Border Papers volume 1: April 1593

818. The Deputy Mayor, &c., of Berwick to Burghley. [April 2.]

We have received "a moste bitter lettre" from the Lord Chamberlain of 21^st March, whereby it appears that M^r Mayor has informed her Majesty of sundry abuses here, for which his "lordship is wrathefullye bent againste us," and doth send down his son M^r John Carey to take the governorship for the time—in which case we think "our compelled and juste complaintes for the state of this moste myserable and beggerlye poor towne, shalbe obscured and lesse prevale," unless her Majesty, with your lordship and others, vouchsafe to give us ear and privilege to speak. We have cause to fear the sequel—for his honour by said letter, intends himself, his sons, M^r Vernon and other officers and captains, to be all one party against us. We assure ourselves M^r Mayor will offer no untruths to her Majesty, and as necessity has urged him to make things known, we hope "he and we shall have indifferencye for the tryall thereof." Yet we rather despair of it, so long as the governor's son shall rule, for though the state of the town and garrison is most miserable, who dare avouch the truth against them while in office? We trust it is God's good pleasure both to have our misery revealed and also reformed, and we humbly pray your lordship to have honourable care of our poor estate. Berwick. "The deputye mayor and aldermen." Signed: Edwarde Mery, Thomas More, Thomas Parkinson, George Mortoun, John Ourd, Thomas Hogge, Henry Rugg, Peter Fairlye.

Postscript.—"3 Aprill. This day, before thinsealinge hereof, M^r John Carye came into Berwick."

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed: "2 April 1593. The deputie maiour and burgesses of Barwick to my lord. The Lord Chamberlaines greivous offence towards them, for thair complaint to hir Majesty."

819. John Carey to Burghley. [April 4.]

"Most honorabell and my verey good lord, whoes patronage I doe onley deseyer to be protected by and so humbeley deseyer youer faver in all my caueses, whoe will ever be redey to be senseurd by your faverabell judgment, wiche I will ever be redey to deserve by all carefull deuety and carfullnes to youer lordshipe. I did this morninge verey earley, beinge the iiij^th daye, reseave a letter from youer lordshipe withe sertyen artickelles of her Majestes pleser, wiche God willinge, shall herafter so sowen as maye be, performed." But yet I could do nothing, for I only came late last night to the town, and I had your letter this morning, before I got any authority from Sir John Selbey late "debetey." So I only certify that I am here, but hope my next letter will show I have done my best to perform her Majesty's directions. "My lord inbassetur is loked for ouerley hear out of Scotland."

I would beg to know your pleasure touching the "Lord Bodwell, for I hear he is nowe in Ingeland and verey near to this plase, and meanes presentley to goe sum what forther." Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed by him: "The Lord Burghley lor hey tresserer of Engeland." Indorsed.

820. Carey to Burghley. [April 12. 1593.]

I have as far as in me lies endeavoured to find out the faults and wants here, "which I fynde to be manye, and yet not so manie, but that I hope in shorte tyme to reforme." Some beyond my power, I must refer to you. As for proof, these enclosed notes are things of importance, which require both her Majestys "purse and commission," and if your lordship direct this speedily,—for time will much increase them—I shall so perform the articles sent me, as I hope there will be no more just cause of complaint.

As I told your lordship at my leavetaking, that I thought divers Scots would desire conference with me for her Majestys service, I find it is so, for many have sent to me—but I refuse to see them without further commission, "as I did then tell yow, for sence her Majestie could be content to forget my xxiiij^or yeares service, and beleave such false and untrewe suggestions as were opposed against me, without eyther calling me to accompt, or letting me knowe what thei were, I am therby the better warned of giving just occasion of offence. And therfore humbly beseach your lordshipe eyther to send me sufficient warrant, or els looke for no such service at my hande."

I send your lordship notes, (1) of the needful work to be done with spade, (2) of the defects of the ordnance, (3) of the defaults of the musters. As in your articles, there was one as to disannulling the pensioners as they died, I thought fit to send the very words of the establishment, "that you may see yt can not be so amplye accomplished without the breache of the said establishment."

