The humble PETITION OF THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON in Common-council assembled. TO THE Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in High Court OF PARLIAMENT. With their Answer to the said Petition.  
Printed by Richard Cotes, Printer to the Honourable City of London, 1647.   

TO THE Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in High Court OF PARLIAMENT; The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-council assembled;  
Humbly showeth,  
THat the Petitioners cannot but call to mind the deliverance, which they and the whole Kingdom did justly expect from this Parliament, after so many years suffering under the power of an arbitrary Government, both in their spiritual and temporal concernments; and they do humbly acknowledge that this Parliament hath removed many obstacles, and are confident, would by this time, with God's blessing, have restored the Kingdom to its just liberties, and settled a sure foundation for its future happiness, if they had not been diverted by the great contrivers of the Kingdom's slavery, who, rather than submit to the justice of this High Court, have raised, maintained, and continued a bloody unnatural and long War against the Parliament of England. In the suppression whereof, as much blood hath been spilt, so a great Treasure hath been spent, and the Kingdom is still left involved in many engagements and debts, both to their Brethren of Scotland (who like true Christian Brethren came in to its aid against the common enemy) and also to a multitude of Officers, Soldiers, and others the well affected people of this Land, who did engage in the defence and support thereof. And although the Petitioners in the obligation, which the cause of God, and the public safety did cast upon them, have all this time both freely contributed, and cheerfully submitted to many great and unusual Assessments, which also could not be levied but in an extraordinary way, yet they cannot be unsensible, how much arbitrary power hath been, during these distempers, exercised by Committees and others, by whom the good Subject hath been oftentimes more oppressed, than the Delinquent suppressed, and who have managed the Receipts and Revenues which were designed to maintain the public charge, so disorderly and ineffectually, that the Kingdom cannot but be unsatisfied concerning the due employment thereof, and doubt that much of the public Money hath been employed to private ends, and remain obscured in the hands of such as were entrusted with the Collection of those Assessments, and the improvement of all Sequestrations to the public and best advantage. And indeed the Petitioners have reason to attribute much of the late discontent and disorders of divers Officers and Soldiers, unto the want of such Moneys, as if duly collected and faithfully managed, might have in good part, If not fully, satisfied the Soldiery; And do humbly conceive, that the Parliament hath so much the more reason to inquire into the same, because that from this defect, hath risen those late Attempts of some of the Soldiery, and there is such use made of the Vote passed by the Parliament for their satisfaction, to invite and draw together very great numbers of Officers and Soldiers from all parts of the Kingdom, under pretence of sharing the money so obtained, that it may very much endanger the peace and safety of the City.  
The Petitioners therefore for remedy of the said Grievances and prevention of those dangers which otherwise may be feared, and for settlement of this miserable and distracted kingdom, do humbly pray,  
I. That present command be given that no Officer of War or Soldier, other than such as are already come in, do enter the Line of Communication, under any pretence to share in the Moneys lately appointed by Parliament, towards the satisfaction of any Arrears.  
II. That such Officers and Soldiers who are already paid according to the late several Ordinances of Parliament in this behalf made, if their usual habitation and employment have been within the Line, be enjoined forthwith to betake themselves to their calling, or some honest condition of living, and be prohibited from their loser and tumultuous wand'ring and meeting within this City, and other places adjacent, under penalty of losing their Arrears. And that such Officers and Soldiers as have dwellings or other relations in the Country, be required to departed the Line within two days after publication, and to return to their homes or habitations, and there to apply themselves to their several callings, upon the like forfeiture of their Arrears, except such whose present and lawful occasions may require their continuance, to be approved of by a Committee for that purpose to be appointed. And that the Parliament would please to make some speedy and certain provision for the satisfying of all Arrears unto the Soldiery, who have served the Parliament, within some short and convenient time to be paid in the several Counties and Places of their abode, according to the conditions of their entertainment.  
III. That all Officers and Soldiers who have been in Arms against the Parliament, or others who have assisted or contributed thereunto, be enjoined upon pain of Imprisonment within 24. hours after publication to repair to their several habitations, and fall to their lawful callings; And that such Officers, Soldiers, and others as have no habitations nearer, be commanded forthwith to withdraw themselves and to continue at least twenty miles from London, for the space of forty days; Except such as by a Committee authorized and appointed to that purpose shall have licence, upon just cause, by them allowed, to remain in or near London so long time, until they have dispatched such businesses as they shall have in or near the City; which ended, then presently to retire twenty miles from the City upon pain of imprisonment as aforesaid.  
