SEVERAL REASONS AND MOTIVES, For the speedy passing of the ACT Against Transporting of Treasure, and the Preventing of other Abuses practised on the Coins and Bullion of the NATION.   printer's or publisher's device 
DEUS EST NOBIS SOL ET SCUTUM  
Printed by WILL. BENTLEY, Anno Domini MDCL.   

SEVERAL REASONS AND MOTIVES, For the speedy passing of the ACT against Transporting of Treasure, and the Preventing other Abuses practised on the Coins and Bullion of the NATION.  
IT hath been daily practised by some particular Merchants, both Native and Strangers, to Transport the Treasure of this Nation, to the great prejudice of the State; who for their own private gain, have not spared to damnify the Commonwealth (so highly) that their Persons and Estates cannot give a full satissaction for the great mischief done and practised by them to this Commonwealth, and without a strict Examination, and exemplary punishment of the offenders, or some of the chief of them, these mischiefs will never be prevented, (and the Commonwealth be still undermined by those Moles, to the unspeakable damage thereof) and for that some, through ignorance, do not understand and conceive the great damage which may come to the Commonwealth, by the suffering these abovesaid abuses to continue, and others more crafty and subtle, both Goldsmiths and Merchants, that are Transporters of Gold and Silver, and practizers of several high frauds and abuses upon Coin and Bullion, have the confidence (or impudence) to make arguments for defending the Transgressors. Now for the information of some in their judgements, that have desired a true account, what Laws are now in force in this Nation, for prevention of these mischiefs; what Order and Laws in France, Holland, and Flanders, for the regulating of their Mints, Money, and Bollion; what punishments and restriction upon the offenders,  
I have procured the Ordinance, and Placcaets of France, Holland, and Flanders to be translated; have breviated them for your information; and coated some Laws of this Nation now in force, as hereafter follow.  
And if you please to make the Law, now presented to the House, stricter than it is now drawn, I humbly conceive you will do the Commonwealth the greater benefit, considering the present condition of the Commonwealth.  
Transporting of Treasure hath been Felony, 4. Henry 7. cap. 13. and 17. Edward 4. this Statute to endure for twenty years. I humbly conceive the Commonwealth hath now as much reason to look to keep the Treasures in the Nation as they had then, considering all things.  
That you would be pleased to give one Moiety at the least to any person or persons that will or can discover the Offenders: that so by this reward, all persons may be invited to discover the Offenders all over the Nation, and the same rule followed which was in 14. Rich. 2. cap. 12. where Commissions by Act of Parliament, were granted throughout the Realm, to inquire of such as had conveyed the Money of England out of the Nation; in doing whereof great sums throughout the Nation will come to the State, and the Offenders will remember the Proverb, Sweet meat must have sour sance: when they shall be enforced to pay back to the State that which they have defrauded them of, and will prevent them and all others hereafter for to take the boldness to get themselves fortunes by any of the aforesaid indirect courses, which so highly tend to the damage of this Commonwealth.  
By these deceits, Commerce is spoiled, Traffic decayeth, those things that are needful for man's preservation grow dear, the handle-craftswork seaceth, the workmen betake themselves to some other places, and the Commonalty, to speak all in a word, is brought to Poverty, (as is Gravely observed by the Master General and Council of the Mint in Flanders, 2. October 1647. with their Decleration, clearly demonstrating, That the careful and punctual keeping of the Placcaet of the Mint, is very necessary, and withal profitable to all persons of what state, quality, or condition soever; showing, that if the Placaet be not observed, but that money should be paid out above the true value through these disorders, they shall never be able to keep their Treasure within their Country.  
And in their Declaration showing, most judicially, the great mischiefs that befall a Nation by enhancing and raising there Money, being no real cure for the Commonwealth, but utterly destructive to all sorts of people, even from the Prince to the poor Labourer, to any Free-State or Commonwealth, to all Merchandise and Comoditieses: all which considerations, although very potent, yet do not oftentimes come into the minds & comprehensions, not only of the Common people, but also of those to whom the employment of Public Office, have given more judgement and credit in managing of affairs themselves, & who dare to spread it abroad, that there is no harm nor evil in enhancing the Coin above its true value & worth, because they can put it away at the same price as they receive it; not taking notice by the way, that by raising and augmenting the price of money, does or must by consequence, augment and increase the price of all merchandizes and provisions proportionable, whereby of necessity must follow, that if the Moneys be augmented and heightened, the Landlords and Creditors receive so much less; the merchandise, victuals and all other wares grow presently dearer; the Public Treasure either Excise or Customs are abated, by so much as you enhance or lessen your Moneys, for it is not the Denomination of a high price of Gold or Silver sets the value, but it must have weight and fineness proportionable to what you call it, or else you go upon a wrong ground; As for example, in Scotland they call Thirteen pence halspenie, A Mark; and Twenty pence, they call Twenty shillings; this denomination of a great value gives not the intrinsicate value.  

