To the honourable the House of Commons, Now Assembled in PARLIAMENT. The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Watford, in the County of HERTFORD.  

Showeth,  
THat the Petitioners having with all duty and affection taken notice of certain Propositions of both Houses of P●rliament concerning the raising of Horse, Horsemen and arms, for the defence of the King and both Houses of Parliament; And being assured that whatsoever shall be brought in, shall not be employed upon any other occasion, then To maintain the Protestant Religion, the King's Authority, and his Person in his royal Dignity, the free course of Justice, the Laws of the Land, the Peace of the kingdom, and the privilege of Parliament, against any Force which shall oppose them:  
The Petitioners, (although but a small handful) mindful of their late Protestation, do, in all humility and reverency of affection, offer to this Service 1270. li. in Money and Plate, (the greatest part whereof is already brought in, and the rest shall forthwith be made up) and likewise have provided 50. able and serviceable Horses and Riders ready to be Listed; Not intending to rest in these proportions, but resolving to part with all they have, if need be, in pursuit of their said Protestation; Which as they seriously considered of, before they took it, so they resolutely prepare themselves to make it good to the last drop of their bloods: And they neither do, nor can desire better security for what they now or hereafter shall bring in, than The public Faith of both Houses of Parliament.  
They therefore most humbly pray, That this Honourable House would vouchsafe to accept of this Present of their Duty, and to take into your grave Consideration the Propositions and humble Desires of the Petitioners hereto annexed, and to recommend them likewise to the most Honourable House of peers, if in your wisdom you shall think fit to grant the same: And that you would move their Lordships to concur with this Honourable House herein, for the encouragement of the Petitioners, and of all others that shall desire to follow, or rather to outgo them in this necessary Service.  
And they shall ever pray, &c.   

Propositions humbly offered by the Petitioners.  
1. THat in consideration of the great sum already advanced, and the hope of enlarging it, there may be complete furniture of Saddles, Bridles and arms for such Horse and Horsemen as they shall enrol, and cannot be furnished and armed by themselves; And the same Furniture and arms to be delivered to John Leonard, and Zachary King, Gentlemen, who shall be responsal to both Houses of Parliament for them, at all times, upon reasonable warning, unless the same happen to miscarry in any Service appointed by the said Houses.  
2. That you would give the Petitioners leave to recommend unto You John Bird Gentleman to be captain of the said Horse, and that they may nominate the rest of the under-officers thereto pertaining, and that they may be admitted to exercise the same so long as they shall behave themselves worthy of that trust and service.  
3. That for the better satisfaction of both Houses of Parliament in the exercising and preparing of the said troop of Horse for the service intended, you would please to receive into your present pay a Lieutenant, and one Corporall that have had experience in service, and are expert in their duties, who shall be recommended to you by the said Master Bird, and the rest of the Petitioners, if you shall find no cause to refuse them.  
4. The captain and the rest of their officers may recover their pay so soon as moneys shall come in to defray that Charge.  
5. That the said troop of Horse may continue at Watford (it being not distant above 15. miles from Westminster) and be trained and exercised there, or near thereabout, until both houses of Parliament shall please to command their service elsewhere.   

Die Veneris 1. Julii. 1642.  
AFter the Petition had been read, and the Propositions assented unto, one of the Petitioners was called in, and Master Speaker by command of the House told him, Your Petition hath been read and well accepted, and all your Propositions assented unto. That this liberal offer and subscription of a business so nearly concerning the safety of the King, Religion, and kingdom, is an acceptable service to the commonwealth. Therefore this House hath commanded me to give you thanks for your zeal for the public, and the good service you have done herein, and desire you to return their thanks to the rest of the Petitioners who have given so ample Testimony of their good affections.   

Die Veneris 1. Julii. 1642.  
ORdered that the Petition of the Inhabitants of Watford, in the County of Hertford, this day read and approved of by the House of Commons, be Printed,  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Do. Com.    

Printed at London for JOHN BELLAMY and RALPH SMITH. 1642.