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1. Brief in a cause before the Court of Delegates respecting the
administration of the estate of Edward Ramsey. Robert Ramsey,
younger brother of the deceased, obtained letters of administration.
Roger Ramsey, the elder brother, sued for an account, but could not
obtain sentence, the administrator having a great interest in the
Judge. The present appeal is as for a denial of justice. [1⅓ p.] |
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2. Opinion of Sir Robert Heath that in a quare impedit if the
court writes to a bishop to certify whether the church be full of a
clerk, the bishop is not judge of the right, but is to return the fact.
[Endorsed, "For Mr. Lloyd." ½ p.] |
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3. Brief in a suit in Chancery of Lady Elizabeth Hatton against
Sir Robert Coke and others, defendants. The plaintiff sought compensation for the breach by Sir Edward Coke of his agreement made
before his marriage with her, whereby she shall be damnified 30,000l.
It relates to the manor of Fakenham, Norfolk, and those of Wittlesey,
Croft, and Corfe Castle, with Hatton House. [= 2 pp.] |
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4. Brief in the Arches Court in the case of the administration of
the estate of John Belke. The suit was between William Belke,
nephew of the intestate, against Valentine Belke, administrator, and
Thomas Belke, Michael Belke, Gabriel Belke, Anna Belke alias
Nicholson, Anna Giles alias Hunt, and Frances Giles alias Paramore, nephews and nieces intervening. [See Vols. ccclxxxvii., No.
54, and cccxciii., No. 22. 2 pp.] |
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5. Another brief in the same matter. [2 pp.] |
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6. Brief in a cause in the Court of Arches on behalf of Edward
Bedwell, of Ipswich, against Edmund Baldero and Dr. Peirce.
Bedwell, at Easter, at the time of ministration of the communion in
the church of St. Lawrence, came into the chancel, and presented
himself in a seat near the communion table, kneeling in a reverent
manner in the sight of Mr. Baldero, the clergyman. He passed him
over, because he did not come to the rail, and he was thereupon
presented for not receiving the sacrament. [3½ pp.] |
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7. Petition of Mary Lady Howard, alias Grenville, to the King.
Was forced, for safeguard of her life and preservation of her estate,
from Sir Richard Grenville to fly to the Courts of High Commission
and Arches, where, after long and tedious suits, she obtained a
separation and a legal divorce, and had enjoyed her estate in peace
for seven years. On 28th October last Sir Richard exhibited a
petition to his Majesty, endeavouring to disquiet petitioner in her
fortune so settled, he never being of any estate at all, but having
prejudiced her estate at least 10,000l. Prays that she may not be
disturbed in her life or fortune so legally settled. [¾ p.] |
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8. Depositions of witnesses in a cause of Joice Battell, of the
parish of Tewin, co. Herts, spinster, against Ann Sharmebrooke
wife of John Sharmebrooke, for defamation, in saying that Joice was
with child by Samuel Field. [6¼ pp.] |
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9. Legal case for the opinion of [Mr. Shuter] as to whether the
existence of a suit for the establishment of a pre-contract at the
time of entering into the ordinary bond given on obtaining a marriage licence was a breach of the condition of that bond, although
the decision in the suit was against the pre-contract. [½ p.]
Annexed, |
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9. i. Opinion [of Mr. Shuter] that the existence of such a suit was
a forfeiture of the bond. [2/3 p.] |
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9. ii. Copy of the bond above referred to, given by John Geers of
St. Bride's, merchant tailor, and Daniel Dale of St.
Andrew's, Holborn, gentleman. to the Archbishop of
Canterbury, in 200l. Dated 15th June 1638. [½ p.] |
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10. Thomas Babthorpe, to some one addressed as Right Honourable. Presents the order of the court with his suit that you
would speak to the Lord Privy Seal that he may appear in court
to demand his right. [¾ p.] Annexed, |
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10. i. Order of the Court [of Requests] in a cause of Thomas
Babthorpe and William Brand against Sir Guy Palmes,
Francis Lister, John Hall, Thomas Charlton, and Walter
Cobcroft. The court refused to relieve Brand for an
annuity, upon an assignment made by Babthorpe from
parts beyond seas, leaving Babthorpe at his return to seek
relief for the same. [1¼ p.] |
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11. Order of Council upon a petition of Marmaduke More. He
confessed some errors, and prayed the Lords to accept his submission.
The Lords, for the Earl of Suffolk, his lord and master's sake, passed
by the same, but ordered More to pay to Badcock such costs as
should be allowed by Sir Dudley Carleton for the trouble he has
been put to by More. [Draft. ½ p.] |
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12. Note by William Herberd, attorney for the defendant, of a
case of John Winne against Thomas Agas, in which the plaintiff
sought to recover 20s. for teaching the defendant's son for one year.
The plaintiff was permitted by consent to give evidence. [Copy,
temp. Car. II., of an earlier paper. 1½ p.] |
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13. Part of a brief in a cause between Denzil Holles, and his
mother Ann, Countess Dowager of Clare, respecting the validity of
the will of the late Earl, who died on the 4th October 1637, and
the rights of the said Denzil thereunder. The present paper contains the history of the marriage of Denzil Holles with Dorothy,
daughter of Sir Francis Ashby, and particulars of the last illness
and death of the Earl of Clare. [ = 10 pp.] |
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14. Brief on the part of Nurse and Whittington against Croker,
a cause in the Court of Delegates, touching the validity of the
will of Philip Croker, dated 30 September 1633, and proved in the
Prerogative Court, 8th January 1634-5. [16 pp.] |
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15. Brief on behalf of John Croker against the proof of the
pretended will of Philip Croker. [10 pp.] |
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16. Depositions touching Elizabeth Penkevill, to be added to the
brief in the cause of Meddock against Lurkyn in the Arches Court.
These depositions relate to the delivery of the said Elizabeth of a
man child, of whom she declared Joseph Cockaine to be the father.
She had been cook in the family of Sir Nicholas Halse. [14 pp.] |
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17. Brief on behalf of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in a
cause before the Court of Delegates against a pretended codicil to
the will of Sir Francis Clerke. Sir Francis having founded certain
fellowships in Sidney Sussex College, gave by his will certain debts
owing to him from Sir Charles Blount to the said college in augmentation of his fellowships. The will was dated the 31st May 1632, and
was proved on 7th November 1632. Afterwards, in Trinity Term
1637, the codicil in question was produced and proved in common
form. By that codicil a different disposition was made of the debts
from Sir Charles Blount. [22 pp.] |
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18. Statement by John Cockshut of his services in drawing the
pleadings in various suits for his Majesty, and soliciting the same.
