THIS MOST Deplorable CASE Of an Ancient CITIZEN WHO Hath been an Old Honest, and faithful Servant of, and very great Sufferer for the Interest of the City of LONDON, is most Humbly desired to be Read over by all good Citizens with great Care, Seriousness, and due Consideration.  
LONDON: Printed in the Year 1678.   


To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Chaplin Knight, Lord Mayor, and to the Right Worshipful the Aldermen, Common Council, Masters, Wardens, Assistants, and Liveries of all the several Companies of the City of London.  
The Case and Humble Remonstrances of Richard Lee Citizen and Fishmonger of London, who hath been of the Livery of that Company near 30 years, Aged 56 years; having had 17 Children.  
Humbly showing:  
THat 40 years ago he came to London, and served his Uncle Mr. John Lee (Deputy to the Town-Clerk of London, and Clerk of Fishmongers-Hall, Bridewell, and Bethlem) 8 years; and about 1648. he was admitted Clerk controller of the Bridge-house London, wherein he served about Nine years, till for the Causes hereafter mentioned in the year 1657 he left and surrendered the same Place: Also he served as Clerk and Associate to the Clerk of Assizes of the home Circuit many years, till for hopes of better Preferment, he also left that Place; whereof being disappointed, having no Employment, a great charge of Children to maintain, being willing to be improving what he had, and to be doing what he could for the maintenance of him, his wife and many small children, he took a Brewhouse, and followed the Brewing Trade from 1657 till 1667 with very unhappy success, Malt; Coals, and Hops being all generally in those years very dear; and the dreadful and contagious Sickness and Fire also fa●l●ng very heavy upon him, whereby and by very many great Losses and crosses he sustained, by bad Customers and desperate Debts, and other ways, by the succession and concurrency of all which several cross Providences, he suffered so greatly, that he was disabled longer to carry on his said Trade; but in 1667 was forced to leave off, and sell his Brewhouse and all Appurtenances for 530 l. which cost him 1600 lib. in Purchasing, Building, and Planting, his real Losses by his said several sore Sufferings amounting to above 5000 lib. And after he had left off his said Trade, with so great loss, he used all means he could to get into some certain and settled Employment for their Maintenance, but could meet with none; so that ever since 1667 he hath acted only as a Solicitor, whereby (having been other ways employed many years as aforesaid) he hath found but little benefit for their Maintenance, wherefore he is still necessitated to seek for a certain and settled employment; and hearing that both the Bridgemasters of London Bridge are lately dead, and their Places void, whereby he hopes, that a good Door of hope (by Providence) is opened for his comfort, after all his sore disconsolations, he having many great Reasons, and good ground of hopes, for the most considerable weighty causes herein mentioned and made known, not doubting but they will take deep impressions in the hearts of all good Citizens, and move them to take special cognizance, consideration, and commiseration thereof in favour to him and his: Therefore he is emboldened to become an humble Suitor, that he may be freely chosen and admitted a Bridgemaster into one of their Places.  
Reason 1st. Because when he was admitted into the Clerkship of the Bridge-house one Mr. White who had for several years been Clerk to the Committees of the City, whereby he had great Acquaintance and favour with many of the then Aldermen, he being a Suitor also and Competitor with the said Richard Lee for the Place, was maliciously invective against him, because he had carried the Place from him, which malice he did bear and pursue against him nine years together irreconcilably, and did closely work with several of the Aldermen his Friends, and tried all Projects they could, to get the said Richard Lee out, and put the said Mr. White in, which to effect, they informed the Court of Aldermen that the said Clerkship was much more profitable than indeed it was, whereby as they designed, they prevailed with the Court, to order the ancient Salary of 50 lib. a year, always paid to former Clerks there to be withheld from the said Richard Lee, hoping thereby to discourage him, so that (without doubt) he would have declined and have accepted that barren Place (without the said ancient Salary) as he would not, had he not been confident, it should soon (in Right and Reason) have been restored again, than they might have ushered in their good friend Mr. White, to whom they could soon have restored the said Salary, though the same nor any part thereof for the causes herein mentioned, was ever paid to the said Richard Lee during his stay there, to his great grief, damage, and wrong. Notwithstanding in 1639, the Reversion of the said Place, with all Fees, Profits, Commodities, and Appurtenances, etc. was Purchased and Granted to him by the Court of Lord May or and Aldermen in the Mayoralty of Sir Morris Abbot under the City Seal, and therefore by the Custom and Usage of this City, it was his just and undoubted Right, and ought not to be detained from him; and his Father did purposely at great Charges breed him up a Clerk to enable, and make him fit for the execution of the said Place, after the best manner, for Learning and Clerkship yet though often every year he continued there, he Petitioned the Court of Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Common Council, for Restoration thereof with Certificates annexed under the hands of the Auditors of the Bridge-house Accounts, and of the Bridgemasters, who had the Proposal and Inspection of all Accounts, Books, Writings, and concerns there; and therefore were best able to Judge and Report of his care, labours, and fidelity in the Execution of his Duty therein, and of the smallness of his Profits, far short of his Deserts, not amounting to a competent Maintenance for him: Therefore certifying, that they thought fit and reasonable the said Salary should be paid to him from his Admittance and fully restored to him for the future: And the several Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Auditors, Committees, and many of the Common Council, often every year promised him, that it should be restored and paid to him accordingly, though delayed and never performed to him during his stay there, who (as is well known, and was often acknowledged by many) did in his time there, as well perform his Duty in the Execution of his said Place, and as good service for the City, as any Clerk there ever did; and therefore deserved the said ancient Salary as any Clerk there ever did, and more especially, it being his right by Purchase, and Grant under the City Seal as aforesaid. And it hath been restored and constantly paid to all Clerks there almost ever since he was forced for want of a competent Maintenance, and continual Abuses and unkindnesses, as herein are mentioned, (voluntarily to leave the said Place, after he had served the City therein carefully, faithfully, diligently, and industriously, about Nine Years, without any Salary or Reward for his extraordinary Labours, which all Clerks there before, and since him ever had; but were ever (unjustly and undeservedly) kept from him, only for the causes herein mentioned.  
Reason 2. Because at his first Admittance to the Place, he found many Accounts, Bills, Orders and Writings thereof long standing, not made up or Entered, as they ought to have been (by his Predecessors there) and all Business very imperfect and greatly out of order, so that he was necessitated at his own charges, to hire a Clerk (at dear Rates) to sit constantly with him above eight Months together, to make up, Enter, perfect, and put all things in good order; and also he and his said Clerk took great pains above six Months together after, perusing all the Leases and Writings there, and taking out Breviates of them, and making two great Books, of all the Tenants Names, Date. Rend, and term to come of every Lease, whereby (upon Demand he could readily give Account of every Lease, Tenant, and House. Also he and his Clerk took a great deal of pains a long time together, in perusing many long and great Writings, in much writing, and often carrying them, and attending with them upon Sergeant Maynard, Sergeant Conyers, Mr. Philip's, and other Council for their advice thereon, concerning Sir George Monax his Lands, all which were extraordinary Labours for which he ought to have been paid; and the several Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Committees, and many of the Common Council often promised every year, that he should be well paid, though always delayed, and he never received one penny for the same: Also Gratuities of 10 lib. and 5 lib. at a time were usually given to his Predecessors Servants for their Labours, but never a Penny to any of his, by reason of Persons ever obstructing, as herein is mentioned.  
Reason 3. Because some time before his admittance to the said place, a Lease wa● granted to Alderman Fowke, and another to Gilbert Keate Esq of House's, Beware houses, and Ground in Water-lane Tower-street, which did lie intricately intermixed with and between Ground and other great Buildings of their own, so that for long tim● there had been great jars, contests, and continual complaints betwixt them, and many Views by the City Committees for settlemet thereof, to assertain both theirs and th● Cities Rights, by strict Admeasurement of the Dimensions, who did fairly and justly set down in writing, each Parties right exactly, strictly ordering the Clerk of the Bridge house, so directly to express the same in their several Leases, not otherwise, as the● were so done; yet notwithstanding such cares and endeavours and Orders of the Committees, upon many Views, though Alderman Fowk was present at the Views, and dissented not, yet four or five years after his Lease was made, did twice or thrice, almo●● every week send for the said Richard Lee to his House, keeping him often there privately till past one of the Clock in the night, by all Arguments labouring with him ●●race several whole Lines out of the Lease, and to write in the room thereof what he ha● prepared in writing, which was greatly differing from the said Orders of Court, greatly to the endangering of the Cities Right, and promoting of continual Jars and Vexations betwixt him and Mr. Keate; and for the first two years together, did only use fair persuasions, to prevail to get it done to his will; whereby not prevailing he did for about three years more together after use very harsh and severe words and threats in a tyrannical manner, to force him to do it, saying often to him, Mr. Lee, Do you not know that I was an Instrument to turn Mr. Mongre (your Predecessor) out of his place, whereby you got into his place; by which words implying, that if he would not do it, he would also work him out of his place: whereto he modestly