A LETTER FROM The Right Honourable Ferdinando Lord Fairfax, Sir Hugh Cholmley, Sir Philip Stapleton, Sir Henry Cholmley, Committees of the Commons House of Parliament residing at York. Being a Relation of all the Passages at the great Meeting at York, on Thursday the 12. of this instant May. WITH The Names of those Gentlemen that Concurred with the King concerning a Guard for his Sacred Person. And the Petition of the County, with his majesty's Answer to it. ALSO, The freeholders PROTESTATION, enclosed in the Letter from the said Committee, to Master Speaker, and ordered by the said House to be forthwith published in Print. And the Votes against removing the next Term to York. H. Elsing. Cler. Parl. Dom. Com. LONDON, Printed for Richard Lownes, and are to be sold without Ludgate. 1642. SIR, IN our last Letter we gave you an account of our first and second waiting on the King, we writ to you then, that his Majesty commanded us to attend him yesterday being Thursday, to hear what he said to the Gentlemen, which a little before the meeting he seconded by a particular Message. Being come thither, his Majesty caused the several Messages between him and the Parliament, mentioned in this enclosed paper printed to be read. This was done with much humming and applause of the King's Messages, by some persons who had placed themselves near about where the King stood. But when any thing from the Parliament came to be read, with so much hissing and reviling the Parliament, that though in respect and duty to the King's person we could not resent it, as otherwise we should have done; yet have since expostulated, and complained of it to his Majesty. Some were so bold as to say openly, That the Parliament-men should set their houses in order, for many of them should shortly have their heads off: One of which (as since we are credibly informed) was one Hurst, a servant to one Master William Crofts. In this which was said by the King, you will see what reason we had to vindicate ourselves, and therefore we immediately repaired to the Deans house with all the other Gentlemen, and there we took notice of the rough usage we had received; We told them that it was neither indiscretion nor disobedience in us (as his Majesty was pleased to call it) to deliver the Parliaments Message, or to stay here though commanded to the contrary, since we conceived no man needed to be satisfied in so clear a case as this. That every Member of each House ought to obey their commands, when they were pleased to employ them. But since his Majesty thought fit to bid them take heed of us, not knowing what doctrine of disobedience we might preach to them, under colour of obeying the Parliament; we apppealed to every man, whether we had in word or deed, in public or in private, done any thing that became not honest men, and persons employed from the Parliament. That we had communicated our Instructions to his Majesty, being that we would avow all our actions, and that we were confident it would not be said we had transgressed them. This was very well taken and justified by the country. Yesterday there came divers thousands of Freeholders to this City, though none but the Gentry were summoned, but receiving a command from the King not to come to Court, they forbore, and stayed in the Castle yard, yet sent this Petition enclosed to his Majesty, and received the answer annexed thereunto. There was likewise a Committee of twelve Gentlemen appointed yesternight to consider of drawing up an Answer to the King's proposition concerning a Guard: but nothing could be then done, because it was past 3. a clock, before the Gentleman were admitted to the King. This morning the Freeholders assembled again in the Castle yard, and there they made this Protestation enclosed, of their right of voting in what concerneth the Peace of the country, as having their interest therein. When we all met all this morning again at the Deans house, we who are your Committees received this Message by Sir Edward Stanhope, That he came from his Majesty to command us, that we should depart from this meeting; and if we did stay, his Majesty would judge us guilty of that he spoke of yesterday, which was, Tampering. Notwithstanding which Command, we read the fourth Article of our Instructions to the whole Company, that being pertinent to the business we were then upon; and desired them to consider, whether the Parliament had not expressed therein such a care of the King's safety, that there would be little need of Guards: we told them that we had a good right of being there as freeholders of the County, but that in obedience to the King we would depart for this time; but whensoever there should be occasion of our being there, in pursuance of our Instructions and Commands from the Parliament, we should be ready. The whole Company received great satisfaction, and desired a Copy of that instruction; which we gave them. We were the more willing at that time to go from thence, because we should not only give obedience to the King's command, which otherwise he would have said we constantly disobeyed; but because the Committee of Twelve appointed yesternight were then to withdraw; so that there was nothing for the present for us to do: We immediately went to the King, and besought him that since we were continually so discountenanced by him, in the face of our Country, that he would be pleased to let us know in particular wherein we had given the occasion; for we otherwise conceived we were deprived of that Liberty, which was our due in respect of that Interest we had here. His Majesty was pleased to tell us, that if we would lay aside that Condition of Committees from the Parliament, he would not hinder us to be there as Gentlemen of the country: We humbly replied, That we could not lay that