To Our trusty and welbeloved, the Major, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Our Towne and Port of Kingston upon Hull.

TRusty and welbeloved, Wee greet you well, Whereas Wee have beene long sensible of the just Complaints and great Burdens of Our Subjects in these Northern parts, by occasion of the Garrison in our Town of Hull; And whereas We were upon Friday the 22. of this Moneth petitioned by divers of the Gentry, and others, Inhabitants of this County, That the Munition at Hull might remaine in the Magazin there, for the security of Our Person, and of all these Northern parts, their Feare, being much grounded upon the Par­liaments Relations of forreign Invasions: Vpon which, the more to expresse Our care of Our peoples safe­ty, We did our Selfe go in Person to that Our Town, that upon Our own view, We might consult what proportion of it might be fily removed upon any pressing Occasion, having a respect to the promised sup­ply for Scotland, the necessary use of Arms for Ireland, as well as for the safeguard and satisfaction of these Northern parts: But much contrary to Our expectation, and the Duty and Allegiance of Our Subjects, We found the Gates of that Our Town shut, and the Bridges drawn up against Vs; and though We came in a peaceable way, reposing the greatest Confidence in the Loveand Loyalty of our People, by offering (as We did) to put Our own Person, and Our two Sons, but with twenty Horse, into that Town, there being in it a Garrison of about eight hundred souldiers; Yet We were not onely denied entrance, but in a warlike manner opposed by Sir Iohn Hotham, the armed men being placed in all the Ports, and about all the Walls of the Town, alleadging(though falsly) for his excuse, The Command of the Parliament, and being pres­sed by Vs to shew such an Order in writing, he could not do it; for We were ever very confident that there was never any publike Order of theirs, that could so much as imply a denyall to Our admission; We know­ing well enough, that he was entrusted by them for a Guard and Security of that place against forreign E­nemies, or those at home who are dis-affected in Religion, and not against His naturall Soveraign, which hostile Opposition and adtuall Levying of War against Our Person, being by the Statute of 25 Ed. 3. enacted High Treason: Which Statute considered, and that for the avoyding of all lealousies, as We have said, Wee were content to have been admitted with so very small a number in our Company, We were thereupon constrained to proclaim the said sir Iohn Hotham, and all those that should adhere to, or assist him, Traytors. Of all which abovesaid passages, We have acquainted Our Parliament, demanding lustice to be done upon him, that they might thereby have oportunity to vindicate the imputation laid on them by sir Iohn Hotham, and Wethe easier way to chastize, according to the Law, so high a Treason. And lest a misunderstanding of Our Intentions, or of the Law may misguide any of Our loyall and wel-affected Subjects, the Inhabi­tants, Captains, Officers, or souldiers in that Town, We have thought fit to commend to your Considera­tion the aforenamed statute, with that of the 11. of Hen. 7. Cha. 1

Wherein it is dec [...]ared, by the unanimous Assent of Parliament, That the Subjects of this Realme are bound, by the Duty of Allegiance, to serve the King for. the time being, for the defence of His Person and the Land, against every Rebellion, Might, or Power raised against Him, and with His Majesty to ente, or abide in Service in Battell, if cause so require. And it was therefore then enacted, That from thenceforth no person whatsoever that shall attend upon the King, or be in place, by His command within or without the Land That for the same deed and true service of Allegiance, he, and they be no wayes attaint or convict of high Treason, or of other Offences for that Cause, by any Processe of Law, whereby he, or any of them shall lose or forfeit Lives, Lands, Tenements, Goods or any thing; but be for that Deed and Service utterly discharged of any vexation, trouble, or losse; And if any Act or Acts, or other Processe of Law thereupon for the same happen to be made contrary to this Ordinance, that then that Act or Acts, or other Processe of the Law whatsoever they shall be, stand and be utterly void.

All which, together with the Copies of Our Message and Petition (which We send here inclosed) We require you to publish to the Inhabitants, and all such Commanders and Souldiers as will heare them: That knowing both the Perill of the Law on the one side, and the security of such as shall adhere to Vs on the other, they be not misled (through ignorance)to decline their Allegiance; and that the Soul­diers may lay down their Arms, and admit Our entrance in a peaceable way. In so doing, you shall both discharge your duties, and those that shall have need, be assured to finde (upon such their submision) Our ready Mercy and Pardon. And We doe likewiser require, and charge all you, the Inhabitants (as well Souldiers as others) upon your Allegiance, Thatyou permit not any part of our Magazin or Munition to be removed or transported out of that Town under any pretence of Order or Power whatsoever, without our Royall Assent in writing under Our Hand. Assuring you, That it will be much more plea­sing to Vs to have Occasion administred by the Fidelity of the Inhabitants to enlarge those Graces and Immunities granted to that Town by Our predecessors, then to have any occasion to question your Charter.

Given at Our Court at Yorke, the 25 of April, 1642.