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1. Petition of Elizabeth Viscountess Savage to the King. It has
been her happiness for many years to attend on the royal person
of the Queen's Majesty. Prays a grant of the next donation
of the office of Richard Brownlow, one of the prothonotaries of the
Court of Common Pleas. [1 p.] |
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2. Petition of her Majesty's servants De Vantelet, Coignet, and
Plancy, to the same. Divers sums of money being due to petitioners
by Philip Burlamachi, petitioners are from time to time delayed and
told that the King remains indebted to him. In that case, as
petitioners daily attend her Majesty's service, and as strangers are
ignorant of the forms of proceeding by way of justice, they crave
order for payment out of what is due to Burlamachi from the
King. [¾ p.] |
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3. Agreement between Sir Thomas Edmondes and Sir Henry
Vane, Treasurer and Comptroller of the King's Household, with
the rest of the Officers of the Green Cloth, of the one part, and
Cornelius Holland, Clerk Comptroller of the Prince's Household
and keeper of the King's pastures at Creslow, of the other part,
for the purchase annually of the overplus oxen of the King's store
which amount to 300 or thereabouts at 10l. an ox. [Draft or
Copy. 2½ pp.] |
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4. Claim of an Accountant whose name does not appear, for
surcharge upon an account for victuals supplied for the service of
the King's father and the King himself, between 1612 and 1630.
[Probably incomplete. 2¾ pp.] |
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5. Petition of Sir Thomas Roe to the King. Prays direction to
the Lords of the Treasury to pay him for a pair of pendants purchased by his Majesty above four years past at 3,500l., which sum
they cost the petitioner. The King at that time directed that he
should receive ready money. [1 p.] |
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6. Petition of the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners to the same.
About seven years past, on their petition, his Majesty gave order
for payment of four years arrears then due to them, out of the
4th and 5th subsidies. There is still remaining due to them an
arrear for the two years last past. Pray order to the Lords of
the Treasury for payment, also for some settlement for the time to
come for payment of their wages. [½ p.] |
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7. Petition of Edward Bradbourne, silkman, to the King.
Petitioner has been a suitor for payment of 1,326l. 1s. 8d., for gold
and silver fringes delivered in September 1632, for making up
certain rich saddle cloths sent by the King and Queen into Savoy.
Reference was made to the Lord Treasurer who died before any
course was taken for petitioner's relief. There are now bespoken
of him other gold and silver commodities for a green velvet saddle
cloth, for her Majesty's special use, which by reason of the richness
and curiosity thereof, together with the monies already due, will
amount to 1,800l. or thereabouts. Prays order for striking a tally
for petitioner's debt, and damages for the forbearance thereof, to be
paid out of the farm of the Great Customs. [1 p.] |
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8. Petition of Francis Burt to the Queen. Petitioner being
purveyor for poultry for the Prince and the rest of her Majesty's
children, is behind of his disbursements above 1,900l., and can get
no payment; without her Majesty's favour he is like to be undone.
Prays her to move his Majesty for an order for payment by the
Lords of the Treasury. [½ p.] |
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9. Petition of Rowland Pitt, his Majesty's servant and late
purveyor of sea fish, to the Lords of the Treasury. For sea fish
long since bought for his Majesty's service there is due to petitioner
1,000l. and notwithstanding five several references and a privy
seal for speedy payment he still remains unsatisfied. For want
thereof his credit is impaired, his estate eaten out with interest, his
trade (the very maintenance of his life) wholly decayed, and he
and his seven children suffering great damage thereby, as also by
money formerly forborne in like kind amounting to 5,000l. Prays
speedy payment. [½ p.] |
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10. Blank form of a Warrant to the Treasurer, Comptroller, and
other Officers of the Household and Officers of the Green Cloth, to
pay a pension to the assignee of the person to whom it was
originally granted during the remainder of the life of the grantee.
[1 p.] |
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11. Petition of John Quin to the King. Petitioner's father and
mother were ancient servants to the Royal Family. His father,
Walter Quin, had an allowance of 100l. per annum. Prays for
the continuance of the same allowance during petitioner's lifetime
or during pleasure. [1 p.] |
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12. Petition of Elizabeth Peppercorn, widow of Peter Peppercorn,
late fishmonger of London, to the Council. Her deceased husband
being purveyor of fish to the late Sir Allen Apsley, Lieutenant of
the Tower, and his Majesty's prisoners within the same, had 40l.
due to him at the time of his death from Sir Allen, which petitioner
has never been able to obtain. Prays order for payment out of
money to be presently paid to Sir Allen's lady out of the Court of
Exchequer, due to Sir Allen in his lifetime. [1 p.] |
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13. Petition of the same to the same. By accounts allowed by
Commissioners it appears that there is 37l. due to petitioner for
provision of fish for the prisoners and household in the Tower.
Prays order that the executors of Sir Allen Apsley may be enforced
to give her satisfaction. [¾ p.] |
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14. Petition of Elizabeth Crewe, widow, late the widow and
executrix of Thomas Norton, surveyor of Highways, to the Lords
of the Treasury. The Lords granted petitioner a Privy Seal dated
20th May last for payment of 648l. 14s. 8d., laid out by her husband
Norton for his Majesty's service ever since 1628. For want of this
money she and her four fatherless children are in extreme necessity,
the interest of her debts having long since eaten out all she had.
Prays order to receive the aforesaid sum. [¾ p.] |
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15.— to Francis Lord Cottington. Sir Randall Cranfield
being dead, the office of master worker of the Mint is come to his
son by virtue of a grant in reversion which he was willing to surrender to the writer. Sir Randall was sequestered from the place,
but the son never forfeited his interest. The writer's suit is to be
joined with Sir Thomas Aylesbury in the place. Formerly agreed
with Sir Robert Harley for the place, but his patent was avoided
by a suit grounded on the patent to the younger Cranfield. [Copy.
