the Liberties and safety of the People all possible art was used to possesse the Kingdome but especially the City with strange â—ealousies and Feares and therefore besides the often inculcating the fained intention of introducing Popery great preparations in France and Denmarke to invade the Kingdome to inable the King to governe Arbitrarily to the subversion of the fundamentall Lawes of the Kingdome together with the Liberty and Property of the Subject Theames that did continually possesse both the Pulpit and the Presse which how truâ— though most impudently affirmed the World now sees each day did produce a discovery of some new Treason and to indâ—â—â—e the City the more it must be so contrived That in these monstrous fictions you shall continually find the Parliament and City fained to be involved in the same danger To possesse the Kingdom how mortally the Parliament and City the two vitall parts of the Kingdome as Pym calls them were threatned in the time of the Recesse they take opportunity of the Petition delivered by the Troopâ—rs from the North and by an order from the Committee they appoynt strong watches to be kept in all high-wayes Villages and Townes within twenty miles of London that Travellers into all parts of the Kingdome passing through these Guards might report when they came home in how much danger the Parliament and City were for their sakes And that the Credulous People might not think but that this was done on good grounds a Letter is writteâ— from the Parliament Commissioners in Scotland M. Hampden M. Fiennes and the rest to M. Pym and the close Committee here to inform them of a strange conspiracy discovered in Edenburgh to seize on the persons of the Marquesse Hamilton and the Earles of Argile and Lanâ—ricke the Committee wisely considering that it was no stâ—ange thing for Treason to make a step out of Scotland into England instantly provided against it at least so they would be thought by publishing an Order commanding the Iustices of Peace of Middlesex Surrey and Southwarke to secure the City and the places adjoyning from all danger by strong guards well armed and give this reason for their Order Because the Mischievous designes and conspiracies lately discovered in Scotland against some Principall and Great men there by some of the Popish Faction gives just occasion to suspect that they may maintain correspondency here and practise the like mischiefe Presently upon the neck of this M. Pim's life to the great detriment of the Kingdom and Nation is indangered by a contagious plaister of Plague sore wrapt up in a letter and directed to him but God be thanked the infection did not take though throwing away the plaister only he put the letter in his Pocket he being reserved for another manner of death we hope then to dye privately in his bed with a few spectators to bear witnesse of his end Then comes a Tailor out of a ditch in Finsbury fields having miraculously escaped being runne nine times besides the body for like a wise Tailor wheresâ—ever he made ilotholes he would be sure to make none in his own skinne though to gain credit to the relation and he tells a strange discovery of a Treason which he overheard two men talking of a Conspiracy against the life of the Lord Say and some of the chief Members of both Houses A thing so improbable indeed so Ridiculous that had they not thought that the world stood prepared to receive any thing for truth which came from them 't was a wonder how they durst own it And now I have named a Taylor it puts me in mind of Perâ—ins my Lord Say's Taylor who at a Common-Councell produced a copy of a Letter from an I know not what Irish Lord in Paris to such an other Irish Lord in London intimating some strange designe against the City which took as passionately with the People as if it had been certified from M. Strickeland his worship himselfe Embassador for the two Houses uâ—to the States-Generall of the united Provinces But the most monstrous of all the rest aâ—d that which if the people had not been accursed to believe Lies was the invisible Army quartered under ground at Ragland Castle discovered by Iohn Davis servant to Mistris Lewis an Inne-keeper at Rosse to Alderman Actons Coachman except the blowing up the Thames with Gunpowder to drowne the City one of the most dangerous plots that ever affrighted London And as by their own fictions they endeavoured to possesse the People with Iealousies so whatsoever the King did never wanted a sinister interpretation glossed to the multitude to traduce His actions as if in them there were ever some evill intended to the City and Parliament When the King removed Belfore from the Lieutenancy of the Tower and placed Sir Thomas Lunsford in that charge the Citizens and their Wives could not sleep quietly in their bedds for feare of having their houses beaten down about their eares To satisfy their Clamours though nothing were objected against him the King reassumes the Trust and presently deposites it with Sir Iohn Byron the Faction were as ill satisfied in him yet