in the house of commons, which though trivial in itself, it may not be improper to notice. In one of the debates relating to the Propositions for Peace, the house divided on the question; when the tellers came to make their report of the numbers, they could not agree upon it, three being of one opinion, and the fourth of another. The house then divided again, and all who were not present at the first telling were required to withdraw. The tellers reported the numbers to be 33 on each side: but one member present at the first division and telling, yet came not in upon the second telling, till the numbers were given in and reported by Mr. Speaker, was desired to be counted; a debate arose whether he should or not, coming not in till the report was made: the house divided again on this question; but, before it was told, the Noes yielded, and that member, being added to the Yeas, made their number 34. Kelation of the Manner of presenting a Petition from the City of London to the King at Orford.] Jan. 12. A Relation was read in the house of lords, sent up by the commons, concerning the carrying and delivery of a Petition from the city of London, to the king at Oxford. This Relation was made by the city's commissioners appointed for that purpose; and, since the consequences of it are somewhat curious, it is worthy of insertion. The Petition is not entered in the Journals, being a work of common council only; but we have met with a printed copy of it, and the king's Answer to it, with some speeches inade by a committee of both houses, sent to attend the reading of them in the Guildhall, which we shall give; and first, the Relation stands thus in the Journals: which, although he had already caused them to be put in print, yet he doubted might be kept from the knowledge of his people in the city: that he doubted the petitioners promised more than they could perform, to wit, To defend his majesty from tumults; when, as he heard, they could not maintain peace and quiet among themselves: that his Answer should be full, which he would expect should be pub'lished and made known to all his people in the city.' And he added this Question, "Whether they had petitioned the parliament also, to remember them of their duty to his majesty? To this it was presently answered, That we were only messengers of this Petition, and could give no answer to that question. On Tuesday we had no audience, and only attended our Answer; but on Wednesday, we addressed ourselves for our dispatch, by a message unto the lord Falkland, and received his majesty's order to attend at 3 o'clock that afternoon, which we did accordingly; and, being called in, his majesty gave us a Paper, which, he said, was his Answer to the Petition; and so delivered it into the hands of a gentleman called Mr. Heron standing by him; who, he said, should go with us, and see it done accordingly. And having demanded which was the greater assembly, a Common Council or a Common Hall; and it being answered, That a Common Hall was the greater assembly, his majesty twice expressly commanded us that this his Answer should be published at a Common Hall; that there might be fair play and aboveboard, and that the people of the city might be disabused, and know the truth.-This done his majesty dismissed us, as we thought; but presently we were recalled, and his majesty "At this Common Council sir George Gar- said, He would send some persons to be ret, sir George Clark, knights and aldermen, amongst us in the city, to inform the city and Mr. Peter Jones, Mr. Geo. Henley, Mr. Rd. him of the truth; whom he would expect Bateman, and Mr. Barney Reames, committees they should protect, seeing they did protect lately appointed by this court to make their persons ill-affected to his majesty; and that he Address unto his majesty, with an humble Pc- should see by that, how they were able to protition, in the name of the mayor, aldermen,tect his majesty.' This Relation we make acand commons of this city, did make their Rela- cording to our best remembrance." tion in writing, which followeth in these words: -On Monday the 2nd of Jan. we came to Oxford, between one and two o'clock in the afternoon; where, though we could get no lodgings before night, yet presently we dispatched one to give the lord Falkland notice of our coming. About 3 o'clock we did all of us attend his lordship, at his lodgings in New College; with whom we sent one also to the court, to receive his majesty's order for admission into his presence; who returning unto us, and bringing us word, that his majesty would receive the Petition at 5 o'clock, we accordingly all of us came to the court. After some small time of attendance we were adinitted unto his majesty in his withdrawing-chamber, and the Petition publickly read in his majesty's presence; unto which his majesty presently made Answer unto this effect, That he was glad of the occasion this Petition would give him, to let the city know some of his Declarations; VOL. III, . The foregoing Narrative being read, it was declared, That the house of commons held it very necessary, if their lordships shall so please, that some committees of both houses be present at the Common Hall, to hear what shall be read from his majesty by Mr. Heron: and if it should prove to be the same that is printed, which contains matters very scandalous to the parliament, dangerous to the city and whole kingdom, seeming purposely designed to stir up mutiny in the city, that then they might be ready to take off the aspersions laid upon the proceedings of both houses; and to shew their confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, and good affection of the city, that they will not be misled nor distempered by any such scandals and aspersions and if it prove not the same, but do contain any other aspersions, they might likewise