THE Desires, and Resolutions OF THE CLVB-MEN OF THE COUNTIES OF Dorset and Wilts.

WITH The Articles of their Covenant, and certaine Directions for the present behaviour, made, and agreed on at a Meeting of the Inhabitants (of the said Counties) at Gorehedge-corner, May, 25. 1645.

AND Read at Badburie in Dorsetshire, by Mr. YOUNG a Lawyer; where there were present neere 4000 armed, with Clubs, Swords, Bils, Pitch-forkes, and other severall weapons, &c.

Published according to Order.

LONDON, Printed by THO. FORCET, 1645.

The Desires and Resolutions of the CLUB-MEN, of the Counties of Dorset and Wilts.

WEe the miserable Inhabi­tants of the said Coun­ties being too too deep­ly touched with the ap­prehension, and sense of our past, and present suf­ferings, occasioned only by these Civill, and unnaturall Warrs with­in this Kingdome: And finding by sad ex­perience, that by meanes thereof, the true worship of Almighty God, and our Religi­on are almost forgotten, and that our anci­ent Lawes, and Liberties, contrary to the great Charter of England, and the Petition of Right, are altogether swallowed up in the Arbitrary power of the Sword. And [Page 2]fore-seeing that Destruction; F [...]mine, and ut­ter Desolation will inevitably fall upon us, our wives, and children (unlesse God of his infinite mercy shall upon our true humilia­tion bee graciously pleased to impose a pe­riod to these sad distractions) are unanimous­ly resolved, wherein we desire the concur­rence of all the Garrisons of this County to joyne in Petitioning His Majestie, and the two Houses of Parliament for an happy Peace, and accommodation of the present differences, without further effusion of Chri­stian bloud. Without which accommodati­on, we cannot expect the enjoyment of our Religion, Liberties, or properties. And lest any false aspersion of indevouring, or desiring to introduce Popery, or Arbitrary govern­ment should be cast on all, or any of us, we do al with one heart & mind, professe before God, and the world, our selves enemies to both. And that we ayme at nothing herein, save only the glory of God, and the good of the Church and State. And for that purpose we do here declare, that we really intend to [Page 3]the utmost hazard of our lives, and fortunes.

First, To maintaine, and defend the true re­formed Protestant Religion, and the Inheritance of the Crowne.

Secondly, To joyne with, and assist one another in the mutuall defence of our Liberties, and Pro­perties against all Plunderers, and all other un­lawfull violence whatsoever.

Thirdly, We doe hereby resolve, and faith­fully promise each to other, that if any person or persons whatsoever, who shall concurre with, and assist us in these our Resolutions, happen to suffer in his person or estate in the execution of the pre­mises, that shall be accounted as the suffering of the generality, and reparation shall be made to the party suffering, according to his dammages; and in case losse of life, provision shall be made for his wife and children, and that at the Countreys charge.

Fourthly, We doe hereby declare all such un­worthy of our assistance, as shall refuse to joyne with us in the prosecution of these our Just in­tentions

Certaine Directions for present behaviour, made, and agreed on at a meeting of the Inha­bitants of Dorset, and Wilts at Gore-hedge-corner. May 25. 1645.

WHEREAS by the Articles of our Associ­ation, we challenge unto our selves no other freedome for the present from the burden of warres, then to preserve our selves from Plunder, and all o­ther unlawfull violence: It is therefore advised by the generality, that untill such time as we receive an­swer to our Petitions from His Majestie, and the Houses of Parliament. First,

1 That every Towne, Tything, and Parish, and great Hamlet, make present choice of Three, or more, of the ablest men for wisdome, valour, and estate, in­habitants of the same, unto whom at all times they may repaire for assistance, and direction.

2 That the Constables, Tythingmen, or any o­ther Officers of the Towne, Tything, Parish or Li­berty, in pursuance of the Statute in that case provi­ded, set a constant watch of two men, at the least, e­very night wel armed, and by day also if need require: And the number of the Watch men to be encreased according to the direction of the said able men, and Officers.

3 That the Watchmen be charged not to stop or examine any Souldier in his march, nor any other Passenger that passeth peaceably, but if they bee friendly spoken unto by the Passenger, to returne a friendly answer to him againe, to encourage him in his peaceable behaviour.

4 That the Watchmen keepe walking in their Precincts, in as much secrecie as conveniently they may, to avoid a sudden surprisall; and as soone as they, or either of them descrie any violence offered to any person, house or goods, (if they are not of suf­ficient strength themselves to suppresse or stop the said violence) then one of them presently repairing to one or more of the said able men, by his or their ad­vise, to raise the Parish, Town, or Hamlet into Armes to assist the distressed, and the other Watchman with all speed to repaire to the next neighbouring Watch or Watches, if need so require, and there in like manner raising the same into Armes. To bring pre­sently with him halfe of the men there Armed to re­leeve the distressed, the other halfe to remaine there ready Armed in their own Precincts, to protect the same, and apprehend the Plunderers in their retreat.

5 That all such as pretend themselves to be Soul­diers, and are taken Plundring, or doing any other un­lawfull violence, be presently dis-armed, and after ex­amination, (having confest unto which Army hee doth belong) to be safely guarded thither, (together with sufficient witnesse to proove the offence) from Tithing to Tithing, untill they bee brought to the next Garrison belonging to the said Army, and there to be delivered unto the Commander in Chiefe, with tender of witnesses to proove the crime. But in case they say, they belong to an Army which doth Quarter neere the place where the offence was comitted, then in the like manner, to convey them to the Comman­der in chiefe of the said Army.

6 That to avoid false Alarmes, no men rise into Armes, but such as are so summoned by the Watch­men, [Page 6]unlesse they see apparent violence, or in case the watchmen be defective, or surprised, or to be cal­led by a very probable out cry.

7 That all men furnish themselves with as much, and good Armes, Weapons. and Ammunition, as they can procure, and the rich out of a good consci­ence to relieve the poore herein, as also in their la­bours of Watching, and other assistance, in some proportionable measure.

8 That the Contribution-money, and all provisi­on, and necessary maintenance for the Armies, if it be demanded by a lawfull Warrant, directed to the Officer of the place, be not denyed, but every man as he is able, in some reasonable proportion forthwith to contribute; and for those that are truly unable, certificate of their inability to bee made by the said Officer, with advice of the said chosen able men of the place, unto their Commander in Chiefe, from whom the Warrant issued, with Petition for respite, and mitigation of the proportion of the said War­rant required, untill they shall be better enabled.

9 If Quarter bee demanded according to Order Martiall, the Souldier to be friendly entertained, be­having himselfe fairely in his Quarters. But if they Plunder, or offer any other violence, then to bee re­strained, and delivered unto his Commander in chief to be by him corrected.

If any inconvenience shall be found to ensue on the observation of these Directions. It is desired to be made known at the next generall Randevouz, that upon con­sultation had, it may be amended.

Vera Copia.
FINIS.

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