|
Dec. 16.
Nottingham. |
1. Justices of Peace for co. Nottingham to the Council. It was
the ancient course that the hundreds of Newark, Hatfield, South
Clay and North Clay, wherein the now sheriff dwells and most of
his estate lies, paid the moiety of all payments against the hundreds
of Bingham, Rushcliffe, Broxtow, and Thurgarton a-Leigh, where
we live, but our sheriff pretending that there are in these last-named
hundreds 34 towns more than the other, and not weighing the goodness of their towns, has laid more upon them by almost 500l. than
upon the other. State a variety of circumstances why this should
not have been the case, and crave redress. [2 pp.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall. |
2. Notes by Nicholas of business to be transacted by the Lords
of the Admiralty. Order upon Sir Thomas Roe's letter touching
the Dean of Windsor's complaint against Thomas Thornhill. Consider references from the King, of the petitions of Anthony St. Leger
and of Lady Ouchterlony. Consider Mr. Browne's petition. The
Dutchman, owner of 20 ton of Barbary saltpetre, will not appoint
any to join in appraising it, so it lies still in the Custom House.
Officers of the Navy attend to give an account of the state of the
Prince and the Merhonour. Sign Davison's deputation. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to Thomas Viscount Wentworth, Lord
Deputy of Ireland. Mr. Crane, surveyor of marine victual, has paid in
that kingdom for pipe-staves bought this last year the imposition of
3l. a thousand. Forasmuch as the said imposition was made since the
contract made with the surveyor, his Majesty is pleased that such
sums as Crane has paid shall be repaid him out of the revenue of
that kingdom. Pray that the same be paid, with the money due
for victualling ships employed on the coast of Ireland last summer.
[Copy. See Vol. cccliii., fol. 75. ¾ p.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall. |
The same to the Officers of the Navy. To make an estimate as
well of his Majesty's ships in harbour, as of the salaries of officers
and other works usually placed upon the ordinary of the navy, for
one year from 1st January 1637[–8] to the last day of December
1638, deducting what may be spared by reason of ships to be set
forth next year at the charge of the counties. [Copy. Ibid., fol. 75.
¼ p.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to the Master and Wardens of the Trinity
House. We have sent you a petition presented to his Majesty by
Lady Ouchterlony and Thomas Talbot, concerning the erecting of
lights or flames for sea marks at Flamborough Head, and at the
square at the mouth of the Humber. To certify your opinion.
[Copy. See Vol. cccliii., fol. 75 b. ⅓ p.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall. |
The same to Montjoy Earl of Newport. About twenty tons of
saltpetre, being by a Dutch merchant bought in Barbary of English
factors, after his Majesty had contracted for all that should be
made there, is unladen and put into the Custom House, London.
As his Majesty's gunpowder-maker complains that he wants saltpetre
to keep his mills in work, we pray you to order the Officers of the
Ordnance to appoint persons to set an indifferent price on the said
saltpetre, that we may take order for payment and for delivery
thereof, to be made fit for his Majesty's use. [Ibid., fol. 75. 2/3 p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
Another copy of the same. [See Vol. ccxcii., p. 72. ¾ p.] |
Dec. 16.
Burderop. |
3. Sir William Calley to Richard Harvey. Thanks him for having paid 8l. to Lady Cambell, and intending to "call for it again
to Mr. Felix Long." If he can obtain leave for arresting John
Titchborne, Sir William should have great hope to get his satisfaction. Urges Harvey to stay where he is for one year at least; if
not, and he will return to Sir William, he shall live with him as his
friend so long as they shall live together. [Seal with arms. ½ p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
4. Petition of John Donne, clerk, to Archbishop Laud. Since the
death of his father, lately Dean of St. Paul's, there have been many
scandalous pamphlets published under his name which were none of
his; one entitled "Juvenilia," printed for Henry Seale; another by
John Marriott and William Sheares, entitled "Ignatius his conclave,"
as also certain poems, by the said Marriott, of which abuses they
have been often warned by petitioner, but they profess suddenly to
publish new impressions. Prays the archbishop to stop their
further proceedings. [¾ p.] Underwritten, |
|
4. i. "I require the parties whom this petition concerns not to
meddle any farther with the printing or selling of any
the pretended works of the late Dean of St. Paul's, save
only such as shall be licensed by public authority and
approved by the petitioner, as they will answer the contrary at their peril, and of this I desire the Dean of
the Arches to take care.—W. Cant." 16th December 1637.
[¼ p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
5. Certificate of [the Officers of the Ordnance] of the quantity of
gunpowder issued yearly by that office. It states the quantity
issued for several years past, and gives the medium or average.
Total, 128 lasts 13 cwt. 81 lbs. [5½ pp.] |
| Dec. 16. |
6. Copy of the same [in the handwriting of Sir John Heydon],
with the addition of a memorandum that the preceding certificate
was presented to the Lords of the Admiralty on the 18th inst., and
a list also of the forts surveyed by Capt. Coningsby. [3 pp.] |
| Dec. 16. |
7. A paper of memoranda and calculations apparently connected
with the preparation of the preceding certificate. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
8. Account by Sir William Russell of ship-money for 1636.
Total received, 184,802l. 5s. 9½d.; outstanding, 11,812l. 1s. 10½d.
[1 p.] |
| Dec. 16. |
9. Account of ship-money for 1636 remaining in the hands of
sheriffs 150l., which makes the total collected 184,952l., and in
arrear 11,448l. [½ p.] |
Dec. 17.
Whitehall. |
10. Order of the King in Council. Upon petition of Henry
Lambe, and notice of the hard conditions offered to him in a certificate of the commissioners appointed to view the river from Bury
St. Edmunds to the river Ouse (see Vol. ccclxv., No. 47), his
Majesty appointed the first Sunday in Hilary term for hearing this
business in his own presence, and required the commissioners to attend
his Majesty with the depositions, and also to give notice to such gentlemen who are the cause of the said hard conditions to attend to give
reasons for their so doing. [1¼ p.] |
Dec. 17.
Whitehall. |
11. Similar order. The Lords, by letters of 2nd October, sent
with the ship-money writs, gave directions that the sheriffs should
return to the Board, within one month after the assessment made, a
certificate of what is set upon each parish, and particularly upon
every clergyman, which has been performed by few of the sheriffs.
It was ordered that Nicholas should let them know that his Majesty
takes it as a great neglect that they have not returned the said certificate, and wills them to do it forthwith, as also to certify to
Nicholas every fortnight the progress of the business. It was also
ordered that Nicholas should keep a book concerning the same, and
all the letters, and every Sunday give an account of the state
thereof. [1¼ p.] |
Dec. 17.
