17 Martii, 1646.  
The Humble PETITION OF The Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councel assembled, this day delivered TO The Honourable, The Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT. WITH The ANSWER of the Honourable House of Commons thereunto.  
ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Petition, with the Answer, be forthwith printed and published:  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
LONDON, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honourable House of Commons. MARCH 18. 1646.   


Die Mercurii, 17 Martii, 1646.  
THe House being informed, That divers of the Aldermen and Common Counsel were at the Door, desiring to prefer a Petition to this House, they were called in, and Sheriff edmond's did acquaint the House, That they were appointed by the Lord Major, Aldermen and Common Counsel of the City of London, to prefer this their Petition to this House; The Petition was styled, The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Commons of the City of London in Common Counsel assembled: The Petitioners being withdrawn, The Petition was read, and likewise the Copy of a Petition annexed, which is the same with that printed Copy which was informed against, and brought in to this House on Monday last.   

To the Honourable, The House of Commons assembled in the High Court of Parliament; The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Commons of the City of London in Common Council assembled:  
HUmbly acknowledging the hopeful progress which this Honourable House hath made upon some particulars of the former Addresses of the Petitioners, wherein as they are confident you will still go forward, so they humbly crave pardon if they continue their importunity for such an effectual and speedy resolution upon the whole, as may, with God's blessing, at length settle the Affairs of this long distracted Kingdom.  
And now that His Majesty is come nearer in Person to His Parliament of England, the Petitioners would gladly entertain some hope, and cannot but earnestly desire, That God would also bring His Royal heart and will nearer to this His chief and greatest Council: And that His Majesty will now be persuaded to join with His Parliament and all His People in the National and Solemn League and Covenant, and give satisfaction in the matter of Propositions which the Parliaments of both Nations shall make unto Him, for the full assurance of His People in the future, and the firm establishment of the Peace and Union of this Kingdom in Church and Commonwealth; without both which the Petitioners cannot expect any firm or real Peace in this Kingdom.  
And that His Majesty may be the better disposed to this Conjunction, and the Parliament and this City in the interim secured, the Petitioners humbly offer it unto the wisdom of this Honourable House to take course, That such as have been in opposition to the Parliament may be removed out of this City, and be kept at a distance from His Majesty's Royal Presence.  
These Are the Hopes and Prayers of the Retitioners, which they humbly pray may be as favourably accepted and interpreted, as they proceed from a sincere heart; That which the Petitioners intent hereby, is, still more and more to manifest their Integrity to the Parliament, to stop the malicious Tongues of Sectaries on the one party, who have from the Petitioners late humble Addresses, suggested some defection in the City; and to cut off the vain hopes of Malignants, and such as have been in opposition to the Parliament, on the other party; That they can expect no compliance from the Petitioners. For the Petitioners do for themselves, and the whole City whom they represent, Declare unto the whole World, That they still are, and with God's blessing are resolved so to remain, in their Zeal as fervent, and in their Respects as humble and real to the Parliament as ever. And according to their Covenant, do next under God wholly rely upon the Wisdom and Justice of the Parliament for the settlement of their Peace and Prosperity.  
And the Petitioners humbly pray, That this Honourable House will give no credit to any Representation of the mind and sense of the City, contrary unto this their solemn Profession, although even some of those who serve for the City, or are free thereof, or any others, should make any other Representation of the same.  
Here the Petitioners should willingly have concluded, but that the Army (which they hoped should ere this have been disbanded) is now drawn so suddenly, and quartered so near the Parliament and this City: Besides that in the same juncture of time, a most dangerous and seditious Petition (as they humbly conceive) is set on foot, to be presented to this Honourable House; the Copy whereof, as it was delivered to them, is annexed: which doth exact this addition from the Petitioners; That this Honourable House would consider, what effect the unexpected approach of such an Army, and the concurrence of such a Petition may work in the People; How long time all manner of Provisions have been dear and searce in this City; How much the same must needs be increased, when such an Army must be fed, before they can expect to be served thence, and what murmur the same may raise amongst so great a multitude of Poor, as are already, and do daily increase in this City.  
And then that this Honourable House would be pleased to give Command that the Army may be forthwith removed, and after with all convenient speed Disbanded; That the Petition annexed may be out of hand suppressed, and the Contrivers and Promoters thereof enquired after; And, that the Parliament and this City may in the mean time be preserved in safety: That this Honourable House would please to give this Court authority, to make Annual Election of the Members of the Militia of this City, according to their late Petition.  
And the Petitioners shall daily pray, etc. MICHAEL.   

THe Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker acquainted them, That the House had considered of the particulars in the Petition; and that the House had already most of the particulars under consideration, and have appointed a time to take the rest into consideration, and do resolve to proceed in such manner with them, as may be most for the ease, safety and satisfaction of the City and the whole Kingdom; That a copy of the Petition annexed was lately brought to this House, and that they had put it into a way of consideration: He further acquainted the Petitioners, That he was commanded to tell them, That the House take very special notice of the declaration and expressions of the Petitioners, and by them of the whole Cities constant, fervent, real and sincere affections to the service of the Parliament: The seasonableness of these expressions adds some weight unto them, it being at such a conjuncture of time, when the enemies both to the Parliament and City, did raise to themselves vain and groundless hopes of some misunderstanding between this House and the City, The contrary whereof this will sufficiently manifest; For which he is commanded to give them the hearty thanks of this House.  
H: Esing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
FINIS.