty and whole King­dome.

VVe have lately expressed our earnest inclinati­ons to that Nationall love and amity with the United Provinces which is nourished and confir­med by so many civill respects and mutuall inte­rests, as makes it so naturall to us, that we have this Parliament in our humble Petition to his Majesty, desired, wee might be joyned with that State in a more neere and strait league and union; And wee cannot but expect some returnes from them of the like expressions; And that they will be so far from blowing the fire which begins to kindle amongst us, that they will rather endeavour to quench it by strengthening and encouraging us, who have no o­ther designe but not to be destroyed, and preserve our Religion, save our selves and the other refor­med [Page 7] Churches of Christendome from the [...] acres and extirpations with which the princ [...] of the popish Religion do threaten us & [...] which are begun to be acted in Ireland, and [...] hopes, endeavours and intentions of that [...] had long since been executed upon us, if the [...] cy, favour, and blessing of Almighty God had [...] superabounded, and prevented the sub [...] and malignity of cruell wicked and bloodthi [...] men.

MUnday there came Letters to the Parliament out of Lancashire from Manchester, intimating that there hath lately beene a great fight between the Towne, of Manchester and the Lord Strange, who set upon the Towte, having at least 2000. men, but the Townesmen did so bravely acquit themselves, that they slow six score of his men, and tooke fourescore Prisoners, and cau­sed them to retreate towards Preston, the Townesmen loo­sing but five men in all, three of them being accidentally slaine by their fellowe Souldiers. They doe earnestly desire some speedy aid from the Parliament which was intended to have been sent unto them by the Lord General from Ʋ Ʋor­cester: Eut the Parliament having received Information that his Majestie intends to drawe all the forces hee can possible together to meete the Lord Generall. It was not thought convenient that his Excellency should send any of those for­ces that are with him to Manchester, but the House have ta­ken [Page] order that a thousand Dragoniers shall forthwith be [...] sed in London upon the Propositions and bee sent thither [...] der the command of Sir Edward Ceton for it is very [...] feared by the Towne that the Lord Strange will make [...]no­thet attempt against it very suddenly, and they are resolved to try it out with him and not to yeeld, they having [...] 2. pieces of Ordnance into the Towne, and are casting their Bells into Ordnance, whereby they may the better defend themselves untill more ayd and assistance can bee sent unto them.

Letters came from the Earle of Warwick intimating that he had lately taken 2. ships loden with store of Arms, and Ammunition, and about seven hundred thousand pounds in Money, which was comming out of Denmarke to assist the King.

A Letter came from the Earle of Essex signifying that hee had sent to the Earle of Dorset to acquaint him that he had a Petition to present to his Majestie from both Houses of Parliament, desiring his Lo [...]dship to acqua [...]nt his Majestie therewith, and that hee might be informed of some fitting way or meanes for the presenting thereof to his Majestie which for the present the Earle of Essex could not doe in re­gard he knewe not certainly whether his Majestie would re­ceive it, or how it should come peaceably to him, whereup­on the Earle of Dorset sent a Letter to the Earle of Essex in­timating that he had acquainted his Majestie therewith who answered that he would alwayes have his eare open to any Petition that came from the Parliament but would not re­ceive any from the hands of Traytors or any that he had proclaimed soe.

Whereupon being put to the Question it was voted to this effect. viz.

That for his Majestie to deny the receiving of any Petiti­on by the hands of those that he accompts to be Traytors, is in effect a flat denyall of receiving any Petition at all from them, for in proclayming the Earle of Essex a Traytor hee had proclaymed the whole Parliament Traytors so that his [Page] Majesties refusing to receive this petition was a great abridgment of the Priviledge of Parliament, and therfore voted; that the said Earl should advance forwards with his forces, and that the Earl of Essex should use some means that those votes of the h [...]use should be presented to his Majesty.

On Tuesday morning letters were read in the house, which came frow Yorkshire, certifying the house, that since the ta­king up of Arms in that County under the Command of the L. Fairfaxe against the Earl of Cumberland and his Cavaleers, there was a Treaty of Peace, and certain Articles agreed up­on on both sides, whereby they agreed that Armes should be laid down on both sides, and th [...]t they should stand a Neuters between the King and Parliam [...]nt, and preserve the peace of the County against all Fo [...]ces that should come against them and that his Majesty shall have libe [...]ty to remove all the Ca­nons and Ammunition as he hath in t [...]at county, except such as M. Hotham brought from Hull, with divers o [...]her Articles very prejudiciall to that county: but Mr. Hotham and many others that were for the Parliament did utte [...]ly refuse to joyn in the said agreement, but were gone to Doncaster there to remain with those Fo [...]ces they had, untill they hear what fur­ther d [...]rections they shall receive from the Barliament.

It was also certified by le [...]ers to the house, that Sir Ed­ward H [...]ron high Sheriffe of Yorkshire, which formerly hath shewed a good affection to the Parliament, had a great hand in drawing on the county to agree to those Articles.

