Utterable difficulties he hath brought about as by you his Instruments,
the inestimable benefit whereof (a hopefull pledge wee
have) that in due time we shall receive,for having seriously considered
the Votes of this Honorable House, wherein is held forth
and avowed, that all just power is originally in the people, and
that the people represented, is the Supream Power of the Nation:
Now for as much,Right Honorable that every generall
doth include his particulars,and that we being one peculiar and
intire body incorporated, have for divers years languished under
the usurped Power of an inconsiderable number of persons very
much dis-affected to the Parliament, and present Government,
who claime an hereditary succession to the Offices and places,
of greatest trust in our Corporation, they not being elected by the
Freemen thereunto, contrary to that most just and equall foundation
of Government above mentioned.
Wherefore your Petitioners, not being in capacity to doe you
that service,they desire humbly therefore implore that our charter
may be called for and revised by such persons, as you in your wisdomes
shelf seem most meet who may report the abstractions and defects
therein, and likewise which further matter may be & hour be necessary
for the advantage, and good Government of our said Towne, and
likewise that the said Committee may be furnished with power to receive
such informations from your 1Petitioners, as shall bee
thought necessary for the redresse of our grievances, and the accomplishment
of the as presaid ends: That so our Charter being confirmed
by your Honors, she well affected may thereby be the better enabled
to do you service.
And your Petitioners shall blesse God for you, &c.
Ordered by the Parliament, That the said Petition be referred
to the Committee to whom the Petition of the town of Northampton
is referred, to consider of the the said Petition, and to send
for, and peruse the Charter of the said Town and to consider of
the Conveniencies and inconveniencies therof in reference to the
Commonwealth as it is now, established, with power to lend
for parties, and to hear what shall be propounded to them for
alteration of the Charter for the benefit of the Petitioners, so as
may best stand with the Government now established, and the
good of the Commonwealth.