Border Papers volume 1: December 1594

992. Scroope to Cecill. [Dec. 4.]

Finding great delay in the King establishing an officer opposite, and also backwardness in redress, it seems to me good policy to provide for quietness till the "evill of the winter be past." And it has been "thoughte profitable to drawe an assurance (such as hath bin here accustomed in tymes of like necessitie) from Kynmont the cheife of the Armestronges of Scotland, who is a great clan or surname and suche as have and maye greate outrage her Majesties subjectes. This assurance for him selfe and surname is travelinge, and Kynmont had sent unto me a cattalog of the names of his branch and partakers to the nomber of 300 persons verie nere, who all shoulde be contayned within the assurance, if they might have such condicions as they tendered to acceptance. The motion of this assurance proceedinge from Kinmont upon his owne accorde, I thoughte meete to use for an advauntage to entretaine tyme"—and therefore sent for the gentlemen of the country to have their opinions. As they on consultation thought the conditions "inconvenient," I have sent to "assaye the alteringe" of them to others less dangerous, and on again hearing from Kinmont and his associates, I shall again to win time, consult the gentlemen, and certify the result to you for her Majesty's pleasure, that if any "rounder course" be intended, I may on hearing stay these proceedings.

"There is commed into Scotland a noble personage of Almaine nere kynsman to the Quene, whom the King entretayneth with his traine within the pallace for dyet and all thinges at the kinges charge though he have no neede of extraordynarie disbursementes.

For releife wherin the King hath requiered a loane of money from his lordes of the Sessions, men of lawe, and wryters in the courtes of recorde in the towne, who have willingly graunted to rayse amongst them for the Kinge the somme of two thousand pound sterlinge.

The Kinge is in purpose to address an ambassador to the Kinge of Pole. The pretence is because the Poland king hath banished all Scotish marchantes oute of that nation, through a sinister informacion made against them and efected by a capten called Raulinge who procured a lettre from the Scotish kinge to the kinge of Pole for the bringinge to a due triall all Scotsmen conversant in Poland—informinge that some of them were murtherers, bastardes, incestious persons, adulterers, theives and traiters; uppon which crymes the Kinge of Scottes in that lettre desiered they might be tryed and punished. Whereupon the Kinge of Pole hath bannished them all his countrey uppon payne of death. So that some of them ar murthered, others robbed, others imprisoned and some comed into Scotland. This capten was arraigned uppon Satterdaye laste, and is convicted of circomventinge the kinge and shoulde have been executed. But because the clerke of secret counsell who presented that lettre to the Kinges hand, is nowe with the Duke of Lennox in the north, and appointed to attend on him and that counsell there, his deathe is deferred till his cominge from thence. Thus with hartie thankes . . . for your curteous remembrance signified to accomplishe my wyves desier concerninge the personage of Hamilton when tyme shall serve." Carlisle. Signed: Th. Scroope.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet; quartered as before.

993. Hardinge to Burghley. [Dec. 15.]

As I delivered to your lordship the accompt of her Majesty's custom, which amounted to 1000l. "better" the last half year, "the farmer with the rest, is most extreame wroathe against me for that I wolde nott conceall the same—which I wey not in respect of my dewtie to your honnor, and my bownden servic untto hir Majestie"—for under my oath I could do no less. And now that your lordship has taken order that it shall come to her Majesty's benefit, the farmer would indirectly make out that I have told an untruth, wherein I beg trial may be made; for by our books it will be found to amount to even more for this winter quarter.

"The searcher is the comptroler deputie and servethe both the offices, a man inclyned to the farmer—verie needfull to have some order taken therin." Berwick. Signed: Jo. Hardinge.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Small wafer signet.

Inclosed probably in same:—

"A breefe aswell declaringe what the whole custome amountethe unto for thre quarters of a yeare bothe of the Millon fustions, fryzadowes and Scottes lynnen clothe, as they are sett downe and rated in my booke sent upe to your lordship, as what somes the farmores desyreth to be rebatede, viz.

1 p. Indorsed by Hardinge: "The accompt which the farmor alledgethe to be abated."

