London, March 15. 1658.  
THe Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-council Assembled at Guildhall, took into consideration the Speech made to them by his Highness on Friday ●… he 12. instant, and being very sensible of the Particulars contained in the said Speech, and of their own Duty relating thereunto, They resolved, That an humble Petition and Representation should be presented to his Highness; and that a Committee be appointed to draw up the said Petition and Representation, and accordingly a Committee was nominated for that purpose, to bring it in on the morrow.  
March 16. The Body of the City being met together again in Common-council, the Committee brought in a draft of a Petition and Representation, which, upon due deliberation, was passed with all cheerfulness and unanimity, and Ordered to be presented the next day to his Highness, it being a full Evidence as well of that Reverence and high Esteem which the City beareth towards the Merits and Person of His Highness, as of that Duty and Fidelity which they are, upon all occasions, ready to express, for the strengthening of His hands in the Government, which is a matter that most nearly concerned them, in order to the preservation of the Peace of this Renowned City, and the whole Nation, whose Interests are really and inseparably united with the Safety and Establishment of Him and His Successors, in opposition to the Common Enemy.  
It was Ordered also, That nine Aldermen, and a greater number of Commoners, should be added to the aforesaid Committee, to go and present the said Petition.  
Whitehall, March 17. 165● Betwixt Eleven and Twelve a Clock, the persons appointed by the Body of the City in Common-council, came hither, and being admitted to His Highness presence, Sir Thomas foot, Alderman, in the name of the whole City, acquainted His Highness, That he was commanded to present him a Petition from His Highness City of London, which His Highness graciously receiving, it was red as followeth.  

To his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging. The humble Petition and Representation of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Council Assembled.  
SHEWETH,  
THat your Petitioners are deeply sensible of the many Mercies and signal Providences that these three Nations have received from Almighty God, in subduing his and their Enemies in the times of our late Wars, in which it pleased our wise and Gracious God to use your Highness as the most special and Eminent Instrument in his hand, as chosen out and fitted by him for those great and subsequent works by which his name might be glorified, the three Nations, and in special his own People therein, protected and preserved from their Enemies at home and abroad.  
And not only so, but the continued goodness of God hath followed us, insomuch that after a sharp and bloody War several years together, for some years last past those Clouds have been broken, and the Sun of Peace hath shined upon us with a great measure of hope put into our hearts of a happy, lasting, and well-grounded form of Government, according to the Petition and Advice of the late Parliament, consented to by your Highness; for which we do( as in duty bound) bless the Lord, and desire a long and happy continuance of the same.  
But yet Your Petitioners taking notice from your Highness late gracious Speech to them, That the old restless Enemy is reviving his almost dead hopes of prevailing to execute his wrath and malice against God, your Highness, and the good and peaceful people in the Three Nations, partly from the discontents of a brainsick Party at home, and especially from the Aids of the Popish inveterate Enemy abroad, and have laid designs to themselves hopeful, by Insurrections from within, and Invasions from without us, to raise new Troubles, and kindle the flames of War again amongst us, by which to change our Government, and therein ruin the Three Nations:  
The premises considered, Your Petitioners do profess unto All, both Friends and Enemies, That We shall, upon our ancient Principles of Love and Fidelity to God, your Highness, and the Good People in the Three Nations, with all readiness oppose this Enemy to the uttermost, with our Lives and Fortunes:  
And therefore do most humbly pray, That your Highness will please, with all cheerfulness, as Supreme Magistrate, to go on in the Government of these Three Nations, for preservation of Religion, the Laws, Liberties, Peace and Safety thereof. And as your Petitioners do bless God for You, so they shall( as in duty bound) faithfully and constantly, in their several places, not only yield obedience to You therein, but be Enemies to yours and the Nations Enemies, and Friends to yours and the Nations Friends. And ever pray, &c.