To the Right Honourable both Houses of the Parliament of England; assembled at Westminster.
The humble Petition of the Grand Jury at the Assizes holden at Chelmsford, for the County of Essex, the
22 of March, 1647. as it was presented to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament the 4. of May, 1648. by divers thousands of Knights, Gentlemen, and Free-Holders of the same County.
THat your Petitioners taking into their serious (yet sad) considerations the great distractions and calamities of this whole Kingdom, and being also very sensible by wofull experience of the great and many pressures and grievances of their own particular County, and taking notice also with all thankfulnesse of the honourable resolutions of this House, in giving encouragement to the just desires of the oppressed in a Petitionary way (the undoubted right of the Subject) and the very life of their liberty it selfe, out of a tender fellow feeling of others, and the deepe sense of their own miseries, have made this humble (yet necessary addresse to this Honourable House) conceiving both the present and future happinesse of themselves and the whole Kingdome to bee concentred in these their ensuing desires.
And first, considering that it is impossible the sad and direfull effects of this late War should cease without the principall causes be first taken away and removed. And considering likewise his Majesties absence from his two Houses of Parliament, hath been one maine cause of encreasing jealousies, and continuing a misunderstanding betwixt Him and his great Councell (the originall and source of our unhappinesse) And humbly conceiving, that a timely and ready concession to his Majesty for a personall Treatie with his high Court of Parliament, may prove the most effectuall and speedy meanes for the removeall of all such misapprehensions and feares, which are yet the unhappy obstacles of the peace and quiet of this our Kingdome.
Secondly, considering the excessive charges and almost intollerable burthen this County, with the rest of the Kingdome doe at this present groane under, which although for a time they may possibly beare with patience, yet if continued, will certainely and inevitably ruine themselves, their families and posterities. And withall considering that the most hopefull meanes of setling a well grounded peace, and the surest way of preventing future troubles, consists in the due satisfaction of all just complaints and interests. And that this Army who have faithfully discharged their trust to your selves and Kingdome, doe much complaine for the want of their Arrears.
We therefore your humble Petitioners doe most earnestly desire, that you would be pleased to take these Premises into your grave and serious considerations, and to condescend to the royall intimations of his Majesty for a Personall Treaty, to expedite such a course which in your wisdomes you shall think most meet for the satisfaction of the arreares of the Army, with a disbanding of the same.
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c.
The twelfth of Aprill it was resolved at Chelmsford, upon the meeting of the Petitioners there, as followeth:
- I That five hundred Copies of the Petition should be forthwith printed and sent to the Gentlemen and Petitioners of the County.
- II That Fryday the twenty eight of April, at the Talbot in Chelmsford all the subscriptions of the said Copies should be sent unto Stephen Smith Esquire.
- III Thursday the fourth of May, the Petitioners have appointed to meet at the Crowne at Stratford Lancton, about eight of the clock in the morning.
- IIII Its desired that those who shall subscribe the Petition, would shew themselves in person in the presenting of it, if it may stand with their convenience.
Die Jovis, 4 May, 1648.
THe Lords have commanded me to returne thankes to the County of Essex, for the good affections which they have expressed to the Parliament and Kingdome; they have likewise commanded me to let you know: That they will take your Petition into their serious and speedy consideration, and doe assure you, that they will not be wanting to contribute their utmost endeavours for the recovering of the present pressures and burthens, and for the composing of these unhappy differences, so as the Kingdome may enjoy a safe and well grounded peace.
Die Iovis, 4 May, 1648.
THe House being informed that divers Gentlemen of the County of Essex were at the Doore, desiring to preferre a Petition to the House, they were called in, and Major Stephen Smith did present a Petition, the which (the Petitioners being with-drawne) was read, and was entituled, The humble Petition of the Grand Jury at the Assizes holden at Chelmesford for the County of Essex, the 22 of March, 1647. with the Free-holders and Inhabitants of the same County.
The Petitioners were againe called in, and Mr. Speaker by Command of the House, upon Vote upon the Question gave them this Answer; That this House doth take notice of the great Service, and good affections of that County to the Parliament, and are very confident they will so continue. As to their Petition, the House is now in Debate concerning the speedy settlement of the Kingdome, and doe not doubt, but what they shall conclude thereupon will give satisfaction to the said County, and to all the well-affected people of the Kingdome.
Printed at London for Joseph Hunscot. 1648.