wel. affected woman inhabiting the City of London, Westminster, the borough of
Southworks, Hombless, and places adjacent. In behalf of L.C. John Lilburn, Mr.
W. [unr], Mr. Thomas Prince, and Mr. Richard Overton, now prisoners in the
Tower, Captain William Bray, close prisoner in the Tower, and Mr. wil. Sawyer,
prisoner in Whitehall, Affectors and approvers of the late large Petition of the 11.
of September 1 6 4 8. The fabitance of the Petition consisteth of these particulars.
1.That laying all self respects and vaine affections of wealth and greatnesse aside,
the Parl. would sat themselves cordially and sencibly to remove the barthins
of the people, and settle this Common-wealth upon foundations of true
freedom. (That is as much as to say, let women weare the breeches.)
2.That L. C. John Lilburn, Mr. W. Walwin, Mr. Thomas Prince, Mr. Robert Overton,
Captain W.Bray, Mr.W.Sawyer, may be forthwith released, with Reparations
from those that have done them so much injury and dammage, and to such
sort as others may be carefull how they execute the bonds of Law and reason.
(good women remember Taurus and his Bull.)
3. That the Souldiers may never be authorized to intermeddle in the civill Authority
or be used, but in Cases of Warre, and forcible resistance. (It is fitter for
[unr] to be washing your dishes, and moddle with the wheels and dis[unr]ffe.)
4. That the Parliament would declare particularly wherein the said book said
unto their Charge tendeth to the kinderance of the relief of Ireland, or the continuance
of tree quarter, or its treasonable in it self, because it is by the House declared
that the abetting thereof in any person is Treason. For (say they) our selves
not being satisfyed of any such thing in the book, and no particulars being mencioned
by you, how or wherein it is treasonable: therefore the tell the Parliament
in their Petition, That the Declaration is no other then a scare to them, their Husband,
Children, and Servants, whereby unawares they may be intrapt (as they alledge)
in their discourses about any thing contained in the said book. It can never
be a good world, when women meddle in States matters. If their tongues must be pressling,
they may finds other talks, And their Husbands are to blame, that have no sitter,
imployment for thems.)
5. That the Parliament will be very wary in making any thing to be treasonable,
or a Capital offence, that is not essencially distructive to civill society: then
which we know nothing more, then the exercise of any arbitrary power, or centiance
of Authority, civill, or military, and the time limited by trust or Commission,
or the perverting of either to unjust, bloudy, or ambitious ends. (Paul [unr] we
min that it is not fit (nor civill for women to praise in Congregations of men, and to
asks their Husbands at home; we still have things brought to a fine passe of woman
come to teach the Parliament how to make Lawes.
Copies of the Petitions were sent to all parts about London, &c. To-desire that
all those woman that are approvers thereof should subscribe it which accordingly
many did, and delivered in their Subscriptions to certain women appointed in
every Ward and Division to receive the same.
The House was acquainted that the women were at the door with the Petition,
but the honse did not think sit to call them in.