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.  
TOGETHER, With a Relation of all the passages at the great meeting at York, on Thursday the 12. of this instant May, With 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.  
H. Elsing. Cler. Perl. de Com.  
LONDON, Printed by A. Norton for john Frank, and are to be sold next to the King's head in Fleetstreet. 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 printed Paper 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 of; 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 appealed 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 passed three a clock before the Gentlemen were admitted to the King. This morning the Freeholders assembled again in the Castleyard, 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 this morning again at the Deans house, we who are your Committees received this Message by Sir Edward Stanhop, That he came from his Majesty to command us, that we should departed from this meeting, and if we did stay, his Majesty would judge us guilty of that he spoke on 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 departed 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 befought him that since we were continually so discountenanced by him, in the face of our County, 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 together 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 too, and subscribed it. The other six have concluded upon this other Answer, consenting to a Guard of Horse, but this we do not hear, that they have gotten many names too, 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 Rydings upon three several days, but for what service we do not know.  
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 it 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.  
Herald Cholmley.   York 13. May 1642.   

His Majesty's Speech.  
I Have cause of adding, not altering, what I meant to say. When I gave out the Summons for this day's Appearance, I little thought of these Messengers, or of such a Message as they brought, the which (because it confirms Me in what I intent to speak, and that I desire you should be truly informed of all passages between Me and the Parliament) you shall here read, First, My Answer to the Declaration of both Houses concerning Hull; The Answer of the Parliament to My two Messages concerning Hull; together with My Reply to the same; And My Message to both Houses, declaring the Reasons why I refused to pass the Bill concerning the Militia.  

All which being read his Majesty proceeded.  
I Will make no paraphrases upon what ye have heard, it more befitting a Lawyer then a King; only this Observation, Since Treason is countenanced so near Me, it is time to look to My safety: I avow it was part of My wonder, That men (whom I thought heretofore, Discreet and Moderate) should have undertaken this Employment; and that since they came I having delivered them the Answer you have heard, and commanded them to return Personally with it to the Parliament) should have flatly disobeyed Me, upon pretence of the Parliaments Command. My end in telling you this, is to warn you of them; For since these men have brought Me such a Message and disobeyed so lawful a Command, I will not say what their intent of staying hereiss; only I bid you take heed, not knowing what Doctrine of Disobedience they may preach to you, under colour of obeying the Parliament.  
Hitherto I have found and kept you quiet, the enjoying of which was a chief cause of My coming hither (Tumults and Disorders having made Me leave the South) and not to make this the Seat of a War, as Malice would (but I hope in vain) make you believe; Now if Disturbances do come, I know whom I have reason to suspect.  
To be short, you see that My Magazine is going to be taken away from Me (being My own proper goods) directly against my will: The Militia (against Law and my consent) is going be to put in execution: And lastly, Sir john Hothams' Treason is countenanced: All this considered, none can blame me to apprehend Dangers. Therefore I have thought fit (upon these real grounds) to tell you, That I am resolved to have a Guard (the Parliament having had one all this while upon imaginary jealousies) only to secure my Person; In which I desire your concurrence and assistance, and that I may be able to protect you, the Laws, and the true Protestant Profession from any Affront or injury that may be offered, which I mean to Maintain Myself, without charge to the Country, intending no longer to keep them on foot, than I shall be secured of My just Apprehensions, by having satisfaction in the particulars before mentioned.    

THE ANSWER TO HIS Majesty's Propositions, of the Gentlemen and Freeholders which subscribed the same at the Deans House, where the Sheriff was.  
May it please your most Sacred Majesty.  
THe Propositions delivered to us yesterday from your Majesty are of so high concernment to the weal and peace of the whole Kingdom, and doth so nearly touch upon the affection and fidelity of all your subjects in general, as we being but a part of one County only, do not conceive it safe for us to advise therein, but rather humbly to beseech your Majesty to impart the grounds of your Majesty's fears and jelocies to your High Court of Parliament (of whole most loyal care and affection to your Mtiesties' honour and safety, and the prosperity of your Subjects and dominions we are most confident) and whatsoever shall be advised by your great Counsel therein we shall most willingly embrace and give our concurrence and assistance to it as shall become us, In whose fidelity and affection your Majesty hath often declared especial trust; And albeit we do not presume to advise your Majesty in that particular being of transcendent consequence, nevertheless in the behalf of those members of Parliament lately employed to attend your Majesty from both Houses, being all of them Gentlemen of quality and estate in this County & trusted to serve in that most Honourable assembly; We humbly crave your Majesty's leave to express our Confidence in their unstained Loyalty and affection to your Majesty to be such as your Majesty may secu●●●● admit their attendance to negotiate their employments, until they be recalled by the Parliament. And for there fidelity, we do all engage ourselves to your Majesty, and we are most assured that your Royal person shall be secure in the genarall fidelity of your Subjects of this County without any extraordinary guard.   

His Majesty's Answer to this returned by the Sheriffer.  
HIs Majesty's expects the like affection from you that he doth from the other Gentlemen, and that he hath the same confidence in you, that he hath in the others.  