Placcaet and Ordinance.  
Concerning the general course and regulating of the Mints and moneys, as also concerning the Exchange and Exchangers, Refiners, Goldsmiths, and others in the United Provinces 1586.  

ARTIC. xi.  
ANd as for the Gold and Silver-Monies whose value is valued by this Ordinance, We forbidden every one to present pay away or receive the same at a higher rate than is here Ordered, upon the forfeiture of such moneys or the worth of it in case the fact be not presently discovered, and besides upon penalty of ten golden Angelot's the first time; for the second time twenty golden Angelot's; and for the third four times as much; and besides Arbitrary punishment according to the heinousness of the fact: and We understand the same forfeitures and penalties to take place as well upon the Receiver as the Payer away, unless one of them presently after the Receiving or Paying away do present himself to an Officer, in which case the denunntiator either Receiver or Payer away shall be freed or quitted of the abovesaid penalty and forfeiture, and besides to enjoy the third part of the same forfeit and penalty.   

ARTIC. xiv.  
So that We expressly forbidden and interdict every one to over-buy or over-sell, Change or Chop any Species of Monies rated by these presents, either in taking or giving upon the same any profit, gain, or advantage after what manner soever, upon the same pain and penalty as above said, against those who shall Receive or Pay away the same at a higher rate than that of the Ordinance.   

ARTIC. xv.  
We forbidden also every one to Cull any Gold or Silver-Monies, and so by this means to sort the weighty and good ones from the light and bad ones, to Pay away the light ones and make their profit of the weighty upon penalty as abovesaid.   

ARTIC. xuj.  
And as for the Stuff and Materials of Gold and Silver being in Mass or sweep, We forbidden to buy or sell them at a higher rate than according to the rule of this Ordinance, upon penalty of confiscation of the abovesaid Materials, and moreover to forfeit double the worth of them at the charge as well of the buyer as of the seller for the first time; for the second time twice as much; and for the third time four times as much; and afterwards Arbitrary punishment.   

ARTIC. xvii.  
We expressly forbidden henceforth to Transport or cause to be Transported out of the abovesaid Province towards any strange Mints, any Gold or Silver-Monies, and also any Materials in Mass or Monies, also any Materials in Mass or Ingots fit to Coin Monies of them, upon fofeit of confiscation of the abovesaid moneys and Materials, or the worth of them in case they were already transported; and besides this upon penalty of one hundred Golden Angelot's for every Mark of Gold, and twenty Angelot's for every Mark of Silver, and of more or less proportionably for the first time; for the second time upon the same forfeit and penalty; and moreover to undergo bodily punishment and if they have not wherewithal to Pay the abovesaid forfeits and amendments, they shall be bodily punished according to the manner of the fact, under which penalty and amendments We understand are comprehended all those who had assisted, and had a hand in the abovesaid transportation or conveying them away, although the moneys or Materials did not belong unto them.   

ARTIC. xx.  
Moreover, We forbidden every one to File, Cut, or Wash with strong Water or Cement or any otherwise any Gold, or Silver-Monies, nor to Saulder, Gilled, Piece or Nail the same, or any way to make the same lighter or heavier, upon the forfeit of life and goods, where confiscation taketh place.   

