Die Mercurii, 23 Novemb 1642.
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.