THE PETITION OF THE CITIZENS OF LONDON TO BOTH Houses of Parliament, wherein is a Demonstration of their Grievances, together with their Desires for Justice to be executed upon the Earl of Strafford, and other DELINQVENTS.  
To the most Honourable Assembly of the Lords and Commons in this present PARLIAMENT.  
The humble Petition of divers Citizens of LONDON  
Showeth, that notwithstanding his majesty's gracious Answer to the humble Petition of his loyal Subjects in summoning this present Parliament, with the great care, and endeavoured pains, taken by both Houses for the removing the heavy Grievances in Church and commonwealth, whereof the Petitioners have already received some fruit; for which they desire to return their most humble and utmost thanks, yet nevertheless, they are enforced with all Humility to represent to this most Honourable Assembly, some of these Obstructions which doth still hinder that freedom and fullness of Trade in this City they have formerly had, and with considering the numerous Multitude thereon depending, they conceive it not able comfortably to subsist.  
As the unsettled Condition of the kingdom, even since the Troubles in Scotland hath caused both strangers, and also of our own, who did furnish great sums of money to use to call it in, and remit much of it by Exchange unto foreign parts, and stands now in Expectation of what the issue of things may be.  
The stopping money in the Mint, which till then was accounted the safest place, and surest staple in these parts in the world, still doth hinder the importation of bullion, the Scots now disabled to pay such debts as they owe to the Petitioners and others in the City, and by reason of the oppressions exercised in Ireland, their debts also are detained there.  
The English Trade by reason of our general distractions and fears is so much decayed, that country Tradesmen cannot pay their debts in London as formerly.  
The great sums of money unduly taken by his majesty's Officers and Farmers, for impositions upon merchandise exported and imported, and the want of relief in Courts of justice against them.  
The drawing out from the City great sums of money (which is the life and spirit of Trade) for his majesty's service in the North, and being there employed is not yet returned.  
Besides all which from what strong and secret opposition the Petitioners know not, they have not received what so much time and pains might give and cause to hope, but still incendiaries of the kingdoms and other notorious offenders remain unpunished, the affairs of the Church notwithstanding many Petitions concerning it and long debate about it remains unsettled, the Papists still armed, the laws against them not executed, some of the most Active of them still at Court, Priests and Jesuits not yet banished, The Irish Popish army not yet disbanded, Courts of justice not yet reformed, and the Earl of Strafford, who as now appears, hath counselled the plundering of this City, and putting it to fine and ransom, and said it would never be well, till some of the Aldermen were hanged up, because they would not yield to illegal levys of moneys, hath so drawn out and spent his time in his business to the very great charge of the whole kingdom, and his endeavour to obtain yet more; all which makes us fear there may be practices now in hand to hinder the birth of your great endeavours, and that we lie under some more dangerous plot than we can discover.  
All which premises with their fears and distractions growing therefrom, and from things of the like nature, the Petitioners humbly offer to the most grave consideration of this most Honourable assembly, as being the true causes of decay of Trade, discouragement of Tradesmen, and of the great scarcity of moneys, with the consequences they labour under.  
And do humbly pray that their said grievances may be redressed, the causes of their fears removed, justice executed upon the said Earl and other incendiaries and offenders, the rather in regard till then, the Petitioners humbly conceive, neither Religion nor their lives, liberties or estates can be secured.  
And as in duty bound they shall ever pray, &c.  
Subscribed to this Petition 20000, all men of good rank and quality.   

Printed for John Aston, 1641.