HIS majesties LETTER TO THE HIGH sheriff of the County of york. May the fifth. 1641.  
To Our trusty and well-beloved high sheriff of our County of york.  
TRusty and well-beloved, Wee greet you well:  
Whereas Wee understand, that Sir John Hotham takes upon him( without any legal authority or power) to issue Warrants to Constables, and other Our Officers, to raise divers of our trained Bands of this Our country, and requires them to march with their arms, and to come into our town of Hull, where he hath disarmed divers of them, keeps their arms and discharges the men, and whereas Wee are credibly, informed, that divers persons, who were lately Colonels, Lievteant-Collonels, Captains, and Officers of the trained Bands of this our County, intend shortly to summon, and endeavour to muster the forces of this our County: For as much as by the Law of the Land, none of our trained Bands are to be raised or mustered, upon any pretence or authority whatsoever, but by special warrant under our own hand, or by a legal Writ directed to the sheriff of the County, or by Warrant from the Lord lieutenant, or Deputy-Lievtenants of the County, appointed and authorised by Commission under our great seal. And whereas at present there is no Lord lieutenant or Deputy-lievtenant legally authorised to command the forces and trained Bands of this our County of york, and the Commissions, Command, and Power of all colonels, lieutenant colonels, Captains and Officers of our trained Bands,( which were derived from the Commission and Power of the Lord-Lievtenant only) are now actually voided, and of no force and authority. Our will and command therefore is, that you forthwith issue Warrants under your hand, to all the late colonels, Lievtenant-Collonels, Captaines and Officers, who( whiles the Lord lieutenant, Commission was in force) had the command of the trained Bands of this our county: And also to all High and Petty Constables, and other Our Officers, in this Our County, whom it may concern; charging and commanding them, and every of them, in Our Name, and upon their Allegiance, and as they tender the Peace of this our kingdom, not to Muster, leavy, or Raise, or to Summon, or warn( upon any Pretence or Directions whatsoever) any of Our trained Bands to Rise, Muster, or March, without express Warrant under Our Hand, or Warrant from you Our sheriff grounded upon a particular Writ to that purpose; which Wee also command you, not to put in Execution without Our Privity and Allowance, whiles We shall reside in this Our County. And in case any of Our trained Bands shall rise, or gather together, contrary to this our Command, Then We will and command you to charge and require them, to dissolve, and retire to their dwellings. And if upon due Summons from you, they shall not lay down their Arms, and depart to their dwellings; We will and command you, upon your Allegiance, and as you tender the peace and quiet of this Our kingdom, to raise the Power of the County, and suppress them by force, as the LaW hath directed and given you Power to do. And to the end that this Our express Command may be notified to all Our good Subjects in this Our County, so as none may pretend hereafter to have been misled through ignorance; We require you to cause these Our Letters to be forthwith red, and published openly in all Churches and Parishes in this our county. Herein you may not fail, as you tender the safety and honour of Our Person, the good and peace of this Our kingdom, and will answer the contrary at your peril. For which this shall be your sufficient Warrant.  
Given at Our Court at york the fifth day of May, in the eighteen year of Our reign, &c.   

Printed at York, by ROBERT BARKER and re-printed in London.