ARTIC. xxii.  
We forbidden henceforth every one to melt any God or Silver-Monies of her Majesties of England's stamp, valued by these presents upon penalty of life and goods, where confiscation taketh place: And the moneys of Gold which are found to be too light by three grains, or otherwise Clipped, Washed, Nailed or Saudered, shall be brought to the Exchange after the old custom.    

Placcaet and Ordinance for Flanders at Antwerp the fourth of October 1585.  

ARTIC. xiii.  
ANd to hinder the transporting of the good and true moneys, We forbidden all and every one henceforth to buy or sell any Species of Gold and Silver-Monies, to give any profit or gain for it, upon penalty of the seller to forfeit the Pieces which are sold, or shall be sold, and besides the buyer as the seller to forfeit threescore Pounds of the abovesaid good moneys for the first time; and twice as much for the second time; and for the third time four times as much; and besides they are to be Arbitrarily punished.   

ARTIC. xiv.  
We also forbidden all and every one to Weigh, Clip, File, or make choice of any Species of Gold and Silver, for to make any profit with Melting or Transporting of them, upon penalty of Criminal punishment, besides the loss of the abovesaid Pieces.   

ARTIC. xv.  
Furthermore, We forbidden and interdict well Expressly; that no one of what quality, degree or condition soever, shall henceforth endeavour to transport or carry into any strange Mints, or into any other than our own, any Gold, or Silver-Monies of our Stamp, or others tolerated by this our Ordinance, nor also any other moneys being Clipped or declared Bullion melted or in Mass or otherwise, nor also any other stuff fit to Coin Monies of them, upon forfeit of the abovesaid Gold and Silver, and besides of two hundred Golden-Reals for every Mark of Gold, and twenty Golden-Reals for every Mark of Silver, and of more or less in proportion for the first time that this shall happen; and for the second time, besides the abovesaid forfeit, to be bodily punished, and otherwise as occasion shall serve. And if so be that any person have transported any some of moneys without being taken in the fact, we will nevertheless that whensoever it shall be perceived and discovered, they shall proceed against the transgressors by execution of the said penalties, even as if they were taken in the same fact, well understanding that instead of confiscation of the Species, they shall be bound to pay the price and estimation of the transported moneys; and besides, the double worth of them, and besides to be Criminally punished.  
We will and Command also, that those who shall have helped to pack, or secretly convey and transport the abovesaid moneys, either in Mass or Species, although the abovesaid moneys did not belong unto them, they shall be bodily or Arbitrarily punished according to the quality of the fact and Persons.   

The Policy and Laws of this Realm have always aimed at, and intended the Increase and Augmentation of Money, especially that of Silver and this divers ways.  
I. 
9 E. 3. c. 1.38. E. 3. c. 2.17. E. 3.21.5. R. 2. c. 2. 2. H. 4. c. 5. 2. H. 6. c. 6.17. E. 4. c. 1. Made Feonie 19 H. 7. c. 5. 3. H. 8. c. 1.  By providing against Exportation of it.  
II. 
9 E. 3. c. 3.17. R. 2. c. 1.17. E. 4. c. 1.2. H. 6. c. 13.  By proving against the Melting it down to make Plate or other Manufactures of it.  
III. 
E. 1. Statute de monet parvam Rastall Tit. Money.  By providing that if any moneys through time or other practice became uncurrant, than the same to be converted into Money again, and not be diverted from Coyn.  
iv 
2. H. 6. c. 13. 25. E. 3. c. 12. 5. and 6. E. 6. c. 19  By providing that none should give a price for Bullion or Coined Money above the rate of the Mint, or what the same is currant for: for it is not to be expected that any Bullion either of Gold or Silver shall ever be brought to the Mint, when the Owner may have a greater Price than at the Mint, either to be transported or to be converted to make Plate, or other things: of this agreeth likewise with the Policy of Spain, which though it be the Spring and Fountain from whence the greatest Streams of Silver have been derived into other parts, yet Silver there, will always yield the seller six pence, or one Real more upon the Mark at the Mint, than to be sold to any other for any purpose whatsoever, concurring likewise with the practice of other States.   