clear the honour and justice of their proceedings as they shall see cause; and the house of commons desires their lordships to E To the King's Most Excellent Majesty: The "Sheweth; That the petitioners, your ma jesty's most humble and loyal subjects, being much pierced with the long and great divisions between your majesty and both your houses of parliament, and with the sad and bloody effects thereof, both here and in Ire The said Petition read at the Guildhall.] Jan. 13. This day the whole affair was trans-land, are yet more deeply wounded by the acted at the Guildhall, and a particular account taken of it, and printed by order of the house of commons, with an Introduction and Remarks upon it, as follows :* king misapprehension which your maj. seemeth to entertain of the love and loyalty of this your city, as if there were some cause of fear or suspicion of danger to your royal person, if The INTRODUCTION. your maj. should return hither; and that this "That observation, Man's extremities are is made the unhappy bar to that blessed reconGod's opportunities,' was never more abun- ciliation with your great and most faithful dantly and experimentally made good than in council, for preventing that desolation and dethese latter days; and in none of these more struction, which is now most apparently im than on Friday the 18th of Jan. 1612, in and minent on your majesty and all your toward the city of London, where his majesty's doms: For satisfaction therefore of your ma unexpected Answer to an humble Petition,jesty, and clearing of the petitioners innopresented to his majesty at Oxford, from the cency, they most humbly declare, as formerly lord mayor and common-council of that honour- they have done, That they are in no way conable city, made many sad hearts; not only in scions of any disloyalty, but abhor all thoughts regard that all the unwearied and loyal endea- thereof; and that they are resolved to make vours of parliament and city, with other parts good their late solemn Protestation and sacred of the kingdom, have made no deeper impres vow made to Almighty God, and, with the last sion upon his majesty's heart, the greatest drop of their dearest bloods, to defend and treasure for which they have contended; but maintain the true Reformed Protestant Relialso in some doubtful expectation what advan-gion; and, according to the duty of their altage such spirits might have made of ic, at least legiance, your majesty's royal person, honour, to the unsettling of the peace, and disuniting and estate; (whatever is maliciously and most the spirits of the city, who steer all their actions falsely suggested to your maj. to the contrary) by that maxim of policy, Divide et impera, tas well as the power and privileges of parliadivide and do what you will: the rather when ment, and the lawful rights and liberties of the they observed that the counsel of some not so subject; and do hereby engage themselves, well-wishers, certainly, to the public safety, as their estates, and all they have, to their utter to their own private interests, had prevailed most power, to defend and preserve your maj. with his majesty that his answer should be and both houses of parliament from all topublished at a Common Hall, by his majesty's mults, affronts, and violence, with as much express order for that purpose, when as the loyalty, love, and duty, as ever citizens exPetition was humbly tendered to his majesty pressed towards your majesty, or any of your from a common council. To avoid all incon- royal progenitors in their greatest glory. The veniences, it pleased the wisdom and goodness petitioners therefore, upon their bended knees, of Heaven to direct the parliament to chuse an do most humbly beseech your maj. to return honourable committee of lords and commons to your parliament, accompanied with your to be present at the reading thereof; and the royal, not your martial, attendance; to the governors of the city to order that all the com- end that religion, laws, and liberties may be panics should first meet at their several balls, settled and secured; and whatsoever is amiss and then come in their City Habits to the Guild-in church and commonwealth reformed by hall, where his majesty's Answer was to be read: when the committee of both houses, with the lord mayor, aldermen, and such a confluence of liverymen as hath not been seen there in the memory of the oldest man in the city, being met, the lord mayor commanded the town clerk to read, in the audience of that great assembly, the City's Petition which here follows: Published, with the licence of Mr. Elsynge, clerk of the house of commons, by Peter Cole, the printer of the other speeches at the Guildhall, which are already given in this work, their advice, according to the fundamental constitutions of this kingdom; and that such a peace may thereby be obtained, as shall be for the glory of God, the honour and happi ness of your maj. and posterity, and the safety and welfare of all your loyal subjects; who (the petitioners are fully assured, whatsoever is given out to the contrary) do unanimously desire the peace herein expressed. And the petitioners shall ever pray, &c. MICHELL." The King's Answer to it.] This being done, the king's messenger (Mr. Heron) being wished to read his majesty's Answer to that Petition, made some apology to be excused; partly willing to intimate that his commission Was but to deliver the Answer to the lord mayor, (which seemed very strange to standers by, who were ready to conclude, that if his majesty's command had been of no larger extent, the trouble of a common-hall might well have been spared) and partly pleading the inaudibleness of his voice in such a vast assembly; but being deemed the fittest for that service by the honourable committee, the lord mayor and his brethren, he then read his