Page 1
To the right Honorable Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX K. (His Excellency) General of all the Forces raised for the regaining of Englands Liberty; the Honorable the Commanders in chief, and others the Commanders and Soldiers of the pious and victorious Ar∣my; Now appearing (as Englands Champions) for the maintai∣nance of Gods honor, and this their native Countries just Liberty, Peace, and Tranquillity.
The humble Petition of all the inslaved Christians in the several Slaughter-house so, this Kingdom (called Gaols and Prisons) being your Brethren & Fellow-Common of England (conceived to be about 10000 in number) imprisoned for Debt, and by Arb••trary Power, and other illegal restraints, contrary to the I aw of God, and all other Nations both Christian and Pagan, and flatly against the Contents of the great Charter of Englands Liberty, formerly purchased, and now againe re∣gained by the blood of many thousands of the Commons of England. In all humility complaining, Sheweth,
THat by the ancient and fundamental common Laws of England a 1.1 declared and asserted by the great Charter of our Liberties b 1.2 Magna Charta, no mans person was to be Imprisoned for Debt, nor his Sureties to be troubled, if the principal Debtor were able to pay: But their Estates on∣ly made liable (in the two third parts thereof) to satisfie the Debt: Which Statute being the inexpugnable fortress of Englands Freedom, Hath not only been 32. times confirmed by several Acts of Parlia∣ment, in former Kings reigns, c 1.3 but also hath been since ratified by our Soveraign Lord King Charls, both by the Petition of Right, 3o Car. and by Act passed by his Majesties royal assent this present Parliament (Anno 17. Caroli.) Against which Charter, All Statutes and Judg∣ments formerly made or given, or hereafter to be made or given, are d 1.4 by several Acts declared to be null and voyd: e 1.5 And that neither those that are imprisoned for Debt at the Kings suit only, nor any o∣thers committed for Treason, Felony, Murther, or Trespass, before conviction or attainder, ought to be put into Irons, or otherwise to be punished, but only to be safely kept; Prisons being only for custo∣dy and not for punishment to the Prisoners. f 1.6 And whereas by the said common Laws of England, Gaolers that detain their Prisoners in Prison, by colour of right for their fees until they dye, or cause their Prisoners to perish by famine, beating or wounding, by hard usage, strickt or close Duress, or by putting them into Irons or Dungeons which procure their death, are guilty of Homicide or Man-slaughter.