That all ●●●se Acts are defective and not effectual to the ends abovesaid, for the reasons following.  
The Acts against Transportation, some extend not to Gold as 9 E. 3. c. 1. others have effect only upon the Money that is transported, and that comes too late, and is seldom or never known as, 38. E. 3. c. 2.5. R. 2. c. 2.2. H. 6. c. 6.17. E. 4. c. 1. being now discontinued.  
Those that extend to the shipping of it, etc. viz. 2. H. 4. c. 5.19. H. 7. c. 5. and 3. H. 8. c. 1. Give the whole forfeiture to the King and no part to the Informer, whereby they are not at all made use of, no man being willing to be at charge to prosecute another, doing no good to himself.  
None of those Acts do give sufficient forfeitures to restrain the Offences as hath been manifested by experience.  
Lastly, they have not given any means for discovery thereof, without which the Offenders will not be deterred from finding out close and secret ways to adventure and practice against them, when opportunity of great gain and hope of concealment shall invite and encourage them thereunto.   

And for the Act now drawn and propounded to be passed.  
BEsides the frame and body of it comprehending and fully extending to all the ways and means of the abuses, the same for the forfeitures. Is drawn by the example and precedent of 18. Eliz. c. 9 against transportation of Leather, Tallow, and Raw-Hides, and others in the Queen's time, and the late Ordinance 1647. Against transportation of Wool, Fullers-Earth, etc.  
The Clauses touching the proceeding by Information, etc. are the same with the like Clauses of the said Ordinance for Wool 1647.  
And the Clauses to encourage the Instrument and others to discover the Offences, wherein themselves are liable to the penalties, are framed in Imitation and by the Precedent of the said Act of 18. Eliz. and other Ordinances and Edicts of other Kingdoms and Estates that give like Exemptions and Encouragements, to such, as though guilty themselves in the second degree, shall reveal and discover others more principal Offenders, taking likewise from them the confidence they would have, that the persons they employed should conceal their Offences, whereby they will be much deterred from hazarding and adventuring upon the practice.  
And the Clause touching the Commission and Examination of Witnesses for discovery, etc. And to commit them in case of their refusal to be Examined, is Exampled by 13. Eliz. c. 7. The Act against Bankrupts and discovery of their Estates; There being greater Reason and Equity for the discovery of fraud concerning the Commonwealth, than concerning any private person.    

In an Ordinance and Placcaet for the general Regulating of the MINT, published at Brussel the 18 of March 1633, is inserted.  

ARTIC. xxv.  
WE declare, That although any of our Subjects or others, who shall have acted any thing contrary to this Ordinance, and were not taken in the fact, yet notwithstanding, after they shall be convinced of the said transgression, they shall be proceeded against with condemnation of the said penalties and amendments; well understanding, that instead of forfeiting the said moneys and materials, they shall be condemned to pay the worth of them.   

ARTIC. xxvi.  
And if it happeneth that the just quality and quantity of the said Species, Bullion or materials cannot be precisely known or verified, We will, that such transgressors be punished according to the heinousness of the fact, being left to the discretion of the Judges.   

ARTIC. xxvii.  
Which we intent shall take place, in regard of those who shall be convinced, to have paid away, presented, or received any forbidden Moneys, or at a higher price than by this present Ordinance is declared, although the said quality and quantity of the same could not be precisely verified.   

ARTIC. xxviii.  
We have Authorized and Authorise by these, all Officers, for to cease upon and break open the packs, letters, and portmantles of the Messengers, or of others whom they shall know or suspect, to bring in any of the forbidden Species or Materials, or to transport and convey out of our said Lands, any of our Species, & that in the presence of those to whom the said packets are sent to or do belong, if so be they are residing in that place; as also in the presence of one of the Magistrates of the said place, only to know the name of those who caused the said Gold and Silver to be transported, and to no other end.   

ARTIC. xxxvii.  
We also order, that all those that shall be found to have counterfeited, coined, stamped, pressed, or cast in the sand, any moneys of what manner stuff or metal soever, shall be executed, as false Moniers, in a kettle with boiling oil and water, and with confiscation of all their goods.   

