A DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, WITH instructions for the Lords Lieutenants, Committees of Parliament, and other Officers and Commanders in the Counties of Warwick and Stafford, and Cities and Counties of Coventry and Lichfield; Touching the association of the said Counties and parts adjacent, for the defence of themselves and suppressing and disarming of Enemies, and persons ill-affected. And for raising of Plate, and moneys for that end and purpose.  

ORdered to be Printed,  
jo. Brown clear. Parliamentorum. Henry Els. clear. Parl. D. come.   
LONDON, Printed for Henry Overton, in Popes-Head-Alley, 1642.   

A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament.  
THe Lords and Commons now in Parliament assembled, being certainly informed that Papists and other wicked, and ill affencted persons, have traitorously combined together, and entred into association, and have raised, and daily do raise great forces both of horse and foot, in several Counties of this kingdom, and have plundered, spoyled, and destroyed, multitudes of his Majesties good Subjects, and if not timely prevented, will utterly subvert, and destroy the true protestant religion( which is their chief design) the laws of the Land, the privileges of Parliament, and the liberty of the Subjects. The said Lords and Commons do declare, that they hold it a thing most fit and necessary for the present state of this kingdom. And for the better securing of the County of warwick, and City and County of coventry, and of the County of Stafford, and City and County of Lichfield, and the parties adjacent to the said Counties, and do accordingly, Order and ordain; That the Lords Livetenants and the Committees of parliament hereafter name( that is to say) for the County of warwick, and City and County of Coventry, Sir Peter Wentworth Knight of the Bath, William Parefoy Esquire, Godfrey Bosevile Esquire, John Barker Esquire, William Iesson Esquire, the present mayor of the City of Coventry, John Hales Esquire, Anthony Stoughton Esquire, Thomas Boughton Esquire, William Colmore Esquire, George Abbot Esquire, And Thomas bassinet Alderman, and for the county of Stafford, and City and County of Lichfeild, Sir Hugh Wrotesley Knight and Baronet, Sir Charles Egerton Knight, T. Crompton Esquire, Edward Manwaring Esquire, Thomas parks Esquire, John Skrinsley Esquire, Gerard Skrinsley Esquire, Edward Leigh Esquire, Richard Broughton Esquire, matthew Moreton Esquire, Richard Payot Esquire, George Parker Esquire, Humphrey Wicley Rowland-Cotton Esquire, Walter Grosvenor Esquire, Richard Flier Esquire, Francis Collier Esquire, Richard Bowyer Esquire, Ralph Rudier Esquire, The Maior of Stafford for the time being, Edward Broughton Gentleman, John Birch Gentleman, Phillip jackson Gentleman, Henry ston Gentleman, John Swinfield Gentleman, The Baliffes and sheriff of the City of Lichfield for the time being, John Bourne Gentleman, Richard Baxter Gentleman, And all colonels, lieutenant colonels, sergeant Majors, and other Captaines and Officers, and all other well affencted persons inhabiting within the said several Counties, and Cities and parts adjacent shall and may associate themselves and mutually aid, and succour, and assist one another, in the mutual preservation▪ and defence of themselves, and the peace of the said Cities and Counties from all rapine plundering and spoilings of the said papists, and ill affencted persons. And it is further ordered, ordained, and declared that the said Lord lieutenants, Committees of Parliament, colonels, lieutenant colonels, sergeant Majors, Captaines and other officers, have power and authority, to raise forces of horse and foot, and to led them into any place which shall be fitting and convenient, and to give battle, and to fight with all such as are, or shall be raised to levy war against the Parliament, and all other forces raised without authority and consent of both Houses of Parliament, that make any insurrection, and plunder, or destroy his Majesties good Subjects, And them to invade, resist, suppress, subdue, and pursue, kill, and slay, and put to execution of death, and by all means to destroy as enemies to the kingdom, and to perform all things else needful for the preservation of the safety, and peace of the said Cities and Counties and parts adjacent, observing from time to time such other directions, and commands, as they shall receive from both Houses of Parliament, or from the earl of Essex Lord general, and that the said persons, and other the inhabitants for so doing shall be saved and kept harmless by the power and authority of Parliament. And the said Lords and Commons taking into their serious consideration the necessity of appointing a Commander in chief, over the forces which are, or shall be raised in the Cities and Counties aforesaid, or any of them for the service aforesaid, in regard that by particular Commissions already granted to persons in the said several Counties, there was no power given to led forces out of their own Counties, It is ordered& ordained that the Lord general, the E. of Essex shall be desired to grant a Commission to Robert Lord brook to command in chief as general of all the forces, raised or to be raised in the said Cities, and Counties, and parts adjacent, and to have power to led, command, and carry the same to such places within the said Cities and Counties and parts adjacent, as he shall think fit for the defence thereof, And likewise power to give the same order and instructions in his said Excellencies absence, for regulating the souldiers, which are or shall be under his command, as his said Excellency hath given to his Army, and to use martiall law, to compel obedience thereunto, as occasion shall require. And also power and authority to make and appoint all officers, for levying, conducting, and leading the said forces as he shall think fit.  
John brown clear. Parliament   

