The Humble DESIRES OF THE Gentlemen, Free-holders, and Inhabitants, of the County and City OF DVRHAM, And other of the northern Counties, for Founding a college AT DURHAM.  
Represented to the High Court of Parliament, by their several Petitions: the Heads whereof, with the Reasons thereunto annexed, are as followeth.  
FOR endowing of the said college with a competent Revenue of Land: It is humbly desired, That a Debt of 25663 l. 13 s. 10 d.( due by Order of Parliament to the County of Durham) may be allowed in purchase of some Lands of the Common-wealths, without doubling of the same: And the said County doth freely release it for the said use; and that the late Cathedrall, and college of the late dean, and Prebends houses in Durham, may be likewise granted for the use aforesaid: the security being sufficient to satisfy the money borrowed upon Deans and Chapters Lands; and that certain Commissioners may be appointed in the said Counties, for establishing the college, and the Revenues thereof, ●ith good Orders, and local Statutes: for the Reasons and Motives humbly offered to consideration, as followeth.  

I. THat to allow of the said Debt in Purchase, is consonant with that Justice the Parlianent hath been pleased to afford, for satisfying of the public Debts, as well to some Counties and cities, as to private Persons, and therefore doth not add to the present charge of the Common-wealth.  
II. That it will be of great advantage to the northern Counties, and not of so great detriment to the southern Universities; the City of Durham being above 150 Miles distant from Oxford or Cambridge, and is about the Center of the fix northern Counties, being about fifty Miles from york, Lancaster, Rendall, Carlisle, and Berwicke, the chief towns in those Counties.  
III. That the situation of the said City of Durham is pleasant in a wholesome air, upon a sweet River, that doth near surround the whole City: and the buildings aforesaid will be suitable for such a work, which to be demolished will be of very small value, there being no vent for the materials, most consisting of Stone-work.  
IV. That it is within seven miles of Sunderland, a Navigable Port at the mouth of the said River, within twelve miles of New-castle, Hartlepoole, and Stockton, convenient places of Commerce, to have supplies from all parts in the german Seas.  
V. That Provisions of all sorts are plentiful, and Fire-fuell in abundance; by means whereof Parents may at much less expense Educate their Children in Literature, and will much augment the number of Learned Persons, that through po●…( especially since the late Warres) are disabled to seek their Education at the southern Universities: and thereby the 〈◇〉 parts and industry of meaner persons, do often become abortive.  
VI. That formerly many in the northern Counties did sand their Sons to the Universities in Scotland, which it would 〈◇〉 and attract foreigners to Durham.  
VII. That those who were Educated in the South parts, seldom returned into the North unless for mere lucre of some great Preferment: which hath been a means of so few of piety 〈◇〉 good parts in those Countries.  
VIII. That it is consonant with the present Government of the Common-wealth, equally to diffuse the Learning, Riches, Commerce, and other public benefits through the whole Nation.  
IX. That it is a Laudable and Pious work, and may conduce to stop the mouth of calumny and slander, that endeavour to naduce the present Government.    

LONDON: Printed by M. S. in the Year 1652.