I have as directed been at the Palace—"where I am sorie that I must be dryven to certifie of our wantes—for, more then some store of wheat and mault, ther was not any other thinge to be sene, save a x^en or xij oxen in the stalle, for the victuellinge of the wholle towne, I know not howe longe! And not a mutton to be had for any monye, or any other victuall, so as by that meanes our market here is growne to be dearer then at London—wherby our soldiers neyther having monye, victuall, nor ticketes of credyte, are in a very evill case without it be releaved by your lordshipe." Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the same:—

(1) (Report on needful works.)

Berwick, 9^th April 1593. The town gates.—The Cowgate, now "but of boordes"; for a new iron gate, and stone work "agreable," and a new bridge, the present one being "rotten," new mending the iron gates both at the Bridge and Mary gate, "which cannott easylie be open or shutt, but with the helpe and strengthe of men," will cost, 320l.

The "longe bridge" over Tweed, the joints and braces shrunk and decayed many carried away by storm, mending the "rayles above being decayed and rotten," timber iron and workmanship, will cost 180l.

"The vamewre" of the new wall at the east mount, (fn. 1) blown down 40 yards in length, will cost 4l.

The round tower or platform of the great ordnance in the castle, foundation partly fallen, and more likely to fall, leaving it open towards Scotland, amending will cost 200l.

The pier at the haven mouth in great decay, above 20 bays broken, stones cast over and carried away by storm, and sundry great stones in the sides out of their places, will cost, 120l.

The governor's lodging, slates, glass windows, to be restored, will cost 13l. 6s. 8d.

The smiths' and other artificers' three forges in the new palace, one already fallen—will cost 25l. 10s. Total amount 862l. 16s. 8d.

If those repairs had been done in time, it would have saved her highness the third of the estimate—for when damage happens, before order or warrant is got to repair it, the "rewin" so increases that what might have been done for 20s. costs 10l. and more. Wherefore it may please your lordship to give some direction for better orders in these works to the end it may save her Majesty's charges and improve the workmen's pay at same time. Signed: Jhon Carey, Jhon Selbye, John Crane, Will^m Acrigge.

3 pp. Marginal notes by Carey, as to the imminent danger of the gates, bridge and pier. Indorsed: "Barwick. Nedefull workes to be done there, certifyed ix^no Aprilis 1593, beinge before certifyed, and nowe againe renewed."

2. Another copy. Signed by the same officers.

3 pp. Marginal notes as before. Indorsed.

(2) (Defaults of the musters.)

Berwick, 9 April 1593—before John Carey esquier chamberlain and deputy governor there.

Carey's own company.—2 absent, 4 by passport,—6.

Sir William Read's company.—5 absent, 3 by passport,—8.

William Walker's company.—Absent,—2.

Robert Carvill's company.—Absent 2, by passport, 3,—5.

William Selby's company.—Himself and 3 men absent, by passport 2,—6.

Anthony Thompson's company.—Absent 3, by passport, 1—4.

John Twyforth's company.—Absent 2, by passport 3,—5.

Robert Yaxley's company.—Absent 1, by passport 2,—3.

Gunners.—Absent with the master of the ordnance, 7, by passport, 2,—9.

Artificers in the ordnance office.—Absent at Newcastle with the master of the ordnance, 9.

The old garrison.—Absent 2, by passport 2,—4.

Pensioners.—Absent 11, by passport, 1,—12.

Total.—Absent 50, by passport 23,—73.

Note by Carey.—"Most of thes be ether withe the lord governer, or the tresserer nowe imbassetur in Scotland, and the master of the ordenans, and withe Master Vernone, so as theye are in beinge, thoughe not hear."

3 pp. Indorsed.

(3) Order set down in Her Majesty's last establishment signed by her highness for the number of pensioners at Berwick.

