The humble PETITION OF THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Councell Assembled.
TO THE Honourable the House of Commons assembled in High Court Of PARLIAMENT. WITH The Answer of the House of Commons to the said Petition.
Printed by Richard Cotes, Printer to the Honourable City of London, 1647.
TO THE Honourable the House of Commons assembled in High Court of PARLIAMENT.
The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Councell assembled.
THat as your Petitioners acknowledge the Parliament of England to bee the supreme Judecature of the Kingdome, from whom the Subjects of this Nation have found shelter in danger, & releef in distresse; So now your Petitioners having (with the whole Kingdome) a great share and interest in these priviledges, do therefore at this time humbly, [Page 2]yet earnestly present these their important desires to this Honorable House.
1 That all Honorable wayes and meanes may bee used to prevent the further effusion and shedding of Christian blood, and to that end that all just satisfaction may bee given to the Army and all other Souldiers who have adventured their lives for defence of this Parliament and Kingdome, that though the condition of your affaires doe not inable you to give full satisfaction at present, yet that their Accompts may bee justed, and put into a certaine way of payment to the quieting of many thousand discontented persons; which we humbly conceive wil bee much to the glory of God, the honour of the Parliament, and quiet of the Kingdome.
2 That according to our Allegiance, the Covenant and agreement of both Nations, his Majesties royall person may bee preserved, and so disposed of, that the Parliaments of both Kingdomes may have free accesse unto him, that thereby a right understanding may bee obtained between them; and this tottering Church and Kingdome after all our feares, sorrowes, and sufferings, may injoy the blessing of a wel-grounded and long desired Peace, whereby this Kingdome may bee the better inabled to send speedy releefe and helpe to miserable, bleeding Ireland.
3 That for the better defence and securitie of the Parliament, and City, in these tumultuous and troublesome times, This Honorable House will be pleased to renew so much of an Ordinance [Page 4]of Parliament of the 17. of January 1645. as concerneth the raysing, maintaining, and ordering of Horses, and power of making searches (a Copie whereof is hereunto annexed) whereby the Committee of the Militia of London & Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Mortalitie, may bee the better inabled to suppresse all tumultuous Assemblies, and to prevent any dangers that may happen to the Parliament and Citie. And as this Citie from the beginning of these troubles have faithfully adhered to the Parliament, so we are resolved by the blessing of God never to desert the same, but with the utmost of our lives and estates will stand and fall, live and die, with the Parliament of England according to our Covenant.
And the Petitioners shall pray.
Die Martis Octavo Junii, 1647.
THE House being informed, that the Sheriffes of the Citie of London, divers Aldermen and other Citizens of London were at the doore, they were called in, and Sheriffe Edmonds acquainted the House, That they were commanded by my Lord Major, Court of Aldermen & Commons in Common Counsell Assembled, to deliver a Petition to this House; the which the Petitioners being withdrawn was read, and likewise a Printed Ordinance annexed, of the 17 of January, 1645. for the raysing of Horse for the defence of the Citie of London, and for searching and apprehending of Papists and other ill affected persons.
Resolved, &c.
That an Ordinance bee brought in o [...] Thursday morning next, according to the desires of the Petitioners; and it is referred [...] Mr. Recorder, Mr. Grimston, Mr. Got, an Mr. Hill, or any two of them, to prepare an [...] bring in this Ordinance accordingly, and the care of this businesse is more particularly referred to Mr. Got.
The Petitioners were again called in, an [...] Mr. Speaker by the command of the House expressed unto them the true sense this [Page]House has of their constant good affections to this Parliament, and that no alterations whatsoever can worke any change in their duty and love, for which hee is to give them the heartiest Thanks from this House he can expresse.
He is further commanded to take notice of the Lord Maiors, and Committee of Militia's ready complyance with the Order of this House, in so seasonable sending down a very good Guard, for which hee is likewise to return Thankes to the Lord Maior, and the Committee of the Militia. Hereby the House understands very well, that the Committee of the Militia is very sensible of the tumultuous and distempered Humors that are now stirred, and therefore doubts not but of themselves (to whom they doe refer it) they will take care that such convenient Guards may be appointed to attend the Houses as may preserve them from any disturbance or interruptions in their Counsels: As to the request of the Petitioners touching an [...] Ordinance to the purposes therein mentioned, they have done something in it and have put it into away for further consideration at their next meeting.