by the sayd Company beyond sea to his freedome, haveing served
his apprenticshipp at Newcastle, as by a certificate from the Governor
and Wardens of the sayd Company of Newcastle was certified, he payd
noe more for such his freedome then the sum of six shillings eight
pence. And further knoweth that many others, both sonns and
servants belonging to Newcastle, were likewise made free for the like
sum. And this deponent further saith that the deponent verily
beleives that the trade of the Merchant Adventurers of Newcastle to
the Mali) Townes was formerly much greater then it hath beene for a
many yeares since or. at this tyme.

W™. Johnson.
Jurat 27*» die Febry 166S.
Coram me Mag'ro in Cancell.
Thomas Estconrt.

Greorge Dawson of the Towne of Newcastle upon Tyne, Merchant,
aged 64 yeares, maketh Oath that the deponent being imployed
beyond the seas as a factor and servant unto M'. Henry Bowes of
Newcastle, Merchant, deceased, who traded in Kerseys, Dozens, and
other Commodities, to reside at Middleburgh beyond seas in Zeeland,
4uid being there in the yeare 1617, doth know the agreement of 8".
p. annum in question to be payd by all the Merchants of Newcastle
in lieu of all Impositions beyond the seas unto the Company of
Merchant Adventurers of England their resideing, was during his
residence there payd to the Treasurer of the sayd Company and
accepted by the sayd Company, and afterwards, vizt., on or before the
yeare 1662, this deponent then resideing in Hamburgh, where the
sayd Company of Merchant Adventurers of England had residence,
he also doth know that the sum of 8". p. annum was likewise payd
and accepted from the Merchants of Newcastle, and never to this
deponent's knowledge denied to be accepted or questioned dureing
this deponent's residence in either of the sayd places, and this
deponent further saith that he very well remembers that dureing his
residence in Hamburgh there was some question made concerneing
some cloths brought thither being exported from the port of Hull in
this Kingdome by M'. Robert Bewicke, Merchant of Newcastle,



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M'. John Butler, M'. Thomas Butler and others, ooncemeing the
Impositions payable for the sayd cloths as exported from HdII
though the same parties abonte the same time shipping Cloathes
from the port of Newcastle to Hamburgh had nothing demanded of
them in respect of those Cloathes more theo the sayd ancient agree-
ment of 8^. p. ann. And this deponent further saith that this
deponent comeing to take his freedome by Certificate (being the
usuall way by which persons in all those tymes were admitted) from
the Governor and Wardens of the Company of Newcastle of the sayd
Company of Merchant Adventurers, by virtue of his father's coppy,.
noe more was payd by this deponent for his savd freedome but six
shillings eight pence, and which was accepted of him accordingly, and
further saith that dureing the tyme of his sayd residence beyond the
seas diverse others, both sonns and servants, were made free for the
like sum of six shillings eight pence, and this deponent further saith
that the deponent verily Meives that the Traide of the Merchant
Adventurers of Newcastle to the Mart Townes was dureing severall
yeares in the tyme when the sayd agreement was soe accepted much
greater then it hath beene for many yeares since or at this tyme.

George Dawson.
[Similar jnrat and same date.]

Humphrey Pibus of the Towne of Newcastle upon Tine,
Merchant, aged aboute 36 yeares, maketh Oath that he, this deponent,
being, in the yeare 1654, beyond the seas and at Hamburgh, and then
haveing some Northeren Cloaths brought thither, being exported from
Newcastle on the accompt of himself e and other Merchants of the sayd
Towne, one M'. Clement Clarke, then Treasurer of the Company of
Merchant Adventurers of England, resideing then at Hamburgh
aforesayd, did, by the order of the sayd Company, demand severall
exacted Impositions from the sayd deponent for the sayd Cloafch,
which this deponent refuseing to pay, the sayd Treasurer, with the
assistance of other officers, did make a seisure of severall of the sayd
cloths for the sayd exacted Impositions, and detained the same and
afterwards sold them and payd themselves what they had soe
demanded of him and returned the overplus of their vfliue to this
deponent.

Humphrey Pibus.
[Similar jurat and same date.]

