THe Petitioners humbly crave leave to offer to your Honourable conside­rations, That the Debts due to the Petitioners by the said Delinquents, were contracted by them by Bonds, and other securities made bona fide, whilst the said Delinquents were in good esteeme and reputation with the Parliament; and whilst some of them were sitting, as Members of Parliament: and before it was known to the Petitioners, or could be any way imagined by them, that the said persons would fall into the condition of Delinquents.

That if persons which have such just Debts due to them by those Delinquents, should be debarred of their just Debts, many Widdows, Orphans, and others well affected to the Parliament, would be utterly undone: And therefore the Pe­titioners (under favour) humbly conceive, it was never the intention of the Par­liament, that such a sad and lamentable destruction should fall on so many Inno­cent persons, who were never involved in the guilts of those Delinquents.

And thence it is, (as the Petitioners humbly conceive) that the Parliament having formerly in their wisdome adjudged it fit to except some persons as not fit to be admitted to Compound, did with great justice and Piety provide (as well by Votes, and particular Orders, in some cases, as by generall provisoes in some Ordinances of Parliament) that sundry Debts due by such Delinquents by Bonds, should be paid out of the Sequestration, or upon the sale of those Delinquents Estates.

That the Petitioners observation of the Honourable and tender care had by the Parliament of making such just and honourable provision, for preserving the just Debts and Rights of Creditors in all such cases, and the Petitioners confident assurance in the goodnesse and piety of the Parliament, to be preserved from the losse of their said Debts, was indeed, the reason that hath hitherto withheld the Petitioners from becomming troublesome to your Honours with their humble suits herein. But now understanding that the Estates of those Delinquents who are indebted to the Petitioners are propounded to be sold,

The Petitioners doe most humbly beseech your Honours, that in the Act to be drawn up for the same, there may be a proviso inserted, that the Petitioners be paid their just Debts, out of the Sequestration, or upon the sale of the said Delinquents Estates; so to preserve from utter ruine, and destruction, many innocent Men, Women, and Children, whom certainly the Parliament intend not to prejudice by the Sale of those Delinquents Estates.

And they shall pray, &c.