it was not easy what to object against him nay it was a Query that did not a little trouble them in what to quarrell him at last Lieutenant Hooker the Aquavite man and Nicholson the Chandler complaine in the Common-Councell that since Sir Iohn Byron came to be Lieutenant of the Tower the Mint to the great prejudice and dishonour of the Kingdome stood still Those that knew what trade these men drove by the poor retaile of Broomes Candles and Mustard their chief merchandize to improve brasse farthings into Groats and Sixpences accounted the Objection as inconsiderable as the Authors that alleadged it yet as meane and false as it was it served some mens turnes to slander the King to His People and raise a Clamour The King out of the abundant goodnesse of His Nature hoping to winne them by some condescendments which now the world sees is impossible Puritans being of another manner of Temper then to be overcome with kindnesse removes Sir Iohn Byron and confers this great trust on Sir Iohn Coniers a man of whom the Faction it seems conceived better hopes and indeed hitherto if you consider his exaction upon the Kings friends in his custody or retaining the name of Lieutenant but resigning the power contrary to his expresse oath and that on his own Petition to the Train bands of the City he hath not given them any occasion to repent them of their acquiescence in him It were endlesse Brother Rusticus to relate all the meanes used to heighten the fears of this miserable City and by consequence of the Kingdome especially after the Faction in Parliament had shewen them the way by publishing that great Buggbeare to affright the People the Remonstrance of the state of the Kingdome At last to make experiment what good effect all these arts had produced the maine Engineers resolve on
the Lord Newburge was sent from the King to give the City notice of the late Tumults at Westminster and White-Hall and to recommend unto them the Care of preventing the like disorders for the time to come To this Common-Councell comes Fowks and with him all the Tribe of this new choice and mingle with the old which being an Intrusion without president was earnestly opposed by them that loved the ancient order and honour of the City and foresaw the Inundation breaking in upon them yet out of Respect to the Kings Message and that Lord that brought it the controversie for the present was hushed up and generally they applied themselves to give dispatch to the Answer which they were to returne to the King which was accordingly done and the Answer presently after published in Print So on the 5. of Ianuary being the day after the King went to the House of Commons to demand the Five Members a Common Councell being called by the Kings direction to the Lord Major to which himselfe in Person came to impart unto them the reasons that induced him to goe to the House the day before and to admonish them not to harbour or protect these men in the City Thither came Fowke and his new Elected but not admitted Brethren Fowke having prepared a Saucy Insolent Speech to make unto the King concerning Feares Iealousies touching the Members accused The Priviledges of Parliament and that they might not be tried but in a Parliamentary way The King heard him with admired patience and whereas so disloyall expressions justly deserved his Royal Indignation to have seâ—t him to Newgate or Bride-well especially interposing in that Representative body of which as yet he was no member The King onely returned this short gracious Answer bidding him and the rest to assure themselves That they should have a lust Tryall according to the Lawes of the Land adding that they were dangerous men and that neither he nor they could be in safety as long as these men were permitted to go on in their way It was observed by some very wise men there present that the King at His comming to the Common-Councell was received with Joy and acclamations not much Inferiour to those at His entrance into the City on His returne from Scotland But after the reason of His comming was knowne and the Puritan Party had inâ—tilld into the peoples heads that the great Patriots of the Kingdome were in danger to be called to a Legall Triall for Treason at His returne there was a new face on the Multitude and instead of God save the King there was nothing ecchoed in His eares but Priviledges of Parliament Priviledges of Parliament Great is Diana of the Ephesians was never roared louder The King dined that day at Sheriffe Garrets and the Faction of the Sectaries Brownists and Anabaptists having time to assemble after dinner the house was beset and the streets leading unto it thronged with people Thousands of them flocking from all parts of the City and the clamour still was Priviledges of Parliament which cry first taken up that day and that with so good successe never failed to be Objected to the King and inculcated to the People even unto this day in all their appeales unto them This Tumult sweld to that height that the King in His returne was in great danger the people