The Humble PETITION OF Many thousands of Young Men and Apprentices of the City of LONDON, TO THE High and Honourable the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, in the supreme COURT OF Parliament Assembled.  
At it was Presented by Alderman Atkin the first day of March, 1646.  

A Petition being styled the Humble Petition of divers Young men and Apprentices of the city of London was this day red and it is ordered that Alderman Atkin, colonel Venn, and Mr. vassal do from this House give the Petitioners thanks for the expressions of their good affections; that they will take their Petition into consideration in convenient time; and as for that business concerning dayes of relaxation is already under consideration and Committee.  
Hen. elsing clear. Par. Dom. come.   
LONDON, Printed for George Whittington, at the Blew Anchor in Cornhill, near the royal Exchange. 1646.   

TO THE High and Honourable the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, in the supreme Court of Parliament Assembled.  
The Petition of divers Young men and Apprentices of the City of London, humbly  
Sheweth,  
THat out of the grounded confidence wee have of the readiness of this Honourable House, to hear and repair the grievances of all those for whose welfare you were chosen and betrusted to take care and provide; and being encouraged unto the same, by several good 
* A Declarat. May 19. 1642. Remonst may 26. 1642.  Ordinances and Declarations of your own to that purpose.  
Wee whose names are hereunto annexed, although the meanest members of this great Common-wealth; yet having by birth a right of subsistence, here conceive ourselves( in our proportion) to have as real an Interest in the Kindomes enjoyments, as those who in respect of place or other accident are above us: As also many of us, having under the direction of your Honourable grave counsel and Guidance, freely adventured our lives, for the preservation of our Native Rights, and the just privileges of our dear Country against the public violaters of the same: upon these and other serious grounds, we are hold at this time to make our humble a●●resses to this honourable & supreme Court of Judicature,( the only refuge under God we have to fly to) ●nd in the first place we cannot but with all thankfulness take notice of the unwea●●ed pains together with many great and almost intolerable di●ficulties by you undergone, in the faithful discharge of your trust, in b●●nging about the establishment of a well grounded peace. The perfection of which( in relation to the common enemy) seems now by the blessing of God to be brought near to a wished period: Yet the consummation of this work being( as it were) the crown of all your labours, wee humbly conceive it may deservedly challenge from you a more then ordinary respect, which we doubt not but that your grave wisedoms are very sensible of: yet( noble Senators) let it seem no presumption, if we your poor Petitioners in all humility make known the grounds of some fears and jealousies to us apparent in this particular. And those are( amongst other great grievances) chiefly derived from the present sense we have of the too much prevalency of that party who have dealt in the late wars, declared themselves disaffected to the peace and well ●●re of the kingdom; who now seem to be in hopes of obtaining that by policy, which they have not been able to do by force. Cunningly contriving to aggravate and increase differences between the well-aff●cted party, and striving to bring an Odium upon all good men, under the distinction of several terms of obloquy and disgrace, by such subtle endeavours, labouring to avert the edge of Justice from themselves( who come deservedly under the stroke of it, and to turn it upon those who are most Innocent. Strongly endeavouring( and have already affencted it in part, to justle all honest faithful, well affencted men out of places of trust, office and unthority, and to put in neuter, Ambodexters, or persons apparently disaffected: By all these means, together with the advantage of the kingdoms present ansetlednesse) they seem to be in a more then probable expectation of getting the rein●s once more into their own hands, to the evident endangering of the Common-wealths speedy ruin, and to the great grief of your poor Petitioners, and all others who cordially desire the peace and safety of this destracted kingdom. And further we are bold to make known( as more particularly relating to the condition of your Petitioners) That whereas, we at our being made free of the City are enjoined by oath, to maintain the Liberties and privileges of the same City; which notwithstanding we are in a great measure disabled to do, by the intercession of divers illegal and undue customs, and 
* A clause of 11 of Hen. 6.  Monopolies( partly about the election and removal of our Magistrates) crept into the diminution of the ancient Liberties of this famous City, whose just immunities we are confident your Honours have been and are very tender of.  
wherefore, your Petitioners humbly pray that this Honourable House, taking into consideration the Premises, would be pleased by your mature Prudence and Care, to endeavour( as much as possibly you can) to take away all occasions of breaches between the well-affected party. And, that such as have in these late times of trouble,( by adve●●uring their lives or otherwise) approved themselves faithful to their Countrys common good, may without respect to differences, no way prejudicial to the Common-wealth, impartially enjoy their Birth right privileges, and be equally capable with others of the freedom to officiate in place of trust, which they are or shall be chosen unto. And on the contrary, that all those who have dis-franchised themselves by traitorously adhering to the enemy, may be disabled from bearing office, or voting in the Election of offices in the Common-wealth. And we ●urther crave,( with submission to your Honours grave Approvements) that in regard of the kingdoms present unsettledness, it may not be left destitute of a trusty and sufficient guard to secure it from intestine broils, and foreign Invasion. And as for your Petitioners more particular grievances, as they are members of this City; 
especially 〈…〉 of King 〈◇〉 5. 〈…〉  we humbly pray that you would be pleased by you. Author ty so to pr●vide, that w●( as we are or shall be capable of it) may be e●●bl●● t● enjoy the benefit of all ancient Charters and G●●●●ts, made 〈◇〉 confirmed by several Acts of Parliament, for the enlargement of our freedoms and privileges; and that whatsoever hath been illegally intended, may be taken away and made voided. And lastly,( as some have already desired) we likewise pray, that( if so small a thing may be worthy the intention of this grave and Honourable Assembly) you would be pleased to appoint some times of lawful Recreations for servants, as your wisedoms shall think fit.  
And your Petitioners, as they have many of them already( according to their duty) freely adventured their lives, and whatsoever was dear to them for the common safety of their Country; so they still profess their readiness, to give their best assistance to the suppressing all Arbitrary and tyrannical power; and to the upholding the fundamental Rights and Liberties of freeborn English men, and the just privileges of this Honourable House against all that shall set themselves in opposition of the same.  
And be ever bound to pray, &c.  
Whatsoever is contained in the Petition, the Subscribers will be ready to make good by particular instances, when they shall bee lawfully called to the same.   

Die Lunae 1 March. 1646.  
A Petition being styled the humble Petition of divers Young men and Apprentices of the city of London was this day red, and it is ordered that Alderman Atkin, colonel Venn, and Mr. vassal, do from this House give the Petitioners thanks for the expressions of their good affections; that they will take their Petition into consideration in convenient time; and as for that business concerning days of relaxation is already under consideration and Committee.  
Hen. elsing clear. Par. Dom. come.   
FINIS.