THE Humble Petition OF MANY INHABITANTS In and about the City of LONDON.  
Presented to the Parliament by Mr. SAM. MOYER and others, May 12. 1659.  
Together with the Answer of the Parliament thereunto.  
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Brewster & Livewell Chapman, 1659.   

TO THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND.  
The humble Petition of many Inhabitants in and about the City of London.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat whereas it hath pleased the most wise Orderer and Disposer of all things, to put you once more into the exercise of that Supreme Trust, wherein the King of Nations some years since suffered you to be interrupted, as a righteous check and chastisement to you and us, for our unthankfulness, for the Great Salvations wrought for us, and unfaithfulness in a vigorous improvement of the opportunities thereby given, to bring to maturity and perfection the sure foundation of a Common-weal in matters religious and civil, then happily laid and declared for, and signally owned by the Lord of Hosts in the days of Appeals in the high places of the Field; which stroke from the Lord, with its sad consequences and effects, we desire may be never forgotten by you or us. We judge it our duty, as to admire the Wisdom, Power, and Goodness of God therein, and hearty bless his Name for hearing, and in his own time miraculously answering our sighs, tears and prayers: So also to present unto you our cordial owning and rejoicing in this special Providence towards you and us, wherein you are recalled by God, and the Friends of this Commonwealth, and capacitated to re-assert the main Substance of the Good Old Cause, and effectually to Superstruct thereupon, till the Top-stone of Universal Liberty, Freedom, Common Justice and Righteousness be visibly laid, to the Glory of God, the Satisfaction of your Friends, and the Conviction of all Enemies and Gainsayers.  
We presume your hearts and doors will be always open, to the sober addresses of your Friends, as opportunity shall be offered, and therefore shall not in this juncture of time perplex your weighty affairs with multiplicity of particulars.  
Wherefore at present we only pray; 

1. That the Militia of the several Cities and Counties within this Commonwealth may be speedily settled in the hands of such who have in this time of trial approved themselves faithful to the Interest thereof.  
2. That such faithful persons, who have been ejected out of places of Trust, Military or Civil, or have for Conscience sake been necessitated to quit their employments, may be speedily invited and restored to their former capacities; and that none for the future may be employed in any place, from the highest to the lowest, but such who have (without declension) manifested their good affection to the Commonwealth.  
3. That care may be taken that the persons entrusted with the Legislative power, may not be perpetuated, but that all persons within this Commonwealth may taste of subjection, as well as rule, and in order thereunto, that in convenient time provision may be made for an equal distribution of Elections in the Representatives of this Commonwealth, with such due qualifications of the Electors and Elected, as may consist with the Interest thereof.  
4. That the Liberty of all persons within this Commonwealth may be so tendered, that neither their persons may be imprisoned, nor their goods touched, without the breach of some known Law, and due prosecution accordingly, and that such Ministers of Justice, Jailers and others may be proceeded against and removed, who have acted contrary hereunto.  
5. That what moneys are, or shall be levied upon the people for the service of the Commonwealth, may not be diverted to any other purpose whatsoever; that the great sums of Money, proportions of Lands, and places of Advantages that have been granted to, or conferred upon any by the Broad Seal, or otherwise, since the 20th. of April 1653. may be taken into Consideration, and that the chargeable Office and Officers of the Exchequer, (as to receipts and payments) may be reduced and regulated, as being calculated more for the Meridian of the Court, then fitted for the service of the Commonwealth.  
6. That provision may be made, that such who live peaceably in Godliness and Honesty (though of different persuasions in matters of Faith and Worship) may be equally protected and encouraged.  
7. That a Committee may be appointed to receive Propositions from any such person or persons as may be able to give light and direction in such things, as may conduce unto the frame or constitution of a good and equal Commonwealth, or Free Estate.  
8. That all such sums of Money, that since the 20th. of April 1653. have been received, or borrowed out of the Exchequer by Privy Counsellors or others, be repaid into the Treasury of this Commonwealth.     

Thursday May 12. 1659.  
THe House being informed that several Gentlemen were attending with a Petition at the door, they were called in, and Mr. Samuel Moyer Esq in behalf of them all presented a Petition, which when the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read, being entitled, The humble Petition of many Inhabitants in and about the City of London.  
Ordered that the Petitioners be called in, and that Mr. Speaker acquaint them, That the House will take the matter of the Petition into consideration in due time, and that he give them thanks in the name of the Parliament, for their good and constant affections.  
And the Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker returned them this answer.  

Gentlemen,  
The Parliament have read your Petition, and every part of it, and do intent in due time to take the things therein mentioned into consideration; In the mean time they have commanded me to tell you, that they do accept of your Petition, and give you thanks for your care in it, and for your good affection.  
Jo. Phelpes, Clerk of the Parliament pro tempore.