in a most undutifull manner pressing upon looking into and laying hold on His Coach nay in defiance of His sacred Person and Authority that seditious Pamphlet of Walkers To your Tents O lsrael was throwne either into or very near His Coach Insomuch that those few friends which the King had in the City were heartily glad when they heard that the King was safely arrived at White-Hall for I assure you His fast friends here in the City as the never enough honoured Sir Richard Gurney and Sir Thomas Gardner the Recorder were in great danger being pursued with outcryes as Remember the Protestation others calling them halfe Protesters nay the Lord Major had his Chaine torne from his neck by a Zelous sister This very day the two Houses the leaders in both thinking themselves unsafe at Westminster affrighted with their own guilt resolve to take Sanctuary in London knowing that what ever they had done or ever should doe though never so derogatory to the King never so contrary to Law yet the Puritan Faction in the City would afford them not only protection but power and assistance Both Houses therefore adjourn untill the Tuesday following and cast themselves into a Committee to meet at Guild-Hall or Grocers-Hall To the Committee at Grocers hall come the Five Members in great Triumph guarded and attended by the Train-bands and a strong guard set to secure the place of their sitting Now if ever was the fatall conspiration of Time and Place for Coyning new unheard of Priviledges of Parliament not only to the securing the persons of Traitors but Iustifying Treason it selfe For here was before this day the unheard of Priviledge of Parliament declared That no Member of Parliament ought to be arrested by any warrant whatsoever without consent of that House whereof he is a Member and by the same Ordinance it was declared That they that shall arrest these Members are enimies to the State with free liberty granted for all persons to harbor or converse with them In all which it is evident that the power and strength of London were made the first obstruction of the free course of Iustice and the City made the Asylum and Sanctuary of those whom the King had justly declared Traytors And now having undoubted experience of the affection of the City all eyes being turned from White Hall to Grocers Hall where the Darlings of the People were pompously feasted and fawningly courted on Saturday the eight of Ian. 1641. the Committee consult how the accused Members might come to Westminster the Tuesday following and without any long debate it was resolved upon the question That the Sheriffes of London should and might raise a guard of the Traine-bands for the defence of the King and Parliament and that they might warrantablely march out of their Liberties and that you may see that the Scene was right layd there were some ready at that instant to make a tender of the assistance of the Seamen and Mariners whose power should guard them by Water as the Train-bands by Land Next day being Sunday every Pulpit that was at their devotion sounded nothing but the praise of Kimbolton and the Five Members inciting the People to stand up in the defence of these wâ—rthies else if they permitted the King to take away these to day he might goe on to seize on as many more to Morrow untill he had left the Parliament naked of all good Patriots and Zealous assertors of Religion the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom On Munday the tenth of Ian. 1641. the King hearing of these great Preparations an Army by Land and a Navy by Sea
Twelfe night to see what partee they had in the City and what assistance they might expect if occasion served by giving a false Allarme To this purpose in the night a Rumour is divulged and suddenly dispersed through the City That the King and Cavaleers with fifteene hundred horse were coming to surprize the City you would wonder to consider how this report prevailed insomuch that in an instant London was in Armes no lesse then 50000 or 60000 men ready provided to incounter they knew not what the Women who as M. Peters did instruct 〈◊〉 in the Pulpit have huggd their Husbands into this Rebellion provide hot water besides what they sprinkled for feare to throw on the Cavaleeres joynt-stooles foormes and empâ—y tubbes are throwne into the Streets to intercept the Horse Had you been at Lord Majors that night as I was you might upon the Aldermens coming to him to consult against the common danger easily perceive which of the Aldermen were privy to this designe and who were not thought fit to be intrusted with so great a Mysterie some of them and when time serves I can tell you their names came so neat as if they had spent the whole day to be trimme at midnight their beards put into a feasting posture not a haire awry a cleare demonstration that they had not consulted their pillows that night Their Ruffes set as compleatly as if they had beene to dine with the Masters of their Companies or were prepared to beare a part in my Lord Majors shew but the rest that slept in the simplicity