A Real PROTESTATION OF MANY, AND Very eminent persons in the County of YORK, Declaring Their Resolutions concerning the present distractions; some of whose names are subscribed.  
Septemb: the 8th London, Printed for H. Blunden. 1642.   

A Real Protestation of many, and very eminent Persons in the County of York, declaring their Resolutions concerning the present distractions, some of whose names are subscribed.  
WE the Gentrry, Freeholders', and others of the County of York, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being none or very few of us present, and none at all of us consenting to the late Assembly and Consultations at York, wherein Propositions have been made for the raising of forces of Horse and foot in this County, the levying of monies for the maintenance of them, and taking away the Arms of some peaceable Subjects, nor none at all of us consenting to the lawless and unpresidented presentment of the grand juries at the last Assizes held for this County, being framed to give more strength and colour to part of these propositions, the said propositions and presentments, being contrary (as we conceive) to the Laws of the Land, and tending to the introducing of an arbitrary government. The taking away the propriety of every Subject in his estate, the liberty of the person, and the most necessary use and privilege of Parliaments, and which is the worst of all evils to beget a war in the bowels of this County. We thinking ourselves and all the rest of the Subjects of this County, to be so highly concerned in the proceed afore mentioned, as without great disadvantage to us all, we may not be silent therein, do make this our Protestation and declaration before God and the world, that as our actions have hitherto been altogether peaceable, so our desires, intentions and resolutions are altogether pacifical, and that all our endeavours and labours shall only tend to the settlement and continuance of a real peace (according to the Laws of the Land) and to the uniting of the fractions, and taking away the distractions that have most unhappily broken the general unity of the Inhabitants of this County. And that nothing can be more dangerous and destructive thereunto then the raising and continuing together in a body, such forces of Horse and foot in this County, as hath been propounded and advised, as aforesaid without consent and authority of Parliament. We conceiving the advise thereof to proceed from some destructive Counsels, the ends whereof are to embroil this Kingdom in such a deluge of war, as hath already (though under other pretences) swallowed up the Protestant Religion, the peace and prosperous condition of the Kingdom of Ireland.  
And seeing his sacred Majesty hath of en Declared to us, that the Laws of the Land shall be the Rule of His Government: and that He expects it shall be the measure of our Subjection; We cannot conceive that any of these proceed, so grievous to the Subject, are consented to, or warranted by His gracious Majesty.  
And therefore, We further declare that we will not consent, nor as much as in us lieth, suffer that any such Forces, either Horse or Foot, be raised of the Trained bands of this County, nor that monies be levied for the maintaining thereof, nor that the Arms of any Subjects (other than Popish Recusants) be taken from them, nor will we consent nor suffer (as much as in us lieth) that any War or Hostility be acted in this County, nor any Foreign Forces brought in upon us; and if any such attempts shall be offered or made, we will endeavour to resist and suppress them, and to keep the Peace of the County entire, so fare as the Ancient known Laws of the Land, and the late Declarations and Orders of Parliament, made upon these immergent Occasions shall enable us therein.  
And we do likewise Declare, that we shall be most ready and willing upon general Summons given at York or any other convenient place to be appointed to meet the rest of the Gentry and other considerable inhabitants of the County to advise of such matters as may endanger the violation of the Peace, and may conduce to the prevention thereof, and the uniting the whole Country into an amicable resolution to oppose all such unlawful pressures, so as such an Assembly of the County may be with Freedom of every man's person and vote, and not overawed by any Forces of Horse or Foot, laid together in place where they may command the Assembly, in which Assembly and Consultation, We Declare that it is not our intention to decline the provident care of the Parliament, in placing a Garrison for the present at Hull to prevent the surprisal of that important place, either by Foreign Forces or such native Plots and Conspiracies, as are to the life represented to us in that most deplorable Kingdom of Ireland, which by the bloody Counsels and rebellion of the Papists is in a manner brought to utter desolation.  
And we desire that this our Declaration and Protestation may be published in all the Parish Churches and Markets of this County, to the end that all men may take notice of our legal and peaceable resolutions,  
Dated August 29 1642. Signed at Ottley by 

Ferdinando Lord Fair-Fax.  
Sir Thomas Fair-Fax Knight.  
Sir Thomas Malenerer Knight and Baronet.  
William Instor Esquire.  
Sir Richard Haukesworth Knight.  
Sir John Savile Knight.  
Charles Fair-Fax Esquire.  
John Farrer Esquire.  
John Malenerer Esquire.  
Thomas Stockdale Esquire.  
William White Esquire.  
William Inglebye Esquire.  
Thomas Listorr Esquire.  
John Copley Gentleman.  
John Farrer Gentleman.  
Thomas St. Nicolas Gentleman.  
John Bright Gentleman.  
Thomas Westby Gentleman.     
FINIS.