A SPEECH SPOKEN By an Honourable Knight IN THE House of Commons UPON THE DELIVERY Of the City Petition: Being Tuesday the 27 of June, 1648.  
London, Printed in the year 1648.   

A SPEECH SPOKEN By an Honourable Knight IN THE House of Commons Upon the Delivery of the CITY PETITION Being Tuesday the 27 of June, 1648.  
Mr. Speaker,  
AS long as I have breath in my body I shall stand for the honour of this House; I have told you when I came first in the House, that Credit and Reputation was the life or soul of the Parliament should be dissolved, then be broken or bank-routed; alas your sacred public faith is very much fallen to a noble in the pound.  
It was a great comfort unto me when I was in prison to observe the brave resolution of my fellow-sufferers, and other worthy Citizens that came to visit us; though they were brought very low, and much persecuted, yet they lifted up their hearts to God and prayed for the prosperity of the Parliament; and said. That God was the same, the Cause was the same, and Truth was the same; therefore they would never desert the ●●●●iament.  
In the Petition delivered unto you, there you may see apparently not only the sense of the City, but of the whole Kingdom; all are weary of the War, and desire a Personal Treaty with his Majesty, which they conceive will produce a safe and well-grounded Peace.  
And M. Speaker, I must do my duty and deal freely with you; both the City and Kingdom groans under a grievous Monopoly, and they think all things are monopolised. As first, they declare publicly that the King's person is monopolised to a few hands of a party (I have forgot what you call it) and it is the table talk every where, that the King was juggled in that box or mousetrap of the Isle of Wight.  
M. Speaker, You have declared the King is the fountain of Honour and Justice, and every subject hath an equal share in him; and the people begin to murmur and complain, that the King is hardly and cruelly dealt with; and so are they, being deprived of him; for you see the people had as lief want the Sun as want a King, I, and King Charles too. It is high time to resolve, to content the people, their burdens are intolerable, they are galled sore; and you know a galled horse will touch dangerously.  
And M. Speaker, I cannot but commend your wisdom in being tender of the King's Person, in examining the business of Osborne, concerning the poisoning of the King, which will give the people great satisfaction, for they will hardly believe His Majesty is living, except the see him: But there is an other business of higher concernment, which I fear your Brethren of Scotland will remind us of, which was the principal cause of all our latter troubles, namely, the taking away the King from Holdenby, contrary to the Agreement of both Nations. I am afraid this may be thrown in our dish another day, and be made one of the grounds of the Scots coming into England. I pray you prevent it by anticipating them, and put it in a way to be examined by a Committee of both Houses.  
It is generally spoken, That all offices and places of profit are monopolised. I was lately upon the Exchange, and there was great complaining of the deadness of trade, that no Bullion came to the Tower, and that within these 9 months 200000. l. was gone to other Countries, which had come for England only for fear of new troubles, the Presbyterians lying under such a Cloud; and that there was little or no Manufacture, that thousands of people, both in London and in the Country, must strave for want of work, and how that the Seamen were discontented.  
A Gentleman stood by, who overhearing them, replied; That he wondered at their discourse, for that there was never such trading as at present; every body was amazed, and said it was a paradox. The Gentleman answered no; I will be judged by yourselves: Was there ever such trading amongst the lower and poorest of the people and a generation that call themselves the Saints, why! they have all, said he, and none can get a penny except he be of that faction.  
M. Speaker, Long ago I gave you warning of these Monopolists, which I called the Royal Presbyterians, & Royal Independents, Statesmen, that sought themselves, and to set up their faction to the destruction of the Public. This Government will not prosper with us; I am confident God will never honour the Grandees, to do the great work he hath in hand by them; therefore, seeing you have experience, avoid these Rocks of Scylla and Carybdis, and sail between both; Let us lay aside all faction, and let us unite amongst ourselves, and forget, and forgive personal animosities, and apply ourselves solely to the Public.  
The chief cause is removed, for we have no money left to give ourselves; Therefore let us do righteous things, and win the hearts of the People. God can do his work by few as well as by many. M. Speaker, loquere ut videam; give the City such a satisfactory answer, as they may speedily reap, and see the fruits of it: I hope the worthy Gentlemen, whom we have nominated to draw it up, will do it effectually. M. Speaker I had almost forgot one thing, which I believe was omitted by the Sheriff of London. There was lately a Common Hall, and a great expectation of Tumults, but the business of the day was carried on in an admirable good order, for there was none but Livery-men there, and they watched one another when the Sheriffs were chosen, which was unanimous. There was a Paper handed to the Lord Major, the chief head was, That they would engage their lives and fortunes, that if the Parliament would bring the King to treat at London, that the King and Parliament might treat freely and safely without any Tumults. I thought to acquaint you with this passa●e, and recommend it to the consideration of your Committee.  
FINIS.