The names of those Gentlemen which were taken by the Sheriff.  
Sir Thomas Fairefax  
Sir William Constable  
Sir Matthew Boynton  
Sir Thomas Gower  
Sir William St. Quintin  
Sir Edward Rhodes  
Sir William Crayley  
Sir Thomas Norcliffe  
Sir Arthur Ing●am  
Sir Richard Darley  
Sir jarvis Cutler  
Sir William Fairefax  
Sir Hug bethel  
L●r john Savell  
Sir William ●●yster  
Sir Thomas Renington  
Master. Thomas ●opson  
Henry St Qintin  
Arthur noel  
Tobias jerkins  
Heney jenkin's  
john Ferrer  
john West  
Henry Atkinson  
Henry Wyth●s  
William bethel  
George Mountain  
Thomas Stockdale  
William Gower  
Richard Trewman  
Sackvill Pope  
Thomas Heblethwaite  
George Ewer  
George Marwood  
john Savile of M●dlee  
john Saltmarshe  
William Copley  
Loynell Copley  
Edward Gower  
Cuthbert Creak  
William Cobb  
Doyley Gower  
Thomas Rookebie  
john Calverley  
Francis Grimston  
john A●labie  
Arthur Beckwith  
Christopher Waters  
Matthew Beckwith  
Christopher Copley  
Thomas Croft  
William Parker  
Georg Trotter  
Henry Westbie  
William jemimgs  
Thomas Bradford  
Richard Wilbore  
job Hackwod  
Matthew Alured  
Robert Sheppard  
john Ackl●m  
john Stellington  
jervas' Hamond  
john Cholmeley  
Thomas Newarke  
Henry Savile  
Lancelott Alured  
john Lambert  
Francis Grimston  
Mr. Stephen Quintin  
Willobie Godfrey  
john Stillington  
john Beverley  
Mr. Bo●nton  
Georg Westbie  
Benjamin Browne  
Charles Fairfax  
Henry Arthington  
Henry Tempest   
These are the names Subscribed in one sheet there being many other sheets filled together all of them Subscribed, and amongst them many Gentlemen of note, but I took note only of the first sheet having no more time.   

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 we, 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 eprsons 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.    

To the Kings Most Ewcellent Majesty The Humble Petition of many thousands of Your Majesties peaceably affected Subjects of the County of York.  
Humbly Sheweth.  
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 proceed are taken more to heart, your Petitioners conceiveing it undeniable that they have an Interest in the Commonwealth, and are as dutiful, and loyal Subjects to your Majesty as whomsoever though divers of them have been since uncivilly pressed by some in your Majesty's 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 fout those should be first pillaged that refused such subscription, which we humbly conceive are positively contrary to your Majesty's own expressions, and is to the high dishonour of your Majesty, and the great affrightment, and disturbance of your Majesty's liege people. Therefore your Petitioners having too just cause to fear your Majesty's royal heart is still endaingered to be possessed with some distaste of your Petitioners humbly supplicate your Majesty, to conceive better things of them and 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 preserveing the peace thereof, and that your Majesty would admit of a right Information of the clear intentions of your Petitioners who are confident, that we so absolute, and hearty observance to your Majesty's just Commands can be demonstrated as what your Majesty in Parliament shall declare, which if it become divided (as God forbid) our hearts even tremble to consider the dangers and dimination of the honour, and safety of your Majesty's posterrity, and Kingdoms will avoidable be put upon since it is clear to every understanding, that it is not a divided part of one, or several Counties that can afford that honour, and safety to your Majesty as the whole Kingdom which you may command, no ground or fear of 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 unfittnes 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 hearty do as also for your Majesty's long and prosperous Reign, and as we are bound by our late Protestation shall be ready to maintain your Majesty's just rights, the Previlidges and power of Parliament and the lawful liberties of the Subjects.   

The King's Answer to the Petition of the Country at the Count at York May 13. 1642.  
His Majesty  
HAueing 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 mild meaned themselves, hath commanded me to give you this answer.  
That he doth totally discover proceed complained of in the Petition, and expects that your and all others his Loyal Subjects shall rest satisfied with his several Gracious Declarat on's 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 perties-iniured. 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 proceed 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 her ferts to his Messages, Declarations, and Answers, whereby it will clearly appear that his desire and intention is only the preserueing 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 Freeholders. May 13. 1642.  
WHereas his Majesty hath been pleased to give Summons to the Gentry of this County to Attend him at his Court at York the Twelft 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 o his Majesty our Gracious Sovereign, and conceiveing ourselves according to the proportions of our estates, equally interested in the common good of 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 Refer of Knights and gentlemen chosen without our knowledge or consent to draw up the said answer: We the free-h lders who petitioned his Majesty the day abovesaid, concerneing ourselves abundantly injured in the election (not knowing any warrant by writ or otherwise for the same) of the said Referree, 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: and as far as consernes us disavow whatsoever shall be the result of their consultation thereupon, and do desire, a new and fair election of a Referree 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 lest respect any thing whatsoever which shall otherwise be concluded upon.  
FINIS