The Public Register for general Commerce.   

A TRUE TRANSCRIPT AND PUBLICATION OF HIS majesties LETTERS PATENT.  
FOR AN OFFICE TO BE ERECTED, AND CALLED THE Public Register for general Commerce.  
Whereunto is annexed an Overture and explanation of the nature and purport of the said Office, for their better understanding and direction that shall have occasion to use it, By Sir Arthur Gorges, Knight.  
Printed at Britain Burse for john Budge, and are there to be sold at his Shop. 1611.   

  

JAMES by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Jreland, defender of the Faith, etc. To all to whom th●se Presents shall come, Greeting. Whereas all Trade and Commerce whatsoever amongst our well-beloved subjects, doth chief consist either in Buying and Selling, or ●orrowing and Lending: And for that a great defect is daily f●und in the policy of our State for want of some good, trusty and ready means of intelligence and intercourse between our said Subjects in that behalf. By means whereof, many men oftentimes upon occasion of necessity and sudden accidents, are enforced to put away and sell lands, leases, or other goods and chattels, to great loss and disadvantage for want of good and ready means to give general notice and public intelligence of such their intentions, to many that would (if they knew thereof) as willingly buy as the others would gladly sell. ●or redress and remedy whereof, our trusty and well-beloved servants Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope Knights, Gentlemen of our privy Chamber, have out of their careful endeavours found out and devised a most safe, easy and speedy way to the great advancement, and help unto general Commerce, and Trade amongst our well-beloved Subjects; whereby to serve the turns and occasions aswell of Borrowers as Lender's, and of Buyers as of Sellers, by plain and direct course of reciprocal intelligence, and interchangeable correspondency, for the ready notice and understanding of one another's minds. We in our Princely care and providence for the general good of our people (which we much desire and tender) have thought it fit, and just that the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope should receive from us some favourable approbation and lawful authority, to establish, further and advance this their industrious care and faithful endeavours for the public good; whereby much ease, comfort and benefit would undoubtedly ensue to our Subjects of this our Realm of England and the Dominions of the same, in the knowledge and use thereof. Know ye therefore, that we reposing great trust and confidence in the providence, integrity and fidelity of the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, for their honest, just, and respective dealing herein: of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have given and granted, and by these presents for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do give and grant absolute, full and free licence, power and authority unto the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, th●ir Executors, Administrators and Assigns, and to their Deputy and Deputies, during the term of one and twenty years, next and immediately ensuing the date of these Presents, to erect, set up, keep and maintain in any places, Cities or Towns within our Realm of England and the Dominions of the same, where the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, their Executors, administrators or a assigns shall think most fit and convenient, a public Office, room or place of resort or repair of people for the notice of Borrowing and Lending of moneys, and for the better knowledge of buying, selling or exchanging of lands, tenements or hereditaments, leases or any other goods or chattels whatsoever, which they or their Deputies shall think fit, and worthy to beentred and registered; and to keep one or more Calendar or Calendars, Register or Registers, for the registering of all and singular such lands, tenements, hereditaments, leases, wares▪ commodities, moneys, or any other things or chattels, that shall by the mere motion or good liking of the owners themselves, or their Factors for them be brought to such Office and Offices, there to be entered and registered, to be bought, sold, mortgaged, pawned, borrowed or lent: which Office in every City, Town or place where it shall be kept, shall be called by the name of The Public Register for general Commerce. And also that it shall and may be lawful, to and for the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, their Executors, administrators or assigns, and their deputy and deputies, of and in the said Office from time to time, during the said term of one and twenty years, to keep entries, to make searches, and to continue Registers in places convenient, of all such lands, tenements, hereditaments, leases, goods, chattels, profits, commodities or merchandizes whatsoever, which they the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, their Executors, administrators or assigns, or their deputy or deputies, or any of them shall think worthy to be entered or registered in the said Office, and that in all things according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, without let, hindrance or interruption of any our loving Subjects whatsoever. Yielding and paying therefore during the term aforesaid, to Us, our Heirs and Successors, from the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel next ensuing the date hereof, the yearly rent of forty pounds of lawful money of England, payable at the two usual feasts, of our Lady, and Saint Michael, by equal portions. And we do therefore by these presents for Us, our Heirs and Successors, prohibit, forbid, and straightly charge and command all, and every our Subjects whatsoever, that none of them during the said term of one & twenty years, by these presents granted, do attempt, undertake or presume to imitate, erect or exercise any like public Office or Register of intelligence, or intercourse for Trade and Commerce, upon pain of our indignation and high displeasure. Always provided, that no man be compelled to make Entry or Search in the said Office at