994. Carey to Burghley. [Dec. 27.]

The Mayor and corporation have asked me to write to your honour of the dispute between them and the customer. I received your letter by the customer at their last being with you on these causes, directing me to hear any further disputes and not to trouble you. Since then I have no complaint by the customer, but M^r Mayor complained sundry times of him, and on enquiry I find he has been very troublesome to them, sending to Newcastle to search certain packs, which the mayor and townsmen stopped going over the march, and brought through this town by the customer's own warrant! And through his dealing (I hear) there was a great affray in Newcastle between M^r Sanderson and M^r Felton, but on my writing to the officers, the goods were released. The salmon fishing here is "greatly decayed" and the townsmen are unprovided and need help, for their "service in the cause of custome," and advancing their rent to her Majesty, as well known to your lordship. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

995. The Mayor, &c., of Berwick to Burghley. [Dec. 27.]

When we were with your honour in March last, and the customer with us, as you directed, we were heard at large by the surveyors, who certified their opinion in favour of our being continued the farmers, as we had by our costs and labours advanced this custom from 20l. yearly to 60l. and now 115l., by stopping the Scots traffick off "the fells and outwayes on the borders" between Berwick and Carlisle, too wide a charge "for 20 customers"—and your lordship being so certified, granted us the farm for 3 years beginning at last Michaelmas, and 3 years more if her Majesty do not prohibit the same. Which we assure ourselves to enjoy, as we obey your lordship's orders in every way. But this customer is so "anymated" for our "unfrendes, that we cannot be at peace with hime; we have receaved manye wronges by hime," proved before the deputy governor, which for brevity we refer to this bearer of the inclosed petition. Berwick. The mayor and aldermen. Signed: Thomas Parkinson maiour, Will'm Morton, Robert Jaxon, (fn. 1) George Mortoun, Edwarde Mery, Thomas More, John Orde, Jhon Denton, Hughe Fuell, (fn. 1) Tho. Hogge, (fn. 1) Henry Rugg.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

996. The Mayor, &c., of Berwick to Cecill. [Dec. 30.]

We beg your honour to conceive well of the enclosed, and be a mean to the Lord Treasurer in the same. He and others of the council have thought well of this town "aboute tenne yeares paste: onelie the Lord Chamberleyne crossed us therein in favour of M^r Vernon." There is now no provision here, and her Majestys "stocke beinge 9000li. is soe farre worne from M^r Vernon," that he cannot supply our wants or serve her Majesty in the office. As the "Marshall governor" has made this known to the Lord Treasurer, we now revive our suit by your means only, being loth to move it "and mysse therof." The fee is 365l. yearly, and we would assure 100l. thereof under our corporation seal, to any nominee of your honour, on obtaining it. The advantages to the town will be great, and we could do many things ourselves which now fall on her Majesty's purse. If M^r Vernon is continued things will become even worse than before. We would bind ourselves to repair and uphold the new pier, which cost her Majesty a great deal of money—and omit much else, lest we be tedious. Berwick. Signed by the mayor and 7 others as in last number.

1 p. Addressed: "To Sir Robert Cecill knight." Indorsed. Fragment of red wax seal.

Inclosed in the same:—

(Petition to the Queen.)

The Mayor burgesses, &c. of Berwick show her Majesty how their former prosperous condition and ability to serve her Majesty has been ruined by the purveyor of victuals and his servants engrossing all the trades and means of their living, neglecting his duties, wasting her highness' stock, and letting the garrison well nigh starve, and pray that she would be pleased to grant them the "exercyse of servinge and provydinge of vyctualles" for the said town, for which they will give sufficient security to execute it duly.

1 p. broad sheet. Headed: "To the Quenes most excellent Majestie." Indorsed.

997. Carey to Burghley. [Dec. 31.]

I may not omit from time to time to certify your lordship of our poor estate here. The wants have been partly by your favour relieved, of which "we were in some feare," but M^r Clopton made the pay on "Christmas eves eve," and "before Christmas all was paid bothe soldier, credyte, and marchant, to the great honour of your lordship." And "it pleased God, even uppon thextremitye of our want (which was lykly to have been verye great) to send us in a litle shipp of Welles," 80 bolls wheat, 110 bolls of rye and 80 bolls malt, "which came very luckelye, for we were at the last cast." But this is no store for a town with so many mouths, specially when we must trust "to the mercye of the wyndes and the sufficiency of M^r Vernons purse, which I feare wyll prove too scant this hard yeare for our satisfaction. Wherfore (good my lord) even for Godes sake have a care hereof, and tender the good of this towne," that some man better able than M^r Vernon be appointed, for it cannot stand thus.

