A DECLARATION Of the Gentry of the County of DEVON, Met at the general Quarter Sessions at EXETER, for a Free Parliament: Together with a Letter from Exeter.  
To the Right honourable WILLIAM LENTHALL SPEAKER of the PARLIAMENT.  
WE the Gentry of the County of Devon, finding ourselves without a Regular Government, after your last interruption, designed a public Meeting, to consult Remedies, which we could not so conveniently effect till this Week, at our general Quarter Sessions at Exon: Where we find divers of the Inhabitants groaning under high Oppressions, and a general defect of Trade, to the utter ruin of many, and fear of the like to others, which is as visible in the whole County, that occasioned such disorders, that were no small trouble and disturbance to us; which, by God's blessing upon our endeavours, were soon suppressed and quieted, without Blood. And though we find, since our first purposes, an alteration in the state of Affairs, by your reassembling at the Helm of Government, yet conceive, that we are but in part redressed of our Grievances; and that the chief Expedient for it will be the recalling of all those Members that were secluded in 1648. and sat before the first Force upon the Parliament. And also by filling up the vacant places. And all to be admitted, without any Oath and Engagement, previous to their Entrance. For which things, if you please to take a speedy course, we shall defend you against all Opposers, and future Interrupters, with our Lives and Fortunes. For the Accomplishment whereof, we shall use all lawful Means, which we humbly conceive may best conduce to the Peace and Safety of this Nation.  
Exon, 14th of January, 1659.   

SIR,  
THE enclosed is a Copy of what this Grand Meeting, to which the most Considerable of the Gentry have Subscribed. Mr. Bampfield, Recorder of Exon, is gone this night Post to deliver it to the Speaker. That the Cornish men have done more, is no news.  
This City, in very great numbers, Lordly expressed their desires for a Free Parliament. The Apprentices and Young men of the City got the Keys of the Gates, and keep them locked, without taking notice of the Magistrates, and less of tho soldiers.