A DECLARATION By Direction of the COMMITTEE AT York, TO Their deluded and oppressed countrymen. ALSO The Letters, with the Propositions and Articles sent to the Earl of Newcastle, upon which he entered this County, and his Answer thereunto. With Observations thereupon. Printed at York by Tho. Broad. 1645. A Declaration by the Committee at York, to their deluded and oppressed countrymen. WHen the royal presence and the train of a number of Malignant Nobility was lately among you, when Courtly, curious, and cunningly penned Language was written, and uttered in your hearing, when you saw so many of the Gentry of this County your Neighbours and landlords flock to York, and adhere to, and assist the conspirators and contrivers of that opposition and force against the Parliament of England, which since hath broken forth, and been manifested to all the kingdom. It is no great wonder though the Common sort were deceived and came up in such flocks to Heworth-Moore to do service to the golden idol. But do but look a few years beyond that, and you may see several oppressions upon the Subject by all manner of Monopolies and Extortions of money; laws trodden under foot, Justice set to sale in every Court, from the highest Bench in Westminster-hall, to the Sessions and Commission of Sowers in the country. The purity of the Protestant Religion stained with Popish, Arminian, and other new invented Doctrines, and that by Authority, and out of Pulpits; and the true Worship of God turned into apish and popish inventions of men: Popery grew fast and received favour, and the true Protestant Ministers suppressed and disgraced. And Parliaments (which were the proper and only remedy to help all this, and the rest of the diseases in the politic body) not only abandoned, but by Proclamation declared a high crime, for any one to say there should be a Parliament called, and there was none in fourteen years; in which time the distempers of the Kingdom by such misguidance grew so deadly, especially by the Scotish Army raised in defence of that Nation, and brought into this to prevent inroads into their own, by the forces raised by instigation of the prelatical party, that in the end this sovereign Parliament was summoned by due course of Law, and so established as never Parliament was before, by the highest confirmation this kingdom can give, and not to be dissolved against their wills, unless by the sword of traitors. When this Parliament had sitten a while, and had been courted by granting several convenient laws to sweeten the bitterness was past: This bridle of Tyranny and sovereign purge of the commonwealth, & Churches Maladies, could no longer be endured, by the prelatical and Malignant party, and that which no Jesuitical craft could dissolve, is resolved upon, the Sword must, and after many bitter reviling words from York in Declarations and Answers against the Parliament, (of which the Law says, No man ought to think dishonourably) Within this unhappy County, (and by it) which will be an infamy to the Actors for ever, notwithstanding all the applawces for it by the Court, as they had many; the first allowed Arms were taken up, and the Commands of Parliament disobeyed, and their Messengers and Officers with scorn abused, and the Judgement of that most Honourable Court which is the eye and reason of the commonwealth in the question of the Militia contemned, and the opinions of private men admired and advanced, which the laws of this kingdom never appointed, nor is of any value. When the King by the assistance of the Malignant Gentry of this County whose names are hereafter mentioned, had in order to these opinions of flattering aspiring Lawyers about the Throne, of which it never wanted, more (Than a good many) had seized upon the Militia of this County, the King with some of that Militia departs into the other neighbour Counties to do the like, and by the same Gentry the first illegal and unjust assessment of eight thousand pound is put upon the country to maintain some part of that Militia left behind, to suppress the laws, and the rest of the Gentry, who obeyed the Judgement and Direction of the Parliament; but this was opposed as a thing against Law, so much bragged on, should be the square of Government, and an oppression which made but way for a greater, as in short time it proved, rising from 8000. to 30000 l. by month, and afterwards to 80. thousand l. per mensem. When these gentlemen's unlawful powers assembled at York could not defend such their unjust proceedings, nor their persons from the Justice of the Parliament, nor the forces raised to suppress these trespasses and traitorous acts against the State and Law, they conspire to call into the County the Earl of Newcastle, then under censure of Parliament