An Humble DECLARATION To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, touching the transportation of Gold and Silver, and other abuses practised upon the Coins and Bullion of this Realm presented the 12th day of April, 1643.  
Wherein is Declared the great mischiefs that have befallen the Commonwealth, by the abovesaid misdemeanours.  
By THOMAS VIOLET of London Goldsmith.  
¶ LONDON, Printed by R. H. 1643.   

MAY it please this Honourable Assembly, to take into their consideration, the great mischiefs and inconveniences that have happened unto this Kingdom, and most especially since the first year of his Majesty's Reign, by the exporting of Gold and Silver into Foreign parts, to the inestimable damage of the Commonwealth, by the great abuses of many Goldsmith's and others, in culling and sorting the heavy current Coins of this Kingdom, to the end to transport or melt down the same; and in buying and selling Gold and Silver above the price of the Mint; by which means they forestall the Mint, and with the Gold and Silver thus bought, for the most part furnish Merchants and others to transport the same, being either the species and pieces of Forreinge Gold and Silver, or the current Coins of Gold and Silver of this Kingdom.  
Which Offences being of a high and transcendent nature, and such as by the Judgement of Parliament, 5 Richard 2. chap. 2. tend to the ruin and destruction of the Commonwealth; for which causes all former ages have been very careful to prevent these mischiefs.  
And nevertheless the covetousness of many men hath been such, that notwithstanding all these Laws and several proceed, and Sentences had and given against them in an extraordinary way in the Court of Star-chamber; They have of late years transported so much Gold out of the Kingdom, that as it is credibly conceived by those that pay and receive great sums of money, there is not the tenth part of the Gold left, that was in the Stock of this Kingdom in the beginning of his now Majesty's Reign, so that our new and old Gold is ten times more plentiful in France and in Flanders than it is with us in England, to the unspeakable loss of this Kingdom.  
That in the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh year of his now Majesty's Reign, His Majesty being informed, and taking notice of the plenty of English Gold and Coins current in France, and of the abuses and disorders above mentioned, befalling the Coin and Bullion of the Kingdom, and taking the same into serious consideration, by the advice of His Privy Council directed, that the transporters of Gold or Silver, the melters down of the current Silver Coins of this Kingdom, the buyers and sellers of Gold and Silver at above the price of the Mint, their Agents Instruments and Assistants, should with all diligence be found and severely punished, according to the Laws: which care of His (and those that endeavoured therein) nevertheless for some time took no effect: and notwithstanding it was generally conceived and understood (as the truth was) that great quantities of Gold were weekly carried into France; yet were the Instruments used therein so few and secret, and the ways and means for the transporting the same so cunningly and closely contrived, that the same could not either by the intercepting of Letters, or by the Merchants or Factors Books of accounts, or the Books of the Goldsmith's (as formerly it had been in the case of the Dutchmen, about the year 1618.) be found out or discerned, for the Letters were for the most part written in Ciphers and Characters, and subscribed and signed by strange and unknown names, and yet well known to the Factors and Correspondents; and for the contents of the Letters, they made mention of Needles, Blades, Gloves, Ribbon, rolls of Tobacco, and such like things to be sent over, and meant by those names: and for the accounts, the same was entered in the accounts kept of Exchangers, so that no man upon perusal of such Books, could find any other thing mentioned but Bills of Exchange: others kept double accounts; and such as had been less wary and close, presently upon the first report of the first that was questioned touching transportation, canceled and defaced all such Books as could any ways manifest their deal in the same; and though divers Merchant's Books of accounts were seized on, by order from the Lords of the Privie-Councell, and under Examination in the Hands of St. John Banks His Majesties then Attorney General, Mr. Diconson and Mr. Trumball then Clerks of his Majesty's Council, and divers others, yet nothing could be proved by their Books.  
