A DECLARATION FROM YORK,  
BY Sir Francis Wortley, Knight and Baronet.  
In vindication of himself from divers aspersions and rumours concerning the drawing of his sword, and other actions, wherein he desires to give the World satisfaction.  
LONDON, Printed by A. N. for Thomas Warren, 1642.   

Rationi satisfacere possibile, voluntati vero malignitatis satisfacere nec spero, nec curo.  
I Stand accused of to errors, the first an error of my judgement poisoned with disaffection to the honourable Houses of Parliament, the other a perverse error of will, and a malignant disposition to disturb the business we had in hand, and to make a schism and Division amongst the Gentry. Crimes unbeseeming an honest or a wise man (unworthy of a Gentleman) I have therefore offered to the satisfaction of those, whom reason will satisfy, this Declaration strengthened with reason and protestation, backed with an innocent and clear conscience from that false, and scandalous information given to the honourable Houses of Parliament, (which I will avow to be so sub poena capitis, and which is more sub poena disreputationis, and which is most sub poena laesae conscientiae) if you ask me our reasons:  
First, why we petitioned that the magazine at Hull might be stayed, or why we preferred it to his Majesty, not to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, and as is pretrended in opposition to their obedience, or why we petitioned in the name of the Gentry and Commons of the County, and not in our own only, and why I presented it to his Majesty and not another, there being others of my rank and quality, as able and willing as myself to do his Majesty or the Country service.  
For the first, though the words were that the magazine at Hull, might be stayed, when the return was delivered, I explained our sense and meaning, and petitioned that so much only might be stayed as might concern his Majesty, the safety of his Princely issue, and the security of this Country, though I might well have added these six other Counties, which all depend upon the safety of the magazine at Hull. Our apprehensions of dangers were grounded upon our own great charges for watching and warding, and our Countries charge to buy powder, match and bullets, for the Foot appointed to be in readiness by the Sheriffs and other Gentlemen upon their first assembly at York, and we measured our danger by the proportion of our charge, which was to raise and arm 3000 Foot, and 300 Horse, and to maintain them three months at the country's charge, which after was made by the Sheriff and others, whereof Sir William Constable, Sir Matthew Baynton and Sir John Bourchier were chief, though I dare say as considerable men for Birth and Fortunes in the County disavow it; And as many I verily believe, as subscribed, yet we will not brand them with the character of arrogancy as they do us, Et turpe est doctri cui culpa redarguit ipsum. Besides the book directed to be printed and published by the honourable Houses of Parliament, called the Danes plot, subscribed by the clerk of the Parliament, dated Vicessimo die Martij 1641. and another to his Majesty of some intelligence from Holland, concerning the Danish intentions, his Majesty protesting against the knowledge of these, we cannot but give credit both to his Majesty, and to the intelligence, and consequently be sensible both of his Majesties, and our dangers: these I say, were just grounds, of and for our fears as well of foreign, as domestic dangers; if they were true, how are thy lessened? if not why are they pretended and put upon us with such charge? besides, admit it be public stock, are we not sharers in the public? and for placing of it at Hull, the honourable Houses of Parliament conceived it the fittest place to settle the magazine in, both in respect of the place, and that the adjacent Counties might with most ease, lest charge, and best accommodation be supplied with arms, and ammunition upon all occasions.  
For the second we made our humble addresses to our dear and gracious sovereign, and not to the honourable Houses, for these reasons following;  
We being assembled about a Petition to the Parliament concerning other businesses, we were credibly advertised, that the whole Magazine was to be carried away within two or three days, in which time we could not hope to address ourselves to the Parliament, and to reap the benefit of an answer at such a distance from them, and that we were assured his majesty's interest in the danger would stir him up, both to secure himself, and us, we did not prescribe the way to his Majesty, but left it to his Princely wisdom, we advised him not to go to Hull, nor was this Petition so much as (causa) but per accidens of his majesties going to Hull, as his Majesty knows and hath declared.  
If you ask me why we petitioned in the name of the whole County, and not in our own names? I answer, we considering our good intentions thought it would not have been disavowed, and being most of us men (how ever branded with the name of inconsiderable and disaffected men) of as good quality and consideration, and as well affected to religion, our Prince, and country; as most of those who have protested against it, we presumed that the cause merited the general assistance, I do protest for myself, and in christian charity for the rest, our intentions were good, and had no spirit of contradiction in them, much less of opposition to the honourable Houses of Parliament.  
If you ask me why I delivered it, I must protest against all arrogancy in it. I was willing to do my Prince and country that good service (as I conceived it) and being amongst others of my quality, the first in order of rank, and his majesty's servant, I must acknowledge that I was well pleased with the service, my heart and conscience, excusing me from all malignant thoughts of contradiction or opposition. And for this last charge which as I conceive consists of three parts, viz. That I came up into the Deanery, where the sheriff and Committee (as they call it) were, and there questioned the sheriff and Committee, I appeal to the sheriff and the Gentry, whether I was ever with them, or had any discourse with them or no, at that time I was going, and hearing blows above stairs, I would not embroil myself in the business so much as to go up.  
For the other that I should come down and draw my Sword and flourish it, and cried for the King, I do protest against it, and believe it was grounded upon some calling for the sheriff, upon which occasion others called for the King, insomuch as I desired the Gentlemen for the honour of God to put up their Swords, and not to spoil the King's good cause and chid; some I knew better, for it, as divers now of good quality will, and have attested. For my calling to the Hall I mentioned it not, but seconded the motion in a civil way, neither did I countenance, or move the schism and division, but consented to our address of unity, as all there present can testify. I am only sorry the Honourable houses of Parliament should be abused with such malicious and frivolous informations, and for myself, I am only sensible of the misapprehensions of my good intentions, and protest my heart is loyal to God, my King, and Country, as any, and dare avow it as far, as who dare avow the contrary.  
If this Declaration justify me amongst the rational and impartial men, I shall think myself happy in their good opinion, if not, I shall stick to the Motto of my house, which is, Amicitias volo, inimicitias sperno.  
FINIS.