Henry Brabant of the Towne of Newcastle upon T^ne, Merchant,
aged aboute 40 yeares, maketh oath that this deponent, haveing had
his residence beyond the seas in Rotterdam and Dortdricht for aboute
12 yeares from the yeare (48), and being a brother of the Merchant
Adventurers of Newcastle, and free of the Company of Merchant
Adventurers of England dureing his abode in Dortdricht, doth know^
that the sayd Company of Merchant Adventurers there resideing did
impose and demand severall Impositions upon the sayd Merchants of



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Newcastle, viz*., 10 stivers upon a Northeren Kersay and 15 stivers
npon a Northeren dozin, and that the sayd Oompany insisted upon the
sayd Impositions, and refused to accept of the ancient agreement of
8". p. ann. formerly by them acce{)ted from the savd Company of
Newcastle in lieu of all their Impositions. And this aeponent further
saith that the sayd exacted Impositions were refused to be payd by the
Adventurers of Newcastle in respect of such their ancient agreement,
but hath beene present in Court at Dortdricht, when the sayd 8".
p. annum, in conformity with the sayd ancient agreement was by one
Leonard Johnson, Merchant, tendred in open Court to the sayd
Company, which was, to the deponent's best knowledge, aboute the
yeare 1657. And the deponent further saith that he haveing, about
the same yeare, refused to pay the sayd exacted Impositions (demanded
for the sayd Northeren Cloths, Kerseys, and dosins exacted from the
sayd Merchants of Newcastle) thereupon, in accompt of the sayd
Merchants of Newcastle, M'. Mathew Bukner, then Treasurer of the
sayd Company of Merchant Adventurers of England, did, in the pur-
suance of the sayd order of the sayd Company, and with the assistance
of the Scoute of Dortdricht, come into the deponent's Packhouse of a
Shew or Mart Day and their seised and by force carryed away one
pack of the deponent's goods and carryed them away to the storehouse
belonging to the sayd Company, and there detained the same until
this deponent had actually payd tbe sayd exacted Impositions.

Henry Brabant.
[Similar jurat with same date.]

[Continuation of Mr. Oftley's argument.]

And the acquittances produced for the payment of the sayd
money until 1636, and moved hereupon to be discharged from
beareing any greater or other part of charge in paying the debt save
onely the 8". p. ann. formerly payd ; besides this he moved, that if
we had not this just plea against the Merchants of London, yett in
reason we ought not to pay any of this debt which the Merchants of
London or England say was occasioned by a debt contracted for
money payd King James and alledged to the Committee the Company
had received againe with a greate overplus, and did prove out of the
Journalls of the Parliament holden in the 21 yeare of King James
that it did then appeare that the Merchants had payd themselves
upon an Imposition laid upon Cloath the whole money paid King
James and 11,000 pound over, and soe this debt being payd the
mistake was greate in the preamble of the Bill, and we ought not to
pay any part of that debt which the Company had received before to
pay, &c. S' Will°^. Scrogg and M'. Turner both argued very well,
and left our busynesse to the Committee upon our ancient agreement
of 8 pound per annum. The Londoners answered that for the
Agreement they had it, and read it out of their Booke, that it was but
a temporary agreement and but for ordinary Impositions which they
did allow ; but this was extraordinary, and offered to prove we had at



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all tymes payd extraordinary duties, but that paper being but a coppy
out of their Bookes and some question being made whether their
bookes were any more but the very copyes of those beyond seas the
paper was not suffered to be read, and on Saturday they were ordered
to bring their bookes and there the Committee would consyder whether
they would admitt them for evidence or not, but withall those of
London answered that to the order of the Lords It was gott in a
troublesome tyme when it was not thought prudence to disingage
Newcastle, the Scotts being then likely to rise in armes, but there was
a mistake of 2 yeares proved not to their advantage, and soe the
Committee adjourned them until Saturday.

Against Saturday we had fully instructed our Councell and
desyred them that when they read the money we payd from a® 1633
until 1555 they would call for and diligently consyder the sayd Acts
that did impose the charge, and they would finde, as we had found by
M'. Mannas papers, that these assessments of the Pole were all layd
and agreed to be payd by our owne consent.

The Committee mett and the Londiners brought a greate number
of bookes and offered one in evidence against us that we had payd
greater and more Impositions upon all extraordinary occasions then the
8". p. an. We objected these bookes ought not to be received for that
they were but coppyes of the Acts beyond sea sent hither from thence ;
and it did appeare soe ; for a whole booke appeared to be writt with
one hand without any difference in Incke or writing, but Mr. Skinner
affirming it was an originall Booke, S*^ W™. Scroggs had noe desyre to
spend tyme but did ainitt it though it be easily proved these bookes
were noe other but coppyes of the Booke beyond seas.

