To a gentleman, a member of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament.

Author: L'Estrange, Roger, Sir, 1616-1704.1646

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To a Gentleman, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT.
To the honourable the Commons assembled in Parliament. The Petition of Roger L'estrange, Prisoner in Newgate

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To a Gentleman, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT.

Sir,

YOur Birth speakes you capable of honour, and reason; your profession, of Pietie and Religion; Your imployment, and Interest, they furnish you with occasion, and power of exercising those offices: which your qualitie, and protestations oblige you to. My misfortune wants such a friend, and necessitates me thus to seeke him: having attempted all other modest, and ordinary wayes in vaine. If you be that gallant man, be pleased to know, that I have suffered above twenty months imprisonment; with what effect, either in order to my subsistence or health, I forbeare; for Sir, I intend only a sober representation of my condition, and desires: no Libell, or Satyre,

As for my condition,

It is such, as will speedily, and certainly destroy me, I hope better things; But if I be destinate to ruine, me thinkes I might perish by some way more worthy of a GENTLEMAN. then to languish and expire among Whores and Theeves. As for my desires, My Petition speakes them: and I would not be much impertinent. My Request (Sir) to you, is only that you will present this postscript-Petition to the House, and but so far to favour it: as you feele your selfe in Honour and Humanitie concerned. If any man can object, and prove it, that I have ever abused any Liberty, or Civility I have received; or that I have in the least scruple receded, from what I beleeved just and honest, let me dye for it. If not, I hope my sufferings may have expiated for my diversitie of opinion.

I doe presage, this paper will heare much of vanity and ostentation. In truth I doe not like any thing of singularity; but being reduced to this choice, either to rot in a Goale, or thus to importune my liberty, having none other way left me; This necessity (I hope) will justifie and excuse the course I have now taken.

It is possible, a providence may conveigh this trifle into some kinder hand then I am yet acquainted with. If not, Facilis Jactura, It is but an Essay lost; If otherwise, This letter is yours. So am I; both by obligation, and purchase: If you be that kind soule, who will make me, mine owne.

Newgate July 8. 1646.

Sir, Your servant Roger L'estrange.

To the honourable the Commons assembled in Parliament. The Petition of Roger L'estrange, Prisoner in Newgate

Humbly Sheweth,

THat your Petitioner hath suffered a long, chargeable, and harsh confinement; wherby he is exposed to a certaine, and swift destruction, either by want, sicknesse, or both: without a seasonable redresse.

Wherefore he makes it his humble suite to this Honourable House, that he may either upon his Parole, or security, enjoy such liberty: as Your Honours shall judge proper, and necessary for his preservation, Your Petitioner standing engaged, not to act, or advise any thing of preiudice, to the Parliament.

And your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c.

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