THis day Master Alderman Fowke made report un­to this Common-Councell, that himselfe and the rest of the Committees appointed by Order of Common-Councell, held the Eighteenth of this instant February, did accordingly yesterday humbly informe both Houses of Parliament, that their desire of the Loane of threescore thousand pounds to supply the Army signified by divers of the Lords and Commons to the said Court was taken forthwith into consideration. And notwithstanding the great summes formerly lent by the City, they did with much chearefullnesse and alacrity vote to do their uttermost indevour to raise the said summe with all expedition. [Page 2] And for the better promoting the said Worke, the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons then present, did each declare what they would lend respectively towards the furnishing therof. And caused an Order to be presently made and Printed, and sent out to the Ministers of the severall Parishes, to be published in the Churches, and to stirre up the Parishioners effectually to advance the remainder of the said threescore thousand pounds. And that the Common Councell men and Church-wardens should repaire to every Inhabitant and Lodger within their severall Pa­rishes, and perswade them unto this good work. And the said Committee did further make report, that they did then also humbly present to both houses of Parliament, the scope and in­tent of such and so many of the Propositions referred unto them to be presented, being to incourage the Subscriptions of the said threescore thousand pounds, as in so short a time they could conceive fit and needfull. And that the Lords and Commons in Parliament did returne thankes to this Common Councell for their great care and readinesse in promoting the advancement of the said threescore thousand pounds by them desired, and that they would take the said Propositions into due considerati­on, The briefe heads whereof were after taken by the Clerke of the House of Peeres. And a Coppy thereof was here now open­ly read in this Court, and approved of, and Ordered to be en­tred, The tenor whereof is as followeth.

1. That both Houses would vouchsafe to advance the raising of threescore thousand pounds by their owne example, and by paying it in to the Treasurers at Guild-hall, to the end that the sight may incourage others.

2. That they may be eased in the rates of the weekely Assesse­ments, because it exceeds the proportion of the Counties, if it be not too late.

3. That the three thousand pounds per moneth granted out of the weekly Assessements, may be made foure thousand pounds per moneth.

4. That the Citizens Lands and houses in the Country, may not be rated for the weekly Assessements, so as they pay in London

5. That in regard they are informed that divers mis-informa­tions [Page 3] have beene made concerning the City of London, by private persons, it is humbly desired that hereafter no such credit may be given thereunto, as to be accompted the sence of the City, un­lesse it proceed from the Court of Aldermen, or Common Coun­cell, signified by speciall Messengers of their owne, or by the Burgesses directed by one of the said Courts.

6. That it will much promote the said Service if the money Assessed by vertue of divers Ordinances be collected forthwith in London and other parts of the Kingdome, that the charge may not wholly lie upon the willing part, for that otherwise the well-affected will be either destroyed with them, or for them; with them if they should refuse as others doe; or for them, by contributing alone to the publike safety, more then their estates will beare.

7. That search may be made without the Liberties in the parts adjacent for suspected persons, and that upon the disban­ding those that are called the Kings Army may be enjoyned to go to their severall habitations, and not to come to London, to the disturbance of the peace, safety, and welfare of the said City, and of the good government thereof; and that during the time of the Treaty and Cessation, none of the said Army may be permitted to come to the City.

8. That to prevent misapprehensions and jealousies concer­ning the present proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, a­bout the Treaty and Cessation, and disbanding; it is humbly prayed it may be declared that the resolutions of both Houses is the same, as at the first, that nothing shall be done but that which tends to the security of the true reformed Protestant Re­ligion, the just Liberties of the Subjects, and Priviledges of Par­liament.

9. That the Ordinances of the weekly Assessements may passe forthwith for the securities of the re-imbursing of the threescore thousand pounds, which otherwise will not be raised.

Also this Court taking into consideration the residue of the particulars referred unto the said Committee to be presented to both houses of Parliament, and the said Committees opinion thereupon; and apprehending that the propositions lately sent [Page 4] to his Majesty by both Houses of Parliament, doe eminently tend to the preservation of our Religion, Lawes, and Liberties, and to a Reformation of what is amisse in Church and Com­mon-wealth, doe order the said Committee to render from this City all humble thankfulnesse to both the said Houses for their great care therein, and to present their farther humble desires as followeth.

First, that his Excellency, the Earle of Essex, be desired to take order:

1. That the broken Regiments, and Troopes in his Army may be reduced and made 1200. in each Regiment, and 80. in each Troope, to the end that the excessive charge of paying more Officers then are necessary, may be avoided, and the Counties which want Officers may be supplied, and such as are most scan­dalous may be casheerd.

2. That speciall care be taken that the common Souldiers be duly paid from time to time, without which they cannot sub­sist, and that for the better affecting thereof (a great part of them being raised out of the City) that an honest able man be there chosen for each Regiment of horse & foot respectively, to muster & pay the said Souldiers, and view their Armes, causing them to be made good according to the rules of War, and that fit allowance be given to the said Pay masters for their Service.

3. That in regard this unhappy and unnaturall Warre is lengthned out beyond expectation, and the Officers of the said Army have already received great pay, and are engaged in the publike cause as well as others, who have lent great summes of mony to pay them, that therefore they will so farre expresse their good affections to the King and Parliament, as to forbeare one halfe of their areares and future pay upon the publike Faith.

4. That the said Officers and Souldiers may take such an oath as is used in times of warre in other countries to be faithfull to those that imploy them, and from whom they receive their pay.

5. That such prisoners as already are or hereafter shall be ta­ken [Page 5] by any of the said Army if they cannot bee enterchanged, may be used as they are or shall be used which are or shall bee ta­ken by those who are called the Kings Army.

6. That all unnecessary charges about the traine of Artillery and otherwise bee taken away, and that honest and able pay-masters be thereto appointed, who may carefully enquire and re­present what charges are superfluous.

2. That in the intended treaty such care bee taken for the in­demnity of the Citie, and Citizens of London, and of the privi­ledges thereof as may secure them, and be a witnesse to the pre­sent and future generations of their fidelity to the King and Par­liament.

3. That our dangers being great and our sinnes greater (where­of we have beene seasonably put in minde by a late Ordinance of both houses of Parliament) there may be a Religious covenant and firme association forthwith entred into by the Lords and Commons, Citie, Army, and all well-affected in the Kingdome, according to a promise publikely made at a Common Hall, in the name of both the said Houses; in expectation whereof the Citie then freely lent one hundred thousand pounds. And that the Rents, Revenues, Goods, Monies and Estates of such as shall refuse to enter into that Covenant and Association be im­ployed in such manner and proportion as both the said Houses shall thinke fit and their persons secured for the good and safety of the Kingdome.