Replied, Sir, I hope that you, nor any else, shall find any such causes to turn me out of my place, as (by Relation) were against Mr. Mongre: Alderman Fowke added further (and often used to hint the same words) Mr. Lee, You have a long time, and often Petitioned the court of Aldermen and Common-council to restore you to the ancient Salary of 50 lib. a year, and to gratify Your extraordinary Labour, which I think you deserve, and its just and fit should be done for you; Therefore consider, Mr. Lee, be not averse in what I require of you, who can soon help you in what you Petition for: Therefore Mr. Lee, be not perverse to me, for what I desire shall not be to the prejudice of the City. Whereto Richard Lee again replied, Sir, I hope you will not impute me averse, or perverse to you, or that I would in the least offend you; or deny to serve you in any thing I justly may, Therefore I hope you will be so favourable and just, as to be friend me in my just Petition, which you have been pleased very often to say, it was just and fit to be granted to me; yet nevertheless, I hope that no self-ends shall ever tempt me to act unfaithfully; and as for what you require me to do: It hath upon many Views and Orders of Court, been specially Ordered to be done (word for word) as it is done, and not otherwise; so that if I should privately alter it but a tittle, and seal the Lease, I should be concluded very unfaithful and justly turned out of my Place for a Knave. And when Alderman Fowke found after about five years' trial by sore tormenting and wearying of me, by all fair and foul means, and could not force me to do it, he having his Lease in his own hands, got it altered to his mind, and signed by two of the Committee (who were ignorant of the Alteration) then sent for me, gave me his Lease, and ordered me the next day after (he being then Lord Mayor) to attend the Court of Aldermen, with his, and all other Leases, ready for sealing, to be sealed; I humbly p●ay'd his Lordship's excuse, saying, I ought not, I durst not offer 〈◊〉 to be sealed, without first acquainting the Court with the said alteration as I did openly and fully, which greatly inrag●d his Lordship; bu● though he was then Lord Mayor, yet could not get it sealed.  
Reason 4th. Because about the year 1651, several Journeymen, Carpenters, Ma●ons, Labourers, and other Workmen, than Servant's belonging to the Bridge-house 〈◊〉 out of just, honest, and good Principles) did exhibit about 40 Articles against the Purveyor of the Bridge-house, for purloining and carrying away by Water and Land from the Bridge-house and the buildings thereto belonging at several times, and concerting to his own use, at his own Buildings then at Deptford and other places, great quantities of Timber, Planks, Deal Board's ready plained, shot, and fitted for use, Stones, Led, Iron, Spikes, Nails, and all manner of Materials, which should have been used at the Bridge-house Buildings, which were then credibly valued to be worth above 600 lib. Sterling, to the great damage of the City, whereby he, who few years before come to the Bridge-house very poor, was then by such Practices become very rich: When the said Articles were first exhibited, the poor Exhibiters thereof were greatly thanked, commended, and charged to go on to prosecute effectually by the Aldermen and Committee appointed to examine and hear the same; and it did go on prosperously, with great applause, and encouragement to the Prosecutors at several of their first meetings: But after the said purloiner, whose place there was to overlook the Workmen and Labourers, the Goods, Materials, and the Utensils of the House, and to warn all Courts and Committees, and to atiend and keep their Doors, whereby he had great opportunities to be well known to them, who knew well how to tell his own Tale, and by his subtle insinuations to get credit and favour with them, and having got time, did so prevail with several of the Aldermen and Committee, to be strongly on his side (being ignorant of his Devices and evil Practices) who did pervert most of the Committee, so that at many Meetings of the Committee after, the Tide was so turned, that the poor Prosecutors (instead of being encouraged as before) were altogether curbed, checked, and discouraged (only supported by some few) the poor men being so overawed, the work of Justice was at a stand, without hopes of future good, which made the purloiner impudent and insolent, greatly to vapour, insult, and in his puffed-up pride and confidence to arrest some of the poor Prosecutors for defaming him; and being so befriended, he was Cocksure thereby to have affrighted, and stopped further proceed. And indeed they being poor (and so much discouraged by their Masters, not only so deserting them, and their Cities just cause, but by their so highly owning the purloiner) they had reason to have declined, and had done had they not been honest and courageous, resolving not to be conquered by his so impudent actings, nor by the checks of the Aldermen, Commit, Bridgemasters, or any o●hers discouraging them, well knowing their cause to be so just and good: And they did come and advise with, and earnestly entreat the said Richard Lee to give them help in their just prosecution, else they said (by their want of skill and knowledge) the Advers Party by their over-potency, would overpower them, who by his Oath being bound to be faithful in his place, in all things for the good of the City: Thereupon (though he well knew the potency of the Adverse party, and the meanness