Whitehall. |
12. The Council to the Sheriff of co. Lincoln. We send you a
petition read at the Board in the name of Sir Anthony Thomas, John
Worsop, and others, undertakers of the drained lands beyond Boston,
and others interested therein, desiring that those lands may be
spared from assessment to ship-money, till the same shall yield some
considerable profit. His Majesty being inclined to give encouragement
to the undertakers of such works, has commanded us to require you
to give account what those drained [lands are] which petitioners
complain of to be charged as aforesaid, what sum is laid upon the
same, and what profit the same may now yield, with the reasons of
your proceedings herein, that his Majesty and the Board may give
further order herein. [Copy. 1 p.] |
| [Dec. 17.] |
13. Petition of John Bartlett, stationer, to the Council. Petitioner
has of late been called into the High Commission for buying and
selling schismatical books, as Dr. Bastwick's "Litany," Mr. Burton's
"Appeal," and others. He has now unburthened his conscience in a
free confession of the whole truth, and desires pardon. Petitioner is
very poor, and has a wife and six children, and a father, 84 years of
age, all depending upon him. Prays the Lords to accept his bond
not to deal in such books hereafter. [1 p.] Underwritten, |
|
13. i. Statement in the handwriting of Sir William Becher of
what "Sir John Lambe saith." That Bartlett was articled
against—1. For buying and divulging schismatical books,
as those of Prynne, Bastwick, &c. 2. For receiving the
Scottish News and causing several copies to be written
thereof. Upon examination touching the first he said he
was not bound by law to make any answer, but upon
admonition from Sir John Lambe he has since fully
confessed. For the Scottish News he utterly denied to
disclose the man who brought it, but confessed it was a
Scottish man who used to come to his shop, and Sir John
Lambe saw the Scottish News (of which Bartlett caused five
copies to be taken) in a Scottish hand, and in that same
hand some of the schismatical stuff which Bartlett had
divulged, so Sir John conceives that there was familiar
correspondence betwixt Bartlett and the Scottish man, and
that if he be well handled now, after some punishment, he
will discover the Scottish man's name and where he may
be found, and Sir John conceives it to be of consequence
to get so much from him. [1 p.] Written under the
petition, |
|
13. ii. Negatur. Their Lordships leave the petitioner to the
ordinary course of justice. [2 lines.] |
| Dec. 17. |
14. Order of the King in Council. Recites the facts stated in the
above petition and the report of Sir John Lambe. It was ordered
that Bartlett should by warrant from the Board be committed to the
Fleet until he give better satisfaction as touching the premises, and
more particularly touching the said Scottish man, and that the Earl
of Stirling and Sec. Windebank should take a strict examination of
Bartlett, and that the High Commissioners should communicate to
them the examinations already taken; and that by all ways and
means, as to the Earl and the Secretary should seem fitting, they
should find out the whole truth, and particularly the name and abode,
lodging, and person of the said Scottish man, and to report to his
Majesty or the Board. [1½ p.] |
| Dec. 17. |
15. Petition of Hugh Rigby, guardian to Gilbert Ireland, his
Majesty's ward, to the Council. Petitioner on Sunday last petitioned
the Board for stay of proceedings of the citizens of Chester against
the inhabitants of Gloverstone for the levies of ship-money until the
hearing of the cause before the Lords upon the country's certificate,
which the Lords thought not fit unless petitioner could manifest how
far he had proceeded upon the same. States the proceedings which
have taken place under the reference to the Earl of Derby and the
Judges of Assize (see Vol. ccclvii., No. 144), and prays that the citizens
may be ordered to forbear imprisoning the poor inhabitants and seizing
their goods until the cause be heard. [2/3 p.] |
|
15. i. Order of the King in Council that petitioner should attend
the issue of the hearing appointed the 4th February next,
being now near at hand, and that in the meantime no
surcease of the proceedings mentioned in the petition
needed to be had. Whitehall, 17th December 1637. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 17.
Boston. |
16. Sir Anthony Irby, Sheriff of co. Lincoln, to the Council. I am
enforced to complain of Sir Walter Norton, who last term sent for
Wyatt Parkins, my under-sheriff, and told him that he hoped I had
not engaged him to assist me in the ship business, and advised him
that, if he were clear of it, he should not meddle with it, for he knew
I should procure me many enemies by it. It will be impossible for
me to answer his Majesty's expectation without the assistance of the
country ministers and my own officers, especially the under-sheriff.
How far the discouragement of so near an officer may cause neglect
in the more inferior, I leave to your consideration. Wha tothers he
has or intends to dissuade, I rather fear than know. My request is
that you would send for Sir Walter, that you may know what he
intends by it, as also who they be that will be my enemies for doing
his Majesty's service. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 17.
The Bonaventure, [Plymouth Sound]. |
17. Capt. Henry Stradling to Sec. Windebank. I have received
order from Sir John Pennington to transport for the Groyne
Mr. Scandaret, a servant of her Majesty, and there to receive on
board the Duchess of Chevreuse. I have used my best endeavour to
get thus far, where I have been forced to stop to furnish myself
with a pilot. At this instant I am ready to set sail with a fair
wind. Before I had command for this voyage I received an order
from my admiral that whensoever I should meet with any ship
belonging to Dunkirk I should do my best to bring her to him, or
leave her in custody of the captain of one of his Majesty's forts, that
satisfaction might be made to Mr. Breams for busses taken from him
by men-of-war of Dunkirk. Going on shore at Plymouth, I had
intelligence of a Dunkirk prize there, which I have delivered to
Capt. George Bagg, lieutenant of the fort at Plymouth, with order to
detain her until he receive command from the Lords of the Admiralty.
I have sent the examination of those that have the command of her.
[Seals with arms. 1¾ p.] Enclosed, |
|
17. i. Examination of John Verhagen and William Vanden Abele,
belonging to the Conception, of Dunkirk, Philip Valencia,
captain, lately in his Majesty of Spain's service, taken
before Capt. Henry Stradling, 17th December 1637. They
came in company with the Spanish fleet from the Groyne,
bound for Dunkirk, about the 21st November last, and put
into Plymouth with a Dutch prize laden with salt, called
the St. John, of Agersfloate, of 200 tons, bound for
Dunkirk. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 17.
Burderop. |
18. Sir William Calley to Richard Harvey. I send four collars of
brawn, two dozen of hogs' puddings (half white, half black), and a
fat young swan, directed to Mrs. Porter. I and my wife have been
much indisposed. Present my love and service to good old
Mrs. Porter. We hear that Portugal is revolted from the King of
Spain, that they have murdered all the Spaniards in the Castle of
Lisbon, and that the Duke of Braganza has proclaimed himself
King. Write me what you hear thereof. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 17/27.
The Hague. |
19. Colonel Thomas Ferentz to Sir Thomas Roe. In reply to
letter of Sir Thomas of the 20th November (see Vol. ccclxxii., No. 7),
full of noble zeal, wise discourse, and discreet conclusions. The
writer's profession consists rather in doing well than in speaking
wisely, but trusting in Roe's wisdom he is emboldened to reply.
Doubts not that much good would result to the common cause if the
West India Company could be set on foot in England, but doubts
whether the present disposition of affairs will permit it. It is confirmed on all sides that the Swedes are treating, driven thereto by
the force of the imperial arms and the disunion of their leading men.
If despair of retaining the Swedes were to compel the French to
unite with Great Britain, the treaty might be renewed, but if they
can make peace otherwise, they will treat till the day of judgment
without coming to any conclusion, accommodating themselves in
that respect to the humour of your nation, which likes to come near
the fire but not to burn the foot. Explains the state of things in
reference to the Prince Elector's going in person to the army of the
late Landgrave, that Roe might judge whether any good was likely
to result from that step. States the contents of the will of the late
Landgrave, his appointment of his widow to the regency of his
states, and subsequent proceedings which it could not be doubted
would terminate in a peace, of which the writer states the proposed
terms. Hopes the affairs of the Prince Elector are not desperate,
but they must have assistance. His Highness prepares himself to
seek the issue of his business in an honourable death. He wishes to
use a few jewels which remain to him in equipping himself better
than has been done in England, and to die like a Prince at the head
of a few gentlemen who think as he does. The Prince has not been
wanting in will, nor in resolution, but in friends. [French. 4 pp.] |
Dec. 17.
Haling. [Hayling ?] |
20. Christopher Gardyner to his brother, Sir John Heydon.
Reports upon the progress of a chemical or alchemical experiment in
which the writer and Sir John were jointly interested. Sir John
has underscored with black lead the passages deemed most important.
[Seal with arms. 1½ p.] |
| Dec. 18. |
Letters patent for the erection of office of muster-master within
the city of London, and a grant of the same to Capt. John Fisher,
gentleman pensioner, during his Majesty's pleasure, with the like fees
as are paid to the muster-master of Kent. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 18. |
Warrant to pay to the Earl of Denbigh, master of the Wardrobe,
1,612l. 11s. 0d., to be paid to Mary Shackspeare, widow of John
Shackspeare, his Majesty's bit-maker, deceased, in regard of her
present necessities, in full of a debt of 1,692l. 11s., for wares by him
delivered for his Majesty's service in the stables, whereof there has
been already paid unto her 80l. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 18. |
Licence for George Lord Chandos, Baron of Sudeley, to travel into
foreign parts for three years. [Docquet.] |
Dec. 18.
Whitehall. |
21. The Council to Sir William Widdrington. Another copy of
the letter already calendared under date of the 10th December
instant; see Vol. ccclxxiii., No. 64., but with the present date.
[½ p.] Written on the same sheet of paper, |
|
21. i. Jasper Heiley to the same. Another copy of the letter
already calendared under the date of the 10th December
instant, as above referred to, No. 64. i. [½ p.] |
Dec. 18.
