TO THE honourable COMMITTEE AT Bury.  
The humble PETITION of the chief Inhabitants of the Liberty of St. Etheldred and of Hoxon Hundred, in the County of Suffocke, on the behalf of themselves and others well affected:  
Showeth,  
THat we do with much thankfulness acknowledge the great care and industry you have taken for the quiet and prosperity of this County, whiles others have been torn and broken with oppression and destruction. And as for that, so now for setting on foot so good a work as the necessary arming of the well affected people, and the just discovery of the other, lately manifested by your commands and Directions sent to the several Hundreds. A work (we confess) of singular use, not only for the preservation of ourselves in quietness and tranquillity, but even for the putting an end to the bloody Distempers of the Nation, which our sad Hearts mourn to see. In which Commands and Directions of yours, We do humbly observe that there is not such a sufficiency and fullness of Authority & Directions given, as is requisite for the transacting & carrying on so great a Work with power and effect, with equality and proportion upon all: Without which, We humbly conceive the willing party will be discouraged, Contentions arise, and the design lost in the Execution. For the seasonable prevention whereof: That the Burden may be equally and indifferently borne by all, That every one that enjoys a part in the Felicity and Peace of the County, may likewise bear a part in the defence and saving of the County, We do humbly Offer to this Committee these Desires and Considerations following:  
1 We humbly desire that in this Time of danger, all Men well-affected from the age of sixteen to sixty, in this County may forthwith be put into arms, disposed and cast into Companies and troops both of Horse and Foot, Commanders in chief, captains and other Officers nominated and appointed over them, and to be listed and exercised this winter season; The Abler sort to find and serve on Horse, the residue on Foot.  
2 We desire that all men of ability may arm themselves, at their own charge; And for others that are not of ability, We desire they may be Armed with Muskets and other useful weapons out of the Magazines of the County, and out of the arms that have or shall be taken from Malignants and disaffected.  
3 And seeing that Malignants and disaffected persons are not to bear any arms in this business, and yet altogether unreasonable, they should be exempted from the Burden, We desire that all such may be taxed a full proportionable part in money to this Service, and also all others of abilitythat shall not bear arms in this business; All which may go towards the Arming of the poorer sort, that are not able to arm themselves, and yet are willing to do service in this Cause: And what these shall fall short; to be supplied either out of the sequestered Estates of Delinquents, or at the general and equal charge of the Hundred or County.  
4 We desire that a full and sufficient power and Authority may be given for the calling of all Men together within their several Hundreds or Divisions, and to take the subscriptions of such as are willing, and to compel others that are not, and to tax and proportion as well such as shall be found Malignant or disaffected, as also all others of ability that shall not bear arms in this business, and that in case of refusal or refractoriness, some penalty may be inflicted.  
5 Seeing it is commanded that a discovery should be made of the ill-affected Clergy and others, and we having also observed by sad and long experience what prevailing influence the bold Doctrines and Conversations of such have had, and even still have into the minds and affections of weak and unstable people, which is yet more evidently confirmed by such parishes where such are, We desire some power and Authority may be given for the calling in of some fit persons out of every parish where such are to testify in that behalf, that there may be a more full and thorough Discovery made of such, then as yet hath been.  
6 We desire that this honourable Committee would be pleased to use some speedy and effectual means for the Representing these our humble Desires either to the high Court of Parliament, or to our Noble and Highly Honoured Major general of the Associated Counties, for the full and powerful authorising and establishing of these things whereby they may be put in Execurion before the winter season be over (which passeth swiftly) that We may be able to rise as one Man, to defend Our Country from invading, or to assist our Brethren bleeding in the field. And your Petitioners shall not only pray for the felicity of this vigilant Committee, but shall be ready piously to Sacrifice our Lives in your Defence.  
 
This Petition was Subscribed by 2000 hands at least.   

SIR,  
I Have here sent you a copy of a Petition, which is this day presented to the Committee at Bury, and from thence to the Earl of Manchester (of which presenters, though unworthy, I am one) and now on the way to Cambridg to the Earl, it was consented to and subscribed by 2000 hands of able and sufficient men, with much alacrity and willingness, who I believe confidently will spend their last drop of Blood in defence of the Parliament and famous City of London: I have sent it you up to publish the same, it may be it will comfort your City to see others of your mind; I believe it will be at the Parliament about Friday at the furthest, for a confirmation of our desires: it was drawn by many able Gentlemen and Divines, and the same petition is now on foot in Norfolk, and you will hear of it the next week, I believe by that time the report is come at Oxford, the Cavaliers will have no great mind to visit us as they much threaten, I speak of the least: I am sure more subscribed than I mention, and Multitudes more would have done if we had had time.  
Your most affectionate friend, E. I. Decemb. 12. 1643.   

London, Printed for Robert Bostocke, 1643.