WHereas it appeares , That some Gentlemen of this County , have given information to one of the Members of the House of Commons , of many great oppressions exercised upon His Majesties Subjects here , And that a Tyrannicall government is founded , under pretence of His Majesties Service ; and have thereby , and upon th●● mis-information , drawne a Declaration from the Lords and Commons , bearing date the twentieth of August instant , to bee published to the people , which is grounded upon those , and divers other false information : We hold it our duties to the Honourable Houses , to the satisfaction of the County , and vindication of our owne honours and integrity herein , to Declare , That wee are so farre from being contrivers , or Instruments of Arbitrary Government or Tyranny , or doing any Act whereby the Country may receive losse , or suffer violence , That all our endeavours shall tend to no other end , then to assure it from spoile and rapine , and to protect every person therein , ( as farre as we can ) from injury and oppression .

To the better advancement of which good desires and resolutions , the Grand lury ( the representative body of this County ) at the Assizes last holden , presented their humble request to His Sacred Majestie , and received thereunto His Gracious approbation : And thereupon some progresse hath been made , and resolutions taken , Ayming onely at the tranquillity of this County , and at no other end or purpose whatsoever : And if any have , or do mis-understand those propositions , or wrest them to any other sence then they were intended , they do it without any ground at all . For we professe , That we have not gone about to conceive , or Act any thing , for sinister or by respects , but onely for the benefit and peace of the County , in generall , and of every particular Person therein ; and that we conceive our doings warrented by the Law of Nature and Necesity , and Authorized by a former Order of Parliament , which declares , That such Counties as put themselves in a posture of defence , have done nothing but what is justifiable : And in pursuance whereof , and agreeing upon the like Resolutions and Propositions to these , we have formerly received approbation , and publike thanks from the House or Commons .

We do therefore further unanimously publish to all lovers of Peace , That we neither have , nor will do any Act , or Acts of other Nature , or tending to other consequence , then those formerly agreed on in this Countie , upon the like occasion , by the Justices of Peace , the eight and twentieth of Ianuary last , and for which , we , by Order from the House of Commons , received thanks the first of February following . As also , That we will not goe about to take the Arms of any honest Gentlemen , Yeomen , or Townesmen , as wee perceive is falsely misreported to the House , we having our selves hitherto done no such thing , nor intending , as far as in us lyes , to suffer others to do the same , unlesse we be enforced to the contrary by hostile actions , or pregnant suspicions from the parties .

We do likewise promise , That we will preserve , to our uttermost endeavours , the peace of the County , and by all just waves , oppose , and bring to punishment , all such as plunder and pillage any person or persons of what degree , quality , or profession soever in this County .

This we will constantly , and with one minde , aide and assist all his Majesties Subjects to defend them from oppression or violence , and not goe about to take any mans goods , or levie money by force .

These , and no other being our united Resolutions , we are confident they will receive the assistance and concurrence of the whole County , to bring to a wished effect a work of so much safety and concernment unto us all .

And therefore ( according to the presentment of the Grand Juty , who resolved , that lesse then eight thousand , sixe hundred , and forty pounds , two shillings six pence , could not performe this necessary work ) we have proportioned ( according to ancient and unquestioned rates ) the said Sum , and have sent the severall proportions agreed upon , justly rated , to every Parish , not at all doubting , but that every mans good affection to his Countrey , and care of his owne well being will prompt him , with all cheerefulnesse , to put his ready hand to such a Pious and necessary work , which we desire may be speedily put in execution in every respective Parish , the people called together by the Minister , Constable , Churchwardens , and ●●erseers of the poore , or some other well-affected persons , and the names of those men men returned in writing , who doe accordingly pay , or agree to pay their proportions ; together with the names of those ( which we cannot beleeve will be many ) who are backward , or deny to pay so small a sum , thuse laid in ballance , with the safety of themselves and their Country . And if there be any so void of affection to his Country , as to refuse his concurrence in this affaire , of such generall and particular concernment , we shall wash our hands , as guiltlesse from the consequence of that crime , and rest satisfied with the conscience of our good endeavovrs , for Vnity , Peace , and a right understanding , the onely way to render this County safe and flourishing , and every particular parson void of feare and mistakings , and assured of his person , goods , and family .

Since these , and no other , are the determinations of our ( by some so much mistaken ) meetings , if any who have not hitherto been present with us , will , for the time to come assist us , with their company and advice , they shall be willingly received , as members of the same County , enjoy free liberty of debate , and receive suteable respect ; that so , with united hearts and hands , we may all joyne together , to the glory of God , the service of our King the preservation of true Religion , and the tranquillity and assurance of this our Countrey .