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TO THE HONORABLE COM∣MITTEE AT BVRY.
The humble PETITION of the chiefe Inhabitants of the Liberty of St. Etheldred and of Hoxon Hundred, in the County of Suffocke, on the behalfe of them∣selves and others well affected:
THat we doe with much thankfulnesse acknowledge the great care and industry you have taken for the quiet and prosperity of this County, whiles others have bin torne and broken with oppression and destruction. And as for that, so now for setting on foot so good a worke as the necessary arming of the well affected people, and the just discovery of the other, lately manifested by your commands and Directions sent to the severall Hun∣dreds. A Worke (we confesse) of singular use, not onely for the preservation of our Selves in quietnesse and tranquility, but even for the putting an end to the bloudy Distempers of the Nation, which our sad Hearts mourne to see. In which Commands and Directions of yours, We do humbly observe that there is not such a sufficiency and fulnesse of Authority & Directions given, as is requisite for the transacting & carrying on so great a Work with power and effect, with equality and proportion upon all: Without which, We humbly conceive the willing party will be discouraged, Conten∣tions arise, and the Designe lost in the Execution. For the seasonable prevention whereof: That the Burden may be equally and indifferently borne by all, That every one that injoyes a part in the Felicity and Peace of the County, may likewise beare a part in the defence and saving of the County, We doe humbly Offer to this Committee these Desires and Considerations following:
1 We humbly desire that in this Time of danger, all Men well-affected from the age of sixteene to sixty, in this County may forthwith be put into Armes, disposed and cast into Companies and Troopes both of Horse and Foot, Commanders in chiefe, Captaines and other Officers nominated and appointed over them, and to be listed and exercised this winter season; The Abler sort to find and serve on Horse, the residue on Foot.
2 We desire that all men of ability may Arme themselves, at their owne charge; And for others that are not of ability, We desire they may be Armed with Muskets and other usefull weapons out of the Magazines of the County, and out of the Armes that have or shall be taken from Malignants and dis-affected.
3 And seeing that Malignants and dis-affected persons are not to beare any Armes in this Businesse, and yet altogether unreasonable, they should be exempted from the Burden, We desire that all such may be taxed a full proportionable part in money to this Service, and also all others of abilitythat shall not beare Armes in this Businesse; All which may goe to∣wards the Arming of the poorer sort, that are not able to Arme themselves, and yet are willing to doe service in this Cause: And what these shall fall short; to be supplyed either out of the sequestred Estates of Delinquents, or at the generall and equall charge of the Hundred or County.
4 We desire that a full and sufficient power and Authority may be given for the calling of all Men together within their severall Hundreds or Divisions, and to take the subscriptions of such as are willing, and to compell others that are not, and to tax and proportion as well such as shall be found Malignant or dis-affected, as also all others of ability that shall not beare Armes in this Businesse, and that in case of Refusall or refractorines, some penalty may be inflicted.
5 Seeing it is commanded that a discovery should be made of the ill-affected Clergy and others, and we having also ob∣served by sad and long experience what prevailing influence the bold Doctrines and Conversations of such have had, and even still have into the minds and affections of weake and unstable people, which is yet more evidently confirmed by such parishes where such are, We desire some power and Authority may be given for the calling in of some fit persons out of every parish where such are to testifie in that behalfe, that there may be a more full and thorough Discovery made of such, then as yet hath beene.
6 We desire that this honorable Committee would be pleased to use some speedy and effectual means for the Representing these our humble Desires either to the high Court of Parliament, or to our Noble and Highly Honoured Major Generall of the Associated Counties, for the full and powerfull Authorizing and establishing of these things whereby they may be put in Execurion before the winter season be over (which passeth swiftly) that We may be able to rise as one Man, to defend Our Country from invading, or to assist our Brethren bleeding in the field. And your Petitioners shall not onely pray for the felicity of this vigilant Committee, but shall be ready piously to Sacrifice our Lives in your Defence.
This Petition was Subscribed by 2000. hands at least.