down, nor could we be absent from any meeting where our presence was required, for the service as Committees from the Parliament: To which his Majesty said, That indeed he thought we could not lay it down, neither that it was reasonable we should have Votes, and be in a double capacity. The Committee hath been here most part of this day, but not agreeing, six of them have drawn up this Answer enclosed, which they have communicated to the Gentlemen and Freeholders: The greater part of the Gentlemen, and all the freeholders have agreed to, and subscribed it. The other six have concluded upon this other Answer, consenting to a guard of Horse; but this we do not hear they have gotten many names to, nor can we get a copy of those names as yet, though these be very few, yet whether they can bring in any Horse or no, we cannot yet judge. The King hath received both these resolutions, which with his Answers to them you shall likewise have here enclosed. His Majesty had declared himself yesterday, that he would raise that Regiment which was Sir Robert strickland's, for his foot guard: But he hath now laid aside that resolution. The freeholders of the County are now newly summoned to attend his Majesty about a week hence, the three Ridings upon three several days; but for what service we know not. Sir, you have here a large Narrative of the passages at this Meeting, what dangers this poor country lies under. We humbly refer it to you to judge, not taking upon us to deliver any opinion. The business lasted so long, that is hindered us from giving a more speedy account. Sir, this is what at this time is sent from Your assured friends and servants, Fer. Fairfax. Hu. Cholmley. Philip Stapleton. He. Cholmley. York 13, Maii 1642. To the Kings most Excellent majesty. We Knights and Gentlemen whose names are subscribed do unanimously present this our answer to your majesty's propositions concerning the raising of a guard of Horse for the security and defence of your sacred person. To which proposition, as we conceive ourselves bound by Allegiance, do willingly concur. For that purpose humbly desiring that the aforesaid may be raised by legal Authority: And likewise that it may consist of persons unquestionable in their Religion, and Gentlemen. The substance of his majesty's Answer. HIS Majesty gave them thanks, for it appeared as a satisfactory answer, and in it they had showed great circumspection and wisdom, by choosing such whose Loyalties could not be questioned, by excluding Recusants, and all suspected to be disaffected. Sir Thomas Fairefax Sir William Constable Sir Matthew Boynton Sir Thomas Gower Sir Wil. St. Quintin Sir Edward Rhodes Sir William Crayley Sir Thomas Norcliffe Sir Arthur Ingram Sir Richard Darley Sir Jarvas Cutler Sir William Fairefax Sir Hugh Bethel Sir John Savell Sir William Lyster Sir Thomas Renington Master Tho. Jopson Henry St. Quintin Arthur Noel Tobias jenkin's Henry jenkin's John Ferrer. John West Henry Atkinson Henry Wythes William bethel George mountain Thomas Stockdale William Gower Richard Trewman Sackvill Pope Thomas Heblethwait George ewer George Marwood John Savile of Medlee John Saltmarshe William Copley Lionel Copley Edward Gower Cuthbert Creak William Cobb Doyley Gower Thomas Rookeby John Calverley Francis Grimston John Anlaby Arthur Beckwith Christopher Waters Matthew Beckwith Christopher Copley Thomas Croft William Parker George Trotter Henry Westby William jemimgings Thomas Bradford Richard Wilbore Job Hackwod Matthew Alured Robert Sheppard John Acklam John Stillington Jervas Hamand John Cholmeley Thomas Newark Henry Savile Lancelot Alured John Lambert Francis Grimston Mr Stephen Quintin Willoughby Godfrey John Stillington John Beverley Mr Bomton George Westby Benjamin Browne Charles Fairfax Henry Arthington Henry Tempest. These are the names subscribed in one sheet, there being many other sheets filed together all of them subscribed, and amongst them many Gentlemen of note, bu● I took note only of the first sheet, having no more time. To the Kings Most Excellent majesty The Humble Petition of many thousands of Your Majesties peaceably affected Subjects of the County of YORK. Humble showeth, THat many of your Petitioners being in their late desires of petitioning Your Majesty denied access, kept back with violence, and receiving great affronts from some that have dependency on Your Majesty and others there Assembled, yet no provocation could remove them from their patience and duty, which proceedings are taken more to heart, Your Petitioners conceiving it undeniable that they have an Interest in the commonwealth, and are as dutiful, and loyal Subjects to Your Majesty as whomsoever, though diverse of them have been since uncivilly pressed by some in Your Maje●●ies name to subscribe a paper, styled the humble Answer to Your majesty's propositions, and threatened thereto, upon which blows followed: and that when Your majesty's Army should be on foot those should be first pillaged that refused such subs●r●ption, which we humbly conceive are positively contrary to Your Majesties own expressions, and is to the high dishonour o● You● Majesty, and t●e g●eat affrightm●nt, and disturbance of Your majesty's liege people. Therefore your Petitioners having too just cause to fear Your majesty's royal heart is still endangered to be possessed with some distaste of Your Petitioners humbly supplicate Your Majesty, to conceive better things of them, & to cast Your eye upon the present state of this Your Kingdom, that as Your Majesty hath often declared Your affection to this County, so now Your love might now be expressed in preserving the peace thereof, and that Your Majesty would admit of a right information of the clear intentions of Your Petitioners, who are confident that no so absolute, and