"The wordes of the establishment, verbatim as they are set downe there.—
Item.—Where there be appoynted by this establishment lxiij persones of severall quallities in severall pencyones—our meaning is, that hereafter there shalbe contynewed but these nombers followinge.—That is to saye, vj capteyne pencyoners at xxd. the peece by the day, with their vj men at cvj s. viij d. the pece per annum, xiiij mete men to be offycers of bandes, at xij d. the peece per diem, and xxx^tie good olde souldiours at x d. the peece per diem; which nomber, being lvj, shall hereafter contynewe and be from tyme to tyme supplyed and appoynted by the lord governor and counsell there during our pleasure. And therfore when the places of any of the saide nomber now appoynted being lxiij, shall become voyde, the same shall cease untill it may be reduced unto the saide nomber of lvj, &c."

½ p. Indorsed.

821. Sir John Selby to Burghley. [April 14.]

According to your letters of 18 and 25 March, "concerning John Harding customer of this towne, with a perticular of bookes and seales," I have had before me all persons in whose hands there were thought to be any of these books or seals that concerned the customer's office, and demanded the same of them as specified in the "perticulare." But they answered they neither had, nor have, nor are privy to where these books were, and offer to affirm by oath. For the 2 seals, belonging to the customer and controller, they are locked up in a "cofer" in the house of John Craine deputy controller in the absence of John Kelster, and were put there by consent of John Harding the customer, and Thomas Parkenson farmer, till Kelster's return to Berwick—the farmers are contented that the customer keep the seals where he and the controller please, "so as the sayd farmers may allso kepe a kaye of the chest wherin they lye."

Regarding your lordship's direction that I call before me such persons, in whose hands or to whose use, the letters patent and conveyances of John Kelster controller of this post, should be, in security of 20 nobles borrowed by said Kelster of one John Porter, to be deliverid upon such payment, I have had before me "An Walker widdow of William Walker somtime controwler," who was supposed to hold them, and being demanded by me, she answered she had them not, and was willing to "afirme" by oath. But she admits they are in the custody of her son for whom she bought the office, who is now in Edinburgh, being servant to M^r Robert Bowes her Majesty's ambassador there. As I understand by her and others in the town, that she paid to John Porter 23l. for the controller's office for her son, and Porter had no right to "make sale therof," whereby the poor widow and her many children are "well nighe beggard," I beg your favour for her that Porter may be caused to restore her money. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Selbye.

1 p. Closely written. Addressed. Indorsed. Selby's wafer signet.

822. Regulations at Berwick. [April 14.]

"Orders taken and ordeyned by the right worshipfull M^r John Carye esquier chamberlen of Her Majesties towne of Barwick-upon-Twede, at this present deputy governor of the said town, and by M^r William Morton maior, Sir John Selbye knight, gentleman porter, one of the counsell of the said towne, and sondry others, the aldermen assistantes to the said counsell, for reformacion of sondry disorders and abuses about the said towne—in the councell chamber Satterday the xiiij^th of Aprill Anno Regni Regine Elizabethe, &c. 1593, and the same day publicquelye set furthe to be the better knowne and observed of every one to whome the same shall apperteyne."

1. No watchman shall pull down or carry off any stone from the "vameiors" of any wall about the town, by day or night, on penalty of 3 days' punishment at the governor's pleasure for every such offence.

2. Any person henceforth taken casting or causing to be cast, "any ashes dunge or rubbishe" over the walls or without the gates, or "presented" therefor, shall "three half daies in the weike" carry the same from that place to the walls.

3. No one shall keep any cattle, sheep or horse upon the "rampiers," or make any "peates" thereon, on penalty of one farthing for each sheep, and one penny for each horse or "kien," except horses coming down from the "harradge unwyttinglie."

4. Any one contending, threatening or misusing the scavengers of the walls and "rampiers," shall have two days' imprisonment.

5. Any one laying dung, ashes or rubbish, except where the "poles are sett up, and upon the rampiers," shall forfeit 4d. for each offence and have one day's punishment—half the forfeiture to the informer, the other half to the poor.

6. Any inhabitant of Castlegate or other, laying dung, ashes or rubbish without the Newe gate or near the trenches there, shall pay 6d. for each default, and have two days' punishment—the forfeiture to "runne" as before.

