A PETITION OF THE Justices of Peace, Grand Jury men, and other Gentlemen, at the Quarter Sessions holden at Hereford for the same County. PRESENTED To the Right honourable House OF COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT. WITH A loyful Acclamation From the well-affected in the City and County of Worcester. Presented to the Lord General Fairfax, and council of Officers. Thursday. january 25. 1648. Published by Authority. London, Printed for Giles Calvert. 1649. To the Right honourable, the House of COMMONS in Parliament Assembled. The Humble Petition of the Iustices of Peace, Grand Jury men, and other Gentlemen at the Quarter Sessions holden at Hereford for the same County, the 9. day of January, 1648. Sheweth, THat being sensible of the miseries of this poor almost wasted Kingdom, and of the long continued sufferings of this County in particular, and finding by experience, we had been all brought to extreme misery, and total ruin before this day, had not God appeared as wonderful with, and for the General, Lieutenant General; and their faithful Commanders and souldiers of late, as ever he did by miracles for his people of old; and in our apprehensions, there being under you no other visible means or power, by whom God doth appear to save this poor Kingdom from the bloody Irish, that party of perfidious, plundering Scots that last invaded our Kingdom, together with the Malignant, treacherous English, then this present Army, whose valour God hath made a terror to all our enemies; do therefore humbly propound, That you will hear the General, and General council of the Army, in all things tending to the speedy settlement of this Kingdom, that as one man, we may join together to oppose what force soever shall invade us. That you will take a speedy course that all Treasurers, Committees, and Sequestrators b● brought to a speedy and strict account. That the best advantage be made of all Sequestrated estates, and the general receipts of the Kingdom may be improved for the public, with the best advantage. That you will take a special care for the payment of the Army, and with all possible speed take off the great burden of Free Quarter. That no man be forced to give Free Quarter, unless he deny, or delay payment of his Assessment. That the Salary, or allowance of men in public employments, may not exceed, during the continuance of our great payments. And that no man may be forced to serve the S●ate at his own charge, from the greatest, to a petty Constable. That all such persons as be in any public employment, that lengthen our miseries, by turning with all winds and tides for their own advantage, may be put out, and all opportunities taken to put an end to our troubles, that the generation to come may bless God for some that continued faithful. That you will sand forth men of able gifts and parts to preach the Gospel to those that sit in darkness. And lastly, give us leave to present the great sufferings of this County, by paying in all payments, almost,( if not altogether) double as much as any adjacent County, occasioned formerly by difference, and malice, between some of the chief houses, and families of our County, and our great sufferings when the Scots lay so long before Hereford; the many thousands pounds that have been collected from us to disband Col. Birches Regiment, of which( we never received one penny) and others raised since; and yet never being freed from free quartering, unless it were for some few weeks. All which, we hope, you will take into consideration, in conveient time, and in all your good endeavours, tending to a speedy settlement of this Kingdom, we will to the utmost of our power, as God shall enable us, assist you and your faithful Army, under the command of the General. And shall ever pray, &c. Justices of Peace. THomas Baskervile John James Thomas Rawlings Francis Pember Henry Williams Thom. seaborn, Esquires, mayor of the City of Hereford. Grand Jury. John Vernal Thomas Andrews John Lenitoll Anthony Carwardine William clerk John tailor Richard Gwatkin Thomas Church John Leech junior John Lufton Thomas Eynion John Simmonds Rowland Bethel John Colley William Marsh Thomas Williams Francis Sheward William Brown Thomas Danet Gentlemen. Sir John Bridges, Knight and Baronet Robert Higgins Thomas Higgins Arthur Cockerham Robert Flacket Thomas careless Oliver Chambers Francis Walker Miles Hill Francis Pember junior Henry Williams John Herring Verney Higgins Thomas Hewet Francis Bifield Alexander Garston John Pembridg William careless John wolf Philip Sterky joseph Patshal Edward Hussey John Adis John Chomley Thomas Williams John Walsam William Williams james Woodhouse John Harris edmond Orub Walter Wollaston William Hooper Richard Putney The Gentlemen that presented this Petition, were by the Sergeant of the House, called unto the Commons Bar, where Mr. Speaker told them, That he was commanded by the House, to give them hearty thanks for their Petition, and for their affectionate expressions therein, who did assure them, That the House would take all possible and speedy care, for the settling and ease of the Kingdom; and that the particulars in their Petition, should be taken into their serious consideration in convenient time. Upon Thursday, January 25. there was presented to his Excellency, and his General council of War, An Acclamation from the well affencted Gentlemen of the Committee, Ministers, common-council, Grand Jury, Souldiers, and divers hundreds of the Inhaebitants of the County and City of Worcester, as followeth. For his Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax, and the honourable council of War. The joyful Acclamations of the well-affected, in the City and County of Worcester. BLessed Patriots; for you have been blessed: And the real pursuance of your late Remonstrance( so uprightly stated) will record you so much more to all posterity, Founders of our Peace, as well as confounders of our foes. We cannot but sand you our Acclamations to strengthen and quicken your hands in that mighty work; and few, though we be, that yet appear, yet assured we are, that suitable actings to such Just Principles( you neither seeking yourselves, nor too much the compliance of others) will soon bring in all the upright in the whole Land unto you. And not onely so, but will further make you glorious Patterns to all other people, for the good of all Nations. Proceed therefore( or else undoubtedly you soon ruin, both your friends, and selves) vigorously, and thoroughly in the name of the Lord, and you will eternize your own, while we subscribe ours: In life and death, Yours in all righteous ways, for public Interest. Mr. Moor was desired to return thanks from his Excellency and General Officers, to the foresaid Gentlemen, for their good affections; and that their desires should be promoted. FINIS.