THE DECLARATION Of the tower hamlets to the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Common council of the City of LONDON  
My Lord,  
We are not Ignorant that we are in a time werein it is far more safe to suffer or fly then to speak of the state of things as they now stand without offence, and that all we can speak at this present will either be suspected by those, who have formerly endeavoured to make our actions criminal, or by that party, which so much aims at their own private interests, that you will imagine each word we speak, a Bullet-Shot to bring ruin to the Common Wealth. Yet we must needs say it is a matter (to honest hearts) hard to be very silent in so great revolutions of affairs, since Nature hath not created us like Crocodiles, that we have only eyes to weep, & no tongues to speak or complain, for we perceive we lose all, we have of English in us. If we all endeavour not your prevention of your general disasters, which at this instant not only threa●en the ruin of this City, but the whole kingdom in general, for whereas we should and aught to strengthen ourselves by uniting all our power into one body against our common Enemy and their violence, we find we have amongst us a people perverse to peace, a froward and crooked generation, which act most lesuitically for rule and authority that they may govern all by an arbitrary power, such we say as we apparently see seek the kingdom's goods, not good, such Birds of prey they are, that deceive all other Birds, should assemble to pull their plumes off, which they have stolen from others to make great or good their ambition, and such they are not as that valiant Turr●il, borne in France that after 32 years' service for the weal public (his own secretary acknowledgeth) he died almost as poor as he was borne, but 'tis true he had no other aim, but the glory of God and the service of his Country. But let us look and observe the obstructors of our peace, and we shall find them like Salamanders which live in the fire of our misery and affliction, such who have gotten great estates in these times of common calamity and distraction, such as manibus pedibusque obnixe labour and endeavour by all ways and means to bring to pass their own designs, whilst we suppose the justice of cause will support us. And such they are as resolve for the preservation thereof, to do any thing and rather hazard the ruin of all, then suffer themselves hereafter to be called in question for unjust gotten goods▪ Shall we say, sit still and be contented, to do as men in thunder, every on pray the Thunderboult fall not on him or his House, and not regard or look after our neighbours, we w●sh there be not some great ones here, whose Dignity ought to put into their mouths, good and forcible words for the defence of this City & Kingdom, which do satisfy themselves with hopes to avoid the present blow & expect safety themselves in our common calamities. We therefore declare that we resolve as one man to adventure our lives and fortunes, with the Commanders & common-council of this City in the preservation of the King's Person, the Parliament and City from all Riots, Mutinies or Tumults, which may arise from any party during the treaty, and we desire you will endeavour that by authority every Commander may in his division take the subscription of such hands as will engage in that service, and in case the King and Parliament shall not agree, to stand against none but those that stand against the fundamental laws, and Constitutions of this Land, and the good and freedom of this City according to several Ordinances of Parliament, and so we (the City and parts Adjacent) being joined in one body according to our former desires keeping firm these our resolves, you, nor we shall have cause to fear the face of all our enemies, but both be a terror to our enemies abroad, and an object of honour to our friends at home. And lastly make those our servants, that now endeavour to be our Masters.   

LONDON Printed July 15, 1648.