1⅓ p.] |
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16. Petition of Alice Alia, widow and administratrix of Richard
Alia, to Sec. Windebank. In 1629 her late husband lent 28l. 6s. 0d.
upon bond to Ambrose Randolph, who had after promised payment,
but still delayed. Randolph being clerk of the papers, and one of
his Majesty's servants, petitioner prays Windebank to command
him to give her satisfaction, or that she may take the benefit of the
laws against him. [1 p.] |
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17. Note that there had been 4,500l. paid by William Lake and
John Kipp, for Lord Fielding, [on account of his expenses as
ambassador to Venice ?] but that only 3,200l. was due to him, and
1,000l. of that was ordered to be otherwise disposed of. It is
suggested that 300l. might be satisfied out of Mr. Hales's allowance
which was charged on Mr. Lake by Lord Fielding. [2/3 p.] |
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18. Petition of Sarah May, widow of Hugh May the King's
servant deceased, to the King. Hugh May enjoyed for his life
some small estate, which he spent together with his life in the King's
service, and left petitioner with five children and only betwixt seven
and eight hundred pounds. Prays the King to accept 500l., and
to assure her for her life an annuity of 125l. which her husband
lately enjoyed from the Dean and Chapter of Rochester, but which
by his death has fallen to the King. [¾ p.] |
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19. Notes derived from the records of various grants made by the
present King to Sir Abraham Dawes, Thomas Dawes, and Sir Paul
Pindar, of the customs, subsidies of poundage, and impositions upon
goods brought into this kingdom or transported out of it. Also of
a grant made by the late King on 20th December 1624, to Sir
Robert Pye, of a dwelling within the precinct of St. Stephen,
Westminster, wherein the writer of the tallies had used to dwell,
with a fee of 316l. 13s. 4d. per annum as such writer. [1½ p.] |
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20. Suggestion to Edward Viscount Conway, to be a suitor for
a grant of all arrearages of rents and sums of money within the
survey of the Exchequer, Duchy of Lancaster, Court of Wards, and
First Fruits and Fines in the Star Chamber which have grown due
up to the 7th Car. I., until 6,000l. in part of the arrears due to
Viscount Conway be satisfied. These debts being four years left in
arrear will hardly ever be got in by the ordinary way. [Indorsed
are notes of previous similar grants of particular fines or debts.
¾ p.] |
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21. Copy of the same without the notes indorsed. [½ p.] |
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22. Note of the form in which Lord Conway should make the
request above suggested and of previous similar grants made to
Lady Saltoun, George Earl of Rutland, and Susan Countess of
Denbigh. [1 p.] |
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23. Paper in further explanation of the solicited grant to Lord
Conway above mentioned, and apparently in reply to objections.
[¾ p.] |
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24. The King to Attorney General Bankes, and Solicitor General
Littleton. The King having determined to revive and new erect
the ancient office of Aulnager of Linen Cloth, and to grant the same
to Thomas Braie, [Bray,] one of his carvers, and Sir Selwyn Parker,
one of the gentlemen pensioners, the persons addressed are to prepare
a book and proclamation thereupon for his Majesty's signature.
[Signed by the King, but not dated. 1 p.] |
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25. The same to Attorney General Bankes. By indenture of
29th June 1627, the King granted to Lady Barbara Villiers of
Westminster, widow, for 21 years, all customs payable on gold and
silver thread. Divers persons having combined for seven years
past to bring in gold and silver thread without payment of customs,
the Attorney General is to prepare a commission for John Arpe and
John Cawson to prosecute all such offenders, with power to Sir
Egremont Thynne, Sir Edward Warden [Wardour], Sir Thomas
Broderick, Sir William Roberts, Sir Oliver Nicolas, and Sir
John Wolstenholme the younger, Robert Holborn, Thomas Lisle,
Thomas Talbot, and William Watkins, to compound with offenders.
Arpe and Cawson to receive one fourth of all fines and compositions.
[Copy. 3 pp.] |
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26. Petition of James Duppa to the King. Has laboured many
years to bring the maltsters and brewers of England and Wales to
pay to the King 40,000l. yearly upon reformation of certain
abuses in their arts or mysteries. Was presented by Sir Abraham
Dawes to the late Lord Treasurer, and now prays the King to hear
petitioner's reasons. Letters have been sent forth from the Council
to the Justices of Peace, some of whom have certified that the brewers
and maltsters are ready to pay such moneys as the Commissioners to
be appointed shall think fitting. Prays order to the AttorneyGeneral to prepare proclamations and letters patent for petitioner
to be Receiver-General. [Indorsed "Capt. Duppa" by Sec. Windebank. 1 p.] |
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27. Petition of Margaret Cary, relict of Thomas Cary, one of the
grooms of the chamber, lately deceased, on behalf of herself and
her three daughters, to the same. Prays a commission to prosecute
and compound with offenders by engrossing and exporting wools,
woolfells, fuller's earth, lead, leather, corn, and grain, with an allowance of one-fourth part to the prosecutors; also a grant to petitioner
of two fourth parts of the fines and compositions. Petitioner states
various reasons for her request, the first being that her husband
and his executors had expended great sums of money in discovering
the offenders above described. [2/3 p.] |
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28. Notes, by Sec. Windebank, on an offer by the farmers of the
customs of an increase in their payment of 30,000l. per annum,
and the anticipation of 30,000l. annually beforehand without interest. This offer was made in the face of the following hazard
and difficulties, vizt., First, that the composition of 6d. in the
pound in the port of Dover was contingent upon the continuance
of the wars between the kings of Spain and France and the
Netherlands. Second, the declining of the East India trade, only
30,000l. having been sent out these two years by the Company,
and nothing intended to be sent this year. The fear of the declining of this trade is worthy of his Majesty's consideration in
point of diminution of revenue, and in respect of the dangerous
consequence if the whole trade should fall into the hands of the
Hollanders. Third, the hazard of the petty farmers in case of war
either with Spain or France. [¼ p.] |
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29. Statement by Sir Thomas Morgan relative to an arrangement made by the late Lord Treasurer for the repayment to Sir
Thomas of a large sum of money expended by him for Edmund
Nicholson in procuring the custom upon cloth to be fully answered
to the Crown. Sir Thomas prayed the Lords of the Treasury to
confirm the late Lord Treasurer's arrangement, by which Sir Thomas
received various annual payments on account of his large debt.
[1½ p.] |
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30. Memorial addressed to Sec. Windebank, touching the promiscuous conveying of the revenues of the Crown, with a proposition of a remedy. The writer states that the arrears due to the
Crown were grown to so great a bulk as to have brought the
revenue into much confusion. He explains the artifices by which
the settlement of the accounts of sheriffs were postponed and the
balances due from them finally procured to be remitted. His
remedy is a reference to the Lords of the Treasury to take an
account of all the present arrears and the issuing of a Commission
for their recovery. [7¼ pp.] |
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31. Estimate of the King's revenues received by customs, subsidy, and impost upon merchandise exported and imported to and
from Spain, France, and the Levant. The trade with Spain produced 78,000l. per annum, with France 94,000l., and with the
Levant 71,000l. [1 p.] |
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32. Suggestions by Nicholas of remedies for impediments met
with in the collection of ship-money. The subjects with which
Nicholas deals, are; i. The refusal of constables and other officers
subordinate to the sheriffs to execute the sheriffs' warrants. This
has been especially complained of by the sheriffs of Essex, Oxford,
and other counties. ii. The disorderly and unequal assessments
made, for which remedies are suggested. iii. The assessments of
more money than will do the business. iv. That divers collectors
have money in their hands which they refuse to pay to the sheriffs,
and others keep the overplus levied, as themselves say, for other
public uses. [3½ p.] |
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33. Extract from the instructions given by the Council to the
Sheriffs for the levy of ship-money. It consists of the article concerning the assessment of the clergy, who were to be assessed in
the same manner as the rest of his Majesty's subjects, but with a
due respect to their persons and calling, and the assessment not
to be prejudical in future to any rights which, upon further search,
should be found due to them. [Indorsed are names of various
clergymen with their livings in cos. Northampton, Huntingdon,
Bedford, and Bucks, in the handwriting of Sir John Lambe.