hearty observance to Your majesty's just Commands can be demonstrated as what Your Majesty in Parliament shall declace: which if it become divided (as God forbid) our hearts even tremble to consider the dangers and diminution of the honour, and safetay of Your majesty's posterity, and Kingdoms will unavoidably b● put upon since, it is clear to every understanding, that it is not a divided part of one o● several Counties that can offord that honour, and safe●y to your Majesty as the whole kingdom, which you may command, no ground of fear or danger remaining, if a good Confidence were begot betwixt your Majesty and Parliament, whose grave, and loyal counsels are as we humbly conceive the visible way under God to put a speedy end to the troubles of Ireland, and establish your Throne in righteousness. And lastly, your Petitioners do most humbly supplicate that we may represent our unfitness to become Judges betwixt your Majesty and Parliament in any thing, or dispute the Authority of either, which they humbly conceive do fortify each other, it being most unfit for them to act any thing therein but by their prayers for a right understanding between your Majesty and them, which we shall heartily do, as also for your majesty's long and prosperous Reign, and as we are bound by our late Protestation shall be eady to maintain your majesty's just rights, the privileges and power of Parliament and the lawful liberties of the Subjects. The King's Answer to the Petition of the Coun●rey at the Court at York, May 13. 1642. His Majesty HAving with some care considered this Petition, being the first of this nature that hath been presented to him wherein any appearing well affected to his service (though he hath heard of many in the Contrary) have misdemeaned themselves, hath commanded me to give you this answer. That he doth totally discover proceedings complained in of the Petition, and expects that you and all other his loyal Subjects shall rest satisfied with his several Gracious Declarations and constant peaceable practice towards his people to the contrary, and for further assurance upon just proof made against any man who hath committed any violence in words or actions (without just provocation) full reparation shall be given to the parties injured. As for the rest of this Petition, his Majesty saith that it is so confused that he doth not well know what positive Answer to give it. And the rather because it is grounded upon misinformation, both of his majesty's proceedings and intentions, as in particular, his Majesty saith he never intended to have you to be judges betwixt him and his Parliament. And for the other part of this Petition he refers to his Messages, Declarations, and Answers, whereby it will clearly appear that his desire and intention is only the preserving of the true protestant profession, the laws of the land, the liberty of his people, the peace of the kingdom: And the peace of this County in particular. The Protestation of the Freeholders. May 1●. 1642. Whereas his majesty hath b●en pleased to give Summons to the Gentry of this County, to attend him at his Court at York the the twelfth of May instant, to advise with him in some particulars, concerning the honour and safety of his majesty's person, and the well-being and peace of this our County, and in the said summons was pleased to omit the freeholders of this County, out of a tender respect of putting them to any extraordinary charge, yet we, conscious of our sincere Loyalty to his Majesty our gracious sovereign, and conceiving ourselves according to the proportions of our estates, equally interested in the common good of the the County, did take boldness to come in person to York, and were ready to attend his majesty's pleasure there. And whereas his Majesty was pleased then to propound several things to the purpose aforesaid, at the meeting of the Country, to consider a fit answer to return to his Majesty thereupon, the doors of the meeting House were shut against us, we utterly excluded, and in our absence a referee of Knights and Gentlemen chosen without our knowledge or consent to draw up the said Answer, We the Freeholders who petitioned his majesty the day abovesaid, concerning ourselves abundantly injured in the Election (not knowing any warrant by writ or otherwise for the same) of the said referee, and that we ought not however to be concluded by any resolution of theirs without our assent in their election, do absolutely protest and declare against the said election; & as far as concerns us, disavow whatsoever shall be the result of their Consultation thereupon, and do desire a new and fair Eleiction of a referee may be made, we admitted to our free Votes in the same, and some one or more to be nominated by us, allowed to deliver our sense for us, at another Meeting: And that we shall not make good in the least respect any thing whatsoever which shall otherwise be concluded upon. Die Martis, 17. Maii. 1642. whereas the Lords in Parliament, have this day been Informed, That the King is Resolved to adjourn the next Term from Westminster to York; upon which, The Lords sent a Committee to the Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England, to know of him, whether he had received any command touching the same, who acquainted the said Committee, That he had received command from His Majesty, to issue Proclamations, and Writs, to that purpose. whereupon, this House taking the said matter into consideration, hath Voted, That the King's removal of the Term to York, from Westminster, sitting this Parliament, is illegal. And hath further ordered, That the said Lord Keeper shall not issue out any Writs, or Seal any Proclamation, for adjourning the said next Term from Westminster to York, as aforesaid. Joh. Brown, Cleric. Parl. FINIS.