and unlikeliness of the poor Men (so mightily opposed) to prevail, let their cause be ever so just, yet the said Richard Lee thinking it his Duty, what justly he could do, he ought to do therein; and did undertake with his might the management thereof, it being for the Cities Right; and to preserve the poor men in their just cause (though so much opposed by those who ought not to have done it) from being run down and ruined by them for their honesty and faithfulness to the City their Masters: And the said Richard Lee, though greatly against his own interest, to act against the purloiner (being so strongly owned by many of the Aldermen and Committee, and both the B●●ge-Masters who were made Judge in the case (he the said Richard Lee then having his Petition and Certificates annexed, lying before the Court of Aldermen and Common Council for restoring to him his said ancient Salary of 50 lib. a year, and for gratifying his extraordinary Labours as aforesaid, yet the said Richard Lee for the City's good waved his own Interest, and did resolvedly go on therewith, and drew up their Articles in a right form, and put all their Charge, and what every witness could say in good order, and then procured the Committees to meet again several times, and to examine and hear the matter in difference, in order to do Right and Justice, and give Judgement, and did what possibly he could therein; yet all would amount to nothing, the purloiner being still so owned, and the poor men so curbed, that the purloiner grew so hardy, that shortly after he also arrested the said Richard Lee for defaming him (no other ways but in doing his Duty in the said prosecution, as a sworn Servant to the City) and did stoutly prosecute them all at the Assizes in Surry; and though ●e thought assuredly to have eaten up the poor men alive, he being rich, and having many great persons siding with him; and did use as great means as possibly he could, by appearance of Aldermen, Committee men, both the Bridgemasters, divers of the Bridge-house chief Workmasters and Servants, and the chiefest of the Learned Counsel in the Law, on his side, far beyond what the poor men were able to procure, yet the poor Defendants at the Trial at the Assizes (notwithstanding all disadvantages) did obtain a Verdict against the Plaintiffs: And indeed it was a very long and tedious Trial, heard with great patience, and great respects to the many Great and Grave Men, who were on the Plaintiffs, or Purloyners' side, yet the honest Jury, being upon their sacred Oaths (better observed the good Scripture-Rules) had more respect to the truth of the Evidence, and justness of the Cause, than to the persons of grave men, therefore justly and honestly found for the poor honest Defendants against the rich and highly managed Plaintiffs, thirty or forty Witnesses upon their Oaths on each side being fairly examined and heard; which Verdict given did greatly put to shame all the Great and Grave person's, and all others who so unjustly sided with the purloiner, and had so many years retarded Justice, who were in a shameful manner hissed out of the Court.  
And after obtaining of the said Verdict, the poor abused Defendants most justly applied again to the Court of Aldermen and Committee, humbly certifying their said Verdict, appealing for further Justice against the purloiner; and upon very hard and close pursuit thereof, for about half a year together after, prevailed to have several re-examinations, and Rehearings, and Judgement upon the whole matter; whereupon they also (being sound roused up for shame) found him Guilty, and justly turned him out of his place, to the great shame (there also) of all, who had so long retarded (and would have perverted) Justice; which great contest hung in great pain and Travel for want of good Midwivery above three years and a half, almost to the utter ruin of the poor prosecutors; the long forced prosecution whereof cost them out of their own purses above 100 lib. yet upon their humble and importunate petititoning the Court of Aldermen to allow them their Expenses, and consideration for their loss of ●ine, by their Attendances and good Services done to the City, they had but 30 lib. upon all these considerations given them, in full for all, to the clear loss and damage of the said Richard Lee, above 60 lib. out of his own purse, besides his loss of time above three years and half together, his Labour, Attendances, and doing all Writings concerning the said long Prosecution, better worth than 50 lib, which good Works were greatly applauded and commended by many good Citizens, though they proved (undeservedly) to the damage and ruin of him the said Richard Lee, his Wife, and many small Children by his intermeddling therewith; because though often every year during his continuance at the Bridge-house, he Petitioned the Court of Aldermen and Common Council to restore to him the said ancient Salary of 50 lib. a year justly due to him, and to reward his extraordinary Labours, as aforesaid, with Certsficates to his Petitions annexed under the Auditors and Bridgemasters hands, certifying his great Labours, care, and fidelity in the execution of his Duty in his said place, and of the smallness of his profits he received far short of his Deserts, not amounting to a competent Maintenance for him; Therefore they thought fit and reasonable the said 50 lib. a year should be paid to him from his Admittance, and fully restored for the future: And the several Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Auditors, Committees, and