THE Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament , being cer●ainely informed ●hat the Papists and other malignants , and ill-affected persons in the County of York , Northumberland , Westmerland , Cumberland , Lancashire , Cheshire , County Palatine of Duresme , and Towne and County of Newcastle , have entered into association , and have caused , and daily doe cause great Forces both of Horse and Foot to oppose and distresse the wel-affected Subjects , and to ayd and succour the Popish and malignant party in those Northerne parts , and in particular those now in the city of York : The said Lords and Commons doe declare , That they hold it a thing most fit , necessary and healthfull for the present State of this Kingdome , and doe accordingly order , That all Lord lieutenants , Deputy-lieutenants , Collonels , Captaines , and other Officers , and all other well affected persons , inhabitants in the severall Counties of Yorke , Lincolne , Notingham , Derby , Stafford , Chester , Lancaster , Northumberland , Cumberland , Westmerland , County Palatine of Duresme , and Town and County of Newcastle , doe and shall associate themselves , and mutually ayd , succour , and assist , one another , by raising forces of horse , and foot , and leading them into places which shal be most convenient and nocessary , and by all good waies and means whatsoever , to suppresse and subdue the popish and malignant party in the said severall counties , and to preserve the peace of the Kingdome , according to the orders and declarations of Parliament , and that the said inhabitants of the said several counties , and every of them for so doing , shal be saved and kept harmlesse 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 chiefe , over the Officers , which are or shall be raised in the Counties a●oresaid , or any of them , for the ●ervice aforesaid , in regard that by the particular Commissions already granted to persons in the said severall Counties , there is not power given , to lead Forces out of their own Counties : It is ordered , that the Lord Generall the Earl of Essex his Excellency , shall be desired to grant such commissions to the Lord Fairefax ( in his Excellencies absence from the said counties ) for levying , leading and conducting , all such Forces as are or shall be raised in the said severall Counties for the service of the King and Parliament , as his said Excellency to himselfe hath , and likewise power to give the same Orders and instructions , for regulating the Souldiary , which is or shall be under his commands , as his said Excellency hath given to his Army , and to use martiall law , to compell obedience thereunto as occasion shall require , And also power and authority to make and appoint Collonels , Captaines , and other Officers for levying , conducting , and leading the Forces , as he shall think fit .