ARTIC. lv.  
If so be any one be convinced, that he had picked or chosen out, or caused to be chosen out any of the said valued Species, for to keep the heavy ones for his profit, and to pay away the light ones to the damage of the Commonalty, We will that he, besides the said Forfeits and Amendments, shall be banished out of Our said Lands, for the space of ten years.   

ARTIC lvi.  
In case that any of the particular Masters of our Mints, or Exchangers were convinced of the said abuse, or that they should have presented or paid away, or cause to be presented or paid away any of the said clipped or other forbidden Species, after that they had received the same for Bullion or not currant, then shall they be banished for ever out of Our said Lands, and their goods confiscated.   

ARTIC. lvii.  
And because the price of the Species is commonly regulated according to the price of the Gold and Silver materials, therefore We have forbidden, and forbidden every one of what quality or condition soever, to by or sell any Gold or Silver materials, or Species declared for Bullion or not currant, at a higher-price than the Ordinance of Our said Mint permitteth, upon penalty of confiscation of the said Materials and the worth of them, at the charge as well of the Buyer as Seller for the first time; for the second time four times as much, besides the confiscation and forfeit, and of other arbitral correction.   

ARTIC. lxiii.  
We order also, that the Brokers, who did assist and help to conclude or treat upon such parcels, either in regard of money given upon exchange, upon Use or Obligation, either in payment of the sold merchandizes, or otherwise, shall be publicly whipped and banished out of our said Lands for the space of ten years.   

ARTIC. lvi.  
And as we have understood, and are truly informed, that a great part of the irregularity concerning the said Placcaets, is risen and occasioned, by reason that many Merchants and Factours will not buy the works and manufactures of the workmen and handiecrafts-men, unless they will receive the Gold and Silver at such a price as they will give it them; or when they have almost bought the goods, they give the merchandizes back again to the sellers, if they will be paid according to the price ordered in our Placcaet: Therefore We will, that such oppressors of the poor Commonalty, shall be rigorously proceeded against and punished, by apprehension of their persons, and that they, their Process being summarily and criminally form, and found guilty of what is abovesaid, shall be banished for ever, and their goods confiscated, or instead hereof to be condemned in a great sum of money, according to the heinousness of the fact; of which confiscation and amendment, the half shall be given to the plaintiff or discoverer.   

ARTIC. lxx.  
In like manner shall be punished those with the same forfeits and amendments, who shall have received, paid away, or presented any clipped Moneys, or declared for Bullion, with Protestation or declaration, that it is for to deliver them into our Mints, or to the Exchangers, unless they had presently cut them in pieces or deformed them, or caused the same to be done by others.   

ARTIC. xci  
We declare, that although it be that any of the Transgressors do obtain favour and pardon from Us or from Our Council. We do not intent, nor we will not, that therefore they should be quitted, and discharged from the parts of the said forfeits and amendments, granted by Us to the Officers, Callers in question, and Plaintiffs, or Discoverers respectively; but such favour and pardon only to take place for as much as belongeth unto Us.   

ARTIC. cv.  
We order well expressly, all Our Fiscals and Officers, to take their conclusions, and all our Councillors, Magistrates, and other Judges, to give their sentences in conformity of this Our present Placaet, without using any moderation of the penalties and amendments therein contained, under what pretext soever, nor also any compensation of Charges, to the prejudice of the Officer founded in the principal, upon penalty of our indignation, and for to answer for it in their own persons, without that they shall plead any ignorance, or the general transgression. Which excuses, We do not intent shall avail or help them in any manner of way: but our intention is, that they shall be punished because of their negligence and connivance.   
This Ordinance and Placcact of the 18 of March 1633, is again confirmed; and all Magistrates and Officers are required to do their utmost endeavours to see it strictly observed in all points. Published at Brussels the 26 of August 1643.   

In an Ordinance and Placcaet for the Regulating of the Mint; Published in Brussels the last day of May, 1644. is inserted.  

