THe Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Com­mons House of Parlia­ment, having in the be­ginning of this Session applied them­selves [Page 4]to the aiding Your Majesty in Your Naval Preparations, have of late considered of some Bills, that may be most grateful to the People, either in redressing things that are grievous to them, or in advancing their Trade and Commerce, which are the soul and life of the Nation.

Evil manners produce good Laws, but the best Laws in time may grow ob­solete; and such is the wicked nature of Man, that when he cannot by force break through a Law, he will by fraud and tricks endeavour to evade it.

I may with great truth affirm, the Common Law of England is the best Municipal Law in the World; and yet if the Legislative power were not ready to countermine the Works, and make up the Breaches that are daily made upon it, the sons of Zeruiah would be too strong for us.

We have now presented Your Ma­jesty with several Bills, for the Regula­tion of the Law, which will serve to [Page 5]prune some exuberant branches, and to pull away the Ivie that robb'd this Tree of her just nourishment: And if Your Majesty now be pleased graciously to shine upon her, she will yield her fruit in great abundance, to the content of Your Majesty, and all Your people.

Cosmographers do agree, that this Island is incomparably furnished with pleasant Rivers, like Veins in the natu­ral Body, which convey the Blood into all the parts, whereby the whole is nou­rished, and made useful: but the Poet tells us, he acts his part best,—Qui miscuit utile dulci: Therefore we have prepared some Bills for making small Rivers Na­vigable: A thing that in other Coun­treys hath been more experienced, and hath been found very advantagious; it easeth the people of the great Charge of Land-Carriages, preserves the High­ways, which are daily worn out with Waggons, carrying excessive Burthens; it breeds up a Nursery of Watermen, which, upon occasion, will prove good Sea-men; and with much facility main­tains [Page 6]Intercourse and Communion be­tween Cities and Countries.

We have been much affected with the crys and wants of the Poor this hard season, especially those about this Town, who are ready to starve for want of Fuel, the price of Coals be­ing so unreasonably enhansed by the extorting Engrossers; VVe have there­fore for their present and future ease, prepared a Bill, authorizing the Lord Mayor and the Court of Aldermen in the City of London; and Three Justices of Peace in the Countrey, whereof one to be of the Quorum, from time to time to set the Prices of Coals; having re­gard to the Price paid to the Impor­ter, and other emergent Charges.

And now Great SIR, having fi­nished our present Counsels, we hope Your Majesty will give us leave to re­turn for a time into our Countreys, where, in our several Spheres, we shall be ready to serve You with our Per­sons and our Purses, and also with our [Page 7]Prayers to the Great God of Hosts, that he will be pleased to strengthen Your Hands in the day of Battell, and make Your Majesty victorious over all Your Enemies both at home and abroad.