To the Honourable Committee of Parliament to prepare Acts to set up or alter Markets.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the severall Parishes of Clement Danes, Savoy, Covent Garden, Martin in the fields, Giles in the fields, and other Parishes and places adjoyning, in the County of Middlesex, in pursuance of a former, prepared for the Parliament.
THat the particular Parishes before mentioned being of large extent, and the Inhabitants many, by reason of the great encrease of Buildings, and divers persons of qua∣lity having houses and lodgings there, and great numbers resorting thither from all parts of England, to attend the Parliament and Courts of Law; and the Markets be∣ing far distant, none being between Westminster and Newgate: many leud persons are thereby encouraged to carry, and sell unwholsome meat, and other unwarrantable goods and wares up and downe the street, to the abuse of honest people. And others by this opportunity of Sale, and their own wicked dispositions, are induced to steale Sheep Poultry, and other things, and here utter them in private: others for want of room in the Markets of London and Westminster, bring their provisions to Inns and Ale∣houses in these parts, and there sit and sell them at dearer prices than the Market gives; and presuming upon the remotenesse of the Market, put off bad and unfound provi∣sions at deare rates, and abuse the Buyers in their weight and measure; besides many other inconveniences which daily accrew for want of Markets in these parts; there be∣ing not sufficient room for your Petitioners, Inhabitants in Middlesex and other parts, to place and attend their commodities for sale, to the great losse and prejudice of your Petitioners.
For remedy whereof, and the future ease and good of your Petitioners, and other Inhabitants of the said severall Parishes, and other adjacent Towns in Middlesex, and elsewhere: May it please you to be a means, That by Act of Parliament, a common and open Market for all manner of Provisions may be established, and appointed to be kept three dayes in the week, (viz.) every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in a place in Clements-Inne-fields, most indifferent and convenient for that purpose, and not prejudicial to any other Market.