blazon of the City of London 
A Common-council HOLDEN The first day of May 1660.  

ORdered by this Court that the King's Majesty's Letter and Declaration directed to this Court, & now read, be forthwith printed & published.  
Sadler.   
Printed by James Flesher, Printer to the Honourable City of London, 1660.   

CHARLES R. 
 TRusty and Well-beloved We greet you well.  
In these great Revolutions which of late have happened in that Our Kingdom to the wonder and amazement of all the world, there is none that We have looked upon with more Comfort, than the so frequent and public manifestations of their affections to Us in the City of London, which hath exceedingly raised Our Spirits, and which, no doubt, hath proceeded from the Spirit of God and his extraordinary mercy to the Nation, which hath been encouraged by you, and your good example to assert that Government under which it hath so many hundred years enjoyed as great felicity as any Nation in Europe, and to discountenance the imaginations of those, who would subject Our Subjects to a Government they have not yet devised; and to satisfy the pride and ambition of a few ill men, would introduce the most arbitrary and Tyrannical Power that was ever yet heard of, how long we have all suffered under those and the like devices, all the world takes notice, to the no small reproach of the English Nation, which we hope is now providing for its own security and redemption, and will be no longer bewitched by those Inventions: how desirous we are to contribute to the obtaining the peace and happiness of Our Subjects, without further effusion of blood; and how fare we are from desiring to recover what belongs to Us by a War, if it can be otherwise done, will appear to you by the enclosed Declaration, which together with this Our Letter. We have entrusted Our right trusty and well-beloved Cousin the Lord Viscount Mordant, and our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir John Greenvile Knight, one of the Gentlemen of Our Bedchamber to deliver to you, to the end that you and all the rest of Our good Subjects of that Our City of London (to whom We desire it should be published) may know how fare We are from the desire of Revenge, or that the peace, happiness, and security of the Kingdom should be raised upon any other foundation than the affection and hearts of Our Subjects, and their own consents: We have not the least doubt of your just sense of those Our condescensions, or of your zeal to advance and promote the same good end, by disposing all men to meet Us with the same affection and tenderness, in restoring the fundamental Laws to that Reverence that is due to them, and upon the preservation whereof all our happiness depends: And you will have no reason to doubt of enjoying your full share in that happiness, and of the improving it by Our particular affection to you. It is very natural for all men to do all the good they can for their native Country, and to advance the honour of it. And as we have that full affection for the Kingdom in general, so we would not be thought to be without some extraordinary kindness for Our native City in particular, which We shall manifest on all occasions, not only by renewing their Charter, and confirming all those privileges which they have received from Our Predecessors, but by adding and granting any new favours which may advance the Trade, Wealth, and Honour of that Our native City, for which We will be so solicitous, that We doubt not but that it will in due time receive some Benefit and Advantage in all those respects, even from Our own observation & experience abroad: and We are most confident We shall never be disappointed in Our expectation of all possible service from your affections. And so We bid you farewell.  
Given at Our Court at Breda the day of April, 1660. in the Twelfth year of Our Reign.  
To Our Trusty and Well-beloved the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Common Council of Our City of London.   

CHARLES R. 
 CHARLES by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all Our loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever, greeting:  
If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole Kingdom, doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that these wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up; all We can say will be to no purpose: However after this long silence We have thought it Our duty to declare how much We desire to contribute thereunto. And that as We can never give over the hope, in good time to obtain the possession of that Right, which God & Nature hath made Our due, so We do make it Our daily suit to the Divine Providence, that He will in compassion to Us and Our subjects, after so long misery and sufferings, remit and put Us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that Our Right, with as little blood and damage to Our people as is possible; Nor do We desire more to enjoy what is Ours, then that all Our subjects may enjoy what by Law is theirs, by a full and entire Administration of Justice throughout the Land; And by extending Our Mercy where it is wanted and deserved. And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any Conscious to themselves of what is passed to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet and happiness of their Country, in the Restoration both of King, Peers and People, to their just, ancient, and fundamental Rights; We do by these presents declare:  
That We do grant a free and general Pardon, which We are ready upon demand to pass under Our Great Seal of England, to all Our subjects of what degree or quality soever, Who within Forty days after the publishing hereof, shall lay hold upon this our Grace and Favour, and shall by any public Act declare their doing so: And that they return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects, Excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament; Those only excepted, let all Our Subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a King solemnly given by this present Declaration, That no Crime whatsoever committed against Us or Our Royal Father, before the Publication of this, shall ever rise in Judgement, or be brought in question against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in their Lives, Liberties, or Estates, or (as far forth as lies in Our power) so much as to the prejudice of their Reputations by any Reproach or term of distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects: We desiring and ordaining that henceforward all Notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all Our Subjects, whom We Invite and Conjure to a perfect Union among themselves under Our Protection, for the Resettlement of Our just Rights and theirs in a Free Parliament, by which upon the word of a King, We will be advised.  
And because the passion and uncharitablness of the times have produced several opinions in Religion, by which men are engaged in Parties and Animosities against each other, which when they shall hereafter unite in a Freedom of Conversation will be composed or better understood: We do declare a liberty to tender Consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted, or called in question for differences of Opinion in matters of Religion, which do not disturb the peace of the Kingdom: And that We shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as upon mature deliberation shall be offered to Us, for the full granting that indulgence.  
And because in the Continued distractions of so many years, and so many and great Revolutions, many Grants and Purchases of Estates have been made to, and by many Officers, Soldiers and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to Actions at Law upon several titles, We are likewise willing that all such differences and all things relating to such Grants, Sales and Purchases shall be determined in Parliament which can best provide for the just satisfaction of all men who are Concerned.  
And We do further declare that We will be ready to consent to any Act or Acts of Parliament to the purposes aforesaid: And for the full satisfaction of all Arears due to the Officers and Soldiers of the Army under the Command of General Monck. And that they shall be received into Our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.  
Given under our sign manuel and Privy signet at our Court at Breda this 4/14 day of April 1660. in the Twelfth year of our Reign.  
FINIS.   

Aleyn  blazon of the City of London Mayor.  
A Common Council holden the First of May 1660.  
ORdered by this Court, that the right Honourable the Lord Mayor do acquaint the Lord Viscount Mordant and Sir John Greenvile (who brought the said Letter and Declaration) That this Court do return most humble and hearty thanks to his Majesty for his gracious Condescensions to, and owning this Court and City expressed in his Majesty's said Letter and Declaration: And do likewise return hearty thanks to the said Honourable Persons that brought the said Gracious Message: And do declare this Courts ready submission to his Majesty's Government: And that in Testimony thereof they had now taken down the Commonwealth's Arms, and Ordered his Majesty's Arms to be set up. And further that this Court do beg the favour of the Lord Mordant to return with an Answer in writing to his Majesty from this Court. And also that this Court do intent very speedily to send Members of their own to wait on his Majesty.  
Sadler.