The arbitrary government of Charles I. during the "eleven years' tyranny" sorely tried the loyalty of the citizens of London. We find that they were, as a rule, quite disposed to support the King's government, so long as their interests were safeguarded and their privileges maintained. But they could not tolerate the illegal exactions and unreasonable demands of the King without vigorous protest. The Petition of 1640 is particularly interesting as embodying the grievances which affected not only the trading and commercial interests of the capital, but indirectly the welfare of the whole country. It is pointed out that the ship-money had not been applied to its proper purpose of protecting the coasts and the merchant fleets, while royal interference continually hampered trade. The prevalent ill-feeling against Roman Catholics finds expression, and the Petition in general shows that the City was experiencing considerable difficulty in sustaining its position of loyal respect for the monarch. =Source.=—Rushworth's _Collections_, part ii., p. 1263. MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN. Being moved with the duty and obedience, which by the laws your petitioners owe unto your sacred Majesty, they humbly present unto your princely and pious wisdom the several pressing grievances following, viz. 1. The pressing and unusual impositions upon merchandize, importing and exporting, and the urging and levying of Ship-money, notwithstanding both which, merchant ships and goods have been taken and destroyed both by Turkish and other pirates. 2. The multitude of monopolies, patents, and warrants, whereby trade in the City, and other parts of the kingdom is much decayed. 3. The sundry innovations in matters of religion. 4. The Oath and Canons lately enjoyned by the late Convocation, whereby your petitioners are in danger to be deprived of their Ministers. 5. The great concourse of Papists, and their inhabitations in London, and the Suburbs, whereby they have more means and opportunities of plotting and executing their designs against the Religion established. 6. The seldom calling, and sudden dissolutions of Parliaments, without the redress of your Subjects grievances. 7. The imprisonment of divers Citizens for non-payment of Ship-money, and impositions; and the prosecution of many others in the Star-Chamber, for not conforming themselves to Committees in Patents of Monopolies, whereby trade is restrained. 8. The great danger of your sacred person is exposed unto in the present War, and the various fears that seized upon your petitioners and their families by reason thereof; which grievances and fears have occasioned so great a stop and distraction in trade, that your petitioners can neither buy, sell, receive nor pay as formerly, and tends to the utter ruin of the inhabitants of this City, the decay of navigation, and clothing, and the manufactures of this kingdom.