The Humble REPRESENTATION AND PETITION Of divers Well-affected Gentlemen, Free Holder's, and others of the County of OXON.  
Presented to the supreme Authority of the Nation, the Commons in Parliament Assembled, April 6. 1649.  
With the Speeh of Mr. Butler at the delivery of the said Petition, and the Speakers Answer thereunto.  
LONDON, Printed for Giles Calvert, at the Black-spred-Eagle at the West-end of Paul's,   

Die Veneris April 6 1649.  
ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, that the humble Representation and Petition of divers well-affected Gentlemen, Freeholders', and others of the County of Oxon, be referred unto  

Sir Arthur Haslerig.  
Sir james Harrington.  
Sir john Danvers.  
Mr. Whitlock.  
Mr. Humphrey Edward's.  
Mr. Dove.  
Mr. Whitacre.  
Mr. Say.  
Mr. Hypsly.  
Mr. Smyth.  
Mr. Lemmon.  
Mr. james Challenor.  
Mr. Thomas Challenor.  
Sir Thomas Wroth.  
Mr. Ashe.  
Mr. Allen.  
Mr. Salway.  
Sir G. Northon.  
Alderman Wilson.  
Mr. Millington.  
Mr. Oldsworth.  
Colonel Ven.  
Colonel Moor  
Lord Grace.  
Mr. Fenwick.  
Mr. Scot  
Mr. Garland.  
Mr. Love.  
Mr. Masham.  
Mr. Boon.  
Mr. Bryssoil.  
Mr. Blachstone.  
Mr. Pury.  
Mr. Weaver.  
Mr. Geardon.   
Or any three of them, to hear what shall be further presented to them by the Petitioners, and such as are authorised by them, and this Committee are to meet this afternoon at two of the clock in the Duchy Chamber, and this Commit have power to look on the former Votes, and to present some way to the House for reception of Ministers to supply the places that are unsupplied, and to have the same power with the Committee for Itinerary Ministers, Mr. & Garland is to have special care hereof.   

