HIs Majesty having an intent to besiege Sir John Hotham, a Member of the House of Com­mons, and by their appoint­ment Governor of his Maje­sties Towne of Hull, and to that end ha­ving summoned all the Gentlemen Freehol­ders and others that had underwrit for Horse for His Majesties service, giving them com­mand to march towards Hull, there to at­tend His Majesties further pleasure.

Sir Iohn Hotham having intelligence of his Majesties intention, thought it neces­sary to use the best prevention that he could to secure the Towne from being ta­ken, [Page 2] knowing how disadvantagious the losse thereof would prove to the procee­dings of Parliament, and the Peace of the Kingdome, and that hee might al­together be left destitute of meanes to pro­secute his Service begun, hee sent out a a party of his men, with command that they should fetch in all the Cattell and Sheepe, that they could find within foure Miles of the said Towne, which being ac­cordingly performed, he gave order that the sluces should be drawne up, and that they should drowne the Medowes 3. miles round, to prevent the Kings Forces of mar­ching too neare, he being not able to vie for the present with so great a power.

His Majesty having received intelligence of what Sir John Hotham had done, drew his Forces to Beverley, and from thence surrounded them at foure Miles distance, stopping all passages either to or from Hull withall cutting of all meanes of reliefe ei­ther by Sea or Land, taking away the Springs of fresh water, by that meanes to starve [Page 3] them up, neverthelesse Sir Iohn Hotham sent private intelligence to the Parliament, cer­tifying what hee had done, and in what estate himselfe and the Towne was, which the Lords and Commons taking into con­sideration, thought it necessary to declare their resolution to the world, as followes.

Whereas Sir John Hotham hath been for­ced for the prevention of the sudden sur­prifall and destruction of the Town of Hull, to let in some Tydes from Humber, upon the grounds adjoyning to the said Towne.

They have therefore promised and assu­red all persons whatsoever that are owners or Farmers of the said grounds, which are impayred by this overflowing of the Water, full and ample satisfaction for any losse they shall sustaine.

Likewise, they doe promise to second and save harmelesse all such persons as shall ei­ther by Sea or Land furnish them with any provision of Victuall, Beere, or any other thing; and also make good payment for [Page 4] the same, also that all persons of the said Towne, as stand well affected to the service and stand close in their fidelity and assistance to the Governour thereof, they doe here­by assure them that they are resolved that they shall receive encouragement and pro­tection from them, answerable to such a service.

Likewise, they for the speedy reliefe of the said Towne have used their utmost en­deavour to raise supplyes of men and Arms, as may appeare by their Propositions to the City of London.

1. That the Propositions should be ten­dered to the Common Councell of London, that they would consider of a way, for the speedy raising of 10000 men within the City.

2. That the said men should be forthwith listed to Officers, trained and entered into pay.

3. That they shall march into any part of this Kingdome by the direction and Au­thority of Parliament.

[Page 5] 4. That if the Citizens of London shall find any Armes towards the setting forth of these men, if any Armes be lost or spoyled, they shall be made good unto them.

5. That seeing there is such preparation with the King in the North, they desire that these Propositions may be put in exe­cution within foure dayes.