of their hearts and went to bed so farre from misconceiving their gracious Soveraigne to have any evill intention against the City that they thougâ—t themselves safe under his Protection these came in a farre different garbe one came in his nightcap forgot his Hat another had his Hat but did not remember to take his Ruffe one trots along in his slippers another for haste not staying to garter his stockings had lost them had not his shooâ—s 〈◊〉 on so that it was easy to distinguish who were Consâ—iding Aldâ—rmon as they call them and who Malignants And as by degrâ—es they wrought the people to this height of Iealousie so by degrees too proportionable to their 〈…〉 they disarme the King and Arme themselves At first they did only wrest the Sword out of the Kings Hau◠〈◊〉 as their party grew stronger they turned the point upon him When their Feares were but young the Faction of the City desired 〈◊〉 more but a strong guard of the Train-Bands and this 〈◊〉 called The Safety of the City when their Feares grew Stronger then in a Common-Councell they move for The Posture of defence which was the Egge of which afterwards was natched â—hat Cockatrice of the Militia But because it was impossible to disarme the King as long as the Lord Major stood firme in his Loyalty and invested in his power their maine work therefore was first to pack a Common-Councell of men of their own Faction and then by advancing the power of their Common-Councell by the assistance of the House of Commons above the Lord Majors to draw the Voting of all Queryes and the Resolution of all doubts or matters under debate unto the decision of a Major part and if any Obstacle lay in their way to these ends which was not in their power to remove presently at a dead lift Penington or Ven or Vassels bring an order from the House of Commons which never failed to determine all things for their own Creatures And because the Practices of these men deserve not to be buried in Silence I shall give you a short account how the power of the Militia of the City came to be taken out of the Lord Major and Court of Aldermens hands and â—eated in a Major part of the Commons In which you shall see how a Faction in the City conspired with a Faction in the Parliament and this Faction in the Parliament with that in the City untill between both the King was inforced for fear of their tumults and Insolencies to withdraw himself into the Country The time of Election of Common-Councell men comming on at St Thomas day 1641. When these feares and Jealousies had distracted the City it was no difficult matter for this active faction to instill into their fellow Citizens how much it Concerned them to make choyce of Godly men so they miscall themselves and such as would oppose the Popish Party under which notion they comprehend all such as stand well affected to the Government established whether Ecclesiasticall or Civill They accuse the Old Common-Councell-men as men not Zelous for Religion Ready to comply with the Court for loanes of Monies and which was worse many had not only set their hands to but were active in promoting the intended Petition for Episcopacy and the Booke of Common Prayer These Objections which duly considered had been so many convincing arguments for them so prevailed with these silly men who thought all to be in danger vnlesse the government were put into new hands that in most Wards the old Common-Councell men were turned out and new chosen in wholy devoted to the Puritan faction especially in those Wards where their Aldermen inclined that way amongst these the most remarkable were Atkins Wâ—llastone George Garrat the Draper Wardner and Towse Now outgoe all the grave discreet well-affected Citizens as Sr George Benyon M. Drake M. Roger Clarke M. Roger Gardner Deputy Withers M. Cartwright and others and in their stead are chosen Fowke the Traytor Ryley the squeeking Bodyes-maker Perkins the Taylor Norminton the Cutler young beardlesse Coâ—lson the Dyer Gill the Wine-Cooper and Iupe the Laten-man in Crooked-Lane Beadle of the Ward in the place of Deputy Withers So that a man would swear they meant to fulfill what a wise Lord Keeper once spake to a Recorder of London dyning with him upon occasion of a Wood Cock-Pyâ— brought to the Table with the heads looking out of the Lid Mr Recorder you are welcome to a Common-Councell These new men though chosen on S. Thomas day are never returned by the constant custome of the City before the Munday after Twelfe-day nor have power to 〈◊〉 in the Common-Councell or concurre in doing any act before the Indentures of their Election be returned from the Wardmoâ—e Inquest to the Town-Clark and a Warrant is sued fortâ— from the Lord Major to the Serjeant of the Chamber to Summon them Yet in the Yeare 1641. the small space of time betweene S. Thomas day and the day of this Returne was a very active time and that which laid the Ground-work of that Revolt of this City from their Loyalty to Rebellion which presently followed Therefore Impatient to stay the time of their ordinary calling and knowing the Necessity of their presence for the advancement of the work in hand when the King gave order to the Lord Major for calling that Common-Councell held December 31. 1641. when