for High-treason, and a Semi-papian and an Athisticall person, as was more declared afterward by that horrid crew he brought in with him, and they press him by arguments of Service to the King and his own Honour to come to their assistance, which was in truth to protect themselves against the Justice of the Parliament. Newcastle entertains the motion, upon terms of horrible oppression to the country, and to serve the Queen. And these oppressors of their country agree to all, and especially to that Proposition about the Queen, and promise any further contribution to that good service. And by a second Letter, magnify the Earl of Newcastle for his entertaining the invitation, and make vows of honour and obedience to his Lordship, and tell of their distresses for Loyalty to the King, when they are about traitorously to destroy both the Law, and the Parliament, the fountain and bulwark both of Law and Justice, and consequently the kingdom, and so to make him a King of bruits and not reasonable men. This Lord thus courted, checks at one Article, omitted, which was the main one to enrich his Popish Tyrannical Officers and Minions with a full pay; and if that be granted, than his little Lordship is in a huge disposition to be really the faithful Servant of these complotters and enemies to the State, as he afterwards proved, being the Leader, (Judas like) to these betrayers of Christ and his Cause, but are since fallen backward to the ground as that Band of men did. At the Rendition of Pomfret Castle there was found the original Letters by which this bargain was made with the Earl of Newcastle by the conspirators to sell their country, and all that was of worth in it to that Popish Commander and Army: which Letters being showed to the committees for that County attending at York, and by them duly considered of, it was agreed and thought fit that those Letters should be Printed, and a Declaration upon them, that posterity might see who had been the chief destroyers of their Country. The Letters are these being examined by some of the Committee appointed for that purpose, and the originals remain in safe hands to be seen by any man that shall desire it. My Lord, IT is the desire of us, and the most of the Gentry of this County to crave assistance from your Lordship in this time of Mr. Hotham's infesting the country; which favour we shall always acknowledge from your Lordship, and we are the bolder in this business, because we know it to be a great Service to his Majesty, by the preservation of this County, and will be much to your Honour, to preserve in peace and safety. My Lord, Your Lordship● most humble Servants. York, Sept. 26. 1642. Savile▪ George Wentworth William Savile Tho. Gower, Vi. Co. Henry Slingsby Peter Middleton John Key. John Ramsden Ferdinando Leigh John Mallery Francis Nevil. Tho. Ingram John Goodricke. Richard Hutton. William Ingram. Robert Rockley Noble Gentlemen, I Have received from you a Letter of invitation by the hands of Sir Mar. Langdale, and Mr. Aldburgh, and shall (for the esteem and affection I bear in general to the Country, being my native country, and in particular to many of you to whom I have the Honour to be known) be ready to contribute my best aid and assistance in that work, since it is likely to conduce to his majesty's Service, and peace and quiet of all his good Subjects, and to conclude this agreement, I have sent you enclosed certain Propositions, which by way of Articles should be drawn, and signed and s●aled by you, and as many more as you shall engage in that work, which I shall expect from you before I march. And so presenting my Service to you all, I remain, Newcastle, Sep. 30. 1642. Your most faithful Servant, W. N. To the Right Honourable, and my Noble friends the nobility and gentry now assembled at York for his majesty's present service. Propositions in answer to your Letter of Invitation. FIrst, that I have all your consents and promises that the Army be paid whilst they are in that County. That an assessment be laid upon the country to enable you for that undertaking, and that if money be not gotten in time, that I may have free Billet for the soldiers, for which Billet you are to engage yourselves to the Quarters, and that the Officers be paid according to his majesty's present establishment, out of that assessment. That there be some of the Gentry of that Country appointed as a Committee, enabled by the rest of the Gentry, to agree and conclude of such further Propositions as may happen to be necessary for this Service, and not here mentioned, and to march along with the Army, whose council and assistance from time to time I am resolved to use. That I have assurance that all manner of Provisions fit for an Army, be prepared and brought to