many of the Common Council continually every year, promised it should be paid to him accordingly, and that he should be gratified for his extraordinary Labours, yet they were still delayed and never performed to him during his stay there, though he well deserved the same as aforesaid; and the Reason why they were not performed to him was, because the said Mr. Whites Friends, the said Alderman Fowke, and the Aldermen and Committee-men of the said Advers Party always bore a grudge against him, only for his fidelity in speaking and acting on the City's behalf, as by his Oath he was bound to do in the management of the said Cases gasnst their wills and misled Apprehensions: Therefore they did oppose and obstruct the Grant of all Petitions he ever could present for the same; Whereupon the said Richard Lee having served the City as Clerk of the Bridge-house about Nine years, and upon so long trial finding his profits so small, that he could not subsist thereby, but for the necessary supply of him and his Family was forced every year to waste of his own Stock and grew every year worse & worse in his Estate (not in the least by improvident living) and also finding that by no means possible he could hope for the restoration of the said Salary of 50 lib. a year, nor gratification for his said extraordinary Labours, by reason of the said Parties continual opposing and obstructing, for no other causes but for his fidelity to the City, in the Cases mentioned; and that by reason of their (undeserved) disfavour he could not continue in his Place with any peace, comfort, or contentment, whose implacable Spirits and unjust deal with him upon all opportunities, were unsufferable, did more grieve and trouble him (he never in the least deserving them) than the want of the said 50 lib. a year, and gratifications so justly due to him, and by their means, so long, and so unjustly kept from him, as hereby evidently appears, which were the true, sole and only causes of his being forced (voluntarily) to leave and surrender his said Place, and consequently of all his said sore losses, crosses, and sufferings he unhappily underwent since by the Brewing Trade; to his damage above 5000 lib. as aforesaid, to the great spoil and ruin of him, his Wife and many Children: All which might have been well saved and preserved to the unspeakable comfort and happiness of him and his, if those irreconcilable Gentlemen (whose favour he sought by all endeavours) had but been courteous, and not extremely severe to him, as they were (beyond measure) without any just or rational cause, otherwise he had in all probability continued still at the Bridge-house, and ended his days there, and prevented all his said harms which thereafter happened to him and his, as aforesaid, for whose honesty and fidelity to the City (in doing his Duty as bound by his Oath) in the two last mentioned cases, concerning which Cases forty times-more may be said (than herein is but hinted) to show the unsavoury actings (and how greatly the said Richard Lee suffered) by both the said Parties cruelty, for about Nine years together, during his whole time of his being at the Bridge-house, too tedious to be born, or here inserted, such a life as they led him so many years together, for no other causes but for doing his Du●y in those two Cases, as mentioned, he hereby professeth, he would not be hired to undergo so many years for 500 lib. a year Sterling; in whose Coat they could never pick a hole, nor find a blot in his Scutcheon for which they watched; and sought for as hid Treasure, which if they could they would soon have hit it; for brevity's sake he'll add no more; here being enough set down, to declare how the City hath been greatly wronged by bad Servants, and how hardly such brought to punishment, not by the Justice of their own appointed Judges, who rather indulged them, and discountenanced their honest Intelligencers (their Servants also) and suffered them to be in danger of ruin for their honesty and fidelity to their Masters; giving the Offenders such indulgency (through bewitched incredulity) and the contrary to the poor Complainants, who being poor, and disowned by their Masters in their just complaint, the offenders (though guilty) being rich, and buoyed up, grew bold and impudat, eresoved to play Counter-scuffle, to cudgel or Arrest the poor men for Defamation, as they did, thereby thinking to affright them from further prosecution, standing upon their Guard of Justification, pleading Innocency, therefore defamed; by which Indulgency they took Rope, long enough too (hang, or) bring themselves to just punishment, and whipped themselves with their own Rod; the poor Arrested Complainants would not be daunted (though poor, made Defendants, forced to Trial, and unkindly disowned, and deserted by their Masters; but rather than to bend basely under the Offenders feet, though through poverty, want of great Friends, and with all disadvantages, trusting to the Justice of the Cause, go on courageously to Trial, not before known Friends or Citizens in the City, but before strangers in the Country, where they obtained a just Verdict, with Victory and Triumph in three or four days time, which they could not do by their greatest endeavours among their Masters in the City, in above three years and a half prosecution (though for their own Interest) and almost to the utter ruin of the poor deserted men; and this is a true Parallel of one of the said Cases: And if the poor men's Cause had not been honest, just and