¾ p.] |
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34. List of ships to be provided by the several counties, with
their burdens, men, and charges, by 1st March 1635-6. Totals,
45 ships, 21,850 tons, 8,750 men, and 218,500l. charge. [1 p.] |
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35. Similar list, but with some few inaccuracies. [Written on
the back of the first sheet of a copy of, perhaps, an assignment of a
lease of a house in the parish of St. Dionis Backchurch, London.
1 p.] |
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36. Account of money received for ship-money by Sir William
Russell, up to some date probably in June 1635, with the
amount expended by him on account of the two fleets of 15
ships and 10 ships prepared to be set forth. [1¾ p.] |
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37. Draft of the preceding account in Nicholas's handwriting;
scribbled on the same piece of paper as a first draft of a letter
from the Lords of the Admiralty to the Officers of the Navy, similar
in purport to that calendared under date of 23rd July 1635, p. 291
of our last volume. [2 pp.] |
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38. Minute of an Order of Council settling the sum payable
for ship-money by the city of London under the writ of 20th
October 1634. The sum originally charged was 35,118l. out of
which 23,643l. was allowed to the City for five ships by them set
forth, so that 11,475l. remained to be paid, and 80,609l., instead
of 104,252l., was the total sum charged on Sir William Russell on
that account, with the addition of the amount received back by him
from the executor of Sir Sampson Darrell. [1 p.] |
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39. Draft of the preceding, with alterations by Nicholas. [1 p.] |
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40. Charge against Sir William Russell, Treasurer of the Navy,
in the Exchequer, in respect of the sums to be received by him
from the several sheriffs for ship-money under the writ of the 20th
October 1634. [2¾ pp.] |
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41. Additional charge against the same in respect of money overpaid to Sir Sampson Darrell, and by his executor repaid to Sir
William Russell. [½ p.] |
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42. Copy of the two preceding papers, altered by Nicholas after
the settlement of the sum payable to Sir William Russell by the
city of London, and both papers being amalgamated so as to form one
account. [3 pp.] |
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43. Petition of the twenty-four Cursitors of the Court of Chancery
to the Council. Petitioners, by virtue of the ship writs, have been
assessed at their habitations in respect of their offices and estates,
and the more (as some assessors have let fall) in regard petitioners
were employed in expediting such writs. They are also assessed
for their office in Chancery Lane in the parish of St. Andrew,
Holborn, which was never before assessed towards any payment.
Pray that such assessment may be taken off and their office
hereafter be free. [2/3 p.] |
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44. Names of the rectors of the six parishes within Worcester,
and the sums at which they were assessed towards ship money.
[1 p.] |
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45. Petition of Hester Rogers, widow of William Rogers, jeweller,
to the Council. Petitioner was assessed 3l. for his Majesty's last
shipping, which being utterly unable to pay she has been sent
for by a messenger. Petitioner has due to her from his Majesty
2,000l. for jewels delivered in the first year of the reign, and 1,248l.
for jewels delivered to the late Queen Anne, for want whereof
petitioner and her husband have been constrained to pay use for
2,000l. ever since, and within the last 12 months petitioner has
been compelled to borrow money to sustain herself and her children.
Prays discharge from the messenger and order that she may be
respited till she receive some part of the moneys due from his
Majesty. [2/3 p.] |
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46. Petition of the President and College of Physicians of London
to the Council. By letters patent and act of parliament immunity
has been granted to the petitioners from providing arms, by which
the College has been discharged from such assessments, even in
1588, when Sec. Walsingham directed his letters to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen to forbear the College in that levy, whereupon the
College was ever since thought to be exempt. Yet the now lord
mayor and aldermen, upon this late levy for shipping, disallowed
this immunity. Pray the Lords to let their pleasure be known
to the lord mayor, otherwise this will be a leading act to make
frustrate the whole benefit conferred upon petitioners. [2/3 p.] |
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47. Certificate of Sir William Culpeper, late sheriff of Surrey, of
the sums assessed upon every hundred and corporate town in that
county towards raising 4,000l. ship-money. [½ p.] |
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48. Petition of George Bland of Aldingbourn, Sussex, to the
Council. Was taxed for ship-money in Sussex and willingly submitted, yet notwithstanding, petitioner being no inhabitant of
London, was assessed 3l. in the ward of Castle Baynard, his tenants
also being assessed; and for payment of the 3l. he has been arrested
by a messenger. Prays discharge from payment of the 3l. [Underwritten, "Nil." 1 p.] |
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49. Humphrey Dolman, sheriff of Berks, to Sec. Windebank.
Sends names of clergy in Berks who have paid their assessment.
Several parishes have exempted their clergy, others have paid their
assessment, but would not have it appear by the returns. But the
whole money paid is no considerable sum, as many found good
respect and ease in this business. Has received 200l. of the 400l.,
remainder of the whole amount, but is put to distrain for most
behind, which is the cause of his delay of payment. Prays Windebank to move for the writer's discharge out of his office. [1 p.] |
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50. Petition of the Mayor and Burgesses of Boston, co. Lincoln,
to the Council. On 21st July last the Lords ordered that one half
of the charge of furnishing the ship charged upon Boston should
be borne by that town, and the other half by the county. There
are several towns in that county of much more worth than Boston,
which is but one little parish so abounding with poor that 300l. per
annum does but relieve them. Half this ship is as much charge as
13 or 14 entire subsidies, and 20 times the proportion of all payments
charged upon the county. Although called a port it has but seven
or eight small ships or boats and not mariners sufficient for them,
and the pier and sluice are in such decay that the port is almost
landed up. Pray to be released from this service as the Board did
in 1588, when town and port were in much better estate than now,
or that the ship may be charged upon the county, when petitioners
will willingly pay their proportion. [1 p.] |
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51. Petition of William Piers and William Cooper to the Council.
