TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in HIGH COURT OF PARLIAMENT: The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON, in Common-council Assembled.  
With the ANSWER of the Lords and Commons to the said PETITION.  
Printed by Richard Cotes Printer to the Honourable City of LONDON.   

To the Right Honourable the LORDS Assembled in High Court of Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-council assembled.  
HUmbly acknowledging the hopeful progress which your Lordships have made upon some particulars of the former addresses of the Petitioners, wherein as they are confident your Lordships will still go forward, so they humbly crave pardon, if they continue their importunity, for such an effectual and speedy resolution upon the whole, as may with God's blessing at length settle the affairs of this long distracted Kingdom.  
And now that his Majesty is come nearer in person to his Parliament of England, the Petitioners would gladly entertain some hope, and cannot but earnestly desire, that God would also bring his Royal heart and will nearer, to his chief and greatest Council; And that his Majesty will now be persuaded, to join with his Parliaments and all his people, in the Nationall and Solemn League and Covenant, and give satisfaction in the matter of Propositions, which the Parliaments of both Nations shall make unto him, for the full assurance of his people in the future, and the firm establishment of the Peace and Union of these three Kingdoms in Church and Commonwealth, without both which the Petitioners cannot expect any firm or real Peace in these kingdoms. And that his Majesty may be the better disposed to this conjunction, and the Parliament and this City in the interim secured, the Petitioners humbly offer it unto the wisdom of your Lordships to take course, that such as have been in opposition to the Parliament, may be removed out of this City, and to be kept at a distance from his Majesty's Royal presence.  
These are the hopes and prayers of the Petitioners, which they humbly pray may be as favourably accepted and interpreted, as they proceed from a sincere heart. That which Petitioners intent hereby, is, still more and more to manifest their integrity to the Parliament, to stop the malicious tongues of Sectaries on the one party, who have from the Petitioners late humble addresses, suggested some defection in the City; and to cut off the vain hopes of Malignants, and such as have been in opposition to the Parliament, on the other party, that they can expect no compliance from the Petitioners. For the Petitioners do for themselves, and the whole City whom they represent, declare unto the whole world, that they still are, and with God's blessing are resolved so to remain in their Zeal as fervent, and in their respects as humble and real to the Parliament as ever, and according to their Covenant do next under God wholly rely upon the wisdom & justice of the Parliament for the settlement of their Peace and Propriety.  
Here the Petitioners should willingly have concluded, but that the Army, (which they hoped should ere this have been disbanded) is now drawn so suddenly & quartered so near the Parliament and this City; besides that in the same juncture of time, a most dangerous & seditious Petition (as they humbly conceive) is set on foot to be presented to the Honourable House of Commons, the Copy where of as it was delivered to them is annexed: Which doth exact this addition from the Petitioners; That your Lordships would consider, what effect the unexpected approach of such an Army, and the concurrence of such a Petition may work in the people; how long time all manner of Provisions have been dear and scarce in this City; how much the same must needs be increased, when such an Army must be fed, before they can expect to be served thence; and what murmurs the same may raise amongst so great a multitude of Poor, as are already and do daily increase in this City.  
And then that your Lordships would be pleased to give command, that the Army may be forthwith removed, and after with all convenient speed disbanded; That the Petition annexed may be out of hand suppressed, and the contrivers and promotors thereof enquired after; And that the Parliament and this City may in the mean time be preserved in safety; That your Lordships would please to give this Court authority to make annual election of the Members of the Militia of this City according to their late Petition.  
And the Petitioners shall daily pray etc.   