good, it was a Miracle they should prevail at the Assizes in the Country among strangers (with such disadvantages) as they did to the shame of all the Opposers, Retarders, and Obstructors: And that after that Trial, the Citizens also upon further Applications made to them praying further Justice, had Re-examinations and Rehearings, and gave their Judgements thereupon, and that then they also found the Offender guilty, and turned him out of his Place: And though they did not pay the poor men their full Expenses and Charges they were at, nor reward their Labours, loss of Time, and Attendances, nor pay for the many Writings in and about the long retarded Prosecution, as they ought liberally to have done, considering their great fidelity, and their great Abuses, there being among them a spice of the said Advers Party, who still hindered all they could, yet in as much they gave them 30 lib towards the same, as aforesaid, they thereby owned their service done, and their fidelity to the City; and it was no less strange that the Citizens who were first made Judges in the Case (in the City's behalf, having the same Testimony, and much better Advantage to search out the Truth, yet in above three years and an halls time they could not find the Offender guilty; which the poor Country Jury upon their Oaths did in six or seven hours' time; and then soon after the Aldermen and Committee could also find him Guilty, and turn him out of his place, as aforesaid, notwithstanding the great opposition of the Advers Party, who certainly were strongly biased, and strangely persuaded to act so strongly and strangely so many years as they did, against the great Interest of the City, and with such violent and implacable wrath against the poor honest Prosecutors for the City, even to their spoil and ruin, it may be truly said, they were very hardly used, and sorrily rewarded from first to last, for their so long faithful and chargeable good Services, done for the City their Masters, as aforesaid: the good Scripture Caution may conveniently be here added, Let not these things be told in Gath nor published in Askelon; and for the said Richard Lee his just, modest, and moderate managing, and defending the said just and honest Cause, on the City's behalf, as he was by the Aldermen and Committee Ordered to do, and as by his Place, and Oath he ought to do, he did do and perform the same honestly and faithfully, not as being forward or putting himself on therein, but as being ordered as aforesaid, yet for those his faithful actings, by reason of the disfavour of the said Advers Party, of the said Alderman Fonke, and of the said Aldermen, the said Mr. Whites Friends, only for the causes mentioned: the said Richard Lee doth here affirm, that in the very time of his Nine years continuing Clerk of the Bridge-house, he clearly lost and suffered out of his Purse thereby above 1500 lib. Sterling, and of the truth hereof, and how he doubts not but to give fair and full satisfaction to any good Citizens; besides the into Herable Abuses and Injuries he undeservedly (yet patiently) suffered the Nine years of his continuance at the Bridge-house from those said Parties, which he would not have endured for 500 lib. a year, as aforesaid, besides the loss of his said Bridge-house Place, where he hoped to have ended his days, only occasioned by their undeserved unkindnesses and hard usages, and by their unjust obstructing his Rights and just and reasonable Maintenance from him as aforesaid; and besides his misfortunate and most unhappy sore Sufferings afterwards by his Brewing Trade, consequently also occasioned only by their gross abuses, to his damage above 5000 lib. as aforesaid to the great spoil and ruin of him his Wife and many Children; all which otherwise might have been well saved and preserved to them, to their great comfort and happiness.  
All which matters, (with the matters in his several Certificates asserting truth) upon just, serious and judicious considerations, he humbly hopes will be adjudged good grounds and inducements to prevail, with all Right Honourable, Honourable, Right Worshipful, and Worshipful Citizens, and with all good Citizens, good men, and good Christians (in tender consideration of the Premises) to have respect to him, who hath undergone such long trials, so many hard usages, so many great Losses, crosses and sufferings (unjustly and undeservedly) for his honest faithful and unrewarded services for the City's interest, even to the sacrificing himself and all his, and is now destitute of employment, and that you would favourably think fit (by your free Election) to admit him into one of the said Bridgemasters places, rather to gratify (and raise from death to life) him who hath so justly, faithfully and industriously served, so greatly suffered for; and so well deserved from, the City than on any others, who have not such causes, such necessities, or such deserts, to merit the same from the City as he hath, as is here amply demonstrated, hardly to be paralleled, who by his many years Experience by his service as Clerk there, better knows and understands the Books, Writings, Records, Orders, Business and concerns of the Bridgehouse, than any man living doth, and consequently how to do, and act in all things there, for the best benefit of the City, and as for his care diligence, honesty, and fidelity; to do and perform his duty in the management thereof, his former good and faithful services there (well known and remembered by many yet living) will sufficiently evidence.  
