A true Copy of his Majesty's Licence Granted to james Maxwell Esquire, for the buying and transporting of calf-skins. IR HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE royal blazon or coat of arms JAMES by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To the Treasurer, Chancellor, under Treasurer, and Barons of our Exchequer. And to all other Our Officers, and Ministers of the same Court. And to all Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Customers, Conptrollers, Searchers, and Keepers of all and every Our Ports, Havens, Creeks, and Passages. And to all other Our Officers, Ministers, and Subjects whatsoever to whom in this case it shall or may appertain, Greeting. Whereas we by Our Letters Patents bearing Date at Our Palace of Westminster the XXVI. day of February, in the VII year of Our reign of England, France, and Ireland, for the considerations therein mentioned, have given and granted for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, free Licence, Power, and Authority, unto Our well-beloved Servants, Arthur Bassano, Andrew Bassano, jeronimo Bassano, Edward Bassano, Scipio Bassano, Antony Bassano, and unto Daniel Bassano, and William Bassano, and every of them. That they the said Arthur Bassano, Andrew Bassano, jeronimo Bassano, Edward Bassano, Scipio Bassano, Antony Bassano, Daniel Bassano, and William Bassano, and every of them their, and every of their Assigns by themselves, or by their Deputies, Servants, or Factors, or any of them being Englishmen, Denizens, or Strangers, shall or may at their pleasure liberty and free will for and during the term of 7 years, to begin immediately from and after the XXVII, day of August, which then should be in the year of Our Lord God 1614 at all times, and from time to time lawfully bargain for, buy and provide or cause to be bargained for, bought or provided of any person or persons, and within any City, Town, Burrough, place or places within this Our Realm and Dominions of England and Walls, so many Dickers of Leather of calf-skins as shall amount in the whole to the number of 6000. Dickers, accounting ten dozen of such calf-skins to every Dicker. And the same so provided and bought at all and every time and times during the said term of 7. years, before by these Presents granted, in any Ship or Ships, Vessel or Vessels, Bottom or Bottomes, being of Our said Realm and Dominions, Hoys, and other Vessels prohibited to cross the Seas only excepted, to ship, lad, transport, and carry over, or cause to be shipped, laden, transported, or carried over from any of the Ports, Havens, Creeks, or Passages of this Our Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, into any the parts beyond the Seas being, or which at the time of such shipping or transporting shall be in amity with Us, Our Heirs or Successors. And in such proportions, quantity, and number, as to them or any of them shall be thought meet and convenient, and there from time to time at their free will and liberty to utter, sell, distribute, and dispose to their and every of their, best profit commodity and advantage, without any danger, forfaicture, loss, penalty, or molestation, against them or any of them, by Us, Our Heirs or Successors, or to Our or their use, or behoof to be had levied, lost, forfaicted, or recovered, and without any manner of let, interruption, or disturbance of any other person or persons whatsoever. Any Statute, Proclamation, or restrainct thereofâ–Ş heretofore made to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding. Paying unto Us, Our Heirs and Successors, for every Dicker of calf-skins, which shall happen to be transported by virtue of that Our Licence, five shillings of Lawful English money, the payment thereof to be from time to time made to the hands of Our Collectors of Our Customs in every of the said Parts, Havens, Creeks, or places where any of the said calfskins shall be shipped or laden to be transported as aforesaid, as by Our said Letters Patents amongst diverse other Grants, Licenses, Prohibitions, and other things therein contained more plainly may appear. The Grant. Know ye that we, aswell in consideration of the good & faithful service to Us heretofore done by Our trusty and well-beloved james Maxwell Esquire, one of our Gentlemen Ushers daily Waiters, as for the duties and sums of money herein reserved to be payable to Us, Our Heirs and Successors. Of Our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have given and granted, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, do give and grant free Licence, power, and authority unto the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns. That he the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, by him or themselves, or by his and their Deputies, Servants, or Factors, or any of them, being Englishmen, Denizens, or Strangers, shall and may at his and their pleasure liberty and free will, for and during