By Major general Lambert, Commander in Chief these Northern Parts.  
Whereas the Committee of the Militia of the county of York did formerly give directions for calling the Inhabitants of the Weapontake of Claro to labour in the slighting of the Castle of Knaresbrough, according to the several Orders of Parliament in that behalf; and being now informed that divers of the said Inhabitants do neglect to send in men to assist in that Work, and such Labourers as are sent from any town, do for the most part neglect the Service, coming late, going away early, and standing idle whilst they stay, so as the Castle is at present in danger to be surprised if any enemy should attempt it; And in regard the said Committee doth not Act as formerly, it is therefore Ordered, that every petty-constable within the said Weapontake do upon the eight day of lanuary instant, send a certain number of able Labourers with Spades, Shovels, pickaxes, Hacks, Mattocks or Gavelocks proportioning their numbers, according the Book of Rates, that is to say, one Labourer for every penny charged on the constablery in the said Book of Rates, each Labourer to work from half hour after seven a Clock in the Morning, and to continue until half hour after four a Clock in the Afternoon, resting only for one hour at Dinner time.  
And to the end the said Work way be effectually performed, every Constable is to levy weekly so much money as will pay each Labourer his Wages after eight pence per diem, and bring the same to Knaresbrough, and there Pay it to the Hands of John roundel & Robert Hill, who are therewith to pay each Labourer his Wages proportionably, according to the hours he shall labour at the said Work; and deduct out of his said Wages for so many hours as he shall neglect. And each Labourer, with the respective Constable of the town that sends them, are to appear (when they come to work) in the toll-booth of Knaresbrough, where Mr. Richard Ellis is to Register their appearance, and also Register what sum of Money each Constable shall deliver to the said John roundel or Robert Hill for payment of their Wages, and is likewise to Register what Wages is paid to every several Labourer, that no abuse be done to the country.  
And for such Towns as have not sent their proportion of Labourers for the last fourteen days, according to the former Warrants, the governor of Knaresbrough Castle is hereby Ordered (upon notice given him by Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Barroby) to send a party of soldiers to Quarter upon the constablery, until they send in money after the Rate of eight pence per diem for each Labourer, charged on them for the time so neglected, and pay the same to the said John roundel and Robert Hill, and Register the same with the said Mr. Ellis. And the said governor is further Ordered to do the like also in cases where any towns shall make the like defaults for the time ensuing. And all the said moneys so to be sent in and paid for former defaults, and all other moneys to be sent in for Hyering of Labourers for the time to come from such towns as send money and no Labourers, are to be issued and disposed of for the Wages of Workmen, according as shall be appointed by the said Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Rhodes, and Mr. Barroby, to whom the Care and Charge of this Service is commended, and Power given them to appoint Overseers for the work, and give Directions therein upon all occasions, as they shall see expedient. Given at Towlerton under my Hand and seal the fourth day of lanuary, Anno Dom. 1648.  
J. LAMBERT.