all, nor when such Entry or Search shall be voluntarily made, shall pay any more for such Search or Entry than shall please himself. And also that every man be left to his own election and free choice, to use any Scrivener, Broker, friend, servant or Factor, or any other for any the causes aforesaid, in as free, liberal, and ample manner as they have heretofore used and accustomed. And that every man who for secrecy or other causes known to himself, shall be unwilling to use his own name in the proceedings hereof, may use the name of his servant, friend, Factor, or any other at his own will and pleasure. Provided also, and our will and pleasure is, that the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, or either of them, their, or either of their Executors, administrators, or assigns, shall at or before the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, One thousand, six hundred and twelve, find by experience that they shall not be able by the gains arising by reason of this Office, to defray the main charges, expenses and rend incident to the said Office and Officers; in respect thereof shall be minded utterly to relinquish and give up the said Office, and the exercise thereof, and all profit and benefit which thereof may arise or grow; and the same their or any of their intentions and minds therein, shall signify unto the Lord Treasurer of England for the time being, under their hands and seals: That then these our Letters Patents, as to them or either of them, their or either of their Executors, administrators or assigns, or any of them which shall so signify unto the said Lord Treasurer of England for the time being, his or their mind and intention, utterly to relinquish and give up the said Office and exercise thereof: and all profits and benefits, which thereof can or may arise or grow, shall be utterly void, and the said party or parties, so signifying as is aforesaid, their Executors and administrators to be from the time of such signification, discharged of the said yearly rent, before in these presents reserved, which should afterwardsincurre and grow due; and the other party and parties claiming interest in the said Office, and other the premises by, and under the said Letters Patents, and not so signifying his or their mind and intention, under his or their hand and seal unto the said Lord Treasurer of England for the time being, as is aforesaid; and their Executors, administrators and assigns, to stand from thenceforth sole Officer and Officers, and be solely and only chargeable towards Us, our Heirs and Successors, for and with the said yearly rent, in and by these Presents reserved; and for and with all other Covenants, and things, which according to the tenor and true meaning of these presents, aught to be performed by the said Sir Arthur Gorges and Sir Walter Cope, their Executors, Administrators or assigns, as is aforesaid. In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent. Witness ourself at Westminster the fifth day of March; In the eighth year of our reign of England, France, and Jreland: and of Scotland the four and fortieth.  
CARTWRIGHT.  
Per me de privato Sigillo▪ Examinatur per me Thomam Marten.   

TO THE VNPAR tiall Reader.  
IN matters of this nature, where a loyal desire hath endeavoured to perform an acceptable service to the Commonwealth; albeit the success sort not in every point, answerable to hope and expectation: yet this may stand for a main com●ort, that the intention tention is free from all public offence, or private wrong, and therefore respects not the tax or scandal of those malignant humours, which are accustomed to cast corrupt aspersions on honest designs. But because this project hath merely and solely proceeded from mine own poor conceit and labour, (aiming specially at the advancement of mutual Commerce, the bond and sinews of human society) I have thought good for the avoiding of all doubtful construction or mistaking (which might blemish it in the birth) to deliver it into the world, with a perspicuous Overture and direction concerning the port and uses thereof; because they are but briefly touched, and in general terms set down in the Patent.  Arthur Gorges.  

AN OVERTURE AND EXPLANATIon of the purport and use of this OFFICE.  
FIrst, it is to be under stood that this Office to be known and called by the name of The public Register for general Commerce, is indeed but the very resemblance of a public Market, whereunto all men may freely repair, and resort to Trade and Traffic, without constraint or restraint, at their own wills and pleasures. And as in Markets many Commodities are sold and met withal more easily, and better cheap in one self place, then by seeking up and down the Country for them with more trouble, and at dearer rates in several places: so is it by the use and benefit of this Office, which as a public Market, is solely in his majesties power to authorize and privilege.  
Secondly this public Market is a place which all men may easily find out and freely repair unto, for speedy means of help upon any extremity of for feitures of bonds or counter-bonds, or danger of mortgages of lands or goods by breach of d●yes, when they know not suddenly where to provide themselves of moneys upon good security; for that every man (especially those that dwell in remote shteres) is not acquainted with a Broker, nor knows assuredly where to find one to serve his turn upon such urgent occasion, or if he do▪ it will be at a dear rate: which defect this Register shall be able to supply with very conscionable and moderate consideration; taking nothing of any, but what the parties themselves shall in reason think fit and competent for the serving of their turns, by the travel of the Officers.  
Thirdly, by instance to make it more plain, such men as have moneys lying by them, that they would expose after eight, nine, or ten in the hundred may, if they please, make it known & have it registered in this Office, whereby such as repair unto this Register to borrow, may also receive notice & direction accordingly for such sums as they desire by as signment from the Officers, if the security be good and liked of.  
