SHeweth, that notwithstanding his Majesties gracious Answer to the humble Petition of his Loyall Subjects in summoning this present Parliament, with the great care, and endeavoured paines, taken by both Houses for the removing the heavie Grievances in Church and Com­mon-wealth, whereof the Petitioners have already received some fruit; for which they desire to returne their most humble and utmost thankes, yet neverthelesse, they are inforced with all Humility to represent to this most Honourable Assembly, some of these Obstructions which doth still hinder that Freedome and fulnesse of Trade in this City they have formerly had, and with considering the numerous Multitude thereon depending, they conceive it not able comfortably to subsist.

As the unsetled Condition of the Kingdome, even since the Troubles in Scotland hath caused both strangers, and also of our owne, who did furnish great summes of money to use to call it in, and remit much of it by Ex­change unto Forraigne parts, and stands now in Expectation of what the issue of things may bee.

The stopping money in the Mint, which till then was accompted the safest place, and surest staple in these parts in the world, still doth hinder the importation of Bullyon, the Scots now disabled to pay such debts as they owe to the Petitioners and others in the City, and by reason of the oppressions exercised in Ireland, their debts also are detayned there.

The English Trade by reason of our generall distractions and feares is so much decayed, that Countrey Trades­men cannot pay their debts in London as formerly.

The great summes of money unduely taken by his Majesties Officers and Farmers, for impositions upon Mer­chandize exported and imported, and the want of reliefe in Courts of Iustice against them.

The drawing out from the City great summes of money (which is the life and spirit of Trade) for his Majesties service in the North, and being there imployed is not yet returned.

Besides all which from what strong and secret opposition the Petitioners know not, they have not receiv'd what so much time and paines might give and cause to hope, but still incendiaries of the Kingdomes and other notorious offenders remaine unpunished, the affaires of the Church notwithstanding many Petitions concerning it and long debate about it remaines unsettled, the Papists still armed, the Lawes against them not executed, some of the most Active of them still at Court, Priests and Jesuites not yet banished, The Irish Popish army not yet disbanded, Courts of Iustice not yet reformed, and the Earle of Strafford, who as now appeares, hath counselled the plunde­ring of this City, and putting it to fine and ransome, and said it would never be well, till some of the Aldermen were hanged up, because they would not yeeld to illegall leavies of moneyes, hath so drawne out and spent his time in his businesse to the very great charge of the whole Kingdome, and his endeavour to obtaine yet more; all which makes us feare there may be practices now in hand to hinder the birth of your great endeavours, and that we lye under some more dangerous plot then we can discover.

All which premisses with their feares and distractions growing there-from, and from things of the like nature, the Petitioners humbly offer to the most grave consideration of this most Honourable assembly, as being the true causes of decay of Trade, discouragement of Tradesmen, and of the great scarcity of monies, with the consequences they labour under.

And doe humbly pray that their said grievances may be redressed, the causes of their feares removed, Iustice ex­ecuted upon the said Earle and other incendiaries and offenders, the rather in regard till then, the Petitioners hum­bly conceive, neither Religion nor their lives, liberties or estates can be secured.

And as in duty bound they shall ever pray, &c.