Among the suits named is one against Mary Baker, for building unlawfully at Piccadilly; one against Thomas Viscount Savile, for
enforcing Field to have sealed a deed by setting a stiletto to his
breast; and the cases against Henry Myarne, Sir John Corbet, the
case touching Londonderry, the opposers of ship-money, the transporters of gold, those of Prynne and other libellers, the Bishop of
Lincoln, and many others. [1 p.] |
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19. Case and opinion of Sir Henry Calthorpe, on the question of
whether a son of 14, his grandfather or father living, not yet fallen
into wardship, may be disposed in marriage at the will of his parents
without licence from the King. The opinion was, with some qualification, that he might. [¼ p.] |
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20. Petition of Anthony Robert to the King. To your royal
disposal belong the offices of the 14 filazers of the Court of Common
Pleas. Grants in reversion have been made to David Ramsey,
Edward Burgh, Richard Francklin, junior, and John Dand, and on
the death of Dand then to Francis Benson. Prays a similar grant
in reversion to Ralph Gregge. [2/3 p.] |
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21. Petition of Arthur Mainwaring to the Council. About three
years ago petitioner lent to William Bradshaw 50l., for repayment
whereof the said William Bradshaw, Edmond Bradshaw, and
George Hopkins became bound. Edmond Bradshaw and Hopkins
will not appear to any action, and Bradshaw, being under the command of the Council, will neither pay petitioner nor give better
security. Petitioner prays that he may have the liberty to take the
law against William Bradshaw. [1 p.] |
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22. Petition of Thomas Sandiford, a poor prisoner in the Fleet, to
the Council. Being committed from this Board, upon the false
accusation of Edward Woodfine, for repeating words spoken by
Lawrence Lewis, a dyer, petitioner was in Trinity Term last indicted
upon the said words. The indictment has been ever since unprosecuted, and petitioner has lain a year and a half in prison. His
poor aged father and mother, with his wife and children and himself, are like to perish. Lawrence Lewis, the prime author of the
words, is now in the Fleet, and may be produced. Prays to be
speedily tried or bailed. [2/3 p.] |
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23. Petition of Richard Johnson, Clerk of the Commissions of
Appeal in the Court of Chancery, and of Thomas Johnson, to Lord
Coventry. Petitioner, Richard Johnson, with one Isaac Johnson,
being heretofore appointed by letters patent clerks of the said commissions, for the benefit of Isaac and his heirs, and Isaac being lately
dead, and leaving the benefit of the said office to petitioner Thomas
Johnson, his son and heir, he, finding that the benefit of the office
does not exceed 30l. per annum, and not being bred a clerk, nor
capable to execute the same, petitioners pray to be allowed to dispose of the same to John Strangways. [2/3 p.] |
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24. Petition of Anne Blewett and Thomas Buckner to the
Council. The father of petitioner Anne by will gave her 600l., and
appointed his son and heir to pay the same. He is since dead,
having appointed John Blewett, his son and heir, to pay petitioner's
legacy, who wrongfully detains the same. Petitioner being of late
dangerously sick, Thomas Buckner laid out for her 60l., which he
was promised to be paid by John Blewett almost two years ago.
Pray a reference to Sir Thomas Middleton and Sir Maurice Abbott.
Alderman Garraway and Alderman Smith. [2/3 p.] |
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25. "A Memory," for Nicholas, from Sir Jacob Astley. To
present to the Council that the trained bands for Devonshire have
muskets not all of one bore. The deputy-lieutenants fear that their
endeavour to bring the country to buy new muskets will not be successful. Suggestion that order to this effect should be given to the Earl
of Bedford and Lord Russell. Sir Jacob Astley also prays the Lords
to write to the mayor of Plymouth, or to Mr. Heles, who was mayor
last, and knows that by some officers under Sir James Bagg a
cistern of lead was taken out of the fort to reserve rain water,
but which the heirs of Sir James Bagg pretend was his own. [1 p.] |
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26. Note of measures to be taken for defence of the realm. The
navy to be rigged and maintained; a Council of War to be established; the companies of trained soldiers to be doubled; a magazine of powder, shot, and match to be put in the chief town of
every county; all muskets to be of one bore; calves and pigs not
to be killed; papists' arms to be taken away; every one to take the
oath of allegiance; the Narrow Seas to be guarded; castles to be fortified; a garrison to be put among the islands of Scotland; wagons to
be had in readiness. [½ p.] |
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27. List, certified by James Tucker, mayor of Exeter, and six
others, of the captains and other officers, with the names of all the
enrolled soldiers, of the trained bands of Exeter and the county
of the same city. They number 449 officers and men. [=2 pp.] |
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28. Similar list, certified in the same manner, of such able men
within that city and county as are fit for supplies of the trained
bands there, but do not yet belong to the same. [919 names.
= 5 pp.] |
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29. Note that Richard Bristow and Henry Stredwick usually
absent themselves from musters in the rape of Arundel. [2/3 p.] |
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30. Note by Nicholas, that the Lord Admiral has by his patent
authority to appoint any officers requisite for the government of the
navy in England or Ireland. And that to have a supplementary
authority in relation to the latter country might raise an argument
as though the navy there were distinct from the navy in England.
But he knew not whether the Lord Admiral's power extended to
appoint commissioners. [1 p.] |
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31. Note by Nicholas to move at the Council, for an order
that the Lord High Admiral should cause ships to be set forth for
guard of the Irish coast, out of the revenue of that kingdom, with an
underwritten draft of the order desired. [Draft. 1 p.] |
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32. Orders to be observed by the officers and company aboard his
Majesty's ship Constant Reformation. [3½ pp.] |
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33. Petition of Thomas Horth of Yarmouth, merchant, to the King.
By virtue of letters of reprisal granted to Nicholas Polhill and George
Polhill against the Dutch, they proceeded on a man-of-war voyage,
and petitioner disbursed 1,470l. to victual the Recovery to proceed
on the said voyage, which sum was to be repaid out of the first
2,000l. recovered. The Polhills have received 4,900l. and yet refuse
to satisfy petitioner, and by virtue of a protection, of which petitioner
had no knowledge when he disbursed his money, they have debarred
him from his remedy by law. Prays leave to take his course by law
against the persons or goods of the Polhills, or that goods to the
amount of petitioner's debt may be sequestered out of the 4,900l. to
the King's use, to remain in part payment of the salt rent which
petitioner and his partners are to pay to the King. [1 p.] |
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34. Petition of Nicholas Polhill and his partners to the King.
Your Majesty granted petitioners letters of reprisal, to set forth two
ships and one pinnace, for reparation of their losses suffered by the
piratical acts of certain Dutchmen of Rotterdam. Petitioners have
set to sea one ship and one pinnace, and have prepared another
ship now ready to put to sea, but which is stayed by your Majesty's
pleasure, signified by Sec. Coke to the Judge of the Admiralty.
Pray your Majesty to consider the great distress your subjects are
brought to by the piracy of the Dutch, which is much increased by
seven years' prosecution, and that they are at 450l. a month charge
for the ship now stayed. It would be the utter ruin of petitioners
and their friends if their grant were suspended. [Perhaps presented
in March 1638; See Vol. cccxci., No. 1. 1½ p.] |
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35. Petition of John Starkas and William Wright, two poor aged
men of Latton, in Essex, to the Council. In 1637, upon warrant of Sir John Lucas, sheriff, for levying 13l. 17s. 6d. allotted
towards the ship-money, petitioner Starkas being churchwarden,
with other the inhabitants, made a rate by land taxing owners at
4d. and farmers at 2d. the acre. John Chaffont, Samuel Champneys, and others of the inhabitants made a rate after ability, but
Sir John Lucas allowed the rate by land, and directed his warrant
to collect the same. Howbeit Chaffont and Champneys prevailed
with Sir John to allow a third rate according to ability, and themselves to be named collectors. Petitioners offered to pay their tax
according to land rate after 4d. the acre, but Chaffont and Champneys refused to accept the same, distrained their goods, sold them at
under values, kept the surplus, complained of them to the Lords,
and caused their commitment. Pray reference to Sir Humphry
Mildmay, the precedent sheriff, Sir William Luckin, the subsequent
sheriff, or Sir Thomas Barrington and Sir William Marsham, or
Anthony Luther and Edward Palmer, to examine the premises.