Instructions for the Lords Lieutennants, Committees of Parliament, and other Officers and Commanders, in the Counties of Warwick and Stafford, and Cities and Counties of Coventry and Lichfield.  
THat the Lords Lieutenants of the several Countries of Warwick and Stafford, and Cities and Counties of Coventry and Lichfield, or the Committees of Parliament of the said Cities and Counties respectively, or any three or more of them, with all convenient speed do summon the several Gentlemen fréeholders, and other inhabitants of the said several Cities and Counties, as well within liberties and Corporations as without, that do or are able to bear or finder arms, to such places in the said several Counties and Cities as they hold most fitting, and at such meetings, to take a view what arms and Force can be raised in the said Cities and Counties respectively, and examine the defects of arms and Ammunition, and to consult of some fitting course how to have the want of arms and other defects to be supplied; And at such meetings or at any other fit time and times, with the assistance of the Committee for the propositions, and subscriptions in the several Counties and Cities aforesaid, and parts adjacent, or any two of them, shall and may propound to all the Inhabitants of the said Cities and Counties that are able to bear or find arms, or to contribute towards the same, what present and eminent danger and necessity the whole Kingdom is now reduced unto, by the wicked advice, and attempts and conspiracies of Papists and other persons now about His Majesty, and to propound to them to join in Association and mutual defence of one another, according to the form of an Association hereunto anuered. And to require them to set down in writing, and subscribe what arms for Horse and Foot, what Horse either for dragoons or others they will have in readiness upon every just occasion for the defence of the said Cities and Counties.  
Secondly, the better to prevent the plundering and spoiling of the said Cities and Counties, and the parts adjacent, and to have means for the furnishing of arms and Ammuniton, making of fortifications and payment of the Garrisons, Officers, and Souldiers, and other public necessary charges, That thereby forthwith raised in the said several Cities and Counties respectively, and in the Corporations, Constablaries and Parishes thereof, such sums of money as shall necessary be disbursed and expended for the uses aforesaid; The same sums to be ranted and assessed in like sort as was the fourehundred thousand pounds granted by Act this present Parliament, wherein the persons who have not subscribed to the Parliaments late propositions, shall be assessed, and their assessments levied in such sort as by the Ordinance late made for the City of London, and the parts adjacent, suchlike persons are to be assessed and their assessments levied: for which sums of money so ranted and levied and expended as aforesaid, the Lord Lieutenant and Committée, shall be accountable for their proceeding therein to both Houses of Parliament, and none else.  
And for the better levying of the said sums of money, that the said Lords Lieutenants, and the said Committée of the said Counties respectively; or any three or more of them, shall or may assess, and far or cause to be assessed or taxed, the said sums, upon the said several Cities and Counties, and the Corporations, towns, Constablaries and Parishes within the same, in like manner as is aforesaid; And that they or any three or more of them, nominate and appoint Treasurers, Collectors and assessors, in every of the said Counties, for the assessing, receiving and collecting the said sums of money, And shall and may grant warrants under their hands and seals in writing, to any Constable, or other Officer whatsoever, to raise, and levy the said sums so to be assessed and taxed as aforesaid, upon all such persons upon whom any such sums shall be so assessed and set, that do refuse or neglect to pay the same, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Assessors, or any other persons to whom warrants by the Lords Lieutenants, and Committées respectively shall be granted to levy the said sums so assessed by way of distress, and rate of the goods, of the person so assessed and refusing. And if any person so distrained shall make resistance, it shall and may be lawful to and for the respective Lords Lieutenants, and Committees to sand any of the Trainedbands or other Souldiers of the respective Counties, and Cities aforesaid to compel the said parties so refusing to obedience of this Ordinance. And in case no distress is, or may be found, then the said respective Lords Lieutenants, and Committees aforesaid, or any three or more of them, shall or may commit such person, and persons so refusing to pay, as aforesaid, to some commom Gaole, thereto remain without bail or main prise, until payment made of such sum and loans as aforesaid.  
Thirdly, that all Sheriffes, Iustices of peace, Majors, Balifs, Constables, and all other His Majesties Officers, as well within liberties as without, be, from time to time aiding and assisting unto the said Lord Lieutenants, and Committées in execution of the power to them given by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and of these instructions.  
Fourthly, that no Treasurer or Receiver of any money, shall issue out any money, but under the hands of the Lord lieutenants and Committées or any three of them in every County respectively. And that the several Lord Lieutenants, and Committées, do not sign or grant any warrants for the issuing or paying any sum or sums, but for the furnishing of arms and Ammunition making of fortifications, payment of Officers, and Souldiers, and other necessary public charges, tending to the safety and preservation of the said Cities, and Counties and not otherwiise.  
Fifthly, that the said Lord Lieutenants, and Committées of every the said Cities and Counties respectively, or any three or more of them, shall and may from time to time raise such, and so many of the Trained-bands, and other persons inhabiting in the said Cities, and Counties as they shall judge it necessary and fitting to enter into the houses of all Papists, and other persons that are voted to be Delinquents by both, or either House of Parliament, or that have put in execution the Commission of Array or that have been present with or aiding or assisting to His Majesty in this unnatural war against the Parliament, or that being of ability have not contributed upon the propositions of raising of Horse, Money, or Plate for the defence of King and Parliament, or that have refused to sand Horse, and arms, to the Musters, when by the deputy Lieutenants appointed by the power of Parliament, they having been required so to do. Or such Clergy-men and others that have publicly preached or declared themselves to oppose, disgrace, or revile the misunderstandings of both or either House of Parliament; And to seize upon the arms, ammunition and Horses fit for service in the war, that belong to such person, and persons, the same Horses, arms, and ammunition to be employed and disposed of by the direction of the said Lord Lieutenants, and Committees of the said several and respective Cities and Counties, or any three, or more of them for the public service, and defence of the several Cities and Counties aforesaid.  
Sixthly, that the said Lord Lieutenants, and Committées or any three or more of them do cause the several companies of the trained-bands and volunteers to be put into Regiments, and to nominate, appoint, and place colonels, Lieutenant colonels, sergeant Majors, Captains, Lieutenants, and other officers to every Regiment and company where any such are wanting, or when such as are and have been nominated, have refused to execute those places.  
Seventhly, that the Dragooners be put into Companies, and that one hundred and twelve be allotted to a Company, and that each Company of Dragooners have an experienced soldier to be a corporal, and to have the present pay of a corporal.  
Eightly, that the said Lord Lieutenants, and Committées in each County respectively or any three or more of them, shall and may give command and directions from time to time to securs and certify al Bridges, Cawses, and Passages, and in times of approach of an Enemy or fear of any invasion by an Enemy, to pull down or stop the Bridges, Cawses, Passages and to cut the banks of the said Counties respectively. And to have power to fortify and secure any Town, Hundred, or Hamlet, where the said Town, Hundred, or Hamlet, are willing to do the same at their own proper charges. And also to have power at all times to seize and stop all Barges, Boats or other Vessells passing by water for the safety of the said Cities and Counties, and placos adjacent.  
Ninthly, it is further ordered and declared that the said Committées, for the said several Cities, and Counties respectively, shall or may call unto their assistance such person, and persons, as they shall think for the better and more orderly execution and performance of these instructions.  
Tenthly, the Lord Lieutenant, or Committées or any three or more of them shall or may imprison, and commit to safe custody all& every such persons as being able and have had due summons, do notwithstanding refuse or wilfully neglect to appear at Muster, or to sand some able persons to be allowed of by the Captaines, or chiefs Officers of the Company in his behalf.  
And it is lastly ordered and declared, that the instructions of the fifteenth day of August last past for John Hales, isaac Bromwich Esqiure, John Barker Alderman, Thomas bassinet Alderman, and Robert Phipps Gentleman, appointed to take care of the peace of the City of Coventry shall be henceforth voided, and of no effect,  