Mincing Lane. |
22. Officers of the Navy to Lords of the Admiralty. The King's
master shipwrights conceive, from Capt. Pett's relation, that it is
his Majesty's pleasure to have the Prince and the Merhonour rebuilt
of the same moulds and dimensions that now they be. If the
Merhonour be rebuilt at Chatham, which will save the charge of
transporting her to Woolwich, there may be saved 3,000l., by leaving
some parts of her hull; and the like to the amount of 3,500l. in the
case of the Prince, out of which latter sum the charge of transporting
her to Woolwich is estimated at 1,500l. Our opinion is that the
shipwrights can now build new ships of the like burthen better than
either of them. The Prince cannot be rebuilt under 14,000l., besides
the savings before mentioned, nor the Merhonour under 6,000l.
We advise, if his Majesty resolve to build another ship as great as
the Prince, to build her totally new, and to take the benefit of what
can be saved to build the Merhonour. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 18. |
23. to your letter of the
25th November last (calendared under that date), we find the account
of the ships employed last summer for cordage, as in the abstract
here enclosed, which being very exorbitant in some of them, we
have thought fit to suspend their boatswains for the present, leaving
them to your consideration. [1 p.] Enclosed, |
|
23. i. Abstract of account of cordage above-mentioned. Four
boatswains, Robert Lowndes, Jonathan Countrey, Abraham
Sampson, and Thomas Norgate, had been suspended
absolutely, and three others until their captains certified
as to the expense. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 18. |
24. John Brown, his Majesty's gunfounder, to the same. Answer
to petition of John de la Barre, praying for permission to export
certain ordnance, stated to be cast of foreign iron, not to be vendible
in England, to belong to Dantzic, and to a ship of which John Sulke
was master. Respondent hopes to be able to prove the very contrary
of every one of these alleged facts; sets forth his own patent, dated
in October 1635, whereby, in consideration of 12,000l., the King
granted him the sole making, vending, and transporting of iron
ordnance and shot; and prays that he and de la Barre may be left to
the law. [2/3 p.] |
Dec. 18.
The Swiftsure, in the Downs. |
25. Sir John Pennington to the Lords of the Admiralty. We cannot
hear what is become of the Jewel; only I spake with a master of a
ship that came from Malaga, who told me that he was aboard of them
off the Wight, and that they had wine from him, and came along
with him near Beachy, where he left her this day seven-night at
night; since which time I have heard nothing of them. Except she
be put back for the Wight, I fear she is cast away. The William is
yet here, and cannot get wind and weather to bring her up, though
I have assisted them with men and other provisions. Strong
northerly winds. [Seals with crest. 1 p.] |
Dec. 18/28.
Madrid. |
26. Christopher Windebank to his father, Sec. Windebank. The
speedy journey of Mr. Fanchau [Fanshaw], secretary to the ambassador, gives me leave only to let you understand that I am as
dutiful and ready to obey you, as I may be thought undutiful and
negligent. This week I begin my journey for Italy, hoping you will
send me one word of comfort in a letter to Florence or Ciena
[Sienna]. The annuity you allow me will not find me meat and
drink, therefore with my Lord [ambassador's] leave, I have taken
up of Mr. Write [Wright] 100l., with which, though my lord thinks
I shall not be able to pass, yet I will husband it as sparingly as may
be, and give you account. P.S.—I entreat you for your own
honour's sake not to suffer me, your son, to perish, who never
intended to stain it, as the effect will make good. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 18. |
27. John Nicholas to his son, Edward Nicholas. It is ill news the
increase of the sickness, and that it is come so near you. The
weather being now grown sharp will, I hope, purge the air. I will
send for Jack and Ned both before Christmas, and will return them
the morrow after the holidays. I received 20l. of the Dr. [Matthew
Nicholas, sent by Edward Nicholas to build the brewhouse destroyed
by fire, see Vol. cclxiii., No. 44], and 5l. 0s. 4d. which my cousin Pitt
sent you. Will send him two geese, two turkeys, two capons, and
two Muscovy ducks. P.S.—Service to Sir Charles Herbert. [1¾ p.] |
Dec. 18.
Montague [Montacute]. |
28. Sir Robert Phelipps to Sir Dudley Carleton. My neighbours,
the late constables of the hundred of Tintinhull, have preferred a
petition to the Council, which I shall desire you to further. The
contents are true, and the poor men have been no way faulty in his
Majesty's service. If any fault has been, it was in Mr. Basset. If
their petition may not be fully granted, or if any complaint come
against these poor men by Basset, I desire a reference to the Bishop
of Bath and Wells. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 18.
Barbican. |
29. John Earl of Bridgewater to Sir Dudley Carleton. I pray
you give expedition to the business which this enclosed letter concerns. [Seal with crest. Endorsed as "Touching corn in Pembrokeshire." ⅓ p.] |
Dec. 18.
Office of Ordnance. |
30. Estimate by the Officers of the Ordnance for 102 pieces of
brass ordnance assigned the 7th December for the Sovereign of the
Seas, his Majesty being aboard the same day, and the master and
officers then attending and receiving his commands. Total amount,
24,447l. 8s. 8d. There was a former estimate of 20,592l. 13s. 6d.
for 90 guns, which was superseded by the present. [3 pp.] |
Dec. 19.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to the Mayor of Bristol. Notwithstanding the proclamation against making gunpowder, there are powder
mills in Bristol, and amongst others, the mill belonging to Baber
still makes gunpowder. We require you to search what gunpowder
mills are in your city, and to suppress them; and if you find any
of the owners refractory, you are to bind them over to answer their
contempt. [Copy. See Vol. cccliii., fol. 76. ½ p.] |
| Dec. 19. |
31. Petition of Priscilla Titchborne, wife of John Titchborne., D.D.,
to Archbishop Laud. Petitioner was formerly married to Gawen
Cotchett, of London, who died about 3½ years since, and left petitioner about 700l. in chattels. Before her marriage with Dr. Titchborne it was agreed that, in regard he could not make a jointure, he
would not intermeddle with her estate for her life, and petitioner
agreed that at her death she would leave him a great part thereof.
Forthwith after their marriage, the Dr. and Nevill and John Titchborne, his sons, practised to seize on her whole estate, and mortgaged
a house of hers for a debt of 100l. of John the son to Robert
Titchborne. Last summer, Dr. Titchborne, falling sick, made a deed
of gift of all petitioner's estate to his son Nevill, who by virtue
thereof has seized even upon her wearing apparel, and is now about
to sell her house. Prays relief. [¾ p.] Underwritten, |
|
31. i. Direction to Sir John Lambe to call the parties before him
and make some peaceable end between them if he can, and
if not, to call them into the High Commission Court, either
upon fresh articles or upon additionals to those already
therein against Dr. Titchborne for dilapidations.
19th December 1637. [¼ p.] |
Dec. 19.
The Cathedral, Bristol. |
32. Dr. Edward Chetwynd, the Dean, with the Chapter of Bristol,
to the same. Having understood his Majesty's pleasure that we
should forbear granting any further estate either to Sir William
Morgan, or to the tenants of Banwell, we have held it our duty to
signify our readiness to subscribe thereto. Having had conference
with our bishop, we hold it not good manners to prescribe unto our
Sovereign or superiors, but rather for our parts submit the whole
business to his Majesty. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 19.
Deptford. |
33. John Hollond to Nicholas. Sends him, in answer to his
inquiry, a statement of the wages paid per mensem to boatswains,
gunners, and pursers, serving in harbour, on board the Swallow
and the Ninth Whelp. The allowance made to pursers for maintaining lights on board the Admiral is 20s. per mensem, and that to
surgeons for medicaments is 7l. 10s. for a ship of the third rank for
eight months, and 3l. for a ship of the 5th rank for 12 months.
The common man's pay is always 15s. per mensem. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 20. |
Petition of Philip Burlamachi to the King. In 1632 the King
let the alum works to Sir John Gibson for 31 years, from December
1637, at the rent of 12,500l. The works since that time are so
improved that for the last four years petitioner has paid to the
patentees 15,000l. a year, and is ready to pay that rent to the King
for 7, 8, or 10 years, if he would resume the work into his own hand,
or take a lease from Sir John Gibson, giving him 1,000l. per annum,
which is received from the sub-contractors, wherein the King shall
do no wrong, but only prevent the sub-contractors from encroaching
upon his profit. Moreover, at the end of the term, in lieu of 1,800l.
stock now upon the work, his Majesty should have a stock of alum
worth 20,000l., by which means English alum should be sold and
compared beyond seas to Romish alum, to the great increase of price
and augmentation of the revenue. [Copy. See Vol. cccxxiii.,
p. 212. 1 p.] Underwritten, |
|
i. Reference to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington to consider and certify. Whitehall, 20th December 1637.