To the Supreme Authority of the Nation, the Commons in Parliament assembled.  
The humble Representation and Petition of divers well-affected Gentlemen, Freehoulders, and others of the County of Oxon.  
Humbly Sheweth,  
THat our Spirits are much revived, and our hearts raised up in the sensible apprehension of the good hand of God upon you, in your late and present actings, in reference to Common Right and freedom, and for as much as your work tends to the well-being of this Commonwealth, we as members thereof, from our present sense of some grievances in the County, City, and University of Oxford, Yet unremoved, do conceive ourselves in duty obliged to acquaint you therewith; As namely the obstruction and delay of Justice, through the corruption, and disaffection of divers now in Commission, the countenancing of, and conniving at Delinquents by some of our Committee men, and their Officers, the irregular proceed of the visitors in the University, the violent endeavours of the parochial Ministers, to embitter and stir up the Spirits of the people, in opposition to your present actings, and under pretence of breach of Covenant; the great & intolerable burden of the Chancellor's Arbitrary Court, in the University; the manifest evil of keeping many of our Laws in an unknown tongue, the great increase and necessity of the poor, the great quantity of ground of Forests and Parks (now belonging to the State) which lie waste, without benefit to the public the exemption of College lands from Taxes, the want of faithful representatives for this County, to sit in your house, and to represent these and other our grievances for our good; the consideration of all which makes us to represent these our humble requests and desires, as followeth, viz.  
1. That all our disaffected Justices may be forthwith removed, and such only empowered as have and still do approve themselves faithful to the public interest.  
2. That all our disaffected Commissioners and Committee men, with their officers, may also be removed, and such only be entrusted as are of known fidelity, and honesty amongst us, and all called to an account.  
3. That such of the visitors appointed by Parliament, as have not appeared, and acted in the late visitation of the said University, according to the trust reposed in them, may be disabled to sit or act as visitors for the future, and that such others as are able and well-affected, may be added to the remaining number, and that the persons so to be added; may have power to review and rectify (if there be cause) the procedure of the said visitors, and from time to time to act to all intents and purposes, as the other visitors may or might have done.  
4. That such Ministers, or others, that shall in Preaching, Praying, or otherwise endeavour to discontent, and disaffect the people of the Nation, in rendering your proceed, (as to the Trial of the late King, nulling the house of Lords, and others) to be a breach of Covenant, by their misrepresentation thereof, thereby stirring up the people to new Engagements and Insurrections, may by strict Order from you, be apprehended and punished as deceivers of the people, and disturbers of the public peace; and also that a competent number of Itinerary Ministers may be appointed in this County, and paid out of the public Treasury.  
5. That all Arbitrary and Tyrannical Courts in this University, or elsewhere, may be wholly taken away and abolished.  
6. That as many of our Laws as are in an unknown tongue, may be translated into English: That what are corrupt may be corrected, the evil repealed, the obscure explained, and the good revived.  
7. That all the good Laws for relief of the poor, may be duly put in execution by the several Justices, setting them to work, or otherwise providing for them, that no common beggar be found amongst us.  
8. That all those Forests, Lands, and Parks that now lie waist, may be speedily put to the best improvement for the use of the public.  
9 That the well-affected of this County, who have been always faithful to your proceed (and none else) may have liberty to make choice of so many representatives, as are wanting in this County to sit in the House, and none but such capable of being chosen, that have faithfully adhered to you in all your Engagements from first to last.  
10. That all College Lands may be taxed, and pay equally with other Lands, in all Charges and Contributions whatsoever.  
11. Lastly, That you will be pleased to appoint some of your own Members to receive information from those that shall present these our humble desires, what persons we conceive fit to be employed and entrusted in the several places and offices before mentioned.  
All which we refer to the wisdom and Judgement of this Honourable House, not doubting your speedy and serious consideration thereof, and answer thereunto, being (as we conceive) of most necessary and present concernment, which will be a further testimony to us, and others, of your real intentions and endeavours to act in all things for our public good.   

Die Veneris April. 6. 1649.  
THe House being informed that divers Gent. of the County of Oxford were at the door they were called in, and after a short preamble made by Mr. Butler to this effect, viz.  
WE are desired from divers Gent. and well-affected Persons of the County of Oxon, to present both our grievances, and divers Requests unto this Honourable House; Truly they are not a little sensible of the great blessing of God on them, in you & your unwearied labours, love and pains, and many good fruits of your impartial Justice, by that remnant that God hath pleased to reser 〈…〉 to this day; And we may say, had not there been a remnant we had been as Sodom, and we had been as Gomorah: And we hope, as God hath preserved you, so he will still preserve and continue you faithful, and we desire these grievances and requests may be read, and such a speedy and effectual Answer thereto, as to your wisdom shall seem meet.  
He delivered a Petition, which after the Petitioners were withdrawn, was read, and was entitled, The humble Representation, and Petition of divers well affected Gentlemen, Freeholders, and others of the County of Oxon.  
Resolved etc. That Mr Speaker do return the Thanks of this House unto the Petitioners.  
The Petitioners being again called in, Master Speaker by Command of the house, gave them this answer.  
Gentlemen, you of the County of Oxford, the House hath read your Petition, and do likewise take notice of the discreet and moderate expressions of it, the fair and modest delivery of it, which they conceive did proceed from a good intention, and the matters themselves show it, and they have appointed a Committee to meet this afternoon in the Duchy Chamber, to consider thereof, and to hear what you shall farther present to them; many of the particulars of your Petition are taken into consideration already, others will be taken into consideration by this Committee, and the expressions & explanations you made to me, the House hath taken notice of, and have commanded me to return you hearty thanks for your good affections, and I do return you the hearty thanks of this House accordingly.  
Hen: Scobel Cleric. Parliamenti.   
FINIS.