Now His Majesty and the Lords finding that the abuses and offences above mentioned, were acted by, and passed through so many hands, and grown to such a height that the same could not be reform without exemplary punishment, and considering the discovery and prosecution of all offences of this nature so secretly and cunningly contrived as aforesaid, would very hardly (if at all) be discovered and found out with any diligence of such as were not acquainted with the said contrivances:  
Hereupon this Declarant, being by some detected before the Lords of His Majesty's Privy Council, to be a transporter of Gold and Silver, and therefore suffered a long imprisonment (with peril of his life, and loss of much of his estate, abroad and here) was by His Majesty and divers Lords of the said Council commanded and enjoined to attend and prosecute in this business of transportation of Gold, for the service of His Majesty and the Commonwealth, for which he was to receive his enlargement, with promise of his Pardon.  
And further, to more encourage him therein, a promise in his Majesty's name was declared by the then Lord Keeper Coventry, Mr. Secretary Cook, and other officers of State, that this Declarant, besides his enlargement and pardon, should aswell have satisfaction of such money as he should expend in the discovery and prosecution of Delinquents for the foresaid offences, as also to receive a reward for his time taken and spent in this service, out of the Fines of such Delinquents as should by other testimonies then of this Declarant be proved to be offenders: Upon which Commands and Promises of the King's Majesty, and to preserve and keep himself from the evils then depending on him, he undertook this service, as Sr. John Banks now chief Justice of his Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, Sr. John Cook, besides divers others of honour and quality, very well know.  
And thereupon this Declarant attending his Majesty's said Attorney aswell with such names as this Declarant had presented touching the premises, as with such as some others had named for transporters; soon after, his Majesty's said Attorney, 22 June 11ᵒ. Car. filled a Bill in the Star-chamber against divers persons that had offended touching the premises and after, the 30th of the said June, another Information was exhibited against other offenders in the Star-chamber.  
That both these Informations were prosecuted in the Star-chamber, and brought to sentence by the great care and diligence of his Majesties said Attorney, as this Remonstrant humbly conceiveth; but so as all the endeavours and labours of making the discovery, and finding out the witnesses, and bringing them from France and other places, and the charges thereof, rested wholly upon this Declarant, and all other necessary Fees for Counsel and other attendances was disbursed by this Remonstrant, for no other person disbursed one penny in or about the said service; in the prosecution of which service, and to bring fourteen offenders to be censured in the Star-chamber, besides three which were Pardoned by His Majesty; it cost the Declarant above 2000l. above six years since disbursed, there having been examined in Court above one hundred Witnesses, found and brought up at this Declarants proper cost and charges as aforesaid, and about three year's time spent in the daily attendance of that service.  
Both these Informations, by the continual attendance charge and industry of this Declarant, and the great and due care of his Majesties then Attorney, were (notwithstanding many difficulties, in respect of some witnesses to be found and brought out of France,) made fit and brought to hearing in the Star-chamber, within the space of about a year and a half, viz. in Hillary Term in the twelfth year of His now Majesty's Reign; and there were found guilty, and censured by the Lords, such persons and such Fines set upon them as follow, viz.  

25 Jan. 12 Car. In the first Cause.  Charles Frank 5000 Robert Ellis 5000 Isaac Romeere 4000 Jacob Delew 1000 Roger Fletcher 1000 Rich. Cockram 1000 John Parrot 3000 
17 February 12 Car. In the second Cause.  Peter Herne 3000 Jo. Terry 3000 Timothy Eman 3000 Isaac Brames 1000 Henry Futter 500 Henry Sweeting 500 John Perrin 100  
The total of the said Fines amount to the sum of 24100l.  
Sr. John Wollaston Knight, and William Gibs Esquire, both Aldermen of the City of London, being informed against in this Information, by his Majesties then Attorney General; procured his Majesty's gracious Pardon, and so were discharged.  
Many others there were that were Delinquents, and charged by the said Bill, besides those who were sentenced, some whereof were taken off by order of the Lords, as charged only with selling Silver above the price of the Mint, and Peter Fountain who was informed against for transporting of Gold, procured his pardon upon payment of 1100l.  
