The humble DECLARATION, Tender, and PETITION Of divers cordial and well-affected mariners, whose names are subscribed, To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament. With the several Answers given to the said PETITION. Printed at London for Henry Overton, 1648. The humble Declaration, tender, and Petition of divers cordial and well-affected mariners, whose names are subscribed, being Commanders of Ships, and Members of the Trinity House. Sheweth, THAT the present, sad, and fresh bleeding condition of this distressed kingdom, the many ways of force and treachery which are continually attempted to bring to utter ruin and destruction this Parliament, and their Forces by Land & Sea; the late defection of some mariners trusted and employed by the Parliament in divers ships set forth for safety of the kingdom: and the proceedings thereupon will not suffer the Petitioners to be longer silent, and therefore in discharge of their duty to Almighty God, and to the King, Parliament, and kingdom, they do humbly declare, That the Petitioners are most unfeignedly thankful for this Parliaments zealous endeavouring the public settlement, and for giving direction that in order to the safety of the kingdom, the encouragement and preservation of trade, and the reduction of the said ships revolted, a convenient Fleet be provided, and set to Sea, and manned with cordial and well-affected mariners( all intimated by the Votes of the honourable House of Commons, made the 17th. and by the Lord High Admiral's letter to the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Trinity-house, dated the 19th. of June last. That although the Petitioners do most hearty desire a right understanding and happy reconcilement betwixt the King & Parliament, yet it is far from their intention,( and they hope of any others that have lately petitioned for a personal Treaty) to make use of the said revolt, or of any other streights, the Parliament are, or may be in, to precipitate their councils, or to destroy their Forces, being( as they humbly conceive) contrary to the Protestation taken in or about May 1641. the Vow taken in, or about June, and the Covenant taken in or about Feb. 1643. as also to necessitate the Parliament to that treaty, before such a foundation of security be laid, as the wisdom of the Parliament shall conceive( by the blessing of Almighty God thereupon) to be fully sufficient for the preservation of themselves, and of all that have adhered to them, from destruction in, and after that treaty: and for the reformation of Religion, and for the maintenance and defence of laws and liberties, for all which, so much blood and treasure hath been spilled and spent. That the constant valour and fidelity of English mariners( Commanders and others) have encouraged this, and all other Nations, with whom we have any commerce, as well Jews, Turks, Heathens, as Christians, to put their persons and estates into their power and possession, having found them always valiant to defend both the one and the other, and faithful in discharge of their trust to those that employ them, whether friends or foes, which hath much advanced the wealth, strength, honour and safety of this kingdom. But that now the valour and fidelity of English mariners is of late much blemished, by those who are revolted in the said ships, and those who have encouraged them thereunto, and yet have neither publicly expressed their utter detestation, nor resolution with their lives and estates( according to their Covenant) to endeavour the reducing those revolters. Moreover, that the Petitioners( to take off those blemishes, and to preserve the honour of the English Nation) do not only disavow the having any hand in that revolt, but abhor and detest that unparalleled breach of trust, as most destructive to Trade, and the Navigation of this kingdom, and to all the faithful mariners and others who have their dependency thereupon; the consideration whereof doth engage the Petitioners promise, that they will use their utmost endeavours, with their lives and estates( according to their Covenant, when called thereunto) for the reducing the said revolters to their duty, in such a way as the wisdom of the Parliament shall direct, and doubt not( whatsoever hath been suggested to the contrary:) but there are many other mariners in this kingdom, will be most ready and willing to do the like. THe Petitioners therfore do humbly pray, that the vote of the Honourable house of Commons( made the 17th. of June last, for the providing as great a Fleet, manned with cordial and well-affected men as the Parliament shall think fit, with all possible expedition for the safety of the Kingdom, and reducing the said revolters) may be vigorously put in execution. And your Petitioners as in duty bound, shall pray, &c. Die Mercurij, 5. July, 1648. THe Lords have commanded me to give you hearty thanks for your great expressions of your fidelity and good affections to the Parliament: and they desire you still to continue your care and endeavours for the reducing of the revolted mariners to their obedience to the Parliament. And they desire you to be confident, that their Lordships will improve their utmost endeavours for the procuring of a safe and well-grounded Peace. John Brown, clear. Parl. THe House being informed that the Sea-men and mariners, Commanders of ships, & Members of the Trinity House were at the door, they were called in, and then presented a Petition; which after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was red, and was entitled. The humble Declaration, tender, and Petition of divers cordial and well-affected mariners, being Commanders of ships, and Members of the Trinity-House. And the said Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker by command of the House gave them this Answer. Captain Moulton, and the rest of you, Gentlemen, The House hath red your Petition with much content and satisfaction: and you are to be thanked in a special manner. That you have upheld the honour of the mariners of the English Nation by your fidelity in these times of danger; which those that revolted from their trust, much blemished. And for your good affections, and cordial expressions the House hath commanded me to give you hearty thankes: and you deserve more then thankes. And the House hath given order that those things that you desire to be put in execution, be put into speedy and effectual execution. Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That it be referred to the Lord admiral and Committee of the Navy, and in the absence of the Lord Admiral to the Committee of the Navy, to see the Votes of this House of the 17th of June, mentioned in the said Petition put in speedy and effectual execution: and also to confer with the Petitioners concerning the Propositions they shall make for the effectual carrying on of this business, in reducing the revolted Ships according to the Ordinance mentioned in the said Petition. H. elsing. clear. Parl. D. come. A List of the Subscribers Names. Robert Monlson. William Bandirk Richard Foannes John Casby Richard Badiley. Thomas Hawkins. Mich. Packs Thomas Bunton William Wilkinson William Hudduck. Thomas Weymouth. Rich. Busel Rich. Caton. Matth. Winnall John Tompson John Griffin Rich. brooks John Bundale Tho. Merriot. Robert Blackleech Nathan Buskill John Ewell Wil. Bet. John Pollong Dan. Roswell John Sayer George Paffeild. Jo. Swan James Infelt. Edw. Savey John Broakbonen Stephen Greensmith. William Goodson Phil. Goose. Rob. gardener Rich. Hadduckt Hen. Westly Tho. Hewit. Hump. Bennet. Will. Wildey. Rob. Hackwell Jo. boven Tho. liddel Rob. Saunders. Edw. Philpot Nath. Chesson Tho. Newman Tho. Squarey James Breck laurence Moyer Will. Ounger Tho. Pot Will. Wheatly Rob. Fox. Dan. Morgan Tho. Woods Edmond Tompson Edmond Chapman Jonathan Gibbs George clerk John Oliver Christoph. Mings. Jo. Wood Memorandum, That fifty two of the Subscribers are Commanders of Ships, members of the Trinity House.