John brown clear. Parliament.  
Henry elsing clear. Par. D. come.     

WE whose names are under written, Inhabitants of the Counties of Warwick, and Stafford, and of the Cities and Counties of Coventry and Lichfield, and parts adjacent, do hereby engage ourselves to provide Horses and arms, and to maintain and find at our own proper cost and charges, and at all times to have in readiness for the service of the said Cities and Counties, and parts adjacent now associated together, by authority of both Houses of Parliament, so many men completely armed, and furnished, and such Horses, Geldings, Naggs, Mares, as we have severally and respectively subscribed for, to bee commanded, lead and conducted, in any parts and places within the said Cities, Counties or parts adjacent, by such persons as now have, or hereafter shall have the command in chief of all the said Forces of the said Cities, Counties, and parts adjacent.  
Whereas the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, have taken into their consideration, that in times so full of division and danger as these are, in union of our hearts and forces, it is most conducing to the public good and safety of the whole kingdom, and have therefore ordained, That the Inhabitants of the County of Warwick and Stafford, and of the Cities and Counties of Coventry and Lichfield should enter into association with one another, for the maintenance and preservation of the same Cities and Counties. Therefore in pursuance of the said order, and the better to confirm a mutual confidence in one another, we whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby promise testify and declare to maintain, and defend with our lives power and estates, the peace of the said Cities and Counties, and parts adjacent, and to aid and assist one another under the command and conduct of such persons as now have, or hereafter shall have by the authority of both Houses of Parliament, or of the Lord general, the command in chief of all the Forces of the said Cities and Counties, according to the true intent and meaning of the said order of Association, whereunto we must most willingly give our assent, and neither for hop, fear, or other respects, shall ever relinquish this promise.  


Jo. brown clear. Parliament.  
H. Els. clear. Parl. D. come. Ordered to be Printed.     
FINIS.