After all these proceed at this Declarants' cost and expenses, the Delinquents being fined at 24100l. this Declarant being informed that there was way made by the Merchants to some of the Lords to have these Fines mitigated, and them installed in a manner to nothing, (divers Merchants and others informing the Lords, that it was no prejudice to the Commonwealth to transport Gold and Silver) hereupon this Declarant attended the Lord Keeper Coventry and Mr. Secretary Cousin. and they acquainted His Majesty therewith, and told His Majesty, that if the Fines were mitigated, it would but in effect give licence to transport Gold and Silver, and desired His Majesty to signify His pleasure to the Lords, that the offenders should be committed to the Fleet if they would not pay their Fines, and not go at liberty as they did: Whereupon His Majesty was pleased to send a Message to the Lords in Star-chamber by the Earl of Holland, that His Majesty's pleasure was, that the transporters of Gold should pay their Fines imposed on them by the Lords in Star-chamber, or else the Warden of the Fleet to take them into custody; and that there should be no mitigation of their Fines, for that would but encourage the transportations of Gold and Silver, by which means no treasure would be left in the Kingdom: notwithstanding which express Command from His Majesty, (though this mitigation was forborn for a while) yet shortly after the said offenders managed their business in that manner, that they got themselves off the 24100l. for 1720l. and 1100l. more Mr. Fountain paid; in all 2820l. only John Parrot his Fine, who was a chief Instrument in the discovery of these offenders, remained on him still without mitigation at all.  
By which the transporting of Gold and Silver hath rather been slighted and licenced then hindered, it having cost this Declarant more in the prosecution than was paid in by the said mitigation; the effect of which mitigation in manner aforesaid, hath been, that many of those who transported Gold before the filing of these two Bills, have since followed it more than ever, as this Declarant believeth, knowing they can get more in a month by transporting of Gold into France and Flanders, than they shall pay according to like mitigation to get off, were it proved against them.  
In the time of this employment (by His Majesty's Command) the Declarant did receive divers interruptions in the prosecution of the transporting of Gold and Silver, and was imprisoned and detained close prisoner for many days, by one Mesy and Stockdale Messengers, by warrant signed under Mr. Secretary Windebanks hand, only for proceeding against transporters of Gold and Silver.  
And some others, in doing their duties in seizing Gold and Silver water-borne, according to several Statutes, have been sued and imprisoned to their great oppressions, contrary to the Laws of this Kingdom.  
That soon after these two Bills already censured in the Star-chamber, at this Declarants' cost, his Majesties then Attorney Sr. John Banks filled a third Bill against transporters of Gold and Silver, and for melting down the heavy current silver Coins of this Kingdom; but by reason of the great charge and disbursments to bring the two former Bills to sentence, the Declarant was unable to proceed any further till he could receive satisfaction from his Majesty, according to His promise to this Declarant, for the moneys he had disbursed in that service, which this Declarant did from time to time sue for.  
First expecting the same out of the said Fines according to the said Declaration, until such time as the same was reduced to the small mitigation, as aforesaid, and that all disposed to his Majesty's service: whereupon this Declarant was enforced to Petition his Majesty for satisfaction according to His Promise formerly made to this Declarant, as aforesaid; which Petition His Majesty 10th March 1638. referred to the now Bishop of London then Lord Treasurer, the Lord Cottington, and Sr. John Coke, principal Secretary, who calling unto them Sr. John Banks his Majesties then Attorney General, were to consider thereof, and make report to His Majesty in their opinions what satisfaction they thought fit to be allowed for his service; but their Lordships, though often therein attended by this Declarant, and moved therein by Sr. John Coke (who had principal charge from His Majesty touching this service) to take the said Petition into their considerations; yet nothing was therein done by their Lordships, to his great damage and discouragement to proceed further in this service, that so much concerned the Commonwealth, and all trade; and thereupon the Declarant being disabled thus, all proceed upon the third Bill ceased.  
That besides the fourteen offenders sentenced in Star-chamber & pardoned, as aforesaid, there are many other Merchants, Goldsmiths and others, that have transported Gold and Silver out of the Kingdom, that have sold Gold and Silver at above the price of the Mint, that have furnished much light gold, English and Foreign, and great quantities of Gold and Silver to Merchants and others to transport, that have culled and melted down the weightiest current Silver Coins, as shillings, sixpences and half crowns, all which offences are against the common Laws of the Kingdom, and several Proclamations, as may appear by what shall be hereafter declared: which Laws for the discovery and prosecution appoint, that such as prosecute and bring to discovery any of the aforesaid offences, are to have a moyitie of what they can prove to be transported, as what they seize, and to be water-borne to transport: And the wisdom and policy of State hath, upon free and general Pardons at Parliaments, exempted it out of the free pardon, thereby the more to terrify and restrain men from venturing in that kind, to transport gold or silver, or to melt down the current silver coins of the Kingdom.  
