To the Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON in Common-Council Assembled; The Humble Petition and Address of the seamen, and Watermen, in and about the said City of LONDON.  
Showeth,  
THat they cannot without much grief of heart, and consternation of spirit, consider and bewail the Extraordinary decay of merchandise, Trade, Religion, justice, Piety, and in of all sorts of Oppressions Miseries, Rapines Wars Tumults, Sects, Heresies Blasphemies, Alterations of Government and destructive Confusions, which have over whelmed our formerly flourishing and renowned Nations, and this famous City ever since the notorious violations, and subversions of our Fundamental Laws, Liberties, Properties Governments and Parliaments, by the treachery, and armed violence of ambitious, treacherous Mercenaries of inconsiderable Fortunes and corrupt Principles usurping a more arbitrary dominion over Our Lives, Persons, Estates, and privileges, than the worst of Our Kingly Governors whose desperate Counsels practices and Innovations have made us the scorn, derision of all the World and plunged Our Church State Nations, and this famous City, into the very gulf of inevitable Ruin; unless speedily and timely prevented by your prudent, unanimous Counsels, and standing up in the G●p in this day of Our public Calamity, by improving your power and interest to accomplish these just Desires of Your Petitioners, and many Thousands of these Nations, which we humbly conceive to be the only visible means (through God's blessing on them) to obviate our Dangers, compose Our Divisions and restore Our pristine Peace, unity, Trade, Prosperity, and make us once more a praise amongst the Kingdoms, Churches, and Nations, whom the Lord hath signally blessed with glorious Deliverances, and transcendent Mercies.  
We shall therefore humbly importune this honourable assembly (to whom We can make Our Addresses) to endeavour,  

I. That a Free and Legal Parliament, may with all convenient speed be convened to sit within the City of London, without any forcible Interruption or Molestation, to Settle the Government, redress the Grievances, Restore the Peace, merchandise, Trade, and Navigation of this Nation.  
II. That the Militia of the City may be presently raised, and put into the hands of such Persons, whose Principles and Actions have evidenced them to be Well-affected to Government, Magistracy, Ministry, Laws, Liberties, the Rights and privileges of Parliament, and Reformed Religion here Established. That the Guards of the City may be put into their Hands, and all Obtruded Guards, disturbing the Peace, obstructing the Trade of, and threatening Danger to the City, removed.  
III. That all such Officers and soldiers of the Army in and about the City and elsewhere, who shall obey your Commands, and contribute their Assistance for the Calling, & Safe-Sitting, of a FREE PARLIAMENT, may be assured and speedily paid their Arrears; and those, who shall oppose the same, and Settlement of the Nation, and City, left to public Justice for the Murders lately Committed, and other Misdemeanours.  
IV. That the Nobility, and Gentry of Quality, in and about the City, may be Invited to contribute their Counsels and assistance for effecting the premises.   
In the prosecution whereof, and Our former Oaths, Protestation▪ Vow and Covenant' We shall with Our Estates, Lives and last drop of Our Bloods▪ constantly and unanimously assist Your Honours, and all others adhering to You, to promote and accomplish the Promises and what else Your wisdom shall think fit to conduce to the Restitution of the public Peace, Trade and Welfare of this City, and Our three Distracted Nations.  
In Witness whereof We hereunto subscribe Our Hands and Hearts.