The Councell of State have considered that there are severall great guns belonging to the Citie of London which are now remayning at Leadenhall, and severall other partes of the Cittie, and for the better secureinge thereof have thought fitt that the Lt of the Tower should draw them in thither on Tuesday next, wherein yor Lordship is desired to give yor assistance, and to cause the same to be delivered accordingly takeinge a receipt from the officers of the Ordnance by an inventory indented conteyning the numbers and quallities. And the Councell doth hereby declare, and give yor Lordship assurance that this is not at all intended as a disrespect to the Citty, or in prejudice to their interest in the said guns, but in order to their safeguard, and to be returned back to the Citty when they shall have occasion for them and desire them.
Whitehall 19th November 1653.
No. 80.
The City's humble Petition and Representation to the Lord Protector promising to stand by him against the enemies of the Nation; 16 March, 1657-8.
Id., fo. 170b.
Sheweth
That the peticoners are deepely sensible of the manie mercies & signall providences that these three nations have received from Almightie God in subduing his and their Enemyes in the times of our late warres, in which it pleased our wise and Gratious God to vse your highnes as the most speciall & eminent Instrument in his hand as chosen out and fitted by him for those great & subsequent workes by which his name mightbe Glorifyed, the three Nations & in speciall his owne people therein protected and preserved from their enemies att home & abroad. And not only soe, but the Continued goodnes of god hath followed vs in soe much that after a sharpe & bloody warre seuãll yeares together, for some yeares last past those cloudes have bine brooken, and the Sun of peace hath shined vppon vs with a great measure of hope putt into our harts of a happie lasting & well grounded forme of goverment, according to the peticõn and advice of the late Parliamt consented to by your highnes for which wee doe as in duty bound blesse the Lord and desire a long and happie continuance of the same. But yet your peticoners taking notice from your Hignes late gracious speech to them that the old restles enemy is reviving his almost dead hopes of prevailing to execute his wrath and malice against god your highnes & the good & peacefull people of the three Nations, partly from the discontents of a Brain sicke party at home and especially from the aides of the popish inveterate enemy abroad and have laid designes to themselves hopefull, by insurreccons from within and invasions from without vs to raise newe troubles & kindle the flames of warre againe amongst vs, by which to change our Government & therein ruine the three Nations. The premisses considered the peticoners do professe vnto all both frinds and Enemyes. That we shall vppon our antient principales of love & fidelitie to God your Highnes & the good people in the three nations with all readines oppose this enemy to the vtmost with our lives & fortunes.
And therefore we doe most humbly pray that your highnes will please with all cheerefulnes as supreme Maiestrate to God & in the Goverment of these three Nations for preservacõn of religion the lawes lĩbties peace & safety thereof. And as your peticoners doe blesse God for you soe they shall (as in duty bound) faithfully and constantly in their seuãll places not only yeild obedience to you therein but bee Enemyes to yours & the Nations Enemyes, and freinds to yours & the Nations friends.
And ever pray &c.