7. Whereas at every "great rayne," the custom has been to sweep the filth on the streets into the channel, and it is carried down by the water to the Shoregate and Bridgegate, which cannot be opened till labourers remove the same, to her Majesty's cost, henceforth every one shall carry filth and rubbish from their doors, to the "rampiers" and appointed places, not "to there neighbour," on penalty that the master before whose door it is found, shall pay 6d. for each offence, to be levied by the bailiffs for the poor.

8. None, as heretofore, shall steal or remove, any pole from the "mountes and rampiers" on penalty for the first fault, of three days in "Haddockes hole," and banishment the town for the second.

9. None shall break "the heades of the stanckes to set furth the water owt of the accustomed course, wherby the pallice and cundyttes serving the towne with water, be not hindred," on penalty of 5s. for the first offence, three days' punishment for the second, and banishment for the third.

10. "The great dunghill" on the church wall, blocking the way for carts with stones or lime from the quarries, shall be viewed by M^r Mayor and his assistants, and order taken for a clear way there.

11. The inhabitants of the streets near the Shoregate and Bridgegate, shall be summoned and ordered by the officers to remove the dung and rubbish cast by them there "to fyt places."

12. M^r Mayor shall take present order that the sundry wells and "pantes" about the town, now condemned and filled up to the danger of the town "if sudden fyre should happen," shall be cleansed, amended and reopened, and so kept.

13. Whereas the great number of cattle make the Castle gate "so depe in winter tyme with much treading, that it is very noisome to the horsemen and guarrison, every alarme resorting to the castle for sallying owt there," M^r Mayor with the assistance of the master surveyor, and other skilled men shall view the said street, and take present order "so reasonably and good cheap as thei possibly can," for making a "cawsey" along the same. And towardes the charges thereof, "the owner of every beast within the Boundes in somer, shall pay iiijd. sterling; and the same to be collected and gathered by M^r Maior and other his officers of trust." And if the mayor and surveyor report the collection insufficient to meet the charge, the Governor, mayor and council shall take further order.

3 pp. Written by Carey's clerk. Indorsed: "14 Apr. 1593. Orders set downe by the Councell at Barwick for the reformynge of certen abuses and disorders there."

823. The Master Gunner, &c., of Berwick to Carey. [April 17.]

"The true copie of a complainte given in to M^r John Carye deputye governor of Barwick by the Master Gonner and whole company of gonners for wantt of victualls in the pallyce beinge M^r Vernon's office."—

They humbly complain that though her Majesty was pleased to appoint the "Pallyce" as a storehouse for the garrison, with sufficient supplies both of beef, mutton, &c., for "fleshe dayes, and butter chease and fishe for other dayes," according to the "Booke of rates": yet all this last year, the most of their number could get neither mutton, fish or cheese, and those that got any fish, "had not above twoe cuple the peece, at the moste." So that the "suppliantes" were glad to take tickets and sell them at a loss of 7s. or 8s. on each 20s. ticket; also to sell the bread received in the "pallice," at the loss of 4½d., and somethinge more in everye shillinge." And now since Christmas last, as M^r Vernon left many of his tickets unpaid, the tickets that "your orators" now take in the "pallice" are in no credit, and they can get nothing for them. Also since Lady day last, William Vernon has refused "there owne ticketts for victualls in the pallice"—which intolerable state of things they can no longer endure, and pray for remedy. "Your worships humble suetors the whole company of gonners."

1 p. All in one handwriting.

2. Similar complaint by the horsemen of the garrison—adding that there is not hay or meadow ground for one half of their horses.

1 p. Same handwriting. Indorsed: "Coppies of compleintes preferred to M^r Jo. Carye by the companies of horsemen and gonners against the vyctualler of Berwick."

