WEE whose names are under-written, do in the behalfe of all the well-affected women in and about the Cities of London, West-minster; and other adjacent parts, in hopes of a sudden redresse, make knowne unto your Lordships and the honourable the House of Commons, the unsupportable grievances which have long befallen us, by oocasion of this unhappy, unnaturall, and intestine warre, and have been con­tinued to us of late by meanes of severall orders issuing from both Houses, for the extirpation of the Nobles and Gentry of this Kingdome, who suffer for their loyal­ty to their King, and go under that noble attribute of Cavalier, which the short­haird brethren mistook for a name of infa­my, being as well over-seen in matters [Page 2] temporall as spirituall, and in both grosse­ly. But least we may seem prolixe, or like the people of Myndus, make our gate big­ger then our Citie, let us fall backe to the Cavaliers, and make shew of those secrets which (to our griefes) have been long concealed.

It is not unknowne to your Lordships, and the rest of this Kingdome, that since his Majestie was compelled to leave White hall, by reason of unruly multitudes, trading of all sorts have been mightily impeaded, unlesse a little in the Suburbs, where your French Commodities are so frequently vendible, whereas before the City supplied men with all commodities. And in justice we ought to have our de­sires answered in some measure, for who paid the Scots (those beggerly Saints) af­ter they were invited to begin this warre, but the City? Who continued this warre but the City? Or who are like to be un­done by this war but the City? We are sure our husbands have little reason to hold their heads so high since the Cavaliers left the Towne, to our great griefs, our shops [Page 3] which heretofore were fragrant as the springs first flowers, occasioned by gallants frequent visits, are now like houses haun­ted with spirits, unfrequented, happy those daies when they were stuck with variety, Nobles, Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen, then every Citizens wife of any quality, was occupied in her severall vocation then might our husbands freely take the aire, or go to their countrey-houses, whilst we had those at our command to act their parts in the City, which was a great con­tentment (good soule [...]) to them. But now the case is altered, let us have ever so good commodities not a chapman is left to cheapen, which will occasion a horrible inconvenience in time; we shall not have a sonne but of the City breed, borne with a what doe you lacke? in his mouth, or the issue of some fowle mouthed fel­low, who will bee crying downe the Whore of Babylon, who are confident is a bawd by this time, for we have heard her ra [...]ed against by a Wicker chaird▪ brother, ever since the time of our minorities. Be­sides my Lords, what an inconvenience it [Page 4] will be, when our poore husbands have been hard at it all day, must bee forced (though may be disabled in the service) to work at night: in this we appeale to your Lordships, or else we must bee forced to be at the trouble to send our Emissaries a­broad to look out some friends, who no sooner entred—into our acquaintance, and indeered to us, but presently issues an Ordinance of Parliament, which suited to the terrible sounds of Drum and Trum­pet, forceth us to make a field businesse of it, or els to deferre our joyes till three tedi­ous moneths are wasted.

My Lords, we desire your Lordships, as you have been borne by women, or borne of women, that your Lordships would advise of some convenient times to do it your selves, or otherwise (in case you have miscarried, lying so long with the Common-wealth) not to hinder well-affected people.

It is not unknown to your Lord­ships, that the Gentry of this King­dome, [Page 5] I mean the Cavaliers, have al­waies stood stiffe to the City upon all occasions, and would still, were they not disabled by Parliamentary proceedings truly you have by your rough handling, I hope your Lord­ships wil not be offended, taken the edge of their abilities much off, and by that means have left many good women in a pitifull plight.

Consider we beseech your Lord­ships, it is not one, but many that suf­fer by this unjust dealing, view but the now unfrequented streets, where whilome Coaches plowed up the pavements, stuft with gallants whose breaths were sweet as Amber, instead whereof you shal see a mouse-hair'd fellow, with a long thing God blesse us by his side, as rusty as himself, with his erected eares, just like our hus­bands, are not these goodly chapmen [Page 6] to deal in whole-sale Commodities?

To trouble your Lordships no further, what do or will people think when they see that we are fitt in our husbands shops for no other use but (just as buckets are hung up finely painted in Churches) to extinguish the fire of some poore neighbouring building, when we might serve (were a right use made of us) to extinguish the high rising flames of a Kingdome.

Wee beseech your Lordships to consider the premisses, and according to your mercy (not your justice) give a period to our grievances, and wee shall (as in duty bound) pray for your Lordships length, &c.