That divers Goldsmiths of London are become Exchangers of Bullion of gold and silver, and buy it of Merchants and others, pretending to carry it to the Mint; but indeed they are the greatest instruments for transporting that are, and, in a manner, they are only those who furnish transporters with English and foreign gold, Spanish money, Rixdollers, pistolets, Cardacues; culling and melting down the current silver coins of this Realm for plate and silver thread: and no doubt, when a true representation of the abuses of such Goldsmiths, Finers, and Wire-drawers, as hath been formerly, and is daily practised by many of them, shall be made appear; this Declarant doubteth not but this high Court will think fit to take the same into consideration, and provide some means to restrain them from doing the Commonwealth that damage as formerly hath been done.  
That some of the Goldsmiths make it their use and practice to buy light English gold of shopkeepers and others, which by the Laws of this Kingdom, wanting beyond remedy, aught to be bought as Bullion, and upon the sale, aught to be defaced, and new-coined in the Mint: But they take another way; for they sell all this gold to transport, though it want 4. 5. or 6 grains above the allowance, and that a 20, piece will not make 19s. to be coined in the Mint; yet the Goldsmiths will not abate above 2d. or 3d. and sometimes but 1d. in the piece, let the gold want what it will; by which means they out-give the Mint: And the gold which the Goldsmiths buy of the Subjects, thinking it is to carry to the Mint to be new-coined to pass in current payment, they put it into a dead Sea, never to be made use of in our Commonwealth: For weekly French and English have bought up this gold, let it be as light as it will, at 19, 9d. 19, 10d. and 19, 11d. and so after that rate for all other gold, to the value of many hundred thousand pounds; for by the Goldsmith's rule, the Mint is always last served, as being the worst Chapman, and giving least for it; for after all hands are full, both for transporters, Plate-workers, Finers, and Wire-drawers; then that, which they cannot vent otherwise, cometh into the Mint; which the Officers of the Mint know very well: and if gold and silver never came into the Goldsmith's hands, (which Merchants sell to them, believing they carry it all to be coined) far more gold and silver would come into the Mint, than now doth.  
For, many thousand of dollars and Spanish money they furnish yearly Merchants with, that trade for Norway and Denmark and other parts, to transport silver for those parts, to the great weakening of the stock of this Kingdom, and hindrance of the sale of our  commodities, which (before that pernicious way was found out) those Countries vented much of. Besides the hindrance of the sale of our commodities, the King is hindered of his Custom; for the Merchants drive a trade inward and outward, and so pay the King no custom: For instance; Hambrough-Merchants bring great quantities of Rixdollers from Hambrough and other parts of Germany, and pay no Custom, because the State hath ever made gold and silver free to be imported without Custom, which the Merchants usually sell to the Goldsmiths, and the Goldsmiths for the most part sell to the Merchants that trade in Norway and Denmark: which dollars are closely packed in some part of the ship, and so no Custom paid, either for bringing in the silver, or sending it out; and no commodities, in a manner, other than silver, are transported into those parts by the said Merchants, considering the quantity of their return; For what they want in goods exported from hence, they must make up in money: If great returns of commodities from Norway and Denmark, and few commodities exported from hence, the Balance must be made up with silver; for no Nation will give us commodities; but there must be a balance for goods imported, by goods exported, or by treasure.  