[Copy. See Ibid., p. 213. ¼ p.] |
| Dec. 20. |
Petition of Sir John Shelley to the same. Petitioner is descended
of an ancient family in Sussex, where for some ages past they have
had convenient possessions. Having matched his eldest son with
the good liking of the King and Queen, his said son is deceased,
and left an infant of 10 months of age, who, if he be a minor at
petitioner's death, will be your Majesty's ward. His mother being
a stranger born, and this child petitioner's only hope, he prays a
grant of the wardship if it shall happen. [Copy. Ibid. ¾ p.] |
| Dec. 20. |
Petition of Edward Earl of Dorset to the same. Certain islands
on the south of New England, viz., Long Island, Cole Island, Sandy
Point, Hell Gates, Martin's [Martha's ?] Vineyard, Elizabeth Islands,
Block Island, with other islands near thereunto, were lately discovered
by some of your Majesty's subjects, and are not yet inhabited by any
Christians. Prays a grant thereof, with like powers of government
as have been granted for other plantations in America. [Copy.
Ibid., p. 222. ½ p.] Underwritten, |
|
i. Reference to the Attorney-General to prepare a grant. Whitehall, 20th December 1637. [Copy. Ibid. ¼ p.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to Thomas Wyan. There is remaining
in your hands of the great wreck at the Isle of Wight about
811l. 18s. 4½d., and of reals of eight about 5,717 and a half. We pray
you to change the reals into sterling money, and to pay the same,
with the 811l. 18s. 4½d., into the Exchequer. [Copy. See Vol. cccliii.,
fol. 76. ½p.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
34. Sec. Windebank to Attorney-General Bankes. His Majesty
has given license to Lady Jane Bacon and Lady Cramond to remain
in London with their families for six months, and has commanded
me to require you to forbear to inform against the said ladies in the
Star Chamber or elsewhere. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 20. |
35. Sir Thomas Walsingham to Sir Dudley Carleton. The bearer,
James Randall, of Leigh cum Spelherst [Speldhurst ?], is returned for
not finding arms in Sir Leonard Bosvile's company. He has submitted himself, and entreats that he may be discharged from further
attendance. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 20. |
36. Account of Isaac Pennington, of London, merchant, of moneys
put into his hands by way of trust by his cousin Sir John Pennington before his going to sea, as also of moneys since received by
appointment of Sir John. It runs from April 1637 to this day.
Total receipts, 4,644l. 19s. 4d.; payments, 1,417l. 4s. 0d. [1 p.]
Annexed, |
|
36. i. Further account in explanation of an item in the above
account of 1,200l. paid to the accountant's cousin, Thomas
Pennington. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 21. |
The King to Thomas Viscount Wentworth, Lord Deputy of
Ireland. To consider a petition of Edmund Fitzgerald, an orphan,
and former letters, decrees, and orders on behalf of his ancestors,
and finding his allegations true, to take order for recovery of his
Majesty's right to the wardship of the petitioner. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 21. |
Presentation of Guy Carleton, clerk, M.A., to the rectory of
Caythorpe, in the diocese of Lincoln, now de jure void and in his
Majesty's gift. [Docquet.] |
Dec. 21.
My lodging. |
37. Lionel Wake, junior, to [Richard] Harvey. Please to pay the
bearer 700l. for Sir Peter Paul Rubens. I send the carta de poder
[letter of attorney], of which take a copy, and when you assign me
a time I shall give receipt for 1,500l. [1 p.] |
Dec. 21.
Dorset House. |
Funeral certificate, by William Ryley, of Anne Countess of
Northumberland, daughter of William Earl of Salisbury, and wife
of Algernon Earl of Northumberland. She departed this life at
Dorset House in Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, London, on Wednesday, 6th December 1637. Her body was conveyed thence on the
Saturday following to Sion House, and there stayed three nights,
and was from thence brought to Petworth, and there interred in a
vault in the chancel. She had issue by the said Earl four daughters,
Katherine, Dorothy, Anne, and Elizabeth, all very young. [Copy.
See Vol. ccclx., p. 3. 1¼ p.] |
| Dec. 21. |
38. See Papers relating to Appointments in the Navy. |
| Dec. 21. |
Petition of Richard Greene, sewer to his Majesty, to the King.
3,383l. 11s. 11½d. is due to Simon Greene, supplicant's father, and
John Greene his brother, for provisions brought by them into his
Majesty's stable and granary since his coming to the Crown, and
3,032l. 3s. 3½d. in the last five years of King James's reign. Petitioner prays a grant in satisfaction of the said debts to be raised
by prosecution by the petitioner at his own charge, out of benefit
due to his Majesty upon undue importation or exportation of any
goods, or for goods prohibited, or for lading or unlading any goods
at times or places not warranted, or for fines upon compositions
before trials upon informations thereupon exhibited. [Copy. See
Vol. cccxxiii., p. 214. ¾ p.] Underwritten, |
|
i. Reference to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington, who if
they find that his Majesty has formerly granted these particulars to others for satisfaction of debts, that then they
take the like order for granting the same to petitioner.
Whitehall, 21st December 1637. [Copy. See Ibid., p. 215.
1 p.] |
| Dec. 22. |
Petition of Henry Jermyn to the same. Divers new improvements in the soke of Somersham, co. Huntingdon, are leased to
petitioner for three lives, at 20l. per annum. Prays a grant of the
same in fee-farm in socage, reserving the said 20l. per annum.
[Copy. See Vol. cccxxiii., p. 262. 1/5. p.] Underwritten, |
|
i. Reference to the Lord Treasurer to certify the value of the
reversion after the estates in being, and what his Majesty's
interest in the same is worth. Whitehall, 22nd December
1637. [Copy. Ibid. 1/5 p.] |
|
ii. Reference of Lord Treasurer Juxon to the Surveyor-General
to certify the values above mentioned. London House,
27th December 1637. [Copy. Ibid. 4 lines.] |
|
iii. Sir Charles Harbord, Surveyor-General, to Lord Treasurer
Juxon. The improvements mentioned in this petition
were made for her Majesty's use, Somersham being parcel
of her jointure, and are granted by her Majesty to petitioner's father (and by him assigned to the petitioner) for
60 years, if three lives live so long, at 20l. per annum, and
her Majesty has power to renew the estate during her life.
The improvements contain 1,100 acres, and appear to be
worth 400l. per annum over and above the rent, and I
conceive the inheritance thereof in reversion to be worth
1,500l. 30th December 1637. [Copy. Ibid. 1/5 p.] |
|
iv. His Majesty having seen this certificate, grants the petitioner
the improvements in the petition mentioned, reserving the
rent of 20l. per annum, and the Attorney-General is to
prepare a bill accordingly. Whitehall, 3rd April 1638.
[Copy. Ibid. 1/5p.] |
Dec. 22.
Westminster. |
Nicholas to Godwin Awdry. If he will come up presently after
Twelfthtide the Lords will hear his proposition (see Vol. ccclxxiii.,
No. 35). [Copy. See Nicholas's Letter Book, Dom. James I., Vol.
ccxix., p. 167.] |
Dec. 22.
London. |
39. Receipt of Lionel Wake, junior, for 700l. paid by Endymion
Porter, by his servant Richard Harvey, for Sir Peter and [sic] Paulo
Rubens, by letter of attorney from him dated 13/23 November last, in
Antwerp. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 22. |
40. See "Papers relating to Appointments in the Navy." |
| Dec. 23. |
41. Petition of James Levinston [Livingstone] to the King. His
Majesty's progenitors, being seized as in right of the Crown in the
forest of North Petherton, in Somerset, upon false information
granted away the same under the name of a manor or park, without
reservation of any fee-farm rent. Prays a grant of the said forest at
the yearly rent of 20l. [Copy. ¾ p.] Underwritten, |
|
41. i. His Majesty, in consideration of petitioner's service to him
performed, grants him the said forest, as desired. The
Attorney-General is to prepare a draft of a patent for his
Majesty's signature. [Copy. ¼ p.] |
Dec. 23.
