A LETTER from divers of the GENTRY of the COUNTRY of Lincoln: To his EXCELLENCY The Lord General MONCK.  
May it please your Excellency,  
We being Strangers to your-Person, and failing of the Honour to see you in your March southward; When we might have Communicated our Thoughts and Desires more freely unto You; are now enforced to represent them in this enclosed Declaration, craving your best aid and assistance for the effecting of what is therein comprised, (being our Just birthrights) the Defence whereof will be to God's Glory, your EXCELLENCIES great Honour, and the Peace and Happiness of these Distressed Nations: Which is the only endeavour and Desire of  
Lincoln 7 Febr. 1659. Your Excellencies most humble Servants.   

The DECLARATION of the Gentry, Ministers and Freeholders of the County and City of Lincoln.  
We the Gentry, Ministers, and Freeholders of the County and City of Lincoln; being truly sensible of our Miseries and Grievances, namely, the sad Consequents of an Intestine War; The Fears of Invations from abroad at this time of our Distractions and Divisions both in Church and State; The Violent Alterations of Government; the Heavy Impositions of Unheard-of Taxes: All which have of Late years Ruined one Trade, and Impoverished the whole Nation; And are all occasioned by reason of the many Violations and Breaches made upon our Known Established Laws, and Fundamental Liberties: Do therefore humbly Propose and Declare, (having first Met and Consulted) as other Counties have done, That the only Remedy for our said Grievances will be found in a Free Full Parliament, speedily to be Called and Assembled; to Sit according to our said know Established Laws, wherein the Votes of all Free People of this Nation may be included; Since that Such only can have a Legal Capacity to Enact Laws and Statutes, that may equally bind all the Free People of ENGLAND: And therefore, If any persons (how ever impowered) not having the Authority of Such a Parliament, shall take upon them to Lay Impositions upon the Free People of this commonwealth; or to prescribe, or enjoin any Limitations, Restrictions, or Qualifications whatsoever, (not formerly agreed upon in Full Parliament;) we do Declare ourselves not obliged hereto, as being destructive to the true freedom and undoubted privileges of PARLIAMENT.  
[This LETTER and the DECLARATION therein enclosed, (subscribed by thousands of hands) were presented to his Excellency the Lord Gen. Monck, by Sir Michael Armyn Baronet, Coll. Edward Rosseter, and John Hatcher Esq on Thursday the 16th. of February, 1659.]   

LONDON, Printed for Richard Lowndes at the White Lion in St. Paul's churchyard. 1659.