A warrant was directed to petitioners from Sir William Culpeper,
sheriff of Sussex, to tax and levy 50l. on the parish of Bosham
towards the service of shipping. In their desire to speed the service,
and in hope to receive of Thomas Bridger of Funtington 25s. and of
Robert Foord 30s., at which they were assessed, petitioners paid the
50l., and now Bridger and Foord refuse to pay. Pray assistance in
levying the same. [¾ p.] |
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52. Petition of Edward Chute, sheriff of Kent, to the same.
Was constrained by indisposition of body to rely on the promises of
those appointed for assessment and collection of the ship-money in
Canterbury and the port towns. Finds 79l. 13s. 2d. of the ports'
assessment in arrear and 50l. of that in Canterbury. Prays the
Lords to excuse this default of his and give directions for further
proceedings. [½ p.] |
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53. Petition of same to same. Upon two levies of ship-money
has collected the sum imposed, and about 200l. more. Has expended
300l. in this business. Prays the Lords to allow him the overplus
towards his charges and to give direction for collecting and disposing
of 82l. 8s. 8d. yet behind. [⅓ p.] |
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54. List of persons stated to have been partially omitted out of
the assessment for ship-money [in Ightham] in Kent. [This paper
seems to be connected with the one already calendared under 20th
November 1635. That is probably a reply to the present paper, in
which case the charge of partiality was adduced by Sir William
Selby. 1 p.] |
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55. Petition of John Wooddam, constable of Long Buckby, co.
Northampton, to the Council. Has been sent for to answer a
complaint for neglect of his office or touching his denial of payment
of ship-money in which he does not know that he has committed
any offence. Being an aged poor man and having in less than three
days travelled 60 miles a-foot, he is desirous to know what he is
blamed for, that he may humbly submit himself and be discharged
from the messenger. [½ p.] |
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56. Petition of the Mayor and Corporation of Bridgewater to the
same. The borough lying within the hundred of North Petherton
is taxed by the sheriff at 70l. towards the ship-money, and the
whole hundred but at 200l. The borough is not able to pay so
great a rate, having heretofore, with the tithing of Heygrove, paid
only an eighth part of the hundred towards his Majesty's household
provision. Pray that they may be taxed with the hundred
proportionably to the rate they have borne in other payments.
[1 p.] |
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57. Petition of the Mayor and others of Barnstaple to the Council.
Last year an assessment was made for ship-money, in which Exeter
was proportioned to pay 400l. and Barnstaple 100l., though according
to a hundred rate Barnstaple comes but to 85l. Exeter procured
50l. of their proportion to be transferred to Barnstaple, which is
a town much decayed. A new writ having come for another
asssssment, Exeter had prevailed to draw the last year's action
into a precedent and 150l. has again been imposed on Barnstaple.
Pray that they may pay but according to their former hundred
rate. [2/3 p.] |
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58. Petition of same to same. 150l. has been heretofore assessed
on their town towards the setting forth of a ship by the county of
Devon. State their inability to pay that amount, and pray that the
150l. may be added to the sum set upon the hundred, and that they
may be rated by equal proportions with the hundred. [2/3 p.] |
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59. Note by Nicholas of resolution of the Council on one of the
preceding petitions from Barnstaple or on another petition of a similar
kind. Petitioners being present when the sheriff and mayors of corporations in Devon made their assessment, urged what they could to
ease their own corporation. Since they could not prevail with their
neighbours who best know the ability of that town, the Council
think it not fit to alter what has been assessed in so orderly a way.
There follows on the same paper a similar note of the resolution of
the Council on a petition of Edward Barker. The Lords required
Sir Paul Pindar and Alderman Garway to send for Captain Fletcher,
and if upon examination they find what is alleged to be true, to
enjoin Captain Fletcher to give petitioner satisfaction, and in case
he refuse, to require him not to depart out of the kingdom till he
shall have leave from the Lords. [1 p.] |
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60. Statement in reply to [Sir John Dryden, sheriff of co. Northampton], and in proof that the general charges of the county have
been usually divided into two equal parts, and so equally borne by
the divisions of East and West, with an answer to the sheriff's
reasons for charging more upon the East than upon the West
towards the ship-money. [1¾ p.] |
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61. Petition of Patrick Young to the Council. Was assessed to
the ship-money for his personal estate in the parish of St. Martin's,
where his dwelling and constant abode is, and has paid the same.
Is likewise assessed in Hampshire, where he has only a little farm,
wholly let to a tenant, save some few rooms to sojourn in for a
season in summer, for which according to the number of the yards of
land at the rate of the country he is most willing to pay. Prays
the Council favourably to construe his delay in paying, as not
proceeding from any refractory disobedience, but out of an opinion
that he is unjustly dealt with, by the indiscretion of the constables,
being neither an inhabitant nor possessed of any personal estate
there. Prays the Lords to order the business. [⅓ p.] |
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62. Gervase Markham to Sir John Byron, sheriff of co. Nottingham.
At the commandment of the Council sends him the great and
intolerable oppression assessed upon the writer for the shipping. If
he had been commanded to present to him his head he would as
willingly have done it. Sir John has made the writer a separatist
from all the rest of his rank of that county. Lord Chaworth is
marked at 35l. and the writer extolled to 50l. Sir Gervase Clifton,
whose estate is richly worth 3,000l. per annum, is stamped with the
like mark of 35l. Sir John has also assessed 1 knight, 3 esquires,
2 gentlemen, and 2 clergymen, whose estates are richly worth
2,500l. per annum, at 39l., the writer being 50l., which no man else
in that country carries, unless it be earls or lords. Upon what
grounds he has done this, Sir John has no judgment to express.
Neither is the vulture humour stayed here; for the sheriff of
Yorkshire out of a lease that no way exceeds 20l. per annum, has
taken forcibly 10l. by distress. This fortune ever follows the
writer, for in the memorable time of the assessment for knights he
neither held land of the King in capite nor in knight service, yet
they exacted of him perforce 70l. Dares lay his poor estate
that the sheriff cannot parallel the writer with any subject in the
kingdom. Leaves it to the sheriff's consideration, the writer is so
weak in his limbs that he cannot come and expostulate with him.
[1 p.] |
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63. Petition of the Freeholders and Farmers of the hundred of
Guilsborough, co. Northampton, to the Council. Last year the rate
assessed upon their hundred for ship-money amounted to 353l.,
which rate though conceived to be very great, yet they paid it.
