oney to set the vessels
free.(893)

(M452)

On hearing this letter and declaration read the council forthwith
appointed a committee to draw up a petition to parliament, in which they
repeated their request for a speedy personal treaty with the king so as to
put an end to the present troubles and miseries. After sending for the
original letter the Commons directed (3 Aug.) the City to make no reply to
the prince until the House took further order, and the next day declared
all who aided the prince, by sea or by land, to be traitors and
rebels.(894)

(M453)

Disappointed at the way in which the news of the arrival of his fleet had
been received by the City, the prince lent a more ready ear to proposals
from Scotland, and on the 16th August declared his acceptance of the terms
offered. It was still believed by many that as soon as he should raise his
standard in the north the Presbyterians in the city would openly avow
themselves in his favour, and rumour had gone so far as to name the
commanders of their forces. "The lords and the city," wrote one of
Rupert's correspondents, "understand each other, as also the reformadoes,
that are considerable--8,000 in number."(895)

(M454)

On the 29th August the City was asked by a committee of the House of
Commons to send money, corn or biscuit to the value of L20,000 for the
relief of the army in the north, and to take active measures for getting
in all arrears of assessments due for the army of Fairfax.(896) But
although the City so far acceded to this request as to take immediate
steps for getting in arrears of assessments, recent events--and notably the
successes of Cromwell and Fairfax at Preston and Colchester, as well as
the seizure of London ships and interference with London trade--had
rendered the citizens anxious that parliament should come to an
understanding with the army.(897)

(M455)

On the 4th September a deputation from parliament appeared before the
Common Council and asked for a loan of L10,000, to be paid by weekly
instalments of L2,000, to enable the House to proceed with negotiations
with the king. The nature of the security to be given for the loan was
practically left in the hands of the city provided it lay within the power
of parliament. The request was unanimously granted, bonds under the city's
seal being offered as security to those willing to make advances.(898)

(M456)

The prospect of negotiations being opened at all with the king was
d