The Swiftsure, in the Downs. |
42. Sir John Pennington to the Lords of the Admiralty. The East
India ship, the Jewel, which has been so long missing, arrived here
yesterday in safety, and set sail this morning for the Thames; she has
[been] miraculously preserved, for she rode seven or eight days upon
the coast of France in very f[oul] weather, where she lost all her
cables and anchors, and after lay, driving to and again, in the sea, to
[this] present that she got near Dover, from whence [she was] relieved. I received a command the 28th October last, for staying
ships belonging to Dunkirk, for repaying Mr. Breames, of Dover, for
his busses taken from him; whereupon I gave warrant to my captains that wheresoever they should meet any Dunkirkers to bring
them to me, or to put them [in safe custody] into some of his
Majesty's harbours. Advises the Lords of the detention of a Dunkirker by Capt. Stradling, of the Bonaventure (see this Vol., No. 17).
[Damaged. 1 p.] |
Dec. 23.
Mincing Lane. |
43. Kenrick Edisbury to Nicholas. We had another letter yesterday from Mr. Cook, touching the riding of the Sovereign, being now
in more fear of the ice, which made him lay out another anchor of
39 cwt., and so she rides by four great cables and anchors, which he
hopes will hold her fast; he has sent out also for spars to shut off
the ice. He writes also that there is no likelihood of any wind
during this frost to stem the tide, to carry the ship lower in the
river, and that men and victuals cannot be so suddenly got for that
design, and desires to have victuals sent down for her ordinary
company. We have given warrant accordingly for victualling 100
men for six weeks. The victualler demands allowance of sea-victuals
for that ship, or that his Majesty pay for transporting it to the ship.
I am in hand to make an estimate for her and the Prince. Recommends that the bearer, Mr. Broad, who had command of the Roebuck
last voyage, may have the place again in her next employment; Sir
John Pennington has written to him to take the charge of master's
mate in the Swiftsure, the mate Gayney being sick. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 23.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to Thomas Lambert, Henry Willoughby,
John Topp, and George Howe. Complaint is made by the Dean of
Windsor, rector of Knoyle Magna, Wilts, that Thomas Thornhill,
late saltpetreman, upon pretence of digging for saltpetre, has overthrown the pigeon-house belonging to the rectory, to which complaint Thornhill made answer, that his work was not the cause of
the fall of the pigeon-house. We require you to view the place, and
hear such workmen as you shall think good to speak with, or as the
Dean or Thornhill shall bring to you, and to make certificate of the
truth. [Copy. See Vol. cccliii., fol. 76. 3/5 p.] |
| Dec. 24. |
Licence to Sir William Russell, Baronet, and Francis Russell, his
son, for preservation of his Majesty's game in divers places near
Newmarket. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 24. |
Warrant to all Admirals and other officers not to stay any ships
employed into Newfoundland, the whole continent whereof his
Majesty hath lately granted to the Marquis of Hamilton and others.
[Docquet.] |
| Dec. 24. |
44. Petition of Lambert Osbolston, clerk, to Archbishop Laud.
Petitioner is much afflicted with rumours spread abroad by Mr. Kilvert, that petitioner should, in some weekly letters of his to the
Bishop of Lincoln, contrary to honesty and good manners, presume
to asperse your Grace, and is to be publicly questioned in the Star
Chamber for the same. Petitioner protests that he never had the
least intent to wrong your Grace in any letter he wrote in his whole
life, and does not doubt, but if he might see those particular letters
he should be able to satisfy you therein. Prays to be preserved from
public suits in law, which will ruin him, whether he be guilty or no.
Protests, that although he has spoken sometimes freely unto your
Grace, yet hath he ever as much honoured you, and written often
unto his friends of your extraordinary favours to all scholars and
clergymen, than any other man of his rank in all the kingdom, and
appeals to those letters he wrote to the Bishop of Lincoln, if such
poor weekly scribbles be extant. Beseeches your Grace, with a reflection upon this good and blessed time, to take petitioner into
your charity and protection. [Endorsed by the Archbishop. 1 p.] |
Dec. 24.
London. |
45. John Grant to the same. After great praise of the archbishop's integrity, both for public justice and religion, he presents
to him certain collections and commentations of divine writ which
strongly reprove mistakes, and direct the lovers of truth into the
holy "sabboth of God." His suit is that they may have the archbishop's favour and approbation. The author is a lover of the archbishop, and desires that in this labour he may be concealed, but the
truth published. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 24. |
Nicholas to the sheriffs of 39 counties who have not returned certificates of their assessments for shipping. To the same effect as a
similar letter calendared under date of 30th January 1636–7; subjoined is a list of the counties in England to which, with all the
counties in Wales, copies of the letter were sent. [Copy. See
Nicholas's Letter Book, Dom. James I., Vol. ccxix., p. 169.] |
| Dec. 24. |
46. Brief declaration of the account of the farmers of the customs
for one year ending this day. The rent for one year was 150,000l.;
against which were to be set various payments and allowances,
which amounted to 186,873l. 0s. 7½d., leaving the accountants in
surplusage, 36,873l. 0s. 7½d. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 24. |
47. Account of John Geddes of his receipts and disbursements
upon the work of North Somercotes Marsh, since the 11th March
last. His receipts had been 491l. 3s. 2d.; his disbursements,
517l. 13s. 3d. The balance of 26l. 10s. 1d., owing to him, was this
day paid to him by Endymion Porter. [= 9½ pp.] |
| Dec. 25. |
48. The patentees of the parish of Stepney alias Stebunheath for
the sale of tobacco, to Peter Boddam, of Upper Shadwell. Licence
to sell tobacco, Boddam paying 30s. for a fine and 7s. 6d. quarterly.
[1 p.] |
| Dec. 25. |
49. Declaration of the account of Archbishop Laud (by Sir John
Lambe, his attorney), as collector of tenths of all benefices and
spiritual promotions, granted to the King within the diocese of
Lincoln. The whole sum to be accounted for was 7,844l. 13s. 8¾d.;
allowances and payments into the Exchequer amounted to
1,616l. 14s. 7¾d., so that the arrear was 6,227l. 19s. 1d. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 26. |
50. Petition of Julian Fountnay, one of his Majesty's equerries, to
the Council. Recites petition of the 4th inst. (see Vol. ccclxxiii.,
No. 25), wherein he prayed satisfaction against Sir Richard Titchborne, and the order that the said petition should be shown to Sir
Richard, and he be required to give the satisfaction prayed. Petitioner has been himself, and sent many times to Sir Richard's
lodging, to show him the same, but he keeps out of sight; wherefore
petitioner prays for leave to take the benefit of the law. [¾ p.] |
Dec. 26.
Whitbourne. |
51. Bishop Coke, of Hereford, to Archbishop Laud. I have sent
by the bearer my account concerning his Majesty's instructions for
this diocese, and had sent them sooner but that I purposed to send
them by him, not suspecting any offence by that delay. I beseech
your Grace take it in good part; hereafter I will not incur the like.
I send also enclosed a note how I stand in the Court of Arches, and
can get no sentence or release, notwithstanding I have acknowledged
myself to be liable to so much as you have awarded, and have
already paid one part of it, but am still drawn on in as much charges
as if I had maintained a suit. I beseech you that I may find some
final end in it. The bearer, Christopher Pritchard, parson of Thornbury, was presented by his Majesty, and thereupon instituted,
inducted, and read his articles in the church-porch of Brockhampton;
but has been so deluded these six or seven years, that he could never
get possession of the same farther than the church-porch. What
has been the cause of so long delay he can best inform you, and how
both he and I have been deluded by Mr. Barnaby, the patron, who
has embezzled it to his own private use, notwithstanding it is
apparent that it is a presentative thing. I beseech you to give
direction to this poor man, who is much wronged. The business of
Hampton is a matter of such equity, that I would beg no further
help in it but to get indifferent judges, which our juries in this
country, and many gentlemen, in any business against the Church,
and specially against the Bishop, are much doubted to be. [Seal
with arms. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 28. |
Grant of 2s. per day for keeping his Majesty's garden doors at
Whitehall to Henry Middleton, during life, upon surrender of a like
grant to Edward Birkett. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 28. |
Grant of the offices of distiller of sweet herbs and waters and the
keeping of his Majesty's library to the same, during life. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 28. |
Grant of the office of serjeant-at-arms to the same, with the fee of
12d. per diem during life, as Evan Owen, deceased, lately held the
same. [Docquet.] |
| Dec. 28. |
Warrant to the Lord Treasurer and Under Treasurer of the
Exchequer, to give order to the Society of Soapmakers of London,
for payment of 2,000l. lent by the late Society of Soapmakers of
Westminster to the Duke of Lennox, as also for 7,000l. to the said
duke in satisfaction of tallies for 9,000l. levied at the Exchequer upon
the said Society of Soapmakers of Westminster, upon the profit
of 6l. upon each ton of soap answerable to his Majesty for the year
from the 2nd February next coming, out of such moneys as they
are to advance to his Majesty upon their letters of incorporation,
next after Sir John Harby shall be satisfied his assignment of 12,000l.,
which several tallies were assigned to the duke in part payment of
22,000l. in consideration of his surrender to his Majesty of the
priory of St. Andrew's in Scotland; the said officers of the late
Society of Westminster, having surrendered their letters of incorporation, and being not liable to the payment of the said 9,000l. to
the duke, and the 2,000l. so lent unto him being in part of the
9,000l. payable upon the said tallies. [Docquet.] |
Dec. 28.