This year the sheriff, taking a new way of levy by provisions, has
charged 158l. more upon this hundred, that would not have stuck
at the former rate, and raised the hundred to 511l. 4s. abating upon
the sheriff's own hundred 175l. 15s. Pray directions for their
ease. [¾ p.] |
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64. Certificate of Richard Dove to the same. On the Council's
letters for raising 1,615l. more than the 5,000l. first taxed for shipmoney on Suffolk and Essex, the writer went to the sheriff of
Essex and acquainted him therewith. He answered that he could
not give the sheriff of Suffolk a meeting, but that if that sheriff
would take one half in charge he would take the other. [½ p.] |
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65. Statement of Robert Clerk. Being at the Greyhound in
Ipswich about Christmas last he heard the sheriffs of Suffolk and
Essex and some other Commissioners for ship-money say, that if the
Earl of Rivers paid in Essex, there was 150l. to be taken off Suffolk
and laid on Essex. [½ p.] |
|
66. Petition of the poor country towns and villages in Suffolk,
being no corporations, to the same. Divers towns adjoining the
rivers in Suffolk have been lately assessed at eleven subsidies for
setting forth a ship. The county being now charged with setting
forth a ship, those poor towns are charged again equally with the
rest of the county. Pray order to the sheriff to lay some reasonable
taxation upon them in respect of their former charge. [¾ p.] |
|
67. Roger Fursby to —. Has spoken with Mr. Nicholas
about the business for Poole. The writer thinks it best for him to
keep the notes that he has, that he may charge every man, showing
their own hands for it, and so Nicholas expects the letter of
the person addressed. The writer will call once every day at his
chamber for an answer.—P.S. The letter from the Lords may be
directed to Thomas Francis, mayor of Poole, William Bopart,
Sidrack Gibbons, and Roger Fursby, marshal. [1 p.] |
|
68. Petition of Inhabitants of Clifton, Roecliff, Osbaldwick,
Tenghall, Gate-Fulford, Water-Fulford, Heslington, and Heworth,
to the Council. The above towns were anciently considered part
of the county of York and within the liberties of St. Peter's, some
in the wapentake of Bulmer and other some in the wapentake of
Ouse and Derwent, and to all taxes they were assessed as parcel
of those wapentakes. About three years ago the mayor and citizens
of York procured a grant for annexing them to the city of York, by
colour whereof great oppressions have been done to the tenants,
whereupon Viscount Wentworth, Lord Lieutenant and President
of the North, ordered that these towns should pay with the county
for all things for the King's service. The mayor and sheriffs of
York, notwithstanding the order, have in this last assessment for
ship-money laid a tax upon these towns and collected part thereof,
and the high sheriff according to Lord Wentworth's order has rated
them with the county and distrained for the same, whereupon
petitioners have paid with both. Pray directions that the Lord
President's order annexed may be put in execution, and that the
mayor and sheriffs of York may restore the money. [1 p.]
Annexed, |
|
68. i. Order of Thomas Viscount Wentworth, for rating the
above-mentioned towns with the North Riding, notwithstanding they be annexed to the city of York for municipal
purposes. York, 9th November 1632. [Copy. 1¼ p.] |
|
69. Petition of the Bailiffs and Sheriff of Lichfield, to the same.
A petition was lately delivered by petitioners, praying that persons
living in the Cathedral Close might be commanded to pay the shipmoney assessed upon them by the city. Another petition was
presented by the Dean, and both were referred to the SolicitorGeneral. Petitioners acknowledge that the close is not within the
county of the city of Lichfield, but contend that it is within the
city, and pray that the inhabitants of the close should join with the
rest of the city in payment of the 100l. assessed upon it. [¾ p.] |
|
70. Petition of Richard Jennings and Bartholomew Drake,
collectors of ship-money in Portsmouth, to the same. Petitioners
have collected all monies assessed on Portsmouth and delivered the
same to the mayor to be paid to whom the Lords shall appoint,
save only such monies as were assessed upon Capt. John Heigham,
Francis Swayne, John Hunt, John Peters, and twenty-six other
persons, all belonging to the garrison, who refuse payment, and some
of them have abused petitioners coming to demand it, and have
thrust them out of their doors, the persons named being the chief
and most refractory. Pray order therein. [¾ p.] |
|
71. The charge of Sir William Russell in the Exchequer n
respect of monies by him received for ship-money under the first
writ for that levy, dated the 20th October 1634. Total 83,564l.
[2¾ pp.] |
|
72. Statement of Richard Barwis, sheriff of Cumberland, of the
way in which he assessed the sum of 500l. charged upon that
county for ship-money. Upon the clergy in the county 40l. was
assessed, 20l. upon Carlisle, and 440l. upon the commonalty, the
apportionment of which last sum upon the several wards of the
county is here stated. [1 p.] |
|
73. Petition of John Wilkinson and Samuel Sherman, clothiers,
of Dedham, Essex, to the Council. Petitioners were lately committed to the Fleet by this board for neglecting by distress to collect
the ship-money in the said town. By a letter found in the town
chest it was conceived the town was declared not to be maritime.
Petitioners certified the sheriff thereon, but since the Lords have
declared that the town shall be accounted maritime, petitioners
submit and are ready to obey such directions as shall be commanded
them. Pray for their discharge. [½ p.] Annexed, |
|
73. i. The Council to the Bailiffs of Colchester. Upon their suit
to have assistance of certain towns in setting forth the
shipping appointed them, the Council required the inhabitants of Dedham to join with them. Sithence they are
informed that such inhabitants are of small ability, and
dwell in an upland town having no benefit of shipping,
besides the loss of 2,000l. of late sustained by bankrupts,
wherefore they think that the bailiffs of Colchester should
forbear to lay any tax upon them. Greenwich, 30th May
1588. [Copy. 1 p.] |
|
74. Henry Hodges, sheriff of co. Somerset, with the Mayors and
Bailiffs of the corporate towns therein, to the same. Report the
assessment of 8,000l. upon the said county, with the parts thereof
to be paid by the cities and boroughs. ["Received 18th September
1635." 1 p.] |
|
75. Petition of the Magistrates, Officers, and Inhabitants of the
precinct of St. Martin-le-Grand within but not of the city of
London, to the same. His Majesty having designed a necessary
charge upon several maritime towns and places for setting forth
shipping, petitioners are willing to be contributors therein, but offer
the exemption of the precinct of St. Martin-le-Grand from the city,
being no member thereof, and so often adjudged by law, chancery,
and parliament, but of Westminster. Pray writ to their own
officers to assess them and they will have the money ready to pay
over in one week. [1 p.] |
|
76. Petition of a great number of poor men, inhabitants of East
Smithfield, to the Council. Petitioners are assessed towards setting
forth a ship at a great sum of money which they are importuned
to pay with all expedition. The assessors have looked into the
rates for subsidies in times past without due consideration of how
by death of their ablest men East Smithfield is exceedingly
impoverished, so that 198l. 14s. 5d. is a far greater sum than they
are able to pay. Pray that they may be discharged or the amount
mitigated. [¾ p.] |
|
77. Petition of the poor Inhabitants of Guisborough in co. York
to the same. By warrant from the sheriff, petitioners are directed
to join with other sea towns for building a ship of 800 tons, which
will amount to 6,600l. Guisborough is situate divers miles from
the sea, and no navigable river can carry any commodity to or from
it to the same, besides which petitioners who are poor people wholly
depending upon husbandry, are infinitely surcharged with poor by
reason of his Majesty's alum works there seated. Pray to be discharged from contribution with the sea towns. [1 p.] |
|
78. Petition of the same to the same. The Lords not having
thought fit to allow the exemption prayed for in the above petition
because Guisborough is mentioned in the King's writ, petitioners
now pray the Lords, in consideration of their poverty, to join with
them in contribution the town of Yarm, situate on a navigable
part of the Tees. [This and the previous petition, whether presented
in 1635 or in the preceding year, relate to the first writ for shipmoney. ¾ p.] |
|
79. Petition of the Inhabitants of East Bergholt, Suffolk, to the
same. A writ being directed to the maritime towns of Suffolk
and Essex to set forth a ship, Ipswich would unequally impose 200l.
