of the said City, are in extream poverty, and very near famishing; and
the Inhabitants are in no capacity tocause them, to render a true accompt
to them, of any sum of publick moneys received.
That much power of punishing evill doers, and the well Government
of the said City and Liberties, consists in the power of the Justices
of Peace; yet in regard of their dis-affecton to the Publick freedom, and
of their remisnes in the their duties, the City and Liberties abound in
all wickednes and prophannes,
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that the Inhabitants
of the City of Westminster aforesaid, and Liberties thereof, may
be restored to their native right and freedom, for the better regulating
the said City of Westminster and Liberties thereof; that the present
usurping Governours be forthwith displeased, and that the said City
and Liberties, be henceforth Governed by a Common Councell, to
be chosen Anually, by the Inhabitants capable of electing, and that
none may elect, or be elected to publick Office, that did abbet to those
ingagments specified by you, in your two late Ordinances, in December
last, in the behalfe of London, and that the first Commoncenncell
may be enabled by your authority to call to account the aforesaid
Governours for all the publickc monies received by them;
that if upon accompts taken, there shall be arrears found in the said
Officers hands, the said Common-councell may have power (in case
they refuse to pay the same to leavy so much mony upon the goods,
and chattels of such as shall refuse to pay it; and that the said Common-councell
may consist of 24 men, that the Inhabitants of the said
City and Liberty, capable of electing as aforesaid, may also Annually
chuse those whom they shall intrust with the power of the Militia,
and all other Officers that shall be appointed to be chosen, for dispensing
justice, preserving peace amongst them, and promoting their
common wellfare. And your Petitioners Shall ever pray, etc.
This day the House of Commons being acquaited with the seizing of
the Scot; Commissioners by Mr.Sexby, Stayd their Order at Gravesend,
passed Instructions for the Councell of State, to send them away,
with a guard of Horse, into Scotland; and a Letter to be sent to the parliament
of Scotland.
The Commons passed on Act for the Common Councell of London
to be called by any ten persons thereof, if the Lord Mayor and Alderman
refuse, 40. to be a Common Councell. It was debated, whether
it should be called the Court of Common Councell, but that was not
thought fit.