THat notwithstanding the repulse formerly given us by your demand of Reasons for our desires for a Common-Hall, which in effect amounted to a deniall, requiring of us that aforehand which should be the onely proper subject and matter of Debate in that free, and generall Convention; Yet we cannot so sit downe, but do earnestly presse our for­mer desires for your calling a Common-Hall, hoping it may satisfie you at present onely to say, That though by the constitution of this City, we are to owne you in Court of Com­mon Councell assembled our Representative, and Trustee for the managery of our ordinary affaires, yet we do not thereby so exclude our selves but that in time of extraordinary danger, and miseries approaching, (as this is,) every of us so far as the Government of Polity of this City will allow, may personally appear in Councell, for the aversion of those evils, which else we are sure to feel more then representatively. And certainly we have much more reason at this time to insist upon that our Ancient, indubitate right in this particular, then ever heretofore, considering how beyond all presidents of former times we were prelimited, through a force then upon us, in the Election of some Persons still among you, the sad effects whereof we have ever since found in the disturbance of your Councels all along. But we shall not desire to looke back at all, if we may yet be satisfied in what is just and necessary for us to obtaine, for preven­tion of stopage of that blood daily threatned to be spilt over the face of the whole Kingdom: For which purpose we request,

First, That no self-ends of any particularly interessed & engaged Persons amongst us may be a meanes to deprive us of that happinesse, and honour in becomming chief Instruments for the settlement of this bleeding and miserable embroyled Kingdom, which we may now easily attaine to, by timely interposing our Power, and complying with that part of this quarrell which carries justice and right along with it, there being no safety for us at all by continuing Newtrals any longer.

Secondly, That without a generall consent first obtained in Common-Hall, the Interest and power of this City (which is earnestly sought for by All parties now in Action) may not be engaged to any Party in a new War, so much as to permit or countenance any leavies of Horse or Men to be raised or received amongst us, or near us, (which we may prevent) either upon the publick or any particular score, and if any such have been or are made, we shall expect an account thereof to the end the heavy imputation likely thereby to fall upon this City, may be laid at the right door.

Lastly, That a Common-Hall be forthwith called; because our expectation of one upon Midsummer­day next according to the Ancient and laudable custome of this City is likely to be crossed by Ordinance of the Houses absolutely forbidding the same upon pretence of Tumults they fear may arise thereby: Or if we shall not be restrained in our meeting then, yet such a force is intended to be held over us that day by the conjunction of Lieutenant Generall Cromwels Forces (now upon their returne out of Wales hitherward) with others appointed for that purpose, that we shall be limited and confined in our Coun­sels and debates there to the sence of some few Persons whose determinations backt with force have hi­therto kept us from concurring in that course for the settlement of this pittifully distracted Kingdome, which we see all others besides our selves now so busie about, and wherein we hope this City will not come behind any others if a free and full debate thereof may be granted in Common-Hall, not only to set forward our desires, but to guide our undertakings therein:

To obtaine which, as it hath often been, so now againe it is the most humble suit of