To the Right Honourable Sir Patience Ward Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. The humble petition of the commons of the city of London, in Common-hall assembled, June 27. 1681

To the Honoured Slingsby Bethel and Henry Cornish Esquires, Sheriffs of this City of London and Middlesex.

WE the Citizens of the said City in Common-hall assem∣bled, being sensible of, and greatly satisfied with your faithful Endeavours to discharge those Offices of Trust which we (not long since) called you to; and consider∣ing your wise and prudent conduct and management of our Affairs within this City, especially in maintaining and asserting of our undoubted Rights and Priviledges as Citizens, and continual provision of faithful and able Juries; especially in such a time as this, when Innocency it self is not inrouded from the imputation of the blackest Crimes; and the best and most loyal Protestants are exposed to the utmost hazards by the Perjuries, Subornations, and Villanies of the Popish Party and their Adherents. And we cannot at this time o∣mit the mentioning your fair Proceedings in our present E∣lection of Sheriffs for the Year ensuing, and dispatch of an unnecessary Poll, without putting us off by Adjournments to a troublesome and weary attendance. Do offer and return to you our most hearty Thanks, as the onely Compensation we can at present make you; being confidently assured that you will stedfastly persist in those your most faithful En∣deavours, as long as you shall continue Officers in this Ho∣nourable City.