A LETTER FROM MERCVRIVS CIVICVS TO MERCURIUS RUSTICUS OR LONDONS CONFESSION but not Repentance SHEWING That the beginning and the obstinate pursuance of this accursed horrid Rebellion is principally to be ascribed to that Rebellious City En quo discordia Cives Perduxit miseros Virg. Egl. 1. Printed 1643. A LETTER FROM MERCVRIVS CIVICVS TO MERCURIUS RUSTICUS Good Brother RUSTICUS THough there have been some unkinde jars between my brother Aulicus and me yet my earnest desire is to keep a good understanding between your self and me I cannot but congratulate your happinesse that breathe in so free an ayre wherein it is lawfull to heare and speak truth O Truth sacred Truth whither art thou fled if you at Oxford did not give her entertainment I know not where she would find a place of aboad for here at London we fortifie against her to keep her out Nay with us in the City it is come to that passe that it is almost as dangerous to speak truth as Love the King you know how famous we have been here for publishing and printing Lyes he that will not lye to advantage the great Cause in hand is not amongst us thought fit to have accesse either to the Pulpit or the Presse And therefore when I was first set on work to communicate Intelligence to the Kingdom to indear my self to them that imployed me I played my part reasonable well I Lyed my share but at last admonished by our brother Aulicus and to confesse to you touched a little in conscience I began by degrees to take off my self from that unwarrantable course and did here and there sprinkle a little truth yet very sparingly least I should be thought to be turned Malignant or Cavaleer but as little as it was it was distastfull for hereupon Mr Pim and the Remainder of the five Members assisted by Mr Martyn illiterate Serjeant Wild Peard that hath lesse Law if it be possible then the Serjant some others that have sworn never to indure truth again since they have thriven so well by Lies moved at the Close Committee to have me silenced yet to blind the world as if their ayme were not at me alone they involve others in the same doome and for Intelligencers by an Order they bung up all our mouths at once yet knowing how much it coÌ„cerned them that the old trade went on though since they have permitted another to make use of my name yet at first they gave authority to one man onely to lye for all the rest him they call the Parliament Scout not Bulmore the Scout that was slain at Whetley bridge neer you at Oxford I meane not him yet if you look into his weekly Pamphlets you would sweare that he had no more braines in his head then Bulmore had when they were shot out This man indeed tels you some truths but such antiquated ones that they were stale newes above a Thousand yeares since as that on the borders of Scotland there dwelt a People whom they called Picts that there was a Wall built between England and Scotland and the like while he keeps at this distance and comes no nearer he never needs feare that the heeles of the times may chance dash out his teeth he may write on but if once he come to publish any Moderne truths as that his Excellency durst come no nearer Oxford then Thame that Fairfax is beaten in the North and Waller and Warwick in the West or the like he were best looke to himselfe he may read his fate in us These new Reformers will never Brooke it Since therefore we are here inslaved either to Lies or Silence that the world may not for ever be kept hoodwinkt goe on I pray as you have begun to let her see the Miseries under which she dayly suffers But me thinks it would be a work well worthy your endeavour to let the Country see not only their miseries but to point them out the fountain source from whence they flow This discovery hath beene within me as wine that hath no vent redy to burst like new bottles yet as ful as I am I dare not vent my thoughts concerning this here but have chose rather to whisper them to you for it is in vaine to dissemble it your sad stories of the Ruine and devastation of the Countrey are ecchoed in our Streets and though we beare it out in a Vaunting way as if these things concerned not us yet I assure you there are many soules that mourne in private for in publique we must be as mad as the rest or else we suffer as Malignants as knowing how justly we stand charged with all those Calamities which the sword of Rebellion hath brought upon you I never heare that of the Prophet read Woe to the bloody City it is full of Lies and Robbery but I cannot choose but think of London It is too too manifest nor can it be denied but that all your Sufferings have been derived from us when Common-Prayer was in use amongst us I remember such a Query in one of the Prophets Is there any evill in the City and the Lord hath not done it But you may aske Is there any evill in the Countrey and the City hath not done it You have