Whitehall. |
Proclamation touching the corporation of Soapmakers of London.
Recites letters patent of the 22nd May last, whereby the King incorporated Edward Bromfield, then Lord Mayor of London, and divers
others, by the name of the Soapmakers of London, providing that
they should sell soap made of whale oil at 3½d. per pound, and that
made of oil olive, being the best crown soap, at 4½d. per pound. All
making of soap except by license of the company is strictly forbidden,
and all persons are also strictly forbidden to import any soap from
foreign parts, or to sell potashes to any persons whatsoever, save to
the said society. [4 pp.] |
Dec. 28.
Westminster. |
52. The King to the Lords of the Admiralty. Recites the shipmoney writs, and that the King was to lend ships to those places
which could not provide them; whereupon the Lords were authorized to direct the Officers of the Navy to prepare ships for that
purpose, the Treasurer of the Navy was also authorized to receive
the money from the counties, and thereout to make the necessary
payments upon estimates signed by the Lords. [35 lines on parchment.] |
| Dec. 28. |
Petition of Sir Walter Roberts and other Commissioners of Sewers
and owners of the Upper Levels, and of Wittersham Level, in Kent
and Sussex, to the King. Some of the commoners of the said Upper
Levels, in June 1635, complained of a decree made by the said Sir
Walter Roberts and other Commissioners of Sewers, and the Lords
giving way thereto the said decree was repealed, and the charge
of certain works decreed laid upon Sir Walter. The results having
been very injurious, and petitioners being able to show that the
lands may be better preserved, and navigation maintained and
bettered, with less charge than the country is now at, petitioners
pray that, in respect of the consequence of the work and the contrariety of opinions, the King would hear the matter himself. [Copy.
See Vol. cccxxiii., p. 217. 1⅓ p.] Underwitten, |
|
i. The King will hear this business at the Council Chamber in
Whitehall, on the first Sunday in Hilary Term next, at
one of the clock in the afternoon. Whitehall, 28th December 1637. [Copy. Ibid. ¼ p.] |
| Dec. 28. |
53. Sir John Lambe to Archbishop Laud. Report on a reference
of a cause between the inhabitants of Reculver and those of the
chapelries of St. Nicholas and Herne, touching the repair of the
church of Reculver. Recites various decrees of former archbishops
of Canterbury, that the inhabitants of the chapelries should contribute to such repairs; also that the church of Reculver, with its
two steeples, is an ancient and necessary sea mark, and the repair
will cost about 877l. Sir John thinks that the archbishop should
cause the inhabitants of the chapelries (being in his own diocese)
to contribute rateably to the said repairs, and should also desire the
assistance of his Majesty or the Council, because the steeples of
Reculver are such needful sea marks, and because, if the archbishop
put it to any ordinary law suit, the steeples will in all likelihood
be down. [2⅓ pp.] |
Dec. 28.
Westover. |
54. John Ashburnham to Nicholas. Sent his man to Andover
to wait the coming of the carrier, expecting to have heard from
Nicholas, but the man returned without any news of the carrier.
Kept his day with Mr. Cobbe, but an anticipated hindrance stayed
their progress in the examination of the particular of a farm for
which the writer was in treaty for Nicholas. He enters into
various points of the bargain, one of which was that half the
purchase money, which he estimated at about 3,000l., would be
required next term. He was anxious to know if Nicholas was
provided, but resolved that if he liked the other conditions that
should not scare him. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 28.
Haling. [Hayling ?] |
55. Christopher Gardiner to Sir John Heydon. Further report
of his alchymical experiment alluded to in previous letters, with
notes thereon written by Sir John Heydon in black lead. [Seal
with arms. ¾ p.] |
| Dec. 28. |
Minute of warrant to Sir William Uvedale, Treasurer of the
Chamber, to pay to William Railton, one of the keepers of the
Council Chamber, twenty nobles for moneys disbursed for one year
ended in August last. [Draft. See 31st January 1637–8. 4 lines.] |
Dec. 29.
Whitehall. |
56. Order of the Lord Keeper and two Lord Chief Justices under
the statute for prizing wines. Canary wines and Alicant were to
be sold at 81l. the pipe, Muscatels at 18l. the butt, and at 12d. [per
quart?] by retail; Sack and Malaga at 16l. the butt in gross and
* * the quart retail; the best Gascogne and French wines at * *
the ton, and Rochelle wines and other small and Th * * at 15l.
the ton and at 6d. the quart, and that none sell at other than these
prices during the next year, whereof the C[lerk of the] Crown is
to take notice, and to see the same proclaimed in Chancery. The
Lords further order that the Attorney-General shall draw up a
declaration of these prices for his Majesty's signature, to be published
throughout England, but allowing some additional price from places
which are remote, so as the same does not exceed [a penny] in the
quart, or 4l. in the ton for the land carriage. [Damaged. 1 p.] |
Dec. 29.
Doddington. |
57. Sir Thomas Delves to the Council. I lately received an order
from you, for repayment of 6l. 13s. 4d. assessed upon Sir Thomas
Aston for ship-money when I was sheriff for co. Chester, for profit
of his farm of French wines. I have long since paid over the same,
and have my discharge, although I have not received so much by
reason of defects in the gathering, and there being given me in
account divers distresses, which the constables have still in their
hands. Being out of office, I do not conceive that I have any
power to levy the same elsewhere, and I hope you do not intend I
should pay it out of my own purse, being warranted by his Majesty's
writ, and imposed by the privity of the gentlemen of the country
in the country's right. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
Dec. 29.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to Montjoy Earl of Newport. William
Garraway and others, owners of the Mercury of London, a new ship
of 300 tons lying in the Thames, are to be permitted to furnish their
ship with ordnance out of the founder's store. [Copy. Vol. cccliii.,
fol. 76 a. 2/5 p.] |
Dec. 29.
Mincing Lane. |
58. Officers of the Navy to Lords of the Admiralty. Since the
receipt of your letter touching a complaint made by the Earl of
Westmorland, for nonpayment for timber marked by his Majesty's
purveyor in his woods in Kent, we have written to John Wale,
purveyor at Maidstone, who confesses that he marked some timber
on the Earl's ground, for which there is due 15l. 15s., which we will
see satisfied if the earl send to our meeting house in Mincing Lane.
The purveyor about three weeks since made the King debtor for this
parcel of timber, and since that time the moneys have not been
demanded, which makes the fault of the purveyor somewhat the less.
[1 p.] |
| Dec. 30. |
Warrant authorizing Giles Penn to be his Majesty's consul at
Sallee, and to execute that office by himself and his deputies in
Morocco and Fesse [Fez], during his Majesty's pleasure, with such
allowances as consuls in other parts of Turkey have from the
merchants, or otherwise as Penn and the merchants shall agree upon.
[Docquet.] |
Dec. 30.
Westminster. |
59. Warrant to the Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and to the farmers of the customs upon wines. To grant a bill
for importation, free of duty, of 50 tuns of French wines brought
over by Mons. Bellievre, ambassador from France, for his provision.
