A happy handfull, or Green hopes in the blade; in order to a harvest, of the several shires, humbly petitioning, or heartily declaring for peace.

A DECLARATION Of the CITY and COUNTY of Gloucester.

BEing deeply affected, and most sadly sensible of the pre∣sent Miseries, which both our selves and the whole Na∣tion lie under: We cannot be altogether silent in the expressions of our Griefs, and Declaration of our Desires and Thoughts of the most probable means (by Gods assistance) to give some remedy to our present Sufferings, and prevention of our yet greater Calamities, which threaten our speedy ruine: The cause of all proceeding (as we conceive) is from that un∣happy Disorder in that great Wheel of Government. And that after all our great Sufferings and Trials, the vast expence of Treasure and Blood for our Rights, Liberties, and Priviledges of Parliament, (which we take to be the Good old Cause) such persons in whom we have already lodged our Trusts, and who have sufficiently manifested their endeavours to perform the same, namely, Nathaniel Stephens, Esq Sir John Seymore, Kt. Edward Steephens, Esq John Steephens, Esq and the Right Ho∣norable Thomas Lord Fairfax, have been since December 1648. and still are denied the freedom of sitting, and voting in Par∣liament.

The Restauration of which Members we desire with all free∣dom to their former Capacities.

And Declare we shall not otherwise consent to pay Tax, or other Impositions, or hold our selves bound by any Law to be made, without a Restitution of these our Representatives, with a supply of all Vacancies, by a free Election, according to the Fundamental Laws and Constitutions of this Nation, it being the undoubted birth-right of all the Free-born people of Eng∣land, that no Tax or other Imposition be exacted from them, or any new Law imposed upon them, but by their consents had by their Representatives, in a full and free Parliament.

And we further declare our hearty desires, for the burying all former Animosities and Differences, by a full and general Act of Oblivion and Indempnity, with satisfaction to be given to Purchasers, under any Act of Sale; as by Parliament shall be thought fit.

And that no Officer or Soldier, that hath ventured his life for the freedom of his Countrey, and shall continue faithfull to those Principles, may hereby receive any Discouragement.

We also declare, That we shall freely and willingly consent, that all such shall receive their Arrears, and be continued so long as the Parliament shall think fit, in order to the safety and preservation of the Nation, and that such liberty be allow∣ed to tender Consciences, as is not opposite to the Scriptures, or the established Laws of this Nation.

We also Declare, That in pursuance of these our just Desires, we shall not be wanting to the uttermost of our powers, to en∣gage our selves by all lawful ways and means, with our Fel∣low Brethren, in the just Vindication of our Liberties, and shall neither count our Lives or Fortunes too dear to hazard for the Redemption thereof, and herein we shall not doubt the ready Concurrence of all those in the three Nations, whose Peace, Prosperity and Safety is equally concerned with ours.

This Declaration being subscribed by great numbers of considerable persons of that County, was to have been presented to the Speaker by some of them; but considering how Sir Robert Pye, and Major Fin∣chers handsome behaviour was unhandsomly re∣warded

with imprisonment, for a particular of the same nature, it was thought more proper to preserve the liberty of Personages of so much worth til a bet∣ter opportunity, and therefore it is thought fit thus to communicate this, for the vindication of this County and satisfaction of the whole Nation.