And in the mannadgement of this daye's busynesse all the Londiners
did was to read severall payments by the pole payd by bretheren of our
Company from the yeare 1533 to the yeare 1555 which we had
notice of before in our heareing before the Lords in the late Bang's
tyme, and by all the Acts by which these assessments was laid it was
still imposed by joint consent. And yett they concluded thus that our
agreement was but temporary and the same power that made it might
breake it. And secondly it was but for ordinary charge and that upon
all extraordinary charge we had payd. To which S' William Scrogg
made an excellent Reply and shewed the Agreement could not be
temporary for it was to be payd martly without any limitted tyme,
which must be for ever, and that all these payments which were
extraordinary were all imposed and payd by our consent, that the
Lords had all these before them when they made the Order and offered
to shew the same payments as they were then pleaded before the Lords,
and yet they did not prevaile but an order was maide for us, and
soe he sayd he hopt the Committee would doe the like and left the
busynesse with them wholly upon our agreement and the Lorde's
Order.

But while M'. Skinner was readeing our payments, M'. Turner our
Councell tooke up one of their ancient bookes and by great providence



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Mtt upon a bnsynesse of greate oonoemement to us, which was an order
made in 1548 to this purpose : that whereas their Bretheren of
Newcastle had made severall complaints that mor^ money was exacted
from them than was due, it was ordered for the tyme to come noe
more should be received but 8". p. ann. onely in case those of New-
<jafitle did not pay it att the Mart intended they should pay tenn
pound instead of eight, and it did appeare by their bookes they had
one yeare received tenn pound which must needs be for faileing in
payeing the 8".

Al^ S' Tho : Goor found, in one of their bookes, much aboute the
same tyme, that when an assessment was laid upon the whole Company,
as well present as absent, and the severall places in England writt unto
to pay the money, Newcastle refused to pay, and though they ordered
that all places should pay, yett when they come to the Letter for New-
castle, the Company beyond sea doe not order them to pay but say
they would further consyder it ; whereby it was cleare that to all these
payments Newcastle gave in their consents or else they were not
concerned.

And now M'. Turner made his Reply : that the agreement was not
for a yeare, but ever, and that lookeing over their owne bookes, he had
found the order of 1543, mentioned aforesayd, which did not onely
confirme that of 1519, but declared noe more should be taken, and
called the 8". the onely money due for Impositions and charge ; and
that it was not in the power of the Company to breake this Act, and
urged the Law in this case, there being others concerned in it with
themselves, and did challenge them to prove that since 1556 we had
payd anything, aboute which tyme we made an Act, upon paine of
disfranchizement, that noe member should of our Company pay any
more but the 8". p. ann., Ac.

Mr. Oftly concluded, and shewed how frevalous their argument
was that the order of Councell or the Judge's Report could be made
for Newcastle for feare of the Scotts, for that this was in 1637, and
the Scotts rose not till 1689 ; besides, it could not be imagined that
these worthy persons, especially the Lord cheife Brampston, father to
our Chaireman, S'. John Brampston, could by any feare be put upon
doeing an unworthy act, and instanced in severall perteculers how he
had his conscience without feareing what inconveniency might befall
him for it.

And further, that though, by our owne consent, we did pay for some
sUght charges to the Company as the burieing a Governor, the enter-
taineing an Ambassadorre, expressing our joy for the Birth of Prince
Edward, and for the treateing the Ladye Anne of Cleave, these could
not be drawne into presidence to make us pay any part of soe vast a
debt without our consent, who onely ought to pay 8 pound and noe
more, and soe we left it with the Committee and we all withdrew.

The Committee came to noe vote that night, intending to passe one
vote for Newcastle, Hull, and Yorke ; and being adjourned until
Tuesday, the Committee then mett, heard those of Yorke and Hull,
and passed this vote : —



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Att the Committee to whome the 2 Bills concemeing the
Merchant Adventurers Company are referred.
Resolved that noe more Councell shall be heard either on the
behalfe of the Towne of Newcastle, Yorke, Hull, &c., or
the Company, of London.
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that the
Merchant Adventurers of the Citv of Yorke, the Towne
of Newcastle, Hull, and Leades, the Citye of Exeter and
County of Devon ought not to be charged with the pay-
ment of this debt, but ought to be excepted out of both
Bills.
Intending, according to the order of the House, perteculerly to
report the reasons to the House that induced them to vote to free
Newcastle, and this Report to be made by S'. John Brampston, Chair-
man of the Committee, who told us ne had the heads of all our
busynesse ready to report, and desyred to see the Breviate of our
Charters and the Lords' order to inable him ye better to doe it, which
M'. Ellison promised should be delivered to mm and were done by M'.
Hartlib, and in the Condition we have left our busynesse to the
Merchants of Newcastle, Anno 1664, 9*** June.