iv That such Commanders and Soldiers as, according to former orders of the Parliament, have come in from the Army having received their Moneys, may be otherwise disposed of as the Parliament shall think fit.  
V That all persons whatsoever that are possessed of any Moneys or Goods belonging to the Public, may be enjoined to bring the same, within one month after publication, into such public Treasury as is or shall be appointed for that purpose, under penalty to forfeit triple the value, which shall be duly proved to be so concealed, the half of the forfeiture to be given to such persons as shall make proof of such concealment, and the other half to be applied to the service of the State.  
VI That all Revenues as well such as are due by Sequestration as otherwise, be managed under such Commissions, and by such Persons as notwithstanding any Privilege of Parliament or otherwise, may be held to such Rules as are or shall be prescribed therein, by Ordinance of Parliament, and be liable for breach thereof, to answer the same in due course of Law; and that no arbitrary power may be exercised to the contrary by any person whatsoever.  
VII. That the Parliament would for present please to lay aside all businesses of lesser consequence or private concernment, and improve their time and utmost endeavour, that such Laws may be prepared for His Majesty's Royal Concurrence, as may settle the Government of the Church, secure the People from all unlawful and arbitrary power whatsoever in future, and restore his Majesty to His just Rights and Authority, according to the Covenant, without all which the Petitioners can never expect any lasting establishment. That so this long divided and distracted Kingdom may attain to the Blessings of Peace and Unity in Church and Commonwealth.  
VIII. And that the People may be the better secured to enjoy the intended effects of such Laws as shall be so made with the Royal assent, That especial care be taken that all Officers of State, and other Ministers of Justice, may be Persons of Honour, of considerable Interest and of known Integrity to the Parliament and Kingdom.  
IX. That the Parliament would please to provide for the carrying on of the affairs in Ireland by speedy transporting the Forces which lie ready on the Sea side, and such others as shall be willing to engage in that service, and by such continual supplies as are requisite to reduce that Kingdom to the obedience of the Crown of England, and rescue the good party left there, out of the bloody hands of those barbarous rebels. And for the better encouragement of the Subjects of this Kingdom to continue their supplies for that Service, that with as much speed as conveniently may be, the Parliament will please to take care that the People be eased of such extraordinary charges and burdens as have long laid and still remain upon this Kingdom.  
X. That by all just and good means the correspondence with our Brethren of Scotland may, according to the Nationall Covenant, be maintained and preserved.  
XI. That this Honourable House would please to give order for a speedy examination of all unlawful Elections and Returns of the Members thereof, and purge the House of all such as have been unduly chosen, or have been in Arms or in action against the Parliament, and provide for the supply of their rooms according to the Laws of the Land.  
XII. That some speedy course may be taken for the deciding of all causes formerly determinable in the Court of Admiralty, the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom, and the correspondence with Foreign Nations, being very much prejudiced, disturbed and endangered for want of due Provision herein, as hath formerly been at large represented unto this Honourable House.  
XIII. And lastly, That satisfaction being made by Delinquents, according to the wisdom of Parliament, an Act of Oblivion may be passed for an utter abolition and final reconcilement of all Parties and Differences, and for the quiet settling of Peace, Love, and Unity, among the Subjects of this Kingdom.  
All which the Petitioners submit unto the wisdom of this Honourable House.   

Die Veneris, 2. Julii, 1647.  
THat their Lordships have had a long experience of the good affections of the City of London to the Parliament and Kingdom, and they do return their acknowledgement for the same. As to the particulars of the Petition, which are many and long, they will take them into their speedy consideration.  
Jo. Browne Cler. Parliamentorum.   

Die Veneris, 2. Julii, 1647.  
THe House being informed, That the Sheriffs, and divers Citizens of the City of London were at the Door, they were called in, and Sheriff edmond's informed the House, That he was commanded by the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-council assembled, to deliver a Petition to this House; the which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) was read.  
Resolved etc.  
That on Friday next, this Petition be read and considered of.  
The Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by the Command of the House acquainted them, that the Petition consisted of many Heads of great and public concernment, That most of them were under consideration with the House.  
That their constant very good affections did still appear, for which he was commanded to render them thanks; he further acquainted them, that the House has appointed a day for the reading and considering of this Petition.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
FINIS.