TRUE INTELLIGENCE FROM Lincolne-shire.  
Discovered by a Letter to a private Gentleman.  
Presented to the view and consideration of the peaceably minded.  
LONDON, Printed for W. M. 1642. August 22.   

TRUE INTELLIGENCE from Lincolne-shire, discovered in a Letter to a private Gentleman.  
Sir,  
TO clear you from the misreports of our County of Lincoln, I send you this as a true, and unpartial relation of what hath passed in it since the Kings being here.  
The greatest part of the considerable Gentry then grounding their Actions upon the two Houses of Parliament, Voteing the necessity of putting the Kingdom into Posture, and encourraged by their example, did subscribe to maintain some Horses for three Months, to be in readiness for the defence of His Majesty's just Prerogative, the Protestant Religion, the Liberty, and propriety of the Subject, with the just Privileges of Parliament, and peace of this County; And have now sent those Horses to Lincoln (the Ceate of the Country) as a guard for those parts, and fittest place to give relief to and present the rest in peace, which (through God's blessing) might be effected (were it not for some strange insolences by men of despicable condition) with as great a calm as can be wished, there having been nothing acted, or attempted by any of the Commissioners of Array which can be construed a disturbance, but on the contrary, they have declind the contention for the public Magazine, which hath been the first blown spark in other Counties. And I am confident their future endavours will be only the preservation of peace within themselves, in that they resolve (having thus fare discharged their duties both to the King, and the two Houses of Parliament) not to embark further by sending any Forces out of the County to aid either side, but as much as in them lies; to endeavour Accommodation, This (being conversant with the professons of them all) I am able knowingly to aver, and withal to give assurance that they would not have drawn their Horses together but for these reasons, which I collected at their debates.  
I. That in so great a County, They would not exercise and make them fit for Service, as in other places; where they meet with conveniency of returning to their houses when called to that duty.  
II. For that some in this County have had Actual violences offered upon them, by some of Sir john Hothams' Soldiers; And others have been threatened to have their Houses burnt by them: insomuch as the People of those Parts that lie upon, and about Humber, are in continual Fears, and ready to leave their dwellings; if they have not the countenance of some little Fort to defend them.  
III. The rain of Government hath been of slackened, as now 'tis cut in pieces amongst us, many men of desperate Fortunes, and more wicked resolutions live to gather, without the acknowledgement of any Law, so as no Legal press can be attempted to be served upon them; But they resist it in a Warlike manner, accumulating all manner of Insolences, by adding to their rebellion, violences upon men's Houses, goods, and Lands, Burning Stealing, and devastating of them, so as the men of Fortunes had need serve them against such Spirits.  
FOUR This being a Maritine County, and so exposed to the impressions of Forces from a broad, as well as to dangerous consequences of Tumults, and Insurrections from within, and not able suddenly to gather any power to resist the one, or suppress the other (it being so large, and unpeopled a Country) there seems a kind of necessity (in these times of distraction, and threatening mischiefs) to have some in a continual readiness.  
V Most of the adjacent. Counties being full of Soldiers, they may attempt such outrages upon us, as will call for a present rescue and help.  
Upon all which the Gentlemen conceive themselves not only invited, but necessiated, to what they have done, with a hope it will receive good approbation from all others, that are not some way malignants either against the King or Parliament, From which number I accquitt you, and (for my own particular) do wish from my Soul, Reformation; or Ruin to him that is not desirous (by all Just and Honourable ways,) to advance the Prosperity of both. So concludes and rests,  
Your Friend, and Servant, M. P. August 15. 1642.  
FINIS.