To a Gentleman, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
Sir,  
YOur Birth speaks you capable of honour, and reason; your profession, of piety and Religion; Your employment, and Interest, they furnish you with occasion, and power of exercising those offices: which your quality, and protestations oblige you to. My misfortune wants such a friend, and necessitates me thus to seek him: having attempted all other modest, and ordinary ways in vain. If you be that gallant man, be pleased to know, that I have suffered above twenty months' imprisonment; with what effect, either in order to my subsistence or health, I forbear; for Sir, I intend only a sober representation of my condition, and desires: no libel, or satire,  
As for my condition,  
It is such, as will speedily, and certainly destroy me, I hope better things; But if I be destinate to ruin, me thinks I might perish by some way more worthy of a GENTLEMAN. then to languish and expire among Whores and thieves. As for my desires, My Petition speaks them: and I would not be much impertinent. My Request (Sir) to you, is only that you will present this postscript-Petition to the House, and but so far to favour it: as you feel yourself in Honour and humanity concerned. If any man can object, and prove it, that I have ever abused any Liberty, or Civility I have received; or that I have in the least scruple receded, from what I believed just and honest, let me die for it. If not, I hope my sufferings may have expiated for my diversity of opinion.  
I do presage, this paper will hear much of vanity and ostentation. In truth I do not like any thing of singularity; but being reduced to this choice, either to rot in a goal, or thus to importune my liberty, having none other way left me; This necessity (I hope) will justify and excuse the course I have now taken.  
It is possible, a providence may convey this trifle into some kinder hand than I am yet acquainted with. If not, Facilis Jactura, It is but an Essay lost; If otherwise, This letter is yours. So am I; both by obligation, and purchase: If you be that kind soul, who will make me, mine own.  
Newgate July 8. 1646. Sir, Your servant Roger L'estrange.   

To the honourable the Commons assembled in Parliament. The Petition of Roger L'estrange, Prisoner in Newgate  
Humbly showeth,  
THat your Petitioner hath suffered a long, chargeable, and harsh confinement; whereby he is exposed to a certain, and swift destruction, either by want, sickness, or both: without a seasonable redress.  
Wherefore he makes it his humble suit to this Honourable House, that he may either upon his Parole, or security, enjoy such liberty: as Your Honours shall judge proper, and necessary for his preservation, Your Petitioner standing engaged, not to act, or advise any thing of prejudice, to the Parliament.  
And your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c.