To the Constables and Overseers of_____  
BY virtue of a Warrant to me directed from the standing Committee at Chelmsford, intimating that the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament considering the oppressions and miseries that now do threaten the utter ruin and desolation of this kingdom in general, and of this, and the other associated Counties in particular, ●…nd how necessary it is that all men well affected that have any compassion towards their afflicted country should now put themselves into a present posture of defence, by raising forces of Horse and Foot for the defence of the association from the invasion of Irish Rebels, popish and other ill affected persons, have for these and many other weighty reasons by an Ordinance bearing date the fifth of July last, Ordained and Declared that this County among others shall be put forthwith into a posture of defence. These are therefore to require you by the Authority aforesaid to return the names, at the time and place hereafter appointed, of all persons within your Precincts who are worth one hundred pounds or more in lands or goods, or in lands and goods together; to the end they may be charged severally with Horse and arms, so as no person be charged with an Harquibushire or light Horse unless he hath an hundred pounds per annum in lands, or be worth one thousand two hundred pounds in goods and lands; nor with a dragoon unless he be worth four hundred pounds in goods, or forty pounds per annum in lands; nor with a Foot-Armes, unless he be worth an hundred pounds in goods, or ten pounds per annum in lands. You are likewise required to publish to all men, that this extraordinary charge and imposition of arms, according to the express words of the Ordinance itself, shall continue no longer then during these times of imminent danger, and shall be no precedent for the future. And you are to make return hereof unto the Deputy-lieutenants at the sign of the_____ in_____ on_____ being the_____ day of next ensuing by nine of the clock In the morning.