on petitioners, pretending they are members of a maritime town
called Brantham. Petitioners deny the same or that they have
any benefit from the sea. Pray to be freed from the said charge.
[This petition relates to the first writ for ship-money. ½ p.] |
|
80. Notes derived from early chroniclers with the intention of
showing that the clergy ought not to be taxed to the ship-money.
The author investigates the origin of Danegeld, which he states to
have been a tax levied for fitting out ships to be employed against
the Danes, "then the common enemy as the Turks of Argier be at
this day." He contends that under the Saxon princes, even in
greatest extremity of the State, the clergy were free. William II.—
William the Atheist, as the author terms him—was the first who
taxed the clergy, swearing by St. Luke's face that God should never
have good from him, because he had done him so much spite. The
taxation was continued by subsequent kings down to the end of
the reign of Edward III., but by the bishop, not by the sheriff.
Under the mode of taxing adopted in relation to the ship-money,
the writer contended that the clergy suffered great injustice; "in
Sussex an hobnail of one parish comes to such another of the next
parish thus;—'I faith we ha noynted our parson, howe ha you drest
yours?'" [8 pp.] |
|
81. Petition of Captain Richard Steele, one of the King's servants,
to the King. Prays order to Sir Robert Pye for payment of an
order of the late Lord Treasurer for 300l., the arrears of petitioner's
pension of 200l. [2/3 p.] |
|
82. The King to the Lords of the Admiralty. There was building
at Woolwich a ship royal, of a greater size than any, and it was
intended to bestow extra cost in painting and gilding the great
cabins. His Majesty having formerly appointed Philip Warde to
be purser of the said ship, directs that he, having good judgment in
painting, is to have the care of the great cabins. [Draft with
corrections by Nicholas. 2/3 p.] |
|
83. Petition of Peter Pett the younger to the King. His Majesty
having consented that petitioner might print and publish the plot
or draught of the great ship, and sell the same for his best advantage, prays for the royal licence for such sale and the restraining
of all others. [½ p.] |
|
84. Blank form of the condition of a bond given to an adventurer
in a voyage by his co-adventurers to return him an account of the
proceeds of their joint adventure and pay him one-fourth of the
profits. [Draft, altered by Nicholas and indorsed by him. "Mr.
Porter" and in another place "Mr. En. P." [2½ pp.] |
|
85. Petition of Clara Bowyer, Margaret Hall, Elizabeth Ensam,
Elizabeth Newland, with a thousand poor women more and
upwards, to the King. Petitioners' husbands being all seafaring
men have been at several times taken by the Sallee men-of-war and
carried to Sallee, where some of them have been three years and
some more in woful slavery, enduring extreme labour, want of
sustenance, and grievous torments, and, which is the greatest of all,
in want of the spiritual food of their souls, but of which estate they
cannot be redeemed but by death or extraordinary ransoms, unless
the King send to the King of Morocco, who as petitioners have been
informed will deliver them all if the King send an ambassador or
his letters. Pray him to do so. [1 p.] |
|
86. The Company of Watermen to the Lords of the Admiralty.
Answers to the objections of the Masters of the Trinity House
against their being employed as seamen. (See Vol. cclxxi, No. 46.)
They contend that the Masters of the Trinity House had mistaken
their proposals. They profess that many watermen are competent
without further teaching to serve as mariners, but seeing the
Masters of the Trinity House were so repugnant to their desire, they
suggest that their servants might first go one whole season with a
collier. [1½ p.] |
|
87. Certificate of the common Sailors to the King. The controversies which daily arise among petitioners are principally occasioned
by the owners of ships hiring their sailors by verbal contracts, so
that, when the sailor having performed his voyage comes to demand
his due, he is frequently so neglected and delayed, that he not only
loses his best opportunities of present voyages, but is enforced to
wage law for his due; and when he comes to trial, having no
speciality to produce, he is left to the misericord of his adversary,
and much more so are his wife and children if he die in the voyage.
Pray the appointment of a registrar resident near the Custom House,
London, to record the covenants between owners of ships and their
common sailors, with power to appoint deputies resident near the
other custom houses throughout the King's dominions. [2¼ pp.] |
|
88. Notes upon striking the sail and other admissions of the
Sovereignty of the Seas, derived from a circumstance which occurred
in 1603. A captain of the King's being sent to bring over M. de
Rhosny, Ambassador from France, made M. de Vicq, who commanded the King of France's ship in that passage, strike his French
flag, having shot at him with ball, even when he had the Ambassador on board. Sir Robert Cecil justified it. The writer adds a
reference to Capt. Pennington's instructions when Admiral of the
Narrow Seas in 1632. [¾ p.] |
|
89. Notes, by Nicholas, upon various clauses in a draft contract
with a victualler for the Navy, after the death of Sir Sampson
Darrell. [2 pp.] |
|
90. Petition of Isabella Brissenden, wife of William Brissenden, to
Nicholas. In her husband's absence acquaints Nicholas that her
husband, coming from sea, went into a tavern with friends, where
one Wolfe enticed him to play and won a great deal of money from
him. Wolfe also pretends that he lent her husband at play 20s., for
which he caused Lincoln, a bailiff, to arrest him and to carry him to
the Gatehouse, where he lay one night, and is still a prisoner to the
said prison to his great charges. On his complaint a warrant was
granted by the Lords of the Admiralty for Wolfe and Lincoln to
answer their contempt, who laugh at her husband, boasting they can
be discharged for 2s. 6d. a-piece. Prays that her husband may receive
satisfaction for his charges. [¾ p.] |
|
91. Petition of William Wolfe to the Lords of the Admiralty.
William Brissendale [Brissenden] owing petitioner 36s. and refusing
to pay, petitioner caused him to be arrested by Edward Lincoln, the
bailiff, neither of them knowing that he had any privilege in relation
to his Majesty's service, which being made appear, they offered to
release him, which he would not without bail, and threatened he
would not leave petitioner worth a groat. Prays pardon and order for
his and the bailiffs enlargement, and for his small debt submits himself to the Lords. [1 p.] |
|
92. Petition of the same to the same. Having unwittingly
committed an offence in arresting William Brissenden, he was
Brissenden, he was taken into custody of a messenger, and having
attended at Hampton Court, was ordered to release his action. He
has not only done so, but now offers to remit his debt; but Brissenden's wife demands 8l. or 9l., or else petitioner cannot be discharged.
