THE Petition & Presentment OF THE Grand-Juries of the County of YORK, For the demolishing of Pontefract and Midlam Castles, AND For taking off Free-quarter in that County. Together with A LETTER from the Gentlemen of that County, sent to the honourable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the honourable House of Commons. Die Martis, 27 Martii, 1649. ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Petition and Presentment of the Grand-Juries of the County of York, together with the Letter from the Gentlemen of the said County, be forthwith Printed and Published. Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliament London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons. March 29. 1649. For the honourable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the honourable House of Commons in Parliament. SIR, THe Presentment and Petition herewith enclosed, were this day delivered to us by the Grand-Juries, serving at these Assizes for this County, with their request( in case we should approve of the matters contained in them) to assist them in the Presentment of them to the House, and procuring speedy Orders upon their Desires; Whereupon we appointed a meeting to peruse and consider of the Papers, which we have done, and cannot do less then to offer them to you as matters very worthy your consideration, and conducing to the case, quiet, and exceeding great contentment of all the well-affected party of this County: And we hope the Requests will appear to the House, both so convenient and so necessary, as may induce their Wisdoms to give speedy Order to have the peoples Expectations and Petitions therein to be effected, which we humbly recommend unto on, as the earnest Desires of, Sir, 23 Martii, 1648. Your most Affectionate and humble Servants, William St. Quintin. William S●rickland. William alenson. Thomas Stockdale. George ewer. Da: Wentworth. Edw: Rodes. John Clapton. Henry Johnson. Thomas Mauleverer. Robert Berwick. Richard Darley. Francis Lassels: Henry Tempest. John Lister. John Farrer. Ra: Rimore. J: Anlaby. To the Right honourable, THE COMMONS of ENGLAND IN Parliament Assembled: The humble Petition of the two Grand Inquests for the County of York, at the Assizes held at the Castle there the 19 of March, 1648. Sheweth, THa● we do with al thankfulness aclowledge the high things God hath done for you and by you, hoping he will still own you in all your Actings, and for the perfect recovering of our Liberties, lost in the long Succession of Tyranny, in pursuance of which you may expect our cordial compliance and unanimous juncture with you: We do look upon you as Restorers of our Liberties, in which relation we offer these our humble Desires to your honourable considerations, That we have drunk deep of the cup of affliction for these seven years last past, and signally suffered by the Scotish Nation, whose rod we again fear, considering their contrary acting and clandestine practices, our earnest, but humble svit is, That if the Scots shall engage in a new War against England, the War may be carried to their own doors, and that they may rather fear us at Edinburgh, then we them at york; and that all such degenerate Spirits, and Betrayers of our Liberty, which now are fled, or shall fly into Scotland or any other part, may for ever lose those high privileges which we hope all the Free-born Englishmen shall enjoy. That this day God hath delivered the Grand fatal Delinquent to her Country( Pontefract Castle) by your Forces under the command of that Vigilant and Faithful Commander mayor General Lambert, being now put into our hands, the price of much Treasure, and more Blood; we humbly crave, That those walls which have harboured so much Tyranny and Oppression, may not stand, but be leveled with the ground, that this Nest and Cage of all villainy may be destroyed, that those unclean Birds which have now left it, may never roost themselves again there. And whereas the very demolishing of it, will draw with it an immense charge upon an exhausted Country, we further pray this honourable Parliament, so far to commiserate our poor Country, that Order may be given for the sale of the materials in it, to help to demolish itself: And we make further bold to acquaint you, That this will be rescented as an act of so great Mercy and Justice, that you may thereby gain a stronger hold in the affections of our poor countrymen, to whom for these seven years last, it hath been so great a scourge and terror: We also humbly offer to your consideration Midlam Castle, lately a garrison, that it may be made untenable, and no longer fit for a garrison, at the Countrys charge, the materials being restored to the Owner. That the Country paying their Assessments, the burden of Free-quarter may be taken off, and that none shall presume to quarter upon any private person: And that as some have been for their Malignancy and Tyranny made Examples, to the terror of all who shall attempt the like; so those worthy Patriots, who have hazarded their Lives and Estates in discharge of their several and faithful Trusts for the Liberties of the Nation, may be rewarded according to your several former Declarations. We confess the Spirits of many are much cheered up, that the course of Justice is not interrupted, but the due execution of Law continued, according to the Trust committed to our worthy Countrymen at the Assizes, whose fidelity and great prudence we cannot but modestly take notice of. Lastly and principally we humbly pray, That Commissioners in this County be empowered, to make inquiry of the Ignorant, Scandalous and Malignant Ministers, to displace them upon conviction, and to place godly and painful men in their rooms; this County being so long infested, and God so long dishonoured by profane, Ignorant, Scandalous, Superstitious and Malignant Ministers. Thomas Styringe. Ric: Frank. William Dalton. William Rowsby. Tho: Hardey. Ra: Elyesson. Robert Lowson. John Hindsley. Ric: Manby. William Langthorn. Cha: Campleshony. John Wythes. Isaac Newton. John pierce. John Ellis. Robert Stoop. Ralph Wilberfoss. William Gaithorn. Robert Wolf. Tho: Myers. Jo: Langthorn. John Johnson. Robert Wildon. Benj. Jackson. Natha: Eyre. William Holdesworeh. William Develary. At the General Assizes holden at York. 19 Martii, 1648. The Grand-Juries of this County, in the behalf of the County, do present, THat the Castle of Pontefract from the beginning of the late Wars, hath been a continual great oppression and grievance to the County. That while it was in the Enemies hand, it was a Nest of Robbers and Destroyers of the People, and did cost the Country many thousands to regain it. That while it was in the hands of our friends, it was a heavy and useless burden to the Neighbors, and in the end was betrayed back into the hands of our Enemies. That it hath of late, and since that last Treachery, cost above 200000 l. to regain it again. That to prevent the like insupportable miseries as we have formerly suffered, and may possibly suffer again, it is the earnest desire of these Grand▪ Juries, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the County, That the said Castle may be pulled down, and totally slighted, and that the County may have the Materials for doing it. Isaac Newton. John pierce. John Ellis. Thomas Myers. Robert Stoop. Ralph Wilberfoss. William Gaithorn. Robert Wildon. Benj. jackson. Robert Wolf. Nath. Eyre. Thomas Hardey. Chr. Parker. Thomas Styringe. Ric: frank. William Dalton. John Wythes. Ric: Manby. Cha: Champleshony. jo: Cowpen. William Rowsby. William Langthorn. Robert Lowson. John Hindesley. Ra: Elyesson. FINIS.