That from the year 1621. many Goldsmiths and Cashiers of London culled the weighty shillings and six-pences, to make into plate, silver-wyre, and to other manufactures: for most of that time, we having wars with Spain, little or no silver came from thence; so likewise hath little or no silver from France in that time: and no silver could be brought out of Holland, by reason it went so high by Plachart; for Starling-silver passed in Holland for 4d per ounce higher than it made in our Mint, sterling being in Holland at 5. 4d. per ounce; so that no silver could be imported from Holland to supply our mint: which the Goldsmiths and others perceiving, presently fell a culling the silver money's current: and the money being coined in the mint at 5s. 2d. the Goldsmiths, Finers, and Wire-drawers did raise it up to 5. 3d. per ounce, and melted down all the weighty shillings and sixpences and lest none to pass betwixt man and man, but light monies and clipped; and did exceed the rate of the mint, by giving for Starling 5s. 3d. per ounce, and 5s. 3d. ½. per ounce, and sometimes more: by which means there was no silver brought into the mint for ten years, to speak of, (but the silver which came from Wales) to the great damage of the Subject, and benefit of themselves: this will appear by the mint-books. And if some stricter Laws be not made than are yet in force, if silver should not come from Spain, the Goldsmiths and Cashiers would presently fall to their old way of culling of the current silvermoneys again. All these several offences are humbly presented to this high Court to take into their just considerations, that the said offenders may be found out, and some strict Law made to deter others from practising the like for the future.  
And this Remonstrant humbly showeth, that in the prosecution of this service, which so much concerneth the Common wealth, he hath expended 2000l. as before he hath declared.  
His humble prayer is, that if this honourable House shall command him to proceed in this service for the Commonwealth, that out of the Fines of the Delinquents, which shall be proved to be offenders, he may be reimbursed the said several sums he hath formerly laid out, and damage for his forbearance for his service formerly done about the transporters, and such other sums as he shall expend in the prosecution of this service to bring up witnesses and other necessary expenses, out of the Fines of such as he shall bring and prove to be Delinquents.  
In projects, as the Wine, Salt, Soap, Tobacco, and many of the like nature, where private men cousin the Commonwealth; yet all these offences this Declarant humbly conceiveth, put together, are not of so prejudicial consequence to the Commonwealth as the transporting of Gold and Silver, the culling and melting down the current Silver money of this Kingdom, the selling of Silver and Gold above the price of the Mint: for in Projects one man cozeneth another, but the stock remaineth in the Kingdom; but for a man to act any of these foresaid offences, tendeth to the destruction of trade, robbing the Kingdom of the treasure: And to keep the Mint from coining, is as to let the water out of the Cysterne, and yet to let none in, and then the same will quickly be drawn dry.  
It is to be feared, that the industry of many ages cannot replenish the Kingdom with so much Gold as hath been transported out of it since the first year of His Majesty's Reign; for it is an infallible rule, that where Gold and silver is overvalued, thither will it be transported by merchants and others, for it continually resorts where it is most made of; and if you seek to raise it here, the remedy is worse than the disease, for than you take from the Gentry, and all settled Revenuers, as much of their means as you raise the current money; for if Gold should be raised in England, for example, the 20s. to 26s. as it is in France; either higher or lower; you should buy no more at your market for 26s. than you could before for your 20. and contrariwise, if your 20s. were but 14s. you should buy as much for your fourteen shillings, as when it passed at 20. so that whensoever money is raised, the loss falleth most upon the Nobility and Gentry and certain Revenuers, who lose so much out of their inheritance, which they have let out in lease, as money raised.  
The Declarant humbly conceiveth, the easiest way to fill the Kingdom with Gold, which it wanteth, is, according to the pattern of the Statutes of 14 Ed. 3. cap. 21. in case of transporting of wools, To enjoin the Merchant's Adventurers, Turkey-merchants, and exporters of Corn, Fish, or any manner of ammunition, or the like; and Merchants that deal in other commodities of the Kingdom with other Countries, to bring into this Realm a proportion of gold upon the return of the Merchandise: by which means the Commonwealth in time may recover this great mischief under which it suffers; and if not speedily stopped, there will not be left Coin to maintain Trade.  
All merchants that trade for Spain, know, that when the West-India fleet cometh not into Spain, the trade for that year is lost; and no money, no trade. If this be an infallible rule for Spain, which suffers so much for the forbearance of bringing in of treasure for one year, and is supplied the next out of the Indies, and till their Fleet come home, no dealing with Merchants; This Declarant doth humbly present, how much more it doth concern this Kingdom, which hath no West-Indies to supply the Treasure transported, to provide and carefully keep in the Kingdom's stock, which once transported, cannot be drawn back, but upon unreasonable terms; which will impoverish all the Gentry to an inestimable value; and as long as it remaineth out of the Kingdom, all trading and commerce decayeth, the subjects are unable to pay Subsidies and other duties, and it is one of the greatest mischiefs that can befall the Commonwealth.  
