THat the Petitioners cannot but call to minde the deliverance, which they and the whole Kingdome did justly expect from this Parliament, after so many yeares suffering under the power of an arbitrary Government, both in their spirituall and temporall concernments; and they doe humbly acknowledge that this Parliament hath removed many obstacles, and are confident, would by this time, with Gods blessing, have re­stored the Kingdome to its just liberties, and setled a sure foundation for its future happinesse, if they had not beene diverted by the great contrivers of the Kingdomes slavery, who, rather then submit to the justice of this High Court, [Page 2] have raised, maintained, and continued a bloody unnaturall and long Warre against the Parliament of England. In the suppression whereof, as much blood hath been spilt, so a great Treasure hath beene spent, and the Kingdome is still left involved in many engagements and debts, both to their Brethren of Scotland (who like true Christian Brethren came in to its ayde against the common enemy) and also to a multitude of Officers, Souldiers, and others the well affected people of this Land, who did ingage in the defence and sup­port thereof. And although the Petitioners in the obligati­on, which the cause of God, and the publique safetie did cast upon them, have all this time both freely contributed, and cheerfully submitted to many great and unusuall Assesse­ments, which also could not bee leavied but in an extra­ordinary way, yet they cannot bee unsensible, how much arbitrary power hath beene, during these distempers, exer­cised by Committees and others, by whom the good Subject hath beene oftentimes more oppressed, then the Delinquent suppressed, and who have managed the Receipts and Reve­nues which were designed to maintaine the publique charge, so disorderly and ineffectually, that the Kingdome cannot but bee unsatisfied concerning the due imployment thereof, and doubt that much of the publique Money hath beene imployed to private ends, and remaine obscured in the hands of such as were intrusted with the Collection of those Assessements, and the improvement of all Sequestrations to the publique and best advantage. And indeed the Petitio­ners have reason to attribute much of the late discontent and disorders of divers Officers and Souldiers, unto the want of such Moneys, as if duely collected and faithfully managed, might have in good part, If not fully, satisfied the Souldiery; And doe humbly conceive, that the Parliament hath so much the more reason to enquire into the same, be­cause that from this defect, hath risen those late Attempts of some of the Souldiery, and there is such use made of the Vote passed by the Parliament for their satisfaction, to invite and draw together very great numbers of Officers and Souldiers from all parts of the Kingdome, under pretence [Page 3] of sharing the money so obtained, that it may very much indanger the peace and safetie of the Citie.

The Petitioners therefore for remedy of the said Grievan­ces and prevention of those dangers which otherwise may bee feared, and for settlement of this miserable and distracted kingdome, doe humbly pray,

I. That present command bee given that no Officer of Warre or Souldier, other then such as are already come in, doe enter the Line of Communication, under any pretence to share in the Moneys lately appointed by Parliament, to­wards the satisfaction of any Arreares.

II. That such Officers and Souldiers who are already paid according to the late severall Ordinances of Parliament in this behalfe made, if their usuall habitation and imploy­ment have beene within the Line, bee enjoyned forthwith to betake themselves to their calling, or some honest condi­tion of living, and bee prohibited from their looser and tumultuous wandring and meeting within this Citie, and other places adjacent, under penaltie of losing their Ar­reares. And that such Officers and Souldiers as have dwel­lings or other relations in the Countrey, bee required to de­part the Line within two dayes after publication, and to returne to their homes or habitations, and there to apply themselves to their severall callings, upon the like forfeiture of their Arreares, except such whose present and lawfull oc­casions may require their continuance, to bee approved of by a Committee for that purpose to be appointed. And that the Parliament would please to make some speedy and certaine provision for the satisfying of all Arrears unto the Souldiery, who have served the Parliament, within some short and con­venient time to bee paid in the severall Counties and Places of their abode, according to the conditions of their enter­tainement.

III. That all Officers and Souldiers who have beene in Armes against the Parliament, or others who have assisted or contributed thereunto, bee injoyned upon paine of Im­prisonment within 24. houres after publication to repaire to their severall habitations, and fall to their lawfull cal­lings; [Page 4] And that such Officers, Souldiers, and others as have no habitations neerer, be commanded forthwith to with­draw themselves and to continue at least twentie miles from London, for the space of fortie dayes; Except such as by a Committee authorized and appointed to that purpose shall have licence, upon just cause, by them allowed, to remaine in or neere London so long time, untill they have dispatch­ed such businesses as they shall have in or neare the Citie; which ended, then presently to retire twentie miles from the Citie upon paine of imprisonment as aforesaid.

