THE TRUE ANSWER OF THE PARLIAMENT TO The Petition of the Lord Major, and Common-council, for removing the Army, securing the Tower, putting the City into a posture of defence, and to have Major General Skippon Commander in chief.  
ALSO, The Oath and Information of Mr. john Everet, Discovering to the Lord Major and Common-council, the intents of the Army against the City of London.  
LIKEWISE, A Letter from Norwich of the manner of blowing up of the Magazine there, the kill of above 100 persons and other sad accidents, which happened at the same time.  

April 27. 1648.  
Imprimatur  
Gilb. Mabbot.   
LONDON: Printed for R. W. MDCXLVIII.   

A LETTER FROM NORWICH.  
SIR,  
I Am sorry that this opportunity should meet with the occasion of sending you ill news from hence: for, on Monday last, here fell out a very sad accident; the manner thereof, and the occasion was briefly thus. I believe that you have heard that this town, as well as other places, was much divided, some against the Parliament and Army, and others for them, which caused a difference betwixt not only the meaner sort of people, but even amongst those which were in chiefest place in the City, and the disaffected party did so increase, that the rest were oftentimes openly scorned and divided by them: the Major acting in some things otherwise then was expected was sent for up to the Parliament, which the malignant party were exceedingly vexed at, and said he should not be subject to that command, nor be carried out of the city: the well-affected laboured to have the Parl order obeyed and here the business began to grow high, and came to an open quarrel, many hundreds of people being gathered together, and the malignant party thinking to expunge the rest, and possess themselves of all the arms and ammunition in the city, they ran with one accord, to the Magazine, which was furnished with a great quantity of powder and ammunition. Here they began to arm themselves, and threatened ruin to all that bad or durst oppose them; but before they became formidable, the Magazeen (amongst them) was fired, and at least 40 houses was blown up and spoilt by powder, the blow whereof did shake the whole City, threw down part of some churches, wounded and killed a great many of the Inhabitants, the certain number not being yet known, nor many of them that were killed, as yet found, or can be known, for many were torn in pieces, and carried limb from limb, several legs, arms, etc. being found in the streets, but we already find missing & mortally wounded at least 120. persons; besides as many more which received slight wounds & hurts. Yet was not this great mischief a sufficient terror to those that escaped, and had gotten arms, for they continued and persisted in their course, and would quit the City of all that joined not with them, and take their goods for a prey: so that this combustion and distraction lasted divers hours, till 3. Troops of Col. Fleetwoods' horse, which were sent for, came into the City, and appeased the matter, and secured some of the chief Matiniers: so that we hope all things will be now quiet. And I wish, that according to the Proverb, others may be warned by our harms, and that when there is no enemy abroad, we may not find him at home, and by private dissensions, bring inevitable ruin and distractions upon ourselves; which is all for the present, he hath to write, that is  
Your humble servant, T. S. Norwich 25. April 1648.   

Die Jovis 27. April. 1648.  
REport was made of the transaction of the late business in the City of London, in relation to the information lately given, that the Army had some intentions against the City, which was grounded on a single affidavit made by one Mr. Everet, an Excize-man for the County of Bedford, of estate 220. li. per annum. This man went to the Headquarters at Windsor, to get assistance for gathering the Excize at Bedford, & taking his Lodging at an Inn, he overheard some in another room to say to others of their acquaintance with them, that they had acquainted an eminent Commander with what they had to propose, & that he seemed to approve well of the design, which he said he heard them explain to be the securing of the city, disarming of disaffected persons, the demanding of a million of money, etc. But that any such thing was the sense of the Army, or had been debated by a Council, as some have reported, is utterly false; However, M. Everet thought himself bound in duty to discover to the city what he had heard, and thereupon came and acquainted the Lord Major, who caused him to find sufficient sureties, & then took his examination upon oath, the effect whereof I have already set down. Hereupon a Common-council was called on Monday night last, where the said Mr. Everet appeared, and affirmed what he had before declared to the Lord Major. And after a long sitting of the Common-council, they came to this result, That some particulars should be drawn up, and presented to the Parl. in relation to the peace and safety of the city, and the two Sheriff's Alderman Gibs, Alderman Fouk, and 8 Commoners were appointed, as a Committee to draw up the same, Tuesday night was another Common-council at Guild-Hal about this business, where they concluded, and made an Act in these words.  

BY THE MAJOR.  
FOrasmuch, as it is conceived and apprehended by the Common-council, that the City at the present is in great danger; These are therefore, according to the Desire and Direction of the said Court to will and require you in his Majesty's Name, That presently upon sight hereof, you respectively, with the Constables of your several Precincts, do repair to every Housholder within the same, and give them strict charge and command, that at their perils, they do so order and dispose of their Servants, and all others under their charge, that they be not only kept from committing any outrage or misdemeanour; But that they and their servants from time to time be in readiness, according to their several capacities, with Arms, Weapons, and Ammunitions for preservation of the Peace, defence of themselves, the City, and the Magistrates thereof: And also, that all Persons who are of the Trained Bands of this City, Do from time to time upon the beat of the Drum, repair with all speed to their Colours: And therein demeasn themselves as may conduce to the safety and welfare of this City.  
And that you do from time to time certify unto me, or some other of his Majesty's justices of the Peace, the Names of such Constables, and others, as you shall find to be remiss or negligent in the performance of their respective Duties in this behalf, to the intent, that they may be punished according to the same. And hereof fail you not, as you tender the safety of yourselves and the City, and will answer the contrary at your peril.  
This 25. of April, 1648. MICHAEL.  
To the Deputy, common-councel-men, and Constables in the Ward of   
The 27. of this instant, divers. Aldermen and Common-council men of the city of London, presented a Petition to both Houses of Parl. setting forth the good affection of the city to the Parl. and that they will venture their lives & fortune, for the preservation thereof, according to their Covenant, desiring that the city might be put into a posture of defence, the Tower in their hands, the Army removed further, their chains put up, and Maj. Gen. Skippon Commander in chief of their Forces, that they might not be disarmed, plundered, etc.  
To which Petition, the E. of Manchester returned the answer of the Lords, which was to this effect.  
1. I am commanded to let you know, that the Lords do return hearty thanks to the Lord Major of London, Aldermen, and Common-council, for expressing their good affections to the Parliament. 2. And that it never entered into the thoughts of the Parl. to disarm the city, and know not that any others had any such intent, and that the Parl. are and ever shall be very careful for the good and safety of the city. 3. As for the information brought to the city by one Jo: Everet, the House would take it into special examination to find out the truth or falsehood thereof; in the mean time, they see not any cause why such a slight information should be any blemish or scandal to the Army, which have approved themselves in many things faithful. 4. As for that concerning Major General Skippon, he is a member of the House of Commons, and so it did not belong to their Lordships to meddle therein before the Commons had debated that business. 5. And as for the putting up of the chains for their own safety, they left it to their own discretion.   
FINIS.