Prays his discharge. [½ p.] |
|
93. Notes, by Nicholas, [on the information of Mr. Edisbury in
1632,] of the amount of wages received by each of the four principal
masters of the Navy, which was 39l. 17s. 6d., with additional payments
for board wages, 13l., and for cloth and appointments for the King's
livery, 10l. 19s. 5½d. [1 p.] |
|
94. Another paper of notes, by Nicholas, relating to the same
subject as the preceding, with the addition of a minute of an order
of the Lords of the Admiralty, on a petition of — Waugh for
permission to sue Sir Robert Le Grys, who died 2nd February
1634-5. [¾ p.] |
|
95. Mr. Wilford's project for fortifying the most dangerous, that
is, the most easily assailable parts of the English coast. The writer
enters upon the general principles of the art of fortification, and
enforces his views by quotations from Gonzales, Errard, and Claude
Flamand. On the authority of Errard, he states that Henry IV. of
France was so expert and judicious in fortification, that the Venetians
in 1594 forbore to build the famous citadel called Palma la Nova
until the plans had been submitted to that sovereign. [3⅓ pp.] |
|
96. Project of William Engelbert, engineer, addressed to the
King. The projector has devised how to make a moving fort of
cannon-proof, capable to have within her 30 or 40 pieces of ordnance, with men, victuals, and other things. He will also carry the
same fort and fix it at the mouth of any river or harbour, so that it
shall not be possible for any ship to go in or out without leave of
the fort. Desires that his project may be submitted to some honourable personages, skilful in martial affairs; and if they be persuaded
of the sure effecting thereof, that he may have a grant for two lives
of 200l. per annum, to be paid out of the customs of London or some
other place where it may be certainly paid, and if his Majesty
should put the project in execution, then some further recompence or
advancement. [¾ p.] Annexed, |
|
96. i. Statement of what use may be made of the said fort. One
of these forts being placed near the mouth of the Seine
would compel the French King to yield to such demands
as the King should ask of him; and this would not be a
breach of league, for the King being Lord of the Narrow
Seas, from low water-mark on either side, may place a
fort in his own seas, so long as it shall not be near the
mainland by two or three miles. [¾ p.] |
|
97. Petition of Capt. John Fisher, one of the gentlemen pensioners,
to the King. Petitioner was lately recommended by his Majesty
to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London for muster-master
there, and that letter was seconded by one from Sec. Windebank.
They still refuse to admit petitioner to the place, the gift whereof is
in his Majesty's power. Prays for a signification of his Majesty's
pleasure, what further shall be done. [½ p.] |
|
98. Capt. John Mason to Sec. Windebank. Statement of abuses
committed in his Majesty's forts and castles, for the redress whereof
Capt. Mason had been appointed every year to travel from one end
of the kingdom to the other, and to cross the seas to Jersey and
Guernsey, receiving for his pay but 13s. 4d. per diem. In his commission the office had been granted in perpetuity, but he was willing
that it should be granted to him only for his life if the Lords of the
Treasury desired so to have it. [1 p.] |
|
99. Muster Roll of Light Horse, charged upon the city of York
and the county of the same city, and upon the town and county of
Kingston-upon-Hull, as they were viewed in 1635 by direction of
Viscount Wentworth, Lord Lieutenant. Total of cuirassiers, 246;
dragoons, 26. [Parchment, damaged. 1 p.] |
|
100. Account of armour and weapons, both for horse and foot,
found by the clergy in the diocese of Canterbury, as settled by
William Dell, secretary to Archbishop Laud. The totals are:—
horses, 24; muskets, 106; corslets, 100. [15½ pp.] |
|
101. Petition of John Browne, his Majesty's founder of iron
ordnance and shot, to Sec. Coke. Petitioner was to pay 11,000l. on
the transportation of 1,000 tons of iron ordnance, the prices then
being 12 and 13 guilders the hundred, which since, by the practice
of Tripp and his company, who have the sale of Sweden ordnance,
are fallen to 8 guilders, and are expected to be lower, of purpose
to suppress the importation of English ordnance into the States'
dominions. Petitioner has done his best to uphold the sale of
English ordnance, and has sent a friend into those parts to settle a
contract to prevent the practices of Tripp, or to agree with him,
whose treaty took no effect, Tripp presuming he should weary petitioner and force him to forbear transporting any more. Prays for
liberty to transport ordnance and shot to any foreign ports in amity
with his Majesty, and that none be permitted so to transport save
petitioner, also for a general warrant dormant for shipping ordnance
at all convenient times, and that if the transport of ordnance be
stayed, an allowance shall be made petitioner for moneys paid out
more than the proportion of ordnance transported. [1 p.] |
|
102. Petition of the same to the King. The King of Sweden, to
draw the manufacture of iron ordnance and shot into their country,
gave certain Dutchmen woods and mines, and the benefit of their
slaves, by which means such multitudes of ordnance and shot have
been made there, and of such goodness, that all the world is by them
supplied, which heretofore was furnished from this kingdom. Petitioner
pays very dearly for all his materials and labour, and has also paid his
Majesty 12,000l. upon the transportation of iron ordnance, and has
had a very strong contest with these Dutchmen, by which, and the
forbearance of great sums of money in the Office of Ordnance, he
has much weakened his estate. Prays the King to grant him the
proposition annexed. [1 p.] Annexed, |
|
102. i. Larger statement of the endeavour mentioned above to
drive the English manufacturer of iron ordnance out of
the market, as had already happened in the case of muskets, the making of which was entirely lost in the first
year of this King's reign. The propounder has lately
brought into the kingdom the making of iron pots, kettles,
backs for chimnies, salt pans, soap pans, pitch pans, iron
weights, and other like things, according to the French
manner. Prays a grant of the privilege for sole making
such articles, which will enable him to keep in employment artisans skilful in iron ordnance and shot, ready
to supply any sudden occasion. Petitioner also prays
that out of the first profits to be made from the transportation of iron ordnance or from this manufacture, he may
be satisfied the 12,000l., money paid by him as abovementioned. [1½ p.] |
|
103. Statement of the nature of the privilege solicited in the preceding paper, with the objections thereto and answers to the same.