ARTIC. xi.  
WE have also forbidden, and forbidden by these presents, every one of what quality or condition soever; as well our Subjects as others, to Transport any Gold or Silver from henceforth out of our Lands, directly or indirectly, or cause the same to be Transported, either Minted or Unminted; or also in Mass, Ingots, or Bullion; without having obtained of us beforehand express leave and consent for to do the same, upon penalty of forfeiting the Gold, Silver, and Bullion, and to pay besides the double of their worth, and upon forfeit of the merchandizes, if so be the abovesaid Gold, Silver, or Bullion shall be found to be packed in them; as also of the horses and wagons of those who shall willingly and wittingly have brought and conveyed the same.   

ARTIC. xv.  
And if any one be found and taken to have Transported or caused to be Transported out of our Lands, any Moneys by Us valued, or other declared Bullion, or any materials of Gold and Silver, and have delivered or caused to be delivered the same into any strange Mints; We will that such persons shall be proceeded against, sharply and vigorously by imprisonment of their persons, and that they, besides, the forfeits of the said Species and materials, and four times the worth of them, for the first time shall be banished out of our abovesaid Lands, for the space of five years; and for the second time for ever.   

ARTIC. xuj.  
And those who willingly and wittingly have assisted for to pack and Transport the abovesaid Moneys or Materials, shall be punished according to pleasures, or banished according to the quality of the person.   
Other Countries you may see strictly provide against these offences; and it will never be mended here, if you make not as strict Laws as they.   

In a Declaration of the King of France, for the Regularing of the new price set upon the Light and Clipped Species of Money: likewise for the observation of the prices of Gold and Silver employed for the Goldsmith's work. It is also well expressly forbidden to melt the Money, and to Trasport them or other materials of Gold and Silver out of the said Kingdom. Printed at Paris 30 of October. 1640.  

FOLIO 8, 9  
WE expressly forbidden, that all materials of Gold and Silver, either coined or uncoined, shall not be bought or sold at a higher rate than is expressly set down in this Placcaet, which doth contain the true value that must be paid for the Mark of Gold and Silver.   