majesty's Answer, which here follows: tended lord mayor, (the principal author of those calamities which so nearly threaten the ruin of that famous city) Ven, Foulke, and Mainwaring, all persons notoriously guilty of schism and high treason, commit such outrages in oppressing, robbing, and imprisoning, ac cording to their discretion, all such his ma jesty's loving subjects whom they are pleased to suspect but for wishing well to his majesty: and his majesty would know whether the petitioners believe that the reviling and suppress"His majesty hath graciously considered ing the Book of Common Prayer, (established this Petition, and returns this Answer: That in this Church ever since the Reformation) his maj. doth not entertain any misapprehen- the discountenancing and imprisoning godly, sion of the love and loyalty of his city of Lon- learned, and painful preachers; and the che don. As he hath always expressed a singular rishing and countenancing of Brownists, Anaregard and esteem of the affections of that baptists, and all manner of Sectaries, be the city, and is still desirous to make it his chief way to defend and maintain the true Reformed place of residence, and to continue and renew Protestant religion? That to comply with, and many marks of his favour towards it; so he assist persons who have actually attempted to believes much the better and greater part of kill his majesty? and to allow and favour lithat his city is full of love, duty, and loyalty bels, pasquils, and seditious sermons against to his majesty; and that the tumults which his majesty, be to defend his royal person and heretofore forced his majesty, for his safety, to honour according to the duty of their alleleave that place, though they were contrived giance? Whether to imprison men's persons, and encouraged by some principal members and to plunder their houses, because they will thereof, (who are since well known, though not rebel against his majesty, nor assist those they are above the reach of justice) consisted that do? Whether to destroy their property, more of desperate persons of the suburbs, and by taking away the 20th part of their estates the neighbouring towns, who were misled by from them; and, by the same arbitrary power, the cunning and malice of their seducers, than to refer to four standers by of their own facof the inhabitants of that city. He looks on tion, to judge what that 20th part is, be to his good subjects there as persons groaning defend the lawful rights and liberties of the under the same burden which doth oppress his subject? And if they think these actions to be majesty, and awed by the same persons who instances of either, whether they do not know begat these tumults, and the same army which the persons before named to be guilty of them gave battle to his majesty: and therefore as all? Or whether they think it possible that Alno good subject can more desire, from his soul, mighty God can bless that city, and preserve a composure of the general distractions; so it from destruction, whilst persons of such no good citizen can more desire the establish- known guilt and wickedness are defended and ment of the particular peace and prosperity of justified amongst them, against the power of that place by his majesty's access thither, than that law by which they can only subsist?his majesty himself doth.-But his maj, desires His maj, is so far from suffering himself to be his good subjects of London seriously to con- incensed against the whole city, by the actions sider what confidence his maj. can have of sc- of these ill men, though they have hitherto curity there, whilst the laws of the land are so been so prevalent as to make the affections of notoriously despised and trampled under foot; the rest of little use to him; and is so willing and the wholesome government of that city, to be with them and to protect them, that the heretofore so famous over all the world, is now trade, wealth, and glory thereof (so decayed submitted to the arbitrary power of a few des- and eclipsed by these public distractions) may perate persons of no reputation, but for malice again be the envy of all foreign nations; that and disloyalty to him: whilst arms are taken he doth, once more, graciously offer his free. up not only without, but against, his consent and general pardon to all the inhabitants of that and express command; and collections pub- his city of London, the suburbs, and city of lickly made, and contributions avowed, for the Westminster, (except the persons formerly exmaintenance of the army which hath given cepted by his majesty) if they shall yet return him battle, and therein used all possible means, to their duty, loyalty, and obedience. And if treason and malice could suggest to them, to his good subjects of that his city of London have taken his life from him, and to have de- shall first solemnly declare, That they will destroyed his royal issue; whilst such of his ma- fend the known laws of the land, and will subjesty's subjects, who, out of duty and affection mit to, and be governed by, no other rule: if to his majesty, and compassion of their bleed- they shall first manifest, by defending theming country, have laboured for peace, are re-selves, and maintaining their own rights, liberviled, injured, and murdered, even by the ma- ties, and interests, and suppressing any force gistrates of that city, or by their directions.