THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON, IN Common-council ASSEMBLED, Presented to the Right Honourable THE LORDS and COMMONS in Parliament Assembled: WITH The Answer of both Houses to the said PETITION.  
Printed by RICHARD COTES, Printer to the Honourable City of London, July 31. 1648.   


TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Lords and Commons In Parliament Assembled.  
The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-council assembled.  
SHOWETHS,  
THat last night your Petitioners sitting in Common-council, there was by divers grave and well-affected Citizens presented unto them a Petition subscribed by a great number of hands; wherein was represented the sad and dangerous condition of the Parliament and City, (which this Court is also very sensible of) by reason that the power, by Ordinance of the 12 th'. instant, granted to major-general Skippon, to list Horse and Foot, is still made use of, to put the power of the Sword into the hands of Servants and Sectaries; which, by many testimonies of very credible Witnesses, hath been clearly proved.  
All which, your Petitioners do conceive, will endanger the safety and peace of Parliament and City; is contrary to the Ancient laudable Customs and usages of the same; inconsistent with the Power by Ordinance granted to the Militia of London; and is feared, will (if not speedily prevented) put this City into a sudden distemper.  
In consideration whereof, and in discharge of their Trust, your Petitioners are again necessitated to be humble suitors unto this honourable House:  
And do pray,  
That the said Ordinance granted unto major-general Skippon may be repealed; and the Forces raised by authority thereof discharged. That there may be no Listing nor raising of Forces in this City or Liberties thereof, but by the power of the Militia, settled by Ordinance of Parliament; That so the Petitioners may be the better enabled and encouraged to defend the Parliament; unto whom (notwithstanding the many false and scandalous aspersions of disaffection and malignancy cast upon them) they are resolved with Lives and Fortunes faithfully and constantly to adhere according to their Solemn League and Covenant.  
And shall pray, etc.   

Die Sabbathi, 29. Junii, 1648.  
THE Lords gratefully receive the acknowledgements which you have made to them in the name of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-council of the City, and have commanded me to assure you that their care shall never be wanting to improve all means for the preventing of those inconveniencies that may threaten their danger or disquiet to the City of LONDON. In this particular mentioned in your Petition, they have already recalled that power given to Major General Skippon: they will pursue a further and as effectual a means as they can for the perfecting of what is desired by you, that the confidence the City of LONDON hath expressed of them may be confirmed, and that the City may be still encouraged and enabled to intent the security of the Parliament according to their engagements.  
Jo. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum.   

Die Sabbathi, 29. Julii, 1648.  
THe House being informed, that the Sheriffs and Aldermen of London were at the door, they were called in; And after a short preamble made by Sheriff Bide, he presented a Petition which after the Petitioners were withdrawn was read, and was Entitled, The humble Petition of the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-council assembled.  
The Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer,  
Mr. Sheriff and the rest of you Gentlemen of the City, The House has read your Petition, and have considered thereof, and had a sad and serious debate thereupon, and are sensible of the respects of the City, and of your expression in the latter end of your Petition, of your good affections and resolutions; And I am commanded to give you very hearty thanks for the same: And to let you know, That the House hath appointed a Committee to go to the City of LONDON, to acquaint them with the dangers of the City and Parliament; and with the grounds and reasons of making and continuing the Ordinance. And this House hath put into a way of reforming all irregularities in listing Soldiers by colour of the said Ordinance.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
FINIS.