The humble petition of the knights, gentlemen, citizens, freeholders, and inhabitants of the county of Surrey, and the borough of Southwark, to the Right Honourable both Houses of Parliament of England assembled at Westminster. Presented on Tuesday the 16 of May. 1648. VVith a letter from the said county to the Lord Major, aldermen, and commons of the City of London, in Common-Councell assembled. Likewise the petition of the county of Essex, and the answer of both Houses to the same. With their letter to the Lord Major, aldermen, and commons of the City of London in Common-councell assembled. May 16. 1648.

To the Right honourable both Houses of the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster.

The humble Petition of the Grand Jury at the Assizes holden at Chelmsford for the county of Essex, the 22 of March 1647. as it was presented to hoth the Honourable Houses of Parliament the 4 of May 1648. by divers thousands of Knights, Gentlemen, and Free-holders of the same County.

Humbly sheweth,

THat your Petitioners tak••ng into their serious (yet sad) consi∣derations the great distractions and calamities of this whole Kingdome, and b••ing also very sensible by wo••ull experience of the great and many pressures and grievances of their own particular county, and taking notice also with all thankfulnesse of the ho∣nourable resolutions of this house, in giving encouragement to the just desires of the oppressed in a petitionary way (the undoubted right of the Subject) and the very life of their liberty it selfe, out of a tender fel••ow feeling of others, and the deep sence of their own miseries, have made this humble (yet necessary addresse to this honourable House) conceiving both the present and future happi∣nes of themselves and the whole kingdom, to be concentred in these their ensuing desires.

And first, considering that it is impossible the sad and direfull effects of this late war should cease without the principall causes be first taken away and removed. And considering likewise his Ma∣jesties absence from his two houses of Parliament hath been one main cause of increasing jealousies, and continuing a misunderstan∣ding betwixt him and his great counsell (the originall and source of our unhappinesse,) And humbly conceiving that a timely and ready concession to his Majesty for a personall Treaty with his high court of Parliament may prove the most effectuall and speedy means for the removing of all such misapprehensions and fear••s, which are yet the unhappy obstacles of the peace and quiet of thi•• our Kingdom.

Secondly, considering the excessive charges, and almost into∣lerable burthen this c••unty with the rest of the Kingdom doe at this present groan under, which although for a time they may po∣ssibly beare with patience, yet if continued, will certainly and in∣evitably ruine themselves, their families, and posterities. And withall considering that the most hopefull means of setling a well

grounded peace, and the surest way of preventing suture troubles, consists in the due satisfaction of all just complaints and interests. And that this army who have faithfully discharged their trust to your selves and Kingdom, do much complain for want of their Arrears.

We therefore your humble Petitioners doe most earnestly de∣sire that you would be pleased to take these premises into your grave and serious considerations, and to condescend to the Royall intimations of his Majesty for a personall Treaty; to expedite such a course which in your wisdoms you shall think most meet for the satis-faction of the arrears of the Army, with a disbanding of the same.

And your petitioners shall pray, &c.

Die Jovis, 4 May. 1648.

The Lords have commanded me to return thanks to the County of Essex for the good affections which they have expressed to the Parliament and Kingdom; they have likewise commanded m•• to let you know, That they will take your Petition into their se∣rious and speedy consideration, and do assure you that they will not be wanting to contribute their utmost endeavour•• for the removing of the present pressures and burthens, and for the com∣posing of these unhappy differences, so as the Kingdom may enjoy a safe and well grounded peace.

J. Brown, Cler. Parliamentorum.

Die Jovis, 4. May. 1648.

THe House being informed that divers Gentlemen of the Coun∣ty of Essex were at the doore; desiring to preferre a Petition to the house, they were called in, and Major Stephen Smith did present a Petition, the which (the Petitioners being with-drawn) was read.

The Petitioners were again called in, and M. Speaker by com∣mand of the House, upon Vote upon the Question, gave them this answer, That this house doth take notice of the great service, and good affections of that County to the Parliament, and are very confident they will so continue. As to their Petition, the house is now in debate concerning the speedy settlement of the Kingdom, and do not doubt but what they shall conclude thereupon, will give satisfaction to the said County, and to all the well affected people of the Kingdom.

H. Essyng, Cler. Parl. D. Com.