FOLIO 13.  
We expressly forbidden every one, of what codition or quality soever, to Transport out of our Kingdom, any Gold and Silver coined or uncoined, nor any other Gold-smithswork, upon penalty of forfeiting the materials and merchandizes, and other things wherein they shall be found to be packed up in; besides the penalty of fifty pounds and bodily punishment.  
Whereas this Parliament, by their Ordinance 6. of Sept. 1647. did decry all Clipped, Filed, or diminished Money (by means whereof great quantities were sold to some Goldsmith's) who have made it a Trade to deal with Receivers of Public Cashes, Graishers, and several other Persons (and instead of melting of these moneys down) some Goldsmiths have Ishewed these moneys out again in payment, whereas at the Tower these Clipped Monies would make but five shillings the Ounce-Troy, these men have vented out these Clipped moneys to divers Ill-affected people at five shillings six pence, and five shillings eight pence, and six shillings the Ounce, who have dispersed the said Clipped Monies so bought from Goldsmiths up and down the Nation again, to the great Enriching of themselves, and defrauding of the good people of this Nation, by buying up this Clipped Money since the Ordinance 1647. at the least twenty times over, and venting it for currant again (which had been helped, if there had been but six words put into the Ordinance (which was to have required all persons exchanging any Clipped or uncurrant English Money with any Goldsmith or others, upon forfeiture of double the value, to see it cut in two pieces or so defaced that it should not be passable after.) I humbly present this defect of that Ordinance, that it may be looked after and amended, and I humbly desire that the Act against transporting Treasure now committed, may be enacted with such vigour, that the Commonwealth may have the real benefit, and the offenders brought to exemplary Justice.  
There hath been twenty Millions of Money Coined within this twenty five years as will appear by the Mint-Boooks, and almost all of it transported out of the Nation, the Gold all gone, the currant silver culled out, the weightiest melted & transported: & that Silver-Monies which remains is but little, and all culled, Gold is made as precious in this Commonwealth as Diamonds. What inconveniences will arise by the indirect dealing of private men in this particular to the Commonwealth, I shall humbly leave it to you to consider.  
In the year 1643. It was humbly offered to this Parliament, to have the offenders discovered and to bring them to Justice, and this mischief stopped; but by the great Interest of the offenders, that had then power in this Nation, the Proposition was slighted, and these mischiefs ever since daily practised, to the unspeakable damage of this Commonwealth: for it is far easier to keep the Treasure in the Nation by making strict Laws against transportation, than when it is gone to bring it back, as too late experience will make this Commonwealth feel: but you have the power to call these offenders to a strict account, if you pass the Act fully to enable all people to make their discoveries, how, and in what manner other Nations do punish these offenders, you have already presented out of their Placcaets, This evil is grown to such a height that both our own Laws put in the strictest execution, and the Customs and Laws of other Countries added to them for this particular, with the greatest diligence of expert men, to make the search for what is past, and to prevent these mischiefs for the time to come, will be little enough: and to make this discovery is a service of more Importance to the Commonwealth than at first sight can be apprehended.  
This is a certain rule, no great action in any Commonwealth or State can be done but by Money, which all ages have held to be the Sinews of War, and Garland of Peace; and what occasions we have to use it both for commerce and safety, is humbly left to you to consider; and in all well regulated States it hath ever been accounted a great service to discover the offenders and abuses practised upon the Treasure of their Nation: and to prevent the growth of these mischiefs is the work of every faithful lover of his Country; And here they that shall be against the discovery of these offences and offenders, may amongst judicious men be justly suspected to be Parties themselves.  
And though some Merchants and other Interested Persons (may for their own Interest, either for their profit (or fear of Punishment for what they have done) speak themselves, or get others, to oppose the Act against transporting Treasure to pass the House, or procure it to be so altered as it shall not be effectual to give a full cure to the Commonwealth, of the great inconveniences it is now under, by several abuses practised under Coin and Bullion.  
To give a cure to the Commonwealth of these great inconveniences, and also to take away the great obstructions of your Mint; which will never be done till this Act pass, and if it were more stricter, it would be more beneficial to the Commonwealth, especially in these times when you have so many occasions of Money, by bringing in presently very great sums of Money to the State by the Punishment of the Offenders.  
You have here, with all humility, set down to you, the ways and means whereby your neighbour-countries use to prevent these mischiefs, and to punish the Offenders for what is past, with several old Statutes of this Nation: out of which if you exstract the quintessence, and make a sharp and vigorous Law, and require all your Officers and others to put it in full execution, you may in a short time cure this Commonwealth of these dangerous diseases, which if you let it go on, will prove a Gangrene.  
I humbly beseech you to take notice, there hath been within seven years Coined in ten days, more money in the Tower of London, than hath been Coined near upon this three last years: now if you suffer Treasure to go out of the Nation every day for want of a Law, to give all people power to discover and examine the Offenders, in a short time you will not have any Money left in the Commonwealth (for experience in all ages show, that little and slight penalties can never stop some Merchants from their profit, so they get to their private) they care not what mischiefs the Commonwealth suffers: (for a Commonwealth without plenty of Money, looks like a great House unfurnished, and bare Walls is no handsome sight) and you will find there will not be Money left to pay your just Taxes, Customs and Exsice, and to maintain Trade and commerce if you clear not the obstruction of the Mint, and take some effectual course to set it a work: and this Act is but a preparation and groundwork to cause your Mint to go: and till it pass, you will never see your Mint flourish: for to allow any man to outgive the Mint for Bullion is, to shut up the Mint: for all men will vent their Treasure where they can have the greatest price, and not to make a way for the opening of the Mint at this time, especially when you have such occasions of Money,  
I shall humbly leave it to you to consider the consequence and inconvenience, what is here said, is with all humility presented to the Parliament for the service of the Commonwealth, by a faithful lover of his Country, being desired to state my Reasons by some in Authority for passing the aforesaid Act; I have humbly obeyed it and humbly conceive (if it were made stricter than it is) it were far better for the Commonwealth: for transporting Treasure heretofore hath been made Feloney, when the Commonwealth, I humbly conceive, had not so much occasion to see to keep their Treasure in the Nation, and their Mint going as now they have.    
T. V.  
FINIS.