[Endorsed. "Denied." 1 p.] |
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36. Petition of George Walker, clerk, to the King. Petitioner
being much weakened with imprisonment for a year past is now
much cast down by slanderous reports, that he has in a sermon
dishonoured his Majesty and the Queen by resembling them to some
persons infamous in the Scriptures for wickedness, whom, out of
fear, reverence, and loyalty, he thinks not fit to be named, and that
he has preached against the ship-money, and encouraged his hearers
to stand out against it, with other seditious passages, from all which
he knows himself to be most innocent, as his hearers will fully
acquit him, as also divers persons whom he has by reasons
grounded on God's word laboured to convince that they ought to
pay the ship-money being demanded. Prays liberty to purge himself of all such crimes, the aspersion of which is more grievous to
him than his imprisonment, and that he may freely prosecute such
persons as have done dishonour to your Majesties by such slanderous
reports, and have utterly undone petitioner. [2/3 p.] |
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37. Memorandum for Sir John Lambe, to put Archbishop Laud in
mind that the Doctors' Commons house is assessed by the Lord
Mayor at 10l. towards the shipping whereas the Doctors themselves
are all assessed at the places where they dwell, and the two Sergeants' Inns, the Four Inns of Court, the Inns of Chancery, the
Heralds' House, and the like, are not assessed at all, nor any of the
City Halls. [= ¼ p.] |
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38. Petition of the Corporation of Plympton Earls, Devon, to the
Council. 35l. has been heretofore assessed on the said borough for
ship-money, to which petitioners are most willing to contribute in
due proportion. The whole borough does not exceed 100 acres of
land, the inheritance of divers gentlemen inhabiting abroad in the
country, the inhabitants being tradesmen, and under-tenants at great
rents, and so to be rated as occupants, yet have they for two years
past, made payment of the greater sums, as being unwilling to
hinder the service but being very poor men, and charged with a
great sum of 24l. 2s. 2½d. per annum to the lords of the borough,
they find the proportion of the rate very unequal, compared with
other towns. Pray that the 35l. may be added to the sum set upon
the whole hundred, and they be rated accordingly. [1 p.] |
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39. Petition of the inhabitants of the western parts of the hundred
of Catsash, Somerset, to the same. In all payments their hundred is
divided into two parts, the eastern and the western. The western
part has long been aggrieved by being rated equally with the eastern
part, which is far before it in value. Petitioners have, for quietness
sake, undergone the burden, till of late they were not able longer to
endure it, and petitioned the sessions for relief, which being referred
to Sir Henry Berkeley, Dr. Goodwin, James Farewell, and Thomas
Light, justices of peace, the two first-named certified at the last
sessions at Wells where it was ordered that thereafter all payments
should be made according to the said certificate. Petitioners have
acquainted the present sheriff with the said proceedings, yet he has
granted his warrant for collecting this present ship-money after the
old rates. Pray the Lords to confirm the order of sessions. [Endorsed a memorandum of Sir William Becher that the Lord Keeper
had directed the papers to be sent to him. 1 p.] |
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40. Petition of Thomas Pitt, bailiff of Blandford-Forum, Dorset,
to the same. Petitioner has received directions from the Lords
either to pay in 25l. arrear of ship-money for 1636, or to attend the
Board the first day of Easter Term next. Prays that the said arrear
may be required of William Strechley, the then bailiff. [½ p.] |
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41. Petition of Edmond Brunsdon, one of the bailiffs of Wilts, for
levying ship-money, to the same. Being charged by Sir Nevill
Poole and Sir Edward Baynton, late sheriffs, and John Grubb, now
sheriff, to collect several sums for ship-money, amongst others
of Edmond Hungerford three sums, amounting to 15l. 19s. 3d.,
Hungerford's answer was that he had no money; but, as soon as
petitioner had taken a distress, Hungerford came to him, and charged
him with felony and burglary, and charged the constable to have
petitioner before Sir Francis Seymour the next morning; and
Hungerford, with divers others, in most violent manner rescued the
distress, being three or four horses. [Underwritten are the names of
John Pyke und Stephen Talbot as present at the rescue. 1 p.] |
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42. Petition of Justices of Peace and others, for themselves and
the inhabitants of co. Hereford, to the Council. This county for two
years past has been visited "with the grievous contagion of the
plague of pestilence," which yet continues, whereby great taxations
are made for relief of the inhabitants in places affected, and the
Lent corn and fruit this year generally failing, whereby famine creeps
upon them, and the plague in Worcester stops commerce for the sale
of their wool; pray the Lords to make this grievous state known
to his Majesty. Petitioners implore that their present taxation of
ship-money may be forborne or moderated. In the borough of
Ross alone there are dead 100, and decayed 100 families who paid
to the ship-money. [Signed by Bishop Coke, Sir Robert Harley,
and in all 17 of the principal persons of the county. 1 p.] |
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43. Petition of the yeomen and ancient inhabitants of Enfield,
Middlesex, to the same. Willingly, and in an equal way, they cessed
themselves and others for the ship-money, and returned the same
to the present sheriffs, who in a private way altered the same
cessment, easing the ablest, and laying the greatest burdens upon
petitioners, who for the most part live upon rackrents, which they
conceive to be contrary to the intention of the warrant of the Lords.
Pray that their cessment, which they will justify to be equal and
honest, may stand, and that "futurely," so long as they are not
partial nor refractory, they may enjoy the privilege to cess amongst
themselves, and not to be cessed by those who know them not.
[½ p.] |
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44. Petition of Thomas Walter and John Elkin, collectors for shipmoney at Harrow-on-the-Hill, to the same. Have often demanded
the assessments of ship-money of the parties refractory, but could
not receive it; upon which they complained to Mr. Atkins, the
sheriff, who promised to send bailiffs to distrain, but they never
came, so petitioners conceive the bailiffs have unjustly complained
of them to the sheriff. Pray to be discharged out of the messenger's
custody. [⅓ p.] |
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45. Petition of Matthew Stevenson and Roger Reynolds, chief
constables of the hundred of Blofield, Norfolk, to the Council. Petitioners last term made known to the Lords the miserable poverty
of many poor people who were assessed to pay ship-money, whereupon an order was made that their petition should be showed to
Mr. Buxton, the then sheriff. He could not deny the same, but
said, "for all this I shall make you know I am a man of worth
and wisdom, and have many good friends at court, and make no
doubt but I shall so far prevail with the Archbishop of Canterbury
as to lay you fast by the heels, where, for anything I know, you shall
lie all the days of your life, and these are but so many pricks in my
side to make me use my best wits to accomplish the same, saying
also, that he would make petitioners an example to all chief constables in England." Mr. Buxton gave petitioners six weeks to get
up the money; yet 14 days before that time he procured a messenger
to be sent for them in harvest time, and after they had got up 110l.
he procured another messenger to be sent for them, so that they
have been constrained to spend of their own estates 100l. within this
12 months, and if they should be enjoined to pay the 78l. which is
in arrear they are utterly undone. Petitioners crave time for what
the Lords shall order them to pay, Reynolds being sick of an ague,
and so disabled from collecting the new ship-moneys by the 14th inst.,
according to the sheriff's warrant, and that petitioner Stevenson may
be released out of prison. [2/3 p.] |
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46. Petition of Thomas Robins, yeoman, to the Council. Petitioner
holds many grounds in Barby, co. Northampton, for which he has
always paid ship-money, but there is one ground on which he
has recently entered for which it seems 12s. is in arrear, the which
was never demanded of petitioner. Petitioner's shepherd, being an
ignorant man, when the officers came to distrain, desired that the
cattle might be stayed till he spoke with petitioner. Petitioner and
his shepherd being sent for by warrant for their contempts, petitioner
is willing to pay all arrears, and prays they may be discharged.