[2½ pp.] |
|
104. Part of a petition from John Browne, the founder of iron
ordnance, to the King. The Lord Keeper will not sign his patent
unless he give a covenant to resign it at his Majesty's pleasure.
Will resign the patent upon reasonable warning, conditionally that
his money and charges be repaid before his resignation. [½ p.] |
|
105. Petition of John Browne, founder of Iron Ordnance, to the
Lords of the Treasury. Sets forth his losses by the late Lord
Treasurer's nonperformance of a bargain made with Browne in July
1629, that he should make for his Majesty 4,000 tons of ordnance,
amounting to 44,000l. When Lord Cottington was gone into Spain,
the Lord Treasurer would take but six or seven hundred tons, leaving
1,400 tons ready made upon petitioner's hands. Petitioner then on
payment of 12,000l. to the King procured licence to transport the said
ordnance, but the Swedes undersold him, and he lost 20,000l. besides
his 12,000l. By this and other losses he was out of purse 48,000l.
To recompense him the King had granted him patents for transporting iron ordnance and for making iron pots, but as yet he had got
nothing by them. Prays the Lords of the Treasury to be a means to
reimburse him his losses, and to enable him to pay his debts and
maintain his workmen. [1 p.] |
|
106. [The same to the same?] There are merchants in treaty
with him for 550 pieces of iron ordnance to be transported, and
for that same number yearly. The Swedish merchants a.e also
upon some treaty with him, but say that unless he can assure them
that no ordnance shall be made or transported but by petitioner they will not agree to join in the sales. So also by reason of the
death of the late Lord Treasurer the warrants he gave are void,
therefore petitioner cannot ship any pieces until he has a new
warrant. So the business now stands. Prays them to settle it so
that he may know how to go on with it. [¾ p.] |
|
107. — to the King. Proposal for the manufacture of
small guns weighing only 3 cwt., and worth, at 8d. per lb., 11l. 4s.
besides ladle, sponge, and carriage. These guns are proposed to be
used to repel attacks on castles and forts, and on "sudden invasion,
or convoy or ambuscado, but specially in battalia." The proposer
has a piece making at Ratcliffe. [¾ p.] |
|
108. Request of Sir Sackville Crow, for a grant of Bowood
Park in North Wilts in fee-farm, in satisfaction of the compensation
promised by his Majesty for Crow's patents of ordnance. The
custody belongs to the Lord Chamberlain who is willing to part
with it. [1 p.] |
|
109. Proposal for redress and suppressing of the usual common
transporting of iron ordnance and shot of the kingdom, by engraving
upon every such piece cast in this country a special mark upon
the killett, and ordering that no piece should be shipped or sold
before such mark was engraven thereon. [3 pp.] |
|
110. Proposal of Mr. Evelyn, that if the sole making and selling
of powder were taken into the King's hands, the stores being first
furnished, the residue might be sold to the subject at 10d. per
pound, which would give the king a profit of 3,000l. per annum. [Sec.
Coke has added a further calculation as to the profit upon a smaller
sale. ½ p.] |
|
111. Note of the time when the saltpetremen's contracts then in
force began, and when they would expire. [½ p.] |
|
112. Report [from the Lords of the Admiralty as Commissioners
of Saltpetre to the Council]. It was not fit at this time to break
the contract for powder, lest the present supply should be a-wanting.
Mr. Evelyn could make a greater proportion of gunpowder if he
might receive a greater quantity of saltpetre. Suggest that the
Lords should permit any man to make powder of foreign saltpetre,
and should grant commissions into all shires to see the proclamation
against paving of dove houses duly executed. [1¼ p.] |
|
113. Estimate of the cost and profit of converting 50 lasts of saltpetre
into gunpowder. The cost of materials and manufacture for 50 lasts
is estimated at 3,280l.; the return at 7d. per lb. is put down at
3,500l.; the clear gain would therefore be 220l. Upon 100 lasts
the profit would be 600l., or if the powder were sold at 7½d. per lb.
1,100l. Upon 240 lasts the profit at 7d. is 1,994l. 15s., or at 7½d.
3,194l. 15s. [1¼ p.] |
|
114. Notes and calculations relative to the supply of saltpetre
and the manufacture of gunpowder. The Lords by the last contract
with John Evelyn have saved the King 1,200l. per annum if the
full proportion of powder contracted for be brought in. To make
240 lasts of gunpowder, which the gunpowder maker has contracted
to bring in, requires 240 lasts of saltpetre, which is 16 lasts and
16 cwt. more than the proportion assigned to the saltpetremen to
be brought in. Italian brimstone varies in price from 22s. to near
30s. a cwt., and coal of alder wood is worth 2d. per lb. [1½ p.] |
|
115. Form of warrant to the Earl of Newport, Master of the
Ordnance, authorizing him to issue out of the King's stores gunpowder at the price of 12d. per pound, for the use of any town
desiring the same. [¾ p.] |
|
116. Petition of John Davies, a furnisher of merchant ships with
powder, shot, and other provisions, to the Council. Heretofore
petitioner bought powder from the maker, but his Majesty having
commanded all powder to be brought into the Tower of London,
petitioner prays a warrant for two lasts of powder at such price as
the Lords think fit. [½ p.] |
|
117. Petition of the same to the same, similar to the preceding.
Prays a warrant to take such powder from the Tower at his
Majesty's price as he shall stand in need of. [⅓ p.] |
|
118. Petition of Robert Russell, victualler for shipping, to the
Council. Two merchant ships, the Hercules and the Martha and
Frances are bound for the Straits, and the Thomas and Matthew
for St. Lucar. Petitioner has undertaken to provide them with
all necessaries. Prays warrant to the officers of the Ordnance for
two lasts and a half of powder. [¾ p.] |
|
119. Petition of Godwin Awdry of Melksham, Wilts, to the
Lords of the Admiralty. Is employed by the Deputy Lieutenants
to keep the store of powder in that county by selling the old at
musters and replenishing with new. Desires direction whether he
may not serve the soldiers of that county out of his Majesty's
magazines in his keeping as formerly, and whether he shall not
sell the old powder to any who will buy, without taking licence
for that purpose from the Earl of Newport. Prays assurance, that
he may proceed without fear of the Earl's displeasure or danger
to himself. [¾ p.] |