the term of XXI. years, to begin immediately from and after the end, The Term of years. expiration, surrender or other determination, of the said term of 7 years before mentioned to be granted, at all times, and from time to time lawfully bargain for, buy, and provide, or cause to be bargained for, bought, or provided of any person or persons, and within any City, Town, Burrough, place or places, within this Our Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, so many Dickers of Leather of calf-skins, as shall or may amount in the whole to the number of Eighteen thousand Dickers, accounting ten dozen of such calf-skins to every Dicker. And the same so provided and bought, The number of Dickers. at all & every time & times during the said terms of XXI. years, before by these presents granted, in any Ship or Ships, Vessel or Vessel, bottom or Bottomes, being of Our said Realm and Dominions, Hoys, or other Vessels prohibited, to cross the Seas only excepted; to Ship, laid, transport, and carry over, or cause to be Shipped, layden, transported, and carried over from or out of any the Ports, Havens, Creeks, or passages of this Our said Realm and Dominions of England and Walls, into any the parts beyond the Seas being, or which at the time of such Shipping, or transporting shall be in amity with Us, Our Heirs or Successors. And in such proportion quantity and number, as to him them or any of them shall be thought meet and convenient. And there from time to time at his and their free will and liberty, to utter sell destribute and dispose to his and their best profit, commodity and advantage, without any danger, forfaicture, loss, penalty, or molestation against him or them, or any of them, by Us, Our Heirs or Successors, or to Our or their use or behoof, to be had, levied, lost, forfaicted or received: And without any manner of let, interruption or disturbance of any other person or persons whatsoever. Any Statute, Proclamation, or restrainct thereof, heretofore made to the contrary thereof notwithstanding: Paying unto Us, The Payment Our Heirs and Successors, for every Dicker of calf-skins which shall be transported by virtue of this Our Licence, five shillings of lawful English money, the payment thereof to be from time to time made to the hands of Our Collectors of Our Costomeses in every of the said Ports, Havens, Creeks, or places, where any of the said calf-skins shall be Shipped, or laden to be transported as aforesaid. And we will, and grant by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors: That the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, his and their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, and none other shall during the said Term of XXI. years by these Presents granted, have exercise and enjoy, the whole full and sole liberty, Licence, and power of and for transportation of calf-skins out of Our said Realm & Dominions of England and Wales. And therefore we do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, straightly charge and command all and every person and persons whatsoever, of whatsoever estate, degree, or condition they be: That none of them other then the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, and his or their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, during the said Term of XXI. years, before by these Presents granted, shall bring or send, or cause to be brought or sent, or by any manner of means or colour, transport, convey, or ship out of this our Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, any calfskins during the continuance of this Our Grant and Licence. And we do expressly prohibit and forbid all transportation whatsoever of any calf-skins, by any person or persons whatsoever, out of this Realm and Dominions of England and Wales during the said Term of XXI. The prohibition years, before by these Presents Granted, other then by the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, his and their Deputies, Factors, or Servants, upon pain of such imprisonment, penalty, or forfaicture, as may be lawfully inflicted on them and every of them for their contempt and disobedience in that behalf. And for the better finding out of any such conveying, transportation, or coulorable, passing of calf-skins contrary to the effect, and true meaning of this our present Licence or Grant, we do by these Presents strictly charge and command all Our Customers, Comptrollers, and Searchers, and all other Our Officers in all Our Ports, Havens, and Creeks, within Our said Realm and Dominions of England and Wales: That at all times during the said Term of XXI. years, when and as often as they or any of them shall be thereunto willed or required by the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, his or their Deputies, Factors, or Servants: That they and every of them shall with all diligence, and by all lawful ways and means they can try out and search for all such