[½ p.] |
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47. Petition of the poor inhabitants of Newark-upon-Trent to
the same. Their town being incorporated is taxed at 45l. towards
the ship-money, which sum the sheriff of co. Nottingham intends to
lay upon the town, not having power to mitigate the same. Set
forth their inability to pay the amount, and pray direction to the
sheriff or any other thought fit to examine the truth of the information they give respecting their poverty, and that after such examination the sheriff may lay a moderate and equal tax upon them.
[1 p.] |
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48. Petition of John Wight, late Mayor of Brackley, co. Northampton, to the same. Petitioner was mayor of Brackley for 1637,
when the town was charged with 50l. ship-money, of which he
could not get above the half. The Lords having written to him in
January last to pay the said 50l. before the first of March following,
he has paid in 23l. odd, and since, by extraordinary industry, has
levied 4l. 9s. more, the rest denying to pay the moneys they are
assessed at. Prays to be discharged of the said service, or that he
may be furnished with further power for levying the residue of the
50l. [¾ p.] |
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49. Petition of William Scudamore, late Sheriff of co. Hereford,
to the same. By the Lords' letters of the 30th November last,
directed to the present sheriff, and to petitioner as sheriff for 1635,
84l. 3s. 5d. is required of petitioner as an arrear of ship-money.
His Majesty's writ for that year was dated 12th August, and was
delivered to petitioner the 21st. Ten months of petitioner's shrievalty
were expended in subdividing and assessing the amount before he
could enter upon the levy. During the short time then remaining
of his shrievalty he levied 3,564l. 10s. 11½d., which he paid to the
Receiver of the Navy; the remainder unlevied being 175l. 9s. 0½d.,
with a memorial thereof, and 20s. in money, with the writ and instructions, were by the Lords' command of the 28th April 1636 delivered over to his successor, with letters from the Lords for levying
the arrears. He has received divers sums, but how much or what
persons are now behind petitioner knows not. Since that time
petitioner has undergone some troubles by default of his successor,
but was freed thereof by order of the Lords of 14th May 1637.
Prays that his successor, the sheriff for 1636, may finish this business
according to the Lords' command, and that petitioner may be discharged. [2/3 p.] |
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50. Petition of John Barnard, of Caistor, co. Lincoln, prisoner in
the Fleet, to the Council. Petitioner stands committed for words
whereof he was accused concerning three shillings, parcel of eight
shillings, assessed upon him for ship-money, of which he willingly
paid five shillings, and did not refuse the other three shillings but in
regard of the disproportion of the assessment. Expresses contrition,
and prays to be enlarged, being ready to pay the three shillings.
[1 p.] |
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51. Order of Council in the business in difference between the
hundreds of Bath-Forum and Wellow, Somerset, in the matter of
rates for ship-money. Recites report of Lord Chief Justice Finch,
approves what he had done, and orders that the rate set upon the
hundred of Bath-Forum by the sheriff shall stand. [Draft, with
blank left for the Lord Chief Justice's report. 1 p.] |
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52. The Council to George Fouch, Messenger of the Chamber, and
William Dove, to repair to the house of John Barnard, late undersheriff of co. Lincoln, and require him to pay into the Exchequer
200l., by him levied upon the tenants of certain marshes in Gedney
and Sutton, as ordered by the Court of Exchequer on 12th February
last, and if he neglect to make present payment to take him into
custody, that so with you he may remain until he make such payment. [Copy. 1 p.] |
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53. Petition of Sir William Lewis to the King. By my oath as
sheriff for co. Brecon I am bound to a residence there for the time
of my office, but having many occasions to repair this year to
London, Hampshire, and other parts, my petition is, that I, waiting
on the judges at the assizes there, and doing all other duties of my
office by myself or my deputy, may be licensed to repair to the
places before mentioned. [½ p.] Annexed, |
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53. i. Statement of the reasons of the preceding petition. At
his Majesty's making me sheriff I was resident in Hampshire,
100 miles distant from co. Brecon, and did not receive my
commission till the last day of December, a time of year
that allowed neither the possibility to remove my family
thither nor provision for any entertainment to continue
there the whole year, the mere entertainment of the judges
twice in the year for eight days at each time putting me to
a great straight. [½ p.] |
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54. Certificate by Pentecost Doddridge, Mayor of Barnstaple, of
defaulters to the ship-money. Total amount of the tax 150l.; collected 138l. 8s.; unpaid 11l. 12s. [1 p.] |
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55. Certificate by Samuel Foye, constable, of the names of the
principal refusers to pay ship-money in the hundred of Horethorne,
Somerset. [1 p.] |
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56. Note of the way in which 424l. ship-money assessed on co.
Denbigh was charged in 1638 on the several boroughs and hundreds.
[2/3 p.] |
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57. Notes on the question whether Yarnfield and Gasper, in the
tithing and hundred of Norton-Ferris, Somerset, should be assessed
for the ship-money with Maiden Bradley, in Somerset, or with the
hundred of Mere, in Wilts; with answers to objections made respecting the conduct of Sir Henry Ludlow. [22/3 pp.] |
|
58. Petition of the Company of Gunmakers to the Council of War.
According to order, petitioners have delivered into the Tower 2,114
muskets ready finished, and have marked for a second proof 2,500.
Petitioners have received warrant from the Earl of Newport for
receiving their moneys by debenture in the master and wardens'
names as the cutlers and armourers do, but it is refused to make
one debenture for all, and they would charge petitioners to
make several debentures for above 20 persons, on all which petitioners shall have to pay poundage. Pray that some other course
may be taken for satisfaction of petitioners. [¾ p.] |
|
59. Petition of Thomas Stevens, master workman of the Armoury
at Greenwich, to the same. Is informed that there is a supply of
armour to be made, for furnishing his Majesty's magazine in the
Tower. Petitioner, being his Majesty's sworn servant, and trained
in that art, is fitter to be employed in that service than strangers.
Prays that he may be employed, he making the same as good, and
affording them at as reasonable rates as any other, and that if any
armour be served by any others that he may have the viewing
thereof. [1 p.] |
|
60. Petition of Benjamin Stone, blade-maker to the Office of the
Ordnance, to the Council. Petitioner has for long time employed
himself in making sword blades in England for his Majesty's service,
and has perfected the manufacture thereof by Englishmen as well as
others, and has now great store of swords upon his hands, being
hindered from delivery thereof by the great number of bad blades
delivered into the Tower by Capt. Legge and the Company of Cutlers
and others. Although you ordered that these blades should be resurveyed by the Lieutenant of the Tower and Officers of the Ordnance,
the cutlers have hindered the same, whereas petitioner's blades have
been at all times thoroughly tried. Prays that the said order may
be put in execution, and that the Officers of the Ordnance may
report how they find petitioner's blades to prove on trial, also that
3,000 blades now lying on his hands ready fitted up may be received
and paid for. [¾ p.] |
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61. Petition of Benjamin Stone, styling himself Cutler for the Office
of the Ordnance, to the Council of War. Petitioner having expended
all his estate, viz., 8,000l. in the manufacture of blades, and having
brought the same to perfection, his Majesty gave order to the Earl
of Newport, Master of the Ordnance, to admit petitioner as cutler
for furnishing his Majesty's stores. He has always furnished the
stores with far better swords than ever were brought in by any,
and has at present given security to deliver 1,000 swords per month
so long as his Majesty shall have occasion. Prays warrant to have
the making of all such swords as his Majesty shall have occasion to
use, and that the cutlers of London shall not molest petitioner.