made us Rich and Populous and we in foule Ingratitude have prodigally powerd out both our Wealth and Strength to make you and our selves miserable Well might the Incendiaries of this present Rebellion so I dare call it to you though I dare not speak so plain here bring violent affections eager endeavours to set this flourishing Church and Kingdom in Combustion but alas all this had signified little or nothing had they not gained our consent and we resigned up our persons and estates to their disposall to be made the base instruments to compasse their most Trayterous designes Could Say or Pim and their beggerly Confederates have found money to Levie an Army against their Leige Lord that had not money to pay their own Debts had not we furnished them If we shall without partiality consider the severall helps which this City hath Contributed to this Rebellion we must confesse that both the beginning and continuance of this unnaturall Warre may be ascribed to us So that in all England there is but one Rebell that is London To reflect a little look back on those times when this Rebellion was but an Embrio or else did begin to creepe into the world for we may not think that this Monster was a Brat of a suddain birth though it were conceived some Say neâ—re Banbury shaped in Grays-Inne-Lane where the undertakers for the Isle of Providence did meet and plot it yet you know it was put out to Nurse to London For first you may well remember when the Puritans here did as much abominate the Military-yard or Artillery-Garden as Paris-Garden it self they would not mingle with the Profane but at last when it was instill'd into them that the blessed
which was to cast ancre against White-Hall suddenly and certainly guided byan immediat providence which in a peculiar manner watched over Kings resolved with his ever glorious Queen the Prince and the Duke of York to withdraw to Hampton Court which accordingly He did not leaving though well he might His curse behind him upon London as Henry the third of France did on Paris fowly provoked in the like manner who flying from the City and the Holy League the Parallell of this Treason here at Chaliot turning towards it said I give thee my Curse disloyall and ingratefull City a City which I have alwayes honoured with my continuall aboad a City which I have inriched more then any of my Predecessors I shall never enter within the compasse of thy walls but by the ruine of a great and Memorable breach The King now no better then fled from London and the apparent dangers there the whole strength of the City remained at the disposall of a Faction of Puritans in the Parliament and a Faction of Puritans in the City That very Munday on which the King for his safety from these Tumults withdrew himselfe and 't is a wonder that any man should be so frontlesse to deny that for that reason and that reason only he withdrew himselfe was the returne made of the Indentures of the Election of the Common councell-men and if any election was questioned as some were and that most justly 't was truely observed that the decision never failed to goe on their side who were last elected whether it were right or wrong for whereas formerly all controversies of this Nature were submitted to the determination of the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen only now by the impetuousnesse and Clamour of Fowke and his adherents it must be referred to a Committee of the Common-councell the same Committee which was for the Safety the first step which the Puritans made towards the Militia Having thus put the King to flight and by most indirect unwarrantable Practices turned most of the discreet able men of the City out of the Common-councell they beginne to put the City into a True Posture of Rebellion which they called the Posture of Defence and was the Second step to the Militia and for the Committee of this Posture of Defence they nominate Six Aldermen and twelve Commoners most of them being of this last election And to have a leader for the intended Rebellion upon Ven's Recommendation Skippon for his Councell and advice is added as an Appendix to the Committee And though a great debt lay on the Chamber of London which was often Complained off but never paid yet Serjeant Major Generall Skippon so many are the Syllables of his new honours is ordered by act of Common-councell to have 300â— a yeare out of the Treasury for Orphans during his life if he should so long continue in the City service A strong Party being thus made they beginne to make all manner of Warlike Preparations and provide Ammunition of all sorts they increase the number of the Train-bands from sixe to eight Thousand and appoint over them sixe Aldermen to be Colonells each Colonell to have his Captains Officers Colours and Regiment to be assigned him by the Committee for the Posture of Defence and yet as if all this had been to no purpose unlesse they can make the Lord Major a shrewd rubbe in the way a meer Cipher and reduce their Governour to so mean a condition as to be only their instrument