I Cannot but wonder at the manner as well as the sub­ject matter of Sir T.P. his Discourse. As to the man­ner, I suppose he might have inform'd your Lordship and the Court of Aldermen of any danger the Citie were in, upon any account whatsoever, without bringing an hun­dred persons at his heels. I must take the boldness to tell him, that it lookt more like a tumultuous number of Apprentices doing execution upon Bawdie-houses, than any solid considerate way of advising good for the Citie or Kingdom. But I suppose the great Policie of that, might have Three Considerations: one, to shew that he is able to lead up his men: another, that he is able to make an excellent Speech: or thirdly, that he, for his great zeal and love to the Citie and Nation, was sollicited by those persons, out of their great fears and apprehensions of dangers partly created by himself.

[Page 2] I am very sorry that a Gentleman should have given occasion for any Citizen to have said so much: but any thing concerning his Highness had been received better from another hand than his, because of the known Grudge.

Next, as to the subject matter, he seems to be very much offended at the Citie's being Libell'd in the Intelli­gencer, by saying that the Citie should send to congratu­late his Highness his return: As if it were such an im­mortal stain to the reputation of the Citie, never to be deleted! I wonder it was never taken notice of before. Had we congratulated him now, it had not been the first time. When he return'd from Sea, where he hazarded his life for the maintaining of our Trade, (which we are the gainers by) and had been in the heat of fight, where several Noble-men were killed about him, we could then congratulate him, as also did the Nation with a Pre­sent. He did not want Honour or Preferment, to do this for us. But we might have congratulated him, as he hath condescended to be a Member of us.

If his Highness had so much malice in him as to neces­sitate us to be upon our Guards in the nature proposed, surely he would never have ventur'd himself as a private Sea-man, for our service.

Neither can I conceive any such great danger of our Religion, since his Majestie is living, and well (God be thanked.) His Highness his Title may never happen. Be­sides, the Assembly of Parliament, and our Members there, will take care of us in that point.

We speak well of our King generally, although I am afraid there be some amongst us that are sorry they can't speak otherwise, to further their designes of enslaving us under a parcel of Factious and Ambitious fellows. And I hope there be yet persons sufficient amongst us (upon discovery of any such designes) to correct any sort of Faction against the King, Laws, and Established Government, whether Popish, or any other predominant [Page 3] among us: for neither the one nor the other (I am as­sured) consist with the Freedom of the Subject.

We cry out of Arbitrary Government, and I know not what besides, with which the Vulgar are amused: whilst we in our Government in the Citie are the most guilty of Arbitrariness in the execution of the Laws that we be Judges of, of any body else. For how many Thousand pounds per annum come into our Purses by a Knack of chusing Sheriffs, in making choice of persons whose occasions we know will not permit them to serve that Office; and then, to excuse them, we must have Four or five hundred pound apiece? with many suchlike Devic [...]s. And how many young Citizens have been un­done by moneys paid for coming on of our Liveries; a Tax more considerable than twenty Publique Taxes for the support of the Government? These things, be­sides a great number more, we have and shall finde will lessen our Trade and Interest; else would not our houses stand unlet, and our shops be uncustom'd.

When the King had thanked us for our Care in rai­sing the Militia, and making the Citie a Garison, for the preservation of his person; His Majestie told us he would take care of himself, yet this would not make us lay down our Arms. Nor do I know by what Law the Lieutenan­cie there can make us keep them up. 'Tis true, the Lieu­tenancie themselves, or we that are the principal men, value not the Charge, being little to us, in comparison of what it is to the poor Trades-men, who had more need be minding their business, than they or their ser­vants so employed, to the debauchery of the youth of the Citie. And many of those mean persons that are forced to be at this intolerable charge, will be fit for no­thing, but to give assistance in any new Rebellion.

And if you please to peruse the Sta­tutes for setling the Militia, 13 Car. 2. cap. 6.14 Car. 2. cap. 3. you'll finde there how our Trained Bands are to be marshal'd: That in case of Invasion or Insurrection, every Souldier is to be [Page 4] provided of one Months pay; but no person to be charged further, until the said Months pay be reimbursed him. And in times of peace, the General Muster and Exercise of Regiments not to be above once a year. That the Training and Exercising single Companies be not a­bove four times a year, unless upon special Direction by the King or Privie Council; and the same not to conti­nue above two days, &c. These Acts were made with abundance of Consideration for the Liberty of the Sub­ject, that the King should not lay any extraordinary bur­den upon our estates, upon any pretence whatsoever. And I wonder how it hath been submitted unto by our pretence of Authority so long, being absolutely against Law.

It's impossible for us to thrive in the Citie, whilst we amuse our selves with these kinde of Fears. Let us trust God and the King with the Government: let's mend our selves at home, and endeavour to encourage and increase the Trade of the Citie. When the King or Government is in danger, we shall hear of it time e­nough: or if the King hath a minde to make us of his Privie Council, he knows his own time for it. Certainly the King hath more to lose than any of us.

I must refer it to your Lordships consideration, whe­ther we ought to take notice of this Intelligencer as a Li­beller or not; and also whether there be occasion for any Guards at all, for the considerations aforesaid.