[Copy. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 30. |
Docquet of the same. |
| Dec. 30. |
60. Petition of William Nicoll and John Benfield, moneyers, prisoners in the Fleet, and of all the rest of his Majesty's moneyers, to
the Council. Thomas Thornton, about two years since being
provost of the moneyers, for defrauding his Majesty, detaining great
sums of money from his fellow moneyers, and sundry other misbehaviour
in his place, after two or three hearings, finding he should be thrust
out, voluntarily gave up his place. Notwithstanding this, some of
the officers have lately offered to put in Thornton as an overseer of
the moneyers, who because they refused to accept him (the company
being bound to make good all losses) Nicoll and Benfield were
committed, and by habeas corpus bailed, and the next day carried
before some of the Lords of the Council and committed to the Fleet.
The whole company of moneyers knowing that the re-admission of
Thornton would tend to his Majesty's prejudice and the loss of the
moneyers, pray the Lords to free the prisoners and grant the
moneyers relief. [Signed by all the 33 moneyers. 1 p.] Annexed, |
|
60. i. Order of Council that a copy of the above petition be delivered
to some of the principal officers of the Mint, who are to
answer thereto by the first sitting in Council after
Twelfthtide. Durham House. 30th December 1637. [1 p.] |
|
60. ii. Sir Thomas Aylesbury, Sir William Parkhurst, Sir Ralph
Freeman, Henry Cogan, and Andrew Palmer, officers of
the Mint, to the Council. Answer to the above petition.
They have no intention to put any man upon the
moneyers, but only to bring them into order, and compel
them to do their duty, which they have much neglected, to
the dishonour of his Majesty and the scandal of the whole
office. At the last pix fault was found for the illfashioning of the moneys, and justly, being notorious
through all the kingdom. The officers give a long statement of the course they adopted to work an improvement.
They stopped the moneyers' allowance of 1d. in the pound,
and finding that ineffectual, they sometimes stopped all
their wages, but they continued to work so ill that whole
"journeys" were sent down to be molten again. Still
things got worse and worse, and the officers found it
necessary that some one well skilled in the mysteries of
the moneyers should be daily with them. No man could
be found so fit as Thomas Thornton, but when he went
amongst them they put him out, and brought accusations
against him, which were scandalous and full of untruths.
Thereupon the officers committed Nicoll and Benfield, and
on a hearing before the Council they were sent to the
Fleet, where they spend upon the common purse, and give
out that it shall cost them thousands before they will yield.
The Mint, 8th January 1637–8. [3½ pp.] |
|
60. iii. Petition of William Nicoll and John Benfield to the
Council. Have very lately and by accident heard that the
officers of the Mint are to make answer this day. For
the present they are unable to give satisfaction. Pray
the Lords to prefix a day when all the moneyers may
attend, and that in the meantime petitioners may walk
about with a keeper to prepare themselves. [2/3 p.] |
| Dec. 30. |
61. Information of endeavours used by the Justices of Peace
of the four aggrieved hundreds of the co. Nottingham, to induce the
sheriff to reform the wrong complained of in his assessing a surcharge of ship-money upon them, in such manner as to save that
side of the country wherein the sheriff lives, which gave occasion
to a suspicion of partiality. Presented to his Majesty and the Board
by Sir John Byron. [¾ p.] |
| Dec. 30. |
62. See "Papers relating to Appointments in the Navy." |
| Dec. 30. |
Petition of Edmund Fortescue and Benjamin Connant to the
King. In Devonshire and Cornwall are many creeks to which belong
divers boats continually employed in fishing, by which a quantity
of uncustomed goods are conveyed aboard ships bound to foreign
parts and from such as have returned home, and also succour and
supply given to pirates, and many escapes of felons. Pray letters
patent for 21 years, authorizing petitioners to take yearly from every
owner and master of such boats a bond of 40l., to be forfeit upon
every such unlawful act as aforesaid, with power to seize all uncustomed goods, and for petitioners to take such fees as the AttorneyGeneral shall think meet, petitioners paying 20l. yearly during their
grant. [Copy. See Vol. cccxxiii., p. 219. 1 p.] Underwritten, |
|
i. Reference to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington, who,
calling to them the Attorney-General, are to certify.
Whitehall. 30th December 1637. [Copy. Ibid. 1/6 p.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
Lords of the Admiralty to Montjoy Earl of Newport. Robert
Clement, Edward Fenn, and others, owners of the Flemish-built ship
Love, of London, of 150 tons, are to be permitted to furnish their
ship with ordnance from the founder's store. [Copy. Vol. cccliii.,
fol. 77. ½ p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
Petition of Thomas Pott to the King. You granted petitioner a
reference to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington, respecting the
office of collector of the silk weavers for two lives, in lieu of Kirby
[Kirkby?] Park, co. Lincoln, which was sold for 1,000l. by Sir
Humphrey May, Chancellor of the Duchy, in the 8th year of the reign,
and the money paid into the Exchequer. Your Majesty having
granted away the said collectorship to Mr. Rawlin, petitioner prays
a grant of the forfeiture of a bond of Mark Brand in 1,000l. for payment of customs concerning the importation or exportation of goods
of this kingdom since January last. [Copy. See Vol. cccxxiii.,
p. 220. ¾ p.] Underwritten, |
|
i. His Majesty grants petitioner's desire, and the AttorneyGeneral is to prepare a bill for signature. Whitehall,
31st December 1637. [Copy. Ibid., p. 221. ¼ p.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
63. The Council to Archbishop Laud. His Majesty and the
board are informed of the fear of ruin of the church of Reculver,
and that there is a difference depending before you, between the
inhabitants of Reculver and those of the chapelries of St. Nicholas
and Herne, who shall contribute to the repair. The said church and
steeples are ancient sea marks, wherefore this case can admit no
delay. His Majesty has commanded us to signify that you proceed
with expedition, and give order therein. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
64. Attested copy of the same. [Does not agree with the original
as to the signatures. 1 p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
65. Sir Thomas Delves, late Sheriff of co. Chester, to the Council.
Presents an account of his particular ratings of the clergy, whom he
charged rateably as he found them in the King's Books, but afterwards made deductions in various cases, the nature of which he
explains. Every living is stated, with the name of the incumbent
and the amount charged upon it. [1½ p.] |
Dec. 31.
The Swiftsure in the Downs. |
66. Sir John Pennington to the Lords of the Admiralty. The
Dunkirkers have taken a small English hoy, wherein were 13 or 14
English horses, reported to belong to the Earl of Holland, and have
carried her for Dunkirk. There was also one of the King of Spain's
men of war cast away within the Splinter, riding under the fort,
and an English ship of Milbrook laden with wine. I cannot hear
that any of our ships embargoed in France are yet released, only those
at Bordeaux. Divers vessels are at Dover laden for Rouen and
other ports, but they dare not send them away. [1 p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
67. Appointment by Archbishop Laud, of Sir John Lambe, to
gather up the tenths of the clergy in Lincoln diocese, and to pay
them into the Exchequer. [½ p.] |
| Dec. 31. |
68. Brief of the account of Sir William Russell for ship-money
during the year ended this day, with his payments thereout. The
charge against him amounted to 202,340l. 2s. 3d., and the payments
to 196,266l. 6s. 5¾d., so that there appeared to be a balance of
6,073l. 15s. 9¼d. in the hands of the accountant. But there remained
unpaid of the ship-money for 1635, 1,023l. 12s. 3d.; for 1636,
4,536l. 12s. 4d.; and for 1637, 6,907l. 6s. 4d.; total arrears
12,467l. 10s. 11d., which left a balance owing to the accountant of
6,393l. 15s. 1¾d. [2 pp.] |
| [Dec.] |
69. Petition of the Company of Wine Coopers of London to the
King. A petition has lately been exhibited to your Majesty by the
Company of Vintners of London, desiring that the wine coopers
might be restrained from buying and selling wines, upon a surmise
that they have lately intruded into that trade. Petitioners show
that they are a company consisting of many thousand poor men
that are commanded upon all occasions to serve the King, and they
have their freedom of the city by ancient custom, and have a long
time used to buy and sell wine both by wholesale and by runlets.