On S^t Stephen's day the whole horse garrison came to my house, saying they must either sell their horses or let them starve, for they could neither get in "the pallace" oats, pease, beans or money—which last they have always hitherto had on a dearth to make shift with. "But where there is nothing, it is hard shiftinge." It has been long said there are more laden ships coming, but we are weary looking, and desire to see them.

Considering how large a store ought to be here, and how unable M^r Vernon "(poore gentleman)" is, his chief man not having money to pay the freight of the little ship—if your lordship thinks fit to have another of more sufficiency, I can name one gentleman, very able for the duty, having a great mass of corn in his hands, and always able on a sudden to furnish 1000 quarters of corn on very short warning. He is able to put in good security for the covenants between her Majesty and himself for the town. He is careful, wise, and circumspect in all his doings and has had great dealings in such matters already. I forbear to name him till I hear your pleasure.

I have been greatly importuned by Lord Hume to have conference with him—which I have always declined, having but a slender opinion of him, for some disgraces done to me by his servants, though he offers to quit himself and them. But of late he sent to desire a "tryste" with me, saying if he speak with me, it will be greatly for her Majesty's service, and if she will accept of him he will be true to her. I hardly believe this considering his inconstancy. However I could not but certify your honour hereof—as it is certain that he can do most with the King of any man in Scotland and leads him altogether. So I wait your pleasure before appointing any time with him.

The King is gone to Stirling and an alteration in the councillors of state is expected. All the seven earls are together in the north looking for foreign aid this spring—which if it happen, we are in good case here for victuals against an enemy! Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

3 pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet as before.

998. Note of Spoils on Middle March. [1594.]

Spoils made by the Scots in the Middle March since the 26^th year.

1 p. Indorsed as title.

999. Provision for Berwick.

Berwick.—Necessaries to be provided at London for the furniture of the Queen's fortifications there, and estimate of the prices and charges.

Extracts.

"Inprimis"—400 dozen of best shod shovels at 8s. the dozen; 20 dozen of best shod spades at 6s. 8d. the dozen; and 20 dozen "scowpes" at 5s. the dozen—171l. 13s. 4d.

Iron.—6 ton in all—2, of Spanish iron of "the greatest of flatte barres," 2 of the like "square barres," and 2 of the "least sort of square barres" at 13l. 6s. 8d. the ton, "one with another;" 600 "steelyd pickaxes of the best" at 8l. the 100; 30 dozen "trewells" at 8s. the dozen; 12 dozen "masones hamers" at 12s. the dozen; total 147l. 4s.

"Steell."—2 cwt. "crosbowe steell" at 45s. the cwt; 2 cwt. "gadd steell" at 28s. the cwt.; 7l. 6s. "Naylles of sondrye sortes."—[detailed] 46l. 9s. 4d.

[Boards—axletrees—cart and "tombrell" wheels—"fellowes," naves bodies, &c.] 118l. 19s. 8d.

5 ton "roote growen beeche" for mallets at 10s. the ton—50s. "Dyvers other necessaryes"—21l. 16s. 8d.

Smiths' forges—2 "steelyd andvylz of Flaunders makinge" at 5l., 10l.

Sum total 559l. 13s. 4d. Signed: W. Cecill.

2½ pp. Indorsed.

1000. Remain at Berwick.

Note of the quantities of wheat, rye, malt, "wardehowse codd, Island codd," ling, &c., &c., deficient in M^r Vernon's hands. Also of "white rie," beans and malt, &c., shipped to Berwick in February from Hull, and ready to be shipped at Barton, now, and in the end of March.

1 p. With marginal notes in another hand. Indorsed: "The remaine at Barwick and what is provided to come thether. 1594."

1001. Garrison Rations at Berwick.

"Prises of victuall for hir Majesties garrison at Barwick mencioned in M^r Vernon's patent.—

Wheate bread for everie man per diem one penny loaf, the same to weigh into the oven xxvj oz. which will make xxiiij^tie oz. out of the oven.