[Underwritten by Nicholas, "The petitioner is to make as many
swords as he can, and they shall be all taken off if they be serviceable and good." 1 p.] |
|
62. Petition of the same to the same. Similar to the preceding
petition, with the addition in the prayer that he may have power
to hinder the striking of Spanish and other marks upon blades
made by the workmen of the cutlers of London. [¾ p.] |
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63. Petition of Leonard Pinckney to the Commissioners for Saltpetre. Petitioner, having been employed above a year for making
saltpetre, has laid out above 1,000l., which service should have been
performed by David Stevenson, who was joined in commission with
petitioner, but Stevenson's carelessness has been such that petitioner
is like to be a loser this year above 200l., without your wonted
favour. Prays a deputation to himself alone, or to Oswold
Pinckney his brother, who will repay petitioner the money disbursed,
and give security for performance of the service. [½ p.] |
|
64. Suggestions for better keeping the accounts of the Office of
Ordnance. No account of the stores has been exhibited there 40
years last past, so that it is not possible to make a just charge of the
provisions that ought to be found in his Majesty's magazine. The
keeper of the stores is unable to make satisfaction for the
defects, but some others who upon examinination will be found more
culpable than he, may be compelled to render the estates they have
purchased by embezzling his Majesty's moneys and robbing his
magazine. [1½ p.] |
|
65. Account of a proportion of ordnance stores to be provided,
perhaps for Carlisle or some other place in the north of England, also
60 soldiers, or as many more as without discovery of the design can
be got, and amongst them 6 or 8 gunners, "voysete" to be for
Ireland, under the command of Capt. George Bagg, and to be
transported in one of his Majesty's lesser ships, or a ship taken up
at Plymouth. [1⅓ p.] |
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66. Return by Dep. Lieutenants of defaulters in payment of the
tax towards providing supplies for the magazine for Sussex; five
persons are named, among them, Sir Thomas Springate; the total
amount of the tax unpaid is 8s. 3d. [½ p.] |
|
67. Brief collection out of quarter-books and accounts of the
Office of Ordnance of travelling charges and other expenses allowed
to Lieutenants of the Ordnance, and others of that office, from 1557
to the present year. [Endorsed by Nicholas, "Sir John Heydon,
Lieutenant General of the Ordnance." [2½ pp.] |
|
68. Certificate of the number of pistols and carabines that can
be made monthly by 14 master workmen, with the prices. [Endorsed.
"Wallis's proposition." ⅓ p.] |
|
69. Suggestion that Henry Johnson, Clerk of the Ordnance, should
be captain of the Peter Bonaventure, a ship that carries munition
for which the Master of the Ordnance stands accountable. [2/3 p.] |
|
70. Observations by Sir Sackville Crow on a grant for making and
transporting iron ordnance, about to be made to John Browne, the
iron-founder. Sir Sackville narrates the history of his own grants
in connection with iron ordnance, and that of the several previous
grants obtained by Burlamachi and Browne, and states a variety of
objections to the grant now under consideration. [6½ pp.] |
|
71. Petition of Alexander Leviston, equerry in ordinary to the
Queen, to the King. There is a practice lately invented to make
silk stockings in a loom, which is far sooner done, but nothing so
good as those knit with needles, and therefore ought to be sold at
far lower prices. An officer should be appointed to view, search, and
mark or seal all silk stockings, half-stockings, and silk waistcoats, and to set a mark upon the woven, and another different on
the knit, and such as are deceitfully made or dyed may be forfeited to the King. Prays a grant for 31 years of the office of
searcher, and that the salesman may pay a fee to petitioner, of 1s. for
every waistcoat, 6d. for every pair of silk stockings, and 4d. for
every half pair. [¾ p.] |
|
72. Petition of Captain Thomas King, your Majesty's servant, to
the King. Petitioner brought a ship of 300 tons from Barbary
hither, having aboard 350 quarters of wheat and barley, besides 120
tons of ballast. Some bakers of London have informed the Lord Mayor
that there was a greater quantity of corn in the ship than is, and
which petitioner intended for Bordeaux, but that his company brought
the ship into the Thames. The Lord Mayor has used means to the
Lord Treasurer to make stay of the ship, which to your petitioner
is an utter undoing, the charge of his company's wages and victual
being 180l. per month. Prays that the ship may be suffered to
proceed upon her voyage for the relief of the distressed people of
that nation, intending to return wines from thence to London, or
that the Lord Mayor may pay petitioner the price of the corn as he
bought it in Barbary, and the freight of the ship. [¾ p.] |
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73. Petition, stated in the endorsement to be that of "Mr. Bray"
to the King. Upon certificate of the Judges, it was decreed in the
Star Chamber that no baker should sell bread at other rates than
12 or 13 loaves for the dozen, intending thereby reformation, and to
take away that oppression which the poorer subjects sustained by
the fraudulent practices of dishonest retailers, who increase the
number but diminish the weight of the loaves, so that the whole
makes up but the full weight of a true dozen, whilst the retailer
vends every loaf as of the just assize at 12 to the dozen. Albeit your
Majesty confirmed the decree of the Star Chamber, and commanded
the same to be obeyed, yet divers persons contemptuously transgress
the same. Petitioner offers his service herein, and if it be thought
necessary to put the decree in execution for what is past, prosecutors
and commissioners for enquiry and grace should be appointed.
[1½ p.] |
|
74. Petition of the Company of Vintners of London to the same.
The Council, by decree in the Star Chamber, has prohibited all
manner of victualling in taverns, which general and sudden restraint
is likely to ruin many families. Prays some mitigation of the
decree, and that petitioners may victual in a moderate manner,
with such cautions and restrictions as shall be thought meet.
[2/3 p.] |
|
75. Petition of Edward Hawkins and George Lasselles to the
same. Petitioners, by a former petition, showed your Majesty what
liberty the innholders, taverners, cooks, ordinary table keepers,
butchers, alehousekeepers, and other victuallers take upon themselves, in the "inordinate" of Lent and other days forbidden by
law by strict proclamations. Petitioners also in their said former
petition intreated your Majesty to authorise them to call all such
persons yearly before Lent to enter into recognisances not to kill,
dress, or eat any flesh during Lent, nor on other days prohibited,
petitioners receiving the accustomed fee for taking the said recognisances. Upon reference to certain of the Council, the referees
directed the Attorney-General to draw up a proclamation to such
purpose. Pray Letters Patent authorising them to take such
recognisances. [1½ p.] |
|
76. A brief declaration of the great profit which will accrue to the
commonwealth by having his Majesty's pleasure expressed in his
proclamations for the observance of Lent and Fasting Days strictly
looked into, and officers to be appointed to be sworn for due execution
of that service, and an office to be erected in which all recognisances
taken in that behalf may be safely kept. The advantages to ensue
upon carrying out this project are explained in seven articles.
