TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE The Commons IN THE High Court of Parliament assembled: The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-councell assembled.
THat as your Petitioners in all humility doe thankfully acknowledge the many former favours of this honourable House manifested to this City; so in particular [Page 2]in granting their desires, expressed in their late Petition, concerning the Tower and the Militia of London: And in communicating unto the Petitioners severall Votes of both Houses of Parliament, wherein to your Petitioners great joy and comfort are expressed, your Resolutions that you will not alter the Fundamentall Government of the Kingdome, by King, Lords, and Commons: That you will preserve inviolably the Solemn League and Covenant, and the Treaties between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland; and that you will be ready to joyn with the Kingdom of Scotland, in the Propositions agreed upon by both Kingdoms for the speedy settlement of the Peace of both Kingdoms; and the preservation of the union according to the Covenant and Treaties.
And your Petitioners doe further humbly present to this honourable House, That the Inhabitants of the City are much grieved; in that their Magistrates and fellow-Citizens have for a long time been under restraint, and the City thereby deprived of their Service. And humbly pray,
That in prosecution of your said Votes, you will be pleased to improve all good opportunity in perfecting so desirable a good as is therein expressed, for the speedy settlement of the Peace of both Kingdomes, and preservation of the Ʋnion according to the Covenant and Treaties, and preventing a new and bloody Warre.
That the Aldermen now in the Tower, the Recorder, and the rest of their fellow Citizens, restrained upon the same [Page 4]occasion may be discharged and restored, whereby the City may bee the better united, their hands strengthened, and they made more serviceable to the Parliament and City for their preservation and safety, which they shall endeavour to the uttermost of their power and abilities.
And the Petitioners shall humbly pray, &c.
Die Martis, 23. Maii, 1648.
THe Lords have commanded me to let you know, That they receive the acknowledgments of gratitude, and the great expressions of fidelity and good affections from the City of London, with such a satisfaction, as that they return you their hearty Thanks: They have commanded me to assure you, that they will improve all good opportunities for the attaining that desired end of these unhappy troubles, the speedy settlement of a safe peace in both Kingdomes, and the preservation of the Union according to the Covenant and Treaties. They will endeavour to the utmost of their Power, to prevent any new and bloody Warre. As to the particulars mentioned concerning the Aldermen now in the Tower, the Recorder, and the rest of the Citizens restrained: They have commanded me to declare to you, That they having had an Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons against those Aldermen, have proceeded no otherwise then by the usuall course of Parliament they ought to have done. As to the Recorder, there hath been no Commitment or proceedings against him by this House. As to the rest of the Citizens against whom there is no Impeachment, but onely a Commitment by a Committee of both Houses; their Lordships will proceed to endevour their speedy release. And they desire that the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell, and that the whole City may rest confident, That their Lordships will use their endevours for their satisfaction: And as it hath alwayes been the study and labour of this House to express their Care for advantage and union of the City of London; so, much more now will they endevour a Compliance with those desires of the City, which may firmly unite them one to another; and fasten their Hearts, and strengthen their Hands in a serviceableness to the Parliament, in order to these ends, The establishment of Religion, The peace and safety of the Kingdom, according to our solemn League and Covenant.
Die Martis, 23. Maii, 1648.
THe House being informed, That the Sheriffs, Aldermen, and other Citizens were at the door, they were called in, and Mr. Sheriff Bide, after some preamble by way of Introduction, acquainted the House, That he was commanded by the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons in Common-councell assembled, humbly to present to this House, An humble Petition: The which the Petitioners being withdrawn, was read, and was Entituled,
The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled: In which they desire the discharge of the Aldermen now in the Tower, the Recorder, and other their fellow-Citizens under restraint upon the same occasion.
The Sheriffs, Aldermen, and other Citizens the Petitioners, were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by the Command of the House, acquainted them that the House had considered their Petition, that in it are many desires, which in the Petition are expressed, to tend very much to the union of the City in it self, which how much this House desires, will appear by the Votes this House hath passed upon their Petition. And then Mr. Speaker acquainted them with the Votes concerning the Recorder, Colonell Bromfield, and other Citizens: As to the businesse concerning the Aldermen in the Tower; he informed them, that it is a businesse of very serious and important consideration: they have therefore resolved to resume the debate of it on this day seven night.