HIS majesty's LETTER TO THE MAJOR, ALDERMEN, sheriffs, and the rest of the common-council of the city of Bristol.  
TRusty and well-beloved We greet you well.  
Whereas We are informed that by the power and Authority of certain Factious and Rebellious Persons in that Our city of Bristol, diverse of Our good Subjects (as namely Robert yeoman's, George Bourchier, William yeoman's, Edward Dacers and others) of that Our city are imprisoned for preserving their Duty and Loyalty to Us, and for refusing to join in, or assist this horrid and odious Rebellion against Us, and that the said wicked and traitorous Persons, have presumed to condemn the said innocent Men to die, and upon such their sentence notoriously against the laws of God and Man, they intend to execute and murder Our said Subjects; We have thought fit to signify to you the Major, Aldermen, sheriffs, and the rest of the body of the council of that Our city, that if you suffer this horrid and execrable murder to be committed upon the Persons aforesaid, and thereby call the just judgement of God, and bring perpetual infamy upon that Our city, We shall look upon it as the most barbarous and inhuman Act that hath been yet committed against Us, and upon you as the most desperate betrayers of Us, and of the Lives and Liberties of your fellow Subjects, And We do therefore will and Command you, not to suffer any violence to be done upon the Persons aforesaid, but that if any such be attempted against them, that you raise all the power and strength of that Our city for their rescue, and to that purpose We command all Our good Subjects of that Our city to aid and assist you upon their Allegiance, and as they hope for any Grace and Favour at Our hands, And that you and they Kill and Slay all such who shall attempt or endeavour to take away the lives of Our said Subjects, And for so doing this shall be your warrant. And here of you may not fail at your utmost peril.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford the 29. day of May. 1643