THe very much unexpected, undeserved, and Illegal usage which we lately found from the hands of some Officers and Souldiers, (they declaring for just liberty) hath enforced us to make this application to your Lordship, as the Patron of this City, from whom we hope we may justly expect common freedom and safety with other the Citizens thereof: In order whereunto we crave leave to acquaint your Lordship, That the other night about midnight, several parties of soldiers came to our dwellings, who (without any VVarrant from the Parliament, Council of State, your Lord­ship, the Magistrate of this City, or any other civil Authority, (A president not to be paralleld that we know of in the City, in all our late sad intestine wars) demanded admission; And to the great affrightment and astonishment of our wives, children, with other relations, apprehended our Prrsons, being quiet in our habitations, and some of us sick in our beds, searched our houses, carried, and detained our persons as Prisoners at the Guard at Pauls, till that day noon, and then no otherwise suffered us to be removed from thence, but as being still under confinement, and to return at their pleasure, giving us to no account of the reason of this action, but said they had Order from General Monck, which they refused to let us read: we desired to know our accusers or accusations, but could not understand the least crime laid to our charge. Being thus used as evil doers, exposed to scorn and reproach, hindred in our Callings, and prejudiced in our Credits, We cannot be so injurious to our selves (with other Citizens) as to suffer this wrong, without endeavouring our just vindication and reparation. We are not willing to conclude that this hath befallen us in reference to our judgement and practise, in matters of Religion, which we are not ashamed to own, as being agreeable to the mind of God revealed in the holy Scriptures; as also within the liberty that the General himself hath held forth to be enjoyed by us, equally with other persons, truly fearing God, Why then should we thus suffer, having to our utmost in all our capacities, endeavoured the common peace and welfare of this City and Nation, and nothing to the contrary? Surely my Lord, as the President it self is of most dangerous consequence to the Inhabitants of this place, so will it sound very harsh in the ears of other people in the Nation, who may reckon themselves exposed to the like usage, if this and such like actions pass without due observation; and therefore for their sakes (as our own) we cannot be altogether silent; Besides that even now when most men are seeking for settlement, such undertakings, how greatly they tend to dissettle mens minds, and fill the Land with disturbances and distractions, we leave to your Lordship to judge. My Lord, We sue to your Lordship for nothing, but that right may be done us; If we have done any thing contrary to the Laws of the Nation, or the City, we refuse not, but seek a legal tryal; But if otherwise (as in­deed we are not conscious to our selves, that we have (in the least) offended against this City or our Rulers) We do claim our right, and humbly conceive your Lordship engaged to endeavour that we may be set at liberty from our confinement; But if your Lordship shall think it fit and requisite, that application be in this case made to the Parliament or Council of State, we then humbly pray, That we, being Members of this City, your Lordship will please to move for present redress in this our grievance, and future protection and security (with others our neighbours) in out habitations.

My Lord, the day following they seached our houses for Arms, there being reports of great numbers found there, which were no more in all our houses but as followeth, viz.

Lieuetenant Colonel Kiffen, 2 Drums, 1 Pattisan, 5 old Pikes, and 6 Swords.

Major Mallery, 3 Pistols, 2 Swords, and his sons Fouling piece.

Captain Gosfright, 3 Drums, 1 Leading staff, 1 Sword, and 3 Birding pieces belonging to a Dutch Merchant, and another friend.

Captain Hewling, 7 Pikes, 12 Muskets, and 17 Swords, whose arms being gathered in by the States Order, to be returned into the Tower. The said Captain Hewling gave notice before to the Clerk of the Delivery, to cause them to be fetcht in accordingly, who hi­therto had omitted it.

Lieutenant Lomes, 3 Muskets, 3 Pikes, and 1 Sword.

And whilst we were writing this Letter to your Lordship, there was brought to our view a printed Libellous paper, this day publi­shed, stiled A Serious Manifesto and Declaration of the Anabaptists, and other Congregational Churches, touching the present transactions of the affairs of this Commonwealth, both in Church and State. Touching which, although we doubt not but all sober minded people will per­ceive it to be (as it is) forged, false and scandalous, and done by prophane and luxuriant Incendiaries, who makes lies their refuge, and under falsehood hide themselves, designing to foment distractions and confusions in this City and Nation, yet we think fit, without further, troubling our selves therewith, to certifie your Lordship our disowning and detesting thereof, with our confidence and assurance of the like disowning by all those upon whom its unworthily patronised, humbly desiring, that such Printers and Publishers being searcht out, may be made exemplary, or at least, that such abusive and scandalous papers, may be speedily and effectually suppressed according to Law, there being neither Names of Author, Printer, or Stationer annexed thereunto. We are, my Lord,