House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 15 April 1624

Jovis, 15 Aprilis, 1624

Several Orders.

CAREW Rawleigh: - This Afternoon, Knights, Burgesses of Devon and Cornewall added.

Sir Fran. Clarke's Bill. - This Afternoon.

Bill of Battle, - Saturday, Two Clock.

Tobacco.

L. 1. An Act concerning Tobacco.

Fees in Cities,&c.

L. 1. An Act concerning Fees to be taken in Cities, Boroughs, and Towns-corporate.

Jacobson's Nat.

L. 2. An Act for the Naturalizing of Philip Jacobson, of London, Merchant: - Committed to Sir Edw. Cooke, Sir Tho. Estecourt, Sir Hen. Poole, Mr. Fetherstone, Sir Jo. Danvers, Sir Tho. Midleton, Sir Edw. Peyton, Sir James Perrot, Sir Jo. Jackson, Mr. Bulkly, Sir Tho. Trevor, Mr. Banks, Mr. Cha. Price, Mr. Nichols, Sir Cha. Mountacue, Sir Arth. Ingram, Sir Eub. Theloall, Sir Rob. Hatton, Sir Fra. Barrington, Sir Ar. Herris, Mr. Hayward, Mr. Drake, Sir Tho. Hoby, Mr. Cradocke, Sir Will. Pit, Sir Wal. Earle, Sir Rob. Knolles, Sir Will. Massam: - Wednesday next. Star-chamber, Two Clock.

Cloth-workers.

L. 2. An Act for the Relief of divers Artisan Cloth-workers in London: - Committed to Sir Geo. More, Sir Tho. Midleton, Mr. Alford, Mr. Bateman, Sir Tho. Estcourt, Mr. Tomlins, Sir Jo. Danvors, Sir Dudley Digs, Mr. Brooke, Mr. Blanfeild, Mr. Cage, Mr. Heyward, Mr. Mallory, Knights, Burgesses London, Mr. Abbot, Sir Hen. Poole, Sir Fra. Barrington, Sir Jo. Jackson, Sir Natha. Rich, Mr. Pym, Mr. Whistler, Sir Alex. St. John, Mr. Will. Whitaker, Mr. Bisse, Mr. Guy, Mr. Snelling, Mr. Wentworth, Mr. Fetherstone, Mr. Barker: - Monday, Two Clock, Court of Wards;

Usury.

Bill of Usury, - This Afternoon.

Fishing.

Bill of free Fishing, - To-morrow, Two Clock : To be delivered to Mr. Wentworth, and he required to attend:

- Court of Wards.

Inferior Courts.

Sir Edw. Cooke reports the Bill of inferior Courts. The Amendments twice read. -

Ordered, To be ingrossed.

Justices of Peace.

L. 2. An Act against troublesome Suits commenced against Justices of Peace: - Committed. Sir Geo. Moore, Sir Tho. Hoby, Mr. Alford, Sir Hen. Poole, Sir Guy Palmes, Mr. Noy, Sir Jo. Cuts, Sir Clem. Throckmorton: All to have Voice : - Friday, Two Clock, Court of Wards.

Lord Treasurer. [E. of Middlesex.]

Sir Edw. Cooke reporteth from the Committee, concerning the Lord Treasurer; that they have reduced the Charges against him into Heads, agreed upon by the Committee. - His Part, the Bribes, and Court of Wards: Sir Edwyn Sandys the rest. - 1. The bare Charge of the first 500l. from the petty Farms. 2. The 500 l. from the great Farms : Both as Bribes. 3. The Proofs. 4ly, The Contrarieties; wherein Jacob crossed the other in Four Things, which after he acknowledged. 1. Denied the Receipt of the 500 l. but after confessed it. 2ly, Denied to my Lord, that he knew of the Entry of it into the Book, yet had the Warrant for it. - Then considered of the Lord Treasurer's Defence: Where expected much, from a Man of his great Wit; but found it very weak. For the Court of Wards; he the Projector, and Adviser, of the Alteration there; which the Committee holdeth to be to the King's Prejudice, and Grievance of the Subjects.

- Double Fees : Vast Power to his Secretary, who to have all Petitions: who taketh Fees for all, where the Clerk was to take all Petitions without Fee. -

For Aggravation: The first Bribe a sordid Bribe in itself, but, in Circumstance, beyond all Example. A Covenant in the Lease of this petty Farm, under the Great Seal, to have no Impositions, during that Lease. The King's Promise in verbo regio. - 50,000 l. paid in Hand; 44,000 l. and odd Rent, yearly. Lord Treasurer, that knew all this, against the King's Justice, and Honour, projected, and advised, the Imposition of 3 l. upon a Ton, The Farmers hereupon exhibited their Petition of Right, in respect of the King's Covenant, and Royal Word: Put in their Bill into the Exchequer. Order, the King's Attorney should Answer. Michaelmas Term passed. 22 Decem. they petitioned the King; pressed him with his Covenant, and Word; and desired Satisfaction. King referred it to the Treasurer; with whom they had dealt Ten Months before, for Relief. He presently, about the Beginning of January, agreed with them, and abated them 9,000 l. and 500 l. but, from that Time, till July, no Dispatch. Then the Bribe of 900 l. presently drew it on. Then the Parliament coming on, his Conscience smote him. He told Jacob, the 500 l set on the party Farms, was mistaken. - No Enemy to Parliament, but ever had a Blow by Parliament. - Woolsey. - This sheweth, what good Parliaments bring. - This sordid Bribery : For he is a Judge. - For the second Bribe; for not taking Surety, till he had this 500 l. - If sufficient, why took them not, without a Bribe ? If insufficient, why, with a Bribe ? -

For Court of Wards : Extortion, in double Fees; causing a new Officer, of Secretary, to take all Petitions;

who took Fees, where the Clerk to take none for Petitions. This Secretary hath Power to suppress, or prefer, Petitions, and Causes, at his Power [a] .........