THE PETITION OF 8000 Reduced Officers and Souldiers, Amongst whom Are many Knights, colonels, and other Officers of note, that have faithfully served the Parliament.  
red in both Houses of Parliament, on Tuesday the 8th of August 1648.  
For a speedy settlement of Religion, the King, Parliament and kingdom, in a Parliamentary way, according to the late Just and modest desires of the City of London.  
And for payment and security for their arrears.  
AND The Answer of both Houses of Parliament Delivered to the said Petition. Signed  
Jo. Brown clear. Parliamentorum,  
H. elsing clear. Par. Dom. come.  
LONDON Printed by Robert Ibbitson, in Smithfield, near the Queenes-head Tavern, 1648.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT. The humble Petition of the Reduced Officers and Souldiers that have faithfully served you. And have hereunto subscribed.  
Sheweth,  
THat your Petitioners have with unwearied patience and fruitless success often Petitioned, and too long expected the happy establishment of those ends for which they were at first engaged, which at their reducement they did hope and expect to enjoy as the fruits of their hazards and services, being the happy settlement of Religion, King, Parliament, and kingdom, according to the Covenant, for want of which this kingdom is again involved in a new war.  
The consideration whereof moves your Petitioners to express their resolutions, and humbly to pray,  
1 That there may bee a speedy settlement of Religion, the King, Parliament and kingdom, in a Parliamentary way, which your Petitioners humbly conceive cannot be but by a free and personal Treaty according to the late just and modest desire of this City. And in Order thereunto, your Petitioners do offer themselves if necessity requires, and shall hazard their lives and fortunes, to secure his Majesty and the Parliament during the Treaty, against all such as shall endeavour any way to disturb the same.  
2 That all Officers and Souldiers without exceptions whose accounts are not stated, may have them audited by the Auditors mentioned in the late Ordinance brought in by Mr. Scot, and that they may be commanded to act without delay.  
3 That the said Auditors may have power to allow your Petitioners interest for the forbearance of their arrears from the time it was due, your Petitioners having spent the greatest part in attending for the rest.  
4. That those imprisoned for debt may be set at liberty, And the rest protected, till paid their arrears, their debts not amounting to more.  
5 That your Petitioners may bee paid forthwith the remainder of the 3 Monthes pay according to the Ordinance of the 15, 16, and 21th of June 1647. And that it be made up according to the old establishment, and that they may receive proportionably with others, notwithstanding all former Qualifications,  
6 That your Petitioners may receive security for the remainder of their arrears, and that it be speedily settled and charged upon some place where there may be visible security.  
7 That your Petitioners patience being worn out, and not longer able to expect the fruits of your many Votes, and Orders, either to settle Religion, the King, Parliament and kingdom, according to the national League and Covenant, or to relieve their pressing necessities, do unanimously agree( presuming on your approbation, and countenance to so pious and necessary a work whereunto they are in honour and conscience obliged) to employ their utmost endeavours, for removal of all obstructions, that have or may impead the happy consummation of the premises, and to disperse such jealousies, as hath been unjustly thrown upon them. They assure your Honours not any more to engage, but for those ends.  
Signed by 8000 Officers and Souldiers amongst whom are many Knights, Collonells and Officers of quality, that have faithfully served the Parliament. The said Petition was delivered to the House of peers virbatim ▪   

Die Martis 8 Aug. 1648.  
The Answer of the House of Peers to the Petition of the Reduced Officers and Souldiers, delivered by the Lord Rochford ..  
THe Lords have commanded me to give you thankes for your good affections to them, They do likewise give you thankes for the continuance of your good service from the beginning. They do assure you that they have put part of your desires into a way, and will take the rest into speedy consideration,  
John brown clear. Parliamentorum.   

Die Martis 8 August 1648.  
The Answer of the House of Commons to the said Petition of the Reduced Officers and Souldiers. Delivered by Mr. Speaker.  
Gentlemen,  
THe House hath considered of your Petition, and as your Judgements have have followed theirs heretofore, so you would make that your Rule still; They have done what possibly they could to satisfy the Petitioners arrears, and for a great part therof hath given them the same security that the Lord Fairfax his Army had their Arrears secured by.  
And they have further Ordered, that all such Delinquents Estates, Fines, and Compositions, as the Petitioners shall discover, that are not discovered, shall go to such of the Petitioners, as shall make such discoveries; towards payment of their whole Arrears.  
And have further Ordered that the Fifth and twentieth part of such Delinquents as the Petitioners shall discover, not formerly discovered, shall also go towards payment of the Arrears of the Petitioners. And the House hath also appointed a Committee to confer with some of you of a way to give you further satisfaction.  
H. elsing clear. Parl. D. come.  
FINIS.