A REPLY TO The Excellent and Elegant SPEECH MADE BY Sir Thomas Player, The Worthy Chamberlain of London, To the Right Honble the Lord Mayor, etc. On Friday the 12th of September, 1679.  By H. B. an unworthy Member of the said City; but could not be heard or understood then. 
MY LORD,  
I Cannot but wonder at the manner as well as the subject matter of Sir T.P. his Discourse. As to the manner, I suppose he might have informed your Lordship and the Court of Aldermen of any danger the City were in, upon any account whatsoever, without bringing an hundred persons at his heels. I must take the boldness to tell him, that it looked more like a tumultuous number of Apprentices doing execution upon Bawdie-houses, than any solid considerate way of advising good for the City or Kingdom. But I suppose the great Policy of that, might have Three Considerations: one, to show that he is able to lead up his men: another, that he is able to make an excellent Speech: or thirdly, that he, for his great zeal and love to the City and Nation, was solicited by those persons, out of their great fears and apprehensions of dangers partly created by himself.  
I am very sorry that a Gentleman should have given occasion for any Citizen to have said so much: but any thing concerning his Highness had been received better from another hand than his, because of the known Grudge.  
Next, as to the subject matter, he seems to be very much offended at the city's being Libelled in the Intelligencer, by saying that the City should send to congratulate his Highness his return: As if it were such an immortal stain to the reputation of the City, never to be deleted! I wonder it was never taken notice of before. Had we congratulated him now, it had not been the first time. When he returned from Sea, where he hazarded his life for the maintaining of our Trade, (which we are the gainers by) and had been in the heat of fight, where several Noblemen were killed about him, we could then congratulate him, as also did the Nation with a Present. He did not want Honour or Preferment, to do this for us. But we might have congratulated him, as he hath condescended to be a Member of us.  
If his Highness had so much malice in him as to necessitate us to be upon our Guards in the nature proposed, surely he would never have ventured himself as a private Seaman, for our service.  
Neither can I conceive any such great danger of our Religion, since his Majesty is living, and well (God be thanked.) His Highness his Title may never happen. Besides, the Assembly of Parliament, and our Members there, will take care of us in that point.  
We speak well of our King generally, although I am afraid there be some amongst us that are sorry they can't speak otherwise, to further their designs of enslaving us under a parcel of Factious and Ambitious fellows. And I hope there be yet persons sufficient amongst us (upon discovery of any such designs) to correct any sort of Faction against the King, Laws, and Established Government, whether Popish, or any other predominant among us: for neither the one nor the other (I am assured) consist with the Freedom of the Subject.  
We cry out of Arbitrary Government, and I know not what besides, with which the Vulgar are amused: whilst we in our Government in the City are the most guilty of Arbitrariness in the execution of the Laws that we be Judges of, of any body else. For how many Thousand pounds per annum come into our Purses by a Knack of choosing Sheriffs, in making choice of persons whose occasions we know will not permit them to serve that Office; and then, to excuse them, we must have Four or five hundred pound apiece? with many suchlike Devices. And how many young Citizens have been undone by moneys paid for coming on of our Liveries; a Tax more considerable than twenty Public Taxes for the support of the Government? These things, besides a great number more, we have and shall find will lessen our Trade and Interest; else would not our houses stand unlet, and our shops be uncustomed.  
When the King had thanked us for our Care in raising the Militia, and making the City a Garrison, for the preservation of his person; His Majesty told us he would take care of himself, yet this would not make us lay down our Arms. Nor do I know by what Law the lieutenancy there can make us keep them up. 'Tis true, the lieutenancy themselves, or we that are the principal men, value not the Charge, being little to us, in comparison of what it is to the poor Tradesmen, who had more need be minding their business, than they or their servants so employed, to the debauchery of the youth of the City. And many of those mean persons that are forced to be at this intolerable charge, will be fit for nothing, but to give assistance in any new Rebellion.  
And if you please to peruse the Statutes for settling the Militia, 
13 Car. 2. cap. 6. 14 Car. 2. cap. 3.  you'll find there how our Trained Bands are to be marshaled: That in case of Invasion or Insurrection, every Soldier is to be provided of one months' pay; but no person to be charged further, until the said Months pay be reimbursed him. And in times of peace, the General Muster and Exercise of Regiments not to be above once a year. That the Training and Exercising single Companies be not above four times a year, unless upon special Direction by the King or Privy Council; and the same not to continue above two days, etc. These Acts were made with abundance of Consideration for the Liberty of the Subject, that the King should not lay any extraordinary burden upon our estates, upon any pretence whatsoever. And I wonder how it hath been submitted unto by our pretence of Authority so long, being absolutely against Law.  
It's impossible for us to thrive in the City, whilst we amuse ourselves with these kind of Fears. Let us trust God and the King with the Government: let's mend ourselves at home, and endeavour to encourage and increase the Trade of the City. When the King or Government is in danger, we shall hear of it time enough: or if the King hath a mind to make us of his Privy Council, he knows his own time for it. Certainly the King hath more to lose than any of us.  
I must refer it to your Lordship's consideration, whether we ought to take notice of this Intelligencer as a Libeler or not; and also whether there be occasion for any Guards at all, for the considerations aforesaid.  
FINIS.