To the Honourable the House of Commons Assembled in High Court of Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common council Assembled.  
HUmbly acknowledging the hopeful progress which this honourable House hath made upon some particulars of the former addresses of the Petitioners, wherein as they are confident you will still go forward, so they humbly crave pardon, if they continue their importunity, for such an effectual and speedy resolution upon the whole, as may with God's blessing at length settle the Affairs of this long distracted Kingdom.  
And now that His Majesty is come nearer in Person to his Parliament of England, the Petitioners would gladly entertain some hope, and cannot but earnestly desire, that God would also bring His Royal heart and will nearer to this His chief and greatest Council; And that His Majesty will now be persuaded to join with His Parliaments, and all His People in the Nationall and solemn League and Covenant, and give satisfaction in the matter of Propositions, which the Parliaments of both Nations shall make unto Him, for the full assurance of His people in the future, and the firm establishment of the Peace and Union of these Kingdoms in Church and Commonwealth, without both which the Petitioners cannot expect any firm or real peace in these Kingdoms. And that His Majesty may be the better disposed to this Conjunction, and the Parliament and this City in the interim secured; the Petitioners humbly offer it unto the Wisdom of this Honourable House, to take course, that such as have been in opposition to the Parliament may be removed out of this City, and be kept at a distance from His Majesty's Royal presence.  
These are the hopes and prayers of the Petitioners, which they humbly pray may be as favourably accepted and interpreted, as they proceed from a sincere heart. That which the Petitioners intent hereby, is, still more and more to manifest their integrity to the Parliament, to stop the malicious tongues of Sectaries on the one party, who have from the Petitioners late humble Addresses suggested some defection in the City; and to cut off the vain hopes of Malignants, and such as have been in opposition to the Parliament, on the other Party, that they can expect no compliance from the Petitioners. For the Petitioners do for themselves, & the whole City whom they represent, declare unto the whole world, That they still are, and with God's blessing are resolved so to remain in their zeal as fervent, and in their respects as humble and real to the Parliament as ever; And according to their Covenant do next under God wholly rely upon the Wisdom and Justice of the Parliament for the settlement of their peace and propriety.  
And the Petitioners humbly pray, that this Honourable House will give no credit to any Representation of the mind and sense of the City, contrary unto this their solemn Profession, although even some of those who serve for the City, or are free theoreof, or any others, should make any other Representation of the same.  
Here the Petitioners should willingly have concluded, but that the Army, (which they hoped should ere this have been disbanded, is now drawn so suddenly, and Quartered so near the Parliament and this City; besides that in the same juncture of time, a most dangerous and seditious Petition (as they humbly conceive) is set on foot, to be presented to this Honourable House, the Copy whereof, as it was delivered to them is annexed: which doth exact this addition from the Petitioners, That this Honourable House would consider what effect the unexpected approach of such an Army, and the concurrence of such a Petition may work in the people; How long time all manner of Provisions have been dear and scarce in this City; how much the same must needs be increased, when such an Army must be fed, before they can expect to be served thence, and what murmurs the same may raise amongst so great a multitude of Poor as are already, and do daily increase in this City.  
And then that this Honourable House would be pleased to give command that the Army may be forthwith removed, & after withal convenient speed disbanded; That the Petition annexed may be out of hand suppressed, and the Contrivers and promoters thereof enquired after; And that the Parliament and this City may in the mean time be preserved in safety; that this Honourable House would please to give this Court authority to make annual Election of the Members of the Militia of this City, according to their late Petition.  
And the Petitioners shall daily pray, etc.  
FINIS.   

Die Mercurii, 17. Martii, 1646.  
THe Lords acknowledge that they have had such eminent and constant expressions of the fidelity and good affections of the Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London, as that nothing can alter their confidence of them. The present Declaration of your zeal and care for the honour and safety of the Parliament by your Petition, the Lords receive with gladness, and return you thanks, and desire you to be confident, that they will neglect no time nor means in the improving of their power for the preservation of the happiness and security of the Kingdom and City of London.  
The particular concerning the Militia of the City of London, the Lords have long since taken into their consideration and passed it and have transmitted it into the House of Commons.  
And for the several other particulars in your Petition, they will speedily take the same into their consideration.  
Joh. Brown Cleric. Parliamentorum.   

Die Mercury 17. Martii 1646.  
THE House being informed that divers of the Aldermen and Common-council were at the door desiring to present a Petition to this House, they were called in, and Sheriff edmond's did acquaint the House that they were appointed by the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and Common-council of the City of London, to present this their Petition to this House, The Petition was styled, The humble Petition of the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-council assembled. The Petitioners being withdrawn, the Petition was read, and likewise the Copy of a Petition annexed, which is the same with that printed Copy which was informed against, and brought into this House on Monday last.  
The Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker acquainted them, That the house had considered of the Particulars in the Petition; And that the House had already most of the Particulars under consideration, and have appointed a time to take the rest into consideration, and do resolve to proceed in such manner with them as may be most for the ease, safety and satisfaction of the City, and the whole Kingdom. That a copy of the Petition annexed was lately brought to this House, and that they had put it into a way of consideration; Mr. Speaker further acquainted the Petitioners that he was commanded to tell them, That the House takes very special notice of the declaration and expressions of the Petitioners, and by them of the whole Cities constant, fervent, real and sincere affections to the service of the Parliament. The seasonableness of these expressions adds some weight unto them; being at such a conjuncture of time when the enemies both to the Parliament and City did raise to themselves vain and groundless hopes of some misunderstanding between this House and the City, the contrary whereof this will sufficiently manifest, for which he is commanded to give them the hearty thanks of this House.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Dom. Com.  
FINIS.