- and violence unlawfully raised against those Lastly, What hope his maj. can have of safety and his majesty, their power to defend and there, whilst alderman Pennington, their pre-preserve him from all tumults, affronts, and the advice of his two houses of parliament, which, with reference to the commonwealth, may be as well at this distance, as at Whitehall; his maj. doubts not but his good subjects of London well know how far, (beyond the example of his predecessors) his maj. hath concurred with their advice in passing of such laws, by which he willingly hath parted with many of his known rights, for the benefit of his subjects, which the fundamental constitutions of this kingdom did not oblige him to consent to; and hath used all possible means to beget a right understanding between them; and will therefore apply themselves to those who, by making just, peaceable, and honourable propositions to his majesty, can only beget that concurrence." After Speeches of the E. of Manchester and Mr. Pym to the Citizens, on this Occasion.] the King's Messenger had read this once upon the hustings, in the audience of those honourable persons, he was, for the help of the lowness of his voice, and the advantage of the great multitudes in the hall, willed to read the same a second time in the clock-house, in the audience of the body of that assembly: among whom, after he had finished his work, an inconsiderable company near the door made some offers towards an acclamation; but finding no expected echo to answer their shout, they wound up in a little modesty and a great deal of silence; upon which, violence: Lastly, if they shall apprehend, and commit to safe custody, the persons of those four men who enrich themselves by the spoil and oppression of his loving subjects, and the ruin of the city, that his majesty may proceed against them by the course of law, as guilty of high treason, his maj. will speedily return to them with his royal, and without his martial, attendance; and will use his utmost endeavour that they may, hereafter, enjoy all the blessings of peace and plenty; and will no longer expect obedience from them, than he shall, with all the faculties of his soul, labour in the preserving and advancing the true reformed protestant religion, the laws of the land, the liberty and property of the subject, and the just privileges of parliament.-If, notwithstanding all this, the art and interest of these men can prevail so far, that they involve more men in their guilt, and draw that his city to sacrifice its present happiness and future hopes to their pride, fury, and malice; his majesty shall only give them this warning, That whosoever shall, henceforward, take up arms without his consent; contribute any money or plate, upon what pretence of authority soever, for maintenance of the army under the command of the earl of Essex, or any other army in rebellion against him; or shall pay tonnage and poundage, till the same shall be settled by act of parliament; every such person must expect the severest punishment the law can inflict; and, in the mean time, his maj. will The Earl of Manchester delivered his speech seize upon any part of his estate within his as followeth :-" My lord mayor, and you genpower, for the relief and support of him and tlemen of the city of London; This assembly his army, raised and maintained for the decan never be looked upon by any members of fence of his person, the laws, and this his both houses of parliament, but there must be kingdom and since he denies to his maj. the some offering of gratitude made to you; of duty and benefit of his subjection, by giving thanks and acknowledgments for your former assistance to rebels, which, by the known laws large-hearted expressions of affection and care of the land, is high treason, his maj, shall like- for the preservation both of the parliament wise deny him the benefit of his protection; and kingdom: the occasion why my lords and and shall not only signify to all his foreign mi- these gentlemen of the house of commons are nisters, that such person shall receive no ad- come hither is this, They have read an Anvantage by being his subject, but shall, by all swer to an humble Petition of the lord mayor other ways and means, proceed against him as and common council and citizens of London a public enemy to his maj. and this kingdom. to his majesty; in which they find many wound-But his maj. hopes and doubts not but his ing aspersions cast upon persons of very emigood subjects of London will call to mind the nent authority in your city, and upon others of acts of their predecessors, their duty, affection, very great fidelity and trust among you: This loyalty, and inerit towards their princes; the Answer they do find, as it is printed, to agree renown they have had with all posterity from, with that which the gentleman from his maand the blessings of Heaven which always ac-jesty hath here read; and they owning themcompanied, those virtues; and will consider the perpetual scorn and infamy, which unavoidably will follow them and their children, int nitely the meaner part in quality, and much the lesser part in number, shall be able to alter the government so admirably established, destroy the trade so excellently settled, and to waste the wealth, so industriously gotten, of that flourishing city; and then they will easily gather up the courage and resolution to join with his maj, in defence of their religion, laws and liberties, which hitherto hath and only can make themselves, his maj. and his kingdom happy.-For concurring with : selves equally interested (in all things that concern you) with you, have commanded this gentleman to make some Observations by way of vindication, both of the proceedings of both houses of parliament, and of the proceedings of the city; with this assurance, that they will never desert you, but will stand by you with their lives and fortunes, for the preservation of the city in general, and those persons in particular, who have been faithful, and deserved well, both of the parliament and kingdom; and they will pursue all means, both with their lives and fortunes, that may be for the preservation of this city, and for the procuring of The Speech of this noble lord being entertained with loud expressions of joy and thankfulness by the commons; and, after some time, silence being made, Mr. Pym gave the sense of both houses upon the several passages in his majesty's Answer, in the following speech: ، safety, happiness, and peace to the whole, any tumultuous carriage of yours was the ockingdom." casion of his majesty's leaving the parliament, and withdrawing himself to remoter parts.