calf-skins as shall be shiped, embarked or laden, to the intent to be carried or transported out of Our said Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, contrary to the meaning or intent of these our Letters Patents, and to arrest, seize, and carry away, and detain the same as forfaicted: The one moiety of all which forfaictures to be to the use of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, and the other moiety thereof, we do by these Presents give and Grant to the said james Maxwell, his Executors, The Charge. Administrators, and Assigns. And further, we will and command all Our Customers, Comptrollers of Our Customs, and other the Officers of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, that they do not only permit and suffer the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, his and their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, quietly and peaceably to provide, bring, Ship, lad, and transport the said number of 18000. Dickers of calf-skins according to the tenor and true meaning of this Our Licence and Grant, at all times during the said Term of XXI. years by these Presents Granted, and by all the said time to have and enjoy the full and whole effect and benefit of this Our Licence. But also to forbear by any manner of means to trouble or molest him, them, or any of them, for the buying, providing, lading, shipping, transporting, or uttering of the Premises or any part thereof as aforesaid. Willing and commanding, all Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers, and all other Officers of Our said Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, not only to permit and suffer the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, his and their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, to have take and enjoy the full and whole benefit, commodity and profit of this Our present Licence and Grant, but also that they be aiding, helping, & assisting to him and them in the execution thereof, when they shall be thereunto required, during the said Term by these Presents Granted. To which or to a duplicate thereof we do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, charge and command all Our Officers, Ministers, and Subjects, to give as much credit, as behooveth to be given to a Grant and Licence under Our Great Seal of England: And also to permit and suffer the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, his and their Deputies, Factors, and Servants, to enjoy and quietly to use the whole effect and benefit of this Our Grant and Licence, without any manner of let, impediment, hindrance, impeachment, vexation, denial, or contradiction, as you and every of you will answer the contrary at your uttermost perils. And to the intent we may be certainly informed during the said Term of XXI. years, what number of calf-skins shall be yearly transported and carried out of this our Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, by virtue of this Our Licence: And at what Ports, Havens, Creeks, and places, and may be truly answered and satisfied of such Customs and duties as shall be due and aught to be paid unto Us, Our Heirs and Successors, of and for the same according to the effect and true meaning of these Presents. Our will and pleasure is, and we do charge and command that Our Colectors, Customers, Comptroulers, and such Our Officers of every the said Ports, Creeks, Havens, and places aforesaid, where any of the said calf-skins shall be laden and shipped by virtue of these Presents to whom it shall appertain from time to time, not only make perfect and certain enteries thereof into their Custome-Bookes. But also shall endorse the several number and quantity of the said calf-skins shall be laden and shipped, either upon this our Licence or duplicate thereof, which for that purpose shall be left, with the said Collectors, Customs, Comptrollers, and Officers of the said Ports, Creeks, and Havens, where such entries of the said calf-skins shall happen to be made, and shall also yearly in the Term of Saint Michael the Archangel, during the said Term of XXI. years, certify a true note in writing unto Our Court of Exchequer at Westminster, of all such number of calf-skins, as by virtue or colour of these Presents shall be there shipped, or laden, to be transported as aforesaid, to the end that the certain quantity and number of the said Dickers of calf-skins so to be transported, and the time and place of the shipping and transporting thereof may from time to time plainly appear, as is aforesaid. Proviso. Provided always, and our will and pleasure is, that the said james Maxwell, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, nor any of them, their or any of their Assigns, Deputies, Factors, or Servants, shall not Ship, lad, transport, or carry any calf-skins by virtue or colour of this Our Licence, out of the Ports, Havens, or Creeks of Chester & Leverpoole, or any of