Fourthly, by way of example also to express the use and benefit of this Office for Buying and Selling: Suppose that one hath lands or a house in Wilt-shiere that he would gladly sell, suddenly to raise moneys, without too great loss, but knows not how to make it generally known to the world; and that there are some others as desirous to buy lands or a house in that shire at a reasonable rate, and cannot learn nor get knowledge of any such; yet by recourse to this Register they may easily inform themselves, and have mutual intelligence of one another's minds perfectly, and readily, albeit they dwell far asunder; where as now many times both parties are in care and cannot serve their turns accordingly, undergoing thereby much inconvenience, which this Office with great ease doth remedy.  
Fiftly, the parties themselves that do either lend or borrow, buy or sell, may ●se it with as great security & secrecy as they shall think fit by using other men's names then their own, other places then their own houses, and other friends or Factors for themselves if they be so disposed. So as by this free, plain and easy course all men may rest satisfied, that there is no cunning intent by means of this Office, to defraud men, nor by the practice thereof to discover men's wealths or secret estates, further than to themselves shall seem good.  
Sixthly, it is neither desired nor meant that any should leave their moneys or goods that they would lend or sell, in the charge or custody of this Office, but in such places as the owners themselves shall think most safe and convenient; whereby such as would borrow or buy, may (if they please) by this Register be directed to those places or persons that would Lend or Sell to serve their ●urns mutually. And by this course all men may rest secure of the integrity and fair dealings that shall be used concerning other men's moneys and goods; which the Patentees seek not to have the custody or exposing of for their private profit, but will rather avoid the accidents and dangers of such hazards, and losses, as might happen in so great a charge, by mis-reckoning, robbing, or many other ways, which we see so often happens unto men in their own private houses. And such a misfortune might be both a disparagement to our credits by wrong constructions, and also a tax and prejudice to the proceeding and reputation of this Office (which consisting merely of the good opinion of the world for the just dealing to be used therein) if it be found contrary or corrupt, it cannot subsist, but will die in itself as unprofitable.  
Moreover whereas manymen dwelling far from London, are now enforced to repair thither, to their great travail & charge to serve their turn; many waiesin these forenamed kinds; by the benefit and use of this Office they shall be much eased. For it is intended (by the favour of God) that in several places of this Realm this public Register shallbe kept in some such chief Cities or Towns as shall be found most convenient to serve the Country's next about them in these affairs, and to hold correspondency with the City of London.  
Again, it is very certain that divers lands, leases, houses, woods and chattels, which have been sold privately at very low rates, to the no little loss of the owners, would have been purchased at more indifferent prices, if they had been more publicly known: for it often falleth out, that those who would gladly buy such, do seldom or never get knowledge of the Sellers intent, till the things desired be past recovery, ●o the prejudice of both parties: which defect this public Register will be a great means to supply.  
Furthermore, there are a world of extraordinary things, which are but few men's moneys, and the owners themselves would gladly vent if they knew how, but lie concealed or in effect lost in the sale, because that divers others, which would as willingly buy such at valuable prices, know not how or where to recover them. But herein it is to be understood that no commodities of base quality or inferior values shall be entered into this Register, but such as the Officers shall think fit to be dealt in, without disparagement of the place.  
Besides, it often falleth out that men upon extremity are driven to pawn things of good value for small sums, to serve their turns with moneys, until they can sell them outright; wherein they use the means of Scriveners or Brokers, in whose hands they leave the said pawns, setting very reasonable prices on them; allowing also a reward: and yet notwithstanding it is often s●ene and spoken of, that many Scriveners or Brokers, to whom such things have been committed in trust, would never vent them at the owner's prices, except they might make a greater surplusage to themselves then the rate limited. And by that means many have been kept in want of such relief, as their own goods would afford them; whereby at last their pawns have eaten themselves out in usury, or at least ●aue been sold to great loss, the owners wanting means to redeem them: to which grievance this public Register may yield a comfortable remedy.  
Moreover, whereas many conscionable men would willingly expose their moneys for eight or nine in the hundred, but cannot make it known, and therefore do put their stocks into the hands of Brokers or Scriveners to employ for them: so it is, that those Brokers do for the most part take ten in the hundred for those moneys which the owners do afford at a cheaper hand; thereby wronging both the lender and borrower: which inconvenience this public Register would easily remedy, by giving all men safe and ready means to expose their own moneys; besides the assurance never to be deceived in their trust, which now many times happens when Brokers or Scriveners do chance to fall bankrupt.  
