HIS MAJESTY'S Gracious Assent to the PETITION OF THE EARLS of LINDSEY and CUMBERLAND, By the Appointment of the PARLIAMENT. With his Majesty's Commission for the confirmation of Truce, made between his Majesty and the King of Casteele, the two Kings of East-India, D. Michael de Loronha, Conde de Linhares, Viceroy of Goa, and William Methwold Precedent of the English in East-India. In all the Lands, Places, Castles, Ports, and Coasts of Africa, Guyne, Been, the Island of Saint Thome, etc. and beyond Gape bona Speranza in the Dominions of the King of Portugal.  
London Ptlnted for J. Harrison, June 10. 1641.   

His Majesty's gracious Assent to the Petition of the Earls of Lindsey and Cumberland.  
THe Earl of Lindsey and Cumberland petitioned to his Majesty both, to return to his Parliament (as was expressly intimated in their Petition) and humbly desired his Majesty to assent unto those Propositions which were sent by the Parliament: who declare therein, That they had nothing in their desires and thoughts more precious and of higher esteem (next to the honour and immediate Service of Almighty God) than the just and faithful performance of their duty to his Majesty, and their fidelity to the Kingdom? These said Earls were sent for from York to attend the House the precedent Week; but they shown the Messenger of the House special Warrants under his Majesty's Hand, expressly commanding them to the contrary, and that should attend his Majesty there, till his further pleasure should be declared unto them.  
But they being very sensible of the great inconveniences of this Kingdom, and what irrecoverable danger those inconveniences may produce, if not prevented before they grow to maturity, after a deliberate observation of the causes thereof, did present their dutiful Petition to his Majesty in the posture as well of all sincerity as humility: That out of his Princely Wisdom, for the establishing his own Honours, and Safety, and gracious tenderness of the welfare and security of his Subjects and Dominions, He would be pleased to return to his Parliament, as being the most necessary and principal mean (through God's blessing) of removing those jealousies and differences, which have unhappily fallen betwixt him and his People, and as the effectual way to procure both to his Majesty and to the Parliament, a constant course of their Peace and Happiness.  
His Majesty took the Petition very graciously, and desired some time of serious consideration thereon, and then he would give them an effectual Answer. For all the distractions, and distemper of this Kingdom are derived only from his Majesty's absence, and if he would be so condescentious as to return, questionless these suspicions would be expelled, and better opinions entertained. And it is very requisite, That the great affair of this Kingdom, may not be concluded or transacted by the advice of any private Man, or by any unknown and unsworne Councillor: but that such matters as concern the State and the public accommodation of the Realm, are proper for the high Court of Parliament, which is his Majesty's great and supreme Council, aught to be debated, resolved, and transacted only in Parliament, and nor elsewhere. And such as shall presume to do any thing to the contrary, aught to be reserved to the censure and Judgement of Parliament, and such other matters of State as are proper for your Majesty's Privy Council ought also to be debated and concluded by such of the Nobility and other, as shall from time to time be chosen for that place, by approbation of both Houses of Parliament; and that no public Act concerning the Affairs of the Kingdom, which are proper for your Privy Council may be esteemed of any validity, as proceeding from the Royal Authority, unless it be done by the advice and consent of the Major part of the Council, attested under their Hands.  
And without doubt His Majesty will condescend to so fair a proposition, for the Parliament is his high and chief Court and Council; wherefore it is very expedient, that the doubtful matters of State should be descided, discussed, and concluded by that high Senate.  
His Majesty hath also sealed with his Commission, and concluded, That the convention of Truce made between D. Michael de Loronha, Conde de Linhares, Viceroy of Goa, and William Methuold Precedent of the English in East-India, shall be continued and kept between the Subjects of both Kings in East-India, and in all the Dominions of the most renowned King of Portugal beyond Cape bona Speranza, and that the Commissioners to be named by the said Kings, shall in East-India take Cognizance within thirteen years of the demands, which have been or shall be by the Subjects and Vassals of both Kings for their commerce in India aforesaid, that so a perpetual peace and confederation may be confirmed and established by the said Kings, and between their Subjects on both sides. And because the commerce of free coming of the Subjects of the King of great Britain to the Coasts and parts of Africa, the Island of Saint Thome, and other Islands comprehended under them, could not yet be agreed upon by reason of the defect of the powers sent by the most renowned King of Portugal to his Ambassadors, that by this debate, this present Treatise of Peace and Amity between both Kings and their Subjects be not delayed: it is on both parts concluded on, That in the Lands, Places, Castles, Ports, and Coasts of Africa, Guyne, Been, etc. the Island of Saint Thome, and other Islands comprehended under them, wherein it shall appear, That the Subjects of Great Britain have dwelled, for trade of Merchandise, or have had trade or commerce there, in the time of the King of Casteele, or hitherto; there shall be no alteration or change, neither shall they have any trouble or injury ●one them by the Portugals, for that cause.  
And if any Customs be to be demanded from the Subject of the King of Great Britain on any Cause in the Castles, Places, and Islands aforesaid, they shall not be greater, or more grievous than those which shall be demanded from other Nations in league with the King of Portugal. And the Subjects of the King of Portugal wanting foreign ships for their Navigation, and Commerce to the Coasts and Islands aforesaid may freely at their own pleasure hire the Ship, of the Subjects of great Britain, and that Commissioners and Ambassadors shall be named, by both Kings, who shall create and conclude concerning the commerce, and free-comming to the Coasts, Islands, and Places aforesaid, which hath been demanded by the Commissioners of the King of Great Britain, for the Subjects of their King, being persuaded out of the confidence of the ancient amity which hath been between the Predecessors of the same Kings, that the most renowned King of Portugal will grant to no Nation whatsoever more ample Rights, Immunities and Privileges, than he will grant to the Subjects of Great Britain.  
FINIS.