A Petition presented by the Inhabitants of Newport-pagnell and the parts adjacent to his Excellency the Lord general Fairfax, and the general council at White-Hall on Tuesday, Decemb. 26. 1648, Desiring the person of the King might be brought to speedy justice, and other matters of the like Nature.  
To the Right Honourable His Excellency the Lord Fairfax, general of the Parliaments Forces, and to the Officers of the excellency's Army now met in general council.  
The Humble Petition of the well-affected in Newport-Pagnell, and the Parts adjacent.  
Humbly showeth,  
We are very sensible by whose means, and to satisfy whose Prerogative Fancy, our Lives and Liberties have been ruined and almost destroyed, which our Representatives well resenting (at their first Convention) did by several Declarations sufficiently satisfy the kingdom: And for prevention of future Arbitrary practices over our Persons and Estates, did dismount the tyrannical Courts of Star-Chamber, High-Commission, and council-table; going yet further, that if the King (in dislike of their just endeavours for the people's safety) should make war upon the Parliament, it should tend to the dissolution of his Government: In order to which (the King guilty of breach of the Trust aforesaid) That satisfactory Declaration of no more Addresses did abundantly witness their just Proceedings, putting us upon expectation of their candid intentions to a just settlement of Peace and freedom: But now (to our greatest grief be it spoken) we have found resolutions in our Electives, implying a notorious contradiction of their former just and equitable Principles, giving the King that by Vote which by all the strength and policy of His royal Party he could never yet attain to by the sword. All which mischiefs we do interpret to obnoxious humours (hoping no errors in the Vitals) But in case these Votes should arrive to their intended accomplishment, we are given to believe (notwithstanding all the blood and Treasure (since the Wars began) that hath been exhausted) we shall be left in a worse condition than before; and by so much the more the rage of that professed Tyrant and his Creatures incensed against us. And in the midst of these our fears and jealousies, there appeared not from our Representatives the least hope of Recovery (notwithstanding Petitionary means hath been used to rectify their judgements)  
All which, as the subject matter of our saddest thoughts, we humbly present to your Excellency and Officers under your Command: Beseeching you, by all the Deliverances and Victories that God hath duplicated upon this Army, That you be not deluded by the sophistry of a corrupt Party, but to improve your power to the utmost for the establishment of Justice and freedom: And that your Excellency will be pleased to mediate the Parliament in our behalf, for these our just desires; And in prosecution hereof, we shall assist your Excellency to the utmost of our Lives and Fortunes.  

1. THat the Author of the blood and ruins of the three kingdoms (as we conceive) the Person of the King be brought to speedy trial.  
2. That a strict inquiry be made after all Persons (of what quality soever, that had a hand in the first or second War, and Justice done according to their demerit.  
3. That the heavy burden of free Quarter be wholly taken off, and effectual care taken for constant pay of the Army, and provision thought upon for payment of their arrears.  
4. That the capital and most Antichristian oppression of tithes be taken away, and that Gleabe-Lands be sold to satisfy Impropriators: Provided their Tenure be not: from Bishops, Deans and Chapters, or colleges, or their Estates under Sequestration; And gospel-ministers to be maintained by a free Contribution, according to gospel-order.  
5. That no Law be made or continued for the punishing of our persons about matters in Religion, seeing every soul shall stand or fall to his own Master, no need of tormenting before the time.  
6. That the laws of this Land be translated into English; And that there be a Court of Judicature in each Hundred of every County, where Causes may be equally determined by twelve sworn men Annually chosen by the Freemen of the said Hundred, and not left to depend upon Prerogative Lawyers for Justice, the Obstructors of the people's freedoms.  
7. That a speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of alehouses; They being the very Receptacle and Nursery of Rogues to plot and contrive all manner of villainy, and Cause of the great dearth and famine in this kingdom; And unless it be timely prevented, will occasion the starving of many thousand Families.  
8. That the Desires of the large Petition presented Sept. 11. be taken into speedy Consideration; That it may not discourage the well-affected from making future Addresses.  
9 Lastly, we protest against Community or abridgement of the least title of any man's Property. This being the period of our desires, That the laws being grounded upon Reason and Religion, all Persons may be bound alike to subjection.   
And your Petitioners shall pray, &c.   

The Answer of the general council in White-Hall on Tuesday, Decemb. 26. 1648. To the Petition of Newport-Pagnell, and the Parts adjacent.  
THat they had read the Petition, and did very kindly resent and thankfully accept those Expressions first in the preamble of the Petition, of their affections and faithfulness, in relation to the public Justice and Liberties of the kingdom, and for their desires in the Prayers of the Petition concerning the prosecution of Justice and freedom: We do heartily close with your desires in it, and shall endeavour to prosecute the same, as God shall direct and enable us in all honest ways. And for the last part of the Prayer of the Petition, for mediating with the Parliament concerning those particulars following, They were acquainted, that the most part of the particulars are such as do relate to public Justice, and a general settlement of the Liberties of the kingdom. The council hath taken many of them already into consideration, and are in consideration of some other things remaining; which so soon as they have passed the council, you will see public, and we hope to your satisfaction; and the other particulars that you desire mediation in, either concerning the Reformation of laws in being, or the making of new, Particularly the council do let you know, that such things as those are matters of public Justice and of the kingdom; they shall so far as they are proper for their Cognizance take them into consideration in their places and time.