they intrench upon his power and invade it many wayes First therefore whereas the power of summoning Common-councells resided only in the Lord Major who with the advice of some Aldermen was to judge of the Reasons inducing him to assemble this Representative body now by Orders from the House of Commons at the instance of Pennington Ven Vassells the Lord Major is not left to his own judgement when to call or not to call a Common-councell but must doe it as oft as the Men of this Faction shall command him which usurp'd power both Ven and Fowkes have used with that insolency that when they have required Sir Richard Gurney to call a Common-councell and he hath demanded a reason they have vouchsafed him no other answer then this saucy one that when he came thither he shold know Secondly as the power of calling Common-councels was trusted by their Charter Long prescription with the Lord Major so the power of dissolving them was put into the same hands he might rise in the midst of a debate and dismisse the assembly and yet was not bound to give them an account why he did so but now partly by violence and partly by pretended orders from the House of Commons he is fastned to his seat there he must sit untill Ven and Fowkes and the rest have no farther use of him Thirdly heretofore when a Common-councell was called nothing could be put to the Question or proposed as the Subject of their deliberation but what the Lord Major by the Recorder did offer unto them but now when they could not prevaile with the Major to command the Recorder nor with the Recorder without the Lord Majors consent to propose what the Faction pleased by the Omnipotency of an order from the House of Commons they make the dumb to â—â—eak what Ven and the rest will have them or else the Lord Major and the Recorder must answer it â—t a Committee Lastly whereas the Lord Major and Aldâ—rmen sit apart from the Commons and are 〈◊〉 when the others are bareheaded and have a Negative Voice the itch of incorporating two in one hath been as great in the City as ever it was at Westminster and with 〈◊〉 successe for the faction here upon the point have cast all into a common huddle blending the Court of Aldermen with the Comons Vpper and Lower sound as harshly here as Westward And though in outward appearance they remain two distinct Members of one body yet in power they have made both Levell Involving the Votes of the Major and Aldermen in the major part of the Commons The Puritan Faction by the assistance of the House of Commons having thus gotten the power to call Common-councells power to continue them power to put to the Question what they please and power to determine all by a Major part my Lord Major having no more sway then Perkins the Taylor Rily the Bodyes maker or Nicholson the Chandler they may dispose of the Wealth and Power of the City as they please now the two Factions openly communicate Counsills walk hand in hand that 't was a question which was the Parliament that at Westminster or this at Guile-hall Towards the end of Ianuary 1641. the Commons house Petition'd the King touching the Tower the Forts and the Militia and as two strings set to the same tune though on two severall Violls at a convenient distance if you touch one the other by consent renders the same sound so the
House of Commons and the Common-councell of this City were now grown to such a Sympathy that the motions and endeavours of one were the work of both that you would sweare Fowkes was as much a Parliament man here as Ven at Westminster for before February was tenne dayes old there was a Common-councell held in which many things were debated the Court was continued long untill one of the Clock at last tired out with long sitting and willing to rise Ven taking advantage of the present indisposition of the Court to sit longer ready to admit proposalls without any strict scanning especially since whatsoever passed that Common-councell was to undergoe a second consideration at the next as their constant custome is produceth an Order from the House of Commons by which they were desired to returne such mens names with whom the City thought fit to intrust the Militia of London The Court surprized with so unexpected a Message for the present not piercing into the reason of it nor understanding that the Houses were in so great forwardnesse to settle the Militia as afterwards they found they were nor imagining that the men whose names they returned should have absolute power to execute any thing of themselves but only as a Committee to consult and prepare and report to the Common-councell as the limited power of all Committees is and considering that the Posture of Defence and the new Militia though two names were in effect but one the same thing Ordered that the names of the Comâ—ittee for the 〈…〉 should be sent to the House in returne to their order The Intention of the House as some thinke in this Message though for my part if I were put to my oath I dare not sweare it was to indeare the City and to lay an Obligation upon them by giving