→→ It is affirmed, That the government of your city hath been managed by a few desperate 'persons, and that they do exercise an arbitrary power.' In answer to which, the two houses of parliament give you this testimony, That you have, in most of the great occasions | concerning the government of the city, tullowed their direction; and that direction, which they have given, and you have executed, they must and will maintain to be such as stands with their honour in giving it, and your trust and fidelity in the performance of it. It is objected in the third place, That "Contributions have been publickly made, for 'the maintenance of that army which did join ، battle with the king, and did, by all the means that treason and malice could suggest, endeavour to take away his life, and destroy “ My lord mayor, and you worthy citizens of this noble and famous city of London; I am commanded by the lords and commons to let you know, that in this Answer, which hath been published to you, they do observe many things of great aspersion upon the proceedings of parliament, very scandalous and injurious to many particular members of this city; whereupon they think that it becomes them, both in tenderness of their own honour, and respect to you, to take away all those aspersions; and to let you know the truth of their proceedings, which have been full of ho-his issue.' To this I am commanded to say, hour and justice, as they stand in relation to That the design of bringing up the English artheir own duty; and full of humility and obe- mies, the gathering together of the cavaliers dience towards his majesty, and of care for the about Whitehall, the violent coming to the common good, and so shall ever be : and they house of commons, the king's going into the have commanded me to let you know the true North and raising armies there, are clear eviAnswer to most of those things that are im- dences that violence was first intended, and puted either to the parliament, or to the city, divers practices were made against the parby observing some particulars of this book liament, before they took any course, or made which hath been read to you; and to let you any preparation to take up arnis for their deknow the proceedings in their own native con- fence; for the danger of his majesty's person dition, clear from those misrepresentations they were sorry for it, and did, by divers humble which make them appear in a quality much Petitions, labour to prevent it; and as touchdifferent from the truth: which bore I entering the royal issue,they have sufficiently declared into, I am to declare, as the scne of both to the world, their good affections towards houses, that your Petition was so full of loyalty, then, by the care they have taken both for the humility, and obedience, that you might well safety and maintenance of those who are left have expected an Answer, of another kind.-- here. It is further expressed in this Answer, The first Observation I am to make to you is That the king demands the lord mayor, Mr., this, that it is said here, ، That his majesty ، Akerman Fowke, cols. Ven and Manwaring ، was enforced, by tumults, to leave the parlin- ، to be delivered up as guilty of schism and high ment, and to go from Whitehall, and to with- treason. Concerning which I am commanded draw himself into those courses which now to tell you, as the sense of both houses of par'he hath taken.' In Answer hereunto, I am liament, That this demand is against the pri commanded to tell you, That there was no vilege of parliament, two of them being mem occasion given by any tumults rising out of bers of the commons house; most dishonourthis city, or the suburbs, which might justly able to the city, that the lord mayor of London cause his majesty's departure; and you may should be subjected to the violence of every very well remember, that after his violent base fellow, be assaulted, seized on, without due coming to the commons house of parliament in process or warrant, which the law doth afford that unusual and unheard-of manner (which every private man; and that you should be was the beginning of these unhappy differences) commanded to deliver up your chief magistrate, that the very next day his majesty came into and such eminent members of the city to the the city without any guard; that he was pre-king's pleasure, only because they have done sent in the common council, dined at the sheriffs, and returned back again, with manifold evidences of fidelity on the part of the city, and without any such expressions as were unbeseerning the majesty of a king, or the duty of subjects; that he resided divers days at Whitehall, and afterward at Hampton-Court, Windsor, and places adjoining, with small forces about him, and yet never any attempt made which might give him any apprehensions of fear; by all which it is manifest, that this is an unjust aspersion cast upon this city, that their duty in adhering to the parliament, for the defence of the kingdom; and that it is against the rules of justice, that any men should be imprisoned upon such a general charge, when no particulars are proved against them; and this you are to take notice of, as the Answer to those scandals, and to that disgrace upon my lord mayor, and the other members of the city. And I am further to tell you, That there is little cause for his maj. to make this demand, considering that he himself doth, by force, keep away many accused in parlia |