Upon all which moving causes and considerations, he humbly hopes that the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, the Right Worshipful the Aldermen Common-council and Liveries of this Honourable City of London, of your accustomed goodness, will favourably think him fit and capable, and by your free Election of him to admit him into one of the said Bridgemasters places, who by God's gracious assistance will ever be most grateful, careful, diligent and faithful in the due Execution thereof, to the utmost of his ability for the City's best benefit, or otherwise he humbly hopes that the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, the Right Worshipful the Aldermen and Common-Councel will be pleased to think fit, to Order the said ancient Salary of 50 l. a year, for about nine years' service, never paid unto him, as to all other Clerks there, before and since him, so justly due to him, and so hardly and unjustly kept from him as aforesaid, to be paid unto him, and reasonable satisfaction for his said extraordinary Labours, for moneys he disbursed out of his Purse, and for all his Writings, Labours, and attendances for above three years and a half together, in and about the said long Prosecution as aforesaid, and some favourable recompense for his hard usages and great sufferings, for h●s good and faithful services, done for the City as aforesaid, which he humbly hopes will be adjudged just and reasonable to be granted to him.   

To the Right Honble Sir Francis Chaplin Knight, Lord Mayor, and to the Right Worshipful the Aldermen, Masters, Wardens, Assistants and Liveries of the several Companies of the Honourable City of London.  
WHereas my Brother Mr. Richard Lee, who lately served the City as Clerk Comptroler of the Bridge-house London, about nine years, where, as is well known to many, he did faithfully and industriously serve the City, and merely for his good services done there, and for his great fidelity in acting for the just Interest of the City, as by Orders of Court he was Ordered to do, and as by his said Place and his Oath he was bound to do, against the wills and misled apprehensions of some persons, he became a very great sufferer, to the spoil and ruin thereby of him, his wife and many children, being now destitute of employment for his and their maintenance, is forced to become a Suitor to your Honour, and Worships. That in consideration of his said faithful services and great sufferings, you would favourably choose and admit him a Bridgemaster of London Bridge, into one of the places now void, whose fidelity and ability in serving as Clerk-Comptroler there nine years as aforesaid, hath been largely manifested, which renders him fit, able, and capable for the Execution thereof, wherefore I being infirm in body, unable to wait on you myself, to move your favours on hi● behalf, am bold hereby to recommend him unto your Choice as aforesaid being well assured of his care, fidelity and good ability in all respects to serum you therein, humbly praying your Lordship and Worships, and all m● good friends, in and about London, Westminster, and Southwark, who hav● Right in the said choice, favourably and freely to choose and admit hi● thereunto, who hath so faithfully, carefully and industriously served, we deserved from, and greatly suffered for the City's interest, without a●● Reward, and with very hard usages, as are largely set forth in other writings he will present unto you. Thus begging your Pardon for this my presumption, in all Humility I subscribe myself,  
Your most devoted Friend and Servant, Tho. Lee. Justice of the Peace at Newington-Butts in Surrey.   

〈…〉 Names are subscribed Justices of the Peace for the County of Surrey, and Burrough of Southwark, do hereby also recommend unto your Choice, and pray your Favours on the behalf of the said Mr. Rich. Lee as aforesaid, most humbly also subscribing ourselves,  
Your most faithful friends and Servants 

Hunsdon, the Earl of Dover's Son.  
Edmund Bowyer Knight and Baronet.  
William Haward Knights.  
Tho. Foster Knights.  
George Chute  
T. Barker.  
James Reading  
Peter Rich Justices.  
Rich. How Justices.  
Jos. Coling Justices.  
Jo. Freeman  
Will. Castle     

We whose Names are Subscribed Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and City of Westminster, do also recommend unto your Choice, and pray your favour on the behalf of the said Mr. Richard Lee as aforesaid, most humbly also subcribing ourselves.  
Your faithful friends and servants 

Tho. Gery Knights.  
Will. Bowl Knights.  
Edm. B. Godfrey Knights.  
Charles Pitfield Justices.  
James Devy Justices.  
Ellis Lloyd Justices.  
Edw. Parry Justices.  
Hum. Weld Justices.  
Peter Sabbs Justices.    
The said Rich. Lee having too late Knowledge of the vacancy of the said Places to make his personal Applications to the Commoners of London, therefore is forced at great charges to Print and Publish abroad among all good Citizens these his Requests.   

A true Copy of his Reversion before mentioned.  
