Severall letters from the committees in severall counties to the honourable William Lenthall Esquire, speaker of the House of Commons, read in both Houses of Parliament, Iune 27, 1642 : wherein, amongst divers other passages very remarkable, is related how the townsmen of Manchester put themselves into arms, and stood upon their defense against the Lord Strange and his forces, who came to seize on the magazine : with an intercepted letter from Sir Edward Fitton, to Sir Thomas Aston at York, discovering a fowl designe of the malignant party : whereunto is added severall votes of both Houses.

SIR,

IN obedience to the Instructions (which I well en∣deavour punctually to observe) I have taken the bold∣nesse humbly to present you this Account, that upon my first accesse into these pats, I distributed the deputati∣ons and Instructions to the severall Deputy Lieutenants therein concerned, and we have appointed a meeting of all the Deputy Lieutenants and Captaines in the County, upon Monday next: In the meane time it shall be the worke of my endeavour, to dispose and incline the Countrey to contribute their assi∣stance to the publike service, which I suspect may be the more difficultly obtained, because it is confidently beleeved and expected by many (who prepare accor∣dingly) that his Majestie intends within short time to come into these parts, and to prepare the Countrey for his assistance and entertainement, hath issued a Com∣mission of Array to the Lord Strange, wherein (it is

credibly affirmed) there is joyned in the Commis∣sion the Lord Kilmorrey Cholmondly and Brereton, Sir George Booth, Sir Richard Wilbraham, Sir Edward Fit∣ton, Sir Thomas Aston, and Our Sheriffe, Master Leigh of Addlington, Master Thomas Cholmondly, Master Thomas Cotton, Master Whitmore, and others, some whereof have declared and discovered too much forwardnesse therein, though I hope one or two of them will be better advised.

Because therefore it is apprehended that at the same time and places they will attempt to put the Commis∣sion in execution when the Ordinance touching the Mi∣litia is likewise to be executed.

Give me leave (I beseech you) to represent this to your consideration, that so such further directions may be added to the former as may be thought requisite. For by the former (as may appeare unto you by this clause herein closed) it seemes to be intended, that the power and strength of the County is to be imployed for the suppressing of such Assemblies, and for the apprehen∣ding and sending up all such persons as shall after admo∣nition and command to the contrarie persist, which is not to be expected to be ••ffected without force and vio∣lence, which being once entred into, may not be sud∣denly composed and allayed, nor perhaps made good, unlesse we can disposesse them of the Countrey pouder, which is in the publicke Magazin in their hands, so as the Countrey is much wanting, save onely that which is in private hands.

Notwithstanding wee will use our best endeavours, within a short time to possesse our selves of the Maga∣zin, and what may be the further pleasure of the Parlia∣ment shall be observed by him, who will alwayes make

it a chiefe worke of his duty to obey their command, And to your self in particular, to approve my selfe,

Your most faithfull friend and servant Will. Brereton.

Chester 24 June 1642.