To the Right Honourable, The Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament assembled, THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON, in Common-Councel assembled: Delivered the 16th. of this instant MAY, into the Honourable House of COMMONS.  
Together with the ANSWER of the said House to the said PETITION.  
ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Petition, and Answer, be forthwith printed and published:  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
Printed for Edward Husbands, May 24. 1644.   

To the Right Honourable, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the COMMONS-House in PARLIAMENT Assembled; The Humble PETITION of the Lord MAjOR, aldermans, and Commons of the City of LONDON in Common-council Assembled.  
Shows,  
THAT the continued Industry, Courage and Constancy which this Honourable House have manifested in all Affairs concerning the Public; The Faithful Endeavours of the LORDS and COMMONS of the Committee of both Kingdoms, the special Care taken in putting the Tower of London, and Castle of Windsor into safe Hands, and Your favourable Resolutions not to dispose of them otherwise then as may stand with the Security and Satisfaction of this City, Have laid a great Obligation of Thankfulness upon the Inhabitants thereof and their Posterity, and Encourage the Petitioners, Humbly to Represent their Apprehensions and Fears arising from the Discontinuance of that Honourable Committee, Especially at this time, when our Enemies are so Active, and all our Armies in Mot●on; From the want of Execution of Justice upon Delinquents, the not putting of Tilbury Fort in safe hands, and from the Endeavours of divers Members o Parliament to be readmitted into that great Council, who have contrary to the Trust in them reposed Deserted the same, kept Correspondency with the Enemy, joined in other Council, and taken up Arms against the Parliament.  
For Removal of which Apprehensions and Fears, and prevention of the sad Consequences thereof, Your Petitioners make it their earnest and Humble suit to this Honourable House;  
That the Committee of both Kingdoms may be so speedily Re-established, as the present Exigents of Affairs require.  
That the Tower of London, and Castle of Windsor may be continued in safe hands, and the Garrison at Windsor timely and constantly supplied with Money and other Necessaries; And the Fort of Tilbury well manned, and put into the hands of Persons of Trust, and that have Ability to Discharge the same.  
That a Course may be forthwith taken for the Trial and Punishment of Delinquents.  
That none of the said Members of Parliament may be readmitted without special Assurance and Satisfaction first given to both Houses of Parliament for their Fidelity to come.  
That this Honourable House will Persevere in Your Endeavours and Resolutions tending to the Public good, notwithstanding all Discouragements.  
And to rest Assured, that the Petitioners for the Promoting thereof, will cheerfully Obey Your Orders and Directions from time to time, and Adhere unto You, to the utmost expense of their Lives and Estates, according to their late Solemn Covenant.  
Michael.   

18. May. 1644.  
THe House of Commons, having received the Petition of the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled, delivered unto them upon Thursday, the 16. of this instant May, by the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and divers others, appointed a Committee from the said Common Council; After serious consideration of the Contents, Do return this Answer:  
THey do acknowledge it, an especial blessing of Almighty God, that their endeavours, (wherein they have done but their duty) have been so well understood and accepted, by this famous City; without whose constant affections and assistance they could not have brought this great Work to that hopeful condition, wherein (by the mercy of God) it now stands.  
To the particulars desired, they have esteemed them so necessary for the public good, that the settling of them hath already been resolved upon, in this House.  
For the continuance of the Committee of both Kingdoms, an Ordinance is depending for that purpose; the speedy perfecting whereof, they will endeavour.  
For the Tower of London, Castle of Windsor, and Fort at Tilbury; They will take such further course as shall be for the security and satisfaction of the City.  
For the Trial and punishment of Delinquents, the House hath already resolved upon an Ordinance, for the settling of a constant Council of War, within the Lines of Communication.  
For the not readmitting of such Members of Parliament, who contrary to the trust reposed in them, have deserted the same, and adheared to the Enemy, this House hath passed an Ordinance as is desired, and will endeavour the speedy perfecting thereof.  
For the Expressions of adhering to the House of Commons in the endeavours of promoting the public good, they have been demonstrated by action in times of greatest difficulty; wherein the City hath spent their dearest blood, and vast sums of Treasure, omitting no possible supplies of persons and Purse.  
In their most seasonable desires, offer, and promise they now make, (never to be forgotten by the House of Commons) they manifest, their affections can admit of no decrease; which are great encouragements to this House, to persevere in the endeavours, and resolutions desired, wherein (by the blessing of Almighty God) they will persist, to the utmost hazard of their lives and fortunes, against the greatest discouragements; until the affairs of the Church and Commonwealth, receive such a happy conclusion as all good men desire, and pray for.  
And in return for their great affection, the House of Commons doth declare, They will in a most peculiar manner be mindful of the merit of this City, which upon all occasions they shall acknowledge, and will endeavour to requite; And in the mean time, they give them most hearty Thanks.  
FJNJS.