To all Christian People to whom these Presents shall come, or that the same shall hear, see o● Read, Henry Garway Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Aldermen of the same, send Greeting; Know ye, That at a Court holden in the Chamber of the Guild Hall of the said City, upon Tuesday the Eight day of October last passed, before day of the Date hereof, before Sir Morris Abbot Knight, then Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Aldermen of the same City then present, amongst other things is Entered and Recorded as followeth, Viz. This day at the Request of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, this Court doth freely and lovingly Give and Grant unto Richard Lee Son of Lancelor Lee of Alveley in the County of Sallop Esq the Reversion and next Avoidance of the Clerkship of the Bridge-house, at what time soever the same shall first and next happen to fall or become void, To have, hold, Exercise and Enjoy the same Place, with all Fees, Profits, and Commodities thereunto due and of Right belonging, so long as he shall well and honestly use and behave himself therein, saving to all and every other person and persons his and their Right and Interest in and to the same by force and virtue of any former Grant made thereof by this Court, and so always and upon condition That he the said Richard Lee at such time as he shall come to claim and Enjoy the benefit of this his Grant, be thought and adjudged by this Court, fit, apt, and able for the due Execution thereof, and not otherwise, In faith and testimony whereof, We the said Lord Mayor, and Aldermen have caused the Seal of the Office of Mayoralty of the said City to be put to these Presents, Dated at London the tenth day of January, in the year of our Lord 1639. And in the 15th. year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, Charles by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith etc.  
Michael.   

A true Copy of the Auditors and Committees Certificate before mentioned.  
To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Commons of the City of London in Common Council Assembled. We the Auditors of the Bridge-house Accounts and Committees for Leasing of the Lands and Tenements belonging to the Bridge house London, whose Names are subscribed, do certify that we have perused the several Books and Writings belonging to the said Bridge house, written and made up by Rich. Lee Clerk there, and do find that there hath been and is a great deal of Labour, Pains and Attendants required continually to be by him performed in the Execution of his said Place, and that all the Fees and Profits now allowed unto him (the Salary of fifty pounds per Annum which was formerly allowed to his Predecessors being lately Ordered to be withheld) are very small and do not amount unto a competent maintenance for his subsistence any ways equivolent to his Labours, Endeavours and Attendance therein. And do therefore think it Requesite, Just and Reasonable that he be considered for the time past, and that the said Fee of Fifty pound Pounds a year may be restored unto him for the future. All which nevertheless we humbly recommend and leave to your Honours and Worship's Wisdoms and further Order.  
Dated the 25th. day of May, Anno 1652. 

John Wollaston.  
John Stone  
Fr. Peck  
Henry Brandreth     

A true Copy of the Bridgemasters Certificate before mentioned.  
We whose Names are Subscribed Wardens of London Bridge, do humbly certify on the beha●● of Rich. Lee Clerk comptroller of the Bridge-house, that he together with a Clerk which he keeps and employ▪ for his assistance, have taken a great deal of Pains, Labour, and Industry in performance of his said Place, since his admission thereunto, and we do humbly conceive that the Profits he hath received therein have been very small, much beneath his Pains, Endeavours, and attendance therein, and that all the just Fees and Profits paid and allowed to him, cannot nor do amount unto above forty pounds a year one year with another besides his dwelling house, witness our Hands May 25. 1652.  


Bridgemasters.  
Fra. Kirby  
Nich. Clagett    
And although he had two such Certificates under the hands of the hands of the Bridgehouse Auditors, Committees and Bridgemasters twice almost every year, for about 9 years together, and did present his Petition with his Certificates annexed, to the Court of Aldermen and Common-council very often every year, for the restoration of the ancient Salary of 50 ll. a year, and did by great means and endeavours prosecute the same, yet could never get the same restored by reason of the Opposers and Obstructors mentioned.   

To the Right Honourable Sir Fran. Chaplin Kt. Lord Mayor, and to the Right worshipful the Aldermen, Masters, Wardens, Assistants, and Liveries of the several Companies of the Honourable City of London.  
Whereas Rich. Lee late Clerk comptroller of the Bridgehouse London, and many years associate to the Clerk of Assizes of the home Circuit, being now destitute of Employment for the maintenance of him, his wife and many small Children, is humbly bold to become a suitor unto you to choose and admit him a Bridgemaster of London Bridge, We whose Names are subscribed, upon good grounds and large testimonials of his good deserts, of his care fidelity and good ability to do and perform business, do therefore hereby recommend him unto your choice, praying your Favours freely to choose, and admit him thereunto accordingly, whereof having good hopes we subscribe ourselves.  
May 30. 1678. Your most faithful Friends and Servants, 

Fr. North  
Will. Montague  
Tho. Twisden  
Will. Wild  
Hugh Windham  
Tim. Littleton  
Tho. Jones  
Fd. Thurland.    
The said Rich. Lee most humbly also prays, That no matter in his said Case mentioned, may be understood as by him intended to Reflect on any worthy Aldermen or Citizens of London, or in a general ●anner; nay he professeth he intends them not to reflect on all who were seduced in those cases, but on those who were Seducers, and acted more from a Revengeful, than a just and right spirit, strangely biased and self-ended.   
FINIS.