A TRUE copy OF THE PETITION OF THE KNIGHTS, justices OF The peace, and other Gentlemen, Ministers and freeholders (in number many thousands) of the County of Monmouth, exhibited May 17. 1642.  
To the Honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses assembled in the house of Commons.  
The Petition of the Knights, Justices of the Peace, Esquires, Gentlemen, freeholders, with others the Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat although we have such a doleful precedent of misery and calamity so near us, on our brethren in Ireland, and such dangers and distempers appearing and increasing even in our own kingdom; yet we in Wales of all others, and in Monmouth Shire above the rest, cannot but be most sensible and suspicious of our own imminent destruction, as being compassed about with Papists, more in number, and stronger in power, arms, Horse, and Ammunition, than any other County (as we conceive) in the kingdom besides, who though they have been always many and strong, yet they stirred little till these late unhappy opportunities; wherein, to the great terror of the King's faithful Subjects throughout the County, they spare no pains or cost to fit and strengthen themselves for their secret designs; witness their endeavour to take up most of the great houses near them, for Popish strangers, retaining also divers of great rank in their own houses; the denying the removal of the Magazine, contrary to the express order of this Honourable House; with such like practices, proclaiming to all that observe them, their pernicious intentions, and our danger, the County being the while wholly unprovided for defence.  
We do therefore humbly beseech this Honourable Assembly to take these our dangers into your grave and wise considerations, and maturely to vouchsafe some effectual order for our security; which cannot, as we humbly conceive, be enjoyed, till the Magazine be removed to Newport, the County set in a posture of defence, the Papists by some stronger force (Than our own) disarmed, the long looked for aid from England and Scotland dispatched, for the relieving of distressed, and even despairing Ireland, otherwise we cannot hope to be in safety, when our next neighbour's houses are thus on fire; And as your humble Petitioners do most thankfully acknowledge your great and unparalelled industry and integrity for the public good of Church and commonwealth: So shall we, with our dearest lives and fortunes most loyally and faithfully ever defend his majesty's royal person, vindicate your Honours, and maintain the rights and privileges of Parliament against all opposition whatsoever.  
And We shall ever pray, &c.   

Printed by order of the Petitioners, for William Larnar, at the sign of the Bible in little Eastcheap. 1642.