The Lord Marquesse of Hertford, his letter, sent to the Queen in Holland.: Also a letter from the committee in Sommersetshire, to the Houses of Parliament, with a copy of their message to Marquesse Hertford, and his men assembled in arms at Shepton-Mallet, his answer thereunto, and their resolution upon the same. Likewise the information that both Houses received from a marchant in Roterdam, relating how divers captains, and other officers upon a letter from the Queen to the Prince of Orange, are by him discharged, and sent over into England for His Majesties service in the north; and how the papists there have given to the King two hundred thousand pound in mony; with sundry other matters of great concernment. Whereunto is added, certain votes of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for the apprehending, and bringing up, Sir Ralph Hopton, Master Thomas Smith, Captain John Digby; members of the House of Commons, with Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Sir Francis Dodington, and some others as delinquents. Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that these particulars be forthwith printed and published. Joh. Brown, Cler. Parliament.

Munday the 1. of August.

THe Message of the Members of the House of Commons, and the Deputy-Lieutenants, the Committee of both Houses of Parliament, for the preservation of the peace of the County of Somerset sent to Troopers, and divers men in Armes gathered in bodies in the fields about Shepton mallet, by M. Bull and M. Long.

Requiring them to demand of those Troopers and armed men the intention of their comming; and if it were for peace, then that they should returne home to their houses if not, that then they would take it as an insurrection; and en∣deavour to represse it.

Mr. Bull, and M. Long comming with the message, they found these Troopers and Armed men, &c. commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton, and M. Tho. Smith, to whom they delivered the message; who told them they could not give them any answer till they had spoken with the Marquesse, and desired the two Gentlemen to goe to Wels to him, and then the said Sir Ralph Hopton, and M. Smith would goe with them, which they did.

And then the Lord Marquesse of Hertford gave them this answer in writing by Sir Ralph Hopton.

My Lord Marquesse being informed of a great assembly to meet at Shepton in Armes this day, not knowing any cause of such meeting, sent me and some other Iustices of the Peace in order to the peace of this County, to know the cause of such meeting, and to prevent the disturbance of the peace.

When they had received the abovesaid answer, the Marquesse gave them in writing these words under∣written, and desired answer.

I understand there is a great assembly of armed men now at Shepton, which I conceive is unlawfull, and desire to know by what au∣thority they are met; for that as yet it seems to me a great violation of the peace of this County, and the Kingdome, to appeare so armed; and to receive their answer.

To which the Comittee sent as followeth:

After we understood that my Lord Mar∣quesse of Hertford came into this Coun∣ty with Companies of Armed men to put in execution the Commission of Array which is illegall, and setling himselfe at Wels, whether resorted many men in Armes, both Horse and Foot, We to preserve the peace of this County came this day to Sheptonmallet.