[3 pp.] |
|
77. Petition of Sir Popham Southcote, his Majesty's servant, to
the King. Your Majesty granted to petitioner the farm of the
duty for hard soap made in the western parts, the profits whereof
he has advanced 800l. per annum. He has taken forth a commission
directed to gentlemen of best quality in those parts for regulating
that trade to your Majesty's most advantage, and the contentment
of your subjects, and has executed that commission among the most
part of those hard soapmakers, who have become bound for payment
of the duty to petitioner; but Mr. Ball, who was an agent for Mr.
Sainthill, who a long time opposed this advancement of rent,
finding his ends crossed, has stirred up certain soapmakers of Exeter
to cross petitioner's grant by malicious suggestions, saying it will
spoil their trade, whereas they themselves aim at a monopoly. Prays
that he may quietly enjoy his grant, and that the disturbers may
receive condign punishment. [1 p.] |
|
78. Petition of Anthony Wither, your Majesty's Commissioner for
reformation of clothing, to the King. Petitioner was some years
since drawn from his ordinary trade by the entreaties of the Company
of Merchants Adventurers to undertake a most difficult service, which
being for the honour of your Majesty and the State, he was induced
to undertake, though it was conceived it would be with peril of his
life, and now the company are like by his endeavours to save 10,000l.
a year, which they have paid yearly for faults found in the
white cloth sold in that half of their trade which is in Holland, and
to secure "a far more sum" which they are daily in danger to pay
in the other half of their trade which is in Hamburgh. By your
Majesty's commission petitioner is to take no benefit by the
penalties of any laws, nor any other ways to advantage himself, but
to expect his reward from the King or the Merchant Adventurers,
which merchants have for the first two years only given him reasonable satisfaction, and subsequently have yearly lessened his payments,
and now have thrust him out of his place by electing another
thereunto, and that only because your suppliant required his
payment; the company refusing to give him for his travel so much
money as it has cost him out of his own estate. Petitioner is
greatly grieved in being suddenly put from all course of living, which
is to him much more prejudicial than all benefits he has received in
these five years can recompense. Petitioner is informed that the
plurality of hands in their court was in his favour, but others
thought otherwise and it was divers times put, until they obtained
his dismissal. The great traders in white cloths gave their utmost
endeavours for his continuance, and no fault was found with him,
but that other men offer to do it better cheap. Prays his Majesty
to recommend the hearing of his cause to the Council, that not being
found faulty he may be continued in the service, upon such payment
and conditions as shall be ordained. [1 p.] |
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79. Petition of Peter Le Noble, John de l'Espine, Samuel Dubois,
Michael Clarke, John Perkin, and Peter Lekeux, in behalf of the
strangers, manufacturers of stuffs at Canterbury, to the King. In
the patent lately granted to the company of weavers in London,
petitioners are tied to pay for duties a third part more than the
company, and that for "two descents," which is so doubtfully expressed that petitioners know not whether father and son only, or
father, son, and grandchild be concerned therein; the grandchild
being by the law and by the injunction of the Archbishop of
Canterbury to be in all respects taken for native English. As
petitioners and their forefathers brought into this kingdom the
invention of these manufactures, by which many of your subjects
have employment, and are at continual great charge in carrying
their stuffs to and from London, and for that your Majesty has
custom on the materials of those manufactures, and that all strangers
importing commodities by which your subjects have no employment pay but a fourth part more custom than the English, petitioners pray that they may pay for the new rate in the corporation of weavers the like proportion as strangers pay in the
Custom House, viz., a fourth part more than the English, for father
and son only. [½ p.] |
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80. Petition of divers Baymakers of Coggeshall, Essex, creditors
of John de la Barre, merchant, to the Council. De la Barre owing
them 1,700l., and being protected by his Majesty, so conveyed away
his estate as no part could be found, except 2,300l. due from his Majesty, and bills due out of the office of the navy. His Majesty
gave leave for order to be taken for petitioners' satisfaction, they
being willing to accept half their debts, and your Lordships in May
1637 ordered de la Barre to assign 850l. of the moneys due to him,
whereof petitioners have received 253l., leaving 541l., which the
Lord Treasurer says, being for freight of ships, victualling, and men's
wages since the voyage for relief of Rochelle, he cannot appoint
payment. Petitioners conceive that it was his Majesty's pleasure
and yours that they should be paid the moiety of their debts out of
the moneys in general due from his Majesty to de la Barre, and therefore, though the Privy Seal of 1,500l. be assigned to other creditors
of de la Barre, they hope that if payment be deferred of any, it will
rather be of those to whom the Privy Seal is assigned, for that they
are better able to forbear their moneys than petitioners, who lose
900l. by de la Barre when these bills are paid. Pray payment of the
541l., by which means their undoing and the ruin of many thousands depending upon them will be prevented. [1 p.] |
|
81. Petition of divers of your Majesty's Merchants in London
trading in woollen commodities to the King. The wools of this
kingdom being the main staple afford excellent manufactures very
useful to all. These manufactures have been of late years so falsified
by the makers, one striving to undersell another, that their abuses
being daily discovered, they come to an ill market at home and
abroad. Pray a reference to a committee of the Council or others
to hear petitioners and report the truth, that a prudent government
may be established for well ordering of these commodities. [1 p.] |
|
82. Petition of Sir Ralph Blackstone and John Spencer, of London,
mercer, to the King. Saffron is only useful for its colour or tincture,
much of which is lost in drawing it out. Petitioners have found
out a way to improve saffron to its greatest advantage, so that
ten ounces shall go as far and yield as much tincture as 16 ounces in
the leaf or "shyve." Pray a patent of privilege for 14 years for
the sole making up into their form of all such saffron or other
vegetables as shall be spent in all your Majesty's dominions.
Petitioners will pay to the King one-third part of all the gains.
[Endorsed: "Lord Herbert. To be referred to the physicians." 2/3 p.]
Annexed, |
|
82. i. Explanation of the advantages of the new process for extraction of the colour from saffron and other vegetable
substances. [1 p.] |
|
82. ii. A conjectural "supputation" of what saffron may be spent
in all his Majesty's dominions during one year. Say
there be one million households and that every house spend
three halfpence in saffron, that would produce 6,250l.,
which would require 3,125 lbs. of saffron. The gain upon
every pound being 15s., would amount to 2,343l. 15s.