We alsoe advised with the Attorney Generall, M'. SoUicitor
Generall, and M'. Oftly what were our fittest and most expeditious
way to remove this new erected Company according to your
instruction ; And it was their opinion that it were best to bring a
Qtco Warranto against them and to prosecute it, which doubtlesse
would doe our busynesse, our Charter being more ancient than theirs.

Robert Ellison.
William Blackett.
[1 July 1664.]

Mr. Robert Ellison and Mr. William Blackett this day delivered
into court, in writeing, a perteculer of their and the rest of the gentle-
men's proceedings at London with the Merchants Adventurers
there. It was ordered that the aforesayd papers should be transcribed
into the booke of Acts.

L13 July 1664.J

Ordered that John Rushworth, Esq'., his clarke, and Mr. Samneli
Hartlib, his clarke, should have 10". a peice given them for the greate
paines they have taken in writeing and otherwise for this societie.

[25 August 1664.]

A letter from the WorshippfuU Company of Merchants
Adventurers resideing in Yorke was read, a coppy whereof
ffolloweth : —

Right WorshippfuU Sir and Sirs,

We haveing had at our last Assizes some discourse with severall
parliament men of our country touching the busynesse betwixt them.



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of London and other Merchant Adventurers of England resideing in
other remote places of this Eingdome, and understanding by them
that they of London are prepareing against the next sessions of
Parliament, and therefore we ought in reason to be prepared for our
just defence, we thought good to give your worshipps notice that at
an assembly of Merchants Adventurers resideing here in Yorke it was
thought very necessary to have a meeting of some deputed from New-
castle, Hull, and Leeds ; and seeing this place soe convenient for all
parties, wee make it our request that you would be pleased to send two
or soe many as you please, deputed from your place to treate with us
at our court to be nolden the 14*^ day of September next, being
Wednesday, which if you please to doe we shall take it as a greate
fevour from you. We will waite your answere, which we shall exspect
of you within 8 or 10 dayes. Yet if you cannot observe that day,
then if you please to apointe any other day, after such notice given,
we shall desyre them of Hull ana Leeds to observe your tyme, and in
8oe doeing you shall very much oblige us to remaine,
Right worshippfull Sir and Sirs,

Your worshipps' very affectionate bretheren and
ffreinds, the Deputie, Assistants, and ffellow-
shipp of Merchant Adventurers of England
here resideing.

Leonard Thomson, Deputy, &c.
Yorke, August 15*^ 1664.

Mr. William Johnson and M'. W™. Blackett were by generall con-
sent chosen to meete the aforesayd Company at Yorke upon Wednes-
day, the 14*^ of September next.

[Here follows a letter of acceptance and a subsequent letter of
introduction to be conveyed by M'. Johnson and M'. Blackett.]

[20 Sep. 1664.]

Mr. William Johnson gave a report of his and Mr. William
Blackett's meeting with the Companye of Merchants Adventurers
of Yorke the 14*** instant, and delivered into court a coppye of a
letter which they of Yorke intend to send to the Oompanye of
Merchants Adventurers resident in London, and they desyred us
to joine with them in signeing the same, the coppy of the letter
ffolloweth : —

Right Worshippfall Sir and Sirs,

After our heartye commendations, &c. At a meeting of the
Merchant Adventurers it was given us to understand as though
you were prepareing a Bill against the next sessions of Parliament
whiclj will tend towards the payment of the greate debt of the Com-
pany ; and seeing we of these parts were never acquainted at all with
the contracting of that greate debt, nor as we humbly conceive had any
benifitt by it (either to our persons or our traide) we cannot in reason



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thinke ourselves obliged to contribute for dischargeing the same ; but
in case you intend to present any Bill touching th& busynesse, we
earnestly intreate your worshipps to deliver this bearer a coppy of it,
to the end the Merchants Adventurers of these parts may have a
perusall thereof, that they may either give their consent if not to their
preiudice, or defend themselves if too much intrenched upon, and
soe we take our leaves and rests.