And at this present in France, the native Merchants there match us with such a point of policy, that it would be hard for our merchants to be master of; for since the raising of our 20 piece to 26 there, this Declarant humbly desireth it may be taken into consideration, how they have advanced the price of their commodities according to their advanced moneys, to the full sum of 6 in the pound more than they were before: and as for Wines of the growth of France, they are so dear, that they cost the Merchants there above 30 in the hundred, more than they did before Gold was raised; and yet our cloth and other commodities are little raised there: by which means most of the Wines, and Linen, both cutwork and black bonelace, and other such like commodities in France, are imported into this Kingdom, only in return of Gold transported for France: The like those of Flanders have filled England with Thread, cutworks and Flanders-laces, both Silk and Thread, and many other unnecessary commodities, which for the most part are stolen in without paying of custom, and drains the Kingdom of its money both in City and County, most of the said commodities being bought in France and Flanders, with the Gold transported out of this Kingdom, to the value of many hundred thousand pounds; most of the commodities which have been returned from France and Flanders for our Gold, being utterly useless in a thriving Commonwealth. And to give a stop to these mischiefs, will require great & sound deliberation, for coin is the treasure of the Kingdom and public measure of all commerce, and the vital spirits of all trade in the Kingdom, and therefore ought tenderly to be preserved.  
It is recorded, that one of the greatest works Queen Elizabeth did for this Kingdom, was the reducing of the moneys, when they were embased, to Sterling: and doubtless it is as great a benefit to settle a Law for the bringing in of gold for exportation of some commodities, to replenish that loss which the Commonwealth hath received by exportation thereof.  
All men know that no great design can be done without money, in Commonwealth or Kingdom: which made the French King lately, when the wars were between Spain and them, to set such a rate upon Gold, that they drained all Christendom of gold; and it is believed, they do esteem (having most of the gold of Christendom in their Kingdom) the possession of it to be as good a strength as any ammunition they can have; for it makes them capable of any great action. All Merchants, and others, that have been at Paris, know, what great sums are taken up there, and in other places of France, by the King, of Bankers and others, for his wars; which is raised with that expedition and ease as is incredible, but to those that know it; and most of the payments paid in gold, which is a great benefit saving convoy, one waggon of Gold being as much in value as fifteen in Silver, which, as that Kingdom's business stands, saves much in the portage; and if they had not drawn in our gold, they could not have done those great businesses as they have done; and they found it to be true, that it was one great point of putting the Kingdom into a posture of defence, by filling it full of treasure: the consideration of it, this Remonstrant humbly leaves to this House.  
Now that general Laws and Statutes from time to time have provided against transporting of gold, or melting down the current coin, and buying silver and gold at above the price of the Mint, appeareth by Statutes 9 Ed. 3. both forbidding the transporting of the gold of the Kingdom, and the melting down the current silver coins, by Goldsmiths or others, into plate.  
Stat. 14. Rich. 2. cap. 12 Commissions made through the Realm, for to inquire of such as had conveyed the money of England out of the Kingdom, to the prejudice and damage of the King and Realm.  
Stat. 17. Ric. 2. cap. 1. There shall be no melting of the current money to make any thing, by Goldsmiths or others, upon pain of forfeiture.  
2 Hen. 4. cap. 4. No person to transport gold or silver, either in coin or bullion, upon pain of forfeiting as much as they might.  
4 Hen. 4. cap. 10. No Goldsmith or other person to melt down the current silver coins of the Kingdom, upon pain of forfeiting four times the value.  
9 Hen. 5. cap. 1. All Statutes heretofore made touching the good and lawful government of Gold and Silver, and not repealed, to be in force.  
2 Hen. 6. cap. 6. Upon a grievous complaint made in Parliament, that great sums of Gold and Silver were transported into Flanders and Bordeaux out of this Kingdom, it was ordered and enacted, that no Gold or Silver should be transported out of the Realm.  