[Written upon the same paper as the preceding. ½ p.] |
|
83. Petition of the Corporation of Saltmakers of South and North
Shields to the same. Pray an order of Council for suppressing the
melting of foreign salt within the limits of their patent; also that
the Attorney-General may have a warrant for renewing their contract
with certain clauses herein specified, principally affecting the importation of 8,000 weys allowed to the Scots. They also pray that Sir
William Bellasis, the present governor of the corporation and sheriff
of Durham, may be a justice of peace there, notwithstanding any
statutes to the contrary. [1 p.] |
|
84. Robert Smith and Leonard Stockdale, relators in the Star
Chamber against the Company of Starchmakers, defendants, to the
same. Remonstrance concerning their proceedings in his Majesty's
service in the starch business. They set forth the past abuses of
the starchmakers by which they contrived to avoid the payment of
the 3,000l. per annum contracted to be paid to the King. Propose
a new arrangement, whereby the petitioners being appointed sole
starchmakers, the importation of foreign starch strictly prohibited
and certain prices fixed by proclamation, 8l. per ton might be paid
to the King. [1¼ p.] |
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85. Petition of Robert Smith, Leonard Stockdale, Thomas Peterson,
Hugh Cuer, Nathaniel Fox, and Richard Moore, on behalf of themselves and fifty other starchmakers, freemen of that company, to the
same. Since the great abuses crept into that trade were discovered
by the relators and petitioners Smith and Stockdale, and their
offer of improvement of your Majesty's profits therein from 200l. to
3,000l. per annum, some few of other great trades being for money
admitted into the company, contrary to the King's proclamation,
have circumvented the petitioners by offering a small addition of
benefit to your Majesty in the first two years above the prior proposition, and thereupon procured a warrant to the Attorney-General
for a new charter, wherein they refuse to nominate any of the petitioners, purposely to engross the whole trade into their own hands.
Petitioners are ready to give security (better than is now offered)
for an improvement to your Majesty of 500l. per annum above the
last proposition, which will be in all 3,500l. per annum, and likewise to increase the 50l. for seven years offered towards repair of
Paul's to 100l. per annum, and will observe the prices in the said
warrant limited. Your Majesty having referred these matters to
the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Keeper, the Lord Treasurer,
and Lord Cottington, petitioners pray reference of the present
proposition to the same referees. [2/3 p.] |
|
86. Petition of Richard Delamain, his Majesty's servant, to the
King. Your Majesty commanded petitioner to make up sundry new
instruments in silver for your particular use; one invented by your
Majesty about the time of the launching of the Sovereign, another
a new dial for your bedchamber, invented by petitioner and presented to you at Greenwich last summer, and another a universal
instrument called a Helicon, studied by petitioner for your Majesty's
use in time of progress and presented by him to you at Bagshot, all
which have since been fitted by petitioner in the mouldings and
framing in metal for their making up in silver; but for that the
mass of silver for these instruments is greater than petitioner has
ability to buy, he prays warrant to the Lord Treasurer or the
Master of the Jewels that 36 lbs. of silver may be delivered to
him for that service. Petitioner will see it employed at your Majesty's house at the Minories, at Sir John Heydon's. [2/3 p.] |
|
87. Petition of John Ward, of London, merchant, prisoner in the
King's Bench, to the same. Has used the trade of a merchant for
30 years, during which time he has paid for customs above 500l.
yearly, and for freight of ships about 2,000l. a year; but by reason
of losses and the advantage taken of him in his imprisonment by
unscrupulous persons, he is not able to give present satisfaction to
his creditors, his estate lying abroad in most parts of Christendom.
Prays reference to some Lords of the Council or other fit persons to
compose the differences or to certify your Majesty of the state
thereof. [2/3 p.] |
|
88. Petition of Peirce Creagh, merchant, to the same. Two years
past, petitioner being bound from Spain for Limerick with Spanish
commodities to the value of 1,500l., his ship was taken by the
Turks, and he remained in slavery until ransomed by Sir William
Courteen for 160l. Has paid some part of the 160l. to the assignee
of Sir William, but is not able to pay any more, having lost his
whole estate, yet he is continually troubled by the assignee for the
remainder. Prays some relief, or employment here or in Ireland.
[½ p.] |
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89. Petition of Peter Marolois, Arnold Beake, and others, of
London, merchants, to the same. Petitioners set forth the St. George,
of London, in July last to Cadiz, and from thence to the Canaries,
where she took on board 424 pipes of wine, and in her return homewards about 11th December by distress of weather was stranded upon
the coast of Picardy, "near the town of Berque [Bercq], which is
under the government of the Duke del Boeuf, or in his absence of Mons.
de Mouille." Much of the ship's furniture and great part of the wines
were saved, but Mons. de Mouille refuses to rate the salvage. Pray
letters to the Duke that the goods may be restored to petitioners,
they paying salvage. [1 p.] |
|
90. Petition of Casparus Cardhaffe, prisoner in the Tower, to the
King. Petitioner having learned his late master's art of making
pieces was charged by him with a design to pass beyond sea to
reveal the same to some foreign prince, and also that he had behaved
contemptuously towards him, whereas petitioner never had such intention. Was committed prisoner to a messenger for seven weeks,
and then discharged upon putting in a bond of 500l. with sureties
not to depart the realm without licence, since which he has been
committed to the Tower these 26 weeks, without allowance of diet
or maintenance, being like to perish, though he knows himself guilty
of no offence, but only his skilfulness in his trade. In respect he is
an alien, destitute both of friends and means, prays to be freed
from his imprisonment upon his former security, with some allowance
for his time and diet since his imprisonment, and restitution of his
tools and patterns, with liberty to use his trade. [Endorsed by Sec.
Windebank as "Dutchman's petition." 2/3 p.] |
|
91. Petition of John Tilier to the same. Petitioner being a
stranger has traded in wines, paying double duties, and has within
nine months imported great quantities of French wines, which for
the most part he sold to the wine coopers of London. They being
now debarred from buying wine the trade is wholly in the government
of the company of vintners. They have undertaken to take off such
wines as remain in the wine coopers' hands, and petitioner has
offered them all his wines, being about 130 tons, and such as they
shall refuse he will dispose of to the hot-water men, but the vintners
refuse to meddle with his wines. Prays order to them to take petitioner's wines. [½ p.] |
|
92. Petition of sundry Merchants, strangers residing in the city of
London, to the Council. Several small quantities of French wines
have been brought over in Dutch vessels from Holland and Zealand
which were licensed to be landed and sold, but it was ordered that
the money arising therefrom should be deposited with the farmers of
the customs till further orders. The wines belonging to none but
those of Holland and Zealand, petitioners pray to be discharged
from depositing their moneys, and that hereafter wines belonging to
subjects of Holland and Zealand may be landed and disposed of as
the Lords allow to the English. [¾ p.] |
|
93. List of six wine merchants who refuse to pay the imposition
of 20s. per ton upon French and Spanish wines. The largest importer was "Marmaduke Roydon, 137 tons." [¼ p.] |
|
94. Petition of John Bedoll, merchant, to the Council. Your
Lordships, on 18th December last, ordered that the persons charged
in the "leviation" by the commissioners for payment of debts owing
by the Muscovy Company should make payment according to the
leviation or stand committed, unless wrongfully charged. This
order has since been confirmed on 3rd present, wherein petitioner,
with three others, were committed to the Fleet. Shows that he has
been wrongfully charged, as by a certificate, stated to be annexed,
appears. These debts are grown by the trading company but since
petitioner gave over that trade, which was eight years since. [1 p.] |
|
95. Petition of the Glovers of London, being above 400 housekeepers and above 3,000 workers, to the same. By order of 10th
April his Majesty granted petitioners a corporation, but the order is
drawn in such an obscure way that they cannot yet make use of it,
no place being named where the corporation shall be laid, only it is
said they shall be incorporated for three miles about London. In all
other cities and many corporate towns there are companies of glovers
incorporate, but none now in London, whereby the abuses in their
trade are grown more incorrigible than ever. Pray the Lords to
take pity on this so much admired manufacture abroad and too
much neglected at home. [2/3 p.] |
|
96. Abstract of a petition attributed in the endorsement to "Mr.
Atkinson." It has relation to the importation of kid skins from France,
and an application upon that subject by Mr. Johnston. The writer of
this abstract had obtained, in partnership with others, a grant from
the King of France, under which they alone had the power of
purchasing kid skins in that country. They had expended 3,000l.
for better gathering in the skins and engaged themselves in great
penalties, with securities for receiving this commodity for 15 years.