them, or out of any Port, Haven, or Creek being member of the said Port of Chester, during such time as any other Grant for transportation of calf-skins out of any the said Port, Haven, and Creek of Chester, shall happen to continue and be in force. And this Our Licence and Grant, nor any thing therein contained, shall not extend to avoid, prejudice, or impeach any former Grant or Licence whatsoever heretofore by Us, or by Our late dear Sister Queen Elizabeth, made to any person or persons, bodies politic and corporate, for the transporting or carrying of calf-skins out of this Realm and Dominions of England and Wales, but that they and every of them may from time to time freely enjoy the benefit of all such former Grants and Licenses so by Us, or by the said late Queen Elizabeth formerly made, & Granted in as ample manner as if these present Letters Patents had never been had or made, any thing before in these Presents mentioned to the contrary notwithstanding. Although express mention of the true yearly value or certainty of the premises or any of them: Or of any other gift or Grant by Us or any of Our Progenitors or Predecessors to the said james Maxwell, before these times made, in these Presents is not made: Or any Statue, Act, ordinance, provision, Proclamation, or restraint before this time, had, made, set forth, ordained or provided, or any other thing, matter, or cause whatsoever, to the contrary notwithstanding: In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents. Witness Ourself at Westminster the Twelfth day of june, in the Thirteenth year of Our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the Eight and Fortieth. A Copy of the Lord Treasurer's Letter directed to Sir john Wolstenholme Knight, Henry Garway, and Abraham jacob, Esquires, Farmers of his Majesty's Customs. AFter my hearty commendationsâ–Ş Whereas the King's Majesty by his Highness' Letters Patents, bearing Date the XII. day of june, in the XIII. year of his Reign, did Grant unto james Maxwell Esquire, a Licence for XXI. years, from and after the expiration, surrender or other determination of the like Licence formerly Granted to Arthur Bassano and others, (which was determined some years ago) for the said james Maxwell by himself, his Deputies, Servants, or Factors, to provide and buy within the Realm of England and Dominions of Wales, the whole number of Eighteen thousand Dickers of calf-skins, accounting ten dozen to every Dicker, and the same to Ship, and transport in any Ship or Vessel, in any Ports of England or Dominion aforesaid, (the Ports of Chester and Leverpoole only excepted) paying unto his Majesty for every Dicker shipped as aforesaid, the some of five shillings, the payment whereof to be made to the hands of his Highness' Collectors of Customs and Subsidies, in any Port or Creek where the same shall be shipped. And withal straightly prohibiting the transportation of any calf-skins, by any other, than the said james Maxwell, his Deputies, Factors, and Servants. By which said Letters Patents, his Majesty giveth strait command to all his Highness' Officers what soever, to be aiding and assisting to the said james Maxwell in the execution of the premises when they shall be thereunto required. Notwithstanding Master Maxwell informeth me, that some quantities of calf-skins have been shipped out of some of the out Ports without any Licence from, or notice thereof had by himself or his Assigns. Now seeing, that not only his Majesty's Letters Patents aforesaid give strait charge to the contrary, but also by a Statute in the XVIII. year of her late Majesty's Reign, a penalty of forfaicture of all Leather shipped without Licence, and triple the value thereof is imposed upon the Owners of the same: And further, the like penalty is set upon all Customers, Comptroulers, Farmers, and supervisors of Customs and Subsidies, that shall not be accountant to his Majesty for the Custom thereof, besides the forfaicture of the ships wherein it is shipped, and the Masters and Mariners of the same ships, to forfeit all their goods, and to have a years imprisonment. These are therefore to pray and require you not only to give strait order to all your Deputies in such Ports as Master Maxwell, or his Assigns shall nominate unto you, to see the contents of the said Letters Patents duly effected: but also to signify this charge hereby given by me, to all the Customers, Comptrollers, and Searchers of the several Ports, that they duly observe the same upon pain of the penalty set by the said Statute, which shall surely be inflicted upon them if they offend. And for their better direction, Master Maxwell will send to every Customhouse a printed Copy of the said Letters Patents, that every man whom it shall concern may take special notice thereof: And hereof praying you not to fail, I bid you farewell. From the Court at Whitehall this second of February. 1622. Your Loving Friend. MIDDELSEX.