And because it is supposed, that the money of Gold is transported by Merchants-aliens, It is ordained, that the Merchants-aliens shall find security with sureties in the Chancery, that they shall not transport gold or moneys out of the Kingdom, upon pain of forfeiting the sum or the value; and if any do contrary, and that duly proved, and he so doing be gone over Sea, than his pledges shall pay the King his said forfeiture; whereof he that the same espied, and thereof gave notice to the Treasurer or the King's Council, shall have the fourth part.  
2 Hen. 6. cap. 12. To the intent that more money be brought into the Mint, It is ordained, that neither the Master of the Mint, nor Changer for the time being, neither sell nor cause to be sold, nor alien to no other use, but apply the same wholly to coin, according to the tenure of the Indenture made betwixt the King, and Master of the Mint.  
4 Hen. 7. cap. 13. Item, Where in a Parliament begun and holden at Westminster the 16 of January, the 17 of Ed. 4. No person to carry Gold or Silver either in Bullion or coin, nor Jewels of gold, but such persons as be dispensed with by the Statute of Hen. 4. upon pain of felony, to be heard and determined as other felony is; the which Statute to endure from the feast of Easter the 18 of Ed. 4. unto the end of seven year's next ensuing: Since the which 7 years expired, the Gold and Silver coin of this Realm hath and daily is conveyed into Flanders, Normandy, Britain, Ireland, and other parts beyond the Seas, as well by Merchants-strangers as by Denizens, to the great impoverishing of the Realm, and greater is like to be, without remedy thereof hastily provided. The King our Sovereign Lord, the premises considered, by the advice of his Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the prayers of the Commons in the said Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, have ordained and enacted and established, That the said Statute made in the 16 year of Ed. 4. be and stand a Statute good and effectual, with all the premises in the same observed and kept and put in due execution, from the feast of the Purification of our Lady, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1489. to endure to the end of 20 years next ensuing.  
1 Hen. 8. cap. 13. An Act made, that whosoever shall carry any gold or silver or jewels out of the Realm, shall forfeit double the value, the one half to him that shall seize it, or therefore sue by action of debt at the Common Law. This Act to endure to the next Parliament.  
5 and 6 Ed 6. cap. 19 An act touching the exchange of gold and silver, that whosoever gives more for gold and silver than it is or shall be declared by the King's Proclamation, shall suffer imprisonment by the space of one year, and make fine at the King's pleasure, the one moiety to His Majesty, the other moiety to be to the party that seizeth the same, or will sue for it by Bill, Plaint, or Information or otherwise.  
1. A Proclamation against giving for light Gold more than is current, 21ᵒ July, 17º Jaci.  
2. A Proclamation against melting English money, 18ᵒ Maii. 9º Jaci.  
3. A Proclamation against buying and selling Gold and Silver, at higher prices than the Mint, 14ᵒ Maii. 10º Jaci.  
4. A Proclamation against transporting of Gold, 23ᵒ Maii. 10º Jaci.  
5. A Proclamation against profit for Gold and Silver, and melting English money for Plate; Waste in Gold and Silver, 4º Febi. 19º Jaci.  
6. A Proclamation against transporting Gold and Silver, and melting down the current coins of the kingdom, 25ᵒ Maii. 3º Carⁱ.  
From all which Statutes and provisions it may be gathered, that the current money and Bullion of the kingdom, is the Subjects, only to use between man and man, but not to abuse: for no man by the Law can buy or sell them by way of Merchandise at higher rates than they are Proclaimed; if he do, he is finable by the Law: he that washeth, clippeth or lesseneth the current coins, commits treason: He that exports the treasure of the kingdom, either in Bull on or current Coin, being taken, loseth them: he that melts down the current Gold or Silver of the kingdom for plate or other manufactures, commits a forfeiture; and transporting of Treasure hath formerly been made felony, as by the several Statutes and Laws to this purpose appeareth.  
By these and divers other Laws and Statutes, His Majesty's predecessors have endeavoured the retention and preservation of the Coin and Treasures within this Kingdom, but could hitherto never effect it.  
And of late, the easy escape of Delinquents for these offences, which have been taken, hath given the boldness to offenders to go on: and Time, the truest Schoolmaster, hath taught all ages to know, that little penalties could yet never interpose betwixt the Merchant and his profit.  
FINIS.