accordingly. And be it further Ordained, That the Sheriffs of London, and all other
Sheriffs of the several Counties in England and Wales, do forthwith proclaim
and publish this act in the chief Marker-Towns within their several and respective
Counties.
H. Scobel, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parli. that this act be forthwith Printed
and Published; And that the Members of this House do take care for speedy sending
it down to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties, within the Kingdom of England
and Dominion of Wales.
H. Scobel, cler. Parl. D. Com.
An excellent Petition was presented to his excellency from the County of
surrey, and because never Printed, take it here at large, with his Excellencies Answer
thereunto.
To the Right Honorable his Excellency, Thomas Lord Fairfax, and the General
councel of the Army.
The Humble Petition of the known well affected inhabitants of the county
of Surrey.
Sheweth,
THat the Enemies of this Common-wealth, being (by the blessing of God) upon
the endevors of the Army under your Excellencies Command, totally vanquished
and subdued, and a fair opportunity thereby offered to settle the Peace of
this much oppressed, and impoverished Nation, upon Groun[nl]ds of Free[nl]dom and
Safety. Your Petitioners well considering the same, and looking upon this Army,
as those whom God hath chosen to be Instruments for so good an end; well weighing
the miserable consequences that will unavoidably follow, in case you, should neglect,
or not make a right use of this season and hopeful opportunity Upon consideration
on hereof, we are encouraged with urgency of Spirit, to importune you, that all
private Interests being laid aside, which hath so memorably and lately been the
means of our distrctions, you would cordially and industriously set your selves
as a means so establish the Government, and remove the grievances of this Nation;
and in doing thereof, that you would have special regard to the Desires in that
Petition of the 11 of September, and above all things, avoid the perpectuation of
Command, Trust, or Office, in the hand of any person or persons, it having
proved by the sad experience of all Ages and Countries, and of our own in particular,
the means of Corruption and Tyranny in those that are trusted, and of
bondage to the people. Considering likewise, that the miseries of the wel-affected
people have been very much increased for their affection to you and their Country,
in that the power of most Counties hath been placed, and still is in the hnds of
such as have been most opposite to your proceedings, whereby your friends have
been, and are lyable to many affronts and abuses; seeing likewise, that such as have
assisted the publike enemy, have justly forfeited, at last for a time, their title to
places of Trust and Office: Upon consideration of the premises, it is humbly and
earnestly desired.
That you would speedily and effectually prosecute the particulars in your
Remonstrance, and in the Petition of the 11 of September; and especially, that
you would be a means for the chosing a new Representative, in such maner, as is
expressed in a Paper, intituled, The Agreement of the people; that so the affairs of
this Nation, may be managed by a legal and regular Authority.