Mr. Johnston, being refused to come in a sharer, petitioned for a
prohibition of the importation of French skins. Johnston sells the
skins to a scrivener in Thames Street, and the scrivener to a leatherseller, and the leatherseller to the glovers, whereby the price is
much raised. Petitioners will sell the skins to the glovers at the
same rate as they are sold first hand. In case his Majesty should
hinder the importation of the skins it would be the utter undoing
of many thousand poor people, the disfurnishing of the kingdom of
the said commodities, a great loss in the customs, and also a precedent for French merchants in the like case upon English commodities. Petitioners will pay yearly into the Exchequer 100l. during
the said grant. [2/3 p.] |
|
97. Petition of the Governor and Company of Merchants of England, trading in the Levant seas, to the Council. In 1608 there was a
toleration granted to the Muscovy, Eastland, and Barbary merchants
for transporting 34,000 Suffolk and long Western cloths yearly,
being strained cloths, in which toleration, the trade of Turkey being
then in its infancy, the Levant company was not included. In
regard that of late years the chief exportation of strained cloths is
fallen upon this company, they pray a toleration to transport into
Turkey so many strained cloths and kerseys as those parts will vent.
[1 p.] |
|
98. Answer of the Governor, Deputy, Assistants, and Fellowship
of Merchant Adventurers of England to the Council. Being replies
to four objections propounded to them by the Council with reference
to a former petition praying for the better ordering of the trade in
cloth into Germany and the Seventeen Provinces. The first point
related to four tons of yarn licensed to be exported by the city of
Canterbury for the relief of the poor. They submit to the judgment
of the Council, but pray that the quantity may be reduced to two
tons. The second point had relation to the prayer of the Merchant
Adventurers that the interloper might not be permitted to pass in
strangers' names or upon strangers' custom. They explain that they
sought not thereby to exclude the stranger from trading, enumerate
the advantages possessed by the interloper, although he acts in opposition to all royal charters, and does not increase the customs like
the fair trader. The third point was that the interlopers in times
of glut were thought to be a great help in taking off the cloth of the
Merchant Adventurers, and a daily spur to them to do the same
themselves. Their answer is that the interlopers are unable to do
the State any service, not one in forty ever thriving, and there is no
want of ready men among the Adventurers to buy up more cloth
than could be made in the kingdom. The last point related to
security to be given by the Merchant Adventurers for buying up,
in case of emergency, all the drapery from the clothiers. The answers
refer to what they had done in 1563 and 1587, and at the present
time, when, notwithstanding the wars in Germany, the stop of trade
in Holland, and the great fears at home, there had been no just
cause of complaint either to the clothier in buying up, or to the
farmers of the customs in exportation. They bring their remarks
to an end by reminding the Council that the suppression of the
interloper was his Majesty's promise to the town of Rotterdam,
when the Adventurers removed thither from Delft, and which was
mentioned in his Majesty's proclamation, and some service rendered
in consequence to his Majesty by the town. The town stick not to
threaten the Company, that in case the same be not performed they
will require restitution for that which they advanced to his Majesty.
[3½ pp.] |
|
99. Petition of John Oldfield to the same. Petitioner's complaints having been found just, as appears by a report annexed,
justifying his proceedings to have been according to the proclamation,
and to have benefited the King in respect of 6d. the 1,000 bricks
within the limits of a corporation lately granted to the brickmakers
of London, to the value of 1,000 marks at the least, and commodious
to the commonwealth in respect of the goodness of the earth for that
purpose. Upon the unjust information of four or five of the commissioners for archery petitioner was put by on ground in which
the archers never had anything to do, unless all gardens be at their
disposal, whereby petitioner lost 200l. Prays liberty to make bricks
of his ground as other subjects have, which done he shall be damaged
500l., and that committees may be appointed for moderating the
engagements which through imprisonment he has been forced to, or
that some course may be taken by the city in regard that, for the
superfluous pleasure of the citizens, he has for this five years been
exiled from his whole estate, then worth 1,200l., and not only left
without means of livelihood but 40l. in debt. Unless the Lords
take him into their consideration he must lose his estate for 150l.,
which he was forced to take up to redeem himself from prison.
[Underwritten, "Nil." ½ p.] |
|
100. Petition of the Wire-sellers, Wire-drawers, and Wire-workers
of London to the Council. Have been much abridged and indeed excluded from their trade, as well by a covenant made by the company
of pinmakers with James Lidsy, to buy of him yearly 200 tons of
latten wire, which is more than ever was yearly wrought in this
kingdom, and so in effect the whole sale of this commodity is appropriated to the private lucre of one man, as also by a late proclamation
of 19th August last, whereby it is first pretended that the latten wire
made in England is much better than that imported, and that the
manufacture employs many of his Majesty's subjects, both which assertions petitioners deny. The patentees themselves are fain to procure
some foreign wire to be imported which they work, and in making the
finer sorts of pins the wire made at home is not to be drawn into
such small sizes for pins and divers other uses, yet petitioners seek
not to discourage this manufacture here, but desire that it may be
for any man to make. Pray the Lords to afford petitioners a favourable hearing. [2/3 p.] |
|
101. Petition of Thomas Persons, of Batcombe, Somerset, to the
same. Petitioner having adventured to the value of 40l. for
tobacco beyond seas, on its arrival took by licence of the Farmers
of the Customs, only two small rolls of the tobacco, leaving the rest,
in lieu of custom, until he could redeem the same. Upon complaint
of John Smith, patentee of Batcombe, that petitioner should sell
tobacco without licence, he has been sent for up in custody of a
messenger. Petitioner never sold any tobacco, and if his wife did
so, he was ignorant thereof. He proffered the two rolls to the
patentee at the accustomed prices, who would not accept of it.
Prays discharge. [2/3 p.] |
|
102. Petition of Anthony Hooper, merchant, to the same. In
February last, petitioner made over to John La Poutre certain
tobacco aboard the Exchange, of London, which La Poutre afterwards made over to Daniel Farfax and Isaac Legay, for better
security of 10,000l., for which La Poutre and petitioner stood
bound. The tobacco being since landed at Guernsey, is there detained from Farfax and Legay by reason of attachments brought
upon bare pretences. Prays order to Sir Peter Osborne, governor of
Guernsey, to deliver the tobacco to Farfax and Legay. [2/3 p.] |
|
103. Minute made for Sir William Becher of a petition touching
the tobacco-pipe makers. They have a patent of incorporation
10th Charles. Mr. Lee is patentee for sole venting of tobacco-pipe
earth, 21st James, which patent was called in by the House of
Commons 1st Charles. In December last Mr. Kirke and Mr. Maxwell, of the bedchamber, took an assignment of Lee's patent, and
John Price and Francis Brudenell are farmers to the assignees.
Foster and Peniall, messengers, have warrants for execution of this
patent. Petitioners desire that the patent may be called for, and
offer to submit to it, so it may be truly executed. [½ p.] |