824. Carey to Burghley. [April 18.]

"As it hath pleased her Majestie to deale so royally with me in her princely grace and favoure as to committ the trust of the reformacion of this towne into my handes, your lordship shall see that so farre as in me lyes, I will discharge the same . . . Therfore I thought fytt to certyfye your honour of all both done and undone, that I might the better with your honours assistance goe thorowe with the rest. It is very trewe that the libertie which hathe bene in this towne this iij^e or fowre yeares by the unablenes of Sir Henry Woddringtons diseased bodye (as having bene sick and almost bedren for that tyme) wyll make me or any other that shall have to doe here, have somewhat to doe, and to runne in dainger of many sclanderous tounges; for who shall goe about to streighten thos thinges so long set at libertye, shall have many a curse, and most mens evill wordes. Wherin I assure your lordship her Majestie could not have watched me a fitter tyme for displeasure; which I litle regarde, so I may doe her highnes service and therwith have her favoure thus much—not to beleve, till she hear my answere."

For proceeding under the articles, I called a general council on the 11^th, where there were myself, M^r Mayor, Sir John Selby, the captains and their chief officers by my appointment, also the aldermen and chief townsmen by the mayor's appointment. I there informed them her Majesty had sent me only to reform the faults of the town complained of, or what I could myself find. I then caused the articles to be read, adding some things complained of which my lord my father ordered me to enquire into, and requested I might know of all complaints. But after 4 or 5 days, and no complaint except for debts, I held another meeting, and asked the mayor and the rest, why they held their peaces now, after such complaints before? I also gave "streight" orders to the captains, to certify at once of any bankrupts in their companies, or men who had bought their "roomes," and what "womens men, or mens men" were in their pay. "Bought payes or banckruptes thei have none. Marry! for womens men, such as hyer a man for iiij^or marke and have the rest of the pay them selves—there be some fewe, such as were olde and poore captens wiffes. Gentlemen did of there goodnes gyve them a man or twoe in pay for there releif, who had litle els to lyve on, and some other poore soldgiers wiffes, for that there husbands were good servitors, have the like." Other gentlemen in service have a man or two in pay. I will expect your pleasure hereon in your next. And meantime will be so bold as turn out any unfit, and put "soldiers in dede" in their place. But for some I must have your lordship's absolute commandment warranted (if it seem good to you) by my lord my father's hand, which if I could get without displeasure to myself, by your good means, I think I could do good service.

I am sorry that in honesty I may not hide "this poore gentlemans faultes M^r Vernons,"—for if it continue it will endanger the town. The victual is so low there will soon be none at all. He is so poor and his credit so broken, that his own men in the palace will not take his tickets. I am much troubled with his many debts, for he is not here, and his men shift for themselves. I can do no justice, for which every one cries out to me. If he makes the next pay at midsummer, he will clean undo the town—if not, I think he is undone himself—so hard is his case.

The Scottish news I hear is—that the Chancellor is daily expected again in court, but held back by Lord Hume and other enemies. Sir Alexander Lindsay and his brethren are in great favour again "in so much as Sir Alexander him self within thes v nightes, lay with the King in bedd."

It holds still that Sir Robert Melvyn comes shortly ambassador to the court. Angus, Huntley, and Arrell, lie close and hope to purchase favour.

Within these six days a Jesuit landed in the "Norland" named M^r Androe Clerck, with letters from Spain. I stayed writing the contents till I knew them but can not as yet, though promised shortly. If you sent me authority I could do more than I dare. I sent copy of certain orders that I and the mayor and the rest of our poor council, thought fit for redress.

I must humbly pray your lordship when I have reformed the faults here within my reach, that you will move her Majesty either to recall me, or give me such allowance as has been accustomed—fearing else to be for want forced to bribe and sell places, to relieve myself withall.

I had almost forgotten one thing. Many soldiers have Scotswomen for wives, and have been long in town some these 40 years, and both men and women very old. With those I do not meddle till I hear your pleasure. But for Scottish servants, nurses, spinsters and such like, I have proclaimed them, and ordered the officers to put them all out of town.

For lack of a marshal court, there are great complaints of debts and suits awaiting untried,—wherefore it were good her Majesty sent some one "to her lyking," down presently, for there are meadows and other grounds of the marshal's, requiring to be looked to at this time of year.

