WHEREAS Wee the Gentlemen and Freeholders of this County of Berks, were generally met together at Abingdon, upon some intimation of an Election of a Knight of the Shire, in pursuance of your Order, for the filling up of this Parliament; and that some solicitations were used throughout the County for Voyces, and being jealous to be surprised therein by any Clandestine carriage of the Writ: And whereas at this Meeting it was further taken into consideration, that this County have with the rest of this Nation been deeply sensible of many insupportable grievances and oppressions of late dayes, occasioned through the want of a real, setled, and regular Government; and in particular, that the Commissioners for the Militia having formerly charged the Countrey to provide Arms, which was done accordingly, the said Commissioners do yet direct their Warrants for the bringing in of Twenty shillings for every Foot Arms; which we are very confident is besides the intent of the Act which impowers them, and are ignorant otherwise by what Authority they proceed therein; That therefore, having seriously consulted the Remedies which might be proper for these and the like Inconveniences for the future, and by Gods blessing reduce us unto a firm, free, and legal settlement of our Rights, Civil and Religious; Wee conceived it to be our duty towards God and our Countrey, without any private ends whatsoever, to declare our selves in this sense; That we take the most satisfactory expedient for it, will be, the recalling of all those Members that were secluded in 1648. and that before the first force upon the Parliament. And, that in the Elections which shall be of any other Members in the vacant places, such due course may be taken, as that the Countrey may not any way be surprised or over-awed therein: And, that the secluded Members may be admitted to Sit without any Oath or Engagement to restrain their Freedome in the least; Wherein we shall be ready to defend You and Them with whatsoever is dearest unto us, against all opposition: And pray unto Almighty God for his assistance to the happy accomplishment of what may best conduce to the Peace and Safety of this Nation.

[This is subscribed by most of the chief Gentlemen and Freeholders of the County of Berks.]