It is generally conceived that two bretheren deputed for yourselves,
and two for each residence in these northeren parts, were inioyned
to meete at some place of equall distance to consult the premises, that
the difference might be reconciled, and that Newarke upon Trent
might be the sayd place, this last motion being at the request of
Mr. Deputy ffletcher being at present at Yorke.

This was consydered off, and the former committee were desyred
forthwith to draw upp a letter to the Companye at London, which
accordingly they did, and it was signed by M'. Governor, and sent the
very next poast to our bretheren of Yorke, desyreing them to joine
with us therein. The contents ffollow : —

Eight Worshippf uU Sir and Sirs,

^fter our hearty commendations presented, &c. We were confident
that after our greate expence of tyme and money the last sessions
of this Parliament, in treateing with you, and asserting our just right
before the Committee of Parliament, that we ought not to be charged
with the Companye's greate debt contracted in the tyme of King
James of happy memory, which debt we proved was payd or ought to
have beene payd by the imposition upon short and Jong cloathes as
appeared before the Parliament in the 21 yeare of his raigne, and
for other reasons according to our severall pleadings before that Com-
mittee, upon which they vot^d that we ought not to be charged ; you
would not have put us to further trouble and expence, but heareing
lately from some of our ffreinds that you intend againe to bring in a
new bill for the purpose aforesayd ; in order to prevent further
inconveniance to you and us, we desyre that if you resolve upon such a
bill, that your worshipps would be pleased to deliver to the bearer
hereof, Mr, Samuell Hartlib, a coppy of the sayd bill to the end that if
we be therein concerned as to charge, we may advise thereupon^
and take such course as that we be not included in a charge without
our owne consent. We assure you that the good of the Company is as
deare to us as it can be to any of your bretheren, and would readily
joine in any thing for the good thereof. To that end we humbly
conceive we ought to be advised withall, and at some place nearer then
London, where we might give and receave satisfaction in such things
as are or may be in differance betweene us. Soe hopeing of your kind
acceptance of these, and your answere, we subscribe ourselves.

Your worshipps loveing bretheren.



/^



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[26 Oct. 1664.]

The former committee were desyred alsoe to prepare a letter for
Hamburgh, and another for Dortdricht to the same purpose, and to
send them by the next post, which accordingly they did. That it Ham-
burgh was directed to Mr. George and Mr. Peter Watson, merchants,
containing as ffoUoweth : —

Gentlemen,

We heare it reported in these parts that the Company of London
doe at the next sessions of Parliament intend to trye againe if an Act
of Parliament may be procured to ingage all ffreemen of the Company
to pay their part of the greate debt contracted by them ; and that the
residencies of Hamburgh and Dortdright are intended to raise a con-
syderable sume of money to promote that busynesse. We have writt
to the Governor and Company at London aboute the former, and we
doe by these intreate you, that you doe not consent to any tax, loane,
or imposition which shall be laide upon the Company towards the pay-
ment of that del^, or any charge more then our entient agreement,
or that as you eijpect any priviledge with this compainy, you doe not
voluntarily pay any such tax, loane, or imposition, but that you enter
your discent as you are ffreemen of this Company, and claime the
priviledges of it. This being all at present, we committ you to God
and rests

Your loveing bretheren and ffreinds, the Governor, &c.

Newcastle, October 27*»» 1664.

We pray you conununicate this letter to all the Merchants with
you, that now are or expects ffreedome with us.

That to Dortdright was directed to Mr. Eailph Herrison and Mr.
Robert Mallabar.

ri4 November 1664.]

The Committee of this Company ordered that hearty thanks should
be returned to Sir John Marlay and Sir ffrancis Anderson, Knights,
for their greate paines they tooke in this Companye's busynesse
the last sessions of Parliament ; as alsoe to request the continuance
of their care therein, which was done as ffolloweth : —

Noble Sirs,

We returne you our very hearty thanks for the greate care and
paines you have taken for this Company, of which you are members, in
all the concernes thereof, perteculerly in being instrumentall in the
procureing the vote of the Committee of the house of Commons, by
which vote we are to be ffree of paying any part of that greate debt
the Company of Merchants of London have contracted, but freed there-
of paying onely our old Composicion of 8". per annum ; and desyres
this may be continued to us ; and further that these papers of their