I would be glad to know your pleasure as to taking corn out of this country. A little before my coming, one ship took away 80 bolls of wheat. Another with 100 bolls is ready—and two more coming for corn, besides an "infinite deale" that goes otherwise—which I could stop.

It is said Sir John Forster and others are allowed by your lordship to provision their houses with wine, &c. by transporting corn, which makes a dearth here. But I wait your directions before meddling. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

3½ pp. Flyleaf with address and indorsement awanting.

825. The Mayor, &c., of Berwick to Burghley. [April 18.]

A Scottish ship is come in at Warne near Bambrough, a "creake" belonging to the port of Berwick, and is to carry away a great quantity of wheat. We wrote to Sir John Forster to stay her, but his "slacke answere" is that we shall find him ready to do "his indeavour" when he knows your lordship's pleasure. We hear of sundry bargains of corn sold by him and other gentlemen of this country, to Scots merchants, to be delivered at the Holy Island and thereabouts, which will raise a great dearth, unless your lordship either gives order to us for stopping it, or refers it to the discretion of the justices, as to the duties for custom and license.

M^r John Carye the governor caused sundry articles for inquiry of the abuses to be read in the Council house. We have moved him to try some good course for proving those, but doubt if he will take our advice, and for our revealing the faults here, we stand dangerously with my lord governor and his sons and others, they being mighty, and we long kept down by the strong hand, only trusting on God and the equity of the case, and that these faults may be proved before some with commission to try them—which M^r Carye says he has not. We find him a little "touched with the splene," but we shall use all the due obedience to his place. The most part of the faults whereof her Majesty is enformed, are newly found and presented at a bailiffs' court holden here under the hands of four inquests of 48 jurors, composed of burgesses, garrison men and commoners—which book, as we may conveniently, shall be sent to your lordship. The captains and their companies are about to petition the governor for the wants of the "pallice," where there is nothing but a little corn. The poor men are forced to take tickets from M^r Vernon's clerks, and lose 8s. on every 20s. And now these tickets are almost worth nothing.

We humbly beg your lordship's remembrance of our suit and offer for the victualling, for the better service of her Majesty, the good of the garrison, and relief of the corporation, and shall be ready to give security of lands; as also to give over our long suit depending before her highness, which has cost us above 1000l. It would also bring back to the town the grounds kept by M^r Vernon under colour of his office, and stop breaches in our privileges made by him and those under him. Berwick. Signed: Will^m Morton, Edward Mery, Thomas More, Thomas Parkinson, George Mortoun, John Ourd, Henry Rugg, Crastofer Morton, Peter Fairlye.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed: "Maior, burgesses of Barwick. Officers of the port."

826. Carey to Burghley. [April 27.]

I have already certified your lordship of the needful works, and the longer they "stay," the charge will be greater, as most lie on the water, which as you know, is a "great searcher.

The munition is very low, and needs "present releafe." The master of the ordnance ought to be here to report this himself, but he lies in the country "at his owne ease" and neglects his charge."

I have redressed any abuses complained of, and sought to find out any others.

I have banished all the Scots servants, who were many, as also some Scots inhabitants.

I have also "enqueard" of any soldiers trading in salmon or merchandize or taking the townsmens' common. And with the mayor and aldermen "I have dryven the Boundes," and turned off any sheep or cattle in the fields more than ought to be.

I will, as directed, keep the places of pensioners "voyde," as they die, till her Majesty's pleasure is known.

For Scottish news, there is something to be done, that I cannot find out yet, but hope soon to certify it.

I find many suits and controversies here, and in the country many broken matters and "brabbles," but these are now pretty well quieted.

The gunners, horsemen and pensioners can get little or no provision from Mr Vernon, and such is his credit that his tickets of "fowre nobles" are not worth 4s., and none will take them. I send your lordship a petition to me against him, from the horse garrison.

I hear from my father of your honourable dealing for me with her Majesty, and can but dedicate my body to your service. I would humbly ask consideration of my poor estate, for I cannot live here on my own charges, having a wife and household in the south to maintain. Wherefore now that I have put things in good order, I beg that either I may be recalled for some fitter man, or know some certainty of my tarrying, that I may send for my wife and household.