At which agreement the house was much discontented, and after long debate therof, a Declaration was drawn up, shewing, that none of the parties had any authority to bind the County to any such Neutrality, it being a priviledge pe­culiar to the Parliament onely,

Secondly, That it is very prejudiciall to the whole King­dome. Thirdly, that it is derogatory to the power and au­thority of Parliament. Fourthly, That many things in that A­greement, are very unequall, contrary to the nature o [...] Neu­trality, being more advantagious to one side then another, and would be a great Impeachment to that good Agreement be­twixt his Majesty and his subjects, which both houses do e [...] ­nestly desire.

Information was also given to the house, that although the County of Hereford for the greatest part therof, were hereto­fore against the Parliament, they are now better informed in their Judgments, and begin to incline much towards the Par­liament be [...]ng much incensed against the Cavaleers, and have sent 350. men to Worcester to aid and assist the Parliament, under the Lord Generall.

There was Letters came to the house on Ʋ Ʋednesday, that the Lord Ʋ Ʋilloughby of Parham in the County of Lin­coln, signifying that he had received instruction from the house, for the aiding and assisting of Yorkshire against the E. of Cumberland, and that notwithstanding the Treaty and agree­ment that was made between the L. Fairfaxe and the rest of the Gentry and the Earl of Cumberland: yet he intends to go on according to his instructions, and that on Thursday next the whole body of Yorkshire were to meet, according to appoint­ment at their making of the said Agreement; at which mee­ting they expect to hear the pleasure of the house, which doubtlesse they w [...]ll present for the whole west Ryding, and a great other part of that County, were disascenting to the said Agreement.

Letters were read in the house of Commons, intimating that the City of Hereford being apprehensiue of the danger that they were in be reason of the Cavaleers, which they fea­red would surprize that City, and so expose them to much danger, as they had done lately at Worster, they sent to the E. of Essex, shewing that they desired to assist the Parliament, but because there was a great Malignant party in the City, those that were well-affected did not dare to stand upon their guard without they had some forces sent from the Parliament which they might cleave unto. Wherupon his Excellency sent one thousand foot, and four Troopes of horse to make good that City, and to settle the Militia there, and that a sufficient Garrison should stay there to maintain the peace thereof.

Letters came out of Somersetshire, intimating that Sir Ralph Hopt [...]n with about 100 men were gone into Cornwall, but the Marquis of Hartford was in Monmouthshire in Ʋ Ʋales, and [Page] that the Earl of Bedford had left a strong garrison at Mi [...]head and severall other places, to keep the Marquis from com­ming back again to any of those strong holds.

There was also upon Thursday last, being the sixth of October, a packet of Letters brought to the House from Yarmouth, which were taken comming out of Holland with a ship and divers other things together with many Commanders therein, comming from the Queen to assist his Majesty, which were taken in this manner, viz.

On Monday night last, there was a ship driven in a Yarmouth by a contrary wind (it being bound for Newcastle) which came out of Holland being a ship which her Majesty bought with her own money, and had sent it before to his Majesty, the Queen her selfe as his supposed being very shortly to come after, ha­ving shipping prepared for her conduct, which ship was searched at Yarmouth, and about 140. Comman­ders were in it, and twelve pieces of Ordnance, with great store of powder, &c. which were brought up to London.

This day Newes was brought to the House, that Prince Robert with about ten Troops of horse was at Bridgenorth, the Kings Majesty being for the most part at Shrewsbury, and it was conceived that the E. of Essex with his mayne Army are now upon their march toward Bridgnorth, where the King hath drawn his main forces his Excellency being now in the mid­way between VVorster and Bridgnorth, having left a strong Garrison in Bewdly, which stands upon the River of Severn, and so the two Armies being drawne so neer together, it is very probable they will have a­nother Battle very shortly.

[...] to have bin some of the Friars Treasure, but being o­pened, there was nothing in it of any great conse­quence.

Vpon Friday there was a Conference of both [...] ses, concerning the presenting of the petition which the E. of Essex hath to be presented to the King, [...] ageeed that in regard his Majesty had refused to ac­cept thereof from any that he had proclaimed to b [...] traytors, and in so doing, he had denyed to receive any petition from the Parliament. It was agreed that Hi [...] Excellency should proceede according to his Instr [...] ­ctions, and that he should use such means for the pre­senting of the said petition to his Majesty, as he shold think fit, and therupon a Post was sent away to his Ex­cellency with Letters to that effect.

Letters was reade in the house which came out of Holland from M, Strickland, intimating that the queen had provided 4. ships to come into England with men and ammunition to assist his Maj. and that the States of Holland had made stay therof, and that the united Provinces did professe much love and affection to the Parliament, and was very vigilant that no provision of Men, Arms, or Moneys, should come from thence to aid his Majesty in this unnatural war against his good Subiects.

VVherupon it was agreed, that a Letter of thankes should bee sent to the States of Holland, for their faithfulnesse to this Kingdome.