To the Right Honourable both Houses of the Parliament of England; assembled at Westminster. The humble Petition of the Grand Jury at the Assizes holden at Chelmsford, for the County of Essex, the 22 of March, 1647. as it was presented to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament the 4. of May, 1648. by divers thousands of Knights, Gentlemen, and freeholders of the same County. Humbly showeth: THat your Petitioners taking into their serious (yet sad) considerations the great distractions and calamities of this whole Kingdom, and being also very sensible by woeful experience of the great and many pressures and grievances of their own particular County, and taking notice also with all thankfulness of the honourable resolutions of this House, in giving encouragement to the just desires of the oppressed in a Petitionary way (the undoubted right of the Subject) and the very life of their liberty itself, out of a tender fellow feeling of others, and the deep sense of their own miseries, have made this humble (yet necessary address to this Honourable House) conceiving both the present and future happiness of themselves and the whole kingdom to be concentred in these their ensuing desires. And first, considering that it is impossible the sad and direful effects of this late War should cease without the principal causes be first taken away and removed. And considering likewise his majesty's absence from his two Houses of Parliament, hath been one main cause of increasing jealousies, and continuing a misunderstanding betwixt Him and his great council (the original and source of our unhappiness) And humbly conceiving, that a timely and ready concession to his Majesty for a personal treaty with his high Court of Parliament, may prove the most effectual and speedy means for the removal of all such misapprehensions and fears, which are yet the unhappy obstacles of the peace and quiet of this our kingdom. Secondly, considering the excessive charges and almost intolerable burden this County, with the rest of the kingdom do at this present groan under, which although for a time they may possibly bear with patience, yet if continued, will certainly and inevitably ruin themselves, their families and posterities. And withal considering that the most hopeful means of settling a well grounded peace, and the surest way of preventing future troubles, consists in the due satisfaction of all just complaints and interests. And that this Army who have faithfully discharged their trust to yourselves and kingdom, do much complain for the want of their Arrears. We therefore your humble Petitioners do most earnestly desire, that you would be pleased to take these Premises into your grave and serious considerations, and to condescend to the royal intimations of his Majesty for a personal Treaty, to expedite such a course which in your wisdoms you shall think most meet for the satisfaction of the arrears of the Army, with a disbanding of the same. And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c. The twelfth of April it was resolved at Chelmsford, upon the meeting of the Petitioners there, as followeth: I That five hundred Copies of the Petition should be forthwith printed and sent to the Gentlemen and Petitioners of the County. II That Friday the twenty eight of April, at the Talbot in Chelmsford all the subscriptions of the said Copies should be sent unto Stephen Smith Esquire. III Thursday the fourth of May, the Petitioners have appointed to meet at the crown at Stratford Lancton, about eight of the clock in the morning. IIII It's desired that those who shall subscribe the Petition, would show themselves in person in the presenting of it, if it may stand with their convenience. Die Jovis, 4 May, 1648. THe Lords have commanded me to return thanks to the County of Essex, for the good affections which they have expressed to the Parliament and kingdom; they have likewise commanded me to let you know: That they will take your Petition into their serious and speedy consideration, and do assure you, that they will not be wanting to contribute their utmost endeavours for the recovering of the present pressures and burdens, and for the composing of these unhappy differences, so as the kingdom may enjoy a safe and well grounded peace. Joh. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum. Die Iovis, 4 May, 1648. THe House being informed that divers Gentlemen of the County of Essex were at the door, desiring to prefer a Petition to the House, they were called in, and Major Stephen Smith did present a Petition, the which (the Petitioners being withdrawn) was read, and was entitled, The humble Petition of the Grand Jury at the Assizes holden at Chelmesford for the County of Essex, the 22 of March, 1647. with the freeholders and Inhabitants of the same County. The Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by Command of the House, upon Vote upon the Question gave them this Answer; That this House doth take notice of the great Service, and good affections of that County to the Parliament, and are very confident they will so continue. As to their Petition, the House is now in Debate concerning the speedy settlement of the kingdom, and do not doubt, but what they shall conclude thereupon will give satisfaction to the said County, and to all the well-affected people of the kingdom. Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. Printed at London for Joseph Hunscot. 1648.