A marshal is also very needful, for there are many suits "hanging" in the marshal's court, and "great executions to be tryed."

I humbly pray your resolution what I may trust to, "for that my purse will not be able to beare owt the charge in this sorte much longer." . . . (fn. 2) As her Majesty was pleased to put me in trust with the reform of this town, "so is it my deutey trewley to sertefey youer honer of suche abeuses as I fowend hear, wiche by resun of my Lordes (fn. 3) longe absens and Master Marshalles sickenes, for want of lokinge to, wear verey great and maney—chefeley it was to ordenarey a thinge, beyinge and sellinge of plases, for that it was to costamabell a marchendisse, for that moste of the capetayens wear acquaynted thearwithe, if not all—and for that I cane not quite himselfe that shold better a loked to it, was a cause it was to yeuseall. Pershenletey (?) bore allso to great a swaye heer and men of this conterey have to great a kindered to doe uprighte justes. Thus muche I thoughte my deutey to saye, and so leave it to youer honorabelle wisdome. From Barwike this xxvij^th of Aperill." Signed: Jhon Carey.

3 pp. Marginal notes by Burghley. Addressed.

Inclosed therein:—

(Petition of the horse garrison.)

"To the righte worshipfull M^r John Carye esquior, chamberlaine of the Quenes Majesties towne of Barwicke upon Twede, and deputy governor of the same."—

The horsemen shew him that though the "palice" ought to be the store house of victuals for them and their horses, yet it is "destitute," and they are forced to take tickets, selling them to buy in the market at a loss of 7s. or 8s. in every 20s. And to sell their bread which cost them 12d., for 7½d. in money. And the tickets since Christmas are worth nothing, as M^r Vernon paid none at the last pay. They still want their 2 years' pay, have neither hay nor "meadowgrounde" for half their horses—their wages are but 8d. a day which they can neither get in money or victuals, and are in too great misery to endure it. Pray him to be a mean for speedy redress. Signed: John Fenicke, Leonard Morton, David Armar, Hector Wooderingtoun. Leaders of the company and signing on their behalf.

1 p. Broad sheet. Indorsed: "20 April 1593."

827. The Mayor, &c., of Berwick to Burghley. [April 28.]

As in our last letters we were bold to advertise your lordship that we despaired of redress of the long endured suffering of our commonwealth, so long as any of Lord Hunsdon's sons or his former deputies ("whoe construe our petycions for reformacion pointinge but to there faultes as intended againste there persons)," should bear rule here:—"so now, even now (yet but by our former and to to often experience of there government), we ar moste hartelye sorye nevertheles compelled by necessitye to informe your good lordship that we rightelye presaged the event and successe therin." For our Mayor being "an auncyent and reverent" officer, and always time out of mind having the watchword brought him, and accustomed by his office to make nightly search for disorderly persons, and see if the watch is properly kept on the walls, which has been found wanting, and reformed by his means, yet M^r John Carye eight days ago, and since, ordered the clerks of the watch not to be "so hardye" as deliver the watchword henceforth to the Mayor, also "displaced" his man of his footman pay of 4½d. per diem, and the town clerk's man of the like pay, given him for service on council days. What his pretence is we know not, but must say besides "the disgracious discoragement" he hath done us herein, these practices may bring great danger and inconvenience, as your lordship can foresee. We believe he is commanded so to act by his father my Lord Hunsdon, and must beseech your lordship to comfort our distressed estate, who at his lordship's first coming were able to do her Majesty good service, but are now by those and other wrongs, so reduced that "we wander as people of no importance, forlorne in lamentacion, under a hard hande, God helpp us! who formerlye have ben bothe fearfull and reverentt to her highenes opposite adversaryes, and aydfull and comfortable to our nighbours her frendes and subjectes." Besides M^r Carye says he has certain articles to be inquired into of defects and misgovernment of officers, and marshal causes, in which he calls us to enquire, and speaks of reformation, yet when we press him to summon a jury of 24 good men of the town and garrison for the purpose of enquiring on oath, he says he has no commission, and merely sets the articles as a proclamation, "open upon the poste," with what object of real reformation, we refer to your lordships wisdom. Thus knowing no other remedy "we crye all at once like captivate men, to God and her Majestie by your honnors mediacion, to releave us in due tyme and remember this her highnes towne. . . . We have receaved new lettres the laste weeke with suche wrathefull tearmes and mynacinge threates againste us our state and liberties as we poor men did never deserve and dread how to indure—yet muste we for our comon welthes sake speake for remedye and bear his wrathe as we maye." Berwick. The mayor and aldermen. Signed: Wyll'm Morton, Edwarde Mery, Thomas More, George Mortoun, John Ourd, Thomas Perkinson, Hughe Fuell, Tho. Hogg, (fn. 4) Crastofer Morton.

