TWO PETITIONS To the Right honorable the LORDS and COMMONS in Parliament Assembled: The One, The humble PETITION of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON in Common-councell assembled, To both Houses of Parliament.
The Other, The humble Petition of divers well-affected Citizens, and other Inhabitants of the City of London, To the Right Honourable the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell ASSEMBLED.
Which Petitions were presented to both Houses, Iune 1. 1648.
Together with the Answer of the Lords and Commons to the said PETITIONS.
London Printed by RICHARD COTES, 1648.
THat this House doth return thanks to the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-councell of London for their good affections. As concerning the Contents in the annexed Petition, their Lordships will send a Committee of members of both Houses to the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-councell this afternoon, who shall return an Answer thereunto.
THe House being informed that the Sheriffes and divers Aldermen and Citizens were at the door, they were called in, and Sheriffe Bide after some preamble acquainted the House that a company of eminent and ancient Citizens on Tuesday night brought a Petition to the Common-councell, which they read; and they are commanded by the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-councell assembled, the representative Body of the City to present the same, together with a Petition of their own annexed, to this House: The one Petition was styled, The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-councell assembled; The other styled, The humble Petition of divers well-affected Citizens, and other Inhabitants within the City of London, directed to the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-councell; The which the Petitioners being withdrawn was read.
The Citizens were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by the command of the House acquainted them, that the House doth perceive the wisdome and moderation of the Common-councell in this businesse, and thereby their good affections to the Parliament, for which hee was commanded to return them thanks, and by them to the Common-councell: As to the Petition from the Citizens, they have resolved to send Members of their own to the Common-councell this afternoone upon that businesse, and desired them that a Common-councell might bee called to meet this afternoon to this purpose.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE The Commons IN THE High Court of Parliament assembled: The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-councell assembled.
THat your Petitioners sitting in Common-Councell upon the Affairs of this City, had there presented unto them by divers well-affected Citizens, the Petition hereunto annexed; which being openly read, and seriously considered of, they did apprehend [Page 2] that the same did contain severall things of great and good consequence, worthy due consideration, tending to the preservation of the Parliament, and the settlement of the Peace and welfare of the Kingdom and City: And therefore thought fit to present the same to this honorable House.
And humbly pray your Honors to take the same into your consideration; and to doe therein as in your Grave Wisdomes you shall see fit.
To the Right Honorable JOHN WARNER Lord Major of the City of LONDON, And to the right Worshipfull the Aldermen, and Common-councell of the same, now assembled: The humble Petition of divers well-affected Citizens, and other Inhabitants within the City of London.
THat your Petitioners out of a deep sense of their present and pressing miseries of this afflicted Kingdom, and particularly of this City of London; and likewise considering the imminent danger and destruction ready to swallow up all hopes of future agreement, peace, and happiness, by new-engaging in a Civill and bloody Warre, the very thoughts whereof doe so surprize our hearts with apprehensions of a generall ruine and calamity, that we are necessitated humbly to address [Page 4] our selves to this honorable Court, as the representative Body of this City, and most proper means for us to apply our selves unto, to desire your Concurrence (as formerly) to joyn with us in further Addresses to the High and Honorable Houses of Parliament, for obtaining such remedies of Grievances, and assurance from Dangers, as the present distempers of the Times justly call for; and which as free-born Subjects, (having onely the glory of God, the peace and preservation of our Country, in our eys & aims, according to our Covenant;) We may reasonably expect as the reward of our former faithfulnesse, and inducement to our further service; and doe thereupon humbly offer to your serious consideration these particulars following, (Viz.)
First, We doe with all thankefulnesse acknowledge the great care and wisdome of this Honourable Court, in contributing your best assistance for a Personall Treatie with His Majestie and Parliaments of both Kingdomes; whereby a right and good understanding may be begotten betwixt them, Religion may be setled, and the happinesse of His Majesties Royall Throne and Kingdomes, and of his people may be firmely established, according to Covenant; which as we daily hope and pray for, so by the blessing of God upon your faithfull indeavors, we despair not to see accomplished.
Secondly, That the Militia's of the City of London, and of the adjoyning Counties on both side the Thames, Viz. Midlesex, Essex, Hertford, Buckingham, Kent, Surry Sussex, &c. may be associated for the better safety and freedome of the Treaty above said, and the suppressing of all Riots and Tumults.
Thirdly, And we humbly offer to your further consideration to present to both the Honorable Houses of Parliament, that Captain William Batten may be speedily restored to the command of Vice-Admiral of the Ships now at Sea in the Parliaments service, as formerly.
Fourthly, As wee cannot but with grief of spirit look upon the sudden and unexpected distempers now risen in the County of Kent, and the sad consequences which the same (if not suddenly prevented,) may produce, to the exceeding detriment of this city, and of the whole Kingdom; so wee cannot but (in tendernesse to our brethren and fellow Subjects of that County, whose late association with this City to the great service of Parliament, we cannot forget) become humble and earnest Petitioners to this Honourable Court that you would be pleased in your great Wisdoms to find out some speedy expedient to present unto the Honorable Houses of Parliament, for appeasing the same by way of accommodation, and not by any ingagement in blood, having regard rather to their former services, then the present distempers, which they may bee ingaged in by other provocations, and not from any disaffection to, or desertion of the Parliament.
Lastly, Wee hope it will not offend this Honorable Court, if we your Petitioners doe once againe remind you of those worthy Aldermen (Members of this Court) now in displeasure of the Houses of Parliament, whose acquittall and inlargement, wee humbly pray may bee thought fit to bee insisted on as a co [...]siderable branch of our Petition.
All whic [...] th [...] Petit [...]ners humbly submit to your grave Wisdome▪ and earnestly pray for your [Page 6] present helpe and assistance, in furthering these or such of these particulars, and of all such other meanes, as your wisdoms shall adjudge fitting, for the peace and happiness of the Kingdom in generall, and particularly of this City of London, and the security thereof: In the pursuance of all which, The Petitioners by Gods assistance are resolved effectually to joine with, and to assist you unto their utmost abilities.
And the Petitioners shall dayly pray, &c.