the Army the first day it enters. That since this Army was levied, a purpose to guard her majesty's person, that it shall not be held a breach of any engagement betwixt us, if I retire with such numbers, as I shall think fit for that service. W. N. My Lord, We have received from your Lordship an Answer to our Letters of Invitation, (Noble as yourself) which shall we hope make you the Master of such a work of Honour, as besides your great Service it will be to his Majesty, shall both ennoble yourself farther and oblige us. We have signed and sent unto your Lordship, Articles proportionable to your lordship's desire (as we conceive,) besides a particular power to those Gentlemen now with you, more fully to declare ourselves. My Lord, believe this, That we suffer here no distresses, but for our Loyalty to the King, and your lordship's favour to us will equally oblige both; therefore, Good my Lord, make all possible speed to march hither, or to send some force before, lest a little delay make all our endeavours fruitless; and in the general, believe that their is nothing in the power of us, or of this County, which shall not faithfully serve you, and more you cannot expect from, My Lord, Your most faithful and humble Servants. H. Cumberland Savile Tho. Gower, Vi. co. William Savile Henry Griffith Henry Slingesby Edward Stanhope. John Key John Mallery Ferdinando Leigh William Ingilby John Ramsden George Wentworth Conyers Darcy Robert Strickland. William Wentworth. Ingram Hopton. John Goodricke. William Wentworth. John Batty. Richard Hutton Francis Monckton Robert Rockley W. Thornton The Answer of the Nobility and Gentry of Yorkshire, assembled at York for His majesty's Service to the Propositions sent unto them by the Right Honourable the Earl of Newcastle. 1. THat your Lordship shall have our consents and promises, the Army which your Lordship shall bring with you into this County for the defence thereof, shall be paid by this County. 2. There is an assessment of eight thousand pounds already laid upon this County, which shall be levied as soon as by your lordship's assistance we are enabled to do it, and that till money be gotten in, your soldiers shall have free billet, for which we will engage ourselves to the Quarters; and for the payment of your Officers for the Army, it is referred to the Committee for this County, who have Instructions and power to treat and conclude with your Lordship in that particular. 3. There shall be a Committee of some of the Gentry of the County appointed, and enabled by the rest to agree, and conclude of such further Propositions as may happen to be necessary for this service, not here mentioned, and to march along with your lordship's Army, whose council and assistance we desire your Lordship may use, the names of which Committee we send your Lordship herewithal, who are appointed to attend you at Newcastle, and to march along with your Army, when you enter into the County. 4. That as soon as we have notice of your lordship's march, we will use all possible means to bring to your Army all such provisions, as this country can afford. 5. We are tender of the safety of her majesty's person, that we shall not only consent to your lordship's performance of that service, but will also contribute our utmost endeavours to assist your Lordship therein. 6. Lastly, we have appointed our Committee to be, Sir Edward Osborne, Baronet, Sir Marmaduke Langdale Knight▪ Francis Tindall and Richard Aldburgh Esquires, and given them Instructions and power to treat with your Lordship and to conclude in such particulars as may further conduce to this Service, or in these Propositions admit a doubtful interpretation, H. Cumberland Savile Tho. Gower, Vi. co. George Wentworth Conyers Darey Robert Strickland. William Savile Henry Griffith Henry Slingesby Edward Stanhope John Key John Mallery Ferdinando Leigh William Ingilby John Ramsden John Savile. William Wentworth. Ingram Hopton. John Goodricke William Wentworth. John Batty. Richard Hutton Francis Monckton Robert Rockley Francis Nevil. Walter Haukesworth. My Lords and Gentlemen, I am to give you many thanks for your favourable Letter by Mr. Aldburgh, and the signing so far my desired Articles, which had no other end, than the better to enable me to serve you. And I beseech you give me 〈◊〉 as I intend faithfully to serve you, so to deal clearly and freely with you, which I hold a duty; The truth is, I am very sorry you pleased to leave out the Article for the Officers pay, or coldly referred it to your Committee, being the principal thing in all the Articles, for you know the Souldier● is encouraged with nothing but money, or hopes of it, and truly yesternight when I was going to bed, there came colonels and Lieutenant-col. and