A SPEECH, Of colonel Edward Leigh, as it was delivered by himself to the Honourable House of Commons, upon occasion of presenting a STAFFORD-SHIRE PETITION: As also the Petition itself, presented by the same colonel, and divers other Gentlemen OF STAFFORD-SHIRE, On Monday the thirtieth of Septem. 1644.  
LONDON, Printed by F. L. for Matthew Walbancke, at grays-inn-gate. 1644.   

A True copy of a Speech of colonel Edward Leigh, suddenly composed, and spoken by himself to the Honourable House of Commons, upon occasion of presenting a Staffordshire Petition, published by himself, to prevent the printing, and scattering of any false Copies.  
Mr. Speaker;  
WE are sent hither by our chief Commander (though we could be ill spared at this time) to represent unto this Honourable House the sad condition of our Country. What a misery it is for a politic body to be deprived of its head, you all know sufficiently, and will therefore be the more sensible (we hope) of our troubles in Staffordshire. England hath heretofore been divided from the whole world, (toto divisos orbe Britannos) but was never in any age so much and so long divided in itself we labour now, not only under the grand division of King and Parliament, Head and Members, but under many subdivisions of generals, & Committees, and commanders. These unhappy divisions in the State, and diverse other sad differences in the Church, do threaten sudden ruin to both, unless You honourable worthies (who are the grand physicians or our Church and State) do wisely and seasonably compose them. Inveterate diseases are hardly cured, evil spirits are more easily raised then laid Principis obsta, is good counsel in this case. The eyes of the three kingdoms, shall I say? Nay of all the Christian world are upon you, worthy Patriots, expecting a happy Reformation, and timely redress of errors in Religion, and grievances in the commonwealth: And as you have given ample Testimony already both of Your zeal to God's glory (and your love to your dear country) so we doubt not but you will still persist in so good a Cause, that both ourselves and our posterity may bless you, as Repairers of our breaches, and the main pillars (under God) of upholding our tottering State. The Earl of Denbigh first received his power from you, and my Lord general, and therefore it must be dissolved by you, before it be void. The chief commanders, the deputy lieutenants, the Gentlemen of quality, and greater part of the Committee, with thousands of the commonalty in Staffordshire, do humbly desire, that he may be accommodated as a Noble general, and then sped into the Country, action being now more seasonable than dispute. Many of the subscribers to this Petition have attended on my Lord's person in this service, and ventured their lives with him. They see no reason to question his fidelity, who hath for this cause lost great friends, displeased near friends, spent his estate, and hazarded his life. His wisdom and affability, are generally known, his courage and resolution hath appeared to those, which have been eye-witnesses, of his actions, and one virtuous qualifications in a Commander, I cannot omit in this Honourable Lord, though he have been much opposed by some ever since he first embarked himself in this employment, ●et he hath ever had a great command over himself and his own passions, therefore I shall thus conclude, humbly submitting to your wise judgements; He is fit to command others who can so well command himself.   

To the Right honourable the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament; The humble Petition of the Committee, Commanders, Gentlemen, and others well affected in the County of Stafford.  
Humbly showeth.  
THat whereas the continual and grievous pressures of Plunder, insupportable taxations, imprisonments, terrors and murders by the Enemy, now much increasing by the addition of many falling into these counties of Stafford and Salop, being the weakest part of the kingdom, as we conceive, through our distractions, and the unhappy absence of our Lord general the Earl of Denbigh, and are now (as we are credibly informed) preparing to plant themselves in garrisons for this winter.  
We are forced humbly to pray, as formerly, that no obstacles (not worthy to be compared with the sufferings of these Countries, and the cause in general may any longer retard the accommodation and timely dispatch of our L. general, by whose wisdom and power (under God) we are confident there will be raised, united, and disposed such a seasonable and considerable Force in these, and parts near us, that are disengaged, which now for want of a head, are disjoint and unserviceable) as will not only clear these, But assist other parts. And that the differences betwixt his Lordship and others, may either be speedily reconciled and ordered, or deferred until the leisure of the honourable Houses and the exigents of our condition will admit.  
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c. With 4000 hands of Gentlemen and others of good ability.  
FINIS