Tvvo petitions of divers free-men of England, inhabitants in the city of Bristoll, and in the adjacent parts.: The one presented to the Honourable House of Commons, upon the 2. of September, 1647. Together with their answer thereunto. The other to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, at his head-quarters at Kingston. Both signed with many thousand hands.

TO His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight, Commander in chiefe of all the Forces raised, and to be raised in the Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey, and for the relief of Ireland.

The humble Petition of divers Free-men of England, Inhabitants in the City of Bristoll, and the adjacent parts.

May it please your Excellency;

WEE have had such living expressions of your Excellencies faithfulnesse, va∣lour, and love unto your Countrey, that where ever we cast our eyes, we view the engra∣ven monuments thereof to all posteritie. Should all other places be silent, yet the Citie of Bristoll, and these Westerne parts, must needs speak loud, and tell the world, that your prowesse, & unwearied diligence hath again restored the spoil'd, and banished, unto their houses, and habitations. Your Excellencie did not, could not (such was the noblenesse of your spirit) put too high a value upon your precious blood: you have hazarded life, estate, all that was deare unto you, and have stept in to relieve this King∣dome under its greatest languishments; and in the glorious hand of our God, wherein your Army hath

been a pollished shaft, we have seen ye triumphantly marching at once, to the terrour of your enemies, and the wonder of your friends. That sweetnesse, and gallantry of spirit, which you then mannaged against the enemies of this nation, that rose up to trouble us; you are still putting forth against those, that appear with a new face, and under more specious pretexts to rob us of our freedome. It was our libertie, which you then with all resolution vindicated; you seeme to us to move still in the same sphere, and to be with all justice and moderation pleading our rights against such as have attempted to usurpe them.

We are very much satisfied in our spirits, (and therefore Declare thus much, to you, and the Kingdome) that all your Excellencies undertakings glide along in the channell of the publike safety, and advantage. We are very certaine, that the ho∣nour and Priviledges of Parliament lie deare unto your heart, and that you only seek the conserva∣tion of the English Liberties in the bulke of the Parliaments just Priviledges. Wee dare not con∣demne our selves of so much wilfull blindnesse, as to say, we see no injustice, oppression, violence in our borders; the Land is too full of those that would eat out the verie bowels of it: And noble Sir, you are now in your actings and councells ingaging a∣gainst these, wee joyne with you in our hearts, and rejoyce in your endeavours.

We must needs speake the truth, and dare not be∣lie our consciences, but with all modesty reveal our thoughts, that had your Excellencies Army beene disbanded, wee might justly have looked for the invasion of violence, slavery, ruine. The insolen∣cies

of our enemies had in all probability swolne to that height, that they would soone have trodden us under their feet: What was the expectation? what would have beene the rejoycing of Englands ene∣mies, but the disbanding of that Army which hath beene such a dread unto them? We are hereupon necessitated, and cannot but with some griefe of heart, mention and take notice of those Officers and Souldiers, that have deserted you in this your noble and memorable undertaking. Wee sadly wonder, that any that have knowne your courage, undaun∣tednesse, and resolute fidelitie to the Kingdomes in∣terest, should now draw back and forsake you, when you are summing up all things (as we trust) into har∣mony and composure.

We are now opening our thoughts, and we do in the last place, according to our understanding, free∣ly professe, that wee looke upon it as a speciall con∣cernment to the Kingdome, that men of approved faithfulnesse and trust, be imployed to attend and guard his Majesties Person. We may justly feare that discontented spirits have secret commotions, and are in travell to bring forth new mischiefes to this Land: and doubtlesse, they would have deeply wrought, and not have been wanting in councells, activenesse, and complices, (had they a faire oppor∣tunity thereunto) to engage his Majesty on their par∣ty for the effecting of their designs. We must there∣fore reckon it a glorious providence and mercy, and that which is very much conducing to peace and safety; that your Excellency and Army are so neare unto his Majestie, and have thereby an advan∣tage by your care and vigilance to obstruct and pre∣vent

all contrivances of that nature, and to give his Majesty and the Kingdome a right and cleare under∣standing of the candidnesse and uprightnesse of your present actings and intentions.

And now having our hearts full of the honour of your worth, of joy in your procedings, and atchieve∣ments, and of love to your Excellencies Person, and Army, we have made this our most humble addresse unto you, and in this plaine, and modest phrase be∣speake your Excellencie,

1. That you would prosecute, and still proceed to have such brought to condigne punishment, that are the Kingdomes and Armies enemies; and earnestly contend against those, that would bereave us of our Rights and Liberties.

2. That you would, as you have done, and doe with all respect, tender the honour, and just Privi∣ledges of the Parliament, which renders your name and actions so precious in the eyes of the Kingdome.

3. That you would negotiate with the Parliament, that your Army be not disbanded, till a firme peace be setled, and our Liberties fully secured.

4. That all those, who have deserted your Army, may be declared to be such as have flincht from the imployments of the Kingdome in its great exi∣gencies; and that those, who have stood and acted with you, may be encouraged, rewarded, and im∣braced as faithfull and loyall to their Countries Interest.

5. That you might continue to be a guard to his Majestie; and might be intrusted to imploy such, as you know are faithfull, to attend him, that dis∣affected persons might not gaine an opportunitie or

have a designe on his Majesties Person, to the invol∣ving this Kingdome in new destractions.

We have thus far troubled your Excellencie, and crowded in amongst the rest, to shew our selves in the behalfe of our Countries Freedome: wee assure you, that what we have spoken in this Paper, we have referred to your selfe, as the head; to your Army and faithfull Commanders as one with you in Counsel, and enterprize. And we do declare, that in all those enterprizes of service, and gallantry, which we have acknowledg'd unto ye, we look upon ye un∣der no other notion then as instruments, in the pow∣er of God, who hath exalted himself, and through yee made himselfe glorious in this our Land. Here∣in we have laid open the very sense of our hearts and resolutions; and do purpose to ingage with yee to the utmost in the vindication of the Priviledges of Parliament, and of our undoubted English Liber∣ties, whereunto we are borne. Goe on most Excel∣lent Sir, in these your designes, and prosper; so shall England honour your name, and

Your Petitioners shall pray for your Excellencies happinesse, and the successe of your Army in all your ingagements.