WHEREAS it hath pleased the Parliament in and by their Act bearing Date the 14th of August 1649. concerning the Excise, to appoint the general of their Forces for the time being, to Order and enjoin all colonels, captains, Officers & soldiers under his Command, upon application made to them, or any of them, speedily to suppress all Tumults, riots, and unlawful Assemblies which shall be attempted or acted, in opposition against the Commissioners of Excise, their subcommissioners, Collectors, or Officers, in execution of the Ordinances and Acts of Parliament for the Excise; and to apprehend all such riotous and tumultuous persons, that they may be proceeded against according to Law. And whereas it is in the said Act further declared, That no Commander, Officer, or soldier, shall seize upon, forceably take, or detain any the Receipts of the Excise, or protect any person from payment thereof, or encourage any person not to pay the same. And that if any Commanders, Officers, or soldiers, shall notwithstanding seize upon, forceably take, or detain any the Receipts of the Excise, protect any person from paying thereof, or encourage any person not to pay the same, upon due proof made thereof, shall be (Ipso facto) Cashiered, and all his Arrears forfeited to the commonwealth; and suffer such other punishment as shall by the said general or council of war, be adjudged fitting.  
IN pursuance whereof I do hereby require all colonels, Captains, Officers, and soldiers under my Command, upon application from time to time of the said Commissioners of the Excise, their subcommissioners, Collectors, or Officers, unto them, or any of them, to be aiding and assisting, as well in preventing of such Tumults and riots, as in the suppressing thereof. And do also hereby declare, That if any colonels, Officers, or soldiers shall seize upon, forceably take, or detain any the Receipts of the Excise, or shall protect any person from paying thereof, or encourage any person not to pay the same, shall be proceeded against, and suffer according as in the said Act is expressed.  
Given under my Hand and seal the Eight day of Novemb. 1651. O: CROMWELL.