TWO PETITIONS PRESENTED To the Right Honourable THE LORDS and COMMONS in Parliament Assembled: The One, The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London IN Common-Councell assembled: The Other, The humble Petition of the Field Officers, Captaines, and their Commission-Officers OF THE TRAINED-BANDS of the City of London and Liberties thereof.
With the Answers of both Houses to the said Petitions.
Printed by RICHARD COTES, Printer to the Honourable City of London, July 5. 1648.
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 your Petitioners sitting in Common-Councell upon the weighty Affairs of the City, had presented unto them by divers Field-Officers, Captaines, and their Commission-Officers of the Trained-Bands of the City of London and Liberties [Page 2] thereof, the Petition hereunto annexed; which being openly read, and seriously considered of, they apprehend that the same is of great concernment, worthy due consideration, tending to the Honour and safety of the King, and preservation of the Parliament, and the settlement of the peace and welfare of the City and Kingdom; and they (concurring with the Petitioners therein) have thought fit to present the same to this honorable House; And they humbly pray your Honours to take the same into your serious consideration; And to doe therein as in your grave Wisdoms you shall see fit.
To the Right Honourable THE LORDS Assembled in Parliament. The humble Petition of the Field-Officers, Captains and their Commission-Officers of the Trained-bands of the City of London and Liberties thereof,
THat out of the deep sense of the sad Miseries that lie upon these Kingdomes, the onely visible remedy whereof (under God) we conceive to be a Personall Treatie with his Majestie; Which happy worke we hear is like to be retarded, if not frustrated, by feares and jealousies suggested, if it should be here in London, (which is so much desired,) That in stead of setling [Page 4] Peace, it might involve us all in blood, by Tumults that might be raised by Persons driving on their own Designes and Interests: VVe think our selves bound in duty, for promoting so desirable a VVork, so much as in us lieth, to offer our service with our lives and fortunes to the utmost, to defend His Majesties Royall person, and this Parliament from all violence whatsoever, that they may meet and Treat with freedom, honour, and safety, according to the ancient fundamentall Constitution of this Kingdom; and, That whosoever shall by Tumults, Mutinies, Insurrections or otherwise, interrupt or force the Honour, Freedom, and Safety of the King or Parliament; VVe, and all under our Commands shall be ready as One man to live and die in defence of the King and Parliament, according to our Covenant.
I. VVherefore we humbly pray, That for our enablement thereunto, the Militia of the City of London and adjacent parts may be setled in one Committee: And if [Page 5] in your VVisdoms you shall think fit, to joyn some persons of the Parts adjacent to the Grand Committee, they may be such as have no places of Profit which depend upon the continuance of the VVarr, and our troubles; or have shewed themselves disaffected to the ends of the Covenant.
II. That the King may be brought to London with freedom, honour, and safety, to Treat with His Parliament, for the setling of a safe and wel-grounded Peace.
III. That the Militia may have power to raise Horse, if need be, for the defence of the King, Parliament, and City.
THe Lords have commanded me to let you know, That they have considered of the Petitions this day tendred by you unto them. They had of themselves made some progress in those things mentioned therein; and they doe now declare unto you, That they have thought fit to grant your desires in all the particulars contained in the Petitions; in confidence, That the City of London will be care [...]ull to make good their great engagement now made for the preserving and securing of His Majesties Person and the Parliament from Tumults, Mutinies, Insurrections, or other Disorders that may interrupt the Honour, Freedom, and Safety of the King or Parliament; And they cannot doubt, but, That they will still adhere to live and die in defence of the King and Parliament according to their Covenant.
The House being informed that the Sheriffs, divers Aldermen and Commoners of the City of London were at door, they were called in, and after a short preamble made by Sheriff Byde, they presented two Petitions; the one entituled, The humble Petition of the Field-Officers, Captaines, and their Commission Officers of the trained Bands of the city of London and liberties thereof, which they said was brought to them Yesterday as they sate in Common-councell; the other from themselves, entituled, The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the city of London in Common-councell; which after the Petitioners were withdrawn were read.
Ordered,
That on Friday next, the debate touching the Petitions now presented, be again taken into consideration.
Ordered,
That it be referred to the Committee to confer with the Common-councell of the city of
London, and such as they shall appoint, and with the Commanders of the Souldiers in
London, concerning their engagement for the safety of the King and Parliament during the intended Treatie, and touching the manner of the security.
The Petitioners being again called in, Mr. Speaker by command of the House gave them this answer;
The House has read your Petition, and the Petition annexed; And they have agreed to the joyning the Militia's.
The other matters contained in the Petition, are of great concernement, and have taken up much debate, and they have appointed another day to take up the said debate; and have also appointed a Committee to confer with the Common-councell of the City of London, and such as they shall appoint; and with the Commanders of the Souldiers in London about the same; wherewith the House desires you to acquaint the Lord Maior, that a Common-councell may be called to morrow at two of the clock in the afternoon, for a conference thereupon accordingly.