THat although we have such a dolefull president of misery and calamity so neere us, on our brethren in Ireland, and such dangers and distempers ap­pearing and increasing even in our owne Kingdome; yet we in Wales of all others, and in Monmouth Shire above the rest, cannot but be most sensi­ble and suspitious of our owne imminent destruction, as being compassed a­bout with Papists, more in number, and stronger in power, Armes, Horse, and Ammuniti­on, than any other County (as we conceive) in the Kingdome besides, who though they have been alwayes many and strong, yet they stirred little till these late unhappy op­portunities; wherein, to the great terrour of the Kings faithfull Subjects throughout the County, they spare no paines or cost to fit and strengthen themselves for their secret de­signes; witnesse their indeavour to take up most of the great houses neere them, for Popish strangers, retaining also divers of great ranke in their own houses; the denying the remo­vall of the Magazine, contrary to the expresse order of this Honourable House; with such like practises, proclaiming to all that observe them, their pernitious intentions, and our dan­ger, the County being the while wholly unprovided for defence.

WEE doe therefore humbly beseech this Honourable Assembly to take these our dangers into your grave and wise considerations, and maturely to vouchsafe some effectuall order for our security; which cannot, as we humbly conceive, be en­joyed, till the Magazine be removed to Newport, the County set in a posture of de­fence, the Papists by some stronger force (then our own) disarmed, the long lookt for aid from England and Scotland dispatched, for the relieving of distressed, and even de­spairing Ireland, otherwise we cannot hope to be in safety, when our next neighbours houses are thus on fire; And as your humble Petitioners doe most thankfully ac­knowledge your great and unparalelled industry and integrity for the publique good of Church and Common-wealth: So shall we, with our dearest lives and fortunes most loyally and faithfully ever defend his Majesties royall person, vindicate your Honours, and maintaine the rights and priviledges of Parliament against all oppositi­on whatsoever.

And We shall ever pray, &c.