THat this City hath taken notice of a Vote of your Honours, of the second of this instant September, importing your plea­sures, that John Ireton the present Lord Mayor of this City, do continue & execute the Office of Lord Mayor for the year ensuing, recommending it to the City of London to see the same done accordingly; touching which, your Petitioners do not at this time apply to your Honours, out of any exception to that Honourable Person therein mentioned; but entren­ching upon our ancient Charters, Customs and Priviledges, a breach upon which, would exceedingly hazzard, if not totally destroy the Peace, good order, and happiness of the most Ancient, and most Well-governed City, We had almost said in the World, but surely We may say in this Nation, when as the multitude of Inhabitants in and about it is considered. Our Government stands upon two supporss, The laudable Custome of it time out of mind, and several very Ancient Charters, which have been confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliament; And in them these are essencial, That the Mayor of the City aforesaid, be chosen by the Citizens of the same City; That the Mayor of the said City remain not in the said Office above one year together; And that the Supreme Power of the Nation, may be fully satisfied in our Choise, We are to present him there for aprobation, which We chearfully submit to, & assure our selves, That among several very worthy Persons (whom God and his good Providence hath given us in succession) there may be chosen such a fit Person for the year ensuing, as will be serviceable to the Peace, and Safety of the City and Nation; and acceptable to Your Honours.

In the consideration whereof, We make this Our Petition, perswading our selves no alteration will be made by Your Honours, in Our so Ancient, Good and Peaceable Custom and Charter: especially, when We call to mind the long Peace, and Happiness this great and populous City hath enjoyed under this Government; And that the disturbance of the (though but in the minds of men) may prove dangerous thereunto: As also, the great Love and correspondency that this Election hath maintain'd in all times, between the Mayor and Citizens; But when We look into the Records of Parliament and Our own Courts, what acknowledgments, Promises and Engagements this City hath received from Your Honours, We might well abhor Our own dis-ingenuity, if We should fear the breach of Our Charters, Customs, or any mark of hardship and displeasure from Your Honours. For We do find,

13. January 1643. Fo. 85. Both Houses distinctly, make great acknowledgement to the City, with assurance never to dissert it; but to make it their greatest care, to watch all opportunitys to advance the honour and happiness of the City, which under God hath been the principal means of preserving the Parliament.

6 May 1644. Fo. 95. 115. A Committee from both Houses, signifie their sence of the Cities readiness to assist the Parliament upon all occasions, and that therefore the Parliament is likewise ready, to express their gratitude to the City in the most essencial man­ner and way they can find out, and therefore being about to make Proposi [...]ions to the King, in behalf of both Kingdoms; They offer it to the Common-councel, to think of some Propositions to be prepared in behalf of the City, for the Honour, Safety and Good of it, and that the Parliament will present to his Majesty.

Fo. 108, 115. Accordingly the City prepared Propositions, of which one was, for confirmation of all the Charters granted to the City, and of all Liberties, Customs, Priviledges, notwithstanding Nonuser, Misuser or abuser, That they shall not be drawn out of the Liberties to War without their own consent.

May 18. 1644. Fo. 98. The Commons acknowledge it an especial blessing of Almighty God, that their endeavours have been so well understood, and accepted by this Famous City, without whose constant affection and assistance, they could not have brought that great work to the hopeful condition wherein by the Mercy of God it then stood.

That the City have demonstrated their adherence to the House of Commons, by Actions in the times of greatest difficulty; and have therein spent their dearest Blood, and vast Sums of Treasure, omitting no possible supplies of Purse and Person; That they (the Commons) will never forget the great Encouragements that they received by a Petition from the City: And in return for their great Affections, The House of Commons do Declare, That they will in a most peculiar manner, be mindful of the Merit of the City: which upon all occasions they shall acknowledge, and will endeavour to requite.

The Fruits of all which, We do perswade Our selves, can never be wanting to the City, whilst Your Honours that made them, hath Power in Your hands to make them good. And we hope the Common Enemy both to You and Us, shall never have cause to re­joyce in this, That Our City shall want the benefit of Your Engagements to us, in the days of Your and Our streights; Much lesse loose any of Our former Priviledges by Your Hands in the daies of Peace.

Therefore, in a deep sence of the Cities concernment therein, and the Duty incumbent on Us, and all Free-men of the City, by Virtue of our Oaths, We do most humbly pray, That Your Honours will lay no restraint upon the Peoples free Election of Our Mayor; And thar our Ancient Charters, Customs, Rights and Priviledges in this and all other things may be continued to Us.

And We shall ever pray, &c.