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Lucy Hutchinson (1620–1681). Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson. 1906.

Appendix XXXV: July 23, 1660.—Petition of Colonel John Hutchinson

To the Right Honourable the Lords assembled in Parliament.

‘The humble petition of John Hutchinson, Esquire, most humbly showeth,—That whereas the honourable House of Commons, upon his humble petition, did extend their clemency and mercy to your lordships’ petitioner, in not nominating him one of the seven exempted out of the act of general pardon and oblivion for life, and also passed a vote that your petitioner shall not be within that clause of exception in the act of general pardon and oblivion as to any fine or forfeiture of any part of his estate; and were pleased to express in the said resolves that this favour was extended to your petitioner upon his signal repentance, which how early and real it was, his deportment for many years past hath made clear; and those actions being attested by many honourable persons who have certified the same under their hands.

Your petitioner therefore most humbly prays your lordships that he having been the first (when he had the honour to sit in the House of Commons) that openly laid claim to his Majesty’s pardon, and freely gave up himself to be disposed of by the Parliament, that, after he hath been raised to such high hopes of preservation, both as to life and fortunes, by the votes of the House of Commons, your lordships would not now cast him down from them, but confirm that favour and mercy they have been pleased to show him, upon the humble and sorrowful acknowledgment of those crimes whereinto seduced judgment, and not malice, nor any other self-respect unfortunately betrayed him; and upon his serious profession of future loyalty which he hopes will find as charitable a belief with your lordships as it did in the House of Commons. And your petitioner will ever pray, etc.,

Annexed:
1. Certificate referred to in preceding:—

‘These are to certify that about seven years ago, and from time to time ever since, Colonel Hutchinson hath declared his desire of the king’s majesty’s return to his kingdoms, and his own resolutions to assist in bringing his majesty back: and in order thereunto hath kept a correspondency with some of us, when designs have been on foot for that purpose; and hath upon all occasions been ready to assist and protect the king’s friends in any of their troubles, and to employ all his interests to serve them. He gave the Earl of Rochester notice and opportunity to escape when Cromwell’s ministers had discovered him the last time he was employed in his Majesty’s service here in England. He received into his house, and secured there, arms prepared for the king’s service, well knowing to what intent they were provided, and resolving to join with us when there had been occasion to use them. For these, and other things, Cromwell some time before his death had a very jealous eye over him, and had intentions to secure him, which some of us understanding gave him notice of; that usurper being the more exasperated against him, because he could never, by all his allurements, win him to the least compliance with or action under his authority. Nor were his resolutions of serving the king only in Cromwell’s time, but when the army invited the remainder of the House of Commons to return to Westminster, whither he was summoned, he declared to some of us before he went up, that he only went among them to endeavour to settle the kingdom by the king’s return, and to improve all opportunities to bend things that way; and accordingly so acted there, openly opposing the engagement, to be true and constant to the Commonwealth, and endeavouring to bring the army under a civil authority, and for that end highly standing against Lambert’s being put into employment against Sir George Booth, and after his return, acting vigorously against him, and the pretended Council of Safety, against whom he had prepared considerable levies to assist the Lord-General if he had had occasion; then again at the last reassembling of the House, openly, and highly opposing, and speaking against the oath of renunciation, endeavouring to bring in the secluded members, and moving that the army, which was then governed by commissioners, might be put under the sole command of his Excellency the now Lord-General, and opposing the act for confiscation of Sir George Booth, and his party, with endeavours to procure their liberties; opposing also in the House the commitment of these gentlemen who brought up the addresses for a free Parliament, as also the destroying and pulling down of the city gates. All or some of these particular actings and declarations of his, tending to his Majesty’s service, every one of us who have here subscribed are able to attest,