Pray that their ancient and accustomed freedom may not be taken
away from them upon a bare surmise, but that they may be heard
before the King or referred to the Council, and that in the meantime
they may not be bound by an order stated to be annexed. [1 p.] |
| [Dec.] |
70. Petition of Paul Micklethwaite, D.D., master of the Temple,
to the same. In the Temple there are consecrated places which, upon
the foundation of the church, being dedicated to the church, still
belong thereunto, as the churchyard, cloisters, and others. By colour
of the late King's grant of the manor of the Temple to the two
societies there, some of the said consecrated places are withheld
from the church. Long since there was usurpation of the same
places by one Spenser, and by his attainder the manor with the
usurped places came to the crown. By writ or commission from
the crown, temp. Edward III., redress was then made. Prays that
a similar course may again be adopted. [1 p.] |
| [Dec.] |
Copy of a portion of the preceding petition. [See Vol. cccxxiii.,
p. 278. ¼ p.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
71. Petition of William Pickering to the same. Petitioner being
censured in the Star Chamber, to be imprisoned during the King's
pleasure, to pay 10,000l. for a fine, and undergo corporal punishment,
in Michaelmas term last the King gave order for his enlargement
and declared that he would remit his fine, and directed Sec. Windebank to signify the same. Prays for a privy seal to discharge the
fine, and that the bond entered into for his appearance on the hearing
may be delivered up. [½ p.] |
| [Dec.] |
72. Petition of Richard Clay, goldsmith in Cheapside, to the
King. On petition of Hester Rogers, widow, John Rogers, clerk,
and petitioner Richard Clay, protection was granted to all the said
persons for one year, which will expire 16th March next. The debt
of 3,200l. due from the King to the said Hester (the nonpayment
whereof gave occasion to the said protection) being still unpaid,
petitioner prays for a renewal of the same for another year, to
commence from the said 16th March. [1 p.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
73. Petition of the assessors and collectors of ship-money in
St. Giles's-in-the-Fields, Middlesex, to the Council. Petitioners made
a rate in 1636 for levying 230l. ship-money, and have paid to the
sheriff 200l. The persons named in the schedule annexed refuse
payment, and have no distress, living out of Middlesex. Pray that
they may be called before the Council. [2/3 p.] Annexed, |
|
73. i. List of defaulters. Among them occur, Thomas Bendish,
13s. 4d.; Lady Carew, wife of Sir Edmund Carew,
deceased, 4l. 10s.: Sir Edmund Lenthall, 2l.; John Child,
one of the collectors, who will not come to account, 4l. 10s.
[1 p.] |
| Dec. |
74. Petition of Sarah Collins, widow, to the Lords of the Admiralty.
Her late husband kept Chilworth Mills. His Majesty having disposed of the same to make powder, upon clearing petitioner's house
there were found nine barrels and a half of powder. Samuel Cordewell, having undertaken to make powder for his Majesty's use,
petitioner prays the Lords to permit her to dispose of the said 9½
barrels. [½ p] |
| Dec. |
75. Petition of William Portington, lieutenant of the horse for
Middlesex, to the Commissioners for Buildings. Upon an order
for demolishing sheds in Long Acre, a tenement of petitioner's, fronting
the street, was presented as a shed, and petitioner was warned to
render reasons why it should not be demolished. A shed is a leaning
to something to bear up the roof, whereas this roof bears itself, and
at its first erecting as a tenement it was built for one, and has long
continued without enlargement, and is inhabited by persons of good
conversation, as appears by certificate annexed. Prays that it may
still stand, or that petitioner may be permitted instead thereof to
build a fair house, adding three feet of ground to the front. [1 p.]
Annexed, |
|
75. i. Certificate of inhabitants in and near Long Acre as to the
nature of the premises above mentioned, which had been
a house for 16 years past. [1 p.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
76. Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen of Colchester to the
Council. Petitioners lately received a letter from the Lords, dated
the 2nd inst., commanding petitioners to require all the owners and
masters of ships belonging to their port, who have used to trade to
Newcastle, forthwith to go to fetch coals for the supply of London,
and to examine the practice of the masters and owners in forbearing
to use their trade. We sent for the masters and owners, and found
that in the last summer some of them made eight or nine voyages,
and all those who have ships big enough still go, and those who
have small vessels so soon as the summer comes on will go on with
their calling. [1 p.] |
| Dec. |
77. Charles Louis, Prince Palatine, to Sir Thomas Roe. I find by
yours and Cave's letter, that my not going to the Hessen troops is
much blamed in England, where I see they would have me in action,
so it be without their expense. States a variety of reasons why it
could not have been, one being that the Hessians "would not put
themselves out of the possibility of receiving the Emperor's grace,
by engaging in a new and (as Milandre told Horneck) very desperate
cause, without an assistance which might enable them to continue
the war." To have gone as a volunteer with that small army of
3 or 4,000 men would neither have been honourable nor profitable
for me, for it is hardly able to subsist without an addition of strength,
without which they will lose both Cassel and Ziegenhaim. I have
again offered them to levy troops and join with them; if they refuse,
it is a certain sign that they will content themselves with an uncertain peace. The Landgrave of Darmstadt is content to abandon all
his pretensions for the damages he has received during the war, but
with these conditions: 1. That Landgrave Maurice's sons of his
second wife should confirm the agreement concerning Marburg:
2. Quit their troops: 3. Restore East Friesland; which conditions
the government at Cassel have accepted ad ratificandum. Sir
Thomas Ferentz will acquaint you more at large with these matters.
There is no time lost yet, if they do not play the fools or the traitors
in accepting a peace for their own private ends; and to go to an
army where you are not sure of the officers' good intentions, without
a competent strength, had been a hazard to no purpose. You shall
see I will shun none where I may get honour, for rather than be
idle this next year I will pawn everything I have to my shirt.
Now I am in treaty for Meppen, where I may make my rendezvous;
it is the Prince of Orange's advice; but speak not of it until it be
in more forwardness. The States will not send to Hamburgh, until
they hear that the plenipotentiaries of the other confederates are
arrived there. I wonder what should make them so slack ? Here
they want no pressing. I wish nothing more than to have you sent
to Hamburgh; I should think your being there ambassador would
be as advantageous for my cause as a little army; especially since
the Duke of Lunenburg has fallen out with Gotha, and I know that
Duke William of Weimar would be glad of any opportunity to
return to the good party. I pray let the archbishop know this, by
which he may see how necessary it were the King should send a
well affectioned man ambassador to Hamburgh. If that cannot be
obtained, I shall beseech the King to give you leave to come over
to stay with me for a while, the Queen shall do the same, if it be
not inconvenient to you, or hindrance to your fortune in England.
P.S.—I congratulate the augmentation of your family. Concerning
my private business, let me know directly what to do, and I will do
it speedily. As I had finished this letter, Horneck returns from
Milandre, who shows all willingness to join with me, so that that
conjunction must be taken in England for granted, and I make it so
to the King. But really it is yet in longis terminis, for before we
meet about the conditions much time will be lost. [4 pp.] |
| Dec. |
78. Sir Thomas Walsingham to [Michael Oldisworth, Secretary to
the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Lord Lieutenant of Kent].
The bearer, Mr. Sherman, being returned a defaulter for arms in
Sir William Barne's company in Kent, I find that his father left him
houses in Greenwich, which are let out to others, who ought to stand
charged with arms, and not himself, for that he dwells in Middlesex.
I could do no less but signify so much unto you, desiring that he
may not be troubled by any messenger in this case. Underwritten, |
|
78. i. M[ichael] Oldisworth to [Sir Thomas Walsingham]. My
Lord formerly commanded me to state to Sir William
Becher, that where a deputy-lieutenant shall signify that
the party complained against has conformed, his Lordship
is well satisfied. [1 p.] |
| Dec. |
79. Certificate of seven prisoners in the Marshalsea that Alexander
Hamilton committed for murder or suspicion thereof had such favour
of the Marshal, Bartholomew Hall, that he usually walked abroad
at his pleasure with his keeper, when poor debtors that were confined only for their fees could not have a keeper for one day to
procure their enlargement by the space of five months. Sometimes
Hamilton went out with the Marshal's wife, and sometimes with the
Marshal and his wife, to make merry, and sometimes he left his
keeper when abroad and came home to the prison alone. At the
time of his escape he with his keeper attempted to pass through the
lodge as formerly, but the turnkey denied him passage, whereupon
Hamilton, with his keeper, went to Mrs. Hall's door that opens into
the prison, and there they were let out through Hall's house, and
never came more into the prison. [1 p.] |
| Dec. |
80. Memorandum that Arthur Cundall has within four or five
years erected divers sheds in Palace Yard, Westminster, near Parliament Stairs, upon new foundations, which are now become dwelling
houses, and has continued them notwithstanding orders for demolishing them, and a warrant to the sheriffs of London and Middlesex
last year to the same purpose. [½ p.] |