said, they heard you had left it out, and for their parts, that they must think, that if you were so cantious not to grant it is paper, before we came in, they doubted very much of it in money, when they were there, and that the workman was worthy of his hire, and such like discontented words; so the truth is, rather than not come cheerfully to serve you, I will not come at all, for I see beforehand I shall either disband with a mutiny, or fall of plundering without distinction, either of which would be destructive to me: and besides, I hold myself free, since my Articles are not signed for I never understood any of those Articles to be referred to the Committee, but such things as we could not remember, and the present occasion offered. Could I pay them, or his Majesties you should not have had such an Article, but since that cannot be, ●ou will pardon me in telling you how I am capable to serve you▪ and how not, and so I rest in a huge disposition to be really Newcastle, Oct. 30. 1642. Your most faithful Servant, W. N. Observation. IT is plain out of the first Letter that these Gentlemen began with a false Insinuation, to term themselves the most of the Gentry of Yorkshire, who are not the fourth part of them. In it they call captain Hotham's coming to Doncaster, which was by command of the Parliament of England to assist the Lord Fairfax to set up the Militia, (an infesting the Country) They invite Athists, Papists, and who ever will to come to join with them, the better to enable them to oppose the resolutions of the Parliament, and call it great Service to the King and preservation of the Country, which was the ruin of the Country that bred them, and more service to the Pope than the King. That Lord so invited, yields presently to that bait they call Honour, but enthralls them with Articles to oppress the Country by assessments which no Law warrants, by freequarter which the known laws forbid to be taken without Authority of Parliament, and they pawn their cred〈…〉 poor County shall pay for all, and 〈…〉 did. They are careful to guard her majesty's person, who had no care for the five Members of Parliament. They tell that Lord, he shall be Master (as they hope) of a work of Honour, &c. which was to burn Bradford, much of York, and numbers of other houses; to rob, plunder, and imprison the well-affected of the County. They would have his Lordship believe they suffer no distress but for loyalty to the King, which was but a sconce for their own protection from the Justice of Parliament▪ In the second Letter, They tell that Lord his favour to them shall oblige the King, and promise there is nothing in the County shall not faithfully serve him, so he will serve their turns, and in a great part they perform it; their bodies, their estates, their wives, their daughters, were his servants, and his servants servants too: nay, their consciences, the gospel, and true Ministers of it were made to serve that papistical crew. The proud Haman, because he had all things but one granted him, by their Articles, (which was his Officers pay) that not granted or coldly referred to a Committee, without this also he lightly values all the rest, and will not come to their assistance. Thus countrymen you see how you and all yours, what ever is dear to any of you, hath been bought and sold by these Gentlemen, who in stead of peace and preservation to the country, have brought in War, bloodshed and ruin upon it; and in stead of Honour to his Lordship, both he and they like blazing comets are gone out in a stinch, which will last for ever. It was thought fit to publish in Print one Letter more, found in the same place, which is the proper hand writing of Cap. John Htham, written to the Enemy when he was the professed servant to the Parliament, Hear the Letter. My Noble Lord, I have found out a way to do his Majesty real Service, and to be your Servant without scandal; for I confess nothing went hard, but that I could not come in to your Lordship in such a condition as befitted him that you esteem worthy your friendship. I shall desire you would by this Bearer send me a safe conduct for form sake, not that I desire or care for it: if you could write me but a word what my L. Fairfax hath done, I could make great advantage of it in this business, for I think you will see such a considerable party brought to the King, as hath not been yet; all which he is to thank you for. I shall add no more because I shall wait on you so soon, but to desire the countenance of your good opinion, to Lincoln, April 15. 1643 Your most affectionate servant, John Hotham. By this secret contrived treason of his against the commonwealth, and for which he suffered death is more discovered, and that righteous sentence cleared and ratified. FINIS.