Mr. Grimstone, HIS SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT: On Wednesday the 19th of January, upon the Preferring of the Essex Petition, Anno Domino, 1642.  
with a desire to set the country in readiness of Arms for defence against foreign enemies.  
wherein is set forth the miserable decay of Trading in Cloth.  
For the removing of Popish Lords from Parliament; with the searching out of Priests and Jesuites. Also for the speedy bringing the Bishops to a trial.  
LONDON, Printed for John Hammond. 1642.   

Mr. Grimstone His Speech in Parliament on Wednesday the 19 of January, upon the preferring of the Essex Petition, Anno 1642.  
Mr. SPEAKER,  
I Have received a Petition from the Knights and Gentry of his majesty's County of Essex, and a Petition from the whole burrow of Colchester in the same County, tending both to one effect, the scope and subject thereof consists of these heads:  
I. First, the exceeding great decay of their Trade of clothing especially, and also the trading of manufacture in that County, occasioned by the present distractions and distempers in the State.  
II. Secondly, the putting of that County and the whole kingdom in a fitting posture of war for the defence of the same, for prevention of any plot or practice in agitation either of foreign force, or domestic stratagem by the pub●icke and private enemies thereof.  
III. The removing of Popish Lords and Bishops from the House of peers.  
IV. The searching out and apprehension of Priests and Jesuits, which lie secretly lurking and practising mischief in divers places of this kingdom.  
V. Lastly, the bringing to trial of those Bishops, and others of their adherents, delinquents in this sat, and to their deserved punishment.  
Mr. Speaker, under favour of this honourable House, I desire to speak a word or two of these Petitions, the presenting whereof to this House is committed to my trust & care, and of these particulars of the same, which I have now recited.  
I. First, concerning the decay of Trade in that County, of clothing: It is too manifest, that by the same, many households and families are brought to poverty and utter decay. The greatest part of that County towards Colchester, and the part thereof adjacent to the Sea, having formerly had the chiefest means of their livelihood by that Trade, many Webster's which have in times past (before the many taxations and oppressions laid upon that Commodity of cloth, says and bays, by divers ill instruments of State, prying into the Art, and benefit that came thereby to this kingdom, raising the customs thereof, to that excess and height, that nothing could be gained by the same) employed many poor people, whereby their charges and families were maintained, now deal little or nothing in the same, but betake themselves to other ways of livelihood, some turning innkeepers, Ale-house-keepers, some Farmers, graziers, and the like, whereby rents of farms are increased by the multitude of Tenants, that hath almost beggared the most part of that County. And those poor men, Artificers, as weavers, Comber's, and the like, appertaining to the Trade of Cloathworking, are brought (many of them) to beg their bread, and the rest live upon the Parishes charge, wherein they have had their habitations.  
II. Secondly, concerning the removing of Bishops and Popish Lords from the House of peers, we have found it by woeful experience more than necessary, they having been, both publicly and privately, the only opposers and hinderers of our proceedings in the great affairs we had in hand, concerning nearly the peace and welfare both of Church and State, I need not mention their practices to effect their endeavours, they are too too manifest and apparent to all men.  
III. Thirdly, for searching and apprehending or Priests and Jesuites, which have been the chief disturbers of our peace, this Honourable House hath already taken order for the same, to which I can say no more.  
IV. Fourthly, the bringing to trial of those Bishops accused, and all other delinquents, are the chiefest endeavours of this House, as far as other the great affairs of State will give leave.  
V. Fiftly and lastly, the setting of this kingdom into a good posture of war, is of absolute necessity for the defence and security thereof, especially that county of Essex, and other Maritane Counties of this kingdom perceiving the malignities of foreign States, are always watching an opportunity to injure, and to work mischief, if it were possible, to the utter confusion, not only of this, but the other his majesty's kingdoms; To which purpose we have daily intelligence of their practices and plots with disaffected persons, and members of this state, favouring, and taking part with any whatsoever, either foreign or domestic, to bring their own intentions and malicious endeavours to perfection, although it be to the ruin of their King and country.  
And thus Sir, of that which I had to say concerning these Petitions, which I humbly leave to the consideration of this House, and to give such answer thereunto, as to the wisdom of the same shall seem requisite.  
FINIS.