IV. That such Commanders and Souldiers as, according to former orders of the Parliament, have come in from the Army having received their Moneys, may bee otherwise dis­posed of as the Parliament shall thinke fit.

V. That all persons whatsoever that are possessed of any Moneys or Goods belonging to the Publick, may be injoyn­ed to bring the same, within one month after publication, into such publike Treasury as is or shall be appointed for that purpose, under penalty to forfeit treble the value, which shall be duely proved to be so concealed, the halfe of the for­feiture to be given to such persons as shall make proofe of such concealment, and the other halfe to be applyed to the service of the State.

VI. That all Revenues as well such as are due by Seque­stration as otherwise, be managed under such Commissions, and by such Persons as notwithstanding any Priviledge of Parliament or otherwise, may be held to such Rules as are or shall be prescribed therein, by Ordinance of Parliament, and be lyable for breach thereof, to answer the same in due course of Law; and that no arbitrary power may be exercised to the contrary by any person whatsoever.

VII. That the Parliament would for present please to lay aside all businesses of lesser consequence or private concern­ment, and improve their time and utmost endeavour, that such Lawes may be prepared for His Majesties Royall Con­currence, as may settle the Government of the Church, se­cure the People from all unlawfull and arbitrary power what­soever in future, and restore his Majesty to His just Rights [Page 5] and Authority, according to the Covenant, without all which the Petitioners can never expect any lasting establish­ment. That so this long divided and distracted Kingdome may attaine to the Blessings of Peace and Unity in Church and Commonwealth.

VIII. And that the People may be the better secured to enjoy the intended effects of such Lawes as shall be so made with the Royall assent, That especiall care be taken that all Officers of State, and other Ministers of Justice, may bee Persons of Honour, of considerable Interest and of known Integrity to the Parliament and Kingdome.

IX. That the Parliament would please to provide for the carrying on of the affaires in Ireland by speedy trans­porting the Forces which ly ready on the Sea side, and such others as shall be willing to engage in that service, and by such continuall supplies as are requisite to reduce that Kingdome to the obedience of the Crowne of England, and rescue the good party left there, out of the bloudy hands of those bar­barous rebells. And for the better incouragement of the Sub­jects of this Kingdome to continue their supplies for that Service, that with as much speed as conveniently may bee, the Parliament will please to take care that the People be eased of such extraordinary charges and burthens as have long layne and still remaine upon this Kingdom.

X. That by all just and good means the correspondence with our Brethren of Scotland may, according to the Natio­nall Covenant, be maintained and preserved.

XI. That this Honourable House would please to give or­der for a speedy examination of all unlawfull Elections and Returns of the Members thereof, and purge the House of all such as have bin unduely chosen, or have bin in Armes or in action against the Parliament, and provide for the supply of their roomes according to the Lawes of the Land.

XII. That some speedy course may be taken for the deci­ding of all causes formerly determinable in the Court of Ad­miralty, the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdome, and the correspondence with Forraign Nations, being very much prejudiced, disturbed and indangered for want of due Provisi­on [Page 6] herein, as hath formerly been at large represented unto this Honourable House.

XIII. And lastly, That satisfaction being made by De­linquents, according to the wisedome of Parliament, an Act of Oblivion may be passed for an utter abolition and finall re­concilement of all Parties and Differences, and for the quiet setling of Peace, Love, and Unitie, among the Subjects of this Kingdome.

All which the Petitioners submit unto the wis­dome of this Honourable House.

THat their Lordships have had a long experience of the good affections of the City of London to the Parliament and Kingdome, and they do return their acknowledgement for the same. As to the particulars of the Petition, which are many and long, they will take them into their speedy conside­ration.

THe House being informed, That the Sheriffes, and divers Citizens of the City of London were at the Doore, they were called in, and Sheriffe Edmonds informed the House, That he was commanded by the Lord Major, Al­dermen, and Commons in Common-Councell assembled, to deliver a Petition to this House; the which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) was read.

Resolved &c.

That on Fryday next, this Petition be read and considered of.

The Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by the Command of the House acquainted them, that the Petition consisted of many Heads of great and pub­like concernment, That most of them [Page 9] were under consideration with the House.

That their constant very good affecti­ons did still appeare, for which he was commanded to render them thanks; he further acquainted them, that the House has appointed a day for the reading and considering of this Petition.