Beere after thirty shillinges the tunne, 1 pottle. Beef and mutton 2 lb., 4d. "Butter to be sold" after 53s. 4d. the barrel, ½ lb., 1½d. Suffolk cheese, 1 lb., 3½ d. Saltfish at 10d. the fish; ling at 14d., 2 pennyworth. Red herrings at 12s. the "cadd," 8 for 1½d. White herrings at 26s. 8d. the barrel, 8 for 2d. Vinegar, 6l. a tun. Tallow at 2d. per lb. Candles 2¼d. per lb. Bay and white salt at 3s. 4d. the bushel. Oats for horses at 4s. 8d. the quarter. Beans for same at 12s. the quarter.

Allowance to every horse weekly, 1 bushel of oats or pease.

½ p. Contemporary copy. Marginal notes by another hand. Indorsed: "Allowaunce of victuall to the soldiers of the garrison at Barwick per diem."

1002. Mr Vernon's Covenants.

Covenants to be performed by M^r Vernon.

(1) He shall have 2000l. in money, and all the store left by Sir Valentine Browne.

(2) He shall have provision of victuals for 1500 men and shall victual the soldiers at a price.

(3) He shall provide oats and beans for 500 horses.

(4) He shall renew his store from 6 months to 6 months.

(5) He shall have the pastures called the Snuke, Magdalen fields, Gaines lawe and Cookeham.

(6) The goodness, weight and assise of the victual shall be viewed monthly by the governor and council of the town.

(7) He shall monthly advertise the governor or the marshal and council of the town, "as well of the veint of his victuells as of his expenditour: so as the remaines of the victuels maie appeare."

(8) He shall be paid each half year by the treasurer, so much money as he has delivered victuals for to the garrison.

(9) He shall at leaving office, leave as much victual in store, as he received when Sir Valentine Browne left office.

1 p. Written by Burghley's clerk. Indorsed: "1594. M^r Vernon's covenantes for victualinge the garrison at Barwick."

1003. Declaration as to Mr Vernon's Debt.

"Bills and spetiallties for the awnsweringe of the debte of m¹ li."

Extracts.

Raphe Hillton, 40s.; Sir Robert and Michael Cunstable, 17l. 10s.; Thomas Burrell and Thomas Parkinson, 15l.; Lord Scroope, 6l. 13s. 4d.; Robert Case, 10bz. of salmon, 30l.; Thomas Dente "tipstafe," 50l.; Sir Robert Carie, 9l. 10s.; the Lady Woodrington, 6l. 7s. 6d.; due by the Lord Governor for victuals delivered his lordship per Vernon, 591l. 3s. 9½d. Total, 1084l. 13s. 2½d.

"Bills and spetiallties receved from Sir Vallentyne Browne not yet paied."

The Lord Governor, 219l. 9s. 11d.; captain John Carvell, 130l.; Sir John Selbie, 15l. 10s.; Sir William Reade, 14l.; &c., &c. Total, 429l. 12s. 5d.

"Dewe uppon the two yeares paie."

Captains Carey, Case and Haines; Edward Coniers, &c., 438l.

For the answering of 1240l. 13s. 4d. taken by the enemy in 3 ships—whereof 2 and their lading were his own adventure. For proof of which he has certificates from the customs at Lynn, and depositions of sundry witnesses ready to show.

For the "approvemente" of his losses of 1200l. for want of payment half yearly, according to her Majesty's grant, he has set down "in the whole xix^mlcccxlli. xviijd. for vj moneths."

Also where he alledges the want of a great part of her Majesty's stock for certain years, to the loss of 1000l., it appears that he wanted for 6 years, the most part of 4354l. 17s. 6d., which he received in bills and specialties for debts for money, salmon, and grain, as appears by three several indentures—the rest of the money "(whereof he wanteth to this day iiijcxxixli. xijs. vd.)," he received out of Exchequer to make up the said sum, having been forced to be a suitor for it to her Majesty. Also he wants the letters for provision of her Majesty's ships, done while Sir Henry Woodrington was marshal, and likewise of 2500 men when M^r Raudall was ambassador in Scotland.

2½ pp. Contemporary writing. Indorsed: "A declaration for the awnsweringe of the debtes set downe per Vernon, 1594."