Furthermore, whereas there is daily occasion of returning and paying of moneys from one part of the Kingdom to another, by means of Trade and Commerce: and therein is found a great defect for want of some safe and speedy means of direction, for interchangeable correspondency in that behalf (because that men are now enforced either to convey those moneys that they are to pay or receive, by Carriers, Clothiers, or servants, who are many times robbed; or else men are driven to be at extraordinary cost, for the returns of moneys, by letters of exchange) by the use of this public Register men may (if they please) greatly ease and remedy both these inconveniences. And to express the manner of doing it by example (which is the plainest way of instruction,) Suppose that if any Gentleman, Merchant or Tradesman of the North, upon occasion of business, being come to London, gives notice there unto this Register, that he can make present payment of moneys in York at a certain day, to serve the turns of any Londoners, or others in that place, if they will deliver the like sums in London; and so accordingly may any Londoners or others search the Register to that or the like intent, whereby to give himself knowledge of any interchangeable correspondency, for payments or receipts at York. And in this sort may men mutually understand one another's minds for Trade and Commerce, and with no less facility and security serve their turns one of another in matters of this kind, throughout all those Cities of this Kingdom, where this public Register shall be erected and kept, which will be free for all men to repair unto, at their pleasures. But herein it is to be understood, that this public Register shall not be made so vulgar, as to be kept in every chief City or Shieretowne within the Realm, but in those necessary and commodious places that shall be found most fit for the public good, and to perform those beneficial Offices that are promised and may be expected by the use of this public Register for the advancement of general Commerce.  
Again, to give those men that would borrow full satisfaction, how they shall be assured when they come to this Register for direction in that behalf, and have given the Officer such gratuity, as in reason and out of his own free will he hath thought fit, in regard of the note or direction delivered to serve his turn, for the sums that upon good security he would take up, and not be disappointed nor lose his reward given: If it so fall out (for such accidents may happen) that either the party that should lend this money be from home, or else how otherwise so disposed of his stock, (since the intelligence given to this Register) that he cannot instantly serve the turn of him that would borrow; let that party again return to the Office, and he shall either presently have another note, whereby to serve his turn, or else he shall receive the reward that he hath given the Officer in that behalf: Whereby may plainly appear, that there shall be no shifts used either to frustrate men of their desired purpose and hope in this Office, or tricks to draw rewards for that, which by the use of the Office, or travel of the Officer is not merited. And in this point I have thought fit to give good caution; both for that such chances may sometimes fall out: and besides it is not unlikely, but that this objection may be made. And therefore very pertinent to the purpose, and to avoid doubts ', plainly to set down an answer, and certain resolution, what men may depend upon, and how they shall be dealt withal in such cases, thereby to avoid all scruple. And as in matters of borrowing, so upon occasions of buying, the like course and restitution shall be used.  
But because amongst all these overtures and relations, the●e hath not been any mention made, either when or where this public Register shall be erected and kept; the which it may be presumed men will expect should have been in this discourse related, touching that point, it is v●ry requisite this much to siy: that the Office is of such a nature, as that it will require many things necessary for the complete ordering and fitting thereof, as also no less care and circumspection in the choice of such Officers and Clerks, as shall be answerable and suitable to that integrity and just dealing that is promised by the Patent, in the behalf of the Patentees. Besides, to find out and fashion a convenient place fit for this Office could not be done suddenly, nor in haste, considering that our Patent was not passed the Seal little more than a month since; and before that time the Patentees n●t assured whether it should pass, or not: and therefore no reason f●r them to make preparation for that which lay not in their own powers to dispose of. Notwithstanding is it so f●ll out, that the project (in manner as it is expressed) prove acceptable to the world, in regard of the public good, which is the true scope and end thereof, this may suffice, that all expedition shallbe used for the erecting thereof, and sufficient notice given by some public manner of intelligence in what place it shall be kept.  
Lastly, whereas his excellent Majesty according to the custom of former times, and of all well policed States, hath in his Princely disposition pleased to give grace and preferment to divers honest Projects and profitable inventions, which have truly tended to the public good, without wronging the particular right of any; and in that regard hath also vouch safed to grant his Letters Patent for the sole privilege and practise of this new invented Register to the Patentees, if any undutiful or malignant spirit for a self private gain, will expostulate the justness of this proceeding, it is thus truly and briefly answered, That it is in all equity as honourable for his Majesty, to provide as good means for the ease and benefit of his people in general (without any abridgement of former liberty) as it is lawful or just for any private Scrivener, Broker, or other, to provide a course to advance his own particular estate and profit, which is often done to the detriment of many. And now that the nature, use and scope of this public Register is plainly and truly manifested▪ I leave all men to their own sense and liking, and the success here f to the eternal guider of all things.  
FINIS.