them power to nominate their owne men But Ven instructed by some that had more wit but as little honesty as himselfe his purpose in the carriage of this businesse was to make the Lord Major the Sheriffes and Court of Aldermen by their owne voluntary but Inconsiderate act to renounce as it were their owne Interest and so to place this great power of the Militia on the Committee for the posture of Defence whereof the Major part if not all were of his owne Faction Many dayes had not passed before it was generally knowne to the great Regret of all Loyall discreet men That the Militia of London was put in the hands of the Committee for the posture of Defence Not long after a common-Councell was called at which when the orders made the last meeting as the Custome is were read at this many men seeing the snare into which unwittingly they had cast themselves beganne to retract and speake against that order whereby the Committee for the Posture of Defence were invested with the power of the Militia nay some of the Aldermen whose names were returned for the new Militia utterly protested against it affiâ—ming that when they passed that order they had not the least Intention to exclude the Lord Major from having power over the Militia nor had any thought to place so absouâ—uâ—e power in their Committee as they found the two Houses had done and hereupon by some that stood well affected to the honour and peace of the City it was earnâ—stly moved that the Houses might be Petitioned to reverse their Order but all in vaine the Faction in the common-Councell being instructed by their Leaders at what advantage they had the City were resolved not to Lose it by giving way to such a Motion but on the Contrary to make all sure Ven produceth another order fâ—om the House of Commons That Skippon whom the Committee for the posture of Defence had associated 〈…〉 for his advice and assistance should by their Assent bee â—â—ded to the same Committee for the Militia which wâ—s no sooner move◠〈◊〉 assented unto the Major part of the Common-Councell who now rule the rest will have it so The Court of Aldermen finding but too too late that this settlement of the 〈◊〉 would be no small derogation to the 〈…〉 and the Government of the City in generall and being out of all hâ—pe to find the Commons â—â—ady to Joyne with them in such a Petition resolve without them to petition that this Order of so dangerous Consequence might be 〈…〉 and Sheriffes be nominated of the Committee To this end petitions are â—amed and delivered but to no puâ—pose the Lord 〈…〉 was too well knowne to be admitted to hâ—ve any share in that power which was intended to be imployed against the King Notwithstanding this Repulse divers Ciâ—izens very Consiâ—erable for their number but more considerable for their Quality and abilities out of a sence of that great Comtempt and prejudice which this would bring upon that ancient Government â—â—der which their City had so long flourished joyne in a petition in their owne names to the two Houses to the same effect but with worse Successâ— for the House of Commons having Information what was in agitation in the City send Waâ—â— Long to â—eize on the Petition and the Subscriptions by which meanes the Names of the Subscribers 〈…〉 there wanted not arts to make them retract their owne voluntary act some by perswasions and private solicitations others intimidated by threats and Menaces are Compell'd to recent because it was a Note of Levâ—ty if not worse so suddenly to protest against their owne voluntary Act therefore the Decoy to bring on the Rest to so base â—oâ—unworthy a Revolt was Lemhall the Speakers Brother which Example he having broke the Ice was followed by many that Loved an Ignoble quietnesse before freedom with Trouble This last Petition was that which they call Benyons petitionâ— and indeed Sir George Benyâ—n was and he needs not be ashamed of it a Framer and a chiefe promoter of that most reasonable most equitable Petition which notwithstanding was made that great crime that afterwards drew on his Impeachment and heavy Gensure in Parliament Id which Sentence the World may see what grosse Injustice and partiality was used by them thâ—â— would be angry not to be thought the most upright unblemished Iustitiaries in the world The Christmas before which weâ— now must call Nativity Tide the Lord Maior and the Recorder were convented before a Committee for obstructing the Apprentizes petition against Episcopacy and learned Peard â—ho hath no more Law then what was made this Parliament sitting in the Chayre told them that it was against the freedome and Liberty of the Subject not to permit them without any Let or Interruption to present their grievances in paper to the Parliament Nay for feare they should want worke there was an order published in print by the House of Commons to that very purpose yet Sir George for making use of the same Liberty which themselves had proclaimed is sentenced thus First fined in three Thousand pounds Secondly disfranchized utterly deprived of the priviledges