We beseech your lordship to aid us in obtaining the purveyor's place if M^r Vernon is removed or resigns; which we shall discharge on good security to the general good of the place and people. "We are content to rebate to her Majestie 2000l. of the stockes, which the nowe vyctualler hathe, also 165l. of th'intertaynement wherewith her Majestie resteth charged to the sayd vyctualler, besydes manye other good services that shall ensue our endeavour herein."

2 pp. closely written. The last part in another hand. Addressed. Indorsed.

828. Municions for Berwick. [April 30.]

"A note of [paper torn off] natures and [torn off] municions to be supplyed, for the better service of her Majestie, whereof hereafter dothe appeare a perfect briefe as well what was remaininge in thoffice of thordenaunce there at Michaelmas 1591 (the same beinge seine and then surveyed by the right worshipfull captein William Carey esquire Sir Henery Wodrington and Sir William Reade knightes, captein Robert Carvill, and William Larkin master gonner of Barwick commissioners appointed for that purpose) before which tyme here are no bookes of remaines extant, for that the master of thordenaunce is nowe absent,—of all and sondrie yssues for the of the saide office sithence the saide tyme, untill this laste daye of Aprill 1593, as also what is of the saide natures at this present remaininge in the store."

On margin. "Memorandum.—There hathe beine no supplie brought hether these foure yeares."

[The paper gives in three parallel columns (1) the stock of powder, match, pikes, bows, arrows, harquebuses, and other military stores, remaining at Michaelmas 1591; (2) The amount of these "spente and yssued" since; and (3) remaining still. Among the items under (2) are—"To the master gonner and quartermasters for the solempnizing of her Majesties crownation dayes, Sanct Georges dayes, and going oute of the Lorde Bourough lord ambassadour etc.," 13 barrels of cornpowder. 509 harquebuzes, 81 sets of horseharness, seem to have been allowed to decay and become rotten, and none were issued.]

5 pp. Official writing. Indorsed.

829. Vernon to Burghley. [April 30. 1593.]

There being due to me for victuals and provision supplied to the garrison and works for the half year, ended at the Annunciation last, defalkable upon the pay of the garrison &c., as appears by a book of victuals delivered to the treasurer of Berwick, the sum of 2603l., for which I have received M^r Bowes' warrants to the receivers of York and Lincoln—the one for 1500l., and the other for 1000l.—as the money is chiefly to be applied for provisions in Norfolk and Yorkshire, it would save the charge and danger of bringing it first to Berwick, if it please your lordship to grant me letters to the receivers to pay me according to the minutes of these warrants now inclosed. Also that it would please you to appoint a receiver or other whom it pleases you, to make this half year's pay to the garrison, which may well be done if the receiver of York pays 3000l. this half year, instead of 4000l. as he is appointed, and yet pay less than his privy seal by 1000l.—and the receiver of Lincoln to pay 1500l., and the receiver of Northampton and the bishopric of Durham 2000l.—in all 6500l.—and I will be "content" to bear the shortcoming of this half years pay, so that the garrison may be fully paid. Signed: Robert Vernon.

1¼ p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet as before.