Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/37

Rh
 * Moſt Gracious Sovereign,

“, your majeſty’s dutiful and loyal ſubjects, the freeholders of the county of Middleſex, beg leave, with all affectionate ſubmiſſion and humanity, to throw ourſelves at your royal feet, and humbly to implore your paternal attention to thoſe grievances, of which this county and the whole nation complain, and thoſe fearful apprehenſions with which the whole Britiſh Empire is moſt juſtly alarmed.

“ great grief and ſorrow we have long beheld the endeavours of certain evil minded perſons, who attempt to infuſe into your royal mind, notions and opinions of the moſt dangerous and pernicious tendency, and who promote and counſel ſuch meaſures as cannot fail to deſtroy that harmony and confidence, which ſhould ever ſubſiſt between a juſt and virtuous prince and a free and loyal people.

“ this diſaffected purpoſe, they have introduced into every part of the adminiſtration of our happy, legal conſtitution, a certain