To all Ministers of God's word, churchwardens, majors, sheriffs, bailiffs, Constables, tythingmen, and other Officers whatsoever, To whom these may concern, Greeting.  
WHereas the Bearers hereof John Idsforth with his Wife and Children, living at Walton in the County of Lancaster, (by profession a Chandler) and Richard Dyneley of the same town and County Tanner, with his Family, people of good esteem and repute amongst their Neighbours, were (by the Scottish and English Armies meeting together upon the place of their Residence) grievously wounded, utterly ruinated and undone, their dwelling Houses being burned down to the ground in the battle that was fought the Seventeenth day of August last past, before the date hereof, by the said Armies, and all the rest of their Goods, grain and provision than spoylod, wasted, consumed and brought to nothing, so that by this lamentable accident, the sad and heavy visitation of sickness, the extreme Dearth and Scarcity that is amongst the Inhabitants of that County, and the Countries mighty impoverishment, these poor Bearers grievances are become very great not being able to relieve themselves or others as formerly, and their losses amounting to Nine hundred pounds and upwards. Now we whose Names are here subscribed, at our general meeting holden at Preston in Andernesse this third of June 1649. professing ourselves willing to requite kindnesses of this nature, certainly knowing the truth and reality of all these things, and the honest and good meaning of these Bearers, have thought good to certify the truth hereof under our hands, humbly requesting and recommending these to the favourable protection and assistance of the Honourable Court of Parliament assembled at Westminster, for and towards these Bearers quiet, free and safe passage from one place to another without molestation by soldiers or others, and also the courtesy, love and charity, prayers, Collection, relief, and Contribution of all pious and well-affected Ministers, Parishes, and people wheresoever these miserably distressed Bearers shall come, towards their great losses, and their present and future maintenance and livelihood, none knowing how soon they may fall into the like or greater Calamities: We have hereby granted that the Bearers hereof may have these Published on the next Lord's day after the receipt thereof, and also we have granted the said Bearers Twelve months after the date hereof for their said travels and Contribution, the said Bearers promising to be truly thankful, as in duty bound. Given under our hands at Westminster this tenth of June, 1649.  


SAVILL Ratcliff, Justice of Peace and Quorum.  
WILLIAM STARKY, Justice of Peace.  
RICHARD Shuttleworth.  
GEORGE RIGBIE, and  
WILLIAM CALVERLIE, Minister.