THE DECLARATION of the right Honourable, HENRY Earl of Cumberland; Together with diverse Gentlemen of the County of York, who desire it may be put in print, and published in all the Parish Churches of this County. 26 August. 1642.  
YORK: Printed by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: And by the assigns of JOHN BILL. 1642.   

THE DECLARATION of the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Cumberland, Together with divers Gentlemen of the County of York, who desire it may be put in print, and published in all the Parish Churches of this County.  
WHereas it appears, That some Gentlemen of this county, have given information to one of the Members of the House of Commons, of many great oppressions exercised upon His majesty's Subjects here, And that a tyrannical government is founded, under pretence of His majesty's service; and have thereby, and upon that misinformation, drawn a Declaration from the Lords and Commons, bearing date the twentieth of August instant, to be published to the people, which is grounded upon those, and divers other false informations: We hold it our duties to the Honourable Houses, to the satisfaction of the County, and vindication of our own honours and integrity herein, to declare, That we are so far from being contrivers, or Instruments of Arbitrary Government or Tyranny, or doing any Act, whereby the country may receive loss, or suffer violence, That all our endeavours shall tend to no other end, then to assur● it from spoil and rapine, and to protect every person therein, (as far as we can) from injury and oppression.  
To the better advancement of which good desires and resolutions, the Grand Jury (the representative body of this County) at the Assizes last holden, presented their humble requests to His Sacred majesty, and received thereunto His Gracious approbation: And thereupon some progress hath been made, and resolutions taken, aiming only at the tranquillity of this County, and at no other end or purpose whatsoever: And if any have, or do misunderstand those propositions, or wrest them to any other sense than they were intended, they do it without any ground at all. For we profess, That we have not gone about to conceive, or act any thing, for sinister or by respects, but only for the benefit and peace of the County in general, and of every particular Person therein; and that we conceive our doings, warranted by the Law of Nature and Necessity, and Authorized by a former order of Parliament, which declares, That such Counties as put themselves in a posture of defence, have done nothing but what is justifiable: And in pursuance whe●●of, and agreeing upon the like Resolutions and Propositions to these, we have formerly received approbation, and public thanks from the House of Commons.  
We do therefore further unanimously publish to all lovers of Peace, That we neither have, nor will do any act, or acts of other nature, or tending to other consequence, than those formerly agreed on in this County, upon the like occasion, by the justices of Peace, the eight and twentieth of January last, and for which, we, by order from the House of Commons, received thanks the first of February following. As also, That we will not go about to take the Arms of any honest Gentlemen, Yeomen, or townsmen, as we perceive is falsely misreported to the House, we having ourselves hitherto done no such thing, nor intending as far as in us lies, to suffer others to do the same, unless we be enforced to the contrary by hostile actions, or pregnant suspicions from the parties.  
We do likewise promise, That we will preserve to our uttermost endeavours, the peace of the County, and by all just ways, oppose, and bring to punishment all such as plunder and pillage any person or persons of what degree, quality, or profession soever in this County.  
That we will constantly, and with one mind, aid and assist all his M●jesties Subjects, to defend them from oppression or violence, and not go about to take any man's goods, or levy money by force.  
These, and no other being our united resolutions, we are confident they will receive the assistance and concurrence of the whole County, to bring to a wished effect a work of so much safety and concernment unto us all.  
And therefore (according to the Presentment of the Grand Jury, who resolved, that less than eight thousand, six hundred, and forty pounds, two shillings six pence, could not perform this necessary work) we have proportioned (according to ancient and unquestioned rates) the said Sum, and have sent the several proportions agreed upon, justly rated, to every Parish; not at all doubting, but that every man's good affection to his country, and care of his own well being, will prompt him, with all cheerfulness, to put his ready hand to such a pious and necessary work, which we desire may be speedily put in execution in every respective Parish, the people called together by the Mini●ter, Constable, Chur●hwardens, and Overseers of the poor, or some other well-affected persons, and the name of those men returned in writing, who do accordingly pay, or agree to pay their proportions; together wit● the names of those (which we cannot believe will be many) who are backward, or deny to pay so small a Sum, thus laid in balance, with the safety of themselves and their country. And if there be any so void of affection to his country, as to refuse his concurrence in this affair, of such general and particular concernment, we shall wash our hands, as guiltless from the consequence of that crime, and rest satisfied with the conscience of our good endeavours, for Unity, Peace, and a right understanding, the only way to render this County safe and flourishing, and every particular person void of fear and mistakings, and assured of his person, goods, and family.  
Since these, and no other, are the determinations of our (by some so much mistaken) meetings, if any who have not hitherto been present with us, will, for the time to come assist us, with their company and advice, they shall be willingly received, as members of the same County, enjoy free liberty of debate, and receive suitable respect; that so, with united hearts and hands, we may all join together, to the glory of God, the service of our King, the preservation of true Religion, and the tranquillity and assurance of this our country.  
FINIS.