A paper was this day extant in the nature of a petition, directed to the supream
Authority of England, &c, which contained matters of very high concernment,
and specious pretences, with a proffer of giving security to perform what is therin
propounded: the reality of which, there is just cause to suspect, upon there
two Reasons, viz.
First, For that the accomplishment of what is there spoken of, is of so vast an
extent, that it may justly be questioned whether any visible particular security in
England, can be responsible for it.
Secondly, The Paper is not subscribed by any; and therefore, though it concernes
matters of generall concernment, yet its not publiquely known, that any
body will own it. Yet not withstanding, by reason of any impartiall promise, I
shall represent to the Readers serious consideration, a perfect Copy of the said
Paper, Which is here infested as followeth.
The humble Petition of Officers and Souldiers, Citizens and Country men, poore and
Rich, and all sorts, with all the distressed and oppressed people of England.
SHEWETH,
THat it being the work of Nature, Reason, and Christianity, by which we shal
be judged in the last day, Mar. 25. And the very bottom of all pretences in all
States, Councils, and Corporations, To cloach the naked, feed the hungry, visit the
sieks, andrel eve the oppressed: All former Laws, Statutes, Commissions, and Consults
ions having bin of small effect hither to: Houses of correction being more apt
to make men (from being poor) to become Vagabons and Beggars, by taking
from them the repute of so much honesty as to be trusted with employment, and
conveying into them a further impudency or desperatenesse (as by experience is
manifest) and many having of late yeeres Perished for want of Necessaries: the
Lord having now put into your hands a present opportunity of adding this great
Work to all the mighty Workes which he hath done by you;
May your Honors be pleased (all due respects being first had to your great losses,
damages, and constant vigilancy, ont of the Kings Revenues, Bishops, Deans,
and Chapters Lands, and Moveables, Delinquents Estates and Offices) to grant to
your Petitioners (or to many of them as shall be thought fit) and to all the poor
of England, the rest of all the premises, 2 And all that remains due upon publique
Accounts. 3 All, or so much of the Commons, Wasts, Forests, Chaces, Heaths,
Moors, &c. as is due unto the poor. 4 All Mines not wronght on at present, all
Drowned, Lands, Lands desented of the Sea, or the like, they agreeing for what is
due to any Owner. 5 The sole benefit of all Manufactures, Engines or Inventions
by Sea or Land by your Petitioners brought into Life in England. 6 All Parish
colleotions, & concealed or abuse charity; with power to search all Records,
Wills, church-books, and Books of Account, to that purpose, gratis, to be as a
publick Treasure of the Land, for all publick Designes, in one common Joynt
Stock, And some of your Petitioners will put in sufficient Security, 1 To provide
all Necessaries for the Army, so long as the Army shall be thought necessary. 2 To
joyn with the Army when occasion requires, and to obey all civill commands of
the State, as well for suppressing of insurrections at home, as opposing force, from
abroad. 3 To pay all Arrears of the Army with in 5 years. 4 To maintain all publike
Ministers of State, and to continue pay (during life) to so many of the Kings